What's On January 2015

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WOLVERHAMPTON & BLACK COUNTRY WHAT’S ON ISSUE 349 JANUARY 2015

THE MIDLANDS ULTIMATE ENTERTAINMENT GUIDE WOLVERHAMPTON & BLACK COUNTRY

’ What sOn www.whatsonlive.co.uk

ISSUE 349

JANUARY 2015

JESSIE J SWE

ET TALKE IN THE MID R BACK LANDS...

PETER CUTCHIE

PART OF MIDLANDS WHAT’S ON MAGAZINE GROUP PUBLICATIONS

theatre boss prepares to bid a fond farewell interview inside...

ELIZABETH ROWE new exhibition opens in Walsall

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AUTOSPORT INTERNATIONAL high performance cars showcased in the region

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Contents Jan Region 2.qxp_Layout 1 19/12/2014 16:47 Page 1

January 2015 INSIDE:

Editor: Davina Evans davina@whatsonlive.co.uk 01743 281708

Barnum

Editorial Assistants: Brian O’Faolain

Brian Conley back in the Midlands p25

brian@whatsonlive.co.uk 01743 281701

Lauren Foster lauren@whatsonlive.co.uk 01743 281707

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

Sales & Marketing: Lei Woodhouse lei@whatsonlive.co.uk 01743 281703

Chris Horton chris@whatsonlive.co.uk 01743 281704

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

Strictly Live...

Managing Director: Paul Oliver

dances into Brum p43

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 julia@whatsonlive.co.uk 01743 281717

Website Development: Eddie Payne Contributors: Graham Bostock: Theatre James Cameron-Wilson: Film; Alev Dervish: Music Eva Easthope, Jessica Aston, Patsy Moss, Jack Rolfe, Jan Watts, Reggie White, Simon Carter Head Office: 13-14 Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, SY2 6AE

Tel: 01743 281777 e-mail: info@whatsonlive.co.uk

Robert Webb: Peep Show star talks about playing Bertie Wooster in West End comedy. Read the interview on page 6

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Sarah Waters award-winning novelist ventures into new territory interview p8

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News

A ROUND-UP OF LOCAL AND NATIONAL ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

Hairspray to rock the New Alex at Christmas A major new UK touring production of smash-hit musical Hairspray will make Birmingham’s New Alexandra Theatre its home for Christmas 2015/16. Winner of eight Tony Awards and four Olivier Awards, Hairspray is based on the 2007 film of the same name. Set in Baltimore in 1962, the ‘big, bold and beautiful’ musical comedy follows Tracy Turnblad - a big girl with big hair and an even bigger heart - as she sets out on a mission to fulfill her dreams and dance her way onto national television. Directed by Paul Kerryson and with choreography by Drew McOnie, Hairspray shows at New Alexandra Theatre from 14 December to 2 January 2016.

The return of New Art West Midlands Tickets only! for Cosford Air Show This year’s Cosford Air Show will be an ‘advance ticket only’ event. The change in policy comes as part of an effort to improve traffic flow and ease access to the site. The main theme for the event will be VE70 - the seventieth anniversary of VE Day. A special ‘Victory Village’ will see the look and atmosphere of 1945 being recreated for visitors to enjoy, complete with music and vehicles from the era. Tickets are now on sale priced £22. For further information, visit www.cosfordairshow.co.uk

Awards prove a testament to talent in the West Midlands...

Birmingham Repertory Theatre is celebrating after scooping an impressive three awards in recognition of its ongoing artist development work. The first ‘gong’ - the Catherine Johnson Award for Best Play 2014 - was 4 www.whatsonlive.co.uk

Thirty of the region’s best emerging artists will be given the opportunity to showcase their work when New Art West Midlands takes place at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, the Barber Institute of Fine Arts, Wolverhampton Art Gallery and, new for this year, Coventry’s Herbert Art Gallery & Museum. A Turning Point West Midlands initiative, New Art West Midlands features an eclectic mix of artistic disciplines, including paintings, sculpture, photography, performance, installation and video works. All the participating artists have graduated from one of the region’s undergraduate or postgraduate fine art degree courses during the past three years. secured by Handsworth-born Rachel Delahay, who wrote her play Circles while on attachment to The REP. The play received its premiere at the theatre in May 2014.

The second award - the Mark Marvin Rent Subsidy Award - went to Stephanie Ridings.

A graduate of The REP’s inaugural REP Foundry artists’ development programme, Stephanie has collaborated on Unknown Male, which shows at the theatre on 28 January.

The third award - the West Midlands Arts, Health And Wellbeing Award 2014 - was given to The REP for Bedlam: A Festival Of Mad Ideas, which showed ‘how the arts can play an important part in reducing stigma and promoting recovery and well being’.

Commenting on the awards, The REP’s Artistic Director, Roxana Silbert, said: “These awards are a testament to the brilliant young theatre talent that exists in the West Midlands. The REP is honoured to be working with such fine artists and thrilled that they’re being recognised nationally.” nationally".

Museum makes it to the final Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery has made it through to the regional finals of the Civic Trust Conservation Awards. Formerly used as an arts & entertainment venue, the town

centre building is one of twenty conservation projects recognised by the Civic Trust at a regional level. Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony held at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London on 8 March. The new museum opened in April last year, after a five-year restoration project was hit by delays.

Railway gets a helping hand Plans for the makeover of a renowned model railway in Sedgley are forging ahead thanks to a helping hand from local builder David Wilson Homes Mercia. The award-winning builder has prepared an area of land so that the volunteers who run the railway in Baggeridge Country Park can install a new tunnel for the train to run through. They will also be extending the track and planting trees and hedges.

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Lucy Spraggan to lead Young Voices around the country Former X Factor finalist Lucy Spraggan is heading the world’s largest children’s choir on a nineteen-date arena tour that’s stopping off in Birmingham this month. Young Voices takes place at the Genting Arena (formerly LG Arena) from 12 to 17 January.

Bringing together youngsters from across the region, the now-annual event provides an opportunity for primary school children to perform all styles of music, boost their confidence and create lifelong memories both for themselves and their families.

Previous Young Voices tours have been headed by Katherine Jenkins, Alexandra Burke and Beverley Knight. For further information, visit www.youngvoices.co.uk

West End musical set to swamp Wolverhampton Voting open for favourite teen book Staff at Dudley’s libraries have been working with youngsters across the region to select six books for entry into the annual Teenage Book Award, an initiative designed to encourage youngsters to read more.

Nominated books include: Dragon Shield,

by Charlie Fletcher; Half Bad, by Sally Green; Taken, by David Massey; A Soldier’s Friend, by Megan Rix; Dandelion Clocks, by Rebecca Westcott; and A Boy Called Hope,

by Lara Williamson. Young people can vote for their favourite at www.dudley.gov.uk/libraries until 31 March.

Fundraising success for Ironbridge Gorge Museum An innovative crowdfunding campaign by Shropshire’s Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust and the Art Fund has successfully raised £25,000 to redesign the Museum of The Gorge and create a new community space. Members of the public were invited to donate online and, in return, were offered a number of bespoke rewards, including a book of historical photographs and a handblown glass bowl created by local artist Nikki Williams. The donated cash will be used to completely redesign the gallery and upgrade its existing auditorium. The project will create a multi-purpose space that can be used for both community and museum events.

Wolverhampton’s Grand Theatre will turn decidedly green for two weeks in the autumn when one of the West End’s most popular shows visits the venue as part of a UK and Ireland tour.

Shrek The Musical is based on the popular William Steig book Shrek! and the Academy Award-winning DreamWorks Animations feature film. It’s directed by former EastEnders star Nigel Harman, who also won an Olivier Award for his portrayal of Lord Farquaad in the West End version of the show.

Shrek The Musical stops off in Wolverhampton from 30 September to 11 October.

IN BRIEF Project explores sexuality through the centuries...

This month sees Birmingham-based Rutherford Dance Company Youth (RDC Youth) begin a project researching how communities throughout the West Midlands have reacted to homosexuality over the past five centuries.

Supported by a Heritage Lottery Fund grant of £28,000, the company will explore the political, social and personal context of coming out. Gathering stories from the older LGBT generation, RDC Youth will then interpret their findings via a large-scale dance performance in the summer. The entire project will be filmed for DVD and archive purposes.

Recorded personal interviews will be made available through the Birmingham LGBT Centre.

RDC Youth was set up by artistic director Adam Rutherford in January 2013.

Library’s Origins Season announced...

The Library of Birmingham has committed to continuing its successful cultural programme, which explores the theme of origins and how the past, present and future are inextricably linked. An exhibition of micro sculptures by world-renowned artist Willard Wigan MBE opens the season on 11 January and offers a rare opportunity to see the Birmingham-born artist’s work on display in his home city. Other season highlights include Stones And Bones: Discovering 600 Million Years Of Midlands History (13 February to 17 May) and Chinese Lives In Birmingham (2 - 15 April).

New foodie event for the Midlands...

Birmingham’s Cannon Hill Park features amongst six new venues across the UK to host Foodies Festival in 2015. A three day affair which started as a small food and drink event in an Edinburgh hotel ten years ago, Foodies is now regarded as one of the UK’s biggest events of its kind and has welcomed more than two million food lovers to date.

Foodie Festival takes place at Cannon Hill Park from 15 to 17 May and includes a Wine and Champagne Theatre with Charles Metcalfe and Neil Philips, a Craft Beer, Cider and Spirits Theatre hosted by Melissa Cole. A Chef’s Theatre, Cake & Bake Theatre, Producers Market with local artisan producers, Street Food Avenue and Children’s Cookery School, also feature.

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He’s just this galumphing twit, but a loveable one.

It’s against type because I’m not that cheerful most of the time. That said, it does put me in a good mood playing Bertie.

”

Robert Webb Peep Show star glad to be back playing Bertie...

Robert Webb is best known as one half of comedy double act Mitchell and Webb. Lighting up TV screens with their portrayal of flatmates Jez and Mark in Channel Four’s longest running comedy series, Peep Show, the duo have won an army of fans and a clutch of awards. As a solo performer, Robert has appeared in numerous sitcoms and films. In 2009 he showed off his dancing skills to excellent effect when he won Let’s Dance For Comic Relief. Next month sees him star in the first UK tour of Jeeves & Wooster: Perfect Nonsense. What’s On recently caught up with him to find out more...

Regarding playing Bertie Wooster, Robert, are you at all daunted by following in the footsteps of well-known names like David Niven, Ian Carmichael and Hugh Laurie all three of whom, for different generations, have made a real splash in the role?

It’s certainly got a very impressive pedigree but I’ve played the part before. I did it at the Duke of Yorks for three months. As for feeling daunted, not really. It’s like carrying a precious child across a hard floor. You don’t want to drop it because it’s a marvellous thing and it’s very special to lots of people.

There again, the adaptation is so in its own world that it felt like creating something completely different. It’s a huge, energetic 6 www.whatsonlive.co.uk

show. My Bertie won’t look like the Bertie from film or TV. It’s on stage and you can’t get something that enormous on a camera you’d look insane - but as a stage show, it’s in a league of its own. I had a quick look at what Hugh Laurie was doing in the 1980s and, again, it was a much more natural style.

Is playing Wooster a real acting challenge for you, or are there elements of your own personality you can bring to your characterisation?

He’s permanently either delighted or terrified - there isn’t really much in between - so it’s about doing those things with as much conviction as possible. I saw one review, when we did The Duke of Yorks, where

someone in the Telegraph expressed surprise that I wasn’t playing Bertie the way I played Jeremy in Peep Show. I mean, a petulant, sarcastic Bertie really isn’t going to work, is it? He’s absolutely delightful; charms the audience immediately. He’s just this galumphing twit, but a loveable one. It’s against type because I’m not that cheerful most of the time. That said, it does put me in a good mood playing Bertie.

Do you see the role as maybe signposting the direction your career might take, or don’t you have any clearly defined plan for your future on a professional level?

I don’t have anything that you could call a strategy. I recently starred in Neville’s Island,

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interview... where I played a much more introverted, darker, sadder character called Roy. Lots of parts come along, and sometimes there’s an absolute corker that you can’t say no to. As for Jeeves & Wooster, I soon realised that I hadn’t got the part out of my system, so a ten-week tour seemed like a good idea.

I’m certainly enjoying being in the theatre.

It’s sharpening me up as an actor, which is a good thing to do every now and again.

You have a young family, so how do you feel about going out on tour?

That’s the aspect that I’m not looking forward to. Some of the venues are commutable and it’s possible to get a late train back into London; some of them, not so much. In those cases I’ll always be back at the weekend. I did four weeks’ filming in South Africa once and that was my limit. More than four weeks away from the children and I begin to get a bit funny.

Do you have a criteria for accepting stage roles?

If it’s supposed to be funny then it has to be funny. If it’s not supposed to be, then it has to be something I think I can do - and something I haven’t done before. One of the joys of this job is the variety of it, but generally it’s about the quality of the script.

Sometimes I’m quite interested in who the other actors are going to be. For example, in Neville’s Island I was on stage with Ade Edmondson, Neil Morrissey and Miles Jupp, and that was a huge joy.

You seem to be a ‘happy dabbler’ careerwise. Has that been by choice or is it a way of working out how to move forward post-Peep Show?

I like variety but guess I’m easily bored. I occasionally write for the New Statesman and I’ve also got a book in mind. Then there’s the theatre, and I pop up in various shows and bits and bobs. It’s really what comes along and what pays the bills. I’m not sitting in a huge ‘evil villain’ control room planning my career down to the last detail.

It’s just whatever happens.

Regarding Peep Show, do you feel you’ll ever be able to distance yourself from Jez? I wouldn’t want to. I’ve had an absolute ball playing Jez. He’s so incredibly rude and horrible. It’s been great fun. We’re doing the ninth and final series in the summer and it will go out later in the year. I’m incredibly proud of it and wouldn’t want to put any distance between me and Peep Show.

Are you looking ahead to your Peep Show-free future?

It’s been nearly two years since the last series, so I’m sort of there already. It’s a pretty nice place to be. Because the show was well liked, and because of the sketch show I did with David on BBC Two, I’m sort of associated with nice things. That gives you a momentum that probably isn’t going to go away now. If you’re in a sitcom for ten years, you’re part of the furniture, but I’m certainly not panicking.

All good things have to come to an end, but do you feel there’s more mileage in the show?

Yes and no. This will be the last series but

they won’t go off the edge of a cliff in a bus.

They’re not going to die and they’re also not going to win the lottery. The show will end more or less as it began, with Sam Baine and Jessie Armstrong, the writers, taking the characters up a tree and then throwing rocks at them. There isn’t going to be a happy ending. It’s Peep Show. There again, because they’re not going to die, they’ve left the door open for David and I - should we be so blessed as to make it to our sixties - to have some sort of ‘whatever happened to?’ look back. That might be amusing, but we’ll have to wait and see.

When you met David at Cambridge, was it love at first sight?

I wouldn’t call it love but he certainly attracted my attention. He was very funny when I auditioned him for a panto which the comedy drama society were doing. He was very good in that, and I sort of kept an eye on him. He did another show with his firstyear mates - I was the year above - and I watched him even when he wasn’t talking.

He slightly reminded me of myself. By the end of the year I’d asked him if he wanted to do a two-man show with me, which we performed the following year - his second and my third. It started from there, really writing these big stories where we played all of the characters. The joke was that there weren’t enough actors to play all of the characters, which is actually a similar idea to Jeeves & Wooster in this show. The premise is that this is Bertie’s show and Jeeves is helping him put it on.

Have you and David ever hit a period in your relationship where it’s come under strain?

Yeah, the busier we were, the worse it got.

It’s never been awful, but there have been times, say in 2006/2007, when we were doing a series of Peep Show and a series of the sketch show. At the same time, we made the film Magicians, did the Mac ads and had a national tour. We were spending so much time together it was bound to lead to the odd tetchy silence - but that’s about as bad as it ever got. Now I see him every now and again socially. Last year we got back together to do another series of the radio show. It’s very easy these days.

Peep Show benefits from great writing and acting, plus believable if slightly exaggerated characters - but then there are lots of shows which could claim the same. What’s the key reason it’s become C4’s longest running comedy series?

I think it’s that Mark and Jeremy are outsiders, and we all feel like that a lot of the time. They don’t feel that they’re part of the mainstream. There’s always a party going on next door where they could be having the greatest time of their lives but they haven’t been invited. That constant feeling of not being in the right place at the right time, I think that’s the key thing about it. Also, it’s a classic sitcom set-up - two people who shouldn’t be living together stuck together, which goes right back to The Odd Couple.

Then there’s the filming style. Because we hear their thoughts, you get double the jokes, where people think things they’d never dream of saying - some of which are quite rude, of course.

You’re working with David less and less. Is it a worry for a comedy duo that one partner might make a bigger solo splash than the other?

Not particularly, no. I like watching David on Would I Lie To You and when he turns up on other shows. I’m pretty sanguine about it, really. I’m very happy doing what I’m doing.

There are ideas for other shows. We’ll see which, if any, end up being developed or made.

What’s your greatest professional ambition?

I don’t really have one particular consuming thing. I’d quite like to do a Shakespeare play, something I’ve never tried. I’ve got my eye on a couple of parts. Angelo in Measure For Measure is a real bastard and I’d like to play him. And then, perhaps when I’m a little bit older, Iago, who I’ve always found deeply attractive in a horrible kind of way. He’s sort of everyone’s friend. I would want to make the audience laugh - and then make them feel sick about what they’ve just laughed about. A sitcom, too - I should definitely write a sitcom. I’m underachieving, not having written one.

We’ve also seen that you’ve got a penchant for dance. Would you like to display those skills again on the stage?

You know what, I only recently noticed that Let’s Dance For Comic Relief was quietly cancelled, so all my daydreaming about being the king under the water returning in triumph has been dashed. However, there is a dance in Jeeves & Wooster. It’s a fourminute Charleston. It’s part of my keep-fit routine, so I’m looking forward to doing that.

You wrote an article in the New Statesman saying you thought people should become more engaged in party politics...

Not quite. I wasn’t telling people they should become involved in party politics, I was simply challenging Russell Brand saying that they actively shouldn’t. I was just trying to get it back to neutral. I wasn’t telling people they should join parties but I was suggesting that, for young people who’re discriminated against because they don’t vote, it’s not particulary helpful for someone who has a lot of young fans to say ‘that’s a great idea, don’t vote!’. I was saying: actually, the more you don’t vote, the more safely politicians can ignore you, so maybe Russell’s idea isn’t such a great one. But it’s not my place to get involved. I’m hardly involved myself. Russell does a lot more campaigning, turning up at protests and rallies, than I do. I was just showing that the minimum requirement is that you turn up every four or five years and stick a cross somewhere.

Finally, post-Jeeves & Wooster, what’s next?

There’ll be a gap that I’ll fill with whatever comes along, or by just sitting in the pub.

Then there’ll be a summer holiday with the family, followed by recording Peep Show in late July/August. After that, who knows?

Jeeves & Wooster in Perfect Nonsense shows at Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, from Wed 4 to Sat 7 February, and Birmingham Repertory Theatre, from Mon 9 to Sat 14 March www.whatsonlive.co.uk 7

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Sarah Waters award-winning novelist talks about The Frozen Scream...

A well-established writer of lesbian fiction, Sarah Waters has six awardwinning novels to her name, including Tipping The Velvet and Fingersmith. With a penchant for research, she likes to give her books an historical slant, very much favouring the Victorian era and the 1920s as settings for her novels. Venturing into new territory, Sarah recently joined forces with writer and performer Christopher Green to adapt a little-known mystery story for the stage. The Frozen Scream shows at Birmingham Hippodrome this month. What’s On caught up with Sarah to find out more...

“

We don’t want to frighten people off and we don’t want people to be anxious about it, but it’s definitely an element of the show.

”

8 www.whatsonlive.co.uk

How did your partnership with Christopher Green come about?

I’d known him as a performer for many years and had seen him in many productions. I’d always admired him because he’s got a great stage presence. He approached me a few years ago with the idea for The Frozen Scream. He wanted someone who’d collaborate with him on ‘a spooky show’. He’d read a book of mine called The Little Stranger, which is a ghost story.

He’d liked that and felt I might be a good fit with him. I thought it was a brilliant idea, but we both had different projects on the go and I’d just started a new novel. We only came back to it again in 2014, when he’d got the Birmingham Hippodrome and Millennium Theatre in Cardiff on board. Only then did it really take off.

This is your first venture into playwriting. Did you have any preconceived idea of what it would be like?

I was quite trepidatious. As a novelist, you’re in complete control of every detail. I take a long time to write a book. I really enjoy having space to make mistakes and try things out, so I wondered if a collaboration would suit me. On the whole I don’t like writing to a deadline, but I knew that we really needed to commit to it and come up with a play. I was nervous, but everything’s worked well. The collaboration has been really interesting and a real pleasure. Chris has been great to work with and I think we’ve got a lot in common. Right from the very beginning we had a very clear, shared vision of what we wanted the play to be, so there haven’t been any upsets or disagreements. It’s all been very smooth. It’s been great seeing the different stages of it: from writing the script through to casting it, workshopping it, then through to the rehearsal stage we’re at now. Each of those stages has brought something extra to the original text.

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interview...

What’s the main consideration when thinking about an audience as opposed to a reader?

I’m very much a storyteller, which is what Chris liked and wanted. So for me it was a case of working out how to tell a story in a completely different way to how I’d tell it in a novel, where it’s just words on a page. In a novel you’re evoking everything and can guide your readers along a very particular path. In the theatre you’ve got lots of people who might all be looking in different directions. You want a story to unfold but it’s got to be done in a very visual way. It was a big challenge - but I’m a great theatre-goer, so I suppose I just thought about what I want from a night at the theatre.

Theatre is very defined and laid out in front of an audience. In a novel there’s so much left to the imagination...

They’re both about creating worlds, though.

That’s what I like about writing novels; you create this whole, complex world, invite the audience in and they go on a journey through it. The theatre, the stage, is just like a 3D version of that. And, in a way, there’s something extra exciting about it because it’s in 3D. It’s a bit like opening up the door of a doll’s house and finding this rich world inside.

The play is very character-based. How far do you take the prose before the actor comes in and takes over?

Again, I like to create the characters from the point of telling a story. Chris and I worked on the characters; what we wanted them to be and what their back-stories were. Bringing in an actor does bring another layer of richness to it, but you do need the characters to be quite strong in the original text. That’s most definitely what we were aiming for.

The Frozen Scream and your latest novel, The Paying Guests, are both set in the 1920s. What intrigues you most about that particular era?

I started work on The Frozen Scream after I’d finished The Paying Guests, so it was great because I had all that grounding in the 1920s.

In The Paying Guests, I very deliberately didn’t look at the roaring ’20s - flappers and the jazz age and that sort of thing. It was far more suburban than that. The Frozen Scream is more in the realm of flappers and bright young things, so it was a very nice counterpart to The Paying Guest. I felt like I got to tell a slightly different ’20s story.

Is the research into different historical periods part of the joy of such a project?

I love the research purely in terms of what I can discover about a period. But then the next phase, which I love just as much, is turning that into something for a reader. Usually at that point you have to abandon most of your research - because you have too much - but you have to do a lot in order to really get to know a period. Then it’s about the details which actually feel right for the story that you’re telling. Ultimately you’re just using your research as a springboard, and then it’s about your characters and your plots. For me, they need to belong to their period but should have a life of their own too.

The Frozen Scream is based on a littleknown mystery which is said to be cursed.

Are you at all superstitious?

Christopher is being very blase about the

curse. I was worried at first and thought ‘Oh my God, we’re going to create a curse ourselves!’. Touch wood, though, it’s all gone to plan so far and we’re brazing the curse out.

I don’t know whether that’s sensible or not, but that’s what we’re doing. We don’t want to frighten people off and we don’t want people to be anxious about it, but it’s definitely an element of the show.

Much of your work has been adapted for the screen. Do you feel an urge to give consideration to this when writing new work?

I suppose I’d be lying if I said it didn’t occur to me that a novel I’m writing might be adapted, but it doesn’t affect what I write. I tend to write very visually anyway, so maybe my books naturally lend themselves to adaptation. When I was writing The Nightwatch, for example which was a couple of books ago now - it was quite a melancholy book. I didn’t think anybody would want to adapt it for TV eventually somebody did - but that didn’t mean that I didn’t want to write it. I still wanted to write the book that was in my heart. It doesn’t change the way I write a book but it’s definitely a consideration.

You referred to The Paying Guest as a very intense project. Why was this more so than previous works?

I’ve written six novels now and you’d think that the process would get easier, but every book has its own issues and challenges. My last book, The Little Stranger, was a very straightforward book to write, whereas The Paying Guest was very character-driven, so I needed to get to know my characters. It took me a long time to figure out the tone of the book. It’s quite emotional, so I felt very attached to my two main characters. They go through quite an emotional time, so it was an inevitably draining book to write. Perhaps because of those reasons I’ve ended up fonder of it than any of my other books. I feel more attached to it. It was definitely a labour of love.

When you’re writing a book, you have complete ownership. Do you ever feel like you’re giving away part of yourself when you present it to your readers?

I don’t know, but I pour so much into my novels. What I want is for readers to respond emotionally to the book, and it’s always wonderful when they do. I think everyone who reads a book slightly re-writes it when they’re reading it - and certainly when a book is adapted for the screen, it goes through a translation process and becomes somebody else’s book in a way. For me, the heart of writing is that initial work - having a vision, then doing the work so that I can realise that vision on the page. As long as I’ve produced the book that I’ve set out to produce, I’m happy.

Are any of your characters based on people in the present, transported back in time?

No, not really. My characters may have their basis in somebody I know but I find that they undergo a change. So although I’ve maybe done that once or twice, I hope they haven’t ended up recognisable to anybody in the real world. But you do have to take your inspiration from real life, so it’s inevitable that you take little traits from various people and weave them into your characters.

It’s a real credit to you that two of your best-known works, Tipping The Velvet and Fingersmith, are being adapted for the stage. Have you been asked to contribute anything to the process?

Not creatively - which is fine by me, because I didn’t really want that role - but I’ve definitely been involved in the process and I’ve seen drafts of the plays. With Tipping The Velvet, I sat in on an early workshop. It was really interesting and really exciting seeing the book come to life in a completely different form.

Did you have the same level of involvement when it was adapted for TV? Yeah, same sort of thing. I didn’t want to be involved creatively but it was fascinating to see the process that a book undergoes when it’s adapted. That was especially true with Tipping The Velvet, because that was the first time it had happened and I was still quite a young author at the time. It was terribly exciting, and I’ve been very happy with the adaptations. They’ve been very positive experiences.

There’s a lot of erotica in your works. How much does that contribute to the production’s success?

With Tipping The Velvet, it was certainly a selling point. Andrew Davies, who adapted it, did more than anybody to big it up as a rather raunchy show. I don’t think it did any harm and it certainly got lots of attention.

Your first four novels centre on lesbian relationships. You then move away from this in The Little Stranger but return to the format in The Paying Guests. Was this a conscious decision?

It’s just the way it came out. I’d missed it but felt it didn’t have a place in The Little Stranger, which was a Gothic story. But I did miss ‘desire’, which is a really good driver of a plot.

I kind of wanted to get back to it and tell a story of domestic passions, so it seemed the most natural thing to write a lesbian story again.

Looking to future novels, is there an era in history on which you’d really like to focus?

I’m really not sure where I’m going to go for the next novel, and it’s really quite nice not knowing. I’ve thought for a while that the 1950s seem quite appealing. We tend to think of that time as being rather conservative, but I think there was probably a lot more interesting stuff going on than our stereotypes suggest.

Has your current experience with Chris and The Frozen Scream given you an appetite for more of the same in the future?

Possibly. It certainly feels like it’s liberated in me a slightly different way of writing, which is very nice. I think I’ve been very lucky with the project, and Chris and I have worked well together. It’s a project that’s really suited me, so if I find another that also suits me, I’ll certainly be happy to do another theatre piece. I also feel a slight stirring to write another novel, so as soon as The Frozen Scream is finished that’s probably where I’ll go next. Who knows, though? I’ve so enjoyed writing for the theatre, I wouldn’t want to think I’d never do it again.

The Frozen Scream shows at Birmingham Hippodrome, from Wed 7 to Sat 17 January www.whatsonlive.co.uk 9

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“

Some people think they can’t work in theatre because they can’t sing, they can’t dance and they can’t act. But there’s other work they can do.

”

Peter Cutchie prepares to bid a fond farewell to Wolverhampton Grand...

The Chief Executive of one of the region’s biggest entertainment venues, Peter Cutchie is a familiar face to many visitors to Wolverhampton’s Grand Theatre. Having stamped his mark on the venue during the past ten years, Peter this month hangs up his theatrical cloak and embarks on the next venture in his life - retirement. What’s On recently met up with him to reflect on his career and his time in the Black Country.

What was your first position in theatre, Peter?

I was assistant house manager in Darlington Civic Theatre in the 1970s. I came in via amateur theatre, where I was the honorary ticket secretary for my local amateur operatic society. I sort of made a nuisance of myself around the theatre and was constantly there.

It wasn’t easy getting into theatre, but it was easier than it is now. I’d worked in a bank prior to that, so I had accounting, finance, things like that behind me. Selling hundreds of tickets for amateur shows for the society I was with, which performed at the Civic, 10 www.whatsonlive.co.uk

meant I got to know the people there. When a job came up, I applied for it - and the rest, as they say, is history.

Could you have envisaged that this was where you’d end up?

Not really. You never know where you’re going to go. I have friends and colleagues who joined a theatre in their twenties and retired from there. I’ve never seen it like that.

I had this bizarre career pattern. I wanted to experience different sorts of theatre. I worked for Scottish Opera and then West Yorkshire Playhouse. I was arts officer for

Tynedale in rural Northumberland. I worked in a seaside theatre too. You draw all that experience together and decide what it is that you really want to do. The Grand is a good job on the theatre circuit. It’s a number one theatre in the centre of the country with a loyal audience and a lovely venue. Who wouldn’t want to work here?

What are you going to miss most about the Grand?

Certainly, it’s the people. Not only the staff, who’ve been incredibly supportive and who’re wonderful, but also, without a word of

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interview... a lie, the Wolverhampton people - the Black Country people - who’re our audience. You tend to say that about every venue you work in - and I’ve worked in eight - but in this one, I’ve really found the warmth; from the welcome I received when I first arrived through to the support that we continuously receive. And that’s not just how I see it, it’s also what actors say. They often comment that we have a listening audience; an audience who’re serious about theatre, who listen to what’s happening on the stage.

Sometimes that can unnerve an actor, because a whole evening goes on in near silence. Obviously the audience laugh in the right places, and at the end of the performance always give a great reception.

What’s your fondest memory in the ten years you’ve worked at the Grand?

It’s not so much a memory, more of an achievement that I go back to every time.

When I came here ten years ago, we were looking at the programme and wondering what we should do. My predecessor had done an amazing job. We were on the map and people knew who we were, but we couldn’t get the really big shows because we were considered too small and too close to Birmingham. Our breakthrough came when we presented Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. It had about a ten-centimetre clearance around the stage but it basically broke the mould and said, ‘actually, Wolverhampton Grand can do a big show, and it can take a show for three weeks’. I remember when the car was unloaded in the back lane thinking, ‘oh my God, where are we going to put that?’. But Chitty set us off, and I was then able to say to producers, ‘actually, yes, I know Birmingham’s down the road, but we can’t allow ourselves to be defined by that’.

Birmingham does a fantastic job, and we know that we’re not big enough to take shows like War Horse and Wicked - either stage-wise or capacity-wise - but we can take Ghost and shows like Barnum. We can take big shows into the theatre, we can take them first, and we can sell tickets for them. Those shows can then come back to Birmingham six months later and partially benefit from having been in Wolverhampton, because we’ve given them a showcase. Birmingham has got its own machine. It doesn’t matter that we’ve previously had a show. We provide a different experience. For me, each show is a memory and it’s a different memory, but it’s knowing that we’ve broken that barrier which is the most important thing.

Would you say that the shift in the way the theatre operates, and its subsequent different standing amongst other theatres, is your lasting legacy to Wolverhampton?

Yes, but I think the thing I’m most proud of is moving forward Creative Learning & Outreach with Louise Walker, our Educational Officer and Creative Learning Manager.

Taking theatre into the community is something that I’m really passionate about.

When I was at West Yorkshire Playhouse in Leeds, Jude Kelly, who’s now at the Southbank, was passionate about bringing people into the theatre from disparate communities and reaching out to people who wouldn’t normally see the theatre as an area in which they would work. I learned an awful lot from Jude. It was something that I

explored more later, as an Arts Officer working in Tynedale. Working in eight hundred square miles of rural Tynedale, up around the Roman Wall, was a great place to do outreach work. We took shows into all sorts of weird and wonderful places - from infant schools with six pupils through to places like Holtwhistle, where we worked with the community doing circus skills. So outreach is vital. Wolverhampton has areas of deprivation but it’s also got a rich diversity.

You have to become relevant to people.

Unfortunately, and sad as it may be, some people still see the theatre as ‘that rich place on Lichfield Street’.

So is theatre accessible to all?

Yes! Some people think they can’t work in theatre because they can’t sing, they can’t dance and they can’t act. But there’s other work they can do. We need to get them to look at it in a different way - so we go out to schools and talk to them at careers fairs. We go out to universities and talk to students at freshers fairs. It’s not about saying ‘you must come to the theatre’, because the more you try to force them, the more they won’t want to.

I think there’s another element there, too. I’m a firm believer that everyone has a ‘theatre switch’ in their head. At forty-five, that switch switches to ‘on’ and many people start going to the theatre. I think what you need to do with people prior to that - from a young age until they’re in their teens and you’ve got some kind of control over them - is build the mechanisms that the switch is connected to.

That means getting children into theatre from a very early age.

How have the challenges which face you as a Chief Exec changed over the years?

It’s always been about finance, which has got tighter and harder. It’s more about health & safety as well. I’m not saying that’s wrong; it’s absolutely right. When you’re living with change, you don’t notice it so much. You have to really think about how different it actually is. The audiences are more rowdy than they used to be. In some cases they’re more badly behaved, and I think they expect more. I don’t want it to be stuffy, but in any shared experience you’ve got to have empathy for the people sitting around you.

Do you have an all-time favourite production?

The longer you work in a theatre, the harder it is to lose yourself in a piece of work, but there’s one play called Frankie And Johnny In The Clair de Lune which has really stayed with me. It starred Kelly McGillis and Rolf Saxon. It was just the two of them on the stage. Suddenly, nothing else mattered. It was a strange sensation. I felt there was just them and me in the theatre. I just sat there and thought, this is what the theatre is all about. It doesn’t happen very often but it was a moment of total absorption. I remember thinking ‘damn the interval!’ That was probably the most memorable time, where nothing else mattered to me - and that is very, very rare.

Have you ever been star-struck working in the theatre?

Yes, by Cleo Laine. I had a huge crush on her. Although I’m not a huge jazz fan, she really could make me listen to jazz all night.

She came to the University of Warwick when I was working there. Talk about groupies, I was accosting catering staff and saying, ‘I’ll take that in, I’ll do that’!

Is there a show you’d have liked to bring to the Grand but couldn’t?

I wouldn’t want to say ‘no, there isn’t’, because I’m sure there’s something. The thing that’s been really enjoyable over these last few years is getting the shows that I didn’t think we’d get. I didn’t think we’d get the Midlands premiere of Ghost, for instance. And Hairspray was one I’d been chasing for ages. There are much bigger shows that I would’ve liked to bring here, but we couldn’t accommodate them. I don’t want to replicate what’s on in the West End, but I do want people in Wolverhampton to think ‘that was of West End quality’. So it’s all about chasing that.

Come the end of January, will you be completely cutting your strings with theatre?

You never know. Maybe you can, maybe you can’t. A lot of my friends in theatre are of a similar age and have done so. One retired three years ago and hasn’t been back inside a theatre since. He doesn’t miss it and he’s absolutely fine. One or two others, I have to say, are like Banquo’s Ghost and must drive their successors mad. I’ve got to find a balance between those two extremes. I will go to the theatre and will hopefully become a better theatre-goer than I am at this moment in time. And I hope my wife will come to the theatre with me, even though I’m a lousy theatre companion.

Would you ever consider keeping your hand in with maybe a consultancy role?

I think for next year, if someone’s off sick or on maternity leave, or the Chief Executive has left and the new one can’t start for three months, and I was asked to come in and help, in those circumstances I’d probably say yes. We’ll see, but as far as anything else goes, I don’t know. I don’t think I’ll be selling tickets for an amateur operatic society again!

What’s the most important piece of advice you’d like to pass on to your successor?

Listen to the audience. Listen to the people.

They’re not always right but they’re rarely wrong. Engage with them - and with anybody else who comes into the theatre.

You are the host and, to a certain extent, this is your home. This is your front parlour.

You’re inviting people in, you’re giving them hospitality, and you want to be there to say hello and to bid them goodbye. I think that’s important, even though I can’t be there all the time. That’s why the ethos of everyone being special is engendered with all the staff here.

Have you achieved everything you set out to achieve ten years ago?

I wouldn’t say that we’ve achieved everything we wanted to, but we’ve come pretty close.

So a job well done, then?

That’s for the people to judge, but yes, I think so.

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Music First Aid Kit Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Fri 16 January

It was their 2008 YouTube video cover of Fleet Foxes’ Tiger Mountain Peasant Song which got sisters Johanna and Klara Söderberg noticed.

Their harmonious singing and folk-influenced songs have since propelled them to worldwide fame. The Swedish duo have released three albums; The Big Black & The Blue (2010), The Lion’s Roar (2012) and Stay Gold (2014).

If you enjoy listening to stunning vocals presented in an exquisite venue, this show is for you.

King Pleasure And The Biscuit Boys

Queen + Adam Lambert

Artrix, Bromsgrove, Sat 3 January; The Robin, Bilston, Thurs 29 January

Replacing the irreplaceable, Queen have filled their Freddie Mercury-sized hole with first Paul Rodgers and now Adam Lambert. By all accounts great fun was had with Rodgers, but the boys are of the opinion that Lambert’s probably a more natural fit for them. “Adam is really like us,” said Brian May in a recent interview. “He has so many colours, which allows us to head off on some of those strange excursions that Queen enjoy."

The KPs are past masters at creating an evening of frenzied fun, boasting a trademark mix of nutty onstage antics and accessible musicianship. What they lack in innovation they make up for with their authenticity, and have an impressive feel for the music which ensures they do justice to the standards. But the vast majority of their audience couldn’t care less about their authenticity - they just enjoy the messing about and the furious dance rhythms.

Craig Charles

Barclaycard Arena (formerly NIA), Birmingham, Fri 23 January

Slipknot Barclaycard Arena (formerly NIA), Birmingham, Tues 27 January Slipknot are an American heavy metal band well known for their attention-grabbing image, aggressive style of music and energetic and chaotic live shows. The band rose to fame in 1999 with the release of their first and self-titled album. Readers of Metal Hammer magazine have since voted it the best debut offering of the last twenty-five years. Four albums and sixteen years later, the band stop off in the Midlands as part of their ten-date Prepare For Hell UK tour. They bring with them new drummer Jay Weinberg and new bassist Alex Venturella. Korn and King 810 support.

Hare & Hounds, Birmingham, Sat 24 January

Coronation Street, Robot Wars and Red Dwarf not to mention successful DJing and writing careers - have ensured Craig Charles is pretty well known to the great British public. His music career started in 1980 when he formed his first band, Watt 4. He went on to produce three further bands and write lyrics for Suzanne Rhatigan’s album, To Hell With Love. More recently he’s toured the UK and beyond with his hugely popular Craig Charles Funk & Soul Club, playing a mixture of tracks which have usually been covered and remixed by current leading bands and DJs.

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SPRING & SUMMER PARTY NIGHTS 2015 FRI 24 JAN BRIEFCASE BLUES £32.50

SOUL BROTHERS with The Soul Man

LENNON AND McCARTNEY

SAT 31 Jan £32.50

with The Lennon & McCartney Experience

Sat 14 Feb £35.00

MOTOWN LEGENDS PARTY with Soul Legend

SWINGING 60’S MOTOWN PARTY

Sat 21 Feb £37.50

with The Krysalettes

Fri 6 Mar £32.50

OLLY MURS & BRUNO MARS with Robbie Glenn

BACK TO THE 80’S PARTY

Sat 14 Mar £37.50

with The 80’s Experience

Fri 20 Mar £32.50

MICHAEL BUBLE TRIBUTE with Jamie Flanagan

MAMMA MIA PARTY

Fri 27 Mar £37.50

with Bootleg Abba An Abba Tribute

Fri 10 Apr £32.50

SUPREME MOTOWN & SOUL DIVA PARTY with The The Montellas

THE ULTIMATE SOUL PARTY

Fri 24 Apr £37.50

with The Soul Suvivors and Mel Day

DOWNLOAD THE BROCHURE FROM OUR WEBSITE

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 12 www.whatsonlive.co.uk

Music Jan Region 2.qxp_Layout 1 19/12/2014 16:48 Page 4

Music PREVIEWS Nils Lofgren Birmingham Town Hall, Mon 19 January

Nils Lofgren was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014 as a member of Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band, with whom he first performed some thirty years ago. Joining in time for The Boss’s now-legendary Born In The USA tour, Lofgren played with E Street until Springsteen called time on the band in the late 1980s. He's appeared with them on numerous tours since their reformation in 1999. A world-class guitarist hailed by the likes of Sting and Neil Young (as well as Springsteen, obviously), he’s here visiting an impressive back-catalogue that includes such favourites as Shine Silently, I Came To Dance and Keith Don’t Go.

Paul Carrack Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent, Fri 16 January; Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Sat 24 January

Funeral For A Friend The Institute, Birmingham, Fri 16 January

Funeral For A Friend are a five-piece posthardcore band from Wales. They’ve released six studio albums, including Casually Dressed & Deep In Conversation (2003) and Tales Don’t Tell Themselves (2007). At the time of going to press, seventh offering Chapter And Verse is awaiting release, but has been described by promoters as ‘a raw and energetic effort that propels the band to a whole new level, whilst simultaneously raising the bar for everyone else’.

Expect a fast-paced and high-energy show from these boys.

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 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.

Julian Cope

The Sleaze Brothers

Glee Club, Birmingham, Sun 25 January

Lichfield Guildhall, Sat 10 January

He’s a singer, a poet, a photographer and an occultist. Or, as his book publishers would have it, he’s a ‘visionary rock musician and musicologist, a hip archaeologist and the one-time front man of the Teardrop Explodes’.

No matter how he’s best described, the absolute, undeniable truth about Julian Cope is that he’s a massive talent at pretty much any art form to which he turns his hand. He plays Birmingham this month in support of his new 'Best Of' compilation, Trip Advizor. The album follows hot on the heels of debut novel One Three One, which has been described by The Irish Times as an experience akin to ‘Samuel Beckett on a bender’.

Hugely talented and widely admired they may be, but never let it be said that the Sleaze Brothers run the risk of taking themselves too seriously. They’re happy to be known as the band who play the most dangerous blues, soul and rock’n’roll music this side of, er, Bloxwich! As long as their audience is having a good time, which they invariably are, the band are happy. They’re appearing here having previously wowed the locals at the Lichfield Fuse Festival 2014.

Blair Dunlop Stafford Gatehouse, Mon 12 January

Hayseed Dixie Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Tues 20 January

Although they’ve produced some pretty unforgettable and comically crude songs, including I'm Keeping Your Poop In A Jar and She Was Skinny When I Met Her, Hayseed Dixie are probably best known for their rollicking rockgrass covers. Co-founder, guitarist and frontman John Wheeler names Motorhead’s Ace Of Spades as his favourite, but it’s the music of AC/DC with which they’re most closely associated. Kiss, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles and Queen are others to have received the Hayseed Dixie treatment. Having played over one thousand gigs in thirty-plus countries, it’s fair to say they’re a much-loved act, so bag yourself a ticket asap.

Singer, songwriter and guitarist Blair is part of a musical dynasty, his father being Ashley Hutchings, the famed co-founder of Fairport Convention. Ashley joined his son on the latter’s debut offering, Blight And Blossom, a release which was hailed as one of the most well-crafted folk albums of 2013. Second album House Of Jacks saw Blair evolve his music further, creating a more contemporary sound and once again scoring a hit with both critics and public alike.

Jessie J O2 Academy, Birmingham, Tues, 27 January

After her career breakthrough girl-power anthem Do It Like A Dude stormed the charts in 2010, Jessie J followed up with worldwide hits like Price Tag and Domino. In so doing, she secured her status as one of the twentyfirst century’s major music stars.

Her appearance as a judge on BBC One Saturday night talent show The Voice, allied to her contribution to The Queen’s Jubilee celebrations, offered further evidence that she’s got what it takes to stay in the limelight for a long time to come.

She’s recently released her third studio album, Sweet Talker, which peaked at number five in the UK.

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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

Human League Civic Hall, Wolverhampton

Being a man in my mid-40s, the 1980s are undoubtedly the best decade for pop music. And if you want proof, look no further than The Human League. Originally formed in 1977, they’re still going strong today, and their gig at Wolverhampton’s Civic Hall was a slice of synthpop heaven.

Frontman Phil Oakey has lost none of the powerful individuality in his voice. Together with the joyful Joanne and Susan, he takes us on a journey through all the hits.

Of course, everyone knows classics like Don’t You Want Me and Together In Electric Dreams (two of the best pop songs ever written), but other stand-out performances included The Things That Dreams Are Made Of, Heart Like A Wheel and the heartbreakingly British Louise.

Ably backed by three musicians and with excellent use of video backdrops, The Human League provided an evening that felt both nostalgic yet completely fresh. This was the first time I’d seen them live; it won’t be the last. Jack Rolfe nnnnn

THU 1 JAN BELOW NEW YEARS DAY SPECIAL Featuring Kerri Chandler, Dungeon Meat, Subb-an, Adam Shelton and more, The Rainbow Venues, Birmingham

FRI 2 JAN THE SPIRIT & SOUND OF STEELY DAN: NEARLY DAN IN CONCERT The Robin, Bilston URBAN INTRO The Jam House, Birmingham THE ROD STEWART EXPERIENCE The River Rooms, Stourbridge NORTHERN SOUL NIGHT Artrix, Bromsgrove

SAT 3 JAN

Peter Gabriel Genting Arena (formerly the LG Arena), Birmingham

I last saw Peter Gabriel live in 1980 and he was brilliant. I therefore arrived at the LG Arena with some trepidation. Did he still have that immensely breathtaking voice and off-the-wall sense of theatre?

I was absolutely not disappointed. We were treated to a sumptuous three-course meal. The starter was an acoustic set, including new song What Lies Ahead. An electric main course followed, the full band playing classics like Secret World, No Self Control and Solsbury Hill.

The dessert - the complete SO album - was the main driver behind the Back To Front tour.

Accompanied by a pulsating and innovative light show, Sledgehammer, Red Rain and Big Time were delivered with a real intensity that seemed to pin you to your seat. The crowd were in awe of the power of Gabriel’s voice and his stage presence. The band - the original lineup for SO - weren’t bad either. I did rather hopefully wonder whether Kate Bush would take the stage for Don’t Give Up, but Jennie Abrahamson delivered a captivating performance in her place.

There was a return to the food theme in the encore with The Tower That Ate People. The descending lights and spiral cloth in which Gabriel vanished was perhaps harking back to his Genesis roots and the Lamb Lies Down On Broadway. The final song was the ultimate freedom anthem, Biko. There is really nothing more to be said.

Adrian Foster nnnnn

JEAN GENIE - TRIBUTE TO DAVID BOWIE The Robin, Bilston KING PLEASURE & THE BISCUIT BOYS Artrix, Bromsgrove URBAN INTRO The Jam House, Birmingham 80S & 90S VIDEO DISCO The River Rooms, Stourbridge SLAB, I HATE YOU MORE & FORGOTTEN REMAINS The Roadhouse, Birmingham

SUN 4 JAN ONE NIGHT OF QUEEN Victoria Hall, Stoke-onTrent

MON 5 JAN THE FREE LOVE CLUB The Yardbird Jazz Club, Birmingham

WED 7 JAN PASADENA ROOF ORCHESTRA New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme LEE ROGERS & OZ MCGOWAN The Jam House, Birmingham KIM LOWINGS AND THE GREENWOOD AND CAZ FORBES & STE MONCRIEFF Red Lion Folk Club, Birmingham

THU 8 JAN ROXY MAGIC The Robin, Bilston THE BOOGIE BAPTISTES The Jam House, Birmingham

FRI 9 JAN WHO'S WHO The Robin, Bilston AC/DC TRIBUTE - HELLS BELLS The Roadhouse, Birmingham THE SUBTERRANEANS The Jam House, B’ham THE FESTIVALS EXPERIENCE The River Rooms,

16 www.whatsonlive.co.uk

Stourbridge AFRICAN CHILDREN’S CHOIR CONCERT Stratford Artshouse SO CALLED ENEMY The Oobleck, Birmingham

SAT 10 JAN THE JOHNNY CASH ROADSHOW Artrix, Bromsgrove THINK FLOYD The Robin, Bilston STIPE - R.E.M TRIBUTE The Roadhouse, Birmingham THE SLEAZE BROTHERS Lichfield Guildhall, Staffs FIRE AND MORE FIRE & HEARTFIRE The Actress & Bishop, Birmingham THE SUBTERRANEANS The Jam House, Birmingham ABBA - SWEDE DREAMZ The River Rooms, Stourbridge

SUN 11 JAN THE RAT PACK Artrix, Bromsgrove SAMSARA, THEIR SOULS FOR GOLD, HUNG DRAWN QUARTERED, THIS MEMORY, OFFSHORE, ANTOINETTE AND MORE...

The Roadhouse, Birmingham

MON 12 JAN BLAIR DUNLOP Stafford Gatehouse Theatre

TUE 13 JAN JAMES VECK-GILODI The Institute, Birmingham THE WEDDING CRASHERS The Jam House, Birmingham

WED 14 JAN HATS OFF TO LED ZEPPELIN Belgrade Theatre, Coventry MATT WOOSEY The Robin, Bilston MARTIN CARTHY New Vic Theatre, Newcastleunder-Lyme GOSPEL CENTRAL The Jam House, Birmingham PHIL BEER Red Lion Folk Club, Birmingham

Leek APOLLO SOUL The Jam House, Birmingham THE ELO EXPERIENCE Solihull Arts Complex

FRI 16 JAN SNAKECHARMER The Robin, Bilston THE ELO EXPERIENCE Solihull Arts Complex THE SIMON AND GARFUNKEL STORY Belgrade Theatre, Coventry THE COUNTERFEIT STONES Artrix, Bromsgrove PAUL CARRACK Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent UP4 THE DOWNSTROKE The Jam House, Birmingham FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND The Institute, Birmingham FIRST AID KIT Symphony Hall, Birmingham ALEX GOOT O2 Academy, Birmingham REMI HARRIS TRIO Lichfield Garrick, Staffs HAPPY MONDAZE The Marr’s Bar, Worcester SONGS OF PRAISE WITH MALCOLM STENT Palace Theatre, Redditch PERMAGEDDON The River Rooms, Stourbridge GLORY DAYS The Roadhouse, Birmingham SEEDY SONICS The Rainbow Venues, Birmingham DIRTY MONEY NO.5, CALLING ALL SURVIVORS & SURBURBAN RADIO The Sugarmill, Stoke-onTrent REGGAE SOCIAL WITH KIOKO, LOBSTER & YOUNG CULTURE COLLECTIVE Hare & Hounds, Birmingham

SAT 17 JAN ULTIMATE GENESIS The Robin, Bilston CLAUDE BOURBON Birchmeadow, Broseley, Shropshire 80'S MANIA Belgrade Theatre, Coventry ANTARCTIC MONKEYS The Roadhouse, Birmingham BENJI KIRKPATRICK Ludlow Assembly Rooms, Shropshire GORDON GILTRAP Huntingdon Hall, Worcs FODEN'S BAND Festival Drayton Centre, Market Drayton, Shropshire BETHAN LEADLEY The Institute, Birmingham PEACE The Institute, Birmingham

THU 15 JAN TOMMY EMMANUEL Birmingham Town Hall BUDDY HOLLY - A LEGEND REBORN Belgrade Theatre, Coventry AARON CARTER The Institute, Birmingham ROD AND THE FACEZ The Robin, Bilston THE JOHNNY CASH ROADSHOW Crewe Lyceum DIE ANTWOORD The Institute, Birmingham LIMEHOUSE LIZZY Foxlowe Arts Centre,

Peace

THE LATE RUNNERS The Actress & Bishop, Birmingham NOW 80S The River Rooms, Stourbridge WILD FLOWER SEXTET

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The Hive, Shrewsbury UP4 THE DOWNSTROKE The Jam House, Birmingham RICK WAKEMAN Lichfield Garrick, Staffs THE DEVIL’S WELL, BLACK RUSSIAN & STONE COLD KILLERS The Marr’s Bar, Worcester THE COUNTERFEIT STONES Artrix, Bromsgrove

SUN 18 JAN SPITTING FEATHERS The Roadhouse, Birmingham LUNA ROSSA The Robin, Bilston SING-A-LONG-A FROZEN Crewe Lyceum THE JIGANTICS Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry VERA VAN HEERINGEN Kitchen Garden Cafe, Birmingham

MON 19 JAN VAMPIRES ROCK Belgrade Theatre, Coventry NILS LOFGREN Birmingham Town Hall LE VENT DU NORD New Vic Theatre, Newcastleunder-Lyme, Staffs LAURA JURD SEPTET Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry BONFIRE RADICALS Kitchen Garden Cafe, Birmingham ham

TUE 20 JAN

GERARD WAY O2 Academy, Birmingham THE WEEKS O2 Academy, Birmingham HAYSEED DIXIE Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry THE JAZZ COMPOSERS ENSEMBLE The Jam House, Birmingham

WED 21 JAN ROLL OUT THE BARRELL Wolverhampton Grand Theatre RUMOURS OF FLEETWOOD MAC Crewe Lyceum CELLOPHONY New Vic Theatre, Newcastleunder-Lyme BROTHERS GROOVE The Jam House, Birmingham MEGSON Red Lion Folk Club, Birmingham Megson

THU 22 JAN RAT PACK LIVE Belgrade Theatre, Coventry AYNSLEY LISTER BAND The Robin, Bilston TALON - THE ACOUSTIC COLLECTION Huntingdon Hall, Worcs SHANNON SAUNDERS The Institute, Birmingham RICKY COOL & THE IN

CROWD The Jam House, Birmingham IN BED WITH Hare & Hounds, Birmingham

FRI 23 JAN THE DOORS ALIVE The Robin, Bilston ABBA MANIA Wolverhampton Grand Theatre THE ELVIS YEARS Belgrade Theatre, Coventry VAMPIRES ROCK The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury QUEEN + ADAM LAMBERT Barclaycard Arena (formerly NIA), Birmingham GREEN HAZE The Roadhouse, Birmingham SEEKING DAYLIGHT O2 Academy, Birmingham DETROIT SOUL The Jam House, Birmingham ATOMIC JAM 19TH BIRTHDAY PARTY PART 2 NextDoor, Birmingham DEFINITELY MIGHTBE & ADORED The River Rooms, Stourbridge MIDLAND YOUTH JAZZ ORCHESTRA & CLARE TEAL Solihull Arts Complex HOZIER The Institute, Birmingham CADDY COOPER The Edge Arts Centre, Much Wenlock, South Shropshire SING-A-LONG-A SOUND OF MUSIC Crewe Lyceum

SAT 24 JAN THE SENSATIONAL 60'S EXPERIENCE Wolverhampton Grand Theatre PAUL CARRACK Symphony Hall, Birmingham DETROIT SOUL The Jam House, Birmingham MERCURY - THE ULTIMATE QUEEN TRIBUTE New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham THE SUPERSKAS The Robin, Bilston SUPREME QUEEN Artrix, Bromsgrove LITTLE CHIX Belgrade Theatre, Coventry OYE SANTANA The Roadhouse, Birmingham THE ELO EXPERIENCE Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury GORDON DAVIS AS ELVIS PRESLEY Solihull Arts Complex AMON AMARTH The Sugarmill, Stoke-on-Trent PEACE The Institute, Birmingham CRAIG CHARLES Hare & Hounds, Birmingham PAUL RAYMOND The Asylum, Birmingham DAS SEXY CLAP The Marr’s Bar, Worcester BRIEFCASE BLUES SOUL BROTHERS Nailcote Hall, Berkswell, Warwickshire ULTRA 90S The River Rooms, Stourbridge

SUN 25 JAN FROM THE JAM Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent GERRY COLVIN Kitchen Garden Cafe, Birmingham SAVE YOUR BREATH The Asylum, Birmingham JULIAN COPE Glee Club, Birmingham

SISTER SHOTGUN, CHASING DRAGONS, STONE BROKEN & CANCEL TOMORROW The Robin, Bilston

MON 26 JAN MARK LANEGAN BAND The Institute, Birmingham SAY WE CAN FLY O2 Academy, Birmingham

TUE 27 JAN NECK DEEP O2 Academy, Birmingham SETH LAKEMAN Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury SHE'KOYOKH Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa SLIPKNOT The Barclaycard Arena (formerly the NIA), Birmingham CHARLIE SIMPSON The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton ALVVAYS Hare & Hounds, Birmingham JESSIE J O2 Academy, Birmingham MIRANDA SYKES AND REX PRESTON The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury MENACE BEACH Hare & Hounds, Birmingham CAHALEN MORRISON & ELI WEST Kitchen Garden Cafe, Birmingham

WED 28 JAN SKINNY MOLLY FEAT MIKE ESTES The Robin, Bilston KENNY THOMAS The Jam House, Birmingham THE ACOUSTIC STRAWBS Red Lion Folk Club, Birmingham SHEBREW, THEIA, SALVATION, ARAMANTUS The Roadhouse, Birmingham PHANTOM & THE MUSICALS Solihull Arts Complex MARTIN CARTHY Kitchen Garden Cafe, Birmingham

THU 29 JAN KING PLEASURE & THE BISCUIT BOYS The Robin, Bilston THE THREE DEGREES Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury FAIRPORT CONVENTION The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury KING CREOSOTE Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry MOOSE BLOOD The Oobleck, Birmingham DEL CAMINO The Jam House, Birmingham JUKEBOX HEROES Solihull Arts Complex GOODALL, MUSIC LIKE LEMONS & PETERS AND DOG The Roadhouse, Birmingham

FRI 30 JAN THE DEEP PURPLE FAMILY TREE The Robin, Bilston STRAIGHT NO CHASER Birmingham Town Hall LIGHTS O2 Academy, Birmingham FRONT PORCH STEP & ROB LYNCH The Asylum, Birmingham

Andrew Weatherall & Mark E - Hare & Hounds, Birmingham

DURAN: THE TRIBUTE The Roadhouse, Birmingham TALON - THE BEST OF EAGLES Solihull Arts Complex THE SONGS OF DON WILLIAMS AND PATSY CLINE WITH THE PETE BODDIS COUNTRY BAND Huntingdon Hall, Worcs FAIRPORT CONVENTION Lichfield Guildhall, Staffs THE MARTIN BARRE BAND Artrix, Bromsgrove AMON AMARTH The Assembly, Leamington Spa NIPSEY HUSSLE The Institute, Birmingham THE UPBEAT BEATLES Lichfield Garrick, Staffs LEVELLERS Malvern Theatres RUBY TURNER Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry ANDREW WEATHERALL &

MARK E Hare & Hounds, Birmingham THE RED LEMONS The Jam House, Birmingham BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN THE BOSS UK The River Rooms, Stourbridge MARTY WILDE & THE WILDCATS Solihull Arts Complex ADAM FRENCH, RACING GLACIERS, DELAMERE, RINSE & MOITESSIER The Sugarmill, Stoke-onTrent

SAT 31 JAN BOOTLEG ABBA & BEE GEES FEVER The Robin, Bilston T.REXTASY Artrix, Bromsgrove LARRY MILLER The Assembly, Leamington Spa BLOBBIE WILLIAMS Hunt-

ingdon Hall, Worcs THE MIGHTY WRAITH O2 Academy, Birmingham BONNIE DOBSON Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry CHRIS DEAN'S SYD LAWRENCE ORCHESTRA Lichfield Garrick, Staffs KINGS OF COOL WITH MATT FORD Solihull Arts Complex, Coventry THE RED LEMONS The Jam House, B’ham RATTLESNAKE JAKE The Marr’s Bar, Worcester THE LENNON AND MCCARTNEY EXPERIENCE Nailcote Hall, Berkswell, Warwickshire THE WEEKEND ANTHEMS The River Rooms, Stourbridge UPROAR The Institute, Birmingham

Music Venues Box Office Across The Midlands Birmingham 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 THE INSTITUTE 0121 643 0428 IRISH CENTRE 0121 622 2314 THE JAM HOUSE 0121 200 3030 THE KITCHEN GARDEN CAFE 0121 443 4725 GENTING ARENA 0844 338 8000 BARCLAYCARD ARENA 0844 338 8000 THE RAINBOW 0121 772 8174 RED LION FOLK CLUB 0121472 4253 THE ROADHOUSE 0121 246 2273 ROUTE 44 0121 708 0108 SYMPHONY HALL 0121 780 3333 THE VICTORIA 0121 633 9439

THE YARDBIRD 0121 212 2524

Black Country 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

Staffordshire 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 STAFFORD GATEHOUSE

01785 254653

0870 320 7000

Warwickshire

STOURBRIDGE TOWN HALL 01384 812812 WULFRUN HALL, WOLVERHAMPTON

THE ASSEMBLY, LEAMINGTON 01926 311311

0870 320 7000

Shropshire 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 LUDLOW ASSEMBLY ROOMS 01584 878141 THEATRE SEVERN, SHREWSBURY 01743 281281 THE PLACE, OAKENGATES, TELFORD 01952 382382 WEM TOWN HALL 01939 232299

THE KASBAH, COVENTRY 024 7655 4473 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

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Classical Jan..qxp_Layout 1 19/12/2014 12:10 Page 1

Sunday 18 January, 3pm Royal Pump Rooms, The Parade

BENYOUNES STRING QUARTET Haydn Quartet in C Op 54 No 2 Tost, Mendelssohn Quartet in Eb Op 12, Brahms Quartet in G minor Op 51 No 1

Sunday 15 February, 3pm Royal Spa Centre, Newbold Terrace

EMMA JOHNSON CLARINET JOHN LENEHAN PIANO

Brahms and Saint-Saens Clarinet Sonatas plus Weber, Chopin, Lutoslawski, Bernstein

Sunday 15 March, 11.30am Royal Spa Centre, Newbold Terrace

ENSEMBLE 360 WITH POLLY IVES Paul Rissmann’s newest work

CRAZY CREATURES following success of Stan and Mabel and Sir Scallywag and the Golden Underpants Sunday 15 March, 3pm Royal Spa Centre, Newbold Terrace

ENSEMBLE 360

Dvorak Piano Quintet in A Op 81, Mozart Adagio and Rondo in C K617 Spohr Nonet in F Op 31

Tuesday 24 February, 7.30pm St Mary’s Church

LA SERENISSIMA

Virtuoso violin sonatas played by Adrian Chandler

Albinoni, Montanari, Pisendel, Vivaldi

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FAMILY CONCERT recommended for age 3-7

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Classical Music PREVIEWS

Benyounes String Quartet Royal Pump Rooms, Leamington Spa, Sun 18 January

The Benyounes Quartet is one of the most engaging young ensembles to have emerged from the UK in recent years.

They formed at the Royal Northern College of Music in 2007 - and have been making a significant international splash pretty much ever since.

Appearing in Leamington as part of their Music In The Round tour, they present a programme comprising Haydn’s String Quartet op.54 no.2, Mendelssohn’s String Quartet in E flat op.12 and Brahms’ String Quartet op.51 no.2.

The Halle Orchestra Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent, Fri 2 January

Academy Of Ancient Music Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Thurs 29 January

The Academy of Ancient Music’s concerts have been described as ‘transmitting the kick of an energy drink’ - an assessment with which the ensemble are entirely happy. The highly acclaimed orchestra’s stated aim is ‘to energise baroque and classical music’ - and to do it, they get back to the style and spirit in which the music was first performed.

This latest Academy offering presents a selection of works by Mozart: The Marriage Of Figaro Overture 4; Piano Concerto No 24; Piano Concerto No 25; and Symphony No 35, Haffner.

The Academy are joined for the concert by inspirational scholar-pianist Robert Levin.

Ex Cathedra: New Jerusalem Birmingham Town Hall, Sat 31 January

British choir and early music ensemble Ex Cathedra has based its reputation on the performance of choral music from the fifteenth century onwards. The choir comprises between twenty and forty singers and regularly commissions new works. Each year it presents a season of eight diverse programmes in a variety of venues in and around the Midlands and London.

This latest concert sees the ensemble performing Sir Hubert Parry’s Jerusalem and Songs Of Farewell alongside new works by Roxanna Panufnik (Since We Parted) and James MacMillan (Seven Angels), both of which are here receiving their world premiere.

Ex Cathedra’s conductor and artistic director, Jeffrey Skidmore

Since its first concert in 1858, the Manchester-based Halle has been a force to be reckoned with. The orchestra is renowned for its affinity with English music - particularly the works of Elgar and Delius. Since September 2000, the Halle’s been under the charge of acclaimed conductor Sir Mark Elder, an appointment which has seen a rise in its international profile and led to numerous significant awards... This Potteries concert sees the orchestra taking its annual waltz, march and polka around the ballrooms of Vienna.

Charismatic soprano Rebecca Bottone adds further glamour to the occasion.

Voces8 The Barber Institute, Birmingham, Wed 21 January

Fitzwilliam String Quartet Artrix, Bromsgrove, Fri 23 January

The Fitzwilliam String Quartet is an ensemble with a long and illustrious history.

Founded in 1968 by four Cambridge undergraduates, the quartet were befriended by Dmitri Shostakovich, who entrusted them with the Western premières of his last three quartets. The ensemble then became the first group to perform and record all fifteen.

Inevitably the quartet’s line-up has changed numerous times down the years, but the commitment to high-quality work remains very much intact.

This latest concert presents a fascinating programme of music written during the two World Wars. Featured works are: Delius’ String Quartet (1916/17); Vaughan Williams’ String Quartet No.2 in A Minor (1943); Suk Meditation on the St Wenceslas Chorale (1914); and Shostakovich’s String Quartet No.3 in F Major Op 73 (1946).

Highly acclaimed a cappella octet Voces8 are just as happy performing early English and European Renaissance choral works as they are their own arrangements.

The talented ensemble are one of the UK’s most popular classical groups, their concerts offering a mouthwatering combination of jazz and pop arrangements, traditional music and musical hits.

This Barber concert sees the octet exploring the simple beauty of plainsong and the rich harmonies of Rachmaninov, as well as paying homage to the brilliance of the Sinatra-led Rat Pack.

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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, Rainer Hersch (presenter) and Johann Strauss Dancers, Thurs 1 Jan, Symphony Hall, Birmingham HALLE ORCHESTRA Fri 2 Jan, Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent CBSO: THE MAGIC OF VIENNA Featuring Duncan Ward (conductor) & Kate Royal (soprano), Sat 3 Jan, Malvern Theatres CBSO: THE MAGIC OF VIENNA Featuring works

by Strauss, Delibes & Mozart, Sun 4 Jan, Symphony Hall, Birmingham CBSO: RACHMANINOV'S THIRD PIANO CONCERTO Featuring Alexander Vedernikov (conductor) & Nicolai Lugansky (piano), Thurs 8 Jan, Symphony Hall, Birmingham PURCELL SCHOOL LUNCHTIME CONCERT Thurs 8 Jan, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry CBSO: CENTRE STAGE Featuring Nikolai Lugansky (piano), Byron Parish (violin) & David Powell (cello), Fri 9 Jan, CBSO Centre, Birmingham CBSO RACHMANINOV'S THIRD PIANO CONCERTO Featuring Alexander Vedernikov (conductor) & Nicolai Lugansky (piano), Sat 10 Jan, Symphony Hall, Birmingham GALLIARD ENSEMBLE: THE THREE LITTLE PIGS Animal-themed family concert featuring Viv

McLean, Sat 10 Jan, Symphony Hall Cafe Bar, Birmingham ORIFLAMME & ANTOINE MITCHELL Sat 10 Jan, St Mary's Church, Warwick CBSO: SCHUBERT'S GREAT Programme includes; Beethoven’s Coriolan Overture, Mahle’s Songs of a Wayfarer & Schubert’s Symphony No 9 The Great, Wed 14 Jan, Symphony Hall, Birmingham CBSO: CENTRE STAGE Featuring Zoe Beyers & Moritz Pfister (violins), Adam Romer & Myriam Guillaume (violas) & Richard Jenkinson & Kate Setterfield (cellos).

Programme includes works by Strauss & Korngold, Thurs 15 Jan, CBSO Centre, Birmingham MURRAY MCCLACHLAN (PIANO) Lunchtime concert, Thurs 15 Jan, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry MARIE-ELISABETH HECKER AND MARTIN HELMCHEN Programme includes J S Bach’s Sonata No 3; Stravinsky’s Suite Italienne & Rachmaninov’s Cello Sonata, Fri 16 Jan, Birmingham Town Hall CBSO: SCHUBERT'S GREAT Programme includes Beethoven’s Coriolan Overture, Mahler’s Songs of a Wayfarer & Schubert’s Symphony No 9 The Great, Sat 17 Jan, Symphony Hall, Birmingham THE MERRY WIDOW: MET OPERA LIVE Met Opera Live screening of Franz Lehar's beguiling tale.

Emma Johnson - Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry

Renee Fleming stars, Sat 17 Jan, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry THE MERRY WIDOW: MET OPERA LIVE Met Opera Live screening of Franz Lehar's beguiling tale.

Renee Fleming stars, Sat 17 Jan, Malvern Theatres OMO BELLO Programme includes works by Bellini, Rossini, Verdi, Respighi & Totsi, Sun 18 Jan, Birmingham Town Hall PETER CROPPER & FRIENDS Programme comprises Brahms’ String Sextet No1 in Bb, Op18 & Brahms’ String Sextet No2 in G, Op36, Sun 18 Jan, Lion Hotel, Shrewsbury ENO SCREENING: BENVENUTO CELLINI Presented by English National Opera, Sun 18 Jan, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry BENYOUNES STRING QUARTET Featuring Zara Benyounes & Emily Holland (violins), Sara Roberts (viola) & Kim Vaughan (cello). Programme includes works

by Haydn, Mendelssohn and Brahms, Sun 18 Jan, Royal Pump Rooms, Leamington Spa LUNCHTIME ORGAN CONCERT WITH THOMAS TROTTER Programme includes works by Dukas, JS Bach, Ponchielli & Frances Grier, Mon 19 Jan, Birmingham Town Hall CBSO SCHOOL'S CONCERT: THE CBSO'S GUIDE TO THE ORCHESTRA Tue 20 - Fri 23 Jan, Symphony Hall, Birmingham BENJAMIN GROSVENOR IN RECITAL Wed 21 Jan, Birmingham Town Hall MARRIAGE OF FIGARO Olivier Award-winning OperaUpClose present a new English version of Mozart's joyous opera, Wed 21 Jan, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry VOCES8 WITH BIRMINGHAM UNIVERSITY SINGERS Programme includes works by Byrd, Praetorius, Monteverdi & Gabrieli, Wed 21 Jan, The Barber Institute, Birmingham CBSO: SPANISH NIGHT Programme includes; Ravel’s Rapsodie Espagnole, Falla’s El Amor Brujo & Ravel’s Bolero, Thurs 22 Jan, Symphony Hall, Birmingham KALEIDOSCOPE ENSEMBLE Featuring Mark O’Brien (clarinet), Jane Wright & Elizabeth Golding (violins), Michael Jenkinson (viola) & Helen Edgar (cello). Programme includes works by Kokal & Brahms, Thurs 22 Jan, CBSO Centre,

Freddy Kempf - Symphony Hall, Birmingham

Birmingham CARMEN Opera Warwick present Bizet’s passionate opera. Lorna Jones stars, Thurs 22 - Sat 24 Jan, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry FITZWILLIAM STRING QUARTET Programme includes works by Delius, Vaughan Williams, Suk & Shostakovich, Fri 23 Jan, Artrix, Bromsgrove BADKE QUARTET Programme includes works

by Haydn, Ravel & Schubert, Sat 24 Jan, Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire ROYAL NORTHERN SINFONIA Featuring Emma Johnson on clarinet.

Programme comprises Barber's Adagio; Mozart's Clarinet Concerto; Copland's Clarinet Concerto & Mozart's Symphony No.29, Sat 24 Jan, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry SING-A-LONG WITH THE CBSO: MOZART'S REQUIEM One-off performance from scratch, Sun 25 Jan, Symphony Hall, Birmingham THE COULL QUARTET Sun 25 Jan, Huntingdon Hall, Worcs SHE’KOYOKH Music for National Holocaust Memorial Day, Tues 27 Jan, St Mary’s Church, Warwick CBSO: AMERICAN CLASSICS WITH FREDDY KEMPF Programme includes works by Bernstein. Gershwin and Korngold, Wed 28 Jan, Symphony Hall, Birmingham CELLOPHONY CELLE ENSEMBLE Programme includes works by Bach, Schubert & Wagner, Wed 28 Jan, New Vic Theatre, Newcastleunder-Lyme ACADEMY OF ANCIENT MUSIC PLAYS MOZART Programme includes;

Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro Overture, Robert Levin’s Improvised prelude & Mozart’s - Piano Concerto No 24, Piano Concerto No 25 & Symphony No 35 Haffner, Thurs 29 Jan, Symphony Hall, Birmingham MANCHESTER CAMERATA Featuring Gabor Takacs-Nagy (conductor) & Adi Brett (violin).

Programme includes Stravinsky's Concerto in D for Strings 'Basel Concerto'; Haydn's Violin Concerto in C Major, Hob. Vlla:1; Mozart's Divertimento in F, K.138 & Tchaikovsky's Serenade in C Major, Op.48, Thurs 29 Jan, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre SITKOVETSKY PIANO TRIO Programme includes works by Beethoven, Mendelssohn & Dvorak, Thurs 29 Jan, Malvern Theatre JOHANNES MOLLER (GUITAR) Lunchtime concert, Thurs 29 Jan, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry CBSO: FRIDAY NIGHT CLASSICS - BEST OF THE WEST END Featuring Michael England (conductor) & West End star vocalists including Jacqui Scott & Scott Davies, Fri 30 Jan, Symphony Hall, Birmingham LAURA VAN DER HEIJDEN & TOM POSTER Programme includes works

by Beethoven, Schubert, Faure & Poulenc, Fri 30 Jan, Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury JUBILEE STRING QUARTET Featuring Tereza Privratska & Alma Olite (violins), Stephanie Edmundson (viola) & Lauren Steel (cello).

Programme includes works by Mozart, Bartok & Mendelssohn, Fri 30 Jan, Royal Pump Rooms, Leamington Spa MET OPERA: OFFENBACH LES CONTES D’HOFFMANN Sat 31 Jan,

Malvern Theatres MET OPERA: LES CONTES D’HOFFMANN Sat 31 Jan, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry BIRMINGHAM CONTEMPORARY MUSIC GROUP: UK FIRSTS Concert packed with premieres, Sat 31 Jan, CBSO Centre, Birmingham EX CATHEDRA: NEW JERUSALEM Featuring works by Parry, Roxanna Panufnik & James MacMillan, Sat 31 Jan, Birmingham Town Hall

Classical Box Office ADRIAN BOULT HALL, B’HAM 0121 331 5901 ARTRIX, BROMSGROVE 01527 577330 BARBER INSTITUTE, BIRMINGHAM 0121 414 7333 BIRMINGHAM CONSERVATOIRE 0121 331 5901/2 BIRMINGHAM TOWN HALL 0121 780 3333 BRAMALL CONCERT HALL, BIRMINGHAM 0121 414 3344 CBSO CENTRE, BIRMINGHAM 0121 780 3333 EVESHAM ARTS CENTRE 01386 446944 MALVERN THEATRE 01684 892277 NEW ALEXANDRA THEATRE, BIRMINGHAM 0844 871 3011 ROSES THEATRE, TEWKESBURY 01684 295074 TOWN HALL LEAMINGTON SPA 01926 334418 STRATFORD ARTSHOUSE 01789 207100 STRATFORD UPON AVON TOWN HALL 01789 269332 SYMPHONY HALL, BIRMINGHAM 0121 780 3333 WARWICK ARTS CENTRE 02476 524524

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Comedy Omid Djalili

Comedy Box Office

Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Sunday 25 January

A fella who's been referred to as 'the thinking person's Iranian comedian', funnyman Omid Djalili is a firm favourite at the Edinburgh Festival, and is probably one of the most subversive comedians currently doing the rounds on the UK comedy circuit. An actor as well as a comedian, Omid has trodden the boards in versions of The Shawshank Redemption and Joe Orton's acclaimed comedy What The Butler Saw. He also took the lead role in the David Baddiel film The Infidel.

Gary Delaney The George Hotel, Lichfield, Thursday 8 January; The Glee Club, Birmingham, Friday 16 - Saturday 17 January

“The hardest part of running competitively in Wales must be keeping up with the Joneses,” quips Gary Delaney. And Gary’s certainly no one-gag pony: “My girlfriend’s dog died, so to cheer her up I went out and got her an identical one. She was livid and yelled, ‘What am I going to do with two dead dogs?’”. Suffice it to say there’ll be plenty more where those came from when the Solihull-born laughter merchant returns to his Midlands roots this month.

Holly Walsh Bramall Music Building, Birmingham, Thursday 15 January

Nerdy lateral-thinker Holly is a familiar face on television, with shows like Mock The Week and Never Mind The Buzzcocks liberally peppering her CV. When she’s not busy being funny herself, she’s making writing contributions to TV shows such as Cardinal Burns, Psychobitches and Dead Boss, the latter of which she co-wrote with Sharon Horgen.

Jokes include: “Like most people my age, I’m twenty-seven” and “What is amnesia?

Is it (a) memory loss, (a) memory loss, or (4) the Battle of Hastings?”

22 www.whatsonlive.co.uk

Jimmy Carr Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent, Saturday 31 January; De Montfort Hall, Leicester, Friday 6 February; Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Saturday 21 February

There tends to be no middle ground when it comes to comedians people either love ’em or hate ’em. This would seem to be particularly true in the case of Jimmy Carr. That said, judging by his regular presence on all manner of TV comedy programmes, it would appear there are considerably more people in the 'for' camp than there are in the 'against'. So if you've got yourself a ticket to one of these shows, it's reasonable to assume you know what you're in for and are going to have one heck of a good time!

Andrew Lawrence Artrix, Bromsgrove, Friday 9 January; Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Friday 16 January; mac, Birmingham, Saturday 31 January

He's not a particularly well known or much-lauded funnyman, but it’s fair to say Andrew Lawrence’s profile has been raised a bit recently as a result of his involvement in a Twitter spat between Nigel Farage and Frankie Boyle.

Lawrence accused panel shows of indulging in “liberal back-slapping”, claiming they featured “ageing, balding, fat men, ethnic comedians and women posing as comedians” who spent their time making jokes at the expense of UKIP and Farage. Not surprisingly Farage liked what he heard, tweeting “It's rare to find someone so honest in the media, particularly in comedy”, to which Boyle replied: “There are a lot of honest people in comedy, which is why they keep calling you a c**t”.

ARTRIX, BROMSGROVE 01527 577330 BIRMINGHAM TOWN HALL 0121 780 3333 CIVIC HALL, WOLVERHAMPTON 0870 320 7000 COURTYARD THEATRE, HEREFORD 01432 340555 THE DRUM, BIRMINGHAM 0121 333 2444 DRUMMONDS BAR, WORCESTER 01905 28190 THE EDGE ARTS CENTRE, MUCH WENLOCK 01952 728911 EVESHAM ARTS CENTRE, WORCESTERSHIRE 01386 446944 FOXLOWE ARTS CENTRE, LEEK, STAFFS 01538 386112 THE GEORGE HOTEL, BURSLEM, STAFFS 07763301081 THE GLEE CLUB, BIRMINGHAM 0871 4720400 HIGHLIGHT, BIRMINGHAM 0844 844 0044 HUNTINGDON HALL, WORCESTER, 01905 611427 KITCHEN GARDEN CAFE, BIRMINGHAM 0121 443 4725 LUDLOW ASSEMBLY ROOMS 01584 878141 MAC, BIRMINGHAM 0121 446 3232 OAKENGATES THEATRE, TELFORD 01952 382382 PALACE THEATRE, REDDITCH 01527 65203 PLAYERS BAR, BIRMINGHAM 0121 643 6871 THE ROSES THEATRE TEWKESBURY 01684 295074 ROYAL SPA CENTRE, LEAMINGTON SPA 01926 334418 SHOWCASE, COVENTRY 0871 220 1000 THE SLADE ROOMS, WOLVERHAMPTON 0870 320 7000 SOLIHULL ARTS COMPLEX 0121 704 6962 STAFFORD GATEHOUSE THEATRE 01785 619080 THEATRE SEVERN, SHREWSBURY 01743 281281 WARWICK ARTS CENTRE 02476 524524 WULFRUN HALL, WOLVERHAMPTON 0870 320 7000

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Comedy LISTINGS For full listing information on comedy gigs including times and dates visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk GARETH RICHARDS, HAYLEY ELLIS AND FRANK HONEYBONE Fri 2 Jan, Hereford Courtyard Theatre JIMMY MCGHIE, JOJO SMITH, ROB ROUSE AND COMIC TBC Sat 3 Jan, The Glee Club, Birmingham GARY DELANEY, DALISO CHAPONDA, JON WAGSTAFFE & RICH WILSON Thurs 8 Jan, The George Hotel, Lichfield KUM-N-AVALOFF COMEDY NIGHT Thurs 8 Jan Stourbridge Town Hall NICK DIXON, ADAM BLOOM, DAVE JOHNS & HENRY PARKER Fri 9 Sat 10 Jan, The Glee Club, Birmingham GEOFF BOYZ, SIMON BLIGH, TOM PRICE & CHRIS MCCAUSLAND Fri 9 - Sat 10 Jan, Jongleurs Comedy Club, Birmingham ANDREW LAWRENCE Fri 9 Jan, Artrix, Bromsgrove JIM DAVIDSON Sat 10 Jan, Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent ROY CHUBBY BROWN Sat 10 Jan, Crewe Lyceum

JUICE COMEDY Sat 10 Jan, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre JIM DAVIDSON Mon 12 Jan, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre LOUDEEMY SOUP COMEDY NIGHT Mon 12 Jan, The Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham ZOE LYONS, MAUREEN YOUNGER Wed 14 Jan, Kitchen Garden Cafe, Birmingham NATHAN CATON, HOLLY WALSH & IVO GRAHAM Thurs 15 Jan, Bramall Music Building, Birmingham ANDREW LAWRENCE Fri 16 Jan, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre ROB COLLINS, GARY DELANEY, PHIL JERROD & CHARLIE BAKER Fri 16 Sat 17 Jan, The Glee Club, Birmingham JOJO SMITH, BARRY DODDS, TREVOR CROOK & TOPPING & BUTCH Fri 16 - Sat 17 Jan, Jongleurs Comedy Club, Birmingham JIM DAVIDSON Sat 17 Jan, Bedworth Civic Hall KEN DODD Sun 18 Jan

Prince Of Wales Centre, Cannock Staffs TOADALLY FREE COMEDY! Mon 19 Jan, The Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham GEOFF NORCOTT, DANNY MCLOUGHLIN & COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBINSON Thurs 22 Jan, The Glee Club, B’ham JETHRO Fri 23 Jan, New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham CARL DONNELLY, JOHN GORDILLO, JOHN WAGSTAFFE & CHRIS PURCHASE Fri 23 Jan, Lichfield Garrick, Staffs RAY PEACOCK, STEVE BUGEJA & ADAM HESS Fri 23 Jan, Hereford Courtyard Theatre CHRIS CAIRNS, DAVID LONGLEY, JEFF INNOCENT & RUDI LICKWOOD Fri 23 - Sat 24 Jan, Jongleurs Comedy Club, Birmingham STAND-UP STAIRS COMEDY SHOW Fri 23 Jan, Palace Theatre, Redditch, Worcs COMEDY IN THE MET Sat 24 Jan, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre ALEX BOARDMAN, NATHAN CATON, GEOFF NORCOTT & DANNY MCLOUGHLIN Sat 24 Jan The Glee Club, Birmingham OMID DJALILI Sun 25 Jan, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury MARK WATSON Wed 28 Jan, Theatre Severn,

Shrewsbury JOHN SHUTTLEWORTH Wed 28 Jan, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry JOHN GORDILLO, JAMES ACASTER & COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBINSON Thurs 29 Jan, The Glee Club, Birmingham THE ONLY WAY IS DOWNTON Fri 30 Jan, The Swan Theatre Worcester KEVIN MCCARTHY, JEN BRISTER, JOHN GORDILLO & JAMES ACASTER Fri 30 - Sat 31 Jan, The Glee

Club, Birmingham MANDY KNIGHT, GEOFF NORCOTT, DAVID WHITNEY & ROGER MONKHOUSE Fri 30 Jan, Jongleurs Comedy Club, Birmingham DANNY BUCKLER, STEVE N ALLEN, ALEX HYLTON, LEA ROSE EMERY & COMPERE SHERAZ YOUSAF Fri 30 Jan, National brewery Centre, Burton-onTrent, Staffs JORDAN BROOKES, CHARLIE WEBSTER, ALEX KEALY, JON MURFIN, ALEX HYLTON, PAUL COOK &

GARY TRO Fri 30 Jan, Evesham Arts Centre, Worcestershire JIMMY CARR Sat 31 Jan, Victoria Hall, Stoke-onTrent OMID DJALILI Sat 31 Jan, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry ANDREW LAWRENCE Sat 31 Jan, mac, Birmingham FREDDIE FARRELL, MANDY KNIGHT, DAVID WHITNEY AND ROGER MONKHOUSE Sat 31 Jan, Jongleurs Comedy Club, Birmingham

Carl Donnelly - Lichfield Garrick

For more comedy listings, visit, www.whatsonlive.co.uk 23

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A New Adventures Production

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Theatre

Barnum

Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Tues 27 - Sat 31 January; Birmingham Hippodrome, Tues 7 July - Sat 1 August

This Cameron Mackintosh and Chichester Festival Theatre revival has done great business since debuting in 2013 - and for long-in-thetooth theatre-goers is certain to bring back memories of thirty-plus years ago, when the high-energy show was the undisputed talk of the town. Telling the story of ‘America's Greatest Showman’, Phineas T Barnum, the musical premiered on Broadway in 1980, with one-time

Carry On cast member Jim Dale taking the title role. The West End version opened the following year, and established Some Mothers Do ’ave ’em star Michael Crawford as one of the UK’s brightest theatrical talents. Featuring hit numbers Come Follow The Band, The Colours Of My Life and There Is A Sucker Born Ev'ry Minute, this touring production stars Linzi Hateley and Midlands favourite Brian Conley.

The Frozen Scream Birmingham Hippodrome, Wed 7 - Sat 17 January

East Is East New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Tues 13 - Sat 17 January Although best known from its 1999 film version, Ayub Khan Din’s East Is East was originally produced for the stage in 1996, presenting a semi-autobiographical account of British Asian life in 1970s Salford.

Pakistani chip shop owner George may be determined to give his children a strict Muslim upbringing, but the kids themselves have other ideas. Born and brought up in Britain, they increasingly see themselves as British, their rejection of Pakistani customs leading to plenty of household tensions and no shortage of comic moments.

Jane Horrocks stars as the family’s long-suffering English mother, Ella, who finds herself caught in the crossfire between husband and children.

The positive response which greeted the 1928 publication of English novelist CC Gilbert’s The Frozen Scream was somewhat shortlived. A series of mysterious deaths, leading to the belief that the novel was cursed, meant the story soon fell out of favour - so much so, in fact, that it’s been out of print since the early 1930s. Eighty-six years after its publication, Gilbert’s long-neglected endeavour has had new life breathed into it by Olivier Award-winning performer and writer Christopher Green and bestselling novelist Sarah Waters. Their intriguing new version of the spinetingling tale is here given theatrical life via a creative collaboration between Birmingham Hippodrome and Wales Millennium Centre... Stranded in an abandoned lodge in the bleak midwinter, a group of friends endeavour to entertain themselves with the tale of Jack Frost.

But before too long, fictional horror has slipped into reality, as events escalate in an altogether unexpected way...

Rula Lenska stars. www.whatsonlive.co.uk 25

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

JANUARY 2015

Friday 9th January

Sunday 11th January

Thursday 22nd January

ANDREW LAWRENCE

RAT PACK VEGAS SPECTACULAR

A BIT OF CHEER FOR THE NEW YEAR

THE PURVEYORS OF COOL

TREASURE ISLAND A NATIONAL THEATRE LIVE SCREENING

Saturday 24th January

Sunday 25th January

Friday 30th January

SUPREME QUEEN

WIND IN THE WILLOWS

MARTIN BARRE

DAZZLING TRIBUTE TO AN ICONIC BAND

FABULOUS PRODUCTION FROM ODDSOCKS

JETHRO TULL GUITARIST

FORTHCOMING CINEMA: Northern Soul (15) // The Imitation Game (12A) Set Fire To The Stars (12A) // Ida (12A) // A Most Wanted Man (15) // Diplomacy (12A) St Vincent (12A) // Kon- Tiki (15) // The Hobbit 3 (12A) // My Old Lady (12A) FORTHCOMING SCREENINGS: Treasure Island (NT Live) // John (NT Live) Alices’ Adventures In Wonderland (Royal Ballet) // The Flying Dutchman (ROH) Love’s Labour’s Lost / Won (RSC) // Swan Lake (Royal Ballet)

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

www.artrix.co.uk or phone 01527 577330 Artrix, Slideslow Drive, Bromsgrove B60 1PQ

26 www.whatsonlive.co.uk

Free parking on-site

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Theatre PREVIEWS Lemony Snicket’s Latke Who Couldn’t Stop Screaming mac, Birmingham, Sun 11 January

The ever-impressive Tall Stories return with this delightful tale from the Lemony Snicket canon. Blending theatre and music to appeal to youngsters aged five and older, the show tells the story of a latke, a fried potato pancake, who’s born screaming (having been thrown into a pan of boiling oil). Jumping from the pan, the latke races through a wintery village as it prepares for Christmas, meeting a variety of well-known festive symbols along the way...

Peter Pan Goes Wrong Malvern Theatre, Mon 19 - Sat 24 January; The REP, Birmingham, Tues 27 January - Sun 1 February

Oppenheimer The Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, Thurs 15 January - Sat 7 March

The fact that Tom Morton-Smith's new play is a truly thought-provoking work of theatre comes as no surprise given its subject matter. The Oppenheimer of the title is the ambitious and charismatic Julius Robert Oppenheimer, the American theoretical physicist who became known as ‘the father of the atomic bomb’. Morton-Smith’s play focuses in on the scientist as he works on the Manhattan Project, the research undertaking which would ultimately lead to the creation of a weapon so devastating that, with the detonation of a single device, it would bring about the end of the Second World War.

The creators of the hit West End comedy The Play That Goes Wrong are at it again - presenting another theatrical production about a theatrical production that goes a bit pear-shaped!

It’s not by any means a new idea that they’ve struck upon here, but it’s certainly a winning one - as the plaudits garnered for their previous show ably illustrate. One reviewer laughed so much he feared he was going to hyperventilate, another admitted his funny bone had been well and truly struck by the piece, while a third laughed and laughed until ‘the tears ran down’. There’s every reason, then, to have high expectations of this follow-up venture, which once again focuses on the accident-prone Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society. This time they’re attempting to present a version of JM Barrie’s Peter Pan. As one might expect, all does not go entirely according to plan...

The Deep Blue Sea

Dead Simple

Crescent Theatre, Birmingham, Sat 31 Jan - Sat 7 February

Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Mon 26 - Sat 31 January

When the affections of the semi-alcoholic former pilot for whom she’s left her marriage begin to cool, Hester Collyer attempts suicide. But in her darkest hour, how will the intervention of a doctor struck off after a hinted-at homosexual affair influence Hester’s decisions about life and death?...

Terrence Rattigan’s 1952 play was highly acclaimed when it debuted in London, and has enjoyed numerous revivals in the ensuing years. A 2011 film adaptation starred Rachel Weisz and Tom Hiddleston.

The clock is ticking for Detective Superintendent Roy Grace as he investigates the disappearance of Michael Harrison, whose stag-night prank went horribly wrong.

The clock is ticking for Harrison himself too; alone, buried alive and facing a terrifying death... Dead Simple is the most widelyknown work of bestselling author Peter James, a writer already familiar to Belgrade audiences thanks to the recent stage adaptation of his novella, The Perfect Murder.

Holby City star Tina Hobley, TV heartthrob Jamie Lomas, Emmerdale’s Rik Makarem and Doctors’ Michael McKell, star.

Circus Of Horrors: Night Of The Zombie Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent, Fri 23 January; Civic Hall, Wolverhampton, Sat 24 January

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham, Tues 20 - Sun 25 January

The Old Joint Stock Musical Theatre Company here presents its version of the Tony award-winning production, which focuses on a fictional spelling bee, the six quirky adolescents who compete in it, and the three equally quirky grown-ups who're running it.

The original 2005 Broadway production was nominated for no fewer than six Tonys, bagging the gong for Best Book. Oh, and don’t expect an interval, because there isn’t one.

An off-kilter affair that bears more resemblance to a freak show than any modern definition of a circus, the one-time Britain’s Got Talent finalists here 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. This latest offering from the company is set in a corpseridden London in 2020, with the city caught in the cold-fingered clutches of the undead.

The Tommy Cooper Show Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Fri 30 - Sat 31 January

Daniel Taylor’s celebration of one of Britain's favourite comedians proved to be a real winner at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, garnering plenty of plaudits for the way in which it presents not only the Tommy Cooper beloved of so many but also a darker, more troubled version of the fez-wearing magician.

Bringing to the stage once again some of Cooper’s classic routines, the play is also a study of the characters who inhabited the comedian’s world, including the woman who became his wife. www.whatsonlive.co.uk 27

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28 www.whatsonlive.co.uk

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Theatre PREVIEWS Carson’s Cup Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham, Fri 16 - Sat 17 January

Birmingham City supporters don’t have much to smile about nowadays, so they should take the opportunity offered here to revisit happier times. Described as ‘a comical rip-roarer’, Carson’s Cup is based on the Blues’ now-legendary 2011 League Cup triumph. It follows the fortunes of deluded hero Carson Lung (based, of course, on Birmingham’s now-disgraced owner Carson Yeung) as he attempts transition from Hong Kong hairdresser to owner of a Premier League football club.

The Shoemaker’s Holiday The Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, until Sat 7 March

Badboy aristocrat Rowland Lacy loves a middle-class girl but is sent to war by his father to reform his ways. Eager to avoid personal injury, Rowland assumes the guise of a Dutch shoemaker, in so doing losing himself among the craftsmen of London...

Appropriately described as a ‘city comedy of class, conflict and cobblers in love’, Thomas Dekker’s rarely performed late-sixteenth century offering has plenty to say about the troubled and pessimistic era in which it was written, when class antagonism, political malaise and civic tensions were rife, and war in Ireland raged.

Jack And The Beanstalk Birmingham Hippodrome, until Sun 1 February

Jack And The Beanstalk is one of the UK’s best-loved pantos - so it’s appropriate indeed that it’s the show of choice at the world’s number one pantomime venue, the Birmingham Hippodrome. As well as featuring a big, bad, fee-fi-fo-fumming ogre, the production also boasts a star cast headed up by Jane McDonald, Blue’s Duncan James and Coronation Street badboy Chris Gascoyne. Gary Wilmot makes a welcome return as Dame Trot, with Paul Zerdin and Matt Slack also on hand to play their part in ensuring the laughter count’s as high as a really tall beanstalk. tells the story of a successful architect living in Paris who has to cope with not one but three air-hostess fiancees. He does so by making the most of the flight timetables and enlisting the help of his long-suffering housekeeper. But when his long-lost cousin Robert arrives, things start to get turbulent...

Outspoken: Heterophobia mac, Birmingham, Wed 14 - Fri 16 January

“I was really concerned about the level of homophobia that young people were experiencing in schools,” says Hannah Phillips, Director of Outspoken’s ‘new urban musical for young audiences’. “In Heterophobia, we take a look at the experiences faced by Ryan, a young heterosexual male trying to 'come out' - inappropriate language, bullying, lack of support, lack of parental acceptance, assault, and the impact this has on his mental health.”

A hybrid fusion of urban street art forms, social media and digital technology, Heterophobia features Matt and Oscar from Antics Dance Crew (as featured on Sky One's Got To Dance).

The Wind In The Willows The Place, Oakengates Theatre, Telford, Shropshire, Sat 24 January; Artrix, Bromsgrove, Sun 25 January

Kenneth Grahame’s famous children’s book presents a perfect example of how one life can command the full attention of three others. Mole, Badger and Ratty simply don’t have time for any of their own interests they’re way too busy having to look after their reckless and irrepressible friend, Toad...

The Wind In The Willows is here brought to the stage by acclaimed touring troupe Oddsocks. Zany humour is guaranteed.

Two Lichfield Garrick, Fri 30 - Sat 31 January

Boeing Boeing The Grange Players, Walsall, Wed 7 - Sat 17 January

If Boeing Boeing sounds familiar, chances are you've at some stage caught the mid1960s movie starring Tony Curtis. The stage version has clocked up more than its fair share of air miles over the years, and enjoyed the benefits of a good freshen-up when it landed in the West End in 2007. It

the same year, it enjoyed instant success.

Set in Spain and recounting the events which take place during a single day in the palace of Count Almaviva, the opera follows the attempts of the countess to expose the infidelities of her husband, who has designs on his maid, Susanna. Ably abetted not only by Susanna but also Susanna’s fiance, Figaro, the countess vigorously pursues her goal - in so doing precipitating all manner of comic caperings!

This new English version is presented by the Olivier Award-winning OperaUpClose.

Marriage Of Figaro Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Wed 21 January

Nowadays a cornerstone of the standard operatic repertoire, The Marriage Of Figaro was written by Mozart in 1786. Premiering

A sharp and touching slice of English life set in a northern pub owned by a savagely bickering husband and wife, Jim Cartwright’s Two is a series of short vignettes skilfully combining pathos and humour. All fourteen characters are played by just two actors.

During the course of the evening, assorted customers pass through the pub, including a little boy left behind by his father. The event triggers a movement towards a fragile reconciliation between the pub-owning couple, as their own dark tragedy is revealed... www.whatsonlive.co.uk 29

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VISIT OU WEBSITE R T VIEW MO O RE SHOWS!

Box Office 01743 281 281 Book Online www.theatresevern.co.uk

Frankwell Quay, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY3 8FT

TUESDAY 27 JANUARY

Westcountry folk singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist .

WEDNESDAY 28 JANUARY

His darkest, most personal show yet.

Luckily, also his funniest.

THURSDAY 29 JANUARY

THE THREE DEGREES

The Legendary American female vocal group, formed in 1963 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

FRIDAY 30 JANUARY

Olivier Award winning OperaUpClose follow their hugely successful La Boheme & Tosca with Mozart's joyous The Marriage of Figaro.

Bursting with great tunes, laugh-out-loud comedy and powerful insights.

WEDNESDAY 4 - SATURDAY 7 FEBRUARY

30 www.whatsonlive.co.uk

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Theatre PREVIEWS Return To The Forbidden Planet New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Mon 26 - Sat 31 January

Here making a welcome return to the Midlands, Return To The Forbidden Planet distinguishes itself as one of the best of all cult musicals. A crazy sci-fi version of Shakespeare’s The Tempest, it features twenty-six rock’n’roll classics from the 1950s and ’60s, including I Heard It Through The Grapevine, The Monster Mash, Good Vibrations and Great Balls Of Fire. Taking their lead from Rocky Horror, the show’s more fanatical fans dress up in space suits and brandish hairdryer ray-guns for the occasion.

Top fun and a great blow-dry seem a guarantee...

Lara Wollington as Sophie, Joshua Manning as The BFG plus ensemble

The BFG

The REP, Birmingham, until Sat 17 January

Roald Dahl’s delightful tale has been enchanting children and the adults in their lives for over thirty years now. The story follows the adventures of a little girl named Sophie who’s taken to a magical land by the Big Friendly Giant (or BFG, for short). There, he teaches her whizzpopping, shows her his secret collection of dreams and lets her taste his extraordinary food, the snozzcumber. When it becomes apparent a tribe of boghumping giants are planning to rampage through England, Sophie and the BFG realise they must save the country from unprecedented disaster...

www.whatsonlive.co.uk 31

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Fri 6 February, 7.30pm

Wed 11 February, 7.30pm

Tues 17 February, 8.00pm

An Evening with Vanhulle Dance Theatre

Angles in Life

Polly Toynbee and David Walker

In Conversation with

Eimear McBride

Tickets: £10/£8 concs

Tickets: £10/£8 concs

Tickets: £5.00

Tues 24 February, 1.30pm and 7.30pm

Tue 3 - Wed 4 March, 7.30pm

Fri 6 March, 7.30pm

Judy Owen Productions

The Honey Man

Vamos Theatre Company

Nursing Lives

Fourth Monkey Theatre

Elephant Man

Tickets: £10/£8 concs/£5 mat

Tickets: £10/£8 concs

Tickets: £10/£8 concs

Sat 7 March, 7.30pm

Thurs 12 March, 7.30pm

Tues 17 March, 7.30pm Wed 18 March, 1.00pm & 7.30pm

Young Theatre Makers

Half Baked by Alex Joynes

Tickets: £5.00

Rabbit Theatre

Dracula

Tickets: £10/£8 concs

Blackeyed Theatre

Teechers

Tickets: £10/£8 concs/£5 mat

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

THUR 1 JAN BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Traditional family pantomime, until Sat 3 Jan, The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS Presented by Blue Orange Arts, until Sat 3 Jan, The Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham ALI BABA AND THE FORTY THIEVES until Sat 3 Jan, Talisman Theatre, Coventry DICK WHITTINGTON until Sat 3 Jan, Albany Theatre, Coventry DICK WHITTINGTON Traditional family pantomime, until Sun 4 Jan, Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent PETER PAN Playbox Christmas show featuring 'swashbuckling sword fights, music, dancing, wonderful characters & plenty of fairy dust', until Sun 4 Jan, The Dream Factory, Warwick CINDERELLA Traditional family pantomime written by & starring Malcolm Stent, until Sun 4 Jan, Solihull Arts Complex JACK AND THE BEANSTALK This 'not-tobe missed' production is packed full of sparkling costumes, spectacular sets, supersized comedy and some very magical beans!, until Sun 4 Jan, Crewe Lyceum CINDERELLA ‘Allo, ’Allo’s Arthur Bostrom stars as Count Dandini de Tartare, while Lichfield's favourite Dame, Ian Adams, plays Madame Zulieka, Queen of the Gypsies, until Sun 4 Jan, Lichfield Garrick BEAUTY AND THE BEAST A ‘magical festive pantomime’ presented by The Worcester Repertory Company, until Sun 4 Jan, The Swan Theatre Worcester ALADDIN This Malvern production sees onetime Jesus Of Nazareth Robert Powell take on an altogether more sinister Christmastime role when he stars as the evil Abanazar, until Sun 4 Jan, Malvern Theatres THE GRUFFALO Songs, laughter and scary fun come together in this family favourite based on Julia Donaldson's best-selling book, until Sun 4 Jan, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry CINDERELLA Anne Charleston stars as the Fairy Godmother in the

classic festive fairytale.

Rebecca Tyson (Cinderella), Scott Cripps (Buttons) and Richard Pocock & Derreck Walker (Ugly Sisters), also star..., until Sun 4 Jan, Palace Theatre, Redditch JERSEY BOYS The Tony, Olivier and Grammy Award-winning Best Musical hits the road for its first UK tour, until Sun 4 Jan, New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Chaos, calamaties & comedy in the French village of Cristimonto, until Mon 5 Jan, The Place, Oakengates Theatre, Telford, Shropshire ALADDIN Iain Laughain is the experienced panto hand behind this Belgrade production, until Sat 10 Jan, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry PETER PAN Paul Hendy Productions and Brad Fitt return to Theatre Severn with another fun-filled family pantomime, until Sun 11 Jan, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury THE TIGER WHO CAME TO TEA Stage adaptation of Judith Kerr's muchloved picture book for children, until Wed 14 Jan, Birmingham Town Hall THE BFG Brand new staging of Roald Dahl's popular children's book, until Sat 24 Jan, The REP, Birmingham HORRIBLE CHRISTMAS Birmingham Stage Company return with a festive treat that timetravels through Christmases past..., until Sat 17 Jan, The Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham CINDERELLA Qdos return to Wolverhampton with yet another popular family pantomime. This year's adventure sees Julian Clary star as Dandini. Hollyoaks star Joe Tracini takes on the role of Buttons, until Sun 18 Jan, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre THE BORROWERS Mary Norton's classic family adventure, until Sat 31 Jan, New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme THE CHRISTMAS TRUCE A specially commissioned play by Phil Porter which draws on true stories of soldiers in the Warwickshire Regiment, until Sat 31 Jan, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon JACK AND THE BEANSTALK until Sun 1 Feb, Birmingham Hippodrome

THE SHOEMAKER'S HOLIDAY Phillip Breen directs Dekker's glorious city comedy of class, conflict and cobblers in love, until Sat 7 March, The Swan Theatre, Stratford-uponAvon CINDERELLA THE ROCK 'N' ROLL PANTO until Sat 10 Jan, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST Christopher Luscombe directs a new production of Shakespeare's sparkling comedy, until Sat 14 Mar, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon LOVE'S LABOUR'S WON Christopher Luscombe directs the second of Shakespeare's matching pair of comedies that rejoice in man's capacity to find love in the most unlikely places, until Sat 14 Mar, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-uponAvon SANTA IN LOVE The People’s Theatre Company present Steven Lee’s festive family show, Fri 2 Jan, Artrix, Bromsgrove RENT Impulse Productions present their version of the iconic Broadway musical, Fri 2 - Sun 4 Jan, Crescent Theatre, Birmingham THE KING'S UGLY DAUGHTER by Max Hollis, Sat 3 Jan, The Swan Theatre, Worcester

Week Commencing

MON 5 JAN PRIVATE PEACEFUL Stage Two present a staging of Michael Morpurgo's book which relives the life of Private Tommo Peaceful, a young First World War soldier awaiting the firing squad at dawn, Tues 6 Sat 10 Jan, Crescent Theatre, Birmingham THE FROZEN SCREAM Chilling tale from Christopher Green and Sarah Waters based on a supernatural murdermystery novel, Wed 7 Sat 17 Jan, Birmingham Hippodrome JACK AND THE BEANSTALK Presented

by Starlight Productions, Thurs 8 - Sat 10 Jan - Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Jars Of Clay present their version of the timeless tale of love, redemption, action and adventure, Thurs 8 Sat 10 Jan, Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham LEMONY SNICKET'S LATKE WHO COULDN'T STOP SCREAMING! This adaptation of the absurdly funny Lemony Snicket story is vividly brought to life in Tall Stories' unique physical style, with live music, lots of laughs and a scream-

The Christmas Truce at The Royal Shakespeare Theatre until Sat 31 January

ing potato pancake, Sun 11 Jan, mac, Birmingham

Week Commencing

MON 12 JAN THERE WAS AN OLD WOMAN Oily Cart presents a beautiful new show for children featuring live musicians, puppetry... and an abundance of shoes, Tues 13 - Fri 16 Jan, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry OUTSPOKEN: HETEROPHOBIA A new urban musical for young audiences featuring Matt & Oscar from Antics Dance Crew (as seen on Sky 1’s Got To Dance), Wed 14 - Sat 17 Jan, mac, Birmingham EAST IS EAST Jane Horrocks stars in a touring production of Ayub Khan Din's semi-autobiographical account of British Asian life in the 1970s, Tues 13 - Sat 17 Jan, New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham FLEABAG Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Oliviernominated play is ‘an account of some sort of female living her sort of life’, Wed 14 - Sat 17 Jan, The REP, Birmingham OPPENHEIMER Angus Jackson directs Tom Moreton's new play which explores the personal cost of making history, Thurs 15 January - Sat 7 Mar, The Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon CARSON’S CUP Comedy satire which charts an exciting era in the history of Birmingham City Football Club, Fri 16 Sat 17 Jan, The Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham THE AUDITION An after-

noon of entertainment from the Pauline Quirke Academy, Sutton Coldfield, Sat 17 Jan, Crescent Theatre, Birmingham TAKING SIDES The Crescent Theatre Company present Ronald Harwood's play about the post-war US de-Nazification investigation of German conductor Wilhelm Furtwangler, Sat 17 - Sat 24 Jan, Crescent Theatre, Birmingham 80S MANIA Step back in time and join the cast of singers, dancers and musicians celebrating the heroes of 1980s pop, Sat 17 Jan, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry THE MERRY WIDOW: MET OPERA LIVE Met Opera Live screening of Franz Lehar's beguiling tale.

Renee Fleming stars, Sat 17 Jan, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry JANE EYRE THE MUSICAL TACT present a ‘dramatic interpretation’ of Charlotte Bronte’s everpopular novel, Sat 17 Sun 18 Jan, The Place, Oakengates Theatre, Telford, Shropshire

Week Commencing

MON 19 JAN VAMPIRE’S ROCK Steve Steinman plus a full cast of singers and dancers celebrate their eleventh year and final chapter, blasting their way through some of the greatest-ever rock anthems, Mon 19 Jan, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry PETER PAN GOES WRONG The Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society set out to present JM Barrie's classic tale of Peter

Pan - but as the title suggests, everything that can go wrong, does, Mon 19 - Sat 24 Jan, Malvern Theatre JILLIAN MICHAELS - MAXIMISE YOUR LIFE TOUR Motivational tour from America’s leading health, wellness & fitness authority, Tues 20 Jan, New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham SHAKESPEARE FOR KIDZ: A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM S4K provide a perfect introduction to Shakespeare’s story of fairies, royalty, romance, magic & misunderstandings, Tues 20 Jan, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre ROOM ON THE BROOM Stage adaptation of Julia Donaldson's bestselling book, Tues 20 Sat 24 Jan, Malvern Theatre THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE The Old Joint Stock Musical Theatre Company presents its version of the fast-paced musical comedy, Tue 20 - Sun 25 Jan, Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham ROLL OUT THE BARREL Show packed to the rafters with musical nostalgia, Wed 21 Jan, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre MARRIAGE OF FIGARO Olivier Award-winning OperaUpClose present a new English version of Mozart's joyous opera, Wed 21 Jan, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry ‘ALLO ‘ALLO Amateur staging of the popular BBC sitcom, presented by the Lichfield Players, Wed 21 - Sat 24 Jan, Lichfield Garrick TREASURE ISLAND National Theatre Live screening of Robert Louis Stevenson's story of murder, money and

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CINDERELLA THE ROCK ‘N’ ROLL PANTO GATEHOUSE THEATRE

Until Sat 10 Jan 15

Sat 17th & Sun 18th January

JANE EYRE THE MUSICAL Time: 2.30pm& 7.30pm Tickets from £12.50

Sat 24th January

THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS Time: 7.30pm

Rock around the clock and get ready to party at Prince Charming's ball with Baron Hardup, the loveable Buttons, Cinderella, and two very ugly sisters...Rock ‘n' Roll panto returns to Stafford with one of the most loved fairytales of all time. Cinderella is filled with classic hits from Otis Redding, The Temptations, The Jackson 5, The Blues Brothers and many, many more, all played live on stage by an incredible cast of actor musicians.

ANDREW LAWRENCE THE MET STUDIO

Fri 16 Jan

Thu 5th February

THAT’LL BE THE DAY Time: 7.30pm

Fri 6th Feruary

ALL STAR SUPERSLAM WRESTLING

He’s had three series of his own show on BBC Radio 4. He’s a double Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee. Yet none of that rubbish has brought him any joy. Come and laugh in his stupid face at his disappointing life and some amusing thoughts he’s cobbled together about how awful the world is.

8.00pm, £14/£13 concs

MATTHEW BOURNE’S SLEEPING BEAUTY GATEHOUSE THEATRE Wed 21 Jan FILM SCRE

ENING

Time: 7.30pm

Sun 8th February

7.30pm, £10

THE CAT IN THE HAT Time: 1.00pm & 3.00pm

Sleeping Beauty sees Bourne return to the music of Tchaikovsky to complete the trio of masterworks that started with Nutcracker! and the international hit Swan Lake. A sumptuous, gothic fairytale with a twist on the classic story, this production will appeal to the younger 'Twilight' generation as well as traditional dance fans who will enjoy the masterful choreography and the trademark wit expected from Matthew Bourne.

NT LIVE: TREASURE ISLAND

Fri 13th February

GATEHOUSE THEATRE

THE JOHNNY CASH ROADSHOW Time: 7.30pm

Thu 19th February

THE CIRCUS OF HORRORS THE NIGHT OF THE ZOMBIE Time: 7.30pm

Thurs 22 Jan Robert Louis Stevenson's story of murder, money and mutiny is brought to life in a thrilling new stage adaptation by Bryony Lavery, broadcast live from the National Theatre. It's a dark, stormy night. The stars are out.

7.00pm, £12.50/£10 students Jim, the inn-keeper's granddaughter, opens the door to a terrifying stranger. At the old sailor's feet sits a huge sea-chest, full of secrets. Jim invites him in - and her dangerous voyage begins.

COMEDY IN THE MET THE MET STUDIO

Sat 24 Jan 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 7.30pm, £10 the UK. The MET Studio has become a regular 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!.

Sat 21st February

JIMEOIN Time: 8.00pm

MANCHESTER CAMERATA: STRAVINSKY, MOZART AND HAYDN GATEHOUSE THE-

Sun 1st & Mon 2nd March

THE SNAIL AND THE WHALE Time: Sun, 2.00pm, 4.30pm Mon, 10.30am, 12.30pm

TWC GP 00941

ATRE

Thurs 29 Jan Experience some of the greatest music ever written for string orchestra from Tchaikovsky's heart-wrenching Serenade in C 7.30pm, £16/£14 concs to Stravinsky's eerie and myste£5 under 26/£3 under 18 rious Concerto in D for Strings. and experience the virtuosity of Camerata leader, Adi Brett, as she performs Haydn's Violin Concerto in C.

BOOKONLINE Box Office 01785 619080 www.staffordgatehousetheatre.co.uk

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Theatre LISTINGS For full listing information on theatre productions, including times and dates, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk mutiny, Thurs 22 Jan, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre; Malvern Theatres VAMPIRE’S ROCK Steve Steinman plus a full cast of singers and dancers celebrate their eleventh year and final chapter, blasting their way through some of the greatest-ever rock anthems, Fri 23 Jan, The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury DUSKY: THE ABOVE AND BEYOND TOUR The first live UK tour of renowned spiritual guru Dusky Edwards, as seen on Sky’s Angels and What To Look For In A Psychic, Fri 23 Jan, Palace Theatre, Redditch BURNS NIGHT WITH IAN BUXTON Bestselling whisky writer and Malvern resident Ian Buxton takes an irreverent look at the myths and legends of whisky, Fri 23 Jan, Malvern Theatre CIRCUS OF HORROR: THE NIGHT OF THE ZOMBIE Fri 23 Jan, Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent

PETER PAN THE PANTO Presented by Company Theatre School & Jayne Seymour School of Dance, Fri 23 - Sat 24 Jan, Crescent Theatre, Wolverhampton THE STORY GARDEN Active storytelling sessions where children aged four to eight and their parents/carers get involved in telling Shakespeare's stories in a fun and lively way, Sat 24 Jan, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon BIG GIRLS DON'T CRY Celebration of the music of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, Sat 24 Jan, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry CIRCUS OF HORROR: THE NIGHT OF THE ZOMBIE Sat 24 Jan, Civic Hall, Wolverhampton THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS Live music, comedy and adventure from Oddsocks as they present their version of the classic tale of boats, cars, trains and washerwomen... Sat 24 Jan, The Place, Oakengates

Theatre, Telford, Shropshire HANSEL AND GRETEL Horse & Bamboo promise a feast for the senses, fusing puppetry, film, music and masks to present a unique retelling of the muchloved fairytale, Sun 25 Jan, mac , Birmingham THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS Live music, comedy and adventure from Oddsocks as they present their version of the classic tale of boats, cars, trains and washerwomen..., Sun 25 Jan, Artrix, Bromsgrove

Room On The Broom - Malvern Theatre & The REP, Birmingham

Week Commencing

MON 26 JAN DEAD SIMPLE Stage adaptation of Peter James' most famous and popular book to date, Mon 26 - Sat 31 Jan, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry RETURN TO THE FORBIDDEN PLANET Olivier Award-winning rock spectacular inspired by Shakespeare’s The Tempest, Mon 26 - Sat 31 Jan, New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham BARNUM Brian Conley stars in the Greatest Show On Earth in Cameron Mackintosh's blockbuster musical, Tue 27 - Sat 31 Jan, Wolverhampton Grand

Theatre PETER PAN GOES WRONG The Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society set out to present JM Barrie's classic tale of Peter Pan - but as the title suggests, everything that can go wrong, does, Tue 27 Jan - Sun 1 Feb, The REP, Birmingham PHANTOM & THE MUSICALS Barry Walker’s Smackee present an evening featuring the very best musical scores from London’s West End & Broadway,

Wed 28 Jan, Solihull Arts Complex ANTON & ERIN: THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT Featuring sensational choreography, sassy tunes & sparkling costumes in a show of music, song & dance, Wed 28 Jan, Victoria Hall, Stoke-onTrent UNKNOWN MALE Darkly comic new play which follows a family as they make their way through a tragedy that doesn’t even belong to them, Wed 28 - Sat 31 Jan, The REP, Birming-

ham ROOM ON THE BROOM Stage adaptation of Julia Donaldson's bestselling book, Wed 28 Jan - Sun 1 Feb, The REP, Birmingham FOGHORN IMPROV: DIAL M FOR MADE-UP Evening of stories, laughter, games & death... Thurs 29 Jan, Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham THE BARBER OF SEVILLE The Merry Opera Company presents Rossini’s great masterpiece, Thurs 29 Jan, Lichfield Garrick

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Theatre LISTINGS For full listing information on theatre productions, including times and dates, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk SNOW WHITE Presented by the Nuneaton Pantomime & Revue Society, Thurs 29 - Sat 31 Jan, Bedworth Civic Hall PUSS IN BOOTS Presented by Starlight School of Dance, Thurs 29 Sat 31 Jan, Palace Theatre, Redditch THE SLEEPING BEAUTY Fri 30 Jan - Sun 1 Feb, The Belfrey Theatre, Welllington, Shropshire THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO OperaUpClose present Mozart's joyous

opera, complete with live piano, clarinet & viola accompaniment, Fri 30 Jan, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury JACK BENNETT: TOO MUCH, TOO YOUNG Evening of spoken word that will ‘tickle your grey matter, probe your beliefs and fill your belly with laughs’, Fri 30 Jan, mac, Birmingham THE ONLY WAY IS DOWNTON Luke Kempner's tour-de-force impressions comedy, in an

extended version featuring exclusive new material, Fri 30 Jan, Swan Theatre, Worcester THE TOMMY COOPER SHOW A fun-filled hour of comedy and magic, featuring Daniel Taylor as Cooper, Fri 30 - Sat 31 Jan, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury TWO Jim Cartwright’s acclaimed play featuring one man, one woman and fourteen different characters, each with a story to tell and secrets to reveal, Fri 30 - Sat 31 Jan, Lichfield Garrick THE DEEP BLUE SEA Terence Rattigan's acclaimed play about love and infidelity in post-war Britain, Sat 31 Jan - Sat 7 Feb, Crescent Theatre, Birmingham OFFENBACH Les Contes d'Hoffman Met Opera Live screening of Offenbach's operatic masterpiece, Sat 31 Jan, Malvern Theatres THE TRIAL OF PETER PAN Side By Side Theatre Company’s production sees Peter Pan, now aged forty-five, allowed to go back to Netherland to help the fairies regain their treasure, Sat 31 Jan, The REP, Birmingham

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 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, NEWCASTLEUNDER-LYME 01782 717962 PRINCE OF WALES CENTRE, CANNOCK 01543 578762 REGENT THEATRE, STOKE 0870 060 6649 RUGELEY ROSE THEATRE 01889 584036 STAFFORD GATEHOUSE 01785 619080 STOKE REPERTORY THEATRE 01782 209784

Warwickshire ALBANY THEATRE, COVENTRY 024 7601 6222

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

The Only Way Is Downton - Swan Theatre, Worcester

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Theatre REVIEWS Below are reviews of theatre productions we checked out last month. For further theatre reviews, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk

‘Oh No It Isn’t’ Belgrade Theatre, Coventry Machiavellian panto, anyone? The alternative offering at the Belgrade this Christmas is a dark farce set on, and behind, the stage of a feeble fourhanded production of Jack And The Beanstalk.

It emerges that the back end of Daisy is in conspiracy with what appears to be a very small Giant.

Their aim? To murder the principle boy. No one’s quite sure who’s put them up to it, but Colleen Rooney gets a mention. You get the picture...

The high-calibre cast have an imaginative, eccentric script by Coventry’s Nick Walker to work with.

Walker pulls the guts out of traditional panto and rearranges to suit his purpose; so there’s clever use of audience reaction, a golden goose that lays more than eggs (the whole thing is a bit of a curate’s egg) and even a hopeless chase around the auditorium.

After what would have been the interval in any reasonable play, we see the show from the audience’s point of view and Walker pulls off his best gag of all. I’ve never seen an audience member used so well on stage. Joanne (for that was the brave lady’s name) really stole the show with her multicoloured hair, blue boots and red Santa hat, and was very cleverly set up to get the last laugh. A magic moment of theatre. Chris Eldon Lee n n n

Jersey Boys New Alexandra Theatre Oh What a night! This touring smash hit show about the rise and rise of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons is a pre-Christmas cracker.

There are no holds barred in the story of four lads from the wrong side of the track who created their own unique sound and went on to sell 175 million records worldwide.

Good to see the theatre bursting at the seams with fans of the music, with one pensioner headed for home after the final curtain beaming: “That made me feel forty years younger”.

After a fairly slow start during which the excellent Stephen Webb, playing the tough, driving Tommy DeVito, acts as a kind of compere to stitch the tale together, the action accelerates with hit after glorious hit... Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, Walk Like a Man, Sherry, Big Girls Don’t Cry, Bye Bye Baby, and Oh What a Night - it certainly was!.

And what a performance from Tim Driesen as Frankie Valli. His falsetto voice was perfect for the role, while his acting was very impressive too.

Also outstanding were Sam Ferriday as Bob Gaudio, the more serious member of the group and composer of many of the hit songs, and Lewis Griffiths (Nick Massi).

The pulsating show reveals love, problems of debts, occasional despair and even tragedy as the smartly-suited group make their way from no-hopers to international stars, and the ladies in the cast provide a most enjoyable helping of glamour.

Great support, too, from musical director Gareth Weedon and his excellent band.

Paul Marston n n n n n

Calamity Jane

Aladdin Malvern Theatre, Worcestershire

Malvern Theatre, Worcestershire

Having once played Zeffirelli’s Christ, Robert Powell could perhaps have been forgiven for wondering how the slings and arrows of the acting profession had deposited him in the panto role of evil magician Abanazar.

If any such thought had indeed crossed his mind, though, you certainly wouldn’t have known it - the one-time Holby City star gave it his all as the boo-magnet baddie in this high-energy production of Aladdin.

Powell was joined by an exuberant cast who had fun and games on their mind. Slapstick comedy moments were ten a penny, the gags flowed like a mighty river and there was plenty of singing and dancing to admire and appreciate. Not everything about the show was as smooth as a baby’s bottom, but nor did it need to be. This is panto, after all, where rough edges and bumbled moments are every bit as welcome as a fat man in your chimney on the twenty-fourth of December.

In short, well worth a pair of hours of your time. Go see! Peter Joshua n n n n

The songs and jokes come thick and fast in this impressive adaptation of the classic Western starring Doris Day. Martha Cannary, AKA Calamity Jane, was a real-life Old West stagecoach driver known for her sharp shooting and even sharper tongue. Here, her story is reimagined as musical comedy, the arrival in her life of romance forcing her to reveal a softer layer beneath the tough, tomboyish exterior.

Jodie Prenger brings just the right balance of swagger and vulnerability to the title role, but each member of this highly talented cast has their time in the spotlight. Out of an evening filled with great moments, special mention must go to Tom Lister’s lovelorn Wild Bill Hickok crooning Higher Than A Hawk, and to Phoebe Street’s winning portrayal of fledgling stage singer Katie Brown.

As well as being accomplished singers and dancers, all the actors play multiple instruments, an element that makes the musical numbers doubly engaging.

The set beautifully and effectively transports you to a spit’n’sawdust saloon bar, albeit one in which everybody bursts into song every five minutes.

Other highlights include Prenger’s full-blooded rendition of Secret Love, a charmingly comic piano duet between Rob Delaney and Sioned Saunders, and a post-curtain-call hoedown that culminates in a richly deserved standing ovation.

A whip-crackingly good show.

Richard Stokes n n n n

The Nutcracker Birmingham Hippodrome

Sir Peter Wright’s breathtakingly beautiful production was easily the finest ballet I’ve ever experienced. I was floating on air by the end!

From the moment I spied the magnificent Christmas tree in the opening ballroom scene, I was absolutely swept away by the elegant storytelling and glorious dancing.

It’s a Christmas Eve party when Clara (Karla Doorbar) receives a Nutcracker doll from the magician Drosselmeyer (a wonderful Valentin Olovyannikov). The doll then springs into life for an enchanting night of fabulous fantasy and mesmerising magic.

Set to Tchaikovsky’s majestic music, this was a visually stunning experience, the splendid sets transforming to reveal mysterious lands and exotic dancers in marvellous costumes.

The superior dancing and choreography was utterly sublime, but it was the Sugar Plum Fairy (Momoko Hirata) and the Prince (Tzu-Chao Chou) who stole the show with spectacular skill and grace.

This was an extraordinary festive treat. I now believe that magic really does exist.

Malaka Chowdhury n n n n n www.whatsonlive.co.uk 39

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Theatre REVIEWS CONT...

Below are reviews of theatre productions we checked out last month.

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

Peter Pan Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury The original story of Peter Pan may be a Dame-free zone, but panto veteran Brad Fit didn’t let that stop him from slapping on the rouge and giving it his all in Evolution Pantomimes’ Theatre Severn festive offering. Gags included, “I like hip hop...because it’s only two letters away from Chip Shop”, and “Have you heard about the Wolverhampton advent calendar? Half the windows are boarded up.” Quality material indeed - though Mr Fitt did seem strangely flustered at times and lacked the opportunity to get stuck into the sidesplitting set pieces of previous pantos.

He’s initially accompanied by Nana, the brilliant break-dancing dog. This could have been a wonderful running gag, but for the demands of the story.

In the nursery, Mr Darling is dropping huge hints about his forthcoming transformation into Captain Hook. Michael Neilson is an excellent upper-class baddie - and having been to Eton with David Cameron, he wasn’t short of a role model! I was expecting a Nigel Farage joke, which duly arrived.

The female casting is excellent. Debutant Alice Strachan makes a wonderfully mumsie Wendy.

There’s a knowing smile in her speaking voice and a beautiful quality to her singing. And she clearly ‘gets’ the irony of panto.

Kara Lane is equally impressive as Mrs Darling, the Indian Chief and a Thames Estuary Mermaid with accent to match. She’s a true showgirl, full of verve and vitality.

The long overdue admission that Eric Smith (‘back despite popular demand’) really can’t act is put to good purpose - he dies very well and quite often.

Dean Bray simply IS Peter Pan, boastfully boyish and a confident flyer - especially when assisted by classy video projection. Snappy the Crocodile, meanwhile, looks as crazy as an over-baked croissant.

All in all this is a jolly good and pretty spectacular family show, but the script doesn’t stand scrutiny.

There are uncomfortable stereotypes being presented to impressionable young children in a manner which doesn’t become the modern stage.

However, there’s no doubting Peter Pan will be a resounding success. I’m already looking forward to Dick Whittington next year. Chris Eldon Lee n n n

40 www.whatsonlive.co.uk

Cinderella Wolverhampton Grand Theatre The front cloth is pink at Wolverhampton this winter. Very pink. And it’s amazing how Julian Clary can stand before it - in front of a thousand-strong, decidedly family audience - and get away with a round of jokes I can’t possibly repeat here.

The edgy alternative comedian has nestled effortlessly into the bosom of panto. He can’t dance and he can’t sing (he’s always reliably half a beat behind the band) but what he can do is be Julian Clary. He’s just one step away from being a National Treasure. His diamond-encrusted costumes alone require a security guard.

Cast this year as Dandini, Prince Charming’s ‘aide de camp’ (get it?), he’s completely at ease, teasing the audience mercilessly. He also ‘knows’ he’s in a panto, taking the rise out of the genre and questioning the commerciality. “It’s no good talking about what’s in the programme,” he says, “nobody can afford those.”

This is a classic Gin Palace panto, properly rooted in pantomime tradition. It’s lavish, sparkly and loud - both visually and vocally. The opening set resembles a lovely old ‘cut out and make’ children’s hobby book, and the end-of-act-one special effect is well worth the wait.

Backing Clary to the hilt is a very strong cast indeed, led by an energisingly Tigger-ish Joe Tracini as a particularly loveable Jack-in-a-Box Buttons.

Ben Stock and Tony Jackson are ridiculously over the top as The Uglies. Their unbelievable costumes come complete with matching dogs; a poodle and a shih tzu. Cue one of the few jokes I can get away with: “What’s a shih tzu?” Answer: “a zoo with no animals.” Their brief homage to their illustrious pantomime predecessor, Billy Dainty, sealed my admiration.

Will Richardson’s Prince wears gold, knee-high boots and has the courage to sing a love song to an empty shoe. The excellent Alice Baker gives Cinders guts and gusto.

This is a big panto with a lovely family feel. It’s familiar enough to be cosy and sufficiently on the edge to keep you guessing; traditional and modern in equal measure.

Chris Eldon Lee n n n n

Cinderella Rock 'n' Roll Panto Stafford Gatehouse Theatre The rock’n’roll panto tears up the rule book and creates its own formula. Gone is the strictly traditional story, gone are the traditional songs, and gone are all the elements that can make a Christmas treat feel a little stale. And it’s a formula that works, too and one that the public really loves. Last year’s Sleeping Beauty sold forty percent more tickets than the venue’s previous ‘traditional’ pantomime, staged in 2010.

The good news is that writer Peter Wroe and director Paulette Randall (both returning from last year) also have a keen eye for which of the traditional elements to keep. So Buttons is Buttons and the Ugly Sisters are as you would expect. But just when you think you’re back in well-worn territory, the cast breaks into The Midnight Hour, Money or I Want You Back.

Unsurprisingly, the production team took the wise decision to re-employ last year’s cast to fill most of the roles this time around. Ace guitarist Gregory Clarke returns as an Ugly Sister, Claire Greenaway reprises her role of the Fairy Godmother, Katia Sartini is Rubella De Zees, and the charismatic David Hewson appears as rock star Dandini.

And if asking those four back to Stafford was a clever move, inviting Beth PeachRobinson to play the lead for a second year running was an absolute no-brainer. After a wonderful performance as Sleeping Beauty in 2013, Beth really does light up the stage as Cinders, injecting as much fun and sparkle into the role as she can possibly muster. That’s not to say that the cast’s newcomers don’t deserve recognition too. A production such as this lives and dies on its cast, with each individual expected to act, sing and play multiple instruments. By the end of the night, you won’t believe there are only ten performers!

The script is, at times, hilarious, the story is solid, the song choice is eclectic (you won’t love every song but there’s something in there for everyone) and the performances are funny and believable. Simply put: Go see it; you’ll love it.

Simon Carter n n n n

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Theatre WEST END Maxine Peake returns to the Royal Court Initial casting has begun on the Royal Court’s staging of Zinnie Harris’ darkly witty play, How To Hold Your Breath. An epic look at the true cost of principles and the way in which people live their lives, Harris’ play stars Maxine Peake in the lead role. Further casting will be announced soon. Peake’s extensive TV credits include Silk, The Village, Shameless and The Street. On stage, her performances in Mother Theresa Is Dead, The Cherry Orchard and Luther have earned her rave reviews - as did her recent portrayal of Hamlet at Manchester’s Royal Exchange.

A film version of the production, described as ‘a palpable hit’ by The Guardian, is soon to be screened in cinemas across the UK. How To Hold Your Breath opens at the Royal Court on 4 February. Bookings are being taken until 21 March.

New casting for Shakespeare In Love This month sees the highly acclaimed production of Shakespeare In Love transfer to the Noel Coward Theatre. Featuring one of the biggest ever casts for a West End play, the show has twice had its run extended by popular demand.

New casting for the transfer includes Orlanda James as Shakespeare and Eve Ponsonby as Viola. The pair recently appeared together in Cheek By Jowl’s ’Tis Pity She’s A Whore. Additional casting is: Nicholas Asbury as Wessex, Neal Barry as Henslowe and Suzanne Burden as Queen Elizabeth.

Shakespeare In Love opens at the Noel Coward Theatre on 12 January, with bookings being taken until April.

Let It Be returns to the West End An international show celebrating the music of the world’s most successful rock’n’roll band is to return to the West End in February.

Let It Be charts the rise of The Beatles and has so far been seen by one million people in over fifty cities across four continents.

The theatrical concert shows at the Garrick Theatre from 28 February until 27 September, after which time the production hits the road for its second tour of the UK and Ireland.

Stephen Mangan teams up with Miles Jupp in Rules For Living Casting has been confirmed for Sam Holcroft’s Rules For Living, which opens at the newly refurbished Dorfman Theatre in March.

Described as a dark comedy, Holcroft’s play lays bare the coping strategies and ‘rules for living’ created by an extended family as they gather for a traditional Christmas. As long-held rivalries and resentments are revealed, accusations fly, relationships deconstruct and rules take over. Directed by National Theatre Associate Director Marianne Elliott, the play stars Stephen Mangan, Deborah Findlay, Miles Jupp and Maggie Service. www.whatsonlive.co.uk 41

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42 www.whatsonlive.co.uk

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Dance

Strictly Come Dancing Live The Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham, Fri 16 - Sun 18 January

The glitz and glamour of BBC1’s Strictly Come Dancing hits the road again this month. Hosted by Zoe Ball, and featuring a new judging panel - West End star Tom Chambers, ballroom dancer Camilla Dallerup and the legendary Craig Revel Horwood - the live version sees the show’s ever-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 the tango, the show’s stars are sure to delight Strictly’s loyal fans.

Taking to the dancefloor this year is The Saturday’s Frankie Bridge, boyband heartthrob Simon Webbe, The Only Way Is Essex celebrity

Mark Wright, TV presenter Caroline Flack and rugby player-comemodel Thom Evans. Birmingham-born presenter Alison Hammond and Radio One DJ Scott Mills complete the line-up.

Commenting on the show, Scott said: “Being on the biggest show on television has been amazing. It's been a brilliant experience to learn the routines - something I thought I would never do! Now I'll be showing off my unique new talent to fans of Strictly across the country as part of the Live Tour. It's going to be a busy few weeks, but I can't wait!"

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

Anton & Erin: That’s Entertainment

STRICTLY COME DANCING LIVE The glamour & glitz of the BBC TV Programme hits the road, Fri 16 - Sun 18 Jan, The Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham JUST DANCE Showcasing the work of numerous amateur dance troupes from across the country, Sat 17 Jan, Palace Theatre, Redditch MATTHEW BOURNE’S

SLEEPING BEAUTY Screening of Matthew Bourne’s haunting Gothic Romance - a supernatural love story that even the passage of time can’t hinder, Wed 21 Jan, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre STEPPING UP DANCE FESTIVAL Tues 27 - Wed 28 Jan, Edge Arts Centre, Much Wenlock, South Shropshire ANTON AND ERIN: THAT’S

Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent, Wed 28 January; Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Sat 14 February

A new production for 2015, That’s Entertainment promises top-notch choreography, a selection of super-sassy tunes, a wardrobe’s-worth of sparkling costumes and plenty of good ol’ showbiz razzamataz.

Strictly Come Dancing favourites Anton Du Beke and Erin Boag are the stars of the evening, their breathtaking skills sure to be much in evidence as they glide their way through the sophisticated elegance of the quick step, foxtrot, tango and waltz. Bag yourself a ticket asap.

Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty Stafford Gatehouse Theatre

ENTERTAINMENT Brand new show from the 'King and Queen of Ballroom'. Wed 28 Jan, Victoria Hall, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent 015 DANCE: SCRATCH Sat 31 Jan, Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent

Dance Box Office EDGE ARTS CENTRE, MUCH WENLOCK, SHROPSHIRE 01952 728911 PALACE THEATRE, REDDITCH 01527 65203 REGENT THEATRE, STOKE-ON-TRENT 0844 871 7649 STAFFORD GATEHOUSE THEATRE 01785 254653 VICTORIA HALL, HANLEY, STOKE-ON-TRENT 0844 871 7649 For full venue information visit: www.whatsonlive.co.uk

www.whatsonlive.co.uk 43

Film - Jan.qxp_Layout 1 19/12/2014 16:25 Page 1

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Film

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

FRO

THURM JAN 1

Birdman CERT 12a (119 mins) Starring Michael Keaton, Zach Galifianakis, Edward Norton, Andrea Riseborough, Amy Ryan, Emma Stone, Naomi Watts Directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu (USA)

The name to watch here is Alejandro González Iñárritu (just don’t ask us to pronounce it). He is, though, one of the most highly acclaimed directors in the world, with such revered and challenging films as Amores Perros, 21 Grams, Babel and Biutiful to his credit. Here, he’s cast Michael Keaton as Riggan Thomson, an actor once known for playing the superhero Birdman, who’s now on his uppers (Keaton himself, of course, played Batman in two blockbusters). So in an attempt to revitalise his career, Riggan has written a play that he intends to direct on Broadway, with his girlfriend (Riseborough) in the lead. Things do not go smoothly. The wise money is on Keaton winning the Oscar next month.

TOP 5 FILM BOX OFFICE

From

FRI 9 JAN

Into The Woods CERT PG (125 mins) Starring Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, James Corden, Anna Kendrick, Chris Pine, Johnny Depp, Tracey Ullman, Christine Baranski Directed by Rob Marshall (USA)

Following his accomplished adaptations of the Broadway musicals Chicago and Nine, the director Rob Marshall now grabs Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods by the horns. A complex weave of the fairy tales Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack And The Beanstalk and Rapunzel, the show dexterously shuffles our notions of these legends and comes up with something altogether more elaborate and darker. Marshall’s skill is to breathe enormous humour and clarity into the interlocking narratives and to make the ingenious lyrics come alive. Employing a combination of Broadway and West End performers and bona fide movie stars, he’s created a work of exuberant originality, in which the magic of CGI more than augments the original stage craft. It goes without saying that Meryl Streep is astonishing as the Witch, leaving Emily Blunt as the real surprise, who, as the Baker’s Wife, exhibits a stunning voice. The only caveat is that the show’s original edge has been somewhat blunted by Disney’s misguided aspiration for a PG certificate. Regardless, this is not a film for all the family.

1 Paddington (PG) Hunger 2 The Games (12a) of 3 Penguins Madagascar (U) 4 The Imitation Game (12a) 5 Horrible Bosses 2 (15)

Paddington

www.whatsonlive.co.uk 45

Film - Jan.qxp_Layout 1 19/12/2014 16:25 Page 3

Film NEW RELEASES Released from Thurs 1 January

Enemy CERT 15 (90 mins) Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Mélanie Laurent, Sarah Gadon, Isabella Rossellini Directed by Denis Villeneuve (Canada/Spain)

Prepare to be baffled. Jake Gyllenhaal plays a vaguely abstracted history teacher who is recommended a DVD by a colleague. In it, he is struck by the resemblance to himself of a minor character. So, bored by the life he leads and its numbing repetition, he decides to track down this lookalike actor… Denis Villeneuve, who also directed the riveting Incendies and Prisoners, describes Enemy as an “existential erotic thriller” and a “neurotic spy movie.” True, it is faintly erotic and is beautifully rendered, but its appeal is likely to be limited only to Kafka fanatics and Gyllenhaal completists.

The Theory Of Everything CERT 12a (123 mins)

Starring Eddie Redmayne, Felicity Jones, Charlie Cox, Emily Watson, Simon McBurney, David Thewlis Directed by James Marsh (UK)

The story of Stephen Hawking is one of the most remarkable and stirring of the twentieth century. That is why it was turned into a TV movie - the BBC’s riveting Hawking, with Benedict Cumberbatch - and the documentary of the same name, which was released last year. This edition - told from the viewpoint of Hawking’s first wife, Jane Wilde - provides Eddie Redmayne with a chance to exhibit his acting chops (he is nothing short of brilliant) and also gives Felicity Jones a chance to emote very prettily indeed. Starting with Hawking’s early days at Cambridge - in 1963 - the film is a picturesque, by-the-numbers retelling of the facts. However, cinematically it does pale in comparison with the not altogether dissimilar The Diving Bell And The Butterfly - and feels a little too Laura Ashley for its own good. It’s a shock to see Emily Watson - as Jane’s mother - in such a coughand-a-spit, while Jóhann Jóhannsson's piano-driven score really does wear out the ivories. Those unfamiliar with Hawking’s tale his fight against his debilitating motor neuron disease and his rewriting of space-time singularity - may be suitably engaged.

The Woman In Black: Angel Of Death CERT 15 (98 mins) Starring Helen McCrory, Jeremy Irvine, Adrian Rawlins, Oaklee Pendergast, Ned Dennehy, Phoebe Fox Directed by Tom Harper (UK)

When a group of schoolchildren are evacuated from London during the Blitz, they are moved to the remote Eel Marsh House. But what happens there is far worse than anything the Luftwaffe could mete out... The first Woman In Black (2011) was pretty scary, yet this one comes with the higher certificate of a 15.

You have been warned.

For full film listings, showings and booking links

visit: whatsonlive.co.uk

View the latest trailers on line 46 www.whatsonlive.co.uk

Film - Jan.qxp_Layout 1 19/12/2014 16:25 Page 4

Released from Fri 9 January

Foxcatcher CERT 15 (134 mins) Starring Steve Carell, Channing Tatum, Mark Ruffalo, Vanessa Redgrave, Sienna Miller Directed by Bennett Miller (USA)

There aren’t enough films about wrestlers. In this one (a true story) Channing Tatum dons the tights as Mark Schultz, as does Mark Ruffalo as his brother, Dave. But it’s Steve Carell’s performance as Channing’s paranoid-schizophrenic sponsor and coach that people are talking about. From the director of Capote and Moneyball.

From

Taken 3 CERT tbc Starring Liam Neeson, Forest Whitaker, Famke Janssen, Maggie Grace, Dougray Scott, Sam Spruell Directed by Olivier Megaton (France)

They will never learn. This time Liam Neeson is framed for a murder he didn’t commit and so sets out to find the real killers. There will be threats.

Wild CERT 15 (115 mins)

Testament Of Youth

Starring Reese Witherspoon, Laura Dern, Thomas Sadoski, Gaby Hoffmann Directed by Jean-Marc Vallée (USA)

CERT 12a (130 mins)

Adapted (by Nick Hornby) from her own memoir, this is the story of Cheryl Strayed who hiked one thousand, one hundred miles of the Pacific Crest Trail - alone. Reese Witherspoon is said to be sensational in the part.

American Sniper CERT 15 (132 mins) Starring Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller, Luke Grimes, Max Charles Directed by Clint Eastwood (USA)

The Navy SEAL sniper Chris Kyle (Bradley Cooper) was not nicknamed ‘Legend’ for nothing. He was the most deadly sniper in US military history. This is his story.

Released from Fri 16 January

Whiplash CERT 15 (106 mins) Starring Miles Teller, J. K. Simmons, Paul Reiser, Melissa Benoist Directed by Damien Chazelle (USA)

According to Terence Fletcher, music teacher at New York’s august Shaffer Conservatory, no two words are more destructive than “good job.”

Fletcher is a taskmaster and he is resolved to push his students further than they knew possible. The ‘Whiplash’ of the title is the name of a piece of jazz that he is teaching - but it could equally describe the sting of his coaching methods. His demolition of mediocrity is tantamount to sadism and it is the aspiring drummer Andrew Neyman (Miles Teller) who becomes the damaged object of his emotional assault. One might guess where Whiplash is headed, but it is never what it appears to be. It is, though, a thoroughly gripping drama about passion, ambition, perfectionism and the obstacles that impede our path to success. Who would have thought it? A suspenseful film about drumming.

But thanks to Damien Chazelle's confident and stylish direction and a standout performance from JK Simmons as Fletcher (who’s tipped for an Oscar), Whiplash is a distinctive, unusual and completely engrossing experience.

FRI 16 JAN

Starring Alicia Vikander, Kit Harington, Emily Watson, Hayley Atwell, Dominic West, Miranda Richardson, Taron Egerton Directed by James Kent (UK)

Much of the sweep of James Kent’s adaptation of Vera Brittain’s epic memoir is supplied

by Max Richter’s orchestral score. It so dominates this tale of camaraderie, changing times and sacrifice that the bite of the drama is masked by a misplaced opulence. Robert Hardy’s cinematography is perhaps the real star, but his Athena-styled tableaux would be better suited to a shampoo ad than a tale of war and loss. And here there be meaty components for riveting drama: Vera’s fight for female equality, the dreamy spires of Oxford University and the horrors of the front line of the First World War. And yet it all feels manicured and pruned, as if a galumphing miniseries had been whittled down into a polite TV movie suitable for Sunday afternoon viewing.

There are some telling turns from Dominic West and Miranda Richardson, the usual quota of comic cameos of class-conscious aunts and chaperones and the odd daub of bald symbolism. One can but admire Alicia Vikander’s impeccable English accent as Vera (the actress was born in Gothenburg, in Sweden), but we never really connect with her humanity. It prompts one to re-visit Atonement and The Officers’ Ward, both of which tackled similar terrain with far more authenticity - or to check out the double-DVD of the BBC’s Baftawinning series of 1979.

Released from Fri 23 January

A Most Violent Year CERT 15 (125 mins)

Starring Oscar Isaac, Jessica Chastain, David Oyelowo, Alessandro Nivola, Albert Brooks, Catalina Sandino Moreno Directed by J.C. Chandor (USA)

In 1981 it was a most dangerous year in New York City and immigrant businessman Abel Morales (Isaac) struggles to keep his head above water. JC Chandor has only directed two films - Margin Call and All Is Lost - but both have been of exceptional pedigree. www.whatsonlive.co.uk 47

Film - Jan.qxp_Layout 1 19/12/2014 16:25 Page 5

The UK’s largest regional leisure publishers

IDE INMENT GU TE ENTERTA A IM LT U S ND THE MIDLA AM GH BIRMIN

Y 2015

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349

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INSIDE: INTERVIEW

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As the UK’s largest regional leisure publishers we’re looking to recruit a Sales & Marketing Manager to promote a range of exciting new initiatives.

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SKILLS REQUIRED: l The ability to motivate and lead a team l Initiative and enthusiasm l Excellent communication and 'people skills' l Good planning and organisational skills l The ability to work calmly under pressure l A good understanding of traditional and digital media l Good IT, budget and report writing skills l A full driving licence Interested? Please email your CV to: martin@whatsonlive.co.uk before 19 January

Reviewers and bloggers

What’s On Magazine Group is looking for enthusiastic reviewers and bloggers who’d like to get involved and contribute to our series of established publications, as well as our digital channels within the West Midlands area.

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CATS BACK IN THE REGION

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Film - Jan.qxp_Layout 1 19/12/2014 16:26 Page 6

Kingsman: The Secret Service CERT tbc

Starring Colin Firth, Samuel L. Jackson, Mark Strong, Taron Egerton, Michael Caine, Jack Davenport Directed by Matthew Vaughn (UK)

Based on Mark Millar and Dave Gibbons’ comic book The Secret Service, this spy adventure unites director Matthew Vaughn with the scenarist Jane Goldman for the fourth time (cf. Stardust, Kick-Ass, X-Men: First Class). Colin Firth plays a veteran secret agent who takes on a young protégé (Egerton).

Mortdecai CERT tbc

From

FRI 30 JAN

Starring Johnny Depp, Gwyneth Paltrow, Ewan McGregor, Paul Bettany, Jeff Goldblum, Olivia Munn Directed by David Koepp (USA)

Johnny Depp is Charlie Mortdecai, an urbane rogue and art dealer who traverses the globe in search of a stolen painting. And this is no ordinary painting: it is rumoured to contain the code to a secret bank account that once belonged to the Nazis…

Released from Fri 30 January

Inherent Vice CERT 15 (149 mins) Starring Joaquin Phoenix, Josh Brolin, Owen Wilson, Katherine Waterston, Reese Witherspoon, Benicio Del Toro Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson (USA)

A private investigator with a major drug problem (Phoenix) investigates the disappearance of the boyfriend of his ex-girlfriend. From the novel

by Thomas Pynchon.

The Gambler CERT 15 (111 mins) Starring Mark Wahlberg, John Goodman, Brie Larson, Michael K. Williams, Jessica Lange, George Kennedy Directed by Rupert Wyatt (USA)

A remake of the 1974 drama with James Caan, Mark Wahlberg takes on the mantle of the English professor with a gambling problem. He then offers a gangster his own life as collateral...

Trash CERT 15 (114 mins) Starring Rooney Mara, Martin Sheen, Wagner Moura Directed by Stephen Daldry (UK/Brazil)

Son Of A Gun CERT 15 (109 mins) Starring Ewan McGregor, Brenton Thwaites, Alicia Vikander Directed by Julius Avery (Australia)

Ewan McGregor returns to his darker side, playing a notorious Australian thug. While in jail he grooms a young inmate, with major plans for the future…

Big Hero 6 CERT tbc Featuring the voices of Ryan Potter, Scott Adsit, Daniel Henney Directed by Don Hall and Chris Williams (USA)

The fourteen-year-old robotics prodigy Hiro Hamada forms a team of crime-fighting robots, along with the eminently outsize, huggable Baymax. Expect a merchandising blitz from Disney.

From the Marvel comic. In 3D.

In Brazil, two kids sifting through their local trash dump discover a wallet. However, they are initially unaware of how significant its contents are. From a screenplay by Richard Curtis.

The Turning CERT 15 (107 mins) Starring Cate Blanchett, Rose Byrne, Hugo Weaving, Miranda Otto, Callan Mulvey

Ex Machina CERT 15 (108 mins) Starring Oscar Isaac, Domhnall Gleeson, Alicia Vikander Directed by Alex Garland (USA/UK)

Alex Garland is a respected novelist (The Beach) and screenwriter (28 Days Later, Never Let Me Go) and this marks his directorial debut.

It’s a sci-fi thriller in which a young programmer is asked to evaluate the human qualities of a very beautiful android (Vikander).

The extraordinary turning points in ordinary people’s lives are here explored through a thought-provoking study of a small coastal community. No fewer than seventeen directors have each contributed a chapter.

Dancing In Jaffa CERT tbc Starring Pierre Dulaine, Yvonne Marceau, Alaa Bubali Directed by Hilla Medalia (Germany)

Four-time ballroom dancing world champion Pierre Dulaine returns to the place of his birth, Jaffa - a city in which two communities continue to grow apart. Via his Dancing Classrooms programme, Pierre seeks to find some common ground between the Jewish and Palestinian Israeli children. As he challenges his young students, three of the children are forced to confront issues of identity, segregation and racial prejudice as they dance with their enemy... www.whatsonlive.co.uk 49

Film - Jan.qxp_Layout 1 19/12/2014 16:26 Page 7

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 ’71 15 An unstable British soldier is caught up in riots in Belfast in the year of the title. Stars Jack O’Connell.

Showing at Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Fri 9 Jan

2001: A Space Odyssey U The film charts the progress of ‘civilisation’ through the influence of mysterious black monoliths on prehistoric apes developing their skills and, later, on astronauts involved in a secret mission to Jupiter. Showing at Old Market Hall, Shrewsbury, Mon 5 Jan; The Courtyard, Hereford, Tues 20 Jan; Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Weds 28 Jan

Animal Farm U George Orwell’s famous political allegory brought to life with animation and the voices of Maurice Denham and Gordon Heath.

Showing at The Courtyard, Hereford, from Fri 30 Jan Annie PG Little Orphan Annie trusts the sun'll come out tomorrow when filthy-rich New York mayoral candidate Will Stacks turns up at her foster home. Of course, it’s a thinly-veiled campaign move - but Annie’s no fool. Stars Jamie Foxx, Quvenzhané Wallis.

Showing at The Courtyard, Hereford, Fri 16 Jan Thurs 22 Jan

Blue Jasmine 12a A New York socialite, deeply troubled and in denial, arrives at her sister’s house and the family drama unfolds… Stars Cate Blanchett. Showing at The Hive, Shrewsbury, Fri 9 Jan

Big Eden PG Henry Hart, a successful but lonely New York artist, returns to Big Eden after years away to care for his grandfather. Back home, Henry confronts his unrequited love for his high school best friend and his feelings about being gay in a small town. But, as

we quickly learn, Big Eden residents defy the stereotype of ‘small town, small minds’. Stars Arye Gross, Eric Schweig.

Showing at Festival Drayton Centre, Market Drayton, Weds 28 Jan

Book Of Life U Originally entitled Day Of The Dead, this animated musical adventure concerns a hopeless romantic with a guitar and two swords. In order to pursue his romantic dream, he has to manoeuvre two alternative worlds. Stars Diego Luna, Zoe Saldana.

Showing The Courtyard, Hereford, Fri 9 - Weds 14 Jan

WATCH THE FILM T TRAILERS A

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Effie Gray 15 Back in the 1850s, ‘Effie,’ the wife of the eminent art critic John Ruskin, met the Pre-Raphaelite painter John Everett Millais. The resultant affaire de cœur has been the subject of much speculation. Stars Dakota Fanning & Emma Thompson. Showing at Old Market Hall, Shrewsbury, Fri 2 - Thurs 8 Jan Far From Heaven 12 A lush tribute to the 1950s Hollywood melodrama: housewife Cathy deals with marital discord, hatred and gossip in her community - and a burgeoning friendship with her gardener. Stars Stars Julianne Moore and Dennis Quaid. Showing at The Hive, Shrewsbury, Weds 14 Jan

Get On Up 12a

A biography of James Brown, the Godfather of Soul, chronicles his .co.uk rise from poverty to whatsonlive celebrity. Stars Chadwick Boseman, Nelsan Ellis.

Showing at Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, until Fri 2 Jan; The Courtyard, Hereford, Charlie’s Country U Fri 16 - Thurs 22 Jan; LudVeteran Australian actor low Assembly Rooms, David Gulpilil co-scripted South Shropshire, Weds and stars in this partly au21 - Fri 23 Jan tobiographical story of an Aboriginal elder who deGone Girl 18 cides to leave his ramNick Dunne, on his fifth shackle urban township wedding anniversary, reand head into the outback ports the disappearance of to live as his ancestors his wife. Then, as a media did. Showing Roses Thefrenzy builds around the atre, Tewkesbury, Sun 11 gone girl, suspicion starts Jan to fall on Nick himself…

Stars Ben Affleck, Diplomacy 12a Rosamund Pike. Showing It’s 1944, and Germany at The Courtyard, Hereare losing the war. As the ford, Fri 9 - Weds 14 Jan Allies march towards Paris, Swedish consulThe Grand Budapest general Raul Nordling Hotel 15 sneaks into the office of Taking place between German military governor World War One and World Dietrich von Choltitz, inWar Two, the film tells the tent on convincing him story of a legendary not to follow Hitler’s orconcierge at a famous Euders and burn Paris to the ropean hotel and his ground as the Nazis refriendship with a young treat. Stars André Dussolemployee who becomes lier, Niels Arestrup. his most trusted protégé.

Showing at Artrix, BromsShowing at Forest Arts grove, Tues 20 - Weds 21 Centre, Walsall, Fri 9 Jan Jan

CINEMA Box Office Birmingham

The Drop 15 Tom Hardy plays a Brooklyn bartender whose joint is used as a money-laundering operation for the local lowlife. Then things get personal… Showing at Stoke Film Theatre, Thurs 22 Jan

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Shropshire CINEWORLD, SHREWSBURY 0871 200 2000 THE EDGE ARTS CENTRE, MUCH WENLOCK 01952 728 911 FESTIVAL DRAYTON CENTRE, MARKET DRAYTON 01630 654 444 THE HIVE, SHREWSBURY 01743 234 970 LUDLOW ASSEMBLY ROOMS 01584 878 141 MAJESTIC, BRIDGNORTH 01746 761815

The Grandmaster 15 The Grandmaster himself is one Ip Man, a martial arts maestro who perfected the horizontal/vertical combat of wing chun.

Ip Man was a very real person and he went on to teach Bruce Lee. Stars Tony Leung, Zhang Ziyi.

Showing at Stoke Film Theatre, Sat 24 Jan The Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies 12a Previously known as The Hobbit: There And Back Again, the final instalment of the Hobbit trilogy now takes on a more militant subtitle. And there’s a lot of battling. There’s not only a very grumpy Smaug (the dragon voiced by Cumberbatch) but the return of Sauron (Cumberbatch again) and his army of ferocious Orcs. It’s all too exciting.

Stars Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman. Showing at The Courtyard, Hereford, Fri 2 Thurs 8 Jan; Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Tues 6 Thurs 8 Jan; Artrix, Bromsgrove, Tues 27 - Thurs 29 Jan; Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire, Thurs 29 - Sat 31 Jan; Old Market Hall, Shrewsbury, from Fri 30 Jan

Hockney 15 An often intimate account of this charismatic and incorrigibly unconventional figure's life and career. It traces David Hockney's eventful journey from his working-class origins in Bradford to Hollywood.

Showing at The Courtyard, Hereford, Fri 23 - Weds 28 Jan; Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Sun 25 Jan The Homesman 15 An unlikely Western, in which a man and woman team up to escort three mentally impaired women from Nebraska to Iowa.

From the 1988 novel by Glendon Swarthout. Stars Tommy Lee Jones, Hilary Swank. Showing at The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Tues 6 - Thurs 8 Jan; Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire, Sat 24 Mon 26 Jan; The Courtyard, Hereford, Sat 24 Thurs 29 Jan

The House Of Magic U Thunder, an abandoned young cat seeking shelter from a storm, stumbles into the strangest house ODEON TELFORD 0871 224 4007 OMH SHREWSBURY 01743 281281 WEM TOWN HALL 01939 232299

Staffordshire CINEWORLD, BURTON-UPONTRENT 0871 200 2000 THE STAFFORD CINEMA, STAFFORD 0207 438 9580 FOXLOWE ARTS CENTRE, LEEK 01538 386 112 STOKE FILM THEATRE, 01782 411188

imaginable, owned by an old magician and inhabited by a dazzling array of automatons and gizmos.

When the magician falls ill and his scheming nephew sees his chance to cash in by selling the mansion, our young hero enlists the help of some wacky magician's assistants to protect his magical new home.

Showing at Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Sat 10 Jan

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 12a JLaw is back as Katniss Everdeen, and in her new role as Mockingjay - the symbol of hope for the persecuted districts of Panem - she must consolidate the divided in their fight against the Capitol.

Stars Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson. Showing at Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Sat 10 - Mon 12 Jan

I am Ali PG An intimate and heartwarming documentary looking at the man behind the legend - Muhammad Ali as he’s never been seen before. Showing at Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire, Thurs 8 Jan

Ida 12a Poland 1962; orphaned novice nun Sister Anna is about to take her vows when she finds out that she was originally named Ida and is Jewish. So she goes on a search for the truth about her parents.

Stars Agata Kulesza.

Showing at Artrix, Bromsgrove, Mon 12 - Tues 13 Jan; Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Tues 13 Jan; The Edge Arts Centre, Much Wenlock, Mon 19 Jan The Imitation Game 12a Based on the biography Alan Turing: The Enigma

by Andrew Hodges, the film chronicles Turing’s part in winning the Second World War (by helping to crack the Nazi’s Enigma code) and then his criminal prosecution for being homosexual.

Stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Keira Knightley.

Showing at Artrix, Bromsgrove, Mon 5 - Wed 7 Jan; Festival Drayton Centre, Market Drayton, Fri 9 - Sat 10, Mon 12 Jan; The

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Warwickshire ODEON COVENTRY 0871 224 4007 ODEON NUNEATON 0871 224 4007 SHOWCASE, COVENTRY 0871 220 1000 VUE, LEAMINGTON SPA 08712 240 240 PICTURE HOUSE, STRATFORD-UPON-AVON 0871 902 5741 WARWICK ARTS CENTRE COVENTRY 02476 524524

Courtyard, Hereford, Fri 9 Thurs 15 Jan; Stoke Film Theatre, Tues 13 & Thurs 15 Jan; Wem Town Hall, North Shropshire, Weds 14 - Thurs 15 Jan

Interstellar 12a A sci-fi tale of the journey undertaken by a group of astronauts through a wormhole. Think Gravity with more star names.

Stars Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway. Showing at Old Market Hall, Shrewsbury, Weds 7 - Thurs 8 Jan; Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire, Mon 12 - Thurs 15 Jan; Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Fri 16 Jan; Stoke Film Theatre, Fri 16 Jan Jimmy's Hall 12 Barry Ward plays the reallife political activist Jimmy Gralton, who becomes the only Irishman ever to be deported from Ireland. This is the story of the dance hall he built. Showing at The Edge Arts Centre, Much Wenlock, Mon 5 Jan Journey To Italy PG Ingrid Bergman stars in Roberto Rossellini’s story of an estranged English couple holidaying in Naples. Showing at The Hive, Shrewsbury, Weds 28 Jan

The King and the Mockingbird U Adapted from a Hans Christian Andersen fairytale, the film tells of the tyrannical King of Takicardia and his love for a portrait of a young shepherdess. Showing at Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire, Fri 2 Mon 5 Jan

Kon Tiki 15 In 1947, Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl crossed the Pacific Ocean in a balsa wood raft to prove that South Americans could have settled on the Polynesian islands.

This is an old-fashioned man-against-the-elements adventure epic, propelled by human-scaled heroics.

Part classic adventure tale, part history lesson. Stars Pal Sverre Hagen, Anders Christiansen. Showing at Artrix, Bromsgrove, Fri 23 Mon 26 Jan; The Courtyard, Hereford, Sat 24 Thurs 29 Jan; Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Sun 25 Tues 27 Jan

Worcestershire ARTRIX, BROMSGROVE 01527 577330 MALVERN THEATRE 0845 287 2146 THE NORBURY THEATRE, DROITWICH SPA 08444 777 1000 WAREHOUSE, KIDDERMINSTER 01562 747773 VUE, WORCESTER 0871 224 0240 THE ROSE’S THEATRE, TEWKESBURY 01684 295 074

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Leviathan 15 A family in a small coastal town on the Barents Sea face losing their home and business to a corrupt mayor. So the father calls an old army friend from Moscow to help. Stars Elena Lyadova, Vladimir Vdovichenkov. Showing at Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire, Fri 16 Sat 17 Jan; Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Weds 21 Jan; Stoke Film Theatre, Tues 27 Jan; The Courtyard, Hereford, from Fri 30 Jan

My Old Lady 12a This is all a bit of a reunion for Kristin Scott Thomas as she’s previously starred alongside both Kevin Kline and Maggie Smith. Here, she plays the old lady’s daughter, her mother being the sole occupant of a Parisian apartment inherited by a New Yorker.

Showing at Old Market Hall, Shrewsbury, Fri 9 Thurs 15 Jan; Stoke Film Theatre, Sat 17 & Tues 20 Jan; Festival Drayton Centre, Fri 23 - Sat 24 Jan

A Most Wanted Man 15 A half-Chechen, half-Russian Muslim turns up in Hamburg with a claim to a huge fortune. Stars Philip Seymour Hoffman, Rachel McAdams. Showing at Artrix, Bromsgrove, Weds 14 - Thurs 15 Jan

Nightcrawler 15 Co-produced by Jake Gyllenhaal, this thriller is set in the murky world of freelance crime journalism in Los Angeles. Stars Gyllenhaal and Bill Paxton.

Showing at Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire, Mon 5 - Tues 6 Jan

Mr. Turner 12a Arguably Britain’s greatest artist of all time, Mr Turner seems to have been known by a number of names: Mr Mallord, Mr Booth, William, Billy and, by posterity, as JMW. Stars Timothy Spall. Showing at The Courtyard, Hereford, Tues 6 - Thurs 8 Jan; Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire, Weds 7 - Sat 10 Jan; Stoke Film Theatre, Tues 8 - Sat 10 Jan; Festival Drayton Centre, Fri 16, Mon 19 - Tues 20 Jan; Wem Town Hall, North Shropshire, Weds 28 - Thurs 29 Jan

Northern Soul 15 An authentic, uplifting drama about two friends whose horizons are expanded forever by their discovery of black American soul music. With supporting turns from Steve Coogan, Lisa Stansfield and Ricky Tomlinson, amongst others. Showing at Artrix, Bromsgrove, Fri 2 & Sun 4 Jan; The Courtyard, Hereford, Fri 9 - Tues 13 Jan Of Horses And Men 15 A tale from Iceland - where romance between hu-

mans is kindled by a bond with horses. Love and death become interlaced with immense consequences for all. Showing at The Hive, Shrewsbury, Fri 23 Jan

from George’s past threatens to undermine their union... Stars Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper. Showing at The Courtyard, Hereford, Fri 9 Weds 14 Jan

Paddington PG A film about the loveable bear with a penchant for marmalade. Stars Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins.

Showing at mac, Birmingham, until Thurs 1 Jan; Artrix, Bromsgrove, until 3 Jan; Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Sat 17 - Tues 20 Jan; The Courtyard, Hereford, Mon 19 - Weds 21 Jan

Set Fire To the Stars 15 Taking its title from the last line of Dylan Thomas’s Love In The Asylum, this is the story of the Welsh poet’s first visit to America.

Elijah Wood plays the literary critic and aspiring poet John Malcolm Brinnin, who brings Thomas along and has to suffer the consequences. Stars Elijah Wood, Celyn Jones.

Showing at Artrix, Bromsgrove, Thurs 8 - Fri 9 Jan

Searching For Sugar Man 12a Documentry about Rodriguez, an American singer-songwriter who released two albums around 1970. They found their way to South Africa, where he became as big as the Rolling Stones.

Then he disappeared. . .

Stars Rodriguez, Stephen 'Sugar' Segerman. Showing at The Edge Arts Centre, Much Wenlock, Mon 12 Jan

Serena 15 George Pemberton is a tycoon who moves from Boston to Depression-Era North Carolina to build a timber empire. Initially met with hostility by the locals, his wife, Serena, soon proves that she can hold her own. But then a secret

Stations Of The Cross 15 Divided into fourteen chapters to mirror the number of stages of Christ’s judgement up to his burial, this is probably one of the year’s most unusual films. Winner of the best script award at Berlin, it focuses on the fourteen year-old Maria (van Acken) who follows the aforementioned fourteen stages through which to reach her nirvana per the dictates of the fundamentalist Catholic community in which she’s raised.

Stars Lea van Acken, Hanns Zischler. Showing at Stoke Film Theatre, Thurs 29 Jan

St Vincent 15 When St Vincent is recruited by his neighbour, Maggie (McCarthy), to look after her twelve-yearold son, he introduces the undersized boy to the joys of the strip club and the racetrack. Stars Bill Murray, Melissa McCarthy.

Showing at Artrix, Bromsgrove, Sat 17 - Mon 19 Jan; Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire, Tue 27 - Thurs 29 Jan; Stoke Film Theatre, Fri 30 Sat 31 Jan The Two Faces Of January 12a Rydal, a tour guide, shows an American couple around the Acropolis of Athens. But Rydal is not all he seems - and neither, for that matter, is his new friend Chester MacFarland. Stars Viggo Mortensen & Kirsten Dunst. Showing at Forest Arts Centre, Walsall, Thurs 29 Jan

Unbroken 12a Louis ‘Louie’ Zamperini was quite a chap. An Olympic distance runner praised by Hitler, Zamperini was a survivor.

When his plane crashed in the Pacific, he spent forty-seven days drifting on a raft before being picked up by the Japanese and then sent to a series of POW camps. Stars Jack O’Connell, Domhnall Gleeson. Showing at Old Market Hall, Shrewsbury,

Fri 23 - Thurs 29 Jan

War Matters tbc A fifty-minute documentary chronicling ten years of anti-war resistance and protest in the city of London. The film follows the story of Brian Haw, a veteran peace campaigner who occupied Parliament Square from 2001 up to his death in 2011. Showing at The Drum, Birmingham, Thurs 22 Jan

What We Do In The Shadows 15 Viago and Vladislav are immortal vampires able to avoid sunlight and hit the main artery, but who’re struggling with modern life's trivialities. Stars Jemaine Clement, Taikia Waititi. Showing at Stoke Film Theatre, Fri 23 Jan

Winter Sleep 15 Palme d'Or winner in which a former actor runs a small hotel in central Anatolia with his young wife Nihal, with whom he has a stormy relationship, and his sister Necla, who’s suffering from her recent divorce. In winter as the snow begins to fall, the hotel turns into a shelter - but also an inescapable place that fuels their animosities… Stars Haluk Bilginer, Melisa Sözen. Showing at Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire, Mon 19 - Tues 20 Jan

DVD NEW RELEASES The Rover 15

A Most Wanted Man 15

Anybody who saw David Michôd’s brutal Animal Kingdom (2010) may approach his latest film with some caution. A postapocalyptic drama in which a tough loner pursues a gang of men who’ve stolen his only possession - his car.

Stars Guy Pearce.

Released 5 January

A half-Chechen, halfRussian Muslim turns up in Hamburg with a claim to a huge fortune. Stars Philip Seymour Hoffman, Rachel McAdams.

Released 19 January

A Walk Among The Tombstones 15 It sounds like a Western but it’s actually a crime drama. When his wife is kidnapped, a New York drug tsar (Dan Stevens) hires a former cop (Liam Neeson) to get her back…

Released 19 January

Before I Go To Sleep 15 Christine Lucas (Nicole Kidman) has anterograde amnesia, which means that every time she wakes up she’s forgotten everything from the day before. So she starts a journal, a daily record that begins to unearth some frightening truths.

Released 12 January

The Riot Club 15 For Riot Club read the Bullingdon Club, the Oxford University establishment known for its rambunctious rituals and elaborate banquets.

Adapted by Laura Wade from her own play, Posh, and starring Max Irons and Sam Clafin.

Released 19 January

The Equalizer 15 Here, Robert McCall, an ex-black ops commando, has been relocated to Boston and comes out of retirement to help a teenage girl in the clutches of a gang of Russian gangsters.

Stars Denzel Washington and Chloë Grace Moretz.

Released 26 January The Boxtrolls PG From the company (Laika) that brought us Coraline and ParaNorman, this is the story of

an orphan boy (Egg) who’s brought up by subterranean trash collectors. Brought to life using stop-motion animation, the film is based on Alan Snow’s heavily illustrated children’s novel, Here Be Monsters!

Released 26 January

What We Did On Our Holiday 12a When Abi and Doug are invited to the Scottish Highlands for the birthday of Doug’s father (Billy Connolly), they’re determined to keep their impending divorce a secret.

But Abi and Doug take along their three children and you know what children are like... A comedy from the creators of TV’s Outnumbered. Stars Rosamund Pike, David Tennant and Ben Miller.

Released 26 January

Wish I Was Here 15 A comedy-drama about a father who home schools his children after he’s unable to pay their private school's tuition fees. Starring Zach Braff, Kate Hudson and Josh Gad. Released 26 January

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Visual Arts Elizabeth Rowe New Art Gallery, Walsall, Mon 12 January - Sun 5 April

Disparate images carefully selected from women’s magazines, National Geographic volumes and old books in her personal collection lie at the heart of Elizabeth Rowe’s work. Producing art rooted in drawing and collage, Elizabeth uses pen, pencil, gel pens, ink and silkscreen printing to build layers of colour on the images she chooses.

“It’s about adapting an image that’s presented to us of the world,” said Elizabeth in a recent interview with the Birmingham Post. “I’m very interested in images that we see in the mass media because they’re a way that we understand ourselves, and a way of us thinking about our place in the world - who we are, what we do and where we want to be.”

Image credit: Old News (foam), 2014, Ink on newspaper, Courtesy the artist

The Making Of Mordor Secret Egypt Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery, Sat 24 January - Sun 26 April

Modern misconceptions about Ancient Egypt are addressed in this fascinating show. Comprising more than one hundred-and-fifty objects, Secret Egypt includes ceramics, jewellery, statues, coffins and both animal and human mummies.

As well as examining the science behind the mummification process, the exhibition also looks at evidence of curses in Egyptian society.

Commenting on Secret Egypt, Tina Woodward, Shropshire Council’s deputy Cabinet member for visitor economy, said: “The realm of ancient Egypt is something that continues to capture our imaginations, but often what we think we know has been distorted by the films, books and TV programmes that make it their inspiration. This exhibition is a chance to discover for yourself what’s fact and what’s fantasy. It’s a highly interactive show, rich in graphic images, films and hands-on learning activities.”

Wolverhampton Art Gallery, until Saturday 17 January

Although it’s the various images from JRR Tolkien’s sketchbooks which are this exhibition’s real pull, The Making Of Mordor also features works by a selection of other twentieth century writers and artists, all of whom, like The Lord Of The Rings author, were influenced in their work by the industrial powerhouse of the West Midlands.

Works by Turner Prize nominee Richard Billingham, photographer Brian Griffin and internationally acclaimed installation artist Olafur Eliasson all feature in a presentation that also includes archive film.

’scapes Shire Hall Gallery, Stafford, Sat 10 January - Sun 8 March

Selected contemporary artists here present their reactions to and experiences of personal journeys into chosen 'scapes' - landscapes, seascapes, cityscapes and nightscapes.

A broad-ranging exhibition, the show includes drawings, paintings, prints, photographs and textiles.

Secret Egypt exhibition at a previous location

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VisualArts PREVIEWS VisualArts LISTINGS Further exhibitions

Martin Parr: Black Country Stories New Art Gallery, Walsall, until Sun 11 January

Martin Parr’s photographic exhibition is the latest addition to Black Country Stories, a project which invites critically acclaimed photographers, filmmakers and authors to work with local people ‘to tell amazing stories that celebrate everyday life’. Much admired for his close-up and intensely colourful work, Martin embraced the challenge of documenting Black Country life back in 2010, initially focusing on the borough of Sandwell before moving on to examine Walsall, Wolverhampton and Dudley.

The project has seen him visit factories, foundries, pubs, working men’s clubs, shops, markets, temples, mosques and churches. He’s also documented St George’s Day celebrations, Royal Wedding street parties, horticultural shows and dog training classes. “The one thing that binds all these photographs together is humour,” says Martin, “the diversity and the single-minded quality of the Black Country folk.

This is a celebration of their community.”

Jerwood Encounters: 3-Phase Eastside Projects, Birmingham, Sat 31 January - Sat 11 April

“As more artists develop careers in a growing number of art scenes around the UK, it’s vital that initiatives such as 3-Phase exist,” says Eastside Projects’ Director Gavin Wade. The Birmingham-based organisation has teamed up with Cardiff’s g39 and Jerwood Charitable Foundation to run 3-Phase, a new artist development initiative. The project offers two early-career artists the opportunity to make new work which will be exhibited through five exhibitions across the collaborating galleries.

Kelly Best and Georgie Grace are the 2015 beneficiaries of 3-Phase. “The initiative is a concentrated effort to commission two artists to make the most of their potential,” continues Gavin. “We’re really proud to be working with Kelly and Georgie to share their unique visions.”

Recording Britain Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry, Fri 30 January - Sun 26 April

Victoria & Albert Museum’s Recording Britain collection comprises over one thousand, five hundred paintings that present a remarkable snapshot of a fast-changing country.

Begun in 1939 at the beginning of the Second World War, the Recording Britain art project commissioned artists to paint ‘places and buildings of characteristic national interest’. The undertaking was made all the more relevant by the prospect of wartime bombing and invasion, both of which threatened to change the country beyond recognition.

The collection features images of Britain’s quiet corners and of local scenes, a selection of which are here presented alongside a host of contemporary paintings and photographs.

Works from the Herbert’s own collection, depicting the landscape of Coventry and Warwickshire, also feature.

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Black Sheep: The Dark Side Of Felt, Bilston Craft Gallery

For full listing information on Visual Art exhibitions, including times and dates, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk NEIL HARRIS: PEOPLE’S PRIZE WINNER 2013 Featuring larger-than-life exhibits, including a 6ft parrot and a mother & baby Dodo, until Fri 2 Jan, Newcastle Borough Museum & Art Gallery JOHN TONKS: EMPIRE Exploration of life on four remote islands in the South Atlantic, all of which are relics of the once-formidable British Empire, until Sun 4 Jan, mac, Birmingham MADE AT MAC: JEWELLERY EXHIBITION Featuring work created under the watchful eye of artist-tutor Nick Greenhough, until Sun 4 Jan, mac, Birmingham KATE WRIGGLESWORTH: MAKE BELIEVE & MOVEMENT THROUGH STORYTELLING AND PAINT until Sun 4 Jan, Artrix, Bromsgrove INFINITE VARIETY Photographic exhibition celebrating the beauty of the ageing female face, curated by actor and RSC Associate Artist Harriet Walter, until Sun 4 Jan, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon ENCHANTED Exhibition exploring the magic & wonder of the festive season, until Sun 4 Jan, Red House Glass Cone, Stourbridge EXPOSED: THE BODY IN ART FROM DURER TO FREUD Featuring a selection of works by artists such as Bacon, Rodin & Rosetti, all of which reveal a range of different responses to the human body, until Sun 4 Jan, Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery WEST INDIES TO WEST MIDLANDS Photographic exhibition by rising Birmingham-based documentary photographer Inés Elsa Dalal, until Thurs 8 Jan, The Drum, Birmingham DAY + HILLE: PIONEERS OF PLASTIC Exhibition which explores the history of the polyproplene chair, launched in 1963

by Robin Day & Hille Furniture, London, until Sat 10 Jan, Parkside Gallery, Birmingham City University AFTER THE GOLDRUSH An exhibition of work by Stephen Boyd made in response to the finding and conservation of the Staffordshire Hoard, until Fri 11 Jan, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery

B(U)Y ME FOR CHRISTMAS Exhibition of handmade Christmas gifts from local & national designer makers, until Sun 11 Jan, Newcastle Borough Museum & Art Gallery ‘DEGENERATE ART’ German expressionist art from the Barber Collection, including early-twentieth century prints by celebrated artists Max Beckmann, George Grosz & Egon Schlele, until Sun 11 Jan, The Barber Institute, Birmingham DARK AGE WARWICK & THE WARRIOR QUEEN Exhibition which explores the origins of Aethelflaed, Lady of the Mercians, until Sun 11 Jan, Leamington Art Gallery & Museum PEOPLE OF INDIA: PHOTOGRAPHS BY JASON SCOTT TILLEY Thought-provoking exhibition featuring black-and-white studies taken between 1999 & 2009, until Sun 11 Jan, Herbert Museum & Art Gallery, Coventry MARTIN PARR: BLACK COUNTRY STORIES Photographic portrait & archive of life in the Black Country, until Sun 11 Jan, New Art Gallery, Walsall USEFUL OR BEAUTIFUL CRAFT EXHIBITION Curated selection of contemporary craft for sale, until Sat 17 Jan, RBSA Gallery, Birmingham THE MAKING OF MORDOR Exhibition exploring the links between JRR Tolkien’s depiction of his fantasy region and the industrial Black Country of the 1900s, presented alongside more contemporary responses, until 17 Jan, Wolverhampton Art Gallery THE NAKED AND THE NUDE Works made between 1500 and 1914 by, among others, Durer, Rembrandt and Matisse are featured in this striking exhibition of images portraying the unclothed human figure, until Sun 18 Jan, The Barber Institute, Birmingham WHEN SANTA CAME TO THE FACTORY Exhibition which brings together childhood memories with nostalgic photographs to focus on the hugely popular Christmas parties organised by the region’s factories & their workforce, until Sun 18 Jan, Bantock House, Wolverhampton

A MODERN NARRATIVE Exhibition of contemporary painting & drawing

by Kate Bainbridge & Genevieve Belgard, until Fri 23 Jan, The Bond Cafe Gallery, Birmingham BRIAN YALE: FIRST WORLD WAR BATTLEFIELD PAINTINGS Featuring paintings from the 1980s which are based on sketches made at some of the most famous and tragic battlefields of the First World War, until Sat 24 Jan, Wolverhampton Art Gallery REBEL VISIONS Groundbreaking exhibition exploring the work of British war artist Richard Nevinson, until Sun 25 Jan, The Barber Institute, Birmingham JULIAN OPIE The last in a series of five exhibitions to be presented in Ikon’s Tower Room as part of the gallery’s birthday celebrations, until Sun 25 Jan. Ikon Gallery, Birmingham IMRAN QURESHI Featuring an array of gold and blood-red miniature paintings depicting people, blossoms, colours, rain, leaves and abstract forms, until Sun 25 Jan, Ikon Gallery, Birmingham ANDY GARBI: SHADOWS & DUST Using music, photography and video, the artist explores ‘spirit of place’ through audiovisual works that contain within them the ‘DNA’ of the Newman Bros factory before changes occurred through its renovation, until Fri 30 Jan, Newman Brothers at the Coffin Works, Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham THE FRIENDS’ AMBULANCE UNIT DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR Featuring letters & items from the collection of Laurence John Cadbury, a former member of the FAU, who served in the ambulance convoys, until Fri 30 Jan, Muirhead Tower Atrium, Birmingham University CRAFTED FOR YOU Showcase of works from some of the region’s finest craftmakers, until Sat 31 Jan,

Worcester City Museum & Art Gallery THE BORROWERS SCHOOLS’ EXHIBITION Annual showcase of artwork from local children based on the theatre’s Christmas show, until Sat 31 Jan, New Vic Theatre, Newcastleunder-Lyme BLACK SHEEP: THE DARK SIDE OF FELT Exploration of the edgier side of felt in an exhibition curated by textile artist & felt maker Laura Mabbutt, until Sat 31 Jan, Bilston Craft Gallery THE GREAT WAR: COVENTRY’S STORY Exhibition marking the outbreak of World War One which focuses on the experiences of Coventry people during the conflict, until Sun 1 Feb, Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry FAITH & FORTUNE Visualising the Divine on Byzantine & early Islamic coinage, until Thurs 5 Feb, The Barber Institute, Birmingham POP EUROPE! until Sat 7 Feb, Wolverhampton Art Gallery START Featuring works

by RBSA Members & Associates. All works on show are for sale, priced £200 or under, until Sat 7 Feb, RBSA Gallery, Birmingham EVERYTHING IS LOST BY PATRICK DANDY Exploring social dependency on technology to protect the longevity of digital information, memories & virtual lives, until Fri 13 Feb, Bramall Music Building, Birmingham JUNE DUDLESTON RBSA Exhibition exploring landscape scenes over the changing seasons, until Sat 14 Feb, RBSA Gallery, Birmingham WEST MIDLANDS OPEN Biennial public art exhibition featuring work by both professional and amateur artists from all disciplines, until Sun 15 Feb, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery ART OF THE TROUBLES Major new exhibition featuring artists’ responses to the troubles in Northern Ireland, until Fri 27 Feb, Wolverhampton Art Gallery

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VisualArts LISTINGS For full listing information on Visual Art exhibitions, including times and dates, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk VAL PITCHFORD RBSA Exploration of the small (and very small) format through abstract landscapes, still life and flower paintings, until Sat 28 Feb, RBSA Gallery, Birmingham ROBERT HAND ARBSA Solo show featuring a combination of handbuilt raku & pit-fired ceramics, until Sat 7 Mar, RBSA Gallery, Birmingham WORLD WAR ONE: IN THE WORDS OF WORCESTERSHIRE PEOPLE Part of a series of events in Worcestershire commemorating the anniversary of the First World War, until Sat 14 Mar, Worcester City Museum & Art Gallery BRUCE BAIRNSFATHER Fascinating exhibition which explores the life and illustrative work of soldier-artist Captain Bruce Bairnsfather, until Sun 15 Mar, Paccar Room, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon DARREN BANKS: THE RAVEN A body of work inspired by the legacy

of Churton Fairman better known by his alias, Mike Raven, until Sun 26 Apr, New Art Gallery, Walsall 100 DAYS: THE RWANDAN GENOCIDE TWENTY YEARS LATER A display of photographic, digital and installation works from a selection of international contemporary artists, giving voice to the women who lived through the conflict, until Thurs 30 Apr, Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry THE JEWELLERY QUARTER DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR Exhibition of artefacts, images and oral histories relating to the recruitment of soldiers from the Jewellery Quarter, until Sat 27 June, The Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham SOLDIERS STORIES: BIRMINGHAM AND THE ROYAL WARWICKSHIRE REGIMENT 1914 - 1918 Exhibition which commemorates the centenary of the First World War and recounts the experiences of

Birmingham men who served in the regiment between 1914 and 1918, using personal objects, medals & memorabilia, until Sun 26 July, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery JERWOOD ENCOUNTERS: 3-PHASE Featuring works by Kelly Best & Georgie Grace, until Sat 11 Apr, Eastside Projects, Birmingham RAY JACOBS An exhibition of work by movement & digital artist Ray Jacobs, Sat 3 - Sat 31 Jan, Wolverhampton Art Gallery SPIRIT OF CLOTH Showcase of work from six Midlands textile artists who work independently to produce original textile art, regularly sharing ideas, techniques & inspiration, Sat 10 Jan - Sat 7 Feb, Bilston Craft Gallery A SPACE BETWEEN UTOPIA AND THE PLACE WE KNOW Richard Schofield’s photographic essay interprets the brutalist Italian park Parco Bissuola in Mestre, Venice, Mon 19 - Fri 27 Feb, Parkside Gallery, Birmingham University HIDDEN TREASURES CRAFT EXHIBITION Exhibition featuring new techniques such as 3D-

printing to examine current trends in ceramics & jewellery, Mon 19 Jan - Sat 9 May, RBSA Gallery, Birmingham SECRET EGYPT Exhibition addressing the popular misconceptions about ancient Egypt, Sat 24

Jan - Sun 26 April, Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery BIRMINGHAM SHOW Large-scale group exhibition, Sat 31 Jan - Sat 11 Apr, Eastside Projects, Birmingham

JERWOOD ENCOUNTERS 3-PHASE SHOW 1 First of two exhibitions by emerging artists - in this case, Kelly Best and Georgie Grace, Sat 31 Jan - Sat 11 Apr, Eastside Projects, Birmingham

Museums & Art Galleries Birmingham ARTIFEX Sutton Coldfield 0121 323 3776 BARBER INSTITUTE 0121 414 7333 BIRMINGHAM MUSEUM & ART GALLERY 0121 303 2834 CASTLE GALLERIES 0121 248 8484 GRAND UNION 0121 643 9079 IKON GALLERY 0121 248 0708 NUMBER NINE THE GALLERY 0121 643 9099 RBSA GALLERY 0121 2364353 STRYX GALLERY, DIGBETH stryxarts@gmail.com THREE WHITE WALLS GALLERY 0121 200 3328

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 SHREWSBURY MUSEUM & ART GALLERY 01743 258885 TWENTY TWENTY GALLERY, MUCH WENLOCK 01952 727952 THE WILLOW GALLERY, OSWESTRY 01691 657575

Staffordshire NEWCASTLE BOROUGH MUSEUM & ART GALLERY 01782 232323 THE POTTERIES MUSEUM & ART GALLERY, STOKE-ONTRENT 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 LANCHESTER GALLERY, COVENTRY 02476 887831 MEAD GALLERY WARWICK 02476 524524 ROYAL PUMP ROOMS 01926 742700 RUGBY MUSEUM & ART GALLERY 01788 533201

Worcestershire WORCESTER CITY ART GALLERY 01905 25371

Visit whatsonlive.co.uk for venue website details

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Events

Arenacross LG Arena, Birmingham, Sat 24 January Lights, lasers, fireworks, music, crashes, pure grit and plenty of passion are the name of the game at this month’s Arenacross gettogether. Following a sold-out tour and promising to be bigger and bolder than ever before, the hugely popular event features heady racing action from the world’s top professionals and youth racers,

with European champion Steve Clarke riding alongside last year’s runner-up Daniel McCoy on an all-new Husqvarna-backed team.

Both riders are said to be in seriously good form, so expect some explosive racing action!

Continental Circus Berlin On Ice Star City, Birmingham, until Sat 3 January

After delighting audiences across the world, Continental Circus Berlin has landed in the Midlands with a glittering show that combines ice artistry, circus skills and illusions.

Ice dancers, trapeze artists, contortionists, comedians and magicians all feature in this high-energy production, which is presented within a brand new state-of-the-art (and heated!) luxury big top.

Tattoo Freeze The International Centre, Telford, Shropshire, Sun 11 January Now in its fifth year, this specialist one-day event offers members of the general public the chance to get themselves tattooed by one (or more!) of the hundreds of talented tattooists who’ll be in attendance. The show also features some of the world’s greatest graffiti artists, BMX and skateboard champions, not to mention shopping stalls, children’s activities and a national roller derby tournament. But wait, there’s more... Other crowd-pulling attractions include an unplugged music stage featuring Tom Jarvis and Matt Hamer, a traditional professional body-painting zone led by Rainbow Faces and the much-celebrated National Tattoo Photography Competition. www.whatsonlive.co.uk 57

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Events PREVIEWS BBL Cup Final Barclaycard Arena (formerly NIA), Birmingham, Sun 11 January

One of the most eagerly anticipated dates on the British Basketball League (BBL) calendar, this annual event, now in its fourteenth year, sees stars of the British game go head-tohead 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.

Additional attractions include the All Star Dunkers Acrobatic Dunk Team, the ‘BBL Babes Cheerleaders’ and a special warm-up game. The action-packed day ends with two British Basketball League clubs battling it out in pursuit of BBL Cup glory.

Autosport International NEC, Birmingham, Thurs 8 - Sun 11 January

A must-see event for motorsport fans and performance-car aficionados, Autosport International boasts the very best high-performance machines presented in their full glory.

The event features every level of motor racing from karting to Formula One and comprises two trade-only days followed by two public days. It takes place alongside the Performance Car Show.

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

THUR 1 JAN CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY TRAIL Explore the grounds on a festive walk during the holiday, until Sun 4 Jan. Attingham Park, Nr Shrewsbury FESTIVE SEASON SERVICE Enjoy a leisurely steam train journey along the Severn Valley, until Sun 4 Jan, Severn Valley Railway, Kidderminster WINTER FAMILY OUTDOOR TRAIL until Mon 5 Jan, Croome Park, Worcester A VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS until Tues 6 Jan, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage & Gardens, Stratfordupon-Avon A TUDOR CHRISTMAS until Tues 6 Jan, Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Stratfordupon-Avon CHRISTMAS DURING WW1 until Tues 6 Dec, Hall’s Croft, Stratfordupon-Avon A JACOBEAN CHRISTMAS until Tues 6 Dec, Harvard House, Stratford-upon-Avon THE GREAT GLADSTONE CIRCUS HUNT Follow the clues & find the lion heads hidden around the museum, Fri 2 Jan Sat 28 Feb, Gladstone Pottery Museum, Stoke-on-Trent GALLERY TOUR Sat 3 Jan, Wolverhampton Art Gallery DOG DAY WEEKEND Walk off some of that festive fare with a stroll around the grounds, Sat 3 Sun 4 Jan, Avoncroft Museum, Bromsgrove PUMPING STATION IN STEAM Highlights include: engines in steam on site; two eighty-tonne beam engines five storeys high; a steam-powered engineering workshop; a fully operational steam-powered electrical generator, the oldest in the country; a blacksmith’s forge and joiner’s shop; a working Victorian bath house; a display of twenty-four original stationary steam engines, Sat 3 Sun 4 Jan, Claymill’s Victorian Pumping Station, Staffordshire OUT OF THE BOX SPRING TERM Theatre workshop aimed at youngsters aged between 10 and 18, Sat 3 Jan - Sat 28 March, Artrix, Bromsgrove NEW YEAR’S WALK Sun 4 Jan, Weston Park, Staffordshire CALLIGRAPHY DEMON-

STRATION Sun 4 Jan, The Pen Museum, Birmingham

Week Commencing

MON 5 JAN LUNCHTIME TALK - THE BANTOCKS LINKS TO TRANSPORT Tues 6 Jan, Bantock House Museum, Wolverhampton INTERMEDIATE ADULT BALLET Classes for those with experience; also including pointe work, Tues 6 - Tues 17 March, Artrix, Bromsgrove BEGINNERS ADULT BALLET Class for those with little or no experience, Tues 6 Jan - Tues 17 Mar, Artrix, Bromsgrove ARTFORUM GOLD CLUB Take part in a range of art activities using different materials and methods, Wed 7 Jan, Wolverhampton Art Gallery EARLY YEARS PLAY DAYS An opportunity for one to three-year-olds to explore and investigate through sensory play, Thurs 8 - Fri 9 Jan, Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry THE PERFORMANCE CAR SHOW Featuring a stunning array of exotic supercars, rare and historic models and displays from top-end manufacturers, Thurs 8 - Sun 11 Jan, Barclaycard Arena (formerly NIA), Birmingham SONGSTARS JUNIOR SHOWCHOIR Learn vocal techniques and prepare for studio performances. Ages eight to 15, Thur 8 Jan - Thurs 19 Mar, Artrix, Bromsgrove GARDEN CLUB Fri 9 Jan, Bilston Craft Gallery, Wolverhampton OVERSEAS PROPERTY SHOW Fri 9 - Mon 12 Jan, National Motorcycle Museum, Solihull ACTING UP AGE 6-9 A chance for young people to build confidence and learn performance skills, Fri 9 Jan - Fri 20 Mar, Artrix, Bromsgrove ACTING UP AGE 10-18 A chance for young people to build confidence and learn performance skills, Fri 9 Jan - Fri 20 Mar, Artrix, Bromsgrove EXCALIBUR COMPUTER FAIR Sat 10 Jan, National Motorcycle Museum, Solihull DECORATING CLUB A chance for one to sixyear-olds to create their very own unique piece of pottery, Sat 10 Jan, Emma Bridgewater Factory, Stoke-on-Trent

FAMILY HISTORY RESEARCH WORKSHOP A workshop covering general interest and offering hints on progressing your own research, Sat 10 Jan, The Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry BBL CUP FINAL Sun 11 Jan, The Barclaycard Arena (formerly NIA), Birmingham TATTOO FREEZE A chance to admire artists’ work or get some new ink, Sun 11 Jan, Telford International Centre, Shropshire CAMPER MART A oneday VW buying extravaganza, Sun 11 Jan, Telford International Centre, Shropshire AUTOSPORT INTERNATIONAL A mustsee event for motorsport fans and performance-car aficionados, which brings together an unmissable combination of cars, stars and action, Sun 11Thurs 15 Jan, NEC, Birmingham SO SUNDAY, SO SANTA Week Commencing Sun 14 Dec, The MONInn,12 JAN Fleece Evesham JUNIOR OPEN GP CHAMPIONSHIP Tues 13 Jan, Mr Karting, Leamington Spa FIVE-WEEK ENAMEL COURSE Make jewellery, mobiles, small panels, clocks and much more, Tues 13 Jan - Wed 11 Feb, Ruskin Glass Centre, Stourbridge THE ART OF HASRET BROWN Explore the universal patterns and contribute to a collaborative piece of artwork inspired by traditional Islamic geometric patterns, using tessellation and acrylic paints, Wed 14 Jan, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery HISTORY TALKS: BLACK COUNTRY ECHOES Paul Quigley discusses the project and stories he unearthed while researching the region’s industrial heritage, Wed 14 Jan, Wolverhampton City Archives DRIFT WHAT YA BRUNG Wed 14 Jan, Santa Pod Raceway, Warwickshire LIGHT 52 INTERMEDIATE Workshop aimed at non-professional digital SLR users, Wed 14 Jan - Wed 18 Mar, Solihull Arts Complex BEGINNERS BELLY DANCING A ten-week course to teach correct posture and the basic moves, Wed 14 Jan - Wed 25 Mar, Artrix, Bromsgrove INTERMEDIATE BELLY DANCING Development of advanced belly dance moves and techniques, Wed 14 Jan Wed 25 Mar, Artrix, Bromsgrove PORTRAIT WORKSHOP Practical, gallery-based session devised espe-

cially for adults, Thurs 15 Jan, Ikon Gallery, Birmingham BEHIND THE SCENES TOURS An access-allareas tour unlocking the secrets of Witley’s partying past, Fri 16 Jan, Witley Court, Worcester HISTORY TALK: WHEN LLOYD GEORGE CAME TO WOLVERHAMPTON A talk

by Jefny Ashcroft on David Lloyd George’s famous visit to Wolverhampton in 1918, Fri 16 Jan, Wolverhampton Art Gallery ART SPEAKING Audiodescribed tours of exhibitions for people with visual impairment, Fri 16 Jan, Wolverhampton Art Gallery HERITAGE DAY: IKON50 PEOPLE’S ARCHIVE Sat 17 Jan, Ikon, Birmingham MUSIC MAZE WORKSHOP Series of fun, creative, participatory workshops for children aged eight to 11, Sun 18 Jan, CBSO Centre, Birmingham BLEAK MIDWINTER LIVING HISTORY WEEKEND Experience how our ancestors survived winter in the past, Sat 17 Sun 18 Jan, Avoncroft Museum, Bromsgrove ZIGZAG ENSEMBLE WORKSHOP Composing & improvising group for 12-to-16-year-olds led by composer & workshop leader Ben Markland and BCMG musicians, Sun 18 Jan, CBSO Centre, Birmingham INTRODUCTION TO DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY FOR COMPACT CAMERAS Sat 17 Jan, Birmingham Botanical Gardens DRIVEZONE - ROOKIE RIDES A unique new package aimed at 11to-16-year-olds, giving them a chance to get behind the wheel for the first time, Sat 17 Jan, Heritage Motor Centre, Warwickshire DECORATING CLUB A chance for one to sixyear-olds to create their very own unique piece of pottery, Sat 17 Jan, Emma Bridgewater Factory, Stoke-on-Trent CLOCK AND WATCH FAIR Sun 18 Jan, National Motorcycle Museum, Solihull THE ASIAN WEDDING SHOW Sun 18 Jan, National Motorcycle Museum, Solihull RUN WHAT YA BRUNG Sun 18 Jan, Santa Pod Raceway, Warwickshire

Week Commencing

MON 19 JAN MEET ME @ BANTOCK Regular conversation club for people aged 50 and over, offering a chance to relax and chat about the topic of the month, Tues 20

Jan, Bantock House Museum, Wolverhampton ARTFORUM GOLD CLUB Take part in a range of art activities using different materials and methods, Wed 21 Jan, Wolverhampton Art Gallery VALUATION DAY: FINE ART AND ANTIQUES Thurs 22 Jan, Bantock House Museum, Wolverhampton FRIDAY TWILIGHT BURNS NIGHT Hear the history of the poet and his famous address to Haggis with a Highland character whilst enjoying a Scottish afternoon tea. Booking essential!

Fri 23 Jan, Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent WINTER BEER FESTIVAL Enjoy a wide selection of real ales from some the country’s best breweries, a choice of fine traditional ciders and a good range of wines, accompanied by fine food & good company in this long-established event on the Lichfield calendar, Fri 23 - Sat 24 Jan, Lichfield Guildhall PIRATES WEEKEND Featuring plenty of pirate activities, entrance to the waterpark and a visit to Sharkbait Reef by Sealife, Fri 23 - Sat 24 Jan, Alton Towers, Stoke-on-Trent WINTER BEER FESTIVAL Fri 23 - Sat 24 Jan, Lichfield Guildhall, Staffs ARENACROSS Sat 24 Jan, LG Arena, Birmingham EXCALIBUR COMPUTER FAIR Sat 24 Jan, National Motorcycle Museum, Solihull GUIDE TO PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY Sat 24 Jan, Bishops Wood Centre, Stourport POTTER’S WHEEL WORKSHOP Sat 24 Jan, Eastnor Pottery, Herefordshire WORKING WITH FELT Sat 24 Jan, Bilston Craft Gallery, Wolverhampton WOLVERHAMPTON YOUNG WRITERS’ GROUP Led by professional writer Elisabeth Charis, Sat 24 Jan, Wolverhampton Art Gallery DRIVEZONE EXPERIENCE An intensive three-hour package that includes classroom training and ninety minutes behind the wheel, Sat 24 Jan, Heritage Motor Centre, Warwickshire DECORATING CLUB A chance for one to sixyear-olds to create their very own unique piece of pottery, Sat 24 Jan, Emma Bridgewater Factory, Stoke-on-Trent CREATIVE CHALLENGE FASHION SCHOOL Learn more about fashion and textiles. Ages 11-17, Sat 24 Jan - Sat 21 Mar, Solihull Arts Complex

DRIVEZONE TASTER A one-hour session aimed at young people who’ve not yet started formal driving lessons, Sun 25 Jan, Heritage Motor Centre, Warwickshire BRITISH MINI SHOW Featuring over one hundred mini specialists on hand to source parts for everything from a simple service to a complete winter restoration project, Sun 25 Jan, Staffordshire County Showground RUN WHAT YA BRUNG Sun 25 Jan, Santa Pod Raceway, Warwickshire WEDDING FAYRE Sun 25 Jan, National Motorcycle Museum, Solihull

Week Commencing

MON 26 JAN INTRODUCTION TO TEXTILES Mon 26 Jan Mon 23 Mar, Solihull Arts Complex DRIFT WHAT YA BRUNG Wed 28 Jan, Santa Pod Raceway, Warwickshire SLIDE Aimed at actionsport and streetwear retailers, Tues 27 - Fri 29 Jan, Telford International Centre, Shropshire MEET ME @ WAG Regular conversation club for people aged 50 and over, offering a chance to relax and chat about the topic of the month, Wed 28 Jan, Wolverhampton Art Gallery READING OLD HANDWRITING A one-off session showing participants how to read documents from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, Thurs 29 Jan, Solihull Arts Complex BURNS NIGHT Thurs 29 Jan, Greens Restaurant, Bewdley BOWMAN ANTIQUES FAIR A giant three-day antique fair featuring up to four hundred stands, including antiques, curios, vintage, retro and collectables, Fri 30 Jan - Sun 1 Feb, Stafford Bingley Hall CARIBBEAN BEACH PARTY WEEKEND Visit the tropical waterpark and dance the night away to a Caribbean disco, Fri 30 - Sat 31 Jan, Alton Towers, Staffs CRAFT CLUB Sat 31 Jan, Wolverhampton Art Gallery DECORATING CLUB A chance for one to sixyear-olds to create their very own unique piece of pottery, Sat 31 Jan, Emma Bridgewater Factory, Stoke-on-Trent PICTURES FROM THE POTTERIES Jeff Kent shows extracts from his film and talks about its making, Sat 31 Jan, Gladstone Pottery Museum, Stoke-onTrent

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Eating Out Ooh là là! - Bistrot Pierre coming to Brum As part of an ongoing expansion programme, French restaurant group Bistrot Pierre has announced plans to open a venue in Birmingham in the summer. The bistro will be sited along the city’s Gas Street - within an historic toll house backing on to the Birmingham canal - and will be styled to suit its surroundings. Bistro Pierre offers authentic bistro dishes created with a mix of artisan provincial ingredients and carefully selected, locally sourced produce. The nutty-flavoured St Marcellin cheese from Isere, the Toulouse sausage and the traditional escargot from Burgundy will all feature. We’ll keep you posted on the venue’s progress.

Bistro Pierre

Plenty to celebrate at Hotel du Vin Management and staff at Birmingham’s Hotel du Vin are celebrating after the venue’s success at the recent IAB Awards. A ceremony at the city’s International Convention Centre, hosted by broadcaster Suzanne Verdi, saw Hotel du Vin collect the award for Outstanding Customer Service 2014. The venue also collected the trophy for Best Hotel Bar, courtesy of its new and muchadmired Bubble Lounge.

New venture for the Pushkar brand Award-winning Indian fine dining restaurant Pushkar Cocktail Bar & Dining is to celebrate its fifth birthday with the launch of a new venture in Edgbaston. Praza By Pushkar will be housed at the former Rose Murree restaurant and will launch in late January/early February. Promoting a decor-inspired theme, the venue promises a chic and luxurious ambience with monochrome colourways, glass and chrome. In addition to providing the North Indian cuisine with which the Pushkar brand has become so well known, the venue will also present a new menu masterminded by Pushkar’s award-winning Head Chef, Bishal Rasaily. The menu will feature new and interesting combinations not usually associated with the city’s culinary scene.

Pushkar’s Creative Director, Rai Singh

Gastropub highly recommended...

REVIEW A visit to The High Field, the new gastropub in Edgbaston, provides a masterclass on how to do things properly - from the beautifully presented (and strong) G&T on arrival through to the after-dinner fresh mint tea.

The classic white villa has had an expensive refit and is now styled in a kind of urban faux-country - think low-hanging lights, paintings of foxes and beautifully carved wooden stools. The dining room sits next to an open kitchen, allowing you to see what the chefs are up to - not that there’s anything to worry about on that front.

We started with Pigeon Kiev (£7.50), which I’ve never seen on any other menu. The dish was beautifully executed, with properly oozing garlicky butter.

The Brixham Crab Cocktail (£7) came with gorgeous crispy tacos and smooth guacamole; slightly too strong on the Tabasco for my tastes but well conceived.

I went for a main from the specials board - a confit of pork belly that turned out to be half a pig (I only slightly exaggerate... the portion was huge!). The meat was slow-cooked to be moist and shreddable, though the sheer size of the thing demanded more gravy.

My partner enjoyed a ribeye steak (£25).

Accompanied by chips and bearnaise sauce, it arrived charred on the outside and pink in the middle, just as it should be.

Sides of roasted carrot and parsnip and sauteed savoy cabbage were seasonal, generous and flavoursome. The High Field makes a point of explaining where their meat and fish come from and aim for seasonal cooking whenever possible.

Dessert was an Iced Hazelnut Parfait served with hot chocolate sauce (£5.75) - although by this point we’d eaten so well it would perhaps have been better named ‘death by chocolate’.

There are a few gripes. It’s a meat-heavy menu - veg-

etarians had better enjoy goat’s cheese, as that’s mostly what’s on offer. It would be nice to see a beer list as impressive as the wine list. All the businessmen sloshing down the pints after a day in the office would be advised to keep their voices down a bit.

But that’s it. The service is quick and friendly, the waiters knowledgeable and whilst it isn’t the cheapest option in Birmingham, the quality of the cooking ensures it feels like great value for money. I like The High Field so much I’m taking a group of friends there in a few weeks. What greater recommendation could there be for a pub?

Helen Stallard Food: nnnnn Service: nnnnn Ambience: n n n n n Overall value n n n n n OVERALL n n n n n The High Field 22 Highfield Road Edgbaston Birmingham B15 3DP 0121 227 7068 www.whatsonlive.co.uk 63

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Relax and chill, Thai style...

This glamorous Harborne eatery is the baby sister of Moseley’s much-loved Thai restaurant of the same name.

Sabai Sabai, meaning ‘relax and chill’, is celebrating its tenth anniversary, so it was only fitting that we tried out the Celebration Tasting Menu.

Located in a modern, glass building, the restaurant’s soft lighting and use of candles creates an intimate atmosphere.

We chose scallops with a chilli & lime dressing as our opening dish. Spicy, juicy and meaty, they were followed by more fish - a crispy portion of seabass topped with spicy mango and an apple salad. A third fish dish, a meddling of monkfish in a green curry sauce, was delectable. It came with jasmine rice, to sweeten the fire, and thick pieces of aubergine, to soak up the sauce.

Next up was lamb chop, chargrilled with garlic and fresh peppercorn - well cooked and boasting a surprisingly fresh and fruity flavour. The massaman steak was an unexpected twist on a traditional dish that is sweet, nutty and earthy.

We also enjoyed a crispy-skinned and salty roast duck, served in a sweet and tangy tamarind sauce.

On to the trio of desserts - Thai pandan pancakes, chocolate cheesecake and coconut panacotta; an enjoyable way to round off the tasting-menu bonanza.

A selection of wines accompanied the meal, including a beautiful 2012 Pinot Noir Reserva, DeGras and a MadFish Reisling.

This was a sophisticated Thai banquet, complete with delicious wines and topped and tailed with cocktails.

Why not forgo the city centre and try Thai the next time you’ve an occasion to celebrate?

Alev Dervish

REVIEW

Sabai Sabai 268 High Street Harborne Birmingham B17 9PT 0121 426 2688

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

Shropshire restaurant offers exceptional menu...

REVIEW My friend and I visited the Townhouse Oswestry, located in a beautiful Georgian building, exactly one week after its opening night.

On a dark, wintery evening, the staff were welcoming, professional and attentive. The restaurant is elegant and tranquil. An imaginative seating and table plan ensures an ideal atmosphere in which either to converse freely with your dining companion or sit back and enjoy the contented hum of appreciative chatter.

The a la carte menu reads like it’s been devised by a two-star Michelin chef which it has! The highly revered Michael Caines MBA, an epicurean master, has produced this exceptional menu, which celebrates the finest local, regional and seasonal produce.

After much debate, we selected the Tasting Menu.

Our waitress took our order and we moved swiftly on to the wine list. This was extensive but was expertly simplified by the Sommelier - highly proficient in advising us in accordance with our particular tastes.

Our first taster was a curried carrot soup. Arriving in a tiny cup and saucer, it

was smooth and creamy with a delicate curry heat running through it. To accompany this was a basket of rustic bread slices - delicious, slathered in butter and devoured.

Next to arrive was a dish of seared scallops. Sweet and with a toasted crust, it was complemented perfectly by chargrilled pickled cauliflower florets and delicious droplets of exquisite sauces. The duck liver was literally melting in the mouth, with earthy black pudding, fresh apple puree and baby turnips a delight. The red mullet was crisptopped and cooked to perfection with incredible fennel crunch - a fresh fusion of Thai flavours that bowled us both over.

Then there was the absolutely incredible venison. All talk stopped as we savoured every mouthful.

Each dish was created with passion and boasted numerous components.

All were stand-alone delectable flavours brought together, they were a gastronomic delight!

The talented and enthusiastic Head Chef, Daniel Jones, came out of the kitchen to help us decipher the cheese course.

Four incredible cheeses, a perfect cube of quince

jelly, toasty walnuts, grapes and the best selection of artisan biscuits I’ve ever come across were demolished whilst listening to Daniel enthuse about local produce. A cheeky course of raspberry candy floss arrived, then a palate-cleansing dessert of green apple mousse blended with cold apple sorbet, topped with mellow vanilla foam.

At this point we were offered coffee and petit fours but we were done.

The fresh-tasting dessert was a well-devised end to a rollercoaster experience of flavours, soothing the tastebuds and bringing us back to reality.

I highly recommend a visit to the Townhouse. Peruse the highly informative website - there really is something for everyone, including a dedicated vegetarian menu and an afternoon tea option. Heck, you can even get married here! Caroline Ward Food: nnnnn Service: nnnnn Ambience: n n n n n Overall value n n n n n OVERALL n n n n n Townhouse 35 Willow Street Oswestry Shropshire SY11 1AQ Tel: 01691 659499

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

Birmingham AALTO RESTAURANT Hotel La Tour, Albert Street, Birmingham B5 5JT 0121 718 8000 AIR RESTAURANT LG Arena, Bickenhill Rd, 0844 338 0333 BALCONY BRASSERIE Selfridges On4, The Bullring, B5 4BP BANK 4 Brindleyplace, B1 2JB 0121 633 4466 BAR ESTILO 10-114 Wharfside St, The Mailbox, B1 1RF 0121 643 3443 BARAJEE 265 Broad Street, B1 2DS 0121 643 6699 BELLA ITALIA 102 New Street, B2 4HQ 0121 643 1548 BERLIOZ Burlington Arcade, New St, B2 4JQ 0121 633 1737 BLUE GINGER 32 Poplar, Rd, Kings Heath, B14 7AD 0121 444 0999 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 CHI BAR & GRILL 61 Newhall Street, B3 3RB 0121 233 3150 CHIMICHANGA 41 Mill Lane Arcade, Touchwood, Solihull, B91 3GS 0121 704 0749 CHUNG YING 16-18 Wrottersley Street, B5 4RT 0121 622 5669 CHUNG YING CENTRAL 126 Colmore Row, B3 3AP 0121 400 0888 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 CUCINA RUSTICA 24 Ludgate Hill, B3 1DX 0121 233 2277 DEL VILLAGGIO Unit 528, Middle Mall, The Bullring. B5 4BE 0121 643 1400 EASTZEAST 167 Broad Street, Birmingham, B15 1AY, 0121 643 4808 EDMUNDS 6 Brindley place, B1 2JB 0121 633 4944 FIESTA DEL ASADO 229

Hagley Road, Birmingham, B16 9RP 0121 445 9331 FLEET STREET KITCHEN Fleet Street, Islington Gates, B3 1JH 0121 236 0100 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 NUVO BAR 11 Brindley Place, B1 2LP 0121 631 1600 OPUS 54 Cornwall St, B3 2DE 0121 200 2323 THE ORIENTAL The Mailbox, 128-130 Wharfside St, B1 1RQ 0121 633 9988 PEACHYKEENS 1741 Coventry Road, B26 1DS 0121 764 5519 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 RAJDOOT TANDOORI 78 79 George St, B31 1PY 0121 236 1116 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 STRADA 109-111 Wharfside St, The Mailbox B1 1XL 0121 643 7279 TGI FRIDAYS 180 Hagley Road, Edgbaston, B16 9NY 0121 454 1930 THAI EDGE 7 Oozells Sq, B1 2HL 0121 643 3993 TURTLE BAY 81-91 John Bright Street, B1 1BL THE VAULTS Newhall Place, Newhall Hill, B1 3JH 0121 212 9837 WAGAMAMA Brindley Place, birmingham B1 WATERS ON THE SQUARE Chad Square, Hawthorne Rd, Edgbaston, B15 3TQ Havana Republic - Shrewsbury

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 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 THE HUNGRY BISTRO 81 Lichfield Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 1EQ 01902 546336 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 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, 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 HAVANA REPUBLIC 18 Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury SY2 6AE 01743 281744 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 MOMO·NO·KI T19 Abbey Foregate,Shrewsbury, SY2 6AE 01743 281770 MORGANS 1 Bellstone, Shrewsbury SY1 1HU 01743 231199 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

www.whatsonlive.co.uk 65

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Restaurant LISTINGS For full listing information on restaurants, including opening times and type of cuisine, visit: www.whatsonlive.co.uk 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 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, BurtonOn-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 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 PASCAL AT THE OLD VICARAGE 2 Main Street, Branston, Burton-uponTren 01283 533222 PASTICHE BISTRO 1 - 2 Mill Street, Stafford, ST16 2AJ 01782 263 737 THE PEAR TREE Swinfen, Nr. Lichfield, WS14 9QR 01543 481807 PORTOFINO 38-40 Marsh St Stoke-On-Trent, ST1 1JD 01782 209444

THE DINNER CLUB

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

Warwickshire 7 SQUARE 7 Old Square, Warwick CV34 4RA 01926 411 755 NO. 9 CHURCH STREET Stratford upon Avon, Warwickshire CV37 6HB 01789 415522 AGRA PLACE 12 Abbey Green, Nuneaton, CV11 5DR 024 7635 0515 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 THE BELL Alderminster, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 8NY 01789 450414 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 CASTLES 6 Castle Street, CV34 4QU 01926 495421 CATALAN 6 Jury St , Warwick CV34 4EW 01926 498 930 THE CHURCH STREET TOWNHOUSE 16 Church Street, Stratford-uponAvon CV37 6HB 01789 262222 COOMBE ABBEY Brinklow Road, Coventry, CV3 2AB 024 7645 0450 CROSSED KHUKRIS GURKHA 115 Abbey Street, Nuneaton, CV11 5BX 024 7634 4488 EDWARD MOON 9 Chapel Street, Stratford-uponAvon, CV37 6EP 01789 267069 EGO 29 The Square, Kenilworth, CV8 1EF 01926 864463 THE ENCORE

(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 66 www.whatsonlive.co.uk

No.6 Church Street, Warwick

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 GRANTS OF SHEEP ST 21-23 Sheep Street, Stratfordupon-Avon, CV37 6EF 01789 290 008 HIGH PAVEMENT BAR & DINING 3 High Street, CV34 4AP 01926 494725 HELP OUT MILL Heather Rd, Shakerstone, Nuneaton. CV13 0BT 01530 260666 INDIA RED 25 Abbey Street, Nuneaton, CV11 5BX 024 7634 2090 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 MALLORY COURT Harbury Lane, Leamington Spa, CV33 9QB, 01926 330214 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 NUMBER SIX Castle Street, Warwick, CV34 4BP 01926 497663 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 RISTORANTE DA VINCI 50 Earlsdon Street, Coventry, CV5 6EJ 024 7671 3554 ROBBIE’S RESTAURANT 74 Smith Street, CV34 4HU 01926 400470 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 WARWICK SPICE 24 Smith Street, CV34 4HS 01926 491736 ZIZZI 85-87 Regent Square House, Parade, Leamington Spa CV 32 4NL 01926 432532

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 BINDLES BAR & BRASSERIE 55 Sidbury, WR1 2HU 01905 611120 BRAMBLINGS Hither Green Lane, Redditch, B98 9BE 01527 406600 BRIDGE INN Plough Road, Droitwich WR9 7NQ 01905 345874 BROWNS 24 Quay St, Worcester WR1 2JJ 01905 26263 CHADDESLEY RESTAURANT Brockencote Hall Hotel, Kidderminster DY10 4PY 01562 777876 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 62025 EWE AND LAMB Hanbury

Road, Bromsgrove B60 4DN 01527 871 929 THE FIG TREE 99 Church Street, Gt Malvern, WR14 2AE 01684 569909 FOUR SEASONS 61 Lowesmoor, Worcester WR1 2RS 01905 27026 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 LOTUS HOUSE 33 Ombersley St East, Droitwich, WR9 8QX 01905 770079 MAEKONG THAI 12 Worcester Road, Bromsgrove B61 7AE 01527 578888 MASSALLA LOUNGE 35 Broad St, Worcester WR1 3NH 01905 729955 MUG HOUSE Claines Lane, Worcester WR3 7RN 01905 456649 ON THE ROCKS 44 Worcester Road, Bromsgrove, B61 7AE 01527 882412 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

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

Havana Republic (FP-Dec).qxp_Layout 1 24/11/2014 19:02 Page 1

grand_whatson FP Jan 8.qxp:Layout 1 16/12/2014 12:52 Page 1

Great Theatre at the Grand!

SUN 8 - MON 9 FEB

MON 2 - SAT 7 FEB

TUES 17 - SAT 21 FEB

Raymond Gubbay presents

‘IT WILL HAVE YOU GRIPPED IN YOUR SEATS AND CURLINGYOUR TOES IN FEAR’

Russia’s acclaimed ballet company returns for the UK Tour 2014/15

BBC

BILL KENWRIGHT

SWAN LAKE THE NUTCRACKER

BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT WITH AGATHA CHRISTIE LTD PRESENTS

Performed by The Russian State Ballet & Orchestra of Siberia

THU 26 - SAT 28 FEB

TUES 3 - SAT 7 MARCH

TUES 10 - SAT 14 MARCH

TUE 24 - SAT 28 MARCH

TUES 7 - SAT 11 APRIL

ENGLISH TOURING THEATRE PRESENTS THE ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY PRODUCTION OF

A MAD WORLD MY MASTERS

BY THOMAS MIDDLETON EDITED BY SEAN FOLEY & PHIL PORTER

HHHHH HHHH DAILY MAIL

SUNDAY TIMES INDEPENDENT

TUES 17 - SAT 21 MARCH

JEFFREY HOLLAND

JUDY BUXTON

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@WolvesGrand

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Box Office 01902

42 92 12

BOOK ONLINE AT www.grandtheatre.co.uk