Staffordshire Cover Online.qxp_cover 27/10/2015 15:34 Page 1 THE MIDLANDS ULTIMATE ENTERTAINMENT GUIDE STAFFORDSHIRE ’ Whatwww.whatsonlive.co.uk sOnISSUE 359 NOVEMBER 2015 LEE MEAD AT THE GARRICK interview inside... DAVID WALLIAMS talks Gansta Granny Interview inside... DIVERSITY Up Close And Personal in Stoke INSIDE: FILM COMEDY THEATRE LIVE MUSIC VISUAL ARTS EVENTS festive fun in Tamworth FOOD & DRINK & MUCH MORE! Belgrade (FP) OCT 2015.qxp_Layout 1 21/09/2015 20:59 Page 1 Contents November Region 2 .qxp_Layout 1 26/10/2015 18:16 Page 1 November 2015 Brave New World Aldous Huxley’s vision of the future in Wolves, page 33 The Grahams Lee Mead Antiques For Everyone Glory Bound at talks about Some Enchanted Winter Fair at the NEC Henry Tudor House page 11 Evening interview page 6 page 71 INSIDE: 4. News 11. Music 24. Comedy 29. Theatre 45. Dance 47. Film 67. Visual Arts 73. Days Out 81. Food @whatsonwolves @whatsonstaffs @whatsonshrops Birmingham What’s On Magazine Staffordshire What’s On Magazine Shropshire What’s On Magazine Publishing + Online Editor-in-Chief: Davina Evans [email protected] 01743 281708 ’ Sales & Marketing: Lei Woodhouse [email protected] 01743 281703 Chris Horton [email protected] 01743 281704 WhatsOn Editorial: Brian O’Faolain [email protected] 01743 281701 Lauren Foster [email protected] 01743 281707 MAGAZINE GROUP Abi Whitehouse [email protected] 01743 281716 Adrian Parker [email protected] 01743 281714 Contributors: Graham Bostock, James Cameron-Wilson, Chris Eldon Lee, Heather Kincaid, David Vincent, Helen Stallard, Clare Higgins, Offices: Wynner House, Kieran Johnson Managing Director: Paul Oliver, Publisher and CEO: Martin Monahan Graphic Designers: Lisa Wassell, Chris Atherton Bromsgrove St, Accounts Administrator: Julia Perry [email protected] 01743 281717 Birmingham B5 6RG This publication is printed on paper from a sustainable source and is produced without the use of elemental chlorine. and 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. 13-14 Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, SY2 6AE 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. News October Region Two.qxp_Layout 1 26/10/2015 21:33 Page 1 News A ROUND-UP OF LOCAL AND NATIONAL ENTERTAINMENT NEWS Mailbox unveils latest transformation Birmingham premier lifestyle and retail desti- nation The Mailbox has unveiled its iconic Urban Room. Designed by Stirling Prize-win- ning architects Stanton Williams, the Urban Room ‘creates a beautiful space for shop- pers to enjoy during the day and an impres- sive destination for Birmingham’s events, exhibitions and social activities after retail hours’. REP announces new season Truly scrumptious casting... A brand new version of hit musical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang visits the Midlands next year, Three new plays will receive their stage pre- stopping off at both the Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent (from 30 March to 9 April) and the mieres next year as part of Birmingham Birmingham Hippodrome (7 to 18 September). Repertory Theatre’s Spring/Summer 2016 The show comes complete with ‘sensational’ sets, ‘stunning’ special effects and, of course, season. the Sherman Brothers’ memorable score. Jonathan Coe’s The Rotters’ Club, Gareth Jason Manford joins Michelle Collins, Martin Kemp (pictured) and Phill Jupitus in the show Farr’s The Quiet House and Tom Wells’ Folk during its Stoke run, playing the lead character of Caractacus Potts, while Lee Mead takes on are part of a line-up that also includes a the role at the Hippodrome. ground-breaking new production of The Tickets can be booked via the theatres’ respective websites: atgtickets.com and birming- Government Inspector and a major revival of hamhippodrome.com. Alan Bennett’s Single Spies. “I’m proud to announce The REP’s new sea- son,” says Artistic Director Roxana Silbert. “It combines new work from local writers along- Bookfest events taking place in Shrewsbury - and continued to do so even after a fall at side exciting premieres, striking productions during November - visit shrewsburybook- the age of nineteen left him sixty-six percent of classics and bold new interpretations of fest.co.uk. disabled and suffering from vertigo and three of Shakespeare’s greatest works: Don epilepsy. Warrington stars as King Lear, John Alain this month appears at: Premier Suite, Heffernan and Anna Maxwell Martin lead in Elephant In The Room, Bar Sports, Cannock, 6 November; Macbeth, and experimental theatre company Bridgnorth Town Hall, 8 November; Sadler's Filter bring their take on Twelfth Night. in Shrewsbury Brewery Suite, Lye, Stourbridge, 9 November; and Ramada Park Hall Hotel, “I'm very proud to be working in partnership Artist Jill Impey’s sculpture of a full-size Wolverhampton, 11 November. with some of the finest artists and compa- female Indian elephant is this month return- nies in the country to deliver world class the- ing to Shrewsbury, the town in which it was atre to our audiences.” created. To book tickets for the Spring/Summer sea- The sculpture, which is made from donated Stars in the Forest son, ring 0121 236 4455 or visit Birmingham- furniture dowel jointed to a plywood base, is Simply Red will perform as part of the annual rep.co.uk. being exhibited in the studios of Participate Forest Live initiative in 2016. The band, who Contemporary Artspace - the venue which recently released new album Big Love, will former Shrewsbury College lecturer Jill used be playing hits such as Money’s Too Tight when building the model. Until late last (To Mention), Stars and Fairground in Kate Adie remembers... month it was on display in Powis Castle. Cheshire’s Delamere Forest (in Northwich) Broadcaster and author Kate Adie is this The Elephant In The Room Conversations on Saturday 2 July. month visiting Shrewsbury as part of the exhibition shows from 3 to 30 November. town’s Children’s Bookfest. Kate is best known for reporting from war zones across the world during her time as Spiderman in the Midlands chief news correspondent for the BBC. She’s visiting Shrewsbury Sixth Form College on A modern-day Spiderman famous for climb- 19 November to give a talk about how the ing one hundred-and-forty-five of the world's First World War changed women’s lives for tallest buildings with his bare hands is com- ever. ing to the Midlands this month. For more information and to book tickets for Frenchman Alain Robert began climbing the talk - one of numerous Children’s buildings when he was just twelve years old 4 www.whatsonlive.co.uk News October Region Two.qxp_Layout 1 26/10/2015 19:35 Page 2 Bigger BBC in Brum The BBC Academy is expanding its role in Birmingham with a new digital team. The team’s task will be to come up with products to help deliver fresh, professional training to BBC staff and the wider broad- cast industry. Commenting on the expan- sion, Joe Godwin, Director of BBC Birmingham and BBC Academy, said: “Digital products are now a part of how we all learn, communicate and share ideas. Eventually the entire Academy will become searchable for everyone, bringing all the content, courses and expertise into one product for the first time. “The new site will enable a wide range of people to interact with the BBC’s services and training. It’s a fantastic showcase of the work the BBC Academy’s been doing here in Birmingham.” For more information, visit www.bbc.co.uk/careers. European award for Tamworth theme park Drayton Manor Theme Park’s Ben 10: Ultimate Mission rollercoaster has received Music awards, a boost for the economy... a European Star Award for being one of It’s estimated that the regional economy will get a £2.46million boost when the BBC Music Europe’s best family rides. Awards make their debut in the city next month - taking place at Genting Arena on Thursday The awards celebrate the continent’s most 10 December. noteworthy theme parks, most innovative Hosted by Chris Evans and Fearne Cotton, the prestigious event will feature performances ideas and most spectacular coasters and from some of the music industries top names including Ellie Goulding, Jess Glynne, Little Mix, attractions. Mumford & Sons and One Direction. In the build up to the main event, the BBC Music team Commenting on the success, George will be running a series of outreach events across the city to inspire and encourage new and Bryan, Drayton Manor’s Company Director, aspiring artists. said: “We’re delighted to have been hon- oured with this fantastic award. It’s wonder- ful to gain recognition within the European Theme Park industry. It’s a real achievement Collaboration brings arts experience to local schools for the whole team, who work tirelessly to Wolverhampton Grand Theatre has announced a long-term, ground-breaking collaboration ensure Drayton Manor is an amazing day with internationally acclaimed Hip Hop dance company Zoo Nation. The two companies will out for families.” come together to offer a professional arts experience to local schools ahead of opening the national tour of INTO THE HOODS: REMIXED at the Grand Theatre in February 2016. With significant support from Arts Connect, the Grand Theatre and ZooNation have created an outreach scheme that will provide opportunities for Key Stage 4 dance students across twelve schools to work with professional choreographers.