Worcestershire What's On December 2022

News from around the region

Pub In The Park reveals

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

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 (2528 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

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

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

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 June2 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

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

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!”

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

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

Frida Kahlo exhibition on show at Coventry gallery

Coventry music venue celebrates ‘the perfect song’

News from around the region

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

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 8Sunday 19 March). Lesley joins a cast which also includes

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

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

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

Christmas dog parade returns to The Valley

Evesham shopping centre The Valley will once again be hosting its Christmas Dog

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.

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

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

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

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

“I was really pleased with the production last year, but we are going to be ‘tidging’ it a bitit’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 trueparticularly 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 itthings 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.”

Christmas

at the Albany Theatre, Coventry, from Saturday 3 to Monday 26 December

A

Carol shows

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...

Restaurant reviews from around the region

specialised menu brings together such Bengali staples as korma, dansak, bhuna, biriyani and jalfrezi with a diverse selection of Bangladeshi-inspired specials that, together, celebrate the country’s rich culinary history.

From the rustic flavours of Baabzi’s Railway Murgh - a Northern Bengali dish of boiled chicken cooked in a creamy coconut gravy, famed throughout the British Raj - to the fresh sweet & sour notes of the Karahi Matchi fish curry - a mouthwatering combination of fresh seabass cooked in tamarind, fried onions, tomatoes and garlic - this was a menu infused with a sense of the landscapes, people and flavours of an ancient homeland.

served with a deliciously zesty tomato-based gravy of caramelised onions and garlic, fried pepper and charcoal-grilled tikka-marinated chicken pieces. Special mention at this point must go to our host, Hussainproud son and heir to the Baabzi crown. He went out of his way to ensure our every need was catered for, and his pride in showcasing the much-loved cuisine of his own childhood was plain for all to see.

With the meal drawing to a close, there was time enough to cleanse the palate with a Ferrero Rocher ice cream and chocolate fudge pudding dessert over coffee; a perfectly indulgent (if not wholly in-keeping) end to a terrific evening.

As a self-taught chef who first cut his teeth serving up traditional Bengali classics from No 11 Spencer Street, one might say it was written in the stars that Birmingham-born Baabzi Miah should one day return to his roots in Leamington as the proud co-owner of the newly launched Eleven Spices restaurant. It’s true, much has changed since Baabzi was last here decades ago, not least Britain’s expanding appetite for authentic British-Asian cuisine, which has come on leaps and bounds in the 21st century. In the case of Eleven Spices, embracing change has seen this third-generation family business come full circle with the launch of a stylish and contemporary South Asian menu that proudly celebrates the intricate flavours of Baabzi’s own childhood, as handed down from father to son.

Situated just a short walk from Leamington town centre, within convenient reach of both the historic high street and thriving student population, Eleven Spices isn’t short of friendly competition, with nearby rivals

King Baba, Five Rivers, Paprika Club and the Keralan-inspired Kayal all jostling for position on Leamington’s ‘curry mile’.

A brief glance at the menu, however, sets Eleven Spices apart from its near neighbours. Taking its name from the secret combination of ‘11 spices’ which, together, play a part in every dish featured on Baabzi’s Bengaliinspired menu, this restaurant is (at its heart) a family enterprise executed with genuine love and an uncommon eye for detail.

Gone is the spectre of the velvetclad 1970s curry house. In its place is a light, bright, neutral space, oozing style and sophistication, in which the subtlety and variety of Bengali cuisine is given full breathing space.

Whether snacking on a bar plate of Nawabi Ghost Tikka (tender lamb marinated in aromatic spices), a vegetarian Gunpowder Aaloo (roasted potatoes marinated in fresh coriander and cumin), or settling down to a full three-course meal, Eleven Spices’ extensive yet highly

Settling down to our meal, our choice of Murgh Tikka appetiser, although somewhat predictable on our part, delivered on every level. Perfectly seasoned, with a rich seam of chargrilled smokiness running through it and served with a sweet accompaniment of fried red onion and cooling mint & cucumber raita, the dish was nothing short of exceptional. As was my partner’s Fish Pakora, made with fresh seabass fillet: feather-light in texture, shallowfried and flavoured with a subtle blend of butter, aromatic spices and raita. A feast for the senses in every respect!

Continuing our culinary journey across the Indian subcontinent, my partner’s choice of main course, Kala Bhuna Ghost, did not disappoint. A speciality of the Chittagong region, this sumptuous plate of tender lamb shoulder cooked in a smoky mustard oil, cumin, chilli and a blend of aromatic spices, was every inch the banqueting dish! Dark in colour and beautifully tender to taste, each new bite of this luscious curry offered up a new wave of flavour, like a kind of culinary alchemy!

My choice of Murgh Lassani - a butter-based chicken curry - was, by contrast, refreshingly sweet and slightly sour in flavour,

As the sixth Midlands curry house to launch in the last five years under the ‘Baabzi’ brand, this culinary labour of love deserves every success going. The reason? Yes, the preciously guarded secrets of Baabzi’s ‘11 spice’ combination play their part - as does the skilled team of chefs bringing this stylish take on contemporary Bengali cuisine to life - but the real secret to Eleven Spices’ success isn’t that secret at all… Quite simply, it’s the love that’s baked into the homecooked comfort foods, celebration dishes and midweek dinners enjoyed by the family when they were children. It is these which form the very building blocks of Eleven Spices’ highly impressive menu, and it is these which emphatically set this restaurant apart.

An 11 out of 10 for flavour served up with genuine heart!

Katherine Ewing

Food: nnnn n Service: nnnn n Ambience: nnnn n Overall value nnnn n OVERALL nnnn n

Eleven Spices

11 Spencer Street Leamington Spa CV31 3NE Tel: 01926 886215

Classical music from across the region...

Ex Cathedra: Christmas Music By Candlelight

Hereford Cathedral, Wed 7 December; Kidderminster Town Hall, Thurs 8 December; Coventry Cathedral, Tues 13 December; St Paul’s Church, Birmingham, Mon 19 - Fri 23 December

What better way can there be to get into the Christmas spirit than by enjoying a concert by one of the country’s finest choral music ensembles?

Under the directorship of its founder, Jeffrey Skidmore, Ex Cathedra is this month making a significant contribution to Midlands-based classical music lovers’ sense of festive cheer.

Maxim Vengerov Gala Concert

Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Sat 3 December

Becoming a solo violinist at the age of five and making his first recording at the age of 10, it’s fair to say that Maxim Vengerov was the very definition of ‘child prodigy’. Multiple awards - including Grammy and Gramophone Artist of the Year - have since adorned the Israeli’s career, and he was recently appointed Classic FM’s first-ever solo artist-in-residence.

Maxim here collaborates with the

Romanian National Philharmonic Orchestra to present a concert featuring Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No1, Sibelius’ Karelia Suite and Tchaikovsky’s Romeo & Juliet Fantasy Overture. The programme is completed by two works from Ukraine-born contemporary composer Alexey Shor. Armenian conductor Sergey Smbatyan is the man at the helm.

Orchestra Of The Swan: Midwinter

Stratford

The choir’s atmospheric Christmas Music By Candlelight evenings blend seasonal favourites from around the globe and across the ages with a variety of readings...

Armonico Consort: Carols By

Candlelight

Collegiate Church of St Mary, Warwick, Sat 19 December

Well-established local ensemble Armonico Consort make a welcome return with their ever-popular candlelit concert of Christmas music.

The evening’s programme sees a selection of firm festive favourites presented alongside a number of lesser-known works, including Toby Young’s Astronomer’s Carol, Bob Chilcott’s Shepherd’s Carol and Philip Ledger’s On Christmas Night. Armonico are also performing Bach’s Christmas Oratorio at St Mary this month (on Tuesday the 6th).

Orchestra of the Swan deliver an evening of ‘ancient carols, folky fiddling, traditional Christmas songs and classical favourites’ in a concert celebrating winter and the festive season.

The evening’s programme includesalongside plenty of other compositionsCoventry Carol, Three Ships, Corelli’s Christmas Concerto, Purcell’s Now Winter Comes Slowly and Liszt’s The Shepherds At The Manger. David La Page (pictured) directs.

Worcester Festival Choral Society

Worcester Cathedral, Sat 10 December

“Handel’s Messiah is always a thrill to sing and to listen to,” says Ben Cooper, chairman of Worcester Festival Choral Society, who’re here performing the legendary work. “It really is the perfect way to herald the Christmas season. We’re expecting a packed cathedral!”

The 161-year-old Society’s 140 voices will be joined by four solo performers to present the piece, which has long been considered one of the world’s most popular choral works. Premiered in 1742, the composition features the stirring Hallelujah chorus and numerous other well-known arias and choruses, including For Unto Us A Child Is Born and The Trumpets Shall Sound. Soloists contributing to Handel’s Messiah include Philippa Hyde (soprano), Sarah Denbee (mezzo soprano), Tom Robson (tenor) and Edward Grint (bass baritone). Samuel Hudson, Worcester Cathedral’s director of music, conducts.

Live music from across the region...

Alina Bzhezhinska & The Hip Harp Collective

Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Thurs 8 December

Internationally acclaimed harpist & composer Alina Bzhezhinska uses layered effects and electronics to create a unique sound that pays homage to some of jazz, funk and hip-hop’s greatest innovators. The 2018 winner of the PRS Women Make Music award, and widely admired for her innovative approach to musicmaking, Ukraine-born Alina is laserfocused on achieving her stated aim of bringing the harp to the forefront of contemporary music. She’s joined for this concert by her band, the Hip Harp Collective.

The Overtones

The Rialto, Coventry, Thurs 1 December

Cara Dillon

Huntingdon Hall, Worcester, Thurs 8 December

With childhood musical influences including retro folk artists Fleetwood Mac and Joni Mitchell, as well as the pop music listened to by her older sisters, it took Cara Dillon a little while to decide that she was happiest singing the traditional Irish songs with which she’d grown up. Having come to that conclusion, she then set off on a journey which has established her as one of the UK’s finest female vocalists, developing a style that blends her traditional sound with contemporary elements.

Cara’s Huntingdon Hall show, Upon A Winter’s Night, features ‘a collection of songs ancient and modern’ which aims to ‘capture the mystery of Christmas’.

Vocal harmony group The Overtones were working together as painters & decorators when they were discovered by a Warner Brothers scout, who heard them singing during their tea break. A multi-album deal was subsequently secured with the record label. Blending ’50s harmonies with modern

Luna Kiss

Tin Music & Arts, Coventry, Sat 3 December

Alternative rock band Luna Kiss hail from Coventry, take their influences from right across the music spectrum, and next year celebrate their 10th anniversary. Bringing a real grit and energy to their unique version of rock & roll, the talented four-piece’s debut album, Following Shadows, was memorably described by Classic Rock magazine as being ‘broodingly gnarly’.

The Chameleons

hmv Empire, Coventry, Wed 7 December

An atmospheric guitar-based sound combined with passionate lyrics is the musical calling card of the considerably underrated Chameleons, whose relative lack of significant commercial success must surely have been made up for, at least in part, by their acquisition of a hugely loyal and ever-growing fanbase. The Manchester band visit Coventry this month some 41 years after first coming together.

pop, their debut offering featured a number of original tracks which the boys themselves had written (including first single Gambling Man and title track Good Ol’ Fashioned Love). Numerous TV appearances have followed in the ensuing years, with slots on shows such as Dancing On Ice and Britain’s Got More Talent ensuring they’ve remained very much in the public eye.

Izzie Derry

Temperance, Leamington Spa, Thurs 22 December

Coventry singer-songwriter Izzie Derry’s musical career started eight years ago with a performance at an open-mic event in her home city. Since then she’s performed headline shows all over the UK and supported artists including Olly Murs and Fairport Convention. Taking her inspiration from 1960s icons Joni Mitchell and Carole King (and having once been described as ‘the love child of Laura Marling and Alanis Morissette’!), Izzie creates and sings strong, soulful and uplifting songs that capture the spirit of what it means to be a young woman in the modern world.

Comedy previews from across the region...

Sally Anne Hayward: Ever So Nice

Stourbridge Town Hall, Sat 3 December

If you’re a Sarah Millican, Russell Howard, Russell Kane, Hal Cruttenden or Suzi Ruffell fan and have attended some of their shows, there’s every chance that prior to the main event, you will have had your laughter muscles nicely lubricated for you by SallyAnne Hayward. A real comedian’s comedian - not to mention a regular compere at the Glastonbury Festival - Sally-Anne is here standing in the full glare of the spotlight herself, her ever-so-nice persona concealing a caustic wit, cutting cynicism and generally bitchier side that serves her splendidly well as she takes a tongue-in-cheek look at modern life.

Live At Christmas

“Birmingham audiences tend to be very honest, which I think makes you be a better stand-up.”

So says French comedian and one-time second-city resident Celya AB (pictured), who’s here sharing the bill with the BAFTAwinning comedian Dylan Moran, Live At The Apollo star Rosie Jones and breakout Taskmaster star Mike Wozniak. “Because the city is in the middle of the country, you get a microcosm of the whole country in terms of

what people like - like a Venn diagram. If something works in Birmingham, then chances are it’ll work in Manchester, Liverpool and London. When I’m in London, I can do jokes just about being in London, but then I can’t take them anywhere, and I’m really interested in jokes being sharp and working everywhere. It makes the writing process a bit slower, but it’s super-important, and I learned that from starting off here in Birmingham.”

Barbara Nice’s Christmas Cracker

Midlands Arts Centre (MAC), Birmingham, Fri 16 December

Everybody’s favourite Kings Heath housewife, the incomparable Barbara Nice, makes a welcome return to MAC Birmingham, to light up the season of good will with her annual Christmas Cracker show.

As well as containing more jokes than you’d find in an oversized holiday gag-bag (does such a thing even exist?!), Barbara’s fabulous festive favourite usually features a tombola and raffle, no shortage of mince pies, and sometimes even a special guest or two.

Richard Blackwood: COBO Kings Of Comedy

Glee Club, Birmingham, Tues 27 December

Shaparak Khorsandi

Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Sat 10 December

Iranian-born comedian Shaparak found herself being moved to the UK some 40-plus years ago, after her father - the poet and satirist Hadi Khorsandi - wrote a poem that was perceived as being critical of Iran’s revolutionary regime. “Obviously there’s free speech in Iran,” says Shaparak, “but little freedom after you’ve spoken.”

Richard Blackwood’s comedic style has been described as an amalgam of Richard Pryor, Eddie Murphy and Chris Rock, combined with a healthy dose of Afro Caribbean and South London humour.

Jokes include: “A little boy went up to his father and asked: ‘Dad, where did all of my intelligence come from?’ The father replied: ‘Well, son, you must have gotten it from your mother, coz I still have mine.’”

Richard appears in the Glee Club’s COBO Kings Of Comedy line-up alongside Slim, Kane Brown and Nabil Abdulrashid.

A regular contributor to radio and television programmes, Shaparak describes herself as a ‘spit & sawdust’ stand-up comic, happily pulling on her wellies and trudging through muddy fields to perform at any and every music festival that boasts a comedy tent.

Jokes include, “I was going to India on holiday and wanted to know what the weather was like there. So I phoned my bank.”

Shaparak visits the Midlands with her touring show, It Was The 90s!.

Birmingham Town Hall, Tues 13 December

Image credit: Rachel_Sherlock

SEASONAL SONGSTRESS

Despite her music enjoying something of a crossover appeal down the years - she’s been in the pop charts and even made the Mercury Prize shortlist - Kate Rusby has always been proud to call herself a folk singer, and more importantly, a South Yorkshire folk singer. Those geographic roots have always played a huge part in her music, but particularly during her annual Christmas tours, when she performs a number of South Yorkshire carols alongside traditional favourites and her own festive compositions.

She happily admits Christmas is her favourite time of the year, and to prove it has just started work on a sixth (sixth!) album of festive tunes.

“I get asked if I’m running out of material, because artists will usually only do one or two Christmas albums, but because of the South Yorkshire carols that we have, there’s a whole wealth of songs to choose from. There’s over 50 different versions of While Shepherds Watch Their Flocks By Night for a start, and we’ve only recorded six or seven of them so far, so I could do a whole album of that!”

Typically friendly and down to earth - with a broad Yorkshire accent and wit to match - Kate loves performing the festive tunes she’s known for decades, not least because she feels like she’s giving them life beyond her local area. Despite many of the carols dating back 200 years or more, the versions she performs are largely unknown outside South Yorkshire.

“Every year from the weekend after Armistice Day to New Year’s Day there’s quite a few pubs around South Yorkshire that have these singing sessions,” she tells me, quickly getting into her (even quicker) stride. “It’s not a folky thing, it’s people from all walks of life because it’s all been passed down the generations.

“They’re songs that would have been sung up and down the country in churches, but come the Victorian times they threw out a lot of the ones that were a bit more jolly. Here in South Yorkshire they’ve been kept alive in the pubs, because when the songs were thrown out of the churches, the people that loved singing them - and loved beer - went ‘Right, let’s take them to the pub.’

“When we were young, my parents took us to these things, and we would sit in the tap room with all the other kids, colouring in, drinking

pop and eating crisps, but all the while those carols were seeping in, so we learned so many of them just by being there.”

It was only after she started touring that Kate realised the rest of the country only knew very specific versions of the carols, so she decided to make it her mission to change that. She’s now been doing a Christmas tour (pronounced ‘too-err’, please) for nearly 20 years, adding a brass quintet “because that’s quite important for the South Yorkshire carolling sound” to her usual backing band, which includes husband Damien O’Kane. Family is a crucial element that we’ll come on to later, but it’s evident that the shows have a lighthearted vibe that the players enjoy as much as the audience.

“We always have a big laugh, and there’s a big dressing-up moment at the end of each gig as well. The theme changes each year, and I keep it a big secret from all the boys in the bandthey don’t even know what they’re dressing up as this year! I can’t wait! It’ll be very funny, and I’m going to laugh a lot at their expense!”

Having a laugh and going at her own paceand with her family alongside her every step of the way - is a fairly accurate assessment of Kate’s 30-year career. Her parents were musicians who met in a folk club (“it was a match made in heaven”), encouraged her musical education and eventually helped book her gigs and run her record label. They also provided her early instruments, including a piano that she was forced to play in the garage.

“My dad got one second-hand from a pub and it smelt of old beer and cigarettes! It was gross and a bit sticky, so my mum said it’s not going in the house! So it went in the garage, and I would sit in there playing away. It was better for me because the reverb was nicer than in the carpeted sitting room. I used to love it.”

In 1992 a friend of her parents involved in organising the Holmfirth Folk Festival heard her playing, and the rest is history - but not without a few typically idiosyncratic bumps along the way.

“She stuck her head in the garage door and said ‘You’ve got quite good at that; do you fancy a spot at the festival in two weeks?’ I nodded and said ‘yeah, yeah’, but inside I was thinking ‘What are you doing?!’

“I did a half-hour set, and it was one of the most terrifying things I’ve ever done. When I came off, I vowed I’d never do it again and that I preferred to play with nobody listening.”

Despite her shyness, and reticence about performing in front of audiences - if asked to play at parties, she’d often do so alone in a separate room - the gig offers kept coming and she kept accepting. The gigs and venues continued to grow, and it became obvious that music would be her career, even though it was never part of a pre-meditated plan.

“Thirty years on, I totally believe that music chose me, not the other way round. Even though there was music every day of my life and I was surrounded by it and really loved it, I never thought that people might want to listen to what I was doing.

“I’m still actually quite shy, but a lot more comfortable being on stage in front of people.”

Which is just as well, as there’ll be a lot of people to see her when she performs two shows in one day at Birmingham Town Hall this month, having added a matinee show to meet demand, compensate for an Omicronenforced cancellation last year, and also to encourage families to come along.

“People do bring families to the Christmas shows, and we’ve toyed with bringing our show times forward to around 6.30pm so it won’t be a late night, especially if it’s a school night. But it’s balancing that fine line between people getting home from work and school, getting some tea and getting the glad rags on and out to the venue. So we thought, let’s try having a matinee - and Birmingham is the first.

“We love playing the Town Hall because it’s one of those venues that singers love to sing in because of the natural reverb. And being right in the town centre is great - the Christmas buzz that surrounds it, it’s lovely. I’ll even get to do some shopping in the Christmas market!”

Kate Rusby plays Birmingham Town Hall at 3.30pm and 7.30pm on Saturday 10 December

Folk singer Kate Rusby’s annual Christmas shows have become as much of a tradition for her fans as mince pies and mulled wine. And she wouldn’t have it any other way - as she tells What’s On...

Theatre

Take a rollercoaster ride back to the 1960s with this smash-hit musical.

Dreamgirls debuted on Broadway 41 years ago but is best known from the 2006 film version starring Jamie Foxx and Beyoncé Knowles. A story of friendship and ambition - and how the former can

A Christmas Carol

Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-uponAvon, until Sun 1 January; Albany Theatre, Coventry, Sat 3 - Mon 26 December; Stourbridge Town Hall, Thurs 15 December

Of all Dickens’ festive stories, A Christmas Carol reigns supreme. The covetous sinning of the miserly Scrooge, the eternal hope offered by Tiny Tim, and the eerie visions of redemption - visiting Ebenezer in the shape of three yuletide ghosts - all combine to give the tale a real olde worlde charm...

Adrian Edmondson stars as Scrooge in the RSC’s highly acclaimed adaptation... Ghostly goings-on are this year also putting the willies up old Ebenezer at Stourbridge Town Hall and Coventry’s Albany Theatre.

Theatre previews from around the region

sometimes be compromised by the latter - the show follows the fortunes of Effie, Lorrell and Deena, three talented young singers who aim to hit the high notes as girl group The Dreamettes.

Featured numbers include And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going, Listen, I Am Changing and One Night Only.

Nativity! The Musical

The Rep, Birmingham, until Sat 7 January

Alice In Wonderland

New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme, until Sat 28 January

The New Vic theatre is reaching back into its past for this year’s Christmas production, revisiting - and, according to Artistic Director Theresa Heskins, ‘refreshing’ - its acclaimed version of Alice In Wonderland, which was first performed 11 years ago.

“Alice is one of the shows we’re fondest of,” says Theresa. “It was nominated for awards and engaged the imaginations of so many young people. We’re also fond of it because it has great music, and it’s very lively, funny and witty. It’s a much-loved story told in a very dramatic and exciting way.”

Debbie Isitt’s 2009 movie, Nativity!, proved so popular that it spawned three further films. It also inspired the Midlands-born writer to create this musical stage adaptation. For those unfamiliar with the plot, it concerns the children of St Bernadette’s primary school and their ambition to present a musical version of the nativity. An already big challenge for the kids is made all the trickier by false promises, a complicated love interest and a rival school vying with St Bernadette’s for the critics’ award... Not surprisingly, chaos ensues!

Dreamgirls

The Alexandra, Birmingham, Tues 6 - Sat 31 December

Theatre

Theatre previews from around the region

Cinderella

Swan Theatre, Worcester, until Thurs 2 January; Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham, until Sat 10 December; Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa, Sat 3 - Sat 31 December; Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Fri 9 - Sat 31 December; The Albany Theatre, Coventry, Fri 30 December - Sun 8 January

Dick Whittington

Birmingham Hippodrome, Sat 17 December - Sun 29 January

“The audience reaction on my first entrance gets me every time,” says Hippodrome panto favourite Matt Slack, who this month and next stars in the venue’s lavish production of Dick Whittington, alongside Marti Pellow, Dr Ranj, Suzanne Shaw, Doreen Tipton and Andrew Ryan. “It’s something quite special. It’s like coming out of lockdown and being allowed in a pub!”

Matt will certainly be hoping history doesn’t

repeat itself when he takes to the stage this year - a previous production of Dick Whittington saw him making an unexpected visit to hospital: “I wrote and performed a lip-sync routine where I fell off the stage into the orchestra pit, onto a crash mat. That went fine, but when I rushed to get back up, I went over on my ankle. Nothing broken luckily, but the sprain was the worst possible. I had a detached ligament and still suffer with it now. However, I finished the show, hopping through it, and then off to A&E. The things you do to get a laugh!”

With its comical Ugly Sisters, matchmaking fairy godmother, drop-dead-gorgeous Prince Charming, super-cute mice and fits-one-footonly glass slipper, Cinderella can justifiably lay claim to being one of the most popular of all pantomimes - an assertion ably supported by the fact that so many Midlands venues have chosen to produce a version of it for their Christmas show this year. Production images below are Swan Theatre, Worcester (left) and Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa (right).

Aladdin

Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Sat 3 December - Sat 7 January

“It’s a great part to play,” says ex-EastEnder Michael Greco in talking about taking on the role of the evil Abanazar in the Grand Theatre’s festive-season panto production of Aladdin. “I’ve done it before, but this time I’ve been promised by the producers that they’re going to make him even more evilso I’m really looking forward to that. This is

going to be more than just your normal pantomime villain - this is gonna be a proper actor’s stage Abanazar!”

Michael is joined in the show by Zoe Birkett, Ben Cajee, Tam Ryan, Ian Adams and Duane Gooden.

“The Grand is incredible,” he continues.

“It’s one of those old-style theatres that I love, and there’s some really great talent in the show as well. I’m really looking forward to it - I can’t wait for the six weeks to start!”

Snow White And The Severn

Dwarfs

The Roses, Tewkesbury, until Sat 31 December; Lichfield Garrick, until Sun 8 January; Telford Theatre, Thurs 8 DecemberMon 2 January

Snow White’s ‘magnificent seven’ mining pals are packing their pick-axes and getting down to business at three major Midlands venues this Christmas.

Their Telford stop-off sees them joined by local favourite Chloe Barlow as Snow White and EastEnders actor and Dancing On Ice winner Sam Attwater as the Prince.

In Lichfield, the star of the show (as usual) is Sam Rabone, who’ll not only be taking on the role of Dame Nelly in the popular pantomime but also directing the production.

Meanwhile, further south in Tewkesbury, the creators of King Arthur: The Panto! - that’s the BAFTA-winning writer Maurice Gran (Birds Of A Feather) and local playwright

Nick Wilkes (the Almost series) - are taking another bite of the festive apple with their brand-new version of the ever-popular pantomime. Promotion image below is for Snow White... at Telford Theatre.

Theatre previews

from around the region

Jack And The Beanstalk

Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, until Sat 7 January; Prince Of Wales Theatre, Cannock, Sat 17 - Wed 28 December

Cannock and Coventry are both receiving a visit from a big bad ogre this month. The Prince of Wales Theatre’s version of Jack features all the traditional pantomime ingredients, including ‘music, laughter, stunning sets and lots of audience participation’...

Meanwhile in Coventry, the Belgrade’s Mr Pantomime, Iain Lauchlan, is presenting a new version of the show he wrote in 2020, which was made available to online audiences during the pandemic. “Making one show different from another is always the challenge,” says Iain. “And especially Jack And The Beanstalk. It’s a very specific fairytale, and people don’t want you to stray from that. It’s all the things in between that you try and make different - the comedy routines, the songs and the dances. And of course you don’t want to be repeating the dialogue and jokes, just in case people remember them!”

Horrible Christmas

Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Sun 11 December

The Horrible Histories team are back, this time to stab a sprig of holly through the heart of the yuletide season!

Famous festive favourites Charles Dickens, St Nicholas and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer - not to mention Oliver Cromwell and King Henry VIII - are all present and correct in a good-humoured show that brings together Victorian villains, Medieval monks, Puritan parties and Tudor treats.

The Snow Queen

Crescent Theatre, Birmingham, Tues 6 - Sat 17 December; Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham, Sat 17 - Fri 30 December

The Snow Queen is ruler of all she surveys. When she kidnaps young Kay, it’s left to Gerda to save him from a bleak future in the frostbitten wastelands...

Perfect for families who fancy something a little different from a traditional pantomime, Hans Christian Andersen’s oft-performed tale is this Christmas being presented at two of Birmingham’s most innovative theatres.

Theatre

The Pantomime Adventures Of Peter Pan

Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Fri 9 - Sat 31 December

As usual Jonathan Wilkes heads the cast of the Regent’s panto - he’s playing Smee in this brand-new version of Peter Pan - but the big news this year is that the theatre’s dame of longstanding, Christian Patterson, will not be joining him in Neverland. A once-in-alifetime opportunity to appear in a film that’s being helmed by an Oscar-winning director sadly means the much-loved Welsh actor won’t be steering his wardrobe of outrageous frocks in the direction of the ‘second star to the right and straight on till morning’. Those who most definitely are Neverland-bound this Christmas, however, include Torchwood star Kai Owen, who’ll be losing a hand and gaining the attention of a blood-thirsty crocodile in the always-to-die-for role of Captain Hook.

Beauty And The Beast

The Old Rep, Birmingham, until Fri 16 December; The Courtyard, Hereford, until Sat 7 January; Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, until Sun 8 January; Palace Theatre, Redditch, Mon 5 - Sat 31 December; The Core Theatre, Solihull, Fri 9 December - Mon 2 January

When a young woman is captured by a hideous beast, she finds herself facing a life of isolation in his mysterious palace. The Beast, too, is trappedseemingly forever - inside the grotesquery of his physical appearance, the consequence of a spell cast upon him by an evil witch. Only Beauty’s ability to look beyond his ugliness and see the person within can save him...

That’s pretty much the story-outline of this ever-popular age-old fairytale, which is this month being given the pantomime treatment at a number of the above-listed Midlands venues. Not every production is being marketed as a panto, though, so check each theatre’s website before booking your tickets.

Top image is Beauty And The Beast at The Courtyard, Hereford and below Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury.

Theatre for younger audiences...

Elf The Musical

Resorts World Arena, Birmingham, Thurs 22 - Fri 23 December

“We are keenly aware of the economic climate,” says Elf The Musical’s producer & director, Jon Conway, “and are one of the few shows to have reduced our prices from our last visit, to provide an affordable family outing.

“One of the best sights is the audiences dressing up for the show, especially the dads in elf Christmas sweaters!”

The stage adaptation of Will Ferrell’s hit festive movie Elf has proved to be a real crowd-pleaser in previous years.

Billed as ‘the world’s biggest pantomime’, the show features film backdrops on a huge LED screen and a mobile stage that travels the auditorium, ensuring that everyone gets a close-up view of the action.

And that’s not all. The production also features Santa’s flying sleigh, an audience snowball fight, an indoor snowstorm, aerial cirque stars and a giant candy cane journey from the North Pole. What’s not to like?...

Santa In Love

Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Fri 16 - Sat 24 December

Youngsters have plenty of questions to ask about Christmas. And The People’s Theatre Company is here aiming to provide an answer to perhaps the biggest one of all: What’s the one thing that Santa Claus secretly loves best?

“You’ll never guess,” advise the talented ensemble, “so if you want to find out, then join Santa and his friends in this fun-filled family musical, complete with games, giggles and all your favourite Christmas songs.”

Sounds good to us...

The Gruffalo

Birmingham Town Hall, Tues 27 December - Sun 15 January

With millions of copies of the book having been sold, it’s fair to say that Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s award-winning Gruffalo has captured the hearts and minds of children everywhere. Presenting songs,

laughs and ‘monstrous’ fun for children aged three and upwards, this much-loved stage version of the terrific tale follows Mouse as he heads out on a journey through the deep dark wood, scaring away hungry animals with tall stories of the terrifying Gruffalo. Imagine his surprise, then, when he suddenly finds himself coming face-to-face with the very creature he’s imagined!

The Bear

Midlands Arts Centre (MAC), Birmingham, until Fri 30 December

The late Raymond Briggs is best known, of course, for his story about a little boy who makes friends with a snowman. His picture book of The Bear has a similar child-meets-unusual-friend theme - except that in this case, it’s a little girl and an enormous polar bear who take centre stage. Adapted for the theatre by Pins And Needles and already the recipient of enormous critical acclaim, this heartwarming and decidedly wintry ‘tall tale’ features puppetry, music, storytelling and plenty of humour. Highly recommended.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Christmas Show

Brewhouse Arts Centre, Burton upon Trent, Thurs 1 - Sun 4 December

In a career stretching back to the mid-1960s, the late Eric Carle illustrated more than 70 books - writing most of them, too. None have been more famous or successful than his 1969 story of The Very Hungry Caterpillar. The light-on-words picture book has been translated into more than 60 languages, selling in excess of 52 million copies... This stage version of Carle’s much-loved tale is presented alongside three other popular children’s stories by the same author: Brown Bear, Brown Bear; 10 Little Rubber Ducks; and The Very Lonely Firefly. The show features no fewer than 75 ‘lovable puppets’.

theatrical magic aplenty, so this is definitely a show that’s well worth catching. Presented by the team behind two other hit kids’ productions - Dear Zoo Live and Dear Santa - the show features puppetry, toetapping songs and, as a special festive treat, the chance to help Squirrel find everything she needs to build a snowman.

Stick Man

Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Sat 3 - Sat 31 December

“Freckle Productions send shivers down my spine,” reveals Julia Donaldson, the cocreator (along with Alex Scheffler) of the hugely popular children’s book on which this show is based. “They’re so lively and innovative. I love their production of Stick Man, and so do the audiences.”

Julia’s not wrong - audiences most definitely do love the show, as a smash-hit season in the West End ably demonstrated.

Featuring a trio of talented performers, the production brings together puppetry, songs, live music and ‘funky moves’ to tell the story of Stick Man’s desperate attempts to get back to the family tree. An hour-long show suitable for all ages.

Jack And The Magic Beanstalk

The Rep, Birmingham, until Sat 31 December Birmingham Rep’s festive family offering this year includes a brand-new production of a classic fairytale.

Written for three to six-year-olds by acclaimed children’s theatre playwright Katherine Chandler, Jack And The Magic Beanstalk plays the Rep’s most intimate space, The Door, and has a running time of one hour.

Santa’s Christmas Rescue

Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Thurs 8 - Sat 24 December; Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Sat 10 - Sat 24 December

Hans Christian Andersen: The Ugly Duckling & Other Stories

Lichfield Garrick, Sat 10 - Sat 24 December

One of three festive shows at the Garrick this month, Hans Christian Andersen: The Ugly Duckling & Other Stories pretty much does what it says on the tin, presenting a selection of terrific tales from the vivid imagination of Denmark’s legendary spinner of magical yarns.

Tales From Acorn Wood At Christmas

Birmingham Hippodrome, Tues 13 - Sat 31 December

Stage adaptations of books by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler invariably offer

The ‘other tales’ referred to in the title are: The Princess And The Pea, The Steadfast Tin Soldier and The Emperor’s New Clothes.

The show’s producers, Apollo Theatre Company, have developed the 60-minute presentation with youngsters aged between three and nine in mind.

If your little one is pre-school age, this show could well be the ideal way to kickstart their festive celebrations.

When Santa gets himself stuck in the snow, Ellie, Izzy and Rudolph have to help him find his way home in time for Christmas... Featuring sackfuls of singalong songs and no small amount of yuletide cheer, Santa’s Christmas Rescue also provides youngsters with the opportunity to give their Christmas wish-list to the man himself, who in turn will be handing out a present to every child.

Written by the Belgrade’s much-loved panto star, Iain Lauchlan, the show is 35 minutes in length.

doctor in the house

Television presenter and real-life medic Dr Ranj talks about starring as Spirit of the Bells in Birmingham Hippodrome’s pantomime production of Dick Whittington

A familiar face on our TV screens, Dr Ranj’s journey to celebrity status began with hosting CBeebies series Get Well Soon and Get Well Soon Hospital. Subsequent spells in the limelight saw the real-life medic become a household name via spots on popular TV shows This Morning, Strictly Come Dancing and a festive edition of The Great British Sewing Bee. What’s On recently caught up with the good doctor to talk about his upcoming (and third) appearance in panto, this time playing Spirit of the B ells at Birmingham Hippodrome...

Television medic and presenter Dr Ranj was in his 30s the first time he saw a pantomimeand immediately fell in love with its crazy Christmas spirit. He determined there and then that one day he would tread the boards in panto - and this year sees that wish come true for a third time as he stars in the Birmingham Hippodrome production of Dick Whittington.

Dr Ranj will be playing Spirit of the Bells alongside a cast including Marti Pellow as the Ratman, Matt Slack as Dick, Suzanne Shaw as Alice, Andrew Ryan as the Dame (Felicity Fitzwarren) and Doreen Tipton as Doreen the Cat.

“I love doing pantomime,” he says. “During the pandemic we missed it a lot. For me it’s a chance to experience the magical land of theatre at one of the best times of the year. Just seeing the reaction of families and kids when they come to pantomime, there’s no feeling like that, and to be part of that magical experience is really special.

“And then I get to do it alongside an incredible cast. And to do it at the Hippodrome - that’s a dream come true. Everyone knows about the Hippodrome theatre - it’s beautiful, massive and gorgeous. Everyone says ‘If you’re going to see a pantomime, you have to go to the Birmingham one because it’s spectacular.’ So when I was asked if I would do it, I couldn’t say no.”

Dr Ranj is looking forward to joining the cast and spending time in Birmingham.

“Dick Whittington is a classic pantomime, and I’m playing the ‘fairy godmother’ type of character. It will be a lot of fun. The cast are all completely new to me. Matt Slack is a legend, but I’ve never worked with him. I grew up listening to Marti Pellow - I was a massive fan of Wet Wet Wet - so it’s going to be very hard for me not to fan boy when I’m working with him.

“I love Birmingham. I’ve been to the city

loads of times and have worked here too, with Birmingham Children’s Hospital. The city is a firm favourite of mine, but I’ve never got to appear at the Hippodrome before, so I can’t wait.”

It may be difficult to believe but Dr Ranjwho’s a practising doctor working in the NHS as well as a television presenter - never went to a panto as a child.

“I used to go to theatre shows with school, but even then, not that often. I hadn’t actually seen a pantomime until I was a grown-up. I was in my 30s! I went to see one that my friend was in, in Horsham. I remember watching it and thinking ‘This is fantastic, one day I want to do panto!” And five or six years later, lo and behold, I ended up doing a panto and absolutely loved it.

“Everything about pantomime was completely new to me. I was coming at it as a grown-up, learning all about this weird and wonderful world, all its traditions - but this is the beauty of it. As much as kids love it, as a grown-up coming into it brand new, I absolutely loved it too. I got it; I understood why everyone loves it so much. And panto is for everyone - that’s the best part.”

Dr Ranj first became a favourite with TV viewers via his CBeebies’ series Get Well Soon and Get Well Soon Hospital. Then, in 2018, he competed in Strictly Come Dancing with partner Janette Manrara and joined the Strictly tour in 2019. Other television appearances include This Morning, the Christmas special of The Great British Sewing Bee, Dr Ranj: On Call and Cooking With The Stars.

With such a varied career, he knows his fellow cast members will have plenty of material for the personalised jokes which make up so much of the entertainment of pantomime.

“Matt Slack has already warned me that he’s going to be poking fun at me, but luckily I have thick skin! I’m sure they’re going to pick

up on my medical stuff and me being a doctor, so I’m fully prepared for a lot of doctor jokes. They’re probably also going to poke fun at me doing Strictly. But it’s all in good spirit and done as friendly banter. As long as it gives people a laugh, I don’t mind.”

Having come to theatre via television, Dr Ranj has realised that being on stage has its own particular challenges - especially in pantoland...

“You never quite know what’s going to happen with pantomime, so you’ve got to be flexible and dynamic. Once you get into the swing of a show and understand it, I think that becomes a little bit easier because you can then vibe and riff off each other. It keeps you on your toes, but that’s part of the excitement, and part of the enjoyment for the audience.

“I always find learning lines challenging. It takes me a bit longer to get things into my head. And for me, because I’ve not trained as a theatre performer and am very much coming at it from the outside, I know I’ve got a lot more to do in many ways, but I take it as an opportunity to learn from the people I’m on stage with.”

Dr Ranj is remaining tight-lipped about whether he will be tripping the light fantastic in Dick Whittington - although he would be more than happy to pull on his dancing shoes.

“I’d love to do a bit of dancing in the show. It’s a great way to keep fit. In the past, I’ve looked forward to panto because I can get fit, and then, over Christmas, eat what I like.

Dancing would certainly get me ready for Christmas Day!”

Dick Whittington shows at Birmingham Hippodrome from Sat 17 December to Sun 29 January

by Diane Parkes

Leading Ladies

Whether preparing to go to the ball, taking a bite out of a poisoned apple, scaling a beanstalk or flying to Neverland, panto’s leading ladies play a major part in sprinkling magic across the Midlands region over the festive period. We take a look at who is playing who, where and when...

SUZANNE SHAW Alice in Dick Whittington at Birmingham Hippodrome

Hitting the big time many a moon ago on ITV talent show Popstars, via which she became a member of chart-busting pop group Hear’Say, Suzanne has since carved out an impressive stage and television career. TV highlights have included winning series three of Dancing On Ice, a year-long stint on Emmerdale, and enjoying a good ol’ lunchtime natter or several on Loose Women. Her theatre CV, meanwhile, features such notable productions as Chicago, The Vagina Monologues and The Rocky Horror Show. Suzanne is no stranger to panto at Birmingham Hippodrome, having previously appeared at the venue as Cinderella.

Dick Whittington shows at Birmingham Hippodrome from Saturday 17 December to Sunday 29 January

SAMANTHA DORRANCE

Beauty in Beauty And The Beast at Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury

Willenhall-born Samantha is no stranger to Theatre Severn pantoland, having previously appeared there in the title role in Cinderella and as Wendy in Peter Pan. She exploded onto the entertainment scene by winning Disney Channel talent search You’re The Star, after which she developed a career as a television presenter and also took the lead role of Laura in both the West End and touring productions of jukebox musical Dreamboats And Petticoats. In recent times Samantha has toured her very own children’s show, Sammy & The Sparks LIVE. Last Christmas saw her starring in panto as Goldilocks at Birmingham Hippodrome.

Beauty And The Beast shows at Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, from Wednesday 30 November to Sunday 8 January

ZOE BIRKETT

Spirit Of The Ring in Aladdin at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

Zoe became a household name after appearing in the first series of Pop Idol, with Will Young and Gareth Gates, way back in 2001. Pursuing a career in musical theatre, she not only starred in UK touring productions of In Town Tonight and What A Feeling but also made a splash in the London West End, appearing in Priscilla Queen Of The Desert for two years and then becoming the leading lady in Thriller Live. Earlier this year she starred as Arabia in Moulin Rouge! The Musical at Piccadilly Theatre. Zoe also spent 58 days in the Big Brother house back in 2014.

Aladdin shows at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from Saturday 3 December to Saturday 7 January

HARRIET THORPE

Fairy Godmother in Cinderella at Stafford Gatehouse Theatre

Promising to make life, er, ‘wand’erful for kitchen skivvy Cinders this festive season, Harriet has previously starred in some of theatreland’s most high-profile shows, including Cabaret, Wicked and Stephen Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street. She’s no stranger to telly either, with Absolutely Fabulous, The Brittas Empire and Hollyoaks all featuring on her impressive CV.

Cinderella shows at Stafford Gatehouse Theatre from Friday 9 to Saturday 31 December

MARIA CONNEELY

Snow White in Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs at Lichfield Garrick

Returning to the Garrick after appearing as Lizzie in last year’s panto, The All New Adventures Of Peter Pan, Maria has most recently starred as Rapunzel in the Theatre Royal Bath production of Into The Woods.

Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs shows at Lichfield Garrick Theatre from Friday 25 November to Sunday 8 January

LOLLY - ANNA KUMBLE

Wicked Queen in Snow White at Telford Theatre

Sutton Coldfield-born model, singer, TV presenter and pantomime veteran Lolly is spending her Christmas in mean & moody mode as the Wicked Queen. It’s a far cry indeed from the last time she appeared in a Telford Theatre panto, during which she wand-waved Cinderella to the ball in the far-more-loveable role of the Fairy Godmother.

Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs shows at Telford Theatre from Thursday 8 December to Monday 2 January

MORNA MACPHERSON

Jack in Jack And The Beanstalk at Belgrade Theatre, Coventry

Morna MacPherson is this Christmas once again full of beans as Jack, having previously played the happy-go-lucky giant-slayer in the Belgrade’s online production of the panto during the Covid pandemic. Morna’s Belgrade pantomime history also includes a season spent starring as Aladdin.

Jack And The Beanstalk shows at the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, from Wednesday 23 November to Saturday 7 January

SOLEIL QUARLESS

Cinderella at Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa

Here taking the titular role of down-onher-luck Cinders, Soleil is treading the boards at the Royal Spa Centre for the very first time. She’s previously played the role of Princess Jill in Nottingham, in the award-winning People’s Theatre Company’s production of Jack And The Beanstalk.

Cinderella shows at Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa, from Saturday 3 to Saturday 31 December

MARTHA-FRANCES HENRY

Cinderella at The Swan Theatre, Worcester

West Yorkshire lass Martha is off to the ball in search of a handsome prince this Christmas. This is her latest leading-lady role; she previously played Beauty (to Jake Quickenden’s Beast) and Jill in Jack And The Beanstalk.

Cinderella shows at The Swan Theatre, Worcester from Tuesday 29 November to Monday 2 January

HANNAH EVEREST

Wendy in Peter Pan at Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent

Graduating from the Ann Oliver Stage School, Hannah’s stage credits include Gypsy and The Sound Of Music - both at Leicester’s Curve - and a panto season playing Sleeping Beauty at Sheffield Lyceum.

Peter Pan shows at the Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, from Friday 9 to Saturday 31 December

NAOMI WILKINSON Belle in Beauty And The Beast at Palace Theatre, Redditch

Having started her entertainment career at Butlins, Naomi is nowadays best known as a children’s television presenter, and in particular for CBBC’s Wild & Weird, where she uncovers ‘the weirdest wildlife tales the planet has to offer!’

Beauty And The Beast shows at the Palace Theatre, Redditch, from Monday 5 to Saturday 31 December

KATE DENNY Belle in Beauty And The Beast at The Courtyard, Hereford

Manchester-based Kate is spending Christmas in fairytale-castle captivity courtesy of the big, bad Beast. A one-time musical theatre student at Liverpool Theatre School, her CV includes productions of What We Did Next and Carrie The Musical.

Beauty And The Beast shows at The Courtyard, Hereford from Friday 25 November to Saturday 7 January

REBECCA AVERY

Fairy Bee in Jack and The Beanstalk at Prince of Wales Theatre, Cannock

Rebecca Avery is no stranger to the Prince of Wales Theatre, previously starring as Princess Jill in 2018’s Jack and The Beanstalk, and most recently as Slave Of The Ring in 2021’s production of Aladdin. This year she hopes to sprinkle a bit of magic across Cannock as Fairy Bee.

Jack and The Beanstalk shows at Prince of Wales Theatre, Cannock, from Saturday 17 to Wednesday 28 December

ELIZABETH ROBIN Rapunzel at Sutton Coldfield Town Hall

Sheffield-born Elizabeth is spending another Christmas in Sutton Coldfield, having last year stepped into the glass slippers of Cinderella. A graduate of Royal Central School of Speech & Drama, she most recently appeared in Illyria Theatre’s touring production of Peter Pan, playing both Tinker Bell and Mrs Darling.

Rapunzel & The Rascal Prince shows at Sutton Coldfield Town Hall from Tuesday 6 to Saturday 31 December

GEORGIA MANN

Snow White at The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury

Fresh from London’s Mountview drama school, Georgia heads for the comparative safety of the seven dwarfs’ cottage after previously starring as Old Ma Gwynn in Nell Gwynn and Cosette in Les Miserables.

Snow White shows at The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury from Saturday 26 November to Saturday 31 December

REBECCA D’LACEY

Belle in Beauty And The Beast at The Core Theatre, Solihull

Taking on the role of besieged beauty Belle in this Beast of a production from the awardwinning Little Wolf Entertainment, Rebecca is no stranger to family theatre, previously touring the UK in hit festive show Dear Santa.

Beauty And The Beast shows at The Core Theatre Solihull from Friday 9 December to Monday 2 January

KIERA-NICOLE

Jasmine in Aladdin at Crewe Lyceum Theatre

A familiar face to fans of Channel Five children’s series Milkshake, Kiera-Nicole has visited pantoland before, starring alongside Curtis Pritchard in a Qdos Production of Dick Whittington.

Aladdin shows at Crewe Lyceum Theatre from Friday 16 December to Sunday 8 January

Sir Peter Wright’s version of this firm festive favourite returns to the Hippodrome courtesy (of course) of Birmingham Royal Ballet. Created in 1990 as a thank-you to the city for its support of the company following its move to the Midlands from London’s Sadler Wells, Sir Peter’s production is seen by many as the finest interpretation of Tchaikovsky’s magnificent and mesmerising score. In true Christmas spirit, the story follows the young Clara as she’s swept up in a fantasy of soldiers, giant rats, snow fairies, magic and mystery, before finally being transformed into a beautiful ballerina. A magical, must-see show for theatre-going dance lovers everywhere, the production is this year enhanced by a £1million makeover.

“More than 80 percent is the same,” explains designer John Macfarlane, “but we’ve been able to make some changes with new fabrics and materials. And the refurbishment has given us the chance to come back to some things and improve them.

“The original ideas and production concept evolved very easily, and I remember feeling that there was something quite special about the process. In your career, you can pick out three or four productions that have changed your direction, and you realise you can’t go back to how you did things before. I think that Nutcracker was one of those productions for me. It was a huge learning process - but I didn’t realise it until a long time afterwards.

“This is the first time I’ve completely re-built an existing production. What’s really interesting is that you go into it thinking ‘I’m going to change this and I’m going to change that,’ and then, when you actually start to try and do it, you suddenly remember why you did certain things the way you did.

“I’m not sure the audience has actually realised how much The Nutcracker has worn over the years - but when they see this rebuild, it will be so vibrant. Everything will be rich and colourful.”

The Nutcracker Birmingham Hippodrome, until Sat 10 December

festive favourite continues to show at Birmingham Hippodrome...

Film highlights in December...

Avatar: The Way of Water

CERT tbc (190 mins)

Starring Zoe Saldaña, Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Cliff Curtis, Joel David Moore Directed by James Cameron It’s been a good year for fans of two highprofile films who’ve had to wait a long time for a sequel. First there was Top Gun: Maverick, released a full 36 years after the original film, and now there’s The Way Of

Violent Night

CERT tbc (101 mins)

Starring David Harbour, Beverly D’Angelo, John Leguizamo, Cam Gigandet, Brendan Fletcher, Edi Patterson

Directed by Tommy Wirkola

Best known as Chief of Police Jim Hopper in hit Netflix series Stranger Things, David Harbour here displays his admirable versatility by adding his name to the evergrowing list of actors who’ve played Santa Claus.

When a team of mercenaries breaks into a wealthy family compound on Christmas Eve, taking everyone inside hostage, they end up getting far more than they bargained for: Saint Nicholas (that’s Santa) is in the vicinity - and he’s about to make it clear that he’s temporarily misplaced his halo... From the producers of runaway hits Bullet Train, Deadpool 2 and Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw.

Released Fri 2 December

Water, hitting the big screen 13 years after Avatar first stunned cinema-going audiences. Set more than a decade after the events of the first film, the sequel finds Jake Sully living with his newfound family on the planet of Pandora. When a familiar threat returns to finish what was previously started, Jake must work with the army of the Na’vi race to protect the planet...

Released Fri 16 December

The Silent Twins

CERT tbc (113 mins)

Starring Letita Wright, Tamara Lawrance, Leah Mondesir-Simmonds, Eva-Arianna Baxter, Nadine Marshall, Treva Etienne

Directed by Agnieszka Smoczynska

I Wanna Dance with Somebody

CERT tbc

Starring Naomi Ackie, Stanley Tucci, Tamara Tunie, Clarke Peters, Ashton Sanders, Nafessa Williams Directed by Kasi Lemmons Films about dearly departed superstar singers who lived rags-to-riches lives of fame and fortune followed by decline and death are all the rage at the moment, with last summer’s Baz Luhrmann-directed Elvis now being followed by this Whitney Houston musical biopic. Expect the movie to make stop-offs at all the key points in Whitney’s eventually tragic life, from her first solo singing stint - covering for her sore-throatafflicted mother - through her time with The Sweet Temptations, to her later years as fashion icon, pop legend, participant in an ultimately ill-starred marriage to singer Bobby Brown and drug-addled shadow of her former self.

Released Mon 26 December

Based on the book of the same name by award-winning investigative journalist Marjorie Wallace, The Silent Twins follows the story of June and Jennifer Gibbons, identical twins growing up in the only Black family in a small Welsh town during the 1970s and ’80s. From the age of three, the sisters begin to reject communication with anyone but each other, and across time disappear into a world of their own. But when their frustrations lead to a spree of vandalism and arson, the girls find themselves facing a starkly grim future... Helmed by Polish writer & director Agnieszka Smoczyńska, The Silent Twins enjoyed plenty of positive feedback at this year’s Cannes film festival.

Released Fri 9 December

Corsage CERT tbc (113 mins)

Starring Vicky Krieps, Colin Morgan, Finnegan Oldfield, Ivana Urban, Alma Hasun, Jeanne Werner Directed by Marie Kreutzer

Imagining a year in the home life of Empress Elisabeth of Austria, Corsage scored a significant hit at Cannes and recently picked up the top prize at the BFI London Film Festival. The prestigious event’s Official Competition jury called the Marie Kreutzerdirected entry a “masterfully realised film”, going on to say that they had been “completely seduced by Vicky Krieps’ sublime performance as a woman out of time, trapped in her own iconography and her rebellious yearning for liberation”.

Released Mon 26 December

THE 12 FILMS OF CHRISTMAS

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Jack Frost nipping at your nose... and a fabulous festive film on the telly to warm the cockles of your heart! Yes, Christmas is a-comingbut which magnificent yuletide movies should you choose for your holiday viewing? Here are 12 much-loved classics to consider...

It’s A Wonderful Life

For many people, Frank Capra’s It’s A Wonderful Life (1946) is the festive film of all festive films. Although it was shot during a summer heatwave, its heart and soul is pure Christmas!

James Stewart stars as George Bailey, a man whose sense of duty sees him forsaking his own dreams and aspirations for the good of his family and community. Weighed down by his heavy responsibilities and no small amount of ill fortune, George decides he’d be better off dead - until, that is, his guardian angel, Clarence, makes him see the error of his ways...

has gone on vacation and accidentally left him behind. Home alone, he’s determined to keep the property safe and sound...

Elf

There are those for whom no Christmas is complete without watching Elf.

Home Alone

The film that made a child star of Macaulay Culkin, Home Alone (1990) also features Joe Pesci - fresh from his time spent whacking fellow mobsters in Martin Scorcese’s Goodfellas - and Daniel Stern as a pair of incompetent house-breakers. When the bumbling burglars attempt to rob a suburban Chicago home, they get plenty more than they bargained for: Kevin McCallister’s family

Love Actually

Riding on the back of his successes with Four Weddings And A Funeral and Notting Hill, Richard Curtis sent this film out into the festive ether back in 2003 and scored a giant Christmas hit. Sickly sweet and cringeworthy though it may be in many places (many, many places!), the film also features some truly touching and genuinely poignant scenesnot to mention stand-out moments to remember forever, such as Hugh Grant as the prime minister dancing around Number 10 to the Pointer Sisters’ Jump (For My Love).

The now-cult movie - a stage-musical version of which is visiting the Midlands this monthfinds Will Ferrell in fine form as Buddy, a man-child who, having been raised at the North Pole by Santa’s elves, determines to head to New York in search of his biological father, played by Godfather actor James Caan... Celebrating its 20th anniversary next year, Elf is a movie that’s positively overflowing with yuletide cheer. It also comes complete with many a visual gag to keep the kids happy.

The Muppet Christmas Carol

What do you get if you combine a muchloved story by the Victorian era’s most famous writer, with an ensemble cast of puppets and an Academy Award-winning actor? The Muppet Christmas Carol, of course! Charles Dickens’ 1843 short story about a grumpy old sinner who’s taught the error of his miserly ways by a trio of festive phantoms provides plenty of opportunity for

the Muppets to peddle their absurdist style of comedy. Michael Caine, the Oscar-winning actor mentioned above, stays rock-steady as Ebenezer Scrooge amid the puppet-powered pandemonium.

the centre of controversy when the benign senior citizen claims that he is, in fact, the real Santa Claus...

The Holiday

How The Grinch Stole Christmas

Jim Carrey’s career was very much firing on all cylinders when he took the starring role in this Year 2000 big-screen adaptation of Dr Seuss’s classic story. The mean-minded, green-skinned Grinch lives at the top of a mountain overlooking Whoville, a town that certainly knows how to keep Christmas in style. Favouring isolation over living in the town - where he’d been brought up but bullied - the Grinch decides it’s high time he took his revenge on the citizens of Whovilleby stealing all of their presents, decorations and food while they’re asleep...

Bolstered by an all-star cast, Nancy Meyers’ 2006 romantic comedy has established itself as a modern-day Christmas classic and is considered by many to be essential yuletide viewing. The wafer-thin but effective storyline sees two thirtysomething singletons who’ve never met deciding to swap homes for Christmas, with Kate Winslet’s Iris Simpkins heading for LA and Cameron Diaz’s Amanda Woods travelling in the opposite direction to a cottage in the English countryside. Both women are recovering from heartbreak, but it isn’t long before each of them finds the gift of a new romance in their festive stocking...

outside his bedroom window. But this is no ordinary train; this one is transporting its passengers to the North Pole for a meeting with the man himself. The boy is invited on board the locomotive and the adventure begins...

Miracle On 34th Street

New York’s 34th Street has seen more than its fair share of Miracles down the years, but there’s no question that the two most popular ones happened in 1947 and 1994. Both versions have become perennial festive family favourites, with the original released just one year after that other classic Christmas cracker, It’s A Wonderful Life... When New York’s biggest department store finds itself short of a Santa, an old fella named Kris Kringle steps in to help out. So far, so good. But the store soon finds itself at

Nativity!

You’ve seen the musical (or if you haven’t, book yourself a ticket at the Birmingham Rep, where it’s running across the festive season), now check out the original film! Midlands writer Debbie Isitt’s movie was the surprise Christmas hit of 2009, bringing together an impressive cast of big-name performers and, in due course of time, spawning three sequels. Set in Coventry and partially improvised, the film follows the attempts of St Bernadette’s Catholic primary school to pick up the prize for the best nativity play. But things threaten to spiral out of control when the teacher in charge of the production tells a big fat festive lie...

The Polar Express

Listed in the 2006 Guinness Book of Records as the world’s ‘first all-digital capture’ film, The Polar Express stars Tom Hanks in a variety of roles and follows the story of a young boy who’s starting to wonder whether Santa Claus really exists. On Christmas Eve he sees a mysterious steam locomotive

Scrooge

Of all the versions of A Christmas Carol to grace our cinema screens in the post-war years, this 1951 British offering is widely considered to be the greatest - not least because of a show-stopping portrayal of the title character by legendary English actor Alastair Sim.

Sim went on to voice Scrooge in an animated version of the Carol some 20 years later. His interpretation of the character on both occasions was so memorable that Jim Carrey decided to mimick him when he himself lent his voice to old Ebenezer (in another animated version of the story, released in 2009).

The Snowman

This wordless, half-hour, made-for-television animated film was first screened in 1982, four years after the publication of the Raymond Briggs book on which it’s based. It’s a simple tale about a snowman who comes to life and takes a small boy on an adventure through the starry night sky. The film is routinely screened every Christmas (often alongside its sequel, The Snowman And The Snowdog) and is undoubtedly best known for the central song of its Howard Blake-composed score: Walking In The Air.

FESTIVE GIFTING WITH A DIFFERENCE...

Christmas is a-comin’... and while the goose is getting fat, you’re probably going to be busy trying to find the perfect presents for your family and friends. Gifts based on special interests are always much more meaningful, while purchasing an experience or an activity for someone to enjoy will provide them with memories that will last a lifetime. With that in mind, we’ve put together a few suggestions to help you on your way...

For the animal lover

Twycross Zoo offers a range of Zoo Experience Days, perfect for the animal lover in your life. The venue’s animal-feeding experiences allow you to get up close and personal with some of your favourite ‘beasts’, while at the same time picking the brains of the knowledgeable keepers.

The Keeper For The Day experience, meanwhile (which includes a special junior option for those aged between seven and 17), is a hands-on adventure that will give you the chance to help the keepers take care of some of the zoo’s many and varied residents, including zebras and apes.

Prices start from £80 Find out more at twycrosszoo.org

For the culture vulture

Do you have a loved one who enjoys a trip to an art gallery?

A National Art Pass provides free entry to 800-plus museums, galleries and historic houses across the UK. It also gives you 50% off the entrance fee for major exhibitions.

National Art Pass costs £45 for under-30s, £73 for an individual and £110 for a double.

Find out more at artfund.org

Foodies and music fans, rejoice!

For the first time ever, ‘ultimate food & music festival’ Pub In The Park will be rolling into Leamington Spa next summer (30 June - 2 July).

The hugely popular event brings together award-winning restaurants, live music and great food for a fun-filled weekend. Bananarama, Toploader, Ronan Keating and Soul II Soul have already been announced, with more artists expected to be added to the live-music line-up in the coming months.

Tickets prices start from £27

Find out more at pubintheparkuk.com

Get your bake off

Anyone who sees themselves as the next Prue Leith or Paul Hollywood is sure to enjoy their very own Bake Off experience at The Big Birmingham Bake.

Working in pairs, with all the ingredients ‘good to go’ and a top baker at your side, you’ll have 90 minutes to ace the monthly baking theme and create the winning bake. Perfect for those looking to unleash their competitive cooking streak.

Prices start from £36.50 Find out more at thebigbirminghambake.com

The gift of glamping

If a relaxing getaway is on your Christmas wish list this year, Winchcombe Farm might be the perfect destination.

Nestled in the Warwickshire countryside, the site is surrounded by a working farm and features a selection of holiday homes which sleep from four people up to nine.

Guests can also make their stay extra special by adding on-site private dining experiences, cocktail classes or even spa treatments, all made available by local businesses.

Find out more at winchcombefarm.co.uk

For the thrill-seeker

Are you on the lookout for the perfect Christmas present to give to the thrill-seeker in your life?

Well look no further, because the gift you’re needing is surely a voucher for The Bear Grylls Adventure activity centre!

With 11 epic experiences from which to choose, including iFly, shark diving and the high ropes, visitors can plan an actionpacked day out to get that much-needed adrenaline fix.

Prices start from £30

Find out more at beargryllsadventure.com

Chin-chin with some gin!

Warwick’s That Gin Company is offering customers the chance to create and purchase their very own unique flavour infusions in 50ml, 250ml and 500ml bottles. Also on offer are gin gift sets - including three 250ml flavoured gins - and cocktail sets, which are supplied with a mini-shaker and enough ingredients for five cocktails.

Find out more at thatgincompany.co.uk

A night at the theatre...

Why not treat someone to a night out at the theatre? With no expiry date, Theatre Tokens can be used for a show they really want to see at more than 270 venues nationwide. Simply load the Theatre Token gift card with any value between £5 and £500, and the lucky recipient can then use it to pay or partpay for tickets to any production.

Find out more at theatretokens.com

For the music lover

There’s an abundance of live music happening across the Midlands next year, so why not treat a loved one to a ticket?

For the film buff

Everyman’s gift cards are the perfect present for anyone who loves a night in front of the big screen.

The cards can be topped up with any value you choose above £20. With a wide array of blockbusters, independent and classic films to enjoy, there’s something for everyone at Everyman. The gift cards are redeemable against all food & drink purchases and film screenings at any of Everyman’s 38 venues nationwide.

Find out more at everymancinema.com

Rock the boat!

If you have a loved one who enjoys the great outdoors, how about gifting them the opportunity to explore Birmingham’s famous canal network?

GoBoat is a fun, self-drive boating experience where you can play captain and choose your own route. Setting off from Brindleyplace, the boat fits up to eight people (dogs are also welcome!) and can take you on a one, two or three-hour adventure.

For the comedy fan

Give the gift of laughter this Christmas by purchasing a gift card to use at the Glee Club. You can buy gift cards from as little as £5 to put towards someone’s night out. The cards can be redeemed against all show tickets in all Glee Club venues, as well as food & drink in all of the venues (except Oxford).

Find out more at glee.co.uk

Relax and unwind

Four-star Warwickshire hotel Ardencote is the home of Destination Spa, a luxury attraction that comes complete with thermal facilities, relaxation lounges, an outdoor pool and a hot tub.

The spa, which was awarded a ‘bubble rating’ of five by the Good Spa Guide in 2021, offers a selection of day spa packages as well as overnight spa breaks, which include treatments, a two-course dinner and breakfast the following morning.

Find out more at ardencote.onejourney.travel

Don your leg warmers and double denim as the UK’s largest retro festival, Let’s Rock, returns to Shrewsbury on 15 July with some of the biggest names from the 1980s. The line-up announced so far includes Soft Cell, The Boomtown Rats, Soul II Soul and Midge Ure.

Tickets start from £52 Find out more at letsrockshrewsbury.com

Meanwhile, Forestry England’s series of live outdoor music concerts, Forest Live, will return to Staffordshire’s Cannock Chase Forest in June, with Madness (Thursday the 8th) and Jack Savoretti (Sunday the 11th) already announced.

Tickets start from £50 Find out more at forestryengland.uk/music

After a successful Shropshire debut, firm family favourite Camp Bestival will return to Weston Park from 17 to 20 August. Glaswegian heroes Primal Scream headline next year’s get-together, with drum’n’bass groovers Rudimental and synth-pop singalong legends The Human League also featuring in the 2023 line-up.

Tickets start from £70 Find out more at shropshire.campbestival.net

Giftcards start at £85 Find out more at goboat.co.uk

Support the arts

The Grand Theatre has been at the heart of Wolverhampton’s entertainment scene since 1894. As well as being a theatre, the venue acts as a charitable trust, seeking to engage with and enhance the local community via creativity, education and a passion for the arts.

To help support the Grand, you can name a brick (£100 for five years) in the Encore Lounge, with a dedication and message of your choosing. Alternatively you can sponsor a seat in the theatre’s auditorium (£200 for 10 years), and in so doing join the likes of Charlie Chaplin and Winston Churchill.

Find out more at grandtheatre.co.uk/support

Craftspace: Queer + Metals

Midlands Arts Centre (MAC), Birmingham, until Sun 2 April

The multiplicity of queerness is here explored via metalwork and metalsmithing, in an exhibition that makes visible the ways in which LGBTQIA+ creatives are shaping, disrupting and contributing to contemporary culture.

Featuring artworks, video interviews and an Instagram campaign, the Craftspace presentation aims to ‘make connections within a diverse, intersectional, complex and fluid community of making’.

The physical element of the exhibition features responses from eight UK artists, one of whom is Roxanne Simone.

Showcasing welded and hydroformed ‘imperfect’ objects (pictured), Roxanne’s work explores and reimagines identities formed through the impact of diaspora and migration.

Visual Arts previews from around the region

DearTomorrow: Dear Wolverhampton

Wolverhampton Art Gallery, until Sun 15 January “The very core of our work has always been to change hearts and minds through a deeper connection to the climate crisis,” explains Jill Kubit, the co-founder of DearTomorrow, the climate storytelling & arts project presenting this exhibition.

“We’ve learnt this comes most freely from pulling together the things that touch us most. Our community engagement exhibits allow people not only to consider

Radical Landscapes

Mead Gallery, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, until Sun 18 December

Organised in collaboration with Tate Liverpool, Radical Landscapes features more than 100 works by leading modern and contemporary artists, including Turner Prize 2022 nominees Ingrid Pollard and Veronica Ryan.

The exhibition looks beyond the lush green hills most readily associated with landscape art, reflecting instead on the diversity of the British landscape and the communities which inhabit it.

Focusing on a wide range of subjects, including activism, trespass and the climate emergency, the featured works illustrate the ways in which creatives have drawn new meanings from the land, using it to inspire ideas of freedom, experimentation, mysticism and rebellion.

what the climate crisis means on a personal and community level, but to establish climate actions that feel most meaningful and impactful to them. This is where real change starts.”

Bringing together art, photography, film, design and poetry, the exhibition ‘presents landscapes built and inspired by letters written by the Wolverhampton community’.

Alberta Whittle: We Gather And Dream Of New Congregations

Grand Union Gallery, Digbeth, Birmingham, until Sat 10 December

Alberta Whittle brings together public sculpture, film, workshops and community gardening with women’s groups ‘to address issues surrounding use and ownership of land, and to aid in the much-needed healing of our Birmingham community’.

As well as contemplating issues of poverty and inclusion, the exhibition also poses questions about the effectiveness of grassroots community building, direct community action and positive healing gardening practices.

A Birmingham 2022 Festival commission.

Dutch Flowers

Compton Verney, Warwickshire, until Sun 15 January

The 17th-century emergence of Dutch flower painting - a genre of art that saw Netherlandish painters produce work which exclusively depicted flowers - has been attributed in part to the development of scientific interest in botany and horticulture and the Dutch Golden Age phenomenon of ‘tulip mania’.

In the period which followed, Dutch flower painting blossomed, reaching the peak of its popularity in the late 18th century...

This fascinating exhibition traces the development of the genre and features a selection of paintings from the National Gallery’s collection. The show includes works by leading artists in the field, such as Ambrosius Bosschaert the Elder, Rachel Ruysch and Jan van Huysum.

Grown Up In Britain: 100 Years Of Teenage Kicks

Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry, until Sun 12 February

The everyday experiences and cultural impact of young people is celebrated in this long-running exhibition.

Featuring photographs, objects and stories, Grown Up In Britain has been curated by and drawn from the extensive photographic collections of the Museum of Youth Culture, an emerging organisation dedicated to the styles, sounds and social movements innovated by young people over the last 100 years.

The Museum has been gathering together photographs of youth and subculture movements for more than a quarter of a century. Its impressive collection includes everything ‘from the bomb-site bicycle racers in post-war 1940s London, to the Acid House ravers of 1980s northern England’.

Ambrosius Bosschaert the Elder: A Still Life of Flowers in a Wan-Li Vase on a Ledge with further Flowers, Shells and a Butterfly, 1609-10 © The National Gallery, London

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Winter

Don your festive jumper and get into the spirit of the season as the UK’s largest indoor Christmas funfair returns to the NEC. With all rides and attractions included in the ticket price, guests can enjoy everything from waltzers to dodgems, take a lap or two around the gigantic ice rink or head over to

the Christmas Circus to watch the clown and acrobats show off their skills.

At an additional cost, families can also visit Santa in his grotto, where the resident elves will be sprinkling some Christmas magic and each child will be given a special gift.

Events

Santa’s Grotto Experience

National SEA LIFE Centre, Birmingham, until Sat 24 December

Young festive-season visitors to the SEA LIFE Centre can check out over 2,000 creatures (including sharks, gentoo penguins and the UK’s first and only sea otters) before entering a glittering grotto where Santa and his elves will meet & greet them (not to mention hand them a gift to take home and enjoy!).

Ice Skate

Ice Skate Birmingham and the Big Wheel make a welcome return to Centenary Square for the festive season.

While the wheel offers the opportunity to enjoy fantastic views across the city, the weather-proofed ice rink accommodates up to 300 people per session.

Younger or inexperienced skating enthusiasts can keep upright by using special penguin skating aids.

And when skaters have finished their Torvill & Dean routine, they can warm themselves up with some festive fare in the nearby Ice Lounge and double deck rooftop bar.

Mini-Christmas In MiniBrum

Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum, Sat 3 & Sun 4 December

Little ones and their families are invited to join the Thinktank team to help decorate MiniBrum and the Christmas tree for the festive season.

There will also be an opportunity to take part in various craft activities, including designing your own Christmas card. Santa will be on hand too, while visitors can also check out the Elf Trail around the museum, which is included in the ticket price.

Christmas At The Commandery

The Commandery, Worcester, Sat 10 & Sun 11, Sat 17 & Sun 18, Tues 20 and Thurs 22 December

The Commandery is welcoming families for festive crafting sessions this month.

Little ones can make their very own gingerbread man decoration, get creative with gingerbread playdoh, and get stuck into some Christmas colouring. Every crafting session will end with a story, a drink and a biscuit.

Funland NEC, Birmingham, Sat 10 December - Mon 2 January

Birmingham Centenary Square, Birmingham, until Sun 8 January

Events

beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Enchanted Weston

Weston Park, Shropshire, Fri 9 - Sun 11 and Thurs 15 - Fri 23 December

Christmas attractions at Weston Park once again include the venue’s ‘illuminated forest’ experience.

Visitors to the estate’s Temple Wood can follow a trail of colour and light through the ancient trees and woodland.

But that’s not all. The venue is also making available an array of street food, local ales, fizz and warming winter cocktails, all on offer in the Stables Courtyard. Live music and fire pits (for marshmallow toasting) also feature.

Winter Glow

Three Counties Showground, Malvern, until Mon 2 January

Winter Glow returns with a mix of festive fun. Highlights include immersive themed light trail A Christmas Odyssey, transporting visitors from the depths of ancient Atlantis to the fanciful shores of festive islands.

The ever-popular Santa Experiences make a welcome return too (this year in an indoor location), while a new covered winter market (available to visit without a ticket) showcases a wide range of stalls and a fairground featuring fun rides for all ages.

A Bavarian-style bar, one of the region’s largest indoor ice rinks and the 120ft Malvern Observation Wheel further add to the event’s appeal.

Santa’s Magical Grotto

Compton Verney, Warwickshire, Fri 9 - Fri 23 December

The elves have been hard at work creating an enchanting grotto at Compton Verney, and with everything now in place, it’s time for families to visit the venue and say a big hello to Father and Mother Christmas.

Children are encouraged to take along their

Christmas wish list to post at the on-site post box, from which delivery to the North Pole is guaranteed! And as is traditional with a visit to Santa, there’ll be a gift for every child... Tickets also include entry to the outdoor reindeer trail through the grounds.

Christmas In Cathedral Square

Birmingham Cathedral, until Sun 18 December

Christmas In Cathedral Square has returned to Birmingham for the second year running. The award-winning event is situated in the grounds of Birmingham Cathedral.

The market provides a platform for local businesses and producers to showcase their goods in the run-up to Christmas, offering visitors a variety of craft, gift and food & drink stalls to enjoy.

It’s

West Midland Safari Park’s Santa Safari is back! The four-mile drive-through experience provides families with the chance to check out some of the venue’s wild animals.

At the end of the safari, visitors can head to the Discovery Trail, to meet one of Santa’s helpful elves. From there, it’s on to the Christmas grotto, to say a big festive hello to

the white-bearded one himself. Youngsters can take the opportunity to grab a picture with Santa and select a present from the elves’ workshop.

Mrs Claus will be on hand too, offering refreshments in her kitchen.

An opportunity to sample a fully immersive virtual-reality sleigh ride further adds to the festive fun.

Events

Visit Santa! Vintage Sleigh Experience

Coventry Transport Museum, Sat 3 - Fri 23 December

The Vintage Sleigh Ride experience returns to Coventry Transport Museum this month. Wander through a magical winter wonderland of festive activities and snowy scenes before taking a ride on an enchanting vintage sleigh pulled by two trusty reindeer. Your next stop? Lapland. Meet Santa, tell him your Christmas wishes and collect a special gift.

The Vintage Sleigh Ride experience includes museum admission tickets for the day of your visit.

Tamworth’s Snowdome will once again be transformed into a ‘winter wonderland’ this month.

Step into the Christmas Village - where you can say hello to Santa’s real-life furry friends - take a ride on the carousel, and visit Santa’s house, dropping off your list for the

big man along the way. Play and slide around in real snow on the Christmas trail, explore the enchanted forest, battle it out in a snowball fight and enjoy a ride on a sledge. Plus, Santa, Rudolph and the North Pole Players will perform brand-new stage show Alice In Winter Wonderland.

Sing Choirs Of Angels

Lichfield Cathedral, Fri 16 - Tues 20 December

This special light installation by acclaimed animation team Illuminos presents the story of the Nativity via O Come All Ye Faithful, the popular carol with a 19th-century link to Lichfield.

Visitors can check out three light shows around the Close and on the front of the cathedral, enjoy listening to popular carols, and warm up with seasonal food & drink. Tickets also include access to the Christmas Tree Festival inside the cathedral, with more than 50 decorated trees on display.

Santa’s Winter Wonderland Snowdome, Tamworth, until Sun 1 January

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Santa Safari West Midland Safari & Leisure Park, Bewdley, until Sat 24 December

Christmas Celebration Weekends

Cadbury World, Birmingham, weekends and school holidays until Fri 23 December

Festive celebrations are fully under way at Cadbury World, with the popular venue presenting a whole host of seasonal activities for families to enjoy, all of which come complete with that ever-important chocolately twist.

While Santa himself stars in an exclusive stage show, his super-helpful elves will be handing out gifts to young audience

members.

Visitors can also enjoy one of the 10 daily performances of this year’s pantomime, Cinderella.

The Santa stage show and panto are both included in the ticket price.

Before heading for home, be sure to swing by the World’s Biggest Cadbury Shop to pick up some handmade Christmas chocolates.

Events

Himley’s Magical Christmas Portal

Himley Hall & Park, Dudley, Wed 14 - Sun 18 December

Step through the magical portal in the courtyard of Himley Hall and brace yourself for festive-season adventure, complete with the chance to say hello to Father Christmas and receive a bespoke gift.

Other attractions for youngsters to enjoy include traditional funfair rides and festive children’s entertainment.

Food & drink stalls ensure visitors can keep themselves well-fuelled as they do some seasonal shopping in the Christmas market.

Christmas Bricktacular

Legoland Discovery Centre Birmingham, until Sat 24 December

Legoland Discovery Centre has undergone a festive makeover!

Christmas highlights include the chance to see the venue’s ever-popular Miniland transformed into a winter wonderland, and an opportunity to take part in a scavenger hunt to find all of Santa’s reindeers.

Families can try their hand at building a Christmas tree to add to the farm, and meet up with Lego Santa for a photo or two. The venue’s two rides, build & play zones and 4D cinema will also be available to enjoy.

Candlelit Christmas

Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Stratford-uponAvon, Thurs 8 - Sat 10 and Thurs 15 - Sat 17 December

This unique after-dark event features traditional Tudor music and dance performances, the chance to enjoy a candlelit tour of Shakespeare’s childhood home, and an opportunity to learn more about the festive-season traditions of the 16th century. Back in the present day, visitors can do a little Christmas shopping and try out the venue’s signature-edition Shakespeare Gin.

Glad Tidings Christmas Lates

Black Country Living Museum, Dudley, Fri 9 & Sat 10, Fri 16, Sat 17 & Sun 18 December

Explore Black Country Living Museum after dark, courtesy of a series of special Christmas evenings.

Visitors can wander the historic village and experience Christmases through time, from the Victorian era to the 1960s.

Choirs and bands will be out in full force, performing festive favourites, and visitors can also check out some of the museum’s popular food options.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Kyla Brox at Temperence, Leamington Spa

thelist

THROUGHOUT DECEMBER

Compton Verney, Warwickshire

PORTRAIT MINIATURES: HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE GRANTCHESTER COLLECTION

Showcasing over 40 exquisite and intriguing miniatures from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, until Sun 31 Dec

DUTCH FLOWERS Exhibition exploring the development of Dutch flower painting, from its beginnings in the early 17th century to its blossoming in the late 18th century. The show features works by Ambrosius Bosschaert the Elder, Rachel Ruysch and Jan van Huysum, until Sun 15 Jan

REENA KALLAT: COMMON GROUND A carefully woven tapestry of themes, investigating notions of borders, migration, inequity and citizenship, until Sun 22 Jan

Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry

ALI CHERRY: IF YOU PRICK US, DO WE NOT BLEED? Series of mixed media and sculptural installations which consider how histories of trauma can be explored through a response to museum & art gallery collections, until Sun 8 Jan

BROUGHT TO LIGHT Chance to explore paintings, drawings and sculptures which the venue has collected over the past 65 years, until Sun 8 Jan

GROWN UP BRITAIN An exhibition that chronicles the everyday experiences and cultural impact of young people through photographs, objects and stories, until Sun 12 Feb

Nuneaton Museum & Art Gallery

Thursday 1 - Sunday 4 December

NEAR BELONGING Display of historical photographs that have inspired a film created with Warwickshire residents, until Sun 18 Dec

NUNEATON BLITZED Featuring striking images capturing the devastation caused by the bombings in Nuneaton during 1941 and ’42, until Sun 29 Jan

Reel Store, Coventry

LIFE AND WORK OF FRIDA KAHLO

Immersive exhibition exploring the life and work of the iconic Mexican painter, until Sun 29 Jan

Rugby Art Gallery & Museum

JOIN OUR CLUB Display looking at clubs, societies and associations in Rugby, from sports to scouts, until Sat 17 June

RUGBY OPEN 22 Showcasing highquality contemporary work from emerging and established artists in the region, Sat 3 Dec - Sat 4 Feb

Elsewhere:

WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR

World-renowned exhibition capturing fascinating animal behaviour, spectacular species and the breathtaking diversity of the natural world, until Sun 24 Dec, Wolverhampton Art Gallery

PEASANTS AND PROVERBS: PIETER BRUEGHEL THE YOUNGER AS MORALIST AND ENTREPRENEUR Featuring 17 artworks drawn from public and private collections in the UK and Europe. Paintings, drawings, etchings and engravings all feature, until Sun 22 Jan, The Barber Institute of Fine Arts, University of Birmingham

CANALETTO: A VENETIAN’S VIEW

Featuring stunning paintings on loan from the Woburn Abbey Collection as well as artworks from Worcester’s Fine Collection and loans from Birmingham Museums, Tate and Compton Verney, until Sat 7 Jan, Worcester City Art Gallery & Museum

CRAFTSPACE: {QUEER} + {METALS}

Gigs

JAMES BAY Thurs 1 Dec, O2 Institute, Birmingham

BABYBIRD + IAN PROWSE Thurs 1 Dec, O2 Institute, B’ham

PETE TONG Thurs 1 Dec, Utilita Arena Birmingham

CHURCHFITTERS Thurs 1 Dec, Bromsgrove Folk Club

SUNBIRDS Thurs 1 Dec, Temperance, Leamington Spa

THE OVERTONES Thurs 1 Dec, The Rialto, Coventry

TALON Thurs 1 Dec, Malvern Theatres

AYDENNE SIMONE Thurs 1 Dec, Kidderminster Town Hall

KING HAMMOND & THE RUDE BOY MAFIA Fri 2 Dec, The Night Owl, Birmingham

Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum

OPEN 2022 Showcasing work by artists livingand working in the West Midlands, until Sun 8 Jan

The Mead Gallery, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry

SIMON AND TOM BLOOR: PALLET STACK Exhibition of minimalist art which closely resembles structures found in adventure playgrounds, where children and play workers use found materials to build apparatus for play, until Sun 18 Dec

The multiplicity of queerness is here explored via metalwork and metalsmithing, in an exhibition that makes visible the ways in which LGBTQIA+ creatives are shaping, disrupting and contributing to contemporary culture, until Sun 2 April, Midlands Arts Centre, B’ham GRAYSON’S ART CLUB: THE EXHIBITION III Major exhibition featuring over 100 artworks selected by Grayson Perry, Philippa Perry and guest celebrities during season three of the popular TV series, Grayson’s Art Club, Fri 2 Dec - Sun 23 April, Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham

RUTS DC + TV SMITH Fri 2 Dec, O2 Institute, Birmingham

MAVERICK SABRE Fri 2 Dec, O2 Institute, Birmingham

MAN MADE HELL + BAD FACE + TRICK OF THE LIGHT + BLUE THEORY + THRASHEAD Fri 2 Dec, O2 Institute, Birmingham

SCOUTING FOR GIRLS Fri 2 Dec, O2 Academy, Birmingham

CAGE FIGHT Fri 2 Dec,

The Asylum, B’ham

THE BOHEMIANSQUEEN TRIBUTE Fri 2 Dec, The Assembly, Leamington Spa

THE ASTRAS + CARTOONHEAD + Y.T.I Fri 2 Dec, The Tin Music and Arts, The Canal Basin, Coventry

GUN Fri 2 Dec, Queens Hall, Nuneaton

CLOUDBUSTING - KATE BUSH TRIBUTE Fri 2 Dec, hmv Empire, Coventry

A BAND CALLED MALICE Fri 2 Dec, Huntingdon Hall, Worcester

THE MERSEY BEATLES Fri 2 Dec, Kidderminster Town Hall

FAST REACTION + 3 STOREYS HIGH + NEVER SAY DIE + SKATCH Sat 3 Dec, O2 Institute, Birmingham

THE HU Sat 3 Dec, O2 Institute, Birmingham

FIRST AID KIT + LOLA KIRKE Sat 3 Dec, O2 Academy, Birmingham

INME + RAGING SPEEDHORN Sat 3 Dec, The Asylum, Birmingham

ASAKE Sat 3 Dec, Forum, Birmingham

ULTIMATE MADNEZZ + THE MADCHESTER EXPERIENCE + THE JONESES Sat 3 Dec, The Assembly, Leamington Spa LUNA KISS + BLACK

WATER FIEND + EARL OF HELL + THE BAD DIVINE

Sat 3 Dec, The Tin Music and Arts, The Canal Basin, Coventry

BEMUSED - MUSE TRIBUTE Sat 3 Dec, Arches Venue, Coventry

KING AWESOME Sat 3 Dec, Queens Hall, Nuneaton

TASHA LEAPER AS MADONNA Sat 3 Dec, Marrs Bar, Worcester

KING PLEASURE AND THE BISCUIT BOYS Sat 3 Dec, Huntingdon Hall, Worcester

FLATWORLD Sat 3 Dec, West Malvern Social Club

THE ELVIS EXPERIENCE Sat 3 Dec, Civic, Stourport

WESTLIFE + LYRA Sat 3 - Sun 4 Dec, Utilita Arena Birmingham

BLACK BOMBERS + UNPLEASANT COMPANIONS Sun 4 Dec, Hare & Hounds, Birmingham

A FISTFUL OF SPOOKIES

Sun 4 Dec, The Fleece Inn, Bretforton, Nr Evesham

SPEAR OF DESTINY Sun 4 Dec, Queens Hall, Nuneaton

ST AGNES FOUNTAIN Sun 4 Dec, Huntingdon Hall, Worcester

THE 50S & 60S CHARITY SHOW Sun 4 Dec, Civic, Stourport

King Pleasure & The Biscuit Boys - Huntingdon Hall, Worcester

thelist

Classical Music

CBSO PLAYS STRAVINSKY, ELLINGTON & ROTA Featuring Kevin John Edusei (conductor) & Simon Höfele (trumpet). Programme includes works by Rota, Zimmermann, Ellington & Stravinsky, Thurs 1 Dec, Symphony Hall, Birmingham

CBSO CENTRE STAGE: PERCUSSION

Featuring Adrian Spillett, Toby Kearney & Matthew Hardy (percussion), Arthur Boutillier (cello), James Keefe (piano) plus percussionists from the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. Programme comprises Tan Dun’s Elegy: Snow in June and Steve Reich’s Sextet, Fri 2 Dec, CBSO Centre, Birmingham

CHRISTMAS WITH ALED AND RUSSELL Fri 2 Dec, Symphony Hall, B’ham

BIRMINGHAM PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA Featuring Michael Lloyd (conductor) & Alison Roddy (soprano). Programme includes works by Mendelssohn, Dvorak, Sibelius, Humperdinck, Coates, Debussy, Lehár & Tchaikovsky, Sun 4 Dec, The Bradshaw Hall, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire

Comedy

GERRY K, MARCEL LUCONT, LINDSEY SANTORO & CERYS NELMES Thurs 1 Dec, Huntingdon Hall, Worcester

IAN SMITH, MATT BRAGG, ROBERT WHITE & COMIC TBC Thurs 1 - Sat 3 Dec, The Glee Club, Birmingham

SARA PASCOE Fri 2 Dec, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry

GERRY K, CHARLOTTE MCKINNEY, DEAN ALDRIDGE & CALLUM OAKLEY Fri 2 Dec, The Old Sticky Wicket, Redditch

HELEN PRIOR Sat 3 Dec, Matchborough Centre, Redditch

DANIEL SLOSS Sun 4 Dec, Birmingham Town Hall

GARY DELANEY Sun 4 Dec, Evesham Town Hall

Conservatoire students present Terrence Rattigan’s wartime drama, Thurs 1 - Sat 3 Dec, Patrick Studio, Birmingham Hippodrome

(Birds Of A Feather) and local playwright Nick Wilkes, until Sat 31 Dec, The Roses, Tewkesbury

WARWICK CHAMBER CHOIR: A WINTER WARMER Fri 2 Dec, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry

FITZWILLIAM QUARTET Featuring Lucy Russell & Andrew Roberts (violins), Alan George (viola) & Heather Tuach (cello). Programme includes works by Purcell, Rebecca Clarke, Vaughan Williams & Schubert, Fri 2 Dec, Royal Pump Rooms, Leamington Spa

BRITISH POLICE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: PROMS NIGHT SPECTACULAR! Sat 3 Dec, Symphony Hall, Birmingham

MAXIM VENGEROV GALA CONCERT WITH ROMANIAN NATIONAL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA Also featuring Sergey Smbatyan (conductor). Programme includes works by Sibelius, Shor, Prokofiev & Tchaikovsky, Sat 3 Dec, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry

TEWKESBURY CHORAL SOCIETY: MUSIC FOR THE CHRISTMAS SEASON Programme includes works by Vivaldi, Bach, Finzi, Corelli & Vaughan Williams, Sat 3 Dec, Tewkesbury Abbey

CHRISTMAS ROCK CONCERT WITH ROCK CHOIR Sat 3 Dec, Pershore Abbey

EX CATHEDRA: BACH CHRISTMAS ORATORIO Featuring Ex Cathedra Choir & Baroque Orchestra, Jeffrey Skidmore (conductor), James Robinson (Evangelist), Margaret Lingas & Kate Trethaway (sopranos), Sacha Fullerton, Gabriella Liandu & Martha McLorinan (altos), Sebastian Hill (tenor), Lawrence White & Thomas Lowen (bass), Sun 4 Dec, Symphony Hall, Birmingham

Theatre

AN INSPECTOR CALLS JB Priestley’s classic thriller, until Sat 3 Dec, The Alexandra, Birmingham

THE VICAR OF DIBLEY 2 Presented by The Nonentities Society, until Sat 3 Dec, The Rose Theatre, Kidderminster

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM New staging which transports Shakespeare’s famous comedy to the 1960s, until Sat 10 Dec, Loft Theatre, Leamington Spa

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST A reimagining of the classic fairytale that promises to leave audiences ‘spellbound’, until Fri 16 Dec, The Old Rep, Birmingham

A CHRISTMAS CAROL Adrian Edmondson plays Ebenezer Scrooge in David Edgar’s critically acclaimed adaptation of Charles Dickens’ muchloved classic, until Sun 1 Jan, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratfordupon-Avon

THE HOUSE OF BERNARDA ALBA Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Theatre Company present an amateur production of Federico Garcia Lorca’s dark comedy, which offers a glimpse of life in rural Spain, Thurs 1 - Sat 3 Dec, Crescent Theatre, Birmingham

ROALD DAHL’S THE TWITS A Bear Pit Theatre Company production adapted from Roald Dahl’s classic book, Fri 2 - Sat 10 Dec, The Bear Pitt Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon

Kids Shows

DISNEY ON ICE PRESENTS DREAM BIG Join Moana, Maui, Anna, Elsa and the Disney Princesses in an ‘enchanting’ show filled with songs and stories, until Sun 4 Dec, Resorts World Arena, Birmingham

THE BEAR Pins And Needles’ heartwarming stage show, based on Raymond Briggs’ classic children’s book, until Fri 30 Dec, Midlands Arts Centre (MAC), Birmingham

THE SANTA SHOW Jingle and Belle’s brand new adventure, suitable for children aged between three and seven, Sat 3 - Sun 4 Dec, Stratford Playhouse, Stratford-upon-Avon

STICK MAN Freckle Productions’ adaptation of Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler’s much-loved children’s book. Expect puppetry, songs, live music and ‘funky moves’, Sat 3 - Sat 31 Dec, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry

CINDERELLA Presented by Worcester Repertory Company, until Mon 2 Jan, Swan Theatre, Worcester

JACK AND THE BEANSTALK Starring Iain Lauchlan as ‘Coventry’s favourite dame’, until Sat 7 Jan, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry

SNOW WHITE & THE SEVEN DWARFS Lichfield regular Sam Rabone is joined by Brian Wheeler (Star Wars) and Dean Whatton (Game Of Thrones) in this festive family favourite, until Sun 8 Jan, Lichfield Garrick

SNOW WHITE ADULTS ONLY Fri 2, Wed 7 & Thurs 15 Dec, The Roses, Tewkesbury

CINDERELLA Featuring Soleil Quarless in the title role, JP McCue as Dame Dolly, Sean Dodds as Buttons and Denise Pitter & Kirstie Smith as the wicked stepsisters. Kyle Copeland makes his debut as the handsome prince and Adam Pettigrew is sidekick Dandini, Sat 3 - Sat 31 Dec, Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa

ALADDIN Festive treat featuring West End leading lady Zoe Birkett as Spirit of The Ring and Michael Greco (EastEnders) as the evil Abanazar. Tam Ryan (Wishee Washee), Ian Adams (Widow Twankey), Sofie Anné (Princess Jasmine), Duane Gooden (Genie) and Ian Billings (The Notary!) also star, Sat 3 Dec - Sat 7 Jan, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

Dance

NATIVITY! THE MUSICAL Debbie Isitt’s heart-warming festive musical, until Sat 7 Jan, The Rep, Birmingham

FLARE PATH Royal Birmingham

Panto time

SNOW WHITE This classic festive tale is brought bang up to date by BAFTA-winning writer Maurice Gran

THE NUTCRACKER Birmingham Royal Ballet present Sir Peter Wright’s world-famous production, until Sat 10 Dec, Birmingham Hippodrome

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Presented by Ballet Theatre UK, Fri 2 Dec, The Civic, Stourport

Sara Pascoe - Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry

list

Light Entertainment

AN EVENING WITH BRIAN BILSTON ‘Wit, laughter, daft & joyful poetry, observations, chat and book signings’ with the bestselling poet and novelist, Thurs 1 Dec, Number 8, Pershore

SHELL SUIT CHER: BELIEVE IN BINGO Tracey Collins (aka Tina Turner Tea Lady & Audrey Heartburn) brings her weird and wonderful character to the stage for another game of bingo with a difference... Sat 3 Dec, Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham

Events

CHRISTMAS AT CATHEDRAL SQUARE Featuring craft, gift and food & drink stalls, until Sun 18 Dec, Cathedral Square, Birmingham

BIRMINGHAM FRANKFURT CHRISTMAS MARKET The largest authentic German Christmas market outside of Germany or Austria, offering a large range of traditional goods and gifts and a selection of tempting food & drink, until Fri 23 Dec, throughout Birmingham city centre

CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION WEEKENDS Festive celebrations with a Santa stage show and this year’s pantomime, Cinderella, until Fri 23 Dec, Cadbury World, Birmingham

STEAM IN LIGHTS An immersive nighttime experience turning the Severn Valley into a colourful light trail, until Fri 23 Dec, Severn Valley Railway, Bewdley, Nr Kidderminster

CHRISTMAS BRICKTACULAR Take part in a scavenger hunt, build a Christmas tree and meet Lego Santa, until Sat 24 Dec, Legoland Discovery Centre Birmingham

SANTA’S GROTTO EXPERIENCE Get ready to dive into the ultimate

underwater fish-massy adventure with Santa and his elves, until Sat 24 Dec, National SEA LIFE Centre, Birmingham

SANTA SAFARI Featuring a four-mile winter safari and a visit to Santa’s grotto, until Sat 24 Dec, West Midland Safari Park, Bewdley, Nr Kidderminster

SANTA’S WINTER WONDERLAND With real snow, real animals and the allnew winter wonderland show, until Sun 1 Jan, Snowdome, Tamworth

CHRISTMAS AT ALTON TOWERS Make magical memories with a Santa Sleepover or explore the Towers Street Christmas Market. The hugely popular Lightopia Seasonal Wonderland light & lantern trail also returns, until Mon 2 Jan, Alton Towers Resort, Staffordshire

LIGHTOPIA The award-winning illuminated trail returns for 2022, until Mon 2 Jan, Alton Towers Resort, Staffordshire

WINTER GLOW Immerse yourself in all things seasonal via an impressive line-up of activities, until Mon 2 Jan, Three Counties Showground, Malvern

CHRISTMAS AT THE CASTLE Visit the castle and discover ‘twinkling trees, dazzling decorations and festive flourishes at every turn’, until Mon 2 Jan, Warwick Castle

LANTERN FESTIVAL Discover an epic lantern trail and explore the walkthrough areas of the park, until Sun 8 Jan, West Midland Safari Park, Bewdley, Nr Kidderminster

ICE SKATE BIRMINGHAM Enjoy an iceskate session or take a ride on the big wheel and marvel at the views across the city, until Sun 8 Jan, Centenary Square, Birmingham

WHAT A PICTURE TRAIL Reimagine yourself with this guide to drawing amazing ears, freaky hairstyles and much more, until Sat 21 Jan, Worcester City Art Gallery & Museum

WARWICK CHRISTMAS LECTURES 2022 Scientists from the University of Warwick leave their labs to entertain and amaze audiences with experiments, Thurs 1 Dec, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry

FARGO JAZZ JAM CHRISTMAS SPECIAL Featuring the FarGo House Band with special star guests, Thurs 1 Dec, FarGo Village, Coventry

ILLUMINATED ARBORETUM Follow Illuminated Arboretum through the gardens and enjoy the majesty of the venue at night, Thurs 1 - Sat 17 Dec, National Memorial Arboretum, Staffordshire

THE LUNA DRIVE IN WINTER CINEMA Park up under the stars and enjoy your favourite festive movie on the big screen, from the comfort of your own car, Thurs 1 - Thurs 22 Dec, NEC, Birmingham

ELF TRAIL A fun, elf-inspired trail around Thinktank. Can you find them all? Thurs 1 - Fri 23 Dec, Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum CHRISTMAS FAYRE IN THE CLOISTER Grab your Christmas goodies in the glorious setting of the medieval cloister, Fri 2 - Sun 4 Dec, Worcester Cathedral

ART MASTERCLASS: CHRISTMAS RAG WREATH Make a beautiful rag wreath decoration. A Christmas treat from the café is included, Sat 3 Dec, Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry

CHRISTMAS CHOIRS Visit the church at Croome to hear a variety of choirs celebrate the festive season, Sat 3 Dec, Croome Park, Worcestershire

A VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS SPECIAL EVENT Be welcomed on a journey which will take you through to the newly unveiled medieval kitchen and enjoy a special performance of scenes from Charles Dicken’s A Christmas Carol, Sat 3 Dec, St Mary’s Guildhall, Coventry

Cathedral AUDIENCE WITH FATHER CHRISTMAS Catch up with Father Christmas as he tells festive tales, Sat 3 - Sun 4 Dec, Kenilworth Castle, Warwickshire

LOVE ACTUALLY (2003) WITH BOTTOMLESS PROSECCO AND BRUNCH A bottomless brunch and a special screening of Richard Curtis’ seminal festive rom-com, Love Actually, Sat 3 Dec, Millenium Point, Birmingham STITCHED WITH LOVE: CRAFTING WORKSHOP AND DISCUSSION Event bringing people together to stitch a quilt and share experiences about immigration, Sat 3 Dec, Coventry

SPECTRUM WORKSHOPS Join textile artist Andi and share your story whilst making a Pride flag, Sat 3 - Sun 4 Dec, Coventry Cathedral

SANTA TRAINS Travel by vintage steam train to visit Santa, Sat 3 - Sun 4 Dec, Severn Valley Railway, Bewdley, Nr Kidderminster

ENCHANTED EXPRESS Inspired by the classic poem ’Twas The Night Before Christmas, enjoy a heritage steam train journey, Sat 3 - Sun 4 Dec, Severn Valley Railway, Bewdley, Nr Kidderminster

ENCHANTED CHRISTMAS KINGDOM

Featuring plenty of festive attractions, including Create A Bear, festive shows and a gingerbread factory, Sat 3 - Sun 4 Dec, Hatton Adventure World, Warwick

MINI-CHRISTMAS IN MINIBRUM Help decorate MiniBrum for Christmas by taking part in craft activities, Sat 3Sun 4 Dec, Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum

A FAMILY CHRISTMAS Follow the new nutcracker trail, have a go at children’s activities and meet Mother Christmas and Santa, Sat 3 - Sun 4 Dec, Hartlebury Castle, Worcestershire

CHRISTMAS MAKERS MARKET A onestop shop for independent Christmas shopping, featuring lovingly handcrafted gifts by local designers, Sat 3 - Sun 4 Dec, FarGo Village, Coventry

VISIT SANTA! VINTAGE SLEIGH

EXPERIENCE Take a ride on an enchanting vintage sleigh pulled by two trusty reindeer, say hello to Santa and tell him all your Christmas wishes, Sat 3 - Fri 23 Dec, Coventry Transport Museum

FESTIVE FAMILY CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN Featuring ‘magical music and festive fun’. Christmas costumes are encouraged, Sun 4 Dec, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry

AFTERNOON TEA WITH FATHER CHRISTMAS Children will be greeted by an elf before meeting Father Christmas in his grotto to receive a small Christmas gift, Sun 4 Dec, St Mary’s Guildhall, Coventry

Enchanted Christmas Kingdom - Hatton Adventure World, Warwick

Gigs

DUCKWRTH Tues 6 Dec, O2 Institute, B’ham

THE BOOTLEG BEATLES Tues 6 Dec, Symphony Hall, Birmingham

RAMBLIN’ PREACHERS Tues 6 Dec, Temperance, Leamington Spa

NOHUN Wed 7 Dec, O2 Academy, Birmingham

THE CURE Wed 7 Dec, Utilita Arena B’ham

CELLAR TAPES + LAUREN SOUTH + REBECCA MILEHAM Wed 7 Dec, Temperance, Leamington Spa

THE CHAMELEONS + MEMBRANES Wed 7 Dec, hmv Empire, Coventry

A WINTER UNION Wed 7 Dec, The Fleece Inn, Bretforton, Nr Evesham

PLACEBO + CRUEL HEARTS CLUB Thurs 8 Dec, O2 Academy, Birmingham

Thurs 8 Dec, Temperance, Leamington Spa

ALINA BZHEZHINSKA / HIPHARP COLLECTIVE Thurs 8 Dec, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry CARA DILLON Thurs 8 Dec, Huntingdon Hall, Worcester

BADBADNOTGOOD + LIL SILVA + DAR DISKU Fri 9 Dec, O2 Institute, Birmingham

PIERCE THE VEIL Fri 9 Dec, O2 Academy, Birmingham

GUY CHAMBERS Fri 9 Dec, Birmingham Town Hall

BLUE + B*WITCHED + MEGAN MCKENNA Fri 9 Dec, Resorts World Arena, Birmingham

THE CARPENTERS EXPERIENCE Fri 9 Dec, The Assembly, Leamington Spa

BENJI KIRKPATRICK AND THE EXCESS Fri 9 Dec, Temperance, Leamington Spa

A BAND CALLED MALICE Fri 9 Dec, Queens Hall, Nuneaton

THE UPBEAT BEATLES Fri 9 Dec, The Benn Hall, Rugby

KEHLANI + DESTIN CONRAD Sat 10 Dec, O2 Academy, B’ham

THE SMYTHS Sat 10 Dec, O2 Academy, Birmingham

KATE RUSBY Sat 10 Dec, Birmingham Town Hall

CHARLES DEXTER WARD + STRIP SEARCH TRAMP + GESTALT + FIGHTING BOREDOM (DJ) Sat 10 Dec, The Tin Music and Arts, The Canal Basin, Coventry

LIVE WIRE - AC/DC TRIBUTE Sat 10 Dec, hmv Empire, Coventry DEFINITELY MIGHTBE Sat 10 Dec, Queens Hall, Nuneaton

BYE BYE BABY - FRANKIE VALLI & THE FOUR SEASONS TRIBUTE Sat 10 Dec, Malvern Theatres

ALTER BRIDGE + HALESTORM + MAMMOTH WVH Sun 11 Dec, Resorts World Arena, Birmingham

THE VAMPS Sun 11 Dec, Utilita Arena Birmingham

ALICE ARMSTRONG AND MATT LONG Sun 11 Dec, Temperance, Leamington Spa

Classical

LUNCHTIME CHRISTMAS MUSIC WITH THE CHOIR OF ST JOHN’S CAMBRIDGE Featuring Andrew Nethsingha (conductor) & Thomas Trotter (organ), Mon 5 Dec, Symphony Hall, Birmingham

VOICES OF BLACK OPERA Mon 5 Dec, Birmingham Town Hall

ORCHESTRA OF THE SWAN: MIDWINTER Programme includes works by Corelli, Anon, Purcell, Vivaldi, Holst arr. Le Page, Liszt & Trad. English arr. Le Page, Tues 6 Dec, Stratford Playhouse, Stratford-upon-Avon

ARMONICO CONSORT: BACH’S CHRISTMAS ORATORIO Featuring Christopher Monks (director). Programme comprises J.S Bach Christmas Oratorio BWV 248 Parts 1,3,5,6, Tues 6 Dec, Collegiate Church of St Mary, Warwick CBSO PLAYS SHOSTAKOVICH’S FIFTH SYMPHONY Featuring Alpesh Chauhan (conductor) & Eugene Tzikindelean (violin). Programme includes works by Brahms, Nielsen & Shostakovich, Wed 7 Dec, Symphony Hall, Birmingham

EX CATHEDRA: CHRISTMAS MUSIC BY CANDLELIGHT Featuring Jeffrey Skidmore (conductor) & the Ex Cathedra Consort, Wed 7 Dec, Hereford Cathedral

THE YORK WAITS: THE MIRTH AND MELODY OF ANGELS Wed 7 Dec, Holy Trinity Church, Leamington Spa MOSTLY PIANO WITH OLGA STEZHKO Programme includes works by Beethoven & Scriabin, Wed 7 Dec, Drapers’ Hall, Coventry

A CHRISTMAS CONCERT BY TENORS UNLIMITED Wed 7 Dec, Huntingdon Hall, Worcester IL DIVO Thurs 8 Dec, Utilita Arena Birmingham

HANDEL’S MESSIAH Featuring City of Birmingham Choir, CBSO conductor Adrian Lucas, Rebecca Hardwick (soprano), Hugh Cutting (counter tenor), Thomas Castle (tenor), Ashley Riches (bass), Thomas Trotter (harpsichord) & Christopher Allsop (chamber organ), Fri 9 Dec, Symphony Hall, Birmingham

(mezzo soprano), Tom Robson (tenor) & Edward Grint (bass baritone), Sat 10 Dec, Worcester Cathedral

CHRISTMAS EVENING CONCERT Sat 10 Dec, Coventry Cathedral

ELGAR’S PIANO QUINTET Sun 11 Dec, The Firs, Elgar’s Birthplace Museum, Worcester

BIRMINGHAM PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA Featuring Michael Lloyd (conductor) & Alison Roddy (soprano). Programme includes works by Mendelssohn, Dvorak, Sibelius, Humperdinck, Coates, Debussy, Lehár & Tchaikovsky, Sun 11 Dec, Bushell Hall, Solihull School

Comedy

ESHAAN AKBAR, MATT RICHARDSON, VITTORIO ANGELONE & FREDDY QUINNE Wed 7 Dec, Herbert’s Yard, Longbridge, Birmingham

ANDY ROBINSON, PHIL NICHOL, ALUN COCHRAN & COMIC TBC Thurs 8 - Sat 10 Dec, The Glee Club, Birmingham

PAUL RICKETTS, RADU ISAC & LATEEF LOVEJOY Fri 9 Dec, The Old Sticky Wicket, Redditch

SHAPARAK KHORSANDI Sat 10 Dec, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry

Theatre

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM New staging which transports Shakespeare’s famous comedy to the 1960s, until Sat 10 Dec, Loft Theatre, Leamington Spa

ROALD DAHL’S THE TWITS A Bear Pit Theatre Company production adapted from Roald Dahl’s classic book, until Sat 10 Dec, The Bear Pitt Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST A reimagining of the classic fairytale that promises to leave audiences ‘spellbound’, until Fri 16 Dec, The Old Rep, Birmingham

A CHRISTMAS CAROL Charles Dickens’ timeless classic, until Mon 26 Dec, The Albany Theatre, Coventry

ELECTRIC SIX Thurs 8 Dec, O2 Academy, Birmingham

RICK WAKEMAN Thurs 8 Dec, Birmingham Town Hall

PAUL HEATON AND JACQUI ABBOTT + BILLY BRAGG Thurs 8 Dec, Resorts World Arena, Birmingham FOLK @ TEMPERANCE

NICK HARPER + CHLOE MOGG Fri 9 Dec, Marrs Bar, Worcester

ROD STEWART Fri 9 - Sat 10 Dec, Utilita Arena Birmingham

SILVERSTEIN + COMEBACK KID + SENSES FAIL + KOYO Sat 10 Dec, O2 Institute, Birmingham

RIMZEE Sat 10 Dec, O2 Institute, Birmingham

SPEAR OF DESTINY Sun 11 Dec, Marrs Bar, Worcester

LAURA SNOWDEN Sun 11 Dec, Huntingdon Hall, Worcester

ORCHESTRA OF THE SWAN: MIDWINTER Programme includes works by Corelli, Anon, Purcell, Vivaldi, Holst arr. Le Page, Liszt & Trad. English arr. Le Page, Fri 9 Dec, Drapers’ Hall, Coventry

EBORACUM BAROQUE: HANDEL’S MESSIAH BY CANDLELIGHT Fri 9 Dec, Great Malvern Priory

WORCESTER MALE VOICE CHOIR CHRISTMAS CONCERT Fri 9 - Sat 10 Dec, Pershore Abbey

WORCESTER FESTIVAL CHORAL SOCIETY: HANDEL’S MESSIAH Featuring Philippa Hyde (soprano), Sarah Denbee

A CHRISTMAS CAROL Adrian Edmondson plays Ebenezer Scrooge in David Edgar’s critically acclaimed adaptation of Charles Dickens’ much-loved classic, until Sun 1 Jan, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon

NATIVITY! THE MUSICAL Debbie Isitt’s heart-warming festive musical, until Sat 7 Jan, The Rep, Birmingham

Kids Theatre

THE BEAR Pins And Needles’ heartwarming stage show, based on Raymond Briggs’ classic children’s book, until Fri 30 Dec, Midlands Arts

The Chameleons - hmv Empire, Coventry

Centre (MAC), Birmingham

STICK MAN Freckle Productions’ adaptation of Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler’s much-loved children’s book. Expect puppetry, songs, live music and ‘funky moves’, until Sat 31 Dec, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry

Panto time

SNOW WHITE This classic festive tale is brought bang up to date by BAFTA-winning writer Maurice Gran (Birds Of A Feather) and local playwright Nick Wilkes, until Sat 31 Dec, The Roses, Tewkesbury

CINDERELLA Featuring Soleil Quarless in the title role, JP McCue as Dame Dolly, Sean Dodds as Buttons and Denise Pitter & Kirstie Smith as the wicked stepsisters. Kyle Copeland makes his debut as the handsome prince and Adam Pettigrew is sidekick Dandini, until Sat 31 Dec, Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa

CINDERELLA Presented by Worcester Repertory Company, until Mon 2 Jan, Swan Theatre, Worcester

JACK AND THE BEANSTALK Starring Iain Lauchlan as ‘Coventry’s favourite dame’, until Sat 7 Jan, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry

ALADDIN Festive treat featuring West End leading lady Zoe Birkett as Spirit of The Ring and Michael Greco (EastEnders) as the evil Abanazar. Tam Ryan (Wishee Washee), Ian Adams (Widow Twankey), Sofie Anné (Princess Jasmine), Duane Gooden (Genie) and Ian Billings (The Notary!) also star, until Sat 7 Jan, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

SNOW WHITE & THE SEVEN DWARFS Lichfield regular Sam Rabone is joined by Brian Wheeler (Star Wars) and Dean Whatton (Game Of Thrones) in this festive family favourite, until Sun 8 Jan, Lichfield Garrick

Light Entertainment

CRAFT YOUR CHRISTMAS WITH SARA DAVIES Featuring practical demonstrations, creative ideas and a healthy dose of Sara’s down-to-earth know-how... Tues 6 Dec, Birmingham Town Hall

QUEENZ: THE SHOW WITH BALLS Deathdropping divas present reimagined classics from The Spice Girls, Lady Gaga, Little Mix, Britney Spears and more... X Factor and Union J pop favourite Jaymi Hensley stars, Wed 7 Dec, Birmingham Town Hall

WHO KILLED FATHER CHRISTMAS? Immersive Christmas-themed whodunnit in which the Lapland detectives need help solving the murder of Father Christmas, Wed 7 Dec, Stourport Civic Hall

BEYOND THE BARRICADE The UK’s longest-running musical theatre concert, featuring past principal performers from Les Miserables, Fri 9 Dec, Malvern Theatres

FAIRYTALE OF NEW YORK Irish-inspired Christmas show featuring an international cast of singers, musicians and dancers, Fri 9 Dec, The Roses, Tewkesbury

Talks & Spoken Word

AN EVENING WITH MONTY DON Spend an evening with the ever-popular writer & presenter as he shares his passion for gardens, Thurs 8 Dec, Symphony Hall, Birmingham

Events

SENSORY STORIES & RHYMES: CHRISTMAS SPECIAL Explore the classic story The Night Before Christmas via a sensory play-based approach, Tues 6 Dec, Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry

over 20 hand-selected boutique stalls filled with a wide range of gifts, Fri 9Sun 11 Dec, Compton Verney, Warwickshire

SANTA’S MAGICAL GROTTO Mother Christmas, the elves and Father Christmas have made themselves at home on the ground floor of Compton Verney, Fri 9 - Fri 23 Dec, Compton Verney, Warwickshire

A VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS SPECIAL EVENT Be welcomed on a journey which will take you through to the newly unveiled medieval kitchen and enjoy a special performance of scenes from Charles Dicken’s A Christmas Carol, Sat 10 Dec, St Mary’s Guildhall, Coventry

LKA CHAMPIONSHIP DOG SHOW The Ladies Kennel Association hosts its annual show, Sat 10 - Sun 11 Dec, NEC, Birmingham

AUDIENCE WITH FATHER CHRISTMAS Meet Father Christmas as he tells festive tales, Sat 10 - Sun 11 Dec, Kenilworth Castle, Warwickshire

Sat 10 - Sun 11 Dec, The Commandery, Worcester

SING-ALONG WITH SANTA! Join Santa for a session of singing and storytelling!, Sat 10 - Sun 11 Dec, Hartlebury Castle, Worcestershire

CHRISTMAS CHOIRS Visit the church at Croome to hear a variety of choirs celebrate the festive season, Sat 10Sun 11 Dec, Croome Park, Worcestershire

ENCHANTED EXPRESS Heritage steam train journey inspired by the classic poem ’Twas The Night Before Christmas, Sat 10 - Sun 11 Dec, Severn Valley Railway, Bewdley, Nr Kidderminster

SANTA TRAINS Travel by vintage steam train to visit Santa, Sat 10 - Sun 11 Dec, Severn Valley Railway, Bewdley, Nr Kidderminster

DanceTHE NUTCRACKER Birmingham Royal Ballet present Sir Peter Wright’s world-famous production, until Sat 10 Dec, Birmingham Hippodrome

ALJAZ AND JANETTE: A CHRISTMAS TO REMEMBER The Strictly stars are joined by dancers and singers for an evening of favourite festive hits - from the Golden Age of Hollywood to Disney Christmas crackers, Sat 10 Dec, Symphony Hall, Birmingham

CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL 2022 Check out the sparkling Christmas trees, individually designed and decorated by local schools, charities and organisations, Wed 7 Dec - Sun 8 Jan, Worcester Cathedral

WARWICK CHRISTMAS LECTURES 2022 Scientists from the University of Warwick leave their labs to entertain and amaze audiences with a selection of experiments, Thurs 8 Dec, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry

CANDLELIT CHRISTMAS Experience traditional Tudor Christmas pastimes in this unique after-dark event, Thurs 8 - Sat 17 Dec, Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon CHRISTMAS GIFT MARKET Featuring

ENCHANTED CHRISTMAS KINGDOM Yuletide attractions include Create A Bear, festive shows and a gingerbread factory, Sat 10 - Sun 11 Dec, Hatton Adventure World, Warwick

STORYTELLING WITH FATHER CHRISTMAS Get into the festive spirit with group storytelling sessions with Father Christmas, Sat 10 - Sun 11 Dec, Croft Castle, Herefordshire

FARMER CHRISTMAS AT CHURCHFIELDS Meet Farmer Christmas in a very special personalised show full of magic, song and dance, Sat 10 - Sun 11 Dec, Churchfields Farm, Droitwich

CHRISTMAS AT THE COMMANDERY Make your own gingerbread-man decoration, see what you can create with gingerbread playdoh, and get stuck into some Christmas colouring,

FESTIVE AFTERNOON TEA Enjoy an afternoon tea, specially created by Compton Verney’s chefs, in the splendour of the Adam Hall, Sat 10Fri 23 Dec, Compton Verney, Warwickshire

WINTER FUNLAND The largest indoor funfair in the UK, boasting an iceskating rink, a circus, Santa’s grotto, a craft arena and a full-sized fairground made up of more than 40 rides, Sat 10 Dec - Mon 2 Jan, NEC, Birmingham

MORNING EXPLORERS An early opening for children who are on the autistic spectrum, live with a sensory processing disorder or have other special needs, Sun 11 Dec, Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum

PADDLEBOARDING FATHER CHRISTMAS Father Christmas and his elves practise their paddleboarding skills out on the lake, Sun 11 Dec, Croome Park, Worcestershire

Queenz: The Show With Balls - Birmingham Town Hall

thelist

Gigs

THY ART IS MURDER + MALEVOLENCE + KING 810 + JUSTICE FOR THE DAMNED + ALLUVIAL Mon 12 Dec, O2 Institute, Birmingham GILBERT O’SULLIVAN Mon 12 Dec, Birmingham Town Hall CHAMELEONS Tues 13 Dec, O2 Institute, Birmingham

CARNIFEX + CHELSEA GRIN + VARIALS + THE CONVALESCENCE + BODYSNATCHER Tues 13 Dec, O2 Academy, Birmingham

JACKIE OATES AND JOHN SPIERS Tues 13 Dec, Temperance, Leamington Spa

CLUTCH + TIGERCUB + GREEN LUNG Wed 14 Dec, O2 Academy, Birmingham

COLLABRO Wed 14 Dec, Birmingham Town Hall

THE ALBION CHRISTMAS BAND Wed 14 Dec, Huntingdon Hall, Worcester

PUSHA T Thurs 15 Dec, O2 Institute, B’ham

LAMB OF GOD + KREATOR + THY ART IS MURDER + GATECREEPER Thurs 15 Dec, O2 Academy, Birmingham

JOHN KIRKPATRICK

Thurs 15 Dec, The Fleece Inn, Bretforton, Nr Evesham

THE MAJOR TOMS + THE ENIGMA STRINGS Fri 16 Dec, Hare & Hounds, Birmingham

JOEY BADA$$ Fri 16 Dec, O2 Academy, Birmingham

UB40 - Utilita Arena Birmingham

THE ABBA REUNION Fri 16 Dec, The Assembly, Leamington Spa

MVNICH Fri 16 Dec, The Tin Music and Arts, The Canal Basin, Coventry

STONE FOUNDATION Fri 16 Dec, Queens Hall, Nuneaton

FRED ZEPPELIN Fri 16 Dec, Marrs Bar, Worcester

WE THREE KINGS OF ROCK ‘N’ ROLL - TRIBUTE TO PRESLEY, HOLLY & ORBISON Fri 16 Dec, Kidderminster Town Hall

BARRY STEELE AND FRIENDS Fri 16 Dec, Civic, Stourport

THE BOB MARLEY REVIVAL Sat 17 Dec, O2 Academy, B’ham

THE TWANG + JAWS + OVERPASS + THE EFFENENAAR Sat 17 Dec, O2 Academy, Birmingham

EMMA BUNTON & FRIENDS Sat 17 Dec, Symphony Hall, B’ham BETTER LUCK + GRAIL GUARD +SHACKLEFORD + SEPTIC AND THE

TANKS Sat 17 Dec, The Tin Music and Arts, The Canal Basin, Coventry

RUSHED - RUSH TRIBUTE Sat 17 Dec, Arches Venue, Coventry

THE FLOWERS BAND Sat 17 Dec, Number 8, Pershore

SOUL STRIPPER - AC/DC TRIBUTE Sat 17 Dec, Marrs Bar, Worcester CHRIS DIFFORD + HOLLIE ROGERS Sat 17Sun 18 Dec, Temperance, Leamington Spa

THE TWANG + CORELLA + LOTTERY WINNERS + THE EFFENENAAR + STEVE CRADOCK (DJ SET) Sun 18 Dec, O2 Academy, Birmingham UB40 Sun 18 Dec, Utilita Arena B’ham KYLA BROX Sun 18 Dec, Temperance, Leamington Spa

WINTER WONDERBAND Sun 18 Dec, The Fleece Inn, Bretforton, Nr Evesham

THE BIG SING CHOIR Sun 18 Dec, The Benn Hall, Rugby

Classical

EX CATHEDRA: CHRISTMAS MUSIC BY CANDLELIGHT Featuring Jeffrey Skidmore (conductor) & the Ex Cathedra Consort, Tues 13 Dec, Coventry Cathedral

ENGLISH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: HANDEL’S MESSIAH Featuring April Fredrick (soprano), Heidi Jost (mezzo), Lawrence Olsworth-Peter (tenor) & Paul Goodwin-Groen (bass). Kenneth Woods conducts, Tues 13 Dec, Great Malvern Priory, Worcestershire

THE CITY MUSICK Festive dances and carols sung and played on the joyous sound of shawms, cornetts, sackbuts, dulcians, regals, recorders and bagpipes, Thurs 15 Dec, St Mary’s Church, Warwick

LONDON CONCERTANTE: VIENNESE CHRISTMAS BY CANDLELIGHT Programme includes works by Strauss, Tchaikovsky & Brahms, Thurs 15 Dec, Coventry Cathedral

A CBSO CHRISTMAS CAROL WITH ALAN TITCHMARSH Also featuring Simon Halsey (conductor) & CBSO Choruses. Programme includes works by Scheidt, Rutter, Traditional, Cunningham, Chillcott, Cornelius, Marsh, Twigg, Timon, Mendelssohn, arr Wilcocks, Anderson, Lane, Bridge, Lee; Arr. Sebba; Pentatonix; arr Brymer; Battiwalla, Esenvalds & Wade; arr Ledger, Thurs 15 - Fri 16 Dec, Symphony Hall, Birmingham

BARBARA NICE’S CHRISTMAS CRACKER Fri 16 Dec, Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham

SALLYANN FELLOWES, ADAM BEARDSMORE & COMICS TBC Fri 16 Dec, Evesham Town Hall

ERIC RUSHTON, KEITH FARNHAM & DAN EVANS Sat 17 Dec, The Old Sticky Wicket, Redditch

Theatre

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST A reimagining of the classic fairytale that promises to leave audiences ‘spellbound’, until Fri 16 Dec, The Old Rep, Birmingham

A CHRISTMAS CAROL Charles Dickens’ timeless classic, until Mon 26 Dec, The Albany Theatre, Coventry

A CHRISTMAS CAROL Adrian Edmondson plays Ebenezer Scrooge in David Edgar’s critically acclaimed adaptation of Charles Dickens’ much-loved classic, until Sun 1 Jan, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon

NATIVITY! THE MUSICAL Debbie Isitt’s heart-warming festive musical, until Sat 7 Jan, The Rep, Birmingham

FIVE CHILDREN AND IT Modern reimagining of E Nesbit’s much-loved children’s tale, Sat 17 - Sun 18 Dec, The Rose Theatre, Kidderminster

Panto time

SNOW WHITE This classic festive tale is brought bang up to date by BAFTA-winning writer Maurice Gran (Birds Of A Feather) and local playwright Nick Wilkes, until Sat 31 Dec, The Roses, Tewkesbury

THE SNOWMAN WITH LIVE ORCHESTRA Award-winning show featuring some of the UK’s finest musicians, Sat 17 Dec, Coventry Cathedral

HANDEL’S MESSIAH Featuring Simon Bell (conductor), Rebecca Hardwick (soprano), Robin Blaze (countertenor), Gwilym Bowen (tenor) & Stephen Whitford (bass), Sat 17 Dec, Tewkesbury Abbey

PERSHORE CHORAL CHRISTMAS CONCERT Featuring Prince Henry’s Chamber Choir, Sat 17 Dec, Pershore Abbey

Comedy

DYLAN MORAN, MIKE WOZNIAK, ROSIE JONES, CELYA AB + JOHN ROBINS Tues 13 Dec, Birmingham Town Hall

ALLYSON SMITH, GARRETT MILLERICK, TOM WARD & MICKEY D Thurs 15 - Sat 17 Dec, The Glee Club, Birmingham

CINDERELLA Featuring Soleil Quarless in the title role, JP McCue as Dame Dolly, Sean Dodds as Buttons and Denise Pitter & Kirstie Smith as the wicked stepsisters. Kyle Copeland makes his debut as the handsome prince and Adam Pettigrew is sidekick Dandini, until Sat 31 Dec, Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa

CINDERELLA Presented by Worcester Repertory Company, until Mon 2 Jan, Swan Theatre, Worcester

JACK AND THE BEANSTALK Starring Iain Lauchlan as ‘Coventry’s favourite dame’, until Sat 7 Jan, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry

ALADDIN Festive treat featuring West End leading lady Zoe Birkett as Spirit of The Ring and Michael Greco (EastEnders) as the evil Abanazar. Tam Ryan (Wishee Washee), Ian Adams (Widow Twankey), Sofie Anné (Princess Jasmine), Duane Gooden (Genie) and Ian Billings (The Notary!) also star, until Sat 7 Jan, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

SNOW WHITE & THE SEVEN DWARFS Lichfield regular Sam Rabone is

Kyla Brox- Temperance, Leamington Spa

joined by Brian Wheeler (Star Wars) and Dean Whatton (Game Of Thrones) in this festive family favourite, until Sun 8 Jan, Lichfield Garrick

ALADDIN Fun-packed adventure for all the family, Wed 14 - Sat 17 Dec, The Coach House, Malvern Theatres NUTCRACKER: A FAMILY PANTOMIME Theatre for younger audiences. Attend dressed as your favourite character - Sugar Plum Fairy, King Rat or the heroic Nutcracker, Wed 14 - Sat 17 Dec, The Coach House, Malvern Theatres

ALADDIN Join all your favourite characters for a show that brings together ‘music, magic and mayhem’, Wed 14 - Sat 31 Dec, Priory Theatre, Kenilworth SLEEPING BEAUTY ‘Fun-filled extravaganza for all the family’, Fri 16 - Sat 31 Dec, Stratford Playhouse, Stratford-upon-Avon

SNOW WHITE ADULTS ONLY Thurs 15 Dec, The Roses, Tewkesbury GOLDILOCKS AND THE 3 BEARS ‘Funfilled family panto’, Fri 16 - Sat 31 Dec, Talisman Theatre, Kenilworth DICK WHITTINGTON Lavish pantomime featuring Marti Pellow, Matt Slack, Dr Ranj, Suzanne Shaw, Doreen Tipton and Andrew Ryan, Sat 17 Dec - Sun 29 Jan, Birmingham Hippodrome

Kids Theatre

THE BEAR Pins And Needles’ heartwarming stage show, based on Raymond Briggs’ classic children’s book, until Fri 30 Dec, Midlands Arts Centre (MAC), Birmingham STICK MAN Freckle Productions’ adaptation of Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler’s much-loved children’s book. Expect puppetry, songs, live music and ‘funky moves’, until Sat 31 Dec, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry

TALES FROM ACORN WOOD AT CHRISTMAS Children’s show packed full of ‘toe-tapping songs, puppetry, and all your friends from Acorn Wood’, Tues 13 - Sat 31 Dec, Birmingham Hippodrome

Light Entertainment

THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL: FILM WITH LIVE ORCHESTRA Wed 14 Dec, Symphony Hall, Birmingham

A CHRISTMAS WASSAIL A festival of choral music, solo songs, spoken word and comedy, Sat 17 Dec, Hartlebury Castle, Nr Kidderminster

THE SNOWMAN LIVE! Film screening with a live orchestra, Sat 17 Dec, Coventry Cathedral

THE SNOWMAN AND THE SNOWDOG: FILM WITH LIVE ORCHESTRA The animated sequel to The Snowman is screened alongside a live concert orchestra and followed by Christmas pop songs and carols, Sat 17 Dec, Birmingham Town Hall

THE NUTCRACKER & THE SNOWMAN WITH TOSCANA STRINGS Join Toscana Strings and former Birmingham Royal Ballet soloist Laura Tye as they present festive stories through music and dance, Sun 18 Dec, Jennifer Blackwell Performance Space, Symphony Hall, Birmingham

Events

SENSORY STORIES & RHYMES: SANTA SING-ALONG SPECIAL Welcome a very special visitor from the North Pole, and sing along to some favourite Christmas nursery rhymes, Tues 13 Dec, Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry

CHRISTMAS CAROL CONCERT A festive performance by the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Chamber Choir, directed by Julian Wilkins, in the splendours of Compton Verney’s chapel, Sat 17 Dec, Compton Verney, Warwickshire

STORYTELLING WITH FATHER CHRISTMAS Grab your Christmas list and get into the festive spirit with some group storytelling sessions with Father Christmas, Sat 17 - Sun 18 Dec, Croft Castle, Herefordshire

AUDIENCE WITH FATHER CHRISTMAS Join Father Christmas as he tells festive tales, Sat 17 - Sun 18 Dec, Kenilworth Castle, Warwickshire

SANTA TRAINS Travel by vintage steam train to visit Santa, Sat 17 - Sun 18 Dec, Severn Valley Railway, Bewdley, Nr Kidderminster

ENCHANTED EXPRESS Enjoy a heritage steam train journey inspired by the classic poem ’Twas The Night Before Christmas, Sat 17 - Sun 18 Dec, Severn Valley Railway, Bewdley, Nr Kidderminster

CHRISTMAS AT THE COMMANDERY Make your own gingerbread-man decoration, see what you can create with gingerbread playdoh, and get stuck into some Christmas colouring, Sat 17 - Sun 18 Dec, The Commandery, Worcester

ENCHANTED CHRISTMAS KINGDOM

Enjoy festive attractions including Create A Bear, Christmas shows and a gingerbread factory, Sat 17 - Sat 24 Dec, Hatton Adventure World, Warwick

CHRISTMAS MAKERS MARKET A onestop shop for independent Christmas shopping, featuring lovingly handcrafted gifts by local designers, Sat 17 - Sun 18 Dec, FarGo Village, Coventry

FARMER CHRISTMAS AT CHURCHFIELDS

Meet Farmer Christmas in a very special personalised show full of magic, song and dance, Sat 17 - Sun 18 Dec, Churchfields Farm, Droitwich

PADDLEBOARDING FATHER CHRISTMAS Father Christmas and his elves will practise their paddleboarding skills

Stick Man - Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry

out on the lake, Sun 18 Dec, Croome Park, Worcestershire

AFTERNOON TEA WITH FATHER CHRISTMAS Children will be greeted by an elf before meeting Father Christmas in his grotto to receive a small Christmas gift, Sun 18 Dec, St Mary’s Guildhall, Coventry

Monday 19 - Saturday 31 December

Classical

LUNCHTIME ORGAN CONCERT WITH THOMAS TROTTER: SING CAROLS WITH THE CITY ORGANIST Featuring Jeremy Nicholas (compére) & Birmingham Cathedral Choir, Mon 19 Dec, Birmingham Town Hall

ARMONICO CONSORT: CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT Programme includes works by Jonathan Dove, Jean Mouton, Elizabeth Poston, Toby Young, Bob Chilcott, Philip Ledger, Mon 19 Dec, Collegiate Church of St Mary, Warwick

ARMONICO CONSORT’S PRESIDENT’S CAROLS Tues 20 Dec, Warwick Castle

Gigs

JOOLS HOLLAND WITH VIC REEVES & ROLAND

GIFT Mon 19 - Tues 20 Dec, Symphony Hall, Birmingham

SONS OF PITCHESCHRISTMAS PARTY 22 Tues 20 Dec, Hare & Hounds, Birmingham

STEVE HARLEY & COCKNEY REBEL Tues 20 Dec, Birmingham Town Hall

TOM PILKS + MARY JANE + FROM THE GRAPEVINE + TONI & ABIGAIL STANTON Wed 21 Dec, The Sunflower Lounge, Birmingham

IZZIE DERRY Thurs 22 Dec, Temperance, Leamington Spa

ROSIE FRATER-TAYLOR Thurs 22 Dec, Marrs Bar, Worcester

DECADES BAND Thurs 22 Dec, The River Rooms, Stourbridge

THE CLAUSE + THE K’S Fri 23 Dec, O2 Institute, Birmingham

NATHAN DAWE + VIBE CHEMISTRY + YUNG FILLY + TALIA MAR + SWEET FEMALE ATTITUDE + TYRONE Fri 23 Dec, Utilita Arena Birmingham

MARK MORRISS Fri 23 Dec, Temperance, Leamington Spa

GREENMATTHEWS Fri 23 Dec, Number 8, Pershore

FURY Fri 23 Dec, Marrs Bar, Worcester

SLEEP IN MOTION Fri 23 Dec, Katie Fitzgerald’s, Stourbridge

WHITE TYGER + MYSTIEK + THE HOT ONE TWO + JAYLER + SISTERS OF SPIN Fri 23 Dec, KK’s Steel Mill, Wolverhampton

BALAAM AND THE ANGEL + DAWN AFTER DARK Tues 27 Dec, O2

Institute, Birmingham

VICKY JACKSON IS PINK Tues 27 Dec, Queens Hall, Nuneaton

BAD MANNERS Tues 27 Dec, KK’s Steel Mill, Wolverhampton

DIRTY DC + GUNS N’ ROSES EXPERIENCE + DIZZY LIZZY + FOREVER SABBATH + MOTOR KILL

Wed 28 Dec, KK’s Steel Mill, Wolverhampton

FRED ZEPPELIN Thurs 29 Dec, The Flapper, Birmingham HOMETOWN - ADELE TRIBUTE Thurs 29 Dec, The River Rooms, Stourbridge

TAKE THE FIFTH - CLASH TRIBUTE + THE BIG STACEYS Fri 30 Dec, Marrs Bar, Worcester DECADES BAND Fri 30 Dec, The River Rooms, Stourbridge ABBA ALIKE Sat 31 Dec, Civic, Stourport

A SWINGING CHRISTMAS WITH THE CBSO Featuring Michael England (conductor) & Alice Fearn, Tim Howard & Rob Houchen (vocalists), Wed 21 Dec, Symphony Hall, Birmingham PICCADILLY SINFONIETTA: VIVALDI’S FOUR SEASONS Featuring Warren Mailley-Smith (piano), Thurs 29 Dec, St Phillips Cathedral, Birmingham

Comedy

MATT BRAGG & COMICS TBC Thurs 22Fri 23 Dec, The Glee Club, B’ham KANE BROWN, NABIL ABDULRASHID, RICHARD BLACKWOOD & SLIM Tues 27 Dec, The Glee Club, Birmingham

FAT THEO’S COMEDY CLUB CHRISTMAS SPECIAL Tues 27 Dec, The Old Sticky Wicket, Redditch

COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBINSON & COMICS TBC Thurs 29 Dec, The Glee Club, Birmingham

TOM WARD, MICKEY D, ANDY ROBINSON & COMIC TBC Fri 30 - Sat 31 Dec, The Glee Club, Birmingham

Theatre

A CHRISTMAS CAROL Charles Dickens’ timeless classic, until Mon 26 Dec, The Albany Theatre, Coventry

A CHRISTMAS CAROL Adrian Edmondson plays Ebenezer Scrooge in David Edgar’s critically acclaimed adaptation of Charles Dickens’ much-loved classic, until Sun 1 Jan, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon

NATIVITY! THE MUSICAL Debbie Isitt’s heart-warming festive musical, until Sat 7 Jan, The Rep, Birmingham

A CHRISTMAS CAROL Malvern Theatres Stage Company present Nic Lloyd’s version of Dickens’ festive classic, Tues 20 - Fri 30 Dec, Malvern Theatres

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM New staging of Shakespeare’s magical comedy, Wed 21 - Fri 30 Dec, The Dream Factory, Warwick

DICKENS BY CANDLELIGHT One-man show in which Barry North provides a lighthearted look at Victorian society as seen through the eyes of Charles Dickens, Thurs 22 Dec, Huntingdon Hall, Worcester

Panto time

GOLDILOCKS AND THE 3 BEARS ‘Funfilled family panto’, until Sat 31 Dec, Talisman Theatre, Kenilworth

SNOW WHITE This classic festive tale is brought bang up to date by BAFTA-winning writer Maurice Gran (Birds Of A Feather) and local playwright Nick Wilkes, until Sat 31 Dec, The Roses, Tewkesbury

ALADDIN Join all your favourite characters for a show that brings together ‘music, magic and mayhem’, until Sat 31 Dec, Priory Theatre, Kenilworth

CINDERELLA Featuring Soleil Quarless in the title role, JP McCue as Dame Dolly, Sean Dodds as Buttons and Denise Pitter & Kirstie Smith as the wicked stepsisters. Kyle Copeland makes his debut as the handsome prince and Adam Pettigrew is sidekick Dandini, until Sat 31 Dec, Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Brand-new furry-tail adventure complete with shimmering sets, outrageous costumes, magic & mayhem, until Mon 2 Jan, The Core Theatre, Solihull

CINDERELLA Presented by Worcester Repertory Company, until Mon 2 Jan, Swan Theatre, Worcester

JACK AND THE BEANSTALK Starring Iain Lauchlan as ‘Coventry’s favourite dame’, until Sat 7 Jan, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry

SNOW WHITE & THE SEVEN DWARFS

Lichfield regular Sam Rabone is joined by Brian Wheeler (Star Wars) and Dean Whatton (Game Of Thrones) in this festive family favourite, until Sun 8 Jan, Lichfield Garrick

ALADDIN Festive treat featuring West End leading lady Zoe Birkett as Spirit of The Ring and Michael Greco (EastEnders) as the evil Abanazar. Tam Ryan (Wishee Washee), Ian Adams (Widow Twankey), Sofie Anné (Princess Jasmine), Duane Gooden (Genie) and Ian Billings (The Notary!) also star, until Sat 7 Jan, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

Jools Holland - Symphony Hall, Birmingham

Mark Morriss - Temperance, Leamington Spa

DICK WHITTINGTON Lavish pantomime featuring Marti Pellow, Matt Slack, Dr Ranj, Suzanne Shaw, Doreen Tipton and Andrew Ryan, until Sun 29 Jan, Birmingham Hippodrome

ELF: A CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR A panto with a difference, based on the hit Will Ferrell movie and featuring Santa’s flying sleigh, an audience snowball fight, an indoor snowstorm, a giant candy cane journey from the North Pole, aerial cirque stars, and giant TV screens to ensure you don’t miss a moment, Thurs 22 - Fri 23 Dec, Resorts World Arena, Birmingham

Kids Theatre

THE BEAR Pins And Needles’ heartwarming stage show, based on Raymond Briggs’ classic children’s book, until Fri 30 Dec, Midlands Arts Centre (MAC), Birmingham

STICK MAN Freckle Productions’ adaptation of Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler’s much-loved children’s book. Expect puppetry, songs, live music and ‘funky moves’, until Sat 31 Dec, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry TALES FROM ACORN WOOD AT CHRISTMAS Children’s show packed full of ‘toe-tapping songs, puppetry, and all your friends from Acorn Wood’, until Sat 31 Dec, Birmingham Hippodrome

GLISTEN The Half Moon Young People’s Theatre present an interactive performance for babies up to 18 months of age, Mon 19 - Sat 24 Dec, Warwick Arts Centre

ever-popular stage show based on Julia Donaldson’s bestselling children’s book. This new version is performed by a cast of both deaf and hearing actors, Tues 27 Dec - Sun 15 Jan, Birmingham Town Hall

with gingerbread playdoh, and get stuck into some Christmas colouring, Tues 20 & Thurs 22 Dec, The Commandery, Worcester

CINDERELLA Festive family favourite complete with sparkling sets, singalong songs and laughs aplenty, Fri 30 Dec - Sun 8 Jan, The Albany Theatre, Coventry

SANTA SAVES CHRISTMAS Jack’s beanstalk won’t grow and Cinderella’s glass slipper is broken. Can you help save Christmas in this ‘festive, musical, interactive adventure’?, Thurs 22 Dec, Stourport Civic Hall

THE GRUFFALO Tall Stories presents its

Light Entertainment

CHRISTMAS AT THE MOVIES The London Concert Orchestra bring favourite festive film soundtracks to life, live on stage, Thurs 22 Dec, Symphony Hall, Birmingham

CHRISTMAS CAROL SINGALONG Jonathan Cohen and Louise Dearman host a big festive party for all the family, Fri 23 Dec, Symphony Hall, Birmingham

A DICKENSIAN CHRISTMAS Toast the Christmas spirit with Charles Dickens in a show featuring Victorian carols and a selection of readings from A Christmas Carol, Fri 23 Dec, Symphony Hall, Birmingham

CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR Festive extravaganza featuring music, dance, lights and spectacle, Sat 24 Dec, Symphony Hall, Birmingham

THE BEST OF JOHN WILLIAMS Concert celebrating the iconic scores of one of Hollywood’s favourite composers, Wed 28 Dec, Symphony Hall, B’ham

THE GREATEST SHOWTUNES Celebrate the best of West End and movie musicals with this concert of ‘the greatest show tunes of all time’, Thurs 29 Dec, Symphony Hall, Birmingham

THE MUSIC OF ZIMMER VS WILLIAMS

The London Concert Orchestra perform music by two of the greatest film composers of all time, Fri 30 Dec, Symphony Hall, Birmingham

Events

CHRISTMAS AT THE COMMANDERY Make your own gingerbread-man decoration, see what you can create

FAMILY MUSEUM ENGINEERS - LIGHTS, CAMS & ACTION Explore lights, cams and engineering while improving your problem-solving skills and imagination, Tues 20 - Thurs 22 Dec, Coventry Transport Museum

CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS: SOLDIERS & FAIRIES Create a handmade peg soldier and fairy decorations, Tues 20 - Thurs 22 Dec, Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry

SANTA TRAINS Travel by vintage steam train to visit Santa, Tues 20 - Sat 24 Dec, Severn Valley Railway, Bewdley, Nr Kidderminster

FARMER CHRISTMAS AT CHURCHFIELDS Meet Farmer Christmas in a very special personalised show full of magic, song and dance, Wed 21Sat 24 Dec, Churchfields Farm, Droitwich

ENCHANTED EXPRESS Heritage steam train journey inspired by the classic poem ’Twas The Night Before Christmas, Fri 23 - Sat 24 Dec, Severn Valley Railway, Bewdley, Nr Kidderminster

CHRISTMAS EVE CAROLS FESTIVITIES

AROUND THE TREE Join the cast and crew of A Midsummer Night’s Dream for carols around the Christmas Tree, mince pies, mulled wine and lots of good cheer, Sat 24 Dec, Playbox Theatre, Warwick

TOY COLLECTORS FAIR Featuring more than 500 stalls packed with thousands of collectables for sale, Tues 27 Dec, NEC, Birmingham

FAMILY MUSEUM ENGINEERS - LIGHTS, CAMS & ACTION Explore lights, cams and engineering while improving your problem-solving skills and imagination, Wed 28 - Thurs 29 Dec, Coventry Transport Museum

BIG FISH LITTLE FISH NYEE FAMILY RAVE For the third year running, Big Fish Little Fish returns for a ‘glittertastic’ NYEE family rave, Fri 30 Dec, Coventry Cathedral

Tales From Acorn Wood - Birmingham Hippodrome