First Word WolvesShropsStaffs Worcs October.qxp_Layout 1 20/09/2021 16:32 Page 1
News from around the region
Christmas comes early at the New Vic Theatre The festive season is arriving two months early at Staffordshire’s New Vic Theatre this year, courtesy of a production of Alan Ayckbourn’s Christmas-set play, Absurd Person Singular. Telling the story of three married couples in three kitchens at three Christmas parties, Absurd Person was written in 1972 and is being presented at the Newcastle-underLyme venue by London Classic Theatre. The production runs from Wednesday 20 to Saturday 23 October. For further information, visit newvictheatre.org.uk
V&A exhibition adapted for the big screen The V&A’s blockbuster exhibition, Alice: Curiouser And Curiouser, has been made into a documentary film which will be screened at selected West Midlands cinemas from 14 October. The documentary follows V&A Senior Curator Kate Bailey and broadcaster Andi Oliver as they explore how the titular character from Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland has become a cultural icon throughout art. The film shows at Cineworld Birmingham, Midlands Arts Centre, Showcase in Coventry and Dudley, and Solihull Cineworld.
Harry Potter Platform 9 3/4 Trolley heading for New Street Station To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the first Harry Potter film, the iconic Platform 9¾ Trolley will be stopping off at Birmingham New Street Station from 23 to 25 October. The installation allows fans to recreate the moment when Harry first made it onto Platform 9¾ by running through a magical brick wall in London’s King’s Cross station. 04 whatsonlive.co.uk
Muggles, witches and wizards alike will be able to get a photo of themselves appearing to emulate Harry by running through the wall.
Lichfield Cathedral remembers... Award-winning artist collective Luxmuralis will mark next month’s Remembrance Day by returning to Lichfield Cathedral with light & sound show Poppy Fields. The show sees images of poppies cascade down the cathedral, with the projections being accompanied by specially composed music from David Harper and poetry recorded by Oscar-winning actor Eddie Redmayne. Poppy Fields is available to view from 6 to 13 November, from 5.30pm onwards each evening.
British Ceramics Biennial continues in Stoke The British Ceramics Biennial (BCB) continues this month in Stoke-on-Trent. The festival of contemporary ceramics is the single largest event of its kind in the UK, presenting exhibitions of art by some of the country’s leading ceramicists. BCB is underpinned by a year-round programme of artists’ commissions and education & community-engagement projects. For more information about the biennial, visit britishceramicsbiennial.com
Halloween House returns to Merry Hill for third time The largest Halloween store in Europe has opened its doors for a third time at Merry Hill shopping centre in Dudley. Halloween House stocks one of the largest collections of Halloween merchandise in the UK. The retail outlet will transform into Christmas House in November.
Corrie’s Tom Roberts set to get evil in Telford! Tom Roberts is set to get evil in Telford this Christmas. The popular Coronation Street actor will be playing legendary panto villain Abanazar in The Place’s festive-season production of Aladdin, which shows at the venue from 8 December to 2 January. For more information and to book tickets, visit theplacetelford.com
