Worcestershire What's On November 2016

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Your FREE essential entertainment guide for the Midlands

Worcestershire

ISSUE 371 NOVEMBER 2016

ONE FOR THE ROAD SEANN WALSH BACK IN THE MIDLANDS

’ What sOn FILM I COMEDY I THEATRE I GIGS I VISUAL ARTS I EVENTS I FOOD

worcestershirewhatson.co.uk

thelist

inside:

Your 16-page week by week listings guide

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Contents November Warwicks/Worcs.qxp_Layout 1 24/10/2016 16:31 Page 2

November 2016

Contents

Kiss Me Kate - Welsh National Opera present a new staging of Cole Porter classic ... page 22

the list

Simon Russell Beale

Simply Red

Counting down...

talks about starring in The Tempest at the RST

pop super Stars take to the stage at Genting Arena

Festive shows and activities to enjoy this month

Your 16-page week-by-week listings guide

Interview page 8

page 14

page 33

page 51

inside: 4. First Word

11. Food

14. Music

20. Comedy

24. Theatre

39. Film

43. Visual Arts

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Warwickshire What’s On Magazine

Warwickshire What’s On Magazine

What’sOn MAGAZINE GROUP

Worcestershire What’s On Magazine

47. Events

@whatsonworcs Worcestershire What’s On Magazine

Managing Director: Davina Evans davina@whatsonlive.co.uk 01743 281708 Sales & Marketing: Lei Woodhouse lei@whatsonlive.co.uk 01743 281703 Chris Horton chris@whatsonlive.co.uk 01743 281704 Matt Rothwell matt@whatsonlive.co.uk 01743 281719 Editorial: Lauren Foster lauren@whatsonlive.co.uk 01743 281707 Sue Jones sue@whatsonlive.co.uk 01743 281705 Brian O’Faolain brian@whatsonlive.co.uk 01743 281701 Abi Whitehouse abi@whatsonlive.co.uk 01743 281716 Ryan Humphreys ryan@whatsonlive.co.uk 01743 281722 Adrian Parker adrian.parker@whatsonlive.co.uk 01743 281714 Rhian Atherton rhian@whatsonlive.co.uk 01743 281726 Contributors: Graham Bostock, James Cameron-Wilson, Heather Kincaid, David Vincent, Katherine Ewing, Lauren Cox Publisher and CEO: Martin Monahan Accounts Administrator: Julia Perry julia@whatsonlive.co.uk 01743 281717 This publication is printed on paper from a sustainable source and is produced without the use of elemental chlorine.

We endorse the recycling of our magazine and would encourage you to pass it on to others to read when you have finished with it.

All works appearing in this publication are copyright. It is to be assumed that the copyright for material rests with the magazine unless otherwise stated. No part of this publication may be reproduced, or stored in an electronic system, transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopied, recording or otherwise, without the prior knowledge and consent of the publishers.

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First Word Catherine Tate brings new live show to the Midlands Award-winning comedian Catherine Tate is visiting the Midlands this month with her brand new live show.

Tate will stop off at Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, on 10 November before returning to the region to appear at Birmingham’s Barclaycard Arena on the 30th of the month.

Her new show will include neverbefore-seen sketches featuring some of her best-known characters, including ‘Nan’ Taylor, Irish nurse Bernie, Geordie Georgie, Essex girl Sam and ‘Am I bovvered?’ teenager Lauren Cooper.

Gavin & Stacey’s Mathew Horne costars.

Royal Marines kickstart the festive celebrations Midlanders eager to begin their Christmas celebrations early should get along to Cheltenham Town Hall on the first day of next month, when the Royal Marines Band will be kickstarting the festive season with a bang.

“The Marines Band always enjoys performing at their special Christmas concerts,” says concert producer Norman Rogerson MBE. “They really do pull out all the stops for these special seasonal spectaculars. So get your tickets soon for this festive feast of music from one of the world’s finest military bands and start celebrating Christmas early.”

Tickets for the Thursday 1 December concert are available from the box office on 0844 576 2210.

4 whatsonlive.co.uk

Something to SHOUT about in the Midlands...

It’s Strictly Worcestershire for local lad Adrian Chiles

Birmingham’s annual celebration of queer arts & culture makes a welcome return this month.

SHOUT Festival is taking place at venues across the city for an eighth year, showcasing ‘the best of queer performance, theatre, visual arts and film from around the UK and beyond’.

“The event launches with the outrageous Miss Behave’s Gameshow,” says SHOUT Steering Group Chair Neil Anderson, “a renegade gameshow for the austerity generation.

The festival then offers the best in live performance, theatre, music, comedy, cabaret, visual arts, talks, film, workshops and events at some of the city’s most prominent arts venues.

“We close on 20 November, Trans Day of Remembrance, with the return of our free and ever-popular community event, SHOUT Out, at mac Birmingham, which will include performances and activities throughout the day.

“The closing performance of the festival will be the award-winning Big Girl’s Blouse, a show that explores what being transgender was like in the 1970s.”

SHOUT Festival takes place at venues across the city from Thursday 10 to Sunday 20 November.

For more information, visit shoutfestival.co.uk

TV and radio presenter Adrian Chiles will make a return to his Midlands home next year to host a charity dance contest.

Chiles, who hails from Hagley, will host Strictly Worcestershire, a black-tie fundraiser taking place at Chateau Impney in Droitwich Spa on Thursday 25 May. Profits from the event will go to Worcestershire Prostate Cancer Awareness Group and the £1.6million Rory The Robot Appeal. The appeal is designed to fund a state-of-the-art surgical robotic system that will ensure prostate cancer surgery patients have less pain, minimal blood loss and fewer complications.

The dance contest will see eight couples from the county’s business community strutting their stuff in front of a judging panel.

Judges on the night will include former trade minister and business ambassador Lord Digby Jones and television presenter Bob Warman.

For more information about the event, visit strictlyworcestershire.co.uk

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Entertainment news from around the region

Shakespeare’s England in call to Midlanders Shakespeare’s England, the official destination management organisation for Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwick, Leamington Spa, Kenilworth and surrounding market towns and villages, is urging Midlanders to make 2017 the year in which they take a short break or longer holiday in the Stratford region.

The organisation believes the next 12 months will be an excellent time to enjoy the area, with numerous local hotels celebrating anniversaries, undertaking refurbishment programmes and launching new packages. For more information, visit shakespeares-england.co.uk

Circoncentrique at Warwick Arts...

A talented pair of circus performers are this month bringing their internationally acclaimed show to Coventry.

Circoncentrique, which comprises Italian Alessandro Maida and Maxim Pythiad from Switzerland, will present Gasp!, a production in which two characters try to outdo each other with increasingly extreme acts of daring.

The show can be enjoyed at Warwick Arts Centre on Tuesday 15 & Wednesday 16 November.

World-renowned toy store comes to the Midlands Famous toy shop Hamleys has opened its first store in the West Midlands.

The shop opened late last month at Resorts World Birmingham, to coincide with the latter’s first birthday.

Hamleys joins Resorts’ numerous other attractions, including 50 outlet stores, 18 bars and restaurants, an 11-screen cinema with IMAX, a luxury spa, a state-of-the-art casino and a boutique hotel.

Coventry theatre wins award for promoting diversity Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre has scooped the UK Theatre Award for the Promotion of Diversity.

The popular venue received the prestigious gong at a glittering awards ceremony held at London’s Guildhall last month.

The award recognises the theatre’s commitment to improving diversity across all aspects of its work, including its workforce, communications and programming.

Commenting on the success, the Belgrade’s associate director, Justine Theone, said: “Theatre and the arts play a crucial role in building understanding across difference and promoting community cohesion, something that’s all the more important in the light of the challenges that the UK faces post-Brexit. So we’re particularly pleased to have been presented with the UK Theatre Award for the Promotion of Diversity this year. We will continue to build on these strong foundations to ensure that the Belgrade is a home to all the communities of the city of Coventry.”

Authors under the spotlight The Hive public and university library in Worcester is hosting a new series of talks by well known, new and local writers.

The Authors Spotlight season this month sees screenwriter and novelist Deborah Moggach visiting the venue on Thursday 17 November. Deborah is best known for her screenplay of Pride And Prejudice and her novel, These Foolish Things, which inspired the hit movie, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.

Another of her novels, Tulip Fever, has recently been serialised for Radio Four Extra and has also been adapted for the cinema. Tickets for the event are £8 (students pay £4) and can be booked online at thehiveworcester.org.

Sit back and Think Of England...

A local theatre company dedicated to telling ‘the unheard stories of women throughout history and across the world’ are this month touring a new play about ‘courage, bravery - and swing dancing’!

Based on real events, Anonymous Is A Woman Theatre Co’s Think Of England is set in the summer of 1943 and follows the characters of Bette and Vera as they travel the country hosting tea dances for RAF fighter pilots. What the locals don’t know, however, is that the dance is a cover for the girls’ real purpose - to send the men off to war having experienced all of life’s pleasures...

To find out more about the company and where they’re performing Think Of England, visit airway.com

England take on Jamaica at the Ricoh The sport of netball is set to get a boost in the Midlands next month when England’s Roses meet Jamaica’s Sunshine Girls at Coventry’s Rico Arena.

The match, which is being played at the venue on 4 December, is one of three taking place between the teams. The other two are being held in London and Manchester.

For more information, visit richardson.com whatsonlive.co.uk 5

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First Word Rugby League at the Ricoh Arena

Don a tash for Movember

Coventry’s Ricoh Arena will this month host its first ever international Rugby League event, when England meet Scotland and Australia play New Zealand in a mouthwatering double-header on Saturday 5 November.

The two matches are part of the 2016 Four Nations tournament, the final of which will be played at Anfield, the home of Liverpool Football Club.

Tickets for the Ricoh doubleheader can be purchased by calling the Rugby League ticket hotline on 0844 856 1113.

Rick Astley to play forest gig Rick Astley is heading into the woods next summer - in particular Cannock Chase Forest in Staffordshire.

The 1980s pop icon has agreed to take part in Forest Live, the Forestry Commission’s annual summer concert series that sees singers and bands performing in numerous spectacular woodland locations around the country.

Commenting on the concerts, Rick said: “Next year sees me celebrating 30 years in the music business since my first number one hit. I can’t wait to perform as a part of Forest Live, and I really hope you can make one of the dates to enjoy the experience with me.”

Rick performs in Cannock Chase Forest on Saturday 8 July.

Tickets can be purchased either by ringing the box office on 0300 0680400, or by buying online at forestry.gov.uk/music

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An illuminating UK first for Genting Arena Birmingham’s Genting Arena has spent £800,000 on a state-of-the-art LED lighting system to dramatically enhance the experience of watching shows and events at the venue.

The first of its kind to be installed in a UK arena, the system has the ability to produce a multitude of colours, transforming the look and feel of the place.

Commenting on the investment, the venue’s managing director, Phil Mead, said: “The installation of this new colour-changing lighting system has really improved the quality of our lighting within the arena. It can create different atmospheres for all genres of event, making you feel completely a part of the event from the minute you walk through the turnstiles until the minute you leave us. This is a unique technology that can’t be found anywhere else in the UK at present, and will help create an unforgettable experience for all our event-goers.”

Get your skates on in Wychbold Visitors to Webbs of Wychbold Garden Centre can get their skates on and have some fun on the ice during the run-up to Christmas.

The popular Worcestershire venue is once again hosting a festive-season ice skating rink - and is promising that this year’s version is bigger and better than ever before.

Open seven days a week from 5 November till 2 January (excluding Christmas Day and Boxing Day), the rink comes complete with a lit-up roof, allowing families to skate whatever the weather.

The popular attraction also provides skates that strap over normal shoes, to ensure that younger children and toddlers can have lots of fun on the ice too. Sit-on and push-along aids are also available.

For full details and to book, visit webbsdirect.co.uk/ice-rink

Two fundraising races which last year attracted more than 1,000 participants are this month once again taking place in Birmingham.

The MoRunning event features both a 5k and 10k race and is open to runners of all ages and abilities. Taking place at Sutton Park on Saturday 19 November, the races are raising money for the Movember Foundation, a global organisation committed to changing the face of men’s health. MoRunning’s 2016 ambassador is television’s Mr Motivator, who commented: “MoRunning is a great opportunity to get dressed up in fancy dress and have fun. But beyond this, there’s the chance to raise awareness about men’s health, whether mental or physical. I hope to motivate as many people as I can, not only to have fun with this challenge, but also to raise as much money and awareness as possible.”

For more information, visit mo-running.com

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The Tempest DPS.qxp_Layout 1 24/10/2016 16:36 Page 1

FEATURE

“Such stuff as dreams are made on”

The RSC presents a dazzling new production of The Tempest Strange beings with superhuman powers, a thrilling fantasy plot, breathtaking special effects and an underlying moral message about the triumph of reconciliation over revenge. If these sound more like the ingredients of the latest superhero blockbuster than a 17th century stage play, the comparison perhaps gives some idea of how The Tempest might have been received in Shakespeare's day.

One of few Shakespeare plays to follow an entirely original story, it's the most obviously spectacular of his works, with its devastating storm, elaborate masque and objects that vanish “by a quaint device”.

Seeking to recreate something of the stir it must have made on its first outing, the RSC's latest production of the play uses groundbreaking motion capture technology developed in collaboration with Intel and Andy Serkis' Imaginarium. This modern-day ‘device’ sees the shape-shifting spirit Ariel rendered as a digital projection, whose movements will be controlled by an actor live on stage.

“The concept of real-time is really important for theatre,” says Sarah Ellis, who manages the partnership between the RSC and its digital collaborators, “and for us to be able to do this without using prerecorded content will make this a much more visceral, exciting experience. What you'll see is Mark Quartley dressed in a costume full of sensors that pick up his movements and use them to control the digital character projected onto screens around the stage. But these won't just be 8 whatsonlive.co.uk

like conventional TV screens - we're playing around with all different kinds of surfaces. Some of them are like mosquito nets, so might appear invisible, for example.”

years old - is bound to attract scepticism from some quarters. But if this specific technique is unprecedented, as Russell Beale points out, the use of state-of-theart stagecraft goes back centuries.

It's taken a huge team around two years to realise this ambitious project, but as new, shiny and exciting as the tech may be, ensuring that Ariel retains a human element has also been vital in terms of his ability to interact with other characters - particularly his magician master, the exiled Duke of Milan, Prospero. Returning to perform at the RST for the first time in over 20 years, RSC Associate Artist Simon Russell Beale joins Quartley on stage as the displaced duke.

“In his first email to me about the show, Greg [Doran, director] said that he was trying to find a modern equivalent for all the amazing tricks they used to do in 17th century masques. One of them had a flying beetle, and I think in another they had about 200 candles which all lit up at the same time, and to this day nobody knows how they did it. I think theatre's always been unashamed of grabbing whatever technique will make people excited, and unquestionably Shakespeare would have used some of those tricks in The Tempest.”

“We had to really work at the vocabulary of this digital stuff,” he says. “I do have a relationship with Ariel as a digital figure, but I think in the end, it's important for the character to have a human dimension, especially in the big, emotional moments, like when Ariel asks if Prospero loves him, or when they say goodbye. But for the rest of the play you've got Ariel showing off, which causes Prospero great delight, and you can just enjoy the sheer splendour of these extraordinary figures.”

“We're describing it as digital puppetry,” Ellis adds. “We're not hiding the fact that there's an actor on stage creating the movements, but we hope audiences will still be able to suspend disbelief.”

The use of digital technology in live theatre - particularly in a play that's over 400

Acknowledging this long history of theatrical innovation, the production will also make use of much older devices like Pepper's Ghost, an early form of projection using light and mirrors to produce ghostly apparitions on stage. And the show won't just be visually stunning, either. A sumptuous feast for the senses in more ways than one, The Tempest is unusually musical for a Shakespeare play as the island child Caliban has it, “the isle is full of noises”.

“I think the whole musical landscape of the show will be pretty extensive,” says Russell Beale, a former chorister whose passion for music is well known. “Paul [Englishby, composer] has done a marvellous Mozart pastiche, and to my complete

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by Heather Kincaid

delight, we've got some proper operatic sopranos for the sea goddesses, who are fantastic!”

Interestingly, Russell Beale's last RSC role was as Ariel in a 1993 production of The Tempest. Directed by Sam Mendes, with whom the actor has worked extensively over the years, the production was renowned for its rather frosty reading of the relationship between Prospero and Ariel.

“Before I was in this production, I thought of The Tempest as a very cold play,” admits Russell Beale, “a kind of burnished, jewel-like play with beautiful language, but not much emotion. Ariel's such a funny character, because of course he's not a human being, so I was working on the assumption that he had a whole spectrum of feeling we don't understand. My Ariel was very cold, very haughty, very angry, actually - he spat in Prospero's face. But playing Prospero has made me realise how desperate it is for him, so my perspective has completely changed.”

Though, as a digital projection, this new RSC Ariel is superficially still less human than Russell Beale's version, his relationship with Prospero is nevertheless a slightly warmer one.

“Something I think is much clearer in Mark's performance is that Ariel spends most of his time just looking at these humans and trying to work out what this 'love' thing is. He famously asks, 'Do you love me, master?' immediately after he's

seen Miranda and Ferdinand falling in love, so it's as if he's gone, 'Oh, is that what it means? Is that what you think of me?' When we did that scene in rehearsal, as Prospero, I found it devastating, because I don't think anyone's ever asked him that before.”

His dukedom usurped by his ambitious brother, the bookish Prospero's story is one of betrayal, frustration and ultimately forgiveness - a subject which, Russell Beale observes, becomes increasingly central to Shakespeare's later works. Having recently appeared in another late play, King Lear, at the National Theatre, it's a theme he's been considering for some time.

“What makes Lear so heartbreaking and so unsentimental as a play is the fact that the forgiveness doesn't really happen.

There's the famous scene where Lear is reunited with Cordelia, which I think is the beginning of a long process of forgiveness. But then, in the next scene, he's doing that extraordinary speech where he's talking about them living together in prison, and Cordelia must be feeling like he's completely mad, and soon after that she's dead. Then in The Winter's Tale, which I've also done, there's the great scene of Hermione coming back to life, where Leontes is just racked with guilt and she doesn't say anything to him, which again seems to be Shakespeare saying that to forgive and to accept forgiveness is one of the most difficult things human beings have to do.

“In The Tempest, it goes a step further, I think. Prospero really wants to rip their hearts out. Eventually, because of Ariel and because of his daughter, he decides to forgive everyone, but what he actually says to his brother is, 'For you, most wicked sir, whom to call brother would even infect my mouth, I do forgive thee.'

And you think, well, it doesn't sound like it - it's not exactly gracious! But I think he finds it very, very difficult, and equally, when his brother doesn't reply, it's because he finds it difficult as well.”

In the past, Russell Beale has described The Tempest as a ‘profoundly puzzling’ play, but approaching it from a new angle has offered him fresh insights into the story.

“As always when you purposefully go through a play like this and think about the characters as human beings, it sort of starts to clarify itself. I'd probably even enjoy The Taming Of The Shrew if I was in it - though it's not a play I like - because when you start thinking about how the characters genuinely feel it becomes much easier. Whether I find The Tempest less puzzling now, I don't know, but I've certainly found it more... negotiable. But it's a profound, profound piece of writing.”

The Tempest runs at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratfordupon-Avon from Tuesday 8 November until Saturday 21 January. whatsonlive.co.uk 9

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Food Cereal killer let loose in Birmingham’s Bullring...

It’s time to get, er, cerealously excited - trendy London cafe Cereal Killer is set to arrive in Birmingham’s Bullring this month.

Open from 8am to 8pm, the new venue will serve more than 100 different cereals from around the world, including American ones with names like Kix, Trix and Superman, and pop-tarts and cereal cocktails. Customers can also choose from 30 dif-

ferent varieties of milk and 20 different toppings.

Arcade games and 1980s and ’90s memorabilia will help give the cafe a nostalgic feel.

Cereal Killer’s Birmingham arrival comes on the back of its enormous success in the capital, where branches were opened a couple of years ago by identical twins Alan and Gary Keery.

For more information, visit cerealkillercafe.co.uk

REVIEW: Sabai Sabai, Stratford-upon-Avon

Thai restaurant scores high enough for a second visit...

The Thai people believe that the expression ‘sabai sabai’ - meaning ‘easy-going and relaxed’ - is a perfect description of the way in which they live their life.

And ‘easy-going and relaxed’ is clearly the sort of vibe that husband-and-wife team Torquil and Juree Chidwick aim to achieve in their restaurants, which combine luxurious fixtures and fittings with a friendly, laidback atmosphere.

On a cold October night, there’s a warm welcome and something of a chilled-out Ibiza vibe awaiting visitors to the couple’s new Stratford-upon-Avon restaurant, the third in an expanding chain

that also features award-winning outlets in the Birmingham districts of Moseley and Harborne.

The restaurant’s size and its town-centre location make it Torquil and Juree’s most prestigious eatery and biggest challenge yet, according to Torquil’s brother Ciaran, who was helping out on the night my partner and I visited. But it’s a challenge the family appears to be taking in its stride, judging by their cheery mood on what proved to be a busy Thursday night.

All of which makes perfect sense, given my long-held assertion that Thai cuisine is goodtime food - full of colour, variety

and invention. And with a pint of Singha in my hand, I was more than happy to get with the vibe. If the Singha was predictable, so too was my choice of food - a bit of everything. Okay, not everything, but a decent assortment, in the form of the set menu for two, which comes in at just under £25 a head. For that, we got the obligatory prawn crackers and a fabulous platter of moreish appetisers that I could happily have eaten all night - sweetcorn cakes, perfectly cooked chicken satay, tempura prawns in some of the best batter I’ve ever tasted and ‘golden bags’ (filo parcels stuffed with a lovely combination of minced prawns and chicken).

The flavour combinations continued with the three main dishes, which ranged from relatively sweet to fiery hot. Well, maybe not fiery, but the green chicken curry had far more of a kick than I’m used to (it’s spicier in southern Thailand, according to Ciaran). It was fabulously tasty nonetheless. The red chillies probably had something to do with the heat, but I especially liked the chunky pieces of aubergine, as well as the bamboo shoots and green beans. It was a really tasty dish, served with steamed jasmine rice to help soak up the sauce.

The other two main courses chicken pad Thai and prawns in a garlic and pepper sauce - paled slightly by comparison, but the relative sweetness of these stirfried dishes proved a nice complement, as well as an alternative, to the hotter curry option.

The pad Thai was a relatively

subtle combination of chicken, rice noodles, egg, beansprouts, carrots and finely chopped peanuts in a light sauce. The colourful dish of chunky prawns (the best kind!) in a dark sauce also contained a lively mix of spring onions, mangetout, baby corn and red chillies.

I went up and down the line sampling each, and while the green curry undoubtedly made the biggest impression, I’d happily have eaten any of them as a stand-alone main dish.

Speaking of which, all are on the main menu, where courses range from around £10 to £16 (rice and noodles are extra).

There are plenty of tofu-inspired vegetarian and vegan options, as well as a fabulous array of desserts (all around the £6 mark). Sadly we were too full to sample them, meaning I had to leave the baked Thai egg custard for another time.

And on the basis of the quality of the food, service and atmosphere at Sabai Sabai, there most definitely will be another time.

Steve Adams Food: Service: Ambience: Overall value OVERALL

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Sabai Sabai 19 - 20 Wood Street Stratford-upon-Avon CV37 6JF Tel: 01789 508 220

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Food Leamington balti house in line for Best Takeaway award A Leamington balti house has been ranked as one of the best takeaways in the West Midlands.

Millennium Balti will be representing Coventry & Warwickshire in the regional heats of the prestigious British Takeaway Awards.

Speaking to the Coventry Telegraph, the takeaway’s owner, Mohammed Ahad, said: “There is a lot of competition for us, so we’re thrilled with the nomination and to be ranked as one of the top ten in this area of the UK. As a family business, we know how important it is to look after everyone and provide a friendly service. We offer value for money with affordable prices, and the quality of our food speaks for itself.”

Love Wine? Then check this out!

Comedian Helen Lederer is the guest host at this month’s Love Wine Festival, taking place at Birmingham’s Burlington Hotel on Saturday 5 November.

“When I got the call from Love Wine to party with them this year, I positively flushed with excitement,” reveals Helen, who appeared in the recent big-screen version of Absolutely Fabulous. “To attend a special event with wine lovers, erudite Masters of Wine as well as wine enthusiasts, is my idea of liquid heaven. 'What took you so long?' is what I wanted to say. Instead I said, ‘Yes please!’

The festival brings together more than 30 exhibitors who provide between them around 250 wines to sample (spitting, we’re reliably informed, is optional).

Other attractions at the event include Wine Walks with ‘wine celebrities’ and the opportunity to attend Love-In masterclasses, to learn about and taste a variety of different wine styles from around the world.

For further information, visit lovewinefest.co.uk

Watch out! Giggling Squid heading for Warwick...

Family-run Thai tapas restaurant chain Giggling Squid is opening a new eatery in Warwick next month.

Founded 14 years ago by husband-and-wife team Pranee and Andy Laurillard, the company’s mission statement is to provide ‘delicious, fresh Thai food, beautifully presented in a relaxed, contemporary setting’.

Giggling Squid currently operates at 13 locations, mostly across the south of England, with plans to expand to around 150 restaurants throughout the UK. The company’s interesting name came about one evening when Pranee and Andy’s young son Henry, then aged two, was laughing and wriggling around on his mother’s lap. Pranee observed that he looked like a ‘giggling squid’. The couple knew instantly what they were going to name their first restaurant and new company - and the rest, as they say, is history...

Michelin star for Solihull restaurant A Hampton-in-Arden restaurant has become the first in Solihull to receive a Michelin star.

Peel's Restaurant at Hampton Manor hotel is described in the recently published Michelin Guide 2017 as an ‘elegant dining room situated within an impressive manor house and featuring beautiful plasterwork, oak panelling and hand-painted Chinoiserie wallpaper. Modern menus feature refined, original combinations. Service is pitched perfectly.’

The family-run Hampton Manor is a 15-bedroom country house hotel that used to be the home of Sir Robert Peel. Our congratulations to Peel’s Restaurant on their greatly deserved success.

For more information, visit hamptonmanor.com

Midlands restaurant rated one of the world’s best A Michelin-starred Birmingham eatery is the third best restaurant in the UK and the ninth best in the world, according to a survey by travel company website TripAdvisor.

Contemporary British fine dining restaurant Adam’s is located in the city centre’s Waterloo Street and specialises in serving modern dishes created ‘to the very highest professional standard’.

The venue is owned by its chef, Adam Stokes, and boasts three AA Rosettes as well as its Michelin star.

The TripAdvisor survey used an algorithm which took into account the quantity and quality of reviews received by restaurants across the world over a 12-month period.

Adam's recorded an impressive 1,299 five-star ‘excellent’ ratings out of a total of 1,432, with a further 95 reviewers rating the restaurant as ‘very good’.

Marco Pierre White unveils new cookbook The celebrity chef dubbed ‘the enfant terrible of the UK restaurant scene’ is publishing a new cookbook.

Godfather of British cuisine Marco Pierre White has focused on creating recipes that are “perfect for the home cook” in Essentially Marco.

Commenting on his latest publication, White said: “The idea behind the cookbook is to show people that they don’t need to be a professional chef in order to create delicious and hearty dishes that can feed the whole family.” whatsonlive.co.uk 13

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Gigs Simply Red Genting Arena, Birmingham, Sun 20 November

Reforming in 2015, with Mick Hucknall the only original member, British soul and pop band Simply Red have sold more than 50 million albums since their inception in the mid1980s. This month, they celebrate the 25th anniversary of their album, Stars, the UK bestseller for two consecutive years in 1991 and ’92.

The first half of their Birmingham show features the entire album, the second a compilation of classic Simply Red songs.

“After the huge success of A New Flame,” Hucknall recalls, “I set myself the challenge of composing a whole album of original songs. I could never have imagined that Stars would have the impact that it did. It was a truly magical time. Now, looking on after 25 years, it seems only fitting to celebrate the album by performing it in its original running order.”

Billy Bragg & Joe Henry Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Sun 13 November

English singer-songwriter and left-wing activist Billy Bragg blends elements of folk music, punk rock and protest songs with lyrics that mostly span political or romantic themes. Accompanied by Grammy Awardwinning Joe Henry, Bragg recently boarded a Los Angeles-bound train at Chicago’s Union Station, the aim being to reconnect with the culture of railroad travel and the music it inspired. Winding along 2,728 miles of track over four days, the pair recorded classic railroad songs in waiting rooms and at the trackside while the train paused to pick up passengers.

This Shine A Light tour features the songs they wrote on the journey, along with favourites from their respective back catalogues.

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The Cinematic Orchestra O2 Institute, Birmingham, Wed 9 November

The Cinematic Orchestra are a British nujazz and electronic music group created in 1999 by Jason Swinscoe, whose background in fine art inspired him to ‘translate visual art into audible art’.

The collective includes core members Phil France on double bass, former DJ Food member Patrick Carpenter on turntables, Luke Flowers on drums, Tom Chant on saxophone, Stuart McCallum on guitar and Nick Damm on piano.

The Cinematic Orchestra's sound, in both live and studio contexts, is created by a live band improvising along with a turntablist and electronic elements, such as samples provided by Swinscoe.

Read our interview with Jason at whatsonlive.co.uk.

Anoushka Shankar Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Thurs 10 November

Daughter of Ravi Shankar and half sister to Norah Jones, Anoushka is an Indian sital player and composer. Now aged 35, she gave her first public sitar performance in 1995, at the age of 13, as part of her father’s 75th birthday celebration concert in New Delhi.

Following the success of her 2013 album, Traces Of You, she returns with an innovative, cutting-edge programme that addresses themes of movement, asylum and refugees topics that deeply inspired her creative process whilst composing the music for recently released concept album Land Of Gold.

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Gig previews from around the region

Bastille Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham, Tues 8 November

To say indie-pop four-piece Bastille have had a whirlwind few years would be an understatement. Their debut album, Bad Blood, released in 2013, was twice number one, certified double-platinum and named the biggest-selling digital album of the year. The band then went on to be named British Breakthrough Act at the 2014 BRIT Awards.

They stop off in Birmingham this month as part of their Wild World world tour.

Read the interview with band member Will Farquarson online at whatsonlive.co.uk

Reverend And The Makers The Copper Rooms, Coventry, Tues 22 November

Sheffield-based Reverend And The Makers have achieved five UK top-20 albums since they formed back in 2005. Their debut offer-

Cory Henry & The Funk Apostles

Martin Turner Artrix, Bromsgrove, Tues 22 November

Wishbone Ash’s founding lead vocalist and key creative force Martin Turner here performs some of the band’s best-loved works with the assistance of his current line-up.

Formed in 1969, Wishbone Ash were long admired for their unique blend of blues, jazz and English folk - but it was the way the guitars played melodic leads together that became their trademark, inspiring bands such as Thin Lizzy and Iron Maiden.

Classic album releases including Argus, Pilgrimage, There’s The Rub, New England and Live Dates defined the band’s sound and have touched the hearts of several generations of music fans.

ing, The State Of Things, included the UK top-ten single Heavyweight Champion Of The World. Their second album, A French Kiss In The Chaos, led to them supporting Oasis on the Manchester band’s final UK stadium tour.

The indie-rock five-piece visit Coventry this month to present a special acoustic set.

The Glee Club, Birmingham, Tues 1 November

Boat To Row The Tin, Coventry, Fri 25 November

‘A collective of instrument-swapping, harmony-sharing friends from the Midlands,’ is how Boat To Row describe themselves, ‘meandering through all that life and love have to offer.’

Starting out as a solo university project, the band have developed a reputation for performing uplifting and infectious folk music, and are increasingly in evidence on the summertime festival circuit.

This Coventry appearance will see them delivering their trademark intricate set, woven with strings and vocal harmonies and layered with an ever-expanding collection of instruments.

Goodnight Lenin offers support.

Snarky Puppy member, multi-instrumentalist and producer Cory Henry uses his primary instrument, the organ, to create a unique sound by blending the genres of jazz and gospel.

Henry began touring in 2006 and has since hit the road with an abundance of mainstream artists, Bruce Springsteen, Boyz II Men and P Diddy included.

Kickstarting his career in the best possible way, with a debut release - First Steps - that went to number one on iTunes Jazz Chart, his latest offering, The Revival, is his first collaboration with The Funk Apostles.

For the complete gig guide visit whatsonlive.co.uk 15

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FEATURE

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Cara Luft What’s On caught up with the Juno Award-winning singersongwriter ahead of her Midlands gig this month...

It's been 12 years since Canadian folk star Cara Luft parted ways with The Wailin Jennys and embarked upon a major solo chapter in her career. Two acclaimed solo albums and a whole lot of touring later, however, and Luft has finally found herself back in a band with a new and somewhat unexpected collaborator. We spoke to her about how a chance encounter with fellow Manitoban JD Edwards inspired their joint venture, The Small Glories, which is coming to The Hive this month.

“There's a venue in Winnipeg called the West End Cultural Centre,” Cara explains, “and about three months before its 25th anniversary, the artistic director started asking Manitoba artists who’d played there over the years to come and play at an event. All of us were partnered with someone we'd never worked with before, with the goal of learning two songs by other Manitoba artists. JD and I hadn't even heard each other sing before, so it was kind of crazy, but we just immediately realised how well our voices worked together. I think there were about 35 artists involved in the project, but we kind of stole the show because we were such a natural fit.”

Of the two songs that they prepared for the anniversary gig, just one makes it onto the duo's debut album, Wondrous Traveler, released in February this year. The track is a delicate, dreamy, atmospheric take on 1000 Stars, written by Winnipeg's Greg MacPherson.

“Greg is more of a kind of indie-rock guy, and he does it in quite a wacky and interesting way - about halfway through, he completely changes the time signature, and it doesn't have any harmony or acoustic guitar on it. Our version is obviously quite different, but I think he was really tickled pink that we'd tackled it!

The second one was a Neil Young song called Don't Let It Bring You Down, which JD had previously sung with his rock band. When we first did it, it didn't gel as easily as 1000 Stars, partly because it was in both of our lower registers. We've since revisited it and swapped parts, so now I sing the melody and JD sings the harmony, and we've upped it a little bit. It sounds killer now, and we'd really like to record it for the next record.”

There's little doubt that the chance to spread her wings over the last few years has made Luft a much more confident mu-

sician. The contrast between the artistic freedom she's enjoyed of late and her previous experiences with the Jennys has taught her the importance of giving herself room to reflect, explore and make her own discoveries.

“I’ve missed collaborating, because I love playing with other people and harmony singing, and it's nice when everything doesn't fall on one person's shoulders, but I don't think it's healthy to just do one thing, and the Jennys were really all-encompassing. There wasn't much room for different kinds of musical expression or exploration. But with The Small Glories, even though this is our main focus, it's really important to both of us to have our fingers in other pies, even if they're only very little pies. I'm still doing some solo stuff and some teaching, and JD's got his rock band and also does some solo work, so neither of us is putting all our eggs in one basket.”

Edwards isn’t the only person Luft has shared the project with. Other collaborators include a whole host of diverse talents, ranging from Erin Propp and Scott Nygaard to British folk musician Bella Hardy. Luft was initially paired with

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FEATURE

‘‘

Continued...

I've been going over to the UK at least once a year since 2006, so I really feel like I've got a community there, and whenever I'm on tour I love to reconnect with all the amazing people that I've met over the years...

Hardy via an exchange programme, which resulted in the creation of two of the tracks on Wondrous Traveler: Fast Turning World and Time Wanders On. “Folk Music Canada and English Folk Dance & Song Society decided to partner up, and the directors of those organisations approached artists in their respective countries who they thought would be a good fit. The first part of the project happened in Alberta. Bella flew over and we spent a couple of weeks together, writing material and doing performances. We'd never met before, so it was a really interesting experience. Then the following year, I went over to the UK and spent two weeks with Bella doing the same thing.

We've become very dear friends, so I'm really grateful to Neil Pearson, who was in charge of bringing us together. He knew both of us really well and knew we would get along. I think we write really well together too, so I'm hoping we'll get the chance to do more in the future.”

The name The Small Glories, which also appears in the lyrics to Home, was first suggested by the band’s producer, Neil Osborne, who previously worked with Luft on her solo album, The Light Fantastic.

“We'd been bouncing names around and someone had suggested The Glories, but we thought that sounded a little too... in your face, perhaps? But while we were in the studio recording, our producer came in and said, 'I've got a name. I think it's an awesome name, and if you guys don't take it in the next five seconds, I'm gonna keep it for another project!' Well, we all thought it was great, and the next day we were working on Home. The lyrics still needed some tweaking, so JD suggested putting the band name in. It just seemed to fit exactly with what I was singing about.”

The album title, meanwhile, is taken from the final track, a haunting fusion of two

”

traditional Sacred Harp hymns - Wondrous Love and The Traveler - with hurdygurdy accompaniment from Andrew McCrorie-Shand. A choral tradition followed primarily in the southern US States, Sacred Harp describes a kind of ‘shape note’ singing, where musical notes are printed in different shapes to help readers identify them easily. Each of the four shapes corresponds to a sung syllable (fa, sol, la or mi). Songs are first sung through using just these syllables, allowing singers to focus their attentions on learning the harmonies before getting to grips with the lyrics.

ing behind bushes - all this really loveydovey, fun stuff - so we weren't sure how well the slower Billy Bragg version really suited them. Ours is really upbeat, and it always goes down really well live. We recorded it pretty much live off the floor with our drummer and bass player, and it actually had our producer dancing in the studio, which we figured was a good sign!”

“I can't even remember now how I came across it, but really weirdly I started dreaming about shape-note singing, so I decided to research it and I came across this beautiful documentary. The film came with two music discs. The first was all traditional Sacred Harp groups singing the songs, the second had artists doing their own interpretations of them, and it kind of blew my mind a bit. I already knew some of the songs, like Wondrous Love, from my parents, who are both folk singers, but I hadn't made the connection with this tradition before.”

“We’ve been approached by several labels, but weighing the options that were given to us, it made sense to stay independent for the time being. I've been doing crowdfunding since the ’90s, before it was even called that, and it's been a really beautiful way of connecting with my fanbase and my audience. That said, there are a lot of things a label can offer that may be too time-consuming or too costly to do on your own. Releasing this album has been quite draining financially and on a work level, and keeping on top of the business side of things does take away from creativity time, so we might look into signing to a label for future projects.”

Another pre-existing work to be radically reinterpreted is Woody Guthrie's Way Over Yonder In A Minor Key. A lost Guthrie song for which only the lyrics survive, it was set to music in 1998 by Billy Bragg and Wilco as a gentle piece with more than a touch of Bragg's trademark acoustic melancholy. The Small Glories' take transforms the song into a joyous, gospel-infused belter that's impossible not to dance along with.

“JD had learned it for a Woody Guthrie 100th birthday concert he was asked to play at, and decided to reinterpret it in a major key. When you look at the lyrics, it’s all about chasing girls up trees and kiss-

Having already covered its costs through a successful crowdfunding campaign, Wondrous Traveler is now available to order online at a price of your own choosing via The Small Glories website.

After warmly received appearances at The Hive in 2013 and at Shrewsbury Folk Festival in 2014, Cara is looking forward to heading back here.

“I've been going over to the UK at least once a year since 2006, so I really feel like I've got a community there, and whenever I'm on tour I love to reconnect with all the amazing people that I've met over the years.”

The Small Glories perform at The Hive, Shrewsbury, on Sunday 20 November.

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Classical Music Orchestra of the Swan: Bach To The Future

Czech National Symphony Orchestra

Stratford ArtsHouse, Stratford-upon-Avon, Tues 8 November; Birmingham Town Hall, Wed 9 November

Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Sat 12 November

Now in its 23rd year, the Czech National Symphony Orchestra is internationally recognised as one of Europe's top symphonic ensembles.

With a repertoire that regularly encompasses both classical and contemporary, the orchestra this month visits the Midlands to present four well-known works: Smetana’s famous tone-poem, From Bohemia’s Forests And Meadows; Grieg’s hugely popular Piano Concerto (which featured in the classic 1971 Morecambe & Wise sketch with Andre Previn); Philip Glass’s Adagio, from his cult classic Symphony No.3; and Dvorak’s feelgood Symphony No.8.

The orchestra’s chief conductor, Libor Pesek (pictured), is the man with the baton.

As well as being held in high regard for their championing of new music, having presented more than 70 world premieres, the Stratfordbased Orchestra of the Swan are also much admired for their performances of works by such legendary composers as Berlioz, Brahms, Mozart, Schumann, Strauss and Vaughan Williams.

As might therefore be expected, this latest concert will see them combining the new with the familiar - and no doubt doing so to excellent effect.

Focusing on the output of Johann Sebastian Bach, the orchestra mark their 21st Anniversary season with a world premiere by American composer Douglas Cuomo, who’s best known for the title theme to Sex And The City. Cuomo’s new work has been composed as a companion piece to Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No2.

The concert also features the German composer’s Brandenburg Concerto No3 and his Toccata & Fugue in D minor, as well as Stravinsky’s Dumbarton Oaks.

David Le Page (pictured) plays violin while David Curtis conducts.

Elias String Quartet Royal Pump Rooms, Leamington Spa, Fri 25 November

“It’s nearly 17 years since we began life as a quartet, and over 11 years in this formation of players,” says Elias’s Sara Bitlloch. “Our mix is a fairly unusual one - two French/Catalan sisters, a Swedish viola player and a Scot! In terms of instrumental approach, we’re all very different. The thing that unites us is our passion and feel for the music that we play.”

Elias last appeared for Leamington Music four years ago, since which time they’ve not only toured extensively throughout Europe and the States but also completed their groundbreaking Beethoven Project, an undertaking which has seen them performing and recording the composer’s complete string quartets.

Their programme for the evening comprises: Haydn Quartet in E flat major Op 64 No6; Britten Quartet No3 in G major Op 94; Beethoven Quartet in B flat major Op 130 and Grosse Fuge Op 133.

Pomegranate Piano Trio Artrix, Bromsgrove, Fri 11 November

Ex Cathedra: Bach Mass In B Minor Birmingham Town Hall, Sunday 6 November

Violinist Fenella Barton, cellist Rebecca Hepplewhite and pianist Andrew West came together for the first time as the Pomegranate Piano Trio less than three short years ago. Since making that January 2014 debut, they’ve quickly established a reputation for performing imaginative and engaging concerts.

Their shared passion for chamber music is much in evidence whenever they play, and their programme for this Bromsgrove get-together provides them with plenty of opportunity to pack their trademark punch.

The concert features: Mozart’s Piano Trio in B Flat K502; Nicholas Maw’s Piano Trio (1991); Hubert’s Piano Trio in E Flat D929.

A choral masterpiece combining moments of magnificent majesty with movements of utter serenity, Bach’s epic and always breathtaking setting of the Mass was composed throughout his lifetime and completed shortly before his death.

It’s presented on this occasion by Ex Cathedra Choir and Baroque Orchestra.

The well-established early music ensemble have based their reputation on the performance of choral music from the 15th century onwards, and are here conducted by their ever-trusty founder, Jeffrey Skidmore.

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Dance

Dance previews from around the region

Vamos Cuba!

Birmingham Hippodrome, Tues 1 - Sat 5 November

Acclaimed Cuban choreographer Nilda Guerra makes a return with a follow-up show to her well-received Havana Rakatan.

Guerra’s aim is to celebrate her country’s youthful, modern spirit, and she does so by setting the action in Havana airport, a place where families are parted, lovers reunited, time flies when you’re having fun and, it would seem, there’s always plenty of reason to get dancing.

Critics of the show have complained that it panders to tourist stereotypes, but a live band led by Julito Padron, a cast of fully energised dancers and a mix of traditional and modern dance styles ensures there’s plenty to keep the audience engaged.

Aakash Odedra: Echoes & I Imagine Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Wed 30 - Thurs 1 December

The Happiness Project DanceXchange, The Patrick Centre, Birmingham Hippodrome, Tues 15 November

“We’re all interested in being happy,” says international dance artist Didy Veldman, who here launches her own company, Umanoove, “and The Happiness Project examines the idea of happiness as something we strive for, as something fleeting, something that can be very elusive or even absent. My aim is to find a common language between the movement, the drama and the music on stage, in my investigation of western society’s endless search for fulfilment.”

Ballet Black: Triple Bill Lichfield Garrick, Fri 18 November

The highly rated British Kathak dancer Aakash Odedra certainly caused a stir with his previous double bill, Murmur and Inked.

He returns with a show that further evidences his talent for blending the traditional with the contemporary.

Kathak icon Aditi Mangaldas has choreographed the first and more traditional piece, Echoes, an exuberant work of high-octane dance that ‘explores our relationships with our ancestors’.

I Imagine, meanwhile, is an experimental work which sees Odedra teaming up with award-winning poet Sabrina Mahfouz.

The piece cleverly combines choreography and spoken word in a contemplation of ‘the imagined future and the confines of skin’.

Ballet Black were hailed as real game changers when they presented this trilogy of abstract dance works at the Barbican earlier this year. Featuring international dancers of black and Asian descent, the company was widely praised for its success in filling a major London venue ‘with probably the most diverse audience in the history of British ballet’, as the Guardian described it.

The works the ensemble presented on stage were just as remarkable as the audience they attracted. The centrepiece is Christopher Hampson’s Storyville. Set to the haunting music of Kurt Weill, it tells the bittersweet fable of Nola, a farm girl who falls prey to unscrupulous characters and worldly desires in 1920s New Orleans.

The triple bill is completed with two more recently devised pieces - Christopher Marney’s To Begin, Begin and Cristaux, a duet by Arthur Pita.

Balletboyz: Rabbit and Fiction Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Wed 16 November

BalletBoyz’ latest show has elicited all manner of superlatives from critics and audiences alike since debuting in the spring.

The production, performed by an all-male company of 10, comprises two works by internationally acclaimed choreographers.

Swedish dance-maker Pontus Lidberg’s eccentric and stylish Rabbit comes complete with Alice In Wonderland overtones and contemplates loneliness and the desire for friendship.

Javier de Frutos’s mischief-making Fiction is based around the responses of his dancers to the news of his tragic death, the choreographer apparently having been impaled on a shard of his own scenery! The work includes de Frutos’s ‘obituary’, written for him by the critic Ismene Brown and gloriously narrated in camp voiceover.

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Comedy

Seann Walsh Brewhouse Arts Centre, Wed 2 November; The Glee Club, Birmingham, Tue 29 November; Artrix, Bromsgrove, Tues 13 December

Seann Walsh is such a popular comedian he could even give Barcelona Football Club a run for their money when it comes to the acquisition of silverware.

An award-winning star of television shows such as Mock The Week and Russell Howard’s Good News Extra, the somewhat dishevelled Seann has been likened to the legendary Billy Connolly in terms of his gift for storytelling (although others have labelled him the new Dylan Moran, so take your pick). His jokes aren’t bad either, with two examples being as follows: “I don't understand swimming. You don't see fish going for a walk,” and “Are city-centre beat officers police who rap?”

Seann visits the Midlands this month with his wellreviewed touring show, One For The Road, a contemplation on whether the changes happening in his life are due to his getting older or becoming middle-class.

Six of the best...

Laugh Out Loud Comedy Regent Theatre, Stoke; Religion, Walsall; Couture, Stafford, Sat 19 November

Laugh Out Loud brings quality comedians to 14 venues across the country, including three here in the Midlands.

Two of the three are this month visited by the highly rated Markus Birdman (pictured), a comedian who firmly believes that comedy should always be presented live, to no more than 200 people, and in a dingy club (we’re not quite sure how he views the two Midlands venues he’s visiting this month)!

Marcus is joined on the bill in both Walsall and Stafford by Bobby Mair, Terry Burgess and Micky P Kerr.

Meanwhile, at Stoke-on-Trent’s Regent Theatre, Phil Nichol, Darius Davies and Pierre Hollins are the trio of funnymen charged with the task of bringing some autumn mirth to the Potteries.

20 whatsonlive.co.uk

Jonathan Pie

Jerry Sadowitz

Artrix, Bromsgrove, Tues 8 November

Crescent Theatre, Birmingham, Fri 18 November; Wulfrun Hall, Fri 25 November

The media’s decision to pounce on Jeremy Corbyn in the wake of his first Labour leadership victory lit the torchpaper for actor Tom Walker to create the larger-than-life character that is Jonathan Pie. Recent YouTube sensation Pie is supposedly a British political correspondent - but one who likes to rant at the TV camera.

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

But the annoyance that the actor felt had the surprisingly positive effect of making his creative juices flow - and so Jonathan Pie was born.

Now Pie has headed out on a national tour, and is most definitely the man of the moment. Whether he’s more than just a onetrick pony, however, remains to be seen.

American-born Scottish comedian and magician Jerry Sadowitz comes with a health warning; he is most definitely not for the fainthearted.

A man who’s not averse to hurling his underwear at female members of the audience, Sadowitz is about as far away from political correctness as it’s possible to get; so much so, in fact, that he claims Bernard Manning was the good cop to his bad cop.

Although he’s a man who never seems more at home than when he's alienating and offending pretty much everyone, Sadowitz claims a lot of thought goes into what he says. “I don’t always do the right thing,” he told Time Out, “but however offensive it might sound, at least there’s a genuine thought behind it.”

He visits the Midlands this month with his Comedian, Magician, Psychopath! tour.

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Billy Connolly Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham, Wed 2 - Thurs 3 November

A disarmingly gregarious man with a largerthan-life persona, Billy Connolly peddles his material with the assured touch of a comedian who knows he's got his audience in the palm of his hand.

Nowadays dealing with the challenges of Parkinson’s disease, the legendary Scottish funnyman has recently had treatment for prostate cancer and can sometimes be tripped up by a less-than-reliable memory. But health issues and a frailer physical appearance aside, the Big Yin is in fine fettle. He seems to be enjoying his time on the road - not least because touring helps alleviate the symptoms of Parkinson’s.

“It's a miracle,” he exclaimed in an interview in the US earlier this year. “I think science should study it. I've gone on stage sick and come off better!”

MY Comedy Penthouse Conference & Events Centre, Birmingham, Sun 13 November

This popular live comedy night makes a welcome return to SHOUT, the annual festival of queer arts and culture which is this month taking place at venues across Birmingham and further afield.

The evening is hosted by MY Comedy’s resident MC, Maureen Younger.

The much-travelled Maureen began performing comedy sketches for a French cafe theatre group before branching out on her own.

Peddling an on-stage persona that's been described as 'a lazily saucy flirt', she makes the most of some rather lightweight material by virtue of her impeccable comic timing...

She’s here joined in the laughter-generating stakes by Jen Brister (pictured above), Jayde Adams and Birmingham funnylady Lindsey Santoro.

Ellie Taylor

Lucy Porter

The Core, Solihull, Fri 11 November

Theatre Severn, Wed 2 November

Ellie Taylor kickstarted her comedy career in her late 20s, performing in stand-up reality TV series Show Me The Funny.

Now in her early 30s, Ellie’s comedy has come a long way in a short time. “It was tricky back then,” she admits, “getting offers that I wasn’t ready for, but I really do feel like I’m there now.”

If her currently touring stream-of-conciousness show, Infidellieity, is anything to go by, her self-assessment is bang on the money.

Jokes built around the subjects of bikini waxes, smear tests, contraception and orgies all feature, as does stick-on facial hair and Ellie’s revelation that she’s only slept with half a dozen men. She manages to keep the attention of the fellas in the audience too; no mean feat when your material is as femalecentric as hers is.

Edinburgh favourite Lucy Porter has a mischievous style of comedy that marks her out as a real talent. She’s an absolute charmer, but don’t be fooled - her pleasant girl-next-door demeanour conceals a beautifully twisted mind!

Highlights of her career include achieving a record score on Celebrity Mastermind, in which her specialist subject was American funnyman Steve Martin.

Her big bag of gags includes, “My husband proposed to me over the phone. I said yes straight away, but I should’ve asked who was calling.”

Lucy is this month visiting the Midlands with Consequences, a touring show which comprises heartfelt personal revelations, incisive cultural observations and issues as wideranging as transgender rights and Australian sheepshearers.

For more comedy listings visit whatsonlive.co.uk 21

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FEATURE

Kiss Me, Kate

Welsh National Opera challenge audience assumptions with a new staging of Cole Porter’s classic...

Ask many theatre-goers if they're into opera or musicals and chances are they'll come down fairly firmly on one side or the other. Received wisdom has it that opera is ‘high culture’, complex and intellectual, perhaps even inaccessible, while musicals are fun, populist and somehow less sophisticated. But a large-scale collaboration between Opera North and Welsh National Opera (WNO) on a touring production of Cole Porter's classic Kiss Me Kate could well challenge those assumptions, bringing together performers from both spheres. But just how separate really are the two? According to leading lady Jeni Bern, the divide is not as stark as you might think...

“People imagine that it's more sniffy than it is,” she says. “My ex-husband worked in the West End, so I have lots of friends on both sides of the camp, and while there may be a sort of joking, friendly rivalry between them, in the end, we do all really appreciate the different skills and demands of each. For me, the idea of doing eight shows a week is just crazy - you don't get that in opera. On the other hand, I know from the musical theatre people involved in this show that many of them find the idea of singing without a microphone absolutely terrifying. But I think that's what's lovely about this project both sides bring their different skill sets to the table and we're able to share everything. I know some people hate the idea of opera companies doing musicals - they 22 whatsonlive.co.uk

perceive it as somehow less worthy, but as an opera singer, I can assure you that this is definitely no less physically, mentally or emotionally demanding.”

Beyond the general appeal of dipping one's toes into something different, there are plenty of very good reasons why an opera company might take on a musical, particularly when it comes to Golden Era shows like this one.

“Although they look spectacular, a lot of West End shows don't have the luxury of the big orchestra that an operatic company can provide,” Bern explains. “David Charles Bell, our previous conductor, did some fantastic research, and we've gone right back to the original orchestration.

There's music here, like the Harlequin Ballet, that hasn't been heard since 1942.

Also, a lot of people forget that when these shows were first done, they wouldn't have been amplified like modern musicals. They were designed to be sung with a big, lush, orchestral sound, and I think they do benefit from going back to that.

“It's also worth bearing in mind that Cole Porter would have had a musical education that included listening to opera and classical music. He's an incredible musician, and would definitely have been aware of operatic singing style. At the end of Act One, I added in a little cadenza that isn't technically in the score, but the way it's written is almost like a parody of that, so I thought, why not? I'm a soprano, but

this is more a mezzo soprano role, so I cheekily decided to give myself a few high notes!”

Branching out into musicals can also be a great opportunity for opera companies to attract new audiences, perhaps encouraging them to come back and see a ‘proper’ opera next time.

“People know Kiss Me Kate is a feelgood family show that you can bring the kids or bring your granny along to,” says Bern.

“But there are plenty of operas that are just as fun and accessible as this. I think a lot of people are put off by this myth that opera is not for everyone, so doing a musical as an opera company can be a great vehicle for saying, 'We're not as scary as you think.' I'm from a very working-class background, so I get quite cross about the perpetuation of this idea that opera's elitist.”

So far from being detached from the colourful, more mainstream world of musical theatre, Bern has always loved the classics. Her pursuit of a professional singing career was at least partly inspired by the musicals she performed back in her school days. In fact, it was there that she first encountered the fiery Lili Vanessi in an amateur production of Kiss Me Kate.

“I was lucky enough to go to a school where we had a fantastic music teacher who was also a leading light in the local am-dram world, and every year we would do a musical at school, rather than a play.

Welsh National Opera DPS (1).qxp_Layout 1 24/10/2016 16:17 Page 2

by Heather Kincaid

We did loads of fantastic ones - Godspell and Bye Bye Birdie and The Pyjama Game - and I think it was in my final year that we did Kiss Me Kate. It's great getting to revisit her now with some life experience.

I do have quite a personal take on it in some respects. I'm divorced, and my exhusband was in the business too, so I understand the trials and tribulations of trying to keep a relationship going with somebody who’s also in this very precarious, emotional rollercoaster of an industry. But just for the record, I don't hate men!”

This current production actually made its debut last year, receiving widespread critical acclaim during its first tour as an Opera North show before heading out for a second run under the WNO banner.

There are challenges, of course, in adapting to different singing and staging styles, but it’s not the first time either company has taken on a musical, with Opera North having put on Carousel last year and WNO ending its autumn 2015 season with Sweeney Todd.

Even when it comes to opera, WNO has a reputation for theatricality, with productions that emphasise both quality acting and bold, elaborate, often high-concept designs. Their Sweeney Todd abandoned the story's 19th century origins to present Mrs Lovett's pie shop as a kind of ’70sstyle greasy spoon. The same season also included Handel's Orlando, relocated to

World War Two Britain, and Bellini's I Puritani, where the Catholic/Protestant conflict of the Reformation was used to reflect on religious tensions in 1970s Northern Ireland. Kiss Me Kate might not mark quite so dramatic a departure from previous productions, but it's not without that same inventive spark.

“Generally, productions of Kiss Me Kate will do the dressing-room scene with Fred's and Lili's dressing rooms next to each other, and a wall and a door between them,” says Bern. “Jo (Davies, director) and Colin (Richmond, designer) wanted to avoid that cliché, and the idea behind the design is that they're on a very tight budget, so Fred doesn't really have a dressing room per se - just a sort of clothes rail.

“The show within a show is also managed beautifully. We have this set of what we call sliders - they're flats that are hung, and they pivot and tilt and reverse, so that, as an audience, you can sort of be in both places at the same time. On one side is what you see in The Taming Of The Shrew, and on the other is what you'd normally see backstage, so there are scribblings and people's notes and photographs on the wall. It means we don't have to do a revolve, and for the audience it should almost look like you're seeing the show from backstage. It's really exciting, but the downside is that the sliders are a bit temperamental - I think

they’ve had more rehearsals than we have!”

The witty, theatrical self-parodying of Kiss Me Kate is part of what’s made it such an enduring favourite, and in opting for a more realistic backstage aesthetic, Richmond emphasises the story's self-reflexive comedy. But from an insider perspective, just how true to life really are the backstage antics it portrays?

“Well, I don't think I've ever had a screaming row at a leading man backstage,” Bern laughs, “and I've certainly never thrown anything at anyone! But tensions can run high when you're working that closely with people. Moments like when everyone's looking for the missing ruff are fairly indicative of the chaos in the wings. Particularly when you're getting in to a new venue, things go missing and you sometimes only just make entries because you've got to sprint up a set of stairs that wasn't there last time. And also the unglamorous side of it all, with the rubbishy old dressing tables and clothes rails, is very true to life - it's nothing like in the Hollywood movies with the huge bouquets and flouncy dresses!”

Welsh National Opera’s Kiss Me, Kate shows at Birmingham Hippodrome from Thurs 10 to Sat 12 November

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Theatre

Theatre previews from around the region

The Commitments Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Mon 14 - Sat 19 November; New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Mon 13 - Sat 18 March

Roddy Doyle’s smash-hit musical adaptation of his own bestselling novel follows on from the Bafta-bagging movie version that scored a huge international success way back in the early 1990s.

As with book and film, the stage show finds working-class music fan Jimmy Rabbitte inspiring an unlikely bunch of amateur musicians and friends to become the finest soul band Dublin has ever produced.

Along the way, the band treats the audience to more than 20 gold-star soul classics, including: Try A Little Tenderness; River Deep, Mountain High; Papa Was A Rolling Stone and Mustang Sally.

Andrew Linnie takes the lead role as Jimmie, while Coronation Street actor Kevin Kennedy stars as his Da.

Shakespeare, His Wife And The Dog Birmingham REP, Mon 21 - Wed 23 November

Shakespeare has retired but is making the lives of those around him, including his wife Anne, a complete and utter misery. During the course of a sleepless night in Stratford, the couple shine the spotlight on their marriage, as the bard struggles to find meaning in his past...

Bated Breath’s well-reviewed two-hander is a cleverly scripted celebration of the life and works of the world’s most famous playwright. It’s also a meditation on old age - one that manages to be both humorous and insightful. But then how could it possibly be otherwise, given that much of its material is sourced from Shakespeare’s canon of plays and poetry?

RSC actor Philip Whitchurch takes the role of Stratford’s most famous son.

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Dracula The Musical Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham, until Sat 5 November

Following on from their 2015 production of Sweeney Todd, Night Project Theatre here present a musical version of Bram Stoker’s legendary gothic horror story.

The show premiered on Broadway in 2004, complete with a nude scene in which the blood-supping Count seduces the best friend of the woman he loves. The flash of flesh generated enormous publicity but failed to save the production from closing. The curtain came down for the last time after only 154 performances and a serious panning from the critics. A comprehensive rewrite followed, and the revitalised production then made its way to this side of the Atlantic, where it has risen Dracula-like from the dead and proved to be a major hit with European audiences.

Better make sure you pack some bulbs of garlic and a wooden stake, just to be on the safe side...

Beautiful Thing The Old Joint Stock, Birmingham, Wed 16 - Sat 19 November

Jonathan Harvey’s award-winning urban love story focuses on teenager Jamie’s relationship with his classmate and neighbour, Ste. Premiered in 1993, the play’s been performed in countries across the world, with numerous

high-profile actors being drawn like proverbial moths to a flame to its winning blend of insightful writing, sharp humour and powerful drama. Jonny Lee Miller, Suranne Jones, Hugh Bonneville, Philip Glennister, Andrew Garfield and Rhys Ifans are among those to have appeared in the show across its 23-year history.

This latest version may lack star names, but it’s being helmed by the hugely experienced Tracey Street, a well-regarded freelance director on the Midlands theatre scene, so expect an evening of high-quality fare.

Barking Mad Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton, Thurs 17 November

When the Olivier Award-winning Guy Masterson married a gorgeous German model named Brigitta, he couldn’t possibly have realised the extent to which he was also entering into a binding, and indeed tempestuous, relationship with her dog, Nelson.

The eight years that followed tested everything, admits Guy, including his marriage, his career and even his sanity...

Masterson’s hour-long, one-man show garnered plenty of positive reviews at this summer’s Edinburgh Festival, where it was presented under the title of Love And Canine Integration.

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Tue 8 Nov

The Merchant of Venice André Tchaikowsky

Wed 9 Nov

Macbeth Verdi

perf Extra orma nce!

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Thu 17

Thu 10 - Sat 12 Nov Cole Porter’s

Kiss Me, Kate

ov 2 pm

Mon 14 Sat 19 Nov

Tue 1 Sat 5 Nov

Tue 8 Sat 12 Nov

From £12

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Tue 25 Nov Tue 13 Dec

Mon 19 Dec - Sun 29 Jan

Tue 7 Sat 11 Feb

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“Uproariously entertaining – every inch a whopping hit” Daily Telegraph

From £16

Shobana Jeyasingh Dance: Material Men

Wed 15 Sat 25 Feb

Fri 3 & Sat 4 Mar

Mon 27 & Tue 28 Mar

From £16

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Everyone’s Welcome 0844 338 5000 birminghamhippodrome.com Calls cost 4.5p per min plus access charge. 5% transaction charge applies excluding cash sales in person.

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Theatre

Theatre previews from around the region

The Full Monty Birmingham Hippodrome, Mon 14 - Sat 19 November; Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Mon 6 - Sat 11 February

When the ladies in their lives go on a night out and the entertainment includes a male stripper, a group of newly redundant steelworkers hit on a great idea for a money-spinning venture...

Based on the much-loved British movie of the same name, The Full Monty arrives in Birmingham with a soundtrack featuring Donna Summer, Hot Chocolate and Tom Jones, and a cast including Louis Emerick, Andrew Dunn and one-time Eastender Gary Lucy.

“This may be a comedy but the stories running through it are really strong,” says Gary, “particularly that of my character, Gaz. He’s feeling worthless because he doesn’t have a job and might lose his son. His sole aim is to continue to see his boy, so he gets the guys together to make some money.

“What’s been great so far is that the audience have been quiet when they’ve needed to be, through the more serious aspects, but then have really got into the spirit of the piece and had a good night.”

When We Are Married New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Tues 8 - Sat 12 November

keeper serve to complicate matters even further...

The highly rated Northern Broadsides are the company here bringing their comic expertise to bear.

Dare Devil Rides To Jarama Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Sun 13 November

Mention JB Priestley and for most people the play that instantly springs to mind is An Inspector Calls. But seven years before the upper middle-class Birling family and the mysterious Inspector Goole first made their theatrical mark, Priestley penned this delightful northern comedy.

The action focuses on three couples, all old friends and all of whom had married on the same day. They gather together to celebrate what they believe to be their silver wedding anniversary - except that it isn’t their wedding anniversary at all. In fact - and as they find out to their horror - they’re not even legally wed.

The presence of a drunken newspaper photographer and a wickedly conniving house26 whatsonlive.co.uk

A celebration of the contribution and sacrifice of the volunteer International Brigades, Neil Gore’s new play is presented by Townsend Productions, a company whose previous work includes The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists, We Will Be Free! and United We Stand.

At the centre of its action is speedway hero Clem ‘Dare Devil’ Beckett, a man whose immense courage leads him to join the International Brigades in their fight against Franco’s forces of Fascism in 1930s Spain.

While fighting for the freedom of the Spanish people, Clem forms an unlikely friendship with literary critic, writer and poet Christopher Caudwell.

Clem and Caudwell’s belief in a common cause not only unites them but leads them to the Battle of Jarama, where the ultimate sacrifice may well be a price they end up having to pay...

Home At Seven Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Tues 1 - Sat 5 November

RC Sheriff wrote this clever little mystery play more than 20 years after penning his best-known work, Journey’s End. It scored an instant hit with theatre audiences of the early 1950s - so much so, in fact, that a mere two years after first being performed, it was adapted for the cinema, with Ralph Richardson taking the lead role...

There’s nothing unusual about David Preston’s return home from work at 7pm except that, on this particular occasion, 24 hours have elapsed without him even realising it, and it’s now a day later than he thought.

Along with his wife Janet, already upset by his bizarre disappearance the night before, David soon gets another shock, when evidence incriminates him in a murder committed during the time for which he cannot account.

Former Coronation Street villain Brian Capron stars alongside Jenny Funnell, best known from the Judi Dench and Geoffrey Palmer sitcom, As Time Goes By.

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Theatre Sunny Afternoon Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Tues 29 November - Sat 3 December; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Tues 18 - Sat 22 April 2017

This clever homage to Swinging ’60s superstars The Kinks has been wowing audiences and critics in equal measure since opening in the West End in 2014. Indeed, its quality and popularity were last year suitably rewarded when it won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical.

Adapted from Joe Penhall’s book, with an original story by Kinks guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Ray Davies, the show features plenty of the band’s best-known tunes, including iconic tracks You Really Got Me, Waterloo Sunset, Dedicated Follower Of Fashion, All Day And All Of The Night and Lola.

Oliver Samuels: Guilt Trip

Honour

New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Sun 6 November

Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Tues 8 - Sat 12 November

Jamaican ‘king of comedy’ Oliver Samuels here makes a welcome return, having previously enjoyed huge touring successes with his shows Divorce Papers and Dolly House.

Samuels’ latest offering is a comedy drama which examines the life of a woman haunted by an event from her dim and distant past an event that continues to impact on the lives of all those associated with her.

“Guilt Trip offers a refreshing insight into the richness of Jamaican culture,” explains Oliver, “and also looks at some of the misconceptions that exist in dealing with mental illness. It’s full of laughter, and uses both drama and comedy to touch, stimulate and entertain its audience.”

Joanna Murray-Smith's 1995 play has certainly done the rounds over the last two decades, having been produced in close on 40 countries. Here in the UK, it scored a major hit at the National in 2003 when Eileen Atkins and the late Corin Redgrave played the leads. Its West End revival three years later provided a starring role for Dame Diana Rigg.

When distinguished literary journalist George is interviewed by the ambitious and considerably younger Claudia, sparks fly and his long and seemingly stable marriage to Honor bites the dust.

But as the central characters come into conflict, it becomes increasingly uncertain where the balance of power actually lies...

Into The Woods Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Thurs 24 - Sat 26 November

Local company 4PLAY make their debut with this James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim musical. The show brings to life Cinderella, Jack And The Beanstalk, Little Red Riding Hood and numerous other fairytales to present a moving lesson about community responsibility and the stories people tell their children. One-time Opportunity Knocks winner Mark Rattray stars as the Baker.

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The Unknown Soldier Lichfield Garrick, Tues 8 November

The need to keep a promise and repay a debt keeps Jack on the World War One battlefields, even though the guns have fallen silent...

Described as a story of comradeship and betrayal, and of promises both broken and kept following the carnage of the Great War, The Unknown Soldier debuted at Edinburgh last year and was highly praised by the critics.

Its author, award-nominated playwright Ross Ericson, enjoyed a 2013 success with Casualties, a fraught drama about the Afghanistan War and its repercussions.

Demi Nandhra: Life Is No Laughing Matter mac, Birmingham, Tues 8 - Wed 9 November

“Sometimes I think I’ve felt everything I’m ever gonna feel,” reveals Birmingham-based Demi Nandhra. “And from here on out, I’m not gonna feel anything new. Just lesser versions of what I’ve already felt.”

Demi uses a combination of installation and performance to explore the role of women in modern society, with feminism very much at the heart of her work. In Life Is No Laughing Matter, her first solo show, she contemplates the subjects of mental health, depression and anxiety.

Described as ‘part personal narrative, part social rant, part mess’, the production is an autobiographical live art/stand up/theatre performance that delves into her experience of living with depression - from trying to find a cure to eating 56 bananas and attempting ‘to think happy thoughts’.

Audience members are warned to expect ‘shit metaphors, unicorns, dependency on a loved one and Demi’s nana's holy water’...

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FEATURE

“We are all fools in love” A new staging of Jane Austen’s ultimate romantic comedy opens at the REP It is a truth universally acknowledged that a classic novel celebrating a major anniversary must be in want of an adaptation. In 2013, 200 years after the publication of Pride And Prejudice, director Deborah Bruce brought the world of Lizzie Bennet to life on stage at Regent's Park's spectacular Open Air Theatre. Now, as we approach the anniversary of Jane Austen's death, Bruce returns with a whole new cast to embark on a nationwide tour of the show, arriving at Birmingham REP in November.

Of course, Pride And Prejudice has been adapted countless times before - for better or worse, who doesn't have the sight of Colin Firth dripping from a quick dip in the lake etched forever in their minds? But for the Generation Y, perhaps the strongest association is with Keira Knightley and the doe-eyed Matthew McFadyen in Joe Wright's considerably less faithful feature film.

There'll be some who have seen and loved the wonderful web show version, which updates the story for the digital age, while a tiny few of us are even nerd enough to know the 1940 take, with all its mounds of hideously anachronistic fuss and frills.

Either way, you could easily be persuaded that by now the world has had its fill of muslin gowns, rolling estates and brooding gents. It's no small feat then, that Bruce is able to make audiences look back on the story with fresh eyes.

Playing the role of Elizabeth is Tafline Steen. Fresh from finishing drama school, Steen gets her first taste of touring theatre with the show.

“I think if you're of a certain age and you live in England, you will have seen a bit of the Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle version at some point,” says Steen, “but it never really imprinted on me. I did see the Joe Wright film, which I know some purists don't like, but I actually really enjoyed it. I never felt the need to go back and look over previous productions, though.

Thanks to Deborah, there was no sense of having to honour (Lizzie's) iconicism or other people's interpretations of her.”

What's perhaps most striking about the Regent's Park production is how it places not the young lovers, but the older generation centre stage. In highlighting the loneliness and disappointment of Mr and Mrs Bennet, Bruce shows how this drives their differing ambitions for their daughters, getting to the heart of that agonising choice between security and happiness that the almost preposterously lucky Jane and Lizzie are both able to circumvent.

“I think the whole play's about Mr Bennet, but then I always think every play I'm in is about me!” laughs Matthew Kelly, who will be making a welcome return to The REP 15 years after his phenomenal performance in Of Mice And Men earned him an Olivier Award. “I love Mr Bennet, and audiences like him because he's

funny and quick-witted, like Elizabeth.

He's very loyal, and would do anything for his daughters, but he's stayed in a marriage for way too long. I think he did love his wife. He's now fond of his wife, but they should have parted long ago. He's terrible to her sometimes. That's why he wants Elizabeth to be happy. He says, 'Let me not have the grief of seeing you unable to respect your partner in life'. Because he knows what would happen to her.

“One of the great disappointments to both Mr and Mrs Bennet is the fact that they never had a son. The reason, I think, that Elizabeth is such a favourite of his and so unpopular with Mrs Bennet is that of course she should have been the boy.

They had Jane, and she was loved and adored as the first child, but then they had to have a son to cut off the entail and inherit the estate. Then they would have been safe. So for Mrs Bennet, Elizabeth is a massive disappointment, and that's made her very strong.”

“I think Jane Austen is very hard on Mrs Bennet,” says Felicity Montagu, whose unique take on the character puts her in the spotlight for perhaps the first time.

“She looks down on 'silly women’. I mean, yes, she can be silly, but a lot of the time she's right. Her daughters will be destitute if they don't get married. So she's not such a fool; she's just not an educated woman.

“The relationship between Mr and Mrs Bennet is such that she doesn't really

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by Heather Kincaid

know him, so when he strikes against her sometimes, she's really devastated. Perhaps if she’d been in a happier marriage she wouldn't have put herself through so much anxiety. But she was unlucky - she had five daughters in trying to have a son, and it made her very worked up and ill, and turned her into a kind of pantomime figure to her own husband. I think this is very much a story about love and how people are often unloved - about how they work out how to live without love.”

For all the shifting of the usual focus, this is a surprisingly faithful adaptation. There are necessary elisions, but essentially, the story and the dialogue ring true to Austen's vision. Even her razor-sharp narration gets a look-in, as several of the lines that Austen uses to get inside her characters' heads are here divided out among the actors. Perhaps most notably, Mrs Bennet starts and ends the play with the novel's iconic opening line.

“There's one of my lines that I had to do a lot of work on because it's not really a Mrs Bennet line, so it didn't come very comfortably at first,” says Montagu. “She can be very condemnatory, Jane Austen, so you have to be quite careful when you're actually playing a character that she doesn't seem to write them off completely.”

It's true that Austen can be crueler than we sometimes give her credit for, as anyone who's read her letters can testify.

Partly it's a symptom of the time - as

someone who refused to be held back by convention, Austen has little patience for other women who passively accept their lot. On some level, her constant mocking is perhaps also a defence against the slings and arrows of the world. But there's also an extent to which she simply seemed unable to resist any opportunity for a laugh, and it's this, as well as her obvious self-awareness, that keeps us hooked on her.

“Austen's great for theatre,” says Kelly, “because she writes so much in dialogue, so quite a lot can be lifted straight from the novel. Part of the reason her dialogue is so strong and real is that the family used to read her work to each other at night. I guess there wasn't much else to do!”

“It's such intelligent, incisive writing,” adds Montagu. “Her characterisations are so beautifully fledged and real. She's a great painter.”

Of course, her stories have more serious things to tell us, too, many of which continue to be relevant today. While the concept of feminism wasn't readily accessible to Austen, it's now impossible not to read in her stories the first stirrings of the movements that would follow - interestingly, it was just as Austen came of age that Mary Wollstonecraft published her radical Vindication Of The Rights Of Woman. Two hundred years later, as the cast are well aware, the global battle for

equality is far from won.

“A lot of women around the world still don't really have liberation,” says Montagu. “There's a well-educated class that does, but so many are still subject to what men say or what corporations or governments say. And there's still a disparity in the professions over pay and things like that.”

“This show has got a very big cast,” says Kelly. “There are 20 of us, the majority of whom are women, which is still unusual.

Just the other day, there were 14 of us in the rehearsal room, and I looked around and realised I was the only man. That's really, really rare.”

A final word on the subject goes to Tafline Steen. “Not to discredit the vast strides we've made over the last 200 years, but in terms of this story being an exploration of gender and self-actualisation for women, I think it's really on the money for a lot of the things we're still wrestling with. It makes me sad that this is still a bit of an oddity, and I hope that doesn't continue to be the case, but I'm glad it still resonates for people.”

Pride And Prejudice shows at The REP, Birmingham, from Tuesday 8 until Saturday 12 November.

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FEATURE

I’VE HAD THE TIME OF MY LIFE

A new production of Eleanor Bergstein’s classic story this month returns to the Midlands.

What’s On popped along to rehearsals to find out more...

Thirty years after Eleanor Bergstein's classic story of a whirlwind holiday romance first took cinemas by storm, its now almost equally iconic stage adaptation is back on the road with an all-new cast and creative team. Directed by Federico Bellone, this new Dirty Dancing UK tour has been specially designed to adapt readily to differently sized stages, allowing it to visit more venues than ever before.

This month, the smash-hit show stops off at the Regent Theatre in Stoke-on-Trent and the Wolverhampton Grand before moving on to Coventry's Belgrade Theatre early in the New Year. We spoke to the Dirty Dancing On Tour team to find out more about how the magic is made.

“I think for the first time, we've gone for a very realistic look,” explains Federico Bellone. “Basically, we've taken the famous picture of the resort where they shot the movie and tried to theatricalise that here. We'll be going out to venues that were not able to house previous versions of the show, but it should still be spectacular. We have three revolves on stage, so it's quite intricate. We've also tried to make the pace even faster - without rushing through it, of course.”

“There's a huge pressure to get the balance right,” adds choreographer Gillian Bruce, “because everybody knows this show, so you have to look at the main ingredients and try to keep those, while also making it a little bit different.

I was very careful with choosing the cast. The look had to be right, and the sexiness had to be right. I actually wanted to push that a little bit further than in the film, to make it even more ‘dirty’ - without becoming vulgar, obviously, and still making sure it was right for the era.”

These continual changes and reinventions both large and small - are part of what makes every Dirty Dancing live experience feel special, even more than a decade after the show made its stage debut. Carlie Milner, who plays the unlucky Penny Johnson, has also starred in previous incarnations of the show, but is con-

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stantly inspired by the team around her to work through new approaches to the part.

“Of course everyone will have a different take on things,” she says, “and the people around you give you more information, which you just kind of absorb into your performance. It's been lovely to recreate the show with a new vision - your ideas do change over time, and my own personal take on it has definitely changed. I've found things in the story that I hadn't really thought about before. I loved the old version but I'm really looking forward to touring this one too.”

Joining more experienced cast members like Milner are the newcomers such as Lewis Griffiths and Katie Hartland, who lead the show as the iconic young couple Johnny and Baby.

“Stepping into Patrick [Swayze]'s shoes, I do feel like I'm a bit in his shadow, as anyone would, because he made the part completely his own,” Griffiths confesses. “I'm not trying to imitate him at all, but as Gillian said, we've all got to take parts of what's already in the film and make it work for us without replicating too much. This is definitely going to be Lewis Griffiths' Johnny Castle as opposed to Patrick Swayze's Johnny Castle.”

Hartland agrees. “I think for me the biggest challenge has been taking such an iconic film and trying to make it your own as much as you can. Especially with the dancing, because I'm not half as experienced and amazing as some of the others, so it's been a real thrill getting to dance like that and to be pushed in that way.”

Among the things that have made Dirty Dancing such a huge success is the fact that it straddles different theatrical genres. It isn't quite a conventional stage musical. Not only are the songs performed by a separate band rather than sung by the main cast members, but the style of the dancing and staging is also very different.

“Dirty Dancing is definitely, absolutely a

play, but it's a play with a lot of music,” says director Bellone. “I think quite often when people go to see the show for the first time, they expect it to be a musical and are surprised when the cast don't sing. I first went to see it back in 2007, I think it was, and at the time I thought that they should sing more. But when I met Eleanor Bergstein, she explained to me the reasons why she was absolutely against that, and I had to accept that she was perfectly right.”

“It's quite a difficult show to choreograph because it's all couple work,” says choreographer Bruce. “I think sometimes it can get so busy that the audience doesn't really know where to look. I've tried to give more focus to the numbers and allow the audience to enjoy everything without being forced to just look at one thing at a time.”

“That's why a lot of people will say that the musical numbers are so tricky to get right,” adds Bellone. “They're not meant to look like the numbers in a typical musical, but at the same time, they still have to be beautiful.

You have to focus on specific effects. On film it's much easier because you can use closeups and focus in on details, but on stage, you have all these people there and the audience can look anywhere they want to.”

This distinctive format also puts additional pressure on the cast members, requiring everyone to be on top form from both dramatic and physical standpoints. Add to this the fact that, with Dirty Dancing being such a huge, worldwide phenomenon, the expectations of audiences across the country are enormous.

“It's quite rare to have something that's so heavy both in terms of the dance and the character aspects,” says Milner. “Physically this version is very demanding and there's a lot going on. You want to make sure you do it correctly, but there's only so much time, and that in itself is quite difficult for a performer.

From a character point of view, it's also quite difficult. Obviously for me, Penny goes

through a lot of trauma, and so I have to find ways to relate with all of the complex emotions she experiences.”

“I consider myself an actor rather than a dancer,” says Griffiths, “and while I don't think there's anything that I can't learn and get into, it’s been challenging being in a show involving so much dancing. Johnny's character is so completely in his comfort zone in the dance studio, leading and teaching in his Cuban heels, so I'm having to find ways of taking Lewis' insecurities and turning them into Johnny's strengths.”

“All the characters are going through their own stories,” says Milner, “but they're also all intertwined, so it's all about trying to keep that link and that continuity running through the show, while also bringing out your character's own personal journey. So yeah, it's hard!”

The rehearsal process may be long and challenging, demanding absolute dedication from the team, but as things begin to fall into place, every one of them agrees that the time and energy they've poured in has been well worth it.

“The casting for this show is unbelievable,” says Griffiths. “When I got the role of Johnny, it was amazing, but it felt a bit like being at the bottom of a very large mountain. I'm really thankful that, with the help of these two and all the crew and creatives, I'm already halfway up that mountain, and once we get to the top I think it's gonna be a hell of a show. I'm really honoured to be a part of that.”

Dirty Dancing shows at Stoke’s Regent Theatre from Mon 7 to Sat 12 November; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from Mon 28 November to Sat 3 December; Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, from Mon 30 January to Sat 4 February; and the New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, from Mon 29 May to Sat 3 June

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theatre for younger audiences...

George’s Marvellous Medicine

George’s Marvellous Medicine New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Tues 22 November - Sat 3 December

Birmingham Stage Company return with one of their most popular Roald Dahl adaptations. George’s Marvellous Medicine tells the fantastical tale of a young boy who chances his arm as an infant Alexander Fleming and makes a medicine to cure his grandmother of her bad temper. But when she takes it, all sorts of weird and wonderful things occur, and it isn’t long before George realises that his adventures have only just begun.

Peppa Pig’s Surprise Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Wed 2 - Thurs 3 November

If you’ve taken your little ones to any of the previous Peppa Pig stage shows - and enjoyed the experience of watching them having a fantastic time - you’ll already know that this latest production is well worth catching.

“It seems hardly any time at all since we started on the first Peppa Pig live stage show,” observes writer and director Richard Lewis. “It’s been an incredible experience seeing the children’s reactions, not only in the UK but throughout the world. It just confirms that Peppa really is a worldwide phenomenon.”

Captain Flinn And The Pirate Dinosaurs 2 Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Sat 5 November

Award-winning children’s ensemble Les Petits Theatre know that the best way to keep people coming to their shows is to entertain the adults in the audience as well as the youngsters. And just like the company’s original Captain Flinn stage show, this lively sequel manages to do exactly that.

As you’d expect, there’s plenty for the kids to enjoy too, in an action-packed adventure that sees Flinn’s kidnapped friends being

Captain Flinn And The Pirate Dinosaurs 2

forced to hunt for the Magic Cutlass by the tyrannical Mr T-Rex. Cue the ever-heroic captain, and a dangerous rescue mission that could well see his timbers being comprehensively shivered...

Granny’s Game The Place, Oakengates, Shropshire, Sat 12 November

“We offer a diverse programme of theatre activities,” says Kirsty Mead, who co-founded Lincolnshire children’s theatre company Rhubarb back in the year 2000. “We bring theatre directly to family centres, village halls, youth clubs, schools, art centres, heritage sites, museums and traditional theatres.”

Rhubarb’s latest touring show is based on the real-life experiences of pioneering investigative journalist Nellie Bly, whose welldeveloped sense of adventure saw her undertake a record-breaking, Phileas Fogg-style trip around the world in 1889.

And globetrotting adventure is very much on the agenda for the show’s two young heroes, Julia and John, when they discover a mysterious boardgame while visiting their granny...

The Nose That Nobody Picked Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton, Sun 6 November

Mountains of mucus, toe-tapping tunes and two nostrils full of magic are the order of the day in this first-time-touring stage adaptation of David Parkin’s much-loved book.

While indulging in his hobby of making ornamental displays with gnomes and toys, 10-year-old Christopher stumbles upon a living nose, one which has been raised by slugs in his garden.

The nose needs a face, so Christopher sets out to find him one. But he’s reckoned without the less-than-helpful intervention of Doctor Skinner, an eccentric plastic surgeon who not only has connections to the nose’s past but also harbours sinister intentions...

Where’s My Igloo Gone?

Where’s My Igloo Gone? mac, Birmingham, Wed 23 - Sun 27 November

Soaring snow geese, pet husky dogs, starry nights, fishing adventures and the kind of cold that makes the skin tingle are all featured in this Bone Ensemble story about a little girl who sets off in search of help when her igloo starts to melt...

“We’re collaborating with experts in climate change and social psychology,” explain the Birmingham-based Bone Ensemble, “so that we can weave scientific knowledge into a compelling narrative with dynamic interactive activities, engaging audiences with climate change in a new and refreshing way.”

Cloud Cuckoo Land: Ding Dong mac, Birmingham, Sun 6 November

Cloud Cuckoo Land, the company behind this bright and bubbly production, describe themselves as a ragtag ensemble of multi-talented cuckoos.

“We like nothing better,” they reveal, “than whipping up immersive, interactive and interdisciplinary plays, parties and installations, to whisk you away from your everyday life to somewhere altogether stranger.”

The Birmingham company’s new offering for younger children is an interactive musical play based around the subject of ‘time’. It sees a cast of actor-musicians creating a unique 360° immersive listening experience by playing a wide variety of instruments all around the audience. And the youngsters get to join in with the music-making too, through clapping, singing, movement, calland-response and imaginative suggestions.

Kids can also meet the characters - Dot, Smidge, Mooch and Nora - all of whom will be battling hard to save their beloved clocktower.

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Christmas

Festive shows and attractions opening in November

’Tis the season to be jolly - well, nearly. Yes, Christmas is a-coming, and it’s time to start thinking about how best to celebrate and enjoy this festive time of year. If you’re struggling for ideas, fear not - we’ve got a few suggestions that should hopefully ensure you’re positively chomping at the yuletide bit come the 25th of December. From pantomimes to family shows, stylish ballets to Shakespeare storms, underground boat trips to illuminating lantern festivals, it promises to be an unforgettable season of magic and mirth in the Midlands.

Check out which festive shows and attractions are opening across the Midlands this month...

Treasure Island The REP, Birmingham, Fri 25 November - Sat 7 January

This latest theatrical version of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic tale, a modern adaptation

by Bryony Lavery, puts an interesting spin on the author’s swashbuckling story, with the chief protagonist being a girl rather than a boy.

When pirates ransack her grandmother’s inn, fearless Jim is drawn into the adventure of a lifetime - one which will see her not only setting sail in search of buried treasure but also spending time in the company of a one-legged pirate with murder in mind...

Cinderella

The Tempest

The Nutcracker

Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Wed 30 November - Sun 8 January 2017

Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratfordupon-Avon, Tues 8 November - Sat 21 January 2017

Birmingham Hippodrome, Fri 25 November - Tues 13 December

With its comical Ugly Sisters, metamorphosising pumpkin, 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.

This year’s Theatre Severn version of the famous fairytale features all the usual panto elements of comedy, singing, dancing, audience participation and ‘stunning’ sets and costumes. And also very much as usual, it stars the ever-popular Brad Fitt, on this occasion appearing ‘as you’ve never seen him before’...

Shakespeare’s last and most complete play, The Tempest also represents the culmination of his art, bringing together many of the themes that informed his greatest dramas.

A wild storm forces a royal ship onto the rocks of an enchanted isle. The castaways, separated from one another, find themselves slipping under the control of the mysterious Prospero.

Matters are further complicated by the presence of supernatural spirit Ariel and the grotesque man-beast, Caliban...

Presented by the RSC as their Christmas family show, this brand new production is helmed by the company’s artistic director, Gregory Doran, and stars Simon Russell Beale as Prospero.

Sir Peter Wright’s enchanting version of this firm festive favourite returns to the Hippodrome this month, courtesy of Birmingham Royal Ballet. Created in 1990 as a thank you to Birmingham for its support of the company following its move to the Midlands from London’s Sadler Wells, Wright’s production is seen by many as the finest interpretation of Tchaikovsky’s magnificent and mesmerising score.

In true Christmas spirit, the story follows the young Clara as she’s swept up in a fantasy of soldiers, giant rats, snow fairies, magic and mystery, before finally being transformed into a beautiful ballerina...

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Festive shows and attractions opening in November

The Wind In The Willows The Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham, Mon 21 November - Sat 31 December

A firm festive favourite, Kenneth Grahame’s much-loved riverside tale ably demonstrates the way in which one life can command the full attention of three others! Loyal Mole, faithful Ratty and steady old Badger simply don’t have time for any of their own interests - they’re far too busy having to look after their reckless and irrepressible friend, Mr Toad...

Presented by Scott Ritchie Productions and Birmingham Ormiston Academy.

Dick Whittington Belgrade Theatre, Coventry Wed 23 November - Sat 7 January

The story of a young man who heads for London in search of fame and fortune is one of the most popular of all pantomimes, not least because of the topdrawer adventures with which the happy-go-lucky Dick finds himself involved.

With Sarah the Cook and Queen Rat both putting in an appearance, and heady romance also on the cards for our ever-affable hero, this is a show that promises to be packed to its festive rafters with action, comedy and fun.

Stick Man Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Thurs 24 November - Sat 31 December

“Scamp Theatre send shivers down my spine,” reveals Julia Donaldson, the co-creator (along with Alex Scheffler) of the hugely popular children’s book on which this show is based. “They’re so lively and innovative. I love their production of Stick Man, and so do

the audiences.” Julia’s not wrong - audiences most definitely do love the show, as a smashhit season in the West End ably demonstrated. Featuring a trio of talented performers, the production brings together puppetry, songs, live music and ‘funky moves’ to tell the story of Stick Man’s desperate attempts to get back to the family tree. Suitable for children aged three and older.

The Snow Queen New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Sat 19 November - Sat 28 January

The Snow Queen is ruler of all she surveys, and when she kidnaps young Kay, it’s left to his sister, Gerda, to save him from a bleak future in the frostbitten wastelands...

The New Vic here give this Hans Christian Andersen work a brand new treatment, presenting a timeless tale that brings together ‘enchanting characters, original music and breathtaking on-stage magic’.

This particular take on sibling love set amidst the ice caps and snow-laden landscapes of the north has been directed with the intention of appealing to family members of all ages.

Santa’s Winter Wonderland The SnowDome, Tamworth, Fri 18 November - Sat 31 December

SnowDome’s all-new Santa Show is part of the venue’s Winter Wonderland event, and finds the big man in red making final preparations for another ‘Christmas extravaganza’.

Suitable for all age groups, Santa’s Winter Wonderland provides plenty of festive fun for visitors to Tamworth’s snowy indoor attraction. A safe environment ensures youngsters

are able to play and slide in real snow as they explore Santa’s Christmas snow trail, take a walk through the enchanted forest, enjoy a game of snowballs and hitch a ride on a sledge.

The less adventurous, meanwhile, can observe the snow-related action as they amble along the promenade walkway. There’s even an animal village, where you can meet Santa’s reindeer and discover some of his furry friends. whatsonlive.co.uk 35

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Festive shows and attractions opening in November

Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market Birmingham City Centre, Thurs 17 November Thurs 29 December

Ice Skate Birmingham Centenary Square, Birmingham, Sat 19 November - Sun 8 January

Ice Skate Birmingham makes a welcome return to the city centre this month. As usual located in front of the Birmingham Repertory Theatre, the

popular visitor attraction can hold up to 300 people per session. Younger or inexperienced skating enthusiasts can keep upright by using special penguin skating aids, which can be booked online and in advance.

Santa Hunts

Magic Lantern Festival

Black Country Living Museum, Dudley, various dates from Sun 20 November Sat 24 December

Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Fri 25 November - Mon 2 January 2017

Saint Nicholas’s much-vaunted ability to make his way around the world at superfast speed on Christmas Eve should also stand him in good stead in the run-up to the festive season, when he’ll need to pop up in all manner of places to excite and delight children of all ages - even the grown-up ones!

One such stop-off for the big chap is the Black Country Living Museum in Dudley, where he’ll be sipping a sherry and scoffing a mince pie in his secret workshop. The challenge for young visitors to the venue is to see if they can find him. Meeting a series of characters along the way, children can solve magical clues, sprinkle dust on reindeer shoes and even send letters up the chimney to the great man himself. If they manage to find him, they’ll be rewarded for their endeavours with a surprise gift...

What’s not to like?

Celebrating over 2,000 years of lantern festivals, this ‘illuminating’ event sees visitors accessing the venue through a giant lantern entrance before following a lantern-lit trail around the gardens.

Aside from enjoying the collection of beautifully constructed lanterns and the natural scenery, visitors to the festival can also catch up with Santa and his reindeers.

Other attractions include a 12-metre-wide lantern scene - featuring penguins, snowmen, Christmas trees and baubles - and a special fairy-themed area, complete with a floating fairy, beautiful butterflies and thousands of bright and tiny lights.

This is the largest outdoor Christmas market in the country and sits at the centre of Birmingham’s festive celebrations.

Drawing crowds from across the city and further afield, the Frankfurt Markets feature a wide range of traditional handmade toys, art, and items from throughout the world. There’s plenty of food and drink available too, including German mulled wine, grilled sausages, vegetarian options, pretzels and German beer. Carol singers and an ornate carousel are other popular elements of this well-established attraction, which, for the first time, is staying open beyond Christmas (until 29 December).

Campers Christmas Coventry Transport Museum, Sun 27 November

This year’s Christmas Campers event takes the entirely relevant theme of ‘pantomime’, and, we’re reliably informed, features ‘everything from Puss In Boots to Dick Whittington’.

Camper vans of all shapes and sizes take part, and organisers promise an abundance of fairy lights and costumes to further enhance the festive cheer. There are prizes to be won too, and a Christmas DJ - decking his decks with boughs of holly, no doubt.

For those who fancy a leisurely browse, a Christmas craft fair should prove just the yuletide ticket.

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Film Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them CERT tbc Starring Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, Dan Fogler, Alison Sudol, Colin Farrell, Carmen Ejogo, Samantha Morton, Ezra Miller, Ron Perlman, Jon Voight Directed by David Yates (UK/USA)

By the time this epic fantasy trundles onto DVD, the name Newt Scamander should be every bit as famous as Albus Dumbledore and Severus Snape.

Eddie Redmayne plays the eccentric English wizard, invented by JK Rowling in her 2001 novel, and it’s Rowling who adapted the book in her screenwriting debut. Set in the same universe as Harry Potter, the events precede the first Potter film by 70 years and unfold in New York. It’s there that Newt arrives after a world tour researching - and rescuing - certain magical creatures, the subject of his eponymous textbook. But shortly after his arrival in 1926 some of his fantastic beasts are accidentally released from his care…

The film was intended to be the first in a trilogy, although Rowling announced last month that there would be two more editions (making it a quintet). In 3D and IMAX. Released Fri 18 November

CRITIC’S CHOICE

Film highlights released in November...

The Light Between Oceans

A Street Cat Named Bob

CERT 12a (113 mins)

CERT 12a (103 mins)

Starring Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander, Rachel Weisz, Bryan Brown, Jack Thompson, Caren Pistorius Directed by Derek Cianfrance (USA/Australia/UK/New Zealand)

Starring Luke Treadaway, Ruta Gedmintas, Joanne Froggatt, Anthony Head, Caroline Goodall, Bob the Cat Directed by Roger Spottiswoode (UK)

Based on ML Stedman's 2012 novel of the same name, this post-WWI drama tells the story of a lighthouse keeper and his wife who adopt an infant girl they find stranded in a rowing boat - and of the later moral consequences.

Derek Cianfrance previously directed Blue Valentine and The Place Beyond The Pines, so this should be interesting.

Bob is a ginger stray who befriended James Bowen (Treadaway), a busker and recovering drug addict whose life was turned around by the friendship. So much so, that Bowen wrote a book about the alliance which sold a million copies in the UK alone and has been translated into 30 languages. The coup of this British adaptation is that the filmmakers persuaded the real Bob to play himself.

Released Tues 1 November

The Accountant CERT 15 (128 mins)

Starring Ben Affleck, Anna Kendrick, J. K. Simmons, Jon Bernthal, Jeffrey Tambor, John Lithgow Directed by Gavin O'Connor (USA)

Released Fri 4 November

Number crunchers are the new warriors in a global infrastructure governed by algorithms. Christian Wolff (Affleck) is more comfortable with digits than people but has to face the real world when his dealings in criminal numerical manipulation is cottoned onto by the Treasury’s Crime Enforcement Division.

People will die.

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Film Nocturnal Animals CERT 15 (117 mins)

Starring Amy Adams, Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Shannon, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Isla Fisher, Armie Hammer, Laura Linney, Michael Sheen, Andrea Riseborough Directed by Tom Ford (USA)

The owner of an art gallery (Amy Adams) receives a manuscript of her ex-husband’s new novel, something she reads as a veiled threat… Adapted from Austin Wright’s 1993 novel Tony And Susan, this marks the fashion designer Tom Ford’s second film as director, following the critically acclaimed A Single Man. Winner of the Grand Jury Prize at this year’s Venice Film Festival.

Released Fri 4 November

CRITIC’S CHOICE

A United Kingdom CERT 12a (111 mins)

Starring David Oyelowo, Rosamund Pike, Jack Davenport, Tom Felton, Jack Lowden, Terry Pheto, Laura Carmichael Directed by Amma Asante (UK/USA/Czech Republic)

Amma Asante directed the intelligent, powerful and hugely affecting Belle (2013) and now turns her attention to another cause célèbre involving the clash of black and white skins. This is the true

Rupture CERT 15 (99 mins)

story of Sir Seretse Khama (David Oyelowo), the king of Bechuanaland (now Botswana), who falls for a white office worker (Rosamund Pike) he meets in London during the unforgiving years of the late 1940s. The ensuing furore that greeted the couple’s romance ended up becoming a diplomatic crisis. Based on the book Colour Bar by Susan Williams and filmed in London and Botswana.

Released Fri 25 November

A Hundred Streets CERT 15 (93 mins)

Starring Noomi Rapace, Michael Chiklis, Peter Stormare, Lesley Manville, Kerry Bishé Directed by Steven Shainberg (USA/Canada)

Starring Idris Elba, Gemma Arterton, Charlie Creed-Miles, Steven Mackintosh, Samantha Barks, Ken Stott Directed by Jim O'Hanlon (UK)

A single mother is abducted, drugged and taken to a secret facility where she struggles to discover what the heck is going on. Then the experiments begin…

The streets in question are spread out across the London capital, where three people’s lives take a remarkable turn. Expect some pretty strong language and sex.

Released Fri 4 November

Released Fri 11 November

Arrival CERT 12a (116 mins) Starring Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Forest Whitaker, Michael Stuhlbarg, Tzi Ma Directed by Denis Villeneuve (USA)

Great cast, terrific director (cf. Incendies, Prisoners, Sicario). And if the idea sounds overly familiar - mysterious spacecraft landing all over the planet - you can bet that this will be very, very different. Amy Adams plays Louise Banks, a linguist recruited by the military to communicate with the visitors.

The sci-fi drama received rave reviews at the Venice Film Festival.

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Film releases in November

American Pastoral

Almost Christmas

CERT 15 (108 mins)

CERT tbc

Starring Ewan McGregor, Dakota Fanning, Jennifer Connelly, Rupert Evans, Valorie Curry, David Strathairn Directed by Ewan McGregor (USA)

Starring Kimberly Elise, Omar Epps, Danny Glover, Mo'Nique, Nicole Ari Parker, Gabrielle Union Directed by David E. Talbert (USA)

Allied CERT tbc Starring Brad Pitt, Marion Cotillard, Lizzy Caplan, Matthew Goode, Jared Harris, Anton Lesser Directed by Robert Zemeckis (UK/USA)

No, the festivities can’t be that close!?

As we’re scrambling to address our Christmas cards, along comes this starry ensemble in which the various members of a dysfunctional family get together to pretend to celebrate. Cf. last year’s Christmas With The Coopers.

Released Fri 25 November Inspired by the true incident of two assassins who fell in love during a mission to take out a German official, Allied is the latest film from the keyboard of Steven Knight. Knight’s previous credits include Dirty Pretty Things, Peaky Blinders, The Hundred-Foot Journey and the criminally underrated Burnt, so this comes with some pedigree.

Set in 1942 in North Africa and London.

Of all the people to adapt Philip Roth’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of 1997, Ewan McGregor was not the obvious choice. Be that as it may, the Scottish actor makes his directorial debut here and plays the part of former college athlete and successful Jewish American businessman Seymour Levov.

Seymour leads a perfect life until his 16-yearold daughter (Dakota Fanning) decides to commit an act of political terrorism.

Released Fri 25 November

Paterson CERT tbc

Released Fri 11 November

The Innocents CERT 15 (115 mins)

Bad Santa 2 CERT tbc

Starring Lou de Laâge, Agata Kulesza, Agata Buzek, Vincent Macaigne, Joanna Kulig Directed by Anne Fontaine (Poland/France/Belgium)

Starring Billy Bob Thornton, Kathy Bates, Tony Cox, Christina Hendricks, Brett Kelly Directed by Mark Waters (USA)

Willie T Stokes is not the most charitable of characters and here uses the umbrella of Yuletide to rip off a Chicago charity on Christmas Eve. The first film, originally released in 2003, was a wickedly funny black comedy featuring a villain with an approximate rooting in reality. Here’s hoping the new film retains some of that calibre.

Starring Adam Driver, Golshifteh Farahani, Barry Shabaka Henley, Cliff Smith Directed by Jim Jarmusch (USA/Germany/France)

Coincidentally, Paterson (Adam Driver) lives in a city also called Paterson. It’s here that our protagonist leads his uneventful life driving a bus, walking his dog and popping into a bar for his one beer a day. However, his wife is just bursting with ambition and urges Paterson to take his gift for poetry seriously…

Released Fri 25 November

Released Fri 25 November Polish films are not, as a general rule, enormously hearty affairs. Anne Fontaine’s Franco-Polish drama, based on true events, is nonetheless an extraordinary and extraordinarily powerful film. Set in a Polish convent in the bleak midwinter of 1945, it tells the story of how a young French Red Cross worker (Lou de Laâge) is drawn into the grim, cloistered world of that institution.

The outcome is shocking and moving and the film itself superbly acted and exquisitely mounted.

Released Fri 11 November

The Edge Of Seventeen CERT tbc

Starring Hailee Steinfeld, Woody Harrelson, Kyra Sedgwick, Haley Lu Richardson, Blake Jenner Directed by Kelly Fremon Craig (USA)

High school junior Nadine Byrd (Hailee Steinfeld) is not enjoying her youth, when her older brother starts dating her best friend. Eww! This coming-of-age comedydrama from first-time writer-director Craig got some pretty awesome reviews in the US. Released Wed 30 November

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Bellows and The Body

Despite his significant standing in the US, early-20th century painter George Bellows remains a relatively unknown artist here in the UK - a perhaps unsurprising fact given that there are only two of his paintings in British public collections. One of the two is Nude, Miss Bentham, a 1906 artwork acquired last year by Birmingham’s Barber Institute and now showing at the venue in a new exhibition. What’s On recently paid the gallery a visit to find out more…

Around the middle of the 20th century, visual art underwent a radical transformation as modernist movements like abstract expressionism swept Europe and America. Yet just a few years earlier, Western art had looked decidedly different, and many artists who have received little attention in recent years were hugely influential in their time.

One key movement in American art which today has been largely forgotten in Europe comprised a group of former students of the New York School of Art who sought to reflect the harsh realities of the urban life around them. Among the most prominent and prolific of this so-called ‘Ashcan School’ was George Bellows, once described by the Columbus Museum of Art as ‘the most acclaimed American artist of his generation’.

Nicola Kalinsky, Director of the Barber, “but it's not a name that many people here know.

The National Gallery has one Bellows painting, but otherwise, ours is the only one in a British public collection.”

Taking pride of place is an arresting, fulllength portrait acquired by the gallery in February 2015. Depicting the fleshy, muscular form of a female model, Nude, Miss Bentham (1906) is here displayed alongside Bellows’ comparable Nude Girl, Miss Leslie Hall (1909) for the first time in over a century, thanks to a loan from The Terra Foundation for American Art.

In a new exhibition titled Bellows And The Body, Birmingham University's Barber Institute sheds light on this often underappreciated painter.

“It's a striking image,” says Nicola, “quite unlike anything else we have in the collection. But at the same time, it speaks to some of the work we already have. This painting normally hangs near our Manet, and while they're from different traditions, you can see similarities in terms of how painterly and realistic they are.”

“In America, George Bellows is very popular as well as historically important,” says

The exhibition highlights Bellows' development over the years, from the student base-

ball player sketching idealised, athletic bodies for college yearbooks, to the socially conscious and decidedly realist artist who later emerged.

Other striking works include The Stag At Sharkey's (1917), a visceral lithograph print of two boxers which served as the cover for a 1915 edition of The Masses, a socialist magazine whose art editor was Bellows' friend and contemporary, John Sloan.

“In the 1900s, New York was the great modern city,” says Nicola. “With the first highrises going up and thousands of immigrants descending on it, it was an exciting place to be, but there were also social problems and poverty. The Ashcan artists felt it was important to paint the city as it really was, warts and all.”

Bellows and The Body: The Real, The Ideal and The Nude continues at The Barber Institute of Fine Arts, University Of Birmingham, until Sunday 22nd January

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Visual Arts Realisation mac, Birmingham, until Wed 30 November

With its international reputation as one of the UK's most diverse cities, Birmingham last month seized the opportunity to acknowledge the cultural contributions of its many communities by celebrating Black History Month (BHM).

As part of those celebrations, this Inspiring A New Generation-coordinated exhibition brings together examples of work by Birmingham-based painters and mixed media artists.

The artwork on show either celebrates important people from the Black community or, in keeping with the over-arching theme of the city’s BHM programme, connects into the subject of music and musicians.

A number of the displayed artworks are available for sale.

Eva Rothschild: Alternative To Power New Art Gallery, Walsall, until Sun 15 January

Eva Rothschild’s sculptures often look ‘precarious’, as she herself describes them.

One of the leading sculptors of her generation, the Dublin-born artist likes to create and display a sense of physical tension within her work, an aim which often leads her to design pieces that seem to defy gravity.

One of the intentions of this approach is to challenge the viewer; Rothschild believes that the ideal way to look at art is to be permanently confused.

Alternative To Power marks the first time she’s exhibited in the Midlands. The show features a new body of work for the gallery that’s characterised by the use of co-dependent forms. Each piece is made up of multiple elements that rely on one another for support, the columns, frames, arches and benches forming a fragile union of physical components.

Alongside her gallery pieces, Rothschild is also displaying a large-scale dyed fabric banner, carrying the exhibition’s title, in the venue’s front-facing Window Box.

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East Meets West

Roy Lichtenstein

Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, until Fri 6 January

Wolverhampton Art Gallery, until Sun 26 February

The ways in which people nowadays spend their leisure time are many and varied, as the artwork displayed in this brand new exhibition ably illustrates.

Coordinated by Grain, an organisation dedicated to delivering ambitious, high-quality arts projects, East Meets West features the work of 16 local and emerging artists working with moving image or photography.

The artwork on show includes images that examine drinking culture, document community-led action to save local swimming baths, provide a sensitive portrait of a young Shetland Island resident’s use of his leisure time and shine a light on the obsession that can drive a collector.

Renowned for works based on comic strips and advertising imagery coloured with his signature Benday dots, Roy Lichtenstein was one of the most radical and influential artists of the 20th century and a leading figure in the Pop Art movement.

This exhibition of his art is drawn from Artist Rooms, a collection of international modern and contemporary art owned by National Galleries of Scotland and Tate on behalf of the public.

Commenting on the show, Wolverhampton councillor John Reynolds, cabinet member for City Economy, said: “This is the fourth time the art gallery has hosted an Artist Rooms exhibition, and we’re delighted the Lichtenstein works, newly added to the collection, are coming here this month. They were first displayed at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art in Edinburgh in 2015, and this will be the first opportunity for visitors to see the works at an Artist Rooms associate venue.”

Brick Wonders Herbert Museum & Art Gallery, until Sun 15 January

Although for the majority of people Lego bricks are simply a toy with which to keep small children entertained, for some, they’re a challenging and enjoyable modelling medium.

The potential of these hugely popular plastic construction pieces is here celebrated via an exhibition that uses the bricks to build models of some of the world's best-known buildings and landmarks.

Included in a collection of over 70 constructions are presentations of the Great Wall of China and Niagara Falls.

Roy Lichtenstein Reflections on Crash 1990. ARTIST ROOMS, Tate and National Galleries of Scotland.

Lent by The Roy Lichtenstein Foundation Collection 2015

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Picasso On Paper Compton Verney Art Gallery, Warwickshire, until Sun 11 December

He may be best known for his paintings, but during his lifetime Pablo Picasso created more than 2,000 prints, a statistic that bears testimony to the high regard in which the artist held the discipline of printmaking.

Comprising more than 70 works from Dusseldorf’s Museum Kunstpalast, Picasso On Paper features artwork from across four decades. Various media are in evidence, including etching, lithography, aquatint and linocut, with the pieces being grouped according to such themes as family, bullfighting and mythology.

The exhibition is complemented by eight ceramics created by the artist in association with the Madoura pottery near Antibes in Provence.

Heavenly Lights: The Untold Story Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery, until Sun 15 January

The artwork of a Shrewsbury woman who was one of the great female artists of the early 20th century is the subject of this new exhibition.

Margaret Agnes Rope - or Marga, as she was known - was born in 1882 and produced stained glass that can be found in churches and cathedrals on three continents.

Although her work is collected by museums in the US, she’s now largely forgotten here in the UK.

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Events

Crafts For Christmas NEC, Birmingham, Thurs 3 - Sun 6 November

This popular event for crafting enthusiasts at all levels brings together four distinct shows under one roof - Crafts For Christmas, Cake International (4 to 6 November), Arts Material Live and Stitching, Sewing And Hobbycrafts.

Crafts For Christmas sees more than 150 exhibitors showcasing their exclusive range of bespoke and unusual gifts. ‘Inspiring’ workshops, live music, a gift-wrapping service and an impressive array of festive food also feature...

Visitors to the Stitching, Sewing & Hobbycrafts element of the event are invited to ‘stock up and revel in creative craft inspiration’ by

Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show NEC, Birmingham, Fri 11 - Sun 13 November

The biggest event of its kind, the Classic Motor Show has some impressive statistics behind it. Last year’s event, for example, featured a display of 1,800 cars and more than 600 trade stands manned by 250 of the UK’s best motoring clubs.

Visitors to the 2016 edition of the show can expect plenty more of the same, as well as the chance to drop into the Restoration Theatre to find out how to restore a cherished classic. The always-popular autojumble makes a welcome return too, complete with a range of mouthwatering 'show only' offers.

Other attractions at this year’s event include a dedicated classic motorbike show, Silverstone auctions, the chance for visitors to take a ride in ‘the car of their dreams’, and an appearance by Wheeler Dealer star Mike Brewer.

checking out a wealth of supplies, innovations, new product launches, demonstrations and workshops...

For anybody whose passion is making art, a few hours spent at the Art Materials Live attraction should prove to be both stimulating and informative. There are numerous free workshops to enjoy, fascinating demonstrations by professional artists and the opportunity to stock up on fresh supplies and admire ‘stunning’ displays... The fourth show, opening a day later than the other three, is Cake International, the UK’s leading cake decorating, sugarcraft and cake-baking show.

The event features cutting-edge workshops and demonstrations, lots of information about the latest trends and supplies, and an opportunity to check out some of the best entries in the annual cake-decorating competition.

BBC Good Food Show

Mind Body Spirit Festival

NEC, Birmingham, Thurs 24 - Sun 27 November

NEC, Birmingham, Fri 4 - Sun 6 November

A long-time favourite on the UK’s culinary events calendar, the BBC Good Food Show brings a packed programme of inspiration and entertainment to the NEC. Continuing to attract the crème de la crème of TV personalities, this year’s show sees, among others, Mary Berry, The Hairy Bikers, Raymond Blanc, Paul Hollywood, Michael Roux Jr, James Martin and Great British Bake Off 2015 winner Nadiya Hussain cooking up a treat or several in the Supertheatre.

Add into the mix oodles of tastings, hundreds of exhibitors showcasing their wares and a special show celebrating the cuisine of Northern Ireland, and you’ve got yourself the makings of a delicious day out.

The Mind Body Spirit Festival has been offering spiritual seekers a safe place in which to commune and share their ideas, beliefs and philosophies for almost 40 years.

When founded in 1977, it was the only exhibition in the world entirely devoted to the pursuit of healthier, more creative and fulfilling lifestyles.

A concept which might have seemed a little bit ‘out there’ back in the mid-1970s has certainly come of age in the early 21st century.

In an ever more stressful and seemingly dangerous world, it’s hardly surprising that the festival is going from strength to strength, as people seek a means of occasionally escaping the trials and tribulations of modern living.

Attractions at this month’s show include a workshop programme presenting new ideas on relationships, awakening, feng shui, inspired living, NLP, yoga, meditation, modern shamanism, science & angels. whatsonlive.co.uk 47

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more events from around the region

MCM Comic Con Birmingham

Hereford Contemporary Craft Fair

NEC, Birmingham, Sat 19 - Sun 20 November

The MCM Comic Con is an absolute must for anybody with an interest in movies, gaming, comics, anime, cult television shows, gadgets, clothing and toys. It also has an impressive track record when it comes to hosting celebrity appearances - and this year is certainly no different...

American actor Sam Jones shot to albeit brief stardom in 1980 when he took the title role in the big-screen version of Flash Gordon. The British-made movie, which boasted a camp, over-the-top style reminiscent of the 1960s Batman TV series, has since become a cult classic - a fact which not surprisingly means that Sam is nowadays in great demand at events such as this one.

He’s joined at this month’s get-together by Keir Dullea and Gary Lockwood, two of the stars of Stanley Kubrick’s legendary sci-fi movie, 2001: A Space Odyssey.

Spanish Riding School of Vienna: 450th Anniversary Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham, Fri 18 - Sun 20 November

Left Bank, Hereford, Fri 11 - Sun 13 November

jewellery and metalwork - all handmade by local craftspeople - are available for purchase, as are numerous edible delights. This year’s exhibitors include: Emily Richard, who makes jewellery in precious metals; Amanda Hillier, whose limited-edition linoprints, cards and gifts are inspired by Shropshire; and Sam Hemming, who creates unusual handmade glass and gemstone beadwork jewellery.

This well-attended annual show features contemporary craft designer-makers presenting a wide variety of work, including jewellery, textiles, furniture, ceramics, glass, stone carving, basketry, fashion & accessories and metalwork.

Commenting on the event, organiser Leoni Linton says: “Visitors to the show are able to meet every single maker of the craft they see, bringing to life an object of beauty with an understanding of who made it, and how and why they made it. This makes every purchase both personal and special - especially a bespoke commission, which virtually all our exhibitors take.”

Ludlow Medieval Christmas Fayre The Spanish Riding School of Vienna is this month celebrating its 450th anniversary with a series of exclusive shows in Birmingham and London.

The shows are hosted by TV presenter and British Dressage Ambassador Nicki Chapman.

Commenting on her involvement, Nicki said: “Spanish Riding School of Vienna tours are rare and exceptional. I’ve witnessed first hand these graceful horses thrilling crowds with their astonishing combination of elegance and power. This is an extraordinary, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness these worldrenowned horses performing in the UK, during the academy’s momentous 450th anniversary year.”

Ludlow Castle, Shropshire, Sat 26 - Sun 27 November

Juggling jesters, giant puppets, swashbuckling sword fighters and a marvellous medley of medieval musicians all play their part in ensuring an engaging and entertaining experience for visitors to this ever-popular event - as do more than 100 stall holders selling food, drink and seasonal wares.

“I’m delighted by the range of new entertainment we’ve secured for this year’s show,” says Paul Saunders, artistic director of the fayre and a musician and performer in his own right. “Not only do we have great new music, theatre and live shows, but we’ve also got a fantastic new range of workshops for visitors of all ages to enjoy, from music and instrument making right through to dancing.”

Gorgeous Christmas Craft Fair Enginuity, Ironbridge, Sat 19 - Sun 20 November

Held in association with the Shropshire Guild of Contemporary Craft, this popular event provides a showcase for the region’s creative talent. Furniture, ceramics, glassware, textiles,

Tryzna

Warley National Model Railway Exhibition NEC, Birmingham, Sat 26 - Sun 27 November

The organisers of this long-running event - this month’s exhibition is the 49th edition of the show - have very sensibly got an eye to the future, ensuring there’s plenty for youngsters to enjoy across the two days.

Kids’ attractions include a number of layouts designed for children to operate and a Junior Modellers Workshop, in which budding engineers can put their skills to the test.

The show features more than 90 layouts in total, as well as numerous demonstrations, plenty of trade stands and, as a rather impressive centrepiece, four full-sized locomotives. whatsonlive.co.uk 49

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thelist

The List Cover November Warwicks_Worcs.qxp_Layout 1 24/10/2016 16:47 Page 2

Your week to week listings guide November 2016

and more!

What’s On Tues 1 to Sun 6 November

Mon 7 to Sun 13 November

Mon 14 to Sun 20 November

Mon 21 to Wed 30 November

RUN at The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury

Jonathan Pie Live at Artrix, Bromsgrove

Catfish And The Bottlemen at Ricoh Arena, Coventry

Blake at Palace Theatre, Redditch

Tues 1 November

Tues 8 November

Thurs 17 November

Thurs 24 November

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946: The Amazing Story Of Adolphus Tips - Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, 8 - 12 November

Music I Comedy I Theatre I Dance I Film I Events I Visual Arts I

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Tuesday 1 - Sunday 6 November

THROUGHOUT NOVEMBER

Visual Arts Artrix, Bromsgrove FINDING FRESH PATHS: 5 CUBED Exhibition by a group of four mature, contemporary artists who trained together and exhibit regularly, until Sun 20 Nov NEW BILLY BAKER: SUNRISE TO SUNSET The focus of this collection of artwork is the interpretation of familiar places of beauty, making strong use of colour to create dreamlike, atmospheric and dramatic imagery, Wed 23 Nov - Tues 3 Jan

Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery BIRMINGHAM MUSEUM & ART GALLERY IN 130 YEARS The story of the Museum & Art Gallery, told via a special anniversary exhibition, until Sun 27 Nov BIRMINGHAM PEOPLE AND CHANGE IN THE INNER-CITY Birmingham People explores the ways in which ordinary Brummie folk have been represented in art during the 20th and 21st centuries. Change In The Inner-City focuses on the four inner-city wards of Ladywood - Nechells, Soho, Aston and Ladywood, until Fri 31 Mar 2017 FAITH IN BIRMINGHAM, Exploring how different faiths have influenced and shaped the city, until Sun 3 Feb 2019 CELEBRATING GANESHA A touring exhibition across seven venues around the UK. Part of the British Museum’s National Programmes, until 8 Jan

Compton Verney Gallery, Warwick PICASSO ON PAPER Picasso was one of the most inventive and prolific printmakers of the 20th century.

Each technique - including etching, lithography, aquatint and linocut inspired new directions in his work, until Sun 11 Dec QUEEN VICTORIA IN PARIS: WATERCOLOURS FROM THE ROYAL COLLECTION Forty-four watercolours of Queen Victoria’s 1855 visit to Paris, some of which were given to her as gifts, others which she later commissioned herself, until Sun 11 Dec

Forge Mill Needle Museum, Redditch REDDITCH: ITS FARMING HISTORY Exhibition by the Redditch Local History Society using maps, photographs and images to illustrate its forgotten landscape, until Sun 27 Nov

Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry NATURE NOTES Multisensory exhibition with beautiful artworks and real natural history specimens, until Sun 20 Nov BRICK WONDERS Exhibition of over 70

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models, including the Great Wall of China and Niagara Falls, until Sun 15 Jan 2017

The Hive, Worcester

NEW THE HOP PROJECT A contemporary art exhibition touring Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Birmingham and the Black Country.

The project's starting point is an exploration of the social and political implications of hop production in the West Midlands, Thurs 3 Nov - Tues 13 Dec

Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum

Gigs

3 DOORS DOWN Thurs 3 Nov, O2 Academy, Birmingham

SHAM 69 Sat 5 Nov, Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton

MULTI STORY Thurs 3 Nov, The Roadhouse, Birmingham

HAWKLORDS Sat 5 Nov, The Marr's Bar, Worcester

THE SHIRLEY BASSEY STORY Thurs 3 Nov, Palace Theatre, Redditch

DIRTY DC - TRIBUTE TO AC / DC Sat 5 Nov, The River Rooms, Stourbridge

UFO Tues 1 Nov, The Assembly, Leamington Spa

IRON FIST OF THE SUN, KHOST, TUNNELS OF AH & STECKDOSE Thurs 3 Nov, Hare & Hounds, Bimingham

QUILL Sat 5 Nov, Huntingdon Hall, Worcester FIVE Sat 5 Nov, Bedworth Civic Hall

WILL JOSEPH COOK Tues 1 Nov, The Sunflower Lounge, Birmingham

FLAMINGODS Thurs 3 Nov, The Sunflower Lounge, Birmingham

THE OASIS EXPERIENCE Sat 5 Nov, The Roadhouse, B’ham

HONNE Tues 1 Nov, O2 Institute, Birmingham

IAN HUNTER & THE RANT BAND Fri 4 Nov, The Assembly Rooms, Leamington Spa

THE NICK ROSS ORCHESTRA: SOUNDS OF THE GLENN MILLER ERA Sat 5 Nov, Artrix, Bromsgrove

SYD ARTHUR Tues 1 Nov, The Rainbow Venues, Birmingham CORY HENRY & THE FUNK APOSTLES Tues 1 Nov, The Glee Club, B’ham TELEGRAM Tues 1 Nov, Hare & Hounds, B’ham

COLIN HITCHMOUGH DICTIONARY OF SILENCES A showcase of new works alongside a selection of key pieces from the artist’s portfolio, from the early 1970s to the present day, until Sun 8 Jan

ANDY IRVINE Wed 2 Nov, The Red Lion Folk Club, Birmingham

Warwick Arts Centre,Coventry

BEAR'S DEN Wed 2 Nov, O2 Institute, B’ham

THE HUMAN DOCUMENT A new exhibition exploring artists’ enduring fascination with the work of a group of photographers who were commissioned by the Farm Security Administration Programme (FSA) in Depression-era America to document the plight of rural workers, until Sat 10 Dec, The Mead Gallery, Warwick Arts Centre

JMSN Tues 1 Nov, Hare & Hounds, Birmingham

GABRIELLE Wed 2 Nov, Birmingham Town Hall REBECCA FERGUSON Wed 2 Nov, Symphony Hall, Birmingham THE STYLISTICS Wed 2 Nov, The Jam House, Birmingham GREGORY PECK'S JAZZ, FUNK AND SOUL OPEN MIC NIGHT Wed 2 Nov, The Night Owl, B’ham

NEW LAURA FORD: MEET THE ARTIST Laura is known for producing sculptures that appropriate childhood imagery and stories with an idiosyncratic and slightly disturbing twist.

She discusses her sculpture, Days Of Judgement, Cat 1, which has recently been installed on campus, Wed 23 Nov

ECHO & THE BUNNYMEN Thurs 3 Nov, Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton

Worcester City Museum & Art Gallery

CARRIE RODRIGUEZ Thurs 3 Nov, Kitchen Garden Cafe, B’ham

JEREMY DELLER: THE BATTLE OF ORGREAVE On loan from the Artangel Collection at Tate, the exhibition includes a documentary film, objects, images and audio recordings from the artist's archive of research materials for the reenactment of the battle, until Sat 26 Nov

THE MOUSE OUTFIT Wed 2 Nov, Hare & Hounds, Birmingham

SHAWN KLUSH - ELVIS WORLD TOUR Thurs 3 Nov, Civic Hall, Wolverhampton JACK SAVORETTI Thurs 3 Nov, O2 Institute, Birmingham

Other VISUAL ARTS EMBROIDERERS GUILD EXHIBITION BROWN AT BERRINGTON Hand-crafted textiles inspired by the Capability Brown-designed Berrington parkland, until Sun 6 Nov, Berrington Hall, Nr Leominster THE PLAY'S THE THING Family-friendly exhibition full of treasures from the archives and the museum collection, including rarely seen props, costumes and original set designs, until Sat 11 Feb, The Swan Theatre Stratford

NEW CONDUCT THE STORM Free-tovisit installation running in conjunction with the theatre's Christmas show, The Tempest, Tues 8 Nov Sat 21 Jan, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon

HUNTER AND THE BEAR Thurs 3 Nov, The Marr's Bar, Worcester FROM THE JAM & THE BEAT Thurs 3 Nov, The Assembly Rooms, Leamington Spa

KING PLEASURE & THE BISCUIT BOYS Fri 4 Nov, Huntingdon Hall, Worcester

THE RIFLES Sat 5 Nov, The Assembly, Leamington Spa

HOPE AND SOCIAL Fri 4 Nov, The Tin Music And Arts, Coventry

DANCE GAVIN DANCE Sat 5 Nov, O2 Institute, Birmingham

SMOOVE & TURRELL Fri 4 Nov, Hare & Hounds, Birmingham

AMON AMARTH Sat 5 Nov, O2 Academy, Birmingham

MERCHANDISE Fri 4 Nov, The Sunflower Lounge, Birmingham

SCORPION CHILD Sat 5 Nov, The Rainbow Venues, Birmingham

KICK UP THE 80'S Fri 4 Nov, The River Rooms, Stourbridge

LEGENDARY NIGHT IN Birmingham Sat 5 Nov, O2 Academy, B’ham

VOODOO SIOUX & THEIA & NAKED SUNDAY Fri 4 Nov, Route 44, B’ham

GOSPEL GOES CHARITY 2016 Sat 5 Nov, Birmingham Town Hall

BUGZY MALONE Fri 4 Nov, O2 Institute, Birmingham

SWEAT Sat 5 Nov, Hare & Hounds, Birmingham

MARTIN SIMPSON Fri 4 Nov, Artrix, Bromsgrove BRING ME THE HORIZON Fri 4 Nov, Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham WOMEN IN ROCK Fri 4 Nov, The Roadhouse, Birmingham KT TUNSTALL Fri 4 Nov, Symphony Hall, B’ham PJ HARVEY Fri 4 Nov, Starworks Warehouse, Wolverhampton

HUSK Sat 5 Nov, O2 Academy, Birmingham ICE NINE KILLS Sat 5 Nov, The Rainbow Venues, Birmingham ELIZA CARTHY & THE WAYWARD BAND Sun 6 Nov, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry NOLA INSPIRED Sun 6 Nov, The Roadhouse, Birmingham BONFIRE RADICALS Sun 6 Nov, Hare & Hounds, Birmingham

CORINNE BAILEY RAE Fri 4 Nov, O2 Institute, Birmingham

KSI Sun 6 Nov, O2 Institute, Birmingham

THIS WICKED TONGUE Fri 4 Nov, The Marr's Bar, Worcester

DEVINES Sun 6 Nov, Kitchen Garden Cafe, Birmingham

ASHLEY ALLEN QUINTET Fri 4 Nov, Symphony Hall, Birmingham

THE MISSION Sun 6 Nov, O2 Institute, Birmingham

QUEEN II GREATEST HITS TOUR Fri 4 Nov, Albany Theatre, Coventry

THE MEN THAT WILL NOT BE BLAMED FOR NOTHING Sun 6 Nov, O2 Academy, Birmingham

THE READY EDDIES Fri 4 Nov, The Robin, Bilston JOHN COGHLAN’S QUO Fri 4 Nov, The Assembly, Leamington Spa

THE SKULL + WITCH MOUNTAIN Sun 6 Nov, The Rainbow Venues, Birmingham

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Tuesday 1 - Sunday 6 November

Classical Music GILBERT AND SULLIVAN'S PATIENCE The Erdington Operatic Society present Gilbert & Sullivan’s clever and amusing satire with music ranging from idyllic charm to brash, military patriotism, Tues 1 - Sat 5 Nov, Sutton Coldfield Town Hall ORCHESTRA OF THE SWAN: A SCANDINAVIAN SERENADE Programme includes works by Dvorak & Grieg, Wed 2 Nov, Huntingdon Hall, Worcester CBSO: BRAHMS' SECOND Featuring the City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Cristian Macelaru (conductor) & Simon Trpčeski (piano).

Programme includes works by Dvorak, Bartok & Brahms, Thurs 3 Nov, Symphony Hall, Birmingham VAN KUIJK STRING QUARTET Programme includes works by Ravel, Poulenc & Debussy, Fri 4 Nov, Royal Pump Rooms, Leamington Spa KALICHSTEIN-LAREDO-ROBINSON TRIO Featuring Jaime Laredo (violin), Sharon Robinson (cello) & Joseph Kalichstein (piano). Programme includes works by Beethoven, Shostakovich & Brahms, Fri 4 Nov, Birmingham Town Hall BINCHOIS CONSORT In Praise of Saints: English Music and Midlands Alabasters in the Fifteenth Century, Fri 4 Nov, The Barber Institute, Birmingham CITY OF BIRMINGHAM CHOIR: SONGS FROM A CHANGING WORLD Programme includes works by Elgar, Walton, Tippett, Brahms & contemporary composer, Bob Chilcott, Sun 6 Nov, Bramall Music Building, Birmingham ODYSSEUS PIANO TRIO Featuring Sara Trickey (violin), Gregor Riddell (cello) & Clare Hammond (piano), Sun 6 Nov, Huntingdon Hall, Worcester EX CATHEDRA: BACH MASS IN B MINOR Featuring Jeffrey Skidmore (conductor), Elizabeth Adams, Katie Trethaway & Amy Wood (sopranos); Harriet Houghman Slade & Martha McLorinan (altos); Jeremy Budd (tenor) & Thomas Flint & Greg Skidmore (bass), Sun 6 Nov, Birmingham Town Hall

Comedy Gigs SHAPPI KHORSANDI Tues 1 Nov, Evesham Arts Centre BILLY CONNOLLY Wed 2 - Thurs 3 Nov, Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham MRS BARBARA NICE, SALLY-ANNE HAYWARD, JULIET MEYERS & MAUREEN YOUNGER Wed 2 Nov, Kitchen Garden Cafe, Birmingham JOHN CHALLIS Wed 2 Nov, Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa WIL HODGSON, PATRICK DRAPER & THERESA FARLOW Thurs 3 Nov, Stourbridge Town Hall

MANILLA ROAD COMEDY Thurs 3 Nov, The Victoria, Birmingham ROB DEERING, SEAN MCLOUGHLIN & COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBINSON Thurs 3 Nov, The Glee Club, Birmingham RAW COMEDY Fri 4 Nov, Evesham Arts Centre JUNIOR SIMPSON, RUSSELL HICKS, SCOTTISH FALSETTO SOCK PUPPET THEATRE & JAMES DOWDESWELL Fri 4 Nov, Abbey Theatre, Nuneaton ED GAMBLE Fri 4 Nov, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry LLOYD GRIFFITH, ADAM BLOOM, ANDREW RYAN & DAVE LONGLEY Fri 4 Nov, The Comedy Loft, Birmingham ROB DEERING, SEAN MCLOUGHLIN, KEVIN CARTHY & ANDREW WATTS Fri 4 Sat 5 Nov, The Glee Club, B’ham JULIAN CLARY Sat 5 Nov, Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa LLOYD GRIFFITH, IAN COGNITO, ANDREW RYAN & DAVE LONGLEY Sat 5 Nov, The Comedy Loft, Birmingham WES ZAHARUK, JAMES ALDERSON, GARETH RICHARDS & KIRI PRITCHARDMCLEAN Sat 5 Nov, Coventry Showcase SHAZIA MIRZA Sun 6 Nov, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry GLENDA JAXSON, OLA, KEVIN J, JOHN SIMMIT Sun 6 Nov, mac, Birmingham SOFIE HAGEN Sun 6 Nov, Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa STEVE GRIBBIN, MIKE BUBBINS &PHILIP SIMON Mon 7 Nov, Katie Fitzgerald’s, Stourbridge

Theatre VISITORS Haunting and beautiful exploration of the way in which our lives slip past us, until Sat 5 Nov, The Rose Theatre, Kidderminster DRACULA Amateur staging of Bram Stoker’s chilling story, until Sat 5 Nov, The Attic Theatre, Stratfordupon-Avon THE EXORCIST Unleashed for the first time in a uniquely theatrical experience, until Sat 5 Nov, The REP, Birmingham HENRY V The Crescent Theatre Company present Shakespeare’s epic history play, until Sat 5 Nov, Crescent Theatre, Birmingham DRACULA: THE MUSICAL Amateur production presented by Blue Orange Arts and Night Project Theatre, until Sat 5 Nov, The Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham RELATIVELY SPEAKING Funny and charmingly English play by Alan Ayckbourn, starring Robert Powell and Liza Goddard, until Sat 5 Nov, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry WHAT SHADOWS Roxana Silbert-directed play starring Ian McDiarmid as Enoch Powell, until Sat 12 Nov, The REP, Birmingham THE TWO NOBLE KINSMEN Based on

Macbeth: Director’s Cut - Belgrade Theatre

Chaucer's The Knight's Tale, The Two Noble Kinsmen is attributed to John Fletcher and William Shakespeare, and is best described as a tragicomedy exploring the intoxication and strangeness of love, until Tues 7 Feb, The Swan Theatre, Stratford-uponAvon THE ROVER Aphra Behn's anarchic restoration comedy, rich with seduction, intrigue and danger, set in the topsy-turvy world of the carnival.

Loveday Ingram directs, until Sat 11 Feb, The Swan Theatre, Stratfordupon-Avon THE MOUSETRAP Touring production of Agatha Christie's famous thriller the longest-running show in the history of British theatre, Mon 31 Oct Sat 5 Nov, New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham LUCY, LUCY AND LUCY BARFIELD An intimate show about holding on to adventure, falling through the cracks and finding your own way back. Part of Emerge Festival, which is facilitated by University of Warwick graduates Barrel Organ Theatre Company, Tues 1 Nov, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry LEMONS LEMONS LEMONS LEMONS LEMONS Walrus Theatre’s award-winning debut show examines how we express ourselves, personally and politically, through the lens of one couple’s relationship, Tues 1 - Wed 2 Nov, mac, Birmingham THE SORCERER’S APPRENTICE A brand new adaptation of a timeless tale, suitable for children aged three to seven, Tues 1 - Wed 2 Nov, Malvern Theatre MACBETH - DIRECTOR'S CUT Volcano Theatre present an erotic and violent theatrical assault on the senses, Tues 1 - Fri 4 Nov, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry HOME AT SEVEN Brian Capron and Jenny Funnell star in a staging of RC Sherriff's well-crafted thriller, Tues 1 Sat 5 Nov, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre FRENCH WITHOUT TEARS English Touring Theatre & Orange Tree Theatre in association with Exeter Northcott Theatre present a new

staging of Terence Rattigan's sparkling 1936 comedy, Tues 1 - Sat 5 Nov, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry WALKING ON SUNSHINE Worcester Musical Theatre Company present an evening of inspiring songs, spectacular dance and ‘laugh-out-loud’ comedy, Tues 1 - Sat 5 Nov, Swan Theatre, Worcester LADY CHATTERLEY’S LOVER English Touring Theatre present a staging of DH Lawrence’s controversial tale.

Note: this production contains strong language, nudity, scenes of a sexual nature, and is not suitable for children, Tues 1 - Sat 5 Nov, Malvern Theatre MOVEABLE PROPS BY NICK WILKES MalvernBard present a tragicomedy of life lived on the creative side, Tues 1 - Sat 5 Nov, The Coach House, Malvern Theatre THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE St Alphege Musical Production Society present an amateur version of the toe-tapping musical, Tues 1 - Sat 5 Nov, The Core, Solihull PATIENCE Erdington Operatic Society present an amateur production of Gilbert & Sullivan’s comic opera, Tues 1 - Sat 5 Nov, Sutton Coldfield Town Hall HEADS WILL ROLL old By An Idiot present a dark comedy about delusion, vanity and the corruption of power, Tues 1 - Sat 5 Nov, The REP, Birmingham I LOVE YOU WILL U MARRY ME Sad Siren explores ‘the unseen things that we hold dear’. Part of Emerge Festival, which is facilitated by University of Warwick graduates Barrel Organ Theatre Company, Tues 1 Nov, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry ONLY FOOLS & BOYCIE An intimate evening with Only Fools And Horses actor John Challis, Wed 2 Nov, Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa MR DARCY LOSES THE PLOT Award-winning comedy duo LipService explore the world of women writers, Wed 2 Nov, The Roses, Tewkesbury THE COMMUNITY PROJECT An attempt to dissect what it means to share a space with those around us. Part of Emerge Festival, which is facilitated

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by University of Warwick graduates Barrel Organ Theatre Company, Wed 2 Nov, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry THE PRIVILEGED A participatory solo event exploring race, identity and the community within today's society.

Part of Emerge Festival, which is facilitated by University of Warwick graduates Barrel Organ Theatre Company, Wed 2 Nov, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry AN EVENING WITH GRIFF RHYS JONES Brand new comedy performance, complete with previously unseen footage, Wed 2 Nov, Palace Theatre, Redditch THE SHIRLEY BASSEY STORY Thurs 3 Nov, Palace Theatre, Reddich TANK A play which considers the violence of language, the power of culture, and what happens when you inject a cetacean with LSD. Part of Emerge Festival, which is facilitated

by University of Warwick graduates Barrel Organ Theatre Company, Thurs 3 Nov, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry

Tuesday 1 - Sunday 6 November Fri 4 Nov, Artrix, Bromsgrove COULROPHOBIA Pickled Image present a show featuring slapstick, mime, puppetry and a lot of cardboard.

Contains nudity and some strong language, Fri 4 Nov, mac, Birmingham MIDDAY VARIETY Special commemorative show celebrating the 1940s, Fri 4 Nov, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry POLARIS The chilling horror of a reality shattered and a splintered existence in turmoil..., Fri 4 Nov, The Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham POLICE COPS Action-packed hour of adrenaline-fuelled physical theatre, cinematic style and uncompromising facial hair, Sat 5 Nov, Old joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham FATHER CHRISTMAS NEEDS A WEE Talegate Theatre fuse humour, music and sparkle in a new production based on Nicholas Allan’s muchloved book, Sat 5 Nov, Palace Theatre, Redditch CAPTAIN FLINN AND THE PIRATE DINOSAURS 2: THE MAGIC CUTLASS Les Petits present an action-packed adventure for children, based on the popular book by Giles Andarea & Russell Ayto, Sat 5 Nov, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry WHAT, NO FIREWORKS! Fun, songs and audience participation in popular plays for two to nine-year-olds, Sun 5 Nov, Swan Theatre, Worcester

GET YOURSELF TOGETHER New show from Royal Exchange-supported artist Josh Coates which is part stand-up, part spoken word and part teenager-in-his-room-pretendinghe's-in-a-punk-band. Part of Emerge Festival, which is facilitated by University of Warwick graduates Barrel Organ Theatre Company, Thurs 3 Nov, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry PHANTOM OF THE MUSICALS Starring Barry Walker & Smackee, Thurs 3 Nov, Bedworth Civic Hall PAUL CARROLL'S MUSIC HALL TAVERN Comedy drag variety show, with Paul Carroll as Mrs T, Paul Burnham as Guapatini, Grant Koper as Miss Frankie and featuring the Showcase International Dancers, Thurs 3 Nov, Albany Theatre, Coventry THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE The Drama Club at Stratford ArtsHouse present a new version of CS Lewis' classic tale, Thurs 3 - Sat 5 Nov, Stratford Artshouse VAMPIRES ROCK: GHOST TRAIN Classic rock spectacular, a sequel to the phenomenally successful Vampires Rock Musical Concert, Fri 4 Nov, The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury THE HITCHIKER’S GUIDE TO THE FAMILY A multimedia road trip that asks searching questions about identity,

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BETH VYSE: AS FUNNY AS CANCER Join Beth as she talks about her Stokeon-Trent family, The Waltons on alcohol, her time with Nelson Mandela, acting and thieving at the Royal Shakespeare Company, settling down with Michael Jackson and finding cancer, Sat 5 Nov, Artrix, Bromsgrove OLIVER SAMUELS IN GUILT TRIP New comedy drama which reminds us that knowledge from your past can turn out to be cruel, but can also be a powerful and invigorating force, Sun 6 Nov, New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham

acclaimed Cuban choreographer Nilda Guerra which fuses traditional and modern dance styles including salsa, rumba, cha-cha-cha and reggaeton, Tues 1 - Sat 5 Nov, Birmingham Hippodrome PATTERN RECOGNITION Using moving lights which can track and intelligently respond to the dancers, Pattern Recognition opens up questions about learning and memory in relation to the technology of artificial intelligence, Thurs 3 - Fri 4 Nov, DanceXchange, Birmingham Hippodrome TEN Ace Dance & Music present a thought provoking full length dance production combining contemporary dance with an essence of Flamenco, Kathak, Martial Arts and Ballet, Fri 4 Nov, mac, Birmingham

Talks / Spoken Word HOW AND WHY TO LAND ON A COMET With guest speaker Dr Andrew Morse, Tues 1 Nov, Huntingdon Hall, Worcester AN AUDIENCE WITH SIR RANULPH FIENNES An evening with the 'World's Greatest Living Explorer'. Wed 2 Nov, The Bramall, Birmingham JOE KELLEHER: ON THEATRE AND POLITICS Joe Kelleher’s lecture will consider a number of questions about how contemporary theatre seeks to engage politically with the world around it, with the consequences of history and also with what is going on right now, Fri 4 Nov, The REP, Birmingham NAPOLEAN’S THEATRICAL BODY Dr Kate Astbury talks about how Napolean was able to turn theatrical imagery to his advantage when he audaciously returned to power in 1815, Sat 5 Nov, Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa

THE MAGIC OF THE MUSICALS Concertstyle show featuring hit songs from some of the biggest names in musical theatre including Andrew Lloyd Webber, Stephen Sondheim, George Gershwin & Rogers and Hammerstein, Sun 6 Nov, Stratford Artshouse, Stratford-upon-Avon

Film

CLOUD CUCKOO LAND: DING DONG An interactive musical play about ‘time’ for younger children, Sun 6 Nov, mac, Birmingham

BADEN BADEN (15) Comedy/Drama.

Starring Salomé Richard & Claude Gensac. Foreign language, subtitled. mac, Birmingham, until Wed 2 Nov

Dance

INDEPENDENT LISTINGS:

MY SCIENTOLOGY MOVIE (15) Documentary. Starring Rob Alter, Tom Cruise, Paz de la Huerta. mac, Birmingham, until Thurs 3 Nov BEN-HUR (12a) Action/Adventure.

Starring Jack Huston, Toby Kebbell.

Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, until Thurs 3 Nov

RUN 2Faced Dance present a triple bill choreographed by Tamsin Fitzgerald, Lenka Vagnerova and Rebecca Evans, with origingal music

by Angus MacRae & Tomas Vychytil, Tues 1 Nov, The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury

THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN (12a) Adventure/Western. Starring Chris Pratt, Denzel Washington. Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, until Thurs 3 Nov

VAMOS CUBA New show from

CAPTAIN FANTASTIC (15)

Run - Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury

Comedy/Drama. Starring Viggo Mortensen, George MacKay. Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Thurs 3 Nov THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN (15) Mystery/Thriller. Starring Emily Blunt, Rebecca Ferguson. Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, until Thurs 3 Nov DOCTOR STRANGE (12a) Action/Adventure. Starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Tilda Swinton. Electric Cinema, Birmingham, until Thurs 3 Nov FREE STATE OF JONES (15) Biography/Drama. Starring Matthew McConaughey, Gugu Mbatha-Raw. Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, until Thurs 3 Nov THE ANGELS' SHARE (18) Comedy/Drama . Starring Paul Brannigan, Siobhan Reilly. Electric Cinema, Birmingham, Thurs 3 Nov MAGIC MIKE (15) Comedy/Drama.

Starring Channing Tatum, Alex Pettyfer. The Mockingbird, Birmingham, Fri 4 Nov SONITA (15) Documentary. Starring Sonita Alizadeh, Rokhsareh Ghaemmaghami. Foreign language, subtitled. mac, Birmingham, Fri 4 Wed 9 Nov I, DANIEL BLAKE (15) Drama. Starring Dave Johns, Hayley Squires, Dylan McKiernan. mac, Birmingham, Fri 4 Thurs 10 Nov; Malvern Theatres, Fri 4 - Thurs 10 Nov THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS (U) Comedy/Animation. Starring Louis C.K., Eric Stonestreet. Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Sat 5 Nov FIREWORKS (18) Crime/Drama.

Starring Takeshi Kitano, Kayoko Kishimoto. Foreign language, subtitled. The Albany Theatre, Coventry, Sat 5 Nov OH, MR. PORTER! (U) Comedy. Starring Will Hay. Electric Cinema, Birmingham, Sun 6 Nov

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Tuesday 1 - Sunday 6 November NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: Released from Tues 1 Nov, showing at selected cinemas THE LIGHT BETWEEN OCEANS (12a) Thurs 3 Nov, showing at selected cinemas DENNIS VIOLLET: A UNITED MAN (tbc) Fri 4 Nov, showing at selected cinemas THE ACCOUNTANT (15) NOCTURNAL ANIMALS (15) RUPTURE (15) A STREET CAT NAMED BOB (12a) THE DARKEST UNIVERSE (15)

Events GINO D'ACAMPO SIGNING Gino D'Acampo signs copies of his latest book, Gino's Hidden Italy, Thurs 3 Nov, Waterstones - High St, Birmingham CRAFTS FOR CHRISTMAS The perfect place to start your Christmas preparations, with a host of gifts you wouldn’t usually find on the high street, Thurs 3 - Sun 6 Nov, NEC, Birmingham ART MATERIALS LIVE Hone your painting skills and pick up top tips from

the experts via a variety of free workshops and demonstrations, Thurs 3 Sun 6 Nov, NEC, Birmingham THE STITCHING, SEWING & HOBBYCRAFT SHOW Supplies, innovations, demonstrations and workshops, Thurs 3 Sun 6 Nov, NEC, Birmingham CAKE INTERNATIONAL The Sugarcraft, Cake Decorating & Baking Show makes a welcome return, Fri 4 - Sun 6 Nov, NEC, Birmingham LITTLE WARRIOR WEEKENDS Teach your little warriors the skills required to conquer fierce dragons and medieval battles, Fri 4 - Sat 5 Nov, Warwick Castle MIND BODY SPIRIT WELLBEING FESTIVAL Featuring 100 exhibitors, 27 workshops, live music, a wellbeing studio & spa, a ceremony space and a juice bar, Fri 4 - Sun 6 Nov, NEC, Birmingham FOUR NATIONS TOURNAMENT - DOUBLE HEADER Sat 5 Nov, Ricoh Arena, Coventry AUTOMOTIVE HISTORY IN WATERCOLOUR One-day workshop covering all the steps necessary to create a watercolour masterpiece, Sat 5 Nov, British Motor Museum, Gaydon PRIDE, PREJUDICE AND PETTICOATS: REGENCY FASHION FROM JANE AUSTEN TO CRANFORD Tutor Alison Taylor explores women’s clothing from 1800

to the mid-1830s, examining details of surviving garments in museum collections and comparing them with contemporary images and descriptions, Sat 5 Nov, Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry BIG AMATEUR WEEKEND Become an RSC actor for the weekend and experience how the performers and directors prepare and rehearse for a show, Sat 5 - Sun 6 Nov, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratfordupon-Avon THE NATIONAL PET SHOW 2015 Featuring hundreds of different animals, animal action displays, informative talks and demonstrations, Sat 5 - Sun 6 Nov, NEC, Birmingham THE SOOTY SHOW: SOOTY IN SPACE Sat 5 - Sun 6 Nov, Cadbury World, Bournville, Birmingham THE GUNPOWDER TREASON WEEKEND A weekend dedicated to the Gunpowder Plot, including a 35minute family play delivered by reenactors Sir Robert Cecil's Men, Sat 5 - Sun 6 Nov, Blakesley Hall, Birmingham SHARK WEEK See sharks in all shapes and sizes and learn to identify different types, Sat 5 - Sun 13 Nov, National Sea Life Centre, Birmingham

Bonfires & Firework Displays FIREWORKS SPECTACULAR WITH LASER SHOW Tues 1 Nov, Hampton Court Castle, Herefordshire LEAMINGTON RUGBY CLUB BONFIRE & FIREWORKS NIGHT Fri 4 Nov, Moorefields, Leamington Spa BISHOPS TACHBROOK BONFIRE & FIREWORKS Fri 4 Nov, Bishops Tachbrook Meadow, Warwickshire FIREWORKS FRENZY Sat 5 Nov, Santa Pod Raceway, Northants FIREWORKS AT SIXWAYS Sat 5 Nov, Sixways Stadium, Worcester KENILWORTH ROUND TABLE BONFIRE & FIREWORKS GALA Sat 5 Nov, Kenilworth Castle WARWICK TOWN FIREWORKS Sat 5 Nov, Warwick Racecourse BONFIRE NIGHT AT HILL TOP FARM Sat 5 Nov, Hilltop Farm, Leamington Spa EDGBASTON STADIUM FIREWORKS SPECTACULAR Sat 5 Nov, Edgbaston Stadium FIREWORKS DISPLAY Sat 5 Nov, Birmingham Botanical Gardens

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thelist Gigs

SLEAFORD MODS Mon 7 Nov, The Empire, Coventry AFRO CELT SOUND SYSTEM Mon 7 Nov, Birmingham Town Hall SILVERSUN PICKUP Mon 7 Nov, O2 Institute, Birmingham ANATHEMA Mon 7 Nov, The Assembly, Leamington Spa TIBET Mon 7 Nov, Hare & Hounds, Birmingham IDLES Mon 7 Nov, O2 Academy, Birmingham THE VINTAGE CARAVAN Mon 7 Nov, The Rainbow Venues, Birmingham DELAIN Tues 8 Nov, O2 Institute, Birmingham BEN CAPLAN Tues 8 Nov, The Rainbow Venues, Birmingham TIGERCUB Tues 8 Nov, The Marr's Bar, Worcester DAVID ESSEX Tues 8 Nov, Symphony Hall, Birmingham BASTILLE Tues 8 Nov, Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham EARTH Tues 8 Nov, The Rainbow Venues, Birmingham GLENN HUGHES & LIVING COLOUR Tues 8 Nov, The Assembly, Leamington Spa CHAS N DAVE Wed 9 Nov, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry GREG ABATE Wed 9 Nov, Stratford Artshouse, Stratford-upon-Avon THAT'LL BE THE DAY Wed 9 Nov, Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa GREGORY PECK'S JAZZ, FUNK AND SOUL OPEN MIC NIGHT Wed 9 Nov, The Night Owl, B’ham LUCIA CADOTSCH Wed 9 Nov, mac, Birmingham SERATONES Wed 9 Nov, Hare & Hounds, B’ham THE GRAHAM BONNET BAND Wed 9 Nov, The River Rooms, Stourbridge SHOW OF HANDS WITH MIRANDA SYKES Thurs 10 Nov, Birmingham Town Hall LIMEHOUSE LIZZY Thurs 10 Nov, The Marr's Bar, Worcester THE WYTCHES Thurs 10 Nov, O2 Institute,

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Monday 7 - Sunday 13 November

Birmingham

GLENN TILBROOK - THE BEST OF TIMES Thurs 10 Nov, Huntingdon Hall, Worcester KEITH THOMPSON BAND Thurs 10 Nov, Katie Fitzgerald's, Stourbridge THE CADILLAC THREE Thurs 10 Nov, O2 Academy, Birmingham MICK FLANNERY Thurs 10 Nov, The Glee Club, Birmingham BRYDE + ME FOR QUEEN Thurs 10 Nov, The Sunflower Lounge, Birmingham ALCEST AND MONO Thurs 10 Nov, O2 Academy, Birmingham ANOUSHKA SHANKAR Thurs 10 Nov, Symphony Hall, B’ham DARKSIDE - THE PINK FLOYD SHOW Fri 11 Sat 12 Nov, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry LIVEWIRE - TRIBUTE TO AC/DC Fri 11 Nov, The Assembly, Leamington Spa PEARL JAM U.K Fri 11 Nov, O2 Academy, Birmingham LEGEND OF A BAND Fri 11 Nov, Malvern Theatres HORSE MEAT DISCO Fri 11 Nov, Hare & Hounds, Birmingham RAVEN EYE Fri 11 Nov, The Marr's Bar, Worcester

Palace Theatre, Redditch RAYMOND FROGGATT Sat 12 Nov, Artrix, Bromsgrove PEACOCK ANGEL Sat 12 Nov, Artrix, Bromsgrove TOM ODELL Sat 12 Nov, O2 Academy, B’ham RONI SIZE Sat 12 Nov, Hare & Hounds, B’ham IVOR & LYN'S CLASSIC ROCK DISCO Sat 12 Nov, Route 44, Birmingham THE WAILERS Sat 12 Nov, O2 Institute, Birmingham MUSED (Muse Tribute) Sat 12 Nov, The Marr's Bar, Worcester THE SENSATIONAL 'MOTOWN' PARTY WITH THE BROTHERS OF SOUL Sat 12 Nov, Nailcote Hall, Berkswell, Warwickshire ELAINE PAIGE Sat 12 Nov, Malvern Theatres THE CLONE ROSES Sat 12 Nov, O2 Academy, Birmingham FOREVER IN BLUE JEANS Sat 12 Nov, The Swan Theatre, Worcester PERMAGEDDON Sat 12 Nov, The River Rooms, Stourbridge THE DAMNED - 40TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR Sat 12 Nov, The Assembly, Leamington Spa POP UP BOWIE Sat 12 Nov, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry

Classical Music MILOS KARADAGLIC: BACH TO BEATLES Also featuring the Royal Northern Sinfonia. Programme includes works

by JS Bach, Francisco Tarrega, Manuel De Falla, Anon, Vivaldi, Granados, Joaquin Rodrigo, Luigi Boccherini, Carlos Gardel, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Astor Piazzolla & The Beatles, Mon 7 Nov, Symphony Hall, Birmingham ORCHESTRA OF THE SWAN: BACH TO THE FUTURE Featuring Diane Clark (flute); Victoria Brawn (oboe); Hugh Davies (trumpet); David Le Page (violin) & David Curtis (conductor).

Programme includes works by Bach arr Steve Marland, Bach, Douglas Cuomo & Stravinsky, Tues 8 Nov, Stratford Artshouse, Stratford-uponAvon THE TELLING WITH JAN CHAPPELL Featuring Clare Norburn & Yvonne Eddy (sopranos) & Leah Stuttard (harp), Tues 8 Nov, St Mary’s Church, Warwick ORCHESTRA OF THE SWAN: BACH TO THE FUTURE Featuring Diane Clark (flute); Victoria Brawn (oboe); Hugh Davies (trumpet); David Le Page (violin) & David Curtis (conductor).

Programme includes works by Bach arr Steve Marland, Bach, Douglas Cuomo & Stravinsky, Wed 9 Nov, Birmingham Town Hall A SHAKESPEARE AND VERLAINE SONGBOOK Featuring Carolyn Sampson (soprano) & Jospeh Middleton (piano). Programme includes works by Schubert, Haydn, Purcell, Schumann, R Strauss, Vaughan Williams, Britten, Gurney, Bush, Debussy & Faure, Wed 9 Nov, The Barber Institute, Birmingham KEVIN VOLANS SPOTLIGHT Programme comprises Volans' Piano Concerto No.4, Fri 11 Nov, CBSO Centre, Birmingham

ARCHITECTS Fri 11 Nov, O2 Institute, B’ham

THE ELTON JOHN STORY STARRING JIMMY LOVE Sat 12 Nov, Huntingdon Hall, Worcester

THE BOOTLEG SIXTIES Fri 11 Nov, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry

LAS KELLIES Sat 12 Nov, The Tin Music And Arts, Coventry

POMEGRANATE PIANO TRIO Programme includes works by Mozart, Nicholas Maw & Schubert, Fri 11 Nov, Artrix, Bromsgrove

MARGARET GLASPY Fri 11 Nov, The Sunflower Lounge, Birmingham

SNOWBIRDS & COFFINDODGERS GROOVE’N’DISCO Sat 12 Nov, Stratford Artshouse, Stratfordupon-Avon

CZECH NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Featuring pianist Mark Bebbington. Programme includes works by Smetana, Grieg, Philip Glass & Dvorak, Sat 12 Nov, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry

LACUNA COIL Sun 13 Nov, O2 Institute, Birmingham

THREE SPIRES HARMONY A Coventrybased group performing a range of traditional and more modern songs in four-part a capella, Sat 12 Nov, Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa

BETH HART Fri 11 Nov, Symphony Hall, B’ham

STARMAN: DAVID BOWIE A MUSICAL CELEBRATION Fri 11 Nov, The Core Theatre, Solihull CHERYL, MIKE AND JAY (Formerly of Bucks Fizz) The 35th Anniversary Tour Fri 11 Nov, The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury THE PRIMEVALS, BLACK BOMBERS & THE DE RELLAS Fri 11 Nov, Hare & Hounds, B’ham POMEGRANATE PIANO TRIO Fri 11 Nov, Artrix, Bromsgrove THANK YOU FOR THE MUSIC The ultimate tribute to ABBA and the Bee Gees, Sat 12 Nov,

NEW MODEL ARMY Sun 13 Nov, O2 Institute, Birmingham KIM CYPHER & LEE JONES Sun 13 Nov, The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury THE PRISTINES Sun 13 Nov, The Tin Music And Arts, Coventry BILLY BRAGG & JOE HENRY Sun 13 Nov, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry

BEASTDOME: ENVISION Featuring guest artist Freida Abtan, Sat 12 Nov, The Bramall, Birmingham CBSO: SPECTACULAR CLASSICS Featuring Anthony Inglis (conductor), Anthony James Edwards (tenor), James Cleverton (baritone) & the City Of Birmingham Choir.

Programme includes works by Orff, Grieg, Elgar, Handel, Brahms, Bizet, Ravel, Wagner, Rossini, Verdi, Tchaikovsky, Wood & Arne, Sat 12 Nov, Symphony Hall, Birmingham

ST MICHAEL’S SINGERS CONCERT Programme comprises Karl Jenkins’ The Armed Man, Sat 12 Nov, Coventry Cathedral CHANDOS: THE FRIENDS 25TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT Featuring Michael Lloyd (conductor) & David Cohen (cello). Programme includes works by Bax, Elgar, Lalo & Prokofiev, Sun 13 Nov, Malvern Theatres RODERICK WILLIAMS SINGS WINTERREISE Sun 13 Nov, King’s High School, Warwick LONDON CONCERT ORCHESTRA: SIMPLY GERSHWIN Featuring Gavin Sutherland (conductor), Viv McLean (piano), Gweneth-Ann Jeffers (soprano) & Njabulo Madlala (baritone).

Sun 13 Nov, Symphony Hall, Birmingham SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Programme includes works by Borodin, Elgar & Britten, Sun 13 Nov, Stratford Artshouse, Stratford-upon-Avon BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONIC BRASS Sun 13 Nov, The Barber Institute, Birmingham GROOVE TOWN: BIRMINGHAM'S VOICE OF THE TOWN CHOIR Sun 13 Nov, mac, Birmingham

Comedy Gigs CHEEKY MONKEY COMEDY Tues 8 Nov, The Dark Horse, Birmingham JONATHAN PIE Tues 8 Nov, Artrix, Bromsgrove TOM STADE Wed 9 Nov, The Glee Club, Birmingham THE CATHERINE TATE SHOW LIVE Thurs 10 Nov, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry PATRICK MONAHAN, IMRAN YUSUF & COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBINSON Thurs 10 Nov, The Glee Club, Birmingham JAKE LAMBERT, PAUL MCCAFFREY & PHIL JERROD Thurs 10 Nov, The Bramall, Birmingham ELLIE TAYLOR Fri 11 Nov, The Core Theatre, Solihull PATRICK MONAHAN, IMRAN YUSUF, GEORGE ZACH & JOSH HOWIE Fri 11 Sat 12 Nov, The Glee Club, Birmingham GLENN WOOL, DAN NIGHTINGALE, SCOTT BENNETT & PETE OTWAY Fri 11 - Sat 12 Nov, The Comedy Loft, Birmingham FREDDIE FARRELL & ROB KEMP Sat 12 Nov, mac, Birmingham DAN NIGHTINGALE, ANDY FURY, DAN EVANS & HARRIET KEMSLEY Sat 12 Nov, Coventry Showcase JOSH HOWIE Sun 13 Nov, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry JEN BRISTER, JAYDE ADAMS, LINDSEY SANTORO & MAUREEN YOUNGER Sun 13 Nov, Penthouse Conference & Events Centre, Birmingham SEAN LOCK Sun 13 Nov, Birmingham Hippodrome

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Theatre

play about courage, bravery and swing dancing, Wed 9 Nov, The Fleece Inn, Worcester

HOW THE OTHER HALF LOVES Amateur production of Alan Ayckbourn’s comic farce, Mon 7 Sat 12 Nov, Talisman Theatre, Kenilworth

MACBETH Welsh National Opera (WNO) present a new production of Verdi’s adaptation of Shakespeare’s famous tragedy, Wed 9 Nov, Birmingham Hippodrome

THE MERCHANT OF VENICE WNO present a new production, sung in English with surtitles, Tues 8 Nov, Birmingham Hippodrome

BEDROOM FARCE Second Thoughts Drama Group present an amateur production of Alan Ayckbourn's sparkling comedy, Wed 9 - Sat 12 Nov, The Bear Pit Theatre - The United Reformed Church, Stratfordupon-Avon

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING ERNIE The heart-warming story of Morecambe & Wise, Tues 8 Nov, Bedworth Civic Hall LIFE IS NO LAUGHING MATTER An autobiographical live art/stand up/theatre performance about mental illness, suicide and radical cure attempts, Tues 8 - Wed 9 Nov, mac, Birmingham 946: THE AMAZING STORY OF ADOLPHUS TIPS Kneehigh Theatre fuse music, puppetry and foolishness to tell Michael Morpurgo’s tale of war, prejudice and love, based on his novel of the same name, Tues 8 Sat 12 Nov, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry THE TEMPEST The Bard's magical exploration of revenge, forgiveness, love & magic, Tues 8 Nov - Sat 21 Jan, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon MINISTRY OF SCIENCE Anarchic stage show taking a look at the inventors and engineers who’ve shaped and inspired the modern world, Tues 8 Nov, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre PRIDE AND PREJUDICE Regent’s Park Theatre present a new staging of Jane Austen’s romantic comedy, Tues 8 - Sat 12 Nov, The REP, Birmingham IOLANTHE Worcestershire Gilbert & Sullivan present a ‘new and exciting’ production of Gilbert & Sullivan’s comic opera, Tues 8 - Sat 12 Nov, The Rose Theatre, Kidderminster

LEGALLY BLONDE Amateur production presented by Coventry Youth Theatre Operetta Group, Wed 9 Sat 12 Nov, Albany Theatre, Coventry ABSURD PERSON SINGULAR Warwick University Drama Society (WUDS) present Alan Ayckbourn's classic farce, Wed 9 - Sat 12 Nov, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry PUPPETRY OF THE PENIS Non-sexual show that features full-frontal male nudity. Suitable for adults only!

Thurs 10 Nov, The Swan Theatre, Worcester AN EVENING OF BURLESQUE Scintillating, titillating, mesmerising, fantasising, a place you’ve never seen, a world you’ve never been all in one evening!, Thurs 10 Nov, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry PADDY The story of a young Irish emigrant who leaves Mayo in the 1960s in search of fame and fortune, Thurs 10 Nov, Palace Theatre, Redditch SLEEPING BEAUTY Traditional pantomime presented by Birmingham Youth Theatre, Thurs 10 - Sat 12 Nov, The Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham KISS ME KATE Welsh National Opera present a 1940s-set musical version of Shakespeare’s The Taming Of The Shrew, Thurs 10 - Sat 12 Nov, Birmingham Hippodrome

SOME GUYS HAVE ALL THE LUCK - THE ROD STEWART STORY Theatrical production celebrating the career of one of rock’s greatest icons, Wed 9 Nov, New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham

NABUCCO Opera & Ballet International present an Ellen Kent production of Verdi's haunting and melodic chorus of the Hebrew Slaves, Fri 11 Nov, New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham

THINK OF ENGLAND Anonymous Is A Woman Theatre Co present a new

JOE BLACK: MEET ME AT THE ELDORADO Joe Black presents an evening

Paddy - Palace Theatre, Redditch & Bedworth Civic Hall

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of fun, filth and frivolity that pays homage to the decadent Weimar Berlin nightlife, Fri 11 Nov, Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham

SOME GUYS HAVE ALL THE LUCK - THE ROD STEWART STORY Theatrical production celebrating the career of one of rock’s greatest icons, Fri 11 Nov, Palace Theatre, Redditch

Monday 7 - Sunday 13 November Factory, Warwick WHY THE WHALES CAME Award-winning performer and storyteller Danyah Miller brings to life Michael Morpurgo's enchanting tale. Created

by Wizard, the team behind the much-acclaimed production of I Believe In Unicorns, Sun 13 Nov, mac, Birmingham MAVIS SPARKLE M6’s production mixes magic, illusion, animation and laughter, Sun 13 Nov, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry

WHY THE WHALES CAME Former Children’s Laureate and award-winning War Horse author Michael Morpurgo demonstrates why he’s considered a master storyteller with yet another of his beautifully crafted tales for children, Sat 12 Nov, Stourbridge Town Hall GHOST STORIES FOR CHRISTMAS Don’t Go Into The Cellar present an evening of macabre Victorian theatre, Sat 12 Nov, Palace Theatre, Redditch POOH’S BASKET OF SURPRISES The classic stories of Winnie The Pooh, narrated by a professional storyteller, Sat 12 Nov, Palace Theatre, Redditch MIRRORS AND MAKEUP Musical examining some of the key social issues that can often compromise the development of young people, Sat 12 Nov, South & City College, Digbeth, Birmingham THE MAGIC FLUTE Featuring Mozart’s beautiful music and celebrating the birth of teen culture, this timeless coming-of-age story explores the other-worldliness which glamorous Hollywood brought to post-war Britain, Sat 12 Nov, Birmingham Botanical Gardens DEEP IN THE HEART OF ME New play featuring the music of the Sinatra-led Rat Pack and exploring midlife anxiety and empty-nest syndrome, Sat 12 Nov, The Wellington Hotel, Bristol Street, Birmingham THERE’S NO OTHER EXCEPT ME Performance installation which invites audience members to respond to the potential of unanticipated dialogues through telephonic interactions, Sat 12 Nov, Birmingham Open Media (BOM), Birmingham THE MAGIC SWAN Based on a Russian folk tale, this family fantasy blends live action with puppetry to tell the story of how a swan’s gift transforms the lives of a starving peasant family, Sat 12 - Sun 13 Nov, The Dream

THINK OF ENGLAND Anonymous Is A Woman Theatre Co present a new play about courage, bravery and swing dancing, Sun 13 Nov, Fairfield Village Hall, Worcestershire

Dance ROMEO AND JULIET Ballet Theatre UK presents its version of the world’s greatest love story, Wed 9 Nov, The Roses, Tewkesbury

Talks AN AUDIENCE WITH GERVASE PHINN Join the raconteur as he shares poignant tales of life as a schools inspector in the Yorkshire Dales, Mon 13 Nov, Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa

Film INDEPENDENT CINEMAS: BRIDGE OF SPIES (12) History/Thriller.

Starring Tom Hanks, Mark Rylance.

Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Tues 8 Nov FORBIDDEN GROUND (15) Drama/War. Starring Johan Earl, Tim Pocock.

Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Tues 8 Nov THINGS TO COME (12A) Drama.

Starring Isabelle Huppert, André Marcon. Malvern Theatres, Tues 8 -

Mavis Sparkle - Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry

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946: The Amazing Story Of Adolphus Tips Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Tues 8 - Sat 12 November

Lily Tregenza’s life on a farm in Slapton is pretty idyllic, even though beyond the picturesque seaside village’s boundaries the Second World War is raging. Lily’s dad is away and her school is being attended by evacuee children - but other than that, her world remains untouched by the terrible conflict. Until, that is, the villagers are told to leave their homes so that the allies can use Slapton to practise their landings for D-Day. When Lily’s cat finds her way beyond the ‘keep out’ signs and through the barbed wire, the 12-year-old girl thinks little of her own safety as she searches for her beloved pet...

Michael Morpurgo’s delightful story is here presented by the everinventive Kneehigh theatre company, who cleverly combine music, puppetry and ‘foolishness’ to recount a tale that’s been described by The Times as a life-affirming piece of theatre.

Thurs 10 Nov THE BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN (PG) Drama/Horror. Starring Boris Karloff, Elsa Lanchester. Electric Cinema, Birmingham, Wed 9 Nov

SINS OF THE FLESH + Q&A (15) Drama.

Starring Nahed El Sebai, Ahmed Abdala Mahomud, Zaki Faten.

Foreign language, subtitled. mac, Birmingham, Sat 12 Nov

BRIDGET JONES'S BABY (15) Comedy/Romance. Starring Renée Zellweger, Gemma Jones. Artrix, Bromsgrove, Wed 9 & Fri 11 Nov

ODDBALL AND THE PENGUINS (U) Adventure/Family. Starring Alan Tudyk, Sarah Snook. Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Sat 12 Nov

NT LIVE: THE DEEP BLUE SEA ( 12A) Drama. Starring Helen McCrory, Peter Sullivan. mac, Birmingham, Thurs 10 Nov

ELSTREE 1976 (12) Documentary.

Starring Laurie Goode. Electric Cinema, Birmingham, Sat 12 Nov

PANIC + Q&A (15) Drama/Thriller.

Starring David Gyasi, Pippa Nixon, Jason Wong. mac, Birmingham, Thurs 10 Nov

THE COLOR PURPLE (18) Drama.

Starring Danny Glover, Whoopi Goldberg, Margaret Avery, Oprah Winfrey. mac, Birmingham, Sun 13 Nov

SIDEWAYS (18) Comedy/Drama.

Starring Paul Giamatti, Thomas Haden Church. Electric Cinema, Birmingham, Thurs 10 Nov

SEMBENE! + Q&A (12A) Documentary.

Starring Mbissine Thérèse Diop, Ousmane Sembene. mac, Birmingham, Sun 13 Nov

ETHEL & ERNEST (15) Animation/Drama. Starring Jim Broadbent, Pam Ferris, Luke Treadaway. mac, Birmingham, Fri 11Wed 16 Nov

THE WOLF MAN (PG) Drama/Horror.

Starring Lon Chaney Jnr., Claude Rains. Electric Cinema, Birmingham, Sun 13 Nov

AMERICAN HONEY (15) Drama. Starring Sasha Lane, Shai La Beouf, McCaul Lombardi, Arielle Holmes. mac, Birmingham, Fri 11- Thurs 17 Nov

SOUTHSIDE WITH YOU (12A) Biography/Drama. Starring Tika Sumpter, Parker Sawyers. Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Sun 13 - Fri 18 Nov

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Monday 7 - Sunday 13 November NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: Released from Thurs 10 Nov, showing at selected cinemas ARRIVAL (12a) A HUNDRED STREETS (15) AMERICAN PASTORAL (15) THE INNOCENTS (15)

Events CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS SNOOKER Featuring defending champion Neil Robertson and China Open winner, Judd Trump. Mon 7 Nov - Sat 12 Nov, Ricoh Arena, Coventry WWE LIVE Popular WWE superstars and divas. all under one roof, Wed 9 Nov, Genting Arena, Birmingham KNITTING FOR VICTORY WORLD RECORD DAY Thurs 10 Nov, Upton House & Gardens, Warwickshire FAMILY DROP-IN SESSIONS Grow and explore outdoors. For pre-school children, Thurs 10 Nov, Hill Close Gardens, Warwick FESTIVE GIFT FAIR Combine your Christmas shopping with an entertaining, inspiring and fun day out,

Thurs 10 - Sun 13 Nov, NEC, Birmingham SHOUT FESTIVAL Birmingham’s LGBTQ Arts Festival returns for its 8th edition, Thurs 10 Nov - Sun 20 Nov, Various locations across Birmingham - including mac, Old Joint Stock Theatre, Electric Cinema.

BOM, Birmingham, The Penthouse, and Birmingham REP. For full details of performances and events, visit shoutfestival.co.uk LITTLE WARRIOR WEEKENDS Teach your little warriors the skills required to conquer fierce dragons and mediaeval battles, Fri 11 - Sat 12 Nov, Warwick Castle WINTER MARKET FOOD & CRAFTS Featuring more than 40 independent retailers, creatives and artists, Fri 11 Sat 12 Nov, Fargo Village, Coventry LANCASTER INSURANCE CLASSIC MOTOR SHOW Featuring over 2,000 classic cars, 300 motorcycles, 600 trade stands and the biggest indoor autojumble, Fri 11 - Sun 13 Nov, NEC, Birmingham

Nov, Victoria Square, Birmingham

HOOK A POPPY FOR REMEMBRANCE DAY - CRAFT WORKSHOP Make a poppy with the craft experts and learn about rag rugging techniques, Sat 12 Nov, Birmingham Back to Backs

SILVER BANGLE WORKSHOP Join local designer-maker Grace Page to design and make your own silver bangle in a day, Sat 12 Nov, Museum of the Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham

BIRMINGHAM WHISKY FESTIVAL Sat 12

CASTLE BY CANDLELIGHT Walk through

Champion Of Champions Snooker - Ricoh Arena, Coventry

the period rooms and meet the castle characters, who’ll explore the use of light through the ages, Sat 12 Nov, Tamworth Castle HERITAGE WEEKEND AT CADBURY WORLD Sat 12 - Sun 13 Nov, Cadbury World, Bournville, Birmingham

November 2016 BROMSGROVE’S THEATRE, CINEMA, LIVE MUSIC AND COMEDY VENUE Sunday 13 November

Thursday 17 November

Tuesday 22 November

JACKSON

LADY MAISERY

TRIBUTE TO THE KING OF POP

SHINING LIGHTS OF ENGLISH FOLK MUSIC

MARTIN TURNER: EX WISHBONE ASH

Wednesday 23 November

Thursday 24 November

Friday 25 November

PETER KNIGHT’S GIGSPANNER

AUSTENTATIOUS

THINK FLOYD

AN IMPROVISED JANE AUSTEN NOVEL

PLAYING DARK SIDE OF THE MOON & WISH YOU WERE HERE

FEATURING EX-STEELEYE SPAN’S PETER KNIGHT

AN EVENING OF WISHBONE ASH & BEYOND

COMING SOON: Martin Simpson, Nick Ross Orchestra, Beth Vyse, Jonathan Pie, Pomegranate Piano Trio, Peacock Angell, Raymond Froggatt, Glenn Tilbrook, Marcus Brigstocke, Robinson-Stone, Barnstormers Comedy, Nya’s House Of Soul, Outspoken, Mi Luna, Sunny Ormonde, Abba Forever, Winter Mountain, Seann Walsh, NYE with The Beat Brothers Download the Artrix brochure on www.artrix.co.uk

www.artrix.co.uk or phone 01527 577330 Artrix, Bromsgrove, B60 1GN

Free parking on-site

@artrixarts @artrix arts centre

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thelist Gigs

NATHANIEL RATELIFF AND THE NIGHT SWEATS Mon 14 Nov, O2 Academy, Birmingham IS BLISS Mon 14 Nov, The Sunflower Lounge, Birmingham OLIVIA ROSE DEANE AND SOPHIA MARSHALL Mon 14 Nov, Kitchen Garden Cafe, B’ham THE WAVE PICTURES Mon 14 Nov, Hare & Hounds, Birmingham MUTANT MONSTER / TOUCH MY SECRET Mon 14 Nov, Hare & Hounds, Birmingham LUCKY CHOPS Mon 14 Nov, O2 Institute, Birmingham RUMOURS OF FLEETWOOD MAC Tues 15 Nov, Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa JULIA FORDHAM Tues 15 Nov, mac, Birmingham GLENN TILBROOK - THE BEST OF TIMES Tues 15 Nov, Artrix, Bromsgrove JACK GARRATT Tues 15 Nov, O2 Academy, Birmingham KRISTIN HERSH Tues 15 Nov, The Glee Club, Birmingham THE JOHNNY CASH ROADSHOW Wed 16 Nov, The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury MARZY'S JAMMING NIGHT Wed 16 Nov, The Marr's Bar, Worcester RYLEY WALKER Wed 16 Nov, Hare & Hounds, Birmingham PUBLIC IMAGE LTD Wed 16 Nov, The Assembly, Leamington Spa THREE TRAPPED TIGERS Wed 16 Nov, The Assembly, Leamington Spa DANNY BROWN Wed 16 Nov, The Rainbow Venues, Birmingham ALABAMA 3 Thurs 17 Nov, O2 Institute, Birmimgham CATFISH AND THE BOTTLEMEN Thurs 17 Nov, Ricoh Arena, Coventry THE COURTEENERS Thurs 17 Nov, O2 Academy, Birmingham THE HOLLIES Thurs 17 Nov, Symphony Hall, Birmingham THREE TRAPPED TIGERS Thurs 17 Nov, The

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Monday 14 - Sunday 20 November

Flapper, Birmingham

THINK FLOYD Thurs 17 Nov, The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury THE SKATALITES Thurs 17 Nov, Hare & Hounds, Birmingham KINDRED THE FAMILY SOUL & TRINA BROUSSARD Thurs 17 Nov, O2 Institute, Birmingham WALLIS BIRD Thurs 17 Nov, The Glee Club, Birmingham ANDY FAIRWEATHER LOW AND THE LOW RIDERS Thurs 17 Nov, Huntingdon Hall, Worcester MOTORHEADACHE Thurs 17 Nov, The Robin, Bilston

MARC BOLAN & T-REX Sat 19 Nov, The Roadhouse, B’ham

Classical Music

THE ANSWER AND THE DEAD DAISIES Sat 19 Nov, O2 Academy, Birmingham

LUNCHTIME ORGAN CONCERT - THOMAS TROTTER Programme includes works

by Bach, A Guilmant, G Edmundson, C.Saint-Saens (arr. Lemare) & L Boellmann, Mon 14 Nov, Birmingham Town Hall

HONEYBLOOD Sat 19 Nov, The Rainbow Venues, Birmingham SUPREME QUEEN Sat 19 Nov, The River Rooms, Stourbridge AMONG THE ECHOES, JAN DOYLE BAND, THE WEBB & WRAPPED IN PLASTIC Sat 19 Nov, The Flapper, B’ham THE ATLANTIC PLAYERS Sat 19 Nov, Hare & Hounds, Birmingham SLAVES Sat 19 Nov, O2 Academy, Birmingham

CHANGO SPASIUK Thurs 17 Nov, mac, B’ham

ROBINSON-STONE Sat 19 Nov, Artrix, Bromsgrove

RED BUTLER Thurs 17 Nov, The Roadhouse, Birmingham

GUNTHER PRAGUE Sat 19 Nov, The Tin Music And Arts, Coventry

KIKI DEE & CARMELO LUGGERI Fri 18 Nov, Stratford Artshouse, Stratford-upon-Avon

LAURA MVULA Sat 19 Nov, O2 Institute, Birmingham

MIKE STEWART LAWRENCE Fri 18 Nov, Dovehouse Theatre, Solihull THE DISCLAIMERS Fri 18 Nov, Marmalade @ The REP, Birmingham THE SMITHS LTD Fri 18 Nov, The River Rooms, Stourbridge JESS GLYNNE Fri 18 Nov, Genting Arena, Birmingham THE GRAVELTONES Fri 18 Nov, The Flapper, Birmingham

WITHOUT FLIGHT Sat 19 Nov, The Marr's Bar, Worcester PETE WYLIE & THE MIGHTY WAH! Sat 19 Nov, O2 Academy, Birmingham CHRIS BANNISTER PERFORMS THE MUSIC OF JOHN DENVER Sat 19 Nov, Huntingdon Hall, Worcester PHIL CAMPBELL’S ALL STARR BAND Sat 19 Nov, Kasbah, Coventry SIMPLY RED Sun 20 Nov, Genting Arena, Birmingham

70’S & 80’S PARTY NIGHT WITH BORDERLINE Fri 18 Nov, Nailcote Hall, Berkswell, Warwicks

GIGSPANNER Sun 20 Nov, Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa

SINNERBOY Fri 18 Nov, The Marr's Bar, Worcester

TURIN BRAKES Sun 20 Nov, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry

JAKE MORLEY Fri 18 Nov, The Sunflower Lounge, Birmingham

DOMINIC KIRWAN Sun 20 Nov, The Assembly, Leamington Spa

PUBLIC IMAGE LTD Fri 18 Nov, O2 Institute, Birmingham

THE SOLID GOLD ROCK N ROLL SHOW Sun 20 Nov, New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham

CARAVAN PALACE Fri 18 Nov, O2 Academy, Birmingham SHAUN GAMBOWL WALSH AND THE PLAGIATISTS Fri 18 Nov, O2 Academy, B’ham THE GLAMOPHONES Fri 18 Nov, The Blue Monkey Club, Great Barr, Birmingham ALLIGATR Fri 18 Nov, O2 Institute, Birmingham TOO REX - TRIBUTE TO

THE DOVETAIL TRIO Sun 20 Nov, The Fleece Inn, Bretforton, Evesham JIMMY EAT WORLD Sun 20 Nov, O2 Academy, Birmingham JOHN OTWAY BAND Sun 20 Nov, Hare & Hounds, Birmingham PETE LINCOLN Sun 20 Nov, The Roadhouse, Birmingham

HORÃCIO FERREIRA IN RECITAL Also featuring David Bekker (piano).

Programme includes works by Béla Kovács, Schumannm, Françaix, Weber, Kimmo Hakola & Brahms, Mon 14 Nov, Birmingham Town Hall VLADIMIR ASHKENAZY CONDUCTS RACHMANINOV'S SYMPHONY NO 1 Featuring Philharmonia Orchestra & Alice Sara Ott. Programme includes works by Borodin, Tchaikovsky & Rachmaninov, Tues 15 Nov, Symphony Hall, Birmingham MIRGA CONDUCTS MAHLER'S FIRST Featuring Mirga Grazinyte-Tyla (conductor) & the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Programme includes works by Serksnyte, Haydn & Mahler, Wed 16 Nov, Symphony Hall, Birmingham THE 12 ENSEMBLE Programme includes 3 British works from the ensembles forthcoming album along with Schubert's Overture in C minor, and Elgar's Elegy for Strings, Wed 16 Nov, The Bramall, Birmingham

Williams, Bob Chilcott & Elgar, Sat 19 Nov, Tewkesbury Abbey THE RAF IN CONCERT 2016 Sun 20 Nov, Symphony Hall, Birmingham UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: MAMBO The University of Warwick Wind Orchestra join forces with University dance groups to perform an extravaganza of dance & music featuring Rob Wiffin's Spirit of the Dance, Leonard Bernstein's Symphonic Dances from West Side Story, and more... Sun 20 Nov, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry CEMPR AND EARLY MODERN VOCAL ENSEMBLE Featuring Music Secreta, Sun 20 Nov, The Barber Institute, Birmingham WARWICKSHIRE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: MUSIC FROM THE FILMS Featuring Paul Leddington (conductor), Sun 20 Nov, Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa

Comedy Gigs JENNY ECLAIR Thurs 17 Nov, Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa RUSSELL KANE Thurs 17 Nov, Stratford Artshouse, Stratford-uponAvon

BRAHMS CLARINET QUINTET Featuring Oliver Janes (clarinet), Charlotte Skinner & Caroline Simon (violin), Catherine Bower (viola) & Eduardo Vassallo (cello). Programme includes works by Howells & Brahms, Thurs 17 Nov, CBSO Centre, Birmingham CBSO FRIDAY NIGHT CLASSICS: QUEEN ROCK AND SYMPHONIC SPECTACULAR Featuring the City Of Birmingham Choir, Richard Sidwell (conductor), Ricardo Afonso, Peter Eldridge, Jenna Lee James & Rachael Wooding (vocalists), Fri 18 Nov, Symphony Hall, Birmingham MUSICA SECRETA Featuring Deborah Roberts & Katherine Hawnt (sopranos), Alison Kinder (viola) & Claire Williams (harpsichord), Fri 18 Nov, The Barber Institute, Birmingham

NATHAN CATON Thurs 17 Nov, The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton STEVE WILLIAMS, JOHN HASTING & COMIC TBC Thurs 17 Nov, The Glee Club, Birmingham LAURA MONMOTH & COMICS TBC Thurs 17 Nov, The Roadhouse, Birmingham ANDREW LAWRENCE Fri 18 Nov, Huntingdon Hall, Worcester SUZI RUFFELL Fri 18 Nov, The Glee Club, Birmingham JERRY SADOWITZ Fri 18 Nov, Crescent Theatre, Birmingham STEVE WILLIAMS, JOHN HASTINGS, ELLIOT STEEL & ANDREW MCBURNEY Fri 18 - Sat 19 Nov, The Glee Club, Birmingham

WORCESTER FESTIVAL CHORAL SOCIETY & MERIDIAN SINFONIA Featuring Peter Nardone (conductor). Programme includes works by Haydn & Lauridsen, Sat 19 Nov, Worcester Cathedral

DAMIAN CLARK, KIRI PRITCHARDMCLEAN, MARK NELSON & JEFF INNOCENT Fri 18 - Sat 19 Nov, The Comedy Loft, Birmingham COMEDY CLUB 4 KIDS Sat 19 Nov, The REP, Birmingham WHITE YARDIE Sat 19 Nov, New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham

WIND BAND AND SAX CHOIR Featuring the University Music Society and Matthew Stephens-Row, Harry Hextall & Zoe Goodwin (conductors), Sat 19 Nov, The Bramall, Birmingham

PATRICK MONAHAN, JARRED CHRISTMAS, BEC HILL & TIERNAN DOUIEB Sat 19 Nov, The REP, Birmingham

PHILOMUSICA’S 50TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT Programme includes works

by Parry, Venables, Vaughan

CHRIS MARTIN, SAM AVERY, JOSH HOWIE & NICK ELLERAY Sat 19 Nov, Coventry Showcase

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thelist Theatre

THE FULL MONTY Gary Lucy, Anthony Lewis, Andrew Dunn, Louis Emerick, Chris Fountain and Kai Owen star in the much-acclaimed musical based on the smash-hit film of the same name, Mon 14 - Sat 19 Nov, Birmingham Hippodrome DEAD SHEEP Steve Nallon and Graham Seed star in Jonathan Maitland's tale of love, honour, loyalty and revenge, Mon 14 - Sat 19 Nov, Malvern Theatre Read the review at whatsonlive.co.uk OCKHAM’S RAZOR Acrobatic and, on occasion, dangerous circus entertainment, Tues 15 Nov, The Roses, Tewkesbury OUR HOUSE Featuring Madness songs Our House, Baggy Trousers, My Girl, Embarrassment, Driving In My Car, The Wings Of A Dove, Night Boat To Cairo and all-time classic It Must Be Love, Tues 15 - Sat 19 Nov, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre THE KING & I Stratford Musical Theatre present an amateur production of the Rodgers & Hammerstein classic, Tues 15 Nov - Sat 19 Nov, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry THE WITCHES OF EASTWICK Amateur production of the wickedly funny musical, based on the film of the same name, Tues 15 - Sat 19 Nov, Palace Theatre, Redditch GASP! BY CIRCONCENTRIQUE Crying Out Loud on behalf of Circus Evolution present an original show in which two fearless young men compete in a game of physical endurance, Tues 15 - Wed 16 Nov, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry THINK OF ENGLAND Anonymous Is A Woman Theatre Co present a new play about courage, bravery and swing dancing, Wed 16 Nov, Malvern Coach House REMEMBER, REMEMBER A new play by Holly Tonks, presented by Jenny Wren Productions which investigates what it means to be the ‘Guy’ everyone remembers, Wed 16 - Thurs 17 Nov, Swan Theatre, Worcester A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM Performed by Senior Students from Warwick School’s drama department, Wed 16 - Sat 19 Nov, Bridge House Theatre, Warwick BEAUTIFUL THING Jonathan Harvey’s critically acclaimed urban love story, Wed 16 - Sat 19 Nov, Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham LOOKING FOR JOHN Powerful, heartfelt and comic story about one man’s obsession with his forgotten hero, Olympic skater John Curry, Wed 16 Sat 19 Nov, The REP, Birmingham EMMA Caramba Theatre Company presents Jane Austen's timeless classic, Wed 16 - Sat 19 Nov, The Bear Pit Theatre - The United Reformed Church, Stratford-upon-Avon PSYCHIC SALLY - CALL ME PSYCHIC Thurs 17 Nov, New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham AN AFTERNOON WITH SIR ROGER

Monday 14 - Sunday 20 November MOORE Celebrating 71 years in showbusiness, former James Bond star Sir Roger talks about his extraordinary life and career, Thurs 17 Nov, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre PA/NG Featuring music, live art, performance and digital art by local emerging artists, Fri 18 Nov, mac, Birmingham PADDY The story of a young Irish emigrantwho leaves Mayo in the 1960s in search of fame and fortune, Fri 18 - Sat 19 Nov, Bedworth Civic Hall A BOY NAMED SUE Shout Festival performance exploring the need for a sense of community in an oppressively hetero-normative world, Wed 18 - Sat 19 Nov, The REP, Birmingham POLARI Curated and hosted by author Paul Burston and featuring the best in established and emerging LGBT literary talent, Sat 19 Nov, mac, Birmingham RELATIVELY SPEAKING The Crescent Theatre Company presents its version of Alan Ayckbourn’s comedy of mistaken identity & failing relationships, Sat 19 Nov - Sat 3 Dec, Crescent Theatre, Birmingham KATE O’DONNELL & CONTACT: BIG GIRLS BLOUSE Kate makes a song and dance about her life, using humour, music and costume to tell her story, Sun 20 Nov, mac, Birmingham

The Happiness Project - DanceXchange, Birmingham Hippodrome

best-selling author Ned Boulting presents for the first time an honest, self-effacing walk through the world of Bikeology, Wed 16 Nov, Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa

THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN (15) Mystery/Thriller. Starring Emily Blunt, Rebecca Ferguson. Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury Shropshire, Fri 18, Mon 21 & Tues 22 Nov

DOWN TO EARTH: AN EVENING WITH MONTY DON Fri 18 Nov, Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa

DOCTOR STRANGE (12a) Action/Adventure. Starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Tilda Swinton. mac, Birmingham, Fri 18 - Thurs 24 Nov

Film Dance THE HAPPINESS PROJECT A choreographic investigation of western society’s endless search for fulfillment, Tues 15 Nov, DanceXchange, Birmingham Hippodrome IF I COULD REACH HOME Classical and contemporary bharatanatyam and kathak, featuring 3 wonderful performers of these Indian dance forms, including BBC Young Dancer Category Finalist Vidya Patel, Sun 20 Nov, mac, Birmingham

Talks / Spoken Word

INDEPENDENT CINEMAS: SHOUT FESTIVAL: DEPARTURE (15) Drama. Starring Juliet Stevenson, Alex Lawther. mac, Birmingham, Mon 14 Nov THE DAM BUSTERS (U) Drama/History.

Starring Richard Todd, Michael Redgrave. The Albany Theatre, Coventry, Mon 14 Nov BRIDGET JONES'S BABY (15) Comedy/Romance. Starring Renée Zellweger, Gemma Jones. Artrix, Bromsgrove, Mon 14 & Fri 18 Nov SHOUT FESTIVAL: GIRLS LOST (15) Drama. Starring Tuva Jagell, Emrik Öhlander. Foreign language, subtitled. mac, Birmingham, Tues 15 Nov HOW FOOTBALL CHANGED A NATION + Q&A Documentary. Starring Adrian Chiles. mac, Birmingham, Tues 15 Nov

LICENCED TO RHYME Monthly spoken word event fusing poetry, prose and, occasionally music. Co-hosted by Maggie Doyle, Worcestershire Poet Laureate Emeritus, and past Birmingham Poet Laureate, Giovanni ‘Spoz’ Esposito, Mon 14 Nov, Artrix, Bromsgrove

CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON (PG) Drama/Horror. Starring Richard Carlson, Julie Adams. Electric Cinema, Birmingham, Tues 15 Nov

REV RICHARD COLES IN CONVERSATION The Radio Four Saturday Live Presenter (and Stratford College graduate) talks about his new book, Bringing In The Sheaves, and his fascinating career from pop to pulpit Tues 15 Nov, Stratford Artshouse

THE GOONIES (PG) Adventure.Comedy.

Starring Sean Astin, Josh Brolin. The Mockingbird, Birmingham, Wed 16 Nov

BIKEOLOGY WITH NED BOULTING Journalist, television presenter and

SHOUT FESTIVAL: THE GIRL KING (15) Biography/Drama. Starring Malin Buska, Sarah Gadon. mac, Birmingham, Wed 16 Nov

SHOUT FESTIVAL: THE NEW BLACK (15) Documentary. Directed by Yoruba Richen. mac, Birmingham, Thurs 17 Nov

QUEEN OF KATWE (PG) Biography/Drama. Starring Lupita Nyong'o, David Oyelowo. mac, Birmingham, Fri 18 - Thurs 24 Nov CARMEN JONES (U) Drama/Musical.

Starring Dorothy Dandridge, Harry Belafonte. mac, Birmingham, Fri 18 Sun 20 Nov ASTÉRIX & OBÉLIX: MANSIONS OF THE GODS (PG) Animation/Adventure.

Starring Roger Carel, Lorànt Deutsch. Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Sat 19 Nov LE DINER DES CONS (12a) Comedy.

Starring Thierry Lhermitte, Jacques Villeret. Foreign language, subtitled.

Malvern Theatres, Sat 19 Nov MADAME BOVARY (12a) Drama/Romance. Starring Isabelle Huppert, Jean-François Balmer.

Foreign language, subtitled. Malvern Theatres, Sat 19 Nov AU REVOIR LES ENFANTS (12a) Drama/Romance. Starring Gaspard Manesse, Raphael Fejtö. Foreign language, subtitled. Malvern Theatres, Sat 19 Nov AMÉLIE (15) Comedy/Romance.

Starring Audrey Tautou, Mathieu Kassovitz. Foreign language, subtitled. Malvern Theatres, Sun 20 Nov LE BOSSU (15) Drama/Adventure.

Starring Daniel Auteuil, Fabrice Luchini. Foreign language, subtitled.

Malvern Theatres, Sun 20 Nov LE DERNIER METRO (15) Drama/Romance. Starring Catherine Deneuve, Gérard Depardieu. Foreign language, subtitled. Malvern Theatres, Sun 20 Nov SHOUT FESTIVAL: DAWN and ARIEL (12a) Drama. Two short films. mac, Birmingham, Sun 20 Nov

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thelist NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE:

Released from Thurs 17 Nov, showing at selected cinemas FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM (tbc) GIMME DANGER (tbc) INDIGNATION (15)

Monday 14 - Sunday 20 November Nov - Thurs 29 Dec, Birmingham City Centre CRAFTING FOR CHRISTMAS: WREATH WORKSHOPS Learn a new skill and create a beautiful wreath, ready for Christmas, Fri 18 Nov, Upton House & Gardens, Warwickshire

THE INNOCENTS (15)

SPANISH RIDING SCHOOL OF VIENNA 450TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR The world’s oldest and most famous equestrian academy celebrates its 450th anniversary, Fri 18 - Sun 20 Nov, Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham

Events

SANTA'S WINTER WONDERLAND Fri 18 Nov - Sat 31 Dec, The Snowdome, Tamworth

AMERICAN PASTORAL (15)

CHRISTMAS WREATH MAKING Tues 15 Nov, Avoncroft Museum, Bromsgrove LUNATICK ASTRONOMY Join Odyssey Dramatic Presentations for an illustrated talk, accompanied by music and props and presented in the exact setting of the Lunar Society, Thurs 17 Nov, Soho House, Birmingham THE SKILLS SHOW One-stop shop for careers inspiration, bringing jobs and skills to life in a highly interactive environment, Thurs 17 - Sat 19 Nov, NEC, Birmingham BIRMINGHAM FRANKFURT CHRISTMAS MARKET The famous festive market returns for another year, Thurs 17

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SPARK YOUNG WRITERS GROUP Monthly writing group for young people interested in creative writing, from poems to plays, and from editing to dialogue, Sat 19 Nov, The Other Place, Stratford-upon-Avon CHRISTMAS RAG WREATH MAKING Learn the history of the craft and the techniques needed to create your own wreath, Sat 19 Nov, Birmingham Back to Backs

Motorcycle Live - NEC, Birmingham

a Christmas on the home front at Croft. Find Father Christmas in his workshop, Sat 19 - Sun 20 Nov, Croft Castle, nr Leominster CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION WEEKENDS Santa stars in his very own show, with a gift for every child, Sat 19 Sun 20 Nov, Cadbury World, Bournville, Birmingham

CRAFTING FOR CHRISTMAS: WREATH WORKSHOPS Learn a new skill and create a beautiful wreath, ready for Christmas, Sat 19 Nov, Upton House & Gardens, Warwickshire

MCM BIRMINGHAM COMIC CON Numerous celebrities make guest appearances at this well-established show, including Flash Gordon star Sam Jones, Sat 19 - Sun 20 Nov, NEC, Birmingham

CHRISTMAS ON THE CROFT HOME FRONT Experience the camaraderie of

MOTORCYCLE LIVE Representing the best products, bikes and services

available from leading companies across the globe, Sat 19 - Sun 27 Nov, NEC, Birmingham ICE SKATE BIRMINGHAM Get your skates on in beautiful city surroundings, Sat 19 Nov - Sun 8 Jan, Centenary Square, Birmingham PANORAMA TOWER OPEN DAY Sun 20 Nov, Croome Park, Worcestershire FAMILY CHRISTMAS PUDDING MAKING Get hands-on and make your own Christmas pudding, Sun 20 Nov, Avoncroft Museum, Bromsgrove CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAYRE Sun 20 Nov, The Jinney Ring Craft Centre, Bromsgrove

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thelist Gigs

AIRBOURNE Mon 21 Nov, O2 Institute, Birmingham CHARLIE HUNTER Mon 21 Nov, Hare & Hounds, Birmingham MADELEINE PEYROUX Mon 21 Nov, Birmingham Town Hall TOY Tues 22 Nov, The Rainbow Venues, Birmingham SHE MAKES WAR Tues 22 Nov, The Sunflower Lounge, Birmingham ELVIS PRESLEY LIVE ON SCREEN WITH THE ROYAL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA Tues 22 Nov, Genting Arena, Birmingham

Monday 21 - Wednesday 30 November

BLAZIN' FIDDLES Thurs 24 Nov, Huntingdon Hall, Worcester

SUICIDE SILENCE Sat 26 Nov, O2 Academy, Birmingham

MELANIE MARTINEZ Thurs 24 Nov, O2 Institute, Birmingham

BOURBON ALLEY Sat 26 Nov, The Marr's Bar, Worcester

CHASE & STATUS Thurs 24 Nov, O2 Academy, Birmingham

BARRY STEELE AS ROY ORBISON Sat 26 Nov, Palace Theatre, Redditch

YESTERDAY, TODAY, FOREVER Thurs 24 Nov, Hare & Hounds, Birmingham CURVED AIR Fri 25 Nov, Huntingdon Hall, Worcester CHRIS WOOD Fri 25 Nov, Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa THE NAKED BEATLES Fri 25 Nov, The River Rooms, Stourbridge

WARWOUND, INDECENT ASSAULT & SICKPIG SUPPORT Sat 26 Nov, The Rainbow Venues, Birmingham RED HOT CHILLI PIPERS Sat 26 Nov, The Assembly, Leamington Spa VANT Sat 26 Nov, Kasbah, Coventry

DIZZY LIZZY Fri 25 Nov, The Roadhouse, B’ham

ANNE-MARIE Sat 26 Nov, O2 Institute, Birmingham

MARTIN TURNER EX WISHBONE ASH Tues 22 Nov, Artrix, Bromsgrove

SARAH MCQUAID Fri 25 Nov, The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury

HOSPITALITY Sat 26 Nov, The Rainbow Venues, Birmingham

ALBERT LEE & PETER ASHER Tues 22 Nov, Huntingdon Hall, Worcester

FRANK TURNER & THE SLEEPING SOULS Fri 25 Nov, The Empire, Coventry

TEENAGE FANCLUB Sat 26 Nov, O2 Institute, Birmingham

THE SISTERS OF MERCY Tues 22 Nov, O2 Institute, Birmingham

3 DIVAS TRIBUTE Fri 25 Nov, The Robin, Bilston

REVEREND AND THE MAKERS Tues 22 Nov, The Copper Rooms, Coventry RUMOURS OF FLEETWOOD MAC Wed 23 Nov, Malvern Theatres MARZY'S JAMMING NIGHT Wed 23 Nov, The Marr's Bar, Worcester MUTUAL BENEFIT Wed 23 Nov, Hare & Hounds, Birmingham GIGSPANNER Wed 23 Nov, Artrix, Bromsgrove THE FRONT BOTTOMS Wed 23 Nov, O2 Institute, Birmingham GREGORY PECK'S JAZZ, FUNK AND SOUL OPEN MIC NIGHT Wed 23 Nov, The Night Owl, B’ham SAVITRI GRIER & JEAN SELIM ABDELMOULA Wed 23 Nov, Evesham Arts Centre EDEN'S CURSE Thurs 24 Nov, The Asylum, Birmingham THE NICK ROSS ORCHESTRA: SOUNDS OF THE GLENN MILLER ERA Thurs 24 Nov, The Core Theatre, Solihull BIRMINGHAM TRADFEST The UK’s newest traditional Irish music festival, Thurs 24 - Sun 27 Nov, Various venues in Digbeth, Birmingham

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FALLEN Fri 25 Nov, Route 44, Birmingham DEACON BLUE Fri 25 Nov, Symphony Hall, Birmingham UNDERGROUND OCEAN Fri 25 Nov, The Marr's Bar, Worcester THINK FLOYD Fri 25 Nov, Artrix, Bromsgrove TOM MISCH Fri 25 Nov, Hare & Hounds, B’ham MIKA SINGH Fri 25 Nov, Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham AUTONOMADS BUS STATION LOONIES Fri 25 Nov, The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton EMO DISCO Fri 25 Nov, Hare & Hounds, Birmingham LITTLE BARRIE Fri 25 Nov, The Sunflower Lounge, Birmingham

DAVIE JOHN Sun 27 Nov, The Tin Music And Arts, Coventry THE SONS OF PITCHES Sun 27 Nov, The Assembly, Leamington Spa ALTER BRIDGE Sun 27 Nov, Genting Arena, Birmingham NYA'S HOUSE OF SOUL Sun 27 Nov, Artrix, Bromsgrove SLICK RICK Mon 28 Nov, O2 Institute, B’ham WHITE LIES Tues 29 Nov, O2 Institute, Birmingham AGNES OBEL Tues 29 Nov, Birmingham Town Hall MERRY HELL Wed 30 Nov, The Red Lion Folk Club, Birmingham CLARE TEAL Wed 30 Nov, Malvern Theatres

Classical Music

Bach, A Guilmant, G Edmundson, C.Saint-Saens (arr. Lemare) & L Boellmann, Mon 28 Nov, Birmingham Town Hall

LUDOVICO EINAUDI Tues 22 Nov, Symphony Hall, Birmingham

MICHAEL BALL & ALFIE BOE Mon 28 Nov, Symphony Hall, Birmingham

BLAKE Thurs 24 Nov, Palace Theatre, Redditch

MILITARY WIVES: HOME FOR CHRISTMAS Tues 29 Nov LIchfield Cathedral

STILE ANTICO An enticing programme for Shakespeare’s 400th anniversary.

Featuring music mostly set to his words with works by Morley, Byrd, Dowland, Huw Watkins, Wilbye, Weelkes, Johnson, Tomkins, Ramsey, Nico Muhly and ending with The Silver Swan and What is Our Life

by Gibbons, Thurs 24 Nov, Malvern Theatres TOTALLY TCHAIKOVSKY: CBSO BENEVOLENT FUND CONCERT Featuring Edward Garner (conductor).

Programme includes Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake: Suite, 31’; & Eugene Onegin (Excerpts), 60’, Thurs 24 Nov, Symphony Hall, Birmingham COULL QUARTETS: FLIGHTS OF FANCY Programme includes works by Haydn, Schnittke & Beethoven, Thurs 24 Nov, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry BLAKE Fri 25 Nov, The Core Theatre, Solihull PAUL LEWIS IN RECITAL Programme includes works by Schubert, Brahms & Liszt, Fri 25 Nov, Birmingham Town Hall AMY HARMAN & ERDEM MISIRLIOGLU Programme includes works by Schumann, Mozart, Medelssohn & Dutilleux, Fri 25 Nov, The Barber Institute, Birmingham ELIAS STRING QUARTET Programme includes works by Haydn, Britten & Beethoven, Fri 25 Nov, Royal Pump Rooms, Leamington Spa DOMONKOS CSABAY IN RECITAL Programme includes works by Liszt, Clara Schumann & Chopin, Fri 25 Nov, Birmingham Town Hall SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Featuring Daniele Rosina (conductor).

Programme includes works by Mendelssohn & Elgar, Sat 26 Nov, The Bramall, Birmingham University CBSO: BEETHOVEN & ADAMS Featuring Edward Gardener (conductor), James Ehnes (violin) & the CBSO Chorus. Programme includes works

by Beethoven & Adams, Sat 26 Nov, Symphony Hall, Birmingham REGENCY SINFONIA Programme comprises Handel’s Alexander’s Feast, Sat 26 Nov, Malvern Theatre

MARTIN STEPHENSON AND THE DAINTEES Fri 25 Nov, O2 Institute, Birmingham FUTURE OF THE LEFT Sat 26 Nov, The Flapper, Birmingham

NOTHING BUT THIEVES Wed 30 Nov, O2 Institute, Birmingham

THE SOUL SURVIVORS WITH MEL DAY Sat 26 Nov, Nailcote Hall, Berkswell, Warwickshire

ELECTRIC SIX Wed 30 Nov, O2 Academy, Birmingham

BRASS BAND & CHAMBER CHOIRS Featuring Stuart Birnie (brass band director) & Bradley Gill & Callum Thompson (chamber choir conductors). Programme includes works by Durante, John Rutter & Eric Whitacre, Sun 27 Nov, The Bramall, Birmingham University

GAGA Sat 26 Nov, Evesham Arts Centre

PETE TONG PRESENTS IBIZA CLASSICS Wed 30 Nov, Genting Arena, Birmingham

JOHN WILSON & THE JOHN WILSON ORCHESTRA: MUSIC FROM THE MOVIES Sun 27 Nov, Symphony Hall, Birmingham

PIERCE THE VEIL Sat 26 Nov, O2 Academy, Birmingham

THE LEMON TWIGS Wed 30 Nov, Hare & Hounds, Birmingham

LUNCHTIME ORGAN CONCERT WITH THOMAS TROTTER: FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE... Programme includes works by

BENJAMIN GROSVENOR: BRAHMS Featuring Alpesh Chauhan (conductor), Benjamin Grosvenor (piano).

Programme includes works by Dvorak, Brahms & Sibelius, Wed 30 Nov, Symphony Hall, Birmingham

Comedy Gigs JON RICHARDSON Mon 21 Nov, Artrix, Bromsgrove CHEEKY MONKEY COMEDY Tues 22 Nov, The Dark Horse, Birmingham FAT PENGUIN COMEDY Wed 23 Nov, The Patrick Kavanagh, Birmingham THE NOISE NEXT DOOR, ANDREW STANLEY & COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBINSON Thurs 24 Nov, The Glee Club, Birmingham JERRY SADOWITZ Fri 25 Nov, Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton CRAIG HILL, JULIAN DEANE, SALLY-ANN HAYWARD & COMIC TBC Fri 25 - Sat 26 Nov, The Comedy Loft, Birmingham THE NOISE NEXT DOOR, ANDREW STANLEY, JOHN ROBINS & DAVE FULTON Fri 25 - Sat 26 Nov, The Glee Club, Birmingham BARNSTORMERS COMEDY NIGHT Sat 26 Nov, Artrix, Bromsgrove ROMESH RANGANATHAN Sat 26 Nov, Civic Hall, Wolverhampton STAND UP COMEDY SHOWCASE Sat 26 Nov, mac, Birmingham ANDY ROBINSON, KEVIN DEWSBURY, EDDY BRIMSON & JOE JACOBS Sat 26 Nov, Coventry Showcase TOMMY TIERNAN Sat 26 Nov, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry MICKEY SHARMA, SUNIL PATEL, OMAR HAMDI, BILAL ZAFAR, PATRICK MONAHAN & NOREEN KHAN Sun 27 Nov, The Glee Club, Birmingham SEANN WALSH Tues 29 Nov, The Glee Club, Birmingham THE CATHERINE TATE SHOW LIVE Wed 30 Nov, Barclaycard Arena, B’ham

Theatre AIDA Presented by Ellen Kent and Amphitheatre Productions, Mon 21 Nov, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre PRIDE AND PREJUDICE Joannah Tincey's imaginative production sees two actors bring Jane Austen's classic novel to life, Mon 21 Nov, Albany Theatre, Coventry SHAKESPEARE, HIS WIFE AND THE DOG ‘Heartfelt’ comedy which lays bare

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Monday 21 - Wednesday 30 November the secrets, lies, resentments and passions of Will & Anne’s marriage, Mon 21 - Wed 23 Nov, The REP, Birmingham THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS Scott Ritchie Productions joins forces with Birmingham Ormiston Academy to present Kenneth Grahame's classic children's story, Mon 21 Nov - Sat 31 Dec, The Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham THE LADYBOYS OF BANGKOK ‘Energetic, exotic and eclectic’ entertainment, Tues 22 Nov, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre FROZEN FLORAL ROADSHOW A new live floral show to brighten any winter evening, Tues 22 Nov, The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury AS YOU LIKE IT Warwick University Drama Society put a dystopian twist on one of Shakespeare’s most celebrated comedies, Tues 22 - Fri 25 Nov, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry RENT Brand new production of the award-winning rock musical, inspired

by Puccini’s classic opera, La Boheme, Tues 22 Nov - Sat 26 Nov, Malvern Theatres GEORGE'S MARVELLOUS MEDICINE Birmingham Stage Company presents Roald Dahl's much-loved story, Tues 22 Nov - Sat 3 Dec, New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham IN OUR HANDS Award-winning Smoking Apples use innovative puppetry, striking sets and an original score to transport young audiences to the sea, under the ocean and onto the deck of the Catcher's Fortune, Wed 23 Nov, Bridge House Theatre, Warwick GREASE Amateur production presented by Norbury Youth Theatre, Wed 23 - Sat 26 Nov, Norbury Theatre, Droitwich WHERE’S MY IGLOO GONE? The Bone Ensemble take audiences ‘on a magical journey through an Arctic world of soaring snow geese, pet husky dogs and starry nights’, Wed 23 Sun 27 Nov, mac, B’ham DICK WHITTINGTON Join Dick on his quest for fame and fortune, Wed 23 Nov - Sat 7 Jan, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry AUSTENTATIOUS An all-star cast in period costume improvise a brand new Jane Austen work, based on a single audience suggestion, Thurs 24 Nov, Artrix, Bromsgrove INTO THE WOODS Local musical theatre company 4PLAY debut with Stephen Sondheim’s award-winning musical. Mark Rattray stars, Thurs 24 Nov - Sat 26 Nov, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry I LOVE YOU, YOU’RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE! OJSMTC pay tribute to those who have fallen on their face at the portal of romance... Thurs 24 Sat 26 Nov, Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham STICK MAN Scamp Theatre present a stage adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Alex Scheffler's popular children's book, Thurs 24 Nov - Sat 31 Dec, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry

THE SEVEN ACTS OF MERCY Anders Lustgarten’s visceral new play confronts the dangerous necessity of compassion, in a world where it’s in short supply. Directed by RSC Deputy Artistic Director Erica Whyman, Thurs 24 Nov - Fri 10 Feb, The Swan Theatre, Stratford-uponAvon LIVING WITH LUKE Nationally touring show about a father’s efforts to maintain his relationship with his autistic son, Fri 25 Nov, Albany Theatre, Coventry PSYCHIC SALLY - CALL ME PSYCHIC The show celebrates Sally's eighth year on the road!, Fri 25 Nov, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre WEST END OF BROADWAY Crescendo Musical Theatre present an evening of hit songs from the West End and Broadway, Sat 26 Nov, Albany Theatre, Coventry THE COLOUR OF ME Wriggle Dance Theatre invites audiences to join them in a magical world of colour, Sat 26 - Sun 27 Nov, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry DIRTY DANCING – THE CLASSIC STORY ON STAGE Features hit songs including ‘Hungry Eyes’, ‘Hey! Baby’, ‘Do You Love Me?’ and the heart stopping ‘(I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life’, Mon 28 Nov - Sat 3 Dec, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre THE FLINT STREET NATIVITY The Nonentities present their take on a longstanding school tradition, Mon 28 Nov - Sat 3 Dec, The Rose Theatre, Kidderminster BROKEN BISCUITS Paines Plough & Live Theatre present a heartwarming coming-of-age story, Tues 29 Nov Sat 3 Dec, The REP, Birmingham WHO KILLED SANTA CLAUS? A seasonal thriller by Terence Feely, Tues 29 Nov - Sat 3 Dec, Malvern Theatre GET IT ON: OUTSPOKEN A fusion of live performance, music and digital technology exploring issues of sexual health and healthy relationships for young people, Wed 30 Nov - Thurs 1 Dec, Artrix, Bromsgrove

Dance THE NUTCRACKER Presented by Midland Theatre Ballet and The Lisayne Ballet School, Thurs 24 - Sat 26 Nov, Crescent Theatre, Birmingham BIRMINGHAM ROYAL BALLET’S THE NUTCRACKER Brimming with festive energy, this ballet promises the perfect Christmas treat for the entire family, Fri 25 Nov - Tues 13 Dec, Birmingham Hippodrome ECHOES & I IMAGINE (DOUBLE BILL) A double bill of works featuring Adita Mangaldas' Echoes - an exhilarating, high-octane dance experience which explores our relationships with our ancestors, and I Imagine, Aakash Odedra & Sabrina Mahfouz's beautifully choreographed work which

Living With Luke Albany Theatre, Coventry, Fri 25 November

Steve Hannam’s blogs about his son, Luke, who has autism, have been read in excess of 20,000 times in a total of more than 60 countries. This new play is based on those blogs and tells Steve and Luke’s story.

“I want people to enjoy the production,” says Steve, a real-life wrestler who uses the name Danson Thunderbolt when he takes to the ring, “but also to take away a new understanding of both autism and how one dad deals with it every day.”

The play is staged entirely in a wrestling ring, as Steve - appearing as Danson - grapples with the ever-growing emotional distance that exists between himself and his son.

“Many mums have talked publicly about what it’s like to have an autistic child,” adds Steve, “but less is known about how the experience affects a father. Living With Luke aims to offer an insight.”

explores the imagined future and confines of the skin, Wed 30 Nov Thu 1 Dec, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry

Film INDEPENDENT LISTINGS:

Talks / Spoken Word OWEN JONES: THE POLITICS OF HOPE How can we build societies run in the interests of working people, not run as a racket for the mean and the greedy at the top? Popular Guardian columnist and author of Chavs and The Establishment shines some light on a positive way forward, Mon 28 Nov, The REP, Birmingham NADIYA HUSSAIN IN CONVERSATION The 2015 winner of Great British Bake Off talks about her upbringing, life as a Muslim woman in Britain, and her meteoric rise from stay-at-home mum to Times columnist, author, presenter and soon-to-be novelist, Wed 30 Nov, Stratford Artshouse

LITTLE MEN (PG) Drama/Family.

Starring Greg Kinnear, Alfred Molina.

Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Tues 22 Nov DAD'S ARMY (PG) Comedy/War. Starring Mark Tandy, Russell Balogh.

Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Thurs 24 Nov BURN and POPO + Q&A Documentary.

Two short films directed by Ken Fero.

The Albany Theatre, Coventry, Thurs 24 Nov YOUR NAME (12A) Drama/Horror.

Starring Mone Kamishiraishi. Electric Cinema, Birmingham, Thurs 24 Nov BEYOND THE HILLS (12) Drama.

Starring Cosmina Stratan, Cristina Flutur. Foreign language, subtitled. mac, Birmingham, Fri 25 Nov I, DANIEL BLAKE (15) Drama. Starring Dave Johns, Hayley Squires, Dylan McKiernan. Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Sat 26 Nov IN BLOOM (15) Drama. Starring Lika Babluani, Mariam Bokeria. Foreign language, subtitled. mac, Birmingham, Sat 26 Nov NG83: WHEN WE WERE B BOYS + Q&A (12A) Documentary. mac, Birmingham, Sat 26 Nov BRIDGET JONES'S BABY (15) Comedy/Romance. Starring Renée Zellweger, Gemma Jones. Artrix, Bromsgrove, Sat 26 Nov

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thelist NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE:

Released from Fri 25 Nov, showing at selected cinemas ALLIED (tbc) ALMOST CHRISTMAS (tbc) BAD SANTA 2 (tbc) CREEPY (tbc) MUM'S LIST (tbc) PATERSON (tbc) A UNITED KINGDOM (12a) I AM BOLT (tbc)

Monday 21 - Wednesday 30 November GREYFRIARS AT CHRISTMAS As part of Worcester Christmas Market, see Greyfriars decorated with the traditions of 500 years of Christmas, Thurs 24 - Sat 26 Nov, Greyfriars House & Garden, Worcester BBC GOOD FOOD SHOW WINTER Featured celebrities include The Hairy Bikers (pictured), Tom Kerridge, Raymond Blanc, Nadiya Hussain, Paul Hollywood & Mary Berry, Thurs 24 - Sun 27 Nov, NEC, Birmingham

THE EDGE OF SEVENTEEN (tbc)

CHRISTMAS PUDDING MAKING Make your own Christmas pudding, Tues 22 Nov, Avoncroft Museum, Bromsgrove PANORAMA TOWER OPEN DAY Enjoy 360-degree views from the balcony of the tower, Wed 23 Nov, Croome Park, Worcestershire WINTER WONDERLAND SEASONAL STYLE EVENT Personal stylist Beth Goodrham shares her top picks for the festive season, Wed 23 Nov, Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Friday 11 November - 8.00pm

OPEN AFTERNOON AT THE MUSEUM COLLECTION CENTRE Must be booked in advance, Fri 25 Nov, Museum Collection Centre, Birmingham

BLACKOUT TOURS Experience the atmosphere of an exclusive evening tour after dark, Fri 25 - Sat 26 Nov, Upton House & Gardens, Warwickshire

THE THEATRE OF CHRISTMAS See Packwood dressed for Christmas by professional artist Jennifer Collier, Sat 26 Nov - Fri 6 Jan, Packwood House, Solihull

TWISTED BARREL BREWERY TOURS 2016 Meet the team behind Twisted Barrel Ale on this exclusive tour.

Learn how the brewing process works and sample the ales and food, Sat 26 Nov, Fargo Village, Coventry

CHRISTMAS CAMPERS 2016 This year's Christmas Campers theme is pantomime... everything from Puss In Boots to Dick Whittington, Sun 27 Nov, Coventry Transport Museum

CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION WEEKENDS Santa stars in his very own show, with a gift for every child, Sat 26 Sun 27 Nov, Cadbury World, Bournville, Birmingham

CRAFTING FOR CHRISTMAS: VINTAGE PAPERCRAFT DECORATIONS Learn some new skills for Christmas, Fri 25 Nov, Upton House & Gardens, Warwickshire

FAMILY WEEKEND: THE WONDERS OF WINTER Including workshops, performances, cinema screenings and various sporting activities, Sat 26 Sun 27 Nov, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry

ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION

CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR Sat 26 - Sun

Friday 18 November - 7.30pm

Rob Rouse

Kiki Dee

Are You Sitting Comfortably?

An Acoustic Journey

Friday 2 December - 7.30pm

Thursday 8 December - 8.00pm

Buddy Holly

Mark Thomas

& The Cricketers

The Red Shed

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WARLEY NATIONAL MODEL RAILWAY EXHIBITION Featuring in excess of 90 layouts, Sat 26 - Sun 27 Nov, NEC, Birmingham

CHRISTMAS RAG WREATH MAKING With the guidance of craft specialists, learn the history of the craft and the techniques needed to create your own wreath, Sat 26 Nov, Birmingham Back to Backs

Events

27 Nov, Coventry Transport Museum

RECRUITMENT EXHIBITION Meet recruiters from the industry’s top employers and get one-to-one advice, Fri 25 - Sat 26 Nov, NEC, Birmingham

RAG RUG WREATH WORKSHOP Sun 27 Nov, Upton House & Gardens, Warwickshire CRAFTING FOR CHRISTMAS: VINTAGE PAPERCRAFT DECORATIONS Learn some new skills for Christmas, Mon 28 Nov, Upton House & Gardens, Warwickshire CHRISTMAS AT BADDESLEY Mon 28 Nov - Tues 27 Dec Baddesley Clinton, Solihull CHRISTMAS WORKSHOP: RAG RUG WREATH MAKING Tues 29 - Wed 30 Nov, Croome Park, Worcestershire CHRISTMAS FLORAL WORKSHOP Table decoration workshop and festive afternoon tea, Wed 30 Nov, Shakespeare's Birthplace, Stratfordupon-Avon

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