Poets and Storytellers Assemble

PASTA is an open mic night with a difference.

Each month we ask people to perform a piece they’ve written on a theme which was chosen at the previous event. (We’ll advertise the theme on social media and online so everyone can join in).

Then we have a break so folk can grab a drink and have a chat. Depending on numbers and the vibe we might draw another theme out the hat and see what people can create in the short time of the break – a chance to try your hand at speed writing and see what you come up with. Or, if people prefer, we may just come back and open the floor for open mics on any subject.

If you want to perform simply pop along to the night and see Emma, Dave, or Steve. Slots are about five minutes long, and we’re especially keen to welcome people who haven’t performed before.

Meeting dates this Autumn:

ACT meeting dates this spring:Tuesdays 7.30pm 26 Sept 31 Oct 28 Nov

Free to attend.

How’ve Yow Been Dragged Up?

Are you a local drag artist who has been itching to perform your latest act?

Are you passionate about drag as an artform?

How’ve Yow Been Dragged Up?

Is the newest addition to the Arena Theatre’s development programme, providing a safe and inclusive platform for local drag artists to try out and receive feedback on their latest acts and projects. Hosted by a local West Midlands artist, How’ve Yow Been Dragged Up? will meet in the Tilstone Studio at the Arena Theatre, and the evening will welcome drag artists (regardless of experience and background) to come and develop their work in front of a small audience of fellow professionals and enthusiasts.

To book your slot, please e-mail our Access and Inclusion Manager, Kirsty Povey, at K.Povey2@wlv.ac.uk

National Theatre Live

The Arena Theatre is excited to be of British theatre to its audiences, featuring a series of acclaimed productions classic plays and contemporary dramas, by some of the UK’s most talented

Keep an eye on our social media for title announcements to be bringing the best audiences, with the programme acclaimed productions including contemporary dramas, performed talented actors.

National Theatre Live screenings will become an ever-present on the theatre’s programme of activities, and tickets are available online, over the phone and at the box office.

The Arena Theatre encourages everyone to check the theatre’s website and social media for the full schedule of screenings, and to reserve their seats well in advance.

SCREENINGS: Wed 29 Nov 7.30pm

Tickets £12

Fri 3 Nov and Sat 4 Nov 7.30pm

Tickets

£12 full price

£10 concessions

Age guidance

All ages Info

This amateur production of ‘Allo ‘Allo is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals Ltd. on behalf of Samuel French Ltd. www. concordtheatricals. co.uk

Box office 01902 321 321

Book tickets online arena.wlv.ac.uk

‘Allo Allo by Jeremy Lloyd and David Croft

Starcross Youth Theatre

“Listen very carefully, I shall say this only once”

Do not miss joining Starcross Youth Theatre this November at the Arena as they continue their 30th Anniversary year celebrations with their hilarious production of ‘Allo ‘Allo.

Based on the hugely successful television series, this uproarious comedy relates the adventures of a hapless café owner, Rene’, in occupied France. Rene’ and his tone death wife, Edith, have stashed a priceless portrait stolen by the Nazis in a sausage in the cellar, where two British airmen are also hiding until the Resistance can repatriate them. Communications with London using a wireless that is disguised as a cockatoo add to the many embarrassments this intrepid proprietor endures. News that the Fuhrer is scheduled to visit the town bring further complications. Meaning Rene’ will need to summon all the wit he can muster to save his café and his life!

Butchered

Expial Atrocious

Welcome to the kitchen where dreams come to die.

After working in a basement kitchen for as long as they can remember, Master Sausage only knows one thing. Eat, sleep, sausage, repeat. They cannot imagine their life beyond the butchery.

But when a babbling, freshfaced Apprentice arrives, a harsh reality is brought with them and sinister questions rear their heads. What does it mean to be happy? Is there more to life than this? What’s in those sausages anyway?

‘Sweeney Todd’ meets ‘The Trap Door’ in this blood-thirsty absurdist thriller about doing what has to be done…

Fri 10 Nov 7.30pm

Tickets £12

Bad Altitude

Joseph Hancock

The Great British Mysteries team return with a high-octane, low-budget action thriller set 30,000 feet above sea level.

Olive and Teddy are back. And this time, it’s vertical. With sold-out runs at the Edinburgh Fringe and Soho Theatre under their thermal belts, Great British Mysteries are thrilled to be bringing the extremely tall tale to the Arena Theatre. It’s 1985, and past-it explorer Teddy Tyrell has blindly pledged to both find, then conquer, a mountain bigger than Everest. Even with his ever-doting assistant, Olive Bacon, by his side, surely this is one boast too far. Or is it? Is there really anything bigger than Everest? Will their crampons give them cramp? And is it actually possible for two performers to look like they’re climbing a mountain while only two feet off the ground?

Age guidance 14 years+

Sat 11 Nov 12.00pm, 2.00pm, 4.00pm, and 6.00pm

Tickets £12

Choosing Children

Ben Fredericks Collaborations

The future of genetic engineering is here. The DNA of your child can be altered even before its life has begun. But how far should we go? How far would you go?

From the pioneering studio Ben Fredericks Collaborations, ‘Choosing Children’ puts you face to face with some of the most urgent and challenging questions of our time and asks you to choose.

Spectacular and otherworldly, ‘Choosing Children’ blends theatre and digital projections to create a truly immersive experience. Accessible by design, this new interactive show asks you to play a role and discover the impact this new technology will have on humanity’s future.

Thu 16 Nov 7.30pm

Tickets £12

Brazen

Lorna Meehan

Remember dancing around your room to a band who felt like they were made for just for you?

Remember how good it felt to not give a damn about all your adolescent awkwardness and just feel brave and sexy and free?

Adventurous over thinker Lorna remembers vividly because she never grew out of her teenage obsession, it grew up with her.

A one woman show about coming of age, the nature of idolatry and the transformative power of music, Brazen explores why teenage girls get obsessed with rock stars and questions why we are told to grow out of it.

Fri 17 Nov 7.30pm

Tickets £12

Do You Understand Me?

Laura Hague

Through dance, projection and art installation, ‘Do You Understand Me?’ follows the journey of someone with dementia navigating an ever changing world and the new limits they face.

Choreography: Laura Hague

Projection & installation: Jack Wates

Music: Matthew Orrell

Supported by Newhampton Arts Centre, C-DaRE, Fieldworks Dance

Wed 22 Nov 7.30pm

No Refusal Film Screening

University of Wolverhampton Alumni Association

Manoj, a migrant taxi driver in Kolkata from Bihar, has learnt a new way of living through frequent racial discrimination as an outsider in the city.

He’s earning his bread and butter in the city for his family with a pregnant wife staying at his village in Bihar. Accidentally he runs over a person on the street and escapes from the city. No direction home, Manoj, interacts with an old peasant in a roadside crop field where it surfaces the villagers’ miseries due to the state policies’ incapabilities leading to producing migrant labourers to the big cities from the village.

Fri 24 Nov 7.30pm

Tickets £12

Empty Orchestra

Lewys Holt

Three dancers perform their favourite karaoke hits. As each dancer takes their turn at the mic, the remaining two take to the space, becoming backing dancers, lip-syncing and encouraging each other into the spotlight.

Through the revealing act of singing, Empty Orchestra creates a safe space to embrace both the wild, diva-like highs and deep, uncomfortable feelings of cringe inherent to karaoke.

See the pains, pleasures and coping strategies of each dancer unfold as they share their joy, timidity and power. Featuring classics ranging from Dolly Parton’s Jolene to Simon and Garfunkel’s Sound of Silence. And yes - you’re allowed to sing along.

Diwali Utsav: Sitaron Ke Sang

Jaivant Patel Company and Arena Theatre presents

‘Sitaron Ke Sang’ - a radiant brightness the stars illuminate in their togetherness; refers to Diwali, more popularly known as the Indian festival of lights.

Arena Theatre Associate, Jaivant Patel Company once again presents a vibrant evening of South Asian Dance featuring Bollywood, Kathak, Bharatanatyam to Bhangara and Dandiya Raas, in Celebration of Diwali.

Diwali celebrates the joyous commencement of the New Year. It marks the start of new beginnings, the triumph of good over evil and

Sat 25 Nov 7.30pm light over darkness. This globally celebrated festival is a time when families and friends come together for goodwill, feasting, fireworks and dancing.

This uplifting, family friendly and entertaining celebration features some of the best British South Asian Dance artists, companies and community groups from the West Midlands and across the UK.

All are welcome to come and join us in celebrating this fantastic, diverse festival for all in the community.

For more information on Jaivant Patel Company please visit www.JaivantPatelCompany.com #JPCoDiwali23

Tickets £12 Box office 01902 321 321

Thur 30 Nov 7.30pm

Solastagia

Kasia Witek

Solastalgia is a new work by Polish-born dance artist

Kasia Witek.

Tickets

£12 Box office 01902 321 321

Book tickets online arena.wlv.ac.uk

Drawing on Deborah Hay’s choreographic practice, the philosopher Timothy Morton’s writings on nature, and the work of Yorkshire-raised environmental artist Andy Goldsworthy, Solastalgia questions our perception of nature as “other”, inviting both performers and audience to fully experience the range of emotions the climate crisis evokes.

Sat 2 Dec

Sun 3 Dec 11.00am and 2.00pm

Tickets £8

Wow! Said the Owl

Little Angel Theatre

Explore the wonderful world of colours with a curious little owl, who is determined to stay awake and see what daylight brings.

From the warm, pink glow of dawn through to a day filled with the bright colours of green leaves, blue sky, white clouds and, finally, a stunning rainbow — ‘WOW!’. But despite the beauty of the daytime world, the little owl decides that the night-time stars are the most beautiful of all.

WOW! Said the Owl, the acclaimed children’s book by award winning author, Tim Hopgood, is brought to life through a blend of beautiful storytelling, puppetry and music.

Directed by Joy Haynes, this show will delight and excite very young audiences.

Relaxed performances at 2.00pm both days

Age guidance 2-5 years old

Wed 6 Dec 7.30pm

Tickets £5