Worcestershire Cover Online.qxp_Birmingham Cover 01/11/2016 11:29 Page 1 Your FREE essential entertainment guide for the Midlands ISSUE 371 NOVEMBER 2016 Worcestershire ONE FOR THE ROAD - SEANN WALSH BACK ’ IN THE MIDLANDS WhatFILM I COMEDY I THEATRE I GIGS I VISUAL ARTS I EVENTSs I FOOD On worcestershirewhatson.co.uk inside: Yourthe 16-pagelist week by week listings guide XXL (FP- November 16).qxp_Layout 1 24/10/2016 18:09 Page 1 Contents November Warwicks/Worcs.qxp_Layout 1 24/10/2016 16:31 Page 2 November 2016 Contents Kiss Me Kate - Welsh National Opera present a new staging of Cole Porter classic ... page 22 Simon Russell Beale Simply Red Counting down... the list talks about starring in pop super Stars take to the Festive shows and activities to Your 16-page The Tempest at the RST stage at Genting Arena enjoy this month week-by-week listings guide Interview page 8 page 14 page 33 page 51 inside: 4. First Word 11. Food 14. Music 20. Comedy 24. Theatre 39. Film 43. Visual Arts 47. Events fb.com/whatsonwarwickshire fb.com/whatsonworcestershire @whatsonwarwicks @whatsonworcs Warwickshire What’s On Magazine Worcestershire What’s On Magazine Warwickshire What’s On Magazine Worcestershire What’s On Magazine Managing Director: Davina Evans [email protected] 01743 281708 ’ Sales & Marketing: Lei Woodhouse [email protected] 01743 281703 Chris Horton [email protected] 01743 281704 Whats On Matt Rothwell [email protected] 01743 281719 Editorial: Lauren Foster [email protected] 01743 281707 MAGAZINE GROUP Sue Jones [email protected] 01743 281705 Brian O’Faolain [email protected] 01743 281701 Abi Whitehouse [email protected] 01743 281716 Ryan Humphreys [email protected] 01743 281722 Adrian Parker [email protected] 01743 281714 Rhian Atherton [email protected] 01743 281726 Contributors: Graham Bostock, James Cameron-Wilson, Heather Kincaid, David Vincent, Katherine Ewing, Lauren Cox 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 November Warwicks.qxp_Layout 1 24/10/2016 18:48 Page 1 First Word Catherine Tate brings new live show to the Midlands Award-winning comedian Catherine Tate is visiting the Midlands this month with her brand new live show. Tate will stop off at Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, on 10 November before returning to the region to appear at Birmingham’s Barclaycard Arena on the 30th of the month. Her new show will include never- before-seen sketches featuring some of her best-known characters, including ‘Nan’ Taylor, Irish nurse Bernie, Geordie Georgie, Essex girl Sam and ‘Am I bovvered?’ teenager Lauren Cooper. Gavin & Stacey’s Mathew Horne co- stars. Something to SHOUT It’s Strictly Worcestershire about in the Midlands... for local lad Adrian Chiles Birmingham’s annual celebration of queer TV and radio presenter Adrian Chiles will arts & culture makes a welcome return this make a return to his Midlands home next month. year to host a charity dance contest. SHOUT Festival is taking place at venues Chiles, who hails from Hagley, will host across the city for an eighth year, showcas- Strictly Worcestershire, a black-tie fundraiser ing ‘the best of queer performance, theatre, taking place at Chateau Impney in Droitwich visual arts and film from around the UK and Spa on Thursday 25 May. beyond’. Profits from the event will go to “The event launches with the outrageous Worcestershire Prostate Cancer Awareness Miss Behave’s Gameshow,” says SHOUT Group and the £1.6million Rory The Robot Steering Group Chair Neil Anderson, “a rene- Appeal. The appeal is designed to fund a gade gameshow for the austerity generation. state-of-the-art surgical robotic system that The festival then offers the best in live per- will ensure prostate cancer surgery patients Royal Marines kickstart formance, theatre, music, comedy, cabaret, have less pain, minimal blood loss and fewer visual arts, talks, film, workshops and events complications. the festive celebrations at some of the city’s most prominent arts The dance contest will see eight couples Midlanders eager to begin their Christmas venues. from the county’s business community strut- celebrations early should get along to “We close on 20 November, Trans Day of ting their stuff in front of a judging panel. Cheltenham Town Hall on the first day of Remembrance, with the return of our free Judges on the night will include former trade next month, when the Royal Marines Band and ever-popular community event, SHOUT minister and will be kickstarting the festive season with a Out, at mac Birmingham, which will include business bang. performances and activities throughout the ambassador “The Marines Band always enjoys perform- day. Lord Digby ing at their special Christmas concerts,” says “The closing performance of the festival will Jones and tele- concert producer Norman Rogerson MBE. be the award-winning Big Girl’s Blouse, a vision presen- “They really do pull out all the stops for show that explores what being transgender ter Bob these special seasonal spectaculars. So get was like in the 1970s.” Warman. your tickets soon for this festive feast of SHOUT Festival takes place at venues across For more infor- music from one of the world’s finest military the city from Thursday 10 to Sunday 20 mation about bands and start celebrating Christmas early.” November. the event, visit Tickets for the Thursday 1 December concert For more information, visit strictlyworces- are available from the box office on 0844 576 shoutfestival.co.uk tershire.co.uk 2210. 4 whatsonlive.co.uk FIRST WORD November Warwicks.qxp_Layout 1 24/10/2016 18:48 Page 2 Entertainment news from around the region Shakespeare’s England in call to Midlanders Shakespeare’s England, the official destination management organisa- tion for Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwick, Leamington Spa, Kenilworth and surrounding market towns and villages, is urging Midlanders to make 2017 the year in which they take a short break or longer holiday in the Stratford region. The organisation believes the next 12 months will be an excellent time to enjoy the area, with numerous local hotels celebrating anniversaries, undertaking refurbishment pro- grammes and launching new pack- ages. For more information, visit shakespeares-england.co.uk Coventry theatre wins award for promoting diversity Circoncentrique at Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre has scooped the UK Theatre Award for the Promotion of Diversity. Warwick Arts... The popular venue received the prestigious gong at a glittering awards ceremony held at London’s A talented pair of circus performers Guildhall last month. are this month bringing their inter- The award recognises the theatre’s commitment to improving diversity across all aspects of its nationally acclaimed show to work, including its workforce, communications and programming. Coventry. Commenting on the success, the Belgrade’s associate director, Justine Theone, said: “Theatre and Circoncentrique, which comprises the arts play a crucial role in building understanding across difference and promoting community Italian Alessandro Maida and cohesion, something that’s all the more important in the light of the challenges that the UK faces Maxim Pythiad from Switzerland, post-Brexit. So we’re particularly pleased to have been presented with the UK Theatre Award for the will present Gasp!, a production in which two characters try to outdo Promotion of Diversity this year. We will continue to build on these strong foundations to ensure each other with increasingly that the Belgrade is a home to all the communities of the city of Coventry.” extreme acts of daring. The show can be enjoyed at Warwick Arts Centre on Tuesday 15 & Wednesday 16 November. Authors under Sit back and Think Of England... World-renowned the spotlight A local theatre company dedicated to telling ‘the unheard stories of women throughout history and across the world’ are this month The Hive public and uni- toy store comes to touring a new play about ‘courage, bravery - and swing dancing’! versity library in Worcester Based on real events, Anonymous Is A Woman Theatre Co’s Think the Midlands is hosting a new series of Of England is set in the summer of 1943 and follows the characters Famous toy shop Hamleys has talks by well known, new of Bette and Vera as they travel the country hosting tea dances for opened its first store in the West and local writers. Midlands. RAF fighter pilots. What the The Authors Spotlight sea- The shop opened late last month at locals don’t know, however, is son this month sees Resorts World Birmingham, to coin- that the dance is a cover for the screenwriter and novelist cide with the latter’s first birthday. girls’ real purpose - to send the Hamleys joins Resorts’ numerous Deborah Moggach visiting men off to war having experi- other attractions, including 50 outlet the venue on Thursday 17 enced all of life’s pleasures... stores, 18 bars and restaurants, an November. Deborah is best 11-screen cinema with IMAX, a luxu- To find out more about the com- known for her screenplay ry spa, a state-of-the-art casino and pany and where they’re perform- of Pride And Prejudice and a boutique hotel.