Warwickshire Cover Online.qxp_Warwickshire Cover 26/02/2016 15:28 Page 1 Your FREE essential entertainment guide for the Midlands Warwickshire ’ Whatwww.whatsonlive.co.uk sOnISSUE 363 MARCH 2016 MARY POPPINS FLIES INTO THE MIDLANDS inside: Yourthe 16-pagelist week by week listings guide Slam Dunk (FP- Mar 16).qxp_Layout 1 22/02/2016 11:30 Page 1 Contents March Warwickshire/Worcs.qxp_Layout 1 22/02/2016 13:13 Page 2 March 2016 Contents Mary Poppins - West End musical flies into the Midlands. Read the feature page 19 A Raisin In The Sun Rachel Ries Bridget Christie the list Lorraine Hansberry’s classic at American singer-songwriter explains the difference between Your 16-page The Belgrade Theatre, Coventry brings Cardinal to The Tin Eddie Izzard and Caitlyn Jenner week-by-week listings guide page 8 Music & Arts page 22 page 51 page 14 inside: 4. First Word 11. Food 14. Music 22. Comedy 26. Theatre 36. Film 42. Visual Arts 44. Events @whatsonwarwicks @whatsonworcs Warwickshire What’s On Magazine Worcestershire What’s On Magazine Editorial Director: Davina Evans [email protected] 01743 281708 ’ Sales & Marketing: Lei Woodhouse [email protected] 01743 281703 Chris Horton [email protected] 01743 281704 WhatsOn Matt Rothwell [email protected] 01743 281719 MAGAZINE GROUP Editorial: Lauren Foster [email protected] 01743 281707 Sue Jones [email protected] 01743 281705 Brian O’Faolain [email protected] 01743 281701 Ryan Humphreys [email protected] 01743 281722 Abi Whitehouse [email protected] 01743 281716 Adrian Parker [email protected] 01743 281714 Contributors: Graham Bostock, James Cameron-Wilson, Heather Kincaid, Helen Stallard, Kathryn Ewing 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 March Worcs/Warwick Only.qxp_Layout 1 22/02/2016 13:14 Page 1 First Word Major new work to be unveiled in Stratford A major new contemporary artwork is set to be unveiled at the Royal Shakespeare Company. Commissioned by the RSC, artist and designer Steven Follen’s For All Time will be located in the refurbished Swan Wing. Steven’s artwork is a three metre-tall, three-dimensional presenta- tion of a human face, made from 2,000 hand-folded stainless steel stars. It will be revealed to the public on 23 April, as part of the 400th anniversary commemorations of Shakespeare’s death. Commenting on his artwork, Brighton-based Steve said: “I set out to produce a piece that people can engage with on several levels. For All Time will hopefully prompt thoughts about the imagery and symbols Shakespeare used within his works, particularly around the theme of time and mortality. But it will also be a piece that can be enjoyed for its visual and technical qualities alone. Whilst it ref- erences the materials and styling found in different parts of the theatre complex, the work is very much a reflection of the skills of contemporary metalwork, design and technology available to us Visualisation of For all time, commissioned artwork by Steve Follen now, in 2016.” RSC provides a platform for Games And Banged up in the budding performers... Thrones in Library of Brum Warwick A company of 36 young actors is set to present an ambitious adaptation of Shakespeare’s three Henry Vl plays. Games And Thrones will be presented by Playbox The Library of Birmingham is this month Theatre and Shakespeare offering visitors the chance to find out what Young Company. it’s like to be banged up in prison. The production opens for Between Tuesday 1 and Saturday 12 March, two weeks of performanc- the Centenary Square venue will host a repli- Midlands schools, colleges and amateur and semi-profes- es at Playbox’s Dream ca cell, built to government regulations and sional theatre groups are being offered the chance to put Factory home on 23 April, housing two ‘prisoners’. Visitors can either on a play by Shakespeare or his contemporaries at the the 400th anniversary of observe the prisoners through the window or Royal Shakespeare Company’s (RSC) open-air performance Shakespeare’s death. enter the cell to chat with them - asking space in Stratford-upon-Avon. The play will then visit questions about their lives, their sentences, The space, which is called The Dell, will be made available The Collegiate Church of and how prison affects them. Although the by the RSC on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the sum- St Mary in Warwick. two prisoners are performers, both are for- mer (2 July to 28 August). mer inmates who’ve served time in Her The groups can choose either to perform an established Majesty’s prisons. piece of work or create a new one. Commenting on the Go To Jail project, Saul Commenting on the initiative, the RSC’s Events & Hewish, who works for Rideout, a co-devel- Exhibitions Officer, Nicola Salmon, said: “The Dell is a fan- oper of the initiative, said: “Unless you've tastic platform for amateur theatre companies, community actually ‘served time at Her Majesty’s pleas- groups, schools, universities and professional theatre com- ure’, it’s hard to imagine what life is really panies to perform to an audience of all ages in the heart of like for those incarcerated in our over-crowd- Shakespeare’s hometown. ed prisons. Go To Jail allows people to see “As a national theatre based in the heart of the Midlands, the reality, and hear real stories from those it’s important that we invite theatre-makers to share their who've served sentences.” work where possible, and also offer visitors a series of Go To Jail is open in the Library of exciting weekends of free outdoor theatre.” Birmingham from Tuesday 1 to Saturday 12 To apply to use The Dell, download an application form March (closed Mon and Sun) between 11am from rsc.org.uk/thedell and 4pm at The Gallery (Floor 3). Admission The closing date for applications is Monday 7 March. is free and no appointment necessary. 4 whatsonlive.co.uk FIRST WORD March Worcs/Warwick Only.qxp_Layout 1 22/02/2016 18:32 Page 2 Entertainment news from around the region Enthusiasts Arts Council funding brings offered free testing Cosmic Birds to International at Silverstone Dance Festival Birmingham Competitors gearing up for this A major exhibition by renowned Japanese artist year’s Silverstone Classic are Shun Ito will be on display at this year’s being offered the chance to fine- tune their cars and familiarise International Dance Festival Birmingham - thanks themselves with the famous Grand to a £38,500 investment from Arts Council Prix circuit - for free. England. The free-test opportunity is being The exhibition, entitled Cosmic Birds and compris- made available at the Classic’s ing 20 mechanical sculptures, will be available to annual media preview day on view at the city’s disused 1930s Municipal Bank Wednesday 27 April. Entries will be accepted on a ‘first building, from Tuesday 3 to Friday 20 May. come, first served’ basis, with The sculptures will be exhibited alongside a new application forms available via sil- installation entitled CELLS. The new commission, verstoneclassic.com/competitor- created especially for the festival, will be made in zone. Birmingham by the artist. The Silverstone Classic takes place A new performance piece, inspired by the sculp- from 29 to 31 July. tures and combining contemporary music and dance, will also be produced. International Dance Festival Birmingham takes Joint production place at various venues throughout the city from 1 honours Victoria to 22 May. Cross recipient A joint production by Leicester’s Curve theatre, the Coventry Belgrade and Watford Palace Theatre is set to pay tribute to the Team GB Coventry Music Museum first South Asian soldier ever to be top of the charts awarded a Victoria Cross. takes on Ishy Din’s brand new play, Wipers, Japan The Coventry Music Museum has been rated the number one museum in tells the real-life story of the West Midlands by travel website Trip Advisor. Khuddadad Khan, who recieved Birmingham is this The museum, which opened in 2013 and recently welcomed its 9,000th vis- the honour for his extraordinary month hosting Great bravery in the Great War’s First Britain’s first-round ten- itor, is the life-long vision of Coventry music historian Pete Chambers and Battle of Ypres. nis match in the 2016 his wife Julie. Commenting on the new show, Davis Cup. Commenting on the news, Julie said: “It's just incredible to be in this posi- Curve chief executive Chris The tie takes place at tion. We’ve been tops in Coventry for about two years now, but being the Stafford said: “We continue to cele- top-rated museum in the West Midlands is a tremendous achievement. It brate diversity and share stories the Barclaycard Arena means that we’re ahead of attractions like the Black Country Museum, from many different perspectives in from 4 to 6 March and Ishy Din's profoundly moving new sees the Aegon GB Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery and even Cadbury World.