january 2018
issue three
s t a g e s
TAKE THAT TALK TALENT SHOWS, FAME AND THE BAND ALSO INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
SHOW YOUR SUPPORT Join our exclusive 1899 club!
ALL ABOARD
WIN TICKETS TO WICKED + DINNER FOR TWO! SEE P22
#myhippodrome
Brummie director talks all things Titanic
HIPPODROME HEADLINER What inspires our Creative Learning Manager, Liz Leck?
UNFORGETTABLE PERFORMANCE, POWERED BY YOU
Dates for your diary 2018 WED 17 JAN
Friends & Patrons Cinderella Meet and Greet
WED 24 JAN
Relaxed Performance at Cinderella (12 noon and 6.15pm)
TUE 6 FEB
Leading Ladies at Matthew Bourne’s Cinderella sponsored by West Midlands Growth Company
THU 8 FEB
Corporate Dinner at Matthew Bourne’s Cinderella
FRI 9 FEB
Fundraising Gala Evening at Matthew Bourne’s Cinderella - WAITING LIST ONLY
SUN 18 FEB
Chinese New Year Festival
TUE 20 FEB
Relaxed Performance at Birmingham Royal Ballet’s The Sleeping Beauty (2pm)
THU 1 MAR
Street Food Event at Dara O Briain
THU 5 APR
Wicked Fundraising Event
FRI 6 & SAT 7 APR
Relaxed Performance at Hansel & Gretel (7pm & 11am)
THU 12 APR
Leading Ladies at Wicked
THU 10 MAY
Leading Ladies at The Band
SAT 12 & SUN 13 MAY
B-SIDE Hip-Hop Festival
THU 7 JUN
Festival of Champagne Tasting Dinner
THU 21 JUN
‘Mixed Doubles’ at Aegon Tennis Classic
THU 12 JUL
Leading Ladies at Matilda The Musical
SAT 14 & SUN 15 JUL
Summer in Southside Festival
THU 19 JUL & FRI 20 JUL
Gala Evening at Matilda The Musical sponsored by Park Regis Birmingham
THU 20 SEP
Street Food Event at Kevin Bridges
THU 11 OCT
Gala Evening at War Horse
FRI 12 OCT
War Horse Fundraising Gala
THU 25 OCT
Leading Ladies at War Horse
Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre Trust Ltd, Hurst Street, Southside, Birmingham, B5 4TB Tickets & Information 0844 338 5000* Group Bookings 0844 338 7000* Administration 0844 338 5010* Events 0844 338 6500* *Calls cost 4.5p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge
birminghamhippodrome.com Registered Charity Number 510842
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Welcome to the third issue of
5 NEWS SPIRIT OF INDIA
s t a g e s 6/7 A SHOW YOU’LL NEVER FORGET
8/9
18-21
FOOD & DRINK CHOCOLATE DELICE
OFF STAGE A BEAUTIFUL DINNER
What better way to celebrate the New Year than with a new issue of your favourite magazine! From shows to gala dinners and relaxed performances to school workshops, 2018 looks set to be a great one here at Birmingham Hippodrome. One of those new shows is Titanic the Musical, and in our interview on p12 Brummie Director Thom Southerland recalls his first ever visit to our auditorium and his joy in bringing a show here. We also have a chat with one of the UK’s favourite bands Take That, as co-producers they give us their verdict on The Band stars Five to Five.
contents
Closer to home we have a chat with our very own Creative Learning Manager, and UK Theatre’s Employee of the Year, Liz Leck.
4/5
NEWS
6/7
BACKSTAGE
8/9
FOOD & DRINK
10/11
PLAY YOUR PART
So enjoy the read and if you have any feedback or suggestions for future issues please email press@birminghamhippodrome.com Laura Smith Editor
Meet The Team Editor: Laura Smith
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CENTRE STAGE
Writers: Kate Evans, Nichole Cooper
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HIPPODROME HEADLINER
Contributors: Andy Hannon, Diane Parkes, Fiona Allan, Jonathan Thompson, Judith Greenburgh, Rachael Magson, Rosie Milsom, Samina Beckford, Vicky Edwards, Zara Harris
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ON THE SCENE
18-21
OFFSTAGE
22
FIVE MINUTE CALL
Photography: Hugo Glendinning, Jack Spicer Adams, Joe Bailey, Matt Crockett, Pamela Raith, Simon Hadley, Steve Eggleton, Matt Crockett, Birmingham Mail
With thanks to long-term supporters and print partners
Front cover: The Band
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NEWS
KUNG HEI FAT CHOY! Come and join us on Sunday 18 Februaryfor Chinese New Year Celebrationsas we welcome the Year of the Dog. With a new and improved layout, the festival will feature two outdoor stages showcasing an exciting mix of lion dancers, acrobats and musical acts. The Arcadian will be transformed into a street food hub where you can sample some delicious Chinese food from the restaurants in and around China Town. Celebrations continue inside the Hippodrome as we open our foyer spaces for a host of free craft workshops where kids can get busy creating their own Chinese lanterns and having a go on traditional Chinese drums. The day will start, and end, with a bang as firecrackers signal the beginning and conclusion of the day’s festivities!
The event is supported by Rockspring Property Investment Managers LLP, who are funding the development of The Forum, Birmingham’s first build-to-rent scheme on Pershore Street. Anita Jerkovic, European Director at Rockspring, said: “Southside is Birmingham’s ‘festival district’ and nothing epitomises this more than the Chinese New Year celebrations! As a new investor in the area it’s great to be working alongside Birmingham Hippodrome and the local community to support this important date in the Chinese calendar.”
THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING Mobile Hoistnow available for all Hippodrome visitors, thanks to a generous donation.
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We have been working with Acorns Children’s Hospice for over three years. We have learnt from parents that without the Hospice’s mobile hoist it was difficult for some of them to visit the Hippodrome with their children. This is when two of our supporters stepped in and generously donated the funds needed to buy our very own mobile hoist! Thanks to this kind donation we can now accommodate
children and adults with unique accessibility requirements whenever they want to come and visit us.
AND THE WINNER IS...
Sports and Leisure Catering Awards and ‘Venue of the Year’ at the inaugural ‘Downtown in Business Awards Birmingham’ - attended by over 400 local business leaders from across the city.
Birmingham Post Business awards in the ‘not-for-profit’ category.
When it comes to doing it with flair, Birmingham Hippodrome’s reputation just keeps on growing! Autumn 2017 alone has seen us pick up fewer than three awards, plus multiple nominations across all areas of our business. These include being crowned ‘Heritage and Arts Establishment of the Year’ at the 2017
November also saw long-time theatre employee and Creative Learning Manager, Liz Leck pick up the UK Theatre Award for ‘Employee of the Year’; (see p16 for more).
To reserve the mobile hoist for your next visit, contact Information & Sales on 0844 338 5000
And a big congratulations to our Head of Fundraising Rachael Magson, who was nominated for the ‘Future Face of Arts and Culture’ award at this year’s Future Faces Annual Dinner on behalf of Birmingham Chamber of Commerce. A huge thanks to you, our audiences.
We were also thrilled to be nominated alongside Birmingham Children’s Hospital and Gro Organic for the 2017
We couldn’t have done it without you!
FOYER FUN WITH OUR NEW WORKSHOPS Did you know that we now run a number of workshops in our foyer for you and your family to enjoy during the day? These include B’Opera, a baby opera class for parents and their little ones. Led by opera singer Zoë Challenor, we explore how we can use rhythm, movement, sound and singing voices to bring a story to life. Sessions will take place on Mondays from 10.30am - 12.30pm. We also have a new drama activity for children from two years old, and of course their willing parents! Discover the fun and excitement of the performing arts in a relaxed and safe theatre environment
A CELEBRATION OF INDIA Entertainment icon Shiamak Davar is known as the Guru of Contemporary Dance in India and is one of the most sought after choreographers in Bollywood. His show Sprit of India, a celebration of Indian’s rich culture, hits our stage on Sunday 11 March. Together with this main stage show the children from our Hippodrome Education Network (HEN) will be working with a professional dance artist to create their own performance. Over eight weeks more than 200 pupils from local primary schools will be taking part in weekly dance sessions to learn classical Indian moves which will be performed alongside the professional cast!
where a world of imagination is developed through movement, mine, and storytelling. Sessions run on Thursdays, 10.30am - 12.30pm. We hope to see you there! Or if you have your own group activity that you would like to bring to our creative space, please feel free to get in touch. We have a great area for you to stage your own activity with the help and support of our team, completely free of charge.
NEW-LOOK Studio Space We’ve been working on a fresh new look and feel for our Patrick Centre which we’re very excited to share with you hot off the press. The 200-seater studio space first opened back in 2001, and sixteen years later we decided it was time for a refresh! The new identity reflects the changing purpose of the space as we work with partners BRB and DanceXchange to make it even more of a showcase stage for dance and a space where more work can be made and
For more information on our workshops, please contact the Creative Learning team on creativelearning@ birminghamhippodrome.com or 0121 689 3064
rehearsed. So welcome to our new ‘Patrick Studio’ - here’s a sneak peek of the identity but do pop in to take a look when you’re next in the building, and why not catch one of the diverse shows on offer.
To hire the studio and other event spaces email JudithGreenburgh @birminghamhippodrome.com
COMING SOON... SUMMER IN SOUTHSIDE Our FREE annual family-friendly outdoor festival is back! And this year we have been inspired by our main stage show Roald Dahls’ Matilda by the RSC. The outdoor arts festival takes place on Saturday 14 July & Sunday 15 July and this year’s theme is ‘childhood’. Over the weekend, you can visit our interactive playground, enjoy our outdoor cinema, and check out our live theatre, dance and music performances that will bring out everyone’s inner child. On Sunday, we will transform the foyers and host a series of imaginative hands-on activities, story-telling and workshops inspired by Matilda.
To find out more about the value-packed sponsorship packages available, email judithgreenburgh@ birminghamhippodrome.com
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BACK STAGE
A show you’ll ‘Never Forget’
What do you get when you mix four heroes of pop with five new kids on the block? Great music and one hell of a show in new musical The Band! Featuring music from one of Britain’s most successful bands, Take That, we catch up with band members and producers Gary, Howard, Mark and Robbie as they put stars of the show, BBC’s ‘Let It Shine’ winners Five to Five, through their paces. 6
So how long exactly has the idea of a Take That musical been in the works? “Seven years ago the first idea, the first seedling of an idea of a musical that could incorporate our music, came about. But not necessarily about us,” Mark says, pausing and then adding: “In fact, anything BUT about us. We’d find that a bit dull; we wanted to make it more interesting!” The result of that now fully grown seedling is The Band. Written by Tim Firth, who also collaborated with Gary Barlow on The Girls, under the auspices of theatrical aces David Pugh & Dafydd Rogers, Gary, Howard, Mark and Robbie are also producers for the show. Perhaps surprisingly, the story of The Band does not follow the rise of Take That but instead looks at boy band pandemonium in the 90s. Against a musical backdrop of those famous Take That tunes, the story tells of five 16 year-old friends in 1992 for whom ‘The Band’ is everything. 25 years on, the group of friends, now 40something women, try once more to fulfil their dream of meeting their heroes. The boys make it is clear that while this isn’t a conventional ‘jazz hands’ musical, nor is it a jukebox show. The word ‘unique’ is freely used, and under the direction of Kim Gavin and Jack Ryder, and with a technical team that include specialists who work on Take That’s big arena shows, there are going to be wow factors a-plenty.
After achieving success on the primetime TV competition ‘Let It Shine’ Five to Five are ‘The Band’ causing fanfare in this musical theatre production. But how do the Take That boys feel about their protégées; AJ, Nick, Curtis, Yazdan and Sario? “Ever since they got together as Five to Five they have had this unity and gel,” says Howard. “But now they have had to learn the show and the art of going on eight times a week,” Gary chips in. Robbie adds: “The discipline, the actual physical and mental discipline of being able to do that, is nothing you can expect until you’ve done it. But as well as The Band, Five to Five are working on their pop career. Do the Take That chaps reckon they have what it takes? “Can they make an album? They’re ambitious, so I hope so,” says Gary, clearly optimistic about their scope for success. “It’s amazing how ready they are to do this,” affirms Robbie. “It’s unusual. They were better than us straight away,” he adds, pointing out that the eighteen months Take That had before they were really in the spotlight was a huge advantage.
“We had time before we got any real notoriety, and it was good that no one was watching because early doors there were kinks” Robbie Williams
“We had time before we got any real notoriety, and it was good that no one was watching because early doors there were kinks. But these guys seem to have that chemistry right away, straight out of the box. They are incredibly professional,” he admits. But the four of them know only too well how hard Five to Five will have to work to get started. “It’s going to be intense,” cautions Robbie, “Although not as intense as ours, which back in the day was incredible!” Howard has the last word: “Tickets are on sale. Go and get them. They’re hot!” With a tour that began in Manchester in September last year, The Band is now the fastest selling musical theatre tour of all time. Don’t miss your chance to see this breath-taking brand new production at Birmingham Hippodrome from 1-12 May, 2018.
For details of The Band, please visit birminghamhippodrome.com or call 0844 338 5000
Take That’s HITS ON STAGE
“Feel free to grab the tunes by the horns and have a blast”
Never Forget Back for Good A Million Love Songs Greatest Day The Flood Relight my Fire Shine Rule the World
Whatsonstage.com 7
FOOD & DRINK WHAT’S HOT...
CHOCOLATE DELICE
Try your hand at one of our Chef’s delectable sweet treats
Ingredients For the cake… 18” spring form cake tin 18” sponge base 225g dark chocolate 300ml double cream 2 eggs 25g caster sugar 25ml rum to soak the sponge For the chocolate topping… 50g dark chocolate 12g butter (unsalted) 25ml double cream Method To make the cake, begin by melting the chocolate with half of the cream in a bowl, over a simmering sauce pan of water. Top tip - melt the chocolate slowly over a low heat to avoid it becoming lumpy or grainy. While that’s on the go, carefully separate the eggs and keep the yolks. Whisk the yolks and sugar together until pale and fluffy. Once that’s done, whip the remainder of the cream until it forms soft peaks. As soon as the chocolate has melted, remove from the heat and beat into the egg yolks, then fold in the whipped cream. Next, line the tin with the sponge sheet, cut to fit if necessary, then soak with the rum. Pour the chocolate onto the soaked sponge sheet and leave to set in the fridge for four hours. For the topping, once the delice has set, begin by melting the chocolate and cream together. When this has melted add the butter and remove from the heat and mix. To thicken, allow to cool while mixing. To finish, spread the luxurious chocolate topping all over the delice and enjoy!
SHAKE IT UP WITH OUR NEW COCKTAILS We’re mixing it up this season with a brand new cocktail menu featuring all your favourite classics like Tequila Sunrise and Cuba Libre, as well as some exciting new recipes of our own! Why not shake up your interval drink choice with one of our Hippodrome creations, like the elegant Let The Show Be-gin (Beefeater Gin, elderflower cordial and tonic) or the fruity First Night Fizz (Da Luca Prosecco, Campari and orange juice)? And don’t worry, we haven’t forgotten about the designated drivers and little ones! Our exciting menu includes two tasty Hippodrome softails: the Happy Hippo and the Fizzy Finale. 8
COCKTAIL S AND SOFTAILS !
AA Rosette Award for Culinary Excellence.
The Edgbaston Creates
Culinary excellence at our Circle Restaurant No need to book a fancy restaurant elsewhere when you visit us for one of our fantastic shows. We have one of the best seats in the city at our award-winning Circle Restaurant.
Mathew Bourne’s Cinderellainspired Angel of the Blitz. In celebration of Matthew Bourne’s Cinderella we’ve teamed up with experts at The Edgbaston Boutique Hotel and Cocktail Lounge.
As Andrew Hogarth, Catering & Events Manager said: “We are proud to have retained our 1 star AA Rosette rating for 2017/18. This is a fantastic achievement for both the Kitchen and Service Teams and is down to a lot of hard work and providing an excellent experience to all our guests.” In our restaurant you can enjoy attentive service and superb food just a few steps from your seat. The table is also yours for the evening - so feel free to pop back during the interval for a sweet treat or one of our specially selected cocktails. For more details take a look at birminghamhippodrome.com/circle or call 0844 338 6500. 0844 calls to us will cost you 4.5p per min plus your phone company’s access charge.
With this version of Cinderella set during the Second World War, the cocktail has a champagne base and, in line with that time period, features an earl grey liqueur with a plum base. The cocktail also has wonderful notes of Bergamot and a light black tea body which pairs beautifully with Laurent-Perrier Champagne. This is then combined with a metallic-looking grey paint on the inside of the flute that contains flavours of blackcurrant and hibiscus that will infuse into the sparkle over time. The paint element highlights the contrast of a beautifully classic fairy tale set in a very turbulent time. The cocktail is priced just £10 and is available to purchase throughout the run of Matthew Bourne’s Cinderella. 9
PLAY YOUR PART
A RELAXED APPROACH TO THEATRE At Birmingham Hippodrome, everyone’s welcome, and we want every person to have the same opportunities to enjoy live theatre. For our Relaxed Performances we alter the theatre’s environment. The foyer doors remain open while the lights go up and sound goes down, to create a more inclusive atmosphere for those with special access needs and complex disabilities. Over the recent festive period we added our first ever Relaxed Performance of The Snow Dragon in our
Patrick Studio. This meant that over 2017 we staged the most Relaxed Performances in the theatre’s history and have plenty more planned for 2018. We have already committed to another six for the year, which includes classics Hansel & Gretel and Peter Pan.
We’re also proud to announce Birmingham Royal Ballet (BRB) will have their very first Relaxed Performance of Sleeping Beauty on 20 February 2018 the perfect half term treat. Our Relaxed Performances are supported by IMI, HSBC, a range of Trusts and Foundations and generous Hippodrome donors.
To find out more about our Relaxed Performance and access programme, call our Creative Learning team on 0121 689 3064 or visit birminghamhippodrome.com/relaxed
JOIN OUR NEW 1899 CLUB! November saw the launch of our 1899 Club,a new way to support Birmingham Hippodrome. We have already seen dozens of supporters sign up to make a monthly donation to support our charitable work. It’s a great way of supporting the Mak diffe e a re theatre you love, as well as giving something back to from nce jus £10 a mo t your local community. nth 1899 Club members will take us one step closer to our vision of creating One Million Moments at the Hippodrome and help us transform lives through the power of theatre and the arts.
Join today at birminghamhippodrome.com/1899Club or call 0121 689 3068 to find out more
NEARLY 10K RAISED IN OUR 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE! All funds raised will directly benefit young people from Birmingham and the West Midlands next year - from first steps into dance to projects for those who are developing their dance talent. Thanks to everyone who donated, helping young people ‘step into dance’ this Christmas. With your generosity, we’ll be able to reach hundreds of young dancers in 2018.
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PLAY YOUR PART
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Welcome on board! We’re pleased to announce a number of new and renewing corporate partnerships with Birmingham Hippodrome. PROJECT PARTNERS CentreSoft Colmore BID Posca
Our fundraising events directly fund our Hippodrome Projects. So not only will you enjoy a fantastic night at the theatre, but by attending you’ll be helping make a difference to the lives of thousands of young people, families and disadvantaged communities in and around the city. Wicked Fundraising Event Thu 5 Apr 2018 £90pp Return to Oz with us as Wicked flies back into Birmingham! Join fellow musical fans for a night to remember, and expect a few surprises from the Emerald City! Each ticket includes a welcome drink and a light supper of sharing platters, a top-price theatre ticket, a show programme and a sweet treat in the interval.
Fundraising Gala Dinner at Matilda The Musical Fri 20 Jul 2018 £140 pp Join us at one of our ever-popular gala dinners for a very special evening at this award-winning musical from the RSC. Each tickets includes a drinks reception, a three course meal, top price show tickets, a show programme and a post-show soirée.
Fundraising Gala Dinner at War Horse Fri 12 Oct 2018 £140 Book your place at this unique Gala Dinner alongside an unforgettable theatrical experience.
PERFORMANCE PARTNERS HSBC ASSOCIATE PARTNERS Bidfood CBRE Eversheds Sutherland Gowling WLG Index Wealth Management Savills GOOD COMPANY CLUB GM Treble The Edgbaston LEADING LADIES FBC Manby Bowdler Freeths Wills & Legal SPONSORS Brewin Dolphin Penta Hotel
Enjoy an evening of excellent food and world-class entertainment as this record breaking show from the National Theatre returns to Birmingham. Each ticket includes the same package as listed above for Matilda The Musical.
To book your place at any of these events, please call the Fundraising Team on 0121 689 3068 or email fundraising@birminghamhippodrome.com
To find out more about our corporate partnerships, email judithgreenburgh @birminghamhippodrome.com
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CENTRE STAGE
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Thom Southerland The Titanic the Musical director discusses the UK revival of the award-winning Broadway show, and why he’ll be making an emotional return to Birmingham.
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“What this musical does is show how humanity comes together. We’ll never really know what happened to these people - but the one thing we will do is pay tribute to them”
When Titanic the Musical opens here at Birmingham Hippodrome in June its director Thom Southerland will make sure he has a front row seat in the circle - and he’ll pay a silent homage to the grandmother who first brought him here as a child. “Birmingham Hippodrome was the first theatre I went to and I had many happy, happy times there,” says Thom, who grew up just down the road in Walsall. “My grandma used to take me to see the pantomime at the Hippodrome every year and that building is where I first became excited about theatre. I’m sure that’s what started me off on becoming a director.” And with that love for the stage, Thom began to learn more about theatre through school productions. “Anybody’s first route into the theatre world is as an actor - but I really wasn’t very good at acting,” he recalls. “But I knew I still really wanted to be part of it so I used to direct some of my school plays. I also did drama workshops at The Custard Factory and I gradually realised I enjoyed directing more than acting. There was one undergraduate course at Rose Bruford College in London, and I was very fortunate to be given a place. “It was a great experience learning there. I trained for three years and I was very lucky afterwards to find work as an assistant director, working on the London Fringe in smaller venues and taking revivals of musicals and showing them in different ways.” 14
Thom went on to direct a whole host of shows including the award-winning Grand Hotel, Grey Gardens, Ragtime, Mack and Mabel, The Diary of Anne Frank, Death Takes a Holiday, Me and Juliet, Parade and The Smallest Show on Earth. And then Thom discovered the Broadway musical Titanic - which opened in 1997 and went on to win five Tony Awards but closed after two years. The New York production, with words by Peter Stone and music by Maury Yeston, had been epic, costly and loss-making. “The first thing I ever had to do with Titanic the Musical was when I found a souvenir brochure of the original Broadway production in a theatre shop in New York,” recalls Thom. “I looked at it and it was the most extravagant and lavish set with four levels and hydraulics and I just thought ‘I have never seen anything on this scale before’.” Listening to the score, Thom decided this was a show for him - but he wanted to do it in a different way from the Broadway production. In some ways Titanic seems an unlikely subject for a musical. The largest ship of its time, Titanic sank when it hit an iceberg on its maiden voyage from Southampton to New York in 1912. More than 1,500 people lost their lives and the incident was followed by recriminations and inquiries when it emerged that lifeboats were launched with empty seats.
But for Thom it was the stories of the people on the ship that fateful night which needed to form the heart of the musical. “When I listened to the score, what I heard was human voices. The music gives you time, place, character, location and I thought ‘all you need to do is see the person in front of you’. Our version saw the huge character list being played by just 20 actors who mostly play multiple roles so without changing very much of the original show we could do it in a way which could add something to the original production.” “You don’t ever really see what the Titanic looked like,” says Thom. “The most wonderful tool in the theatre is imagination. What I wanted to see was how families dealt with the event. You don’t need scale to do that - in fact, sometimes it’s more effective without scale.” “After all Titanic is not a musical about a boat - it’s a musical about the people. And the reason it stays so resonant in our society is because of the people - it’s their human stories.” “We set up a very theatrical telling of the story and try and show, at least at the beginning, that it’s not all doom and gloom. The opening in the first act shows people at the most excited they can be. They were on the most luxuriant oceangoing liner that the world had ever seen and were starting their new life in America. Of course, they didn’t know what was going to happen to them.”
Forging a legend... Titanic’s lost links to Birmingham and beyond Did you know that many of the original components and products manufactured for the Titanic were produced right here in the West Midlands? Thom’s scaled down Titanic the Musical premiered at London’s Southwark Playhouse in 2013 and then last year it was staged at the Charing Cross Theatre, where Thom is currently Artistic Director. This new version met with strong public and critical acclaim, winning a host of awards and also playing Toronto in Canada and Tokyo and Osaka in Japan. Featuring the stories of real people who were on the ship that night means that audience members are sometimes following the fates of their own relatives. “When we initially mounted the production in Southwark we had a lot of relatives of the people depicted on stage and I was really keen to talk to them afterwards,” says Thom. “They were so pleased that their relatives had been remembered as a human being rather than as a porter or just another job title. “What this musical does is show how humanity comes together. We’ll never really know what happened to these people - but the one thing we will do is pay tribute to them. “So at the moment that the ship sinks in our musical we bring down a board as wide as the proscenium that has everybody’s name on it that perished that night. The board is also flown in again at the end and people walk down to the front and see all those names and something that has been a musical entertainment for two hours and forty minutes suddenly hits home. You see the characters that have been on stage and you can see the names of those who have been lost on the board and it’s all very real.”
Thom is sure that Birmingham audiences will respond to the musical when it comes to the Hippodrome - and he is certainly looking forward to it visiting the city. Thom’s family moved from Walsall when he was 16 and his grandmother is no longer alive but he does still try to come back to the West Midlands whenever he can. “I have never had a show play at Birmingham Hippodrome before. When I was sitting there as a kid watching the pantomimes I always thought it was a pipe dream - and I would never really work there. “It’s actually my birthday week when it comes to the Hippodrome and Birmingham is where all of my family are coming to see the show. We’re having a trip back. We’ll go to Walsall and see all the sights and then we’ll take the train into Birmingham, which is what we used to do, and walk from New Street to the Hippodrome. “And I will sit in the front row of the dress circle to watch it. It will be a very personal moment - it will be incredibly emotional for me.”
Among the parts of the ship supplied by West Midlands manufacturers were steam exhaust pipes from Thomas Pigot of Spring Hill, life-boat davits from Brierley Hill, safes from Thomas Perry & Son, an iron forge in Bilston and beds, cots and mattresses from Hoskins and Sewell of Bordersley. Of the 2,200 souls that boarded the fateful White Star Line on 14 April 1912, just six crew members and eleven passengers originated from Birmingham. Among those on board was the leading industrialist William Edward Hipkins who grew up in Nechells. William helped transform W&T Avery Limited from a small-scale maker of scales into the world’s largest manufacturer of weighing machines. The Titanic’s anchors, which weighed in at an impressive 16 tonnes, began life in Netherton (a major chain and anchor making base in Britain during the Industrial era) courtesy of local manufacturers Noah Hingley & Sons ironworks. A replica of the anchor still stands in the town to this day. Alongside more functional items, the Titanic was also home to a vast selection of luxury goods including cut glass tableware from Wordsley’s Stuart Crystal in Stourbridge, one of the leading producers of glassware in the world at the time. A selection of original uniform buttons, made by Birminghambased company Firmin and Sons, were also salvaged from the wreck in 1987.
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“That’s one of my favourite things about this job, no two days are the same”
HIPPODROME HEADLINER Liz Leck is the Creative Learning Manager at Birmingham Hippodrome. As a life-long champion of the arts, Liz spins a lot of plates, looking after learning, engagement and access opportunities in schools and across the wider Birmingham community. How long have you worked at Birmingham Hippodrome? I have been working here for the past 13 years, but I have been working in the arts for more than 25 years. I began as maternity cover at the Belgrade Theatre, fell in love and stayed a little longer than intended! Describe your job? In my role I spin a lot of plates. I would say, I identify groups of people who may not have access to the theatre for one reason or another, and remove any barriers. Projects that I have pioneered include B-Side Hip-Hop festival, Accessible and Relaxed Performances and our Hippodrome Education Network (HEN). Describe a typical working day? I definitely start the day with a large cup (or bucket) of coffee. I have to say, that is the only thing that is typical. That’s one of my favourite things about this job, no two days are the same. Most of my days are filled with challenges for which I need to find a solution. I work closely with our HEN partners, a collection of diverse schools, to develop and plan educational programs focused on the arts. I spend a lot of time looking at how we can make ourselves as open as possible, whether that’s through our Accessible and Relaxed Performances or our inclusive events.
What is your favourite part of the job? It is definitely rewarding when you have an idea and you see it come to life. After reading The Nose, by Gogol, I had the idea of creating a similar event. The Nose tells the story of a St. Petersburg official whose nose leaves his face and develops a life of its own. He later finds out that his nose has apparently surpassed him in life. What resonated with me was how affected the main character was by this change in his appearance. The work I do is about not letting perceived disadvantages hold you back in life. I then created The Nose, an outdoor performance with Open theatre Company as part of Birmingham Weekender. We had young people with learning disabilities dressed up as giant noses in the city centre in parka jackets for this performance piece. This was included in a short film, which premiered at The Electric Cinema. What are you most proud of achieving here? We have been doing some work with young carers, giving them access to music workshops and creative spaces. From this starting point the talented group have recorded their own song, a young careers anthem. We put these sessions on to give young careers a break from their sometimes stressful home-life, and what started off as a creative outlet could soon
be heard on the radio. I’m so proud of them and what we have achieved together. What show are you most looking forward to in the coming season? On the main stage Matilda and The Play That Goes Wrong. But, I am also really excited to see the return of the B-Side HipHop festival, something that I have been involved in for a few years that has just grown and grown.
“I identify groups of people who may not have access to the theatre for one reason or another, and remove any barriers” 16
ON THE SCENE Welcome to a new year and a very busy season here at Birmingham Hippodrome. Whilst we are coming to the end of another very busy pantomime season, there is plenty to look forward to over the coming year. Matthew Bourne’s Cinderella is one of my absolute highlights - I was lucky enough to see it at Sadler’s Wells before Christmas and it really is magical. Well done for being organised if you’ve already bought tickets, Matthew’s shows are always very popular so you need to get in quick if not! Spring brings more timeless tales, another fairy-tale romance with Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Sleeping Beauty, and a new production of Hansel & Gretel, which the Hippodrome is coproducing with METRO-BOULOT-DODO and Open Theatre Company for our Patrick Studio. 2018 is also the Women’s Suffrage centenary, so it is perhaps apt too that many of the stories you’ll see on our stage feature strong female leads. From Elphaba and Glinda in Wicked, to Puccini’s tragic Tosca from Welsh National Opera, to everyone’s favourite schoolgirl in Matilda the Musical. We also have stories of real women who had huge impact on the world around them. Carole King’s story unfolds in a return week of Beautiful, and Evita, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical which immortalised Eva Peron. Ballet British Columbia also
return with a programme of three breathtaking modern dance pieces, all by internationally acclaimed female choreographers. When this magazine lands in January, I’ll be starting my year with a rejuvenating holiday home to Sydney. I’ve not had a Sydney break for a couple of years now, or indeed, a break longer than a week. Not only am I looking forward to recharging my batteries, but also to catching up with lots of Australian and international theatre in the annual Sydney Festival. Some of it may even make its way to Birmingham some day. While there I’m excited to see the new musical adaptation of Muriel’s Wedding, presented by Sydney Theatre Company at one of their harbourside venues. I’ve heard it’s every bit as good as the film. Luckily for Birmingham there’s no need to travel abroad, or even to London, to see amazing world class performances. In 2018 we will be bringing a stellar line up of top shows to the Hippodrome, including Wicked, Matilda, War Horse, Ballet British Columbia, and a host more. It’s going to be a very exciting year. So for now, here’s to a really terrific start to 2018!
Matthew Bourne’s Cinderella runs at Birmingham Hippodrome from 6-10 February.
“Spring brings more timeless tales, another fairy-tale romance with Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Sleeping Beauty, and a new production of Hansel & Gretel” 17
OFF STAGE She’s behind you! Our local branch of Debenhams was filled with cries of “she’s behind you” in December as unsuspecting Christmas shoppers were surprised by an exclusive appearance by panto veteran Ceri Dupree, who plays Ugly Sister Voluptua in this year’s festive, family pantomime! The flamboyant panto star was spotted browsing the retailer’s vast shoe selection, beautifying herself at the make-up counter and giving away tickets to see the show in store as part of Debenhams #youshall campaign which aims to help shoppers find their ‘Fairytale Christmas’. And with Prince Harry officially off the market, the race was on for our Ugly Sisters to bag themselves their very own handsome Prince in countdown to the royal ball!
Tea for two (and a few more!) Theatre supporters and dance fans recently enjoyed a special afternoon tea fundraising event in our Circle Restaurant. World-renowned choreographer, Carlos Acosta, visiting with his company Acosta Danza, generously donated his time to take part in a Q&A with our Artistic Director and Chief Executive, Fiona Allan. Those lucky enough to get a ticket all agreed that Carlos was a fascinating and engaging speaker, and with his help we raised over £1,600 towards the expansion of our youth dance programme a cause close to the choreographer’s heart as he carries out similar work with his own Foundation based in Cuba. To find out more about similar events, or about ways in which you can support our youth dance programme, please call our Fundraising Team on 0121 689 3068 or email: fundraising@birminghamhippodrome.com 18
BACHELO RS OF BIRMING HAM BEWARE ... !
Our Cinderella cast having a ball! When it comes to annual festive outings, there are some things that us Brummies just can’t do without... So what better way to celebrate two of the city’s favourite Christmas traditions than a trip to the Frankfurt Christmas Markets last December with the stars of our 2017/18 panto, Cinderella! Taking a break from their busy rehearsal schedule, stars of the show Beverley Knight, Danny Mac, Matt Slack and Suzanne Shaw celebrated their arrival in the second city in style with a whistle-stop tour of the bustling European Market followed by selfies with fans from across the city and beyond!
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OFF STAGE A‘Beautiful’ dinner Back in November we were very excited to bring 100 guests together for a themed dinner around Beautiful - The Carole King Musical, hosted by Artistic Director and Chief Executive of Birmingham Hippodrome, Fiona Allan and Birmingham Hippodrome Chairman Andy Hogarth. An enjoyable evening was had by all and more importantly we raised £5,000 for Hippodrome Projects. The after party was attended by stars of the show, where the donut wall seemed to be one of the main attractions...
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Ready for their close up To celebrate the arrival of musical masterpiece Sunset Boulevard in Birmingham, stars of the show Ria Jones and Danny Mac took time away from their busy performance schedule to discover more about the city’s historic links to the silver screen with a stop-off at much-loved local landmark, The Electric Cinema, famously the oldest working cinema in the UK today.
Paying homage to the golden age of Hollywood, the stars experienced an exclusive screening of part of the original film by Billy Wilder, before enjoying a whistle-stop tour of the cinema’s historic facilities including original projection room complete with vintage 35mm projector, ticket machine and Art-Deco inspired Box Office and bar!
Photo by Joe Bailey
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COMPETITION!
fiveminute call
DID YOU KNOW? 2017 was jam-packed at Birmingham Hippodrome! Our front house team served nearly half a million visitors as ever ice cream was the sweetest treat of all. But exactly how much ice cream was consumed in 2017? Over the course of the year we served up nearly 120,000 portions of ice cream! And can you guess the flavour of choice? The results are in... good old vanilla came out on top with 26,528 ice creams served.
TICKETS AND DINNER FOR TWO
New Magical Merchandise Range New for 2018 we are introducing our very own exclusive gift range and keep-sakes to help you take memories of a magical theatre experience home with you. The range, created exclusively by Birmingham-based illustrator Milan Topalovic, includes a beautifully designed greetings card, a boxed mug and the ever popular fridge magnet.
Win a magical prize of two tickets for award-winning musical Wicked, and a special dinner for two from our unique Wicked-themed menu in our Circle Restaurant!
All are available on show days in the main foyer so be sure to pick up a souvenir on your next visit.
From the leading lights of Hollywood to the biggest names in contemporary pop, when it comes to celebrity billings, Birmingham Hippodrome has never been short of star names. But it may surprise you to hear just how many famous faces from popular culture have graced our historic stage over the years. Take our quick-fire quiz to find out...
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To enter answer the question:
What are the names of the two female lead characters in Wicked?
1) Which much-loved comedy double-act from America famously caused a storm at the Box Office, breaking all known records at Birmingham Hippodrome in the bitterly cold winter of 1947? 2) Which famous Dame made her pantomime debut starring as the wicked Queen Rat in Dick Whittington alongside Julian Clary and Nigel Havers in 2011/12? 3) Which then five-year old chid-protégé and Hollywood icon was re-united with her parents Vincent and Liza on tour in Birmingham after a three month absence in July 1951? 4) Which chart-topping act had to be smuggled into the theatre by officers from West Midlands Police in November 1963 to protect them from crowds of screaming girls? 5) Which iconic Vaudeville star was famously ‘engineered’ into her tightfitting dress during a carefully stagemanaged week of shows in August 1965?
A) Gwenda and Elphaba B) Glinda and Elspeth C) Glinda and Elphaba Answers:1) Laurel and Hardy • 2) Joan Collins • 3) Judy Garland • 4) The Beatles • 5) Marlene Dietrich
QUIZ
Stars on our stage! How many do you know?
Simply email your answer to press@birminghamhippodrome.com by 14 February 2018.
Terms & conditions apply, see website for details.
Let’s Do Business... and Let’s Party!
Our event calendar has something for you, your brand, your clients, family and friends. Street Food Comedy Event at Dara O Briain Thu 1 Mar, £50pp A laugh-out-loud night of entertainment and hospitality.
Festival of Champagne Tasting Dinner with Laurent-Perrier Thu 7 Jun, £95pp An evening of fine dining and tasting with anecdotes from the French luxury brand. Gala Evening at Matilda The Musical Thu 19 Jul, £170pp Join us with guests and enter the treacherous world of Miss Trunchbull. Includes postshow party. Gala Evening at War Horse Thu 11 Oct, £170pp First-class hospitality alongside world class entertainment in the 100th anniversary year marking the end of WWI.
By joining us with guests at one of these events, you’ll be making a contribution to Hippodrome Projects, our wider artistic and community ambitions as an independent charity - thank you! Book now on 0844 338 6500 or events@birminghamhippodrome.com For more details birminghamhippodrome.com/corporate-events or Let’s start a conversation about how we can create an event specially for you.
And finally a big round of applause to... Hippodrome Circle Patrons The Dickens Foundation Mark Hopton • Maureen & Roy Kirby Chris & Jane Loughran
Headline Act Patrons
Leading Role Patrons
Teresa A Cook • Matthew & Jennie Hammond Dr & Mrs Harrison • Marc & Michelle Messer Emma & Peter Neads • Mr & Mrs J Quinn Janette Rutter • Mark & Amanda Smith Simon & Kath Winner
Mark & Liz Abrol • Christine Baylis • Mrs Jayne Cadbury • Jim & Birdie Ceaser • John & Heather Clemson Sara & Tim Fowler • Averil Green • Andy & Rebecca Hammond • Steve & Laura Kearney • Debbie & Mark Lilburne Michael & Cerys Luckman • Jeremy & Harjinder Millington • Tony & Julie Phillips • Paul Twose Steve & Suzie Whittern • Neil & Polly Wilson • Phillip Wright • Anthony & Daisy Gt Wyrley • David & Janine Young
Supporting Cast Patrons Fiona Allan • Christine Bachelor • Sheila Ballantyne-Smith • Simon Bashford • Janice Bennett • Beverley & Wade Bostock • Bridget Blow • Simon & Amanda Boardman-Weston • Mandy Bostock Richard Burke • Andrew & Sarah Connors • Adrian Cox • John & Diana Crabtree • June Lynda Cross J.P • Eileen Doyle • Patricia Edwards • Patricia & Ronald Etchells • Nicola Fleet-Milne • Mark Forty Neil & Jackie Frettsome • David & Beryl Glanfield • Roger & Jennifer Gould • Jill & Jeremy Griffin • Martin & Roni Guest • Claire & Mark Hales • Pauline Hancock & Simon Derby • Ivan Heard Dorothy Hobson • Justine & Paul Irish • David Jackson • John Jeremy & Pamela Buckley • Rodney & Alyson Kettel • Martin & Joanne King • Andy Le Marr • Maureen Levermore • Lynne Myers • Nathalie Neill Ralph & Linden Osborn • Win Palmer & Lola Ralph • Mrs Jill Parker • John & Jill Queenan • Claire Ralley • Dr & Mrs Reynolds • David & Jane Richardson • Emma Rowley • Don & Diane Scriven Mary Shaw • Dr N & Mrs C Speak • Christine Spittle • Gwen Stephens • Glynis Troth • Gillian Tune • Mrs Ann Wailing & Mrs Vanessa Ottley • Richard & Maggie Waller • Jane Woolrich
1899 Club Frederick Anderson • Wendy Barnard Maureen Booth • James Clews • Mr & Mrs P Davies • Alaine Fendek • Colette Jones • Rob Macpherson • Rachael Magson • Rosie Milsom • John & Teresa Purser Roger Rivett • Ann Tonks • Mr J Weston
We acknowledge the generous support of Peter Tod and other donors some of which would like to remain anonymous.
Trusts & Foundations Aurelius Charitable Trust • Birmingham Bodenham Trust • Birmingham Common Good Trust • Bishop of Birmingham Charitable Trust • The Thousandth Man – Richard Burns Charitable Trust William A Cadbury Trust • Children and the Arts • George Henry Collins Trust • Baron Davenport’s Charity • The Dumbreck Charity • Edward & Dorothy Charitable Trust • The Eveson Charitable Trust The George Fentham Trust • Marc Fitch Fund • The Grimmitt Trust • Groundswork UK • The John Feeney Charitable Trust • The Joseph Hopkins Charity • Limoges Charitable Trust The Mackintosh Foundation • The Norton Foundation • Oakley Charitable Trust • The Patrick Trust • Penny Trust • Sir Robert Gooch Charitable Trust • Rosie’s Helping Hands • The Rowlands Trust Henry James Sayer Charity • The Saintbury Trust • David Soloman’s Charitable Trust • Stella Symons Charitable Trust • Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust • Edwin John Thompson Memorial Fund Roger and Douglas Turner Charitable Trust • GJW Turner Trust • The WED Charitable Trust • Alan Woodfield Trust • Xoserve Foundation • The Grantham Yorke Trust
Development Partners
Performance Partners
An elite group recognising the importance of cultural life in the city.
twentyfirstcenturymediagroup Associate Partners
Good Company Club
Influential names proud to demonstrate their CSR credentials.
Like-minded business people who enjoy first class networking. Benussi & Co The Edgbaston G.M Treble Ltd Lorica Insurance Brokers Professional Polishing Services Ltd Scrivens Opticians and Hearing Care Squire Patton Boggs
Hippodrome Projects Partners Assisted Performances
Print Partner
B-Side 2017
Welcome to our World, Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School and St Bernadette’s Primary School
Curtain Raiser 2018 Young Carers
Chinese New Year 2018
Chinese New Year 2018 Summer in Southside Relaxed Performance
One of a Kind
Event Partners
Commercial Partners Las Iguanas • Artifax Software Ltd. • Christie & Co • CrossCountry Trains • BDO LLP Birmingham • Faithful + Gould • Babcock International • SLC Rail • Hoare Lea & Partners • Colliers International United Airlines • CastAlum Ltd. • Rees Bradley Hepburn • Willis Towers Watson PLC • University of Birmingham • Aon • Jordans Solicitors
Leading Ladies AVA Events Styling • Vivienne Bailey Photography • Suzanne Barnes Design Partnership • Barques PR • Birmingham & Solihull Mental Health Foundation Trust • Catherine Junor Law Ltd • Consulting Rooms Birmingham • Cure Leukaemia • FBC Manby Bowdler Holiday Inn • HSBC • Komatsu Mining Corp. • Leonard Curtis Business Solutions • Messam & Rider Ltd • Joanne Malin MPW Steakhouse Bar & Grill • Northwood Solihull • Park Regis Birmingham • Wills & Legal Services
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