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STEVEN CARTER-BAILEY: Your FREE essential entertainment guide for the Midlands BAKE OFF FINALIST AT NEWPORT SHOW SHROPSHIREWHAT’S JULY ON 2018 Shropshire ISSUE 391 JULY 2018 ’ WhatFILM I COMEDY I THEATRE I GIGS I VISUAL ARTS I EVENTSs I FOOD On shropshirewhatson.co.uk

PARTOF WHAT’S ON MEDIA GROUP inside:

Yourthe 16-pagelist week by week listings guide

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SUMMER FUN where to go and what to do in the school holidays SHROPSHIREWHATSON.CO.UK Peach Tree Afternoon Tea .qxp_Layout 1 22/06/2018 14:03 Page 1 Contents July Wolves_Shrops_Staffs.qxp_Layout 1 22/06/2018 11:21 Page 2

July 2018

Contents

Ladies’ Day - spend a day at the races at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre - page 8

George Ezra Abandoman Matilda comes home the list

chart-topper ventures into stars in Shrewsbury’s second award-winning RSC musical Your 16-page Cannock Chase Forest comedy festival returns to the Midlands week-by-week listings guide page 15 page 25 feature page 32 page 53 inside:

4. First Word 11. Food 15. Music 24. Comedy 26. Theatre 36. Film 38. Visual Arts 50. Events

@whatsonwolves @whatsonstaffs @whatsonshrops Wolverhampton What’s On Magazine Staffordshire What’s On Magazine Shropshire What’s On Magazine

Managing Director: Davina Evans [email protected] 01743 281708 Sales & Marketing: Lei Woodhouse [email protected] 01743 281703 Chris Horton [email protected] 01743 281704 What’sOn Editorial: Lauren Foster [email protected] 01743 281707 Brian O’Faolain [email protected] 01743 281701 Sue Jones [email protected] 01743 281705 Ellie Hutchings [email protected] 01743 281706 MEDIA GROUP Lauren Cole [email protected] 01743 281716 Adrian Parker [email protected] 01743 281714 Contributors: Graham Bostock, James Cameron-Wilson, Heather Kincaid, Katherine Ewing, Jenny Ell, Steve Adams, Jack Rolfe, Elly Yates-Roberts, Daisy Sparkle, Carol Lovatt, Steve Taylor, Chris Eldon Lee Publisher and CEO: Martin Monahan Accounts Administrator: Julia Perry [email protected] 01743 281717 This publication is printed on paper from a sustainable source and is produced without the use of elemental chlorine. We endorse the recycling of our magazine and would encourage you to pass it on to others to read when you have finished with it. All works appearing in this publication are copyright. It is to be assumed that the copyright for material rests with the magazine unless otherwise stated. No part of this publication may be reproduced, or stored in an electronic system, transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopied, recording or otherwise, without the prior knowledge and consent of the publishers. First Word Wolverhampton July.qxp_Layout 1 22/06/2018 11:01 Page 1

Entertainment news from around the region

Voalá Station takes to the skies in Stoke-on-Trent An ‘astonishing’ skyline show visits Stoke- on-Trent this month. Presented by arts programme Appetite, Voalá Station is a high-flying outdoor per- formance taking place in the night sky at Central Forest Park on Friday 27 and Satur- day 28 July. Created by acclaimed Spanish company Voalá, the production is described as ‘an ex- traordinary skyline show featuring aerial performance, live music and a mysterious tale that comes to life 40 metres above the audience’s heads’. Tickets for the event can be booked online at appetitestoke.co.uk or by telephoning the New Vic Theatre box office on 01782 717 962.

Birmingham to host new As part of its BCLM: Forging Ahead develop- CBeebies star to spend ment project, the Black Country Living Mu- Peaky Blinders festival seum will be recreating the shop as it Christmas in Lichfield Birmingham’s celebrated Digbeth quarter is appeared in the late 1950s. The museum is The actress who plays to play host to a major Peaky Blinders- hoping that people will be able to help with popular CBeebies char- themed experience this autumn (Saturday 29 the task by contributing any recollections acter Nina, in the TV and Sunday 30 September). they may have about the shop. Anybody with hit show Nina And The The Peaky Blinders Immersive Festival will a relevant tale to tell should email collec- Neurons, is to star in feature Victorian-inspired street food, a vin- [email protected] or call 0121 557 9643. this year’s Lichfield tage fairground, historical talks, local ales & For more information about BCLM: Forging Garrick pantomime. specialist cocktails, live and bawdy music- Ahead, visit bclm.com/ForgingAhead. Nina is played in the hall-style entertainment, traditional Irish award-winning televi- folk musicians, tarot card readings, live box- sion series by Katrina ing, shoeshines, caricatures and live magi- Award-winning show Bryan (pictured), who cians. More information is available by will be taking on the role of Fairy Moonbeam visiting peakyblindersfestivals.com gallops back to the region in the venue’s production of Dick Whitting- The National Theatre production of Michael ton (Thursday 29 November to Monday 31 De- Morpurgo’s War Horse will return to the Re- cember). gent Theatre in Stoke-on-Trent next year Commenting on joining the Garrick’s panto (Wednesday 27 March - Saturday 6 April). cast, Katrina said: “I visited Lichfield when I War Horse last visited Stoke in 2014, when it was a child and remember having a lovely became the Regent’s most successful ever time there, so I’m thrilled to be coming back show, with over 30,000 people seeing it dur- for pantomime! It’s a beautiful city, and I ing its stay in the Potteries. can’t wait to perform in Dick Whittington!” Tickets for the production are now on sale and can be booked by calling 0844 871 7649 or by visiting atgtickets.com/stoke A happy 25th in prospect for classic car restorers Dudley museum needs A company in Bridgnorth is celebrating 25 help in Forging Ahead... years of classic car restoration by inviting classic car owners from across the UK to join The Black Country Living Museum is asking its birthday party. for people to share their memories of Classic Motor Cars, which has restored hun- Wednesbury-based women’s fashion shop E dreds of classics from numerous marques, is Minett. planning a huge celebration at its restoration Founded by Edith Dabbs Minett, the shop HQ in Bridgnorth on Saturday 18 August. was very much ‘the place to go’ for the best- The day’s highlight will be a classic car con- dressed ladies of Wednesbury. cours, which will be open to everyone. 4 whatsonlive.co.uk First Word Wolverhampton July.qxp_Layout 1 22/06/2018 11:01 Page 2

First Word

Peek behind the scenes at Himley... Visitors to Himley Hall can take a look ‘behind the scenes’ this summer, courtesy of a season of guided tours around the venue. The 90-minute tours take in the servants’ quarters and cellars, the butler’s sitting room and the Earl of Dudley’s bedrooms. The tours take place on selected days during July and August. For more information, visit him- leyhallandpark.co.uk

Giant animal puppets to take to the streets of Lichfield A parade of giant animal puppets is set to march through the streets of Lichfield to mark the opening weekend of this month’s Lichfield Festival. The Festival Animal Puppetry Parade (Saturday 7 July) features puppets which have been created by local groups working with professional artists. The procession will finish at the city’s cathedral, prior to the venue’s evening concert - a performance of Benjamin Britten's children's opera, Noye's Fludde. For details about other family-friendly events taking place during this year’s festival (4 - 14 July), visit Harry Potter star lichfieldfestival.org Mark to talk to the animals... Five Go Nuts In Nagaland - in Shrewsbury! Midlands-born Harry Potter, The story of a remarkable expedition into the Indian jungle - which saw theatre being taken to com- Fast Show and Father Brown munities that had never seen it before - is to be told in a fundraising show for an Indian primary star Mark Williams is to play the school at The Wightman Theatre in Shrewsbury on Saturday 14 July. title role in Doctor Dolittle The Earlier this year, Chris Eldon Lee’s sell-out play, Ursula, Queen Of The Jungle, toured to Nagaland in Musical when it visits the North East India, where its story was set. As a result, the fledgling Jaitinga primary school in Assam Wolverhampton Grand Theatre twinned with Shrewsbury’s Martin Wilson School, and teacher/actor Joanna Purslow and her team next year, from 29 January to 9 vowed to raise money to help them get established. February. Five Go Nuts In Nagaland features a first-hand account of the trip, extracts from Ursula, music by ex- The production is touring to the Grand to celebrate the 50th an- pedition members Mary Keith and Sally Tongue, and performances from The Mere Singers and com- niversary of the much-loved edy group Three Men In A Bowtie. Tickets are £5 from The Wightman or [email protected] movie starring Rex Harrison. Visit doctordolittlemusical.com for more information. Muse concert Beware The Moon at Dudley Castle screening at Dudley Zoological Gardens is again teaming up with Flatpack Projects media centre and Film Hub Midlands to present a two-night open-air cinema experi- ence. Beware The Moon, taking place in Dudley Castle, will feature Wolverhampton’s Light screenings of zombie horror Night Of The Living Dead (Friday 3 August) House Media Centre is and cult vampire classic The Lost Boys (Saturday 4 August). hosting a special To book tickets for the event, visit dudleyzoo.org.uk screening of rock band Muse’s Drones World Tour on Thursday 12 July. Filmed and recorded over multiple shows, the concert movie includes exclu- sive insight from the band themselves. Tickets for the screen- ing can be booked at light-house.co.uk or by calling 01902 716055.

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First Word

JCB Dancing Diggers to Bully in the swing! take centre stage at the Wolves legend Steve Bull is entering a team on behalf of Newport Show his charitable foundation to Impressive displays by the internationally support the Grand Theatre’s famous team of JCB Dancing Diggers take inaugural Golf Day on Thurs- centre stage at this month’s Newport Show. day 5 July. The mechanical monsters, which only per- The Steve Bull Foundation is form at a handful of shows across the UK dedicated to helping improve each year, are one of the main attractions young people’s lives. at the one-day event, which is being held The event takes place at at Chetwynd Deer Park on 14 July. For more Wergs Golf Club. It will raise information, visit newportshow.co.uk. vital funds to support opera- tion and education projects at the Grand. A grand line-up Chillington Hall hosts dragon boat race at the Grand Staffordshire’s Chillington Hall is this month hosting a dragon boat race featuring up to 30 companies and organisa- tions. The race, which takes place on Sunday 29 July, is part of an event that also fea- tures craft stalls, food trucks, drinks emporia and family- friendly entertainment. Real Bodies on There’s certainly no shortage of musicals to enjoy in the show at the NEC Wolverhampton Grand The- A globe-trotting exhibition of atre’s autumn/winter pro- human anatomy is currently gramme. on display at Birmingham’s Among the shows to get you NEC. dancing in the aisles are Real Bodies takes visitors on Menopause The Musical, a ‘stunning journey’, explor- Rock Of Ages, Dirty Dancing, ing the human body through Madagascar The Musical, physiology, culture and emo- Club Tropicana & Avenue Q tion by displaying real, per- (pictured), fectly preserved human Other new-season highlights bodies and over 200 anatom- include Circus of Horrors ical specimens. making a welcome return The exhibition shows at the with brand new show Psycho NEC until Sunday 19 August. Asylum, Tony Christie per- forming in concert and a show paying tribute to the Bee Gees. To check out the whole line- New Stourbridge exhibition set to explore up, visit grandtheatre.co.uk the art and science of colour An exhibition exploring the art and science of colour opens at the Glasshouse Arts Centre in Stourbridge next month. The show features large-scale exhibits, hands-on displays and numer- ous experiments. Visitors to the exhibition can stand inside a rainbow, play with the shadows of an eclipse, explore reflection and investigate the mystery of coloured shadows. The exhibition will be accompanied by a pro- gramme of talks, workshops and evening events. It shows at the Glasshouse from 29 August to 14 October. 6 whatsonlive.co.uk First Word Wolverhampton July.qxp_Layout 1 22/06/2018 11:01 Page 4 Ladies' Day.qxp_Layout 1 22/06/2018 14:29 Page 1

GIRLS AT

8 THEwhatsonlive.co.uk GALLOP! Ladies' Day.qxp_Layout 1 22/06/2018 14:29 Page 2

by Lauren Foster

Wolverhampton Grand Theatre’s second major in-house production is Ladies’ Day, Amanda Whittington’s hit play about four likely lasses and their day at the races... What’s On recently caught up with Amanda and cast member Cheryl Fergison to find out more about the show...

Work, love and life are just one long, hard We’re going to have lots of race-goers and who I am or what I was made to do.” slog for fish-filleting foursome Pearl, Jan, people working there. You can do that in a Talking about her journey, Cheryl reveals Shelley and Linda. Will their fortunes change space like the Wolverhampton Grand.” that being an actor was the career path that when they head to Ladies’ Day at Wolver- Having never visited the theatre prior to her she was always destined to take. hampton Racecourse? initial Ladies’ Day conversation, Amanda is “I‘ve always been a bit of a show off - ever Written by one of the most widely performed thrilled that her play is going to be performed since I was little, really - and I don’t know playwrights in the UK, Amanda Whittington, at a theatre of the Grand’s calibre. “When I how to do anything else. I’m not entirely sure Ladies’ Day is an exuberant comedy about first visited, I was just blown away; it’s abso- when my interest in the arts actually began, four likely lasses and their day out at the lutely beautiful. It’s like one of those choco- because we were from a very working-class racecourse. late box theatres. When you were a kid, it’s background. Nobody read books in our how you would imagine a theatre to look - “Pearl is retiring,” explains Amanda. “She’s house or anything like that. I just think it was red and gold and so magical in its atmo- almost the ringleader of the group, so they that thing of being quite a big girl when I was sphere.” decide to have a day out at the races. We see little - as well as being a big girl now! It was a them transform from their fish factory outfits In keeping with the original show, the music way of fending off bullies. If I was funny, - the overalls, the hair nets - into their finery. of legendary singer Tony Christie features in they would leave me alone, so I would enter- They don’t really know anything about horse the production. “He was number one at the tain at school. From that, you become popu- racing but cotton on to the fact that they’ve time, so we decided to incorporate his music lar because you’re seen as someone who can got an accumulator bet that keeps on win- - it really captured the spirit of the play. It’s make people laugh.” ning. Really it’s about four, in the best sense gone on to be one of the most performed After school, Cheryl trained at Rose Bruford of the word, ordinary women with ordinary plays on the amateur circuit, with dozens of College. She then got a ‘fluke’ phone call ask- lives, and it’s about friendship, love, mar- productions being shown each year. It’s just ing whether she would understudy for some- riage, work and who we are. There’s a lot of always had a life, and I think that’s because one in the West End. Her acting career laughs, but also there’s hopefully a lot of it’s very relatable.” progressed from there. Her TV work includes stuff that people will relate to and empathise Sharing top billing is Cheryl Fergison. Best Big School, opposite David Walliams, Doctor with.” known for her role as Heather Trott in East- Who, Little Britain and Casualty. On stage The play, which stars ex-EastEnder Cheryl Enders, Cheryl explains a bit about the char- she’s appeared in Man Of The Moment, Mea- Fergison as Jan, former Emmerdale favourite acter she plays in Ladies’ Day. “Jan is a single sure For Measure, The Blue Angel and Dance Deena Payne as Pearl, Emma Rigby as Shelly, parent. She makes out to everybody that she Of Death. Roisin O’Neill as Linda and Sean McKenzie in kicked her husband out, but actually her “I auditioned for Ladies’ Day with what I per- multiple roles, was written 15 years ago when husband left her. She’s focused totally on her ceived to be the best Black Country accent I Amanda worked for Hull Truck Theatre. daughter and will do everything and any- could do! Out of all the accents, the only thing for her. She lives in the past a little bit “When the Grand approached me and asked ones I can’t do are Black Country, Welsh and and believes in respect, love and all those if I would like to look at it for Wolverhamp- Newcastle, so I was thinking, ‘Oh no, how am things. She becomes let down during the ton, I thought it was just perfect. There’s a I going to do this?’ In my head, I was think- play, as a lot of the things she believes in are fish factory in Wolverhampton, there’s a ing that I’d gone off and started talking in challenged. She doesn’t drink, but at the racecourse, the themes, subjects and the every other accent, from Australian to Indian races she has a tipple and lets out a whole ideas in the play are still very relevant. I’ve to Swedish, but they said at the end that it heap of secrets that she’s been warned not to rewritten the play for Wolverhampton in 2018 seemed to be fine. It’s a challenge for me, say anything about. She kind of lets the cat and updated it. Same story, same characters, and as an actress I think it’s really important out of the bag a little bit.” but it’s set present day. It’s been really great that you have these challenges. to come and refresh it and revive it. Although having not long visited Wolver- “And it’s really important to me that people hampton Grand with the touring production “The cast selection was Wolverhampton support live theatre, too. It’s one of those arts of Menopause The Musical, Cheryl is cer- Grand’s decision, and I think they’ve made that I really don’t want to see die out. It’s re- tainly looking forward to returning. “Every some great choices. They’ve got a cast that ally expensive and people have to save up time I go there, the audiences are so good. people will know from television and, again, hard-earned money to go to the theatre these They’re really warm and welcoming. I think which people are able to relate to. I think it’s days, so it’s got to be good. People need to this is a cracking cast, and they’re going to very exciting to have such a high-profile, tal- feel that they’ve had a good evening out. know the people in the show from outside ented bunch of ladies. I’m very happy!” That’s important.” the show, which is going to make them in- As well as the core characters, Amanda has trigued as to how these people are going to introduced a community chorus. “The chorus come together for something new. It’s like Ladies’ Day shows at Wolverhampton are really going to bring the racecourse to life when I do panto sometimes, people don’t ex- Grand Theatre from Friday 13 to and give us a sense of scale - that’s some- pect that I’m able to sing. I don’t play Heather Saturday 28 July. thing I've never done before with this play. Trott from EastEnders all my life - that’s not whatsonlive.co.uk 9 Food July Wolves_Shrops_Staffs.qxp_Layout 1 21/06/2018 10:01 Page 1 Food July Wolves_Shrops_Staffs.qxp_Layout 1 21/06/2018 10:01 Page 2

Food

Shrewsbury eatery launches new tapas-style menu Independent Shrewsbury restaurant Havana Republic has launched a new tapas-style menu. Providing dishes such as piggy bits, scampi bites, breaded mushrooms, edamame beans, sweet potato fries and catsu chicken pieces, the eatery also stocks the largest range of rum in town and hosts live music every weekend.

New artisan pizzeria and bistro opens in Albrighton A new artisan pizzeria and family bistro has scratch each day using locally sourced ingredi- Albrighton pub hosts its opened on Albrighton High Street. ents. first beer & gin festival La Famiglia offers a range of pizzas to eat-in or Commenting on the new venue, General Man- take away, classic Italian favourites including ager Rachael Beith said: “We offer something Albrighton pub The Dartmouth Arms is spaghetti bolognese, homemade meatballs, for everyone - a delicious lunch menu, an inno- holding its first ever beer & gin festival Moroccan lamb and fillet steak, and ‘a deli- vative and contemporary evening selection this month. Taking place on Saturday cious taste of the wider Mediterranean’. and, of course, a traditional Sunday lunch 28 July from 12pm to 6pm, the family- The pizzas - which include Margherita and offer. Children are also very welcome, and our friendly event will feature six beers in Hawaiian as well as more innovative options carefully created junior menu and activity the courtyard and a selection of gin & such as Frutti di Mare and goats cheese & packs will keep them satisfied, amused and tonics. A barbecue and face painting caramelised onion - are handmade from wanting to come back.” will also be available to enjoy throughout the day. Popular food festival returns to the city for a second year Sausage & cider fest After a hugely successful at Shrewsbury venue debut in 2017, the City of A sausage and cider festival is being Wolverhampton Food & held at Shrewsbury’s Buttermarket Drink Festival is this month venue this month (Saturday 28 July). returning for a second year. Attendees can enjoy a selection of The free event, taking place cider, sausages, gin and prosecco while on Saturday 7 and Sunday enjoying music from Geoff Rodgers, 8 July, is expected to attract Vertigo and the Dirty Rockin' more than 30,000 visitors. Scoundrels. It will feature an increased Organisers Shropshire Festivals have number of traders, artisan said to expect ‘fantastic street food on stalls and exhibitors, a offer outside, loads of cider and more substantial entertain- sausage inside, great vibes, tasters ment programmme, a fam- galore and great entertainment’. ily area, open-air cinema Tickets cost £5 and can be booked via and traditional fairground shropshirefestivals.co.uk stalls. whatsonlive.co.uk 11 Stephen Carter Bailey.qxp_Layout 1 21/06/2018 10:02 Page 1

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get your bake on!

Great British Bake Off finalist Steven Carter-Bailey makes his Shropshire debut mid-month, showcasing his talents in the food theatre at the Newport Show. What’s On recently caught up with him to talk about his craft, his role models and his dinner-party guest list...

How did you get into baking, Steven? work, it’s always an enjoyment for me. I’m If you were heading along to the Newport My mum showed me the basics over 25 years more of a cook at home, but I’ll take any op- Show as a visitor, what would be in your ago and taught me to enjoy working with portunity to bake a cake or rustle up some picnic basket? food. I’ve self-taught myself food creativity shortbread. I love a picnic basket because there are so and design over the last 10 years. many little things to choose from, a lot like What does the future hold? Greek food. So I would probably go for a What inspired you to apply for the Great The future’s still undecided, but whatever Mediterranean-style picnic with halloumi, British Bake Off? happens, food will be my first love. I love per- olives and dips. And wine, of course! I’d applied a few times before with no luck, forming and presenting, so if I could do that but when the show moved channel, I with food, then I’d be a very happy man! If you could host a dinner party for three thought, ‘This must be a sign’. It was a work celebrities, dead or alive, who would they Baking has definitely undergone a resur- colleague who forced me into applying by be and what would you cook? gence in popularity in recent years, but telling my entire department that I was going I would have to invite Jennifer Saunders be- it’s not traditionally a hobby for younger to do it! cause she would be the humour and enter- men. Do you see yourself as a role model tainment. Stephen Fry would be the intellect for a new generation of bakers? Personally speaking, what was your best and dry humour, and Sandi Toksvig because moment in the show? I’m touched that, at 34, I’m still classed as a I simply adore her. We would have a very sim- I would say the first star baker was pretty in- younger man! For both men and women, bak- ple roast lamb dinner with all the trimmings. credible for me. Despite how well I did, I did- ing has become less of a chore and just an- My mum hates lamb, so we never had it n’t believe that it would be me, so it was a other way to express themselves. If anything, growing up, hence my love of it now. Dessert genuine shock. I also just wanted to ring my I hope I can inspire people to at least try would be rich chocolate tart with a cinnamon mum and tell her the good news. something new. Chantilly crème, just because I made it last weekend and fell in love with it. What's the best thing you've had the op- Which famous baker/chef is your role portunity to do since appearing in the model? show? My top three are James Martin, Nigella Law- I love demonstrating live. To me, it’s a son and Ina Garten. Their approach to food Steven Carter-Bailey gives two 45-minute kitchen with a lot of house guests, and that’s has always inspired me to perfect my tech- presentations at Newport Show, my favourite place to be. Also, being a news niques and try new things. Chetwynd Deer Park, Saturday 14 July. reporter for ITV London for a week was so If we invited you for afternoon tea, what much fun! You can also see Steven at Lichfield Food cake would you hope we’d dish up? Festival on Monday 27 August. Do you still get time to bake for enjoy- I’m British, so if you’re serving me afternoon ment? tea, then it has to be the classic scone with Whether it’s baking for lunch or baking for jam and clotted cream. Nothing beats it!

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Gigs

Roger Waters Arena Birmingham, Sat 7 July In 1965, Roger Waters founded one of the world’s biggest and most successful bands, Pink Floyd. Waters initially served as the group's bassist, but following the departure of original guitarist, singer and songwriter Syd Barrett in 1968, he also became their lyri- cist, conceptual leader and co-lead vocalist. Waters this month visits Birmingham with his Us+Them show as part of his European tour.

Kris Drever George Ezra One of the biggest-selling male artists of the decade and often described as having a Lichfield Cathedral, Sat 14 July Cannock Chase Forest, Staffs, Sun 1 July voice beyond his years, George recently re- Kris Drever is a Scottish contemporary folk George Ezra enjoyed a certified 4x platinum leased second album Staying At Tamara’s - musician and songwriter who came to promi- success with debut album Wanted On Voy- another chart topper. nence in 2006 with the release of debut solo age. The 2014 release amassed an impres- He plays Cannock Chase this month as part album Black Water. sive 122 weeks in the charts, four of which of the annual Forest Live series. Following a decade of critical and commer- were spent in the top slot. cial success, he last year scored a double hit at the BBC Radio Two Folk Awards, not only being named folk singer of the year but also Vega picking up the gong for best original track, for the song If Wishes Were Horses. The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton, Fri 6 July Kris is joined for this cathedral gig by fellow Vega are a six-piece melodic rock/AOR band Scot Julie Fowlis. formed in 2009. They’ve released five al- bums to date, and have supported the likes of Magnum and Dan Reed Network. Most recent album Only Human features a collection of songs that focuses on their core strengths: strong harmonies, big choruses and compelling lyrical content. Del Amitri Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Mon 23 July Leo Sayer Formed in Glasgow in 1983, Del Amitri have The Robin, Bilston, Fri 27 July released four top 10 albums during their dis- With 16 albums and 26 hit singles under his tinguished career, including million-selling belt, Leo Sayer is returning to UK venues on breakthrough offering Waking Hours. the back of sold-out tours in 2015 and ’17. Embarking on their first tour since 2014, the Expect to hear such classics as Thunder In band features original members Justin Cur- My Heart, You Make Me Feel Like Dancing, I rie (vocals, guitar), Iain Harvie (lead guitar), Can’t Stop Loving You and When I Need Andy Alston (keys), Kris Dollimore (guitar) You. and Ashley Soan (drums). whatsonlive.co.uk 15 Classical July Shrops_Staffs_Wolves.qxp_Layout 1 22/06/2018 14:28 Page 1

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Classical

BBC National Orchestra Of Wales Lichfield Cathedral, Fri 13 July To kickstart its three-year Lichfield Festi- val residency, BBC National Orchestra of Wales presents two famous Russian works - Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No2 and Shostakovich’s Symphony No9. The pro- gramme also features the world premiere of Thomas Hyde’s Les At Leisure, a comic overture paying tribute to comedian Les Dawson, who died 25 years ago. Dalia Stasevska (pictured) conducts while Danny Driver features on piano.

The Cardinall’s Musick Lichfield Cathedral, Mon 9 July Innovative ensemble The Cardinall’s Musick are highly regarded for their extensive study of renaissance music and premieres of commissioned compositions. Four times winners of the coveted Gramophone Early Music Award, the group here present The Music Makers, a 16th century and contemporary miscellany featuring compositions by Juan Guttierez de Padilla, Byrd, Hieronymus Praetorius, Guerrero and Palestrina. A selection of work first written for The Cardinall’s Musick is also included in the programme. Halesowen Orchestra Cornbow Hall, Stourbridge, Sat 7 July The Halesowen Orchestra was once de- Igor Levit In Recital City of Birmingham scribed by James Morris MP as “one of the town’s hidden jewels”, a description with Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Thurs 19 July Symphony Orchestra which the 40-strong ensemble’s many The recipient of a hugely enthusiastic Lichfield Cathedral, Fri 6 July supporters would no doubt wholeheart- standing ovation on the last occasion he edly agree. Founded in 1986, the amateur played solo in Birmingham, Igor Levit is group of musicians meet once a week to widely considered to be one of the 21st practise a wide and varied repertoire of century’s most exciting pianists. works by some of the world’s greatest This full-scale recital, featuring music by classical composers. Bach, Shostakovich, Berg, Wagner and This month’s concert features Dvorak’s vi- Liszt, should certainly provide the Rus- olin concerto, Bizet’s Carmen Suite and sian-German maestro with plenty of op- Franck’s Symphony in D minor. portunity to show exactly why he’s held in such high regard across the world. Ludlow Choral Society St Laurence’s Church, Ludlow, South Shropshire, Sat 7 July ‘Wonderful music in a sublime setting’ is The CBSO and their former Principal Guest how Ludlow Choral Society describe their Conductor, Edward Gardner (pictured), re- concerts, the latest of which features a turn to Lichfield to continue with their cur- programme including works by Ralph rent project of recording the complete Vaughan Williams and Edward Elgar. Schubert Symphonies. This time out, the or- The ‘sublime setting’ to which the society chestra perform both his Symphony No5 refer, the town’s St Laurence’s Church, is and his unfinished Symphony No8. The pro- often described as the Cathedral of the gramme also features Mendelssohn’s Marches, and received a five-star rating in Athalie overture and Strauss’s tone poem, Simon Jenkins’ well-regarded book, Eng- Death And Transfiguration. land’s Thousand Best Churches. whatsonlive.co.uk 17 Festivals July.qxp_Layout 1 22/06/2018 15:02 Page 1 Festivals July.qxp_Layout 1 22/06/2018 15:02 Page 2

Festivals

Lunar Festival Umberslade Farm Park, Solihull, Fri 27 - Sun 29 July

Set in the grounds of the stunning Umber- slade Estate in Tanworth-in-Arden, the birth- place of Nick Drake, this fledgling festival takes the legendary singer-songwriter as its muse, blending dreamy escapism with exper- iment and discovery, and all with a psychedelic sound and colour palette. Billed as ‘one of the UK's most enchanting odysseys’, the festival boasts an eclectic music line-up, from traditional folk to elec- tro-pop and atmospheric DJ sets. There’s fantastic food and drink on offer too, with a funfair, a forestry club, a children’s farm and herbal havens also featuring. Line-up includes: Goldfrapp, The Stran- glers, Basement Jaxx (DJ set), Amadou & Mariam, Songhoy Blues, The Go! Team, Crazy P, Hookworms, A Guy Called Gerald, Jane Weaver, Boy Azooga and The Unthanks.

Timber Festival Fuse Festival SummerFest Feanedock, National Forest, Derbyshire, Beacon Park, Lichfield, Fri 13 - Sun 15 July Himley Hall, Dudley, Sun 15 July Fri 6 - Sun 8 July Organised by the fundraising team at Mary Brand new for 2018, Timber sees music, art, Stevens Hospice, this friendly family festival philosophy and sustainability weaved to- will take over the grounds of the Grade 2 gether for ‘an exhilarating weekend’ in the listed Himley Hall. Featured attractions in- heart of the National Forest. clude fairground rides, a classic car show, a Created by Wild Rumpus, the company be- food festival, a cocktail bar, a beer tent, a hind the award-winning Just So Festival, the prince & princess meet-and-greet and a full three-day event features camping, sound in- day of music on the Signal 107 main stage. stallations, storytelling, soundscapes, com- All profits raised via the event will be do- edy, campfires, forest films, workshops and nated towards the continuing care of families an extensive music line-up. battling life-limiting illness at the Hagley Line-up includes: Jane Weaver (pictured), Road Hospice. This Is The Kit, Stuart Maconie, Luke Jerram’s Line-up includes: Lemar, Matt Terry (pic- Museum Of The Moon, Aadae, H.Hawkline, tured), Reggie N Bollie and special guests yet Sivu, Ewan McLennan and Alice Jemima. Now established as one of the Midlands’ largest free music and arts festivals, Fuse this to be announced. month returns to Lichfield’s beautiful Beacon Park. Featured in the 2018 edition of the event is music, grassroots projects, family ac- tivities, beatboxing, storytelling, musical in- strument making, drumming workshops, art & crafting, poetry, sporting challenges, close- up magic, dance, food & drink and plenty more.

Line-up includes: Tankus The Henge, The Cracked, The Undercover Hippy (pictured), Jeramiah Ferrari, Marquis Drive, Skaciety, Scott Doonican, Colour Me Wednesday, Can- taloop, White Eskimo, Third Angle Projec- tion, Martian Social Club and Sugarthief.

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Festivals

Mostly Jazz Funk & Soul Festival Moseley Park, Birmingham, Fri 6 - Sun 8 July Created by the Midlands masterminds be- hind the Moseley Folk and Lunar festivals, Mostly Jazz Funk & Soul sees world-class artists coming together with leading lights of the local jazz community for a laidback, fam- ily-friendly event designed to celebrate Birm- ingham's musical heritage. As with its sister folk festival, the event is lo- cated in the gorgeous surroundings of Mose- ley Park, a stunning woodland glade tucked away behind busy Birmingham streets - mak- ing it the ideal retreat for music-loving city- dwellers. Line-up includes: Jimmy Cliff (pictured), Sister Sledge, Candi Staton, Roy Ayers, Craig Charles, David Rodigan, Fred Wesley & The New JBS, Jungle Brothers, Lucky Chops, A Skillz & Krafty Kuts, Osaka Monaurail, Ezra Collective, Lack Of Afro, Laura Misch and Yazmin Lacey.

Let’s Rock Shrewsbury Warwick Folk Festival Bromsgrove Folk Festival Quarry Park, Shrewsbury, Sat 14 July Warwick School and Warwick town centre, Bowling Green Inn, Bromsgrove, Thurs 26 - Sun 29 July Worcestershire, Thurs 12 - Sun 15 July Take a trip back in time with some of the biggest acts of the 1980s. Leading the way for Now in its 27th year, Bromsgrove Folk Festi- quality, family-friendly festivals since 2009, val offers patrons the chance to enjoy inti- this blast from the past is suitable for all mate concerts by UK-based folk, roots and ages, whether you're looking to re-live your acoustic performers. Taking place at the youth or hearing old pop classics for the very town's Bowling Green Inn, the festival first time. spreads across two marquees (one 350-seater and one 120-seater), with sessions and sin- Line-up includes: UB40, Marc Almond (pic- garounds taking place inside the pub. tured), Kim Wilde, Midge Ure, Go West, Jason Donovan, From The Jam, Imagination, Five Line-up includes: The Demon Barbers XL Star, Katrina, China Crisis, Toyah, Hazell (pictured), Cosmotheka, Robin Laing, An- One year short of its 40th, Warwick Folk Fes- Dean, Fuzzbox, Bow Wow Wow’s Annabella, thony John Clarke, Ursula Holden Gill, Bar- tival boasts the very best in contemporary Brother Beyond, Peter Coyle Ex Lotus Eaters lowCree, Mumbo Jumbo, Bram Taylor, Dave and traditional folk arts from the UK and be- and Black Lace’s Conga Party. Gibb, Heartstrings, Rob Barratt, Miriam Back- yond. house, Silvington, Fairfield, Tosh Ewins and As well as an extensive line-up of performers, Stitherum. the four-day camping event features ceilidhs, workshops, acoustic concerts, singarounds, an extended craft fair, a range of real ales, on-site catering and community-led recy- cling. The organisers also deliver a fringe festival of events in the town centre, featuring dance displays, street theatre, music sessions and an evening concert on the Saturday. Line-up includes: Show Of Hands, Notori- ous J.I.G, Jon Boden And The Remnant Kings (pictured), Korrontzi, Gordie MacKeeman And His Rhythm Boys, Granny’s Attic, Vishtèn, Megson, Daoirí Farrell and Crows.

whatsonlive.co.uk 21 Steve Harley.qxp_Layout 1 21/06/2018 09:52 Page 1

a cockney rebel Steve Harley talks music, horse racing and Ernest Hemingway...

22 whatsonlive.co.uk Steve Harley.qxp_Layout 1 21/06/2018 09:52 Page 2

by Stephen Taylor

I’ve never felt part of the music industry, I’ve never felt“ “ a bonding with them, ’cause deep down I’m an ex-journalist who got lucky with songwriting...

It’s Derby Day and, as Steve Harley is prepar- recordings by Duran Duran and Erasure. ence on me. He taught me not to waste words ing to go on stage at the Acoustic Festival of However, it was a version by British indie and, here I am, rereading To Have And Have Britain, our conversation is punctuated by band The Wedding Present that hit the mark Not, and I’m a chapter in and just going, racing commentaries from Doncaster and with Harley. ‘How did anyone get that good?’ Epsom. “I think it’s very much the best ever. I saw it Harley’s love for literature has been reflected “I’ve had one of my biggest bets for five on Top Of The Pops and I just went, ‘Brilliant! in his lyrics. Tumbling Down, the third single years,” says the 67-year-old. “It’s a horse that They’re the first ones to get it, they’ve read it off 1974 album The Psychomodo, features the my friends own and they swear it’s gonna right’. They kicked it, they really went for it, line ‘The Hemingway staccato, the tragic win. The horse is called Austrian School.” angry and finger-poking. I kind of like that.” bravado,’ while solo album Poetic Justice’s closing track, Riding The Waves, cites an- Apart from forming Cockney Rebel in 1972 Harley describes Make Me Smile as “my pen- other major influence - Virginia Woolf. and releasing one of the most famous singles sion; I wish I had five or six of them”, but his of all time, Harley is a passionate racing fan thirst for songwriting remains undiminished. “Woolf was from a special, different place. I who once co-owned a horse with Mel Smith, can’t have a word against Virginia. You just “I’ve got a grand piano in the living room, a so it’s fitting that our interview is taking have to read To The Lighthouse - it’s poetry - Roland (keyboard) set up in my study, I’ve place at Uttoxeter Racecourse. and then you’ve got The Waves, in a world of got guitars in three rooms, permanently set its own. In Riding The Waves, I borrowed Cockney Rebel first entered the UK charts in up on stands, so I play all the time. A couple from it quite heavily.” 1974 with the singles Judy Teen and Mr Soft, of hours every day, mostly in the evenings, although the band’s debut 45, Sebastian, had with a glass of something. So I record all the With our interview almost at an end, Harley already been a hit on the continent. However, time.” politely asked if he could watch the Derby, it was Make Me Smile (Come Up And See Me) having seen his earlier tip fail to make it into An indentured newspaper reporter, Harley that sealed their place in the annals of rock the frame at Doncaster. has always seen himself as an outsider in music, a tune with lyrics that were inspired terms of his career in music. “I’m sorry, it’s the Derby, and I might just get by unrest amongst Harley’s band members. my losses back.” “I’ve never felt part of the music industry, “It came out of adversity. We’d had Judy I’ve never felt a bonding with them, ’cause As we watched the horses approach the last Teen, Sebastian was massive all over Europe, deep down I’m an ex-journalist who got lucky half mile, the live stream of the race froze, re- Mr Soft had just been a hit; we were on a roll. with songwriting, but I’m quite good at what sulting in a volley of expletives from Harley. Then three members of the band came to me I do. with all these ultimatums, and I said, ‘I can’t Later, he announced during a very impressive do this. It’s my band, I formed the band, you “I really, really feel like it’s my life now, that I set, albeit one dogged by technical problems, knew I was going to write three albums, a tril- belong, that I’ve paid my dues and earned my that he’d backed the winner as well as the ogy, and I’m halfway through writing the place, and these kind people (at the Acoustic second-placed horse in the Derby. So all in all third album’. And I wrote Make Me Smile Festival) are giving me a lifetime achieve- it was a good day at the races for the leg- about it.” ment award today. I’ve seen the list of previ- endary Cockney Rebel, both on the turf at ous recipients, and I belong there.” Epsom and on stage at Uttoxeter. And the rest, as they say, is history. By the middle of February 1975, Make Me Smile by As a child, Harley suffered from polio. It was the renamed Steve Harley And Cockney Rebel during his recuperation that he developed an was top of the pops, the first of five chart en- enduring love for literature, with Ernest Hem- tries that the single would make during the ingway a particular passion. Steve Harley plays Leamington Assembly next 40 years. Rooms, Friday 3 August; Shrewsbury Folk “I’ve got a first edition of Hemingway’s To Festival, Friday 24 August and Moseley To Harley’s knowledge, the song has been Have And Have Not. I haven’t read any Hem- Folk Festival, Sunday 2 September covered at least 130 times, with notable ingway for 20 years. He was a massive influ-

whatsonlive.co.uk 23 Comedy July 2018 .qxp_Layout 1 21/06/2018 09:51 Page 1

Comedy

Hilarity Charity Gala featuring Rhod Gilbert Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Tues 3 July This returning Central Youth Theatre (CYT) fundraiser is once again compered by Daniel Kitson, with Welsh funnyman Rhod Gilbert this year headlining. Other comedians ply- ing their trade at the 2018 version of the event are Aisling Bea, Alex Horne, Ivo Gra- ham and John Kearns. This is the fourth edi- tion of Hilarity Charity to be organised by CYT, Wolverhampton’s leading youth theatre since 1983.

All Stars Of Comedy Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Mon 30 July Bianca Del Rio The Glee Club, Birmingham, Sun 29 July "I hope you're ready for some filthy, nasty, hateful humour,” says Bianca Del Rio, “because Former Coventry school teacher Guz Khan I'm coming to Birmingham with a brand new comedy show!” here takes his place in a line-up of comedy Hailed as the drag world’s answer to Joan Rivers, self-proclaimed ‘clown in a gown’ Bianca - talent that’s promising to keep punters’ ribs real name Roy Haylock - is a former winner of hit US reality TV series RuPaul’s Drag Race. well and truly tickled. Her 2017 UK tour went down an absolute storm, with a similar success story expected this Guz shot to relative fame a handful of years time round. ago after seeing his YouTube clips go viral. Since then, the only way has been up for the one-time Humanities teacher. “I think it’s important to push against boundaries with George Egg: comedy,” says Guz. “And although I like to make people laugh while exploring issues The DIY Chef such as religion, race and gender, I’m not Lichfield Garrick, Wed 11 July somebody who’s looking to cause offence Described as ‘a Tommy Cooper just because I can.” for the 21st century’, George Guz is joined at the Glee by headliner Slim, Egg combines humour and Aurie Styla, ADot and Gerry Kyei. food to excellent effect. What’s even more impressive than his admirably relaxed multi-tasking is the fact that the food is prepared using items including power tools, gardening equipment and of- fice supplies. Audience members with a de- sire to ‘get interactive’ can try out his cuisine at the end of the show.

24 whatsonlive.co.uk Comedy July 2018 .qxp_Layout 1 21/06/2018 09:51 Page 2

Mat Ewins MAC, Birmingham, Thurs 19 July Offbeat silliness is definitely the name of Mat Ewins’ game whenever the computer programmer-turned-standup comedian takes to the stage. Mat is visiting MAC to try out new material en route to the Edinburgh Festival. He’s sharing the limelight with Larry Dean, who’s heading for bonnie Scot- land having recently made his BBC Live At

The Apollo debut. Photo credit: Georgia House. Georgia credit: Photo

Dirty White Boys White Boys hit town. Majoring in fast-paced idiocy, the fellas’ The Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham, sketches are based around all manner of sub- Wed 11 July jects, from Shakespeare and the Mafia to wiz- Keen customer service, an awkward pub quiz ards and improper uses of a banana. and an elaborate musical number all feature Expect an evening of utterly stupid but thor- on the comedy menu when hugely talented oughly enjoyable comedy. but woefully underrated double act Dirty

Shrewsbury International Comedy Festival Various locations, Shrewsbury Town Centre, Paul Smith Thurs 19 - Sun 22 July New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Already a hotbed of food, flowers and folk Sat 7 July music, Shrewsbury last year tossed its hat Affable Liverpool comedian Paul Smith has into the comedy ring too, with four of the waxed lyrical on all manner of topics in his town’s venues co-hosting an inaugural festi- time, including such peculiar subjects as val of laughter. who he’d most like to be haunted by The event proved so popular that it’s this (Ghandi - Paul reckons he’d do it quite qui- month making a welcome return for a sec- etly) and which is the largest animal he ond year. thinks he could beat in a fight (a goose). Contributing comedians include, among He’s also ‘died’ on stage in front of a Baby- others, Britain’s Got Talent 2018 winner Lee lon 5 actress, who made matters worse for Ridley (aka Lost Voice Guy), Russell Kane, him by shaking her head in pity. Jason Byrne, Nish Kumar, Rob Deering and Widely regarded as one of the comedy cir- Irish hip-hop improv duo Abandoman. cuit’s most accomplished MCs, Paul is resi- Commenting on the event, its co-producer dent at Liverpool’s Hot Water Comedy Club. and one-time stand-up comic, Kevin Bland, He’s starting to make a real name for him- said: “Shrewsbury has a great tradition of self on a national level too, courtesy of on- hosting festivals, including everything from line video clips which almost routinely go street theatre to folk music, food to comics viral. and beer to flowers. We reckoned it was high He visits Birmingham this month with his time we brought some comedy to the town Abandoman touring show, Hiya Mate!. as well.” whatsonlive.co.uk 25 Theatre July-2.qxp_Layout 1 22/06/2018 16:01 Page 1

Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

Fred Jeffs: The Sweetshop Murder on stage. “It took me no time at all to realise that the memory of Fred and his The REP, Birmingham, Wed 11 July murder still resonates in the consciousness of local people,” says The Good Friday murder of Birmingham sweetshop owner Fred Jeffs Graeme. “So I set myself the task of gathering a consensus of informa- in 1957 remains unsolved; which is why writer, performer and Jeffs’ tion by interviewing local people about what they know - and also great nephew, Graeme Rose, has decided to reexamine the case - live what they don’t know - about the case.”

Astley’s Astounding world... Cirque Berserk! New Vic Artistic Director Theresa Heskins Adventures here takes the helm for a show that’s promis- Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Fri 6 - Sun 8 New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme, July; Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Thurs 26 - Sat 7 - Sat 28 July ing ‘fast-paced action, humour, gripping Sat 28 July drama and breathtaking circus spectacle’. The ever-busy Zippos Circus this month make a welcome return to the Midlands with their hit show. Described as a danger-filled specta- The Complete Works Of cle, Cirque Berserk! promises to ‘amaze audi- William Shakespeare ences of all ages’ with its Globe of Death - a presentation in which daredevil motorcy- (abridged) clists speed around the inside of a steel cage Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham, at more than 60mph. Tues 24 - Sat 28 July An international troupe of jugglers, acrobats, Now, if you feel you really should pay more aerialists, dancers and drummers also make attention to the works of the world's greatest a telling contribution to proceedings. ever playwright, but really don't fancy hour The 250th anniversary of the first circus is upon endless hour of listening to some terri- celebrated in this sure-to-be-impressive bly serious actors thee-ing and thou-ing in show, the most ambitious ever to be staged your general direction, then this is the show by the New Vic Theatre... Entrepreneur Philip for you! Astley’s life began inauspiciously in Newcas- All of Shakey's 30-plus plays are covered in tle-under-Lyme in 1742. It took an unexpected the blink of an eye, allowing you not only to turn, some 26 years later, when his invention become very learned very quickly, but also to of the circus ring kickstarted a phenomenon get down the pub in time for last orders! that would capture the attention of the

26 whatsonlive.co.uk B.Hipp. July. RIGHT HAND FP 2018.qxp_Layout 1 21/06/2018 14:21 Page 1

Unforgettable performance, powered by you 0844 338 5000* birminghamhippodrome.com *Calls cost 4.5p per min plus access charge. Where applicable, a 5% transaction charge (6% from 2 Jul 2018) may apply excluding cash sales in person.

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La Fille mal gardée

Tue 3 Jul - Sun 16 & Wed 26 - Sat 8 Sep Mon 17 Sep Sat 29 Sep From £30 £23 From £16

Cover to Cover: Roald Dahl Around the World An exhibition of eye-catching Dahl book covers.

FREE entry

ON NOW Wed 10 Oct Mon 5 - Until 15 Sep - Sat 3 Nov Sat 10 Nov FREE From £29.50 From £18

La traviata Verdi

Wed 14 & TueTue 2323 Nov Wed 19 Dec Fri 16 Nov - SatSat 131 Dec - Sun 27 Jan From £20 The Nutcracker FromFrom ££20 From £16 Theatre July-2.qxp_Layout 1 22/06/2018 16:01 Page 3

Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

Iolanthe Beautiful fairy queen Iolanthe’s youthful looks cause trouble for her son, Strephon, when his fiancée, Phyllis, refuses to believe that the Malvern Theatre, Tues 10 - Sat 14 July; young-looking girl in his company is actually his mother. Breaking off Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Thurs 19 - Sat 21 July the engagement, Phyllis decides to marry a lord instead. Iolanthe Gilbert and Sullivan’s seventh of 14 collaborations, Iolanthe is a bit- then determines to set things right for her son by meddling in politics ing satire lampooning numerous aspects of British government and - with some rather unexpected results... law. The production is presented by Sasha Regan's all-male company.

Sharing Joy A Self Help Guide To The Egg Rumour MAC, Birmingham, Thurs 5 July Being In Love With The Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham, Mon 2 & Mon 9 July Courting couples, wartime nurses, a singing Jeremy Corbyn As advances in technology continue to pro- dog and Elvis the Pelvis are all present and Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton, Sat 21 July correct in this full mask production from vide greater flexibility in all walks of life, this award-winning theatre company Vamos. Described as a lyrical, powerful and humor- brand new musical play takes a look at the Set in the 1940s and ’50s, the show has been ous look at modern politics, Jess Green And concept of social egg freezing as an ‘office created for people living with dementia and The Mischief Thieves’ brand new show fo- perk’, with large corporations clearing the their carers. cuses on Jess’s experiences as a card-carrying way for their female employees to ‘have it “It’s a huge celebration of life and all its Labour supporter - from the downfall of Tony all’, freezing their eggs in order to buy them joys,” say Vamos, “using music, dance, nos- Blair to her head-over-heels love for ‘the raw more time to make their way up the profes- talgia, masks, puppetry and laughter to bring Communist sex appeal’ of Jeremy Corbyn. sional ladder. pleasure and meaning to everyone involved. But as a young woman named Iva discovers There’s plenty of music to bring back memo- Miss Littlewood when her company gives her an out-of-this- ries, dancing to enjoy or join in with, swing- world promotion, fitting all of her eggs into ing dresses and best suits. It’s a playful and Royal Shakespeare Theatre, one basket is a far tougher task than it ini- Stratford-upon-Avon, until Sat 4 August joyous show that encourages everyone to tially seems... take part, to express themselves and make Perhaps best known for her development of connections.” the Theatre Workshop, a group launched in the 1940s whose best-known shows included Oh! What A Lovely War and A Taste Of Honey, Joan Littlewood is often referred to as ‘the mother of modern theatre’. This brand new musical charts Littlewood’s journey from the East End to the West End, celebrat- ing the life and times of a woman who was unquestionably one of the most anarchic rev- olutionaries of 20th century theatre.

28 whatsonlive.co.uk Theatre July-2.qxp_Layout 1 22/06/2018 16:01 Page 4 Read All About It! DPS 8-9.qxp_Layout 1 29/06/2018 09:32 Page 1

READ ALL ABOUT IT! stories from the iconic Coventry Evening Telegraph building shared on stage... Read All About It! DPS 8-9.qxp_Layout 1 29/06/2018 09:32 Page 2

by Lauren Cole

A collaboration exploring the history of Coventry and its people is this month being presented in one of the city’s most iconic buildings... What’s On caught up with some of the creatives behind the project to find out more...

This summer, the Belgrade Theatre celebrates the 1960s. Coventry soil, though. A lot of the performers its 60th anniversary in true artistic style - are from the local area too, with many “This is a hugely exciting and ambitious with a mini performance festival staged in a students from local colleges and universities project for us, offering 100 intergenerational rather unusual space. fully committed to the project. performers the chance to create an inspiring The Coventry Evening Telegraph (CET) site-specific work,” adds City Final’s “What I love about Coventry is that it has a building has been one of the city’s iconic producer Hannah Barker. ”It’s been a great really thriving independent sector,” he says, landmarks for many years, and is soon to be way to connect people, deepen an “albeit one that’s perhaps unsung in many transformed into a boutique hotel. But before understanding of inclusivity, research ways. that happens, and thanks to a collaboration Coventry’s rich history and develop the next “We’ve got artists who are really proactive between the Belgrade and the city’s generation of artists.” about making work happen. I think it’s Mercurial Dance company, the former Innovative use of the space and context of something that’s in Coventry’s DNA, and I publishing hub will this month be used as a the CET building will allow both productions think it’s part of why we won the City of temporary performance space in which its to play out like a trip down memory lane. Culture bid.” history and its stories will be explored. “Having this building as a starting point is One of those artists is Mercurial Dance’s In Retold, one of two interactive productions, really powerful,” says Oliver Scott. “All of Coventry-born Ashley Jordan, who voiced Mercurial Dance will blend dance and these pieces are responding directly to what why it’s vital to keep the project local: “It was spoken word to interpret memories sourced happened in this building, so to be using it as important to have Coventry-born-and-bred from locals. Audience members from each a canvas gives it a richness and an dancers in our show, Retold. We know the performance will also be invited to submit authenticity.” city and are familiar with its history and their own stories - resulting in the show landmarks, so we have those points of being an amalgamation of improvised parts Scott had the idea for Read All About It! reference when we’re working on and rehearsed work. almost as soon as the newspaper staff had choreography. For me, Retold is really stepped out of the building for the last time. “What we really want to do throughout the nostalgic - it's about and for the people of the He was able to move forward with the project whole piece is explore the idea of the city, which gives the piece a really personal thanks to help from the Great Place Scheme, Telegraph as a vessel for telling people’s edge. Coventry is blossoming! I’ve seen how under which the Coventry City of Culture stories,” explains Mercurial Dance Artistic much the city has developed over the last few Trust falls. Director Oliver Scott. “It’s important to us to years, especially in the arts sector, and I’ve find a structure that allows people’s everyday “The whole thing started as an idea I had been able to be part of its growth. Unlike lived experiences to be given validity, to be probably as far back as 2012, when the other, larger cities, where opportunities to cherished and retold.” Telegraph first moved out of the building. At grow and develop in your practice are almost the time, I was passing it every day on my saturated, Coventry offers space and The company’s second immersive production way into work, and thinking about what an opportunity for artists to make their mark takes audiences on a journey through the interesting space it would be for a and put their stamp on the city.” CET building, with a different performance performance. So I wrote up this idea for an by a different youth or community group at immersive environment piece and submitted each stage. Entitled City Final, it is led by the it to the Great Place Scheme. Later on, I Belgrade’s Community & Education joined up with the Belgrade, and that’s when Read All About It! takes place at the department, and sees performance groups we thought it would be great to bring in the Coventry Evening Telegraph building presenting pieces based on a major event community groups as part of a tapestry of from Tuesday 10 to Saturday 14 July. covered by the Coventry Evening Telegraph. performances throughout the building.” Tickets are available via the Belgrade These include the Willenhall plane crash, Theatre. issues surrounding racial integration and It’s not only the pieces, performance spaces stories from the popular Locarno Ballroom in and funding partners that are firmly rooted in Theatre July-2.qxp_Layout 1 22/06/2018 16:01 Page 5

Theatre outdoor performances to enjoy across the region

Macbeth with a brand new tale about the world’s This much-loved and oft-performed story is greatest detective. here presented by the well-established Heart- Stafford Castle, until Sat 14 July ‘When the wife of Doctor Watson suddenly break Productions, a company which has gar- Having been spurred into action by the disappears, a desperate quest to find her be- nered an enviable reputation for producing prophesies of three supernatural women - gins,’ explains Chapterhouse’s promotional high-quality theatrical fare for performance and egged on by his conniving wife - Mac- blurb for their show. ‘Sherlock Holmes comes in the great outdoors. beth’s desire to be king of Scotland sees him face to face with his greatest fear at the slaughtering first Duncan and then Banquo. hands of his mortal enemy in this stunning As the pressure mounts and his grip on san- new tale of romance and suspense’. ity weakens, he decides to commit even more We don’t know about you, but that’s certainly atrocities - including the murder of women enough to get us hooked. Picnic hampers and and children... folding chairs at the ready, we think...

The Tempest The Place, Oakengates Theatre, Telford, Thurs 5 July; MAC, Birmingham, Sat 14 July; Mary Arden’s Farm, Stratford-upon-Avon, Sat 28 July The Tempest Madcap funsters Oddsocks aren’t the first to Witley Court & Garden, Worcestershire, Fri 6 give William Shakespeare’s last ever play a July; Coughton Court, Nr Alcester, Fri 20 July; seriously sci-fi slant - hit West Ender Return Shrewsbury Castle, Tues 7 August; Kenilworth To The Forbidden Planet is an outer space Castle, Fri 10 August; Bantock House, Nr Wolverhampton, Sun 26 August version of The Tempest, too. Little Women Advertising their show as ‘boldly going Shakespeare’s last and most complete play, MAC, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham, Fri 27 where no other Shakespeare has gone be- The Tempest also represents the culmination July; Hanbury Hall, Droitwich Spa, Worcester- fore’, the hugely popular ensemble will be of his art, bringing together many of the shire, Sat 28 July; Erddig, Wrexham, Sat 18 themes that informed his greatest dramas. August bringing their ever-winning brand of anar- chic humour to proceedings - not to mention A wild storm forces a royal ship onto the The highly rated Chapterhouse Theatre make a flying saucer’s-worth of music and a galaxy rocks of an enchanted isle. The castaways, a welcome return to Midlands venues this of zany aliens! separated from one another, find themselves summer with their adaptation of Louisa May slipping under the control of the mysterious Alcott’s famous story. Prospero. Matters are confused further by the Written in the 19th century and widely con- presence of supernatural spirit Ariel and the sidered to be the first US children's novel to grotesque man-beast, Caliban... become an enduring classic, it tells the tale Presented beneath the stars by The Lord of four sisters - Jo, Beth, Meg and Amy - as Chamberlain's Men. they experience passion, romance, heartache and hardship during the brutal and challeng- ing years of the American Civil War. Emma Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens, Birmingham; Sat 30 June - Sun 1 July; Blakesley Hall, Birm- ingham, Sat 7 - Sun 8 July; Selly Manor, Birm- ingham, Wed 11 - Thurs 12 July; Harvington Hall, Nr Kidderminster, Sat 14 - Sun 15 July Pride And Prejudice Jane Austen’s comedy of manners blends Re- Brueton Park, Solihull, Tues 17 July; Jephson gency wonderment and heartwarming ro- Gardens, Leamington Spa, Sat 4 August; mance, to recount the story of a young Hartlebury Castle, Worcestershire, Fri 17 Au- woman who's determined to pair off her gust; The Wood Norton Garden & Terrace, Eve- sham, Fri 24 August friends with their perfect matches. But as she goes about her Elegant Georgian settings and wonderful business, it be- comic characters abound in this stage adap- comes evident tation of Jane Austen's famous romantic The Adventures Of there may well be novel. the chance for Sherlock Holmes The foolish and marriage-obsessed Mrs Ben- Emma to find a Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Wed 11 July net is relentless in her pursuit of suitable true love of her men for her five daughters to marry, her in- Chapterhouse Theatre are certainly having a own... Presented creasingly desperate quest generating all busy old summer. As well as touring to the by Birmingham’s manner of muddle and mayhem in the pro- Midlands with their version of Little Women much-loved Cres- cess... (see above), they’re also visiting the region cent Theatre.

30 whatsonlive.co.uk Theatre July-2.qxp_Layout 1 22/06/2018 16:01 Page 6

Theatre for younger audiences...

Madagascar The Musical Keepy Uppy New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, MAC, Birmingham, Sun 1 July Tues 31 July - Sat 4 August “This is a play for the 2018 World Cup year, The smell of the greasepaint and roar of the for football fans, non-football fans, children crowd has tempted the furry cast of Madagas- and families,” explain Tutti Frutti, the Leeds- car the movie to forsake New York's Central based company producing the show. “So Join Park Zoo in favour of treading the boards on us and celebrate the joy of the beautiful game a UK tour. with popping rhymes, fab footie moves, flicks The blockbuster DreamWorks film comes to and sidesteps, all underscored by toe-tap- life in Birmingham when Alex the Lion, ping live music. This is a visual treat that will Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe and Glo- ignite children’s imaginations from kick-off ria the hip hip Hippo stampede into summer to the final whistle.” with a great big jungle roar. Imaginative sets and costumes are very much present and correct, in a show that the pro- ducers are confident will send your kids The Owl Who Was Afraid home positively wild (which may or may not be a good thing!). Matt Terry (pictured) stars. Of The Dark Lichfield Garrick, Wed 11 July Jill Tomlinson’s bestselling children’s classic is here brought to the stage by the talented The Snail And The Whale There’s ‘enchanting’ puppetry to enjoy too, Riverside Performing Arts. The ensemble Malvern Theatres, Tues 3 - Wed 4 July; not to mention ‘absorbing’ storytelling, utilise music, puppetry and storytelling to Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Fri 17 - Sat 18 plenty of live music, lots of dancing, some present the delightful tale of a baby barn owl August; MAC, Birmingham, Sat 1 - Sun 2 positively obligatory audience participation, September who’s not as comfortable with the darkness several slices of silliness and a super-sassy of night as maybe he should be... Following on from versions of The Gruffalo heroine! What more could your average and Room On The Broom, highly rated en- youngster possibly want? semble Tall Stories here present a show for children aged four and older that blends Horrible Histories: imaginative storytelling, live music and plenty of humour. Barmy Britain Part Four When a tiny snail who longs to see the world Oakengates Theatre, The Place, Telford, Shropshire, Wed 18 - Sat 21 July hitches a lift on the tail of a humpback whale, she finds herself embroiled in an ex- If you love the Horrible Histories series - and citing adventure - particularly when the why the heck wouldn’t you?! - then this latest whale unexpectedly gets beached... Barmy Britain show is well worth catching. Alongside providing answers to such search- ing questions as ‘would you be shaken or stirred by Richard III?’ and ‘can Queen Eliza- beth I endure her terrible teeth?’, the show also invites its audience to be reduced to rub- ble by the ruthless Romans, survive axe-fac- Little Baby Bum tor with the Vikings and peep into the world of Samuel Pepys. Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa, Sun 1 - Mon 2 July: Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, In short, and as its publicity says, it’s ‘a truly Fri 6 - Sat 7 July horrible history of Britain - with all the nasty If you’re the parent of a very young child, bits left in! chances are you’ll have heard of Little Baby Bum. An online and digital TV sensation, it’s the world’s largest educational YouTube channel, with over 13 million subscribers and Little Red Riding Hood 15 billion views. Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Tues 24 July; This brand new live show offers the perfect Artrix, Bromsgrove, Tues 31 July opportunity to get better acquainted with It may be the height of summer, but that has- some of the channel’s most popular charac- n’t stopped the ever-resourceful Moon On A ters, including Mia, Jacus, Twinkle and all of Stick from adding plenty of traditional pan- their nursery rhyme friends. tomime elements into their latest show.

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coming home!

32 whatsonlive.co.uk Matilda (Chris).qxp_Layout 1 22/06/2018 13:02 Page 2

by Patsy Moss

Eight years after making its debut at the Courtyard Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon, the RSC’s staging of Roald Dahl’s inspiring tale returns to the Midlands...

In 2010 I had the pleasure of chatting to creative team are completely involved, wherever you see the show. It’s amazing how comedian and lyricist Tim Minchin about a ensuring the production remains very much we all respond (universally) to live theatre.” new project he’d been working on with as the Company intended. The joy of Matilda, with its addictive score, director Matthew Warchus and writer Dennis Indeed, as Catherine Mallyon, Executive larger-than-life characters - we’re talking Kelly. Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company, Miss Trunchbull here - and uplifting storyline The said project was a musical version of recently pointed out, there have been very ensures that you never tire of seeing the Roald Dahl’s award-winning book, Matilda. few changes to the show, regardless of where show. Catherine herself has lost count of the Tim’s enthusiasm for the project was in the world it has been presented. number of times she’s seen it - and almost palpable, but in that moment it was just every time she finds something new... “There are changes which may be noticeable, another new show, commissioned by the depending on how well you know the “It’s a very rich production in that sense. Royal Shakespeare Theatre as its Christmas production. These have to be made to adapt There are so many things to look at, to listen offering for that very same year. the show to the different venues. There are to, to follow. It’s a real feast for the senses.” I listened as Tim spoke about how much he’d certain special effects that you can do one Numerous professional and amateur versions enjoyed the experience but how he’d nearly way in a particular venue but that need to be of Dahl’s works are regularly performed on declined any involvement, citing his busy done differently elsewhere. The words, the stages up and down the country, and a recent schedule as the reason. music, the design, the dances, the costumes big screen adaptation of the BFG received are still the same.” As for the longevity of Matilda, Tim was plenty of critical acclaim. So what is it about edging his bets: “I think it’s too early to say. I Matilda’s universal appeal has seen the show the author’s stories that make them so guess it needs someone with a big cheque performed to almost eight million people appealing to produce? book to come along and make a decision, but across the world. “They’re all so imaginative and original that I certainly hope that it lives for a long time.” “It travels really well,” says Catherine, you can really scale them up for the stage. As soon as the curtain came down on that “although on the North American tour, we The beauty of Matilda is the way that the very first performance in Stratford-upon- found that if it goes to a city where there isn’t book was developed by the creative team - in Avon on the 9 November 2010, the destiny of that familiarity with Roald Dahl, the particular by Dennis and Tim - weaving a Matilda was sealed. The show was a hit. The audience find it slightly unexpected. They new story into it and really giving it even critics loved it. The audiences loved it more. still have an absolutely great time, but you more depth of theatricality than the book had Word quickly spread about the inspiring can tell that they’re feeling their way into it. in the first place. It’s a wonderfully clever story of a super-gifted young girl. piece of adaptation. “When we play it here in the UK, in the Twelve months on, in October 2011, Matilda States, and certainly in Australasia, the “The fact that it’s been seen by almost eight opened at the Cambridge Theatre in the West response from people who’ve grown up with million people across the world is an End, where it continues to show to this day. Roald Dahl - not necessarily the story, but the interesting stat, but what I love is the story style - is amazing. Everybody just falls in love behind that, which is that virtually every one During the interim years, it has become one with it. of those people will have had a great time of the most successful musicals of all time, seeing the show. And that’s an awful lot of smashing records and casting its shadow “Interestingly, on Broadway there were some people.” across some of the world’s most iconic stage tweaks made for local audiences. The Escape shows. Artist, as he was called there, is actually known as the Escapologist in other Matilda has now gone full circle and is this productions. We found that there are certain month coming home to the Midlands for a 10- Matilda The Musical shows at words which can act as a barrier elsewhere, week run at the Birmingham Hippodrome. Birmingham Hippodrome from and therefore we felt we needed to change. Tues 3 July to Sat 8 September. Tim, Dennis and Matthew still have an active That apart, it’s extraordinary to me that that involvement with the show, and the RSC’s feeling of joy in the audience is the same

whatsonlive.co.uk 33

Matilda (Chris).qxp_Layout 1 22/06/2018 15:47 Page 3 the biggest challenge is to ensure that she“ “stays within the parameters of reality and doesn’t become too grotesque

34 whatsonlive.co.uk Matilda (Chris).qxp_Layout 1 22/06/2018 15:47 Page 4

by Patsy Moss

craige els does the

Roald Dahl is famedtrunchformation for his larger-than- Roald Dahl’s descriptions are so brilliant. never send her up, and that she remains life characters - and they don’t come any She’s also very masculine, which is a plus rooted in truth. That’s the biggest challenge; more formidable than Miss Trunchbull, point for me, and you just work through it all to make sure she stays who she’s meant to be. the headmistress of Crunchem Hall Pri- in rehearsals. You find the places in the show mary School, who detests children to her where feminine touches can creep in, but And have there ever been any mishaps? core. A ‘tyrannical monster’, she spends more often than not, rather than just ap- There have been a few. I’ve had warts that her days intimidating the ‘revolting chil- proaching her as ‘playing a woman’, I try to have fallen off, and I bit off the hair from one dren’ in her charge - force-feeding them approach her as ‘playing Miss Trunchbull’. of my moles once, which was particularly un- cake and swinging them around the play- Not necessarily gender specific but more of pleasant when you’re still trying to sing a ground by their pigtails. an ogress. song. I also snapped the ulnar ligament in Historically played by a man, it’s Welsh my left thumb halfway through the big num- actor Craige Els who’s charged with bring- Tell us about your Trunchformation... ber in the second act, which was particularly ing this eccentric and bloodthirsty charac- We have a fantastic wigs & wardrobe team, grim. I had to have that operated on. That’s ter to life on the Hippodrome stage. and we’ve now got the transformation down probably the biggest serious mishap, but lots What’s On recently caught up with Craige to about half an hour. I do the make-up my- of silly things happen all the time. When to find out more about his role... self, and then the wigs team come in and put you’re running around at that pace in that the wig on. Then I slip into the fat suit, and costume, you do take a stumble from time to What’s the best thing about playing the rest just gets draped over me until she’s time. You do get caught up in things; it’s im- Miss Trunchbull? complete. possible not to. The role itself is obviously fantastic. It’s a wonderful challenge and a wonderful re- Do you have a pre-show warm-up, to get How did you deal with the thumb sponsibility to be playing such a notorious you into the right mindset to play Miss incident? villain. Dennis’ script is a joy to perform Trunchbull? The show went on. I finished the number and every night, and I think most of all, I get to Before the costume goes on, we do a full then, by the time I got off stage, there was work alongside my fantastic tiny little co- company warm-up and I do my own vocal only a short period of time for a quick change stars, who are exceptional in every way. All warm-up, to try and get myself into the right before my final scene. They asked if I’d be the adults in the cast would agree that it’s place for her voice. Then once the costume’s okay, and by that time the adrenaline had them who keep us going and make us laugh on, I guess there’s about 20 minutes at the kicked in. There wasn’t time to get the under- daily. They definitely set the bar energy-wise. start of the show when everyone else is on study in costume - we would’ve had to stop Normally it’s when a cast gets to that six- stage but I’m not. It’s quite handy spending the show instead - so I went on and did the month point that the energy starts to dip and that time alone because in my head she’s a last scene. Luckily there was no need to pick people get a bit tired. I think having a fresh solitary character, quite introvert and compli- up any children or spin anyone by the head influx of kids is a reminder that it is, in fact, cated, so it’s nice to spend that time alone to at that point. It was just me. I finished the the best job in the world. They’re all very ex- check over my lines and get into the right show and ended up having a month off while cited, and it’s a lovely, gentle reminder place mentally. it healed. It’s quite a cool scar, which the kids halfway through a contract that it’s exciting love. to do. How do you re-find yourself post-show? Do you have a favourite scene? What personal attributes do you think The end of the show is so euphoric. The bows helped bag you the role? at the end on the scooters are all very upbeat The big number Smell Of Rebellion in the sec- and very happy. Once you receive the ap- ond act is a lot of fun. It’s one which the au- I think I was the right height. You have to plause from the audience, that tends to lift dience very much lets you know they’re have a certain amount of flexibility to be able you out of any dark humour you might be in. enjoying as you go along. I’m spoilt really, to do all of the athletic stuff that Miss Trunch- Any residual Trunch is gone by that point. because most of my scenes are classroom bull has to do, and that was something I scenes or with all of the kids, and they’re could definitely bring to the table. As far as What’s been the most difficult aspect of such a joy to perform with. I do love the last everything else, I think I was just the lucky her character to master? classroom scene, where the kids have their guy they picked on the day. I suppose that having played the role for such uprising and they defeat Miss Trunchbull. That’s always a real fun one to d a long time, the biggest challenge is to ensure o. What research did you undertake for the that she stays within the parameters of reality role? and doesn’t become too grotesque; that I All of the research is there in the book itself. whatsonlive.co.uk 35 Film July.qxp_Layout 1 21/06/2018 09:47 Page 1

Film

EDITOR’S CHOICE

back catalogue of Abba has been raided for more of the same. So we Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again! CERT tbc have Waterloo, Dancing Queen, Thank You For The Music, et al, to Starring Pierce Brosnan, Dominic Cooper, Colin Firth, Andy García, Lily beef up the story of Sophie’s pregnancy as she discovers more about James, Amanda Seyfried, Stellan Skarsgård, Julie Walters, Cher, Meryl Streep Directed by Ol Parker (UK/USA) her mother’s past. Meryl Streep returns as Donna, while Lily James Suddenly, audiences can’t get enough of a good ol’ singalong. After plays her younger self, with a slew of new stars joining in the sunny the success of La La Land and The Greatest Showman - not to men- high jinks. tion the phenomenal popularity of the first Mamma Mia! film - the Released Fri 20 July

Film highlights released in July...

Mary Shelley CERT 12a (121 mins) Whitney CERT 15 Starring Elle Fanning, Douglas Booth, Bel Pow- Directed by Kevin Macdonald (UK/USA) ley, Ben Hardy, Tom Sturridge, Maisie Williams, Stephen Dillane Directed by Haifaa Only last summer, Nick Broomfield brought al-Mansour (Ireland/USA/UK) us his critically acclaimed documentary Saudi Arabia’s first female director turns her Whitney: Can I Be Me (2017). So, are we ready attention from female inequality to the for another documentary on Whitney Hous- British literary scene. Set in the period lead- ton? If so, the subject is in good hands, as ing up to 1818 and the publication of Kevin Macdonald’s previous forays into non- Frankenstein, the romantic drama focuses on fiction brought us the Oscar-winning One Mary Wollstonecraft (Fanning) and her infat- Day In September, the Bafta-winning Touch- uation with the poet Percy Bysshe Shelley ing The Void and the extremely well-received (Booth). Swimming With Men musical biopic Marley. Released Fri 6 July Released Fri 6 July CERT 12a (97 mins) Starring Rob Brydon, Jim Carter, Rupert Graves, Charlotte Riley, Jane Horrocks, Nathaniel Parker Directed by Oliver Parker (UK) An accountant suffering a mid-life crisis, Eric Scott (Rob Brydon) gets his life on- track when he joins an all-male synchro- nised swimming team. Think The Full Monty in a swimming pool. Released Fri 6 July 36 whatsonlive.co.uk Film July.qxp_Layout 1 21/06/2018 09:47 Page 2

Film highlights released in July...

Skyscraper CERT 12a Starring Dwayne Johnson, Neve Campbell, Chin Han, Roland Møller, Pablo Schreiber Directed by Rawson M. Thurber (USA) At the time of writing, The Rock’s last cine- matic outing, Rampage, grossed over $400million worldwide, while his Jumanji notched up just shy of a billion. Here, he plays an ‘FBI Hostage Rescue Team leader’ who’s framed for starting a fire in the world’s tallest building (in Hong Kong) - in which his family is trapped. It will make money. In 3D. Released Thurs 12 July

CRITIC’S CHOICE

Incredibles 2 CERT PG (125 mins) With the voices of Craig T Nelson, Holly Hunter, Sarah Vowell, Huck Milner, Samuel L Jackson, Bob Odenkirk, Catherine Keener Directed by Brad Bird (USA) They really are incredible. However, due to a again, but this time Mrs Parr - aka Elastigirl mishap that had nothing to do with Mr In- (Holly Hunter) - is given centre stage, while credible (Craig T Nelson), the Parr family of Mr Incredible stays at home to look after the superheroes was forced to go undercover. kids. The good news is that Brad Bird is back That was in the first movie… In the sequel, in the director’s chair, having brought us the another incident necessitates the Parrs to original cartoon (2004) which proved both a permanently adopt their secret identities. critical and commercial success. Well, it was However, a philanthropic tycoon devises a incredible - and hugely thrilling and funny. publicity stunt to make superheroes cool Released Fri 13 July

Hotel Artemis CERT 15 Apostasy CERT tbc Hotel Transylvania 3: Starring Jodie Foster, Sterling K Brown, Sofia Starring Siobhan Finneran, Robert Emms, A Monster Vacation CERT PG Boutella, Jeff Goldblum, Zachary Quinto, Char- Sacha Parkinson, Steve Evets, Molly Wright lie Day, Dave Bautista Directed by Daniel Kokotajlo (UK) With the voices of Adam Sandler, Andy Sam- Directed by Drew Pearce (USA) berg, Selena Gomez, Kevin James, David Spade, Steve Buscemi, Kathryn Hahn The eponymous Hotel California is actually a Directed by Genndy Tartakovsky (USA) refuge for criminals - in a dystopian Los An- Taking pity on her father, Count Dracula geles of the near future. And the matron, (Sandler) - who is committed to providing dubbed ‘the Nurse’ (Foster), will only treat holidays for everybody else at his Hotel Tran- those with a membership card. Well, you sylvania - his daughter takes him on a sur- have to look after your own. prise vacation on a luxury Monster Cruise Released Fri 20 July Ship. But what she didn’t anticipate was that he would fall for the ship’s captain, Ericka Mission: Impossible Fallout (Hann). Released Fri 27 July Starring Tom Cruise, Rebecca Ferguson, Simon Pegg, Ving Rhames, Michelle Monaghan, Alec Baldwin, Sean Harris, Henry Cavill, Angela Bassett Not a title to grab the casual filmgoer, this Directed by Christopher McQuarrie (USA) drama actually tackles a fascinating subject. Just as he’s trying to save the world, secret Set in the north of England, it follows the agent Ethan Hunt finds that the CIA has lives of three ordinary sisters who, in private, taken against him. Which only makes mat- lead a life of devout fanaticism. Daniel Koko- ters worse as time is of the essence… Filmed tajlo, whose first film this is, is himself a for- in Norway, Paris, London, New Zealand and mer Jehovah’s Witness. Reviews have been Essex. In 3D and IMAX. exceptional. Released Thurs 26 July Released Fri 27 July

whatsonlive.co.uk 37 BE Festival 2018-2.qxp_Layout 1 29/06/2018 09:31 Page 1

REVOLT ATHEN Tues 3 July Σ

Last year’s first-prize winners return with an extended and updated version of their performance piece. The work provides a thought-provoking insight into post-crisis Greece, bringing together figures from Greek mythology with tear-gas-choked rioters.

BE FESTIVAL 2018 showcasing the best of Europe’s emerging performance artists...

BE FESTIVAL is back at Birmingham Repertory Theatre this July. unwind further, there is an undeniable tone in this year’s programme Voted one of the UK’s top festivals by the Sunday Times (2014), it is that explores how we connect as individuals at a local and now in its ninth year, and brings some of Europe’s boldest, emerging community level. The programme invites audiences to explore how artists to Birmingham. This annual celebration guarantees a week we, intentionally or not, create divides between groups and/or packed with a mix of international theatre, dance, circus, food, music individuals. The pieces presented in the festival attempt to break and visual arts. down these barriers, and in so doing test everything from the human body’s boundaries to issues around the subject of social prejudice. When BE first debuted in 2010, co-directors Isla Aguilar and Miguel Oyarzun set out to create a festival where festival goers could connect BE FESTIVAL takes place at The REP, Birmingham, from 3 to 7 July. across social, cultural and artistic borders. Whilst originally from Tickets start from £16 and audiences can see up to 4 shows in one Spain, Isla and Miguel have spent the past decade living and working evening. Save room for the Festival Dinner which is served up during in both Birmingham and Madrid. These two distinctive, cultural cities the interval each night, and if you want to tuck in for the full festival have had huge influence in shaping the festival’s unique and experience a pass for all five nights costs just £100 inclusive community ethos. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit befestival.org. Nine years on, as the fabric of our European community is set to

PERFORMANCES . VISUAL ARTS . TALKS . WORKSHOPS . LIVE MUSIC BE Festival 2018-2.qxp_Layout 1 29/06/2018 09:31 Page 2

By Lauren Cole

FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS...

P-PROJECT THREE ROOMS SOMEONE LOVES YOU DRIVE WITH CARE Tues 3 July Wed 4 July Thurs 5 July A co-presentation with Fierce Festival, Three Rooms is a hybrid performance of live Performance artist and master of trickery P-Project is an interactive audience- theatre and video, simultaneously taking Tom Cassani tests his body’s limits with participation-based piece by performance place in Paris, Istanbul and Birmingham. instruments traditionally seen in the classic artist Ivo Dimchev. The play uses Skype to overcome sideshow stunts of the vintage US circus. Audience members are invited on stage to disciplinary and literal boundaries, and has Making frequent use of ‘sleight of hand’ perform tasks based on several words been inspired by Europe’s ongoing border throughout the show, Tom uses deceit as an beginning with 'P' - such as piano, pray, crisis. A response to its actors’ previous artistic platform to explore how both truth pussy, poetry and poppers - in exchange for experiences of being blocked from crossing and lies can be constructed in order to money. Europe for work, it also reflects on the manipulate others. Each task is more absurd than the last, the effectiveness of technology in overcoming intention being to test how far people will the impact of absence. go in exchanging their bodies for cash.

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF WE’VE GOT EACH OTHER SISYPHUS Fri 6 July Fri 6 July Sat 7 July

Swiss parkour practitioner Marc Oosterhoff This original and innovative one-man Masterful creation of intense atmosphere searches for a mixed artform that features Bon Jovi musical tells the tragic love and controlled physicality are the stand-out the perfect combination of dance, theatre, story of Livin' On A Prayer’s Tommy and features of this performance from one of contemporary circus and performance art. Gina. Europe’s most distinctive disabled artists, Putting his life on the line to deliver a Local performer Paul O'Donnell hopes radical Belgian painter and performer powerful message, Marc walks into a bar the piece will reveal ‘the ordinary’ in a Thibault Delferiere. and takes a dangerous number of whisky ‘spectacular’ fashion. Inspired by the ancient Greek myth, shots. Will the show go on? You’ll have to “My work is often based in comedy,” Sisyphus explores all the senses, using the go along to find out... says Paul. “It’s always personal to every body, paint and brutal objects to depict audience I am met with, and aims to endless cycles of hope and failure. leave each spectator feeling a little bit more ‘special’ than they were before they entered the space.” Visual Arts July.qxp_Layout 1 21/06/2018 09:48 Page 1

Visual Arts previews from around the region

Vladimír Kokolia: Epiphany Ikon Gallery, Birmingham, Wed 4 July - Sun 9 Septmber “I usually paint some snapshot, some distinctly illuminated scene that I glimpse somewhere, even peripherally, and which then remains in my head,” explains renowned Czech artist Vladimír Kokolia. “It tends to have a differing measure of concreteness and resolution, but it always carries light in a unique way... My paintings may look like lianas, mazes or winding footpaths, but they have a source somewhere else. Their mesh is nothing but a screen through which the image percolates during the painting process.” Combining new and recent paintings, this is Vladimír’s first UK exhibition. He describes the show as exemplifying ‘an intensely experimental attitude that distils abstraction from everyday experience’.

38 whatsonlive.co.uk Visual Arts July.qxp_Layout 1 21/06/2018 09:48 Page 2

Visual Arts

Within And Without: Body Image And The Self Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, Sun 22 July until Fri 1 February This is the second exhibition to take place in the museum’s Story Lab gallery, a space that invites visitors to help shape the future of the venue. Exploring the ways in which body image im- pacts on issues such as social status, gender, stage of life, heath, aesthetics, religion, politics and sexuality, the exhibition’s theme has been shaped into a single narrative by volunteers working with staff on the show’s development.

Drawn To Perfection The Barber Institute, B’ham, until Sun 23 September Taking as its theme the use of drawings works on paper by brilliant Renaissance as prototypes for paintings and frescoes, and Baroque Masters, including Bernini, tapestries, sculpture and architecture, Carracci, Claude and Poussin. The exhi- Drawn To Perfection is the first exhibi- bition has been curated by students tion in the Barber’s new partnership from Birmingham University’s MA Art with Royal Collection Trust. History & Curating course. The show features a wealth of exquisite

CTRL/Shift Fevral: A Folklore MAC Birmingham, Sat 21 July - Sun 9 Sept Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, With a focus on artists whose practice Coventry, until Sun 2 September has been transformed, especially in the world of textile art, CTRL/Shift features 30-plus artworks by 25 practitioners. The works on display have been pro- duced by The 62 Group of Textile Artists, a long-established artist-led organisation which aims to challenge the boundaries of textile practice via a programme of ex- hibitions and events.

Melanie Tomlinson: Ghost Horses And Guns Wolverhampton Art Gallery, Sat 30 June - Sun 14 October Melanie Tomlinson’s fascination with the for- gotten spaces between urban and rural land- Stewart Francis Easton here explores scapes has provided her with the inspiration for the creation and development of folk- this latest presentation. The exhibition features loric tale. nine new pieces created especially for the show. In an exhibition featuring works in These are displayed alongside short stories oil, fabric, stitch, pen and yarn, the merging childhood memories and real-life artist maps the course of a folk tale events, to reflect universal themes of nature, de- from its inception in history to the role struction, transformation and hope. that it plays in modern-day life.

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FEATURE SUMMER OF FUN With the school holidays once again upon us, parents across the Midlands will no doubt be looking for places to visit and things to do with their kids during the long summer break. We’ve taken a look at what’s happening where and have come up with a few suggestions to get you started...

BBC Tours offers new family tickets for 2018 BBC Birmingham, The Mailbox, B1 1RF Something for all the family to enjoy, BBC Tours invites visitors to step behind the scenes of the Corporation’s Mailbox-based TV and radio studios - home to Midlands Today, BBC Radio WM and the longest-running soap opera in the world, The Archers. Discover what it takes to put together high- quality news bulletins and how BBC radio drama is made. You can even have a go at making your very own radio play, which will then be sent to you as a memento following your visit. Even BBC Midlands Today presenter Nick Owen has confessed to learning a few things on the tour, commenting: “It was fascinating looking round the BBC Radio Drama studio and seeing all of the props they use for the iconic Archers. It’s amazing the tricks they employ to make it all sound authentic over the Brick-tastic fun at Legoland Discovery Centre airwaves. I also discovered what a useless actor I am - a real eye-opener and tremendous Arena Birmingham, King Edwards Rd, Birmingham, B1 2AA fun!” bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/tours/ A brand new attraction situated in the heart of Birmingham, Legoland Discovery Centre birmingham promises oodles of fun for the summer holidays. Aimed at children aged from three to 10, the centre offers highly interactive and educational fun. Attractions include a range of Lego play areas, interactive rides, masterclasses from the Lego Master Model Builder, special party rooms for birthdays and other celebrations, a 4D cinema and, of course, the popular Miniland area, which can be found in every Legoland Discovery Centre and Legoland theme park. The area features replicas of some of the Midlands’ most iconic buildings, including The Mailbox (pictured), Birmingham Town Hall, the Council House, the Rotunda and the Library of Birmingham. Legoland Discovery Centre opens its doors on 5 July, but be warned - tickets are selling fast. For further information, visit birmingham.legolanddiscoverycentre.co.uk

Birthday celebrations at Visit on a Wednesday and discover the wonderful world of science via a 25-minute British Motor Museum show that’s packed with ‘cool interactive Banbury Rd, Gaydon, Warwickshire, demonstrations’ hosted by mad scientists CV35 OBJ Professor Pickle and Doctor Pumpkin. Motoring giant Land Rover celebrates its 70th With more than 300 cars on show and the birthday in 2018 - and what better way to get new Car SOS exhibition to explore, there’s no in on the action than by taking part in the shortage of things to keep you entertained, so British Motor Museum’s Land Rover Explorer why not get your motor running and check it Trail - and then designing your very own out... For information about all summer model! events, visit britishmotormuseum.co.uk whatsonlive.co.uk 41 Summer Fun Davina 2018-3.qxp_Layout 1 22/06/2018 15:14 Page 3

MORE SUMMER OF FUN...

Spend a day behind bars with Jailhouse Tours Shrewsbury Prison, The Dana, Shrewsbury, SY1 2HR If you’re looking for an experience that’s a lit- tle bit different, a two-hour wander around the former Shrewsbury Prison could be just the thing. Guided by an ex-officer, visitors will be immersed in the grisly history of crime and punishment on ‘the world’s most interactive prison tour’. For those wishing to visit the prison on more than one occasion, an Inmate Card offers un- limited self-guided access for a 12-month pe- riod. For further information and to find out about events throughout the year, visit shrewsburyprison.com Say hello to Dippy the Dinosaur at BMAG Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, Chamberlain Square, B3 3DH After more than 100 years in London, the iconic Dippy the Diplodocus has taken up summer residency in the Gas Hall at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery (BMAG). The impressive installation - Dippy is 21.3 metres long, 4.3 metres wide and 4.25 metres high - is the main attraction in a season of dinosaur-themed entertainment at the popular venue. Accompanying activities include Dippy sleepovers, curator-led tours and ‘meet the experts’ events. The museum’s Dippy Family Room, meanwhile, offers a plethora of dino activities and crafts for younger visitors to enjoy. For those planning ahead, BMAG has programmed a series of dinosaur-inspired stay-and-play sessions for the under-threes every Wednesday in August. For further information and news about forthcoming events, visit birminghammuseums.org.uk

Enjoy a nostalgic day out at Churnet Valley Railway Kingsley & Froghall Station, Stoke-on-Trent, ST10 2HA Churnet Valley Railway offers visitors the chance to step back in time to the classic days of railway travel. Your journey starts at Kingsley & Froghall station. The nostalgic train ride will take you to the beautiful volunteer-kept stations of Consall and Cheddleton, allowing you to sit back, relax and take in the views. Whether visiting Churnet Valley Railway for one of their many events, which include afternoon tea and the dining train, or just enjoying a day out with family and friends, the experience provides something for Splash about at the UK’s largest aqua park everyone to enjoy. For more information, visit churnetvalleyrailway.co.uk Aqua Park Rutland, Oakham, Leicester, LE15 8BL Featuring climbing walls, trampolines, balance bars, rockers, rollers and the UK’s biggest jumps and slides, Aqua Park Rutland promises plenty of water-filled fun for the summer. With numerous adrenaline-pumping obstacles - think Cyclone, Revolution, Jungle Jim, Summit Express and Action Tower XL - there’s huge potential for ‘total wipe-outs and epic falls’. The Beast - a towering five-metre-high platform - returns for 2018 and promises to be the bees knees for thrill seekers. Aqua Park Rutland is an active attraction, meaning that visitors need to be ready for the physical challenge. In order to take part, they must be aged eight or older, 1.3 metres tall and able to swim 50 metres unaided in a buoyancy vest. The vests are provided, and wetsuits are included in the ticket price. For further information, visit aquaparkrutland.co.uk David Gibson Photography

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Saxon summer takeover at Tamworth Castle Tamworth Castle, Staffordshire, B79 7NA Be part of history and travel back to Anglo- Saxon times when Princess Aethelflaed was one of the most powerful women in Mercia. Learn about the archaeology of the period by getting hands-on with some digging for buried artefacts. Visit Lady Freville and learn about the activities that would fill her days. Encounter the laundress and help her prepare clothes for washing the medieval way. Meet the armourer to find out how maille was made and how medieval weapons were fashioned. Follow the riddles in the castle rooms to claim a small prize once you’ve completed the quiz sheet. Special events at the castle in July include The Tamworth Aethelflaed Festival (14 - 15 July) and Saxon Living History (24 - 26 July). For further information, visit A summer of science at award-winning Thinktank tamworthcastle.co.uk Millennium Point, Birmingham, B6 6JD This award-winning science museum is packed with things to see and do during the summer holidays. Static features include the Spitfire Gallery - showcasing the innovative design and cutting-edge technology that played such an important role in World War Two - and the Marine Worlds Gallery, exploring animals past and present that have adapted to life in the sea. There’s also the Planetarium, presenting regular shows about astronomy and space. Elsewhere, the outdoor Science Garden is packed with fun things to do, with more than 30 hands-on exhibits bringing to life the subjects of engineering, mechanics and transportation. For further information, visit birminghammuseums.org.uk

Historic fun at Black Country Living Museum Tipton Road, Dudley, DY1 4SQ. Tel: 0121 557 9643 Marvellous Mechanicals Fancy some good old-fashioned fun this summer? Then pay a visit to Dudley’s Black at Compton Verney Country Living Museum. Set over 26 acres, the award-winning venue is home to an entire period village, complete with authentic shops and houses, a school, an Compton Verney, Warwickshire, CV35 9HZ underground mine, a fairground, a pub and a fish & chip shop. The museum’s summer holiday programme (21 July-2 Sept, 10am-5pm) is jam-packed with rib-tickling traditional entertainment - and just a touch of drama - as characters prepare for some fun in the sun! Also, on selected days throughout the summer, visitors will be able to watch ‘pop-up’ drama unfold on the streets. For further information, visit bclm.com

If you’re looking for things to see and do over the summer, Compton Verney art gallery & park is offering plenty to keep families entertained from July through to September. Marvellous Mechanical Museum is a highlight of the summer programming and reimagines the spectacular automata exhibitions of the 18th century. Featuring early and rare automata and clock- work dating back to the 17th century, the col- lection of items on display has been drawn from the British Museum, the V&A and the Royal Collection.

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Sharing Shakespeare’s timeless stories... Various locations, Stratford-upon-Avon. Tel: 01789 204016 A programme of unique events awaits those visiting Shakespeare’s family homes this summer. The five houses with connections to the Bard are Mary Arden’s Farm, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, Shakespeare’s New Place, Hall’s Croft and Shakespeare’s Birthplace. Highlights over the summer include: numerous outdoor stagings of Shakespeare’s plays; The Big Picnic (21 July - see page 51 for details); Spice Up Your Life - an insight into the workings of a Jacobean kitchen (26 July); Celebration party at Shakespeare’s New Place Shark mission awaits at the National Sea Life Centre (19 August) and Shakes-paws Day - fun and games for your furry friends in celebration of The Water’s Edge, 3 Brindleyplace, Birmingham, B1 2HL. Tel: 0871 226 5999 National Dog Day (25 August). Younger visitors to Birmingham’s National Sea Life Centre can this summer come face-to- For further information and all event listings, fin with the aquarium’s fascinating family of resident sharks. Solve the mind-bending visit shakespeare.org.uk puzzles of the mystery trail and take part in an exclusive meet-and-greet with Shellington - available only at Sea Life - and his Octonaut friends. Visit Professor Inkling’s colour lab, take a special dive of discovery with Dashi and follow instructions from Captain Barnacles to make a shark puppet. Other attractions include the venue’s colony of Gentoo penguins, majestic jellyfish, piranhas and a plethora of strange creatures. There’s also a 4D cinema and the UK’s only 360° ocean tunnel (home to sharks, rays and Mo, the aquarium’s resident giant green sea turtle). Octonauts: Shark Mission is included in the centre’s usual admission price. For further information, visit visitsealife.com/birmingham

Venture back in time at Blists Hill Victorian Town Legges Way, Madeley, Telford, TF7 5DU, Tel 01952 433424 One of 10 award-winning museums that make up the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, Blists Hill Victorian Town offers visitors the chance to step back in time to the days of Queen Victoria. Join the Enchanted Trail Set over 52 acres, the museum has plenty to offer and is very much an interactive at Hawkstone Park experience. The town provides all you could ever need - if you were a Victorian, that is! There are general drapers, blacksmiths, a pharmacy (also home to a particularly gruesome Hawkstone Park, Newcastle-under-Redcas- tle, North Shropshire, SY4 5JY dentist room) and a bank, where you can exchange your new money for old and try to Tel: 01948 841777 manage with pounds, shillings and pence. Don’t worry, though - these Victorians can deal With its intricate pathways, ravines, arches with our modern currency too, but unsurprisingly they don’t have any cash machines. and bridges, towering cliffs and follies, There’s also the funicular train, the clay mine ride and a funfair (pictured) to enjoy, Hawkstone Park is a magical place for all complete with carousel, chair-o-planes and game stalls. the family to explore. Myths and legends For further information and a list of forthcoming events, visit ironbridge.org.uk abound, and many believe the site to be the final resting place of King Arthur. It’s also rumoured that a small green chalice found at the park in the mists of time was believed to be the Holy Grail... A new Enchanted Trail for the summer promises to provide a big adventure for younger visitors. From den building and giant telephones to trolls hiding behind rocks, the interactive trail is accompanied by illustrations by Emma Lawrence. Youngsters are required to collect leaves and ingredients for a magical spell, includ- ing finding the pot of gold from the end of the rainbow.

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Feed your senses at Aston Hall Aston Hall, Birmingham, B6 6JD. Tel: 0121 348 8100 Birmingham’s majestic Aston Hall once again provides the backdrop for two days of ‘delicious loveliness’ when the Independent Birmingham Festival makes a welcome return this month (21 & 22 July). Last year, 2,000 people descended on the Jacobean heritage site for a fun-filled day of feasting, drinking, retail therapy and live music. Following on from the success of the 2017 event, organisers promise that this year’s bash will be bigger and better. The food and drink line-up includes The Meat Shack, BoneHead, Buddha Belly, Burning Soul Brewing, Peel and Stone Pizzas, The Indian Brewery, Loki Wine, The Bournville Waffle Company, Pietanic and Cake Doctor, to name but a few... Live music comes courtesy of Pistol Pete Wearn, Bostin’ Brass, Martyn Nelson & The Rhythm Remedies, The Heels and Call Me Unique. Tickets priced £10 are available from designmynight.com/birmingham/whats-on/food- drink/independent-birmingham-festival-at-aston-hall Go Ape! in Cannock Chase Forest Cannock Chase Forest, Staffordshire, WS15 2UQ, Tel: 0845 094 9253 If you’re after an awesome forest adventure, then Go Ape! at Staffordshire’s Cannock Chase is the place to head for. Set in an area of outstanding beauty, this high-rope heaven features high-speed parallel zip wires, Tarzan swings, rope ladders and a variety of obstacles and crossings. Meanwhile, Forest Segway enables visitors to discover more of the forest’s beautiful woodland on two wheels. For further info visit goape.co.uk/days-out

Something for everyone at Birmingham Botanical Gardens Westbourne Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 3TR Tel: 0121 454 1860 Nestled away behind steel, concrete and roaring traffic in the busy heart of Birmingham, there's a lush oasis of calm that you might well never have noticed. Featuring four large glasshouses with an air of Victorian grandeur, lively animal inhabitants and interactive children's areas set in 15 acres of landscaped greenery, Birmingham Botanical Gardens is the perfect place to escape the noise and bustle of the city without the need to trek out into the countryside. Do the kids need to let off some steam? If so, the children's playground's got it covered. You'll find it right by the picturesque Teulon Cottage gardens. On the other hand, if you're looking for some chill-out time, you can take a moment to relax to the soothing sounds of running waterfalls at the Memory Pool, or disappear down sheltered pathways to find secluded, tranquil seating in the heart of the Bamboo Maze. Whether you're looking for a breath of fresh air, a quick getaway from the daily grind, or a fun family day out with activities for the kids, Birmingham Botanical Gardens has plenty for everyone to discover. To find out more, visit birminghambotanicalgardens.org.uk

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ENJOY SUMMER IN SOUTHSIDE! Summer In Southside.qxp_Layout 1 29/06/2018 09:43 Page 2

By Lauren Foster

Traditional funfair rides, retro arcade games, theatre shows, family activities and plenty more... Birmingham Hippodrome’s free annual event, Summer In Southside, makes a welcome return!

It’s back! Birmingham Hippodrome’s two-day free workshops (from Monday 9 July) for and an array of independent food stalls. family festival, Summer In Southside, returns members of the general public who would Commenting on the event, Graham Callister, to the city this month. like to help construct the building blocks in Associate Director, Community Engagement preparation for the festival. Taking place on 14 and 15 July around the & Festivals at Birmingham Hippodrome, said: Hippodrome and its foyers, this year’s event Summer In Southside’s theatrical delights “Summer In Southside is a great festival for has a retro theme which will see visitors include There Be Monsters. The show is a all the family to enjoy in the heart of the city. recalling the carefree days of childhood. new outdoor commission from The We have tons of activities to keep your little Fabularium, an ensemble who scored a big ones busy - and to entertain the big kids, too! Featuring an entirely free programme of hit at last year’s festival with their production This year, we’re following the theme of events for both adults and children, the area of Reynard The Fox. ‘childhood’, which ties in nicely with our will be transformed into a ‘summer blockbuster show at the Hippodrome this playground’, complete with traditional And the fun doesn’t end there. Inspired by summer - Matilda The Musical. funfair rides, retro arcade games and a whole classic arcade games, Actual Reality Arcade “There’ll be retro arcade games, pop- host of nostalgic performances. brings a life-sized interactive pop-up game performances, craft workshops and food zone to the city’s streets, while Fun DMC Brand new for this year is Fantabulousa. stalls flooding the streets of Southside, the boasts dance competitions, rap lessons, a Housed in a technicolour pop-up grotto and Arcadian and our foyers. And it’s all graffiti train and a ‘dad dance-off’. devised with some of the region’s leading completely free!” drag artists, the event features stories, songs, And if all that’s not enough, other festival For further information about the festival’s dancing, dressing-up and plenty of glitter. highlights include street theatre, comedy, programme of events, visit installation specialists Dot Comedy, pop-up Another highlight of the 2018 edition of the birminghamhippodrome.com theatre performances from Pif Paf, live brass event is the construction of French artist band Bostin Brass and live performances Olivier Grossetête’s Perrott’s Chinese Tower. from Gorillabot. Over the weekend, the giant structure will be Summer In Southside takes place on built, pulled over and squashed. Visitors can also enjoy face painting, craft Saturday 14 & Sunday 15 July in Southside, Birmingham Hippodrome will be running workshops, a whole host of family activities Birmingham Events July-2.qxp_Layout 1 21/06/2018 15:05 Page 1

Events

Victorian Handling Day Sarehole Mill, Birmingham, Fri 27 July Sarehole Mill is celebrating its in- dustrial heritage this month by embracing all things Victorian. Visitors to the venue can discover both authentic and replica Victo- rian objects and learn about how they would have been used in ev- eryday life. Family-friendly Victorian mill tours also feature, revealing what life was like in the 19th century and how the Victorians turned flour into bread.

1940s Weekend Black Country Living Museum, Dudley, Sat 14 & Sun 15 July Step back in time at Black Country Living through vintage memorabilia markets, check out Museum and immerse yourself in the sights and vintage vehicles, meet 1940s characters and take sounds of wartime Britain. an evacuee lesson at St James’ school. This ever-popular two-day event is set across the And keep your eyes to the sky for the iconic museum’s 26 acres of recreated period houses Dakota too, which will be flying over the venue at and shops. Identity card in hand, explore various points throughout the weekend. wartime entertainment, food and fashion, stroll Wars Of The Roses Warwick Castle, Sun 1 July - Sun 2 September The Engineering Show This critically acclaimed live-ac- tion extravaganza, showing at Thinktank, Birmingham, Tues 24 July - Fri 31 Aug Warwick Castle every weekend throughout the summer, comes Thinktank’s latest show focuses on the work complete with jousting, stunt rid- done by engineers, explaining how it helps to ing and state-of-the-art special ef- send humans into space, move heavy objects fects. with ease and build super-strong roads. Experience the 32 years of the Visitors to the popular venue can take part in Wars of the Roses in just 32 min- a bridge-building challenge, ‘marvel’ at utes, as the legendary battle be- rocket demonstrations and check out ‘the tween the House of Lancaster and strongest sandcastle you will ever see’. the House of York is vividly If you’re visiting on a Saturday or Sunday, reenacted. And just to further add you can also participate in Operation Build - to the excitement of it all, on ar- as part of the Thinktank Engineering Season rival visitors get to select which - and learn about robots, coding and air side they’re going to root for in the power in one of the family-friendly work- forthcoming conflict. Sitting on shops. Antiques For Everyone the fence just isn’t an option! NEC, Birmingham, Thurs 19 - Sun 22 July Featuring more than 200 specialist dealers, this is the largest vetted art, antiques and interiors fair outside of London. The show features a wide range of pieces, in- cluding furniture, ceramics, sculptures, glass and jewellery, making it a must-attend event not only for collectors but also for those in need of interior inspiration. 50 whatsonlive.co.uk Events July-2.qxp_Layout 1 21/06/2018 15:08 Page 6

Events previews from around the region

Medieval Living History Tamworth Castle, Staffordshire, Tues 31 July - Thurs 2 August Fancy ‘time-travelling’ back to the medieval age? Families can do so at the end of this month, thanks to Tamworth Castle’s ‘household characters’. Visitors can learn from Lady Freville about the activities that fill her days, and also catch up with the laundress as she pre- pares clothes for washing ‘the me- dieval way’. There’s a chance to meet up with the armourer too, who’ll be ex- plaining how to make chain mail and medieval weapons.

Walking With Dinosaurs biggest dinosaur show in the world, and stars Michaela Strachan as Huxley the paleontolo- Arena Birmingham, Thurs 26 - Sat 28 July gist. It also showcases 18 lifesize creatures Dinosaurs are once again roaming the earth fighting for survival, from the Triassic to the this summer, thanks to the welcome return of Jurassic eras, and features new state-of-the-art this globally acclaimed spectacular. technology. In short, it’s an absolute monster of Based on the award-winning BBC television se- an experience that’ll leave a T-Rex-size imprint ries of the same name, the production is the on your memory for many a year to come. Step Back To The 1940s Dragon Boat Festival Severn Valley Railway, Bewdley, Sat 7 & Sun 8 July Pengwern Boat Club, Shrewsbury, Sat 7 - Sun 8 July All aboard for a Severn Valley Rail- way train journey back in time to This annual fundraiser for Severn Hospice sees the 1940s! 30 teams competing against one another in 40ft- The railway’s lighthearted homage long dragon boats, racing along the stretch of to wartime Britain features an im- river between the Shrewsbury School and Peng- pressive selection of attractions up wern boat clubs. and down the line, including vin- Spectators can enjoy the event for free from the tage vehicle displays, musical en- picturesque grounds of Shrewsbury Quarry. tertainment and costumed reenactors. The ever-popular Big Band Show - featuring a jazz orchestra playing music from the ’40s - also makes a Festival At The Edge return. Alderford Lake, Shropshire, Fri 20 - Sun 22 July Combining performance, music, comedy and re- lated arts, England’s oldest storytelling festival is very much a family-friendly event. This year’s get-together includes a weekend-long children’s festival, circus skills workshops, nu- merous craft stalls and a wide selection of food & drink to enjoy. Award-winning storyteller Len Cabral (pictured) features amongst the week- end’s line-up. whatsonlive.co.uk 51 Alice's Tea Party What's On Full Page.qxp_Layout 1 28/06/2018 09:14 Page 1

The List Cover July Wolves_Shrops_Staffs.qxp_Layout 1 21/06/2018 09:59 Page 2

YourYour wweek-eek- bby-weeky-week llistingsistings gguideuide JulyJuly 22018018 thelist

Somnium: A Dancer’s Dream - Lichfield Cathedral, Thurs 5 July

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

What’s On Sun 1 to Sun 8 July Mon 9 to Sun 15 July Mon 16 to Sun 22 July Mon 23 to Tues 31 July

George Ezra in Cannock Rhythm Of The Dance at Trembling Bells at Saxon Living History at Chase Forest, Rugeley Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury Newhampton Arts Centre Tamworth Castle Sun 1 July Sun 15 July Tues 17 July Tues 24 - Thurs 26 July

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thelist THE DUBLIN LEGENDS- THROUGHOUT JULY FORMERLY THE DUBLIN- ERS Fri 6 July, Theatre DAIMLER ART COLLECTION The work of Severn, Shrewsbury Visual Arts German photographer Dieter Blum is WHITESNAKE UK Fri 6 presented for the first time in the UK, Himley Hall & Park, Dudley July, Eleven, Sandy- until Mon 27 Aug ford, Stoke-on-Trent NEW THE DUDLEY SOCIETY OF ARTISTS THE MODFATHERS Fri 6 Exhibition of work by society mem- The Willow Art Gallery, July, The Robin, Bil- bers, Sat 28 July - Sat 22 Sept Oswestry ston NEW SHROPSHIRE GUILD OF CONTEMPO- WAVELENGTH Sat 7 New Art Gallery - Walsall RARY CRAFT 2018 Members exhibition July, MAC, B’ham including stained glass, ceramics, HETAIN PATEL - DON’T LOOK AT THE FIN- furniture, jewellery, weaving and tex- OFFICIAL TDV MEMORIAL GER Film following a ceremonial en- tiles, Sat 21 July- Sat 8 Sept SHOW Sat 7 July, O2 counter between a man and woman Academy, Birmingham within a grand architectural setting, ROGER WATERS: US AND until Sun 29 July Wolverhampton Art Gallery THEM TOUR Sat 7 July, ANDREW TIFT: IMMORTALISE Andrew WINDRUSH 70 Exhibition featuring a Arena Birmingham presents a range of paintings, draw- projected slideshow of photographs VAN HAILEN Sat 7 July, ings, photographs and sketchbooks by acclaimed photographer Nick Eleven, Sandyford, which combine his love of portraiture Hedges, showing Caribbean workers Stoke-on-Trent with experimental works, until Sun 2 in Black Country industries in the Sept 1970s, and previously unseen pho- MUIRHEAD/ENGLAND JONES/SANSOM/YOUNG CORNELIA PARKER: THIRTY PIECES OF tographs capturing the community Sat 7 July, The Hive, SILVER (2015) Cornelia has here re-ap- spirit in Wolverhampton’s Caribbean Shrewsbury propriated a group of found glass churches during the same period of photographic negatives of antique sil- time, until Sun 29 July THE TEE TRIO Sat 7 July, verware, continuing her interest in Lichfield Garrick objects and their histories, the mate- Other VISUAL ARTS FATLIP FUNK AND SOUL rial of silver and the medium of pho- INTERNATIONAL GARDEN PHOTOGRA- PARTY Sat 7 July, The tography, until Sun 2 Dec PHER Featuring the winners of Com- Night Owl, B’ham MAHTAB HUSSAIN - MITTI KA GHAR Ex- petition 11, which attracted some PROTEST THE HERO Totally Tina - Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent hibition extending from Mahtab Hus- 19,000 individual entries from over 50 PLUS SUPPORT FROM sain’s Floor Three exhibition, Going countries, until Mon 17 Sept, Jack- Centre, Burton-upon- NORMA JEAN, LOATHE Back Home To Where I Came From, field Tile Museum, Telford Trent AND CYCLEMEN Sat 7 until Sun 24 Feb Gigs July, The Asylum, NEW TITANIC: HONOUR AND GLORY Exhi- JOHN OTWAY Thurs 5 bition about the doomed ocean liner, Birmingham GEORGE EZRA Sun 1 July, The Robin, Bil- Newcastle Borough Museum Sun 30 Sept, Shrewsbury Mon 2 July- July, Cannock Chase ston MOSTLY JAZZ FUNK & & Art Gallery Museum & Art Gallery SOUL AFTERPARTY: Forest, Rugeley MOSTLY JAZZ FUNK & PHILIP ASTLEY HIS LIFE AND LEGACY Ex- NEW HAITI CHERIE: JOURNEY TO A FOR- CRAIG CHARLES Sat 7 JONATHAN BYRD AND SOUL AFTERPARTY: hibition charting the meteoric rise of GOTTEN COUNTRY Exhibition of images July, Hare & Hounds, PICKUP COWBOY Sun 1 DAVID RODIGAN Fri 6 Philip Astley, ‘the father of modern Birmingham of Haiti, taken over the last five years July, The Wightman, July, Hare & Hounds, circus’, until Sun 15 July by photographer Carolin Windel, Shrewsbury Birmingham THE JAR FAMILY Sat 7 CIRCUS POSTER COMPETITION Celebrat- Tues 3 - Sun 29 July, Light House July, Birchmeadow ROCK BOTTOM Sun 1 ULTIMATE COLDPLAY Fri ing the life and work of Philip Astley, Media Centre, Wolverhampton Centre, Broseley July, The Robin, Bil- 6 July, The River ‘the father of modern circus’, until NEW WELLINGTON METHODIST CHURCH ston Rooms, Stourbridge MAETLOAF & THE NEVER Sun 15 July EXHIBITION Fri 6 - Sat 7 July, Welling- NEVERLAND EXPRESS VEGA Fri 6 July, The ton Methodist Church BAS Mon 2 July, O2 In- Sat 7 July, The River FAMILY MATTERS Sculptures by Simon Slade Rooms, Wolver- stitute, Birmingham Rooms, Stourbridge Manby celebrating the values and NEW BEST OF BRITISH EXHIBITION New hampton virtues of family life, until Sun 15 July exhibition of work by a selection of DEEP VALLY+ ECCA ULTIMATE GENESIS Sat 7 TOM HENDERSON Fri 6 the finest British artists working VANDAL + VIOLET Mon July, The Robin, Bil- July, The Castle & Fal- Potteries Museum & Art today, Sat 7 - Sun 8 July, Whitewall 2 July, The Castle & ston Falcon, Birmingham con, Birmingham Gallery - Stoke-On-Trent Galleries, Lichfield KUMAR SANU & ANU- TOTALLY TINA Fri 6 July, NEW MADE BY THE GIRLS OF STAFFORD- NEW S M LAW SUMMER EXHIBITION VOYAGER Wed 4 July, RADHA PAUDWAL Sun 8 Victoria Hall, Stoke-on- SHIRE…: CERAMICS FROM WORLD WAR Showcase of work in acrylic and oil, The Asylum, B’ham July, Arena B’ham Trent I Display from the museum’s collec- Sun 8 - Sat 21 July, The Bear Steps JOE O’DONNELL’S GAMBOLERS Sun 8 July, BAD PRACTICE & NEIL tion of World War I ceramics focusing Gallery, Shrewsbury SHKAYLA Wed 4 July, Hare & Hounds, Birm- DIABLO Fri 6 July, Hare on the wares ‘made by the girls of NEW THREE COUNTIES OPEN ART 2018 The Robin, Bilston ingham Staffordshire during the winter of & Hounds, B’ham EXHIBITION Featuring artwork by LOOSE ENDS Thurs 5 LIZA SINGS STREISAND 1917 when the boys were in the THE DRIFTERS Fri 6 artists from Staffordshire, Cheshire July, The Jam House, Sun 8 July, Lichfield trenches fighting for liberty and civili- July, Prince Of Wales and Shropshire, Sat 28 July - Thurs Birmingham Garrick sation’, Fri 27 July- Sat 22 Sept 30 Aug, Burslem School of Art, Centre, Cannock KAST OFF KINKS Thurs 5 BLACKMORE'S BLOOD Stoke-on-Trent THE SMYTHS... UNITE July, Theatre Severn, Sun 8 July, The Robin, Qube Gallery, Oswestry AND TAKE OVER TOUR NEW CHURCH STRETTON ARTS FESTIVAL Shrewsbury Bilston NEW MADE Exhibition featuring the 2018 Fri 6 July, The 2018 Non-competitive showcase for GO-KART MOZART Thurs Sugarmill, Stoke-on- UNDERGROUND STORM work of four paper artist tutors, Tues amateur and professional artists, craft 5 July, Hare & Hounds, 3 July - Wed 1 Aug workers and photographers living Trent + GOODALL + FLIGHT Birmingham 15 Sun 8 July, The within 30 miles of Church Stretton, TRIBUTE TO BOWIE Fri 6 ROY ORBISON & BUDDY Sunflower Lounge, Weston Park, Shifnal Sat 28 July - Sun 12 Aug, Various lo- July, National Brewery HOLLY Thurs 5 July, Birmingham cations around Church Stretton Centre, Burton upon DIETER BLUM’S COWBOYS FROM THE The Brewhouse Arts Trent 54 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Wolves/Shrops/Staffs Sun 1 - Sun 8 July.qxp_Layout 1 21/06/2018 14:13 Page 2

Sunday 1 to Sunday 8 July

choral music, Sun 8 July, Symphony Classical Music Hall, Birmingham BIRMINGHAM PHILHARMONIC ORCHES- VERBUNKOS TRIO IN RECITAL Featuring TRA Featuring Michael Lloyd (conduc- Yu-Mien Sun (violin), Luke Newby tor). Programme includes works by (clarinet) & Bernard Tan (piano). Pro- Stravinsky & Prokofiev, Sun 8 July, gramme includes works by Darius The Bramall, Birmingham University Milhaud, Aram Khachaturian & Béla Bartók, Mon 2 July, Birmingham Town Hall EMMANUEL TJEKNAVORIAN SOLO VIOLIN RECITAL Programme includes works by Bach, Ysaÿe, Christoph Ehrenfell- Comedy ner & Bartók, Mon 2 July, Birming- THE HILARITY CHARITY GALA Tues 3 ham Town Hall July, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre MUSIC FOR YOUTH NATIONAL FESTIVAL MITCH BENN & DANA ALEXANDER Wed 4 Featuring young musicians from July, The Patrick Kavanagh, B’ham across the UK, Thurs 5 July, Royal JETHRO Thurs 5 July, Theatre Severn, Dylan Thomas: Clown In The Moon - Stafford Gatehouse Theatre Birmingham Conservatoire Shrewsbury TOBY HUGHES - DOUBLE BASS Pro- ANDREW RYAN, SCOTT GIBSON & COM- Bard’s bloodiest play, until Sat 14 SHARING JOY Fully masked theatre gramme includes works by Montag, EDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBINSON July, Stafford Castle company Vamos fuse puppetry, Desenclos & Franck, Fri 6 July, St Thurs 5 July, The Glee Club, B’ham THE DUCHESS OF MALFI Maria Aberg music and dance in a show that cele- Michael’s Greenhill Church, Lichfield brates life and all its joys, Thurs 5 GRIFF RHYS JONES Thurs 5 July, MAC, directs John Webster's tale of re- July, MAC, Birmingham CITY OF BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONY OR- Birmingham venge, until Fri 3 Aug, Royal Shake- CHESTRA Featuring Edward Gardner speare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon ODDSOCKS' THE TEMPEST Madcap fun- (conductor). Programme includes STEVE HALL, NICK PAGE, PAUL SAVAGE & MISS LITTLEWOOD New musical based sters Oddsocks give a sci-fi slant to works by Schubert, Strauss & KATE SMURTHWAITE Thurs 5 July, The on the life story of anarchic theatre Shakespeare's last play, Thurs 5 July, Mendelssohn, Fri 6 July, Lichfield George Hotel, Lichfield legend Joan Littlewood, until Sat 4 Oakengates Theatre at The Place, Cathedral ADAM ROWE, NICK PAGE, DEMITRIS Aug, The Swan Theatre, Stratford- Telford, Shropshire DEECH, CALLUM OAKLEY & BARRY THE CARDUCCI Q UARTET Featuring upon-Avon GRIFF RHYS JONES: WHERE WAS I? Join Danny Driver (piano). Programme in- DODDS Thurs 5 July, Foxlowe Arts MACBETH Starring Christopher Eccle- the Not The Nine O’Clock News star cludes works by Shostakovich, Centre, Staffordshire ston and Niamh Cusack, until Tues for an evening of stories, anecdotes, Brahms & Elgar, Sat 7 July, St KUM-N-AVALOFF COMEDY NIGHT Thurs 18 Sept, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, reminiscences and outright lies, Michael’s Greenhill Church, Lichfield 5 July, Stourbridge Town Hall Stratford-upon-Avon Thurs 5 July, MAC, Birmingham BIRMINGHAM CATHEDRAL CHOIR: THE BOBBY MAIR, JACOB HAWLEY, HANNAH ROMEO AND JULIET Shakespeare's fa- SUPER HAMLET 64 Edward Day's mod- DIVINE BEAUTY Programme includes PLATT, BEN HOPE & TOM HAM Fri 6 July, mous story of love at first sight, until ern-day take on Shakespeare's most works by Parry, Mendelssohn, Ireland Cherry Reds Cafe-Bar, Birmingham Fri 21 Sept, Royal Shakespeare The- famous play, featuring physical com- & Finzi, Sat 7 July, Birmingham JO CAULFIELD & HAL CRUTTENDEN Fri 6 atre, Stratford-upon-Avon edy, live music and 16 bit animation, Cathedral July, MAC, Birmingham Thurs 5 - Fri 6 July, Old Joint Stock EMMA The Crescent Theatre present ELGAR PIANO QUINTET Sat 7 July, Lich- Theatre, Birmingham STAND UP COMEDY SHOWCASE Fri 6 - Sallyanne Scotton Moonga's adapta- field Garrick Sat 7 July, MAC, Birmingham tion of Jane Austen's classic, Sat 30 DYLAN THOMAS: CLOWN IN THE MOON Dramatic portrait of the poet’s CHETHAM’S SCHOOL SYMPHONY OR- ANDREW RYAN, SCOTT GIBSON, MICKY P June - Sun 1 July, Castle Bromwich chaotic, frequently hilarious and all- CHESTRA & LICHFIELD CATHEDRAL KERR & WILSON DIXON Fri 6 - Sat 7 Hall Gardens, Birmingham SCHOOL ORCHESTRA Programme com- too-brief life, Fri 6 July, Stafford Gate- July, The Glee Club, Birmingham EQUUS The Crescent Theatre Com- prises Gustav Holst’s The Planets & house Theatre TOM ALLEN pany present its version of Peter Benjamin Britten’s Noye’s Fludde, Sat 7 July, Lichfield Gar- Shaffer's psychological 'detective' TASSELS: AN EVENING OF BURLESQUE Sat 7 July, Lichfield Cathedral rick story, Sat 30 June - Sat 7 July, Cres- Featuring top burlesque, comedy and MARLON DAVIS, GLAZZ CAMP & DEANO THE TEE TRIO Programme includes cent Theatre, Birmingham circus performers, Fri 6 July, New MAC works by Mendelssohn, Bridge & Sat 7 July, MAC, Birmingham Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham CARMEN Heritage Opera fuse love, Tailleferre, Sat 7 July, St Michael’s PAUL SMITH Sat 7 July, New Alexandra lust and murder in an outdoor stag- WHERE IS MRS CHRISTIE? Liz Grand’s Greenhill Church, Lichfield Theatre, Birmingham ing of Bizet’s classic opera, Sun 1 one-woman show explores the JOO YEON SIR VIOLIN CONCERT Pro- LUKE BENSON, KANE BROWN, SEAN MEO July, Stafford Castle events which sparked one of the gramme comprises Paganini’s & STEFANO PAOLINI Sat 7 July, The biggest and most expensive police THE EGG RUMOUR Musical play explor- Caprices (nos. 1 - 11), Sun 8 July, Comedy Loft, Birmingham hunts in history, Fri 6 July, Lichfield ing the new office perk large corpora- Lichfield Guildhall Garrick ROFL! COMEDY CLUB Sat 7 July, The tions are offering female employees: CARDUCCI’S BY CANDLELIGHT Featuring Old Post Office, Stoke-On-Trent social freezing! Mon 2 July, Old Joint ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS Bold As Matthew Denton & Michael Fleming LAUGHING SOLE COMEDY CLUB FOR Stock Theatre, B’ham Brass Productions present an adap- (violins), Eoin Schmidt-Martin (viola) tation of Carlo Goldoni's Servant Of KIDS Sun 8 July, MAC, Birmingham HIP Interactive theatre show by Jolie & Emma Denton (cello). Programme Two Masters, a 1743 Commedia del- Booth, producer of the award-win- includes works by Pärt, Cruttwell- l'arte style comedy, Fri 6 - Sat 7 July, ning Backstage In Biscuit Land, Wed Reade & Glass, Sun 8 July, Lichfield Mitchell Arts Centre, Leek, Staffs 4 July, Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birm- Cathedral ingham CIRQUE BERSERK! Fusion of cirque CITY OF BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONY OR- skills and stunt action, Fri 6 - Sun 8 SWEET SHOP ON THE SHORE Kate Cork- CHESTRA Featuring Edward Gardner July, Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent Theatre ery brings to life her autobiographical (conductor) & the CBSO Youth Cho- tale, inspired by childhood in a LOVE, LAUGHTER AND LOSS Musical rus. Programme includes various MISCHIEF MOVIE NIGHT The team be- colourful Irish fishing community, theatre review from the students of works by Mendelssohn & Schubert, hind The Play That Went Wrong cre- Wed 4 July, Brewhouse Arts Centre, Top Hat Stage School Midlands, Sat Sun 8 July, Birmingham Town Hall ate a movie from scratch before your 7 July, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury very eyes, until Sun 1 July, Birming- Burton-upon-Trent COMMUNITY SPIRIT Join some of the ham Hippodrome 13 THE MUSICAL Amateur staging pre- AN EVENING OF CLAIRVOYANCE WITH best choirs and homegrown talent in sented by SAOS Youth Theatre, Wed PHILIP SOLOMON Sat 7 July, Stour- the West Midlands for an evening of MACBETH Outdoor staging of the 4 - Fri 6 July, Stourbridge Town Hall bridge Town Hall whatsonlive.co.uk 55 The List Wolves/Shrops/Staffs Sun 1 - Sun 8 July.qxp_Layout 1 21/06/2018 14:13 Page 3

thelist Tues 3 July Dance A QUIET PLACE (15) Horror/Thriller. Starring Emily Blunt, John Krasinski. ADJUDICATION Flexus Dance Collec- Light House Media Centre, Wolver- tive present an evening of dance in- hampton, until Thurs 5 July spired by the commitment and beliefs of a faith system, Sun 1 July, LEAN ON PETE (15) Adventure/Drama. Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton Starring Steve Buscemi, Charlie Plummer. Old Market Hall, Shrews- EVOLUTION BOA Year 12 Pathway bury, until Thurs 5 July showcase a variety of styles and choreographic routines, Wed 4 - THE HAPPY PRINCE (15) Drama/History. Thurs 5 July, The Old Rep, B’ham Starring Rupert Everett, Colin Firth. Light House Media Centre, Wolver- RHYTHM OF THE DANCE Celebration of hampton, until Thurs 5 July Irish cultuThursre through 5 July, musicWolverhampton and FINDING YOUR FEET (12a) dGrandance, Theatre Comedy/Drama. Starring Joanna Lumley, Celia Imrie. Stourbridge SOMNIUM: A DANCER’S DREAM Strictly Town Hall, Mon 2 July stars Neil and Katya Jones present a fusion of dance styles, Thurs 5 July, Lichfield Cathedral CINDERELLA Ballet Cymru fuse classi- cal dance with elements of circus, Fri 6 July, Lichfield Garrick

Talks

DAN SNOW: AN EVENING WITH THE HIS- GREASE (PG) Musical/Romance. Star- TORY GUY Wed 4 July, Stafford Gate- ring John Travolta, Olivia Newton- house Theatre John. Wem Town Hall, North LICHFIELD PEACE LECTURE Rev Lucy Shropshire, Mon 2 July Somnium: A Dancer’s Dream - Lichfield Cathedral Winkett explores themes of peace THAT GOOD NIGHT (12a) Drama. Star- making, power brokering, surrender THE MINISTRY OF BISCUITS Musical ALAN BENNETT’S TALKING HEADS Lich- ring John Hurt, Sofia Helin. Ludlow and settlement in contemporary soci- Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire, comedy satire, Sat 7 July, Lichfield field Festival production featuring Her ety, Sat 7 July, Lichfield Garrick Garrick Big Chance and A Lady Of Letters, Mon 2, Wed 4 - Thurs 5 July REGGAE WOMEN An evening of spoken RAZZAMATAZ ANNUAL SHOWCASE Raz- Sun 8 July, Lichfield Garrick SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY (12a) Sci- word and song in celebration of Reg- fi/Drama. Starring Alden Ehrenreich, zamataz Theatre Schools Sutton gae music and its contribution to Coldfield presents its annual show- Woody Harrelson. Wem Town Hall, British society, Sat 7 July, MAC, Birm- North Shropshire, Tues 3 July case, Sat 7 - Sun 8 July, Crescent ingham Theatre, Birmingham TULLY (15) Comedy/Drama. Starring Kids Show HEARTS & MINDS Jane Robinson talks Charlize Theron, Mackenzie Davis. EMMA The Crescent Theatre present about the untold story of the Great Sallyanne Scotton Moonga's adapta- Old Market Hall, Shrewsbury, Fri 6 - BEAUTY AND THE BEAST JR Celebrating Pilgrimage and how women won the Thurs 12 July tion of Jane Austen's classic, Sat 7 - the company’s 30-year anniversary, vote, Sun 8 July, Lichfield Guildhall Sun 8 July, Blakesley Hall, B’ham students from Stagecoach Shrews- I, TONYA (15) Biography/Comedy. BAD GIRLS - A HISTORY OF REBELS AND Starring Margot Robbie, Sebastian THE VICAR OF DIBLEY Amateur produc- bury present their version of the Dis- RENEGADES Caitlin Davies takes a tion based on the popular BBC com- ney classic, Sun 1 July, Theatre Stan. Foxlowe Arts Centre, Leek, look at how ‘disobedient and defiant Tues 3 July edy series, Sat 7 - Sat 14 July, Severn, Shrewsbury women’ changed not only the prison Oldbury Rep KEEPY UPPY A play for the 2018 World service but also the course of history, EDIE (12a) Drama. Starring Sheila ASTLEY’S ASTOUNDING ADVENTURES Cup, for football fans, non-football Sun 8 July, Lichfield Guildhall Hancock, Kevin Guthrie. Stoke Film Theatre, Tues 3 July; Ludlow Assem- The story of the Staffordshire hero fans, children and families, Sun 1 ALAN BENNETT BY DR KARA MCKECHNIE who invented circus... and con- July, MAC, Birmingham bly Rooms, South Shropshire, Tues 3 Lecturer in Dramaturgy at the Univer- & Sat 5 July quered the world, Sat 7 - Sat 28 July, BUGSY MALONE Amateur staging pre- sity of Leeds, Kara McKechnie ex- New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under- sented by QMTS Juniors, Tues 3 - plores the work of Alan Bennett in OCEAN'S 8 (12a) Action/Comedy. Star- Lyme Wed 4 July, Crescent Theatre, B’ham conjunction with the Festival’s new ring Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett. HANCOCK & CO. ONE MAN, MANY VOICES production of Talking Heads, Sun 8 Light House Media Centre, Wolver- MATILDA THE MUSICAL The Royal hampton, Fri 6 - Thurs 12 July James Hurn's one-man show cele- Shakespeare Company's award-win- July, Lichfield Guildhall brating over 60 years of Hancock's ning musical, Tues 3 July - Sat 8 Half Hour, Sun 8 July, Crescent The- Sept, Birmingham Hippodrome NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: atre, Birmingham LITTLE BABY BUM Join Mia, Jacus, Released from Fri 6 July, showing at JUKEBOX VOL. 6 A celebration of musi- Twinkle and their nursery rhyme selected cinemas cal hits as members of Get Your friends, Fri 6 - Sat 7 July, Wolver- THE FIRST PURGE (tbc) Wigle On perform the sixth instalment hampton Grand Theatre of their Jukebox series, Sun 8 July, Film MARY SHELLEY (12a) Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury MILKSHAKE! LIVE Interactive show for INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: younger audiences featuring TV POSTCARDS FROM THE 48% (tbc) ENOUGH Solo piece exposing a life of favourites Bob the Builder, Little HOW TO TALK TO GIRLS AT PARTIES (15) SWIMMING WITH MEN (12a) white, thin privilege through a trau- Princess, Noddy, Fireman Sam and Comedy/Music. Starring Elle Fan- UNCLE DREW (12a) matised body, Sun 8 July, The Hive, the Milkshake! Monkey, Sat 7 July, ning, Nicole Kidman. Light House Shrewsbury Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury Media Centre, Wolverhampton, until WHITNEY (15)

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Sunday 1 to Sunday 8 July

Churnet Valley Railway, Froghall, Events Staffs JEWELLERY QUARTER HERITAGE WALK THE CREATIVE CRAFT SHOW Featuring Sat 7 July, Museum of the Jewellery knitting, cross stitch, papercrafting, Quarter, Birmingham jewellery & dressmaking and stitch- ing, until Sun 1 July, NEC, B’ham ANIMAL PUPPETRY PARADE Procession of giant puppets, Sat 7 July, Market FOLLIES FEST Family-friendly weekend Square, Lichfield (part of Lichfield of music and entertainment, until Sun Festival) 1 July, Hawkstone Park & Follies, We- ston-under-Redcastle, North Shrop- DISCOVER YOUR BRITISH FAMILY HIS- shire TORY Workshop on how to research your family prior to 1840, Sat 7 July, STEP BACK TO THE 1940S until Sun 1 Birmingham Back to Backs July, Severn Valley Railway, Bewdley 4X4 IN THE FOREST Explore Cannock CRAVEN ARMS ART CAFÉ ARTISTS A Chase Forest from behind the wheel, wide variety of artwork will be on dis- Sat 7 July, Cannock Chase Forest, play for visitors to enjoy and pur- Rugeley chase, until Tues 17 July, Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre, Craven Arms, BIG BAND SHOW Featuring a jazz or- South Shropshire chestra and special guests playing tunes from the 1940s, Sat 7 July, Sev- RACE FOR LIFE Sun 1 July, The Quarry ern Valley Railway, Bewdley Park, Shrewsbury LARGE MODEL AIR SHOW Sat 7 - Sun 8 THE HIVE OPEN DAY Free creative work- July, RAF Cosford, Nr Wolverhamp- shops, Sun 1 July, The Hive, Shrews- ton Cadbury Character Breakfast - Cadbury World, Birmingham bury Candi Staton, Sister Sledge, David ARMED FORCES DAY Free event featur- Music Festivals Rodigan, Lucky Chops, Roy Ayers, ing an archery range, paint ball Jungle Brothers, Craig Charles, Fred gallery, ex-military vehicle display and LLANGOLLEN INTERNATIONAL MUSICAL Wesley & The New JB's, Chali 2na & vintage children’s rides, Sun 1 July, EISTEDDFOD Line-up includes Alfie Krafty Kuts, Osaka Monaurail & Ezra Himley Hall & Park, Dudley Boe, Van Morrison, renowned Collective, Fri 6 - Sun 8 July, Moseley VIKINGS AT OAK HOUSE Featuring dis- baroque instrumental group Red Park, Birmingham Priest, and award winning Welsh folk plays of eastern bridge fighting and BANSTOCK SONGWRITERS' FESTIVAL band Calan, Tues 3 - Sun 8 July, combat demonstrations, Sun 1 July, The emphasis of the festival is local Royal International Pavillion, Llan- The Oak House Museum, West talent with The Wonder Stuff's Miles gollen Bromwich Hunt headling the event. Local boys MIDSUMMER GARDEN PARTY Sixtieth LICHFIELD FESTIVAL Multi-arts festival The Wild Flowers, Two Faced Tom & anniversary celebrations of the bringing world class music, arts and The Bootleg Boys, Jess Silk, The Dorothy Clive Garden, Sun 1 July, entertainment to the West Midlands, Humdrum Express, Tasha Jerawan The Dorothy Clive Garden, Nr Market DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL Featuring Wed 4 - Sat 14 July, Lichfield and Sam Draisey also feature, Sat 7 teams racing each other in 40ft-long Drayton, North Shropshire NAPTON MUSIC FESTIVAL Confirmed July, Bantock House, Wolverhampton Dragon Boats, Sat 7 - Sun 8 July, acts include Oas-is, Chaos, Duck- WEST FEST Line-up includes Ray Myt- OSWESTRY COLOUR RUN Run, walk or Pengwern Boat Club, Shrewsbury jog the 3K around the Ironworks worths, DirtyjACkDC, Kate and the ton Band, Gordon Giltrap, Demi sculptures, Sun 1 July, The British STEP BACK TO THE 1940S Sat 7 - Sun 8 Mooncats & Hoo Hah Conspiracy, Fri McMahon, Hennesea, Answer Back, Ironwork Centre, Oswestry, North July, Severn Valley Railway, Bewdley 6 - Sat 7 July, Napton on the Hill, Temple Lake, Trever Steger, Bourbon Shropshire CADBURY CHARACTER BREAKFAST Sat 7 Warwickshire Alley and much more... Sat 7 July, LAVENDER MONTH Sun 1 - Tues 31 - Tues 31 July, Cadbury World, Birm- THE MOSTLY JAZZ, FUNK AND SOUL FES- West Malvern Playing Field, Worces- July, Blakesley Hall, Birmingham ingham TIVAL Line-up includes Jimmy Cliff, tershire AFTERNOON TEA - BEHIND THE SCENES RACE FOR LIFE Sun 8 July, Himley Hall Combine a behind-the-scenes tour & Park, Dudley with afternoon tea in the Victorian Or- angery, Sun 1 July - Sat 1 Sept, We- ston Park, Nr Shifnal WARS OF THE ROSES LIVE The critically acclaimed live action show returns Food Festivals with even more stunts and tricks, Sun COLMORE FOOD FESTIVAL Annual cele- 1 July - Sun 2 Sept, Warwick Castle bration of Colmore Business District EXPLORASAURUS EVENING Get stuck in restaurants, bars, cafes and hotels. to all things dino-tastic! Wed 4 July, Expect live cooking demos, entertain- Dudley Canal and Tunnel Trust ment, cocktail masterclasses, wine CASTLE TOURS Fri 6 July, Dudley Cas- tasting & food galore... Fri 6 - Sat 7 tle July, Victoria Square, Birmingham OUTDOOR CINEMA: GREASE Enjoy the WOLVERHAMPTON FOOD & DRINK FESTI- hit 1978 movie on a giant inflatable VAL Featuring live music, DJ’s, guest screen, Fri 6 July, Blists Hill Victorian appearances, open air cinema, family Town, Ironbridge, Shropshire area, traditional fairground stalls, street food & artisan stalls, Sat 7 - THE BIG EVENT Featuring the UK’s Sun 8 July, Wulfruna Street, Wolver- largest display of vehicles for dis- hampton abled people, Fri 6 - Sat 7 July, NEC, Birmingham Calan - Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod RAIL ALE TRAIL Fri 6 - Sun 8 July, whatsonlive.co.uk 57 The List Wolves/Shrops/Staffs 9-15 July.qxp_Layout 1 21/06/2018 14:12 Page 1

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thelist Monday 9 - Sunday 15 July bussy, Sat 14 July, St Michael’s Classical Greenhill Church, Lichfield CBSO SO VOCAL SUMMER SING UP! Featuring CBSO SO Vocal & the Lit- Music tle Big Time Band, Sun 15 July, Birm- ORGAN RECITAL WITH TIMOTHY WAK- ingham Town Hall ERELL Programme includes works by J.S Bach, Mendelssohn, Cook, Bovet, Jongen & Master of the Queen’s Music, Judith Weir, Mon 9 July, Lichfield Cathedral Comedy THE CARDINALL’S MUSICK Mon 9 July, ALBERT LOVES LAUGHS Mon 9 July, Al- Lichfield Cathedral bert's Shed Bar, Shrewsbury BEN GOLDSCHEIDER FRENCH HORN GEORGE EGG Wed 11 July, Lichfield CONCERT Programme includes works Garrick by von Krufft, Wildmann, Schubert, Cruttwell-Reade & York Bowen, Tues GLENN WOOL & SAM AVERY Wed 11 Skipinnish - Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury 10 July, Wade Street Church, Lich- July, The Patrick Kavanagh, B’ham field JOHN HASTINGS, DAVE HILL & COMEDY JAY RAYNER JAZZ QUAR- Lichfield Cathedral LUCY CROWE/LA NUOVA MUSICA Also CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBINSON Thurs Gigs TET Fri 13 July, Lich- HERITAGE: TOMISLAV, SI featuring David Bates (conductor). 12 July, The Glee Club, B’ham field Garrick STORER & NIK GILLET Programme includes works by Vi- NICK DOODY & JENNY COLLIER Thurs THE CONTORTIONIST ARIANA KASHEFI Fri 13 Sat 14 July, Hare & valdi, Corelli, Handel & Nico Muhly, 12 July, MAC, Birmingham Mon 9 July, The Asy- July, Wade Street Hounds, Birmingham Tues 10 July, Lichfield Cathedral JOHN HASTINGS, DAVE HILL, NOEL lum, Birmingham Church, Lichfield THE PAULUS SCHAFER THE CARDUCCIS & MATTHEW HUNT Pro- JAMES & COMIC TBC Fri 13 July, The SKIPINNISH Wed 11 THE HUNNA Fri 13 July, TRIO Sat 14 July, The- gramme includes works by Howells, Glee Club, Birmingham July, Theatre Severn, O2 Academy, B’ham atre On The Steps, Bartok & Mozart, Wed 11 July, Swin- BARBARA NICE'S SUMMER SPECIAL FEA- Shrewsbury Bridgnorth fen Hall Hotel, Lichfield RONI SIZE Fri 13 July, TURING CLINTON BAPTISTE Fri 13 July, THE BREEDERS Wed 11 Hare & Hounds, Birm- THE AGNES COLLECTIVE: JOO YEON SIR: CAPRICES II Programme MAC, Birmingham July, O2 Institute, ingham MOTHER NATURE Sat 14 comprises Paganini’s Caprices (nos. MARK STEEL Sat 14 July, Lichfield Birmingham July, Lichfield Garrick 13 - 24) & Cruttwell-Reade’s Devil’s THE BON JOVI EXPERI- Garrick A CELEBRATION OF ENCE Fri 13 July, The THE BACKBONE SLIPS Minion, Wed 11 July, Lichfield Guild- LOU CONRAN, RUDI LICKWOOD, PIERRE BERNSTEIN & GERSH- River Rooms, Stour- Sat 14 July, The Night hall HOLINS & GARRETT MILLERICK Sat 14 WIN Thurs 12 July, bridge Owl, Birmingham TIMOTHY EDLIN: BASS BARITONE Pro- Lichfield Cathedral July, The Comedy Loft, Birmingham JAMES MORRISON WITH IAN MCNABB Sat 14 gramme of English & German song COMEDY IN THE MET Sat 14 July, HELLIONS Thurs 12 THE MIDLAND YOUTH July, Theatre Severn, featuring works by Schubert, Schu- Stafford Gatehouse Theatre July, The Sunflower JAZZ ORCHESTRA Fri 13 Shrewsbury mann, Brahms & Vaughan Williams. Lounge, Birmingham Jo Ramadan accompanies on piano, ROFL! COMEDY CLUB Sat 14 July, The July, Sutton Coldfield ICONIC 80S Sat 14 July, Thurs 12 July, Wade Street Church, Old Post Office, Stoke-On-Trent VIVA NEIL DIAMOND Town Hall The River Rooms, Lichfield Thurs 12 July, Theatre DIARY OF A MADMAN & Stourbridge Severn, Shrewsbury A CELEBRATION OF BERNSTEIN & GLITORIS Fri 13 July, WHO'S WHO & SMALL GERSHWIN Featuring Danny Driver GUNS 2 ROSES Thurs Eleven, Sandyford, FAKERS Sat 14 July, (piano), Joo Yeon Sir (violin), 12 July, The Robin, Bil- Stoke-on-Trent The Robin, Bilston Matthew Hunt (clarinet), Jessica ston HARDLINE Fri 13 July, Theatre PROGRESS WRESTLING Walker (voice), Joseph Atkins The Robin, Bilston CLAIRE ATHERTON Fri 13 CHAPTER 73 Sun 15 (piano/arranger) & Clare Hammond THE EGG RUMOUR Musical play explor- July, The Victoria, BLACKWATERS Sat 14 July, O2 Academy, (piano), Thurs 12 July, Lichfield ing the new office perk large corpo- Birmingham July, The Sugarmill, Birmingham Cathedral rations are offering to female employees: social freezing! Mon 9 DRESSED TO KILL Fri 13 Stoke-on-Trent ESP 2.0 Sun 15 July, BBC NATIONAL ORCHESTRA OF WALES July, Old Joint Stock Theatre, B’ham July, The Slade KRIS DREVER & JULIE The Robin, Bilston Featuring Danny Driver (piano). Pro- Rooms, W’hampton FOWLIS Sat 14 July, gramme includes works by Hyde, THE TAMING OF THE SHREW The Mala- Shostakovich & Rachmaninov, Fri 13 chites present a contemporary re- July, Lichfield Cathedral working of Shakespeare’s comedy, Tues 10 July, Lichfield Garrick ARIANA KASHEFI IN RECITAL Pro- gramme includes works by Brahms THE SPIRIT OF THE CIRCUS Presented & Schumann, Fri 13 July, Wade by The Inge Domeyer School of Street Church, Lichfield Dance & Drama, Tues 10 - Wed 11 July, Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton BOGLARKA GYORGY Programme com- prises Brahms’ Violin Sonata No.3 D- DIRTY WHITE BOYS The highly ac- minor & Enescu’s Violin Sonata No.3 claimed sketch duo make a welcome A-minor, Sat 14 July, Wade Street return, Wed 11 July, Old Joint Stock Church, Lichfield Theatre, Birmingham THE AGNES COLLECTIVE: MOTHER NA- LATE SHAKES BOA Year 12 Acting TURE Featuring Susan Gilmour Bailey Pathway present Shakespeare's The (soprano), Alexandra Gibson Tempest, Coriolanus and Measure (mezzo-soprano), Mark Dobell For Measure, Wed 11 - Thurs 12 July, (tenor) & Jonathan Gunthorpe (bari- The Old Rep Theatre, B’ham tone), Sat 14 July, St Michael’s SEPTEMBER TIDE Intimate Theatre pre- Greenhill Church, Lichfield sents a staging of Daphne Du Mau- THE CARDUCCIS Programme includes rier’s Cornish drama, Wed 11 - Thurs The Hunna - O2 Academy, Birmingham works by Haydn, Piazzolla & De- 12 July, The George Hotel, Lichfield whatsonlive.co.uk 59 The List Wolves/Shrops/Staffs 9-15 July.qxp_Layout 1 21/06/2018 14:12 Page 3

Saturday 4 August, 7.30pm RUSSELL WATSON THE PLACE IN THE PARK BIG TOP

Sunday 5 August, 7.30pm SCHEHERAZADE AND 1001 NIGHTS THE PLACE IN THE PARK BIG TOP

Monday 6 August, 7.30pm SOUNDS OF THE 60S THE PLACE IN THE PARK BIG TOP

Tuesday 7 August, 7.30pm THE SUPERSONIC 70S SHOW THE PLACE IN THE PARK BIG TOP

Tues 7 & Wed 8 August, 12pm & 3pm DINOSAUR WORLD LIVE THE PLACE IN THE PARK BIG TOP

Thursday 9 August, 7.30pm 80S MANIA THE PLACE IN THE PARK BIG TOP

Friday 10 August, 7.30pm BOYZLIFE THE PLACE IN THE PARK BIG TOP

Thursday 16 August, 7.30pm COLLABRO THE PLACE IN THE PARK BIG TOP

Friday 17 August, 7.30pm DOREEN'S NAUGHTY BITS THE PLACE IN THE PARK BIG TOP

TWC GP 01370

60 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Wolves/Shrops/Staffs 9-15 July.qxp_Layout 1 21/06/2018 14:12 Page 4

thelist Monday 9 - Sunday 15 July TINA T'URNER TEA LADY'S STEAMY BINGO ‘Laugh, dance and play to win’ Dance as Tina spins her cage of balls to a high-energy ’80s soundtrack, Thurs KEVIN AND KAREN DANCE - THE LIVE 12 July, Old Joint Stock Theatre, TOUR Join the Strictly duo for a high- Birmingham energy evening of waltz, cha cha, fox THE TIME MACHINE Dyad Productions trot, tango and salsa, Sat 14 July, present a radical interpretation of the Symphony Hall, Birmingham HG Wells classic, Thurs 12 July, Lich- ADJUDICATION Flexus Dance Collec- field Garrick tive present an evening of dance in- WHISTLE DOWN THE WIND Get Your spired by the commitment and beliefs Wigle On present the Andrew Lloyd of a faith system, Sun 14 July, Arena Webber/Jim Steinman musical, Thurs Theatre, Wolverhampton 12 - Sat 14 July, Theatre Severn, AACE DANCE FESTIVAL Showcase of Shrewsbury dance by a selection of local dance FRANKENSTEIN 1899 Jonathan Good- schools and academies, Sat 14 July, win & Sarah Gordon star in a new Netherton Arts Centre, Wolverhamp- staging of Mary Shelley’s timeless ton classic, Fri 13 July, Lichfield Garrick RHYTHM OF THE DANCE A fully live TRES TRES CABARET An evening of show celebrating IrishSun culture15 July, through The- ‘cheeky decadence and tantalising music and dance, fun’, Fri 13 July, Stafford Gatehouse atre Severn, Shrewsbury Theatre LADIES' DAY Cheryl Fergison, Deena Payne and Tony Christie star in a brand new staging of Amanda Whit- tington’s smash-hit comedy, Fri 13 - Sat 28 July, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre ODDSOCKS' THE TEMPEST Madcap fun- sters Oddsocks give a sci-fi slant to Carnival Of Giants - Telford Town Park Shakespeare's last play, Sat 14 July, MAC, Birmingham PAT KIRKWOOD IS ANGRY Jessica Film Events Walker brings to life one of Britain’s INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: A FLAVOUR OF THE FORTIES Special greatest wartime variety artists, Sat 1940s weekend, Mon 9 - Fri 13 July, 14 July, Lichfield Garrick IN THE FADE (18) Crime/Drama. Star- ring Diane Kruger, Denis Moschitto. Black Country Living Museum, Dud- SONDHEIM'S WOMEN: SEND IN THE Light House Media Centre, Wolver- ley CLOWNS A cast of West End soloists Talks hampton, Mon 9 - Tues 12 July POP-UP @LICHFIELDFEST Discover per- bring to life Sondheim’s famous fe- MASTER OF THE QUEEN’S MUSIC Hosted formances in unusual spaces across male characters, Sat 14 July, Lichfield EDIE (12a) Drama. Starring Sheila by Judith Weir, the first woman to be the city, Sat 14 July, Lichfield City Garrick Hancock, Kevin Guthrie. Festival appointed to the post, Mon 9 July, Drayton Centre, Market Drayton, Mon Centre Wade Street Church, Lichfield 9 July; Wem Town Hall, North Shrop- SUMMER IN SOUTHSIDE Featuring tra- FORGOTTEN WOMEN: THE SCIENTISTS shire, Tues 10 & Thurs 12 July ditional funfair rides, retro games and Hosted by spokesperson for millen- SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY (12a) Sci- nostalgic performances, Sat 14 - Sun Kids Shows nial women Zing Tsjeng, Mon 9 July, fi/Drama. Starring Alden Ehrenreich, 15 July, Birmingham Hippodrome Cathedral Hotel, Lichfield Woody Harrelson. Festival Drayton 1940S WEEKEND Sat 14 - Sun 15 July, THE OWL WHO WAS AFRAID OF THE HER VOICE IN HISTORY Cath Baxter ex- Centre, Market Drayton, North Shrop- Black Country Living Museum, Dud- DARK Puppetry, dance & laughter col- plores iconic women with iconic shire, Fri 13 July ley lide in Jill Tomlinson’s touching tale voices, and questions why how they for younger audiences, Wed 11 July, BOOK CLUB (12a) Comedy. Starring THE LUNA CINEMA AT THE NATIONAL spoke was just as important as what Lichfield Garrick Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda. Old Mar- MEMORIAL ARBORETUM Cinematic they had to say, Wed 11 July, Wade ket Hall, Shrewsbury, Fri 13 - Thurs weekend, Sat 14 - Sun 15 July, Na- SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL Amateur Street Church, Lichfield 19 July tional Memorial Arboretum, Stafford staging presented by DE Caversmill JULIA MILES: THE AMBASSADOR’S Theatre Company, Wed 11 - Sat 14 THE GUERNSEY LITERARY & POTATO TAMWORTH AETHELFLAED FESTIVAL WIFE’S TALE Join Julia as she reveals July, Stoke Repertory Theatre, Stoke- PEEL PIE SOCIETY (12a) Drama/History. Find out what life was like for those the realities of living life as an Ambas- on-Trent Starring Lily James, Michael Huis- living in Tamworth during Saxon sador’s wife, Thurs 12 July, Wade man. Light House Media Centre, times, Sat 14 - Sun 15 July, Tamworth HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL MYTS present Street Church, Lichfield W’hampton, Fri 13 - Thurs 19 July Castle, Staffordshire taging of the much-ac- an amateur s HIT THE ODE Apples And Snakes pre- claimed Disney musical, Wed 11 - Sat THE BOOKSHOP (12A) Drama. Starring MAIZE MAZE Prove yourself a top spy sent a performance poetry night fea- 14 July, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre Emily Mortimer, Bill Nighy. Light by graduating Agent Academy! Sat turing international and national House Media Centre, Wolverhamp- 14 July - Mon 3 Sep, National Forest ANNIE JR Amateur staging presented poets performing alongside open ton, Fri 13 - Thurs 19 July Adventure Farm, Burton Upon Trent by The Performing Stars Academy micers, Fri 13 July, The Patrick Stu- Burton, Fri 13 - Sat 14 July, Brew- dio, Birmingham Hippodrome MY FRIEND DAHMER (15) MARY STEVENS HOSPICE SUMMER FEST house Arts Centre, Burton-upon-Trent Biography/Drama. Starring Ross Full-day family festival featuring live JAY RAYNER - MY DINING HELL An Lynch, Alex Wolff. Light House Media music, food and classic cars, Sun 15 HANSEL AND GRETEL The words of evening in the company of the man Centre, Wolverhampton, Fri 13 - July, Himley Hall & Park, Dudley Simon Armitage retell the famous recently voted the best food & drink Thurs 19 July Brothers Grimm story in an extended journalist in Britain, Fri 13 July, Lich- CARNIVAL OF GIANTS 2018 Celebration lyrical poem, entwined with chamber field Garrick of the town’s 50th birthday, Sun 15 music by composer Matthew Kaner, July, Telford Town Park, Shropshire Fri 13 - Sat 14 July, Lichfield Guildhall whatsonlive.co.uk 61 The List Wolves/Shrops/Staffs 16-22 July.qxp_Layout 1 22/06/2018 08:59 Page 1

thelist MILO MCCABE Sat 21 July, The Old Classical Post Office, Shrewsbury NICK DOODY Sun 22 July, The Old Music Post Office, Shrewsbury ABANDOMAN Sun 22 July, Old Market IGOR LEVIT IN RECITAL Programme in- Hall, Shrewsbury cludes works by Bach, Busoni, Schumann, Wagner & Liszt, Thurs 19 STEVE DAY Sun 22 July, Havana Re- July, Symphony Hall, Birmingham public Bar and Restaurant, Shrews- bury TAKE 6 ‘the most awarded a cappella CARL DONNELLY group in history’, Fri 20 July, Birm- Sun 22 July, The Old ingham Town Hall Post Office, Shrewsbury CBSO YOUTH ORCHESTRA Featuring Michael Seal (conductor) & Daniel Lebhardt (piano). Programme in- cludes works by Bartók, Beethoven & Kodály, Sun 22 July, Birmingham Theatre Town Hall CURTAIN UP! Peter Quilter’s fast- paced comedy about five women who inherit equal shares in a dilapi- dated theatre... Tues 17 - Sat 21 July, Lichfield Garrick THEORY OF RELATIVITY New musical Comedy taking a look at the subject of SIMON MUNNERY, ANDREW BIRD Wed ‘human connection’, Tues 17 - Sat 21 18 July, The Patrick Kavanagh, Birm- July, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre ingham CABINET OF CURIOSITIES Playful circus Trembling Bells - Newhampton Arts Centre, Wolverhampton PHIL ELLIS, MARK NELSON, THE RAY- adventure for young children and MOND & MR TIMPKINS REVUE AND their families, Wed 18 - Fri 27 July, July, The Robin, Bil- July, Eleven, Sandy- COMIC TBC Thurs 19 July, The Glee New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under- Gigs ston ford, Stoke-on-Trent Club, Birmingham Lyme THE CHRIS BEVINGTON BETRAYAL Sat 21 July, LARRY DEAN & MAT EWINS Thurs 19 IOLANTHE Sasha Regan's all-male, SWINGING AT THE COT- ORGANISATION Fri 20 The Sugarmill, Stoke- July, MAC, Birmingham company return with Gilbert & Sulli- TON CLUB Mon 16 July, July, Eleven, Sandy- on-Trent van's topsy-turvy love story, Thurs 19 ford, Stoke-on-Trent GARY DELANEY Thurs 19 July, New Vic Theatre, New- BIG LUCKY Sat 21 July, Foxlowe Arts Centre, Staffordshire - Sat 21 July, Theatre Severn, castle-under-Lyme WAX ON Fri 20 July, Hare & Hounds, Birm- Shrewsbury Hare & Hounds, Birm- ingham THE ELVIS DEAD Thurs 19 July, The- PREOCCUPATIONS Mon atre Severn, Shrewsbury SIDE SHOW Inspired by the true story 16 July, Hare & ingham MECHANICAL HEARTS of conjoined twins Daisy and Violet DAN NIGHTINGALE Hounds, Birmingham UPROAR THE REUNION Sat 21 July, Katie Fri 20 July, Henry Hilton, Thurs 19 - Sun 22 July, Old Fri 20 July, O2 Insti- Fitzgerald's, Stour- Tudor House, Shrewsbury Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham tute, Birmingham bridge GLENN WOOL Fri 20 July, Henry Tudor READY STEADY SHOW Summer show- House, Shrewsbury THE KINX Fri 20 July, INTO THE SHADOWS Sat case from the students of Musical The Night Owl, B’ham 21 July, Prince Of JOHN LYNN Fri 20 July, The Old Post Theatre Academy, Fri 20 July, The DEFINITELY MIGHTBE & Wales Centre, Can- Office, Shrewsbury Hive, Shrewsbury ADORED Fri 20 July, nock PHIL ELLIS, MARK NELSON, THE RAY- A SELF HELP GUIDE TO BEING IN LOVE The River Rooms, ULTRA 90S Sat 21 July, MOND & MR TIMPKINS REVUE AND WITH JEREMY CORBYN Jess Green Stourbridge The River Rooms, GLENN MOORE Fri 20 - Sat 21 July, and the Mischief Thieves take a ‘lyri- Stourbridge The Glee Club, Birmingham cal, powerful and humorous’ look at THE BARR BROTHERS A NEW FLAME - SIMPLY modern politics, Sat 21 July, Arena Mon 16 July, The Glee RED TRIBUTE Fri 20 CYMBELINE Sat 21 July, ANDREW BIRD, ROBERT WHITE, SAM Theatre, Wolverhampton Club, Birmingham July, Theatre On The The O2 Academy, AVERY & COMIC TBC Sat 21 July, The Steps, Bridgnorth, Birmingham Comedy Loft, Birmingham GRAND INDIAN CIRCUS All-action dis- THE WEEKS Tues 17 South Shropshire play of skills from a super-group of July, The Sunflower FAITH EVANS Sat 21 EDDIE BRIMSON, PHIL CHAPMAN, KEITH Rajasthan’s elite circus and street Lounge, Birmingham DYLAN CARTLIDGE Fri 20 July, O2 Institute, Birm- CARTER & DAMION LARKIN Sat 21 July, July, The Sugarmill, ingham Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent performers, Sun 22 July, MAC, Birm- TREMBLING BELLS Tues Stoke-on-Trent ingham 17 July, Newhampton HERESY - RESURREC- ROFL! COMEDY CLUB Sat 21 July, The Arts Centre, Wolver- THE BEAT BROTHERS Fri TION 2018 Sat 21 July, Old Post Office, Stoke-On-Trent hampton 20 July, The Jam The Slade rooms, ANIL DESAI Sat 21 July, Old Market House, Birmingham Wolverhampton CASEY LOWRY Wed 18 Hall, Shrewsbury July, The River Rooms, THE BLOCKHEADS Fri 20 ROAD TRIP - THE SUM- CHRIS WASHINGTON Sat 21 July, Old Stourbridge July, MAC, B’ham MERTIME TOUR Sun 22 Market Hall, Shrewsbury July, O2 Academy, HAYSEED DIXIE Wed 18 THE SUPERSKAS Fri 20 SCOTT BENNETT Sat 21 July, The Old Birmingham July, O2 Institute, Birm- July, The Robin, Bil- Post Office, Shrewsbury ston THE SKATALITES Sun 22 ingham ROB ROUSE Sat 21 July, Henry Tudor July, Mama Roux’s, KING PLEASURE AND PLASTIC SCENE + House, Shrewsbury JOHNNY KILLS+ M A R C Birmingham THE BISCUIT BOYS RIK CARRANZA Sat 21 July, Havana + THE CREATURE AP- SENSATERIA WITH KINGS Kids Shows Thurs 19 July, The Jam Republic Bar and Restaurant, PEAL + WHAT'S LEFT Fri OF HONG KONG AND THE House, Birmingham Shrewsbury HORRIBLE HISTORIES - BARMY BRITAIN: 20 July, The Victoria, VOO-DOOMS Sun 22 PART FOUR Wed 18 - Sat 21 July, The JONNY COLE & THE FLAT TONY LAW Sat 21 July, The Old Post Birmingham July, The Night Owl, Place, Oakengates Theatre, Telford, PINT OF MILD Thurs 19 Office, Shrewsbury DEP LEPPARD Sat 21 Birmingham Shropshire 62 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Wolves/Shrops/Staffs 16-22 July.qxp_Layout 1 22/06/2018 08:59 Page 2

Monday 16 - Sunday 22 July

Dance Events ADJUDICATION Flexus Dance Collec- A FLAVOUR OF THE FORTIES Special tive present an evening of dance in- 1940s weekend, Mon 16 - Fri 20 July, spired by the commitment and beliefs Black Country Living Museum, Dud- of a faith system, Fri 20 July, Forest ley Arts Centre, Walsall ANTIQUES FOR EVERYONE A summer festival of ‘fabulous antiques and statement pieces’, Thurs 19 - Sun 22 July, NEC, Birmingham CASTLE TOURS 2018 Fri 20 July, Dud- Film ley Castle INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: JEWELLERY QUARTER FESTIVAL A week- end of events celebrating the diver- BOOK CLUB (12a) Comedy. Starring sity and creativity of Birmingham's Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda. Festival Jewellery Quarter, Fri 20 - Sun 22 Drayton Centre, Market Drayton, July, Museum of the Jewellery Quar- North Shropshire, Mon 16 July ter, Birmingham THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, STARS IN YOUR SKIES Pete Williamson MISSOURI (15) Mystery/Thriller. Star- FRAS talks about the mission to the ring Frances McDormand, Woody moon and what it achieved, Sat 21 Harrelson. Edge Arts Centre, Much July, Carding Mill Valley & The Shrop- Wenlock, South Shropshire, Mon 16 shire Hills, Church Stretton, Shrop- Greek Myths And Legends July shire The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent, Sat 21 July ZOO (PG) History/War. Starring Toby WHISKY AND TWILIGHT The popular Kickstart the summer holidays by taking a giant step back in time Jones and Penelope Wilton. Light Twilight guided tours return for the JQ House Media Centre, Wolverhamp- Festival, in collaboration with the to Ancient Greece, courtesy of this comic interactive theatre per- ton, Fri 20 - Thurs 26 July Whisky Club, Sat 21 July, Museum of formance. Beset by monsters and befuddled by gods, Odysseus THE BOOKSHOP (12A) Drama. Starring the Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham and his men find that journeying across the high seas is certainly Emily Mortimer, Bill Nighy. Old Market FORGE EXPERIENCE DAY Hands-on ex- no walk in the park... As well as enjoying a morning’s-worth of Hall, Shrewsbury, Fri 20 - Thurs 26 perience of blacksmithing, Sat 21 Greek myths and legends, audience members can also make a July July, Black Country Living Museum, comedy or tragedy mask out of clay to take home with them. MAMMA MIA! HERE WE GO AGAIN (12a) Dudley Comedy/Musical. Starring Meryl FOXFIELD SUMMER GALA Featuring the Streep, Lily James. Light House regular demonstration coal trains, Sat Media Centre, Wolverhampton, Fri 20 21 - Sun 22 July, Foxfield Railway, 21 July - Sun 2 Sept, Coalport China - Tues 31 July; Ludlow Assembly Staffs Museum, Telford, Shropshire Food Festivals Rooms, South Shropshire, Fri 20 - HISTORIC HOLIDAY FUN Discover the HANDS-ON FUN AT BLISTS HILL Cele- Tues 31 July COSFORD FOOD FESTIVAL hobbies and pastimes that enter- brate Ironbridge’s industrial past with Featuring PETER RABBIT (PG) Animation/Adven- tained Black Country folk from Victo- hands on activities, trails and demon- over 90 local producers, streetfood ture. With the voices of James Cor- rian times to the 1930s, Sat 21 July - strations, Sat 21 July - Sun 2 Sept, and live music, Sat 21 - Sun 22 July, den, Fayssal Bazzi. Light House Sun 2 Sept, Black Country Living Mu- Blists Hill Victorian Town, Ironbridge RAF Cosford, Shifnal Media Centre, Wolverhampton, Sat seum, Dudley KENILWORTH FOOD FESTIVAL Gathering 21 - Thurs 26 July LUDLOW DOG DAY Opportunity for DESIGN & MAKE AT ENGINUITY Print dogs, their owners and families to of the very best food and drink ven- your own design onto fabric, make a enjoy a day out in beautiful surround- dors from the region and further NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: buggy or send your cargo down a zip ings, Sun 22 July, Stokesay Court, afield. Arts & craft workshops for the kids also feature, Sun 22 July, Kenil- Released from Fri 20 July, showing at line, Sat 21 July - Sun 2 Sept, Engi- Craven Arms, South Shropshire nuity Museum, Ironbridge, Shrop- worth, Warwickshire selected cinemas EDWARDIAN GARDEN PARTY Take along shire HOTEL ARTEMIS (15) a picnic and partake in traditional Ed- SUMMER CLAY CRAFTS Find your inner wardian games and an Edwardian MADAME (15) artist and decorate ceramics every lantern show, Sun 22 July, Blakesley MAMMA MIA: HERE WE GO AGAIN! (tbc) day over the summer holidays, Sat Hall, Birmingham Music Festivals DIG IT! Hands-on activities including THE 34TH BIRMINGHAM, SOLIHULL & sandpit exploration and microscope SANDWELL JAZZ FESTIVAL Line-up in- identification, Sun 22 July, Hartlebury cludes The Jake Leg Jug Band, Bu- Castle, Kidderminster dapest Ragtime Orchestra, Art Theman Quartet and King Pleasure & AFRICA DAY AT MONKEY FOREST Enjoy The Biscuit Boys (pictured), Fri 20 - the sounds of the Chars choir and Sun 29 July, various locations across get your face painted like your Birmingham, Solihull & Sandwell favourite African animal, Sun 22 July, Trentham Monkey Forest, Stoke-on- Trent AFTERNOON TEA - BEHIND THE SCENES Combine a behind-the-scenes tour with afternoon tea in the Victorian Or- angery, Sun 22 July - Sat 22 Sept, Weston Park, Nr Shifnal

Design And Make- Enginuity, Ironbridge, Shropshire

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thelist OASISH Fri 27 July, MONSTER ROCK AN- ing Estate, Stafford Gigs Eleven, Sandyford, THEMS Sat 28 July, Comedy THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST Stoke-on-Trent Trentham Gardens, Presented by The Pantaloons, Fri 27 TOM ALLEN Mon 23 July, New Vic ECHO GECCO + THE HUB- Stoke-on-Trent July, Attingham Park, Shrewsbury DEL AMITRI Mon 23 July, Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme Symphony Hall, B’ham BARDS Fri 27 July, The LAUER Sat 28 July, Hare FUNNY FACES Double bill of plays Actress & Bishop, Birm- & Hounds, Birmingham TOM STADE & CHRIS STOKES Wed 25 MIKE & SOLVEIG Tues 24 based on the lives and loves of two ingham July, The Patrick Kavanagh, B’ham July, Hare & Hounds, BROKEN MINDS - JUNGLE British comedy legends, Sid James Birmingham CHOKING SUSAN PLUS EDITION Sat 28 July, DALISO CHAPONDA, ROSCO MCCLEL- and Joan Sims, Fri 27 July, Theatre SUPPORT FROM SPUNK Hare & Hounds, B‘ham LAND, REVERNED OBADIAH STEPPEN- On The Steps, Bridgnorth, Shrop- EMPLOYED TO SERVE VOLCANO, THE ERUP- WOLF III & COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH shire Tues 24 July, The Slade BLACK COUNTRY PIRATES TIONS AND DRAG Fri 27 ANDY ROBINSON Thurs 26 July, The Rooms, Wolverhamp- Sat 28 July, Katie LITTLE WOMEN Chapterhouse Theatre July, The Asylum, Birm- Glee Club, Birmingham ton Fitzgerald's, Stour- present an outdoor staging of Louisa ingham bridge PAUL SINHA & LAURA LEXX Thurs 26 May Alcott's timeless tale, Fri 27 July, DROUGHT ON MARS Wed THE RAT PACK IS BACK Fri July, MAC, Birmingham MAC, Birmingham 25 July, The Sunflower BRAIN FOOD Sat 28 July, 27 July, Crescent The- Lounge, Birmingham The Night Owl, B’ham SUMMER COMEDY GALA Fri 27 July, BEATING BERLUSCONI! Roller-coaster atre, Birmingham National Brewery Centre, Burton- tale of one man’s attempt to redis- KING PLEASURE AND THE OUT OF TIME - MOD ROCKET Fri 27 July, The upon-Trent cover his belief in himself, Tues 31 BISCUIT BOYS Thurs 26 NIGHT Sat 28 July, Jam House, B’ham July, Forest Arts Centre, Walsall July, Sutton Coldfield Newhampton Arts Cen- DALISO CHAPONDA, REVERNED OBA- Town Hall UNCHANGED Sat 28 July, tre, Wolverhampton DIAH STEPPENWOLF III, JO ENRIGHT & MADAGASCAR: A MUSICAL ADVENTURE O2 Academy, Birming- CLINT EDWARDS Fri 27 July, The Glee X Factor winner Matt Terry stars in a BON ACCORD Thurs 26 BLACK ANGUS Sat 28 ham Club, Birmingham musical adventure based on Dream- July, Katie Fitzgerald's, July, The Slade rooms, works’ animated motion picture, Stourbridge RIOT GRRRUNGE NIGHT Wolverhampton CHRISTIAN REILLY, JOSH PUGH, LEO Sat 28 July, Scruffy KEARSE & TOM WRIGGLESWORTH Sat Tues 31 July - Sat 4 Aug, New HÜDS Thurs 26 July, ZAL CLEMINSON'S SIN Murphys, Birmingham 28 July, The Comedy Loft, B’ham Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham The Sunflower Lounge, DOGS Sun 29 July, THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES Birmingham ELECTRIC 80S Sat 28 Eleven, Sandyford, ROFL! COMEDY CLUB Sat 28 July, The July, The River Rooms, Stoke-on-Trent Old Post Office, Stoke-On-Trent Brand new staging of the classic THE ED SHEERAN EXPERI- Sherlock Holmes mystery, Tues 31 Stourbridge JOSH PUGH Sun 29 July, Cherry Reds ENCE Fri 27 July, The EARTHLESS & RUBY THE July - Sat 4 Aug, Stoke Repertory Cafe-Bar, Birmingham River Rooms, Stour- STEVE EARLE & THE HATCHET Sun 29 July, Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent bridge DUKES Sat 28 July, O2 Hare & Hounds, B’ham CHRIS WASHINGTON Sun 29 July, Institute, Birmingham Cherry Reds Cafe-Bar, Birmingham LOU CONRAN Sun 29 July, Cherry Reds Cafe-Bar, Birmingham ROB KEMP Sun 29 July, Cherry Reds Kids Shows Cafe-Bar, Birmingham LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD Moon On A AURIE STYLA, ADOT, GERRY KYEI & GUZ Stick fuse puppetry and storytelling KHAN Sun 29 July, The Glee Club, with elements of pantomime in an Birmingham imaginative show for younger audi- BIANCA DEL RIO Mon 30 July, Sym- ences, Tues 24 July, Theatre Severn, phony Hall, Birmingham Shrewsbury

Theatre A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM Chap- terhouse Theatre Company present an outdoor version of Shakespeare's romantic comedy, Tues 24 July, Powis Castle and Garden, Welsh- pool, Powys PETER PAN Presented by Immersion THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM Theatre, Thurs 26 July, Birmingham SHAKESPEARE (ABRIDGED) The Na- Botanical Gardens tional Production Company present ONCE UPON A MATTRESS The Garrick's a fast-paced romp through the bard's annual community musical - If you 37 plays, Tues 24 - Sat 28 July, The thought you knew Hans Christian Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham Andersen's The Princess And The A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM Chap- Pea, you might be in for a big sur- terhouse Theatre Company present prise! Mon 30 July - Sat 4 Aug, Lich- an outdoor version of Shakespeare's field Garrick romantic comedy, Wed 25 July, Birm- ingham Botanical Gardens SIDE SHOW Inspired by the true story of conjoined twins Daisy and Violet Hilton, Wed 25 - Sat 28 July, Old Film Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST Presented by The Pantaloons, Thurs DARKEST HOUR (PG) 26 July, Shugborough Historic Work- Biography/Drama. Starring Gary Old- 64 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Wolves/Shrops/Staffs 23-31 July.qxp_Layout 1 22/06/2018 14:26 Page 2

Monday 23 - Tuesday 31 July

man, Lily James. Stourbridge Town THE ENGINEERING SHOW Tues 24 July - Hall, Mon 23 July Fri 31 Aug, Thinktank Science Mu- VICTORIA & ABDUL (12) seum, Birmingham Biography/Drama. Starring Judi SUMMER HOLIDAYS Trail and craft ac- Dench, Ali Fazal. Forest Arts Centre, tivity, available every Tuesday to Sun- Walsall, Tues 24 July day throughout the summer, Tues 24 SHERLOCK GNOMES (U) Animation/Ad- July - Sun 2 Sept, Sarehole Mill, venture. With the voices of Kelly As- Birmingham bury, Mary J. Blige. Festival Drayton DEN BUILDING Wed 25 July, Blakesley Centre, Market Drayton, North Shrop- Hall, Birmingham shire, Tues 24 July GET GEOCACHING Explore Attingham MARY SHELLEY (12A) as you hunt for hidden geocaches Biography/Drama. Starring Elle Fan- around the grounds, Wed 25 July, At- ning, Maisie Williams. Old Market tingham Park, Shrewsbury Hall, Shrewsbury, Fri 27 - Tues 31 KEEP READING AT TRENTHAM MONKEY July FOREST Encourage your little mon- THE BOOKSHOP (12A) Drama. Starring keys to keep reading, with help from Emily Mortimer, Bill Nighy. Wem Town Beanstalk reading charity, Wed 25 Hall, North Shropshire, Tues 31 July July, Trentham Monkey Forest, Stoke- on-Trent NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: LITTLE SKIPPERS - WATERY WILDLIFE A 45-minute boat trip followed by things Released from Fri 27 July, showing at to make and do, Wed 25 - Thurs 26 selected cinemas July, Dudley Canal and Tunnel Trust MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FALLOUT (tbc) HANDS ON HISTORY: THE ROMANS APOSTASY (tbc) Roman history is brought to life, Wed Once Upon A Mattress HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 3: A MONSTER VA- 25 July - Fri 31 Aug, Wroxeter Roman Lichfield Garrick, Mon 30 July - Sat 4 August CATION! (tbc) City, Nr Shrewsbury Hans Christian Andersen's famous fairytale of The Princess And SUMMER FUN Explore Maisy’s Maize The Pea is here given a 1920s twist, with the show’s producers Maze or have a go on the space hop- pers, Wed 25 July - Sun 30 Sept, promising a production ‘sparkling with glitz and glamour and Park Hall Farm, Oswestry, North backed by a wonderful musical score’. The show is the Garrick’s Events Shropshire third ‘community musical’, following on from The Hired Man and OPERATION EARTH ROADSHOW Become The Dreaming, both of which garnered good reviews. SAXON LIVING HISTORY Find out what an environmental scientist and ex- life was like for those living in Tam- plore the natural environment, Thurs worth during Saxon times, Tues 24 - 26 July, Aston Hall, Birmingham Thurs 26 July, Tamworth Castle, beauty of Sarehole Mill, Thurs 26 July LIVING HISTORY - MID VICTORIAN MILI- Staffordshire POTTERY FOR ADULTS Thurs 26 July, - Thurs 30 Aug, Sarehole Mill, B’ham TIA Living history displays ‘with lots of The Hive, Shrewsbury CRAFT ACTIVITY - BALLOON OWLS Drop VICTORIAN HANDLING DAY Fri 27 July, interaction, education and, of course. in sessions for children, Tues 24 - WALKING WITH DINOSAURS Spectacu- Sarehole Mill, Birmingham entertainment!’ Sat 28 - Sun 29 July, lar show based on the award-winning Hampton Court Castle, Leominster Thurs 26 July, The Potteries Museum TRAM DRIVING EXPERIENCE DAY Learn BBC television series, Thurs 26 - Sat & Art Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent all about the history and workings of SUPERHERO & PRINCESS Featuring ‘all 28 July, Arena Birmingham SUMMER CRAFT ACTIVITIES Drop-in the trams in the collection, Fri 27 July, manner of characters, from Disney sessions every Tuesday & Thursday SAREHOLE ART CLUB Drop by every Black Country Living Museum, Dud- and Star Wars to your favourite throughout the summer holidays, Thursday morning throughout the ley comics’, Sat 28 - Mon 30 July, Chun- summer holidays to take part in an net Valley Railway, Froghall, Staffs Tues 24 July - Thurs 30 Aug, FAMILY POTTERY Fun and creative art activity related to the natural Blakesley Hall, Birmingham workshop for family members of all SUMMER NIGHTS AT WEST MIDLAND SA- ages and generations, Fri 27 July, FARI PARK Sat 28 July - Sun 2 Sept, Black Country Living Museum, Dud- West Midland Safari and Leisure ley Park, Bewdley AN AUDIENCE WITH HENRY VIII Meet DRAGON BOAT RACE 2018 Sun 29 July, Henry and find out all about his life, Chillington Hall, Wolverhampton Fri 27 July, Blakesley Hall, B’ham OPERATION EARTH ROADSHOW Become COLOUR OBSTACLE RUSH The only 5k an environmental scientist and ex- with 20 obstacles, eight colour sta- plore the natural environment, Sun 29 tions and 20 music zones, Sat 28 July, Weoley Castle, Birmingham July, Wolverhampton Racecourse SUMMER HOLIDAY FOOD FAIR Sun 29 1940S DAY AT THE LOCKSMITH'S HOUSE July, Sarehole Mill, Birmingham Sat 28 July, Black Country Living Mu- MEDIEVAL OPEN DAY Explore the ruins seum, Dudley of Weoley Castle and learn about CERAMIC TITANIC Learn how to sculpt what life was like in Medieval Eng- and glaze your own mini Titanic - land, Sun 29 July, Weoley Castle, complete with icebergs! Sat 28 July Birmingham Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery CLASSIC VEHICLE DAY From Ford to MONSTER ROCK ANTHEMS Sat 28 July, Fiat, Jaguar to Lotus, Rolls Royce to Trentham Gardens, Stoke-on-Trent Triumph, and VW Camper to Heinkel Bubble Car, Sun 29 July, Severn Val- DIRTY VEGAN - A MAC POP-UP Two-day ley Railway, Bewdley, Nr Kiddermin- fusion of healthy and naughty, Fri 28 - ster Saxon Living History - Tamworth Castle, Staffs Sat 29 July, MAC, Birmingham whatsonlive.co.uk 65 The List Wolves/Shrops/Staffs 23-31 July.qxp_Layout 1 22/06/2018 14:26 Page 3

thelist Monday 23 - Tuesday 31 July AFTERNOON TEA - BEHIND THE SCENES Buttermarket, Shrewsbury Combine a behind-the-scenes tour GIN & DISCO FESTIVAL Gin and Disco with afternoon tea in the Victorian Or- all day long with splashes of soulful angery, Sun 29 July - Sat 29 Sept, house for you to dance into the night, Weston Park, Nr Shifnal Sat 28 July, Hanley Park, Stoke-On- MEDIEVAL LIVING HISTORY Meet me- Trent dieval characters and learn about CRAFT DRINK FESTIVAL Showcasing their lives, Tues 31 July - Thurs 2 hundreds of breweries, distilleries, Aug, Tamworth Castle, Staffordshire cider makers, wine merchants, food SUMMER TILE DECORATING WORKSHOPS stalls and more... Visitors can also ex- Tues 31 July - Fri 31 Aug, Jackfield pect live music, comedy performance Tile Museum, Ironbridge, Shropshire and cinema screenings, Sat 28 - Sun 29 July, National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham STAFFORD FOOD FESTIVAL Brand new event featuring over 100 food & drink Summer Tile Decorating Workshops - Jackfield Tile Museum, Ironbridge stalls throughout the town, free chil- Food Festivals dren’s activities and live entertain- Centre 29 July, Umberslade Farm Park, Tan- ment, Sat 28 - Sun 29 July, Stafford BIRMINGHAM THAI FESTIVAL A touch of MIDDLE OF NOWHERE FESTIVAL Fea- worth in Arden, Warwickshire Town Centre Thai culture, where you can chal- tures original artists and tribute MADE FESTIVAL Line-up includes lenge your taste buds and feast your bands spanning the genres of blues, Dizzee Rascal, DJ EZ, Andy C, Ku- eyes on world class food and perfor- rock & country, Fri 27 - Sun 29 July, rupt FM, Camelphat, Holy Goof, mances, Sat 28 July, Cannon Hill Lower Drayton Farm, Staffordshire Not3s, SASASAS and Yxng Bane, Sat Park, Birmingham LUNAR FESTIVAL Line-up includes 28 July, Perry Park, Birmingham CIDER & SAUSAGE FESTIVAL The Music Festivals Goldfrapp, The Stranglers, Amadou SHARDFEST Line-up includes Bugzy promise of a sausage tasting event & Mariam, Basement Jaxx (DJ Set), Malone, Lotto Boyzz, Artful Dodger, WARWICK FOLK FESTIVAL Line-up in- like no other. Choose from six The Go! Team, Songhoy Blues, A Abracadabra, Big Hapz, Erin Louise cludes Show Of Hands, Jon Boden & sausage taster dishes inspired by Guy Called Gerald (live), Crazy P, and Sonique, Sat 28 - Sun 29 July, Remnant Kings, Megson, Gordie recipes from around the world, paired Hookworms, The Unthanks, Jane Norman Chamberlain Fields, Birm- MacKeeman & His Rhythm Boys, with local cider producers offering Weaver, Boy Azooga, Trojan Sound ingham Thurs 26 - Sun 29 July, Warwick Town tasters and drinks, Sat 28 July, The System & much more... Fri 27 - Sun

Friday 29th June at 7.30pm Sat 30 June, Sun 1 & 14 July at 7.30pm Sat 7th July at 2pm & 7pm and Sun 8th July at 2pm

Music Dance Musicalus ca Theatreea e KABANTU ADJUDICATION 25 YEARS OF Flexus Dance Collective YOUTH THEATRE

Tickets £12, £10 conc. Tickets £10, £7 conc. Tickets £10

Tue 10 & Wed 11 July at 7.30pm Sat 21July at 7.30pm Fri 3 & Sat 4 August at 7.30pm

Music Drama A SELF HELP GUIDE TO Musical Thetare THE SPIRIT OF THE CIRCUS BEING IN LOVE WITH A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S JEREMY CORBYN DREAM: THE MUSICAL Tickets £12, £10 conc. Tickets £12, £10 conc. Tickets £8, £5 conc.

66 whatsonlive.co.uk Legends Of Darts F/P July 2018.qxp_Layout 1 21/06/2018 10:13 Page 1 Shropshire Cider & Sausage Festival F/P July 2018.qxp_Layout 1 15/06/2018 15:52 Page 1