First Word

from Coventry & Warwickshire What's On December 2022

Food

News from around the region

Pub In The Park reveals stellar music line-up for Leamington Spa debut

Popular food & music event Pub In The Park will be making its first-ever stop-off in Leamington Spa next summer (30 June 2 July). The brainchild of celebrity chef Tom Kerridge, the festival brings together some of the country’s finest culinary talents and a selection of high-profile music artists. Performers already signed up for 2023 include Bananarama, Toploader, Ronan Keating and Soul II Soul. For more information and to book tickets, visit pubintheparkuk.com/leamington-spa

Luna Cinema returns to the NEC for Christmas

The UK’s leading provider of open-air cinema is this month making a welcome return to Birmingham’s NEC with ‘three weeks of feelgood festive film’. The Luna Drive-In Cinema runs from 1 to 22 December and features screenings of a selection of hit Christmas movies, including Love Actually, The Holiday, It’s A Wonderful Life, Home Alone, Elf and How The Grinch Stole Christmas. For a comprehensive list of films, and to purchase tickets, visit thelunacinema.com

Bastille at the castle

Pop band Bastille will next summer celebrate the 10th anniversary of their chart-topping debut release, Bad Blood, by performing the album in its entirety at Warwick Castle (Wednesday 19 July). Tickets for the show are now on sale and can be purchased via bastillebastille.com

Local film festival seeks independent filmmakers

An annual film event in Stratford-upon-Avon is looking for short films from local filmmakers across the West Midlands. Run by not-for-profit arts organisation Live & Local, Big Picture Festival will next year (25 28 May) take the theme of ‘one world, many stories’, showcasing ‘the best of humanity, the beauty of our world and the keys to wellbeing’. The event is particularly looking for submissions from diverse and disabled filmmakers... To find out more about the festival, visit liveandlocal.org.uk

RSC’s Swan Theatre to reopen after three years

The Royal Shakespeare Company’s (RSC) newly refurbished Swan Theatre in Stratfordupon-Avon will reopen in the spring with a stage adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s critically acclaimed novel, Hamnet. Winner of the 2020 Women’s Prize for Fiction, Hamnet pulls back a curtain on the imagined life of William Shakespeare and the woman and family who influenced his work. Commenting on the news, RSC Acting Artistic Director Erica Whyman said: “The Swan will have been closed for three years, and we have missed it very much. It remains an essential part of the RSC’s programme to commission and produce vivid new plays with an epic imagination, and Hamnet marks the beginning of a wonderful year back on that intimate stage.” For more information about the show and to book tickets, visit rsc.org.uk

Gorka & Karen bring Firedance to the region

Strictly stars Karen Hauer and Gorka Marquez will make a welcome return to Birmingham next spring with a show that promises ‘sizzling dancers, mesmerising fire specialists, a sensational live band and super-charged choreography’. Titled Firedance, the production is a ‘captivating dance-off’ inspired by Romeo & Juliet, Moulin Rouge, Carmen and West Side Story. The show visits the city’s Symphony Hall on 31 March. For more information and to book tickets, check out the venue’s website: bmusic.co.uk

The best of Disney at 100 at Resorts World Arena

A concert celebrating a centenary of Disney is making a pit-stop in Birmingham next summer as part of a nationwide tour. Disney 100 - The Concert will feature ‘legendary film scenes on giant screens’ and ‘magical musical moments’ brought to life by the Hollywood Sound Orchestra and yet-tobe-announced ‘star soloists’. Tickets for the Resorts World Arena show on Tuesday 6 June can be purchased at theticketfactory.com

Queen of Country to take Queen Of Me tour to Brum

Five-time Grammy Awardwinning Shania Twain will visit Birmingham’s Utilita Arena next autumn (26 September) as part of a UK & Ireland tour. The countrymusic legend will make a stop-off at the venue to perform a concert in support of her soon-to-be-released album, Queen Of Me. For more information, visit theticketfactory.com

Alfie Boe to visit the Midlands as part of UK tour

Alfie Boe has announced a nationwide UK tour for autumn 2023, including a date at Birmingham’s Symphony Hall. The much-loved tenor will perform at the venue on Saturday 14 October... For further information and to book tickets for the show, visit ticketmaster.co.uk

Frida Kahlo exhibition on show at Coventry gallery

Coventry gallery The Reel Store is currently hosting an award-winning exhibition celebrating the life and work of iconic Mexican painter Frida Kahlo (until 29 January). Visiting the Midlands fresh from a sell-out run in Madrid, the show invites visitors to explore the artist not only as a painter but also as a woman and an icon. Commenting on the exhibition, its artistic director, Carla Prat, said: “This is the culmination of a long artistic and academic exercise to move away from the usual narrative of pain/victim and towards one of resilience, courage, female empowerment and genius. “The truth is, despite the many biopics and books about Frida Kahlo, there remains much to learn and remember about her and her paintings. This exhibition screams: This is what I felt. This is how I thought. This is how I was. Remember me!”

Coventry music venue celebrates ‘the perfect song’

Coventry Music Museum will next month launch an exhibition celebrating the 35th anniversary of Crash, the top-five single released by local band Primitives. Titled Crash: The Story Of A Perfect Pop Song, the exhibition has been officially sanctioned by the band and features a ‘plethora’ of rare items dating back to Primitives’ early days. Visitors can also try their hand at singing Crash and take advantage of a unique photo opportunity. To find out more, go to covmm.co.uk

Hit West Ender Heathers The Musical coming to the Midlands next spring

Hit West End musical Heathers will be stopping off at Birmingham theatre The Alexandra in the spring. Described by its publicity as a ‘high octane, black comedy, rock musical’ the show is based on the cult teen movie of the same name starring Winona Ryder and Christian Slater. The production visits the Alex from 16 to 20 May. For more information and tickets, visit atgtickets.com/birmingham

First Word

EastEnders star joins National Theatre cast

EastEnders star Charlie Brooks will join the cast for the National Theatre production of The Ocean At The End Of The Lane when it visits Birmingham theatre The Alexandra next spring (23 - 27 May). Charlie, who plays the character of Janine Butcher in the BBC soap, will take the role of Ursula in the stage adaptation of Neil Gaman’s award-winning novel. For more information and tickets, visit atgtickets.com/birmingham

Show for babies set to Glisten at Coventry venue

A ‘gentle, sparkling and immersive multisensory experience’ for babies aged up to 18 months is coming to Warwick Arts Centre this month. Described by Half Moon, the company performing the show, as ‘the perfect alternative family festive-season experience’, Glisten explores the world of reflective materials, ‘wrapped up in an ambient soundscape of evocative but laid-back music’. The production stops off at the Coventry venue from Monday 19 to Saturday 24 December. For more information and to book tickets, visit warwickartscentre.co.uk

News from around the region

Lesley Garrett to star in tour of My Fair Lady

Britain’s best-known soprano, Lesley Garrett, will appear in a new touring version of My Fair Lady when it stops off at Birmingham Hippodrome next spring (Wednesday 8 Sunday 19 March). Lesley joins a cast which also includes Michael D Xavier as Henry Higgins, Charlotte Kennedy as Eliza Doolittle and former EastEnder Adam Woodyatt as Alfred P Doolittle. For more information and to book tickets, visit birminghamhippodrome.com

Festive trail returns to Stratford-upon-Avon

The Royal Shakespeare Company’s Stratford Festive Trail has made a welcome return. This year’s trail encourages families, residents and visitors to explore the town while looking for festive wreaths. The wreaths have been created in partnership with local shopping centre Bell Court and other Stratford-based shops, community groups and independent businesses. Details about where the wreaths are located, and the organisations and businesses taking part, can be found at rsc.org.uk/festive-trail

Christmas dog parade returns to The Valley

Parade this month. Returning on Sunday 18 December, the popular event comes complete with a selection of festive music and numerous prizes for the best-dressed dogs. It’s £3 per dog to enter, with all proceeds going to charity. Tickets are now on sale at eventbrite.co.uk

Hereford theatre receives funding to continue with essential project work

Hereford’s The Courtyard theatre has received funding from The Eveson Trust to enable its education team to continue delivering its award-winning mental-health project, #TalkAwayDontWalkAway. The Trust has provided £10,000 to fund a practitioner to deliver the project to primary and secondary schools across the county. Commenting on the news, Courtyard Education Officer Rebecca Cook said: “This work is invaluable, as young people can develop new ways to look after their mental health, starting now and continuing into the future.”

News from around the region

Twycross Zoo announces festive Alpine Adventure

Conservation charity Twycross Zoo has announced a brand-new Alpine Adventure experience for the Christmas season. From Saturday 17 December to Tuesday 3 January, visitors will have the chance to check out the zoo’s award-winning snow leopard habitat, which calls to mind the snowy peaks of the Himalayan mountains. Families can also get active on the zoo’s firstever ice skating rink, after which they can warm up at Après Zoo - an alpine-style hut serving mulled wine, hot chocolate and festive-themed snacks. To find out more about the venue’s festiveseason offering and book tickets, visit twycrosszoo.org/christmas

Coventry theatre reveals its spring season line-up

The world premiere of Drive Your Plow Over The Bones Of The Dead - adapted for the stage from Nobel Prize-winning author Olga Tokarczuk’s bestselling novel of the same name - features among the highlights of the Coventry Belgrade Theatre’s spring season. The production takes its place in a line-up of shows that also includes a brand-new adaptation of Lord Of The Flies, the acclaimed stage version of The Shawshank Redemption, and the return of Willy Russell’s emotionally charged musical, Blood Brothers (pictured below). To check out the whole spring season and book tickets for the featured shows, visit belgrade.co.uk

Meet the mini-beasts in Stratford this Christmas!

Families who fancy doing something a little bit different this festive season should pay a visit to Stratford-upon-Avon’s Butterfly Farm. Boasting temperatures of 25°C, the popular venue’s attractions include the stunning Christmas Butterfly - a primarily black & yellow native of Africa - two newly arrived Giant Hooded Katydids, and daily mini-beast handling sessions (taking place from Saturday 17 December to Tuesday 3 January). To find out more, visit butterflyfarm.co.uk

New date for Birmingham International Tattoo

Birmingham International Tattoo will return early in the new year, having been postponed in September following the death of Her Majesty The Queen. Taking place at the city’s Resorts World Arena on Saturday 11 & Sunday 12 February, the Tattoo will feature a special tribute to the Queen and also mark the accession of King Charles III to the throne. For more information and to book tickets for the event, visit resortsworldarena.co.uk

First Word

Breeep! Tim Vine to bring new show to the Midlands

Tim Vine is stopping off in the Midlands next year as part of a UK tour. The popular comedian will bring brand-new show Breeeep! to the following venues across the region: Leamington Spa Pavilion, Stratford Playhouse, Telford Theatre, Birmingham’s The Alexandra, the Wolverhampton Grand and Shrewsbury’s Theatre Severn. More information can be found on the websites of each of the above-listed venues.

Catch it while you can...

If you haven’t yet checked out the Wildlife Photographer Of The Year show at Wolverhampton Art Gallery, you have until Christmas Eve to do so. The hugely prestigious exhibition - visiting the Midlands as part of a UK tour - features a host of awe-inspiring images capturing fascinating animal behaviour and breathtaking landscapes. The photos included in the show have been selected from thousands of submissions, with photographers from no fewer than 93 countries taking part.

Encore for a festive favourite

After the huge success of its production of A Christmas Carol last year, Coventry’s Albany Theatre is revisiting the show this festive season, but with a few new treats in store - as director Kevin Shaw and actor Paul Nolan reveal...

“I was really pleased with the production last year, but we are going to be ‘tidging’ it a bit it’s not about rinse and repeat.” Kevin Shaw, the Albany Theatre’s affable chief executive & artistic director, isn’t the sort of character to find a winning formula and stick to it, but he couldn’t ignore the rationale for bringing back last year’s festivehit production of Charles Dickens’ classic tale, A Christmas Carol. Not least because the traditional poster claims of being ‘back due to public demand’ actually ring true particularly among students studying the text for GCSE. “At many of the schools’ performances, as the teachers were leaving, they said: if you tell us you’re doing it again next year, we’ll book now!” Kevin exclaims. “So that was one of the reasons for restaging it. Another was that sales for the public performances were going incredibly well until Omicron bit and they fell off a cliff. I figured there was a huge number of people in Coventry and the local area who would’ve come to see it but wanted to save their Christmas.” But if the Omicron variant of Covid was a challenge last year, then economic hardship is the obstacle to overcome this time around, admits Kevin. “The one thing I’m nervous about is the costof-living crisis, and whether attending the theatre is too much of a luxury when gas bills are going through the roof and schools’ budgets are seriously under pressure, but so far tickets sales are going great.” Dickens’ tale of greed and charity has arguably never been more pertinent, and the current economic climate is something Kevin is determined to reflect in the production. “With the cost-of-living crisis and the disparity between rich and poor right now, I think the play is possibly even more relevant than it was last year. And I will be looking at the adaptation to ensure that there are enough of those parallels being drawn.” As well as those nods to contemporary Britain, this year’s version will be refreshed by featuring five new faces in the sevenstrong cast, all of whom will contribute to the direction it takes, according to Kevin. “I do a huge amount of prep, but usually it all goes in the bin as the actors produce things that are better than I imagined while doodling on a plan of the set! The reason I love working in theatre is the collaborative nature of the process of getting the production together. So yes, we’ve got Paul [Nolan, returning as Scrooge] and one other returnee, but the other five members of the cast are new. It’s not like some West End production where the cast are required to follow the grid and do exactly what their predecessors did; we will be reinventing it properly from scratch in the rehearsal room. “I have no doubt that the creativity of the new individuals will spark the creativity of the old individuals, and we will make different decisions about how the thing looks. I’m also revisiting the staging for certain parts of it things that I think we can improve, make better, make more exciting… but the bottom line is that we want to do a really good story well told, and in an engaging way.” Rehearsals for the production were just getting under way when we spoke, and actor Paul Nolan was as excited about restarting the creative process as revisiting the iconic role of Ebenezer Scrooge. “When we entered rehearsals last year,” he recalls, “from day one we knew who was going to be playing which parts, but we didn’t have the meat on the bones. So it was all about working through, on a daily basis, what we could do, what would fit and what we could try out. “That’s a real strength and a really exciting thing. It’s going to be really good to sit back and watch what evolves [this year] and see how I fit into that, or how the other characters fit into it and so forth. The company, the ensemble, takes ownership of the work - it certainly won’t be a replication of last year, but just what it’s going to be we won’t know.” What we do know is that the production will stick fairly closely to Dickens’ text. “One of the reasons I think it was so popular last year, particularly with the schools, was that it’s a faithful adaptation of the Dickens novella,” says Paul. “That’s one of the things that teachers in particular were really pleased with - there was a lot of Dickens there. Frankly, of course there was! He’s a master storyteller - who are we to think we are better than Dickens?!” That said, Paul believes the production delves even deeper into its core material to try and find out why Scrooge is such a nasty piece of work. “I spent some time with Kevin and we did a bit of a journey through that. By reading between the lines and really picking at the text, we were able to get a better understanding as to why. Doing last year’s production, I kind of became immersed in that, and I’ve got an underlying thing almost ready to go. I revisited the novella again recently, and there’s even more there to substantiate it, all of which makes his redemption at the end even more glorious.” In addition to Coventry-born Paul, the cast are all drawn from the local area and come from diverse backgrounds. Both factors are crucial to Kevin Shaw’s vision for the Albany. “It’s a vital part, particularly with the number of schools coming,” says Kevin. “On a very basic level, if you don’t see yourself represented on the stage, why would you think that theatre is for you? I think it’s really important - and our responsibility - to ensure that theatre is as inclusive as it can possibly be; that’s the only future for it.” The production itself has to be great too, of course, and Kevin can’t wait to get started. First-timers are in for a treat, he says, and if you enjoyed it last year, then you’ll enjoy it even more this time around. “I don’t want to do spoilers, but there are some definite new bits of staging which I think will create even bigger surprises than last year. I guarantee it’s going to be great.”