Shropshire Cover Online.qxp_cover 25/06/2015 10:35 Page 1 THE MIDLANDS ULTIMATE ENTERTAINMENT GUIDE SHROPSHIRE ’ Whatwww.whatsonlive.co.uk sOnISSUE 355 JULY 2015 MARCUS BRIGSTOCKE PLAYS LICHFIELD FESTIVAL THE BIG ART SHOW the biggest event of its kind... DARREN EMERSON Underground DJ at The Buttermarket INSIDE: FILM COMEDY THEATRE. LIVE MUSIC VISUAL ARTS EVENTS FOOD & DRINK & MUCH MORE! ALANTALKS SHREWSBURY SURTEES FOLK INTERVIEW INSIDE... Wolverhampton Speedway (FP- July 15).qxp_Layout 1 22/06/2015 16:37 Page 1 Contents July Region 2.qxp_Layout 1 22/06/2015 20:40 Page 1 July 2015 Editor: INSIDE: Davina Evans [email protected] 01743 281708 Editorial Assistants: Dirty Rotten Brian O’Faolain Scoundrels [email protected] 01743 281701 West End musical Lauren Foster arrives in Stoke p21 [email protected] 01743 281707 Adrian Parker [email protected] 01743 281714 Jamie Ryan [email protected] 01743 281720 Sales & Marketing: Lei Woodhouse [email protected] 01743 281703 Chris Horton [email protected] 01743 281704 Subscriptions: Adrian Parker [email protected] Marcus Brigstocke 01743 281714 intelligent comedy at Managing Director: Lichfield Festival Paul Oliver p18 [email protected] 01743 281711 Publisher and CEO: Martin Monahan [email protected] 01743 281710 Graphic Designers: Lisa Wassell From EastEnders to East Is East. Interview with Pauline McLynn, page 6. Chris Atherton Accounts Administrator Julia Perry [email protected] TO GET THE VERY 01743 281717 News p4 Contributors: LATEST LISTING Graham Bostock: Theatre INFORMATION, James Cameron-Wilson: Music p11 Film; Eva Easthope, VISIT: Jessica Aston, Patsy whatsonlive.co.uk p18 Robert Plant Moss, Jack Rolfe, Jan Comedy plays Cannock Chase Watts, Simon Carter INCLUDING p14 Head Office: BOOKING ONLINE 13-14 Abbey Foregate, Theatre p21 Shrewsbury, SY2 6AE The Midlands’ most Tel: 01743 281777 comprehensive p35 e-mail: [email protected] entertainment website Film/DVD Follow us on... Festivals p41 This publication is printed on paper from a sustainable source and is Visual Arts p51 produced without the use July 2015 of elemental chlorine. Wolverhampton Events p55 We endorse the recycling & Black Country MTWTFSS of our magazine and @whatsonwolves would encourage you to 1 2 3 4 5 Staffordshire p65 pass it on to others to Eating Out 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 read when you have @whatsonstaffs finished with it. Shropshire 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 ’ @whatsonshrops 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 WhatsOn 27 28 29 30 31 MAGAZINE GROUP 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 July Region two.qxp_Layout 1 22/06/2015 20:06 Page 1 News A ROUND-UP OF LOCAL AND NATIONAL ENTERTAINMENT NEWS A weekend of celebrations across Brum Birmingham is this autumn set to host one of the biggest free events ever to take place in the city. Bringing together major arts organisations, Birmingham Weekender (25 to 27 Sept) is an outdoor event boasting a fusion of music, dance, theatre, art, literature, food and fash- ion. The weekend marks the opening of the newly transformed New Street Station and the much-anticipated John Lewis store - and also coincides with Style Birmingham Live and the Rugby World Cup. Commenting on the event, Roxana Silbert, Creative Director of Birmingham Weekender and Artistic Director of Birmingham Repertory Theatre, said: “Birmingham is leading the way with this level of collaboration across the city’s arts and cultural organisations. We have rela- tionships with some of the best national and international companies and artists in the world. Birmingham Weekender is an oppor- tunity to showcase Birmingham as a regen- erated city full of vibrancy and optimism. And for audiences it will be an amazing, sur- Theatre’s refurbishment ready for the off... prising and inspiring couple of days out!” Wolverhampton Grand Theatre has unveiled plans for the first phase of a redevelopment of its Lichfield Street building. Work on the refurbishment starts this summer, with the theatre’s foyer and stalls bar areas the first to be reimagined. The ground floor level will be renamed The Encore Lounge. It will feature a small performance space to facilitate intimate theatre pre- sentations and live comedy and music. The refurbishment will also enable customers to use the new lounge during the daytime and after work. Commenting on the refurb, the theatre’s Chief Executive, Adrian Jackson, said: “I’m delighted that the Grand is going to be able to offer a new experience for our customers to enjoy, and one that will be part of the extended cultural offering within the city centre.” Pixie Lott to star in Truly scrumptious musical Breakfast At Tiffany’s back in Brum Pixie Lott is to star as Holly Golightly in a A brand new staging of Chitty Chitty Bang RAF secures National Lottery new staging of Breakfast At Tiffany's, which Bang is visiting the Birmingham Hippodrome investment visits Birmingham's New Alexandra Theatre in 2016. The West Yorkshire Playhouse pro- The Royal Air Force Museum has in 2016. duction promises ‘sensational sets and stun- announced it’s been awarded £4.89million The production is directed by Nikolai Foster, ning special effects’, presented alongside by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to invest the new artistic director of Leicester's Curve the Sherman brothers’ memorable score. Hit in its 2018 RAF Centenary Programme - The Theatre, which is co-producing the show. standards from the ever-popular musical First 100 Years. As custodians of the RAF Commenting on her involvement, Pixie said: include Truly Scrumptious, Toot Sweets, story, the museum is planning an ambitious “I’m so excited to be playing Holly Golightly Hushabye Mountain and the show’s signa- programme of activities and events for the in Breakfast At Tiffany’s. I absolutely love ture tune, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. summer of 2018. These will include a new Holly’s style and free spirit. She’s always Speaking of his involvement in the produc- digital programme titled My RAF Story which been an icon to me and I can't wait to bring tion, West Yorkshire Playhouse Artistic will collect and share the personal stories of my own personality to the role. Alongside Director James Brining said: “Directing such servicemen and women to ensure that music, I've always wanted to be in a play, an iconic show is a great opportunity, a they’re preserved for future generations. and getting the opportunity to be in one of thrilling challenge for any director. Chitty my all-time Chitty Bang Bang is a brilliant adventure favourites and to story, filled with classic songs and scenes play this fabulous that hold so many memories for so many character is a people. I can’t wait to bring the production to dream come Birmingham.” true.” Chitty Chitty Bang Bang shows at Breakfast At Birmingham Hippodrome from Wednesday 7 Tiffany's shows at to Sunday 18 September 2016, with tickets New Alexandra priced from £23.50 to £50 on general sale Theatre, from 10am Monday 6 July. Birmingham, from Mon 18 - Sat 23 April. 4 www.whatsonlive.co.uk News July Region two.qxp_Layout 1 22/06/2015 20:06 Page 2 The wonders of the ocean on the big screen The mysterious wonders of the ocean are to be showcased for all to see when the Ocean Film Festival World Tour takes to the road this autumn. Featuring two hours of footage taken above and below the water’s surface, the films are described by the tour’s promoters as documenting ‘the beau- ty and power of the ocean’ and celebrating ‘the divers, surfers, swimmers and oceanog- raphers who live for the sea’s salt spray, who chase the crests of the waves, and who marvel at the mysteries of the big blue’. Impressive-sounding stuff... The Ocean Film Festival World Tour stops off at: Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, 2 September; Crescent Theatre, Birmingham, 17 September; Malvern Theatre, 27 October. For further information, visit oceanfilmfestival.co.uk Arts Council funding for Black Country project Four Black Country local authorities (Dudley, Wolverhampton, Walsall and Sandwell) are to share a £15,000 Arts Council grant as part of a Books Into Art project. The grant will be used to promote local libraries as places which offer much more than just the opportunity to borrow books. Join the Quest in Ironbridge Commenting on the project, Councillor Ironbridge Museums’ Coalbrookdale site is to be turned into a giant festival venue next Rachel Harris, cabinet member for health month, providing an opportunity for families to get creative and explore how industry has and wellbeing, said: “There will be special changed their lives. events to coincide with the Black Country Time Travellers’ Ironbridge Quest on 22 August is facilitated by national children’s art charity Festival, and the stage at Kingswinford will The House Of Fairy Tales. It forms part of a programme of arts events and installations called be offered to local musicians, artists, theatre Shifting Words, which runs at the Ironbridge venues throughout the summer. The Quest and community groups to use.” invites visitors to participate in a trail of games and take part in artist-led workshops. There The Dudley Books Into Art project is official- will be six different routes to experience, with reward tokens being handed out for each suc- ly launched at Kingswinford Library on cessfully completed trail.