What's On - January 2014

Midlands Cover -Jan_Layout 1 16/12/2013 12:59 Page 1

MIDLANDS WHAT’S ON ISSUE 337 JANUARY 2014

THE MIDLANDS ESSENTIAL ENTERTAINMENT GUIDE

www.whatsonlive.co.uk £1.80

ISSUE 337 JANUARY 2014

DAVID E SSEX

TALKS ABO UT H INTERVIEW IS LATEST ROLE INSIDE...

THE DEFINITIVE LISTINGS GUIDE

PART OF MIDLANDS WHAT’S ON MAGAZINE GROUP PUBLICATIONS

INCLUDING BIRMINGHAM WOLVERHAMPTON WALSALL DUDLEY COVENTRY STRATFORD WORCESTER REDDITCH MALVERN SHREWSBURY TELFORD STAFFORD STOKE

INSIDE:

Gary Wilmot

Arenacross

Strictly Live

Priscilla...

on making his Dame debut interview

back in the city preview

dances into Brum preview

West End show out on tour... preview

What’sOn MAGAZINE GROUP

out on tour...

ISSN 2053 - 3128

@WHATSONBRUM WWW.WHATSONLIVE.CO.UK

quintessential electropop

grand_whatson FP Jan_Layout 1 13/12/2013 12:36 Page 1

Great Theatre at the Grand!

FRI 24 JANUARY

MON 27 JAN - SAT 1 FEB

MON 3 - SAT 8 FEBRUARY

MON 17 - WED 19 FEBRUARY

THU 20 - SAT 22 FEBRUARY

Featuring incredible songs from over four decades of the Brothers Gibb - from the 60s to the 90s.

WED 12 - SAT 15 FEBRUARY

Robert C Kelly and Martin Lynch present

The Outrageous New Comedy!

Written By Leesa

Harker

BBC “hilarious” ...the joy is in the outrageous script...

TUES 25 FEB - SAT 1 MARCH

ALSO BOOKING

MON 3 - SAT 8 MARCH

MON 13 JANUARY

BILL KENWRIGHT PRESENTS

JETHRO

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TUES 21 JANUARY SHAKESPEARE 4 KIDZ’

MACBETH

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SAT 25 JANUARY

TREORCHY MALE CHOIR

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SUN 23 FEBRUARY

THE RATPACK IS BACK ..................................................................

SUN 2 MARCH

THE ELVIS YEARS

..................................................................

TUES 11 - SAT 15 MARCH WOLVERHAMPTON MUSICAL COMEDY COMPANY

GREASE

..................................................................

SAT 22 MARCH LESLEY JOSEPH

HOT FLUSH

Follow us on

@WolvesGrand

IT’S BACK - AND IT’S GONNA LIVE FOREVER!

Like us on Facebook: Wolverhampton Grand

Box Office 01902

42 92 12

BOOK ONLINE AT www.grandtheatre.co.uk

Contents- Region One - Jan_Layout 1 16/12/2013 22:10 Page 1

January 2014 Editor: Davina Evans

INSIDE:

davina@whatsonlive.co.uk 01743 281708

Priscilla Queen Of The Desert

Editorial Assistants: Brian O’Faolain brian@whatsonlive.co.uk 01743 281701

West End show back in the Midlands... p29

Lauren Foster lauren@whatsonlive.co.uk 01743 281707

Adrian Parker adrian.parker@whatsonlive.co.uk 01743 281714

Sales & Marketing: Jon Cartwright j.cartwright@whatsonlive.co.uk 01743 281703

Chris Horton chris@whatsonlive.co.uk 01743 281704

Subscriptions: Adrian Parker

Gary Wilmot

adrian.parker@whatsonlive.co.uk 01743 281714

makes his debut as a Dame interview p10

Managing Director: Paul Oliver paul@whatsonlive.co.uk 01743 281711

Publisher and CEO: Martin Monahan martin@whatsonlive.co.uk 01743 281710

Graphic Designers: Lisa Wassell Chris Atherton Accounts Administrator Julia Perry

David Essex stars in Morris Panych’s drama at The REP, interview page 8

julia@whatsonlive.co.uk 01743 281717

Website Development: Jim Pallett Contributors: Graham Bostock: Theatre James Cameron-Wilson: Film; Anita Champaneri: Eating Out; Alev Dervish: Music Eva Easthope, Kate Evans, Jessica Aston, Patsy Moss, Jack Rolfe, Jan Watts, Reggie White Head Office: 13-14 Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, SY2 6AE

Tel: 01743 281777

TO GET THE VERY LATEST LISTING INFORMATION, VISIT: whatsonlive.co.uk INCLUDING BOOKING ONLINE The Midlands’ most comprehensive entertainment website

e-mail: info@whatsonlive.co.uk

Follow us on...

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We endorse the recycling of our magazine and would encourage you to pass it on to others to read when you have finished with it.

What’sOn MAGAZINE GROUP

Birmingham @whatsonbrum Warwickshire @whatsonwarwicks Worcestershire @whatsonworcs

News Music Comedy Theatre Dance Film/DVD Visual Arts Events Eating Out

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Union J X Factor boyband back in the region p15

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News

A ROUND-UP OF LOCAL AND NATIONAL ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

All-star cast for new BBC comedy Some of TV’s best-loved actors are to feature in a brand new six-part comedy for the BBC. Russ Abbot, Stephanie Beacham, Phillip Jackson, Alison Steadman, June Whitfield and Paula Wilcox will all star in Grey Matters (working title), which goes into production in the Spring. Set in Thurnemouth, ‘Norfolk’s only west-facing resort’, the story follows three newly retired couples as they rediscover what it means to have time on their hands. Talking about the new series, BBC Controller of Comedy Shane Allen said: “This is a very modern, affectionate and brutally honest single-camera take on a stage of life often stereotyped and outmoded in sitcomworld. Cast perfection on top of a script that glitters with comedy gems.”

War Horse gallops into Stoke-on-Trent

Ska legends open new memorabilia shop Coventry’s Ska music legends Pauline Black and Neville Staple have officially opened a new memorabilia shop in the city’s 2-Tone Village. Run by Suky Singh, Hall Of Fame Memorabilia is described as an ‘Aladdin’s Cave’ of signed photos and artefacts from the worlds of sport, film, TV and music.

Visitors to the shop are promised a plethora of collectable pieces from Coventry City, Manchester United, Celtic and Liverpool football clubs, as well as items relating to iconic stars from the music industry, including Paul Weller, Coldplay, Madness, The Selecter and The Specials.

The National Theatre’s award-winning adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s powerful novel War Horse will visit the Regent Theatre in Stoke-on-Trent in September. The highly acclaimed production has been playing to packed houses at some of the country’s biggest theatres since heading out on tour last year. The Regent is reporting initial record box office sales for the show, with ten per cent of available tickets being snapped up within forty-eight hours of going on sale last month. Set during the First World War, War Horse is the moving story of a young boy named Albert and his beloved horse Joey, who’s been requisitioned by the British Army.

Commenting on its Autumn 2014 visit to Stoke, Victoria Power, Marketing Manager at the Regent, said: “It’s great news for the theatre and for the wider area to have such a strong and iconic show like War Horse touring here this year. The National Theatre will deliver a great show to Stoke-on-Trent, and we can’t wait until September, when War Horse begins its threeweek run. We’re certain local audiences will absolutely love this world-class production.”

War Horse runs at the Regent Theatre from 24 September to 11 October. sees legendary players and managers from yesteryear coming together for an indoor football tournament to raise funds for Cure Leukaemia. Aston Villa, Birmingham City, West Bromwich Albion, Coventry City, Walsall and Wolverhampton Wanderers, as well as two mystery teams, are all committed to the event, with each playing squad including five places set aside for members of the general public.

After each match, the fan members of each team will take part in their own penalty shootout in front of a packed arena.

For further information on how to bid for a squad place, visit www.clublegendscup.co.uk

Partnership sees the launch of new Sutton Coldfield venue

Raise a cup for charity...

Midlands football fans get the chance to showcase their skills and enjoy a ‘once in a lifetime’ experience at a cancer fundraising event next summer. The Club Legends Cup takes place at Birmingham’s LG Arena on 12 July - the day before the FIFA World Cup Final in Brazil - and 4 www.whatsonlive.co.uk

A new state-of-the-art cookery school opens its doors to the Sutton Coldfield public this month. The Taste Kitchen, in association with Miele, offers courses for up to sixteen cooking enthusiasts. A partnership between Heart of England Fine Foods (HEFF), German appliance brand Miele and leading kitchen specialists Princess Design, the new cookery school supports local food and drink producers and marks a new era of growth for HEFF, with a move to Shrewsbury College also confirmed for this month.

V&A objects on show in Coventry Coventry’s Herbert Art Gallery & Museum has acquired two prints by renowned French artist Henri Matisse as part of its Museums and Schools programme. The items form part of a collection of seventeen specially selected objects on loan to the gallery from London’s Victoria & Albert Museum until March 2015. Each of the items will be positioned within permanent exhibitions in the Herbert, and have been acquired to strengthen the site’s current displays.

Alison Taylor, Learning & Inclusion Manager at the gallery, said of the loan, “A lot of work has gone into selecting objects that complement and enhance the Herbert’s permanent collections, and the V&A items look absolutely stunning in the galleries.”

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Council looking to outsource Birmingham’s Old Rep Birmingham City Council is on the lookout for a ‘visionary’ organisation which can ‘breathe new life’ into the Old Rep Theatre on Station Street. The council estimates it can annually save £20,000 on running costs by outsourcing the theatre’s day-to-day operations. The Old Rep was the first theatre of its kind in England devoted to repertory, and has been home to the well-travelled Birmingham Stage Company since 1992, as well as a regular performing venue for numerous amateur theatre companies. If the tender is successful, the new operator would be managed by the city council’s culture commissioning service, which looks after relationships with funded arts organisations such as mac Birmingham and Birmingham Museums Trust.

Motionhouse launches new youth company New archive and local history centre for Dudley A new state-of-the-art archive centre opens to the public in Dudley this month. The purpose-built building, which opens on Tipton Road on 14 January, will feature up-to-theminute IT and public Wi-Fi services, learning and conference rooms, a local studies library and research area, and a large and airy search room. Free public car parking is also available. Commenting on the new centre, which is part-financed by the European Regional Development Fund, Dudley Councillor Stuart Turner said: “It’s great that our new archives and local history centre is now complete. It really is looking fantastic, and will represent a great resource for the people of Dudley Borough.”

Library welcomes its millionth visitor The Library of Birmingham has welcomed its millionth visitor - one hundred days after its grand public opening. Joanna Kucper was presented with a bag of goodies including books, a Library of Birmingham bear and tickets to see Father Christmas. A welcome addition to the city, the library was recently nominated for the prestigious RIBA Building of the Year Award for 2014. We’ll keep you posted...

Leamington-based dance theatre company Motionhouse is expanding its youth company programme by introducing a new class for children aged between eight and thirteen.

Motionhouse Junior will meet early on Thursday evenings from 9 January and present end-ofterm performances. Anybody interested in their child joining the group should visit www.motionhouse.co.uk for further details.

One of the country’s most highly rated physical movement companies, Motionhouse’s productions weave together theatrical narrative with athletic dance and aerial work. Under the direction of Kevin Finnan MBE - the man who choreographed the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympic Games - the company has garnered a reputation for its empowering and creative participatory work with young people. Its Spencer Yard-based youth company (for youngsters aged between eleven and nineteen) is one of just five Midlands companies selected to perform at MY Dance Festival, which takes place in Birmingham in the Spring.

Meanwhile, Motionhouse’s touring production of Broken, a mesmerising work which explores man’s precarious relationship with the earth, shows at mac Birmingham on 12 & 13 February, and at the Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, on 25 February.

IN BRIEF Meet the gardener at Ragley Hall...

Warwickshire’s Ragley Hall has announced a series of special Head Gardener Open Days for 2014. Designed by Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown during the eighteenth century, Ragley’s ten hectacres of pleasure grounds are regarded as some of the best in the region, designed to optimise habitats and food resources for insects, birds and small mammals. Each open day offers a chance to meet Head Gardener Ross Barbour, with the first session - Snowdrops And Winter Garden taking place on 26 and 27 February.

From Downtown New York to Birmingham A major new festival bringing together music, performance art, exhibitions and cutting-edge technology is set to take place across Birmingham in the Spring. Frontiers: Extraordinary Music From Downtown New York & Birmingham fuses the sights and sounds of ‘the city that never sleeps’ with the vibrant music scene of the UK’s second city. Performances range from postpunk to new composition, and include a networked improvisation encompassing two continents and a twenty-four-hour marathon of music by American giant Thelonious Monk. Other highlights include a fully-realised performance of Robert Ashley’s String Quartet Describing The Motion Of Large Real Bodies (1971), a Deep Listening Meditation from John Cage Award-winner Pauline Oliveros, and classic works by Philip Glass presented by Frontiers’ resident ensemble Decibel.

Frontiers: Extraordinary Music From Downtown New York & Birmingham runs from 22 March to 5 April, returning with the second leg of its programme from 2 to 8 June.

Crimson Grail, credit Craig S McKibben, Jr, for The Williamsport Sun-Gazette

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News Mammoth investment to transform Shrewsbury site Shrewsbury’s historic Flax Mill Maltings has received a mammoth £12.8million investment from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The funding will enable the site to forge ahead with its transformation into a comprehensive commercial and community space, complete with conferencing facilities, office space and an area dedicated to the Flax Mill’s heritage. Sited on the north edge of Shrewsbury, the Flax Mill is the world’s first iron-framed building, and reflects the region’s significant contribution to the world of engineering. Work starts at the location in the Spring, with the first phase of the project expected to take two years to complete. artist’s impression of the Flax Mill Maltings

Cinderella shall go to the Ball... in Wolverhampton, in 2014!

Stacey Solomon to front world’s largest choir...

Former X Factor finalist Stacey Solomon is to front one of the world’s largest choirs when it performs in the Midlands this month. More than one hundred-and-ten thousand children, together with their music teachers, are taking part in the Young Voices seventeen-date tour, which sees approximately seven thousand children performing at any given time.

Covering a variety of genres, from folk and classical to rock and pop, Young Voices aims to bring together primary school children from across the region, boost confidence and provide lifelong memories for the participants and their families. Stacey, who recently completed her debut album and enjoyed a successful stint as Tinkerbell in Peter Pan: The Never Ending Story, is following in the footsteps of other high-profile music artists who’ve played their part in Young Voices concerts. Previous presenters include Katherine Jenkins, Alexandra Burke, Beverley Knight and Joss Stone. This year’s Midlands event takes place at Birmingham’s LG Arena from 14 to 17 January.

With this year’s panto run of Sleeping Beauty well under way, Wolverhampton’s Grand Theatre has announced that its festive offering for 2014/15 will be Cinderella.

The production, which last showed at the Grand in 2009, coincides with the theatre’s one hundred-and-twentieth birthday and will launch with a special gala on 10 December.

Commenting on the announcement, Grand Theatre Chief Executive Peter Cutchie said: “I’m thrilled to be working with Qdos pantomimes to bring the magic of Cinderella to Wolverhampton, in what is an extra special year for the Grand Theatre. A landmark year requires a landmark production, and our 2014/15 festive offering promises to be more magical than ever before. Cinderella has long been a favourite of the pantomime repertoire, and the fact that this production coincides with the one hundred-and-twentieth anniversary of the theatre’s original opening in 1894 is a particularly exciting prospect for the venue and the city.”

Other shows announced for the Grand’s birthday year include The Mikado (performed by the Gilbert And Sullivan Opera Company), the smash-hit West End comedy The Play That Goes Wrong, The Full Monty, and Scooby-Doo: The Mystery Of The Pyramid.

IN BRIEF Shropshire gallery calling for entries Oswestry’s Willow Gallery is looking for artists across a broad spectrum of mediums to showcase their work in the gallery’s forthcoming Earth Flight exhibition.

The Jonathan Swift quote that ‘Vision is the art of seeing what is invisible to others’ is the theme of the show, which it’s hoped will celebrate the ability of artists to see things from a unique perspective and ‘capture the extraordinary in the everyday.’

Opening on 18 January, the exhibition runs for six weeks.

Deadline for entries is 11 January.

For further information, and to find out how to enter, email willowgalleryoswestry@gmail .com

New Chair announced for Town Hall/Symphony Hall Former BBC executive Anita Bhalla, OBE DL, has been elected as the new Chair for Performances Birmingham Limited (PBL) - the charity which runs the city’s Town Hall and Symphony Hall venues. A trustee with PBL since 1996 and a former Governor of Birmingham City University, Anita has overseen numerous large projects for the BBC, including the network of big screens which show live relays of major cultural and sporting events. Speaking of her new role, Anita said: “I’m really looking forward to taking up my post, and helping to guide PBL during what will be a difficult period as public sector funding cuts bite. I’m particularly keen to forge even stronger relationships with our artistic partners including our resident ensembles and artists, such as the CBSO to ensure that PBL presents a wide and diverse programme of events which reflects the demographics of our great city.”

Garage find ends up at RAF Stafford A number of wing sections belonging to a ninety-five-year-old biplane bomber have been rescued from a garage roof in Flintshire. The twenty-five-foot-long wooden wing sections - four examples of the lower starboard wing and lower port wing - were used to support the roof of a garage in Connah’s Quay prior to its demolition last year. Although the wing sections were initially thought to have originated in World War Two, a member of the RAF Museum’s curatorial staff was able to establish that the find actually belonged to a Handley Page O/400 - a much earlier aircraft. With permission from site owner Alan Sullivan, the items were removed and are now housed in the museum’s storage facility at RAF Stafford. www.whatsonlive.co.uk 7

David Essex interview_Layout 1 16/12/2013 22:16 Page 1

“

It was only when I wrote my autobiography, Over The Moon, that I realised just how much I’d done.

”

David Essex

chained to the sink in Morris Panych’s ‘delicious’ drama...

Propelled to stardom in the 1971 West End production of Godspell, David Essex went on to set the standard in numerous iconic roles, including Che Guevara in the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, Evita. This month sees the 1970s pin-up boy visiting the Midlands to star as Dressler in Morris Panych’s little-performed play, The Dishwashers. What’s On recently caught up with the delightful David to find out what audiences can expect.

Tell us about Morris Panych’s The Dishwashers, which is coming to The REP this month...

I suppose it’s a Brecht comedy. It’s a threehander about aspiration, with some very funny lines in it. There’s a kind of strangeness to the play, which drew me to it initially. I thought it was very unusual - witty, while covering an interesting subject matter.

8 www.whatsonlive.co.uk

And what about the character you play Dressler?

He’s an ex-prisoner who’s dishwashing out of a sense of duty. He’s very professional about it. Dressler speaks the most in the play - probably for two hours. There’s also this new character who comes in, who’s bankrupt, from the city. He’s got different views on dishwashing, and a conflict arises between the two.

Is it a piece that will appeal to a particular type of audience?

Playgoers, I think. It’s a very strong piece which, although it’s been done once or twice in Canada, has never been done worldwide.

I’m looking forward to being reunited with Nikolai Foster, with whom I’ve worked twice before, on Aspects Of Love and All The Fun Of The Fair.

David Essex interview_Layout 1 16/12/2013 22:17 Page 2

interview...

What about your involvement in Traveller, which has recently been released in cinemas?

I act in it, and my son is playing the lead.

He’s tremendous, and looks like he might get nominated for a BAFTA, as does the soundtrack which I did for the film. The central character is half-gypsy, and the heart of the film is the story of his efforts to find his identity and where he belongs. Lots of things happen to him along the way which are pretty devastating. It’s a spiritual film with an element of what we know about traveller life.

I think what sets it apart is the fact that we had the trust of travellers/gypsies. We filmed on a gypsy site and used lots of extras who were travellers. There’s a big eviction scene in it, and they’re all traveller guys and ladies, so I think we were able to gain the trust of the community, and that really helped.

You’ve mentioned your son, who’s followed you into the world of acting. Was this something you actively encouraged?

Not really, but this was such a big part - he’s in every scene, more or less. He was a little bit apprehensive, because he hadn’t done much before. I did two or three scenes with him and realised immediately that he was quite special. It was a real privilege to work with him. He’s done two films since Traveller and a BBC drama, which are all due to come out in 2014.

Your run in EastEnders was rather brief.

What do you think it would take to bring Eddie Moon back to the Square?

I don’t think anything, really. It was fast and furious and I enjoyed it, but I told them at the outset that I could only do five months because I was committed to the tour of All The Fun Of The Fair. They’ve not asked me to go back and I’ve not wanted to go back.

The door’s not locked but it’s certainly closed...

Did you always want to be a performer when growing up in the East End? No, I was going to be a footballer. I used to play for West Ham when I was a little boy, but as I got older, I was taken by Blues music and started playing drums. I was in a Blues band, but the band fell to bits, and the manager at the time asked if I wanted to be a solo singer. I guess it went downhill from there, really!

So you’ve not looked back...

No, it’s been good. The great thing is being able to work in so many different mediums. It keeps me interested, and hopefully allows me to relate to a wider audience.

If you had to opt for either a life in music or a career in the theatre, which would you choose?

I wouldn’t want to choose, because I enjoy both. I’ve recently started to concentrate a lot more on film - there’s another out this year which I’ve been working on called Meet The Governors. But I think, to be completely honest, I always feel a little bit more comfortable when there’s music around. I guess it’s where I came from.

What’s the recent appeal of appearing on camera?

It’s easy! With theatre, eight shows a week is a slog. I love the immediacy of the theatre

There must be something about touring which really attracts you, though, as you’re out on the road again later this year with the Once In A Lifetime tour...

Yeah, in June. I think it must be that gypsy in my blood! My grandfather was a tinker man from Cork and I’ve always enjoyed travelling.

Any other projects that you’re working on at the moment?

Myself and another writer are looking at a Cuban musical. I’ve sent him off to Cuba, so he’s meeting people down dark alleys to talk about Fidel and Che. It’ll be about revolutions; not necessarily Che Guevara, but revolutions and what happens to ordinary people. We’re having a look at that, but I’m not sure whether we’ll ever get it together, because there’s some information which we want that we can’t quite get hold of.

You’ve received plenty of accolades over the years. Which has meant the most?

None, really. I’m not one to dwell on success. It was only when I wrote my autobiography, Over The Moon, that I realised just how much I’d done. I’m very much into today and tomorrow, but maybe I should have savoured the successes that I’ve had a bit more. I guess I’m pretty grounded.

What’s your favourite way to wind down?

I don’t! I wouldn’t mind doing so, but I have too many kids to look after. The ability to work in so many different mediums is the key for me. If I was just a singer who stood up and sung other people’s songs, then I’d probably have had enough of it, and people would’ve had enough of me too. But being able to do a film, write a book, a soundtrack and an album is still great fun.

With so much going on, how do you prioritise your time?

I panic. I know that, come the end of January, we’ll be opening in Birmingham with The Dishwashers, so the panic about learning the script will soon set in. The speeches are enormous. It’s a lot of work and a big old challenge, but hopefully I’ll pull it off.

If a career in showbiz hadn’t worked out, what would you be doing now?

Fundamentally something with a certain amount of freedom to it. Maybe something which involves travelling. Maybe a lorry driver.

and the contact with people, but film is what I’m concentrating on more now. You go in, develop your character, and away you go.

It’s slightly more civilised.

But you’ve been there before, haven’t you?

I was with Sir Peter Hall’s company for eighteen months and I played Byron at the Old Vic. I’ve done plays before, and this one is very special. It’s quite funny and it’s quite dark.

It must also be quite exciting being in the first lot of casting for a play...

Yeah, it is. It tends to be a bit experimental at the beginning, and you develop it from that. You’re more a part of the creativity of the piece when you’re the first to take on a character. I’ve tended to do that with a lot of roles, like with Che in Evita. I originated the part. I would just wander on and be sarcastic, wander off and Harold Prince would say “Great, David!”, and that was that. You then see it done in New York with Mandy Patinkin, and what I did is written in stone. I always feel sorry for people who take on a part which has already been done before.

And how’re you going to be spending the festive season?

I’m thrilled because one of my boys is coming back from America with his partner.

It’ll be a time for catching up with all the grandkids. It might be a bit of an East End cliche, but throughout my career, family has been the most important thing for me. It’s all about family.

Finally, any goals left to fulfill?

Not really. It’s all been great. Maybe I should have paid more attention to early successes in the States, but I’m English and I wanted to live here and bring up my kids here. In career terms that would be the only thing but maybe The Dishwashers will make its way to Broadway...

Of all the musical theatre productions in which you’ve performed, which has been your favourite?

Godspell and All The Fun Of The Fair.

Did you draw on a lot of personal experiences for All The Fun Of The Fair?

The book was written by John Conway, but I gave some input to the stage show. The music’s mine. Like Traveller, we thought it was a world which people don’t know about; the showman, the funfair and all the rest of it. I suppose that even with The Dishwashers it’s the same. There’s one line that Dressler says: “The people upstairs don’t want to know about us ever. We’re like the unseen foundations of this very building”. It’s a world that’s not often visited.

David Essex stars in The Dishwashers at The REP, Birmingham, from Fri 31 January to Sat 15 February www.whatsonlive.co.uk 9

Gary Wilmot interview_Layout 1 16/12/2013 22:17 Page 1

“

I couldn’t imagine walking around Aldi in it. I’ll keep my transvestite tendencies to inside the theatre, I think

”

Gary Wilmot talks about making his debut as a Dame...

Often referred to as Mr Song & Dance, Gary Wilmot’s big break came as a contestant on 1970s talent show New Faces. Acclaimed stage performances in Me And My Girl, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and, more recently, Radio Times have secured the London-born actor a reputation as one of the UK’s most highly rated theatre stars. A man who’s no stranger to pantomime, Gary’s currently appearing in Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs at the Birmingham Hippodrome, where he’s taking on the role of the Dame for the very first time...

Snow White sees you making your debut as a Dame. Why now?

I’m a bit too old to be playing Buttons, and I just thought it was time I gave it a go. It sounds like great fun, and I’ve really admired some of the Dames I’ve worked with. People like Nigel Ellacott and Graham Hoadly are just fantastic people, and I thought ‘what a wonderful character to play’. So when this opportunity came up, not only to play a Dame for the first time but in one of the greatest - if not the greatest - pantomime theatres in Britain, I simply jumped at the chance. And so here I am in Birmingham!

10 www.whatsonlive.co.uk

Is it true you have roots in the city?

I did have. My mum was from Birmingham, as was my Aunt Eunice, who’s sadly no longer with us. My mum and her sister were split up just after the war and didn’t see each other for near-on fifty years. So when they got back in touch with each other, we used to take regular trips up to Birmingham, even before I came into showbusiness. So when I did eventually find myself ‘on the boards’ and travelling to the Midlands, it always gave me a great opportunity to pop in and see my Aunt Eunice.

This is your first panto as a Dame, but you’ve appeared in panto many times previously. What’s its draw for you personally?

It’s the fun that’s to be had, really. It’s one of the few opportunities you have in theatre to really talk to an audience, to feel that we’re all in one room together, having a giggle and having a laugh. They do such wonderful work at the Hippodrome. Qdos has put in some fantastic pantomimes over the years, and I can’t think of a better place to start my Damehood.

Gary Wilmot interview_Layout 1 16/12/2013 22:17 Page 2

interview...

You say ‘start’ your Damehood. So will we be seeing you coming out as a Dame each Christmas?

We’ll have to see. I don’t know whether it’s a climb onwards and upwards, or whether I’m on a slippery slope downwards, but either way I know I’m going to have an awful lot of fun.

Which new disciplines have you had to learn to play a Dame?

Wearing bloomers and a skirt is pretty much a first for me. I do look a little bit like Grayson Perry, but the dress is surprisingly comfortable. It’s something I could get used to, but I couldn’t imagine walking around Aldi in it. I’ll keep my transvestite tendencies to inside the theatre, I think.

How are the make-up lessons coming along?

The make-up is the least of my worries. The heels are a big worry. They’ve made me a pair of boots which feel very comfortable and aren’t particularly high-heel, so hopefully I’ll get used to them quite quickly. But the makeup’s not a problem. You just whack it all on. I don’t know why you girls take so much time with it!

Have you been given creative licence in the role of the Dame?

Michael Harrison, who’s directing and who’s written the show, is fantastic. He’s a very good director and he wants to work with you.

He’s not one to dictate. I’ve had four or five meetings with him, as obviously I was quite concerned about how I was going to approach this particular role, but he was tremendously helpful and encouraged me to go with my instincts. The bottom line is it’s a comedy character. It’s a comedy role. I’m not trying to look like a woman or behave like a woman - it’s a pantomime Dame. I did a lot of research and found an interview with the great Arthur Askey, who said, ‘the audience have got to know it’s a man’. I certainly don’t think the audience will have a problem establishing that with me. I haven’t adjusted my walk, and I think that’ll give it away!

What’s been the most difficult role you’ve played during your career?

They’re all quite difficult. They all require something a bit different, and you’re working with different people all the time. I suppose the most challenging role was Carmen Jones at the Old Vic. It was directed by Simon Callow and was a massive show. I’d never sung in that particular style before, so that was a little bit daunting, but everyone made me feel very welcome there. The roles I’ve played have all had something about them even the ones you think are fantastic can trip you up somewhere along the way.

Is it true that you had no early interest in becoming a performer?

None whatsoever. I was a natural performer, though, and was always the one to mess around at parties and things. If anyone was going to dress up with a lampshade on their head, it’d be me. In fact, it was my friends who pushed me into showbusiness. I’ve got them to thank for it, really.

You come from a performing background.

Was there never any pressure there?

None at all. My father was a singer but he

died when I was seven, and I didn’t come into showbusiness until I was in my twenties.

There was no direct influence, but they do say it’s in your blood. I don’t know whether that’s true, but it’s certainly something that’s in the back of my mind. And I certainly didn’t enjoy working for a living. Showbusiness gave me the chance to run away from working nine-to-five each day, and fulfilled what my friends wanted for me. I’ve never looked back.

You must have seen a lot of industry changes over the years. Which has had the biggest effect?

I think the biggest change has been how light entertainment is portrayed on television.

When I started out, there were just four channels. If you went on television and did well, you became a national star overnight. I experienced a little bit of that with New Faces.

You go out the next day and suddenly everybody everywhere knows who you are, because the nation’s watched you. Shows like X Factor aren’t really about finding singers, they’re about promoting those people on the panel. When I started out, it was all about the performers. I’m not hankering after that, but we won’t see the likes of The Two Ronnies, Morecambe And Wise or Tommy Cooper again, because showbusiness works differently now, and that’s a great shame. There are so many producers and directors, particularly on television, who don’t have a broad experience like people did when I first started out. I’m only pleased that I started out in the business when I did. I’d hate to be doing it now.

What advice would you give to anyone starting out?

Don’t get a mortgage. If you want to be really good at what you do, you need to be as free as you can possibly be, so that you can go anywhere at anytime. If you’re really serious about becoming a performer, success will come in time - but get some money behind you before you start tying yourself down with mortgages and marriages, because it’s a tough business.

You’ve experienced that first hand?

I’m married now and I’ve been married twice before. My children are with my first wife. You always think what you’re doing is for the best, but what showbusiness does is take you away from your family for long periods of time. When you return, you’re often a stranger in your own home. It’s a tremendous pressure, and some people cope with it really well. Unfortunately, I was one of those who didn’t. I thought what I was doing was securing my family’s future, but before I knew it, we were miles apart.

So as you’ve got older, has your criteria for accepting roles changed?

No, I’m not at a stage where I can be picky.

That sort of thing goes in and out of vogue.

Obviously when you’ve done something like I’m A Celebrity, you’re more likely to get those offers coming in. But when you’re just a jobbing actor like me, you don’t take everything that’s offered to you, but you do take jobs from time to time that maybe you shouldn’t. But it’s great, I’m at a stage in my life and career where, if a friend phones and asks if I can help workshop something new

without getting paid, then I’ll go along and work with them for a couple of weeks or so.

It’s like being at university all the time. You’re constantly, constantly learning new material.

It’s a bit like studying for your exams, but you need more than a seventy-five percent pass rate on the opening night of a performance.

Have you ever turned down a role and later regretted it?

I don’t think I have. I’m a great believer that if you make those decisions, you have to stick with them. I’m really happy with where I am in my life and career at the moment, and all the decisions I’ve made in the past have got me to where I am now. I’m not saying that if a job I turned down once, years ago, came along again, I would turn it down again. It might be the right time to do it, but overall I don’t have any regrets.

You’ve touched on Reality TV. Have you ever been approached to appear on any of those shows?

Dancing On Ice once asked about my availability, but I was never going to do that.

The idea of falling over on something has hard as concrete, while you’re learning, is not really my bag. The jungle? No, I don’t think so. I’ve got better things to do with my life, like sit in and watch telly. Strictly Come Dancing has more appeal, but I’ve never been asked. Maybe one day. I would seriously consider it.

Would you have a bit of an advantage there?

No. It’s the sportsmen who have the advantage, because of their stamina. You watch those guys and they’re not even out of breath at the end of it. In my work, you can be playing a character who’s pretty sedentary and sits in an armchair for the whole of the performance. It’s not all singing and dancing in musicals. I know people have called me Mr Song And Dance, but I’m not a trained dancer and it’s not really my cup of tea at all.

I’d never consider myself a dancer, but I’ve been told I’ve got a bit of natural rhythm, so I’d give it a go.

Of all the roles you’ve performed, do you have a favourite?

There are two. First up is Bill Snibson in Me And My Girl. It was my first musical, and I loved it for that. But it’s also a brilliant show which is really funny. The other one is, again, a Noel Gay musical called Radio Times, which I did in 2011 and 2012. Another very good show.

Have you ever written anything that you’d like to put on the stage?

Yeah, I write. That’s my hobby. I have a film script with a company at the moment, and I’ve just completed a Christmas musical. It’s the second show I’ve written. I write all sorts of things, but because I’m not commissioned, I write and submit ideas, and if they come off, they do, and if they don’t, they don’t. I’ve had one or two that have almost bitten, but it doesn’t stop me from writing, because it’s what I enjoy doing.

Gary Wilmot stars in Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs at Birmingham Hippodrome, until Sun 2 February www.whatsonlive.co.uk 11

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Music City And Colour O2 Academy, Thurs 30 January

Deceptively named, City And Colour is, in fact, singer-songwriter Dallas (a city) Green (a colour).

Writing since he was sixteen, he finally unleashed his music in 2005, debut album Sometimes being described as ‘dynamically gentle and vulnerable’.

Admitting he writes when he’s “bummed out”, and offering the opinion that the best music is sad music, Green is now onto his fourth critically and commercially successful album, The Hurry And The Harm.

Jefferson Starship 40th Anniversary Tour The Robin, Bilston, Tues 28 January; Artrix, Bromsgrove, Wed 29 January

Think Jefferson Starship and it’s impossible not to think Jefferson Airplane, the better-known Grace Slick-inspired 1960s band responsible for hippieera counter-culture hits such as White Rabbit and Somebody To Love. Starship followed on in the early 1970s, as Airplane was in the process of disbanding. Singer-guitarist Paul Kantner’s concept album Blows Against The Empire provided the group with an impressive kick-start. The band has undergone numerous changes of personnel in the ensuing decades, and for a period even forsook its original mix of psychedelic and electric folk music in favour of more pop-driven tunes, before reverting to the sound that had made its name.

The Rat Pack Vegas Spectacular Artrix, Bromsgrove, Sun 12 January; Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Fri 24 January; Stratford Civic Hall, Sun 2 March; Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent, Sun 31 May

Depeche Mode LG Arena, Birmingham, Mon 27 January

With a name inspired by a French fashion magazine, Depeche Mode have been described as the quintessential '80s electropop band, managing to make their almost obsessional use of the synthesizer into a hugely fashionable element of the pop music of the time. They’re widely regarded as one of the most significant bands of the 1980s, with numerous remixes of their songs by contemporary DJs showing that they continue to exert an influence three decades after they first hit the big time.

John Newman The Institute, Birmingham, Wed 29 January

John Newman may nowadays be known as the new sound of soul, but if he hadn’t lost his job in a London bar, he may never have found the fame he currently enjoys. Within six months of leaving the job, he’d topped the UK charts - teaming up with Rudimental in Summer 2012 to provide vocals on Feel The Love, and then again in 2013 for Love Me Again. Proving that his blend of smooth retro northern soul and modern electronica is much in demand, debut album Tribute - which charts the demise of a relationship - went straight in at Number One in the UK charts.

The late-1950s, early-1960s friendship between Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr continues to be the stuff of legend. The three singers, together with Peter Lawford and Joey Bishop, became known as The Rat Pack, and have since become a huge symbol of an era in American history which most people are happy to view through rose-tinted glasses. The Rat Pack were a perfect addition to those summertime days - fun-loving guys who had a way with the ladies but knew how to hang out with the guys as well, bringing entertainment to millions with a nice’n’easy style it was hard to dislike.

Expect an evening of easy listening magic from these talented tribute boys.

For full music listings in the West Midlands, visit. www.whatsonlive.co.uk 13

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IN BIRMINGHAM UNTIL MONDAY 5 JANUARY

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Music PREVIEWS Union J NIA, Birmingham, Fri 10 January

Proving once again that winning isn’t everything, Union J were brought together on last year’s X Factor, after Triple J and George Shelley were offered the chance to stay in the show if they united to form a band. Post-X Factor, they’ve released three Top Ten singles, appeared on the big screen in Kick Ass 2, and oldest member JJ Hamblett has become a father to Princeton J Alexander. Best known for Carry You, the popular four-piece headed out on their seventeen-date Magazines And TV Screens Tour at the end of 2013.

Maroon 5 LG Arena, Birmingham, Wed 8 January

With four of the five having known each other since school days, Maroon 5 go back a long way - and it shows in their performances. A band who are very much at ease with one another, they're rockers whose sound is heavily influenced by soul and funk. With numerous awards to their name and having made a major chart impact from the off (their debut album, Songs About Jane, went gold, platinum and triple platinum in countries across the globe), continued success seems assured. Moves Like Jagger has proved to be the band's biggest hit to date, selling more than eight million copies worldwide and becoming one of the bestselling singles of all time.

Lamb Of God O2 Academy, Birmingham, Fri 17 January

Forerunners in the American heavy metal movement, Virginia five-piece Lamb Of God are considered one of the genre’s biggest hitters. Jesse Leach, of metalcore band Killswitch Engage - with whom LOG recently toured - has expressed his admiration for them in no uncertain terms, reserving particular praise for vocalist Randy Blythe’s commitment to music and sober living. Big on touring, the guys spent two years on the road before releasing third album As The Palaces Burn, and then a further two years on the Metallica World Magnetic Tour. Spending much of next year in the studio working on their eighth album, they’re here supported by Decapitated and Huntress.

fair share of solo success too. Oh, and he’s no slouch when it comes to songwriting either, with Tom Jones, The Eagles and Jools Holland all having benefitted from his remarkable talent.

Beth Prior Henry Tudor House, Shrewsbury, Sun 12 January

Having previously played Henry Tudor House and at the Oxjam Music Festival, talented local musician, songwriter, community artist and dreadlock stylist Beth Prior this month returns to the Shrewsbury venue to launch her much-anticipated debut release. The Nomad EP showcases Beth’s infectious lap-tapping guitar and compelling vocals, not to mention her considerable songwriting ability. Her acoustic, folky, reggae-fuelled gypsy soul style is also much in evidence.

Ticket-holders for this gig will receive a complimentary copy of The Nomad.

MMX Hare & Hounds, Birmingham, Fri 31 January

Paul Carrack Victoria Hall, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, Thurs 16 January; Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Tues 28 January

Sheffield-born singer, songwriter and musician Paul Carrack has enjoyed a long and distinguished career, performing in his fair share of bands down the years, including such heavyweight ensembles as Ace, Squeeze, Mike And The Mechanics and Roxy Music. He’s also paid his dues as a session and touring musician, and can point to his

Fun Lovin’ Criminals Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton, Sun 19 January

Fronted by Huey Morgan, Fun Lovin’ Criminals have been performing their trademark style of hip-hop rock for nearly twenty years.

Stylistically and lyrically eclectic, hits such as Scooby Snacks and Loco cover topics such as drug use and organised crime. A regular on UK shores, Huey presents the award-winning Huey Show on BBC Radio 6 Music and released his debut solo album last year. The Criminals are playing five UK shows ahead of their 2015 twentieth anniversary world tour.

Mayday Parade The Sugarmill, Stoke-on-Trent, Fri 24 January; The Institute, Birmingham, Fri 31 January

Hailing from sunny Florida, Mayday Parade play emo punk that’s proved friendly enough to land them an interview with Seventeen magazine. Admitting that they find first dates nerve-wracking and always shower beforehand, they’ve just released fourth album Monsters In The Closet. The album’s debut single, Ghosts - a reflection on ‘inner demons’ and how ‘they’re always with you’ is accompanied by a video boasting faux horror, pop punk energy and theatrics. Man Overboard, Decade and Divided By Friday join the band for these shows.

Playing at Reading and Leeds, releasing two EPs (Child and Heir) and opening for The 1975 constitutes a pretty good 2013 for MMX. Taking their time to release their much-anticipated first record, the boys refuse to be rushed, wisely pointing out that “you’ll only ever get one debut album”. Their bleak and beautifully minimal music creates both a visual and artistic soundscape, telling stories written by Ashley Wilkie and illustrated by artwork and videos. Inspired by Coldplay and Radiohead, the band play music that’s self-reflective, autobiographical and entirely honest.

For full music listings in the West Midlands, visit. www.whatsonlive.co.uk 15

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Bromsgrove Artrix

Sunday 12th January

01527 577 330

Stratford Civic Hall

Sunday 2nd March

01789 207 100

Stoke Victoria Hall

Saturday 31st May

0844 871 7649

For full details on all shows visit www.ratpack.biz

16 www.whatsonlive.co.uk

Music January Region One_Layout 1 16/12/2013 22:37 Page 6

Music GIG REVIEWS

Music LISTINGS

For further reviews, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk

For full listing information on gigs, including times and dates, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk

Haim The Institute, Birmingham

If you’ve heard of Haim, you’ve probably seen the video for Falling, featuring three gorgeous long-limbed, long-haired California girls dancing in hot pants. You’d be forgiven for thinking that was all they could do, but here’s a secret; these girls can rock - and by rock, I mean serious rock, not prancing, power-chord girl rock.

Opening the show with Falling (a classic ’80s pop tune) and following with The Wire, there was little sign of what was to come - but then, with a cover of Fleetwood Mac’s Oh Well, the cat was out of the bag. Raw, sneering vocals, guitars, riffs, maracas, drums and bass made this a standout live performance of both Alana’s (aka Baby Haim) vocals and Este’s bass face. My Song 5 was downright dirty, whilst the poppy Don’t Save Me had the full-to-bursting room well and truly bouncing.

Coming back for an encore of Running If You Call My Name and Let Me Go, these girls have the kind of energy that should be used to power the National Grid.

An force of fiery attitude on stage, and sugar and spice in person (imploring “Don’t fight, love and light” when a ruckus broke out), their next album is sure to be a heavy-hitting, full-force rock adventure. I can’t wait. Alev Dervish ■■■■■

WED 1 JAN BELOW DAYTIME PARTY The Rainbow Venues, Birmingham

THUR 2 JAN THE BOOGIE BAPTISTES The Jam House, Birmingham

FRI 3 JAN NEARLY DAN The Robin, Bilston URBAN INTRO The Jam House, Birmingham

SAT 4 JAN WHO’S WHO The Robin, Bilston FOREVER YOUNG ROCK NIGHT The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton KING PLEASURE AND THE BISCUIT BOYS Artrix, Bromsgrove

King Pleasure And The Biscuit Boys

SEVENDAZE, KHAOS THEORY, CAIMEN & RIP TYDE The Roadhouse, Birmingham MATRIX CLUB MATRIX The Jam House, Birmingham THE 80’S V THE 90’S The River Rooms, Stourbridge

will.i.am LG Arena, Birmingham

Writer, producer and talent show judge will.i.am stopped by the LG Arena last month to show off his skills - or rather, as proved to be the case, his lack of them.

Now let it be known that I’m very much a fan of will.i.am’s solo hits and collaborations with big-name artists, but his live show left a lot to be desired. He kicked off with #thatPOWER, featuring a projection of Justin Bieber on giant screens. Despite the opening dance routines, which were genuinely impressive, Will’s vocal performance left a lot to be desired.

Other songs performed on the night included popular hits Good Morning, Bang Bang, and Black Eyed Peas numbers Where Is The Love, Boom Boom Pow and The Time. Will’s lack of an extensive back-catalogue of solo hits led to the inclusion of a half-hour DJ set, playing other people’s records to pad out the show.

Will conveyed a touching message of thanks to his fans at the end of the show, which closed with his latest track, Feelin’ Myself. Will didn’t perform it, though. Instead, a projection of the video featuring twerking legend Miley Cyrus was shown.

Certainly an odd move, considering it’s his latest single and this his first solo tour.

Ryan Humphreys ■■

SUN 5 JAN THE RONALDOS Henry Tudor House, Shrewsbury

TUES 7 JAN LEE ROGERS & OZ MCGOWAN The Jam House, Birmingham LIME, BABYPINK & MALONE MALONE The Actress & Bishop, Birmingham MOTOWN SOUL SPECTAC

WED 8 JAN

MAROON 5 LG Arena, Birmingham EDWINA HAYES & ROSALINE DEIGHTON The Red Lion Folk Club GOSPEL CENTRAL The Jam House, Birmingham SUZI & THE BACKBEATS The Actress & Bishop, Birmingham

THUR 9 JAN RICKY COOL & THE IN CROWD The Jam House, Birmingham

FRI 10 JAN UNION J National Indoor Arena, Birmingham U2-2 The Robin, Bilston SGT. PEPPER’S ONLY DART BOARD BAND Artrix, Bromsgrove SOLID SOUL The Jam House, Birmingham SOUR SCARLET The Actress & Bishop, Birmingham QUEEN ALIVE The Roadhouse, Birmingham THE ROD STEWART EXPERIENCE The River Rooms, Stourbridge HOPE FOR RETURN, THE HEIST, BREATHE, BITTER SWEET DEPARTURES & DETECTIVE O2 Academy, Birmingham

SAT 11 JAN SOLID SOUL The Jam House, BirminghamPURPLE ZEPPELIN Artrix, Bromsgrove ROCK ‘N’ ROLL PARADISE Crewe Lyceum LOS ENDOS - ULTIMATE GENESIS The Robin, Bilston EAST OF EDEN & LOVELESS LUCK The Actress & Bishop, Birmingham HELLBENT FOREVER JUDAS PRIEST TRIBUTE The Roadhouse, Birmingham THE COMMANDMENTS The River Rooms, Stourbridge LIPZKIN, QUARRY, CALL ME UNIQUE & THE SYNTH O2 Academy, Birmingham MARTIN SPEAKE TRIO The Hive, Shrewsbury

SUN 12 JAN THE RAT PACK VEGAS SPECTACULAR Artrix, Bromsgrove STONEWIRE & FOUR WHEEL DRIVE The Robin, Bilston BETH PRIOR Henry Tudor House, Shrewsbury WINGSBANNED - PAUL MCCARTNEY TRIBUTE The Roadhouse, Birmingham ICED EARTH O2 Academy, Birmingham

TUES 14 JAN THE WEDDING CRASHERS The Jam House, Birmingham GENE AND EDDIE New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham JESSICA PRATT Hare & Hounds, Birmingham

WED 15 JAN VAMPIRES ROCK Belgrade Theatre, Coventry THE BUSHBERRY MOUNTAIN DAREDEVILS The

Red Lion Folk Club, Birmingham HANNAH TRIGWELL O2 Academy, Birmingham BROTHERS GROOVE The Jam House, Birmingham GENE AND EDDIE New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham MARTIN SIMPSON New Vic Theatre, Newcastleunder-Lyme

Martin Simpson

THUR 16 JAN PAUL CARRACK Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent ROXY MAGIC The Robin, Bilston MOOD INDIGO The Jam House, Birmingham BITTER ALLIANCE, VEXXEN, SUFFER THE OATH, PANSPERMIA & SINGING TOWARDS DISASTER O2 Academy, Birmingham

FRI 17 JAN THE DOORS ALIVE The Robin, Bilston LAMB OF GOD O2 Academy, Birmingham THE JOHNNY CASH ROADSHOW Crewe Lyceum THE BOOTLEG BOSS The Roadhouse, Birmingham THE SMYTHS The River Rooms, StourbridgeJUICE ENSEMBLE The Hive, Shrewsbury THE SUBTERRANEANS The Jam House, Birmingham FRED ZEPPELIN The Marr’s Bar, Worcester DIVIDE, FIRE IN CAIRO, ARCHEAN SOUNDTRACK, MINIMUM The Actress & Bishop, Birmingham GOD DAMN, TUSSK, SPRING YARD & PEDRO DON KEY The Sugarmill, Stoke-on-Trent

SAT 18 JAN THE SUBTERRANEANS The Jam House, Birmingham ELVIS THROUGH THE YEARS Solihull Arts Complex ABBA MANIA The Belgrade Theatre, Cove ntry MAINLY MADNESS The Robin, Bilston THE COUNTERFEIT STONES Artrix, Bromsgrove THE HOT HEADS & NORMAN HAINES The Actress & Bishop, Birmingham LEAVES EYES & ATROCITY The Institute, Birmingham STONE THE ALCHEMIST & FALLEN The Sugarmill, Stoke-on-Trent STEVE AJAO The Marr’s Bar, Worcester

For full music listings in the West Midlands, visit. www.whatsonlive.co.uk 17

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BRING YOUR PARTY TO OUR PARTY AT THE NAILCOTE HALL HOTEL

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MARK BARRIE 5th Y t2 Sa UAR

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WITH

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VALENTINES DINNER IN THE OAK ROOM RESTAURANT Enjoy a special intimate romantic dinner with Guitarist - Stuart Toogood (Fri) Pianist - Michelle French (Sat)

.50 £59

‘MAMMA MIA’ PARTY WITH ‘SENSATION’ ABBA TRIBUTE

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SPECIAL OCCASIONS AND ANNUAL EVENTS th t8 H Sa RC

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SWINGING 60s PARTY WITH CUPIDS INSPIRATION

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THE SPRING PINK BALL WITH THE 80’s EXPERIENCE FOR BREAST CANCER CHARITIES

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TICKET PRICES INCLUDE 4 COURSE MEAL WE WILL CATER FOR ANY SPECIAL DIETARY NEEDS BY PRIOR ARRANGMENT

BOOKING HOTLINE 02476 466174

www.nailcotehall.co.uk Nailcote Hall Hotel, Nailcote Lane, Berkswell, Warwickshire CV7 7DE

18 www.whatsonlive.co.uk

Music January Region One_Layout 1 16/12/2013 22:37 Page 8

BLOBBIE WILLIAMS & BALDY MURS The Roadhouse, Birmingham GORDON ELVIS Solihull Arts Complex BARRY GIBB & FRANKIE VALLI OH WHAT A NIGHT WITH THE STARS Nailcote Hall, Berkswell, Warks ULTRA 90’S The River Rooms, Stourbridge RHINO AND THE RANTERS, THE STRANGLER FIGS, RED CROW, SEAN DUGGAN & SIR. O O2 Academy, Birmingham GOD DAMN Hare & Hounds, Birmingham

God Damn

SUN 19 JAN FUN LOVIN’ CRIMINALS Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton COLD FLAME The Robin, Bilston BLACK DYKE BAND Symphony Hall, Birmingham COLVIN QUARMBY Kitchen Garden Cafe, Birmingham THE COUNTERFEIT STONES Artrix, Bromsgrove

Counterfeit Stones

TUES 21 JAN THE JAZZ COMPOSERS ENSEMBLE The Jam House, Birmingham

WED 22 JAN ONE NIGHT OF ELVIS Belgrade Theatre, Coventry

JEZ LOWE The Red Lion Folk Club, Birmingham RED KROSS The Institute, Birmingham SUZI & THE BACKBEATS The Actress & Bishop, Birmingham GABBIDON The Jam House, Birmingham THE ELO EXPERIENCE Solihull Arts Complex THE DELEGATORS Hare & Hounds, Birmingham

THUR 23 JAN NEVER FOR EVER - TRIBUTE TO KATE BUSH The Robin, Bilston THE ELO EXPERIENCE Solihull Arts Complex CONNAN MOCKASIN Hare & Hounds, Birmingham LINDI ORTEGA O2 Academy, Birmingham CHRIS POOLE & THE SHADES The Jam House, Birmingham JIMMY LIVINGSTONE Hare & Hounds, B’ham

FRI 24 JAN THE RAT PACK IS BACK Belgrade Theatre, Coventry QUEEN - FLASH Artrix, Bromsgrove MEGAN NICOLE O2 Academy, Birmingham DETROIT SOUL The Jam House, Birmingham SNAKECHARMER The Robin, Bilston MAYDAY PARADE The Sugarmill, Stoke-onTrent FRY’S CREAM The Roadhouse, Birmingham THE JIVE ACES Solihull Arts Complex JOURNEY, WHITESNAKE & THUNDER TRIBUTES The River Rooms, Stourbridge HIDDEN SKIES, DARK ACTORS & HOPE STREET The Actress & Bishop, Birmingham THE NEXT MEN Hare & Hounds, Birmingham CUPOLA WARD The Edge Arts Centre, Much Wenlock, Shropshire

SAT 25 JAN DETROIT SOUL The Jam House, Birmingham

MMX The Sugarmill, Stoke-on-Trent SING AND DISCOVER MOVIE MANIA Town Hall, Birmingham THE MAGIC OF MOTOWN Belgrade Theatre, Coventry ANNABELLE CHVOSTEK Birchmeadow, Broseley JEAN GENIE The Robin, Bilston GRIMETHORPE COLLIERY BAND Malvern Theatres SKINDRED Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton THE JOHNNY CASH ROADSHOW Artrix, Bromsgrove THE DECADES BAND The River Rooms, Stourbridge MICHAEL BUBLE TRIBUTE WITH JAMIE FLANAGAN Nailcote Hall, Berkswell, Warks DAN LE SAC VS SCROOBIUS PIP The Institute, Birmingham WOLVXHYS O2 Academy, Birmingham THE MAD GEESE The Actress & Bishop, Birmingham THE BLACKOUT Kasbah, Coventry MUSE INC The Roadhouse, Birmingham ARE YOU EXPERIENCED? The Marr’s Bar, Worcester

SUN 26 JAN THE GRIMETHORPE COLLIERY BAND Crewe Lyceum DARLIA The Institute, Birmingham JUKEBOX & BOBBYSOX The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury

MON 27 JAN DEPECHE MODE LG Arena, Birmingham

TUES 28 JAN PAUL CARRACK Symphony Hall, Birmingham JEFFERSON STARSHIP The Robin, Bilston OUTFIT Hare & Hounds, Birmingham BROOKS WILLIAMS The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury Iced Earth

Fun Lovin’ Criminals

WED 29 JAN JOHN NEWMAN The Institute, Birmingham KENNY THOMAS The Jam House, Birmingham JEFFERSON STARSHIP Artrix, Bromsgrove THY ART IS MURDER O2 Academy, Birmingham MICHAEL KATON & LAURENCE JONES The Robin, Bilston JOHN KIRKPATRICK Red Lion Folk Club, Birmingham

THUR 30 JAN DEL CAMINO The Jam House, Birmingham JAMES ARTHUR Civic

Hall, Wolverhampton CITY AND COLOUR O2 Academy, Birmingham THE STRAWBS The Robin, Bilston BEYOND THE BARRICADE Birmingham Town Hall THE BLACKOUT The Sugarmill, Stoke-on-Trent TROYKA Hare & Hounds, Birmingham

FRI 31 JAN SNAKES AND SINNERS VS ULTIMATE THUNDER The Roadhouse, Birmingham MAYDAY PARADE, MAN OVERBOARD, DECADE & DIVIDED BY FRIDAY The Institute, Birmingham

THE RED LEMONS The Jam House, B’ham LETS HANG ON Solihull Arts Complex FAIRPORT CONVENTION The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury THE BON JOVI EXPERIENCE Tamworth Assembly Rooms BEYOND THE BARRICADE Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury AUGUST BURNS RED O2 Academy, Birmingham TOPLOADER The Robin, Bilston MMX Hare & Hounds, Birmingham GOD’S COUNTRY The River Rooms, Stourbridge

Music Venues Box Office Birmingham

Black Country

Staffordshire

02 ACADEMY 0121 622 8250 THE ACTRESS & BISHOP 0121 236 7426 ADRIAN BOULT HALL 0121 331 5901 THE ASYLUM 0121 233 1109 THE BARBER INSTITUTE 0121 414 7333 BIRMINGHAM TOWN HALL 0121 780 3333 CBSO CENTRE 0121 780 3333 FLAPPER 0121 236 2421 THE GLEE CLUB 0871 472 0400 HARE & HOUNDS 0121 444 2081 INSTITUTE 0121 643 0428 IRISH CENTRE 0121 622 2314 THE JAM HOUSE 0121 200 3030 LG ARENA 0844 338 8000 NIA 0844 338 8000 THE RAINBOW 0121 772 8174 RED LION FOLK CLUB 0121472 4253 THE ROADHOUSE 0121 459 5660 ROUTE 44 0121 708 0108 SYMPHONY HALL 0121 780 3333 THE VICTORIA 0121 633 9439 THE YARDBIRD 0121 212 2524

CIVIC HALL, WOLVERHAMPTON 0870 320 7000 DUDLEY CONCERT HALL 01384 815577 FOREST ARTS CENTRE 0845 111 2898 NEWHAMPTON ARTS CENTRE 01902 572090 ROBIN 2, BILSTON 01902 401211 SLADE ROOMS WOLVERHAMPTON

FOXLOWE ARTS CENTRE, LEEK 01538 386112 LICHFIELD GUILDHALL 01543 262223 THE SUGARMILL, HANLEY STOKE-ON-TRENT 01159 454 593 TAMWORTH ASSEMBLY ROOMS 01827 709618 VICTORIA HALL, HANLEY 0870 060 6649

0870 320 7000

STAFFORD GATEHOUSE

STOURBRIDGE TOWN HALL 01384 812812 WULFRUN HALL, WOLVERHAMPTON

Warwickshire

01785 254653

0870 320 7000

THE ASSEMBLY, LEAMINGTON 01926 311311

Shropshire

THE KASBAH, COVENTRY 024 7655 4473

BIRCHMEADOW, BROSELEY 01952 882210 THE BUTTERMARKET, SHREWSBURY 01743 355055 THE EDGE ARTS CENTRE, MUCH WENLOCK 01952 728911 HENRY TUDOR HOUSE SHREWSBURY 01743 361666 THE HIVE, SHREWSBURY 01743 234970 THE IRONWORKS, OSWESTRY 01691 679123 LUDLOW ASSEMBLY ROOMS 01584 878141 THEATRE SEVERN, SHREWSBURY 01743 281281 THE PLACE, OAKENGATES, TELFORD 01952 382382 WEM TOWN HALL 01939 232299

NAILCOTE HALL, BERKSWELL 02476 46 6174 STRATFORD CIVIC HALL 01789 207100 THE TIN MUSIC & ARTS, COVENTRY 0247 655 9958

Worcestershire ARTRIX, BROMSGROVE 01527 577330 HUNTINGDON HALL / SWAN THEATRE 01905 611427 MARR’S BAR, WORCESTER 01905 613336 THE RIVER ROOMS, STOURBRIDGE 01384 397177

For additional information and to find out What’s On at these venues.

Visit: www.whatsonlive.co.uk

For full music listings in the West Midlands, visit. www.whatsonlive.co.uk 19

Classical - Region One - Jan New_Layout 1 16/12/2013 22:35 Page 1

Classical Music PREVIEWS

Julian And Jiaxin Lloyd Webber: A Tale Of Two Cellos The Courtyard, Hereford, Sat 18 January; Artrix, Bromsgrove, Mon 20 January; Bramhall Music Building, Birmingham, Fri 24 January

Celebrated cellist Julian Lloyd Webber’s impressive repertoire features premieres of no fewer than sixty works for cellos. He’s also collaborated with some of the world’s most renowned musicians, including Lord Yehudi Menuhin, Lorin Maazel, Stephan Grappelli and Sir Elton John. This latest much-anticipated concert sees Lloyd Webber team up with wife and fellow cellist Jiaxin to present duets for two cellos with piano. The evening’s programme features works from across the classical spectrum, including pieces by Vivaldi, Arvo Part, Dvorak, Bach, Rachmaninov, Saint-Saens and Schumann.

Elin Manahan Thomas

CBSO: Viennese New Year Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Sat 4 January

Gifted young British conductor Stephan Bell this year takes the helm for the CBSO’s annual New Year celebration of Vienna, a lively opener to the company’s 2014 season. Austria’s capital city attracted many great classical composers during the nineteenth century, and was home to the Strauss family, whose works feature heavily in the evening’s programme. Joining Bell and the CBSO is acclaimed Welsh soprano Elin Manahan Thomas, who here performs some of Viennese operetta’s most ‘mouthwatering’ numbers. The concert programme includes Johann Strauss’ Die Fledermaus Overture, Egyptian March, Vienna Bonbons Waltz, Tales From The Vienna Woods, The Blue Danube, Radetzky March, Pizzicato Polka; Suppe’s Morning, Noon And Night In Vienna; Lehar’s Vija Song from The Merry Widow; and the popular show number I Could Have Danced All Night, from My Fair Lady.

Atrium String Quartet

Don Giovanni

Royal Pump Rooms, Leamington Spa, Fri 24 January

Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Thurs 16 - Sat 18 January

Winners of two prestigious international competitions, the Atrium String Quartet is widely considered to be one of the classical music scene’s most dynamic and charismatic ensembles. Since forming in St Petersburg in 2000, the quartet has travelled extensively, performing throughout Europe, Russia, the US, Australia, Japan and Brazil.

This month the ensemble returns to the Midlands to perform its fourth concert in Leamington, presenting a programme comprising Haydn’s Quartet Op 33 No1, Prokofiev’s Quartet No2 and Beethoven’s Quarter Op 132.

Described as ‘the most innovative student opera society in the country’, Opera Warwick prides itself on offering a cross-section of opportunities to Warwick University students. Following sell-out productions of Mozart’s The Marriage Of Figaro and The Magic Flute, the ensemble this month returns to the Arts Centre stage to perform a new English reworking of the composer’s Don Giovanni. The opera, which tells the story of a smooth-talking misogynist who lies, steals, charms and manipulates in order to get what he wants, has here been brought into the more contemporary world of the 1960s - a world in which the Mafia casts its dark and foreboding shadow...

Birmingham Contemporary Music Group CBSO Centre, Birmingham, Sun 26 January

A collaboration with Birmingham-based theatre company Stan’s Cafe, BCMG’s family concerts provide a colourful introduction to the world of contemporary music for young people and families. Fusing visual and theatrical elements with games and music, the hour-long sessions see early electronic toys transformed into musical instruments. A musical dice game, created by Mozart and given a new lease of life by composer Colin Matthews, also features.

20 www.whatsonlive.co.uk

Classical - Region One - Jan New_Layout 1 16/12/2013 22:35 Page 2

Juice Ensemble

Halle Orchestra: Goodnight Vienna

The Hive, Shrewsbury, Fri 17 January

Nowadays at the forefront of the UK’s experimental/classical scene, the three-person Juice Ensemble present vocal music which draws on a broad spectrum of genres, from classical and jazz to pop and musical theatre. The highly rated trio - alto Kerry Andrew and sopranos Sarah Dacey and Anna Snow - have received plenty of critical acclaim for their numerous appearances on radio and television. Having also played Latitude Festival and the London College of Fashion Graduate Show, the ensemble this month appear in Shropshire to present Laid Bare, a songbook of ten short cappella love songs from artists as diverse as Roxanna Panufnik, Jim Moray, Guns N Roses, Erasure and Gavin Bryars.

Victoria Hall, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, Fri 3 January

Now ranking among the UK’s top symphonic ensembles, the Halle Orchestra gave its first concert, under the baton of founder Sir Charles Halle, way back in 1858. Nowadays based at Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall, the orchestra has a rich history of international performances, award-winning recordings, radio broadcasts and collaborations - the latter including a much-acclaimed pairing with alternative rock band Elbow. This month sees the Halle make a welcome return to Stoke, presenting favourite arias, waltzes and polkas from the Strauss family and Franz Lehar. Wyn Davies conducts, with Mexican tenor Rafael Rojas lending his voice to the evening’s proceedings.

The Pity Of War Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Sun 26 January

Produced in association with the Imperial War Museum and narrated by veteran actor Timothy West, this evening of reading and music draws on the poems and letters of World War One soldier Wilfred Owen. Written in 1917 and ’18, they reveal the author’s courage and humanity as he endured experiences and conditions from which many of his fellow soldiers were never fully able to recover. A programme of sonatas by Claude Debussy, Edward Elgar and Leos Janacek is performed by violinist Matthew Trussler and pianist Martin Roscoe.

Monday 31st March The 80’s legend ADAM ANT comes to Shrewsbury!!

Howard Street, Shrewsbury. SY1 2LF 0844 8737348 www.thebuttermarket.co.uk

Howard Street, Shrewsbury. SY1 2LF 0844 8737348 www.thebuttermarket.co.uk www.whatsonlive.co.uk 21

Classical - Region One - Jan New_Layout 1 16/12/2013 22:35 Page 3

Classical and Contemporary Chamber music Fri 17 Janauary, 8pm

MARK BEBBINGTON Haydn: Piano Sonata in G Hob XVI 40 Schubert: Piano Sonata in B Flat D960 Debussy: 4 Preludes: La sérénade interrompue, Ce qu'a vu le vent d'ouest, Général Lavine - eccentric, Feux d'artifice Alwyn: Fantasy Waltzes

Fri 7 February, 8pm

CRAIG OGDEN Giuliani: Grand Overture Dowland: Lachrimae Pavane Dowland: Fantasia No. 7 Britten: Nocturnal op 70 Poulenc: Sarabande Turina: Sonata for Guitar op 61 Bach: Lute Suite No 4 BWV 1006a Walton: 5 Bagatelles

Fri 28 February, 8pm

TIPPETT QUARTET Mozart: String Quartet in G K387 Robert Simpson: String Quartet No 11 (1984) Beethoven: String Quartet in C op 59 - 3

Fri 21 March, 8pm

CAVALERI QUARTET WITH TIMOTHY ORPEN Janacek: String Quartet No 2 'Intimate Letters' Ian Venables: Canzonetta for clarinet and string quartet (ist performance - Joint Bromsgrove Concerts/Droitwich Concert Club Commission) Mozart: Clarinet Quintet in A K581

Artrix Slideslow Drive, Bromsgrove, B60 1PQ Box Office - boxoffice@artrix.co.uk 01527 577330 www.artrix.co.uk www.bromsgrove-concerts.org.uk

22 www.whatsonlive.co.uk

18th - 22nd FEBRUARY 2014 01746 761541 Tickets £15 Adults, £12 Children Evenings 7.30pm Matinees Wed & Sat 2.30pm An Ametur Production with kind permission of Samuel French, London

Classical - Region One - Jan New_Layout 1 16/12/2013 22:35 Page 4

Classical LISTINGS For full listing information on classical concerts, including times and dates, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk JOHANN STRAUSS GALA With the Johann Strauss Orchestra (in costume), Rainer Hersch (presenter), Kristy Swift (soprano) and Johann Strauss Dancers, Wed 1 Jan Symphony Hall, B’ham HALLE ORCHESTRA: GOODNIGHT VIENNA Featuring; Wyn Davies (conductor) and Rafael Rojas (soloist), Fri 3 Jan, Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent CBSO VIENNESE NEW YEAR Featuring Martin Yates (conductor) & James Edwards (tenor).

Programme to include works by Johann Strauss II, Suppe, Lehar, Kreisler, Heuberger, Waldteufel, Tauber, Romberg & Sieczynski, Sat 4 Jan, Symphony Hall, B’ham THE VERY BEST OF GILBERT AND SULLIVAN Featuring the London Concert Orchestra and Richard Balcombe (conductor), Rebecca Bottone (soprano), Claire Moore (soprano), Simon Butteriss (baritone), Bruce Graham (baritone) and Oliver White (tenor), Sun 5 Jan, Symphony Hall, Birmingham PERFORMANCE PLATFORM: CLARA ANDARADA DE LA CALLE (FLUTE) & ALBERTO ROSADO (PIANO) Tues 7 Jan, Adrian Boult Hall, Birmingham Conservatoire THE PASADENA ROOF ORCHESTRA Wed 8 Jan, New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme CBSO RUSSIAN CLASSICS Featuring Andris Nelsons (conductor) and Lars Vogt (piano). Programme to include works by Prokofiev, Mozart and Stravinsky, Thurs 9 Jan, Symphony Hall, Birmingham VOGT & CBSO PLAYERS Programme includes Brahms’ Piano Trio No.1, Fri 10 Jan, CBSO Centre, Birmingham CITY OF BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Programme includes works by Prokofiev, Mozart & Brahms, Fri 10 Jan, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry CBSO TUNED IN: STRAVINSKY’S PETRUSHKA Featuring Andris Nelsons (conductor) & Paul Rissmann (presenter), Sat 11 Jan, Symphony Hall, B’ham PAUL LEWIS: PICTURES AT AN EXHIBITION Programme includes works

by J S Bach, Beethoven, Liszt and Mussorgsky, Sun 12 Jan, Birmingham Town Hall CROPPER, WELSH &

ROSCOE Featuring Peter Cropper (violin), Moray Welsh (cello) & Martin Roscoe (piano). Programme includes works

by Haydn, Beethoven, Schubert & Brahms, Sun 12 Jan, Bridge House Theatre, Warwick CBSO PROKOFIEV’S ROMEO AND JULIET Featuring Andris Nelsons, Erin Wall and City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Wed 15 Thurs 16 Jan, Symphony Hall, Birmingham BIRMINGHAM CONSERVATOIRE CAMERATA CHOIR CONCERT Programme includes works by Gesualdo, Rossini, Bainton, Duruffle, Palenstrina, Ireland, Mendelssohn, Poulenc, Barber, Schutz & Elgar, Thurs 16 Jan, St Alban The Martyr Church, Highgate, Birmingham DON GIOVANNI Opera Warwick present a new English reworking of Mozart’s tale of revenge & lust, Thurs 16 - Sat 18 Jan, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry JUICE ENSEMBLE Featuring Sarah Dacey & Anna Snow (sopranos) & Kerry Andrew (alto), Fri 17 Jan, The Hive, Shrewsbury BIRMINGHAM ROYAL BALLET SINFONIA: AN EVENING OF MUSIC AND DANCE Featuring classical favourites & danced highlights from the company’s diverse repertoire, Fri 17 Jan, Symphony Hall, B’ham MARK BEBBINGTON PIANO CONCERT Programme includes works by Hadyn, Schubert, Debussy & Alwyn, Fri 17 Jan, Artrix, Bromsgrove BELL AND THE ACADEMY OF ST MARTIN IN THE FIELDS Programme includes works by JS Bach, Beethoven and Brahms, Sat 18 Jan, Symphony Hall, B’ham JULIAN AND JIAXIN LLOYD WEBBER - A TALE OF TWO CELLOS Programme includesd works by Vivaldi, Arvo Part, Dvorak & Bach, Sat 18 Jan, The Courtyard, Hereford RISING STARS: LETICIA MUNOZ MORENO AND ANA-MARIA VERA Programme includes works

by Franck, De Falla and Ravel, Sun 19 Jan, Birmingham Town Hall LUNCHTIME ORGAN CONCERT - THOMAS TROTTER Mon 20 Jan, Symphony Hall, Birmingham JULIAN AND JIAXIN LLOYD WEBBER - A TALE OF TWO CELLOS Mon 20 Jan, Artrix, Bromsgrove LA TRAVIATA Verdi's trag-

ic tale of searing passion, sung in English, Tues 21 Jan, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry CBSO BRITISH CLASSICS WITH JOHN WILSON Featuring John Wilson (conductor) & Paul Watkins (cello), Wed 22 Jan, Symphony Hall, Birmingham MICHAEL COLLINS & DAVID QUIGLEY Featuring a programme of some of the mainstays of the clarinet and piano repertory, Wed 22 Jan, The Barber Institute, Birmingham ATRIUM STRING QUARTET Featuring Alexey Naumenko & Anton Ilyunin (violins), Dmitry Pitulko (viola) & Anna Gorelova (cello). Programme includes works by Haydn, Prokofiev & Beethoven, Thurs 23 Jan, Malvern Theatres, Worcestershire ABBA SYMPHONIC SPECTACULAR Featuring Capital Voices, directed by Annie Skates and City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Conducted by Stephen Bell (conductor), Fri 24 Jan, Symphony Hall, B’ham JULIAN AND JIAXIN LLOYD WEBBER - A TALE OF TWO CELLOS Fri 24 Jan, Bramhall Music Building, Birmingham ATRIUM STRING QUARTET Featuring Alexey Naumenko & Anton Ilyunin (violins), Dmitry Pitulko (viola) & Anna Gorelova (cello). Programme includes works by Haydn, Prokofiev & Beethoven, Fri 24 Jan, Royal Pump Rooms, Leamington Spa NEW BIRMINGHAM STRING QUARTET Programme comprises McEwen’s Nugae (Seven bagatelles for string quartet) & Brahms’ String Quartet No.1, Fri 24 Jan, CBSO Centre, Birmingham THE TREORCHY MALE VOICE CHOIR Sat 25 Jan, The Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton BIRMINGHAM CONTEMPORARY MUSIC GROUP FAMILY CONCERT In collaboration with Birminghambased theatre company, Stans’ Cafe, Sun 26 Jan, CBSO Centre, Birmingham MICHAEL BOCHMANN AND MICHAEL BLACKMORE On violin and piano, Sun 26 Jan, Huntingdon Hall, Worcester THE PITY OF WAR Pianist Martin Roscoe performs works by Elgar, Janacek & Debussy while actor Timothy West recites the letters & poems of Wilfred Owen, Sun 26 Jan, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury IDYLLIC ENGLISH CHAMBER MUSIC Featuring musicians from the Royal Academy of Music. Programme includes works by Vaughan Williams,

Elgar & Bridge, Sun 26 Jan, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry CBSO SCHOOLS CONCERT: THE CBSO’S GUIDE TO THE ORCHESTRA Featuring Michael Seal (conductor) and Alasdair Malloy (presenter), Mon 27 Jan, Symphony Hall, Birmingham LONDON BAROQUE Programme includes works

by Purcell, Greene, Bach & Handel & J Chr Smith, Tues 28 Jan, St Mary’s Church, Warwick SCHOLL AND THE ACADEMY OF ANCIENT MUSIC Programme includes works by Vivaldi, Wassenaer and Pergolesi, Wed 29 Jan, Birmingham Town Hall TAMSIN WALEY-COHEN WITH BARTHOLOMEW LAFOLLETTE Programme includes; Kodaly Duo and Ravel Duo plus a selection from: Bach Inventions, Beethoven duos, Haydn Passacaglia, Martinu 2 Duos, Schulhoff Duo and Paganini duos, Wed 29 Jan, New Vic Theatre, Newcastleunder-Lyme OPERA ROMANCE Featuring Anna Clare Monk (soprano), Nicholas Sales (tenor), Helen Evora (mezzo), Paul Gibson (baritone) & Anthony Kraus (piano).

Programme includes La Traviata, La Boheme &

Carmen’s Habanera, Wed 29 Jan, Lichfield Garrick CBSO: THE ORGAN SYMPHONY Programme includes works by Faure, Rachmaninov, Widor and Saint-Saens, Thurs 30 Jan, Sympho-

ny Hall, Birmingham CBSO SCHOOLS CONCERT: THE CBSO’S GUIDE TO THE ORCHESTRA Featuring Michael Seal and Alasdair Malloy, Fri 31 Jan, Symphony Hall, Birmingham

Classical Box Office ADRIAN BOULT HALL, B’HAM 0121 331 5901 ARTRIX, BROMSGROVE 01527 577330 BARBER INSTITUTE, BIRMINGHAM 0121 414 7333

NEW VIC THEATRE, NEWCASTLE-UNDER-LYME 01782 717962

BIRMINGHAM CONSERVATOIRE 0121 331 5901/2 BIRMINGHAM & MIDLAND INSTITUTE 0121 236 3591 BIRMINGHAM TOWN HALL 0121 780 3333 BRAMALL CONCERT HALL, BIRMINGHAM 0121 414 3344 BRIDGE HOUSE THEATRE, WARWICK 01926 776438 CBSO CENTRE, BIRMINGHAM 0121 780 3333

HUNTINGDON HALL, WORCESTER 01905 611 427 MAIDMENT HALL, SHREWSBURY SCHOOL 01743 280810

ROYAL PUMP ROOMS, LEAMINGTON SPA 01926 742700 ST ALBAN THE MARTYR, BIRMINGHAM 0121 440 4605 ST CHAD’S CATHEDRAL, BIRMINGHAM 0121 236 2251 ST MARY’S CHURCH, WARWICK 01926 403940 STRATFORD CIVIC HALL 01789 207100 SYMPHONY HALL, BIRMINGHAM 0121 780 3333

THE COURTYARD, HEREFORD 01432 34055 LICHFIELD GARRICK 01543 412121 THE HIVE, SHREWSBURY 01743 234970

VICTORIA HALL, STOKE-ONTRENT 0844 871 7649 WARWICK ARTS CENTRE 02476 524524

Sunday 12 January at 3.00pm

Sunday 16 February at 11.30am

Cropper - Welsh - Roscoe Piano Trio

Ensemble 360 Stan and Mabel

Family Conce rt 3+

New Paul Rissmann Score

Haydn Piano Trio in Bb Hob XV:20 Beethoven Piano Trio in C minor Op 1 No 3 Schubert Notturno in Eb D897 Brahms Piano Trio in C No 2 Op 87

Sunday 2 February at 11.30am

O Duo Crash! Bang! Wallop!

Family Conce rt 7+

Music by Bach, Philip Glass and Chopin plus audience participation!

Sunday 2 February at 3.00pm

Music by O Duo Albeniz, Bach, Brubeck, Chopin, Philip Glass, Prokofiev, Siegel and O Duo

Tickets: £16.50 - £12.50.

Both Family Concerts: £8 & £6 (Children £3 & £2.50)

Sunday 16 February at 3.00pm

Ensemble 360 Britten Six Metamorphoses after Ovid Op 49 Charlie Piper With Stolen Fire Britten Sinfonietta Op 1 Martinu Nonet Wagner Siegfried Idyll

Sunday 16 March at 3.00pm

Florilegium

Telemann Paris Quartet in D CPE Bach Trio Sonata in G Wq144 Leclair Deuxieme recreation de musique d’une execution facile in G minor Op 8 JS Bach Ricercar a 3 and Trio Sonata from The Musical Offering Marais Le Sonnerie de Sainte Genevieve du Mont a Paris Rebel Les caracteres de la Danse

Bridge House Theatre 01926 776438 Tickets Online: bridgehousetheatre.co.uk Part of the Leamington Music Winter Season www.whatsonlive.co.uk 23

Comedy January Region Two_Layout 1 16/12/2013 22:18 Page 1

Comedy Suzi Ruffell

Comedy Box Office

The Glee Club, Birmingham, Fri 10 - Sat 11 January

Quirky Suzi Ruffell is a work-in-progress when it comes to the challenging business of standup comedy. Presenting an unquestionably likeable persona, she imbues her act with an admirable dynamism but suffers from not yet having worked out her own Unique Selling Point. Her self-deprecating style is hugely engaging, and a little more attention to the quality and originality of her material could see her reaping significant dividends in the years to come.

ALEXANDRA THEATRE, BIRMINGHAM 0844 871 3011 ARTRIX, BROMSGROVE 01527 577330 BEDWORTH CIVIC HALL 02476 376707 BIRMINGHAM TOWN HALL 0121 780 3333 THE DRUM, BIRMINGHAM 0121 333 2444 DUDLEY CONCERT HALL 01384 815 577 GLEE CLUB, BIRMINGHAM 0871 4720400 HIGHLIGHT, BIRMINGHAM, 0844 844 0044 HUNTINGDON HALL, WORCESTER, 01905 611427 FOXLOWE ARTS CENTRE, LEEK, STAFFS 01538 386112

Sean Hughes Artrix, Bromsgrove, Weds 15 January

The complete renaissance man, Sean Hughes is an actor, a musician, a writer, a TV star and a playwright. Nonetheless, he’s probably at his best when doing stand-up comedy - dealing, in his own inimitable style, with the anxieties of home-owning, having a girlfriend, and the many and varied other chattels of middle-age.

His live work also has a serious side, featuring some very personal and often moving material.

Cannon And Ball

Punt And Dennis Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Weds 29 January

Intermittently active as a duo since first performing together in the 1980s, Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis’s most high-profile days as a comedy double-act are probably a long way behind them. They first appeared on television in Jasper Carrott’s late-’80s TV series, but came to real prominence as one half of topical sketch comedy show The Mary Whitehouse Experience, in which they appeared alongside David Baddiel and Rob Newman. While Newman and Baddiel went on to become major celebrities, Punt and Dennis struggled to further enhance their standing as a pair, and both soon focused their attention on the business of going it alone. With successful solo careers now secured, they still find time to collaborate, and here return with a brand new live show.

Chris Ramsey

Crewe Lyceum, Sat 18 January

Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Thurs 23 January

It’s amazing - some might say alarming - that after forty-plus years in the business, this madcap pair are still performing to sell-out audiences. Now classed as ‘comedy legends’, Cannon and Ball have paid their professional dues, suffered their fair share of upset, and come bouncing back with a vengeance, their brand of humour having survived the cynicism of the 1990s and now ‘rocking on’ joyously in the twenty-first century.

As well as being a highly rated stand-up on the UK comedy circuit, Geordie boy and one-time Newcastle United supporter Chris (he can’t be bothered supporting them anymore) has also developed an impressive telly career, appearing on shows including 8 Out Of 10 Cats, Show And Tell, Comedy Rocks, Russell Howard's Good News, Celebrity Juice and South Shields-set sitcom Hebburn.

Gags include: "My venue for the Edinburgh Festival is a portacabin, it's literally a portacabin!

I'm a Geordie, in a Portacabin. I was going to call the show Auf Wiedersehen Pet Live".

24 www.whatsonlive.co.uk

KITCHEN GARDEN CAFE, BIRMINGHAM 0121 443 4725 LG ARENA, BIRMINGHAM 0844 338 8000 LUDLOW ASSEMBLY ROOMS 01584 878141 MAC, BIRMINGHAM 0121 446 3232 PALACE THEATRE, REDDITCH 01527 65203 THE PUBLIC, WEST BROMWICH 0121 533 7161 DRUMMONDS BAR, WORCESTER 01905 28190 RICOH ARENA, COVENTRY 0844 873 6565 THE ROSES THEATRE TEWKESBURY 01684 295074 ROYAL SPA CENTRE, LEAMINGTON SPA 01926 334418 STAFFORD GATEHOUSE THEATRE 01785 254653 SOLIHULL ARTS COMPLEX 0121 704 6962 THE SLADE ROOMS, WOLVERHAMPTON 0870 320 7000 THE GEORGE HOTEL, BURSLEM, STAFFS 07763301081 TAMWORTH ASSEMBLY ROOMS 01827 709618 THEATRE SEVERN, SHREWSBURY 01743 281281 VICTORIA HALL, HANLEY, STOKE-ON-TRENT 0844 871 7649 WARWICK ARTS CENTRE 02476 524524 WEST BROMWICH TOWN HALL 0121 596 4429 WULFRUN HALL, WOLVERHAMPTON 0870 320 7000

Comedy January Region Two_Layout 1 16/12/2013 22:18 Page 2

Comedy LISTINGS For full listing information on comedy gigs including times and dates visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk

Mark Thomas The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Weds 29 January; mac - Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, Fri 31 January - Sat 1 Febuary

Mark Thomas is no ordinary comedian. Hugely witty and as savage as a rabid dog when it comes to putting hecklers in their place, he takes to the stage with the intention not only of making people laugh but also of exposing governmental and corporate exploitation in its many and varied forms. Mark’s latest show dovetails with the task he set himself back in May 2013 - to commit One Hundred Acts of Minor Dissent in the space of a year. The ‘acts’ have been described as ‘hilarious, subversive, mainly legal, occasionally inspiring and, most importantly, soon to be seen in a theatre near you’.

Lucy Porter: Northern Soul Huntington Hall, Worcester, Thurs 30 January

Edinburgh favourite Lucy Porter has a mischievous style of comedy that marks her out as a talent who's really 'on the up'. Lucy's a real charmer, whose pleasant girlnext-door demeanour conceals a beautifully twisted mind.

Highlights of her career include achieving a record score on Celebrity Mastermind, in which her specialist subject was American funnyman Steve Martin!

Her big bag of gags includes, “My husband proposed to me over the phone. I said yes straight away but I should’ve asked who was calling.”

IAN D MONTFORT, PAUL KERENSA, SCOTT BENNET & COMPERE ANNETTE FAGON Thurs 2 Jan, The George Hotel, Lichfield COURTLAUGHING COMEDY CLUB Fri 3 Jan, Hereford Courtyard Theatre ANDY ROBINSON, GARETH RICHARDS, MICK FERRY PLUS COMIC TBC Sat 4 Jan, The Glee Club, Birmingham STEVE GRIBBIN, PHIL DINSDALE, CRAIG MURRAY & MICKEY SHARMA Sat 4 Jan Highlight Comedy Club, Birmingham GAVIN WEBSTER, MICKEY SHARMA, CHRIS MARTIN & SUZI RUFFELL Fri 10 - Sat 11 Jan The Glee Club, Birmingham MIKE GUNN, MICHAEL FABBRI, TREVOR CROOK & JOJO SUTHERLAND Fri 10 - Sat 11 Jan, Highlight Comedy Club, Birmingham ROUGH WORKS Sun 12 Jan, The Glee Club, Birmingham JETHRO Mon 13 Jan The Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton JASON MANFORD Wed 15 Jan, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry SEAN HUGHES: PENGUINS Wed 15 Jan, Artrix, Bromsgrove GARY DELANEY Thurs 16 Jan, Station Pub, Sutton Coldfield ANDREW LAWRENCE Fri 17 Jan, Huntingdon Hall, Worcester IVO GRAHAM, MICKEY D, CAREY MARX AND JOSH HOWIE Fri 17 January Sat 18 Jan, The Glee Club, Birmingham DALISO CHAPONDA, BRIAN HIGGINS, MARK WALKER, KEVIN

DEWSBURY & SCOTT BENNETT (FRI ONLY) Fri 17 - Sat 18 Jan, Highlight Comedy Club, Birmingham STEVE DAY Sat 18 Jan, mac - Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham AN EVENING WITH CANNON AND BALL Sat 18 January, Crewe Lyceum CHRIS TURNER & RACING MINDS Sat 18 Jan, Evesham Arts Centre RICHARD HERRING: WE'RE ALL GOING TO DIE Sun 19 Jan, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry JASON MANFORD Wed 22 Jan, Victoria Hall, Stoke-On-Trent CHRIS RAMSEY Thurs 23 Jan, The Met Studio, Stafford JASON MANFORD Fri 24 Jan, Civic Hall, Wolverhampton COURTLAUGHING COMEDY CLUB Fri 24 Jan, Hereford Courtyard Theatre DAVID O’DOHERTY: WILL TRY TO FIX EVERYTHING Fri 24 Jan, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry MARTIN MOR, ANDREW BIRD, DANIEL SLOSS & KIRI PRITCHARD-MCLEAN Fri 24 - Sat 25 Jan, The Glee Club, Birmingham ROGER MONKHOUSE, JOHN SCOTT, MICHAEL FABBRI & DAVID WHITNEY Fri 24 - Sat 25 Jan, Highlight Comedy Club, Birmingham RUSSELL HOWARD: WONDERBOX Sat 25 Sun 26 Jan, Hereford Courtyard Theatre COMEDY AT THE MET, COMICS TBC Sat 25 Jan, The Met Studio, Stafford JOE LYCETT: IF JOE LYCETT THEN YOU SHOULD’VE PUT A RING

ON IT Sun 26 Jan, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry GREG DAVIES: THE BACK OF MY MUM’S HEAD Mon 27 Jan, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury PUNT & DENNIS Wed 29 Jan, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury FESTIVAL OF THE SPOKEN NERD: FULL FRONTAL NERDITY Wed 29 Jan, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry MARK THOMAS: 100 ACTS OF MINOR DISSENT Weds 29 Jan, The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury RUSSELL HOWARD: WONDERBOX Wed 29 Thurs 30 Jan, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre LUCY PORTER: NORTHERN SOUL Thurs 30 Jan, Huntingdon Hall, Worcester DAVE TWENTYMAN, JASON JOHN WHITEHEAD, PAUL THORNE & SIMON EMANUEL Thurs 30 Jan, The Glee Club, Birmingham MARK THOMAS: 100 ACTS OF MINOR DISSENT Fri 31, mac - Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham LEE HURST Fri 31 Jan, Hereford Courtyard Theatre DAVE TWENTYMAN, JASON JOHN WHITEHEAD, PAUL THORNE & ELLIE TAYLOR Fri 31 Jan, The Glee Club, Birmingham CHRISTIAN REILLY, KAREN BAILEY, JARLATH REGAN & MATT REES Fri 31 Jan, Highlight Comedy Club, Birmingham SIMON EVANS: LEASHED Fri 31 Jan, Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa CRAIG MURRAY, MISS LONDON, JON PEARSON, BEN BRIGGS & COMPERE CHRIS NORTON WALKER Fri 31 Jan, The National Brewery Centre, Staffs STAND-UPSTAIRS COMEDY SHOW Fri 31 Jan, The Palace Theatre, Redditch

Joe Lycett Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Sun 26 January

Joe Lycett may have been described as a fella whose act blends a little of Larry Grayson and a dash of Julian Clary with a large helping of Kenneth Williams, but he’s nonetheless very much his own man. Joe comes from the wellestablished British tradition of camp comedians, and presents a somewhat risque act that ably showcases both his natural charisma and impressive capacity for mischief-making.

Gags include, "What do we want!? More research into a cure for ADHD! When do we want it!? and Let's play swingball!"

Greg Davies

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Theatre

Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs Birmingham Hippodrome, until Sun 2 February

As you’d expect from the UK’s most glittery of glittering pantomimes, this Hippodrome extravaganza boasts a festive hamper’s-worth of big-name stars. Fashion guru Gok Won makes his panto debut, ably illustrating ‘How To Look Good’ as The Man In The Mirror, ex-EastEnder John Partridge plays the splendidly handsome Prince, Stephanie

Beacham shows her claws as the Wicked Queen, and Gary Wilmot gets all rouged-up as The Dame. Paul Zerdin and Matt Slack are also on hand to ensure the laughter count is good’n’high, while Danielle Hope stars as the eponymous heroine with the penchant for befriending vertically challenged forest-dwelling miners.

Wendy And Peter Pan Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, until Sun 2 March

Second star to the right and straight on till morning that's the way to Neverland. Fly away with the boy who wouldn't grow up to a magical island filled with adventure. Meet a real fairy, Wendy and the Lost Boys. Oh, and beware the wicked Captain Hook.

And don’t forget to listen out for the ‘tick-tock’ of a very hungry crocodile. Instructions, instructions!...

JM Barrie's classic tale is here adapted by Ella Hickson. Casting includes Michelle Asante as Tiger Lily, Fiona Button as Wendy and Sam Swan as Peter.

Holby City's Guy Henry takes on the menacing role of Hook.

The Snowman The REP, Birmingham, Wed 8 - Sat 18 January

Making a welcome return to The REP in its now almost-traditional New Year slot, Raymond Briggs' The Snowman is best known, of course, for Howard Blake's classic song, Walking In The Air. When a young boy’s snowman comes to life on Christmas Eve, the two set off on a nighttime quest for excitement. On their travels they meet reindeer, dancing penguins and some of the Snowman’s many and varied friends.

The adventure's not without its anxieties, though, with the evil Jack Frost eager to get his icy mits on the pair of unlikely chums... www.whatsonlive.co.uk 27

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Theatre PREVIEWS Blood Brothers Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Mon 27 January - Sat 8 February

Filled with all of Willy Russell’s usual astute observations about the British class system, it’s probably better described as a play with music. The story of twins separated at birth, who spend their lives in contrasting social circumstances but are inextricably drawn together, it has none of the trite and patronising sentimentality that typifies a lot of Russell’s work, but is in fact incredibly moving and funny. If you haven't seen it before, check it out. If you have, you'll no doubt be going to see it again anyway! Maureen Nolan takes this lead as Mrs Johnstone.

Priscilla Queen Of The Desert Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton, Mon 27 January - Sat 1 February

Based on the movie of the same name, Priscilla the stage show has wowed both West End and Broadway audiences, picking up a coveted Olivier Award and an equally prestigious Tony Award along the accolade-strewn way. At its heartland is an uplifting story of the friendship shared between three pals, who hop aboard a battered old bus and head off in search of love and romance. The show originally opened in Australia in 2006 - running there for two years before hitting the West End stage - and comes complete with a dazzling array of costumes and a glorious selection of dancefloor favourites, including It’s Raining Men, Say A Little Prayer, Go West, Hot Stuff and Always On My Mind... Oh, and for this particular Midlands run, it also has the added benefit of Jason Donovan reprising the role of Tick, the part he played when the show originally opened in the West End..

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Theatre PREVIEWS Circus Of Horrors: London After Midnight Civic Hall, Wolverhampton, Sun 12 January; Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Thurs 23 January

An off-kilter affair that bears more resemblance to a freak show than any modern definition of a circus, Britain’s Got Talent finalists the Circus Of Horrors present a world beyond political correctness and taste. With the performers dressed in a manner reminiscent of The Rocky Horror Show, there’s no denying the skill of those participating, or indeed the ensemble’s sheer ‘wow’ factor.

And to their credit, they look like they’re having a bloody good time both scaring and confusing their audiences. The company are currently touring with London After Midnight, ‘a whirlwind journey’ through the plague-ridden capital city in the year 1665.

Ghost The Musical New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, until Sun 5 January; Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Wed 8 - Sat 18 January

Matthew Warchus’ stage version of the award-winning film starring Patrick Swayzee, Demi Moore and Whoopi Goldberg returns to the Midlands having received much critical acclaim since opening on Broadway and in the West End. For those not in the know, it tells the story of a ghost named Sam who, caught between this world and the next, desperately attempts to communicate with his girlfriend Molly and warn her that she’s in mortal danger from his murderer. A timeless tale about the power of love that beautifully blends the audience-satisfying genres of romance and comedy, Ghost has also been praised for its dazzling state-of-the-art staging, and is certainly a show well worth catching.

JANUARY 2014

BROMSGROVE’S THEATRE, CINEMA, LIVE MUSIC AND COMEDY VENUE

HIGHLIGHTS

Sunday 12th Jan

Wednesday 15th Jan

Monday 20th Jan

RAT PACK VEGAS SPECTACULAR

SEAN HUGHES

JULIAN & JIAXIN LLOYD WEBBER

THE PURVEYORS OF COOL SWING INTO TOWN

ACCLAIMED COMEDIAN PRESENTS PENGUINS

A TALE OF TWO CELLOS

Wednesday 29th Jan

Thursday 30th Jan

Friday 31st Jan

JEFFERSON STARSHIP

CORIOLANUS – NT LIVE SCREENING

LEGENDARY SAN FRANCISCO BAND

STARRING MARK GATISS & TOM HIDDLESTONE

REDUCED SHAKESPEARE COMPANY THE BIBLE: THE COMPLETE WORD OF GOD (ABRIDGED)

FORTHCOMING CINEMA: Philomena (12A)

// Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs 2 (PG) // Frozen (PG) // Captain Phillips (12A) Gravity (12A ) // Rush (15) // Marius (12A) // Blue Is The Warmest Colour (18) // Fanny (PG) // The Hobbit 2 (12A) // Kill Your Darlings (tbc)

The new Artrix brochure is available to download on www.artrix.co.uk

For bookings & full details log onto www.artrix.co.uk or phone 01527 577330 Artrix, Slideslow Drive, Bromsgrove B60 1PQ

Free parking on-site

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Theatre PREVIEWS The Strange Case Of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Fri 10 - Sat 11 January

Dr Jekyll is not himself! Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic gothic novella is a dark, twisted tale about love, redemption and the seductive power of evil, and tells the story of a brilliant but obsessive scientist whose sadistic alter-ego wreaks havoc in Victorian London.

This latest version - a one-man show, presented by James Hyland and his Brother Wolf production company - is suitable for audiences aged twelve-plus.

James Hyland

The Holly And The Ivy Lichfield Garrick, Tues 14 - Sat 18 January

Penny Dreadful: How To Be Immortal mac - Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, Thurs 30 January

The living world’s connections to the dead and why they matter is the subject under consideration in this humorous new play by Mira Dovreni. Deborah’s mother Henrietta may have died in 1951, but her cells are still alive, dividing endlessly in laboratories all over the world. In that very same year, Dr George Gey and his wife Margaret are about to make a mindbending discovery using an adapted cement mixer and some calves liver puree... Penny Dreadful’s latest offering is suitable for audiences aged thirteen-plus, and follows on from the company’s previous highly acclaimed productions, Bitches Ball and The Missionary Position.

Penny Dreadful...

The arrival of two irritable aunts and an errant daughter ensures that Christmas Eve in a Norfolk vicarage in 1947 is anything but quiet. As skeletons tumble from closets and stones are turned over, family members are forced to confront not only their long-held regrets but also their secret anxieties. The acclaimed Middle Ground Theatre Company are the team behind this touring production of Wynyard Browne’s well-travelled festive play. twenty-first century, an intriguing timeshift which serves to highlight the fact that, despite everything being profoundly different, nothing has really changed all that much...

Bouncers Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham, Thurs 30 January - Sat 8 February

One of the biggest successes in British theatre in the last twenty-odd years, John Godber’s clever comedy provides a sharp and funny perspective on the club scene in the late twentieth century, focusing on four mean and moody bouncers as they prowl around a nightclub, and four good-time girls out on a hen night. Godber has a talent for hitting the right notes with his observations on contemporary life, and Bouncers exemplfies this talent at its best.

Foggy And Whit: Givin It Gas The Place, Oakengates, Telford, Wed 22 January

Four times World Superbike champion Carl Fogarty here teams up with friend, TV pundit and former British champ James Whitham for an event that’s promising to be ‘a highoctane experience for all sports fans’. The show sees Carl and James presenting an evening of anecdotes from their glorious careers and providing plenty of insight into the modern-day world of racing.

Reduced Shakespeare Company: The Bible Artrix, Bromsgrove, Fri 31 January

The Diary Of A Nobody Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham, Mon 27 - Wed 29 January

The brothers George and Weedon Grossmith are the siblings behind this classic Victorian comic novel, which was originally published as an intermittent serial in Punch magazine in 1888. It tells the story of social ladder climber Charles Pooter, along the way offering a lighthearted and thought-provoking study of the manners, customs and experiences of lower-middle-class suburban Londoners of the late nineteenth century. For the purposes of this particular adaptation, however, the action has been moved into the

Hugely well-established on this side of the pond, touring American acting troupe The Reduced Shakespeare Company certainly don’t like to hang about when it comes to the presentation of their theatrical endeavours, condensing even the most weighty of works or subjects. Combining physical and verbal humour to excellent effect, the RSC here present a rollercoaster ride from ‘fig leaves to final judgement’, tackling the great theological questions along the way...

Shining City Crescent Theatre, Birmingham, Wed 15 - Sat 18 January

First performed in London's West End in 2004, Colm McPherson’s ghost story went on to play Broadway and be nominated for the Best Play Tony Award. Described at the time by New York Times critic Ben Brantley as ‘quiet, haunting and absolutely glorious’, it tells the story of a Dublin widower’s visit to a therapist, during which he claims to have seen the ghost of his dead wife in their house. But the therapist has problems of his own, and the two men soon find themselves on parallel trajectories, heading towards an outcome that proves to be more shocking than either could ever have imagined... www.whatsonlive.co.uk 33

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Theatre LISTINGS For full listing information on theatre productions, including times and dates, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk Commencing

WED 1 JAN MOTHER GOOSE OTFM present what promises to be the final battle between good and evil, until Wed 1 Jan, Bridge House Theatre, Warwick A CHRISTMAS CAROL Bryony Lavery's stage adaptation of Charles Dickens' Victorian Christmas classic, Sat 4 Jan, The REP, Birmingham ALADDIN until Sat 4 Jan, Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa JACK AND THE BEANSTALK Traditional family panto with slapstick and songs galore, until Sat 4 Jan, The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury DR BUNHEAD'S VERY DANGEROUS CHRISTMAS SHOW until Sun 5 Jan, Birmingham Town Hall CINDERELLA DE Caverswall Theatre Company present their version of the classic Christmas pantomime, until Sat 4 Jan, Stoke Repertory Theatre THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD Jars Of Clay present a tale for Christmas... until Sat 4 Jan, The Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham JACK AND THE BEANSTALK until Sun 5 Jan, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry JACK & THE BEANSTALK until Sun 5 Jan, Solihull Arts Complex PETER PAN A swashbuckling pantomime adventure starring Adam Woodyatt as Captain Hook and The Grumbleweeds as Smee & Starkey, until Sun 5 Jan, Crewe Lyceum GHOST: THE MUSICAL Smash-hit musical direct from the West End, until Sun 5 Jan, New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE Join Peter, Susan and Edmund as they venture into CS Lewis' magical land of Narnia,

until Sun 5 Jan, The Dream Factory, Warwick SNOW WHITE AND THE MAGIC MIRROR Starring Midlands Today news reader Joanne Malin as Queen Evilene, until Sun 5 Jan, Lichfield Garrick ALADDIN until Sun 5 Jan, Palace Theatre, Redditch ALADDIN until Sun 5 Jan, The Place, Oakengates Theatre, Telford SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVERN DWARFS until Sun 5 Jan, Malvern Theatres SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS Featuring Jonathan Wilkes, Sun 5 Jan, Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent ALADDIN until Sun 5 Jan, The Swan Theatre, Worcester WHAT THE LADYBIRD HEARD Based on the award-winning picture book by Julia Donaldson & Lydia Monks, until Fri 10 Jan, Birmingham Town Hall SLEEPING BEAUTY Have a rocking Christmas as a classic fairytale is given a rock 'n' roll twist, until Sat 11 Jan, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre SLEEPING BEAUTY until Sun 12 Jan, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury SLEEPING BEAUTY Featuring Joe Pasquale, Ceri Dupree and Lucy Evans, until Sat 18 Jan, The Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton TOM'S MIDNIGHT GARDEN Birmingham Stage Company present their acclaimed version of Philippa Pearce's fantasy novel, until Sat 25 Jan, Old Rep, Birmingham THE HUNDRED AND ONE DALMATIANS Adapted and directed by Theresa Heskins until Sat 1 Feb, New Vic Theatre, Newcastleunder-Lyme SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVERN DWARFS Featuring John Partridge, Gok Wan, Stephanie Beacham, Gary Wilmot, Paul Zerdin & Matt Slack, until Sun 2 Feb, Birmingham Hippodrome

Ben Miles as Thomas Cromwell in Wolf Hall and Bring Up The Bodies - The Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon

WENDY AND PETER PAN Ella Hickson's new version of JM Barrie's classic tale of the boy who never grows up, until Sun 2 March, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon WOLF HALL Mike Poulton's dramatisation of Hilary Mantel's Man Booker Prizewinning novel, until Sat 29 March, The Swan Theatre Stratford BRING UP THE BODIES Mike Poulton's new dramatisation of Hilary Mantel's Man Booker Prize-winning novel, until Sat 29 March, The Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon ALADDIN Fri 3 - Sun 5 Jan, Foxlowe Arts Centre, Leek, Staffs TWELFTH NIGHT MARATHON Flash performances by Shakespeare Aloud! Sun 5 Jan, Hall's Croft, Stratfordupon-Avon

Commencing

MON 6 JAN A CHORUS OF DISAPPROVAL Stage 2 present their version of Alan Ayckbourn's 'comic masterpiece', Wed 8 - Sat 11 Jan, Crescent Theatre, Birmingham CINDERELLA Starlight Productions present the everpopular pantomime in aid of the Alzheimers Society UK, Wed 8 - Sat 11 Jan, Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton THE SNOWMAN Live stage show based on the enchanting story by Raymond Briggs, Wed 8 - Sat 18 Jan, The REP, Birmingham GHOST: THE MUSICAL Smash-hit show direct from the West End, Wed 8 - Sat 18 Jan, Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent WHAT THE LADYBIRD HEARD - RELAXED PERFORMANCE Fri 10 Jan, Birmingham Town Hall 366 DAYS OF KINDNESS Bernadette Russell's multimedia performance blending storytelling, stand-up & live documentary, Fri 10 Jan, Number 8 Community Arts Centre, Evesham THE STRANGE CASE OF DR JEKYLL & MR HYDE Groundbreaking one-man show combining physical theatre with Robert Louis Stevenson's classic tale, Fri 10 Sat 11 Jan, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre JACK AND THE BEANSTALK Fri 10 - Sat 18 Jan, Oldbury Rep TONY HAWKS A unique evening of stories, songs and silliness, Sat 11 Jan, Huntingdon Hall, Worcester CAMERON PRICE & FRIENDS: MAKE A WISH CHARITY EVENT Sat 11 Jan, The Place, Oakengates Theatre, Telford THE CIRCUS OF HORRORS Following their recent performance on Britain's Got Talent, the Circus Of Horrors troupe take to the road with their latest show, which is set in a plagueinfested London in 1666, Sun 12 Jan Civic Hall,

Wolverhampton

Week Commencing

MON 13 JAN THREE STEPS TO HEAVEN Mon 13 - Sat 18 Jan, New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham BLOOD BROTHERS Willy Russell's musical, set in his native Liverpool, Mon 13 - Sat 25 Jan, Malvern Theatres THE HOLLY AND THE IVY Award-winning Middle Ground Theatre Company present their highly acclaimed production which, set in a Norfolk vicarage on Christmas Eve 1947, sees the vicar's family gather for the festive season, Tue 14 - Sat 18 Jan, Lichfield Garrick ALADDIN AND HIS MAGICAL LAMP Tue 14 - Sun 19 Jan, Sutton Coldfield Town Hall VAMPIRES ROCK Musical comedy, Wed 15 Jan, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry SHINING CITY Conor McPherson’s haunting play which explores loneliness and man’s understanding of his place in the world, Wed 15 - Sat 18 Jan, The Crescent Theatre, Birmingham MISS JULIE Portable Productions present a new version of Strindberg's controversial classic, Wed 15 - Sat 18 Jan, Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham BIG GIRLS DON'T CRY Celebration of the music of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, Thurs 16 Jan, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry PRIDE AND JOY Joe White’s new three-hander, which explores the difficulty in solving our children’s problems when we don’t have the answers, Thurs 16 - Fri 17 Jan, The REP, Birmingham AN EVENING OF BURLESQUE Britain’s biggest burlesque spectacular, Fri 17 Jan, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry AN EVENING OF MUSIC & DANCE Birmingham Royal Ballet and its acclaimed orchestra, the Royal Ballet Sinfonia, return with a showcase of its greatest works. Deborah Bull comperes the evening’s proceedings, Fri 17 Jan, Symphony Hall, Birmingham STRICTLY COME DANCING LIVE 2014 Fri 17 - Sun 19 Jan, National Indoor Arena, Birmingham CARE OF HENRY Pied Piper Theatre Company present an ‘engaging’ theatre production for children aged four and their families, Sat 18 Jan, mac - Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham OLIVER! Amateur production presented by the Arts Centre, Sat 18 - Sun 19 Jan, The Place, Oakengates Theatre, Telford OYE! BAND BAJ GAYA IndoUK Theatre present Sanjay Jha’s play, which revolves around the pride of a wife, Vasundhara, and selfrespect of her husband.

SLEEPING BEAUTY THE ROCK ‘N’ ROLL PANTO GATEHOUSE THEATRE

CALL

FOR Y BROCHOUR U TODAYRE

Until Sat 11 Jan Prepare to be sing along and be amazed as a cast of talented actor musicians play all music live on stage, featuring hits from Stevie Wonder, James Brown, Michael Jackson and many, many more. Described by The Sentinel as “the best panto you will ever see”, Sleeping Beauty is the perfect festive treat for all the family.

9pm, Late Night Adults Only Performance - Jan 9th, from £12.50

CHRISTMAS TIME THE MET STUDIO

Sun 29 & Mon 30 Dec

7.30pm, £12/£10 concs Charlie and Toby are feeling low. It’s Christmas Day and they’re serving time at Her Majesty’s pleasure. But why shouldn’t they be having a Merry Christmas in spite of their incarceration?

Join them on a fantastical adventure through Dickens, pantomime, musical, Christmas dinner and Christmas films! See as they build a wonderfully Merry Christmas around them with songs, snowmen and lots of laughs in this truly festive show that puts the ‘cell’ firmly back in ‘celebration’! Christmas. Time. is a musical comedy for all the family that’s fun and fantastically funny!

COMEDY IN THE MET DECEMBER THE MET STUDIO

Sat 28 Dec Bringing you the very best in live comedy from around the country, The MET Studio has line ups to rival the biggest comedy clubs in the UK. The MET Studio has become a regu8pm, £10 lar stop off for those travelling to and from the Edinburgh fringe or preparing for their slot on Russell Howard’s Good News Show. The MET Comedy nights are regular sell outs so make sure you book early to avoid disappointment!

THE STRANGE CASE OF DR JEKYLL AND MR HYDE THE MET STUDIO

Fri 10 - Sat 11 Jan During his final lecture on the duality of humankind, the respectable Dr Jekyll reveals his strange association with the mysterious Edward Hyde and the shocking truth about his identity: that Hyde, unlike other human beings, is not only fundamentally evil, but also the very 7.30pm, £13/£11 concs definition of it.

Combining edge-of-your-seat thrills with stunning physical theatre, Robert Louis Stevenson's classic "bogey tale" is brought chillingly to life in this ground-breaking one-man show.

COMEDY IN THE MET JANUARY THE MET STUDIO

Sat 25 Jan Start your new off with some big laughs at Stafford’s only dedicated comedy club. Previous performers at the MET include Greg Davies, Rob Beck8pm, £10 ett, Jon Richardson, Charlie Baker and many more. The line up is announced the week of the show. The MET Comedy nights are regular sell outs so make sure you book early to avoid disappointment!

FESTIVAL OF THE SPOKEN NERD GATEHOUSE THEATRE

Sat 1 Feb Fresh from the Edinburgh Fringe, the sell-out comedy phenomenon is back on tour with a 18+ brand new show for the insatiably sci-curious. Whether you 8pm, £15 / £13 concs loved or loathed the school science lab, Festival of the Spoken Nerd is here to feed your brain, tickle your ribs and light your Bunsen burner.

BOOKONLINE Box Office 01785 254653 www.staffordgatehousetheatre.co.uk

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COMING SOON TO THEATRE SEVERN FRIDAY 31 JANUARY 2014 Wed 22nd January

FOGGY & WHIT: GIVIN' IT GAS 7.30pm. Tickets: £20

Thurs 6th February

16+

LEE HURST: THINGS THAT MAKE YOU GO AAARGGH!!!

8pm. Tickets: £17, £15 concs

Fri 7th February

ROBERT NEWMAN NEW THEORY OF EVOLUTION FRIDAY 31 JANUARY 2014

BEYOND THE BARRICADE

CREAM OF CLAPTON 7.30pm. Tickets: £16.50, £14 concs

Tue 11th - Wed 12th February

DINOSAUR ZOO - LIVE Tues 11, 1.30pm, Wed 12 10.30am & 4.30pm. Tickets: £16, £13.50 standard

Fri 14th February

THE ELECTRO SWING BALL FEELS THE LOVE 700pm Tickets: £21

SUNDAY 2 FEBRUARY 2014 Olivier Award-winning OperaUpClose presents

Sat 15th - Sun 16th February

TOSCA

MOSCOW STATE CIRCUS PRESENTS PARK GORKOGO

By Giacomo Puccini

Sat 15, 7.30pm, Sun 16 2pm & 5pm.

Tickets: Band A £23, £20 concs; Band B £19, £17 concs; Band C £14

In a new English version by Adam Spreadbury-Maher with a new orchestration by Danyal Dhondy

Fri 21st February

ALL STAR AMERICAN WRESTLING 7.30pm. Tickets: £15, £10 concs Family of 4 ( 2 Adults, 2 Chldren) £45

Thurs 27th February

WEDNESDAY 5 FEBRUARY 2014 The world's most prestigious mountain film festival is visiting Shrewsbury for the first time with a brand new selection of extraordinary short films from the world's leading adventure film makers.

COLIN FRY: THE VOICES FROM HEAVEN SHOW 7.30pm. Tickets: £20

BANFF MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL

Fri 28th February

ROCK AROUND THE SIXTIES Featuring The New Honeycombs and Walk Right Back - A Tribute to The Everly Brothers

VISIT OU WEBSITE R T VIEW MO O RE SHOWS!

7.30pm. Tickets: £16, £15 concs

Box Office 01743 281 281 TWC GP 00568

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Book Online www.theatresevern.co.uk

Frankwell Quay, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY3 8FT

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Theatre LISTINGS For full listing information on theatre productions, including times and dates, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk Performed in Hindu/ Urdu language, Sun 19 Jan, Crescent Theatre, Birmingham CALENDAR GIRLS Presented by Centre Stage Shirleys, amateur production, Sun 19 Jan, Solihull Arts Complex

Commencing

MON 20 JAN LA TRAVIATA Verdi's tragic tale of searing passion. Sung in English, Tue 21 Jan, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry SHAKESPEARE 4 KIDZ: MACBETH A musical thriller guaranteed to keep kids of all ages on the edge of their seats, Tue 21 Jan, The Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton BRENDAN COLE: LICENCE TO THRILL See Brendan - accompanied by a cast of twenty musicians and dancers embark on a choreographed journey packed with ballroom and Latin moves, Wed 22 Jan, The Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton FOGGY & WHIT: GIVIN' IT GAS Described as a 'high-octane experience for all sports fans', this new event provides an insight into today's world of racing, and recalls the former glories and disasters of four-time World Superbike champion Carl Fogarty, Wed 22 Jan, The Place, Oakengates Theatre, Telford PEPPA PIG'S BIG SPLASH All-singing, all-dancing adventure full of songs, games and muddy puddles for children, Wed 22 - Thurs 23 Jan, Crewe Lyceum OUTSIDE EDGE The Lichfield Players present an amateur production of Richard Harris' acclaimed comedy, centred around a Sunday league cricket match, Wed 22 - Sat 25 Jan, Lichfield Garrick CIRCUS OF HORRORS: LONDON AFTER MIDNIGHT Following their recent performance on Britain's Got Talent, the Circus Of Horrors troupe take to the road with their latest show, which, inspired by the film of the same name, is set in a plagueinfested London in 1666, Thurs 23 Jan, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry AGGERS & BOYCOTT Join Britain’s most popular cricket commentators as they debate hot topics from the Ashes

series and cricket in general, Thurs 23 Jan, Symphony Hall, Birmingham CINDERELLA Enchanting tale of heroic adventure, true love, messy mayhem and lots of festive frivolity, Thurs 23 - Sat 25 Jan, Bedworth Civic Hall SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS Presented by The Phoenix Players, Thurs 23 - Sat 25 Jan, Stratford Civic Hall BETRAYAL Harold Pinter’s award-winning play, based on his affair with BBC presenter Joan Bakewell, Thurs 23 - Sat 25 Jan, Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS An amateur production presented by the Norbury Players, Thurs 23 - Sat 25 Jan, The Norbury Theatre, Droitwich PAM AYRES presents an evening of witty verse, Fri 24 Jan, Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa A BRIEF HISTORY OF MUSIC Whistle-stop tour of western musical history, Fri 24 Jan, Huntingdon Hall, Worcester AUNTY BETTY AND FRIENDS ‘If you like Mrs Brown, you’ll love Aunty Betty!’, Fri 24 Jan, Lichfield Garrick LYRIKAL FEARTA: THE LETTER & BROKEN LINEAGE Jonzi D presents a triple-bill featuring a new work and performance from a guest artist, Fri 24 - Sat 25 Jan, The REP, Birmingham DEALERS CHOICE The Crescent Theatre Company present Patrick Marber's modern classic, Sat 25 Jan - Sat 1 Feb, Crescent Theatre, Birmingham MOTHER GOOSE Sun 26 Jan, Rugeley Rose Theatre

Commencing

MON 27 JAN GISELLE Royal Opera House screening, Mon 27 Jan, Wem Town Hall, North Shropshire, Artrix, Bromsgrove; Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT Feelgood international musical direct from the West End and Broadway. Jason Donovan stars, Mon 27 Jan - Sat 1 Feb, The Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton BLOOD BROTHERS Willy Russell's musical, set

in his native Liverpool, Mon 27 Jan - Sat 8 Feb, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry THE DIARY OF A NOBODY A fast-paced adaptation which brings George and Weedon Grossmith's classic comic novel into the twenty-first century, Mon 27 - Wed 29 Jan, Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham ANTON DU BEKE Best known for starring in BBC1’s Strictly Come Dancing, dancer Anton Du Beke is back with a stunning new show featuring dazzling dancing and superb singing. Featuring the Raymond Gubbay Big Band Orchestra under the baton of Richard Balcombe, Wed 29 Jan, Victoria Hall, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Wed 29 Jan - Sat 1 Feb, Prince of Wales Centre, Cannock PENNY DREADFUL: HOW TO BE IMMORTAL Original new play which fuses true tales, live music, ’50s science and nano-puppetry to explore our need to connect to the dead, Thurs 30 Jan, mac Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham FOGHORN IMPROV: AN IMPROVISED MURDER A night of stories, laughter, games... and death, Thurs 30 Jan, Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham AN EVENING WITH LORDS HATTERSLEY AND HURD Thurs 30 Jan, Lichfield Garrick LIKE A VIRGIN A powerful and hilarious romp through the bubblegum years of teenage life, Thurs 30 Jan - Sat 1 Feb, Lichfield Garrick BOUNCERS John Godber's classic comedy, Thurs 30 Jan - Sat 8 Feb, The Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham THE REDUCED SHAKESPEARE COMPANY: THE BIBLE Rollercoaster ride from fig leaves through to final judgement, Fri 31 Jan, Artrix, Bromsgrove CINDERELLA Enchanting tale of heroic adventure, true love, messy mayhem and lots of festive frivolity, Fri 31 Jan - Sun 2 Feb, The Belfrey Theatre, Wellington THE DISHWASHERS David Essex stars in Morris Panych’s play about the Zen of dishwashing, Fri 31 Jan Sat 15 Feb, The REP, Birmingham

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Theatre January New_Layout 1 16/12/2013 23:09 Page 14

Theatre REVIEWS Here are a few of our favourite theatre productions we reviewed last month.

For further theatre reviews, visit, www.whatsonlive.co.uk

A Christmas Carol The REP, Birmingham

Bah, humbug! So growled the cantankerous Ebenezer Scrooge in this splendid musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ 1843 short story. The newly reopened Rep’s Christmas production saw Jo Servi delivering a compelling performance as the miserable Scrooge, visited by the ghosts of his Christmases Past, Present and Future who, between them, scare and coerce him into embracing the true spirit of the festive season. The Ghost of Christmas Future, a terrifying winged beast, was a particularly thrilling catalyst in Scrooge’s journey towards redemption. The terrific cast, especially the ghosts, injected plenty of fresh vigour into Dickens’ seminal work, aided and abetted by some zippy direction from Tessa Walker. If Jason Carr’s magnificent music heightened our concern for the covetous old sinner’s well-being, the spirited songand-dance routines kept everyone smiling, with the explosion of colour created by magically suspended ballgowns offering a sharp and much-appreciated contrast to the suitably grim Dickensian sets.

Scrooge’s joyous transformation got everyone in the Christmas spirit. This merry production was surely one of the Rep’s finest.

Malaka Chowdhury ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Sleeping Beauty: The Rock n Roll Panto Stafford Gatehouse Theatre

The rock’n’roll panto has become a bit of a festive institution in the town of Stafford. Last year’s Beauty And The Beast broke box office records and set the bar good and high for director Paulette Randall, who’s here taken on the challenge with real gusto.

From the moment the multi-talented cast spring onto the stage to the strains of Birthday by The Beatles, the audience is treated to two hours of accomplished storytelling, some cleverly chosen and brilliantly performed music and, most importantly, plenty of top-quality fun.

Production Designer Rodney Ford’s excellent set serves as an eye-catching backdrop to this updated take on the tale of Sleeping Beauty. The story may be a well-worn one, but this particular production is kept fresh and lively by its not-to-be-overlooked rock’n’roll element. Celebration and Isn’t She Lovely welcome the birth of Princess Susie, with The Eagles’ appropriately titled Witchy Woman heralding the arrival for the first time of Morgana.

By the time Nurse Taffy Trott belts out Blondie’s Call Me, you’re completely and totally sold on the show. Though Stafford’s offering is thoroughly modern, a panto wouldn’t be a panto without a few traditional ingredients. Pantomime dame? Check.

“He’s behind you!”? Check. “Oh no he isn’t!”?

Check. Slapstick comedy? Check. Lashings of innuendo? Check. The team behind Sleeping Beauty have done an excellent job of incorporating these classic beats into the show, in the process delighting the entire audience, regardless of their age. But any production lives or dies by the performances of its cast members, and the ten actors/musicians presenting this value-for-money show were all first-class.

A very big well done to all concerned.

Simon Carter ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Cabaret Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton

A bohemian and permissive 1930s Berlin is the setting for this dark musical. Its story, of naive American writer Clifford Bradshaw’s relationship with eccentric English nightclub singer Sally Bowles, takes place against a backdrop of Fascism and the Nazi rise to power, and is presided over by the menacing club Emcee.

The performances throughout were strong. Siobhan Dillon brought a fragile vulnerability to the erratic Sally - her rendition of Cabaret was the best I’ve ever experienced. It was a pleasure as well to see Matt Rawle develop the character of Cliff from naive and unconfident to resolute and forthright. Simon Jaymes, understudy to Will Young, played the Emcee. Although his vocals were weak at points, he brought a fine mix of comedy and menace to the character. The supporting roles of Fräulein Schnider (Lyn Paul) and Herr Schultz (Linal Haft) were beautifully played, with some remarkable vocals from Ms Paul. The show’s production values were excellent, with some great choreography and fine direction of both the music and lighting.

I may have seen Cabaret numerous times, but this production surprised, shocked and enthralled even me. Ted Finlay ■ ■ ■ ■

Theatre Box Office Birmingham ALEXANDRA THEATRE 0844 871 3011 BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME 0844 338 5000 BIRMINGHAM REP 0121 236 4455 THE BLUE ORANGE THEATRE 0121 212 2643 CRESCENT THEATRE 0121 643 5858 DOVEHOUSE THEATRE 0121 706 7139 THE DRUM 0121 333 2444 HALL GREEN LITTLE THEATRE 0121 707 1874 MAC 0121 446 3232 MIXING BOWL THEATRE 0121 224 7545 OLD JOINT STOCK THEATRE 0121 200 0946 OLD REP 0121 245 4455 SOLIHULL ARTS COMPLEX 0121 704 6962

Black Country ARENA THEATRE WOLVERHAMPTON 01902 321321 BLOXWICH THEATRE 01922 653183 DUDLEY CONCERT HALL 01384 812812 FOREST ARTS CENTRE, WALSALL 01922 654555

GRAND THEATRE, 01902 429212 NEWHAMPTON ARTS CENTRE 01902 572090 OLDBURY REP, OLDBURY 0121 552 2761

Shropshire THE BELFREY, WELLINGTON 01952 222277 THE EDGE, MUCH WENLOCK 01952 728911 THE HIVE, SHREWSBURY 01743 234970 LUDLOW ASSEMBLY ROOMS 01584 878141 THE PLACE, OAKENGATES, TELFORD 01952 382382 THEATRE SEVERN, SHREWSBURY 01743 281281 WEM TOWN HALL 01939 232299

Staffordshire LICHFIELD GARRICK 01543 412121 NEW VIC 01782 717962 PRINCE OF WALES CENTRE, CANNOCK 01543 578762 REGENT THEATRE, STOKE 0870 060 6649 RUGELEY ROSE THEATRE 01889 584036 STAFFORD GATEHOUSE 01785 254653 STOKE REPERTORY THEATRE 01782 209784

Warwickshire BEDWORTH CIVIC HALL 024 7637 6707 BELGRADE THEATRE, COVENTRY 024 7655 3055 BRIDGE HOUSE THEATRE, WARWICK 01926 776438 THE DREAM FACTORY 01926 419555 ROYAL SHAKESPEARE THEATRE, STRATFORD-UPON-AVON 0844 800 1110 ROYAL SPA CENTRE LEAMINGTON 01926 334418 WARWICK ARTS CENTRE, COVENTRY 02476 524524

Worcestershire ARTRIX ARTS CENTRE, BROMSGROVE 01527 577330 THE HIVE 01905 822866 HUNTINGDON HALL, WORCESTER 01905 611427 MALVERN THEATRE 01684 892277 NORBURY THEATRE, DROITWICH 01905 770154 PALACE THEATRE REDDITCH 01527 65203 ROSE THEATRE, 01562 743745 SWAN THEATRE, WORCESTER 01905 611427

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Theatre January New_Layout 1 16/12/2013 23:09 Page 15

FORTHCOMING ATTRACTIONS 2014 Box Office: 01527 65203 Mon 10th Feb, 7.30pm

Thurs 13th Feb, 7.30pm

GYLES BRANDRETH

SINATRA, SEQUINS AND SWING

Looking For Happiness

Tickets £17.75*

Tickets £20.75 & £19.75* (disc)

Fri 14th Feb, 7.30pm

Tues 18th Feb, 2.00pm

MARTY WILDE AND THE WILDCATS

ANDY AND MIKE’S TICK TOCK TIME MACHINE

Tickets £18.75 & £17.75* (disc)

Tickets £12.75 & £10.75* (disc) £41* (family ticket)

Wed 19th Feb, 8.00pm

Thurs 20th Feb, 7.30pm

ED BYRNE Roaring Forties Tour

ROY CHUBBY BROWN

Tickets £23.25*

Tickets £19.75*

Fri 21st Feb, 7.30pm

Thurs 6th Mar, 7.30pm

JAI MCDOWALL

DIRTY DUSTING

Tickets £20.25* & £19.75* (disc)

Tickets £20.75*

* Inclusive of 75p booking fee per ticket up to a max of £3

ONLINE BOOKING:

13 April 11am & 2pm Tickets £12 (£10) 40 www.whatsonlive.co.uk

RIVER MONSTERS

face to face

With Jeremy Wade

DOUG ALLAN

In the Company of Giants Wildlife Cameraman

Performed by ‘Charles Dickens’ great grandson Gerald Dickens

Tickets £14

14 March 7.30pm 28 March 7.30pm

An evening of Mozart mastertpieces

A One Man Show

HERMAN’S HERMITS Tickets £17.50

BY CANDELIGHT

NICHOLAS NICKLEBY

One of the most sucessful groups world-wide

18+

Tickets £21

Magical Mozart

11 April 7.30pm

1 April 11am & 2pm Tickets £16 (£12)

24 March 7.30pm Tickets £16 (£12)

27 February 7.30pm.

Tickets £16 (£15)

www.redditchpalacetheatre.co.uk

ROY CHUBBY BROWN Returns with his bluest show yest!

Book Online www.tamworthassemblyrooms.co.uk

Box Office: 01827 709618 Coronation Street, Tamworth, Staffs, B79 7DN

CBeebies favourite double act

Theatre January New_Layout 1 16/12/2013 23:09 Page 16

Theatre WEST END Midlands singer extends West End role Beverley Knight has announced that she will continue to star in Thea Sharrock’s stage version of the 1992 Whitney Houston-Kevin Costner movie The Bodyguard until the end of May. Often hailed the UK’s Queen of Soul, Wolverhampton-born Knight has received plenty of acclaim for her portrayal of pop diva Rachel Marron in the highly rated romantic thriller. The Bodyguard is currently booking at the Adelphi Theatre until 30 August 2014.

Award-winning actress takes one-woman show to the Globe Veteran actress Eileen Atkins is to play a multitude of Shakespeare’s female characters in a one-off stage performance at the Shakespeare Globe’s new Sam Wanamaker Playhouse on 12 January. In a staging which had its first outing at the Chichester Festival in 2012, Atkins portrays Ellen Terry, who was widely considered to be one of the finest Shakespearian actresses of the Victorian period. Entitled Ellen Terry With Eileen Atkins, the show aims to shed new light on characters who have sometimes been dismissed as dull, submissive or one-dimensional.

WEST END LISTINGS: MUSICALS AMERICAN PSYCHO Almeida Theatre,booking until 25 Jan 2014 BILLY ELLIOT – THE MUSICAL Victoria Palace Theatre, booking until 16 May 2015 BODYGUARD Adelphi Theatre, booking until 30 Aug 2014 BOOK OF MORMON Prince Of Wales Theatre, booking until 8 Mar 2014 CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY THE MUSICAL Drury Lane Royal, booking until 1 Nov 2014 COMMITMENTS Victoria Palace Theatre, booking until 14 Sept 2014 DIRTY DANCING Piccadilly Theatre, booking until 22 Feb 2014 FROM HERE TO ETERNITY Shaftesbury Theatre, booking until 26 Apr 2014 I CAN’T SING! THE X FACTOR MUSICAL London Palladium Theatre, 27 Feb 2014 - 25 Oct 2014

JERSEY BOYS Prince Edward Theatre, booking until 9 march 2014 and Piccadilly Theatre, 14 Mar - 25 Oct 2014 LES MISÉRABLES Queen's Theatre, booking until 25 Oct 2014 LET IT BE Savoy Theatre, booking until 8 Feb 2014 LIGHT PRINCESS Lyttelton, National Theatre, booking until 2 Feb 2014 LION KING Lyceum Theatre, booking until 20 Jul 2014 MAMMA MIA! Novello Theatre, booking until 25 Oct 2014 MATILDA THE MUSICAL Cambridge Theatre, booking until 21 Dec 2014 MISS SAIGON Prince Edward Theatre, from 3 May 2014 - 25 Oct 2014 MONTY PYTHONS SPAMALOT Playhouse Theatre, booking until 8 Feb 2014 ONCE Phoenix Theatre, booking until 31 May 2014 PHANTOM OF THE OPERA

Nigel Harman to star in Harry Hill’s X Factor Musical Ex-EastEnder and former Shrek The Musical star Nigel Harman is to portray Simon Cowell in Harry Hill’s highly anticipated new stage show I Can’t Sing! The X Factor Musical.

With book and lyrics by Hill, and under the direction of Sean Foley, the musical comedy features nineteen new songs and takes audiences behind the scenes of the ITV1 Reality TV show. The storyline revolves around the character of Chenice, a young girl who lives in an ITV blackspot because her grandad’s iron lung interferes with the signal in her carHer Majesty's Theatre, booking until 25 Oct 2014 PORGY AND BESS Open Air Theatre, Regents Park, 17 Jul 23 Aug 2014 STEVEN WARD Aldwych Theatre, booking until 1 Mar 2014 STOMP Ambassadors Theatre, booking until 21 Dec 2014 THRILLER LIVE Lyric Theatre, booking until 28 Sept 2014 WE WILL ROCK YOU Dominion Theatre, booking until 5 Apr 2014 WICKED Apollo Victoria Theatre, booking until 1 Nov 2014.

WIND IN THE WILLOWS Duchess Theatre, booking until 1 Feb 2014

18 Mar 2014 FATAL ATTRACTION Haymarket Theatre,Royal, 8 Mar - 21 Jun 2014 FROM MORNING TO MIDNIGHT Lyttelton National Theatre, booking until 26 Jan 2014 WAR HORSE New London Theatre, booking until 15 Feb 2014

avan. When Chenice and her talking dog stumble across an X Factor audition queue, she finds herself embarking on a rollercoaster journey that changes her life forever.

Sister Act’s Cynthia Erivo stars as Chenice, with the cast also including Alan Morrissey, Ashley Knight, Katy Secombe, Shaun Smith and Rowen Hawkins.

I Can’t Sing! The X Factor Musical previews at the London Palladium from 27 February, and is currently booking until 25 October.

COMEDY 39 STEPS Criterion Theatre, booking until 18 Oct 2014 DUCK HOUSE Vaudeville Theatre, booking until 29 Mar 2014 FORTUNE’S FOOL Old Vic Theatre, booking until 22 Feb 2014 JEEVES AND WOOSTER IN PERFECT NONSENSE

Duke Of York’s Theatre, booking until 8 Mar 2014 KNIGHTS OF THE BURNING PESTLE Old Vic Theatre, booking 20 Feb 30 Mar 2014 TWELFTH KNIGHT REIMAGINED Open ?Air Theatre, Regent’s Park, booking 21 Jun - 12 July 2014

The Duck House - Vaudeville Theatre

DRAMA CORIOLANUS Donmar Warehouse, booking until 8 Feb 2014 CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHTTIME Apollo Theatre, booking until 25 Oct 2014 EMIL AND THE DETECTIVES Olivier National Theatre, booking until

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Dance January_Layout 1 16/12/2013 22:19 Page 1

THE EASY WAY TO BOOK YOUR TICKETS ONLINE

whatsonlive.co.uk The most comprehensive what’s on listings website for Birmingham and the West Midlands

42 www.whatsonlive.co.uk

Dance January_Layout 1 16/12/2013 22:19 Page 2

Dance

Strictly Come Dancing Live National Indoor Arena, Birmingham, Fri 17 - Sun 19 January The glitz and glamour of BBC1’s Strictly Come Dancing hits the road again this month. Hosted by former contestant Lisa Riley, and with regular judges Len Goodman, Craig Revel Horwood and Bruno Tonioli in tow, the live version sees the show’s popular dancers putting their celebrity partners through their paces with a host of new routines. Performing everything from ballroom and paso doble to the waltz and tango, the show’s stars are sure to delight Strictly’s loyal fans. Taking to the dancefloor this year are former Dragon Deborah Meaden, BBC Breakfast presenter Susanna Reid, Westlife heartthrob Nicky Byrne, model Abbey Clancey, former Corrie badgirl Natalie Gumede and exEngland Rugby World Cup-winner Ben Cohen. The line-up is completed by Hairspray and Waterloo Road actor Mark Benton, who’s sure to bring plenty of humour to the evening’s proceedings.

Brendan Cole: Licence To Thrill Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton, Wed 22 January

Strictly Come Dancing stalwart Brendan Cole is out on tour again, this time joined by a cast of twenty - including professional dancers and a fourteen-piece band.

Taking audiences on a journey across time with a sprinkling of 007 magic, this is a show that’s received plenty of critical acclaim. Described as ‘brimming with passion and sophistication’, Licence To Thrill incorporates the magic of ballroom, the excitement of Latin and the speed of jive, along the way offering Cole the chance to demonstrate both his vocal prowess and his ability as an all-round entertainer.

Lyrica Fearta: The Letter And Broken Lineage The REP, Birmingham, Fri 24 - Sat 25 January

Sadler’s Wells Associate Artist Jonzi D this month returns to The REP to present a triple bill of works, including a newly commissioned piece. First on show is Jonzi’s acclaimed solo, The Letter. An exploration of the artist’s responses to being offered an MBE, the work is accompanied by a commissioned score from Speakers Corner Quartet member Kwake Bass. The triple bill also features Broken Lineage, a collaboration with Ivan Blackstock of BirdGang Dance Company that boasts plenty of Jonzi’s trademark wit, social insight and inimitable sense of style. A performance from a guest artist completes the line-up of danceworks. www.whatsonlive.co.uk 43

Film January 2014_Layout 1 16/12/2013 22:20 Page 1

Film

TO WATCH THE LATEST MOVIE TRAILERS, VISIT: www.whatsonlive.co.uk

From

0 FRI 1 JAN

12 Years A Slave

CERT 15 (134mins)

Starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Dano, Paul Giamatti, Lupita Nyong'o, Sarah Paulson, Brad Pitt, Alfre Woodard Directed by Steve McQueen (USA/UK)

12 Years A Slave has been a frontrunner to mop up the Oscars in March for some time now. And it’s a British success story: the director is the London-born Steve McQueen, whose previous films Hunger and Shame garnered considerable attention. And the star is the wonderful Chiwetel Ejiofor (‘Chewy’ to his friends), who was also born in London. He’s the odds-on-favourite to win the Oscar for best actor and plays Solomon Northup, a man who is kidnapped and sold into slavery in 1841. Pundits are also putting money on awards’ recognition for the twenty-nine-year-old Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong'o, who plays Patsey, a fellow slave. The film is adapted from Northup’s 1853 autobiography and promises to be extremely violent.

August: Osage County CERT 15 (121mins)

Starring Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Ewan McGregor, Chris Cooper, Abigail Breslin, Benedict Cumberbatch, Juliette Lewis, Margo Martindale, Sam Shepard Directed by John Wells (USA)

From

17 FRI N JA 44 www.whatsonlive.co.uk

This was attracting Oscar buzz even before it went into production. And the buzz is now deafening. Adapted from the 2007 play by Tracy Letts, the film is a black comedy set in an Oklahoma household where a crisis reunites the women in the family. So far Julia Roberts looks like a shoo-in for a Best Supporting Actress nomination.

Produced by George Clooney.

TOP 5 FILM BOX OFFICE

1 Frozen (PG) 2 Homefront (15) 3 Saving Mr Banks (PG) 4 Gravity (12a) Hunger Games: 5 The Catching Fire (12a)

Frozen

Film January 2014_Layout 1 16/12/2013 22:20 Page 2

Film NEW RELEASES Released from Weds 1 Jan

American Hustle

CERT 15 (107mins) Starring Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Jeremy Renner, Amy Adams, Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro Directed by David O. Russell (USA)

David O Russell is one of the most exciting filmmakers currently working in America (his credits include Three Kings, The Fighter and Silver Linings Playbook) - and everybody wants to work with him. Here, Christian Bale plays Irving Rosenfeld, a 1970s conman coerced into helping the FBI ensnare a cadre of corrupt politicians. Based on real events.

Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones CERT 15 (84mins) Starring Andrew Jacobs, Richard Cabral, Carlos Pratts, Molly Ephraim Directed by Christopher B. Landon (USA)

If you wondered what happened to the tapes that went missing in Paranormal Activity 3 (2011), then this is the film for you. Once again, everything is relayed through the use of an investigative camera, as a group of partygoers attempt to find why a woman died in the apartment beneath them. Paranormal Activity 5 is due in October.

The Railway Man CERT 15 (116mins) Starring Colin Firth, Nicole Kidman, Jeremy Irvine, Stellan SkarsgĂĽrd, Hiroyuki Sanada Directed by Jonathan Teplitzky (Australia/UK)

The railway in question is the Thai-Burma Railway and the man is Eric Lomax, who helped to build it during his internment in a Japanese POW camp. Years later, Lomax (Firth) decides to track down the officer who tortured him while he was there. Based on Lomax’s autobiography of the same name.

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Film January 2014_Layout 1 16/12/2013 22:20 Page 3

Last Vegas CERT 12a (105mins) Starring Michael Douglas, Robert De Niro, Morgan Freeman, Kevin Kline, Mary Steenburgen, Roger Bart Directed by Jon Turteltaub (USA)

Think of The Hangover with liver spots. When Billy (Douglas) finally gets engaged, his three best chums decide to throw a bachelor party in Vegas that he will never forget. The grey pound will out.

Released from Fri 10 Jan

Delivery Man CERT 12a (104mins) Starring Vince Vaughn, Chris Pratt, Cobie Smulders, Andrzej Blumenfeld, Britt Robertson Directed by Ken Scott (USA)

Starbuck (2011) is a largely forgotten gem from Canada about a loveable rogue who discovers that, via his local sperm bank, he has sired five hundred-and-thirty-three offspring. It could so easily have descended into farce but was saved by the rugged charisma of Patrick Huard in the central role and a good deal of charm and surprising credibility. Quite what Hollywood will do with the material one dreads to think.

Released from Thurs 16 Jan

Devil’s Due CERT 15 (89mins) Starring Allison Miller, Zach Gilford, Sam Anderson, Aimee Carrero, Robert Belushi Directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett (USA)

Pregnancy can be the devil of a time, particularly as evinced by the likes of Rosemary’s Baby and I Don’t Want To Be Born. When Zach McCall (Gilford) notices strange behavioural and physical changes in his expectant wife, he puts it down to nerves - at least, in the beginning…

Be warned, this is another ‘found footage’ horror film (à la Paranormal Activity, Diary Of The Dead, ad nauseam).

46 www.whatsonlive.co.uk

From

FRI 3 JAN

The Wolf Of Wall Street CERT 18 (180 mins)

Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, Jean Dujardin, Matthew McConaughey, Margot Robbie, Jon Favreau Directed by Martin Scorsese (USA)

No doubt the facts of Jordan Belfort’s eponymous memoir make for fascinating reading. A man with monstrous appetites and a gift for the gab, he attained unimaginable wealth on the backs of those he exploited on the penny stock market. But even his mansion, his 167ft yacht, his white Porsche and his women were not enough - he needed to sustain his shifts of mood with a pharmacy of drugs. The problem with Martin Scorsese’s adaptation is that it panders to the excesses of his subject. Over its three-hour running time, there is so much bad behaviour, so much profanity, so much cocaine and hookers and parties that it’s like The Hangover that swallowed Wall Street. It’s a familiar narrative template, too - Scorsese did this much better with GoodFellas (and with menace and tension). But the film’s biggest weakness is Leonardo DiCaprio as Belfort - he doesn’t look like he could sell scandal to a tabloid.

Released from Fri 24 Jan

Grudge Match CERT 12a (113mins) Starring Robert De Niro, Sylvester Stallone, Alan Arkin, Kevin Hart, Jon Bernthal, Kim Basinger Directed by Peter Segal (USA)

Robert De Niro, who won an Oscar playing the boxer Jake LaMotta in Raging Bull, squares up against Sylvester Stallone, who was nominated for an Oscar playing the boxer Rocky Balboa.

The formerly great De Niro, having made fun of

Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom CERT 12a (146mins)

Starring Idris Elba, Naomie Harris, Tony Kgoroge Directed by Justin Chadwick (South Africa)

The late anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela has been played by several actors (Morgan Freeman, Danny Glover, Dennis Haysbert), but this is the first film to be based on Mandela’s autobiography. As the South African idol, the Hackney-born Elba (TV’s The Wire, Luther) is said to be sensational. his gangster persona in last year’s The Family, now lampoons himself in this knockabout comedy about a couple of ancient pugilists battling it out in the ring one last time.

I, Frankenstein

CERT tbc Starring Aaron Eckhart, Bill Nighy, Yvonne Strahovski, Miranda Otto, Socratis Otto, Jai Courtney Directed by Stuart Beattie (Australia/USA)

Actually, the lead character (Eckhart) is Frankenstein’s monster, but I, Frankenstein’s Monster just doesn’t have the same ring to it.

Anyway, Frankenstein’s Monster has actually taken the name Adam and, far from the imagination of Mary Shelley, becomes involved with two warring tribes of immortal status. Adapted from the graphic novel by Kevin Grevioux (who also wrote the screenplay). In 3D.

Film January 2014_Layout 1 16/12/2013 22:21 Page 4

Her CERT tbc Starring Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams, Rooney Mara, Olivia Wilde, Portia Doubleday, and the voice of Scarlett Johansson Directed by Spike Jonze (USA)

As it happens, `Her’ (voiced by Scarlett Johansson) is invisible both to us and our protagonist, Theo Twombly (Phoenix). In the nottoo-distant future, Theo, who is going through a divorce, downloads a voice-activated operating system. Choosing a female identity for his new programme, Theo finds himself becoming totally reliant on ‘Her’ - practically and emotionally.

OK, so what do you expect from Spike Jonze?

The director of Being John Malkovich and Adaptation, Jonze has never opted for the conventional. Here, he conjures up a futuristic and lyrical love story in which the camera seldom leaves Joaquin Phoenix’s face. In spite of the cinema’s previous explorations of artificial intelligence, ‘Her’ emerges as a highly original work, being both a cerebral black comedy and a thought-provoking contemplation of the human condition. So far, it has been voted best film of 2013 by America’s National Board of Review and by The Los Angeles Film Critics Association.

From

FRI 3 JAN 1 destroyed Buster Keaton’s career. A commercial and critical flop in the year of its release (1926), the film has gone on to be much imitated (most recently in last year’s The Lone Ranger) and, according to silentera.com, is the best silent film of all time. The true story of a train (The General) that is stolen by Union soldiers, the movie stars Keaton as an engineer who is both obsessed with the locomotive of the title and the girl (Mack) who rejects him for being a coward. It’s amazing to look at The General today and to know that Keaton did all his own stunts and that the film’s legendary train crash was filmed for real.

Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit Starring Chris Pine, Kevin Costner, Kenneth Branagh, Keira Knightley, Colm Feore, David Paymer Directed by Kenneth Branagh (USA)

Out Of The Furnace CERT 15 (117mins) Starring Christian Bale, Woody Harrelson, Casey Affleck, Forest Whitaker, Willem Dafoe, Zoe Saldana, Sam Shepard Directed by Scott Cooper (USA)

Inside Llewyn Davis CERT 15 (117mins) Starring Oscar Isaac, Carey Mulligan, John Goodman, Garrett Hedlund, Justin Timberlake, F. Murray Abraham Directed by Joel Ethan and Coen (USA)

Llewyn Davis (Isaac) is a struggling folk singer in Greenwich Village, New York, 1961. While there’s no story as such, the film is loosely based on the memoir of the late Dave Van Ronk, and, this being a film from the Coen brothers, predictably won the Grand Prix at Cannes last year.

The General CERT U (90mins) Starring Buster Keaton, Marion Mack, Jim Farley Directed by Clyde Bruckman and Buster Keaton (USA)

One of the greatest films ever made, The General is the masterpiece that almost

With such powerful and eloquent films as Enron: The Smartest Guys In The Room, Taxi To The Dark Side and last year’s We Steal Secrets under his belt, Alex Gibney has proved himself to be one of the finest and most influential directors working today. Here, he takes on the extraordinary story of the Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong, his fight with testicular and brain cancer, his astonishing comeback and then his terrible shame.

Expect to be wowed.

Released from Fri 31 Jan

CERT tbc

Having taken over the mantle of Captain James T Kirk from William Shatner, Chris Pine now snatches the title role of Jack Ryan from… er, Alec Baldwin, Harrison Ford and Ben Affleck. Ryan, you will remember, is the CIA agent first featured in the 1990 thriller The Hunt For Red October, adapted from the novel by the recently deceased Tom Clancy.

Shadow Recruit, to use the popular parlance, is a reboot and sees a younger Ryan counter a Soviet plot to undermine the US economy.

The Armstrong Lie CERT 15 (124mins) Directed by Alex Gibney (USA)

It’s Christian Bale month (cf. American Hustle) and here he plays a prisoner who, when released, risks all to rescue his younger brother (Affleck) from a life of crime. But the consequences are horrific. Produced by Ridley Scott and Leonardo DiCaprio (who were both due to work on an earlier version of the film).

Lone Survivor CERT tbc Starring Mark Wahlberg, Taylor Kitsch, Eric Bana, Emile Hirsch, Ben Foster Directed by Peter Berg (USA)

Adapted from Marcus Luttrell's book of the same name, this is the true story of four SEAL soldiers who, in 2005, attempt to capture and/or kill the Taliban leader Ahmad Shahd.

A latecomer to the awards season, the film has received ecstatic reviews in the States. www.whatsonlive.co.uk 47

Film January 2014_Layout 1 16/12/2013 22:21 Page 5

Film A-Z LISTINGS All films are currently on general release unless otherwise stated. For full listing information, including times and dates, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk Anchorman: The Legend Continues 15 Newsreader Ron Burgundy was a vain, chauvinistic and bombastic character who ruled the airwaves of San Diego in the 1970s. Now down on his luck, he’s reunited with his old crew to join a 24-hour news channel in New York. Stars Will Ferrell. Showing at Electric Cinema, Birmingham, until Thurs 2 Jan

Blue Is The Warmest Colour 18 Adele's life is changed when she meets Emma, a young woman with blue hair who will allow her to discover desire, to assert herself as a woman and as an adult. Showing at Artrix, Bromsgrove, Tues 14 - Thurs 16 Jan; Stoke Film Theatre, Thurs 16 Jan; The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Sat 25 Jan

major historical episodes of the twentieth century.

Forest Whitaker and Oprah Winfrey star. Showing at The Courtyard, Hereford, Fri 10 - Thurs 16 Jan; Festival Drayton Centre, Market Drayton, Shropshire, Fri 24 & Tues 28 Jan; Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire, Fri 24 - Weds 29 Jan; Old Market Hall, Shrewsbury, Fri 24 - Thurs 30 Jan; Stoke Film Theatre, Fri 31 Jan

WATCH THE FILM T A TRAILERS .uk ve.co whatsonli

New York socialite Jasmine Francis has got a major case of the blues. She’s also forced to move in with her sister when her marriage to a rich businessman self-destructs. Stars Alec Baldwin and Cate Blanchett. Showing at Stourbridge Town Hall, Mon 6 Jan; Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire, Weds 22 Thurs 23 Jan; The Courtyard, Hereford, Fri 17 - Thurs 23 Jan

Captain Phillips 12a

The Broken Circle Breakdown 15

This is the sequel to the 2009 cartoon about a boy who found a way to turn water into food. Here, the lad has to find a way to stop his contraption from creating mutant food beasts, a nasty side-effect of his invention Showing at Festival Drayton Centre, Market Drayton, Thurs 2 Jan; Ludlow Assembly Rooms, Thurs 2 - Sat 4 Jan; The Courtyard, Hereford, Fri 10 - Sat 11 Jan; The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Sat 11 - Sun

The Butler 15 The Butler in question works at the White House, and it’s through his eyes that we see many of the

When a madman calling himself the ‘Scorpio Killer' menaces the city, toughas-nails San Francisco Police Inspector Harry Callahan is assigned to track down and ferret out the crazed psychopath.

Stars Clint Eastwood.

Showing at Crescent Theatre, Birmingham, Fri 31 Jan

Dom Hemingway 12a Dom Hemingway is a safecracker who’s just spent the last twelve years in prison. Now he’s out and wants his reward for keeping his mouth shut.

Jude Law and Richard E Grant star. Showing at The Courtyard, hereford, Tues 28 - Thurs 30 Jan

Enough Said 12a Here, a divorced woman finds out that the man she’s pursuing is in fact the ex-husband of her new girlfriend. Stars Julia Louis-Dreyfus, James Gandolfini, Catherine Keener.

Showing at Stoke Film Theatre, Thurs 9 Jan; The Courtyard, Hereford, Fri 17 - Thurs 23 Jan The Epic Of Everest U

Blue Jasmine 12a

Elise and Didier fall in love at first sight. He talks, she listens. He’s a romantic atheist, she’s a religious realist. But when their daughter becomes seriously ill, their love is tested. Showing at The Courtyard, Hereford, Mon 13 - Weds 15 Jan

12 Jan

Dirty Harry 18

Tom Hanks plays the eponymous Captain Richard Phillips, who was abducted by Somali pirates in 2009. It’s a tale ripped straight from the headlines, based on the book by Captain Phillips himself. Showing at Artrix, Bromsgrove, Fri 3 - Sun 5 Jan; Wem Town Hall, North Shropshire, Thurs 16 Jan

Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs 2 U

Filmed in brutally harsh conditions, this is the official record of the legendary Everest expedition of 1924 that sparked an on-going debate over whether Mallory and Irvine did indeed reach the summit. Showing at The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Sun 12 Jan

Fanny 15 The second part of Daniel Auteuil’s Marseilles Trilogy revival begins where the last story ended, concentrating on its titular heroine’s efforts to survive back home while her lover, Marius, sails the seven seas. Showing at Artrix, Bromsgrove, Tues 14 & 16th Jan; Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire, Weds 29 Thurs 30 Jan

Fargo 18 A Minnesota car salesman is deeply in debt, so he arranges for the kidnapping of his wife in order to obtain a sizeable ransom from her father.

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48 www.whatsonlive.co.uk

Shropshire

MAJESTIC, BRIDGNORTH

However, all does not go according to plan. Stars Frances McDormand.

Showing at Crescent Theatre, Birmingham, Fri 17 Jan

The Fifth Estate 15 Benedict Cumberbatch plays the editor-in-chief and founder of Wikileaks, Julian Assange. Assange himself has dismissed the film as “a hostile work,” while Cumberbatch has heaped praise on the eyeopening website.

Showing at The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Mon 13 Jan

For Those In Peril 18 Aaron is the lone survivor of a fishing trip that claimed the lives of five men, including his older brother. Rendered an outcast among his superstitious village neighbours, and unable to recollect the tragic event, he comes to the belief that the men have somehow survived. Showing at Stoke Film Theatre, Tues 7 Jan Free Birds U When most Americans think of turkey, they think of Thanksgiving. So two intrepid game birds put aside their differences and hijack a time machine to travel back to the first Thanksgiving - to change the course of history. With the voices of Owen Wilson, Woody Harrelson.

Showing at Old Market Hall, Shrewsbury, until Sat 24 Jan

Frozen PG Loosely based on Hans Christian Andersen’s The Snow Queen, in which the kingdom of Arendelle is turned into an eternal winter by the Princess Elsa. Showing at Artrix, Bromsgrove, until Mon 6 Jan

Gloria 15 Gloria is independent but looking for company.

Preferring dance clubs to sitting at home in her Santiago flat, one night she meets Rudolfo, a softspoken, recent divorcé. but will his dependence on his ex-wife and children hamper their relationship? Showing at The Courtyard, Hereford, Fri 10 - Weds 15 Jan; Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South

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Shropshire, Mon 13 - Tues 14 Jan; The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Tues 21 Jan; Stoke Film Theatre, Thurs 30 Jan

Gravity 12a Matt Kowalsky (George Clooney) is on his last shuttle before retirement, along with medical engineer Dr Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock), who’s on her first mission in space. Then, on a routine spacewalk, their craft is destroyed, leaving them stranded in the cosmos…

Showing at Attfield Theatre, Oswestry, North Shropshire, Fri 3 - Sat 4 Jan; Artrix, Bromsgrove, Mon 6 & Tues 7 Jan; Festival Drayton Centre, Market Drayton, Fri 10 Sat 11 & Tues 14 Jan; Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire, Fri 17 Mon 20 Jan; The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Sun 19 - Thurs 23 Jan

The Great Gatsby 12a Baz Luhrmann’s production of the famous F Scott Fitzgerald novel stars Leonardo De Caprio and Carey Mulligan. Showing at The Norbury Theatre, Weds 15 Jan

The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug 15 Gandalf, Bilbo Baggins and the dwarfs hike their way to the Kingdom of Erebor. There, they encounter the dragon Smaug, voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch.

Also stars Ian McKellen and Martin Freeman.

Showing at Malvern Theatres, until Thurs 2 Jan; Old Market Hall, Shrewsbury, Fri 17 - Thurs 23 Jan; Artrix, Bromsgrove, Weds 22 Thurs 23 Jan

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire 15 Following the victory of Katniss Everdeen in the first film (adapted from the novel by Suzanne Collins), President Snow plans a new, far more deadly tournament…

Stars Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson.

Showing at The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Sat 11 Jan; Stoke Film Theatre, Thurs 23 Jan; Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire, Sat 25 & Tues 28 Jan

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The Impossible 15 On the morning of 26 December 2004, a momentous tsunami engulfed the coast of Thailand, taking with it the lives of over a quarter of a million people.

This is the personal story of a real couple and their three children who’re torn apart by nature’s wrath.

Showing at Forests Arts Centre, Walsall, Thurs 30 Jan

The Innocents 12a Hired with little ado by their uncaring, absent uncle, Miss Giddens (Kerr) arrives at Bly House to oversee the education of orphans Miles and Flora - but she soon becomes convinced her charges may be possessed. Stars Deborah Kerr and Michael Redgrave.

Showing at The Courtyard, Hereford, Weds 22 Jan

Jeune & Jolie 18 That’s ‘Young & Beautiful’ in English. Ozon’s drama focuses on a year in the life of a seventeen-yearold French prostitute.

Showing at Stoke Film Theatre, Tues 21 Jan

The Kid With A Bike 12 Abandoned by his father, a young boy is left in a state-run youth farm. In a random act of kindness, the town hairdresser agrees to foster him on weekends. But in his anger, the boy can’t see the love she offers him.

Showing at The Hive, Shrewsbury, Fri 10 Jan

Kill Your Darlings 15 Daniel Radcliffe plays Allen Ginsberg in a truecrime story that implicates him, Jack Kerouac (Jack Huston) and William S Burroughs (Ben Foster) in a murder. Showing at The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Fri 24 Jan; Artrix, Bromsgrove, Sun 26 - Tues 28 Jan

Labyrinth PG Fifteen-year-old Sarah accidentally wishes her baby half-brother, Toby, away to the Goblin King Jareth, who will keep Toby if Sarah doesn’t complete his labyrinth in thirteen hours. Stars David Bowie.

Showing at Crescent Theatre, Birmingham, Fri 24 Jan

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Film January 2014_Layout 1 16/12/2013 22:21 Page 6

Like Father, Like Son PG Ryota Nonomiya feels he’s earned his perfect life. Then he receives a phone call from the hospital where his son was born. There’d been a mixup, and his son, Keita, is not actually his….

Showing at The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Thurs 9 Jan

Little Red Flowers tbc Qiang is a four-year-old rebel at his boarding kindergarten. Being at school for the first time, he struggles to fit into a strictly regimented society in post-revolutionary China.

Showing at The Hive, Shrewsbury, Fri 24 Jan

Little Shop Of Horrors PG A nerdish florist finds his chance for success and romance with the help of a giant man-eating plant who demands to be fed.

Stars Rick Moranis.

Showing at Crescent Theatre, Birmingham, Sat 11 Jan

Love Is In The Air tbc Expect some turbulence in this breezy romantic comedy, set on a transatlantic flight, as, through a twist of fate, exes Julie and Antoine are seated side-by-side for the first time since their break-up.

Showing at The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Sat 25 Jan

Love Tomorrow PG An ex ballerina's chance encounter with a charismatic Cuban dancer comes as a welcome distraction. Over the next 24 hours, a deep connection develops between the pair, who find out that dance is not the only thing they have in common. Showing at The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Tues 28 Jan Man Of Steel 12 Man Of Steel goes back to Kal-El's roots and the planet of Krypton. The rest, as they say, is mythology. Showing at Forests Arts Centre, Walsall, Fri 17 Jan Marius 15 Set in 1920s Marseille, the film centres on Marius, a young man working in his father’s seaside bar.

Although desperate to join the ship crews and explore the world, he is tethered to the port by feelings for childhood friend Fanny. Showing at Artrix, Bromsgrove, Fri 10 Mon 13 Jan; Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire, Tues 21 Weds 22 Jan

Misery 18 Misery Chastain was dead. Paul Sheldon had just killed her - with relief, with joy. She had made him rich; she was the heroine of a string of bestsellers. And now he wants

to get on to some real writing. But a car crash and an obsessed fan change his plans. James Cann and Kathy Bates star. Showing at Crescent Theatre, Birmingham, Fri 3 Jan

Nairobi Half Life 18 Mwas is an aspiring young actor who dreams of becoming a success in the big city. In pursuit of this, he makes his way to Nairobi, a city where danger and opportunity lie and where two diverse career paths prove to be oddly complimentary.

Showing at Stoke Film Theatre, Tues 14 Jan Nebraska 15 A dipsomaniac travels from Montana to Nebraska with his son to supposedly claim some prize money. Bruce Dern and Will Forte star.

Showing at Stoke Film Theatre, Fri 17 - Sat 18 Jan North By Northwest PG A hapless New York advertising executive is mistaken for a government agent by a group of foreign spies, and is pursued across the country while he looks for a way to survive. Stars Cary Grant. Showing at Crescent Theatre, Birmingham, Sat 4 Jan One Chance PG James Corden plays Paul Potts who, you may recall,

was the tenor who won the first series of Britain’s Got Talent in 2007. And before you dismiss this as a cheap British rip-off of Reality TV, the director is the Hollywood filmmaker who steered Meryl Streep through her paces in The Devil Wears Prada and Hope Springs. Showing at The Courtyard, Hereford, Sun 26 - Thurs 30 Jan

Philomena 12a Dame Judi Dench plays Philomena Lee, an elderly woman who decides to search for the son taken from her when she was just a teenager. Also stars Steve Coogan. Showing at Artrix, Bromsgrove, until Fri 3 Jan; Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire, Thurs 2 - Sat 11 Jan; Stoke Film Theatre, Fri 10 - Sat 11 Jan; The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Tues 7 Thurs 9, Tues 14 & Thurs 16 Jan; Wem Town Hall, Thurs 23 Jan; The Courtyard, Hereford, Mon 27 - Weds 26 Jan

Prisoners 15 A carpenter (Hugh Jackman) takes the law into his own hands when his daughter and her friend are kidnapped.

However, impetuous Boston cop Loki (Jake Gyllenhaal) is not impressed. Showing at The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Fri 10 Jan

Psycho 15 A Phoenix secretary steals $40,000 from her employer's client, goes on the run and checks into a remote motel run by a young man under the domination of his mother. Stars Anthony Perkins and Janet Leigh. Showing at Crescent theatre, Birmingham, Sat 4 Jan Romeo And Juliet PG This is a traditional version, filmed in fair Verona, with an American as Juliet Capulet (Oscar nominee Hailee Steinfeld). Romeo is portrayed by the London- born Douglas Booth. Showing at The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Tues 14 Weds 15 Jan Rush PG The film charts the rivalry between Formula One racers James Hunt and Niki Lauda as they compete for the 1976 World Championship at Fuji in Japan. Chris Hemsworth and Daniel Brühl star.

Showing at Artrix, Bromsgrove, Weds 8 Thurs 9 Jan Saving Mr Banks PG This is a biog of PL Travers, the author of Mary Poppins. The film is

divided between Travers’ early years in Australia and the later negotiations with Disney to make a film of her popular children’s novel. Emma Thompson plays Travers and Tom Hanks, Walt Disney.

Showing at The Courtyard, Hereford, Fri 10 - Thurs 16 Jan: Festival Drayton Centre, Market Drayton, Shropshire, Fri 17 - Sat 18 Jan; Stoke Film Theatre, Fri 24 - Sat 25 Jan; Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire, Fri 31 Jan

Taxi Driver 18 A mentally unstable Vietnam war veteran works as a nighttime taxi driver in New York City, where the perceived decadence and sleaze feeds his urge for violent action. Robert De Niro stars. Showing at Crescent Theatre, Birmingham, Sat 25 Jan This Ain’t California tbc A quasi-documentary telling the story of Denis ‘Panik’ Paracek, a skateboarder-cum-agitator who was the figurehead of the early-’80s East German skating scene. Showing at Stoke Film Theatre, Tues 28th Jan

For full Film listings and to view the trailers, visit: www.whatsonlive.co.uk

DVD NEW RELEASES What Maisie Knew 15

Frances Ha 15

This updated version of Henry James’s 1897 novel is not for the fainthearted.

Maisie finds herself a bargaining tool as her parents separate and attempt to start new lives with new lovers. Stars Julianne Morre and Alexander Skarsgård.

Released 6 January

A modern comic fable that explores New York, friendship,class, ambition, failure and redemption.

Frances throws herself headlong into her dreams, even as their possible reality dwindles.

Released 6 January

Riddick 15 Follow-on from the sequel The Chronicles Of Riddick ten years ago. Here, Riddick finds himself in another tight spot as he’s left for dead on an inhospitable planet and is plagued by alien predators. Stars Vin Diesel and Kurt Urban.

Released 13 January

Insidious: Chapter 2 15

Rush 15

Josh and Renai Lambert fight to disentangle themselves from the spirit world in this film from James Wan, the director of Saw. Starring Patrick Wilson and Rose Byrne.

Released 6 January

The Frozen Ground 12a John Cusack plays a man who stalked the streets of Anchorage, preying on vulnerable women. Alaskan State Trooper Nicolas Cage is out to stop him. Based on a true story.

Released 13 January

Director Ron Howard brings alive the rivalry between Formula One racers James Hunt and Niki Lauda as they compete for the 1976 World Championship in Japan.

Stars Chris Hemsworth and Daneil Brühl.

Released 27 January

White House Down 12a It doesn’t seem long ago that the White House was attacked by terrorists and rescued by a man rejected by the Secret Service. That all happened in Olympus Has Fallen, and the hero

was Gerard Butler. In White House Down, Channing Tatum is the maverick cop rejected by the Secret Service - just as the White House is attacked by terrorists. Jamie Foxx plays the US President.

Released 20 January

Hannah Arendt 12a

Sunshine On Leith PG

Arendt was the woman who coined the phrase “the banality of evil” when reporting from Jerusalem on the Nazi war crime trial of Adolf Eichmann. A selfdescribed political theorist who had escaped Germany in the 1930s, she became embroiled in controversy when she tried to understand the nature of power and how such an ordinary person could be part of something so evil.

Stars Barbara Sukowa and Axel Milberg.

Released 27 January

A film version of the stage musical which follows the story of two soldiers from Afghanistan who have to adjust to civilian life in Edinburgh. Stars Paul Mullan and Jane Horricks.

Released 27 January

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Visual Arts The Contemporary Portrait: Self And Others Shire Hall Gallery, Stafford, Sat 11 January - Sun 9 March

For centuries, artists captured the rich and famous in paintings (mainly oil) and sculpture, with physical likeness of paramount importance to the subject’s social standing. In modern times, however, artists no longer feel bound to such tradition, instead exploring other media and processes including photography, video and sound - to produce innovative and thought-provoking work. In this exhibition, a group of contemporary artists investigate the different ways in which the human form can nowadays be depicted.

Image credit: Don Eddy

Photorealism: 50 Years Of Hyperrealistic Painting Birmingham Museum And Art Gallery, Sat 30 November - Sun 30 March, 2014

Tim Johnson: The Luminescent Ground Ikon Gallery, Birmingham, until Sun 9 February

Installation photography and text pieces made during visits to England, France, Germany and the Netherlands in the early 1970s feature in this first European survey of work by Australian artist Tim Johnson. Using a variety of influences and references, Johnson produces paintings which are populated with an eclectic range of figures, from Buddhist deities, Tibetan monks, Native Americans and Vietnamese farmers through to extraterrestrials and Christian angels. The figures are placed within an ethereal space populated with dots, circles and fragments of landscape (often oriental hills and cloudy skies).

The first large-scale retrospective of its kind in Europe, this new exhibition at the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery is devoted entirely to the art of photorealism - a Pop Art-derived artform depicting everyday objects and scenes, including American cars, highways, storefronts and diners. Using photography as its starting point, Photorealism was met with intense criticism when it first made an appearance in the United States in the late-1960s - but forty-plus years later, the movement is still going strong.

The exhibition showcases works by all the major photorealists, including Chuck Close, Raphaella Spence, Peter Maier and the Birmingham-born John Salt.

Uncommon Ground: Land Art In Britain 1966 - 1979 The Mead Gallery, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Sat 18 January - Sat 8 March

Regarded as the most comprehensive exhibition of British Land Art to date, Uncommon Ground includes pieces by twenty-four hugely influential artists working between the mid-1960s and late-1970s, a period when the term ‘landscape’ was questioned and transformed, becoming the basis for much radical experiment.

Works by Keith Arnatt, Hamish Fulton, Derek Jarman, David Nash, Roger Palmer, Andy Goldsworthy and David Tremlett all feature. The exhibition, curated by Nicholas Alfrey, Joy Sleeman and Ben Tufnall, is accompanied by a new publication, available at the Mead Gallery.

Credit: Tim Johnson - Clifford Possum (2002) Acrylic on linen

Credit: Andy Goldsworthy

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VisualArts PREVIEWS Qalam: The Art Of Beautiful Writing Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, until Sun 26 January

The art of Islamic calligraphy and its influence across different countries, cultures and languages is here explored via a variety of artefacts, including manuscripts, decorated objects and contemporary art. Among the exhibition’s highlights are the University of Birmingham’s late-seventh century Qur’an folio from the Arabian Peninsula, a tenth century Iranian ceramic bowl from Stoke-onTrent’s Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, and three calligraphic scrolls by contemporary Iranian artist Golnaz Fathi (on loan from the British Museum).

This unique exhibition is complemented by a calligraphy workshop for beginners on 18 January.

Writing Case. Kashmir, 19th century © Birmingham Museums

Family Circles The Barber Institute, Birmingham, Fri 24 January - Mon 26 May

Contributions from some of the ‘greatest masters’ in miniature portraiture feature in this new Barber Institute offering. Focusing on the family, and how its members and dynasties were depicted between the seventeenth and nineteenth centuries, the exhibition comprises a series of portraits of children, brothers, husbands and wives.

The showcase of work, which is supported by renowned auctioneer house Bonhams, features work by artists Nicholas Dixon, Bernard Lens, James Scouler, John Smart, William Ross and the brothers Isaac and Peter Oliver.

Chiharu Shiota, Wall, 2010. Video still. Courtesy of the artist. © DACS 2013

Chiharu Shiota: Dialogues The New Art Gallery, Walsall, Fri 17 January - Sun 30 March

Regularly utilising everyday objects such as clothing, old furniture, doors, windows and vintage suitcases, Japanese artist Chiharu Shiota’s work aims to embrace the viewer and challenge their perspective of the immediate environment. Comprising two new site-specific installations and a selection of drawings and films, Dialogues features four hundred vintage suitcases suspended from the ceiling with red rope. Meanwhile, in a separate gallery, the artist has woven masses of black wool to create a cavernous space in which to encase the viewer. This New Art Gallery exhibition marks the first major outing of Shiota’s work.

From Darkroom To Digital Wolverhampton Art Gallery, until Sat 15 February

Wolverhampton’s role in the story of photography is laid bare in this Wolverhampton Photographic Society presentation. In the mid-nineteenth century, the city was a real hub for photographers, among whom was ‘the father of art photography’, Oscar G Rejlander.

Rejlander’s key work, The Two Ways Of Life (1857) - a copy of which was purchased by Queen Victoria for her beloved Albert - is included in the exhibition, and features alongside works by other influential photographers such as Haseler, Whitlock, Bennett-Clark, Eisenhofer and Susser.

Oscar G. Rejlander - The Two Ways Of Life, 1857. The Royal Photographic Society Collection © National Media Museum, Bradford / SSPL. Creative Commons BY-NC-SA.

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Visual Arts January new_Layout 1 16/12/2013 22:22 Page 5

VisualArts PREVIEWS VisualArts LISTINGS Ongoing exhibitions

Hetain Patel: At Home mac - Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, until Sun 26 January

Nottingham-based artist Hetain Patel’s work sets out to define his place within two very different cultures, and uses photography and film in order to examine the subject of identity. At Home marks a real turning point in the artist’s practice, as he moves away from the self-portraiture works for which he’s previously been known. Here, Patel is no longer the sole protagonist in the camera’s frame.

Indeed, in some cases he’s completely absent, instead using other means to question human relationships and the need to give meaning to existence. The artist’s first major solo exhibition, At Home was launched at Nottingham’s New Art Exchange in 2012.

For full listing information on Visual Art exhibitions, including times and dates, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk

KALEIDOSCOPE A collection of innovative contemporary jewellery, ceramics and textiles, until Sun 18 Jan, RBSA, Birmingham

ANGLO SAXON KINGDOM OF MERCIA Exhibition which sets pieces from the world famous Staffordshire hoard in context with items from the museum’s collection of Anglo-Saxon finds.

Ongoing exhibition at the Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, Stoke-onTrent

LINES, SPACE AND ANGLES A joint exhibition of contemporary photography & drawing, until Fri 10 Jan, The Bond Cafe Gallery, Birmingham

FIRST IMPRESSIONS Exhibition which focuses on The Barber's collection of works on paper, showcasing pieces by Dürer, Piranesi, Rembrandt, Claude, Turner, Goya, Whistler and other masters, until Sun 19 Jan, The Barber Institute, Birmingham

REGENERATED The story of the Jewellery Quarter’s Smith & Pepper jewellery factory, featuring unique works by Cathy Miles, Rajesh Gogna and Miranda Sharpe, until Sat 11 Jan, Museum of the Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham

W MOORCROFT LIMITED 1913 - 2013: 100 YEARS OF A LIVING ART POTTERY A special presentation celebrating a century of Moorcroft pottery being made entirely by hand in Stoke-on-Trent, until Sun 19 Jan, The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent

CRAFTED FOR YOU Showcasing the skills and craftsmanship on offer in the region, until Sat 11 Jan, Worcester City Art Gallery & Museum

MANET: PORTRAYING LIFE The first ever retrospective devoted to the portraiture of Edouard Manet, until Thurs 23 Jan, Number 8 Community Arts Centre, Pershore, Worcestershire

JOHN GRAHAM REEVE THE NATURE OF MY ART Works to be included in a forthcoming book, Lepidoptera In Landscape, based on John's wanderings in search of fascinating insects, including butterflies and moths, until Sat 4 Jan, RBSA, Birmingham WAR EFFORT Major new exhibition which focuses on the massive WWII contribution made by the British motor industry, until Sun 5 Jan, Coventry Transport Museum

Devil’s In The Detail Enginuity, Ironbridge, Shropshire, until Wed 30 April

Developed with the support of the Royal National Institute of Blind People, and drawing on the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust’s collection of rare nineteenth century wood engravings, this new exhibition champions the skill and craftsmanship of the Victorian trade catalogue engraver. Large-scale prints and reproductions of the engravings make the exhibition accessible to visitors who may be partially sighted, while at the same time demonstrating the extent of the engraver’s craft.

All In A Day’s Work Bantock House & Park, Wolverhampton, Thurs 23 January - Mon 5 May

Providing an insight into some of the large manufacturing companies which once made their home in the Black Country, All In A Day’s Work looks at the important role which local industry used to play in both people’s lives and the social culture of the region. The exhibition combines words and images to explore the story and relevance of various organisations which, having once employed thousands of local men and women, have subsequently moved away or closed.

GED QUINN Major solo exhibition comprising landscapes, portraits & still lives, until Sun 5 Jan, New Art Gallery, Walsall ILLUMINATE Exhibition featuring work by artists who have used various mediums to create pieces based around light, until Sun 5 Jan, Shire Hall Gallery, Stafford KEEPING UP APPEARANCES: FASHION THROUGH TWO WORLD WARS Exhibition which charts the story of women’s history from 1900 through to the 1950s, until Sun 5 Jan, Herbert Museum & Art Gallery, Coventry CHRISTMAS CRAFT SHOW Showcase featuring a varied array of craft items, from scarves and jewellery through to lim-

Birmingham ARTIFEX Sutton Coldfield 0121 323 3776 BARBER INSTITUTE 0121 414 7333 BIRMINGHAM MUSEUM & ART GALLERY 0121 303 2834 THE BURROWS GALLERY, THE CUSTARD FACTORY 0121 224 7344 CASTLE GALLERIES 0121 633 0015

IKON GALLERY 0121 248 0708

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ited edition prints and glass animal sculptures, until Sun 5 Jan, Shire Hall Gallery, Stafford

MILLET TO MANET French prints from the late-nineteenth century, until Sun 12 Jan, The Barber Institute, Birmingham THIS GREEN AND PLEASANT LAND A peek at life in the rural communities of Warwick from 1800 to the present day, until Sun 12 Jan, Leamington Spa Art Gallery MICK’S MEDIA Following last year's successful exhibition, tutor Mick Gilmore returns to the gallery to showcase work from a group of adult painters and students, until Wed 15 Jan, The Place, Oakengates Theatre, Telford JANE WILSON EXHIBITION Sculptural wall panels made from reclaimed materials - the majority of which come from the actions of discarded upright pianos, until Sat 18 Jan, Wem Town Hall,

WOLVERHAMPTON SOCIETY OF ARTISTS Comprising work by artists in a variety of media, until Sat 25 Jan, Wolverhampton Art Gallery DUDLEY SOCIETY OF ARTISTS Featuring a variety of styles & media, until Sat 25 Jan, Dudley Museum & Art Gallery JOHN MONKS: PAINTING IN LAYERS Set of largescale paintings which bring new light to the familiar and commonplace, until Sun 26 Jan, The Barber Institute, Birmingham AT HOME Nottinghambased artist Hetain Patel uses photography & film to explore the subject of identity, until Sun 26 Jan, mac - Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham

Museums & Art Galleries

GRAND UNION 0121 643 9079

Photo credit: Goodyear Tyre Worker © Wolverhampton City Archives

North Shropshire

NUMBER NINE THE GALLERY 0121 643 9099 RBSA GALLERY 0121 2364353

THREE WHITE WALLS GALLERY 0121 643 0078

Black Country BANTOCK HOUSE WOLVERHAMPTON 01902 552195 BILSTON CRAFT GALLERY 01902 552507 BROADFIELD HOUSE GLASS MUSEUM, DUDLEY 01384 812745 DUDLEY MUSEUM & ART GALLERY 01384 815575 LIGHT HOUSE MEDIA CENTRE WOLVERHAMPTON 01902 716055 THE NEW ART GALLERY

WALSALL 01922 654400 RED HOUSE GLASS CONE 01384 812750 WOLVERHAMPTON ART GALLERY 01902 552055

Shropshire BEAR STEPS GALLERY, SHREWSBURY 01743 344994 TWENTY TWENTY GALLERY, MUCH WENLOCK 01952 727952 THE WILLOW GALLERY, OSWESTRY 01691 657575

Staffordshire THE POTTERIES MUSEUM &

MIXED WINTER CHRISTMAS EXHIBITION until Fri 31 Jan, Twenty Twenty Gallery, Much Wenlock, South Shropshire ARTIST ROOMS: JOSEPH BEUYS Exhibition from one of the most influential artists of the latetwentieth century - the political activist and philosopher Joseph Beuys, until Sat 1 Feb, Worcester City Museum & Art Gallery AND WHEN YOU FINALLY DISAPPEAR/WE’LL JUST SAY YOU WERE NEVER HERE Cult artists, writers and twins Ayo & Oni Oshodi here continue their relationship with mac Birmingham via a series of interventions which extend across the building and into Cannon Hill Park, until Sun 2 Feb, mac Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham MAKING MOVES: CREATING FUTURES FOR CRAFT Exhibition of contemporary craft which showcases the results of nine maker's residencies across the West Midlands, until Sun 2 Feb, mac - Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham THE PIRACY PROJECT An international publishing and exhibition project exploring the philosophical, legal & practical implications of book piracy and creative modes of reproduction, until Sat 8 Feb, Grand Union, Birmingham WINTER SHOWCASE Work from artist/makers who use natural materials including bone, wool and unrefined clays - as their medium, until Sat 15 Feb, Bilston Craft Gallery DEAN KELLAND: NO HIDING PLACE Fusion of performance, filmmaking, collage and print, exploring cultural identities and stereotypical representations of masculinity, until Sat 15 Feb, Wolverhampton Art Gallery

ART GALLERY 01782 232323 SHIRE HALL GALLERY STAFFORD 01785 278345 STAFFORDSHIRE MUSEUM, SHUGBOROUGH 01889 881388

Warwickshire COMPTON VERNEY GALLERY 01926 645500 HERBERT ART GALLERY COVENTRY 02476 832386 MEAD GALLERY WARWICK 02476 524524 ROYAL PUMP ROOMS 01926 742700

Worcestershire WORCESTER CITY ART GALLERY 01905 25371

Visit whatsonlive.co.uk for venue website details

Visual Arts January new_Layout 1 16/12/2013 22:22 Page 6

VisualArts LISTINGS For full listing information on Visual Art exhibitions, including times and dates, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk FROM DARKROOM TO DIGITAL Exhibition which traces the rich and influential history of photography in W’hampton, from the mid-19th century to the present day, until Sat 15 Feb, Wolverhampton Art Gallery THE HALF Touring exhibition from the V&A featuring ninety-four prints of actors preparing for the stage, until Sun 16 Feb, Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon TRADE SHOW Ambitious cross-sectoral project to explore, commission and implement trading structures used by artists within everyday life situations. Curated

by Kathrin Böhm & Gavin Wade, until Sat 22 Feb, Eastside Projects, Birmingham DOROTHEA WIGHT & MARC BALAKJIAN Exhibition celebrating the duo’s contribution to British printmaking, until Sun 2 March, The New Art Gallery, Walsall

ARTIST ROOMS: RICHARD LONG Sculptures, maps and text works inspired

by Long’s time spent walking in the landscape, until Sun 2 Mar, Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent SPRITE SYMPHONY Embark on a journey into a world of magical fairies and sprites, as you follow the trail to discover the installation around the building and find enchanted fairies trapped in jam jars, until Sun 2 Mar, PACCAR Room, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon NIKHIL CHOPRA: SPACE ODDITY Personal histories and India's colonial past are explored using performance, painting and photography, until Sat 5 Apr, Wolverhampton Art Gallery DAVID TREMLETT EXHIBITION Large-scale, sitespecific wall drawings of geometric arrangements, abstract compositions of arcs, circles, trapezoids and line, until Mon 21 April, Ikon

Gallery, Birmingham THE ROGER PILKINGTON GLASS COLLECTION Exhibition which shows the development of English drinking glasses from the late-seventeenth to the late-nineteenth century, until Sun 10 Aug, Broadfield House Glass Museum, Dudley

A Big Bang: The Origins Of The Pop Art Collection Wolverhampton Art Gallery

BACK TO FRONT: 40 PERMANENT COLLECTION GEMS Exhibition which celebrates the fortieth anniversary of the gallery’s Garman Ryan collection, until Sat 16 Nov 2014, New Art Gallery, Walsall FAITH AND FORTUNE Exhibition exploring the early histories of two of the world’s great religions, until Sun 30 Nov, The Barber Institute, Birmingham STINKING KISSINGER A project about the artist Eileen Bunn’s sister, Pauline, and her relationship with epilepsy, Sat 4 Jan - Sat 1 Feb, Bilston Craft Gallery BASTION: AN INSTALLATION OF FILM AND MIXED MEDIA A spectacle which explores and explodes the stereotype of the harmless jester, Sat 4 Jan - Sat 1 Feb, Wolverhampton Art Gallery

START Annual event which provides an opportunity for art enthusiasts to purchase original artworks, Sun 5 Jan - Sat 1 Feb, RBSA, Birmingham GEORGE GROSZ: THE BIG NO Exhibition of works produced by one of the 'greatest satirical artists of the twentieth century', Thurs 2 Jan - Sun 16 Mar, The New Art Gallery, Walsall

STAFFORDSHIRE LANDSCAPE Exhibition by Lisa Henderson which explores the landforms of the County of Staffordshire through rich colours, textures and patterns, Sat 11 Jan - Sun 9 Mar, Shire Hall Gallery, Stafford CHRIS CLINTON, DEAD MEDIA Birminghambased artist Chris Clinton uses familiar objects and reclaimed materials to create art-

works which refer to contemporary popular culture and our disregard for out-of-date media, Fri 17 Jan - Sun 6 Apr, The New Art Gallery, Walsall MELTING POT CRAFT EXHIBITION Showcasing the diverse and eclectic cultural influences present within the British craft scene, Mon 20 Jan - Sat 5 Apr, RBSA, Birmingham

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Events

Arenacross LG Arena, Birmingham, Sat 25 January A must for extreme sports fans, Arenacross brings all the spectacular elements of Motorcross indoors for a three-hour-long ‘non-stop whiteknuckle ride’. With last year’s event having thrilled thousands of visitors when it toured some of the UK’s largest arenas, the show’s new organiser, e22 Sports, is promising to take this year’s presentation to a whole new level. Set to a pumping soundtrack and laser show, Arenacross sees some of the world’s top freestylers taking to the track to present some truly awe-inspiring entertainment. Among the

highlights of the show is the Freestyle Motorcross competition, which, taking place forty feet above the track, sees riders hitting purposebuilt ramps and back-flipping their 100kg motorcycles in a deathdefying display of aerial gymnastics.

Freestylers confirmed for this year include Jamie Law, who’ll be making his debut at the event, double British champion Elliott BanksBrowne, Gregor Aranda and ‘West Country wonder’ Todd Kellett, who’s planning to rip into the Rookie class during the 2014 tour.

Moscow State Circus Star City, Birmingham, until Sun 5 January

Making a welcome return to Birmingham’s Star City, Moscow State Circus are promising their ‘greatest production to date.’ Featuring all the splendour associated with the worldfamous circus troupe, A Gift For Christmas begins with clowns Splendid Pavlik and Klava welcoming audiences into a ‘wondrous and mysterious place’ where ‘magnificent feats of human achievement’ are high on the agenda.

As the loveable buffoons fool around, they're surrounded by a multitude of flying, back-flipping, juggling and roller-skating performers.

The circus’ line-up on this occasion includes the award-winning Flying Trapeze of Alievs White Birds, whirlwind rollerskaters the Veslovskis, elegant hand-balancer Vladislav Khostik and ariel artist Natalia Goncharova.

Autosport International NEC, Birmingham, Sat 11 - Sun 12 January Described as ‘the world’s greatest four-wheel indoor extravaganza’, Autosport International covers more than one million square feet of Birmingham’s NEC and caters for industry professionals and motorsport fans alike. A regular highlight of the four-day event is the Autosport Central Stage, where top industry names are interviewed, take questions from the floor and offer their predictions for the year ahead. Celebrities contributing to this year’s event include Adrian Sutil, Allan McNish, Martin Brundle, Tom Kristensen and John Surtees, the latter of whom will be celebrated in the show’s Motorsport Legends feature. On-track action comes via the Live Action Arena, Karting Track, BRCA Championship, and Celebrity Car Race. The F1 Racing Grid, meanwhile, provides visitors with an opportunity to take a close-up look at cars from the 2013 Formula One World Championship. www.whatsonlive.co.uk 57

Events January Region One_Layout 1 16/12/2013 22:24 Page 3

LIVE RECORDING OF BBC RADIO 4 ANY QUESTIONS? 7.15pm FRIDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2014,REFRESHMENTS AT 6PM ADMISSION BY TICKET ONLY

WHO?

With over 30 real ales, traditional ciders, and good food.

WHY?

WH AT?

?? ? ? ? ? ? ?

Plus live music both nights...

Central Hall Methodist Church, Ablewell Street, Walsall, WS1 2EQ to apply for tickets call 01922 721643 / 01922 745654

What more do you need to get rid of those post-Christmas blues!

ARY 2014 FRIDAY 17 & SAT 18 JANU DS NOON ONWAR

Friday 17 January

Saturday 18 January

PART A

KOXVILLE HIGHWAY

Tickets: £2 before 6pm / £3 after 6pm on the door (£2 all day ticket if purchased in advance) Lichfield Guildhall, Bore Street, Lichfield, Staffordshire, WS13 6LU

01543 262223 www.lichfieldarts.org.uk

THE EASY WAY TO BOOK YOUR TICKETS ONLINE

whatsonlive.co.uk The most comprehensive what’s on listings website for Birmingham and the West Midlands

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Events January Region One_Layout 1 16/12/2013 22:24 Page 4

Events PREVIEWS Lichfield Winter Beer Festival Lichfield Guildhall, Fri 17 - Sat 18 January

An annual event on the Guildhall calendar, the Lichfield Winter Beer Festival provides a perfect opportunity to banish those New Year blues by sampling ales from some of the country’s finest breweries. In addition to high-quality ales and the promise of a friendly atmosphere, this popular two-day event offers a choice of traditional ciders, a range of wines and a selection of fine foods.

Entertainment comes courtesy of Part A on the Friday evening and Knoxville Highway on the Saturday.

BBL Cup Final National Indoor Arena, Birmingham, Sun 12 January

One of the most eagerly anticipated dates on the British Basketball League (BBL) calendar, this annual event sees stars of the British game go head-to-head with one another in pursuit of coveted silverware. The event also features some of Europe’s top slam dunkers, giving it their all in a bid to become the BBL Slam Dunk Champion. The schedule for the day comprises a game between England and Ireland select teams at noon, the BBL Slam Dunk Contest at 2pm and the BBL Cup Final at 3.30pm.

Tattoo Freeze Telford International Centre, Shropshire, Sun 12 January

Following on from the success of previous shows, this specialist one-day event offers members of the general public the chance to get themselves tattooed by one (or more!) of the two hundred talented tattooists who’ll be in attendance. The show also features some of the world’s greatest graffiti artists, BMX and skateboard champions, shopping stalls, children’s activities and a national roller derby tournament. But wait, there’s more... Other crowd-pullers include live and interactive ice sculpture demonstrations and workshops, an unplugged music stage, a traditional Henna tattoo & professional body-painting zone, and a much-celebrated National Tattoo Photography Competition.

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until Sun 5 Jan 2014

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Events LISTINGS For full listing information on Events, including times and dates, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk from

WED 1 JAN WINTER SKATE until Sun 5 Jan, Centenary Square, Birmingham DRAYTON’S MAGICAL CHRISTMAS Featuring twenty attractions & rides to enjoy, until Sun 5 Jan, Drayton Manor Theme Park, Tamworth, Staffs MOSCOW STATE CIRCUS Sun 5 Jan, Star City, Birmingham DR BUNHEAD'S VERY DANGEROUS CHRISTMAS SHOW until Sun 5 Jan, Birmingham Town Hall SPRITE SYMPHONY Embark on a journey into a world of magical fairies and sprites as you follow the trail to discover the installation around the building and find enchanted fairies trapped in jam jars, until Sun 2 Mar, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-uponAvon WHAT IS IT? Expert advice on the identification and care of ceramics, art and local and natural history, Wed 1 Jan, The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent BADGE MAKING WORKSHOP Fri 3 Jan, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery ART TAKEOVER DAY Create your own artworks inspired by the Herbert’s collection, Fri 3, Herbert Museum & Art Gallery, Coventry ARTY PARTY Fortnightly art club for 8-14 year olds, Sat 4 Jan, The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent RECYCLED CHRISTMAS CARDS Workshop where visitors can upcycle their Christmas cards, bows, paper and ribbons into gift tags and cards for next year, Sat 4 Jan, Wolverhampton Art Gallery NEW YEAR’S WALK Join Head Gardener Martin Gee for a guided walk around Capability Brown’s landscaped parkland, Sun 5 Jan, Weston Park, Staffordshire

Week Commencing

MON 6 JAN MURDER MOST FOUL A talk by Michelle Hallard about historic murders in Wolverhampton, Tues 7 Jan, Bantock House Museum, Wolverhampton INSIDE A TUDOR HOUSE

TUESDAY TOUR Learn about Blakesley and how it was decorated in the Tudor period, Tues 7 Jan, Blakesley Hall, Birmingham WINTER GUIDED TOUR Fri 10 Jan, Sarehole Mill, Birmingham ALL HANDS ON DECKS...

FIRST BIRTHDAY Free night of ‘musical delights & musical surprises’, Fri 10 Jan, Light House Media Centre, Wolverhampton DRYPOINT: PRINTMAKING WORKSHOP Free event hosted by Members of Birmingham Printmakers, Sat 11 Jan, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery HISTORIC RALLY CAR REGISTER Season opener for enthusiasts of historic rallying, Sat 11 Jan, Heritage Motor Centre, Gaydon, Warwickshire AUTOSPORT INTERNATIONAL The largest dedicated global motorsport exhibition in Europe, Sat 11 - Sun 12 Jan, NEC, Birmingham BBL CUP FINAL One of the showpiece events in the basketball calendar, Sun 12 Jan, National Indoor Arena, Birmingham

Week Commencing

MON 13 JAN FILM & TV QUIZ Put your film knowledge to the test with the Lighthouse’s monthly quiz, Mon 13 Jan, Lighthouse Media Centre, Wolverhampton TOWN HALL TOUR Mon 13 Jan, Birmingham Town Hall ARCHITECTURAL MYSTERIES OF BLAKESLEY HALL Tues 14 Jan, Blakesley Hall, Birmingham WINTER GUIDED TOURS Tour & refreshments with expert guides, Wed 15 Jan, Aston Hall, Birmingham DRIFT WHAT YA BRUNG A chance to practise drifting in a safe and legal environment, with beginners, intermediate and advanced tracks available, Wed 15 Jan, Santapod Raceway, Northampton FLOG IT! The popular BBC antiques programme arrives in Brum, Thurs 16 Jan, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery ARTIST’S INSIGHT: LISA GUNN IN CONVERSATION Join Lisa as she discusses the motivation behind her work, Thurs

16 Jan, Herbert Museum & Art Gallery, Coventry ARTY PARTY Fortnightly art club for 8-14 year olds, Sat 18 Jan, The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent DRY-POINT ETCHING WORKSHOP FOR ADULTS Facilitated by artist Michelle Harris, Sat 18 Jan, Walsall Leather Museum ARTIST’S TALK: JOHN SALT Photorealist painter John Salt discusses his career, Sat 18 Jan, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery CALLIGRAPHY WORKSHOP FOR ADULTS Sat 18 Jan, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery DECORATIVE ENAMELLING WITH CAROL GRIFFIN Specialist workshop where participants can create a tile, coaster, door plate or decorative panel, using copper blanks and liquid enamels, Sat 18 Jan, Bilston Craft Gallery RUN WHAT YA BRUNG Public track day, Sun 19 Jan, Santa Pod Raceway, Northampton

Week Commencing

MON 20 JAN TUESDAY TOUR: FEAST AND FAMINE Discover about the life and times of a Jacobean heiress, Tues 21 Jan, Blakesley Hall, Birmingham WINTER SCHOOL: HILARY MANTEL A three-day event which offers a rare opportunity to see some of the historical treasures associated with Thomas Cromwell, Tues 21 - Thurs 23 Jan, Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Stratfordupon-Avon TEXTILE GROUP An opportunity to meet like-minded people in a creative environment and swap knowledge & skills, Wed 22 Jan, Bilston Craft Gallery WINTER GUIDED TOUR Wed 22 Jan, Aston Hall, Birmingham AGGERS & BOYCOTT Join Britain’s most popular cricket commentators as they debate hot topics from the Ashes series, and cricket in general, Thurs 23 Jan, Symphony Hall, Birmingham VALUATION DAY: FINE ART AND ANTIQUES Thurs 23 Jan, Bantock House Museum, Wolverhampton QALAM: THE ART OF BEAUTIFUL WRITING GUIDED TOUR With exhibition curator Dr Rebecca Bridgman, Thurs 23 Jan, Birmingham Museum AN AUDIENCE WITH PAM AYRES Fri 24 Jan, Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa PIRATE WEEKEND Swashbuckling event

BBL Cup Final - NIA, Birmingham

for families, Fri 24 - Sat 25 Jan, Alton Towers, Staffordshire AN EVENING WITH MICHAEL PORTILLO Sat 25 Jan, Huntingdon Hall, Worcester ARENACROSS Sat 25 Jan, LG Arena, Birmingham ARCHAEOLOGY WORKSHOP Sat 25 Jan, Ironbridge Gorge Museum, Shropshire SCULPTING THE BODY Take inspiration from the Herbert’s Exposed exhibition and make your very own clay sculpture to take home as a lasting memento of your day, Sat 25 Jan, Herbert Museum & Art Gallery, Coventry PHOTOREALISM EXHIBITION TALK BY BEN JOHN-

SON Sat 25 Jan, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery PANTOMIME WEEKENDS A thirty-minute production with original music, puppets & plenty of jokes, Sat 25 - Sun 26 Jan, Cadbury World, Birmingham RUN WHAT YA BRUNG Public track day, Sun 26 Jan, Santa Pod Raceway, Northampton

Week Commencing

MON 20 JAN TUESDAY TOUR: BLAKESLEY PEOPLE Tues 28 Jan, Blakesley Hall, Birmingham SUPERSLAM WRESTLING Great action packed

Championship line up of top British Title Holders against the rest of the world Challengers, Fri 31 Jan, Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa BEHIND THE SCENES TOUR Opportunity to see parts of the house not normally open to the public, Fri 31 Jan, Witley Court, Worcestershire CARIBBEAN BEACH PARTY WEEKEND Fri 31 Jan Sat 1 Feb, Alton Towers, Staffordshire BOWMAN ANTIQUE FAIR Featuring up to fourhundred stands selling antiques, curios, vintage, retro & collectables, Fri 31 Jan - Sun 2 Feb, Stafford Bingley Hall

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Eating Out January _Layout 1 16/12/2013 22:33 Page 1

Eating Out

REVIEW

Divine Italian in Brum...

Think Italy, think food. Think Buonissimo. Like all the best restaurants, Buonissimo’s full of regular local customers. Marco gave us a warm welcome and a tour around this haven in white and deep blue - the main restaurant space is downstairs, with the Mediterranean Room and bar upstairs. Marco and his staff were very attentive, and rightly proud of their modern twist on traditional Italian fare. They were proud, too, of being one of only two Birmingham restaurants mentioned in the Toptable Top Fifty British Restaurants.

The choice menu changes with the seasons, using local suppliers when possible. The wine list is carefully chosen. Try the Pinot Grigio Blush from a small producer in Friuli.

We ordered the belly pork and pasta as starters, but were brought a ‘little extra’ - bruschetta with aubergine mousse, slow-roast tomatoes and crispy Parma ham. How can toast be so delicious? How can you get that depth of flavour from tomato? It was a meal in itself. Then came our crispy, succulent pork in a delicious sauce, polenta chips

REVIEW

Did we go on the wrong day?

The One Elm is a Peach Family-owned enterprise, named after the tree that was a boundary marker for Stratford-upon-Avon. The attractive rustic restaurant lies beyond a popular and lively bar. Inexperienced staff 62 www.whatsonlive.co.uk

that were a revelation, and comforting rustic pasta.

For mains, I had the Puglian fish stew - always a good test of a chef.

It was spot on - chunks of fish presented in a deep tomato sauce. My partner had the duck, which fell off the bone, the cavolo nero - or black cabbage - retaining its flavour.

The desserts of homemade amaretto tart and panettone pudding didn’t disappoint, and were washed down with sips of Nocello, a walnut liqueur. We waddled back to the car feeling full but very happy.

It was the best Italian meal I've ever had outside of Italy - simply divine. Check out the lunchtime and early evening menus too, because they offer a particularly good deal. We brought away a menu, because we will undoubtedly return to this little piece of Italy just off Harborne High Street. Jan Watts Buonissimo 1 Albany Road Harborne Birmingham B17 9JX Tel: 0121 426 2444

seemed confused by our having a table for two booked for six, rather than a table for six.

There was confusion, too, over the specials board and soup that we didn’t order. Water?

We got one glass. Bread? Yes, please, but not so mean a pat of butter!

Ah, the food; the main event. The beetroot and red onion tart tatin with goats cheese. I never leave food. I left two-thirds of this cold, red, tasteless disc with its wrinkled puff pastry. My companion had the potted free-range confit duck, duck crackling salad. This proved that there isn’t much crackle on a duck, as we searched for shards. His beef and kidney suet pudding and roast garlic mash with caramelised red onion gravy was disappointing. The mash was grainy, the pastry was good but with no kidney in the filling, and the gravy was oversweet.

Why did I choose the chargrilled free-range chicken hanging skewer, lemon and thyme butter and chips? I wish I hadn’t. The hang-

Food: ■■■■■ Service: ■■■■■ Ambience: ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Overall value ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ OVERALL ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

ing skewer was just that - hanging. I was relieved when eventually a plate appeared, so I could lay the skewer down. Excluding the nasty nub of sweetcorn, it was adequate.

The chips were sad and soggy and the butter dressing split.

None of our mains were properly hot and none of it appeared to be freshly cooked.

Everything came with ubiquitous bagged salad. Our desserts of chocolate and raspberry tart and sticky toffee pudding were fine, but came too late to salvage the dining experience.

The One Elm? It’s a great place to enjoy the wine list in the bar with friends. Jan Watts The One Elm 1 Guild Street Stratford-uponAvon CV37 6QZ 01789 404919

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Eating Out January _Layout 1 16/12/2013 22:33 Page 2

Shropshire hotel strikes gold...

REVIEW I visited The Mytton & Mermaid several years ago when, unfortunately, it didn’t impress me sufficiently to merit my returning for a second time.

Five years on, my husband and I walked into a very different restaurant, and enjoyed one of the best dining experiences I’ve had in a very long time.

The Mytton & Mermaid always strikes gold in terms of its atmosphere. A beautiful listed building perched on the bank of the River Severn, it was full of the smells of winter and Christmas on the night we visited.

Following a warm welcome, we sat down to a velvety glass of Chilean Merlot and a pint of lager. After much debate, we settled on a grazing plate of pork scratchings, along with some stunning canapés of goats cheese mousse, chicken liver parfait, herb-crusted anchovies and ham hock terrine. We also went for a sharing starter of baked camembert with a tear’n’share loaf, tomato chutney, balsamic pickled onions, sundried tomatoes and salad garnish.

Something to be aware of when you order - the starters and

grazing portions are very generous, with lots of extras. We’d consumed enough to feed a family before we’d even started our mains! It’s also worth pointing out that there were some very tasty-sounding vegetarian mains available, ones that looked far more interesting than the generic mushroom risotto you seem to find in most restaurants’ vegetarian section.

Enter the main course. I had pan-seared duck breast with a fennel, beetroot and goats cheese tart (one of my favourite culinary combinations), sticky red cabbage and black pudding bon bons with aged balsamic syrup. My husband had the classic Mytton Burger - a 6oz chargrilled sirloin burger with smoked bacon, Appleby’s red onion marmalade, handcut chips and slaw. The duck was served pink, in perfect proportion to the rest of the plate. Although I didn’t finish it, I loved every mouthful. The only criticism of the meal at this point was that the burger was so huge you couldn’t bite it comfortably - the bun was more of a loaf than a bun!

Although we had splendidly full stomachs by this point, we nonetheless went for Round Four, the puddings - Bailey’s

Parfait with honeycomb, cherry & brandy jelly and candied pecans, and dark chocolate mousse with clementine ice cream, chocolate disks and orange fluid gel. I was totally enamoured with both, from the textures and tastes to the Christmassy nature of the candied pecans and the clementine ice cream (although the mousse was very rich and perhaps a little heavy).

In a nutshell, then, The Mytton & Mermaid is a friendly, top-notch, value-for-money Shropshire restaurant which benefits further

from having such knowledgeable staff. I would highly recommend it, and genuinely can’t wait to go back and sample more of head chef Chris Geisler’s creations.

Jessica Aston Food ■■■■■ Service: ■■■■■ Ambience: ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Overall value ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ OVERALL ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ The Mytton & Mermaid Hotel Atcham, Shrewsbury SY5 6QG 01743 761220

thE dINNEr cLub

(ESt 86)

a rEcIpE for fINE food aNd Good compaNy

SINGLE? For the more discerning unattached person, age 40+ Events weekly include dining out, dinner dances, black tie balls, theatre, parties, weekends away and holidays abroad.

Not a datING aGENcy

01244 677030 (day) / 01244 548816 (Eve/W-end)

www.thedinnerclubuk.com www.whatsonlive.co.uk 63

Eating Out January _Layout 1 16/12/2013 22:33 Page 3

LOOKING FOR A RESTAURANT ON YOUR DOORSTEP?

Va Pl len ann St tine ing art s W Yo s H e ur er eke e! nd Friday 14th February

Motown & Soul Tribute 3 course meal & Disco £29.95 per person

VISIT whatsonlive.co.uk

Saturday 15th February

Abba Tribute 3 course meal & Disco £29.95 per person

WHY NOT MAKE A NIGHT OF IT

The most comprehensive Midlands listings website for Birmingham and the West Midlands

64 www.whatsonlive.co.uk

CHAMPAGNE PACKAGE £149.00 per couple inc. 2 places for the tribute with 3 course meal, overnight accommodation, bottle of Champagne, Strawberries, Chocolates and full English breakfast.

Great Barr Hotel, Pear Tree Drive, Great Barr. B43 6HS Tel: 0121 357 1141

Eating Out January _Layout 1 16/12/2013 22:33 Page 4

Restaurant REVIEW

Restaurant LISTINGS

Cheshire venue offers much needed TLC

For full listing information on restaurants, including opening times and type of cuisine, visit: www.whatsonlive.co.uk

After an afternoon of Christmas shopping in Chester, we were in need of some serious TLC and some great home-cooked food... and we knew just the place to get it! A visit to the Dusty Miller always reminds us of how lucky we are to live in such beautiful countryside; stunning views of Llangollen canal, beautiful countryside walks, and good local pubs with a great reputation for food.

We were soon sat with our feet up, relaxing on the Chesterfield in front of a roaring log-burner and watching the world - or, more precisely, the narrowboats - go by, perusing the menu with a large glass of red in hand.

TLC treatment had definitely begun!

I chose duck liver pate to start. It was served in a small glass jar and was accompanied by melba toast, a delightful homemade cherry chutney, and green leaves. It was really tasty, although I have to say it was rather a small portion.

My partner had the leek and Caerphilly cheese tart; crumbly pastry filled with piping-hot creamed leek filling and topped with crispy leeks.

Mouthwatering!

Relaxing into the comfy surroundings and enjoying the

music, hospitality and warmth, we were slowly unwinding from the stress of our shopping trip.

Our ‘table with a view’ overlooked the sun terrace and landscaped gardens, which were impressive even in midDecember. Both must be truly delightful in the summertime!

Our twenty-eight-day matured fillet steaks soon arrived and were very well presented; cooked to my liking, although slightly overdone for my partner. The steaks were topped with a caramelised onion butter and served with chunky homemade chips and rocket salad. Quite scrummy!

Declining the desserts and coffee, we finished off our visit with another couple of glasses of a delightful Merlot from Chile, and then took a stroll alongside the canal and around Wrenbury.

TLC treatment was now complete! Heidi Frost Food: Service: Ambience: Overall value OVERALL

■■■■■ ■■■■■ ■■■■■ ■■■■■ ■■■■■

Dusty Miller Cholmondley Road Wrenbury, Nantwich Cheshire. CW5 8HG Tel: 01270 780537

AALTO RESTAURANT Hotel La Tour, Albert Street, Birmingham B5 5JT 0121 718 8000 AIR RESTAURANT LG Arena, Bickenhill Rd, 0844 338 0333 BANK 4 Brindleyplace, B1 2JB 0121 633 4466 BAR ESTILO 10-114 Wharfside St, The Mailbox, B1 1RF 0121 643 3443 BERLIOZ Burlington Arcade, New St, B2 4JQ 0121 633 1737 BLUE MANGO Regency Wharf, Broad St, B1 2DS 0121 633 4422 BLUE PIANO RESTAURANT AND BAR 24-26 Harborne Rd, B15 3AA 0121 454 6877 BUONISSIMO 1 Albany Rd, Harborne, B17 9JX 0121 426 2444 CAFE OPUS 1 Oozells Square, Brindleyplace, B1 2HS 0121 248 3226 CARLUCCIO’S The Water’s Edge, Brindleyplace B1 2HP 0121 633 9262 CENTENARY BAR & BRASSERIE Broad Street, B1 2EP 0121 245 2080 CHUNG YING 16-18 Wrottersley Street, B5 4RT 0121 622 5669 CHUNG YING GARDEN 17 Thorpe St, B5 4AT 0121 666 6622 CIELO 6 Oozells Square, Brindleyplace, B1 2JB 0121 632 6882 COAST TO COAST 9 Brindleyplace, Broad Street, B1 2HJ COTE The Mailbox, B1 1RX 0121 631 1587 DEL VILLAGGIO Unit 528, Middle Mall, The Bullring. B5 4BE 0121 643 1400 EDMUNDS 6 Brindley place, B1 2JB 0121 633 4944 ITIHAAS 18 Fleet St, B3 1JL 0121 212 3383 JAMIE’S ITALIAN Middle Mall, Bullring Shopping Centre, B5 4BE 0121 270 3610 JIMMY SPICES Regency Wharf, Broad St, B1 2DS 0121 643 2111 LAS IGUANAS Arcadian Centre, Hurst St, B5 4TD 0121 622 4466 LASAN 3-4 Dakota Buildings, James St, St Paul’s Square, B3 1SD 0121 212 3664 THE LOFT LOUNGE 143 Bromsgrove St, B5 6RG 0121 622 2444 THE LOST & FOUND 8 Bennetts Hill, B2 5RS 0121 643 9293 LOVES The Glasshouse, Browning St, B16 8FL 0121 454 5151 MECHU 47 - 59 Summer Row, B3 1JJ 0121 212 1661 METRO BAR & GRILL 73 Cornwall St B3 2DF 0121 200 1911 MINT Yew Tree Retail

Park, Stoney Lane Yardley, B25 8YP 0121 789 8908 MOUNT FUJI The Bullring, B5 4BH 0121 633 9853 OPUS 54 Cornwall St, B3 2DE 0121 200 2323 THE ORIENTAL The Mailbox, 128-130 Wharfside St, B1 1RQ 0121 633 9988 PENNY BLACKS The Mailbox, 132-134 Wharfside St, B1 1XL 0121 632 1460 PICCOLINO 9 Brindleyplace B1 2HS 0121 634 3055 PITCHER & PIANO Brindleyplace, B1 2HP 0121 643 0214 POPPY RED Arcadian Centre, Birmingham B5 4TD 0121 687 1200 PURNELL’S 55 Cornwall St, B3 2DH 0121 212 9799 PURNELL’SBISTOR & GINGER’S BAR 11 Newhall Street, B3 3NY, 0121 2000 1588 THE RECTORY 50-54 St Paul’s Sq, B3 1QS 0121 605 1001 RED PEPPERS 117 Wharfside St, B1 1RF 0121 643 4202 SAN CARLO 4 Temple St, B2 5BN 0121 633 0251 SHIMLA PINKS 215 Broad St, B15 1AY 0121 633 0366 SIMPSONS, 20 Highfield Rd, Edgbaston B13 3DU 0121 454 3434 THE SLUG AND LETTUCE, Brindley Place, Birmingham B1 2HL 0121 633 3049 THAI EDGE 7 Oozells Sq, B1 2HL 0121 643 3993 THE VAULTS Newhall Place, Newhall Hill, B1 3JH 0121 212 9837 WAGAMAMA Brindley Place, birmingham B1 2HL 0121 643 765

Warwickshire 7 SQUARE 7 Old Square, Warwick CV34 4RA 01926 411 755 NO. 9 CHURCH STREET Stratford upon Avon, Warwickshire CV37 6HB 01789 415522 THE ALMANAK Abbey End North, Kenilworth, CV8 1QJ 01926 353 637 AUBERGINE 32 Smith St, Warwick CV34 4HS 01926 400 086 THE ALMANACK Abbey End North, Kenilworth CV8 1QJ 01926 353637 BLUE BISTRO 21 Spon St, Coventry, CV1 3BA 024 7622 9274 BROWNS Earl St, Coventry CV1 5RU 0247 622 1100 CARLUCCIOS 13 Waterside, Stratford-Upon-Avon CV37 6BA

01789 267424 CATALAN 6 Jury St , Warwick CV34 4EW 01926 498 930 THE CHURCH STREET TOWNHOUSE 16 Church Street, Stratford-uponAvon CV37 6HB 01789 262222 THE ENCORE Bridge Street Stratford upon Avon CV37 6AB 01789 269462 FINEST CATCH B’ham Rd, Henley in Arden. B95 5QR 01564 793783 FIVE RIVERS 20-22 Victoria Terrace, Leamington Spa, CV31 3AB 01926 431999 GEORGETOWN 23 Sheep St, Stratford-Upon-Avon, CV37 6EF 01789 204445 HELP OUT MILL Heather Rd, Shakerstone, Nuneaton. CV13 0BT 01530 260666 HORTONS 165 High Street, Solihull B91 3ST 0121 709 3177 JIMMY SPICES 64-66 Station Rd, Solihull, B91 3RX 0121 709 2111 LE BISTRO PIERRE Swans Nest, Bridgford, Stratford upon Avon. CV37 7LT 01789 264804 MATRICARDIS 97 High St, Henley in Arden. B95 5AT 01564 792735 MERCHANTS Swan Street, Warwick CV34 4BJ 01926 403833 NICOLINIS 14 The Parade, Leamington Spa, CV32 4DW 01926 421620 ONE ELM 1 Guild St, Stratford-Upon-Avon, CV37 6QZ 01789 404919 PREZZO 1-3 High St, Warwick CV34 4AP 01926 475867 RESTAURANT 23 34 Hamilton Terrace, Holly Walk Leamington Spa, CV32 4LY 01926 422422 ROOFTOP RESTAURANT @ The RST, Waterside, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 6BB 01789 403449 SAFFRON GOLD Market St, Westgate House, Warwick CV34 4DE 01926 402061 THE SAXON MILL Coventry Rd, Guys Cliffe, Warwick CV34 5YN 01926 492 255 SIGNATURES @ The Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, CV1 1GS 02476 846762 TAILORS 22 Market Place, Warwick CV34 4SL 01926 410590 THE TREVELYAN Warwick Rd, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 ONR 01789 295252 THE VINE INN 86 - 88 West St, Warwick CV34 6AW 07873 219005 ZIZZI 85-87 Regent Square House, Parade, Leamington Spa CV 32 4NL 01926 43253

For full Restaurant listings visit: www.whatsonlive.co.uk www.whatsonlive.co.uk 65

Eating Out January _Layout 1 16/12/2013 22:33 Page 5

Restaurant LISTINGS For full listing information on restaurants, including opening times and type of cuisine, visit: www.whatsonlive.co.uk

Worcestershire ANAKARI 47 The Tythings, Worcester. WR1 1JT 01905 21412 ANGEL CHEF 1 Angel St, Worcester WR1 3QT 01905 731131 ANUPAM 85 Church Street, Malvern. WR14 2AE 01684 573814 BACCHUS 44 Worcester Road, Bromsgrove B61 0TA 01527 877557 BENEDICTOS 34 Sidbury, Worcester WR1 2HZ 01905 21444 BRAMBLINGS Hither Green Lane, Redditch, B98 9BE 01527 406600 BROWNS 24 Quay St, Worcester WR1 2JJ 01905 26263 THE CHASE INN Chase Rd, Upper Colwall, Malvern.

WR13 6DQ 01684 540276 CHESTERS 51 New St, Worcester, WR1 2DL 01905 611638 CROWN & SANDYS Main Rd, Ombersley, WR9 0EW 01905 620252 THE FIG TREE 99 Church Street, Gt Malvern, WR14 2AE 01684 569909 FUSION BRASSERIE Hawbridge, Stoulton, Worcester WR7 4RJ 01905 840647 THE INN AT STONEHALL Stonehall Common, Worcester, WR5 3QG 01905 820462 KING CHARLES II King Charles House, New St, Worcester WR1 2D 01905 22449 L’AMUSE BOUCHE 51 Graham Rd, Malvern.

WR14 2HU 01684 572427 LANGTREYS 89a High St, Bromsgrove. B61 8AQ 01527 878242 LITTLE VENICE 1 - 3 St Nicholas St, Worcester WR1 1UW 01905 726126 MASSALLA LOUNGE 35 Broad St, Worcester WR1 3NH 01905 729955 MUG HOUSE Claines Lane, Worcester WR3 7RN 01905 456649 PORTOFINO, 6 Worcester Rd, Droitwich. WR9 8AD 01905 794799 PORTWAY ITALIAN, Alcester Rd, Redditch.

B48 7HT 01564 824794 PUCCINI'S, 12 Friar St, Worcester WR12LZ 01905 27770 RAJDOOT Cutnall Green, Droitwich. WR9 0PW 01299 851000 ROSADOS’S 2 Finstall Rd, Aston Fields, Bromsgrove. B60 2DZ 01527 889948 SAFFRON BISTRO 15 New St, Worcester WR1 2DP 01905 610505 THAI LOTUS 147 Worcester Rd, Bromsgrove. B61 7HN 01527 88260

Black Country ARBOUR LIGHTS 127-128 Lichfield Street, Walsall WS1 1SY 01922 613361 BANKS BISTRO Chapel Ash, Wolverhampton WV1 4EP 01902 238433 BELLA 82 Chapel Ash, Wolverhampton. 01902 427555 BENGAL FUSION 174 High St, Lye, Stourbridge DY9 8LN. 01384 891111 BILASH 2 Cheapside, Wolverhampton, WV1 1TU 01902 427762 THE BLUE BRICK Broad Gauge Way, Wolverhampton WV1 1AA 01902 875301 BRAVACCIOUS 4 Upper Green, Wolverhampton WV6 8QQ 01902 756052 CAFE CHAMPAGNE 253255 Bilston Road, Wolverhampton WV2 2JN 01902 458024 CASA CASITA Upper Gornal, Dudley. DY3 1UP 01902 676754 CATELLANI’S 6 School St, Wolverhampton, WV1 4LR 01902 428928 CINNAMON COURT Bentley Mill Way, Walsall WS2 0BP 0121 568 6664 THE COWSHED Clive Farm Clive Rd, Pattingham, WV6 7EN 01902 701888 THE CROOKED HOUSE Coppice Hill, Himley DY3 4DA 01384 238583 THE DITCH 1 Town Hill, Walsall, WS1 2EU 01922 643215 DON SALVO 25 Darlington Street, Wolverhampton WV1 4HW 01902 712819 DUNSLEY HALL Dunsley Rd, Kinver, DY7 6LU 01384 877077 THE FAIRLAWNS AT ALDRIDGE 178 Little Aston Road, Aldridge, Walsall WS9 0NU 01922 455122 FARADAYS The Waterfront, Brierley Hill, Dudley, DY5 1UR 01384 482 882 FIVE RIVERS Vicarage Place, Walsall WS1 3NA 01922 646164 FOUR STONES Adam’s Hill,Clint, Stourbridge, DY9 9PS 01562 883260 FRANZLS 151 Milcote Rd, Smethwick, B67 5BN 0121 429 7920 FRENCH CONNECTION 3 Coventry St, Stourbridge DY8 1EP 01384 390940 FRENCH HEN Bromsgrove Rd, Clent, Stourbridge DY9 9PY 01562 883040 GOLDEN MOMENTS 2-3 Ablewell St, Walsall WS1 2EQ 01922 640363 LE BRASSERIE 5 Lower Mill Street, Kidderminster. DY11 6UU 01562 744976 MADE IN THAI Darlington St, Wolverhampton WV1 4HW 01902 312512 PARADISE BALTI 7 Lower Mill Street, Kidderminster

66 www.whatsonlive.co.uk

DY11 6UU 01562 60479 THE PIE FACTORY 50 Hurst Lane, Tipton DY4 9AB 0121 557 1402 RED FORT Fold St, Wolverhampton, WV1 4LP 01902 424440 RISTORANTE ROMAGNA 4 Upper Green, Tettenhall, Wolverhampton WV6 8QQ 01902 756052 SAFFRON Wolverhampton Road, Oldbury B69 4RR 0121 552 1752 SIMON’S 520 Chester Rd, Aldridge, Walsall, WS9 0PU 0121 580 9293 SPICES Hollywell Rd, Wednesbury. WS10 7PA 0121 502 0720 THE SPRINGHILL Warstones Rd, Penn, Wolverhampton WV4 4LB 01902 342530 THE SUMMERHOUSE 92 Gospel End Rd, Dudley DY3 4AN 01902 676 102 THORNESCROFT Bridgnorth Rd, Wolverhampton, WV6 7EQ 01902 700 253 THE WOODMAN Claverley, Wolverhampton WV5 7DG 01746 710 553

Shropshire AFTAB 25 High St, Ironbridge TF8 7AD 01952 432055 ALBRIGHT HUSSEY Ellesmere Rd, Shrewsbury, SY4 3AF 01939 290 523 BISTRO JACQUES 77/77a Mardol, Shrewsbury SY1 1PZ 01743 272586 BUFFALO STEAK HOUSE 125 Frankwell, Shrewsbury SY3 8JX 01743 537523 BUTLERS Park St, Shifnal, TF11 9BA 01952 460662 CASA NARANJO Barracks Passage, Wyle Cop, Shrewsbury SY1 01743 588165 CASA RUIZ 45 High Street, Bridgnorth, WV16 4DX 01746 218 084 CHEZ MAW Best Western Valley Hotel, Buildwas Rd, Ironbridge, TF8 7DW 01952 432247 THE COTTAGE Tern Hill, Market Drayton TF9 3PX 01630 638984 CROMWELLS 11 Dogpole, Shrewsbury SY1 1EN 01743 361440 DA VINCI’S 26 High St, Ironbridge, TF8 7AD 01952 432250 DORRINGTON OLD HALL PERSIAN CUISINE Main Road, Dorrington, Shropshire SY5 7JD 01743 719100 DRAPERS 10 St Mary’s St Shrewsbury, SY1 1DZ 01743 344679 THE FEATHERS Brockton, Much Wenlock TF13 6JR 01746 785202 FENNELS 8 Market Place, Shifnall TF11 9AZ 01952 463020 THE FOX INN 46 High St,

Weston Hall, Stafford

Much Wenlock TF13 6AD 01952 727292 FRANK CAFE BAR 129 Frankwell, Shrewsbury SY3 8JX 01743 354422 THE GOLDEN CROSS 14 Princess St, Shrewsbury, SY1 1LP 01743 362507 GRANARY BAR & GRILL Weston Park, Westonunder-Lizard, Nr Shifnal, TF11 8LE 01952 852107 THE GLUTTON CLUB 165167 Frankwell, Shrewsbury SY3 8LG 01743 361672 HADLEY PARK HOUSE Hadley Park, Telford TF1 6QJ 01952 677269 THE HAYWARDS at The Lion Hotel, Wyle Cop, Shrewsbury SY1 1UY 01743 353107 HENRY TUDOR HOUSE Barracks Passage Shrewsbury SY1 1XA 01743 361666 HILL VALLEY HOTEL Tarporley Road, Whitchurch SY13 4HA 0844 879 9049 THE INN AT GRINSHILL The High Street, Grinshill, Shrewsbury, SY4 3BL 01939 220410 KING & THAI Avenue Rd, Broseley, Telford TF12 5DL 01952 882004 THE KNIGHTON HOTEL Broad Street, Knighton, Powys LD7 1BL 01547 520530 LA BÉCASSE 17 Corve St, Ludlow, SY8 1DA 01584 872 325 LA DOLCE VITA 35 Hills Lane, Shrewsbury SY1 1QU 01743 249126 LA LANTERNA The Old Vestry, St Julian's Church, Shrewsbury SY1 1UH 01743 233552 LION & PHEASANT 50 Wyle Cop, Shrewsbury SY1 1XJ 01743 770345 THE LION QUAYS Moreton, Oswestry SY11 3EN 01691 684300 LOCH FYNE Talbot House, Market Street, Shrewsbury SY1 1LG 01743 277140 LUDLOW KITCHEN Bromfield, Ludlow, SY2 2JR 01584 856020 THE MALTHOUSE The Wharfage, Ironbridge TF8 7NH 01902 433712 MORGANS 1 Bellstone, Shrewsbury SY1 1HU 01743 239114 MR UNDERHILLS Dinham Weir, Ludlow Shropshire SY8 1EH 01584 874431 THE MYTTON & MERMAID Atcham, Shrewsbury, SY5 6QG 01743 761220 THE OLD ORLETON INN Holyhead Rd, Wellington, TF1 2HA 01952 255011

THE OLD RECTORY HOTEL & RESTAURANT Lowe Hill Road, Wem, Shropshire SY4 5UA 01939 233233 THE PEACH TREE 21 Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, SY2 6AE 01743 355055 THE PLUME OF FEATHERS Harley, Shrewsbury SY5 6LP 01743 727360 PORTER HOUSE 15 St Mary’s St, Shrewsbury, SY1 1EQ 01743 358870 THE POUND AT LEEBOTWOOD Leebotwood, Nr Church Stretton SY6 6ND 01694 751477 RENAISSANCE, 29a Princess St, Shrewsbury, SY11LW 01743 354289 ROMOLO Victoria Avenue, shrewsbury SY1 1HH 01743 233244 SARACENS Shrewsbury Rd, SY4 4AG 01939 210877 SEBASTIANS 45 Willow St, Oswestry SY11 1AQ 01691 655444 SHALIMAR 23 Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury SY2 6AE 01743 366658 SHERAZ 79 Wyle Cop, Shrewsbury SY1 1UT 01743 242321 THE SILVERTON the Old Dairy, 9-10 Frankwell, Shrewsbury SY3 8JY 01743 248000 TIN TINS Wellington Road, Telford TF2 8AJ 01952 608688 TRAITORS GATE Castle St, Water Lane, Shrewsbury SY1 2BX 01743 249152 THE WALLS Welsh Walls, Oswestry SY11 1AW 01691 670970 ZIZZI RISORANTE 39-40 High Street, Shrewsbury SY1 1SF 01743 353232

Staffordshire NO 5 Gaol Mews, Stafford ST16 3AN 01785 22 9900 95 HIGH GREEN Cannock.

WS11 1BH 01543 573905 1709 THE BASSERIE 3-5 Lombard St, Lichfield.

WS13 6DP 01543 257986 BELLA ITALIA 20 Greengate St, Stafford, ST16 2HS 01785 211968 CHANDLERS Corn Exchange, Conduit St, Lichfield, WS13 6JU 01543 416688 THE CORNER HOUSE Second Avenue, Burton-

On-Trent DE14 2WF 01283 542321 CURRY KUTEER 31 Greengate Street, Stafford ST16 2HY 01785 253279 ESSENCE OF THE ORIENT 27 Broad Eye, Stafford ST16 2QB 01785 229988 FOUR SEASONS Swinfen Hall Lichfield, WS14 9RE 01543 481494 THE GREEN ROOM Castle Dyke, Lichfield WS13 6HR 01543 412121 INDIAN VILLAGE 8 Lombard St, Lichfield.

WS13 6DR 01543 253415 INDICA Virage Park, Cannock. WS11 0HN 08712 070417 JASMINE PEKING 21 High St, Eccleshall, Stafford ST21 6BW 01785 851200 LA DOLCE VITA 19 Stafford St, Stone ST15 8QW 01785 817 985 THE LODGE 24 Birmingham Road, Shenstone. WS14 0LQ 01543 483334 MALABAR 1-2 Water Street, Stafford, ST16 2AG 01785 227 500/600 MARLOES 13 London Road, Newcastle under Lyme, ST4 1LQ 01782 661983 THE MILL 1 Mill St, Stone, ST15 8BA 01785 818456 THE NAVIGATION INN Newport Road, Gnosall, Stafford ST20 0BN 01785 822327 OLD VICARAGE 2 Main St, Branston, Burton, DE14 3EX 01283 533222 PASTICHE BISTRO 1 - 2 Mill Street, Stafford, ST16 2AJ 01782 263 737 THE PEARL18 Market St, Kidsgrove, ST7 4AB 01782 788887 THE PEAR TREE Swinfen, Nr. Lichfield, WS14 9QR 01543 481807 PORTOFINO 38-40 Marsh St Stoke-On-Trent, ST1 1JD 01782 209444 THE RED ROOM 7 Newcastle Road, Congleton CW12 4HN 01260 297871 THORNBURY HALL, RASOI Lockwood Rd, Kingsley Holt, Stafford ST10 2DH 01538 750831 WOLSELEY ARMS Wolseley Bridge, Stafford ST17 0XS 01889 883179

For full Restaurant listings visit: www.whatsonlive.co.uk

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IN BIRMINGHAM UNTIL MONDAY 5 JANUARY