thelist

THE WEDDING SINGER Curtain Call Theatre Company present an amateur version of the musical comedy, Thurs 22 - Sat 24 June, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury

DRACULA: THE BLOODY TRUTH Four actors play over 40 characters in an innovative and humorous production based on ‘the true events of Dracula’, Fri 23 - Sat 24 June, Lichfield Garrick

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM West

End favourite Kerry Ellis stars alongside Jonathan Hyde (Titanic, Jumanji) and Milly Zero (EastEnders, The Foreigner) in a new version of Shakespeare’s most popular comedy, Fri 23 June - Sun 9 July, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre

Kids Theatre

THE HERO NEXT DOOR BY ONJALI Q.

RAÚF New play for seven to 10-yearolds exploring themes of friendship, and empathy, Sun 25 June, Midlands Arts Centre (MAC), Birmingham

ANIMALS UNLEASHED Fast-paced theatre show for the whole family featuring visual effects, comedy, music and life-sized animals, Sun 25 June, Lichfield Garrick

Dance

BRB2: CARLOS ACOSTA’S CLASSICAL SELECTION A gala celebration of classical ballet, with Frederick Ashton’s Rhapsody and Carlos’ new interpretation of Fokine’s The Dying Swan featuring amongst the highlights, Sat 24 June, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

THE TALES OF BEATRIX POTTER

Presented by Stephanie Parrott’s Midland Youth Ballet, Sat 24 June, Brewhouse Arts Centre, Burton upon Trent

SAMARPAN MAHOTSAV Celebrating

Queer voices in Indian classical dance and live music, Sat 24 June, Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton

Light Entertainment

MARIE LLOYD STOLE MY LIFE A tale of tempestuous relationships, a scandalous divorce, an infamous jewellery heist and a rescue at sea, Mon 19 June, Oscars, Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire

THE LADYBOYS OF BANGKOK Fastpaced, large-scale production filled with ‘star-spangled sassiness’, Wed 21 June, Telford Theatre, Oakengates, Shropshire

WINDRUSH 75TH YEAR CELEBRATION

One-off event featuring performances, guest speakers and presentations. The evening culminates with a jamboree of music from the 1950s to the present day, Thurs 22 June, The Rep, Birmingham

KENDAL MOUNTAIN TOUR 2023 An evening celebrating adventure and featuring some of the most spectacular places on earth... Thurs 22 June, Crewe Lyceum Theatre

RUSH - A JOYOUS JAMAICAN JOURNEY

Comedian John Simmit narrates the story of reggae music and the Windrush Generation, Thurs 22 June, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

AN AUDIENCE WITH LIVERPOOL LEGENDS

Jed Stone hosts an evening of entertaining banter featuring Ronnie Whelan, Steve McMahon and Jan Molby, Thurs 22 June, Tamworth Assembly Rooms

IT JUST SO HAPPENED: AN ALTERNATIVE

HISTORY SHOW Comedians and history buffs explore some possible alternative histories of Ludlow people and events, Sat 24 June, Oscars, Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire

TRES TRES CABARET The promise of a silly & saucy night of entertainment, Sat 24 June, The Hub at St Mary’s, Lichfield

STORY BAZAAR: THE BRUMJABI

BROTHERS Chris Lowe and Peter Chand fuse mayhem and silliness to tell stories from Brum, the Punjab and beyond... Sun 25 June, Newhampton Arts Centre, Wolverhampton

MADAME CHANDELIER’S NIGHT AT THE OPERA Featuring jokes, party games and lots of dramatic death scenes, Sun 25 June, The Women’s Centre, Ludlow, South Shropshire

CIRQUE: THE GREATEST SHOW Musical theatre meets circus in a show featuring ‘breath-taking’ aerialists and contortionists... Sun 25 June, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

Talks & Spoken Word

THE MAKING OF A MURDERER Scottish detective David Swindle shares his unique insight into the minds of some of Britain’s biggest serial killers, Wed 21 June, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

SUSIE DENT PRESENTS THE SECRET LIFE OF WORDS Join the Queen of Dictionary Corner as she explores the surreal origins of words we use everyday, Thurs 22 June, Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire

AN EVENING WITH CHRIS HADFIELD A mind-expanding evening of exploration, imagery, stories and music, Fri 23 June, Symphony Hall, Birmingham

Monday 19 - Sunday 25 June

KENTON COOL Join the non-Sherpa world-record holder as he offers an insight into the highs and lows of summit attempts on one of the world’s most magnificent mountains, Fri 23 June, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury

THE LUDLOW POETRY SLAM A ‘knockout night’ as poets compete for points that lead to prizes, Sat 24 June, Ludlow Brewery, Ludlow, South Shropshire

ALAN FLETCHER: THE DOCTOR WILL SEE YOU NOW Join Ramsey Street’s most famous doctor as he looks back on and celebrates almost three decades of hit TV series Neighbours, Sun 25 June, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury

LIFE WITH THE ENGLAND FOOTBALL TEAM Nick Owen interviews David Davies OBE about his eventful career in television journalism and the oftenturbulent world of football, Sun 25 June, Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire

Events

REVEALING THE MASK TEACHER WORKSHOP Mask workshops featuring games, exercises and shared exploration, Tues 20 June, Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton EVENING OPENING: DUDMASTON AFTER HOURS Visit Dudmaston after hours and see the garden and galleries in a different light, Wed 21 June, Dudmaston Estate, Shropshire

THE BIG BANG FAIR The UK’s biggest STEM celebration for young people, Wed 21 - Fri 23 June, NEC, Birmingham

ADULT NIGHT Chance to enjoy ‘the ultimate’ indoor Lego playground completely kid-free! Fri 23 June, Legoland Discovery Centre

Birmingham

UNDER 5S DAY Enjoy baby & toddler sessions throughout the day and all the fun of the seaside at Himley’s Beach, Fri 23 June, Himley Hall, Dudley

THE CREATIVE CRAFT SHOW A haven for crafters, offering all the latest supplies, ideas and innovations, Fri 23 - Sun 25 June, NEC, Birmingham

POTFEST BY THE LAKE Showcasing the work of 80 of the UK’s finest ceramics makers, Fri 23 - Sun 25 June, Compton Verney, Warwickshire

BEHIND THE SCENES TOUR A guided tour of Aston Hall, with the rare opportunity to see some sections of the building not usually open to the public, Sat 24 June, Aston Hall, Birmingham

BIRMINGHAM RUM FESTIVAL Featuring over 100 rums, including heritage brands such as Appleton Estate and Havana Club, Sat 24 June, The Cuban Embassy, Moseley, B’ham

STEP BACK TO THE 1940S Feel the spirit of the British home front as you travel by heritage steam train to each station, Sat 24 - Sun 25 June, Severn Valley Railway, Bewdley, Nr Kidderminster

ARTISAN, CRAFT AND GIFT MARKET

Talented makers, creators and enterprises from across the region sell their wares, Sat 24 - Sun 25 June, Bantock House, Wolverhampton

STEAMPUNK WEEKEND Featuring elaborate costumes on parade, traders selling accessories and clothing, and ‘fascinating’ exhibits, Sat 24 - Sun 25 June, Blists Hill

Victorian Town, Ironbridge

ARMED FORCES WEEKEND Featuring fun family activities, a service of tribute and a food & craft fair, Sat 24Sun 25 June, National Memorial Arboretum, Staffordshire

SANDWELL PRIDE FESTIVAL LGBT+ community celebration featuring music, performances and activities, Sun 25 June, Dartmouth Park, West Bromwich

MR MOTIVATOR PRESENTS THE MOTIVATIONAL EXPERIENCE A day of activities aiming to improve your sense of wellbeing, Sun 25 June, Halesowen Town Hall

TECH ROOTZ Immersive experience in the worlds of gaming, design thinking, music production and more, Sun 25 June, Symphony Hall, Birmingham

ARMED FORCES DAY Free family day out honouring those in the armed forces, Sun 25 June, Himley Hall, Dudley

BEHIND THE SCENES TOUR Join informative guides for a peek behind closed doors, to learn some of the royal secrets of the Bradford family, Sun 25 June, Weston Park, Shropshire

Festivals in the Midlands

BIRMINGHAM RUM FESTIVAL Featuring over 100 rums, including heritage brands such as Appleton Estate and Havana Club, Sat 24 June, The Cuban Embassy, Moseley

SHREWSBURY FOOD FESTIVAL

Featuring hundreds of food & drink stalls, street-food trucks, bars, chef stages and chef schools, Sat 24Sun 25 June, The Quarry Park, Shrewsbury

UPTON JAZZ FESTIVAL Featuring Ben Holder’s Hot Club Quartet, Jake Leg Jug Band, Sarah Spencer’s Transatlantic Jazz Band, Hotsy Totsy, Sat 24 - Sun 25 June, various venues in Upton-upon-Severn, Worcestershire