Birmingham Cover November 2017 .qxp_Birmingham Cover 20/10/2017 15:21 Page 1 DANNY MAC AT Your FREE essential entertainment guide for the Midlands BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME BIRMINGHAM WHAT’S ON NOVEMBER 2017 NOVEMBER ON WHAT’S BIRMINGHAM Birmingham ISSUE 383 NOVEMBER 2017 ’ WhatFILM I COMEDY I THEATRE I GIGS I VISUAL ARTS I EVENTSs I FOOD OnBirminghamWhatsOn.co.uk PART OF WHAT’S ON MEDIA GROUP GROUP MEDIA ON WHAT’S OF PART TWITTER: @WHATSONBRUM @WHATSONBRUM FACEBOOK: @ WHATSONBIRMINGHAM @ FACEBOOK: BIRMINGHAMWHATSON.CO.UK Photo: Manuel Vason Manuel Photo: (IFC) Birmingham.qxp_Layout 1 20/10/2017 11:34 Page 1 Contents November Birmingham.qxp_Layout 1 23/10/2017 17:24 Page 2 November 2017 Contents The Nutcracker - BRB’s magical production returns to the Hippodrome page 20 Danny Mac Margaret Cho The Hairy Bikers the list stretches himself as a performer American comedian brings cook up a treat at the Your 16-page in Sunset Boulevard Fresh Off The Bloat to Brum BBC Good Food Show week-by-week listings guide feature page 8 page 23 page 49 page 51 inside: 4. First Word 11. Food 15. Music 22. Comedy 24. Theatre 41. Film 44. Visual Arts 47. Events @whatsonbrum fb.com/whatsonbirmingham @whatsonbirmingham Birmingham What’s On Magazine Birmingham What’s On Magazine Birmingham 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 WhatsOn Editorial: Lauren Foster [email protected] 01743 281707 Brian O’Faolain [email protected] 01743 281701 MEDIA GROUP Sue Jones [email protected] 01743 281705 Abi Whitehouse [email protected] 01743 281716 Ryan Humphreys [email protected] 01743 281722 Adrian Parker [email protected] 01743 281714 Contributors: Graham Bostock, James Cameron-Wilson, Heather Kincaid, Katherine Ewing, Lauren Cox, Lauren Cole, Jack Rolfe, Elly Yates-Roberts, Daisy Sparkle 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. 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First Word Birmingham November.qxp_Layout 1 23/10/2017 15:55 Page 1 First Word Entertainment news from around the region Turbulent times in prospect as The REP launches spring/summer 2018 season Birmingham Repertory Theatre is to stage a season of shows examining ‘the stormy age in which we live’ during spring/summer 2018. “We’ll be reflecting the increasingly turbulent times we live in with sto- ries that explore this extraordinary era,” says the venue’s Artistic Direc- tor, Roxana Silbert. “James Graham’s This House is a searing look at British politics; Truth, by Helen Chadwick and Steven Hoggett, looks at the once-simple notion of truth in a messy modern age; The Kite Runner (pictured) highlights a friendship on the verge of war; and Terrence Rat- tigan’s masterpiece, The Winslow Boy, is a compelling investigation of the fallout on one family of a very different war in a very different time. “New times call for new ways of presenting stories,” continues Roxana, “and I’m pleased to welcome back one of Europe’s most exciting direc- tors, Calixto Bieito, with an ambitious new work, The String Quartet’s Guide To Sex And Anxiety, featuring live music from The Heath Quartet. “For this season I’m particularly thrilled to welcome back two play- wrights who’ve been important figures in The REP’s history: Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti’s latest play, Elephant, premieres in February, and play- wright David Edgar makes his debut as a performer with the autobio- graphical Trying It On.” The REP’s highly successful production of Noel Coward’s Brief En- counter, originally created with Kneehigh Theatre, also makes a wel- come return in 2018. For more information, visit birmingham-rep.co.uk Worlds Of Enchantment A life spent in the realm of BASS2017: This Is Africa features perform- ances by artists both from the continent itself as Disney returns Madness for Suggs and from the UK. Life-sized animated characters from Cars and Madness frontman Suggs is Commenting on the month-long programme live adaptations of Toy Story 3, The Little visiting the Midlands with a of events, organiser Ammo Talwar MBE, CEO Mermaid and the Academy Award-winning brand new show in the of Punch Records, said: “We are proud of this Frozen will be among the highlights when spring. year’s BASS presentation, our 12th install- Disney On Ice brings its Worlds Of Enchant- After selling out his previous ment of the series. The African arts scene is ment production to Birmingham’s Genting touring production, My Life enjoying phenomenal success right now, and Arena next year (28 March - 1 April). Com- Story, he makes a welcome it’s great that we can focus on what’s hap- menting on the upcoming show, producers return at Birmingham’s New pening in the present rather than just cele- Kenneth and Nicole Feld said: “Worlds Of En- Alexandra Theatre on Sunday 11 March. brate the achievements of past days. chantment connects classic and new Disney Suggs: What A King Cnut takes a lighthearted “The programme is varied and shines a de- stories. Audiences will be blown away in Ra- look at a career that’s featured plenty of served spotlight on a wide range of disci- diator Springs when they encounter the un- memorable moments for the veteran per- plines - from art to music through to comedy forgettable crew of animated cars, built ‘to former, including experiencing vertigo on the and debate - all done from a 21st century scale’ and live on ice. They will see their all- roof of Buckingham Palace, nearly blowing African perspective.” time favourites like The Little Mermaid and the closing ceremony of the Olympics and BASS2017: This Is Africa takes place at vari- discover the world of Arendelle with Frozen. watching his underpants fall to earth on ous venues across the city from Wednesday 1 To be the first to introduce the Frozen story David Bowie’s driveway. to Saturday 25 November. live on ice, and to be entrusted with the Tickets for the show can be purchased at at- beloved Toy Story characters is incredible, gtickets.com/birmingham or by phoning and we’re thrilled to be bringing these heart- 0844 871 3011. warming tales to families across the globe.” African arts celebrated in Birmingham festival A holistic celebration of the arts, culture and artists of Africa is taking place in Birming- ham this month. 4 whatsonlive.co.uk First Word Birmingham November.qxp_Layout 1 23/10/2017 15:55 Page 2 First Word Birmingham November.qxp_Layout 1 23/10/2017 15:55 Page 3 First Word Brum concert hall is five years old Two of Birmingham Univer- sity’s longstanding music en- sembles are coming together to celebrate the fifth anniver- sary of the opening of The Bramall, the University’s concert hall. The Philharmonic Orchestra and Birmingham University Singers will perform at the venue on the afternoon of Sunday 5 November, present- ing a programme that reflects on the University’s musical heritage. Big wheel and ice rink make a surprise return Time to get crafty A new home has been found for the Birmingham council’s events team has identified Eastside Green, in Kings Heath Big Wheel and Ice Rink, meaning the popular at- near Birmingham City University and Millennium A new monthly art, craft & tractions will be returning to the city in time for Point, as an alternative site. For the first time ever, food event, taking place on Christmas. It had looked as though the major refur- the Ice Rink will be undercover and include a sure- the third Saturday of every bishment of the Centenary Square area had put to-be-popular rollercoaster. For more details, open- month, has been launched in paid to the wheel and rink for this year, but the ing times etc, visit iceskatebirmingham.co.uk the Kings Heath area of Birm- ingham. The new event features street Santas needed! New sculpture on show at the Barber food vendors and work by local artists, including hand- Acorns Children’s Hospice is An exquisite and haunting sculpture by Naum Gabo, one of the most made items, gifts and gen- holding its 10th anniversary important avant garde artists of the 20th century, is now on show at uine antiques. Santa Run at Birmingham’s Birmingham’s Barber Institute of Fine Arts. Cannon Hill Park on Saturday Linear Construction In Space No 1 was made in 1943/4 from perspex 2 December. and nylon filament. Blockbuster ballet The ever-popular event will It has been acquired for the Barber’s collection by the Henry Barber is Brum-bound see hundreds of participants Trust, with substantial financial support from Art Fund and the Arts Matthew Bourne’s highly ac- suit-up as Father Christmas to Council England/Victoria & Albert Museum Purchase Grant Fund. claimed ballet version of Cin- support the charity’s work derella is heading to the with life-limited and life- Birmingham Hippodrome.