Birmingham Cover January 2020.Qxp Birmingham Cover 13/12/2019 12:05 Page 1

Birmingham Cover January 2020.qxp_Birmingham Cover 13/12/2019 12:05 Page 1

GET READY TO OPEN Your FREE essential entertainment guide for the Midlands THE BOOK OF MORMON...

BIRMINGHAM WHAT’S ON JANUARY 2020 Birmingham ISSUE 409 JANUARY 2020 ’ WhatFILM I COMEDY I THEATRE I GIGS I VISUAL ARTS I EVENTSs I FOOD Onbirminghamwhatson.co.uk

PARTOF WHAT’S ON MEDIA GROUP TWITTER:@WHATSONBRUM FACEBOOK:@WHATSONBIRMINGHAM INSTAGRAM:@WHATSONBRUM BIRMINGHAMWHATSON.CO.UK Winchcombe Park Full January 2020.qxp_Layout 1 12/12/2019 17:27 Page 1 Contents January Birmingham.qxp_Layout 1 13/12/2019 16:22 Page 2

January 2020

Contents

The Book Of Mormon - smash-hit musical comedy heading for the Hippodrome feature on page 26

Asking For It Ed Byrne Gino D’Acampo the list

a story of sexual consent takes the master of observational TV chef talks about his new Your 16-page centre stage at The REP comedy visits the Town Hall restaurant in Birmingham week-by-week listings guide feature page 8 page 25 page 40 page 53 inside:

4. First Word 10. Food 17. Gigs 24. Comedy 30. Theatre 43. Film 46. Visual Arts 49. Events

@whatsonbrum fb.com/whatsonbirmingham @whatsonbrum Birmingham What’s On Birmingham What’s On What’s On Birmingham

Managing Director: Davina Evans [email protected] 01743 281708 ’ Sales & Marketing: Lei Woodhouse [email protected] 01743 281703 Chris Horton [email protected] 01743 281704 WhatsOn Editorial: Lauren Foster [email protected] 01743 281707 Brian O’Faolain [email protected] 01743 281701 MEDIA GROUP Abi Whitehouse [email protected] 01743 281716 Lauren Cole [email protected] 01743 281733 Sue Jones [email protected] 01743 281705 Subscriptions: Adrian Parker [email protected] 01743 281714 Contributors: Graham Bostock, James Cameron-Wilson, Katherine Ewing, Jenny Ell, Nanci Davies, Patsy Moss Publisher and CEO: Martin Monahan Accounts Administrator: Julia Perry [email protected] 01743 281717 This publication is printed on paper from a sustainable source and is produced without the use of elemental chlorine. We endorse the recycling of our magazine and would encourage you to pass it on to others to read when you have finished with it. All works appearing in this publication are copyright. It is to be assumed that the copyright for material rests with the magazine unless otherwise stated. No part of this publication may be reproduced, or stored in an electronic system, transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopied, recording or otherwise, without the prior knowledge and consent of the publishers. First Word Birmingham January.qxp_Layout 1 13/12/2019 16:23 Page 1

Entertainment news from around the region

Sea Life Centre to become home to rare Alaskan otters In a UK first, two Alaskan sea otters will soon become residents at Birmingham’s National Sea Life Centre. The otters will travel more than 5,000 miles by land and air to reach the Centre, where they will set up home in a new multi-million pound marine mammal rescue facility. The facility is part of a pioneering education & conservation project in partnership with the Sea Life Trust and Alaska Wildlife.

Mind your Table Manners Applications welcomed Director of Birmingham Museums Trust, said: “As part of our inclusive approach to audi- at Birmingham Town Hall for STEM learning grants ences, we will do all that we can to ensure A grant funding pot of more than £400,000 is that serving personnel, veterans and their now open to schools, charities and not-for- families have every chance to participate in profit organisations across the West Midlands the services we provide.” as part of a major Science, Technology, Engi- neering and Maths (STEM) education initiative. The Millennium Point Charitable Trust has opened its latest Small Grants Programme for applications, with up to £20,000 available for individual applicants. Applications are set to close on Friday 14 February. To apply for a Millennium Point small grant, visit millenni- umpoint.org.uk/grants A hit podcast featuring singer-songwriter & philanthropist Jessie Ware and her mum, Lennie, is heading out on a live tour - starting Robbie’s heading home with a Saturday 28 March performance at Robbie Williams will this summer perform a Town Hall Birmingham. special show at Port Vale Football Club's Vale Table Manners sees Jessie and her chef ex- Park Stadium in Stoke-on-Trent. traordinaire mother chatting over a three- Local lad and Vale supporter Robbie will take course meal with guests from the worlds of to the stage on 20 June for a concert in aid of music, culture and politics. Celebrities three charities - the Donna Louise Hospice for who’ve popped round for a natter and a bite Children & Young People, Unicef UK and The to eat include Sam Smith, Sadiq Khan, Kiefer Hubb Foundation. Sutherland, Nigella Lawson and Ed Sheeran.

Duo commissioned for City museum shows its Colmore district artwork support for Armed Forces Birmingham Museums Trust has shown its A Birmingham-based creative partnership support for the armed forces community by has been chosen as preferred artists to com- officially signing the Armed Forces Covenant plete a large-format artwork intended to en- and outlining its pledges to those serving in hance Livery Street in the city’s Colmore the military. Business District. The Covenant is a promise from the nation E.L Thrush and Anna Davies will complete that those who serve or have served in the the artwork on behalf of Colmore BID, the armed forces, and their families, are treated Business Improvement District for the city fairly. centre commercial quarter. The artwork will Commenting on the news, Dr Ellen McAdam, be in place for at least five years. 4 whatsonlive.co.uk First Word Birmingham January.qxp_Layout 1 13/12/2019 16:23 Page 2

First Word

Showcasing new works at the Blue Orange Theatre Birmingham’s Blue Orange Theatre is this month hosting a weekend festival of new pro- jects and plays. Now & Next: The New Works Festival takes place on 17 & 18 January and provides aspiring creatives with the chance to pitch their work to industry guests and producers at a public performance. Birmingham and Oxford become artistic partners The University of Birmingham has agreed a partnership deal which will see some of Eu- rope’s finest singers performing in the city. The university has entered into collaboration with Oxford Lieder - an initiative aimed at re-establishing an apprecia- Bat Out Of Hell flying into Birmingham in the autumn tion of song. The team-up will Hit stage show Bat Out Of Hell-The Musical will hits, the show takes its inspiration from the leg- see artists participating in the stop off at Birmingham’s Alexandra Theatre endary album of the same name, which has sold long-established lunchtime from 29 September to 10 October as part of a UK more than 50 million copies worldwide. concert series at the Barber tour. For more information, Institute of Fine Arts. Featuring Jim Steinman and Meatloaf’s greatest visit BatOutOfHellMusical.com

Don’t forget to Michael Bolton’s Greatest Hits... Treecycle! Michael Bolton will return to the Midlands in the autumn with his Remember that you can Love Songs Greatest Hits tour. The Grammy Award-winning super- take the hassle out of star, who has sold in excess of 65 million albums and singles recycling your Christmas during a stellar career, visits Birmingham Resorts World Arena on tree this New Year by Saturday 17 October. To purchase tickets, visit gigsandtours.com allowing a local hospice to or ticketmaster.co.uk. take it away for you. St Mary’s Hospice’s Treecycling campaign will Strictly Ballroom on tour see volunteers collect The fab-u-lous Craig Revel Horwood is to direct a thousands of used 2020/21 UK and Ireland tour of Baz Luhrmann's Christmas trees from smash-hit musical, Strictly Ballroom. properties across The all-singing, all-dancing extravaganza stops Birmingham, Sandwell and off at two Midlands venues during the tour and Solihull, in return for a comes complete with a selection of hit songs, in- donation to the Hospice. cluding Love Is In The Air, Perhaps Perhaps The initiative takes place Perhaps and Time After Time. on Saturday 11 and Sunday The show foxtrots into the region at the Wolver- 12 January. For more hampton Grand from 5 to 10 October, and then information, visit Birmingham Hippodrome, from 10 to 15 May birminghamhospice.org.uk 2021. whatsonlive.co.uk 5 First Word Birmingham January.qxp_Layout 1 13/12/2019 16:24 Page 3

First Word

As bold as brass A stellar line-up of international brass players this month takes over Royal Birmingham Conservatoire for two full days of concerts, horn-hangouts, masterclasses and participa- tory events. The Great Birming- ham Brass Fest’s line-up of artists includes the City of Birmingham Symphony Or- chestra’s Principal Trumpet, Alan Thomas, and Principal Tuba, Graham Sibley. The Royal Birmingham Conser- vatoire Brass Band also features. Theatre extends New DanceXchange season features Everything (But The Girl) dementia services A formidable new triple bill from 2Faced Dance collaboration between Scottish Dance Theatre’s Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Company features among the spring-season Fleur Darkin and US writer David Foster-Wallace. has announced plans to extend highlights at Birmingham Hippodrome-based The piece sees four dancers bring to life the latter’s services for those living in the DanceXchange. ground-breaking study of tennis player Micheal local community and sur- Everything (But The Girl) features two works Joyce. rounding areas who are af- choreographed by the company’s artistic director, The triple bill shows in the Patrick Studio at the fected by dementia. Tamsin Fitzgerald - including her first ever solo Hippodrome on Thursday 6 & Friday 7 February. Although it’s already providing creation, Hollow In A World Too Full. To view DanceXchange’s complete spring entertainment specifically for The third work, The Qualies, is a theatrical programme, visit its website, dancexchange.org.uk people living with dementia and their carers at monthly dementia-friendly Memory Cafes, Creating a Synergy the Grand wants to do more, so at ballet school will be increasing provision Birmingham’s Elmhurst Ballet throughout 2020. This will in- School will next month host two clude the first dementia- evenings of dance by some of the friendly performance in the most influential figures in the his- West Midlands - the matinee tory of the discipline. showing of Million Dollar Synergy, performed at the venue on Quartet on Thursday 2 July. Friday 7 & Saturday 8 February, will feature excerpts from signature Bite Size theatre works by Ninette de Valois, Freder- Coventry’s Warwick Arts Cen- ick Ashton, Peter Wright and David tre is this month once again Bintley. These will be combined hosting the Bite Size Festival, with new works and a commission an initiative designed to cele- by Studio Wayne McGregor... For brate and promote some of the more information, visit elmhurst- best new work from the Mid- balletschool.eventbrite.co.uk lands’ creative talents. Offering audiences the chance to sam- Brum bringing in the Year of the Rat... ple a range of theatre, the festi- Chinese New Year celebrations return to Birmingham from Thurs- val comprises six sessions day 23 to Saturday 25 January. throughout Saturday 18 Jan- Presented by the Chinese Festival Committee Birmingham and co- uary. Excerpts of brand new produced by Birmingham Hippodrome, the celebrations welcome work, full-length shows and in the Year of the Rat and feature a wide selection of free family- pieces still in development all friendly activities. The line-up of entertainment includes a Chinese feature... classical concert, the much-loved lion and dragon procession and traditional fan and umbrella dances. For the full programme of events, visit birminghamhippodrome.com 6 whatsonlive.co.uk First Word Birmingham January.qxp_Layout 1 13/12/2019 16:24 Page 4 Asking For It .qxp_Layout 1 13/12/2019 17:27 Page 1

ASKING FOR IT The subject of sexual consent takes centre stage at Birmingham Repertory Theatre when an acclaimed stage adaptation of Louise O'Neill's devastating novel, Asking For It, receives its UK premiere this month. A young woman’s life is left in tatters as 21st century morals and the traditions of a small, fictional town in County Cork collide...

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Lauren Cole

The critically acclaimed stage adaptation of wanted to reflect that sense of claustrophobia with other works because it doesn’t feel like my Irish author Louise O'Neill’s novel, Asking For and lack of anonymity in a place where every- story. It feels like something for everyone. I was It, makes its UK debut in Birmingham this one knows everyone. It felt important to write a away when the previews of the play happened, month. And it’s set to cause quite a stir too, story like this primarily targeted at a young- and I started getting phone calls and messages focusing, as it does, on the experience of sex- adult audience because so many of the young gushing about how amazing the play was. And ual-assault victim Emma O’Donovan, its people who read the book need to hear about on the opening night, I wasn’t disappointed. I fictional main character. stories like this; to have some form of facilitat- was so blown away by the production values, ing difficult conversations. Art really is the per- the incredible set and the talented young cast. “Emma is a very confident, beautiful, popular, fect tool to do that. It’s essential to raise It felt so vibrant, alive and exciting. ambitious young woman,” explains author awareness of consent, sexual violence, rape Louise. “She really has the world at her feet, “Seeing the impact on the audience felt like culture and victim blaming in this age group.” but she can definitely veer from being devas- such a powerful, collective experience. People tatingly vulnerable to monstrously selfish. A Louise’s main focus was to make sure that were openly weeping by the end, which felt lot of the reasons why I wanted to explore the Emma’s story felt as real as possible: “Firstly, like both a grieving process and a catharsis - less pleasant aspects of her personality is that I I’ve been sexually assaulted myself, so I used a like breaking a fever. It’s an extraordinary think it’s really important that we dismantle lot of my own experiences and ways I pro- piece of work, and I feel so humbled by what this myth of the perfect victim. People seem to cessed the feelings of depression, numbness the play has achieved. I always think about have a finite amount of sympathy for survivors and disassociation to create this novel. Also, I what kinds of conversations and stories have of sexual violence, and it’s as if you have to worked closely with the sexual violence centre been, and will continue to be, shared between meet this strict set of criteria: you can’t have in my hometown of Cork to speak to survivors. people who’ve gone to see Asking For It been drinking or wearing a short skirt, and if I read memoirs and first-person fictional narra- together - that’s vital. It broke the box office you’ve had any sexual history with your tives, watched documentaries and really just records at The Everyman in Cork and it was attacker previously, then that will be held fully researched anything I could get my hands great to know that people who wouldn’t usu- against you. I wanted to emphasise that people on. I even spoke to a barrister. I wanted to ally go to the theatre were going to see the we dislike who are sexually assaulted are just make sure that I could not only make Emma’s play.” as deserving of our support.” experiences as authentic as possible, but that Asking For It has also found its way into all the other parts of the story rang as true as So what prompted Louise to write such a schools: “A programme was devised where they possibly could as well. provocative novel, particularly for a ‘young staff went in to discuss the play, the pupils adult’ target audience? “I was nervous when it went to be published then saw it and had further discussions. The because there are so many myths out there reports that came back were genuinely remark- “There was a case in America called the about both the perpetrators and survivors of able. At one girls’ school, they were engaging Steubenville High School rape case. It was in a sexual violence. I was very aware that I could in a lot of victim blaming, and then they were small town where the local school’s football put something out in the world that could able to display a great deal of empathy for team were treated like gods. At a party, a young perpetuate those misconceptions and actually Emma. Another school banded together to woman drank a lot, passed out and was then cause even more harm if I didn’t do it right. I’m write a letter to their Principle asking for better sexually assaulted by multiple members of the incredibly proud of the book and its message, sex education surrounding consent. Then team. Photos and videos were taken and circu- which is why I was so excited by the prospect some boys at another school had some very lated on social media. I was struck by the story, of a stage adaptation. The prospect of this upsetting, misogynistic views surrounding and what I found most disturbing was when a message getting as far and wide as possible is female victims of sexual violence. After seeing CNN reporter said, and I’m paraphrasing, how incredible. Sexual violence is such an epi- the play, they were able to have a very frank sad it was to see a day in court where these demic in our culture, an important and devas- conversation about their own vulnerabilities promising young men were having their tating issue that needs to be addressed and and the pressure they felt to conform to ideals futures taken away from them. She didn’t men- eradicated, and we’re not going to do that un- of masculinity. That’s why people create art: it tion the victim at all! It was then that I really less we face the issue head-on.” forces a sense of empathy by making you live understood the term ‘rape culture’. We are still in another person’s shoes and understand part of a culture that will do anything it can to It was Landmark Productions and The Every- their motives. To think that Asking For It could normalise sexual violence in some degrees man in Cork that approached Louise about the shift attitudes is very overwhelming.” because of its prevalence. I was so angry about prospect of adapting her novel for the stage. that, and I usually end up writing to process “Having had a conversation with them, I really my emotions.” felt that they understood what I was trying to Asking For It makes its UK debut at Louise also drew on her own experiences of get at in the book. It felt like I had passed the Birmingham Repertory Theatre on living in a small town in Ireland: “I wanted to baton on with the play. Even when writing Ask- Wednesday 29 January, continuing its run translate this topic into an Irish context being For It, I quickly realised that I didn’t feel at the venue until Saturday 15 February. cause I grew up in a small town there, and I the same kind of ownership over it as I did

whatsonlive.co.uk 9 Food January Birmingham.qxp_Layout 1 12/12/2019 16:59 Page 1

Food

strong crab flavour and served Featuring soft, perfectly cooked with a creamy saffron aioli, the fish dredged in flour and pan- beignets were addictive and fried with a beautifully salty lightly battered little fritters. The caper butter and topped with focaccia was possibly the boun- some meaty little crayfish tails, ciest I’d ever eaten, and the the sole dish was just divine. olives were of the highest quality. As with the fish, the steak was It was all washed down with a perfectly cooked - my partner’s heavenly marmalade martini. preference is medium rare - and Choosing from a mouthwatering was of an impressively high qual- selection of starters, including ity. Accompanied by butter - this pigeon, lentil and pickled black- time garlic rather than caper - berries with a sherry vinegar and some nicely cooked chips, it dressing, and seared chicken was yet another culinary tri- liver roscoff onion tart, I chose umph. the venison carpaccio served Because the previous two cock- with blue cheese, balsamic and a tails I’d ordered were so tasty, it watercress mousse. My partner seemed sensible to sample an- opted for the Severn & Wye other. You can’t go wrong with a smoked eel with variations of classic espresso martini, so beetroot and horseradish cream. that’s what I opted for. It was ex- The sourness from the beetroot, emplary, and very boozy too - the creaminess from the something about which I cer- horseradish and the sweetness tainly had no complaints! from the eel combined to create a For the finale, we shared the marriage of contrasting and com- Assiette of Chocolate and the plementary flavours that proved oeufs a la neige. Featuring to be nothing short of delicious. poached meringue floating on REVIEW: The Bracebridge If eel is on a menu, we order it, crème anglaise with caramel and the Bracebridge’s take was sauce, the latter was a superb Exceptional food and excellent service certainly up there with the best. combination of sweet flavours. at Sutton Park’s waterside restaurant The carpaccio featured slightly The rich chocolate, salted salted and precisely sliced veni- caramel and peanut flavours The Bracebridge is a restaurant Casual by comparison with the son topped with chunks of made for a dessert lover’s dream. that I've been meaning to visit main restaurant but just as deca- strong blue cheese, a light and Our visit to The Bracebridge was since it opened last April. dent, The Terrace boasts wonder- creamy bright-green mousse and nothing short of amazing. It was Set against the picturesque back- ful views of Bracebridge Pool. balsamic vinegar. It was another definitely one of the most enjoy- drop of the historic Sutton Park Having heard about what a per- delicious dish that was devoured able dining experiences myself and sitting perfectly on the edge fect summer venue The Brace- in minutes. and my partner had ever had. of Bracebridge Pool, its décor ex- bridge is, I was slightly From the exceptional food & udes luxury and opulence. Every element of The Brace- concerned that my partner and I drink to the welcoming service The eatery is the brainchild of bridge oozes quality - they’ve cut were visiting in winter! But even a Darron and Claire Brough, along no corners along the way and it nd pleasant atmosphere, every- though we weren’t able to make really does show. Rhubarb Cos- thing was spot on. The only com- with Claire’s twin brothers, Scott use of The Terrace, the restau- and Steven Lewis, both of whom mopolitan in hand (a downright plaint I had was that it wasn’t rant was nothing short of de- delicious one, I may add), we sat closer to my home town! trained under Michelin-star lightful - incredibly cosy, and admired the decor whilst Lauren Foster chefs, including Michel Roux Jr. reassuringly full - a sure sign of waiting for the next course. Offering exclusive fine dining, its quality - and populated by Food: nnnnn The massaman beef curry, the the waterside restaurant com- contented-looking diners and Service: nnnnn duck cassoulet and the calves prises two distinct dining areas. welcoming staff. And as for the Ambience: nnnnn liver & bacon were all dishes that One of these is an elegant and incredible aromas from the Overall value nnnnn caught my eye as I perused the sumptuously decorated dining kitchen...! OVERALL nnnnn main-course section of the room of 50 covers that serves the We started proceedings with menu. However, after much de- The Bracebridge finest à la carte dishes. some homemade focaccia served liberation, I opted for the sole Sutton Park For a more relaxed atmosphere, with balsamic and olive oil, some meuniere. My partner chose the Sutton Coldfield B74 2YR visitors can enjoy the chef’s im- mixed olives and a portion of 16oz Tomahawk steak with a side Tel: 0121 308 8890 pressive culinary creations in a crab beignets from the nibbles of hand-cut chips. less formal outdoor setting. section of the menu. Boasting a

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Food

Refreshing twists at Brum’s Bardolino Marco Pierre White has added some refreshing twists to the menu at his Birmingham restaurant, Bardolino. Starters include Tartufo Fritte and Crispy Fritto Misto with a choice of butterfly prawns or calamari. A new charcuterie called Perinelli & Mr White’s Salami has also been added. Customers can select from a variety of authentic sourdough pizzas, including the Romana, Basilico and Florentina, while a range of Al Forno dishes will keep pasta lovers happy.

A taste of the Punjab at popular venue The Westley Arms, part of the Best Western Westley Hotel in Birmingham’s Acocks Green, has teamed up with The Covered Wagon pub in Moseley and will soon be offering top-quality Punjabi dishes as part of a new menu. A ‘stunning’ new garden on a Birmingham canalside New York-style bar The creatives responsible for Craft Dining the opportunity to enjoy British cuisine in a opens in Selfridges Rooms and Aktar Islam are launching a botanical setting. A piece of the Big Apple has come to ‘stunning’ garden terrace and inside dining Beautifully crafted gin & tonics will lead the Selfridges Birmingham with the launch room in Birmingham on Friday 10 January. drinks menu on the terrace, with over 30 of a New York-style milk & cookies bar. Located on the canalside at the city’s British gins on offer. The new venue’s design The concession sells nine unique International Convention Centre and alongside will boast a vibrant colour palette, ambient flavours. These include the Classic the critically acclaimed Craft Dining Rooms, lighting, luxurious lounge seating and (milk choc chip), Always & Ferrero Craft English Garden provides customers with warming fire pits. (Nutella and Ferrero Rocher) and The Blondie (white chocolate chip with Biscoff). Bombay cafe favourite Dishoom to open in the city centre Gluten-free and lactose-free cookies are The team behind Bombay cafe?Dishoom also available, as is a range of milks, have announced that they will be including hot chocolate cereal milk. launching a brand new restaurant in Birmingham city centre this year. Due to open in the spring, the eatery will be located at One Chamberlain Square, which is part of Paradise Birmingham. The restaurant will pay loving tribute to the old Irani cafe?s that were once a significant part of the fabric of life in Bombay. Food will be served all day and will feature dishes cooked in Hindu, Muslim, Irani and Parsi traditions. A new ‘chef’s special’ will also be included on the menu. The restaurant is currently looking to recruit staff. Job particulars and application information can be found at: dishoom.com/careers whatsonlive.co.uk 13 David Baddiel Birmingham.qxp_Layout 1 13/12/2019 17:28 Page 1 Taking on the trolls... David Baddiel talks trolls, Twitter and Trump ahead of his new 52-date UK tour

14 whatsonlive.co.uk David Baddiel Birmingham.qxp_Layout 1 13/12/2019 17:28 Page 2

by Lauren Cole

David Baddiel is critically acclaimed in a Breakfasts, and people go barmy about plac- happens in the news, I don’t go, ‘Oh, I’m left number of creative fields. In his time in the ing the beans next to the sausages and what- wing so I should think about this like this’. spotlight, he’s been a comedian, presenter, ever. Even that gets an extreme reaction! So I just try to go off what I think, which doesn’t author, screenwriter and playwright. His pre- social media can be really trivial in that way, mean I won’t end up thinking about things in vious touring comedy show, My Family: Not but also it can be so influential and is really what is traditionally seen as a left or right- The Sitcom, even transferred to the West End changing everything. I predominantly use wing way. It just means that I’m more focused and was nominated for an Olivier Award. Twitter, and I think Twitter is where a lot of on my own identity. The show is actually the battles - particularly political ones - are about that, too. There’s a lot about how one’s “I decided when I came back to performing in happening. Social media has changed the pre-thought-out identity leads to anger. For 2013 that I didn’t just want to do generalised fundamental ideas behind the way humans example, I made this incredibly innocuous banter in that comedian way,” explains think and just are, especially in regard to joke about Nicola Sturgeon, which led to David, who’s visiting the region this month power and the way people interact.” unimaginable rage from Scottish Nationalists. with his latest stage offering, Trolls: Not The But being a Scottish Nationalist had abso- Dolls - a show based around the subject of David’s Twitter interactions with trolls was lutely nothing to do with the joke. I think social media. “I wanted to talk about stuff; one of the inspirations for his show: “When social media is a lot about saying, Here I am, things that are important to me. I’ve watched this really abusive part of social media began and wanting to have an identity in amongst quite a lot of Ted Talks and actually hosted a happening, people started this campaign the sea of people. One way of doing that is to programme on Radio Four about people about not ‘feeding the trolls’. Just ignore turn up the volume and make people notice doing serious talks. I started to wonder about them. I found that really strange as a come- your identity - and the most obvious way to whether there could be a comedy version of dian, because trolls are essentially hecklers - do that is through anger.” really digging into a single subject. So my first they’re people saying ‘you’re s***’ in one way show, Fame: Not The Musical, was about how or another. Generally a comedian’s response So how come David has so many strings to his weird the celebrity world is, and then My to hecklers is to try and put them down fun- bow? Family: Not The Sitcom was about my family. nily. It’s seen as part of the job; to take what “From the word go, I’ve never really acknowl- During both shows I was using social media they’ve said and to disarm them in a way that edged boundaries between different types of to talk about the ways in which the world was makes the rest of the audience laugh. I didn’t storytelling. Take the children’s books as an changing, and particularly the way people see that as any different on Twitter. When I example - my son, who was eight at the time, were getting really angry. Those parts worked had a troll tweet me, I would retweet it with asked me why Harry Potter didn’t just run so well in my previous shows that I realised my own response above and it had the same away from the Dursleys and find better par- there was probably a whole show to be had response from the audience as it would in a ents, which gave me the idea for my first chil- there. live show... people laughed! I can sort of be a dren’s book. In that world, children choose conductor of this great big comedy orchestra “Certainly social media never fails to surprise their own parents. I immediately saw that that too, because others are itching to join in. So me. For example, going back to when it was particular idea was right for a children’s book I’ll start something by responding to a troll first becoming a thing, a journalist called rather than a live show, but what I didn’t do with a joke, and someone else will then add India Knight described it as this website that’s was decide that because I wasn’t a children’s to that with a graphic or whatever. People like a cocktail party where you can mingle author I couldn’t write it. always ask me if what trolls say to and about with others and have a lovely time. I’m sure me hurts me - and the true answer to that is “Then, with my play, God’s Dice, I had an many would’ve been surprised that it’s turned yes. But seconds later I think it’s just immate- idea about a scientist who proves the exis- into mainly people shouting at each other. rial. The window of feeling hurt is definitely tence of God with the help of his student - and Fortunately or unfortunately, social media getting smaller and smaller. One thing that to me that felt like an idea best fitted to a play. does actually influence people a lot. If you Trolls: Not The Dolls tries to do is take this I really don’t feel strapped into one medium. fast-forward just over 10 years on from Twit- terrible, abusive thing and transform it into People always tell me I do so many things in ter’s launch, Donald Trump becomes Presi- something joyful and funny. That’s one way my job, but I don’t feel like that: I’m not a dent of the United States. He is the archetypal of thinking about trolls that takes away any comedian and a plumber! I’m just a storyteller troll - and not just in his presence on Twitter, power they thought they had.” in different forms.” but in his whole dialogue and very loud, angry, extreme discourse with conspiracy the- Trolls: Not The Dolls has been described as ories and all the rest of it. So we’re not talking Baddiel’s most political show yet, an assess- about trolls as something on the fringes of our ment with which he agrees: “But I should Trolls: Not The Dolls visits Huntingdon society here - they’re at the very centre of the stress from the start that it doesn’t come from Hall, Worcester, Thurs 6 February; Royal changes that we see happening in our world. a set political perspective. I certainly was left Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon- wing when I was young, but now I’m no wing Avon, Sun 9 February; Royal Spa Centre, "I think people used to dismiss social media whatsoever. I use that phrase rather than Leamington, Sat 14 March; Dudley Town snootily as a place where people try to show ‘centrist’ because I don’t really like that word, Hall, Sat 29 February; Royal Spa Centre, off or talk about what they had for breakfast. and, in fact, it’s something that trolls often Leamington Spa, Sat 14 March; Symphony Incidentally, I do the breakfast thing with my use. What I mean is that I try not to fit any Hall, Brimingham, Thurs 19 March whole series of tweets about Full English prearranged ideological map. If something For further dates, visit davidbaddiel.com

whatsonlive.co.uk 15 Classical January Birmingham.qxp_Layout 1 12/12/2019 12:12 Page 1

Classical

Ex Cathedra: Missa Solemnis Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Sun 26 January It’s hard to imagine a more appropriate time for Ex Cathedra to team up with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and perform Ludwig van Beethoven. The highly rated choral music ensemble is celebrating its 50th year and the CBSO its centenary, while 2020 also marks the 25oth anniversary of Beethoven’s birth. Singer Roderick Williams (pictured) is among the soloists contributing to an event that promises to be every bit as majestic and monumental as the composi- tion being performed, a piece to which Beethoven devoted four years of his life. The composer’s diligence and tenacity certainly paid off - Missa Solemnis is Orchestre National de Lille Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Tues 28 January considered by some to be one of the greatest classical works of all time. Lending their unmistakable Gallic style to The orchestra will also be turning their proceedings, the widely admired Orchestre attention to the works of Maurice Ravel, National de Lille visit Birmingham with presenting their interpretation of two of his their inspirational music director & conduc- compositions - the Ma mère l'Oye Suite and tor, Alexander Bloch (pictured), to perform La Valse. Award-winning pianist Eric Lu a programme that features Claude completes the programme with a perfor- Debussy’s magnificent seascape, La Mer. mance of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No4.

Orchestra of the Swan: Intimate Voices Kimichi Symphony Bradshaw Hall, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Benyounes String Wed 22 January Orchestra Quartet Violinist Tamsin Waley-Cohen (pictured) once again The Bramall, University Artrix, Bromsgrove, Fri 17 January teams up with the Orchestra of the Swan, this time for a of Birmingham, Sat 25 January concert dedicated to the musical and personal land- One of the most engaging young ensem- scape of Jean Sibelius. Waley-Cohen will perform the Rimsky-Korsakov’s bles to have emerged from the UK in Finnish composer’s Humoresques, a collection of Scheherazade and recent years and featuring four immensely whimsical miniature masterpieces written in 1916/17. Stravinsky’s Firebird talented women, Benyounes has been So seldom are the compositions played that they’ve feature on the mouthwater- making a significant international splash been described as ‘quite likely the most magical work ing musical menu when the since forming at the Royal Northern you have never heard’. Kimichi Symphony Orches- College of Music in 2007. tra make a welcome return The quartet here makes a welcome return to The Bramall this month. to Bromsgrove to perform works by Having previously scored Mozart, Beethoven, and two by John Wool- major successes with Rite Of rich, one of which is a world premiere. Spring and Verdi’s Requiem, the KSO look set to complete a hat-trick of hits with this highly anticipated concert, presenting a semi-staged performance that combines exceptional musicmaking with storytelling and dance.

16 whatsonlive.co.uk GIGS January Birmingham.qxp_Layout 1 12/12/2019 12:11 Page 2

Gigs

Bombay Bicycle Club O2 Academy, Birmingham, Fri 31 January Indie rock band Bombay Bicycle Club return after a three-year hiatus with new album Everything Else Has Gone Wrong and a UK headline tour. “This is an album for anyone who’s ever turned to music in a time of crisis, whether personal or political,” explain the boys. “It’s about the solace one can get from listening to music or playing music when everything else in your life or the world has gone wrong. It’s about finding kernels of hope and renewal in dire situations.”

Slipknot Sheeran off the top of the charts... As well as favourites from the new offering, Arena Birmingham, Fri 24 January expect to hear a selection of hits from the Slipknot return to Birmingham in support of band’s back catalogue, including Duality, their album, We Are Not Your Kind. Before I Forget, Psychosocial and Wait And The record was so popular it knocked Ed Bleed. PJ Morton O2 Institute, Birmingham, Fri 10 January Kaiser Chiefs Shai Brides Singer-songwriter and Maroon 5 keyboardist Arena Birmingham, Sat 25 January The Sunflower Lounge, Birmingham, Sat 25 January PJ Morton released his first major-label Fifteen years into their career, Kaiser Chiefs album, New Orleans, in 2013. Four years later, are hitting new artistic peaks. “It’s more Bringing together whirling psychedelic his first self-released studio album, Gumbo, exciting than it’s ever been,” says charis- guitars with glittering synths and blistering earned him two Grammy nominations for matic frontman Ricky Wilson. “Every time drumbeats, Shai Brides have been compared best R&B album and best R&B song. there’s a big obstacle, it just gets blown to post-punk and experimental indie groups He visits Birmingham this month in support away in the wind like a dandelion. We’re still of the 1980s - think New Order and Talking of his highly anticipated seventh album, selling out arenas but under the radar.” Heads. Their debut single, Joie de Vivre, was Paul. Seventh album Duck came out in summer named BBC Introducing West Midlands’ 2019, and the Leeds lads are celebrating its Track of the Month for September 2019. release with this new UK tour, supported by The band play The Sunflower Lounge, along- Razorlight and Life. side The Reservoir Cats, The Silver Lines and Boats On The Ocean, as part of the Discover From The Jam Birmingham series. The Mill, Birmingham, Fri 10 January From The Jam are celebrating the 40th anniversary of The Jam’s fourth studio album. “We can’t wait to perform the whole of Setting Sons live,” says vocalist and guitarist Russell Hastings. “The album has been noted as one of The Jam’s best albums, along with All Mod Cons. “It seems that even the obscure album tracks, like Little Boy Soldiers and Thick As Thieves, are as popular when we play them live as the hit singles.” whatsonlive.co.uk 17 p18 B'ham.qxp_Layout 1 13/12/2019 16:59 Page 1

18 whatsonlive.co.uk Readers' Awards 2020.qxp_Layout 1 13/12/2019 13:51 Page 1

Get VOTING for your favourite Midlands events, shows and venues in the... What’sOn Readers’ Awards 2020

Some of last year’s winners...

Best Arts/Theatre Venue in Best Kids Show - The Snowman, Best Birmingham Arts/Theatre Venuenue - Wolverhampton & Black Country - Birmingham Repertory Theatre and Best Home Produced Showw - Best Large Theatre and Birmingham Repertory Theatre’s The Wizard Of Oz Wolverhampton Grand Best Midlands Pantomime - Birmingham Hippodrome whatsonlive.co.uk 19 Readers' Awards 2020.qxp_Layout 1 13/12/2019 13:51 Page 2 Readers' Awards 2020.qxp_Layout 1 13/12/2019 13:51 Page 3

#culturematters #artsmatters

Yes, it’s once again time for you to show just CATEGORIES INCLUDE: how much you appreciate Birmingham & Best Large Theatre the West Midlands’ ever-vibrant arts & Best Regional Theatre entertainment scene. Best Touring Musical Best Home Produced Show Nominate and vote online for your Best Touring Show favourites to help them secure a place in our Best Kids Show What’s On Readers’ Awards Best Panto Dame Top 5 Shortlist. Best Classical Production Best Orchestra The shortlist will be announced in our Best Panto February issue. You will then be able to Best Amateur Theatre Company VOTE for your WINNER in each category. Best Arts Venue So get voting now! Best Large Music Venue Best Regional Music Venue And complete our Readership Survey for the Best Band/Artist chance to WIN £1,000 cash! Best Exhibition VOTE for your NOMINATIONS Best Comedy Night Best Dance Production by Saturday 18 January Best Visitor Attraction WINNERS will be announced in the Spring Best Indoor Event Best Outdoor Event Best Music Festival Best Arts/Cultural Festival Best Food Festival Best Independent Restaurant Best Independent Coffee Shop

Best Midlands and Best Birmingham Arts Best Birmingham Independent Restaurant Best Independent Bar Festival - Birmingham Comedy Festival - Purnell’s Best Market VOTE now at whatsonlive.co.uk

whatsonlive.co.uk 21 Kojo Anim.qxp_Layout 1 12/12/2019 11:57 Page 1

kojo anim The Britain’s Got Talent finalist chats to What’s On as he prepares to hit the road with stories and observations about life, parenthood and family.

22 whatsonlive.co.uk Kojo Anim.qxp_Layout 1 12/12/2019 11:57 Page 2

When did you first realise you were funny? Before Britain’s Got Talent, you were comedians on before me absolute hell that I’d always been entertaining my family and almost better known in America than here day. My plan was to get Amanda Holden’s and friends. I was witty and quick with a in the UK. How was that? David Walliams’ approval. Alesha Dixon had seen me at gigs, so I hoped she’d be on side. response. In school, if I got in trouble, it was I’d met, through friends, Nick Cannon, who at I’d actually written Simon Cowell off, as I always what I’d said, not what I’d done. I had the time was still married to Mariah Carey - knew I only needed three of them to back me. an answer for everything. Comedy happened how crazy is that? - and he was bringing a big It was the very first day of filming, and - to almost by accident. My first love was always improvisation show, Wild N Out, back to add to the madness - Simon had never football, but I had terrible discipline as a foot- American TV and wanted to include some UK pressed his golden buzzer on day one. So baller. I was selected with some of the best talent. I leapt at the chance. I’d watched the when it happened, everyone was so shocked - young players in England for a school of show as a kid, and it was a ridiculous oppor- day one and a comedian! The reaction was so excellence to study and play football, but I tunity to go and work with all these famous gratifying. It told me, ‘I can do this’. I’d had a terrible attitude about being on time etc and amazingly funny people in America. proven myself and removed my doubts about and relied on being very talented. But it didn’t Everyone I grew up with used to watch it, and me. After that, I knew I was good enough. work out. there I was being invited to be the first British I learned a big lesson in hindsight, and it comedian on it. How’s it been since the show? turned out to be a blessing. Missing that Absolutely life-changing. My dad was in opportunity to change my life, the pain I felt So what made you audition for Britain’s Ghana and it came up on the news. I didn’t when it ended, kept me disciplined when I Got Talent? leave the house for four days after the golden- found comedy. I would never, ever let an I’d been going through a bad period both buzzer audition was aired. I had so many opportunity slip through my hands again. I financially and in terms of opportunities. I’d messages on my phone, and everywhere I have so much respect for every opportunity had my son, and that increased the pressure went, people were giving me their love and that comes my way now. I realised I was a on me to decide what I was going to do with support. All the work during those 20 years natural with comedy, but also determined the rest of my life. I was feeling like I’d been had been gearing me up for it, and that’s that I was going to work hard, find solutions placed in the ‘has-been’ box so far as a com- made it all a bit easier to cope with. and make no excuses. edy career was concerned. I was approached It’s crazy and has all happened at the same by Britain’s Got Talent - they’d seen some You were ‘discovered’ on Britain’s Got time as adjusting to life as a first-time dad. videos online - and I was told the producers Talent, but you’d already been working the Roman’s oblivious to it, but we’re capturing it had loved the videos and were dying to get circuit for 20 years. How did you turn that all on our phones and it’s amazing that he’s me on the show, so I thought, ‘Why not?’ natural ability into a career? been on the journey with us. Roman’s also I’d always said it wasn’t for me - I didn’t think been life-changing. He’s allowed me to be I was doing talent shows at university and it was credible. But when I discussed it with selfish, and people told me how much harder had the chance to go to comedy school, so I my fiancée, she said the fact they’d had to I’d want to work after becoming a parent… borrowed £150 from my Aunty Sandra - I’ve find me as an ‘unknown’ meant they didn’t You’re making decisions for your child, not more than paid her back now. After that, I did know me - so I had nothing to lose. a lot of university comedy gigs and built up a just for yourself. What was it like preparing for that first fanbase. From that, I was able to set up Kojo’s How do you feel ahead of the tour? audition? Comedy Fun House, which ran every Sunday Touring nationally is a dream come true; for eight years, with 300 people queueing up I didn’t just plan for the first audition, I we’re working on material at the moment. outside each week, packing it to the rafters planned my acts for every round from the first There’s definitely going to be a look at father- and coming along week after week. I came audition to the final. I had 20 years of mate- hood - looking at what goes through a man’s from a partying background, so would invite rial, so why not? I just had to decide which mind as a new dad, as well as asking some celebrities to the comedy shows - as well as way round to use it, and to get my head serious questions like, ‘Will I end up looking hosting exciting new comedians and DJs - so straight about what was to come. As I gradu- like my parents, will my child end up in the it became somewhere people wanted to be. ally went through each phase, I realised what same situation as me?’ What really made it big, though, was when the opportunity was actually going to mean to I’m looking forward to touring - going to David Chapelle was in town and heard about me. The show’s called Britain’s Got Talent, places I’ve never been to, like Swindon, the club. I called someone who’d seen him but I suddenly realised that the world would Malvern, New Brighton and places in Wales I and got them to put him on the phone. He just be watching online because ‘Got Talent’ is a can’t even spell… came down and performed. ‘Going viral’ global thing. I know people in the comedy I’m now 40. I told my fiancée, Tiff, that I wasn’t even a thing at the time, but that’s industry were saying, ‘Why is he doing it?’, believe the best years of my life will be my 40s kind of what happened. It was the first show but people across the country didn’t know - and it’s definitely looking that way. Let’s he’d done after going away following his big me. I had to be able to look at my son and have it! success, so everyone was talking about it. It know I’d taken the chance, taken that massive was huge on YouTube, and it was a real inter- leap of faith. national moment to see him back on stage. Kojo Anim appears at the Alexandra Simon Cowell famously hates comedians So then people started talking about the Fun Theatre, Birmingham, on Thursday 6 on the show, but he gave you his golden House, and I was hearing from American February; Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, buzzer. How did that feel? comedians over in the UK who wanted to on Tuesday 25 February; Forum Theatre, come down. I was just a young comedian I was so nervous. The judges genuinely don’t Malvern, on Wednesday 26 February and wanting to express myself there, and all this know what’s coming next as you walk out; it’s Stafford Gatehouse Theatre on Monday 9 came from that small place. a conveyor belt of talent. Simon had given two March. whatsonlive.co.uk 23 Comedy January.qxp_Layout 1 12/12/2019 14:37 Page 1

Comedy

Jamali Maddix Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Sun 26 Jan- uary; The Glee Club, Birmingham, Mon 17 February; Henry Tudor House, Shrewsbury, Tues 25 February; Slade Rooms, Wolver- hampton, Fri 28 February Former Chortle ‘student comedian of the year’ Jamali Maddix has been praised both for his frank yet ironic take on everyday racism and for his willingness to tackle the ‘hot potato’ subject of terrorism. With influences ranging from Gandhi to his Uncle Mark, the 28-year-old Londoner describes his new show, Strip Club Einstein, as “a reflection on tales from the front line of social change and uncomfortable home truths”.

The Thinking Drinkers The Old Rep, Birmingham, Sat 25 January Now here’s an offer that no self-respecting come as a result of Thinking Drinkers Ben lover of quality comedy and the occasional McFarland and Tom Sandham sharing their cheeky tipple could possibly ignore... fascinating facts and absorbing anecdotes Bag yourself a ticket for this show and you about the role the demon drink has played get five - yep, that’s right, five - free drinks! in inspiring some of history’s greatest There’s also every chance that you’ll leave names, from Plato and Picasso to Nelson, the theatre at the end of the night with a Napoleon, and even, we’re reliably in- splendidly enhanced understanding of the formed, Norm from Cheers. significance of alcohol. Enlightenment will

Jimmy Carr Marcus Brigstocke Sandi Toksvig: Live Dudley Town Hall, Fri 31 January; Victoria The Glee Club, Birmingham, Sat 4 January Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Hall, Stoke-on-Trent, Thurs 13 February; Mon 27 January; Warwick Arts Centre, Peddling a line in dark, intelligent humour, Coventry, Sat 1 February Jimmy Carr’s com- the award-winning Marcus Brigstocke is one Best known nowa- edy is all about of the most inventive talents on the comedy days as co-host of quickfire, deadpan circuit. Jokes include: “I realised I was The Great British one-liners - and so dyslexic when I went to a toga party dressed many of them, in Bake Off, the ever- as a goat,” and, “If Pac-Man had affected us fact, that he’s not astute Sandi as kids, we'd all be running around in dark sure their content Toksvig is a rooms, munching pills and listening to matters all that woman of many repetitive electronic music.” much: “People talents. As well as Marcus is joined at the Glee by Paul Tonkin- don’t really her presenting son, Joanne McNally and one other yet-to- remember the indi- work on television, be-announced comedian. vidual jokes I tell she’s also written because I tell such a lot; what they do re- children's books, member, though, is how those jokes make bestselling novels and a shedload of news- them feel.” paper and magazine columns, not to men- Jimmy is a comedian for whom no subject is tion kept her hand in as an impressively off limits: “I’ll talk about anything as long adept stand-up comic. as I feel the joke justifies it. It may cause Her new one-woman comedy show sees her controversy, but controversy is an easy combining ‘tall stories’ with ‘fascinatingly story on a slow-news day. And I never apol- funny facts, really silly jokes, a quickfire ogise for jokes. After all, I’m not making a Q&A and a quiz’. She is, however, adamant serious political statement, I’m just trying that tap-dancing, the wearing of leotards to make somebody laugh.” and the performing of a forward roll will not be featuring in the show. 24 whatsonlive.co.uk Comedy January.qxp_Layout 1 12/12/2019 14:37 Page 2

Milton Jones Artrix, Bromsgrove, Wed 15 January; Dudley Town Hall, Fri 7 February; Warwick Arts Cen- tre, Coventry, Sat 8 February; Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent, Fri 21 February With a style of humour that’s mainly based around puns and one-liners, Milton Jones has established himself as one of Britain’s most in-demand funnymen. “If my comedy’s working well, I put a car- toon in people’s heads that surprises them,” explains Milton. “So you start off and they’re thinking one thing, then you surprise them by changing the ending as you go along. It’s not political or particularly edgy, it’s just daft. Gags include: “Militant feminists - I take my hat off to them. They don't like that,” and, “Recently on a flight to America, all the way across my wife was going, ‘Why don't you get an upgrade, why don't you get an upgrade?’ It took a bit of time, but in the end I Ed Byrne got a better wife.” Birmingham Town Hall, Thurs 30 January; Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent, Sat 1 February; The Place, Telford, Thurs 12 March; Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Sat 14 March; Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Tues 17 March; Walsall Arena, Tues 24 March If you fancy a good heckle, don't bother laddish material he used in the early days of going to an Ed Byrne show. Ed's style of his stand-up career. delivery is so fast that any attempted witti- “My comedy reflected my life at that time - cisms from the audience get drowned out by single and enjoying myself. Most of it was his barrage of top-quality material. A highly fairly harmless - 'the difference between regarded master of observational comedy, men and women' kind of thing. But some of the Mock The Week star admits to being a lit- the stuff about an ex-girlfriend I can see was tle uncomfortable about some of the more a bit angry, and I wouldn't do it now.”

Ivan Brackenbury Mark Watson Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Sun 19 January; The Brewhouse Arts Centre, Burton-upon- Foxlowe Arts Centre, Leek, Staffs, Sat 15 Trent, Thurs 30 January February; Just The Tonic Comedy Club, Birm- Darren Harriott ingham, Fri 28 February Well established on the UK comedy cir- Artrix, Bromsgrove, Sat 18 January; Ivan Brackenbury is an inept hospital radio The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton, cuit, Mark Watson was born in Bristol to Thurs 23 January Welsh parents and initially delivered his DJ - and he’s also the creation of former XFM radio presenter Tom Binns. Darren Harriott spent his childhood in Old- act with a Welsh accent, claiming he felt A Jongleurs award winner, Binns came up bury and at the age of 13 began carrying a “more comfortable talking in a voice that with the character relatively early in his knife. I didn't quite recognise as my own”. career and has enjoyed great success with Fortunately for the now-30-year-old come- A regular contributor to the Edinburgh him ever since. Brackenbury is here provid- dian, he managed to turn away from a po- Fringe, Mark has the curious distinction ing support to his creator, who will be per- tential life of crime, finding his salvation in of having performed stand-up shows forming on this tour as another of his the business of making people laugh. which have lasted for a period in excess characters, Ian D Montfort, the ‘psychic “I need to get this stuff out,” he explained of 24 hours. “Comedy is certainly a time- comedium’. in a recent interview. “All I’ve really got as a consuming element of my life,” he ad- stand-up is my honesty. I’m okay if audi- mits, “but then while I’m out touring and ences hate me. What I don’t want is pity. on stage, there are people at home doing These stories might sound like tragedy, but I far less glamorous things. There have don’t compute it as tragedy. I’m enjoying certainly been times when I’ve been very this rollercoaster. I just worry that it could happy to say, ‘Of course I’d like to stay all go. This is the most important time in my and help out with that plumbing crisis, career, but my main goal is to have fun.” but Burton awaits!’”

whatsonlive.co.uk 25 The Book of Mormon 3 pages.qxp_Layout 1 12/12/2019 13:20 Page 1

26 whatsonlive.co.uk The Book of Mormon 3 pages.qxp_Layout 1 12/12/2019 13:21 Page 2

by Louis Wise All-American Prophets Smash-hit musical comedy The Book Of Mormon visits Birmingham for the very first time this spring. What’s On catches up with one of its creators, Robert Lopez, a man whose CV also includes hit Broadway show Avenue Q and both of Disney’s Frozen movies...

At first glance, not a huge amount would tion aged 13, he still manages to seem politely Somehow, all of this is relayed amid uproari- seem to connect the story of female empower- surprised about the huge success of his shows ous laughter within the first 20 minutes. ment that is Disney’s Frozen with the - not least The Book Of Mormon, which he The real shocker, though, is that by the end, naughty, dirty, sweary phenomenon that is hit co-composed with the dark geniuses behind the show reveals it has a huge heart too. And Broadway show The Book Of Mormon. South Park, Trey Parker and Matt Stone. Robert, who, along with Parker and Stone, Sure, they’re both full of great tunes and both has always had a surprising soft spot for Since opening on Broadway in 2011, the show have a sense of humour, but one is definitely Mormonism, wouldn’t have it any other way: has become one of the most successful the- for the kids, the other definitely not. One is all “It’s about what we talked about the very first atre productions of the decade. “The truth is,” about love, magical powers and sisterhood, day we met. People are so quick to laugh at says Robert, “we’d imagined it would be the other showcases shocking AIDS jokes and Mormons - and we wanted, in the end, to be controversial, and we hoped that it would features unseemly things being done with able to turn it around on them, because manage to run maybe a year.” Nine years frogs. Yet a surprising, even slightly scary, although any belief in anything impossible is down the line, it’s clear that theatre-goers’ revelation is that both came from the mind of sort of funny, it’s also very inspiring and love for the show massively outweighs any the same man - songwriter Robert Lopez. empowering.” minor controversies. And as it prepares to “I mean, it is weird,” chuckles the 43-year-old visit continental Europe and the UK, having To understand how Robert came to co-write New Yorker, pondering how the guy who already conquered not only America but also the show, you have to rewind way back to wrote Let It Go also gave us Mormon’s Hasa Australia and Canada, it’s fair to assume that before he even met Parker and Stone in 2003. Diga Eebowai. “I’m still trying to figure it out. it’s about to gain nearly as many new converts You have to go back even beyond him seeing What’s wrong with me?!” as the missionaries it so lovingly sends up. their film, South Park The Movie: Bigger, Longer And Uncut, and being dazzled by its Little is wrong with Lopez - at least from a The Book Of Mormon is a great marker of pace and wit (“I was, like, this is the best showbiz perspective. When you’ve already Robert’s work, combining classic song craft musical of the last 10 years, for sure!”). You’d become, twice, a so-called EGOT - a winner of and a deep love of musicals with a fresh, probably have to go back to when he was first an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony - you can contemporary, often irreverent tone. The story taken to see a musical - A Chorus Line. only be doing things right. Robert’s CV in- follows the journey of two bright-eyed “It was way over my head,” he admits. cludes not only The Book Of Mormon and Mormon teenagers, Elder Price and Elder Frozen (and now, of course, Frozen 2) but also Cunningham, who, as tradition requires, are It clearly had an effect on him, though, his first great hit, Avenue Q, and the beautiful sent out to spread the word as they reach the because he started writing songs on the theme tune to Pixar’s film, Coco, entitled Re- age of 19. When they reach Uganda, though, piano, encouraged by the teacher he was tak- member Me. they are somewhat shocked by the reality of ing classes with at the time. “I wrote a song the situation - The Lion King it ain’t! The called Oy Vey, What A Day for some reason. Sitting in the comfortable Brooklyn studio he Ugandans don’t necessarily need saving in the I’m not Jewish, but I guess growing up in New shares with his wife and fellow tunesmith, Mormon sense of the word - but they could York pushes you in that direction.” Kristen Anderson-Lopez (with whom he definitely do with being saved from the terri- co-wrote the Frozen movies), Robert is gentle The son of a journalist-turned-press officer for fying warlord next door, who is threatening and unassuming. If he’s always believed in NYU and a stay-at-home mother, Robert’s new all the female villagers with FGM... his abilities, ever since he settled on his voca- passion for theatre grew and grew. Watching whatsonlive.co.uk 27 The Book of Mormon 3 pages.qxp_Layout 1 12/12/2019 13:21 Page 3 The Book of Mormon 3 pages.qxp_Layout 1 12/12/2019 13:21 Page 4

West Side Story in 5th Grade is what sealed and just having to read it twice, because I to Africa. And yet, when it came down to ac- the deal. Then, from the age of 13, he started couldn’t really believe what I was reading. tually working on the show, Robert went a bit writing shows every term for an amateur The whole idea of him digging up the golden more Cunningham, the goofy sidekick who’s group. plates, and the lost tribe of Israel, and Jesus in thrall to Price, his hero. “When I was with being here in America. I was fascinated by Matt and Trey, I was definitely following The eureka moment came when he decided, that.” them. I was just so in awe of getting to work as he puts it, “to write a show that was funny with my heroes.” all the way through”. For Robert, who had It must be said that the founding story of the grown up in a raucously funny family, it faith - as with every faith - requires a leap of Truth be told, The Book Of Mormon is nowa- seemed within his reach: “It was an area the imagination. The story of Smith being days quite far away in Robert’s rearview mir- where Broadway had flagged behind in the visited by the Angel Moroni in the early 19th ror. His main preoccupation of late has been culture. The humour in the shows was sort of century, and discovering said Book on said Frozen 2, but in a sense he’s looking forward a moderate chuckle, and I thought to myself, I golden plates, has an outlandish quality to it. to leaving behind the Disney phase of his bet I could do this.” But Robert ultimately wanted to treat career: “I don’t like to have a brand - I don’t Mormonism with affection, as did Parker and like to be one thing.” After Mormon and The result was Avenue Q, co-written with Jeff Stone. Avenue Q, he was happy to leave the scabrous Marx and Jeff Whitty. An immediate smash funny stuff for a bit and do something more hit, it was an absolute game-changer for “We weren’t trying to get protesters. We were emotional; now, having filled up on all those Robert. When Parker and Stone came to trying to make a show that was about the way Disney emotions, he’d like to move on once watch the show one night, they saw a note in we felt about the best parts of religion. We again. the programme in which Robert thanked were writing a show about it that was sort of them for the influence they’d exerted on him, for atheists and believers at the same time, More immediately, though, Robert is looking from the South Park musical onwards. When because it summed up how we felt about it - forward to taking his 13-year-old daughter to the three met for a drink after the show, they that whether or not the stories are true, they see The Book Of Mormon for the first time. discovered a shared fascination for Mor- do something that’s good. Believing in some- “She’s ready,” he shrugs. “She’s already monism. thing impossible makes you do impossible heard the cast album - her friends listen to it. things.” Parker and Stone’s interest in the faith could I think she had a nice, shielded, sheltered be explained by the fact that they grew up Ultimately, The Book Of Mormon is mostly an childhood mostly. And now I think she’s near its heartland of Utah; they were one state unlikely bromance between the mismatched ready to enjoy some adult comedy!” away in Colorado. But Robert? A Filipino- pair of Price and Cunningham. Ask Robert American growing up in Brooklyn? “I was just with which of the two he most associates and a nerd, and a little bit of a class clown, I he smiles. “I was a straight-A student, and guess. I remember reading about Joseph you know, I’ve been accused of being a little The Book Of Mormon shows at Smith (the founding father of Mormonism, too arrogant at times.” This is very Price, the Birmingham Hippodrome from who discovered the original Book of Mormon) all-American kid whose perceptions of the Wednesday 4 to Saturday 28 March. in an American history textbook in 8th Grade world - and of himself - are jolted by his visit whatsonlive.co.uk 29 Theatre january 2019.qxp_Layout 1 13/12/2019 13:58 Page 1

Theatre Theatre from around the region

The Bodyguard Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Tues 21 January - Sat 1 February This blockbusting West End musical is of course based on the simi- Featuring classic numbers including One Moment In Time, I Wanna larly blockbusting 1990s Hollywood movie starring Kevin Costner and Dance With Somebody and the legendary I Will Always Love You, the Whitney Houston. When ex-Secret Service agent Frank Farmer is stage show received mixed reviews from the critics when it opened in hired to protect superstar Rachel Marron from an unknown stalker, 2012 but has since proved to be a real hit with its audiences. sparks soon begin to fly between the pair. Each expects to hold the Alexandra Burke and Jennlee Shallow share the role of Rachel, with whip-hand in the relationship; neither expects to fall in love... the former appearing in evening performances only.

Beneath The City Blithe Spirit The Gift The REP, Birmingham, Malvern Theatre, Mon 27 January - Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Thurs 16 - Sat 18 January Sat 1 February Sat 18 - Sat 25 January The critically acclaimed Upstart Theatre are Described as ‘an outrageous play about the talented ensemble behind this thought- imperialism, cross-racial adoption, cultural provoking production... appropriation… and tea’, The Gift tells the When a young woman looking for sanctuary contrasting stories of two Sarahs: one, an in a new city finds herself being put on trial African girl adopted by Queen Victoria and for a crime she denies, the community finds raised in Her Majesty’s circles; the other, a itself wrestling with its commitment to the present-day black middle-class woman stay- people and to power... ing in a Cheshire village with her husband Bringing together music, movement and lyri- One of Noel Coward’s best-loved plays, Blithe and small child. cal writing, Beneath The City has been made Spirit focuses on the character of successful The production is presented by Eclipse, a in Birmingham with a chorus of Young REP author Charles Condomine. prominent Black-led national production and Adult Drama Company members, Charles’ decision to hold a seance at his company committed to delivering diverse refugees and asylum seekers. home has disastrous consequences, as eccen- programming in theatres across the country. tric medium Madam Arcati - here played by Jennifer Saunders no less - accidentally sum- mons the spirit of his deceased first wife, Elvira. Unhappy to see Charles settled with second wife Ruth, Elvira proceeds to do everything she can to sabotage her ex-husband’s happiness - and that includes trying to bump him off...

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Theatre more theatre from around the region

Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Tues 28 January - Sat 1 February; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Tues 25 - Sat 29 February Joseph marked Tim Rice & Andrew Lloyd Web- ber’s first foray into the world of musical theatre, paving the way for later offerings Jesus Christ Superstar and Evita. Fabulously fun and frothy, the show offers great entertainment for anybody who fancies the kind of night out that lets you leave your brain at home. Joseph sees the future in dreams, and tells his 11 brothers that he’s had a vision in which he’s seen them all bowing down to him. Not surprisingly, the lads are a tad annoyed with him about this - and feel even less enam- oured towards their sibling when their dad gives him a coat of many colours... Mark McMullan stars as Joseph.

Jane Eyre proboscis - is here so, with a bottle of Bollinger in hand, they set presented by ever- out on one final death-defying adventure in Albany Theatre, Coventry, Wed 22 & Thurs 23 zany funsters Odd- Bernard’s Bentley... Vamos have created the January; Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton, Thurs 6 - Sat 8 February; Theatre Severn, socks. Expect plenty show in collaboration with palliative care Shrewsbury, Mon 10 - Wed 12 February; of merry music and patients and specialists. Lichfield Garrick, Thurs 13 - Sat 15 February m arv ellous madcap humour. And unlike Pinocchio, we say Circus Of Horrors that without a word Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent, Fri 10 January; of a lie... Swan Theatre, Worcester, Mon 10 February; Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Wed 4 March; The Place, Telford, Thurs 19 March; KKS Steel Mill, Wolverhampton, Fri 20 March Dead Good An off-kilter affair that bears more resem- Swan Theatre, Worcester, Thurs 23 & Fri 24 blance to a freak show than any modern defi- January; Malvern Theatres, Wed 5 February; nition of a circus, the one-time Britain’s Got Bridge House Theatre, Warwick, Thurs 6 Talent finalists here present a world beyond Blackeyed Theatre visit the Midlands with February; Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Thurs 27 February; Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton, political correctness and taste. With the per- this latest stage version of Charlotte Bronte's Thurs 5 - Fri 6 March formers dressed in a manner reminiscent of classic novel. For those not up to speed with The Rocky Horror Show, there’s no denying the story, it follows the orphaned Jane as the skill of those participating - or indeed the she's sent by her cruel Aunt Reed to the bleak company’s sheer ‘wow’ factor. Lowood School. Later, on securing a position This latest offering sees the ensemble cele- as governess at Thornfield Hall, Jane finds brating 25 years on the road by presenting herself falling for the charms of the enig- ‘an amazing amalgamation of acts driven by matic Edward Rochester, unaware that the a rock’n’roll soundscape’. new object of her affection harbours a dark and terrible secret...

The Adventures Of Worcestershire-based full mask theatre com- Pinocchio pany Vamos here tackle the thorny subject of death - the ultimate shared experience. Artrix, Bromsgrove, Sun 12 January; The Place, Telford, Sat 1 February; Bridge House Witty and wordless, Dead Good focuses on Theatre, Warwick, Sun 2 February the characters of Bob and Bernard, two men The legendary tale of the wooden boy with a who have only a couple of things in common: disappointing propensity for telling porky one, that they’re both dying; and two, that pies - to the detriment of his fast-growing they’re not going down without a fight. And

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Alan Bennett’s classroom comedy-drama visits WolverhamptonHISTORY Grand Theatre LESSONS next month... The History Boys.qxp_Layout 1 16/12/2019 11:10 Page 2

by Lauren Cole

A brand new production of Alan Bennett’s “We also have this desperate focus on As he’s got older, Bennett has become more classic classroom comedy-drama, The History achievement; who’s got a better car, a nicer political, particularly when it comes to the Boys, visits the Wolverhampton Grand phone, whatever. The History Boys is about arts. I suppose everything is political in the Theatre early next month. that, and it’s also about being human and the end, but The History Boys is certainly more power of language.” overtly so. It’s the 1980s, and an unruly bunch of bright and funny sixth-form boys are in pursuit of The play also delves into the subject of male “And it’s so funny too. The humour and wit in sex, sporting achievement and a place at relationships... it is so funny; “History is just one f***ing university… thing after another”! It’s truly brilliant. I can’t “A few of the characters, both the boys and think of any other playwright who does the Widely acknowledged to be one of the UK’s the teachers, are homosexual or are pretty combination of politics, comedy and human finest modern-day playwrights, Alan Bennett open when it comes to what they’re willing to relationships so well. I’d say he does it in a is perhaps best known for the frank yet com- try. Putting aside sex, what Alan Bennett very understated English way. There’s a gen- passionate way in which he unveils his char- discusses is male love of all kinds - a sense of tleness and a sardonic humour around his acters’ many layers, exposing both their caring for another male. There are all these work. He’s the most extraordinary writer.” shortcomings and triumphs for his audience pressures about what a man should be, how to see. His plays are jam-packed with sharp to be an alpha male and what masculinity Lee Comley, taking on the role of Hector’s wit, devastating moments of raw emotion and means. Women obviously have their own rival, Irwin, and Victoria Carling, playing the incomparable humanity. pressures, but in the 1980s, men weren’t sup- only female teacher, Mrs Lintott, also have The History Boys is no exception. posed to hug, touch and be caring towards plenty of praise for Bennett and The History one another in the same way as women were. Boys. “It’s all about considering what the point of It’s also about adolescence and how to navi- education is,” says Ian Redford, who stars in “This is a play that everyone can relate to,” gate that. It’s about the value of teachers as the new production. “What are schools for? Is says Lee. “That feeling of moving from being guides - and not just academically either; not school about passing examinations or is it a late teen into an adult is a strange time for just to get you through the exam and be done about actually learning stuff? And then is that all of us. I think everyone will leave at the end with you.” learning focused on how to be a human of the show having had a great time, but also being, or finding out about how the world Ian plays the character of old-school history holding onto those really important parts of around you works - or both? Education is teacher Hector. the play. What I like the most, though, is that always on people’s minds and everyone has the boys are very open to their sexuality being “Hector is married and described as a latent an opinion about it. I think the further away fluid. To have that viewpoint in the ’80s is homosexual. He’s a teacher who’s been an individual gets from having been in educa- quite unusual. I think what’s so striking around a long time and is getting to the latter tion, the more strident their opinions become. about Bennett is how he just lays everything stage of his career. He survives through I was reading an article years ago about par- out there, just as it is.” humour, definitely knows the limits of his ents running around in Starbucks bragging influence - as most teachers do - but has a Victoria is equally complimentary about The about their children’s material possessions burning passion which has kept him going History Boys: “After I’d read the script, I tried and arbitrary achievements. But it’s not about throughout his years in teaching. The beauty to describe to my husband what sort of hu- that. It’s about whether kids are growing up of language is particularly important for Hec- mour Bennett injected into his plays, but it’s into happy human beings, not just being tor. He has a beautiful relationship with all of really hard to do that. It’s almost like it’s so raised to achieve certain things, like fulfilling the boys, in the sense that he’s a sort of subtle that you don’t quite know why you’ve a school’s desired number of pupils going to parental figure, but also knows when to give laughed, but you do anyway. The comedy in Oxford and Cambridge, which is certainly them a cuffing. Hector is forced to share a his plays is so clever, but certainly not in an part of the story in The History Boys. Educa- class with Irwin - a younger teacher who’s inaccessible way. Bennett is nothing to be tion is the nub of the way society works and come in to shake things up. Irwin’s idea is not afraid of! can become a topic in which people explore to teach the subject as it is, but to embellish what it means to be human, but almost by “The History Boys never struck me as a play I and subvert it in a way that makes it more accident.” ever wanted to see, but now having read it, appealing to the students. It’s almost as if he’s my thinking has been completely altered. It’s So what was Ian’s own education like? flogging stuff! So Hector and Irwin’s relation- moving, funny and thought-provoking. I ship is certainly a little confrontational.” “I had a particularly extraordinary teacher at would compare it to a heartfelt chamber school. I wasn’t academic and was pretty lazy How does Ian think The History Boys piece. It’s not a great, showy symphony - all too. I really wasn’t interested in school, but I compares to Bennett’s other plays? fire and bangs - but it’s something you will was in plays, theatre and acting. This wonder- keep thinking about afterwards.” “In a way I think this play is his most politi- ful teacher - who was a History teacher, fun- cal, although he doesn’t really come up with a nily enough - taught me how to live through specific leaning towards one side or the other. my passions. Reading a book or seeing a play The History Boys shows at He just throws up into the air all the questions is like going on a magic-carpet ride where you Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from for the audience to consider for themselves. go into this whole different world. Friday 7 to Saturday 22 February. Theatre january 2019.qxp_Layout 1 13/12/2019 13:59 Page 5

more theatre from around the region

The Boy In The Dress Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon- Avon, until Sun 8 March David Walliams’ The Boy In The Dress - helmed by RSC Artistic Director Gregory Doran - ticks all the boxes of the feelgood family musical: young protagonists, splendidly choreographed scenes (including football playing and disco dancing), a lightweight but thoroughly engaging storyline, a timely message (about embrac- ing difference) and a fantastically memorable score (by one of the world’s hottest songwriting partnerships - Robbie Williams and Guy Cham- bers). The show is fun, fast, lively, colourful, clever and utterly absorbing, with an energetic and confident cast who’ve evidently got the greatest of faith in their material and more than enough talent to maximise the magic.

Ghost Stories Dead Men’s Eyes Captain Breadbeard’s Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Wed 22 January Bready Brilliant Cookbook Tues 7 - Sat 11 January This is the latest instalment in a series of The Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham, The Alex has issued a word or several of one-man shows which aim to revive the tradi- Fri 24 - Sat 25 January warning about this production... tion of ‘oral, supernatural storytelling’. And Have you ever taken ‘Ghost Stories,’ it says, ‘contains moments of given that fact, which hair-raising tales could the time to consider extreme shock and tension. The show is un- possibly be more appropriate to recount than the dangers that suitable for anyone under the age of 15. We those of Montague Rhodes James (more com- people with floury strongly advise those of a nervous disposition monly known as MR James), the man widely facial fuzz encounter to think very seriously before attending.’ considered to be the master of the English every day, ask the Written by Andy Nyman & Jeremy Dyson and ghost story... producers of this presenting ‘a fully sensory and electrifying RM Lloyd Parry, the actor here charged with delightfully quirky encounter’, Ghost Stories has become some- the task of making spines tingle, presents family show. If you thing of a global stage phenomenon. two classics from the James canon - A View haven’t, not to worry, It won’t be surpris- From A Hill and The Treasure Of Abbot because Captain Breadbeard is all set to take ing to learn that the Thomas. you on ‘an energetic and shameless pun- show comes com- filled journey of enlightenment’. A salty not- plete with phan- so-old seadog with a beard made of bread, toms, poltergeists Two the Cap’n is joined in this surreal two-handed and things that go New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme, comedy sketch show by his ever-faithful side- bump in the Fri 31 January - Sat 22 February kick, Davy Scones (geddit?). night... Jim Cartwright’s sharp and touching slice of English life is set in a northern pub owned by a savagely bickering husband and wife. Dad’s Army Radio Show The Political History Of The play is actually a series of short vignettes that skilfully combine pathos and humour, The Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham, Smack And Crack Wed 22 - Sun 26 January with all 14 characters being played by just , The Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham, two actors. During the course of the evening, You’ve seen the TV show, now listen to the Wed 22 - Sun 26 January assorted customers pass through the pub, radio broadcast! And what a highly The fallout for communities crushed by the including a little boy left behind by his acclaimed one it is, with two talented actors heroin epidemic at the height of Thatcherism father. The young taking up position behind their microphones is the challenging and thought-provoking lad’s plight trig- to play no fewer than 25 characters between subject matter of this one-hour two-hander gers a fragile them. Working from original radio scripts - from playwright Ed Edwards. reconciliation be- many of the TV episodes were remade for Inspired by the writer’s own experience in tween the pub BBC Radio Four with the original cast - the prison and rehab, the play was one of five couple, as their actors will present three much-loved finalists in Theatre503’s 2017 Playwriting own dark tragedy episodes of Jimmy Perry & David Croft’s clas- Award, making the shortlist out of 1,600 is finally sic 1970s’ sitcom, complete with sound entries from 58 countries. revealed... effects and vintage music. 34 whatsonlive.co.uk Theatre january 2019.qxp_Layout 1 13/12/2019 13:59 Page 6

Theatre

Peter Pan Peppa Pig’s Best Day Ever We’re Going On The REP, Birmingham, until Sun 19 January Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, A Bear Hunt Wed 29 & Thurs 30 January Fly away to Neverland with the boy who Birmingham Town Hall, until Sun 12 January wouldn't grow up, meet a real fairy, marvel- Suitable for children aged three and older, lous mermaids, wonderful Wendy and the this lively adaptation of Michael Rosen and down-on-their-luck lost boys. Oh, and Helen Oxenbury’s popular picture book beware the ever-so-wicked Captain Hook and follows the adventures of a family as they a very hungry crocodile who goes tick-tock head out on an intrepid quest to find a bear. (he swallowed a clock!). Catchy songs and enchanting puppets are This ‘thrillingly reimagined’ version of the JM combined with no shortage of ‘swishy Barrie classic (the show is set in the 21st cen- swashy grass’ and ‘oozy, squelchy mud’ in a tury and located in Birmingham) is helmed show that seems certain to keep youngsters by Liam Steel, who last Christmas directed splendidly entertained. The REP’s acclaimed production of The If you’ve taken your little ones to any of the Wizard Of Oz. previous Peppa Pig stage shows - and enjoyed the experience of watching them having a fantastic time - you’ll already know that this latest production is well worth catching. Peppa Pig is heading out on a road trip with George, Mummy Pig and Daddy Pig, and there are plenty of adventures waiting to be had - including ones that involve dragons, dinosaurs, ice-creams and muddy puddles...

Pantos and festive shows tricked by an evil fairy and pricks her finger against all odds to win the hand of the beau- on a spinning wheel, causing her to sleep for tiful princess - and being helped in his en- into January 100 years, offers a great story around which deavours by the mystical genie of the lamp... Snow White to build a pantomime production of real quality. Jonathan Wilkes stars. The Regal, Tenbury, until Fri 3 January; Swan Robin Hood: Theatre, Worcester, until Sun 5 January; Royal The Pantomime Adventure Spa Centre, Leamington Spa, until Sun 5 Jan- Dick Whittington uary; Birmingham Hippodrome, until Sun 2 The Core, Solihull, until Sun 5 January February Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, until Sun 12 January A dashing hero, a Santa’s Sack-worth of audi- Everybody knows the story - the nasty old ence participation and more corny gags than queen’s less than keen on her younger and The story of a young man who heads for Lon- don in search of fame and fortune is one of you could fit into an oversized Christmas more beautiful stepdaughter, who takes stocking. What’s not to like?... refuge from her royal evilness by holing up in the most popular in all of pantoland. the deep, dark forest with a household of ver- Ex-Corrie favourite Ryan Thomas and one- tically challenged miners. time Hi-De-Hi! duo Su Pollard and Jeffrey Puss In Boots The Hippodrome version stars Lesley Joseph Holland star. Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, as the Wicked Queen. until Sat 11 January Peter Pan A show which producers Imagine Theatre Cinderella Stafford Gatehouse, until Sun 5 January have referred to as ‘the cat’s whiskers’, Puss Lichfield Garrick, until Sun 5 January; Palace Peter Pan’s producers describe their produc- In Boots tells the tail, sorry, tale, of a fabu- Theatre, Redditch, until Sun 5 January tion as ‘a high-energy localised show packed lous feline who outwits both a king and an With its comical Ugly Sisters, matchmaking with all the ingredients that make pan- ogre to make his master the top, er, dog... fairy godmother, drop-dead-gorgeous Prince tomime such an unforgettable experience for Charming, super-cute mice and fits-one-foot- the entire family”... What more could a The Prince And only glass slipper, Cinderella can justifiably panto-loving theatre-goer possibly want? lay claim to being the most popular of all The Pauper pantomimes. New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme, until Aladdin Sat 25 January Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Sleeping Beauty until Sun 12 January An interesting and imaginative choice for a Christmas show, Mark Twain’s famous story Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Flying carpets at the ready, boys and girls... here features ‘imaginative storytelling, live until Sun 5 January A perfect story for an evening of family enter- music, humour, puppetry and plenty of fes- The tragic tale of a young princess who’s tainment finds street youth Aladdin trying tive magic’.

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Dance previews from around the region Dance

Anton & Erin: Dance Those Magical Movies Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Sat 25 January; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Wed 29 January Celebrity dancing duo Anton du Beke and Erin Boeg return to the Midlands this month to present their brand new show. Blending smart choreography and sparkly costumes with much-loved music from some of Holly- wood’s greatest ever movies, Anton and Erin are joined by a 23-piece orchestra, a ‘spectacular’ dance ensemble, guest singer Lance Ellington and conductor Richard Balcombe. The programme of music features hits from musical classics including Breakfast At Tiffany’s, Sin- gin’ In The Rain, Casablanca, The Wizard Of Oz, The Greatest Showman, Titanic and Moulin Rouge. Big Bond blockbusters also feature.

Shen Yun profit organisation dedicated to reviving authentic Chinese culture. And it cer- International Convention Centre, Birming- ham, Tues 31 December - Thurs 2 January tainl y achieves its aim, presenting shows which have been enjoyed by millions of The New York Times described Shen Yun people across the globe. as ‘5,000 years of Chinese music and Expect ethnic and folk dancers, ‘stunning dance in one night’ - which, as evenings costuming, high-tech backdrops, an of theatrical entertainment go, sounds orchestra like no other’ and plenty more like a pretty good deal. besides when the company stops off in Based in New York, Shen Yun is a not-for- Birmingham early this month....

Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour Arena Birmingham, Thurs 16 - Sun 19 January With 2018 winner Stacey Dooley taking on with their professional dance partners are the presenting role, the Strictly Come celebrities Karim Zeroual, Kelvin Fletcher, The Wizard Of Oz Dancing Live tour is back in Brum with a Saffron Barker, Mike Bushell, Alex Scott, bang. Emma Barton and Catherine Tyldesley. Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Wed 22 January; Waltzing its way into the city mid-month, If you’re a fan of the hit BBC TV series, this Tamworth Assembly Rooms, Tues 28 January the sequin-saturated show features TV is definitely an evening out not to be A marvellous mix of magic, mayhem and judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood missed... munchkins, this classic story from the pen of L and Bruno Tonioli. Taking to the dancefloor Frank Baum comes complete with some of the 20th century’s best-known children’s characters, including the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, the cowardly Lion and, of course, the Wicked Witch of the West. Baum’s story is certainly in safe hands with the ever-excellent Ballet Theatre UK, a 12-year-old company with an impressive history of produc- ing bright and colourful shows designed to promote classical dance as a hugely accessible artform. The Wizard Of Oz is one of two brand new offerings being toured by the ensemble this season - the other is Sense And Sensibility - with a re- vival of the company’s critically acclaimed production of Giselle also featuring.

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Dance previews from around the region Dance

Joseph Toonga: Born To Manifest Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, Fri 31 January “I feel a responsibility as a black male,” says Joseph Toonga, “to empower the younger generation as a role model and as an example of how dance can provide a positive, successful route. Mental health, and black men’s experiences of it, is little discussed, which is why I’m so passionate about creating awareness and shifting stigmas.” Toonga’s hour-long presentation is a new hip- hop dance double bill that illuminates the experience of young black British men. The show draws from real-life accounts with the aim of simultaneously championing cultural identity and challenging racial stigmas. Spirit Of The Dance Malvern Theatres, Fri 31 January; Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Sun 2 February A colourful and lively theatrical event cele- not only of Irish dance but also Scottish, brating dance and music from around the flamenco, Latin, salsa, street, hip-hop, world, Spirit Of The Dance follows in the techno and American Tap. high-kicking traditions of the ever-popular It’s been seen by more than 20 million peo- Riverdance and Lord Of The Dance produc- ple worldwide since debuting in the 1990s tions. and very much retains its reputation as one The show is this year celebrating its 21st of the best and most spectacular dance birthday and boasts the pounding rhythms shows around.

Dance To The Music Albany Theatre, Coventry, Tues 14 January; The Place, Telford, Shropshire, Sun 26 January One-time X-Factor contestant Jake Quick- res, from the Roaring ’20s with its enden is the man at the helm of this high- Charleston and tap dances, through to energy show, created, directed and modern-day ballroom and Latin. ‘Fabulous’ choreographed by ex-Strictly professional costumes, ‘stunning’ vocals, ‘breathtaking’ Kristina Rihanoff. choreography and an ‘electrifying’ dance Featuring 15 different dances, the produc- troupe are all present and correct in a show tion portrays the evolution of dance that promises to banish the winter blues, at through numerous musical eras and gen- least for an evening.

Moscow State Ballet: The Nutcracker Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Mon 20 - Wed 22 January One of the great ballet staples, Tchaikovsky’s enchanting tale of Clara and her nutcracker doll has been delighting audiences for genera- tions. The fantasy of soldiers, giant rats, snow fairies, magic and mystery this month visits the region courtesy of Moscow State Ballet, a young company which has earned an impressive reputation for its thoughtful and energetic productions.

whatsonlive.co.uk 39 Gino D'Acampo.qxp_Layout 1 12/12/2019 12:39 Page 1

A TASTE OF ITALY Popular Italian chef Gino D’Acampo talks about his new Birmingham restaurant, his children’s book, his television show, his favourite food and, er, his wife’s apparently ample bosom...

On Halloween, the UK’s favourite Italian chef, oven sits centre restaurant, providing guests “My new restaurant serves real Italian food Gino D’Acampo, opened much-anticipated with the opportunity to watch Gino’s chefs in and has a real Italian look,” explains the Birmingham eatery Gino D’Acampo My action. charismatic chef. “Don’t get me wrong, I have Restaurant. other restaurants in Birmingham - we have The opening of the restaurant marks the com- Piccolino and Bank, which are both great Situated on the bustling Temple Row, it pletion of the first of a two-phase grand plan restaurants, and I do all the menus and all the features 165 covers, a 25 metre cocktail bar at which Gino has for Birmingham - still to come stuff like that - but this is different. Here, which patrons can dine, a deli bar and a pri- is a rooftop sky bar and restaurant with spec- you’ll have real Italian food, fresh ingredients, vate dining area. A 15 metre open kitchen tacular views across the city... the lifestyle. And the look of the restaurant is with a spectacular hand-crafted copper wood

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by Lauren Foster

different, too. We source everything from a table of 10, so it could have been anyone Sometimes there was tension between us Italy. I have a company where we import who’d thrown it.” because we're three very strong characters - ingredients. We bring them here, we store Gordon is the alpha male, Fred is the sensible Birmingham boasts a brilliant and explosive them here, and then we send them to the Frenchman, and I'm the one who doesn't give food scene, with six Michelin-star restau- restaurants. Everything you see, everything a shit - yet we really gelled well together. I can rants, an abundance of high-quality indepen- you touch, has been chosen and looked after tell you that we're going to Morocco and we're dent eateries, one of the UK’s most popular by me.” going to film a Christmas special.” street-food events and plenty of big-chain Alongside an extensive food menu offering restaurants. So what is it about the city that Having already successfully conquered a Italian classics aplenty, Gino D’Acampo My makes it so appealing to restauranteurs and multitude of markets, Gino recently added Restaurant’s wine list boasts one of the diners? another string to his bow - children’s books. biggest selections of prosecco, sparkling wine His first publication, Get Cooking With “Birmingham has always been a great city for and Franciacorta in the country. There are Wiskella, is guaranteed to get your little ones food, because here is where the BBC Good more than 30 varieties to choose from, many excited about food. All Gino’s books, his Food Show is. I remember 20 years ago we of which you won’t find available anywhere recipe books included, can be bought in Gino used to do it. It was Gordon, Ainsley Harriott, else. D’Acampo My Restaurant. Jamie Oliver, Rick Stein, all those people. For If Gino was visiting his new eatery as a diner, us, it's always been a foodie place. Birming- “The inspiration for Get Cooking With which dishes would he order from the menu? ham is getting cooler, I think - it's a cool city Wiskella came from my daughter, Mia. She's now. It was always one of those places which seven years old. She always makes up stories “I would definitely have rigatoni with wild had a lot of negativity - “it's too industrial, it's in her mind as to why she should cook. She boar ragu. I usually have the calamari - we too this, it's too that”. It's a beautiful city and pretends that she's with friends. As I was make it to perfection, with fried courgettes, it's definitely on the up, if not already up watching her, I was thinking, 'I can make this fried peppers and a beautiful lemon mayon- there. For anyone interested in good restau- reality; I can actually come up with a charac- naise. I would rock a pizza, because I’m rants, this is the place to be now.” ter'. The character is a whisk that turns into a greedy. My favourite pizza is the Real Neapoli- little girl. All the characters in the book are tan pizza, with Italian sausage, friarrielli, Originally from Naples, Gino moved to Lon- cooking utensils, and I made them into mozzarella and chilli. We make the best. If I don when he was 19 and worked in both The humans. Wiskella is a girl who loves cooking had enough space in my belly, I would rock in Orchard Restaurant in Hampstead and the and who goes around looking for all the with the slow-roasted pork belly - that is very Cambio Restaurant in Guildford. ingredients that she needs. Eventually she sexy, with the radicchio and the chopped “I moved because of my wife. I met my wife gets all her friends around and they cook roasted hazelnuts on the top; it's very cool. when I was 18. We were in Spain, we were in together. Usually when you read a book with For dessert, I always have a tiramisu. We Puerto Banús. I used to be the chef at the your kids, the experience ends once the book make the traditional tiramisu with the restaurant and she used to be the waiter. I is ended. But at the end of Get Cooking With Savoiardi biscuits, mascarpone, Amaretto had just come from the south of Italy and I fell Wiskella there’s a recipe. So you read the liqueur. Mwah! Fantastico!” in love with her. Blonde, clever, huge knock- book and then, at the end, the idea is that the After Italian, what’s Gino’s favourite cuisine - ers, beautiful eyes. Eyes, brain, hair, knockers children, the parents, grandparents or who- and is there anything he really can’t stand? - we'll put knockers at number four. You can't ever say, 'Hey, why don't we do the recipe?' have them at number one; that would make I've given them a full recipe - a pancake recipe “I always eat Italian food! I like Japanese me very shallow.” - with the method. Wiskella explains exactly food, Chinese too. I’m not a huge fan of how she does it. The interaction doesn't end Indian cuisine; there are too many herbs and Gino rose to fame as a regular chef on long- there - that's what's important to me. It's spices. It's very different from Italian cuisine. running ITV magazine show This Morning. important to get kids interested in food and in We use four or five ingredients to make one He’s since presented cookery programmes cooking from a really young age. And on thing, they use 23 different spices and ingredi- including Let's Do Lunch, There's No Taste every page there is a little cat to find, too. ents. It's just not the way I cook or eat. Like Home and Gino's Italian Escape, and has also taken part in I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out “My children cook and explore a lot with “I hate cucumber and I don't like coriander - Of Here! - which he won in 2009 - and food. We have a rule in my house that any- it's too overpowering. When you eat some- Celebrity Juice. His most recent TV project is thing I put on the table, they eat. If they don't thing with coriander, the only thing you taste Gordon, Gino And Fred, a second series of like it, that's fine, but at least they've tried it. is coriander. It reminds me of soap. Once, I which he’s just finished filming with Gordon And when I say anything, I mean anything. I was invited somewhere - I can't be too specific Ramsey and First Dates’ Fred Sirieix. once got them to try donkey testicle with but- because it was a royal thing - but ****ing hell, ter, sage, salt & pepper. It was quite good.” do you know what they served me? Cucumber “I cannot tell you a lot about this, but it's out and coriander sandwiches! Cucumber sand- in April. It's four episodes and we went to wiches with a kind of coriander pesto in it. I America. I think it was the best two weeks of pretended to eat one, but I had a napkin on my life - it was awesome! We couldn’t stop Gino D’Acampo My Restaurant can be my leg, so I rolled it into the napkin and having fun. I know at work you shouldn't found at 61-63 Temple Row, Birmingham threw the napkin underneath the table. It was have too much fun, but I absolutely loved it.

whatsonlive.co.uk 41 Film January.qxp_Layout 1 12/12/2019 12:00 Page 1

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Film

1917 CERT 15 (119 mins) Starring George MacKay, Dean- Charles Chapman, Mark Strong, Andrew Scott, Richard Madden, Claire Duburcq, Colin Firth, Benedict Cumberbatch, Daniel Mays Directed by Sam Mendes (UK/USA)

Partly based on fact - as relayed to the director Sam Mendes by his grandfather - this First World War epic is unfolded in one continuous shot. Two British soldiers are entrusted with the assignment of penetrating enemy lines in order to deliver a warning of an impending ambush by the Germans. Mendes, of course, is the Oscar- winning director of such outstanding movies as American Beauty, Jarhead and the James Bond films Skyfall and Spectre. Released Fri 10 January

CRITIC’S CHOICE

Film highlights released in January...

The Gentlemen CERT 18 (113 mins) Starring Matthew McConaughey, Charlie Hun- nam, Henry Golding, Michelle Dockery, Colin Farrell, Hugh Grant Directed by Guy Ritchie (UK/USA) After toying with family entertainment and the Arabian Nights, Guy Ritchie returns to familiar territory with this highly adult gangster thriller. When a drug dealer decides to of- fload his criminal empire, he inadvertently triggers a war of unimaginable mayhem. Released Wed 1 January his best to toe the party line and learn to Jojo Rabbit CERT 12a (108 mins) hate the Jews. Jojo Rabbit is a strange mix Starring Roman Griffin Davis, Thomasin in that on the one hand it is very naturalis- McKenzie, Taika Waititi, Rebel Wilson, Sam Rockwell, Scarlett Johansson tic - filmed in the picturesque town of Ustek Directed by Taika Waititi (New in the Czech Republic - but also wildly far- Zealand/USA/Czech Republic) cical, at times resembling a sort of Carry On Jojo, a 10-year-old recruit of Hitler’s Youth, Hitler. Sadly, it has neither the confident is nicknamed Rabbit because of his cow- cheek of Mel Brooks’ fictitious musical ardice - his inability even to kill a rabbit for Springtime For Hitler nor the harrowing the Führer. But with the help of his imagi- satire of George Roy Hills’ Slaughterhouse- nary friend - none other than a blustering Five (1972). Adolf Hitler played by the director - he does Released Wed 1 January whatsonlive.co.uk 43 Film January.qxp_Layout 1 12/12/2019 12:00 Page 3

Film

Seberg CERT tbc (96 mins) Just Mercy CERT 12a (136 mins) The Personal History Of Starring Kristen Stewart, Jack O'Connell, Starring Michael B Jordan, Jamie Foxx, David Copperfield Margaret Qualley, Zazie Beetz, Vince Vaughn, Brie Larson, Rob Morgan, Tim Blake Nelson, CERT PG (119 mins) Anthony Mackie, Yvan Attal Rafe Spall, O'Shea Jackson Jr Directed by Benedict Andrews (USA/UK) Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton (USA) Starring Dev Patel, Peter Capaldi, Hugh Laurie, Tilda Swinton, Ben Whishaw, Paul Whitehouse Based on the memoir by Bryan Stevenson, Directed by Armando Iannucci (UK/USA) this is the story of the attorney (Jordan) who fought to clear the name of a wrongly con- victed killer (Foxx). The US reviews have been pretty good so far. Released Fri 17 January

No mere biopic of the 1960s’ icon Jean Seberg, this political drama focuses on the Armando Iannucci, the creative force behind FBI’s targeting of the actress because of her The Thick Of It and The Death Of Stalin, gives involvement with the civil rights activist his own singular spin to Charles Dickens’ Hakim Jamal (Mackie). favourite novel, making it both pertinent and, apparently, hilarious. Released Fri 10 January Released Fri 24 January

Bad Boys For Life CERT tbc Starring Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, Vanessa Plus One CERT 15 (99 mins) The Turning CERT tbc Hudgens, Alexander Ludwig, Joe Pantoliano, Starring Mackenzie Davis, Finn Wolfhard, Theresa Randle Starring Maya Erskine, Jack Quaid, Brooklynn Prince, Joely Richardson, Directed by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah (USA) Beck Bennett, Rosalind Chao, Perrey Reeves, Ed Begley Jr, Finn Wittrock Mark Huberman Directed by Jeff Chan and Andrew Rhymer Directed by Floria Sigismondi (USA) (USA) When he is entrusted with the care of his Marriage is in the air. So committed single- niece and nephew, a man hires a governess tons and best friends Ben and Alice agree to to look after them at his spooky mansion. Be- be each other’s ‘plus one’ at every nuptial lieve it or not, this is yet another re-working they’re invited to. Expect comparisons to of Henry James’ 1898 The Turn Of The Screw, When Harry Met Sally. executive-produced by Steven Spielberg. Released Fri 17 January Released Fri 24 January Just as old partners Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence) and Mike Lowery (Will Smith) are due to retire, they are forced together on one A Beautiful Day In The final assignment when the latter is targeted Neighborhood CERT PG (109 mins) by a Romanian mob boss. Unusually for a big Starring Tom Hanks, Matthew Rhys, Susan Hollywood film, the action-comedy is di- Kelechi Watson, Chris Cooper, Christine Lahti rected by a Belgian filmmaking duo (who are Directed by Marielle Heller (USA) also developing the next Beverly Hills Cop sequel). Released Fri 17 January

A Hidden Life CERT tbc (173 mins) Waves CERT 15 (135 mins) Starring August Diehl, Valerie Pachner, Matthias Schoenaerts, Michael Nyqvist, Starring Kelvin Harrison Jr, Lucas Hedges, Jürgen Prochnow, Bruno Ganz Taylor Russell, Alexa Demie, Renée Elise Directed by Terrence Malick (USA/Germany) Goldsberry, Sterling K. Brown Directed by Trey Edward Shults (USA) This is the true story of Franz Jägerstätter Last year we had the documentary Won’t You (Diehl), a devout Catholic farmer who refused Life comes in waves and that is certainly the Be My Neighbor? about Fred Rogers. Here, to collude with the Nazis during the Second case for an African-American family living in Tom Hanks plays the children’s TV presenter, World War. Incidentally, the film proved to be a suburb of Southern Florida. In spite of the who is befriended by a cynical journalist the last for both the late Michael Nyqvist and film’s subject matter, its writer-director is not from Esquire magazine (Rhys), on whose arti- Bruno Ganz. African-American. cle the screenplay is loosely based. Released Fri 17 January Released Fri 17 January Released Fri 31 January 44 whatsonlive.co.uk Film January.qxp_Layout 1 12/12/2019 12:00 Page 4

Film highlights released in January...

The Grudge CERT tbc Starring Andrea Riseborough, Demián Bichir, John Cho, Betty Gilpin, Lin Shaye, Jacki Weaver Directed by Nicolas Pesce (Canada/USA) This is the second American remake of the 2002 Japanese horror film in which a young female detective investigates a horrific murder in a house that is, frankly, doomed. Released Fri 31 January

The Lighthouse CERT 15 (109 mins) Starring Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson Directed by Robert Eggers (USA) When two lighthouse keepers are stranded on their island by a storm, they both begin to lose their sanity… Robert Pattinson has said that the experience of making the film has made him renounce Method acting for good. EDITOR’S CHOICE Released Fri 31 January News, the film follows several women as Bombshell CERT 15 (108 mins) they attempt to expose the unbecoming Starring Charlize Theron, Nicole Kidman, conduct of the TV executive Roger Ailes, Margot Robbie, John Lithgow, Kate McKin- non, Connie Britton, Malcolm McDowell, played by an unrecognisable John Lithgow. Allison Janney, Mark Duplass, Alice Eve Interesting that the three leads are, respec- Directed by Jay Roach (USA) tively, South African, Australian and Aus- One doesn’t come across a cast like this tralian. From the director of the Austin very often. But in the #MeToo era, true-life Powers and Meet The Fockers films, so dramas like this will be popping up all maybe there will even be some humour. over. Set in the toxic atmosphere of Fox Released Fri 24 January

Queen And Slim CERT 15 (131mins) The Rhythm Section Richard Jewell CERT 15 (129 mins) Starring Daniel Kaluuya, Jodie Turner-Smith, Bokeem Woodbine, Chloë Sevigny, Flea CERT 15 (110 mins) Starring Sam Rockwell, Kathy Bates, Directed by Melina Matsoukas (USA) Jon Hamm, Olivia Wilde, Paul Walter Hauser Starring Blake Lively, Jude Law, Sterling K. Directed by Clint Eastwood (USA) Having killed a cop after being pulled over in Brown, Max Casella, Daniel Mays, Geoff Bell their car, a loved-up African-American cou- Directed by Reed Morano (UK/USA) Clint Eastwood, now 89, directs and pro- ple go on the run... The British actress-model duces this true-life drama about a security Jodie Turner-Smith has had rave reviews for guard (Hauser) who saved the lives of thou- her part, even prompting talk of an Oscar sands from a terrorist attack at the 1996 nomination. Olympics in Atlanta. However, the press and media set out to destroy his life… Released Fri 31 January Released Fri 31 January

Stephanie Patrick (Blake Lively) was meant to be on a flight that killed her family. Then she discovers that the crash was not an accident… Based on the novel by Mark Burnell and directed by the former cinematographer Reed Morano, so it should look good. Released Fri 31 January

whatsonlive.co.uk 45 Visual Arts January.qxp_Layout 1 13/12/2019 13:10 Page 1

Visual Arts previews from around the region

Tim Mara: Not Pop? Wolverhampton Art Gallery, until Sun 29 March Although frequently associated with the Pop Art movement, Irish printmaker and one-time Wolverhampton Polytechnic student Tim Mara - who died in 1997 at the age of 48 - found his inspiration elsewhere. “I knew that the Pop thing was going on,” he said. “Screen printing was there, photography was there, the everyday objects were there - but I was much more interested pictorially in Velásquez and Vermeer. Those prints had much more to do with painting.” Mara’s work saw him blending traditional processes with digital printing techniques, but his main consideration was always the subject matter: “In the hierarchy of fine art, printmaking is usually associated with craft skills - with technique. And that gets in the way. My work was always about the ideas more than the medium.”

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Visual Arts

John Walker: New Paintings Ikon Gallery, Birmingham, until Sun 23 February Birmingham artist John Walker left the city of his birth more than 50 years ago and now resides in Maine. The US state is renowned for its rocky coastal landscape, and it’s these stark natural features that have provided Walker with the inspiration for this new exhibition of ‘anti-scenic’ paintings. Recently described as one of the standout abstract painters of the last 50 years, John was the first artist to show at Ikon Gallery when it moved to new premises in the Birmingham Shopping Centre above New Street Station in 1972. His return to the venue, now of course in a different location, has been long awaited, his new paintings being widely acclaimed as works which

reveal an artist at the very peak of his powers. La Patrie, 1916 By Christopher Richard W. Nevinson W. Richard Christopher By 1916 Patrie, La Birmingham Revolutions: Power To The People Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, until Fri 4 September The Influence Project Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, Voting reform, nuclear disarmament, play aims to highlight the different ways in Sat 18 January - Sun 22 March trade unionism, anti-racism and human which people can protest and campaign, A photography exhibition celebrating the impact rights all feature in Power To The People, and also to take a look at specific exam- of leading black musicians on contemporary an exhibition exploring Birmingham’s ples from history - from the Priestley Riots sound and culture, The Influence Project vibrant and varied history of protest and of 1791 all the way through to the LGBTQ+ chronicles pioneering voices from the 20th- activism. campaigns of modern times. century music scene. Along the way, the show In the process of the exploration, the dis- assesses their impact on music, exploring the ways in which they have creatively, socially and politically influenced and inspired modern-day Radical Drawing: Works From Truly Bright And artists. Coventry And The Courtauld Memorable Herbert Art Gallery, Coventry, until Sun 19 January Barber Institute, Birmingham, until Sun 19 January Subtitled Jan de Beer’s Renaissance Altarpieces, this latest in the Barber’s Master- piece In Focus series showcases the venue’s very own double-sided altarpiece, featuring The Nativity and the ‘apocryphal tale of Joseph and the suitors’. The radical and creative potential of drawn marks The altarpiece is one of many and lines is explored in an exhibition featuring not created by 16th century only artwork from the Herbert but also pieces both Flemish artist de Beer, a man from The Courtauld Gallery in London and the whose star shone brightly for University of Warwick. centuries after his death but The display offers viewers the opportunity to whose relevance has been contemplate work by a number of artists who have somewhat downgraded in pushed the boundaries of what it means to draw. recent times. Also on display are objects linked to the The exhibition also brings Courtaulds factory in Coventry and a specially together for the first time all produced film about Courtaulds Ltd. of de Beer’s paintings and The long-established manufacturer of fabric, drawings from public and clothing, artificial fibres and chemicals set up private collections in Britain. shop in the city in 1905.

Image: Laura Mvula, London 2017 C-Type © Alexis Chabala © Alexis C-Type 2017 Image: London Mvula, Laura whatsonlive.co.uk 47 Events January.qxp_Layout 1 12/12/2019 12:02 Page 1

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Events previews from around the region Events

Ice Skate Birmingham Centenary Square, Birmingham, until Sun 12 January Christmas may be over, but there’s still plenty of opportunity to enjoy Ice Skate Birmingham and the Big Wheel this month. While the wheel offers the chance to enjoy fantastic views across the city, the ice rink accommodates up to 300 people per session and is this year weather-proofed thanks to the addition of a roof. Younger or inexperienced skating enthusi- asts can keep upright by using special penguin skating aids. And when skaters have finished their Torvill & Dean routine, they can warm themselves up with some festive fare in the nearby Ice Lounge. Vitality Netball Nations Cup first time since the Netball World Cup. As part of a new four-day three-city interna- Arena Birmingham, Wed 22 January tional series, the Roses face South Africa in a The Vitality Roses, England’s elite netball team, World Cup bronze medal rematch, while play in front of a home crowd this month for the Jamaica lock horns with New Zealand.

Autosport International Hot Wheels NEC, Birmingham, Thurs 9 - Sun 12 January Monster Trucks Live The Arenacross Described as ‘the world’s greatest four-wheel Arena Birmingham, Tour 2020 Fri 31 January - Sun 2 February indoor extravaganza’, Autosport International Resorts World Arena, caters for industry professionals and motorsport Birmingham, Fri 31 January & fans alike. Featuring every level of motor racing - Sat 1 February from karting through to Formula One - the event An absolute must for extreme offers visitors the chance to check out the latest sports fans, the 2020 Arenacross performance road cars, chat to club members tour brings indoors all the spec- and watch precision-driving displays in the Live tacular elements of motorcross Action Arena. The show is this year marking the for a ‘non-stop white-knuckle 70th anniversary of the F1 British Grand Prix. ride’. Set to a pumping soundtrack and laser show, the event sees some of the world’s top freestylers hitting the track to present what organisers describe Jumps and stunts and crashing and smashing is as ‘truly awe-inspiring entertain- very much the order of the day when the Hot ment’. Wheels Monster Trucks take to the stage. In addition to the trucks, each show features a range of entertainment that includes world record attempts and performances by stars of the freestyle motocross world. Oh, and there’s the Megasaurus too - a massive car-eating fire- breathing prehistoric robot that loves to chomp on anything with four wheels. Best leave your skateboard at home, we thinks...

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Festivals

When it comes to music, regardless of your preference - be it jazz, indie, folk, classical, world or pop - you’re almost certain to find a festival in the Midlands to suit your taste. And 2020 looks set to be another bumper year for the region’s festival-goers. Get your diary out and get booking!

CHELTENHAM JAZZ FESTIVAL Line-up to End Country Estate, Hanley Castle, nbhdweekender.com APRIL be announced. Tues 5 - Sun 10 May, Worcestershire. More information at BIRMINGHAM PRIDE Line-up to be an- Montpellier Gardens, Cheltenham. mellofestival.co.uk More information at nounced. Sat 23 - Sun 24 May, NANTWICH JAZZ, BLUES & MUSIC cheltenhamfestivals.com/jazz LECHLADE MUSIC FESTIVAL Line-up in- Birmingham Gay Village. FESTIVAL Line-up includes Big cludes The Boomtown Rats (Head- More information at Country, Sari Schorr, Stereo MCs, Ruby FOCUS WALES Line-up includes liner). Fri 22 - Sun 24 May, Riverside birminghampride.com Turner, The Blockheads, Jeremiah Flamingods, Catrin Finch & Seckou Park, Lechlade, Gloucestershire. More Ferrari, Suburban Symphony. ROCK AND BOWL Line-up to be an- Keita, Georgia Ruth, John, Gruff Rhys. information at lechladefestival.co.uk Thurs 9 - Mon 13 April, various venues Thurs 7 - Sat 9 May, various venues in nounced. Sat 23 - Mon 25 May, Picnic in Nantwich. More information at Wrexham, Wales. More information at GLASTONBUDGET Line-up Who's Who, Area, Market Drayton. More informa- nantwichjazz.com focuswales.com One Step Behind, The Kommitments, tion at rockandbowlfestival.com The Bootleg Beatles, T.Rextasy, Dolly WONDERLAND 2 Line-up includes DOT TO DOT FESTIVAL Line-up to be SWINGAMAJIG Line-up to be an- Parton Experience, Vicky Jackson as Filta, Rooted and Booted, Totally Tina, announced. Sun 24 May, various nounced. Fri 8 May, Birmingham Pink. Fri 22 - Sun 24 May, Turnpost Daft Punk Tribute, Jay Francis as venues in Nottingham. More Botanical Gardens. More information Farm, Leicestershire. More information George Michael, Flash, Gimme Some at swingamajig.co.uk information at dottodotfestival.co.uk Lovin Soul Band, The Blue Print Blues at glastonbudget.org LICHFIELD BLUES AND JAZZ FESTIVAL Brothers featuring Aretha Franklin FORBIDDEN FOREST Line-up to be an- STAFFS FEST Line-up to be announced. nounced. Sat 9 May, The Oaks Forest, Line-up to be announced. Thurs 28 tribute, Erasured - Erasure Tribute – Fri 22 - Sun 24 May, Lower Drayton Grimethorpe. More information at May - Sun 31 May, various venues Marquis Drive. Fri 10 - Mon 13 April, Farm, Penkridge, Staffs. More informa- forbidden-forest.co.uk around Lichfield. More information at Chillington Hall, Brewood, Wolver- tion at staffsfest.co.uk lichfield-jazz.co.uk hampton. More information at BEARDED THEORY Line-up includes HOWTHELIGHTGETSIN The world’s dubscollective.com The Flaming Lips, Nova Twins, THE ACOUSTIC FESTIVAL OF BRITAIN largest philosophy and music festival. Derange, The Dualers, Ferocious Dog, Line-up includes Lindisfarne, Lucas Line-up includes Nitin Sawhney, Belle The Bar Steward Sons Of Val Dooni- Marks & The Glorious Unknown, Merry MAY and Sebastian, The Correspondents, can, KT Tunstall, The Undertones, The Hell, The Quireboys, Old Town Sailors. Ayanna Witter Johnson. Fri 22 - Mon 25 Kubricks. Thurs 21 - Sun 24 May, Catton Fri 29 May - Sun 31 May, Uttoxeter May, Hay on Wye, Hereford. More in- UPTON UPON SEVERN FOLK FESTIVAL Hall, South Derbyshire. More informa- Racecourse. More information at formation at howthelightgetsin.org Line-up includes Martyn Harvey, Dove- tion at beardedtheory.co.uk acousticfestival.co.uk tail Trio, Worcestershire Levellers, Rod CHESTER FOLK FESTIVAL Line-up in- BREAKING BANDS Line-up includes Go- WYCHWOOD MUSIC FESTIVAL Line-up Penlington. Fri 1 - Mon 4 May, various cludes Kimber’s Men, Wet The Tea, rilla Riot, Stellsword, Midnite City, to be announced. Fri 29 May - Sun 31 venues, Upton upon Severn, Worces- Sam Carter, Albireo. Fri 22 - Mon 25 King Creature. Thurs 21 - Mon 25 May, May, Cheltenham Racecourse. tershire. More information at May, Kelsall Village. More information Stoke Prior Sports & Country Club, More information at uptonfolk.org at chesterfolk.org.uk Bromsgrove. More information at wychwoodfestival.com LEAMINGTON MUSIC FESTIVAL Line-up breakingbandsfestival.com NEIGHBOURHOOD WEEKENDER Line-up to be announced. Fri 1 - Tues 5 May, includes Ian Brown, Catfish And The MELLO Line-up includes Odyssey, JUNE Royal Pump Rooms, Leamington Spa. Bottlemen, Shed Seven, The Wombats. Steeleye Span, Craig Charles, Fairport More information at Sat 23 - Sun 24 May, Victoria Park, Convention. Fri 22 - Sun 24 May, Seven leamingtonmusic.org Warrington. More information at WIRRAL FOLK FESTIVAL Line-up in-

50 whatsonlive.co.uk Festivals 2020.qxp_Layout 1 13/12/2019 17:06 Page 2

cludes Lindisfarne, Trials Of Cato, Forest. More information and tickets at Bolesworth Castle, Chester. More Buuren. Thurs 27 - Sun 30 Aug, Dares- Merry Hell, The Churchfitters. Thurs 4 timberfestival.org.uk information at carfest.org bury, Halton, Cheshire. More informa- June - Sun 7 June, The Whitby Club, tion at creamfields.com THE ROCK AND BIKE FEST Line-up in- BAREFOOT FESTIVAL Line-up to be Ellesmere Port. More information at cludes Fleetwood Bac, Guns 2 Roses, announced. Fri 31 July - Mon 3 August, BEERMAGEDDON FESTIVAL Line-up to wirralfolkonthecoast.com Green Haze, The Animals & Friends. Prestwold Hall, Leicestershire. More be announced. Fri 28 - Sun 30 Aug, GATE TO SOUTHWELL Line-up includes Thurs 9 - Sat 11 July, Carnfield Hall, information at barefootfestival.com Stoke Prior Sports & Country Club, Show Of Hands, Madison Violet, Derbyshire. More information at Bromsgrove, Worcester. More informa- Talisk, Track Dogs. Thurs 4 - Sun 7 rockandbikefest.co.uk tion at beermageddon.co.uk June, Southwell Racecourse, Notting- AUGUST 2000TREES FESTIVAL Line-up to be an- SUNSHINE FESTIVAL Line-up includes hamshire. More information at gtsf.uk nounced. Thurs 9 - Sat 11 July, Upcote MADE BIRMINGHAM Line-up to be an- B*Witched, David Essex, Steve Harley DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL Line-up includes Farm, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. nounced. Sat 1 August, Perry Park, & Cockney Rebel. Fri 28 - Sun 30 Aug, Kiss, Iron Maiden, System Of A Down, More information at Birmingham. More information at Fish Meadow, Upton upon Severn, Deftones, Korn, The Offspring. Fri 12 - twothousandtreesfestival.co.uk made-festival.co.uk Worcestershire. More information at Sun 14 June, Donington Park, Derby. uptonfestival.co.uk BROMSGROVE FOLK FESTIVAL Line-up More information at BOARDMASTERS Line-up to be an- includes The Lost Notes, Keith Don- downloadfestival.co.uk nounced. Wed 5 - Sun 9 Aug, Watergate CAMPER CALLING Line-up includes nelly, Union Jill. Thurs 9 - Sun 12 July, Bay, Newquay, Cornwall. More infor- Skunk Anansie, The Fratellis, Ash, The NOCTURNE LIVE AT BLENHEIM PALACE various venues across Bromsgrove. mation at boardmasters.com Feeling. Fri 28 - Sun 30 Aug, Ragley Line-up includes David Gray, Lionel More information at Hall, Warwickshire. More information Richie. Thurs 18 - Sun 21 June, bromsgrovefolkclub.co.uk BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR Line-up in- at campercalling.com Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire. More cludes Skindred, Paradise Lost, information at nocturnelive.com NOISILY FESTIVAL Line-up to be an- Butcher Babies. Thurs 6 - Sun 9 Aug, THE BIG FEASTIVAL Line-up to be announced. Thurs 9 - Fri 12 July, Coney Catton Hall, Derbyshire. More informa- nounced. Fri 28 - Sun 30 Aug, King- SONIC ROCK SOLSTICE 2019 Line-up in- Woods at Noseley Hall, Leicestershire. tion at bloodstock.uk.com ham, Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire. cludes Acid Mothers Temple, Atomic More information and tickets at More information at Rooster, Astralasia, Heavy Metal Kids. noisilyfestival.com ROCK THE PARK WREXHAM 2019 Line- thebigfeastival.co.uk Thurs 18 - Sun 21 June, Stoke Prior up includes Vengaboys, K-Klass, Robin Sports and Country Club, Worcester. THE MOSTLY JAZZ FUNK AND SOUL S, DJ Sash. Fri 7 - Sun 9 Aug, Borras SHREWSBURY FOLK FESTIVAL Line-up More information at FESTIVAL Line-up to be Hall Lane, Wrexham. More informa- includes Show Of Hands, Carlos sonicrocksolstice.com announced. Fri 10 - Sun 12 July, tion at rockthepark.co.uk Núñez, The Young’uns, Kabantu. Fri 28 Moseley Park, Birmingham. - Mon 31 Aug, Greenhous West Mid BEARDY FOLK FESTIVAL Line-up in- More information at mostlyjazz.co.uk 110 ABOVE FESTIVAL Line-up to be an- Showground, Shrewsbury. More infor- cludes Sam Kelly & The Lost Boys, nounced. Thurs 13 - Sun 16 Aug, Gop- mation at shrewsburyfolkfestival.co.uk Rura, Gaz Brookfield, Calan, Luke Jack- LICHFIELD ARTS FUSE FESTIVAL Line-up sall Hall Farm, Leicestershire. More son, Midnight Skyracer. Fri 19 - Sun 21 to be announced. Fri 10 - Sun 12 July, information at 110above.com June, Hopton Court, Cleobury Mor- Beacon Park, Lichfield, Staffordshire. LAKEFEST Line-up includes Echo and timer, Shropshire. More information at More information at the Bunnymen, Ash, Starsailor. Thurs beardyfolkfestival.co.uk fuselichfield.org.uk 13 - Sun 16 Aug, Eastnor Castle, Here- UPTON JAZZ FESTIVAL Line-up includes LET’S ROCK SHREWSBURY Line-up in- fordshire. More information at Black Cat Jazz Band, 12 Shades Of Jazz, cludes Adam Ant, OMD, ABC, Tony lakefest.co.uk Ben Cummings Gerry Mulligan Quar- Hadley, Go West. Sat 11 July, The FARMER PHIL’S FESTIVAL Line up to be tet, Keith Nichols Hot Seven. Fri 26 - Quarry, Shrewsbury. More information Sun 28 June. Various venues in Upton- at letsrockshrewsbury.com announced. Fri 14 - Sun 16 Aug, near upon-Severn, Worcestershire. More in- Gatten Farm, Shropshire. More infor- UPTON BLUES FESTIVAL Line-up to be mation at farmerphilsfestival.com formation at uptonjazz.co.uk announced. Thurs 16 - Sun 19 July, var- SEPTEMBER ious venues around Upton upon Sev- THE MOIRA FURNACE FOLK FESTIVAL JULY ern, Worcestershire. More information Line-up includes Steve Tilston & Hugh MOSELEY FOLK FESTIVAL Passenger an- at uptonbluesfestival.com Bradley, Granny’s Attic, Robin Laing, nounced as first headliner. Fri 4 - Sun Kenny Spiers. Fri 21 - Sun 23 Aug, 6 Sept, Moseley Park, Birmingham. NAPTON MUSIC FESTIVAL Line-up to be THE BIRMINGHAM, SOLIHULL & Moira Furnace Museum and Monu- More information at moseleyfolk.co.uk announced. Fri 3 - Sat 4 July, Napton WESTSIDE FESTIVAL Line-up to be ment Site, Derbyshire. More informa- Village Hall Grounds, Napton On The announced. Fri 17 - Sun 26 July, The tion at moirafurnacefolkfestival.co.uk OFF THE TRACKS Line-up to be an- Hill, Warwickshire. More information Crossing + Boxxed + Wilde Building in nounced. Wed 4 - Fri 6 Sept, Castle naptonfestival.co.uk Floodgate Street, Birmingham. More OLD BUSH BLUES FESTIVAL Line-up in- Donington. More information at information at cludes Pot Kettle Black, Trafficker, CAMPERJAM Line-up to be announced. offthetracks.co.uk birminghamjazzfestival.com Wayne Martin. Fri 21 - Sun 23 Aug, The Fri 3 - Sun 5 July, Weston Park, Shrop- Old Bush, Callow End Worcester. More BROMYARD FOLK FESTIVAL Line-up to shire. More information at NOZSTOCK Line-up to be announced. information at oldbushblues.co.uk be announced. Thurs 10 - Sun 13 Sept, camperjam.com Thurs 23 - Sun 26 July, Rowden Pad- Bromyard, Herefordshire. More infor- docks, Bromyard, Herefordshire. More THE JUST SO FESTIVAL Line-up to be ALSO FESTIVAL Line-up to be an- mation at bromyardfolkfestival.co.uk information at nozstock.com announced. Fri 21 - Sun 23 Aug, Rode nounced. Fri 3 - Sat 5 July, Park Farm, Hall Parkland, Cheshire. More infor- Warwickshire. More information and WARWICK FOLK FESTIVAL Line-up to be mation at justsofestival.org.uk tickets at also-festival.com announced. Thurs 23 - Sun 26 July, OCTOBER Warwick School and Warwick Town SHAMBALA Line-up to be announced. TIMBER FESTIVAL Line-up includes The Centre. More information at Thurs 27 - Sun 30 Aug. A secret loca- LICHFIELD FESTIVAL OF FOLK Line-up to Unthanks, Sam Lee, Poet Laureate warwickfolkfestival.co.uk tion in Northampton. More informa- be announced. Fri 16 - Sun 18 Oct, Simon Armitage, Dame Evelyn Glen- tion at shambalafestival.org venues around Lichfield, Staffordshire. nie, Gary Stewart’s Graceland. Fri 3 - CARFEST NORTH Line-up to be More information at Sun 5 July, Feanedock, The National announced. Fri 24 - Sun 26 July, CREAMFIELDS Headliner Armin Van lichfieldarts.org.uk whatsonlive.co.uk 51 Subscription Advert New Jan 2020.qxp_Layout 1 13/12/2019 15:00 Page 1 The List Cover January Birmingham.qxp_Layout 1 13/12/2019 13:08 Page 1

YourYour wweek-eek- bby-weeky-week llistingsistings gguideuide JanuaryJanuary 20202020 thelist

Moscow City Ballet’s Swan Lake at Symphony Hall, Birmingham - Fri 17 January

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

What’s On Wed 1 to Sun 5 January Mon 6 to Sun 12 January Mon 13 to Sun 19 January Mon 20 to Fri 31 January

Continental Circus Berlin Esther Manito at Strictly Come Dancing Live Miloš Karadaglic in concert at at NEC, Birmingham The Glee Club, Birmingham at Arena Birmingham Birmingham Town Hall until Sat 4 January Thurs 9 January Thurs 16 - Sun 19 January Tues 21 January

whatsonlive.co.uk 53 The List Birmingham 1 - 5 January.qxp_Layout 1 13/12/2019 13:00 Page 1

thelist INGS + THE COMMON HONEY FACTORY Sat 4 THROUGHOUT JANUARY Gigs Fri 3 Jan, The Sun- Jan, The Sunflower flower Lounge, B’ham Lounge, Birmingham GUNS 2 ROSES Thurs 2 artwork in a wide range of media, ION MAIDEN Fri 3 Jan, RULE THE WORLD - TAKE Jan, The Robin, Bilston Visual Arts Thurs 2 Jan - Sat 15 Feb Route 44, Birmingham THAT TRIBUTE Sat 4 WEDDING CRASHERS KING PLEASURE AND Jan, Artrix, Broms- Birmingham Museum & Thurs 2 Jan, The Jam THE BISCUIT BOYS Fri 3 grove Art Gallery The Barber Institute House, Birmimgham Jan, Artrix, Broms- DISCOVER BIRMINGHAM: WHITWORTH WALLIS ARTIST IN RESI- TRULY BRIGHT AND MEMORABLE: JAN DE SONS OF ANGER AND RE- grove BAD GIRLFRIEND + FEED DENCE: LEANNE O'CONNOR BEER’S RENAISSANCE ALTARPIECES Ex- DEMPTION PRESENT KEN URBAN INTO Fri 3 Jan - ME MILK + SIMPLE Leanne's work responds to the hibition focusing on the Barber’s own BONSALL AND DAN Sat 4 Jan, The Jam TRIXX + SPIT Sun 5 stained-glass and metalwork collec- double-sided altarpiece featuring the BOOTH Thurs 2 Jan - House, Birmingham Jan, The Sunflower tion held within the Industrial gallery, Nativity and the apocryphal tale Fri 3 Jan, Katie Fitzger- Lounge, Birmingham the Museum Collections Centre and of Joseph and the suitors, until Sun ald’s, Stourbridge JEAN GENIE Sat 4 Jan, RBC JAZZ ORCHESTRA: Community History & Archives Ser- 19 Jan The Robin, Bilston NEARLY DAN IN CONCERT SOFT LIGHTS, HOT vice in Smethwick, until Mon 1 June THE PRINTED WORD: IMAGE, TEXT AND Fri 3 Jan, The Robin, BOWIE NIGHT 2020 Sat 4 MUSIC Mon 6 Jan, DRESSED TO THE NINES Exhibition MEANING Exhibition focusing on Euro- Bilston Jan, Night Owl, B’ham Royal Birmingham about dressing up and going out, pean prints from the 16th to the 20th DISCOVER BIRMINGHAM: DISCOVER BIRMINGHAM: Conservatoire from around 1850 to the present day, century by or after artists as diverse SLEEPY HEADS + HOT- DEAF BALLOONS + SEC- until Fri 4 Sept as Samuel Palmer, Goya, Grosz and PLATE + GLASS CEIL- OND HAND GENES + Miró, until Sun 26 Jan Ikon Gallery THE MUGHALS: POWER AND BEAUTY AT MERYL MCMASTER - AS IMMENSE AS THE INDIAN COURT Exhibition exploring THE SKY Using photography to ex- courtly life, power and culture in the plore identity and its distinct cultural Indian subcontinent under Mughal landscapes, the exhibition features rule (1526 - 1858), until Sun 2 Feb new and recent work which sees A TALE OF TWO EMPIRES: ROME AND Meryl drawing on her dual heritage to PERSIA Exhibition exploring how the examine broader questions about ancient superpowers of Rome and being in the world, until Sun 23 Feb Persia spun humiliating defeats and ZOUZOU GROUP – DOOR OPEN – promoted their bloody victories on Video installation by two anonymous the small pieces of art circulating in artists - one Syrian, the other British. the pockets of the masses, until Sun The work exposes the constraints 15 Mar and imbalances of working together across the boundary of a war zone, Other VISUAL ARTS until Sun 23 Feb HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRM- King Pleasure And The Biscuit Boys - Artrix, Bromsgrove NEW LAHORE BIENNALE - A RICH INGHAM Display of photographs from TAPESTRY Showcase of work by four the University Heritage Archive Col- THE KING & I Tony Award-winning Birmingham artists: Mahtab Hussain, lection of the Cadbury Research Li- Rodgers & Hammerstein classic, Matthew Krishanu, Farwa Moledina brary, until Fri 31 Jan, Birmingham Classical and Osman Yousefzada, Sun 26 Jan - until Sat 4 Jan, The Alexandra The- City University THE JOHANN STRAUSS GALA Sat 29 Feb Featuring atre, Birmingham PRE-WINDRUSH TO THE PRESENT DAY the Johann Strauss Orchestra, John THE GIN CHRONICLES CHRISTMAS Heritage exhibition celebrating the Rigby (conductor) and Lizzie SHOW The Misfits of London present long history of black representation Holmes (soprano- pictured), Wed 1 MAC, Birmingham a festive evening of ‘fast-paced, vin- on the Hippodrome stage, until Fri 21 Jan, Symphony Hall, Birmingham JESSICA HARTSHORN: WINTER MURAL tage comedy’, until Sun 5 Jan, The Feb, Birmingham Hippodrome Jessica’s colourful palette is inspired Old Joint Stock Theatre, B’ham by children’s books and her love of VANLEY BURKE EXHIBITION - HOME... PETER PAN New version of JM Bar- pattern and shine, until Sun 5 Jan Portraits of Birmingham’s female rie's swashbuckling creation... until Black elders, in the places they feel CRAFTING A BETTER FUTURE Exhibition Sun 19 Jan, The REP, Birmingham raising awareness of homelessness, most at home, are brought to life via A MUSEUM IN BAGHDAD A story of showcasing scarves made by mem- augmented reality that sees the treasured history, desperate choices bers of the West Midlands Craft women in the portraits tell their sto- and the remarkable Gertrude Bell, Group, until Sun 1 Mar ries and talk directly to viewers about what home means to them, until Fri until Sat 25 Jan, The Swan Theatre, MADE @ MAC: ALL ABOUT TEXTILES Ex- 21 Feb, Birmingham Hippodrome Stratford-upon-Avon hibition of work from courses led by CITY OF BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONY OR- THE BOY IN THE DRESS World pre- artist tutors Penny Dixon, Helen Lane, CHESTRA: VIENNESE NEW YEAR GALA miere based on David Walliams' Claire Leggett and Rosie Moss, until Featuring Thomas Rösner (conduc- bestselling book and featuring Sun 19 Apr tor) & Sarah-Jane Brandon (so- songs by Robbie Williams and Guy NEW ART AND SOCIAL CHANGE: THE DIS- prano). Programme includes works Chambers, until Sun 8 Mar, Royal ABILITY ARTS MOVEMENT Display of by Nicolai & J.Strauss II, Sun 5 Jan, Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford- work by a civil rights group of artists Symphony Hall, Birmingham upon-Avon and activists who fought the marginalisation of disabled people. Their work supported the struggle, which led to the passing of the Dis- Theatre ability Discrimination Act in 1995, Sat CHRISTMAS CAROL CASEBOOK: AWAY 11 Jan - Sun 22 Mar NEW HERSTORY An exhibition about IN A DANGER Festive farce featuring RBSA Gallery gynaecology, access, stigma, politics ‘murder, mayhem & more Christmas NEW RBSA START 2020 Exhibition dis- of health, DIY and hacker culture, Fri puns than you can wave your con- played over three floors and featuring 10 Jan - Sat 25 Apr, BOM (Birming- ductor’s baton at’, until Sat 4 Jan, ham Open Media) Lichfield Garrick 54 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Birmingham 1 - 5 January.qxp_Layout 1 13/12/2019 13:00 Page 2

Wednesday 1 - Sunday 5 January

KING JOHN Shakespeare’s rarely per- graphical effects and original orches- formed tale of a nation in turmoil, tral works, Tues 31 Dec - Thurs 2 Jan, until Sat 21 Mar, The Swan Theatre, International Convention Centre Stratford-upon-Avon (ICC), Birmingham Pantomime Film ROBIN HOOD - THE PANTOMIME ADVEN- INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: TURE Festive show jam-packed with THE NIGHTINGALE (12a) Drama/Thriller. ‘daring duels, stunning sets, outra- Starring Aisling Franciosi, Sam geous costumes and a very merry Claflin. Midlands Art Centre, Birming- man in a dress’... until Sun 5 Jan, ham, until Wed 18 Dec The Core Theatre, Solihull HARRIET (12a) Biography/Drama. Star- CINDERELLA Festive family favourite ring Cynthia Erivo, Janelle Monáe. starring Rebecca Keatley (CBeebies) Midlands Art Centre, Birmingham, and Sam Rabone, until Sun 5 Jan, until Thurs 19 Dec Lichfield Garrick THE REPORT (15) Biography/Drama. PUSS IN BOOTS Festive favourite writ- Starring Adam Driver, Annette Ben- ten by and starring Iain Lauchlan, ing. Midlands Art Centre, B’ham, until until Sat 11 Jan, Belgrade Theatre, Thurs 19 Dec Coventry HOME ALONE (PG) Comedy/Family. DICK WHITTINGTON Starring Su Pol- Starring Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci. lard, Ryan Thomas, Jeffrey Holland, Midlands Art Centre, Birmingham, Aaron James & Ian Adams, until Sun until Sun 22 Dec Continental Circus Berlin 12 Jan, Wolverhampton Grand The- THE POLAR EXPRESS (U) atre Animation/Family. With the voices of NEC, Birmingham, until Sat 4 January SNOW WHITE & THE SEVEN DWARFS Tom Hanks, Josh Eli. Midlands Art Roll up! Roll up! The Circus is in town! Bringing together talented Featuring Lesley Joseph, Matt Slack, Centre, Birmingham, until Sun 29 Joe McElderry, Faye Brookes, Flaw- Dec performers from across the globe, Continental Circus Berlin fea- less, Doreen Tipton & Andrew Ryan, STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI (12a) Ac- tures a plethora of highlights including performances by the until Sun 2 Feb, Birmingham Hippo- tion/Adventure. Starring Mark Hamill, death-defying Berlin stunt riding team and some sure-to-be drome Carrie Fisher. Electric Cinema, Birm- breathtaking highwire antics from Columbia’s Robles Troupe. For ingham, from Wed 18 Dec further information, visit circusberlin.co.uk IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE (U) Drama/Family. Starring James Stew- Kids Shows art, Donna Reed. Midlands Arts Cen- THE UMBRELLAS OF CHERBOURG (PG) Drama/Musical. Starring Catherine WE'RE GOING ON A BEAR HUNT ‘Catchy tre, Birmingham, Wed 18 - Thurs 19, Events Sat 21 & Tues 24 Dec Deneuve, Nino Castelnuovo. Foreign songs, interactive scenes and plenty language, subtitled. Electric Cinema, PAW PATROL PUPS SAVE CHRISTMAS of hands-on adventure’ combine in STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER Birmingham, Fri 27 Dec & Thurs 2 TRAIL Featuring 21 characters and this adaptation of Michael Rosen & (12a) Action/Adventure. Starring Jan buildings from the hit Nick Jr show, Helen Oxenbury's much-loved picture Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver. The Mock- all built by BRICKLIVE from brightly book, until Sun 12 Jan, Birmingham ingbird Cinema, Birmingham, Wed 18 SING-A-LONG-A CALAMITY JANE (U) Comedy/Musical. Starring Doris Day, coloured toy bricks and placed Town Hall - Tues 24 Dec & Thurs 26 Dec - Thurs around the city centre, until Fri 3 Jan, 2 Jan Howard Keel. Artrix, Bromsgrove, Sat 28 Dec Birmingham City Centre KNIVES OUT (12a) Comedy/Crime. CONTINENTAL CIRCUS BERLIN Brand Starring Daniel Craig, Jamie Lee Cur- MARRIAGE STORY (15) Comedy/Drama. Starring Scarlett Jo- new show for the festive season, until tis. Artrix, Bromsgrove, Fri 27, Sun 29 Sat 4 Jan, NEC, Birmingham & Mon 30 Dec; Midlands Arts Centre, hansson, Adam Driver. Artrix, Broms- Birmingham, Fri 27 Dec - Thurs 2 Jan grove, Fri 3 Jan THE SNOW HOUSE BAR Snow House BAIT (15) Drama. Starring Ed Rowe, Bar makes a welcome return, com- CATS (12a) Comedy/Drama. Starring plete with super-popular VIP igloos, Idris Elba, Taylor Swift. Electric Cin- Giles Smith. Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, Sat 4 & Mon 6 Jan until Sun 5 Jan, The Bullring Shop- ema, Birmingham, from Fri 20 Dec ping Centre, Birmingham SO LONG, MY SON (12a) Drama. Star- JUDY & PUNCH (15) Comedy/Crime. ICE SKATE BIRMINGHAM Ice Skate Starring Mia Wasikowska, Damon ring Liya Ai, Jiang Du. Foreign language, subtitled. Midlands Arts Birmingham and the Big Wheel make Herriman. Midlands Arts Centre, a welcome return to Centenary Birmingham, Fri 20 - Mon 23 & Thurs Centre, Birmingham, Sat 4 - Sun 5 & Comedy Tues 7 Jan Square, until Sun 12 Jan, Centenary 26 Dec Square, Birmingham GRAEME MATHEWS, PAUL SINHA, EAMON EYES WIDE SHUT (18) Mystery/Thriller. THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS NEW YEAR CRAFT: CREATE YOUR OWN GOODFELLOW & THOMAS GREEN Thurs Starring Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman. (PG) Animation/Family. With the CALENDAR Use a variety of craft mate- 2 Jan, The George Hotel, Lichfield voices of Danny Elfman, Chris Saran- Electric Cinema, Birmingham, Sun 5 & Thurs 9 Jan rials to design and create a unique MARCUS BRIGSTOCKE, PAUL TONKIN- don. Midlands Arts Centre, Birming- calendar for 2020, Thurs 2 Jan, SON, JOANNE MCNALLY & COMIC TBC Fri ham, Sat 21 Dec Blakesley Hall, Birmingham 3 - Sat 4 Jan, The Glee Club, B’ham THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL (U) An- NEW FILMS ON GENERAL NEW YEAR, NEW YOU Featuring a vari- imation/Family. Starring Michael RELEASE: ety of activities and stalls, Sun 5 Jan, Caine. Midlands Arts Centre, Birm- Soho House, Birmingham ingham, Sun 22 Dec Released from Wed 1Jan, showing at selected cinemas FREE DAY AT BLAKESLEY HALL Blow Dance MARY POPPINS RETURNS (U) Com- JOJO RABBIT (12a) away the winter blues with a visit to edy/Family. Starring Emily Blunt, Lin- SHEN YUN Epic production fusing Blakesley, Sun 5 Jan, Blakesley Hall, Manuel Miranda. Highbury Theatre, THE GENTLEMEN (18) classical Chinese dance, sceno- Birmingham Birmingham, Fri 27 Dec whatsonlive.co.uk 55 The List Birmingham 6 - 12 January.qxp_Layout 1 13/12/2019 17:17 Page 1

January 2020 BROMSGROVE

Workshop Wednesdays 8 January to 12 February JEWELLERY MAKING

£90 for 5 week course

Music Saturday 11 January AMERICAN TROUBADOUR SONGS AND STORIES £15, The Studio

Family Theatre Sunday 12 January PINOCCHIO

£16.50 / £10.50, Under 16s / £49 Family (4), Main House

Comedy Saturday 18 January DARREN HARRIOTT: GOOD HEART YUTE TOUR £12.50, The Studio

Music Saturday 25 January THE RAT PACK

£24.50, Main House

Music Friday 31 January THE WHITNEY HOUSTON EXPERENCE

£20, £17.50 concessions, Main House box office: 01527 57733 I www.artrix.co.uk. I @artrixarts

Join our Mailing List and receive information about up coming shows Artrix, Slideslow Drive or down load our latest brochure Bromsgrove, B60 1GN 56 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Birmingham 6 - 12 January.qxp_Layout 1 13/12/2019 17:17 Page 2

thelist Monday 6 - Sunday 12 January Classical Theatre PETER PAN New version of JM Bar- Music rie's swashbuckling creation... until LUNCHTIME MUSIC Featuring Phoebe Sun 19 Jan, The REP, Birmingham Cheng (double bass) performing a A MUSEUM IN BAGHDAD A story of programme of works by Bottensini. treasured history, desperate choices Also Charlotte Sleet (mezzo-so- and the remarkable Gertrude Bell, prano) & Jonathan French (piano). until Sat 25 Jan, The Swan Theatre, Programme includes works by Vi- Stratford-upon-Avon valdi & Ravel, Mon 6 Jan, Recital Hall, Royal Birmingham Conserva- toire ELISABETH BRAUSS PIANO CONCERT Programme includes works by Schubert and Beethoven, Tues 7 Jan, Royal Birmingham Conserva- New Model Army - O2 Institute, Birmingham toire EDWARD LEUNG PIANO RECITAL Pro- Academy, Birmingham 10 Jan, The River gramme includes works by JS Bach, Gigs NEW MODEL ARMY Fri Rooms, Stourbridge Haydn, Chopin, Ives & Stravinsky, 10 Jan, O2 Institute, CIVIL WRONGS Fri 10 Wed 8 Jan, Recital Hall, Royal Birm- THE BUTTERS ALIENS + Birmingham Jan - Sat 11 Jan, The ingham Conservatoire THE BOY IN THE DRESS World premiere based on David Walliams' CORNFLAKE’S AT Jam House, B’ham CITY OF BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONY OR- KEITH DONNELLY Fri 10 bestselling book and featuring KELLY’S + IN OUR LIVES CHESTRA: A VISION OF THE FUTURE Jan, Lichfield Guildhall A VISION OF ELVIS Fri songs by Robbie Williams and Guy + HONEY I SHOT THE Featuring Jaume Santonja Espinós PAPER BUOYS + THE 10 Jan - Sat 11 Jan, Chambers, until Sun 8 Mar, Royal PRESIDENT Mon 6 Jan, (conductor) & Vesselin Gellev (vio- GOOD WATER + HEAD- Lichfield Garrick Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford- The Sunflower lin). Programme includes works by SHRINKERS + BERMUDA MARK MORTON Sat 11 upon-Avon Lounge, Birmingham Shostakovich, Arturo Marquez, De- Fri 10 Jan, The Sun- Jan, O2 Academy, THE NU + FUTURE FIRES bussy, Anna Meredith, Piazzolla, KING JOHN Shakespeare’s rarely per- flower Lounge, B’ham Birmingham + AKANDE + THE FLOW Gershwin & Mason Bates, Thurs 9 formed tale of a nation in turmoil, Tues 7 Jan, The Sun- SINGLE BY SUNDAY Fri BLACK ELVIS Sat 11 Jan, Symphony Hall, Birmingham until Sat 21 Mar, The Swan Theatre, 10 Jan, The Asylum, Jan, Night Owl, B’ham Stratford-upon-Avon flower Lounge, B’ham BRAHMS’ HORN TRIO Fri 10 Jan, Birmingham DINO BAPTISTE Wed 8 TRUE STRAYS Sat 11 CBSO Centre, Birmingham THE ACID TEST Written by award-win- Jan, The Jam House, ALL MOD CONS Fri 10 Jan, Lichfield Guildhall ning and critically acclaimed play- Birmingham Jan, Night Owl, B’ham DS:UK - THE BROTHERS wright Anya Reiss, Wed 8 - Sat 11 Jan, The Blue Orange Theatre, COSMOTHEKA Wed 8 BROKEN MINDS, WAX ON IN ‘85 TOUR Sat 11 Jan, Jan, The Red Lion & THE SOURCE PRE- The Crescent Theatre, Comedy Birmingham SENTS: A TRIBUTE TO Birmingham Folk Club, B’ham COMEDY IMPROV Thurs 9 Jan, The ALICE IN PANTOLAND Birmingham TANGO Fri 10 Jan, Hare OUTLINE + CRYMSON + THE ASSIST + KARKOSA Patrick Kavanagh, Moseley, B’ham Youth Theatre present a new and & Hounds, B’ham + ROMA COVE + THE original take on one of Britain’s EASY COMPANY + THE ESTHER MANITO (PICTURED), CHRIS THE JOHNNY CASH NEW CONSISTENT Sat favourite tales, Thurs 9 - Sat 11 Jan, BRACKET Wed 8 Jan, WASHINGTON & COMEDY CAROUSEL ROADSHOW Fri 10 Jan, 11 Jan, The Sunflower The Old Rep, Birmingham The Sunflower WITH ANDY ROBINSON Thurs 9 Jan, Artrix, Bromsgrove Lounge, Birmingham Lounge, Birmingham The Glee Club, Birmingham PINOCCHIO Oddsocks present a PAUL SMITH : FOLLOW- PJ MORTON Fri 10 Jan, AMERICAN brand new adaptation of a classic ING Thurs 9 Jan, O2 O2 Institute, B’ham TROUBADOUR SONGS story, Sun 12 Jan, Artrix, Broms- Academy, Birmingham THE BUSINESS Fri 10 AND STORIES Sat 11 grove Jan, Artrix, Broms- ASOMVEL PLUS SUP- Jan, Hare & Hounds, grove PORT, THE MIGHTY Birmingham WRAITH AND SEVERN ADRIAN COX ‘NOW IS BLACK DYKE IN CON- Thurs 9 Jan, The SPRING’ Fri 10 Jan, CERT Sun 12 Jan, Sym- Pantomime Robin, Bilston Pizza Express Live, phony Hall, B’ham PAUL DUNMALL INVITA- Birmingham DISCOVER BIRMINGHAM: PUSS IN BOOTS Festive favourite written by and starring Iain Lauchlan, TION SERIES Thurs 9 FROM THE JAM Fri 10 RISCAS + FLARES + 11 until Sat 11 Jan, Belgrade Theatre, Jan, Royal Birming- Jan, The Mill, Digbeth 57 + SOUKI Sun 12 ham Conservatoire Jan, The Sunflower Coventry ULTIMATE COLDPLAY Fri Lounge, Birmingham LADY SANITY + ED DICK WHITTINGTON Starring Su Pol- GEATER + A$TROBOY$ lard, Ryan Thomas, Jeffrey Holland, + STELLA Thurs 9 Jan, Aaron James & Ian Adams, until Sun The Sunflower 12 Jan, Wolverhampton Grand The- atre Lounge, Birmingham PHIL WALKER, ADAM BEARDSMORE, KINGS HEATH & MOSE- JOSH PUGH & DAN SMITH Thurs 9 Jan, SNOW WHITE & THE SEVEN DWARFS LEY NEIGHBOURHOOD Stourbridge Town Hall Featuring Lesley Joseph, Matt Slack, Thurs 9 Jan, Hare & Joe McElderry, Faye Brookes, Flaw- ESTHER MANITO (PICTURED), CHRIS Hounds, Birmingham less, Doreen Tipton & Andrew Ryan, WASHINGTON, DOMINIC FRISBY & BEN until Sun 2 Feb, Birmingham Hippo- 3 SIXTIES Thurs 9 Jan, NORRIS Fri 10 - Sat 11 Jan, The Glee drome The Jam House, Birm- Club, B’ham ingham CINDERELLA Rags-to-riches pan- ALISTAIR BARRIE, BRENNAN REECE, tomime performed by Three Spires CATAPULT CLUB FT. THE JOHN GAVIN & DANNY MCLOUGHLIN Sat Guildhall, Thurs 9 - Sun 12 Jan, War- REPTARS Fri 10 Jan, O2 Lady Sanity - The Sunflower Lounge, Birmingham 11 Jan, The Comedy Loft, B’ham wick Arts Centre, Coventry

whatsonlive.co.uk 57 The List Birmingham 6 - 12 January.qxp_Layout 1 13/12/2019 17:17 Page 3 The List Birmingham 6 - 12 January.qxp_Layout 1 13/12/2019 17:17 Page 4

thelist Monday 6 - Sunday 12 January JACK AND THE BEANSTALK Ian Thomp- LITTLE WOMEN (U) Drama/Romance. son’s staging of the popular festive Starring Saoirse Ronan, Emma Wat- tale, Fri 10 - Sat 18 Jan, Oldbury Rep son. Midlands Arts Centre, Birming- ham, Fri 10 - Thurs 16 Jan 1917 (12a) Drama/War. Star- Kids Shows ring Andrew WE’RE GOING ON A BEAR HUNT ‘Catchy Scott, Benedict songs, interactive scenes and plenty Cumberbatch. of hands-on adventure’ combine in Electric Cinema, this adaptation of Michael Rosen & Birmingham, Helen Oxenbury's much-loved picture from Fri 10 Jan book, until Sun 12 Jan, Birmingham THE BLUES BROTHERS (15) Adven- Town Hall ture/Comedy. Starring John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd. Highbury Theatre, Birmingham, Sat 11 Jan LA DOLCE VITA (12a) Drama. Starring Film Marcello Mastroianni, Anita Ekberg. INDEPENDENT LISTINGS Foreign language, subtitled. Mid- lands Arts Centre, Birmingham, Sun THE TWO POPES (12a) Biography/Com- 12 Jan Ice Skate Birmingham - Centenary Square edy. Starring Jonathan Pryce, An- thony Hopkins. Artrix, Bromsgrove, industry professionals featuring ‘an Mon 6 Jan NEW FILMS ON GENERAL unmissable combination of cars, RELEASE: Events stars and action’, Sat 11 - Sun 12 Released from Fri 10 Jan, showing at ICE SKATE BIRMINGHAM Ice Skate Jan, NEC, Birmingham selected cinemas Birmingham and the Big Wheel make SING-A-LONG-A THE GREATEST SHOW- 1917 (tbc) a welcome return to Centenary MAN (PG) Drama/Musical. Starring Square, until Sun 12 Jan, Centenary SEBERG (tbc) Hugh Jackman, Michelle Williams. Square, Birmingham The Alexandra, Birmingham, Sun 12 AUTOSPORT INTERNATIONAL Must-at- Jan tend event for motorsport fans and

whatsonlive.co.uk 59 The List Birmingham 13 - 19 January.qxp_Layout 1 13/12/2019 12:46 Page 1

thelist MARLON DAVIS, JARLATH REGAN, LEE Classical MALONE & KELLY CONVEY Fri 17 - Sat 18 Jan, The Glee Club, Birmingham Music DARREN HARRIOTT Sat 18 Jan, Artrix, Bromsgrove THOMAS TROTTER LUNCHTIME ORGAN ALLYSON SMITH, MATT RICHARDSON, CONCERT Mon 13 Jan, Birmingham EMMANUAL SONUBI & DANNY CLIVES Town Hall Sat 18 Jan, The Comedy Loft, Birm- LUNCHTIME MUSIC Featuring Brigitta ingham Sveda (piano), Helena Townsend (mezzo-soprano) & Johnny Budd (piano). Programme includes works by Bernstein, Larsen, Chanier, Bar- Theatre ber, Duke & Hundley, Mon 13 Jan, Recital Hall, Royal Birmingham Con- PETER PAN New version of JM Bar- servatoire rie's swashbuckling creation... until Sun 19 Jan, The REP, Birmingham Toyah - The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton SIR SIMON RATTLE & LONDON SYM- PHONY ORCHESTRA Also featuring A MUSEUM IN BAGHDAD A story of LOST IN MUSIC - ONE SPECIAL GUESTS THE Dorothea Röschmann (soprano). treasured history, desperate choices NIGHT AT THE DISCO DARKER THE HORIZON Gigs Programme includes the works of and the remarkable Gertrude Bell, Thurs 16 Jan, Grand Sat 18 Jan, Route 44, Berg and Beethoven, Tues 14 Jan, until Sat 25 Jan, The Swan Theatre, Theatre, W’hampton Birmingham DELTA AUTUMN + ROSIE Symphony Hall, Birmingham Stratford-upon-Avon TEE + GABY KETTLE + RICKY COOL & THE IN JUDY COLLINS Sat 18 ANNELIEN VAN WAUWE (CLARINET) & THE BOY IN THE DRESS World pre- CARISS AUBURN Mon CROWD Thurs 16 Jan, Jan, Birmingham Town EVGENIA RUBINOVA (PIANO) IN CON- miere based on David Walliams' 13 Jan, The Sunflower The Jam House, Birm- Hall CERT Programme includes works by bestselling book and featuring Lounge, Birmingham ingham SOME KINDA WONDER- Debussy, Brahms, Rachmaninov, songs by Robbie Williams and Guy JAZZ CANON: THE MUSIC 80S MANIA Thurs 16 - FUL 'THE MUSIC OF STE- Pierne & Widor, Tues 14 Jan, Royal Chambers, until Sun 8 Mar, Royal OF ORNETTE COLEMAN Fri 17 Jan, Lichfield VIE WONDER' Sat 18 Birmingham Conservatoire Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford- Tues 14 Jan, Royal Garrick Jan, Pizza Express upon-Avon KA PEK HO IN CONCERT Birmingham Conser- Programme in- INSOMNIUM Fri 17 Jan, Live, Birmingham KING JOHN Shakespeare’s rarely per- vatoire cludes works by Bottesini, O2 Academy, B’ham JOE BROWN Sat 18 Jan, Tchaikovsky & Herti, Wed 15 Jan, formed tale of a nation in turmoil, SUE + PRETTY VILE + until Sat 21 Mar, The Swan Theatre, SPILT MILK SOCIETY + Wolverhampton Grand Recital Hall, Royal Birmingham Con- TWELVE TWELVE + THE Stratford-upon-Avon ODD SOUL + CHERRY Theatre servatoire WOLF WITHIN Tues 14 CHERRY + AMY LOUISE ALEX OHM + JACK CAT- I’M SORRY I HAVEN’T GOT A CLUE BBC Jan, The Sunflower PHOEBE CHENG IN CONCERT Pro- ELLIS Fri 17 Jan, The TELL + MATT MILLARD Radio’s award-winning antidote to Lounge, Birmingham gramme includes works by Bottesini Sunflower Lounge, + COTTER Sat 18 Jan, & Franck Arr. Eugene Levinson, panel games, hosted by Jack Dee & MCCARTNEY - THE Birmingham The Sunflower Thurs 16 Jan, Recital Hall, Royal featuring Tim Brooke-Taylor, Tony SONGBOOK Wed 15 Hawks, Miles Jupp, Rory Bremner & SOUNDS FAMILIAR Lounge, Birmingham Birmingham Conservatoire Jan, Lichfield Garrick Colin Sell, Mon 13 Jan, The Alexan- BIRMINGHAM 2020 Fri RETROFORWARD & BENYOUNES STRING QUARTET Featur- dra Theatre, Birmingham THE SIMON & GAR- 17 Jan, Mama Roux’s, WEIRD WAX PRESENT ing Zara Benyounes & Emily Holland FUNKEL STORY Wed 15 Birmingham PARANOID LONDON (DJ (violins), Sara Roberts (viola) & Kim MASTERS OF THE HOUSE: MUSICAL Jan, Alexandra The- MOVIES Journey through the world of THE KING OF POP STAR- SET) Sat 18 Jan, Hare Vaughan (cello). Programme in- atre, Birmingham musical theatre and movies with RING NAVI Fri 17 Jan, & Hounds, B’ham cludes works by Mozart, John Wool- stars from Les Misérables, Phantom, KIOKO + THE PAGANS Belgrade Theatre, AMY WINEHOUSE TRIB- rich & Beethoven, Fri 17 Jan, Artrix, Sunset Boulevard and other hit West S.O.H + SKETCH + Coventry UTE BY MARINA Bromsgrove STRESS RELEASE Wed End musicals, Wed 15 Jan, Belgrade SOULIN’ LIVE FUNK AND COOMBES Sat 18 Jan, CBSO: MAHLER'S SYMPHONY OF A 15 Jan, The Sunflower Theatre, Coventry PERCUSSION NIGHT Fri Night Owl, B’ham THOUSAND Featuring Mirga Lounge, Birmingham BENEATH THE CITY The critically ac- 17 Jan, The Night Owl, WINTER CARNIVAL FT. Gražinyt -Tyla (conductor), Erin Wall claimed Upstart Theatre combine MIKE SILVER PLUS Birmingham SHENSEEA Sat 18 Jan, and Natalyaė Romaniw (sopranos). GEOFF, CHRIS & KIM Programme comprises Mahler's music, lyrical writing & movement to CHASE RICE: THE PINT O2 Institute, B’ham Wed 15 Jan, The Red Symphony No. 8 (Symphony of a tell a tale about how the decisions OF ANYTHING TOUR Fri TOYAH Sat 18 Jan, The Lion Folk Club, B’ham Thousand), 85’, Sat 18 - Sun 19 Jan, we make go on to haunt us, Thurs 17 Jan, O2 Institute, Slade Rooms, Wolver- Symphony Hall, Birmingham 16 - Sat 18 Jan, The REP, B’ham WENDY KIRKLAND Birmingham hampton QUARTET Wed 15 Jan, BRITISH PHILARMONIC CONCERT OR- ALL OF ME (THE POSSIBILITY OF FU- A COUNTRY NIGHT IN THE BILLY FURY YEARS Cathedral Hotel, Lich- CHESTRA: VIENNESE STRAUSS GALA TURE SPLENDOUR) Caroline Horton’s NASHVILLE Fri 17 Jan, Sat 18 Jan, The Core field Sun 19 Jan, Wolverhampton Grand one-woman show is an intimate ex- Alexandra Theatre, Theatre, Solihull ploration of wanting to live, wanting WAGE WAR Thurs 16 Theatre Birmingham THE UPBEAT BEATLES to die, and what can happen if we sit Jan, O2 Institute, Birm- 25 YEARS OF METAL- Sat 18 Jan, Artrix, together with the dark, Sat 18 Jan, ingham HEADZ Fri 17 Jan, The Bromsgrove Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry LEGEND: THE MUSIC OF Mill, Digbeth, B’ham TOM JONES - MY MY MY THE GIFT Comedy-drama about im- BOB MARLEY Thurs 16 Comedy THE MOWGLI’S + SPE- DELILAH Sat 18 Jan, perialism, cross-racial adoption, cul- Jan, Belgrade Theatre, MILTON JONES Wed 15 Jan, Artrix, CIAL GUESTS Fri 17 Lichfield Garrick tural appropriation and drinking tea, Coventry Bromsgrove Jan, Castle & Falcon, NAMIWA JAZZ + RUTH Sat 18 - Sat 25 Jan, Belgrade The- VIOLET+ RAI KAH MER- COMEDY IMPROV Thurs 16 Jan, The Birmingham KOKUMO + FERGUS atre, Coventry CURY + WISHBONE + Patrick Kavanagh, Moseley, B’ham RED LEMONS Fri 17 Jan CHANNELL + DEMELZA THE SPACE Thurs 16 - Sat 18 Jan, The Jam Sun 19 Jan, The Sun- MARLON DAVIS, JARLATH REGAN & Jan, The Sunflower House, Birmingham flower Lounge, B’ham COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBIN- Lounge, Birmingham SON Thurs 16 Jan, The Glee Club, Pantomime SIDHU MOOSE WALA Sat VICARAGE X SEMPER JOHN FEDCHOCK Thurs Birmingham 18 Jan, O2 Academy, VERA TOUR Sun 19 SNOW WHITE & THE SEVEN DWARFS 16 Jan, Royal Birming- Birmingham Jan, Hare & Hounds, JIM DAVIDSON Fri 17 Jan, Wolver- Featuring Lesley Joseph, Matt Slack, ham Conservatoire hampton Grand Theatre ULTIMATE LEPPARD + Birmingham Joe McElderry, Faye Brookes, Flaw-

60 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Birmingham 13 - 19 January.qxp_Layout 1 13/12/2019 12:46 Page 2

Monday 13 - Sunday 19 January

less, Doreen Tipton & Andrew Ryan, until Sun 2 Feb, Birmingham Hippo- drome Film INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: CATS (12a) Comedy/Drama. Starring Idris Elba, Taylor Swift. Midlands Arts Dance Centre, Birmingham, Fri 17 - Thurs 23 Jan STRICTLY COME DANCING LIVE TOUR Hosted by Stacey Dooley & featuring JOKER (15) Thriller/Drama. Starring TV judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Joaquin Phoenix, Robert De Niro. Horwood & Bruno Tonioli, Thurs 16 - Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, Sun 19 Jan, Arena Birmingham Fri 17 - Sun 19 & Thurs 23 Jan THE IRISHMAN (15) Biography/Crime. Starring Robert De Niro, Al Pa- cino. Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, Sat 18 & Mon 20 Jan EL TOPO (18) Drama. Starring Alejan- dro Jodorowsky, Brontis Jodorowsky. Foreign language, subtitled. Mid- lands Arts Centre, Birmingham, Sun 19 Jan

Moscow City Ballet’s Swan Lake - Symphony Hall, Birmingham Events pare for a scare! Sat 18 Jan, Aston HANDMADE CHAIN One-day jewellery- SWAN LAKE Presented by Moscow GHOST TOURS Exclusive opportunity to Hall, Birmingham making event, Sat 18 Jan, Museum of City Ballet, Fri 17 Jan, Symphony venture into the Hall at night - pre- ADULT JEWELLERY WORKSHOP: SILVER the Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham Hall, Birmingham

whatsonlive.co.uk 61 The List Birmingham 20 - 26 January.qxp_Layout 1 13/12/2019 13:02 Page 1

the list ALLYSON SMITH, RAY BRADSHAW & Gigs Classical Music COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBIN- SON Thurs 23 Jan, The Glee Club, LUCY MAY WALKER + MILOŠ KARADAGLIC IN CONCERT Pro- Birmingham MIDGE + ELLIE POOLE gramme includes works by Bach, ALLYSON SMITH, RAY BRADSHAW, THE + LUCY SHAW Mon 20 Granados, Albeniz, Villa Lobos, Beat- NOISE NEXT DOOR & ANNE EDMONDS Fri Jan, The Sunflower les & Duplessy, Tues 21 Jan, Birm- 24 - Sat 25 Jan, The Glee Club, Birm- Lounge, Birmingham ingham Town Hall ingham Y!KES + FREE GALAXY ANDREW BIRD, KAE KURD, PIERRE + BADDREAMS + HOLLINS & DAVE LONGLEY Sat 25 Jan, BLEACH Tues 21 Jan, The Comedy Loft, Birmingham The Sunflower Lounge, Birmingham DEAD MOB + BORN ZERO + INSURGENT + Theatre CHLORINE Wed 22 Jan, The Sunflower A MUSEUM IN BAGHDAD A story of Lounge, Birmingham treasured history, desperate choices MILLENNIAL PERCUSSION: STAR ME KIT- and the remarkable Gertrude Bell, CANNABIS CORPSE Rozi Plain - Hare & Hounds, Birmingham TEN Featuring Katherine Tinker (pro- until Sat 25 Jan, The Swan Theatre, Wed 22 Jan, The Asy- ducer/piano) and Toby Kearney Stratford-upon-Avon lum, Birmingham YEAR ZERO CODE 46 Fri SILVER LINES + BOATS (producer). Programme includes THE BOY IN THE DRESS World premiere INDIGO & BAND Wed 22 24 Jan, Route 44, ON THE OCEAN Sat 25 works by Schubert, Anna Meredith, based on David Walliams' bestselling Jan, The Jam House, Birmingham Jan, The Sunflower Alexis Bacon and Iannis Xenakis, book and featuring songs by Robbie Birmingham SLIPKNOT Fri 24 Jan, Lounge, Birmingham Tues 21 Jan, Centrala, Unit 4, Min- Williams and Guy Chambers, until Arena Birmingham SLEEP TOKEN Sat 25 erva Works, Digbeth, Birmingham GRAFFITI CLASSICS Sun 8 Mar, Royal Shakespeare The- Jan, The Mill, Digbeth Wed 22 Jan, The Core THIS FEELING BIRMING- CONSONE QUARTET Programme in- atre, Stratford-upon-Avon Theatre, Solihull HAM - BIG IN 2020 Fri THE GUNS N’ROSES EX- cludes works by Mendelssohn and KING JOHN Shakespeare’s rarely per- 24 Jan, Castle & Fal- PERIENCE, WRONG JOVI Schumann, Tues 21 Jan, Royal Birm- JOHN WARD TRIO Wed formed tale of a nation in turmoil, con, Birmingham Sat 25 Jan, The Slade ingham Conservatoire 22 Jan, The Red Lion until Sat 21 Mar, The Swan Theatre, Rooms, W’hampton Folk Club, B’ham TALON - THE BEST OF Stratford-upon-Avon THE EAGLES Fri 24 Jan, THE DEEP SIX: EP THE SIMON & GAR- I’M SORRY I HAVEN’T GOT A CLUE BBC Wolverhampton Grand LAUNCH PARTY Sat 25 FUNKEL STORY Wed 22 Radio’s award-winning antidote to Theatre Jan, Night Owl, B’ham Jan, Belgrade Theatre, panel games, hosted by Jack Dee & Coventry THE STORY OF GUITAR FIREBALLS UK - JUKE- featuring Tim Brooke-Taylor, Tony TDE PROMOTIONS PRE- HEROES Fri 24 Jan, Ar- BOX BOOGIE Sat 25 Hawks, Miles Jupp, Rory Bremner & SENTS: TOM RAINEY trix, Bromsgrove Jan, Night Owl, B’ham Colin Sell, Mon 20 Jan, Wolverhamp- TRIO Thurs 23 Jan, BYE BYE BABY Fri 24 VANT + SPECIAL ton Grand Theatre Midlands Arts Centre, Jan, Belgrade Theatre, GUESTS Sat 25 Jan, EMILIA An all-female cast from Birm- Birmingham Castle & Falcon, Birm- Coventry CBSO: YAMADA: BRAHMS AND SCHU- ingham Ormiston Academy present a ingham MIKE WILLIAMS QUAR- THE NEW RIGHTEOUS MANN Featuring Kazuki Yamada (con- play set against a turbulent backdrop TET WITH SIMON PUR- MOOD + LA DHARMA + SONS OF ANGER AND ductor), Francesco Piemontesi of Elizabethan England, Mon 20 - CELL, PERCY FAT CAT + CELLAR REDEMPTION PRESENT (piano) and the City of Birmingham Tues 21 Jan, The Old Rep, B’ham PURSGLOVE AND JAMES DOOR Fri 24 Jan, The SCOTT DOONICAN Sat Symphony Orchestra. Programme in- THE BODYGUARD Alexandra Burke MADDREN Thurs 23 Sunflower Lounge, 25 Jan, Katie Fitzger- cludes the works of Brahms and stars as Rachel Marron in the much- Jan, Royal Birming- Birmingham ald’s, Stourbridge Schumann, Wed 22 Jan, Symphony acclaimed romantic musical, Tues 21 ham Conservatoire RESURRECTION + OAS- KAISER CHIEFS Sat 25 Hall, Birmingham Jan - Sat 1 Feb, Alexandra Theatre, GENUINE PANAMA + IS - CO HEADLINE TOUR Jan, Arena B’ham RBC SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: STRAUSS Birmingham MELOTONE + SRIRACHA 2020 Fri 24 Jan, The THE RAT PACK Sat 25 OBOE CONCERTO Featuring Jaume PEOPLE + TRADIN’ Mill, Digbeth, B’ham Jan, Artrix, Broms- Santonja (conductor) & Jonathan FIVES Thurs 23 Jan, DOWN FOR THE COUNT grove Kelly (oboe), Fri 24 Jan, The Brad- The Sunflower shaw Hall, Royal Birmingham Con- “SWING THAT MUSIC” THE FIRST PROG SUN- Lounge, Birmingham servatoire Fri 24 Jan, Sutton DAY ALL-DAYER Sun 26 BOOGIE WILLIAMS - Coldfield Town Hall Jan, The Robin, Bil- KIMICHI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: FIRE- GREAT BALLS OF FIRE ULTRA 90S Fri 24 Jan - ston BIRD - STRAVINSKY Sat 25 Jan, The Thurs 23 Jan, The Sat 25 Jan, The River Bramall, University of Birmingham Core Theatre, Solihull TAKE ME TO YOUR Rooms, Stourbridge LEADER Sun 26 Jan, EX CATHEDRA: BEETHOVEN, MISSA CROW BLACK CHICKEN SOLEMNIS Featuring the City of Birm- INTO THE SHADOWS Fri Artrix, Bromsgrove GRAFFITI CLASSICS All-singing, all- Thurs 23 Jan, Pizza ingham Symphony Orchestra, Jeffrey 24 Jan - Sat 25 Jan, DISCOVER BIRMINGHAM: dancing musical comedy show, Wed Express Live, B’ham Skidmore (conductor), Carolyn Lichfield Garrick GEORGE PANNELL + 22 Jan, The Core Theatre, Solihull Sampson (soprano), Sophie Rennert THANK YOU FOR THE SHAKATAK Fri 24 Jan - ROBERT CRAIG OULTON (Mezzo Soprano), Andrew Tortoise EXTRAORDINARY WALL (OF SILENCE) Ad MUSIC - ABBA TRIBUTE Sat 25 Jan, Pizza Ex- + THE PINES + LAUREN Thurs 23 Jan, Wolver- (tenor) & Roderick Williams (bass), Infinitum combine physical story- press Live, B’ham HOYLE Sun 26 Jan, The Sun 26 Jan, Symphony Hall, B’ham telling with British sign language as hampton Grand The- Sunflower Lounge, atre UP4 THE DOWNSTROKE they unveil three coming-of-age sto- Fri 24 Jan - Sat 25 Birmingham ries, Wed 22 - Thurs 23 Jan, Patrick JOHNNY 2 BAD Fri 24 Jan, The Jam House, SIMPLY DYLAN Sun 26 Studio, Birmingham Hippodrome Jan, The Robin, Bil- Birmingham Jan, The Glee Club, Comedy PORRIDGE New production bringing ston Birmingham KREPT & KONAN Sat 25 DARREN HARRIOTT Thurs 23 Jan, The together three classic episodes from THE MILK CARTON KIDS Jan, O2 Academy, ROZI PLAIN PLUS SUP- the 1970s’ TV series, Wed 22 - Sat 25 Fri 24 Jan, Birming- Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton Birmingham PORT Sun 26 Jan, Hare Jan, Crescent Theatre, Birmingham ham Town Hall COMEDY IMPROV Thurs 23 Jan, The & Hounds, B’ham DAD’S ARMY RADIO SHOW SHAI BRIDES + THE Patrick Kavanagh, Moseley, B’ham Two actors, POTENTIAL VICTIMS RESERVOIR CATS + THE two microphones, over 25 characters 62 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Birmingham 20 - 26 January.qxp_Layout 1 13/12/2019 13:02 Page 2

Monday 20 - Sunday 26 January and lots of sound effects, as Perry & Croft’s classic BBC sitcom is brought to life, Wed 22 - Sun 26 Jan, The Old Dance Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham ANTON & ERIN: DANCE THOSE MAGICAL EARTHQUAKES IN LONDON Birmingham MOVIES ‘The nation’s favourite ball- Ormiston Academy Year 13 students room couple’ return with a brand new present their version of Mike Bartlett’s show, Sat 25 Jan, Symphony Hall, contemporary play, Thurs 23 - Fri 24 Birmingham Jan, The Old Rep, B’ham CAPTAIN BREADBEARD’S BREADY BRIL- LIANT COMEDY COOKBOOK Fast-paced Film pun-filled comedy sketch show about a sailor with a beard made of bread... INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: Fri 24 Jan, Blue Orange Theatre, JOJO RABBIT (12a) Comedy/Drama. Birmingham Starring Roman Griffin Davis, Thomasin McKenzie. Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, Fri 24 - Thurs 30 Jan HONEY BOY (15) Drama. Starring Shia LaBeouf, Lucas Hedges. Midlands Arts Centre, Birming- ham, Tues 21 & VOULEZ VOUZ - THE DINNER PARTY Two- Thurs 23 Jan hour musical theatre show and one- of-a-kind dinner party experience, Fri 24 - Sat 25 Jan, Lichfield Garrick NEW FILMS ON GENERAL THE VICAR OF DIBLEY Stage show RELEASE: based on Richard Curtis’ iconic TV Released from Fri 24 Jan, showing at selected cinemas series, Sat 25 Jan - Sat 1 Feb, Cres- I’m Sorry I Haven’t Got A Clue - Wolverhampton Grand Theatre cent Theatre, Birmingham THE PERSONAL HISTORY OF LA BOHEME Ellen Kent’s brand new DAVID COPPERFIELD (PG) production of Puccini’s romantic THE TURNING (tbc) opera. Sung in Italian with English surtitles, Sun 26 Jan, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Events VITALITY NETBALL NATIONS CUP 2020 England’s elite netball team features in a new international series, Wed 22 Jan, Arena Birmingham CHINESE NEW YEAR 2020 Featuring performances, crafts & family-friendly activities, Thurs 23 - Sat 25 Jan, various locations in Southside, B’ham PUBLIC THEATRE TOUR Go behind the scenes and learn about the theatre’s Pantomime history, Sat 25 Jan, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre SNOW WHITE & THE SEVEN DWARFS Featuring Lesley Joseph (pictured), WOMEN'S WORK IN THE JEWELLERY Matt Slack, Joe McElderry, Faye QUARTER Tour explaining the work un- Brookes, Flawless, Doreen Tipton & dertaken by women in the jewellery Andrew Ryan, until Sun 2 Feb, Birm- industry from the late 1800s to the ingham Hippodrome 1980s, Sat 25 Jan, Museum of the Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham SING-A-LONG-A BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY Immersive presentation of the smash- hit film, Sat 25 Jan, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre SING-A-LONG-A THE GREATEST SHOW- MAN Immersive presentation of the smash-hit film, Sat 25 Jan, Wolver- hampton Grand Theatre THE NATIONAL RUNNING SHOW Featur- ing 250-plus leading brands, Sat 25 - Sun 26 Jan, NEC, Birmingham BBL CUP FINAL 2020 Featuring show- piece games and the 2020 BBL Dunk Contest, Sun 26 Jan, Arena B’ham

whatsonlive.co.uk 63 The List Birmingham 27 - 31 January Davina.qxp_Layout 1 13/12/2019 13:05 Page 1 The List Birmingham 27 - 31 January Davina.qxp_Layout 1 13/12/2019 13:05 Page 2

thelist Monday 27 - Friday 31 January Gigs Classical Theatre WATERPARKS Mon 27 THOMAS TROTTER LUNCHTIME ORGAN THE BOY IN THE DRESS World premiere Jan, O2 Institute, Birm- CONCERT Mon 27 Jan, Birmingham based on David Walliams' bestselling ingham Town Hall book and featuring songs by Robbie GEORGIE + JEN NORTH ORCHESTRE NATIONAL DE LILLE Featur- Williams and Guy Chambers, until Mon 27 Jan, The Sun- ing Alexandre Bloch (conductor) and Sun 8 Mar, Royal Shakespeare The- flower Lounge, B’ham Eric Lu (piano). Programme includes atre, Stratford-upon-Avon works by Ravel, Debussy and THE INTERRUPTERS KING JOHN Shakespeare’s rarely per- Beethoven, Tues 28 Jan, Symphony Tues 28 Jan, O2 Insti- formed tale of a nation in turmoil, until tute, Birmingham Hall, Birmingham Sat 21 Mar, The Swan Theatre, Strat- TIMOTHY RIDOUT IN CONCERT Also fea- ford-upon-Avon PETE WAY BAND + SPE- CIAL GUESTS BURNT turing Frank Dupree (piano). Pro- gramme includes works by Enescu, OUT WRECK Tues 28 Jan, The Robin, Bil- Rota and Schumann, Tues 28 Jan, ston Royal Birmingham Conservatoire YCAT AT THE CONSERVATOIRE JAZZ CANON: THE MUSIC ASWAD - The Jam House, Birmingham Featuring OF JOHN COLTRANE Jonian Kadesha (violin) & Fillippo Thurs 28 Jan, Royal JONAS BROTHERS Wed 31 Jan, O2 Institute, Gorini (piano). Programme includes Birmingham Conser- 29 Jan, Arena B’ham Birmingham works by Enescu, Beethoven, Skalkot- tas & Brahms, Wed 29 Jan, Royal vatoire WIRE Wed 29 Jan, A FESTIVAL, A PARADE + Birmingham Conservatoire THE ROY ORBISON Hare & Hounds, Birm- SPECIAL GUESTS Fri 31 STORY Tues 28 Jan, ingham Jan, The Actress & NOA WILDSCHUT IN RECITAL Also featuring Elisabeth Brauß (piano). Pro- Wolverhampton Grand ACOUSTIC CAFE 31 Wed Bishop, Birmingham gramme includes works by Schubert, Theatre 29 Jan, The Blue THE WHITNEY HOUSTON HOUSE GUEST Lichfield Players present Joey Roukens and Tchaikovsky, Wed Piano, Birmingham EXPERIENCE Fri 31 Jan, an amateur staging of Francis Dur- ACOUSTIC SESSIONS 29 Jan, Symphony Hall, Birmingham Tues 28 Jan, The Jam DENO Thurs 30 Jan, O2 Artrix, Bromsgrove bridge’s ‘exciting thriller’, Tues 28 Jan House, Birmingham Institute, Birmingham VUKOVI Fri 31 Jan, The - Sat 1 Feb, Lichfield Garrick THE TESKY BROTHERS AUBREY LOGAN Thurs Asylum, Birmingham JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR Tues 28 Jan, O2 Insti- 30 Jan, Pizza Express THE DOWN FOR THE DREAMCOAT Starring Britain’s Got Tal- tute, Birmingham Live, Birmingham COUNT MOTOWN COL- ent 2019 finalist Mark McMullan as Joseph, Tues 28 Jan - Sat 1 Feb, Bel- PEANESS Tues 28 Jan, DEL CAMINO LECTIVE Fri 31 Jan, Thurs 30 grade Theatre, Coventry Hare & Hounds, Birm- Jan, The Jam House, Pizza Express Live, ingham Birmingham Birmingham DEATH OF A SALESMAN Birmingham Ormiston Academy Year 13 Acting SCHOOLBOY Q WITH SAM FENDER THE CLASSIC ROCK Thurs 30 students present an amateur staging SPECIAL GUEST JAY Jan, O2 Academy, SHOW 2020 Fri 31 Jan, of Arthur Miller’s iconic play, Tues 28 - ROCK Wed 29 Jan, O2 Birmingham Birmingham Town Hall Wed 29 Jan, The Old Rep, B’ham Institute, Birmingham ITALIA 90 + KICK THE AC/DC UK Fri 31 Jan, CBSO: MIRGA'S BEETHOVEN Featuring GREASE Amateur production pre- THE SYD LAWRENCE OR- CLOWN Thurs 30 Jan, The Mill, Digbeth Mirga Gražinyt -Tyla (conductor) and sented by Saint Augustine’s Perform- CHESTRA Wed 29 Jan, The Sunflower BEVERLEY KNIGHT Fri City of Birminghamė Symphony Or- ing Arts, Tues 28 - Wed 29 Jan, Artrix, The Core Theatre, Lounge, Birmingham 31 Jan, Warwick Arts chestra. Programme includes the Bromsgrove Solihull THE NEIL DIAMOND Centre works of Beethoven, Unsuk Chin and THE POLITICAL HISTORY OF SMACK AND ASWAD Wed 29 Jan, STORY Thurs 30 Jan - ALESSI’S ARK Fri 31 Britten, Wed 29 - Thurs 30 Jan, Sym- CRACK An ‘angry, funny, love-song to a The Jam House, Birm- Fri 31 Jan, The Core Jan, The Cuban Em- phony Hall, Birmingham lost generation, inspired by the play- ingham Theatre, Solihull bassy, Birmingham SCHUBERT’S PIANO TRIO Featuring wright’s own experience of jail and CHRIS ELLIOTT & BOMBAY BICYCLE CLUB DETROIT SOUL COLLEC- Jonathan Martindale (violin), David rehab’, Wed 29 Jan - Sat 1 Feb, The CAITLIN JONES Wed 29 Fri 31 Jan, O2 TIVE Fri 31 Jan - Sat 1 Powell (cello) & Robert Markham REP, Birmingham Jan, The Red Lion Academy, Birmingham Feb, The Jam House, (piano). Programme comprises Schu- ASKING FOR IT UK stage premiere of Folk Club, B’ham Birmingham bert’s Piano Trio No.2 in E flat, Thurs THE ART IS MURDER Fri Louise O’Neill’s devasting novel about 30 Jan, CBSO Centre, Birmingham sexual consent, Wed 29 Jan - Sat 15 DANIEL LEBHARDT PIANO RECITAL Pro- Feb, The REP, Birmingham gramme includes works by SOPHOCLES’ OEDIPUS REX Warwick Beethoven, Liszt & Bartok, Fri 31 Jan, Classics Department & Warwick Clas- Recital Hall, Royal Birmingham Con- sics Society add a city-noir twist to an servatoire age-old classic, Thurs 30 Jan, War- wick Arts Centre, Coventry THE INVISIBLE MAN Amateur staging of Comedy HG Wells’ classic story, Fri 31 Jan - Sat 8 Feb, Hall Green Little Theatre, SANDI TOKSVIG Mon 27 Jan, Wolver- Acocks Green, Birmingham hampton Grand Theatre COMEDY IMPROV Thurs 30 Jan, The Patrick Kavanagh, Moseley, B’ham Pantomime ELEANOR TIERNAN, ADAM HESS & COM- EDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBINSON SNOW WHITE & THE SEVEN DWARFS Thurs 30 Jan, The Glee Club, B’ham Featuring Lesley Joseph, Matt Slack, Joe McElderry, Faye Brookes, Flaw- ELEANOR TIERNAN, ADAM HESS, ROSIE less, Doreen Tipton & Andrew Ryan, JONES & COMIC TBC Fri 31 Jan, The until Sun 2 Feb, Birmingham Hippo- Jonas Brothers - Arena Birmingham Glee Club, Birmingham drome whatsonlive.co.uk 65 The List Birmingham 27 - 31 January Davina.qxp_Layout 1 13/12/2019 13:05 Page 3

thelist Monday 27 - Friday 31 January room couple’ return with a brand new show, Wed 29 Jan, Wolverhampton Cabaret Grand Theatre TINA T’URNER’S TEA LADY’S STEAMY COPPELIA Presented by the Russian BINGO Laugh, dance and play to win State Ballet of Siberia, Thurs 30 Jan, as Tina spins her cage of balls to a Wolverhampton Grand Theatre high-energy ’80s soundtrack, Thurs 30 Jan, The Old Joint Stock Theatre, JOSEPH TOONGA: BORN TO MANIFEST Birmingham Dance double bill illuminating the experience of young black British men, Fri 31 Jan, Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham SLEEPING BEAUTY Presented by the Russian State Ballet of Siberia, Fri 31 Jan, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

Joseph Toonga: Born To Manifest - Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham Film different types of magnets and other NEW FILMS ON GENERAL Talks materials, Wed 29 Jan, Coventry RELEASE: Transport Museum HIT THE ODE Performance poetry night THE ARENACROSS TOUR 2020 ‘Stunning Released from Fri 31 Jan, showing at where one regional, one national and winter showdown from Europe’s selected cinemas one international poet perform along- leading action-sports show’, Fri 31 A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBOR- side open micers, Fri 31 Jan, Patrick Jan - Sat 1 Feb, Resorts World Arena, HOOD (PG) Studio, Birmingham Hippodrome Dance Birmingham THE WIZARD OF OZ Join Ballet Theatre THE GRUDGE (tbc) HOT WHEELS MONSTER TRUCKS LIVE UK as they venture along the Yellow THE LIGHTHOUSE (15) Combining Hot Wheels’ iconic jumps Brick Road, Tues 28 Jan, Tamworth QUEEN AND SLIM (tbc) and stunts with ‘epic crashing and Assembly Rooms, Tamworth, Staffs Events smashing’, Fri 31 Jan - Sun 2 Feb, RHYTHM SECTION (tbc) ANTON & ERIN: DANCE THOSE MAGICAL MINI MUSEUM ENGINEERS: FUN WITH Arena Birmingham MOVIES ‘The nation’s favourite ball- RICHARD JEWELL (tbc) MAGNETS See what you can build with

66 whatsonlive.co.uk Belgrade Theatre Full January 2020.qxp_Layout 1 12/12/2019 10:00 Page 1 Ice skate Birmingham Full January 2020.qxp_Layout 1 12/12/2019 10:01 Page 1