thelist

VANILLA A ‘fresh, honest and awkwardly funny’ look into the workings of an isolated relationship, Wed 17 - Thurs 18 May, Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham

KIPPS - THE NEW HALF A SIXPENCE

MUSICAL Amateur version presented by Tinkers Farm Opera, Wed 17Sat 20 May, Stourbridge Town Hall

THE 45TH ANNUAL CHATTERLEY VILLAGE

FETE A quintessentially British musical presented by University of Wolverhampton School of Performing Arts level 6 students, Wed 17 - Sat 20 May, Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton

BE MORE CHILL The story of one boy’s exploration of what it is to be ‘cool’. Based on the novel by Ned Vizzini, Fri 19 - Sat 20 May, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre

THE BOY WHO HAD A SECRET New play, devised by Kidderminster Rose Young People’s Theatre, which tells the story of a seemingly normal child with very abnormal powers, Sat 20Sun 21 May, The Rose Theatre, Kidderminster

THE CARD Claybody Theatre present a new version of Arnold Bennett’s classic comic novel, Sat 20 May - Sat 10 June, New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme

Kids Theatre

THE LITTLE MERMAID Family musical based on Hans Christian Andersen’s much-loved story, Wed 17 - Sat 20 May, Crewe Lyceum Theatre

MATILDA JR Amateur version presented by Walsall Youth Theatre, Thurs 18 - Sat 20 May, Walsall Arena & Arts Centre

JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH Central Youth Theatre Acting Up present an amateur version of Roald Dahl’s classic tale, Fri 19 May, Newhampton Arts Centre, Wolverhampton

Dance

WASTELAND Gary Clarke fuses physical dance language with archive film footage and live music to explore how two generations coped in an era of radical upheaval, Thurs 18 - Fri 19 May, The Rep, Birmingham

LEGACY Mixed bill presented by Elmhurst Ballet Company as part of an ongoing partnership with Studio Wayne McGregor,Fri 19 - Sat 20May, Elmhurst Ballet School, Birmingham comedian Steve Royle, Black Country stars The Fizzogs, a capella group Men In Harmony and comedian Ada Campe, Tues 16 May, Telford Theatre, Oakengates, Shropshire

BOB BROLLY AND FRIENDS An afternoon of music and laughter. Bob will be joined by entertainer Andy Eastwood and vocalist Maggie

O’Hara, Wed 17 May, Brierley Hill

Civic, Dudley

BANFF MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL A night of adventure featuring a brandnew collection of short films, Thurs 18 May, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury

CHEESY BINGO PARTY A mix of bingo and ‘the cheesiest party music you ever heard!’, Thurs 18 May, Telford Theatre, Oakengates, Shropshire

MUSICALITY Fundraising concert featuring songs from the West End and Broadway, Thurs 18 - Fri 20 May, Whitchurch Civic Centre, North Shropshire

SHELL SUIT CHER: BELIEVE IN BINGO!

Laugh, dance and play to win as Shell Suit Cher (aka Tina T’urner Tea Lady) ‘unzips her wild journey from Vegas to Mecca and beyond’, Sat 20 May, Old Joint Stock Theatre, B’ham

FANNY GALORE’S BIG BINGO PARTY Eyes down with ‘the hostess with the mostest’. Bar snacks included in ticket price, Sat 20 May, Crewe Lyceum Theatre

Talks & Spoken Word

AN EVENING WITH TERRY CONROY AND NIGEL JOHNSON: THE VOICES OF STOKE CITY ‘A night not to be missed for all Potters fans!’, Fri 19 May, Mitchell Arts Centre, Stoke-on-Trent

TALKING OF ADVENTURE: AL SYLVESTER The second instalment of the venue’s Talking Of Adventure series, Fri 19 May, Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire

MEGAN MCCUBBIN: ON THE BRINK + Q&A Megan McCubbin discusses her new book, An Atlas Of Endangered Species, Sat 20 May, Midlands Arts Centre (MAC), Birmingham

Events

FLATPACK FESTIVAL The 17th edition of the film festival, featuring a full programme of screenings, Tues 16Sun 21 May, various venues across Birmingham

GIN Join Dan Upton, with a gin made for the evening, as he gives ‘a very broad history condensed into an hour of limited rambling’, Thurs 18 May, Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum

SPRING DIESEL FESTIVAL Featuring locomotives of all classes from 60 years of diesel traction, Thurs 18Sun 21 May, Severn Valley Railway, Bewdley, Nr Kidderminster

PUDDING NIGHTS ‘All you can eat’ pudding nights, Fri 19 - Sat 20 May, Bodenham Arboretum, Kidderminster CIRCUS EXTREME Combining worldfamous circus artists, clown escapades and extreme stunts, Fri 19 May - Sun 4 June, NEC, Birmingham

ADVENTURE CINEMA The touring outdoor cinema visits Shugborough with screenings of top films, Fri 19Sun 21 May, Shugborough Estate, Staffordshire

CREATIVE FACTORY COMMUNITY DAY

Performances from BDK Dance Crew, with premiere showings of their film, Grief. Learn mendhi with Creative Factory Friday Ladies and decorate a gift box, a sun catcher or a coaster, Sat 20 May, The New Art Gallery, Walsall

UK SLOT CAR FESTIVAL Featuring all major slot car manufacturers, Sat 20Sun 21 May, British Motor Museum, Gaydon, Warwickshire

WORLD BEE DAY FAMILY CRAFTS

Celebrate World Bee Day by making a wildflower seed bomb for your garden, or your very own bee headgear, Sat 20 - Sun 21 May, Wightwick Manor, Wolverhampton

THE BIG BARK Featuring canine olympics, dog shows and agility challenges, Sat 20 - Sun 21 May, Trentham Estate, Staffordshire

ARTISAN, CRAFT AND GIFT MARKET

Featuring talented makers, creators and enterprises from across the region, Sat 20 - Sun 21 May, Bantock House Museum, Wolverhampton

MARDI GRAS Carnival-inspired takeover featuring an explosion of colours, sensational flavours, highenergy music and much more, Sat 20 May - Sun 18 June, Alton Towers, Staffordshire

AFTERNOON OF ENTERTAINMENT Variety show featuring Britain’s Got Talent

NATURE WRITING Using botanical knowledge and observing seasonal change, keep a personal record through words and pictures, Thurs 18 May, The Hive, Shrewsbury

PLANETARIUM LATES: THE ORIGIN OF