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Your FREE essential entertainment guide for the Midlands Birmingham
’ What sOn www.whatsonlive.co.uk
ISSUE 363
MARCH 2016
BARBA
EASTER F RA NICE’S UNNYAT T HE GLEE
thelist inside:
Your 16-page week by week listings guide
Mary Poppins Magic and madness as West End musical flies into Birmingham Hippodrome
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Great Theatre at the Grand! MON 11 - SAT 16 APR
SUN 17 APR
MON 18 - WED 20 APR
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
FRI 22 APR
SAT 23 APR
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
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OVER 30 YEARS, THE SOLID SILVER 60S SHOW HAS ENTERTAINED THE NATION AND CELEBRATED HISTORY’S MOST SUCCESSFUL DECADE OF MUSIC.
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Contents March Birmingham.qxp_Layout 1 22/02/2016 12:46 Page 2
March 2016
Contents
Mary Poppins - West End musical flies into the Midlands. Read the feature page 19
the list
Trainspotting
Natty
Barbara Nice
sex, drugs and audience participation at mac
Release The Fear at the O2 Academy
funny and full of Easter promise at The Glee Club
your 16-page week-by-week listings guide
page 8
page 14
page 22
page 51
inside: 4. First Word
11. Food
14. Music
22. Comedy
26. Theatre
36. Film
@whatsonbrum
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Birmingham What’s On Magazine
Birmingham What’s On Magazine
What’sOn MAGAZINE GROUP
42. Visual Arts
44. 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 Photography event showcases Brum as a key UK destination A brand new photographic event is being launched in the Midlands this month. Capture Birmingham provides members of the general public with the chance to celebrate the world of photography through a series of exhibitions, photo walks and workshops. The new initiative is run by the team behind The Photography Show - which takes place at the NEC at the same time - and aims to position the city as a key UK destination for photography. The event is designed to appeal to anybody interested in photography, from seasoned professionals through to people who simply like looking at and appreciating inspiring images. Any organisations or individuals hosting a related event in or around Birmingham during the weekend can submit their details to capturebirmingham.org and become part of the Capture Birmingham programme. The event takes place at various venues across the city on 19 & 20 March.
Banged up in the Library of Brum
The Library of Birmingham is this month offering visitors the chance to find out what it’s like to be banged up in prison. Between Tuesday 1 and Saturday 12 March, the Centenary Square venue will host a replica cell, built to government regulations and housing two ‘prisoners’. Visitors can either observe the prisoners through the window or enter the cell to chat with them - asking questions about their lives, their sentences, and how prison affects them. Although the two prisoners are performers, both are former inmates who’ve served time in Her Majesty’s prisons. Commenting on the Go To Jail project, Saul Hewish, who works for Rideout, a co-developer of the initiative, said: “Unless you've actually ‘served time at Her Majesty’s pleasure’, it’s hard to imagine what life is really like for those incarcerated in our over-crowded prisons. Go To Jail allows people to see the reality, and hear real stories from those who've served sentences.” Go To Jail is open in the Library of Birmingham from Tuesday 1 to Saturday 12 March (closed Mon and Sun) between 11am and 4pm at The Gallery (Floor 3). Admission is free and no appointment necessary. 4 whatsonlive.co.uk
The Drum appoints new writer in residence Birmingham intercultural arts centre The Drum has appointed playwright, producer and director Tennexa Freeman as its writer and producer in residence. Tennexa, who began writing at the age of 15, taking a break to complete a degree in international business management at the Telford School of Business, has enjoyed previous theatrical successes with the plays Babymothers and Bashment Housewives. She’s currently working on various projects which will be released throughout the year.
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-party-tickets
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Entertainment news from around the region
Award-winning show stops off at The Old Rep
Arts Council funding brings Cosmic Birds to International Dance Festival
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 MuslimAmerican 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.
A major exhibition by renowned Japanese artist Shun Ito will be on display at this year’s International Dance Festival Birmingham thanks to a £38,500 investment from Arts Council England. The exhibition, entitled Cosmic Birds and comprising 20 mechanical sculptures, will be available to view at the city’s disused 1930s Municipal Bank building, from Tuesday 3 to Friday 20 May. The sculptures will be exhibited alongside a new installation entitled CELLS. The new commission, created especially for the festival, will be made in Birmingham by the artist. A new performance piece, inspired by the sculptures and combining contemporary music and dance, will also be produced. International Dance Festival Birmingham takes place at various venues throughout the city from 1 to 22 May.
Team GB takes on Japan Birmingham is this month hosting Great Britain’s first-round tennis match in the 2016 Davis Cup. The tie takes place at the Barclaycard Arena from 4 to 6 March and sees the Aegon GB Davis Cup Team take on Japan. Commenting on the fixture, GB team captain Leon Smith said: “Birmingham is a city with a great sporting history that’s hosted some incredible Davis Cup ties in the past. Japan will be a tough contest, but I’m sure the Birmingham fans will get right behind us and make as much noise as they can.”
Shh! It’s a secret...
City Of Colours returns bigger and brighter for 2016
The highly acclaimed Birmingham Opera Company is this month presenting a new version of Henry Purcell’s Dido & Aeneas, the only complete opera written by the composer during his short lifetime. The production - which features baritone Eric Greene and mezzo soprano Chrystal E Williams (both pictured below) alongside 100-plus volunteer actors, dancers and chorus members - is being performed from 18 to 23 March at a currently top secret Birmingham location. Keep an eye on birminghamopera.org.uk to find out more... Tickets can be booked via the website or by ringing 0121 246 6634.
A festival which transforms the Digbeth area of Birmingham into a colourful outdoor art gallery is making a welcome return in summer 2016 - thanks to a £35,000 investment from Arts Council England. City Of Colours first took place in 2014, attracting more than 8,500 people. The 2016 version of the event is adding music stages, b boys, spoken word performances, and dance, music and photography workshops into its mix. Commenting on the recently acquired funding, City of Colours’ managing director, Becci Wright, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to have been successful with our application to the Arts Council without it, the event just wouldn’t be possible. “The festival provides an incredible opportunity for the city’s artists and performers to showcase their work, while giving younger people a chance to participate and learn new skills. “City of Colours is about bringing different cultures from across the city together, in one big weekend celebration of urban culture and the arts. The event is also important for Digbeth, as it supports regeneration, with increased footfall to the area and lots of beautiful artwork on display to the public all year round.” City Of Colours takes place in Birmingham’s Digbeth area on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 June.
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First Word All shook up! Award-winning musical heads to 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.
CBSO appoints new Director Lithuanian conductor Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla has been appointed Music Director of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO). Gražinytė-Tyla will take over the post from Andris Nelsons in September for an initial three-year period. She made her debut with the CBSO in July 2015. Commenting on her appointment, she said: “I felt so at ease working with the Orchestra at the CBSO Centre and at Symphony Hall, and I can't wait to get started and to call these venues my homes too. I am also very excited about working with the CBSO family, including its brilliant choirs led by Simon Halsey, and getting involved with its extensive learning and participation programme, both locally and further afield. I believe we will be a great team and really look forward to making music together.” Gražinytė-Tyla’s artistic plans with the CBSO range from Mozart and Haydn to 20th century classics and works by living composers. Full details of the CBSO’s 2016-17 concert season will be announced in April 2016.
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BMAG to host Arts Council Collection Birmingham Museums Trust has been awarded £600,000 to bring to the Midlands the Arts Council Collection, the UK’s most widely seen collection of modern and contemporary art. The grant will allow the Trust to host and curate new exhibitions from the Collection over the next three years. Commenting on the news, the Director of Birmingham Museums Trust, Dr Ellen McAdam, said: “This is an enormously prestigious programme and a great coup for Birmingham Museums. We look forward to showcasing Arts Council Collection’s outstanding contemporary art alongside Birmingham’s own internationally important collections.” Birmingham Museums Trust is one of only four National Partners for the Collection. The exhibitions will include eight new commissions, produced as part of the Collection’s 70th anniversary programme.
Nick Sharratt lined up to appear at Bournville Children’s Bookfest Birmingham’s only children’s book festival makes a welcome return next month. This year’s Bournville BookFest features more than 80 events taking place in 13 different venues across the city. Festival contributors include bestselling authors Nick Sharratt (Shark In The Park), Jeremy Strong (My Brother’s Famous Bottom) and Korky Paul (Winnie The Witch). Crime writer Sophie Hannah (The Monogram Murders) shares her secrets for successful plotting, while one of the masterminds behind the original Dr Who series explains how to write TV scripts. There’s also a selection of free events for children with special needs. Commenting on the event, festival director and founder Sarah Mullen said: “Bournville BookFest 2016 is going to be full of fresh ideas, laughter, music and fun. We have something for everyone, from musical story sing-alongs for babies to Gangsta Granny drama workshops and poetry rap for older children. “Bournville BookFest 2016 is a wonderful chance to get excited about storytelling in every form.” The festival takes place at venues across the city from 18 to 20 March. Tickets are on sale at bournvillebookfest.com
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
SEX, DRUGS AND AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION a daring new production of Trainspotting bursts into Birmingham
Twenty years after Irvine Welsh's cult classic, Trainspotting, made its big-screen debut, Kings Head and In Your Face Theatre are reviving the edgy stage adaptation that pre-dates the movie by two years. But this is much more than just a rehash of the hedonistic story you know and love: instead, In Your Face are living up to their name with a full-on, immersive and daring production touring round unconventional UK locations. Supported by mac Birmingham and definitely not for the faint-hearted, the show drops in to Digbeth from 24 March. What’s On recently spoke to directors Adam Spreadbury-Maher (Kings Head) and Greg Esplin (In Your Face) to find out more. “Some people like to sit in a theatre and feel safe somewhere they could fall asleep, but that isn't what this show is,” says Adam. “It's not for the kind of person who likes to drop into a Bill Kenwright tour of a musical that's been on for 10 years. This is for the kind of person who goes to live gigs and arthouse films, who likes to trail-blaze and be involved in something genuinely new and interesting - someone who wants to feel something in their gut and in their heart. That's why we're so excited about bringing it to Birmingham and having this partnership with mac, because they have that kind of audience.” Audiences - or perhaps more aptly 8 whatsonlive.co.uk www.whatsonlive.co.uk 8
here, participants - can expect to enter into a 10-minute rave, with glowsticks handed out in place of tickets. As the story unfolds, they'll be absorbed into its scenes, playing a crucial role in the telling of the tale. “The audience are part of the show - it couldn't exist without them,” continues Adam. “At any time, they play numerous characters, provide challenges, take part in a bit of crowd-surfing, and get splattered with bodily fluids.” Not real ones, we hope(!), but those who know the story will already be thinking of certain moments Spud's bedsheets, for example, and the infamous toilet scene. Better choose your clothing wisely then: there'll be no hiding on the back row here, since the show won't be appearing in a conventional theatre setting. In Brum, performances will take place in Digbeth's Rainbow Venues as part of mac Birmingham's ‘mac in the city’ programme. “Taking the show to a new venue is so exciting for us. Normally, I wouldn't go out with a touring show, I'd just put an assistant on it, but with this, we have to adapt to the environment we find ourselves in, so there's an opportunity to remake the show in a bespoke way for every single location.” Another key difference from standard stage shows is that this production breezes through the plot in a little over an hour. Condensed to
just 70 minutes, it gets straight to the point, cutting out the final heist sub-plot, among other elements. “There was one very nice restaurant scene in the movie and the book with a character called Alison which we were sad to lose,” says Greg, “but I think we've got it down to the perfect journey now. It keeps the audience's attention and finishes at just the right time, and anything else would probably take away from it.” Behind all the fun there's a serious message: this isn't the sort of show to sugar-coat any pills. The dropping of the original, outlandish ending places greater emphasis on the tough reality the characters face, with Renton and Sick Boy given the chance to go clean in the aftermath of their friend Tommy's death. In this way, the directors hope to present a positive message that will resonate with young people today. “Maybe drugs of choice change,” ventures Adam. “There are a lot more synthesised drugs on the market now - but patterns of addiction are the same, and people still relapse and OD even after recovery, so I think the story is timeless. We wanted to tell it in a way that captured the hedonism and the love affair this motley crew of people had with heroin in the ’80s, but also to show that there’s a way to stop.” If the slightest whiff of moralising
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by Heather Kincaid
“He's been so supportive off his own back,” says Greg. “He's always on Twitter and Facebook, doing everything he can. We invited him along but we didn't know exactly when he was coming, and when he did, he stayed behind to speak to everyone and he couldn't have been a nicer guy.” “He said himself that he'd put it away, but we've kind of reintroduced it to him as well,” adds Adam. “I think it must be quite exciting for a writer to see that something they wrote 20 years ago can still be changing the lives of young people. That tells you that it's a different class of art.” Welsh isn't the only person to have offered unexpected support. So far, the show's audiences have been more varied than you might imagine, ranging from curious youngsters with no prior knowledge of the story, to the biggest Trainspotting fans, and even parents with their own grown-up children. “We've found a lot of parents want to bring their kids, I guess because they want them to learn from the mistakes of their generation - to say, look, it starts good, but it ends really badly,” says Adam. “In Edinburgh, we had a mother stay
behind after the show to thank the whole cast, because her son is going through the exact same thing, and she said that everyone needs to see it,” says Greg.
‘‘
It’s sort of a meeting of the movie and the novel, so it’s got all the favourite scenes that everyone wants to see, but it’s not a glorification of the drugs.
‘‘
makes you nervous, it's worth noting that Irvine Welsh himself has given the show his unreserved approval - a quote from the writer claiming that it shocked even him has been widely used as part of the show's publicity.
In addition to co-directing, Greg also plays the part of Tommy, making this a unique and exciting collaboration that blends together two very different approaches. The production began as an In Your Face project, until Greg turned to Adam for his help in developing it further. “Adam's a much more experienced director than myself, and he's sort of grabbed it by the scruff of the neck and reshaped it,” he explains. “I mostly let him lead, but if there's anything we need to discuss, we'll get together after a show.” “I think Greg's strength is that he's an actor as well,” says Adam. “I come from a more text-based background, having only ever been a director, so I'm learning a lot about an actor's process. It means we have an outside perspective and an inside view as well, which is really valuable.” For this pair, fusion is the name of the game: as well as joining together their distinct directing styles, they also pride themselves on the genrebending nature of their production. It may be fun, but it doesn't flinch from portraying anything dark or gruesome, and its creative team certainly aren't afraid of making bold decisions.
“That's what makes this such a special piece of theatre - it reaches out into so many areas,” says Adam. “You've got film and music and literature and theatre. It's beautifully balanced.” Greg agrees: “It's sort of a meeting of the movie and the novel, so it's got all the favourite scenes that everyone wants to see, but it's not a glorification of drugs. We're not dancing around the subject.” “Though there is something about the style of the play that does celebrate that period in the ’80s,” Adam interjects. “When everyone starts taking E, the first hit is so much fun, like any drug experience, but eventually things come crashing down. It is a gritty production: there's needle use and sexual violence and fecal matter and babies dying. It does what it says on the tin: it is trainspotting, no doubt about it.
Trainspotting shows at The Rainbow Venues, Digbeth, from 23 March until 2 April, with a 16+ age restriction. Expect full frontal nudity, strobe lighting, strong language, drug/needle use and scenes of a violent and sexual nature. Tickets are available from the mac Birmingham box office on 0121 446 3232
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Food It’s a deal! MasterChef winner joins forces with Debenhams A 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.” To book a table at Chi Kitchen Birmingham, visit http://www.chikitchen.co.uk
Inaugural foodie awards for Brum A new event celebrating Birmingham’s food and drink scene is set to launch in the summer. The inaugural Birmingham Food, Drink & Hospitality Awards ceremony - taking place at Edgbaston Stadium on Monday 6 June - is being organised by the team behind the Birmingham Awards, in partnership with Delicious PR. Commenting on the new event, Delicious PR’s MD, Anita Champaneri, said: “Brum has already raised the bar high, and with so many diverse and unique offerings, competition will be fierce. I’m sure the knives will come out as the battle commences to be crowned winner of each category.” For further information and to nominate a restaurant, bar, pub, hotel or individual, visit www.thebfdhawards.co.uk
REVIEW: Simpsons, Edgbaston
Fresh, sophisticated and flawless
Every so often, if you’re lucky, a food experience can pep you up, restore your wellbeing and take you beyond the day-to-day. Simpsons, the Edgbaston-located, Michelin-starred stalwart, managed that with spades on our visit. From the moment we stepped through the door, we were embraced into a cocoon of hospitality by attentive but unobtrusive staff, all of whom exuded joy and genuine pride in their work. They’re part of something special - and it shows. Simpsons has recently had an extensive refurbishment. The result is an airy, modern dining
space that sits happily within the Grade II listed Victorian building. Think Danish design with beautifully crafted white oak tables and hand-blown glass; there’s even a tree in the dining room. The restaurant is fresh and contemporary without a hint of stuffiness - the epitome of modern luxury. But obviously we’re here for the food - and what food it is, full of technical skill and lightness of touch. You can choose from the a la carte menu (£55 for three courses) or, like we did, the eight-course tasting menu (£85 a head) with flight of wines (£65 a head). Be prepared for a treat.
A deep-fried ball of pork confit came atop what can only be described as piggy popcorn: airy flavour explosions that I may never recover from (in a good way). The tapenade bread twist was so exquisitely honed that I wanted to applaud. Crispy duck egg with cep and truffle was a feat of engineering: a perfectly liquid yolk perched atop a pool of mushroomy cream, spilling its contents to create an oozy, rich, savoury sauce... And so it continued: next up was lobster with citrus fruit ‘caviar’ (actually tapioca) followed by duck with toasted grains, the dense but tender meat offset
with sweet carrot and sharp passion fruit. The stand-out dish for me was the pre-dessert, a tiny pot of refreshing citrus jelly topped with a lemongrass cream, citrus sorbet and little meringue kisses, brought to the table by the chef who made it. It preceded the final event, a chocolate tart topped with aerated chocolate posh Aero, in other words - and a soufflé studded with rice pudding and rhubarb. The chefs are making happy food - we were given pick-and-mix to take away; candy-striped bags of homemade marshmallow, fudge and jellies. Fine-dining restaurants can often try a little too hard, making it impossible to relax, but not here. The sommelier loves his subject, and our waitress giggled with delight as she offered our desserts; who knew that pudding could bring such joy? Simpsons is fresh, sophisticated, flawless. Helen Stallard Food: Service: Ambience: Overall value OVERALL
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Food 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, visit www.pietanic.co.uk/
It’s all about the gin... 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
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.
A gourmet journey around Resorts World As the latest addition to Birmingham’s growing leisure offering, Resorts World prides itself on providing ‘an unrivalled choice of shopping, dining and entertainment, all under one roof’. First stop on the evening’s culinary tour was The World Bar, to sample a selection of its globally sourced cask craft and IPA ales. The venue is poised somewhere between upmarket brew house and inner-city gastro-pub. Ale connoisseurs and amateur drinkers alike are sure to appreciate its relaxed yet sophisticated surroundings, not to mention its impressive and carefully thought-out pairing of ales with a selection of tempting tapas-style ‘beer foods’ (including rosemary popcorn, jalapeno pretzel pieces, waffle dogs and nachos with Brooklyn fondue, to name but a few). If you’re struggling to make a decision, I’d recommend the Seasonal Beers tasting menu, priced at £20 for six bottles - a fun and relatively inexpensive way to sample a selection of internationally sourced beers, many of which cannot be found on the high street. For a sophisticated dining experience with added flare, I wholeheartedly recommend a visit to The Robata Bar & Grill. Perfectly positioned to make the most of the stunning lakeside setting, and stylishly furnished to a minimalist brief, the venue takes its name from the Japanese ‘robatayaki’ cooking method of slowgrilling over hot charcoal. Described as ‘a fusion of European, Australasian and Pan-Asian cuisine’, sample dishes ranged from the deli-
ciously simple appetiser of ‘sweet and sour French fries’ green beans lightly fried in tempura batter - to the exquisitely presented flame-grilled chicken skewer with Asian chimichurri, grilled to absolute perfection on the open charcoal. For a showstopping main course packed full of authentic Thai flavour, I recommend the ‘Whole Grilled Gilt Head Bream in Banana Leaf with Ginger and Lime’ - a speciality ‘from the Pacific Rim’ - beautifully tender, fragrant, oozing freshness and, at £22, not at all unreasonable. Special mention must also go to the chef’s unique variation on the classic Pad Thai, a fiery concoction of glass rice noodles, Asian string vegetables, Tofu and shrimp pieces. A perfect stop-off point for after-work drinks, a romantic evening for two or a light lunch with friends, Bottega Prosecco Bar is a must for lovers of authentic Mediterranean street food. Boasting an extensive choice of Venetian-inspired antipasti, sharing platters and sweet treats alongside a bespoke menu of premium Prosecco, wines and signature liquors, what sets Bottega apart from the average high street chain is its carefully considered pairing of food and drink, which - in traditional Italian style - is best enjoyed together. With pairings starting from just £8, it’s also surprisingly affordable given its location. The Italian cheese plate with honey and sorrento walnuts comes highly recommended at £8, whilst the panna cotta with biscotti a delectable infusion vanilla
and cream served with rich fruit compote - is worth a visit alone. For a dessert with added punch, try the Fragole E Fragolino at £5, a delicious mix of fresh strawberry pieces topped with sparkling Italian red wine. Rounding off the evening was a visit to The Sky Bar, a venue nothing short of show-stopping in every aspect. With effortlessly stylish interiors, an outdoor terrace boasting incredible views of the Birmingham skyline, an unrivalled drinks menu and a highly skilled team of expert mixologists on hand to talk you through the signature Wu Xing five elements cocktails menu, this is a venue truly worthy of a world city. For the ultimate five-star dining experience, try the Chef’s Table nine-course taster menu at £65 per head. Whether it’s a pre-gig drink sampling one of The World Bar’s 40-strong artisan craft ales, a post-work Prosecco at Bottega served with Venetianinspired tapas, or a specialoccasion dinner at Robata, enjoying one of their mouthwatering Pan-Asian inspired grills, Resorts World offers the ultimate ‘all-in-one’ solution for affordable fine dining with an international flavour. As the first complex of its kind to open in the UK, this as yet hidden gem in Birmingham’s culinary crown is deserving of the success that’s sure to come its way, bringing with it a welcome taste of Las Vegas glamour and cosmopolitan sophistication to the UK’s second city. Katherine Ewing whatsonlive.co.uk 13
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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.
Gwyneth Herbert
Emmy The Great
The Glee Club, Birmingham, Fri 18 March
O2 Institute, Birmingham, Sat 19 March
Award-winning composer and lyricist
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.
Gwyneth Herbert is well known for her strikingly original performances. Initially hailed for her interpretation of jazz and swing stan dards, she’s now a well-established composi
Natty
tion and music theatre writer.
O2 Academy, Birmingham, Wed 16 March
Herbert recently spent a month in Kenya col lecting lullabies, sharing songs in shantytown schools and staging large, multi-tribe storytelling happenings under the Mombasa stars. She visits the Glee as part of her current tour. 14 whatsonlive.co.uk
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, self-identity and unity.
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Gig previews from around the region
Clint Mansell Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Wed 23 March
Best known for his collaborations with director Darren Aronofsky, acclaimed British composer Clint Mansell has scored soundtracks for numerous films - including Black Swan, Requiem For A Dream and The Fountain - and will here perform a selection of his most familiar works. His band, pianist Carly Paradis and Sonus Quartet also contribute.
Roving Crows Artrix, Bromsgrove, Sat 26 March
Roving Crows are a Celtic folk fusion band based in Worcestershire and Herefordshire. Since forming in 2009, they’ve released three full-length albums, including Bacchanalia (2012) and Deliberate Distractions (2013). They’ve also won numerous awards along the way, including Best Folk Act at Exposure Awards 2011 and Band Of The Year in the Fatea Music Awards 2014. Expect a fast-paced, high-energy performance from this talented fourpiece.
Keston Cobblers Club Folk quintet Keston Cobblers Club released debut album One, For Words back in 2012. They produce a distinctive and unique sound which derives from ‘a desire to create contemporary, catchy music fused with the
wholesome grittiness of traditional folk’. Having recently supported folk legends Bellowhead on their farewell tour, they now embark on a headline tour of their own, in support of new album Wildfire. Signed copies are available to buy from their website, www.kestoncobblers.club, while stocks last.
Stiff Little Fingers
Peter Hook & The Light
The Robin, Bilston, Tues 1 March
The Copper Rooms, Coventry, Fri 4 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.
This English rock band were formed in 2010 by former Joy Division and New Order bassist Peter Hook. Hook is joined by Jack Bates on bass, David Potts on guitar, Andy Poole on keyboards and Paul Kehoe on drums. The band here perform New Order’s third and fourth albums - Low Life and Brotherhood - as well as an opening set of Joy Division material.
Hare & Hounds, Birmingham, Wed 9 March
Janet Jackson Barclaycard Arena, Wed 30 March
Now here’s a woman who needs no introduction. The sister of late pop legend Michael Jackson, Janet is best known for her sexually provocative records and elaborate stage shows, as well as for multiple television and movie roles spanning the last 30 years. She visits Birmingham with her Unbreakable World Tour.
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Classical Music Frontiers Festival
Angela Hewitt
Birmingham Conservatoire, Fri 4 - Fri 18 March
The Barber Institute, Birmingham, Wed 9 March
Angela Hewitt was only three years of age when she began her piano studies, giving her first public performance just one year later. It seems fair to assume this early-years ivory tinkling was a positive experience both for her audience and for Angela herself, given the enthusiasm with which she’s since developed her truly phenomenal piano-playing talent. Although born in Canada, she’s been a UK resident for 30 years and travels extensively, appearing with major orchestras throughout Europe, the Americas and Asia. This intimate Barber concert, presented as part of the venue’s Piano Festival, includes renditions of Schubert’s Moments musicaux, D780, Beethoven’s Sonata No. 17 in D minor, Op. 31, No. 2, ‘Tempest’, and Haydn’s Fantasia in C, Hob. XVII:4, Op. 58.
University Women’s Choir And Birmingham University Singers Bramall Music Building, Birmingham University, Sat 12 March
Ex Cathedra: Easter with Bach St Philip’s Cathedral, Birmingham, Sat 19 March; Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Fri 25 March
Liturgical choral music is the order of the day in this Simon Halsey-conducted concert that brings together two award-winning choirs. Alongside Howells’ Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis ‘Collegium Regale’ and Fauré’s Requiem, the choirs also perform Vaughan Williams’ Five Mystical Songs, a setting of four poems by 17th century Welsh-born English poet and Anglican priest George Herbert. Third year student Matthew Hayden is the baritone soloist for the piece.
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.
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“The Frontiers Festival is all about the new and the inventive,” explains Artistic Director and Birmingham Conservatoire graduate Rosie Clements. “It’s about mixing up some of the great creative forces in current contemporary music with fascinating and stimulating emerging talent drawn from the Conservatoire’s classical, jazz and composition students. The Teaser Day on Sunday the 6th is a great introduction to the festival, and there are many other events across the two weeks to challenge and excite.” Rosie’s certainly right about that. Highlights of this brand new event - a two-week celebration of creative, experimental and boundary-pushing new music - are certainly not difficult to find. Guest artist Gavin Bryars stages a performance of some of his rarer works, composer, vocalist and songwriter Anna Palmer presents Treading Water - a collaboration of music, movement and visual art that celebrates the ‘gothic wonder’ of Moseley Road Swimming Baths - and pianist and composer Hans Koller (pictured below) premieres a new commission which draws together the worlds of contemporary classical and jazz music. Other highlights include a solo drum concert, a collaborative Sufi-inspired project, a performance by jazz master Stan Sulzmann with the Birmingham Conservatoire Jazz Orchestra, and an initiative which brings together classical and jazz musicians in a work combining composition, improvisation and chance elements.
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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. Continued overleaf... whatsonlive.co.uk 19
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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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A new look for Spring 2016
Wed 9 Mar Sat 23 Apr
Mon 25 Sat 30 Apr
Tue 24 Sat 28 May
From £25
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Thu 16 Sat 25 Jun
Tue 28 Jun Sat 3 Sep
From £10
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Thu 16 - Sat 18 Jun
The Taming of the Shrew Mon 30 May - Sat 4 Jun From £20
Nederlands
Wed 22 - Sat 25 Jun
Shakespeare Triple Bill
Carlos Acosta
Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan
Dance: Sampled
Ballet BC
Tue 3 & Wed 4 May
Thu 5 Sat 7 May
Tue 10 & Wed11May
Tue 17 & Wed18May
Fri 20 & Sat 21 May
From £15
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Produced by DanceXchange in partnership with Birmingham Hippodrome, funded by Arts Council England and Birmingham City Council.
0844 338 5000 birminghamhippodrome.com Calls cost 4.5p per min. plus access charge. 5% transaction charge applies excluding cash sales in person.
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Theatre
Theatre previews from around the region
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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Jackie The Musical DPS MM.qxp_Layout 1 22/02/2016 12:57 Page 2
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
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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
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Events March.qxp_Layout 1 22/02/2016 14:07 Page 3
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46 whatsonlive.co.uk
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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 Birmingham ONLY.qxp_Layout 1 22/02/2016 15:08 Page 2
Your week to week listings guide March 2016
Little Mix at Genting Arena, Birmingham - Friday 18 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
Foxes at O2 Institute
Hetty Feather at The REP
Thurs 3 March
Tues 8 - Sat 12 March
International Crafts & Hobby Fair at NEC
Suzi Ruffell at Jongleurs Comedy Club
Janet Jackson at Barclaycard Arena
Thur 17 - Sun 20 March
Sat 26 March
Wed 30 March
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The List 1-6 March - BIRMINGHAM ONLY VERSION MM.qxp_Layout 1 22/02/2016 15:09 Page 1
thelist
Monday 29 February - Sunday 6 March
THROUGHOUT MARCH
Visual Arts Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery NEW ART WEST MIDLANDS 2016 Exhibition of works by graduates from various West Midlands art schools, until Sun 15 May and until Sun 10 Apr. Also showing at mac, Birmingham, Wolverhampton Art Gallery & Herbert Art Gallery, Coventry WENDY RAMSHAW’S ROOM OF DREAMS Installation made up of many parts, from small jewels in frames to large, freestanding furniture, until Sun 22 May. BIRMINGHAM MUSEUM & ART GALLERY IN 130 YEARS The story of the Museum & Art Gallery, told via a special anniversary exhibition, until Thurs 1 Sept FITTING IN AND GETTING ALONG Exhibition exploring the life stories of members of the Birmingham Polish community, until Wed 23 Mar. BIRMINGHAM PEOPLE AND CHANGE IN THE INNER-CITY Exploring the ways in which ordinary Brummie folk have been represented in art during the 20th and 21st centuries, until Thurs 31 Mar.
IIkon Gallery JANET MENDELSOHN - VARNA ROAD Exhibition featuring original prints from Mendelsohn’s archive of over 3,000 photographs taken predominantly in the Balsall Heath area of Birmingham, until Sun 3 Apr. DINH Q LÊ Video installation, organised in collaboration with Artangel, until Sun 3 Apr. KELLY MARK: 108 LYTON AVE Opposite but asymmetrical roles performed by the artist for a split-screen projection, until Sun 3 Apr.
Parkside Gallery, BCU FLOCKOMANIA 2 A solo exhibition and installation by Zoe Robertson featuring a display of wearable sculpture, until Fri 1 Apr.
RBSA Gallery ROB HAND RBSA On the Edge - A collection of pit-fired and raku pieces, including a range of jewellery, until Sat 2 Apr. ECO-CRAFT EXHIBITION Showcasing designer makers with an ethical approach to craft-making, until Sat 7 May. BIRMINGHAM ART CIRCLE EXHIBITION Featuring a group of professional artists who exhibit at the RBSA each year, until Sat 5 Mar. DAVID TEDHAM ARBSA Series of abstract paintings by artist David Tedham, until Sat 12 Mar. MARGARET FAIRHEAD RBSA Margaret has drawn inspiration from the canals near the gallery to produce a series of machine-stitched urban landscapes, until Sat 19 Mar.
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NEW! SHIRLEY BONAS ARBSA ALL SEASONS ALL WEATHERS Exhibition of work reflecting Shirley’s love of the Wyre Forest and the local countryside, Mon 14 Mar - Sat 14 May. NEW! JANETTE SUMMERFIELD RBSA Variations On A Theme - how an image can be interpreted in several ways through the use of different media, scale and focus, Mon 21 Mar - Sat 21 May.
The Barber Institute INHERITING ROME Exhibition using money to explore and question our deep-seated familiarity with the Roman Empire’s imagery, until Sun 24 Apr. CHANCE, ORDER, CHANGE: ABSTRACT PAINTINGS 1939 - 1989 A great opportunity to enjoy abstract art at its purest, until Sun 8 May.
Foxes at o2 Academy in Birmingham on 3 March
Gigs CARL SINCLAIR DUO Tue 1 Mar, The Jam House THE CULT Tue 1 Mar O2 Institute
PRESTIGE & POWER Artists, writers, politicians and royalty are the subjects in this display of works by Rubens, Van Dyck and Charles Le Brun, until Sun 15 May.
WHAT REMAINS Mixed media exhibition by Maureen Cooper, until 28 Apr
Eastside Projects RICHARD WOODS: DUCK WEAVE A development of a 1000-year-old building technology recently rediscovered by Woods, until Sat 9 Apr.
BOM (B’ham Open Media) LIVE R&D: EXHIBITION & CO-WORKING Changing display showcasing Fellows’ ‘works in progress’ and highlighting BOM’s plans for the year ahead, until Sat 19 Mar.
Centrala Gallery, Digbeth JINDřICH ŠTREIT: SOVINEC Photography exhibition documenting rural Czech life, until Wed 30 Mar.
Article Gallery, School of Art, Birmingham City University NEW! THIS FRONTIER SO FAMILIAR, SO STRANGE James Irwin, Laura O'Connor, Jack Marder & Christopher Liam Oakes, Thurs 3 Mar - Fri 8 Apr.
The Drum NEW! WOMEN IN ART LAUNCH In celebration of International Women’s Week, The Drum hosts a selection of works by female visual artists from the West Midlands, Thu 10 Mar.
Vivid Projects, Digbeth NEW! SILENT SIGNAL Six artists working with animation, together with six leading biomedical scientists, create experimental animated artworks exploring new ways of thinking about the human body. 18 Mar - 23 April.
Complex
FEARLESS VAMPIRE KILLERS Thurs 3 Mar, O2 Academy
JAMIE WOON Sat 5 Mar, O2 Institute
SYLOSIS & DECAPITATED Thurs 3 Mar, O2 Academy WEDNESDAY 13 Thurs 3 Mar, The Oobleck WHITE Thurs 3 Mar, The Rainbow Venues THE OFFICIAL RECEIVERS Thurs 3 Mar, The Jam House
INTO THE WOODS Featuring stylistically diverse works by distinguished artists including Jacob van Ruisdael, Theodore Rousseau & Samuel Palmer, until Sun 12 June.
Newman Brothers Coffin Works, Birmingham
Institute
OCOTILLO: SONGS FROM THE CITY AND THE DESERT Thurs 3 Mar Kitchen Garden Cafe MEAT LOAF GREATEST HITS TOUR Tue 1 Mar, New Alexandra Theatre
GUNNRUNNER Thurs 3 Mar, The Robin, Bilston
BILL RYDER-JONES Sat 5 Mar, The Sunflower Lounge DR FEELGOOD AND EDDIE & THE HOT RODS Sat 5 Mar, Solihull Arts Complex SCREAMING DEAD Sat 5 Mar, The Oobleck THE RESCUE BLUES Sat 5 Mar, The Flapper OVERDRIVE Sat 5 Mar, Hare & Hounds STEVE IGNORANT'S SLICE OF LIFE Sat 5 Mar, The Rainbow Venues
YONAKA Thurs 3 Mar, The Sunflower Lounge
THE UB40 EXPERIENCE Sat 5 Mar, The Roadhouse
YOUTH CLUB Tue 1 Mar The Sunflower Lounge
THE DRIFTERS Fri 4 Mar, New Alexandra Theatre
FLEETWOOD BAC Sat 5 Mar, The Robin, Bilston
LOCUST HONEY Tue 1 Mar, Kitchen Garden Cafe
THEORY OF A DEADMAN Fri 4 Mar, O2 Academy MYJO Fri 4 Mar, Solihull Arts Complex
DISARM GOLIATH / THE MIGHTY WRAITH / HIDDEN Sat 5 Mar, Scruffy Murphys
THE BEAT BROTHERS Fri 4 - Sat 5 Mar, The Jam House
FAIRPORT CONVENTION Sun 6 Mar, Birmingham Town Hall
THE DAVID REESWILLIAMS TRIO Fri 4 Mar, The Barber Institute
LADY LESHURR Sun 6 Mar, O2 Academy
HACKTIVIST Tue 1 Mar, The Rainbow Venues. STIFF LITTLE FINGERS Tue 1 Mar, The Robin, Bilston OTAVA YO Wed 2 Mar, mac THE RIFLES Wed 2 Mar, O2 Institute CATAPULT CLUB FEAT. MYTH CITY Wed 2 Mar, O2 Academy CROOKS Wed 2 Mar, The Asylum ORPHAN COLOURS Wed 2 Mar, Hare & Hounds
CATAPULT CLUB FEAT. THE NEW BLACKS Fri 4 Mar, O2 Academy BORROWED IDENTITY Fri 4 Mar, Hare & Hounds BREEZE Fri 4 Mar, O2 Institute
MASAI BLUES Wed 2 Mar, The Jam House
SEEDY SONICS PRESENTS BLONDE Fri 4 Mar, The Rainbow Venues
ELEANOR MCEVOY Wed 2 Mar, Kitchen Garden Cafe
THE TREMBLING WILBURYS Fri 4 Mar, The Roadhouse
THE BROS. LANDRETH Sun 6 Mar, The Oobleck
SUNJAY / THE BUSHBURYS Wed 2 Mar, The Red Lion Folk Club
THE BLOCKHEADS Fri 4 Mar, The Robin, Bilston
ED GEATER Sun 6 Mar, The Sunflower Lounge
THE SENSATIONAL 60S EXPERIENCE Sat 5 Mar, New Alexandra Theatre
ADY SULEIMAN Sun 6 Mar, Hare & Hounds
KEITH JAMES SOLIDAIR CONCERT Wed 2 Mar, The Robin, Bilston THE ELO EXPERIENCE Thurs 3 Mar, New Alexandra Theatre FOXES Thurs 3 Mar, O2
SLEEPING WITH SIRENS Sat 5 Mar, O2 Academy DR FEELGOOD AND EDDIE AND THE HOT RODS Sat 5 Mar, Solihull Arts
ALASDAIR ROBERTS Sun 6 Mar, Kitchen Garden Cafe JOHNNY HATES JAZZ Sun 6 Mar, The Robin, Bilston
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Monday 29 February - Sunday 6 March
Classical Music NOBUKO IMAI AND ROBERT MARKHAM Featuring Nobuko Imai (viola) and Robert Markham (piano). Programme includes works by Bach, Brahms, Beethoven & Kreisler, Tues 1 Mar, Birmingham Conservatoire VLADIMIR ASHKENAZY CONDUCTS RACHMANINOV’S SYMPHONY NO 3 Featuring Philharmonia Orchestra, Vladimir Ashkenazy (conductor) & Vikingur Olafsson (piano). Programme includes works by Rachmaninov, 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, B’ham A ROYAL CELEBRATION A programme of music played at the past regal occassions. Programme includes Music for Royal Fireworks, The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba, Trumpet Voluntary and many more. Performed by a chamber orchestra, string quartet, singer, & performers on harp and organ, Thurs 3 Mar, Birmingham Conservatoire 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 ALEXANDER ULLMAN PIANO CONCERT Programme includes works by Haydn, Ravel & Liszt, Fri 4 Mar, The Barber Institute, Birmingham FANFARE AND LOVE SONGS Featuring Ian Porhouse (conductor), Birmingham Conservatoire Brass Band and David Morton (guest cornet soloist). Programme includes works by Gavin Higgins, William Himes, John Larsson, Fumiko Miyachi & Jacob Larsen, Fri 4 Mar, Birmingham Conservatoire
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
ZOE LYONS, GEOFF NORCOTT, KEVIN MCCARTHY & TOM LUCY Fri 4 - Sat 5 Mar, The Glee Club
THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO Welsh National Opera present Mozart’s great comic work, Wed 2 Mar, Birmingham Hippodrome
BENNY GOODMAN & GLENN MILLER AT CARNEGIE HALL 1939 Featuring the Goodman-Miller Tribute Orchestra & Peter Long (director), Sat 5 Mar, Bramall Music Building, Birmingham SUNDAY CLASSICS Presenting a range of young stars of the future from the classical world, ranging from opera singers to violinists to harpists at the very start of their careers, Sun 6 Mar, The Spotted Dog, Digbeth, Birmingham BIRMINGHAM FESTIVAL OF CONTEMPORARY MUSIC FOR ALL CONCERT Concludes with a concert featuring all of the weekend’s participating musicians, Sun 6 Mar, CBSO Centre, Birmingham BIRMINGHAM PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA Also featuring the City of Birmingham Choir, Birmingham 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
CHRISTIAN O'CONNELL Sat 5 Mar, mac TOMMY TIERNAN Sun 6 Mar, The Glee Club
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
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
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, Thurs 3 Mar, Solihull Arts Complex PHANTOM & THE MUSICALS Barry Walker's Smackee return with musical numbers from the West End and Broadway, Thurs 3 Mar, Solihull Arts Complex
MOCK THE FLOCK COMEDY Wed 2 Mar, The Mockingbird Theatre, Digbeth, TOM STADE Wed 2 Mar, The Glee Club BETHANY BLACK Thurs 3 Mar, The Victoria
STUART GOLDSMITH Fri 4 Mar, The Glee Club
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
JOE BOR & PHILBERTO Fri 4 - Sat 5 Mar, Jongleurs Comedy Club
THE BARBER OF SEVILLE Welsh National Opera presents Kelly
LEO MUHAMMAD, MARLON DAVIS & TREVOR DWER LYNCH & JOHN SIMMIT Fri 4 Mar, The Drum
NEW WORKS NIGHTS: INTERNATIONAL WOMANS DAY New night showcasing work by women writers & theatremakers in the lead up to International Women's Day 2016, Wed 2 Mar, The Old Rep Theatre
THE 39 STEPS Fiery Angel present Alfred Hitchcock's classic spy thriller, Mon 29 Feb - Sat 5 Mar, The REP
TIM CLARK, JOHN SIMMIT, ANDY STEDMAN & CALLY BEATON Tues 1 Mar, The Dark Horse, Moseley
ZOE LYONS, GEOFF NORCOTT & COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBINSON Thurs 3 Mar, The Glee Club
Rourke’s new translation of the ultimate feelgood opera, Tue 1 & Fri 4 Mar Birmingham Hippodrome
FIGARO GETS A DIVORCE Welsh National Opera present a new opera described as part comedy, part political thriller, Thurs 3 Mar, Birmingham Hippodrome THE SINGULAR EXPLOITS OF SHERLOCK HOLMES Don’t Go Into The Cellar presents a one-man homage to the world’s greatest detective, Thurs 3 Fri 4 Mar, Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham THE TAILOR OF INVERNESS Dogstar Theatre Company present Matthew Zajac's moving story of displacement
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thelist and survival in war-torn Europe, Thurs 3 - Sat 5 Mar, The REP
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
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, Fri 4 Mar, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry PRIDE AND PREJUDICE Paula K Parker’s captivating adaptation presented by Holdsworth Drama, Fri 4 Sat 5 Mar, Crescent Theatre THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO Welsh National Opera present Mozart’s great comic work, Sat 5 Mar, Birmingham Hippodrome HERE BE MONSTERS Action-packed new musical fusing ‘magical storytelling, original music and thrills galore’, Sat 5 Mar, The Old Rep Theatre
Monday 29 February - Sunday 6 March
Film INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: BONE TOMAHAWK (15) When a group of cannibal savages kidnap settlers from the small American town of Bright Hope, an unlikely team of gunslingers, led by Sheriff Franklin Hunt, sets out to bring them home. But their enemy is more ruthless than anyone could have imagined. Stars Kurt Russell & Patrick Wilson. Until Wed 2 Mar, The Electric Cinema, Birmingham TRIPLE 9 (15) A crew of dirty cops find themselves in an impossible situation when they're blackmailed by the Russian mob to execute a dangerous bank heist. Stars Chiwetel Ejiofor & Kate Winslet. Until Thurs 3 Mar, The Electric Cinema, Birmingham 3 1/2 MINUTES, TEN BULLETS (15) Exploring the murder of black teenager Jordan Davis, after he engaged in a verbal dispute with Michael Dunn, a white middle-aged man about the volume of the music coming from his car. Michael Dunn fired 10 bullets into the car of unarmed teenagers and then fled, leaving Jordan Davis dead. There will be a Q&A after the showing. Thurs 3 Mar, The Drum, Birmingham 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; SNDTRK: PI (15) Max is a genius mathematician who's built a supercomputer at home that provides something that can be understood as a key for understanding all existence. Representatives both from a Hasidic cabalistic sect and high-powered Wall Street firm hear of that secret and attempt to seduce him. Fri 4 Mar, mac, Birmingham
RED SNAPPER Debut play by Liz Mytton which, set in Jamaica in 1962, centres on five women swimming against the tide. Cathy Tyson heads the all-female cast, Sat 5 - Sat 19 Mar, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry
MY NEIGHBOUR TOTORO (U) Charts the adventures of two young sisters who befriend a forest sprite named Totoro who lives in the ancient tree in woodlands next to their new house in the country. Sat 5 Mar, mac, Birmingham
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
Commonwealth Welterweight titles against Bradley Skeete, Sat 5 Mar, Genting Arena, Birmingham
NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE:
THE BURLESQUE BALL UK TOUR - THE ULTIMATE DRESS UP DANCE PARTY Chaz Royal, producer of the world's largest burlesque events brings an all new touring extravaganza this Spring for the UK's burgeoning Burlesque night life, Sat 5 Mar, O2 Academy, Birmingham
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 WINTER HERITAGE TOURS OF ASTON HALL Hear all about the fascinating history of Aston Hall, one of the last Jacobean houses to be built in Britain, Tues 1 - Thurs 24 Mar, Aston Hall, Birmingham WINTER HERITAGE TOURS OF BLAKESLEY HALL Experience one of Birmingham’s finest timber framed buildings and get a unique insight into the aspirations of the Tudor classes who lived and worked there, on Wednesdays and Thursdays, until Thurs 24 Mar, Blakesley Hall, Birmingham WINTER HERITAGE TOURS OF SAREHOLE MILL Taking place on a Wednesday and Thursday, explore the idyllic childhood haunt of J.R.R Tolkien, until Thurs 24 Mar, Sarehole Mill, Birmingham
Dance 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
Davis Cup at Barclaycard Arena in Birmingham on 4-6 March
Weimar Republic. Stars Peter Lorre. The film will be preceded by a 20 minute introduction from B-Film academic Elysran Griffiths beginning at 12pm. Sun 6 Mar, The Electric Cinema, Birmingham
NATIONAL WEDDING SHOW Fri 4 - Sun 6 Mar, NEC, Birmingham FRITZ LANG'S M (PG) Made two years before Hitler came to power, Fritz Lang’s first sound film is a great psychological thriller, a trenchant treatise on crime and justice and a vivid portrait of the rapidly disintegrating
DAVIS CUP BY BNP PARIBAS FIRST ROUND GREAT BRITAIN VS JAPAN Fri 4 Sun 6 Mar, Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham A NIGHT OF CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING EGGINGTON V SKEETE Sam Eggington defends his British and
GHOST TOURS OF ASTON HALL An immersive evening ghost tour of one of Britain’s most haunted buildings, Sat 5 Mar, Aston Hall, Birmingham
PRACTICAL CLASSICS RESTORATION SHOW Discover everything for your project from barn find to concours at this popular show for DIY car enthusiasts, Sat 5 - Sun 6 Mar, NEC, Birmingham CADBURY CHARACTER WEEKEND Pose for photographs alongisde Freddo, Caramel Bunny and friends as they meet and greet visitors, Sat 5 - Sun 6 Mar, Cadbury World, Bournville, Birmingham
THOMAS & FRIENDS WEEKENDS Thomas and all his friends invite you to join them for a weekend of full on fun for all the family, Sat 5 - Sun 6 Mar, Drayton Manor Theme Park, Tamworth, Staffordshire MOTHERING SUNDAY Treat your Mum to a relaxing day at the beautiful Birmingham Botanical Gardens – perfect as Spring starts to arrive, Sun 6 Mar, Birmingham Botanical Gardens BIRMINGHAM INTERNATIONAL RECORD FAIR Sun 6 Mar, National Motorcycle Museum, Solihull
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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
Turin Brakes at The Glee Club in Birmingham on 8 March
Gigs RUDIMENTAL Mon 7 Mar, O2Academy
O2 Academy THE CORAL Thurs 10 Mar, O2 Institute MAN MADE Thurs 10 Mar, Oobleck 1-EYE REGGAE REVIEW Thurs 10 Mar, The Jam House PRICE & GENDERS Thurs 10 Mar, Kitchen Garden Cafe
RE-GENESIS Mon 7 Mar, The Robin, Bilston TURIN BRAKES Tue 8 Mar, The Glee Club MATT CORBY Tue 8 Mar, O2 Institute ALMA GUITAR QUARTET Tue 8 Mar, Birmingham Conservatoire SUNDARA KARMA Tue 8 Mar, The Rainbow Venues RACHEL NEWTON Tue 8 Mar, Hare & Hounds
CC SMUGGLERS Wed 9 Mar, The Oobleck GOSPEL CENTRAL Wed 9 Mar, Jam House RINGO DEATHSTARR Wed 9 Mar, The Sunflower Lounge LAPSLEY Wed 9 Mar, O2 Institute FICKLE FRIENDS Wed 9 Mar, The Rainbow Venues
RUMOURS OF FLEETWOOD MAC Fri 11 Mar, Birmingham Town Hall
THE STRANGLERS Sat 12 Mar, O2 Academy
DJ ALPHA'S BIRTHDAY BASH 2016 Sat 12 Mar, O2 Institute
JOSEF SALVAT Fri 11 Mar, O2 Academy
ANDREW WEATHERALL Sat 12 Mar, Hare & Hounds
KATHRYN ROBERTS AND SEAN LAKEMAN Fri 11 Mar, The Glee Club
CREAM BIRMINGHAM Sat 12 Mar, The Rainbow Venues QE2 - THE VERY BEST OF QUEEN Sat 12 Mar, The Roadhouse TYKETTO Sat 12 Mar, The Robin, Bilston NATHAN CARTER Sun 13 Mar, Birmingham Town Hall
REEF Fri 11 Mar, O2 Institute SOLID SOUL Fri 11 - Sat 12 Mar, The Jam House THE FEELING Fri 11 Mar, O2 Academy FRANKIE & THE HEADSTRINGS Fri 11 Mar, The Rainbow Venues ALEX RAINSFORD Fri 11 Mar, The Sunflower Lounge GWENNO Fri 11 Mar, Hare & Hounds
DAN REED NETWORK Wed 9 Mar, The Robin, Bilston
SHADOW CITY PRESENTS TOM TRAGO Fri 11 Mar, Rainbow Venues
PAUL HEATON & JACQUI ABBOT Thurs 10 Mar, O2 Academy
02:31 PRESENTS GORGON CITY Fri 11 Mar, Rainbow Venues
DAKESIS Thurs 10 Mar,
LOS PACAMINOS FEAT
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LEGENDS OF LEGENDS 2016 Sat 12 Mar, The Drum
MODEL AEROPLANES Thurs 10 Mar, The Sunflower Lounge
FINDLAY NAPIER Tue 8 Mar, Kitchen Garden Cafe
KESTON COBBLERS CLUB Wed 9 Mar, Hare & Hounds
ULTIMATE GENESIS Sat 12 Mar, O2 Academy
FRAGILE FEATURING CLAIRE HAMILL Thurs 10 Mar, The Robin, Bilston
BRYAN CORBETT QUARTET Tue 8 Mar, The Jam House
REFLECTION OF SILENCE Wed 9 Mar, mac
PAUL YOUNG Fri 11 Mar, The Robin, Bilston
MAD DOG MCREA Sun 13 Mar, The Rainbow Venues CROABH RUA Sun 13 Mar, Kitchen Garden Cafe STAND UP & SHOUT - DIO TRIBUTE DAY Sun 13 Mar, The Roadhouse RUSS BALLARD Sun 13 Mar, The Robin, Bilston LOUISE DISTRAS Sun 13 Mar, The Sunflower Lounge
BIRMINGHAM CONSERVATOIRE TRUMPETS ENSEMBLE Also featuring Jo Yee Lau (piano) and 2-YOU Percussion Duo. Programme includes works by Calvert, Kapustin, Tatum, Ivan Trevino and Avner Dorman, Mon 7 Mar, Birmingham Conservatoire THOMAS TROTTER ORGAN RECITAL Mon 7 Mar, Birmingham Town Hall BRENTANO QUARTET Programme includes works by Bach, Shostakovic & Dvorak, Tues 8 Mar, Birmingham Town Hall 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, Tues 8 Mar, Stratford Artshouse, Stratford-upon-Avon and Wed 9 March, Birmingham Town Hall ALMA GUITAR QUARTET: FEAST Programme includes premières of works by Blanka Stachelek, Ignatius Sokol, Dani Bianco Albert and Ryan Probert, Tues 8 Mar, Birmingham Conservatoire PERFORMANCE PLATFORM: IDIL BIRET (PIANO) A special concert and public masterclass with the legendary performer, Tues 8 Mar, Birmingham Conservatoire 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 ANGELA HEWITT Programme includes works by Schubert, Beethoven, Haydn, Scarlatti, Albéniz and Falla, Wed 9 Mar, The Barber Institute, Birmingham CRIES, BELLS, CHANTS AND WHISPERS Featuring Birmingham Conservatoire Saxophone Ensemble, Thurs 10 Mar, Birmingham Conservatoire OPERA TRIPLE BILL Featuring scenes from three well-loved operas: Riders to the Sea (1932) by Vaughan Williams, Savitri (1916) by Gustav Holst and L'Enfant et les Sortileges (1925) by Ravel, Thurs 10 - Sat 12 Mar, Birmingham Conservatoire MOZART, SCHUMANN AND BRUCH Featuring Oliver Janes (Clarinet), Adam Romer (Viola), Robert Markham (Piano), Thurs 10 Mar, CBSO Centre, 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 GILDAS QUARTET AND JACK MCNEILL (CLARINET) Programme includes works by David Bruce & Penderecki, Fri 11 Mar, The Barber Institute, Birmingham BBC PHILHARMONIC Featuring John Stogårds (conductor) & Martin Roscoe (piano). Programme includes works by Elgar, Beethoven & Sibelius, Fri 11 Mar, Bramall Music Building, Birmingham OSLO PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA Featuring Vasily Peterenko (conductor) & Simon Trpc˘eski (piano). Programme includes works by Grieg, Rachmaninov & Mahler, Sat 12 Mar, Symphony Hall, Birmingham ORCHESTRAS, ENSEMBLES AND CHAMBER MUSIC: JUNIOR DEPARTMENT CHAMBER MUSIC CONCERT Soloists and Chamber Ensembles from the Junior Conservatoire, Sat 12 Mar, Birmingham Conservatoire UNIVERSITY WOMEN'S CHOIR AND BIRMINGHAM UNIVERSITY SINGERS Featuring Simon Halsey (conductor) and Matthew Hayden (baritone). Programme includes works by Vaughan Williams, Howells & Fauré, Sat 12 Mar, Bramall Music Building, Birmingham BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONIC BRASS Featuring Stephen Roberts (conductor), Sun 13 Mar, The Barber Institute, Birmingham GRAND ORGAN GALA An afternoon of popular music including Saint-Saëns’ magnificent Symphony No. 3 ‘Organ’, Sun 13 Mar, Symphony Hall, Birmingham
Comedy Gigs NICK PAGE Mon 7 Mar, Old Joint Stock Pub SHAZIA MIRZA, DANA ALEXANDER, ALICE FRICK & MAUREEN YOUNGER Wed 9 Mar, Kitchen Garden Cafe MOCK THE FLOCK COMEDY Wed 9 Mar, The Mockingbird Theatre, Digbeth CARL DONNELLY, STEVE GRIBBIN & COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBINSON Thurs 10 Mar, The Glee Club
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March 24, 7:30pm
AND FINALLY… PHIL COLLINS Tickets £20.00* April 2, 7:30pm
LEE NELSON: SUITED AND BOOTED
Tickets £21.00* April 14, 7:30pm
TALON – THE BEST OF THE EAGLES Tickets £21*
April 29, 7:30pm
SHOWADDYWADDY Tickets £20*
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April 1, 7:30pm
THE SIMON AND GARFUNKEL STORY Tickets £19.00* & £18.00*(disc)
April 9, 3pm & 7:30pm
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
Tickets £16.00* £14.50*(disc) & £54.00*(family) April 28, 7:30pm
TAP FACTORY
Tickets £23.00* & £22.00*(disc) April 30, 7:30pm
DEBRA STEPHENSON NIGHT OF ONE HUNDRED VOICES
Tickets £15*
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Monday 7 - Sunday 13 March
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
Mary Poppins at Birmingham Hippodrome from 9 March to 23 April
ANDREW O'NEILL, GEOFF NORCOTT, JESSICA FOSTEKEW & BARRY DODDS Fri 11 Mar, Jongleurs Comedy Club CARL DONNELLY, STEVE GRIBBIN, INEL TOMLINSON & FREDDIE FARRELL Fri 11 - Sat 12 Mar, The Glee Club JENNY ECLAIR Sun 13 Mar, The Old Rep Theatre MARK WATSON Sun 13 Mar, The Glee Club
TWIST Red Earth Theatre present Charles Dickens' classic tale in the style of Victorian music hall, with speciality acts and variety entertainments, Thurs 10 Mar, mac 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 10 Mar, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry
Theatre SWEET CHARITY Knowle Musical Society present an amateur version of the popular musical, which features big standards such as Big Spender, If They Could See Me Now and The Rhythm Of Life, Mon 7 - Sat 12 Mar, Solihull Arts Complex FROM BROADWAY TO HOLLYWOOD: ROBERT HABERMANN The story of how successful Broadway shows were taken to Hollywood and turned into both great and not-so-great Hollywood musicals, Tue 8 Mar, Solihull Arts Complex
BATFAN Join James Wilson-Taylor for stand-up, sketches and songs direct from Gotham City, Thurs 10 - Fri 11 Mar, The Mockingbird
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
TWO Jim Carwright's witty play exploring the gaiety and underlying melancholia of English pub life, Thurs 10 - Sat 12 Mar, Old Joint Stock Theatre
OF MICE AND MEN Roxana Silbert directs John Steinbeck's classic story. Dudley Sutton stars as Candy, Tue 8 - Sat 12 Mar, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre 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 REMARKABLE TALE OF OLIVER
INDEPENDENT CINEMAS: REEL WOMEN (tbc) A programme of short films produced and directed by Birmingham based female filmmakers. The films address a range of different themes from women's rights & dementia in the Caribbean community, to the role of women in reggae music industry. Taking part in discussions after the showing will be filmmakers Sima Gonsai, Yaz Alexander Leonie Smith and Sandra Carter of Body Symphony. Tues 8 Mar, The Drum, Birmingham HE NAMED ME MALALA (PG) Winner of the Nobel Peace Prize at 17 and probably one of the most famous teenagers in the world, Malala Yousafzai was shot in the head by a Taliban gunman for championing girls' education in Pakistan and is the extraordinary subject of this compelling documentary by director Davis Guggenheim. Wed 9 Mar, The Drum, Birmingham
THRILLER LIVE A musical celebration featuring the hit songs of Michael and The Jackson 5, Mon 7 - Sat 12 Mar, New Alexandra Theatre
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
Film
NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE:
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
Released Fri 11 March, showing at selected cinemas. DIVERGENT SERIES: THE ALLEGIANT (tbc) ANOMALISA (15) FIFTY SHADES OF BLACK (15) THE HERE AFTER (15) KUNG FU PANDA 3 (PG) NEXT TO HER (15) THE ONES BELOW (15) TRADERS (tbc)
THE WITCH (tbc) See Film section for previews
Events 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 THE EDIBLE GARDEN SHOW AND GOOD LIFE LIVE Perfect for anyone interested in growing their own produce, cultivating their urban spaces, raising livestock, keeping bees or brewing their own, Fri 11 - Sun 13 Mar, Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire FAMILY WORKSHOPS Sat 12 Mar, Eastside Projects, Birmingham FRIEND'S BOOK FAIR All proceeds raised go towards the Botanical Gardens, helping with the upkeep and maintenance of the gardens, Sat 12 Mar, Birmingham Botanical Gardens THE SOOTY SHOW: SOOTY IN SPACE Join Sooty, Sweep and Soo in a spectacular stage adventure on the amazing space station, complete with Sooty's Turbo Rocket, Sat 12 Sun 13 Mar, Cadbury World, Bournville, Birmingham SPRING CRAFT FAIR 2016 Featuring local craftspeople showcasing a selection of one-off gifts, Sat 12 Sun 13 Mar, Coventry Transport Museum ASTON EXPERIENCE TOURS A chance to get hands-on with objects from the past to touch and smell, Sun 13 Mar, Aston Hall, Birmingham MIDLAND CLOCK AND WATCH FAIR Sun 13 Mar, National Motorcycle Museum, Solihull FLAT BREAD MAKING AT SAREHOLE MILL Learn to make dough, see the Mill in action and create and bake your own delicious flat bread, Sun 13 Mar, Sarehole Mill, Birmingham
WOMEN & THEATRE: THEATRES OF CONSCIENCE Interactive theatre exploring the subject of conscientious objectors in World War One, Sat 12 - Sun 13 Mar, mac 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
The Yonex All England Open Badminton Championships at Barclaycard Arena
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Monday 14 - Sunday 20 March
Classical Music BIRMINGHAM CONSERVATOIRE CHAMBER CHOIR Featuring Paul Spicer (conductor). Programme includes the works of Howells, Joubert and Parry, Mon 14 Mar, Birmingham Conservatoire FUMIKO MICHAYI & KATE HALSALL Programme includes works by Kerry Andrews, Leo Chadburn, Duncan MacLeod, Naomi Pinnock, Gavin Bryars, Laurence Crane and Fumiko, Tues 15 Mar, Birmingham Conservatoire
Roachford at The Glee Club in Birmingham on 16 March
Gigs JAMES MORRISON Mon 14 Mar, Symphony Hall DEFEATER Mon 14 Mar, O2 Academy FRANKIE BALLARD Mon 14 Mar, O2 Institute YVES LAMBERT TRIO Mon 14 Mar, Kitchen Garden Cafe
Institute SCOTT BRADLEE & POSTMODERN JUKEBOX Fri 18 Mar, O2 Academy JASON DONOVAN: TEN GOOD REASONS & GREATEST HITS Tour Fri 18 Mar, Symphony Hall
OH WONDER Tue 15 Mar, O2 Institute TOMMY FLEMMING Tue 15 Mar, Solihull Arts Complex
MODERN MINDS AND FAITH Fri 18 Mar, O2 Institute
TOSELAND Tue 15 Mar, O2 Academy
THE SUBTERRANEANS Fri 18 - Sat 19 Mar, The Jam House
STEVE TROMANS' AXIS POINT Tue 15 Mar, The Jam House BLAZE BAYLEY Tue 15 Mar, The Roadhouse ROACHFORD Wed 16 Mar, The Glee Club STRIKING MATCHES Wed 16 Mar O2 Institute THE SEARCHERS Wed 16 Mar, Solihull Arts Complex NATTY Wed 16 Mar, O2 Academy DEAD PREZ Wed 16 Mar, The Oobleck TOM WALKER TRIO Wed 16 Mar, The Jam House BOB FOX Wed 16 Mar, The Red Lion Folk Club HOLY WAVE, THE TERROR WATTS & LIZARDS Thurs 17 Mar, The Sunflower Lounge
GWYNETH HERBERT Fri 18 Mar, The Glee Club DOLLY PARTON TRIBUTE Fri 18 Mar, The Belfry Sutton Coldfield A BEG YUH TRY OUT YUH LEF FOOT Fri 18 Mar, The Drum THE MACHINE RAGES ON Fri 18 Mar, The Flapper HANKKS Fri 18 Mar, O2 Institute ACDC UK Fri 18 Mar, The Roadhouse '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
THE SHOWHAWK DUO Thurs 17 Mar, The Oobleck
THE ROCKET DOLLS / WEAK13 / THIS ELEGANT CHAOS / WRAPPED IN PLASTIC Fri 18 Mar, Scruffy Murphys
TRAAMS Thurs 17 Mar, Hare & Hounds
JOE BONAMASSA Sat 19 Mar, Barclaycard Arena
FLASH - A TRIBUTE TO QUEEN Thurs 17 Mar, The Robin, Bilston
THE NEIGHBOURHOOD Sat 19 Mar O2 Institute
DIIV Thurs 17 Mar, O2
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HANNAH WANTS WHAT HANNAH WANTS Sat 19 Mar, The Rainbow Venues PETER ANDRE Sat 19 Mar, Symphony Hall
STEREO MC'S Fri 18 Mar, O2 Institute PATSY CLINE & FRIENDS A tribute act to Patsy Cline, Hank Williams and Jim Reeves, Fri 18 Mar, Solihull Arts Complex
CHRISTINA MARTIN Mon 14 Mar, Robin, Bilston
TONY MORTIMER Sat 19 Mar, O2 Academy
THE WONDER STUFF Sat 19 Mar, O2 Academy
ON MEMORY: RECITAL AND CONVERSATION Featuring Joseph Houston (piano) and Michael Zev Gordon (composer), Tues 15 Mar, Bramall Music Building, Birmingham CALLUM SMART (VIOLIN) AND RICHARD UTTLEY (PIANO) Programme includes works by Mozart, Poulenc, Bach & R. Strauss, Wed 16 Mar, The Barber Institute, Birmingham
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 ORCHESTRAL WEEKENDER Featuring Daniele Rosina (conductor) and Richard Jenkinson (cello). Programme includes works by Takemitsu, Barber, Oliver, Frost & Mussorgsky, Sun 20 Mar, Bramall Music Building, Birmingham
Comedy Gigs LOUDEEMY SOUP COMEDY NIGHT Mon 14 Mar, The Blue Orange Theatre CHEEKY COMEDY AT THE DARK HORSE Tues 15 Mar, The Dark Horse, Moseley RICHARD HERRING Tues 15 Mar The Glee Club
RECORDER FUTURES Programme includes works by Arvo Pärt and Gavin Bryars, Wed 16 Mar, Birmingham Conservatoire FRANCESCO PIEMONTESI Wed 16 Mar, Birmingham Town Hall CBSO ELGAR’S SECOND Featuring Edward Gardner (conductor) & Lawrence Power (viola). Programme includes works by Walton and Elgar, Thurs 17 Mar, Symphony Hall. THALLEIN Programme includes the works of Joe Cutler, Sean Clancy, Ed Bennett, Howard Skempton, Michael Wolters, Sam Taylor, Fumiko Miyachi & Yannis Kyriakides, Fri 18 Mar, Birmingham Conservatoire
EMMY THE GREAT Sat 19 Mar, O2 Institute SHANTY Sat 19 Mar, The Oobleck PIXEL FIX Sat 19 Mar, The Sunflower Lounge BLUE ORCHIDS Sat 19 Mar, The Flapper LOBSTER SHACK Sat 19 Mar Hare & Hounds MICK FLANNERY Sat 19 Mar Kitchen Garden Cafe HOT RED CHILI PEPPERS Sat 19 Mar, The Roadhouse THE THREE DEGREES Sat 19 Mar, Robin, Bilston CAMBION Sat 19 Mar, Scruffy Murphys MARIAH CAREY Sun 20 Mar, Barclaycard Arena JOEY CAPE Sun 20 Mar, O2 Academy ASHLEY HUTCHINGS Sun 20 Mar, Kitchen Garden Cafe PETE BODDIS BAND + FREEWHEELIN' BAND Sun 20 Mar, Robin, Bilston TIGERCLUB Sun 20 Mar, The Sunflower Lounge
CHAMBERS CHOIRS AND BRASS BAND Featuring Stuart Birnie (brass band director), Jack Apperley and James Naylor choir (conductors). Programme includes works by Condon, Parry, Landino, Monteverdi & Peter Graham, Fri 18 Mar, Bramall Music Building, Birmingham University ORCHESTRAL WEEKENDER Featuring Daniele Rosina (conductor) and Lucy Haggerwood-Bullen (violin). Programmes includes works by Mascagni, Puccini, Bizet and Beethoven, Sat 19 Mar, Bramall Music Building, Birmingham University BIRMINGHAM FESTIVAL CHORAL SOCIETY: HANDEL AND HIS LONDON CONTEMPORARIES Featuring Patrick Larley (conductor) & vocalists from the Birmingham Conservatoire, Sat 19 Mar, Ladywood Arc, St John’s & St Peter’s Church, Darnley Rd, Birmingham EX CATHEDRA: BACH ST JOHN PASSION Sat 19 Mar, Birmingham Cathedral ORCHESTRAS, ENSEMBLES AND CHAMBER MUSIC: JUNIOR DEPARTMENT CHAMBER MUSIC CONCERT Soloists and Chamber Ensembles from the Junior Conservatoire, Sat 19 Mar, Birmingham Conservatoire BRITTEN SINFONIA Featuring the Britten Sinfonia chorus & Eamonn Dougan (conductor). Programme includes works by Byrd, Shostakovich arr.
MOCK THE FLOCK COMEDY Wed 16 Mar, The Mockingbird Theatre, Digbeth GARY DELANEY Thurs 17 Mar, Station Pub, Sutton Coldfield JARLETH REGAN, MIKE WILMOT & COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBINSON Thurs 17 Mar, The Glee Club THE NOISE NEXT DOOR Thurs 17 Mar The Glee Club JARLETH REGAN, MIKE WILMOT, JORDAN BROOKES & ANGELA BARNES Fri 18 Mar, The Glee Club RUDI LICKWOOD, TOM WRIGGLESWORTH, TOM GLOVER & SCOTT AGNEW Fri 18 Mar, Jongleurs Comedy Club, JOE LYCETT Sun 20 Mar, The Glee Club
Theatre MARY POPPINS The supercalifragilistic international hit arrives in Brum as part of a UK tour, Wed 9 Mar - Sat 23 Apr, Birmingham Hippodrome RAINBOW MAGIC LIVE - SAVING FAIRYLAND The popular children's books come to life in a brand new musical. Best friends Rachel and Kirsty help their fairy friends hunt for magical moonstones and tackle naughty goblins, Mon 14 Mar, Solihull Arts Complex JACKIE THE MUSICAL Brand new 'fun and feisty' musical featuring original choreography by Arlene Phillips, Tue 15 - Sat 19 Mar, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry
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Gary Delaney
The Dreamers
Jo Lycett: That’s The Way, A-Ha A-Ha
Liza Pullman Sings Hollywood
Saturday 12th March, 8:00pm
Friday 8th April, 8:00pm
Thursday 24th March, 7:30pm
Friday 15th April, 7:30pm
Shakespeare bronze: Judy Methuen
Season 2016
Bards Night Friday 22nd April
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Richard Baker Quintet Wednesday 23rd March, 8:00pm
Geoff Eagles
Wednesday 13th April, 8:00pm
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Monday 14 - Sunday 20 March
FAME Amateur production presented by the Wolverhampton Musical Comedy Company, Tue 15 - Sat 19 Mar, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre
Maiden as she dances into the human world, Sun 20 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
Talks
GOODNIGHT MISTER TOM The awardwinning Chichester Festival Theatre production of Michelle Magorian's uplifting tale, Tue 15 - Sat 19 Mar, New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham A PASSION FOR BIRMINGHAM Following its success in 2014, this immersive promenade production returns on a larger scale and presents a contemporary take on the life and death of Jesus Christ, Tue 15 - Fri 25 Mar, Old Joint Stock Theatre DNA/THE RED HELICOPTER A double bill presented by the Crescent Youth Theatre, Wed 16 - Sat 19 Mar, Crescent Theatre THE BEST THING Vamos Theatre present a fully masked performance of a Swinging ’60s story of unconditional love, Thurs 17 - Fri 18 Mar, mac
AN AUDIENCE WITH TONY IOMMI Widely renowned as one of the world’s finest guitarists, Iommi, one of the founding members of the iconic Black Sabbath, will be in conversation with his friend, and well known TV sports presenter, Gary Newbon, Sat 19 Mar, Birmingham Town Hall
Film INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: BLACK SHACK ALLEY (tbc) A Martinican film based on the semi-autobiographical novel 'Rue Cases-Nègres' (1950) by Joseph Zobel. Dr Louise Hardwick has agreed to host a question and answer session following the screening to share insights from her recent research trips to Martinique for an AHRC-funded project on Zobel. Wed 16 Mar, mac, Birmingham AKOUNAK TEDALAT TAHA TAZOUGHAI (tbc) A revolutionary story of guitars, motorcycles, cell phones, and the music of a new generation. Wed 16 Mar, mac, Birmingham
THE WITCHES OF EASTWICK Birmingham Ormiston Academy presents its version of the popular musical comedy of seduction and the supernatural, Thurs 17 - Sat 19 Mar, The Old Rep Theatre TINNED GOODS Tea & Tenacity present a pacey drama which explores the strength of friendship under the strain of politics, picket lines and principles, Fri 18 Mar, mac AN EVENING OF DIRTY DANCING: THE TRIBUTE SHOW The original concert celebration of the iconic music from the award-winning soundtrack to Dirty Dancing, Sat 19 Mar, Solihull Arts Complex THE GOVERNMENT INSPECTOR Roxana Silbert directs Gogol's satirical masterpiece, Sat 19 - Sat 26 Mar, The REP
Dance 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 THE SNOW MAIDEN Based on a traditional folk tale set in the snow-covered landscape of rural Russia, this seasonal sparkler follows the Snow
DATONG: THE GREAT SOCIETY (tbc) Hailed as a masterpiece, Datong: The Great Society focuses on modern China's first major utopian philosopher and earliest constitutional reformer, Kang Youwei (Liu Kai-chi) and his pioneering feminist daughter Kang Tongbi (Lindzay Chan). Evans Chan will introduce the film and Dr Shirley Ye of the Department of History at University of Birmingham will host a post-screening discussion. Thurs 17 Mar, mac, Birmingham
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
umentary celebrates the trans-cultural career of Singapore-born, New York-based pianist Margaret Leng Tan. Hailed by The New Yorker as "the diva of avant-garde pianism", Tan was the world's first professional toy pianist and has been a preeminent performer of John Cage’s music for the last three decades. Sat 19 Mar, mac, Birmingham TRASH: VHS ONE DAY FESTIVAL (18) A day of exploitation movies in VHS format showing rare VHS in its original format on the big screen. Drinks offers in the bar all day, VHS stalls and five movies showing through the day. Sat 19 Mar, Mockingbird Theatre, B’ham
NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: Released Fri 18 Feb, 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)
BLACK SKIN, WHITE MASK (tbc) Exploring the life and work of the psychoanalytic theorist and activist Frantz Fanon who was born in Martinique, educated in Paris and worked in Algeria. The documentary examines Fanons theories of identity and race, and traces his involvement in the anti-colonial struggle in Algeria and throughout the world. The screening will be followed by a Q&A. Thurs 17 Mar, The Drum, Birmingham
RISEN (12a)
TO LIV(E) (tbc) Evan Chan’s widely acclaimed directorial debut is inspired by Norwegian actress, Liv Ullmann’s, visit to Hong Kong in 1990, where she decried the forced deportation of Vietnamese refugees. Evans Chan will introduce the film and Hermann Aubié, PhD Candidate in the Centre for East Asian Studies at the University of Turku, Finland, will host a discussion after the film. Fri 18 Mar, mac, Birmingham
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
SORCERESS OF THE NEW PIANO) (tbc) Ten years in the making, Chan's doc-
SEWING FOR PLEASURE SHOW Part of ICHF event, Thurs 17 - Sun 20
ROCK THE KASBAH (tbc) See Film section for previews on p40
Events UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM ARTS AND SCIENCE FESTIVAL Mon 14 - Sun 20 Mar, The University of Birmingham. Read our feature on page 40
FASHION & EMBROIDERY SHOW Part of ICHF event, Thurs 17 - Sun 20 Mar, NEC, Birmingham HOBBY CRAFTS SHOW Part of ICHF event, Thurs 17 - Sun 20 Mar, NEC, Birmingham
Mar, NEC, Birmingham CAKE INTERNATIONAL Part of ICHF event, Fri 18 - Sun 20 Mar, NEC, Birmingham. See page 44 for additional info on all ICHF events BOURNVILLE BOOKFEST Authors, poets, illustrators, storytellers, actors, journalists, cartoonists, historians, dancers and performers will be inspiring youngsters to read, write and get passionate about stories, Fri 18 - Sun 20 Mar, various locations in Bournville, Library of Birmingham & other city centre locations EASTER RAG RUG WREATH WORKSHOP Learn about the craft and techniques which will help you create a wreath for all occasions, Sat 19 Mar, Birmingham Back to Backs THE MUD YARD A muddy obstacle course for the whole family to enjoy, Sat 19 Mar, Drayton Manor Theme Park, Tamworth, Staffordshire PROFESSOR MCGINTY TIME TRAVELS ADVENTURES Join time-traveller Professor McGinty as he takes you back to the Victorian times. This is no ordinary history lesson – the wacky professor is guaranteed to make you split your sides laughing, Sat 19 Mar, Selly Manor, Birmingham 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 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, Bournville, Birmingham CAPTURE BIRMINGHAM Sat 19 - Sun 20 Mar, Birmingham City Centre THE PHOTOGRAPHY SHOW The UK’s largest event for people with a passion for photography, Sat 19 - Tues 22 Mar, NEC, Birmingham WRITE ON! Celebrate the region’s up and coming young writers for an event featuring new poetry, prose and performance-writing, Sun 20 Mar, Selly Manor, Birmingham
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Monday 21 - Sunday 27 March
Classical Music THOMAS TROTTER & MICHAEL BROADWAY ORGAN CONCERT Mon 21 Mar, Symphony Hall, Birmingham
The Vamps at Genting Arena in Birmingham on 25 and 26 March
Gigs
NICHOLAS KRGOVICH Wed 23 Mar, Hare & Hounds
ELLIE GOULDING Mon 21 Mar, Barclaycard Arena
LUCAS D & THE GROOVE GHETTO Wed 23 Mar, The Jam House MARRAKESH EXPRESS Wed 23 Mar, Kitchen Garden Caf JULIE FELIX Wed 23 Mar, The Red Lion Folk Club
THE 1975 Tue 22 Mar, Barclaycard Arena MARTIN HARLEY & DANIEL KIMBRO Tue 22 Mar, Artrix, Bromsgrove TRACER PLUS FEDERAL CHARM Tue 22 Mar, O2 Institute HALF MOON Run Tue 22 Mar, O2 Institute SKINNY LIVING Tue 22 Mar, The Sunflower Lounge THE MUSIC SOCIETY'S BIG BAND Tue 22 Mar, Bramall Music Building, Birmingham University DIAT Tue 22 Mar, Hare & Hounds ALEXANDRA JAYNE Tue 22 Mar, The Jam House EMMA STEVENS Tue 22 Mar, The Robin, Bilston VON HERTZEN BROTHERS Wed 23 Mar, The Oobleck
THE VAMPS Fri 25 - Sat 26 Mar, Genting Arena B'SPOKE Fri 25 - Sat 26 Mar, The Jam House ALESSIA CARA Fri 25 Mar, O2 Institute SHOPPING Fri 25 Mar, The Rainbow Venues. BLACK ROSE CADILLAC / FLEER Fri 25 Mar, The Flapper, Birmingham
PHOENIX RISING Wed 23 Mar, The Robin, Bilston
JAKE AND ELWOOD BLUES BROS TRIBUTE Fri 25 Mar, Roadhouse
CLINT MANSELL Wed 23 Mar, Symphony Hall
KICK UP THE 80'S Fri 25 Mar, The Robin, Bilston
MIKE SANCHEZ Thurs 24 Mar, The Jam House
TRIAXIS / IMMNESION Fri 25 Mar, Scruffy Murphys
DISCIPLES Thurs 24 Mar, The Rainbow Venues
SHANE FILAN Sat 26 Mar, Symphony Hall
QUILL Thurs 24 Mar, Solihull Arts Complex
EX CATHEDRA: GOOD FRIDAY ST MATTHEW PASSION Featuring Ex Cathedra Choir, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Jeffrey Skidmore (conductor), Andrew Tortise (Evangelist) & James Rutherford (Jesus). Fri 25 Mar, Symphony Hall, Birmingham BIRMINGHAM COMMUNITY GOSPEL CHOIR Sat 26 Mar, The Drum
Comedy Gigs TOADALLY FREE COMEDY! Mon 21 Mar, The Blue Orange Theatre, B’ham BRIDGET CHRISTIE Tues 22 Mar, mac, Birmingham BARBARA NICE, ROB DEERING, ANGELA BARNES & RACHEL PARRIS Wed 23 Mar The Glee Club
KANO Thurs 24 Mar, O2 Institute MUSHROOMHEAD & AMERICAN HEAD CHARGE Thurs 24 Mar, O2 Academy JOHNNY FOREIGNER Thurs 24 Mar, Actress & Bishop BOO HEWERDINE Thurs 24 Mar, Kitchen Garden Cafe ENGLISH DOGS Thurs 24 Mar, The Rainbow Venues FERRYMAN + CANCEL TOMORROW + THE GUARDIAN Thurs 24 Mar, The Roadhouse
HRHAOR FESTIVAL TOUR Featuring The Quireboys, Faster Pussycat, Bonafide, The Texas Flood, Thirteen Stars and Skam, Sat 26 Mar, O2 Academy, Birmingham LEFT FOR RED Sat 26 Mar, O2 Academy
ALL-STAR AMERICAN LEGENDS LIVE Thurs 24 Mar, The Robin, Bilston
REFUSED Sat 26 Mar, O2 Institute
The 1975 at Barclaycard Arena, 22 March
SMIF 'N' WESSUN Sun 27 Mar, The Oobleck
LAETITIA SADIER /
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
MOCK THE FLOCK COMEDY Wed 23 Mar, The Mockingbird Theatre, Digbeth RAY PEACOCK Thurs 24 Mar, The Old Rep Theatre JOHN GORDILLO, THE RAYMOND & MR TIMPKINS REVIEW, & COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBINSON Thurs 24 Mar, The Glee Club
GIN ANNIE BAND Sat 26 Mar, The Robin, Bilston
AND ALSO THE TREES Sun 27 Mar, The Flapper QUINPHONIC FESTIVAL 2 Sun 27 Mar, The Roadhouse DISSIDENT PROPHET Sun 27 Mar, Kitchen Garden Cafe MORPHEUS RISING + BLACK ROSE Sun 27 Mar, The Robin, Bilston
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JOHN ROBINS Fri 25 Mar, The Glee Club, Birmingham JOHN GORDILLO, THE RAYMOND & MR TIMPKINS REVUE, CLINT EDWARDS & COMIC TBC Fri 25 - Sat 26 Mar, The Glee Club, Birmingham
SUZI RUFFELL, COLIN COLE, INEL TOMLINSON & BRENDAN RILEY Fri 25 Sat 26 Mar, Jongleurs Comedy Club AURIE STYLA Sun 27 March, The Glee Club
Theatre ANGER MANAGEMENT New work devised by the Young Rep and directed by Tom Saunders, Mon 21 Tue 22 Mar, The REP HORRIBLE HISTORIES: GROOVY GREEKS From savage Sparta to angry Athens, discover the truth about growing up in Greece, Tue 22 - Sat 26 Mar, New Alexandra Theatre 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 A RAISIN IN THE SUN Lorraine Hansberry’s ground-breaking drama, which offers a gripping portrayal of working-class life on the cusp of the civil rights era, Tues 22 - Sat 26 Mar, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry GET CARTER A dark and stylish new adaptation of the classic Newcastlenoir thriller, Tues 22 - Sat 26 Mar, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry BRYONY KIMMINGS AND TIM GRAYBURN: FAKE IT ’TIL YOU MAKE IT An Edinburgh Fringe First winner, Bryony Kimmings' new work features ‘music, stupid dancing, onstage arguments, real-life stories, tears and truths’. The show explores the wonders and pitfalls of the human brain, being in love and what it takes to be a 'real man', Wed 23 - Thurs 24 Mar, mac, Birmingham 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 TRAINSPOTTING A co-production from King's Head Theatre, In Your Face Theatre Company & mac Birmingham, featuring full frontal nudity, strong language and scenes of a violent & sexual nature, Wed 23 Mar - Sat 2 Apr, mac, Birmingham Read our feature on Trainspotting on page 8
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Monday 21 - Sunday 27 March THE CANTERBURY TALES Six of the best-loved tales, told in a variety of styles. Taking visual inspiration from medieval mystery plays, the threeman cast use drama, verse, physical theatre and song to bring Chaucer's characters to life. Telling colourful tales of strange situations, it's not an academic take on literature but a fast, furious, funny and occasionally filthy one!, Thurs 24 Mar, Solihull Arts Complex MIDDAY VARIETY Featuring swing standards from Matt Ford and comedy input from Leo Shavers, Thurs 24 Mar, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry 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 HAIRY MACLARY & FRIENDS Lynley Dodd's popular characters are brought to the stage in a family production fusing music, singing and storytelling, Sun 27 - Mon 28 Mar, mac
Banderas & Rodrigo Santoro. Thurs 24 Mar, the Drum
NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: Released Fri 25 March, showing at selected cinemas. BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE (tbc) 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 INSOMNIA57 The UK’s biggest gaming festival, Fri 25 - Mon 28 Mar, NEC, Birmingham
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
Dance 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
Film INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: THE BLACK PANTHERS: VANGUARD OF THE REVOLUTION (15) In 2010, the eyes of the world turned to Chile, where 33 miners had been buried alive. Over 69 days, an international team worked tirelessly to rescue the trapped men. This tense thriller depicts the courage of both the miners and their families. Stars Antonio
EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA Featuring an egg-citing egg hunt challenge, egg-scellent Easter bonnet competitions and a chance to find handmade Easter eggs at the World's Biggest Cadbury Shop, Fri 25 - Mon 28 Mar, Cadbury World, Bournville, Birmingham 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 and take part in the hunt for the missing mascot, Fri 25 - Mon 28 Mar, RAF Cosford, Wolverhampton HIPPITY HOPPITY HURRAY! Chick out the fantastic Easter activities and make a cracking Easter card, a rocking chick and play lots of fun games. Plus take part in the egg hunt, Fri 25 Mar - Fri 1 Apr, Selly Manor, B’ham 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 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
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 CADBURY EASTER EGG HUNT 2016 Hunt around the grounds, with a chocolate egg prize and take home activities, Sat 26 - Mon 28 Mar, Moseley Old Hall, Wolverhampton
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
EASTER EGG HUNT Follow the Egg Trail throughout the Gardens, to win a prize at the end, Sun 27 Mar, Birmingham Botanical Gardens
AROC ALFA ROMEO SPECIAL DISPLAY Sun 27 Mar, Coventry Transport Museum
UPSTAIRS, DOWNSTAIRS: BEHIND THE
MOTORFEST Sun 27 - Mon 28 Mar, Weston Park, Shropshire
THE DINNER CLUB
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The List 28-31 March - Birmingham ONLY VERSION.qxp_Layout 1 22/02/2016 15:15 Page 1
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Mon 28 March - Sun 3 April Joint Theatre HAY FEVER The Crescent Theatre Company present Noel Coward's comedy of manners, Wed 30 Mar Thurs 7 Apr, Crescent Theatre 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
MYSTERY MOVIES
EVERY TUESDAY, 8.00PM
Tellison at The Sunflower Lounge in Birmingham on 31 March
Gigs
ROOM 94 Wed 30 Mar, O2 Academy
TELLISON & MUNCIE GIRLS Thurs 31 Mar, The Sunflower Lounge
DISTRICT 97 + DAVE KERZNER BAND featuring special guest Durga McBroom (Pink Floyd) + more! Mon 28 Mar, The Robin, Bilston
ALEXANDER O'NEAL Wed 30 Mar, The Jam House
THE MANFREDS Thurs 31 Mar, Solihull Arts Complex
LOWRI EVANS Wed 30 Mar, Kitchen Garden Cafe
KIRAN LEONARD Thurs 31 Mar, Hare & Hounds
ADELE Tue 29 - Wed 30 Mar, Genting Arena
NAI HARVEST Wed 30 Mar, The Rainbow Venues
MADDY PRIOR IN CONCERT WITH GILES LEWIN AND HANNAH JAMES Tue 29 Mar, The Robin, Bilston JANET JACKSON Wed 30 Mar, Barclaycard Arena SUNSET SONS Wed 30
Thu 10th & Fri 11th March 7.00PM • £11
Mar, O2 Institute
PURSO Wed 30 Mar, The Sunflower Lounge NOTHING BUT THIEVES Thurs 31 Mar, O2 Institute DEL CAMINO Thurs 31 Mar, The Jam House
Classical Music COLLABRO Tues 29 - Wed 30 Mar,
ALTERED SKY Thurs 31 Mar, The Rainbow Venues 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
PHIL NICHOL & COMIC TBC Thurs 31 Mar, Station Pub ANDY ROBINSON, JARRED CHRISTMAS & JEN BRISTER Thurs 31 Mar, The Glee Club
Theatre A DAY OF VINTAGE AND RARE MOVIES IN VHS FORMAT
SAT 19 MARCH
Symphony Hall, Birmingham
DOORS 12.00PM
CBSO MAHLER'S TENTH Featuring Nicholas Collon (conductor) & the CBSO Youth Chorus. Programme includes works by Webern, Brahms and Mahler, Thurs 31 Mar, Symphony Hall
£10 PLUS BOOKING FEE
Comedy Gigs MOCK THE FLOCK COMEDY Wed 30 Mar, The Mockingbird Theatre, Digbeth NATHAN CATON, SOFIE HAGEN & CRAIG MURRAY Thurs 31 Mar, Bramall Music Building
66 whatsonlive.co.uk
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 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 THE PERFECT MURDER Shane Richie and Jessie Wallace star together on stage for the very first time in an acclaimed staging of Peter James’ best-selling thriller, Tues 29 Mar - Sat 2 April, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry BEETHOVEN IN STALINGRAD New play based on letters that were confiscated and hidden away by the Nazi regime, Wed 30 - Thurs 31 Mar, Old
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 STONES IN HIS POCKETS Two actors play a vast array of eccentric and lovable characters in Marie Jones’ award-winning comedy, Thurs 31 Mar - Sat 2 Apr, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry
Events EASTER HALF TERM FUN Award-winning clown and children’s entertainer Bibbledy Bob, with music, fun and games on the lawn, Mon 28 Mar - Fri 1 Apr, Birmingham Botanical Gardens EGG HUNT Ruby the Castle Dragon has hidden her eggs from the dastardly dragon hunter. She has been very clever and disguised them, but now she cannot find them! Visitors will be invited to help locate Ruby’s eggs, Mon 28 Mar - Fri 8 Apr, Tamworth Castle, Staffordshire EASTER ACTIVITIES Tues 29 Mar - Fri 1 Apr, RAF Cosford, Wolverhampton 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 THE GADGET SHOW LIVE The UK’s largest consumer technology exhibition, Thurs 31 Mar - Sun 3 Apr, NEC
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