Staffordshire Cover Online.qxp_cover 24/03/2016 11:44 Page 1 Your FREE essential entertainment guide for the Midlands Staffordshire ’ Whatwww.whatsonlive.co.uk sISSUE On 364 APRIL 2016 PIXIE LOTT interview inside... inside: Yourthe 16-pagelist week by week listings guide Nostalgic feel-good musical, featuring Antony Costa from BLUE, arrives at the Regent Tom Jones (FP- April 16).qxp_Layout 1 18/03/2016 09:33 Page 1 Contents April Region Shropshire/Staffs.qxp_Layout 1 18/03/2016 12:16 Page 1 April 2016 Contents Annie The Musical - Lesley Joseph stars as Miss Hannigan at The Grand page 31 Pixie Lott The Young’uns Rob Beckett the list talks about taking the lead North East folk trio talk about Mouth of the South stops off in your 16-page in Breakfast At Tiffanys their winning streak Shropshire as part of UK tour week-by-week listings guide page 22 page 25 page 27 page 51 inside: 4. First Word 11. Food 14. Music 26. Comedy 30. Theatre 38. Film 42. Visual Arts 45. Events @whatsonwolves @whatsonstaffs @whatsonshrops Wolverhampton What’s On Magazine Staffordshire What’s On Magazine Shropshire What’s On Magazine Editorial Director: Davina Evans [email protected] 01743 281708 ’ Sales & Marketing: Lei Woodhouse [email protected] 01743 281703 Chris Horton [email protected] 01743 281704 What s On Matt Rothwell [email protected] 01743 281719 MAGAZINE GROUP Editorial: Lauren Foster [email protected] 01743 281707 Sue Jones [email protected] 01743 281705 Brian O’Faolain [email protected] 01743 281701 Ryan Humphreys [email protected] 01743 281722 Abi Whitehouse [email protected] 01743 281716 Adrian Parker [email protected] 01743 281714 Contributors: Graham Bostock, James Cameron-Wilson, Heather Kincaid, Adam Jaremko, David Vincent 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 April Wolves/Shrops/Staffs Only.qxp_Layout 1 18/03/2016 13:53 Page 1 First Word All Together Now at Shrewsbury Folk... Shrewsbury Folk Festival is providing pupils at two Shropshire schools with the chance to take part in a proj- ect to learn traditional folk arts with a modern twist. Children from Trinity Primary School in Ford and Worthen Primary School will take part in a two week-long pro- gramme to learn new skills that will be performed at this year’s festival. Artists from the award-winning Demon Barbers and the Breaking Tradition Dance Company will share their unique take on folk dance with the students during the summer term. The project is part of the festival’s All Together Now pro- gramme, which aims to introduce new audiences to folk and world music. Sir Tom to shine like Duathlon set More Electro Swing a Beacon in Lichfield to go down in Digbeth a storm One of the UK’s toughest duathlons returns to Ludlow this month. Storm The Castle is a run- cycle-run event taking place in the town on 17 April, with competitors having the chance to test themselves on ‘some of the most stunning terrain that Shropshire has to offer’. For more information, visit: stormthecastled- uathlon.com/ Electro Swing lovers and vintage connois- seurs are being urged to take to the streets Living legend Tom Jones is to perform live in concert at and party in style when the Swingamajig fes- Lichfield’s Beacon Park on 12 June. tival arrives at Birmingham’s Rainbow ven- The 75-year-old Welsh superstar will perform numbers ues on 1 May. from his huge back catalogue of hits, as well as songs from The unique event, now in its fourth year, recently released albums Praise & Blame, Spirit In The brings the ‘sounds and styles of the 1920s up Room and Long Lost Suitcase. to date with a modern twist’. Held in a 10,000-capacity grand marquee, the event starts The line-up for the 2016 festival includes at midday and also features a line-up of local performers. Balkan Beat Box, The Tootsie Rollers, Father Tickets are now on sale at £55 Standard (inclusive of book- Funk, Jack Rabbit Slim, The Carny Villains ing fee and P&P) and £99 for Gold Circle (inclusive of book- and Spider Salah. For further information, ing fee and P&P) from tinyCOWtickets.co.uk and Lichfield visit, swingamajig.co.uk Garrick Theatre: 01543 412121. 4 whatsonlive.co.uk FIRST WORD April Wolves/Shrops/Staffs Only.qxp_Layout 1 18/03/2016 13:53 Page 2 Entertainment news from around the region Blues and jazz A blooming good panto at aplenty in Lichfield Wolverhampton Grand Lichfield Blues & Jazz Festival has CBeebies’ Mr Bloom is spending Christmas in announced its line-up for 2016. Wolverhampton. The popular event will this year fea- The popular character from children’s TV pro- ture performances from, among gramme Mr Bloom’s Nursery - aka actor Ben others, The Birmingham Jazz Faulks - has joined Joe McElderry and Lisa Riley Orchestra, The Callum Roxburgh in the cast of the Grand Theatre’s 2016/17 pan- Swing Orchestra, Steve Ajao Blues tomime, Aladdin. Giants, Rebecca Downes, The Commenting on the news, Adrian Jackson, Chief Steve Waterman Quartet, leading Executive of the Grand, said: “The addition of solo bassist Fred Thelonius Baker, The Nick Dewhurst Quintet and Ben to our cast is one that fully ensures our pan- The Zappatistas. tomime will delight younger audience members Commenting on this year’s festival, and entertain all ages. Families can look forward organiser Brian Pretty said: “As well to the fun and laughter that they’ve come to as the quality music, we will have expect of the Grand Theatre pantomime whilst at workshops to join in with, and the same time be spellbound by impressive vocal entertainment throughout the talents, stunning special effects and first-rate sto- weekend. The festival offers incred- rytelling.” ible value for money, and we can Aladdin shows at the Grand from Saturday 10 guarantee you a good weekend of Dec to Sunday 22 January. Tickets are already on great music and entertainment.” The festival takes place at various sale and can be booked in person at the Box Lichfield venues from 24 to 26 Office, by phone on 01902 42 92 12 or online at June. For further details and to grandtheatre.co.uk. book tickets, visit www.lichfield- arts.org.uk Falconry fair A festival of food at Newport Show returns to Shropshire’s Newport Show will this year include a new Festival of Chetwynd Food. The event, which takes place at Chetwynd Deer Park on 9 July, Park will feature a pop-up street food area and a dedicated Little Foodies marquee for children wishing to try their hand at cooking. This year’s British The show’s existing food theatre will be increased in size and will fea- Steve Ajao Falconry & Raptor Fair ture demonstrations from local chefs and Great British Bake Off win- takes place at Chetwynd ner Nadiya Hussain. Park in Newport, Commenting on the new addition to the annual event, the show’s Shropshire, on 1 & 2 Festival of Food Chairman, Tony Asson, said: “With Newport Show’s Top accolade for May. agricultural roots, food production and local produce has always Shropshire visitor Long established as the played an important part in our event, to encourage greater under- attraction UK's leading falconry & standing of the journey from farm to fork. hawking event, the “With the growing popularity in home cooking and healthy eating and Shropshire’s Blists Hill Victorian ever-popular fair brings the brilliant response to our previous food activities, creating the Town has been awarded a coveted together some of the gold accolade by VisitEngland, the Festival of Food was a natural progression.” country’s national tourist board. biggest names in the The Newport Show’s 2016 programme also includes a host of family The popular Ironbridge Gorge sport. It also features an entertainment, a focus on horticulture, a craft fair, a dog show, and Museum, where the Victorian era is impressive selection of strongly contested livestock and equine competitions. vividly brought to life, gained the family-friendly attrac- To buy advance tickets for the show, go to newportshow.org/ or call reward in recognition of the high tions and activities to 0845 467 1889. quality of its visitor experience. enjoy, including pony Commenting on the success, Paul rides, a funfair, quad- Gossage, Director of Engagement at bikes and novelty dog the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, shows. commented: “It was a great achieve- ment to receive this accolade, which For more information, positions Blists Hill Victorian Town visit: amongst the best tourist attractions countryfairs.info/ff- in the country. It’s wonderful that home.html the hard work of all the staff and volunteers has once again been recognised by VisitEngland.” whatsonlive.co.uk 5 FIRST WORD April Wolves/Shrops/Staffs Only.qxp_Layout 1 18/03/2016 13:53 Page 3 First Word Noddy at the Beheadings, Lighthouse incest and war Slade star Noddy Holder was on hand in Lichfield last month to open the homecoming An original and unautho- exhibition of Willard Wigan, the man rised parody of hit TV series known as ‘the world’s greatest micro Game Of Thrones is visiting artist’.