First Word Birmingham September.qxp_Layout 1 25/08/2021 13:22 Page 1
News from around the region
Go go go Jo! Joseph is back in Birmingham The new London Palladium version of Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat has been added to Birmingham Hippodrome’s autumn season of shows. The hit Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice musical will be joined in the theatre’s line-up of entertainment by Jimmy Carr’s Terribly Funny Book Tour and children’s festive favourite, Dear Santa. The new productions join the previously announced The Cher Show, The Play That Goes Wrong, What The Ladybird Heard and the National Theatre’s Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time. For more information and to book tickets, visit birminghamhippodrome.com
Thinking outside the fox West Midlands Railway’s Wylde Green Station has welcomed a new art installation by Birmingham-based artist Annatomix. The brand-new piece, named Urban Fox, was commissioned by the Friends of Wylde Green Station, a group of local people who work as volunteers to bring local character and inspirational arts and landscaping to the station. The fox was selected to be the main feature of the artwork as part of the Friends’ ongoing mission to make the station more ecologically friendly.
Photo credit: Claire Rumble
Soundtrack released for film version of hit musical The original soundtrack of Prime Video’s new film version of hit West End musical Everybody’s Talking About Jamie will be released a week before the movie itself becomes available to view. The soundtrack is released by Island Records on 10 September. Mostly written by The Feeling’s Dan Gillespie Sells, it features stand-out songs from the stage show, as well 04 whatsonlive.co.uk
as an exclusive new song performed by Frankie Goes To Hollywood legend Holly Johnson. Chaka Khan, Richard E Grant, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Becky Hill are among others making a contribution... For more info, visit everybodystalkingaboutjamie.co.uk
Folk At The Farm opens Lichfield Arts’ L2F Festival Lichfield Arts’ L2F Festival 2021 will host its opening event in the leafy surrounds of the city’s Woodhouse Farm on 5 September. Folk On The Farm will feature live music, Morris dancers and the shortlisted songs from the L2F songwriting competition. A barbecue or picnic is also included in the ticket price. The main L2F Festival takes place on 22, 23 & 24 October. For further details and to book tickets, visitlichfieldarts.org.uk
Cuban dance magic at Birmingham Town Hall Cuba’s award-winning music & dance show, Pasión de Buena Vista, will stop off at two Midlands venues when it tours the UK next spring. The hit production, which features celebrated dance troupe El Grupo de Bailar and 12-piece ensemble The Buena Vista Band, will visit Birmingham Town Hall on Saturday 12 February. It then returns to the region four days later (Wednesday the 16th) at Shrewsbury’s Theatre Severn. For more information, visit pasion-de-buenavista.co.uk
City council unveils first of 20 new hydrogen buses Birmingham City Council has unveiled the first of its 20 new hydrogen buses. The buses have been purchased as part of the council’s Clean Air Hydrogen Bus Pilot, which is looking to kickstart the hydrogen market as a viable zero-emission fuel. The buses are being hailed not only as another way of tackling the city’s poor air quality, but also as a key step towards achieving the council’s net zero carbon target. Made by Wrightbus, the buses are the world's first zero-emission hydrogen fuel-cell double deckers. They will be operated in Birmingham by National Express.
Open studios open to all Birmingham Open Studios is making a welcome return. The popular event allows artists of all standards to display their craft from their own homes or working studios. Eighty artists have signed up for the 2021 event. For more information, visit birminghamopenstudios.co.uk
