What's On - April 2014

Warwickshire Cover - April_Mids Cover - August 24/03/2014 14:59 Page 1

WARWICKSHIRE WHAT’S ON ISSUE 340 APRIL 2014

THE MIDLANDS ESSENTIAL ENTERTAINMENT GUIDE WARWICKSHIRE

’ What sOn www.whatsonlive.co.uk

ISSUE 340 APRIL 2014

JUSTIN TIMBER LAKE B

RINGS NEW TOUR TO THE MID LANDS

MIRANDA HART PART OF MIDLANDS WHAT’S ON MAGAZINE GROUP PUBLICATIONS

My, What I Call, Live Show interview inside...

BRASSED OFF the Touring Consortium stop off in Coventry

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entertaining pre-school children at the LG Arena

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GreatTheatre Theatre at the Great theGrand!

Grand!

SUN 6 APRIL

MON 31 MARCH - SAT 5 APRIL

TUES 8 - SAT 12 APRIL

A BRAND NEW RE-STAGED VERSION OF THE CLASSIC AMERICAN FRONTIER DANCE MUSICAL!

BILL KENWRIGHT PRESENTS

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ceri dupree show ceri is back on the road with his 1 man, 21 woman show!

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MUSIC BY

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BEST NEW COMEDY WHATSONSTAGE 2014 AWARDS

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Contents- Region One - April_Layout 1 24/03/2014 11:07 Page 1

April Editor: Davina Evans

2014

INSIDE:

davina@whatsonlive.co.uk 01743 281708

Sir Antony Sher

Editorial Assistants: Brian O’Faolain

playing Falstaff for the RSC interview p6

brian@whatsonlive.co.uk 01743 281701

Lauren Foster lauren@whatsonlive.co.uk 01743 281707

Adrian Parker adrian.parker@whatsonlive.co.uk 01743 281714

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Happy Days

Managing Director: Paul Oliver

new musical in the Midlands p29

paul@whatsonlive.co.uk 01743 281711

Publisher and CEO: Martin Monahan martin@whatsonlive.co.uk 01743 281710

Graphic Designers: Lisa Wassell Chris Atherton Accounts Administrator Julia Perry

Miranda talks about her My, What I Call, Live Show - page 10

julia@whatsonlive.co.uk 01743 281717

Website Development: Jim Pallett Contributors: Graham Bostock: Theatre James Cameron-Wilson: Film; Anita Champaneri: Eating Out; Alev Dervish: Music Eva Easthope, Kate Evans, Jessica Aston, Patsy Moss, Jack Rolfe, Jan Watts, Reggie White Head Office: 13-14 Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, SY2 6AE

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News April region one_Layout 1 24/03/2014 12:05 Page 1

News

A ROUND-UP OF LOCAL AND NATIONAL ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

Photography project launches image-sharing website Photographs of Birmingham, its public spaces and its people are now enjoying global exposure thanks to the launch of a new website. Part of the recently launched Some Cities initiative - which hopes to bring Birmingham a step closer to becoming one of the UK’s leading centres for photography - the website features over forty thousand photos covering a wealth of subject matter.

Announcing the launch, Some Cities cofounder Dan Burwood said, “To have recorded such a phenomenal number of images in a relatively short space of time shows us and the world just how many stories unfold in our city at any one time, and that Birmingham really is home to an incredible amount of photographic activity.”

New images can be sent directly to Some Cities by email [Birmingham@somecities.com] or via Twitter, tagged with #Birmingham, #somecities and #brumfotos.

The images will form part of an ongoing extensive and authentic digital archive of life in the city.

Midlands Winnie the Pooh Laureate announced A Sutton Coldfield woman has been crowned Disney Winnie the Pooh Laureate of the Midlands. Sally Jenkins won the title after entering Disney UK’s national competition.

Aspiring Laureates were asked to share original stories, inspired by their local area, in which Winnie the Pooh and friends enjoyed an adventure outside their usual confines of Hundred Acre Wood.

Responding to the challenge, Sally took AA Milne’s legendary characters on a unique journey to Birmingham, where they celebrated Christopher Robin’s birthday.

Commenting on her win, Sally said: “I loved taking Winnie the Pooh and friends on an adventure around Birmingham - I think they enjoyed it too! I really enjoy telling stories inspired by my local area - there’s so much on offer right on our doorstep, so it was hard choosing which areas to actually write about. I still can’t quite believe I’m a regional winner!”

Disney UK announced the results of its Pooh Laureate competition to coincide with the launch of its Story Time With Pooh series, which will see free, weekly storytelling sessions for children and parents taking place in Disney stores nationwide.

4 www.whatsonlive.co.uk

Belgrade announces year-long festival Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre has announced a year-long programme of events to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of its dedicated Theatre In Education (TiE) Company. A pioneer in using performance and drama workshops to explore the cultural, social, political and moral issues affecting young people, the Belgrade is today seen as a standard-bearer for theatre and education organisations. A series of events commencing Summer 2015 will recognise the theatre’s achievements. Although the full programme is yet to be finalised, organisers have confirmed it will feature an international festival of innovative work, a conference addressing the importance that engagement in theatre and education can play, and a digital project which aims to explore theatre in education in the future.

In order to recognise previous successes, the theatre is keen to hear from people who would like to share personal experiences of Belgrade TiE, or any engagement with the theatre as a child or young person. Contact can be made via the Community & Education department on 02476 846741, or via communityadmin@belgrade.co.uk

Organisations seek to secure the future of the Roundhouse A consultation process has begun to explore the possibility of redeveloping Birmingham’s Roundhouse into an urban outdoors hub.

Sited in Ladywood, the Grade II listed building was built by the Corporation of Birmingham as a mineral and coal wharf in the 1870s, and was originally used for stabling and storage. The current owners, the Canal & River Trust, are working with the National Trust to find new, creative uses to secure the historic building’s future. Ideas include redeveloping the building as a hub which people can use to get active outdoors and discover more about Birmingham’s heritage.

Library shortlisted for national award - again!

Dudley Library has been shortlisted in the Bookseller Industry Awards’ Library of the Year category for the second year in a row.

The venue was shortlisted following news that the borough’s residents are bucking the national trend by increasing to more than 1.1million the number of visits being made to

local libraries. Last year, the library’s team organised more than four thousand, five hundred public events, attracting more than fifty-five thousand people. A panel featuring prominent figures from publishing, journalism and literature will judge the Library of the Year category, with the winner being announced at an awards ceremony in London next month.

RSC Live on DVD The Royal Shakespeare Company has announced that it’s joined forces with the Opus Arte label to release some of its filmed Live From Stratford-upon-Avon productions on DVD. Last year’s hugely successful version of Richard II, starring David Tennant in the title role, will be the first in the series to be released by Opus. Directed by RSC Artistic Director Gregory Doran, the production was broadcast live (on 13 November 2013) to over one hundred cinemas around the UK, as well as to North America, Australia, Japan and northern Europe. The filmed performance of the production will be available on DVD, Blu-Ray and iTunes from Tuesday 6 May. DVD extras include an interview with David Tennant and commentary from Gregory Doran.

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NIA date for Voice judge Kylie Minogue has announced that she’s to perform in Birmingham for the first time in nearly a decade, stopping off at the National Indoor Arena on 7 October as part of her new UK tour. Currently appearing as a judge on BBC One talent show The Voice, the one-time Neighbours star will hit the road in the autumn in support of new studio album Kiss Me Once, which was released last month. Kylie last performed in Birmingham in 2005.

Aardman Animation studio to open at Thinktank Visitors to one of Birmingham’s top attractions will be able to try their hand at becoming a real-life director when a new animation studio opens on 12 April. A joint project with Bristol-based animation wizards Aardman Animations, the Animate It! Studio at Thinktank, Birmingham Science Museum, forms part of the popular Kids City area, where children under seven are encouraged to learn through roleplay with their friends and family. This latest addition allows visitors to make short films in a human-sized green screen studio. Once their film is complete, they can broadcast their creation on a screen within the gallery. Running alongside the new studio attraction will be a number of hands-on play stations and Shaun the Sheep-inspired activities.

New Art West Midlands winners revealed Five promising new West Midlands artists have each won £1,000 prize money and the chance to see their work exhibited in a prestigious Midlands gallery.

A Turning Point West Midlands initiative, New Art West Midlands exhibits the work of twenty-four artists, all of whom have graduated from one of the region’s undergraduate and postgraduate fine art degree courses in the past three years. The overall winner was Staffordshire University fine art graduate Ali Reed, who impressed the judges with her site-specific installation at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery. Ali’s victory has earned her the chance to undertake a residency at A3 Project Space in Digbeth, leading to a solo exhibition in the future. The other New Art West Midlands 2014 winners were Lucy Hutchinson (Coventry University), Morna Lockie-Anrig (BCU), Sikander Pervez (Staffordshire University) and Anna Smith (Wolverhampton University). They win a residency at the Library of Birmingham, Airspace at Stoke-on-Trent, the New Art Gallery Walsall and mac birmingham respectively.

Performer brings Billie Holiday to her home turf...

A former Birmingham School of Speech and Drama student is to bring her critically acclaimed tribute to one of the world’s most celebrated artists to the Midlands next month. Nina Kristofferson grew up in Birmingham and attended Smethwick High School for girls before pursuing a career in performance art. Her self-penned one-woman show about the extraordinary but tragically short life of Billie Holiday is about to take to the road following a sell-out season at London’s Charing Cross Theatre. Featuring some of Billie’s greatest songs, including Strange Fruit, God Bless The Child, All Of Me and Don’t Explain, The Billie Holiday Story shows at Birmingham’s New Alexandra Theatre on 8 May. Find our more about Nina and the show at www.whatsonlive.co.uk

IN BRIEF

Project offers support to Women In Jazz

Celebrations at the Hippodrome

A new three-year project aimed at helping young women aged sixteen to twenty-five pursue careers in jazz has been launched

by Birmingham partner venues Town Hall and Symphony Hall (THSH). The latest in THSH’s growing programme of talent development projects, Women In Jazz will deliver a series of half-day workshops and sessions focusing on performance, practice, composition and producing, and will also teach essential career and industry skills. Funded by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, the sessions are free to attend and open to Birmingham-based female musicians at Grade 5 upwards who have an interest in jazz. Mary Wakeman Sloan, Jazzlines Programme manager at THSH, said of the project: “Becoming an excellent jazz musician is not about gender but about creativity and discipline honed in an environment where mentors inspire and motivate the next generation. This project aims to help make pathways and entry routes more accessible, creating more female role models in British jazz, which will ultimately benefit the industry’s ecology Mary Wakeman Sloan for years to come.”

Birmingham Hippodrome is celebrating after being featured in the Sunday Times’ 2014 list of the One Hundred Best Not-for-Profit Organisations To Work For. The theatre was positioned seventysixth out of a total of nearly nine hundred organisations entered for the prestigious listing. One of the UK’s largest presenting venues, the Hippodrome employs one hundredand-eleven permanent staff. Of those employees who were surveyed, eighty-four percent felt proud to work at the Hippodrome.

Staff thought highly of their managers too, with the majority feeling they could speak honestly and openly with them. The theatre’s positive environmental management also enjoyed extremely positive feedback.

Midlands dancers to perform at international youth festival A Midlands-based professional youth contemporary dance company has been selected to perform at the first ever Commonwealth Youth Dance Festival. RDC Youth - which recently celebrated its first anniversary - will perform a piece called PHENIX at the festival, taking place in Glasgow from 10 to 12 July.

A Get Scotland Dancing Commission, the festival celebrates the city’s hosting of the Commonwealth Games and will feature performances by four hundred young people from around the world, including participating youth groups from Australia, Canada, India, Malta, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and New Zealand. www.whatsonlive.co.uk 5

Antony Sher interview_Layout 1 24/03/2014 12:04 Page 1

“

I thought acting was all about disguise. I now believe it’s about revelation.

”

Sir Antony Sher sinking his teeth into Falstaff for the RSC...

6 www.whatsonlive.co.uk

Antony Sher interview_Layout 1 24/03/2014 12:04 Page 2

interview...

Although turned down by RADA when he arrived in the UK from South Africa in 1968, Sir Antony Sher is without doubt one of Britain’s finest actors. His iconic portrayal of Richard III in 1984 won him a Laurence Olivier Award, and in 2000 he was honoured with a KBE for his services to theatre. With a plethora of critically acclaimed stage and TV roles - and a fair few literary offerings - under his belt, Sir Antony this month returns to Stratford’s Royal Shakespeare Theatre to play Falstaff in Henry IV Parts II and II, both of which are directed by his partner and RSC Artistic Director Gregory Doran.

You once said that you like ‘a bit of disturbance to get stuck into’ when playing a part. Will Falstaff satisfy this need?

There’s just the enormous challenge of playing one of Shakespeare’s great roles. You don’t need more disturbance than that, really.

There’s a huge extra responsibility and extra challenge that comes with this really famous part. There’s enough there to keep every fibre of your being concentrated.

So what drew you to Henry IV? Was it the role that you’re playing, or was the primary appeal something about the plays themselves?

Both, really. They’re just wonderful plays which together form this epic portrait of England from the King down. You see all stratas of society, and it’s a wonderful, loving and melancholy picture of, as I say, the whole country. Falstaff is truly, literally, a great role. Physically, he has to be very overweight because there are a lot of references to his girth, and it’s just a great piece of character writing by Shakespeare.

Some people regard it as his greatest creation.

The writing is very modern, in that he’s a kind of anti-hero who breaks all the rules. He’s the Lord of Mis-rule, really, and that’s just fantastic to play because he’s outrageous. The famous example is in the middle of the Battle of Shrewsbury, which is the highlight of Part One, when the stakes are very high. There’s a rebellion in the land, and his forces are having to fight the rebel forces, so there’s an awful lot at stake. Falstaff comes on and has a speech about honour and how honour is a worthless, pointless thing, and it’s completely outrageous in the middle of a battle where people are fighting for their lives. So things like that make it very rich material.

His popularity is proven because his character encouraged Shakespeare to write Part Two. He also appears in The Merry Wives Of Windsor...

For Part Two I’d say it’s not just the popularity of Falstaff, but the whole of Part One that led Shakespeare to do a sequel, which is very different in tone. Part Two is much sadder but also very beautiful. I should point out that in The Merry Wives Of Windsor, Falstaff is not as complex and rich a character as he is in Henry IV Parts One and Two, where he’s slightly more of a comic character.

Alongside a character’s ‘level of disturbance’, what decides you to say yes to playing a particular role?

You read it and try to imagine it as a new script, rather than something that you know and the world knows. As an actor, you know instantly whether it rings bells for you or not.

I’ve always regarded myself as a character actor, and I’ve always regarded acting as something where I travel away from myself to become all these different characters. Falstaff is just the character actor’s dream, because there’s just so much rich material there. He’s

obviously a man of some breeding and is indeed a knight - he’s Sir John Falstaff - but he’s choosing to live his life in a totally disreputable way. He’s a thief and a highwayman - and yet, in the next moment, when the war is on, he’s given a company of soldiers to command. There are so many wonderful, different things to play.

Once you’ve agreed to play a part, how do you set about generating your version of a well-known character? How do you connect initially? Is it emotionally, physically, psychologically...?

It’s all those things. You just start feeling around for what seems right for him.

Physically, as with Falstaff, you’ve got to devise - with the designer and director - a way that he’s going to be very fat, and for that to be realistic. Vocally, you find that, as you’re working on it, there’s a certain way of talking that reflects both his breeding and the way that overweight people tend to have a kind of quality to their voice. Emotionally, you just go on a rollercoaster ride, because he’s at times very humorous and warm and at other times he’s very angry. There’s also a melancholic side to him, where he fears growing old and is in fear of death. There’s just tons and tons of stuff to get your teeth into.

What drew you to acting, and is it still the reason you act today?

Initially I was drawn to acting because I was a very shy kid and sort of out of place in my society, which was South Africa in the 1950s and ’60s. Certainly the white society that I was born into was a very sports-mad society, and I was this short, weedy little kid who wasn’t at all good at sport. I took refuge first in art painting and drawing, always thinking I would go to art school - but it was just making me more and more withdrawn, so my parents sent me to what was called elocution, but was, in fact, acting classes. I just found an enormous relief in becoming other people and not having to be this sort of inadequate person who wasn’t good at sport. That was the initial instinct.

Is it still the same today? This might sound a little contradictory but in the beginning I loved disguising myself completely. I thought acting was all about disguise. I now believe it’s about revelation. The kind of acting I like to see best is where the actor shows you his or her soul.

Judi Dench is a fine example of that. Even though a role like Falstaff will require an awful lot of apparent disguise - my body will be different, my voice will be different, my face will be different - it’ll only work if my heart and soul is in the play. So I suppose that’s where my attitude about acting has changed.

And has your criteria for accepting roles changed with your advancing years?

I decided early on as an actor - in theatre, as it’s different in television - that I wanted to be a leading actor, so that’s the way I’ve led my

career. And then, as I worked more and more for the Royal Shakespeare Company, I realised there was a very honourable tradition in acting of playing Shakespeare’s great roles.

Shakespeare, very conveniently, wrote many great roles for different stages of one’s life, and so that’s sort of what I’ve done. Falstaff is just the latest in a series of great Shakespearean roles for me.

Of all the characters you’ve portrayed, which have you connected with the most on a personal level?

They tend to be either Jewish parts, gay parts, or even South African parts, all of which are aspects of my identity. Whenever one of those parts comes along, I sort of have a special feel for it - like when I played the Drag Queen in Harvey Fierstein’s Torch Song Trilogy, or the one-man play I did about Holocaust survivor Primo Levi. Shylock in Shakespeare or Athol Fughard’s Hello And Goodbye are all roles with which I’ve felt I have a special affinity.

As well as being an actor, you’re also a renowned artist and writer. With which of those disciplines do you feel most at home, and does one inform the other two?

As an artist, I most enjoy portraiture. And, of course, that’s exactly what acting is. You’re doing a form of portraiture. What I love about the three is that if I get fed up with one, I can do the others. Working in any of the creative arts can be frustrating at times, and I’ve certainly had periods where I’ve thought, ‘Oh, I’m fed up with this acting lark, so I’ll write now, or paint’. Then you get fed up with painting and think, ‘I’ll do a bit of acting now’. It’s also very useful, because I’m a workaholic. With acting, once you’ve got a show on, you’re only working for two or three hours in the evening. I need much more than that to keep myself going, so I’ll often be writing or painting in the days when I’ve got a show in the evening.

So can you never stand still?

Although I’m a workaholic, it doesn’t mean I don’t love holidays. Greg (Doran) and I are very strict about making sure that we get away - especially now he’s running the RSC and his job is so enormous. His secretary is briefed to make sure certain weeks are kept free to coincide with my breaks, so as we don’t miss out on holidays.

Is it true that you paint a picture of yourself in character at the end of each run?

Yes, I do a sort of version. It will be more about how I felt in the role rather than an exact physical image of me.

Is that a cathartic process, a closure on another segment of your career?

I suppose so. I love looking back at the different characters, and the fact that I’ve captured them on canvas is a nice thing for me to have.

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First and foremost you’re a theatre actor.

What attracts you to performing on stage rather than appearing on screen?

It’s very rare to get a film or TV script that is as rich as a Shakespeare play. With the latter, you’ve simply got the best. The language is fantastic, and his insight into human behaviour is remarkable. You just get served a rich meal in a way in which most TV and film scripts are unable to deliver. I’m very greedy for the richness that Shakespeare offers, and I think that stage plays - not just Shakespeare - are probably richer experiences for the actor than TV roles.

Do you follow a set routine to get you into character prior to going on stage?

I’ll do quite a long warm-up, which will involve me going over some of my lines. I also do a vocal and physical warm-up. Getting into make-up takes quite a lot of time, and each stage of that is building the preparation for getting out there on the stage.

You give so much of yourself away with each performance. What’s it like coming down from that?

A glass of very good dry white wine is normally required. My dresser usually has instructions to make sure that a beautifully chilled glass of Chablis is waiting on my dressing table for when I come off stage.

That’s always a treat at the end of these big marathons.

Many people who’ve been similarly admired to yourself, people like Richard Burton and - from a cinema perspective - Robert De Niro, have been accused of stopping caring about their careers. You’ve even commented on that yourself. Can you expand?

To speak ill of the dead, Richard Burton had the most exciting talent, which somehow he just wasted. I’ve been reading his diaries recently, and the fact of the matter was that he found acting boring. His dream was to be a writer - and actually, from the evidence of the diaries, he writes very well. He had a special gift as an actor, but he somehow stopped caring about it. He sort of just sat back in his talent rather than pushing himself and exploring it. I think he became a rather boring actor in the later years. It’s just something that you’ve got to keep pushing yourself with.

You’ve got to keep alive this very special job you’re doing.

There are moments in most careers when it’s difficult to retain the motivation...

I suppose so, but one of the actors who I’ve admired most in the world is Meryl Streep. If you look at her career, it’s absolutely phenomenal how she’s kept a certain integrity to her craft. She and De Niro must be of a similar age, but if you look at the parts she’s still playing and he isn’t... She’s had a remarkable career, and I suppose it reflects her feeling and her love for acting.

You mentioned in the past that you consider yourself to be an outsider in the UK. Is that still the case, or is it something you’ve come to terms with?

It’s sewn into my DNA. Being Jewish and gay, certainly in the South Africa that I was growing up in, neither of those things was liked very much. Being gay was completely outlawed, and I certainly grew up thinking I was from Mars in terms of that. The racism in the old South Africa wasn’t only against Blacks, it was also a pretty anti-semitic country, so I grew up with those feelings. But of course, that’s not the situation in my life now. I’m completely accepted for what I am, but you don’t ever completely lose those childhood feelings.

They’re part of what makes you.

You touched on your relationship with Gregory. You’re reported as saying that, when he became RSC Artistic Director, you were worried you wouldn’t see as much of him. Is that all panning out okay?

So far - touch wood! - it’s working out very well. That’s partly because we absolutely make sure that we get time together and that we take holidays. And now, of course, we’re working together again. Prior to Henry IV, we hadn’t worked together for about ten years, so it’s a real treat to be together all the time at the moment.

Is it different this time round?

We had a bad experience the first time we worked together, because we didn’t know that you had to leave the work in the rehearsal room. On that first experience, which was Titus Andronicus, we were bringing the work home with us, and we just had a miserable time. So we made a strict rule after that to leave it in the rehearsal room and to come home and just have our domestic life together. Ever since we set upon that, it’s just become a total joy to work together. I can trust Gregory more than any other director I know.

The plays are being screened live to cinemas. Do you think this relatively new initiative has any downsides, or can it only be a good thing?

I think it’s fantastic, the amount of people it can reach. I appeared in a live screening at the National Theatre, and I remember feeling terribly moved that particular evening as I went into my dressing room. As I started getting ready, I became aware that my family in South Africa were travelling to a local cinema, as was Greg’s sister in Colorado. All over the world and all over the UK, people were going to the cinema to see a live screening of a show that I was about to go on stage and appear in. I found the whole experience quite phenomenal.

You’re touring with Henry IV after it’s finished in Stratford. Does touring a production have any impact on you as a performer?

I quite like it. Each town or city you go to, you find that the character of the audience

changes slightly. It’s a fact that people who live in different parts of the country react differently, and I find that rather invigorating.

If you could change one rule in theatreland, what would it be?

That all mobile phones and electronic devises are confiscated. There should be special cloakrooms, and all devices should be checked in at the foyer. You’d no longer need special announcements to tell people to turn them off, which they often forget to do. It’s truly depressing when school parties come to see a show and you can see them in the front rows texting one another. They’re given this great opportunity of coming to Stratford and seeing Shakespeare performed live, and they’re denying themselves because they’re looking down into this little machine in their hands. It’s something that gets me very incensed.

What piece of advice would you give to someone wanting the enter the profession at this moment in time?

I would warn them that it’s very tough, and to be prepared for that. People tell you and you don’t believe them. Oddly enough, I went to Buckingham Palace a couple of weeks back for a celebration of RADA. The occasion was recognising sixty years of Her Majesty The Queen being its patron. I went along with very mixed feelings because, just a couple of weeks after arriving in England for the first time in 1968, as a very bewildered nineteen-yearold, I auditioned for RADA and they turned me down very harshly. I remember the shock of that, and it’s thanks to mother that I kept going, because she thought they were wrong.

I think they’ve been proved to be wrong since.

However, it was probably a good thing for me, because it was a baptism of fire. It made me realise that yes, this profession is as tough as everyone says it is. Having the top drama school in the country telling me that I wasn’t good enough for them was a harsh but probably useful lesson. I think young people just need to know that you really, really need to want to do this, to take the knocks and the rejection that you’re going to get. You have to be quite tough to see it through, because it’s very personal. You’re offering yourself. People in other jobs aren’t necessarily on the line in as personal a way as actors and performers are, because it’s your body, your face, the way you sound, the way you look. These are the things that, when you’re rejected, you think about. It’s very personal and it’s very tough.

Finally, have there been any roles which you’ve later regretted turning down?

Yes, there have been. Only one occasion in the theatre and only one occasion in film where I’ve made that mistake, but I’ve also made a lot of very good choices...

We’re with you there, Antony...

Henry IV Parts I & II play at Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon until Sat 6 September

Antony Sher in rehearsal

www.whatsonlive.co.uk 9

Miranda interview region one_Layout 1 24/03/2014 11:09 Page 1

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Performing live really flexes your comedy muscles.

Some of the biggest laughs come when something goes wrong.

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Miranda brings her My, What I Call, Live Show to Brum...

10 www.whatsonlive.co.uk

Miranda interview region one_Layout 1 24/03/2014 11:09 Page 2

interview...

Hugely popular and impressively tall, Miranda Hart is best known from her self-titled BBC TV comedy series, but has also turned up in hit shows like Not Going Out, Nighty Night, Smack The Pony, Ab Fab, The Vicar Of Dibley and Jack Dee’s Lead Balloon. She’s also had a recurring role in a couple of series of BBC One Sunday night drama Call The Midwife. Her telly career’s on hold for the moment, though, while she tours the country with her My, What I Call, Live Show, an offering that’s so far received mixed reviews from the critics. James Rampton finds out more...

Why choose to tour now, Miranda?

I was nervous about going for it - but then I thought to myself, come on, Hart, do it. I knew I would always regret it if I didn’t tour, and it felt like the right time after the third series of Miranda. So I’ve taken a deep breath and here we are.

Do you enjoy audience interaction?

Absolutely. I love chatting to people and having that connection with them. It’s lovely when something different happens every night. I’d love the show to feel theatrical too, so that people feel they’ve watched something unique that night.

What are you most looking forward to about being on the road?

It sounds naff, verging on American, but I can’t wait to be in a room with all the people who’ve supported me over the last few years by watching the sitcom and spreading the word. I want to say thank you by doing a live show for them. It’s not about me fulfilling a career ambition.

You should be playing to a ‘home crowd’ on the tour, shouldn’t you?

I hope so. I don’t think people will spend twenty-five pounds on a ticket and then say, ‘I knew she was rubbish’. Only jaded comedians would do that! I hope everyone will be coming along because they want to be there. They know that I’m bound to gallop across the stage at some point. So if they boo me for doing that, I’ll say, ‘Why are you here, then? It’s your fault. You knew what you were getting!’.

Are you at all nervous about doing live comedy again?

I was at first, because my last show, at the Edinburgh Festival, was in 2005. But I started doing secret warm-up gigs in the summer last year, and luckily they went well. After the third gig, it felt like it was the hundredth, and I began to feel comfortable on stage doing stand-up again.

So what can audiences expect?

There will obviously be a great deal of hilarity of all varieties! I hope audiences will recognise some of the themes from the sitcom. I’ll be continuing to examine universal social embarrassment and general life conundra - that sounds like a geography term, like tundra, doesn’t it? I’ll also be telling some life anecdotes that I have yet to share.

Stand-up gives you the chance to have some ranting moments that you can’t do in a sitcom - so I’ll be getting the odd thing off my chesticles, like my irritation with diets and attitude to food.

What’s the overarching message?

I suppose it would be ‘be yourself.’ If only it was as easy as that overused little phrase.

Do you see touring as being less pressure than making a sitcom?

Possibly, yes. I’ve been working very hard on the show. I feel in such a privileged position, so I’d never wing it. The pressure is definitely off doing the tour because I haven’t got five cameras trained on me, with only two takes in front of the studio audience to get it right before it ends up on national television.

That’s a bigger pressure. People ask me, ‘Aren’t you terrified of performing at, say, the O2?’, but the honest answer is ‘no’. The pressure of making the sitcom has its own benefits because, after that, nothing seems as frightening. The sitcom went out to ten million people, which is crazy. The art form that is a ‘studio audience sitcom’ is the most high-pressure imaginable. It’s a tough way to make television, so the live show is much less scary. It’s more a case of ‘anything goes’, and what happens on the night happens.

Will you be delivering a lot of people’s favourite routines from the sitcom?

I believe if people make the effort to come and see you, you should give them something brand new. Equally, they’d be disappointed if I didn’t say ‘such fun’ and perhaps a few other sitcom titbits.

What do people say to you in the street?

They often ask me to say more obscure sayings like, ‘I’m going to sashay to the sachets’ and ‘moist plinth’. The other day, a five-year-old girl came up to me, stared at me, and then said, ‘Clutch’. I thought she was mad. It was a really unnerving moment, I won’t lie. Then her mother told me, ‘She does that all the time’. I said that word once on the sitcom, and it’s become a catchphrase for that little girl. So once I realised she wasn’t certifiable, I was delighted. And she’s right - clutch is a brilliant word. Another word that I can’t believe I haven’t put in the sitcom yet is ‘plume’. Now there’s a word that just keeps on giving...

Do you relish the unpredictability of a live show?

Definitely. Performing live really flexes your comedy muscles. Some of the biggest laughs come when something goes wrong.

The other night at a warm-up gig, I had to deal with a heckler who was drunk - luckily in a good way; just on the cusp of nightmare drunk! He kept shouting out affable things like, ‘Yes, I totally agree!’. In the end, I said to him, ‘You sound like you’re bored down there. Why don’t you come up on stage with me?’. He did, and it was great. Worryingly, I think he was funnier.

Are you pleased that you inspire such loyalty in your fans?

Yes, I’m really touched by it. I’ve always written comedy with the audience in mind, but now I feel I’ve got a real mandate from them to write the show, and that feels very special.

Does the fans’ enthusiasm ever get too much?

No. I’m able to go to Tesco and walk the dog and everything’s fine. On a couple of occasions it’s been a bit much. There was a book signing which was quite full-on. It’s weird, because you don’t feel like a person who people would scream at. You think, ‘Why is this happening?’. If you were a pop star, you’d expect that level of response. You don’t expect it as a little comedy actress (I say ‘little’). It’s still a fascinating experience, but not one that I’d like regularly. I prefer keeping myself to myself.

Do you still have occasional moments of insecurity?

Yes, of course. Who doesn’t? I have classic ‘performer anxiety’: When am I going to be unpopular? Have I only got fifteen minutes of fame, and have I only got seven minutes left now? Where am I on the spectrum of popularity? But it soon passes and you get your perspective back.

Does your fame still take you by surprise sometimes?

Definitely. I used to be an autograph-hunter myself. I remember getting Bill Nighy’s autograph at the stage door once.

Afterwards, I wrote a letter to him saying, ‘Thank you for inspiring me’, and he wrote back to me, which was lovely. Even now, I still feel like a fan when I meet people.

In what way?

For example, I was on Chris Evans’ Radio Two show, sitting opposite Cliff Richard, Kim Wilde and Ranulph Fiennes. At a moment like that, you take a breath and think, ‘This is absolutely extraordinary’. At one point, Chris played a Cliff Richard song, and Cliff was singing along in the studio. The twenty-yearold me would’ve been thinking, ‘What am I doing here? I have no place in this studio’.

And the forty-year-old me was thinking exactly the same thing! Afterwards, I asked Cliff, ‘Do you still get excited about this business?”, and he replied, “I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t.’

Have you experienced any other surreal moments of fame recently?

Yes. I was in the US to publicise Call The Midwife, and I appeared on the Jimmy Fallon Show, which is recorded at 30 Rock in New York. That was a pretty big deal. I kept expecting Kenneth from the sitcom 30 Rock to come and see if I was okay. It’s very nice to enjoy moments like that. I feel really blessed. But it’s hard to get your head around it. Nothing has changed. I still feel like a fan - I just happen to have a few fans myself now!

Miranda brings her My, What I Call, Live Show to Birmingham’s LG Arena Fri 4 April and National Indoor Arena, Tues 8 - Thurs 10 April

www.whatsonlive.co.uk 11

Cheryl Baker interview_Layout 1 24/03/2014 14:30 Page 1

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When I saw Sandy Shaw win Eurovision in 1967, that became my ultimate aim; to win Eurovision

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Cheryl Baker talks about becoming the new Mrs Cunningham Mention of the name Cheryl Baker instantly brings to mind memories of Bucks Fizz and the Eurovision Song Contest 1981. When the group split up, Cheryl went on to become a familiar face on children’s television, appearing in shows such as Recordbreakers and The Saturday Picture Show. More recent TV appearances include Popstar To Operastar, Celebrity MasterChef and Loose Women. Now Cheryl’s out on the road playing the part of Mrs Cunningham in Happy Days The Musical. What’s On recently caught up with her to find out what audiences can expect from this brand new stage version of the popular 1950s-set sitcom.

What’s the initial appeal of being part of the Happy Days production, Cheryl?

It was such an iconic series which ran for so long and was such a major part of my life and the lives of many other people of my generation. There are certain programmes, which I can count on the fingers of one hand, that I never wanted to miss, and Happy Days 12 www.whatsonlive.co.uk

was one of them. At the time, it took you to a place that the majority of people had never seen before. I certainly hadn’t seen a house like the Cunningham house, or clothes like those they were wearing, or even the diner.

We had Fred’s Cafe! And so, for me - and millions of others like me - it was somewhere different to escape to.

Is the musical true to the TV series?

Obviously the only song in the series was the theme tune, which comes in at various intervals throughout the show. What we’ve got with the stage production, which certainly isn’t a jukebox musical, is a load of songs written

by Paul Williams, who’s a hugely successful musician. They’ve all been written in a ’50s

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interview... style, so it sounds like you’ve heard them before when actually they’re all brand new.

They’re great tracks.

made the biggest fuss. We all went out to a gay club and they got dressed up in ’80s gear in my honour.

How did playing Mrs Cunningham come about?

My agent called me to say they were casting for the part and would I be interested. I absolutely jumped at it. I didn’t need to discuss it. He said ‘whoa, whoa, whoa, you don’t know the dates, the fee...’, but I told him it didn’t matter because I really wanted to play the role because she was such a major part of the series. Mrs Cunningham was funny without intention; she was smart, she was loving, she was the home-maker, and she had a special role to play. She was the only one who called the Fonz ‘Arthur’, and in return he respected and confided in her. There was no way I was going to turn it down. By the time I auditioned, they’d already seen loads of potential Mrs Cunninghams. They filmed my audition for a series called The Sound Of The Musicals.

Generally you never see or hear what people say about you in auditions, but this time, because it had all been captured on film, I found out that they’d said I was ‘absolutely perfect’ for it. I was so thrilled that they thought that - and now here I am, loving every minute of playing Mrs C.

How are you finding touring this time round?

I’m very choosy about which tours I do. My twin girls are older now, so that makes it easier - as does the fact that I really wanted to play this role. This is a six-month tour and there’ll only be one Sunday where I won’t get home.

That’s when I’m in Aberdeen, but on that occasion my family are coming up to me. It’s a sociable life when you’re out on the road, because after the show - for half of the week at least - you’ll go and socialise with the rest of the cast, which is lovely and something that I don’t often do at home. When I’m at home, Steve and I rarely socialise - maybe once every two to three weeks. Our lives are the same as everyone else’s - we cook dinner, watch telly, wash up. You lose all that when you’re on tour, and I do miss it. Even the mundane stuff like emptying the dishwasher and getting the washing on. As mundane as it sounds, it’s home and it’s real life. When you’re on tour, you don’t have that. What you often have is boredom, and even though you’re surrounded by lots of other people, it can still be quite lonely.

Do you get much artistic freedom with the role?

There’s a slight hint towards Bucks Fizz in there, but it doesn’t detract from the story at all. Throughout the show Mrs C is exactly as she was in the series. The series was written

by Gary Marshall and so is the musical, so he’s taken excerpts from the TV show. Yes, she’s the home-builder and the confidante, but she admits that there’s so much more to her that wants to break out. But she’s not allowed to, because she’s a typical housewife who stays at home, looks after the kids, bakes pies - everything that was 1950s America. But there’s one part in the show where she does actually break free, and that’s the Bucks Fizz moment.

Do you have an all-time favourite?

Probably Les Miserables. It makes me cry every time. I wanted to be Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady, so I suppose that’s another one but I’ll never get to do that now, as I’m too old.

I’ll have to leave it up to one of my girls to achieve that goal for me.

If you could travel back in time, which era would you go back to?

I’d like to be Queen Guinevere from King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. It all seems so magical - with all the beautiful costumes and living in castles. In reality it would’ve been cold, filthy and smelly, and people would only have lived to about thirtyfive, if they were lucky. In my imagination, I’d like to go back there, but in reality I’m very happy where I am. I love technology now, and the fact that even though we’re miles away, I can keep in contact with my children via Skype. Even age-wise, I’m happy where I am.

You’ve touched on age and the fact that Mrs C is this matriarch who brings people together. Is that a role that you assume with the cast off-stage?

Yes, I guess so. I don’t know about holding it together, but they respect me, which is lovely.

And if there’s a problem they’ll talk to me about it, and I love that. The cast generally are very young. There are only three oldies: me, Jimmy Paterson - who’s playing Howard - and Ray Gardner, who’s playing Arnold. Everybody else is a young dancer or actor. They socialise with me, and if they’re going out anywhere they always ask me to join them. It was my sixtieth birthday the other week and they all

Was being a performer something to which you always aspired?

Ever since pre-school. All I ever wanted was to be a singer in a band. I never wanted to go solo. When I saw Sandy Shaw win Eurovision in 1967, that became my ultimate aim; to win Eurovision. I thought it was a pipedream. I thought that one day I might be a singer in a band, maybe singing in a Mecca ballroom - as they were known in the 1970s - but never in a million years did I think the Eurovision thing would happen to me. I was just an ordinary girl from East London!

That Eurovision win is over thirty years ago now. Katrina And The Waves’ 1997 success aside, why do you think Britain has been so unsuccessful with its entries in recent times?

There are a lot of factors, two of them being the wrong singer and the wrong song. It’s only a few years ago that Jade came fifth, so we can’t just blame it on politics. Engelbert Humperdinck - who ever had the idea of entering him? I’m not saying he’s not a good singer, but he’s in his seventies. I was drying my hair in a hotel room when the announcement came on that he was the UK entry. Because I had the dryer on, I couldn’t hear what they were saying, so my first thought was ‘what a shame, Engelbert Humperdinck’s dead’. If we want to be taken seriously, we have to take it seriously. We have to put forward someone who has a chance of winning - not an old fogey - and we have to put in a decent song. These big dreary ballads from Engelbert and Bonnie Tyler are just not appealing. Our song was right for the time. Put it in now and it would probably get nil points.

You have to change with the times, and we

haven’t done that. People can blame it on politics, but the bottom line is that you have to have a song worthy of winning, and we haven’t had one for years.

So what do you think of this year’s entry?

I haven’t heard it, but I’ve seen Molly SmittenDownes photo and that pleased me. I thought ‘thank goodness we’re putting a young unknown girl in’. I look forward to hearing it.

Apart from winning Eurovision, what else would you consider a highlight in your career?

Going to number one in the charts and being on Christmas Top Of The Pops, which was so vitally important in those days. Being asked to do television - Recordbreakers - for a thousand years. They’re all highlights. My whole life has been full of highlights. I’ve been very blessed.

Your repertoire spans singing, acting and presenting. With which of these disciplines do you feel most comfortable?

Singing with Bucks Fizz, most definitely. I still sing with Mike and Jay. We’re not able to call ourselves Bucks Fizz because this other woman owns the name and won’t let us use it, so we go as Cheryl Baker, Mike Nolan and Jay Aston (formerly of Bucks Fizz). We can use that because it’s a statement as opposed to a name. It’s ridiculous, but we play all the time and we’ve got lots of festivals coming up in the summer. We’re off to France and Spain to perform.

Do you ever have trouble making your mind up when deciding whether to audition for a role?

I do, actually. Sometimes, my agent will say, ‘Oh, this will be good for you!’, but I think, ‘I don’t want to do it’. Generally speaking, I go with my heart and not my head - and that’s what I do with panto. It can be a bit like a bank raid. You can make so much money in a relatively short space of time, especially if you’ve got a top billing - but it ruins my favourite time of the year, and that’s why I don’t do many.

Over the years, which role has presented you with the biggest challenge?

Doing serious plays. I did Dial M For Murder, where I had to be very ’50s-posh. That was a challenge for me. Singing and being lighthearted in a musical is very nerve-racking too, but I can do it. Straight acting is something very alien to me, but I did do it and got good reviews.

You appeared on Celebrity MasterChef and faired very well in Popstar To Opera Star. Is there any Reality TV show in which you wouldn’t appear?

Big Brother. I think it brings out the worst in people. I don’t like what it does, and you’re at the mercy of the editing team. Other reality shows like I’m A Celebrity are challenging and people are encouraged to work together.

There’s lots of camaraderie there, whereas with Big Brother, it feels like they’re all trying to pull each other apart.

Cheryl Baker stars in Happy Days The Musical at Birmingham Hippodrome, Tues 22 - Sat 26 April; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Mon 9 - Sat 14 June www.whatsonlive.co.uk 13

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Music Rufus Wainwright Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Sun 27 April

Blending the deeply personal with sharp social commentary, Rufus Wainwright has established himself as one of modern music's shining talents.

The American-Canadian singer-songwriter has recorded numerous albums, including the Juno Award-winning Rufus Wainwright (1998) and Poses (2001). The son of folk singers Loudon Wainwright III and Kate McGarrigle, Wainwright came out as gay while he was still a teenager, and this desire for openness and honesty in his life is something which translates extremely effectively to his music.

This intimate solo show promotes his upcoming album, The Best Of Rufus Wainwright. Support comes from Lucy Wainwright Roche.

Ben Harper Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Tues 29 April

American singer-songwriter Ben is a three-time Grammy award-winner who’s garnered plenty of praise for his guitar-playing skills. Stopping off in Birmingham as part of his first ever acoustic headline tour, he’ll be playing his trademark Weissenborn guitar and presenting a blend of southern gospel, ’70s funk, blues, reggae and rock-and-roll.

Often singing songs that are either politicised or about the pain of heartbreak, Harper has built up a significant fanbase in Europe, and was once described by Rolling Stone magazine as a man who played slide guitar ‘with flashes of Hendrixian fire’.

Manic Street Preachers Civic Hall, Wolverhampton, Sun 6 April

Nearly thirty years of producing high-quality material has seen the Manics claim their place in the upper echelons of British rock. After hitting the bigtime with a cover of Suicide Is Painless in the early ’90s, they survived the disappearance of band member Richey James to go on and enjoy megasuccess with A Design For Life, from the album Everything Must Go. They appear in Wolverhampton in support of their most recent album, Rewind The Film, and will also be previewing this year’s release, Futurology.

Justin Timberlake LG Arena, Birmingham, Fri 11 - Sat 12 April

Just confirmed to headline this year’s V Festival, Justin Timberlake is donning a suit and tie to delight audiences across the globe on his 20/20 Experience World Tour. The multiGrammy and Emmy award-winning Timberlake made a triumphant return to music in 2013 with not one but two studio albums, and is a man of many talents. Known for his breakout movie roles in The Social Network and Friends With Benefits, he’s also coowner of myspace, as well as a record label, restaurants, and clothing line William Rast.

Shimmying across stages for nine UK shows, he plays two Birmingham dates.

The Correspondents The Institute, Birmingham, Thurs 10 April

Forming in 2007, The Correspondents have taken their time to record their debut album, but finally released Puppet Loosely Strung earlier this year. An unusual pairing, Mr Bruce (often found in spandex) and Chucks (behind the decks, producer) have created an electro jazz drum and bass sound that electrifies crowds. Looking every inch a monocled gentleman, Mr Bruce must be seen to be believed, performing quickfire scat rap in a style he calls chap-hop whilst Chucks looks on. Join their party at The Institute.

www.whatsonlive.co.uk 15

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BRING YOUR PARTY TO OUR PARTY AT THE NAILCOTE HALL HOTEL

SPRING & SUMMER EVENTS 2014 SPECIAL OCCASIONS AND ANNUAL EVENTS th t5 Sa RIL

AP

THE SPRING PINK BALL WITH THE 80’s EXPERIENCE

.50 £49

IN SUPPORT OF BREAST CANCER CHARITIES AND AFTER SHOW DISCO

7th t1 Sa AY

SOUL PARTY

M

WITH

SOUL SURVIVORS & MEL DAY 2th t 1 IL a S R

AP

.50 £37

DOWNTON ABBEY DINNER & DANCE WITH MANHATTAN

Full of Lord & Ladies enjoying An Intimate Dinner with ‘Drawing Room’ Entertainment and Cabaret

0th n 2 IL u S PR

A

★★★★★ Edinburgh Evening News

“Unashamedly drumming as theatre... exhilarating”

EASTER SUNDAY IN THE OAK ROOM RESTAURANT Enjoy Easter Sunday Lunch in beautiful surroundings

“This show is not to be missed” th 25 Fri PRIL

A

Enjoy hit from Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and more

“An invigorating, life-enriching experience. you’ll be poorer if you miss it.”

rd t3 Sa AY

WITH THE NAKED BEATLES All the hits and the unmistakable sounds from the Fab Four

th 30 Fri AY

WITH THE KRYSTALETTES

Bramall Music Building at the University of Birmingham

£18 Full Price, £15 Concessions, £10 for under 18’s

4th t1 Sa UNE

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.50 2 3 £

SWINGING 60s AND MOTOWN PARTY

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ELGAR CONCERT HALL Box Office: 0121 345 0492 or online: www.thsh.co.uk

.50 9 2 £

THE BEATLES

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The Stage

Tuesday 13th May 2014, 7.30pm

.50 £32

MOTOWN LEGENDS PARTY WITH SOUL LEGEND

★★★★ The Herald

.50 £39

THE MOTOWN ‘BLACK TIE’ MIDSUMMER BALL

WITH RICHIE SAMPSON’S DRIFTERS

.50 2 3 £

.50 9 4 £

TICKET PRICES INCLUDE 4 COURSE MEAL WE WILL CATER FOR ANY SPECIAL DIETARY NEEDS BY PRIOR ARRANGMENT

BOOKING HOTLINE 02476 466174

www.nailcotehall.co.uk Nailcote Hall Hotel, Nailcote Lane, Berkswell, Warwickshire CV7 7DE

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Music PREVIEWS Benjamin Clementine The Glee Club, Birmingham, Sun 6 April

Discovered singing on the Paris Metro, Benjamin Clementine made his TV debut on Later With Jools Holland last year. With a voice that tells of years of hardship, the North London singer made his way to Paris for a fresh start, but was lonely and penniless before fate intervened to make him a star. Now, complete with ringing endorsement from Sir Paul McCartney, he’s released debut EP Cornerstone and sold out London’s Purcell Rooms. Hear his searing and heartbreaking vocals live at The Glee Club.

Angie Stone The Drum, Birmingham, Sun 20 April

Matthew And The Atlas Hare & Hounds, Tues 22 April

Matthew And The Atlas is an English folk outfit based around musician Matthew Hegarty.

Juggling his passions for nature and music, Matthew and his five piece band, with whom he’s played and recorded since 2010, were signed to Communion Records in 2011. He released two EPs and toured Europe and the US before retreating to his other job as a landscape gardener. Playing dreamy Americana, his music has been compared to folk act Mumford And Sons, and his voice to Ray LaMontagne. Set to release new album Other Rivers ahead of this Birmingham show, Matthew and co are supported by Brooklyn’s Wilsen.

It hasn’t all been plain sailing for Angie Stone during her thirty-five years in the limelight. The American soul diva has had her fair share of health problems, including the inflammatory cell condition Sarcoidosis and Type 2 diabetes. On the upside, she’s released numerous top ten albums, sold over five million records worldwide, and starred as Big Mama Morton in the hit musical Chicago. She stops off at The Drum as part of her first ever UK tour, and will be performing classic hits including Brother, No More Rain and Wish I Didn't Miss You.

Climates

Elbow

Kasbah, Coventry, Fri 18 April

LG Arena, Birmingham, Sat 5 April

UK hardcore act Climates released debut EP What Means The Most in 2012 and are tipped for greatness by those in the know. Working hard behind the scenes to make 2014 a big year, they’ve been signed to new management, and are mixing and mastering their album in preparation for an imminent release.

This Midland gig is one of four special shows in which they team up with Wrexham’s finest pop punk band, Neck Deep.

British band Elbow have played together since 1990, picking up the 2008 Mercury Music Prize for their album The Seldom Seen Kid. In 2012, the group released First Steps, the BBC theme for the London Olympics.

Originally called Mr Soft, their music embraces various genres, including indie rock, art rock, new prog, post-Britpop and, most evidently, alternative rock. The band have a busy spring/summer schedule, embarking on tours of both the UK and North America as well as playing multiple festival slots. Jimi Goodwin supports.

UB40 The Institute, Birmingham, Fri 18 - Sat 19 April

Blood Red Shoes O2 Academy, Birmingham, Thurs 24 April

With their American style of guitar-heavy altrock, Steven Ansell and Laura-Mary Carter have been compared to The White Stripes.

The Brighton boy/girl duo are touring the US and Europe in support of their fourth (self-titled) album, recently released to mainly positive reviews. Working with producer John Agnello, the Sonic Youth sound is much in evidence on the album, which has already been called epic. DZ Deathrays and Slaves support.

It's over thirty-five years now since UB40 performed their first gig - at a Birmingham pub for the birthday of a friend - and despite encountering some rocky roads along the way, the band are still going strong. Their big break came in a pub too, when Chrissie Hynde spotted them and gave them the chance to perform as support with The Pretenders. They appear at The Institute this month as part of a fourteen-show tour in support of their highly rated new album, Getting Over The Storm.

Buzzcocks The Robin, Bilston, Thurs 10 April

Forming, along with the Sex Pistols and the Clash, the original holy trinity of British punk, Buzzcocks are genuine, twenty-four carat punk rock royalty, with superstar groups such as REM, Nirvana and Green Day all having been happy to acknowledge the influence which the Bolton-originated band had on their music. Influential in terms of both the independent record movement and the Manchester music scene, the band were once hailed ‘the Beatles of punk’, their sound being described as a fusion of pop craftsmanship and rapid-fire punk energy. www.whatsonlive.co.uk 17

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Music GIG REVIEWS

Music LISTINGS

For further reviews, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk

For full listing information on gigs, including times and dates, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk

One Republic O2 Academy, Birmingham It’s been a few years since I last saw OneRepublic perform. On that occasion they were supporting Coldplay at the NIA. Back then, I remember thinking they had something special to offer so much so, in fact, that I left the venue thinking their performance was actually as good as Coldplay’s.

This time, they packed Birmingham’s O2 Academy, and were welcomed back to the city in style. The popular American band now have three albums under their belt. Most of the set came from Native, their 2013 album, but also included quite a few tracks from 2009’s Waking Up and 2007’s Dreaming Out Loud. They kicked off with Light It Up, and the crowd immediately joined in. In fact, they joined in with each and every song, on occasion singing louder than Ryan Tedder himself.

This was followed by Secrets, All The Right Moves and What You Wanted. Stop And Stare literally had everyone in the place joining in.

Apologise, their worldwide number one hit, prompted even the bar staff to sing along - it’s no wonder it made the top spot in no fewer than sixteen countries. The band then performed stripped-down acoustic versions of Preacher and Come Home. While they did so, the back-screen displayed pictures of Birmingham landmarks and the queue getting into the 02 - a nice dedication to the city.

There’s no doubt that frontman Ryan Tedder has a phenomenal vocal range, but he’s also a talented musician and songwriter, having worked with Beyonce, Adele and Leona Lewis, to name but a few.

Credit must also go to the other band members, with a special mention for guitarist Zach Filkins - who stole the show with a stunning Spanish guitar solo - and Brent Kutzle on cello.

OneRepublic took to the stage at 9pm and finished at 10.30, by which time I was wondering where the previous ninety minutes had gone.

They left us with a three-song encore, with If I Lose Myself culminating in an impressive display of strobe lighting and a shower of confetti.

A great end to a great night. Sarah Oliver ■■■■■

Sam Smith The Institute, Birmingham After winning a number of prestigious awards, including the BRIT awards’ Critic’s Choice, Sam Smith performed at Birmingham’s Institute as part of his six-date UK tour. Accompanied by his support, Josh Record, Sam belted out songs from longawaited debut album In The Lonely Hour, including number one single Money On My Mind. Boasting a truly breathtaking vocal talent and showing he’s no slouch when it comes to generating a passionate atmosphere, this twenty-one-year-old rising star looks set to enjoy plenty more success in the months and years ahead.

Abigail Whitehouse ■■■■

Metronomy The Institute, Birmingham On a Friday that saw Franz Ferdinand and Drake play the city, Metronomy took to the stage at the historic Institute.

Against a backdrop of white fluffy clouds - in keeping with their new album’s artwork - and dressed in their Love Letters video uniform of maroon blazer and white trousers, the fourpiece played the concert on neon-lit instruments.

Launching into neo-gothic Monstrous, Month Of Sundays and title track Love Letters, they then shocked the crowd mid-gig by throwing in epic single The Look, followed by She Wants. It was here that the concert took a turn, with instrumental piece Boy Racer and the slowpaced Call Me leaving the crowd lifeless.

Thankfully, blast from the past Holiday revived us with its Duran Duran riffs, and all was definitely forgiven by the time they played Everything Goes My Way and up-tempo new single I’m Aquarius.

They flitted between albums for the duration of the set, with some tracks from Love Letters being well received (The Upsetter, Reservoir), while others left us speechless.

Here lies the problem. Certain tracks from Love Letters are single-worthy and catchy, but perhaps not so lyrically and musically strong as The English Riviera. In a conscious move away from that album, Love Letters is, quite frankly, boring in places, reminiscent of music from an ’80s pinball machine and taking a theme it’s difficult to keep up with.

Here’s to the next album. Alev Dervish ■■■

TUE 1 APR LET IT BE Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent ALL OUR YESTERDAYS Solihull Arts Complex THE JOHNNY CASH ROADSHOW Belgrade Theatre, Coventry BOY GEORGE The Institute, Birmingham CHRIS NORMAN & HIS BAND The Robin, Bilston SOUL DEVOTION The Jam House, B’ham SMS JUNIOR BRASS, GUITARRISTAS, CON BRIO & 2ND WINDS Shirley Methodist Church, Warwickshire MARMOZETS The Institute, Birmingham

WED 2 APR LET IT BE Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent THE ONCE The Red Lion Folk Club, Birmingham SUSAN BOYLE Symphony Hall, B’ham HAZEL O’CONNOR Belgrade Theatre, Coventry MCIT WOODWIND CONCERT Solihull School EMMA STEVENS The Robin, Bilston SPACE LADY & TWO DOGS Hare & Hounds, Birmingham THE TANNAHILL WEAVERS Kitchen Garden Cafe, Birmingham SIMONE FELICE Hare & Hounds, Birmingham THE IRISH HOUSE PARTY Palace Theatre, Redditch

THU 3 APR LET IT BE Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent PRONG The Slade Rooms, W’hampton STATUS QUO Civic Hall, Wolverhampton BLONDIED The Robin, Bilston THE IRISH HOUSE PARTY Belgrade Theatre, Coventry THE ELO EXPERIENCE The Place, Oakengates, Telford DAN GREENAWAY AND ALEX RAINSFORD Artrix, Bromsgrove 12 GAUGE, STONE BROKEN & MALLEN The Roadhouse, B’ham TRAVELS AND FOLKLORE Birmingham Conservatoire BLACKBEARD’S TEA PARTY Hare & Hounds, Birmingham HAZEL O’CONNOR Huntingdon Hall, Worcester ROBERT GLASPER EXPERIMENT The Institute, Birmingham 1EYE The Jam House, Birmingham BIG DEAL Hare &

Hounds, Birmingham ELLIOTT SHARPE’S FOLIAGE Birmingham Conservatoire

FRI 4 APR LET IT BE Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent THE BLOCKHEADS The Robin, Bilston THE BEAT The Assembly, Leamington Spa CLOUDBUSTING - A TRIBUTE TO KATE BUSH Hare & Hounds, Birmingham THE FORTUNES Tamworth Assembly Rooms, Staffordshire THE MERCY HOUSE Marr’s Bar, Worcester WHOLE LOTTA LED Solihull Arts Complex A PROMS FOR ST GEORGE’S DAY Forest Arts Centre, Walsall THERAPY? Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton TAKE TWO Irish Centre, Birmingham BARON GREENBACK, VICTORIAN WHOREDOGS & LORD MISERY Scruffy Murphy’s, Birmingham MORGAN HERITAGE The Institute, Birmingham PAUL LAMB & THE KING SNAKES Artrix, Bromsgrove MATRIX CLUB MATRIX The Jam House, Birmingham THE GUNS N’ ROSES EXPERIENCE The River Rooms, Stourbridge BRYAN GEE The Buttermarket, Shrewsbury THE MAGIC OF THE BEATLES Huntingdon Hall, Worcester SNOWBLIND Route 44, Birmingham JIMI GOODWIN The Sugarmill, Stoke-on-Trent EMBLEM3 O2 Academy, Birmingham BEYOND SEVENSIGNS The Asylum, B’ham DUKE, KARMA CORNER & THE BLACK FOX The Actress & Bishop, B’ham BLUES BROTHERS & SOUL SISTERS TRIBUTE NIGHT The Great Barr Hotel, Birmingham KARMA CORNER The Flapper, Birmingham JOHNNY KOWALSKI & THE SEXY WEIRDOS Hare & Hounds, Birmingaham SANGRE DE MUERDAGO, CRYWANK & PERKIE Ort Cafe, Birmingham BUDDY AND THE BOOTLEG CRICKETS Palace Theatre, Redditch PATSY MATHESON Palace Theatre, Redditch FRED ZEPPELIN The Roadhouse, B’ham STEVE AJAO BLUES GIANTS Symphony Hall, Birmingham

SAT 5 APR LET IT BE Regent The-

atre, Stoke-on-Trent THAT’LL BE THE DAY Stafford Gatehouse MATRIX CLUB MATRIX The Jam House, Birmingham O’HOOLEY AND TIDOW Birchmeadow, Broseley THE MANFREDS Artrix, Bromsgrove ELBOW LG Arena, Birmingham SWIM WITH SHARKS Irish Centre, Birmingham THE SMITHS LTD The Roadhouse, B’ham DIRTY DC The Robin, Bilston THE VIBE O2 Academy, Birmingham DEVILDRIVER Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton THE 80’S EXPERIENCE Nailcote Hall, Berkswell THE DRIFTERS Prince Of Wales Centre, Cannock WALK OFF THE EARTH The Institute, B’ham KICK BACK THE 80S The Edge Arts Centre, Much Wenlock, South Shropshire THE BONNEVILLES The Assembly, Leamington Spa KHIYO Symphony Hall, Birmingham SOLEY MOURNING The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton THE LITTLE DEATHS & PROLE POSITION The Actress & Bishop, B’ham THE PEATBOG FAERIES Huntingdon Hall, Worcester CANTERBURY The Institute, Birmingham ULTRA 90’S The River Rooms, Stourbridge THE IRREPRESSIBLES The Tin Music And Arts, Coventry THE DELTA RHYTHM, LUNA KISS MIDNIGHT CONVOY & PRIMER The Flapper, Birmingham GREG WILSON Hare & Hounds, Birmingham HIGHGRADE The Institute, Birmingham SLYDE ALIVE The Marr’s Bar, Worcester MS DYANAMITE Kasbah, Coventry THE WILD FLOWERS Newhampton Arts Centre, Wolverhampton

SUN 6 APR MANIC STREET PREACHERS Civic Hall, Wolverhampton OLIVER WAKEMAN & GORDON GILTRAP’S RAVEN’S AND LULLABIES The Robin, Bilston BLACKBEARD’S TEA PARTY The Edge Arts Centre, Much Wenlock WOODEN HORSE Kitchen Garden Cafe, B’ham BLUEBIRD, COLLEGE, THE BLUE PERIOD & GUERRILLA MONSOON Scruffy Murphy’s, Birmingham FAY HIELD AND THE HURRICANE PARTY Lichfield Guildhall, Staffordshire NORTHERN SOUL & TAMLA MOTOWN NIGHT The River Rooms, Stourbridge PANKAJ UDHAS The New Bingley Hall, B’ham WORDS OF CONCRETE The Flapper, B’ham

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BRAIN YEATES ASSOCIATES PROUDLY PRESENTS...

Stand Up & Rock ★ ★ ★ FEATURING ★ ★ ★

JASPER CARROTT THE BEV BEVAN BAND TREVOR BURTON GEOFF TURTON JOY STRACHAN-BRAIN SEPTEMBER 2014 Tue 16th Sept - Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton - 01902 429212 Fri 19th & Sat 20th Sept - Concordia Theatre, Hinckley - 01455 615005 Tue 23rd - Fri 26th Sept - Arts Complex, Solihull - 0121 704 6962

OCTOBER 2014 Thurs 16th Oct - Town Hall, Dudley - 01384 812812 Fri 17th Oct - Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury - 01684 295074 Tues 21st Oct - Town Hall, Birmingham - 0121 345 0600 Thurs 23rd - Sat 25th Oct - Palace Theatre, Redditch - 01527 65203 Sun 26th Oct - Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury - 01743 281281 Thurs 30th & Fri 31st Oct - Town Hall, Sutton Coldfield - 0121 464 8990

NOVEMBER 2014 Sat 1st Nov Civic Theatre, Bedworth 02476 376707 Tues 11th - Sat 15th Nov Garrick Theatre, Lichfield 01543 412121 Mon 17th Nov Playhouse, Nottingham 01159 419419

...trut ltyo a nighber. remem

www.brianyeates.co.uk 20 www.whatsonlive.co.uk

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Music LISTINGS For full listing information on gigs, including times and dates, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk BENJAMIN CLEMENTINE The Glee Club, B’ham JAMES WALSH OF STARSAILOR Hare & Hounds, Birmingham TOSELAND The Assembly, Leamington Spa

MON 7 APR HARLESTORM O2 Academy, Birmingham SOPHIE ELLIS BEXTOR The Institute, B’ham RIVERSIDE The Robin, Biston VELVET UNDERARM Crescent Theatre, B’ham ALY BAIN & PHIL CUNNINGHAM New Vic Theatre, Newcastle under Lyme RITA HOSKING Henry Tudor House, Shrewsbury THE DUNNETT/BAXTER BIG BAND The Yardbird Jazz Club, Birmingham CURTIS ELLER’S AMERICAN CIRCUS The Tin Music And Arts, Coventry PAUL THOMAS SAUNDERS Hare & Hounds, B’ham

TUE 8 APR GARY BARLOW LG Arena, Birmingham BOYCE AVENUE The Institute, Birmingham THE WILDHEARTS Wulfrun Hall, W’hampton LITTLE CAESAR The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton MANCHESTER ORCHESTRA The Glee Club, Birmingham SKY LARKIN & ACE BUSHY STRIPTEASE Hare & Hounds, Birmingham GABRIELLA JONES The Jam House, B’ham PEGGY SUE & EYES AND NO EYES The Tin Music And Arts, Coventry ANTTIX The Buttermarket, Shrewsbury SCOTT MATTHEWS Hare & Hounds, Birmingham NEGURA BUNGET The Robin, Bilston JOHN LOWRIE QUARTET The Spotted Dog, Birmingham

WED 9 APR MOKOOMBA Midlands Arts Centre, B’ham FIVE STAR SWING: THE BIG BAND Crewe Lyceum AMARANTHE The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton VIN GARBUTT The Red Lion Folk Club, B’ham HUE AND CRY The Robin, Bilston CARAVAN Huntingdon Hall, Worcester THREE MANOEUVRE FUNKY ORGAN TRIO The Yardbird Jazz Club, Birmingham TOSELAND The Sugarmill, Stoke-on-Trent LOOP Hare & Hounds,

Birmingham

THU 10 APR JOHNNY MATHIS LG Arena, Birmingham STATUS QUO Civic Hall, Wolverhampton GEORGE MONTAGUE Artrix, Bromsgrove THE LAST CARNIVAL O2 Academy, Birmingham SUSAN BOYLE Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent MEMPHIS MAY FIRE O2 Academy, Birmingham BUZZCOCKS The Robin, Bilston CURB & SWERVE Sunflower Lounge, B’ham THE DEAD BETAS, UGLY LOVE, PUNK OF AGES & OH CAPTIVE The Roadhouse, Birmingham THE STRUTS The River Rooms, Stourbridge THE FUREYS & DAVEY ARTHUR Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury QUILL Walker Theatre, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury MIDNIGHT SESSION The Jam House, B’ham FEAST OF FIDDLES Huntingdon Hall, Worcester TOM BROSSEAU The Tin Music And Arts, Coventry THE NIGHTINGALES The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton PENETRATION The Institute, Birmingham THE CORRESPONDENTS The Institute, B’ham WHITE COAST REBELS Scruffy Murphy’s, Birmingham UPSCALE CLOTHES SHOW The Assembly, Leamington Spa GRIEVES Hare & Hounds, Birmingham THE FEW COLLECTIVE Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham

FRI 11 APR JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE LG Arena, Birmingham THE BOOTLEG BEATLES Malvern Theatres, Worcester THE HURLING BOYS DUO Irish Centre, B’ham MR BEN The Jam House, Birmingham PARADISE CIRCUS, PROSPECT & HOLY CASPER Hare & Hounds, Birmingham HALF MAN HALF BISCUIT The Assembly, Leamington Spa THE MOVE The Roadhouse, Birmingham MARTHA REEVES & THE VANDELLAS The Robin, Bilston ONLY THE GOOD The Asylum, Birmingham CODE 46 The Actress & Bishop, Birmingham THE SOLID SILVER 60S SHOW Birmingham Town Hall NOVANA O2 Academy,

Birmingham THE MERSEY BEATLES Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury GERRY ACROSS THE MERSEY Prince Of Wales Centre, Cannock THE ROAD TO BLISSFIELDS - HEAT The Sugarmill, Stoke-on-Trent ARCANE ROOTS The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton ONLY ONE DIRECTION Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton KAIDEKA & OBEY Scruffy Murphy’s, Birmingham SKABUCKS The River Rooms, Stourbridge WE’VE ONLY JUST BEGUN Lichfield Garrick, Staffordshire HAWTHORNE HEIGHTS The Assembly, Leamington Spa TYRANNOSAURUS NEBULOUS The Flapper, Birmingham MASSIVE HEAD TRAUMA The Marr’s Bar, Worcester THE BONFIRE RADICALS Ort Cafe, Birmingham A BLACK COUNTRY NIGHT OUT Palace Theatre, Redditch SHIELD PATTERNS The Tin Music And Arts, Coventry BEAT GOES BANG Hare & Hounds, Birmingham

SAT 12 APR JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE LG Arena, Birmingham MR BEN The Jam House, Birmingham CELTIC FLAMES Artrix, Bromsgrove THE SEX PISTOLS EXPERIENCE O2 Academy, Birmingham BON GIOVI The Robin, Bilston FLARES PARTY BAND Route 44, Birmingham THE TRAPS Hare & Hounds, Birmingham MATT CARDLE O2 Academy, Birmingham ABBA MANIA Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury STAR OF THE SEA Irish Centre, Birmingham PHIL HARTNOLL (ORBITAL) DJ SET Hare & Hounds, Birmingham ROY G HEMMINGS MOTOWN AND PHILADELPHIA ON TOUR The Place, Oakengates SIMON AND GARFUNKEL THROUGH THE YEARS The Norbury Theatre, Droitwich ATLAS The Actress & Bishop, Birmingham COMPLETE MADNESS Evesham Arts Centre, Worcester ONE STOP BOOGIE The River Rooms, Stourbridge THE FORTUNES - PAST & PRESENT Huntingdon Hall, Worcester 1977 The Roadhouse, Birmingham THE GET ALONGS The Sugarmill, Stoke-onTrent JACK WALLEN Ort Cafe, Birmingham GENO WASHINGTON Palace Theatre, Redditch

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COLD OCEAN LIES & OCEANIA Sunflower Lounge, Birmingham TICH The Buttermarket, Shrewsbury LOST ALONE & SCREAM BLUE MURDER Kasbah, Coventry THE ATROCITY, EXHIBIT, VICIOUS BASTARD, FESTUS CHRIST, GETS WORSE, WRONGDOING & DEATH TRIPPER Scruffy Murphy’s, Birmingham

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SUN 13 APR PAUL CARRACK Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury CURVED AIR The Robin, Bilston WINDHAND The Asylum, Birmingham PATTI RUSSO O2 Academy, Birmingham GILMORE & ROBERTS Kitchen Garden Cafe, Birmingham THE SPIRIT & SOUND OF STEELY DAN NEARLY DAN Hare & Hounds, B’ham PAT JORDAN & FINIANS RAINBOW Irish Centre, Birmingham BLACK ART, WEATHERED HANDS, SOMEONE SAID FIRE & OUR MOTHER SUNS The Flapper, Birmingham MUSED The Roadhouse, Birmingham

MON 14 APR DEAF HAVANA Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton GAZPACHO The Assembly, Leamington Spa DAVID ROVICS Kitchen Garden Cafe, B’ham TAKE OFFENSE, EISBERG, WORLD EATER, COLD STARE & RESTRAINT The Flapper, Birmingham

TUE 15 APR FOREIGNER Civic Hall, Wolverhampton GETAWAY CLUB The Robin, Bilston DIANE CLUCK The Tin Music And Arts, Coventry THESE KINGS, LYRE, LUMINANCE & KILLR PUNX The Actress & Bishop, Birmingham PAUL SAWTRELL PIANO The Jam House, B’ham CHRIS YOUNG SEXTET The Spotted Dog, Birmingham MADDY PRIOR WITH GILES LEWIN AND HANNAH JAMES Midlands Arts Centre, B’ham RAGLANS Hare & Hounds, Birmingham RODDIE WOOMBLE Kitchen Garden Cafe, Birmingham

WED 16 APR WITHIN TEMPTATION O2 Academy, Birmingham GOSPEL CENTRAL The Jam House, B’ham BRIDIE JACKSON & THE ARBOUR Artrix, Bromsgrove JULIE FELIX The Red Lion Folk Club, B’ham BEN REEL & ERIC ANDERSEN Hare & Hounds, Birmingham THE HIGH KINGS The Robin, Bilston

Soul Acoustic Tour - The Glee Club, Birmingham

EAGLES BORN VULTURES & ASH IS A ROBOT The Flapper, Birmingham ALL OUR YESTERDAYS Palace Theatre, Redditch APOLLO The River Rooms, Stourbridge

THU 17 APR THE CRAZY WORLD OF ARTHUR BROWN The Robin, Bilston LET’S HANG ON Birmingham Town Hall AN AUDIENCE WITH SWARB Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury VEXXEN O2 Academy, Birmingham RED SHOES Symphony Hall, Birmingham KING PLEASURE & THE BISCUIT BOYS The Jam House, Birmingham JESSICA HOOP The Glee Club, Birmingham THE HEELS, TEMPTING ROSIE & JAMTIDY Hare & Hounds, Birmingham YOUR HEAD, THATCHER’S LOVE CHILD & PUMA XIII The Roadhouse, B’ham BANTORIOUS DAN, CHAUCER & MR KLUGGS Scruffy Murphy’s, Birmingham JAWS The Sugarmill, Stoke-on-Trent FEAST OF FIDDLES The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbry THE SOUL SHAKEDOWN FUNK & SOUL SHOW Newhampton Arts Centre, Wolverhampton

FRI 18 APR THAT’LL BE THE DAY Wolverhampton Grand Theatre JAMES BLUNT Civic Hall, Wolverhampton QUEEN - FLASH The Robin, Bilston STOMP & HOLLER Artrix,

Bromsgrove AC/DC TRIBUTE - HELLS BELLS The Roadhouse, Birmingham UB40 The Institute, Birmingham THE SUMMER SET O2 Academy, Birmingham LUCY WARD Lichfield Garrick, Staffordshire URBAN INTRO The Jam House, Birmingham 0WEN TROMANS The Marr’s Bar, Worcester BEE GEES FEVER The River Rooms, Stourbridge PAT BRESLIN Irish Centre, Birmingham FRAMED The Actress & Bishop, Birmingham HANSU-TORI Ikon Gallery, Birmingham THE EX, RATTLE, HEALTH & EFFICIENCY Hare & Hounds, Birmingham THE SCREAMIN’ ABDABZ Route 44, Birmingham CHARLES DEXTER WARD & THE IMAGINEERS, RESURRECTION MEN & LIPSHOCK The Tin Music And Arts, Coventry NECK DEEP Kasbah, Coventry DETECTIVE, SWEET LILLY, THE HIGHS, THE SECOND CITY & PHYLO O2 Academy, Birmingham KIRVANA The Flapper, Birmingham

SAT 19 APR UB40 The Institute, Birmingham T.REXTASY The Robin, Bilston GARY BARLOW LG Arena, Birmingham THE TOY HEARTS Hare & Hounds, Birmingham THE U2 EXPERIENCE The Actress & Bishop, Birmingham BEN REEL & ERIC ANDERSEN Artrix, Bromsgrove THE ULTIMATE BOYBANDS

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Music LISTINGS For full listing information on gigs, including times and dates, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk SHOW The River Rooms, Stourbridge SUNSHINE FRISBEE LAZERBEAM, SUNSET CINEMA CLUB, ELEPHANTINE, HAPPYNESS & MIDNIGHT BONFIRES Hare & Hounds, Birmingham RAISE ON STAGE The Roadhouse, B’ham BREAKING SATELLITES The Sugarmill, Stokeon-Trent THE HANDSOME BEASTS Route 44, Birmingham THE FAUNS The Sunflower Lounge, B’ham FIGHT THE DICE O2 Academy, Birmingham SECOND CITY FIRE & THE EMISSARIES The Flapper, Birmingham JAWS The Institute, Birmingham STEVE FORBERT The Assembly, Leamington Spa SKEWWHIFF The Marr’s Bar, Worcester SYMPHONY STATES The Tin Music And Arts, Coventry FARRA O2 Academy, Birmingham HOTWIRED Irish Centre, Birmingham 10 YEARS OF THE RAINBOW VENUES The Rainbow Venues, B’ham URBAN TRIO The Jam House, Birmingham

SUN 20 APR MARTYR DE MONA Wulfrun Hall, W’hampton DEFINITELY MIGHT BE ADORED The Robin, Bilston ZIP, MR.G, ADAM SHELTON & SUBB-AN The Rainbow Venues, Birmingham ANGIE STONE The Drum, Birmingham LIMEHOUSE LIZZY The River Rooms, Stourbridge TUSSK, BEYOND THE ECLIPSE Scruffy Murphy’s, Birmingham SOUL II SOUL Hare & Hounds, Birmingham FROSTEASE The Roadhouse, Birmingham LEGENDS OF THE DARK BLACK The Institute, Birmingham IRENE & TOM Irish Centre, Birmingham ARBOR LIGHTS, POLAR WHITE, KARHIDE & A WEREWOLF! The Flapper, Birmingham

MON 21 APR AN EVENING WITH KENNY G Symphony Hall, Birmingham LUCY WARD Henry Tudor House, Birmingham SICK PUPPIES O2 Academy, Birmingham

TUE 22 APR MATT CARDLE Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry

UNCLE ACID & THE DEADBEATS O2 Academy, Birmingham OF MICE & MEN The Institute, Birmingham THE TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton THE TAYLOR SWIFT EXPERIENCE The River Rooms, Stourbridge DAN LE SAC VS SCROOBIUS PIP The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton POP FACTOR Bedworth Civic Hall TOM DUNNETT QUINTET The Spotted Dog, Birmingham FRANCESCA EGAN Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry SOUL ACOUSTIC Featuring Don E, Dora Martin, Incisive, Hayley Cassidy, Esco Williams, J Appiah, Christopher Ellis and Heston, The Glee Club, Birmingham CAPITAL GROOVE The Jam House, B’ham MATTHEW AND THE ATLAS Hare & Hounds, Birmingham THE SWEET LOWDOWN Kitchen Garden Cafe, Birmingham

WED 23 APR PENTATONIX The Institute, Birmingham VENDENBERG’S MOONKINGS The Robin, Bilston THE CROOKES Hare & Hounds, Birmingham COVES Hare & Hounds, Birmingham IAN PARKER The Jam House, Birmingham JOHN KIRKPATRICK Huntingdon Hall, Worcester KVELERTAK The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton THE LORDS OF THYME Kitchen Garden Cafe, Birmingham

THU 24 APR DEL CAMINO The Jam House, Birmingham LARRY MILLER The Robin, Bilston ALKALINE TRIO The Institute, Birmingham SONS OF KEMET Hare & Hounds, Birmingham THE COUNTERFEIT STONES Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury JACE EVERETT & DAN STUART Hare & Hounds, Birmingham OMG LIVE! LG Arena, Birmingham LET’S HANG ON Bedworth Civic Hall SEX WOLF Scruffy Murphy’s, Birmingham THE CROOKES The Sugarmill, Stoke-on-Trent BLOOD RED SHOES O2 Academy, Birmingham DA VINCI The Roadhouse, Birmingham SUGGS: MY LIFE STORY

Palace Theatre, Redditch NICKLEBACK UK The River Rooms, Stourbridge SEAHAVEN WITH NAI HERVESTM BATTLELINES & JADED The Flapper, Birmingham

FRI 25 APR UP4 THE DOWNSTROKE The Jam House, B’ham GORDON ELVIS The Robin, Bilston CORTINA NIGHTS The Assembly, Leamington Spa THAT’LL BE THE DAY Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa FROM THE JAM The Buttermarket, Shrewsbury FRAN THE MAN Irish Centre, Birmingham THE SMYTHS O2 Academy, Birmingham MAGNUM The Assembly, Leamington Spa IAN PROWSE AND AMSTERDAM The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton MOTOWN LEGENDS PARTY WITH SOUL LEGEND Nailcote Hall, Berkswell JANE MCDONALD Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent THE ROVING CROWS Artrix, Bromsgrove MATT CARDLE The Place, Oakengates, Telford NERIJA & THE JAZZLINES ENSEMBLE Symphony Hall, Birmingham HANDS LIKE HOUSES The Asylum, Birmingham MANIFEST The Drum, Birmingham P!NK MISS UNDERSTOOD The River Rooms, Stourbridge THE ELO EXPERIENCE The Swan Theatre, Worcester A PROMISE TO FORGET, KEEP THE CHANGE, RED METHOD, WAIT FOR THE FALL & NEVER BEEN LESS O2 Academy, B’ham DAN LE SAC VS SCROOBIOUS PIP Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry THE DINOSAUR CLUB Route 44, Birmingham WINSTON’S BIG BROTHER The Flapper, B’ham WILDFLOWERS Hare & Hounds, Birmingham RUFUS The Institute, Birmingham SUGGS: MY LIFE STORY Malvern Theatres WHO’S NEXT The Marr’s Bar, Worcester DAN HARTLAND Ort Cafe, Birmingham RADIO CLASH The Roadhouse, Birmingham 80’S TRIBUTE NIGHT The Great Barr Hotel, B’ham PARADES The Tin Music And Arts, Coventry THE SCRIBERS The Actress & Bishop, Birmingham

SAT 26 APR UP4 THE DOWNSTROKE The Jam House, B’ham GO ON PUNK, MAKE MY DAY The Assembly, Leamington Spa KYLE EASTWOOD BAND Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton GODSKITCHEN The Rain-

bow Venues, B’ham LED BIB Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry KICK UP THE 80’S The Robin, Bilston THE SOLID SILVER 60’S SHOW Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent THE BIG CHRIS BARBER BAND Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa THE BEE GEES STORY Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury IMOGEN’S KISS The Actress & Bishop, B’ham KING PLEASURE & THE BISCUIT BOYS Lichfield Guildhall GUNS OR ROSES & SUBHUMAN RACE The Marr’s Bar, Worcester THE FULL SHA BANG Irish Centre, Birmingham THE GREAT AMERICAN SONGBOOK Evesham Arts Centre, Worcestershire QUEEN-FLASH The River Rooms, Stourbridge NURVRAX JAM The Yardbird Jazz Club, Birmingham BRODY DALLE O2 Academy, Birmingham ROGUE AMBITION The Flapper, Birmingham TEK ONE & TYLER MAE Kasbah, Coventry THE FUREYS & DAVEY ARTHUR Palace Theatre, Redditch DIZZY LIZZY The Roadhouse, Birmingham WARPED ACOUSTIC BASEMENT TOUR The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton GLASSBULLET, SALVATION, FERAL SUN, BLACK

TONGUE MESSIAH & SIGNS OF FIRE O2 Acadmey, Birmingham BIG TENT AND THE GYPSY LANTERN Ort Cafe, Birmingham ASH & LUCAS The Institute, Birmingham BETRAYAL WITHIN THE RANKS The Sugarmill, Stoke-on-Trent

SUN 27 APR THE ABBEY ROAD EXPERIENCE The Robin, Bilston MEGSON Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury PATSY REID & FRIENDS The Hive, Shrewsbury NORMA JEAN O2 Academy, Birmingham RUFUS WAINWRIGHT Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry ELI PAPERBOY REED O2 Academy, Birmingham STEPHEN SMYTH Irish Centre, Birmingham BIRDS OF CHICAGO Kitchen Garden Cafe, Birmingham LEWIS J SMITH & JOE O’DONNELL’S SHKAYLA Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry

MON 28 APR PATENT PENDING & PEOPLE ON VACATION O2 Academy, Birmingham NEIL FINN Symphony Hall, Birmingham SIX TOWNS RADIO FM FUNDRAISER The Sugarmill, Stoke-on-Trent FEARLESS VAMPIRE KILLERS O2 Academy,

Birmingham DAVID CAMPBELL & CHRIS CLEVERLEY Kitchen Garden Cafe, Birmingham

TUE 29 APR BEN HARPER Symphony Hall, Birmingham CLUTCH O2 Academy, Birmingham EDDI READER Huntingdon Hall, Worcester TOBY BOALCH SEXTET The Spotted Dog, Birmingham CHILDHOOD & DUMB Hare & Hounds, B’ham 3 BOXES Kitchen Garden Cafe, Birmingham RAE MORRIS The Institute, Birmingham

WED 30 APR SAUL ROSE & JAMES DELARRE The Red Lion Folk Club, Birmingham BOB LOG III Hare & Hounds, Birmingham THE MOULETTES The Robin, Bilston ROLL OUT THE BARREL Prince Of Wales Centre, Cannock SUPERSTARS OF SOUL The Jam House, Birmingham MUTINEERSThe Actress & Bishop, Birmingham BLITZ KIDS The Sugarmill, Stoke-on-Trent THE SWAPS Kitchen Garden Cafe, Birmingham MARZY’S JAMMING NIGHT The Marr’s Bar, Worcester

Music Venues Box Office Birmingham 02 ACADEMY 0121 622 8250 THE ACTRESS & BISHOP 0121 236 7426 ADRIAN BOULT HALL 0121 331 5901 THE ASYLUM 0121 233 1109 THE BARBER INSTITUTE 0121 414 7333 BIRMINGHAM TOWN HALL 0121 780 3333 CBSO CENTRE 0121 780 3333 FLAPPER 0121 236 2421 THE GLEE CLUB 0871 472 0400 HARE & HOUNDS 0121 444 2081 THE INSTITUTE 0121 643 0428 IRISH CENTRE 0121 622 2314 THE JAM HOUSE 0121 200 3030 THE KITCHEN GARDEN CAFE 0121 443 4725 LG ARENA 0844 338 8000 NIA 0844 338 8000 THE RAINBOW 0121 772 8174 RED LION FOLK CLUB 0121472 4253 THE ROADHOUSE 0121 459 5660 ROUTE 44 0121 708 0108 SYMPHONY HALL 0121 780 3333 THE VICTORIA 0121 633 9439

THE YARDBIRD 0121 212 2524

Black Country CIVIC HALL, WOLVERHAMPTON 0870 320 7000 DUDLEY CONCERT HALL 01384 815577 FOREST ARTS CENTRE 0845 111 2898 NEWHAMPTON ARTS CENTRE 01902 572090 ROBIN 2, BILSTON 01902 401211 SLADE ROOMS WOLVERHAMPTON

Staffordshire FOXLOWE ARTS CENTRE, LEEK 01538 386112 LICHFIELD GUILDHALL 01543 262223 THE SUGARMILL, HANLEY STOKE-ON-TRENT 01159 454 593 TAMWORTH ASSEMBLY ROOMS 01827 709618 VICTORIA HALL, HANLEY 0870 060 6649 STAFFORD GATEHOUSE

01785 254653

0870 320 7000

Warwickshire

STOURBRIDGE TOWN HALL 01384 812812 WULFRUN HALL, WOLVERHAMPTON

THE ASSEMBLY, LEAMINGTON 01926 311311

0870 320 7000

Shropshire BIRCHMEADOW, BROSELEY 01952 882210 THE BUTTERMARKET, SHREWSBURY 01743 355055 THE EDGE ARTS CENTRE, MUCH WENLOCK 01952 728911 HENRY TUDOR HOUSE SHREWSBURY 01743 361666 THE HIVE, SHREWSBURY 01743 234970 LUDLOW ASSEMBLY ROOMS 01584 878141 THEATRE SEVERN, SHREWSBURY 01743 281281 THE PLACE, OAKENGATES, TELFORD 01952 382382 WEM TOWN HALL 01939 232299

THE KASBAH, COVENTRY 024 7655 4473 NAILCOTE HALL, BERKSWELL 02476 46 6174 STRATFORD CIVIC HALL 01789 207100 THE TIN MUSIC & ARTS, COVENTRY 0247 655 9958

Worcestershire ARTRIX, BROMSGROVE 01527 577330 HUNTINGDON HALL / SWAN THEATRE 01905 611427 MARR’S BAR, WORCESTER 01905 613336 THE RIVER ROOMS, STOURBRIDGE 01384 397177

For additional information and to find out What’s On at these venues.

Visit: www.whatsonlive.co.uk

For full music listings in the West Midlands, visit. www.whatsonlive.co.uk 23

Classical April Region One_Layout 1 24/03/2014 10:00 Page 1

Classical Music PREVIEWS

BCMG: Words And Music CBSO Centre, Birmingham, Sun 27 April

Emerging from within the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra in 1987, Birmingham Contemporary Music Group (BCMG) remains true to its original core commitment - producing ambitious commissions, innovative collaborations and a vibrant learning programme. Since its inception, the company has premiered over one hundred-and-fifty new works, and continues to receive much critical acclaim. This three-part concert of experimental works is kicked off by Howard Skempton’s Only The Sound Remains. A thirty-five-minute piece for viola and ensemble, it takes its title from the first line of Edward Thomas’ poem, The Mill Water.

This is followed by Shiori Usui’s Deep, a work inspired by the BBC’s Blue Planet series, which promises to ‘transport’ audiences to the bottom of the ocean.

Completing the programme is Samuel Beckett/Morton Feldman’s Words And Music. Deliberating on the comparative power of these two modes of expression, it’s a piece which was described by The Guardian as ‘totally involving’.

Thomas Howes (left) and Willam Oxbrow (right).

Photo credit Alastair Muir

András Schiff Birmingham Town Hall, Sat 12 April

Hungarian-born pianist András Schiff is one of the world’s most prolific classical performers.

Although held in high regard for his keyboard interpretations of Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert and Schumann, it’s perhaps his performances of Johann Sebastian Bach’s music for which he’s most admired. Indeed, Schiff often says that Bach stands ‘at the core of his musicmaking’.

This much-anticipated concert - part of Bach: A Beautiful Mind 2014 - sees the celebrated pianist return to the Midlands to perform The Goldberg Variations, felt by many to be the German composer’s ‘crowning glory for the keyboard’. First published in 1741, the compositions are considered to be one of the most important examples of variation form.

Bach’s St John Passion

Basel soloist Matt Haimovitz

Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Fri 18 April

A favourite at Eastertide, Bach’s moving retelling of Christ’s betrayal and death continues to be one of classical music’s most profound experiences. Sung in German with English surtitles, St John Passion is here performed by the Ex Cathedra Choir and Baroque Orchestra.

Under the direction of conductor Jeffrey Skidmore and featuring Samuel Boden (Evangelist), Peter Harvey (Jesus) and Greg Skidmore (Pilate), the much-celebrated early music ensemble present a new approach to the composer’s piercingly beautiful work.

The concert draws to a close the Bach: A Beautiful Mind series at Symphony Hall.

Bramhall Building, Birmingham, Sat 19 April

As a pianist, performer, workshop leader, presenter and composer, Dominic Harlan has introduced countless people to the worlds of opera, music theatre, concert performances and composition.

This unique hands-on performance sees him accompanied by two singers as he guides the audience into the world of storytelling - with fables, Greek myths and tales of both the extraordinary and the everyday being presented through the medium of song. Works by Schubert, Rachmaninov, Brahms and Ives all feature.

Basel Symphony Orchestra Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Wed 23 April

Samuel Boden

24 www.whatsonlive.co.uk

When Yesterday We Met...

One of Switzerland’s leading orchestras, the Basel Symphony Orchestra performs a broad repertoire that ranges from Viennese classics through to more contemporary offerings. Appearing in Coventry under the baton of Dennis Russell Davies, the orchestra presents a trio of acclaimed pieces.

John Adams’ Harmonielehre is often described as ‘the greatest American symphony of modern times’ and ‘a homage to German romanticism’, while Arvo Pärt’s These Words is a composition for string orchestra. Philip Glass’ Cello Concerto No.2 completes the programme.

Classical April Region One_Layout 1 24/03/2014 10:00 Page 2

Classical LISTINGS For full listing information on classical concerts, including times and dates, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk HARRIET CARR Programme includes works

by Schubert, Hindemith & Vieuxtemps, Tues 1 Apr, Adrian Boult Hall, Birmingham PAULINE OLIVEROS A solo accordion performance featuring special guests, Tues 1 Apr, Birmingham Conservatoire.

DECIBEL PERFORMS PHILIP GLASS A rare performance of Philip Glass’ ground-breaking early minimal compositions, Tue 1 Apr, Ikon Gallery, Birmingham.

SUSAN BOYLE Wed 2 Apr, Symphony Hall, Birmingham THREE WIND BAND CONCERT Wed 2 Apr, Guy Nelson Hall, Warwick ELYSIAN QUARTET AND NUNTEMPA present the European premiere of Elliot Sharp’s Occam’s Razor, Wed 2 Apr, Birmingham Conservatoire.

HOWARD SKEMPTON WITH VIA NOVA Programme features Pauline Oliveros’ Sound Patterns & Robert Ashley’s She Was A Visitor, Wed 2 Apr, Birmingham Conservatoire.

DECIBEL The Frontiers Festival Resident Ensemble presents a programme of works by Birmingham Conservatoire students alongside music by young New York composers Tristan Perich, Anna Clyne and Missy Mazzoli, Wed 2 Apr, Birmingham Conservatoire.

NOSZFERATU Wed 2 Apr, Birmingham Conservatoire WCIT WOODWIND CONCERT Wed 2 Apr, Solihull School, Solihull BEAT IT! Percussionists led by Maraca2, Part II, Thurs 3 Apr, Birmingham Conservatoire LANG LANG Fri 4 Apr, Symphony Hall, B’ham JOO YEON & IRENA ANDRIEVSKY Programme includes works by Mozart, Beethoven, Franck & Gershwin /Frolov, Fri 4 Apr, The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury TERRY RILEY’S IN C This performance is led by Northern Irish bandleader Sid Peacock, with musicians from his Surge Orchestra, the Thallein Ensemble and special guest Christopher Hobbs, Fri 4 Apr, Library Of Birmingham DECIBEL Performing works from Robert Ashley & Birmingham Conservatoire Composers, Fri 4 Apr, Birmingham Conservatoire ORCHESTRA OF THE SWAN: SPRING SERIES Programme includes

works by Mozart, Tchaikovsky & Beethoven, Fri 4 Apr, Bedworth Civic Hall MUSIC FOR LUNCH RECITAL Performed by Jonathan Stamp, Fri 4 Apr, Birmingham Cathedral VOLVOGRAD YOUTH ORCHESTRA Fri 4 Apr, Coventry Cathedral ALCESTER MALE VOICE CHOIR Sat 5 Apr, Symphony Hall, Birmingham CARMINA BURANA Sat 5 Apr, Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent THE SEVEN LAST WORDS Programme includes works by Haydn & Kodaly, Sat 5 Apr, Bramall Music Building, Birmingham VAN BAERLE TRIO Programme includes works

by Mendelssohn & Brahms, Sun 6 Apr, Birmingham Town Hall CARDUCCI STRING QUARTET Sun 6 Apr, The Lion Hotel, Shrewsbury SINGTASTIC Sun 6 Aprl, Symphony Hall, Birmingham BIYMC FINALISTS’ CONCERT Sun 6 Apr, Bromsgrove School SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Programme includes works by Rossini, Borodin & Malcolm Arnold, Sun 6 Apr, Stratford Civic Hall HALESOWEN ORCHESTRA Programme includes works by Grieg & Beethoven, Sun 6 Apr, Cornbow Hall, Halesowen RAPHAEL WALLFISCH: THE ROMANTIC CELLIST Performed by Orchestra of the Swan. Featuring David Curtis (conductor) and Raphael Wallfisch (cello). Programme includes works

by Mozart, Schumann and Beethoven, Tues 8 Apr, Stratford Civic Hall THE YEOMAN OF THE GUARD Great Witley Operatic Society present Gilbert & Sullivan's story of dirty doings in the sixteenth century Tower of London, Tues 8 - Sat 12 Apr, The Swan Theatre, Worcester RAPHAEL WALLFISCH: THE ROMANTIC CELLIST Performed by Orchestra of the Swan. Featuring David Curtis (conductor) and Raphael Wallfisch (cello). Programme includes works

by Mozart, Schumann and Beethoven, Wed 9 Apr, Birmingham Town Hall REJOICE Wed 9 Apr, Stratford Civic Hall MUSIC FOR LUNCH RECITAL Performed by Daniel Antrobus (tenor), Fri 11 Apr, Birmingham Cathedral

BAROQUE ENSEMBLE Featuring The Royal Society of Musicians, Fri 11 Apr, CBSO Centre, Birmingham LAST NIGHT OF THE ROTARY PROMS Featuring the Treorchy Male Choir & Anthony Inglis & Jeffrey Howard (conductors). Programme includes works by Shostakovich, Davies, Strauss, Løvland, Steffe, Tchaikovsky, Schönberg, Parry, Thiele, Mendelssohn, Wagner, Wood, Arne & Elgar, Fri 11 Apr, Symphony Hall, B’ham BACH AT THE HARPSICHORD Presented & played by Richard Egarr. Programme includes works by JS Bach, Sat 12 Apr, Birmingham Town Hall ANDRAS SCHIFF PLAYS THE GOLDBERG VARIATIONS Sat 12 Apr, Birmingham Town Hall LICHFIELD CATHEDRAL CHORUS - ELGAR & THE APOSTLES Sat 12 Apr, Lichfield Cathedral THE ACADEMY OF ANCIENT MUSIC Featuring Richard Egarr (harpsichord and director). Programme includes works by JS Bach, Sun 13 Apr, Birmingham Town Hall BACH AT THE KING OF INSTRUMENTS David Goode brings his clarity, command and vision to some of Bach’s towering organ works, and two centuries’-worth of awed tributes in sonorous romantic style, Sun 13 Apr, Symphony Hall, B’ham BACH ST MATTHEW PASSION Featuring; Nathan Vale (Evangelist), Sir Willard White (Christus), the Armonico Consort and Baroque Players, Sun 13 Apr, Malvern Theatres, Worcestershire THOMAS TROTTER FAMILY CONCERT Mon 14 Apr, Symphony Hall, B’ham DERUFLE’S REQUIEM Requiem concert with singing from the Girls’ and Men's choirs of Birmingham Cathedral, Mon 14 Apr, Birmingham Cathedral EDMC VILLERS STRING QUARTET Programme include works by Haydn, Elgar & Beethoven, Tues 17 Apr, Evesham Arts Centre, Worcestershire PUBLIC MASTERCLASS WITH JULIAN JACOBSON Thurs 17 Apr, Adrian Boult Hall, Birmingham GOOD FRIDAY BACH ST JOHN PASSION Fri 18 Apr, Symphony Hall, Birmingham NATIONAL YOUTH CHOIRS OF GREAT BRITAIN 25th Anniversary Gala, Fri 18 Apr, Birmingham Town Hall BACH’S ST MATTHEW PASSION Featuring the ESO Chamber Orchestra, Julian Smith (Evangelist), Edward Caswell

(Christus) & St Michael’s Singers, Fri 18 Apr, Coventry Cathedral ST GEORGE’S DAY ANNUAL CELEBRATION CONCERT Featuring Birmingham Community Gospel Choir, Birmingham Schools' Showcase chosen school, Don Maclean, Joy Strachan-Brain with her group Quill, Malcolm Stent, Massed Male Voice Choirs and Spal Automotive's Sovereign Brass, Sat 19 Apr, Symphony Hall, B’ham WHEN YESTERDAY WE MET... Sat 19 Apr, Bramall Music Building, Birmingham BASEL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Wed 23 Apr, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry ASTARIA STRING QUARTET Fri 25 Apr, Huntingdon Hall, Worcestershire SCHUBERT OCTET Featuring Joanna Patton (clarinet), Elspeth Dutch (horn), Gretha Tuls (bassoon), Byron Parish & Jane Wright (violins), Catherine Bower (viola), Kate Setterfield (cello) & Mark Goodchild (bass), Fri 25 Apr, CBSO Centre, Birmingham THE MIDLAND CHAMBER PLAYERS Programme includes works by Haydn & Beethoven, Fri 25 Apr, Birmingham &

Midland Institute CBSO BELSHAZZAR’S FEAST Programme includes works by Holst, Berstein and Walton, Sat 26 Apr, Symphony Hall, B’ham AN EVENING WITH CHRISTOPHER HOGWOOD Sat 26 Apr, The Lion Hotel, Shrewsbury SPIRES ORCHESTRA SPRING CONCERT Sat 26 Apr, Holy Trinity Church, Coventry WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE: SONGS FROM THE SHOWS Sat 26 Apr, Midlands Arts Centre, B’ham

THE GREAT AMERICAN SONGBOOK Sat 26 Apr, Evesham Arts Centre, Worcestershire AN AFTERNOON WITH BIRMINGHAM CLASSICAL PLAYERS Programme includes works by Piazzolla & Copland, Sun 27 Apr, Adrian Boult Hall, Birmingham LUNCHTIME ORGAN CONCERT WITH THOMAS TROTTER Programme includes works by JS Bach, Susato, Whitlock, Judith Weir & Vierne, Mon 28 Apr, Birmingham Town Hall

Classical Box Office ADRIAN BOULT HALL, B’HAM 0121 331 5901 ARTRIX, BROMSGROVE 01527 577330

CBSO CENTRE, BIRMINGHAM 0121 780 3333 HUNTINGDON HALL, WORCESTER 01905 611 427

BARBER INSTITUTE, BIRMINGHAM 0121 414 7333

ROYAL PUMP ROOMS, LEAMINGTON SPA 01926 742700

BIRMINGHAM CONSERVATOIRE 0121 331 5901/2 BIRMINGHAM & MIDLAND INSTITUTE 0121 236 3591 BIRMINGHAM TOWN HALL 0121 780 3333 BRAMALL CONCERT HALL, BIRMINGHAM 0121 414 3344 BRIDGE HOUSE THEATRE, WARWICK 01926 776438

ST MARY’S CHURCH, WARWICK 01926 403940 STRATFORD CIVIC HALL 01789 207100 SYMPHONY HALL, BIRMINGHAM 0121 780 3333 WARWICK ARTS CENTRE 02476 524524

LEAMINGTON MUSIC FESTIVAL WEEKENDS Celebrating Bicentenary of Royal Pump Rooms and 25 years of these wonderful Festival Weekends

Friday 2 May, 7 30pm Ensemble 360

Monday 5 May 12 30pm Okeanos Ensemble

Schubert, Beethoven and Hummel

Spohr, Rolla & Robin Holloway

7.30pm

Saturday 3 May, 12 noon Marek Bracha piano

Wihan String Quartet & Martin Kasik piano

all Chopin lunchtime recital

Paganini, Dvorak & Schumann

7.30pm

Royal String Quartet & Marek Bracha Schubert, Zarebski & Chopin

Friday 30 May 7.30pm Kinsky Piano Trio of Prague Hummel, Fibich, Martinu & Dvorak

Sunday 4 May 12 noon Longbow Ensemble Martinu, Tausky & Dvorak

7.30pm

Guarneri Piano Trio of Prague

Sunday 1 June 4.00pm Edward Dusinberre violin & Charles Owen piano Brahms, Bach, Mendelssohn & Beethoven

Smetana, Fiser & Dvorak

To book call 01926 776438 or online www.bridgehousetheatre.co.uk Promoted by Leamington Music. www.leamingtonmusic.org

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Comedy April Region One_Layout 1 24/03/2014 10:07 Page 1

Comedy Matt Richardson

Comedy Box Office

Palace Theatre, Redditch, Sat 5 April; Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton, Sun 6 April; Solihull Arts Complex, Thurs 24 April; Artrix, Bromsgrove, Thurs 22 May

ALEXANDRA THEATRE, BIRMINGHAM 0844 871 3011 ARTRIX, BROMSGROVE 01527 577330 BEDWORTH CIVIC HALL 02476 376707 BIRMINGHAM TOWN HALL 0121 780 3333 THE DRUM, BIRMINGHAM 0121 333 2444 DUDLEY CONCERT HALL 01384 815 577 GLEE CLUB, BIRMINGHAM 0871 4720400 HIGHLIGHT, BIRMINGHAM, 0844 844 0044 HUNTINGDON HALL, WORCESTER, 01905 611427 FOXLOWE ARTS CENTRE, LEEK, STAFFS 01538 386112

With his thirtieth birthday still a far-distant milestone on the horizon (he’s only twenty-two!), Matt Richardson is somewhat inevitably a workin-progress. He’s got all the necessary raw materials to make it big in the rough, tough world of comedy, but is still in the process of honing both his material and his delivery. That said, if we didn’t think he was ‘one to watch’ and well worth a gander, we wouldn’t be drawing your attention to him.

Confident and engaging, he has the enviable knack of swiftly arriving at the comedy heartland of an anecdote; an admirable talent that ensures the next laugh is never too far away.

Gareth Berliner

Frank Skinner

mac - Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, Sat 19 April

Civic Hall, Wolverhampton, Wed 16 - Thurs 17 April; Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Tues 22 - Thurs 24 April; Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Sun 18 May

Crohn’s disease, drug addiction and an attempt at suicide all play their part in ensuring Gareth Berliner’s stand-up routine is never short of a life-anecdote or two. And while the subject matter may seem rather depressing, the funnyman’s lighthearted and naturally gregarious demeanour ensures there’s always plenty to laugh about. Away from the stage, Gareth is married to the actress Kiruna Stammell, perhaps best known from the hit Ricky Gervais TV series Life’s Too Short.

Local lad Frank rose to the top of the comedy tree many a year ago, hitting the big time back in the 1990s Brit Pop/Men Behaving Badly era courtesy of his on-sofa partnership with David Baddiel in BBC TV’s hugely popular Fantasy Football programme. Chart success with Euro ’96 anthem Three Lions further enhanced his reputation as a ‘star of the moment’ - and while his public profile’s not quite what it was back in those heady days of the late twentieth century, he continues to be one of Britain’s most well-regarded funnymen.

Gary Delaney Artrix, Bromsgrove, Thurs 24 April

“The hardest part of running competitively in Wales must be keeping up with the Joneses,” quips Gary Delaney, the man who recently became Mr Sarah Millican. And Gary’s certainly no one-gag pony: “My girlfriend’s dog died, so to cheer her up I went out and got her an identical one. She was livid, and yelled, ‘What am I going to do with two dead dogs?’”.

Suffice it to say there’ll be plenty more where that came from when the Solihull-born laughter merchant returns to his Midlands roots this month.

Glenn Wool The Glee Club, Birmingham, Fri 18 April

Glenn Wool manages to be smart, sophisticated and silly all in the space of a single evening - and it’s perhaps this chameleon-like quality more than any other which has so endeared him to the great British public. Canadian Glenn is a shaggy beast of a man whose act sees him cleverly putting his own unique spin on the big stories of the day. He touches base with a wide variety of political, religious and social subjects, intelligently processing the material to create nuggets of pure comedy gold, quite often delivered in a style that’s engagingly surreal. Glenn is support for Frankie Boyle when he plays at the Soho Theatre, London, in May. 26 www.whatsonlive.co.uk

KITCHEN GARDEN CAFE, BIRMINGHAM 0121 443 4725 LG ARENA, BIRMINGHAM 0844 338 8000 LUDLOW ASSEMBLY ROOMS 01584 878141 MAC, BIRMINGHAM 0121 446 3232 PALACE THEATRE, REDDITCH 01527 65203 THE PUBLIC, WEST BROMWICH 0121 533 7161 DRUMMONDS BAR, WORCESTER 01905 28190 RICOH ARENA, COVENTRY 0844 873 6565 THE ROSES THEATRE TEWKESBURY 01684 295074 ROYAL SPA CENTRE, LEAMINGTON SPA 01926 334418 STAFFORD GATEHOUSE THEATRE 01785 254653 SOLIHULL ARTS COMPLEX 0121 704 6962 THE SLADE ROOMS, WOLVERHAMPTON 0870 320 7000 THE GEORGE HOTEL, BURSLEM, STAFFS 07763301081 TAMWORTH ASSEMBLY ROOMS 01827 709618 THEATRE SEVERN, SHREWSBURY 01743 281281 VICTORIA HALL, HANLEY, STOKE-ON-TRENT 0844 871 7649 WARWICK ARTS CENTRE 02476 524524 WEST BROMWICH TOWN HALL 0121 596 4429 WULFRUN HALL, WOLVERHAMPTON 0870 320 7000

Comedy April Region One_Layout 1 24/03/2014 10:07 Page 2

Comedy LISTINGS For full listing information on comedy gigs including times and dates visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk CHRISTIAN REILLY, HARRIET DYER, FREDDIE FARRELL, SEAN PERCIVAL AND JIM KELLY Tues 1 Apr, Station Pub, Sutton Coldfield RICHARD HERRING Weds 2 Apr, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury ANDREW LAWRENCE Weds 2 Apr, The Glee Club, Birmingham JONNY AWSUM, SEAN PERCIVAL, ANNETTE FAGON Weds 2 Apr The Jam House, B’ham BRENDAN GRACE Thurs 3 Apr, Solihull Arts Complex SEAN HUGHES Thurs 3 Apr, Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa NICK REVELL, JONNY AWSUM, IAN CRAWFORD, JOE BROMEHEAD Thurs 3 Apr, The George Hotel, Lichfield DAVID BADDIEL Thurs 3 Apr, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre SEAN PERCIVAL, JOHN MOLONEY, EDDIE BRIMSON, DAN NIGHTINGALE Thurs 3 Apr, The Glee Club, Birmingham KUM-N-AVALOFF COMEDY NIGHT Thurs 3 Apr, Stourbridge Town Hall ANDREW BIRD, DAVID TRENT, PAUL IMRIE, LOU CONRAN Thurs 3 Apr Foxlowe Arts Centre, Leek, Staffordshire MIRANDA HART Fri 4 Apr, LG Arena, B’ham BILLY PEARCE Fri 4 Apr, Lichfield Garrick JOEL DOMMETT Fri 4 Apr, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre SEAN PERCIVAL, JOHN MOLONEY, EDDIE BRIMSON ADAM RUSHTON Fri 4 Apr, The Glee Club, Birmingham LUCY PORTER Fri 4 Apr, The Glee Club, Birmingham COURTLAUGHING COMEDY CLUB Fri 4 Apr, Hereford Courtyard Theatre PAUL TONKINSON, ALEX BOARDMAN, JIM CAMPBELL Fri 4 Apr Highlight Comedy Club, Birmingham SLIM, ANNETTE FAGON, GLAZZ CAMPBELL, JOHN SIMMIT Fri 4 Apr The Drum, Birmingham EDDY BRIMSON, MARTIN MOR, MATT REES Fri 4 Apr, The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton KERRIE GODLIMAN Fri 4 Apr, Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa MATT RICHARDSON Sat 5 Apr, Palace Theatre, Redditch SEAN PERCIVAL, JOHN MOLONEY, EDDIE BRIMSON PLUS COMIC TBC Sat 5 Apr The Glee Club, B’ham PAUL TONKINSON,

DOUGIE DUNLOP, ALEX BOARDMAN, JIM CAMPBELL Sat 5 Apr Highlight Comedy Club, Birmingham MARTIN MOR, GEORGE EGG, WINDSOR, JAVIER JARQUIN Sat 5 Apr, Coventry Showcase RUSSELL BRAND Sun 6 Apr, Birmingham Hippodrome MATT RICHARDSON Sun 6 Apr, The Slade Rooms, W’hampton ENGLISH COMEDIAN OF THE YEAR Regional heat of prestigious national competition, Sun 6 Apr, Drummonds Bar, Worcester DAN NIGHTINGALE Tues 8 Apr, Rose Villa Tavern, B’ham MIRANDA HART Tues 8 Thurs 10 Apr, National Indoor Arena, B’ham ALBERT EINSTEIN: RELATIVITIVELY SPEAKING Weds 9 Apr Artrix, Bromsgrove LARA A KING, HANNAH SILVESTER, KAREN BAILEY, MAUREEN YOUNGER Weds 9 Apr, Kitchen Garden Cafe, B’ham ROB ROUSE, MARK OLVER, CHRIS TURNER, WES ZAHARUK Weds 9 Apr, Henry Tudor House, Shrewsbury JASON MANFORDThurs 10 Apr, Crewe Lyceum NICK DOODY, PAUL TONKINSON, DAMIAN CLARK, PAUL JAMES Thurs 10 Apr, The Glee Club, Birmingham JOEL DOMMETT Fri 11 Apr, Palace Theatre, Redditch ROY CHUBBY BROWN Fri 11 Apr, Tamworth Assembly Rooms JON RICHARDSON Fri 11 Apr, The Place, Oakengates Theatre, Telford TOM WRIGGLESWORTH Fri 11 Apr, Huntingdon Hall, Worcester JOHN FOTHERGILL, NICK DOODY, DAMIAN CLARK, ERIC LALOR Fri 11 Apr The Glee Club, B’ham SEAN PERCIVAL, PHIL BUTLER, MICK FERRY, STUART GOLDSMITH AND BEN BRIGGS Fri 11 Apr, Highlight Comedy Club, Birmingham MORECAMBE - THE MAN WHO BROUGHT US SUNSHINE Sat 12 Apr Crewe Lyceum SEAN PERCIVAL, PHIL BUTLER, MICK FERRY, DAN EVANS Sat 12 Apr, Highlight Comedy Club, Birmingham MITCH BENN IS THE 37TH BEATLE Sat 12 Apr Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury BILLY PEARCE Sat 12 Apr, Hereford Courtyard Theatre DAMIAN CLARK, PAUL

TONKINSON, NICK DOODY, JOHN LYNN Sat 12 Apr The Glee Club, B’ham DANNY BUCKLER, JUNIOR SIMPSON, SIMON CLAYTON, LARRY DEAN Sat 12 Apr, Coventry Showcase COMEDY COURSE - LIVE SHOW Comedy course participants put their new found skills to the test in front of a live audience, Sat 12 Apr, Solihull Arts Complex JON RICHARDSON Sat 12 Apr, Malvern Theatres, Worcestershire TOM WRIGGLESWORTH Sun 13 Apr, mac Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham OPEN MIC COMEDY HOSTED BY LOUDEEMY SOUP Mon 14 Apr, The Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham BARNSTORMERS COMEDY NIGHT Tues 15 Apr, Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa JON RICHARDSON Weds 16 Apr, Crewe Lyceum FRANK SKINNER Weds 16 - Thurs 17 Apr Civic Hall, W’hampton NATHAN CATON, DAVID TRENT, ADAM VINCENT, ALAN DONEGA Thurs 17 Apr, The George Hotel, Burslem, Staffs SIMON EVANS Thurs 17 Apr, The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton THE RAYMOND & MR TIMPKINS REVUE, KEITH FARNAN, STEVE WILLIAMS PLUS COMIC TBC Thurs 17 Apr The Glee Club, B’ham CRAIG CAMPBELL Thurs 17 Apr, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre GLENN WOOL Fri 18 Apr, The Glee Club, Birmingham KEITH FARNAN, THE RAYMOND & MR TIMPKINS REVUE, STEVE WILLIAMS AND TOMMY ROWSON Fri 18 - Sat 19 Apr, The Glee Club, Birmingham GEORGE EGG, JUNIOR SIMPSON, JIM SMALLMAN, THE NOISE NEXT DOOR Fri 18 - Sat 19 Apr, Highlight Comedy Club, B’ham ALAN DAVIES Sat 19 Apr, Crewe Lyceum GARETH BERLINER Sat 19 Apr, mac - Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham NICK WILTY, DUNCAN OAKLEY, CRAIG MURRAY, DANE BAPTISTE Sat 19 Apr, Coventry Showcase HELP FOR HEROES, WITH ABANDOMAN, KEITH FARNAN, BENNY BOOT Sun 20 Apr, The Glee Club, Birmingham TOADLLY FREE COMEDY Mon 21 Apr, The Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham ROB BECKETT Tues 22 Apr, The Palace Theare, Redditch JETHRO, Tues 22 Apr Stafford Gatehouse Theatre FRANK SKINNER Tues 22 - Thurs 24 Apr

Symphony Hall, B’ham MATT RICHARDSON Weds 23 Apr, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre TIERNAN DOUIEB Weds 23 Apr, Solihull Arts Complex GARY DELANEY Thurs 24 Apr, Artrix, Bromsgrove MATT RICHARDSON Thurs 24 Apr, Solihull Arts Complex JOSH WIDDICOMBE Thurs 24 Apr, Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton KAI HUMPHERIES, GEOFF NORCOTT, DOMINIC WOODWARD, PLUS COMIC TBC Thurs 24 Apr, The Glee Club,B’ham THE LAUGHTER CREWE Comedy and Curry night, Thurs 24 Apr, Crewe Lyceum ANTHONY KING, THE RAYMOND & MR TIMPKINS REVUE, NATHAN CATON, JAMES COOK Fri 25 Apr, Highlight Comedy Club, Birmingham PHIL JERROD, KAI HUMPHERIES, GEOFF NORCOTT AND COMIC TBC Fri 25 Apr, The Glee Club, Birmingham AVA VIDAL, RICHARD TODD, ADI KNIGHT, PAUL MUTAGEJJA, MATT DWYER Fri 25 Apr, The National Brewery Centre, Burton-uponTrent COURTLAUGHING COMEDY CLUB Fri 25 Apr, Hereford Courtyard Theatre

Nathan Caton

MITCH BENN IS THE 37TH BEATLE Fri 25 Apr Stafford Gatehouse Theatre RICH HALL Fri 25 Apr Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shrops KAI HUMPHERIES, GEOFF NORCOTT, ANGIE MCEVOY, PLUS COMIC TBC Sat 26 Apr, The Glee Club, Birmingham ANTHONY KING, THE RAYMOND & MR TIMPKINS REVUE, ANDREW RYAN, JAMES COOK Sat 26 Apr, Highlight Comedy Club, Birmingham COMEDY IN THE MET Sat 26 Apr, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre PATRICK MONAHAN Sat 26 Apr, Artrix, Bromsgrove JOSH WIDDICOMBE Sat 26 Apr, Stafford

Gatehouse Theatre DAMIAN CLARK, PRINCE ABDI, PAUL T EYRES, TOM TOAL Sat 26 Apr Coventry Showcase JOSH WIDDICOMBE Sun 27 Apr, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry JEFF DUNHAMT Sun 27 Apr, LG Arena, B’ham OMID DJALILI Tues 29 Apr, The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury JOE LYCETT Tues 29 Apr, The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton RETURN OF THE GRUMPY OLD WOMEN: FIFTY SHADES OF BEIGE Tues 29 Apr, Hereford Courtyard Theatre HAL CRUTTENDEN Weds 30 Apr, The Place, Oakengates Theatre KEN DODD Weds 30 Apr, Bedworth Civic Hall

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Theatre WIN TIC

KETS

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Happy Days

Birmingham Hippodrome, Tues 22 - Sat 26 April; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Mon 9 - Sat 14 June

Television viewers of a certain age will well remember Happy Days, the legendary US sitcom about the Milwaukee-based Cunningham family. Set in the rock’n’roll days of the 1950s, the show scored a massive hit with 1970s and ’80s telly-watchers, in the process making a star of Henry Winkler, the actor who immortalised the character of self-styled King of Cool Arthur ‘The Fonz’ Fonzarelli here played by Ben Freeman.

This brand new musical promises to reacquaint fans of the TV series with all their favourite characters, including Potsie, Ralph Malph, Joanie, Chachi and Pinky Tuscadero, the latter being played on this occasion by former Sugababes and Atomic Kitten star Heidi Range, while Cheryl Baker features as Mrs Cunningham.

Read the interview with Cheryl on page 12

The Roaring Girl Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, Wed 9 April - Tuesday 30 September

This Jacobean comedy, written in the early seventeenth century by Thomas Middleton and Thomas Dekker, is a fictionalised dramatisation of the life of Mary Frith, a notorious pickpocket and fence of the London underworld who was better known as Moll Cutpurse. Charismatic and cross-dressing, fearless and feisty, Moll is a match for any man - a fact not lost on Sebastian, who enlists her help when his father refuses to allow him to marry the girl he loves... Lisa Dillon takes the title role in a production that’s directed by RSC debutant Jo Davies.

WI

Brassed Off

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Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Tues 8 - Sat 12 April; Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Wed 23 - Sat 26 April

This is a stage adaptation of the award-winning 1996 film of the same name, which starred Ewan McGregor and Tara Fitzgerald. The lifeblood of Grimley’s community is threatened when the pit looks set for closure, with the loss of twelve hundred jobs. As a result, the close-knit brass band is at stake. Conductor Danny is determined that the band gains national recognition to help secure its future, regardless of loyalties, political pressure and other issues that get in the way... John McCardle stars. www.whatsonlive.co.uk 29

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Theatre PREVIEWS Black Coffee Malvern Theatre, Mon 7 - Sat 12 April

Take a play by the Queen of Crime and a company dedicated to producing new versions of her work, and there’s every chance you’ll be left with an evening of high-quality, brain-teasing theatre. This latest version of Black Coffee promises to make for just such an evening. The Official Agatha Christie Theatre Company here make a welcome return with the first play ever written by Ms Christie.

When eccentric inventor Sir Claud Amory is murdered and his new formula stolen, it’s time for a legendary Belgian detective with an almost-as-legendary wax moustache to put his ‘little grey cells’ to work and uncover the perpetrator of the dastardly crime (we’re talking Hercule Poirot there, by the way!).

War Correspondents The REP, Birmingham, Thurs 24 - Sat 26 April

Locus Amoenus mac - Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, Wed 30 April

A Tres Bandes is a Catalan company with a growing reputation for producing thoughtprovoking works of theatre that can sometimes be a little bit perturbing. This latest offering - their fourth, and created in residence at mac - takes a look at the final thoughts of three people who catch a train and tragically die following a derailment.

A sharp and perceptive piece, it offers A Tres Bandes’ trio of performers plenty of opportunity to show exactly why they’re considered to be one of Europe’s most promising theatrical ensembles.

This multi-disciplined performance fuses testimony, singing and choreography to offer an insight into the dangerous and sometimes painful world of the war correspondent. A song cycle performance, the show features stories about the profoundly affecting experiences of numerous war journalists, along the way bringing to life the horrors of being caught up in a violent conflict between opposing factions. In researching the show, composer Helen Chadwick and designer Miriam Nabarro interviewed war correspondents who’d covered Iraq, Chechnya, Georgia, Afghanistan, Liberia and Bosnia. One of the journalists to whom they spoke was Giuliana Sgrena, who was taken hostage in Iraq and subsequently shot at by the US army.

FishHead Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton, Tues 22 April; Artrix, Bromsgrove, Sat 26 April

Malvern-based Reaction Theatre Makers have garnered a reputation as real trailblazers in the field of contemporary drama.

Expect FishHead to ably illustrate the reason why. When fisherman Tom meets ventriloquist Lydia by the sea, what follows is pure and simple fairytale...

The Only Way Is Downton Solihull Arts Complex, Tues 22 April; Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa, Sat 26 April

A Passion For Birmingham Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham, Mon 14 - Sat 19 April

A reimagining of the life and death of Christ, A Passion For Birmingham presents one of the world’s most important stories as a contemporary drama. At the heartland of the tale is a stranger who arrives in Birmingham city centre just as the biggest festival in its history is beginning. The stranger’s arrival is the catalyst for a series of events which, over the course of the following few days, sees the world being turned upside-down... A promenade production, the show will lead its audience around Birmingham’s cathedral and grounds, as well as the Old Joint Stock pub & theatre itself. In each new location, a new scene unfolds. Audience members are advised to wear suitable footwear.

A play of manners which received much acclaim at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, The Only Way Is Downton finds impressionist Luke Kempner portraying the characters both upstairs and downstairs - from Julian Fellows’ multi-award-winning TV drama Downton Abbey.

The one-man show sees the Dowager, Lady Mary and Anna joined by a host of modern celebrities, who descend on the Abbey in a bid to save it from closure.

Hedda Gabler

marriage that she finds herself driven to diabolical ends in a desperate attempt to discover some purpose in her life...

Icarus Theatre Collective is the ensemble behind this latest version of a play that’s nowadays considered to have been a brazen precursor to feminism and gender equality.

The Play That Goes Wrong Malvern Theatre, Tues 22 - Sat 26 April; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Tues 29 April - Sat 3 May

A play about a play that goes wrong isn’t a new idea but it’s certainly a winning one, as the plaudits garnered by this cheeky fringe hit ably illustrate. One reviewer laughed so much he feared he was going to hyperventilate, another admitted his funny bone had been well and truly struck by the piece, while a third laughed and laughed until ‘the tears ran down’. Mischief Theatre Company’s Edinburgh Festival show arrives in the region on the back of a fantastic reputation and a couple of successful West End runs. For those not in the know, the play focuses on the Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society’s attempt to put on a 1920s-set murder-mystery. The only trouble is, the bumbling thesps are more than a little accident-prone - so much so, in fact, that they’re not even sure they’ll manage to reach the curtain call...

The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Wed 30 April

Had the initial response to Hedda Gabler when premiered in 1891 - been anything to go by, the play would’ve sunk without trace soon afterwards. But Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen’s brilliantly crafted work had far too much going for it to be lampooned by a less-than-enthusiastic critical reaction. Now considered to be a classic of realism, nineteenth century theatre and world drama, it tells the story of a woman so unhappy in her www.whatsonlive.co.uk 31

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Theatre PREVIEWS Hetty Feather Birmingham Town Hall, Tues 22 - Sun 27 April

“She’s very naughty, very difficult, but full of spirit,” says author Jacqueline Wilson of her character Hetty Feather. A child of the Victorian era, Hetty was left at the Foundling Hospital when she was a baby. She also has a famously short fuse, and was created by Wilson as a result of an educational session at the Foundling Hospital Museum. Featuring all the best-loved characters from the hugely popular books - including the frightening Matron ‘Stinking’ Bottomly - this brand new touring show is suitable for children aged seven and older.

20th Century Boy: The Musical New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Mon 28 April - Sat 3 May; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Mon 30 June - Sat 5 July

Marc Bolan was one of glam rock's most iconic superstars until his life was tragically ended in a car crash in the autumn of 1977. This high-energy musical first exploded onto the stage in 2012, to coincide with the thirty-fifth anniversary of the T-Rex singer's demise, and is packed to the proverbial rafters with the band’s classic 1970s hits, including Ride A White Swan, Metal Guru, Get It On, I Love To Boogie, Children Of The Revolution and, of course, the title track itself. This latest touring production features Warren Sollars as Bolan.

Refugee Boy The REP, Birmingham, Tues 8 - Fri 12 April

The Birmingham-born Benjamin Zephaniah and his fellow high-profile poet Lemn Sissay are the creative forces behind this poignant new offering from West Yorkshire Playhouse.

With a violent civil war raging back home, Alem’s Ethiopian father and Eritrean mother make the heartbreaking decision to leave their son in London, hoping that he’ll be safe there. But Alem’s new life doesn’t come without its own set of challenges... Refugee Boy is described as a work of theatre designed ‘to reach out and connect with the refugee community, using creativity to celebrate diversity, bring people together, share stories and dispel myths’.

A Female Perspective

Evita

Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham, Thurs 10 - Sat 12 April

Birmingham Hippodrome, Tues 8 - Sat 19 April

This evening of new theatre presents three short pieces selected as part of a Blue Orange Writers writing competition. A Stab In The Dark focuses on the seemingly motiveless murder of a young woman’s boyfriend, Black Hole explores the subject of female friendship against a backdrop of incomprehensible violence, and Cradle Days finds forgotten secrets being uncovered on the eve of an old woman moving into a care home.

Andrew Lloyd-Webber and Tim Rice's third major collaboration opened to rave reviews way back in the late 1970s, and has since garnered a reputation as one of the greatest musicals ever to grace West End and Broadway stages. Telling the real-life story of Eva Peron, wife of former Argentine dictator Juan Peron, the show is packed to the rafters with memorable numbers, including On This Night Of A Thousand Stars, Buenos Aires and the classic Don't Cry For Me Argentina. Marti Pellow stars...

Tom’s Midnight Garden Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Tues 15 - Sat 19 April

Miss Nightingale: The Musical mac - Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, Fri 11 - Sat 12 April

Described as ‘a heartwarming and hilarious cabaret-style story of love, loss and hope’, Miss Nightingale is set during the Second World War and tells the story of feisty singer Maggie and her songwriter pal George. As London crumbles around them, Maggie yearns for the bright lights, while George keeps hidden a deep, dark secret. But when wealthy club owner Sir Frank sidles into their lives, everything changes, with the ‘wannabe’ Maggie miraculously transformed into the satirical music hall star Miss Nightingale...

Philippa Pearce’s classic time-travel tale finds young Tom wondering whether it’s possible to visit the past. When the grandfather clock in the hallway chimes thirteen times, he discovers that it most definitely is, finding himself transported back to a secret garden and a magical wonderland of fantastic adventures.

But as he journeys back and forth through time, strange things begin to happen, leaving him with little choice but to solve the mystery of the midnight garden... This David Wood adaptation is presented by the hugely reliable Birmingham Stage Company.

Arden Of Faversham The Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, Wed 30 April - Thurs 2 October

Determined to free herself from a miserable marriage so that she can be with her lover, Alice Arden recruits a band of would-be murderers to put paid to her husband... This is a short work of theatre by RSC standards, with the curtain falling after just one hour and forty minutes. Still, it’s quality rather than quantity that matters, and this Elizabethan domestic tragedy has certainly got the former in abundance. Its author’s identity is unknown, a fact which has led to Thomas Kyd, Christopher Marlowe and even William Shakespeare being credited with the piece.

Sharon Small, whose credits include BBC's Inspector Lynley Mysteries and Mistresses, makes her RSC debut as Alice Arden. www.whatsonlive.co.uk 33

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APRIL 2014

BROMSGROVE’S THEATRE, CINEMA, LIVE MUSIC AND COMEDY VENUE

HIGHLIGHTS

Thursday 10th April

Wednesday 16th April

GEORGE MONTAGUE

BRIDIE JACKSON & THE ARBOUR

PIANO-HITTING FOOT-TAPPING SINGER-SONGWRITER

POWERFUL, DARK & HAUNTINGLY TENDER FOLK MUSIC

FAMILY SHOW BASED ON THE BEST-SELLING CHILDREN'S BOOK

Thursday 24th April

Friday 25th April

Saturday 26th April

GARY DELANEY

THE ROVING CROWS

PATRICK MONAHAN

RAZOR SHARP ONE-LINERS FROM THE PICASSO OF PUNS

ONE OF THE BEST LIVE FOLK BANDS AROUND

Monday 21st & Tuesday 22nd April

ALIENS LOVE UNDERPANTS

LOVEABLE COMEDIAN WITH A UNIQUE CHARM

FORTHCOMING CINEMA: The Invisible Woman (12A) 12 Years A Slave (15) // The Lego Movie (U) The Monuments Men (12A) // Mr Peabody & Sherman (U) The Book Thief (12A) // The Grand Budapest Hotel (15) The new Artrix brochure is available to download on www.artrix.co.uk

For bookings & full details log onto www.artrix.co.uk or phone 01527 577330 Artrix, Slideslow Drive, Bromsgrove B60 1PQ

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Free parking on-site

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Theatre LISTINGS For full listing information on theatre productions, including times and dates, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk From

TUES 1 APR SINGIN' IN THE RAIN Chichester Festival Theatre production of the much-acclaimed musical. Maxwell Caulfield & Faye Tozer star, until Sat 5 Apr, Birmingham Hippodrome THE TWO WORLDS OF CHARLIE F A new play

by Owen Sheers that provides a soldier’s view of service, injury and recovery, until Sat 5 Apr, Malvern Theatres DREAMBOATS AND PETTICOATS THE MUSICAL Featuring songs from Roy Orbison, The Shadows, Eddie Cochran, Billy Fury, Chuck Berry and many more... until Sat 5 Apr, Malvern Theatres THE CANTERBURY TALES Presented by Worcester Repertory Company, until Sat 5 Apr, The Swan Theatre, Worcester SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS Starring Sam Attwater & Helena Blackman, until Sat 5 Apr, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre LOVE ON THE DOLE Ronald Gow's stage adaptation of Walter Greenwood's powerful novel which depicts Lancashire life during the Great Depression, until Sat 5 Apr, Hall Green Little Theatre, Birmingham HOBSON'S CHOICE Harold Brighouse’s classic northern comedy, in which father and daughter go head-tohead, until Sat 12 Apr, New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme THE THREEPENNY OPERA A collaboration between Birmingham Repertory Theatre Company, Nottingham Playhouse Theatre Company, Graeae Theatre Company, New Wolsey Theatre & Ipswich And West Yorkshire Playhouse, until Sat 12 Apr, The REP, Birmingham WEST SIDE STORY One of the most iconic musicals of all time with Katie Hall giving an impressive performance as Maria. Read the interview with Maria and review of West Side Story at www.whatsonlive, until Sat 12 Apr, New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham A LADY OF LITTLE SENSE Big-hearted romantic comedy which celebrates the power of

love, presented at the Belgrade as part of the theatre's Spanish Golden Age season, until Thurs 17 Apr, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry DON GIL OF THE GREEN BREECHES Sean O'Brien's new translation of Tirso de Molina's exuberant comedy blends mistaken identity, role-reversal, ghosts and green trousers.

Presented as part of the Belgrade's Spanish Golden Age season, until Sat 19 Apr, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry PUNISHMENT WITHOUT REVENGE Meredith Oakes’ translation of Lope de Vega's dark and thrilling drama, performed at the Belgrade as part of the theatre's Spanish Golden Age season, until Sat 19 Apr, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry HENRY IV PART I & II RSC Associate Artist Antony Sher returns to the company to play the infamous comic knight Falstaff. Sher is joined by Jasper Britton as Henry IV and Alex Hassell as Prince Hal, until Sat 6 Sep, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon FAULTLINES - A TALE OF CORIANDER AND THE DOG Three weddings, a funeral and next door’s dog peeing on the family’s coriander. This is Asian family life as it really is - honest, funny and moving. Please note, this performance contains some bad language, Tues 1 Apr, The Drum, Birmingham THANKS FOR THE MEMORY Impresario and Music Hall authority Duggie Chapman shares his memories, from music hall to variety, Wed 2 Apr, Prince Of Wales Centre, Cannock HOT FLUSH New musical featuring Matt Slack & Lesley Joseph, Wed 2 Apr, The Place, Oakengates Theatre, Telford LITTLE WOMEN - THE BROADWAY MUSICAL South Staffordshire College Performing Arts Department present a musical based on Louisa May Alcott's classic family novel, Wed 2 Apr, Lichfield Garrick THE ANATOMY OF MELANCHOLY Stan's Cafe brings the 'world's most extraordinary self-help manual' to the stage, Wed 2 - Thurs 3 Apr, Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton MACBETH Arena Theatre

West Side Story, New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham. Read the review at www.whatsonlive.co.uk

Young REP fuse physical theatre and mask work to bring a bold new telling of a classic text to the stage, Wed 2 - Thurs 3 Apr, The REP, Birmingham KING UBU Young REP Seniors Company present Alfred Jarry’s ‘funny and grotesque’ play about greed and the abuse of power, Wed 2Thurs 3 Apr, The REP, Birmingham JOHN BERKAVITCH: SHAME A high-impact spoken-word piece, with integrated dance and animation, Wed 2 Fri 4 Apr, mac - Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham PETER PAN: A MUSICAL ADVENTURE SMASH present a new version of the JM Barrie classic, Wed 2 - Sat 5 Apr, Dovehouse Theatre, Solihull I, ELIZABETH Guy Masterson directs Rebecca Vaughan in a onewoman show which explores Queen Elizabeth's struggle to reconcile the desires of womanhood, Thurs 3 Apr, Bridge House Theatre, Warwick JIM DAVIDSON & RICHARD DIGANCE Two of the 'most iconic entertainers of a generation' team up for one night only, Thurs 3 Apr, Lichfield Garrick ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST Amateur production presented

by South Staffordshire College Performing Arts Department Thurs 3 Apr, Lichfield Garrick POETRY SLAM Hosted by former Birmingham Poet Laureate SPOZ, Thurs 3 Apr. Palace Theatre, Redditch SOLIDS AND LIQUIDS A drug & alcohol awareness play which followers the lives of four young abusers who allow their lives to spiral out of control, Thurs 3 Sat 5 Apr, Crescent Theatre, Birmingham

MY, WHAT I CALL, LIVE SHOW: MIRANDA HART Fri 4 Apr, LG Arena, Birmingham ROMEO AND JULIET Madcap Theatre Productions present their version of the worldfamous love story, Fri 4 Apr, Artrix, Bromsgrove THE GREATEST HITS FROM THE MUSICALS Join Craig Price and his company Leading Lights Productions for a night of musical classics, featuring songs from the hit productions Les Misérables, Phantom Of The Opera and Jesus Christ Superstar, to name but a few. Fri 4 Apr, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry MIKE MCGEAR MCCARTNEY Mike takes audiences through his family album, with stories ranging from Liverpool life during childhood to entering showbiz when, because of Beatlemania, he had to change his name to 'McGear', becoming an integral part of the ’60s Merseybeat era, Fri 4 Apr, Lichfield Garrick TABLETOP GAMES Thought-provoking play which questions whether religion is killing faith, Fri 4 Apr, Malvern Theatres THAT'LL BE THE DAY Rock'n'Roll spectacular combining music from the ’50s, ’60s & ’70s with wacky comedy routines, Fri 4 - Sat 5 Apr, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre AN EVENING WITH DAVID SEDARIS After three sellout runs in London and two sell-out Edinburgh Fringe Festival stints, David Sedaris embarks on his first ever UK tour, Sat 5 Apr, Birmingham Town Hall LIVE MET BROADCAST LA BOHEME Puccini's magnificent tale of two couples powerfully evidences the fact that love may not necessarily always conquer all,

Sat 5 Apr, Malvern Theatres NEW JERSEY NIGHTS The international hit show takes you on a musical journey, celebrating the greatest hits of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, Sat 5 Apr, Crewe Lyceum PIRATE GRAN Scamp Theatre & Watford Palace Theatre present a swashbuckling new show for children, Sat 5 Apr, The REP, Birmingham LIVE MET BROADCAST LA BOHEME Puccini's magnificent tale of two couples powerfully evidences the fact that love may not necessarily always conquer all, Sat 5 Apr, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry JULIET CAESAR Presented by the Young REP Juniors Company, Sat 5 Apr, The REP, Birmingham A MURDER OF CROWS The Young REP Juniors Company present Mike Kenny’s version of Hansel And Gretel, told by the crows who eat the bread, Sat 5 Apr, The REP, Birmingham MR LAUREL Hour-long play exploring Stan Laurel's relationships with his family, his boss, Oliver Hardy, and the women in his life...

Sat 5 Apr, Lichfield Garrick BOND ON STAGE Solo, cartoon-style adventure which sees Gavin Robertson spoofing well-known characters from the Bond phenomenon, Sat 5 Apr, Lichfield Garrick LIFE'S RICH TAPESTRY: OUT OF THE BOX A showcase of monologues and duologues and other audition techniques, devised and produced by the students themselves, Sat 5 Apr, Artrix, Bromsgrove PRINCESS TANIA AND THE WICKED WITCH Plays acted by adults providing fun, songs and

audience participation for two-to-nine-yearolds, Sat 5 Apr, The Swan Theatre, Worcester THE FAAABULOUS CERI DUPREE SHOW Sun 6 Apr, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre IN THE SPOTLIGHT The Viv Kelly Youth Theatre present a journey through the musicals from Rodgers and Hammerstein to Andrew Lloyd Webber, Sun 6 Apr, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury MOUTH OPEN, STORY JUMP OUT Polarbear present a show about the craft of storytelling, Sun 6 Apr, mac - Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham FOOTLOOSE The Adlib Theatre Company present their version of the explosive hit musical, featuring many muchloved songs from the 1980s, Sun 6 Apr, Lichfield Garrick INHERITANCE - A PASSION PLAY FOR LENT Presented by the Riding Lights Theatre Company, Sun 6 Apr, Coventry Cathedral

Week Commencing

MON 7 APR GLASSHOUSE Cardboard Citizens present Kate Tempest's play, which sees three stories brought together by Kate's haunting poetry, Mon 7 - Tue 8 Apr, mac - Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham CLASSIC GHOSTS Presented by Middle Ground Theatre Company, Mon 7 - Wed 9 Apr, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury BLACK COFFEE Agatha Christie classic starring Robert Powell, Liza Goddard, Gary Mavers & Ben Nealon, Mon 7 Sat 12 Apr, Malvern Theatres GHOSTS Presented by

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Theatre LISTINGS For full listing information on theatre productions, including times and dates, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk The Nonentitties Mon 7 - Sat 12 Apr, The Roses Theatre, Kidderminster THE YOUNG REP’S PLAYWRIGHT’S SHOWCASE A rehearsed reading by professional actors of seven short plays by Young REP writers aged fourteen to eighteen, Tues 8 Apr, The REP, Birmingham MY, WHAT I CALL, LIVE SHOW: MIRANDA HART Tue 8 - Thurs 10 Apr, National Indoor Arena, Birmingham 51 SHADES OF MAGGIE Spoof play based on the bestselling trilogy 50 Shades Of Grey, Tue 8 - Thurs 10 Apr, Lichfield Garrick LABYRINTH Amateur production presented

by Stafford Gatehouse Youth Theatre, Tue 8 Fri 11 Apr, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre THE PRODUCERS Amateur version of Mel Brooks’ award-winning musical, Tue 8 - Sat 12 Apr, Solihull Arts Complex BRASSED OFF A touching and savage account of a tight-knit mining community's struggle when their local pit faces closure, Tue 8 Sat 12 Apr, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE Presented by Willenhall Musical Theatre Company, Tues 8 Sat 12 Apr, Dormston Theatre, Sedgley REFUGEE BOY West Yorkshire Playhouse present a production which weaves together work from two of the UK's most prolific and revered poets, Benjamin Zephaniah and Lemn Sissay. A story which is described as both heartbreaking and hilarious, with love, loss and hope at its core, Tue 8 - Sat 12 Apr, The REP, Birmingham HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING Musical comedy presented by Stafford & District Operatic Society, Tue 8 - Sat 12 Apr, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre THE YEOMAN OF THE GUARD Great Witley Operatic Society present Gilbert & Sullivan's story of dirty doings in the sixteenth century Tower of London, Tue 8 - Sat 12 Apr, The Swan Theatre Worcester EVITA Multi-award-winning hit musical by Tim Rice and Andrew LloydWebber. Marti Pellow stars... Tue 8 - Sat 19 Apr, Birmingham Hippodrome LIVE MET BROADCAST -

LA BOHEME Puccini's magnificent tale of two couples powerfully evidences the fact that love may not necessarily always conquer all, Wed 9 Apr, The Edge Arts Centre, Much Wenlock, South Shropshire THE UNREMARKABLE DEATH OF MARILYN MONROE Dyad Productions present a candid insight into the life of the Hollywood legend, Wed 9 Apr, Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire AMID SOME NIGHTS (A DREAM) A performance which sees a favourite Shakespearean comedy ‘broken down and mashed-up’, Wed 9 Thurs 10 Apr, The REP, Birmingham BESIDE THE SEASIDE The first play in Leslie Sands’ trilogy of seaside capers at the Seaview Guest House, Wed 9 - Sat 12 Apr, Lichfield Garrick RENT Amateur production presented by Stone Revellers Musical Theatre, Wed 9 - Sat 12 Apr, St Michael’s Hall, Lichfield Street, Stone, Staffs THE ROARING GIRL Jo Davies directs Lisa Dillon as the dynamic, cross-dressing heroine in a new version of Thomas Middleton & Thomas Dekker's Jacobean comedy, Wed 9 Apr - Tue 30 Sept, The Swan Theatre, Stratford-uponAvon FORMBY A new play written and performed

by Ewan Wardrop which charts George Formby’s rise from awkward stable boy to one of Britain’s biggest stars, Thurs 10 Apr, Malvern Theatres DAVID COPPERFIELD Amateur production of Charles Dickens’ classic Victorian tale of poverty and hardship, Thurs 10 Apr, Forest Arts Centre, Walsall ELVIS: THE MOVIE EXPERIENCE New stage show direct from the West End which brings the best of Elvis' movies to life on stage, Thurs 10 Apr, Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire A FEMALE PERSPECTIVE Three pieces of new writing featuring an allfemale cast, Thurs 10 Sat 12 Apr, The Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG Birmingham Ormiston Academy Musical Theatre present George Furth's Hollywood musi-

cal, Thurs 10 - Sat 12 Apr, Crescent Theatre, Birmingham PLAYING LIFE Onewoman show that explores the art of moving forward and forgiveness, Thurs 10 - Sat 12 Apr, Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham PRESENT LAUGHTER Tread The Boards Theatre Company present Noel Coward’s comic farce, Thurs 10 - Sun 20 Apr, The Attic Theatre, The Lazy Cow, Stratford-upon-Avon DAVID COPPERFIELD Hotbuckle Productions present a new play by Adrian Preater based on the novel by Charles Dickens, Fri 11 Apr, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury BEN COOPER: WORDS Ben Cooper is the controller of one of the most famous radio stations in the world, and is considered to be one of the most powerful people in the broadcasting industry, Fri 11 Apr, Artrix, Bromsgrove MISS NIGHTINGALE: THE MUSICAL Cabaret-style story of love, loss and hope which captures the saucy spirit of the 1940s, Fri 11 Apr, mac Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham UNDERWORLD SCREENING & SPOKEN WORD SHOWCASE Screening of a full-length documentary examining the art of the spoken word, followed by live performances by leading Spoken Word artists from London and Birmingham, Fri 11 Apr, The Drum, Birmingham A BLACK COUNTRY NIGHT OUT The cream of Black Country entertainment comes together again to raise the roof with laughter, Fri 11 Apr, Palace Theatre, Redditch TRES TRES CABARET Stafford's very own burlesque and cabaret night. Strictly over-18s only, Sat 12 Apr, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre SHALL I KILL MAMA Bickles Kitchen Theatre present a comic drama which focuses on the difficult relationship between a mother and her son, Sat 12 Apr, The Drum, Birmingham THE MACABRE MISDEEDS OF SPRING-HEELED JACK Re-imagined Victorian thriller from Don't Go Into The Cellar, Sat 12 Apr, Palace Theatre, Redditch PROFESSOR PEPPERWORT: BALLOONTASTIC MAGIC SHOW Professor Pepperpot presents his unique style of magic mayhem, Sat 12 Apr, Palace Theatre, Redditch ENOUGH Eve Leigh’s thought-provoking exploration of what it’s like to grow up in a

world where one percent of the population own almost half of the wealth, Sat 12 Apr, The REP, Birmingham VICTIM SIDEKICK BOYFRIEND ME Hilary Bell’s tale of what happens when bullying goes too far, Sat 12 Apr, The REP, Birmingham BLACK COMEDY AND REAL INSPECTOR HOUND The Crescent Theatre Company present a double-bill of plays: A Peter Schaffer comedy and Helen Hotchkiss' play within a play, Sat 12 - Sat 19 Apr, Crescent Theatre, Birmingham CHRIS AND PUI Preschool entertainment, Sun 13 Apr, Tamworth Assembly Rooms CURIOUS A spirited play for the very young which presents a perfect introduction to theatre while exploring everyday objects in an interactive environment, Sun 13 - Tue 15 Apr, The Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon

Week Commencing

MON 14 APR POSTMAN PAT See Pat and his friends live on stage, with an exciting new story based around the forthcoming feature film, Mon 14 Apr, Palace Theatre, Redditch THE MOUSETRAP Touring production of Agatha Christie's famous thriller - the longest running show in the history of British theatre, Mon 14 Sat 19 Apr, Lichfield Garrick A PASSION FOR BIRMINGHAM A contemporary reimagining of one of the world's most important stories, the life and death of Jesus Christ, Mon 14 - Sat 19 Apr, Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham ANDY KIRKPATRICK: INAPPROPRIATE CLIMBING Tue 15 Apr, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury BESIDE THE SEASIDE The first play in Leslie Sands’ trilogy of seaside capers at the Seaview Guest House Tue 15 - Fri 18 Apr, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre DIAL M FOR MURDER Lucy Bailey's acclaimed production of Frederick Knott's murder-mystery.

Christopher Timothy, Kelly Hotten, Daniel Betts, Philip Cairns and Robert Perkins star Tue 15 - Sat 19 Apr, Malvern Theatres TOM'S MIDNIGHT GARDEN Birmingham Stage Company present their acclaimed version of Philippa Pearce's fantasy novel Tue 15 - Sat 19 Apr, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry ENTERTAINING MR SLOANE London Classic

Theatre present Joe Orton's critically acclaimed farce, Tue 15 - Sat 19 Apr, New Vic Theatre, Newcastleunder-Lyme THE GO! GO! GO! SHOW All-new pop musical for kids that features five new pop stars, a sockeating Fluffalope and the permanently confused Mr Baffled... Wed 16 Apr, Birmingham Town Hall POSTMAN PAT See Pat and his friends live on stage, with an exciting new story based around the forthcoming feature film, Wed 16 Apr, Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW Award-winning actor George Dillon presents an unforgettable vision of Jesus in a solo staging of the first Gospel, Wed 16 Apr, The Swan Theatre, Worcester THE CHAIRS Extant presents a tragic farce, produced for the first time

by Britain’s only professional company of visually impaired artists, Wed 16 - Fri 18 Apr, Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton BANANAS IN PYJAMAS Thurs 17 Apr, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury THE REDUCED SHAKESPEARE COMPANY A fastpaced romp through all of the Bard's plays, Thurs 17 Apr, Solihull Arts Complex MARK GRIST: ROGUE TEACHER A fusion of poetry and hip-hop at its fiercest, Thurs 17 Apr, Artrix, Bromsgrove THE GO! GO! GO! SHOW All-new pop musical for kids that features five new pop stars, a sockeating Fluffalope and the permanently confused Mr Baffled...

Thurs 17 Apr, The Assembly, Leamington Spa JULIE MADLY DEEPLY West End actress & Fascinating Aida star Sarah-Louise Young presents a cabaret performance which looks at the fame and fandom of Dame Julie Andrews, Thurs 17 Apr, Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa AN EVENING WITH HENRY SANDON Royal Worcester Porcelain maestro and Antiques Roadshow veteran Henry Sandon values people's cherished antiques, Thurs 17 Apr, Huntingdon Hall, Worcester PRIVATE PEACEFUL A staging of Michael Morpurgo's book, which relives the life of Private Tommo Peaceful, a young First World War soldier awaiting the firing squad at dawn, Thurs 17 - Sat 19 Apr, Malvern Theatres WHY IS JOHN LENNON WEARING A SKIRT? Stage2 revisit the work

of Crescent Theatre patron Claire Dowie, reworking her acclaimed monologue exploring stereotyping and the pressure in society to conform, Thurs 17 - Sat 19 Apr, Crescent Theatre, Birmingham WHISTLE DOWN THE WIND The Roaring Vagabonds present an amateur production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s acclaimed musical, Thurs 17 - Sat 19 Apr, Stratford Civic Hall CBEEBIES LIVE! Brand new live arena show from the producers of Justin & Friends, described as a 'musicthemed extravaganza bound to have preschoolers rocking in the aisles', Fri 18 Apr, LG Arena, Birmingham THAT'LL BE THE DAY Rock'n'Roll spectacular combining music from the ’50s, ’60s & ’70s with wacky comedy routines, Fri 18 Apr, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre CHARLIE & LOLA'S EXTREMELY NEW PLAY Fusion of puppetry, live action and music based on the much-loved books by Lauren Child, Fri 18 - Sat 19 Apr, Malvern Theatres THE SAGA NOTTMERR Swan Youth Theatre present a new work based on Old Norse Tales, Fri 18 - Sat 19 Apr, The Swan Theatre Worcester THE CHUCKLE BROTHERS IN A 2014 SPACE ODDITY A new show promising fun for all the family, Sat 19 Apr, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre KRAPP'S LAST TAPE Last Of The Summer Wine actor Tom Owen stars in Samuel Beckett's one-act play, Sat 19 Apr, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre CHILDREN'S THEATRE A short play performed by adults especially for children who’re between the ages of four and ten, Sat 19 Apr, The Norbury Theatre, Droitwich ALIENS LOVE UNDERPANTS Children's tale based on the best selling children's book, Sun 20 - Thurs 24 Apr, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre

Week Commencing

MON 21 APR ALIENS LOVE UNDERPANTS Children's tale based on the best selling children's book, Mon 21 - Tue 22 Apr, Artrix, Worcester PIRATE & PARROT An entertaining family show set on the high seas and co-devised by A Little Commitment & Red Earth Theatre, Mon 21 - Tues 22 Apr, mac Midlands Arts Centre,

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Theatre LISTINGS For full listing information on theatre productions, including times and dates, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk Birmingham THE ONLY WAY IS DOWNTON The first national tour of Luke Kempner's tour-de-force impressions comedy, in an extended version featuring exclusive new material, Tues 22 Apr, Solihull Arts Complex FISHHEAD Malvernbased Reaction Theatre Makers present a contemporary fairytale for the 'growing-up', Tue 22 Apr, Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton KISSING SID JAMES Reform Theatre Company present Robert Farquhar's heartwarming romantic comedy, Tue 22 Apr, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre LES MISERABLES Get Your Wigle On present an amateur performance of Boubil and Schonberg's muchacclaimed musical, Tue 22 - Thurs 24 Apr, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury HMS PINAFORE Presented by Union Theatre, Tue 22 - Sat 26 Apr, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry HAPPY DAYS Brand new musical based on the hit American TV series.

Sugarbabe Heidi Range stars as Pinky Tuscadero, Tue 22 - Sat 26 Apr, Birmingham Hippodrome THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG Noises Off meets Fawlty Towers in this hit comedy direct from the West End, Tue 22 - Sat 26 Apr, Malvern Theatres HETTY FEATHER Stage adaptation of the Jacqueline Wilson children's novel, Tue 22 Sun 27 Apr, Birmingham Town Hall DOUG ALLAN Wildlife cameraman Doug Allan talks about what it's like to come face-to-face with a hungry polar bear and its cubs as they emerge from their den, and what it feels like to be stalked by killer whales in the straits of Gibraltar, Wed 23 Apr, Malvern Theatres JUNGLE BOOK Indigo Moon Theatre bring Rudyard Kipling's story to life with inventive shadow theatre, powerful original music and colourful digital projections, Wed 23 Apr, Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire BRASSED OFF A touching and savage account of a tight-knit mining community's struggle when their local pit faces closure, Wed 23 Sat 26 Apr, Belgrade

Theatre, Coventry TEECHERS John Godber's contemporary classic sees three actors play a plethora of characters, Wed 23 Sat 26 Apr, New Vic Theatre, Newcastleunder-Lyme FINDING JOY A comic, anarchic, touching and heroic full mask adventure from Worcesterbased theatre company Vamos, Thurs 24 Apr, Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton FOGHORN IMPROV: SINGING IN THE FOG Making it up as they go along, comedy improvisation group Foghorn Improv present an audience-led show featuring improvised games, sketches and a wealth of 'interesting' characters, Thurs 24 Apr, Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham 'ALLO 'ALLO Stage adaptation of the BBC hitcomedy, Thurs 24 - Sat 26 Apr, The Belfrey Theatre, Wellington, Shropshire WAR CORRESPONDENTS Multi-disciplined production concerning a journalist who's captured while reporting the outbreak of war, Thurs 24 - Sat 26 Apr, The REP, Birmingham THAT'LL BE THE DAY Rock'n'Roll spectacular combining music from the ’50s, ’60s & ’70s with wacky comedy routines, Fri 25 Apr, Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa DIRTY DUSTING Heartwarming comedy starring Crissy Rock, Dolores Porretta Brown, Leah Bell & Jason Jones, Fri 25 Apr, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury THE SINGULAR EXPLOITS OF SHERLOCK HOLMES Holmes and Watson recount their lives and adventures... Fri 25 Apr, Brockhampton Estate, Worcester GIVE MY REGARDS TO HOLLYWOOD Ka-Bu-Ki presents a musical theatre showcase which explores the best-loved songs and dances from blockbuster movies, Fri 25 - Sun 26 Apr, Old Rep, Birmingham OTHELLO Tread The Boards Theatre Company presents one of Shakespeare’s darkest tragedies, Fri 25 Apr Sun 4 May, The Attic Theatre, Stratford-uponAvon LIVE MET BROADCAST COSI FAN TUTTE Sat 26 Apr, Malvern Theatres; Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry; The Roses

Theatre, Tewkesbury SING-A-LONG-A GREASE A brand new sing-along version of the classic film starring Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta, Sat 26 Apr, Solihull Arts Complex WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE: SONGS FROM THE SHOWS Commemorating the Bard's 450th anniversary, The Night Watch reclaim the music the Bard knew and used in his plays, performed on the instruments he would have heard, and wearing clothes of the day, Sat 26 Apr, mac Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE TAT MAN A powerful and stirring one-man show, Sat 26 Apr, Walsall Museum BEN HART - MAGICIAN Sat 26 Apr, Solihull Arts Complex HOT FLUSH New musical featuring Matt Slack & Lesley Joseph, Sat 26 Apr, Regent Theatre, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent LITTLE HOWARD AND THE MAGIC PENCIL OF LIFE AND...Epic family show as seen on CBBC's smash-hit show The Slammer and ITV's Comedy Cuts. Suitable for children aged six and older... Sat 26 Apr, Lichfield Garrick FISHHEAD Malvernbased Reaction Theatre Makers present a contemporary fairytale for the 'growing-up', Sat 26 Apr, Artrix, Bromsgrove DYLAN THOMAS: CLOWN IN THE MOON Celebrating one hundred years since Thomas’ birth, Clown In The Moon (the title of a poem written when Dylan was fourteen) is a dramatic portrait of the poet's chaotic, frequently hilarious and all too brief life, Sat 26 Apr, The Swan Theatre, Worcester 5TH ANNUAL FOXY VARIETY SHOW Featuring almost twenty acts, including vocalists, musicians, dancers, comedians, an acrobat, a harpist and a tenor opera star, Sun 27 Apr, Tamworth Assembly Rooms WITTY TICCY RAE - LE MOT JUST THEATRE Set to the rhythms of the 1960s New York jazz scene, Witty Ticcy Rae tells the true story of a brilliant man with Tourette's Syndrome, Sun 27 Apr, Artrix, Bromsgrove

MUSICAL Hit musical based on the life of Marc Bolan. Mon 28 Apr - Sat 3 May, New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham FAME - THE MUSICAL Presented by Bill Kenwright, Mon 28 Apr Sat 3 May, Regent Theatre, Hanley, Stoke-onTrent PYGMALION Alistair McGowan, Rula Lenska and Jamie Foreman star in the centenaryyear production of Bernard Shaw's enduring masterpiece, Mon 28 Apr - Sat 3 May, Malvern Theatres THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG Theatre Mischief present a playwithin-a-play about an amateur dramatic society putting on a murder-mystery production, Tues 29 Apr - Fri 2 May, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre FAWLTY TOWERS Presented by Stoke Repertory Theatre, Tue 29 Apr - Sat 3 May, Stoke Repertory Theatre THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL Presented by Lichfield Operatic Society, Tue 29 Apr - Sat 3 May, Lichfield Garrick LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS Amateur production presented by the Stafford Gatehouse Youth Theatre, Tue 29 Apr - Sat 3 May,

Hot Flush -Oakengates Theatre, Telford & Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent

Stafford Gatehouse Theatre GUYS AND DOLLS Presented by Worcester Operatic and Dramatic Society, Tue 29 Apr Sat 3 May, The Swan Theatre, Worcester THE PAJAMA GAME Classic musical comedy presented by Studley Operatic Society, Tue 29 Apr - Sat 3 May, Palace Theatre, Redditch A TRES BANDES: LOCUS AMOENUS Catalan Theatre Company A Tres Bandes present their latest work which, set on a train about to derail, explores what goes through the minds of three people who’re

about to die, Wed 30 Apr, mac - Midlands Arts Centre, B’ham COVENTRY GANG SHOW The promise of a spectacular show packed with singing, dancing and comedy, Wed 30 Apr - Sat 3 May, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry ARDEN OF FAVERSHAM Polly Findlay makes her RSC debut, directing this darkly comic thriller which focuses on a husband, wife and lover who find themselves locked within a deadly game, Wed 30 Apr Thurs 2 Oct, The Swan Theatre, Stratford-uponAvon

Week Commencing

MON 28 APR GUYS AND DOLLS Amateur production presented by Solihull On Stage, Mon 28 Apr Sat 3 May, Solihull Arts Complex 20TH CENTURY BOY - THE

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VISIT OU WEBSITE R T VIEW MO O RE SHOWS!

Box Office 01743 281 281 Book Online www.theatresevern.co.uk

Frankwell Quay, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY3 8FT

FRIDAY 11 APRIL 2014

MERSEY BEATLES Celebrating 50 years of The Beatles

SATURDAY 12 APRIL 2014

MITCH BENN is the 37th BEATLE

Mitch's new show combines his Scouse upbringing with his love of music and a lifelong obsession with Liverpool's most famous sons.

MONDAY 14 APRIL 2014

BEYOND THE BARRICADE

ALL YOUR FAVOURITE SONGS FROM THE WEST END SHOWS

THURSDAY 17 APRIL 2014

IT’S BANANA-RIFFIC! THURSDAY 24 APRIL 2014

COUNTERFEIT STONES "The most famous Stones band in England" SIR MICK JAGGER

FRIDAY 25 APRIL 2014

A riotous tale of growing old disgracefully starring CHRISSY ROCK.

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Theatre REVIEWS Below are reviews of theatre productions we checked out last month. For further theatre reviews, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk

Disney On Ice: Worlds Of Fantasy LG Arena, Birmingham

High-flying fairies, racing cars revving across the ice and a magical underwater kingdom. It can only mean one thing - the return of Disney On Ice with its latest offering, Worlds Of Fantasy.

This dazzling show brings to life a host of muchloved Disney tales and boasts well-designed sets, fast-paced action and a cast of hugely talented ice skaters. Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Goofy and Donald Duck are the hosts, bringing plenty of slapstick fun to proceedings as they accompany the audience to various much-loved fantasy worlds. First up are Disney Cars, who arrive on stage in a puff of smoke before roaring across the ice to the delight of the crowd. Then it’s time to dive into the world of The Little Mermaid, where Ariel and Prince Eric continue their battle with the evil sea-witch Ursula. To the soundtrack of classics such as Under The Sea and Kiss The Girl, the duo win through after a series of stunning routines amidst a sea of dancers.

Then, with a sprinkle of fairydust, we’re transported to the world of Pixie-Hollow, where Tinker Bell and her friends are desperately trying to change the season to Spring. Last but certainly not least, we revisit the fantastic Toy Story 3, as Woody, Buzz, Rex and the gang stage a dramatic escape from Sunnyside Day Care. This is undoubtedly the biggest crowdpleaser of the evening, with wonderful costumes and magnificent routines - especially from scene-stealing Barbie and Ken. This is a great experience for both young and old to enjoy. Fiona McCartney ■ ■ ■ ■

James Wilton Dance mac - Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham

Up-and-coming choreographer James Wilton’s career has simply rocketed since he graduated from London Contemporary Dance in 2010. Having gained funding from various sources and won multiple awards, Wilton is often described as a ‘nextgeneration’ choreographer.

Last Man Standing presents an eclectic mix of contemporary dance, combat, martial arts and breakdancing. Wilton’s choreography is built up of floor work and falling, offering various approaches to contact work on multiple levels. There’s no doubting the physical strength of his company of dancers, as they effortlessly lift and carry one another through the space.

Act One comprises mainly of individual routines performed in a shared space by all six dancers.

There’s a real sense of improvisation, resulting in a mass of intense movement that’s precisely arranged to avoid collision.

In the main, the first act is not a tranquil place to be, with Wilton creating, building and maintaining a real tension within the auditorium, making his audience hold their breath. Finally, thankfully, delicate duets provide an opportunity to exhale and relax, and to savour some much-needed moments of calm. Act Two varies in delivery, presenting solos, duets and trios, all sharing a sense of control and manipulation. A female dancer holds most of the second act with an innovative solo, displaying the intense physicality of which she’s capable. Casting himself in a lead role, Wilton regularly occupies the space, reminding us that he’s not only a successful choreographer but also a very able dancer.

Jamie Ryan ■ ■ ■

Singin’ In The Rain Birmingham Hippodrome

We were promised a veritable feast akin to a spectacular Hollywood production when Singin’ In The Rain came to town, and that’s exactly what we got. Based on the famous 1952 MGM movie, Jonathan Church’s much-lauded stage version glides us through the transition from silent movies to the first talkies with bucket loads of hilarity - in the main courtesy of the show’s frequent one-liners, many of which are delivered with real aplomb by Stephanne Anelli as Don Lockwood’s sidekick Cosmo Brown.

Shining performances are in evidence throughout the production, not least from Faye Tozer, who really does steal the show as the queen of the silent movies, Lina Lamont.

Her ability to maintain a vocal level somewhere between a scolded cat and - at times Marge Simpson is truly deserving of a gong.

Fast-paced from the outset, Singin’ In The Rain certainly has the feelgood factor. What the settings, choreography, melodies and rain - and yes, there’s plenty of the latter! do for the senses, the show’s upbeat wit does for the soul.

A production able to brighten up the rainiest of days. Patsy Moss ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Theatre Box Office Birmingham ALEXANDRA THEATRE 0844 871 3011 BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME 0844 338 5000 BIRMINGHAM REP 0121 236 4455 THE BLUE ORANGE THEATRE 0121 212 2643 CRESCENT THEATRE 0121 643 5858 DOVEHOUSE THEATRE 0121 706 7139 THE DRUM 0121 333 2444 HALL GREEN LITTLE THEATRE 0121 707 1874 MAC 0121 446 3232 MIXING BOWL THEATRE 0121 224 7545 OLD JOINT STOCK THEATRE 0121 200 0946 OLD REP 0121 245 4455 SOLIHULL ARTS COMPLEX 0121 704 6962

Black Country ARENA THEATRE WOLVERHAMPTON 01902 321321 BLOXWICH THEATRE 01922 653183 DUDLEY CONCERT HALL 01384 812812 FOREST ARTS CENTRE, WALSALL 01922 654555

GRAND THEATRE, 01902 429212 NEWHAMPTON ARTS CENTRE 01902 572090 OLDBURY REP, OLDBURY 0121 552 2761

Shropshire THE BELFREY, WELLINGTON 01952 222277 THE EDGE, MUCH WENLOCK 01952 728911 THE HIVE, SHREWSBURY 01743 234970 LUDLOW ASSEMBLY ROOMS 01584 878141 THE PLACE, OAKENGATES, TELFORD 01952 382382 THEATRE SEVERN, SHREWSBURY 01743 281281 WEM TOWN HALL 01939 232299

Staffordshire LICHFIELD GARRICK 01543 412121 NEW VIC 01782 717962 PRINCE OF WALES CENTRE, CANNOCK 01543 578762 REGENT THEATRE, STOKE 0870 060 6649 RUGELEY ROSE THEATRE 01889 584036 STAFFORD GATEHOUSE 01785 254653 STOKE REPERTORY THEATRE 01782 209784

Warwickshire BEDWORTH CIVIC HALL 024 7637 6707 BELGRADE THEATRE, COVENTRY 024 7655 3055 BRIDGE HOUSE THEATRE, WARWICK 01926 776438 THE DREAM FACTORY 01926 419555 ROYAL SHAKESPEARE THEATRE, STRATFORD-UPON-AVON 0844 800 1110 ROYAL SPA CENTRE LEAMINGTON 01926 334418 WARWICK ARTS CENTRE, COVENTRY 02476 524524

Worcestershire ARTRIX ARTS CENTRE, BROMSGROVE 01527 577330 THE HIVE 01905 822866 HUNTINGDON HALL, WORCESTER 01905 611427 MALVERN THEATRE 01684 892277 NORBURY THEATRE, DROITWICH 01905 770154 PALACE THEATRE REDDITCH 01527 65203 ROSE THEATRE, 01562 743745 SWAN THEATRE, WORCESTER 01905 611427

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Theatre WEST END Beverley Knight back in the West End Following her critically acclaimed West End debut as Rachel Marron in The Bodyguard, Queen of British Soul Beverley Knight has announced that she’s to perform there again, this time in the Tony Award-winning musical Memphis. Wolverhampton-born Knight will star as nightclub singer Felicia when the show opens at Shaftesbury Theatre in October. Featuring a Grammy Award-winning original score by Bon Jovi founding member David Bryan, the musical is inspired by true events from the underground dance clubs of 1950s Memphis. The story focuses on the forbidden love between a radio DJ who wants to change the world and a club singer who’s ready for her big break.

Ralph Fiennes returns to the National Theatre Academy Award-nominated Ralph Fiennes will return to the National Theatre (NT) next year to star in the George Bernard Shaw tragicomedy Man And Superman. The Schindler’s List and Harry Potter actor, who’s taken over as 007’s boss M in the James Bond movies, will be appearing at the National for the sixth time, having previously performed there in versions of Oedipus, The Talking Cure, Six Characters In Search Of An Author, Fathers And Sons and Ting Tang Mine. Man And Superman will show at the venue in spring 2015 as part of Nicholas Hytner’s final season as the NT’s Director.

Gemma Arterton to ‘strike’ it big in Rupert Goold musical

WEST END LISTINGS:

THRILLER LIVE Lyric Theatre, booking until 28 Sept 2014 WE WILL ROCK YOU Dominion Theatre, booking until 31 May 2014 WICKED Apollo Victoria Theatre, booking until 25 Apr 2015

MUSICALS BILLY ELLIOT – THE MUSICAL Victoria Palace Theatre, booking until 16 May 2015 BODYGUARD Adelphi Theatre, booking until 30 Aug 2014 BOOK OF MORMON Prince Of Wales Theatre, booking until 28 June 2014 CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY THE MUSICAL Drury Lane Royal, booking until 30 May 2015 COMMITMENTS Victoria Palace Theatre, booking until 14 Sept 2014 DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS Savoy Theatre, booking until 29 Nov 2014 I CAN’T SING! THE X FACTOR MUSICAL London Palladium Theatre, booking until 25 Oct 2014 JERSEY BOYS Piccadilly Theatre, booking until 26 Oct 2014 LES MISÉRABLES Queen's Theatre, booking until 25 Oct 2014

LION KING Lyceum Theatre, booking until 28 Sept 2014 MADE IN DAGENHAM -THE MUSICAL Adelphi Theatre, 9 Oct 2014 - 28 Mar 2015 MAMMA MIA! Novello Theatre, booking until 25 Oct 2014 MATILDA THE MUSICAL Cambridge Theatre, booking until 21 Dec 2014 MEMPHIS THE MUSICAL Shaftesbury Theatre, 9 Oct 2014 - 28 Mar 2015

Gemma Arterton is to take the lead role in Rupert Goold’s musical comedy Made In Dagenham when it debuts at London’s Adelphi Theatre in the autumn.

The international stage and screen actress will play Rita O’Grady in Goold’s staging of the hit British movie. Based on true events, Made In Dagenham tells the story of the 1968 Ford sewing machinists strike at the Ford Dagenham plant, during which female workers walked out in protest against sexual discrimination and unequal pay. Their course

DRAMA 1984 Playhouse Theatre, 28 Apr - 19 Jul 2014

ANTONY & CLEOPATRA Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, 17 May - 24 Aug 2014 DOCTOR SCROGGY’S WAR Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, 12 Sept - 10 Oct 2014 FATAL ATTRACTION Haymarket Theatre Royal, booking until 21 Jun 2014 GHOST STORIES Arts Theatre, booking until 17 Aug 2014

of action led to the Equal Pay Act of 1970.

Commenting on her impending role, Arterton said: “I’m beyond thrilled to be playing Rita O’Grady in Made In Dagenham. It’s an important story that I’m passionate about telling, and we intend to tell it with wit, warmth and, of course, a lot of singing and dancing. Roll on October!”

Further information, and how to book tickets, can be found at www.madeindagenhamthemusical.com

GOLEM Young Vic Theatre, booking until 17 Jan 2015 HANDBAGGED Vaudeville Theatre, 3 Apr - 2 Aug 2014 KING LEAR Olivier National Theatre, booking until 28 May 2014 OTHER DESERT CITIES Old Vic Theatre, booking until 24 May 2014

COMEDY 39 STEPS Criterion Theatre, booking until 18 Oct 2014 BLITHE SPIRIT Gielgud Theatre, booking until 7 June 2014 RELATIVE VALUES Harold Pinter Theatre, booking until 21 jun 2014 TWELFTH KNIGHT RE-IMAGINED Open Air Theatre, Regent’s Park, 21 Jun - 12 July 2014

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels - Savoy Theatre

MISS SAIGON Prince Edward Theatre, 3 May - 25 Oct 2014 ONCE Phoenix Theatre, booking until 4 July 2015 PAJAMA GAME Shaftesbury Theatre, 2 May - 13 Sep 2014 PHANTOM OF THE OPERA Her Majesty's Theatre, booking until 25 Oct 2014 PORGY AND BESS Open Air Theatre, Regents Park, 17 Jul 23 Aug 2014 STOMP Ambassadors Theatre, booking until 21 Dec 2014

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Dance

Richard Alston Dance Regent Theatre, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, Tues 8 April

A choreographer who’s very much at the forefront of contemporary dance in the UK, Richard Alston takes inspiration directly from the music he uses. This month sees Alston’s highly rated company return to the region with a triple-bill from its acclaimed repertoire. Featured works include Illuminations, a piece which paints a vivid picture of the turbulent creative life of French poet Arthur Rimbaud. Described as a work that induces both joy and heartbreak, it’s been revived for the Benjamin Britten centenary celebrations. Another revived work is The Devil In The Detail, the new version of which oozes plenty of swagger - its choreographed ‘loping strides and cakewalk steps’ are accompanied by the ragtime music of Scott Joplin. Britten’s Rejoice In The Lamb, a new addition to the company’s repertoire inspired by the works of eighteenth century poet Christopher Smart, completes the programme.

Vienna Festival Ballet: Cinderella Art Centre, Evesham, Mon 21 April; Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Wed 23 April; Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Fri 2 May

Dancing On Ice National Indoor Arena, Birmingham, Fri 18 - Mon 21 April

Gymnast Beth Tweedle, West End performer Bonnie Langford, actress Suzanne Shaw and singer Gareth Gates are just some of the celebrities who’ll be joining Olympic champions Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean when they stop off in the Midlands this month with their Bolero 30th Anniversary tour.

Torvill And Dean’s Dancing On Ice has proved to be a massive success when it's taken to the road in previous years, boasting great choreography, a big spangly wardrobe's-worth of beautiful costumes, and a line-up of have-a-go celebrities who're willing to take the risk that they'll end up sliding around on their derrieres.

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Founded in 1980 by celebrated Austrian dancer Peter Malleck, the now-UK-based Vienna Festival Ballet presents a repertoire which comprises both full-length classics and new commissions. Touring extensively for two-thirds of the year, the company this month visits the Midlands with its interpretation of one of the most popular ragsto-riches fairytales of all time. Renowned conductor Chris Nicholls has reworked Rossini’s original score for Cinderella, while the choreography (by former Sadlers Wells Royal Ballet choreographer Sheila Styles) fuses classical dancing with traditional pantomime.

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Dance LISTINGS For full listing information on dance, including times and dates, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk AN EVENING WITH STARS FROM STRICTLY COME DANCING Starring Pasha Kovalev & Katya Virshilas, Wed 2 Apr, Lichfield Garrick THE IRISH HOUSE PARTY Described as 'Dublin's No.1 award-winning music and dance show', Wed 2 Apr, Palace Theatre, Redditch THE IRISH HOUSE PARTY Thurs 3 Apr, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE Midland Theatre Ballet present a choreographed version of CS Lewis' magical tale, Thurs 3 - Sat 5 Apr, Crescent Theatre, Birmingham ACT IT, DANCE IT, SING IT Revue show from the Stage 2 Performing Arts Academy, Fri 4 - Sat 5 Apr, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury ONE TWO FREEZE Breakdancers from across the UK descend on Coventry for the day, to do battle with their crazy moves, Sat 5 Apr, Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry

MY FIRST COPPELIA English National Ballet present the much-loved tale of Dr Coppelia and his mechanical doll, in a specially adapted version for young audiences, Sat 5 - Sun 6 Apr, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury RICHARD ALSTON DANCE Tue 8 Apr, Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent NEW COLLEGE 2ND YEAR BTEC - DEVISED PERFORMANCE Drawing on influences such as Complicite, Frantic Assembly & Forced Entertainment, Wed 9 Apr, Artrix, Bromsgrove TAP FACTORY Mon 14 Tue 15 Apr, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre THE LITTLE MERMAID Join Ballet Theatre UK for a dramatic re-telling of the Hans Christian Andersen favourite, Tue 15 Apr, Palace Theatre, Redditch TORVILL AND DEAN'S DANCING ON ICE Featuring celebrities from the popular TV show, Fri 18 - Mon 21 Apr, National Indoor Arena, Birmingham BRING THE ACTION

Showcase from two of Stoke's best known dance schools: Angela Beardmore School of Dance & Studio #, 1 Wed 16 - Sat 19 Apr, Regent Theatre, Stokeon-Trent THE LITTLE MERMAID Presented by Ballet Theatre UK, Wed 23 Apr, Tamworth Assembly Rooms ROBIN COUSINS' ICE World-class skaters glide, soar, flip and fly in a theatrical setting, Wed 23 April - Sun 27 Apr, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre CINDERELLA Vienna Festival Ballet present a classical staging of the world-famous fairytale.

Wed 23 Apr, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury BIRMINGHAM ROYAL BALLET: THREE SHORT WORKS A programme comprising both contemporary and traditional works, Thurs 24 Sat 26 Apr, Crescent Theatre, Birmingham INTERNATIONAL DANCE FESTIVAL BIRMINGHAM Produced by Birmingham Hippodrome & DanceXchange, Thurs 24 Apr - Sun 25 May, various locations across Birmingham & one event (The Rite of Spring...) at Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry SIDEWAYS RAIN Contemporary dance

company Alias present a powerfully visual exploration of human nature, Tue 29 - Wed 30 Apr, Birmingham Hippodrome THE RITE OF SPRING AND PETRUSHKA A doublebill of works by Michael Keegan-Dolan which contrast the light and dark that mirrors the Stravinsky music of the same name, Tue 29 Wed 30 Apr, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry LET’S DANCE INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL LEICESTER (LDIF 2014) Tues 29 Apr - Sat 24 May. vartious locations throughout Leicester

Dance Box Office ARENA THEATRE, WOLVERHAMPTON 01902 321321 ARTRIX, BROMSGROVE 01527 577330 BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME 0844 338 5000 DOVEHOUSE THEATRE 0121 706 7139 LICHFIELD GARRICK 01543 412121 LUDLOW ASSEMBLY ROOMS, SHROPSHIRE 01584 873229 MAC, BIRMINGHAM 0121 446 3232

NEW ALEXANDRA THEATRE, BIRMINGHAM 0121 230 9082 ROYAL SPA CENTRE, LEAMINGTON SPA 01926 334418 SOLIHULL ARTS COMPLEX 0121 704 6962 STAFFORD GATEHOUSE THEATRE 01785 254653 THEATRE SEVERN, SHREWSBURY 01743 281281 WARWICK ARTS CENTRE, COVENTRY 02476 524524

VIENNA FESTIVAL BALLET presents

Cinderella Easter Monday 21st April, 5pm Arts Centre, Evesham 01386 446944

Wed 23rd April, 7.30pm, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury 01743 281281 Fri 2nd May, 7.30pm, Rose Theatre, Tewkesbury 01684 295074

22nd - 24th May, 7.30pm - SWAN

LAKE

Lichfield Garrick 01543 412121

www.viennafestivalballet.com

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One of Europe’s largest dance festivals, International Dance Festival Birmingham (IDFB) is back! We’re thrilled to present another jam-packed celebration of dance – from ballet to breakdancing, contemporary to circus.

Our fourth festival will showcase some of the finest dance performances from across the globe between 24 April and 25 May 2014, as Birmingham hosts four weeks of world premieres, unique collaborations, community events, outdoor spectacles and world-class performances. With several new venue partners, we’re presenting more shows than ever before, including some of the biggest names in dance and many hotly tipped rising choreographic stars.

Within this magazine you can find out more about the festival - including full listings, and guides to many of the performances and events within the programme. Also, don’t forget to check out idfb.co.uk for more information and join in the conversation with us on Facebook and Twitter.

Whether you want to move or be moved, we think you’ll find what you’re looking for in IDFB 2014!

David Massingham

Stuart Griffiths

Artistic Director DanceXchange & Co-Artistic Director IDFB 2014

Chief Executive Birmingham Hippodrome & Co-Artistic Director IDFB 2014

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Highlights International Dance Festival Birmingham 2014

“This exceptional festival embodies our daily relationship with art” David Lister – The Independent

A HISTORY OF INTERNATIONAL DANCE FESTIVAL BIRMINGHAM ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Produced by DanceXchange and Birmingham Hippodrome, International Dance Festival Birmingham (also known as IDFB) is a major biennial festival that presents a world-class programme of dance performances and participation in theatres and public spaces across Birmingham and the West Midlands. Here’s a brief history of how IDFB has developed over the years to become one of the biggest and most diverse dance festivals in Europe.

The inaugural International Dance Festival Birmingham took place in 2008, establishing the trademark IDFB blend of innovative new productions and the best of the world’s dance companies.

The theatre programme included performances by The Kirov Ballet, Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan, Rosie Kay Dance Company and Aracaladanza alongside a brand new production from Akram Khan and National Ballet of China.

Meanwhile, in the outdoor spaces of the city, Luca Silvestrini created a performance in shop windows, whilst Hofesh Shechter Company and 2Faced Dance Company collaborated in Watch This Space, a spectacular event which combined contemporary dance, bboys, freerunners, live drummers and exploding cars. Bringing this first festival to a close, hundreds of salsa fans took to the streets for Salsa at Sunset.

The second edition of IDFB in 2010 proved that dance could be performed just about anywhere. From a four-week run of outstanding dance at Birmingham Hippodrome (including Mark Morris Dance Group and Ballet Nacional de Cuba with Carlos Acosta) to (In)visible Dancing - a series of quirky performances on Birmingham’s High Street there was a sense that the festival was firmly establishing itself in the fabric of the city.

At Birmingham REP, record audiences witnessed the extraordinary Sutra and Australia’s spectacular Circa. Elsewhere in the city, world dance star Akram Khan and Irish dance legend Colin Dunne presented new performances, and some of the most cutting-edge performers from the Arab world shared their unique approach to dance.

Alongside (In)visible Dancing, the city’s public spaces saw a range of new IDFB productions. Utopia was a re-imagining of global folk dance, with over forty dance performers from across the world joined by Birmingham’s gypsy-balkan supergroup The Destroyers in Victoria Square.

Once again, participation played a big part in the festival, with the family weekend engaging audiences of all ages. Hip-hop participation spectacular Put Your Foot Down! closed the festival, with thousands of people learning some new moves from superstar dancer Salah.

The third International Dance Festival Birmingham in 2012 cemented the festival’s reputation as one of the biggest and most varied dance festivals in Europe.

Exceeding all previous audience and participation numbers, over 60,000 people saw a performance in the festival, while the 7,500-plus participatory experiences engaged people of all ages and abilities. Once again, some of the biggest names in world dance graced the stages of the festival, including Sylvie Guillem, Russell Maliphant, Royal Ballet Flanders, Louise Lecavalier, Dave St-Pierre Company and Birmingham Royal Ballet, with a new IDFB commission by American choreographer Jessica Lang.

New collaborations and commissions included Asian international integrated dance production The Impending Storm and film programme Light Fantastic, in conjunction with Flatpack Festival. Participation again featured heavily in the festival, with Cultural Olympiad projects Home, Breathe The Beat and Spill all bringing dance to new audiences in new spaces and places.

Breakin' Convention and Colombia’s Circolombia brought an urban flavour to the final week of the festival, which culminated in IDFB’s biggest outdoor production to date - Wings of Desire. Featuring the astonishing circus skills of Australia’s Circa, the raw physicality of 2Faced Dance Company, building projection across the city’s landmark Town Hall and a team of actors led by film, TV and DJ star Goldie, this was a spectacular event using the roofs, balconies and walls of the buildings around Birmingham’s Victoria Square, which left over 9000 spectators in awe.

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WEEK

1

THU 24 APR - SAT 3 MAY

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Birmingham Royal Ballet //

THREE SHORT WORKS

WORLD PREMIERE

Thursday 24 – Saturday 26 April // 7.30pm & 2.30pm (Saturday) The Crescent Theatre //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Image: Dee Conway

An exciting programme of both contemporary and traditional works including premieres of two new commissions from young choreographers; Kin, by former Birmingham Royal Ballet dancer Alexander Whitley; and Quatrain, by current company First Artist Kit Holder. //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Alias //

ARGENTINE TANGO WEEKEND

Tuesday 29 – Wednesday 30 April // 7.30pm Birmingham Hippodrome

Friday 25 – Sunday 27 April

& MIDNIGHT MILONGA

Image: Jean-Yves Genoud

SIDEWAYS RAIN

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Saturday 26 April // 8pm – 1am Blue Ice Plaza, Solihull

Guilherme Botelho’s Sideways Rain is a powerfully visual examination of human nature. It’s performed by 14 dancers who walk, run, fall, rise, stop and then start again, depicting the evolution of man and the human urge to constantly change and move forwards.

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Loyd Vidal & Sandra Bernard lead a three-day intensive in Argentine tango. On the Saturday night, take part in a Midnight Milonga, a social dance evening usually held in intimate late-night bars in Buenos Aires.

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Fabulous Beast Dance Theatre // /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Saturday 26 April // 7pm Ruddock Performing Arts Centre /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

A Midlands youth dance platform that showcases the next generation of dance talent, including vibrant performances of work by some of the best youth dance companies in the East and West Midlands.

THE RITE OF SPRING & PETRUSHKA Tuesday 29 – Wednesday 30 April // 7.30pm Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

The two halves of Michael Keegan-Dolan’s thrilling dance theatre double bill are a contrast in light and dark that mirrors the Stravinsky music of the same name. Performed by an international cast, both works are theatrical interpretations of the original music that created such outrage and excitement in the early 20th century. /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

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Image: Ros Kavanagh

MY (MIDLANDS YOUTH) DANCE FESTIVAL

Image: The Lift Creative Services

DanceXchange and Dance4 //

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Kidd Pivot //

HEADPHONES Image: Nicholas Keegan

Wednesday 30 April – Sunday 4 May // 1 & 3pm daily Birmingham High Street & City Centre

TEMPEST REPLICA

Highlights International Dance Festival Birmingham 2014

Image: Jorg Baumann

Corey Baker Dance //

Friday 2 – Saturday 3 May // 7.30pm Birmingham Hippodrome /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

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Follow @IDFB #headphones on Twitter to find out the exact locations on the day. Appearing amongst the crowds of shoppers in Birmingham city centre, this comical solo performance shuffles through a whole host of dance styles and music genres. The audience even gets to direct the performer at times, meaning no two shows will be the same!

Canadian choreographer Crystal Pite stages a game of revenge and forgiveness, reality and imagination, based on motifs from Shakespeare’s The Tempest. Chalkwhite replicas deliver the essential plot points of the story, but the emotion and tension of the narrative are fleshed out by real characters. /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

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CONCERT DANSÉ Friday 2 May // 7.30pm Symphony Hall /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

International Dance Festival Birmingham 2014 is delighted to present the world premiere of a unique collaboration between Birmingham’s Ex Cathedra, Québécois dance company Cas Public, and a cast of UK performers. Featuring works for choir, organ and cello, the evening culminates in an evocative reimagining of Duruflé’s Requiem, featuring a mix of ballet, Kathak and contemporary dance. /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

SWING DANCE DAY Saturday 3 May Digbeth (in association with Electric Swing Circus)

& SWINGAMAJIG Sunday 4 May 2pm – 5am Boxxed, Digbeth /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Swingamajig is an urban festival dedicated to Electro Swing, Gypsy Folk and vintage mayhem. On Saturday, IDFB has teamed up with Swingamajig’s organisers Electric Swing Circus to host a day of swing dance - come and learn the moves to join in on the day. Then, on Sunday, bring the whole family to see some of the most inventive, entertaining live acts, DJs, swing dancers, acrobats and artists around. /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

FLAMENCO WEEKEND Sat 3 – Mon 5 May /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Get to grips with the intricate rhythms behind this most passionate of dances in a series of fantastic workshops for all levels. /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Image: Johan Perssona

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For ticket prices and booking information, visit www.idfb.co.uk. www.whatsonlive.co.uk 49

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WEEK

2

TUE 6 – SAT 10 MAY

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Sylvie Guillem //

6000 MILES AWAY Tuesday 6 – Wednesday 7 May // 7.30pm Birmingham Hippodrome

International Dance Festival Birmingham is delighted to present a mixed programme devised and performed by internationally acclaimed dancer and Sadler’s Wells Associate Artist Sylvie Guillem, who is widely recognised as one of the world’s greatest dancers.

Image: Bill Cooper

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Aakash Odedra Company //

MURMUR & INKED Tuesday 6 – Wednesday 7 May // 8pm DanceXchange, The Patrick Centre, Birmingham Hippodrome

A world premiere double bill from the acclaimed Aakash Odedra company, exploring themes of dyslexia and scarification and tattoos through Odedra’s distinctive movement style, based on his original training in South Asian styles of Kathak and Bharatanatyam. /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Image: Lewis Major

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Les 7 Doigts de la Main //

SÉQUENCE 8 Thursday 8 – Saturday 10 May // 7.30pm & 2pm (Saturday) Birmingham Repertory Theatre /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Groundbreaking Montreal circus company Les 7 Doigts de la Main (The 7 Fingers) bring a deeply human dimension to the world of awe-inspiring acrobatics and phenomenal physicality.

Playful and profound, Séquence 8 is an exhilarating race through the furthest reaches of acrobatics, circus arts, dance and theatre.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, including venue addresses and more on ticket prices, visit www.idfb.co.uk

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Image: Yann Boyenval

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Highlights

Company Decalage //

MATCH & HALFWAY TO THE OTHER SIDE Friday 9 – Saturday 10 May // 8pm DanceXchange, The Patrick Centre, Birmingham Hippodrome /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Company Decalage present this highly anticipated world premiere double bill, featuring a meeting of minds, a light in the dark and three choreographers whose paths crossed, turned, flipped, spun and crossed again.

Celebrated Midlands-based choreographer and bboy Mickael ‘Marso’ Riviere joins forces with two exceptional talents; acclaimed choreographer, actor and dancer Guy Nader (originally from Lebanon, based in Barcelona) and extraordinary performer and choreographer Salah El Brogy (hailing from Egypt, based in London). Working together, they’ve co-created two brand new duets.

International Dance Festival Birmingham 2014

ALL OF BIRMINGHAM IS A STAGE EXHIBITION Thursday 8 – Sunday 11 May Millennium Point

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Students from Birmingham City University’s School of Architecture have been working with DanceXchange to imagine how disused or unloved corners of Birmingham could be transformed into performance spaces.

See the results in an exhibition which aims to kick-start regeneration and community development projects across the city. On Thursday and Friday look out for pop-up performances by Birmingham Ormiston Academy dance students, inspired by the architectural designs.

The exhibition forms part of Birmingham Made Me 2014. /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

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Image : Time Unlimited Tours

[Match & Halfway To The Other Side]

Corey Baker Dance //

A HAKA DAY OUT Saturday 10 May // Free workshops: 12-12.30pm, 1-1.30pm & 2.30-3pm // Live Haka Performance: 3.30pm Birmingham City Centre

Image: marz1.4

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Take part in a traditional Māori experience in Birmingham city centre as part of A Haka Day Out. IDFB’s International Resident Choreographer and New Zealander Corey Baker will lead exhilarating tribal Haka (war dance) workshops with native Māori performers, followed by a live Haka performance. Suitable for everyone - just turn up and have a go.

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For ticket prices and booking information, visit www.idfb.co.uk.

What’s On IDFB 2014

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WEEK

3

TUE 13 – SAT 17 MAY

Luca Silvestrini’s Protein //

BORDER TALES Tuesday 13 – Saturday 17 May // 8pm DanceXchange, Birmingham Hippodrome £12/£8 Suitable for ages 12+ 0844 338 5000 or book online www.idfb.co.uk/protein /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

New Adventures & Re:Bourne //

LORD OF THE FLIES Wednesday 14 – Saturday 17 May // 7.30pm, 2pm (Thursday), 2.30pm (Saturday) Birmingham Hippodrome £15-£36 // Concessions available // Suitable for ages 8+ 0844 338 5000 or book online www.idfb.co.uk/newadventures /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

[Border Tales]

[Lord of The Flies]

PUT YOUR FOOT DOWN Saturday 17 May // 12pm-6pm Bullring, Spiceal Street Free Outdoor Event // Suitable for all ages /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Paint The Town Red //

THE SOUND OF FOOTWORK Saturday 17 May // 8pm-2am Hare & Hounds, Kings Heath (in association with brukup!)

Suitable for ages 18+ /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, including venue addresses and more on ticket prices, visit www.idfb.co.uk

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Image: Chris Nash

[Put Your Foot Down]

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Highlights

WEEK

4

TUE 20 – SUN 25 MAY

International Dance Festival Birmingham 2014

A Sadler’s Wells project //

Paint The Town Red //

BREAKIN’ CONVENTION Tuesday 20 – Wednesday 21 May // 7.30pm (Foyer Events from 5.30pm) Birmingham Hippodrome

INTERNATIONAL CAPOEIRA FESTIVAL & BRAZILIAN CARNIVAL PARADE

£9.50 in advance // £15 on the day // Suitable for all ages 0844 338 5000 or book online www.idfb.co.uk/breakinconvention

Friday 23 – Sunday 25 May mac birmingham

Aerites //

PLANITES Thursday 22 – Friday 23 May // 8pm DanceXchange, Birmingham Hippodrome £12/£8 Suitable for ages 11+ 0844 338 5000 or book online www.idfb.co.uk/aerites

Image: Andreas Endermann

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REBEL SPIRIT: BRAZILIAN CLUB NIGHT Saturday 24 May // 8pm-12am PST, Digbeth (in association with Espirito Brum) Suitable for ages 18+ /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

[Breakin’ Convention]

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Friday 23 – Saturday 24 May // 7.30pm Birmingham Hippodrome £12-£28 Suitable for ages 11+ 0844 338 5000 or book online www.idfb.co.uk/milonga

Image: Paul Hampartsoumian

M¡LONGA

Image: Tristram Kenton

Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui //

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Candoco Dance Company //

STUDIES FOR C Saturday 24 May // 2pm & 4pm The Village Green (outside The Village Inn, Hurst Street.

Access via Sherlock Street) Free Outdoor Event // Suitable for ages 14+ /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

YOUNG MAN! Saturday 24 May // 2.20pm & 4.20pm The Village Green (outside The Village Inn, Hurst Street. Access via Sherlock Street)

Image: Krzysztof Jokiel

DeNada Dance Theatre //

Free Outdoor Event // Suitable for ages 14+ /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

B-TOWN Wednesday 21 – Saturday 24 May // 9.30pm Victoria Square Free Outdoor Event /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

For ticket prices and booking information, visit www.idfb.co.uk. www.whatsonlive.co.uk 53

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Film

TO WATCH THE LATEST MOVIE TRAILERS, VISIT: www.whatsonlive.co.uk

From

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The Amazing Spiderman 2

CERT tbc

Starring Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Jamie Foxx, Dane DeHaan, Campbell Scott, Embeth Davidtz, Colm Feore, Paul Giamatti, Sally Field, Martin Sheen, Felicity Jones, Chris Cooper Directed by Marc Webb (USA)

The trailer looks great, the cast is mouthwatering and Marc Webb returns from his duties on the first film (the 2012 reboot, that is). This should be big. Humongous even. This time Spidey (aka Peter Parker) has his web full as he competes against a slew of super-villains, including Electro (Foxx), the Green Goblin (DeHaan) and the Rhino (Giamatti). Let’s just hope that so much is not too much of a good thing. The budget is said to be north of $200million. In 3D (obviously).

Noah CERT 12a (138mins) Starring Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, Ray Winstone, Emma Watson, Anthony Hopkins, Logan Lerman, Douglas Booth, Nick Nolte, Frank Langella Directed by Darren Aronofsky (USA))

m Fro

4 FRI R P A

Boasting a budget of $130million ($124million more than Aronofsky’s 2008 film The Wrestler), this is a real Biblical epic. Russell Crowe plays the Patriarch of Genesis who turns out to be a good deal more prescient than Michael Fish.

Interestingly, the part was originally offered to Christian Bale, who opted to jump ship (or ark). Instead, Bale went on to play Moses in Ridley Scott’s upcoming Exodus.

Meanwhile, we have Crowe rounding up a formidable menagerie of species to rescue them from the flood. It should make our recent moans about the wet weather seem incredibly feeble.

TOP 5 FILM BOX OFFICE

1 Need For Speed (12a) Grand Budapest 2 The Hotel (12a) 3 The Lego Movie (U) Rise Of An 4 300: Empire (15) 5 Non-Stop (12a) Need For Speed

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Film NEW RELEASES Released from Fri 4 April

Divergent CERT 12a (139 mins) Starring Shailene Woodley, Theo James, Zoe Kravitz, Maggie Q, Jai Courtney, Kate Winslet, Ashley Judd Directed by Neil Burger (USA)

Believe it or not, we’re back in a post-apocalyptic dystopia, this one adapted from the novel by Veronica Roth. Here, we’re in a futuristic Chicago in which the populace are divided into five distinct classes of personality or ‘virtues’.

But Beatrice 'Tris' Prior (Woodley) is a ‘divergent’, which means she is without an official virtue - which makes her very dangerous. But ‘why’, she wonders?

Honour CERT 15 (102 mins)

Rio 2 CERT U (101 mins)

Starring Paddy Considine, Aiysha Hart, Harvey Virdi, Nikesh Patel, Faraz Ayub Directed by Shan Khan (UK)

With the voices of Anne Hathaway, Jesse Eisenberg, will.i.am, Jamie Foxx, Leslie Mann, Bruno Mars, Jemaine Clement, Andy Garcia Directed by Carlos Saldanha (USA)

There is honour among thieves but not in some families living in London. When Mona (Aiysha Hart) ‘shames’ her family, a contract is put on her life. When the first attempted honour killing misfires, the family hires a bounty killer (Considine) as Mona goes on the run.

Sounds terribly topical.

Carlos Saldanha’s Rio (2011) was a sweet, funny and highly entertaining tale of love and ecology and there’s no reason why the sequel shouldn’t be as good. Anne Hathaway and Jesse Eisenberg return to voice their characters of a couple of lovestruck Spix's macaws, this time with three kids in tow. On a trip to the Amazon, they meet up with family and discover that the rainforest is threatened… Expect songs (well, look at that cast). In 3D.

For full film listings, showings and booking links

visit: whatsonlive.co.uk

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The Double CERT 15 (93mins) Starring Jesse Eisenberg, Mia Wasikowska, Wallace Shawn, Noah Taylor, Yasmin Paige, James Fox Directed by Richard Ayoade (UK)

The former star of Channel Four’s The IT Crowd continues his exploration of the cinema with this comic thriller about a man and his doppelgänger. Based on the novella by Fyodor Dostoyevsky, it stars Jesse Eisenberg as a man gradually driven nuts when he realises that his life has been taken over by his double. Richard Ayoade previously directed the smart, surprising and very funny Submarine (2010).

From

1 FRI 1 R AP

Released from Fri 11 April

Calvary CERT 15 (101 mins) Starring Brendan Gleeson, Chris O'Dowd, Kelly Reilly, Aidan Gillen, Isaach de Bankolé, Domhnall Gleeson Directed by John Michael McDonagh (Ireland/UK)

McDonagh previously directed Brendan Gleeson in The Guard, one of the funniest, darkest films of 2011. Here, he’s cast Mr Gleeson as a priest - a good one, to boot who is constantly disappointed by the smallmindedness of his flock. He’s then threatened during a routine confession and finds that he must combat a very real evil head-on. We can’t wait.

The Quiet Ones CERT 15 (98 mins)

Half Of A Yellow Sun

Starring Jared Harris, Sam Claflin, Olivia Cooke, Erin Richards Directed by John Pogue (UK)

CERT 15 (111 mins)

Following the success of their Daniel Radcliffestarrer The Woman In Black, Hammer Films now serve up more thrills with this little horror. Jared Harris plays Professor Coupland, a university physics professor who gathers together his best students to try and create a real-life poltergeist. Inspired by real events.

The Raid 2 CERT 18 (150 mins) Starring Iko Uwais, Arifin Putra, Oka Antara, Tio Pakusadewo Directed by Gareth Evans (Indonesia)

The Last Days On Mars CERT 15 (98 mins)

Starring Liev Schreiber, Elias Koteas, Romola Garai, Goran Kostić, Olivia Williams Directed by Ruairí Robinson (Ireland/UK/USA)

Man has finally made it to Mars and after six months one of the eight-man team makes a startling discovery. With just nineteen hours before they are due to return to earth, Marko (Kostić) finds what he believes to be proof of bacterial life. And then everything goes pearshaped. So, where’s Sandra Bullock when you need her?

Gareth Evans’ The Raid (2012) was the most successful Indonesian film ever to be directed by a Welshman. Now comes the sequel in which the rookie Jakarta cop Rama (Uwais) finds that his original sortie on a crime-infested tenement block has opened a can of very big worms. Members of the Indonesian underworld now want their pound of flesh and Rama is forced to go undercover.

Khumba: A Zebra’s Tale CERT U (85 mins)

Featuring the voices of Jake T. Austin, Steve Buscemi, Loretta Devine, Laurence Fishburne, Richard E. Grant, AnnaSophia Robb, Catherine Tate, Liam Neeson Directed by Anthony Silverston (South Africa)

Khumba is a South African zebra with only half his stripes. And because he’s different he is blamed for the recent drought and eventually feels compelled to leave his family. Beyond the safety of his own home, Khumba is forced to survive on his wits and to find the courage to be himself. In 3D.

Starring Thandie Newton, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Anika Noni Rose, Joseph Mawle, John Boyega Directed by Biyi Bandele (Nigeria/UK)

It is perhaps ironic that great African parts are so often played by the English. Winnie Mandela has been played by the Londonborn Sophie Okonedo and Naomie Harris, Nelson Mandela by Idris Elba and (wince) Muhammad Ahmad by Laurence Olivier (in Khartoum). Now comes the adaptation of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's Orange Prize-winning novel set during the NigerianBiafran War of 1967-1970. While Adichie and the director Bandele are Nigerian, the two leads are played by the London-born Thandie Newton and Chiwetel Ejiofor, as Olanna and her lover Odenigbo. While they are both very good, Bandele (a prominent novelist and playwright) is unable to draw convincing performances from the rest of his cast and the film, at best, is workmanlike. And, spanning most of the 1960s, it fails to find a cohesive narrative, although under the guidance of cinematographer John de Borman it does look terrific.

Released from Fri 18 April

Locke CERT 15 (85 mins) Starring Tom Hardy, with the voices of Tom Holland, Olivia Colman, Andrew Scott, Ruth Wilson, Ben Daniels Directed by Steven Knight (UK/USA

While driving from Birmingham to London, a construction manager receives a phone call.

The remainder of the film sees Ivan Locke (Hardy) attempting to salvage his life via mobile phone as he continues to race home. If the claustrophobic setting is off-putting, Hardy’s performance and the taut direction of Steven Knight apparently make this one helluva fresh and gripping thriller. www.whatsonlive.co.uk 57

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Film April 2014 Davina_Layout 1 24/03/2014 17:14 Page 6

The Love Punch CERT 12a (94 mins) Starring Pierce Brosnan, Emma Thompson, Timothy Spall, Celia Imrie, Louise Bourgoin, Tuppence Middleton Directed by Joel Hopkins (UK)

A romantic caper in the tradition of Stanley Donen’s Charade, The Love Punch is the story of two divorcees. Reunited at a wedding, the ex-couple decides to team up to retrieve the retirement money stolen from them. In the process, Pierce Brosnan gets to wear a lot of silly costumes.

From

FRI 2 APR 5

The Other Woman CERT tbc Starring Cameron Diaz, Leslie Mann, Kate Upton, Taylor Kinney, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Nicki Minaj Directed by Nick Cassavetes (USA)

(Deutch), a Dhampir who, as you know, is a half human/half vampire thingy and actually quite a peaceful sort. And she’s here to protect her own kind from the more disruptive, hell-forleather Strigoi undead. Based on the novel by Richelle Mead.

It’s hard to imagine any man double-dealing Cameron Diaz, but this is the case in this revenge comedy. Once Amber (Diaz) realises that her boyfriend (Coster-Waldau) is actually married, she teams up with his wife (Mann) to plot suitable retribution.

Transcendence CERT tbc Starring Johnny Depp, Morgan Freeman, Rebecca Hall, Paul Bettany, Kate Mara, Cillian Murphy Directed by Wally Pfister (USA)

Not content to be a brilliant scientist, Dr Will Caster (Depp) downloads his mind onto a computer. It’s not ethical and there are people out to stop him. Meanwhile, Dr Caster is gaining unprecedented power…

Think RoboProf.

Tracks CERT 12a (113mins) Starring Mia Wasikowska, Adam Driver Directed by John Curran (Australia)

Released from Fri 25 April

Exhibition CERT 15 (105mins) Vampire Academy: Blood Sisters CERT tbc Starring Zoey Deutch, Danila Kozlovsky, Lucy Fry, Dominic Sherwood, Olga Kurylenko, Joely Richardson Directed by Mark Waters (USA)

Mark Waters directed Mean Girls (2004) and the girls don’t get much meaner than these bloodsuckers. Our heroine is Rose Hathaway

CINEMA Box Office Birmingham CINEWORLD Broad St, B’ham 0871 200 2000 CINEWORLD Solihull 0871 200 2000 ELECTRIC, B’ham 0121 643 7879 EMPIRE 0871 471 4714 MILLENNIUM POINT 0121 202 2222 MAC 0121 446 3232 ODEON 0871 224 4007 REEL Quinton 0121 421 5316

SHOWCASE 0871 220 1000 VUE CINEMA Star City 08712 240 240

Black Country CINEWORLD W’HAMPTON 0871 200 2000 LIGHT HOUSE MEDIA CENTRE, W’HAMPTON 01902 716055 ODEON MERRY HILL, DUDLEY 0871 22 44007 SHOWCASE, DUDLEY 0871 220 1000

Starring Liam Gillick, Viv Albertine, Tom Hiddleston Directed by Joanna Hogg (UK)

In 2006 John Curran directed a sumptuous and accomplished adaptation of W Somerset Maugham’s novel The Painted Veil. Here, he tackles the altogether more tricky 1980 memoir

by Robyn Davidson which chronicles her one thousand, seven hundred-mile trek across the Australian Outback with just a dog, four camels and the National Geographic photographer Rick Smolan. The desert scenery promises to look stunning and Mia Wasikowska is always an engaging cinematic presence.

Tom Hiddleston is becoming this year’s James Franco (as a constant presence on our screens) and is teamed up with director Joanna Hogg for the third time. Here, he plays an estate agent, but the central characters are ‘H’ (Gillick) and ‘D’ (Albertine), an artistic couple whose lifestyle is threatened when their London home is put up for sale. Incidentally, Albertine was guitarist for the punk band The Slits.

FOREST ARTS CENTRE, WALSALL 01922 645 555

Shropshire CINEWORLD, SHREWSBURY 0871 200 2000 THE EDGE ARTS CENTRE, MUCH WENLOCK 01952 728 911 FESTIVAL DRAYTON CENTRE, MARKET DRAYTON 01630 654 444 THE HIVE, SHREWSBURY 01743 234 970 LUDLOW ASSEMBLY ROOMS 01584 878 141 MAJESTIC, BRIDGNORTH 01746 761815

ODEON TELFORD 0871 224 4007 OMH SHREWSBURY 01743 281281 WEM TOWN HALL 01939 232299

Staffordshire CINEWORLD, BURTON-UPONTRENT 0871 200 2000 THE STAFFORD CINEMA, STAFFORD 0207 438 9580 FOXLOWE ARTS CENTRE, LEEK 01538 386 112 STOKE FILM THEATRE, 01782 411188

ODEON TAMWORTH 0871 224 4007

Warwickshire ODEON COVENTRY 0871 224 4007 ODEON NUNEATON 0871 224 4007 SHOWCASE, COVENTRY 0871 220 1000 VUE, LEAMINGTON SPA 08712 240 240 PICTURE HOUSE, STRATFORD-UPON-AVON 0871 902 5741 WARWICK ARTS CENTRE COVENTRY 02476 524524

Worcestershire ARTRIX, BROMSGROVE 01527 577330 MALVERN THEATRE 0845 287 2146 THE NORBURY THEATRE, DROITWICH SPA 08444 777 1000 WAREHOUSE, KIDDERMINSTER 01562 747773 VUE, WORCESTER 0871 224 0240 THE ROSE’S THEATRE, TEWKESBURY 01684 295 074

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Film A-Z LISTINGS All films are currently on general release unless otherwise stated. For full listing information, including times and dates, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk 12 Years A Slave 15 Based on the autobiography of Soloman Northup, who was kidnapped and sold into slavery in 1841.

Chiwetel Ejiofor and Michael Fassbenders star.

Showing at Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, until Tues 1 Apr; The Courtyard, Hereford, until Tues 7 Apr; Artrix, Bromsgrove, Sun 13 - Tues 15, Fri 18 - Sat 19 Apr

A Late Quartet 15 The future of the quartet is threatened when one of them may or may not have Parkinson’s. As it happens, this proves to be the least of their problems. Philip Seymour Hoffman & Christopher Walken star. Showing at The Hive, Shrewsbury, Fri 25 Apr A Long Way Down 15 The story of four people who decide to commit suicide by jumping off a tall building in London on New Year’s Eve. The twist is that they’re all strangers and each character’s attempt to end his life in solitude is ruined by the appearance of the others.

Pierce Brosnan & Toni Collette star. Showing at Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Fri 11 - Thurs 17 Apr; Courtyard Theatre, Hereford, Tues 15 - Thurs 17 Apr

The Armstrong Lie 15 The extraordinary story of the Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong, his fight with testicular and brain cancer, his astonishing comeback and then his terrible shame.

Showing at Old Market Hall, Shrewsbury, from Weds 30 Apr

August: Osage County 15 Adapted from the 2007 play by Tracy Letts, this is a black comedy set in an Oklahoma household where a crisis reunites the women in the family.

Meryl Streep & Julia Roberts star. Showing at Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, until Tues 1 Apr; Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire, Tues 1 - Thurs 3 Apr; The Courtyard, Hereford, Fri 4 Apr; Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Fri 11 - Mon 14 Apr

Bastards 18 Following the unheralded suicide of his brother-inlaw, Marco goes AWOL from the ship he captains in the merchant marines to support his distressed sister and niece. Troubled by what he finds, he

begins to investigate the events leading to Jacques' death. Showing at Stoke Film Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Thurs 10 Apr

WATCH THE FILM T A TRAILERS .uk ve.co whatsonli The Book Thief 12a A young girl sent to live with a foster family in World War Two Germany learns to read, with encouragement from Max, a Jewish refugee who they’re hiding under the stairs. Showing at Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Fri 18 - Weds 23 Apr; Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire, Mon 21, Weds 23 - Thurs 24 Apr; Stoke Film Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Tues 22 Apr; Artrix, Bromsgrove, Fri 25, Sun 27 - Mon 28 Apr

The Butler 12a Loosely based on real events, The Butler in question works at the White House, and it’s through his eyes that we see many of the major historical episodes of the twentieth century.

Showing at Stourbridge Town Hall, Mon 7 Apr Cuban Fury 15 Bruce is a loser who’s got a crush on his beautiful American boss, Julia.

Then he discovers she has a secret passion: salsa. And many, many years ago, Bruce was something of a child prodigy of the Latin dance… Showing at Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Fri 4, Mon 7 Thurs 10 Apr; Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Fri 25 - Mon 28 Mar

The Dallas Buyers Club 15 Based on a lengthy article in the Dallas Morning News, this is a true story about a homophobic rodeo jock who contracts Aids. Matthew McConaughey & Jennifer Garner star. Showing at Stoke Film Theatre, Stokeon-Trent, until Tues 1 Apr; The Courtyard, Hereford, Mon 7 Apr; Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire, Tues 15 Weds 16 Apr; Old Market

60 www.whatsonlive.co.uk

Hall, Shrewsbury, Fri 25 Tues 29 Apr

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off PG A high school wise guy is determined to have a day off from school. Stars Matthew Broderick.

Showing at The Crescent Theatre, Birmingham, Weds 30 Apr

Frozen PG Loosely based on Hans Christian Andersen’s The Snow Queen, in which the kingdom of Arendelle is turned into an eternal winter by the Princess Elsa. Showing at Stoke Film Theatre, Stoke-onTrent, Sat 12 Apr; Forest Arts Centre, Walsall, Thurs 17 Apr

Funny Face PG Jo Stockton is a book clerk in New York, who gets “discovered” as a potential model. Initially sceptical and snobbish about the job offer, she accepts when she finds it involves a trip to Paris for a fashion shoot. Cue much hijinks in the French capital as Jo’s attitude soon begins to soften towards her new role, and towards her handsome photographer. Fred Astaire & Audrey Hepburn star. Showing at Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Sat 19 - Sun 20 Apr G B F 15 When Tanner unwittingly becomes his high school’s first openly gay student, social warfare erupts with three prom queen hopefuls competing over this year's must have teen girl accessory – ‘The G.B.F’. Stars Michael J. Willett. Showing at mac, Birmingham, Weds 23 Apr The Godfather Part II 12a The film shifts back and forth in time between Michael Corleone consolidating his empire in the 1950s and his father Vito escaping Sicily as a boy at the turn of the twentieth century. Al Pacino & Robert Duvall star.

Showing at Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Sun 27 Apr

The Grand Budapest Hotel 12a The adventures of the legendary concierge Gustave H. As played by Ralph Fiennes, Gustave H is a wonderful comic character, an articulate, manipulative and brazen fellow who abuses his position with startling zeal.

Accused of murder and chased all over the shop, the fellow never loses his nerve. Showing at Light House Media Centre, Wolverhampton, until Thurs 3 Apr; Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, until Thurs 8 Apr; Courtyard Theatre, Hereford, Mon 14 - Thurs 17 Apr; Stoke Film Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Tues 15, Fri 18 - Sat 19 Apr; Old Market Hall,

The Grand Budapest Hotel

Shrewsbury, Fri 18 - Thurs 24 Apr; Artrix, Bromsgrove, Tues 29 Weds 30 Apr; Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire, Tues 29 Weds 30 Apr

Gravity 12a Matt Kowalsky is on his last shuttle before retirement, along with medical engineer Dr Ryan Stone on her first mission in space. Then, on a routine spacewalk, their craft is destroyed, leaving them stranded in the cosmos...

Sandra Bullock & George Clooney star. Showing at Wem Town Hall, North Shropshire, Mon 14 & Thurs 17 Apr

Her 12a In the not-too-distant future, Theo, who’s going through a divorce, downloads a voice-activated operating system.

Choosing a female identity for his new programme, he finds himself becoming totally reliant on ‘Her’.

Stars Joaquin Phoenix and the voice of Scarlett Johansson. Showing at Stoke Film Theatre, Stokeon-Trent, Fri 11 - Sat 12 Apr; Old Market Hall, Shrewsbury, Fri 11 - Thurs 17 Apr; Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Sat 19 Apr; Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire, Sun 27 - Mon 28 Apr

The Hunt 12a Klara, a five-year-old pupil, makes up a charge of assault. The nursery is in shock, suspicions are aroused and as hatred of one man spreads throughout the village, the small community rapidly begins to fall apart. Mads Mikkelsen stars. Showing at The Hive, Shrewsbury, Fri 4 Apr

I Am Divine tbc The story of Divine, aka Harris Glenn Milstead, from his humble beginnings as an overweight, teased Baltimore youth to internationally recognized cult drag superstar through his collaboration with filmmaker John Waters. Directed by Jeffery Schwarz. Showing at mac, Birmingham, Sun 27 Apr

Inside Llewyn Davis 15 Set in Greenwich Village, New York, in 1961, and loosely based on the memoir of folk singer Dave Van Ronk. Oscar Isaac stars. Directed by the Coen brothers.

Showing at Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire, until Tues 1 Apr; Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Sun 6 - Weds 9 Apr

The Invisible Woman 12a The film focuses on Dickens’ extra-marital relationship with Ellen ‘Nelly’ Ternan. Ralph Fiennes & Felicity Jones star.

Showing at Wem Town Hall, North Shropshire, Weds 2 - Thurs 3 Apr; Old Market Hall, Shrewsbury, until Thurs 3 Apr; Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire, Sun 6 - Tues 8, Fri 11, Sun 13 - Mon 14 Apr; Artrix, Bromsgrove, Sun 6 - Tues 8, Fri 11 Apr; The Courtyard, Hereford, Tues 8 Apr; Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Tues 8 - Tues 15 Apr; Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Fri 18 - Sat 19, Mon 21 Apr

Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit 12a Jack Ryan is the CIA agent first featured in the 1990 thriller The Hunt For Red October. Shadow Recruit, to use the popular parlance, is a reboot and sees a younger Ryan counter a Soviet plot to undermine the US economy. Chris Pine stars.

Showing at The Courtyard, Hereford, until Weds 2 Apr

Labor Day 12a Adele Wheeler is suffering from a degenerative psychological disorder, her thirteen-year-old son is taking on the responsibilities of the house and Mr Wheeler has run off with another woman. Then a killer forces his way into their home… Kate Winslet & Josh Brolin star.

Showing at Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Fri 18 Thurs 24 Apr; Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Mon 21 - Thurs 24 Apr

The Lego Movie U The computer-animated movie is set in the ‘Lego universe’ and features

such ‘minifigures’ as Batman, Superman and Spaceman Benny. With the voices of Chris Pratt and Elizabeth Banks.

Showing at Wem Town Hall, Fri 11 - Sat 12 & Weds 16 Apr; Artrix, Bromsgrove, Mon 14 - Sat 19 Apr; Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Fri 18 - Mon 21 Apr; Courtyard Theatre, Hereford, Fri 18 - Thurs 24 Apr; Old Market Hall, Shrewsbury, Fri 18 - Sat 26 Apr; Festival Drayton Centre, Market Drayton, Shropshire Tues 22 & Thurs 24 Apr

Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom 12a The late anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela has been played by several actors, but this is the first film to be based on Mandela’s autobiography.

Idris Elba stars. Showing at Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Fri 4 - Tues 8 Apr

The Monuments Men 12a Based on the book by Robert M Edsel, this is the true story of a group of art historians and curators who’re conscripted to infiltrate Nazi Germany in order to track down invaluable works of art.

Showing at Festival Drayton Centre, Shropshire, Fri 4 - Sat 5 Apr; Stoke Film Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Fri 4 - Sat 5 Apr; Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire, Fri 18 - Sun 20 Apr; Artrix, Bromsgrove, Mon 21 Weds 23 Apr; Old Market Hall, Shrewsbury, from Fri 25 Apr

The New Black tbc The New Black documents activists on both sides of the campaign to legalise gay marriage in Maryland, USA. Showing at mac, Birmingham, Sat 26 Apr

A New York Winter’s Tale 12a When burglar Peter Lake breaks into a Manhattan property, an heiress dies in his arms. What follows is a mystical, romantic fantasy that spans almost a century as he attempts to be reunited with the late heiress. Colin Farrell & Jessica Brown Findlay

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star. Showing at Light House Media Centre, Wolverhampton, until Thurs 3 Apr

Hiddleston & Tilda Swinton star. Showing at Stoke Film Theatre, Stokeon-Trent, Thurs 3 Apr

Mr Peabody And Sherman U

Philomena 12a Dame Judi Dench plays Philomena Lee, an elderly woman who decides to search for the son taken from her when she was just a teenager. Also stars Steve Coogan. Showing at The Courtyard, Hereford, until Weds 2 Apr; Edge Arts Centre, Much Wenlock, South Shropshire, Mon 7 Apr

A highly intelligent dog (Mr Peabody) and his adopted boy, Sherman, travel back in time in their Wayback Machine.

Showing at Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Mon 7 - Weds 9 Apr; Old Market Hall, Shrewsbury, Sat 12 - Thurs 17 Apr; Festival Drayton Centre, Shropshire, Mon 14 - Tues 15 Apr; Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire, Mon 14 - Tues 15, Thurs 17 Apr; Artrix, Bromsgrove, Weds 23 Thurs 24, Sat 26 Apr; Courtyard Theatre, Hereford, Fri 25 - Tues 29 Apr

Nebraska 15 The story of a dipsomaniac who travels from Montana to Nebraska with his son to supposedly claim some prize money.

Bruce Dern & Will Forte star. Showing at Foxlowe Arts Centre, Leek, Staffs, Tues 8 Apr Only Lovers Left Alive 15 A reclusive, centuries-old vampire rock star is finding it hard to keep up with modern technology. In fact, it’s all getting so much that he decides to take his own life… Tom

Quartet 12a In a retirement home for opera singers and musicians, the occupants are facing more than one kind of music… Maggie Smith, Tom Courtenay & Billy Connolly star. Showing at The Norbury Theatre, Droitwich Spa, Weds 16 Apr The Railway Man 15 Based on the autobiography of Eric Lomax who, as a POW for the Japanese, helped build the Thai-Burma Railway.

Colin Firth and Nicole Kidman star. Showing at Courtyard Theatre, Hereford, Fri 11 - Thurs 17 Apr; Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Tues 15 - Thurs 17 Apr The Rocket 12a The Rocket explores the displacement of a rural Lao community as a new

dam is constructed. The central character is Ahlo, a ten-year-old boy believed to bring bad luck wherever he goes. Showing at Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Weds 9 - Thurs 10 Apr; Courtyard Theatre, Hereford, Mon 14 - Weds 16 Apr

Rush PG A film which charts the rivalry between Formula One racers James Hunt and Niki Lauda as they compete for the 1976 World Championship.

Chris Hemsworth and Daniel Brühl star. Showing at Foxlowe Arts Centre, Leek, Staffs, Tues 1 Apr

Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Mon 14 Apr

Starred Up 18 The story of a teenage inmate who, because of his predilection for violence, is moved from a young offender’s institution to an adult jail. Jack O'Connell stars. Showing at Electric Cinema, B’ham, until Thurs 3 Apr; Stoke Film Theatre, Stoke-onTrent, Fri 25 - Sat 26 Apr Stranger By The Lake

Saving Mr Banks PG Biog of PL Travers, the author of Mary Poppins.

The film is divided between Travers’ early years in Australia and the later negotiations with Disney to make a film of her popular children’s novel. Emma Thompson & Tom Hanks star.

Showing at Stourbridge Town Hall, Mon 28 Apr

18 Alain Guiraudie’s atmospheric thriller is set at a beautiful lakeside spot in southern France, frequented by men sunbathing in the summer heat. Franck bears witness to a murder and, as a silent witness, must choose between his passion and his moral integrity. Showing at Light House Media Centre, Wolverhampton, until Thurs 3 Apr; Stoke Film Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Thurs 17 Apr; mac, Birmingham, Sat 26 Apr

Shirley Valentine 15 Shirley is a housewife in Liverpool, undervalued by her husband. When she gets a chance to go to Greece with a female friend, she discovers the pleasures of freedom away from the limitations of her marriage, and falls in love with living.

Showing at Stoke Film

Submerge tbc For Jordan, university life brings the promise of new experiences and a chance to break away from intense family pressure to pursue a career as an elite swimmer.

Through her newly discovered passions – the study of history and her academic tutor, Angie –

Jordan opens her eyes to the possibility of a new path, one that she herself controls. Or does she?

Showing at mac, Birmingham, Fri 25 Apr

Tank Girl 15 Tank Girl and her friends stand up to a huge corporation, headed by Kesslee, controller of the earth’s water supply, and total mania ensues. Lori Petty & Malcolm McDowell star. Showing at Stoke Film Theatre, Stokeon-Trent, Tues 8th Apr Teenage 12a Teenagers didn’t exist much before the 1950s.

Or did they? This kaleidoscopic collage of rare archive footage, diary entries and Super 8 recreations follows their evolution during the first half of the twentieth century.

Showing at Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Weds 2 Thurs 3 Apr; Stoke Film Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Tues 8th Apr Under The Skin U This science fiction thriller stars Scarlett Johansson as an alien who preys on hitchhikers in Scotland.

Showing at Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Fri 25 Apr and also from Sun 27 Apr Wake In Fright 18 A 1971 thriller staring For full listings visit:

Donald Pleasence as a middle class teacher from the big city hoping to escape his outback posting and return to Sydney.

Described by musician and screenwriter Nick Cave as being 'the best and most terrifying film about Australia in existence.'

Showing at Stoke Film Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Thurs 24 Apr

The Wolf Of Wall Street 18 Over its three-hour running time, there’s so much bad behaviour, so much profanity, so much cocaine, and so many hookers and parties that it’s like The Hangover that swallowed Wall Street. Leonardo DiCaprio stars. Showing at Artrix, Bromsgrove until Weds 2 Apr; The Courtyard, Hereford, until Weds 2 Apr

Yves Saint Laurent 15 This is a biog of the man once described as the most influential fashion designer of the latter part of the twentieth century. A story which explores Saint Laurent’s long-term friendship, love affair and business partnership with Pierre Bergé. Pierre Niney & Guillaume Gallienne star.

Showing at Old Market Hall, Shrewsbury, Fri 4 Thurs 10 Apr

www.whatsonlive.co.uk

DVD NEW RELEASES Oldboy 18 The story of a man seeking vengeance for his false imprisonment. Josh Brolin (No Country For Old Men, Gangster Squad) plays the detainee with retribution on his mind. Expect some strong adult content.

Elizabeth Olsen also stars.

Released 7 April

Kill Your Darlings 15 Cinematically, there’s been a lot of interest in the generation of Beat poets.

Here, Daniel Radcliffe plays Allen Ginsberg in a true crime story that implicates him, Jack Kerouac and William S Burroughs in a murder. Dane DeHann also stars.

Released 21 April All Is Lost 12a Robert Redford plays a sailor whose craft takes on water when it collides with a shipping container: what follows is a story of elemental survival.

Released 21 April

Nebraska 15 Bruce Dern was nominated for best actor at this year’s Oscars for his role here as a dipsomaniac who travels from Montana to Nebraska with his son to supposedly claim some prize money.

Will Forte also stars.

Released 14 April

The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty PG

Like Father, Like Son 12a

Ryota feels he’s earned his perfect life. Then he receives a phone call from the hospital where his son was born. There’d been a mix-up, and his son is not actually his... From the director Hirokazo Koreeda.

Released 28 April

Not a sequel, nor a reboot, but a remake (of sorts). Walter Mitty, played by Ben Stiller (who also directs the film), is the ultimate dreamer, who embarks on extravagant adventures inside his own head.

Released 21 April

Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom 12a Nelson Mandela’s life story is one of the most remarkable of the twentieth century. The late anti-apartheid

activist has been played by several actors (Morgan Freeman, Danny Glover, Dennis Haysbert), but this is the first film to be based on Mandela’s autobiography and stars Idras Elba and Naomie Harris.

Released 28 April

The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug

Walking With Dinosaurs U

12a Director Peter Jackson continues the Tolkien saga, with Gandalf, Bilbo Baggins and those silly dwarfs hiking their way to the Kingdom of Erebor. There, they encounter the dragon Smaug, voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch. Having played Stephen Hawking, William Pitt the Younger and Julian Assange, there is obviously no end to the man’s talents. Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman and Richard Armitage star.

Released 28 April

The story of three Pachyrhinosauruses (you know, those centrosaurine ceratopsid dinosaurs) from infancy through to adulthood.

Released 28 April

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Visual Arts Last Post: Remembering The First World War Coalbrookdale Gallery, Ironbridge Gorge, Fri 11 April - Fri 27 March 2015

Curated by the British Postal Museum & Archive (BPMA) in partnership with the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, Last Post explores the effect of the Great War on the Post Office and its people, as well as explaining the contribution of postal communications to the war effort.

“The First World War Centenary is an opportunity to reflect on the impact that this cataclysmic conflict had upon everyone,” says Dr Adrian Steel, Director of BPMA, “not just those fighting on the Front Line. Few organisations had a greater role to play, or a greater impact, over the five years of hostilities than the British postal service.”

The exhibition encompasses a variety of themes.

Alongside its presentation of objects of military and postal importance, it also includes stories from a Shropshire perspective.

Michael Francois: Pieces Of Evidence Ikon Gallery, Birmingham, Wed 30 April - Sun 22 June

BP Portrait Award Wolverhampton Art Gallery, until Sat 31 May

The BP Portrait Award is the world’s most prestigious portrait competition - 2013's contest saw nearly two thousand artists from seventy-seven countries competing for the top prize.

Submissions were presented in a variety of contemporary styles, and ranged from informal and personal studies of friends and family to revealing portraits of famous faces - including those of Alistair Campbell, Frida Kahlo and Emeli Sande.

This Wolverhampton showcase features the Award’s winning entry - Pieter by Susanne du Toit - and Second Prize-winner The Uncertain Time (pictured below), by Coventry-based artist John Devane.

The Uncertain Time by John Devane, 2013 © John

Belgian artist Michel François’ belief that art is ‘life sculpted’ is ably evidenced by the works on show in this thought-provoking exhibition. François brings together sculpture, film, paintings, prints and photographs to illustrate his conviction that the meanings of a work of art are determined through its combination with others in relation to an exhibition space. This is the most comprehensive UK exhibition to date of the Brussels-based artist’s work. As with many of François’ solo exhibitions, it carries a title (Pieces Of Evidence) that reflects his interest in such subjects as contemporary reality, surveillance, psychology and the police state. Further examples of this are other exhibition titles such as State Of Being, Expanded Bureau and Theatre Of Operations.

Nadia Kisseleva: Document mac - Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, Sat 5 Apr - Sun 1 Jun

Russian-born Nadia Kisseleva is an artist known for her use of vivid and intense colour palettes.

Document, with its monochrome palette, therefore constitutes something of a departure for her.

The exhibition comprises a series of portraits of people imprisoned in the former Soviet Union during the Stalinist era, the use of a muted palette allowing Kisseleva not only to reference the original black-and-white photographs upon which the paintings are based, but also to convey a sense of the abhorrent conditions suffered by people who were detained under Stalin’s regime.

Kisseleva has developed a worldwide reputation as an artist of note since leaving Russia for Africa thirty-four years ago. Now resident in the UK, her work can be found in private collections in the United States, Kenya, Denmark and Austria.

Devane

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VisualArts PREVIEWS VisualArts LISTINGS Further exhibitions

Beside The Seaside Bilston Craft Gallery, Sat 12 April - Sat 14 June

The halcyon days of the British seaside resort may be long gone, but time spent on a UK beach enjoying donkey rides, building sandcastles and eating ice-creams is still familiar enough to most people to ensure that they’ll both enjoy and engage with this lighthearted exhibition. Comprising craft inspired by British beaches, life on the coast and seaside holidays, Beside The Seaside features quirky automata boating scenes made from British hardwoods and found objects, charming seaside scenes in textiles and ceramics, and plenty of interactive features to try out.

Home Away From Home Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, until Sun 3 August

This fascinating exhibition showcases the results of a Heritage Lottery-funded project run by Go-Woman! Alliance CIC (GOAL).

GOAL is coordinated by individuals who’ve been working in the field of enterprise for many years to help support, develop and celebrate entrepreneurial culture. The alliance’s Home Away From Home project focuses on bringing together and presenting the experiences of migrant Mirpuri/Kashmiri women who arrived in the UK between the 1950s and 1970s and are now living in the Saltley and Washwood Heath area of Birmingham.

The project and this accompanying exhibition explore numerous elements which have affected the women’s ability to settle into their new community, including issues around language, employment, and health and wellbeing.

Photo credit: Birmingham Museums Trust

Artist Rooms: Richard Long New Art Gallery, Walsall, Wed 16 April - Sun 22 June

As one of Britain’s leading artists, Richard Long works with the landscape to create sculptures in some of the world’s most remote locations, along the way taking photographs to document his work.

This Artist Rooms exhibition brings together a selection of Long’s sculptures, maps and text works from the late 1960s to the present day, in so doing demonstrating the breadth of his travels, which have taken him as far afield as Japan and Alaska...

Now in its fifth year, Artist Rooms is a public collection of international contemporary art which is shared across the UK. This is made possible through the generosity of Anthony d’Offay and other funders, including the Art Fund.

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For full listing information on Visual Art exhibitions, including times and dates, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk NIKHIL CHOPRA: SPACE ODDITY Personal histories and India's colonial past are explored using performance, painting and photography, until Sat 5 Apr, Wolverhampton Art Gallery

DAVID TREMLETT EXHIBITION Large-scale sitespecific wall drawings of geometric arrangements, abstract compositions of arcs, circles, trapezoids and line, until Mon 21 April, Ikon Gallery, Birmingham

SCORE A snapshot of the variety of musical scores which have emerged since the 1950s. Works by Janet Boulton and Claudia Molitor feature, until Sat 5 Apr, Library of Birmingham

JAMAL PENJWENY Exhibition comprising twelve images of Iraqi people holding a lifesize picture of Saddam Hussain in front of their own, until Mon 21 Apr, Ikon Gallery, Birmingham

MELTING POT CRAFT EXHIBITION Showcasing the diverse and eclectic cultural influences present within the British craft scene, until Sat 5 Apr, RBSA, Birmingham

EXPOSED: THE BODY IN ART FORM FROM DURER TO FREUD Exhibition which explores artistic responses to the human body, with works by Albrecht Dürer, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Barbara Hepworth, Helen Chadwick, Francis Bacon, Gillian Wearing and Lucian Freud all featured, until Mon 21 Apr, Herbert Gallery & Museum, Coventry

MARGARET FAIRHEAD RBSA A series of stitched pieces inspired by observations of flowers from her garden, until Sat 5 Apr, RBSA Gallery, Birmingham CHRIS CLINTON, DEAD MEDIA Birminghambased artist Chris Clinton uses familiar objects and reclaimed materials to create artworks which refer to contemporary popular culture and our disregard for out-of-date media, until Sun 6 Apr, The New Art Gallery, Walsall PORTRAIT OF A POTTERIES POPSTAR A selection of objects and memorabilia to celebrate the fortieth birthday of one of the world’s most successful pop stars, Robbie Williams, until Sun 6 Apr, The Potteries Museum, Stoke-on-Trent LEARNING TEAM SHOWCASE Exhibition of work from the WAVE learning team during 2013/14, until Sat 12 Apr, Wolverhampton Art Gallery JOHN RIDOUT: A LIFE IN PAINTING Retrospective exhibition of paintings which catalogue changes in the Midlands over scores of years, until Sat 12 Apr, Wolverhampton Art Gallery FOUND EXHIBITION Second group exhibition held at the gallery

by Quatrefoil artists Jacqueline Calladine, Annette Lucas ARBSA and Stephanie Redfern RBSA, until Sat 12 Apr, RBSA, Birmingham STUDIO PRINTS Exhibition featuring the work of artists and printmakers Dorothea Wight and Marc Balakjian, until Tues 15 Apr, New Art Gallery, Walsall

IKON ICONS: JOHN SALT The first artist ever to exhibit at Ikon, in 1965, until Mon 21 Apr, Ikon Gallery, Birmingham DAVID CARPANINI: A PAINTER-PRINTMAKER AND HIS WORLD Retrospective exhibition featuring some of Carpanini’s most iconic works, dating back to 1964, alongside recently completed etchings, drawings and paintings, until Mon 21 Apr, Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum SONGS OF THE SEA Showcase of the wealth of material produced by the St Ives colony of artists, until Sat 26 Apr, Worcester City Art Gallery DAVID ROWAN: THE DARK RIVER A body of work which navigates the course of Birmingham’s River Rea, until Sun 27 Apr, mac - Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham TREASURE! DISCOVERING THE STAFFORDSHIRE HOARD A family-friendly community exhibition developed by Staffordshire County Council as part of the Mercian Trail, until Sun 27 Apr, Newcastle Borough Museum & Art Gallery, Newcastleunder-Lyme, Staffs NEW ART WEST MIDLANDS Showcase of works from twenty-four artists, all of whom have graduated from one of the region’s undergraduate or postgraduate fine art degree courses within the past three

years, until Sun 27 Apr, The Barber Institute, Birmingham

until Sat 7 Jun, Worcester City Art Gallery & Museum

DEVIL’S IN THE DETAIL Exhibition celebrating the steady hand and eagle eye of the Victorian trade catalogue engraver, until Wed 30 Apr, Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron, Ironbridge, Shropshire

CHROMA COLLECTIVE Exhibition featuring works from four contemporary jewellers with a shared goal of raising awareness of the craft within Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter, until Sat 7 June, Museum of the Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham

PAT LANDON RBSA Solo show which focuses on the artist’s year of travelling, until Sat 3 May, RBSA, Birmingham MADE AT MAC: FROM THE INSIDE Featuring artworks from the Introduction To Art Techniques course, led by artist-tutor Helen Tarr, until Sun 4 May, mac Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham

BILL DRUMMOND: THE 25 PAINTINGS Unique exhibition marking the beginning of a ten-year journey which, starting off beneath Spaghetti Junction, will see Drummond tour twelve cities across the world, until Sat 14 June, Eastside Projects, Birmingham

ALL IN A DAY’S WORK Insight into some of the large manufacturing companies which once made their home in the Black Country, until Mon 5 May, Bantock House & Park, Wolverhampton

A BIG BANG: THE ORIGINS OF POP ART COLLECTION The first in a two-part display exploring some of the biggest names in the Pop Art industry, until Sat 21 June, Wolverhampton Art Gallery

SPRING SHOWCASE Featuring an eclectic mix of ceramics, textiles, homewares and delicate paper jewellery, until Sat 10 May, Bilston Craft Gallery

FOR THE RECORD Exploring themes of preservation and recording in the work of female artists, until Sun 29 June, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery

GRAYSON PERRY: THE VANITY OF SMALL DIFFERENCES Exhibition charting the story of class mobility while examining the influence of social class on aesthetic taste, until Sun 11 May, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery

40 YEARS OF WOMEN ARTISTS The strong female characters in the Garman Epstein family and their circle of friends are captured in this exhibition of works from the gallery's Permanent Collection, until Sun 29 Jun, The New Art Gallery, Walsall

ANDREW MATHESON RBSA Solo show featuring a display of forms in porcelain, experimenting with barium glaze, until Sat 17 May, RBSA, Birmingham DALE N MARSHALL: WALLS WITH WOUNDS Exhibition which consists of vibrant abstract and layered multimedia works which reference the artist’s life, until Sun 18 May, Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry NEW ART WEST MIDLANDS Showcase of works from twenty-four artists, all of whom have graduated from one of the region’s undergraduate or postgraduate fine art degree courses within the past three years, until Sun Sun 18 May, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery FAMILY CIRCLES Featuring contributions from some of the greatest masters in miniature portraiture, until Mon 26 May, The Barber Institute, Birmingham BARBARIANS: THE AGE OF IRON Showcasing new research, artefacts and prehistoric skeletons which tell the story of Worcestershire over two thousand years ago,

ARTISTS’ STUDIO: SARAH TAYLOR SILVERWOOD Exhibition from Birmingham-based artist Sarah Taylor Silverwood, whose practice is grounded in drawing, narrative and landscape, until Sun 20 July, New Art Gallery, Walsall WE WORKED AT THE PORCELAIN Photographic exhibition focusing on some of Royal Worcester’s many craftsmen and women, until Fri 1 Aug, The Museum of Royal Worcester THE ROGER PILKINGTON GLASS COLLECTION Exhibition which shows the development of English drinking glasses from the late-seventeenth to the late-nineteenth century, until Sun 10 Aug, Broadfield House Glass Museum, Dudley MOORE RODIN Works from two major players in the world of modern sculpture feature in this exhibition in celebration of Compton Verney’s tenth anniversary, until Sun 31 Aug, Compton Verney Gallery, Warwickshire

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VisualArts LISTINGS For full listing information on Visual Art exhibitions, including times and dates, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk YOU - THE 12TH PLINTH Stand on the empty 12th plinth, strike a pose and create a living sculpture by becoming an artist’s model, inspiring a composition for a new sculpture, until Sun 31 Aug, Compton Verney, Warwickshire IN STITCHES: A CELEBRATION OF RSC COSTUME until Mon 1 Sep, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon BACK TO FRONT: 40 PERMANENT COLLECTION GEMS Exhibition which celebrates the fortieth anniversary of the gallery’s Garman Ryan collection, until Sat 16 Nov, New Art Gallery, Walsall FAITH AND FORTUNE Exhibition exploring the early histories of two of the world’s great religions, until Sun 30 Nov, The Barber Institute, Birmingham THE JEWELLERY QUARTER DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR Exhibition of artefacts, images and oral histories relating to the recruitment of soldiers from the Jewellery

Quarter, until Sun 14 Dec, Museum of the Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham TRACED Permanent exhibition tracing the success of art & design in Wolverhampton while bringing together works by local artists from the museum’s collection, until Wed 31 Dec, Wolverhampton Art Gallery CRAFTSENSE Featuring over one hundred of the world-renowned Bilston enamels, until Wed 31 Dec, Bilston Craft Gallery

Mon 7 Apr - Sat 3 May, Solihull Arts Complex NIGEL PRIDDEY RBSA Solo show featuring a selection of watercolour paintings which explore pattern and colour in the landscape, Mon 7 Apr - Sat 31 May, RBSA Gallery, Birmingham

COLD TEA Exploration of the phenomenology of colour and unreality executed through the materiality of paint and photographic images, Fri 18 Apr - Sat 17 May, Wolverhampton Art Gallery

SECRET GARDEN CRAFT EXHIBITION Collection of jewellery, ceramics and textiles exploring fairytales and narratives, Mon 7 Apr - Sat 28 Jun, RBSA Gallery, Birmingham

CONNECTIONS: LAND & SKY Showcasing the works of three textile artists - Susan Walker, Val Brewin and Dorothy Deakin, Sat 19 Apr - Sat 17 May, Bilston Craft Gallery

TOM, FRANK AND MAY Showcase of original material, uniforms, handling activities and a short film which demonstrate the role played by the Merry family during World War One, from 12 Apr, Blakesley Hall, Birmingham

JUSTYNA PTAK A series of photographers which draw from domestic, architectural and rural environments while seeking to capture the significant and intangible in the everyday, Sat 19 Apr - Sat 12 July, Wolverhampton Art Gallery

ROY ABELL Selling exhibition from husband & wife team Roy & Pat Abell, Sat 5 Apr - Thurs 31 May, Artifex, Solihull

TIM SHAW: RA BLACK SMOKE RISING The first solo exhibition from Belfast-born sculptor Tim Shaw, who grapples with contemporary and political realities whilst evoking the mythical and metaphysical, Sat 12 Apr - Sun 8 Jun, mac - Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham

STUDIO 14B Fresh new work from Leicesterbased artist STUDIO 14b, featuring landscape, seascape, portraiture and still-life,

OPEN ART AND CRAFT EXHIBITION 2014 Sat 12 Apr - Wed 2 Jul, Newcastle Borough Museum & Art Gallery, Newcastle-under-Lyme,

SENSING SCULPTURE Featuring new sculptures alongside old favourites, until Wed 31 Dec, Wolverhampton Art Gallery

Staffs

UKCPS ANNUAL EXHIBITION A selection of work by coloured pencil artists from the UK and around the world, Mon 28 Apr - Sat 10 May, RBSA Gallery, Birmingham IKON ICONS: IAN EMES The second in a series of five exhibitions to be presented in Ikon's Tower Room as part of the gallery's birthday celebrations, Wed 30 Apr - Sun 22 Jun, Ikon Gallery, Birmingham

Museums & Art Galleries Birmingham ARTIFEX Sutton Coldfield 0121 323 3776 BARBER INSTITUTE 0121 414 7333 BIRMINGHAM MUSEUM & ART GALLERY 0121 303 2834 THE BURROWS GALLERY, THE CUSTARD FACTORY 0121 224 7344 CASTLE GALLERIES 0121 633 0015 GRAND UNION 0121 643 9079 IKON GALLERY 0121 248 0708

RED HOUSE GLASS CONE 01384 812750 WOLVERHAMPTON ART GALLERY 01902 552055

Shropshire BEAR STEPS GALLERY, SHREWSBURY 01743 344994 TWENTY TWENTY GALLERY, MUCH WENLOCK 01952 727952 THE WILLOW GALLERY, OSWESTRY 01691 657575

Staffordshire

NUMBER NINE THE GALLERY 0121 643 9099 RBSA GALLERY 0121 2364353 THREE WHITE WALLS GALLERY 0121 643 0078

THE POTTERIES MUSEUM & ART GALLERY 01782 232323 SHIRE HALL GALLERY STAFFORD 01785 278345 STAFFORDSHIRE MUSEUM, SHUGBOROUGH 01889 881388

Black Country

Warwickshire

BANTOCK HOUSE WOLVERHAMPTON 01902 552195 BILSTON CRAFT GALLERY 01902 552507 BROADFIELD HOUSE GLASS MUSEUM, DUDLEY 01384 812745 DUDLEY MUSEUM & ART GALLERY 01384 815575 LIGHT HOUSE MEDIA CENTRE WOLVERHAMPTON 01902 716055 THE NEW ART GALLERY WALSALL 01922 654400

COMPTON VERNEY GALLERY 01926 645500 HERBERT ART GALLERY COVENTRY 02476 832386 MEAD GALLERY WARWICK 02476 524524 ROYAL PUMP ROOMS 01926 742700

Worcestershire WORCESTER CITY ART GALLERY 01905 25371

Visit whatsonlive.co.uk for venue website details

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Events

Shen Yun International Convention Centre, Birmingham, Mon 14 - Tues 15 April Shen Yun is a unique event that’s currently bringing the wonders of ancient Chinese culture to millions of people across the globe.

A new musical experience, the production uses classical Chinese dance, traditional costumes and a full orchestra to bring to life myths, legends and heroes of literary classics, in the process transporting audiences to a land dominated by brave generals, heavenly maidens, mischievous monks - and a flying pig! In a dazzling high-energy dis-

play, Shen Yun’s aerial masters leap and flip across the stage to the sound of thunderous battle drums and singers’ soaring voices.

Currently taking the world by storm, the show’s acquired numerous high-profile fans, not least among whom are Academy Award-winning actress Cate Blanchett and Avatar production designer Robert Stromberg.

Harlem Globetrotters LG Arena, Birmingham, Mon 14 April

Having played exhibition basketball games combining athleticism and comedy for the best part of a century, the Harlem Globetrotters this month return to the Midlands with a brand new family show that takes fan intervention to a whole new level.

Pre-show online voting at harlemglobetrotters.com/rule allows followers to decide which new game-changing rules they want to see when the troupe stop off at the LG Arena. The Globetrotters expect to feature Special K Daley, Big Easy Lofton, Flight Time Lang, HiLite Bruton, Dizzy Grant and female stars TNT Maddox and T-Time.

CBeebies Live! LG Arena, Birmingham, Fri 18 April From the creators of the popular Justin And Friends Easter Tour 2013 comes this brand new live arena show for pre-school children. Featuring plenty of audience interaction, CBeebies Live! promises ‘a musical extravaganza that’s bound to have audiences dancing in the aisles’. Children’s presenter Justin Fletcher MBE oversees events, and is joined by Mister Maker, Rastamouse, musical fab four the ZingZillas and gardener extraordinaire Mr Bloom, who’s making his CBeebies Live! debut. Nina from Nina And The Neurons brings a scientific angle to the show, while the adventurous Andy Day and charismatic Katy Ashworth are tasked with ensuring everyone has fun. www.whatsonlive.co.uk 67

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Events PREVIEWS Eggstreme Easter Twinlakes Park, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, Sat 5 - Sun 27 April

There’s certainly no shortage of eggciting events to keep the kids entertained at Twinlakes Park during this month’s school holidays. In addition to the Queen of Raspberries hosting a plethora of choc-tastic games, onsite Easter masterclasses demonstrate all there is to know about becoming an Easter Bunny. A new attraction for 2014 allows visitors to travel through a land of chocolate heaven, taking in the ‘stunning views and magic world of Easter’ before arriving at the Easter Bunny’s chocolateladen grotto.

The Easter Bunny’s also been hard at work hiding thousands of chocolate creme eggs amongst the slides and rides in the park, so keep your eyes peeled...

Festival Of Power Santa Pod Raceway, Northampton, Fri 18 - Sun 20 April

Promising a memorable weekend for families and dyed-in-the-wool drag racing fans, Santa Pod’s three-day Easter celebration boasts a bumper package of entertainment. As well as enjoying spectacular racing by two and four-wheeled vehicles, visitors to the event can look on as a huge array of cars and motorcycles hit the national championship trail.

The Jet Car Shootout, a real hit with fans at last year’s inaugural event, welcomes the return of Germany’s Gerd Habermann and his Dragon Hunter, while Powerball - featuring gravitydefying bikers hurtling around inside a giant sphere - is a new attraction for 2014.

Other off-track programming worth a mention includes a static display of supercars and the chance to inspect a Chieftain Battle Tank and a Rolls-Royce Merlin aero engine.

Funfair rides, a climbing wall, a human cannonball, helicopter pleasure flights, parachute displays and formation flying by the Trig Aerobatic Team also feature.

For the festival’s full itinerary, visit www.santapod.com

Worcester Chocolate Day Worcester City Centre, Sat 12 April

Celebrating all things chocolate, this free family event features an array of themed entertainment. Chocolate egg-and-spoon races, a Willy Wonka-themed magician, lively roving ‘eggs’, street entertainment, facepainting, a chocolate trail and colouring competitions ensure there are plenty of treats in store for younger visitors. Tastings, demonstrations, workshops and a chocolatethemed on-street fashion show mean the grown-ups can have a thoroughly engaging time too.

For full details of the day’s entertainment, visit, www.worcesterbid.com/chocolate

The Gadget Show Live

Easter Funday

NEC, Birmingham, Wed 9 - Sun 13 April

Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Sun 20 April

Providing a platform on which to showcase the very best in cutting-edge technology, the Gadget Show Live sees more than two hundred top tech companies exhibiting their latest futuristic products, from TVs, toys and tablets to cameras, cars and consoles. New features for 2014 include the British Inventors Project, which profiles and celebrates the UK’s innovators and inventors by showcasing new products before they hit the market.

There’s also the Innovation Theatre, where inventors can talk about and demonstrate their prototypes, and the Gadget Imaging Zone, in which visitors can learn about the very latest in photography technology.

An action-packed day full of fun is promised for visitors to Birmingham Botanical Gardens this Easter Sunday. In addition to perusing the garden’s horticultural displays - a real treat at this time of year - there’s also the opportunity to meet a variety of animals and their newborns at the site’s petting zoo.

Visitors will be invited to get hands-on during scheduled handling and feeding sessions, and can also have a photo taken with their favourite cutie. Other activities available at various times throughout the day include face-painting, a children’s trail, an egg hunt, crafts, hair-braiding, glitter tattoos, a doll’s clothes sale and pony rides.

Easter Trail RAF Cosford, Wolverhampton, Mon 14 - Fri 25 April

For those seeking an alternative Easter experience, the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford could have just the thing. Here, the only egg cracking taking place will be of the secret code that trail-followers are challenged to break. The trail guides young detectives around the hangers, viewing platforms and exhibitions, in the process allowing them to take in over seventy aircraft of all different shapes and sizes, including the famous Dornier 17. Correct trail entries will be entered into a draw, and five lucky winners will each win a £20 gift voucher to spend in the Museum Shop. The RAF Museum also offers visitors the chance to get up close and personal to the world’s oldest Spitfire and a mighty Vulcan bomber, as well as to enjoy a taste of the action in a flight simulator or 4D experience.

Billy Smart’s Circus West Park, Wolverhampton, Tues 1 - Sun 6 April

Founded in 1946 by its namesake, Billy Smart’s Circus soon became a household name with its regular TV appearances and tours. Back on the road for 2014, and with Billy’s granddaughter Yasmine at the helm, the circus promises a real family spectacle, with award-winning artistes from around the world coming together in a fast-moving and visually thrilling two-hour show.

Expect great entertainment from Australia’s Flying Aces, Russia’s ten-handed Assadulin Troupe, Romanian acrobatic trio The Extreme Brothers, Italian clown Jonny Bogino and French foot juggler Germaine Delbosq. www.whatsonlive.co.uk 69

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Events PREVIEWS Stratford Literary Festival Various locations Stratford-upon-Avon, Sat 26 April - Sun 4 May

Now in its seventh year, Stratford Literary Festival is one of the most significant gettogethers of its kind in the UK. Offering a fusion of celebrity author events, debates and workshops, this year’s festival features a plethora of big names, including legendary Kinks rock musician Ray Davies, design guru Emma Bridgewater and comedian and writer Tim Brooke-Taylor.

Other highlights during the nine-day festival include appearances by Baroness Shirley Williams, author Rachel Joyce, gardening guru Chris Beardshaw and 2013 Orwell Prize-winner Andrew Williams.

Newsnight’s Kirsty Wark presents her debut novel at the festival, while a ‘spectacular’ Children’s Book Day on 4 May features The Wimpy Kid Show and contributions from illustrators Nick Sharratt and Axel Scheffler, and writers Philip Ardagh and Tracey Corderoy. For a full festival line-up, visit www.stratfordliteraryfestival.co.uk

Godiva’s Odyssey Shakespeare’s Birthplace Trust and Stratford-upon-Avon town centre, Fri 25 - Sat 26 April

Imagineer Productions’ six metre-tall mechanical puppet of Godiva - created for the Cultural Olympiad in 2012 - makes an appearance in Stratford this month as part of Shakespeare’s four hundred-and-fiftieth birthday celebrations.

Arriving in Stratford on the 25th, Godiva will spend the night at Shakespeare’s Birthplace in Henley Street, where she’ll share stories and explore the role of women in Shakespeare’s works. On the Saturday she’ll return to the streets to lead the community birthday procession as it winds its way through Stratford. The Bard’s birthday will also be celebrated with The Complete Works - A Shakespeare Marathon performed by Shakespeare Aloud! at Shakespeare’s Birthplace. A Knights and Nymphs Toddlers’ Party at Hall’s Croft where there will be dressing-up including prizes for the best costume.

Antiques For Everyone NEC, Birmingham, Thurs 10 - Sun 13 April

The largest antiques fair of its kind returns to Birmingham this month for its annual spring fair, offering the perfect opportunity for enthusiasts and collectors to browse, purchase and obtain information on a vast array of furniture and collectables. The show welcomes a large number of specialists in the Decorative Arts and this year, for the very first time, allows some mid-twentieth century and designer pieces to be displayed alongside antiques.

Also new for 2014 is a ‘unique and exciting’ exhibition featuring a display of rare Czechoslovakian glass. Presented by BBC Antiques Roadshow personality Mark Hill, the exhibition marks the first time the whole private collection has been exhibited in the UK.

Shakespeare’s Birthday Celebrations Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon

Photo credit: Imagineer Productions

The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) this month marks the Stratford Bard’s four hundred-and-fiftieth birthday with a series of special events, kickstarted on 23 April (Shakespeare’s actual birthday) by a firework extravaganza on the roof of the main theatre.

Inspired by Ben Johnson’s Star Of Poets description of Shakespeare, the display follows that evening’s performance of Henry IV Part I. Celebrations then continue on Saturday 26 April with a range of free family activities, including storytelling sessions, stage fighting workshops and the chance to discover how fake scars and bruises are created. Other attractions on the day include theatre tours, music in the foyer area, the chance to explore the theatre’s thirty-six-metre tower, and sonnet ferry crossings over the River Avon. The latter offers visitors the chance to sit back and enjoy the experience of Shakespeare’s sonnets being spoken by RSC actors. www.whatsonlive.co.uk 71

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Events LISTINGS For full listing information on Events, including times and dates, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk from

TUES 1 APR THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX - SOME NONCONFORMISTS FROM BIRMINGHAM'S PAST Henrietta Lockhart, Curator of History, will lead a tour of Birmingham - its people and its history. The tour will delve into the lives and opinions of the free-thinkers who’ve helped shaped the city, Tue 1 Apr, Birmingham Museum And Art Gallery MCE INSURANCE BRITISH SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP PreSeason Test Day, Tue 1 Apr, Donington Park LUNCHTIME TALK: LOOKING AT FACTORIES Illustrated talk by Billy Howe about the old factories of the Wolverhampton area, Tues 1 Apr, Bantock House Museum, Wolverhampton STUART MACONIE & FRIENDS Tues 1 Apr, Library of Birmingham BILLY SMART'S CIRCUS Tue 1 - Sun 6 Apr, West Park, Wolverhampton WINTER GUIDED TOUR Wed 2 Apr, Aston Hall, Birmingham RUBY’S ROOM AND OTHER WORKS IN MINIATURE Artist Bettina von Zwehl discusses her work and practice, Wed 2 Apr, The Barber Institute, Birmingham MURDER MYSTERY Fri 4 Apr, Walsall Leather Museum WINTER GUIDED TOUR Fri 4 Apr, Sarehole Mill, Birmingham UNDERSTANDING ART TALKS: 1714 Dr Steven Parissien, Director of Compton Verney, examines the art and architecture of the momentous first year of the Georgian era, which started two centuries ago in 1714, Fri 4 Apr, Compton Verney Gallery, Warwickshire COVENTRY BEER FESTIVAL Featuring more than eighty beers, ciders, perries and country wines, Fri 4 Sat 5 Apr, Coventry Rugby Football Club AN EVENING WITH DAVID SEDARIS Sat 5 Apr, Birmingham Town Hall SOLIHULL ORCHID SHOW An afternoon of potting demonstrations and refreshments. Orchids and sundries for sale, Sat 5 Apr, Arden School, Solihull THE SPRING PINK BALL FOR BREAST CANCER CHARITIES Featuring The ’80s Experience,

Sat 5 Apr, Nailcote Hall, Berkswell, Warwickshire YOUNG PRINTMAKERS Workshop using dry point and Chine Colle techniques, Sat 5 Apr, Royal Pump Rooms, Leamington Spa MARKETING FOR CLUBS WORKSHOPS Learn on and offline techniques for successfully marketing a club, Sat 5 Apr, Heritage Motor Centre, Gaydon, Warwickshire RUN WHAT YA BRUNG The chance to take your car or motorcycle out on the famous quarter-mile dragstrip and test its performance limits in a safe and legal environment, Sat 5 Apr, Santa Pod Raceway, Northampton YOUNG ARTISTS Weekly sessions where visitors can learn new drawing, painting & sculpture skills, Sat 5 Apr, Wolverhampton Art Gallery STICKY SATURDAY: PAPER CRAFT Sat 5 Apr, Broadfield House Glass Museum, Dudley THE 2014 YOUNG ENTERTAINER In the fifth year of the competition, secondary schools across Coventry take to the stage at the Belgrade Theatre in a battle to see who’ll win the prestigious title of Young Entertainer 2014, Sat 5 Apr, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry AN EVENING OF BURLESQUE & WORKSHOP Sat 5 Apr, Ramada Hotel, Sutton GALLERY TOUR An informal event where visitors can learn about the history of the building and Wolverhampton’s renowned collections, Sat 5 Apr, Wolverhampton Art Gallery WILLOW WEAVING WORKSHOP Sat 5 Apr, Winterbourne House & Gardens, Birmingham HISTORIC PATCHWORK WORKSHOP With embroidery artist Jane Cobbett, Sat 5 Apr, St John's Museum, Warwick AMERICAN CIVIL WAR TRAINING WEEKEND See American Civil War reenactors train for battle and see how soliders would have lived life during this period, Sat 5 - Sun 6 Apr, Avoncroft Museum, Bromsgrove PRINTMAKING WORKSHOP Sat 5 - Sun 6 Apr, Weston Park, Staffordshire RHINO WEEK A week of Rhino-based talks and activities to highlight

the park's conservation work with Tusk Trust, an organisation set up to help protect African wildlife and halt the decline of one of Africa’s most famous wild residents, Sat 5 - Sun 13 Apr, Cotswold Wildlife Park EASTER HOLIDAY FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT Sat 5 Sun 27 Apr, Cadbury World, Birmingham GTI SPRING FESTIVAL Run What Ya Brung day for water-cooled VWs, auto jumble, Show'n' Shine, plus club displays, Sun 6 Apr, Santa Pod Raceway, Northampton SHROPSHIRE SCALE MODEL SHOW Sun 6 Apr, RAF Cosford, Wolverhampton HISTORIC SPORTS CAR RACES Sun 6 Apr, Donington Park FARM FUN DAY An opportunity to meet some cuddly creatures and enjoy some other rural activities, including children's craft activities, farmyard song and performance, and encounters with sheep, goats, a calf, rabbits and chickens, Sun 6 Apr, Forge Mill Needle Museum, Redditch DOLLS HOUSE FAIR Wolverhampton & District Dolls House & Miniaturist Society, with stalls, displays & workshops, Sun 6 Apr, Bantock House Museum, Wolverhampton

Week Commencing

MON 7 APR EXPERIENCE EASTER Family trail around the East End of the Cathedral, Mon 7 - Mon 28 Apr, Worcester Cathedral TILE DECORATING WORKSHOPS Drop-in sessions where participants use the technique known as tube lining to decorate their very own tile to take home, Tue 8 Apr, Jackfield Tile Museum, Ironbridge, Shropshire BARBER BOOK CLUB Informal discussion of books that link to the Barber’s collection.

This month’s selection is Kazuo Ishiguro’s Nocturnes, Tues 8 Apr, The Barber Institute, Birmingham TUESDAY TOUR - A SNEAK PREVIEW OF TOM, FRANK AND MAY - ONE FAMILY’S STORY A sneak preview and talk ahead of the Tom, Frank And May exhibition’s official opening on 12 April, Tues 8 Apr, Blakesley Hall, Birmingham DRIFT WHAT YA BRUNG Chance to practise drifting in safe and legal conditions on some of the Pod's thirty

Shropshire Scale Model Show - RAF Cosford, Wolverhampton

acres of open tarmac, Wed 9 Apr, Santa Pod Raceway, Northampton NATURE TOTS Nature themed activities for under 5's and their carers, Weds 9 Apr, The Wolseley Centre, Stafford LOCAL HISTORY TALK: HIDDEN HISTORIES A talk

by Councillor Claire Darke and Dr Paul Darke about the first female doctors in Wolverhampton, and the patients, places and institutions they would have visited, Wed 9 Apr, Wolverhampton City Archives THE GADGET SHOW LIVE Five-day event packed with gaming celebrities, brand new games and top tournaments, Wed 9 - Sun 13 Apr, NEC, Birmingham COVENTRY WATCH MUSEUM CHARITY AUCTION Charles Hanson from the television programme Bargain Hunt hosts an informal chat followed by a charity auction in aid of the Coventry Watch Museum, Thurs 10 Apr, Ricoh Arena, Coventry WALK WITH THE GARDENER Opportunity to discover more about the estate and ask questions, Fri 11 Apr, Charlecote Park, Warwickshire LOCAL HISTORY TALK: BIRMINGHAM AND THE BLACK COUNTRY A talk

by Chris Upton about two tales of the industrial West Midlands, Fri 11 Apr, Wolverhampton Art Gallery ADULT CRAFTS: FABRIC FAFFERS Fri 11 Apr, Broadfield House Glass Museum, Dudley BIG BANG CAMPER & BUS SHOW Three full days of laidback fun’s on offer at this first VW festival on the Santa Pod calendar, Fri 11- Sun 13 Apr, Santa Pod Raceway, Northampton SCHOOL HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES - EASTER TRAIL AND CRAFTS Sat 12 - Sun 27 Apr, Heritage Motor Centre, Gaydon, Warwickshire FUNPARK CITY Fri 11 -

Sun 27 Apr, Star City, Birmingham 21 BRITISH DESIGNS ICONS EXHIBITION Sat 12 Apr, Heritage Motor Centre, Gaydon, Warwickshire BACH DISCOVERY DAY Explore Bach with talks, discussions and live music in the company of a range of stimulating and entertaining guest speakers, Sat 12 Apr, Symphony Hall, Birmingham 1960S HAIR-STYLING WORKSHOP An interactive session with vintage hair stylist Sarah Russell. Learn how to get the iconic ’60s look and take home your own ‘60s hair kit! Sat 12 Apr Coventry Transport Museum DEXYS MIDNIGHT RUNNERS BOOK LAUNCH Presented by Dance Stage Promotions.

Support comes from the legendary Archie Brown & The Young Bucks, Sat 12 Apr, The Flapper, Birmingham WEAVER'S HOUSE OPEN DAY Providing an insight into what life as a medieval weaver would have been like.

Regular talks will be held inside the weaver’s house, as well as spinning demonstrations, Sat 12 Apr, The Weaver's House, Coventry THRILLSEEKER ACTIVITY TASTER DAY One day, one price, eight adventurous activities to try Sat 12 Apr, Ackers Adventure, Birmingham BIRMINGHAM INDEPENDENT BOOK FAIR Sat 12 Apr, Ikon Gallery, Birmingham MISS CLARA AND FRIENDS Workshop, led

by Barber Writer-inResidence Jacqui Rowe, which explores the relationships portrayed between animals and humans, Sat 12 Apr, The Barber Institute, Birmingham OVERNIGHT GHOST HUNT SPOOKHUNTERS Sat 12 Apr, The Falstaff's Experience, Stratfordupon-Avon HERITAGE WALK Sat 12 Apr, Museum of the

Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham Transport Museum EASTER SPECIAL HUNT THE EASTER BUNNY Sat 12 Apr, Electric Railway Museum, Baginton, Coventry MASKED BALL Make use of a range of unusual materials to create your own masks, supported by artist Adie Blundell and inspired by Gillian Wearing's photograph of a masked Lily Cole.

Booking essential. Sat 12 Apr, Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry WARWICKSHIRE SLOW ART DAY An international event, taking place on the same day across many locations.

Pick up a specially designed trail to guide you through the site's permanent collection and take time to appreciate the artworks, Sat 12 Apr, Compton Verney Gallery, Warwickshire NATURE PRINTS Design and print your own work of art, inspired by the beautiful patterns of the natural world, Sat 12 - Sun 13 Apr, Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry CORONATION CROWNS Drop-in workshop where visitors can commemorate the 1953 coronation of Queen Elizabeth ll by making their very own Coronation Crown to take home, Sat 12 Sun 13 Apr, Coventry Transport Museum MEDIEVAL EASTER BASH See knights in armour and learn about medieval times, Sat 12 - Sun 13 Apr, Red House Glass Cone, Stourbridge THE HOUSE OF THE BLACKSTAR Re-enactment event, Sat 12 Sun 13 Apr, Whittington Castle, North Shropshire THUNDERSPORT GB MOTORCYCLE RACES Sat 12 - Sun 13 Apr, Donington Park STONE CARVING WORKSHOPS Fiftyminute sessions where visitors can try their

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Events LISTINGS For full listing information on Events, including times and dates, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk hand at stone carving under the expert guidance of Simon Keeley MA, Sat 12 - Sun 13 Apr, Brockhampton Estate, Worcester YARDLEY ARTS WEEKEND Two days of creative activities with local artists. Yardley Photographic Society and Yardley Society of Artists both display their work, Sat 12 - Sun 13 Apr, Blakesley Hall, Birmingham FROM PLOTS TO PLENTY Focusing on Victorian food growing techniques, including traditional allotment gardening, Sat 12 - Sun 13 Apr, Black Country Living Museum, Dudley TRADITIONAL EASTER CRAFT ACTIVITIES Sat 12 - Thurs 19 Apr, The Commandery, Worcester EASTER EGG HUNTS Sat 12 - Sat 26 Apr, Museum of the Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham SPRING TRAIL Sat 12 Sat 26 Apr, Dudley Museum & Art Gallery SPRING TRAIL Sat 12 Sat 26 Apr, Broadfield House Glass Museum, Dudley EASTER HOLIDAY FARMING FUN Sat 12 - Sun 27 Apr, Beckett’s Farm, Wythall, Birmingham BACK TO THE FUTURE TRANSPORT TRAIL Go back to the future and find out what transport was like in the past.

The museum's fun trail leads you through the site's galleries every day throughout the holidays, Sat 12 - Sun 27 Apr, Coventry Transport Museum BLACK COUNTRY GOES GREEN Explore the gardens and follow an exciting trail to unearth clues, Sat 12 - Sun 27 April, Black Country Living Museum, Dudley EASTER HOLIDAY FAMILY ACTIVITIES Sat 12 - Sun 27 Apr, Blists Hill, Ironbridge, Shropshire SPRING DUCK TRAIL Sat 12 - Sun 27 Apr, Red House Glass Cone, Stourbridge MOVING PICTURES WORKSHOP Sat 12 - Sun 27 Apr, Enginuity, Ironbridge, Shropshire CADBURY'S EASTER EGG TRAILS Follow the trail around the park and claim your prize, Sat 12 - Sun 27 Apr, Brockhampton Estate, Worcester EASTER EGG HUNT Find the eggs to win a prize, Sat 12 - Sun 27 Apr, Royal Pump Rooms, Leamington Spa SPRING CRAFT FAYRE

Featuring Nerf challenge, face-painting and visits from Micky and Minnie Mouse, Peppa Pig and George, Sun 13 Apr, Highbury Hall, Birmingham XR OWNERS CLUB Car Club display featuring Ford Fiesta, Escort and Sierra XR models, Sun 13 Apr, Coventry Transport Museum SPRING CRAFT FAYRE Sun 13 Apr, Highbury Hall, Birmingham MILLING SUNDAY See the large waterwheel turn and hear the millstones rumble. Talk to the millers to find out about the past of the mill and what milling is all about, Sun 13 Apr, Sarehole Mill, Birmingham WESTON PARK SPRING WALK Sun 13 Apr, Weston Park, Staffordshire CLASSIC CAR & MINI MALVERN SHOW Sun 13 Apr, Three Counties Showground, Malvern ACORNS ABSEIL Charity fundraising event, Sun 13 Apr, House of Fraser, Birmingham GLASS CRAFTS: PAINTING & STICKING Sun 13 Apr, Broadfield House Glass Museum, Dudley

Week Commencing

MON 14 APR HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS Chance to enjoy some slam-dunkin' magic, courtesy of the world's most famous basketball team! Mon 14 Apr, LG Arena, Birmingham EASTER DRAWING WORKSHOP Learn how to draw a large portrait using charcoal and pastels on big sheets of paper, Mon 14 Apr, Wolverhampton Art Gallery WOODEN WONDERS Drop-in workshop where visitors can decorate their very own wooden toy to play with, Mon 14 Apr, Coventry Transport Museum MAKE A MINIATURE IRON AGE WORLD Take inspiration from the museum’s Barbarians: The Age Of Iron exhibition and use the materials available to create your very own magical ancient world to take home, Mon 14 Apr, Worcestershire Museum THE NATURAL WORLD: THE HUNGRY CATERPILLAR A lively and interactive reading of the hungry caterpillar story,

explaining to younger visitors where our beautiful butterflies come from, Mon 14 Apr, Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry TREE CLIMBING Join two highly skilled instructors from the Great Big Tree Climbing Company who'll teach you how to enter a tree's canopy using ropes, knots and karabiners, Mon 14 Apr, Charlecote Park, Warwickshire MEET THE GRUFFALO Mon 14 Apr, Northfield Baptist Church, Birmingham SHEN YUN New musical experience bringing the wonders of ancient Chinese culture to millions across the globe, Mon 14 - Tues 15 Apr, International Convention Centre, Birmingham MEET THE GRUFFALO Mon 14 - Tues 15 Apr, The Walker Memorial Hall, Edgbaston, Birmingham MINI MAMMALS TRAIL Themed trail & holiday activities, Mon 14 Thurs 17 Apr, Hanbury Hall, Worcestershire EASTER CERAMIC DROPIN WORKSHOPS Mon 14 - Fri 18 Apr, Coalport China Museum, Ironbridge EGGCELLENT EASTER EGGTIVITIES Create your own Easter basket and join the egg hunt, Mon 14 - Sun 20 Apr, Selly Manor, Birmingham CHUCKLE ISLAND: THE HUNT FOR THE MISSING EGGS Brand new live show which follows the Chuckle Beans and their faithful companions as they go in search of the missing eggs, Mon 14 - Fri 25 Apr, Cadbury World, Birmingham EASTER TRAIL Mon 14 Fri 25 Apr, RAF Cosford, Wolverhampton SPRINGTIME MOBILES Children's workshop with Ruth Radcliffe, Tue 15 Apr, Walsall Leather Museum HOLIDAY DANCE IN THE STUDIO Easter holiday fun with funky dance moves for boys and girls aged five to eleven, Tue 15 Apr, Solihull Arts Complex ONCE UPON A TIME...

Storytelling followed by craft activities, Tues 15 Apr, Bantock House Museum, Wolverhampton THE NATURAL WORLD: HOP IT! Use craft materials to make a froggy family and a lily pad for them to live on, Tue 15 Apr, Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry BLAKESLEY’S GREAT OUTDOOR ADVENTURE Dropin activities for families, Tues 15 Apr, Blakesley Hall, Birmingham THE NATURAL WORLD: AT THE BOTTOM OF THE

Big Bang Camper & Bus Show - Santa Pod, Northampton

POND... Join an expert from Coombe Abbey Country Park for a short talk about frogs and other fascinating wildlife found at the bottom of a pond, Tue 15 Apr, Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry EASTER CRAFTS Tues 15 Apr, Dudley Museum & Art Gallery HERBERT ILLUMINATION: WOMEN IN ART Dr Dorothy Rowe, Art Historian and Lecturer at the University of Bristol, offers a fascinating insight into the use of the female body in art. Booking advised, Tue 15 Apr, Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry MEET ME AT BANTOCK Regular conversation club for people aged fifty and over, Tues 15 Apr, Bantock House Museum JEPHSON’S SUITCASE Find out about Dr Henry Jephson on a handling tour of items from the collection.

Learn about medicine from the 1800s to the mid-1900s, Tues 15 Apr, Royal Pump Rooms, Leamington Spa COLLECTION CONVERSATIONS Drop into What's in Store and handle items from the museum's natural history, social history and archaeology collections Tue 15 Apr, Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry WAR EFFORT WORKSHOP Find out what it was like to be a factory worker during the Second World War, handle real wartime artefacts, go inside a wartime Anderson shelter, and make your very own miniature aeroplane to take home!

Advance booking essential. Tue 15 Apr, Coventry Transport Museum TREE CLIMBING Two experts will teach you how to enter a tree’s canopy using ropes, knots and karabiners, whilst being securely attached in a harness

at all times. Once at the top of the tree, you’ll see amazing views and gain an experience which can’t be found on the ground. If you’re feeling brave, take the zipwire back down! Tue 15 Apr, Compton Verney, Warwickshire TRUSTY'S TUESDAY CLUB Schools out, holiday fun with craft sessions and fun in the park, Tue 15 Apr, Attingham Park, Shrewsbury EASTER CRAFTS Tues 15 Apr, Dudley Museum & Arts Gallery EASTER PAINTING WORKSHOP Have a go at creating your very own portrait using acrylic paint, Tues 15 Apr, Wolverhampton Art Gallery EASTER CRAFT MAKING Tue 15 - Thurs 17 Apr, Weston Park, Staffordshire EASTER HOLIDAY FUN: CIRCUS SKILLS Join Circus Kevin as he demonstrates his many skills. A themed trail around Avoncroft and craft activities also feature, Tue 15 - Thurs 17 Apr, Avoncroft Museum, Bromsgrove ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL Fun craft activities with an animal theme, plus have-a-go archery on Tuesdays & Wednesdays, Tues 15 Fri 25 Apr, Hartlebury Museum, Worcestershire THE NATURAL WORLD: ERUPTING VOLCANOES Make a model volcano and take home the instructions on how to experiment and erupt it!, Wed 16 Apr, Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry HIPPIE BEADS WORKSHOP Feel the love with your own flower-power 1960sstyle bracelet. Drop-in sessions, Wed 16 Apr, Coventry Transport Museum STORYTELLING CAFE Wed 16 Apr, Kitchen Garden Cafe, Kings Heath, Birmingham 1960S HAIR-STYLING WORKSHOP An interactive session with vintage hair stylist Sarah

Russell. Learn how to get the iconic ’60s look and take home your own ’60s hair kit! Wed 16 Apr Coventry Transport Museum MILLING WEDNESDAYS Listen to volunteer millers as they talk about the history of the mill and demonstrate how flour is produced.

Wed 16 Apr, Sarehole Mill, Birmingham BAT WALK Wed 16 Apr, Martineau Gardens, Birmingham FAMILY BANNER MAKING WORKSHOP Wed 16 Apr, Library of Birmingham HAVE-A-GO ARCHERY Learn the basics of this ancient sport by having a go under the supervision of Midland Adventure, Wed 16 Thurs 24 Apr, Forge Mill Needle Museum, Redditch CHILDREN’S CRAFT ACTIVITY Wed 16 Apr, Sarehole Mill, Birmingham SPRING FUN DAY Promising lots of fun activities for all the family to enjoy, Wed 16 Apr, Bilston Craft Gallery EXHIBITALES Interactive story, trail and simple craft, Wed 16 Apr, Broadfield House Glass Museum HOW TO GET MORE FROM YOUR URBAN VEG PATCH A five-week course (Wednesdays@7pm) which takes an extensive look at how to grow great vegetables and tackle pests, diseases, watering and compost-making, Wed 16 Apr - Wed 14 May, Winterbourne House & Garden, Birmingham POM-POM ANIMAL DROPIN Thurs 17 Apr, Walsall Leather Museum PRO PEAK PERFORMANCE TEST & TUNE DAY Thurs 17 Apr, Santa Pod Raceway, Northampton VALUATION DAY: FINE ART & ANTIQUES Take along your treasures to be valued by Fieldings Auctioneers, Thurs 17 Apr, Bantock House Museum THE NATURAL WORLD: FABULOUS FOSSILS

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Events LISTINGS For full listing information on Events, including times and dates, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk Learn about the formation of fossils through object handling, casting and then painting your own fossil, Thurs 17 Apr, Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry THE NATURAL WORLD: AN UNINVITED GUEST A short talk about the bugs with whom we share our homes, Thurs 17 Apr, Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry BLAKESLEY’S GREAT OUTDOOR ADVENTURE Dropin activities for families, Thurs 17 Apr, Blakesley Hall, Birmingham GLAM ROCK GUITARS Rock out with your own personally decorated 1970s glam rock guitar!

Drop-in sessions, Thurs 17 Apr, Coventry Transport Museum CREATIVE CRAFTS: LITTLE GARDENERS Green-fingered fun for little gardeners, with lots of different practical activities to try, Thurs 17 Apr, Bantock House Museum COUNTRY TASTIC An action-packed, handson event with food, farming and countryside at its core, Thurs 17 Apr, Three Counties Showground, Malvern EASTER ANIMALS Familyfriendly craft activity, Thurs 17 Apr, Museum of the Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham CHILDREN’S CRAFT ACTIVITY Thurs 17 Apr, Sarehole Mill, Birmingham EASTER ART CLUB Themed drop-in sessions aimed at children aged six to twelve, Thurs 17 Apr, Royal Pump Rooms, Leamington Spa EASTER CRAFTS Thurs 17 Apr, Red House Glass Cone, Stourbridge ART SPEAKING Audiodescribed tours of exhibitions for people with visual impairment, Thurs 17 - Fri 18 Apr, Wolverhampton Art Gallery EASTER EGG HUNT Fri 18 Apr, Weoley Castle, Birmingham CBEEBIES LIVE! Brand new live arena show from the producers of Justin & Friends, described as a 'musicthemed extravaganza bound to have preschoolers rocking in the aisles' Fri 18 Apr, LG Arena, Birmingham RUBIK'S CUBE MONEY BOX WORKSHOP Drop-in sessions where visitors can create their own iconic 1980s Rubik's cube moneybox to take home, Fri 18 Apr,

Coventry Transport Museum HAUNTED TAVERN TOUR Fri 18 Apr, The Falstaff's Experience, Stratfordupon-Avon CADBURY'S EASTER EGG TRAILS Fri 18 - Sat 19 Apr, Greyfriars House & Garden, Worcestershire FESTIVAL OF POWER An action-packed Easter weekend of family Drag Racing entertainment, including European Nitro Funny Car series, Jet Car Shootout and National Drag Racing, Fri 18 - Sun 20 Apr, Santa Pod Raceway, Northampton THE NATURAL WORLD: DRAWING FROM NATURE Explore amazing animals from the museum's natural history collection, experiment with the range of drawing materials on offer, and get drawing on your own terms in this selfled session, Fri 18 Mon 21 Apr, Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry EASTER TRAIL AND ACTIVITIES Family day out with a trail around the gardens and parkland, with activities provided by Cadbury, Fri 18 - Mon 21 Apr, Charlecote Park, Warwickshire COTSWOLD FALCONRY Watch a variety of different birds, from eagles to owls, in a programme of demonstrations on the lawns in front of the manor house, Fri 18 - Mon 21 Apr, Cotswold Wildlife Park EASTER HOLIDAYS: FOREST SCHOOLS Explore the wonders of spring via a plethora of outdoor activities, including spring colour catchers, collages, wreath-making and seed-planting, Fri 18 Mon 21 Apr, Compton Verney Gallery, Warwickshire EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA Promising an actionpacked programme of chocolatey fun for the whole family, Fri 18 Mon 21 Apr, Cadbury World, Birmingham EASTER ADVENTURE QUEST Get hands-on with history and meet characters from the past. Crack the clues as you explore the castle and reap a chocolate reward, Fri 18 Mon 21 Apr, Kenilworth Castle CADBURY'S EASTER EGG TRAILS Follow the trail around the park and claim your prize, Fri 18 - Mon 21 Apr, Baddesley Clinton,

Warwick EASTER ADVENTURE QUEST Get hands-on with history and meet characters from the past. Crack the clues as you explore the castle and reap a chocolate reward, Fri 18 Mon 21 Apr, Witley Court, Worcestershire CADBURY'S EASTER EGG TRAILS Follow the trail around the park and claim your prize, Fri 18 - Mon 21 Apr, Upton House & Gardens, Warwickshire EASTER AT THE ESTATE Featuring traditional Easter activities, spring trails, hidden bunnies, chicks and piglets, Fri 18 - Mon 21 Apr, Shugborough Estate, Staffordshire EASTER ACTIVITIES Join in with the egghead crafts over the Easter Bank Holiday Weekend, Fri 18 - Mon 21 Apr, Croome Park, Worcestershire CADBURY'S EASTER EGG TRAILS Follow the trail around the park and claim your prize, Fri 18 - Mon 21 Apr, Greyfriars House & Garden, Worcester TRADITIONAL EASTER CELEBRATIONS Activities include Easter bonnet parade, egg dancing, 'hunt-the-chick' competition, candle-dipping and peg doll-making workshops, Fri 18 Mon 21 Apr, Blists Hill, Ironbridge, Shropshire ARM KNITTING Led by Sue from Fashion Recycle, this amazingly simple technique from the 1940s is perfect for creating chunky cosy knits! Participants will take home their work and a brand new skill, Advance booking essential! Sat 19 Apr, Coventry Transport Museum IRISH SETTER CLUB OF WALES CHAMPIONSHIP 31 Class Benched Championship Dog Show for Irish Setters., Sat 19 Apr, Three Counties Showground, Malvern POP-UP FESTIVAL OF STORIES Free one-day family-focused literary festival, Sat 19 Apr, Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron, Ironbridge, Shropshire ST GEORGE’S DAY DRAGON STORIES Sat 19 Apr, Library of Birmingham EASTER VINTAGE FAIR Sat 19 Apr, Castle Hall, Bridgnorth, Shropshire YOUNG ARTISTS Weekly sessions where visitors can learn new drawing, painting and sculpture skills, Sat 19 Apr, Wolverhampton Art Gallery EASTER STORYTELLING Suitable for the undersevens, Sat 19 - Sun 20 Apr, Croome Park, Worcestershire DUNLOP MSA BRITISH TOURING CAR

CHAMPIONSHIP Arguably one of the most exciting championships, this paint-rubbing, gladiatorial-style racing offers unmissable entertainment, Sat 19 - Sun 20 Apr, Donington Park GAS MASK MAKING WORKSHOP Drop-in sessions, Sat 19 - Sun 20 Apr, Coventry Transport Museum SPRING GARDEN FESTIVAL Sat 19 - Sun 20 Apr, Coughton Court, Alcester CASTLE EGG HUNT Ruby, the Tamworth Castle dragon, has mislaid her eggs and she’s hoping that visitors to the castle will be able to help her find them... Sat 19 Mon 21 Apr, Tamworth Castle EASTER EGG HUNT Sat 19 - Mon 21 Apr, Sarehole Mill, Birmingham EASTER FAMILY FUN Hands-on activities for all ages, Sat 19 - Mon 21 Apr, Tamworth Castle, Staffs BONSAI DEMONSTRATION Sun 20 Apr, Birmingham Botanical Gardens EASTER FUNDAY Sun 20 Apr, Birmingham Botanical Gardens MILLING SUNDAY Listen to volunteer millers as they talk about the history of the mill and demonstrate how flour is produced. Sun 20 Apr, Sarehole Mill, Birmingham MAD HATTER'S FAMILY FUN WEEKEND Featuring historical demonstrations, traditional crafts and activities with a Wonderland theme and windmill sailing, Sun 20 - Mon 21 Apr, Avoncroft Museum, Bromsgrove EARLY TUDOR LIVING HISTORY Celebrate Easter with a tour of the hall, where a re-enactment group will bring the Early Tudor period to life with cooking demonstrations, costumes, dancing and music, Sun 20 - Mon 21 Apr, Harvington Hall, Nr Kidderminster WESTON PARK TRANSPORT SHOW Sun 20 - Mon 21 Apr, Weston Park, Staffordshire EASTER FAMILY FUN Featuring Easter egg hunt, face-painting, children's fairground rides, falconry display and craft activities, Sun 20 - Mon 21 April Ragley Hall, Alcester ALICE IN WONDERLAND CRAFT, ACTIVITIES & GAMES Themed fun for Easter school holidays, Fri 20 - Mon 27 Apr, The Commandery, Worcester

Easter activities at English Heritage

Week Commencing

MON 21 APR EASTER FAMILY FUN DAY Mon 21 Apr, Walsall Leather Museum MAD HATTER’S TEA PARTY & WHITE RABBIT EGG HUNT Mon 21 Apr, The Commandery, Worcester GLAM ROCK GUITARS Rock out with your own personally decorated 1970s glam rock guitar!

Drop in sessions, Mon 21 Apr, Coventry Transport Museum LEDBURY WAYTES, MEDIEVAL MUSIC AND DANCE Meet the Medieval minstrels, listen to their music, talk to them about their costumes and try on some armour, Mon 21 Apr, Brockhampton Estate, Worcestershire ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL Chance to meet a variety of scaly, feathered and furry friends. The event also features displays of falconry, Mon 21 Apr, Hartlebury Museum, Worcestershire EASTER-THEMED TILE DECORATING WORKSHOP Mon 21 - Fri 25 Apr, Jackfield Tile Museum, Ironbridge, Shropshire EASTER CERAMIC DROPIN WORKSHOPS Mon 21 - Fri 25 Apr, Coalport China Museum, Ironbridge THE NATURAL WORLD: BEASTLY BUGS Use art straws, model-making techniques and colourful materials to make a beastly bug of your own design. There will be bugs from the museum's natural history collection on hand for inspiration, Tue 22 Apr, Herbert Art Gallery

& Museum, Coventry ONCE UPON A TIME Storytelling followed by craft activities, Tues 22 Apr, Bantock House Museum VICTORIAN CYCLES WORKSHOP Discover more about the Victorian cycles and how these strangelooking machines actually worked. Create your own framed timeline collage to show the many different cycles made in Coventry.

Advance booking is essential, as limited tickets are available, Tue 22 Apr, Coventry Transport Museum IRON AGE COSTUME & BARBARIAN COSTUME Choose from a jewel studded brooch, warrior shield or spear and decorate your own Little Barbarian tunic.

Spaces are limited, so booking is essential, Tues 22 Apr, Worcestershire Museum BLAKESLEY’S GREAT OUTDOOR ADVENTURE Dropin activities for families, Tues 22 Apr, Blakesley Hall, Birmingham JEPHSON’S SUITCASE Find out about Dr Henry Jephson on a handling tour of items from the collection.

Learn about medicine from the 1800s to the mid-1900s, Tues 22 Apr, Royal Pump Rooms, Leamington Spa FAMILY DEN-BUILDING DAY Put your skills to the test with den-building and survival skills in the woods. Take along a picnic and eat it in your new shelter.

Reward yourself with roasted marshmallows on the fire... Tue 22 Apr, Brockhampton Estate, Worcester EASTER ART SCHOOL:

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Events LISTINGS For full listing information on Events, including times and dates, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk DASTARDLY DRAGONS Design your own dragon on day one, then bring it to life via sculpture on day two, Tues 22 - Wed 23 Apr, The Barber Institute, Birmingham EASTER HOLIDAY FUN: MAGIC AND TRICKERY Featuring Magic Bob, children's activities, crafts, balloon-modelling and games, Tue 22 - Thurs 24 Apr, Avoncroft Museum, Bromsgrove CONNIE AND VERNE EASTER ADVENTURES Storytelling sessions for the under-fives, Tue 22 - Fri 25 Apr, Compton Verney Gallery, Warwickshire KITE CHAOS Follow the themed trail around the garden and collect your prize, then enjoy 'make and take' activities, Tue 22 - Fri 25 Apr, Hanbury Hall and Gardens, Worcestershire QUICK ON THE DRAW CHILDREN'S WORKSHOP WITH JIM MORRIS Wed 23 Apr, Walsall Leather Museum CHILDREN’S CRAFT ACTIVITY Wed 23 Apr, Sarehole Mill, Birmingham THE NATURAL WORLD: XRAYED! A great chance to look at some of the museum's animal skeletons and create your own x-ray work of art, Wed 23 Apr, Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry ST GEORGE'S DAY CELEBRATIONS Wed 23 Apr, Blists Hill, Ironbridge, Shropshire TEXTILE GROUP An opportunity to meet likeminded people in a creative environment and swap knowledge and skills, Wed 23 Apr, Bilston Craft Gallery RUBIK'S CUBE MONEY BOX WORKSHOP Drop-in sessions where visitors can create their own iconic 1980s Rubik's cube moneybox to take home, Wed 23 Apr, Coventry Transport Museum FLOWER LOOMS AND FRIENDSHIP BRACELETS Make your own 1970s flower looms and friendship bracelets, led

by Fashion Recycled.

All materials will be provided. Advance booking is essential, as limited tickets are available, Wed 23 Apr, Coventry Transport Museum EASTER MASKS Chance to get creative and make your very own collaged mask to take home, Wed 23 Apr, Bilston Craft Gallery A WALK THROUGH TIME A

walk which explores the natural and man-made landscape, discovering the roots of both, going back to the Carboniferous Period some 310 million years ago, Wed 23 Apr, Himley Hall, Dudley PUPPET DROP-IN WORKSHOP Thurs 24 Apr, Walsall Leather Museum SING-A-LONG BUGSY MALONE Watch the film, play games, sing songs and enjoy live music while dining from Jekyll’s food fusion menu, Thurs 24 Apr, The Jekyll And Hyde, Birmingham ASIAN BRITAIN: A PHOTOGRAPHIC HISTORY Susheila Nasta with Florian Stadtler present a photographic history which draws upon the different phases of historic settlement of Asian migrants from the subcontinent, the Caribbean and East Africa. The authors will be in conversation with Raj Pai from the South Asian Alliance, Thurs 24 Apr, The Drum, Birmingham BLAKESLEY’S GREAT OUTDOOR ADVENTURE Dropin activities for families, Thurs 24 Apr, Blakesley Hall, Birmingham NATURAL WORLD: BEAKING MAD Using junk modelling materials, make a hand puppet bird that can talk using a clever mechanism, Thurs 24 Apr, Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry WILLOW NESTS Learn how to work with willow and create a small willow nest to take home, Thurs 24 Apr, Bilston Craft Gallery HOLIDAY SCHOOL Thurs 24 Apr, Red House Glass Cone, Stourbridge CHILDREN’S CRAFT ACTIVITY Thurs 24 Apr, Sarehole Mill, Birmingham EASTER ART CLUB Themed drop-in sessions aimed at children aged six to twelve, Thurs 24 Apr, Royal Pump Rooms, Leamington Spa NATURAL WORLD: LIFE IN THE AIR... A fantastic opportunity for children to meet an expert from Brandon Marsh Nature Reserve at this informal family talk. Learn lots of interesting facts about British birds and how we can attract them to our garden, Thurs 24 Apr, Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry CREATIVE CRAFTS: GET AHEAD WITH A HAT

Victorian and Edwardian hat and accessory-making, inspired by outfits at Bantock House Museum, Thurs 24 Apr, Bantock House Museum ART DECO PLATE WORKSHOP Drop-in sessions where you can make your own stylish miniature art deco plate to take home, Thurs 24 Apr, Coventry Transport Museum EASTER TOY WORKSHOP Family-friendly workshop inspired by toys from the past, Thurs 24 Apr, Wolverhampton Art Gallery SINGING SHAKESPEARE Enjoy musical settings of Shakespeare, with world premieres by composer David Wordsworth and awardwinning composer Gary Carpenter, Thurs 24 Apr, Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-uponAvon HIDEOUS HISTORIES GUIDE TO FIENDISH FASHIONS Find out more about how Victorian ladies and gentlemen kept up appearances, Thurs 24 - Fri 25 Apr, Haden Hill House Museum, Sandwell INTERNATIONAL DANCE FESTIVAL BIRMINGHAM 2014 The return of one of Europe’s largest dance festivals, Thurs 24 Apr - Sun 25 May, various locations including Birmingham Hippodrome, Warwick Arts Centre and Birmingham Repertory Theatre. See page 46 for more details...

NATURAL WORLD: FABULOUS FOSSILS Learn about the formation of fossils through object handling, casting and then painting your own fossil to take home, Fri 25 Apr, Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry THE NATURAL WORLD: AN UNINVITED GUEST A short talk about the bugs that we share our homes with, Fri 25 Apr, Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry EMBROIDERY SQUARES WORKSHOP Drop-in sessions where you create your own simple embroidery design on a square board, Fri 25 Apr, Coventry Transport Museum FUSED GLASS BUNNY ORNAMENT WORKSHOP Fri 25 Apr, Broadfield House Glass Museum, Dudley ST GEORGE’S DAY DRAGON CHILDREN’S CRAFT ACTIVITY Craft a dragon in celebration of St George’s Day, Fri 25 Apr, Weoley Castle, Birmingham RUN WHAT YA BRUNG The chance to take your car or motorcycle out on the famous quarter-mile dragstrip and test its perform-

ance limits in a safe and legal environment, Sat 26 Apr, Santa Pod Raceway, Northampton ST GEORGE’S NIGHT CELEBRATIONS Celebrate England’s patron saint at this event, which promises to be ‘a bit like the last night of the proms’. Fish’n’chip supper included in the entry price, Sat 26 Apr, Hartlebury Museum, Worcestershire FAMILY FRIENDLY GHOST TOUR Sat 26 Apr, The Falstaff's Experience, Stratford-upon-Avon HANDS ACROSS THE WORLD What better place to celebrate Shakespeare's birthday than in his Great Garden. Take along a picnic and add your handprint to the site's exciting plans for a new New Place, Sat 26 Apr, Nash's House & New Place, Stratford-uponAvon KNIGHTS AND NYMPHS TODDLERS PARTY Take along a picnic and enjoy free entry to the gardens at Hall's Croft, where you can enjoy entertainment, birthday cake, dressing up and prizes for the best knight and nymph, Sat 26 Apr, Hall's Croft, Stratford-upon-Avon YOUNG ARTISTS Weekly sessions where visitors can learn new drawing, painting & sculpture skills, Sat 26 Apr, Wolverhampton Art Gallery SIMPLY MESSING ABOUT WITH BOATS Join members of the Bournville boat club, who’ll be demonstrating some of their model boats on the mill pond, Sat 26 Apr, Sarehole Mill, Birmingham A SHAKESPEARE MARATHON Watch on as Shakespeare Aloud! bring Shakespeare’s complete works to life in just two hours, Sat 26 Apr, Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Stratfordupon-Avon BEN HART - MAGIC WORKSHOP Magician Ben Hart holds an hourlong workshop. For all ages from eight-plus, Sat 26 Apr, Solihull Arts Complex PATCHWORK QUILT WORKSHOP Booking essential, Sat 26 Apr, Birmingham Back to Backs VAISHAKI This year’s event explores the involvement of Sikhs during the First World War, Sat 26 Apr, The New Art Gallery, Walsall DECOUPAGE PICTURES Drop-in sessions where visitors can create their very own decoupage picture - a popular pastime in Edwardian times, Sat 26 - Sun 27 Apr, Coventry Transport Museum NATURE PRINTS Design and print your own

work of art, inspired by the beautiful patterns of the natural world, Sat 26 - Sun 27 Apr, Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry GT & FORMULA CAR RACES Sat 26 - Sun 27 Apr, Donington Park ST GEORGE AND THE DRAGON Discover the legend of St George, patron saint of both England and soldiers, as his story comes to life in the castle grounds, Sat 26 April Sun 27 Apr, Kenilworth Castle SHAKESPEARE BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS Featuring tours with William Shakespeare - in person - and supper with the Bard... Sat 26 - Sun 27 Apr, The Falstaff's Experience, Stratfordupon-Avon BIG BRUM OPEN-TOP BUZ SIGHTSEEING TOUR Sat 26 - Sun 27 Apr, starting at Victoria Square (10.30am, 12.30pm & 2.30pm) ending at Colmore Row TRIBUTES TO THE 1940S Be transported back in time with an event featuring re-enactments, military vehicle displays, vintage market stalls and musical entertainment, Sat 26 Sun 27 Apr, Churnet Valley Railway, Froghall, Staffordshire AMERICAN WAR OF INDEPENDENCE WEEKEND Sat 26 - Sun 27 Apr, Avoncroft Museum, Bromsgrove INTERNATIONAL CARTOON FESTIVAL Unique opportunity to see artists at work, creating giant cartoons on the streets of Shrewsbury, Sat 26 Sun 27 Apr, Shrewsbury Town Centre 5TH ANNUAL FOXY VARIETY SHOW Featuring almost twenty acts, including vocalists, musicians, dancers, comedians, an acrobat, a harpist and a tenor opera star, Sun 27 Apr, Tamworth Assembly Rooms TOY AND COLLECTORS FAIR Sun 27 Apr, Heritage Motor Centre, Gaydon, Warwickshire THE CENTRAL FORD RS OWNERS CLUB DAY Open RWYB with competition to find the fastest roadlegal Ford, concours, traders, jet car and more, Sun 27 Apr, Santa Pod Raceway, Northampton AZAD KASHMIR AND BRITISH KASHMIRI DIASPORA Three esteemed Kashmiri authors and political activists come together to discuss the contested militarised state of Kashmir, Sun 27 Apr, The Drum, Birmingham MORRIS MINOR CLUB RALLY Sun 27 Apr, Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens ACORNS CHILDREN’S

HOSPICE SUPERHERO DOG WALK Fundraising event, Sun 27 Apr, Sutton Park, Sutton Coldfield DRIVE IT DAY An annual national event launched and publicised by the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs (FBHVC), Drive It Day commemorates the sixty-four cars that left London on a 1000-mile trial in April 1900, Sun 27 Apr, Heritage Motor Centre, Gaydon, Warwickshire SOUTH STAFFS BONSAI SHOW Sun 27 Apr, Birmingham Botanical Gardens MSA SPRING CLASSIC Sun 27 Apr, Heritage Motor Centre, Gaydon, Warwickshire BIKE4LIFE FEST Sun 27 Apr, RAF Cosford, Wolverhampton ENFIELD DISTRICT VETERAN VEHICLE SOCIETY Featuring displays of forty assorted classic vehicles Sun 27 Apr, Coventry Transport Museum MILLING SUNDAY Listen to volunteer millers as they talk about the history of the mill and demonstrate how flour is produced, Sun 27 Apr, Sarehole Mill, Birmingham

Week Commencing

MON 28 APR GARDEN WALKS - TULIPS & DAFFODILS Enjoy the spring displays between 10am and 3pm daily. Join head gardener Ross Barbour as he talks about how they’re conceived and carried out, Mon 28 Tue 29 Apr, Ragley Hall, Alcester IN CONVERSATION WITH TERRY RILEY Tue 29 Apr, Arena Theatre, W’hampton TILE DECORATING WORKSHOPS Drop-in sessions where participants use the technique known as tube lining to decorate their very own tile to take home, Tue 29 Apr, Jackfield Tile Museum, Ironbridge, Shropshire AN AUDIENCE WITH HOWARD MARKS Wed 30 Apr, The Assembly, Leamington Spa SOUTH STAFFS EXPLORER A 10k walk encompassing Himley & Baggeridge Parks, together with the South Staffs Railway Walk.

This is a free event but pre-booking is essential, Wed 30 Apr, Himley Hall, Dudley MEET ME AT WAG Regular conversation club for people aged fifty-plus, Wed 30 Apr, Wolverhampton Art Gallery

www.whatsonlive.co.uk 79

Eating Out April Region One 2_Layout 1 24/03/2014 15:56 Page 1

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Eating Out April Region One 2_Layout 1 24/03/2014 15:56 Page 2

Eating Out Dim sum delights...

Located in the hub of Colmore Row, the recently opened Chung Ying Central is the only Chinese restaurant in Birmingham’s thriving business district. Offering high-quality dim sum, pan Asian noodles and a selection of cocktails and oriental drinks, the eatery has inherited an exceptional reputation from sister venues Chung Ying and Chung Ying Garden, both of which are located in the city’s popular China Town.

Owner James Wong hopes that, by moving business out of the Chinese quarter, he can bring Chinese culture into the wider community.

On arrival, we were welcomed by hospitable waitresses who promptly took our coats and guided us to a cosy booth in the heart of the restaurant. Whilst waiting to order, we took in the modern yet authentically oriental atmosphere that Chung Ying boasts. The walls draped in Chinese lanterns and tables littered with tea lights gave the room a warm and inviting glow.

The a la carte menu showcases an extensive but not overwhelming list of Chinese dishes, and the staff were more than happy to guide us through them.

To start, a choice of thirty-two dim sum. The steamed chiu chow, along with pork and king prawn dumplings, were the obvious choice - and one that we most certainly didn’t regret.

Mouths still watering from dim sum, we eagerly anticipated the mains - and were not disappointed. We were presented with a banquet of fried beef in Cantonese sauce, sweet and sour pork and deep-fried duck in plum sauce; all very different but equally delicious. To accompany, we sipped a fruity pinot noir which managed to complement every single dish.

Chung Ying Central seems to have struck a unique balance between quality, quantity and variety. It should do well. Very well. Laura Scott

REVIEW

Food: ■■■■■ Service: ■■■■ Ambience: ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Overall value ■ ■ ■ ■ OVERALL ■ ■ ■ ■ Chung Ying Central, 126 Colmore Row Birmingham, B3 3AP Tel: 0121 4000 888

Home-cooked Far East flavours REVIEW Eating at Blue Ginger is a bit like cosying up in your friend’s shabby chic living room. The food Malaysian and Singaporean - has that home-made feel about it, the room is small, cosy and maybe just a little bit worn around the edges, and the waitress seems to know the names of all her customers.

There’s no chance of anyone telling you about their restaurant concept, or making you order more than you need so that they can maximise the profits. It’s relaxed and, for want of a better word, real. In short, it’s the kind of low-key neighbourhood restaurant you want at the end of your road.

The food is simple and boldly flavoured. My starter of vegetable tempura (£4.50) came crisp and hot, served with a sweet dipping sauce. The steamed duck pancake roll (£5.50) was on the meagre side - my partner

ate it in seconds and promptly stole most of my tempura - but moist and tasty.

The seafood laksa comes brimming with mussels and prawns, and is so rich and creamy with coconut milk that it risks cardiac arrest. I failed to note the price but it was about a tenner, which seemed good value for the amount of seafood offered. The special of spiced seabass (£11.50) was fine, a simple fillet grilled on banana leaf flavoured with spice paste, served with fried rice.

Dessert of banana fritters was pleasingly fatty and sweet, though the eton mess was marred by the appearance of chocolate brownie (both £3.95). A jug of tap water was brought without our needing to ask, which is always welcome.

Blue Ginger is tiny, seating about forty, and family run.

You can feel this - there are reminders of Malaysia dotted around - including, intriguingly, a pickled snake in a jar. There’s also

a friendly notice to be wary of the ‘parking police’ at the Asda next door. Every Monday the restaurant offers a vegan menu, which is rare with this kind of food (I remain intrigued to know how vegan fish sauce is made) and there’s twenty percent off the bill for early evening diners.

It isn’t glossy or slick, it’s friendly and laid back. The cooking is perfectly satisfactory, but this kind of place isn’t about sensational eating; this is satisfying, nourishing food that you know you can make at home - except that you won’t get around to doing so.

We left with full tummies and a smile. Helen Stallard Food: ■■■ Service: ■■■■■ Ambience: ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Overall value ■ ■ ■ ■ OVERALL ■ ■ ■ ■ Blue Ginger 32a Poplar Road Birmingham B14 7AD 0121 444 0999 www.whatsonlive.co.uk 81

Eating Out April Region One 2_Layout 1 24/03/2014 15:56 Page 3

Restaurant LISTINGS For full listing information on restaurants, including opening times and type of cuisine, visit: www.whatsonlive.co.uk

Birmingham AALTO RESTAURANT Hotel La Tour, Albert Street, Birmingham B5 5JT 0121 718 8000 AIR RESTAURANT LG Arena, Bickenhill Rd, 0844 338 0333 BANK 4 Brindleyplace, B1 2JB 0121 633 4466 BAR ESTILO 10-114 Wharfside St, The Mailbox, B1 1RF 0121 643 3443 BARAJEE 265 Broad Street, B1 2DS 0121 643 6699 BELLA ITALIA 102 New Street, B2 4HQ 0121 643 1548 BERLIOZ Burlington Arcade, New St, B2 4JQ 0121 633 1737 BLUE MANGO Regency Wharf, Broad St, B1 2DS 0121 633 4422 BLUE PIANO RESTAURANT AND BAR 24-26 Harborne Rd, B15 3AA 0121 454 6877 BUONISSIMO 1 Albany Rd, Harborne, B17 9JX 0121 426 2444 CAFE OPUS 1 Oozells Square, Brindleyplace, B1 2HS 0121 248 3226 CARLUCCIO’S The Water’s Edge, Brindleyplace B1 2HP 0121 633 9262 CENTENARY BAR & BRASSERIE Broad Street, B1 2EP 0121 245 2080 CHI BAR & GRILL 61 Newhall Street, B3 3RB 0121 233 3150 CHUNG YING 16-18 Wrottersley Street, B5 4RT 0121 622 5669 CHUNG YING GARDEN 17 Thorpe St, B5 4AT 0121 666 6622 CIELO 6 Oozells Square, Brindleyplace, B1 2JB 0121 632 6882 COAST TO COAST 9 Brindleyplace, Broad Street, B1 2HJ COTE The Mailbox, B1 1RX 0121 631 1587 CUCINA RUSTICA 24

Ludgate Hill, B3 1DX 0121 233 2277 DEL VILLAGGIO Unit 528, Middle Mall, The Bullring. B5 4BE 0121 643 1400 EDMUNDS 6 Brindley place, B1 2JB 0121 633 4944 FLEET STREET KITCHEN Fleet Street, Islington Gates, B3 1JH 0121 236 0100 ITIHAAS 18 Fleet St, B3 1JL 0121 212 3383 JAMIE’S ITALIAN Middle Mall, Bullring Shopping Centre, B5 4BE 0121 270 3610 JIMMY SPICES Regency Wharf, Broad St, B1 2DS 0121 643 2111 LAS IGUANAS Arcadian Centre, Hurst St, B5 4TD 0121 622 4466 LASAN 3-4 Dakota Buildings, James St, St Paul’s Square, B3 1SD 0121 212 3664 THE LOFT LOUNGE 143 Bromsgrove St, B5 6RG 0121 622 2444 THE LOST & FOUND 8 Bennetts Hill, B2 5RS 0121 643 9293 LOVES The Glasshouse, Browning St, B16 8FL 0121 454 5151 MECHU 47 - 59 Summer Row, B3 1JJ 0121 212 1661 METRO BAR & GRILL 73 Cornwall St B3 2DF 0121 200 1911 MINT Yew Tree Retail Park, Stoney Lane Yardley, B25 8YP 0121 789 8908 MOUNT FUJI The Bullring, B5 4BH 0121 633 9853 NUVO BAR 11 Brindley Place, B1 2LP 0121 631 1600 OPUS 54 Cornwall St, B3 2DE 0121 200 2323 THE ORIENTAL The Mailbox, 128-130 Wharfside St, B1 1RQ 0121 633 9988 PEACHYKEENS 1741 Coventry Road, B26 1DS 0121 764 5519 PENNY BLACKS

thE dINNEr cLub

The Mailbox, 132-134 Wharfside St, B1 1XL 0121 632 1460 PICCOLINO 9 Brindleyplace B1 2HS 0121 634 3055 PITCHER & PIANO Brindleyplace, B1 2HP 0121 643 0214 POPPY RED Arcadian Centre, Birmingham B5 4TD 0121 687 1200 PURNELL’S 55 Cornwall St, B3 2DH 0121 212 9799 PURNELL’SBISTOR & GINGER’S BAR 11 Newhall Street, B3 3NY, 0121 2000 1588 THE RECTORY 50-54 St Paul’s Sq, B3 1QS 0121 605 1001 RED PEPPERS 117 Wharfside St, B1 1RF 0121 643 4202 SAN CARLO 4 Temple St, B2 5BN 0121 633 0251 SHIMLA PINKS 215 Broad St, B15 1AY 0121 633 0366 SIMPSONS, 20 Highfield Rd, Edgbaston B13 3DU 0121 454 3434 THE SLUG AND LETTUCE, Brindley Place, Birmingham B1 2HL 0121 633 3049 STRADA 109-111 Wharfside St, The Mailbox B1 1XL 0121 643 7279 TGI FRIDAYS 180 Hagley Road, Edgbaston, B16 9NY 0121 454 1930 THAI EDGE 7 Oozells Sq, B1 2HL 0121 643 3993 THE VAULTS Newhall Place, Newhall Hill, B1 3JH 0121 212 9837 WAGAMAMA Brindley Place, birmingham B1

Warwickshire 7 SQUARE 7 Old Square, Warwick CV34 4RA 01926 411 755 NO. 9 CHURCH STREET Stratford upon Avon, Warwickshire CV37 6HB 01789 415522 AGRA PLACE 12 Abbey Green, Nuneaton, CV11 5DR 024 7635 0515 THE ALMANAK Abbey End North, Kenilworth, CV8 1QJ 01926 353 637 AUBERGINE 32 Smith St, Warwick CV34 4HS 01926 400 086 THE ALMANACK Abbey

(ESt 86)

a rEcIpE for fINE food aNd Good compaNy

SINGLE? For the more discerning unattached person, age 40+ Events weekly include dining out, dinner dances, black tie balls, theatre, parties, weekends away and holidays abroad.

Not a datING aGENcy

01244 677030 (day) / 01244 548816 (Eve/W-end)

www.thedinnerclubuk.com 82 www.whatsonlive.co.uk

End North, Kenilworth CV8 1QJ 01926 353637 BLUE BISTRO 21 Spon St, Coventry, CV1 3BA 024 7622 9274 BROWNS Earl St, Coventry CV1 5RU 0247 622 1100 CARLUCCIOS 13 Waterside, Stratford-Upon-Avon CV37 6BA 01789 267424 CASTLES 6 Castle Street, CV34 4QU 01926 495421 CATALAN 6 Jury St , Warwick CV34 4EW 01926 498 930 THE CHURCH STREET TOWNHOUSE 16 Church Street, Stratford-uponAvon CV37 6HB 01789 262222 COOMBE ABBEY Brinklow Road, Coventry, CV3 2AB 024 7645 0450 CROSSED KHUKRIS GURKHA 115 Abbey Street, Nuneaton, CV11 5BX 024 7634 4488 EDWARD MOON 9 Chapel Street, Stratford-uponAvon, CV37 6EP 01789 267069 EGO 29 The Square, Kenilworth, CV8 1EF 01926 864463 THE ENCORE Bridge Street Stratford upon Avon CV37 6AB 01789 269462 FINEST CATCH B’ham Rd, Henley in Arden. B95 5QR 01564 793783 FIVE RIVERS 20-22 Victoria Terrace, Leamington Spa, CV31 3AB 01926 431999 GEORGETOWN 23 Sheep St, Stratford-Upon-Avon, CV37 6EF 01789 204445 GRANTS OF SHEEP ST 2123 Sheep Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 6EF 01789 290 008 HIGH PAVEMENT BAR & DINING 3 High Street, CV34 4AP 01926 494725 HELP OUT MILL Heather Rd, Shakerstone, Nuneaton. CV13 0BT 01530 260666 INDIA RED 25 Abbey Street, Nuneaton, CV11 5BX 024 7634 2090 JIMMY SPICES 64-66 Station Rd, Solihull, B91 3RX 0121 709 2111 LE BISTRO PIERRE Swans Nest, Bridgford, Stratford upon Avon. CV37 7LT 01789 264804 MALLORY COURT Harbury Lane, Leamington Spa, CV33 9QB, 01926 330214 MATRICARDIS 97 High St, Henley in Arden. B95 5AT 01564 792735 MERCHANTS Swan Street, Warwick CV34 4BJ 01926 403833 NICOLINIS 14 The Parade, Leamington Spa, CV32 4DW 01926 421620 ONE ELM 1 Guild St, Stratford-Upon-Avon, CV37 6QZ 01789 404919 PREZZO 1-3 High St, Warwick CV34 4AP 01926 475867 RESTAURANT 23 34 Hamilton Terrace, Holly Walk Leamington Spa, CV32 4LY 01926 422422 RISTORANTE DA VINCI 50 Earlsdon Street, Coventry, CV5 6EJ 024 7671 3554 ROBBIE’S RESTAURANT 74 Smith Street, CV34 4HU

Waters’ On The Square, Birmingham

01926 400470 ROOFTOP RESTAURANT @ The RST, Waterside, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 6BB 01789 403449 SAFFRON GOLD Market St, Westgate House, Warwick CV34 4DE 01926 402061 THE SAXON MILL Coventry Rd, Guys Cliffe, Warwick CV34 5YN 01926 492 255 SIGNATURES @ The Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, CV1 1GS 02476 846762 TAILORS 22 Market Place, Warwick CV34 4SL 01926 410590 THE TREVELYAN Warwick Rd, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 ONR 01789 295252 THE VINE INN 86 - 88 West St, Warwick CV34 6AW 07873 219005 WARWICK SPICE 24 Smith Street, CV34 4HS 01926 491736 ZIZZI 85-87 Regent Square House, Parade, Leamington Spa CV 32 4NL 01926 432532

Worcestershire ANAKARI 47 The Tythings, Worcester. WR1 1JT 01905 21412 ANGEL CHEF 1 Angel St, Worcester WR1 3QT 01905 731131 ANUPAM 85 Church Street, Malvern. WR14 2AE 01684 573814 BACCHUS 44 Worcester Road, Bromsgrove B61 0TA 01527 877557 BENEDICTOS 34 Sidbury, Worcester WR1 2HZ 01905 21444 BINDLES BAR & BRASSERIE 55 Sidbury, WR1 2HU 01905 611120 BRAMBLINGS Hither Green Lane, Redditch, B98 9BE 01527 406600 BRIDGE INN Plough Road, Droitwich WR9 7NQ 01905 345874 BROWNS 24 Quay St, Worcester WR1 2JJ 01905 26263 CHADDESLEY RESTAURANT Brockencote Hall Hotel, Kidderminster DY10 4PY 01562 777876 THE CHASE INN Chase Rd, Upper Colwall, Malvern.

WR13 6DQ 01684 540276 CHESTERS 51 New St, Worcester, WR1 2DL

01905 611638 CROWN & SANDYS Main Rd, Ombersley, WR9 0EW 01905 62025 EWE AND LAMB Hanbury Road, Bromsgrove B60 4DN 01527 871 929 THE FIG TREE 99 Church Street, Gt Malvern, WR14 2AE 01684 569909 FOUR SEASONS 61 Lowesmoor, Worcester WR1 2RS 01905 27026 FUSION BRASSERIE Hawbridge, Stoulton, Worcester WR7 4RJ 01905 840647 THE INN AT STONEHALL Stonehall Common, Worcester, WR5 3QG 01905 820462 KING CHARLES II King Charles House, New St, Worcester WR1 2D 01905 22449 L’AMUSE BOUCHE 51 Graham Rd, Malvern.

WR14 2HU 01684 572427 LANGTREYS 89a High St, Bromsgrove. B61 8AQ 01527 878242 LITTLE VENICE 1 - 3 St Nicholas St, Worcester WR1 1UW 01905 726126 LOTUS HOUSE 33 Ombersley St East, Droitwich, WR9 8QX 01905 770079 MAEKONG THAI 12 Worcester Road, Bromsgrove B61 7AE 01527 578888 MASSALLA LOUNGE 35 Broad St, Worcester WR1 3NH 01905 729955 MUG HOUSE Claines Lane, Worcester WR3 7RN 01905 456649 ON THE ROCKS 44 Worcester Road, Bromsgrove, B61 7AE 01527 882412 PORTOFINO, 6 Worcester Rd, Droitwich. WR9 8AD 01905 794799 PORTWAY ITALIAN, Alcester Rd, Redditch.

B48 7HT 01564 824794 PUCCINI'S, 12 Friar St, Worcester WR12LZ 01905 27770 RAJDOOT Cutnall Green, Droitwich. WR9 0PW 01299 851000 ROSADOS’S 2 Finstall Rd, Aston Fields, Bromsgrove. B60 2DZ 01527 889948 SAFFRON BISTRO 15 New St, Worcester WR1 2DP 01905 610505

For full Restaurant listings visit: www.whatsonlive.co.uk

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