Shropshire Cover Online.qxp_cover 01/02/2016 14:45 Page 1 Your FREE essential entertainment guide for the Midlands Shropshire ’ Whatwww.whatsonlive.co.uk sOnISSUE 362 FEBRUARY 2016 HEATHER SMALL PROUD TO BE ON TOUR inside: Yourthe 16-pagelist week by week listings guide ADAM HILLS Clown Heart comedian at Theatre Severn BCNO (FP- FEB 16).qxp_Layout 1 25/01/2016 14:30 Page 1 Fri 1st April Fri 15th April Fri 29th April GRAND THEATRE TOWN HALL THEATRE ON THE STEPS WOLVERHAMPTON KIDDERMINSTER BRIDGNORTH 01902 429212 01562 732158 01746 766477 Contents February Region Shropshire .qxp_Layout 1 25/01/2016 18:17 Page 2 February 2016 Contents Horrible Histories - Birmingham Stage Company are back! page 8 Belinda Lang Heather Small Swashbuckling fun the list talks about her dual role in promises One Night In Heaven half-term activities at your 16-page Single Spies at The REP in the Midlands Staffordshire theme park week-by-week listings guide page 20 page 15 page 15 page 51 inside: 4. First Word 11. Food 14. Music 22. Comedy 24. Theatre 32. Film 38. Visual Arts 40. Events @whatsonwolves @whatsonstaffs @whatsonshrops Wolverhampton What’s On Magazine Staffordshire What’s On Magazine Shropshire 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, Katherine 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 Wolves/Shrops/Staffs Only.qxp_Layout 1 25/01/2016 15:39 Page 1 First Word Exploring women’s roles in the Black Country A one-off event at Black Country Living Museum is set to explore the fascinating history of women workers. Taking place during the half-term holiday, Anvils & Petticoats offers visitors the opportunity to find out about the work and daily lives of the women who once lived in the Black Country. Also explored as part of the event is the story of union leader Mary MacArthur, who led a national campaign to fight for - and ultimately win - a fair wage for women work- ers across the country. The contribution made to the war effort by a 700,000- strong female army who were tasked with supplying muni- tions for the First World War is also examined. Anvils & Petticoats takes place at Black Country Living Museum from 13 to 21 February. Full virtual reality ride to open at Exhibition Bake Off winner set to Staffordshire theme park inspired by delight fans industrial past Black Country artist Martin Poole has kicked off the temporary exhibi- tion programme at Dudley Canal Trust’s new multi-million pound visi- tor centre, The Portal. Martin’s exhibition fea- tures works inspired by the region’s industrial past and shows until 20 March. All of the featured origi- nal artwork is for sale. The first rollercoaster in the world to be entirely dedicated Other local artists, pho- to virtual reality is set to open at Alton Towers in April. tographers and special Galactica has been customised for the full virtual reality interest groups who are interested in exhibiting experience. Great British Bake Off winner Nadiya their work at The Portal Each rider wears a specialist VR headset. Through this, an Hussain is coming to this year’s Newport are encouraged to contact on board artificial intelligence guides them from the launch Show. the Trust. pad up into space, flying and looping beyond the stars, Nadiya will be giving demonstrations and For more information, banking through wormholes and speeding across undis- talking about her rise to baking fame at the visit covered galaxies. popular one-day event, which last year dudleycanaltrust.org.uk Commenting on the new attraction, Alton Towers’ attracted a record 13,000 visitors. or call 0121 557 6265. Marketing Director, Gill Riley, said: “Galactica uses Commenting on her forthcoming appear- ground-breaking technology to give riders a breathtaking ance, Nadiya said: “I’m very excited to be and completely unique rollercoaster experience. coming to Newport Show and Shropshire for “There’s nowhere else in the world that people can experi- the first time. I’ll be demonstrating recipes ence the feeling of a flying rollercoaster combined with from my book that will be published in June soaring through the universe. For two minutes, our guests and I’m looking forward to meeting Bake Off will be transported into space. We believe Galactica show- fans.” cases the future for theme parks around the world - it’s a To buy advance tickets for the show, go to complete game changer.” www.newportshow.co.uk or call 0845 467 1889. 4 whatsonlive.co.uk FIRST WORD Wolves/Shrops/Staffs Only.qxp_Layout 1 25/01/2016 15:39 Page 2 Entertainment news from around the region Shropshire to host Festival favourites to LGBT Festival make a welcome return Shropshire is this month hosting the Canadian folk rockers Blackie And The Rodeo Midlands hub of the National Festival of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisex- Kings are making a welcome return to the ual & trans) History. Shrewsbury Folk Festival this year after taking The festival features presentations, the event by storm in 2014. films, a range of entertainment and The band will take their place in a line-up that an exhibition exploring LGBT stories also includes Grammy Award-winning from Shropshire and beyond. American singer-songwriter Rosanne Cash - Special guests include international human rights activist Stuart Milk. the daughter of country singer Johnny Cash - Stuart’s late uncle, Harvey, was the folk rock band The Levellers, Eliza Carthy And first openly gay elected politician in The Wayward Band, singer-songwriter Tom San Francisco. He was assassinated Robinson and world music star Raghu Dixit. in 1978. The Shrewsbury Folk Festival features four Dr Emma Vickers, academic advisor music stages, a dance tent, more than 100 to the festival, and human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell will also workshops, children and youth programmes, make presentations. onsite camping, a craft fair, real ale, wine and For full information about the pro- cocktail bars, and a food village. gramme, where the events take The event takes place at the West Mid place and how to book tickets, vis- Showground from 26 to 29 August. itwww.shrewsburylgbthistory.org.uk Tickets can be booked through www.shrews- Alternatively, email salopianrain- [email protected] or telephone buryfolkfestival.co.uk or direct at 01743 249888. gigantic.com/shrewsbury-folk-festival-tickets. Children Banged up! New Shrewsbury Gaol tour invited to take offers insight into life behind bars... First Steps One of Shrewsbury’s most famous buildings can now be explored by mem- with BRB bers of the public thanks to a brand new tour. HM Prison Shrewsbury was built in Birmingham Royal 1877, close to the site where Thomas Ballet is this half term Telford built the Dana Gaol in 1793. Celebrating presenting a special Shrewsbury’s The new tour allows participants to performance for chil- check out the solitary confinement famous son... dren between the ages and condemned-man cells, walk the of three and seven. wings and step inside the execution Shropshire Wildlife Trust is this First Steps: A Child’s month presenting an event in cele- room. The Dream is an hour- bration of Shrewsbury’s most For more information, contact famous son, Charles Darwin. long presentation Jailhouse Tours on 01743 343100 or The 2016 Darwin Festival, taking designed to introduce visit jailhousetours.com place from 12 to 14 February, aims to youngsters to the world ‘inspire people with curiosity about of ballet and live per- the natural world and awaken formance. understanding of the marvellous Contributors needed for radio takeover wildlife with which we share planet Featuring a full cast of earth’. dancers and an orches- BBC Radio WM 95.6 is calling on local listeners to take over its air- For more information, visit discover- tra, the show is based waves for one week in March. darwin.co.uk/ or phone 01743 284 on a one-act ballet by Contributors will be selected by the WM team and invited for training 280. Sir Frederick Ashton in February. Commenting on the initiative, BBC WM’s Editor, Sarah inspired by Harness, said: “This is a really exciting project. We’re inviting listeners All in a good Shakespeare’s A of BBC WM to come in and work with our presenters and journalists to Midsummer Night’s really influence what goes into our programmes and news bulletins. cause... Dream. It’s a fascinating chance for us to see what people really want to hear An internationally acclaimed Abba Tickets for the 19 on the radio, whilst at the same time giving the audience a unique tribute band is next month visiting February event (1pm) opportunity to really shape our programmes and work with some of Shropshire in aid of Macmillan cost £10.