Wolverhampton What's On March 2016

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Your FREE essential entertainment guide for the Midlands Wolverhampton

’ What sOn www.whatsonlive.co.uk

ISSUE 363

MARCH 2016

MARY PO PPINS FLIES INT

O THE MID LANDS

thelist inside:

Your 16-page week by week listings guide

John Steinbeck's classic story.

STARRING DUDLEY SUTTON AS CANDY

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Contents March Region Shropshire/Staffs.qxp_Layout 1 22/02/2016 18:53 Page 2

March 2016

Contents

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang - truly scrumptious musical in Stoke page 8

the list

Lulu

Mary Poppins

Katherine Ryan

getting back out there and doing it all again...

West End musical flies into the Midlands

Kathbum takes a wry look at all aspects of life

your 16-page week-by-week listings guide

page 15

page 19

page 22

page 51

inside: 4. First Word

11. Food

14. Music

22. Comedy

24. Theatre

32. Film

38. Visual Arts

@whatsonwolves

@whatsonstaffs

@whatsonshrops

Wolverhampton What’s On Magazine

Staffordshire What’s On Magazine

Shropshire What’s On Magazine

What’sOn MAGAZINE GROUP

40. Events

Editorial 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 Ryan Humphreys ryan@whatsonlive.co.uk 01743 281722 Abi Whitehouse abi@whatsonlive.co.uk 01743 281716 Adrian Parker adrian.parker@whatsonlive.co.uk 01743 281714 Contributors: Graham Bostock, James Cameron-Wilson, Heather Kincaid, Helen Stallard, Katherine Ewing 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 Indie band back in the Shire An indie pop group that once opened for The Smiths is next month playing a gig in Shropshire - the home county of two of its founder members.

The June Brides’ Ade Carter and Simon Beasley both hailed from Shrewsbury and got together with Phil Wilson, Frank Sweeney, Jon Hunter and Brian Alexis in the summer of 1983.

Championed by the legendary John Peel, the band quickly established a name for themselves via their intriguing sound, a melodic blend of guitar pop, viola and trumpet.

Their debut studio album, There Are Eight Million Stories, reached number one in the independent charts in 1985.

Within a year, they were visiting Belfast, Dundalk and Dublin with Morrissey and The Smiths.

Sadly, although the Brides’ star shone bright, it also fizzled out pretty quickly. By the end of 1986, the band had gone their separate ways. It would be more than two decades before they reformed.

They play The Lion in Shrewsbury on 6 April.

The Christians to headline Shrewsbury Flower Show

The Christians will be the headline music act at this year’s Shrewsbury Flower Show.

The Liverpool band, who made a name for themselves in the late 1980s, will play the Saturday night. The Red Hot Chilli Pipers will headline the Friday evening.

The Flower Show also recently announced broadcaster and journalist Sarah Raven as its 2016 celebrity gardener.

Sarah’s television career includes presenting Gardeners’ World, The Great British Garden Revival and Bees, Butterflies And Blooms for the BBC. She’s also made numerous guest appearances at the Chelsea Flower Show.

Now in its 129th year, the Shrewsbury Flower Show takes place in the town’s Quarry Park on 12 & 13 August.

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Contributors sought by Staffordshire arboretum Midlanders are being invited to contribute to a huge photo montage on the theme of Remembrance.

The montage, to be displayed in a new remembrance centre at Staffordshire’s National Memorial Arboretum, will comprise between 5,000 to 15,000 digital photographs. The images will explore what the theme of remembrance means to individuals, families and society.

The exhibition is being created by British artist Helen Marshall, whose work is rooted in photography and design.

Anybody wishing to contribute a photo to the montage can do so until the end of March by uploading their pictures onto thepeoplespicture.com/n ma/

Local drama company invited to perform English premiere A Shropshire theatre company has just received the invitation of a lifetime.

Love Lee Productions, who are next month presenting the English premiere of Canadian playwright Vern Thiessen’s 2005 play, Shakespeare’s Will, have also accepted an offer to perform the work at Elsinore Castle in Denmark, where Hamlet is famously set.

The Elsinore engagement will see the company performing the play on the precise date of Shakespeare’s death, as part of an International Shakespeare Symposium.

“We’ll be playing to Shakespeare boffins from all over the world in one of The Bard’s most iconic settings,” says the play’s director, Chris Eldon Lee. “Just two plays have been booked for the event, ours and the London Globe Theatre’s production of Hamlet. So I hope they can pull their socks up!”

Shakespeare’s Will is set on the day of The Bard’s funeral and finds his wife, Anne Hathaway, wondering whether she dare open and read the most contentious thing her husband ever wrote - his Last Will and Testament.

Local actor Joanna Purslow stars in the show.

The English premiere of the play takes place at The Wightman Theatre in Shrewsbury from 27 to 30 April. The performances encompass the anniversary of the reading of Shakespeare’s will - exactly 400 years ago.

To book tickets, visit wegottickets.com

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Entertainment news from around the region

Award-winning show stops off at The Old Rep An award-winning show about Muslim-American women is visiting Birmingham as part of a UK tour.

Dirty Pakistani Lingerie, which interweaves the stories of six Muslim-American females aged between six and 65, is being performed at the city’s Old Rep theatre

by Aizzah Fatima, who also wrote the show.

Commenting on the production, Aizzah said: “I felt as if I was surrounded by all these amazing women who had remarkable stories to tell, and who just happened to be Pakistani Americans. There’s a human side to the experience of being a Muslim American woman that’s completely missing in the media, completely missing in the types of characters we see on television and in film and theatre.”

Dirty Pakistani Lingerie will be performed on 2 March at The Old Rep alongside works in development from West Midlands theatremakers as part of the venue’s New Work Nights programme.

The evening has been designed to showcase work by female writers and theatremakers in the lead up to International Women’s Day 2016.

Go Ape! Birthday celebrations at The Vaults An evening of hip hop, funk, soul and reggae awaits Shropshire music lovers next month when the hugely popular Go Ape! celebrates its seventh birthday at The Vaults in Shrewsbury.

Well-established favourites Hayden T, Lazy Jay and Stevie T are joined for the occasion by DJ Shepdog, the head honcho at Nice Up! Records.

The gig takes place on Saturday 30 April.

West Bromwich youngster to star in smash hit musical A 12-year-old boy from West Bromwich has been selected to play the title role in Billy Elliott The Musical when it tours the UK and Ireland for the very first time.

Lewis Smallman is one of four youngsters who’ll alternate the role of Billy, a young boy from a northern mining town who dreams of becoming a ballet dancer.

The highly acclaimed musical, which is based on the Oscar-nominated movie of the same name, has so far been seen by nearly 11 million people across five continents. The show has won over 80 awards internationally, including ten Tonys and five Oliviers.

The new touring production visits Birmingham Hippodrome from 7 March to 6 May.

Zoo-tastic panto fun Dudley Zoological Gardens is to sponsor the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre’s 2016/17 pantomime version of Aladdin.

Commenting on the news, the Grand’s chief executive, Adrian Jackson, said: “I’m absolutely delighted that Dudley Zoo has come on board for this year’s panto. As two of the leading leisure attractions in the Black Country, it’s important to develop a close working relationship, to showcase what both companies have to offer to the local area.”

Dudley Zoo director Derek Grove added: “We’re excited to be joining forces with the Grand, a premier entertainment attraction on our doorstep, and look forward to working closely with them in the coming months.”

Award-winning musical rocks into Brum A Tony Award-winning West End musical is set to leave Midlands audiences ‘all shook up’ when it visits Birmingham this autumn.

Inspired by real events, Million Dollar Quartet tells the story of how Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis Presley were brought together for an impromptu jam session in Memphis in 1956.

The show includes more than 20 legendary rock’n’roll hits, including Blue Suede Shoes, Hound Dog, I Walk The Line and Great Balls Of Fire.

The production runs at Birmingham Hippodrome from Monday 24 to Saturday 29 October.

Free entry marks 30th anniversary of World Heritage Site Telford and Shropshire residents can visit Ironbridge Gorge Museums free of charge on the 19th of March.

The offer has been made to mark the 30th anniversary of the Gorge being designated a World Heritage Site.

Telford and Shropshire residents will need to bring proof of their home address within the county.

The popular visitor attraction will be celebrating the 30th anniversary throughout 2016, presenting a variety of activities and events in partnership with other UK sites that were also listed in 1986.

The Museums - with the exception of Broseley Pipeworks, which remains closed for the winter season - are open 10am to 5pm.

For further information, contact the Ironbridge Tourist Information Centre on 01952 433 424 or visit www.ironbridge.org.uk.

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First Word Festival celebrates the ‘Irish spirit’ Birmingham’s ever-popular St Patrick’s Day Parade is once again taking place in Digbeth this month (Sunday 13 March).

The theme of this year’s procession, ‘The Irish phoenix rising from the flames of diaspora’, will celebrate ‘the famous Irish spirit, heritage and journey throughout the years’.

Funding for the parade, which no longer receives financial support from Birmingham City Council, is being raised via an official launch party, taking place at the Macdonald Burlington on Friday 4 March. The evening includes a two-course meal and live entertainment from The Holy Show band.

For tickets to the fundraiser, visit stpatricksbirmingham.com/product/launch-partytickets

Absurd comedy debuts in Lichfield An absurd physical comedy combining inventive puppetry with haunting mask and shadow theatre is debuting at Lichfield Garrick this month.

Boris And Ingrid is the latest offering from award-winning international company 2theatre. Described as ‘a hilariously sharp and unexpectedly poignant play exploring the inevitability of time, solitude and the joys of being odd’, the show features ‘captivating’ live music played on instruments and household objects.

Boris And Ingrid shows at the Garrick on Saturday 12 March.

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Tate artworks on display in Walsall Sixteen works from Tate’s renowned collections are now on display at The New Art Gallery Walsall.

The artworks are being exhibited in association with the Midlands gallery’s Garman Ryan Collection.

Commenting on the new exhibition, Caroline Collier, Director, Partnerships & Programmes, Tate, said: “We’re delighted that we’ve been able to lend these works from Tate's collection to The New Art Gallery Walsall, where they resonate beautifully with the Garman Ryan Collection.

“We’re pleased to be working with The New Art Gallery on a range of projects over a three-year period. Recent major loans from Tate have included Epstein's Rock Drill, which was seen at The New Art Gallery last year.”

The 16 Tate works will be on display in Walsall until 11 February 2017.

Midlands venues secure Arts Council funding Six arts and cultural venues in the Midlands region are set to benefit from nearly £2million of Arts Council England funding.

The £1.9million investment is being shared out between Wolverhampton Central Youth Theatre, Ludlow Assembly Rooms, Leicester’s Curve, Derby Theatre, Northampton’s Royal & Derngate and Hereford’s Rural Media Company.

Commenting on the investment, Peter Knott, Area Director for Arts Council England, said: “This is fantastic news for the Midlands. Arts and culture plays a vital role in making the area a great place to live, and we’re pleased to be investing in some really exciting projects which will benefit local people and their communities.

“By equipping arts and cultural venues with the buildings and equipment they need, we hope this investment will help the region’s creative economy to thrive.”

You’re ’avin a laugh!

What’s On’s new column looks at the comedy circuit from the perspective of a local comic...

Sausage rolls, traffic alerts and the M6! There's more to comedy than the glamour of applause and encores, y’know...

Each week, hundreds of comedians set out across the country in cars and on trains to stand on stages and entertain their audiences. From Small Heath to Scunthorpe, they live for one thing - to make you laugh!

But before the glitz and glamour of 30-day tours and Champagne baths (I can only imagine!) comes the seemingly endless grind of writing and perfecting material to comedy club standard.

Clubs such as The Glee host four different comedians each weekend - unsung heroes of the comedy world.

And make no mistake, every comedian you’ve ever heard of - from rising star Joe Lycett to long-in-the-tooth Lee Evans - has paid their dues on the comedy circuit.

Stars of TV they may be, but that doesn't stop them from making the occasional welcome return to the club circuit where it all began...

Throughout the year, The Glee welcomes back special ‘mystery guest performers’, well-known comedians who’re busily honing new material to TV and arena standard.

So visit The Glee and expect the unexpected - you never know who might pop in!

by Adam Jaremko

Joe Lycett

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FEATURE

CHITTY ON TOUR ever-ending n , rs le ru il v e s lk ta s u Phill Jupit childhoods and Dinky toys...

From performance poet and musician to stand-up comedian and stage musical star, Phill Jupitus' career has been nothing if not varied. Following appearances in the likes of Hairspray, The Producers and Spamalot, his latest theatre venture sees him take on the double role of Lord Scrumptious and Baron Bomburst in a UK tour of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang - a far cry from his Never Mind The Buzzcocks days. We caught up with him to find out more about the show - and how he was enjoying the rather fancy titles that come with it.

used to have that was a favourite - the Dinky Thunderbird 2, which had a little Thunderbird 4 in the pod. Now that probably means nothing to you, but I think some of your readers have just burst into tears.”

said you have to leave childish things behind, but there was a time when once you got your job and became a grown-up, you threw all your toys out.

Nowadays, people don't do that, partly because they can sell them on eBay. And then, of course, the longer they keep them, the greater their value is, so people never end up selling the stuff anyway. In the end, people just die and leave a box full of crap for their families to deal with.”

“I was with a couple of the lads in the cast, and they'd got the 1968 Dinky Chitty Chitty Bang Bang that they'd bought off eBay. They were showing me this little model of the car and the little people that sit in it, and I went, 'Yeah, I know it'. And I hit a lever to release the wings, and they were amazed. They'd had that car for six months without realising it had wings.”

“Well, I've been a king in Spamalot and a sort of oligarch in Urinetown, so I'm doing all of the major 'evil ruler' roles,” says Phill. “Lord Scrumptious is kind of Alan Sugar in a top hat. Obviously the Baron's a much bigger part.

He's quite childish, because his wife hates kids so he gets to be the child in her life. It's a laugh.”

For Jupitus, Baron Bomburst is in many ways a very 21st century chap, with his Peter Pan complex, bespoke commissions from a personal toymaker, and general accumulation of stuff.

“We live in an age where people can pursue hobbies and interests using the internet, and men are able to delay the end of childhood for a lot longer. I'm looking right in front of me now, and I've got a 3ft-high, pewter statue of Darth Vader, and then, over my fireplace, there's a similar statue of Boba Fett. Now what kind of adult has that kind of nonsense in their life? But it's just the nature of modern culture, isn't it? I can't remember who it was who 8 whatsonlive.co.uk

The ‘childish things’ paraphrase is Biblical, in case you're wondering - (1 Corinthians 13:11) “when I became a man, I put away childish things” - and today, attitudes have changed so much that the idea of growing out of things seems almost as distant as the quote itself. Aside from “more Star Wars crap”, I wondered what, given the same opportunities as Baron Bomburst, Jupitus might commission his own toymaker to create.

“What were my favourites when I was a kid?” he ponders. “I tell you what I

Funnily enough, Jupitus came across another Dinky toy recently - sourced online, of course, as if to prove his point about the internet.

Based on the few hints he drops about it, it sounds like the Chitty in the show is quite a spectacle to behold - but you'll have to wait until you see it if you want to know more.

“I don't want to spoil any surprises, but they've come up with a really new way of doing the flying car thing, which looks amazing. When you see it, you'll be overwhelmed - I know I was, anyway. Computers play a part in it, let's put it that way. But the car's beautiful, absolutely beautiful.”

For the baron who has almost everything, Chitty is something shiny and

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‘‘

I’d like to try being a singer-songwriter or to play very noisy guitar in a rock band.

new and near impossible to resist.

Even if he wasn't already spoilt, it'd be hard to blame Bomburst for wanting a piece of the fun: after all, who wouldn't love a flying car? Of all the places you might take it, though, Jupitus' first choice is rather a sweet one: “I'd fly to America, to see my daughter who lives out there.”

Quite the family man, his main preChitty experience of performing to a family audience consists of taking part in his daughter’s school play.

“Just after I was in Hairspray, the drama teacher asked if I would play Mr Bumble in the school production of Oliver!, so I ended up in a school play when I was 48.”

What was that about not growing up?

But then, musicals aren't exactly a line of work he sought out for himself. Jupitus' first stage musical part came through an approach by a pair of casting directors who happened to be Never Mind The Buzzcocks fans.

“There were two very nice gentlemen called David Grindrod and James Orange who invited me to come and chat to them in their office, where they said that they thought I could be in musicals. And I said, 'What on earth are you basing that on?' And they said, 'Well, we've seen the intros round on Buzzcocks, and we know that you can hold a tune.' So that’s why I will always have to be eternally grateful to the

much-lamented Never Mind The Buzzcocks, because it got me into musicals!”

A long-term, carefully followed career plan is probably not something you could accuse Jupitus of ever having.

After beginning his working life as a civil servant, by his own reckoning, he “drifted into performing”, initially as a spoken-word poet.

“I like the way that it's all been a kind of happy accident, all of the jobs that I've got. I'm very content with that way of working.”

These days, there are few areas of showbiz left that he's yet to try his hand at, but given the chance, he'd still like to do more music. “I'd like to try being a singer-songwriter or to play very noisy guitar in a rock band. I was in the Idiot Bastard Band with Ade Edmondson and Neil Innes and Rowland Rivron, and I've also sung with The Blockheads and the Bonzo Dog DooDah Band on tour, but I never did it fully on my own.”

Also still on the to-do list is to actually sit down and watch the movie version of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang - something that he's somehow so far managed to avoid doing.

it, it was a deliberate decision not to watch it. I've decided that I'll watch the film as a bit of an ‘end of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’ treat.”

”

Of course, with Jupitus and a number of his co-stars set to leave the tour at the end of April, there'll also be an opportunity to come back and see how the new guys interpret the roles.

“That's part of the fun of it really, going to see all your mates who you've been working with. When I was in The Producers, I went back to see Ross Noble, who was playing the part I'd been doing. It's interesting because the working, backstage version of a show and the one that an audience gets to watch are so wildly different -when you're in the show, you never really know what it looks like.”

by Heather Kincaid

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang shows at Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent from Wed 30 March until Sat 9 April, & Birmingham Hippodrome from Wed 7 to Sun 18 September

“I knew a couple of the songs and I knew it was about a flying car, but I hadn't seen it until December, when I came to see this production at the West Yorkshire Playhouse. Once I got cast in whatsonlive.co.uk 9

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Mother’s Day Sunday 6th March 1 Course £12.95

2 Course £16.95

3 Course £19.95

The Peach Tree

Served from 12noon - throughout the day.

Reservations strongly advised 01743 355055 18-21 Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, SY2 6AE.

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Food Plenty of delights in store at Stourbridge festival Are you a whisky lover muddled by your malts or puzzled by peat? If so, the Midlands Whisky Festival is the place to head for. As well as offering the opportunity to sample a wide variety of rare whiskies, the Stourbridge Town Hall event also features a series of educational masterclasses by numerous experts, one of whom is Master Blender Richard Paterson, whose nose is insured for £1.6 million!

The Midlands Whisky Festival takes place at the town hall on Friday 1 and Saturday 2 April.

A vegan delight...

Birmingham’s second Vegan Beer & Food Festival will take place in the summer.

The event made its debut last year at the Gunmakers Arms pub in Bath Street and will return to the venue on 15 & 16 July.

The festival’s selection of vegan beers will include brews made by Halesowen’s Angel Ales & Fixed Wheel Brewery, Stourbridge’s Green Duck Brewing Company and Walsall’s Beowulf Brewing Company. Hockley’s Two Towers Brewery, which reopened the Gunmakers Arms last year, will also contribute an ale.

MasterChef winner at Debenhams AA MasterChef winner is set to bring a taste of Malaysia to the heart of Birmingham. Ping Coombes, who won the popular TV show in 2014, has signed a partnership deal with Pan-Asian restaurant Chi Kitchen.

Ping will be creating her own menu for the Debenhams-based Bullring eatery. Commenting on her new deal, Ping said: “I am very proud to announce my involvement with Chi Kitchen. I love that they share my approach to food and dining, which is serving fresh ingredients in a warm and inviting environment.

Asian cuisine is obviously my favourite type of food - it can be simple yet so flavoursome and delicious. I have lots of new ideas, so I can’t wait to get started.”

New venue for pie man Birmingham street food vendor Pietanic has launched a kitchen residency at the city’s Sunflower Lounge.

Pietanic owner Jay Jones is serving up his handmade gourmet pies at the live music venue from Tuesdays to Saturdays. The new menu also features a range of snacks and sharers, including a frazzles scotch egg and a charcuterie board.

For more information, visitpietanic.co.uk

REVIEW: Bilash, Wolverhampton

Murmers of appreciation at Michelin listed restaurant The family-run Bilash serves an original mix of South Indian and Bangladeshi dishes. Michelin listed, it has a mighty reputation for both food and service - so much so that it’s a real local favourite and celebrity haunt (not that we encountered any on our visit).

After a pleasant welcome by the waiter, we were shown to our seats and given the menu.

Now usually, I’m a creature of habit when it comes to Indian dining, essentially because the menu in most establishments is pretty much the same. But the menu at Bilash presented me with some tricky choices, peppered, as it was, with an impressive selection of house specialities.

Both starters came with a salad. I opted for a reshami kebab (£6.95), described in the menu as a ‘spicy, minced chicken pattie’. This proved to be a wonderfully flavoured dish, possessing a surprising chilli heat. My partner had the kakuri sheek kebab (£7.95), a minced lamb kebab, tandoor roasted with a fine balance of spices (not chilli hot). It was described by my dining companion as the best kebab he’d ever had.

After such an impressive start to the meal, our expectations

were upped for the main course - and we weren’t disappointed. I chose palak ghost (£14.90), a Bangladeshi dish of lamb and spinach with a perfect blend of flavours that included chilli, ginger and fenugreek. From the other side of the table there came sighs and murmurs of great appreciation for the kozhi kundapuri (£13.90), a chicken dish from South India served in a coconut-based sauce with flavours of fennel and coriander.

The prices for these dishes were slightly above average, but this was justified by the quality of the food. I certainly believe we got more than we paid for!

In the short time we were in the restaurant, quite a few more diners arrived. Judging by the show of familiarity between many of the patrons

and the staff members, a good number were obviously returning customers. Owner and chef Sitab Khan stopped by our table more than once to ensure that everything was to the required and exceptionally high standard. It was a shame we had to dash off - it would’ve been lovely to take some more time over the food.

But then that can be our reason to return. Ted Finlay Food: Service: Ambience: Overall value OVERALL

nnnnn nnnnn nnnnn nnnnn nnnnn

No 2 Cheapside, Wolverhampton, WV1 1TU Tel: 01902 427762

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Thursday 10th March at 7.30pm

Friday 18th March at 7.30pm

Saturday 2nd April at 2.30pm

HOW THE KOALA LEARNT TO HUG

Steven Lee

Adverse Camber

THE OLD WOMAN, THE BUFFALO AND THE LION OF MANDING Tickets £10 / £8 concessions

12 whatsonlive.co.uk

Jazz at the Arena

PARTIKEL

Tickets £15 / £13 concessions

Tickets: £5

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Food It’s all about the gin...

A taste of South Africa at Shrewsbury restaurant A popular Shrewsbury restaurant is bringing a taste of South Africa to Shropshire late this month.

The Peach Tree is hosting a wine tasting evening on Wednesday 30 March, inviting guests to enjoy a varied range of premium wines in the company of South African wine expert Simon Grayson.

The wine tasting will be accompanied by sharing plates selected for the occasion by The Peach Tree’s executive head chef, Chris Burt.

Tickets for the event cost £25 and can be booked by ringing 01743 281 751.

Live Music

Mothering Sunday

Sat 5th March, 9pm

CHRIS QUINN

..................................................

Fri 12th March , 9pm

JORDAN BROWN

..................................................

3 course meal deal

Sat 19th March, 9pm

JOE SEAGAR

£19.95

..................................................

Sun 27th March, 7pm

for bookings please call or visit our website

MICHAELA WYLDE

LUNCH

GRILL NIGHT

PIZZA NIGHT

2 COURSES

EVERY WEDNESDAY

EVERY THURSDAY

FOR

£10

MON - SAT

The UK’s biggest gin festival is coming to the Midlands this autumn. Gin Festival Birmingham will offer visitors the opportunity to sample over 100 different varieties of gin, learn about the history of ‘Britain's favourite spirit’, meet industry experts and enjoy live music.“We absolutely love gin,” says Jym Harris, who founded the festival with his wife, Marie, “so we started these events because we thought other people would want the same as us. We’ve been overwhelmed by the positive reception, and it’s been fantastic to see so many people rediscover this amazing drink.” For more information, visit www.ginfestival.com

Includes one bottle of wine per couple

2 FOR 1 ON PIZZA

EVERY SUNDAY

OUR FAMOUS SUNDAY ROAST 12 - 9pm

Victoria Quay, Victoria Avenue, Shrewsbury, SY1 1HH

Tel: 01743 233244

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Gigs Adele Genting Arena, Birmingham, Tues 29 - Wed 30 March & Fri 1 - Sat 2 April

Adele's soulful sound has captivated audiences worldwide. Her debut album, 19, was released in 2008 and is certified seven times platinum in the UK and double platinum in the US. Her second offering, 21, saw her spend longer at number one than any other female artist in the history of both the UK and US album charts. It was also the fourth best-selling album of all time in the UK. Arguably one of the music industry’s most iconic stars, Adele has a hugely impressive 88 awards under her belt, including BRITs, Golden Globes and Grammys.

She’s also produced six UK top 10 singles, including Bond movie theme Skyfall, Someone Like You and Rolling In The Deep.

The global superstar is now back with a third studio album, 25, and her first tour in four years.

Skerryvore

Natty

Lichfield Guildhall, Sun 6 March

O2 Academy, Birmingham, Wed 16 March

Based in North London, singer-songwriter Natty is best known for his top 20 debut album, Man Like I, which was released back in 2008.

After a seven-year wait, he’s now making a return with highly anticipated second album Release The Fear, released on his independent record label Vibes And Pressure. This new future-roots concept album promises to take its listeners on a journey through love, redemption, selfidentity and unity.

Skerryvore comprise brothers Daniel Gillespie (accordion) and Martin Gillespie (bagpipes, whistles & accordion), Fraser West (drums & vocals), Alec Dalglish (lead vocals & guitar), Craig Espie (fiddle) and Jodie Bremaneson (bass).

Their self-titled third album catapulted the band into the limelight in 2011, winning a string of prestigious awards into the bargain.

Last year’s Decade - an album celebrating the band’s 10-year journey - featured the number one single Happy To Be Home, a collaboration with Irish musician Sharon Shannon.

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Emmy The Great O2 Institute, Birmingham, Sat 19 March

Hong Kong-born acoustic guitar singer Emma-Lee Moss became a well-respected musician on the folk circuit following collaborations with Lightspeed Champion and Fyfe Dangerfield, and festival appearances at Glastonbury, Latitude and Green Man. She released debut album First Love in 2009, ranking at number seven on the New York Times’ Albums Of The Year list.

Second album Virtue, fuelled by the lastminute breakdown of an engagement, followed three years later...

This current tour comes in support of Moss’ third album, Second Love, released on the 11th of the month.

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Gig previews from around the region

Stiff Little Fingers The Robin, Bilston, Tues 1 March

This punk rock group from Belfast haven’t had the smoothest of careers. They started out as a schoolboy band called Highway Star, doing rock covers until they discovered punk. After six years and four albums, they split up, reforming five years later in 1987.

Lead singer Jake Burns is the only member to have been with the band throughout. Despite major personnel changes, 2014 saw the release of their 10th studio album, No Going Back.

Partikel

Lulu

The Skints

Kris Drever

Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Tues 29 March

The Sugarmill, Stoke-on-Trent, Mon 21 March

Henry Tudor House, Shrewsbury, Sun 27 March

“Last year was an exceptional one for me,” says Lulu, “from performing at Glastonbury to releasing my first self-penned album and touring the UK solo with my fabulous band for the first time in 10 years. I had so much fun that I’ve decided to get back out there and do it again and I really can’t wait!”

Expect to hear such classics as To Sir With Love, Shout, The Man Who Sold The World, Relight My Fire and The Man With The Golden Gun.

Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton, Fri 18 March

Comprising Duncan Eagles on saxophone, Max Luthert on double bass and Eric Ford on drums, London-based Partikel’s music puts an interesting twist on the standard jazz

“Reggae music is the sound that makes all four of us geek out,” says Skints vocalist and guitarist Josh Waters Rudge, “so it’s always going to be where our greatest strength lies.

The music has so much history, so it’s important to be respectful at the same time as trying to create something new.”

A ska and reggae band hailing from East London, The Skints quickly established a formidable reputation as live performers. They also scored a significant hit with their first album, selling more than 7,000 copies.

Follow-up offering Part & Parcel was hailed a modern-day dub, reggae and hip hopinspired classic.

The band play the Midlands in support of their album, FM, which was released last year.

format. Drawing influence from African and Latin American music, combined with the style of the contemporary jazz scene, the band present a personal, committed and refreshingly contemporary take on the saxophone trio.

Kris Drever is a Scottish contemporary folk musician and songwriter who came to prominence in 2006 with the release of his debut solo album, Black Water. His voice and guitar is a part of the backbone of today’s contemporary folk and roots scene.

He’s celebrating his first decade as an acclaimed solo artist and songwriter with the release of a brand new studio album, If Wishes Were Horses.

As well as this new material, Kris will revisit older songs from across his catalogue, playing many live for the first time.

The Bootleg Beatles Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent, Sat 19 March

Formed in 1980 from the cast of the musical Beatlemania, the Bootleg Beatles remain one of the most popular tribute acts in the country, despite the emergence of numerous rivals. Their ongoing success is down to the accuracy of their portrayals of the Fab Four, not only managing to look uncannily like them but sounding incredibly authentic too.

An evening in their company offers a nostalgic but vital journey through the Beatles years.

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

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Classical Music Carducci String Quartet

Halle Orchestra

Lion Hotel, Shrewsbury, Sun 13 March

Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent, Fri 18 March

Performing more than 90 international concerts each year, Carducci are regarded as one of the most successful string quartets in the business. The Washington Post described their playing in a recent concert as displaying ‘a deep and almost familial sense of unity... full of life and vitality... extravagantly beautiful...’

The quartet here present a Shropshire Music Trust concert that takes its audience on a musical ‘journey of enlightenment’, from Shostakovich’s ‘springlike’ first quartet to the vigour of Beethoven’s Op.18 No.6 and Elgar’s only quartet, one of his last great works.

Since its first concert in 1858, the Manchester-based Halle has been a real force to be reckoned with. The orchestra is renowned for its affinity with English music - particularly the works of Elgar and Delius - and is currently under the charge of acclaimed conductor Sir Mark Elder CBE. This Potteries concert sees the Halle presenting Beethoven’s ‘perfect’ Fifth under the conductorship of Markus Stenz.

Wagner’s Siefried Idyll and Schumann’s Piano Concerto also feature in the programme. The soloist is Kirill Gerstein.

Sir Mark Elder CBE

Ex Cathedra: Easter with Bach St Philip’s Cathedral, Birmingham, Sat 19 March; Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Fri 25 March

A favourite at Eastertide, Bach’s St John Passion, a re-telling of Christ’s betrayal and death, continues to be one of classical music’s most profound experiences. The work is here performed by the Ex Cathedra Consort and Baroque Orchestra under the direction of conductor Jeffrey Skidmore.

And Skidmore picks up the baton again later in the week as Ex Cathedra present a Good Friday performance of Bach’s St Matthew Passion, widely considered to be among the most powerful and moving of sacred works.

CBSO: Mahler’s Tenth Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Thurs 31 March

Gustav Mahler died before finishing his 10th symphony. Although substantially complete in the form of a continuous draft, it was only the first movement that could be played in the way the composer had intended.

Almost 50 years after Mahler’s death, and on the cusp of celebrations to mark the centenary of his birth, musicologist Deryck Cooke, in association with Berthold Goldschmidt, set about producing a 'performing version' of the unfinished draft...

It’s the Cooke version of the 10th that the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra here perform, in a concert conducted by Nicholas Collon. The piece, hailed as a work of ‘shattering honesty and piercing beauty’, is presented alongside Brahms’ Four Songs For Women’s Voices and Webern’s Six Pieces Op. 6 (chamber version), two miniatures described as tiny, concentrated worlds of poetry and emotion.

Brahms’ German Requiem St John’s United Reformed Church, Stourbridge, Sat 12 March

It took Johannes Brahms three years to compose this stunning work, a large-scale piece - his longest ever composition - for chorus, orchestra, a soprano and baritone soloist. The Restoration Chorus and Stourbridge Chamber Orchestra here perform the work with the assistance of two eminent soloists - the baritone David Milner-Pearce and German soprano NinaMaria Fischer (pictured). The concert also features Vaughan Williams’ Wasps Overture and his Five Mystical Songs.

Nicholas Collon

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FEATURE

by Heather Kincaid

Mary Poppins “In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun” Magic and madness as Mary Poppins flies into Birmingham Hippodrome

It's over 50 years since Walt Disney's take on PL Travers’ classic story of a magical nanny first captured the hearts of families around the world. Now firmly cemented in popular imagination, Mary Poppins has won over generations with her spoonfuls of sugar, magic umbrella and bottomless carpet bag.

But as anyone who's seen the film Saving Mr Banks will know, the creator of the iconic character was rather less than impressed with Disney's saccharine-sweet adaptation of her stories. Her vision of Mary Poppins was as a much more hardnosed figure, fighting to win round the kind of materially spoilt but under-nurtured trouble-makers that most of us will recognise - a far cry from the misunderstood angels in the movie.

Embarking on a new UK tour for 2016 that stops off at Birmingham Hippodrome in the spring, Cameron Mackintosh's acclaimed stage production aims to strike a balance between the two.

“I think the show is a mixture of the film and the PL Travers books,” explains Zizi Strallen, who will follow in her big sister Scarlett's footsteps by playing the title role. “Anyone who's read them will know that in the books, Mary Poppins is a stricter nanny, more of a disciplinarian, and the kids are really badly behaved by comparison. I'm quite feisty at the beginning, and then I start to soften towards the end.”

Nevertheless, this isn't to suggest that Julian Fellowes' reworking of the story is in any way downbeat. Though partly inspired by the real-life figures which are a dark blot on many childhoods, Mr Banks’ own monstrous nanny, Miss Andrew, is more pantomime villain than genuine horror. Moreover, there's perhaps a greater satisfaction to be derived from the Banks family's resolution of genuine problems. Mary Poppins’ triumph here is to draw out courage and kindness from very vulnerable people, not only preventing unfortunate adults from inflicting their misery on their children, but encouraging them to see their kids as offering a clean slate - an opportunity to find happiness themselves.

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FEATURE

‘‘ If you say it loud enough, you'll always sound “My mum read the books to me and my sisters when we were younger,” says Strallen, “so I was always very aware of that side of the story, and I think it gives the show a really good journey.”

Worcester-born Maria Garrett, who’s performing in the ensemble cast, agrees: “I feel like the film focuses more on Mary and Bert, whereas the musical takes you on this journey with the family, and really shows the importance of how George and Winifred Banks come together as a family unit at the end.”

There's no sense of throwing the baby out with the bathwater either: this is a showstopping, super-sized musical retaining all the Sherman Bros' irresistible tunes, along with the odd addition here and there.

Strallen's favourite is the poignant Feed The Birds, while Garrett prefers the energy of Supercalifragilisticexpialidocius (‘Supercal’ for short): “It's really exhilarating,” she says, “especially when we do the reprise because all the audience tends to clap along and join in.”

Then there's the larger-than-life look of the film, beautifully reimagined for the stage through elaborate sets and some truly spectacular effects. Intricately hand-painted backdrops have the charming, sketchy quality of storybook illustrations, as though the action has burst into life directly from the page. The Banks’ three-dimensional home is pulled out, spun around and opens up to reveal different rooms at the front and back; the upper floor nursery and the bank are separate sets entirely. In Jolly Holiday, a drab black-and-white palette suddenly explodes into colour, while numerous chimneys fill the stage for Chim Chim Cher-ee, each with their own individual smoke ma8 20 www.whatsonlive.co.uk whatsonlive.co.uk

chines. Those who know a little about the show might already have heard whispers of its spectacular finale. For those who haven't, we'll refrain from spoiling anything, but suffice to say there's flying involved...

“The Saturday matinees are my favourite,” says Garrett, “because that's when all the kids come with their mums and their dads, and you can just see their faces light up when they see Mary flying - it's so magical!”

“It feels amazing,” adds Strallen, “and the audience just love it because it's so well done. Because I have so much to do in the show, it's actually quite a nice little rest for me when I get to fly, and we have a brilliant team that makes me feel very safe.”

As Mary Poppins’ production manager, Neil White, explains, the most important person travelling with a show on this scale is the health and safety advisor, who performs checks after every performance, including between matinee and evening shows. Attention to detail in every aspect of the production is key to ensuring things are “practically perfect in every way”, inspiring a sense of wonder in big kids and little ones alike.

“Everything looks as good up close as it does out front,” White continues. “Cameron Mackintosh is a whirlwind when he visits: he can spot a moustache out of place or a light that isn't quite right. A member of the creative team watches every show and writes a report of it, so that standards never slip. It really keeps you on your toes!”

In the two or three days before opening at a new venue, a huge crew of 100-plus people works around the clock in two shifts to get everything ship-shape and ready for action.

There's masses of stuff to be shifted, from the two-ton nursery, 25 flying elements and 58 motors used to suspend the set and equipment, right down to carefully organised make-up sets and multiple chimney brushes. Most of this will be transported in 18 trailers, each 45ft long. Electrical equipment, including smoke machines, haze machines, foggers, followspots and 97 moving lights, takes up two of these alone. Since much of it runs on rechargeable batteries, it's down to the electrics department to make sure everything is always fully charged.

“This is the biggest touring show in Europe,” says White, “so moving it is such a military operation. Everything is labelled beyond belief.”

This is, of course, before we've even come to wigs and costumes. According to White, the three washing machines and four tumble dryers that tour with the production get through roughly as much laundry in a week as does an average family household in a year. Each day, two people arrive at 8am to start on washing and ironing, and members

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precocious, supercalifragilisticexpialidocious! of the wardrobe department will spend hours darning stockings. Clean costumes are stored in an extensive ‘Quick Change Village’, where every character has their own section with three sets of each of their outfits. Of course, some of these, such as the chimney sweep costumes, never stay clean for very long - a special spray called Dirty Down is used to get things grubby without causing lasting damage.

tender age of nine, is excited about getting to grips with the dancing.

“You spend so much time getting things clean and then a lot of it has to be deliberately dirtied up again!” White laughs.

For such an energetic show, getting the clothes right is essential: they must be flexible enough for dancing and able to withstand a lot of wear and tear, as well as always looking fantastic.

A stepping up of the dance moves for Mary and Bert is just one of the many changes that have taken place since Mary Poppins’ last tour, so even if you've seen the show before, there should still be some surprises this time round.

Strallen is particularly pleased with hers: “They've all been made for me, which is lovely because everything fits me really well.

I do have to wear a corset and a bustle underneath my skirt because it's all very traditional and true to the Edwardian period, but my clothes are comfortable enough that I can move and dance and fly and slide up a bannister in them. It's a joy to wear them.”

For Strallen, who’s a fully trained dancer with experience of working on the likes of Matthew Bourne's Car Man, there'll be even more dancing than in previous runs of the show.

“I used to come to the Hippodrome every Saturday because I was a Junior Associate of Birmingham Royal Ballet,” she explains. “It's great to be doing this show because I've known the choreography of people like Matthew Bourne and Stephen Mear for years, so it's exciting to finally be performing their work.”

“It never stops evolving,” says White.

“Cameron's not just about money - he's about making great theatre. The audience is getting a return on every penny they pay to see it, and it's such a nice thing in this industry when you know you're not short-changing anyone.”

In addition to the main cast, there are two understudies for every adult role (the parts of Jane and Michael are each shared between seven to eight young actors), as well as six swings (understudies who prepare several roles) on hand to fill in any gaps in the ensemble. Each swing has 19 sets of costumes, shoes and hats, ready to jump into any scene at short notice.

“Zizi is such a strong dancer that they've increased all the choreography for Mary,” says White. “Matt [Lee, who plays Bert] is brilliant too. It's things like this that keep it really fresh.”

“A production like this couldn't function without the swings,” says White. “Their brains are just amazing - they know all the parts.”

Garrett, who trained at Harlequin Stage School and played a small part in BRB's Giselle at Birmingham Hippodrome at the

It's hard to exaggerate the huge demands a production like this places on every member of the cast and crew. Even after the 72-hour set-ups, on matinee days, they'll be working

”

from 8am until about 11pm, leaving just enough time to get a bit of sleep in before they're up and doing it all over again.

“It's not a show where anyone has an easy ride,” says White. “It's exhausting, but every time you do a show like this, everyone is really proud to get people in to see it.”

As Mary herself would suggest, all you have to do is, “find the fun and - snap! - the job's a game”. Luckily, there are plenty of people to share the pressure, and by all accounts, over the course of the full year they spend together, the whole team ends up pretty close.

“Unlike when you just do a show in London, on a touring production we're like a second family,” says White. “You get to know how everyone works. In a lot of touring shows, the ensemble casts are cut down, so you might have about eight people on stage. In this, there are 30. People in Birmingham are essentially getting a West End show without having to pay a ridiculous price to go to London and see it.”

For Garrett, the trip back up to Birmingham is likely to spark a few fond memories of her time both as an audience member and as a budding performer.

“It’s fun getting to travel round the UK doing what I love, but the Hippodrome's so special because that's where it all started for me. We used to go to the old-fashioned sweet shop just across the road from the theatre to choose our favourite sweets every Saturday after ballet, so I'll definitely be going back there!”

Mary Poppins shows at Birmingham Hippodrome from Wednesday 9 March until Saturday 23 April. www.whatsonlive.co.uk whatsonlive.co.uk 21 9

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Comedy

Bridget Christie Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Thurs 17 March; mac, Birmingham, Tues 22 March; Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Thurs 28 April

Bridget Christie describes herself as ‘a female person’ and ‘the only stand-up to have been billed alongside both Lionel Blair and Naomi Wolf’.

Married to fellow laughter merchant Stewart Lee since 2006, Bridget’s gags include: “Every vagina is a unique snowflake... made of gammon”, and “Feminism isn’t a fad. It’s not like Angry Birds. Although it does involve a lot of angry birds. Bad example.”

Bridget’s latest touring show promises to answer a wide range of intriguing questions, including why she’s been sending her stained underpants to George Osborne at Her Majesty’s Treasury every month.

She’ll also be explaining the difference between Eddie Izzard and Caitlyn Jenner...

So as you can see, missing this show just isn’t an option.

Six of the best...

Katherine Ryan

Carl Donnelly

Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Tues 3 March; The Place, Oakengates, Telford, Thurs 10 March; Birmingham Town Hall, Fri 20 May

The Glee Club, Birmingham, Thurs 10 - Sat 11 March

Having experienced motherhood, divorce and MTV, awardwinning Canadian funny lady Katherine Ryan is well placed indeed to take a wry look at those aspects of life that make people angry and bitter.

Alongside her comedy career, Katherine also takes occasional acting roles - the part of George in Channel Four’s Campus and Merc’s assistant in Episodes feature among her more recent engagements.

She visits the Midlands this month with her new show, Kathbum.

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Launching himself onto an unsuspecting comedy circuit in 2004, Carl Donnelly’s made his name via numerous festivals and plenty of contributions to all manner of radio shows. At his best when portraying himself as a bit of a hapless idiot, Carl’s as happy as the proverbial sandboy chatting about all manner of subjects, from encounters with intimidating yahoos on a train to the rather more personal business of accidentally soiling himself.

Check out page 65 for EXCLUSIVE Friday night deals at The Glee Club

Romesh Ranganathan Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Fri 11 March; Evesham Arts Centre, Sat 16 April; Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Wed 27 April; Artrix, Bromsgrove, Sun 22 May

With his support slots having included one for Ricky Gervais, it’s fair to say former Maths teacher Romesh Ranganathan has made a significant impact since bursting onto the comedy circuit in 2010. The 2013 winner of the prestigious Leicester Mercury New Act Award, Romesh has also become a familiar face on TV, with credits including Mock The Week, Live At The Apollo, Russell Howard’s Good News and a regular slot on Channel Four’s Stand Up For The Week.

It’s all a far cry from his previous career in a Crawley classroom. "In the early days I would be performing to eight people in a pub and my sixth formers would turn up,” Romesh recalled recently in an interview with Crawley News. “I couldn't help but think, 'Oh God, this isn't going to end well’.

It undermined my authority to tell the students off the next day, because it must’ve been hilarious for them to see me die on stage and think 'I'm just going to heckle him now'!”

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Barbara Nice’s Easter Funny The Glee Club, Birmingham, Wed 23 March

“Our Easter Funny promises to be a night of much laughter,” says Janice Connolly, whose alter-ego is comedy creation Barbara Nice. “I’m delighted that the very talented Angela Barnes, Rachel Parris and Rob Deering will be joining Barbara for these Easter-themed antics.”

Barbara’s Easter Funny is a comedy fundraiser for Birmingham-based charity Women & Theatre. The company delivers performances, projects and workshops for a variety of target groups, including looked-after young people, young carers, mental health service users and older adults in residential settings.

“The evening is an opportunity for us to fundraise for Women & Theatre,” says Janice, the charity’s artistic director. “The funds will ensure we’re able to continue working with a range of people to understand what matters to them, and with them to create theatre and comedy that reflects their lives.”

Nathan Caton

Chris Purchase

Bramall Music Building, Birmingham University, Thurs 31 March

Lichfield Garrick, Sat 5 March

Chortle’s Student Comic Of The Year 2005 and an Edinburgh Fringe regular, the charismatic Nathan Caton is a man with plenty of good material and some sharp storytelling skills.

“I did a gig recently where I got booed off stage for saying that I live at home with my parents,” explains Nathan, in joke-telling mode. “I walked out and said: ‘Hello. My name's Nathan Caton. I'll tell you a bit about myself. I still live at home with my family...’

And as soon as I said it, the whole audience went, “Booooo!”. I gotta tell you, that's the last time I do a charity gig for an orphanage!”

Gein’s Family Giftshop

“A while ago, I was starting to experiment with slightly darker comedy,” explains Chris Purchase, a finalist in the Best Midlands Comedian category of this year’s What’s On Readers’ Awards. “I sent out a couple of jokes into the ether, not really hoping for anything back but just seeing what everyone thought of my new direction. The response was phenomenal. It made me feel incredible. I was talking about stuff I believed in and people loved it.”

Chris’ change of direction coincides with the tour of his first ever solo offering, Distant - a show about getting closer to people and making new friends...

Away from the wonderful world of comedy, Chris cites his ambitions as (1) swimming with dolphins and (2) being able to go to Alton Towers without having to sit in a specially constructed chair designed to embarrass larger people.

Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Wed 16 March; mac, Birmingham, Fri 15 April

This three-strong sketch group, comprising two boys and one girl, is one of the newer kids on the comedy block, scoring high marks at last year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Kath, Jim and Ed’s material ranges from being very funny to not funny at all.

Thankfully, though, the majority of their offerings are in the former category rather than the latter.

As the group’s name suggests (‘Gein’ was the surname of a notorious US serial killer and body snatcher), their material is of a dark and definitely adult nature, but is presented with more than enough silliness to ensure it feels neither oppressive nor uncomfortable.

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FEATURE

by David Vincent

Sisters are doing it for themselves

As close harmony trio The Puppini Sisters release their new album, Marcella Puppini talks DIY and her year-long New Year's Resolution challenge...

We're only a few weeks into 2016, yet Marcella Puppini is already wondering if her New Year's Resolution was perhaps a little too ambitious.

“I set myself a fashion challenge - my 365 Outfit Challenge,” says the glamorous singer.

Although she trained in fashion as well as music, working from home all day, the temptation to skip the lip gloss and reach for well-worn yet comfortable scruffs was getting too great.

“If I don’t go out all day, although I’d not say I’m sitting around in my pyjamas, I certainly don’t bother with what I’m wearing, which gets me down. When we were recording our new album, I thought about what I was wearing more, and I liked that. This 365 Challenge is making me much happier working - it’s a nice feeling.”

The challenge Marcella has set herself is to wear a new outfit every day over the coming year - all 365 days, without exception (we didn’t like to point out to her that it’s a leap year!). She’ll document her progress with a daily blog post and selfie.

“It’s a proper, full-on challenge. So far, I’ve used all the stuff in my wardrobe, so I’m working through stuff I’ve not worn in ages.

I’ve already realised that there aren’t going to be enough clothes, so I’ve started customising things.”

The Puppini Sisters’ update of Andrews Sisters-styled ’40s harmonies has been wowing audiences for over a decade. The trio have an eye on nostalgic ‘Golden Age of Hollywood’ glamour and a foot in the London burlesque, cabaret and performance art scene. Their slick and swingin' take on such standards as Jeepers Creepers, Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend and In The Mood, along with the odd contemporary number such as Kate Bush's Wuthering Heights, The Smiths' Panic and Beyonce's Crazy In Love has attracted a fan base that includes Prince Charles, Cyndi Lauper and Michael Bublé.

In fact, King of the Crooners Bublé was so impressed with the girls' 2010 Christmas With... album that he famously whisked them over to LA to guest on his own 2011 Christmas record and later his ITV1 festive special.

The Puppini's fifth record, The High Life, is released on 5 March and features Marcella, Kate Mullins and ‘newcomer’ Emma Smith (who joined in 2012) in fine voice.

It’s been over four years since The Sisters’ last long-player. Marcella states that part of the unintentionally lengthy gap between albums has been down to the threesome kickstarting their own record label, and paying for the entire process via online crowdfunding platform PledgeMusic. Though it means she's now spending more time at home, holed up in her office, Marcella reckons it was the perfect move, allowing the trio to

fully take control of their career.

“Who’s the most passionate about The Puppini Sisters? Us three! Record companies have bottom lines, and if you don’t sell millions of copies in the first week, they’re onto the next release, so we decided that we wanted to be the record company and set up Millionaire Records.

“It’s almost a full-time job, there’s so much to do every day. Apart from the promotion, there are all the things that fans buy.” Marcella is here referring to the 'pledges' the trio offer in return for funding.

“One of the things we offered was sing-agrams, so we’d have to meet up for a day to write and record those. It was a lot of work, but I’m surprised how much I loved it.

There’s been nothing better. We wrote a song and made a film for one pledger’s wife, and when she saw it... Wow! It was written with her husband, he gave us all the prompts, and she was so moved. She’d told him she’d gotten to an age where no-one would ever consider writing a song for her... so he did. It was beautiful. You see the joy!

Priceless!”

The Puppini Sisters play Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, on Tues 15 March

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Theatre Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Wed 30 March - Sat 9 April; Birmingham Hippodrome, Wed 7 - Sun 18 September

Everybody's favourite flying car makes a welcome return to the Midlands this month, complete with ‘sensational’ sets, ‘stunning’ special effects, the Sherman Brothers’ memorable score and a high-energy cast headed

by Jason Manford, Michelle Collins and comedian Phill Jupitus.

When eccentric inventor Caractacus Potts (Manford) creates an amazing flying car, he takes his family to the fictional country of Vulgaria. But all is not well in the European barony, where the sinister Baron Bomburst has decided to make children illegal...

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

Goodnight Mister Tom New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Tues 15 - Sat 19 March

The Government Inspector

A Passion For Birmingham

The REP, Birmingham, Sat 19 - Sat 26 March

Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham, Tues 15 - Fri 25 March

When news reaches them that a government inspector is set to visit, the bureaucrats in a small Russian town are sent into a blind panic. And why wouldn’t they be? After all, the town’s hospital is a health hazard, its school a war zone and its soldiers lacking trousers to march in...

Nikolai Gogol’s biting moral satire is here presented by Birmingham Repertory Theatre in association with Ramps On The Moon, a ground-breaking touring project committed to disability arts provision in the UK. Set during the dark and dangerous build up to the Second World War - and based on the 1981 novel of the same title by Michelle Magorian - Goodnight Mister Tom follows the story of evacuee William Beech.

Relocated to the idyllic English countryside, the young boy builds a remarkable and moving friendship with an elderly recluse named Tom Oakley.

Life suddenly seems perfect for William until, that is, he receives a summons from his abusive mother to return home to London...

A tale of two broken souls at very different ends of the age scale, Goodnight Mister Tom is here presented by Chichester Festival Theatre. The production is an Oliver Award winner.

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Marvellous Imaginary Menagerie Crewe Lyceum, Wed 2 March; Lichfield Garrick, Fri 18 March; Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa, Thurs 24 March

The Edinburgh Spotlight was well impressed with Les Enfants Terribles’ Marvellous Imaginary Menagerie when it performed at the city’s Fringe festival. The popular website described it as the show which Roald Dahl and Tim Burton would’ve produced had they ever met one another and decided to open a travelling circus! Les Enfants Terribles have previously enjoyed stage success with the equally clever shows Alice Underground and Captain Flinn And The Pirate Dinosaurs.

They here present a combination of vaudeville, circus, puppets, dance, music and magic that seems sure to delight.

The Old Joint Stock Theatre Company once again present their promenade retelling of the Passion Story, set in modern-day Birmingham and spanning numerous buildings and various streets in the city centre.

The show has met with positive reviews in previous years, the young ensemble widely hailed for their ambition, creativity and commitment. Earlier presentations drew gentle criticism for being a little overlong, so it will be interesting to see how the show’s evolved.

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Theatre previews from around the region WIN! TICKETS To enter, visit whatsonlive.co.uk

The Jewellery Quarter At War Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham, Sat 12 - Sat 19 March

Blue Orange’s Youth Theatre here present a production that promises to be every bit as educational as it is imaginative. The show comprises a number of devised works of drama, presented at various locations around the Jewellery Quarter and based on the experiences of local people during the Great War. The presentation is supported by Birmingham City Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Hamlet, the Prince of Denmark, is struggling to come to terms with his life. Faced with the ghost of his murdered father, he must also grapple with the indecently hasty remarriage of his widowed mother to his conniving uncle...

A masterpiece of world theatre, Shakespeare’s famous play is a challenging piece to perform. The lead role is one of the largest ever written, and it's a brave actor indeed who undertakes the necessary plunge into his own psyche. So good luck on this particular occasion to Paapa Essiedu...

Additional casting includes Cucumber’s Cyril Nri as Polonius and James Cooney as Rosencrantz.

Tinned Goods

This Land

mac, Birmingham, Fri 18 March; Artrix, Bromsgrove, Sat 19 March; Lichfield Garrick, Thurs 31 March

Bromfield, Nr Ludlow, South Shropshire, Wed 9 March; All Stretton Village Hall, South Shropshire, Thurs 10 March; Snailbeach Village Hall, Shropshire, Thurs 11 March; SpArC Theatre, Bishops Castle, Shropshire, Fri 12 March; Talbot Theatre, Whitchurch, Shropshire, Wed 16 March; Foxlowe Arts Centre, Staffordshire, Thurs 17 March; Worcester Arts Workshop, Sat 19 March

Hamlet Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-uponAvon, Sat 12 March - Sat 13 August

‘Safe’ What Is The State Of Your Empire Malvern Theatre, Worcestershire, Fri 18 March

This emotionally charged piece sees five male performers inhabit the world of the 1930s construction workers who built the Empire State Building. Pitting masculinity against fragility and hailed for its punchy choreographic language, the show is presented by the highly acclaimed ZoieLogic Dance Theatre.

The hugely accomplished Tea And Tenacity contemplate politics, picket lines and principles in their latest offering, which takes as its subject matter the national miners’ strike of 30 years ago. Presented by an all-female cast, the production focuses on Sue and Rachel, two women whose friendship has been profoundly compromised by the miners’ walk out. As the pressure mounts, the women find themselves engaged in a desperate battle to save not only their relationships but also their very way of life...

Producing quality theatre about the contemporary rural world is the stated mission of Shropshire-based company Pentabus. They here join forces with Salisbury Playhouse to present a new play by Siân Owen that explores concerns about the process of fracking.

“Fracking is a controversial issue which is happening right now across the UK and all over the world,” says the play’s director, Jo Newman. “This Land is going to be touring to places where the prospect of fracking is a reality. We’re heading towards some scary and challenging times in the continued search for power. We more than ever need to be alert to what’s happening, and questioning, for ourselves, what is right.”

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Theatre

Theatre previews from around the region

Shen Yun Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Sat 5 - Sun 6 March

The New York Times described this show as ‘5,000 years of Chinese music and dance in one night’. As evenings of theatrical entertainment go, sounds like a pretty good deal.

Based in New York, Shen Yun is a not-forprofit organisation dedicated to reviving authentic Chinese culture. And they certainly do that here, with a show that’s been enjoyed by millions of people across the globe. Expect ethnic and folk dancers, ‘brave generals, heavenly maidens, mischievous monks’ and plenty more besides. Heck, there’s even a contribution from a flying pig!

Red Snapper

Don Quixote

Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Sat 5 - Sun 19 March

Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-uponAvon, until Sat 21 May

Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra’s novel is one of the Spanish Golden Age’s most influential works of literature, inspiring, among others stories, The Three Musketeers and The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn.

His sanity compromised by his love of chivalric romances, a nobleman decides to adopt the name of Don Quixote, take up the sword, recruit a simple farmer named Sancho Panza as his squire, and revive the chivalric code.

To say that things don’t go quite according to plan would be an understatement...

The first full production to come out of the Belgrade Theatre’s Critical Mass playwriting project, Red Snapper is set in Jamaica in 1962 - a Jamaica where personal and political tensions simmer against a backdrop of mass emigration and unrest.

Cuba’s communist leader, Fidel Castro, is set to pay a visit - but nobody’s quite sure how he’ll be received. As the wives of five councillors prepare a welcome meal for Castro, longheld resentments threaten to turn the occasion into an unmitigated disaster...

Mona Lisa star Cathy Tyson heads the allfemale cast in this debut offering from promising new playwright Liz Mytton.

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The Canterbury Tales Solihull Arts Complex, Thurs 24 March

One of English literature's most famous works, Geoffrey Chaucer's legendary epic was written at the end of the 14th century. It presents a series of cautionary tales supposedly recounted by a group of pilgrims as they travel together to the shrine of Saint

Thomas Beckett at Canterbury Cathedral.

The work is best known to modern audiences for its spectacularly bawdy charms, and features more than its fair share of references to willies, bottoms and bodily functions. Presented by Blast From The Past.

Fake It 'til You Make It Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Thurs 17 - Sat 19 March; mac, Birmingham, Wed 23 - Thurs 24 March

‘Brutally honest’ and ‘powerfully heartbreaking’ feature among reviewers’ assessments of this well-received Edinburgh Fringe First winner. A show described by creator Bryony Kimmings as being about ‘the wonders of the human brain, being in love and what it takes to be a real man’, Fake It ’til You Make It takes a look at the issue of clinical depression. The show’s been made

by Bryony in collaboration with her partner, Tim, who suffers from the condition himself.

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Wed 22 - Sat 25 Jun

Shakespeare Triple Bill

Carlos Acosta

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Theatre

Theatre previews from around the region

Kiss Me Quickstep

The Tailor Of Inverness

New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Fri 4 - Sat 19 March

It’s reasonable to assume writer and performer Matthew Zajac has at some point needed to purchase a sturdier mantlepiece, given the amount of silverware this compelling work of theatre has received over the last few years.

Debuting in 2008, The Tailor Of Inverness has scored a massive success internationally, playing to tens of thousands of people in no fewer than 10 countries. Telling the story of Matthew’s search for his Polish father, the play is here making its English debut, and has been described as ‘a powerful allegory for all victims of war’.

The New Vic has collaborated with Oldham Coliseum Theatre to produce this brand new offering from Amanda Whittington, whose previous successes include The Thrill Of Love and Be My Baby.

Set in the ultra-competitive world of ballroom dancing, the play focuses on the lives, loves and sorrows of a handful of performers competing in the national championships in Blackpool. They’re all desperate to achieve their dreams but it isn’t long before the realities of life away from the ballroom begin to take their toll...

The New Vic’s artistic director, Theresa Heskins, is the woman at the helm of this thought-provoking new show.

Lysistrata Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Tues 1 March; Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton, Tues 15 Wed 16 March; The Brewhouse Arts Centre, Burton-upon-Trent, Fri 18 March

Actors of Dionysus here continue with their avowed intention to ‘put flesh on the bones of ancient Greek drama’ by presenting an absurdist version of Aristophanes’ comic masterpiece.

Lysistrata is a woman on a mission. She intends to end the Peloponnesian War by encouraging the women of Greece to join her in withholding sexual privileges from their husbands and lovers - until such time as the menfolk negotiate a peace.

Needless to say, Lysistrata’s plan isn’t one that the men of Greece are happy to accept lying down...

The REP, Birmingham, Thurs 3 - Sat 5 March

Of Mice And Men Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton, Tues 8 - Sat 12 March

George and Lennie are drifters who only have each other and their shared search for the American Dream to sustain them. George is the sharp little guy who looks out for Lennie.

Lennie, meanwhile, is his big-hearted companion who, unaware of his own strength, seems unable to keep out of trouble.

Finding work on a ranch in California, they plan to stay long enough to buy a little place of their own - but their arrival triggers a tragic chain of events that threatens to destroy the very dream that unites them...

This returning version of the John Steinbeck classic stars Dudley Sutton in the role of Candy.

is about what’s happened to the north since the miners’ strike. There have been a lot of plays about the strike per se but nothing about what happened next. When the television cameras went away, it was almost like, ‘well you’ve had your moment’s coverage, now get on with your lives’. So this is a very vitriolic play about what’s happened to the north since the strike ended 30 years ago.”

Transports Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Tues 15 March

Furthering its already impressive reputation for addressing serious material in a lighthearted and thought-provoking way, Pipeline Theatre here presents a story inspired by the Kindertransport refugees of the Second World War. The production jumps between the ’40s and the late 1970s, when a spiky 15-year-old’s arrival in a foster home leads to a devastating collision of revelations.

Tell Me On A Sunday Lichfield Garrick, Thurs 3 - Sat 5 March; Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Sun 20 March

Shafted New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under Lyme, Wed 30 March - Sat 2 April

My writing has become much more angry, a kind of amphicentric vision of how we are,” says John Godber in talking about his latest play. “Shafted

One of the minor constellations in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s firmament of shows, Tell Me On A Sunday has some real gems hidden in its score, the most memorable among which is the plaintive Take That Look Off Your Face. Charting the course of an optimistic English girl as she arrives in New York seeking love and success, the show combines British wit with American sass, running a gamut of emotions in the process.

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Theatre

Kids shows this month...

Hetty Feather at The Rep

Up, Up And Away at Warwick Arts Centre

Hetty Feather

Tracy Beaker Gets Real

The REP, Birmingham, Tues 8 - Sat 12 March

Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Tues 29 - Wed 30 March

“She’s very naughty, very difficult but full of spirit,” says author Jacqueline Wilson of her character Hetty Feather. A child of the Victorian era, Hetty was left at the Foundling Hospital when she was a baby and has grown up to have a famously short fuse...

Featuring all the best-loved characters from the hugely popular books - including the frightening Matron ‘Stinking’ Bottomly - this well-reviewed touring show is suitable for children aged seven and older.

Jacqueline Wilson’s most famous character here makes a welcome return to the Midlands in a musical written by the BAFTAnominated Mary Morris. The show finds 15year-old Tracy wondering whether her mom’s reappearance in her life may finally bring to an end her days of being passed around like a parcel. But if there’s one thing Tracy’s hard-knock existence has taught her, it’s that nothing in life can be taken for granted...

The Remarkable Tale Of Oliver Twist

Peppa Pig’s Surprise

Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton, Wed 9 March; mac, Birmingham, Thurs 10 March

Based on Charles Dickens’ famous novel, this Red Earth production tells the story of a raggedy orphan boy as he discovers the difference between the darkness of the underworld and the love and warmth of the upper classes in Victorian London. Along the way, he encounters many of Dickens’ most colourful characters, not least among whom are Mr Bumble, The Artful Dodger, Bill Sykes, Nancy and, of course, everyone’s favourite pickpocketing wrong-doer, the conniving and sinister Fagin.

Presented in the style of Victorian music hall, complete with speciality acts and variety entertainments, the show is suitable for children aged six and older.

Rainbow Magic Live: Saving Fairyland Solihull Arts Complex, Mon 14 March

If your children have enjoyed any of Rainbow Magic’s 130 Rainbow Fairies books, they’re sure to be delighted by this associated musical. Best pals Rachel and Kirsty take centre stage in the show, enjoying plenty of fun and adventures as they help their fairy friends hunt for magical moonstones and tackle naughty goblins.

32 whatsonlive.co.uk

Malvern Theatre, Wed 23 - Thurs 24 March

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 hardly seems like seven years since we started on the first Peppa Pig Live stage show,” observes the show’s 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 global phenomenon.”

The Boy Who Bit Picasso Artrix, Bromsgrove, Sun 20 March

Play-clothes are very much the order of the day with this show - it’s fair to say things could get decidedly messy!

An interactive theatre production for children aged four and older, The Boy Who Bit Picasso tells the story of how a young lad became friends with one of the greatest artists who ever lived. Along the way, the show offers audience members the chance to get really hands-on by making their own art hence the play-clothes recommendation!

Peppa Pig’s Surprise at Malvern Theatres

The Old Woman, The Buffalo And The Lion Of Manding Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton, Thurs 10 March

Having played to great acclaim at the Hay Literature Festival and the RSC in Stratfordupon-Avon, this story of West African kingship and battle is here making a sure-to-bewelcome return to the Midlands.

Telling the tale of the birth of Sundiata Keita, visionary leader of the great Malian empire, it brings together much-admired storyteller Jan Blake, West African musicians Kouame and Raymond Sereba, and a range of musical instruments that includes Nordic flutes, djembe drums and the extraordinary dodo mouth bow.

The show is presented by the highly rated Adverse Chamber, specialists in the presentation of ‘epic stories told by countless voices over hundreds of years’, and is suitable for audience members aged 14 and older.

Handa’s Hen Newhampton Arts Centre, Wolverhampton, Wed 9 March

With a running time of just 35 minutes and a cast of 55 hand-created puppets, this brand new offering from the supremely talented Little Angel Theatre is ideal for youngsters aged between two and six.

The play’s been adapted from the book by Eileen Browne and finds Handa and her friend, Akeyo, looking for Grandma’s black hen. Problem is, the hen is nowhere to be found - although there’s certainly no shortage of other creatures making their presence felt, including fluttery butterflies, stripy mice and lurking lizards...

For full theatre listings, visit whatsonlive.co.uk

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FEATURE

Arlene Phillips talks about choreographing Jackie The Musical The year is 1964, and on Wednesday 1st January, the very first episode of Top Of The Pops airs on BBC1, beginning a British institution that would last for over 42 years. Less than two weeks later, on Saturday the 11th, the first issue of Jackie magazine hits the shelves of shops around the country...

The near simultaneous launch of these two hugely successful brands marked a growing industry awareness of a rapidly expanding youth market. Pop music, fashion and romance were hot topics in this teen-dominated age, where greater freedom and purchasing power among young people played a pivotal role in shaping the culture, and would continue to do so for decades to come.

It would be a few more years before both platforms would really reach their peak. By the early ’70s, the new teen culture had taken root, with sales of Jackie rising to 605,947 copies and Top Of The Pops attracting around 15 million viewers each week.

It's around this time that the story of Jackie The Musical unfolds - at least in part. Half set in the present-day and half in the past, Mike James' and Anna Linstrum's new show, arriving in the Midlands this month, tells the story of Jackie, a middle-aged woman reflecting on her formative years.

Choreographing the musical is the illustrious Arlene Phillips, whose diverse work on stage musicals, pop videos, live gigs, special events, feature films and, of course, Strictly Come Dancing, has won her huge renown both at home and overseas, as well as leaving her uniquely qualified for the job.

“Jackie magazine was a huge influence on 34 whatsonlive.co.uk

teenagers at the time,” says Phillips. “Girls wrote in to its columnists, Cathy and Claire, in their droves, sometimes about meeting boys but also about problems at home. For many of them, Cathy and Claire were the only people they could turn to for advice.

Nina Myskow was Editor-in-Chief on the magazine, and she's been very involved in the whole development of the musical.”

The story begins with Jackie (Janet Dibley), a recent divorcée for whom everything seems to have taken a downward turn. As she seeks to get her life back on track, she finds herself turning once more to the pages of Jackie - and more particularly to Cathy and Claire - for advice, transporting audiences back to her own coming of age.

“There's the ex-husband, John (Graham Bickley), who's got a new, younger model for a girlfriend - there's always one of those, isn't there?” Phillips laughs. “And then there's Jackie's younger self, who is another character played by a separate actor (Daisy Steere).”

The show's double timeline has provided Phillips with the interesting challenge of marrying different dance styles in keeping with the two settings. Having risen to fame as the founder of dance troupe Hot Gossip during the ’70s, she's well-versed in the styles of that period.

“Because the show is set in two eras, we've got a lot of contemporary choreography as well as a lot of ’70s dance styles,” she explains. “Hot Gossip really impacted in the late ’70s and were known mainly for their sexiness. While there will be some connection through iconic moves from the ’70s,

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by Heather Kincaid

Phillips' choreography will be set to the likes of Puppy Love, Tiger Feet and I Love To Love - ‘blast from the past’ chart-toppers guaranteed to make a certain generation of viewers misty-eyed with nostalgia. “It's a non-stop ’70s music fest!” she exclaims.

It's not only the trends of the time that have influenced her choices in creating routines for the production. Phillips has also taken inspiration directly from the unique features of Jackie magazine itself.

“I'm older than the Jackie readers, but I always loved their photo and drawn picture stories with speech bubbles. I was fascinated by those, and I've always wanted to find a way to use speech bubbles in a musical, so I'm delighted that I've been given that opportunity at long last.”

Adrift in a new age of social media, mobile phones, internet dating and tech-savvy teens, our protagonist yearns for the relative innocence and simplicity of her youth.

“I think that even though girls were asking the same questions in the ’60s, they weren't quite so obsessed with love and fashion as they became in the ’70s. In the ’60s, there were many homes that didn't have telephones, but by the ’70s, everyone had one.

That meant that a boy could actually call you, even though your parents would probably be standing in the hallway listening in to the conversation! So I think that's part of why the magazine really took off then.”

Naturally, this is a show primarily for and about the women who will enjoy getting right back to where they started from and looking back fondly on reflections of their life, but it's not all about turning back the hands of time or harking back to golden years. This is just as much a show about holding your head up, finding the confidence to express yourself, realising we've only just begun and looking forward to another day as it is about that sweet and innocent time. Phillips certainly believes that there's enough in this colourful, feel-good production to make just about anyone want to get up and boogie.

“Nowadays, relationships are available at the touch of a button,” says Phillips. “If you want to speak to a boy, you can look him up on your phone, find out all about him and send him a message. It appears to be so much simpler, but does it actually make life any easier? I'm not sure. It's just faster.”

“My daughters, who are 25 and 36, have already peeped in on rehearsals and they can't wait to see it now! It's not just for women, either - I think there's enough in it for men to enjoy too.”

For all that, of course, the ’70s weren't without their own social and technological upheavals, and Jackie's generation witnessed many cultural changes that might have come as a surprise to those of their parents' and grandparents' time.

Jackie The Musical boogies on down at: Belgrade Theatre, Coventry from Tues 15 to Sat 19 March; New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham from Tues 24 to Sat 28 May & Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent from Tues 31 to Sat 4 June.

‘‘

the ’70s weren’t without their own social and technological upheavals, and Jackie’s generation witnessed many cultural changes that might have come as a surprise to those

‘‘

with Jackie The Musical, we're looking back at a slightly earlier, younger era, so there's a lot of disco and a much fresher look.”

of their parents’ and grandparents’ time.

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Film CRITIC’S CHOICE

Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice CERT 12a

Starring Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Jesse Eisenberg, Diane Lane, Laurence Fishburne, Jeremy Irons, Holly Hunter, Gal Gadot, Michael Shannon Directed by Zack Snyder (USA)

It’s what we’ve been waiting for now for aeons: the showdown between The Caped Crusader and The Man of Steel. Ben Affleck may not have been everybody’s choice for the role of the former, but he does have the chiselled chin and stature. And he’s even taller than Henry Cavill (just don’t mention Daredevil). Anyway, Batman decides to pick a spat with Superman and while the superheroes are having their argy-bargy, Lex Luthor sees an opportunity to unleash his ultimate secret weapon on Metropolis: Doomsday.

Thank God, then, for Wonder Woman… For those who care, the budget reached $200 million.

Released Fri 25 March

Film highlights released in March...

London Has Fallen

The Other Side Of The Door CERT 15 (125 mins)

CERT 15 (125 mins)

Starring Gerard Butler, Aaron Eckhart, Morgan Freeman, Alon Moni Aboutboul, Angela Bassett, Robert Forster, Melissa Leo, Radha Mitchell Directed by Babak Najafi (USA/UK/Bulgaria)

The last time Secret Service agent Mike Banning (Butler) had his work cut out for him, he was saving the White House from the clutches of North Korean terrorists. That was in Antoine Fuqua’s ludicrous, extremely violent and guiltily thrilling Olympus Has Fallen. Now, as world leaders gather in London for the funeral of the British prime minister (not David Cameron), Banning has to thwart a mass assassination plot.

Released Thurs 3 March

Starring Sarah Wayne Callies, Jeremy Sisto, Javier Botet, Sofia Rosinsky Directed by Johannes Roberts (UK/India)

The Choice CERT 15 (125 mins) Starring Benjamin Walker, Teresa Palmer, Maggie Grace, Alexandra Daddario, Tom Welling, Tom Wilkinson Directed by Ross Katz (USA)

Nicholas Sparks adaptations are now as common as awards ceremonies and this one, based on Sparks’ 2007 novel of the same name, is the simple story of two neighbours falling for each other. Yet nothing is that straightforward in love and outside events do conspire to rock the boat. And in case you were interested, Teresa Palmer played the female lead in last month’s Point Break.

Released Fri 4 March

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However much one loves someone, be they a partner, a parent or a child, one should let them rest once they have passed on.

However, grieving mother Maria (Wayne Callies) believes she has a right to say goodbye to her late young son, and so unlocks a portal that she should have well left alone...

Expect some extreme bloody imagery.

Released Fri 4 March

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Film releases in March CRITIC’S CHOICE

Truth CERT 15 (125 mins) Starring Cate Blanchett, Robert Redford, Topher Grace, Elisabeth Moss, Dennis Quaid, Bruce Greenwood, Stacy Keach Directed by James Vanderbilt (USA/Australia)

Based on the so-called Killian Documents controversy (aka Rathergate), this top-tier political docudrama packs an impressive cast. Cate Blanchett plays the CBS news producer Mary Mapes, on whose memoir - Truth And Duty: The Press, The President And The Privilege Of Power - the film is based. Robert Redford plays the legendary anchorman Dan Rather.

Released Fri 4 March

Hail, Caesar! CERT 12a (106 mins) Starring Josh Brolin, George Clooney, Ralph Fiennes, Jonah Hill, Scarlett Johansson, Frances McDormand, Tilda Swinton, Channing Tatum, Christopher Lambert Directed by Joel and Ethan Coen (USA)

When a Hollywood star in 1950s’ Hollywood is kidnapped, a ‘fixer’ (Josh Brolin) is called in to solve the problem.

The third instalment in the Coen brothers’ so-called ‘Numbskull Trilogy,’ George

The Divergent Series: Allegiant CERT 12a

Clooney is back on board, following his turns in the filmmakers’ O Brother, Where Art Thou? and Intolerable Cruelty.

Brolin himself starred in the Coens’ No Country For Old Men, while Frances McDormand - who plays a film editor - is married to Joel Coen.

The film in which Clooney’s hungover matinee idol stars is called Hail, Caesar!

Released Fri 4 March

The Ones Below CERT PG (95 mins)

Starring Shailene Woodley, Theo James, Jeff Daniels, Octavia Spencer, Ray Stevenson, Zoë Kravitz, Miles Teller, Naomi Watts Directed by Robert Schwentke (USA)

Starring Clémence Poésy, David Morrissey, Stephen Campbell Moore, Laura Birn, Deborah Findlay Directed by David Farr (UK)

Young adult dystopia continues apace with this, the third edition in the film series based on Veronica Roth’s literary trilogy. Now, the deviant and rebellious Beatrice 'Tris' Prior (Woodley) aims to escape the walls that confine her and her friends in a mad, futuristic Chicago. What they find will blow their minds... But it’s not all over yet, as the filmmakers have decided to divide Roth’s final book into two movies. We wonder where they got that idea from.

A wealthy couple, Kate and Justin, are expecting the birth of their first child when they befriend the new occupants in the apartment below. As it happens, the new couple are also expecting, although their take on parenthood would appear to be diametrically opposed to Kate and Justin’s. And so a new tension enters all their lives...

The debutant writer-director David Farr previously scripted the TV series Spooks.

Released Thurs 10 March

Kung Fu Panda 3 CERT PG (95 mins)

Featuring the voices of Jack Black, J. K. Simmons, Bryan Cranston, Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie, Jackie Chan, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Seth Rogen Directed by Jennifer Yuh Nelson and Alessandro Carloni (USA/China)

Released Fri 11 March

When the kung fu master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman) retires, he insists that Po (Jack Black) takes his place, an eventuality that does not go smoothly. Meanwhile, Po finds that he also has to combat a far more supernatural threat... Of course, it’s anything but po-faced. In 3D. Released Fri 11 March whatsonlive.co.uk 37

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Film Anomalisa CERT 15 (90 mins)

Risen CERT 12a (107 mins)

High-Rise CERT 15 (119 mins)

Featuring the voices of David Thewlis, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Tom Noonan Directed by Charlie Kaufman and Duke Johnson (USA)

Starring Joseph Fiennes, Tom Felton, Peter Firth, Cliff Curtis, Leonor Watling Directed by Kevin Reynolds (USA)

Starring Tom Hiddleston, Jeremy Irons, Sienna Miller, Luke Evans, Elisabeth Moss, James Purefoy Directed by Ben Wheatley (UK)

The risen in question is none other than Jesus of Nazareth, and it befalls the Roman centurion Clavius (Joseph Fiennes) to investigate the rumours surrounding his resurrection. The director Kevin Reynolds previously brought us Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves, so one might be wary of expecting enormous historical accuracy. It’s described as a mystery thriller.

The director Ben Wheatley has garnered considerable acclaim following his films Down Terrace, Kill List and A Field In England.

Here, he untangles an eco-system preserved in a luxury London tower block, where a young doctor (Hiddleston) moves to the 25th floor to discover fierce dissent between the residents. Based on the 1975 novel by JG Ballard.

David Thewlis provides the voice of a selfhelp author who views everybody as identical until meeting a highly original woman in a Cincinnati hotel. A stop-motion cartoon based on Charlie Kaufman’s 2005 play of the same name, Anomalisa has been getting rave reviews ever since it premiered at the Telluride Film Festival last September.

Kaufman, of course, has always delved into the surreal, having scripted the wildly inspired Being John Malkovich and Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind.

Released Fri 11 March

Released Fri 18 March

Released Fri 18 March

Rock The Kasbah CERT 12a (107 mins)

Starring Bill Murray, Kate Hudson, Zooey Deschanel, Danny McBride, Scott Caan, Bruce Willis Directed by Barry Levinson (USA)

The Witch CERT PG (95 mins) Starring Anya Taylor-Joy, Ralph Ineson, Kate Dickie, Harvey Scrimshaw Directed by Robert Eggers (Canada/USA)

Set in the 1630s, The Witch is an award-winning Canadian horror film that would appear to be something of an original. Living on the edge of the New England wilderness, a Puritan family battles with the loss of their infant son when darker forces start to emerge from them thar woods. Preceding the Salem Witch trials, the film’s events are said to be pretty damned authentic.

Released Fri 11 March

Loosely adapted from the 2009 documentary Afghan Star, this is the story of a music manager severely down on his luck. Then, when Richie Lanz (Bill Murray) finds himself in Kabul without a penny or his passport, he encounters a young Afghan girl with an amazing voice. The next step is getting her into the Afghan version of American Idol...

From the director of Rain Man and Good Morning, Vietnam.

Released Fri 18 March

10 Cloverfield Lane CERT tbc

Starring Mary Elizabeth Winstead, John Goodman, John Gallagher Jr Directed by Dan Trachtenberg (USA)

We don’t get many Chinese-AmericanCanadian horror films, so this may be different from the rest. Here, a young American nanny (Cohan) moves in with an English family to look after their son, only to discover that he is a life-sized doll. Maybe. A sequel is already in the works (called The Boy 2).

No sooner have we recovered from Lenny Abrahamson’s remarkable Room, than this claustrophobic thriller drops us into the same scenario.

A woman (Winstead) wakes up from a car accident to find herself trapped in a stranger's basement. He tells her that he’s saved her from a global chemical attack that has left the earth’s surface uninhabitable...

The good news is that co-scripter Damien Chazelle previously brought us Whiplash (2014).

Released Fri 18 March

Released Fri 18 March

The Boy CERT 15 (97 mins) Starring Lauren Cohan, Rupert Evans, Jim Norton, Diana Hardcastle Directed by William Brent Bell (China/USA/Canada)

My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 CERT tbc Starring Nia Vardalos, John Corbett, Lainie Kazan, Michael Constantine, Andrea Martin Directed by Kirk Jones (USA)

The original 2002 comedy was not only a hugely surprising hit but it went on to spawn a slew of My Big Fats. Here, though, is the very first sequel in which the profoundly married Toula (writer and star Nia Vardalos) and her gorgeous husband (Corbett) are experiencing marital issues. Meanwhile, there’s another Greek wedding around the corner which is even bigger and fatter than the first one. Well, it would be, wouldn’t it?

Released Fri 25 March

Zootropolis CERT PG (108 mins) Featuring the voices of Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Shakira, Idris Elba, J.K. Simmons, Octavia Spencer Directed by Byron Howard, Rich Moore and Jared Bush (USA)

Disney’s 55th ‘official’ animated feature film, Zootropolis is set in an anthropomorphic metropolis, obviously. Here, the leading characters are a red fox who’s a con artist (Bateman) and a rabbit who’s a rookie cop (Goodwin). Together, they team up to try and uncover a conspiracy. Idris Elba is the voice of a cape buffalo, obviously.

Released Fri 25 March

whatsonlive.co.uk 39

Arts & Science NEW MM.qxp_Layout 1 22/02/2016 12:52 Page 1

FEATURE

Memory and Forgetting: University of Birmingham Art and Science Festival

Themed around the act of remembering itself, this year's University of Birmingham Art and Science Festival looks set to be a memorable one. With a diverse array of concerts, screenings, performances, exhibitions, workshops, talks and lectures on offer, the week-long festival offers something to excite the curiosity of just about anyone. Best of all, the vast majority of events are completely free to attend.

Highlights for 2016 include a talk from Professor Alice Roberts on her recent BBC series, The Celts, discussions around commemoration inspired by last year's World War One centenary, and exhibitions and events drawing on Birmingham's own past and community heritage.

What makes this festival so special, however, is its bringing together of science and art on an equal footing. Music meets medicine and dark matter meets dance in this multi-disciplinary celebration of innovation and experimentation. It's more than just a case of different events being programmed side by side: there's an emphasis on meaningful connections between the arts and sciences through new and exciting collaborations.

“It's an amazing festival, because there's no other event that touches on so many elements of art and science in this way,” said sound artist Justin Wiggan, who will be running an interactive workshop at the festival as part of an ongoing project called Life Echo. “Art and science have always gone hand in hand, but I think in the past art has often been pushed into the background while its older brother science has taken the lead, partly because some people just see art as just entertainment. I think now artists are pushing 40 whatsonlive.co.uk

more for active research and collaborations within fields of science, and there's a greater awareness and acceptance of its value.”

these, he created one-minute sound experiences, which were given to the subjects to access whenever they were feeling low.

These Large Hadron-like collisions between diverse fields of research have resulted in the development of some fascinating ideas. In “Silent Signal”, Vivid Projects presents a series of animations exploring the human body, created by six artists and six leading biomedical scientists. A performance from contemporary dancers Mairi Pardalakiand and Fanny Travaglino called “The Neutrino Passoire” explores the phenomenon of neutrino oscillations and the unconscious passing of these particles through the human body. Meanwhile, in “Art that Tickles the Brain”, Professor Jane Raymond of the School of Psychology leads an interactive session at The Barber Institute revealing the activity that occurs in the brain when we encounter works of art.

Then, of course, there's Wiggan's own work, which explores the links between sound, memory and wellbeing.

“We found that this not only had a massive positive effect on them, but also that it helped their families, both in terms of leaving a legacy and bridging a gap at a time when conversation is hard. When you see someone at a hospice, day in, day out, you often end up not talking about what's important and just discussing mundane things like medication, so this became a way for people to share emotions.”

“Life Echo started when I discovered that my wife had triple negative breast cancer, which obviously had a massive impact on our lives. I became aware of how much I was relying on recalling good memories to get me through this traumatic period, and I started analysing those memories. As a sound artist, I was curious about the connection between sound and memory, and wanted to investigate that further.”

“I think it's really important, not just for people who are ill but for people from all walks of life. Things like dementia are on the rise, but also a lot of people are insecure about their future, and this helps them to allow their past to be moulded by positive experiences.

It's a different way for people to use their memories – not in a nostalgic way, but in a very purposeful, meaningful way that contributes to wellbeing and social interaction.”

It wasn't long before Wiggan realised that his research might be able to impact positively on other people's lives as well; thus, he embarked on a residency at the John Taylor Hospice, interviewing patients and selecting five strong memories from each. From

Since then, he's been exploring other potential applications for the project in schools and elsewhere. Workshop attendees will each be given a “memory atlas”, which, with guidance, they'll use to select memories and relate them to specific sounds. Then sounds will then be collated in a “Phonic Memory Garden”, where visitors will be able to hear their own memories as well as those of others, which may, in turn, trigger new connections.

The University of Birmingham Art and Science Festival takes place from Monday 14 to Sunday 20 March.

A full brochure is accessible at birmingham.ac.uk/events/arts-and-science

NEC 2016 Spring A4:Layout 1 17/02/2016 15:25 Page 1

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Visual Arts March.qxp_Layout 1 22/02/2016 13:07 Page 1

Visual Arts Shakespeare In Art: Tempests, Tyrants And Tragedy Compton Verney, Warwickshire, Sat 19 March - Sun 19 June

Organised in association with the RSC as part of this year's 400th anniversary celebrations, this unique, multi-media experience combines iconic visual representations of Shakespeare's plays with specially commissioned audio accompaniments. Through recorded excerpts, RSC actors bring to life the scenes depicted in classic paintings, displayed alongside more recent responses to the texts in photography and film. Art and theatre enthusiasts alike can explore Shakespeare's enduring appeal to artists through the ages, from Singer Sargent, Fuseli, Watts, Romneyi and the Pre-Raphaelites to Tom Hunter and other contemporary artists.

Willard Wigan MBE: Micro sculptures The Light House Media Centre, Wolverhampton, Sun 13 March - Mon 2 May

Wednesfield-born sculptor Willard Wigan returns to the Black Country for a special homecoming exhibition at Wolverhampton's Light House Media Centre, launching in March with a VIP celebration of the region's cultural and sporting achievements.

Known for his minute works which are displayed and viewed through microscopes, Wigan has gained a huge international following. In tribute to his home region, his latest work is a micro sculpture of another local legend, Noddy Holder, reflecting his belief that Black Country boasts incredible beauty and creativity that its modesty often fails to highlight.

42 whatsonlive.co.uk

Birmingham People And Change In The Inner City Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, Mon 14 - Thurs 31 March

Shedding a light on the people and places of Birmingham's past, these free, joint exhibitions at BMAG offer a fascinating glimpse into the changes the city has witnessed over the years, as portrayed in a variety of media.

Focusing on the 20th and 21st centuries, Birmingham People explores the representation of ordinary residents of the city through a range of oil paintings, photographs, film and sculpture. Meanwhile, Change In The Inner City highlights the evolution of the urban landscape since the Second World War, with a focus on the four central wards of Nechells, Soho, Aston and Ladywood. Material from the museum's art and history collections is displayed alongside architectural models, including one of the Aston Expressway in 1967.

Endangered And Extinct Shire Hall Gallery, Stafford, Sat 12 March - Sun 8 May

After hosting her hugely popular Reincarnated Rubbish exhibition in 2014, Shire Hall Gallery invites Val Hunt to return with more creative transformations of household waste. Themed around the issue of animal extinction and human impact on delicate ecosystems, this new exhibition sees drinks cans and plastic bags, among other items, sculpted into an assortment of colourful creatures, each representing a species now lost or on the verge of dying out.

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Design And Desire: The Great Exhibition of 1851 Coalbrookdale Gallery, Ironbridge, Shropshire, Mon 21 March - Fri 24 February 2017

Bringing together objects, prints and paintings from the Elton Collection, this free presentation aims to revive the excitement and intrigue of The Great Exhibition, the world's first international show of manufactured products.

Held in the futuristic glass and iron setting of Hyde Park's Crystal Palace in 1851, the ground-breaking show was the ultimate embodiment of Victorian ingenuity, combining art, science and engineering and capturing imaginations across boundaries of class and culture. After its closure, many of its exhibits became part of the collection of the South Kensington Museum (later the V&A). By examining the creation of the exhibition, its social and economic impact, and the public response at the time, Design And Desire offers visitors an insight into how it might have felt to witness this incredible spectacle 165 years ago.

Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent, Sat 27 February Sun 5 June

This loan exhibition from the National Portrait Gallery showcases award-winning photographic portraits from last year's Taylor Wessing competition, a prestigious annual event celebrating the best in contemporary portrait photography from around the world. The 2015 entries range from informal pictures of family and friends, to revealing images of well-known figures such as Benedict Cumberbatch and Barack Obama.

For more visual arts listings visit whatsonlive.co.uk 43

Events March.qxp_Layout 1 22/02/2016 18:21 Page 1

Events International Crafts And Hobby Fair NEC, Birmingham, Thurs 17 - Sun 20 March

Cake International is this year linking up with three other wellestablished NEC shows for the very first time.

The popular sugarcraft, cake decorating and baking show joins forces with Fashion & Embroidery, Sewing For Pleasure and Hobbycrafts.

Highlights of the 2016 event include demonstrations by Daniel Diéguez, who specialises in 3D, wedding and celebration cakes and chocolate sculpture. Daniel returns to Cake International having won a gold medal at last year’s show.

Fashion & Embroidery enthusiasts, meanwhile, are sure to be impressed by the chance to check out skilfully made costumes from the 2015 film version of Far From The Madding Crowd, starring Carey Mulligan.

Sewing For Pleasure is also turning to the arts for its inspiration, presenting a life-sized knitted and crocheted creation depicting three scenes from The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe.

And be sure to visit the Hobbycrafts element of the show, which welcomes back TV stars Julie Peasgood and Wendy Turner. The Crafty Beggars In The House favourites will be helping visitors make simple sock teddies and delightful desk hogs.

Yonex All England Open Badminton Championship

KIDS GO * FREE *Children under 16 go FREE when accompanied by a parent/guardian

White Water Active

Edible Garden Show

Chapel Street, Llangollen, Wales

Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, Fri 11 - Sun 13 March

If you’re bursting with energy and fancy a new adventure, this wellregarded outdoor-activity provider is well worth a look. Kayaking whitewater rapids, ‘descending into the mysterious green gorges of Wales’, 90-foot abseiling experiences and whitewater rafting are just some of the adrenaline-pumping experiences available to enjoy.

The company also caters for stag and hen weekends, offering a range of options designed to meet most needs, from peaceful ‘pamper days’ to pumped-up adventures in the great outdoors.

Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham, Tues 8 - Sun 13 March

This month sees a host of world-class badminton players descend on Birmingham to compete not only for the coveted Yonex title itself but also for Rio 2016 Olympic qualification points.

Now in its 106th year, Yonex is one of badminton’s five ‘majors’, as well as being the sport’s oldest and most prestigious competition. This year’s highlights include husbandand-wife team Chris and Gabby Adcock attempting to win their first ever Yonex All England title.

44 whatsonlive.co.uk

Quote “What’s On” to receive 10% discount when booking

The Edible Garden Show here returns to the Midlands for the first time since 2013.

Now in its sixth year, the event brings together a wide range of experts and exhibitors to offer visitors an insight into how to get the very best out of their garden or window box.

“Although we’ve had two good years in London, a large proportion of our audience remains our loyal following from Stoneleigh,” says the event’s director, Geraldine Reeve. “Last year’s post-show research clearly illustrated that nearly half of our audience wanted the show to return to the Midlands.

“With the changes we’ve made this year, adding more interactive features as well as entertainment for the whole family, we know we’ve got a winning formula. By returning to Stoneleigh, we’re able to bring back the popular animal marquee, as well as offering a great food festival.”

Events March.qxp_Layout 1 22/02/2016 12:54 Page 2

whatsonlive.co.uk 45

Events March.qxp_Layout 1 22/02/2016 14:07 Page 3

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46 whatsonlive.co.uk

Events March.qxp_Layout 1 22/02/2016 12:54 Page 4

more events from around the region

Events Easter half term Fun at Cadbury World Cadbury World, Bournville, Sat 19 March - Sun 17 April

Egg Dancing at Blists Hill Blists Hill, Ironbridge, Shropshire, Fri 25 March - Sun 10 April

Join the residents of Blists Hill Victorian Town this month for a spot of sure-to-be-fun Easter egg dancing. Watch the residents dance blindfolded across the streets, attempt-

Easter half term activities at Coventry Transport Museum Coventry Transport Museum, Sat 26 March - Sun 10 April

Coventry Transport Museum’s latest interactive exhibition, a celebration of the city’s link with tractors, has been mounted to coincide with the 70th anniversary of the first tractor off the line at the Massey Ferguson Banner Lane plant.

As you’d expect - and particularly during the Easter holidays - it’s a family-friendly experience, offering visitors the chance to learn all about tractor technology. Artist Jim Morris is on hand too, showing youngsters how to use recycled card and tactile materials to make a model tractor. His workshop is suitable for children aged four and older.

And speaking of workshops, there’s a tractorfree one to enjoy in the Transport Museum’s MiC Lab, with children aged four-plus being given the chance to ‘experience the power of veg’ by making it light up!

ing to avoid the eggs placed along their route.

After they’ve demonstrated how to do it - or maybe how not to do it! - it’s time for any have-a-go visitors to ‘go blind and get dancing’!

A wealth of Easter fun awaits visitors to Cadbury World this month, with an egg hunt, a chance to meet a host of colourful Cadbury characters and the opportunity to enjoy live family entertainment adding to the usual fare on offer.

A great day out for adults and children alike, Cadbury World comprises various zones which take visitors through the origins of the cocoa bean and the history of the Cadbury brand.

A trip on board the magical Cadabra is a surefire hit with younger visitors, as is the 4D cinema experience - complete with the chance to ride the Crunchie rollercoaster and dive into liquid Cadbury Dairy Milk.

And, of course, there are always the free samples to enjoy...

Enginuity Workshops Practical Classics Restoration Show NEC, Birmingham, Sat 5 - Sun 6 March

Midlands Classic Car enthusiasts can really immerse themselves in their passion at this specialist event.

Showcasing in excess of 700 magnificent motors, the show also boasts live demos, expert tutorials, workshops, celebrity seminars and 350 exhibitors selling a wide range of popular products.

Other attractions include the Spring’s largest indoor autojumble, a ‘cars for sale’ area, Silverstone auctions, the Practical Classics Live Stage and the UK’s biggest collection of barn find displays.

Enginuity Museum, Ironbridge, Shropshire, Fri 25 March - Sun 10 April

These Easter holiday drop-in workshops provide participants with the chance to design colourful spring-loaded creatures and see how far they can jump. Visitors can also make and experiment with a catapult to compare how far it can launch a ‘missile’. The workshops take place each day (see above dates) between 10.30am and 3.45pm, with activities varying from day to day and some additional costs applying.

whatsonlive.co.uk 47

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more events from around the region

Events

Insomnia 57

Birmingham Botanical Gardens at Easter

NEC, Birmingham, Fri 25 - Mon 28 March

The UK’s biggest gaming festival has recently relocated to Birmingham’s NEC, having outgrown its previous home at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry.

Insomnia Gaming Festival is a 24hour event ‘combining all the best bits of video-gaming’, with the show offering visitors the chance to play an impressive selection of both new and vintage games. They can also watch their favourite online YouTube and Twitch stars as they participate in live Q&A sessions and interactive activities.

MCM Comic Con NEC, Birmingham, Sat 19 - Sun 20 March

American actress Lindsay Wagner became one of Hollywood’s hottest properties in the 1970s when she starred as the bionicallyenhanced Jaime Sommers in hit television series The Bionic Woman.

Lindsay is one of numerous celebrities (Red Dwarf’s Robert Llewellyn’s another) who’re making guest appearances at this well-established show. The event brings together a broad scope of popular-culture categories including movies, gaming, comics, anime, television shows, gadgets, clothing and toys.

Easter at Tamworth Castle Tamworth, Staffordshire, Mon 28 March - Fri 8 April

Entertainment and education is the package being offered to families visiting Tamworth Castle this Easter.

Most importantly (given the fact it’s a holiday from school!) is the entertainment element of the visit, which comes in the form of an Easter egg hunt.

Ruby, the castle’s dragon, has hidden her eggs from the dastardly dragon hunter (cue panto-style booing and hissing). Problem is, she’s been a bit too clever for her own good and can’t quite remember where she’s put them. As you can imagine, any assistance visiting families can offer her will be greatly appreciated - although Ruby herself won’t be around, as she’ll be way too busy searching for her missing eggs...

As for the educational element of a day out at the venue, that’s provided by enjoying a walk around the castle and checking out its 48 whatsonlive.co.uk

Edgbaston, Birmingham, Mon 28 March - Fri 1 April

Alongside its usual attractions of exotic glasshouses and beautiful lawns, Birmingham’s Botanical Gardens is this month offering plenty of Easter-themed family entertainment. Highlights include an egg trail through the gardens - with a prize awaiting intrepid participants - the chance to have a photo taken with the Easter Bunny, and plenty of family entertainment courtesy of the ever-popular Bibbledy Bob.

numerous displays, which take visitors on a journey from Saxon to Victorian times. Items from the world famous Staffordshire Hoard are also available to view.

Gandeys Circus Old Sainsbury’s Site, Ryecroft, Newcastleunder-Lyme, Fri 11 - Sun 20 March; Lighwoods Park, Smethwick, Fri 25 March - Sun 10 April

Boasting a long tradition of presenting accessible big-top entertainment for the whole family to enjoy, Gandeys is this month visiting the region with a brand new production.

Your Circus Awakens is being described as a show that uses modern-age technology ‘to bring its audience a truly intergalactic experience’.

“You can expect all the usual high-octane thrills and world-class performances,” says Gandey’s, “but this time with a space-tacular theme from a circus far, far away.”

Highlights include belly-busting trio Equivokee, fast-paced bolas act the Torres Brothers, high-speed juggler Gordon Marquez, Star Wars ewok Trevor Jones as Peanuts the Clown, and the ‘breathtaking neon skills’ of the intriguingly named Lazer Girl.

Acorn Academy The Potteries Museum and Art Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent, Sat 19 March

Beatrix Potter’s magical world of animals is brought to life in this special event celebrating the 150th anniversary of the author’s birth. Professor Bramble the Badger and headmistress Miss Nutella Nutkins’ impressive show-and-tell collection makes for a fun game of ‘animal, vegetable or mineral’ - an ideal way to introduce youngsters to the wonders of natural history.

Children can also enjoy the experience of holding real animals and discovering facts about their habitats and behaviour.

See thelist for all your events listings

Events March.qxp_Layout 1 22/02/2016 12:55 Page 6

To enter all competitions go to whatsonlive.co.uk

Win!

A Big Boy Beanbag worth ÂŁ159

Tickets to Horrible Histories Groovy Greeks

Ticket to Disney On Ice Silver Anniversary Celebration

Closes Monday 7 March

Closes Friday 11 March

Closes Tuesday 29 March

Tickets to Hannah Wants

Tickets to The Perfect Murder

Tickets to Slam Dunk Festival

Closes Friday 11 March

Closes Monday 21 March

Closes Friday 20 May

Tickets to Wipers

Tickets to Jackie The Musical

Tickets to Of Mice and Men

Closes Thursday 5 May

Closes Tuesday 8 March

Closes Tuesday 1 March

Tickets to The All-Star Stand-up Tour

Family Passport Ticket to Ironbridge Gorge Museums

Tickets to The Government Inspector

Closes Monday 4 April

Closes Monday 21 March

Closes Monday 14 March

Tickets to Get Carter

Tickets to Goodnight Mister Tom

Tickets to Hamlet

Closes Monday 14 March

Closes Monday 7 March

Closes Thursday 24 March

To enter all competitions go to whatsonlive.co.uk also follow us on Twitter for more great competitions whatsonlive.co.uk 49

The List Cover March Birmingham ONLY.qxp_Layout 1 22/02/2016 15:08 Page 1

thelist

The List Cover March Region 2 p.qxp_Layout 1 22/02/2016 16:09 Page 2

Your week to week listings guide March 2016

The Circus of Horrors - Welcome to the Carnevil at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre - Sat 26 March

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

and more!

What’s On Tues 1 to Sun 6 March

Mon 7 to Sun 13 March

Mon 14 to Sun 20 March

Mon 21 to Sun 27 March

Mon 28 to Thur 31 March

Kiss Me Quickstep at New Vic Theatre

Romesh Ranganathan at Stafford Gatehouse Theatre

Bridging The Void at Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury

Sartaaj at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at Regent Theatre, Stoke-onTrent

Fri 11 March

Wed 16 March

Fri 4 - Sat 19 March

Fri 25 March

Wed 30 March Sat 9 April

whatsonlive.co.uk 51

The List 1-6 March - SH/WOL/ST VERSION MM.qxp_Layout 1 22/02/2016 16:10 Page 1

thelist

Monday 29 February - Sunday 6 March

THROUGHOUT MARCH

Visual Arts

Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery

Bilston Craft Gallery

SHREWSBURY AND NEWPORT CANAL EXHIBITION until Sat 16 Apr.

TREASURE! DISCOVERING THE STAFFORDSHIRE HOARD Interactive exhibition, until Sat 12 Mar PHOENIX - CREATED BY WOLVERHAMPTON'S SCHOOLCHILDREN until Thurs 31 Mar.

VALHALLA - LIFE AND DEATH IN VIKING BRITAIN until Sun 5 June.

NEW! TREASURES: THE LITERATURE AND LANDSCAPE OF MARY WEBB’S SHROPSHIRE Mon 7 Mar - Sun 5 June.

NEW! MIXED BAG A group of contemporary artists working in ceramics, jewellery, paper, print and textiles, Sat 5 Mar - Sat 2 Apr.

Wolverhampton Art Gallery

Dudley Museum & Art Gallery

HOTEL DIARIES Sat 27 Feb - Sat 7 May.

TREASURES FROM THE GLASS COLLECTION until Sat 31 Dec. THE GREAT WAR until Sun 11 Nov ‘18.

NEW! VICTORIAN ART Pictures dating from the reign of the second longest serving British monarch, Tues 29 Mar - Sat 25 June.

Light House Media Centre Wolverhampton MENTAL SPACES until Sat 2 Apr NEW! WILLARD WIGAN MBE - MICROSCULPTURES Exhibition of microsculptures which includes a special tribute to Black Country legend Noddy Holder, Sun 13 Mar - Mon 2 May.

New Art Gallery - Walsall THE JOHN RUSKIN PRIZE - RECORDING BRITAIN NOW until Sun 17 Apr JAN VANRIET: THE MUSIC BOY until Sun 8 May LAURA LANCASTER until Sun 8 May WORKS FROM TATE INTO THE GARMAN RYAN COLLECTION until Sat 11 Feb 2017

Potteries Museum & Art Gallery - Stoke-On-Trent LETTER SIGNED BY ADMIRAL LORD NELSON until Sun 3 Apr. MINERS’ TOOLS until Sun 10 Apr TAYLOR WESSING PHOTOGRAPHIC PORTRAIT PRIZE 2015 until Sun 5 June.

ANGLO-SAXON KINGDOM OF MERCIA Featuring pieces from the Staffordshire Hoard, until Sat 1 Oct. FIRST WORLD WAR REPLICA TRENCH until Sun 11 Nov 2018.

MINTON ARCHIVE Interactive exhibition until Sun 27 Mar. NEW! LINKS TO A LANDSCAPE Featuring unusual reminders of how the local landscape’s been formed and influenced. 5 Mar - Mon 30 May NEW! BEATRIX'S ANIMALS Celebration of the 150th anniversary of the birth of Beatrix Potter, Sat 19 Mar - Sat 24 Sept.

Shire Hall Gallery - Stafford STILL, STILL LIFE until Sun 6 Mar. NEW! ENDANGERED AND EXTINCT Selection of sculptures by award-winning recycling artist Val Hunt, Sat 12 Mar - Sun 8 May.

52 whatsonlive.co.uk

A WORLD TO WIN: POSTERS OF PROTEST AND REVOLUTION until Sun 10 April

BIG CERAMICS: DISCOVER CLAY ON A MONUMENTAL SCALE until Sat 28 May. ASSEMBLED DREAMS: A HISTORY OF BUILDING TOYS until Sat 5 Mar. NEW! NEW ART WEST MIDLANDS 2016 Exhibition of works by graduates from various West Midlands art schools, Sat 12 Mar - Sun 15 May. NEW! THE HOUSE IS STILL NAMED AFTER HIM BY ANDREA HANNON Hannon creates surreal two-dimensional and three-dimensional works, Sat 12 Mar - Sat 14 May.

Other VISUAL ARTS RURAL MUSINGS until Sat 5 Mar, The Bear Steps Gallery, Shrewsbury ‘DEFENCE THROUGH THE LENS - 100 YEARS OF MILITARY PHOTOGRAPHY’ until Sun 13 Mar, RAF Cosford, Shifnal NEW! THE EMBROIDERERS' GUILD Members’ individual pieces interpret Capability Brown’s work at Weston Park, Tues 1 - Thurs 31 Mar, Weston Park, Shifnal, Shropshire NEW! ART BY THE METRE VAN artists choose their art, choose the space and choose how the work is displayed, Tues 1 - Sat 2 April, VAN Gallery, Market Hall, Shrewsbury NEW! EURYL STEVENS Shrewsburybased artist Euryl’s images of figures, combining painting, textiles and stitch work, Thurs 3 Mar - Mon 4 Apr, Qube Gallery, Oswestry, Shropshire NEW! DECAPOD - AIRSPACE GALLERY 10TH BIRTHDAY 10-artist group exhibition, Fri 4 Mar - Sat 2 Apr, AirSpace Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent

Foxes at o2 Academy in Birmingham on 3 March

Gigs THE CULT Tue 1 Mar O2 Institute, Birmingham

STIFF LITTLE FINGERS Tue 1 Mar, The Robin, Bilston THE RIFLES Wed 2 Mar, O2 Institute, B’ham THERAPY? Wed 2 Mar, The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton CATAPULT CLUB FEAT. MYTH CITY Wed 2 Mar, O2 Academy, B’ham CROOKS Wed 2 Mar, The Asylum, B’ham KEITH JAMES SOLIDAIR CONCERT Wed 2 Mar, The Robin, Bilston THE ELO EXPERIENCE Thurs 3 Mar, New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham

THE SENSATIONAL 60S EXPERIENCE Sat 5 Mar, New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham SLEEPING WITH SIRENS Sat 5 Mar, O2 Academy, Birmingham

MEAT LOAF GREATEST HITS TOUR Tue 1 Mar, New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham MILOS KARADAGLIC Fri 4 Mar, Birmingham Town Hall

MUMBO JUMBO Sat 5 Mar, Theatre On The Steps, Bridgnorth, Shropshire BLOSSOMS Sat 5 Mar, The Sugarmill, Stoke

THEORY OF A DEADMAN Fri 4 Mar, O2 Academy, Birmingham

SHOWADDYWADDY Sat 5 Mar, Ludlow Assembly Rooms, Shropshire

PLATINUM - ABBA TRIBUTE BAND Charity event in aid of MacMillian Cancer Support in Shropshire, Fri 4 Mar, Buttermarket, Shrewsbury

RECKLESS LOVE Sat 5 Mar, The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton

ROBIN NOLAN TRIO Fri 4 Mar, Theatre On The Steps, Bridgnorth, Shropshire CATAPULT CLUB FEAT. THE NEW BLACKS Fri 4 Mar, O2 Academy, B’ham

JAMIE WOON Sat 5 Mar, O2 Institute, B’ham UB40 - LABOUR OF LOVE Sat 5 Mar, The River Rooms, Stourbridge FLEETWOOD BAC Sat 5 Mar, The Robin, Bilston DAN PAGE Sat 5 Mar, Havana Republic, Shrewsbury

FOXES Thurs 3 Mar, O2 Institute, Birmingham

BREEZE Fri 4 Mar, O2 Institute, Birmingham

THE BLOCKHEADS Sun 6 Mar, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury

FAIRPORT CONVENTION Thurs 3 Mar, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury

MEAT LOUD Fri 4 Mar, Newhampton Arts Centre, Wolverhampton

FAIRPORT CONVENTION Sun 6 Mar, Birmingham Town Hall

UK GUNS N' ROSES Fri 4 Mar, The River Rooms, Stourbridge

LADY LESHURR Sun 6 Mar, O2 Academy, Birmingham

THE BLOCKHEADS Fri 4 Mar, The Robin, Bilston

JAKE MORLEY Sun 6 Mar, Henry Tudor House, Shrewsbury

NEW! TOLKIEN AND STAFFORDSHIRE 1915-1918 Mon 7 Mar - Sun 24 April, Museum of Cannock Chase NEW! WOLVERHAMPTON EMBROIDERS GUILD Exhibition in the showcase gallery, Sat 12 Mar - Sun 1 May, Red House Glass Cone, Stourbridge NEW! DESIGN AND DESIRE: THE GREAT EXHIBITION OF 1851 Objects and images, including prints and paintings from the Elton Collection, telling the story of how the Great Exhibition became one of the most influential and renowned events of the 19th century, Mon 21 Mar 2016 - Fri 24 Feb 2017, Coalbrookdale Gallery, Telford, Shropshire

THE DRIFTERS Fri 4 Mar, New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham

FEARLESS VAMPIRE KILLERS Thurs 3 Mar, O2 Academy, B’ham SYLOSIS & DECAPITATED Thurs 3 Mar, O2 Academy, Birmingham GUNNRUNNER Thurs 3 Mar, The Robin, Bilston

HANNAH & BRIAN Fri 4 Mar, Havana Republic, Shrewsbury

SKERRYVORE Sun 6 Mar, Lichfield Guildhall JOHNNY HATES JAZZ Sun 6 Mar, The Robin, Bilston

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Monday 29 February - Sunday 6 March

Classical Music VLADIMIR ASHKENAZY CONDUCTS RACHMANINOV’S SYMPHONY NO 3 Featuring Philharmonia Orchestra, Vladimir Ashkenazy (conductor) & Vikingur Olafsson (piano).

Programme includes works by Liszt and Rachmaninov, Tues 1 Mar, Symphony Hall, Birmingham CBSO THE FIREBIRD Featuring Nicholas Collon (conductor) and Leonard Elschenbroich (cello).

Programme includes works by Tchaikovsky, Berlioz and Stravinsky, Thurs 3 Mar, Symphony Hall, Birmingham CBSO CENTRE STAGE: SHAKESPEARE Featuring Jane Wright & Charlotte Skinner (violins), Catherine Bower (viola) and Catherine Ardagh-Walter (cello). A unique programme celebrating the Bard’s birthday: Shakespeare’s words & stories illustrated with theatrical chamber music, Fri 4 Mar, Symphony Hall, Birmingham MADAM BUTTERFLY Russian State Opera presents its version of Puccini's tragic opera, Fri 4 Mar, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury

University Chorus, children’s choirs & soloists. Michael Lloyd conducts.

Programme comprises Mahler’s Symphony of a Thousand, Sun 6 Mar, Symphony Hall, Birmingham

Comedy Gigs TOM STADE Wed 2 Mar The Glee Club, Birmingham SEAN LOCK Wed 2 Mar, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Shrops and Fri 4 Mar, The Place, Oakengates Theatre, Telford ZOE LYONS, GEOFF NORCOTT & COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBINSON Thurs 3 Mar, The Glee Club, Birmingham LOST VOICE GUY & LUKE GRAVES Thurs 3 Mar, Stourbridge Town Hall ANGELA BARNES, ADAM ROWE, DANNY HURST, TOM CHRISTIAN & DAVE BRYON Thurs 3 Mar, Foxlowe Arts Centre, Leek, Staffordshire STEPHEN GRANT, IAN STONE, DIMITRI BAKANOV & FIN TAYLOR Thurs 3 Mar The George Hotel, Lichfield ROFL! COMEDY CLUB Thurs 3 Mar The Old Post Office, Burton-uponTrent, Staffordshire JETHRO Thurs 3 Mar, Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire ZOE LYONS, GEOFF NORCOTT, KEVIN MCCARTHY & TOM LUCY Fri 4 - Sat 5 Mar, The Glee Club, Birmingham STUART GOLDSMITH Fri 4 Mar, The Glee Club, Birmingham

CBSO POULENC’S GLORIA Featuring Nicholas Collon (conductor), Sophie Bevan (soprano) & CBSO Chorus.

Programme includes works by Tchaikovsky, Berlioz & Stravinsky, Sat 5 Mar, Symphony Hall, Birmingham LAST NIGHT OF THE PROMS Presented by the West Shrewsbury Hospice Support Group. Featuring the Shrewsbury Light Orchestra, Sat 5 Mar, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury BIRMINGHAM PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA Also featuring the City of Birmingham Choir, Birmingham

JOJO SUTHERLAND, KAI HUMPHRIES & JOHN ROBERTSON, NIPPER THOMAS & HARRIET DYER Fri 4 Mar, Katie Fitzgerald's, Stourbridge ADAM HILLS Sat 5 Mar, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre CHRIS PURCHASE Sat 5 Mar, Lichfield Garrick ALUN COCHRANE Sat 5 Mar, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre MARTIN DANIELS Sat 5 Mar, Festival Drayton Centre, Market Drayton, North Shropshire TOMMY TIERNAN Sun 6 Mar, The Glee Club, Birmingham

Theatre

will become and the people who’ve populated it, Wed 2 Mar, Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton

THE 39 STEPS Fiery Angel present Alfred Hitchcock's classic spy thriller, Mon 29 Feb - Sat 5 Mar, The REP, Birmingham

HORRIBLE HISTORIES: GROOVY GREEKS From savage Sparta to angry Athens, discover the truth about growing up in Greece, Wed 2 - Sat 5 Mar, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM: A PLAY FOR THE NATION A co-production between the Royal Shakespeare Company and amateur theatre companies across the UK, until Sat 5 Mar, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon DOCTOR FAUSTUS Maria Aberg returns to the RSC to direct Marlowe's notorious tale of vanity, greed and damnation, until Thurs 4 Aug, The Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon DON QUIXOTE James Fenton's staging of Cervantes' comic novel - a work regarded as one of the foundation stones of modern fiction. Rufus Hound stars. Until Sat 21 May, The Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon Read our interview with Rufus online at whatsonlive.co.uk THE BARBER OF SEVILLE Welsh National Opera presents Kelly Rourke’s new translation of the ultimate feelgood opera, Tue 1 Mar Birmingham Hippodrome THE BEST THING Vamos Theatre present a fully masked performance of a Swinging ’60s story of unconditional love, Wed 2 Mar, Brewhouse Arts Centre, Burton-upon-Trent WILLIAM GOLDING’S LORD OF THE FLIES WITH DR JANE MACKAY Join the Nobel Prize winner as she studies the disintigration of a group of English public schoolboys when the restraints of civilisation are removed, Wed 2 Mar, Brewhouse Arts Centre, Burton-uponTrent THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO Welsh National Opera present Mozart’s great comic work, Wed 2 Mar, Birmingham Hippodrome THE FORENSICS OF A FLAT (AND OTHER STORIES) One-woman show described as ‘part stand-up, bit biography and bit documentation’.

Francesca Millican Slater tells stories about her beloved flat, the area it stands in, what it used to be, what it

HORRIBLE HISTORIES: INCREDIBLE INVADERS Brand new show from the Horrible Histories team. This time round, it's the ruthless ways of the Romans which come under scrutiny, Thurs 3 - Sat 5 Mar, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

THE PRESTON BILL Award-winning theatre maker Andy Smith’s newly commissioned work of theatre, which he also performs. A story about a man from Preston that will make you stop and think about where you - and we are in the world, Thurs 3 Mar, Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton FIGARO GETS A DIVORCE Welsh National Opera present a new opera described as part comedy, part political thriller, Thurs 3 Mar, Birmingham Hippodrome TELL ME ON A SUNDAY Jodie Prenger stars in Andrew Lloyd Webber and Don Black’s one-woman musical, which charts the misadventures of a young English girl in New York in the heady days of the 1980s, Thurs 3 Sat 5 Mar, Lichfield Garrick THE TAILOR OF INVERNESS Dogstar Theatre Company present Matthew Zajac's moving story of displacement and survival in war-torn Europe, Thurs 3 - Sat 5 Mar, The REP, B’ham THE BARBER OF SEVILLE Welsh National Opera presents Kelly Rourke’s new translation of the ultimate feelgood opera, Fri 4 Mar, Birmingham Hippodrome

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Thursday 17th March

A NIGHT OF DIRTY DANCING Time: 7.30pm

Friday 18th March

ELO AGAIN Time: 7.30pm

Thursday 31st March

MARK BEAUMONT Time: 7.30pm

Thursday 7th April

COUNTRY SUPERSTARS EXPERIENCE Time: 7.30pm

Friday 15th April

THE JOHNNY CASH ROADSHOW Time: 7.30pm

Wednesday 20th April

SWAN LAKE Time: 7.00pm

Friday 22nd April

MONEY FOR NOTHING Time: 7.30pm

Wednesday 27th April

DEREK RYAN IN CONCERT Time: 7.30pm

Thursday 19th May

SNOOKER LEGENDS Time: 7.15pm

TWC GP 01043

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thelist MADAM BUTTERFLY Russian State Opera presents its version of Puccini's tragic work, Fri 4 Mar, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury

THE BIRTHDAY PARTY London Classic Theatre presents its version of Harold Pinter's 'cryptic thriller and macabre comedy', Fri 4 - Sat 5 Mar, Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton KISS ME QUICKSTEP A new play which takes a look at the real lives behind the fixed smiles and fake tans of the ballroom dance world, Fri 4 - Sat 19 Mar, New Vic Theatre, Newcastleunder-Lyme THE SENSATIONAL 60S EXPERIENCE Seven legendary names take to the stage, Sat 5 Mar, New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO Welsh National Opera present Mozart’s great comic work, Sat 5 Mar, Birmingham Hippodrome EMBRACED BURLESQUE Wolverhampton’s ultimate cabaret extravaganza, featuring live music, comedy, burlesque and audience participation. Over 18s only, Sat 5 Mar, Newhampton Arts Centre, Wolverhampton PASSING STRANGERS Amateur production of Eric Chappell's romantic comedy, Sat 5 - Sat 12 Mar, Oldbury Rep - Barlow Theatre, Oldbury THE CIRCUS OF HORRORS: CARNEVIL The show that stormed into the finals of Britain's Got Talent and is now a West End smash is back to mark its 21st anniversary, Sun 6 Mar, New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham

Dance 016 DANCE - SPORT IN THE CITY Until Sat 5 Mar, Regent Theatre, Stoke-onTrent MAPDANCE 2016 Tenth anniversary performance featuring new commissions and reconstructions from renowed international contemporary choreographers, as well as emerging new talents, Thurs 3 Mar, The Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham

Monday 29 February - Sunday 6 March

Talks RAY MEARS: TALES OF ENDURANCE Through carefully selected stories, Ray Mears reflects on our ingenuity, adaptability and sheer determination to provide an insight to what makes a survivor, Tues 1 Mar, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury SPACE TO BREATHE: THE STORY OF WOLVERHAMPTON'S EAST AND WEST PARKS A free talk by historian Advolly Richmond. Tues 1 Mar, Bantock House & Park, Wolverhampton RJ MITCHELL CBE, THE SPITFIRE AND THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN ... THEIR FINEST HOUR Meet some of the men who fought the Battle of Britain including a distinguished Luftwaffe ace, Sat 5 Mar, RAF Cosford, Wolverhampton ALEX HENSHAW MBE... THE FLIGHT OF THE MEW GULL AND SIGH FOR A MERLIN Alex Henshaw tells his own story starting with his adventures in the Golden Age of Flying, Sat 5 Mar, RAF Cosford, Wolverhampton

Film INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: THE HATEFUL EIGHT (18) Tarantino’s long-awaited re-imagining of The Magnificent Seven, with less cleancut protagonists. Set in post-Civil War Wyoming, the film features eight disparate bounty hunters who take refuge at a stagecoach stopover during a blizzard. Stars Samuel L. Jackson & Kurt Russell. Tues 1 Mar, Festival Drayton Centre, Market Drayton, North Shropshire; Fri 4 - Sat 5 Mar, Stoke Film Theatre, Stoke-onTrent BROOKLYN (12A) An Irish immigrant lands in 1950s Brooklyn, where she quickly falls into a new romance.

When her past catches up with her, however, she must choose between two countries and the lives that exist within. Stars Saoirse Ronan & Domhnall Gleeson. Tues 1 - Wed 2 Mar, Light House Media Centre, Wolverhampton A BIGGER SPLASH (15) A famous rock star & a film maker have their holiday disrupted by the unexpected arrival of her old flame and his daughter, creating a whirlwind of jealousy, passion & ultimately danger for everyone. Stars Ralph Fiennes, Tilda Swinton. Tues 1 - Thurs 3 Mar, Light House Media Centre, Wolverhampton TRUMBO (15) Set in the golden age of Hollywood, this entertaining biopic looks at the troubled career of screen writer Dalton Trumbo, who was unjustly ostracized by film studios for refusing to testify in the House Committee on Un-American Activities. Stars Bryan Cranston & Diane Lane. Tues 1 - Thurs 3 Mar, Light House Media Centre, Wolverhampton LE MEPRIS (15) Brigitte Bardot stars in Jean-Luc Godard’s sumptuously styl-

ish and satirical study of a marriage in trouble and of professional relationships; in short, of modern lives.

Tues 1 Mar, Light House Centre, Wolverhampton; Sun 6 Mar, Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire THE WAR YOU DON’T SEE (12a) A powerful and timely investigation into the media’s role in war, tracing the history of ’embedded’ and independent reporting from the carnage of World War One to the destruction of Hiroshima, and from the invasion of Vietnam to the recent war in Afghanistan and disaster in Iraq. Wed 2 Mar, Foxlowe Arts Centre, Leek, Staffordshire OUR LITTLE SISTER (PG) The story of three sisters in their twenties who live together in a rambling ancestral home. Their existence is carefully calibrated, but when their smart younger half-sister Suzu comes to stay with them, they’re forced to reexamine their sheltered lives. Wed 2 Thurs 3 Mar, Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South shropshire THE ASSASSIN (12a) Set during the Tang Dynasty in the 9th century and tells a story adapted from a contemporary legend; about Nie (Shu Qi), who – having been abducted as a child and inducted into the world of martial arts – is forced to choose between love and duty when she returns to the land of her birth. Wed 2 Mar, The Electric Cinema, Birmingham; Thurs 3 Mar, Stoke Film Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent THE REVENANT (15) Inspired by true events and filmed in the frozen wilds of Alberta and British Columbia.

Leonardo DiCaprio plays Hugh Glass, an 1820s’ frontiersman who was left for dead after being mauled by a bear. Incensed by his abandonment, Glass dreams of revenge – but first must find the will to survive in unhospitable terrain. Fri 4 & Mon 7 Mar, Market Drayton Centre, Market Drayton, North Shropshire; Fri 4 Thurs 10 Mar, Light House Media Centre, Wolverhampton SPOTLIGHT (15) The spotlight is on Catholic priests in Boston back in 2001. ‘Spotlight’ was the name of a special investigative unit within The Boston Globe and the film reveals more about the mechanics of top-tier American journalism than it does about the corruption of the Catholic church. Stars Mark Ruffalo & Michael Keaton. Fri 4 - Sun 6 Mar, Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire

NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: Released Fri 4 March, showing at selected cinemas.

LONDON HAS FALLEN (15) THE CHOICE (12a) GOODNIGHT MOMMY (tbc) HAIL, CAESAR! (tbc) THE OTHER SIDE OF THE DOOR (15) TIME OUT OF MIND (15) TRUTH (15) See Film section for previews on p40

Events DEER FEEDING Get closer to the fallow deer as the wardens feed them in the winter months, Tues 1 - Sun 13 Mar, Attingham Park, Shropshire BE A BODGER FOR THE DAY Carving and crafting using greenwood from Fordhall Farm woodlands, Fri 4 Mar, Fordhall Organic Farm, Market Drayton, Shropshire NATIONAL WEDDING SHOW The UK’s biggest wedding show featuring over 300 wedding specialists from bridal boutiques and florists to jewellers & photographers, Fri 4 - Sun 6 Mar, NEC, Birmingham DAVIS CUP BY BNP PARIBAS FIRST ROUND GREAT BRITAIN VS JAPAN Fri 4 Sun 6 Mar, Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham 4X4 IN THE FOREST Join the rangers in your 4x4 to explore Cannock Chase.

Meet at Birches Valley Forest Centre, Sat 5 Mar, Cannock Chase Forest, Staffordshire A NIGHT OF CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING EGGINGTON V SKEETE Sam Eggington defends his British and Commonwealth Welterweight titles against Bradley Skeete, Sat 5 Mar, Genting Arena, Birmingham STARS IN YOUR SKIES - ASTEROIDS, METERORITES AND IMPACTS Get up close and personal with Dr. Alan Longstaff's meteorites, Sat 5 Mar, Carding Mill Valley & The Shropshire Hills, Shropshire PAWS WALKS Explore the beauty of Erddig with your pooch. A great opportunity to socialise with dogs and their walkers. It's sure to be tail waggingly good fun, Sat 5 Mar, Erddig Hall, Wrexham PRACTICAL CLASSICS RESTORATION SHOW Discover everything for your project from barn find to concours at the Practical Classics Restoration and Classic Car Show, Sat 5 - Sun 6 Mar, NEC, Birmingham THOMAS & FRIENDS WEEKENDS A weekend full of fun for all the family, Sat 5 - Sun 6 Mar, Drayton Manor Theme Park, Staffordshire MOTHER'S DAY 50 THINGS CHALLENGE Challenge mum to take on some of the 50 Things To Do Before You're 11¾ and see how many things you can tick off together throughout the day to collect your certificate, Sun 6 Mar, Attingham Park, Shropshire MOTHER'S DAY AFTERNOON TEAS Treat a special mum to a traditional Afternoon Tea for two in the cosy Factory Cafe, Sun 6 Mar, Emma Bridgewater Pottery, Stoke-on-Trent SPRING BIRD SHOW The greatest gathering in the country for aviculture, Sun 6 Mar, Staffordshire County Showground, Stafford MOTHERS DAY TEA PARTY Treat your mum to a special day at Monkey Forest. All mums receive a free tea/filter coffee when buying a slice of cake from the Banana Cafe, Sun 6 Mar, Trentham Monkey Forest

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thelist

Monday 7 - Sunday 13 March

Classical Music MUSICA CALLADA/ MUSIC OF SILENCE The magical music of the Spanish composer Federico Mompou forms the basis of this musical journey and search for silence. Classical, jazz and improvisation in a continuous program full of surprises feature alongside a commission by Dutch composer Oene van Geel, Mon 7 Mar, Birmingham Town Hall

Mari Wilson at Henry Tudor House in Shrewsbury on 13 March

Gigs RUDIMENTAL Mon 7 Mar, O2 Academy, Birmingham

O2 Academy, B’ham

Birmingham

FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE Thurs 10 Mar, The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton

WINGS OVER ABBEY ROAD Sat 12 Mar, Theatre On The Steps, Bridgnorth, Shropshire

DAKESIS Thurs 10 Mar, O2 Academy, B’ham

THE STRANGLERS Sat 12 Mar, O2 Academy, Birmingham

THE CORAL Thurs 10 Mar, O2 Institute, Birmingham FRAGILE FEATURING CLAIRE HAMILL Thurs 10 Mar, The Robin, Bilston WOLF ALICE Mon 7 Mar, Keele University, Staffordshire MARTIN SIMPSON Mon 7 Mar, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre WALSALL JAZZ ORCHESTRA Mon 7 Mar, Forest Arts Centre, Walsall RE-GENESIS Mon 7 Mar, The Robin, Bilston

RUMOURS OF FLEETWOOD MAC Fri 11 Mar, Birmingham Town Hall

THE MANFREDS Sat 12 Mar, Artrix, Bromsgrove

JOSEF SALVAT Fri 11 Mar, O2 Academy, Birmingham

THE SELECTER Sat 12 Mar, The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton

KATHRYN ROBERTS AND SEAN LAKEMAN Fri 11 Mar, The Glee Club, Birmingham

TURIN BRAKES Tue 8 Mar, The Glee Club, Birmingham

THE MERSEY BEATLES Sat 12 Mar, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre DJ ALPHA'S BIRTHDAY BASH 2016 Sat 12 Mar, O2 Institute, B’ham

MATT CORBY Tue 8 Mar, O2 Institute, B’ham THE RIFLES Wed 9 Mar, The Sugarmill, Stokeon-Trent MAGNIFICENT MUSIC HALL Wed 9 Mar, The Place, Oakengates Theatre, Shropshire LAPSLEY Wed 9 Mar, O2 Institute, B’ham DAN REED NETWORK Wed 9 Mar, The Robin, Bilston PAUL HEATON & JACQUI ABBOT Thurs 10 Mar,

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PETER DONOHOE PLAYS SHOSTAKOVICH Following last season’s astonishing performance of the Shostakovich piano concerto no 2, Peter is back to perform the first concerto, complemented by one of Mozart’s earlier piano concertos. Tchaikovsky’s Andante Cantabile adds a gentler Russian flavour, Wed 9 March, Birmingham Town Hall SHOSTAKOVICH'S FIFTEENTH Featuring the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Alpesh Chauhan (conductor) & Eduardo Vassallo (cello).

Programme includes works by Borodin, Osvaldo Golijov and Shostakovich, Wed 9 Mar, Symphony Hall, Birmingham CBSO SYMPHONIC DISCO SPECTACULAR Featuring Stephen Bell (conductor), Annie Skates (vocalist), Hazel Fernandes (vocalist), Lance Ellington (vocalist) & Andrew Playfoot (vocalist). Programme includes songs such as Blame It On The Boogie, I Will Survive & Disco Inferno, Fri 11 Mar, Symphony Hall, Birmingham

SEVEN LAST WORDS Featurting the Ludlow Choral Society. Programme includes works by Haydn and Mozart, Sat 12 Mar, Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire ORGAN PROMS Sat 12 Mar, Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent

EXPRESSO BONGO ORCHESTRA Sat 12 Mar, Newhampton Arts Centre, Wolverhampton

THE FEELING Fri 11 Mar, O2 Academy, B’ham

TYKETTO Sat 12 Mar, The Robin, Bilston

Comedy Gigs

COLD OCEAN LIES Fri 11 Mar, Lichfield Guildhall

DAVID BUSHBY Sat 12 Mar, Havana Republic, Shrewsbury

JETHRO Wed 9 Mar, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre

ULTIMATE GENESIS Sat 12 Mar, O2 Academy,

NATHAN CARTER Sun 13 Mar, Birmingham Town Hall

MARK WATSON Fri 11 Mar, Theatr Hafren, Powys

WV1 COMEDY Fri 11 Mar, Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton

CHUBBY CHECKER Fri 11 Mar, The Place, Oakengates Theatre, Telford, Shropshire

SYNERGY Fri 11 Mar, Havana Republic, Shrewsbury

ROMESH RANGANATHAN Fri 11 Mar, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre

BRENTANO QUARTET Programme includes works by Bach, Shostakovic & Dvorak, Tues 8 Mar, Birmingham Town Hall

MARION FLEETWOOD WITH GREG CAVE Sat 12 Mar, Lichfield Guildhall

MARI WILSON Sun 13 Mar, Henry Tudor House, Shrewsbury

CRAIG CAMPBELL Fri 11 Mar, The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton

STEWART FRANCIS Fri 11 Mar, Artrix, Bromsgrove

THERAPY? Fri 11 Mar, The Sugarmill, Stokeon-Trent

LOS PACAMINOS FEAT PAUL YOUNG Fri 11 Mar, The Robin, Bilston

TIFF STEVENSON Thurs 10 Mar, Henry Tudor House, Shrewsbury, Shropshire

THOMAS TROTTER ORGAN RECITAL Mon 7 Mar, Birmingham Town Hall

OSLO PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA Featuring Vasily Peterenko (conductor) & Simon Trpc˘eski (piano).

Programme includes works by Grieg, Rachmaninov & Mahler, Sat 12 Mar, Symphony Hall, Birmingham

REEF Fri 11 Mar, O2 Institute, Birmingham

COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBINSON Thurs 10 Mar, The Glee Club, Birmingham

GRAND ORGAN GALA An afternoon of popular music including Saint-Saëns’ magnificent Symphony No. 3 ‘Organ’, Sun 13 Mar, Symphony Hall, Birmingham

JENNY ECLAIR Thurs 10 Mar, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Shropshire KATHERINE RYAN Thurs 10 Mar, The Place, Oakengates Theatre, Shropshire CARL DONNELLY, STEVE GRIBBIN &

CARL DONNELLY, STEVE GRIBBIN, INEL TOMLINSON & FREDDIE FARRELL Fri 11 - Sat 12 Mar, The Glee Club, B’ham ROY CHUBBY BROWN Sat 12 Mar, The Place, Oakengates Theatre, Telford JOHN ROBBINS Sat 12 Mar, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury JENNY ECLAIR Sun 13 Mar, The Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham MARK WATSON Sun 13 Mar, The Glee Club, Birmingham KEN DODD Sun 13 Mar, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre

Theatre THRILLER LIVE A musical celebration featuring the hit songs of Michael and The Jackson 5, Mon 7 - Sat 12 Mar, New Alexandra Theatre, B’ham BOUNCERS The Little Theatre Company present an amateur production of John Godber’s classic comedy, Tues 8 - Sat 12 Mar, Brewhouse Arts Centre, Burton-uponTrent RUDDIGORE Gilbert & Sullivan's farcical tale of lost love, revenge and ghostly ancestors that come to life, Tue 8 - Sat 12 Mar, The Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham HETTY FEATHER Jacqueline Wilson's tale of the plucky Hetty Feather is here brought to life by award-winning script writer Emma Reeves and Olivier Award-nominated director Sally Cookson. Suitable for children aged seven-plus, Tue 8 - Sat 12 Mar, The REP, Birmingham OLIVER! Walsall Operatic Society presents an amateur version of Lionel Bart’s musical, which, in turn, is based on Charles Dickens’ classic tale, Tues 8 - Sat 12 Mar, Lichfield Garrick OF MICE AND MEN Roxana Silbert directs John Steinbeck's classic story. Dudley Sutton stars. Tue 8 Sat 12 Mar, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre IMPOSSIBLE The world’s greatest illusionists, live on stage in a magic spectacular, Tues 8 - Sat 12 Mar, Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent Read our interview with the stars from Impossible, online at whatsonlive.co.uk

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COMING SOON...

2 March, 7.30pm

Vamos Theatre presents:

The Best Thing

Tickets £12 adv, £10, conc. *

8 - 12 March, 7.30pm

2.30pmSat Mat, Little Theatre Company presents:

Bouncers

Tickets: £10, £9 Conc

17 March 7pm Brewhouse Lates:

Sugarcraft Flowers with Exquisite Bakes Tickets: £5

18 March, 7.30pm Actors Of Dionysus: Lysistrata Tickets: £12, £10 Conc.*

(14+)

14 & 23 March, 7pm

Annual Youth Dance Platform

b - Dance

Tickets: £7, £5 conc.

24 March, 7pm

Youth Dance Platform:

Trinity Warriors Academy Tickets: £7, £5 conc.

25 March, 2.30pm Hubbub Theatre:

Kessoku Tales of Togetherness Tickets £6, £20 Family of 4

26 March, 1.30pm Second Hand Dance:

Grass

Tickets: £6 , £20 Family of 4

29 March - 2 April, 7.30pm

Little Theatre Company

The Phantom Of The Opera Tickets: £12, £10 Conc.

4 April, 2pm Winter Walker:

Three Keepers Tickets: £6 , £20 Family of 4

* £8 Students

Brewhouse Arts Centre, Union Street, Burton-upon-Trent, Staffordshire DE14 1AA

Box office: 01283 508100. www.brewhouse.co.uk

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Monday 7 - Sunday 13 March RETURN TO THE FORBIDDEN PLANET Brand new production of the Olivier Award-winning rock’n’roll spectacular - a ’60s science fiction musical, Wed 9 - Sat 12 Mar, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury THE REMARKABLE TALE OF OLIVER TWIST Red Earth Theatre present Charles Dickens' classic tale in the style of Victorian music hall, with speciality acts and variety entertainments, Wed 9 Mar, Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton and also Thurs 10 Mar, mac, Birmingham HANDA'S HEN Based on the book by Eileen Browne, this engaging family show features 55 stunning puppets, all created by hand, Wed 9 Mar, Newhampton Arts Centre, Wolverhampton MAGNIFICENT MUSIC HALL Step back in time to the glorious and glamorous heyday of British music hall, circa the 1890s, Wed 9 Mar, The Place, Oakengates Theatre, Shropshire THE BEST THING Vamos Theatre present a fully masked performance of a Swinging ’60s story of unconditional love, Wed 9 Mar, New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme MARY POPPINS The supercalifragilistic international hit arrives in Brum as part of a UK tour, Wed 9 Mar - Sat 23 Apr, Birmingham Hippodrome Read our feature on page 19 THE STORY OF FRED & GINGER Telling the story of the legendary 1930s dancing duo, Thurs 10 Mar, Forest Arts Centre, Walsall THE OLD WOMAN, THE BUFFALO AND THE LION OF MANDING A story of hunters, kings, prophecy, insult and women of power, Thurs 10 Mar, Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton ALICE IN WONDERLAND Amateur production presented by Stafford Gatehouse Youth Theatre, Thurs 10 Sat 12 Mar, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre WHAT ARE THEY LIKE? Central Youth Theatre explore the stories of 12 parents and the trials and tribulations of raising children, Fri 11 - Sat 12 Mar, Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton FIRST STAGES: TADPOLES MD Theatre Company present an highly visual, energetic show featuring the voice of Sue Johnston OBE as Mission Control. Recommended for children aged five-plus, Sat 12 Mar, The REP, Birmingham BORIS AND INGRID The world premiere of a ‘sharp & poignant’ play exploring the inevitability of time, solitude

and the joys of being odd, Sat 12 Mar, Lichfield Garrick PENTABUS: THIS LAND The story of community, belonging and the ground beneath our feet, Sat 12 Mar, Sparc Theatre, Bishops Castle, Shropshire WOMEN & THEATRE: THEATRES OF CONSCIENCE Interactive theatre exploring the subject of conscientious objectors in World War One, Sat 12 - Sun 13 Mar, mac, Birmingham HAMLET Simon Godwin directs Paapa Essiedu as Hamlet in Shakespeare's searing tragedy. Cucumber actor Cyril Nri stars as Polonius. Sat 12 Mar - Sat 13 Aug, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratfordupon-Avon Read our interview with Cyril online at whatsonlive.co.uk AUSTEN'S WOMEN Adapted and performed by Rebecca Vaughn, Austen’s Women brings together no fewer than thirteen of Jane Austen’s most celebrated female characters, Sun 13 Mar, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE AdLib Theatre Company present an amateur production of the hit American musical, which focuses on a naive young woman who finds herself at the centre of a series of madcap adventures, Sun 13 Mar, Lichfield Garrick

Talks CAITLIN MORAN "MORANTHOLOGY" In conversation, to coincide with the publication of Moranifesto, Wed 9 Mar, Birmingham Town Hall JAMES MARTIN - PLATES, MATES AND AUTOMOBILES Join the celebrated chef and TV personality for his very first UK tour, Thurs 10 Mar, Symphony Hall, Birmingham RAY MEARS - TALES OF ENDURANCE STORIES TO INSPIRE Through carefully selected stories, Ray explores what makes a survivor, Sat 12 Mar, Birmingham Town Hall

Film BROOKLYN (12A) An Irish immigrant lands in 1950s Brooklyn, where she quickly falls into a new romance.

When her past catches up with her,

Party Piece The Grange Playhouse, Walsall, Wed 9 - Sat 19 March

Now in their 64th season, the Grange Players remain as committed as ever to their original remit - to encourage the local community's interest in drama and theatre through a presentation of entertaining productions.

The company’s latest undertaking, a comedy by Outside Edge writer Richard Harris, finds Michael and Roma’s fancy dress party taking more than the occasional turn for the worse...

however, she must choose between two countries and the lives that exist within. Stars Saoirse Ronan & Domhnall Gleeson. Stourbridge Town Hall, Mon 7 Mar

THE HERE AFTER (15)

SUFFRAGETTE (12a) A drama that tracks the story of the foot soldiers of the early feminist movement, women who were forced underground to pursue a dangerous game of cat and mouse with an increasingly brutal State. Stars Anne-Marie Duff, Carey Mulligan & Meryl Streep. Mon 7 Mar, Edge Arts Centre, Much Wenlock, Shropshire

TRADERS (tbc)

DEPARTURES (12a) Daigo Kobayashi is a devoted cellist in an orchestra that has just been dissolved and finds himself without a job. After returning to his hometown with his wife he secures a job in which he takes a certain pride and begins to perfect the art of Nokanshi, acting as a gentle gatekeeper between life and death, between the departed and the family of the departed. Tues 8 Mar, Foxlowe Arts Centre, Leek, Staffordshire CUBAN FURY (15) 22 years after a bullying incident robbed him of his shot at glory in the UK Junior Salsa Championships, overweight and selfloathing office worker Bruce Garrett falls for the charms of his new, seemingly out-of-reach American boss Julia. Stars Nick Frost. Fri 11 Mar, Forest Arts Centre, Walsall ROOM (15) Bed, lamp, skylight, rug…

These are the things that five-yearold Jack’s physical world comprise of. He may have been trapped in an 11-square-foot room since his birth, but he doesn’t see it that way, as the world outside the room doesn’t exist for him. Stars Brie Larson & Jacob Tremblay. Fri 11 Mar, Festival Drayton Centre, Market Drayton, North Shropshire TRUMBO (15) Set in the golden age of Hollywood, this entertaining biopic looks at the troubled career of screen writer Dalton Trumbo, who was unjustly ostracized by film studios for refusing to testify in the House Committee on Un-American Activities. Stars Bryan Cranston & Diane Lane. Fri 11 - Sat 12 & Tues 15 Mar, Stoke Film Theatre, Stoke-onTrent SPOTLIGHT (15) The spotlight is on Catholic priests in Boston back in 2001. ‘Spotlight’ was the name of a special investigative unit within The Boston Globe and the film reveals more about the mechanics of top-tier American journalism than it does about the corruption of the Catholic church. Stars Mark Ruffalo & Michael Keaton. Tues 8- Thurs 10 Mar, Stoke Film Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent; Sat 12 Mar, Festival Drayton Centre, Market Drayton

NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: Released Fri 11 March, showing at selected cinemas.

DIVERGENT SERIES: THE ALLEGIANT (tbc) ANOMALISA (15)

KUNG FU PANDA 3 (PG) NEXT TO HER (15) THE ONES BELOW (15) THE WITCH (tbc) See Film section for previews

Events BE A BUTCHER FOR THE DAY Help Charlie the butcher in his daily duties and learn some basic butchery skills, Tues 8 Mar, Fordhall Organic Farm, Market Drayton, Shropshire THE BEST EXOTIC TASTES IN THE WORLD Learn how to cook Asian vegetarian cuisine that is fun to prepare and perfect for sharing, Tues 8 Mar, Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre, Craven Arms THE YONEX ALL ENGLAND OPEN BADMINTON CHAMPIONSHIPS One of the oldest and most prestigious open badminton tournaments in the world which brings together the world's top ten players from each discipline to compete for the coveted title, Tues 8 - Sun 13 Mar, Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham CRUFTS 2016 The world’s biggest and best dog event, Crufts is a fun family day, full of unforgettable dog shows, the best in dog shopping and hundreds of canines for you to meet, Thurs 10 - Sun 13 Mar, NEC, Birmingham BOWMAN ANTIQUES The Best selection of antiques, curios, vintage, retro & collectables in the West Midlands, Fri 11 - Sun 13 Mar, Staffordshire County Showground, Stafford THE EDIBLE GARDEN SHOW AND GOOD LIFE LIVE Perfect for anyone interested in growing their own produce, cultivate their urban spaces, raising livestock, keeping bees or brewing their own, Fri 11 - Sun 13 Mar, Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire OPEN DRAWERS AND DOORS Explore the life of the Lander family told through the hidden objects, Fri 11 Mon 14 Mar, Sunnycroft, Wellington, Shropshire FAMILY WORKSHOPS Sat 12 Mar, Eastside Projects, Birmingham NIGHT RUN A fun family run through the parkland after dark, Sat 12 Mar, Attingham Park, Shropshire GO RUN ULTRAVIOLET DERBY Walk, dance or just go! Enjoy the glow stations, lighting effects & music zones as you make your way around the course, Sat 12 Mar, Donington Park Racing Circuit, Derby MAGICAL ASIAN FUSION Join experienced Asian chef Sheela Udeshi for an unforgettable cookery session featuring food from three Asian countries, Sat 12 Mar, Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre, Craven Arms MYSTERY MARCH Take a walk on an unknown part of the site, Sun 13 Mar, Attingham Park, Shropshire

FIFTY SHADES OF BLACK (15)

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The List 14-20 March - SH/WOL/ST MASTER VERSION.qxp_Layout 1 22/02/2016 16:15 Page 1

thelist

Monday 14 - Sunday 20 March

Classical Music

provoking production which sees two sets of revelations collide - with devastating consequences, Tue 15 Mar, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury

ELLEN KENT: DIE FLEDERMAUS Opera & Ballet International present a brand new production of Johann Strauss' light-hearted opera, Wed 16 Mar, Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent

LYSISTRATA Actors Of Dionysus present a bawdy, provocative and delighfully absurd comedy which follows Lysistrata as she leads the women of Greece in a revolt against the male establishment, Tue 15 - Wed 16 Mar, Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton

CARMEN Ellen Kent Productions presents its version of Bizet's passionate opera in which Carmen shifts her passion from one lover to another with tragic consequences, Thurs 17 Mar, Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent

The Hollies at Regent Theatre, Hanley on 19 March

Gigs BEVERLEY CRAVEN Mon 14 Mar, New Vic Theatre, Newcastleunder-Lyme JAMES MORRISON Mon 14 Mar, Symphony Hall, Birmingham DEFEATER Mon 14 Mar, O2 Academy B’ham

SCOTT BRADLEE & POSTMODERN JUKEBOX Fri 18 Mar, O2 Academy, Birmingham

Wolverhampton

JASON DONOVAN: TEN GOOD REASONS & GREATEST HITS TOUR Fri 18 Mar, Symphony Hall, Birmingham

THE NEIGHBOURHOOD Sat 19 Mar O2 Institute, Birmingham

STEREO MC'S Fri 18 Mar, O2 Institute, B’ham

JOE BONAMASSA Sat 19 Mar, Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham

THE WONDER STUFF Sat 19 Mar, O2 Academy, Birmingham TONY MORTIMER Sat 19 Mar, O2 Academy, Birmingham

CBSO ELGAR’S SECOND Featuring Edward Gardner (conductor) & Lawrence Power (viola). Programme includes works by Walton and Elgar, Thurs 17 Mar, Symphony Hall, Birmingham EX CATHEDRA: BACH ST JOHN PASSION Sat 19 Mar, Birmingham Cathedral BRITTEN SINFONIA Featuring the Britten Sinfonia chorus & Eamonn Dougan (conductor). Programme includes works by Byrd, Shostakovich arr.

Barshai, Bach & James MacMillan, Sun 20 Mar, Birmingham Town Hall SEVEN LAST WORDS FROM THE CROSS Part of Birmingham International Concert Season, Sun 20 Mar, Birmingham Town Hall

FRANKIE BALLARD Mon 14 Mar, O2 Institute, Birmingham

ELO AGAIN Electric Light Orchestra tribute show.

Fri 18 Mar, The Place, Oakengates Theatre, Telford, Shropshire

CHRISTINA MARTIN Mon 14 Mar, The Robin, Bilston

LIFE OF AGONY Fri 18 Mar, The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton

OH WONDER Tue 15 Mar, O2 Institute, B’ham

MODERN MINDS AND FAITH Fri 18 Mar, O2 Institute, Birmingham

PAUL LIDDELL Sat 19 Mar, Lichfield Guildhall

NEW ORLEANS HEAT Fri 18 Mar, Ludlow Assembly Rooms.

South Shropshire

MAETLOAF & THE NEVER NEVERLAND EXPRESS Sat 19 Mar, The River Rooms, Stourbridge

THE POOZIES Fri 18 Mar, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury

THE THREE DEGREES Sat 19 Mar, The Robin, Bilston

JARLETH REGAN, MIKE WILMOT & COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBINSON Thurs 17 Mar, The Glee Club, B’ham THE NOISE NEXT DOOR Thurs 17 Mar The Glee Club, Birmingham

GWYNETH HERBERT Fri 18 Mar, The Glee Club.

ANDY MILLS Sat 19 Mar, Havana Republic, Shrewsbury

JARLETH REGAN, MIKE WILMOT, JORDAN BROOKES & ANGELA BARNES Fri 18 Mar, The Glee Club, Birmingham

MAIDEN UNITED Sun 20 Mar, The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton

NICK DOODY, JON PEARSON & CHRISTIAN REILLY Fri 18 Mar, Lichfield Garrick

THE ARTHUR DOHERTY BAND Tue 15 Mar, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre TOSELAND Tue 15 Mar, O2 Academy, B’ham PHIL ROBSON ORGAN TRIO Tue 15 Mar, Lichfield Garrick FRANCESCO PIEMONTESI Wed 16 Mar, Birmingham Town Hall TRAGEDY Wed 16 Mar, The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton ROACHFORD Wed 16 Mar, The Glee Club, Birmingham STRIKING MATCHES Wed 16 Mar, O2 Institute, Birmingham NATTY Wed 16 Mar, O2 Academy, Birmingham PAUL HEATON & JACQUI ABBOT Thurs 17 Mar, Victoria Hall, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent

PARTIKEL Fri 18 Mar, Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton HANKKS Fri 18 Mar, O2 Institute, Birmingham 'ROCK TIL YOU DROP' FEATURING GUNS OR ROSES + MOTLEY CRUE UK + SUBHUMAN RACE (SKID ROW) Fri 18 Mar, The Robin, Bilston 80'S INVASION Fri 18 Mar, Birmingham Town Hall HEIDI BROWNE Fri 18 Mar, Havana Republic, Shrewsbury

MARK RADCLIFFE'S GALLEON BLAST Thurs 17 Mar, Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton

THE BOOTLEG BEATLES Sat 19 Mar, Victoria Hall, Hanley, Stoke-onTrent

FLASH - A TRIBUTE TO QUEEN Thurs 17 Mar, The Robin, Bilston

THE HOLLIES Sat 19 Mar, Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent

DIIV Thurs 17 Mar, O2 Institute, Birmingham

SLADE UK Sat 19 Mar, The Slade Rooms,

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PETER ANDRE Sat 19 Mar, Symphony Hall, Birmingham EMMY THE GREAT Sat 19 Mar, O2 Institute, Birmingham

BARRON KNIGHTS Sun 20 Mar, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury MARIAH CAREY Sun 20 Mar, Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham JOEY CAPE Sun 20 Mar, O2 Academy, B’ham THE WEST COAST EAGLES Sun 20 Mar, The Moathouse, Acton Trussel, Stafford THE BOWIE EXPERIENCE Sun 20 Mar, The River Rooms, Stourbridge PETE BODDIS BAND + FREEWHEELIN' BAND Sun 20 Mar, The Robin, Bilston

WURLITZER THEATRE ORGAN CONCERTS Sun 20 Mar, The Buttermarket, Shrewsbury

Comedy Gigs RICHARD HERRING Tues 15 Mar The Glee Club, Birmingham

MARK THOMAS Sat 19 Mar, Lichfield Garrick GARY DELANEY Sat 19 Mar, Festival Drayton Centre, Market Drayton, Shropshire PATRICK MONAHAN Sat 19 Mar Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Shropshire JOE LYCETT Sun 20 Mar, The Glee Club, Birmingham SIMON EVANS Sun 20 Mar, The Edge Arts Centre, Much Wenlock, Shropshire

Theatre SALLY MORGAN: PSYCHIC SALLY ON THE ROAD Tue 15 Mar, The Place, Oakengates Theatre, Shropshire TRANSPORTS Pipeline Theatre here weave film and drama in a thought-

FAME Amateur production presented by the Wolverhampton Musical Comedy Company, Tue 15 - Sat 19 Mar, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre IPHIGENIA IN SPLOTT Sherman Cymru presents Gary Owen’s powerful drama, which, inspired by the enduring Greek myth, sheds light on the high price people pay for society’s shortcomings, Tue 15 - Sat 19 Mar, The REP, Birmingham GOODNIGHT MISTER TOM The awardwinning Chichester Festival Theatre production of Michelle Magorian's uplifting tale, Tue 15 - Sat 19 Mar, New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham DIE FLEDERMAUS Opera & Ballet International present a brand new production of Johanm Strauss' lighthearted opera, Wed 16 Mar, Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE An amateur production of a tale of overachievers’ angst while vying for the spelling championship of a lifetime, Wed 16 Mar, Lichfield Garrick BRIDGING THE VOID New dance/film production performed by fast-rising UK dance company Experimental.

Devised and choreographed by the company’s artistic director and resident filmmaker, Rachel Johnson, Wed 16 Mar, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury 9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL Get Your Wigle On presents its version of the hit musical based on the popular movie of the same name, Wed 16 - Sat 19 Mar, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury CALL MR. ROBESON A rollercoaster journey through the remarkable and eventful life of Paul Robeson - actor, singer and civil rights campaigner, Thurs 17 Mar, Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton A NIGHT OF DIRTY DANCING Tribute show inspired by the hit movie starring Patrick Swayze & Demi Moore, Thurs 17 Mar, The Place, Oakengates Theatre, Shropshire FEN South Staffs College Performing Arts Students present an amateur version of Caryl Churchill’s mysterious play, offering a clear ‘feminist-socialist’ perspective on women and labour, Thurs 17 Mar, Lichfield Garrick DIAL M FOR MURDER Stourbridge Theatre Company presents its version of Frederick Knott's erotic tale of betrayal, passion and, ultimately, murder, Thurs 17 - Sat 19 Mar, Stourbridge Town Hall MARVELLOUS IMAGINARY MENAGERIE Packed with puppets, physical theatre, music and magic, The Terrible Infants and The Vaudevillains present a spectacle with professional charlatans that regale you with tales of wit,

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thelist

Monday 14 - Sunday 20 March

virtue and courage, all loosely based upon their fables, Fri 18 Mar, Lichfield Garrick

rights and principally, the right to be heard. Mon 14 Mar, Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire

EMMA Hotbuckle Productions presents a new staging of Jane Austen’s Regency classic, Fri 18 Mar, Sparc Theatre, Bishops Castle, Shropshire

BROOKLYN (12A) An Irish immigrant lands in 1950s Brooklyn, where she quickly falls into a new romance.

When her past catches up with her, however, she must choose between two countries and the lives that exist within. Stars Saoirse Ronan & Domhnall Gleeson. Tues 15 Mar, Foxlowe Arts Centre, Leek, Staffordshire

LYSISTRATA Actors Of Dionysus present a bawdy, provocative and delighfully absurd comedy which follows Lysistrata as she leads the women of Greece in a revolt against the male establishment, Fri 18 Mar, Brewhouse Arts Centre, Burton-uponTrent HALFWAY TO PARADISE Musical which charts the rise to fame of Billy Fury, a shy young boy from Liverpool who became one of Britain's best-loved rock stars. Timeless hits featured in the show include I Will, Jealousy, It's Only Make Believe and, of course, Halfway To Paradise, Fri 18 Mar, Dudley Town Hall OLD MOTHER HUBBARD An ideal first theatrical experience for children aged three to six, Sat 19 Mar, Lichfield Garrick THE GOVERNMENT INSPECTOR Roxana Silbert directs Gogol's satirical masterpiece, Sat 19 - Sat 26 Mar, The REP, Birmingham TELL ME ON A SUNDAY Jodie Prenger stars in Andrew Lloyd Webber and Don Black’s one-woman musical which charts the misadventures of a young English girl in New York in the heady days of the 1980s, Sun 20 Mar, Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent

Dance THE SNOW MAIDEN Based on a traditional folk tale set in the snow-covered landscape of rural Russia, this seasonal sparkler follows the Snow Maiden as she dances into the human world, Sun 20 Mar, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre BRENDAN COLE - A NIGHT TO REMEMBER Brand new show from the Strictly star that brings together ‘ballroom magic and Latin excitement', Sun 20 Mar, Symphony Hall, Birmingham

Film INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: SPECTRE (12a) A cryptic message from Bond’s past sends him on a trail to uncover a sinister organisation. While M battles political forces to keep the secret service alive, Bond peels back the layers of deceit to reveal the terrible truth behind SPECTRE. Stars Daniel Craig. Mon 14 Mar, The Edge Arts Centre, Much Wenlock, Shropshire POWER IN OUR HANDS (12a) A groundbreaking documentary - containing newly digitised archive footage available to the public for the first time on the Deaf community's fight for civil

THE ASSASSIN (12a) Set during the Tang Dynasty in the 9th century and tells a story adapted from a contemporary legend; about Nie (Shu Qi), who – having been abducted as a child and inducted into the world of martial arts – is forced to choose between love and duty when she returns to the land of her birth. Tues 15 - Thurs 17 Mar, Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire YOUTH (15) Michael Caine turns in a superb performance in Paolo Sorrentino’s follow up to his Oscar winning The Great Beauty. Set in a luxury Alpine spa, a retired composer reminisces with his lifelong film director friend about past loves, the frivolity of youth and the wisdom of age.

Wed 16 - Thurs 17 Mar, Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire ACES HIGH (PG) New air force recruit Peter Firth takes an instant dislike to his embittered squadron leader. But as the young pilot experiences the tensions and stresses of warfare his dislike turns to admiration. Stars Malcolm McDowell & Christopher Plummer. Thurs 17 Mar, Forest Arts Centre, Walsall

Cake International; Hobbycrafts Show; Fashion & Embroidery; and Sewing For Pleasure Show - 4 shows for the price of 1 - at the NEC, Birmingham 17-20 March

Spoken Word

course for the whole family to enjoy, Sat 19 Mar, Drayton Manor Theme Park, Staffordshire

SIMON CALLOW ON ORSON WELLS The acclaimed actor and author probes one of the most complex artists of the 20th century. The event is followed by a Q&A session and book signing, Sat 19 Mar, Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire

POTTERIES & DISTRICT DOG SHOW Sat 19 Mar, Staffordshire County Showground, Stafford

AN AUDIENCE WITH TONY IOMMI Sat 19 Mar, Birmingham Town Hall

Events UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM ARTS AND SCIENCE FESTIVAL Mon 14 - Sun 20 Mar, The University of Birmingham

RAMS (15) In a remote Icelandic farming valley, two estranged brothers must come together in order to save what’s dearest to them - their sheep.

Fri 18 - Sat 19 Mar, Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire

THE BIG BANG UK YOUNG SCIENTISTS & ENGINEERS FAIR The largest celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) for young people in the UK, Wed 16 Mar, NEC, Birmingham

SENSE & SENSIBILITY (15) One of cinema’s most successful Jane Austen adaptations, Ang Lee’s Sense and Sensibility stars Emma Thompson (who also wrote the screenplay), Kate Winslet & Hugh Grant. Sun 20 Mar, Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire

INTERNATIONAL CUISINE Uncover the secrets of Cajun-Caribbean dishes influenced by global cuisine, Wed 16 Mar, Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre, Craven Arms, South Shropshire

NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE:

HOBBY CRAFTS SHOW Part of ICHF event, Thurs 17 - Sun 20 Mar, NEC, Birmingham

Released Fri 18 March, showing at selected cinemas.

10 CLOVERFIELD LANE (tbc) THE BOY (15) HIGH-RISE (tbc) KAPOOR AND SONS (tbc) MARGUERITE (15) NORM OF THE NORTH (U) THE PEARL BUTTON (tbc) RISEN (12a) ROCK THE KASBAH (tbc) See Film section for previews on p40

FASHION & EMBROIDERY SHOW Part of ICHF event, Thurs 17 - Sun 20 Mar, NEC, Birmingham

SEWING FOR PLEASURE SHOW Part of ICHF event, Thurs 17 - Sun 20 Mar, NEC, Birmingham THE OSWESTRY LITFEST Now in its 7th year, Oswestry Litfest is a celebration of the word – written, spoken and sung, Thurs 17 - Sun 20 Mar, Various Locations around Oswestry, North Shropshire CAKE INTERNATIONAL Part of ICHF event, Fri 18 - Sun 20 Mar, NEC, Birmingham SHIRE HORSE SOCIETY NATIONAL SHOW The world’s largest gathering of Shire horses, Fri 18 - Sun 20 Mar, Staffordshire County Showground, Stafford THE MUD YARD A muddy obstacle

MCM BIRMINGHAM COMIC CON Numerous celebrities make guest appearances at this well-established show, which brings together a broad scope of popular-culture categories including movies, gaming, comics, anime, television shows, gadgets, clothing and toys, Sat 19 - Sun 20 Mar, NEC, Birmingham BECOME A SCIENTIST Become a Scientist for the day and take part in the science quiz, Sat 19 - Sun 20 Mar, Trentham Monkey Forest, Stokeon-Trent CADBURY CHARACTER WEEKEND Pose for photographs alongisde Freddo, Caramel Bunny and friends as they meet and greet visitors, Sat 19 - Sun 20 Mar, Cadbury World, Birmingham SPORTS & SALOON CAR RACES Including 13 different championships and categories, Sat 19 - Sun 20 Mar, Donington Park Racing Circuit, Derby IF YOU GO DOWN TO THE WOODS TODAY... Bake a jacket potato in the campfire and be inspired by 17th century woodcuts to create your own potato prints, Sat 19 - Sun 20 Mar, Moseley Old Hall, Wolverhampton THE PHOTOGRAPHY SHOW The UK’s largest event for people with a passion for photography, Sat 19 - Tues 22 Mar, NEC, Birmingham EASTER BARN Sat 19 Mar - Sun 3 Apr, Beckett's Farm, Wythall SPORT RELIEF MILE Sun 20 Mar, Shrewsbury Sports Village, Shropshire SPRING COLLECTORS' FAIR Featuring models, photographs, videos, memorabilia, any transport related collectable items on offer, Sun 20 Mar, Aston Manor Road Transport Museum, Walsall WEDDING FAYRE Sun 20 Mar, National Brewery Centre, Burton upon Trent G SCALE SOCIETY SHOW Sun 20 Mar, Staffordshire County Showground, Stafford

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thelist

Monday 21 - Sunday 27 March

Comedy Gigs BARBARA NICE, ROB DEERING, ANGELA BARNES & RACHEL PARRIS Wed 23 Mar The Glee Club, Birmingham COMEDY IN THE MET Wed 23 Mar Stafford Gatehouse Theatre RAY PEACOCK Thurs 24 Mar, The Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham

The Vamps at Genting Arena in Birmingham on 25 and 26 March

Gigs

CROSSFAITH Thurs 24 Mar, The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton

ELLIE GOULDING Mon 21 Mar, Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham

RUMOURS OF FLEETWOOD MAC Thurs 24 Mar, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury

NATHAN CARTER Mon 21 Mar, Prince Of Wales Centre, Cannock

JOHNNY HATES JAZZ Thurs 24 Mar, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury

KELLY OLIVER Mon 21 Mar, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre

KANO Thurs 24 Mar, O2 Institute, Birmingham

THE SKINTS Mon 21 Mar, The Sugarmill, Stoke-on-Trent

MUSHROOMHEAD & AMERICAN HEAD CHARGE Thurs 24 Mar, O2 Academy, Birmingham

THE 1975 Tue 22 Mar, Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham MARTIN HARLEY & DANIEL KIMBRO Tue 22 Mar, Artrix, Bromsgrove TRACER PLUS FEDERAL CHARM Tue 22 Mar, O2 Institute, Birmingham HALF MOON RUN Tue 22 Mar, O2 Institute, Bham AMORPHIS Tue 22 Mar, The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton EMMA STEVENS Tue 22 Mar, The Robin, Bilston COLOUR THE EMPIRE Wed 23 Mar, The Slade Rooms,Wolverhampton PHOENIX RISING Wed 23 Mar, The Robin, Bilston CLINT MANSELL Wed 23 Mar, Symphony Hall, Birmingham

ALL-STAR AMERICAN LEGENDS LIVE Thurs 24 Mar, The Robin, Bilston THE VAMPS Fri 25 - Sat 26 Mar, Genting Arena, Birmingham ALESSIA CARA Fri 25 Mar, O2 Institute, Birmingham SARTAAJ LIVE Fri 25 Mar, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

SHANE FILAN Sat 26 Mar, Symphony Hall, Birmingham HRHAOR FESTIVAL TOUR Featuring The Quireboys, Faster Pussycat, Bonafide, The Texas Flood, Thirteen Stars and Skam, Sat 26 Mar, O2 Academy, Birmingham SOX Sat 26 Mar, O2 Institute, Birmingham LEFT FOR RED Sat 26 Mar, O2 Academy, Birmingham KARMA TO BURN Sat 26 Mar, The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton REFUSED Sat 26 Mar, O2 Institute, B’ham GIN ANNIE BAND Sat 26 Mar, The Robin, Bilston GUNS 2 ROSES Sat 26 Mar, The Sugarmill, Stoke-on-Trent

ROBINSON-STONE Fri 25 Mar, Artrix, Bromsgrove

TIMES SQUARE BAND Sat 26 Mar, Havana Republic, Shropshire

THUNDERDAZE Fri 25 Mar, The River Rooms, Stourbridge

KRIS DREVER Sun 27 Mar, Henry Tudor House, Shrewsbury

KICK UP THE 80'S Fri 25 Mar, The Robin, Bilston

ACDC UK Sun 27 Mar, The River Rooms, Stourbridge

BEN FOGLER Fri 25 Mar, Havana Republic, Shrewsbury THE MAGIC OF MOTOWN Sat 26 Mar, Stafford

Classical Music THOMAS TROTTER & MICHAEL BROADWAY ORGAN CONCERT Mon 21 Mar, Symphony Hall, Birmingham UNIVERSITY WIND BAND AND SAXOPHONE CHOIR Featuring Lee Chapman and Harry Hextall (wind band conductors), Edgar Divver and Gerry Brazell (saxophone choir conductors), Sarah Carbis and Hannah Coutts (saxophone duo). Programme includes works by Philip Sparke, Martin Ellerby, John Adams and Jacob de Hann, Thurs 24 Mar, Bramall Music Building, Birmingham

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Gatehouse Theatre

MORPHEUS RISING + BLACK ROSE Sun 27 Mar, The Robin, Bilston

EX CATHEDRA CHOIR Featuring Ex Cathedra Choir, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Jeffrey Skidmore (conductor), Andrew Tortise (Evangelist) & James Rutherford (Jesus). Fri 25 Mar, Symphony Hall, Birmingham

JOHN GORDILLO, THE RAYMOND & MR TIMPKINS REVIEW, & COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBINSON Thurs 24 Mar, The Glee Club, B’ham RICHARD HERRING Fri 25 Mar The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton JOHN ROBINS Fri 25 Mar, The Glee Club, Birmingham ARTHUR SMITH Fri 25 Mar, Lichfield Garrick RUSSELL HOWARD Fri 25 Mar, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre JOHN GORDILLO, THE RAYMOND & MR TIMPKINS REVUE, CLINT EDWARDS & COMIC TBC Fri 25 - Sat 26 Mar, The Glee Club, Birmingham LEE NELSON Sat 26 Mar, Brewhouse Arts Centre, Burton-upon-Trent

Theatre AVENUE Q Tony Award-winning musical that centres on a group of loveable yet hopeless characters on a downtown New York street, Mon 21 Sat 26 Mar, Regent Theatre, Stokeon-Trent

in Greece, Tue 22 - Sat 26 Mar, New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham HORRIBLE HISTORIES: INCREDIBLE INVADERS Brand new show from the Horrible Histories team. This time round it's the ruthless ways of the Romans which come under scrutiny, Tue 22 - Sat 26 Mar, New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham THE BIRTHDAY PARTY London Classic Theatre presents its version of Harold Pinter's 'cryptic thriller and macabre comedy', Tues 22 - Sat 26 Mar, New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme LADY CONNIE AND THE SUFFRAGETTES Classwork Theatre present Ros Connelly's play, which explores Lady Constance Lytton's unique role in the Suffragette Movement, from priviledged 'useless spinster' to heroric icon. The tale is drawn from Constance's own writings in her letters, diaries and book, Wed 23 Mar, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury MADE IN THE MIDLANDS From chocolate and jewellery to Cluedo and much more, Young REP groups from all over the region examine the outstanding objects, industry and ideas that originated here in the Midlands, Wed 23 - Thurs 24 Mar, The REP, Birmingham IRELAND'S CALL Inspired by true events and spanning three decades, Ireland’s Call follows the extraordinary journey of the strong-headed Sean Dempsey, who, at the end of World War Two, leaves behind his childhood sweetheart and beloved homeland in search of a better life in New York, Thurs 24 Mar, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre MISSING: DAN NOLAN Lichfield Garrick Youth Theatre presents the story of a teenage boy who went missing on the night of 1 January 2002 after a fishing trip with friends. Based on a true story, Thurs 24 - Sat 26 Mar, Lichfield Garrick, Staffs

ANGER MANAGEMENT New work devised by the Young Rep and directed by Tom Saunders, Mon 21 Tue 22 Mar, The REP, Birmingham MEMORIES ARE MADE OF HITS A celebration of some of the greatest and most popular hit recordings ever made, including songs from Judy Garland, Doris Day, Connie Francis, Johnnie Ray, Buddy Holly, Perry Como, Billy Fury, Matt Monro, Bobby Darin, Dusty Springfield, The Shadows & Burt Bacharach, to name but a few!, Tue 22 Mar, Dudley Town Hall ON THE MATTER OF STUFF Central Youth Theatre presents its version of Peter Roberts' comedy, which takes audiences on a journey of de-suffocation. A story inspired by the book

by James Wallman, Tue 22 - Wed 23 Mar, Newhampton Arts Centre, Wolverhampton HORRIBLE HISTORIES: GROOVY GREEKS From savage Sparta to angry Athens, discover the truth about growing up

KESSOKU- TALES OF TOGETHERNESS Fusion of physical theatre, puppetry and music entertainment for families, Fri 25 Mar, The Brewhouse Arts Centre, Burton-upon-Trent THE CIRCUS OF HORRORS: CARNEVIL The show that stormed into the finals of Britain's Got Talent and is now a West End smash is back to mark its 21st anniversary, Sat 26 Mar, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

GRASS Second Hand Dance present a dance performance as part of Burton Children’s Easter Festival, Sat 26 Mar, The Brewhouse Arts Centre, Burton-upon-Trent EMBRACED BURLESQUE Wolverhampton’s ultimate cabaret extravaganza featuring live music, comedy, burlesque and audience

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Monday 21 - Sunday 27 March participation. Over 18s only, Sat 26 Mar, Newhampton Arts Centre, Wolverhampton

Talks GORDON BUCHANAN The highly acclaimed wildlife cameraman and presenter of The Bear Family And Me hosts an evening of personal recollections, letting you into his world of weird and wonderful wildlife, Thurs 24 Mar, Lichfield Garrick

Dance

old Jack’s physical world are comprised of. He may have been trapped in an 11-square-foot room since his birth, but he doesn’t see it that way, as the world outside the room doesn’t exist for him. Stars Brie Larson & Jacob Tremblay. Fri 25 Sat 26 Mar, Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire SUFFRAGETTE (12a) A drama that tracks the story of the foot soldiers of the early feminist movement, women who were forced underground to pursue a dangerous game of cat and mouse with an increasingly brutal State. Stars Anne-Marie Duff, Carey Mulligan & Meryl Streep. Sun 27 Mar, Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire THE LADY IN THE VAN (12a) Inspired by the true story of a homeless woman who moved into a Bedford van in the drive of Alan Bennett’s Camden home. Sun 27 Mar, Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire

NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: Released Fri 25 March, showing at selected cinemas.

BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE (tbc) SLEEPING BEAUTY Russian State Ballet presents its version of the classic story of love and innocence, mystery and magic. Set to Tchaikovsky's sublime score, Mon 21 Mar, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre SWAN LAKE The Russian State Ballet & Opera House perform Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake, the story of a princess who’s turned into a swan by a terrible curse, Tue 22 Mar, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre SALAAM Sonia Sabri Company presents a double bill of works which cleverly weave a dialogue between live music and Kathak dance to celebrate harmony, inner stillness and the simple bliss of being alive, Thurs 24 Mar, Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire SAN FRANCISCO BALLET: ROMEO AND JULIET A passionate re-telling of Shakespeare’s heartbreaking tragedy, Thurs 24 Mar, Sparc Theatre, Bishops Castle, Shropshire

Film INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: PEGGY GUGGENHEIM (15) Heiress Peggy Guggenheim defied family expectation to become one of 20th century art’s most influential patrons.

Beginning as an amateur, she eventually became a heroine in the art world: building a superb international collection and championing Rothko, Mondrian and Kandinsky, as well as helping save art and artists from the Nazis during wartime. Fri 25 - Tues 29 Mar, Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire ROOM (15) Bed, lamp, skylight, rug…

These are the things that five-year-

IONA (15) MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING 2 (tbc) SPEED SISTERS (tbc) THE CLUB (tbc) WELCOME TO ME (tbc) ZOOTROPOLIS (tbc) See Film section for previews on p38

Events BAKE AND MAKE - STUART BAKING Advance your skills in Stuart 17th century baking and learn how to make herb bread and shape it into rolls in a variety of ways. Use local ingredients to make a honey cake and lavender biscuits, Mon 21 Mar, Moseley Old Hall, Wolverhampton DUNLOP MSA BRITISH TOURING CAR SEASON LAUNCH Tues 22 Mar, Donington Park Racing Circuit, Derby BREAD MAKING FOR BEGINNERS Learn how to mix. knead, shape and bake your white and spelt loaves so that you can bake your own bread at home, Wed 23 Mar, Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre, Craven Arms INSOMNIA57 The UK’s biggest gaming festival, Fri 25 - Mon 28 Mar, NEC, Birmingham EASTER WEEKEND Museum and Factory Tour treasure trails, a Woodland Walk trail and, of course, plenty of delicious dishes on the menu in both the Dining Hall and Tea Room, Fri 25 - Mon 28 Mar, World of Wedgwood, Stoke-on-Trent MISSING MASCOT - EASTER WEEKEND TRAIL Percy the Penguin, an RAF airman’s flying mascot, has disappeared from his display case in search of a “cooler” home. Visit Cosford this Bank Holiday weekend

CADBURY EASTER EGG HUNT 2016 Family Easter Egg Hunt around the grounds, with a chocolate egg prize and take home activities, Fri 25 - Mon 28 Mar, Baddesley Clinton, Solihull; Berrington Hall, Leominster; Birmingham Back to Backs; Carding Mill Valley & The Shropshire Hills, Craven Arms; Charlecote Park, Warwickshire; Croft Castle, Leominster; Packwood House, Solihull; Sunnycroft, Shropshire; Upton House & Gardens, Warwickshire; Wightwick Manor, Wolverhampton; Moseley Old Hall, Wolverhampton and take part in the hunt for the missing mascot, Fri 25 - Mon 28 Mar, RAF Cosford, Wolverhampton EASTER FUN ON THE FARM Meet the Easter bunny, join an Easter egg hunt, take part in egg & spoon races and create springtime crafts down on the farm this holiday, Fri 25 Mar Wed 6 Apr, Lower Drayton Farm, Stafford EASTER AT THE ESTATE Take a walk around the magical Easter egg trail, take part in traditional Easter baking or visit the newborn animals on the farm, Fri 25 Mar - Wed 6 Apr, Shugborough Historic Working Estate, Staffordshire EGG-CITING EASTER ACTIVITIES Hop on over to the canalside village where a cracking programme of Easter fun is ready and waiting, Fri 25 Mar - Sun 10 Apr, Black Country Living Museum, Dudley EGG DANCING Watch the townsfolk dance across the street without stepping on eggs that are carefully placed along their route, Fri 25 Mar Sun 10 Apr, Blists Hill, Ironbridge, Shropshire EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA Take the Easter Eggspress tractor and trailer ride to Bunny Woods. Meet some interesting characters as you follow the woodland path to find the Easter bunny, Fri 25 Mar - Sun 10 Apr, National Forest Adventure Farm, Burton upon Trent EGGCELLENT EASTER The bunnies have created an egg-citing Easter Trail, but watch out for the cheeky monkeys along the way, Fri 25 Mar Fri 15 Apr, Trentham Monkey Forest, Stoke-on-Trent EASTER FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT Enjoy live shows from the resident magicians, ventriloquists and more, with giggles and games for the whole family, Fri 25 Mar - Sun 17 Apr, Cadbury World, Bournville, B’ham GHOST TOURS OF ASTON HALL An immersive evening ghost tour of one

of Britain’s most haunted buildings, Sat 26 Mar, Aston Hall, Birmingham WHITTINGTON CASTLE SIEGE WEEKEND Sat 26 - Sun 27 Mar, Whittington Castle, Shropshire THUNDERSPORT GB MOTORCYCLE RACES Sat 26 - Mon 28 Mar, Donington Park Racing Circuit, Derby EASTER EGG HUNT Follow the Egg Trail throughout the Gardens, to win a prize at the end, Sun 27 Mar, Birmingham Botanical Gardens UPSTAIRS, DOWNSTAIRS: BEHIND THE SCENES TOUR Join the knowledgeable guides who’ll give you a glimpse into life upstairs and downstairs in a working 21st century stately home, Sun 27 Mar, Weston Park, Shropshire MOTORFEST Sun 27 - Mon 28 Mar, Weston Park, Shropshire EASTER EGG HUNT TRAIL Collect your trail sheet to win your Easter treat, Sun 27 - Mon 28 Mar Whittington Castle, Shropshire CADBURY EASTER EGG HUNT 2016 Family Easter Egg Hunt around the grounds, with a chocolate egg prize and take home activities, Sun 27 Mon 28 Mar, Dudmaston Estate, Shropshire MEDIEVAL LIVING HISTORY EVENT The Medieval period will be brought to life with the hall's re-enactment group, Sun 27 - Mon 28 Mar, Harvington Hall, Kidderminster EASTER FAMILY WEEKEND Fairground rides, vintage vehicles, easter egg trail, farm animals, and many more activities for all, Sun 27 - Mon 28 Mar, National Brewery Centre, Burton upon Trent EASTER WILDLIFE TRAILS Come eggsploring over the Easter Weekend and Easter holidays on the wildlife Easter trail around the 12 acre hillside garden. Take a walk of discovery and learn about the wildlife, plants and flowers that are within, Sun 27 Mar - Wed 6 Apr, The Dorothy Clive Garden, Shropshire

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Classical Music Gigs MARCH HIGHLIGHTS

COLLABRO Tues 29 - Wed 30 Mar, Symphony Hall, Tue 3rd - Sat 5th Mar, 7.30pm Birmingham

TELL ME ON A CBSO MAHLER'S SUNDAY TENTH Charts theFeaturing romantic Nicholas misadventuresCollon of a young English girl in New York in (conductor) & the the heady days of the 1980’s.

CBSO Youth starring Jodie Prenger Chorus.

Tickets: £21- £27 Programme includes works by Webern, Brahms Sat 12th Mar, 7.45pm and Mahler, Thurs BORIS AND INGRID 31 Mar, "Old people, love and Symphony Hall, bananas" - An absurd physical comedy combining invenBirmingham

DISTRICT 97 + DAVE KERZNER BAND featuring special guest Durga McBroom (Pink Floyd) + more! Mon 28 Mar, The Robin, Bilston

]

Tickets: £10/£8 child Sat 19th Mar, 7.30pm MARK THOMAS TRESPASS Carries on from where Mark's previous show 100 Acts of Minor Dissent left off. It is his usual odd mix of theatre, stand up, activism, a dash of journalism and a dollop of mayhem.

Tickets: £16, £14 students

Thu 24th - Sat 26th Mar, 8pm, Sat Mat 2.45pm The Garrick Youth Theatre Presents MISSING DAN NOLAN Missing Dan Nolan is based on the true story of Dan Nolan, a teenage boy who went missing on the night of January 1st 2002 after a fishing trip with friends.

Tickets: £10 - £15

Fri 25th Mar,7.30pm

ARTHUR SMITH AT YOUR SERVICE Guaranteed to bring you a night of hilarity, mirth and scandal...with a touch of rudeness thrown in for good measure.

Tickets: £17 Sat 26th Mar, 7.30pm

CHRIS DEAN'S SYD LAWRENCE ORCHESTRA Offering the bubbly verve and energy of that glorious music with a hearty helping of nostalgia.

Tickets: £21.50

BOX OFFICE: 01543 412 121 www.lichfieldgarrick.com LICHFIELD GARRICK, CASTLE DYKE, LICHFIELD, STAFFS, WS13 6HR 66 whatsonlive.co.uk

SUNSET SONS Wed 30 Mar, O2 Institute, Bham ADELE Tue 29 - Wed 30 Mar, Genting Arena, B’ham SOLD OUT

O2 Academy, Birmingham JANET JACKSON Wed 30 Mar, Barclaycard Arena, B’ham NOTHING BUT THIEVES Thurs 31 Mar, O2 Institute, Birmingham THE MANFREDS Thurs 31 Mar, Solihull Arts Complex OTWAY/BARRETT: THE FINAL STRAW Featuring John Otway & Wild Willy Barrett, Thurs 31 Mar, The Robin, Bilston STELLA ROBERTS Thurs 31 Mar, Bramall Music Building, Birmingham

ROOM 94 Wed 30 Mar,

Tickets: £12.50

MARVELLOUS IMAGINARY MENAGERIE Roll up; roll up, for the most magnifical, tremendible and fantasticulous experience in town!

MADDY PRIOR IN CONCERT WITH GILES LEWIN & HANNAH JAMES Tue 29 Mar, The Robin, Bilston

LULU Tue 29 Mar, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury

tive puppetry, haunting mask and shadow-theatre.

Fri 18th Mar, 7.00pm

Mon 28 March - Sun 3 April

Comedy Gigs MARK WATSON Thurs 31 Mar, Artrix, Bromsgrove SHAPPI KHORSANDI Thurs 31 Mar, The Edge Arts Centre, Much Wenlock, South Shropshire

Theatre HEARTBEAT ITV's popular Sunday evening police drama makes its stage debut. Set in rural Yorkshire in the 1960s, Heartbeat on stage features a brand new script, video footage and a 'clever set', Mon 28 Sat 2 Apr, New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA Amateur performance presented by the Little Theatre Company Youth, Tues 29 Mar, The Brewhouse Arts Centre, Burton-upon-Trent TRACEY BEAKER GETS REAL Get Your Wigle On presents its version of Mary Morris' show, which brings Tracy Beaker's trademark talent for troublemaking, fun and friendship to the stage, Tue 29 - Wed 30 Mar, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury RETURN TO THE FORBIDDEN PLANET Brand new production of the Olivier Award-winning rock’n’roll spectacular - a ’60s science fiction musical, Tues 29 Mar - Sat 2 Apr, Tamworth Assembly Rooms, Staffs AMERICAN IDIOT Lichfield Garrick Youth Theatre presents an amateur production of the two-time Tony Award-winning musical, Tues 29 Mar - Sat 2 April, Lichfield Garrick THAT'LL BE THE DAY A musical romp through the youthful days of Rock’n’Roll in the ’50s, on through the Swinging ’60s and into the tastefree days of the 1970s, Wed 30 Mar, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury A GRAND OPERETTA GALA Featuring a full orchestra, rediscover firm favourites from The Mikado, The Gondoliers, The Merry Widow and many more, Wed 30 Mar, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

SHAFTED John Godber’s epic new play traces the lives of ex-miner Harry and his wife, Dot, in the 30 years after the 1984 miners’ strike, Wed 30 Mar - Sat 2 Apr, New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme.

CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG Brand new production featuring Jason Manford as Caractacus Potts, Martin Kemp as The Childcatcher, Amy Griffiths as Truly Scrumptious, Michelle Collins as Baroness Bomburst and Andy Hockley as Grandpa Potts, Wed 30 Mar - Sat 9 Apr, Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent IRANIAN FEAST A play with food from the heart of Persia - a contemporary piece of British theatre from UK touring company Farnham Maltings. Set in modern-day Tehran, Thurs 31 Mar, Newhampton Arts Centre, Wolverhampton IRELAND'S CALL Inspired by true events and spanning three decades, Ireland’s Call follows the extraordinary journey of the strong-headed Sean Dempsey, who, at the end of World War Two, leaves behind his childhood sweetheart and beloved homeland in search of a better life in New York, Thurs 31 Mar, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre TINNED GOODS Tea & Tenacity present a pacy drama which explores the strength of friendship under the strain of politics, picket lines and principles, Thurs 31 Mar, Lichfield Garrick

Talks GORDON BUCHANAN The highly acclaimed wildlife cameraman and presenter of The Bear Family And Me hosts an evening of exciting personal recollections, letting you into his world of weird and wonderful wildlife, Wed 30 Mar, Stafford Gatehouse.

MARK BEAUMONT: AFRICA SOLO A candid and heart-warming account of the world-famous cyclist’s ambition to push his limits and set unbreakable World Records, Thurs 31 Mar, The Place, Oakengates

Film INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: TOP HAT (U) Fred Astaire is the famous American hoofer Jerry Travers, in London preparing for a new show with his befuddled producer Horace Hardwick when he falls for Dale Tremont, a lovely, wisecracking American girl as light on her feet as Jerry. Stars Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers. Thurs 17 Mar, Forest Arts Centre, Walsall

Events CLIMB LORD HILL'S COLUMN Mon 28 Mar, Shrewsbury Town Centre, Shropshire DISCOVERY DAY One of the museum’s WWI personnel takes you on a guided tour of the site’s extraordinary WWI trench system, Mon 28 Mar, The Staffordshire Regiment Museum, Lichfield APLEY EASTER SUNDAY Take part in an Easter bonnet parade, dress up for a fancy dress competition, play fun games & try out the Apley Easter egg hunt, Mon 28 Mar, Apley Farm Shop, Shropshire EGG HUNT Ruby the Castle Dragon has hidden her eggs from the dastardly dragon hunter. Visitors are invited to help locate Ruby’s eggs, Mon 28 Mar - Fri 8 Apr, Tamworth Castle BE A BUTCHER FOR THE DAY Help Charlie the butcher in his daily duties and learn some basic butchery skills, Tues 29 Mar, Fordhall Organic Farm, Market Drayton, Shropshire EASTER ACTIVITIES Tues 29 Mar - Fri 1 Apr, RAF Cosford, Wolverhampton PLANTING THE DAM Join the Ranger team in the Dingle helping them plant spring woodland bulbs on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the Easter Holidays, Tues 29 Mar - Thurs 7 Apr, Dudmaston Estate, Shropshire BE A FARMER FOR THE DAY Get involved with farm chores and lend a hand to Farmer Ben. Be prepared for mud and fun, Wed 30 Mar, Fordhall Organic Farm, Market Drayton, Shropshire EASTER HOLIDAY ACTIVITY DAYS WITH CADBURY EASTER EGG HUNT Wed 30 Mar - Wed 6 Apr, Dudmaston Estate, Bridgnorth, Shropshire EGGOSAURUS Have fun with arts and crafts and make your own scary dinosaur nest, complete with hatching dinosaur babies, Thurs 31 Mar, Bantock House & Park, Wolverhampton BE A BUSHCRAFTER FOR THE DAY An exciting opportunity for children to spend the day learning some basic woodland survival skills, shelter building and fire lighting, Thurs 31 Mar, Fordhall Organic Farm, Market Drayton, North Shropshire THE GADGET SHOW LIVE Thurs 31 Mar - Sun 3 Apr, NEC, Birmingham

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Great Theatre at the Grand!

MON 11 - SAT 16 APR

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PASHA KOVALEV IT’S ALL ABOUT YOU

T H E N E W S TAG E S H O W F O R 2 0 1 5 / 1 6

D E R R E N

B R O W N

M I R A CLE THU 21 APR

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AND FINALLY...

PHIL COLLINS

An Evening With

Des O’connor SUN 24 APR

TUE 26 - SAT 30 APR

MON 2 - SAT 7 MAY

CAST ANNOUNCEMENT

OlivEr MEllOr

TErri dWyEr

MArCUS hUTTON

TONy WENdiCE

ShEilA WENdiCE

MAx hAllidAy

plAyS

plAyS

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