Coventry & Warwickshire Cover December 2017 .qxp_Coventry & Warwickshire Cover 21/11/2017 12:53 Page 1 NICOLE FARADAY IN SLEEPING COVENTRY & WARWICKSHIRE WHAT’S ON DECEMBER 2017 2017 ON DECEMBER WHAT’S WARWICKSHIRE & COVENTRY Your FREE essential entertainment guide for the Midlands BEAUTY AT THE ROYAL SPA CENTRE Coventry & Warwickshire ISSUE 384 DECEMBER 2017 ’ WhatFILM I COMEDY I THEATRE I GIGS I VISUAL ARTS I EVENTSs I FOOD On warwickshirewhatson.co.uk inside: PART OF WHAT’S ON MEDIA GROUP GROUP MEDIA ON WHAT’S OF PART Yourthe 16-pagelist week by week listings guide DOUBLE TROUBLE two dames for the price of one at Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre TWITTER: @WHATSONWARWICKS @WHATSONWARWICKS SIR WILLARD WHITE joins Armonico Consort at Warwick Arts Centre FACEBOOK: @WHATSONWARWICKSHIRE bidsMALCOLM farewell in Jack STENT And The Beanstalk at The Core WARWICKSHIREWHATSON.CO.UK Warwick Arts F/P December 2017.qxp_Layout 1 21/11/2017 09:21 Page 1 Contents December Warwicks_Worcs.qxp_Layout 1 21/11/2017 16:26 Page 2 December 2017 Contents Double trouble - two Dames for the price of one at Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre - feature page 8 Steeleye Span Barbara Nice The Snow Dragon the list English folk icons in special brings her annual Christmas Tall Stories stage legendary tale Your 16-page show at Warwick Arts Centre Cracker to Bromsgrove at Bridge House Theatre week-by-week listings guide page 15 page 20 page 29 page 51 inside: 4. First Word 11. Food 15. Music 20. Comedy 22. Theatre 37. Film 42. Visual Arts 45. Events fb.com/whatsonwarwickshire fb.com/whatsonworcestershire @whatsonwarwicks @whatsonworcs Warwickshire What’s On Magazine Worcestershire What’s On Magazine Warwickshire What’s On Magazine Worcestershire 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 Abi Whitehouse [email protected] 01743 281716 MEDIA GROUP Ryan Humphreys [email protected] 01743 281722 Adrian Parker [email protected] 01743 281714 Contributors: Graham Bostock, James Cameron-Wilson, Heather Kincaid, Katherine Ewing, Jenny Ell, Lauren Cole, Jack Rolfe, Elly Yates-Roberts, Daisy Sparkle, Carol Lovatt 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 Warwickshire_Worcs December.qxp_Layout 1 21/11/2017 16:25 Page 1 Entertainment news from around the region Midwinter magic set to delight at Stratford-upon-Avon venue A Stratford-upon-Avon venue is hosting ‘a magical winter extravaganza’ this month. Midwinter Magic Dance-Circus Spectacular (13 - 17 Decem- ber) is promising to take audiences on an intriguing journey through the contemporary gardens of Shakespeare’s New Place - the site of the playwright’s family home - which opened as a visitor attraction last year. Performers from local company Motionhouse will present a series of dance performances and acrobatics inspired by the timeless themes of Shakespeare’s work. Commenting on the event, the venue’s manager, Chloe Mal- endewicz, said: “We’re excited to be working with Motion- house to put on this visual and physical spectacle for visitors to enjoy this festive season. We wanted to use the event to open up a different perspective to Shakespeare, and show how his themes can be explored in a contempo- rary and creative way. “We can’t wait to see what magical acrobatic performances the dancers have in store for us!” For more information about the event, visit shakespeare.org.uk/events. Coventry music historian with strings of lanterns laced through the boughs of trees and a trail of fairy lights lead- Community parade shines gets an Honorary Degree ing visitors into ‘a magical wonderland’. a light on Bromsgrove Attractions to enjoy include the Mistletoe Bromsgrove plays host to the Festival of Light Garden, a traditional fairground and her- on Sunday 17 December, a community cele- itage-inspired stalls. Mince pies, toasted bration of togetherness and the winter sea- marshmallows and mulled wine help keep son. the chilly midwinter weather at bay. The atmospheric event takes the form of a The events runs from Friday 15 to Saturday 23 large-scale multi-faith lantern procession December. through the town’s centre. Commenting on the festival, Hannah Phillips, Director of Artrix Arts Centre, which is programming the event, said; “We want to unite local people of all genders, nationali- Coventry music historian, journalist and ties, ages, religions and abilities with an in- music museum curator Pete Chambers has spiring and beautiful piece of outdoor art, received an Honorary Doctorate from and we hope that lots of people will join us at Coventry University, in recognition of his Artrix during December to create their own ‘outstanding contribution to the musical lanterns.” For further information about the heritage of Coventry’. Pete received his parade, or to book a free lantern-making Degree last month and now takes his place workshop, visit artrix.co.uk or contact the alongside other musical honorary alumni Scrooge on stilts and venue’s box office on 01527 577330. including Jerry Dammers, Pauline Black, Peter Waterman, Ray King and Tony Iommi. other sights in Solihull! Christmas comes alive across Solihull town centre on the first three Saturdays of Decem- An enchanted Christmas ber, thanks to a ‘selection box’ of festive en- at Kenilworth Castle tertainments for the whole family to enjoy. Attractions include singing lampposts, Kenilworth Castle after dark will have a Scrooge on stilts, a Victorian magician, decidedly enchanted feel about it this naughty elves, storytelling tents for children Christmas. and a visiting choir. The Three Wise Men will The popular venue is being transformed into also be visiting the town centre with their ‘a winter fairytale of light, colour and sound’, camels and dedicated handlers. 4 whatsonlive.co.uk First Word Warwickshire_Worcs December.qxp_Layout 1 21/11/2017 16:25 Page 2 First Word Coca-Cola truck heads to Coventry The iconic Coca-Cola truck is visiting Coventry this month as part of its UK Christmas tour. The truck stops off in the city on 11 December, providing families with the opportunity to explore a ‘snowy winter wonderland’. “Coca-Cola is synonymous with the Christmas season,” says the drinks giant in publi- cising the visit, “and it’s no se- cret that our much-loved truck tour marks the unofficial countdown to Christmas.” For more information, visit coca-cola.co.uk/stories/keep- on-trucking Makeover for RSC costume workshop The Royal Shakespeare Com- Making Memories at Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre pany’s (RSC) costume work- Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre is once again running its Making Memories initiative this year. shop is to be restored and Designed to help families who are struggling financially or because of illness, the scheme sees the redeveloped, after which it venue partnering with Coventry Foodbank to provide 600 tickets to its panto production of Cinderella. will be opened to the general Commenting on the campaign, Helen Hotchkiss, the Belgrade’s Head of Development, said: “I’d like public for the first time. to say a huge thank you to everyone who donated to Making Memories last year, helping to provide Commenting on the news, people who’re facing a challenging Christmas with a treat that they won’t forget. Spending quality Catherine Mallyon, RSC Execu- time together watching a show and building happy memories for the future can be a luxury that some tive Director, said: “The work- people simply can’t afford. We can’t make people’s problems go away, but we can give them some shop has operated in its respite and help them to feel more positive.” current form since the 1950s. For more information, visit belgrade.co.uk/support-us/makingmemories Every year, millions of people enjoy our costumes, and we know that they’re fascinated by the processes that go into On the run with Amelia Lily joins Shrek The Musical tour making them. Acorns Hospice X Factor favourite Amelia Lily is to share the role of Princess Fiona with “For the first time, we want to Acorns Children’s Hospice Call The Midwife star Laura Main when Shrek The Musical heads out open our workshop to the pub- is holding its 10th anniver- on a national tour. lic, so that people can experi- sary Santa Run at Birming- Directed by Nigel Harman, the produc- ence the craftsmanship and ham’s Cannon Hill Park on tion visits Birmingham, Wolverhamp- skill that goes into making our Saturday 2 December. ton and Stoke-on-Trent next year. beautiful costumes.” Entrants are given a free Commenting on the news, Lily said: fancy-dress Santa suit and “I had my first taste of performing as can take part in either a Princess Fiona back in 2012 when I 5km Santa Run or a 2km donned the famous green dress for a Santa Stroll.