Wolves & B'ctry Cover - Jan_Layout 1 27/01/2014 19:50 Page 1 BLACK COUNTRY WHAT’S ON WHAT’S COUNTRY BLACK THE MIDLANDS ESSENTIAL ENTERTAINMENT GUIDE WOLVERHAMPTON & BLACK COUNTRY ISSUE 338 FEBRUARY 2014 FEBRUARY ’ Whatwww.whatsonlive.co.uk sOnISSUE 338 FEBRUARY 2014 ED BYRNE INTERVIEW INSIDE... DENISE VAN OUTEN new musical in town interview inside... PART OF MIDLANDS WHAT’S ON MAGAZINE GROUP PUBLICATIONS GROUP MAGAZINE ON WHAT’S MIDLANDS OF PART THE GIPSY KINGS bring their rumba flamenco style to Wolverhampton BIRMINGHAM ROYAL BALLET UK debut of The Prince Of The Pagodas in Birmingham @WHATSONWOLVES WWW.WHATSONLIVE.CO.UK @WHATSONWOLVES TUES 25 FEBRUARY - SAT 1 MARCH Box Office 01902 42 92 12 BOOK ONLINE AT grandtheatre.co.uk BM wedding advert WO_Layout 1 27/01/2014 19:30 Page 1 Contents- Region Two - Feb_Layout 1 27/01/2014 18:13 Page 1 February 2014 Editor: Davina Evans INSIDE: [email protected] 01743 281708 Editorial Assistants: Matthew Bourne Brian O’Faolain [email protected] chats about Swan Lake 01743 281701 interview p8 Lauren Foster [email protected] 01743 281707 Adrian Parker [email protected] 01743 281714 Sales & Marketing: Jon Cartwright [email protected] 01743 281703 Chris Horton [email protected] 01743 281704 Subscriptions: Adrian Parker [email protected] 01743 281714 Seven Brides... Managing Director: classic American musical Paul Oliver [email protected] arrives in the Midlands p29 01743 281711 Publisher and CEO: Martin Monahan [email protected] 01743 281710 Graphic Designers: Lisa Wassell Chris Atherton Accounts Administrator Julia Perry Denise Van Outen talks about Some Girl I Used To Know, interview page 6 [email protected] 01743 281717 Website Development: Jim Pallett TO GET THE VERY Ed Byrne Contributors: p4 talks about the Roaring Graham Bostock: Theatre LATEST LISTING News James Cameron-Wilson: Forties interview p11 Film; Anita Champaneri: INFORMATION, Eating Out; Music p13 Alev Dervish: Music VISIT: Eva Easthope, Kate whatsonlive.co.uk Evans, Jessica Aston, Comedy p22 Patsy Moss, Jack Rolfe, INCLUDING Jan Watts, Reggie White BOOKING ONLINE Theatre p25 Head Office: 13-14 Abbey Foregate, The Midlands’ most Shrewsbury, SY2 6AE comprehensive p40 Tel: 01743 281777 entertainment website Dance e-mail: [email protected] Follow us on... 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News February region two_Layout 1 27/01/2014 18:14 Page 1 News A ROUND-UP OF LOCAL AND NATIONAL ENTERTAINMENT NEWS Casting announced for Private Peaceful A new UK tour of the hit one-man show Private Peaceful is heading for the Midlands. Simon Reade’s highly acclaimed stage adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s World War One novel tells the story of a young soldier awaiting a dawn firing squad. The produc- tion, which debuted in 2004 and has since played to sell-out audiences across the country, sees Paul Chequer and Andy Daniel sharing the role of Private Tommo Peaceful. Chequer appeared in the 2012 film version of the story, while Daniel’s theatre credits include Journey’s End, The Railway Children and The History Boys. This latest tour, mark- ing the centenary of the beginning of World War One, shows at the Festival Theatre, Malvern, from 17 to 19 April, and at The REP, Birmingham, from 14 to 17 May. Drayton Manor gearing up for new attraction One of the region’s most popular visitor attractions is getting ready to launch a new family thrill ride. Drayton Manor Theme Park in Tamworth, Staffordshire which already features some of the biggest, wettest and scariest rides in the UK - Shock-wave, G-Force, Maelstrom, Apocalypse and Splash Canyon - will welcome its new stomach-churning aerial adventure in ELO co-founder honoured time for the summer school holidays. Accommodating twenty-four riders at any one time, Air in home city Race will allow visitors to experience accelerations of almost 4G as they board the acrobatic aeroplane flight. With plenty of banks, loops, dives and weightlessness, Air Race promises to Composer, music producer and Brummie thrill seekers ‘the time of their life’. rock legend Jeff Lynne is to join fellow musi- cians Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi and Roy Wood on Birmingham’s Walk Of Stars, locat- Applications sought for selection of food and beverages as part of ed along the city’s popular Broad Street. its remit to provide a leisure facility for mem- ELO co-founder Lynne, who’s worked with Birmingham festival bers of the wider local community, whether some of the industry’s biggest names, will Organisers of an independent performing or not they’re intending to see a film. be presented with a duplicate of the arts festival which made its debut in Phil Dove, general manager of The Light Cinemas Birmingham-made commemorative star by Birmingham last year have announced its comedian Jasper Carrott at a ceremony at return for 2014. Designed to ‘celebrate the the Library of Birmingham on 13 March. second city’s venues and arts scene’, Commenting on the newly bestowed honour, Birmingham Fest showcases new works Lynne said: “I’m thrilled to be included on from both the UK and abroad. This year’s the Birmingham Walk of Stars! It’s great to festival takes place at locations across the have my work recognised in my home city from 11 to 27 July. Applications to take town!” part are now being sought from individuals and companies in various theatrical disci- plines, including theatre (adult and children), dance, music, comedy and poetry. For fur- ther information, visit Performing Academy www.birminghamfest.co.uk welcomes two new members Stoke’s Regent Theatre has announced the Light Cinema announced for names of two new practitioners who’ll be Walsall development working within the environs of its successful Academy Of Performing Arts. Both newcom- Work will begin this summer on a new ers will work towards staging new shows at leisure-led development on Walsall’s the venue in July. Emma Hill, whose recent Waterfront. The project’s operator partner is work includes projects with Huddersfield’s Light Cinemas, which is promising to ‘create Laurence Batley Theatre, will look at the a cinema which is unique to Walsall’. The world of ‘selfies’ for the academy’s first pro- company has a strong focus on bringing duction, while Simon Quinn, of Walsall- both movies and events to its venues. At the based company Fired-Up Theatre, will work same time, it will be offering an extensive with students on an as-yet-unnamed piece. 4 www.whatsonlive.co.uk News February region two_Layout 1 27/01/2014 18:14 Page 2 Cultural quarter to welcome return of Swingamajig A unique festival which invites Electro Swing lovers and vintage connoisseurs to take to the streets and party in style has announced its return to the heart of Birmingham for a second year. Bringing the ‘sounds and styles of the 1920s up to date with a modern twist’, Swingamajig is the UK’s first one-day festi- val dedicated to Electro Swing, Vintage Sounds and Gypsy Mahem. Dance work- shops facilitated by some of Europe’s lead- ing professionals are a new offer for 2014, as are a vintage cinema and electric ham- ster racing - interesting! Swingamajig will take place at Boxxed along Digbeth’s Floodgate Street on Sunday 4 May. Bellowhead Ludlow Arts Festival beginning to take shape Organisers of this year’s two Ludlow festivals have lifted the lid on their 2014 programme of entertainment. Under the umbrella name of the Ludlow Shakespeare And Arts Festival, this year’s event showcases an eclectic mix of artists and performances in a bid to attract a wide- My UK opens it first ranging audience. While the Ludlow Shakespeare Festival presents an outdoor production of As You Like It at the town’s castle from 14 to 22 June, the Ludlow Arts Festival (28 June to 6 Birmingham hub July) sees multi-award-winning crossover folk band Bellowhead in concert beneath the stars. The Birmingham arm of a national company is Comedy performers include veteran laughter-merchant Ken Dodd and female trio Fascinating on the lookout for performers to star in its Aida, the latter of whom will be unveiling a whole new collection of topical songs. Meanwhile, debut presentation later this year. Since its for visitors of a ‘more adventurous’ persuasion, Ray Mears brings a taste of the great out- launch five years ago, Musical Youth UK doors to the town, talking about some of the world’s harshest environments in one of the fes- (MyUK) has taken the nation by storm, with six tival’s many theatre events. regional hubs and performances on the West In addition to the glorious outdoor setting of Ludlow Castle, the eight hundred-seat capacity End stage.