Birmingham Cover October 2018.qxp_Birmingham Cover 24/09/2018 15:41 Page 1 GINA YASHERE - Your FREE essential entertainment guide for the Midlands COMEDY AT THE REP BIRMINGHAM WHAT’S ON OCTOBER 2018 OCTOBER ON WHAT’S BIRMINGHAM Birmingham ISSUE 394 OCTOBER 2018 ’ 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 TWITTER: @WHATSONBRUM FACEBOOK: @WHATSONBIRMINGHAM FACEBOOK: BIRMINGHAMWHATSON.CO.UK Nightingale OBC Sept 2018.qxp_Layout 1 24/09/2018 16:09 Page 1 Contents October Birmingham.qxp_Layout 1 24/09/2018 17:11 Page 2 October 2018 Contents Joey’s back - Michael Morpurgo’s War Horse returns to Birmingham Hippodrome... page 24 The Messiah Jeff Lynne’s ELO Let’s Get It On... the list a nativity show like no other Mr Blue Sky plays Motown The Musical Your 16-page at The REP Arena Birmingham dances into the Midlands week-by-week listings guide page 8 page 15 page 32 page 51 inside: 4. First Word 11. Food 15. Music 22. Comedy 24. Theatre 37. Film 40. Visual Arts 45. Events @whatsonbrum fb.com/whatsonbirmingham @whatsonmediagroup Birmingham What’s On Magazine Birmingham What’s On Magazine What’s On Media Group 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 Lauren Cole [email protected] 01743 281706 Adrian Parker [email protected] 01743 281714 Contributors: Graham Bostock, James Cameron-Wilson, Katherine Ewing, Jenny Ell, Steve Adams, Jack Rolfe, Elly Yates-Roberts, Daisy Sparkle, 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 Birmingham October copy.qxp_Layout 1 24/09/2018 14:23 Page 1 Entertainment news from around the region Grease is the word as Peter Andre gets angelic Grease is the word! The hit high-school musical is mak- ing a welcome return to Birmingham Hippodrome next summer - with none other than Peter Andre taking on the role of Teen Angel. The new touring production features choreography from one-time Strictly Come Dancing judge Arlene Phillips and is helmed by Nikolai Foster, Artistic Director at Le- icester’s Curve theatre, where the show recently enjoyed a sold-out eight-week run. Commenting on the new production, Nikolai said: “Grease provides a gripping snapshot of a country on the cusp of social change, all set to one of the greatest rock’n’roll scores ever written.” The show runs at the Hippodrome from 13 to 24 August. For more information, visit birminghamhippodrome.com New theatre show to Waltzing in a New Year’s magical worlds of my favourite authors when I was younger - and I’m excited that I might explore the effects of war Day winter wonderland be able to do the same here. I got very in- The profound effect of war on young lives - volved in all Whoops’ adventures, even and in particular the experience of returning though I was writing them!” home from conflict - is the subject matter of a new play being performed at Birmingham’s Old Rep Theatre this month (Tuesday 30 Oc- An Unmissable trip from tober - Friday 2 November). Set in the past, present and future, The Unre- Birmingham to Lapland turning focuses on the experiences of three Midlands families have the chance to visit Fa- young men who’ve seen action on the battle- ther Christmas in his Lapland home this De- field: George, returning from the Western cember - thanks to experienced travel Front in 1918; Frankie, back from his final specialists Unmissable. tour of Afghanistan in 2013; and Nat, heading Birmingham’s Symphony Hall is hosting a The company has put together a four-day La- home in a not-too-distant future from an celebration of the music of Johann Strauss on pland experience for children and their par- overseas refugee camp... New Year’s Day. ents or guardians to enjoy. The trip comes The production is co-presented by Frantic As- Recreating ‘the glittering romance of a 19th complete with a family snowmobiling adven- sembly and Theatre Royal Plymouth. century Viennese ballroom’, Waltzing In A ture and the chance to meet Father & Mrs Winter Wonderland is a brand new show fea- Christmas, their reindeer, huskies and elves. turing Strauss favourites including Blue Flights depart from Birmingham Interna- Danube Waltz, Radetzky March, Thunder tional Airport. For more information, visit And Lightning Polka and Voices Of Spring. unmissablelapland.com or call 0207 428 1221. Celebrity chef Whoops it up with kids’ book debut Michelin-starred Birmingham chef Glynn Purnell has published a children’s book about his late Jack Russell. The Magical Adventures Of Whoops The Wonder Dog is aimed at primary school-aged children and tells the story of a little dog who uses her superhero powers to stop evil neigh- bour Doctor Dactyl from pulling off the crime of the century. Commenting on his new book, Glynn said: “I still remember the vivid images from the 4 whatsonlive.co.uk First Word Birmingham October copy.qxp_Layout 1 24/09/2018 14:23 Page 2 First Word A midnight cycle ride to save lives A midnight cycle ride in support of charities involved in suicide prevention takes place in the Midlands next month. Awesome Rides, Out Of The Dark starts at midnight on 10 November. Its route will cover 60 miles of well-lit roads. For more information, visit awe- somerides.net Central Park concert re-created in Birmingham A tribute show recreating Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel’s fa- mous 1981 reunion concert is coming to the Midlands this month. Image credit: LucyAround Gunning, My Room, Climbing 1993, 7:30Video, minutes. Live In Central Park (Revisited): Courtesy the artist and Greene Naftali,York. New Simon And Garfunkel features a repertoire of lyrical master- New exhibition marks a century since women won the vote pieces that includes Mrs Robin- son, Scarborough Fair, Bridge A new exhibition marking a century since women won the right to vote will open at Birmingham Over Troubled Water and The Museum & Art Gallery’s Gas Hall venue next month. Sound Of Silence. Women Power Protest brings together modern and contemporary art to celebrate female artists The show takes place at Birm- whose works have explored themes of protest, social commentary and identity. Comprising pieces by ingham’s Pizza Express Live on 50-plus artists drawn largely from the Arts Council Collection, the exhibition aims to raise awareness, 13 October. provoke debate and prompt viewers to reflect on the changes which have happened for women dur- ing the last 100 years... Women Power Protest shows at the Gas Hall from 10 November to 31 March. Hit musical Festival goes from strength to strength ghosts into the Birmingham’s Improv Festival returns to the city late this month. Midlands Running from Friday 26 October to Saturday 3 November at Blue Or- ange Theatre and Birmingham Rep, the popular event this year fea- tures improvisations built around Star Wars, Shakespeare, Enid Dumteedum - Blyton adventures, hip-hop, Halloween spookiness, soap operas and musicals... For full listings and to book tickets, visit birminghamim- Brum show a must provfestival.com for Archers fans... Fans of BBC Radio Four’s The Archers can get the low-down on all things Ambridge at a spe- Hit musical Ghost is return- cial Birmingham event this ing to the Midlands. month. Based on the Oscar-winning Based on fan podcast Dumtee- dum, the show includes contri- 1990 movie starring Patrick butions from Archers Swayze, Demi Moore and scriptwriter Keri Davies and ac- Whoopi Goldberg, the show tors Charlotte Martin - who stops off at the Wolver- plays Susan Carter in the pro- hampton Grand Theatre gramme - and Emerald O'Hanra- from Tuesday 22 to Saturday han (who stars as Emma 26 January. Grundy). Tickets can be bought on- Dumteedum Live takes place at line at grandtheatre.co.uk Birmingham Town Hall on Sun- day 7 October. or by calling 01902 42 92 12. whatsonlive.co.uk 5 First Word Birmingham October copy.qxp_Layout 1 24/09/2018 14:23 Page 3 First Word Dancing in alternative spaces Birmingham dance house DanceXchange (dx) will once again be presenting performances in alterna- tive spaces across the city this autumn, as well as in its usual home of Birmingham Hippodrome’s Patrick Studio. Commenting on dx’s out-and-about initiative, Lucie Mirkova, Executive Producer at DanceXchange, said: “We’re continuing our commitment to present work in alternative spaces where we hope to engage new audiences. There will be dance experiences in New Street Station and at Thinktank.