Cover December 2018.qxp_Birmingham Cover 20/11/2018 17:06 Page 1

MARTINE MCCUTCHEON STARS IN Your FREE essential entertainment guide for the Midlands ELF AT GENTING ARENA BIRMINGHAM WHAT’S ON DECEMBER 2018 Birmingham ISSUE 396 DECEMBER 2018 ’ WhatFILM I COMEDY I I GIGS I VISUAL ARTS I EVENTSs I FOOD Onbirminghamwhatson.co.uk

PARTOF WHAT’S ON MEDIA GROUP WTE:@WHATSONBRUMTWITTER: FACEBOOK:@WHATSONBIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAMWHATSON.CO.UK Mulligans Full December 2018.qxp_Layout 1 21/11/2018 15:35 Page 1 Contents December Birmingham.qxp_Layout 1 20/11/2018 15:46 Page 2

December 2018

Contents

Escape to the sun - when Benidorm Live takes to the stage at The Alexandra Theatre... page 31

Jimmy Osmond Lily Allen The Nutcracker the list

aiming to ‘hook’ Hippodrome shows No Shame at the city’s festive magic from Your 16-page audiences this Christmas O2 Institute week-by-week listings guide Interview page 8 page 15 page 20 page 51 inside:

4. First Word 11. Food 15. Music 19. Comedy 24. Theatre 37. Film 40. Visual Arts 45. Events

@whatsonbrum fb.com/whatsonbirmingham @whatsonmediagroup Birmingham What’s On Magazine Birmingham What’s On Magazine What’s On Media Group

Managing Director: Davina Evans [email protected] 01743 281708 ’ Sales & Marketing: Lei Woodhouse [email protected] 01743 281703 Chris Horton [email protected] 01743 281704 WhatsOn Editorial: Lauren Foster [email protected] 01743 281707 Brian O’Faolain [email protected] 01743 281701 MEDIA GROUP Abi Whitehouse [email protected] 01743 281716 Sue Jones [email protected] 01743 281705 Adrian Parker [email protected] 01743 281714 Contributors: Graham Bostock, James Cameron-Wilson, Katherine Ewing, Jenny Ell, Steve Adams, Lauren Cole, Nanci Davies, Jack Rolfe, Elly Yates-Roberts, Daisy Sparkle, Steve Taylor, Chris Eldon Lee Publisher and CEO: Martin Monahan Accounts Administrator: Julia Perry [email protected] 01743 281717 This publication is printed on paper from a sustainable source and is produced without the use of elemental chlorine. We endorse the recycling of our magazine and would encourage you to pass it on to others to read when you have finished with it. All works appearing in this publication are copyright. It is to be assumed that the copyright for material rests with the magazine unless otherwise stated. No part of this publication may be reproduced, or stored in an electronic system, transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopied, recording or otherwise, without the prior knowledge and consent of the publishers. First Word Birmingham December .qxp_Layout 1 21/11/2018 15:24 Page 1

Entertainment news from around the region

Ian McKellen to celebrate his 80th birthday in Brum Sir Ian McKellen is to celebrate his 80th birthday next year by presenting a new solo show on 80 stages across the UK, including Birmingham Repertory Theatre (on Friday 21 and Saturday 22 June). The Lord Of The Rings star is touring his production to raise money for . Commenting on the news, The REP’s Artistic Director, Roxana Silbert, said: “We’re thrilled to be welcoming Ian to Birmingham next year. This will be a special show and a rare and excellent opportunity to celebrate one of the UK’s greatest actors. We’re deeply grate- ful that Ian is doing this to raise vital funds for REP First, a three-year campaign which aims to raise £1million to ensure that the the- atre can continue to nurture the region's tal- ented young artists, commission exciting new work, welcome new audiences and reach out to the communities of Birmingham and beyond.”

Festive films on the big Marvel-ous event returns cludes two concerts and a talk with the com- poser. Commenting on the event, Stephan screen at Brindleyplace to Birmingham in 2019 Meier, Artistic Director of BCMG, said: “Fer- Birmingham’s Brindleyplace is this month neyhough’s music is known for its complex- hosting its first ever Winter Film Festival. ity, but we shouldn’t forget its humanity and Running for four days from 13 to 16 Decem- diversity: the pieces we perform in our Fer- ber, the event will see popular movies being neyhough Day include a conjuring of Icarus’s shown on a big outdoor screen. stunning achievement of flight. As Icarus The festival’s fea- sought to soar ever higher, we push the tured films are boundaries of what’s possible - involving the Gremlins, Elf, Comic book superheroes including Spider- next generation of musicians in partnership Frozen, Home Man, Iron Man, Thor, Black Panther, the with the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire to Alone, The Polar Hulk, Black Widow and Doctor Strange will pay tribute to this extraordinary figure in Express and It’s A be smashing their way into Birmingham late contemporary music.” Wonderful Life. next year when Marvel Universe LIVE! re- For further infor- turns to the city with a brand new show. mation about the Taking place at Arena Birmingham from 5 to Sir Elton back on the road film festival, visit 8 December 2019, the production will feature brindleyplace.co cutting-edge special effects, pyrotechnics, 3D Sir Elton John will visit Birmingham in 2020 video projection, aerial stunts, martial arts with his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour. City art gallery to benefit and daring motorcycle displays. Commenting on the announcement, Sir Elton For more information, visit marvel.com said: “The tour will take us to many places from Arts Council funding that have meant a lot to me over the last 50 The Arts Council is to invest more than years, but these UK shows will be incredibly £1.5million in four arts and cultural venues BCMG concert celebrates special. The UK is home, and where my heart in the West Midlands, with Ikon in Birming- will always be. To celebrate some of the in- ham being one of the beneficiaries. Midlands composer credible moments we’ve shared with my The other venues are The Courtyard in Here- Birmingham Contemporary Music Group British fans over the years will be wonderful. ford, Compton Verney in Warwickshire and (BCMG) and the Royal Birmingham Conserva- These homecoming shows will be very emo- Coventry’s Herbert Art Gallery & Museum. toire are this month linking up to celebrate tional and a lot of fun.” The cash injection will also finance an instru- the work of Coventry-born composer Brian The Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour stops off ment truck for the City of Birmingham Sym- Ferneyhough, on the occasion of his 75th at Arena Birmingham on 9 November 2020 phony Orchestra. birthday. Taking place at the Conservatoire and then at Resorts World Arena two days on Sunday 9 December, Ferneyhough Day in- later, on the 11th. 4 whatsonlive.co.uk First Word Birmingham December .qxp_Layout 1 21/11/2018 15:24 Page 2

First Word

And the Strictly judges are... All four of Strictly Come Danc- ing’s television judges will take part in the 2019 live UK arena tour of the show. Craig Revel Horwood, Darcey Bus- sell and Bruno Tonioli will star alongside head TV judge Shirley Ballas in 29 supersized shows at the start of the new year. The 2019 tour kicks off at Birmingham Arena, from Fri- day 18 to Monday 21 January. For more information and tickets, visit strictlycomedanc- inglive.com

Once upon a pantomime time at A new exhibition celebrating the magic of panto opens at Birmingham Hippodrome this month. Featuring artwork by Craig Earp and Danny Lloyd, Once Upon A Time: A Visual History Of Pan- tomime is a response to the theatre’s archive collection of photographs, posters and programmes. The exhibition is on display in gallery spaces off the theatre’s foyers from Tuesday 4 December to Tuesday 5 February.

Alison to do the Time Warp in Birmingham TV presenter Alison Hammond, comedians Dom Joly and Steve Punt, and actors Beverley Callard Romance and and Philip Franks will all appear as the charac- magic with the ter of The Narrator during the 2019 UK tour of King of Waltz The Rocky Horror Show. The five stars take to the stage to perform the iconic role at various points Violin superstar André Rieu throughout the tour. visits Birmingham this month Alison Hammond will play the part when the to present a concert featuring show visits Birmingham’s Alexandra Theatre a selection of Christmas car- from 13 to 25 May. ols. Andre will be performing with his Johann Strauss Or- chestra and promises ‘a grand show including romantic mo- Symphony Hall’s new performance space revealed ments and witty twists’. He Birmingham’s Symphony Hall has released a showcase their work, supporting our ambition to appears at Arena Birmingham video offering a glimpse of its new performance be a truly inclusive organisation. Symphony Hall on Thursday 13 December. For space, which forms part of a major project to re- is already a national icon: this project will en- more information, visit the develop the venue’s public areas. sure that the youth, diversity and creativity of venue’s website. The project - named Making An Entrance - will our wonderful city and region becomes an em- open the building onto a regenerated Centenary bedded part of our story.” Square and ‘reinforce Symphony Hall’s place in Birmingham’s city life’. Commenting on the project, Anita Bhalla, Town Hall Symphony Hall’s Chair of the Board, said: “We believe that this project will not only future- proof the business but will also give our local communities more flexible spaces in which to

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First Word

A feast of Christmas shows at Brum’s Symphony Hall Birmingham’s Symphony Hall looks to have Christ- mas covered this month, presenting a programme of entertainment for the whole family to enjoy. The festive celebrations begin with Christmas Spec- tacular, ‘the ultimate Christmas party with a snow- filled finale’. Following that, there's Carols By Candlelight - featuring an orchestra in full 18th cen- tury costume - Christmas Carol Singalong with Jonathan Cohen, White Christmas - comprising favourite festive-season songs and carols - the big band sound of Glenn Miller, and Piano Legends - in- cluding the music of, among others, Billy Joel and Elton John. To check out Symphony Hall’s complete line-up of Christmas shows, visit thsh.co.uk

Ghostly tales at RBSA taking entries for photo prize Coca-Cola truck The Coffin Works The Royal Birmingham Society of Artists (RBSA) is currently taking returns for Xmas Highly rated theatre ensemble entries for its third Photographic Prize exhibition, presented early The iconic Coca-Cola truck is Don’t Go Into The Cellar are next year in collaboration with the city’s Argentea Gallery. visiting Birmingham this this month presenting an Launched in 2015, the exhibition month as part of its UK Christ- evening of original spine-chill- celebrates photographic artwork mas tour. ing tales at Birmingham’s Cof- by emerging and established pho- The truck stops off in the city’s fin Works. The production tographers. It comes complete Eastside Green on Saturday 15 takes place on Saturday 15 De- with a first prize of £1,000. & Sunday 16 December, provid- cember and is suitable for audi- The deadline for entries is 4pm on ing families with the opportu- ence members aged 12 and Wednesday 9 January. An applica- nity to experience a ‘snowy older. For more information, tion pack can be downloaded winter wonderland’. visit coffinworks.org from the website, rbsa.org.uk “Coca-Cola is synonymous with Credit: Hodgson. Geoffrey. Shelter at Twlight the Christmas season,” says the drinks giant in publicising the The Specials celebrate 40th anniversary visit, “and it’s no secret that The Specials will next spring perform in Birmingham as part of their our much-loved truck tour 40th anniversary tour. The Coventry-formed English 2 Tone and ska marks the unofficial count- revival band stop off in the city down to Christmas.” during a 31-date trek around Eu- For more information, visit rope in support of soon-to-be-re- coca-cola.co.uk/stories/keep- leased album Encore - their first on-trucking Goodbye, Roxana collection of new music in 37 Birmingham Repertory The- years. The boys play the O2 Acad- It’s Grimms at the atre’s Artistic Director, Roxana emy on Friday 26 April. Silbert, is leaving the venue Blue Orange... next summer to take up a simi- Birmingham’s Blue Orange lar post at ’s Hampstead Download announces first acts for 2019 Theatre is presenting three all- Theatre. “My time at The REP time favourite fairytales by the Def Leppard, Slipknot and Tool have been announced as headliners has been one of the most re- Brothers Grimm as part of its for the 2019 Download Festival, taking place at Donington Park in Der- warding experiences ever,” Christmas celebrations. byshire from 14 to 16 June. says Roxana, “and I am eter- Grimms Faery Tales, featuring Commenting on the news, Def Leppard frontman Joe Elliott said: nally grateful to our audiences. the stories of Rumpelstiltskin, “We’re delighted to be going back to headline Download in 2019. The For me, their support is evi- Little Red Riding Hood and Ra- festival has a very special place in our hearts and it’s such a great dence that audiences both de- punzel, shows at the venue place to play. We will be playing Hysteria in full - yes, in full! - plus a mand and deserve theatre that from 15 to 30 December. load more hits, and we’re going to put on a very special show for our represents the diversity of the For more information, visit UK fans. We can’t wait to see you all there!” city around us.” blueorangetheatre.co.uk Tickets are now available at downloadfestival.co.uk 6 whatsonlive.co.uk First Word Birmingham December .qxp_Layout 1 21/11/2018 15:24 Page 4 Jimmy Osmond.qxp_Layout 1 21/11/2018 16:57 Page 1

Jimmy Osmond Hooked on panto and enjoying being in Peter Pan!

08 whatsonlive.co.uk Jimmy Osmond.qxp_Layout 1 21/11/2018 16:57 Page 2

by Lauren Foster

If you’re 50 or older, your earliest memory of Jimmy Osmond will probably be when he appeared on television screens in the early 1970s, a chubby-faced nine-year-old belting out the chart-topping number for which he remains most famous, the classic Long Haired Lover From . Thirty-six years later and with a varied career behind him - including reality TV show appearances on series including I’m A Celebrity - he’s reaching for the stick-on moustache to star as Captain Hook in Birmingham Hippodrome’s pantomime production of Peter Pan. What’s On caught up with him to find out more...

You have a reputation for being a really many have really understood it. I just love it. me grow up on the old variety shows, but nice guy, Jimmy, so what’s the appeal of I'm here about six months a year, so I feel like when you hit the stage, if you have any touch playing a villainous character like Captain I'm British. points with people, you make instant friends. Hook in pantomime? It’s a really special thing that you can only do Can you recall your first pantomime? Oh, I love it. This is my eighth panto. It took after being around a long time - like an old me a while to convince them that I really I’d just got out of the jungle - I hadn’t known penny like me who keeps showing up, right? wanted to be a baddie. This is my third time anything about the jungle, so that was quite What’s your all-time favourite panto, and being a baddie, and my favourite baddie is an experience! - and the next thing I knew I if you could play any other character, this, Captain Hook. I put in the teeth, put on was getting thrown into my first pantomime. which would you choose? the moustache, and you don’t even recognise It was in Northampton, it was Cinderella, and me when I’m done. I played Buttons - it was a great production. I My favourite panto character is what I'm thought, wow, I really like this. I love being doing, by far. My favourite panto is the What’s your favourite Hook moment? booed - you wouldn’t think that, but being biggest panto of all, which is also what we’re I haven’t seen the actual script yet, but I booed is like the greatest compliment of them doing, right here at Birmingham Hippo- know about some amazing effects that we’re all. When you look out into an audience and drome! I’ve been here before. I’ve done going to do. My favourite moments are you see a cross-section of people and they’re Chicago and Grease and I've done my own singing my hit records, but we twist them a all having fun, it’s great. These pantomimes concerts here. This is such a pro theatre - bit. Instead of , it’s Crazy Pirates are written so intelligently that they speak to they really care about the community, and etc. I think part of pantomime is learning to every demographic, and the effects are amaz- when you see the set and the effects, they re- make fun of yourself a bit, to have a laugh ing too. It’s great fun just to be a part of it. ally blow your mind. I just have to keep and to push yourself - it’s a very physical People forget their troubles for a couple of pinching myself with my hook that I’m going show, this one. hours. It’s not a job, it’s just great fun. Two to be eaten by a crocodile the size of Mount shows a day, 70-something shows here in Rushmore! That’s pretty cool. Qdos do such How does prepping for panto differ from Birmingham - it’s a lot, and you can’t fake it; an amazing job producing these shows along any of your other stage roles? you have to love it, and I really do. with Birmingham Hippodrome. It really is an I’ve done a lot of musical theatre, so I’m used honour to be a part of the biggest pantomime You’ve appeared on numerous reality TV to learning scripts. I grew up doing these in the UK. How did that happen?! shows, including, as you mentioned, I’m A slapstick comedy bits on the Andy Williams Celebrity... Which show best revealed the What are your plans for the future? television series. There was a lot of music and real you, and did you learn anything about tap dancing and all that stuff, and that’s Some more of my ’70s jukebox shows - yourself in the process? what panto is, so that’s why I think I'm one of they’re great fun. I'm a ’70s guy and I can’t the only Americans who gets it. People ask me why I take those chances, and seem to shake it - nor do I want to, because I you know what - I've learned something love all that music. People come along and What’s the general American consensus every time I've done them. They’ve all been they’re dressed all fancy. I own a theatre in on this very British tradition? different. Pop Star To Opera Star, I’m A America - it’s a 2,100-seat theatre, the Andy I tried panto in America, just as a test, and Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! and Masterchef Williams Theatre - and I produce around 400 wow, we had to tell them that they had to boo - they were the top three for me. During every shows a year. I'm in around 100 to 150 of when the baddie comes out and stuff. That’s one of those, I made friendships that have them. It’s a lot, but I love what I do! I never what the amazing thing about playing Birm- lasted. The rule I have is that you never go on thought showbiz would last for me. I started ingham is - it’s the biggest panto in the world one of those shows with anything to sell. I when I was three and here I still am, doing really, and you guys, and me too, were raised think if you do, you compromise who you new, fresh, fun things. I think I’m hooked… on panto, so we get it. It’s in our DNA, and are. It’s been great for me because when I do you can’t force that. There’s been a few of my a concert tour, like I'm doing now before the American friends who get it, like David Has- panto, I get touch points from people of all Peter Pan shows at Birmingham selhoff and The Fonz, Henry Winkler - he was ages. Somebody may have watched me on Hippodrome from Wed 19 December to Captain Hook a couple of times - but not Masterchef, someone else may have watched Sun 27 January

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by Lauren Cole

Yes, it’s that time of year again... when Birmingham Hippodrome outdoes itself by presenting a ‘bigger and better than ever’ pantomime production! On this occasion, the theatre’s festive offering is based around JM Barrie’s classic story of Peter Pan. What’s On caught up with the show’s director, Michael Harrison, and panto favourite Matt Slack to find out more....

The boy who never grew up and his pesky same as Matt Slack being brilliant at what he you’d expect, and they want to laugh prop- pixie sidekick, Tinkerbell, make a welcome does. They’re no different talent-wise, it’s just erly too. That’s why it’s not just cheesy old return to Birmingham Hippodrome this that they operate in different ways.” pantomime here. We like to keep it modern Christmas. Audiences can expect to be and fresh for everyone. I think this is the Michael also believes it’s essential that the whisked off to Neverland with Wendy, John number-one venue for pantomime, and I show’s comedy stars, like Matt, have the op- and Michael Darling, to share in adventures hope I keep coming back for many more portunity to contribute to the creative pro- awash with pirates and liberally sprinkled years. It’s incredible that I’ve had the oppor- cess: “It’s vitally important that Matt is with fairy dust. tunity to create the following that I’ve got involved every step of the way because a here, and from my point of view, what’s not “A panto has to be like a great big glossy vari- panto is about two things: magic and com- to like? I come out and whatever I do, they ety show,” explains Peter Pan’s director, edy. I can take care of the magic with plan- love! That kind of popularity is just a great Michael Harrison. “We have to put on a pro- ning the special effects, sets and lighting. But privilege - I’m very lucky.” duction we know the audience will want to the comedy has to come from the performers, see. They want to laugh, be wowed by special so it’s vital that their input is there. I have to Matt also doesn’t mind working over Christ- effects and dazzled by scenery. This does look at the overall structure of the perfor- mas: “Some people would say it’s unfortu- mean bending and crafting the story - there’s mance, but Matt will come to me with new nate that our busiest time is the festive not a magical mermaid in the original, for in- routines or changes and I see what we can do period, but personally speaking, it allows me stance. There was no acrobatic troop in Nev- with placement.” to have time off in the summer. I’d rather be erland either, but in our show we have the working hard in the theatre when it’s cold Some of pantomime’s finest moments are Timbuktu Tumblers. There might have been a weather to make families’ Christmases extra born out of the rehearsal process and added drunken pirate somewhere on board Captain special. I like being a part of their traditions.” to the show at the eleventh hour - as Matt Hook’s ship, but he wasn’t doing acrobatics Slack explains: “That kind of adrenaline-fu- Birmingham Hippodrome makes the magic of on the deck like Sascha Williams - who was a elled pressure does sometimes make the best pantomime suitable for all when it hosts a re- Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist - will be.” stuff. Interesting ideas can pop into my head laxed performance on Wednesday 23 January. Michael freely admits that when it comes to at any point, whether it be September during On this particular day, the show will be spe- producing a pantomime, he’s not the biggest rehearsals or the start of December in the cially adapted to cater for people with an fan of JM Barrie’s classic adventure: “I’ve put dress runs. Like last year, when I did the Autism Spectrum Condition, sensory and off doing Peter Pan because I’ve never really dance-off with Danny Mack - which proved to communication disorders or a learning dis- liked the story. I don’t like the section start- be a massive hit with the audience - it took a ability. ing off in the nursery because it always long time to really ‘feel’ it. You can’t really “It means a lot to me because I have an autis- seemed a bit like a school play. Instead, put performances like that on paper. They tic nephew,” says Matt. “I know how hard it we’ve done the whole nursery section on come from bouncing off each other in re- is for a family to bring an autistic child to the film. It’s all projections that show going hearsals.” theatre. It’s great that we create a space through the nursery window and seeing the This year, Matt plays Captain Hook’s right- where they won’t be frowned upon for shout- children. Then we set the story on the roof, hand man, Smee - but Matt’s version of the ing out or moving around. We don’t adapt and that’s where Peter Pan comes in with character comes with a twist: “Smee is al- that much of the performance. We just get on Tinkerbell to meet the kids before they fly off ways Captain Hook’s sidekick. In our version, with it and let the audience members do to Neverland.” Mr Smee happens to work for the Darlings what they have to do. It’s important that the Another key aspect of any pantomime’s suc- and follows them to Neverland to watch over performance isn’t patronising; they’re not cess is choosing the right performers. This them. It just so happens that when he lands stupid, they just need that space to feel com- year sees the return of Hippodrome favourite there, the first person he meets is Captain fortable in the theatre. All we do really is just Matt Slack alongside comedy writer and ac- Hook, but he spends the show going back change lighting, maybe remove some sound tress Meera Syal, Union J star Jaymi Hensley, and checking the kids are okay. For my status here and there, or add some extra explana- and the legendary Jimmy Osmond. here at the Hippodrome, I’ve got to be the tion in the performances. They do it so well good guy. What’s really exciting about Smee here, and it’s so successful. I think it’s the “The best people in pantomime are those is that he’s a swashbuckling adventurer, and nicest day of the whole run and, certainly for who’re funny by just being an extension of I slot into that role very well. It’s almost like me, the most rewarding.” themselves,” says Michael. “If you put on a Smee is partly just me and partly a perfor- funny voice or do a naff walk, it never really mance, so that’s fun.” works. Funny is at its best when it’s real. Per- forming in a panto is an art form - it’s no dif- Matt is thrilled that he’s able to return to Peter Pan shows at Birmingham ferent to being an opera singer or ballet Birmingham Hippodrome year after year: Hippodrome from Wednesday 19 dancer. For example, Mark Rylance is bril- “It’s a lovely venue for comedy. There are al- December to Sunday 27 January. liant at what he does at the Globe; that’s the ways many more adults in the audience than Food December Birmingham.qxp_Layout 1 21/11/2018 12:04 Page 1

Food

up tortilla-type casing filled with packed with sophisticated potato and buttermilk. The salti- flavours. ness of the samphire and pickled Next up were the desserts, the mackerel complemented the first of which featured a buttery creamy buttermilk and potato Eccles cake served with a warm, mix perfectly - a true flavour ex- blue cheese quenelle. It was the plosion! The crunch from the perfect accompaniment to my sourdough pieces against the delicious glass of Pinot Noir. soft mackerel fillet was an addi- The second dessert of the tional and welcome texture. The evening featured both a plum dish was nothing short of out- sorbet and a prune compote in- standing. side a creamy rice pudding, Featuring a winning amalgama- topped with honeycomb pieces. tion of tried-and-tested flavour Clever and inventive, the dish combinations, the next offering brilliantly showcased the skill of comprised perfectly cooked pork the Maribel kitchen. belly and langoustine, parsnip Due to abysmal time-manage- REVIEW: Maribel mash, pear and roasted peanuts, ment on my part, we had to leave all atop a rich jus. The aesthetics three dishes early in order to Acclaimed chef makes a five-star return here were just as impressive as catch the last train home. It was to Birmingham’s booming culinary scene the flavours, and considering we hard to leave the restaurant were eating off a fine-dining tast- knowing that we hadn’t tried the Located at the former site of Ed- opted for the four, six or eight- ing menu, the portion size was medjool date, coffee & walnut, munds in Brindleyplace, Maribel course option, these were all pleasingly generous. is the new home of acclaimed available to try and were in- the salted caramel, honeycomb, Simple in its design and execu- chef Richard Turner. cluded in the fixed price of each chocolate & meringue, and the tion, I could have devoured the menu. We selected the eight- apple, brioche, vanilla & bay One of the most recent additions next dish 10 times over. Featur- course option. leaf. to Birmingham’s thriving culi- ing a beautifully creamy duck The food at Maribel is truly ex- nary scene, the restaurant, First to the table were a trio of liver pate encased in a spherical ceptional. The flavours are phe- which opened its doors for busi- appetisers - warm choux buns set blackberry gazpacho with nomenal and every course ness in May, offers contemporary filled with melted 36-month-aged blackberries, blackberry sauce showcases a combination of culi- fine-dining cuisine minus the Gruyère cheese, smoked eel balls and a ginger crumb, it was one of nary precision and excellent pretence. with horseradish sauce and nas- the nicest plates of food I’ve ever technical ability. Showcasing Turner’s award-win- turtium, and a dish entitled had the pleasure of eating. ‘duck egg, haddock, curry’, Despite having never sampled ning kitchen creativity, Maribel’s Next up was the final fish course which came in a hollowed-out any of Richard Turner’s food be- menu features eight, six, four of the evening. The dish featured eggshell and was presented on a fore, my expectations of his new and, at lunchtime, two-course a perfectly cooked piece of John bed of hay. Creamy and velvety venture were high. Maribel sur- options, which change weekly to Dory in a crust of salt, fennel, in texture, it was stunning - as passed those expectations by include the best seasonal pro- bay leaf and selected herbs, pre- were the first two dishes - and some quite considerable dis- duce. sented atop an artistic quad of the perfect way to kick off pro- tance. It really was that good. On arrival, we were politely brightly coloured sauces - berg- ceedings. Even without trying all of the greeted with a glass of Pierre Gi- amot, pumpkin, pine and dishes available on our menu of monnet & Fils Champagne and Next up was crispy chicken skin wasabi. Visually, it was one of choice, it’s easy to award the taken over to our window table. and quails egg encased in a cos the most impressive dishes we restaurant five stars out of five. Maribel’s white-and-grey interior lettuce leaf with anchovy and were treated to that evening, But in truth, even five stars does- is simple but smart and feels Berkswell cheese. Sourdough with bursts of yellow and green n’t really cut it… Lauren Foster very fresh and current. with yeast butter concluded the jumping out from across the first tasting menu. The evening’s culinary marathon plate. Full of bold and complex Food: nnnnn then commenced. Little did we Following a rather quaffable flavours, the dish was just as Service: nnnnn know at this point, but the meal glass of Argentinian Pinot Noir, successful as its predecessors. Ambience: nnnnn ahead would prove to be the we turned our attention to the By this point we were starting to Overall value nnnnn nicest either of us had ever expe- eight-course menu’s first dish, think that the evening couldn’t OVERALL nnnnn rienced in Birmingham. comprising a delicious mackerel get any better - but then came fillet and pickled raw mackerel On the night we visited, there the venison. Comprising a melt- pieces topped with three vari- Maribel was an impressive first tasting in-the-mouth piece of meat, a 6 Brindleyplace eties of seaweed and light, menu, which included two blue cheese puree, Swiss chard, Birmingham crunchy sourdough pieces. To desserts. No matter whether you girolle mushroom, apple, potato B1 2JB the side was a crispy and rolled- and a nut crumb, the dish was Tel: 0121 633 4944 10 whatsonlive.co.uk Food December Birmingham.qxp_Layout 1 21/11/2018 12:04 Page 2 Sooty Grand Theatre.qxp_Layout 1 22/11/2018 17:09 Page 1

Izzy Wizzy... Sooty gets ready to weave his magic in Wolverhampton Sooty Grand Theatre.qxp_Layout 1 22/11/2018 17:09 Page 2

by Patsy Moss

Sooty loves Christmas. Well, at least that’s what we think he said. Catching up with the iconic bear and his friend & ‘owner’, Richard Cadell, What’s On finds out what lies in store for audiences at Wolverhampton’s Grand Theatre this panto season.

In a salubrious hotel room on the outskirts of ing it when they were kids acknowledge this, and six-year-old could be boyfriend and girl- Wolverhampton sits entertainment and what Qdos has allowed me to do is take friend, Sooty and Soo are forever that; an entrepreneur Richard Cadell, the man the traditional stuff that everybody knows innocent pairing who love each other very charged with bringing the iconic Sooty to life and loves and work it into the story so that it much. I must add that Soo can’t stand Sweep, both on stage and TV. makes sense and has a place. although she’s very patient and does tolerate Regarded by his legion of fans as a national “A lot of people will be coming to the panto him.” treasure, Sooty this year celebrates 70 years just to see Sooty, so it’s going to be fun for us Magic is a game-changer in panto, and with in showbusiness, during which time he’s to do stuff they remember from their child- Magic Circle member McGee on board, audi- entertained generations of youngsters with hood, and hopefully to help them re-live a bit ences are promised a real spectacle of a show mischievous antics, magic spells and not a of their youth.” - as Richard points out: “I don’t think you can little assistance from his sidekick Sweep and As well as the Lovely Debbie McGee, Sooty is have too much magic in panto, and what long-term love interest Soo. appearing alongside Doreen ‘Lazy Cow’ Tip- Qdos have very cleverly done is align Debbie As is perhaps to be expected with someone of ton, stalwart pantomime Dame Ian Adams, and Sooty so that their magic is very much a such advancing years, Sooty was having an and the ever-reliable Julie Paton, who’ll be joint effort and they won’t be competing afternoon nap when we arrived at the hotel, showing her dark side as Carabosse. against each other.” leaving it to the affable Mr Cadell to enlighten West End star Oliver Ormson and Bethan- A professional magician himself, Richard us about the duo’s much-anticipated appear- Wyn-Davies play the Prince and Princess reveals that Sleeping Beauty features some ance in Sleeping Beauty at Wolverhampton’s Beauty respectively - but there’s no mention really big Las Vegas-style illusions - ones Grand Theatre this Christmas. of Sweep and Soo. Does this mean Sooty will which, at the time of our interview, are being “Sooty is of course a very magical teddy have to go it alone on this occasion? prepared in the States by the same people bear,” explains Richard. “He’s also very mis- “There’s been a great deal of interest in who provide props for David Copperfield. chievous and naughty, which gets him lots of whether Sweep and Soo will be in the show,” Although not wishing to give too much away, laughs from the audience. He’ll be using his says Richard, “but panto is full of surprises, Richard does reveal one of the tricks which magic wand and casting his famous Izzy and I can guarantee that there’ll be millions Qdos have up their pantomime sleeve: “With Wizzy spell to help the good fairy - the Lovely of surprises in this production. I can’t tell you the help of Doreen Tipton - so no guarantees Debbie McGee - as she fights her battles with whether or not they’ll be there, but wouldn’t it will happen! - we’re going to attempt the Carabosse and saves Sleeping Beauty from it be great if they were - and I’m sure the classic sawing-in-half trick live on stage. For the wicked fate that Carabosse has planned audience would love it. I’ll have to speak to the first time in the history of magic, we’ll be for her. He’ll certainly have a pivotal role in Sooty, and to Sweep and Soo’s agent, to see sawing audience members in half on stage the story, and we really can’t wait to get whether they’re working and what their without the aid of boxes or covers. I’m not started.” contractual agreements are over the going to spoil the ending, but with Doreen in Produced by panto specialists Qdos, Sleeping Christmas period!” tow, anything could happen. This really will Beauty promises to be another spectacular With Sooty’s sidekicks at the forefront of our be something that you need to see to success story for the Grand, and although the conversation, I ask Richard if he can believe...” Qdos team will be responsible for the major- enlighten us about the relationship between All this talk of magic is the cue for Sooty to ity of the content, there’s also an opportunity Sooty and Soo. wake from his box - just in time for a quick for Richard to showcase his writing talent. “People always wonder if something’s going photo before we head off in search of the “What’s been lovely is that Qdos have given on between Sooty and Soo, but they never Lovely Debbie McGee. me the chance to make sure Sooty is well ask if anything’s going on between Sooty and served within the story, so we’ve been able to Sweep. What we have to remember is that all rubber-stamp all the Sooty things. The Sooty three of them are blessed with the same Sleeping Beauty shows at Wolverhamp- Show is the longest-running TV series in the magic as Peter Pan - they never grow old. ton’s Grand Theatre from Sat 8 December world, and what’s great is that it hasn’t Sooty is eternally five, Soo is six and Sweep is until Sunday 13 January. changed a bit. People who remember watch- forever four. So in the way that a five-year-old Debbie McGee.qxp_Layout 1 30/11/2018 14:45 Page 1

Bringing the magic to Wolverhampton Debbie McGee stars as The Lovely Fairy Crystal alongside Sooty and Doreen ‘Lazy Cow’ Tipton in the Grand Theatre panto production of Sleeping Beauty Debbie McGee.qxp_Layout 1 30/11/2018 14:45 Page 2

What keeps drawing you back to plane couldn’t take off, so he drove to much more a part of the team in later years. pantomime, Debbie? Norwich. The babes were actually putting a When we did the series on television, it was I just love it; it makes me feel happy. I love magic-illusion big box, like a wardrobe, in up to the director, and they would want me a Christmas, the kids and the families all being the middle of the stage, and then, as Maid bit in the background. I’ve had a radio show out together, having a good time. It really Marion, I would open it and say, “Oh look, and presented lots of corporate things, but makes me sparkle. There’s really something the babes have gone!” unless people had been at those events, the special about walking out on stage in panto - Paul knew the stage manager well, so he image they would’ve had of me was as an I’m immediately uplifted and have energy. went up and hid in the box side-stage for an assistant on The Paul Daniels Show. Strictly It doesn’t matter how tired I am, I can just hour-and-a-half to play a joke on me! I’d Come Dancing let the public and everyone pull it out of the bag. I love every second. been standing by it talking, and then it was else know that there’s a little bit more to me moved on stage with him in it. In the middle than that. They’ve gotten to know me better What’s your earliest memory of panto? of the scene in the second act, I went to open now, so that’s given me confidence because I was about five or maybe younger. My dad the door to say the babes had gone, and out they can see that there’s more talent there worked in a factory and for Christmas all of came Paul. Apparently I jumped about six than they thought. the kids were taken to the Palladium panto. feet in the air and laughed so much I couldn’t You’ve done a few celebrity things in the Danny La Rue was the star and I just fell in get my next line out. Paul just said, “Oh, I’m past, including MasterChef. Is there love with it. in the wrong place!” and walked off. Robin anything you wouldn’t do? Hood then came on with his Merry Men and And you’ve been performing in panto said my lines for me! I like to do things where you’re not just sit- yourself since the mid-’70s... ting around doing nothing, which is why I I think the first one I did was in 1976 at the The standard advice for performers is loved Strictly and enjoyed MasterChef Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury where I never work with children or animals - but enorm ously. I’m not a person who sits played a fairy. It was Sleepin g Beauty, the what about puppets? around at home. I’m good at talking, but I same as we’re doing this year. Well yes, we’ve done many shows where really like getting out and exercising and we’ve had puppet acts on, but I actually doing stuff. I think when you’re confined in Have you seen the artform and the wasn’t involved with them, so this is going to reality shows, in houses etc, it’s hard to have audience’s expectations change in that be a first for me. But I’ve worked with Sooty any kind of routine. time? before, and I know we get on very well. Yes, I have. In those days, everyone who was Are you watching this year’s Strictly? in a panto was a theatre performer. But now, You come across as a very hard-working, I’m watching it because I’m still in touch because it sells seats - and there’s nothing conscientious person - so what are your with all of them, and I’ve danced on and off wrong with it - there will be people from thoughts about working with Doreen with Giovanni over the year, dipping in and TOWIE or something like on . People ‘Lazy Cow’ Tipton in this panto? out of his tour, so they’re all my mates now. who don’t necessarily understand theatre I’m sure that Doreen and I are goin g to get on Also I’ve got a podcast for the Telegraph, and performing and the tradition of panto. very well because she’s already shown me which I do every week. I go and record that It’s changed a lot, but I wouldn’t say for the that she’s got a great sense of humour. I love on Mondays, so I have to know what I’m worse because people go to see who they like laughter and a bit of fun, so I think we’ll hit it talking about. I’m absolutely loving watching watching on television. I think when I was off brilliantly. it. young, you didn’t need to have a name in Your panto character is always nice and Do you have any favourites this year, or panto; people just took their kids anyway. pure. If you could move over to ‘the dark anyone you feel will go the distance? Is pantomime more popular or less side’, is there a particular character you’d I really feel I can’t say because they’re all my popular than it used to be? like to play? friends - and obviously I’m biased towards I don’t know whether more people go, but I I don’t think I would make a good baddie - Giovanni because we’re such good friends know that pantomimes were much bigger I’m not suited to it. I’ve played fairies, the now. I just want him to do so well, but I think when my mother was a kid back in the 1950s Slave of th e Ring and, when I was younger, from the beginning this year there have been and ’60s. There were big companies - like Maid Marion or Cinderella. One of the things so many contestants who’ve been so good. Qdos, the one I’m working for in I love about playing the fairy is that although You’ve got to entertain the public and keep Wolverhampton this year and who really are I have to keep the story going, I can go up a standard of dance, which is why so one of the only ones that do big pantomimes off-script quite a lot without losing the plot many like the dark horse that takes over at now. I’m delighted to be working for them and have my giggly moments with the the last furlong to win. So I think it’s really because it reminds me of what my mum told audience. I’m very much an off-the-cuff per- difficult this year. There are so many who’re me about the pantos she went to see as a girl. former, so I know that’s going to happen good. They were huge. here, and it makes it more exciting for me as What would be your top tip for this year’s a role. Do you have a favourite performance celebrity contestants, having gone moment? Will we see some ‘Strict ly moments’? through the experience yourself? In panto I giggle a lot, so I have lots of those Yes, there will be some dancey moments, Just enjoy it. Do your best, put in the hours, moments that I can look back on and laugh let’s just say that! and when you go out there on a Saturday about, but the most memorable moment was night, love every minute of it. It’s your one Did the Strictly experience change you in about two years before I married Paul opportunity, and if you have a good time, the any way? (Daniels, the magician). audience has a good time too. In those days he didn’t do panto, and I was Strictly changed me in lots of different ways. playing Maid Marion in Babes In The Wood at It’s given me a lot more confidence. For such the Theatre Royal in Norwich. He told me a long time, people thought of me as an as- Sleeping Beauty shows at that he was at a magic convention in sistant, just walking on and off stage. If they Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from Germany, but actually it had snowed and his saw Paul and me live, they’d realise there Sat 8 December until Sunday 13 January. was a lot more to me than just that - I became Food December Birmingham.qxp_Layout 1 21/11/2018 12:04 Page 3 Food December Birmingham.qxp_Layout 1 21/11/2018 12:04 Page 4

Food

Family-run Italian restaurant opens in Birmingham’s Mailbox Family-run Italian restaurant Pinocchio has opened its doors in Birmingham’s Mailbox. The venue’s extensive menu boasts quality fresh ingredients and offers an array of pasta, pizza and risotto dishes, as well as steak, lamb, veal and a daily fish option. A carefully curated wine list and choice of beers also features.

The sky’s the limit for Marco Pierre White Marco Pierre White has launched a new menu at his Birmingham Airport New York Italian restaurant. New additions include New Orleans Modern Chinese restaurant set to open in Grand Hotel blackened jumbo shrimps, carpaccio of Modern Chinese restaurant Tattu has edamame and mint, and an Asian pear crumble beetroot, goats' cheese and walnut announced that it will open its doors in with green apple, almond and a pink custard. dressing, the Chicago hot dog, the Birmingham city centre’s Barwick Street in Located in the basement of the Grand Hotel, Great American chop salad and a January. Tattu will be Birmingham’s biggest single-level surf’n'turf with a 10oz ribeye steak. Diners will be able to enjoy a selection of bar & restaurant. Commenting on the news, Tattu’s signature dishes, among which are beef Managing Director Adam Jones said: “Each fillet and caramel soy and the delicate saffron Tattu restaurant has its own identity and style Waffleology comes to black cod. New menu additions, developed by that takes customers on a sensory journey as Selfridges Birmingham Executive Chef Andrew Lassetter and his team, they dine. We recognise the historic importance include chilli and sesame roasted scallops of the Grand Hotel to the city and wanted to Bubble waffles - the latest and hottest served with Chinese sausage, crushed reflect that in our concept.” grab’n’go food craze - are now available in Selfridges Birmingham. Waffleology is offering waffles in three flavours - vanilla, chocolate and Canadian coffee giant Tim Hortons arrives in Birmingham matcha. These will be filled with premium gelato, topped with fresh Canadian coffee giant Tim Hortons has opened fruit, chopped nuts and/or a store in Birmingham, its first in the Midlands. marshmallows and finished with a Labelled 'Canada's favourite coffee' and 'home sauce... Meanwhile, sister company of the double double' (a coffee which includes Bubbleology is selling its popular two creams and two sugars), Tim Hortons bubble teas. launched its flagship store in 1964 in Hamilton, Ontario, and prides itself on selling freshly brewed and well-priced coffee, doughnuts, bagels, pastries, muffins and cookies. The company also sells breakfast items including the Hot Breakfast Sandwich - a variety of meats on a homestyle biscuit, English muffin or bagel - and the Bagel BELT - bacon, seasoned egg omelette, lettuce, tomato and processed cheese, stacked on a bagel. Sandwiches, wraps, salads, soups and hot bowls also feature on the menu. Located on the corner of New Street and Lower Temple Street in Birmingham city centre, Tim Hortons is open from 6am to 11.30pm Monday to Saturday and 8am to 9pm on Sundays. whatsonlive.co.uk 13 Terry Parsons - Belgrade Theatre.qxp_Layout 1 22/11/2018 17:07 Page 1

50 years in the

Set andbusiness costume designer Terry Parsons talks about his life behind the scenes...

Image - Iain Laughlan who has - who Iainwritten and stars Laughlan Image in Sleeping Beauty Terry Parsons - Belgrade Theatre.qxp_Layout 1 22/11/2018 17:07 Page 2

by Jenny Ell

Celebrated designer Terry Parsons has had an incredible career, working extensively in the UK and across Europe for over half a century. During that time, he’s lent his exceptional talents to more than 50 pantos. He’s now back where it all began in the late 1960s, working on the Coventry Belgrade Theatre’s festive production of Sleeping Beauty. What’s On recently caught up with Terry to find out more about his time in the industry...

Tell us about your very first foray into Whose costumes have you most enjoyed regional theatres jump out as highlights: the panto design at the Belgrade 50 years ago. designing? old Leicester Haymarket and the Theatre I started on 9 September 1968 as a ‘bucket Probably Danny La Rue’s and Stanley Royal . For many years I also boy’, which was a job I won through the Arts Baxter’s. Danny and Stanley were both worked for the British Airways Playhouse, Council. I used to arrive at 7am to mix all the extremely nice but very demanding! run by actor Derek Nimmo. We used to build paints for the designer/scenic artists, using a theatres in ballrooms all over the world, thing called ‘size’ - the most disgusting Is the starting point always the same? presenting plays as dinner theatre. I travelled animal-based glue! Part of the prize was that It can be very one-to-one - like at the the world for 25 to 30 years doing that. So a I had to be given a show to design - and that Belgrade - where you chat a lot before you series of wonderful things linked together. went so well, they gave me another. The next put pen to paper. I then get given a list of I learned my trade through Stanley Baxter year I designed the costumes for Cinderella, scenes and a quick phone call to say what’s and those like him. I worked with George then the following year I worked on my first needed in each scene. That’s normally it until Lacy when I was 18 - he was my first dame. full panto - Mother Goose. costume fittings. Fingers crossed it’s usually Also Billy Dainty and Reg Dixon - they’re wow, wow, wow! On a Stanley Baxter panto, monumental in pantomime. I learned every What does it mean to you to be revisiting the curtain rises in December and your first trick in the book from them. I then went on to the theatre with Sleeping Beauty in 2018? meeting is in the previous January. The whole work with Les Dawson, Frankie Howerd, It’s lovely, and it really is a genuine coinci- of January and February you’re going back Danny La Rue etc. I just sat there and soaked dence that it’s 50 years. I couldn’t say no, and forth to to discuss it, and then it all in. really, could I?! you start. What single piece of advice would you Does the process you’ll follow to take In terms of collaboration, where does the offer someone thinking of entering the Sleeping Beauty from page to stage always director’s influence end and yours begin? industry? follow the same format? With the smaller regional shows, like this I wouldn’t want to start now because there It’s slightly different to how I normally work one, it’s more personable, and we talked a lot are an awful lot of clever people around! I’m because on the bigger shows I don’t get very more before I started. This is my first show very old-school - I still use a pencil and a involved. I feed it all into the system and with director Iain Lauchlan. There’s more ruler! Because I was so lucky, I didn’t have to don’t even necessarily see it because I use discussion because the scale means the con- struggle, but you just have to get in there and trustworthy people who I’ve been working tent is busier. In a bigger panto, you change somehow do it. People are coming out of the with for donkey’s years. I normally do at least scenes every four or five minutes, but here, colleges in large numbers who’re hugely three pantos a year, so there isn’t time to be the opening scene is perhaps 15 minutes. It’s talented, so it’s extremely competitive. I everywhere. It’s nice at the Belgrade because more about the small details than just setting think designers are underestimated, so I’m it’s an in-house team. It’s just a question of the scene. very blessed to have one of my models getting to know them and them getting to featuring in an exhibition at the new V&A know my style. You’ve spent a lot of time working in Museum in Dundee. It’s the first time I’ve felt Europe. Is there a noticeable difference in that other people view what I do as an art How has the profession changed during the approach to design compared to here form. your time in the industry? in the UK? Did you ever consider moving on from Pantomime used to be much bigger, so Yes, their budgets are huge! As I’m 73, I’ve the profession? although I was young and thrown in at the had to start saying no to some jobs around deep end, doing, for example, a Stanley Europe. At the start of the year, I was asked to No, I’ve known this is what I wanted to do Baxter pantomime in Scotland was as big as do a production of The Sound Of Music in since I was 11. I joined the amateurs at 13 and it got. Everything was extremely lavish and Norway but said no. It was an 18-month somehow I managed to find the college I extremely large! People would come to see commitment, and with all the commuting, wanted to go to - Central School of Art, now Stanley in coachloads because they knew that takes its toll. Those days are gone sadly. called Central St Martins. I got in on the spot what to expect. The show ran from early because of my portfolio of amateur work. I December to April and filled all the seats. I What’s been the highlight of your career was there for three years and then won the think a lot of that was due to star quality but and who have you enjoyed working with Arts Council bursary at the end, which also huge visual expectation. But on the flip the most? brought me here. As I’m winding down a side, I designed pantomimes at the Theatre I’ve had about five highlights! The first thing little, I want to spend more time with my Royal Richmond which were bijou but is that I’ve always been in the right place at grandchildren and have plenty of holidays! beautifully put together. The detail was still the right time, so I’ve never stopped working. there, so they had a huge following. I’ve had a West End career designing 37 Sleeping Beauty shows at Coventry’s shows, I have a foreign career, and two Belgrade Theatre until Sat 5 January Pinocchio (for online mag).qxp_Layout 1 30/11/2018 15:06 Page 1

Pinocchio comes to

lAcaidefmye stu defntos joinr pro fCessionhals inr a niews festivem-seasona prosduc!tion Pinocchio (for online mag).qxp_Layout 1 30/11/2018 15:06 Page 2

by Diane Parkes

Birmingham’s Theatre was created to at least one of the songs and some of the your school for a week, but you learn foster new talent - and now, more than 100 movements - our ‘armography’, as we call it. something very different when you’re putting years after it opened, the historic venue is I remember when we did Treasure Island, so on a show for weeks and weeks. That’s when showcasing a Christmas production by local many of the schoolchildren came dressed as you learn about stamina and commitment - performing-arts students. pirates. They will be able to get involved and and you need that if you want to work in Birmingham Ormiston Academy’s (BOA) dance along to Pinocchio - but I’m not sure theatre. Most of the students are in their first fourth festive-season show at the Old Rep is a what they’ll be wearing!” year, and this really sets them up for the new musical adaptation of classic children’s Launched in 2011, BOA is an independent future. This will probably be the first long tale Pinocchio. Opening on 17 November and state-funded academy which specialises in run they’ll have done.” running until 30 December, the production creative, digital and performing art s. Alec played Ratty in the BOA production of features 24 students, five professional actors Sponsored by the Ormiston Trust and Wind In The Willows, and the Mad Hatter in and a team of production staff. Birmingham City University, it runs courses Alice In Wonderland. BOA’s Christmas shows - they’ve previously for around 1,000 students from across “I hop between acting and directing, ” he produced Treasure Island, Wind In The Birmingham and the West Midlands. says. “If there’s a character who would be fun Willows and Alice In Wonderland - are a key “Our work with the Old Rep is a process,” to play, then I act, but if there’s a story that I component of the Academy’s strategy for explains Gaynor. “We’ve done a five-year think I would really like to tell, I step back giving young people opportunities to be on development plan and we’re reaching the and direct.” stage and experience live theatre. And where fifth year, so we will now revisit that plan. Pinocchio is one such story - the tale of a better to present their productions than in We’re definitely on a journey, and would like wooden puppet who wants to be a real child. one of the UK’s most revered theatre s? to look at opportunities for involving more “To me, Pinocchio is the perfect story for this young people in live performances at the Old Formerly managed by Birmingham City theatre,” says Alec. “If you asked a young Rep.” Council, the Old Rep was opened in 1913 by child to draw a theatre, they would pretty Sir Barry Jackson as the home for The venue also holds a special place in the much draw the Old Rep’s auditorium. The Birmingham Repertory Company. The venue heart of Pinocchio director Alec Fellows- idea of a story where toys come to life and it’s came under BOA’s management four years Bennett: “I go back 25 years, if not more, with all make-believe is the perfect story for a ago and is providing students with the the Old Rep, back to the days when the main classic theatre like this one.” chance to tread the same boards as Peter Rep Theatre ran its stage school there. I And, he adds, if audiences are coming Brook, Laurence Olivier and Peggy Ashcroft. attended from about the age of 11. As soon as expecting the famous Disney movie on stage, I learned the venue was back in the hands of “When we took over the running of the Old they’re in for a real surprise. Rep in 2014, the theatre was dark most of the a producing theatre company, ie BOA, I “The show treads the line between a year but did have a Christmas show,” says wan ted to come back. ‘Disneyfication’ of Pinocchio and a BOA’s executive principal and CEO, Gaynor “The link with the Academy chimes with the ‘pantofication’ of the story. It’s not silly, but Cheshire. “We really wanted to make it a ethos of the Old Rep. When Barry Jackson it’s also not had the hard er bits taken out. It vibrant space and introduce young people to built the theatre, he built it as a training keeps the story and its moral. What we really the theatre, both on stage and in audiences. ground for young talent, so a large wanted to do was pick out the key things that educational establishment using the Old Rep “Our four Christmas shows have given our emphasise the moral journey that Pinocchio as a place where new students and students the opportunity to be involved in goes on in this story - ideas about free will, performers can learn from professionals productions with 60 to 70 performances, and making your own decisions, blindly makes for a perfect match.” in a theatre which is a real gem in the city.” following others, being overly cynical. There Students double up on roles, with two people Alec is determined to ensure that the are characters to represent all of these things, playing each part but in different casts. They students are at the heart of his production of and they take Pinocchio off on a definite also have opportunities to contribute to the Pinocchio: “The young people are integral to moral journey.” the show - they’re not simply a chorus. Every technical elements of the show, and to gain While Alec is prou d to be working with BOA single actor has at least one character they’re experience in marketing and social media. students, he has this message for potential following all the way through. They aren’t “What’s important is that youngsters have audiences. there just to support the professional cast; the chance to work with professional actors, they’re part of the cast. “What I would say to audience members is a professional director, a professional not to think of this Pinocchio as a ‘student “There’s no other organisation I know of that choreographer, a professional musical performance’. It’s a professional show, in the does what BOA is doing in such a fully director and other professional roles, ” says centre of the city, in a very well-respected integrated way, where the students form part Gaynor. “This is an opportunity offered by theatre, and there’s nothing going onto that of the company. I know there are lots of BOA each Christmas, but it’s also about stage that says ‘school’ or ‘college’ show. As shows where they have children or young giving the wider community the opportunity far as we’re all concerned, this is a people in the cast, but it’s not to the same to see good-quality theatre. More than 45,000 professional show wher e many of the cast level as this show.” young people have come to see our Christmas happen to be students. And it’s a Christmas shows over the past three years, so these And the youngsters also gain valuable musical which audiences will enjoy.” productions are about the audience and experience from being involved in a run of community as well. nearly eight weeks...

“We hold workshops for schools which have “It's a professional run,” says Alec. “You Pinocchio shows at the Old Rep, bought tickets, so their children get to learn learn an awful lot when you put on a show in Birmingham, until Sunday 30 December. GIGS December Birmingham.qxp_Layout 1 20/11/2018 15:49 Page 1 GIGS December Birmingham.qxp_Layout 1 20/11/2018 15:49 Page 2

Gigs

Jools Holland And His Rhythm & Blues Orchestra Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Wed 5 - Thurs 6 December Jools Holland and his acclaimed Rhythm & Blues Orchestra return to Symphony Hall for Christmas, this time alongside Marc Almond (pictured). Ex-Soft Cell frontman Almond has sold over 30 million records worldwide during his 36- year career, enjoying hits with, among other songs, Touch, Say Hello, Wave Goodbye and the ever-popular Tainted Love. Jools Holland’s well-established BBC TV series has long been an eclectic mixture of styles and genres, showcasing music from across the world. His own ability on the piano is nothing short of immense. Also performing on this annual UK tour are supremely talented vocalists Ruby Turner and Louise Marshall. Original Squeeze Lily Allen kick-starting her career in 2006. member Gilson Lavis is on drums for the The daughter of actor Keith Allen and film Rhythm & Blues Orchestra. O2 Institute, Birmingham, Fri 14 December producer Alison Owen, Lily also won a Best known for singles such as Smile, The coveted Brit Award in 2010, following the Fear, Not Fair and her cover of Keane’s success of second studio album It’s Not Me, Somewhere Only We Know - as featured in It’s You. the 2013 John Lewis Christmas advert - Lily She here visits Birmingham to promote her Allen has released four top-10 albums since latest album release, No Shame.

Def Leppard CKY Arena Birmingham, Mon 17 December The Asylum, Birmingham, Thurs 6 December Forming in in 1977, Def Leppard Originally known by the full name Camp Kill have sold more than 100 million albums Yourself, CKY are categorised as a band of worldwide and become one of rock’s most multiple musical genres, including post- influential bands. grunge, hard rock, stoner metal and skate Their Birmingham show sees them play punk. much-loved album Hysteria in its entirety, The band found initial recognition through with various other hits thrown in for good a series of videos and the TV show Jackass, measure. since which time they’ve released five Bad Manners albums, including Volume 1, An Answer Can The Mill, Birmingham, Wed 19 December; Be Found and latest offering The Phoenix. The Robin, Bilston, Thurs 27 December Flogging Molly Long in the tooth they may be, but English 2 O2 Academy, Birmingham, Wed 12 December Tone ska wizards Bad Manners still command Flogging Molly’s most recent album, 2017’s a significant following around the globe. Very Life Is Good, was their first release in six much a novelty act - courtesy, in the main, of years and features the blend of raucous the on-stage antics of bald-headed frontman punk-rock and traditional Irish music for Buster Bloodvessel - they spent the early which the band have become best known. 1980s vying for chart positions with fellow Fronted by Dave King, the seven-piece bring ska revival bands Madness, The Specials and their high-energy show to Birmingham this The Selecter. month as part of the 02 Academy’s annual Hit albums include Gosh It's... Bad Manners, Fuelling The Fire Tour, which also features Loonee Tunes! and Ska’n’B. Lost In Stereo, Matt Stocks and American They’re visiting The Midlands this month as punk rock bands The Bronx and Face To part of their Christmas tour. Face.

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Classical

Tchaikovsky Spectacular Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Sat 29 December The music of Russia’s most popular com- poser is here celebrated in a presentation that brings together the London Concert Orchestra, violinist Jennifer Pike (pic- tured), thundering cannon effects, indoor fireworks and all the explosive magic of the 1812 Overture. But that’s not all. The programme also features Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto in D Major, Romeo And Juliet Fantasy Over- ture, Swan Lake Suite and Polonaise from Eugene Onegin. The ever-excellent Benjamin Pope conducts.

Ex Cathedra: Christmas Music By Candlelight St Peter’s Collegiate Church, Wolverhampton, Sat 1 December; St John’s Church, Hagley, Birmingham, Tues 11 December; St Paul’s Church, Birmingham, Tues 18 - Sat 22 December What better way to get into the Christmas spirit than by enjoying an evening in the com- pany of one of the country’s finest choral music ensembles? Under the directorship of its founder, Jeffrey Skidmore, Ex Cathedra is this month present- ing its annual and atmospheric Christmas Music By Candlelight event, an evening that fea- tures festive favourites from around the globe and across the ages, interspersed with a variety of seasonal readings.

Michael Collins Birmingham Bach Choir Handel’s Messiah Plays Mozart St Alban The Martyr, Highgate, Birmingham, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Sun 16 December Fri 7 December Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Wed 5 December The City of Birmingham Choir’s December Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto in A major really performance of Handel’s magnificent couldn’t be in a safer pair of hands than choral masterpiece is a well-established those of Michael Collins (pictured). One of element of the Midlands’ festive music the most complete musicians of his genera- scene. tion, Michael here displays his phenomenal In a Christmas nutshell - and as the choir talent in an Orchestra of the Swan concert itself describes it - the work “compresses that also features two of Stravinsky’s most the Old Testament prophesies of Jesus’ life engaging American compositions - the into two-and-a-half hours and sets it to Brandenburg-inspired Dumbarton Oaks for timeless and sublime music”. chamber orchestra and his Concerto in D As re-tellings of the Christmas story go, for strings. Mozart’s Symphony No40 and a A concert presenting both popular and this is definitely one worth hearing. new short work by a Conservatoire Compo- lesser-known festive music, Birmingham sition student complete the programme. Bach Choir’s annual carol service is the perfect way to kickstart your Christmas celebrations. Traditional carols including O Come All Ye Faithful, Once In Royal David’s City and In The Bleak Midwinter are featured alongside an arrangement of Sir Christemas, composed by the choir’s very own David Hughes. The piece was last year broadcast in the finalist selection of BBC Three’s carol competition.

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Comedy

David O’Doherty Birmingham Town Hall, Thurs 6 December “Unhook your mindbras,” says David O’Do- herty. “I’m back on tour with a brand new show made up of talking and songs played on a crappy keyboard from 1986.” David’s jokes include: “I like the Ten Command- ments but have a problem with the ninth. It should be: ‘Thou shalt not covet thy neigh- bour's ox - except in Scrabble’.”

The Harry & Chris Show Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Thurs 13 December Family-friendly fellas Harry Baker and Chris Read combine ‘humour, melody, poetry and best-matery’ to excellent effect. Presenting what they refer to as comedy- jazz-rap, the pair blend catchy tunes and clever wordplay to sing songs about subjects ranging from panda repopu- COBO: Live & Unleashed The Glee Club, Birmingham, Tues 18 December lation to television’s Now here’s a show that should help get you season edition. Taking to the stage on this Robot Wars. in the Christmas spirit. COBO, standing for occasion are Dane Baptiste (pictured), Lateef Comedy Of Black Origin, makes a welcome Lovejoy, Mickey Sharma and Marion Davis. Tamsyn Kelly return to the Glee Club with a special festive- Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Fri 7 December She may not be the finished article, but Barbara Nice’s Tom Wrigglesworth Tamsyn Kelly is certainly one to watch - as Christmas Cracker Henry Tudor House, Shrewsbury, this currently touring show ably illustrates. Wed 5 December Artrix, Bromsgrove, Tues 4 December; Entitled Tamsyn Kelly: You’re Welcome, it MAC, Birmingham, Sat 15 - Sun 16 December Whimsical storytelling and twisted logic, features the Cornish comedian appearing as stylishly wrapped in some elegant flour- all manner of quirky characters, including ishes of language, are the lifeblood of Tom an East European performance artist and a Wrigglesworth’s highly rated act. mouthy cockney estate agent. Yorkshire-born Tom made a big splash at The show scored a major hit at this sum- the Fringe a few years back, mer’s Edinburgh Fringe. since which time he’s been ploughing all the Tamsyn’s jokes include: “I'm from Cornwall usual comedy furrows, particularly those - like, way out in the sticks. Which is con- available on BBC venient as that's also our currency.” Radio Four. Fellow comedian Sukh Ojla is the other half Likened by the of the double bill for this Coventry gig. Guardian to Mark Thomas in the way he crusades for Everybody’s favourite Kings Heath housewife social justice, makes a welcome return to light up the fes- ‘albeit in a tive season. As well as containing more jokes more homely than you’d find in an oversized yuletide gag- fashion’, Tom bag (does such a thing actually exist?), is here sharing Barbara’s festive shows usually feature a the bill with tombola and raffle, no shortage of mince Dana Alexan- pies, and even the odd special guest or two. der.

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The Nutcracker Sir ’s festive classic returns to the Hippodrome

Created in 1990, Sir Peter Wright’s produc- School, I was involved in pressure. At this point in the ballet, it’s tion of The Nutcracker is considered by its production of The Nutcracker at the Clara's first chance to rest. Clara is on stage many to be the finest ever interpretation of . Every performance for the entirety of the ballet and only dis- Tchaikovsky’s magnificent and mesmeris- was just as magical as the previous one, appears when she 'turns into' the Sugar ing score. and Clara quickly became one of my dream Plum Fairy. Each of the roles comes with In true Christmas spirit, the story follows a roles. I found everything happening in the its own challenges. Clara has to maintain young girl named Clara as she’s swept up ballet just as magical as she does, and the energy and sense of wonder for the in a fantasy of soldiers, giant rats, snow that’s the same feeling I get every time I whole show, and Sugar Plum must appear fairies, magic and mystery, before finally return to the role. out of nowhere near the end and deliver a being transformed into a beautiful highly demanding pas de deux. The tutu ballerina. Which is your favourite scene? for Sugar Plum is possibly the prettiest What’s On recently caught up with three of costume I’ve ever worn. It's stunning. Act One, the pas de deux between Clara the dancers playing the ballet’s main and her prince. There’s a lot of drama on characters to find out more... Do you watch or speak to other dancers stage before this moment, with the tree performing Clara or the Sugar Plum growing and King Rat appearing from the Fairy to get inspiration for your fireplace. The battle scene between the interpretation? Karla Doorbar from Stoke rats and soldiers creates a lot of tension. When I first danced these roles, I did of Then suddenly the stage is empty and alternates between playing course take inspiration from the other Clara is left alone with the Prince. Every- Clara and the Sugar Plum Fairy... dancers in the company. They’re all amaz- thing is quiet, and at this point in the bal- ing! I also noticed how different everybody As a young dancer growing up in Stoke, let I always feel overcome with emotion. is. Apart from getting the steps right, I did you ever dream that you would one The music for pas de deux is gorgeous. think it's important to find your own way day perform a principal role for BRB? of telling the story. During the run, you play both Clara and The very first ballet I saw was Sir Peter the Sugar Plum Fairy - obviously on Wright's production of The Nutcracker at What’s your favourite Christmas different nights. What are the main the Hippodrome. A friend of mine was tradition? differences between these two roles? dancing as one of the young children in Winter time and Christmas is my favourite Whereas for Clara I would very much put the party scene, and I remember so badly time of year! The Christmas lights and the story first, for Sugar Plum your tech- wanting to be on that stage too. I didn't trees make everywhere look beautiful. And nique has to be flawless. Sugar Plum does- even know it was possible. It was magical like most people, I like to spend Christmas n't actually appear until nearly the end of back then, and now here I am trying to with my family. recreate the same magic myself... Whilst at Act Two, and so that in itself adds to the

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having had the rest of the ballet to build The Nutcracker is the first ballet many up to it. It’s very physically demanding, people see, especially children. What’s even though it’s short. the audience reaction like during the show? Is it important to you to inspire You’ve been performing this role for future generations of dancers and several years. How has your approach ballet lovers? changed over time? The audience feels more involved for The It’s always different, especially with differ- Nutcracker, just because of the time of ent partners, but the one thing that hasn’t year. People like to celebrate Christmas changed is that it never gets easier. There’s together, and I can feel that from the always something technical to work on, audience, as well as from my fellow but I try to add to the character each year. dancers on stage. A video of this version of It’s impossible to reach perfection - it’s still The Nutcracker was the first ballet I ever a work in progress, even though I’ve saw, and that really inspired me to become Principal danced it so many times. a ballet dancer, so I would be happy if plays the Sugar Plum Fairy some of the audience who come to watch on the nights that Karla What’s your pre-show routine like, the show here feel the same way I did. Doorbar is playing Clara from doing your make-up to warming up and putting on the costume? What’s your favourite Christmas tradition? What’s your biggest challenge when I don’t really have a routine, but I do like to dancing the role of the Sugar Plum feel the stage before the show, so I warm I’m from Japan, where we don’t really have Fairy? up on stage even if I’m not on until Act a Christmas tradition, but I like it when Two, like in The Nutcracker. As soon as I they start to play Christmas music on the

I would say The Nutcracker is not like any put my costume on, I feel like I become the television and in shops. Sometimes you other full-length ballet. In The Nutcracker, character, and that’s where the concentra- hear some music from The Nutcracker and

you go straight into the pas de deux, which tion starts to become more focused. that makes me happy. is normally the technical peak, without I remember so badly wanting to be on“ that stage too. I didn't even know it was possible. It was magical back then, and now here I am trying to “ recreate the same magic myself Karla Doorbar The first time I danced the Nutcracker That’s the difficult part of the role because Prince I was very excited to perform this technically it’s very demanding. famous role from the ballet repertoire. Even now, after I’ve done different ver- Why do you think audiences love sions of the ballet, it’s always nice to get The Nutcracker so much? back to it. I think audiences must love the beautiful dancing, beautiful music and costumes. What’s your favourite part of And also, when The Nutcracker is on, it The Nutcracker? means that Christmas is coming. In this version, my favourite part is the first entrance of the Nutcracker Prince What’s your favourite thing about after the battle. You are alone with just Christmas? Clara on stage, with this beautiful music, Well, I love to be with my family, but and all the magic starts to happen. because that’s not possible this year, I would say that my favourite thing is to be The Nutcracker Prince dances with with my closest friends, my dogs, having Clara and the Sugar Plum Fairy. What’s lovely food and being by the fire. Principal César Morales is it like dancing with these two charac- ters? What are the main differences be- the Nutcracker Prince tween each pas de deux? What was your first experience of danc- It’s very different. Clara is a human, dis- The Nutcracker continues to show at ing The Nutcracker Prince like, and how covering many exciting things. The Sugar Birmingham Hippodrome until does that compare to your experiences Plum Fairy is more mature; she’s a fairy, so Thursday 13 December now, after dancing the role many times? she’s beautiful, effortless and magic.

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Theatre Festive favourites from around the region

Peter Pan Tumblers will be burning off any festive mince pies with some high-energy acrobat- Birmingham Hippodrome, Wed 19 December - ics... Sun 27 January; Albany Theatre, Coventry, Mon 10 - Sat 22 December Over in Coventry, the Albany hosts an alto- gether different version of JM Barrie’s classic Birmingham Hippodrome audiences get the story, with the highly rated Ceridwen Theatre chance to fly away with the boy who wouldn't presenting ‘an action-packed festive family grow up this Christmas. treat’ that features ‘exquisite puppetry, an Jimmy Osmond takes top billing as wicked pi- unforgettable original music score and heroic rate Captain Hook in a show that promises swordplay’. plenty of festive cheer and dazzling specta- cle. He’s joined by the West Midlands’ very own Meera Syal, who’s making her pan- tomime debut as the Magical Mermaid, and Union J star Jaymi Hensley in the role of Peter Pan. One man who’s most definitely not wet be- hind the ears when it comes to treading the festive boards is Hippodrome favourite Matt Slack, who’ll be bringing his own special brand of comedy gold to proceedings in the role of Smee. Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist Sascha Williams also stars, while The Timbuktu

Dick Whittington: there was one - so brace yourself for a fabu- Birmingham’s Blue Orange Theatre is also lous festive feast of fun and frivolity. going to the Ball this festive season, promis- The Rock And Roll Panto ing a show packed to the yuletide rafters with Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, comedy, music, dancing and audience partic- Fri 7 December - Sun 6 January Cinderella ipation. They’ve done it before and now they’re doing The Place, Oakengates Theatre, Telford, Tues it again. Yep, Stafford Gatehouse’s oft-used 11 December - Sun 6 January; Blue Orange strategy of imbuing their annual pantomime Theatre, Birmingham, Tues 4 - Sat 8 December with a real rock’n’roll flavour has proved so Oakengates Theatre is certainly giving popular in previous years that the venue is Telford’s 50th anniversary celebrations a giving the exact same treatment to its 2018 fairytale ending this Christmas. The venue’s production. So... they’ve taken the story of panto version of Cinderella features CBeebies Dick Whittington, stirred in a few time-hon- star Joe Chambers, ’90s pop singer Anna oured pantomime favourites and then sea- Kumble, and EastEnders actor Tony Disci- soned liberally with all manner of pline in the role of Prince Charming... chart-busting hits. A recipe for success if ever

Dick Whittington Dick’s in danger at Lichfield Garrick too, in a show that finds CBeebies favourite Katrina Lichfield Garrick, Thurs 29 November - Sat 5 Bryan co-starring alongside returning panto January; Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa, Sat 1 - Sun 30 December; The Roses Theatre, favourites Sam Rabone and Ben Thornton Tewkesbury, Sat 1 December - Sat 5 January; (main image). Prince Of Centre, Cannock, Sat 22 - Cannock’s Prince of Wales Centre and Sun 30 December Tewkesbury’s Roses The- Dick Whittington undertakes his legendary atre also play host to the journey to London this Christmas, but not young Mr Whittington this before he’s stopped off en route at a number Christmas. Both venues of Midlands theatre venues. These include are presenting versions of Leamington’s Royal Spa Centre (pictured the story that come com- right), where he’ll have to keep his wits plete with all the usual about him to steer clear of the evil Queen pantomime trimmings. Rat...

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Benidorm in Brum

British sitcom Benidorm has been enjoyed by TV audiences for over ten years. Featuring a cast of holidaymakers and staff at the Solana all-inclusive hotel, Benidorm received two National Television Awards for Most Popular Comedy Programme in 2008 and 2011 before sadly ending after its tenth series in May earlier this year. However, series creator and writer Derren Litten has adapted his much-loved TV show for stage which is currently touring the UK until April 2019. Ahead of its Christmas run at the Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham, Litten talks to us about the success of the TV show and what audiences can expect from the stage show. Derren Litten.qxp_Layout 1 23/11/2018 09:34 Page 2

by Jenny Ell

What inspired you to pen the original What’s the reason behind bringing it to accepted. We didn’t just work together in series of Benidorm? the stage? Benidorm, we lived together so we’re very I never had any aspirations to write and It seemed a natural progression. A lot of close. Like any other family, we love and hate hadn’t written before when I was approached shows historically have done it including each other. It’s very sad to think that at the to write some material for Catherine Tate’s Dad’s Army, Are You Being Served? and Hi- end of the tour in Canterbury, that will be it. Edinburgh show, who was my best mate at De-Hi and have had very successful summer Is there any possibility of ITV bosses drama school. Following this, I went on to seasons. We have been trying for five or six having a re-think and us seeing a new write and perform in Catherine’s TV show. It years to bring it to the stage. In series three, series of Benidorm on our TV screens was after the second series that legendary we were first asked but the producers wanted anytime soon? comedy producer Geoffrey Perkins asked me to play in arenas and I wasn’t keen on that I don’t know. The thing is, television loves a to write my own sitcom. I definitely didn’t idea. People have watched the show on TV comeback. Birds of a Feather came back after want to do ‘The Derren Litten Show’ but he for ten years so why sit at the back of an ten years or so but if I wait that long, some of asked me to pen a comedy narrative…I didn’t aircraft hangar and watch it on the TV again! this lot will be dead! I’d never say never but I really know what that meant at the time but I And what’s been the most challenging doubt it. It would be lovely to say that the started writing a sketch about two middle- aspect of bringing it to the stage? DVD box set is out now with ten series aged swingers from Middlesborough. It was displayed in a lovely suitcase. For the stage funny but a bit dull basing them in their I didn’t really think of it as a challenge show, I specifically didn’t want the living room in an obscure suburban house initially but once I’d finished the script, a lot production to be filmed because part of the having their swingers AGM so I thought I’d of people asked how on earth we were going enjoyment is that it is a theatre show, not a better set it somewhere a bit more exotic. It to do it. People who have seen the show said television show and you would lose about shows you how my mind works that I didn’t that before it started, they never imagined 50% of being in the theatre within touching set it somewhere like Barbados! I originally how it would work but it just does. I have distance of the cast and enjoying it in the set it round a swimming pool - not in made a living as a writer for the last ten years way it was intended. I think it probably might Benidorm - just a generic all-inclusive - one show is luck but ten is a bit more than be the end but don’t cry that it’s ended, smile package holiday location. I had not been to that. I don’t deny the success of the show but because it happened. Benidorm at this point but had heard lots I don’t know how it all happened! about it. I also like the single word Is there a particular character with whom Tell us about your cameo appearance in ‘Benidorm’ with the number of syllables so you empathise most? the show? that’s the reason I called it as such. I wrote I play Derek Pickles, also known as gay two episodes and then when ITV It’s got to be Pauline, who is Johnny Vegas’ character’s sister. When I created her, I got Derek, who has been mentioned in the show commissioned it, I thought I’d better go and throughout the years. Jacqueline always see what it’s all about! completely obsessed! I once drove to a garage and found some chocolate brazil nuts and I spoke about Big Donna and Gay Derek, Who was the first character/family that remember thinking Pauline would love these. characters you don’t see like Captain you created? So I went home with a load, opened a bottle Mainwaring’s wife in Dad’s Army. I like the idea of characters who you form a picture of Donald and Jacqueline. I told Geoffrey of vodka and started watching a true crime in your own mind. Big Donna’s ashes were (Perkins) about them and he asked me to channel thinking of her doing the same brought to Benidorm for Donald and imagine who else would be around the pool thing! I’ve never been method in acting or Jacqueline to scatter but we’ve never seen so I thought back to some rubbish holidays writing but I did get a little obsessed with Gay Derek and he’s quite an important role we’d had as kids and went from there. The her. She says very inappropriate things, throughout the show. next characters I created were the posh mainly fuelled by alcohol and regret! couple, Martin and Kate, who had come to Just how close is the stage show to the Where’s your favourite holiday the wrong place for their holiday. I thought screen? destination? they would be most horrified by this grubby Well, obviously Benidorm! I’ve got a house pair of middle-aged swingers! It’s very close, having six of the main characters taking part. One of the key things about 15 minutes away and I go there a lot. I Why do you think the series remained so that I was worried about was the design. I bought it about five years in to writing the popular for so long? needn’t have though because our designer, series and I love it. I enjoy being close to the madness but also a short taxi ride away! I don’t know. If I knew the secret, I’d write Mark Walters, has created the most ingenious However, Benidorm is like my second home another one! Well I’m trying to actually at the set. When you watch a touring show, you so my favourite holiday destination is moment. I’ll tell you what I thought the don’t expect revolves etc but we have one! probably New York. I’ve always felt I could secret was and I was completely wrong. If the One minute you’re in reception, characters live there but if I spent as much money as I show ran for more than one series, I thought come on dancing with beach balls and usually do there on holiday, I’d be bankrupt I’d change the characters; stick with the one towels, they disperse and you’re in the within a month! family perhaps but change all the others. hairdressers, Blow’n’Go. It’s seamless and so However after the first series, I found out the slick. characters were so popular that in the end, And how much persuading was needed to we just brought them all back! For ten years, get the stars from the show to pack their we kept most of the same characters and not cases and head out on the road? one person has ever questioned why the Benidorm Live runs at the Alexandra Very little. I drew up a list of people I wanted characters return for their holiday in the Theatre from Monday 3 - Saturday 29 to be in it and I knew vaguely what the story same week each year. As long as they are December having fun watching, they don’t seem to was going to be about but was ready to adapt mind. if they weren’t available. However, they all Theatre December.qxp_Layout 1 30/11/2018 15:15 Page 3

Theatre more festive favourites from around the region

Sleeping Beauty duction looking set to be every bit as ener- gised and entertaining as any of its illustri- Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, until Sat 5 ous predecessors. January; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Sat 8 December - Sun 13 January; The Core, favourite Debbie Solihull, Fri 14 December - Sun 6 January McGee leads the cast as the Good Fairy, with The Belgrade’s exemplary reputation when it Richard Cadell and Sooty ensuring the laugh- comes to presenting top-notch panto magic is ter count is suitably high for younger audi- sure to be further enhanced by their 2018 ence members. Also getting back in the production - written and directed by Iain Grand Theatre panto saddle is ‘queen of the Lauchlan (bottom left). Indeed, we’re so con- Black Country’ Doreen Tipton, who’s this fident you’ll be wide-eyed with excitement year playing herself, and pantomime that we’ll even wager our best antique spin- favourite Ian Adams, slapping on the rouge ning-wheel that the only person in the audi- to star as The Queen... torium who won’t be wide awake will be the Meanwhile, if daring duels, doting dragons, ever-so-sleepy title character herself!... lavish sets and bucketloads of comedy are on And joining Sleeping Beauty in the land of your festive wish list, then saddle up your nod is most definitely not an option at the reindeer and head for The Core (pictured Wolverhampton Grand Theatre (main image) right), where we’re assured that all of the either, with the venue’s 2018 pantomime pro- aforementioned will be in plentiful supply.

Expect all the usual panto elements in the Mother Goose Robin Hood Malvern Theatres offering, including oodles Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, of hearty thigh-slapping, super-singalongs until Sun 6 January F r i 1 4 D e c e m b e r - S u n 6 J a n u a r y a p l e n t y a n d s l a p s t i c k c o m e d y g alore. Su Pol- It may not be one of the most frequently per- lard heads the cast as the Wicked Queen... formed pantos, but Mother Goose nonethe- Stratford Playhouse’s version, meanwhile, less has plenty going for it, including the promises mayhem, malarkey, comedy capers opportunity to make all manner of eggstrava- and audience participation in abundance... gantly funny and eggcruciatingly unfunny Sound good? Then, heigh-ho, heigh-ho, it’s egg-related jokes. The show stars Theatre off to the panto you go... Severn’s favourite panto Dame, Brad Fitt, in the role of Mother Goose. BBC Radio Shrop- shire’s Eric Smith also features in the cast. ‘Son of the Potteries’ Jonathan Wilkes dons Bedworth Civic Hall, Sat 1 - Sat 29 December; Palace Theatre, Redditch, Mon 10 December - the tights to star as Sherwood Forest’s most Sun 6 January famous outlaw in this ever-popular panto A perfect story for an evening of family enter- tale. Homecoming hero Jonathan’s a festive tainment finds street youth Aladdin trying fixture at the Regent Theatre nowadays, and against all odds to win the hand of the beau- is set to play an inevitably significant part in tiful princess - and being helped in his en- making Robin Hood one of the region’s must- deavours by the mystical genie of the lamp... see pantomimes this Christmas. He’s joined In Redditch, Strictly Come Dancing favourite by big pal and fellow Regent panto regular Robin Windsor (pictured below) plays the Christian Patterson, who’ll be giving his genie. The dashingly handsome Michael Jack And The Beanstalk usual larger-than-life performance in the role Auger, from Britain's Got Talent singing of Friar Tuck. group Collabro, takes the title role. Magic car- Artrix, Bromsgrove, Sat 15 - Sun 23 December pets at the ready... Jack and his mam are hard-up and have no choice but to take their cow to market to raise Snow White And The some cash. However, Jack being Jack, he de- cides to trade her in (the cow, that is, not his Seven Dwarfs mam) for a handful of magic beans, which Malvern Theatres, Thurs 13 December - then grow into a real ogre of a beanstalk... Sun 6 January; Stratford Playhouse, Fri 21 - Mon 31 December If you’re up for a bit of fe-fi-fo-fumming this The fact that Snow White is a 24-carat classic fabulous festive season, a trip to Artrix of a fairytale means that a pantomime ver- should be right up your beanstalk, with the sion is always a surefire winner - and there hugely popular All & Sundry ensuring that are a couple of Christmas crackers to enjoy in not every encounter with a grumpy cash- the Midlands this festive season. counting ogre need end in tears.

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Theatre

Elf - A Christmas Spectacular Genting Arena, Birmingham, Thurs 20 - Mon 24 December This stage adaptation of Will Fer- rell’s hit festive movie stars pop leg- end David and favourite Martine McCutcheon. The original stage version of the show played to record-breaking au- diences at London’s Dominion The- atre in 2015/16. “The big special effects that we have lined up are incredible,” reveals David Essex. “They include a giant sleigh that will fly across the arena, an indoor snow blizzard and lots of skating, which all adds to this per- fect Christmas story.”

Nativity! The Musical geous Beauty and hopes that she’ll fall in Maid Marian And love with him, despite his shockingly grumpy Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, ways and frightfully furry features. The Merry Men Wed 5 - Sat 8 December But help is at hand for Beauty - and this Swan Theatre, Worcester, Mon 3 December - being a pantomime, it not surprisingly comes Sun 6 January in the shape of a rouged-up Dame with a With Robin Hood being too much of a soppy ridiculous name... romantic to take on the evil Sheriff of Not- tingham and thwart her dastardly plans, it falls to the seriously feisty Maid Marian to A Christmas Carol save the day... Worcester Repertory Company Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon- present their cleverly reimagined version of Avon, Tues 4 December - Sun 20 January the ever-popular Sherwood Forest legend - The RSC’s version of this yuletide tale proved and even throw in a pantomime Dame for so popular last year that the Company is good measure! The Regent gets into the Christmas spirit with wisely giving it another outing. this hit stage musical based on the popular Of all Charles Dickens’ festive stories, A film franchise. Christmas Carol reigns supreme. The cov- The show is written and directed by Debbie etous sinning of the miserly Scrooge, the eter- Isitt, who also created the movies. “I’ve al- nal hope offered by Tiny Tim, and the eerie ways believed that Nativity! would make a visions of redemption - visiting Ebenezer in fantastic stage musical,” says Debbie. “It’s so the shape of three seasonal ghosts - all com- full of joy, the children are so sweet and bine to give the tale a real olde worlde charm. funny and the songs so catchy that it lends it- The RSC production has been penned by self to being the perfect Christmas musical. David Edgar, whose previous work for the The songs really do change the dynamic. It Company includes an award-winning adapta- gives you much more insight into the charac- tion of Dickens’ Nicholas Nickleby. ters and their backstories. And the emotions Wind In The Willows are more intense, like with the love story be- New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme, tween Mr Maddens and Jennifer - it feels even until Sat 26 January bigger now because they’re singing duets.” Artistic Director Theresa Heskins’ stage adap- tation of Kenneth Grahame’s much-loved riverside tale ably demonstrates the way in Beauty And The Beast which one life can command the full atten- Sutton Coldfield Town Hall, tion of three others! Mole, Badger and Ratty Tues 11 - Mon 31 December simply don’t have time for any of their own As handsome princes go, the Beast is an ugly interests - they’re far too busy having to look one. So he imprisons the stunningly gor- after their reckless and irrepressible friend, Toad...

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more festive favourites from around the region

The Wizard Of Oz The REP, Birmingham, until Sun 13 January This classic story from the pen of L Frank Baum has been delighting children for over a century. A mar- vellous mix of magic, mayhem and munchkins, it tells the story of Dorothy Gale and her unexpected trip over the rainbow to the wonder- ful land of Oz. There, she meets the scarecrow, the tin man and a cow- ardly lion, heads off on a journey along the yellow brick road to find the Emerald City, and has more than one unpleasant encounter with the Wicked Witch of the West. If ever a ruby-slippered girl was in need of a wizard...

The Tiger Who nose and flashy antlers are making her less Pinocchio than popular with the other reindeer. And as Came To Tea if that’s not bad enough, she also can’t quite Old Rep, Birmingham, until Sun 30 December Birmingham Town Hall, shake the feeling that The legendary tale of the wooden boy with a Wed 26 December - Sun 13 January she really should be disappointing propensity for telling porky The tea-guzzling tiger is back in town, drop- somewhere else, on pies - to the detriment of his fast-growing ping in on Sophie and her mum just as some kind of big proboscis - is here presented as the Old Rep’s they’re settling down for an afternoon snowy adventure... Christmas treat for families. Carved by lonely cuppa... Adapted by David Wood OBE from Expect your children toymaker Geppetto, Pinocchio -accompanied Judith Kerr’s 1968 book, this 55-minute show to be suitably en- by his trusty Cricket companion - heads out features singalong songs and boasts plenty chanted. on an exciting journey, eager to discover of magic - not to mention a big, stripey tiger, what it will require of him to become a real of course! Suitable for youngsters aged three boy. But there’s plenty of danger lurking in and older. Emily Brown wait for the adventurous friends, not least in And The Thing the shape of the less-than-entirely-pleasant Birmingham Hippodrome, puppet master, Mangiafuoco... Mon 17 December - Sat 6 January When young Emily Brown and her best pal - toy rabbit Stanley - discover a Thing crying Wilde Creatures outside their bedroom window, they can’t Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, help but try to assist him... Adapted from the until Sun 30 December book of the same name by Cressida Cowell, “Wilde Creatures has four acting-musicians the author behind the famous How To Train who’re extremely talented and manage to Your Dragon series, this witty and bring Oscar Wilde’s stories to life in a very heartwarming children’s show is presented imaginative and modern way.” Rudolf by the ever-magical Tall Stories theatre So says Toby Mitchell, the co-founder of Tall company. Stories, the theatre company bringing this MAC, Birmingham, until Mon 31 December high-energy celebration of Wilde’s classic Puppetry, songs, laughter and fun are among fairytales to Coventry this Christmas. the family-friendly ingredients being “There’s a seamlessness to the productions. promised by Pins And Needles as they return Although the stories are complex and there to MAC to offer up another festive feast of are lots of scene changes and props, we make theatrical magic. Having previously scored it flow so that it doesn’t seem clunky. But that yuletide hits with their productions of Ray- doesn’t mean it’s simple to achieve... We may mond Brigg's Father Christmas and The Bear, look like swans from the front, but you don’t the talented company this year turn their at- realise how much furious paddling is going tention to Santa’s most famous reindeer. on behind the scenes!” Rudolf has landed in a zoo, and her big red whatsonlive.co.uk 29 Theatre December.qxp_Layout 1 20/11/2018 15:43 Page 7

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more festive favourites from around the region Theatre

Benidorm Live Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Mon 3 - Sat 29 December Set aside the holly and the ivy in favour of soaking up sunshine and sinking down san- gria! Jetting back into the Midlands region this month, Darren Litten’s currently touring stage show is based on the hit ITV1 comedy series that’s been delighting viewers for more than a decade now. Benidorm regulars (Mateo), Janine Duvitski (Jacqueline), Adam Gillen (Liam) and Sherrie Hewson (Joyce Temple- Savage) are all present and correct, in a pro- duction that promises to bring plenty of sizzling summer fun to the frost-bitten festive season.

Crimes Of The made. The story is here staged as a live radio The Nightingales play taking place on Christmas Eve 1946. Five Christmas Pudding actors gather together in a studio for the Malvern Theatres, Mon 3 - Sat 8 December Lichfield Garrick, broadcast, ready to take on the challenge of Royal Shakespeare Company associate artist Wed 5 December - Sat 5 January playing dozens of characters and vividly Christopher Luscombe directs Gavin & Stacey An alternative festive-season comedy for bringing to life the sleepy American town of star Ruth Jones in a bittersweet comedy from adults, Crimes Of The Christmas Pudding Bedford Falls. the pen of William Gaminara. When a motley takes its inspiration from sources as diverse crew of acapella singers meet Maggie, their as Agatha Christie and the Jason Bourne lives are changed forever. Before too long, the movies. The show features a talented cast of The Canterville Ghost new arrival is urging them to try their luck four who between them play an impressively Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Tues 18 - Sun auditioning for wide range of thoroughly quirky characters. 23 December & Thurs 27 - Sun 30 December Britain’s Got Tal- Award-winning theatre company New Old Oscar Wilde’s creepy comedy about ghostly ent. But reaching Friends present the production, making a goings-on in a horribly haunted house is here for the stars is no welcome return to the Garrick following a given the Tall Stories treatment, and comes walk in the park, sell-out success at the venue last Christmas. complete with vaudevillian performers and and life-changing magical illusions. experiences don’t “We did a preview of the show in London,” always work out in recalls Tall Stories’ Toby Mitchell, “to what the way that’s ex- we thought was going to be a very tough pected... crowd of South London school kids. But be- cause we took them seriously, they were com- pletely on board. It was joyous to watch Alice In Wonderland because we thought they were going to be , Birmingham, quite a demanding audience - and actually Tues 4 - Sat 15 December they were a demanding audience - but what A timeless classic telling the magical and de- they were demanding was a good story, cidedly topsy-turvy story of a little girl who It’s A Wonderful Life: which we like to think is what we gave falls down a rabbit hole and discovers a them.” weird world, Lewis Carroll’s Alice's Adven- A Live Radio Play tures In Wonderland first made its way onto Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham, the stage in 1886. Since that time it’s been Thurs 6 - Mon 24 December adapted for the theatre on countless occa- Telling the story of how the well-meaning but sions and in all manner of ways, including as down-on-his-luck George Bailey finally finds a ballet, a musical, an opera and a traditional out that life is worth living - thanks to the pantomime. With its cast of nonsensical and timely intervention of a guardian angel - amusing characters, including the White Frank Capra’s fabulous festive film, It’s A Rabbit, the Mad Hatter and the March Hare, Wonderful Life, is widely considered to be it invariably makes for a great Christmas one of the greatest Christmas movies ever show.

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As preparations for the festive season continue, we take a look at some of the lovely ladies who’ll be gracing Midlands theatres in the region’s Christmas productions... MEERA SYAL as Magical Mermaid in Peter Pan at Birmingham Hippodrome, Wed 19 December - Sun 27 January Meera is sooo looking forward to performing alongside her teenage idol when she makes her panto debut at the Hippodrome this month. Reflecting on her formative years growing up in Wolverhampton, Meera admits to having been a fan of Jimmy Osmond, who’ll be playing Hook alongside her Magical Mermaid in Peter Pan. “He’s probably sick of people telling him that they had him on their wall, but I did,” says Meera. “Sadly I never got to see one of ’ concerts. Unless you were lining up the day before, you didn’t really have a chance. It was crazy! I wasn’t anywhere near VICTORIA MCCABE getting tickets, but now I'm performing with as Jill in Mother Goose at Theatre Severn, him! How bizarre is that?” Shrewsbury, until Sun 6 January Meera’s also glad that she’s playing a nice Victoria is thrilled to be returning to character in her first panto, rather than a vil- Shrewsbury this Christmas to play Jill in lain: “I want the kids to love me. Being a vil- Mother Goose. Her previous pantomimes lain requires an awful lot of shouting and at Theatre Severn saw her starring as energy. I want to be the nice one.” Cinderella and Snow White. Her only reservation is how she’s going to navigate visits to the loo with her mermaid tail in tow - but we reckon that’s nothing more than a wee problem to contend with...

DEBBIE MCGEE as The Lovely Fairy Crystal in Sleeping Beauty at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, from Sat 8 December to Sun 13 January The Lovely Debbie McGee is no stranger to pantomime, or to playing the good fairy in Sleeping Beauty. In fact, she made her panto debut in the role at Canterbury’s Marlowe Theatre back in 1976. Since then, Debbie’s been a regular on our TV screens, and last year impressed Strictly viewers with her dancing prowess. This latest panto outing will see her swishing her wand and sprinkling her fairy dust to help a certain yellow bear with his magic tricks - and we’re pretty sure you’ll get to see her twinkle toes in action too!

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by Patsy Moss for the girls!

For a full list of pantos CHISARA AGOR and festive shows across as Dorothy Gale in The Wizard Of Oz at The REP, Birmingham, the Midlands, visit until Sun 13 January whatsonlive.co.uk London-born actress, singer and theatre maker Chisara is the person charged LISA DAVINA PHILLIP with taking REP audiences on a journey along the yellow brick road to the Emer- as Fairy Goodfeather in Mother Goose ald City this Christmas. As farm girl at Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Dorothy Gale, Chisara will introduce us until Sun 6 January to a scarecrow needing a brain, a tin With a string of credits to her name - Oda man looking for a heart and a lion lack- Mae Brown (Ghost The Musical), Mrs ing in courage. “I can’t wait to follow the Phelps (Matilda) and Rafiki (The Lion yellow brick road to The REP this Christ- King), to name but a few - Lisa Davina mas,” she says. “It's exciting to be part Phillip here returns to the familiar role of of such a bold reimagining of what we Fairy Goodfeather, having made her know of the 1939 film of The Wizard Of debut in the part last year at Sheffield’s LORNA LAIDLAW Oz. Being here at The REP and having a Lyceum Theatre. We’re hoping Lisa can role like this says there’s no rulebook - as Wicked Witch in The Wizard Of Oz at conjure up sufficient fairy magic to coun- anyone can dream big and be Dorothy.” The REP, Birmingham, until Sun 13 January teract the evil intentions of Demon Vanity, in what promises to be another egg-cel- Probably best known as Mrs Tembe in lent pantomime offering from Evolution Doctors, Birmingham-born actress Lorna Productions. can’t wait to play The Wizard/Professor Marvel in this new staging of L Frank Baum’s classic story. “This is so exciting!” says Lorna. “I can say with my hand on my heart, ‘There’s no place like home’! And for me, The REP is home, and has been for well over 30 years.”

DOREEN TIPTON as Nurse Doreen in Sleeping Beauty at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Sat 8 December to Sun 13 January Returning to the Grand for a third year, Doreen ‘Lazy Cow’ Tipton needs no introduction to Black Country au- diences. Regarded as a ‘regional treasure’, Doreen’s ac- colades include Best Newcomer at the Great British Panto Awards and Midlands Personality of the Year, as voted for by What’s On readers. Her perpetual malapropisms and local references are al- ways a good source of entertainment, and we have it on good authority that as Nurse Doreen she’ll be taking part in a major feat of magic on the Grand Theatre stage. Now that’s something we can’t wait to see...

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Let’s hear it for the girls...

ANNA KUMBLE as Fairy Godmother in Cinderella at The Place, Oakengates Theatre, Telford, Tues 11 December - Sun 6 January Best known as pop singer Lolly, Sutton Coldfield-born Anna has been performing since the age of five - and although she’s got numerous West End credits under FINLEY GUY her belt (including as Maid Marion in Robin Hood Starlight Express), at the Regent Theatre, Hanley, it’s pantomime that’s Stoke-on-Trent, Fri 14 December - her favourite dis- Sun 6 January cipline. This year ISABEL GAMBLE taking part in A graduate of the Wilkes Academy of her 20th festive Performing Arts, Finley’s credits as Cinderella at The Place, Oakengates show, Anna include dancing for Little Mix on The X Theatre, Telford, Tues 11 December - not only acts Factor and at the Brit Awards. Previous Sun 6 January but also chore- panto appearances include Snow White A graduate of the Guildford School of ographs, and And The Seven Dwarfs in Acting, Isabel is ‘very excited’ to be on occasion works as Middlesborough and Cinderella at the playing her favourite Disney princess associate director. Regent Theatre in 2016, in which she in Telford. A real all-rounder, her played the title role. credits include Babe in The Pyjama Game, backing vocalist on ITV’s KELLY AARON Britain’s Got Talent, and a stint as a backing dancer on BBC’s Strictly Come as Alice in Dick Whittington (below) Dancing. at the Prince Of Wales Centre, Cannock, Sat 22 - Sun 30 December Kelly graduated from London’s Royal MELISSA BROWN-TAYLOR Central School of Speech and Drama in 2006, since which time she’s amassed an as Princess Belle in Sleeping Beauty at impressive CV. Credits include a UK tour The Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, of Hobson’s Choice, the role of Julia until Sat 5 January Matthews in an Italian tour of New York Having previously appeared in All Or Nothing - Mystery, and Perdita in Shakespeare’s The Mod Musical at the Belgrade, Melissa is look- The Winter’s Tale at Cornwall’s Minack ing forward to returning to the theatre to play her Theatre. first ever princess. “It’s been fun trying out a new role. In the past I’ve played the Genie in Aladdin, which is obviously a very different part, so it’s been really interesting getting used to the conventions of playing principal girl.”

GEORGINA NEWTON as Alice in Dick Whittington (left) at the Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa, Sat 1 - Sun 30 December Georgina recently tweeted: “So excited to be playing Alice in Dick Whittington at the @spacentre, and to be playing alongside two Leamington pantomime legends! What an honour. Here’s to the most magical Christmas yet.”

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MARTINE MCCUTCHEON as Jovie in Elf - A Christmas Spectacular at Genting Arena, Birmingham, Thurs 20 - Mon 24 December Best known as Tiffany in EastEnders and Natalie in Love Actually, Martine McCutcheon is overjoyed to be out on tour with this hit West End and Broad- way musical version of the block- buster festive film. “I’m absolutely delighted to be appearing in this wonderful show,” says Martine. “Elf is without doubt one of the all-time great Christmas movies, so I hope audiences in Birming- ham will love this production just as much as the film!”

SHERRIE HEWSON as Joyce Temple-Savage in Benidorm KATRINA BRYAN Live at Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Mon 3 - Sat 29 December as Fairy Bowbells in Dick Whittington Bringing more than a ray of sunshine to at Lichfield Garrick until Sat 5 January the Alexandra stage this Christmas, Sher- Recognised by younger audiences for rie Hewson and her Benidorm co-stars playing Nina in hit CBeebies series Nina promise to camp it up and have fans of And The Neurons, Katrina Bryan’s no the hit TV show grinning from ear to ear. stranger to pantomime, having played Alice Fitzwarren in a previous produc- tion of Dick Whittington. On playing Fairy Bowbells this time round, Kat- rina says: “I suppose it's a natural progression to go from leading lady to playing the fairy godmother. I've loved panto ever since I left drama school, and I'm very much looking forward to ap- pearing in Dick Whittington after such a long time."

EVA CRAWFORD as Princess Rose in Sleeping Beauty at The Core, Solihull, Fri 14 Dec - Sun 6 January In addition to having numerous panto cred- its under her belt, - trained Eva is developing an impressive film career, including an appearance in Demi, a movie being sponsored by Rain- dance Film Festival.

NIC LAMONT as Carabosse in Sleeping Beauty at The Core, Solihull, Fri 14 Dec - Sun 6 January One half of comedy duo The Twins Macabre, Nic Lamont certainly prefers life on the dark side. Credits include the West End run of com- edy parody Graeme Of Thrones and the lead role in comedy horror film Egomaniac. Nic also created the role of Nation McKinley in the highly acclaimed Shock Treatment, the sequel to The Rocky Horror Show.

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Film

Mary Poppins Returns CERT PG Starring Emily Blunt, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Ben Whishaw, Emily Mortimer, Julie Walters, Dick Van Dyke, Colin Firth, Meryl Streep, Angela Lansbury Directed by Rob Marshall (USA) You get one musical sequel with Colin Firth, Julie Walters and Meryl Streep and another comes along five months later. Here, the musical numbers have been penned by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman (of Hairspray fame) and the film jumps forward 25 years to 1935. Jane and Michael Banks are now grown-up and when a family tragedy strikes, Mary Poppins floats back into their lives to lend a spoonful of sugar. Emily Blunt replaces Julie Andrews in the role and, following her turn as the Baker’s Wife in Rob Marshall’s Into The Woods (2014), has shown that she can belt out a tune along with the best of them. Marshall is perhaps the best musical director alive, earning his stripes on the Oscar-winning Chicago, as well as the underrated Nine (2009) and the exuberant Into The Woods. We expect great things. Released Fri 21 Dec

EDITOR’S CHOICE

Film highlights released in December...

Creed II CERT tbc The Image Book The Old Man & The Gun Starring Michael B Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, CERT 15 (84 mins) CERT 12a (93 mins) Tessa Thompson, Florian Munteanu, Dolph Directed by Jean-Luc Godard (Switzerland) Lundgren, Brigitte Nielsen Starring Robert Redford, Casey Affleck, Danny Directed by Steven Caple Jr (USA) Glover, Tika Sumpter, Tom Waits, Sissy Spacek, Elisabeth Moss You just can’t beat nostalgia. Now that Directed by David Lowery (USA) Adonis Creed, the son of Apollo Creed, is In his final role, Robert Redford plays the crowned light heavyweight champion - real-life escape artist and career criminal For- thanks to the guidance of Rocky Balboa - he rest Tucker who, at the age of 70, broke out of finds himself defending his title against San Quentin and embarked on a series of Viktor Drago, the son of Ivan Drago (Dolph heists. Following King Of Thieves, it’s been Lundgren), who killed his father. This is the quite a year for true-life geriatric lawlessness. eighth instalment in the Rocky franchise. Released Fri 7 Dec Now showing

In his day, Jean-Luc Godard was the enfant terrible of the French New Wave and a critics’ darling. Now 87, the director is as experimental as ever and his new film, an examination of the modern Arabic world, won the Special Palme d'Or at this year’s Cannes festival. Released Sun 2 Dec

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Film

Return Of The Hero friends who gather for a boozy reunion. But Aquaman CERT tbc beneath the cheeky banter, a darker mood CERT 12a (90 mins) Starring Jason Momoa, Amber Heard, Willem begins to surface… Dafoe, Patrick Wilson, Dolph Lundgren, Nicole Starring Jean Dujardin, Mélanie Laurent, Kidman Directed by James Wan (USA) Noémie Merlant, Christophe Montenez, Released Fri 7 Dec Féodor Atkine The sixth instalment in the so-called DC Ex- Directed by Laurent Tirard (France/Belgium) tended Universe, this big-budget superhero The heartbroken fiancée of a Napoleonic offi- White Boy Rick fantasy gives the eponymous amphibian cer is given some solace by the letters she re- CERT 15 (111 mins) hunk centre stage for the first time. He previ- ously appeared in Batman v Superman: ceives, although they’re actually written by Starring Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer her sister… This historical comedy is in ex- Jason Leigh, Jonathan Majors, Bruce Dern, Dawn Of Justice (2016) and Justice League ceptionally good hands, as the writer-direc- Piper Laurie, Richie Merritt, Bel Powley (2017) and is now taking his rightful place as tor Lauren Tirard previously brought us the Directed by Yann Demange (USA) lord of Atlantis. But he’s got a struggle on his innovative and most amusing Molière (2007) Incredible but true: In 1980s’ Detroit, hands… and Up For Love (2016), among others. Richard ‘Rick’ Wershe Jr (Merritt) was a street Released Fri 14 Dec Released Fri 7 Dec hustler, an undercover police informant and a drug tsar. And all before he turned six- teen… From the Paris-born director of the au- thoritative and uncompromising thriller ’71 (2014). Released Fri 7 Dec

Free Solo CERT 12a (100 mins) Directed by Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin (USA) Sorry To Bother You El Capitan is a notorious rock face, a 3,200- CERT 15 (111 mins) foot granite monolith on the north side of Yosemite Valley in . This award- Starring Lakeith Stanfield, Tessa Thompson, Jermaine Fowler, Danny Glover, Armie Ham- winning documentary chronicles the attempt mer, and the voice of Lily James by Alex Honnold to climb it - without a rope. Directed by Boots Riley (USA) Expect vertigo. Get ready to blow your mind. In a parallel Released Fri 14 Dec universe, or just another version of Oakland, California, an African-American telemarketer finds new-found success when he starts to budget adaptation of Philip Reeve’s 2001 use a ‘white voice’ over the phone. Mortal Engines CERT tbc The sci-fi comedy marks the directorial debut Starring Hugo Weaving, Hera Hilmar, Robert novel (the first of a quartet). The post-apoc- of Boots Riley. Sheehan, Jihae, Ronan Raftery, Stephen alyptic fantasy was scripted by Jackson Lang Directed by Christian Rivers (New along with his regular collaborators Released Fri 7 Dec Zealand/USA) Philippa Boyens and Fran Walsh. The first fictional film from Peter Jackson Released Fri 14 Dec since his last Hobbit outing, this is a big-

Tides (99 mins) Starring Jon Foster, Robyn Isaac, Simon Mea- cock, Jamie Zubairi Directed by Tupaq Felber (UK) Shot in black-and-white on the canals of Southern , Tupaq Felber’s debut- drama focuses on four fortysomething

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Film highlights released in December...

The House That Jack Built CERT 18 (152 mins) Starring Matt Dillon, Bruno Ganz, Uma Thurman, Siobhan Fallon Hogan, Sofie Gråbøl, Riley Keough Directed by Lars von Trier (Denmark/France/Germany/Sweden) A brutal analysis of the modus operandi of a serial killer over the course of 12 years, this really divided the critics. Over a hundred of them walked out of the premiere at Cannes this year, while those remaining gave the film a 10-minute standing ovation. To use the new parlance, this really sounds sick. Released Fri 14 Dec

Lizzie CERT 15 (105 mins) CRITIC’S CHOICE Starring Chloë Sevigny, Kristen Stewart, Jay Huguley, Jamey Sheridan, Fiona Shaw, Kim Dickens his funeral and finds a number of ghosts Disobedience CERT 15 (114 mins) Directed by Craig William Macneill (USA) from her past catching up with her, including That’s Lizzie as in Lizzie Borden, the notori- Starring Rachel Weisz, Rachel McAdams, her childhood confidante Esti (Rachel Alessandro Nivola, Anton Lesser, Bernice ous spinster who, in 1892, was accused of Stegers, Allan Corduner McAdams) who is now married to a mutual axing her father and stepmother to death. Directed by Sebastián Lelio (UK/Ireland/USA) friend. Based on the award-winning novel by Whereas the famous nursery rhyme claimed Ronit Krushka (Rachel Weisz) is the daughter Naomi Alderman, who grew up in an Ortho- she “gave her mother 40 whacks,” the film of a rabbi in a North London Orthodox Jew- dox Jewish environment herself, the film re- sets the record straight. ish community. However, having been ceived glowing reviews from the critics, who Released Fri 14 Dec shunned by her family, she now works as a particularly praised the performances of photographer in New York. Then, when her Weisz and McAdams. father dies, she returns to London to attend Now in cinemas Spider-Man: Into The Spider-VerseCERT tbc With the voices of Shameik Moore, Hailee Ste- Papillon CERT 15 (133 mins) Holmes And Watson CERT tbc infeld, Mahershala Ali, Jake Johnson, Liev Starring Charlie Hunnam, Rami Malek, Yorick Starring Will Ferrell, John C Reilly, Rebecca Schreiber, Lily Tomlin Directed by Bob Per- van Wageningen, Eve Hewson, Roland Møller, Hall, Rob Brydon, Kelly Macdonald, Ralph sichetti, Peter Ramsey and Rodney Rothman Tommy Flanagan Directed by Michael Noer Fiennes, Noah Jupe (USA) (Malta/Montenegro/Serbia/USA) Directed by Etan Cohen (USA) If you haven’t had enough of Spider-Man or When the Parisian safecracker Henri Char- Yes, of course we are talking about the cele- big-screen cartoons of late, you’re in luck as riere was framed for murder, he was impris- brated residents of 221B Baker Street, Sher- the new Spider-Man film is computer-ani- oned on the notorious penal colony of Devil's lock. This angle on the brilliant sleuths takes mated. However, this Spider-Man ain’t Peter Island in French Guiana. His self-penned a more comic approach as they attempt to Parker, but a whole new alter ego called book, Papillon (1969), became an instant thwart the assassination of the queen (Victo- Miles Morales, a half-Puerto Rican/half- bestseller and was previously filmed in 1973 ria, played by Pam Ferris). African-American kid from Brooklyn. You with Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman. see, in the Spider-Verse, there can be more Released Fri 26 Dec than one Spider-Man. Enjoy. Released Fri 21 Dec Released Fri 14 Dec Bumblebee CERT tbc Starring Hailee Steinfeld, John Cena, Jorge Lendeborg Jr, John Ortiz, Jason Drucker Directed by Travis Knight (USA) A prequel to Transformers (2007), this is the sixth chapter in the sci-fi series and centres on the robotic superhero of the title. It’s 1987 and the iron giant finds refuge in a Califor- nian junkyard and in the friendship of a teenage girl (Steinfeld). Released Fri 26 Dec

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Wilde about Christmas The Canterville Ghost.qxp_Layout 1 22/11/2018 17:07 Page 2

by Dave Freak

Award-winning theatre company Tall Stories bring a celebration of Oscar Wilde’s lesser-known work to Coventry’s Warwick Arts Centre this festive season...

Oscar Wilde is best known as a playwright - Birmingham Rep, Birmingham Theatre Com- which was really nice - or their parents, or thanks to such enduring fare as The Impor- pany and the RSC. "Our story starts with a other adults they admired from clubs they at- tance Of Being Earnest, An Ideal Husband band of musicians arriving in town. The tended, like their karate teacher.” and Lady Windermere's Fan - but he also mayor appears, and he’s planned to put up a Published in 1888 and 1891 in the collections penned a number of fantastic fairy stories, all statue of himself. He talks about this empty The Happy Prince And Other Tales and A of which have been overshadowed by his fre- space in the town square where The Happy House Of Pomegranates, Wilde's fairy stories quently performed stage plays. Prince statue used to stand. When it had lost have failed to enter the popular imagination all of its jewels, they pulled it down, and in "The fairytales are not very well known,” in the same way as other traditional tales its place the mayor’s going to put up a statue says actor Tom Jude, who’s presently working such as Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella of himself, as he thinks he’s very important.” on two Wilde productions for theatre com- and Hansel And Gretel. pany Tall Stories. “I think he’s just thought of The travelling musicians - played by Tom, “To be honest, I don’t know why they’re not as an adult author - and in fact, many of his Matt Jopling, Steve McCourt and Lauren Sil- better known,” says Tom. “The Selfish Prince fairytales were indeed written for adults. He ver - discover that there could be other poten- and others are very, very strong and clear sto- wrote them to tell to his friends at parties. tial candidates for the honour. Suggesting ries, quite easy to tell. There’s a lot in them. They’re moral lessons and are quite unflinch- friendship as the first of several admirable We should tell them to our children more.” ing.” qualities worthy of a civic monument, the cast recount Wilde's The Devoted Friend, fea- Alongside Wilde Creatures (aimed at young- Tall Stories’ acclaimed productions - Wilde turing a miller who believes he's the perfect sters aged five-plus), the same cast turn their Creatures and The Canterville Ghost - are the friend. attention to Wilde's comic fantasy, The Can- latest in a long line of shows by one of the terville Ghost - a rare Tall Stories production UK's most successful and predominantly Great knowledge is proposed as another hon- for older and adult audiences. Telling the family-focused theatre companies. Formed in ourable trait, so the story of the learned stu- story of an American family who move into a 1997, their biggest hit has been their phenom- dent from The Nightingale And The Rose is haunted house and proceed to give the resi- enal adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel also retold. Perceptions of beauty are then ex- dent phantom more than he bargained for, Scheffler's The Gruffalo. They’ve since turned plored in the tale of the attractive young Tall Stories once again take a unique ap- several other Donaldson & Scheffler picture princess from The Birthday Of The Infanta. proach to presenting Wilde’s work. books into plays (The Gruffalo's Child, Room “These people are suggested as candidates On The Broom and The Snail And The "We’ve framed it as a night at a Victorian for the statue,” says Tom, “then, at the end, Whale), as well as creating productions music hall,” explains Tom. “The four of us we ask the audience to decide.” based on stories by Edward Lear (The Owl play musical performers; one of us plays And The Pussycat), the Brothers Grimm (Car Of course, these being fairy stories, Wilde piano, one is a compere, Lauren is a psychic And No Mouse), David McKee (Mr Benn) and presents a seemingly positive attribute but and I’m an illusionist. And each of us plays Lemony Snicket (Latke Who Couldn't Stop then flips the notion to reveal a very different one of the characters in The Canterville Ghost Screaming). Meanwhile, their own original story: a character can be beautiful yet also too, and between the chapters we do our productions have been inspired by every- cruel; friendly yet inherently selfish and in- acts.” thing from artificial intelligence to time considerate; knowledgeable yet unworldly. travel. For Tom, visiting Wilde’s worlds has been an “The stories start with us being told who we inspiring experience, revealing inventive sto- Despite their association with Donaldson & should admire, but those people are really ries peppered with colourful characters both Scheffler, it was Wilde who gave the company shallow and there’s always somebody else, real and fantastic, tempered with darkness their first hit, when they debuted The Happy usually a victim, usually the moral character, and light, a strange otherworldliness and Prince And Other Stories at the 1997 Edin- who is more admirable - and quite young comedy aplenty: “I just think they’re beauti- burgh Fringe. And it’s to this princely tale children absolutely get that,” says Tom, who ful,” he says, “utterly beautiful and moving. that the company have returned for Wilde first performed the play to school audiences They have a great richness, moral depth and Creatures. and was surprised by responses during post- heart.” performance Q&As. Recalling chatting to "The story of The Happy Prince ends with the young pupils, he explains: "In terms of who townsfolk arguing over who should be the they admired, it was the usual movie stars, next statue in the town square, who’s the Tall Stories present Wilde Creatures at pop stars, superheroes; they admired people most important person - and we’ve taken that Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, until because they were good singers or strong ath- as our starting point," explains Tom, who Sunday 30 December, and The Canterville letes. But without any prompting, some was raised in Rugby and has worked with Ghost at the same venue from would just say the names of their friends - Tuesday 18 to Sunday 30 December. Visual Arts December-2 copy.qxp_Layout 1 20/11/2018 15:43 Page 1

Visual Arts previews from around the region

Amy Sharrocks Haroon Mirza Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum, Ikon Gallery, Birmingham, until Sun 24 February until Sun 24 February Live pieces and sonic artworks “I don’t wish to place any exploring Leamington Spa as a site of demands on someone water are the focal point of this first present with the work,” major survey of Amy Sharrocks’ says Haroon Mirza of his artistic output. Ikon show, an exhibition The Camden-born, Sorbonne-educated which fills the gallery sculptor, photographer and artist space with moving creates works which investigate the imagery, sculptural architecture of a moment; ephemeral installation and electronic and intangible pieces that evaporate or sound. “If one spends are ‘just barely there’. time, they will hear and The exhibition brings together see more. If one thinks photographs of Amy’s numerous live and delves, then ideas, works with her own photos of water. It concepts, methodology, also includes a number of previously points of reference and unseen drawings and prints, a series narrative will hopefully of works looking at the making of emerge, but that’s not clouds and the movement of air, and a something I wish to number of pieces exploring, among control.” other subjects, risk, daring and shame.

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Visual Arts

Women Power Visions In Stone: Protest Gilbert Ledward RA The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, Stoke-on- Birmingham Museum & Art Trent, Sat 8 December - Sun 31 March Gallery, until Sunday 31 March Award-winning sculptor and Royal Academy trustee Gilbert Ledward was seconded to the An exhibition marking a cen- Ministry of Information as a war artist in 1918 - a tury since women won the fact which makes this much-heralded celebra- right to vote, Women Power tion of his work particu- Protest brings together modern larly relevant, taking and contemporary art to cele- place as it does in the brate female artists whose centenary year of the works have explored themes of First World War protest, social commentary armistice. The show is and identity. Comprising being presented as part pieces drawn largely from the of the Royal Academy’s Arts Council Collection, the 250th anniversary cele- exhibition aims to raise aware- brations. ness, provoke debate and prompt viewers to reflect on the changes which have hap- Looking At Animals pened for women during the last 100 years... The Barber Institute, Birmingham, until Sun 10 February

Hand Drawn Action Packed Wolverhampton Art Gallery, Sat 15 December - Sun 3 March The work of 10 international artists is fea- tured in this brand new exhibition, explor- ing the ways in which drawings can tell complex stories via the simplest of means. Subtitled Perspectives On The Natural World, Contributing artists include Marcel van the Barber’s Looking At Animals exhibition Eeden, Rinus Van de Velde and Otobong features works of art from the 16th to the 20th Nkanga, all of whom have created works century, including pieces by artists as diverse as specifically for the show. The featured Rubens, Gericault, Delacroix and Franz Marc. pieces, which contemplate subjects such As well as exploring a wide range of representa- as human relationships, geography, poli- tions of animals, the display also acts as a start- tics and mythology, showcase a range of ing point for a new gallery trail, encouraging Marcel Dzama_A Time Will Come or Delilah and Goliath and Delilah or Come Will Time Dzama_A Marcel media, from traditional pencil and char- visitors to check out ‘the other creatures that coal to modern methods of animation. lurk within the Barber’s collection!’.

Cézanne: Montagne The Aix-en-Provence-born painter is nowadays viewed as the artist whose Sainte-Victoire work formed a bridge between Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry, Impressionism and Modernism, with both until Sun 20 January Matisse and Picasso having Paul Cézanne’s Montagne Sainte-Victoire acknowledged the profound effect which With Large Pine is a masterpiece of the his output had on their own creativity. Post-Impressionist era. Cézanne painted Montagne Sainte- The painting was produced during the Victoire on numerous occasions late 1870s and brilliantly showcases how throughout his career, very much viewing Cézanne’s approach was changing the the mountain as a symbol of home. way in which people were thinking about The painting is on loan to the Herbert art. from the Courtauld Gallery in London.

whatsonlive.co.uk 41 Selfridges Xmas gifts-2.qxp_Layout 1 20/11/2018 15:40 Page 1

Have yourself a very merry Christmas at Selfridges Birmingham

If Christmas sparkle means splashing out on luxurious presents for family and friends, then Selfridges Birmingham is the one-stop destination for extraordinary gifts. From decadent diamonds and exquisite timepieces to sumptuous hampers and exclusive pieces that can’t be found anywhere else, well-heeled and generous spenders can go to town on their loved ones this festive season.

For the foodies For the ultimate foodie gift, Selfridges Birmingham luxury gift boxes and Personalisation is a great way to show that hampers are a must. The you’ve put some care and limited-edition Wolseley attention into selecting a Christmas Hamper gift for your loved (£349) is a memorable one. Selfridges is gift that brings a taste the exclusive of the legendary destination for cafe-restaurant to personalised your home. Enjoy a Veuve Clicquot bottle of The Wolseley Champagne Medoc 2011, The gifts (£56.99). Wolseley Sancerre 2016, Bearing the as well as teas with famous Clicquot silver-plated tea strainer Yellow label, it and caddy, jam, marmalade, comes in a signature hot chocolate, truffles and a arrow gift tin, which copy of Breakfast At The Wolseley can be personalised with by AA Gill. the recipient’s hometown, a special city or a name. This special edition Chopard Happy Sport watch (£8,850) - which celebrates its 25th an- niversary - is a Selfridges exclusive. The stainless steel case has a contrasting 18ct For her rose-gold bezel, while mobile diamonds and sapphires float around the blue mother-of- pearl dial. It’s finished with a glossy alligator Who wouldn’t love a leather strap. designer bag this Christmas? This gorgeous glitter Harlow satchel by This stunning Valentino Mulberry flared cuff sequin dress (£1,195) (£6,700) will ensure adds the recipient is red sparkle to carpet ready for any any outfit. VIP occasion - perfect for any festive or New Year’s Eve party.

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Advertorial For the home For the beauty

Know someone who’s obsessed burning the candle at both ends? Give them a reason to From skincare that will relax at home provide TLC after a night out and buy them a to dramatic make-up for gorgeous home the ultimate party, fragrance. Selfridges Birmingham’s Diptyque’s trio renowned beauty hall of candles has on Level 3 is the place three scents in to head to for the best limited edition selection - and there’s designs (from £30) plenty of exclusive - or for a real treat, products and limited buy its luxury advent editions to choose from. calendar (£320). If you’re not sure what brands your beauty lover would love to open on Christmas Day, why not treat them to the first Selfridges Beauty For him Lovers Selection Box (£70), filled with full-sized and travel-sized products from unique For those who like a bit and new brands from its Beauty Workshop. more bling, this Valentino sequin- This Dark Lord eau de parfum by embellished satin Kilian (£285) is exclusive to bomber jacket Selfridges and comes in a gor- (£5,290) will geous box. It has notes of ensure he stands leather, vetiver, jasmine, rum, out in a crowd this bergamot and pepper, creating Christmas. an unmistakable fragrance.

For the Unicorns are still big news - and this year they’re joined by more fantasy creatures. little ones Think mermaids and fairies in all shapes and sizes, with Why should mum and dad prices from just £1 to £3,600. have the best Exclusive highlights include Jel- accessories? This lycat’s swan princess (£18 and £30 Monster faux- for the large) and Hansa’s animatronic shearling and Pegasus, which has a 5’7” wingspan (£900). vintage check satchel by Burberry (£450) doubles up as a Smartway’s officially licensed rucksack and Range Rover Sport ride-on has adjustable electric car (£550) has shoulder straps. working lights, a horn at the steering wheel and MP3 player, and can be driven using the pedal and wheel.

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Events Events previews from around the region

Toy Collectors Fair NEC, Birmingham, Thurs 27 December

Britain’s biggest toy fair makes its way to Birmingham this month to showcase a huge array of collecta- bles. From diecast models by Corgi and Dinky through to numerous TV and film-related items, this one-day event offers plenty of in- terest for enthusiasts. Expert toy valuers are on hand to assess visitors' items for free. So if Ice Skate Birmingham be able to skate whatever the weather, as the you have a particular piece that rink is covered with a weatherproof roof. Eastside City Park, Birmingham, you’d like to know a bit more about until Sun 6 January For those who aren’t so keen to take to the ice, - or that you’re maybe intending to the nearby Ice Lounge offers a wide selection of sell - why not take it along and get Ice, ice, baby! Ice Skate Birmingham is back. food & drink to enjoy. it valued? Who knows, you may be Voted one of the best outdoor facilities of its Also on site is the Birmingham Big Wheel and a pleasantly surprised... kind in the UK, the ice rink attracts thousands children’s four-storey fun factory to keep the of skaters across the festive period. Visitors will whole family entertained. Children’s Victorian Christmas Santa Trail Magical Lantern Festival Tamworth Castle, Sat 8 - Sun 9, Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Sat 15 - Sun 16, Sat 22 - Sun 23 until Tues 1 January December Returning to the grounds of Birmingham Botani- The Victorian household of Tam- cal Gardens, the Magical Lantern Festival is big- worth Castle is readying itself for ger and better this festive season. the arrival of a very special guest... The popular event is not only a celebration of Visitors can take part in a series of Christmas but also of Chinese culture and her- seasonal activities, including mak- itage, with an array of larger-than-life hand- ing Christmas pudding with the sculpted lanterns on display throughout the castle’s cook, decorating the tree gardens. Street food & drink, plus a merchandise with the mistress of the house, and marquee where you can buy yourself a souvenir, joining the stablehand to find car- also feature. Santa’s Winter Wonderland rots for the reindeer. There’s also the chance to track The Snowdome, Tamworth, until Monday 31st December down Santa in his grotto. Real snow? Check. Real animals? Check. The big bearded man himself? Check. Santa’s Winter Wonderland brings festive fun to families for a 14th magical year. Visitors can explore Santa’s Christmas snow trail, take a walk through the enchanted forest, enjoy a game of snowballs and hitch a ride on a sledge. The less-adventurous can watch all the fun and games from the promenade walkway - whilst over in the animal village, there’s a chance to get ‘up close and personal’ with Santa’s reindeer and other furry friends. whatsonlive.co.uk 45 Events December.qxp_Layout 1 21/11/2018 16:42 Page 3

Events

Thinktank Elf Hunt Thinktank Science Museum, Birmingham, Sat 1 - Sun 23 December The elves are hiding around Thinktank Science Museum this month, making sure that visitors to the venue behave themselves over the festive period. So why not grab yourself a finder’s sheet and see if you can locate the elusive little creatures as you make your way around the museum? If you’re successful, you’ll receive a special prize!

Victorian Christmas some festive-style entertainment - including a singalong with carol singers - and partake in a Blists Hill Victorian Town, Ironbridge, Sat 8 - Sun 9 spot of Christmas shopping in the town’s retail and Sat 15 - Sun 16 December outlet. Plenty of Victorian festive cheer is on offer at And just in case all of the above isn’t quite Shropshire’s Blists Hill Victorian Town this enough to ensure your kids are happily enter- month, as residents busy themselves with prepa- tained, Father Christmas himself - together with Ebenezer’s rations for Christmas. his reindeer - will be on hand to hear younger vis- Christmas Carol Visitors to the award-winning site can enjoy sea- itors’ last-minute gift requests. sonal music from bands and choirs, experience Tudor World, Stratford-upon-Avon, Wed 5 - Fri 21 and Mon 24 December Back by popular demand, Dick- Lichfield Winter Wonderland ens’ classic seasonal story, A Beacon Park, Lichfield, Fri 14 December Christmas Carol, is here told in the - Fri 4 January author’s own inimitable words on a lantern-lit journey through a Lichfield’s first Christmas market promises haunted house. plenty to keep visitors engaged and entertained. Meet the miserly Scrooge, the Taking centre stage is the wonderland ice rink - haunting Jacob Marley, the entire open every day for anybody who fancies getting Cratchit family, Mr & Mrs Fezziwig their skates on - and a host of food & drink and a whole host of memorable traders selling traditional festive treats. characters (not forgetting the Music from DJs, family discos, a comedy festival, ghosts of Christmas Past, Present cinema screenings and the chance to enjoy a and Future), all magically brought reading of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol to life by genial ghost guide also feature in an impressive debut line-up. Christmas in the Home Ebenezer Crouch. Black Country Living Museum, Dudley, Sat 1 - Sun 2, Sat 8 - Sun 9, Sat 15 - Sun 16, and Wed 19 - Mon 24 December Step back in time to experience Christmases past - from the Victorian era through to a wartime festive season - as you explore the Black Country Living Museum’s 26 acres of shops and houses. Visitors can take part in a variety of tradi- tional Christmas activities - including creat- ing paper decorations and penning their very own Christmas card - as well as enjoying a classic movie or two in the venue’s 1920s Limelight Cinema.

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Events previews from around the region

Visit Santa! Vintage Sleigh Ride Coventry Transport Museum, until Sun 23 December

Enjoy a sleigh ride with a vintage twist this Christmas, as Coventry Transport Museum brings a touch of nostalgia to festivities. The original mechanics and fix- tures of the sleigh have been maintained but unchanged since the 1960s, making it a truly au- thentic experience. Once families have made their Meet Santa Visit the Antarctic Ice Cave, take your little ones magical journey to Lapland, to meet Santa and receive a free gift from him, they’ll have the chance to meet National Sea Life Centre, Birmingham, and check out a family of cheeky Gentoo Pen- Santa, tell him their Christmas until Sun 23 December guins in the exclusive setting of the Ice Adventure wishes and take receipt of a spe- In an experience unique to Birmingham this fes- area. Families can also pay a visit to the 4D cin- cial gift. tive season, the National Sea Life Centre is bring- ema to enjoy a screening of classic festive movie ing the North Pole to the city’s Brindleyplace. The Polar Express. Santa Safari Hawkstone Park Follies, Shropshire, until Sun 23 December Christmas at Meanwhile, at Soho House, Aston Hall and Blakesley Hall, guests can step back in time by Birmingham Museums joining special Christmas-themed guided Visit birminghammuseums.org.uk tours... for more details If you’re looking for a unique Christmas gift for Birmingham Museums is hosting a variety of a loved one, the Museum of the Jewellery Quar- events in the lead-up to Christmas. ter will be hosting a special winter jewellery Families can get into the festive spirit at Birm- fair, whilst over at Sarehole Mill, a variety of Little ones can enjoy a magical ad- ingham Museum & Art Gallery courtesy of twin- adult craft sessions - taking place throughout venture and meet Santa at Hawk- kling lights, piles of snow, a glittering grotto the month - provide participants with plenty of stone Park Follies this Christmas. and the chance to meet Santa Claus himself... inspiration for their Christmas decorations. Jump into one of the park’s Land Rovers to enjoy a journey through the illuminated woodland to Santa’s spectacular network of caves. The big man’s elves will keep you entertained as you wander around the fairy-lit caverns and tunnels, finally arriving at your ultimate destination - the magical grotto it- self, where every child will receive a special gift from Santa. The chance to meet the big man’s trusty reindeer and enjoy an ‘illu- minated woodland fantasy’ also feature.

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Events Events previews from around the region

Christmas At The Valley Sandwell Park Farm, Fri 7 - Sun 9, Fri 14 - Sun 16, Fri 21 - Sun 23 December Sandwell Park Farm is this month opening its doors for fam- ilies to visit Santa in his grotto. Not only can little ones say hello to the cheery bearded one him- self, they can also meet and greet his trusty reindeer as they pre- pare for their Christmas duties. Traditional Punch & Judy shows run throughout each day, with other attractions including circus skills workshops and children’s crafts. Hot food & drink outlets ensure visitors young and old can keep up their energy levels as they busy themselves getting into the festive spirit.

The Cathedral Illuminated the team behind it all, create a bespoke set of illu- minations to light up both the inside and outside Birmingham Lichfield Cathedral, Mon 17 - Sat 22 December of Lichfield Cathedral. With the multi-award-win- Frankfurt Christmas Winner of the ‘best event in Staffordshire’ title in ning event now in its fourth year, visitors can ex- Market our What’s On Readers’ Awards 2018, Cathedral pect a mixture of festive light and sound that’s Birmingham city centre, Illuminated is back for another year. Luxmuralis, sure to get them in the Christmas spirit. until Sun 23 December The largest authentic German Christmas market outside of Ger- many and Austria, this ever-pop- Winter Wonderland ular Birmingham attraction Stoke-on-Trent comprises 80-plus stalls boasting Birch Terrace car park, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, a wide range of traditional gifts until Sun 6 January and a mouthwatering selection of Stoke-on-Trent’s very own winter wonderland food & drink. returns this year to transport visitors into a The market has been running in festive haven filled with all things Christmas. the city for more than 15 years, Featuring an ice rink, Santa’s grotto and and is the centrepiece of Birming- wooden chalets serving up all manner of eats ham’s Christmas events package. and treats, there’s plenty of fun to be had. Other stand-out attractions include a full-size rollercoaster and a 60m sky swing.

European Christmas Market Southwater, Telford Town Centre, until Sun 23 December Now in its third year, Telford’s European Christ- mas Market has returned bigger and better. Featuring wooden chalets decked with garlands & lights and selling festive gifts from all around Europe, the market also includes a traditional funfair - complete with carousel and helter skel- ter - and showcases local choirs, acoustic bands and plenty of seasonal music. whatsonlive.co.uk 49 Jaymi Hensleyforonlinemagazine.qxp_Layout130/11/201814:52Page

Photo credit: Owen Vincent Jaymi Hensley for online magazine.qxp_Layout 1 30/11/2018 14:52 Page 2

JAYMI HENSLEY Jaymi flies into Birmingham this Christmas to play Peter Pan at the Hippodrome. We caught up with the Union J star to talk about fame, coming out and campaigning for LGBTQ rights...

This is your second outing as Peter Pan. different from the real me. Sometimes you lightheartedness, and she has a great What attracts you to playing the really struggle with parts that are quite vocal range. I also really love Dua Lipa. eternally young character? close to who you are because you can’t It’s been six years since your time on find the line between what’s you and I think that’s it. Being eternally young, The X Factor. What’s the hardest lesson what’s your character. I like all Disney trying to cling on to something, trying to you’ve learned since then? cling on to your youth. Plus, I get to fly, films, and in particular characters like Not to get too wrapped up in what you’re which is great, but that harness really is Maleficent and Ursula. You never know, doing. We were very lucky to come from uncomfortable! one day I might throw my hand in and play the wicked queen. I would definitely like to the show and walk into a record deal, but Do you share any traits with Peter Pan? play a baddie one day. you have to be careful not to get Yes, I think I do. I can be a bit stubborn at invincibility syndrome. When everything’s How old were you when you decided times. I want to do well, I’m really going right for you, it’s easy to forget that you wanted to make a profession out of determined and I do like to help others, things can, and often do, go wrong. There performing? but I sometimes throw my toys out of the are going to be hard times. When those pram, if you know what I mean. I have this I did my first professional panto when I hard times happened for us, they hit really pride thing, I let my feelings get hurt and I was eight years old, and I’ve been on stage hard. That’s why you see a lot of celebrities do sometimes overreact, just like he does. since then. I’ve never really known having breakdowns and mental health anything else. I was so determined that it issues, turning to drink and drugs, Can we expect any competition on the was going to happen for me, it was more a because you can have massive highs and vocal front between yourself and Jimmy matter of when. I never set my sights on then equally big lows. I think you have to Osmond, who’s playing Captain Hook? any other profession, so I had to really take every day as it comes and not have an Are you joking! He’s Jimmy Osmond and focus on this. expectation about tomorrow. I’d be a fool to try and compete. I’m super- Which artist or band did you most Would you say that’s one of the biggest excited to be performing alongside him listen to when growing up? downfalls of fame? because he’s a legend. I wasn’t about at the height of Osmond-mania, but I’ve I was obsessed with Whitney. I was this Yes, I would say it probably is. We’re all grown up with that music as my mother chubby little gay kid bumbling his way human and it’s natural to have lows - days loves them. When I met Jimmy at the pre- through life trying to fit in. I had this huge when you wake up and can’t be bothered, launch, he was just the nicest guy. I’m ballad-like voice and I loved listening to your personal life has gone wrong or you super-excited to create a relationship with Whitney and Celine because they were think your career is slipping away. I’ve him. artists who my mum listened to. That’s always felt a sense of guilt, because I’m kind of how I trained my voice; singing very privileged to do what I do. I’m very As well as Peter Pan, you’ve also had a those big, big songs. When I was 11, I stood lucky to have made a career out of this, stint playing Aladdin - two very good in front of the school assembly and belted and to be doing what I love, so when you and wholesome characters. Do you ever out My Heart Will Go On. I think that was do have a bad day, you kind of feel guilty fancy crossing over to the dark side - pretty courageous for someone my age. or ungrateful. I think that’s the biggest and if so, who would you choose to price of fame - you feel guilty about play? Who’s your favourite artist at the showing emotion because you worry As much as I like playing Peter Pan and moment? someone’s going to think you’re being a bit Aladdin, I think I’d actually prefer to play I love Ariana. She’s a superb pop star - of an idiot. a darker role because it would be so mixing a bit of camp with a bit of Jaymi Hensley for online magazine.qxp_Layout 1 30/11/2018 14:52 Page 3

Ratings for The X Factor continue to in my family was laughing at me and Are there any other reality shows you decline. Do you think the format of the saying there was no way I could do it. might fancy doing? show, and similar shows, has had its Also, my diary didn’t match up. When I got I’m open to anything, and I love learning day? asked again, I said yes because I felt I new skills and meeting new people. I think I wouldn’t say it’s had its day, but it might needed something a little bit new and I Strictly or Dancing On Ice would be great need a rejig. It’s down to how accessible wanted to learn. When you’re doing the fun because you’d be learning a things are. I don’t think the buzz around X same job every day, you’re not necessarily completely new skill - that was the most Factor has necessary gone, but I think learning anymore. I wanted to learn a new rewarding thing about doing MasterChef. I people are watching it more on YouTube. craft, and I was prepared to rise to the would’ve loved to have done something Maybe the show does need a revamp, but challenge. I was excited, but it was all very like Big Brother or I’m A Celebrity... but you can’t deny the level of talent it puts stressful and I had lots of sleepless nights. you just sit around and are being voted on out. My house is really minimalistic, I don’t like your personality, which can be quite a clutter, but I suddenly acquired about a daunting experience. Let’s talk Celebrity MasterChef. How million cookbooks and had pots and pans was that experience? everywhere. It was like Delia Smith had What single piece of advice would you It was without a shadow of a doubt the exploded in my kitchen. I loved it, but I give to anyone starting out in the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life. I was glad when I could put all my stuff industry? was asked to do it the year before, but I back in the cupboard! Work your arse off; just work hard. This said no because I didn’t cook and everyone job is not what it seems. It’s not all happy Jaymi Hensley for online magazine.qxp_Layout 1 30/11/2018 14:52 Page 4

days. It’s a lot of long hours - great because be okay, and that it will be okay. a write-off. But I don’t care, because I love you’re doing what you love, but you have my job. As a campaigner for LGBTQ rights, to work hard and be prepared mentally which single issue do you feel most What’s your favourite thing about and physically. You can’t have the lifestyle passionate about? Christmas? that comes with it without putting in the hard graft. If you’re a singer or an artist, For me, it’s Trans. That’s my biggest I don’t know because I haven’t had then you have to make sure you’re passion at the moment because one of my Christmas for the last three years. I’ve kind practising, sleeping, eating well and being closest friends, Jenna, is a trans woman. I of forgotten what it’s all about because of the best you can be because there is have the utmost admiration and respect working so much. I guess it’s just spending always going to be someone who is better for those members of our community. I time with family and friends when I can. than you. You have to develop a thick skin think as a community we do turn our But as I don’t have a normal schedule, I quite early on. It’s not about being better backs on them. I do think there’s a lot of really struggle to find time to spend with than other people, it’s about doing the best Trans shaming within the LGBT them, given their normal nine-to-five you can do. community by gay guys and lesbians, who schedules. When I get home at around tend to forget the struggle they themselves midnight, I’m raring to go and they’re all You were recently nominated in the had to go through. As a community we’ve asleep! Famous Male awards. Do you think had to fight for years to get equality, and You mentioned earlier that you did your such surveys feed the nation’s it’s the brothers and sisters of our Trans first panto at the age of eight. What was obsession with looks? community who are facing that battle now. that experience like? I don’t know. I’m more happy with this I think we really have to champion them as nomination because of what it stands for. a community, and give them the love and There were a couple of reasons it was It’s difficult, because I’ve had a bit of a support they need. I have to admit that I amazing. Firstly, it was the first time I was rough time on occasion regarding didn’t necessarily understand an awful lot on a professional stage. Secondly, it was appearance, like when I was overweight a about Trans until I met Jenna and her when I realised I was gay. There was a guy couple of years back. I did get papped and friends, but it’s been a massive eye-opener, in the juvenile chorus who was 14 or 15 had a horrible story written about me, and I think we all have to help them fight and who was openly gay. I just remember saying that I’d let myself go. Obviously for those rights. looking up to him and thinking, “Oh my God, that’s what I am!” That’s when I that’s not nice, but it gave me a kick up the As someone in the public eye, how can developed my first crush and realised that bum to look at my life. I wasn’t eating you have a positive influence on ‘showbusiness’ was where I fitted in - not healthily and I wasn’t the best I could be. changing perceptions? Fitness is key, and I think the way you only because I like to perform but also For the last six years, as much as I’ve present yourself is important. You should because it’s a place where gay people are campaigned, I feel I haven’t used my always try to be the healthiest you can be accepted. This is a place where everyone’s platform and my voice enough, but I will and look after yourself. We need to do that welcome. endeavour to do more next year. I suppose in a way that projects a positive body being in a group has meant that I’ve had to What’s your long-term goal as a image for all, but often it’s just the guys take the other boys’ feelings into performer? who are completely ripped or those who consideration, as all of my actions over the have ridiculous bodies and are so Just to do as much as I can, and add as last six years have reflected on other handsome who get covered. I can totally many strings to my bow as possible. I love people. Not that they don’t support me or understand where the problem is, but as every aspect of my career, and so to just try anything like that, but my actions have long as there’s a broad spectrum of and do this for the rest of my life would be had an effect on other people, and I nominees, then those awards provide a the best thing. wouldn’t like my path to be detrimental to platform for all. I wasn’t overly confident a somebody else. If I’d got into a heated Who would you most like to collaborate few years back, being overweight, but debate and said a wrong thing, I wouldn’t with - apart from Jimmy Osmond, of coming second last year gave me a massive have wanted that to reflect badly on my course!? boost. fellow band members. Now I’m in a That’s a really good question, I would love Can you tell us a bit about your position where, to some degree, I have a to sing with Leona Lewis. She’s the reason experience of coming out when you platform and can go out there and fight for I watched The X Factor. I remember were younger? our rights. Yes, I feel that I haven’t watching her when I was 16 and she was I was quite lucky, as I didn’t necessarily necessarily done enough over the past six the turning point of the show. She was the have to come out. I was so sure of who I years, so I’m looking forward to doing first global superstar to come out of the was from a very young age. We hear so more. series. So yes, I would love to sing with her. many horror stories about people coming Back to panto. How do you plan to out, so you do have to champion that there spend your downtime while you’re in are families, friends and loved ones who Birmingham? will cherish you for who you are and give Asleep. There’s no downtime in panto! I Peter Pan shows at Birmingham you the support that you need. I think think we get one day off a week. Two of Hippodrome from Wednesday 19 many people are scared because they only those days are Christmas Day and New December to Sunday 27 January hear about coming-out horrors. We should Year’s Day, and I reckon they’re going to be let young LGBTQ+ people know that it can The List Cover December Birmingham.qxp_Layout 1 20/11/2018 15:51 Page 1 The List Cover December Birmingham.qxp_Layout 1 20/11/2018 15:51 Page 2

YourYour wweek-eek- bby-weeky-week llistingsistings gguideuide Decemberecember 20182018 thelist All Saints at O2 Institute Birmingham - Monday 3 December

Music I Comedy I Theatre I Dance I Film I Events I Visual Arts I and more!

What’s On Sat 1 to Sun 9 December Mon 10 to Sun 16 December Mon 17 to Sun 23 December Mon 24 to Mon 31 December

Jools Holland And His Rhythm Leddra Chapman at A Christmas Carol at Peter Pan at Birmingham & Blues Orchestra at Pizza Express Live Birmingham Town Hall Hippodrome Symphony Hall Sat 15 December Sun 23 December until Sun 27 January Thurs 6 December

whatsonlive.co.uk 51 The List Birmingham 1-9 December.qxp_Layout 1 21/11/2018 10:48 Page 1

thelist THROUGHOUT DECEMBER

The Barber Institute Visual Arts WAR AND PEACE Display of prints ex- ploring conflicts from four periods in Birmingham Museum & history. Featuring prints by artists in- Art Gallery cluding Édouard Manet, Honoré-Vic- torin Daumier and CRW Nevinson, FIGHTING FOR OUR HERITAGE Exhibition until Sun 13 Jan explores the rich history of amateur boxing clubs and famous boxers MAMAN Exhibition focusing on the from Birmingham, until Sun 2 Dec first decade of Édouard Vuillard’s ca- reer, featuring paintings, pastels, WITHIN AND WITHOUT: BODY IMAGE AND prints and photographs lent by col- THE SELF Exhibition examining how lections in Britain and Europe, until social, historical and cultural factors Sun 20 Jan affect body image, and how this is ex- pressed through objects and art- THE LAST ROMAN Emperor Justinian I works, until Fri 1 Feb (527 - 565 AD), the so-called ‘last Roman emperor’, rose from peasant FAITH IN BIRMINGHAM, Exploring how beginnings in Serbia to become the different faiths have influenced and most powerful man on earth, until shaped the city, until Sun 3 Feb Sun 14 Apr 2019 WOMEN POWER PROTEST Inspired by the bold work of feminist artists and Other VISUAL ARTS activists, Women Power Protest aims LUCY ORTA - PROCESSION BANNERS All Saints - O2 Institute, Birmingham to raise awareness, provoke debate Artist Lucy Orta collaborated with fe- and assess how much has changed THE GROOVE Sat 1 Dec, con, Birmingham male residents of HMP Downview to for women, until Sun 31 Mar The Jam House, Birm- UK FOO FIGHTERS - design 30 banners to mark 100 years Gigs ingham BANGING ON THE CEIL- COLLECTING BIRMINGHAM: WHO IS since British women won the vote, HAPPY SKA-MAS WITH ELECTRIC SWING CIRCUS ING TOUR Sat 1 Dec, BIRMINGHAM? Discover new collec- until Sun 20 Jan, Medicine Bakery & THE SKA 45'S Sat 1 Sat 1 Dec, Hare & O2 Academy, B’ham tions that reflect the experiences of Gallery, Birmingham Dec, The Night Owl, diverse Birmingham people - from Hounds, Birmingham PVMNTS Sat 1 Dec, O2 FACE OF SUFFRAGE A giant mosaic Birmingham working lives to community activists THE HUMAN LEAGUE Sat Institute, Birmingham comprising 3,500 photos of women BLUE NATION (ALBUM and protest movements, until Sun 27 1 Dec, Arena B’ham from the West Midlands and beyond, BJORN AGAIN Sat 1 Oct 2019 LAUNCH) + IDUL + AN- including images of individuals in- THONY PRICE Sat 1 FRANKIE VALLI & THE Dec, O2 Academy, volved in the movement during the FOUR SEASONS Sat 1 Birmingham BOM (B’ham Open Media) Dec, The Sunflower early 1900s, until Fri 14 Dec, New Lounge, Birmingham Dec, Genting Arena, THE ALARM Sun 2 Dec, THE KITTY AI : ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE Birmingham Street Station, Birmingham FREE AT LAST Sat 1 O2 Academy, B’ham FOR GOVERNANCE Exhibition by Pinar THE FACE OF SUFFRAGE Celebrating Dec, Route 44, B’ham CAST - THE GREATEST GEKO Sun 2 Dec, O2 Yoldas contemplating both AI and hu- HITS TOUR Sat 1 Dec, 100 years since women were first al- 80’S MANIA Sat 1 Dec, Institute, Birmingham manity’s relationship to this emerging lowed the vote, the exhibition of pho- O2 Institute, B’ham The Core Theatre, MYJO CHRISTMAS CON- technology, until Sat 8 Dec tographs showcases some of the Solihull JOHN KERRY QUARTET CERT Sun 2 Dec, The BEHOLDER Virtual reality experience faces of the Suffrage movement and Sat 1 Dec, Pizza Ex- FEAR WITHOUT REASON Core Theatre, Solihull by United Visual Artists (UVA) explor- complements the New Street Station press Live, B’ham ing beauty from autistic perspectives, installation, until Thurs 31 Jan, Birm- Sat 1 Dec, O2 DARKSIDE OF THE WALL THE UPBEAT BEATLES until Sat 8 Dec ingham Hippodrome Academy, Birmingham Sun 2 Dec, Hare & Sat 1 Dec, Artrix, UNDER THE COVERS Sat Hounds, Birmingham NEW THE FOLD Coventry University Bromsgrove Grand Union Second Year Fine Art Illustration and 1 Dec, Irish Centre, BROKEN HANDS Sun 2 SUNFLOWER BEAN Sat 1 Illustration Graphics exhibition includ- Birmingham Dec, Hare & Hounds, JOANNE MASDING: BRUNTWOOD COR- Dec, The Castle & Fal- NERBLOCK COMMISSION Permanent in- ing visual artworks, collaborative in- Birmingham stallation made by artist and Grand terventions, Zine Festival and their Union studio holder Joanne Masding, famous live Art Battles, Thurs 6 - Sat until Fri 5 July 2019 8 Dec, Stryx Gallery, NEW LIGHT 52 EXHIBITION Photography MAC, Birmingham exhibition by the students of Richard MAC CRAFT FELLOWS Five recent grad- Pearce, Thurs 6 Dec - Wed 2 Jan, uates were each commissioned to The Core Theatre, Solihull make new work to showcase the NEW EMMA ARCHER - BOTANICAL journey they’ve been on during the WORKS Display of botanically inspired fellowship programme. This exhibi- watercolour and acrylic paintings by tion is the culmination of their hard contemporary artist Emma Archer, work, until Sun 24 Mar Sun 9 - Sat 22 Dec, Lightwoods Park, Birmingham RBSA Gallery NEW DEBRIS ON A LUMINOUS PLAIN STELLAR Featuring jewellery in pre- Olga Grotova’s practice, encompass- cious materials, ceramics with lus- ing painting, video and performance, trous glazes, and textiles in plush often features female characters that fabrics, until Sat 2 Feb question social relationships within their environments, Wed 12 Dec - Sat NEW EXHIBITION 2019 Original artwork 16 Feb, Centrala Gallery, Birmingham by RBSA artists, all priced at £300 and under, Sun 30 Dec - Sat 9 Feb The Human League - Arena Birmingham 52 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Birmingham 1-9 December.qxp_Layout 1 21/11/2018 10:48 Page 2

Saturday 1 - Sunday 9 December

ROY WOOD’S ROCKMAS JOOLS HOLLAND AND HEED Fri 7 Dec, Irish HALESOWEN ORCHESTRA: PICTURES AT 2018 FEAT. ALFIE BOE & HIS RHYTHM & BLUES Centre, Birmingham Classical Music AN EXHIBITION Featuring Christopher MARK KING Sun 2 Dec, ORCHESTRA Wed 5 & COME TOGETHER WITH Hoggarth (conductor). Programme BRITISH POLICE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Symphony Hall, B’ham Thurs 6 Dec, Sym- SCOOBY’S TOSH Fri 7 includes works by Mussorgsky & Annual Proms Night Spectacular, Sat BOTOWN - THE SOUL OF phony Hall, B’ham Dec, The Night Owl, Tchaikovsky, Sat 8 Dec, Cornbow 1 Dec, Symphony Hall, B’ham BOLLYWOOD Sun 2 Birmingham Hall, Halesowen JUNIOR CHAMBER MUSIC CONCERT Sat Dec, The Glee Club, THE SMYTHS - SONGS LICHFIELD CATHEDRAL CHOIR: HAYDN 1 Dec, Recital Hall, Royal Birming- Birmingham OF LOVE AND HATE TOUR CREATION Also featuring the Darwin ham Conservatoire DECLAN NERNEY Sun 2 Sat 8 Dec, O2 Ensemble Chamber Orchestra, Sat 8 Dec, Irish Centre, Academy, Birmingham EX CATHEDRA: CHRISTMAS MUSIC BY Dec, Lichfield Cathedral CANDLELIGHT Featuring Jeffrey Skid- Birmingham SCRUFFY’S X BEARDED CHRISTMAS WITH THE SALVATION ARMY more (conductor), Rupert Jeffcoat & ALL SAINTS Mon 3 Dec, VILLIANS CHARITY 2018 Sun 9 Dec, Symphony Hall, Alexander Mason (organs), Sat 1 O2 Institute, B’ham CHRISTMAS Sat 8 Dec, Birmingham Dec, St Peter’s Collegiate Church, Scruffy Murphys, Birm- NEXT: STUDENT PERFORMERS WITH DADDY ISSUES & PAWS Wolverhampton ARDITTI QUARTET Mon 3 Dec, The Sun- THE CARDIGANS ingham Featuring BCMG’s Thurs 6 WIND BAND & SAXOPHONE CHOIR Pro- flower Lounge, B’ham BEARDINGHAM Sat 8 flautist Marie Christine Zupancic. Pro- Dec, O2 Academy, gramme includes works by Philip Dec, Scruffy Murphys, gramme comprises Ferneyhough’s MOLLY BURCH Mon 3 Birmingham Sparke, Jessica Bowen, Goodwin, Birmingham Cassandra's Dream Song & Dum Dec, Hare & Hounds, BUFFALO TOM Thurs 6 Walton & Holst, Sat 1 Dec, The Bra- Transisset I-IV, Sun 9 Dec, Recital Birmingham Dec, O2 Institute, SWIM WITH SHARKS Sat mall, University of Birmingham Hall, Royal Birmingham Conserva- 8 Dec, Irish Centre, THE KENDRICK LAMAR Birmingham THE MUSIC SOCIETY SYMPHONY OR- toire Birmingham ENSEMBLE Mon 3 Dec, MABEL Thurs 6 Dec, CHESTRA Featuring Daniele Rosina PHILHARMONIA ORCHESTRA Featuring The Glee Club, B’ham O2 Institute, B’ham THE SOUTHMARTINS Sat (conductor). Programme comprises Daniele Rosina (conductor - pic- CLAIRE RICHARDS Mon SOWETO KINCH Thurs 6 8 Dec, O2 Academy, Vaughan Williams’ Symphony No.2 tured). Programme includes works by 3 Dec, Birmingham Dec, Hare & Hounds, Birmingham ‘A London Symphony’, Sun 2 Dec, Peter Levy, Dvorák & Brahms, Sun 9 Town Hall Birmingham DUB PISTOLS Sat 8 The Bramall, Birmingham Dec, The Bramall, University of Birm- DRAHLA/CHASTITY Tues MALCOLM MIDDLETON Dec, Hare & Hounds, EX CATHEDRA: CHRISTMAS ORATORIO ingham 4 Dec, Hare & Thurs 6 Dec, Hare & Birmingham Featuring Jeffrey Skidmore (conduc- Hounds, Birmingham Hounds, Birmingham HEAVY DISCO/HERITAGE: tor), Paul Bentley-Angell (Evangelist), Elizabeth Adams & Katie Trethewey - MIDLAND Tues 4 Dec, THE SUBTERRANEANS ASHLEY BEEDLE/DIESEL/ (sopranos), Harriet Hougham Slade O2 Academy, B’ham Thurs 6 - Sat 8 Dec, DAVE JARVIS/HERITAGE & Martha McLorinan (altos), James The Jam House, Birm- Sat 8 Dec, Hare & DEACON BLUE Tues 4 Robinson (tenor) & Greg Skidmore ingham Hounds, Birmingham Dec, Symphony Hall, (bass), Sun 2 Dec, Birmingham Town THE FOO FIGHTERS Sat Birmingham BLOSSOMS Fri 7 Dec, Hall O2 Academy, B’ham 8 Dec, Route 44, Birm- CYPRESS HILL Tues 4 ingham RECORDER DEPARTMENT: LONDON 1700 Dec, O2 Academy, Featuring musicians from Royal Birm- LETITBEATLES Sat 8 Birmingham ingham Conservatoire Recorder & Dec, The Night Owl, Early Music Departments. Pro- ZEAL & ARDOR Tues 4 Birmingham Dec, O2 Institute, gramme includes works by Handel, Birmingham THE OVERTONES Sat 8 Purcell, Walsh & Sammartini, Mon 3 Dec, Symphony Hall, Dec, Recital Hall, Royal Birmingham FIVE STAR SWING AT Birmingham Conservatoire CHRISTMAS Tues 4 Dec, Artrix, Broms- AUGUST BURNS RED Sat LUKE JONES (PIANO) Programme in- 8 Dec, O2 Institute, cludes works by Debussy, Schubert grove LEA MICHELE AND DAR- Birmingham & Chopin, Tues 4 Dec, The Bradshaw Comedy COURTNEY MARIE AN- REN CRISS Fri 7 Dec, Hall, Royal Birmingham Conserva- CHARLIE BAKER, ROGER MONKHOUSE DREWS Tues 4 Dec, Arena Birmingham 808 STATE:30 Sat 8 Dec, O2 Institute, B’ham toire & EMANUEL SONUBI Fri 30 Nov - Sat 1 The Glee Club, B’ham THE DYLAN PROJECT Fri ORCHESTRA OF THE SWAN: MICHAEL Dec, The Comedy Loft, Birmingham CHASE ATLANTIC Wed 5 7 Dec, Artrix, Broms- PHIL MADELEY + CUT COLLINS PLAYS MOZART Programme ANNETTE FAGON, NINIA BENJAMIN, TOJU Dec, O2 Academy, grove GLASS KINGS + MELO- also includes 2 works by Stravinsky, Birmingham TONE + MONTY TAFT & LATEEF LOVEJOY Sat 1 Dec, MAC, TOM SEALS BAND Fri 7 EVENT NAVIGATION Sat Wed 5 Dec, The Bradshaw Hall, Birmingham THE CHURCHFITTERS Dec, Pizza Express Royal Birmingham Conservatoire 8 Dec, The Sunflower CRAIG MURRAY, MIKE WILMOT, JIMMY CHRISTMAS CRACKER Live, Birmingham Lounge, Birmingham CITY OF BIRMINGHAM CHOIR - HANDELS PLUS CLAIRE BOSWELL MCGHIE AND JOSH JONES Sat 1 Dec, LEON VYNEHALL Fri 7 MESSIAH Featuring Thomas Trotter Wed 5 Dec, The Red POPCAAN Sat 8 Dec, The Glee Club, Birmingham Dec, Hare & Hounds, (harpsichord), Christopher Allsop Lion Folk Club, B’ham O2 Academy, B’ham BARBARA NICE'S CHRISTMAS CRACKER Birmingham (organ), Adrian Lucas (conductor), THE CABEYTU BROTHERS Tues 4 Dec, Artrix, Bromsgrove UK SUBS Wed 5 Dec, THE PRIMITIVES Fri 7 Julia Doyle (soprano), Anna Huntley Sat 8 Dec, Irish Centre, STAND UP COMEDY SHOWCASE Wed 5 The Castle & Falcon, Dec, O2 Institute, (alto), Gwilym Bowen (tenor) & An- Birmingham Dec, The Blue Orange Theatre, Birm- Birmingham Birmingham drew Greenan (bass), Fri 7 Dec, GORDON HENDRICKS AS Symphony Hall, Birmingham ingham THE WANDERING NUNS OF THE TUNDRA ELVIS Sat 8 Dec, Artrix, TANYALEE DAVIS Wed 5 Dec, MAC, HEARTS Wed 5 Dec, O2 Fri 7 Dec, O2 Institute, BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONIC BRASS Fea- Bromsgrove Birmingham Institute, Birmingham Birmingham turing Stephen Roberts (director), Fri BLACK WATER FIEND Sat 7 Dec, The Barber Institute, B’ham SPENCER JONES, DAVE JOHNS, SEAN NATHAN BALL Wed 5 LIFE ON MARS - A TRIB- 8 Dec, O2 Institute, COLLINS AND MARLON DAVIS Wed 5 Dec, Hare & Hounds, UTE TO DAVID BOWIE Fri TOWN HALL GOSPEL CHOIR: 10 YEAR Birmingham Dec, The Glee Club, Birmingham Birmingham 7 Dec, Birmingham ANNIVERSARY CONCERT Sat 8 Dec, NAMIWA JAZZ Wed 5 Town Hall HOOZIER Sun 9 Dec, Birmingham Town Hall DAVID O'DOHERTY Thurs 6 Dec, Birm- O2 Academy, B’ham ingham Town Hall Dec, Hare & Hounds, GRAVEYARD Fri 7 Dec, UNIVERSITY CHORUS Featuring Julian Birmingham O2 Academy, B’ham DALEY Sun 9 Dec, Hare Wilkins (conductor). Programme LLOYD GRIFFITH, NOEL JAMES, RADU & Hounds, B’ham comprises Brahms’ Ein deutsches ISAC & JAMES COOK SOLID SOUL Wed 5 MEMORIAM/GODTHRYM Thurs 6 Dec, The Requiem, Op.45, Sat 8 Dec, The Bra- George Hotel, Lichfield Dec, The Jam House, M/VALAFAR Fri 7 Dec, (SPUNGE) Sun 9 Dec, mall, University of Birmingham Birmingham The Asylum, B’ham O2 Institute, B’ham SPENCER JONES, DAVE JOHNS, SEAN whatsonlive.co.uk 53 The List Birmingham 1-9 December.qxp_Layout 1 21/11/2018 10:48 Page 3

thelist COLLINS AND CAREY MARX Thurs 6 Theatre Company present Dickens’ Sat 8 Dec, Regent Theatre, Stoke-on- Dec, The Glee Club, Birmingham classic tale, Sat 1 Dec, Mitton Manor, Trent Pantomime CHERRY REDS COMEDY CLUB Fri 7 Dec, Staffordshire THE TROJAN WOMEN Royal Birming- Cherry Reds Cafe-Bar, Birmingham ENTER STAGE WRITE Transition Stage ham Conservatoire Theatre Company DICK WHITTINGTON Garrick panto Company present a Christmas- present a contemporary staging of favourites Sam Rabone and Ben STEVE HARRIS & ROB ROUSE (PIC- Thornton are joined by CBeebies star TURED) Fri 7 & Sat 8 Dec, The Com- themed awards night for new screen- Euripides’ classic tale, Wed 5 - Sat 8 writing, Sat 1 Dec, Royal Birmingham Dec, Crescent Theatre, Birmingham Katrina Bryan, until Sat 5 Jan, Lich- edy Loft, Birmingham field Garrick Conservatoire CRIMES OF THE CHRISTMAS PUDDING LORDS OF STRUT: ABSOLUTE LEGENDS The award-winning New Old Friends SLEEPING BEAUTY High-energy pan- Join the Street Performance World present a ‘fast paced, gag-filled romp tomime fun, written and directed, as Champions for a high-octane show of a show’, Wed 5 Dec - Sat 5 Jan, usual, by Iain Lauchlan, until Sat 5 combining dance, athletics and hu- Lichfield Garrick Jan, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry mour, Sat 1 & Sun 2 Dec, Warwick THE SITCOM EXPERIENCE: DEL BOY & CINDERELLA Festive family favourite Arts Centre, Coventry RODNEY An evening of slapstick fun presented by Experience Theatre in BENIDORM LIVE Stage version of the with Peckham's finest entrepreneurs, association with MAMT, Tues 4 - Sat 8 popular TV show starring Sherrie Thurs 6 - Sat 15 Dec, The REP, Birm- Dec, The Blue Orange Theatre, Birm- Hewson, Adam Gillen, Tony Mauds- ingham ingham ley, Jake Canuso & Janine Duvitski, IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO BABES IN THE WOOD Traditional family Mon 3 - Sat 29 Dec, Alexandra The- PLAY Inventive twist on Frank Capra’s pantomime, Fri 7 - Sat 15 Dec, Hall atre, Birmingham classic film, bringing to life a story of Green Little Theatre, Birmingham DANA ALEXANDER, SPENCER JONES, THE LOCK IN CHRISTMAS CAROL Join disaster, redemption and holiday DICK WHITTINGTON: THE ROCK ‘N’ ROLL SEAN COLLINS AND DAVE JOHNS Fri 7 - musicians & dancers for a show magic, Thurs 6 - Mon 24 Dec, Old PANTO Join Dick & Tommy the cat as Sun 9 Dec, The Glee Club, B’ham that’s described as ‘half gig, half Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham they dance, twist and sing their way MILTON JONES Sat 8 Dec, Pizza Ex- dance show and half panto’! Tues 4 TIMON OF ATHENS Simon Godwin di- to Stafford in search of fame, fortune press Live, Birmingham Dec, The Core Theatre, Solihull rects Kathryn Hunter in Shake- & rock’n’roll fun, Fri 7 Dec - Sun 6 speare's satire on wealth, greed & Jan, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre betrayal, Fri 7 Dec - Fri 22 Feb, The SLEEPING BEAUTY Starring Debbie Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon McGee, Richard Cadell & Sooty, Doreen Tipton and Ian Adams, Sat 8 Dec - Sun 13 Jan, Wolverhampton Theatre Grand Theatre TAMBURLAINE Michael Boyd directs a new staging of Christopher Mar- lowe’s famous play, until Sat 1 Dec, Kids Shows The Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon- PINOCCHIO Brand new staging of Avon Carlo Callodi's classic tale about an Dance THE MOUNTAINTOP Award-winning inquisitive young puppet, until Sun play taking an intimate look at the CHRISTMAS GOTHIC Enter into the 30 Dec, The Old Rep Theatre, B’ham THIS IS AN ISLAND DanceXchange quieter moments in Dr Martin Luther Christmas spirit as a dark and spec- WILDE CREATURES Tall Stories bring present Gary Clarke’s latest commis- King’s life, until Sat 1 Dec, The REP, tral woman tells haunting tales of the Oscar Wilde's classic fairytales to life, sion, inviting audiences to experience Birmingham festive season, Tues 4 - Wed 5 Dec, until Sun 30 Dec, Warwick Arts Cen- a no-holds-barred version of Brexit Stafford Gatehouse Theatre through the eyes of Birmingham resi- WEST SIDE STORY A West Bromwich tre, Coventry ALICE IN WONDERLAND The Crescent dents, until Sat 1 Dec, Birmingham Operatic Society production, pre- AWFUL AUNTIE David Walliams’ tale of School of Art sented to celebrate their 80th an- Theatre Company presents its ver- frights, fights & friendship, until Sat 1 niversary and Leonard Bernstein’s sion of Lewis Carroll's magical tale, Dec, Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham THE NUTCRACKER Birmingham Royal Tues 4 - Sat 15 Dec, Crescent The- Ballet presents its annual staging of centenary, until Sat 1 Dec, Wolver- SLEEPYHEAD atre, Birmingham Little Angel Theatre fuse Peter Wright’s world famous festive hampton Grand Theatre ‘magic, circus, a dollop of silliness A CHRISTMAS CAROL David Edgar’s production, until Thurs 13 Dec, Birm- BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: A MUSICAL and plenty of laughs’ in a show for ingham Hippodrome PARODY Fat Rascal Theatre explore acclaimed staging of Dickens’ festive young audiences, until Sun 2 Dec, whether fairytales really do come true classic, showing at the RSC for a MAC, Birmingham HANSEL & GRETEL Uchenna Dance second year, Tues 4 Dec - Sun 20 present a modern-day retelling of the - even when the slipper doesn’t quite RUDOLF Jan, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Festive treat for younger au- classic fairytale, combining New York fit the princess, until Sun 2 Dec, Old diences, fusing puppetry, laughter, Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham Stratford-upon-Avon club styles of house, waacking and song and mischief, until Mon 31 Dec, vogue with African and contemporary THE WIZARD OF OZ Follow the yellow POP MUSIC A Paines Plough & Birm- MAC, Birmingham ingham Repertory Theatre production dance, Fri 30 Nov - Sat 1 Dec, brick road to the Emerald City this SANTA IN LOVE for ‘anyone who’s ever been a dick Festive play for very DanceXchange, Birmingham Hippo- Christmas, until Sun 13 Jan, The REP, young children that includes singa- drome Birmingham on the dancefloor’, Wed 5 Dec, Artrix, Bromsgrove long games and a meet-and-greet TARTUFFE New updated version of with Santa, Sat 1 Dec, Artrix, Broms- Moliere’s provocative French classic, AS YOU LIKE IT Royal Birmingham grove Conservatoire Theatre Company pre- until Sat 23 Feb, The Swan Theatre, ELF & REINDEER’S CHRISTMAS CRACKER Stratford-upon-Avon sent a new version of Shakespeare's pastoral comedy, Wed 5 - Fri 7 Dec, Storytelling, comedy & festive cheer Talks A CHRISTMAS CAROL Patrick Barlow's for younger audiences, Thurs 6 - Sun The Patrick Centre, Birmingham Hip- SIR CHRIS BONINGTON: LIFE & TIMES adaptation of Charles Dickens’ clas- 9 Dec, Lichfield Garrick podrome Wed 5 Dec, Birmingham Town Hall sic story of ghoulish ghosts and THE LITTLE MATCH GIRL: A WARMING HANSEL & GRETEL Youth Onstage pre- eleventh-hour redemption, Tues 27 TALE FOR WINTER sent an amateur version of the Broth- Last Baguette the- Nov - Sat 1 Dec, Crescent Theatre, atre company fuse physical comedy, Birmingham ers Grimm fairytale, Wed 5 - Sat 8 Dec, The Dovehouse Theatre, Soli- live music and visual storytelling to GUARDS! GUARDS! Stage adaptation of hull shine a light on Hans Christian An- Terry Pratchett's book, Thurs 29 Nov - dersen’s classic tale, Sat 8 Dec, Ar- Film Sat 1 Dec, MAC, Birmingham NATIVITY THE MUSICAL Debbie Issit’s trix, Bromsgrove INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: acclaimed production, based on her THE BOX OF DELIGHTS (U) Kids. Star- A CHRISTMAS CAROL Chapterhouse hit film of the same name, Wed 5 - 54 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Birmingham 1-9 December.qxp_Layout 1 21/11/2018 10:48 Page 4

Saturday 1 - Sunday 9 December

ring Devin Stanfield, Robert with up to 50% savings against high- Stephens. The Electric Cinema, Birm- street prices, until Tues 4 Dec, NEC, ingham, Sat 1 Dec Birmingham EDUCATING RITA (15) Comedy. Starring MEET SANTA In an experience unique Julie Walters, Michael Caine. MAC, to Birmingham this festive season, Birmingham, Sat 1 Dec visit the North Pole of the city in the FAHRENHEIT 11/9 (15) Documentary. Antarctic Ice Cave, meet the man Starring Michael Moore. MAC, Birm- himself and check out the family of ingham, Sat 1 - Wed 5 Dec cheeky Gentoo Penguins in the Ice Adventure area, until Sun 23 Dec, AN AFTERNOON WITH TONY HANCOCK National Sea Life Centre, Birmingham (PG) Comedy. Starring Tony Hancock. MAC, Birmingham, Sun 2 Dec SANTA'S WINTER WONDERLAND until Mon 31 Dec, The Snowdome, Tam- THE WORKSHOP (15) Drama/Mystery. worth Starring Matthieu Lucci, Marina Foïs. MAC, Birmingham, Sun 2 - Mon 3 DRAYTON'S MAGICAL CHRISTMAS Fea- Dec turing live performances, carols, pre- sents, festive food, light shows, THE NUTCRACKER: ROYAL BALLET LIVE Father Christmas and a daily fire- (12a) Dance. Starring The Royal Bal- works display, until Mon 31 Dec, Tudor Christmas at Blakesley Hall, Birmingham let. Artrix, Bromsgrove, Mon 3 Dec Drayton Manor Theme Park, Tam- Christmas past, Sat 1 & Sun 2 Dec Michael O'Malley, Sat 8 Dec, Birming- NT LIVE: ANTONY & CLEOPATRA (12a) worth Black Country Living Museum, Dud- ham Back to Backs Live theatre broadcast. Starring MAGICAL LANTERN FESTIVAL 2018 Back ley CHRISTMAS CAROL TRAINS Sing along Ralph Fiennes, Sophie Okonedo. at Birmingham Botanical Gardens SANTA EXPRESS Fun for all the family or just soak up the festive atmo- MAC, Birmingham, Thurs 6 Dec; Ar- due to exceptional demand, with all- as you climb aboard Santa's magical sphere as you get Christmas off to a trix, Bromsgrove, Thurs 6 Dec new lanterns for 2018, until Tues 1 steam train, Sat 1 - Sun 2 Dec, Stat- traditional start with an evening of SORRY TO BOTHER YOU (15) Dark com- Jan, Birmingham Botanical Gardens fold Barn Railway, Tamworth carols & festive songs, Sat 8 Dec, edy. Starring Lakeith Stanfield, Tessa LANTERN MAKING FOR THE BRAVE Sat 1 Severn Valley Railway, Bewdley, Kid- Thompson. The Electric Cinema, UK DRONE & TECHNOLOGY SHOW LIVE Dec, Artrix, Bromsgrove derminster Birmingham, Fri 7 Dec Celebrating all things UAV and show- CREATE A CHRISTMAS RAG WREATH casing the latest products from CREATE A CHRISTMAS RAG WREATH FIRST MAN (12a) Biography/Drama. Make your own Christmas decora- across the drone, photography, con- Make your own Christmas decora- Starring Ryan Gosling, Claire Foy. tions using the traditional rag rug sumer electronics, gadgets and tech- tions using the traditional rag rug MAC, Birmingham, Fri 7 Dec technique, Sat 1 Dec, Birmingham nology industries, Sat 1 - Sun 2 Dec, technique, Sat 8 Dec, Birmingham SUSPIRIA (18) Horror/Mystery, Starring Back to Backs NEC, Birmingham Back to Backs Dakota Johnson, Tilda Swinton. CANDLELIT CHRISTMAS EVENING Enjoy THINKTANK ELF HUNT Pick up a finders’ CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS A festive MAC, Birmingham, Fri 7 - Mon 10 an evening of ‘merry music, delicious sheet at the box office to record all day out with a chocolatey twist. See Dec food and a glass of something warm- the elves you find as you explore the Father Christmas in his very own THE GIRL IN THE SPIDER'S WEB (15) ing’ as you wander the museum’s museum, Sat 1 - Sun 23 Dec, Think- stage show - and there's a gift for Drama. Starring Claire Foy, Sverrir grounds and historic buildings, Sat 1 tank Science Museum, Birmingham every child, Sat 8 - Sun 9 Dec, Cad- Gudnason. MAC, Birmingham, Fri 7 - Dec, Avoncroft Museum, Bromsgrove OPEN ASTON Take a wander around bury World, Bournville, Birmingham Thurs 13 Dec A 1940S CHRISTMAS Explore period the grand old mansion, Sun 2 Dec, CHILDREN'S VICTORIAN SANTA TRAILS BEAUTIFUL THING (12a) Comedy. Star- houses and shops against a back- Aston Hall, Birmingham Meet the Victorian household as they ring Glen Berry, Linda Henry. MAC, drop of festive wartime entertainment, SANTA'S SLEEPOVERS Experience a ready themselves for the annual visit Birmingham, Sat 8 Dec Sat 1 Dec, Black Country Living Mu- festive sleepover at one of Alton of a very special guest, Sat 8 - Sun 9 seum, Dudley NT LIVE: THE MADNESS OF GEORGE III Tower's themed hotels, Sun 2 Dec, Dec, Tamworth Castle Live theatre broadcast. Starring Mark CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS A festive Alton Towers, Staffs VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS Enjoy 1800s- Gatiss. The Electric Cinema, Birming- day out with a chocolatey twist. See TUDOR CHRISTMAS AT BLAKESLEY Spe- style celebrations and entertainment, ham, Sun 9 Dec Father Christmas in his very own cial guided tours exploring Christmas and meet Father Christmas in his stage show - and there's a gift for ROH ENCORE: THE NUTCRACKER (PG) in the time of the Tudors. Fun Christ- grotto, Sat 8 - Sun 9 Dec, Blists Hill every child, Sat 1 - Sun 2 Dec, Cad- Dance. Starring The Royal Ballet. mas activities are included as part of Victorian Town, Ironbridge, Shrop- bury World, Birmingham MAC, Birmingham, Sun 9 Dec the tour, Wed 5 - Thurs 20 Dec, shire Blakesley Hall, Birmingham INDIE KIDS CHRISTMAS DISCO Sun 9 NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: CANDLELIT TOURS OF THE BACK TO Dec, MAC, Birmingham BACKS Hear the stories of the extraor- CHRISTMAS LANTERN SERVICE A ser- Released from Fri 7 Dec, showing at dinary lives of the ordinary people vice including a lantern procession selected cinemas who called Court 15 home for over around the Cathedral and the lighting THE OLD MAN & THE GUN (12a) 160 years, Thurs 6 Dec, Birmingham of the Christmas Tree, Sun 9 Dec, SORRY TO BOTHER YOU (15) Back to Backs Lichfield Cathedral WHITE BOY RICK (15) MEET THE SNOWMAN Sat 8 Dec, FESTIVAL OF LIGHT Free outdoor Touchwood Shopping Centre, Soli- event, bringing together music, com- MORTAL ENGINES (tbc) hull munity and award-winning carnival, SANTA HUNTS A surprise gift awaits BACKSTAGE TOUR Journey behind the Sun 9 Dec, Artrix, Bromsgrove anybody who succeeds in finding the scenes at one of Britain's premier jolly-faced bearded one, Sat 1 - Sun producing theatres, Sat 8 Dec, The Events 2 Dec, Black Country Living Museum, REP, Birmingham Dudley THE MURDER OF MICHAEL O'MALLEY BBC GOOD FOOD SHOW WINTER A food- CHRISTMAS IN THE HOME The period Enjoy an evening of intrigue and filled day out, until Sun 2 Dec, NEC, houses and cottages each run their mystery at the atmospheric Back to Birmingham own activities and demonstrations, Backs. Follow the clues and question BIRMINGHAM CHRISTMAS SALE Find an taking visitors back to the sights, the suspects to discover the truth extensive range of discounted items, sounds and smells of a magical about the death of Court 15 resident

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thelist Monday 10 - Sunday 16 December FIREBALL-FUELLING THE Birmingham Church Choir, Thurs 13 Dec, Sym- Gigs FIRE TOUR Wed 12 FRED ZEPPELIN Fri 14 Classical phony Hall, Birmingham Dec, O2 Academy, Dec, Lichfield Guild- CENTRE STAGE PERCUSSION SHOW- D BLOCK EUROPE Mon Birmingham hall CASE Featuring Jaume Santonja Es- 10 Dec, O2 Academy, BURY TOMORROW Wed Music pinós (conductor), Collette Overdijk Birmingham THE BACKBONE SLIPS 12 Dec, O2 Institute, Fri 14 Dec, The Night SING CAROLS WITH THE CITY ORGANIST (violin), Richard Blake (trumpet) plus WSTR Mon 10 Dec, O2 Birmingham Owl, Birmingham AND BIRMINGHAM CATHEDRAL CHOIR James Keefe & Julian Wilkins (pi- Academy, Birmingham Mon 10 Dec, Birmingham Town Hall anos), Thurs 13 Dec, CBSO Centre, MAC AYRES Wed 12 THE SKINNER BROTHERS NIGHTWISH Mon 10 Birmingham Dec, Hare & Hounds, Fri 14 Dec, The Flap- JOHN WILSON & THE JOHN WILSON OR- Dec, Arena B’ham Birmingham per, Birmingham CHESTRA: AT THE MOVIES Mon 10 Dec, LAURA VAN DER HEIJDEN (CELLO) COM- NOTHING / SUBURBAN Symphony Hall, Birmingham MUTER CONCERT Also featuring Huw CARA DILLON Wed 12 SKENGDO X AM Fri 14 LIVING Sun 9 - Mon 10 Watkins (piano). Programme in- Dec, Artrix, Broms- Dec, O2 Institute, RODERICK WILLIAMS & SUSIE ALLAN: Dec, Hare & Hounds, cludes works by Beethoven, Schu- grove Birmingham LADS & LASSES Featuring Roderick Birmingham Williams (baritone) & Susan Allan mann & Debussy, Thurs 13 Dec, THE JOLIET BLUES BAND DENZEL CURRY Fri 14 Recital Hall, Royal Birmingham Con- MERCURY REV Mon 10 (piano). Programme includes works Wed 12 Dec, Lichfield Dec, O2 Institute, servatoire Dec, The Glee Club, by Schubert/Müller, Cecilia Mc- Guildhall Birmingham Birmingham Dowall/John Greening, MIDLANDS HOSPITALS’ CHOIR: SING VICKI SWAN & JONNY LILY ALLEN Fri 14 Dec, Schubert/Rellstab, Emily NOEL Conducted by James Llewelyn RAZORLIGHT Mon 10 DYER Wed 12 Dec, The O2 Institute, B’ham Levy/Rommi Smith, Tues 11 Dec, Jones, Fri 14 Dec, Birmingham Town Dec, O2 Institute, Red Lion Folk Club, The Bradshaw Hall, Royal Birming- Hall Birmingham Birmingham THE TWANG Sat 15 Dec, O2 Academy, ham Conservatoire CITY OF BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONY OR- AARON CARTER Tues 11 JACOB BANKS Thurs 13 Birmingham EX CATHEDRA: CHRISTMAS MUSIC BY CHESTRA: CHRISTMAS SWING Featur- Dec, O2 Academy, Dec, O2 Academy, CANDLELIGHT Featuring Jeffrey Skid- ing David Firman (conductor) plus Birmingham Birmingham THE QUIK BEATS Sat 15 Dec, The Night Owl, more (conductor), Rupert Jeffcoat & Caroline Sheen, Damian Humbley & THE BOOTLEG BEATLES MONKEY BUSINESS 2018 Birmingham Alexander Mason (organs), Tues 11 Nadim Naaman (vocalists), Fri 14 Tues 11 Dec, Sym- (AZIZ & GOLDFINGER) Dec, St John’s Church, Hagley, Dec, Symphony Hall, Birmingham phony Hall, B’ham Thurs 13 Dec, Hare & LEDDRA CHAPMAN Sat Birmingham 15 Dec, Pizza Express OLIVER JAMES LUNCHTIME CONCERT GREYWIND Tues 11 Hounds, Birmingham Live, Birmingham TENORS UN LIMITED CHRISTMAS SHOW Programme includes works by Béla Dec, The Flapper, ABIGAIL WILLIAMS + Tues 11 Dec, Artrix, Bromsgrove Kovács, Howells, Jörg Wildmann & Birmingham THE INFERNAL SEA + MADNESS Sat 15 Dec, Horovitz, Fri 14 Dec, The Barber In- Arena Birmingham CITY OF BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONY OR- MARK SULTAN / THE MARTYRIUM Thurs 13 CHESTRA: BRUCH'S VIOLIN CONCERTO stitute, Birmingham MIGHTY YOUNG Tues 11 Dec, The Flapper, PLANET DURAN Sat 15 Featuring Daniele Rustioni (conduc- ROYAL BIRMINGHAM CONSERVATOIRE Dec, Hare & Hounds, Birmingham Dec, Route 44, B’ham tor) & Ray Chen (violin). Programme REPERTOIRE ORCHESTRA Featuring Birmingham OCEAN COLOUR SCENE- FUNCTION RECORDS includes works by Tchaikovsky, Daniele Rosina (conductor), Yu-Tzu SNEAKBO Tues 11 Dec, THE CHRISTMAS SHOW CHRISTMAS PARTY Sat Bruch & Rachmaninov, Wed 12 Dec, Kung (percussion) & Juan Honorato O2 Institute, B’ham Thurs 13 & Fri 14 Dec, 15 Dec, Hare & Symphony Hall, Birmingham Brugere (guitar). Programme in- O2 Academy, B’ham Hounds, Birmingham cludes works by Andriessen, Villa- BLACKSTONE CHERRY BERLIN PHILHARMONIC STRING QUIN- Lobos & Elgar, Fri 14 Dec, The Tues 11 Dec, Arena UP4 THE DOWNSTROKE THE FATHER TEDS Sat TET Featuring Luiz Felipe Coelho & Bradshaw Hall, Royal Birmingham Birmingham Thurs 13 - Sat 15 Dec, 15 Dec, Irish Centre, Romano Tommasini (violins), Wolf- The Jam House, Birm- Birmingham gang Talirz (viola), Tatjana Vassiljewa Conservatoire VON HERTZEN BROTH- ingham (cello) & Janusz Widzyk (double DUNEV STRING QUARTET Featuring ERS Tues 11 Dec, O2 RYDERS CREED XMAS bass). Programme includes works Hristo Dunev & Mae Edwards (vio- Institute, Birmingham GILES PETERSON Fri 14 PARTY Sat 15 Dec, O2 Dec, Hare & Hounds, Academy, Birmingham by Beethoven, Mendelssohn, lins), Eleanor Chapman (viola) & THE BEAT BROTHERS Rossini, Tartuni, arr. Vieuxtemps & Alice Cheer (cello). Programme in- Birmingham NILE RODGERS & CHIC Tues 11 - Wed 12 Dec, Bartok, Wed 12 Dec, The Barber In- cludes works by Haydn & Sun 16 Dec, Arena The Jam House, Birm- DOM PIPKIN Fri 14 Dec, stitute, Birmingham Shostakovich, Fri 14 Dec, Birming- ingham Pizza Express Live, Birmingham ham Museum & Art Gallery CBSO WIND QUINTET: CHRISTMAS CRACKERS Featuring Catherine Ar- lidge (presenter), Fri 14 - Sat 15 Dec, CBSO Centre, Birmingham BIRMINGHAM CHORAL UNION: CHRIST- MAS CONCERT Featuring Darren Hogg (organ) & Colin Baines (conductor), Sat 15 Dec, Selly Oak Methodist Church, Birmingham PRE-CONCERT PIANO SHOWCASE Fea- CHRISTMAS CHARITY CONCERT turing Daniel Lebhardt performing In sup- Schubert’s Klavierstücke D.946 port of Birmingham Institute for the Nos.2 & 3 plus Natanel Grinshtein Deaf. Programme includes Britten’s performing Brahms’ Klavierstücke Ceremony of Carols and many other Op.119, Wed 12 Dec, Symphony Christmas favourites, Sat 15 Dec, La- Hall, Birmingham dywood ARC, St John’s and St Peter’s Church, Birmingham ANDRÉ RIEU Thurs 13 Dec, Arena GAELYNN LEA Birmingham Sun 16 Dec, Symphony Hall, Birmingham JOHN RUTTER’S CHRISTMAS CELEBRA- A CHORAL CHRISTMAS WITH MATT TION Featuring the Royal Philhar- BAKER monic Orchestra, John Rutter Featuring the City of Birming- (conductor), Elin Manahan Thomas ham Symphony Orchestra, Matt (soprano), Melanie Marshall (mezzo Baker (presenter) & the CBSO Cho- soprano), Andrew Lucas (organ), ruses, Sun 16 Dec, Symphony Hall, Birmingham Leddra Chapman - Pizza Express Live, Birmingham The Purcell Singers & The Temple whatsonlive.co.uk 57 The List Birmingham 10 - 16 December.qxp_Layout 1 20/11/2018 16:56 Page 3

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thelist Monday 10 - Sunday 16 December BIRMINGHAM PHILHARMONIC ORCHES- GRIMMS FAERY TALES Blue Orange A CHRISTMAS CAROL (12a) Theatre. Centre, Birmingham TRA Featuring Michael Lloyd (conduc- Theatre present three favourite fairy- Starring Simon Callow. MAC, Birm- FESTIVE TOURS See the hall decked tor). Programme includes works by tales by the Brothers Grimm - ingham, Tues 11 Dec out for the festive season and learn a Tchaikovsky, Khatchaturian & Rumpelstiltskin, Little Red Riding AMELIE (15) Drama. Starring Audrey bit about Christmas in the past, Wed Shostakovich, Sun 16 Dec, The Bra- Hood & Rapunzel, Sat 15 - Sun 16 Tatou. MAC, B’ham, Wed 12 Dec 12 - Thurs 13 Dec, Aston Hall, B’ham mall, University of Birmingham Dec, The Blue Orange Theatre, Bham IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE (U) Family. CHRISTMAS IN THE COURTYARD Enjoy BIRMINGHAM BACH CHOIR: SERVICE OF A CHRISTMAS WASSAIL Festive feast of Starring James Stewart, Donna Reed. warm drinks and a mince pie, sing NINE LESSONS & CAROLS Sun 16 Dec, music, comedy and spoken word, Artrix, Bromsgrove, Fri 14 Dec along with Victorian carols, make St Alban The Martyr, Highgate, Birm- Sun 16 - Tues 18 Dec, Crescent The- your own Christmas decorations and ingham atre, Birmingham THE OLD MAN & THE GUN (12A) Drama/Comedy. Starring Robert Red- absorb the atmospheric setting of the ford, Casey Affleck. The Electric Cin- Back to Backs at Christmas time, ema, Birmingham, Fri 14 Dec Thurs 13 Dec, Birmingham Back to Backs FANTASTIC BEASTS: THE CRIMES OF GRINDELWALD (12a) Fantasy. Starring CANDLELIT TOURS OF THE BACK TO Comedy Kids Shows Eddie Redmayne, Johnny Depp. BACKS Hear the stories of the extraor- dinary lives of the ordinary people IAN MOORE, ANDY ASKINS, ROB ROUSE ELF & REINDEER’S CHRISTMAS CRACKER MAC, B’ham, Fri 14 - Thurs 20 Dec who called Court 15 home for over & JOJO SMITH Wed 12 Dec, The Glee Storytelling, comedy and festive WILDLIFE (12a) Drama. Starring Carey 160 years as you walk around the Club, Birmingham cheer for younger audiences, Tues 11 Mulligan, Jake Gyllenhaal. MAC, - Sun 16 Dec, Lichfield Garrick houses, Fri 14 Dec, Birmingham FAT PENGUIN COMEDY Thurs 13 Dec, Birmingham, Fri 14 - Thurs 20 Dec Back to Backs The Patrick Kavanagh, Moseley, MET OPERA: LA TRAVIATA Opera TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS EVENINGS Birmingham screening. MAC, Birmingham, Sat 15 Stroll through the museum’s beauti- CATHERINE BOHART, IAN MOORE, ANDY Dec fully decorated gas-lit streets and ASKINS & ANDREW RYAN Thurs 13 - Sat Pantomime CBEEBIES THUMBELINA Panto screen- take in the sights, sounds and smells 5 Dec, The Glee Club, Birmingham ing. Mockingbird Cinema, Birming- of a magical Christmas past, Fri 14 - ADAM BLOOM, SEAN PERCIVAL & PETE DICK WHITTINGTON Garrick panto ham, Sat 15 Dec Sat 15 Dec, Black Country Living Mu- OTWAY Thurs 13 & Fri 14 Dec, The favourites Sam Rabone and Ben SIGHTSEERS (15) Comedy. Starring seum, Dudley Comedy Loft, Birmingham Thornton are joined by CBeebies star Alice Lowe, Kenneth Hadley. MAC, LICHFIELD WINTER WONDERLAND Katrina Bryan, until Sat 5 Jan, Lich- COMEDY CLUB 4 KIDS: CHRISTMAS Birmingham, Sun 16 Dec Christmas market with ice rink, fair field Garrick CRACKER Sat 15 Dec, The REP, B’ham rides and family entertainment! There SLEEPING BEAUTY High-energy pan- SEAN PERCIVAL, PETE OTWAY & QUINCY are also party nights for the grown- tomime fun, written and directed, as Sat 15 Dec, The Comedy Loft, B’ham ups only, Fri 14 Dec - Fri 4 Jan, Bea- usual, by Iain Lauchlan, until Sat 5 con Park, Lichfield CATHERINE BOHART, IAN MOORE, ANDY Jan, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry Events BACKSTAGE TOUR ASKINS & ROB ROUSE Sun 16 Dec, The Journey behind the SLEEPING BEAUTY Starring Debbie Glee Club, Birmingham MEET SANTA Visit the North Pole of the scenes at one of Britain's premier McGee, Richard Cadell & Sooty, city in the Antarctic Ice Cave, meet producing theatres, Sat 15 Dec, The Doreen Tipton and Ian Adams, until the man himself and check out the REP, Birmingham Sun 13 Jan, Wolverhampton Grand family of cheeky Gentoo Penguins in MONSKI MOUSE'S BABY DISCO DANCE Theatre the Ice Adventure, until Sun 23 Dec, HALL: CHRISTMAS SPECIAL Join DJ- Theatre BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Daniel National Sea Life Centre, B’ham mumma Monski Mouse and her O’Brien’s festive treat, featuring a BIRMINGHAM FRANKFURT CHRISTMAS dancers for a morning of family fun, BENIDORM LIVE Stage version of the cast of actors, singers & musicians, MARKETS Offering a large range of Sat 15 Dec, Birmingham Town Hall popular TV show starring Sherrie Tues 11 - Mon 31 Dec, Sutton Cold- traditional food & gifts and a selec- CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS A festive Hewson, Adam Gillen, Tony Mauds- field Town Hall tion of tempting food and drink day out with a chocolatey twist. See ley, Jake Canuso & Janine Duvitski, SLEEPING BEAUTY Brand new spin on across over 80 stalls, until Sun 23 Father Christmas in his very own until Sat 29 Dec, Alexandra Theatre, an old yarn, Fri 14 Dec - Sun 6 Jan, Dec, Birmingham City Centre stage show - and there's a gift for Birmingham The Core Theatre, Solihull THINKTANK ELF HUNT Pick up a finders’ every child, Sat 15 - Sun 16 Dec, THE WIZARD OF OZ Follow the yellow JACK AND THE BEANSTALK All & Sundry sheet at the box office to record all Cadbury World, Bournville, B’ham brick road to the Emerald City this return with a traditional family pan- the elves you find as you explore the SANTA AT BLAKESLEY Meet Santa in Christmas, until Sun 13 Jan, The REP, tomime, Sat 15 - Sun 23 Dec, Artrix, museum, until Sun 23 Dec, Thinktank the Great Hall and see Blakesley Birmingham Bromsgrove Science Museum, Birmingham dressed for Christmas, Sat 15 - Sun A CHRISTMAS CAROL David Edgar’s SANTA'S WINTER WONDERLAND until 16 Dec, Blakesley Hall, Birmingham acclaimed staging of Dickens’ festive Mon 31 Dec, The Snowdome, Tam- CHILDREN'S VICTORIAN SANTA TRAILS classic, showing at the RSC for a sec- worth Meet the Victorian household as they ond year, until Sun 20 Jan, Royal DRAYTON'S MAGICAL CHRISTMAS until ready themselves for the annual visit Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford- Dance Mon 31 Dec, Drayton Manor Theme of a very special guest, Sat 15 - Sun upon-Avon THE NUTCRACKER Birmingham Royal Park, Tamworth 16 Dec, Tamworth Castle TIMON OF ATHENS Simon Godwin di- Ballet presents its annual staging of MAGICAL LANTERN FESTIVAL 2018 Back CHRISTMAS IN THE HOME The period rects Kathryn Hunter in Shake- Peter Wright’s world famous festive at Birmingham Botanical Gardens houses and cottages each run their speare's satire on wealth, greed & production, until Thurs 13 Dec, Birm- due to exceptional demand, with all- own activities and demonstrations, betrayal, until Fri 22 Feb, The Swan ingham Hippodrome new lanterns for 2018, until Tues 1 taking visitors back to the sights, Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon Jan, Birmingham Botanical Gardens sounds and smells of a magical A CHRISTMAS WASSAIL A festive feast Christmas past, Sat 15 - Sun 16 Dec, ICE SKATE BIRMINGHAM Festive fun in of music, comedy and spoken word, Black Country Living Museum, Dud- one of the ‘best outdoor ice skating Mon 10 - Tues 11 Dec, Highbury Hall, ley rinks in the UK’, until Sun 6 Jan, East- Moseley, Birmingham Film side City Park, Birmingham WHAT THE DICKENS! CHRISTMAS AT TWELFTH NIGHT Royal Birmingham ASTON HALL Meet your favourite INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: LEGOLAND DISCOVERY CENTRE ADULT Conservatoire Theatre Company pre- Charles Dickens characters and join NIGHT Special adults-only night sents its version of Shakespeare's SHOPLIFTERS (15) Drama. Starring Lily in the Victorian festivities as Aston where visitors can explore Birming- popular comedy, Wed 12 - Sat 15 Franky, Sakura Andô. MAC, Birming- Hall presents a Dickensian Christ- ham's ‘ultimate indoor playground’, Dec, Birmingham Hippodrome ham, Sun 9 - Thurs 13 Dec mas, Sun 16 Dec, Aston Hall, B’ham Wed 12 Dec, Legoland Discovery whatsonlive.co.uk 59 The List Birmingham 17 - 23 December.qxp_Layout 1 20/11/2018 16:28 Page 1

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thelist Monday 17 - Sunday 23 December DAVE LONGLEY, KANE BROWN (PIC- Classical TURED) & ROBERT WHITE Sat 22 Dec, Music The Comedy Loft, Birmingham CHOIR OF KING’S COLLEGE CAMBRIDGE - A CHORAL CHRISTMAS Featuring Stephen Cleobury (conductor). Pro- gramme includes works by Britten & Vaughan Williams, Mon 17 Dec, Symphony Hall, Birmingham LUNCHTIME CHRISTMAS MUSIC WITH SALISBURY CATHEDRAL CHOIR Featur- ing Thomas Trotter (organ), Mon 17 Dec, Symphony Hall, Birmingham A CHORAL CHRISTMAS WITH ALAN TITCHMARSH Also featuring the City of Birmingham Symphony Orches- tra, Simon Halsey (conductor) & the CBSO Choruses, Tues 18 - Wed 19 Theatre Maddy Prior & The Carnival Band - Birmingham Town Hall Dec, Symphony Hall, Birmingham BENIDORM LIVE Stage version of the MEN’S CHRISTMAS EX- Birmingham EX CATHEDRA: CHRISTMAS MUSIC BY CANDLELIGHT Featuring Jeffrey Skid- popular TV show starring Sherrie TRAVAGANZA Wed 19 STEPBACK 80’S CON- Gigs more (conductor), Rupert Jeffcoat & Hewson, Adam Gillen, Tony Mauds- Dec, The Red Lion CERT Featuring Bana- DEF LEPPARD Mon 17 Alexander Mason (organs), Tues 18 - ley, Jake Canuso & Janine Duvitski, Folk Club, B’ham narama, Tony Hadley, Dec, Arena B’ham Sat 22 Dec, St Paul’s Church, Birm- until Sat 29 Dec, Alexandra Theatre, FRED ZEPPELIN XMAS ABC, Bonnie Tyler, Go ingham Birmingham SWEET FEATURING ANDY BASH Wed 19 Dec, The West, The Selecter, THE WIZARD OF OZ Follow the yellow SCOTT Mon 17 Dec, Robin, Bilston Chesney Hawkes, Kat- brick road to the Emerald City this The Robin, Bilston rina (ex Katrina & The SLADE FEATURING DAVE Christmas, until Sun 13 Jan, The Waves) & Black Lace, NANNA RADLEYS Mon HILL & DON POWELL REP, Birmingham 17 - Wed 19 Dec, The Thurs 20 Dec, The Sat 22 Dec, Ricoh A CHRISTMAS CAROL David Edgar’s Jam House, B’ham Robin, Bilston Arena, Coventry acclaimed staging of Dickens’ festive TALON - THE BEST OF CATTLE AND CANE Tues DIRTY OLD FOLKERS classic, showing at the RSC for a THE EAGLES Sat 22 18 Dec, The Castle & Thurs 20 Dec, Hare & second year, until Sun 20 Jan, Royal Dec, Birmingham Falcon, Birmingham Hounds, Birmingham Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford- Town Hall SWITCH ON THE BEAT DETROIT SOUL COLLEC- upon-Avon JAMES TAYLOR QUARTET Tues 18 Dec, MAC, TIVE Thurs 20 - Sat 22 ELF - A CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR Sat 22 Dec, Pizza Ex- Birmingham Dec, The Jam House, LONDON CONCERT ORCHESTRA: CHRIST- David Essex and Martine Mc- press Live, B’ham OUTLINE + TALL STO- Birmingham MAS CLASSICS Also featuring the City Cutcheon star in a ‘supersized show’ of Birmingham Choir, Adrian Lucas RIES + EFFERVESCENT UB40 Fri 21 Dec, Arena OLD SCHOOL HEAVY based on the hit West End and (conductor) & William Dazeley (bari- Tues 18 Dec, The Sug- Birmingham METAL Sat 22 Dec, Broadway musical, Thurs 20 - Mon armill, Stoke-on-Trent Scruffy Murphys, Birm- tone). Programme includes works by 24 Dec, Genting Arena, Birmingham JAMES TORMÉ Fri 21 ingham Gruber, Wilberg, Darke, Strauss, REPLAY CHRISTMAS Dec, Pizza Express YOUNG DIRECTORS’ FESTIVAL Stage2 NATHAN DAWE LIVE - Bach, Vaughan Williams, Berlioz & CHARITY PARTY Wed 19 Live, Birmingham Handel, Fri 21 Dec, Symphony Hall, Youth Theatre present an evening of Dec, Hare & Hounds, #0121 Sun 23 Dec, O2 10-minute extracts from classic and CLUTCH Sat 22 Dec, Birmingham Birmingham Academy, Birmingham contemporary texts, Fri 21 - Sat 22 O2 Academy, B’ham EX CATHEDRA: ANGELS, STARS & KINGS MADDY PRIOR AND THE FLASH - A TRIBUTE TO Dec, MAC, Birmingham JOHNNY COPPIN’S ALL Also featuring Ex Cathedra Academy CARNIVAL BAND: CAR- QUEEN Sun 23 Dec, GRIMMS FAERY TALES Blue Orange ON A WINTERS NIGHT of Vocal Music, Jeffrey Skidmore OLS & CAPERS Wed 19 The Robin, Bilston Theatre present three favourite fairy- Sat 22 Dec, Lichfield (conductor) & Alexander Mason Dec, Birmingham tales by the Brothers Grimm - Guildhall MISTY’S BIG ADVENTURE (organ), Sat 22 Dec, St Paul’s Town Hall Sun 23 Dec, Hare & Church, Birmingham Rumpelstiltskin, Little Red Riding HARD GRAFT Sat 22 MAD JOCKS & ENGLISH- Hounds, Birmingham Hood & Rapunzel, Sat 22 - Sun 30 Dec, Irish Centre, Dec, The Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham A CHRISTMAS CAROL BY CHARLES DICK- ENS In December 1853, Charles Comedy Dickens chose A Christmas Carol for his first ever public reading in the MARLON DAVIS, DANE BAPTISTE, Town Hall. Over 160 years later, Clive MICKEY SHARMA AND LATEEF LOVEJOY Francis recreates the occasion, Sun Tues 18 Dec, The Glee Club, B’ham 23 Dec, Birmingham Town Hall TOM LUCY, ANDY ROBINSON, CARL DON- NELLY AND DAVE FULTON Wed 19 - Sat 22 Dec, The Glee Club, Birmingham FAT PENGUIN COMEDY Thurs 20 Dec, The Patrick Kavanagh, Moseley, Birmingham DAVE LONGLEY, KANE BROWN & ROBERT WHITE Thurs 20 - Fri 21 Dec, The Comedy Loft, Birmingham Mad Jocks & Englishmen’s Christmas Extravaganza - The Red Lion, Birmingham whatsonlive.co.uk 61 The List Birmingham 17 - 23 December.qxp_Layout 1 20/11/2018 16:28 Page 3

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thelist Monday 17 - Sunday 23 December THE MUPPETS (U) Kids/Comedy. Star- Kids Shows ring Jason Segel, Amy Adams. MAC, Birmingham, Wed 19 Dec EMILY BROWN AND THE THING Tall Sto- MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS (U) Comedy. ries present a ‘magical adventure for Starring Judy Garland, Margaret the whole family to enjoy’, Mon 17 O’Brien. MAC, Birmingham, Fri 21 Dec - Sun 6 Jan, The Patrick Centre, Dec Birmingham Hippodrome A MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL (U) Kids. ELF & REINDEER’S CHRISTMAS CRACKER Starring Michael Caine. MAC, Birm- Storytelling, comedy & festive cheer ingham, Fri 21 Dec for younger audiences, Tues 18 - Mon 24 Dec, Lichfield Garrick DISOBEDIENCE (15) Drama. Starring Rachel Weisz and Rachel McAdams. SANTA IN LOVE Festive play for very MAC, Birmingham, Fri 21 - Thurs 27 young children, featuring singalong Dec games and a meet-and-greet with Santa, Fri 21 - Mon 24 Dec, The Core THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS Theatre, Solihull (PG) Animation. With the voices of Danny Elfman, Chris Sarandon. MAC, Birmingham, Sat 22 Dec Magic Lantern Festival - Birmingham Botanical Gardens IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE (U) Family. CHRISTMAS IN THE HOME The period dancers for a morning of family fun, Starring James Stewart, Donna Reed. houses and cottages each run their Sat 22 Dec, Birmingham Town Hall MAC, Birmingham, Sat 22 - Sun 23 Pantomime own activities and demonstrations, SANTA STEAM SPECIALS Get Christmas Dec taking visitors back to the sights, off to a magical start by meeting Fa- JACK AND THE BEANSTALK All & Sundry HOME ALONE (PG) Family/Comedy. sounds and smells of a magical ther Christmas in his grotto, Sat 22 - return with a traditional family pan- Starring Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Christmas past, Wed 19 - Mon 24 Sun 23 Dec, Severn Valley Railway, tomime, until Sun 23 Dec, Artrix, Daniel Stern. MAC, Birmingham, Sun Dec, Black Country Living Museum, Bewdley Bromsgrove 23 - Mon 24 Dec Dudley SANTA EXPRESS Climb aboard Santa's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Daniel CHRISTMAS CAROL TRAINS Sing along magical steam train, Sat 22 - Sun 23 O’Brien’s festive treat, featuring a NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: or just soak up the festive atmo- Dec, Statfold Barn Railway, Tamworth cast of actors, singers & musicians, sphere as you get Christmas off to a until Mon 31 Dec, Sutton Coldfield Released from Fri 21 Dec, showing at traditional start with an evening of CHILDREN'S VICTORIAN SANTA TRAILS Town Hall selected cinemas carols & festive songs, Fri 21 - Sat 22 Meet the Victorian household as they ready themselves for the annual visit DICK WHITTINGTON Garrick panto MARY POPPINS RETURNS (tbc) Dec, Severn Valley Railway, Bewdley of a very special guest, Sat 22 - Sun favourites Sam Rabone and Ben SHUGBOROUGH LANTERN PARADE Fri 21 23 Dec, Tamworth Castle Thornton are joined by CBeebies star - Sat 22 Dec, Shugborough Historic Katrina Bryan, until Sat 5 Jan, Lich- Working Estate, Stafford SANTA HUNTS A surprise gift awaits field Garrick anybody who succeeds in finding the CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS A festive jolly-faced bearded one, Sat 22 - Mon SLEEPING BEAUTY High-energy pan- day out with a chocolatey twist. See 24 Dec, Black Country Living Mu- tomime fun, written and directed, as Events Father Christmas in his very own seum, Dudley usual, by Iain Lauchlan, until Sat 5 MEET SANTA Visit the North Pole of the stage show - and there's a gift for TOY COLLECTORS FAIR Explore over Jan, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry city in the Antarctic Ice Cave, meet every child, Fri 21 - Sun 23 Dec, Cad- 500 stalls packed with all kinds of col- SLEEPING BEAUTY Brand new spin on the man himself and check out the bury World, Birmingham lectable toys, trains and models for an old yarn, until Sun 6 Jan, The family of cheeky Gentoo Penguins in TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS EVENINGS sale. Thurs 27 Dec, NEC, B’ham Core Theatre, Solihull the Ice Adventure area, until Sun 23 Stroll through the museum’s beauti- TWIXMAS WALKS Free and festive SLEEPING BEAUTY Starring Debbie Dec, National Sea Life Centre, B’ham fully decorated gas-lit streets and workshops inspired by the Hippo- McGee, Richard Cadell & Sooty, THINKTANK ELF HUNT Pick up a finders’ take in the sights, sounds and smells drome’s panto production of Peter Doreen Tipton and Ian Adams, until sheet at the box office to record all of a magical Christmas past, Fri 21 - Pan, Thurs 27 Dec - Sat 5 Jan, Birm- Sun 13 Jan, Wolverhampton Grand the elves you find as you explore the Sun 23 Dec, Black Country Living ingham Hippodrome Theatre museum, until Sun 23 Dec, Thinktank Museum, Dudley BACKSTAGE TOUR: GENERAL Journey PETER PAN Matt Slack returns to enter- Science Museum, Birmingham MONSKI MOUSE'S BABY DISCO DANCE behind the scenes at one of Britain's tain Hippodrome audiences in a BIRMINGHAM FRANKFURT CHRISTMAS HALL: CHRISTMAS SPECIAL Join DJ- premier producing theatres, Sat 29 swashbuckling pantomime adventure MARKETS Offering a large range of mumma Monski Mouse and her Dec, The REP, Birmingham which promises ‘barrels of laughter, traditional food & gifts and a selec- amazing flying effects and a trip to tion of tempting food and drink Neverland’. Jimmy Osmond, Meera across over 80 stalls, until Sun 23 Syal & Jaymi Hensley also star, Wed Dec, Birmingham City Centre 19 Dec - Sun 27 Jan, Birmingham SANTA'S WINTER WONDERLAND until Hippodrome Mon 31 Dec, The Snowdome, Tam- worth DRAYTON'S MAGICAL CHRISTMAS until Mon 31 Dec, Drayton Manor Theme Park, Tamworth Film MAGICAL LANTERN FESTIVAL 2018 Back INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: at Birmingham Botanical Gardens IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE (U) Family. due to exceptional demand, with all- Starring James Stewart, Donna Reed. new lanterns for 2018, until Tues 1 MAC, Birmingham, Tues 18 Dec Jan, Birmingham Botanical Gardens THE NUTCRACKER: ROYAL BALLET LIVE ICE SKATE BIRMINGHAM Festive fun in ENCORE SCREENING(12a) Dance. Star- one of the ‘best outdoor ice skating ring The Royal Ballet. Artrix, Broms- rinks in the UK’, until Sun 6 Jan, East- side City Park, Birmingham grove, Tues 18 Dec Children’s Victorian Santa Trails - Tamworth Castle

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thelist Monday 24 - Mon 31 December Stourbridge NOW! THAT’S WHAT I Gigs DIRTY DC Fri 28 Dec, CALL Sat The Robin, Bilston 29 Dec, Hare & THE UPBEAT BEATLES Hounds, Birmingham Mon 24 Dec, The BRUK UP CHRISTMAS DAN DONNELLY Sat 29 Robin, Bilston PARTY Fri 28 Jan, Hare & Hounds, B’ham Dec, Katie Fitzgeralds, NEW AMEN CORNER & Stourbridge SOUL SURVIVORS Wed B’SPOKE Fri 28 - Sat 29 DEFINITELY MIGHTBE + 26 Dec, The Robin, Bil- Dec, The Jam House, ADORED Sun 30 Dec, ston Birmingham The Robin, Bilston DEL CAMINO Thurs 27 BRUM PUNX CHRISTMAS THE BIG NYE PARTY WITH Dec, The Jam House, BASH WITH GBH Sat 29 CHARLIE SLOTH Mon 31 Birmingham Dec, The Castle & Fal- con, Birmingham Dec, O2 Institute, Birm- BAD MANNERS Thurs 27 ingham Dec, The Robin, Bilston THE MAD HATTERS NEW YEAR’S EVE TEA PARTY NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY SUPREME QUEEN Fri 28 Sat 29 Dec, The Flapp- WITH BEAT BROTHERS Dec, The River Rooms, Mozart Festival Orchestra - Symphony Hall, Birmingham per, Birmingham Mon 31 Dec, Artrix, Bromsgrove SWIM WITH SHARKS (PIC- TURED) Mon 31 Dec, Classical Comedy Irish Centre, B’ham ANDY ROBINSON, ANDY WHITE, CRAIG CROWD COMPANY Mon Music MURRAY & JOSH JONES Fri 28 - Sat 29 Dec, The Glee Club, Birmingham 31 Dec, Pizza Express LONDON CONCERT ORCHESTRA: WHITE Live, Birmingham CHRISTMAS Also featuring Can- SOL BERNSTEIN, MIKE NEWALL, GAR- NYE NORTHERN zonetta, Anthony Gabriele & guest RETT MILLERICK & DIANE SPENCER Sat SOULMOD AND MOTOWN singers Matt Ford & Emma Kershaw, 29 Dec, The Comedy Loft, B’ham ALL NIGHTER Mon 31 Sat 22 Dec, Symphony Hall, B’ham GUZ KHAN, DALISO CHAPONDA, SLIM & Dec, The Night Owl, LONDON CONCERT ORCHESTRA: CHRIST- KANE BROWN (PICTURED) Sun 30 Dec, Birmingham MAS CAROL SINGALONG Featuring The Glee Club, Birmingham Jonathan Cohen (conductor/presen- ANDY ROBINSON, GEOFF NORCOTT, ter) & Louise Dearman (guest DANNY MCLOUGHLIN & COMIC TBC Mon singer), Sun 23 Dec, Symphony Hall, 31 Dec, The Glee Club, Birmingham Birmingham NICK PAGE & DAVE LONGLEY Mon 31 MOZART FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA: CAROLS Dec, The Comedy Loft, Birmingham BY CANDLELIGHT Featuring the Can- zonetta Choir, Michael Bawtree (con- ductor), Rowan Pierce (soprano) & Peter Davison (special guest reader). Programme includes works by Theatre Cullen, Handel, Pearsall & Willcocks, BENIDORM LIVE Stage version of the Mon 24 Dec, Symphony Hall, B’ham popular TV show starring Sherrie LONDON CONCERT ORCHESTRA - LAST Hewson, Adam Gillen, Tony Mauds- NIGHT OF THE CHRISTMAS PROMS Also ley, Jake Canuso & Janine Duvitski, featuring John Pryce-Jones (con- until Sat 29 Dec, Alexandra Theatre, ductor), Robyn Lyn Evans (tenor) & Birmingham Sky Ingram (soprano). Programme THE WIZARD OF OZ Follow the yellow includes works by Humperdinck, brick road to the Emerald City this Grieg, Puccini, Verdi, Tchaikovsky, Christmas, until Sun 13 Jan, The Debussy & Strauss, Thurs 27 Dec, REP, Birmingham Symphony Hall, Birmingham A CHRISTMAS CAROL David Edgar’s LONDON CONCERT ORCHESTRA: STAR acclaimed staging of Dickens’ festive WARS AND BEYOND A John Williams classic, showing at the RSC for a spectacular conducted by Anthony second year, until Sun 20 Jan, Royal Inglis and featuring scores from Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford- Jaws, Gravity, Batman Suite, E.T, upon-Avon Hook, Close Encounters, Jurassic Park, Schindler’s List and more... Sat 29 Dec, Symphony Hall, Birmingham TCHAIKOVSKY SPECTACULAR Featuring the London Concert Orchestra, Ben- Kids Shows jamin Pope (conductor) & Jennifer Pike (violin), Sat 29 Dec, Symphony SANTA’S CHRISTMAS PARTY Help get Hall, Birmingham Santa’s party back on track in an ad- venture full of festive songs and LONDON CONCERT ORCHESTRA: NEW party games, Mon 24 Dec, Artrix, YEAR’S EVE GALA Featuring Anthony Bromsgrove Inglis (conductor), Grant Doyle (bari- tone) & Peter Auty (tenor). Pro- THE TIGER WHO CAME TO TEA Stage gramme includes works by Bizet, adaptation of Judith Kerr's much- Tchaikovsky, Mascagni, Coates & loved picture book for children, Wed Elgar, Mon 31 Dec, Symphony Hall, 26 Dec - Sun 13 Jan, Birmingham Birmingham Town Hall whatsonlive.co.uk 65 The List Birmingham 24 - 31 December.qxp_Layout 1 21/11/2018 16:56 Page 3

thelist Monday 24 - Mon 31 December McGee, Richard Cadell & Sooty, THE OLD MAN & THE GUN (12a) Drama. TOY COLLECTORS FAIR Explore over Pantomime Doreen Tipton and Ian Adams, until Starring Robert Redford, Casey Af- 500 stalls packed with all kinds of col- Sun 13 Jan, Wolverhampton Grand fleck. MAC, Birmingham, Fri 28 - Mon lectable toys, trains and models for PETER PAN Matt Slack returns to enter- Theatre 31 Dec sale. Thurs 27 Dec, NEC, B’ham tain Hippodrome audiences in a BEAUTY AND THE BEAST SING-A-LONG TWIXMAS WALKS Free and festive swashbuckling pantomime adventure (PG) Musical/Comedy. Starring Emma workshops inspired by the Hippo- which promises ‘barrels of laughter, Watson, Dan Stevens. Artrix, Broms- drome’s panto production of Peter amazing flying effects and a trip to grove, Sat 29 Dec Pan, Thurs 27 Dec - Sat 5 Jan, Birm- Neverland’. Jimmy Osmond, Meera ingham Hippodrome Syal & Jaymi Hensley also star, until Film THE JUNGLE BOOK (U) Animation. With Sun 27 Jan, Birmingham Hippo- INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: the voices of George Sanders, Phil BACKSTAGE TOUR: GENERAL Journey Harris. MAC, Birmingham, Sat 29 Dec behind the scenes at one of Britain's drome MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS (U) Comedy. DUMBO (U) Animation. With the voices premier producing theatres, Sat 29 BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Daniel Starring Judy Garland, Margaret Dec, The REP, Birmingham O’Brien’s festive treat, featuring a O’Brien. MAC, Birmingham, Wed 26 of Sterling Holloway, Edward Brophy. cast of actors, singers & musicians, Dec MAC, Birmingham, Sun 30 Dec until Mon 31 Dec, Sutton Coldfield BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (U) Animation. Town Hall With the voices of Paige O’Hara, DICK WHITTINGTON Garrick panto Robby Benson. MAC, Birmingham, favourites Sam Rabone and Ben Thurs 27 Dec Events Thornton are joined by CBeebies star PADDINGTON 2 (PG) Kids. Starring SANTA'S WINTER WONDERLAND until Katrina Bryan, until Sat 5 Jan, Lich- , Hugh Bonneville. High- field Garrick Mon 31 Dec, The Snowdome, Tam- bury Theatre Centre, Sutton Cold- worth SLEEPING BEAUTY High-energy pan- field, Thurs 27 Dec DRAYTON'S MAGICAL CHRISTMAS until tomime fun, written and directed, as 101 DALMATIONS (U) Animation. With usual, by Iain Lauchlan, until Sat 5 Mon 31 Dec, Drayton Manor Theme the voices of Rod Taylor, Betty Lou Park, Tamworth Jan, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry Gerson. MAC, B’ham, Fri 28 Dec SLEEPING BEAUTY Brand new spin on MAGICAL LANTERN FESTIVAL 2018 Back MAMMA MIA! HERE WE GO AGAIN SING- at Birmingham Botanical Gardens an old yarn, until Sun 6 Jan, The A-LONG (PG) Musical/Comedy. Star- Core Theatre, Solihull due to exceptional demand, with all- ring Colin Firth, Amanda Seyfried. new lanterns for 2018, until Tues 1 Drayton’s Magical Christmas - SLEEPING BEAUTY Starring Debbie Artrix, Bromsgrove, Fri 28 - Sat 29 Jan, Birmingham Botanical Gardens Dec Drayton Manor Theme Park

66 whatsonlive.co.uk Belgrade Theatre (FP- Dec 18).qxp_Layout 1 21/11/2018 10:06 Page 1 The Core Panto FP Dec 2018.qxp_Layout 1 21/11/2018 15:36 Page 1