Staffordshire What's On January 2024

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Your FREE essential entertainment guide for the Midlands

SIMPLE MINDS ON TOUR INTERVIEW INSIDE

STAFFORDSHIRE WHAT’S ON JANUARY 2024

’ What sOn Staffordshire

ISSUE 444 JANUARY 2024

FILM I COMEDY I THEATRE I GIGS I VISUAL ARTS I EVENTS I FOOD staffordshirewhatson.co.uk

PART OF WHAT’S ON MEDIA GROUP

inside: THE DRIFTERS GIRL

smash-hit West End musical comes to The Potteries

@WHATSONSTAFFS

A PIECE OF PIE

Jonathan Pie turns his attention to heroes and villains

@STAFFORDSHIREWHATSON @WHATSONSTAFFS

LOOKING AHEAD

24 must-see productions coming to the region in 2024

STAFFORDSHIREWHATSON.CO.UK

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Contents January Wolves/Shrops/Staffs .qxp_Layout 1 13/12/2023 14:32 Page 1

January 2024

What’sOn

C O N T E N T S

INSIDE: First Word

17

Gigs 05

11

17 Comedy

Theatre

Dance 18

21

24

Visual Arts

Events 32

21 26 39 44

Film

26

4

48 51

39

Follow us at: 47

49

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Managing Director: Davina Evans davina@whatsonlive.co.uk 01743 281708 Sales & Marketing: hello@whatsonlive.co.uk Editorial: Lauren Foster lauren@whatsonlive.co.uk 01743 281707 : Brian O’Faolain MEDIA GROUP brian@whatsonlive.co.uk 01743 281701 : Abi Whitehouse abi@whatsonlive.co.uk : Jessica Clixby jessica@whatsonlive.co.uk Subscriptions: subscriptions@whatsonlive.co.uk 01743 281714 Contributors: Graham Bostock, Diane Parkes, Patsy Moss, Steve Adams, Sue Hull, Reggie White, Sue Jones, Liz Day, Carol Lovatt Publisher and CEO: Martin Monahan Accounts Administrator: Julia Perry julia@21stcd.com 01743 281717

What’sOn

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News from around the region

Prestigious photographic exhibition visits Shropshire The currently touring Wildlife Photographer Of The Year exhibition is this month stopping off at Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery.

Featuring exceptional images capturing fascinating animal behaviour and the diversity of the natural world, the exhibition is available to view at the venue from Saturday 6 January to Sunday 18 February.

This year’s competition attracted an astounding 49,957 entries from photographers in 95 countries.

For further information about the show, visit shropshiremuseums.org.uk

John Bishop is Back At It John Bishop is bringing his new touring show, Back At It, to three Midlands venues this summer.

The popular comedian will make stop-offs at the Regent Theatre in Stoke-on-Trent on Thursday 4 & Friday 5 July, The Civic at the Halls in Wolverhampton on Sunday 14 July and Warwick Arts Centre in Coventry on Thursday 31 October.

For further details and ticket information, check out each theatre’s website.

celebrating a character who has been delighting its audiences for a quarter of a century.

Actor David Graham first appeared at the venue as ‘Eric’ back in 1999 - and to mark the 25th anniversary of that debut performance, he will present two of the character’s most popular shows...

Strictly Eric will run at the New Vic from Monday 22 July to Saturday 3 August, while Eric’s Full Monty will show from Monday 25 November to Tuesday 10 December.

The birthday celebrations will also include a series of special concerts in which ‘Eric’ and friends will perform a whole host of 1960s hits (Tuesday 14 - Saturday 18 May).

To find out more and purchase tickets, visit newvictheatre.org.uk

Funding for Shropshire Hills wetlands project New comedy festival set to Stoke the laughter Stoke-on-Trent will host its first comedy festival in the spring.

Taking place in the forum theatre at the Potteries Museum & Art Gallery on Friday 10 & Saturday 11 May, the event will feature ‘a number of brilliant solo shows from recognisable touring comedians you are likely to have seen on your TV screens’.

More venues and shows will be added to the schedule in due course.

To keep a check on festival news, visit the website meandmrsjonescomedy.com

Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre has received financial assistance through Severn Trent’s Community Fund to create a new wetland area in its meadows.

The project, titled Squelch, comprises a 200 square metre wader scrape, a bird hide and accessible paths allowing free public access for people of all abilities.

There will also be a live video feed into the Centre, providing visitors with the opportunity to see some of the wildlife which lives in the meadows.

It’s expected that Squelch will be completed by the spring and free to visit once open.

Happy birthday, Eric!

Stafford Shakespeare at the Gatehouse again

The New Vic Theatre in Newcastle-underLyme will later this year host two plays

The Stafford Shakespeare Festival will return in the summer - and will once again be

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presented indoors.

After years of taking place in the grounds of Stafford Castle, the event was last year held at the town’s Gatehouse Theatre to keep costs down.

The 2024 festival will feature a production of Twelfth Night subtitled A Cornish Tale.

‘Disney legend’ Lea Salonga touring to Wolves Musical theatre star and official ‘Disney legend’ Lea Salonga is bringing her new touring production to Wolverhampton in the summer.

Titled Stage, Screen And Everything In Between, the show will stop off at the city’s Grand Theatre on Friday 21 June.

The production will see Lea singing stage & screen classics from her best-known roles in Miss Saigon, Les Misérables, Aladdin and Mulan. For further information and tickets, visit cuffeandtaylor.com

Shrewsbury Flower Show early-bird tickets on sale Early-bird tickets for this year’s Shrewsbury Flower Show are now on sale.

The popular event, which is held annually in the town’s Quarry Park, will take place on Friday 9 & Saturday 10 August.

To purchase your ticket at a discounted price of £20, visit the event’s official website: shrewsburyflowershow.org.uk/tickets-2024

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First Word

Kool & The Gang at Mostly Jazz...

US pioneers Kool & The Gang and popular actor & DJ Craig Charles are among the artists who will be visiting Birmingham in the summer to appear at the city’s Mostly Jazz Funk & Soul Festival.

The acclaimed annual event, which runs from Friday 12 to Sunday 14 July in Moseley Park, will also feature Leeds/London collective Nubiyan Twist and emerging songwriter Cherise, as well as a host of other talented performers.

To find out more about the event and book tickets, visit mostlyjazz.co.uk

Jess Glynne at Trentham Live Jess Glynne will appear at Trentham Live in the summer, headlining on Friday 16 August.

Commenting on the news, the festival’s head of events, Kerrie Pope, said: “Jess is an icon, and we can’t wait to see the joy she will bring to the people of Staffordshire and beyond. It’s going to be a fantastic weekend of music and memories that will last a lifetime.”

Trentham Live runs from Thursday 15 to Sunday 18 August.

For further information and to check ticket availability, visit trentham.co.uk

Bristol Old Vic’s Wonder Boy coming to the Midlands Bristol Old Vic’s award-winning play Wonder Boy is coming to the Midlands in the autumn.

A heart-warming story about the power of communication, told through the character of 12-year-old Sonny, who lives with a stammer, the

show will visit Shrewsbury’s Theatre Severn (Monday 30 September - Wednesday 2 October) and the Grand Theatre in Wolverhampton (Thursday 3 - Saturday 5 October). Check each theatre’s website for further details.

Shrewsbury Prison: a world-class attraction...

Shrewsbury Prison is being reimagined into ‘a worldclass tourist attraction, blending rich heritage with modern luxury and sustainability’.

The transformation of the iconic 200-year-old prison includes the introduction of a 20-bedroom boutique hotel, a state-of-the-art conference facility and a new restaurant. For more information about the venue, visit shrewsburyprison.com

Birmingham International Tattoo set to mark 80th anniversary of D-Day Birmingham International Tattoo takes place at the city’s Resorts World Arena next month and will be one of the first events to mark the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings.

The ever-popular show, taking place on Saturday 10 February, will bring together international marching bands, massed standard bearers and more than 1,000 performers in a spectacle of pomp and pageantry. To find out more, visit bhamtattoo.com whatsonlive.co.uk 05

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First Word

News from around the region

Welcome back, Paddy!

Comedian Paddy McGuinness is heading out on his first major UK tour since 2016 and will be making stop-offs at three Midlands venues.

Commenting on the news, Paddy said: “It’s been eight years since my last tour, and there’s lots of things to laugh about!

“I’m looking forward to getting back in front of a live audience - along with running the gauntlet of cancel culture, click bait and fake news!”

Paddy will appear at Stoke-on-Trent’s Regent Theatre on Saturday 23 November, Birmingham’s The Alexandra on Friday 28 February 2025 and The Civic at The Halls in Wolverhampton on Saturday 1 March 2025.

Further information can be accessed via each theatre’s website.

Wolverhampton cinema given a new lease of life City of Wolverhampton Council has announced its preferred operator for the cinema within the historic and awardwinning Grade II listed Chubb Buildings.

Experienced independent commercial operator PDJ Management Ltd (PDJ) has been selected from a group of eight experienced independent operators and creative organisations who submitted formal expressions of interest in the Fryer Street venue.

Commenting on the news, Councillor Stephen Simkins, City of Wolverhampton Council Leader, said: “PDJ are suitably qualified cinema and entertainment experts.

It has been exciting to learn about their vision for the space and their confidence in our city. We were particularly impressed with their commercial and social-value track record - which they have sustained in their other venues over a significant period of time - and by their confidence that the new cinema offering will provide ‘accessible and affordable luxury’.”

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Local full-mask theatre company hit the road Midlands full-mask theatre company Vamos are touring a brand-new show to numerous local venues across the next few months.

Titled The Boy On The Roof, the show is described as ‘the story of an unlikely friendship, where acceptance,

understanding and love find their way to centre stage’.

To find out more about the production and check which venues Vamos are visiting on tour, go to the company’s website at vamostheatre.co.uk

Get free tickets for popular NEC show!

Two Midlands dates for Tough Mudder event

Midlanders are being invited to claim two free tickets for the 2024 edition of the Homebuilding & Renovating Show.

Taking place at Birmingham’s NEC from Thursday 21 to Sunday 24 March, the popular event provides visitors with the chance to check out products and services from well-known brands, find out about the latest trends and developments in home energy, and pick up tips from an impressive selection of industry experts. To get two free tickets, visit homebuildingshow.co.uk/prwhats-midlands

Tough Mudder is coming to Birmingham in the autumn.

Challenging participants to run as many obstaclecourse laps as they can within a fixed period of time, the popular endurance event stops off in the city across the weekend of Saturday 7 & Sunday 8 September.

To find out more, including information about how to get involved, visit the website: toughmudder.co.uk

Funnyman Paul in the Midlands

Bluey in Birmingham!

Liverpool comedian Paul Smith will be making numerous Midlands stop-offs as part of his 2024/25 tour, performing shows at Birmingham’s Utilita Arena, Coventry Building Society Arena, Stoke-on-Trent’s Regent Theatre and Wolverhampton Astoria.

For further details about his visits to the region, check out hotwatercomedy.co.uk

A brand-new theatrical adaptation of Emmy award-winning children’s television series Bluey is visiting Birmingham Hippodrome early next month.

Bluey’s Big Play shows at the venue from Thursday 1 to Sunday 4 February.

For further information and tickets, visit birminghamhippodrome.com

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First Word

News from around the region

Yonex Badminton returns to Birmingham The YONEX All England Open Badminton Championships makes a welcome return to Utilita Arena Birmingham in the spring.

Taking place at the venue for the 31st time, the championship runs from Tuesday 12 to Sunday 17 March.

The event is the world’s oldest badminton tournament, having first been held in 1899.

Each year, 155 matches and 50 hours of live badminton are contested in front of a global audience of more than 350 million. Tickets start at just £8.50 for adults and £5.50 for children, plus booking fees. For further information visit allenglandbadminton.com

Pre-Raphaelites on show at The Gas Hall Birmingham’s impressive collection of PreRaphaelite art will go on display in the city for the first time in more than five years next month. The artworks will be on show at the Gas Hall, part of Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, from Saturday 10 February in an exhibition entitled Victorian Radicals: From The Pre-Raphaelites To The Arts & Crafts Movement.

Featuring vibrant paintings and exquisite drawings presented alongside jewellery, glass, textiles and metalwork, the show provides visitors with the chance to discover the story of the Pre-Raphaelites - Britain’s first modern art movement - and learn about their influence on artists and makers well into the 20th century.

Ska and reggae festival debuts in the Midlands

War Of The Worlds back at Midlands venue

London Science Museum stage show in Shropshire

Birmingham’s first ever International Ska & Reggae Festival will take place this summer.

Running from Friday 31 May to Sunday 2 June, the event is being held at Thornborough Farm - nestled on the outskirts of the city’s Kings Norton and Wythall districts - and will feature performances by, among many others, Dandy Livingstone, The Pioneers, Stranger Cole, Bad Manners and Neville Staple.

For more information and tickets, visit the website skiddle.com/festivals

Jeff Wayne’s musical version of HG Wells’ The War Of The Worlds will make a return in 2025 to celebrate the 130th anniversary of the book’s publication.

The ‘musical spectacular’ will be conducted

by Jeff himself and feature Liam Neeson in 3D holography as The Journalist, the character who recounts the story of how he survived the Martian invasion of 1898.

The production stops off in the Midlands - at Birmingham’s Resorts World Arena - on Friday 18 April 2025. For further information and to purchase tickets, visit the show’s official website: thewaroftheworlds.com

London’s world-renowned Science Museum is touring a brand-new family-friendly stage production to Shrewsbury’s Theatre Severn next month.

Aiming to ‘ignite your curiosity, fuel your imagination, and inspire you in new and exciting ways’, Science Museum Live visits the venue on Tuesday 20 February.

More information and tickets are available at theatresevern.co.uk

Shakespeare Shorts Film Competition now open The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust’s Shakespeare Shorts Film Competition is now open.

The Trust is inviting budding filmmakers to submit creative shorts inspired by its new multi-year theme: The Women Who Made Shakespeare.

In line with the theme, judges are particularly keen to spotlight women and female-identifying filmmakers.

For more information regarding guidelines, categories and deadlines, go to the web address: shakespeare.org.uk/exploreshakespeare/shakespeare-shorts 08 whatsonlive.co.uk

Denise and Duncan to headline Wolves Pride ’24 Denise Van Outen and Duncan James will headline Wolverhampton Pride 2024.

Following the success of last year’s event, Pride will return on Saturday 8 June.

Tickets for the festival are available at pridewton.co.uk

Start The Press! at Ikon Birmingham’s Ikon Gallery is set to present an exhibition featuring an antique, flatbed printing press from Wolverhampton School of Art. Start The Press! (Friday 9 February - Sunday 21 April) will see a cohort of West Midlands printmakers operate the press, establishing a functioning printmaking workshop, producing original prints, filling the gallery walls and making artwork in real time.

To find out more about the exhibition, visit ikon-gallery.org

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FRIGHT NIGHT

West End winner 2:22 A Ghost Story is heading for the Midlands...

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by Jessica Clixby

A hit from the outset, supernatural thriller 2:22 A Ghost Story is touring the UK with The Wanted’s Jay McGuiness, Hollyoaks’ Vera Chok, Casualty star George Rainsford and Emmerdale actor Fiona Wade. Writer Danny Robbins and Director Matthew Dunster here provide a behindthe-scenes insight into a show that everyone is talking about...

Hit psychological thriller 2.22: A Ghost Story is heading out on its first UK tour. Originally staged in 2021 at London’s Noel Coward Theatre, the play has since travelled - with a fresh cast each time - to LA, Melbourne and Singapore before returning to the West End. “It’s definitely best going into 2:22 knowing as little as possible about the production,” says writer Danny Robbins (pictured), “but I can say that the story revolves around a married couple, Jenny and Sam, who are redecorating their new home, and Jenny is convinced they’re visited by a supernatural presence every day at 2:22 am.”

“They’ve invited their friends Lauren and Ben over for dinner,” adds the show’s director, Matthew Dunster, “and they decide to stay up till 2:22 to investigate what’s been scaring Jenny on previous nights... On the one hand, it’s a suspense-filled ghost story because we’re waiting with them till 2:22 as the evening ticks along, but there’s also lots of other layers to the show.”

The small-scale cast and intimate setting are clues that this is a very human story, in spite of the supernatural subject matter.

Danny was inspired to write 2.22 when a friend reportedly saw a ghost: “It really blew me away, because she’s not the type of person I’d expect to have that kind of experience. I was immediately fascinated by the idea that different people would react to her in very different ways. Some people might believe her, some might laugh at her, others would be annoyed by her. This whole range of possible opinions became the foundations of 2:22.

“I then thought, what if you distil that range of opinions into a couple, where one person believes there’s a ghost in the house and the other person adamantly disagrees. What then happens to their relationship?”

Danny has since created two BBC podcasts on similarly ghostly themes - Uncanny and The Battersea Poltergeist - both of which are directly inspired by his research for 2.22. “It’s been a totally obsessive labour of love. I pored over every single word of this play for about five years.”

Matthew was brought on board to direct the first version of the play and has been involved ever since: “I got a phone call from

one of the producers, Isobel David, who asked me to read the script. I was mindblown by the end and knew I had to do it.”

Matthew was attracted not only to the spinechilling plot but also the characters Danny had created. “The dangerous and destructive behaviour of some of the characters surprised me. It became apparent that these are real people with complex lives and complex problems, which you don’t tend to find in a ghost story.

“The play always reveals new things as very different actors take on the roles.”

Each cast is celebrated for their own unique style, and Matthew thinks this might be one of the reasons behind the show’s success.

“We cast Lily Allen in that first production, which was a really good move because it meant the play found its audience. Ever since then, we’ve had really fun, exciting and surprising casts, and that’s meant that we’ve kept finding an audience who want to be surprised and thrilled by what we’re doing.”

Matthew is now well-practiced at bringing Danny’s script to life. “My job is to make sure everybody knows exactly what they’re doing in every single second of the show, and I like that level of attention to detail. I’m always asking the actors questions and encouraging them to ask me, and each other, questions.”

Although the writer’s involvement inevitably reduces after the first run, Danny continues to take an active role in the production. “As we reached our sixth iteration in the West End this year, and as we head out on tour, my involvement does become less necessary, but it’s a project that has been life-changing for me, so it’s always a joy to come back to. I work with every new cohort of actors at rehearsals and am still a regular in the audience.”

All this comes together to produce a work of theatre that Danny maintains is not only “a jump-out-of-your-seat, spine-tingling psychological thriller, but also a really great night out”.

“And it’s a good way to get to know the person sitting next to you in the theatre as well, as you’ll probably need an arm to grab hold of for support!”

Even after six successful West End runs, the positive response to the play has shown no

sign of slowing down. Matthew is keen to carry on entertaining the fans. “That’s why we keep doing it. One of the things I’m most proud of is that every time I go to see the show, the audience is just riveted from the moment it starts. I think they love it as a story.”

There is definitely something unique about sharing a scare with a complete stranger, and according to Danny, this communal experience has been sorely lacking in recent times. “After years of being separated from each other by Covid, I really can’t think of anything better than being terrified in a big group of people!”

Danny evidently has a fascination with the supernatural, but the big question is - does he believe? “I always call myself a sceptic who wants to believe, but I’m not quite there yet. I’ve never had a supernatural experience, but I have a lifelong desire to have one. I still live in hope!”

In the play, he builds tension between the sceptics and the believers, and for some, the fear takes over: “Bizarrely, I’m absolutely not scared of ghosts, but I find it really easy to plug into the fear that I pick up from people, which really helps to humanise the characters in the play.”

For Matthew, fears have a place in the real world, not with the supernatural. “I’m not easily scared. I don’t have any of those fears people seem to have of the dark or enclosed spaces... I used to be scared of dogs, but that fear disappeared overnight when I had children.”

The play treads the boundary between human relationships and supernatural fears and Danny reminds us that it is, after all, A Ghost Story: “2:22 is an adrenaline-fuelled experience that’s both entertaining and thought-provoking. I’m sure that all families, couples, and friends who see the show will spend the rest of their evening haunted with the possibilities of the supernatural!”

2:22 A Ghost Story shows at The Alexandra, Birmingham, from 16 to 20 January, and then at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from 20 to 24 February

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Festivals to look forward to in 2024

When it comes to music, regardless of your preference - be it jazz, indie, folk, classical, world or pop - you’re sure to find a festival in the Midlands - and beyond, to suit your taste. So let’s make 2024 a year to remember for all the right reasons... Get your diary out and get booking!

APRIL

Sleaford Mods, Thurs 23 - Sun 26 May, Catton Hall, South Derbyshire beardedtheory.co.uk

NANTWICH JAZZ, BLUES & MUSIC FESTIVAL Line-up includes Judie Tzuke, Sad Cafe, The Blockheads, Thurs 28 March - Mon 1 April, various venues in Nantwich, Cheshire nantwichjazz.com CHELTENHAM JAZZ FESTIVAL Line-up includes Morcheeba, Snarky Puppy, Courtney Pine, Wed 1 - Mon 6 May, Montpellier Gardens, Cheltenham cheltenhamfestivals.com/jazz UPTON UPON SEVERN FOLK FESTIVAL Line-up includes Melrose Quartet, The Melsons, Magpie Lane, Fri 3 - Mon 6 May, various venues, Upton upon Severn, Worcestershire uptonfolk.org

GLASTONBUDGET Line-up includes Young Elton plus more tbc, Thurs 23 Sun 26 May, Turnpost Farm, Leicestershire glastonbudget.org

LIVERPOOL SOUND CITY Line-up includes Caity Baser, The Snuts, Antony Szmierek, Sat 4 - Sun 5 May, Baltic Triangle and Cains Brewery, Liverpool soundcity.uk.com

BREAKING BANDS Line-up includes Tailgunner, Stickman, Dead Man’s Whiskey, Fri 24 - Mon 27 May, Stoke Prior Sports & Country Club, Bromsgrove breakingbandsfestival.com

MAY

CHESTER FOLK FESTIVAL Line-up includes Greg Russell, Wet The Tea, Calan, Fri 24 - Mon 27 May, Kelsall Village, Cheshire chesterfolk.org.uk

FOCUS WALES Line-up includes Spiritualized, The Mysterines, The Royston Club, Thurs 9 - Sat 11 May, various venues in Wrexham, Wales focuswales.com BEARDED THEORY SPRING GATHERING Line-up includes Jane’s Addiction, Amyl And The Sniffers (pictured),

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HOWTHELIGHTGETSIN The world’s largest philosophy and music festival.

Line-up tbc, Fri 24 - Mon 27 May, Hay on Wye, Hereford howthelightgetsin.org BIRMINGHAM PRIDE Line-up tbc, Fri 24 - Sun 26 May, Birmingham Gay Village

DOT TO DOT FESTIVAL Line-up tbc, Sun 26 May, various venues in Nottingham dottodotfestival.co.uk

includes Blair Dunlop, Kate Rusby, Mad Dog Mcrea, Thurs 13 - Sun 16 June, Hopton Court, Cleobury Mortimer, Shropshire beardyfolkfestival.co.uk

FORBIDDEN FOREST Line-up includes Pawsa, Low Steppa, East End Dubs, Fri 31 May - Sun 2 June, Belvoir Castle, Nottinghamshire forbidden-forest.co.uk

DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL Line-up includes Queens Of The Stone Age, Fall Out Boy (pictured), Avenged Sevenfold, Fri 14 Sun 16 June, Donington Park, Derby downloadfestival.co.uk

birminghampride.com

BIRMINGHAM INTERNATIONAL SKA & REGGAE FESTIVAL Line-up includes Dandy Livingstone, The Pioneers, Stranger Cole, Fri 31 May - Sun 2 June, Thornborough Farm, Birmingham skiddle.com WYCHWOOD MUSIC FESTIVAL Line-up tbc, Fri 31 May - Sun 2 June, Cheltenham Racecourse wychwoodfestival.com

JUNE PARKLIFE FESTIVAL Line-up tbc, Sat 8 Sun 9 June, Heaton Park, Manchester parklife.uk.com

SONIC ROCK SOLSTICE 2023 Line-up includes Jah Wobble, Hawklords, Trance Dimensionals, Thurs 20 - Mon 24 June, Stoke Prior Sports and Country Club, Worcester sonicrocksolstice.com

NOCTURNE LIVE AT BLENHEIM PALACE Line-up includes Crowded House, Turin Brakes, Sheryl Crow, Wed 12 Sun 16 June, Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire nocturnelive.com

UPTON JAZZ FESTIVAL Line-up tbc, Fri 28 - Sun 30 June, various venues in Upton-upon-Severn, Worcestershire uptonjazz.co.uk

GOTTWOOD FESTIVAL Line-up includes Jay Carder, Malika, Ruf Dug, Thurs 13 Sun 16 June, Carreglwyd Estate, Anglesey gottwood.co.uk

JULY

BEARDY FOLK FESTIVAL Line-up

GATE TO SOUTHWELL Line-up includes The Harr, Mánran, An Dannsa Dub, Thurs 4 - Sun 7 July, Kirklington,

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Festivals Southwell, Nottinghamshire gtsf.uk BROMSGROVE FOLK FESTIVAL Line-up includes Martyn Joseph, Track Dogs, Granny’s Attic, Thurs 4 - Sun 7 July, various venues across Bromsgrove bromsgrovefolkclub.co.uk SOUNDS OF THE CITY Line-up includes The National, The Saw Doctors, Tom Grennan, Thurs 4 - Sat 13 July, Castlefield Bowl, Manchester visitmanchester.com

ALSO FESTIVAL Line-up tbc, Fri 12 - Sun 14 July, Park Farm, Warwickshire also-festival.com LET’S ROCK SHREWSBURY Line-up includes Squeeze (pictured), Bananarama, Jason Don0van, Sat 13 July, The Quarry, Shrewsbury letsrockshrewsbury.com

TIMBER FESTIVAL Line-up tbc, Fri 5 Sun 7 July, Feanedock, The National Forest timberfestival.org.uk

NOZSTOCK Line-up tbc, Thurs 18 - Sun 21 July, Rowden Paddocks, Bromyard, Herefordshire nozstock.com

CAMPERJAM Line-up tbc, Fri 5 - Sun 7 July, Weston Park, Shropshire/Staffordshire border camperjam.com

BEAT-HERDER FESTIVAL Line-up tbc, Thurs 18 - Sun 21 July, Dockber Farm, Clitheroe, Lancashire beatherder.co.uk

2000TREES FESTIVAL Line-up includes The Gaslight Anthem, Manchester Orchestra, Kids In Glass Houses, Wed 10 - Sat 13 July, Upcote Farm, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire twothousandtreesfestival.co.uk

WOODSHROP Line-up tbc, Fri 19 - Sun 21 July, West Mid Showground, Shropshire woodshrop.co.uk

EL DORADO FESTIVAL Line-up tbc, Thurs 11 - Sun 14 July, Eastnor Castle Deer Park, Herefordshire eldoradofestival.com THE MOSTLY JAZZ FUNK AND SOUL FESTIVAL Kool & The Gang, Nubiyan Twist (pictured), Craig Charles, Fri 12 Sun 14 July, Moseley Park, Birmingham mostlyjazz.co.uk

LOST VILLAGE Line-up tbc, Thurs 22 Sun 25 Aug, The Village, near Newark, Lincolnshire lostvillagefestival.com BACK 2 FESTIVAL Line-up includes Bananarama (pictured), Wet Wet Wet & The South, Thurs 22 - Sun 25 Aug, Thoresby Park, Nottinghamshire ontick.co.uk/event/back-2-festival2024

GREEN MAN FESTIVAL Line-up tbc, Thurs 15 - Sun 18 Aug, near Crickhowell, South Wales greenman.net OLD BUSH BLUES FESTIVAL Line-up includes Sugar Mama, Catfish, Hollie Rogers (pictured), Fri 16 - Sun 18 Aug, The Old Bush, Callow End, Worcester oldbushblues.co.uk THE BIG FEASTIVAL Line-up tbc, Fri 23 Sun 25 Aug, Kingham, Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire thebigfeastival.co.uk CAMPER CALLING Line-up includes McFly, Fri 23 - Sun 25 Aug, Ragley Hall, Warwickshire campercalling.com

UPTON BLUES FESTIVAL Line-up tbc, Fri 19 - Sun 21 July, various venues around Upton upon Severn, Worcestershire uptonbluesfestival.com

SHREWSBURY FOLK FESTIVAL Line-up tbc, Fri 23 - Mon 26 Aug, Greenhous West Mid Showground, Shrewsbury shrewsburyfolkfestival.co.uk

THE BIRMINGHAM, SOLIHULL & WESTSIDE FESTIVAL Line-up tbc, Fri 19 - Sun 28 July, venues tbc, Birmingham birminghamjazzfestival.com WARWICK FOLK FESTIVAL Line-up tbc, Thurs 25 - Sun 28 July, Castle Park, Warwick warwickfolkfestival.co.uk TRUCK FESTIVAL Line-up tbc, Fri 26 Sun 28 July, Hill Farm, Steventon, Oxfordshire truckfestival.com

AUGUST WILDERNESS FESTIVAL Line-up tbc, Thurs 1 - Sun 4 Aug, Cornbury Park, Oxfordshire wildernessfestival.com ANOTHER WORLD MUSIC FESTIVAL Lineup includes Andy Whitby, XTM, Dee Dee, Thurs 1 - Mon 5 Aug, Borras Hall Lane, Wrexham anotherworldfest.co.uk Y NOT FESTIVAL Line-up tbc, Fri 2 - Sun 4 Aug, Pikehall, Derbyshire ynotfestival.com

FUSE FESTIVAL Line-up tbc, Fri 12 - Sun 14 July, Beacon Park, Lichfield, Staffordshire lichfieldarts.org.uk

25 Aug, a secret location in Northampton shambalafestival.org

CAMP BESTIVAL Line-up tbc, Thurs 15 Sun 18 Aug, Weston Park, Shropshire/Staffordshire border shropshire.campbestival.net

NAPTON MUSIC FESTIVAL Line-up tbc, Fri 5 - Sat 6 July, Napton Village Hall Grounds, Napton On The Hill, Warwickshire naptonfestival.co.uk

NOISILY FESTIVAL Line-up tbc, Thurs 11 - Sun 14 July, Coney Woods, Leicestershire noisilyfestival.com

FARMER PHIL’S FESTIVAL Line-up tbc, Fri 9 - Sun 11 Aug, Near Gatten Farm, Ratlinghope, Shropshire farmerphilsfestival.com TRENTHAM LIVE Line-up incluses Jess Glynne, Busted, Thurs 15 - Sun 18 Aug, Trentham Estate, Stoke-on-Trent trentham.co.uk

ALDERFEST Line-up tbc, Fri 5 - Sat 6 July, Alderford Lake, Shropshire alderfest.com

THE ROCK AND BIKE FEST Line-up includes Showaddywaddy, Tom Jovi, Ultimate Whitesnake, Thurs 11 - Sat 13 July, Notts Derby Showground rockandbikefest.co.uk

BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR Line-up includes Opeth, Architects, Amon Amarth, Thurs 8 - Sun 11 Aug, Catton Hall, Derbyshire bloodstock.uk.com

LAKEFEST Line-up tbc, Wed 7 - Sun 11 Aug, Eastnor Castle Deer Park, Herefordshire lakefest.co.uk DEVAFEST Line-up tbc, Thurs 8 - Sun 11 Aug, Cholmondeley Castle, Cheshire devafest.co.uk

THE MOIRA FURNACE FOLK FESTIVAL Line-up tbc, Fri 16 - Sun 18 Aug, Moira Furnace Museum and Monument Site, Leicestershire moirafurnacefolkfestival.co.uk JUST SO FESTIVAL Line-up includes Thingumabob & The Thingumajigs, Lazlo Baby, David Gibb Big Band, Fri 16 - Sun 18 Aug, Rode Hall, Cheshire justsofestival.org.uk CREAMFIELDS Line-up tbc, Thurs 22 Sun 25 Aug, Daresbury, Halton, Cheshire creamfields.com SUNSHINE FESTIVAL Line-up tbc, Thurs 22 - Sun 25 Aug, Fish Meadow, Upton upon Severn, Worcestershire uptonfestival.co.uk BEERMAGEDDON FESTIVAL Line-up includes Lawnmower Deth, Trashatouilie, Concussion, Thurs 22 Sun 25 Aug, Stoke Prior Sports & Country Club, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire beermageddon.co.uk SHAMBALA Line-up tbc, Thurs 22 - Sun

PÁIRC FESTIVAL Line-up tbc, Sat 24 Sun 25 Aug, New Irish Centre, Birmingham paircfestival.com CROOKED HOUSE IN THE PARK Line-up tbc, Sun 25 Aug, Beacon Park, Lichfield crookedhouseevents.com MOSELEY FOLK & ARTS Line-up tbc, Fri 30 Aug - Sun 1 Sept, Moseley Park, Birmingham moseleyfolk.co.uk

SEPTEMBER BROMYARD FOLK FESTIVAL Line-up tbc, Thurs 5 - Sun 8 Sept, Bromyard, Herefordshire bromyardfolkfestival.co.uk ONBOARD THE CRAFT Line-up includes Krankschaft, Peter And The Test Tube Babies, Punishment Of Luxury, Thurs 5 - Sun 8 Sept, Stoke Prior Sports and Country Club, Worcester sonicrocksolstice.com HEAL FESTIVAL Line-up tbc, Fri 20 - Sat 21 Sept, Greenhous West Mid Showground, Shrewsbury, healfestival.co.uk

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CUTTING IT!

Sir Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures dance company bring their iconic production of Edward Scissorhands to Birmingham

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Sir Matthew Bourne’s dance adaptation of the Tim Burton film Edward Scissorhands visits Birmingham in February as part of a national tour, with Midlands-bred Ben Brown taking on the role of Jim Upton. What’s On recently caught up with Ben to find out more about the show...

Sir Matthew Bourne is surely one of the country’s best-known choreographers.

Performances by his dance company, New Adventures, frequently draw a crowd, perhaps thanks to their accessible, engaging style and subject matter.

The company are back in the Midlands next month with their revival of Edward Scissorhands. Also back in the Midlands to appear in the show is dancer Ben Brown, who grew up in the region and has been performing with New Adventures for the past six years, appearing in Cinderella, Nutcracker!, Romeo & Juliet and Sleeping Beauty, among other productions.

Although his coveted place in the company is now well established, Ben was guided on his journey to become a professional dancer by those who saw his potential: “I started at a local dance school, and they told me that I should go and audition for Junior Associates at Birmingham Royal Ballet - I did that. They said I should go and audition for Royal Ballet School at White Lodge - I did that. I had a hiatus - I took about two years out - then decided I did want to be a dancer, and went to Laine Theatre Arts to study Musical Theatre. I joined New Adventures after that.

“I’ve definitely worked for it, but I don’t think it was a conscious decision that I was going to be a dancer - I just loved it, and it seems to have worked out! I don’t know what I’d do if I wasn’t doing this...”

Although he has dabbled in other performance disciplines, Ben hasn’t yet made the sideways move away from the world of dance. “I’ve never done a musical theatre production, but I would like to. I’ve been too busy working with New Adventures, which is a great place to be! It was pretty much dance straight away, other than a nativity play at primary school - I was a very convincing donkey.”

Edward Scissorhands is based on the 1990 Tim Burton film of the same name. A gothic fantasy romance, its protagonist is naïve and ageless Edward - the creation of an inventor who died before supplying him with hands.

Why he put grotesque scissors there in the first place is a moot point.

The film tells the touching story of the acceptance - or rejection - of Edward in a

suburban American community and teems with Tim Burton’s gothic-inspired aesthetic.

New Adventures’ stage version was created in collaboration with the film’s screenwriter, Caroline Thompson. Composer Danny Elfman’s original score was adapted by Terry Davies, helping to maintain the film’s style.

However, there were other hurdles to jump when adapting Burton’s movie for live performance - not least, as Ben points out, ensuring that Edward’s hands looked effective: “They could very easily look like a prop, rather than actually being part of him and the show is Edward Scissorhands, so if the scissor-hands aren’t believable, it’s not going to work!”

Ben plays Jim Upton, who is something of an antagonist in the story - but that’s not how he appears at first: “He’s the all-American sweetheart, essentially. He’s a jock, and he’s the guy that everyone in the community looks up to.”

Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake, which premiered in 1995, is one of the radical reinterpretations of classical ballet which helped him become a household name. In the production, the traditionally female swans are played by men.

“I think every single male dancer in the company would always want to play the swan - I think lots of the female dancers would like to as well. It’s one of those roles.

You watch Billy Elliot, as a young kid going into dance, and you see Adam Cooper going on stage as the big Swan, and think ‘Yep, that’s the one!’ That would be great.”

Ben is no stranger to Birmingham Hippodrome. “I’m from Dudley way. My firstever show was at the Wolverhampton Grand, with my local dance school. Returning to the Hippodrome always feels like a homecoming - I was eight years old the first time I danced on that stage with Birmingham Royal Ballet.”

Jim is in a relationship with Kim, Edward’s love interest. “At first you think it’s a great relationship; then, as the show goes on, you realise he’s not quite as nice as he puts himself across. It’s quite a fun character to play. You get some great dancing moments with Kim, but you also get to not just be the nice guy.”

Performing in a venue so close to home has benefits other than nostalgia, and Ben is looking forward to performing on ‘home ground’, where friends and family can easily attend and enjoy the show. The production is recommended for ages five-plus, and although it’s not primarily a family show, the colour, spectacle and music allow for a broad audience appeal.

Jim’s on-stage swagger contrasts with Edward’s mechanical movement, and Ben clearly revels in the role. “It’s quite fun to play a part that has such a good arc, where you get to show off different sides of the character.”

“All my family is coming to Edward Scissorhands - I’ve got my little nieces and nephews coming as well, which is their first introduction to theatre. My niece has seen me perform, but my nephew hasn’t, so that’s very exciting.”

His highlight of the production, however, is a more melancholy one: the final ‘Farewell’ duet, between Edward and Kim. “It’s just so beautiful. The music in that scene is phenomenal - it takes you into their world.

They’ve essentially realised that they have this connection, but it can never work... It’s a very poignant moment.”

Ben first performed with New Adventures in Cinderella in 2017, but he still has an iconic production on his bucket list: Swan Lake.

“When I first auditioned for the company, it was for Cinderella and Swan Lake. I was hoping for Swan Lake but I got Cinderella which I’m not complaining about; I had a great time!”

The production has previously toured the world, and is making a comeback after 10 years. Having won the 2007 Desk Drama Award for Unique Theatrical Experience, Edward Scissorhands promises an intriguing night out, both for those who are brand-new to the story and for big fans of the original film. Be sure to grab yourself a ticket asap!

Edward Scissorhands shows at Birmingham Hippodrome from Tues 6 to Sat 10 February.

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Classical music from across the region...

Classical

Grieg’s Piano Concerto with Paul Lewis & the CBSO Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Thurs 11 January

Edvard Grieg’s only concerto was famously brought to the wider public attention by a nowadays oft-repeated sketch from the 1971 Morecambe & Wise Christmas Show.

During the sketch, Andre Previn (or Andrew Preview, as Eric & Ernie repeatedly referred to him throughout) attempted to conduct the work despite an unhelpful musical contribution from Eric, who claimed he was “playing all the right notes, but not necessarily in the right order”.

Sibelius’ Pohjola’s Daughter and Tchaikovsky’s fifth symphony complete the programme. Tabita Berglund conducts; the pianist is Paul Lewis.

Halle Orchestra Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent, Fri 5 January One of the UK’s top symphonic ensembles, the Manchester-based Halle are admired around the world for their extensive orchestral repertoire.

This latest Victoria Hall appearance sees the orchestra presenting their annual

Viennese concert, with Stephen Bell taking up the baton and being joined by soprano Ailish Tynan.

The concert programme includes works by, among others, Strauss, Lehar, Korngold, Heuberger and Stolz.

Ariel Lanyi: Piano Recital Stoke Repertory Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Thurs 25 January

A Classic FM ‘rising star’ of 2023, Israeli pianist Ariel Lanyi appears in the Potteries this month as part of Stoke-on-Trent Classics’ Piano Masters Series.

Ariel’s programme for the evening features: Beethoven’s Sonata in E, Op109; Chopin’s 3 Mazurkas Op59/Polonaise-Fantasie, Op61; and Roger’s Variations And Fugue On A Theme by Bach, Op81.

The Carducci Quartet Maidment Auditorium, Shrewsbury School, Sun 28 January

Viennese New Year with the CBSO Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Sun 7 January

Symphony Hall welcomes in the new year with this mid-afternoon concert performed by the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.

Highly rated soprano Francesca Chiejina (pictured) lends her incredible voice to proceedings, as Christoph Koncz conducts a selection of playful polkas and wonderful waltzes.

The programme is approximately two hours in length and includes Johann Strauss II’s On The Beautiful Blue Danube.

Performing nearly 100 international concerts each year, Carducci are regarded as one of the most successful string quartets in the business.

Their visit to Shrewsbury sees them teaming up with pianist Simon Callaghan to present a programme featuring Haydn’s String Quartet Op20, No4, Shostakovich’s String Quartet No10, Op118 and Robert Schumann’s Piano Quintet Op44.

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Gigs

Live music from across the region...

Luke Morley KK’s Steel Mill, Wolverhampton, Thurs 25 January

It’s the 35th-anniversary year of the hard rock band Thunder, and their guitarist and chief songwriter, Luke Morley, is this month marking the occasion in a somewhat unusual manner - by going solo!

In truth, Thunder fans needn’t worry; Luke is only taking a temporary break - he’s playing Wolverhampton and just a handful of other destinations before returning to the serious business of rocking with the five-piece.

His solo tour comes in support of his album, Songs From The Blue Room, which he released to significant acclaim last summer.

Martyn Joseph Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Fri 26 January

“Really what I do is try to write songs that might step up and make some sense of a moment in time,” explains modern folk artist Martyn Joseph. “A good song makes you feel like you’re not alone in the world.”

The Clause The Sugarmill, Stoke-on-Trent, Fri 26 January

Birmingham four-piece The Clause have been jamming together since they were kids.

They describe their sound as a combination of 1960s swagger, the rolling groove of the 1980s and the riotous verve and attitude of the 1990s. Huge hooks with gritty verses, indie sensibilities and rhythm’n’blues groove & melodies are very much the name of their game, all wrapped up with an impressive energy and a clearly evident enthusiasm for the business of performing live.

ABC The Civic at The Halls Wolverhampton, Thurs 25 January

New wave Sheffield band and ’80s nostalgiacircuit favourites ABC - led by frontman Martin Fry, who’s the only permanent member - have been making music since 1980 and enjoyed their biggest success with debut album The Lexicon Of Love.

Forty-two years after releasing the record, the band will be playing it in its entirety when they stop off at The Halls this month.

John Otway & Wild Willy Barrett

Often compared to the likes of Bruce Springsteen, John Mayer, Bruce Cockburn and Dave Matthews, Martyn is a unique performer who’s driven by passion, social awareness and an abiding love for his trade.

His career spans 40-plus years, more than 30 albums, over half a million record sales and thousands of live performances. wheelie bin, as the duo jump from one much-loved song to another.

As an extra-special treat for fans, Willy will be showcasing the latest addition to his array of instruments - the splendidly named Moose Homp!

Nigel Wearne Thimblemill Library, Smethwick, Fri 26 January

Blues, folk & Americana-noir Australian musician Nigel Wearne makes a welcome return to the Library following his 2023 appearance there with Lauren Housley.

Support on the night comes from singersongwriter & guitarist Amit Dattani.

The Robin, Bilston, Sun 14 January

When it comes to the adventure of touring the country, age doesn’t seem to have withered the enthusiasm of John Otway and Wild Willy Barrett.

Indeed, the boys spent a significant amount of time on the road together last year and are at it again in early 2024.

If you’ve not experienced the magic of an Otway/Barrett team-up before, then you’ll need to be prepared for everything from bare-chested theremin playing to wah wah whatsonlive.co.uk 17

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STILL ALIVE AND KICKING Jim Kerr and Simple Minds return to the Midlands

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by Steve Adams

Almost 50 years into their career, Simple Minds are embarking on their biggest-ever tour, which includes a show at Birmingham’s Utilita Arena in March. The tour caps a remarkable upturn in the band’s fortunes - and singer Jim Kerr tells What’s On he couldn’t be more delighted...

The title of Simple Minds’ breakthrough hit Don’t You (Forget About Me) could hardly be more prophetic. Nearly 40 years after its release, the band are about to embark on their biggest-ever tour, which is expected to see them play to more than a million people worldwide. It turns out we haven’t forgotten about them.

But for a while it looked like we had. In the early 2000s the band’s popularity had waned so much that singer Jim Kerr recalled “driving in a minibus past stadiums we used to sell out, on route to a club that’s not”.

The softly spoken 64-year-old can’t put his finger on what has changed their fortunes, but is delighted by the turnaround - even if it means the next year of his life is now booked up.

“You can forget holidays or going to weddings and all of that,” he laughs. “That’s the way I deal with it as opposed to looking at the big crowd numbers and getting overwhelmed.

“Because it is a big number, and it’s strange to try and work out what’s behind the resurgence, beyond the fact that more and more bands are playing big shows, and more and more people want to attend live gigs.”

It’s a far cry from the band’s 1980s heyday, when most acts lost money touring but would make it up through album sales - a model long since consigned to the annals of history.

“It’s upside down. If you broke even on tour, that was a big thing, but then you’d hope to make money on the records. I certainly know how the recording side has changed in the last 10 to 15 years, but it’s difficult to put your finger on the live thing.

“Certainly for bands of our generation, it seems there’s still an audience that wants to come along, or come along again. And not only are they coming along, they’re bringing their kids with them.”

Jim says the band’s music appearing in films and TV shows has almost certainly played a role in raising their profile. The Breakfast Club movie made Don’t You (Forget About Me) a hit all those years ago, and now the likes of Stranger Things, The Circle and The Goldbergs are earning the band a new generation of fans.

“There’s all these other connotations and connections when a song turns up in a movie, a TV series or an advert. In the slipstream of all that, it comes alive again, and people can go online or on Spotify or

whatever and see our whole history and decide whether it interests them or not.”

live walking distance from each other... albeit in Sicily rather than Glasgow.

That history stretches back to 1977. The band formed from the ashes of Johnny & The SelfAbusers, taking their new name from a line in David Bowie’s The Jean Genie. And while only Kerr and guitarist Charlie Burchill remain from the original line-up, the art rock of their early albums has played an increasingly prominent role in their resurgence, as well as live sets, in recent years. The renaissance is another thing the singer is fairly philosophical about.

The duo performed in their new hometown of Taormina on the band’s 40 Years Of Hits tour in 2022. The show, as its title suggests, was largely made up of tunes familiar to the masses. This potentially gives them a headache in terms of choosing a different setlist for the upcoming trek - not least because the arena-size venues means there’ll be a greater percentage of casual ‘hit seeking’ fans in attendance.

“With some records you make, years later you think the passage of time has left them behind, and that’s not who you are anymore.

I’m not 18, I’m not the person who made those records, and you feel a wee bit distanced from them.

“That’s all perfectly understandable, but where it gets a wee bit mysterious is that you go forward a few more years - and don’t ask me why - but it feels ‘of its moment’ again. Or maybe distance makes the heart grow fonder.

And far from sounding dated or antiquated, it seems to have some new relevance or new, fresh energy - and that’s what we’ve found through the years.”

Which is great news for fans of albums like Sparkle In The Rain, which turns 40 this year, and its predecessor, New Gold Dream, which the band recently performed at Paisley Abbey for Sky Arts’ Greatest Albums Live TV series - a gig they chose to play without an audience.

“It was a bit of a gamble, that show, in the sense that so much of our thing is playing live - which by its very nature means an audience and interaction with the audience but we were the only ones in that series who chose to do it without one.

“But there’s something kinda spiritual about that record - even if you think of the artwork and all that - and that’s what led us to the abbey. We didn’t want to go down that road and then turn it into a sweaty rock gig, so we were playing to the ghosts of the past, and almost trying to meditate on the songs.

Thankfully people seem to think it turned out well.”

One of the reasons it turned out so well was the dynamic and dynamite playing of the band’s current line-up - “Quite often we’ll be working and they’ll look at me and Charlie and say, ‘You’re playing that wrong’!” laughs Jim - and their energy and enthusiasm is clearly rubbing off on the old stagers, who have been friends for nearly 60 years and still

“It’s a problem, but it’s one that’s better to have than the other way around, you know?

There is a challenge, but you just try to tick all the boxes in the best way.

“What we kinda do is probably two-thirds of the set we play every night and then the other third is up for grabs. So you get a chance to play songs one would expect to hear - stuff from the very start, something from where we are right now - then put in a couple of songs that are maybe for the hardcore fans that they either haven’t heard live for decades or wouldn’t expect to hear live. If you can do all that, and tick all those boxes, it usually provides a set that everyone is happy with.”

Which presumably includes the band themselves?

“Oh yeah, we enjoy it; we just do. When you look out at the end of the night, if there’s joy in the room and something’s happened - a different atmosphere, the place is energised it’s great. Concerts are the lifeblood of Simple Minds; it’s where we and our audience come alive.”

And while 50-odd years of experience means Jim’s confident about the band delivering on stage, it’s never something he takes for granted - the band still strive to prove themselves every night.

“You still want people to come along and say, God that was better than I thought, or that was as good as when I saw you back in the day. You’ve still got to deliver, and you’ve got to deliver every night. You can’t take your foot off the gas because it’s not New York or wherever. You’re playing for your pride; the band’s reputation is at stake every night, just like it always was.”

Simple Minds, supported by Del Amitri, will perform at Utilita Arena Birmingham on Saturday 23 March

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Comedy

Comedy previews from across the region...

Stewart Lee Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Sun 28 January; Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Sat 3 February; Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Sat 24 & Sun 25 February

At 55 years of age, Shropshire-born Stewart Lee is well aware that he’s not the man he used to be - although he’s maybe being a bit too hard on himself.

“In a way, my physical collapse has been a huge advantage,” says Stewart, perhaps with his tongue in his cheek. “It’s given the ‘stage me’ some tragedy, some gravity. Also, I’m going deaf and now wear hearing aids, which has been an interesting challenge on stage. My knees are shattered and don’t work - I think I ruined them during the 200 dates I did of a show where I pretended to be Jeremy Clarkson kicking a tramp to death - and that’s had an interesting effect on my physicality. If I jump off stage now or climb things, there’s a genuine element of pain and danger. I’m like Eddie The Eagle or something.”

Stewart visits the Midlands over the next few weeks with his critically acclaimed show, Basic Lee.

Guz Khan Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Thurs 18 January; Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa, Sat 27 January; Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Sun 28 January; Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Sat 24 February; Birmingham Hippodrome, Fri 2 & Sat 3 February

Former Coventry school teacher Guz Khan shot to relative fame a handful of years ago after seeing his YouTube clips go viral.

Since then, the only way has been up for the one-time Humanities teacher. “I think it’s important to push against boundaries with comedy,” says Guz. “And although I like to make people laugh while exploring issues such as religion, race and gender, I’m not somebody who’s looking to cause offence just because I can.”

Jonathan Pie Telford Theatre, Shropshire, Mon 22 January (warm-up show); Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Fri 2 February; Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Sun 18 February; Crewe Lyceum Theatre, Thurs 29 February

The media’s decision to pounce on Jeremy Corbyn in the wake of his Labour leadership victory lit the torchpaper for actor Tom Walker to create the larger-than-life character that is Jonathan Pie. YouTube sensation Pie is supposedly a

British political correspondent - but one who likes to rant at the camera.

The media’s savaging of Corbyn pushed Tom over the edge. “I got really annoyed by it,” he admits, “by the ridiculousness of the British press.”

This latest tour sees Jonathan paying homage to some of the UK’s greatest heroes (nurses/Gary Lineker/24-hour off-license proprietors) and taking a verbal blowtorch to its villains (the Tories and cyclists).

Justin Moorhouse

Rhod Gilbert

Crewe Lyceum Theatre, Thurs 25 January; Foxlowe Arts Centre, Leek, Staffs, Fri 26 January; Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Fri 8 March; Glee Club, Birmingham, Sun 31 March

Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Fri 19 January; Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa, Tues 30 January; Crewe Lyceum Theatre, Wed 31 January; Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Fri 7 June; The Halls, Wolverhampton, Thurs 10 October; Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Thurs 17 - Fri 18 October; Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Fri 15 - Sat 16 November

Audience members catching Justin Moorhouse’s act for the first time will find themselves in the company of a seasoned pro who knows exactly how to work a crowd.

Although his accent and style of delivery call to mind Peter Kay, Moorhouse is very much his own man, presenting an evening of well-honed, hugely enjoyable, adult-themed entertainment.

Justin’s new show, Stretch And Think, sees him contemplating a wide range of topics, including yoga, getting older, Madonna, shoplifters, labradoodles, middle-aged cyclists, the menopause, running, hating football fans but loving football, ruining a sexual position and electric car chargingspots used by doggers.

Welsh funnyman Rhod Gilbert has acquired a huge and still-growing following thanks to a high-energy brand of grumpiness that marks him out as one of the top comedians of his generation.

He’s returning to the Midlands this month with Rhod Gilbert And The Giant Grapefruit, a show in which he’ll be discussing his recent battle against stage four head and neck cancer.

Rhod’s best-loved gags include: “In the Bible, God made it rain for 40 days and 40 nights.

That’s a pretty good summer for Wales...

That’s a hosepipe ban waiting to happen.”

And “A spa hotel? It’s like a normal hotel, only in reception there’s a picture of a pebble.”

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WHAT YOU WAITIN Doreen Tipton and Andrew R to pantomime at Birmi There is surely no-one better to play a pantomime cow than Doreen Tipton, allegedly the first person in the world to be diagnosed, a decade ago, with Lazy Cow Syndrome (and dyslexia in one eye).

Doreen agrees she was born for the role, which she’s playing in Jack And The Beanstalk at Birmingham Hippodrome: “I feel like this part was specially written for me, the original Lazy Cow. I’ve been training for it all year, being a very lazy cow indeed.”

Doreen, aka actress Gill Jordan, is appearing in her seventh panto, her fourth at the Hippodrome. And the costume department have outdone themselves. Last year she looked brilliant as Dick Whittington’s cat, but this time out she looks positively hilarious, with a long tail, a large, round tummy and big fluffy ears.

There’s just one problem, though - she finds the costume makes it really hard for her to walk. And that will certainly make things tricky when it comes to the show’s traditional slapstick, where Doreen - along with Matt Slack and ‘Dame’ Andrew Ryan, who she calls ‘my Hippodrome family’ - perform a very physical routine which gets progressively frenetic and funny.

“I don’t know how it’s going to work; it’ll be a challenge,” confesses Doreen. “They’ll have to work round me or roll me around.

“I’m going to take the costume home so I can practise walking around the sofa. And I’ll keep it on this winter, as it will help with the heating bills. I think the government should give cow suits to everyone, especially the elderly. It’ll keep them warm, and they don’t walk very fast, do they?

“I’m going to do some more research by visiting a sanctuary with rescued cows. I love them. I was in Jack And The Beanstalk at the Grand Theatre in Wolverhampton, where I played Dame Trot’s neighbour, and I got to milk the cow. Now I am her - ayn it lovely?”

Doreen’s strong ‘yam yam’ accent is part of

whatsonlive.co.uk

the reason she’s become t of the Black Country. And Hippodrome stage with A the ‘Queen of Birmingham an element of competition Midlands regions collide?

“No, there’s no rivalry, no Doreen. “Two Queens tog she’s a hoot. If she starts loffing.”

Gill trained at Birmingham & Drama and set up her o company, playing historic she’s had the most succes comedy creation who wen attracting more than a mi point she threatened to ru minister on the promise o around the Black Country out theatre tours, hosted written an autobiography a Doreen movie, with cam Robert Plant and football Performing alongside Dor Beanstalk is the aforemen Ryan, who’s playing Jack’ Trot. This is his seventh H pantomime, and he’s look working with Doreen and “We have a familiarity, wh audience,” he says. “They we’re on stage and think ‘ The wheels are on the bus Andrew has decades of ex This is his 37th and his 33 “My first job in panto was stage manager,” he recall appearance was as the W henchman in Snow White I was so outrageous that t comedy role the following Simon in Puss In Boots - t in Dick Whittington. I wa in Mother Goose and Wish Aladdin before my first D

Doreen Tipton.qxp_Layout 1 19/12/2023 09:52 Page 2

by Roz Laws

U’VE BEAN NG FOR! w Ryan talk about their return mingham Hippodrome ome the self-titled Queen . And she’s sharing the with Alison Hammond, ngham’. So might there be etition as these two great llide? ry, not with Alison,” says ns together is lovely, and tarts loffing, we’ll all be ngham School of Speech her own theatre storical characters. But uccess as Doreen, a o went viral on YouTube, n a million views. At one d to run for prime mise of building a wall untry. She’s had six sellsted a radio show and aphy. There’s even been h cameos from rock star otball legend Steve Bull. e Doreen in Jack And The ementioned Andrew Jack’s mother, Dame nth Hippodrome s looking forward to n and Matt Slack again. ty, which is good for the “They can relax when hink ‘Oh, it’s all right.’ he bus.” s of experience in panto. his 33rd as Dame. o was as an assistant recalls. “Then my first he Wicked Queen’s White. I had no lines, but that they cast me in the owing year - Simple ots - then as the Captain I was King of Gooseland d Wishee Washee in rst Dame in Dick

Whittington. That came when someone dropped out fairly late on, and I’ve never looked back.

“But my style has changed since then. A friend who came to see that first show said I never stopped touching my boobs, in an exaggerated Les Dawson way. I was heavily influenced by other actors, and it took me a while to settle into the role and be myself, or at least a version of me that I’ve created.

“My make-up, which I do myself, has changed over the years. Early make-up was horrific, with blacked-out teeth and paintedon wrinkles. I was never that bad, but I used to wear a lot, and it’s been stripped back. I’m nearer to the surface now.

“I’m the oldest in the cast this year, but I can remember when I was the youngest. It’s important to know the history of panto and its traditions. It’s right that pantomime evolves as an art form, but you need to know how it started.”

The Hippodrome’s production of Jack And The Beanstalk uses the stunning sets and costumes from last year’s show at the London Palladium, with tweaks for the Birmingham cast. Andrew knows how dazzling it’s going to be.

“This year I have about 12 or 13 costumes, six of which I’ve designed myself. I’ll have a couple of outfits that were created for Julian Clary last year. They are big, outrageous, ridiculous things, like the Marmite jar I wore once here. There is food involved, as well as botanical and aviation themes.

“The whole show is extraordinary and very impressive, the biggest thing you ever did see!”

Jack And The Beanstalk shows at Birmingham Hippodrome until Sunday 28 January

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Jack And The Beanstalk Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, until Sun 7 January; Swan Theatre, Worcester, until Sun 7 January; Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa, until Sun 7 January; Artrix, Bromsgrove, until Sun 7 January; Regent Theatre, Stoke-onTrent, until Sun 7 January; Birmingham Hippodrome, until Sun 28 January

Big and beautiful beanstalks busted out all over the Midlands during the festive season and six of them are still available for Jack to climb as we head into 2024!

Birmingham Hippodrome’s pantomime sees

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Alison Hammond, Samantha Womack and Matt Slack top-bill in the company of Doreen Tipton and ‘panto dame extraordinaire’ Andrew Ryan...

If you fancy seeing Jack climb a beanstalk in the north of the Midlands, then check out the Regent Theatre in Stoke-on-Trent, where Jonathan Wilkes is headlining as usual.

Over in Shrewsbury, the inimitable Brad Fitt is both pulling on the frocks and sitting in the director’s chair for Theatre Severn’s offering, while further south in the region, the ever-fabulous JP McCue is starring as

Birmingham Hippodrome

Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury

Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent

Pantos in January? Oh yes there are...

Dame Dolly in the Royal Spa Centre Leamington’s version of the popular fairytale...

There’s also some beanstalk-climbing, ogreslaying action unfolding at the Swan Theatre Worcester and Artrix in Bromsgrove, the latter of which is this year hosting The Core Solihull’s pantomime...

To discover more about these various versions of Jack And The Beanstalk, check out the venues’ websites. Then buy yourself a ticket or several and get ready for some noholds-barred new-year family fun!

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Theatre

Snow White Palace Theatre, Redditch, until Wed 3 January; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, until Sun 7 January

Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

Mirror, mirror, on the wall, which is the best panto story of them all?

Now there’s a question likely to stir a heated family debate - although surely the terrific tale of Snow White would feature high on most people’s list?

There are two panto versions of the everpopular fairytale still available to enjoy early this month.

At the Wolverhampton Grand, ex-Eternal star Kéllé Bryan is joined by CBeebies’ Gyasi Shepp and Evie Pickerill, X Factor favourite Niki Colwell Evans (pictured), Tam Ryan and Ian Adams... Meanwhile, in Redditch, Steps’ Lee Latchford-Evans and Britain’s Got Talent finalist Andrew Fleming are top-billing at the Palace Theatre.

Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, until Sat 13 January

With its comical Ugly Sisters, matchmaking fairy godmother, drop-dead-gorgeous Prince Charming, super-cute mice and fits-one-footonly glass slipper, Cinderella can justifiably lay claim to being the most popular of all pantomimes...

And as is usual with the Belgrade’s mainstage festive-season show, this year’s production of Cinders has been written & directed by the multi-talented Iain Lauchlan.

‘Spectacular sets, lavish costumes and singalong songs’ all feature in a show that’s been designed to delight audience members of all ages.

Treasure Island Telford Theatre, Oakengates, Shropshire, until Sat 6 January

Robert Louis Stevenson’s high-seas caper here gets the pantomime treatment, as young Jim Hawkins heads off on the adventure of a lifetime - one which will see him not only setting sail in search of buried treasure, but also spending time in the company of a onelegged pirate with murder in mind...

Expect ‘beautiful scenery, colourful

costumes, a live band, dazzling dance routines, great songs and plenty of laughter’ in a show that stars Shelley Anne Rivers and Coronation Street’s Tom Roberts

the person within can save him...

So that’s the storyline, but what audiences are really looking for at this time of year is plenty of pantomime-style fun - which is thankfully present and correct in both of the above-listed productions.

Sam Rabone is yet again donning a nice frock or several at the Garrick, where this year he’s playing Madame Bellie Fillop.

As for the Roses version, although it doesn’t boast a ‘star name’, the word on the street is that it’s a real, er, Beauty of a family panto...

Puss In Boots Albany Theatre, Coventry, Sat 6 - Sun 14 January

Lichfield Garrick

Cinderella

The classic fairy tail, sorry, tale of Puss In Boots focuses on the adventures of a chatty cat who aims to make his master the top, er, dog... Fantastically feline family fun is surely the order of the day in a show which will no doubt have its young audience positively purring...

Adults only!

Beauty And The Beast

Beauty And The Big Beast

Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, until Sat 6 January; Lichfield Garrick, until Sun 7 January

Crewe Lyceum Theatre, Sat 27 January

When a young woman is captured by a hideous beast, she finds herself facing a life of isolation in his mysterious palace.

The Beast, too, is trapped - seemingly forever - inside the grotesquery of his physical appearance, the consequence of a spell cast upon him by an evil witch. Only Beauty’s ability to look beyond his ugliness and see

Pantomimes are well known for their overthe-heads-of-children double entendres - but what if the youngsters weren’t even there in the first place? Well, here’s a chance to check out a panto for which 16 is the minimum-age requirement to be an audience member...

Best brace yourself for an evening of bold and bawdy fun - and hope that you haven’t bitten off more than you can chew! whatsonlive.co.uk 23

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ANIMAL MAGIC

Master puppeteer Romina Hytten talks about bringing exotic creatures to life in award-winning stage play Life Of Pi

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by Diane Parkes

Lolita Chakrabarti’s innovative stage adaptation of Yann Martel’s award-winning novel, Life Of Pi, was an immediate hit when it premiered at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre in 2019. A West End transfer followed in 2021, as did a handful of Olivier Awards - including Best New Play.

A menagerie of exotic creatures is at the heart of the show, all brought to life through the magic of puppetry - as expert puppeteer Romina Hytten recently explained to What’s On...

Romina Hytten is an expert on the behaviour of a whole menagerie of creatures, from goats to orangutans and hyenas to tigers.

other puppeteers. It’s the same with the hind or the heart - we all bring our own energy to the show.

As puppet captain and puppeteer on the tour of the hit West End show Life Of Pi, Romina needs to know and understand their every movement, to ensure she can make the animals on stage appear as realistic as possible.

“Also, we are always improvising on stage, so it feels really live. That’s part of making the animals feel as alive and as realistic as possible. We don’t want it to be too choreographed or too set in stone. So there’s room to play every night, and you get to feel that exciting buzz of not being quite sure what the tiger is going to do next.”

Romina, who was also a puppeteer for the show’s run at the Wyndham’s Theatre in London, says it is essential to breathe life into the creatures - especially the tiger, who plays a key part in the story.

“It’s a pretty crazy role, but it’s amazing getting to play a tiger and trying to play it as real as possible. We do a lot of animal study at the beginning of rehearsals. We research all about them, about their habitat, eating habits, and we watch endless videos of how they move so that we get their movements really accurate.

“That’s a really fun part of the process, getting to really study the animals - and also all the sounds, as we make all the sounds of the animals in the show. So we study how and why they make sounds, and then we train our voices to be able to make a deep tiger growl and try to make it sound as authentic as possible. It’s a really bizarre role but a really fun and creative one.”

Despite the tiger being the most physically demanding of the puppetry roles, Romina has a real soft spot for Richard Parker.

“The heart of the tiger is always going to be my favourite because that’s what I started as.

And I love the tiger hind now - that’s a new role for me for the tour, and getting to operate the tail is really fun. You can be really cheeky! I always love watching my cats and their tails. They’re fascinating; they do these incredible moves and you think, what does that mean?”

Adapted by Lolita Chakrabarti, Life Of Pi was originally staged at Sheffield Crucible in 2019. Then, after a pause due to Covid, it opened in London, where it picked up four coveted Olivier Awards, including Best New Play. It also won Best Actor in a Supporting Role, which went to the puppetry team playing the tiger.

In the show, based on the bestselling novel

by Yann Martel, Pi and his parents run a zoo in India but decide to sell up and emigrate to Canada. After a storm wrecks the ship on which they’re travelling, Pi is cast adrift on a lifeboat which he shares with some of the creatures from the zoo - most notably a Bengal tiger named Richard Parker.

“Winning the Olivier was incredible; it still feels very surreal. It felt so much larger than us, like a real recognition for puppetry as an art form and for ensemble and movement and that sort of teamwork. It didn’t feel it was really about us. It was extra special, and every time I see my award on the shelf, I pinch myself.”

It takes three people to work the life-size tiger puppet, and Romina plays both heart and hind on rotation.

Romina first became interested in puppetry as a member of the Chichester Festival Youth Theatre, where she worked with professionals including Finn Caldwell - who is puppet & movement director and puppet designer for Life Of Pi - and Toby Olié.

“We’re working as a team of three, from a larger team of eight puppeteers who all rotate through the tiger and all the other animals in the show. We’ve become a real team, and we’re constantly watching each other, learning from each other and stealing little bits of puppetry from each other!”

And each rotation can add new nuances to the creatures.

“I sort of fell in love with puppetry at the age of about 16, when I was doing a show called Running Wild, which also had big, life-size orangutans and elephants and a tiger. So youth theatre kickstarted my career and I learnt on the job.”

“Everyone brings their own little character to all of the animals, so when a different head puppeteer is on Richard Parker, he may have a slightly different character to one of the

Based on the book by Michael Morpurgo, Running Wild toured the UK, giving Romina invaluable experience and confirming her love for puppetry.

“There’s something magical about working in a team to create one thing and letting go of all your ego. It becomes quite meditative in that way, as you’re stepping onstage in front of thousands of people and telling the audience not to look at you but to look at this creature and believe this is a real Bengal tiger living and moving on stage. It’s a bit like a magic trick.

“And there’s always something to improve, so every night we’re working at trying to make it better. I’ve done hundreds of shows now, but I’m always excited to do it again and improve and work with new puppeteers and see what they bring to it.

“I think puppetry brings back imagination.

When you watch a movie now, computergenerated imagery is so incredible, but there’s something about live theatre and taking an audience on a live journey without any of those tricks. Puppetry is such a raw art form in that way of forcing the audience to use their imagination and go with you on the journey, and I think that is something special. It’s a very ‘live’ thing. So much of life is digitised now, but puppetry will never be the same unless you see it live.”

For Romina, the success of Life Of Pi is down to both the story and its staging.

“The book was hugely popular, so there’s a real love for the story already. And I think there’s a little part of people wondering ‘How are they going to do that on stage?’ So there’s an element of curiosity there.

“I do really think that it blows people away.

It’s visually stunning, there’s incredible projection and lighting design, and the puppets are incredible and steal the show.

“It’s a beautiful story which is relatable in lots of ways. It’s a story with real heart - a story of survival, of grief, of love, of family people take something different from it. And it really makes you think. You come away pondering what it meant and what it means to you and how it affected you. It takes you on an adventure on the ocean with Pi and the tiger.”

Life Of Pi shows at Birmingham Hippodrome from Monday 12 to Saturday 17 February; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from Tuesday 23 to Saturday 27 April and Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, from Tuesday 7 to Saturday 11 May

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Theatre

Theatre previews from around the region

The Drifters Girl Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Tues 16 - Sun 20 January; Birmingham Hippodrome, Tues 16 - Sun 20 April Telling the story of The Drifters (one of the most successful vocal groups of all time) and Faye Treadwell (the woman who ensured their success), smash-hit West End musical The Drifters Girl features a series of much-loved songs, including Saturday Night At The Movies, Stand By Me, Under The Boardwalk and Save The Last Dance For Me. “The show is about the boys and the band,” explains co-producer Michael Harrison, “but it’s also about what Faye did with them, what

their relationship was, who went against her, who she was friendly with, the decisions she made.

“The Drifters isn’t a story which has been very well documented. We all know the story of The Beatles, and Jersey Boys told us the story of Frankie Valli And The Four Seasons. But this story wasn’t really in the public domain, considering how famous a group they were and still are. So the show unlocks all that.”

Vampire’s Rock: Ghost Train

Stranger Sings Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Mon 15 - Wed 17 January; Crewe Lyceum theatre, Fri 16 & Sat 17 February; Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Thurs 22 & Fri 23 February; Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Fri 1 & Sat 2 March

Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Thurs 25 January; Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Wed 21 February; The Alexandra, Birmingham, Mon 11 March

Steve Steinman’s cult rock show is now in its 21st year and currently stars Lorraine Crosby, best known for her duet with Meat Loaf on the classic number-one song I Would Do Anything For Love... The show sees mesmerising narrative cleverly intertwined with comedy and horror - and of course a host of irresistible rock anthems from the likes of AC/DC, Queen and Guns N’ Roses.

The Full Monty The Alexandra, Birmingham, Tues 30 January - Sat 3 February

When six men lose their jobs at the local steelworks, they find that dignity, hope and self-belief are suddenly in short supply...

Until, that is, they take the plunge and become male strippers...

This touring stage production, based on the hit 1996 film of the same name, stars Danny Hatchard (EastEnders), Jake Quickenden (X Factor, Dancing On Ice) and Bill Ward (Coronation Street, Emmerdale).

26 whatsonlive.co.uk

If you’re a fan of Netflix’s 1980s-set sci-fi series Stranger Things, then here’s the perfect opportunity to enjoy an extra helping (well, sort of!) of the hit show.

Promising an evening awash with marvellous mullets, sparkling fairy lights, heavy synth, poor parenting, dancing demogorgons and indulgent pop-culture references, this smashhit musical parody visits the Midlands on the back of a storming off-Broadway success and a three-month sell-out stay in London.

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Theatre

Theatre previews from around the region

Everybody’s Talking About Jamie Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Tues 23 - Sat 27 January

Jamie New has a big dream: He wants to become a drag artist... ...But before that, he wants to attend his school prom wearing a dress...

Finding himself faced with oppression, homophobia and bullying, the 16-year-old shows admirable fortitude in the face of the negativity he encounters and is encouraged and supported by the people who love him most...

Boasting glitzy costumes, impressive choreography and engaging performances, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie is a modern, feelgood musical that appeals to a broad cross-section of people, regardless of their age, gender and cultural background.

With joyful tunes and heartstring-pulling ballads, the production packs a powerful emotional punch and currently stars Ivano Turco in the title role. EastEnders actor John Partridge plays Hugo/Loco Chanelle.

Noises Off Malvern Theatres, Tues 16 - Sat 20 January

Booker Prize-winning author Michael Frayn’s ‘farce about a farce’ became one of the biggest hits in Broadway history when it opened there in 1983.

The show’s audience is effectively presented with two plays in one. The actors go onstage to perform in a play called Nothing On, and then come offstage to appear in the ‘real-life’ farce occurring backstage.

While fights break out behind the scenes, on stage the actors are missing their cues, missing their footing and missing the point altogether. Even the director ends up having to take a role in the show!

Liza Goddard, Paul Bradley and Simon Shepherd star in this Theatre Royal Bath Productions revival.

Do I Love You? New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Tues 30 January - Sat 3 February

John Godber’s talent for taking pertinent themes and presenting them in an accessible down-to-earth manner has seen him become one of the UK’s most successful playwrights.

He’s at it again in the comedy Do I Love You?, which is set against a bleak backdrop of rising costs and strikes everywhere that sadly will be all too familiar to a modern audience.

The action unfolds around three 28 whatsonlive.co.uk

twentysomethings - Sally, Nat and Kyle - as a seemingly unremarkable college project sees them developing a deep love for Northern Soul.

Blood Brothers Malvern Theatres, Tues 23 - Sat 27 January; Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Tues 13 - Sat 17 February; Birmingham Hippodrome, Tues 30 April - Saturday 4 May

Although it’s effectively a class-driven ‘scouse melodrama’, to describe Blood Brothers as such is to greatly underestimate the emotional response it produces within its audience. The show features adult actors playing children, a narrator who wanders through the scenes with warnings of impending doom, a good helping of sharp social awareness to counteract the sticky sentimentality, and a raft of much-loved musical numbers, including Bright New Day, Marilyn Monroe and the emotionally charged Tell Me It’s Not True. Niki Colwell Evans stars as Mrs Johnstone and Sean Jones as her son Mickey.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-uponAvon, Tues 30 January - Sat 30 March

Accessible language, likeable characters and a series of comic capers with an ass combine to make Dream one of Shakespeare’s most popular works.

Lysander and Demetrius both fancy Hermia, Helena’s sitting on the shelf, Titania and Oberon are up to no good, and Puck’s got his finger in more pies than Mr Kipling.

Add in a group of rude mechanicals and the recipe for success is guaranteed...

Matthew Baynton (pictured), the co-creator, writer and star of hit BBC TV comedy series Ghosts, will star as Bottom. “I’ve always wanted to be part of a Shakespeare production,” he says, “and I’ve been hoping to return to the stage for quite some time too.

So to be able to combine those two ambitions in one of the great ensemble comedies is a dream come true.”

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Theatre previews from around the region

Theatre

The Nutcracker New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme, until Sat 27 January

“The ambition to do a stage play of The Nutcracker is one I’ve treasured for some time,” says New Vic Artistic Director Theresa Heskins. “I want to bring together ETA Hoffman’s original story, the adaptation by Alexandre Dumas and Tchaikovsky’s music to tell the story of the enchanted Nutcracker, who takes a journey up the Christmas tree to the Kingdom of Sweets to settle a score with the ferocious Mouse Queen.

“It’s a gripping story that’s absolutely jampacked with magic, beautiful music and festive-season sparkle!”

The Box Of Delights Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-uponAvon, until Sun 7 January

The Box Of Delights, the Royal Shakespeare Company’s (RSC) festive family treat, is based on Poet Laureate John Masefield’s fantasy novel of the same name, first published in 1935.

Returning home for Christmas, schoolboy Kay Harker finds himself unexpectedly entrusted with a small wooden box that has magical powers beyond his wildest dreams.

But a ne’er-do-well wizard is after the box and will stop at nothing to get it, even threatening to cancel Christmas...

Justin Audibert takes the director’s chair.

“We have this epic stage and fantastic imagery,” says the production’s director, Michael Fentiman, “but there’s not a lot of literal depiction of location of the show.

Instead, we’re asking the audience to take a leap with us. We work with an illusionist to try and do things that seem impossible. So the way we use magic and lighting and shiftof-focus achieves the possible from the seemingly impossible.”

The Alexandra, Birmingham, Tues 16 - Sat 20 January; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Tues 20 - Sat 24 February

The Rep, Birmingham, until Sun 28 January

This much-loved story from the pen of CS Lewis is rightly regarded as an all-time classic of children’s literature. It sees the lion-god Aslan coming to the aid of four youngsters who’ve accidentally stumbled into his mystical world of Narnia...

Visiting Birmingham direct from the West End, the show features ‘magical storytelling, bewitching stagecraft and incredible puppets’.

Shrek The Musical Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Tues 30 January Sun 4 February; The Alexandra, Birmingham, Tues 9 - Sun 14 April

2:22 A Ghost Story

The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe

2021, not only becoming a major hit but also providing singers Lily Allen and, more recently, Cheryl with an opportunity to tread the boards.

This touring production sees George Rainsford as Sam and Fiona Wade as Jenny.

The Wanted’s Jay McGuiness and Vera Chok also star.

Husband & wife Jenny and Sam are divided.

Jenny believes their new home is haunted; Sam isn’t having any of it. Something certainly feels strange and frightening.

Determined to find out the truth once and for all, they decide to stay up until 2:22 - at which time, all will be revealed. Or not...

“We are beyond excited to be taking 2:22 - A Ghost Story around the UK,” says Danny Robins, the creator of popular BBC podcast The Battersea Poltergeist and the writer of this smash-hit supernatural thriller. “It’s a play that will make you laugh, scream, cry, think, and jump out of your seat - a proper spooky night out!”

The show premiered in the West End back in

The popularity of this family-friendly West Ender hardly comes as a surprise. After all, Dreamworks’ animated Shrek movies inspired by cartoonist William Steig’s 1990 book - were absolutely huge. So it was only ever going to be a matter of time before everybody’s favourite swamp-residing ogre made a big splash away from the silver screen.

Pretty much retelling the story of the first movie, the show peddles a line in humour that calls to mind both the surrealist Pythons and an evening of festive-season pantomime fare.

There are plenty of new songs to enjoy too, presented alongside cult Shrek anthem I’m A Believer, originally a chart-topping hit for The Monkees way back in the mid-1960s...

One-time Strictly Come Dancing favourite Joanne Clifton stars as Princess Fiona.

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sharon cuts the crap!

The former X Factor judge - and wife of the Midlands’ very own Ozzy Osbourne - is visiting the region this month with a brand-new show 32 whatsonlive.co.uk

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by Richard Barber

Sharon Osbourne visits the Midlands this month with brand-new show Cut The Crap!...

The better half of heavy metal icon Ozzy will be ‘revealing all’ about ‘some of the hardest years of her eventful life - from the anguish of a broken marriage and Ozzy’s infidelities, to the constant spectre of drug abuse in her family, the loss of friends, betrayal by colleagues, and her ongoing battles with mental-health issues’...

Ever wanted to find out what makes Sharon Osbourne tick? Now’s your chance.

The formidable Mrs O is heading to Birmingham theatre The Alexandra this month with Cut The Crap!, a show in which she will be taking questions from the audience - under the direction of journalist and Loose Woman Jane Moore - on any subject they care to ask her about.

“This show is really about my life story,” says Sharon. “I’ve certainly lived a lot of life in my 71 years, so there are a lot of stories to tell!

Plenty of ups and downs - good luck and bad, too. It’s not all been wine and roses.

“I love hearing other people’s life stories. I’d never buy a novel; I only buy biographies. I don’t like made-up stories. Mind you, I don’t think anyone could make up my story. My life has been like a Jackie Collins novel - or so I’m told.”

Does she think she attracts drama? “Yes, I do.

I think it may be because I’m a bit eccentric, so it must follow me around. I’m a magnet for drama.” Not to say a mouthpiece.

Is she a woman with regrets? “Sure. To have regrets is a part of life and growing. I often think: ‘If I could only do that again.’ But you can’t. So all you can do is try to make sure you don’t do whatever it was another time.

Not that I always succeed!”

So what does she regret professionally? “I’m someone who’s always said what’s on her mind. And then it’s gone. But other people won’t let it go. They don’t like confrontation, and they don’t like it when I challenge a situation.

the UK perhaps less so.

“I still feel very English. I’ve never felt American. More of my adult life has been spent there but I’ve never acquired an American accent. I’m British and I want to come home.”

Does Ozzy feel the same? “He does, but he’s a little anxious about the distance between him and the kids and the grandchildren.”

Jack has four girls; Kelly has a baby boy.

“They’re the best thing about getting old.”

Ozzy was first diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2003. “But the world didn’t know that, and the condition progressed extremely slowly anyway.”

All that changed when he got up in the night five years ago, tripped over something in the dark and fell flat on his back on the tiled bathroom floor. Such was the damage to his spine that he’s now undergone five major surgeries.

The fall also acted as a trigger for the Parkinson’s, which went into overdrive. The result is that he’ll continue to make records he’s had two top-five albums in the last five years - but his touring days are over. “He was halfway through his two-year farewell world tour when the accident happened.”

How is he coping temperamentally? “He’s gone through terrible depressions. And when you’re not in a good state of mind, it’s hard for the body to heal.”

It must also have put pressure on Sharon.

“I’ve become his cheerleader. That’s something I hadn’t planned at this stage of my life. And it isn’t easy watching your husband go through such agony physically.

It’s heart-breaking. You can’t put it into words.

“But he’s getting there. His mental state is much improved. Last year, he won two Grammys. He’s 74. He was selling out arena shows. None of this was in our plan. We think we’re in charge of our own destiny. Ha!” She thinks being UK-based will help Ozzy.

“Once he gets home and feels the love that’s here for him, that will be very healing. And the grandchildren can come and visit. It’s not like he’s never going to see them again.”

Ten years from now? “Well, I hope I’ll still be alive - and Ozzy, too. There are no outstanding goals, nothing left to prove. I’ve done it all. I’ve lived one helluva life. Now, I just want to spend important time with my husband.”

She pauses. “I do like a mission, though. I’ve always got to be doing something.”

You can say that again.

Sharon Osbourne visits The Alexandra, Birmingham, with Cut The Crap! on Wednesday 24 January

“The thing that I forgot when I was actively trying to have a career in TV was that I was an employee; it wasn’t my show. There were certain rules that went with that, certain attitudes expected of you. There’s a professionalism that should come with the way you conduct yourself.”

Outspoken she may be, but she’s also loving and loyal and hugely protective of husband Ozzy and their three children, Aimee, Kelly and Jack.

Life is about to change for the family. This year, she and Ozzy will move from LA back to their Buckinghamshire home. Why? “It’s just time. I look at the years and years I’ve lived in LA as being permanently on holiday. But America is changing. It’s becoming more scary. The UK isn’t immune to that. Everywhere feels jittery right now but

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Light entertainment from around the region

Theatre

The Circus Of Horrors Lichfield Garrick, Wed 24 January; The Civic, Brierley Hill, Sun 4 February; Albany Theatre, Coventry, Sat 17 February; Victoria Hall, Stokeon-Trent, Sat 9 March; Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Tues 19 March

An off-kilter affair that bears more resemblance to a freak show than any modern definition of a circus, these former Britain’s Got Talent finalists here present a world beyond political correctness and taste.

With the performers dressed in a manner reminiscent of The Rocky Horror Show, there’s no denying the skill of those participating - or indeed the ensemble’s sheer ‘wow’ factor.

Their latest offering is Cabaret Of Curiosities, a production which features, among other attractions, ‘sword swallowers, whirlwind jugglers, twisted contortionists, voodoo acrobats, pickled people and hula-hooping sideshow showgirls’ - all presented against the soundscape of an original rock score.

Danny Baker Birmingham Town Hall, Sun 14 January

Danny Baker hits the road with (At Last) The Sausage Sandwich Tour - the final part of the trilogy that began with the sell-out Cradle To Stage nights and then charged on through the Good Time Charlie shows.

Danny’s promising that every night will be unique, with attractions including the Sausage Sandwich Game - ‘played live and dripping with condiment’! - and a bonus appearance from his old man, Spud.

La Voix: The Red Ambition Tour Old Rep, Birmingham, Sat 27 January; Tamworth Assembly Rooms, Wednesday 31 January

You know you’ve hit the big time when stellar showbiz names deign to have an opinion about you - and if it’s a positive one, so much the better! Such is the situation in which La Voix now finds herself, with celebrity royalty in the shape of Sir Ian McKellen and Dawn French both waxing lyrical about her.

The one-time Britain’s Got Talent semifinalist has been playing the cabaret circuit for all she’s worth these last few years, picking up plaudits and devoted fans like they’re going out of fashion.

As her stage name suggests, she’s an impressive vocalist, but she’s also a talented impersonator and bitingly funny comedian: past routines have seen her explaining that the only difference between performing as Shirley Bassey and the late Tina Turner is that when she’s impersonating Tina, she leaves the coat hanger in her dress and holds a football between her legs!

incredible contortionists and fabulous fire jugglers’ as they undertake ‘thrilling feats of agility and flair’...

Cirque is certainly an interesting concept, and it’s to be hoped that the performers really embrace the challenge of seamlessly combining two such hugely popular art forms.

Crooners Uncaged Sutton Coldfield Town Hall, Sat 20 January; Swan Theatre, Worcester, Fri 1 March; Palace Theatre, Redditch, Thurs 23 May

A show paying homage to the likes of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr, Matt Monro and Nat King Cole, Crooners Uncaged features nine-piece orchestra The Mini Big Band (live on stage) and promises an evening of ‘hilarious one liners, laugh-out-loud silliness and superb musical numbers’.

Expect some seriously memorable nice’n’easy chart hits, including Come Fly With Me, Mack The Knife and Fly Me To The Moon.

Cirque: The Greatest Show Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Sun 21 & Mon 22 January; Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Sunday 11 February; Crewe Lyceum Theatre, Sat 9 & Sun 10 March; Lichfield Garrick, Sun 14 April

A coming together of musical theatre and jaw-dropping circus, this intriguing touring show features stars of the West End performing alongside ‘amazing aerialists,

Send In The Clowns: Unpopular!

Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham, Thurs 18 - Sat 20 January

A ‘raucous, wild and tantalising’ drag revue show paying homage to the magic and madness of musical theatre, Send In The Clowns is hosted by cabaret performer and Drag Idol UK winner Fatt Butcher...

This latest show features some of the Midlands’ best-known drag & cabaret entertainers taking on the mega-musicals of the 1980s, ’90s and noughties. whatsonlive.co.uk 35

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LATIN VIBES The critically acclaimed Sao Paolo Dance Company brings some Brazilian sunshine to the Midlands

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by Diane Parkes

Fusing classical ballet and Latin American choreography, renowned Brazilian company São Paolo Dance is this year touring the UK and Ireland for the first time.

What’s On recently caught up with Artistic Director Inés Bogéa to find out what audiences can expect when the company presents its highly anticipated triple bill at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre this spring...

Audiences can look forward to some Brazilian sunshine this spring when São Paulo Dance Company tours the UK and Ireland for the first time.

The company comes to Wolverhampton Grand Theatre in March with a triple bill of contemporary works by some of the world’s leading Spanish and Latin American choreographers - and Artistic Director Inês Bogéa is keen to share São Paulo’s electric energy with local audiences.

Founded in 2008, the company has produced more than 100 classical and contemporary works, toured nearly 20 countries and performed to more than 900,000 people. And now British and Irish audiences can enjoy their expertise.

“São Paulo is a dance company with a very special Brazilian accent,” Inês says. “We have the passion for dance, we have the energy of Brazil, and we love to share that with audiences around the world.”

Inés, who was the founding director when the company was created by the Brazilian state government 15 years ago, says music and dance are integral to life in her country.

“Movement and the sensation of dance is so much a part of our culture; we celebrate life through dance. We dance around the kitchen when we are cooking, we dance at a party with our friends, we dance because we are happy, and we also dance when sometimes we are sad.

“I think we bring our culture inside our body; it’s impossible for us to express ourselves without body movement. For instance, if you were to say hello to someone in Brazil, normally without knowing each other, we hug. And we talk with gestures and movement.

“We have a temperature which is hot, we have sun for most parts of the year, and I think this affects our emotions.”

And, she says, São Paulo - which is Brazil’s largest city - brings an added dimension.

“São Paolo is a very big city; there are people from all around the world. We have different cultures inside our city, and I think the dance

company reflects these different ways of living and of seeing our world.”

The tour features a triple bill: Anthem by Spanish choreographer Goyo Montero, Gnawa by Spain’s Nacho Duato, and Agora

by Cassi Abranches, who was born in São Paulo and recently choreographed part of Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Black Sabbath: The Ballet.

“The three works talk about rituals in different ways. Anthem looks at how we are connected through a common purpose that leads us to recognise ourselves as the same group. Gnawa talks about the rituals of people who live in the North of Africa and their connections with the natural world.

And in Agora, we are talking about time, memories and the reverberation of Brazilian dance.

“In the programme that we are bringing to the UK, the choreographers are trying to reflect on stage what we are all feeling in this moment of our lives. They create a unique world through the movements, the connections with the music and the images that they evoke.”

Inês has been keen to work with both Brazilian and international choreographers, bringing new ideas and ways of expression to the company.

“As a director I try to be connected with our world and make the company interesting for the dancers, for the team, and of course for the audience. We create at least two pieces from Brazilian choreographers each year. It is important for our artform to have a dialogue with our people. So we need to open a space to listen and devise ways of showing how we see the world.

“And I also invite some foreign choreographers to make work for us, as I think this is another way for the company to learn from experts. Normally the choreographers say that our company is very open to this dialogue, and the dancers are interested and understand the different languages and movements that the choreographers propose for us.

“In our dancers, I’m looking for individuality and the capacity to express themselves through dancing. Of course, the technical skill is important, but I think it’s more important to want to share your ideas through dancing.”

Inês first began training as a dancer at the age of 13, having previously been a top child gymnast and practised the Brazilian martial art capoeira. She has toured the UK with Brazil’s Grupo Corpo in the past, but this is the first time she’s bringing São Paolo Dance Company to the UK and Ireland.

“I have very good memories of when I danced in Britain with Grupo Corpo. We were there for five weeks and the audiences were very warm. I hope that on this tour the audiences enjoy themselves and feel connected with the energy, emotions and beauty of the dancers.

“An audience is a very important part of a performance. We can feel the energy of the audience from the first step on the stage.”

The 14-venue tour is presented by Dance Consortium, a group of 19 venues across the UK and Ireland which have come together to bring leading contemporary dance companies from across the globe to local audiences.

And Inês is keen to experience the towns and cities where São Paulo Dance Company will be performing.

“I am curious about all of the places we are visiting. This is a world to discover together, and it’s good that we can also learn a little bit about UK culture and how life is there.

“We are open to sharing ideas and sensations, and we aim to meet people and understand different ways of looking at our world and our time. So we are looking forward to showing audiences a little bit of our culture, and through the dance we will all feel the energy of Brazil.”

São Paulo Dance Company perform at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre on Friday 15 & Saturday 16 March

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Dance

Dance previews from across the region

James Wilton Dance: LORE Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Tues 30 January

The award-winning James Wilton’s choreography is always distinctive, his productions powered by an energy the audience can almost reach out and touch.

Wilton’s in-demand company previously scored a massive hit with Leviathan - a retelling of Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick - which is widely considered to be the ensemble’s best and most finely tuned work to date.

James here makes a welcome return with LORE, a one-hour folklore-inspired journey into a pagan world of gods, demons and humans - all embodied through the ‘otherworldly’ athleticism of the company’s dancers.

“The show is about connection to nature,” explains James, “making you feel the energy that flows from the ground, through our bodies and back into the earth.

“The specially composed soundtrack by Michal Wojtas, who draws influence from Viking, Celtic and Slavic folk music, is like listening to the tales our ancestors told while sat in a clearing in the woods, and hearing the ancient stories that bind humanity together.”

Strictly Come Dancing The Live Tour Utilita Arena Birmingham, Fri 19 - Sun 21 January

BBC One’s Strictly Come Dancing hits the road again this month, complete with all its usual glitz and glamour. Hosted by Janette Manrara and with three judges in tow -

Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke and Craig Revel Horwood - the live version sees the show’s popular dancers putting their celebrity partners through their paces with a host of new routines.

Among those taking to the dancefloor this year are Bobby Brazier, Annabel Croft, Ellie Leach, Layton Williams and two Angelas, Rippon and Scanlon.

Giovanni Pernice Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Fri 26 & Sat 27 January; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Tues 12 March; Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Thurs 4 April; Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Fri 5 April

Persistent rumours of a rift between Giovanni and his 2023 Strictly dance partner, Amanda Abbington - who quit the show midseries but didn’t explain why - has seen the Bafta-winning Italian taking up more than his fair share of column inches over the last couple of months.

Now Giovanni is out on the road again, doing what he does best in a brand-new dance extravaganza. He’s joined for the occasion by a talented cast of professional dancers and West End performers. whatsonlive.co.uk 39

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Twenty-four for ’24 Just some of the great plays and musicals showing in the Midlands in 2024 & Juliet Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Mon 7 - Sat 12 October; Birmingham Hippodrome, Mon 21 April - Sat 3 May 2025; Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Mon 12 - Sat 17 May 2025 Ever wondered what would’ve happened to Shakespeare’s Juliet if she’d just ditched Romeo rather than topping herself?

Well, here’s your chance to find out, courtesy of this award-winning musical from the writer of hit television series Schitt’s Creek.

Touring the Midlands after doing great business in the West End, the show boasts a playlist of much-loved pop anthems.

Featured songs include Britney Spears’ Baby One More Time, Katy Perry’s Roar, and the chart-topping Since U Been Gone, It’s My Life and Can’t Stop The Feeling.

101 Dalmatians The Musical The Alexandra, Birmingham, Tues 2 Sat 6 July; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Tues 20 - Sat 24 August If you’re dotty about dogs, you’d be barking mad not to catch this new show when it stops off in the Midlands during the summer.

Telling the story of fashionista Cruella de Vil’s attempts to swipe all the Dalmatian puppies in town to create her fabulous new fur coat, the production visits the region direct from the London West End.

A Chorus Line Birmingham Hippodrome, Tues 10 - Sat 14 September The story of a group of performers auditioning for a Broadway show, A Chorus Line fuses dance, song and authentic drama.

40 whatsonlive.co.uk

Set on the bare stage of a Broadway theatre, it focuses on the performers as they learn their audition moves, each revealing their most personal stories in interviews with the director.

The show was originally produced by Leicester Curve and features hit numbers One, I Hope I Get It, Nothing and What I Did For Love.

Adam Cooper - who took the lead role in Sir Matthew Bourne’s famous all-male production of Swan Lake back in the mid1990s - takes top billing.

Aladdin Birmingham Hippodrome, Wed 9 October - Sun 3 November West End & Broadway hit Aladdin is visiting Birmingham Hippodrome as part of its firstever UK & Ireland tour.

Based on Disney’s classic 1992 animated film, the production not only features the movie’s original songs but also new music by eighttime Academy Award-winning composer Alan Menken.

The hugely popular show continues its record-breaking run on Broadway. Since opening there in 2014, multiple productions have launched around the world, including the West End version, which has racked up in excess of 1,200 performances.

An Officer And A Gentleman The Alexandra, Birmingham, Fri 23 February - Sat 2 March; Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Mon 6 - Sat 11 May; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Mon 23 Sat 28 September This is a night out not to be missed by fans of the 1980s. Based on the Academy Awardwinning 1982 film starring Richard Gere and Debra Winger, the show tracks the heady romance that develops between Zack Mayo a United States Navy Aviation Officer Candidate - and a young, captivating and

seriously fiery woman named Paula Pokrifki.

The story unfolds against a backdrop of classic 1980s pop songs from the likes of Blondie, Bon Jovi, Cyndi Lauper and Madonna. It also features the Oscar-bagging hit Up Where We Belong, which was written for the film by Jack Nitzsche, Buffy SainteMarie and Will Jennings and recorded by Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes.

Ben And Imo Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, Wed 21 February - Sat 6 April Legendary composer Benjamin Britten’s struggle to write an opera in time for the 1953 coronation of Queen Elizabeth II provides the subject matter for Ben And Imo - a play which is premiering at the Royal Shakespeare Company next month.

The new work focuses on the timely arrival in Britten’s life of the inspirational Imogen Holst, the daughter of composer Gustav and an accomplished musician in her own right...

Originally written by Mark Ravenhill as a radio play, Ben And Imo is directed by Erica Whyman.

Bonnie & Clyde Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Tues 5 Sat 9 March; Birmingham Hippodrome, Tues 3 - Sat 7 September This awardwinning musical tells the Great Depression-era story of Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, two small-town nobodies destined to become one of America’s most notorious couples. The production stars Catherine Tyldesley, best known from her time in Coronation Street and on Strictly Come Dancing.

Come From Away Birmingham Hippodrome, Tues 21 May - Sat 1 June; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Tues 5 - Sat 9 November This Olivier and Tony Award winner tells the incredible real-life story of 7,000 air

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passengers who were grounded in Canada in the wake of 9/11...

As evidenced by its aforementioned success in the glittering-prizes stakes, the show has proved to be an enormous international hit, with audiences on their feet night after night.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Tues 22 - Sun 27 October Everybody’s favourite flying car makes a welcome return to the Midlands, complete with the Sherman Brothers’ memorable score.

When eccentric inventor Caractacus Potts creates an amazing flying car, he takes his family to the fictional country of Vulgaria.

But all is not well in the European barony, where the sinister Baron Bomburst has decided to make children illegal...

Truly Scrumptious, Toot Sweets, Hushabye Mountain and the Oscar-nominated title song feature among the show’s best-known musical numbers.

Dear Evan Hansen The Alexandra, Birmingham, Tues 22 - Sat 26 October; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Tues 1 - Sat 5 April 2025 Dear Evan Hansen has enjoyed extraordinary success since premiering nine years ago, picking up coveted Olivier, Tony and Grammy awards and proving so successful that it was even made into a film (albeit a poorly received one).

The show focuses on title character Evan, a high-school senior with social anxiety whose desire to fit in sees him telling a terrible lie that eventually catches up with him.

The production makes its two Midlands stopoffs as part of its first-ever UK & Ireland tour.

Frankie Goes To Bollywood Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Tues 11 Sat 15 June; Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Tues 2 - Sat 6 July Frankie never wanted to be a star; she just wanted a family. But after a chance encounter with an up-and-coming director, she finds herself transported to Bollywood...

Described as a breathtakingly colourful journey of romance, sweeping songs and vibrant dance, Frankie Goes To Bollywood has been inspired by real stories of British women who’ve been ‘caught in the spotlight of the biggest film industry in the world’.

The show is a Rifco Theatre Company, Watford Palace Theatre and HOME Manchester co-production.

Ladies Down Under

Grease The Musical

Amanda Whittington enjoyed such a big hit with her play Ladies Day that she decided to write a sequel - and this is it.

When Hull-based fish-factory colleagues Pearl, Jan, Shelley and Linda hit the jackpot at Royal Ascot, they decide to head off for the adventure of a lifetime Down Under. But once they’re there, it becomes blindingly obvious that each of them is on a very different journey...

The Alexandra, Birmingham, Mon 15 - Sat 2o July Dust off your leather jackets, pull on your bobby-socks and get ready for the most funfilled, high-octane rock & roll party of them all. Grease is the original high-school musical, featuring all the unforgettable songs from the hit movie, including You’re The One That I Want, Grease Is The Word, Summer Nights, Hopelessly Devoted To You, Sandy and Greased Lightnin’.

Hamilton Birmingham Hippodrome, Tues 25 June - Sat 31 August It would require a seriously strong mantelpiece to successfully support all the silverware that this breathtakingly impressive show has accumulated across the years...

Its roll-call of glittering gongs includes 11 Tonys, seven Oliviers, the Pulitzer Prize for drama and a Grammy for best musical theatre album.

Blending hip-hop, jazz, blues, rap, R&B and Broadway, Lin-Manuel Miranda’s cultural phenomenon tells the story of America’s Founding Father, Alexander Hamilton. An immigrant from the West Indies, Hamilton became George Washington’s right-hand man during the Revolutionary War and helped shape the foundations of modern-day America.

I Should Be So Lucky The Alexandra, Birmingham, Mon 1 - Sat 6 April A new musical featuring the eradefining output of legendary record producers Mike Stock, Matt Aitken and Pete Waterman, I Should Be So Lucky comes complete with a contribution from Aussie pop princess Kylie Minogue, whose first five albums were produced by the talented trio.

The musical has been written and directed by Birmingham-born Debbie Isitt, who is best known for her hit Christmas show, Nativity!, and its subsequent movies...

New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Fri 8 - Sat 30 March

Only Fools And Horses The Musical Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Mon 21 - Sat 26 October; Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Mon 2 - Sat 7 December The stage musical version of long-running BBC TV comedy series Only Fools And Horses has been a major hit in the West End and will no doubt prove itself to be a nice little earner - as Del Boy himself might say when it visits the Midlands in the autumn.

Stopping off at two of the region’s theatres as part of a UK tour, the show features material from the television series as well as ‘an ingenious script and 20 hilarious songs’.

The 39 Steps The Alexandra, Birmingham, Tues 4 - Sat 8 June Anybody who remembers the various film versions of John Buchan’s classic spy thriller will be hard-pressed to call any of them ‘humorous’ - so it’s a bit weird, to say the least, to think of this stage version having bagged the Olivier Award for best new comedy! Nonetheless, that’s exactly what it did, courtesy of some imaginative thinking on the part of its creative team.

So why not catch up with handsome hero Richard Hannay as he battles to remain impressively stiff-upper-lipped in the face of dastardly murders and life-threatening encounters with double-crossing secret agents... Oh, and there are some beautiful and mysterious women involved, too - so it’s not all bad news for our intrepid hero!

Four fearless actors play no fewer than 139 roles in this real gem of a show. whatsonlive.co.uk 41

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24 shows for you to see in 2024 - and beyond...

The Book Of Mormon The Alexandra, Birmingham, Tues 3 - Sat 28 December The Book Of Mormon follows a mismatched pair of Mormon boys who are sent on a mission to deliver the news of the Latter Day saints to the people of a Ugandan village - a place where war, famine, poverty and Aids are of far more concern than religion...

Featuring songs Spooky Mormon Hell Dream, I Am Africa, Baptize Me, All American Prophet and Tomorrow Is A Latter Day, the show has proved to be a massive hit on both sides of the Atlantic, albeit a somewhat controversial one.

The Glass Menagerie Malvern Theatres, Tues 26 - Sat 30 March One of Tennessee Williams’ most famous, widely admired and often-performed works, The Glass Menagerie is a memory play, based, as it is, on narrator Tom’s recollections of his mother Amanda and his sister Laura.

Abandoned by her husband years earlier, Amanda hopes that her crippled daughter Laura may one day enjoy the comforts and admiration that she herself had once experienced, during her days as a fêted Southern belle. Meanwhile, Tom yearns for a future away from the family home and the suffocating attentions of his overbearing mother...

Geraldine Somerville of Gosford Park and Harry Potter fame stars as Amanda.

The Syndicate Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Tues 18 - Sat 22 June; The Alexandra, Birmingham, Tues 9 - Sat 13 July The late Fay Weldon’s final play sees the writer’s daughter, Gaynor Faye, holding the directorial reins, with The Wanted’s Max George, Samantha Giles (Emmerdale) and Brooke Vincent (Coronation Street) taking top billing.

The story follows five supermarket employees whose lottery syndicate numbers come in just as their jobs and livelihoods are under threat. A share of the £18million jackpot will

surely make their dreams come true. But then nothing is ever as straightforward as it seems - even the experience of becoming fabulously wealthy...

nudity, scenes of a sexual nature and plenty of trademark filthy humour - so if you’re of a decidedly delicate disposition, you may want to go swim in a different sea.

The Wizard Of Oz

Wicked

Birmingham Hippodrome, Tues 11 - Sun 16 June; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Tues 30 July - Sun 4 August

Birmingham Hippodrome, Tues 5 March - Sun 7 April

Craig Revel Horwood and The Vivienne star as The Wicked Witch Of The West in this classic story from the pen of L Frank Baum, a terrific tale which has been delighting children for well over a century.

A marvellous mix of magic, mayhem and munchkins, it tells the story of Dorothy Gale and her unexpected trip over the rainbow to the colourful land of Oz. There, she meets the scarecrow, the tin man and a cowardly lion, heads off on a journey along the yellow brick road to find the Emerald City, and has more than one unpleasant encounter with the aforementioned wicked witch.

If ever a ruby-slippered girl was in need of a wonderful wizard...

Unfortunate: The Untold Story Of Ursula The Sea Witch Birmingham Hippodrome, Thurs 11 - Sat 13 April; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Thurs 11 - Sun 14 July Marketed as a tell-all tale of sex, sorcery and suckers, Unfortunate has a subtitle that makes it pretty clear what the show is all about. Ursula, for those who’ve never had reason to swim alongside Disney’s many and varied animated movies, is a villainous sea witch and the main antagonist in the Mouse House’s 1989 feature, The Little Mermaid.

A Disney Diva par excellence, she’s been making waves in her very own stage musical for the past several years and here reappears in the Midlands (did she arrive via the canals?) in the form of Orange Is The New Black’s Shawna Hamic.

The show features strong language, partial

Offering evidence that you simply can’t please all of the people all of the time, Wizard Of Oz spin-off Wicked had to dodge its fair share of slings and arrows when it opened in London in 2006.

The proof of the pudding, however, is most definitely in the eating, and 18 years after its West End debut, Wicked is still going strong.

Based on novelist Gregory Maguire’s ingenious reimagining of Frank L Baum’s famous tale, the show basically tells the story of The Wizard Of Oz from the perspective of two sorcery students, one of whom will become Glinda The Good, the other the Wicked Witch of the West.

If you’ve seen the show before, chances are you’ll be eager to catch it again when it visits the Midlands. If, on the other hand, Oz is a land to which you’ve yet to travel, then follow the yellow brick road to the Hippodrome box office just as fast as your ruby slippers will carry you...

Withnail And I The Rep, Birmingham, Fri 3 - Sat 25 May During the bohemian days of the late 1960s, two out-of-work actors - Withnail and Marwood - leave behind them the bright lights of London in favour of what they hope will be a cathartic holiday in the countryside.

But will their stay at the country home of Withnail’s flamboyantly gay uncle help reinvigorate their booze and drug-addled brains and inspire them to kickstart their flagging careers as thespians?...

Nearly 40 years after its release, the film of Withnail And I is widely considered to be one of the greatest British movies ever made, so the arrival of this brand-new and first-ever stage version will no doubt delight its legion of fans. The show has been written by its original creator, Bruce Robinson, and is helmed by the Rep’s artistic director, Sean Foley. whatsonlive.co.uk 43

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FE-FI-FO FIONA Former Strictly Come Dancing star Joanne Clifton talks about playing Princess Fiona in the current touring production of Shrek The Musical...

Were you a fan of the original Shrek movie, Joanne?

I just loved it! And then I went to see the musical on one of the previous tours and loved that.

What was the audition like?

I wanted it so much that I went into the audition and didn't let anybody speak! There was the director, Nick Winston - who I’d already worked with before - there was the casting director, the musical director and the producer. Now I hadn't met these other people, but I didn’t let them speak! I sat at the table and said “Right, this is why I need this job: 1) Sutton Foster played Princess Fiona on Broadway and she’s my idol; 2) I have auditioned for it before and didn't get it and I'm a very competitive person; and 3) if ever there was a princess in any film or fable, the one I would relate to most is Princess Fiona.”

I said “Without sounding too full of myself, I am a world champion ballroom dancer, meaning long dresses with feathers, looking all elegant like a princess. But here's the thing: I'm from Grimsby, I find trumping really funny. This is why I relate to Princess Fiona.”

Where were you when you found out you’d got the part?

I have my own segment on BBC Two, It Takes Two, which is a spin-off of Strictly. I was there, I was getting my make-up done, and the email came through, and I was like, “Wow!” And then I wasn't allowed to tell anyone because it was all under wraps.

How have you researched the role ?

I’ve watched the film and have been listening to Sutton Foster as Princess Fiona on the soundtrack and watching clips of different actors doing the role on stage. But I’m stopping doing that now so that I’m able to create my own take on it.

How are you feeling about being transformed into an ogre in the show?

I had my fitting for Fiona’s ogre body and hands, and I’ve had to cut my nails short because my long ones won’t work for the quick change into my ogre suit.

What do you do to relax when touring?

I love escape rooms, so I’m going to get a Shrek team together and get t-shirts made. I want us to get on the leader board at escape rooms in every place on the tour.

Shrek The Musical shows at the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, from Tues 30 January to Sun 4 February

People who know you from Strictly may not realise that you’re also a very accomplished musical theatre actor. How do the two disciplines compare?

I have a really strong work ethic from my time in ballroom dancing. I absolutely hate having a night off sick - I have to be at death's door to go off sick.

What I love about the musical theatre world, which is different from my dancing world, is that nobody is bigger than the show. Coming away from the stress and the pressure of competing in the ballroom world is so refreshing for me. It's teamwork in a musical: we've all got our separate roles - and of course we want the lead ones - but even if you're not a lead, you're just as important because the show is the main goal. And it just makes me happy! I love that we have to go on and do the show, to an audience of however many people, and if anything goes wrong, we have to carry on. I love the adrenaline of that.

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Film highlights in January...

Priscilla

CERT 15 (113 mins)

Starring Cailee Spaeny, Jacob Elordi, Ari Cohen, Dagmara Dominczyk, Tim Post, Lynne Griffin Directed by Sofia Coppola

When teenage schoolgirl Priscilla Beaulieu meets Elvis Presley, she finds herself not so much in the presence of a rock & roll legend as a shy and gentle God-fearin’ boy from Mississippi.

Before too long, love is in the air.

And the rest, as they say, is history...

Francis Ford Coppola’s daughter, Sofia, has developed a formidable reputation as a director and here unpicks the story of Priscilla’s long courtship and turbulent marriage to the brightest star in the world.

Based on Priscilla’s 1985 memoir, Elvis And Me, the movie received a positive response from critics when it was screened at last autumn’s Venice Film Festival.

Released Fri 5 January

The Boys In The Boat CERT 12a (124 mins)

Starring Joel Edgerton, Callum Turner, Peter Guiness, Sam Strike, Thomas Elms, Jack Mulhern Directed by George Clooney

George Clooney directs this Depression-era sports drama, based on the same-named bestselling book by Daniel James Brown.

The film tells the story of a group of underdogs - the 1936 University of Washington rowing team, to be precise - as they take on elite rivals from around the world in an attempt to secure a gold medal at the Berlin Olympics.

Released Fri 12 January

One Life CERT tbc (110 mins) Starring Helena Bonham Carter, Anthony Hopkins, Jonathan Pryce, Johnny Flynn, Lena Olin, Romola Garai Directed by James Hawes

Anthony Hopkins here turns in a superlative performance as a man haunted by guilt.

Based on the true story of Sir Nicholas Winton, a young London stockbroker who, with assistance, rescued 669 children from the Nazis just prior to World War Two, One Life sees Hopkins playing the lead character in the autumn of his life.

The year is 1988, and despite his heroic feat 44 whatsonlive.co.uk

of a half century earlier, Sir Nicholas still blames himself for not having managed to do more.

It’s only when BBC television series That’s Life! brings him into contact with some of the now-adult people he’d saved that he finally begins to process the guilt and grief he’s carried for five long decades...

Released Fri 5 January

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Film

Mean Girls CERT tbc Starring Angourie Rice, Reneé Rapp, Jon Hamm, Jenna Fischer, Tina Fey, Ashley Park Directed by Samantha Jayne and Arturo Perez Jr

Mean Girls proved to be a defining movie for a whole generation when it was released 20 years ago, so it’s no surprise to see that it’s now having new cinematic life breathed into it.

The story finds student Cady Heron engaging with an elite group of popular high-school girls called The Plastics, whose queen bee, Regina George, is assisted in her conniving ways by her minions, Gretchen and Karen.

But when Cady makes the schoolgirl error of falling for Regina’s ex-boyfriend, life suddenly starts feeling a whole lot less pleasant for her - which is why she decides to take down The Plastics’ apex predator... ably assisted by outcast friends Janis and Damian...

This latest version is based on the stage musical, which took its inspiration from the original film.

Released Fri 19 January

Poor Things CERT tbc (141 mins) Starring Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo, Willem Dafoe, Ramy Youssef, Vicki Pepperdine, Jack Barton Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos

When a young Victorian woman named Bella Baxter is brought back to life by a brilliant and unorthodox scientist, she embarks on a quest for the worldliness she’s lacking. Heading off on a whirlwind adventure across continents, she becomes increasingly steadfast in her desire to stand for equality and liberation...

Emma Stone not only takes the lead role of

Bella but also produces the film.

“It’s such a fairytale,” she told Vogue, “and a metaphor - clearly, this can’t actually happen. But the idea that you could start anew as a woman, as this body that’s already formed, and see everything for the first time and try to understand the nature of sexuality, or power, or money or choice - the ability to make choices and live by your own rules and not society’s - I thought that was a really fascinating world to go into.”

Released Fri 12 January

The Beekeeper CERT tbc (105 mins) Starring Josh Hutcherson, Jason Statham, Jeremy Irons, Minnie Driver, Enzo Cilenti, Phylicia Rashad Directed by David Ayer

A one-time member of a powerful and clandestine organisation known as The Beekeepers, Clay has made a quiet life for himself tending bees. But when his neighbour kills herself as a result of a phishing scam, he decides to take revenge against the company responsible, only to find himself suddenly involved in a seriously high-stakes situation...

Fury and Suicide Squad director David Ayer teams up with Fast & Furious franchise star Jason Statham for this highly anticipated action movie.

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Film

Film highlights in January...

The Color Purple CERT tbc (140 mins) Starring Fantasia Barrino, Taraji P Henson, Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo, Halle Bailey, Corey Hawkins Directed by Blitz Bazawule

In an era marked by conversations about abuse of women and female empowerment, The Color Purple has plenty to say.

Initially a story of male control achieved through rape, domestic violence and servitude, Alice Walker’s captivating coming-of-age tale ends on a far more triumphant, celebration-of-feminism kind of note, along the way taking a provocative look at the cycle of slavery in the black community.

Walker’s 1982 novel not only inspired an Academy Award-winning Steven Spielberg film three years later but also a critically acclaimed stage musical version and it’s the latter on which this eagerly anticipated new movie is based.

Spielberg and Quincy Jones are back as producers, along with the stage musical’s producers, Scott Sanders and Oprah Winfrey, the latter of whom starred in the original film as Sofia.

Fantasia Barrino - making her film debut - and Danielle Brooks both reprise their roles from stage musical productions. Released Fri 26 January

The Tiger’s Apprentice

CERT tbc

With the voices of Michelle Yeoh, Sandra Oh, Leah Lewis, Henry Golding, Bowen Yang, Sherry Cola Directed by Ramani Hui, Yong Duk Jhun and Paul Watling

All Of Us Strangers CERT tbc (105 mins) Starring Andrew Scott, Paul Mescal, Jamie Bell, Claire Foy, Carter John Grout Directed by Andrew Haigh

One night in his near-empty tower block in London, Adam has a chance encounter with a mysterious neighbour that punctures the rhythm of his everyday life.

As a relationship develops between the pair, he finds himself preoccupied with memories of the past. He is drawn back not only to the suburban town in which he grew up but also to his childhood home - where his parents

appear to be living just as they were on the day that they died, 30 years before...

Coming complete with a gentle but nonetheless pervasive sense of foreboding, Andrew Haigh’s stylish film received plenty of positive reviews when it was previewed at last autumn’s BFI London Film Festival.

Released Fri 26 January

What’s a boy to do when it turns out his eccentric grandmother is the guardian of the phoenix egg, then perishes in battle and is spirited away in a ghost cart?

That’s the question facing Tom Lee, a Chinese American boy who discovers that he’s part of a long lineage of magical protectors known as the Guardians.

And the answer to Tom’s thorny conundrum? Easy. You get yourself a talking tiger named Mr Hu as a mentor, then you learn ancient magic, then you become the egg’s new protector!...

Oh, and you also bring back together the estranged Zodiac animal warriors - an unlikely band of exotic creatures who can morph into human form while retaining their innate animal characteristics...

Based on the 2003 novel by Laurence Yep. Released Fri 26 January

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Visual Arts previews from around the region

Quilt Art: Material Evidence Midlands Arts Centre (MAC), Birmingham, Sat 13 January Mon 27 May

Image: Fenella Davies, The Catch, 2019

The ‘adventurous spirit and rich heritage’ of women who make art through stitching is celebrated in this new exhibition, which features work by current and former members of pan-European group Quilt Art. Inspired by the life and work of the late Mary Fogg - a founder member of the group and a pioneer in the field of textile art - the show sees each featured artist take a unique approach to Mary’s legacy, presenting cutting-edge work which aims ‘to transcend people’s ideas of what quilting can do’.

The exhibition is accompanied by a book featuring the included artworks and giving an insight into the working processes of each artist.

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Visual Arts

Dame Laura Knight Worcester City Art Gallery, Sat 13 January - Sun 30 June

The first female artist ever to be welcomed into the Royal Academy, Dame Laura Knight felt a profound love for Worcestershire and the Malvern Hills. Indeed, her emotional connection to the area provided her with a great deal of artistic inspiration during the later years of her life.

Curated by Worcester City Art Gallery & Museum, this brand-new exhibition, titled I Paint Today, pays homage not only to the artist herself but also to her relationship with the local countryside.

The show features works from the Worcester City collection alongside loans from regional and national collections, including Tate.

The World That Belongs To Us History In The Making Compton Verney, Warwickshire, until Sun 11 February

The subtitle of this exhibition is ‘stories of materials and making in the collections of Woburn Abbey and the Crafts Council, 700AD to now’ - which does a pretty good job of explaining what the show is all about.

Presenting the historic and the contemporary side-by-side, History In The Making explores the changing attitudes towards materials over time. It also investigates craft both in terms of its importance to communities and its environmental impact... The exhibition is accompanied by a programme of talks and practical workshops.

Autobiography and activism come together in this multimedia exhibition showcasing painting, photography, film, animation, wall drawing and sitespecific installation.

Featuring work by intergenerational artists from the South Asian diasporas of the UK, US and Canada, the show aims to stimulate conversations around a wide range of subjects, from community and belonging, to migrant and diasporic storytelling and queer & feminist world-building.

Coventry Biennial Various locations across Coventry, until Sun 14 January

Contemporary Pâte de Verre: The Material Of Time Stourbridge Glass Museum, Sat 27 January - Sun 23 June

This unique exhibition of internationally acclaimed Pâte de Verre glass artists is the result of a collaboration between Stourbridge Glass Museum and the Contemporary Pâte de Verre Association.

The Association works to support new investigations into Pâte de Verre and what

the 5,000-year-old glass technique can do ‘in sculpture and new narratives for our rapidly changing world’.

The show is based on the same-named 2022 book The Material Of Time by Dr Max Stewart and Tone Orvik.

The fourth Coventry Biennial investigates ‘humankind’s complex relationship with the world’ and features the work of 15 artists displayed across five venues.

Included in the programme is an immersive installation by Turkish artist Can Altay which draws inspiration from the rich traditions of public water fountains in Ottoman cities, most notably Istanbul.

Also featuring in the Biennial is a site-responsive installation from A History Of Frogs, Vietnamese American artist Dinh Q Lê’s powerful multi-screen installation The Colony, and local artist Janet Tryner’s installation and sculpture examining the impact of housing developments on rural ecosystems... whatsonlive.co.uk 49

Chitra Ganesh: How We Do at the End of the World, 2011

New Art Gallery, Walsall, until Sun 9 June

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SHE’S THE BOSS! Carly Mercedes Dyer chats about her lead role in hit musical The Drifters Girl

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Iconic American doo-wop and R&B/soul stars The Drifters scored hit after sensational hit with songs including Under The Boardwalk, Saturday Night At The Movies and Stand By Me. Now, critically acclaimed musical The Drifters Girl is paying tribute not only to the group but also to the woman behind their success: Faye Treadwell... What’s On recently caught up with Carly Mercedes Dyer, who will be playing Faye when the show visits the Midlands this month...

What attracted you to The Drifters Girl, Carly?

I saw it in London because I knew most of the cast. I thought it was such a slick show. I knew the vocals would be amazing, because you know what your friends can do, but they absolutely blew me away. They showed me so much more than I already knew that they could do. I also thought that Faye Treadwell would be a great part to play because her story is so interesting.

How would you describe Faye and her role in the story?

She's tenacious, groundbreaking, hugely intelligent and resilient. If there wasn't a Faye Treadwell, there wouldn't really be The Drifters because they would be a new iteration. They'd be some sort of tribute band, but she persevered and kept everything going. She kept them at the top of their game and fresh. The show is about this woman who took on an industry which didn't have women in managerial positions, and because she was the first African American female manager, she was constantly overlooked and undermined. That's crazy when you consider all the things she did.

Why would you keep undermining her and overlooking her?

Can you relate to her in any way?

One hundred per cent. In our industry sometimes people go “Oh okay, that's what you do,” and they want to keep you in a specific box. But I like to do things that scare me and push me out of my comfort zone. I never just rest on my laurels.

What challenges does the role present for you?

Following in the footsteps of Beverley Knight is a pretty big challenge. It's really overwhelming, but at the same time she’s been a really good friend since I was in the show Memphis with her. So I thought “At least you've got her on your side.” And also, I'm a completely different person. I'm not Beverley Knight, I'm not Felicia Boswell [who took over from Knight in the West End] - I am Carly Mercedes Dyer, and I'm gonna give you

my spin on it. That's the challenge. Plus, it's also one of those shows where you don't really leave the stage - and if you are offstage, you're getting changed and hoping that there's a swig of water for you somewhere!

Were you already familiar with the story that inspired the show?

No, I just knew the songs and often I didn't realise it was The Drifters singing them.

Seeing the show really opened my eyes and made me think “Oh my word, this woman was the backbone of The Drifters!” She made them who they were and created a legacy both for herself and the group.

Do you think she was ahead of her time?

Absolutely. As an African American woman in the record business, she was groundbreaking. And to persevere when people always keep telling you 'no' and shutting down your ideas takes a lot of resilience. She really was ahead of her time because she could’ve just given up and gone home.

Do you have a favourite number in the show?

I really enjoy Save The Last Dance For Me because you can tell the boys really enjoy it when they're dancing. You can see that they're having a great time, and you're thinking that you're in the club with them.

And with the opening medley, I think “Wow what a way to start the show!” My own solo numbers are a big challenge vocally, but I especially enjoy performing Harlem Child because it’s so emotive. The music in this show is amazing, and it's all about nostalgia.

When people come and see it, they go “Oh my goodness, I remember hearing this!”

There's a feelgood quality to it, as well as moments where you think “I'm having one of those days where I need a good old cry.”

There's something for everyone.

doing am-dram - the dressing up and being able to express myself through different characters. One of my first jobs was High School Musical at Hammersmith Apollo. It was insane because it was more like an arena than a theatre, but it was amazing.

What have been your musical theatre highlights so far?

I can pick a few because I feel like I've been really spoiled. I think one of my proudest jobs was definitely Memphis because it was such an ensemble piece. The skillset and the talent in that show was unreal. Chicago was my first West End job, and that was incredible - getting to work with such a vast group of talented people. When I did the concert version of Gypsy, I felt like I'd won a competition because we had seven Mama Roses, and to be in a room with such formidable women and learn from them was unreal. Then doing Anything Goes was also a huge highlight because it got such a great response from the audience. To get an Olivier nomination [for Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical] was amazing.

What are you most looking forward to about touring the country with The Drifters Girl?

I'm looking forward to seeing how each city responds. I know they’re going to be blown away by the magnitude of the talent of the company because our Drifters are something else. I just don't know how they find these people, who have the vocal range and the acting ability to put on so many different hats. The cast is incredible, and the buzz from the audience is going to be electric.

They're in for a great time. I also hope they come away knowing more about who the backbone behind The Drifters was and how much tenacity went into keeping them going.

Faye had such a great heart, such great commitment and resilience.

What first led you into performing?

My friend went to dance classes when we were in nursery school, so I wanted to go too.

I was painfully shy, so dance and drama were about the social aspect of it and having an emotional outlet. I really caught the bug from

The Drifters Girl shows at the Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, from Tues 16 to Sat 20 January, and then at Birmingham Hippodrome from Tues 16 to Sat 20 April

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Events

Festive events continuing this month...

Winter Glow Three Counties Showground, Malvern, until Sat 6 January

The 2023 edition of Winter Glow features a number of new activities, including elf circusskills workshops and pet experiences (on selected dates).

One of the event’s key features, the outdoor light trail, is ‘bigger than ever’ this year and takes visitors on a journey around the North Pole.

Other highlights include an indoor ice rink, a food quarter, a fairground and a market (available to visit without a ticket).

Winter Funland NEC, Birmingham, until Mon 1 January Described as a ‘full-on festive extravaganza’, Winter Funland is home to the UK’s largest indoor Christmas funfair, with a total of 35 rides for the whole family to enjoy.

Attractions include an ice rink, a 1,200seater circus, a big wheel, ‘the world’s biggest bouncy castle’ and the chance to enjoy unlimited rides.

A Victorian Winter Blists Hill Victorian Town, Ironbridge, until Sun 7 January

Travel back to a traditional Victorian winter and see how the 1900s townsfolk lived and worked in the coldest of months.

The town will be dressed for winter and fires will be roaring in the cottages, creating a perfect atmosphere for cosy chats. Visitors can complete a winter activities trail, while anyone wishing to write a traditional thankyou letter for their Christmas gifts can do so with the help of the town’s school teacher.

Ice Skate Birmingham Centenary Square, Birmingham, until Sun 7 January Ice Skate Birmingham and the Big Wheel is back at Centenary Square for the festive season.

While the wheel offers the opportunity to enjoy fantastic views across the city, the weather-proofed ice rink accommodates up to 300 people per session.

Younger or inexperienced skating enthusiasts can keep upright by using special penguin aids.

And when skaters have finished their Torvill & Dean routine, they can warm themselves up with some festive fare in the nearby Ice Lounge and double deck rooftop bar. whatsonlive.co.uk 51

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Events

Events taking place across the region

Winter Steam Gala Severn Valley Railway, Bewdley, Nr Kidderminster, Sat 6 - Sun 7 January

If a cosy train ride spent looking out onto the wintery landscape of the Severn Valley sounds right up your street (or should that be your railway track?), then look no further than the Winter Steam Gala.

Brand new for 2024, the event will see six locomotives in service and operating a busy timetable - including an extra evening service on the Saturday, hauled by No. 43106.

The Engine House at Highley will be open, as will gift shops along the line in which to spend your Christmas money.

Spectacle of Light Compton Verney, Warwickshire, Fri 26 January - Sun 18 February Midlanders are being invited to discover the nighttime wonder of Compton Verney via a spectacle of light and sound this month.

The team at Squid Soup will be back with a

whole host of brand-new installations, while visitors can also enjoy a range of street food from Digbeth Dining Club and grab a drink from the fully stocked bar inside the venue.

The National Running Show NEC, Birmingham, Sat 20 - Sun 21 January

On your marks. Get set. Go! The National Running Show caters for a runner’s every need and features the latest kit, cutting-edge technology, expert coaches and a host of nutrition products.

Visitors can also gain a ton of inspiration from a huge line-up of speakers across the weekend, including Sir Mo Farah, Dame Kelly Holmes and Colin Jackson.

Autosport International 2024 NEC, Birmingham, Thurs 11 - Sun 14 January Europe’s largest motorsport event returns to Birmingham this month with ‘an actionpacked spectacle of unmissable cars and stars’.

The 2024 edition of the show will see vehicles being driven onto the (revamped) main stage for the first time ever...

A host of top personalities from F1, Le Mans and grassroots motorsport also feature.

These include Guenther Steiner - legend of the F1 paddock and Haas F1 team principal Sky Sports’ Natalie Pinkham and Bernie Collins, plus Britain’s most recent Le Mans winner, James Calado. whatsonlive.co.uk 53

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Your weekby-week listings guide

thelist The Drifters Girl - Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Tues 16 - Sat 20 January

January 2024

Music I Comedy I Theatre I Dance I Events I Visual Arts I and more!

What’s On

Fri 1 - Sun 7 January

Mon 8 - Sun 14 January

Mon 15 - Sun 21 January

Mon 22 - Wed 31 January

Peter Kay - Utilita Arena Birmingham

Miles Hunt - Newhampton Arts Centre, Wolverhampton

Chineke! String Quartet New Vic Theatre

Babatunde Aléshé Birmingham Town Hall

Fri 5 January

Fri 12 January

Wed 17 January

Fri 26 January

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thelist VISUAL ARTS IN THE MIDLANDS Compton Verney, Warwickshire

Mead Gallery, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry

COMPTON VERNEY AND COVENTRY BIENNIAL EXHIBITION AND RESIDENCY The result of a project in which artists created new work in collaboration with communities in Nuneaton, until Sun 11 Feb JO GANE: LIQUID SILVER Part of Coventry Biennial. A solo exhibition of new co-created artworks by Nuneaton-based artist & researcher Jo Gane that explores early photographic processes and techniques, and their relationships to people and the environment, until Sun 11 Feb

PHANTOM SCULPTURE: COVENTRY BIENNIAL Reopening in January with new works added, from artists including Kira Freiji, Barbara Hepworth and Kim Lim. The exhibition brings together sculptures by some of the most important artists working today, and puts them into conversation with key works by older artists, until Sun 10 March

Herbert Museum & Art Gallery, Coventry ...LIKE A SHORT CUT THROUGH THE BRAMBLES: COVENTRY BIENNIAL One part of a major new group project featuring significant newly commissioned artworks and existing projects on loan from national collections. The second part of this exhibition shows at the Old Grammar School, Coventry, until Sat 14 Jan WARWICKSHIRE’S JURASSIC SEA Discover the amazing creatures that lived in Coventry & Warwickshire during the time of the dinosaurs, until 23 Feb WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR Renowned exhibition on loan from the Natural History Museum, until Mon 1 April COVENTRY’S JEWISH COMMUNITY Exhibition exploring a community history that dates back to the 12th century, until September 2024 DIPPY IN COVENTRY: THE NATION’S FAVOURITE DINOSAUR Dippy the diplodocus is in Coventry on a three-year loan from the Natural History Museum

Midlands Arts Centre, Edgbaston, Birmingham MARLEY STARSKEY BUTLER: THIRTY-SIX First solo exhibition exploring Starskey Butler’s lived experience of social work. Photography, video, audio & text all feature, until Sun 28 Jan INCARCERATED: CONTEMPORARY ARTS FROM THE VICTORIAN PRISON Exhibition of drawing, sculpture, crafts and writing by people serving time in prisons that were built nearly 200 years ago. Shown in combination with archival documents, interviews and new photography from Andy Aitchison, Sat 13 Jan - Sun 18 Feb

New Art Gallery, Walsall ANNETTE PUGH: HAPPENSTANCE Featuring newly commissioned oil paintings that explore traces of human presence in the landscape, until Sun 7 Jan

RBSA Gallery, Birmingham RBSA MEMBERS & ASSOCIATES EXHIBITION Annual exhibition in which all members and associates of RBSA are invited to display their work. There are over 150 pieces on show, and an opportunity to meet the artists every Saturday throughout the exhibition, until Sat 6 Jan

Tasha Leaper as Madonna - The Buttermarket, Shrewsbury

Gigs EDWINA HAYES Mon 1 Jan, The Kitchen Garden, Birmingham

WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR Renowned exhibition on loan from the Natural History Museum, Sat 6 Jan - Sun 18 Feb

THE PASADENA ROOF ORCHESTRA Mon 1 Jan, New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme

The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent

HOBO JOHNSON Thurs 4 Jan, XOYO, Digbeth, Birmingham

Wolverhampton Art Gallery

ESSENTIAL 80S VS 90S Sat 6 Jan, The River Rooms, Stourbridge

RISING FROM THE DEEP Fri 5 Jan, Eleven, Stoke-on-Trent

NIN UK + SPOUKY KIDS + KORN AGAIN Sat 6 Jan, Newhampton Arts Centre, Wolverhampton

WILDERNESS YET Fri 5 Jan, The Albion, Burton upon Trent

Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery

FRESH AIR FOR THE POTTERIES Exhibition celebrating the 150th anniversary of local photographer William Blake’s birth, until Tues 5 May

ARCTIC ROLL + ROYAL MONSTER ARCTIC MONKEYS + ROYAL BLOOD TRIBUTES Fri 5 Jan, The Robin, Bilston

MANOS PUESTAS TRIO Fri 5 Jan, Temperance, Leamington Spa THE DOLLAR SHORT Fri 5 Jan, The Rhodehouse, Sutton Coldfield

THE DIRTY ROCKING SCOUNDRELS Fri 5 Jan, The Feathers Inn, Lichfield AN EVENING OF ADELE WITH NATALIE BLACK AND HER FULL BAND Fri 5 Jan, The Buttermarket, Shrewsbury RUBY BRIDGE Sat 6 Jan, The Rhodehouse, Sutton Coldfield TRUPA TRUPA Sat 6 Jan, The Tin At The Coal Vaults, Coventry

A FOREIGNER’S JOURNEY Sat 6 Jan, The Robin, Bilston

THE BRYAN ADAMS EXPERIENCE Sat 6 Jan, Eleven, Stoke-on-Trent POPESTARS - GHOST TRIBUTE Sat 6 Jan, The Station, Cannock GAMBLER Sat 6 Jan, The Feathers Inn, Lichfield TASHA LEAPER AS MADONNA Sat 6 Jan, The Buttermarket, Shrewsbury TAXI FOR JESUS Sun 7 Jan, Actress & Bishop, Birmingham

DEREK BOSHIER: IMAGE IN REVOLT Major exhibition offering a rare overview of Boshier’s career and lifelong fascination with popular culture, until Sun 21 Jan POP ART AND POETRY A kaleidoscope of Pop ceramics by key artists from around the world, until Sun 7 April

Worcester City Art Gallery & Museum PETER COLLINS, F1 HERO - MUSTOW GREEN TO NÜRBURGRING Exhibition telling Peter’s remarkable story through original photographs and letters - and featuring numerous personal items, including his racing helmet and gloves, until Sat 20 January

The Dirty Rocking Scoundrels - The Feathers Inn, Lichfield

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Monday 1 - Sunday 7 January

Classical Music

HALLÉ ON THE BLUE DANUBE Featuring Stephen Bell (conductor) & Ailish Tynan (soprano). Annual Viennese concert featuring works by Suppé, Lehár, Strauss and more... Fri 5 Jan, Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent LUNCHTIME ORGAN RECITAL Featuring Oliver Hancock, Fri 5 Jan, St Mary’s Church, Warwick THE CBSO: VIENNESE NEW YEAR GALA Featuring Christoph Koncz (conductor), Francesca Chiejina (soprano) & the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Programme includes works by Smetana, Lehár, Strauss and more... Sat 6 Jan, Malvern Theatres

NATIONAL YOUTH ORCHESTRA: ASCENT Featuring Sir Mark Elder (conductor).

Programme includes works by Debussy & Strauss - plus new work for brass and percussion, Sat 6 Jan, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry WORCESTER PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA: NEW YEAR CONCERT Featuring Jack Dolan (tenor).

Programme includes works by Beethoven, Mozart, Wagner, Fauré and more... Sat 6 Jan, Pershore Abbey, Worcestershire VIENNESE GALA: A NEW YEAR CELEBRATION Featuring Stourbridge Choir & Orchestra, Sat 6 Jan, Stourbridge Town Hall VIENNESE NEW YEAR WITH THE CBSO Featuring Christoph Koncz (conductor - pictured), Francesca Chiejina (soprano) & the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.

Programme includes works by Smetana, Lehár, Strauss and more...

Sun 7 Jan, Symphony Hall, B’ham

TAL DAVIES & COMICS TBC Fri 5 Jan, The Glee Club, Birmingham MATT BRAGG, JOSEPH EMSLIE, SHARON WANJOHI & TOM TOAL Sat 6 Jan, Rosies Nightclub, Birmingham

Melad Hamidi as the Prince and the Beast, Natalie Pilkington as the Fairy and Sarah Annakin as the Enchantress, until Sun 7 Jan, Lichfield Garrick

THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE Step through the wardrobe into the kingdom of Narnia, in this magical adventure based on CS Lewis’ classic children’s book, until Sun 28 Jan, The Rep, Birmingham

SATURDAY NIGHT COMEDY Sat 6 Jan, The Glee Club, Birmingham

Theatre

SNOW WHITE PANTO Festive fun with Steps’ Lee Latchford-Evans, Simon Howe, Georgina Combes & Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist Andrew Fleming, until Wed 3 Jan, Palace Theatre, Redditch BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Miranda Walker gives a contemporary twist to this much-loved fairytale, complete with ‘catchy musical numbers and hilarious comedic moments’, until Sat 6 Jan, The Roses, Tewkesbury THE WIZARD OF OZ Blue Orange Arts present a festive family adventure based on L Frank Baum’s iconic story, until Sat 6 Jan, Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD The Rep presents a fresh look at the classic fairytale in a new production for children aged three to six, until Sat 6 Jan, The Rep, Birmingham TREASURE ISLAND Featuring Sugababes’ Amelle Berrabah as the Island Chief, X Factor’s Sean Smith as Jim Hawkins, West End star Shelley Anne Rivers as the Magical Mermaid, Coronation Street actor Tom Roberts as Long John Silver, Ian Smith as Captain Smollett and Carl Dutfield as Silly Billy Jones, until Sat 6 Jan, Telford Theatre, Shropshire THE BOX OF DELIGHTS The RSC’s festive family show follows an orphaned schoolboy who finds himself the guardian of a small wooden box with powers beyond his wildest dreams, until Sun 7 Jan, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon

JACK AND THE BEANSTALK Awardwinning Little Wolf Entertainment promise ‘giant jokes and marvellous mooo-sic’ in a festive show for all the family, until Sun 7 Jan, Artrix, Bromsgrove (booking via The Core, Solihull) CINDERELLA Starring Coronation Street’s Katie McGlynn as Fairy Godmother, Mark James as Buttons, Jamie Morris & Tarot Joseph as the Ugly Sisters, Bethan Jacks as Cinderella, Mark Faith as Baron Hardup, Ben Brooker as Prince Charming & Jordan Lee Davies as Dandini, until Sun 7 Jan, Malvern Theatres JACK AND THE BEANSTALK A giant of a pantomime starring Brad Fitt, Lucas Rush, Reece Duncan, Tommy J Rollason & Laura-Dene Perryman, until Sun 7 Jan, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury SNOW WHITE Panto favourite starring Kelle Bryan as Good Fairy Elementa, Gyasi Sheppy as the prince, Niki Colwell Evans as the wicked queen, Evie Pickerill as Snow White, Tam Ryan as Muddles and Ian Adams as Nanny Nolly, until Sun 7 Jan, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

Comedy

PETER KAY Fri 5 Jan, Utilita Arena Birmingham

JACK AND THE BEANSTALK A giant panto starring JP McCue as Dame Dolly, until Sun 7 Jan, Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Festive family favourite starring Sam Rabone as Madame Bellie Fillop, Ben Thornton as Phillipe, Kat Chatterton as Belle,

JACK AND THE BEANSTALK Alison Hammond, Matt Slack, Samantha Womack, Doreen Tipton, Andrew Ryan & Alexanda O’Reilly star in a ‘giant panto full of fun’, until Sun 28 Jan, Birmingham Hippodrome DICK WHITTINGTON Three Spires Guildhall presents its version of the classic family pantomime, Thurs 4 Sun 7 Jan, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry GOLDILOCKS AND THE THREE BEARS Presented by the Tamworth Pantomime Company, Sat 6 - Sun 14 Jan, Tamworth Assembly Rooms PUSS IN BOOTS A swashbuckling adventure with plenty of feline fun, Sat 6 - Sun 14 Jan, Albany Theatre, Coventry JACK AND THE BEANSTALK Amateur version of the fun-filled family pantomime, Sat 6 - Sat 27 Jan, Theatre On The Steps, Bridgnorth, South Shropshire

Events

WINTER FUNLAND The UK’s biggest indoor funfair, with all festive activities included in the ticket price, until Mon 1 Jan, NEC, Birmingham LUMINATE BIRMINGHAM Experience a ‘spectacular illuminated trail, full of wonder and intrigue’, until Tues 2 Jan, Birmingham Botanical Gardens LUMINATE COOMBE Experience a ‘spectacular illuminated trail, full of wonder and intrigue’, until Tues 2 Jan, Coombe Abbey, Warwickshire

DICK WHITTINGTON Amateur version of the traditional family pantomime, until Sun 7 Jan, Priory Theatre, Kenilworth JACK AND THE BEANSTALK A giant festive adventure starring Potteries’ favourite Jonathan Wilkes as Jack, Hear’Say star Noel Sullivan as Fleshcreep, Torchwood actor Kai Owen as Farmer Trott and Rio Maye as Spirit of the Beans. Michelle Andrews stars as Princess Jill, until Sun 7 Jan, Regent Theatre, Stoke-onTrent

THE NUTCRACKER: A CHRISTMAS FAIRYTALE Popular festive tale packed with magic, music and enchanting characters, until Sat 27 Jan, New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme

JACK AND THE BEANSTALK Worcester Repertory Company promise a gigantic amount of festive fun in a story of ‘bravery & beans, giants & gold, friendship & fantasy’, until Sun 7 Jan, Swan Theatre, Worcester CINDERELLA Festive fun aplenty in Iain Lauchlan’s panto adaptation of the much-loved rags-to-riches tale, until Sat 13 Jan, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry THE FAIR MAID OF THE WEST Isobel McArthur presents an ‘open-armed’ adaptation of Thomas Heywood’s Elizabethan romp, until Sun 14 Jan, Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon

THE ENCHANTED GARDENS NEVERLAND A magical light trail taking you from Wendy’s nursery in London over to Neverland, until Wed 3 Jan, Webbs Garden Centre, Wychbold, Worcestershire SNOWDOGS DISCOVER BIRMINGHAM Enjoy a festive sculpture trail inspired by the animated sequel to the late Raymond Briggs’ timeless picture book, The Snowman™, until Thurs 4 Jan, across Birmingham City Centre TRIPPING THE LIGHT - A FANTASTIC SHOW A live show all about the science of light, until Fri 5 Jan, Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum WINTER GLOW Immerse yourself in all things seasonal with a line-up of festive activities, until Sat 6 Jan,

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Monday 1 - Sunday 7 January SANTA’S WINTER WONDERLAND Featuring real snow, real animals and the all-new winter wonderland show, until Sun 7 Jan, SnowDome, Tamworth COVENTRY GIANT WHEEL A 35-metrehigh big wheel offers views across the city, until Sun 7 Jan, Broadgate, Coventry SKATE ATTINGHAM: FESTIVE ECO RINK Enjoy a skate on the eco-friendly synthetic acrylic ice, until Sun 7 Jan, Attingham Park, Shropshire

A Victorian Winter - Blists Hill Victorian Town, Ironbridge

Three Counties Showground, Malvern A VICTORIAN WINTER Travel back to a traditional Victorian winter and see how 1900s townsfolk are living and working in the coldest of months, until Sun 7 Jan, Blists Hill Victorian Town, Ironbridge ICE SKATE BIRMINGHAM Birmingham’s largest, all-inclusive undercover ice rink, until Sun 7 Jan, Centenary Square, Birmingham

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IT’S CHRISTMAAAS! Explore the Hall dressed for a 1970s & ’80s Christmas party, until Sun 7 Jan, Hanbury Hall, Worcestershire CHRISTMAS AT THE CASTLE Featuring twinkling trees, dazzling decorations, and festive flourishes, until Sun 7 Jan, Warwick Castle SAFARI SKATING Get your skates on and try the Safari Park’s first-ever festive ice rink, until Sun 7 Jan, West Midland Safari Park, Bewdley

HERITAGE CRAFTS CHRISTMAS TRAIL: THE FIGHT FOR OR AGAINST TIME Join forces with the Master Crafter or Time’s ‘Minute Minions’ on this festive trail, until Mon 8 Jan, Charlecote Park, Warwick CHARLECOTE’S WINTER TREE WALK Discover more about some of the oldest and most fascinating trees in the parkland, until Fri 9 Feb, Charlecote Park, Warwick STEP INSIDE STEWARD’S CHEMIST SHOP Explore the display from Steward’s Chemist Shop at 27 High Street, Tues 2 Jan, Worcester City Art Gallery & Museum BUILDING NEW YEAR FUN AT THE MUSEUM Tackle the ultimate Lego car-

building challenge in the Learning Hub, Tues 2 - Tues 8 Jan, British Motor Museum, Gaydon FAMILY FORENSICS SCENE INVESTIGATION WORKSHOP Immersive forensics workshop, where you can delve into the art of collecting evidence and uncover the secrets of the investigator’s toolkit, Thurs 4 Jan, West Midlands Police Museum, Birmingham DIVINE BEAUTY AT NIGHT This immersive experience, based on the cathedral’s four remarkable stainedglass windows, tells the story of the windows, their imagery and their history, Thurs 4 - Sat 6 Jan, Birmingham Cathedral THE PLANETS 360 A re-imagining of British composer Gustav Holst’s The Planets orchestral suite, Sat 6 - Sun 7 Jan, Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum WINTER STEAM GALA Brand-new event for 2024, with six locomotives in service, Sat 6 - Sun 7 Jan, Severn Valley Railway ORIGINS OF MIDDLE-EARTH: JRR TOLKIEN AND SAREHOLE GUIDED WALK Guided walk introducing the scenery that inspired JRR Tolkien, Sun 7 Jan, Sarehole Mill, Birmingham

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Monday 8 - Sunday 14 January AGAIN + SPLIT DOGS Sat 13 Jan, The Dark Horse, Moseley, B’ham BLACK ELVIS Sat 13 Jan, The Dark Horse, Moseley, Birmingham SLAUGHTER TO PREVAIL Sat 13 Jan, O2 Academy, Birmingham THE SILVER WYE Sat 13 Jan, Temperance, Leamington Spa

Miles Hunt - Newhampton Arts Centre, Wolverhampton

Gigs TAYZ & THE DROLLS Wed 10 Jan, Red Lion Folk Club, Birmingham THE BLUEJAYS Wed 10 Jan, New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme MIKE WILLIAMS QUARTET Thurs 11 Jan, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire UK PINK FLOYD EXPERIENCE Thurs 11 Jan, The Alexandra, Birmingham POCKET CHORAL SOCIETY Thurs 11 Jan, Bromsgrove Folk Club FNUK FT. JASON REBELLO, PAUL & JEREMY STACEY Thurs 11 Jan, Marr’s Bar, Worcester TOM ROBINSON Thurs 11 Jan, Huntingdon Hall, Worcester I’M EVERY WHITNEY Thurs 11 Jan, The Robin, Bilston MAJOR TOMS Fri 12 Jan, Hare & Hounds, B’ham BRING ME THE HORIZON (PICTURED)+ BAD OMENS + CASSEYTTE + STATIC DRESS Fri 12 Jan, Utilita Arena Birmingham

Performance Space, Symphony Hall, Birmingham MAGIC OF MOTOWN Fri 12 Jan, Symphony Hall, Birmingham WOMEN IN ROCK Fri 12 Jan, Sutton Coldfield Town Hall VOX POCKETS Fri 12 Jan, The Rhodehouse, Sutton Coldfield KAISER MONKEY KILLERS Fri 12 Jan, The River Rooms, Stourbridge ED SHEERAN EXPERIENCE Fri 12 Jan, The Robin, Bilston MILES HUNT Fri 12 Jan, Newhampton Arts Centre, Wolverhampton DRESSED TO KILL Fri 12 Jan, Eleven, Stoke-onTrent ROSSIGNOL + TIME STEALERS Fri 12 Jan, The Cafe, Fenton Town Hall, Stoke-on-Trent DIRE STREETS Fri 12 Jan, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre FLEETWOOD MAD Fri 12 Jan, The Station, Cannock THE SUPERSKAS Fri 12 Jan, The Buttermarket, Shrewsbury SHOWADDYWADDY Fri 12 Jan, Crewe Lyceum Theatre GENIUS OF THE CROWD Sat 13 Jan, The Sunflower Lounge, Birmingham

BLDSUGR Fri 12 Jan, O2 Institute, Birmingham VATO KLEMERA Fri 12 Jan, Jennifer Blackwell

SUBHUMANS + BORN HOSTILE + PULSAR + DECAY 87 + HUMAN ERROR + BAD BLOOD + FATAL DOSE + ZERO

Classical Music

MICHAEL COLLINS & MICHAEL MCHALE IN CONCERT Programme includes works by Weber, Brahms & Debussy, Wed 10 Jan, Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire

MARK GREEN AS ELVIS Sat 13 Jan, The Rhodehouse, Sutton Coldfield

GREIG’S PIANO CONCERTO Featuring Paul Lewis (piano), Tabita Berglund (conductor) and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.

Programme includes works by Sibelius & Tchaikovsky, Thurs 11 Jan, Symphony Hall, Birmingham

GUNS 2 ROSES Sat 13 Jan, Queens Hall, Nuneaton

LUNCHTIME RECITAL Fri 12 Jan, St Philip’s Cathedral, Colmore Row, Birmingham

STEVIE MAC - STEVIE NICKS FLEETWOOD MAC TRIBUTE Sat 13 Jan, Marr’s Bar, Worcester

FRONTIERS: ORCHESTRA OF THE SWAN FRIENDS’ SOIRÉE Fundraising concert featuring David le Page (violin), Mark Ashford (guitar) & Nick Stringfellow (cello). Programme includes works

by Piazzolla, Bach, Bartók, Albéniz, Handel and more... Fri 12 Jan, Stratford Town Hall

NORTHERN LIVE Sat 13 Jan, Dudley Town Hall MAET LIVE AND THE NEVER NEVERLAND EXPRESS Sat 13 Jan, The River Rooms, Stourbridge JW MUSIQ + JAMES MORRISON + SIANNY Sat 13 Jan, Newhampton Arts Centre, W’hampton CYDONIA KNIGHTS MUSE TRIBUTE Sat 13 Jan, Eleven, Stoke-onTrent ALL 4 INDIE + BRITPOP UNITED Sat 13 Jan, The Quarter at Potbank, Stoke-on-Trent SCOTT DOONICAN Sat 13 Jan, Lichfield Guildhall XENNA IS TAYLOR SWIFT Sat 13 Jan, The Buttermarket, Shrewsbury DAN BUDD - ROBBIE WILLIAMS TRIBUTE Sat 13 Jan, The Cellars, The Buttermarket, Shrewsbury

ORIFLAMME WIND ENSEMBLE: AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL CONCERT Featuring Antoine Mitchell (conductor) & Julian Hellaby (piano). Programme includes works by Strauss, Stravinsky and Mozart, Sat 13 Jan, St Mary’s Church, Warwick ORGAN RECITAL Featuring Davon Halim (organ), Sat 13 Jan, Shrewsbury Abbey

Comedy

RICHARD DADD & COMICS TBC Fri 12 Jan, The Glee Club, Birmingham SATURDAY NIGHT COMEDY Sat 13 Jan, The Glee Club, Birmingham

Theatre

CINDERELLA Festive fun aplenty in Iain Lauchlan’s panto adaptation of the much-loved rags-to-riches tale, until Sat 13 Jan, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry

KATY ELLIS TAYLORMANIA Sat 13 Jan, Telford Theatre

DAVE ONIONS Sun 14 Jan, Actress & Bishop, Birmingham

JOHN OTWAY & WILD WILLY BARRETT Sun 14 Jan, The Robin, Bilston

THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE Step through the wardrobe into the kingdom of Narnia, in this magical adventure based on CS Lewis’ classic children’s book, until Sun 28 Jan, The Rep, B’ham JACK AND THE BEANSTALK Alison Hammond (pictured), Matt Slack, Samantha Womack, Doreen Tipton, Andrew Ryan & Alexanda O’Reilly star in a ‘giant panto full of fun’, until Sun 28 Jan, Birmingham Hippodrome

THE TRIALS Amateur version of Dawn King’s play - offering a vision of the climate emergency and intergenerational conflict - as a jury of 12 to 17-year-olds hold the stage, Wed 10 - Sat 13 Jan, Criterion Theatre, Coventry TINDERELLA Get ready for the ‘naughtiest adult panto to ever hit the stage’... Fri 12 Jan, Lichfield Garrick TWO PAIRS OF SHORTS Four new pieces of theatre created by the emerging theatre-makers of Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, examining what it takes to find hope in times of great uncertainty, Fri 12 Sat 13 Jan, The Old Joint Stock, Birmingham SLEEPING BEAUTY Presented by Birmingham Youth Theatre, Fri 12 Sun 14 Jan, Crescent Theatre, Birmingham BRIGHT. YOUNG. THINGS. UCB Drama Society present an amateur version of Georgia Christou’s fast-paced play about identity, truth and personal exploration, Sat 13 Jan, Crescent Theatre, Birmingham

Kids Theatre

JURASSIC LIVE Ninety-minute family stage show featuring special effects and ‘the UK’s most realistic dinosaurs’, Sat 13 - Sun 14 Jan, The Alexandra, Birmingham

JOHNNY CASH ROADSHOW Sat 13 Jan, Crewe Lyceum Theatre

ANDY WHITE Sun 14 Jan, The Kitchen Garden, Birmingham

characters, until Sat 27 Jan, New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme

THE FAIR MAID OF THE WEST Isobel McArthur presents an ‘open-armed’ adaptation of Thomas Heywood’s Elizabethan romp, until Sun 14 Jan, Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon THE NUTCRACKER: A CHRISTMAS FAIRYTALE Popular festive tale packed with magic, music and enchanting

Dance

BHARATHATIN BHARATHI: A DANCE TRIBUTE Exclusive dance recital blending ‘poetic elegance, emotional depth, and rhythmic richness’, and featuring Mridhula Sridharan, Sat 13 Jan, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire

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Monday 8 - Sunday 14 January evening where audience members watch events unfold, examine the evidence and question the suspects to work out whodunnit... Sat 13 Jan, Talisman Theatre, Kenilworth THE GREATEST MAGICIAN James Phelan’s highly acclaimed show combining magic and humour, Sat 13 Jan, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre DANNY BAKER: AT LAST... THE SAUSAGE SANDWICH TOUR Danny Baker’s concluding chapter of high kicking euphoria - packed with true-life tales and show business revelation, Sun 14 Jan, Birmingham Town Hall

Jurassic Live - The Alexandra, Birmingham

Light Entertainment

(MIS)IMPERSONATOR Award winning comedian Tracey Collins brings a selection of her stellar creations to the stage. Featuring her characters Elvis Lesley, Shell Suit Cher, and

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Audrey Heartburn, Thurs 11 Jan, The Old Joint Stock, Birmingham CHART MUSIC PODCAST A unique performance which takes a random episode of Top Of The Pops and pulls it to bits in a joyous, scabrous and forensic autopsy of Pop music, Sat 13 Jan, Birmingham Town Hall MURDER IN THE FIELD Murder mystery

followed by a visit to the 4k planetarium, Thurs 11 Jan, Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum AUTOSPORT INTERNATIONAL SHOW 2024 Europe’s biggest motorsport show, featuring everything from the grassroots of racing, karting and offroading, to elite series like F1 and the FIA World Rally Championship, Thurs 11 - Sun 14 Jan, NEC, B’ham THE PLANETS 360 A re-imagining of British composer Gustav Holst’s The Planets orchestral suite, Sat 13 - Sun 14 Jan, Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum

SING-A-LONG-A MATILDA Fancy dress strongly encouraged and full audience participation essential, Sun 14 Jan, Regent Theatre, Stoke-onTrent

ORIGINS OF MIDDLE-EARTH: JRR TOLKIEN AND SAREHOLE GUIDED WALK Guided walk introducing the scenery that inspired JRR Tolkien, Sun 14 Jan, Sarehole Mill, Birmingham

Events

PRETTY & PUNK WEDDING FAIR A selection of some of the best wedding suppliers in Shropshire and the surrounding areas, Sun 14 Jan, The Buttermarket, Shrewsbury

CHARLECOTE’S WINTER TREE WALK Discover more about some of the oldest and most fascinating trees in the parkland, until Fri 9 Feb, Charlecote Park, Warwick THINKTANK TASTER TOUR A 30-minute guided tour of a selection of the Visitor Service Team’s favourite items,

WRESTLING - KING OF THE RING The Superstars Of Wrestling bring their live body slamming family entertainment show to Crewe, Sun 14 Jan, Crewe Lyceum Theatre

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Monday 15 - Sunday 21 January

Gigs KAIA KATER Tues 16 Jan, The Kitchen Garden, Birmingham JUNIPER FOLK + KATY ROSE BENNETT Wed 17 Jan, Red Lion Folk Club, Birmingham AIDAN AMANN TRIO FEATURING NICK MANZ Wed 17 Jan, The Cathedral Hotel, Lichfield MAN OF THE WORLD: THE MUSIC OF PETER GREEN Thurs 18 Jan, Hare & Hounds, Birmingham SIBLINGS OF SAMHAIN + METHODEMIC + SPIRAL DOWN Thurs 18 Jan, Subside Bar, B’ham TIM GARLAND, JASON REBELLO AND JOE LOCKE Thurs 18 Jan, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire FASTLOVE - A CELEBRATION OF GEORGE MICHAEL Thurs 18 Jan, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry GARETH GATES SINGS FRANKIE VALLI & THE FOUR SEASONS Thurs 18 Jan, Swan Theatre, Worcester GO YOUR OWN WAY - THE FLEETWOOD MAC LEGACY Thurs 18 Jan, Palace Theatre, Redditch JOHNNY CASH ROADSHOW Thurs 18 Jan, Malvern Theatres PLEASURE HOUSE Fri 19 Jan, The Sunflower Lounge, Birmingham JAMES MARRIOTT Fri 19 Jan, XOYO, Digbeth, Birmingham MOSCOW DRUG CLUB Fri 19 Jan, The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury HUE AND CRY Fri 19 Jan, The Assembly, Leamington Spa PROJECT BLACKBIRD Fri 19 Jan, Temperance, Leamington Spa BIG GIRLS DON’T CRY THE MUSIC OF FRANKIE VALLI & THE FOUR SEASONS Fri 19 Jan, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry ATLANTIC CROSSING Fri 19 Jan, Huntingdon Hall, Worcester MY DARLING CLEMENTINE Fri 19 Jan, Malvern

Cube AMY LOU Fri 19 Jan, Dudley Town Hall WIRED FOR SOUND CLIFF RICHARD TRIBUTE Fri 19 Jan, Halesowen Town Hall BEAUTIFUL TRAUMA PINK TRIBUTE Fri 19 Jan, The River Rooms, Stourbridge THE CHORDS UK Fri 19 Jan, The Robin, Bilston IT BITES + JOHN YOUNG Fri 19 Jan, KK’s Steel Mill, Wolverhampton FLEETWOOD MACHINE Fri 19 Jan, Newhampton Arts Centre, W’hampton FASTLOVE Fri 19 Jan, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre CHRIS BEVINGTON ORGANISATION Fri 19 Jan, Eleven, Stoke-onTrent KATY ELLIS TAYLORMANIA Fri 19 Jan, Octagon, Stafford HELLO AGAIN - THE NEIL DIAMOND SONGBOOK Fri 19 Jan, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre ELO AGAIN Fri 19 Jan, The Buttermarket, Shrewsbury WE THREE KINGS OF ROCK ‘N’ ROLL Fri 19 Jan, Festival Drayton Centre, Market Drayton, North Shropshire MAGIC OF MOTOWN Fri 19 Jan, Crewe Lyceum Theatre SYNTH Sat 20 Jan, Hare & Hounds, Birmingham A WEEK FULL OF MONDAYS + LYNDONS Sat 20 Jan, The Sunflower Lounge, Birmingham BIG SKY ORCHESTRA Sat 20 Jan, The Dark Horse, Moseley, B’ham LARGE PLANTS + FERGY Sat 20 Jan, The Dark Horse, Moseley, B’ham PEACE AND PANIC + MACKIE LAWLOR + PATRILINEALS + OUR WORLDS + COLLIDE + THE APPEARANCE Sat 20 Jan, O2 Institute, B’ham GET IT ON! ONE NIGHT OF GLAM ROCK Sat 20 Jan, Birmingham Town Hall GORDON HENDRICKS AS ELVIS Sat 20 Jan, The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury

THE MILK MEN Sat 20 Jan, Temperance, Leamington Spa SHAM RADIO Sat 20 Jan, The Rhodehouse, Sutton Coldfield MAJESTY - THE BEST OF QUEEN Sat 20 Jan, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry A BEAUTIFUL NOISE - NEIL DIAMOND TRIBUTE Sat 20 Jan, Palace Theatre, Redditch GUNS 2 ROSES Sat 20 Jan, The Robin, Bilston WAYWARD SONS + MUDDIBROOKE Sat 20 Jan, KK’s Steel Mill, Wolverhampton

Classical Music

Band whose ‘unique musical legacy’ has developed since their formation in 1855, Sun 21 Jan, Birmingham Town Hall

CHINEKE! STRING QUARTET Featuring Julian Gil Rodriguez & Zahra Benyounes (violins), Jane Atkins, (viola) & Ashok Klouda (cello).

Programme includes works by Mendelssohn, Brian Raphael Nabors, William Grant Still & Haydn, Wed 17 Jan, New Vic Theatre, Newcastleunder-Lyme

DANIEL LEBHARDT SOLO RECITAL Programme includes works by Brahms, Scriabin, Ligeti & Bartok, Sun 21 Jan, Festival Drayton, Market Drayton, North Shropshire

LUNCHTIME ORGAN CONCERT Featuring Thomas Trotter (organ). Programme includes works by J.S. Bach, W Russell, J Bingham, G Ligeti and C Saint-Saëns, Mon 15 Jan, Symphony Hall, Birmingham

BELLY LAUGHS Wed 17 Jan, The Rainbow, Digbeth, Birmingham COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBINSON & COMICS TBC Thurs 18 Jan, The Glee Club, Birmingham

CHASING MUMFORD Sat 20 Jan, Eleven, Stokeon-Trent

GORDON GILTRAP Sat 20 Jan, The Hub at St Mary’s, Lichfield LUCAS D & THE GROOVE GHETTO Sat 20 Jan, The Feathers Inn, Lichfield THE UPBEAT BEATLES Sat 20 Jan, The Buttermarket, Shrewsbury OH WHAT A NIGHT - THE MUSIC OF FRANKIE VALLI Sat 20 Jan, Telford Theatre, Oakengates, Shropshire VINCENT FLATTS FINAL DRIVE Sun 21 Jan, Actress & Bishop, Birmingham SKATING POLLY Sun 21 Jan, The Dark Horse, Moseley ASHLEY MCBRYDE Sun 21 Jan, O2 Institute, Birmingham

KAZUKI CONDUCTS SYMPHONIE FANTASTIQUE Featuring Kazuki Yamada (conductor), Eugene Tzikindelean (violin) & the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.

Programme includes Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique alongside works by Fujikura and Walton, Wed 17 Jan, Symphony Hall, Birmingham ALTERNATIVE ORCHESTRA Featuring six new commissions from Mohammad Hojjati Namdar, James Sharif, Samuel Ofori-Boateng, Nicholas Paul, Mikhail Rozhin and Aidan Teplitzky, Fri 19 Jan, The Bradshaw Hall, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire

ENGLISH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Featuring Kenneth Woods (conductor) & April Fredrick (soprano). Programme includes works by E Alberga, A Dvořák, S Barber & Mozart, Fri 19 Jan, Malvern Theatres

HASAN AL-HABIB, THOR STENHAUG & COMICS TBC Fri 19 Jan, The Glee Club, Birmingham JACOB HAWLEY, JACOB NUSSEY, ALEX CAMP & HAYLEY ELLIS Sat 20 Jan, Rosies Nightclub, Birmingham TOMMY SANDHU Sat 20 Jan, The Glee Club, Birmingham SATURDAY NIGHT COMEDY Sat 20 Jan, The Glee Club, Birmingham CHRIS MCCAUSLAND Sat 20 - Sun 21 Jan, Lichfield Garrick

ALLYSON JUNE SMITH Sun 21 Jan, The Glee Club, Birmingham

Theatre

STRANGER SINGS Award-winning musical parody based on Netflix sci-fi series Stranger Things, Mon 15 Wed 17 Jan, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

THE CLASSIC ROCK SHOW Sun 21 Jan, Symphony Hall, Birmingham

GARETH GATES SINGS FRANKIE VALLI & THE FOUR SEASONS Sun 21 Jan, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

BELLY LAUGHS Fri 19 Jan, The Flapper, Birmingham

LUNCHTIME PIANO RECITAL Featuring Julian Hellaby, Fri 19 Jan, St Mary’s Church, Warwick

RISKEE AND THE RIDICULE Sun 21 Jan, Castle & Falcon, B’ham

THE REDHILLS Sun 21 Jan, Temperance, Leamington Spa

Comedy

COMEDY NIGHT Tues 16 Jan, The Victoria, Birmingham

RENDEZVOUS - SOUL, MOTOWN & DISCO Sat 20 Jan, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

JOHNNY 2 BAD - UB40 TRIBUTE Sat 20 Jan, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre

CHELTENHAM SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: THREE GREAT PIECES Featuring David Curtis (conductor) & William Fu (piano). Programme includes works

by Nielsen, Schumann & Rachmaninov, Sun 21 Jan, Princess Hall, Cheltenham Ladies College

ORGAN PROMS Featuring Peter Dyke.

Programme includes works by Dubois, Buxtehude, J.S. Bach & more... Sat 20 Jan, Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-trent BLACK DYKE BRASS BAND IN CONCERT Featuring the Yorkshire-based Brass

2:22 A GHOST STORY Award-winning supernatural thriller starring Jay McGuiness (The Wanted), Fiona Wade (Emmerdale/Silent Witness), George Rainsford (Call The Midwife/Casualty) & Vera Chok (Hollyoaks/Cobra), Tues 16 - Sat 20 Jan, The Alexandra, Birmingham

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Monday 15 - Sunday 21 January SHAKESPEARE’S FOOL One-hander telling the story of Elizabethan clown Will Kempe and his role in Shakespeare’s success, Sat 20 Jan, Linton Village Hall, Ross on Wye, South Herefordshire FRANKENSTEIN Rain Or Shine Theatre presents its fast-paced comic version of the Gothic classic, Sat 20 Jan, Regal Theatre, Tenbury Wells ROBINSON CRUSOE A panto by Joshua Dixon, Sat 20 - Sun 21 Jan, The Little Theatre, Donnington, Telford

Light Entertainment

THE DRIFTERS GIRL Smash-hit show packed with iconic Drifters hits. Carly Mercedes Dyer (Six The Musical), stars as music industry changemaker Faye Treadwell, Tues 16 - Sat 20 Jan, Regent Theatre, Stoke-onTrent

Jan, The Henrician, Evesham

JASON FOX: LIFE AT THE LIMIT Join the ex-special forces soldier as he shares stories of his daring exploits, Tues 16 Jan, Lichfield Garrick

SHAKESPEARE’S FOOL One-hander telling the story of Elizabethan clown Will Kempe and his role in Shakespeare’s success, Fri 19 Jan, Beckbury Village Hall, Shifnal, Shropshire

BONNIE & CLYDE The Mellow Dramatics present an amateur show based on the story of America’s most notorious killer couple, Tues 16 - Sat 20 Jan, The Brewhouse Arts Centre, Burton upon Trent

SEND IN THE CLOWNS: UNPOPULAR A ‘raucous, wild and tantalising’ drag revue show celebrating the magic and madness of musical theatre, Thurs 18 - Sat 20 Jan, The Old Joint Stock, Birmingham

MURDER ON THE NILE Harlequinade present an amateur version of Agatha Christie’s murder-mystery, Fri 19 Sun 21 Jan, The Core, Solihull

COUNTRY SUPERSTARS Hosted by Europe’s leading Dolly Parton impersonator, Sarah Jayne, Fri 19 Jan, Crescent Theatre, Birmingham

ROBIN HOOD SSA Drama present an amateur version of the much-loved Sherwood Forest adventure, Fri 19 Sun 21 Jan, Dovehouse Theatre, Solihull

JASON FOX: LIFE AT THE LIMIT Join the ex-special forces soldier as he shares stories of his daring exploits, Sat 20 Jan, Dudley Town Hall

The Drifters Girl - Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent

NOISES OFF Liza Goddard, Paul Bradley & Simon Shepherd star in Michael Frayn’s celebrated play within a play, Tues 16 - Sat 20 Jan, Malvern Theatres LIFE X 3 Christopher Hampton’s translation of Yasmina Reza’s witty play following three couples who attempt to make the most of an evening out together despite mutual dislikes and lack of respect, Wed 17 Sat 27 Jan, The Loft Theatre, Leamington Spa ALADDIN Phoenix Theatre Group presents its version of the festive family favourite, Thurs 18 - Sun 21

CINDERELLA Dressing up is encouraged for this traditional family pantomime, Fri 19 - Sun 28 Jan, Rugby Theatre ROTTEN TO THE CORE - AN ADULT PANTO MURDER MYSTERY Join Dick Whittington, Fairy Sugar Cane and a host of festive characters to help Inspector Catchem solve a cheeky murder-mystery. Presented by Murder By Appointment, Sat 20 Jan, Prince of Wales Theatre, Cannock

CROONERS UNCAGED One-liners, laugh out loud silliness and superb musical numbers all feature in this homage to some of the greatest crooners of all time, Sat 20 Jan, Sutton Coldfield Town Hall THE FILM ORCHESTRA: FEEL THE MUSIC Featuring scores from Star Wars, James Bond, Pirates of the Caribbean, E.T and more... Amy Elwin joins the orchestra along with the TFO Choir, Sat 20 Jan, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury

Dance

STRICTLY COME DANCING THE LIVE TOUR Celebrity line-up includes Bobby Brazier, Annabel Croft, Krishnan Guru-Murthy, Ellie Leach, Angela Rippon, Layton Williams & Angela Scanlon, Fri 19 - Sun 21 Jan, Utilita Arena Birmingham

Events

QUEEN BY CANDLELIGHT A night of Queen anthems, performed by a live cast of West End singers, accompanied by a live rock band, Wed 17 - Sat 20 Jan, Lichfield Cathedral Shakespeare’s Fool - various venues

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LAMMA 2024 The UK’s leading

agricultural machinery, equipment & technology show, Wed 17 - Thurs 18 Jan, NEC, Birmingham THINKTANK TASTER TOUR A 30-minute guided tour of a selection of the Visitor Service Team’s favourite items, followed by a visit to the 4k planetarium, Thurs 18 Jan, Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum PINK FLOYD’S THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON A fulldome experience featuring 10 tracks from The Dark Side Of The Moon set to stunning 360° visuals. Also includes a short tour of the night sky, Thurs 18 Jan, Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum JANUARY MOTORHOME & CAMPERVAN SALE Browse hundreds of new and used vehicles, Fri 19 - Sun 21 Jan, NAEC Stoneleigh, Warwickshire TATTY DEVINE JEWELLERY WORKSHOP Get creative with co-founder and Creative Director Harriet Vine MBE, Sat 20 Jan, Compton Verney, Warwickshire WASTED RAVE Wasted’s first-ever sustainable rave for under-18s, Sat 20 Jan, Playbox Theatre, Warwick GREEN WILLOW WEAVING COURSE Learn the art of willow weaving, Sat 20 Jan, Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre, Craven Arms, South Shropshire THE PLANETS 360 A re-imagining of British composer Gustav Holst’s The Planets orchestral suite, Sat 20 - Sun 21 Jan, Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum NATIONAL WEDDING FAYRE Featuring over 120 exhibitors covering every aspect of wedding planning, Sat 20 Sun 21 Jan, Coventry Building Society Arena, Coventry THE NATIONAL RUNNING SHOW Bringing together inspirational speakers, cutting-edge technologies and the best in nutrition, all under one roof, Sat 20 - Sun 21 Jan, NEC, Birmingham PARANORMAL EYE - GHOST HUNT Go on an intense ghost hunt across all three floors, Sat 20 - Sun 21 Jan, Priory Theatre, Kenilworth ORIGINS OF MIDDLE-EARTH: JRR TOLKIEN AND SAREHOLE GUIDED WALK Guided walk introducing the scenery that inspired JRR Tolkien, Sun 21 Jan, Sarehole Mill, Birmingham

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Monday 22 - Wednesday 31 January

Gigs

Jan, Palace Theatre, Redditch

WET WET WET + GO WEST Mon 22 Jan, Symphony Hall, Birmingham

LUKE MORLEY + HILLBILLY VEGAS Thurs 25 Jan, KK’s Steel Mill, Wolverhampton

COMMON JACK Mon 22 Jan, Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire

ABC Thurs 25 Jan, The Civic at The Halls Wolverhampton

DAKHABRAKHA Tues 23 Jan, Birmingham Town Hall BARRY STEELE PRESENTS THE ROY ORBISON STORY Tues 23 Jan, Artrix, Bromsgrove NELL MESCAL Wed 24 Jan, Hare & Hounds, Birmingham DUELLIN’ PIANOS Wed 24 Jan, The Jam House, Birmingham JEZ LOWE + GRANFALLON Wed 24 Jan, Red Lion Folk Club, Birmingham DEPECHE MODE Wed 24 Jan, Utilita Arena Birmingham TIM O’BRIEN & JAN FABRICIUS Wed 24 Jan, The Kitchen Garden, Birmingham THE CLASSIC ROCK SHOW Wed 24 Jan, Malvern Theatres RUBY TURNER Wed 24 Jan, New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme TOMMY EMMANUEL + MOLLY TUTTLE Wed 24 Jan, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury JOHN FRANCIS FLYNN Thurs 25 Jan, Hare & Hounds, Birmingham SEEK HARBOUR + SKIES + DANNY MANIC Thurs 25 Jan, Subside Bar, Birmingham DICK OATTS QUARTET Thurs 25 Jan, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire MAD JOCKS AND ENGLISHMEN Thurs 25 Jan, The Kitchen Garden, Birmingham FAIRFIELD Thurs 25 Jan, Bromsgrove Rugby Club, Finstall

A BEAUTIFUL NOISE NEIL DIAMOND TRIBUTE Thurs 25 Jan, Lichfield Garrick

ABSOLUTE BENSON - THE MUSIC OF GEORGE BENSON Fri 26 Jan, Halesowen Town Hall THE SKAPONES Fri 26 Jan, The Robin, Bilston THE CLAUSE Fri 26 Jan, The Sugarmill, Stokeon-Trent

SAINT AGNES Fri 26 Jan, Devil’s Dog, B’ham

TOTO UK + TIN MAN Fri 26 Jan, Eleven, Stokeon-Trent

SPANISH LOVE SONGS + HEART ATTACK MAN + SUDS Fri 26 Jan, O2 Institute, Birmingham

STOLEN FROM GOD Fri 26 Jan, Brewhouse Arts Centre, Burton upon Trent

BO + NOVA RED + ORDINARY PEOPLE + LOVE NOR MONEY + DANIEL BARRIE Fri 26 Jan, O2 Institute, Birmingham

THE CHICAGO BLUES BROTHERS Fri 26 Jan, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre

NOGOOD BOYO Fri 26 Jan, The Victoria, Birmingham

FRONTROW Fri 26 Jan, The Feathers Inn, Lichfield

WAYNE MATTHEWS Fri 26 Jan, Jennifer Blackwell Performance Space, Symphony Hall, Birmingham AFRO-CUBAN JAZZ ORCHESTRA Fri 26 Jan, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire THE SIMON AND GARFUNKEL STORY Fri 26 Jan, Artrix, Bromsgrove THE TAKE THAT EXPERIENCE Fri 26 Jan, The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury HUGH CORNWELL + THE PRIMITIVES Fri 26 Jan, The Assembly, Leamington Spa BRAVE RIVAL Fri 26 Jan, Temperance, Leamington Spa WE THREE KINGS OF ROCK ‘N’ ROLL Fri 26 Jan, Stratford Playhouse ICONIC 80S V 90S Fri 26 Jan, The Rhodehouse, Sutton Coldfield SHED SEVEN Fri 26 Jan, hmv Empire, Coventry LAST RESORT Fri 26 Jan, Queens Hall, Nuneaton

EDDIE GRIPPER TRIO Thurs 25 Jan, Marr’s Bar, Worcester

THE STORY OF GUITAR HEROES Fri 26 Jan, Regal, Tenbury Wells

MARTYN JOSEPH Thurs 25 Jan, Huntingdon Hall, Worcester

FASTLOVE - THE MUSIC OF GEORGE MICHAEL Fri 26 Jan, Palace Theatre, Redditch

80’S MANIA Thurs 25

THE DEADSHOTS Fri 26 Jan, 45Live, Kidderminster

ABSOLUTE REGGAE Fri 26 Jan, Lichfield Garrick

MARTYN JOSEPH Fri 26 Jan, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury BLACK CHARADE + FELL OUT BOY Fri 26 Jan, The Buttermarket, Shrewsbury SOLID SOUL Fri 26 - Sat 27 Jan, The Jam House, Birmingham THE FLEETWOOD MAC LEGACY Fri 26 Jan, Victoria Hall, Stoke-onTrent SUPER SONIC - OASIS TRIBUTE Fri 26 Jan, Two Gates Club, Tamworth PIG DAZE + JUDAS JOHNSON Fri 26 Jan, Ludlow Assembly Rooms, Shropshire THE ANSELLS Sat 27 Jan, The Sunflower Lounge, Birmingham VENOMOUS CONCEPT Sat 27 Jan, Devil’s Dog, Birmingham MILES KANE Sat 27 Jan, O2 Institute, B’ham JOEL FOSTER + CHARM + THE FAZELEYS + CAMERON JENKINS + PULSE Sat 27 Jan, O2 Institute, Birmingham TOM CLARKE + JOE DOLMAN + ADAM ZINDANI Sat 27 Jan, O2 Academy, Birmingham ABSOLUTION - MUSE TRIBUTE Sat 27 Jan, O2 Academy, Birmingham

ABC - The Halls Wolverhampton & Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent

THE BLINK-182 SHOW + JIMMY ATE WORLD + WARNING Sat 27 Jan, Castle & Falcon, B’ham NAMELESS + DIRE THORNS + LAST AGONY + THE DEAD LIST Sat 27 Jan, Subside Bar, Birmingham ZEBRAHEAD + TEENAGE BOTTLEROCKET + SPUNGE + MILLIE MANDERS & THE SHUTUP Sat 27 Jan, XOYO, Digbeth, Birmingham ERNEST AINES Sat 27 Jan, The Kitchen Garden, Birmingham RAVE ON: THE ULTIMATE 50S & 60S EXPERIENCE Sat 27 Jan, The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury THE BLOCKHEADS Sat 27 Jan, The Assembly, Leamington Spa JOHN COGHLAN’S QUO RE-IMAGINED Sat 27 Jan, Temperance, Leamington Spa MANIA - THE ABBA TRIBUTE Sat 27 Jan, Stratford Playhouse UNDER THE COVERS Sat 27 Jan, The Rhodehouse, Sutton Coldfield THE JOHN MARTYN PROJECT Sat 27 Jan, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry DARK SIDE OF THE WALL Sat 27 Jan, Queens Hall, Nuneaton WRONG JOVI Sat 27 Jan, Marrs Bar, Worcester THANK YOU FOR THE MUSIC - ABBA TRIBUTE Sat 27 Jan, Palace Theatre, Redditch

THE LEMON TWISTS Sat 27 Jan, 45Live, Kidderminster UK PINK FLOYD EXPERIENCE Sat 27 Jan, Walsall Arena & Arts Centre

Birmingham LUKE COMBS TRIBUTE UK Sun 28 Jan, Palace Theatre, Redditch AMY LOU Sun 28 Jan, Brierley Hill Civic, Dudley

ULTRA 90S VS 2000S Sat 27 Jan, The River Rooms, Stourbridge

CALLING PLANET EARTH Sun 28 Jan, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury

SHANIA & FRIENDS Sat 27 Jan, The Robin, Bilston

UK PINK FLOYD EXPERIENCE Sun 28 Jan, Crewe Lyceum Theatre

SCOTT DOONICAN Sat 27 Jan, Katie Fitzgerald’s, Stourbridge

CLASSIC ROCK SHOW Mon 29 - Tues 30 Jan, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury

THE 900 Sat 27 Jan, KK’s Steel Mill, Wolverhampton HEADSTICKS + SHANGHAI TREASON + JESS SILK Sat 27 Jan, The Sugarmill, Stokeon-Trent

SAM GREENFIELD AND DIDDY SWEG Tues 30 Jan, Hare & Hounds, Birmingham ABC Tues 30 Jan, Regent Theatre, Stokeon-Trent

HI ON MAIDEN Sat 27 Jan, Eleven, Stoke-onTrent

HINDS Wed 31 Jan, Hare & Hounds, Birmingham

DARKSIDE - THE PINK FLOYD SHOW Sat 27 Jan, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre

THE SCRATCH Wed 31 Jan, Castle & Falcon, Birmingham

PURPLE ZEPPELIN Sat 27 Jan, Tamworth Assembly Rooms WAKING THE ANGELS + WHITE TYGËR Sat 27 Jan, The Station, Cannock ELO AGAIN Sat 27 Jan, Lichfield Garrick THE BESSIE SMITH STORY Sat 27 Jan, The Hub at St Mary’s, Lichfield THE 4 ROSSIS Sat 27 Jan, The Feathers Inn, Lichfield SAM BAKER Sun 28 Jan, The Kitchen Garden,

ARM’S LENGTH + BEAUTY SCHOOL + MIRRORTALK Wed 31 Jan, The Asylum, Birmingham CRAIG SUNDERLAND + LAUREN SOUTH Wed 31 Jan, Red Lion Folk Club, Birmingham THE SIMON & GARFUNKEL STORY Wed 31 Jan, Birmingham Town Hall BUDDY HOLLY & THE CRICKETERS Wed 31 Jan, Lichfield Garrick CERYS HAFANA Wed 31 Jan, Unitarian Church, Shrewsbury

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thelist Classical Music

VOCES 8 The Grammy-nominated vocal ensemble’s winter tour, Tues 23 Jan, Stoke Repertory Theatre A VIENNESE STRAUSS GALA Theatre Productions Europe Ltd presents a ‘magical’ evening, celebrating the music of Johann Strauss, Wed 24 Jan, Gatehouse Theatre, Stafford

BEETHOVEN’S FIFTH SYMPHONY Featuring Maxim Emelyanychev (conductor), Marie-Christine Zupancic (flute), Katherine Thomas (harp) & the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Programme also includes works by Mendelssohn, Mozart & Simon, Wed 24 Jan - Thurs 25 Jan, Symphony Hall, Birmingham ARIEL LANYI PIANO CONCERT Programme includes works by Beethoven, Chopin & Roger, Thurs 25 Jan, Stoke Repertory Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent DI XIAO: PIANO RECITAL Programme includes works by Schubert, Mendelssohn, John Ireland & Prokofiev, Fri 26 Jan, Bromsgrove School, Worcestershire LONDON HAYDN QUARTET Featuring Catherine Manson & Michael Gurevich (violins), John Crockatt (viola) and Jonathan Manson (cello).

Programme includes works by Jadin, Haydn & Mendelssohn, Fri 26 Jan, Royal Pump Rooms, Leamington Spa LECTURE RECITAL: MORE DEMONIC & DIVINE Featuring Kenneth Hamilton (piano). Programme includes works

by Chopin, Liszt & Liszt/Meyerbeer, Fri 26 Jan, Elgar Concert Hall, Bramall, University of Birmingham

concert with Simon Callaghan (pianist). Programme includes works

by Haydn, Shostakovich & R Schumann, Sun 28 Jan, Maidment Auditorium, Shrewsbury School THOMAS TROTTER ORGAN CONCERT Programme includes works by J.S. Bach, N Hakim, G Thalben Ball & J Bonnet, Mon 29 Jan, Birmingham Town Hall STILE ANTICO Programme includes settings of texts by Dante to the music of Luzzaschi and Merulo as well as renaissance madrigals and sacred music, Tues 30 Jan, St Mary’s Church, Warwick

ANDREW DOWNES MEMORIAL CONCERT Presented by Lynwood Music & featuring Anthony Bradbury (music director) & Anna Downes (leader). All music composed by Andrew Downes - including a world première of Overture for a Modern City, Op. 8a, Sun 28 Jan, The Bradshaw Hall, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire FAR FLUNG TRIO Featuring Katherine Hunka (violin), Dermot Dunne (accordion) & Malachy Robinson (double bass). Programme includes works by Offenbach, Biber, Gershwin, Verdi, Brahms and more...

Sun 28 Jan, Malvern Theatres THE CARDUCCI STRING QUARTET In

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GUZ KHAN Sun 28 Jan, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry RHOD GILBERT Tues 30 Jan, Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa

Theatre

YIZKOR The experiences of two teenagers form the basis of this moving and engaging play about the Holocaust, Mon 22 Jan, New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme

VOXBOX: HENRY PURCELL Featuring Christopher Bucknall (director) and students from the Vocal & Operatic, and Historical Performance Departments, Wed 31 Jan, Recital Hall, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire

Comedy

COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBINSON & COMICS TBC Thurs 25 Jan, The Glee Club, Birmingham ED NIGHT Thurs 25 Jan, Hare & Hounds, Birmingham BABATUNDE ALÉSHÉ Fri 26 January, Birmingham Town Hal

TOMMY SANDHU Fri 26 Jan, The Glee Club, Birmingham CHRIS MCCAUSLAND Fri 26 Jan, Huntingdon Hall, Worcester WAYNE BEESE Fri 26 Jan, Katie Fitzgerald’s, Stourbridge ROBIN MORGAN, HASAN AL-HABIB, SHARON WANJOHI & KAREN BAYLEY Sat 27 Jan, Rosies Nightclub, Birmingham

SHAKESPEARE’S FOOL One-hander telling the story of Elizabethan clown Will Kempe and his role in Shakespeare’s success, Mon 22 Jan, Foxlowe Arts Centre, Leek EVERYBODY’S TALKING ABOUT JAMIE Award-winning musical starring Ivano Turco in the lead role. Rebecca McKinnis as Margaret, Shobna Gulati as Ray, Talia Palamathanan as Pritti, Giovanna Fletcher as Miss Hedge and John Partridge as Hugo/Loco Chanelle, Tues 23 - Sat 27 Jan, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre BLOOD BROTHERS Niki Evans stars in Willy Russell’s iconic play, set in his native Liverpool, Tues 23 - Sat 27 Jan, Malvern Theatres

ABIGAIL’S PARTY Highbury Players present an amateur version of Mike Leigh’s observational comedy set in 1970s suburbia, Tues 23 Jan - Sat 3 Feb, Highbury Theatre, Sutton Coldfield UNCOMMON WEALTH BOLDtext playwrights Liz John, Helen Kelly, Vanessa Oakes and Tim Stimpson present four new short plays which ask questions about what we still share - or don’t - and how we can all benefit from our national ‘wealth’, Wed 24 Jan, The Rep, Birmingham

DAMAN BAMRAH, JAKE BAKER, KATE LUCAS & COMIC TBC Sat 27 Jan, Macready Theatre, Rugby

THE MERCHANT OF VENICE 1936 TracyAnn Oberman stars as Shylock in a reimagining of Shakespeare’s play.

The production returns to the RSC following a sell-out run in 2023, Wed 24 Jan - Sat 10 Feb, Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon

THE COMEDY STORE ON THE ROAD Sat 27 Jan, Albany Theatre, Coventry

VAMPIRE’S ROCK Steve Steinman’s rock musical, fusing ‘mesmerising

UROOJ ASHFAQ Sat 27 Jan, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry

AESCHYLUS’ THE PERSIANS Ancient Athenian play retelling the visceral free fall of the Persian royal house at the hands of their young king’s sordid pride, Thurs 25 - Fri 26 Jan, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry BOY ON THE ROOF Vamos Theatre present the story of an unlikely friendship, where acceptance, understanding and love find their way centre stage, Thurs 25 - Sat 27 Jan, Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton

GOLDILOCKS AND THE THREE BEARS Family pantomime presented by the Monday Night Group, Fri 26 Jan - Sat 3 Feb, The Civic, Stourport

METAMORPHOSIS Franz Kafka’s famous tale of cruelty and kindness, presented by Frantic Assembly in collaboration with Lemm Sissay, Tues 23 - Sat 27 Jan, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry

RACHEL BAKER & COMICS TBC Fri 26 Jan, The Glee Club, Birmingham

narrative, comedy, horror and rock anthems’, Thurs 25 Jan, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury

RAPUNZEL Amateur version presented

by Kays Theatre Group, Thurs 25 Jan - Sun 4 Feb, Swan Theatre, Worcester

JESS GILLAM & THE CBSO Featuring Eduardo Strausser (conductor), Jess Gillam (saxophone) & the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.

Programme includes works by Rossini, Villa-Lobos, RimskyKorsakov, Williams & Stravinsky, Wed 31 Jan, Symphony Hall, Birmingham

NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Featuring Juan Ortuño (conductor) & Nigel Turner (soloist).

Programme includes works by Borodin, Tchaikovsky, Arutunian & Glazunov, Sat 27 Jan, St John Fisher Catholic College, Staffordshire ARMONICO CONSORT Directed by Christopher Monks. Programme includes works by Scarlatti & Handel, Sat 27 Jan, St Mary’s Church, Warwick

GUZ KHAN Sat 27 Jan, Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa

BEAUTY AND THE BIG BEAST - ADULT PANTO A company of three actors corrupt a classic fairytale beyond recognition, Sat 27 Jan, Crewe Lyceum Theatre ROBINSON CRUSOE A panto by Joshua Dixon, Sat 27 Jan, The Little Theatre, Donnington, Telford EVERY BRILLIANT THING Life-affirming story of how to achieve hope through focusing on the smallest miracles of life, Sat 27 Jan - Sat 3 Feb, Criterion Theatre, Coventry MINDGAME The Nonentities present an amateur version of Anthony Horowitz’s psychological thriller, Mon 29 Jan - Sat 3 Feb, The Rose Theatre, Kidderminster THE FULL MONTY Brand-new production celebrating the 25th anniversary of the film of the same name. Starring Danny Hatchard (EastEnders), Jake Quickenden (Footloose, Hair & X Factor), Bill Ward (Coronation Street/Emmerdale), Neil Hurst (Fat Friends The Musical), Ben Onwukwe (The Shawshank Redemption) & Nicholas Prasad (Around The World In 80 Days), Tues 30 Jan - Sat 3 Feb, The Alexandra, Birmingham DO I LOVE YOU? John Godber comedy which follows three twentysomethings as they develop a love for Northern Soul, Tues 30 Jan - Sat 3 Feb, New Vic Theatre, Newcastleunder-Lyme THE BAR AT THE END OF TIME A mysterious, multi-sensory spectacular for young adults and adults with profound and multiple learning disabilities, Tues 30 Jan Thurs 1 Feb, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry SHREK THE MUSICAL Join the loveable green ogre and his trusty sidekick Donkey as they set out on a quest to defeat the fearsome dragon and rescue the beautiful Princess Fiona,

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Monday 22 - Wednesday 31 January SING-A-LONG-A MATILDA Fancy dress strongly encouraged and full audience participation essential, Sat 27 Jan, The Alexandra, Birmingham RAVE ON: THE ULTIMATE 50S & 60S EXPERIENCE A rollercoaster ride through music’s revolutionary decades, Sat 27 Jan, The Roses, Tewkesbury ON TOP OF THE WORLD Join local lad Adam Booth as he talks about his audacious attempt to climb Kanchenjunga - the third highest mountain in the world, using an experimental home training system, Sat 27 Jan, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury

The Greatest Magician - The Brewhouse Arts Centre, Burton-upon-Trent

Tues 30 Jan - Sun 4 Feb, The Belgrade Theatre, Coventry A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM Mathew Baynton (Horrible Histories/Ghosts) stars as Bottom in Shakespeare’s captivating comedy, Tues 30 Jan Sat 30 March, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon HEART & HEART A Bear Pit Theatre production of Paul Greenwood’s dramatisation of the process of creative writing, Wed 31 Jan - Sat 3 Feb, The Bear Pit Theatre, Stratfordupon-Avon GREASE THE MUSICAL Presented by Prince Henry’s High School, Wed 31 Jan - Sat 3 Feb, The Henrician, Evesham

Light Entertainment

CIRQUE: THE GREATEST SHOW Variety spectacular featuring aerialists, contortionists and fire jugglers, combined with music from West End and Broadway hit shows, Sun 21 Mon 22 Jan, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury AN EVENING WITH LAUREL & HARDY World expert on silent film & comedy, Neil Brand here presents an insight into the birth of the early film industry and the geniuses involved, Tues 23 Jan, Lichfield Garrick SHARON OSBORNE - CUT THE CRAP A ‘live and unleashed’ show in which the former X Factor judge and wife of Ozzy gives a candid insight into some of the ‘hardest years of her eventful life’, Wed 24 Jan, The Alexandra, Birmingham CIRCUS OF HORRORS: CABARET OF CURIOSITIES A fangtastic new show featuring an amazing set, stellar lights, special effects, bizarre circus

acts, sinister storyline and dark magic... Wed 24 Jan, Lichfield Garrick DAVID SUCHET: POIROT AND MORE Join one of the world’s most celebrated actors as he reflects on his career and some of the infamous characters he’s portrayed, Wed 24 Jan, Crewe Lyceum Theatre THE TIME TRAVELLER An evening with past life regressionist Tony Rae, Thurs 25 Jan, Sutton Coldfield Town Hall THE GREATEST MAGICIAN James Phelan’s highly acclaimed show combining magic and humour, Thurs 25 Jan, The Brewhouse Arts Centre, Burton upon Trent AN EVENING OF BURLESQUE A night of laughter, cabaret, mystery & glamour, Thurs 25 Jan, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre JASON LINES: A NIGHT AT THE MUSICALS Join the actor and vocalist as he performs songs from some of his favourite West End and Broadway musicals, Fri 26 Jan, The Alexandra, Birmingham JORDAN ADAMS: MUSICALS AND ME An evening of music and chat with Jordan performing some of the biggest songs from West End musicals and Hollywood movies, Fri 26 Jan, Lichfield Garrick SHELL SUIT CHER: BELIEVE IN BINGO Tracey Collins (Tina Turner Tea Lady & Audrey Heartburn) brings her weird and wonderful character to the stage, Fri 26 Jan, Albany Theatre, Coventry

LA VOIX: THE RED AMBITION TOUR ‘Britain’s funniest red head’ promises her most ambitious show to date complete with huge vocals, live band and side-splitting comedy, Sat 27 Jan, The Old Rep, Birmingham SOLDIER OF ILLUSION Experience the impossible with Britain’s Got Talent winner Richard Jones, the Military Illusionist, Sat 27 Jan, Festival Drayton Centre, Market Drayton, North Shropshire LAS VEGAS LIVE WITH THE RAT PACK 25TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR Starring David Alacey as Sinatra, Paul Drakeley as Dean Martin & Des Coleman as Sammy Davis Jnr, Sat 27 Jan, Dudley Town Hall THAT’LL BE THE DAY Nostalgic show combining comedy sketches with impersonations and music from the 50s, 60s, 70s & 80s, Sun 28 Jan, The Alexandra, Birmingham AN EVENING WITH ASTON VILLA LEGENDS Dean Saunders & Paul Merson share stories from their action-packed football careers, including tales from the dressing room / training ground, Mon 29 Jan, Dudley Town Hall LA VOIX: THE RED AMBITION TOUR ‘Britain’s funniest red head’ promises her most ambitious show to date complete with huge vocals, live band and side-splitting comedy, Wed 31 Jan, Tamworth Assembly Rooms JASON FOX: LIFE AT THE LIMIT Join the ex-special forces soldier as he shares stories of his daring exploits, Wed 31 Jan, Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa WILD TRACKS WITH STEVE BATE MBE The paralympic gold medal-winning cyclist shares his incredible story of riding to ascend the iconic mountain of Kilimanjaro, Tues 30 Jan, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury

Dance

GIOVANNI PERNICE: LET ME ENTERTAIN YOU Brand new live show in which the Strictly star is joined by a cast of world class professional dancers and

West End performers, Fri 26 - Sat 27 Jan, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury LORE James Wilton Dance present a new production about connecting to nature, Tues 30 Jan, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry

Events

THINKTANK TASTER TOUR A 30-minute guided tour of a selection of the Visitor Service Team’s favourite items, followed by a visit to the 4k planetarium, Thurs 25 Jan, Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum THE MURDER OF ROBERT MCALLAN Conduct an investigation and find out what happened to Robert, Fri 26 Jan, West Midlands Police Museum, Birmingham SPECTACLE OF LIGHT After-dark experience for all the family, Fri 26 Jan - Sun 18 Feb, Compton Verney, Warwickshire DOZE UNDER DIPPY Stay overnight in the museum, snoozing under the feet of a 26-foot diplodocus, Sat 27 Jan, The Hebert Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry WILD ABOUT WINGS Featuring guided bird walks, a birdbox-making workshop and children’s activities, Sat 27 Jan, Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre, Craven Arms, South Shropshire BIRMINGHAM TINY WHOOPS INTERNATIONAL RACE DAYS Two days of racing action and onesie party, Sat 27 - Sun 28 Jan, Millennium Point, Birmingham BRITISH BASKETBALL LEAGUE TROPHY SEMI-FINALS & FINALS 2024 The British Basketball League returns to the city, Sat 27 - Sun 28 Jan, Utilita Arena Birmingham THE PLANETS 360 A re-imagining of British composer Gustav Holst’s The Planets orchestral suite, Sat 27 - Sun 28 Jan, Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum ORIGINS OF MIDDLE-EARTH: JRR TOLKIEN AND SAREHOLE GUIDED WALK Guided walk introducing the scenery that inspired JRR Tolkien, Sun 28 Jan, Sarehole Mill, Birmingham MINI FAIR The British Mini Club present ‘the UK’s biggest and best indoor Mini event’, Sun 28 Jan, Bingley Hall, Staffordshire County Showground DESI BEATS WITH BOBBY FRICTION Expect a mashup of jungle, garage, dnb, bhangra and breaks with iconic desi beats - all played at a safe level for little ears, Sun 28 Jan, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry WEDDING OPEN DAY Meet a team of experienced event planners and trusted local wedding suppliers, Sun 28 Jan, Weston Park, Shropshire

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