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Your FREE essential entertainment guide for the Midlands ISSUE 375 MARCH 2017 LAURA WHITMORE AT THE BELGRADE Worcestershire What’sOn worcestershirewhatson.co.uk FILM I COMEDY I THEATRE I GIGS I VISUAL ARTS I EVENTS I FOOD inside: thelist Your 16-page week by week listings guide March 2017 Contents Swingamajig - the Midlands most distinctive music festival returns to Digbeth feature on page 28 <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">Robert Fonseca </li><li style="flex:1">Laura Whitmore </li><li style="flex:1">Cinderella </li></ul>the list Cuban jazz pianist at Warwick Arts Centre joins Shane Ritchie in Not Dead Enough at The Belgrade Vienna Festival Ballet on tour with classic fairytale Your 16-page week-by-week listings guide <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">page 17 </li><li style="flex:1">page 24 </li><li style="flex:1">page 33 </li><li style="flex:1">page 51 </li></ul>inside: <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">4. First Word </li><li style="flex:1">11. Food </li><li style="flex:1">17. Music </li><li style="flex:1">20. Comedy </li><li style="flex:1">22. Theatre </li><li style="flex:1">36. Film </li><li style="flex:1">40. Visual Arts 43. Events </li></ul><ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">fb.com/whatsonwarwickshire fb.com/whatsonworcestershire </li><li style="flex:1">@whatsonwarwicks </li></ul>Warwickshire What’s On Magazine @whatsonworcs <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">Worcestershire What’s On Magazine </li><li style="flex:1">Warwickshire What’s On Magazine </li><li style="flex:1">Worcestershire What’s On Magazine </li></ul>Managing Director: Davina Evans [email protected] 01743 281708 Sales & Marketing: Lei Woodhouse [email protected] 01743 281703 Chris Horton [email protected] 01743 281704 Matt Rothwell [email protected] 01743 281719 Editorial: Lauren Foster [email protected] 01743 281707 Sue Jones [email protected] 01743 281705 Brian O’Faolain [email protected] 01743 281701 Abi Whitehouse [email protected] 01743 281716 Ryan Humphreys [email protected] 01743 281722 Adrian Parker [email protected] 01743 281714 Rhian Atherton [email protected] 01743 281726 Contributors: Graham Bostock, James Cameron-Wilson, Heather Kincaid, David Vincent, Katherine Ewing, Lauren Cox Publisher and CEO: Martin Monahan Accounts Administrator: Julia Perry [email protected] 01743 281717 What’sOn MAGAZINE GROUP 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 Top female artists set to star at Cheltenham Jazz Festival 2017 This year’s Cheltenham Jazz Festival will feature star turns from top female vocalists Laura Mvula, Mica Paris, Earl, Camilla George and Meshell Ndegeocello, to name but a few. The well-established annual event returns next month to present a programme that brings together classic and contemporary jazz, blues, soul and pop with a range of world premieres, festival commissions and unique collaborations. Other performers making a welcome contribution to the event include Gregory Porter, Ben Folds, Jamie Cullum, Rick Wakeman Jack Savoretti, Will Young and Paul Carrack. The festival is hosted in a tented village in Cheltenham’s Montpellier Gardens and takes place from 26 April to 1 May. For more information and to book tickets, visit cheltenhamfestivals.com/jazz Wilder’s legendary film, is being presented by Leicester’s Curve theatre and will star Ria Jones as faded silent-screen goddess Norma Desmond. Welsh singer Ria was Glenn Close’s West End understudy in the role last year, receiving rave reviews and standing ovations when she Gold accolade for popular Warwickshire destination Warwickshire gallery and park Compton Verney can proudly declare itself one of the best visitor destinations in England after receiving a prestigious Gold award from the country’s official tourist board. Lifelong learning at British Motor Museum took over the part after the Hollywood star had fallen ill. Sunset Boulevard runs at the The VisitEngland accolades are allocated through a scoring system based on an annual assessment, with Gold being given only to top-scoring attractions. Hippodrome from Monday 13 to Saturday 18 November. “We are now accredited as being as good as we say we are!” says Compton Verney’s delighted Front of House Manager, Emily Medcraft. “The assessor looked at every part of the visitor journey, from marketing, exhibitions and interpretation to the admissions process, welcome, cleanliness and also our retail and catering offer.” Compton Verney will now receive an official certificate confirming its new status and will be able to display the scheme’s logo on its website, comptonverney.org.uk. The British Motor Museum has launched a series of motoring-related workshops as part of its on-going lifelong learning programme. The workshops will enable participants to learn valuable skills in photography, drawing and classic car ownership. Among the sessions available are Cars Through The Lens (18 March) - offering hints and tips on taking the ‘perfect photograph’ of a car - and Lights, Camera...Cars (19 March), providing the opportunity to develop photography skills and experiment with lighting. Ria Jones Female performers on the Rise in Coventry show Some of the Midlands’ brightest young female performers are starring in a brand new production on the Coventry Belgrade Theatre’s B2 stage this month. Aged from nine to 25, the all-female cast are appearing in Rise, a play which explores what it’s like to be a young woman growing up in the 21st century. For more information about these and other workshops, visit britishmotormuseum.co.uk The production runs from Monday 13 to Saturday 18 March. Tickets are free but with a request for donations to support the work of the Belgrade Community & Education Company. Seats are unreserved but must be booked through the box office on 024 7655 3055 or via belgrade.co.uk Sunset Boulevard set to return to Birmingham Andrew Lloyd Webber’s award-winning musical Sunset Boulevard is returning to the Birmingham Hippodrome in the autumn. The Tony Award winner, based on Billy 4 whatsonlive.co.uk Entertainment news from around the region Festival winner inspired by Asian folklore A story inspired by Asian folklore has won this year’s Stratford-uponAvon Literary Festival & Salariya Book Company Prize. The winning tale, submitted by Camille Whitcher (pictured below), a 2016 graduate of the Cambridge School of Arts Illustration MA, was based on the Far Eastern folk legend of the Moon Rabbit. “It was my mother who told me about the Otsukimi (moon-viewing) festival,” explains Camille. “The festival honours the autumn moon, and people ‘offer’ food to the moon. She wasn’t sure about whether this involved any rabbits, but as a rabbit lover myself, I had to put them into my story!” Camille’s prize for winning the competition, which was open to debut writers and illustrators, includes having her book published later this year by Salariya imprint Scribblers, a £5,000 advance against royalties from Salariya and advice from a leading illustration agent. Slam Dunk favourites return for a record fourth year Slam Dunk Festival favourites Zebrahead are making a record-breaking return to the event. The American punk-rap party outfit’s 2017 appearance will mean they’ve performed at the festival for more consecutive years than any other band. “We’re damn excited to be coming back for the fourth straight year,” says Zebrahead’s Ben Osmundson. “It’s the one festival where everyone feels like family and friends, and we can't wait to have a drink with all of you!” Slam Dunk Festival takes place at the Genting Arena and NEC on 27 May. For tickets, visit theticketfactory.com or call 0844 33 88 222. Blood cancer charity in new campaign Kenilworth Arts Festival organisers launch crowdfunding campaign Organisers of Kenilworth Arts Festival have launched a crowdfunding campaign to help finance this year’s event. The 2017 edition of the festival runs from 17 to 23 September and will see musicians, poets and writers appearing at a selection of venues across the town. Last year’s inaugural event attracted more than 5,000 people, with organisers eager to ensure this year’s festival is bigger and better. Commenting on the campaign, Chairperson Lewis Smith said: “Crowdfunding is a great chance to be a part of the festival and to receive some exclusive rewards in the process. There are plenty of other ways to get involved, too. We’d love to hear from businesses interested in sponsorship opportunities, new volunteers and, of course, artists and performers.” launch Blood cancer charity Cure Leukaemia has launched a campaign to raise £1million to fully fund the £3.5million expansion of Birmingham’s Centre for Clinical Haematology (CCH). CCH is one of the world’s leading centres for the development of new drug and transplant treatments for patients with blood cancers. Birmingham actor bags role in new Indo-British movie A young Birmingham actor is to appear in an international movie inspired by Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus. Twenty-one-year-old Antonio Aakeel is the only British actor in the IndoBritish co-production The Hungry, a film that was given the green light last year as part of the 400th anniversary commemorations of Shakespeare’s death. The Kenilworth Arts Festival crowdfunding campaign runs until 12 March. To find out more, visit kenilworthartsfestival.co.uk The RSC making Mischief in Stratford The Royal Shakespeare Company is once again holding its Mischief To find out more about the ways in which donations can be made, visit “The film is every bit a Festival this spring. Shakespearean epic,” says Antonio, “and what a great way to commemorate his legacy. We’re all very proud of the movie, and India has been the perfect setting to translate this story for a contemporary audience.” The popular event is being hosted at the Company’s ‘creative engine room’, The Other Place, and features a double-bill of new plays alongside a range of events and works-in-progress. cureleukaemia.co.uk The festival runs from 24 May to 17 June. A second Mischief Festival will be held in the autumn. To find out more, visit rsc.org.uk whatsonlive.co.uk 5 First Word Birmingham Legoland given the green light Birmingham’s council has given the go-ahead to a planning application to establish a Legoland Discovery Centre at the city’s Barclaycard Arena. The new venue will include a 4D cinema, numerous rides and several interactive Legothemed attractions. City council planning officers believe the discovery centre will ‘reinforce and promote Birmingham's role as a centre for tourism, culture and events’. year. Commenting on the news, Camper Calling’s Shelley Bond said: “Last year exceeded all our expectations and was a staggering success. We’re therefore determined to make 2017 even better. We already know that there’s going to be a fantastic party atmosphere and a great weekend of live music for the whole family - so see you down the front!” Camper Calling takes place at Ragley Hall from 25 to 27 August. Britpop bands headline Warwickshire festival A family-friendly festival at Ragley Hall in Warwickshire will be headlined by two of the biggest bands from the 1990s Britpop era. Liverpool indie rockers Cast and rock legends Reef will top-bill Camper Calling, a summertime music and entertainment extravaganza which debuted last Theatre hosts dance workshop for the over-50s The hugely talented Richard Alston Dance Company is holding a dance workshop for the over-50s at Malvern A day out for Thomas the Tank Engine’s fans Taking on The Enemy in Coventry A new exhibition celebrating Coventry band The Enemy has opened at the city’s Music Museum. Tracing the 10-year history of the trio, Live And Die, A Celebrating Of The Enemy features their stage set - including amps and instruments - an Enemy jukebox and a series of unique and unseen photographs of the band. The exhibition coincides with The Enemy being added to the museum’s Coventry Music Wall Of Fame and shows at the venue until November. Theatre on Wednesday 1 March. The workshop takes place from 10.30am to 4.30pm. Tickets cost £24 per person and include the dance workshop and a seat in the theatre for the company’s evening performance. Fans of Thomas the Tank Engine can enjoy a day out with their hero this month (4 & 5 March). Vintage Trains is celebrating its 50th anniversary by running a steam-hauled rail tour from Birmingham Snow Hill Station to Cirque’s tales of the forest, told in the city... Oxfordshire's Railway Centre, where an actionpacked programme of family-friendly fun with Thomas and his friends awaits. The day’s entertainment includes the chance to meet Sir Topham’s mischievous sidekicks Rusty & Dusty, balloon modelling with Twistina and Twistopher, and the opportunity to enjoy Thomas story readings in the Imagination Station. Three new businesses take up residence in Coventry creative hub Fargo Village More than two years after its official launch, Coventry’s Fargo Village continues to grow and develop, with three new businesses having recently taken up residence. Art studio Spray Station, vegan food shop The Green Unicorn and dessert vendor Choc’n’Roll are the latest to find a home at the Far Gosford Street creative hub. All three start-ups received advice from Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce business advisor Wendy Brown. Said Wendy: “Fargo The world famous Cirque du Soleil make a welcome return to Birmingham this month. The Québec-based entertainment company are visiting the city’s Genting Arena with their signature production Varekai: Tales Of The Forest, a spectacular show that reimagines the fate of Icarus, who, in Greek mythology, perished after flying too close to the sun. Village is a fantastic space and perfect for these new businesses, with whom it’s been a pleasure to work over the past few months. They’ve done brilliantly so far, and I wish them the best of The production shows at the Genting from Wednesday 1 to Sunday 5 March. luck in the future.” 6 whatsonlive.co.uk FEATURE The Road To Huntsville Stephanie Ridings’ one-woman show explores the subject of finding love on Death Row... How far would you go to find the man of your dreams? Coming to Warwick Arts Centre this month, Stephanie Ridings' The which doesn't happen in this country.” been incarcerated as it is writing to someone who's going to be executed, going to Texas to be with someone!” But despite not joining the ranks of the women who find love through letterwriting, Ridings did eventually find the funding to travel out to Texas and visit the Huntsville prison after which the show is named. Opened in 1849, Huntsville is both the oldest state prison in Texas and home to America's busiest execution chamber. She and her videographer Road to Huntsville explores the Ridings set about researching - digging fascinating phenomenon of women around in blogs and internet forums, falling in love with the men they write to watching films and reading books to find on death row. You might think a out more. What she discovered surprised whirlwind romance based purely on her; once these women found their prison letters to a prisoner sounds a little farpen pals, it wasn't all that hard to fetched, but according to Ridings, at least, understand how quickly they might fall, it's more common than you might think... even if they hadn't initially set out looking weren't able to get too close to the facility “There are a lot of websites where you can find someone to write to,” she says, “and you can be very specific - about sexuality, gender, what they're in prison for, how long they're gonna be in prison - it's all catered for. Some of them actually get for love. For all the modern wonders of instant communication, these are lonely times for many people. In a world of constant distraction, the appeal of “an old-fashioned courtship with pen and paper” is easy to see, particularly when (you can see them skirting around the perimeter in a series of video blogs on her YouTube channel), but they did get the chance to speak to former prison warden Jim Willett, who oversaw 89 executions over the course of his career. married, though there's no actual physical you're corresponding with someone “He was a really great guy - really funny and lovely, and you couldn't have asked for a nicer person. But, I don't know, something about him just made you feel like he was damaged by his experience. It wasn't just doing all those executions and having to take that home with him, but as the warden, he also lived right outside the walls of the prison, and his house was on the other side of the death house, so he'd brought his kids up that close to it.” contact - it's all done by proxy or through the bulletproof glass.” offering you their absolute and undivided attention. <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">West Midlands-based writer and </li><li style="flex:1">The wealth of information available both </li></ul>online and elsewhere meant that Ridings was able to start work on her show without ever making contact with any of these long-distance lovers. Of course, there were ethical considerations to factor in as well. performer Ridings first took interest in the subject after coming across a television documentary. Instantly hooked, she was drawn to look deeper into the lives and experiences of these women, and what it was that might lead them to pursue such unconventional relationships - “It didn't feel right to just crash into somebody's life and then disappear once I'd made the show. There are real particularly the British women writing to men in American prisons. The pair also made some time to take a look around the town more generally, and get a feel for the attitudes of local people towards what happens in their “The thing that really interested me was the fact that they're three or four concerns about exploiting people for things like this. And there was nothing <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">thousand miles away, and that question of that I couldn't find out from what was </li><li style="flex:1">neighbourhood. Huntsville is a small city </li></ul>in the east of Texas with a population of just under 40,000. A quarter of that population is made up of people behind whether you can actually be in love with someone just through letters. Also, it isn't so much about writing to a man who's already in the public domain, so I didn't see what the purpose of that would be. Also, I didn't want to end up actually 8 whatsonlive.co.uk by Heather Kincaid bars, and the majority of the other residents are employed by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, leading to Huntsville being labelled as a ‘company town’. interested and what happens after each incident, and how my other half responds. In Edinburgh, people really wanted to know how much of it was true, but we like to leave audiences to make their own minds up.” the only time she's taken on hard-hitting subject matter. Her last play at The REP, Unknown Male, explored the effects of a train-track suicide on the driver. More recently, she's been working on a project called Dylan's Parents, which deals with the aftermath of a horrific crime from the perspective of the perpetrator's family. “People in that part of Texas are very conservative in their beliefs. We were quite cautious about telling people why we were there, so we only referred to the prison quite generically, but even the receptionist at our hotel was like, 'If you behave like a dog, you get put down like a dog'. And that was very much the sort of attitude among the people we spoke to. We were having dinner on the last night and there was a man there who thought that the UK was overrun by the Taliban and that we were all living in constant fear. Of course, we were very typically British and polite about telling him that it was nothing like that, but there’s a real sort of narrow-mindedness there. It was pretty strange, but it was a really great experience.” It's not the first time Ridings has created and performed a solo show - her previous <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">piece, Me, Mum & Dusty Springfield, </li><li style="flex:1">Originally from Liverpool, Ridings has </li></ul>toured to rave reviews - but in recent years now lived in the West Midlands for six she's focused more on writing plays for other people to perform. This medium seemed to suit the story better, but wasn't without its perils. Such an intense and soul-searching show is bound to make huge demands on any performer, particularly when they're up on stage alone. years, having first moved in when her partner started work at Warwick Arts Centre. Since then, she's quickly made a name for herself in the local arts and theatre scene, being accepted onto The REP's inaugural Foundry programme, as well as Writing West Midlands' Room 204 scheme.

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