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Your FREE essential entertainment guide for the Midlands ISSUE 369 SEPTEMBER 2016

Worcestershire ’

ALEXANDRA BURKE worcestershirewhatson.co.uk WhatFILM I COMEDY I THEATRE I GIGS I VISUAL ARTS I EVENTSs I FOOD On AT THE NEW ALEX

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Yourthe 16-pagelist week by week listings guide Contents September Worcs.qxp_Layout 1 22/08/2016 16:32 Page 1 Contents September Warwickshire/Worcs.qxp_Layout 1 22/08/2016 16:31 Page 1

September 2016

Contents

Roll Over Beethoven - new ‘50s musical at The Belgrade. Feature page 8

Beth Orton Isy Suttie Get glamping! the list

brings her folktronica sound to on tour with The Actual One a more luxurious form of Your 16-page the O2 Institute feature inside... camping on offer at Stoneleigh week-by-week listings guide page 14 page 22 page 47 page 51

inside:

4. First Word 11. Food 14. Music 20. Comedy 26. Theatre 37. Film 40. Visual Arts 45. Events

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Managing Director: Davina Evans [email protected] 01743 281708 ’ Sales & Marketing: Matt Rothwell [email protected] 01743 281719 Lei Woodhouse [email protected] 01743 281703 Whats On Chris Horton [email protected] 01743 281704 MAGAZINE GROUP Editorial: Lauren Foster [email protected] 01743 281707 Sue Jones [email protected] 01743 281705 Brian O’Faolain [email protected] 01743 281701 Abi Whitehouse [email protected] 01743 281716 Ryan Humphreys [email protected] 01743 281722 Adrian Parker [email protected] 01743 281714 Contributors: Graham Bostock, James Cameron-Wilson, Heather Kincaid, Adam Jaremko, Kathryn Ewing, David Vincent, Eva Easthope 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 September Warwicks.qxp_Layout 1 22/08/2016 16:02 Page 1

First Word

Celebrating creative invention in Coventry

A waltz on stilts to the music of Johann Straus, a workshop explaining how to create recycled constructions such as musical oboes, and a 200-musician orchestra performing in Coventry Canal Basin are just some of the attractions featured in this well- regarded ‘celebration of creative invention’. The week-long arts event, taking place for a third year, is once again being presented by Imagineer Productions in partnership with Culture Coventry. The festival comprises a series of free-to- attend exhibitions, workshops and activities, with local, national and international artists, engineers and designers inviting audiences to join in and become creative collaborators. Festival Of Imagineers takes place from 26 September to 1 October. For full festival events and times, visit imagi- neerproductions.co.uk

Leamington Music Comedy celebrates 10 years festival An organisation dedicated to maintaining announces Leamington as a centre of musical excellence line-up is celebrating its 10th birthday next month. Birmingham Leamington Music was launched by the Comedy Festival Endellion String Quartet in 2006. Since that (BCF) this year fea- time, the organisation has hosted 350 con- tures headline certs, almost a third of which have involved appearances by string quartets. Romesh Poetry festival celebrates Its autumn/winter concert season gets Ranganathan (9 & 12 Oct, Town Hall), Sam Shakespeare’s legacy underway on Friday 7 October, precisely 10 Wills appearing as The Boy With Tape On His years and one day after the organisation was Four hundred years of Shakespeare’s cre- Face (13-15 Oct, mac Birmingham) and Kerry established. The new season is launched at ative legacy is celebrated at the 63rd Godliman, co-star of the Ricky Gervais televi- the town’s Royal Pump Rooms by the Stratford-upon-Avon Poetry Festival this sion series, Derek (14 Oct, The Glee). Carducci String Quartet, who’ll be making month. Returning in October to provide another 10 their fifth appearance in Leamington. Launching on 18 September, the event's days of mirth, the annual event also features For full details of the new season, visit leam- highlights include readings from performances by Matt Forde, Justin ingtonmusic.org. Shakespearian actors Paapa Essiedu (pic- Moorhouse (pictured), Nathan Caton, Tony tured) and Natalie Simpson, an experimental Law and Jason Byrne. evening of hip-hop, poetry and performance Other festival highlights include hit musical with Birmingham-based rapper Juice Aleem, The Rocky Horror Show, Paul Richards’ 50 bookbinding and creative writing work- Ways To Leave Your Drummer - in which the shops, a poetry choir with a programme of musician/comedian recounts the experience classical and contemporary choral work, and of being fired by 50 acts, including Frank a cheese and wine evening with readings Turner and Heaven 17 - live panel show from Shakespeare’s Venus And Adonis. Panelbeaters, co-created by Mock The The programme also features a family- Week’s Gary Delaney, and two free-to-attend friendly ‘intergalactic’ musical poetry work- Sunday afternoon ‘half-dayer’ events featur- shop entitled Shakespeare In Space. ing 18 comedians performing new shows. The poetry festival runs from 18 to 25 The Birmingham Comedy Festival runs from September. For the full programme and to Friday 7 to Sunday 16 October. For full book tickets, visit shakespeare.org.uk/poet- details, visit: bhamcomfest.co.uk ry-festival.

4 whatsonlive.co.uk FIRST WORD September Warwicks.qxp_Layout 1 22/08/2016 16:02 Page 2

Entertainment news from around the region

Wanted! Football fans to share their stories... Supporters of Birmingham’s three major football clubs are being invited to help create a new play. Birmingham Repertory Theatre wants fans of Aston Villa, Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion to share their stories about why they love the game and why their club is so important to them. The contributions are needed for a new play, Stadium, which will premiere at The REP next summer. “Birmingham is lucky to have three Stratford venue announces ‘magical’ pantomime football clubs, all with a huge, loyal Stratford ArtsHouse is promising that its Christmas panto production of Aladdin will be an ‘open following,” says the play’s director, sesame’ to festive family fun. Mohamed El Khatib, “so The REP is the perfect place for us to create The show is the venue’s second-ever pantomime and follows on from the success of last year’s pro- Stadium. Football is full of drama, duction of Cinderella. adrenaline and emotion, both on “Aladdin will be the most spectacular pantomime Stratford’s ever seen,” says the venue’s general and off the pitch, and we want to manager, Jenna Harvey. “There’ll be mischief, mayhem, laughter and plenty of audience participa- talk to the supporters who make tion. Be sure to book early to make certain you’re a part of this year’s magical carpet ride!” football what it is. We’re keen to Aladdin shows at the ArtsHouse from Wednesday 14 to Tuesday 27 December. hear why fans have grown up supporting their particular club and For more information, visit stratfordartshouse.co.uk why some families have supported one team for generations.” Stadium is part of The REP’s Furnace initiative, offering local A comfy read It’s all about Hipp-hop... people opportunities to develop new talents, discover how theatre in Coventry Birmingham Hippodrome is hosting a new addition to the city’s is made and create their own events calendar this month - the B-Side Hip-Hop Festival. shows. Coventry’s Fargo Village is A free three-day celebration programmed by local hip-hop artists, Any Villa, Birmingham or West playing host to a brand the festival’s aim is to provide performers with a high-profile plat- Brom supporters interested in shar- new literature festival this form from which to showcase their talents. ing their stories and explaining month. The event is being their passion for their club should Highlights include a range of outdoor ‘pop-up’ performances, sci-fi coordinated by Fargo’s Big contact Rosalyn.lesurf-olner@birm- film, spoken word, talks and graffiti artists, explosive street dance Comfy Book Shop. ingham-rep.co.uk or call 0121 245 crews and b-boys/b-girls battling it out for cash prizes. “We're taking over the 2023. For further information, visit The festival takes place from Friday 23 to Sunday 25 September. birmingham-rep.co.uk/furnace place along with our love- For more information, visit birminghamhippodrome.com ly neighbours Astral Gypsy,” says the shop’s Urdu poet Abigail Patrick. “The Playwright David Edgar to host celebrated at weekend will be filled Symphony Hall with authors, novels, poet- specially programmed talks at the RSC ry, comic books, music The Royal Shakespeare Company is this month hosting a specially A show celebrating the life and work and a special market offer- of renowned Urdu poet Kaifi Azmi is programmed talk in which the award-winning David Edgar will being presented in Birmingham next ing a whole chunk of interview fellow playwright Tom Morton-Smith about his relation- month. book-related memorabilia. ship to the works of Shakespeare. Kaifi, who died in 2002 at the age of There’ll be a whole pro- The talk, which is part of the Company’s programme of events to 83, is best known for having brought gramme of things to do mark the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death, takes place in Urdu literature to Indian films. throughout the weekend, The Studio Theatre @ The Other Place, Stratford-upon-Avon, on Recounting the real-life love story of including talks, work- the poet and his wife, Shaukat, Kaifi Saturday 17 September. Aur Main is presented by veteran shops and activities. You Morton-Smith - who wrote Oppenheimer, staged by the RSC last actress Shabana Azmi, poet, lyricist can eat, drink and be year - is one of two playwrights with whom Edgar is in conversation and screenwriter Javed Akhtar, and merry in celebration of the in Stratford this autumn. The second is Ella Hickson (The Studio ghazal maestro Jaswinder Singh, written word. We're even Theatre@The Other Place, Saturday 12 November), who wrote the accompanied by a live orchestra. having book-related bands Company’s 2013 Christmas show, Wendy & Peter Pan. Kaifi Aur Main shows at Symphony here. Everything will be Hall on Saturday 3 September. The RSC is also playing host to Margaret Atwood, who’ll be dis- books!” cussing her latest novel, Hag-Seed - a re-imagining of The Tempest - The Big Comfy Literature with the Company’s deputy artistic director Erica Whyman (Royal Festival takes place at Shakespeare Theatre, Saturday 8 October). Fargo Village from Friday For more information about all three events - and the RSC’s series of 9 to Sunday 11 September. talks with directors of this season’s shows - visit rsc.org.uk

whatsonlive.co.uk 5 FIRST WORD September Warwicks.qxp_Layout 1 22/08/2016 16:02 Page 3

First Word

Financial boost for Midlands museums DanceXchange Six West Midlands museums have been awarded a total of £414,719 by announces new Arts Council England to help them become more sustainable busi- season nesses. The money comes from the Arts Council’s Museum Resilience Fund A popular Midlands dance and will support a range of projects to ensure the museums have the house has announced its

resources they need to make the most of their collections. Compton Verney autumn programme. Commenting on the award, Peter Knott, Area Director, Arts Council Based at the Patrick Centre England, said: “In the Midlands we’re fortunate to have an exceptional mix of museums housing local histo- in Birmingham Hippodrome, ries and national treasures. We believe these museums - and the objects they keep safe - play a vital part in DanceXchange begins its community life, helping us celebrate our heritage, deepening our knowledge of the world around us, and new season this month with entertaining people of all ages. This latest investment from our Museum Resilience Fund is about helping a triple bill from the our region’s museums become more sustainable businesses so that their rich collections can be used and acclaimed National Dance enjoyed for many years to come.” Company Wales. The six museums are: Lapworth Geology Museum, Birmingham (awarded £58,184); Shropshire Council Its autumn programme also (£72,890); Museum of Cannock Chase, Staffordshire (£78,000); Staffordshire Archives & Heritage Service sees cutting-edge dance (£102,000); Compton Verney, Warwickshire (£56,000); and Association of British Transport & Engineering being combined with Museums, Warwickshire (£47,645). motion-responsive technolo- gy in Alexander Whitley Dance Company’s Pattern Recognition. Folk duo tour to A retelling of Prokofiev’s Conventional theatre turned on its Peter And The Wolf by the Midlands head at Coventry’s Belgrade CoisCéim Dance Theatre provides some enchanting fes- Acclaimed folk duo Ange A Birmingham physical theatre company is presenting two plays at tive fare for family audi- Hardy and Lukas Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre this autumn (29 September to 8 October). ences. Drinkwater are on the road Strictly Arts Theatre’s stated mission is to turn conventional theatre on Other season highlights this autumn, with their its head and ‘to inspire all races, creeds and cultures to explore and include a brand new triple opening gig taking place embrace the differences or similarities we have through the power of bill from 2Faced Dance, per- here in the Midlands, at live performance’. formance art from the Evesham Arts Centre The company is presenting award-winning Alexander (Thursday 29 September). Freeman (29 September - 1 Vantournhout, and interna- They then return to the October) - a play examining the tional dance artist Didy region to perform at Artrix tension between mental health Veldman’s Happiness in Bromsgrove on 9 and the justice system - and Project, performed by her October. The tour follows Green Leaves Fall (6 - 8 new company, Umanoove. the 14 September release of October), a piece set in the For more information about new album Findings. aftermath of the 1981 Brixton the season, taking place riots and exploring the issues from 22 September to 3 of inequality, unemployment December, visit dancex- and radicalisation. Luna Cinema at change.org.uk Warwick Castle For more information, visit belgrade.co.uk Open-air cinema is coming to Warwick Castle this month. The Big Sleuth heading to Bear-mingham The popular visitor attrac- tion plays host to three clas- Birmingham is set to become Bear-mingham next summer, when over sic movies in the second 100 giant sun bear sculptures will leave their paw prints all over the week of September - Top city. Gun (the 7th), Star Wars: The sculptures will create a trail of art called The Big Sleuth - sleuth The Force Awakens (the 8th) being the collective noun for a group of bears. and Notting Hill (the 9th). The initiative is a collaboration between Birmingham Children’s The films are being present- Hospital Charity and creative producers Wild In Art. The organisations ed in association with Luna previously teamed up to present The Big Hoot, a trail of owl sculptures Cinema. At the time of going that inspired residents and tourists to uncover Birmingham’s cultural to print, Star Wars has gems and discover areas of the city they may not have explored before. already sold out, but spaces The sun bear sculptures are intended to serve the same purpose and remain available for the will be created by regional and national artists. other two movies. To find out more about The Big Sleuth or to discuss sponsorship oppor- Tickets must be purchased tunities, visit www.thebigsleuth2017.co.uk. Follow The Big Sleuth at in advance via Facebook.com/thebigsleuth, Twitter.com/thebigsleuth and thelunacinema.com. Instagram.com/thebigsleuth.

6 whatsonlive.co.uk THSH (FP- September 16).qxp_Layout 1 22/08/2016 17:46 Page 1 Roll Over Beethoven DPS.qxp_Layout 1 22/08/2016 16:00 Page 1

FEATURE

Roll Over

BeethovenHeather Kincaid talks to the Belgrade’s former Artistic Director about his latest venture - a punchy new musical set in the 1950s ...

It's 1956, and Johnny Hamlet has just returned couldn't stop! But it's not something you have from his national service following his father's to be clever to understand or anything. You untimely death, only to find his Uncle Claude might not even notice that that's what it's has already made a move on his mother. When doing, although you'll probably get an idea the ghost of his dead dad appears and accuses there's something going on. There are some them of murder, Johnny is faced with a rhymes which might make you notice it a bit dilemma: should he take revenge, or play it more, but mostly it just gives the whole thing cool and concentrate on carving out a life for rhythm.” himself and his girl Ophelia in the new music Originally conceived as a jukebox musical, Roll Pretty much the scene that's taking the country by storm? Over Beethoven is inspired by the popular ‘‘ Created and realised by the Belgrade's former music and spirit of teenage rebellion that whole thing is Artistic Director Bob Eaton, Roll Over sprang up in the ’50s against a backdrop of Beethoven is a punchy new musical cocktail drab austerity and stiff upper lips in the hang- written in blank with a dash of Shakespeare topped up with over from two crippling World Wars. More than tons of rock ’n’ roll energy. We spoke to Eaton just a musical genre, this rock ’n’ roll move- verse - I just to find out more. ment brought with it a youthful hedonism and “As you can see, it's very loosely based on a new idea of what it meant to be a teenager started doing it Hamlet,” he says. “For me, the story of the that would radically transform British and young man as a kind of rebel in this world American culture for good. The title of the play and then I where the older adults rule everything just fit- is taken from a 1956 Chuck Berry record - a ted with the story of rock ’n’ roll. In a sense, it’s song subsequently covered by the likes of The couldn’t stop. about a generational clash: you've got Laertes Beatles and ELO. Eventually, however, Eaton and Ophelia as the kids in the piece as well as ditched the pre-existing tracks, opting instead Hamlet. But it's absolutely not essential to to write his own. know anything about Hamlet to enjoy it - or “I first had the idea about 10 years ago, so I've about Beethoven, for that matter.” had a lot of time to think about it, and when I Nevertheless, it's not just the story he's appro- came to rewrite it a couple of years back, I ” priated from the Bard: Eaton has also adopted found that the songs were too constricting. Shakespeare's preferred form of poetic writing They just didn't really do the job of telling the - unrhymed iambic pentameter, otherwise story that I wanted to tell. So I decided to write known as blank verse. some original songs that are in the right style and have the right feel for the era. Of course, “Pretty much the whole thing is written in that also meant that I could make them fun- blank verse - I just started doing it and then I nier.”

8 whatsonlive.co.uk Roll Over Beethoven DPS.qxp_Layout 1 22/08/2016 16:00 Page 2

by Heather Kincaid

Eaton's songwriting process typically begins, someone else was directing it, I'd have to be that energy into the work I was writing and he says, with a kind of lyric phrase that sets there explaining things to them every few directing. When I was about 15 or 16, I was in the ball rolling. minutes, so it's much easier if I just get on a band, and it was exhilarating going around “It's difficult to know whether the music or and do it.” playing gigs in pubs and clubs. But what also the words come first. Once you get that Nor is this the only advantage to directing struck me was that it was very accessible to a phrase, it will have a sort of tune to it, and one's own writing as opposed to someone wide audience. There was no class barrier in after that you go backwards and forwards else's: “You know you're never going to of- popular music - everybody loved The Beatles, and build the song from that - or I tend to, fend yourself. If something isn't working, you and that was something that I wanted to tap anyway!” don't have to go to the writer and apologise into, to break down the barrier that theatre sometimes presents to people.” Interestingly, there's no supporting band or about changing it, you just say, 'This doesn't orchestra behind the scenes of this produc- work, does it?' And then you go away and As a long-term Coventry resident, Eaton has tion: all of the music in Roll Over Beethoven change it.” worked extensively with the Belgrade, both is performed by the cast on stage. Though the show actually premiered last as artistic director of the theatre until 2003 and as an independent creator touring his “When I first started doing these sorts of year at the Queen's Theatre, Hornchurch, the productions there. His last show at the Bel- shows back in 1981, it was very difficult to version arriving at the Belgrade this month grade was the warmly received Three Minute find good actor-musicians. I wrote and di- will be completely fresh - a whole new pro- Heroes, which told the story of the rise of ska rected what I think was probably the very duction with a different cast and design team and 2Tone in the 1980s. first show like this at the Liverpool Every- on board. man, which was Lennon. But of course, now “The response to the first production was “I love working at the Belgrade. I still live in what's happened is that there are courses at great! I think the main change in this one has Coventry and I've got family here. Doing drama schools that teach it, and there's a been to make the band more central, but I’ve Three Minute Heroes a couple of years ago whole generation of actor-musicians coming also rewritten several of the songs and - I was fantastic - a real treat for me. I left my up who are really good and very talented.” hope - improved them.” job running the Belgrade 13 years ago, so it's really nice to feel part of the scene in the city As someone with experience of writing, di- Between Lennon in 1981 and Roll Over again.” recting, composing and even leading produc- Beethoven in 2016, Eaton has steadily built a ing theatres, Eaton knows well what a reputation for writing and directing energetic difference it can make having several strings rock musicals, spurred on by an early pas- to your bow, particularly when pioneering sion for pop music and its power to unite Roll Over Beethoven shows at the unusual techniques. people from all walks of life. Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, from “With something like Roll Over Beethoven, “When I was growing up in the ’50s and ’60s, Saturday 3 until Saturday 17 September. it's so key to the concept that the band are the most important thing was rock ’n’ roll part of the show, that in a sense I've written and popular music, and I think back when I the production as well as the play. I think if started in theatre, I wanted to inject some of

whatsonlive.co.uk 9 Dead Sheep DPS.qxp_Layout 1 15/09/2016 09:55 Page 1

FEATURE

Steve Nallon talks to What’s On about playing Margaret Thatcher in Jonathan Maitland’s story of loyalty, love, political morality and Britishness...

On 13 November 1990, Geoffrey Howe deliv- “She was much crueller than I thought,” says ered the fatal blow to Margaret Thatcher's Nallon of Thatcher. “When she moved Geof- premiership with a devastating resignation frey out of the Foreign Office, she basically speech that sent shockwaves through parlia- fired him, and took away his home, because ment. His attack was uncharacteristic and al- when you're Foreign Secretary you get a most entirely unexpected: such was Howe's grace-and-favour country house. Apparently, reputation for quietness and docility that his the way she took it away from him was quite Labour opponent Denis Healey once likened spiteful. I think what the play makes clear is criticism from him to “being savaged by a that Prime Ministers are very, very powerful. dead sheep”. They're the ones that appoint and shape the So Dead Sheep became the title of Jonathan government, and we're seeing it again at the Maitland's first play, inspired by the turbulent moment with Theresa May.” relationship between the Iron Lady and this Of course, as it turned out, far from chasten- ‘mouse that roared’. Arriving at the Birming- ing him, Thatcher's snub pushed Howe to ham REP this month and then visiting kick back with a response that would ulti- Shrewsbury’s Theatre Severn and Coventry’s mately be her own undoing. Among Howe's Belgrade in October, the production stars Paul main motives for resigning was the Prime Bradley (Eastenders/Holby City) as Geoffrey Minister’s undermining of EMU (Economic Howe, alongside Spitting Image's Steve Nal- and Monetary Union of the European Union) lon as Thatcher. policies proposed by the Chancellor and the “I remember watching Howe's speech at the Governor of the Bank of England. time and just thinking, 'She's toast!'” Nallon “It’s rather like sending your opening bats- recalls. “One of the great dramatic points is men to the crease,” Howe said of her interfer- that there's a rule that you can't be heckled ence, “only for them to find, as the first balls when you're making a resignation speech are being bowled, that their bats have been from the government. So here was an ideal broken before the game by the team captain.” opportunity for this very quiet man to say ex- At the time, disputes over what the extent and actly what he wanted, and he stabbed her, nature of Britain's involvement in Europe and you can see it on her face. We do most of ought to be caused massive rifts within the the speech in the play, and when we do that party which continue to this day: the conver- scene, it's electric! It puts the audience right sations that finally brought about a referen- in the House of Commons.” dum on Britain's EU membership in 2016 Well before Howe's final decision to leave the actually began decades earlier. Cabinet, tensions had been growing between “I'm 55 now and I've been aware of the argu- him and Thatcher. Having previously served ments about Europe since I was a kid,” says as both Chancellor of the Exchequer and For- Nallon. “Britain first tried to join the common eign Secretary, he regarded the offer of Home market, as it was then, back in the 1960s. Had Secretary in the Prime Minister's 1989 cabinet the referendum vote been to remain, I think reshuffle as a demotion - a punishment for that would have been it - Dead Sheep would disagreeing with her on key foreign policy de- have become a museum piece. But with the cisions. He turned down the position, instead prospect of Brexit, the play feels very contem- becoming Deputy Prime Minister and Leader porary, and the philosophical arguments of the House of Commons. Alexandra Gilbreath

8 whatsonlive.co.uk Dead Sheep DPS.qxp_Layout 1 15/09/2016 09:55 Page 2

by Heather Kincaid

providing voices for multiple personalities including hers, he's since lent his talents in vocal impersonation to various films and TV shows, often without a credit. “Bizarrely, recordings of Mrs Thatcher are quite difficult to clear for copyright reasons. It's hard to get clearance to use recordings of her speeches in parliament or even clips from the BBC, so more than once I've gone into a studio and done the voice for films and so on, because it's so much easier and cheaper for them.” Far from making him an obvious choice for the role, however, his experience as an im- pressionist has been a source of scepticism for some, often hindering his ability to find ‘serious’ acting work. “I don't think anybody wanted me to do this play. It was my friend Alistair McGowan who suggested to the writer that they get me in for a reading. Alistair and I have both suffered over the years because directors and casting people will say that they don't want an im- about Britain's place in Europe and the world pressionist, they want an actor, whereas we From Handbagged to The Iron Lady, Dead just buzz with excitement.” share the opinion t hat the two things aren't Sheep is far from the first production on Nevertheless, the way Jonathan Maitland’s mutually exclusive.” stage or screen to place Britain's first female play tells it, the Europe question was only Then, of course, there's the fact that he's a and perhaps most divisive Prime Minister part of the wider story of Howe's clashes with man who'll be cross-dressing for the part, centre stage. Just what is it about Thatcher his party leader: a much longer-running con- which might lead some to be concerned that and her government that has captured the flict of loyalty also helped to spur him on to his casting could undermine the more seri- imaginations of so many writers? his momentous decision. ous elements of the story. They needn't “I think it's partly just the fact that it's now “It became very clear that Geoffrey Howe's worry, however: there's a world of difference history, but of course, there are some great wife and Margaret Thatcher really hated each between Dead Sheep and shows like Mar- stories from that period, and she's a great other,” Nallon explains. “Howe was obvi- garet Thatcher: Queen Of Soho. character. I should add that the play is also ously loyal to his wife, but he also had great “To be honest, I don't really like the word very funny. My favourite scene is actually one loyalty to Thatcher, so he was torn between 'drag'. I can see why journalists and review- where I don't even speak. Thatcher was the two of them, and that became the basis of ers have described it that way, but I think it's known for not having a sense of humour, and the play. When I spoke to Jonathan Maitland misleading. There's nothing wrong with there's a wonderful moment where someone about who had influenced him as a writer, he drag, but what drag artists do is constantly tells her a joke, and all she does is stare at mentioned Terence Rattigan, who wrote remind you of the fact that they're a man the man with incredulity. Every single night, plays that were very talky and also very dressed up as a woman. They'll usually be that's what gets the biggest laugh from the human, often on big themes like loyalty. I wearing an outrageous outfit and exagger- audience.” think you can see that influence in Dead ated make-up to draw attention to the artifi- Sheep.” cial nature of what they're doing, whereas I Dead Sheep shows at Birmingham REP Though physically portraying Thatcher for simply regard the outfit as a costume like any from Monday 26 September to Saturday 1 the first time in this play, Nallon is certainly other. In fact, a lot of the people who came to October and at Theatre Severn, no stranger to capturing the way she sounds. see the show didn't even know it was a man Shrewsbury from Monday 3 to Having made his name on Spitting Image doing it!” Saturday 8 October.

It became very clear that Geoffrey Howe’s wife ‘‘ and Margaret Thatcher really hated each other ” whatsonlive.co.uk 9 FOOD September - Region Warwickshire .qxp_Layout 1 22/08/2016 16:33 Page 1 FOOD September - Region Warwickshire .qxp_Layout 1 22/08/2016 16:33 Page 2

Food

REVIEW: Hickory’s Smokehouse, Coventry Americans have never been great with sausage. Family-friendly eating experience... American-style On the plus side, the skin-on fries were absolutely perfect. Other main courses - which range from £8 to the £37.50 (for two) platter - include steaks, faji- tas, salads and burgers, while desserts include waffles, chur- ros, pecan pie, toasted marsh- mallows and a host of milkshakes. I chose Key Lime Pie but was somewhat perplexed when it arrived. Looking and tasting more lemon than lime, it came topped with blobs of soft meringue and suggested the chef had turned to the wrong page in his recipe book of desserts. It tasted okay but nothing like Key Lime Pie. The King milkshake, meanwhile, was a bizarre combination of bacon, maple and banana that I was compelled to try. I regretted doing so on the first sip. Topped with whipped cream and vege- tarian bacon bits, with a rasher of bacon sticking out the side, it was horrible. In Hickory’s defence, the server had warned me that people either loved or loathed it, and while part of me admires their bravery, the flavour experimentation was less Up-and-coming BBQ chain This is hardly surprising, given ribs - alongside fries, coleslaw Heston Blumenthal and more Hickory’s Smokehouse really is its appetising selection of hicko- and pickles. Charlton Heston. An American smokin’ at the moment. ry-smoked and grilled meat, icon, of course, so perhaps The ribs highlight was the appropriate for a restaurant that Founded by Neil McDonnell milkshakes, cocktails, bourbons Memphis Style Dry Rubbed Baby after returning from a tour of the and US beers, as well as exten- doffs its (baseball) cap to all Back Ribs - the dry exterior giv- things stars & stripes. southern US, it launched in sive kids’ menu, free popcorn ing way to delightfully moist Chester in 2010 but is set for a (help yourself from fairground- meat within. Next best was the Hickory’s Smokehouse doesn’t major expansion after securing style machines), play area, table- Jumbo Smoked Beef Rib, the quite score a home run but £6million of investment from a tennis table and even a mini cin- biggest of the three and another makes for a lively night out all private equity firm. ema. lovely piece of meat that literally the same. The chain’s fifth restaurant is in You can also watch the meat fell off the bone. The Kansas Steve Adams the somewhat unlikely location being smoked in an authentic Style BBQ Glazed Spare Ribs of Burton Green, a tiny village smoker imported from Memphis, were the least smoked and least Food: n n n n n on the outskirts of Coventry and interact with the cooks by tasty, and needed their sauce Service: n n n n n where passing trade is limited to eating at the chef’s table. accompaniment. Ambience: n n n n n Overall value n n n n n workers commuting to Warwick So far, so good (and so The less said about the remain- OVERALL n n n n n University and the local busi- American), but while Hickory’s ing elements of the platter the ness parks. certainly looks - and smells - the better. The BBQ Pulled Pork & Word of mouth is likely to be part, what about the food? My Beans was acceptable but would important then, and initial reac- partner and I decided the best be a disappointing main dish, Hickory’s Smokehouse tion has been largely positive, way to find out would be to sam- the Texas Style Beef Brisket was 216 Cromwell Lane with the American-style smoke- ple as much as possible, so lukewarm and lacked both sub- Coventry house and ‘southern hospitali- opted for the Smokehouse stance and flavour, and the CV4 8AP Tel: 024 7752 4114 ty’-style service ticking all the Platter, which contained six ele- Smoked Baby Hot Links were boxes for a family-friendly eat- ments from the smokehouse disappointing in taste as well as ing experience. menu - including three types of texture. Let’s face it, the

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Food

Jimi Mistry joins Friday Night Kitchen Michelin-starred chef Glynn Purnell will be joined by East Is East, Coronation Street and EastEnders actor Jimi Mistry when he opens the doors of his Friday Night Kitchen at Villa Park next month (7 October). Jimi will be assisting Glynn with the cooking in what promises to be a fun- filled live show. Glynn’s previous Friday Night Kitchens have raised over £100,000 for Cure Leukaemia, a charity for which the chef is a trustee. “I’m really excited about supporting Glynn at his Friday Night Kitchen,” says Jimi. “We’re going to have some great banter! I’ve been pals with Glynn for about six years, since we appeared together on Saturday Tantalise the tastebuds at Leamington food fest Kitchen. He’s a great personality and If you fancy a tastebud-tantalising weekend spent sampling some sure-to-be-mouthwatering cui- an absolutely amazing chef. I’m sure sine, make a date in your diaries to visit the annual Royal Leamington Spa Food & Drink Festival, he’ll crack the whip! But it will be this year taking place on 10 & 11 September. great fun helping him prepare what Returning to the town’s Pump Room Gardens for a ninth year, the event brings together more than will undoubtedly be an amazing feast 150 exhibitors and an abundance of food-themed attractions for visitors of all ages to enjoy. for the live audience - and all for a “The festival is now one of the biggest events in the town’s calendar,” says Alison Shaw from terrific cause.” organisers BID Leamington. “We’re proud that it has an enviable reputation as one of the best autumn food festivals in the country. Once again the weekend will feature an exciting programme of demonstrations, cooking and baking competitions, live music and entertainment drawn from local talent in the area.” For more information, visit leamingtonfoodfestival.co.uk. Admission is free.

Enjoy a ‘painter’s platter’ at luxury four-star hotel

Luxury four-star hotel Park Regis Birmingham is holding a Paint & Wine Party on Saturday 10 September (from 3pm to 5pm). Inspired by an increasingly popular trend in America, the event sees guests following a step-by- Gastropub serves up step painting guide while at the same time enjoying glasses of wine and a ‘painter’s platter’ of Bottomless Brunch canapes and nibbles. Commenting on the event, Robin Ford, general manager at Park Regis Birmingham, said: A Stratford-upon-Avon gastropub is “Whether you’re a seriously talented painter or an absolute beginner, everyone will be able to cre- now serving the ‘perfect’ antidote to ate a work of art to be proud of while enjoying a few glasses of wine and some delicious nibbles. If ‘the morning after the night before’. you’re thinking ‘I really can’t paint, I’d be terrible’, then you should definitely come along - you’d The One Elm’s Bottomless Brunch is be surprised at what you could create.” available every Saturday from 9am Tickets costing £35 - including all art materials, two glasses of wine and a painter’s platter - are until 3pm. It comprises two hours of available from parkregis.eventbrite.com bottomless dining plus soft or stiff drinking. A two-hour Soft Bottom slot costs £15, a two-hour Stiff Bottom, £20. To book Warwickshire venue as Sweet As heaven... a table for brunch, visit oneelmstrat- A Leamington Spa cake shop has opened a dessert parlour. ford.co.uk or call 01789 404919. Well regarded throughout Warwickshire for its wedding, chocolate and special-occasion cakes, Sweet As will now stay open late on Fridays and Saturdays to offer sweet-toothed customers the chance to indulge in more than 20 different desserts. “It’s always been my dream to create a Sweet As Dessert Parlour,” says owner Jenny Hudson, “but I thought we didn't have enough room. We had a little shuffle around in the shop and hey presto, the dream is realised! The dessert parlour is now open and ready for your tasting pleasure. We have seating inside for 10 and outside for another five, to immerse yourselves in pure Sweet As heaven.” Jenny Hudson whatsonlive.co.uk 13 Music - September - Warwicks_Worcs.qxp_Layout 1 22/08/2016 15:54 Page 1

Gigs

Haley Reinhart The Glee Club, Birmingham, Mon 19 September Twenty-five-year-old Haley Reinhart is an American singer, songwriter and voice actress from Chicago who rose to prominence after coming third in the 10th series of American Idol. Reinhart garnered widespread recognition in 2015 for performing and touring with Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox, and for her cover of Elvis' Can't Help Falling In Love. The latter appeared in a TV ad for Extra Gum, racking up nearly 13 million views on YouTube and peaking at number 16 on the US Adult Contemporary Chart. Reinhart made her voiceover debut last December, playing a little boy named Bill in the Netflix animated series, F Is For Family. She performs in the Midlands as part of a UK headline tour to support her new album, Better.

Inheaven Hypnotic Brass The Rainbow Venues, Birmingham, Ensemble Wed 14 September Hare & Hounds, Birmingham, Thurs 29 September Hypnotic Brass are an eight-piece Chicago-based ensemble consisting of eight sons of the jazz trumpeter Phil Cohran. Their musical style ranges from hip-hop and jazz to funk and rock, incorporating calypso and gypsy music along the way. They’ve recorded with artists such as Erykah Badu and Ghostface Killah, and performed with the likes of Wu Tang Clan, De La Soul, Prince, Femi Kuti and Gorillaz, to name but a few. Their hit song War was featured in box Hailing from south east London and certainly office favourite The Hunger Games. The ensemble’s latest release, Sound ones to watch out for, new kids on the block Rhythm & Form, is said to be ‘a teaser to Inheaven generate a sound that’s been satisfy the fans who’ve been waiting patiently for Bad Boys Of Jazz’, which is described as ‘an amp-pulverising noise that set to be released next year. Roy Harper updates the post-punk template for a new Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Wed 7 September generation’. English folk-rock singer Roy Harper has been on the professional music scene since the The band visit the Midlands this month for mid-1960s. With 23 studio LPs and almost as their first ever Birmingham headline show, many live and compilation releases to his name - not to mention public endorsements having previously supported Yak, Sundara from the likes of Fleet Foxes, Led Zeppelin and Kate Bush - it’s little wonder he’s been Karma and Circa Waves. They also appeared honoured with both the MOJO Hero Award (2005) and Lifetime Achievement Award at at Glastonbury, Field Day and Bilbao BBK the BBC Radio Two Folk Awards (2013). Live this summer. Roy visits Birmingham in celebration of his 75th birthday.

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Gig previews from around the region

Beth Orton O2 Institute, Birmingham, Wed 28 September

Best known for her folktronica sound, English singer-songwriter Beth Orton came to prominence in the mid-1990s via collaborations with William Orbit, Red Snapper and The Chemical Brothers. We Are Scientists Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt, the song Her first solo album, Trailer Park for which they’re best known. (she chooses not to count the earlier, Kasbah, Coventry, Sat 3 September The rock duo visit the Midlands this month Orbit-influenced SuperPinkyMandy, We Are Scientists’ breakthrough success in support of fifth album Helter Seltzer, which was released only in Japan), came with debut studio album With Love released earlier this year. received great critical acclaim, and And Squalor, which featured hit single she’s since released a further four - Central Reservation (1999), Daybreaker (2002), Comfort Of Strangers (2006) and Sugaring Season (2012). Lynched Megson Orton's latest offering, Kidsticks, Artrix, Bromsgrove, Fri 16 September Kitchen Garden Cafe, Birmingham, includes the song 1973, the music Tues 20 September video for which featured the singer Since releasing first album On The Side in spray-painting a federally protected 2004, husband-and-wife team Stu and cholla cactus and Joshua Tree in the Debbie Hanna have developed an enviable southern California desert. The local reputation on the English folk music circuit. community’s subsequent outrage led Specialising in self-composed melodies to Orton removing the video from which bring together intimate harmony online and publicly apologising on singing and multi-instrumental acoustic her Facebook page. playing, the pair have released numerous Combining distinctive four-part vocal har- albums since On The Side, with their latest monies with arrangements of uilleann studio offering - Good Times Will Come Of Mice & Men pipes, concertina, Russian accordion, fiddle Again - available now. O2 Academy, Birmingham, and guitar, this four-piece traditional folk Fri 30 September group from Dublin comprises Ian and Daragh Lynch, Radie Peat and Cormac Mac Diarmada. Although the band describe themselves as ‘folk miscreants’, their music is actually quite traditional, albeit with subtle traces of the group’s collective influences, from ambient techno and black metal to punk and rock’n’roll. Their 2013 album, Cold Old Fire, scored a Since the 2010 release of their self- massive hit, bringing together songs as titled debut album, Of Mice & Men diverse as murder ballads and protest have garnered plenty of critical anthems. Its success catapulted the four acclaim, amassed over 20 million friends into the glare of a mainstream spot- YouTube viewings and shared stages light for which their performance history with the likes of Metallica and had hardly prepared them - previous Queens Of The Stone Age. engagements had included a gig while sit- The metal quintet stop off in ting on bins, another on the top deck of a Birmingham this month as part of a bus, a tour of squats and a show in front of UK headline tour in support of new 300 glue-sniffing punks in the middle of a album Restoring Force. thunderstorm!

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FEATURE

Stephan Meier

Heather Kincaid talks to Birmingham Contemporary Music Group’s new Artistic Director…

Almost 30 years after helping to set up the organisation back in 1987, husband-and-wife team Stephen and Jackie Newbould have finally bid goodbye to Birmingham Contemporary Music Group, stepping down from their respective roles as Artistic Director and Executive Producer. Since 2001, under Stephen's watchful eye, BCMG has flowered into one of Europe's most well-respected music ensembles, and the departure of not just one, but two of its key figures is bound to entail major changes. The Artistic Director's shoes might be big ones to fill, but BCMG is confident it's found the right man for the job in percussionist, composer and conductor Stephan Meier, who is eager to get stuck in to the task ahead. What's On spoke to Meier to find out more about his background and his plans for the future of the group. “I'm finding it absolutely thrilling here so far!” Meier enthuses. “I feel like this is a very special story which I'm diving into at the moment.” Originally from Germany, Meier rose to prominence on the contemporary music scene as the founder and Artistic Director of Hanover's acclaimed Das Neue Ensemble. It was in this capacity that his awareness of BCMG and its work began to grow. “I've known some of the musicians here for quite a long time, having met them in Frankfurt and Berlin and other places where contemporary music is pushed forward. Those shared experiences have been in the background while working with my own Das Neue Ensemble.” As someone coming from outside the UK, Meier brings with him a wealth of knowledge about music from across Europe that will be invaluable in the role. His vision for BCMG is of a dynamic, outward-looking, international organisation that can hold its own on the world stage. “I'm looking forward to broadening the scope of

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by Heather Kincaid

BCMG and bringing more of the excellent First established in 1992, Sound Investment staying on as Artistic Director of Das Neue. music being worked on around the world to is a unique BCMG creation that pioneered “Having set up this small ensemble in Birmingham. I think it would be lovely to crowdfunding for new commissions long be- Hanover for contemporary music, I feel that build up BCMG's exceptional standard of fore the use of such methods of raising saying goodbye to it would be like giving up playing and performing knowledge on a money for creative projects became popu- my identity. But I don't think it will be a global level.” larised online. This radical approach has problem for me, otherwise I wouldn't have In this, he's not alone. Meier's arrival in proved highly successful, enabling BCMG to been chosen. Just look at Mirga, who I think Birmingham happens to coincide with the position itself at the forefront of contempo- has three jobs at the moment! My impression appointment of the Lithuanian Mirga rary music. To date, the scheme has given is that the board who appointed me would Gražinyt -Tyla as Music Director of the City rise to over 70 original works by an impres- see this as an advantage rather than a disad- of Birminghamė Symphony Orchestra, an or- sive array of composers, as well as encourag- vantage, because of the possibilities it opens ganisation with which BCMG has always fos- ing a sense of ownership and direct up for international exchange.” engagement from its supporters. tered strong ties. Add to this the ongoing Far from being troubled by the workload, redevelopment of the Birmingham Conserva- “The composers from the BCMG family, if I then, Meier is looking forward to the chal- toire under its new Principal, Julian Lloyd- may put it like that, are at the core of what lenges ahead. Having previously described Webber, as well as the arrival of Caroline we're doing over the coming months - people BCMG as “one of the world's finest new Newton as Executive Producer at BCMG, and like Thomas Adès and Colin Matthews, as music ensembles, admired for its joyous, un- the coming year starts to feel like a very ex- well as younger musicians like our fantastic compromising championing of the music of citing time for music in the city. Apprentice Composer-in-Residence Patrick today,” he views it as a privilege to lead the “I'm continuously meeting people who are Brennan. I'm very much looking forward to group through this exciting new chapter in really intensely keen to drive things forward, being part of this process of collaboration its story. and co-operation.” who are very open to new ideas and to every “There are two things, I believe, that make possibility. And not just in the musical field, Elsewhere, Meier will also be overseeing the this group so special. The first is the extraor- I have to add.” group's education and outreach arm, taking dinary capability of the players, who are all Among Meier's main responsibilities in his a lead on its various projects. working at a standard well above what is new position will be programming the many “BCMG has gained a worldwide reputation, usual. The second is the way in which they concerts and events that fill the BCMG calen- not only artistically, but also in the sector work together as an ensemble. There is a re- dar, as well as commissioning new work which they call Learning & Participation. I ally wonderful community of musicians here from current composers. For the 2016/17 sea- would say that currently, the main focus is - 'work' is almost not the right word to de- son, he will be mainly focused on continuing on young people, so I hope to extend that to scribe what they are doing, since you can see the work of his predecessor and seeing encompass the wider public. We have won- how much they're enjoying going on these through projects already set in motion. derful plans in terms of broadening these ac- adventures together. It's a fantastic starting “For the next 12 months, Stephen has set a tivities, and I hope that all curious people point for me to build from.” wonderful programme celebrating all the will want to share with BCMG in exploring things that BCMG has reached and achieved. what today's music will be.” Our next season will be about building up a Without a doubt, it's going to be an ex- Stephan Meier's tenure as Artistic Direc- strong network of nationwide and worldwide tremely busy period for Meier. As well as tor of BCMG begins with the 2016/17 sea- eminent composers and conductors, as well spending time mapping out the future of son. A full programme of events and as building up the Sound Investment BCMG, he'll also be continuing with much of activities is available at whatsonlive.co.uk scheme.” his work back home in Germany, including

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Festivals

Moseley Folk Festival Moseley Park, Birmingham, Fri 2 - Sun 4 September There’s no need to walk 500 miles to see The Proclaimers this month - they’re much closer to home than that, sharing headlining duties at this genre-hopping annual festival. Presented in the stunning setting of Moseley Park, the event has a reputation for punching above its weight when it comes to enticing star names, and this year is no exception. Along with Scottish twins Craig and Charlie, who’ll draw proceedings to a close on the Sunday, the line-up also includes Levellers, The Coral, The Jayhawks and Billy Bragg. Other notable names taking to the stage at the three-day festival are Phosphorescent, Songhoy Blues, Oysterband and Benjamin Francis Leftwich. Line-up at a glance: Levellers, The Coral, The Proclaimers, Billy Bragg, The Jayhawks, Songhoy Blues, Phosphorescent, Oysterband, Benjamin Francis Leftwich, Jacqui McShee’s Pentangle, Sam Lee & Friends, This Is The Kit, Laura Gibson, Steve Tilston.

Kenilworth Arts Festival Stafford Blues Festival Rockstock And Barrel The Chimneys, Willington, Derbyshire, Various venues, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, Lower Drayton Farm, Nr Penkridge, Fri 30 September - Sat 1 October Mon 12 - Sun 18 September Staffordshire, Fri 2 - Sun 4 September A small but perfectly formed event is how its “Our aim,” explain the organisers of Eager to ensure the second edition of relatively modest band of dedicated enthusi- Kenilworth Arts Festival, “is to bring together the Stafford Blues Festival builds on asts would describe Rockstock And Barrel, a some of the finest contemporary music, liter- the promising notes sounded by last festival taking place in the shadow of the ature and art from across the country, as well year’s inaugural offering, organisers Willington cooling towers. as to offer a platform for bright local talent. have added what they describe as ‘a Live power lines overhead, an atmosphere “That said, it’s important to point out that touch of rock’ to this year’s event. The sparking with electricity, plenty of highly ‘arts’ isn’t intended as a code word for Sick Notes, Stuart Woolfenden and charged music and no small amount of ‘hodgepodge’. We have a very clear vision for Rock Dogs will all be on hand to offer brain-battering cider ensure the two-day the festival, and our insistence on quality, a side-order of headbanging to go event boasts a style and character all its originality and contemporary creative with the main dish of chilled-out jazz own. expression will shape the programme of and blues. This year’s line-up features Nottingham folk- events.” There’s also a Women In Blues day, punk/ska band Ferocious Dog and South Previously called the Kenilworth Festival and featuring contributions from female Yorkshire blues/rockers Black Tartan Clan, rebranded for this year, the event includes artists including the internationally both of whom are headlining. contributions from critically acclaimed con- acclaimed Judy Emeline and up-and- temporary artists and keynote speakers. coming local talent Rheanna Line-up at a glance: Ferocious Dog (pic- There are numerous workshops to attend as Forrester. tured), Black Tartan Clan, The Lagan, Blind well, and a free, open-air, child-friendly get- A jam/open-mic session kickstarts Fever Hillbilly Blues, Headsticks, Star together in Abbey Fields featuring music, proceedings on the Thursday, at what Botherers, Emma And The Professor, We food, arts & crafts and stalls selling local promises to be a pleasantly low-key Steal Flyers, The Bar-Steward Sons Of Val produce. get-together boasting a relaxed, family Doonican, The Blue Horizon, The Eskies. atmosphere. Line-up at a glance: Jason Rebello, Kitty MacFarlane, Line-up at a glance: Stu Woolfenden, Luke Jackson, Rachel The Sick Notes, Rockdogs, Bang To Sermanni (pictured), Rights, Rainbreakers, Lol Goodman Rebecca Omonira-Oyekanmi, Band, Pistol Pete Wearn, Used Blues, Rob Cowen, The Ayoub Ged Wilson, Ben Miles, Cold Flame, Sisters, Andrew Davies, Voodoo Stone, Blackfish, The Zoe Claire Trevien, David Morley, Green Band, Maggie Thomas, Narn, Jo Bell, Jonathan Edwards, The Bonny Lou Band, Imaner, Luke Kennard, Sarah Howe. Northbound, Barrel House Jukes.

For more festivals visit whatsonlive.co.uk 19 Comedy September.qxp_Layout 1 22/08/2016 15:10 Page 1

Comedy

Romesh Ranganathan William Aston Hall, Wrexham, Sat 24 September; Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Sun 25 September; Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa, Thurs 29 September; Malvern Theatre, Sat 8 October; Birmingham Town Hall, Sun 9 & Wed 12 October; Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Fri 14 October; Victoria Hall, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, Sat 29 October Romesh Ranganathan’s transition from maths teacher to stand-up comedian wasn’t always an easy one. "When I was starting out,” Romesh recalls, “I’d be performing to one man and his dog in a local pub, and all of a sudden my sixth for- mers would turn up to watch me die on stage. Telling them off in class the following day was certainly not easy!” With his support slots having included one for Ricky Gervais, Romesh has become a familiar face on TV, having lent his talents to, among other series, Live At The Apollo and Stand Up For The Week. He’s returning to the Midlands this month with brand new show Irrational, in which he’ll not only examine the global issues close to his heart but also explain why everybody else is wrong about them...

Six of the best...

Sara Andrea Funhouse Pascoe Hubert Comedy Stratford The Glee Club, Night Artshouse, Thurs Fri 23 - Sat 24 Brewhouse Arts 22 September September Centre, Thurs 22 In common with At a gangly 6ft 2in, September Mitch Benn Andrea Hubert BRMB presenter (opposite page), stands out from Tom Binns became Sara Pascoe is the crowd even former BRMB pre- clear about one before she opens senter Tom Binns thing - there are no off-limit subjects when it her mouth, let alone tells a joke. on Christmas Day 2009. It was on that day comes to comedy. A second-place finish in all manner of presti- that he stopped the Birmingham radio sta- “People forgive the subject matter when they gious stand-up competitions offers tion’s broadcast of the Queen's Speech, find something funny,” she says, “but that irrefutable evidence of the consistently high declared it to be “Two words: Bor-ring”, and doesn’t mean the comedian has no responsi- quality of her material. played the Wham song Last Christmas bility to question their own material. If Her Edinburgh stand-up show this summer instead... According to Tom, there’s plenty they’re going to tell a joke about rape, they took the theme of depression - not a subject more to that story than meets the eye, but the should first consider how you might feel if that’s an obvious bag of laughs but certainly bottom line is that he was subsequently you’ve been a victim of it. If, after that, they one that’s been significant in Andrea’s life. sacked from the station. Not that the dis- still feel it’s a joke worth telling, then they’ll Having suffered with the ‘black dog’ for missal has weighed too heavily on his career be doing so with complete faith in their own years, she finally decided to take antidepres- in the years which have followed, thanks in material, which is great.” sants - and hasn’t looked back since. She no small measure to his impressive comic tal- Sara first entered the realm of stand-up com- would advise anybody in a similar position to ent. edy back in 2007. Since that time she’s con- follow her lead - just bite the bullet and swal- He’s best known on the circuit for his alter tinued to develop both her act and her CV, low the pill. “Do take them,” she urges. egos, Ivan Brackenbury - an inept hospital with roles in The Thick Of It and Being “Positive feelings will start to creep in. radio DJ - and Ian D Montford - a man whose Human sitting alongside her live work. Embrace them the way you would a polite propensity for getting things wrong belies his new boyfriend after years of bastards.” belief that he’s Britain's top psychic. Tom here appears as both characters. 20 whatsonlive.co.uk Comedy September.qxp_Layout 1 22/08/2016 15:10 Page 2

Mitch Benn Artrix, Bromsgrove, Sat 10 September; Wolverhampton Art Gallery, Thurs 22 September “I wouldn’t say there’s an absolutely taboo subject when it comes to comedy,” says Mitch Benn, who visits the Midlands this month with his Don’t Believe A Word tour, “but there are some things which are just so hard to make funny, you’d probably just upset yourself and everyone else by trying. Sure, I have the right to crack jokes about everything. The question is, do I have the capacity to crack jokes about everything? Am I that good that I can take the most abhorrent subjects and make them funny? “I’ve often thought that offensive humour is a bit of an oddity. In my mind, if something’s offensive, then it’s not funny. I’m also quite suspicious of self-consciously dark humour. My problem with it is that I think it shifts the burden onto the audience. It makes it their job to find me funny, rather than it being my job to make them laugh. As a comedian, I believe it’s never the audience’s responsibility to find you funny.”

Ross Bridget Tape Face Noble Christie The Core, Solihull, Sun 18 September; The Place, Royal Shakespeare Royal Spa Centre, Oakengates, Theatre, Stratford- Leamington Spa, Shropshire, upon-Avon, Sun 18 Wed 12 October; Thurs 22 - Fri 23 September mac, Birmingham, September Bridget Christie Thurs 13 - Sat 15 Geordie comic October; Wulfrun describes herself as Hall, W’hampton, Ross Noble may ‘a female person’ Tues 1 November not have hit the and ‘the only stand- Otherwise known heights once up to have been billed as The Boy With Tape On His Face, hailed as expected of him, but he’s undoubtedly one alongside both Lionel Blair and Naomi Wolf’. a modern-day Buster Keaton and described of the UK’s most talented funnymen. He also Bridget’s appearance at the Royal as 'a mad scientist of vaudevillian pranks', has a nice line in surreal comedy, never gives Shakespeare Theatre, alongside comedian there's no question that Canadian comedian an audience the same show twice, and and writer Andy Hamilton, is sandwiched Sam Wills brings something to the table boasts hundreds of thousands of followers between her Edinburgh Festival appearances that’s just a little bit different. on Twitter. and numerous London performances of Mime with noise, stand-up with no talking, He’s heading for the Midlands this month to Because You Demanded It, her new show and drama with no acting are among the perform a warm-up for his brand new show, about Brexit. novelty numbers he peddles in his shows, Brain Dump, and includes among his jokes, “If you didn’t want to leave the EU,” says which have also been known to draw on a “If the Pope doesn't want to be knocked Bridget, “or you did, but now don’t because heritage that includes magic, puppetry and down, he shouldn't dress up as a skittle”. everything’s gone to shit, then this is Motown. absolutely the show for you.” Oh, and the films of Patrick Swayze... Gags include: “Every vagina is a unique snowflake... made of gammon”, and “Feminism isn’t a fad. It’s not like Angry Birds. Although it does involve a lot of angry birds. Bad example.”

For more comedy listings visit whatsonlive.co.uk 21 Isy Suttie DPS.qxp_Layout 1 22/08/2016 15:09 Page 1

FEATURE

22 whatsonlive.co.uk Isy Suttie DPS.qxp_Layout 1 22/08/2016 15:09 Page 2

by Brian Donaldson Isy Suttie

Best known for playing Dobby in Channel Four’s Peep Show, comedian Isy Suttie this month visits the Midlands to promote her book, The Actual One. What’s On recently caught up with her to find out more…

Isy Suttie has been swapping the lights of the after with. And nor is it me going about leav- pared to some things where you’re running stage for the glow of her desk lamp recently, ing my knickers on rugby posts. It’s quite an out of time and everyone is a bit knackered. and now that she's completed her book, The honest account of me bumbling through life But with Peep Show, even when we were re- Actual One, she's back on tour with a new trying to make the best of things.” ally up against it, the cast and the director show of the same name. However, it’s not ex- Certainly, Isy Suttie has made more than the never made it feel like work. A lot of that is to actly like a regular stand-up tour - as she ex- best of things when it comes to her career in do with the writing; when you know you plains: “It’s effectively a book tour, but I still comedy to date, with a series of successful have a really great script, everyone is more want to make it as varied as possible, so Edinburgh Fringe shows under her belt. relaxed and you’re on a very solid founda- there’ll be bits of stand-up and songs and I’ll Love Lost In The British Retail Industry was tion.” be chatting to the audience. The book is an her acclaimed 2007 character-led debut, Now that Suttie is a published author as well account of me being single and in various re- while her most recent appearance was in as a TV actress, musical comedian and lationships in my late 20s/early 30s, but 2011, with Pearl And Dave. “When I was award-winning radio playwright (her adapta- what’s come out from the writing of it is a cel- growing up, I always wanted to be an actress tion of Pearl And Dave for Radio Four won ebration of friendship. What I do generally is and musician. I never thought I’d go into the Sony Radio Academy Award in 2013), her quite upbeat, and I’m not about to do a series comedy, although I was always larking about career’s building blocks are rock-solid. And of one-liners about misery, so it will hope- and playing the fool at school. I used to write thanks to her aforementioned ‘book tour’, fully be quite spirited and fun.” these serious songs, and around the age of 2016 is proving to be a big year for her. When she came to deciding how she wanted 18, I really thought I could be a folk singer “When you’re writing a live show, you just to structure The Actual One (the working title and an actress. I just knew that I’d want to have to think, ‘Is this funny?’ You might say, of which was Glass Half Full), Suttie took a tell stories in my songs.” ‘Well, I’ve done enough funny stuff to earn degree of inspiration from Lena Dunham, the It would be fair to say that music has been an the right to talk about my dead grandfather creator of US hit comedy-drama Girls and au- important element in much of Suttie’s work. for 10 minutes’, but when you’re writing a thor of Not That Kind Of Girl. “Her book is As a teenager, she was a regional winner in book, you can allow yourself a bit of space. written in essay form where there’s no narra- the Daily Telegraph Young Jazz Competition, You can plunge deeper down in a book than tive per se or even a thread running through while a few years later she won the Julian you can on stage. I love doing radio, but it; it’s just chapters about different periods of Slade Songwriting Competition. Subse- you’re always a bit confined because you her life, and that works brilliantly. I’d toyed quently, she’s been tour support for one of can’t talk about sex unless you’re alluding to with doing my book that way, but it felt that her heroes (ex-Carter The Unstoppable Sex it. With the book, I found I could write about the right thing was to write about a concen- Machine leader Jim Bob) and enlisted the whatever I wanted, with no need to shy away trated period of time.” help of another idol, The Stranglers’ Jean- from any of those cringey and sometimes sad One of the main events in this period features Jacques Burnel, for a short film she made, moments that feel more honest. I had a rule the time Suttie was back at her parents’ The Best Night Of Roxy’s Life. that I wouldn’t write anything in the book house feeling a little sorry for herself having TV has also come a-calling for Suttie, with that I wouldn’t say on stage. I do talk about just witnessed her pregnant best mate mov- appearances opposite Alan Davies in BBC sex; I mean, it’s not Jordan’s autobiography ing away. “As a joke, my mum and I set up an kitchen drama Whites, as a regular character or anything, but if I thought it would be good internet dating profile for me and she started in Shameless’ 11th season and, in arguably for the reader to know something, then I’d choosing guys for me and logging in as me. It her biggest coup, a recurring role across sev- put it in. And the best bit, of course, is that culminated in a bet where, if I didn’t end up eral seasons as Dobby in Peep Show. With you can’t see people’s faces when they’re with a boyfriend in a month, I’d go on a date that series coming to a close in 2015, it was reading it.” with someone she’d chosen. She really got the right moment for Suttie to reflect on into it. I talk a lot in the book about the na- being part of one of Britain’s most critically ture of relationships according to my experi- adored sitcoms of recent times. ence, and the fact that I know more unhappy Isy Suttie brings her The Actual One Book “When I got on Peep Show, I didn’t fully re- people who are in relationships than aren’t. Tour to the Glee Club, Birmingham on alise how big it was. I remember being nerv- This isn’t a book that’s the equivalent of a Friday 23 September. ous for the whole of my first series because it romcom, where I’m all Bridget Jonesy and Hard copies of The Actual One are now felt like a big jump for me. The writing never eventually find someone to live happily ever available from all leading book shops. wavered, and it was so relaxed there com-

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Dance Dance previews from around the region

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Birmingham Hippodrome, Fri 23 - Sat 24 September It’s been six years since the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater last performed in Birmingham, so this return visit is long over- due. Since forming in the late 1950s, the company has bedazzled more than 20 million people across 70-plus countries on six continents and continues to impress with its the- atrical style of performance. The ensemble here present a repertoire of seven shows across two days. Their all-too-brief stop-off at the Hippodrome is brought to a close with a performance of Revelations. Choreographed by founding father Ailey and first performed in 1960, the work uses song-sermons, spiritu- als, holy blues and gospel songs to tell the story of the African-American journey from slavery to freedom.

National Dance Company notion of rhythm - and Lee Johnston’s They BRB: The Tempest Seek To Find The Happiness They Seem, a Of Wales: Folk ‘heart-wrenching exploration of the separa- Birmingham Hippodrome, Sat 1 - Sat 8 October DanceXchange, The Patrick Centre, tion and disconnection within a relation- Birmingham Hippodrome, ship’. Thurs 22 - Fri 23 September David Bintley’s full-length ballet version of The Tempest has been a long time coming - 30 years, in fact. Rosie Kay Dance “Thirty years ago I made my first full-length ballet, The Swan Of Tuonela,” explains Company Double Bill David, the artistic director of Birmingham mac, Birmingham, Royal Ballet, the company next month per- Thurs 15 - Sat 16 September forming the brand new work. “The music Rosie Kay’s Midlands-based company here was derived from a number of Sibelius’s present two pieces that perfectly illustrate scores, including the overture from his inci- why the ensemble is so highly regarded on dental music to The Tempest. Later, I the UK dance scene. acquired a recording of the complete music Bach, dubstep and electronica provide the and was fired to make a ballet. soundscape against which the dancers per- Unfortunately my excitement was tempered form Double Points: K, an impressive study by my feeling that this music, excellent National Dance Company Wales’ new artistic of synchronicity and stamina. though it was, was not the score for me to director, Caroline Finn, is one of three lead- Meanwhile, it’s the paintings of visual arts make ‘my’ Tempest to, so the idea was rele- ing choreographers whose work is being duo Huntley Muir that provide the compa- gated to the back burner.” presented in this brand new show. Well ny’s inspiration for Motel - a ‘dark, sexy and And there it remained - until, that is, David known for her quirky style, Finn here pres- exciting’ work exploring the spaces in which discovered the music of British composer ents Folk, a darkly comic piece that explores ‘illicit affairs occur and secret relationships Sally Beamish. “Her output is pictorial in the theme of social dynamics. play out’. concept,” he says, “often lyrical, dramatic, “I wanted to create a community in which pulse driven and strongly, recognisably the characters could exist that was surreal structured. Imagine my delight on meeting yet familiar,” explains Caroline, “a world her and learning that she’d longed to write that we can all relate to on some level but for dance!” which isn’t immediately identifiable or Bintley’s Tempest is the highlight of recognisable. Folk is a piece which features Birmingham Royal Ballet’s contribution to some quite intense moments, but it also has Shakespeare400, a nationwide festival mark- a dash of dark British humour.” ing the 400th anniversary of the play- Alongside Finn’s work, the company also wright’s death. The ballet will head out on a performs Alexander Ekman’s Tuplet - a witty UK tour following its premiere at the and high-octane exploration of the simple Hippodrome next month.

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Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

Sister Act New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Mon 12 - Sat 17 September; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Mon 27 February - Sat 4 March; Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Mon 8 - Sat 13 May Alexandra Burke stars in this hit show, which is based on the Whoopi Goldberg film of the same name and directed by Craig Revel Horwood. Packed to the rafters with songs inspired by Motown, funk, soul and disco, Sister Act tells the story of disco diva Deloris Van Cartier. After witnessing a murder, Deloris is put in protective custody by the police, in the one place they feel confident she won't be found - a convent, and disguised as a nun...

The Importance Of Labels ed snakes!”... Patrick Marley’s well-reviewed work is a Being Earnest Lichfield Garrick, Fri 30 September thoughtfully compiled celebration of the The REP, Birmingham, Worklight Theatre came to prominence five flawed genius that Wilde so colourfully and Fri 9 - Sat 24 September years ago with their debut show, How To accurately described himself to be in De Start A Riot. They’ve been building a solid Profundis. The production visits various reputation for thoughtfully constructed stage points in the writer’s life, introducing the work ever since. people who influenced him and charting the Labels, their third offering, is a one-man triumphs and tragedies of one of Irish litera- show that seeks to highlight the dangers of ture’s most talented and controversial char- trivialising racism, examining how the use of acters. language reflects people’s personal preju- dices and those of society in general. The show uses comedy, storytelling and spo- A Slave To Love ken word to highlight its message, with per- mac, Birmingham, Fri 16 - Sat 17 September former Joe Sellman-Leava warning his audience to expect ‘paper planes, racist “My play is set in 1860 Jamestown, Virginia,” romances and lots of sticky labels!’ explains writer and director Nathalie Bazan in talking about her new work. “It tells the story of three slaves sold at auction to Patrick Marley: Governor John Johnson to work on his small “We're not messing with genius,” says Curve plantation. Leicester's Artistic Director, Nikolai Foster, in Wilde At Heart “As the story unfolds, we discover the truth speaking about the venue’s new version of The Bear Pit Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, behind the lies, the secrets kept hidden and Oscar Wilde’s classic comedy, a co-produc- Fri 16 - Sat 17 September the sacrifices made for love. A life is at risk tion with Birmingham Rep. “People who “The gods had given me almost everything,” for committing the ultimate crime. Falling in know and love the play are going to get a wrote Oscar Wilde in De Profundis, the letter love. Or was it des- very fine reading of it. he sent to his lover, Lord Alfred Douglas, tiny all along?” “Hopefully it's the best of both worlds: I from his cell in Reading gaol, where he’d Containing strong think young people coming to see it for the been imprisoned for acts of gross indecency language and first time will love the anarchy of these with other males. “Genius, brilliancy, intel- scenes of nudity young people telling porkies and creating lectual daring. Whatever I touched I made and violence, A alter-egos to escape their overbearing par- beautiful... Along with these things, I had Slave To Love is ents and guardians, and people who’re a bit things that were different. I let myself be presented in associ- older and know the play will get to see some- lured into long spells of senseless and sensu- ation with Lying thing very glamorous and unlike any produc- al ease... The danger was half the excite- Lips Theatre tion they've ever seen before.” ment... They were to me the brightest of gild- Company.

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Do something different, see something new

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0844 338 5000 birminghamhippodrome.com Calls cost 4.5p per min plus access charge. 5% transaction charge applies excluding cash sales in person. Theatre September .qxp_Layout 1 22/08/2016 15:08 Page 3

Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Birmingham Hippodrome, Wed 7 - Sun 18 September Everybody's favourite flying car makes a welcome return to the Midlands this month, complete with ‘sensational’ sets, ‘stunning’ special effects, the Sherman Brothers’ mem- orable score and a high-energy cast headed by Lee Mead, Claire Sweeney and comedian Phill Jupitus. When eccentric inventor Caractacus Potts (Mead) creates an amazing flying car, he takes his family to the fictional country of Vulgaria. But all is not well in the European barony, where the sinister Baron Bomburst has decided to make children illegal... Truly Scrumptious, Toot Sweets, Hushabye Mountain and the Oscar-nominated title song feature among the show’s best-known musical numbers.

Little Shop Of Horrors by the playwright in 1997, is every bit as orig- Disco Pigs inal and thought-provoking as her later Lichfield Garrick, Tues 20 - Sat 24 September; award winner. The REP, Birmingham, New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Tues 27 Thurs 29 September - Sat 1 October September - Sat 1 October Set in the 1920s, it focuses on the friendship between Dora and Persephone, who find Enda Walsh’s fast and furious play, about This cult, tongue-in-cheek show is an affec- themselves incarcerated in a hospital for the the fragility of a friendship that asks too tionate spoof of 1950s science fiction movies. criminally insane. Dora is there for wishing much, caused a significant stir when it It’s probably best known from its 1980s film to dress and live like a man, Persephone debuted at the Edinburgh Fringe way back version, which featured a hilarious turn from because she bore an illegitimate child. in 1997. Steve Martin as sadistic dentist Orin As the years pass and their desperation Darren and Sinead have known one another Scrivello. The show-stealing role is here intensifies, the friends adopt alter egos and all of their lives, having been born seconds taken by Welsh baritone and one-time X take refuge in a fantasy world of their own apart in Cork City hospital. They’re close - Factor star Rhydian Roberts, whose musical creation - a world inhabited by Doris Day, almost telepathically close. So close, in fact, theatre CV includes productions of Grease, Bolshevik women, a Moulinex hand whisk that they’ve renamed themselves Pig and We Will Rock You, The War Of The Worlds, and airswimming... Runt, developed their very own language Jesus Christ Superstar and The Rocky Horror and created a special fantasy world in which Show. they can shelter from reality. But as they pre- The Collector pare to enjoy a 17th birthday binge, it’s clear that all is no longer well between the pair. Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Tues 27 September; Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Pig needs more from Runt, and Runt needs Thurs 29 September - Sat 1 October more from life. When When the pro-Western Nazir is offered a job reality violently col- as a translator by the Allies in Iraq’s Mazrat lides with their fan- Prison, once one of Saddam Hussein's most tasy, it isn’t too long notorious torture houses, he gratefully before their self-cre- accepts. The money he makes will allow him ated world begins to to marry his sweetheart, Zoya. He’ll also be crumble... able to feel that he’s making a positive contribution towards the building of a new Iraq. But when he’s recognised by a new prisoner, Dial M For Murder a psychotic supporter of the old regime, it Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham, isn’t long before Nazir’s life becomes a living Thurs 22 September - Sat 1 October hell... Frederick Knott’s erotic tale of betrayal, pas- Henry Naylor's highly acclaimed show sion and murder is best known from its 1954 Airswimming bagged the prestigious Scotsman Fringe First Alfred Hitchcock-directed film version star- Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham, Award at the 2014 Edinburgh Festival, a suc- ring Ray Milland and Grace Kelly. Fri 23 September cess which was followed by a sold-out run at When Tony becomes convinced that wife Charlotte Jones may be best known for her London's Arcola Theatre. 2001 offering, Humble Boy, but this sad-yet- Margot is having an affair, he devises a plan funny story of two forgotten women, written to have her murdered...

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Theatre

The Shawshank Redemption Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Tues 27 September - Sat 1 October Given that film critics regard The Shawshank Redemption as one of the greatest movies of all time, it’s hardly surprising to find that its stage version is out on the road and doing good business. Based on a 1982 Stephen King novella, the story revolves around the character of Andy Dufresne, a man serving a double life sentence at the notorious Shawshank facility. An unlikely friendship with prison fixer Red makes life a little more bearable - but when the warden decides to make Andy’s life hell, the nothing- to-lose lifer hatches a daring and ingenious plan to escape... Paul Nicholls (Joe Wickes in EastEnders), Ben Onwukwe (Stuart McKenzie in London’s Burning) and Jack Ellis (Prime Suspect, Coronation Street) star.

The Rover Lady Anna: All At Sea Who’s Afraid Of Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, Malvern Theatres, Virginia Woolf? Thurs 8 September - Sat 11 February Mon 26 September - Sat 1 October Artrix, Bromsgrove, Sat 17 - Sun 18 September; Palace Theatre, Redditch, Thurs Thirty years after last being staged by the 22 - Sat 24 September RSC (as part of the Swan Theatre’s opening season), this anarchic restoration comedy Edward Albee’s 1962 play is best remembered makes a welcome return to Stratford for a from its film version, which starred Richard new generation to enjoy. It was written by Burton and Elizabeth Taylor. Aphra Behn, a woman considered by many The play focuses on a middle-aged couple to be the first ever professional female play- named Martha and George and examines the wright in England. spectacular decline of their marriage. As the Premiering in 1677, The Rover presents the couple wage war against one another, in the story of three wandering cavaliers, exiled “Last year was the bicentenary of process drawing their young house-party from Cromwell’s England, who meet up in a Anthony Trollope’s birth,” says his guests into a series of all-or-nothing ‘games’, Spanish colony as carnival begins. descendant, the novelist Joanna it becomes increasingly hard for them to dis- When three wealthy sisters disappear into Trollope, “so what could celebrate it tinguish the line between fact and fiction... the city in search of love, an evening of better than a play inspired by his novel This particular staging is presented by local seduction, intrigue and danger is very much about one of the great themes of our theatre troupe All & Sundry. in prospect... own times - that of defying convention “We’re basing it in a kind of reinvented 17th and convenience to follow one’s heart. century world,” explains director Loveday Even the title of the play is apt, since he The Woman In Black Ingram. “Essentially, we've taken all the was at sea when he wrote it, on his way Lichfield Garrick, Tues 13 - Sat 17 September; ingredients that make up the play - the carni- to Australia.” Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Tues 18 - Sat 22 October val, the Catholicism, Spanish colonial rule, Busying himself aboard a steamship by the excessiveness, the wonderful, multicul- writing a scandal entitled Lady Anna, The Woman In Black, adapted by Stephen tural, dangerous city - and we've created our Trollope finds that his story of intrigue, Mallatratt from the Susan Hill novel, is a own version of it. It's very exciting to bring it rebellion and social politics proves classic ghost story first performed in 1989. to life - it should feel hot, steamy and sexy in hugely divisive among his fellow pas- It’s since become one of the West End's most a way that's not necessarily English, I hope.” sengers... successful plays and was made into a film Craig Baxter’s dramatisation of the 1873 starring Daniel Radcliffe in 2012. novel was commissioned by the Solicitor Arthur Kipp believes that his family Trollope Society as part of the author’s have somehow been cursed by a mysterious bicentenary celebrations and sees a woman in black. In an attempt to tell his cast of seven playing multiple roles. story, and to exorcise the evil curse which Although the production hasn’t met he’s convinced hangs over him, he hires a with universal acclaim since debuting young actor to assist him in recounting his last summer, it’s certainly enjoyed its experiences... fair share of exuberant reviews.

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Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

Cats Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Mon 5 - Sat 10 September A spectacular and captivating adaptation of TS Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book Of Practical Cats, this Andrew Lloyd Webber production has been performed in over 300 cities in more than 20 countries around the world. It's also widely considered to be the show that redefined the modern musical. As well as paving the way for a seemingly relentless stream of blockbuster hits, it also gave starring roles to Elaine Page, Sarah Brightman and Brian Blessed. All in all, then, one helluva the- atrical experience...

My Big Fat Cow Pat Stick Man Giants On The Hill Wedding Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton, Fri 23 - Sat 24 September Thurs 29 September Newhampton Arts Centre, Wolverhampton, Wed 28 September; Quatt Village Hall, “Scamp Theatre send shivers down my In a fictional rural community, two farming Bridgnorth, South Shropshire, Fri 30 spine,” reveals Julia Donaldson, the co-cre- families find their longstanding friendship September ator (along with Alex Scheffler) of the hugely put under strain when they discover that a Based on the lives and stories of Midlanders, popular children’s book on which this show large wind farm is to be developed nearby... this three-way co-commission from Black is based. “They’re so lively and innovative. I Centric Theatre Company are the ensemble Country Touring, Arts Alive and Kali Theatre love their production of Stick Man, and so do behind this thought-provoking work, which garnered plenty of positive reviews on a pre- the audiences.” seeks to take a balanced view in the topical vious tour of theatre venues and village Julia’s not wrong - audiences most definitely debate about wind turbines and the urgent halls. It focuses on the wedding reception of do love the show, as a smash-hit season in need to find sustainable energy sources. As country girl Clare and city boy Arjun, in the the West End ably demonstrated. befits the subject matter, Centric have been process taking a lighthearted look at mixed Featuring a trio of talented performers, the exploring ways to enable their production to marriages and rural weddings. Fast-paced production brings together puppetry, songs, function 'off grid', with the three performers and peppered with neat twists, the show also live music and ‘funky moves’ to tell the story generating the energy to power the show. boasts an end-of-performance disco Bhangra of Stick Man’s desperate attempts to get back dance, designed to get the audience up on to the family tree. their feet and moving to the beat. Suitable for children aged three and older. Romeo And Juliet Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire, Thurs 8, Sat 10, Mon 12 & Wed 14, Fri 16 & Honk! The Musical Sat 17 September Widely regarded as Shakespeare’s fifth The Old Rep, Birmingham, tragedy, this story of a forbidden and secret Wed 14 - Sat 17 September love tends to fair less well critically than the At the time of writing, Stiles & Drewe’s hit rest of the playwright’s high-profile works. musical has been performed in excess of Nonetheless, its popularity is ensured by its 8,000 times, at venues across the world. It's timeless themes and its regular appearance based on Hans Christian Andersen's The as a study text on the National Curriculum. Ugly Duckling and tells the story of an odd- This new version of the play, presented by looking baby duck and his quest to find his Here To There Productions, sets the action in mother. But while en route, he encounters a England in the rock’n’roll era of the mid- beautiful swan tangled in a fishing line and 1950s. Expect teddy boys, greasers on motor- subsequently falls in love... bikes and an original score played by a live This quacker of a well-hatched story is here band. presented by Great Barr Musical Theatre Company.

For more theatre previews visit whatsonlive.co.uk 33 Mandela Triology DPS.qxp_Layout 1 22/08/2016 15:02 Page 1

FEATURE

THE MANDELA TRILOGY Cape Town Opera this month return to Birmingham Hippodrome to present an epic operatic tribute to the life of Nelson Mandela...

On 11 February 1990, 27 years after he was opera sees three singers - tenor Lukhany- first imprisoned and in the face of consider- oMoyake and baritones Mandla Mndebele able political pressure, Nelson Mandela fi- and Yamikani Mahaka-Phiri - portray differ- nally regained his freedom. Four years ent incarnations of the character. later, at the age of 75, he would go on to be- “We're three different individuals, and the come both the oldest and the first non- versions of him are like different charac- white president in South African history. ters,” says Mahaka-Phiri. “So every now The image of the serene elder statesman, and then, we might have similar gestures, with his careworn eyes, broad smile and but mostly Mandela's power resides in still- awe-inspiring presence, is now ingrained in ness. He doesn't need to do much. He can The message is minds the world over, yet that familiar pic- command people just with his voice and his ‘‘ ture represents just a tiny portion of his life. presence, and that's something the three of very strong - we Though his long struggle against apartheid us really worked on.” has gone down in history, it's easy to forget “Nobody can imitate Mandela's charisma,” need to strive about the flawed humanity of the man be- Williams adds, “but each performer brings hind the legend. his own, and by having different people in- for a non-racial Written and directed by Michael Williams terpreting him, you start to get a sense of and performed by the outstanding, world- the whole.” society... class Cape Town Opera, Mandela Trilogy il- Alongside the three Mandelas, the show luminates a life that spanned almost an also introduces three of the women in his entire century, with an innovative score by life - his first wife Evelyn (Pumza Mxinwa), Mike Campbell and Peter Louis van Dijk. his second wife and partner in politics Win- “Mandela himself said, 'I am more a sinner nie (Siphamandla Yakupa), and the jazz ” than a saint,'” says Michael Williams. singer Dolly Rathebe (Candida Mosoma) “You'll see that elder statesman in the final with whom he became involved before his section of the piece, but you're also going to second marriage. see the brash, eager young man who stole “Dolly is a huge icon!” Mosoma explains. his father's cattle, high-tailed it out of the “She was an amazing crooner, a beautiful village on a train and went to work in a blues and jazz singer, and she was consid- mine. You'll see the suave, elegant man in a ered to be South Africa's first black pin-up suit, a womaniser with a cigarette in hand girl.” as if he's Cary Grant. You'll see how he Though her relationship with Mandela has made a lot of mistakes and that he origi- never been widely spoken of, in the 2003 nally called for violence, which he later re- documentary Sophiatown, Rathebe inti- gretted.” mated that during the time she knew him in Divided into three acts, each correlating the ’90s, they were close enough that she with different periods in Mandela's life, the would have married him if he had asked

34 whatsonlive.co.uk Mandela Triology DPS.qxp_Layout 1 22/08/2016 15:02 Page 2

by Heather Kincaid

her. But there were reasons why that was not “I think it's a lovely mixture of different gen- riod. Do you know how many days 27 years to be. res - like a recipe of music,” says Mahaka- is? It's nearly 10,000 days - that's how long “I think she kept herself quite separate from Phiri. “We start with some Xhosa opera, and he was away from society. When they took the politics,” says Mosoma. “She wasn't that then we move into a drastically different jazz him out of prison for the first time, four years girl - she just wanted to be a singer. I think in style, where all these opera singers will be before his official release, they had to intro- the end he needed someone who was ready dancing like trained theatre performers. And duce him to things like cell phones - he'd to be on the front line with him, and he then in Act Three, we've got a more pure op- never seen one before. They took him on found that partner in Winnie.” eratic style, with 15-minute arias. I think it's trips and you can just imagine this old man fantastic!” driving around - at one point in the show he The rule of three that forms both the basic says, 'I was a tourist in a remarkable land.' structure of the show as well as the founda- Xhosa - pronounced with a hard, ‘K’-like He didn't even know how to open a can of tion of the casting and character choices is click that's pretty difficult for Brits to wrap Coke!” also echoed in other aspects of the produc- their tongues around - is the language of sev- tion. eral South African cultures, including Man- With a whole new generation born since 1990 dela's own Thembu people. It's also spoken having now grown up with only a vague “The whole notion of a triad is important as a by many - though not all - of the performers sense of who Mandela was and what he went literary concept - it gives you balance and in the company. through, and with racism apparently on the rhythm,” Williams explains. “There are the rise in many places, it's vital that his mes- three women in his life, the three prisons “The first act is really a sort of journey into sage of equality and reconciliation continues that he's in, the three speeches that he makes the music of the countryside,” says Williams. to be promoted. and three conversations he has with 'White “Traditional songs are woven into the score Man'.” alongside new music. I didn't know the lan- “I think his death has made it more poignant guage beforehand, but with a company that's and also more important,” Williams contin- With each of these three acts composed in a about 90% young Xhosa men and women, ues. “The message is very strong - we need to different style, the music matches Mandela's you do start to get to know it a bit. We have strive for a non-racial society, to not be afraid story in richness and complexity. Though surtitles, so audiences will always be able to of the ‘Other’, and to reconcile with our ene- Mandela Trilogy is officially an opera, it's understand what’s being sung.” mies. What a great opportunity to share that threaded through with songs in accessible through a rousing, foot-stomping, exciting styles, from the folk and traditional music of From the days of his headstrong youth, form such as musical theatre - it's a gift of a South Africa, to the popular tunes of the jazz through his early involvement in politics and story!” scene Mandela encountered in Sophiatown. a lengthy incarceration from which he was Williams sees the show as fundamentally a not permitted leave even to attend his own piece of musical theatre that he hopes can be son's funeral, to his eventual, triumphant re- enjoyed by a wide and varied audience. lease, Mandela's story makes for an emo- Mandela Trilogy shows at Birmingham tional whirlwind of a production. Hippodrome on Tuesday 20 and “It's such a breath of fresh air!” says Mo- Wednesday 21 September soma. “Usually, whether you're going to a “One of the sad things I discovered,” says musical or an opera, you know more or less Williams, “was that while he was in prison, what you're getting yourself into, but with they gave him calendars every year full of this you don't at all.” photographs of white South Africa. You can see all his notes on them over this 27-year pe-

whatsonlive.co.uk 35 Sunny Afternoon DPS.qxp_Layout 1 23/08/2016 15:45 Page 1

FEATURE

Days To Remember

There's a heavy rumbling deep in your we grew up listening to this music, having ments, but there are also other people on chest, right at the base of your throat, as a our dads or uncles or whoever saying, stage playing trombones and guitars and thunderous guitar riff tears through the 'You've got to check out this band, they're things, and it's amazing to watch.” stage and reverberates around the audito- brilliant!' Learning the guitar became an ob- “His drum solo is amazing!” adds Newn- rium, shaking seats and rattling bones. This vious step for me, and I joined a band while ham. “You should come and see it just for is sound you can feel: raw, visceral and ag- I was at school, so when this came up it was that!” gressive. It is, insists an adamant young Ray an ideal melting pot for me.” While The Kinks' blistering early hits might Davies, “the best song [he's] ever written,” In this, Newnham is not alone among the prefigure the distinctive sounds of punk, kicking back against the managers demand- cast taking The Kinks musical out on its first grunge and metal by several years, Ray ing something safer, something saleable. ever UK tour. Andrew Gallo, who plays the Davies, the mastermind behind the band, This isn't really Top Of The Pops 1964, but as volatile drummer Mick Avory, also spent would soon become best known as a rather the iconic roar of You Really Got Me floods part of his youth performing in bands, while more introspective and sardonic observer of the theatre hosting Sunny Afternoon, The Ryan O'Donnell, who plays the band's ‘modern life’. At times sharply satirical, at Kinks' iconic single sounds as fresh and ur- charismatic frontman Ray, boasts a stint as a others wistful and nostalgic, his lyrics con- gent as ever. member of Jethro Tull among his musical trast an anger bordering on cynicism with “There are a lot of people who were around credits, as well as an appearance in an essentially romantic, sentimental heart. to see them at the time who have now got to Quadrophenia on stage. Sunny Afternoon casts Ray as its thoughtful an age where they want to relive that,” says “Sunny Afternoon is a great show for seeing and quietly driven protagonist, trying to Mark Newnham, who's responsible for actor-musicianship,” says Gallo. “As the hold the band together as it threatens to im- recreating Dave Davies' game-changing gui- members of the band we play all our instru- plode around him. Though anyone who's tar style on stage. “From our point of view, Sunny Afternoon DPS.qxp_Layout 1 23/08/2016 15:45 Page 2

by Heather Kincaid

If there are theatre buffs out there who like a good script ‘‘ and witty gags, then what Joe Penhall has written is bang on the money ” ever seen the real Ray Davies live isn't likely dence that fame and fortune can procure; managers singing it, which works just as to forget his on-stage energy, this more in- hardly surprising when one realises that he well as having Ray narrating it, if you like.” troverted side of him is reflected in the cast's wasn't yet an adult when The Kinks first “All of the songs work and fit in the right experiences of meeting the man. made it big. In one outrageous scene, Dave place in the story,” Gallo agrees. “One of my “He's very... not exactly quiet,” explains swings from a chandelier clad in a pink neg- favourite songs in the show is Money Go Ryan O'Donnell, “but he keeps his thoughts ligée he's swapped with a strange woman Round, which is the tale of where all the to himself, and whatever he does say is for his own clothes - nor is this the only time money disappears to, and it's quite specific. never what you expect. I don't think I've he shows up in a dress. Meanwhile, the It's really overt in naming different people, ever asked him for any advice, but he some- homesick Ray, missing his wife and new- so when we do it on stage, it feels like it was times offers it here and there.” born baby, is sent into a deep, depressive written for this.” funk as the financial and emotional pres- “It was quite strange when he came into the Far from simply being a high-quality tribute sures of touring the US grow and his band- space where we were rehearsing for the first act, then, Sunny Afternoon is an intimate mates' constant tiffs erupt in bloody three weeks,” says Garmon Rhys, who plays domestic drama with touching moments be- violence on stage. But if Ray is the brooding bassist Peter Quaife. “We all went round and tween siblings and spouses, a big-scale Yin to Dave's flamboyant Yang, as Sunny Af- introduced ourselves, and when it came to band biopic that crosses continents and ternoon amply demonstrates, his contain- me, he said, 'Yeah, we've met.' He said it as deals with the giddy whirlwind of sudden ment does nothing to dampen his ambition; if I’d forgotten that I'd met him, and in my success, and a feel-good party that ends it’s sacking the band's greedy management head I was going, 'Dude, I would remember with everyone in the audience up on their that eventually gets him back on form. that. You are Ray Davies.' But it was quite feet. “I was really shocked by how much these sweet.” “Even without the songs in it, I think it guys took the reins when some of them were “I remember the first time he came to watch would still be a really good show,” says still in their teens to begin with,” says O'- me do it,” recalls O’Donnell. “I didn't know Newnham. “If there are theatre buffs out Donnell. “They went over and took America he was in until about halfway through when there who like a good script and witty gags, by storm, and when they kept getting used I saw him and I just thought, 'Oh my God, then what Joe Penhall has written is bang by their management, Ray stood up to them this changes everything!’ I always think it on the money.” and took the credit back and refused to let must be difficult for him to allow some of anything stop him. When you look back at “I think the reason it's been so successful,” the details of the story to be put on stage it, I don't think I could have done now what offers Rhys, “is that not only is it a collec- while he's still around to watch it, but what Ray did when he was 20 years old. Not many tion of really amazing songs, but it's also got I'm trying to present in my performance isn’t people could have done it.” such a strong set of characters and a great necessarily a direct version of Ray. From story. It's so well written that you feel as Despite not being directly written for the what I've seen of him, he thinks about though you know them straight away and show, many of The Kinks' songs have a clear things very intensely but doesn't always vo- you really invest in all of them, so by the narrative, and are so transparently inspired calise those thoughts. Obviously we need to end of the play it's like you've been on this by Ray's personal experiences as to slide get the story out of him, so in our version amazing journey with them.” he's a bit more brash and loud with more of neatly into the account of his life as told a physicality, but sometimes when he comes through Sunny Afternoon's biographical to watch the show, I feel like I should tone it plot. Sunny Afternoon shows at the New down a bit!” “Ray is such a good storyteller anyway,” Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Tues- says Newnham, “but what's different here is It's this relative reserve that makes Ray's he- day 6 to Saturday 10 September; Regent that you have the various characters on donistic little brother his perfect foil in the Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Tuesday 29 No- stage. For example, in Well Respected Man production. Dubbed ‘Dave the Rave’, the vember to Saturday 3 December. guitarist dives head-first into all the deca- About Town, you have these well-respected Film Sep- GROUP.qxp_Layout 1 22/08/2016 15:12 Page 1

To enter all competitions go to whatsonlive.co.uk

Win!

Tickets to Summer Nights Tickets to Daniel Koek Tickets to The Three Degrees at Film Festival ‘My West End Story' The Old Rep

Closes Thursday 1 September Closes Friday 2 September Closes Monday 12 September

Tickets to Sister Act Tickets to That'll Be The Day! Tickets to Bowie Experience

Closes Friday 2 September Closes Monday 5 September Closes Wednesday 7th September

Tickets to Jimmy Osmond Tickets to The Shawshank Tickets to Mugenkyo Taiko and his band Redemption Drummers

Closes Monday 19 September Closes Monday 21 September Closes Friday 14 October

Ministry of Science Live Tickets to The Rover Tickets to A Tale of Two Cities

Closes Tuesday 19 September Closes Friday 23 September Closes Wednesday 12th October

To enter all competitions go to whatsonlive.co.uk also follow us on Twitter for more great competitions 36 whatsonlive.co.uk Film Sep- GROUP.qxp_Layout 1 22/08/2016 15:12 Page 2

Film

Bridget Jones's Baby CERT tbc Starring Renée Zellweger, Colin Firth, Patrick Dempsey, Jim Broadbent, Gemma Jones, Emma Thompson, Sally Phillips, Celia Imrie, Shirley Henderson Directed by Sharon Maguire (UK/USA/France/Ireland) Twelve years on and Bridget is still composing her diaries. And this time she really does have something to write about: her bump. Scripted by the redoubtable triumvirate of Emma Thompson, Helen Fielding and Dan Mazer, the romcom sees Bridget battling with her forties but settling down to a contented routine with her reliable circle of friends. And then a dashing American enters her life… Based on the columns that Helen Fielding wrote for The Independent in 2005, BJB suffered a tumultuous production history with a number of writers dipping their toes in the material until the final script was birthed. Ed Sheeran appears as himself. Released Fri 16 September

CRITIC’S CHOICE

Film highlights released in September...

Café Society CERT 12a (96 mins) Sausage Party CERT 15 (89 mins) Starring Jeannie Berlin, Steve Carell, Jesse With the voices of Seth Rogen, Kristen Wiig, Eisenberg, Blake Lively, Parker Posey, Kristen Jonah Hill, Bill Hader, Michael Cera, James Stewart, Corey Stoll, Ken Stott Franco Directed by Greg Tiernan (USA) Directed by Woody Allen (USA) In animation, nothing is too weird, apparent- Woody Allen’s 45th feature as writer-director ly. Here, a sausage called Frank (voiced by sees Jesse Eisenberg as a young man who Seth Rogen), who resides in a supermarket leaves New York for Hollywood, where he called Shopwell's, discovers the fate of what falls in love with the secretary of his uncle will happen to him should he be sold to a (Steve Carell). Bruce Willis was originally customer. So he teams up with his girlfriend, cast as the uncle, but Woody fired him on a hot dog bun (Kristen Wiig), to escape… account of his prima donna behaviour. Expect what is known as ‘adult’ humour. Released Fri 2 September Released Fri 2 September

Morgan CERT tbc Starring Kate Mara, Anya Taylor-Joy, Toby Jones, Rose Leslie, Michelle Yeoh, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Paul Giamatti Directed by Luke Scott (USA) Morgan is a suitable case for treatment. An artificial ‘being’ created in a labora- tory, Morgan has got rather out of hand and somebody has to terminate her… The director Luke Scott is the son of director Ridley, so this could be special. Released Fri 2 September

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Film

Ben-Hur CERT 12a (123 mins) Starring Jack Huston, Toby Kebbell, Rodrigo Santoro, Nazanin Boniadi, Morgan Freeman Directed by Timur Bekmambetov (USA) Not so much a remake of the Oscar-winning epic of 1959 as a "re-imagining" of Lew Wallace's 1880 novel. Judah Ben-Hur (Huston) is a Jewish nobleman who, after years of slavery, sets out to avenge his childhood friend who betrayed him. Expect chari- ots. And CGI. In 3D. Released Wed 7 September

CRITIC’S CHOICE

The Magnificent Seven story: seven gun-toting outlaws are unit- ed under the supervision of a bounty CERT 12a (133 mins) hunter to help defend a small town Starring Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt, against a ruthless industrialist (Peter Ethan Hawke, Vincent D'Onofrio, Byung- hun Lee, Peter Sarsgaard, Manuel Garcia- Sarsgaard). The original star, the magnif- Rulfo, Martin Sensmeier, Haley Bennett icent Japanese actor Toshiro Mifune, was Directed by Antoine Fuqua (USA) replaced by the Russian-born Yul Who would have thought that Akira Brynner in the first remake and has now Kurosawa’s Japanese classic, Seven been transmogrified into a black man. Samurai (1954), would end up as one of And Denzel Washington is in good the most beloved Westerns of all time? hands: the director Antoine Fuqua Well, the 1960 remake with Yul Brynner steered Denzel to an Oscar in his 2001 and Steve McQueen looks pretty stodgy crime thriller Training Day. and dated today, so another remake was Released Fri 23 September perhaps inevitable. It’s the same old

Anthropoid CERT 15 (120 mins) Don’t Breathe CERT 15 (88 mins) Starring Cillian Murphy, Jamie Dornan, A a Starring Jane Levy, Dylan Minnette, Daniel Geislerová, Toby Jones, Harry Lloyd, Charlotteň Zovatto, Stephen Lang Le Bon Directed by Sean Ellis (UK/ Directed by Fede Alvarez (USA) France/Czech Republic) Rocky and her younger sister need some ‘Anthropoid’ was the code name used by the money fast. So they decide to break into the Czechs for their mission to assassinate SS home of a blind man, who is believed to be General Reinhard Heydrich, the Nazi behind pretty well-off. However, they underestimat- the Final Solution. This is the (true) story of ed the ingenuity of the sightless occupant… two soldiers who are parachuted into their The reviews in the US were excellent. homeland in order to carry out the plan. Released Fri 9 September Released Fri 9 September

Captain Fantastic CERT 15 (120 mins) Starring Viggo Mortensen, Frank Langella, Kathryn Hahn, Steve Zahn, George MacKay Directed by Matt Ross (USA) Jason Bourne is not the only one living off the grid. A man called Ben (Mortensen) has managed to raise his six children single- handed in the deepest recesses of the forests of the Pacific Northwest. But when they’re forced to attend the funeral of the children’s mother in New Mexico, Ben finds out what it’s like to be a father in the real world. Released Fri 9 September

38 whatsonlive.co.uk Film Sep- GROUP.qxp_Layout 1 22/08/2016 15:12 Page 4

Film releases in September

Hell Or High Water The Infiltrator Free State Of Jones CERT 15 (102 mins) CERT 15 (127 mins) CERT tbc Starring Jeff Bridges, Chris Pine, Ben Foster, Starring Bryan Cranston, Diane Kruger, Starring Matthew McConaughey, Gugu Gil Birmingham Benjamin Bratt, John Leguizamo, Amy Mbatha-Raw, Mahershala Ali, Keri Russell, Directed by David Mackenzie (USA) Ryan, Saïd Taghmaoui, Olympia Dukakis Brendan Gleeson Directed by Brad Furman (USA) Directed by Gary Ross (USA) Chris Pine has already been through hell and high water this year (in the waterlogged Based on the autobiography of US Set shortly after 1862, after the Battle of Finest Hours), but here the title proves to be Customs agent Robert Mazur Corinth in Mississippi, this true-life drama a little more metaphorical. He plays a Texan (Cranston), this is the story of Mazur’s stars McConaughey as Newton Knight, a farmer whose business is facing foreclosure, undercover operation in which he pre- poor farmer. It was he, during the American so he and his brother, an ex-con, set about tended to be a corrupt businessman. Civil War, who gathered together a ragbag of acquiring some major cash by somewhat His aim was to expose a Colombian local farmers and slaves and led an armed unorthodox means…. money-laundering drug cartel run by rebellion against the Confederacy. Gary Ross none other than Pablo Escobar. has only directed three films in the last eight- Released Fri 9 September Released Fri 16 September een years, but they do happen to be Pleasantville, Seabiscuit and The Hunger Games, so we’re expecting great things from The Girl With All this. Released Fri 30 September The Gifts CERT 15 (111 mins) Starring Gemma Arterton, Paddy Considine, Glenn Close, Sennia Nanua, Anamaria Marinca Directed by Colm McCarthy (USA) Adapted by M.R. Carey from his own novel, this is another sci-fi thriller set in a post-apocalyptic dystopian future. When a fungal infection wipes out most of mankind (check your toe- nails!), a teacher and a scientist set out Kubo And The Two Strings on a journey of survival – with a young teenage girl CERT tbc (Nanua) unlike With the voices of Charlize Theron, Art normal human Parkinson, Ralph Fiennes, Rooney Mara, George Takei, Matthew McConaughey beings… Some Directed by Travis Knight (USA) of the footage Miss Peregrine's Home In a small village in ancient Japan, a boy of London was For Peculiar Children called Kubo looks after his ailing mother. actually shot in CERT tbc Chernobyl. Then a vengeful spirit from the past upsets Starring Eva Green, Asa Butterfield, Chris the status quo and Kubo must go in search of Released Fri O'Dowd, Allison Janney, Rupert Everett, a magical suit of armour once worn by his 23 September Terence Stamp, Judi Dench, Samuel L. Jackson Directed by Tim Burton (USA) father, a legendary samurai. Filmed in the painstaking form of stop motion animation. Nobody does peculiar like Tim Burton, so In 3D. he’s a good choice to adapt Ransom Riggs’ Deepwater Horizon 2011 novel for ‘young adults.’ The epony- Released Fri 9 September CERT tbc mous home is for orphans with peculiar Starring Mark Wahlberg, Kurt Russell, traits, like a sort of X-Mansion for the young. John Malkovich, Gina Rodriguez, Dylan Appropriately, the screenplay is by Jane Blair Witch CERT 15 (89 mins) O'Brien, Kate Hudson Goldman, who co-scripted X-Men: First Directed by Peter Berg (USA) Starring James Allen McCune, Valorie Curry, Class. Callie Hernandez, Brandon Scott It was, of course, the worst oil spill in Directed by Adam Wingard (USA) US history – when the eponymous rig Released Fri 30 September The 1999 phenomenon that prompted the blew up and sent hundreds of thou- craze for cheap “found footage” films now, sands of gallons of crude into the Gulf seventeen years later, returns as a sequel. of Mexico. Wahlberg will be playing James, the brother of Heather – who is still the real-life hero Mike Williams, pair- missing – decides to retrace her steps in the ing up with director Peter Berg again creepy Black Hills Forest of Maryland. And after their collaboration on Lone he brings a documentary crew along with Survivor (2013). Next, they’ll be team- him… This actually got rather good reviews ing up on a film about the Boston in the US. Marathon bombing. Released Thurs 15 September Released Fri 30 September

whatsonlive.co.uk 39 Visual Arts September NEW.qxp_Layout 1 22/08/2016 15:13 Page 1

Visual Arts

Birmingham Big Art Project Library Of Birmingham, Mon 5 September - Sun 4 December This month moving to the Library of Birmingham from the city’s Millennium Point, the Big Art Project exhibition features five proposals by five artists for ‘the most ambitious public art commission in Birmingham’s long history’. The Birmingham Big Art Project has hired artist-run organisation and gallery Eastside Projects as the initiative’s commissioning agents. The process will create a £2million permanent public artwork to the east of the city centre, at a site that will become a busy arrival point following the construction of Birmingham’s High-Speed Railway Station (HS2). Visitors to the Library of Birmingham exhibition are being encouraged to share their opin- ions on all five proposals. The winning pro- posal will be chosen in January.

Mitra Saboury: Oliver Jones: Divine Jeremy Deller: Pulling Walls New Art Gallery, Walsall, The Battle Of Orgreave until Sun 20 November Grand Union, Birmingham, Worcester City Art Gallery, Fri 2 September - Fri 4 November Shropshire-born, Birmingham-based, John Sat 17 September - Sat 26 November Ruskin Prize-nominated artist Oliver Jones’s “It wouldn’t be an exaggeration,” says artist photorealist chalk drawings contemplate the Jeremy Deller in talking about his exhibition, ways in which the media advertises, manipu- “to say that the Miners’ Strike, like a civil lates and exploits imagery of flesh. war, had a traumatically divisive effect at all Alongside a selection of works from his levels of life in the UK.” impressive portfolio, the internationally Deller’s artwork is a spectacular recreation of acclaimed artist is also presenting a new, events that took place on 18 June 1984, when large-scale, multi-panel work created specifi- some of the strike’s most violent clashes took cally for the exhibition. Taking the studio of place at the site of the Orgreave coking plant the tattoo artist as its subject, Divine is Mitra Saboury describes her body as a tool in South Yorkshire. described by Oliver as ‘emblematic of a reli- with which to navigate the environment. The recreation, which was co-ordinated for gious altar-piece’. “I want to touch everything,” she says, “to Deller by a historical re-enactment expert, “Through the work,” explains Oliver, “I’m fill every hole in the asphalt, every crack in featured more than 800 people, including hoping to prompt questions about the psy- the granite. To click the rust off the iron former miners and ex-policemen. chology of body modification and the role of fence.” “Families were torn apart by the strike extreme procedures in the attainment of Saboury splits her time between London and because of divided loyalties,” Jeremy contin- physical perfection.” Los Angeles and uses performance, video ues. “The union movement was split on its and installation to explore the impact of the willingness to support the National Union of built environment on the human body. Mineworkers... in all but name it became an Pulling Walls is her first solo show outside ideological and industrial battle between the the US and follows on from a residency at two sections of British society.” Birmingham’s Grand Union in summer 2015. On loan from Tate, the exhibition also “I didn’t have a car but the public trans- includes a documentary film, directed by portation in the city was great,” she says, “so Mike Figgis, and objects, images and audio I was working from the point of view of a recordings from Deller's archive of research pedestrian. I pushed myself against surfaces, materials for his reenactment of the battle. and I ruined so many pairs of shoes! Working in Birmingham was great because I could walk the city in a day, and really came to understand it from my feet.”

40 whatsonlive.co.uk . Visual Arts September NEW.qxp_Layout 1 22/08/2016 15:13 Page 2

Lost Generation Heavenly Lights: The Untold Shire Hall Gallery, Staffordshire, Story Of Stained Glass Artist Sat 10 September - Sat 29 October Margaret Agnes Rope Artist Andy Farr here exhibits work Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery, from a recent project he conducted Mon 12 September - Sun 15 January with students in the Midlands and The artwork of a Shrewsbury woman who was Yorkshire. one of the great female artists of the early 20th Designed to make the ongoing World century is the subject of this new exhibition. War One centenary more relevant to Margaret Agnes Rope - or Marga, as she was young people, the project provides an known - was born in 1882 and produced stained insight into the experience of being a glass that can be found in churches and cathe- teenager living in Britain 100 years drals on three continents. Although her work is ago - an experience which makes for collected by museums in the US, she’s now large- sobering reading. ly forgotten here in the UK. The grim truth was that a 1914 teenag- Commenting on Heavenly Lights, Stuart West, er would have found a third of their Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for culture friends were dead by the end of the and leisure, said: “Despite her obvious genius, war four years later. And those young Margaret’s name is hardly remembered at all. We people who did survive the ravages of hope this exhibition - the first dedicated solely to the conflict would have been physical- her work and times - will give her reputation the ly injured and mentally scarred... boost it deserves.” Lost Generation is an Arts Council- funded initiative.

For more visual arts listings visit whatsonlive.co.uk 41 CircusMASH DPS.qxp_Layout 1 22/08/2016 16:08 Page 1

FEATURE

Attempting the Impossible

Birmingham-based company CircusMASH specialises in the use of circus arts and performance to help people of all ages build their confidence and self-esteem. The company runs circus training events, workshops and classes, youth circus programmes and school workshops across the West Midlands region. Heather Kincaid visited them to find out more about circus skills - and have a go herself... I don't drive, which, as far as getting enough exercise is concerned, is probably just as well. For at least the best part of a decade, I've de- pended on tons of walking and a whole lot of laptop and heavy book-lugging to keep me in reasonably good health. At school, I looked forward to PE about as much as I'd look forward to a kick in the teeth, and even now, the thought of entering a gym sends an involun- tary shudder down my spine. As far as balance and co-ordination are concerned, let's just say they're concepts I hope to one day understand in more than theory. You can perhaps imagine, then, my reaction to being asked to participate in a ‘Mixed Aer- ial’ circus skills workshop, even one that did claim to be for beginners. Arranging a date to come along over the phone, I did my best to be enthusiastic and laugh it off - it is, after all, my job - but silently the terror set in. Never mind what I'd do when I got there - I didn't even have anything appropriate to wear. In the end, the best I could come up with at short notice was a pair of harem pants from the music festival where I'd spent the four

42 whatsonlive.co.uk CircusMASH DPS.qxp_Layout 1 22/08/2016 16:08 Page 2

by Heather Kincaid

preceding days (everything else I owned was maybe a couple more sessions, I felt as ing was that, when it came to the aerial jeans or skirts). though I could be up there with the rest of hoop act, I realised I could understand a lot After stretches, the very first task I was faced them. of what the performer was doing. Some of with at the class was vaulting up from a Reassuringly, too, I wasn't the only one who the moves were clearly a long way off what crash mat to straddle a hoop suspended was finding it tricky - I found myself ‘team- I'd attempted, and even those I recognised from the ceiling. I think I probably laughed ing up’ with someone else who'd done some were done with much more grace and confi- when I first saw it. If this is where we're similar stuff before, but had been out of dence. Nevertheless, what struck me most is starting, ran my thoughts, we might as well practice for a while. The atmosphere of that it no longer looked like magic, or some- call it a day now. But the thing that no one friendly, mutual encouragement is another thing beyond the realms of possibility for ever tells you is that it actually all gets easier thing that distinctly marked this out from al- the likes of me. I even noticed a sneaky side- from that point on. most all my past experience of doing any- ways climb onto the hoop - and it actually looked pretty good! Over the last few years, work and various thing physical. Competition is easily the voluntary projects have taken me to see most off-putting thing any beginner has to Would I go back? Maybe if I lived in Birming- plenty of circus shows - not as many as a face - there's not much that knocks your ham - it's quite a long way for me to travel die-hard enthusiast would get through, but confidence more than doing your best and out at present. But if you do and you're even certainly more than your average person on still knowing you are, in a very definable slightly tempted, I'd definitely recommend the street. As I said to one of the leaders at way, the worst. Here were no ranking sys- giving it a go, whether you're a circus enthu- my class, to the uninitiated like me, most of tems, no fixed goals or winners and losers - siast, someone who wants to learn somewhat the pros do, seemingly with no effort just the room to try things out and learn at thing new, or just looking for a novel way of at all, always looks like nothing short of your own pace. keeping fit. Just make sure you dress better magic. The likelihood of me ever doing any- Plastered on postcards and across their web- than I did. thing like that seemed about as remote as site, CircusMASH's slogan is ‘Achieve the im- If you’re thinking of going along to one of my chances of becoming prime minister or possible’ and it suits them. What's so great the sessions, here's a list of dos and don'ts I travelling into space. about their approach is the sense of achieve- learned from my first effort! The truth is, though, that climbing to the top ment you'll feel from mastering a few simple has never really been the hard part; of steps. To the untrained eye, the results of course it takes talent to be the absolute best even the most basic grounding look immedi- CircusMASH offers a wide range of at what you do, but achieving reasonable ately impressive. At the same time, there's classes aimed at various abilities, as well competence in anything is mostly down to also an acknowledgement that what they do as parties, youth programmes and open time and dedication. What this means is can seem ‘impossible’. Here, you'll meet no space for training. For more information, that the most seemingly insurmountable underlying assumptions that you're bring- visit circusmash.co.uk. barrier to learning a new skill is always just ing with you any prior knowledge, and you beginning. can go over things as many times as you like until you get a grip on them. Regardless of I'll be honest, I never did quite manage that your ability when you come in, if it's your Dos and Don'ts head-on straddle of the hoop, but once I first go at it, then by the time you leave, learned that you could get up from the side you'll almost certainly have managed some- DO wear comfortable clothing. You'll need instead, I was away, and more or less man- to be able to move freely, but you might be thing that you've never done before. aged everything else that was thrown at me. hanging upside down at times, so you It was even (dare I say it?) really fun. Silks Two weeks later, I was invited along to the probably don't want anything too loose. company's Hullabaloo event at Woodlands are harder. I was fine with all the pretty DO ask for help if you're having trouble. Football Pitch in Bournville, Birmingham - a moves and balances, but the monkey-like The team is very patient at explaining shimmy up the drapes proved more of a kind of combination showcase and hands- things – several times, if necessary, as I problem. What was interesting, though, was on family fun day for the local community. found... that I didn't necessarily find things difficult Free from all the embarrassment and inhibi- tions that us hopeless grown-ups feel, ex- DON'T give up. Some things take a bit of for the reasons that I thought I would. I was practice, but you'll get there. definitely stronger than I imagined. Most of cited kids packed in, dying to have a go at my issues were technical. I couldn't get the everything and completely unperturbed DON'T rush your stretches at the end, es- motion right, but sort of understood what I when things went wrong. It was a joy to pecially if you're not used to this sort of was doing wrong to the point that, with watch them, but what was even more excit- thing. Trust me, you'll regret it.

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Birmingham @WHATSONBRUM Wolverhampton @WHATSONWOLVES Shropshire @WHATSONSHROPS staffordshire @WHATSONSTAFFS Worcestershire @WHATSONWORCS warwickshire @WHATSONWARWICKS

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Events

A Place In The Sun Hamilton, all of whom will be on hand to share their experience and offer advice on buying a property abroad. NEC, Birmingham, Fri 23 - Sun 25 September Whether it’s the idea of finding a place in Spain, France, Portugal or The official exhibition show of Channel Four’s popular oversees trav- further afield that floats your boat, A Place In The Sun is the perfect el series returns to the Midlands this month, complete with presen- event from which to launch an exciting new travel adventure. ters Amanda Lamb, Jasmine Harman, Jonnie Irwin and Laura

Trucking Live Shropshire British Superbike Midland Game Fair Oswestry Showground, Shropshire, Championship Weston Park, Shropshire, Sat 24 - Sun 25 September Sat 17 - Sun 18 September Donington Park, If traditional country pursuits are your pas- Widely considered to be the ‘friendliest’ Fri 16 - Sun 18 September event of its kind in the UK, Trucking Live sion, the well-established Midland Game Attracting some of the best-known Fair makes for a rewarding weekend. The Shropshire features a line-up of main arena names in the sport, the Superbike entertainment that includes appearances by premier event of its kind in the country, the Championship is Britain’s biggest show features an impressive selection of quad-bike-riding stuntman the Kangaroo motorbike racing series. Kid. attractions, with everything from clay shoot- This Donington meet is the first round ing to game and coarse fishing demonstra- There’s also a display of hundreds of trucks of the crucial ‘showdown’ phase and to enjoy, the region’s largest showcase of tions. Gun dog competitions, falconry dis- promises a weekend of high-quality plays, family entertainment, live music, a truck accessories, and celebrity guests visit- bike racing. ing on both days of the weekend. On the food festival, fine arts and traditional rural There’s action from the packed-out crafts also feature, as do over 700 trade Saturday, it’s Coronation Street star Antony grids of the National Superstock 1000 Cotton, taking a break from playing bar- stands catering for a wide range of visitors’ & 600 to enjoy, along with the British countryside shopping needs. tender Sean Tulley, who joins in the fun. Supersport Championship, the The Sunday sees Motostar Championship and an FIM fellow Corrie World Sidecar race. favourite Ryan Donington is once again operating an Thomas (Jason open-paddock policy, allowing specta- Grimshaw) tors to mingle with the riders and see appearing at the the teams in action. event with his real-life brother Adam, who plays Adam Barton in Emmerdale.

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more events from around the region

Events

Middle Earth Festival Sarehole Mill, Birmingham, Sat 3 - Sun 4 September If you’re a fan of The Lord Of The Rings and The Hobbit but haven’t yet checked out this family-friendly festival, then it’s fair to say you’re missing a Gandalf- sized trick. First taking place in 1998, when it was called Fun At The Mill, the event has proved enormously popular with Tolkien enthusiasts and made a comeback in 2015 following a year’s absence due to a lack of volunteers. Attractions at this year’s get-together include living history camps, medieval traders, food stalls, weapon displays, Glamping Show children’s activities and a cos- Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, Described as ‘a showcase of all that’s glamping tume pageant, not to mention Thurs 22 - Sat 24 September in camping’, the show presents a wide selec- the chance to encounter all man- The Glamping Show is making a welcome tion of pop-up, temporary and pre-pitched ner of characters from the return to the Midlands this month. accommodation solutions, including yurts, tipi famous fantasy novels, includ- Glamping is a more luxurious form of camping and safari tents. ing hobbits, elves and orcs... that’s become increasingly popular during the It also features contributions from experts on last few years and is now a prominent part of subjects such as bushcraft, up-cycling and sur- the leisure business. vival techniques.

Cycle Show Harvest Festival NEC, Birmingham, Fri 23 - Sun 25 September Blists Hill Victorian Town, Shropshire, With cycling’s profile in the UK at an all-time Sun 18 September high, this hugely popular show is not surpris- Hymns in the Mission Church, a main service ingly bigger than ever, with over 280 bike com- in the Pleasure Gardens (complete with a dis- panies in attendance to showcase their latest play of produce) and the opportunity to enjoy kit. an afternoon of morris dancing provide visitors The event also features a dedicated eBike area to Blists Hill with the chance to experience a Stafford Arts plus test track and a new drop-in lounge-come- Victorian-style Harvest Festival this month. theatre especially for female cyclists. And with One of 10 award-winning Ironbridge Gorge Festival this year's show coming hot on the heels of the museums and populated by friendly and Stafford Town Centre, Sat 17 September Rio Olympics, organisers are also promising ‘a informative costumed characters, Blists Hill is stellar line-up of medal winners, current pro very much an interactive experience. Stafford’s sixth arts festival sees riders and legends of the sport’. Attractions include numerous shops, among dancers, musicians and artists which are a general drapers, a blacksmiths and taking to the streets to provide a pharmacy. There’s also a pub and a bank, passers-by with a range of per- shire horses (horse-and-cart rides), blast fur- formances and activities to naces, the cottage gardens, a doctor’s room, a enjoy. funiculars train, a clay mine ride and a funfair Free-to-participate arts & crafts featuring carousel, chair-o-planes and game workshops ensure there’s plenty stalls. of opportunity for children to get Visitors to Blists Hill can get a yearly pass, hands-on with a range of activi- allowing them to enjoy the town as many times ties. as they wish during a 12-month period and Street theatre performers, face also to check out the other museums managed painting opportunities and a by the Ironbridge Gorge Trust. bubbleologist further add to an extensive programme of entertainment.

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more events from around the region

Events

Mid-Autumn Festival Arcadian Centre, Birmingham, Fri 16 September Musical performances, martial arts demonstrations, high-kicking lion dancing, the culinary delights of a street food festival and a ‘spectacular’ fireworks finale all feature in this popular Chinese event. Taking place on the day of the year when the moon is supposedly at its fullest and brightest, the festival is held in celebration of the harvest. “It’s a day when families come together to share a meal and celebrate as one,” explains James Wong, chair of Birmingham’s Chinese Festival Committee. “People travel far and wide to be with their loved ones on this special day. We are inviting people of all ages to come together and join us in the celebrations, as we do every year. With the recent events in the US, France and Turkey, the festival is even more vital, allowing communities to come together and celebrate in a safe environment.”

Every September over 40,000 volunteers across England organise 5,000 events to celebrate the country’s fantastic history, architecture and culture. These Heritage Open Days offer you a chance to discover hidden places, try out new experiences and learn fascinating facts about some of England’s most interesting visitor destinations - all free of charge. Below we’ve selected a few Midlands highlights from this year’s four-day festival. You can find an extensive list of Heritage Open Days events, both in the Midlands and fur- Thursday 8 - Sunday 11 September ther afield, at heritageopendays.org.uk Highlights

Warwickshire

Birmingham Worcestershire ALL THE FUN OF THE COURTYARD FETE Experience POP-UP GARDEN EXHIBITION A drop-in exhibition CONSERVATION AT THE COMMANDERY Featuring how people lived and worked in the courtyard looking at plants, gardens and gardening in talks, tours and demonstrations of conservation from the 1840s to the 1970s. Join in with the Shakespeare’s time, including children’s activi- skills. Discover how the Commandery’s team courtyard fete and try your hand at traditional ties and illustrated talks from the Head of care for the medieval building’s special archi- games. Sat 10 September, Birmingham Back to Gardens. Sat 10 - Sun 11 September, The tectural features. Sun 11 September, The Backs, Birmingham Shakespeare Centre, Stratford-upon-Avon Commandery, Worcester

The Black Country Shropshire

Staffordshire

EDWARDIAN FAMILY DAY Watch performances of THE DUDLEY GHOST TOUR HISTORY & SHREWSBURY FLAXMILL MALTINGS OPEN DAY the Charleston and demonstrations of MEMORABILIA EXHIBITION An exhibition of masks, Discover the history of the grade one listed Edwardian cookery, and take part in numerous puppets and costumes used on the Ghost Tour buildings and their uses over two centuries. themed craft activities. Sat 10 September, The and other projects from local theatres and tele- There will also be family-friendly activities and Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent, vision. Fri 9 - Sun 11 September, Station Hotel, entertainment. Sat 10 - Sun 11 September, Staffordshire Dudley Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings, Shropshire

Check The List for individual events taking place in your region

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whatsonlive.co.uk 49 The List Cover September Warwicks/Worcs.qxp_Layout 1 22/08/2016 16:01 Page 1

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Your week to week listings guide September 2016 thelist September 14 Wednesday - Spa Leamington Centre, Spa Royal - Dynasty Circus: State Chinese The

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

What’s On Thurs 1 to Sun 11 September Mon 12 to Sun 18 September Mon 19 to Sun 25 September Mon 26 to Fri 30 September

Leamington Food & Drink Shappi Khorsandi at The Roses The Glenn Miller Story at Night Must Fall at The Belgrade Festival at Royal Pump Rooms Theatre, Tewkesbury Malvern Theatres Theatre, Coventry Sat 10 - Sun 11 September Wed 14 September Tues 20 - Sat 24 September Wed 28 September - Sat 1 October

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thelist Friday 1 - Sunday 11 September THE BOOTLEG SIXTIES 9 - Sat 10 Sept, The THROUGHOUT SEPTEMBER Gigs Sat 3 - Sun 4 Sept, Jam House, B’ham Artrix, Bromsgrove blockbuster movies, until Sun 4 Sept THE SOUL SURVIVORS Fri T R DALLAS Sun 4 Sept, 9 Sept, The River Visual Arts NEW MADE IN BRITAIN: CONCEALED QUILL Thurs 1 Sept, Irish Centre, B’ham Rooms, Stourbridge Some of Britain’s most well-known mac, Birmingham SUCH STRANGE ARTS ROD STEWART TRIBUTE and respected textile artists show- SPEEDOMETER Thurs 1 Artrix, Bromsgrove Sun 4 Sept, The NIGHT Fri 9 Sept, The case their work, Fri 9 Sept - Sun 23 Sept, The Jam House, NEW THE EMBROIDERERS' GUILD: Rainbow Venues, Irish Centre, B’ham Oct Birmingham CAPABILITY BROWN LANDSCAPES Birmingham SPEAR OF DESTINY Fri 9 Specially created textile work based TIM BURGESS & PETER Herbert Art Gallery & DANNY AZHAR Sun 4 Sept, The Assembly, around the typically English scene of GORDON Thurs 1 Sept, Museum, Coventry Sept, The Tin Music Leamington Spa landscapes and stately gardens, Hare & Hounds, NATURE NOTES Multisensory exhibition And Arts, Coventry LUCIE SILVAS Fri 9 Sept, Thurs 1 - Sun 25 Sept with beautiful artworks and real natu- Birmingham SUNFLOWER BEAN Mon O2 Institute, B’ham NEW ART IN MINDS FOUNDATION: ART ral history specimens, until Sun 20 THE HUNNA - LIVE PER- 5 Sept, Hare & OF CONVERSATION On World Mental Nov FORMANCE AND ALBUM SUMMER ALBUM LAUNCH Hounds, Birmingham PARTY Fri 9 Sept, Hare Health Day each year, members BRICK WONDERS Exhibition of over 70 SIGNING Thurs 1 Sept, THE JEEPS Tues 6 Sept, & Hounds, Birmingham exhibit their work to raise awareness models, including the Great Wall of HMV Bullring, B’ham The Jam House, B’ham and encourage openness around the China and Niagara Falls, until Sun 15 SOLID SOUL Fri 2 - Sat 3 THE ABSOLUTE KINKS Fri subject of mental health, Wed 28 Jan 2017 Sept, The Jam House, ELEANOR FRIEDBERGER 9 Sept, Hare & Sept - Sun 23 Oct Birmingham Tues 6 Sept, O2 Hounds, Birmingham The Hive, Worcester Academy, Birmingham Birmingham Museum & THE ANTELOIDS Fri 2 QUADROPHONIA Fri 9 LIONLIMB Tues 6 Sept, Sept, The Roadhouse, Art Gallery THE HUNGRY CATERPILLAR A walk- Sept, The Tin Music And Arts, Coventry Hare & Hounds, B’ham Birmingham BIRMINGHAM MUSEUM & ART GALLERY through sensory exhibition for chil- PINEGROVE IN 130 YEARS The story of the dren, based on a new tactile edition LANY Fri 2 Sept, O2 DUOTONE Tues 6 Sept, Fri 9 Sept, Museum & Art Gallery, told via a spe- of the classic book, until Thurs 1 Academy, Birmingham Kitchen Garden Cafe, The Sunflower Lounge, Birmingham Birmingham cial anniversary exhibition, until Sept ADRIAN SHERWOOD Fri 2 Thurs 1 Sept Sept, Hare & Hounds, SPOTTED DOG JAZZ THE FULL SHA BANG Sat Leamington Spa Art Gallery & TURNING TO SEE: FROM VAN DYCK TO Birmingham TUESDAYS Tues 6 Sept, 10 Sept, The Irish Museum The Spotted Dog, Centre, Birmingham LUCIAN FREUD Van Dyck's last self- FREEBASE Fri 2 Sept, Birmingham portrait, curated by Midlands-born CONCEALMENT AND DECEPTION: THE The Marr's Bar, THE DESTROYERS Sat 10 and internationally renowned artist ART OF THE CAMOUFLEURS OF Worcester MARZY'S JAMMING Sept, Hare & Hounds, John Stezaker, until Sun 4 Sept LEAMINGTON SPA IN WW2 Presenting NIGHT Wed 7 Sept, The Birmingham the work of the camouflage staff - THE HARRINGTONS Fri 2 INSPIRE 16: THE YOUNG CREATIVES OF Marr’s Bar, Worcester FURY Sat 10 Sept, The often known as 'camoufleurs' - Sept, The Rainbow BIRMINGHAM An array of artwork from LUCAS D & THE GROOVE Marr’s Bar, Worcester against the backdrop of life on the Venues, Birmingham the 10th anniversary exhibition of GHETTO Wed 7 Sept, Home Front during World War Two, TRITONE QUARTET Fri 2 DAVID HAMILTON'S ROCK Arts Council England’s Arts Award The Jam House, B’ham until Sun 16 Oct Sept, Symphony Hall, 'N' ROLL BACK THE YEARS achievers, plus sculptural models Birmingham MONTPARNASSE Wed 7 Sat 10 Sept, The Core created by local schools and Worcester City Museum & Art Sept, Kitchen Garden Theatre, Solihull inspired by the Birmingham Big Art POP-UP BOWIE Fri 2 Gallery Cafe, Birmingham SWEDE DREAMZ Sat 10 Project, until Sat 17 Sept Sept, Stratford PIRATES, PANTS AND WELLYPHANTS Artshouse ROY HARPER Wed 7 Sept, The River Rooms, ABBEYFIELD'S GOLDEN GALLERY: ART & Hands-on exhibition by illustrator, Sept, Symphony Hall, Stourbridge SOUL Pioneering new exhibition high- EXHAILERS Fri 2 Sept, Nick Sharratt, until Sat 3 Sept Birmingham THE OFFICIAL RECEIVERS lighting the therapeutic benefits that The Sunflower Lounge, NEW JEREMY DELLER: THE BATTLE OF KING GIZZARD AND THE Sat 10 Sept, Artrix, art brings to older people - particular- Birmingham ORGREAVE On loan from the Artangel LIZARD WIZARD Wed 7 Bromsgrove ly those living with dementia and FLARES PARTY BAND Sat Collection at Tate, the exhibition Sept, Hare & Hounds, other medical conditions, until Fri 14 3 Sept, The River QE2 - THE VERY BEST OF includes a documentary film, and Birmingham Oct Rooms, Stourbridge QUEEN Sat 10 Sept, The objects, images and audio record- GREGORY PECK'S JAZZ, Roadhouse, B’ham BIRMINGHAM PEOPLE AND CHANGE IN BEN PORTSMOUTH IS ings from the artist's archive of FUNK AND SOUL OPEN THE INNER-CITY Birmingham People ELVIS Sat 3 Sept, ELVANA Sat 10 Sept, O2 research materials for the reenact- MIC NIGHT Wed 7 Sept, explores the ways in which ordinary Barclaycard Arena, Academy, Birmingham ment of the battle, Sat 17 Sept - Sat The Night Owl, B’ham Brummie folk have been represented 26 Nov Birmingham BORN IN CHICAGO - in art during the 20th and 21st cen- SUPERCLOUD GANG + JOE LONGTHORNE Sat 3 TRIBUTE TO THE BLUES turies. Change In The Inner-City Other VISUAL ARTS ICEY STANLEY + WILLS Sept, New Alexandra BROTHERS Sat 10 Sept, focuses on the four inner-city wards Wed 7 Sept, The GRAYSON PERRY: THE VANITY OF SMALL Theatre, Birmingham Huntingdon Hall, of Ladywood - Nechells, Soho, Aston DIFFERENCES A series of six large- Sunflower Lounge, Worcester THE GLITTER BAND Sat 3 and Ladywood, until Fri 31 Mar 2017 scale tapestries by Turner Prize-win- Birmingham Sept, The Roadhouse, THE MOODY BLUES' JOHN FAITH IN BIRMINGHAM, Exploring how ning artist Grayson Perry which THE BARNHART/HUXLEY Birmingham LODGE Sat 10 Sept, different faiths have influenced and explore the British fascination with HOT FIVE Thurs 8 Sept, Lichfield Garrick shaped the city, until Sun 3 Feb 2019 taste and class, until Sun 11 Sept, DARK SIDE OF THE WALL The Core Theatre, THE SURRENDERS Croome Park, Worcester Sat 3 Sept, The Solihull Sat 10 Compton Verney Gallery, Empire, Coventry Sept, O2 Institute, Warwick WELL SAID! Writers, actors and poets THE REAL THING Thurs 8 Birmingham have selected their favourite quotes THE SOUTHMARTINS Sat Sept, The Jam House, THE SHERLOCKS Sat 10 BBC FACES OF COMEDY Celebrating 60 to be transformed into surprising and 3 Sept, O2 Academy, Birmingham side-splitting years of the ‘TV sitcom’, Birmingham Sept, The Copper beautiful artworks, until Sun 18 Sept, STICKY FINGERS Thurs 8 with an exclusive glimpse of some of Rooms, Coventry Royal Shakespeare Theatre, HARRY JORDAN Sat 3 Sept, O2 Institute, Britain's greatest comedians at work, Stratford Sept, The Sunflower Birmingham JUICE + ORANGE VISION until Sun 2 Oct Lounge, Birmingham + APATHY Sat 10 Sept, EMBROIDERERS GUILD EXHIBITION - DAVE GILES & JOE BRITAIN IN THE FIFTIES: DESIGN AND The Sunflower Lounge, BROWN AT BERRINGTON Hand-crafted A NIGHT ON BROADWAY MCCORRISTON Thurs 8 ASPIRATION Examining the crucial Birmingham textiles inspired by the Capability Sat 3 Sept, Dovehouse Sept, The Sunflower role of design in shaping the ‘brave Brown-designed Berrington park- Theatre, Solihull Lounge, Birmingham THE BEACH BOYS BAND new world’ of post-war Britain, until land, until Sun 6 Nov, Berrington Sun 11 Sept, The LISTENER Sat 3 Sept, Sun 2 Oct Hall, Nr Leominster TWO FACED TOM Fri 9 Roadhouse, B’ham The Rainbow Venues, Sept, O2 Institute, Forge Mill Needle Museum, LEGLESS BIRDS OF PARADISE Birmingham B’ham MICK FLAVIN Sun 11 Exhibition by Birmingham-based Sept, The Irish Centre, Redditch GORDON HENDRICKS IS artist Anna Katarzyna Domejko, until MORASS OF MOLASSES Birmingham WAY OF THE WARRIOR: EPIC MOVIES ELVIS Sat 3 - Sun 4 Sun 11 Sept, CCCA (Coventry Fri 9 Sept, Marr’s Bar, AND ARMOUR An exhibition of props Sept, Stratford REG MEUROSS Sun 11 Centre of Contemporary Arts) Worcester and costumes used in historical Artshouse Sept, Kitchen Garden THE SUBTERRANEANS Fri Cafe, Birmingham

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Friday 1 - Sunday 11 September

RICH WILSON, GEOFF BOYZ, TOM LUCY Sept, The Crescent Theatre, staging of Oscar Wilde’s class come- Classical Music & RAYMOND AND MR TIMPKINS REVUE Birmingham dy, Fri 9 - Sat 24 Sept, The REP, Fri 9 - Sat 10 Sept, The Comedy Loft, QUARTET Ronald Harwood’s play Birmingham Birmingham about ageing opera singers, Sat 3 - THE LADY IN THE VAN Crescent BOURNVILLE STRING ORCHESTRA MITCH BENN Sat 10 Sept, Artrix, Sat 10 Sept, Criterion Theatre, Theatre Company presents its ver- Featuring Timothy English (conduc- Bromsgrove Coventry sion of Alan Bennett’s iconic and cel- tor), Caroline Pether (leader), Naina ebrated memoir, Sat 10 - Sat 17 Reddy (voice), Ivy Laugh, Bronagh GARY DELANEY Sun 11 Sept, The Glee ROLL OVER BEETHOVEN High-energy Sept, Crescent Theatre, Birmingham Lee & Junias Wong (violin soloists), Club, Birmingham new musical which tells the story of Sat 3 Sept, The Barber Concert BARBARA NICE, MAUREEN YOUNGER & how dreary, post-war England was OSTRICH BOYS UK premiere of Carl Institute, Birmingham JOSH PUGH Sun 11 Sept, Artrix, transformed forever by American Miller’s staging which sees four Rock’n’Roll, Sat 3 - Sat 17 Sept, The actors play multiple roles. Please CENTRAL ENGLAND CAMERATA CONCERT Bromsgrove Belgrade Theatre, Coventry note, this production contains strong Featuring music by Andrew Downes, language throughout. including Symphony No.1, Sat 3 THE YEOMEN OF THE GUARD The Recommended for ages 12-plus. Sat Sept, Birmingham Cathedral National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company present a brand new pro- 10 - Sat 24 Sept, Belgrade Theatre, SUNDAY CLASSICS Presenting a range Theatre duction of one of G&S’s most popu- Coventry of young stars of the future from the lar operettas, Tues 6 Sept, Malvern classical world, ranging from opera Theatre singers to violinists to harpists at the THE SHAKESPEARE REVUE very start of their careers, Sun 4 Shakespeare meets showbiz in a SUNNY AFTERNOON Olivier Award-win- Sept, The Spotted Dog, Birmingham cabaret-style musical which was orig- ning musical which tells the captivat- inally produced by the Royal ing tale of how one of Britain's great- BRASS BAND GALA CONCERT Featuring Shakespeare Company and had a est bands, The Kinks, rose to star- Black Dyke Band, Foden’s Band & hugely successful West End run, dom, Tues 6 - Sat 10 Sept, New Cory Band, Nicholas Childs (conduc- until Sat 3 Sept, Malvern Theatres Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham tor) Sun 11 Sept, Symphony Hall, Birmingham NIGHT OF THE BRIDE OF PLAN 9 FROM THE MIKADO The National Gilbert & OUTER SPACE Tongue-in-cheek hom- Sullivan Company present a brand CHANDOS YOUNG MUSICIANS SHOW- age to one of Tinseltown's most new production of one of G&S’s CASE Featuring Michael Lloyd (con- RICE PAPER TALES Trikhon Theatre famous yet least talented directors, most popular operettas, Wed 7 Sept, ductor) & Adelaide Yue (piano). present a collection of beautiful, Ed Wood, until Sat 10 Sept, The Blue Malvern Theatre Programme includes works by funny and captivating Vietnamese Wagner, Grieg & Elgar, Sun 11 Sept, Orange Theatre, Birmingham CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG Featuring folk tales, Sun 11 Sept, mac, Malvern Theatre KING LEAR RSC Artistic Director Lee Mead as Caractacus Potts, Birmingham Gregory Doran directs Antony Sher Claire Sweeney as Baroness in the title role, until Sat 15 Oct, Bomburst and Andy Hockley as Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Grandpa Potts, Wed 7 - Sun 18 Sept, Comedy Gigs Stratford-upon-Avon Birmingham Hippodrome THE TWO NOBLE KINSMEN Based on MORBID CURIOSITIES A selection of Talks / Chaucer's The Knight's Tale, The Two Victorian horror fiction, featuring MANILLA ROAD COMEDY Thurs 1 Sept, Noble Kinsmen is attributed to John stage adaptations of The Yellow Spoken Word The Victoria, Birmingham Fletcher and William Shakespeare Wallpaper, John Charrington's ASHER TRELEAVEN, JONNY PELHAM & and is best described as a tragicom- Wedding and The Old Nurse's Story, COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY edy exploring the intoxication and Thurs 8 Sept, Old Joint Stock SPORTING LEGENDS Gary Newbon ROBINSON Thurs 1 Sept, The Glee strangeness of love, until Tues 7 Feb, Theatre, Birmingham hosts an evening of sporting banter featuring Peter Shilton, John Motson Club, Birmingham The Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon- RACHAEL YOUNG: I, MYSELF & ME One- and Kevin Connelly, Thurs 8 Sept, Avon woman show about loneliness, RAW COMEDY Fri 2 Sept, Evesham Malvern Theatre Arts Centre SPRINKLE OF GLITTER PRESENTS breaking free and bravery, inspired LOUISELIVE! New show featuring sto- by autobiographical material, Thurs 8 LUCY BRETT: BROMSGROVE WORDS Sun KEITH CARTER, ADAM STAUNTON & ries about dating, tales of life as an Sept, mac, Birmingham 11 Sept, Artrix, Bromsgrove COMIC TBC Fri 2 Sept, Katie internet sensation, mother and friend, Fitzgerald's, Stourbridge THE SORCERER The National Gilbert & life-confidence tips and fashion suc- Sullivan Opera Company present a ASHER TRELEAVEN, TOM TOAL, JONNY cesses and failures, Fri 2 Sept, The brand new production of one of PELHAM & JONNY AWSUM Fri 2 - Sat 3 Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham G&S’s less frequently performed Sept, The Glee Club, Birmingham TORCHER CHAMBER ARKESTRA comic operettas, Thurs 8 Sept, PAUL SINHA, ANDRE VINCENT, STEVE Craftspace Curates present a per- Malvern Theatre WILLIAMS & COLIN COLE Fri 2 - Sat 3 formance featuring fire, live and elec- 13 (THIRTEEN) Birmingham Institute of Sept, The Comedy Loft, Birmingham tronic music, and glass blowing, Fri 2 Theatre Arts present a grown-up RICHARD HERRING Fri 9 Sept, Stratford - Sat 3 Sept, mac, Birmingham story about growing up, Thurs 8 - Sat Artshouse, Stratford-upon-Avon SOMEWHERE UNDER THE RAINBOW 10 Sept, Palace Theatre, Redditch West End performer Sharon Sexton THE ROVER Aphra Behn's anarchic stars in Cillian O'Donnachadha's one- restoration comedy, set in the topsy- woman show which, set in the inti- turvy world of the carnival. Loveday mate surroundings of Liza's Minnelli's Ingram (The Merchant Of Venice, dressing room, shares legendary sto- 2001) returns to the RSC to direct, ries and secrets from a fascinating Thurs 8 Sept - Sat 11 Feb, The Swan Film career, Sat 3 Sept, Old Joint Stock Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon Theatre, Birmingham THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE The INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: MORGAN & WEST: PARLOUR TRICKS National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Time-travelling duo Morgan & West Company present a brand new pro- UP FOR LOVE (12a) Following a flaming present a show ‘chock full of jaw- duction of one of G&S’s most popu- row with her ex, Diane Duchêne dropping, brain-bursting, gasp-elicit- lar operettas, Fri 9 - Sat 10 Sept, leaves her phone behind at a restau- ing feats of magic’, Sat 3 Sept, mac, Malvern Theatre rant. Not long afterwards a stranger Birmingham DISNEY'S BEAUTY & THE BEAST JR rings her at her apartment: the man A NIGHT ON BROADWAY Sat 3 Sept, Juliet Vankay directs a new staging who rescued her phone is suave, Dovehouse Theatre, Solihull CAREY MARX, COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH of the much-loved story of transfor- charming, funny and 4’7”... Stars ANDY ROBINSON & COMIC TBC Thurs 8 THE AGE OF CONSENT The Green mation and tolerance, Fri 9 - Sun 11 Jean Dujardin & Virginie Efira. Sept, The Glee Club, Birmingham Room Theatre Company present two Sept, The Dream Factory, Warwick Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, until acutely uncomfortable monologues Thurs 1 Sept ROBIN MORGAN, CAREY MARX, THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST about childhood, responsibility and ANTHONY J BROWN & GEORGE EGG Fri 9 Cathy Tyson stars as Lady Bracknell GHOSTBUSTERS (12A) Who you gonna the shattering of innocence, Sat 3 - Sat 10 Sept, The Glee Club, B’ham in Nikolai Foster’s contemporary call? Paul Feig, apparently, he who

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thelist Friday 1 - Sunday 11 September guided Melissa McCarthy to stardom Ruby Barnhill & Dame Penelope Birmingham, Tues 6 Sept ONE MORE TIME WITH FEELING (tbc) in Bridesmaids, The Heat and Spy. Wilton. Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, ONE MORE TIME WITH FEELING (18) A SAUSAGE PARTY (15) Now McCarthy and the girls are Sun 4 - Thurs 8 Sept; mac, unique one-night-only cinema event THINGS TO COME (12A) replacing the boys in this distaff Birmingham, until Tues 13 Sept directed by Andrew Dominik remake of the 1984 hit about a mot- TICKLED (15) After stumbling upon a (Chopper, Killing Them Softly), One ley crew of spectral experts who join bizarre competitive endurance tick- More Time With Feeling is the first NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: forces to save the world. Stars ling video online, wherein young men ever opportunity to hear Skeleton Melissa McCarthy & Kristen Wiig. Released from Fri 9 Sept, showing at are paid to be tied up and tickled, Tree, the 16th studio album from selected cinemas Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, until reporter David Farrier reaches out to Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds. The Thurs 1 Sept request a story from the company. Electric Cinema, Birmingham, Thurs BEN-HUR (tbc) THE COMMUNE (15) Thomas But the reply he receives is shocking 8 Sept; Warwick Arts Centre, ACTOR IN LAW (tbc) Vinterberg (Festen, The Hunt, Far - the sender mocks Farrier's sexual Coventry, Thurs 8 Sept; Artrix, CAFE SOCIETY (12A) From The Madding Crowd) sets his orientation and threatens extreme Bromsgrove, Thurs 8 Sept ANTHROPOID (15) latest film in a commune in the ’70s legal action should he dig any deep- CAESAR & CLEOPATRA (PG) A witty and where not everybody sees eye to er. The Electric Cinema, Birmingham, seductive comedy about the relation- BAAR BAAR DEKHO (tbc) eye. Trine Dyrholm won the best Sat 3 Sept ship between a veteran Roman politi- THE BLUE ROOM (15) actress award at Berlin for her per- WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT (PG) A cal strategist and an enchanting CAPTAIN FANTASTIC (15) formance. And if Ms Dyrholm looks tale of a man, a woman and a rabbit Egyptian teenage queen. Stars DON'T BREATHE (tbc) familiar to you, she starred opposite in a triangle of trouble. It's a world Christopher Plummer & Nikki M Pierce Brosnan in the delightful Love where laughing can be dangerous, James. mac, Birmingham, Thurs 8 HELL OR HIGH WATER (15) Is All You Need (2012). Malvern romance can be hilarious, and Toons Sept KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS (tbc) Theatres, until Thurs 1 Sept and people live side by side. Stars SUMMERTIME (15) Two women from THE MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH (PG) SWALLOWS AND AMAZONS (PG) A Bob Hoskins & Christopher Lloyd. entirely different worlds - Carole is a THE LAND OF THE ENLIGHTENED (tbc) childhood summer in the Lake mac, Birmingham, Sat 3 Sept militant feminist teaching Spanish in District. Two groups of children - in THE BLUES BROTHERS (15) Direct out Paris and Delphine is a farmer’s THEO AND HUGO (18) their dinghies Amazon and Swallow - of jail, Jake Blues and his Brother daughter committed to her parents in play pirates in between the camping Elwood are off on a "mission from rural southwest France - fall passion- and fishing trips. Stars Kelly God" to raise funds for the orphan- ately in love. Stars Cécile de France Macdonald & Rafe Spall. Warwick age in which they grew up. The only & Izïa Higelin. Roses Theatre, Arts Centre, Coventry, until Sun 4 thing they can do is do what they do Tewkesbury, Thurs 8 Sept Sept Events best: play music. So they get their GHOSTBUSTERS (12A) Who you gonna NOTES ON BLINDNESS (U) In the sum- old band together and they're on call? Paul Feig, apparently, he who BALLOON MODELLING Have a go at mer of 1983, just days before the their way - yet not without getting in guided Melissa McCarthy to stardom creating your very own car out of a birth of his first son, writer and the- a bit of trouble here and there. Stars in Bridesmaids, The Heat and Spy. balloon, until Thurs 1 Sept, British ologian John Hull went blind. To John Belushi & Dan Aykroyd. mac, Now McCarthy and the girls are Motor Museum, Gaydon, make sense of this change, he Birmingham, Sat 3 Sept replacing the boys in this distaff Warwickshire began keeping a diary on audio-cas- CASABLANCA (U) Rick Blaine remake of the 1984 hit about a mot- sette. The film gives exclusive access (Humphrey Bogart), who owns a ley crew of spectral experts who join SUMMER FORESTRY ADVENTURE CLUB to these original recordings that nightclub in Casablanca, discovers forces to save the world. Stars Enjoy bug hunts, campfire stories & encompass dreams, memory and his old flame, Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman), Melissa McCarthy & Kristen Wiig. songs, cooking, crafts and more in imagining life, excavating the interior is in town with her husband, Victor Artrix, Bromsgrove, Fri 9 - Sun 11 this Forestry Adventure Club, until Fri world of blindness. Roses Theatre, Laszlo (Paul Henreid). Laszlo is a Sept 2 Sept, Arley Arboretum, Bewdley Tewkesbury, Thurs 1 Sept famed rebel, and with Germans on WILLY WONKA & THE CHOCOLATE FAC- MIC LAB: WORKING VEHICLES Get your THE MARTIAN (12a) A team of astro- his tail, Ilsa knows Rick can help TORY (PG) Charlie Bucket, whose designers’ head on and create a nauts encounter a raging storm dur- them get out of the country. family is poor, strikes it lucky when strong working vehicle. Try it out on ing a mission to planet Mars. They Outdoors in Rose Bank Gardens, he discovers one of the five golden different terrains in the test and play escape the burning planet but leave Malvern, Sun 4 Sept tickets to tour Willy Wonka’s mysteri- area, until Fri 2 Sept, Coventry Mark Whatney (Matt Damon), whom GOLDEN YEARS (12a) Fate, the pen- ous chocolate factory. Gene Wilder Transport Museum they believe to be dead, behind. But sions crisis and a steadfast refusal to stars in this Roald Dahl classic. mac, SUMMER NIGHTS West Midland Safari Whatney is alive, and now finds him- accept the injustice of old age con- Birmingham, Sat 10 Sept Park continues to open late until Sun self alone on the red planet, where trive to force law-abiding retired cou- 4 Sept, West Midland Safari and he must develop means to survive STAR TREK BEYOND (15) How many ple Arthur and Martha into a life of Leisure Park, Bewdley, until his rescue. Outdoors at Star Trek films have there been? crime. Refusing to take the loss of Whoops, this is the 13th and the third Worcestershire Avoncroft Museum, Bromsgrove, Fri their pensions lying down, they in the rebooted series. Simon Pegg GREAT FIRE OF LONDON WEEK 2 Sept decide to take back what was theirs penned the screenplay (in collabora- Commemorate 350 years since the THE SHALLOWS (15) Just when you in the first place. They decide to start tion with Doug Jung) and takes the Great Fire of London at Blakesley thought it was safe… A surfer on a robbing banks. Stars Bernard Hill & USS Enterprise into the furthest Hall with themed crafts, garden and secluded beach in Mexico finds her- Simon Callow. Stourbridge Town reaches of unchartered space, where house trails, quizzes and perform- self the prey of a great white shark, Hall, Mon 5 Sept the crew encounters a really nasty ances based on the Great Fire, until even though she’s only 200 yards THE SHALLOWS (15) Just when you piece of work (Idris Elba). Roses Sun 4 Sept, Blakesley Hall, from the beach. Stars Blake Lively thought it was safe… A surfer on a Theatre, Tewkesbury, Sat 10 Sept Birmingham and Óscar Jaenada. The Electric secluded beach in Mexico finds her- MAGGIE'S PLAN (15) Maggie’s plan is MAKING MUSICAL MEMORIES - MUSICAL Cinema, Birmingham, Fri 2 - Thurs 8 self the prey of a great white shark, to have a baby on her own, courtesy MELODIES TRAIL Find a variety of Sept even though she’s only 200 yards of the seed of a former college col- activity stations around the museum, OUR KIND OF TRAITOR (15) The latest from the beach. Stars Blake Lively league. Then she falls in love with a including a musical Instrument area adaptation of a John le Carré novel, and Óscar Jaenada. Roses Theatre, married man… Stars Greta Gerwig & and colouring post. Try the Memory this spy thriller sees a British couple Tewkesbury, Mon 5 - Wed 7 Sept Ethan Hawke. Roses Theatre, Game using Elgar's very own desk, on holiday who find themselves GARY NUMAN: ANDROID IN LA LA LAND Tewkesbury, Sun 11 - Tues 13 Sept until Sun 4 Sept, The Elgar befriended by a Russian oligarch. + DIRECTOR Q&A (15) Filmed with Birthplace Museum, Worcester However, Dima has an ulterior motive candour, warmth and humour, SUMMER TRAILS unti Tues 6 Sept, for his amiability, and soon the cou- Android In La La Land explores life Croome Park, nr Pershore, ple’s holiday in the sun turns into a for Gary and his Numanoid family as NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: game of shadows. Artrix, Worcestershire they set up home in California and as Released from Fri 2 Sept, showing at Bromsgrove, Fri 2 & Mon 5 Sept FAMILY SUMMER ACTIVITIES until Sat Gary records his eagerly anticipated selected cinemas THE BFG (PG) A live-action adaptation new album Splinter. With exclusive 17 Sept, Gas Hall, Birmingham of Roald Dahl’s story of the lonely access to the Numan family as they THE 9TH LIFE OF LOUIS DRAX (15) Museum & Art Gallery giant (played here by Mark Rylance) unpack in California, the story BROTHERHOOD (15) KIDS' ADVENTURE DAYS Featuring who kidnaps a little girl (Ruby unfolds at home, in the studio and CAFE SOCIETY (12A) more than 20 outdoor activities, Barnhill) to help him outwit the man- on the road. This screening will be under the supervision of highly quali- JIM: THE JAMES FOLEY STORY (tbc) eating giants that have been plagu- followed by a live onstage director fied staff, Thurs 1 Sept, The Old ing the human world. Also stars Q&A. The Electric Cinema, MORGAN (tbc)

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Friday 1 - Sunday 11 September

Vicarage Adventure Centre, off-road running: mud runs, trail runs Kidderminster and obstacle runs, Sat 3 - Sun 4 SUMMER WORKSHOP - PAPER PLANES Sept, Welsh Road Farm, Thurs 1 Sept, Selly Manor, Warwickshire Birmingham MAC CONTEMPORARY CRAFT MARKETS DAY OF CHAMPIONS The stars of Sun 4 Sept, mac, Birmingham MotoGP come together to help sup- TOY COLLECTORS FAIR Sun 4 Sept, port its official charity, Two Wheels NEC, Birmingham for Life. Includes an auction, live SHAKESPEARE AND MEDIEVAL music and stunt displays, Thurs 1 BIRMINGHAM BUS TOUR Combined Sept, Silverstone Circuit, Northants guided walking and bus tour looking THE BERKELEYS OF SPETCHLEY PARK A at the origins of Birmingham and its journey through 850 years of family medieval past, Sun 4 Sept, history, Thurs 1 Sept, Spetchley Park Birmingham City Centre Gardens, Warwickshire WINDMILL SAILING See the historic SCULPTURE TRAIL An exhibition of dra- windmill in action as it’s sailed by the matic sculptures, Thurs 1 - Tues 4 team of specially trained volunteers, Oct, The Jinney Ring Craft Centre, Sun 4 Sept, Avoncroft Museum, Bromsgrove Bromsgrove DIGBETH FIRST FRIDAY Digbeth comes RAF WALKS Be shown where, in 1940, alive on the first Friday of each a substantial part of Croome Park month with exhibitions, late-night was requisitioned for the building of openings, special events, culture in a new airfield, known as RAF unexpected spaces, live music, street Defford, Sun 4 Sept, Croome Park, food and more, Fri 2 Sept, Digbeth, Worcestershire Birmingham REGGAE CARIBBEAN COOKOUT Sun 4 MURDER THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS Sept, Coffin Works, Birmingham Murder-mystery event at the Mad ROTARY CLUB COUNTRY FESTIVAL Sun Hatter’s Tea/Dinner Party, Fri 2 Sept, 4 Sept, Birmingham Botanical Fargo Village, Coventry Gardens Retro Truck Show - British Motor Museum, Gaydon VW ACTION The world's longest-run- ON THE BUSES! Vintage buses on dis- ning family VW festival, Fri 2 - Sun 4 play at Bewdley Station, Sun 4 Sept, EXCALIBUR PAPER CRAFTING FAIR THE BIRMINGHAM CRUISE SHOW 2016 Sept, Santa Pod Raceway, Northants Severn Valley Railway, Kidderminster Papercrafting and stamping show, Sat 10 - Sun 11 Sept, NEC, B’ham THE ULTIMATE MOTOGP EXPERIENCE Fri Sat 10 Sept, National Motorcycle WORCESTERSHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST AT VANDAL VS VISIONARY TALK Find out Museum, Solihull 2 - Sun 4 Sept, Silverstone Circuit, more about Capability Brown's most BODENHAM Sat 10 - Sun 11 Sept, Northants celebrated 18th century landscapes, BAT WALK Led by Warwickshire Bat Bodenham Arboretum, Kidderminster PLANT HUNTERS’ FAIRS Sat 3 Sept, Tues 6 Sept, Croome Park, Group, Sat 10 Sept, Charlecote Park, BRITISH GT CHAMPIONSHIP AND BRDC Bodenham Arboretum, Kidderminster Worcestershire Warwickshire F3 CHAMPIONSHIP Champions will be JAGUAR BREAKFAST CLUB A monthly HANDSWORTH HERITAGE WALK Wed 7 KINGS NORTON FARMERS' MARKET Sat crowned in both the British GT and meet, open to all Jaguar owners and Sept, Soho House, Birmingham 10 Sept, The Green, Kings Norton, BRDC F3 Championships, as both enthusiasts, Sat 3 Sept, British Motor Birmingham series hold their final rounds of the SHAKESPEARE AT CHARLECOTE PARK year at Donington Park, Sat 10 - Sun Museum, Gaydon, Warwickshire Professor Stanley Wells and Paul VINTAGE TEA DANCE Sat 10 Sept, Upton House & Gardens, 11 Sept, Donington Park Racing FAMILY PICNIC Sat 3 Sept, Coventry Edmondson celebrate the Bard, Wed Circuit, Derby Transport Museum 7 Sept, Charlecote Park, Warwickshire Warwickshire CARS & COFFEE BREAKFAST CLUB An WALKING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF WHEEL MAKING/WHEELWRIGHTING Sat BOULTON AND WATT Admire fine 3 Sept, Chedhams Yard, Stratford- THE LUNA CINEMA Cinema in the cas- opportunity for classic car and motorcycle owners to show off their Georgian and Victorian architecture, upon-Avon tle grounds, Wed 7 - Fri 9 Sept, a convent designed by Augustus Warwick Castle cars directly in front of the presti- ICONIC DIESELS Celebrating the 'Deltic' gious Coventry Transport Museum, Pugin, a church built nearly 1,000 & 'Western' diesel locomotive, Sat 3 EVENING SUPPER LECTURES 2016 A Sat 10 Sept, Coventry Transport years ago and magnificent civic Sept, Severn Valley Railway, two-course supper in the Barn Museum buildings, Sat 10 - Sun 11 Sept, Kidderminster Restaurant accompanied by a talk on Soho House, Birmingham LEAMINGTON SPA FOOD & DRINK HANDSWORTH HERITAGE WALK Sat 3 a variety of subjects, followed by an WORKSHOP: CORN DOLLY MAKING Sun after-hours stroll in the gardens, FESTIVAL Sat 10 - Sun 11 Sept, Royal Sept, Soho House, Birmingham Pump Rooms, Leamington Spa 11 Sept, Avoncroft Museum, Thurs 8 Sept, Baddesley Clinton, Bromsgrove BIRMINGHAM HONEY SHOW Back for a Solihull ATTIC TOURS Special tours of the sixth year, a chance to learn all about Harvington Hall attics, Sat 10 - Sun PADDINGTON VISIT Ride out into the bees, honey and the craft of bee FIA/FIM EUROPEAN FINALS 2016 The countryside on one of the steam fastest drag cars and bikes from 11 Sept, Harvington Hall, keeping, Sat 3 - Sun 4 Sept, Kidderminster trains to meet a well-known charac- Martineau Gardens, Birmingham across the continent battle it out to ter, Sun 11 Sept, Severn Valley be the best, Thurs 8 - Sun 11 Sept, RETRO TRUCK SHOW Feat more than Railway, Kidderminster CLASSIC SPORTS CAR RACES The Santa Pod Raceway, Northants 350 of the best modern classic Classic Sports Car Club takes two trucks, manufactured between 1960 COMMUNITY FOOD FESTIVAL AND days of racing to Donington Park, WILLIAM ALEXANDER HARVEY AND HERITAGE OPEN DAY Sun 11 Sept, LAURENCE CADBURY - HERITAGE TALKS and 2000, Sat 10 - Sun 11 Sept, Sat 3 - Sun 4 Sept, Donington Park British Motor Museum, Gaydon, Winterbourne House & Garden, Racing Circuit, Derby Gillian Ellis and Daniel Callicott pres- Birmingham ent two talks focusing on men who Warwickshire MIDDLE-EARTH FESTIVAL A celebration made a significant contribution to THE WEAVER'S HOUSE OPEN DAY Step CYCLAMEN SHOW See a display of of all things Tolkien, Sat 3 - Sun 4 Selly Manor, Thurs 8 Sept, Selly back in time to Coventry’s medieval beautiful Cyclamen in bloom, with Sept, Sarehole Mill, Birmingham Manor, Birmingham past, Sat 10 - Sun 11 Sept, The experts on hand to answer your BIRMINGHAM BUS TOURS 2016 Sat 3 - Weavers House, Coventry questions, Sun 11 Sept, Birmingham ROMAN VS FOUSEY Join the YouTube Botanical Gardens Sun 4 Sept, Birmingham City Centre sensations for an evening of sketch- BIRMINGHAM BUS TOURS 2016 Sat 10 - CROOME'S HIDDEN HERITAGE: HARE es, stand-up comedy & pranks, Fri 9 Sun 11 Sept, Birmingham City CHURCHILL FORGE OPEN DAY Sun 11 KRISHNA WEEKEND Talk to devotees Sept, O2 Academy, Birmingham Centre Sept, Churchill Forge Mill, Worcestershire about their time at Croome in the PEAKY BLINDERS NIGHT Fri 9 - Sat 10 THE BASIL BRUSH SHOW Sat 10 - Sun ’70s & ’80s. Includes special music, Sept, Black Country Living Museum, 11 Sept, Cadbury World, Bournville, THE BATTLE OF THE SOMME FILM talks and food, Sat 3 - Sun 4 Sept, Dudley Birmingham SCREENING Imperial War Museumss Croome Park, Worcestershire UNESCO-listed film screening, Sun THE BIG COMFY LITERATURE FESTIVAL MOTORSPORT MARSHALLING TASTER 11 Sept, Blakesley Hall, Birmingham WOLF RUN Weekend devoted to the Fri 9 - Sun 11 Sept, Fargo Village, DAY Sat 10 - Sun 11 Sept, Donington phenomenon of Wild Running - a Coventry Park Racing Circuit, Derby unique combination of three kinds of

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Monday 12 - Sunday 18 September

thelist Rooms, Stourbridge WILLIAM CONTROL Sat Classical Music Theatre 17 Sept, The Rainbow Venues, Birmingham COLD CALLING: THE ARCTIC PROJECT Fri BAZAAR AND RUMMAGE Sue MONEY FOR NOTHING 16 - Sat 17 Sept, Birmingham Townsend's heartfelt comedy, pre- Sat 17 Sept, The Repertory Theatre sented by Malvern Theatre Players, Assembly, Leamington follows a group of agoraphobic Spa EUROPEAN UNION CHAMBER ORCHES- TRA Featuring Hans-Peter Hofmann women trying to overcome their fears THE JIGANTICS Sat 17 (director & soloist) & Peter Sutton by taking their first steps into ‘The Sept, Palace Theatre, (reader). Programme includes works Outside’, Mon 12 - Sat 17 Sept, Redditch by Bach, Faure, Mendelssohn, Malvern Theatres THE PHONICS Sat 17 Mozart, Walton & Bartok, Sat 17 SISTER ACT THE MUSICAL Alexandra Sept, The Roadhouse, Sept, Malvern Theatre Burke stars in Craig Revel Horwood’s Birmingham B.A ZIMMERMANN: SONATA FOR SOLO staging of the hit musical, based on THE BONNEVILLES Sat CELLO BCMG cellist and founding the film of the same title, Mon 12 - 17 Sept, The Assembly, musician Ulrich Heinen performs Sat 17 Sept, New Alexandra Theatre, Leamington Spa Bernd Alois Zimmermann's Sonata Birmingham The Enemy - The Empire, Coventry THE ENEMY Sat 17 Sept, for solo cello, Sat 17 - Sun 18 Sept, THAT'LL BE THE DAY A musical romp The Empire, Coventry Ikon Gallery, Birmingham through the youthful days of Rock’n’Roll in the ’50s, on through ASHA BHOSLE Sat 17 THE FESTIVALS the Swinging ’60s and into the taste- Sept, Genting Arena, EXPERIENCE Fri 16 Sept, free days of the 1970s, Tues 13 Sept, Gigs Birmingham The River Rooms, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Stourbridge THE FALL OF TROY Sat I SPEAK MACHINE Tues THE WOMAN IN BLACK Stephen THE WORLD FAMOUS 17 Sept, The Asylum, 13 Sept, The Tin Music Mallatratt’s ingenious stage adapta- ELVIS SHOW WITH CHRIS Birmingham And Arts, Coventry tion of Susan Hill’s acclaimed ghost CONNOR Fri 16 Sept, BEV BEVAN'S ZING BAND story, Tues 13 - Sat 17 Sept, Lichfield DAN WALSH & JOHN The Core Theatre, Sat 17 Sept, The Core Garrick DOWLING Tues 13 Sept, Solihull Theatre, Solihull Kitchen Garden Cafe, BLOOD BROTHERS Award-winning FLATBUSH ZOMBIES Fri Birmingham THE QUEENS OF show written by Willy Russell and 16 Sept, O2 Institute, COUNTRY SHOW Sat 17 telling the story of twins who, sepa- LEVEL UP SEASON 4.5 Birmingham Sept, Huntingdon Hall, rated at birth and growing up on (FEATURING SOWETO THE BLUETONES Fri 16 Worcester opposite sides of the tracks, eventu- KINCH) Tues 13 Sept, Sept, The Copper ally meet again - with fateful conse- The REP, Birmingham ELECTRIC SLIM + LAST Rooms, Coventry OF THE BARRICADES Sat quences, Tues 13 - Sat 17 Sept, MARZY'S JAMMING Malvern Theatres CAST Fri 16 Sept, The 17 Sept, Kasbah, NIGHT Wed 14 Sept, Assembly, Leamington Coventry HONK! THE MUSICAL Amateur produc- The Marr’s Bar, Comedy Gigs Spa MOTOWN DIVA’S SHOW tion of Stiles & Drewe's hit musical, Worcester Wed 14 - Sat 17 Sept, The Old Rep SMALL FAKERS Fri 16 WITH THE DREAMETTES GREGORY PECK'S JAZZ, LOUDEEMY SOUP COMEDY NIGHT Mon Theatre, Birmingham Sept, The Roadhouse, Sat 17 Sept, Nailcote FUNK AND SOUL OPEN 12 Sept, The Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham Hall, Warwickshire Birmingham A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S TEASE An MIC NIGHT Wed 14 evening of burlesque and cabaret MOTOWN AND SOUL HANS-JOACHIM Sept, The Night Owl, KAREN BAYLEY, JULIE JEPSON, MANDY featuring Briar Rouge, as seen on NIGHT WITH DJ PAUL ROEDELIUS Sat 17 Sept, Birmingham MUDEN & MAUREEN YOUNGER Wed 14 Channel Four’s First Dates and Made KELLY Fri 16 Sept, The The Tin Music And INHEAVEN Wed 14 Sept, Sept, Kitchen Garden Cafe, B’ham In Chelsea, Thurs 15 Sept, Stratford Irish Centre, B’ham Arts, Coventry The Rainbow Venues, MICK FERRY, GORDON SOUTHERN & Artshouse, Stratford-upon-Avon NOAH GUTHRIE Fri 16 SAM LEE AND THE Birmingham COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY THE GIRL WHO FELL IN LOVE WITH THE Sept, O2 Institute, ROUNDHOUSE CHOIR Sat KEL ELLIOT & HER THREE ROBINSON Thurs 15 Sept, The Glee MOON Human Zoo Theatre Company Birmingham 17 Sept, mac, B’ham MAN ORCHESTRA Wed Club, Birmingham fuse puppetry, poetry, movement and GOSKINO Sat 17 Sept, 14 Sept, Stratford ALAN BRAXE Fri 16 Sept, SHIP OF FOOLS WITH COMPERE ALAN live music to explore humanity’s eter- The Sunflower Lounge, Artshouse Hare & Hounds, B’ham SEAMAN Fri 16 Sept, Palace Theatre, nal fascination with the skies, Thurs Birmingham JOHN J PRESLEY Wed LYNCHED Fri 16 Sept, Redditch 15 Sept, Bridge House Theatre, 14 Sept, Hare & Artrix, Bromsgrove MERCURY Sat 17 Sept, PAUL SINHA, INGRID DAHLE, TAMAR Warwick The Swan Theatre Hounds, Birmingham VOODOO ROOM - A NIGHT BROADBENT & CHRIS PURCHASE Fri 16 CEIRW - A SAVAGE HEART Original the- Worcester GAGA Thurs 15 Sept, OF HENDRIX AND CREAM Sept, Lichfield Garrick atrical production, told through the The Core Theatre, Fri 16 Sept, SHAWN CUDDY Sun 18 SEAN PERCIVAL, MARKUS BIRDMAN & story of a wealthy 19th century gen- Solihull Huntingdon Hall, Sept, The Irish Centre, KAREN BAILEY Fri 16 Sept, Molineux tleman with a lust for hunting ani- Worcester Birmingham mals. Inspired in part by Dickens’ A THE BOWIE EXPERIENCE Stadium, Wolverhampton Christmas Carol, Fri 16 Sept, The STARMAN - DAVID BOWIE DILLY DALLY Sun 18 MICK FERRY, GORDON SOUTHERN, JOHN Thurs 15 Sept, Roses, Tewkesbury Wolverhampton Grand A MUSICAL CELEBRATION Sept, Hare & Hounds, LYNN & PRINCE ABDI Fri 16 - Sat 17 Theatre Fri 16 Sept, Palace Birmingham Sept, The Glee Club, Birmingham MIDDAY VARIETY Starring funnyman Theatre, Redditch Bernie Clifton, singers Jan Hunt and YOU’VE GOT A FRIEND: SOUL CITY Sun 18 Sept, MANDY KNIGHT, ALEX BOARDMAN, MIKE Lorrie Brown, comedian John Styles, THE MUSIC OF JAMES GUADALU PE PLATA Fri 16 The Roadhouse, B’ham WILMOT & RHODRI RHYS Fri 16 - Sat Andy Eastwood and the Martyn St TAYLOR AND CAROLE Sept, The Rainbow GUTTERDÄMMERUNG 17 Sept, The Comedy Loft, B’ham James Band, Fri 16 Sept, Belgrade KING Venues, Birmingham Sun 18 Sept, O2 Thurs 15 Sept, GARY DELANEY Sat 17 Sept, Artrix, Theatre, Coventry Palace Theatre, THE JOHNNY CASH Academy, Birmingham Bromsgrove JUKEBOX MUSICALS IN CONCERT Redditch ROADSHOW Sat 17 WHISPERED & BRIDGET CHRISTIE & ANDY HAMILTON Featuring hits from popular jukebox CLUB CLASSICS - LIVE! Sept, Malvern Theatres COUNTLESS SKIES Sun Sun 18 Sept, Royal Shakespeare musicals, Fri 16 - Sat 17 Sept, Old 18 Sept, The Rainbow Thurs 15 Sept, The GARY NUMAN Sat 17 Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham Jam House, B’ham Sept, The Copper Venues, Birmingham SHAZIA MIRZA Sun 18 Sept, Artrix, COLD CALLING: THE ARCTIC PROJECT MADISON VIOLET Rooms, Coventry JOE REES Sun 18 Sept, Thurs Bromsgrove Musicians and artists unite against a 15 Sept, The Glee FRED ZEPPELIN Tribute The Tin Music And TAPE FACE Sun 18 Sept, The Core backdrop of beautiful Arctic land- Club, Birmingham band to Led Zeppelin Arts, Coventry Theatre, Solihull scapes for a powerful exploration of THEE MVPS Thurs 15 Sat 17 Sept, The CRIME & PUNISHMENT love, loneliness and loss. World pre- Sept, The Sunflower Robin, Bilston 2011 Sun 18 Sept, The miere presented by Birmingham Lounge, Birmingham KICK UP THE 80'S Sat 17 Sunflower Lounge, Repertory Theatre and the City Of Sept, The River Birmingham Birmingham Symphony Orchestra,

56 whatsonlive.co.uk The List 12 - 18 Sep - Warwicks & Worcs Davina.qxp_Layout 1 22/08/2016 15:57 Page 2

Monday 12 - Sunday 18 September

Friday 7 October at 7.30pm Fri 16 - Sat 17 Sept, The REP, Poet Laureate, Giovanni ‘Spoz’ Birmingham, Thurs 15 Sept; Warwick Royal Pump Rooms, Leamington Birmingham Esposito, Mon 12 Sept, Artrix, Arts Centre, Coventry, Thurs 15 Sept CARDUCCI STRING WILDE AT HEART Patrick Marley’s criti- Bromsgrove THE BLUES BROTHERS (15) Direct out QUARTET cally acclaimed show explores the SPORTING LEGENDS Gary Newbon of jail, Jake Blues and his Brother Mendelssohn, Shostakovich, Beethoven triumphs and tragedies that charac- hosts an evening of sporting banter Elwood are off on a "mission from terised the flawed genius of Oscar featuring Peter Shilton, John Motson God" to raise funds for the orphan- Wilde, Fri 16 - Sat 17 Sept, The Bear and Kevin Connelly, Thurs 8 Sept, age in which they grew up. The only Pit Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon Malvern Theatre thing they can do is do what they do A SLAVE TO LOVE Lying Lips Theatre LUCY BRETT: BROMSGROVE WORDS best: play music. So they get their Company present the 19th century Sun 11 Sept, Artrix, Bromsgrove old band together and they're on ...... Tuesday 11 October at 7.30pm their way - yet not without getting in story of three slaves sold at auction LICENCED TO RHYME New, monthly St Mary’s Church, Warwick to work on a small plantation, Fri 16 - a bit of trouble here and there. Stars STILE ANTICO spoken-word event mixing poetry, John Belushi & Dan Aykroyd. Sat 17 Sept, mac, Birmingham The Touches of Sweet Harmony prose and, occasionally, music. Co- Outdoors in Priory Park, Malvern, DISNEY'S BEAUTY & THE BEAST JR hosted by Maggie Doyle, Sun 16 Sept Juliet Vankay directs a new staging Worcestershire Poet Laureate of the much-loved story of transfor- Emeritus, and former Birmingham mation and tolerance, Fri 16 - Sun 18 Poet Laureate, Giovanni ‘Spoz’ NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: Sept, The Dream Factory, Warwick Esposito, Mon 12 Sept, Artrix, Released Fri 16 Sept, showing at UNCLE’S STORY SHOP Unique interac- Bromsgrove selected cinemas ...... Tuesday 18 October at 7.00pm tive theatre experience which encour- CARRIE HOPE FLETCHER - TALK, Q&A BRIDGET JONES'S BABY (tbc) ages young audiences to help create AND BOOK SIGNING Mon 12 Sept, The Royal Spa Centre, Leamington new stories, Sat 17 Sept, The REP, Glee Club, Birmingham THE BROTHER (tbc) YU-CHENG CHEN and SHIH-HAN LEE Birmingham MAKING A SCENE, PLAYWRIGHTS THE CLAN (tbc) Mellow Marimbas and Vibrant Vibes TEN LETTERS New piece of intergener- TODAY: TOM MORTON SMITH Playwright EL SUR (THE SOUTH) (PG) ational poetry theatre about David Edgar talks to fellow play- HUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE (tbc) Birmingham, featuring the best in wright Tom Morton-Smith about his local poetry talent. Produced by favourite scenes from Shakespeare THE INFILTRATOR (15) Giovanni 'Spoz' Esposito and Lorna and where he finds inspiration in his THE NEIGHBOUR (tbc) Meehan, and incorporating multime- work, Sat 17 Sept, The Other Place, BLAIR WITCH (tbc) dia and live music, Sat 17 - Sun 18 Stratford-upon-Avon Sunday...... 30 October at 11.30am Sept, mac, Birmingham SPECIALIST TALK - THE PRE- Royal Spa Centre, Leamington RAPHAELITES - SEX, DRUGS AND POET- ROALD DAHL’S CINDERELLA RY Tongue-in-cheek evening tour AND DIRTY BEASTS with a definite adult slant, Thurs 15 Events Ensemble 360 with Polly Ives Narrator Sept, Wightwick Manor, Wolverhampton KENILWORTH ARTS FESTIVAL Find out more on page 19, Mon 12 - Sun 18 Sept, Kenilworth ASTERS IN BLOOM See the National ...... Sunday 30 October at 3.00pm Collection of Asters in its purple Film Royal Spa Centre, Leamington prime, Mon 12 - Fri 23 Sept, Upton ROALD DAHL’S EDWARD House & Gardens, Warwickshire WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? INDEPENDENT CINEMAS: THE CONQUEROR TURTLE FEST Unique activites plus fun Amateur production of Edward Cordelia Williams Piano & engaging creature talks. There’ll Sara Kestelman Narrator Albee’s famous play, Sat 17 - Sun 18 NOW YOU SEE ME 2 (12A) also be a chance to meet Molokai Sept, Artrix, Bromsgrove The magic troupe calling themselves The Four the Sealife Centre’s giant green turtle Horsemen are back and, against who turns 40 this year, Mon 12 - Sun their will, are enlisted by a high-tech 25 Sept, National Sea Life Centre, wizard (Daniel Radcliffe) to pull off Birmingham their most daring heist yet. Filmed in HONDA RON HASLAM RACE SCHOOL Dance Macau and Middlesex. Stars Jesse Experience riding on the Donington In November Eisenberg & Mark Ruffalo. Roses Park GP Circuit, Tues 13 Sept, Friday 4 November at 7.30pm ROSIE KAY DANCE COMPANY Double Theatre, Tewkesbury, Mon 12 - Tues Donington Park Racing Circuit, Royal Pump Rooms, Leamington bill of athletic, intelligent and techni- 13 Sept Derby VAN KUIJK STRING QUARTET cal dance routines. The featured SING STREET (12A) John Carney start- RAG RUGGING MASTERCLASS WITH shows are Double Points: K - a study ed out as bassist for the Irish rock JESSIE LINDON Tues 13 Sept, Ravel, Poulenc, Debussy of synchronicity and stamina set to a band The Frames, directed some of Packwood House, Solihull ...... Tuesday 8 November at 7.30pm soundtrack of Bach, dubstep and their music videos and went on to RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS - A DIS- electronica - and Motel, a ‘dark, sexy helm the critically acclaimed feature St Mary’s Church, Warwick, TINCTIVE ENGLISH VOICE An appraisal THE TELLING with and exciting’ piece inspired by the films Once and Begin Again. He of the music of Ralph Vaughan JAN CHAPPELL paintings of visual arts duo Huntley keeps to the theme of music here Williams, Tues 13 Sept, The Elgar Muir, Thurs 15 - Sat 16 Sept, mac, with this simple love story in which a Vision - Hildegard of Bingen programme Birthplace Museum, Worcester Birmingham boy starts up a band in order to ...... Sunday 13 November at 7.00pm MORRIS MINOR OWNERS CLUB A dis- impress a girl. Bono himself collabo- King’s High School, Warwick play of 'Moggies' on Millennium rated on the soundtrack. Stars Lucy RODERICK WILLIAMS Boynton & Maria Doyle Kennedy. Place, Wed 14 Sept, Coventry Artrix, Bromsgrove, Tues 13 - Wed 14 Transport Museum and IAIN BURNSIDE Talks / Sept MEET SIR THOMAS HOLTE: A Schubert Winterreise BIRMINGHAM HERITAGE WEEK TOUR THE BEATLES: EIGHT DAYS A WEEK (12a) ...... Friday 25 November at 7.30pm Spoken Word Featuring rare and exclusive footage, Wed 14 Sept, Aston Hall, Royal Pump Rooms, Leamington new documentary The Beatles: Eight Birmingham ELIAS STRING QUARTET Days A Week is produced with the UNDERSTANDING BROWN'S DESIGN Haydn, Britten, Beethoven LICENCED TO RHYME New, monthly full cooperation of Paul McCartney, WALK Find out about how Capability spoken-word event mixing poetry, Ringo Starr, Yoko Ono Lennon and Brown redesigned the landscape for prose and, occasionally, music. Co- Olivia Harrison. It’s based on the first the 6th Earl of Coventry, Thurs 15 For tickets and hosted by Maggie Doyle, part of The Beatles’ career (1962- Sept, Croome Park, Worcestershire 1966) - the period in which they full details Worcestershire Poet Laureate WOMEN'S WORK: A BIRMINGHAM toured and captured the world’s Emeritus, and former Birmingham HERITAGE WEEK TOUR Find out about www.leamingtonmusic.org acclaim. The Electric Cinema, or call 01926 334418 whatsonlive.co.uk 57 The List 12 - 18 Sep - Warwicks & Worcs Davina.qxp_Layout 1 22/08/2016 15:57 Page 3

thelist

HSBC Bikefest - Victoria Square, Birmingham

the lives of women who lived at MIDLAND GAME FAIR Country pursuits Aston Hall, Thurs 15 - Fri 16 Sept, event, Sat 17 - Sun 18 Sept, Weston Aston Hall, Birmingham Park, Staffordshire A TASTE OF HISTORY - A BIRMINGHAM DUNLOP MSA BRITISH TOURING CAR HERITAGE WEEK TOUR Exclusive culi- CHAMPIONSHIP Gladiatorial-style rac- nary evening tour of Aston Hall. ing, Sat 17 - Sun 18 Sept, Explore the art and theatre of dining Silverstone Circuit, Northants through the ages, Fri 16 Sept, Aston HERITAGE WEEKEND AT CADBURY Hall, Birmingham WORLD Sat 17 - Sun 18 Sept, MCE INSURANCE BRITISH SUPERBIKE Cadbury World, Bournville, B’ham CHAMPIONSHIP Fri 16 - Sun 18 Sept, ARTISAN & CRAFT FAIR Sat 17 - Sun Donington Park Racing Circuit, 18 Sept, Fargo Village, Coventry Derby BIRMINGHAM BUS TOURS 2016 Sat 17 BIRMINGHAM CHILLI FESTIVAL Sat 17 - Sun 18 Sept, Birmingham City Sept, Brindleyplace, Birmingham Centre HERITAGE OPEN DAY See orchards full FORDFEST Season finale for Ford of fruit and pick your own harvest of Fans. The best examples of classic damsons and apples, Sat 17 Sept, and modern models on display, Sun Brockhampton Estate, Herefordshire 18 Sept, Santa Pod Raceway, BEES AND HONEY Find out about Northants bees, honey making and wax can- BEHIND THE SCENES TOURS - SERVICE dle making, Sat 17 Sept, Chedhams AREA & STABLE YARD Sun 18 Sept, Yard, Stratford-upon-Avon Witley Court, Worcestershire LAND ROVER BREAKFAST MEET Sat 17 BIRMINGHAM ARMS FAIR Sun 18 Sept, Sept, British Motor Museum, National Motorcycle Museum, Gaydon, Warwickshire Solihull SPARK YOUNG WRITERS GROUP Sat 17 REGGAE CARIBBEAN COOKOUT Sun 18 Sept, The Other Place, Stratford- Sept, Coffin Works, Birmingham upon-Avon BEHIND THE SCENES TOURS - CELLAR EXPLORE AVONCROFT EVENT: IDENTIFY Sun 18 Sept, Witley Court, THAT TREE Sat 17 Sept Avoncroft Worcestershire Museum, Bromsgrov HSBC BIKEFEST 2016 Now in its sec- A CLOSER LOOK - EVENING HOUSE ond year, BikeFest is completely TOURS 2016 A chance to see the free and aims to inspire Birmingham house by night and discover the his- people to get active, Sun 18 Sept, tory of the collection, Sat 17 Sept, Victoria Square, Birmingham Packwood House, Solihull TOTAL SHAKESPEARE Paapa Essiedu SILVER RING WORKSHOP Join local and Natalie Simpson perform designer-maker Grace Page to cre- extracts from the Bard’s whole ate your own silver ring, Sat 17 canon of work, Sun 18 Sept, Sept, Museum of the Jewellery Shakespeare's Birthplace, Stratford- Quarter, Birmingham upon-Avon 58 whatsonlive.co.uk The List 12 - 18 Sep - Warwicks & Worcs Davina.qxp_Layout 1 22/08/2016 15:57 Page 4

whatsonlive.co.uk 59 The List 19 - 25 September - Warwicks & Worcs Davina.qxp_Layout 1 22/08/2016 15:56 Page 1

thelist Monday 19 - Sun 25 September Theatre, Coventry Academy, Birmingham WAYNE DEAKIN & ALLYSON JUNE SMITH Gigs KEE MARCELLO BAND JACKSON LIVE IN Classical Music Fri 23 Sept, The Comedy Loft, B’ham Thurs 22 Sept, The CONCERT Sat 24 Sept, BARNSTORMERS COMEDY NIGHT Sat 24 Robin, Bilston Evesham Arts Centre Sept, Artrix, Bromsgrove DEAD SEA SKULLS Mon ORCHESTRA OF THE SWAN: BAROQUE & 19 Sept, The Actress & LOWKEY Thurs 22 Sept, WILD IRISH Sat 24 Sept, BEYOND Programme includes works LLOYD LANGFORD, MICHAEL FABBRI, Bishop, Birmingham The Rainbow Venues, The Irish Centre, B’ham by Piazolla & Vivaldi, Wed 21 Sept, ANDREA HUBERT & RORY O'HANLON Sat Birmingham Huntingdon Hall, Worcester 24 Sept, The Glee Club, Birmingham HALEY REINHART Mon ONLY SHADOWS Sat 24 19 Sept, The Glee MIKE BLADEN Thurs 22 Sept, O2 Institute, WAYNE DEAKIN, ALLYSON JUNE SMITH, Club, Birmingham Sept, The Rainbow Birmingham IVAN BRACKENBURY & IAN D MONTFORD Venues, Birmingham Sat 24 Sept, The Comedy Loft, BLUE OCTOBER GUNS OR ROSES Sat 24 Mon 19 Birmingham Sept, O2 Institute, TANGERINES + THE Sept, The Marr’s Bar, Birmingham AMERICAS + RISCAS Worcester Thurs 22 Sept, The LOTTERY WINNERS TOUR RAT BOY Sat 24 Sept, Sunflower Lounge, Mon 19 Sept, Hare & O2 Institute, B’ham Birmingham Hounds, Birmingham TONY CHRISTIE Sat 24 TRU GROOVE Fri 23 - Sat Theatre THE MAYBYS Mon 19 Sept, Palace Theatre, 24 Sept, The Jam Sept, Kitchen Garden Redditch CITY OF BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONY House, B’ham GHOST THE MUSICAL Stage version of ORCHESTRA Featuring Edward Cafe, Birmingham SOUL LEGENDS Sat 24 the award-winning movie, Mon 19 - HANSU-TORI Fri 23 Sept, Gardner (conductor) & Steven WALK OF FAME (ROLLING Sept, Belgrade Sat 24 Sept, New Alexander Theatre, Symphony Hall, B’ham Osbourne (piano). Programme STONES) Mon 19 Sept, Theatre, Coventry Birmingham includes works by Beethoven, Kitchen Garden Cafe, OH WHAT A NIGHT: RELIGHT MY FIRE: THE Butterworth & Walton, Thurs 22 Sept, ONLY FOOLS AND BOYCIE Intimate Birmingham JERSEY BOYS TRIBUTE TAKE THAT EXPERIENCE Fri 23 Sept, Palace Symphony Hall, Birmingham evening with Only Fools And Horses DAVE MCPHERSON Mon Sat 24 Sept, Artrix, actor John Challis, Tues 20 Sept, Theatre, Redditch CBSO CENTRE STAGE: QUARTET FOR THE 19 Sept, The Sunflower Bromsgrove Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury END OF TIME Featuring artist in resi- Lounge, Birmingham ABSOLUTE BLONDIE Fri A R RAHMAN Sat 24 dence Steven Osbourne (piano) & ISLANDS IN THE STREAM The Dolly 23 Sept, Huntingdon Sept, Barclaycard THE THREE DEGREES the CBSO musicians. Programme Parton & Kenny Rogers story, Tue 20 Hall, Worcester Arena, Birmingham Tues 20 Sept, The Old comprises Messiaen’s Quartet for the Sept, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry BLOSSOMS Fri 23 Sept, Rep Theatre, B’ham ANNIE MAC PRESENTS End of Time, Fri 23 Sept, CBSO MANDELA TRILOGY O2 Institute, B’ham Cape Town DANIEL O'DONNELL Tues ALL DAY RAVES Sat 24 Centre, Birmingham Opera’s epic operatic tribute to the THE BOWIE EXPERIENCE Sept, The Rainbow 20 Sept, Symphony CBSO: NOTES FROM A SMALL ISLAND life of Nelson Mandela, Tues 20 - Fri 23 Sept, The River Venues, Birmingham Hall, Birmingham Featuring Michael Seal (conductor) & Wed 21 Sept, Birmingham Rooms, Stourbridge MEGSON Tues 20 Sept, TWEET Sat 24 Sept, O2 Catherine Arlidge (presenter), Sat 24 Hippodrome Kitchen Garden Cafe, TONY MORTIMER Fri 23 Institute, Birmingham Sept, Symphony Hall, Birmingham LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS Rhydian Sept, O2 Academy, Birmingham LEO GREEN'S SOUND OF MUSIC MAZE WITH FLAUTIST TONY Roberts stars as Orin Scrivello in a Birmingham THE BLUESWATER Tues THE 50S Sat 24 Sept, ROBB Sun 25 Sept, CBSO Centre, new staging of the hit musical sci-fi 20 Sept, Artrix, MORGANISATION Fri 23 The Core Theatre, Birmingham spoof, Tues 20 - Sat 24 Sept, Sept, Artrix, Solihull Lichfield Garrick Bromsgrove ARMONICO CONSORT & ORCHESTRA Bromsgrove PSYCHOSTICK + GREEN VOICE OF THE HEART - Programme comprises Faure & ANIMAL FARM George Orwell’s alle- JELLY Tues 20 Sept, LIZZIE AND THE KAREN CARPENTER Sat Rutter Requiems, Sun 25 Sept, gorical ‘fairy story’, boldly retold in a The Assembly, BANSHEES Fri 23 Sept, 24 Sept, Huntingdon Malvern Theatre production suitable for audiences of Leamington Spa The Roadhouse, B’ham Hall, Worcester all ages, Tues 20 - Sat 24 Sept, Lichfield Garrick TALON - THE BEST OF RELIGHT MY FIRE: THE STAN TRACEY LEGACY EAGLES Tues 20 Sept, TAKE THAT EXPERIENCE OCTET Sat 24 Sept, GIRLS Talawa Theatre Company, Stratford Artshouse Fri 23 Sept, Belgrade mac, Birmingham HighTide and Soho Theatre present Theatre, Coventry Theresa Ikoko’s ‘funny and fiercely MICHAEL ENGLISH Wed DEAN FRIEDMAN Sun 25 MIKE SKINNER & Sept, Artrix, passionate new play’, Tues 20 - Sat 21 Sept, The Core 24 Sept, The REP, Birmingham Theatre, Solihull MURKAGE PRESENT Bromsgrove TONGA Fri 23 Sept, THE GLENN MILLER STORY Ever-popu- ALEXANDER O'NEAL Wed SEAN WILSON Sun 25 Hare & Hounds, B’ham Sept, The Irish Centre, lar song-and-dance man Tommy 21 Sept, The Jam Steele takes top billing in a show House, Birmingham MOTHERSHIP - LED Birmingham ZEPPLIN TRIBUTE Fri 23 exploring the life and times of leg- MCFLY Wed 21 - Fri 23 MIC LOWRY Sun 25 Sept, The Core endary bandleader Glenn Miller, Tues Sept, O2 Academy, Sept, Hare & Hounds, Theatre, Solihull 20 - Sat 24 Sept, Malvern Theatre Birmingham Birmingham ‘HEART & SOUL’ PARTY SHOOTING WITH LIGHT Idle Motion use ONE NIGHT OF ROCK GRAHAM PARKER AND Comedy Gigs WITH HARRY CAMBRIDGE innovative staging, physicality & mul- Wed 21 Sept, Belgrade BRINSLEY SCHWARZ Sun timedia to piece together the life on Fri 23 Sept, Nailcote 25 Sept, Artrix, Theatre, Coventry TOADALLY FREE COMEDY! Mon 19 an exceptional woman, glimpsed Hall, Warwickshire Bromsgrove CAVERN OF ANTI MATTER Sept, The Blue Orange Theatre, through the lost photographs she JUPITRONZ + JAMES Wed 21 Sept, Hare & THE GLOAMING Sun 25 Birmingham risked her life to take, Wed 21 Sept, MATTEY Fri 23 Sept, Sept, Symphony Hall, mac, Birmingham Hounds, Birmingham LEE NELSON Wed 21 Sept, Evesham The Marr’s Bar, Birmingham JORDAN MACKAMPA Worcester Arts Centre THE TIME MACHINE Nunkie Theatre Wed 21 Sept, The US THE DUO Sun 25 Company present HG Wells’ science CALLUM PICKARD & THE MITCH BENN Thurs 22 Sept, Sunflower Lounge, Sept, O2 Academy, fiction classic, Wed 21 Sept, The THIRD LOOK Fri 23 Sept, Wolverhampton Art Gallery Birmingham Birmingham Walker Theatre, Theatre Severn, The Tin Music And SARA PASCOE Thurs 22 Sept, Stratford COLLEEN GREEN & Shrewsbury MEADOWLARK Thurs 22 Arts, Coventry Artshouse, Stratford-upon-Avon Sept, Hare & Hounds, CASSIE RAMONE Sun 25 THAT'LL BE THE DAY A musical romp THE MOODY BLUES' JOHN LLOYD LANGFORD, MICHAEL FABBRI & Birmingham Sept, Hare & Hounds, through the youthful days of LODGE Fri 23 Sept, Birmingham COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY Rock’n’Roll in the ’50s, on through A CELEBRATION OF JOHN Stratford Artshouse ROBINSON Thurs 22 Sept, The Glee the Swinging ’60s and into the taste- DENVER Thurs 22 Sept, JANE SIBERRY Sun 25 JORDAN MACKAMPA Fri Club, Birmingham free days of the 1970s, Wed 21 Sept, The Core Theatre, Sept, Kitchen Garden 23 Sept, Kasbah, ISY SUTTIE Fri 23 Sept, The Glee Palace Theatre, Redditch Solihull Cafe, Birmingham Coventry Club, Birmingham STRAIGHT AND NARROW The Phoenix RURA Thurs 22 Sept, IZEIDI & IZEIDI Sun 25 KILLERSTREAM Sat 24 LLOYD LANGFORD, MICHAEL FABBRI & Players present an amateur staging Huntingdon Hall, Sept, The Tin Music Sept, The River ANDREA HUBERT & COMIC TBC Fri 23 of Jimmy Chinn’s acclaimed comedy, Worcester And Arts, Coventry Rooms, Stourbridge Sept, The Glee Club, Birmingham Wed 21 - Sat 24 Sept, The Bear Pit THE REAL THING Thurs Theatre, Coventry XVII Sat 24 Sept, O2 THE NOISE NEXT DOOR, MATT WELCOME, 22 Sept, Belgrade

60 whatsonlive.co.uk The List 19 - 25 September - Warwicks & Worcs Davina.qxp_Layout 1 22/08/2016 15:56 Page 2

Monday 19 - Sun 25 September

DOREEN'S GRAND NIGHT OUT Doreen festival celebrating all things hip-hop, returns with a brand new show at the Fri 23 - Sun 25 Sept, Birmingham poshest venue she’s ever seen in her Hippodrome life, Thurs 22 Sept, Palace Theatre, CHANTRY DANCE COMPANY Double bill Redditch of works - Ulysses Unbound & The WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? Stacked Deck, Sat 24 Sept, Elmhurst Amateur production of Edward Theatre, Birmingham Albee’s famous play, Thurs 22 - Sat 24 Sept, Palace Theatre, Redditch DIAL M FOR MURDER Blue Orange Arts present Frederick Knott’s erotic tale of betrayal, passion and murder - Talks / best known from its 1954 Alfred Hitchcock-directed film version star- Spoken Word ring Ray Milland and Grace Kelly, Thurs 22 Sept - Sat 1 Oct, The Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham FOR THE LOVE OF POETRY Open Mic A GAMBLER'S GUIDE TO DYING Traverse evening featuring poet-in-residence Theatre present Gary McNair's inter- Cindy Lynn Brown, Mon 19 Sept, generational tale of what we live for Shakespeare's Birthplace, Stratford- and what we leave behind, Fri 23 upon-Avon Sept, mac, Birmingham FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE AND THE The Sorcerer’s Apprentice - Artrix, Bromsgrove VESTA The story of Vesta Tilley, who MALVERN COLD WATER CURE Dr John daughter, Annabel, leaves Richard Charitable Trust, Wed 21 Sept, became an international superstar on Harcup gives an illustrated talk on besotted, while Polly befriends the Severn Valley Railway, Kidderminster Florence, her illness and the Malvern both sides of the Atlantic. One- guys who run a seedy travelling fair. EVENING SUPPER LECTURES 2016 A Water Cure, Sun 25 Sept, Malvern woman show written by Chris Jaeger The Electric Cinema, Birmingham, two-course supper in the Barn Theatre and performed by actress and singer Wed 28 Sept Restaurant accompanied by a talk on Claire Worboys, Fri 23 Sept, Malvern a variety of subjects, followed by an Theatres after-hours stroll in the gardens, Thurs 22 Sept, Baddesley Clinton, NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: Solihull Film Released from Fri 23 Sept, showing POETRY CHOIR A programme of classi- at selected cinemas cal and contemporary choral works, INDEPENDENT CINEMAS: DARE TO BE WILD (tbc) followed by a post-show talk and a LITTLE MEN (tbc) poetry choir workshop, Thurs 22 Sept, The Guild Chapel, Stratford- LEARNING TO DRIVE (15) When her THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN (12A) upon-Avon husband leaves her, Manhattan writer THE FIRST MONDAY IN MAY (tbc) Wendy Shields (Clarkson) decides to THE GLAMPING SHOW Find out more FREE STATE OF JONES (tbc) capitalise on her independence by on page 47, Thurs 22 - Sat 24 Sept, learning to drive. Her instructor, an MISS PEREGRINE'S HOME FOR PECULIAR Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire Indian Sikh (Kingsley), is facing a CHILDREN (tbc) THE CYCLE SHOW The UK's biggest THE TOMMY COOPER SHOW Comedy very different nuptial prospect: an SOUTHSIDE WITH YOU (tbc) cycling event - find out more on and magic, featuring Daniel Taylor as arranged marriage. They’re as differ- page 47, Thurs 22 - Sun 25 Sept, UNDER THE SHADOWS (tbc) Cooper, Sun 25 Sept, Albany ent as chalk and paneer, but they NEC, Birmingham Theatre, Coventry form a very special bond over the PACIFIC POWER Flying Scotsman and JUSTIN LIVE! Interactive show featur- wheel. Stourbridge Town Hall, Mon Tornado, two world famous steam ing CBeebies favourite Justin 19 Sept locomotives, meet at the Severn Fletcher, Sun 25 Sept, NOTES ON BLINDNESS (U) In the sum- Valley Railway for the first time, Thurs Wolverhampton Grand Theatre mer of 1983, just days before the Events 22 - Mon 26 Sept, Severn Valley NINA CONTI: IN YOUR FACE Expect the birth of his first son, writer and the- Railway, Kidderminster unexpected as Nina and her sidekick ologian John Hull went blind. To MINI MOVERS Mon 19 Sept, British STRESSED, UNSTRESSED: CLASSIC monkey unleash some ‘hilarious make sense of this change, he Motor Museum, Gaydon, POEMS TO EASE THE MIND Discover witchery’, Sun 25 Sept, began keeping a diary on audio-cas- Warwickshire the therapeutic effects of literature, sette. The film gives exclusive access Wolverhampton Grand Theatre BEARINGS AND BEGINNINGS An Fri 23 Sept, Shakespeare's to these original recordings that THE SORCERER’S APPRENTICE evening of poetry about journeying Birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon encompass dreams, memory and Blunderbus fuse music, puppetry and coming home, Tues 20 Sept, VENUS AND ADONIS imagining life, excavating the interior Indulge your and storytelling in a brand new adap- Shakespeare's Birthplace, Stratford- world of blindness. Artrix, senses with poetry, cheese and wine, tation of a classic tale, Sun 25 Sept, upon-Avon Bromsgrove, Mon 19 & Wed 21 Sept Fri 23 Sept, Shakespeare's Artrix, Bromsgrove BOOKBINDING WORKSHOP Create a Birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon SWALLOWS AND AMAZONS (PG) A AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS handbound book as part of the WOLVERLEY BEER FESTIVAL 2016 childhood summer in the Lake The Phileas Fogg and his faithful manser- Stratford-upon-Avon Poetry Festival District. Two groups of children - in Saturday is dedicated to beer and vant race to beat the clock. 2016, Tues 20 Sept, Mary Arden's their dinghies Amazon and Swallow - music, the Sunday to families, with a Presented by the Crescent Theatre Farm, Stratford-upon-Avon play pirates in between the camping funfair on the field and beer and live Company, Sun 25 Sept - Sat 1 Oct, and fishing trips. Stars Kelly HONDA RON HASLAM RACE SCHOOL music in the Memorial Hall, Fri 23 - Crescent Theatre, Birmingham Macdonald & Rafe Spall. Artrix, Experience riding on the Donington Sun 25 Sept, Wolverley Memorial Bromsgrove, Fri 23, Sun 25 - Tues 27 Park GP Circuit, Wed 21 Sept, Hall, Kidderminster Sept Donington Park Racing Circuit, Derby LOCKDOWN II - SANCTUM Fully immer- CHICKEN + DIRECTOR Q&A (15) STRATFORD-UPON-AVON STANZA A free sive zombie experience, Sat 24 Sept, The Dana Prison, Shrewsbury Richard, 15 years old with learning local poetry group meeting, Wed 21 Dance difficulties, longs to put down roots, Sept, Various locations in Stratford- GARDEN TOURS Fri 23 Sept, Witley but his restless and destructive upon-Avon Court, Worcestershire ALVIN AILEY AMERICAN DANCE THEATER brother Polly needs to keep moving. SHAKESPEARE AND US Hip-hop work- PASSIONE FERRARI Event dedicated to Combining Ailey classics with new When the land they live on is bought shop with Juice Aleem, Wed 21 Sept, Ferrari owners and fans, Fri 23 - Sat works by some of today’s most by a new landowner, and the electric- Shakespeare's Birthplace, Stratford- 24 Sept, Silverstone Circuit, acclaimed choreographers, Fri 23 - ity supply to their caravan is cut, their upon-Avon Northants already precarious living conditions Sat 24 Sept, Birmingham PACIFIC POWER - CHARITY DAY Flying A PLACE IN THE SUN LIVE The official get even worse. Then a chance Hippodrome Scotsman make its debut, courtesy exhibition of the hit overseas proper- meeting with the new landowner's B-SIDE HIP-HOP FESTIVAL Free annual of the Severn Valley Railway ty TV show, Fri 23 - Sun 25 Sept,

whatsonlive.co.uk 61 The List 19 - 25 September - Warwicks & Worcs Davina.qxp_Layout 1 22/08/2016 15:56 Page 3

Monday 19 - Sun 25 September

theNEC, Birmingham list Birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon The Carpenter’s Arms, Sutton MAC FOOD MARKET Sun 25 Sept, mac, THUNDERSPORT GB MOTORCYCLE MORRIS MINOR OWNERS CLUB A dis- Coldfield Birmingham RACES Fri 23 - Sun 25 Sept, play of 'Moggies' on Millennium MIGRANT MUSIC FESTIVAL Sat 24 Sept, SHAKESPEARE IN SPACE Poems and Donington Park Racing Circuit, Derby Place, Sat 24 Sept, Coventry Soho House, Birmingham performance for children, Sun 25 BIRMINGHAM FLOATING MARKET Fri 23 - Transport Museum BAVARIAN EVENINGS Complete with Sept, Hall's Croft, Stratford-upon- Sun 25 Sept, Birmingham and UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTERS Sat 24 Bavarian Oompah band and a Avon Fazeley Canal Sept, Shakespeare's Birthplace, Bavarian buffet feast, Sat 24 Sept, TO MR W.S. ALL HAPPINESS Sun 25 PARKHEAD CANAL FESTIVAL Popular Stratford-upon-Avon West Midland Safari and Leisure Sept, Shakespeare's Birthplace, biennial boat festival organised by CELEBRATION OF THE BRITISH CAR Park, Bewdley, Worcestershire Stratford-upon-Avon Dudley Canal Trust and the SYMPOSIUM Offering a snapshot of APPLE DAYS Apple-themed games BAT WALK WITH THE WORCESTERSHIRE Worcester/Birmingham and Droitwich Britain’s modern-day motor industry, and cooking displays, Sat 24 - Sun BAT GROUP Sun 25 Sept, Croome Canal Society at Parkhead Locks, Fri the panel also takes a look into the 25 Sept, Mary Arden's Farm, Park, Worcestershire 23 - Sun 25 Sept, Dudley Canal future at what we might be celebrat- Stratford-upon-Avon BROWN'S 300TH BIRTHDAY PARTY EXHI- Tunnel and Limestone Mines ing in the next 50 years, Sat 24 Sept, JOUST! Be part of the kiddie drills and BITION LAUNCH Celebrating Lancelot DISCOVER RAG RUGGING Sat 24 Sept, British Motor Museum, Gaydon, see the knight practice their skill at 'Capability' Brown with a party in the Birmingham Back to Backs Warwickshire arms drills, Sat 24 - Sun 25 Sept, grounds, Sun 25 Sept, Croome Park, TWISTED BARREL BREWERY TOURS DRAWING FROM AUTOMOTIVE HISTORY Avoncroft Museum, Bromsgrove Worcestershire 2016 Meet the team behind Twisted A one-day art class with Richard NATIONAL FINALS The National Drag SHOW BUS INTERNATIONAL Colourful, Barrel Ale on this exclusive tour. Cook, Sat 24 Sept, British Motor Racing Championship Finals for MSA themed display of buses old and Learn how the brewing process Museum, Gaydon Warwickshire Pro Mod and national sportsman new, Sun 25 Sept, Donington Park works and sample the ales and food, HARVEST DAY Sat 24 Sept, Chedhams classes, plus Top Methanol, Wild Racing Circuit, Derby Sat 24 Sept, Fargo Village, Coventry Yard, Stratford-upon-Avon Bunch, Nostalgia Fuel Altered AUTUMN EVENT Apple pressing, sea- MOSELEY ARTS & FARMER’S MARKET THE SOOTY SHOW: SOOTY IN SPACE Sat Association and the ACU National sonal produce, children’s wildlife Featuring locally produced artwork, 24 - Sun 25 Sept, Cadbury World, Drag Bike Championship, including activities and live music from local Sat 24 Sept, Victoria Parade, Bournville, Birmingham SuperTwins, Sat 24 - Sun 25 Sept, bands, Sun 25 Sept, Martineau Santa Pod Raceway, Northants Moseley, Birmingham BIRMINGHAM BUS TOURS 2016 Sat 24 - Gardens, Birmingham THE KINGMAKER'S MEDIAEVAL BANQUET Sun 25 Sept, Birmingham City SEASONAL MARKETS Be spoilt for COME FLY A KITE CHARITY DAY An evening of eating, drinking and Centre choice by a variety of crafty and Supporting Primrose Hospice, Sun medieval revelry, Sat 24 Sept, yummy goodies, Sun 25 Sept, 25 Sept, The Jinney Ring Craft SVARTLAND VIKING WEEKEND Croome Park, Worcestershire Warwick Castle Experience the life of a Viking, Sat 24 Centre, Bromsgrove YOUR STORY: POETS AND PEOPLE A - Sun 25 Sept, Bodenham DOLL AND TEDDY FAIR Sun 25 Sept, meeting of people with a passion for Arboretum, Kidderminster National Motorcycle Museum, Solihull poetry, Sat 24 Sept, Shakespeare's SUTTON RECORD FAIR Sat 24 Sept,

FORTHCOMING EVENTS FOR 2016 TICKET HOTLINE: 01789 403416

10 Sept | 7.30pm | £12 / £10 concs MONTPARNASSE IN CONCERT A evening of unique French Jazz

16 & 17 Sept | 7.30pm | £10 / £8 concs PATRICK MARLEY: WILDE AT HEART Based on the life and works of Oscar Wilde 1 Oct | 7.30pm | £14/£12 concs ANDREW LAWRENCE: THE HATE SPEECH TOUR As seen on Live at the Comedy Store & The Apollo 14- 22 Oct | 8.00pm | £10 / £8 concs TWO BY Jim Cartwright 14 characters, 2 actors, one evening of comedy. Performed by David T Mears and Lucy Parrott A Bear Pit Theatre Company Production 23 Oct | 7.30pm | £8 AMICANTUS: SONGS FOR AN AUTUMN EVENING An evening of music and songs

2 -11 Dec | 7.30pm | £12 / £8 concs TOAD OF TOAD HALL By A. A. Milne: A play from Kenneth Grahame’s book ‘ The Wind in the Willows’ Directed by Nicky Cox

The Bear Pit Theatre, Rother Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, CV37 6LU www.thebearpit.org.uk

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September BROMSGROVE’S THEATRE, CINEMA, LIVE MUSIC AND COMEDY VENUE

Saturday 10th September Friday 16th September Sunday 18th September MITCH BENN LYNCHED SHAZIA MIRZA PRESENTS DON’T BELIEVE A TRADITIONAL FOLK WITH PRESENTS THE KARDASHIANS WORD HINTS OF AMBIENT TECHNO MADE ME DO IT & BLACK METAL

Sunday 25th September Thursday 29th September Friday 30th September THE SORCERER’S WIFI WARS GRAHAM PARKER & APPRENTICE LIVE INTERACTIVE COMEDY BRINSLEY SCHWARZ GREAT FAMILY FUN FROM GAME SHOW BLUNDERBUS

FORTHCOMING CINEMA:

Our Kind Of Traitor (15) // Ghostbusters (12A) // Sing Street (12A) // Notes On Blindness (U) // Café Society (12A) Swallows & Amazons (tbc) // Free State of Jones (tbc) // The BFG (PG)

FORTHCOMING SCREENINGS: The Deep Blue Sea (NT Live) // One More Time With Feeling (Nick Cave) // Turandot (Opera Australia) // King Lear (RSC) The Threepenny Opera (Opera Australia) // The Sleeping Beauty (Australian Ballet) // The Entertainer (Kenneth Branagh) Cymbeline (RSC) // Cosi Fan Tutte (Royal Opera House) // Cinderella (Australian Ballet) // The Nutcracker (Royal Ballet) Download the Artrix brochure on www.artrix.co.uk @artrixarts www.artrix.co.uk or phone 01527 577330 @artrix arts centre Artrix, Slideslow Drive, Bromsgrove B60 1PQ Free parking on-site

whatsonlive.co.uk 63 The List 26 - 30 Sept - Warwicks & Worcs Davina.qxp_Layout 1 22/08/2016 15:55 Page 1

thelist Monday 26 - Friday 30 September JEREMY HARDY Fri 30 Sept, Stratford Classical Music Artshouse, Stratford-upon-Avon JONATHAN PIE Fri 30 Sept, The Glee Club, Birmingham ORCHESTRA OF THE SWAN FEAT LAURA PAUL TONKINSON, PHIL NICHOL, LLOYD VAN DER HEIJDEN (CELLO) David Curtis GRIFFITH & ALLYSON SMITH Fri 30 conducts. Programme includes Sept, The Glee Club, Birmingham works by Haydn & Mozart, Tues 27 THE NOISE NEXT DOOR, PAUL Sept, Stratford ArtsHouse, Stratford- MCCAFFERY, GARETH RICHARDS & KANE upon-Avon; Wed 28 Sept, BROWN Fri 30 Sept, The Comedy Birmingham Town Hall Loft, Birmingham

Theatre

JOAN COLLINS The actress, philanthro- pist and best-selling author shares stories and secrets from her celebrat- BEETHOVEN’S FOURTH Featuring the ed life and career, Mon 26 Sept, Ronan Keating - Symphony Hall, Birmingham City of Birmingham Symphony Birmingham Town Hall Orchestra, Richard Farnes (conduc- LADY ANNA: ALL AT SEA Craig Baxter’s Sept, Kitchen Garden Birmingham tor) & Jack Liebeck (violin). story of intrigue, rebellion and social Cafe, Birmingham OF MICE & MEN Fri 30 Programme includes works by Gigs politics, inspired by the work of 6IX 7EVEN Wed 28 Sept, Sept, O2 Academy, Wagner, Sibelius & Beethoven, Wed Anthony Trollope, Mon 26 Sept - Sat O2 Institute, B’ham Birmingham 28 - Thurs 29 Sept, Symphony Hall, WATSKY Mon 26 Sept, 1 Oct, Malvern Theatres GREGORY PECK'S JAZZ, BEE GEES FEVER Fri 30 Birmingham O2 Institute, B’ham DEAD SHEEP Steve Nailon and FUNK AND SOUL OPEN Sept, The River CHIAROSCURO QUARTET Featuring ROLLING BACK THE Graham Seed star in Jonathan MIC NIGHT Wed 28 Rooms, Stourbridge Alina Ibragimova & Pablo Hernan YEARS Mon 26 - Tues Maitland's tale of love, honour, loyalty Sept, The Night Owl, Benedi (violins), Emilie Hornlund 27 Sept, The Core ACID MOTHERS TEMPLE and revenge which charts Mrs Birmingham (viola) & Claire Thirion (cello). Theatre, Solihull Fri 30 Sept, The Thatcher’s demise at the hands of BLUEGRASS AND OLD Rainbow Venues, Programme includes works by RONAN KEATING Mon 26 one-time friend and political soul- TIME Wed 28 Sept, The Birmingham Mozart, Haydn & Schubert, Thurs 29 - Tues 27 Sept, mate Geoffrey Howe, Mon 26 Sept - Spotted Dog, B’ham Sept, Malvern Theatre Symphony Hall, B’ham DURAN: THE TRIBUTE Fri Sat 1 Oct, The REP, Birmingham NIC MEIER GROUP Wed 30 Sept, The TRIO SEVERN Featuring Zoe Beyers JIMMY OSMOND Mon 26 28 Sept, Stratford Roadhouse, B’ham (violin), David Powell (cello) & Robert Sept, Wolverhampton Artshouse Markham (piano). Programme Grand Theatre JOE STILGOE Fri 30 includes Sterndale Bennett’s HYPNOTIC BRASS Sept, The Old Rep MICHELE STODART Mon Chamber Trio in A major, Op26 & FE ENSEMBLE Thurs 29 Theatre, Birmingham 26 Sept, Kitchen Bach’s Piano Trio in D Minor, Op25, Sept, Hare & Hounds, Garden Cafe, B’ham THE MERSEY BEATLES Fri Fri 30 Sept, CBSO Centre, Birmingham 30 Sept, Palace Birmingham PRETTY VICIOUS Tues 27 DEL CAMINO Thurs 29 Theatre, Redditch Sept, O2 Academy, GRAFFITI CLASSICS Featuring a pro- THE COLLECTOR Henry Naylor’s com- Sept, The Jam House, Birmingham FROM THE JAM - THE A & gramme ranging from Beethoven to pelling tale of murder, evil and Birmingham B SIDES Fri 30 Sept, O2 Bluegrass, Bach to Brahms, Strauss THE ACOUSTIC SESSIONS betrayal, set in occupied Iraq, Tues DEREK RYAN IN CONCERT Institute, Birmingham to Saturday Night Fever, Fri 30 Sept, Tues 27 Sept, The Jam 27 Sept, The Roses, Tewkesbury Thurs 29 Sept, Huntingdon Hall, Worcester House, Birmingham BABAL Fri 30 Sept, The LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS Rhydian Crescent Theatre, Marr’s Bar, Worcester Roberts stars as Orin Scrivello in a HANNAH GRACE + GRETA Birmingham ISAAC Tues 27 Sept, WESTROCK Fri 30 Sept, new staging of the hit musical sci-fi TOSELAND Thurs 29 The Sunflower Lounge, The Core Theatre, spoof, Tues 27 Sept - Sat 1 Oct, New Sept, The Slade Birmingham Solihull Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham Rooms, W’hampton MARZY'S JAMMING PURPLE RAIN - A Comedy Gigs THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION Based EMAROSA Thurs 29 NIGHT Wed 28 Sept, TRIBUTE TO PRINCE Fri on Stephen King’s 1982 novella, Rita Sept, O2 Institute, Hayworth And Shawshank The Marr’s Bar, 30 Sept, The Assembly, THE LAUGHING SOLE COMEDY FOR KIDS Birmingham Redemption, and the classic Tim Worcester Leamington Spa Sun 25 Sept, mac, Birmingham THE BRIAN HUMPHERSON Robbins/Morgan Freeman 1994 KESTON COBBLERS CLUB MIVVI Fri 30 Sept, O2 TRIO Thurs 29 Sept, NINA CONTI Sun 25 Sept, movie version, Tues 27 Sept - Sat 1 Wed 28 Sept, The Red Academy, Birmingham Wolverhampton Grand Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Oct, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Lion Folk Club, B’ham RUTH GRAHAM Fri 30 Theatre AN UNHEALTHY CURE The Worcester ROLLING BACK THE Sept, Kitchen Garden THE RONNIE SCOTT’S ALL Repertory Company present a new YEARS Wed 28 Sept, Cafe, Birmingham STARS Thurs 29 Sept, thriller which explores the harsh reali- Palace Theatre, The Core Theatre, FLOWERS BAND Fri 30 ty of finding a cure for cancer, Tues Redditch Solihull Sept, Evesham Arts 27 Sept - Sat 1 Oct, Swan Theatre, MEILYR JONES Wed 28 Centre Worcester FOLK IN THE FOYER: Sept, The Rainbow ANGE HARDY & LUKAS THE MOODY BLUES' JOHN NIGHT MUST FALL Psychological Venues, Birmingham DRINKWATER Thurs 29 LODGE Fri 30 Sept, thriller from master playwright Emlyn KATE RUSBY Wed 28 Sept, Evesham Arts Birmingham Town Hall Williams. Gwen Taylor, Daragh Sept, Stafford BRONCHO Fri 30 Sept, O’Malley, Niamh McGrady and Will Centre FAT PENGUIN COMEDY Wed 28 Sept, Gatehouse Theatre The Sunflower Lounge, Featherstone star, Wed 28 Sept - Sun THE ESKIES Thurs 29 The Patrick Kavanagh, Birmingham BETH ORTON Wed 28 Birmingham 1 Oct, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry Sept, The Marr’s Bar, PAUL TONKINSON, PHIL NICHOL & Sept, O2 Institute, GROUPER THAT'LL BE THE DAY A musical romp Worcester Fri 30 Sept - COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY Birmingham Sat 1 Oct, The Jam through the youthful days of MING CITY ROCKERS ROBINSON Thurs 29 Sept, The Glee House, Birmingham Rock’n’Roll in the ’50s, on through THE TUTS & TACO HELL Thurs 29 Sept, The Club, Birmingham Wed 28 Sept, Hare & the Swinging ’60s and into the taste- Spotted Dog, B’ham STEVE BUGEJA & COMICS TBC Thurs 29 Hounds, Birmingham free days of the 1970s, Thurs 29 REN HARVIEU Fri 30 Sept, Station Pub, Sutton Coldfield Sept, Bedworth Civic Hall A.J. CROCE Wed 28 Sept, O2 Institute,

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Monday 26 - Friday 30 September

THE SHAHNAMEH - THE EPIC BOOK OF KICKING AND SCREAMING An ‘honest, KINGS Adventure and romance com- funny and touching’ portrayal of par- Film Events bine in a production inspired by a enthood, Fri 30 Sept, The Roses, masterpiece of world literature, Thurs Tewkesbury 29 Sept, mac, Birmingham INDEPENDENT CINEMAS: HONDA RON HASLAM RACE SCHOOL Experience riding on the Donington WIFI WARS Live comedy game show Park GP Circuit, Wed 28 Sept, where audiences are invited to play SWALLOWS AND AMAZONS (PG) A Donington Park Racing Circuit, Derby along, Thurs 29 Sept, Artrix, childhood summer in the Lake AN EVENING WITH WILL GREENWOOD Bromsgrove Dance District. Two groups of children - in MBE Thurs 29 Sept, Sixways DISCO PIGS A ‘furious, funny and vio- their dinghies Amazon and Swallow - Stadium, Worcester lent dash’ through a friendship too CHANTRY DANCE COMPANY Double bill play pirates in between the camping THE NATIONAL FRANCHISE EXHIBITION close to survive, Thurs 29 Sept - Sat of works - Ulysses Unbound & The and fishing trips. Stars Kelly Showcasing a huge range of national 1 Oct, The REP, Birmingham Stacked Deck, Thurs 29 Sept, The Macdonald & Rafe Spall. Artrix, franchise opportunities, Fri 30 Sept - STRICTLY ARTS THEATRE Following Swan Theatre, Worcester Bromsgrove, Tues 27 Sept Sat 1 Oct, NEC, Birmingham their breakout success in 2015, CHICKEN + DIRECTOR Q&A (15) Strictly Arts Theatre return with two Richard, 15 years old with learning THE NATIONAL WEDDING SHOW shows: Freeman - a brand new col- difficulties, longs to put down roots, Featuring more than 300 wedding laboration with award-winning writer but his restless and destructive specialists, from bridal boutiques Camilla Whitehall; and Green Leaves brother Polly needs to keep moving. and florists to jewellers and photog- Fall - a visceral portrayal of life after When the land they live on is bought raphers, Fri 30 Sept - Sun 2 Oct, the 1981 Brixton riots, Thurs 29 Sept by a new landowner, and the electric- NEC, Birmingham - Sat 8 Oct, Belgrade Theatre, ity supply to their caravan is cut, their Coventry already precarious living conditions MME BUTTERFLY: THE ONE-MAN OPERA get even worse. Then a chance Inspired by the Noh Theatre tradition meeting with the new landowner's of Japanese storytelling, dance and daughter, Annabel, leaves Richard masks, and featuring Michael besotted, while Polly befriends the Finnissy’s new score - a response to guys who run a seedy travelling fair. themes from Puccini, Fri 30 Sept, The Electric Cinema, Birmingham, Malvern Theatre Wed 28 Sept THE CANTERBURY TALES HEAVYCON New three-day event held GreenMatthews retell the medieval in Birmingham, ‘the birthplace of masterpiece, Fri 30 Sept, Swan heavy metal’, Fri 30 Sept - Sun 2 Theatre, Worcester Oct, NEC, Birmingham

AUTUMN HIGHLIGHTS MYTON ROAD, WARWICK. CV34 6PP BOX OFFICE: 01926 776438 www.bridgehousetheatre.co.uk

15 SEPT, 7PM, 16 OCT, 11AM & 2PM, THE GIRL WHO PENGUIN! FELL IN LOVE ELEPHANT! WITH THE MOON “A funny, visually A patchwork of puppetry, expressive piece of poetry, movement and live storytelling… celebrating music stitched together diversity has never been so with explosive visual much fun”– The Stage. imagination

1 OCT, 7.30PM, 22 & 23 OCT, 2.30PM, CELEBRATION MICHAEL GALA CONCERT MORPURGO’S ORCHESTRA OF THE SWAN KING ARTHUR with RODERICK WILLIAMS “ ﬁnely crafted and totally The inaugural concert for enthralling….. the Warwick Hall featuring a masterclass in serious a galaxy of orchestral and theatre for older children’ – vocal delights The Stage.

11 OCT, 7PM, 16 -19 NOV, 7PM, SHOOTING WITH A MIDSUMMER LIGHT NIGHT’S DREAM Renowned company Idle An insane fairy-go-round of Motion piece together the a play in which, as in a life of an exceptional dream, people can turn woman, glimpsed through themselves invisible and the lost photographs she make others fall in love risked her life to take. with the ﬁrst person they see when they wake.

15 OCT, 7.30PM, 23 NOV, 7PM, TONY’S LAST TAPE IN OUR HANDS Inspired by the diaries of Join Alf the trawler Tony Benn, this critically ﬁsherman as he journeys acclaimed new play from the depths of despair examines the struggle of a to rise again and rescue man who knows it may be the life he loves. time to withdraw from the “An imagination-fuelled ﬁght, to let others take over, cracker of a production” – but doesn’t know how. A Younger Theatre

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66 whatsonlive.co.uk Birmingham Conservatoire (FP- September 16).qxp_Layout 1 22/08/2016 16:23 Page 1 Mind Body Soul (FP- September 16).qxp_Layout 1 22/08/2016 16:23 Page 1