Editors: David O’Coy & Kerry Thomas dave@fusedmagazine.com kerry@fusedmagazine.com Sales: Annelise Francis annelise@fusedmagazine.com Writers: Kevin Angel, Laura Booth, Craig Bush, Katherine Button, Annelise Francis, Rosaleen Gallagher, Adam Smith, Danny Smith Front Cover: Maja Moden Content Image: Martin Pickard
DISCLAIMER Reproduction of all editorial/images in any form is strictly prohibited without prior permission. We cannot be held responsible for breach of copyright arising from any material supplied. While we aim to make sure all listings are correct we can not be held responsible for any incorrect entries. Readers should check venues before arrival. Views expressed are those of the contributors and not necessarily the publishers. This is a Fused Publication © Fused 2010 © Area Culture Guide 2010.
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KITAGAWA UTAMARO Ikon Gallery, Birmingham 22 September -14 November ikon-gallery.co.uk
With the help of artist Julian Opie, and Timothy Clark who is the head of the Japanese Section in the British Museum, there is the opportunity to catch a rare glimpse into 18th century life. Utamaro lived in Edo and painted beautifully delicate woodblock prints detailing the life he saw around him, although be warned that life in his part of town was less than savoury. The intricate depictions are of the women who populated the Yoshiwara district of Edo, an area otherwise known as the regulated brothel district. His works show these courtesans in alluring poses, exposing the most private areas of the anatomy in a deliberate manner to gain the attention of the observer. The provocative nature of his work, not just in the sexual sense, shows the relevance of Utamaro to a contemporary audience by his willingness to provoke a reaction from those who view his work. CB 05
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Artsfest
Birmingham City Centre 10-12 September artsfest.co.uk For one weekend the streets of the city become overrun with performers asthey find their way into every possible venue for the UK’s biggest free arts festival. Whether you want to sit back and watch some theatre or get involved with the dozens of free workshops around the city, there is plenty to indulge yourself in no matter what age you are. Taking over Centenary Square every year is the focal point for the festival, a huge main stage that hosts local rock radio station Kerrang’s annual rock festival KerrangFest, but don’t let this put you off as to balance it all out will be a chance to enthral yourself in the orchestral expressions of Classical Fantasia. Get yourself a map and walk the entire stretch of the city, as events will happening from Digbeth all the way to Broad Street. Take your chances and get what you can, because remember - for you this is all FREE. CB
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Afghanistan
Wolverhampton Art Gallery 18 September - 20 November wolverhamptonart.org.uk Afghanistan has been a main feature of British politics for the last ten years. Featured often on the news, our involvement with the war in Afghanistan has prompted society to make assumptions on the place and its people. This exhibition utilises work from a number of contemporary artists to provide visual reflections and responses to the current situation as well as delving into the historical context of the conflict. Breaking away from media coverage, Afghanistan will build a new platform to encourage visitors to develop their own opinions on the people, landscape and politics of this war-torn country. Artwork from Wolverhampton’s own collection by Simon Norfolk, Paul Seawright and Langlands Bell will feature alongside loans from Cornford & Cross, Jenny Matthews and Broomberg and Chanarin. LB 08
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Contact
Rhubarb East Gallery, Digbeth 3 - 18 September contactexhibition.co.uk Gather together some of the most talented up-and-coming and established photographers in the West Midlands and what have you got? The answer is The Photography Collective. You can view their work at Contact: an exhibition of intriguing new photography exploring the nature of contact. The show is taking up residency at Rhubarb East gallery; the home for the development of Birmingham’s photography scene and a stone’s throw away from the Custard Factory. The show has been curated by Kathryn Klizsat who picked the works on display from seven of the collective’s members, each of whom showcase their unique style and take on the theme. The Photography Collective has worked in conjunction with Birmingham Photospace for this project, and both hope to work towards a permanent location for the progression and sharing of photography in Birmingham. CB 010
Birmingham Zine Festival Various venues throughout Birmingham 10-12 September birminghamzinefestival.com
This September sees the launch of a new Zine Festival in Birmingham. Conveniently coinciding with Birmingham’s main arts festival; Artsfest, the Zine Festival will feature a wide range of self-published books, comics and magazines from the likes of Alternative Press, Greg McLeod (of the Brothers McLeod), Bunny Bissoux, Liz Lunney and James Nash, as well as exhibitions of artwork, workshops, talks and film screenings. The main event will be the Zine Fair at The Victoria on Saturday 11th September. There will also be a special Atta Girl after-party and a Picnic in the Park - let’s hope the weather holds out for our zinesters! A Zine Art Exhibition will be held at Urban Outfitters throughout September and, if you want to try your hand at making a zine, you can join the Drop In + Draw event at Island Bar. See the website for full details of times and venues. It looks set to be a busy weekend. AF
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Son of Steve by Sean Conway Revenge Ink Books
Over the past few years Batley born writer and filmmaker Sean Conway has been slowly building himself a reputation as an uncompromising artist. Short films such as Alex And Her Arse Truck and the feature brilliantlove (the film, for which Conway wrote the script, recently had screenings at Robert De Niro’s Tribeca Film Festival and a European Premiere at the Edinburgh International Film Festival) are frank and personal examinations of sexuality that play with cinematic and narrative conventions whilst being extreme, funny, profane and utterly dazzling. His first book, Son of Steve (published by Revenge Ink) reinforces Conway’s scant regard for cultural norms. He eschews any form of coherent narrative, identifiable characters and protagonists for a freewheeling and exhilarating work. The book comes with a DVD of Sean Conway’s short films. These confirm Conway’s remarkable talent as a director and predilection for challenging audiences. He is already well on his way to being one of the UK’s most talented artists. To buy the book visit www.revengeink.com. (Reproduced from review by Laurence Boyce, www.theculturevulture.co.uk). Photo: Danny North.
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a guide to avoiding freshers As September arrives, with it comes the annual intake of freshers to the city and so Danny Smith discusses the merits of student avoidance… Soon the city will be fat with people, more hateful than that, these people will be young and seemingly carefree, supping cheap sweet drinks and having casual sex with many beautiful partners. Yes, I’m talking about students. The reality is that those fifty pence shots are only sugared like that so they don’t taste as bad coming up, and most of them will be frustratingly celibate nearly all of their student days. If it makes you feel any better, while you think they’re having the time of their lives, they’re also racking up a massive unpayable debt and working dog hard (don’t buy the bull that degrees are easy and students are lazy, most are close to a nervous breakdown). All towards a piece of paper that will be worth the same as a McDonald’s child activity sheet they spent three years coloring in. But still, even with the benefit of all this wisdom I am generously supplying, you may want to avoid the whooping bar games, conversations about childhood television programmes and clumsy flirting because, I don’t know, maybe every sliver of laughter or untainted smile is like a dagger into your black, black heart. The Wellington (Bennetts Hill) is about as anti-student as it 014
gets. The drink selection includes various bitters and ales with weird and vaguely homoerotic sounding names like Centurion’s Scabbard, Goblin’s Nob, or Ol’ Poke In The Hole. The atmosphere tends toward relaxed contemplation, with the pub cat ‘Wellie’ handy for stroking - for the really stressed. And its lack of Burger and Beer deals will put off your average student. They don’t serve food at the Wellington but will allow you to bring your own in, even providing plates and cutlery in an act of almost Victorian civility. Buried deep in the heart of the enemy territory that is Selly Oak is a bastion of non-studentness, The Goose at the OVT is a haven for the small non-student population of the area. Despite the cheap drinks and bright, airy-design students are kept out by the unpredictable professional drinkers and atmosphere of bleak futility. My friends and I used to play the game ‘Drunk Or Mad?’ in the Goose. The game consisted of appraising the various muttering clientèle and trying to work out if they were actually mad or merely drunk. We stopped after a while when the answer was almost always both. The Old Joint Stock is on Colmore Row and prices students out of drinking there entirely. Impressive and grand, it was built in 1864, is grade two listed and looks like a Bond set. It normally has a steady crowd of Suits (suits being like
Kyroptonite to a student) so you can guarantee any student won’t stay for long. The Old Joint Stock has two venues upstairs for stand-up comedy and theatre so it’s worth keeping an eye out for these events. Tucked away behind the vomit and neon of Broad Street is a traditional wooden-floored pub. The Tap & Spile is very much like a country pub, with friendly staff and a fine election of beers. Students are unlikely to find the place as they’ll be distracted and enticed by the cheap glamour of the Australian Bar or any other dryhump-indie-anthem-chanting-shout-hole nearby. The only music in the Tap is a baffling jukebox that will intermittently spit out a baffling range of tracks from Blondie to Engelbert Humperdinck. But maybe we should be less quick to dismiss students. Why not give them a chance? I’m sure in the current climate of Tory cuts and bleak career prospects they’ll be just as miserable as you are. With inflation and job insecurities you’ll have just as much steam to let off. In fact lets unite - we’re all royally screwed so why not go down drinking together in bacchanalian abandon? The opinions of Danny Smith do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers, its affiliates, or any sane adult human beings. He currently lives in your cupboard, watching, always watching. Illustration: Kris Jones
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MUSIC
SUPERSONIC Custard Factory 22 – 24 October supersonicfestival.com
If you’ve been wandering as to what had happened to the yearly celebration of noise that is Supersonic Festival don’t fear as its ear-ringing goodness hasn’t gone away but has moved to a new timeslot during October.
will be Sunday’s co-headliners; Swans and Hallogallo.
Get your last kick of festival spirit before winter properly kicks in, and savour the pulse racing noise from this year’s headliners that will keep you buzzing through the dark months. Leading the charge on the Friday will be Birmingham’s own Napalm Death, followed by Godflesh, who will be the last to take to the stage on Saturday. Rounding off the weekend’s frivolities
These bill toppers have got their work cut out as supporting them will be a mixture of the UK’s best industrial, prog, folk, avant jazz, heavy dubstep and grindcore acts. If you wish to sample this mix then one-day, two-day and weekend tickets are available; check out the Supersonic website for details on how to get your hands on them. CB
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CUM CLUBBING VIVID 10 September, 8pm till late vivid.org.uk £5
Most will remember Birmingham as being a dull, grey, concrete mass (many of the buildings that built that reputation are still prominent in the city till this day), but those who knew better would tell a different story of Birmingham’s outrageous, if not seedy, underbelly. VIVID will be hosting an event (grown from Sleeve Notes, a project developed by artistcurator Trevor Pitt in 2009) to share all that once was of Birmingham’s underground scene of the 1970’s and 80’s, in a disco/art event hybrid ‘Cum Clubbing’ - named after the clubnight Cum Club, once held at Bradford Street’s Fantasy club. The space will be adorned with art and films reflecting the time that once was, and you can get your groove on while you admire the pieces with DJ sets from Greg Haines (Tropical Hotdog), John Napier (Jugend Klub), Richard A. Spears (Golden Trash & Ducks Bath) and Brian Duffy (The Modified Toy Orchestra). Keep an eye out for the infamous John Lupton (otherwise known as ‘Gay John’), a man known to be responsible for the original Cum Club and much of Birmingham’s debauchery from the time. CB 018
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4 September Silver (Souvenirs) The Rainbow This superfluously punctuated indie pop act are one of the fastest rising bands on the Birmingham Scene, releasing their debut EP a mere year after their first gig. During the recording process Silver (Souvenirs) received guidance from Ocean Colour Scene producer John Rivers so their place in the halls of Brum Indie immortality is clearly assured. Helping them celebrate this momentous occasion are fellow local upstarts; Tantrums, Cajole Cajole and Savant. 11 September Calories (pictured) The Rainbow Calories’ debut album Adventuring was an unexpected explosion of sing-a-long noise pop which earned the band a nationwide renowned reputation as one of Birmingham’s best acts. Though Adventuring is an undeniably hard act to follow, the material which has surfaced from Basic Nature, shows Calories effortlessly surpassing their debut. This record release party, hosted by Chicks Dig Jerks, is your first chance to hear the superb sophomore release live and is not to be missed. 12 September Wolf Parade The Glee Club Wolf Parade have never achieved a large degree of commercial 020
recognition despite featuring amongst their lineup members and collaborators of Arcade Fire, Hot Hot Heat, Sunset Rubdown and Handsome Furs. Their albums however have been met with unvarying critical acclaim for their intelligent, emotional, synth-driven pop. This year’s Expo 86 album has been no exception and it is this record that they will be drawing on as they fill the Glee Club with their rousing racket. 14 September Shearing Pinx, Bitches Sound Bar A volatile pairing of despicable noise mongers from either side of the Atlantic, Shearing Pinx are a Canadian two-piece who shudder and judder their way through trebly thrash pop. Whilst British boy-girl outfit Bitches manage to occupy the full spectrum of sonic horror with a wall of warped bass noise simultaneously evoking Lightning Bolt and The Fall. 20 September Gong The HMV Institute The former Sanctuary gets its grand reopening as a live venue in particular flamboyant style with space rock innovators Gong. The reunited lineup will feature many of Gong’s core members who contributed to their consciousness expanding Radio Gnome trilogy. Expect a psychedelic swirl of intergalactic noise. Far out.
25 September Pulled Apart By Horses The Flapper Pulled Apart By Horses have rapidly gained the reputation as the best live band in the country. Though due in part to sound bite-spouting journalists, this title largely rests upon the band’s penchant for combining punk rock theatrics with a genuine unpredictability. Previous appearances at this venue alone have seen the standard crowd surfing and stage invasions varied up with a little naked guitar playing and onstage vomiting. 25 September Crass The O2 Academy Infamous DIY punk provocateur Steve Ignorant hits the road playing Crass Songs from 1977-1982. This gig is part of the Last Supper tour, a fitting name as Steve Ignorant seems to be the dinner party guest from hell, ranting endlessly about politics and religion. AS 021
MUSIC
nals Fun Loving Crimi They’ve been missing for five years, but they have returned, legal suits sorted and back on the road, the Fun Loving Criminals are once again filling venues in support of their sixth studio album ‘Classic Fantastic’; a fresh slice of Criminals action that has the band sounding better than ever. As well as being the band’s front man, Lord Huey Morgan (he bought a Lordship on the internet) is something of a celebrity in his own right, having hosted car make-over show ‘Slips’ and ‘Liza & Huey’s Pet Nation’, as well as an acclaimed radio show on BBC 6 Music. It might seem to some that the music is just a part-time hobby; however Huey is quick to confirm, in his broad New York drawl, that it’s the other way round. “That f**king TV s**t is just 022
to promote the band. We’ve been around long enough now to know if you want people to know what you’re about you got to get on the god damn f**cking television”. Despite his insistence it’s all for the music, his outlook on the music industry is decidedly bleak having just come out of a five year legal battle with their ex-manager, he sees no future for the recording industry or record labels as a whole. “I don’t think record labels have a future anymore. They are supposed to sell records, but no one’s buying them. You have to know that these days anyone over 11 is going to download any song they like”. With such strong opinions on the subject the band decided to set up their own label, giving them absolute control over their music and breaking down
the barriers between them and their fans. “F**k the music industry, they’ve been running that s**t for far to f**king long, no one buys a f**king record anymore. We knew after the court case we wanted to have absolute control over what we do. I think it’s good because it brings people closer to the music.” ‘Classic Fantastic’ reassuringly sees the band return to fine form, back to the glory days of classics like ‘Scooby Snacks’ and ‘Loco’ yet many will wander what took them so long. It was 2005 when they released their last album ‘Living in the city’, what could possibly delay a band who admittedly still love performing and playing live? “We’ve been doing s**t in those five years, but we were kinda strung up with the court case for about four years, and then when that eventually concluded we got back into our creative heads. We didn’t wanna end up creating a dark f**king record, or any of that bitter shit”. Off the back off the album the group are embarking on their first major U.K tour in years, an area that Huey feels the band are a league of their own in. “We’re always good live, I mean when people come to see us they are like ‘damn those motherf**kers are good!” It’s the truth, even in the years before we got big, we were always a f**king tight group. I think people know we are the shit, we aren’t here to f**king sell beauty products or some horse s**t”.
Confidence aside you can’t argue with him on this, anyone who has witnessed FLC live will know the band have the audience gripped from the moment the New-Yorkers grace the stage - a feeling shared between crowd and band members alike. “We still get a f**king great buzz out of performing live because we look at it as the least important equation when the show goes down. I mean, we wanna make sure people have a good time. If you’ve ever seen one of our shows, I’m always f**king smiling, I mean my cheeks hurt after the show. I love seeing people enjoy themselves, you can’t describe how f**king great it feels.” Yet despite the band being all being married with children, Huey is insistent very little about the band has changed; “We still keep a bottle of tequila behind the stage, you can f**king guarantee that! It’s still f**king sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll but now we have sex with our wives - we ain’t f**king no scabby bitches anymore”. When the band first emerged onto the U.K music scene in 1996, they were seen as innovative, edgy and bloody good fun; 14 years on they are still going strong and nothing has changed. They might be older and a bit wiser, but the desire to party is still there, as is the talent. God bless the Fun Loving Criminals, may they never f**king change. Fun Loving Criminals play Wolverhampton Wulfrun Hall on September 18th. KA 023
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TENNESSEE IS COMING TO TOWN
Win Tickets to the Jack Daniel’s Birthday Gig plus a goody bag! September is Mr Jack’s Birthday and this year the good folk at Jack Daniel’s are bringing Tennessee to Town with a month of fantastic giveaways and an exclusive gig featuring Jarvis Cocker, Richard Hawley, Ellie Goulding and Tennessee guitar legend Duane Eddy. In addition to their original material all four will bring the spirit of Tennessee to life when they perform a Jack Daniel’s birthday exclusive of very special collaborations themed around great Americana classics. They follow in the footsteps of Patti Smith, Frank Black and Flaming Lips who are just some of the names to have played at previous Birthday gigs. Jack Daniel’s long standing association with music began in the late 1800’s when he created a band of musicians that performed to crowds of people around the state of Tennessee, the home place of Jack Daniel’s whiskey. We have 2 tickets for you and a mate to attend this exclusive gig, which takes place at The Clapham Grand in London on 7th October, plus a goody bag for the winner! The prize includes accommodation and £100 travel allowance per person. To enter, answer this question: In which US state is the home place of Jack Daniel’s whiskey? a. Tennessee b. Virginia c. Texas Email your answer with your name, age, address and telephone number to competitions@fusedmagazine.com. Please put ‘JD’ in the subject box. For more information on the ‘Tennessee Is Coming To Town’ Birthday gig go to www.jacksbirthday.co.uk Entrants must be over 18. T&C’s apply (see areacultureguide.co.uk). Competition deadline is Friday 24th September. Make Mr. Jack’s Birthday a memorable one. Please drink responsibly. 025
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MODIFIED TOY ORCHESTRA PLASTIC PLANET Town Hall, Birmingham 8 September myspace.com/toyorch
Nearly all you need to know about Modified Toy Orchestra is revealed in the name. You guessed it, they are a group of musicians, lead by Brian Duffy (pictured), whose music is produced solely out of scavenged electronic toys that have been altered to emit a range of intriguing sounds. Presented by Capsule, this exclusive Town Hall date will be the Birmingham based toy fiddlers’ first UK performance of the latest album ‘Plastic Planet’. Exploring the realms of what is possible in music with items we have been loved, used and disregarded, MTO create thematic explorations in sound rather than storytelling. Supported by a unique and reflective visual effects show, absorbing yourself in the world of the Modified Toy Orchestra is a memory you will not easily forget. CB 026
hmv Institute
78 Digbeth High Street, Digbeth, Birmingham Opens 17 September hmvinstitute.com For over a hundred years the Institute has proudly stood on Digbeth High Street, and with a multi-million pound refurbishment from music retailers HMV, and an investment from Birmingham City Council, the Institute will once again open its doors with plans to be one of the UK’s premiere entertainment venues. With this rebirth, the venue’s main auditorium will have a capacity of 1,500. In addition to this main space, will be the Library Room (formerly known as The Barfly), which is a 600 capacity venue that can either work in conjunction with the main room or independently. On top of this there will be two club rooms and, for those lucky enough to get invited, a VIP bar area. Artists announced for the venue so far include Kelis, Kate Nash, Tinie Tempah (pictured) and Ned’s Atomic Dustbin. On top of that eclectic mix of acts there will also be regular club nights and the welcome return of a number of jazz performances. The plans for this venue go beyond live music and clubbing though, as there are hopes for stand up comedy, exhibitions and arts events, all to make use of the versatile spaces. The Institute was originally used as an institutional church way back in 1908, however most people will be more familiar with it being known as The Sanctuary, and the original home of God’s Kitchen. The venue has had its fair share of international stars gracing its stages, with the likes of Joni Mitchell, Deep Purple, Pink Floyd, The Human League and The Cure all including the Institute on their tour itinerary. This is a big step forward for Digbeth and a chance to give Birmingham’s music scene the booster shot it deserves. CB 027
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Moseley Folk Festival Moseley Park, Moseley 3 - 5 September moseleyfolk.co.uk
That’s right folk fans, once again it’s that time of year to descend on Moseley Park and get your fill of acoustic goodness. As one of the highlights of Birmingham’s music calendar, the three-day festival always pulls out the stops to bring some of the most respected and unique acts in the international folk scene. Those who make the pilgrimage will be treated to over a dozen bands every day spread across the two main stages. Every night is closed out with the much anticipated headline performance, which somehow seems to be topped every year. Being no exception to that rule, Friday will be closed with Ireland’s much loved The Divine Comedy. If you come back for more on Saturday you will not regret it, as the legendary Donovan will grace the stage enlightening us all with his psychedelic musical wisdom. At the end of a perfect weekend, enjoy the gentle strumming of some of your favourite songs in a way you’ve never heard them before, by the premier little instrument pluckers The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain. CB 028
COMEDY
Shazia Mirza - Multiple Choice The Public, West Bromwich 25 September
Guardian Weekend columnist and international award-winning comedian, Shazia Mirza’s reputation precedes her. She has had people rolling around laughing all over the world with her notoriously hilarious, dead-pan stand-up and is now bringing the funny to West Bromwich this month with her new and award-winning live show ‘Multiple Choice’, at The Public. A Birmingham born British Asian comedian, and the only female Muslim stand-up comic currently performing, Shazia comfortably straddles the cultural divide, drawing humour from her unique perspective on the world. This progressive comic is in some ways a revolutionary figure, however, she does have huge support in much of the Muslim community, and recently received the Young Achiever Of The Year at The Leadership & Diversity Awards, a Government initiative for the Asian community.
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Shazia has already conquered the international stand-up circuit, It looks like The Public is next on the list and I highly suspect the audience will go down laughing. KB
JIMMY CARR - LAUGHTER THERAPY Birmingham Symphony Hall 24 September
Not to be confused with healing humour psychotherapy; ‘Laughter Therapy’ is Jimmy Carr’s newest stand-up tour. Aptly named according to Jimmy, as “if you’ve got a sick sense of humour then maybe laughter is the best medicine”. The much-loved 8 out of 10 Cats presenter is stopping off at the Birmingham Symphony Hall on the 24th of September and, luckily for the locals, he is bringing his dry wit and expert delivery with him. Laughter Therapy, Jimmy’s ninth solo show (yes ninth, this man is a comedic machine), follows immediately on from the end of his most recent tour; ‘Rapier Wit’, which finished in August. Carr clearly has much more material to give, and an audience more than willing to sit for an hour or two and listen. As we have come to expect from the straight faced and cheeky, suit wearing, provocateur that is Jimmy Carr; the morally upstanding will shift in their seats and worry if they are allowed to laugh, the politically correct may have their sensitivities shaken, stirred and generally offended – while the rest of us will laugh, hard. It may even be therapeutic. KB 031
COMEDY
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The Armstrong and Miller show Wolverhampton Civic Hall 24 September
Following on from the BAFTA -nominee success of the Armstrong and Miller Show, Alexander Armstrong and Ben Miller are touring a brand new live show around the UK. Armstrong and Miller will be performing a multitude of characters from the TV sketch show. Fans will recognise; WWII chav pilots; Brabbins and Fyffe, alter-egos of Flanders and Swann; Jilted Jim, dumped at the altar but still on his honeymoon; Terry Devlin, the royal correspondent who really KNOWS the royals; Dennis Lincoln-Park, the accident-prone culture buff; the Frank Dad and many more. In their own words: “We are cock-a-hoop to be stepping out on tour in Autumn 2010. Expect all your favourite Armstrong and Miller characters and sketches in a market-fresh brand spanking new show.” It is unclear how they are going to arrange the assorted costume changes of varying complexity, but one thing that is for sure; whatever happens, it will be funny. KB 033
A WEEKEND OF BURLESQUE
Enchanted Burlesque - Sirens & Scoundrels The Old Rep Theatre, 0121 303 2323, oldreptheatre.org.uk 17 September, £11 - £14 High Tease (By the Ministry of Burlesque) The Glee Club. 0871 472 0400, glee.co.uk 19 September, £15 Decadent and sophisticatedly saucy, Britain’s love of Burlesque has been reignited. There’s one weekend in Birmingham this September that will be filled with decadence and breathtaking performances, strictly for over 18’s only. Enchanted Burlesque - Sirens & Scoundrels will take to The Old Rep’s stage with awe inspiring sights on a seven foot shoe and gravity defying athleticism on a four and a half meter high Chinese pole. A mere two days later The Glee Club plays host to High Tease. Having toured internationally The Ministry of Burlesque is a showbiz favourite and their seductive showgirls have even entertained the glitterati at the Cannes Film Festival. Witty, sultry and more than a little extravagant; Burlesque is more than just a striptease, it’s an uproarious cabaret spectacular. Even the audience is encouraged to dress up for the occasion in vintage, dandy, eccentric and theatrically dangerous attire. LB 034
BALLET AT THE HIPPODROME
Pointes of View, 22-25 September and Romeo and Juliet, 28 September - 2 October Birmingham Hippodrome Both £15 - £45 The Birmingham Royal Ballet has a packed fortnight in the city this September, starting with Pointes of View: Concerto, The Lady and the Fool and In the Upper Room. This is followed closely by Kenneth MacMillan’s brilliantly choreographed Romeo and Juliet (pictured) - the all-time classic love story. MacMillan also lends himself to Pointes of View, choreographing Concerto with sparkling displays of energy and virtuosity. The Lady and the Fool, created by John Cranko, is an unsentimental but passionate dance that explores the concept of love. A high society lady falls for a clown and is forced to re-imagine her views on love. How will we recognise true love? Especially if it arrives dressed as a buffoon? In the Upper Room, produced by American dance phenomenon Twyla Tharp, is an exhilarating, athletic ballet featuring dancers in trainers and striking red pointe shoes. Dominating the stage with energy, flair and finesse, it has been described as “quick-witted and even quicker footed.” Featuring music by Sergei Prokofiev and Philip Glass, the scores are sure to soar with the ballet. LB 035
THEATRE
Little Shop of Horrors
Birmingham Repertory Theatre 0121 236 4455, birmingham-rep.co.uk 1 - 18 September £10 - £32 New Wolsey Theatre’s Artistic Director, Peter Rowe, makes his directorial debut at The REP’s main house this autumn with the all-time favourite, sci-fi spoof musical Little Shop of Horrors. The story follows down on his luck Seymour Krelborn who discovers Audrey II, the exotic plant that offers him a ticket to fame, fortune and true love. In return Audrey II expects Seymour to meet his every demand as he grows ferociously large, curbing his blood thirsty appetite as he plans for global domination. Based on the hit 1986 film, the production includes songs Somewhere That’s Green, Suddenly Seymour and the Oscar nominated ‘Best Song’; Mean Green Mother From Outer Space. LB 036
My Romantic History The Door, Birmingham Repertory Theatre 0121 236 4455, birmingham-rep.co.uk 1 - 11 September £10
Where do you meet people when you graduate and become part of the big, wide, working world? At the office. New comedy My Romantic History focuses on the trials and tribulations of an office romance; with love, loss and laminating machines. Tom and Amy have a quick fumble at the office party and the next thing you know they’re living in each other’s pockets. It’s not the lack of chemistry that’s the problem, or the fact they have nothing in common, it’s the fact that neither of them can quite get over their childhood sweethearts. “If you haven’t met someone by the time you graduate, you’re going to marry some idiot from your work. It’s that simple. Do you know how they get animals to breed in captivity? They put them in the same cage.” Worried this will be you? Go check it out after work and let DC Jackson’s bittersweet rom-com story make you smile. LB 037
THEATRE
ENRON
Birmingham Repertory Theatre 0121 236 4455, birmingham-rep.co.uk 22 - 25 September £12 - 32 “There was a warning. And its name was ENRON.” Following rave reviews on the West End, Headlong’s production of ENRON is coming to Birmingham. Inspired by one of the most infamous scandals in financial history, ENRON follows flawed men and women in a narrative of greed and loss. Mixing classical tragedy and savage comedy Rupert Goold, Headlong’s Artistic Director, uses music, movement and video to produce a record breaking production that won him a 2010 Olivier Award for ‘Best Direction’. Reviewing the tumultuous 1990s, ENRON casts a new light on the current financial situation. LB 038
The Habit of Art
Birmingham Repertory Theatre 0121 236 4455, birmingham-rep.co.uk 28 September - 2 October £18.50 - £35 Following sell-out success at London’s National Theatre, Alan Bennett’s latest play focuses on composer Benjamin Britten, and poet W H Auden. It reflects on growing old, creativity and inspiration, and on persisting when all passion is spent: ultimately, on the habit of art. The main focus, the imagined meeting meeting of composer and poet as Britten seeks advice from Auden, sees the characters observed and interrupted by everyone from a young man from the local bus station to their future biographer. Bennett explores the unsettling desires of the two difficult men, and the ethics of biography. LB
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FOOD&DRINK
Ludlow Food Festival 10-12 September
Named by poet John Betjeman as ‘the perfect historic town’, picturesque Ludlow is renowned for its fantastic food. Despite being home to just 10,000 people, this small Shropshire town boasts; 3 Michelin starred restaurants, 8 restaurants with AA Rosettes awards, six independent butchers and a impressive number of independent greengrocers, and bakers - who make bread the old fashioned way. It is also proud to be home to the countries most prestigious food festival, which is held at Ludlow Castle but takes over the whole town over three delicious September days. The annual Ludlow Food Festival, now in its 16th year, has gained an international reputation for excellent local food and produce. Last year this not-for-profit event drew in roughly 12,000 salivating festival-goers, all presumably entranced by the stunning architecture (there are over 500 listed buildings in and around the town) and the achingly-beautiful countryside. Then there’s the famous Ludlow Sausage Trail. However, vegetarians do not fret, as there are more than just sausages on offer. Over 130 chefs and producers of everything from cakes to carrots will descend on the festival to display, sell their wares, and give demonstrations. KB 040
FASHION&SHOPPING
STYLE BIRMINGHAM LIVE COMPETITION 24 - 26 September stylebirmingham.com
Birmingham fashion goes national this month with the eagerly anticipated arrival of the first ever Style Birmingham Live; hosted by George Lamb, the modelesque and rather lovely, Big Brother’s Little Brother presenter. The crowning glory (or is that tiara?) of Birmingham’s Autumn fashion calendar, this three-day fashion and beauty event will showcase the very best of Birmingham style. Fourteen ‘must-see’ catwalk shows at the Town Hall form the main event. Here the cool kids and fashionistas of the city get a chance to rub shoulders, whilst sneaking a peak at what the new Autumn/ Winter collections from the cities best-loved retailers have to offer. Alongside the shows, there are live fashion events at the Bullring, The Mailbox, and Pavilions. In-store shopping and beauty events are also happening across the full spectrum of Birmingham stores; think high-end designer labels, to high street favourites, and exclusive independent stores. There will be something to tempt every taste and budget. Competition: We’ve got a fabulous 5 pairs of tickets to give away for you and a friend to enjoy. Simply tell us the name of the super-stylish department store in Birmingham that is covered with silver discs oon the outside. Send your answer along with your name, address, date of birth and telephone number to: competitions@fusedmagazine.com. Put ‘Style Birmingham Live’ in the subject box. Deadline for entries is 15/09/10. Better pick out an outfit to wear now… Tickets for Style Birmingham Live are £10 for a Standard Ticket, which includes entry into the catwalk show and access to all supporting events or a Front Row Gold Ticket for £30, which includes a front row seat at the catwalk show, VIP access to events and special treats. Tickets are on sale now and are available from www.theticketfactory.com.
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MONSTER JAM - WIN TICKETS The NIA 17 - 19 September £15 - £24
Monster Jam, the monster truck show, will be hitting Birmingham as part of its tour this September. It is one of the biggest entertainment events in the US running about 250 shows and selling 2.3 million tickets annually. Monster trucks provide some high octane entertainment, reaching speeds of 100 miles per hour despite being 11 feet tall and weighing at least 9,000 pounds. Monster Jam features some of the world’s best drivers pushing the monster trucks to compete in freestyle Motorcross and do some crazy stunts. WIN TICKETS: To be in with a chance of winning one of 3 family tickets (for 4 people) to see Monster Jam at The NIA, Birmingham on Friday 17 September, just answer this question: Complete the name of this famous Monster truck, Grave ........? Send your answer along with your name, address and telephone number to competitions@fusedmagazine.com putting ‘Monster Jam’ in the subject box. Deadline for entries is: 10/09/10. 044
WEDNESDAY 1 SEPTEMBER MUSIC THE DEPRECIATION GUILD, JODIE & THE JET PLANE Hare & Hounds 7.30pm MUSIC FRANK FAIRFIELD Kitchen Garden Cafe 7.30pm, £8 THEATRE LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS Birmingham Rep 7.30pm (Continues until Saturday 18 September) THEATRE JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOUR DREAMCOAT Birmingham Hippodrome 2pm & 7.30pm (Continues until Sunday 12 September) THEATRE MY ROMANTIC HISTORY Birmingham Rep 046
THURSDAY 2 SEPTEMBER 7.45pm (Continues until Saturday 11 September) CLUB SCARLET HARLOTS & BACK TO PAPER PRESENTS MOSCHINO HOES & VERSACE HOTTIES The Victoria 8pm, £2 FILM COCO CHANEL AND IGOR STRAVINSKY Light House 5.30pm and 8.05pm
MUSIC TRADITIONAL SONG SESSIONS Kitchen Garden Cafe 8pm MUSIC FURTHEST FROM ITHACA The Actress & Bishop 8.30pm MUSIC SILENT FILTER PRESENTS (CANCER RESEARCH CHARITY GIG): KARMA SUITE, WE WRITERS, JACKPIKE, 4 QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT?, CARRIE-ANNE McNALLY The Victoria 8pm, £5 MUSIC Electric Eel Shock Hare & Hounds, 7.30pm COMEDY Michael Legge, Andy White, Steve Williams, Hal
Cruttenden Glee Club THEATRE PRECIOUS THINGS The Old Joint Stock 8pm ART ZINE ART EXHIBITION Urban Outfitters 5pm ART POSTCARD MAIL ART EXHIBITION Framers, Custard Factory 7pm FILM COCO CHANEL AND IGOR STRAVINSKY Light House 5.30pm and 8.05pm
FRIDAY 3 SEPTEMBER MUSIC FOURQUARTER, PANACEA DREAM The Actress & Bishop 8.30pm MUSIC URBAN INTRO The Jam House 11pm MUSIC EMMA SCOTT PRESENTS: BLAK CAN, THIS BURNING AGE, THE CITY LIGHTZ, BARRY’S ATTIC Slade Rooms 7.30pm, £5 MUSIC THE HEELS The Yardbird, 10.30pm COMEDY Michael Legge, Andy White, Steve Williams, Hal Cruttenden Glee Club COMEDY JOHNNY CANDON Highlight, 8.30pm
SATURDAY 4 SEPTEMBER CLUB HASSELBAINK SAYS RELAX (I <3 80’S PARTY) The Victoria 8pm, £2 CLUB CARNT SLEEP Island Bar 8.30pm, Free ART THE PRIORY BY ANDREW LACON Light House (Continues until 30 September)
MUSIC DOUBLE A 02 Academy 3 6pm, £5 MUSIC ACES HIGH, SICIUM Actress & BIshop 8.30pm
COMEDY MICHAEL LEGGE, ANDY WHITE, STEVE WILLIAMS, HAL CRUTTENDEN Glee Club 7.15pm, £18 (phone)/£17.50 (online)
MUSIC EAT A BOOK: URBAN BLIGHT, THE SCEPTRES, THE LOVE TRIANGLE The Victoria 12.30pm, £5
CLUB SICKNOTE: BIRMINGHAM DJ SHOWCASEBirmingham’s DJ showcase The Victoria 9pm, Free
MUSIC THE MONOBLOGGERS, DINOSAUR JAM, THE LIMELIGHT, LONGEST LINE The Slade Rooms 7pm, £5
SPOKEN WORD IF YOU REMEMBER IT... Ikon Gallery Free
COMEDY JOHNNY CANDON Highlight 8.30pm COMEDY RICH WILSON AND JOHNNY CANDON Highlight 8.30pm
ART FAMILY SATURDAYS Ikon Eastside 2pm, Free
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SUNDAY 5 SEPTEMBER
MONDAY 6 SEPTEMBER
TUESDAY 7 SEPTEMBER
WEDNESDAY 8 SEPTEMBER
MUSIC MUSIC IN THE GARDENS: ROTARY CLUB COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL Botanical Gardens 2pm
MUSIC KATH BLOOM PLUS THIS FRONTIER NEEDS HEROES Kitchen Garden Cafe 7.30pm
MUSIC HEIGHTS O2 Academy 3 7pm
MUSIC EXSIMPLE MINDS O2 Academy 7pm
MUSIC BRASS BAND GALA Symphony Hall 2.30pm MUSIC BLACK MOUNTAIN, Wolf People Hare & Hounds 7.30pm COMEDY SHOWTIME COMEDY THE MIDLANDS BIGGEST STAND UP COMEDY SHOW Wulfrun Hall 6.30pm, £22.50/£20
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THEATRE BUSTING OUT Alexandra Theatre 7.30pm EVENT CRAFTY BEER The Victoria 7pm, Free
MUSIC MODIFIED TOY ORCHESTRA: PLASTIC PLANET Town Hall 8pm SPOKEN WORD THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVOURITE THINGS: WITH HOWARD SKEMPTON Ikon Gallery 6.30-7.30pm, Free SPOKEN WORD SKEPTICS IN THE PUB: WITH TRACY KING The Victoria 7pm, Free Entry
THURSDAY 9 SEPTEMBER
FRIDAY 10 SEPTEMBER
MUSIC HATE THE FAITH, THE ODESSA MASSACRE, HUNGER FOR THURST, SPLINTERTONE, YOUR TRUTH BE VALIANT O2 Academy 3 6.30pm
MUSIC BARENAKED LADIES O2 Academy 7pm
MUSIC JONSI O2 Academy 7pm MUSIC THE BARLIGHTS The Actress & Bishop 8.30pm MUSIC THE SUBS The Jamhouse 10pm COMEDY Quincy Mick, Ferry Miles, Jupp Guest Glee Club COMEDY ROB DEERING The Slade Rooms 7.30pm, £6/£5 (Conc)
MUSIC GORILLAZ The NIA 7.30pm MUSIC CHANTEL MCGREGOR BAND The Slade Rooms 7.30pm, £8 MUSIC BBC BIG BAND MEETS THE NOTEBENDERS Town Hall 8pm, Free MUSIC THE UPPERS, ON SCREEN HEROES, THE JELLYBEAN REBELLION The Actress & Bishop 8.30pm MUSIC DETROIT SOUL The Jam House 11pm
SATURDAY 11 SEPTEMBER COMEDY BRIAN HIGGINS, NICK DOODY, GORDON SOUTHERN & IAN MOORE Highlight 8.30pm COMEDY Quincy Mick, Ferry Miles, Jupp Guest, Brendan Dempsey Glee Club CLUB CUM CLUBBING VIVID 8pm, £5 CLUB M4TP: MUSIC FOR THE PEOPLE The Victoria 8pm, Free FILM SKELETONS Light House 6pm and 8.15pm (Continues until 13 September)
MUSIC HOWARD SKEMPTON: SEPTEMBER SONGS Ikon Gallery 12pm MUSIC ROCK & METAL ALL DAY CHARITY EVENT The Old Wharf 3pm, Free MUSIC DETROIT SOUL The Jam House 11pm MUSIC MOTHERLESS The Actress & Bishop, 8.30pm MUSIC B.Z.F: BOM & HIS MAGIC DRUMSTICK, WINSTON ECHO, SIMON FOX The Victoria 12pm, Free MUSIC ONE MILLION SUNS (FORMERLY JUNKYARD MORNING) The Slade Rooms 7.30pm, £5 049
SUNDAY 12 SEPTEMBER THEATRE A DOLL’S HOUSE Crescent Theatre 7.30pm THEATRE COMPANY Crescent Theatre 7.45pm (Continues until 18 September) COMEDY BRIAN HIGGINS, SIMON CLAYTON, GORDON SOUTHERN & IAN MOORE Highlight 8.30pm COMEDY Quincy Mick, Ferry Miles, Jupp Guest, Brendan Dempsey Glee Club
EVENT Cat and Mouse with Mog and Maisy - Storytelling, crafts and games Centre for the Child, Birmingham Central Library 12-4pm, Free CLUB ATTA girl – BIRMINGHAM ZINE FESTIVAL PARTY Island Bar £1, 8.30pm THEATRE A DOLLS HOUSE Crescent Theatre 7.30pm
ART ZINE FESTIVAL: POSTCARD EXHIBITION, ZINE DISTROS, SCREEN EVENT PRINTING ETC V.I.P MUSIC FAIR VAAD, Custard Wulfrun Hall Factory 10am, £2 2pm-7pm EVENT BIRMINGHAM ZINE FESTIVAL The Victoria 12-6pm, Free Entry 050
EVENT V.I.P MUSIC FAIR Wulfrun Hall 10am, £2
SPOKEN WORD THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVOURITE THINGS: WITH STUART MACONIE Ikon Gallery 6.30pm, Free
MUSIC HOWARD SKEMPTON: SEPTEMBER SONGS Ikon Gallery 12pm MUSIC MUSIC IN THE GARDENS: CITY OF LICHFIELD CONCERT BAND Botanical Gardens 2pm MUSIC RIZWAN MUAZZAM QAWWALI The Drum 7pm MUSIC WOLF PARADE Glee Club 7.30pm MUSIC JANE TAYLOR Kitchen Garden Cafe 8.30pm, £8 Adv/£10 Door/£6 Conc. EVENT Cat and Mouse with Mog and Maisy - Storytelling, crafts and
MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY 13 SEPTEMBER 14 SEPTEMBER 15 SEPTEMBER games Centre for the Child, Birmingham Central Library 12-4pm, Free EVENT ZINE FESTIVAL: PICNIC IN THE PARK Meet at The Mac 1pm-4pm
MUSIC WILLY MASON Glee Club MUSIC CHAOS ACOUSTIC NIGHT The Victoria 8.30pm, Free THEATRE THE COUNTRY GIRL Birmingham Hippodrome 7.30pm (Continues until 18 September)
SPOKEN WORD BIRMINGHAM AND PARLIAMENT Library Theatre 1pm, Free
MUSIC TWO DOOR CINEMA CLUB O2 Academy 7pm MUSIC DENNIS SEATON The Jam House 9.30pm, Free SPOKEN WORD BIRMINGHAM STORYTELLING CAFE Kitchen Garden Cafe 7.30pm
EVENT STEVEN FRY LIVE: THE FRY CHRONICLES The Light House 7.15pm £12.50, £11 (Conc)
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THURSDAY 16 SEPTEMBER MUSIC TALLULAH FIX, ONE TON BULLET, THE FADING LIGHTS, THE COSMICS, LITTLE MAC O2 Academy 3 6.30pm
FRIDAY 17 SEPTEMBER COMEDY Alistair Barrie, Jarred Christmas, Kerry Godliman, Addy Borgh Glee Club
MUSIC THE MANHATTAN PROJECT Sunflower Lounge 6.30pm
MUSIC JOANNA NEWSOM THEATRE Symphony Hall MUSIC COLIN FRY: FREE 7.30pm FRAMING SPIRIT SHOW HANLEY Alexandra Theatre MUSIC O2 Academy 7.30pm VERTIGO 7pm The Jam House CLUB 11pm MUSIC SILENT FILTER: FRISKY AND BANDS NIGHT MUSIC MANNISH - THE Sound Bar The Brute COLLEGE YEARS 8pm Chorus, Black The Slade Rooms Market Empire 7pm, £10 SPOKEN WORD and Soldier CURATORIAL The Flapper, MUSIC GALLERY TALK: 7.30pm DIRTY SCORE THE VALENTINE The Actress & RESCUING COMEDY Bishop SYLVIA FROM ROB COLLINS, 8.30pm PROTEUS PAUL Birmingham MuMCCAFFREY, MUSIC seum & Art Gallery DAVE THE 1pm, Free WILLIAMS & WILDERNESS OF WAYNE DEAKIN MANITOBA SPOKEN WORD Highlight Hare & Hounds THESE ARE A 8.30pm 7.30pm FEW OF MY FAVOURITE COMEDY COMEDY THINGS: CARL Alistair STEVIE STARR PALMER Barrie, Kerry Highlight, 7pm Ikon Gallery Godliman, 6pm, Free Addy Borgh, 052
Tom Craine Glee Club THEATRE ENCHANTED BURLESQUE - SIRENS & SCOUNDRELS The Old Rep Theatre 7pm THEATRE COLIN FRY FREE SPIRIT SHOW Alexandra Theatre 7.30pm CLUB ONLY AFTER DARK CLUB NITE Sound Bar 8pm
SATURDAY 18 SEPTEMBER
SUNDAY 19 SEPTEMBER
MUSIC ELGAR: THE DREAM OF GERONTIUS Town Hall 5.30pm
MUSIC VERONA CHARD JAZZ The Old Joint Stock 8pm, £10
MUSIC STRANGLE KOJAK O2 Academy, 6pm
COMEDY ROB COLLINS, PAUL MCCAFFREY, DAVE WIL LIAMS & WAYNE DEAKIN Highlight 8.30pm
MUSIC KILLING MACHINE: THE PATHWAYS TO DESTRUCTION TOUR O2 Academy 7pm
COMEDY Alistair Barrie, Kerry Godliman, Addy Borgh, Tom Craine Glee Club
MUSIC BREED 77 & MALEFICE O2 Academy 3 7pm
MUSIC PAGE 44, THE SHOWER SCENE O2 Academy 3 6.30pm MUSIC VERTIGO The Jam House 11pm MUSIC FUN LOVIN’ CRIMINALS Wulfrun Hall 7pm, £20 MUSIC RED LIGHT ROOM The Actress & Bishop 8.30pm MUSIC NELL BRYDEN The Slade Rooms 7pm, £8
CLUB UNITED UNDERGROUND 2 The Custard Factory 10pm CLUB SWEAT The Victoria 9pm, £5 EVENT MAKING POETRY WORKSHOPS:
IDEAS IN THINGS Birmingham Central Library 1.30pm
MUSIC MUSIC IN THE GARDENS: AD CONCERT BAND Botanical Gardens 2pm
MUSIC MUSIC ROOM: SON OF WAGLE, CHRIS RICKETTS & MARK WILLSHIRE, CRAYON Hare & Hounds 7.30pm BURLESQUE High Tease by The Ministry of Burlesque Glee Club
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MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY 20 SEPTEMBER 21 SEPTEMBER 22 SEPTEMBER 23 SEPTEMBER MUSIC GONG, NIK TURNER’S SPACE RITUAL HMV Institute 7pm MUSIC DINOSAUR PILE-UP, THIS LOVE AFFAIR Hare & Hounds 7.30pm THEATRE POLITE ASSASSINS The Victoria 7.30pm, £7/£5 (Conc) (Continues until 22 September) FILM ROLLING STONES Light House 6.10pm and 8.20pm
COMEDY RUSSELL PETERS The NIA 8pm COMEDY Gina Yashere Glee Club SPOKEN WORD CURATORIAL TALK: FASHION & FANTASY Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery 1pm, Free
MUSIC PETE MOLINARI Glee Club 7.30pm
MUSIC MGMT O2 Academy 7pm
MUSIC TOMMY REILLY Rainbow (& Warehouse) 7.30pm
MUSIC BRING ME THE HORIZON, CANCER BATS, TEK-ONE O2 Academy 7pm
THEATRE ENRON Birmingham Rep 7pm (Continues until 25 September) DANCE POINTES OF VIEW Birmingham Hippodrome 7.30pm
MUSIC GIRLYMAN Hare & Hounds 7.20pm MUSIC TINY TIN LADY Glee Club 7.30pm MUSIC RUBY TURNER The Jam House 8pm COMEDY Parrot, Elis James, Paul Tonkinson, Ian Coppinger Glee Club COMEDY JASON COOK: THE END PT 1 The Slade Rooms 7pm, £10
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FRIDAY 24 SEPTEMBER SPOKEN WORD CURATORIAL GALLERY TALK: THE FINDING OF THE SAVIOUR IN THE TEMPLE Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery 1pm, Free
MUSIC CAPTAIN HORIZON Sunflower Lounge 6.30pm MUSIC ELLIOT MINOR O2 Academy 6.30pm
SATURDAY 25 SEPTEMBER CLUB SYNDICATE CLUB NIGHT Sound Bar 8pm
CLUB SILENT FILTER: KARMA SUITE, NAKED REMEDY, PAN MUSIC SPOKEN WORD & THE POETS, TALES AND ALES LITTLE DRAGON CHARLIE CAN’T HMV Institure The Old Joint SURF, THE DIRTY 7pm Stock KNECKS, 8pm CIRCUS TOWN MUSIC Island Bar, Free, HAYSEED DIXIE 8pm THEATRE The Slade Rooms DUCK VARIATIONS/THE 7pm, £15 CLUB BROTHERS THATCHED COMEDY The Old Joint The Victoria THE Stock 9pm, Free ARMSTRONG 8pm, £10/£9 (Conc)/£7 (Preview) AND MILLER THEATRE SHOW DUCK VARIACivic Hall DANCE TIONS/THE 7pm, £20/£18 POINTES OF BROTHERS VIEW The Old Joint COMEDY Birmingham HipStock Parrot, Elis podrome 8pm, £10/£9 James, Paul 2pm & 7.30pm (Conc) Tonkinson, Ian Coppinger DANCE Glee Club POINTES OF VIEW COMEDY Birmingham JIMMY CARR Hippodrome Symphony Hall 7.30pm 8pm
MUSIC SOLID SOUL The Jam House 11pm MUSIC THE LAST SUPPER, STEVE IGNORANT O2 Academy 7pm MUSIC FYFE DANGERFIELD, THE BOY WHO TRAPPED THE SUN HMV Institute 7pm MUSIC HENRY’S CHILDREN Hare & Hounds 8pm MUSIC NED’S ATOMIC DUSTBIN HMV Institute 8pm THEATRE WHOSE SHOES Birmingham Rep 11.30am, 1.30pm Birmingham Hippodrome 2.30pm, 7.30pm 055
COMEDY HARDEEP SINGH KOHLI: THE NEARLY NAKED CHEF Wulfrun Hall 7pm, £14/£12 COMEDY Parrot, Elis James, Paul Tonkinson, Ian Coppinger Glee Club COMEDY REAL DEAL COMEDY JAM Alexandra Theatre 7.30pm COMEDY SHAZIA MIRZA The Public 7.30pm, £10/£12 COMEDY MARK NELSON HARVEY OLIVER & JUNIOR SIMPSON Highlight, 8.30pm CLUB JOCKO HOMO The Victoria 9pm, Free THEATRE WHOSE SHOES Birmingham Rep 11.30am, 1.30pm
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THEATRE DUCK VARIATIONS/THE BROTHERS The Old Joint Stock 8pm, £10/£9 (Conc) DANCE POINTES OF VIEW Birmingham Hippodrome 2.30pm, 7.30pm
SUNDAY MONDAY 26 SEPTEMBER 27 SEPTEMBER MUSIC MUSIC IN THE GARDENS: NEW WASHBOARD SYNCOPATORS Botanical Gardens 2pm MUSIC PAUL HEATON Glee Club 7pm MUSIC PATSY MATHESON ACCOMPANIED BY CLIVE GREGSON Kitchen Garden Cafe 7.30pm, £8
MUSIC ROSE ELINOR DOUGALL O2 Academy 3 7pm MUSIC NME RADAR TOUR O2 Academy 7pm
TUESDAY 28 SEPTEMBER
WEDNESDAY THURSDAY 29 SEPTEMBER 30 SEPTEMBER
MUSIC BURY TOMORROW, BURN O2 Academy 3 7pm
MUSIC JOSEPHINE FOSTERA ND THE VICTOR HERRERO BAND, SWALLOWS Hare & Hounds 8pm
MUSIC OCEANSIZE O2 Academy 7pm MUSIC DETACHMENTS Hare & Hounds 7.30pm MUSIC JIM MORAY BAND Town Hall 8pm MUSIC MAX RAPTOR The Slade Rooms 7.30pm, £6 MUSIC THE ACOUSTIC SESSIONS The Jam House 9.30pm, Free DANCE ROMEO AND JULIET Birmingham Hippodrome 7.30pm (Cont. until 2 Oct)
MUSIC JAZZ IN THE BAR: WILL BARBER The Old Joint Stock 7.30pm, Free COMEDY MICKY FLANAGAN: THE OUT OUT TOUR Glee Club 7.30pm THEATRE THE BRIDGE The Old Joint Stock 2.30pm & 8pm SPOKEN WORD AN EVENING WITH RICKY HATTON PLUS SPECIAL GUEST FRANK BRUNO Civic Hall 7pm, £25/£100 (V.I.P Ticket)
MUSIC MAYDAY PARADE, THE MAINE O2 Academy 7pm
Stock Theatre 8pm, £10, £9 (Conc), £7 (Preview) (Continues until 3 October)
MUSIC DEL CAMINO The Jam House 10pm COMEDY Lloyd L angford, Sean Percival, Adam Bloom Glee Club SPOKEN WORD CURATORIAL GALLERY TALK: MAY MORNING ON MAGDELAN TOWER Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery 1pm, Free SPOKEN WORD ALEXEI SAYLE: AUTHOR TALK Solihull Arts Complex 7.30pm THEATRE THE DINNER LADY MAN The Old Joint
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FRIDAY 1 OCTOBER
SATURDAY 2 OCTOBER
SUNDAY 3 OCTOBER
MONDAY 4 OCTOBER
MUSIC SANDI THOM HMV Institute 7pm
MUSIC OCEAN COLOUR SCENE O2 Academy 7pm
MUSIC THE MAGIC NUMBERS Wulfrun Hall 7pm, £14
MUSIC THEA GILMORE Glee Club 7.30pm
COMEDY LLOYD LANGFORD, SEAN PERCIVAL, ADAM BLOOM Glee Club 7.15pm, £17.50-£18
MUSIC SUZAHN FLERING Kitchen Garden Cafe 7pm, £10
MUSIC The Maladies of Bellafontaine, Malpas Hare & Hounds, 8pm COMEDY LLOYD LANGFORD, SEAN PERCIVAL, ADAM BLOOM Glee Club 7.15pm, £7.50-£15 Theatre The Dinner Lady Man The Old Joint Stock Theatre, 8pm DANCE ROMEO AND JULIET Birmingham Hippodrome 7.30pm
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COMEDY STEWART FRANCIS: TOUR DE FRANCIS Wulfrun Hall 7.30pm, £15 DANCE ROMEO AND JULIET Birmingham Hippodrome 7.30pm
MUSIC GET CAPE, WEAR CAPE, FLY Rainbow (& Warehouse) 8pm COMEDY Barbara Nice mac, 7pm
COMEDY ‘OFF THE CUFF’ COMEDY IMPROV SHOW Kitchen Garden Cafe 7.30pm, £7
TUESDAY 5 OCTOBER
WEDNESDAY 6 OCTOBER
THURSDAY 7 OCTOBER
FRIDAY 8 OCTOBER
MUSIC KELIS HMV Institute 7pm
MUSIC KATE NASH HMV Institute 6.30pm
MUSIC HURTS HMV Institute 7pm
MUSIC THE LINES Wulfrun Hall 7pm, £12.50
MUSIC EMMA SCOTT: ADVANTAGE, MAYCOMB, MEAN POPPA LEAN, FALLING FASTER Slade Rooms 7.30pm, £5
COMEDY PAUL ZERDIN Wulfrun Hall 7pm, £14
COMEDY LEE NELSON: WELL GOOD Civic Hall 7pm, £15
MUSIC CYSTAL FIGHTERS HMV Institute, 7pm
MUSIC SWAMPMEAT The Sunflower Lounge, 8pm COMEDY ROSS NOBLE Non Sensory Overload Alexandra Theatre 8pm SPOKEN WORD Raphael Selbourne - What is a City’s Culture Birmingham Conservatoire
COMEDY RICH HALL Glee Club 7.15pm, £16.50 (phone)/£17.50 (online)/NUS THEATRE KHATOIC: THE FRED KARNO STORY The Old Rep 7.30pm (Continues until 9 October)
COMEDY WILLIAM ANDREWS, JOHN MOLONEY, PETE JOHANSSON, DAVE TWENTYMAN Glee Club 7.30pm, £6.50-£14.50 COMEDY The Al Pitcher Picture Tour Of The World Glee Club, 7.30pm
MUSIC ELIZA DOOLITTLE 02 Academy, 7pm COMEDY MITCH BENN AND THE DISTRACTION The Slade Rooms 7pm, £13/11 (Conc)
COMEDY WILLIAM ANDREWS, JOHN MOLONEY, PETE JOHANSSON, THEATRE DAVE TWENTYVAMPIRES ROCK MAN Alexandra Theatre Glee Club 7.30pm 7.15pm, £7.50-£15 CLUB Soul Cafe Sunflower Lounge, 8pm CLUB STRAX The Victoria, 8pm
COMEDY Stewart Francis Town Hall, 7.30pm
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SATURDAY 9 OCTOBER
SUNDAY 10 OCTOBER
MONDAY 11 OCTOBER
TUESDAY 12 OCTOBER
MUSIC EXAMPLE O2 Academy 6.30pm
MUSIC IMELDA MAY Wulfrun Hall 7pm, £16.50
MUSIC FRENCH-SOLER The Slade Rooms 7.30pm, £6.50
MUSIC KORN Civic Hall 7pm, £27.50
MUSIC Professor Green 02 Academy 7pm
MUSIC CRYSTAL CASTLES AND HEALTH Wulfrun Hall 7pm, £13.50
MUSIC YOSO HMV Institute 7pm COMEDY WILLIAM ANDREWS, JOHN MOLONEY, PETE JOHANSSON, DAVE TWENTYMAN Glee Club 7.15pm, £18-£18.50 EVENT V.I.P MUSIC FAIR Wulfrun Hall 10am, £2 DANCE Blaze - The Streetdance Sensation Birmingham Rep, 5.30pm
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COMEDY SARAH MILLICAN: CHATTERBOX Glee Club 7.30pm, £10-£12
THEATRE BLOOD BROTHERS Birmingham Hippodrome 7.30pm (Continues until 23 October with matinee’s at 2.30pm)
COMEDY PETE FIRMAN: JOKES AND TRICKS Wulfrun Hall 7pm, £12 DANCE Burlesque Workshop The Jekyll & Hyde, 8pm
WEDNESDAY 13 OCTOBER
THURSDAY 14 OCTOBER
FRIDAY 15 OCTOBER
SATURDAY 16 OCTOBER
MUSIC BOWLING FOR SOUP, “A”, FOREVER THE SICKEST KIDS, THE DOLLYROTS O2 Academy 7pm
MUSIC GROOVE ARMADA O2 Academy 7pm
MUSIC SABATON PLUS ALESTROM The Slade Rooms 7pm, £12
MUSIC THE CAT EMPIRE O2 Academy 7pm
MUSIC THE MOBO TOUR O2 Academy 7pm
MUSIC Black Market Empire, The Filthy Habits, Red Light Room 02 Academy 3, 6.30pm
MUSIC Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip HMV Institute 6.30pm
COMEDY LEE NELSON: WELL GOOD Wulfrun Hall 7.30pm
MUSIC ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT HMV Institute, 7pm COMEDY SEAN LOCK: LOCKIPEDIA COMEDY Civic Hall STUART LEE: 7pm, £15 VEGETABLE STEW COMEDY Wulfrun Hall FRANKIE BOYLE 7pm, £17.50 Civic Hall 7pm, £20 COMEDY JOJO SMITH, TOM WRIGGLES- COMEDY JOJO SMITH, WORTH, PAUL THORNE, JOHN TOM WRIGGLESWORTH, PAUL FORTHERGILL THORNE, JOGN Glee Club FOTHERGILL 7.30pm, Glee Club £6.50-£14.50 7.15pm, £7.50-£15 COMEDY COMEDY TOUR THEATRE THE CHERRY SHOW: DAN ORCHARD ANTOPOLSKI, Birmingham Rep TISY SUTTIE 7.30pm Glee Club (Cont. until 6 Nov) 8pm, £10-£12
COMEDY JOJO SMITH, TOM WRIGGLESWORTH, PAUL THORNE, JOGN FOTHERGILL Glee Club 7.15pm, £18-£18.50 COMEDY STEWART LEE Town Hall 8pm
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SUNDAY 17 OCTOBER
MONDAY 18 OCTOBER
TUESDAY 19 OCTOBER
WEDNESDAY 20 OCTOBER
MUSIC EMMA SCOTT PRESENTS: ISOLATED ATOMS, CENTURY MAN, MR. TWIST, DIRTY LAWS Slade Rooms 7.30pm, £5
MUSIC JOSHUA RADIN Wulfrun Hall 7pm, £13
MUSIC TINIE TEMPAH HMV Institue 7pm
MUSIC BADLY DRAWN BOY Town Hall 7.30pm, £17.50
MUSIC GUNS N’ ROSES LG Arena 8pm
MUSIC Où est le Swimming Pool, Neon Asylum The Rainbow 7pm
THEATRE THE KING & I Crescent Theatre 7.30pm (Continues until 23 October with matinee showings at 2.30pm)
MUSIC Beardyman, JFB HMV Institute 7pm
COMEDY FRANKIE BOYLE Civic Hall 7pm, £20
DANCE Burlesque Workshop The Jekyll & Hyde 8pm
MUSIC FLASHGUNS The Rainbow 7.30pm COMEDY COMEDY TOUR SHOW: RUSSELL KANE: SMOKESCREENS AND CASTLES Glee Club 7.30pm, £13.50 (phone)/£13 (online),£10 (NUS) FILM 7 Inch Cinema present: Footnotes A nearlyclosing party The Victoria, 7pm
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THURSDAY 21 OCTOBER
FRIDAY 22 OCTOBER
SATURDAY 23 OCTOBER
SUNDAY 24 OCTOBER
COMEDY ANDI OSHO/ MATT READ/MICHAEL FABBRI/ STEVE GRIBBIN Glee Club 7.30pm, £6.50-£14.50
MUSIC HOT HOT HEAT O2 Academy 3 6.30pm
MUSIC THE CHARLATONS, SHAUN RYDER O2 Academy 7.30pm
MUSIC THE GASLIGHT ANTHEM Civic Hall 7pm, £16.50
CLUB STRAX The Victoria 8pm
MUSIC PLAN B O2 Academy 7pm MUSIC SUPERSONIC FESTIVAL The Custard Factory COMEDY ROSS NOBLE Civic Hall 7pm, £20
MUSIC MARINA AND THE DIAMONDS Town Hall 8pm MUSIC SUPERSONIC FESTIVAL The Custard Factory
COMEDY SARAH MILLICAN: COMEDY CHATTERBOX ANDI OSHO, The Slade Rooms MATT READ, MICHAEL FABBI, 6.45pm, £12/£10 STEVE GRIBBIN (Conc) Glee Club 7.15pm, £7.50-£15 COMEDY ANDI OSHO, MATT READ, DANCE IN THE FURTHER MICHAEL FABBI, STEVE GRIBBIN SOIL Glee Club Arena Theatre 7.15pm, 7.30pm, £8/£6 £18-£18.50 (Conc)
MUSIC SUPERSONIC FESTIVAL The Custard Factory COMEDY JOSIE LONG: BE HONOURABLE! The Slade Rooms 7pm, £10 COMEDY Al Murray The Pub Landlord Symphony Hall 8pm DANCE IN THE FURTHER SOIL mac 7.30pm, £8/£6 (Conc)
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MONDAY 25 OCTOBER
TUESDAY 26 OCTOBER
WEDNESDAY 27 OCTOBER
THURSDAY 28 OCTOBER
MUSIC FEEDER Wulfrun Hall 7pm, £20
MUSIC MANIC STREET PREACHERS, BRITISH SEA POWER O2 Academy 7pm
MUSIC FENIX RX The Slade Rooms 7pm, £10
MUSIC AMY MACDONALD O2 Academy 7pm
MUSIC CARL BARAT The Slade Rooms 7.30pm, £12.50 MUSIC ATTACK! ATTACK! 02 Academy 7pm COMEDY DARA O’BRIAIN Civic Hall 7pm, £19.50 THEATRE HAIRSPRAY Birmingham Hippodrome 7.30pm (Continues until 6 November)
MUSIC ONE NIGHT ONLY O2 Academy 7pm MUSIC UB40 Symphony Hall 7.30pm MUSIC MITCHELL MUSEUM The Slade Rooms 7.30pm, £5
COMEDY JIMEOIN: SOMETHING SMELLS FUNNY THEATRE Glee Club ROCKY HORROR 7.30pm, £9-£12.50 SHOW Alexandra Theatre 8pm (Continues until 30 October with matinee showings at 5.30pm)
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MUSIC UB40: ‘SIGNING OFF’ 30TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR Civic Hall 6.45pm, £19.50 COMEDY ALUN COCHRAINE: JOKES, LIFE AND JOKES ABOUT LIFE Glee Club 7.30pm £10-£12
MUSIC STONE SOUR, AVENGE SEVENFOLD The NIA 7pm COMEDY GREG DAVIES The Slade Rooms 7.30pm, £12.50 COMEDY STEVE HUGHES, JIMMY MCGHIE, ROB DEERING, SEAN COLLINS Glee Club 7.30pm, £6.50-£14.50
FRIDAY 29 OCTOBER
SATURDAY 30 OCTOBER
SUNDAY 31 OCTOBER
MUSIC ORGAN CONCERT: STEVE TOVEY Wulfrun Hall 10.30am, £15
MUSIC SETH LAKEMAN Town Hall 8pm
MUSIC LOVE AGAINST RUIN The Slade Rooms 7.30pm, £7.50
MUSIC MIKE PETERS (OF THE ALARM) Slade Rooms 7pm, £14 MUSIC Andreya Triana & Norman Jay Hare & Hounds 9pm COMEDY LEE NELSON: WELL GOOD West Bromwich Town Hall 7pm, £15
COMEDY THE BIG COMEDY JAM: HALLOWEEN SPECIAL Wulfrun Hall 6pm, £16/£17.50 COMEDY STEVE HUGHES, JIMMY MCGHIE, ROB DEERING, SEAN COLLINS Glee Club 7.30pm, £18-£18.50
MUSIC Nightingales, The Courtesy Group The Old Wharf 7pm COMEDY RICH HALL Wulfrun Hall 7pm, £15
COMEDY JIM JEFFERIES Wulfrun Hall 7pm, £15 COMEDY STEVE HUGHES, JIMMY MCGHIE, ROB DEERING, SEAN COLLINS Glee Club 7.30pm, £7.50-£15 065
Venue Directory MUSIC VENUES Actress & Bishop 36, Ludgate Hill, B3 1EH 0121 236 7426 BOTANICAL GARDENS 12A Westbourne Road Edgbaston, B15 3TR 0121 454 1860 birminghambotanicalgardens.org.uk BULLS HEAD 23, St. Marys Row, Moseley, B13 8HW bullsheadmoseley.co.uk Civic/Wulfrun Hall North Street, WV1 1RQ. 0870 320 7000 wolvescivic.co.uk The Flapper Kingston Row, B1 2NU. 0121 236 2421 Hare & Hounds 106 High Street, B14 7JZ. 0121 444 2081 hareandhoundskingsheath.co.uk HMV Institute 78 Digbeth High St, Digbeth hmvinstitute.com
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Island bar 14-26 Suffolk Street, B1 1LT. 0121 632 5296 bar-island.co.uk
Town Hall Victoria Square, B3 3DQ 0121 780 3333 www.thsh.co.uk
The Jam House 3 - 5 St Pauls Square Birmingham, West Midlands B3 1QU 0121 200 3030 thejamhouse.com
The Victoria 48 John Bright Street, B1 1BN. 0121 633 9439 thevictoriabirmingham. co.uk
Jekyll & hyde 28, Steelhouse Lane, Birmingham, B4 6BJ KITCHEN GARDEN CAFE 17 York Road, Kings Heath. 0121 443 4725 kitchengardencafe. co.uk
YARDBIRD Paradise Place, Birmingham, B3 3HJ ART VENUES BM&G Chamberlain Square, B3 3DH, bmag.org.uk
CUSTARD FACTORY O2 Academy Gibb Street, B9 4AA 08444 772 000 custardfactory.co.uk o2academybirmingham. co.uk The Drum 144 Potters Lane, Aston, Sunflower Lounge B6 4UU, 0121 333 2444 76, Smallbrook Queens the-drum.org.uk way, Birmingham, B5 EASTSIDE The Rainbow PROJECTS 160 High Street 86 Heath Mill Lane, B9 Deritend, B12 0LD. 4AR, 0121 771 1778 eastsideprojects.org THE SLADE ROOMS Broad Street IKON EASTSIDE Wolverhampton Fazeley Street, Digbeth ikon-gallery.co.uk
Ikon Gallery Oozells Square, B1 2HS 0121 248 0708 ikon-gallery.co.uk INTERNATIONAL PROJECT SPACE Maple Road, B30 2AA 0121 331 5763 internationalprojectspace.org The Lighthouse The Chubb Building Fryer Street, Wolverhampton WV1 1HT 01902 716 055 light-house.co.uk MAC Cannon Hill Park macarts.co.uk The Public New Street, West Bromwich B70 7PG 0121 533 7161 thepublic.com RHUBARB EAST GALLERY Heath Mill Lane, Digbeth hubarb-rhubarb.net VIVID 140 Heath Mill Lane, Digbeth, B9 4AR 0121 766 7876 vivid.org.uk
Wolverhampton Art Gallery Lichfield St, WV1 1DU 01902 552055 wolverhamptonart. org.uk COMEDY VENUES The Glee Club The Arcadian, B5 4TD. 0871 472 0400 glee.co.uk
Theatre 4 Temple Row West B2 5NY, 0121 200 1892 oldjointstocktheatre. co.uk Birmingham Rep Centenary Square, 0121 236 4455 birmingham-rep.co.uk
HIGHLIGHT 259-262 Broad Street, B1 2HF THEATRE VENUES Alexandra Theatre Station St, Birmingham 0844 847 2302 alexandratheatre.org.uk BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME Hurst Street 0844 338 5000 birminghamhippodrome.com CRESCENT THEATRE Sheepcote Street, B16 8AE, 0121 643 5858 crescent-theatre.co.uk The Old Joint Stock Pub and
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