What's On Wolverhampton July 2015

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THE MIDLANDS ULTIMATE ENTERTAINMENT GUIDE WOLVERHAMPTON & BLACK COUNTRY

’ What sOn www.whatsonlive.co.uk

ISSUE 355

JULY 2015

CELEBRATING THE FORTIES JOIN THE PARTY AT BCLM

PAULINE MCLYNN INTER

VIEW INSID E...

MOSCOW STATE CIRCUS playing Merry Hill in Dudley THOMASLAND feature inside INSIDE: FILM COMEDY THEATRE LIVE MUSIC VISUAL ARTS EVENTS FOOD & DRINK & MUCH MORE!

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Contents July Region 2.qxp_Layout 1 22/06/2015 20:40 Page 1

July

2015

INSIDE:

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

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

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

West End musical arrives in Stoke p21

Lauren Foster lauren@whatsonlive.co.uk 01743 281707

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

Jamie Ryan jamie@whatsonlive.co.uk 01743 281720

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

Chris Horton chris@whatsonlive.co.uk 01743 281704

Subscriptions: Adrian Parker

Marcus Brigstocke

adrian.parker@whatsonlive.co.uk 01743 281714

intelligent comedy at Lichfield Festival p18

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

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

Graphic Designers: Lisa Wassell Chris Atherton

From EastEnders to East Is East. Interview with Pauline McLynn, page 6.

Accounts Administrator Julia Perry julia@whatsonlive.co.uk 01743 281717

Contributors: Graham Bostock: Theatre James Cameron-Wilson: Film; Eva Easthope, Jessica Aston, Patsy Moss, Jack Rolfe, Jan Watts, Simon Carter Head Office: 13-14 Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, SY2 6AE

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

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News July Region two.qxp_Layout 1 22/06/2015 20:06 Page 1

News

A ROUND-UP OF LOCAL AND NATIONAL ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

A weekend of celebrations across Brum Birmingham is this autumn set to host one of the biggest free events ever to take place in the city.

Bringing together major arts organisations, Birmingham Weekender (25 to 27 Sept) is an outdoor event boasting a fusion of music, dance, theatre, art, literature, food and fashion.

The weekend marks the opening of the newly transformed New Street Station and the much-anticipated John Lewis store - and also coincides with Style Birmingham Live and the Rugby World Cup. Commenting on the event, Roxana Silbert, Creative Director of Birmingham Weekender and Artistic Director of Birmingham Repertory Theatre, said: “Birmingham is leading the way with this level of collaboration across the city’s arts and cultural organisations. We have relationships with some of the best national and international companies and artists in the world. Birmingham Weekender is an opportunity to showcase Birmingham as a regenerated city full of vibrancy and optimism.

And for audiences it will be an amazing, surprising and inspiring couple of days out!”

RAF secures National Lottery investment The Royal Air Force Museum has announced it’s been awarded £4.89million by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to invest in its 2018 RAF Centenary Programme - The First 100 Years. As custodians of the RAF story, the museum is planning an ambitious programme of activities and events for the summer of 2018. These will include a new digital programme titled My RAF Story which will collect and share the personal stories of servicemen and women to ensure that they’re preserved for future generations.

4 www.whatsonlive.co.uk

Theatre’s refurbishment ready for the off...

Wolverhampton Grand Theatre has unveiled plans for the first phase of a redevelopment of its Lichfield Street building. Work on the refurbishment starts this summer, with the theatre’s foyer and stalls bar areas the first to be reimagined. The ground floor level will be renamed The Encore Lounge. It will feature a small performance space to facilitate intimate theatre presentations and live comedy and music. The refurbishment will also enable customers to use the new lounge during the daytime and after work.

Commenting on the refurb, the theatre’s Chief Executive, Adrian Jackson, said: “I’m delighted that the Grand is going to be able to offer a new experience for our customers to enjoy, and one that will be part of the extended cultural offering within the city centre.”

Pixie Lott to star in Breakfast At Tiffany’s

Truly scrumptious musical back in Brum

Pixie Lott is to star as Holly Golightly in a new staging of Breakfast At Tiffany's, which visits Birmingham's New Alexandra Theatre in 2016.

The production is directed by Nikolai Foster, the new artistic director of Leicester's Curve Theatre, which is co-producing the show.

Commenting on her involvement, Pixie said: “I’m so excited to be playing Holly Golightly in Breakfast At Tiffany’s. I absolutely love Holly’s style and free spirit. She’s always been an icon to me and I can't wait to bring my own personality to the role. Alongside music, I've always wanted to be in a play, and getting the opportunity to be in one of my all-time favourites and to play this fabulous character is a dream come true.”

Breakfast At Tiffany's shows at New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, from Mon 18 - Sat 23 April.

A brand new staging of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is visiting the Birmingham Hippodrome in 2016. The West Yorkshire Playhouse production promises ‘sensational sets and stunning special effects’, presented alongside the Sherman brothers’ memorable score. Hit standards from the ever-popular musical include Truly Scrumptious, Toot Sweets, Hushabye Mountain and the show’s signature tune, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Speaking of his involvement in the production, West Yorkshire Playhouse Artistic Director James Brining said: “Directing such an iconic show is a great opportunity, a thrilling challenge for any director. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is a brilliant adventure story, filled with classic songs and scenes that hold so many memories for so many people. I can’t wait to bring the production to Birmingham.”

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang shows at Birmingham Hippodrome from Wednesday 7 to Sunday 18 September 2016, with tickets priced from £23.50 to £50 on general sale from 10am Monday 6 July.

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The wonders of the ocean on the big screen The mysterious wonders of the ocean are to be showcased for all to see when the Ocean Film Festival World Tour takes to the road this autumn. Featuring two hours of footage taken above and below the water’s surface, the films are described by the tour’s promoters as documenting ‘the beauty and power of the ocean’ and celebrating ‘the divers, surfers, swimmers and oceanographers who live for the sea’s salt spray, who chase the crests of the waves, and who marvel at the mysteries of the big blue’.

Impressive-sounding stuff...

The Ocean Film Festival World Tour stops off at: Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, 2 September; Crescent Theatre, Birmingham, 17 September; Malvern Theatre, 27 October. For further information, visit oceanfilmfestival.co.uk

Arts Council funding for Black Country project Four Black Country local authorities (Dudley, Wolverhampton, Walsall and Sandwell) are to share a £15,000 Arts Council grant as part of a Books Into Art project.

The grant will be used to promote local libraries as places which offer much more than just the opportunity to borrow books.

Commenting on the project, Councillor Rachel Harris, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “There will be special events to coincide with the Black Country Festival, and the stage at Kingswinford will be offered to local musicians, artists, theatre and community groups to use.”

The Dudley Books Into Art project is officially launched at Kingswinford Library on Saturday 4 July between 11am and 5pm.

The launch event features storytelling, music and artist workshops.

For further information and to find out what’s happening when and where, visit dudley.gov.uk/libraries

Savour the speed in Wolverhampton Looking for a summertime spectator sport to sample in the Midlands region? How about speedway in Wolverhampton? The city’s team, the Wolverhampton Wolves, race in the Sky Sports Elite League, which is widely considered to be the toughest in the world. The Wolves are staging meetings most Monday evenings between this month and October. Spectators can enjoy the action from the terraces, inside one of the bars or from the fully air-conditioned stadium restaurant, which comes complete with a panoramic track view. Tempted to try?

Find out more online at Wolverhamptonspeedway.com.

Join the Quest in Ironbridge Ironbridge Museums’ Coalbrookdale site is to be turned into a giant festival venue next month, providing an opportunity for families to get creative and explore how industry has changed their lives.

Time Travellers’ Ironbridge Quest on 22 August is facilitated by national children’s art charity The House Of Fairy Tales. It forms part of a programme of arts events and installations called Shifting Words, which runs at the Ironbridge venues throughout the summer. The Quest invites visitors to participate in a trail of games and take part in artist-led workshops. There will be six different routes to experience, with reward tokens being handed out for each successfully completed trail.

IN BRIEF Sway to Latin beats in Brum Birmingham’s Arcadian Centre is promising visitors a sizzling hot welcome this month when the Latin American Festival makes a welcome return (on 5 July). The one-day event promises a real feast for the senses, courtesy of an imaginative programme of music and dance.

Cuisine, crafts and culture from numerous Latin American nations also features.

Performers include the acclaimed Salsa Feugo Band (with Columbian singer Angelica Lopez), the Los De La Vega Latin Band, Carlos Paul and his band from Ecuador, and Expression Inca Dance Group from Peru.

Get the VIP treatment at Thomas Land Staffordshire’s award-winning Drayton Manor Theme Park has launched a new addition to its popular Thomas Land attraction.

Visitors young and young-at-heart can now take advantage of The Thomas Land VIP Experience, which includes breakfast on arrival and all-day use of one of the site’s themed suites. The suites can be exclusively hired for birthday parties and events - or simply as a place in which to take some time out from the fun of the park.

VIPs can also take advantage of an extra hour at the end of the day, after the park’s rides have closed, to sit and chill out on their private balcony. Priced from £250 for ten guests through to £500 for twenty guests, the VIP experience can be further enhanced by meet-and-greet experiences with The Fat Controller and his fun-gineers. For further information about Thomas Land VIP suites, email vip@draytonmanor.co.uk, call 0844 472 1690 or visit draytonmanor.co.uk

Relentless Kerrang! win for Slam Dunk An event which is regularly presented across three Wolverhampton venues - Civic Hall, Wulfrun Hall and Civic Bar has been named Best Festival at the Relentless Kerrang! Awards in London. Slam Dunk beat off stiff competition from Download, Sonisphere, Leeds & Reading and Bloodstock festivals to claim the coveted gong.

This year’s Wolverhampton Slam Dunk event took place over the May Bank Holiday and recorded its best ever attendance figures.

The line-up included You Me At Six, Lower Than Atlantis and Pvris.

A multi-venue festival, Slam Dunk also takes place in Hatfield and Leeds. www.whatsonlive.co.uk 5

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interview

Pauline McLynn Takes a break from East Is East rehearsals...

“

I got off the bus last week and a woman came up to me and told me that she didn’t like what I’d done to Dot!

”

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A familiar face from television favourites EastEnders, Shameless and cult comedy Father Ted, Pauline McLynn is also an accomplished author she’s published eight novels - and stage actor, performing in plays by Shakespeare and Brecht. This month she’s in the Midlands playing the role of Ella in Ayub Khan Din’s East Is East.

In a break from rehearsals for East Is East Ayub Khan Din’s hilarious domestic comedy Pauline McLynn breezes into our interview.

She immediately embarks on the conversation, as if we were old mates meeting for a coffee and a chinwag. The warmth of her greeting recalls the first rays of the sun emerging from the clouds, and we’re plunged instantly into a chat that rattles along like an express train for the next forty-five minutes. Needless to say, Pauline is not short of a witty line. Even if she hadn’t spent most of her professional life hanging out with assorted laughter-makers, she’d still be a funny woman.

Her theatre credits include works by such heavyweight writers as Shakespeare and Sophocles, Beckett and Brecht, but she’s never far from the comedic, whether on stage, on screen or when she’s immersed in her own writing - she’s the author of eight books. Not that there were too many laughs, except of a bitter variety, with her two recent stints on television - tangling with David Threlfall in Shameless and then menacing one of the great ladies of EastEnders.

“I got off the bus last week and a woman came up to me and told me that she didn’t like what I’d done to Dot!” In the first week of rehearsal, Pauline is clutching the East Is East script to her bosom, as if it were a lucky charm. After a lengthy absence from the stage, she recently appeared at Shakespeare’s Globe in The Knight Of The Burning Pestle, a bizarre play that bursts through the fourth wall and most other theatrical conventions. She and Phil Daniels, as her husband, spent much of the time sitting with the audience. It was an experience which Pauline relished.

“It was really wonderful,” she enthuses. “And I was very pleased to be playing a London woman. In the same way, I’m delighted to be cast in East Is East, playing a lady from Salford - although she’s of Irish extraction, or so we’ve just decided. I’m getting a chance to show a bit of versatility. I like to play lots of different characters and not do the Irish thing all the time, much as I love it.”

The lady from Salford who Pauline mentions is Ella, the long-suffering wife and mother in East Is East.

“I hadn’t seen the play on stage - either the original production or this revival when it played in the West End. However, I do remember seeing the film. I don’t recall much of the detail, other than the very funny scene towards the end when everybody behaves very badly.”

What drew Pauline to the character?

“It’s such a great part for a woman of a certain age, and there aren’t many of those about. I think the ratio of male roles to female roles is about seven to one! I also wanted to work with Sam Yates, the director of the

production. I hadn’t met him but I’d heard he was a hot property, which interested me. I also think that East Is East is a great show, a brilliantly well-made play which gives the audience a great night out. There are plenty of laughs but there are also moments when the audience will gasp at what they see. It’s very much an emotional rollercoaster for those who come to the show, and they certainly get plenty of bang for their buck. To an extent, the play bamboozles the audience.

I can’t wait to get the show on the road and in front of the public.”

Pauline argues that the play deals with issues which are as old as human society itself.

“Everybody who’s grown up in a family will recognise the rough-and-tumble of home life which East Is East captures so well. It shows us the tensions that exist whenever a group of people, families or non-families, are thrown together. You get to see the bad behaviour which results. Take my two younger brothers.

They still treat me as if I were the family eejit and still call me names such as hook-nose and verruca-head. But you can say such terrible, cruel things to your siblings because you’re all part of the same family.”

There’s a strong autobiographical element in the play, so we’re probably correct to assume that there’s a good deal of Ayub Khan Din’s late mother in the character of Ella.

“I haven’t discussed it yet with Ayub but I understand that his parents met while Ella was working as a conductress on the buses. I gather that he wore her down by his determination to marry her, but there was an enormous mutual attraction between them. I can think of one of my friends, who was no child bride and who married relatively late in life. She felt something similar - that the power of the mutual attraction couldn’t be dismissed.”

The play is set in the early 1970s, an important time for the immigrant community for a number of reasons.

“I think they must have been one of the few Asian families to settle in Salford,” remarks Pauline. “Most people arriving from Pakistan would’ve made for Yorkshire and towns such as Bradford. Mixed marriages were very unusual, and I understand that Ayub’s mother suffered a lot of racist and sexist abuse because she’d married a Pakistani. People would call her a whore as they passed her in the street. It’s also the time when multiculturalism was beginning to have an impact in Britain, and we’re still exploring the consequences of that development today.”

It was also during this period that Pakistan was defeated in a war with the country that’s now known as Bangladesh. It had previously been part of the state of Pakistan. Pauline wonders if the loss made George reassess his life.

“He’s a proud man,” Pauline points out. “And he’s also reached the age when your roots, where you come from, become more important to you. Perhaps this is why he insists on the family following the traditional customs and agreeing to an arranged marriage. The children are beginning to leave home because of the pressure and Ella is fighting to keep the family together. But she’s pulled in two directions - between her love for her husband and her maternal love for her children. Ella eventually decides to make a stand, an act that has brutal consequences.

The play ends with unresolved problems still to be faced.”

Pauline admires the structure of the play, considering that “the autobiographical element is used brilliantly and you’re carried along in the narrative. One of the reasons why Ireland has produced so many great playwrights is due to the strength of the storytelling tradition in Irish culture. In many ways it’s more of a spoken than a written culture, and Ayub understands that tradition.

He’s a storyteller.”

Pauline first became known to a wider audience due to the success of Father Ted, in which she played the unforgettable Mrs Doyle, the unhinged housekeeper to a trio of eccentric priests.

“Oddly enough, I seem to be going backwards in time as far as the characters I play are concerned - from the old crones like Mrs Doyle to Ella, who’s a mere forty-six. I’m aging down to play her, and isn’t that lovely!”

What makes Pauline chuckle?

“I’ll often laugh at things in a script which nobody else finds funny - and you can never tell what will make an audience break up.

Sometimes they laugh at what could be described as ‘an inappropriate moment’ - but I say, let them laugh. I don’t think there’s such a thing as an inappropriate moment. Look at the Russians - they often laugh when they’re at their most miserable. At the moment I’m loving W1A, and I couldn’t love the BBC more for commissioning the series in the first place.”

Pauline is looking forward to enjoying some downtime on the tour. She intends to use her moments of leisure to explore the countryside close to wherever East Is East is playing. “I love visiting graveyards,” she reveals. “I love to look at the inscriptions on the gravestones.

Graveyards are places of great calm, and I love that.”

Pauline McLynn stars in East Is East at Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, from Mon 20 to Sat 25 July.

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interview

BRIAN CONLEY talks about bringing the circus to town in Barnum

“

Everyone knows I’m not a professional tightrope walker, so they all sit there with their hearts in their mouths.

”

What are the demands that come with playing Phineas Taylor Barnum, Brian?

It’s renowned for being one of the toughest musical theatre roles in the business because there are so many strands to it - the acting, the singing, the comedy, the circus skills.

There are many different things that need to be learned to enable you to play the part.

And, of course, you’re on stage all the time.

But it’s very rewarding to do. Sir Cameron Mackintosh doesn’t do anything by halves.

How long did it take you to master walking the tightrope?

It’s ongoing. It’s one of those things that you think you’ve mastered - and then it rears up and bites you on the bum. I’ve got better as the months have passed, but initially it took six months. I used to go two or three times a week to a circus school in Camden, where I’d start off on a low tightrope about a foot off the ground, which they call the cheese cutter. I ended up breaking my finger on that. Even at a low height you can still hurt yourself - but over time, you progress. The tightrope in the show is seven foot high and ten foot across, and there’s no safety net or wire attached to me.

So not an easy watch for the fainthearted...

Too true - and that’s how it should be.

Everyone knows I’m not a professional tightrope walker, so they all sit there with their hearts in their mouths. If I fall off, which I do, and then get back up and do it again, it always gets a bigger cheer. First time round it’s a bit ‘Oh yeah, that’s good’, but if I fall off a couple of times, it makes people think I’m doing it on purpose to get the reaction - but I can assure you I always try to get across.

Have you had to up your insurance premium?

No, I can’t get fully covered.

Did you have any reservations when Sir Cameron first approached you to play Barnum?

I knew it was going to be a tough gig. I’m not getting any younger, so it was something which, if I was going to do it, I had to do now.

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Brian Conley Interview (July) R2.qxp_Layout 1 22/06/2015 11:26 Page 2

When What’s On recently spoke to Sir Cameron, he said this was probably your best performance since playing Jolson.

Would you agree with that?

Yes, I would. It’s in the same league as Jolson. You’re very much out there all the time. You’re leading the company; you’re telling the story of this man. Jolson was a showman, an entertainer, and that’s what Barnum is too.

And what characteristics, if any, do you share with Barnum?

I’m very much at ease talking to the audience, which Barnum does. I’ve always been an entertainer and always been capable of standing there on my own. You have to have a confidence in holding an audience.

Knowing what I now know about Barnum, he must’ve had a real charm because he duped banks as well as the public. A lot of the big adventures he had, he never even put the money in himself. He managed to persuade banks to put up the money so that he could carry on with his dreams Was the story of Barnum one that you were familiar with before you were approached to star in the show?

I was very aware that he was the first entrepreneur - but playing him and reading about him and the things that he did was a real eye-opener. The reason he came up with the three-ring circus, which was very clever, was that not everyone got to see the show the first time. Every little theatre in the world has got Barnum to thank for what he did, because they were quite seedy places in the early 1800s. His aim was to bring in the masses and family audiences. He made them all sorts of palaces. We have Barnum to thank for that. In a way he was the first spin doctor, the way he manipulated the press for his own means.

You have some big hitters on your CV - Jolson, Fagin and Edna Turnblad included. How does this compare in terms of personal achievements?

I saw it many years ago with Michael Crawford in the title role and was blown away by it.

Never did I think that one day I would play that part. It truly is the toughest gig I’ll ever have to do. There’s no other show where the end of the first half sees you walking across a tightwire, as well as being out there all of the time. It’s physically demanding and you’re very much steering, the captain of the ship.

How will you follow up playing a role like Barnum?

I don’t know, maybe I never will. I can’t plan it. Nothing’s ever planned. I would never have thought a couple of years ago that I’d be here playing Barnum. The same happened with Hairspray. I went to see the musical and thoroughly enjoyed it but never thought that one day I’d be playing Edna Turnblad. In this game we’re all selfemployed, so you take a job and see where it leads you. The only certainty after the Barnum tour finishes is me taking a very long holiday.”

What has being part of the Barnum team taught you about yourself?

That I could learn a new skill at fifty-three!

Prior to this, the most I’ve ever done is walk the dogs. I’ve learned that touring is tough.

Being away from home is tough, but it’s a wonderful honour to be part of this show, and to be headlining a production put on by Sir Cameron. Everyone aspires to work with him, and you know that the designers, the costumes, the orchestra are all at the very top level. Everyone wants to have working with Sir Cameron on their CV. You’re back at the Hippodrome. A bit of a homecoming?

Of course. It’s always nice to be back there. It is, without doubt, one of the greatest theatres in the country. I can absolutely vouch for that.

I’ve always loved performing at the Hippodrome. And I’m honoured to have starred there more times than any other artist since the theatre opened or so I’m told.

So you’ll be looking to have something named after you?

Oh, it would probably be a toilet.

You’ve been filming a brand new series for the BBC called TV That Made Me...

It will be out very shortly - probably when we’re in Birmingham, or in the next month or so. Each episode has a celebrity guest and they tell me about their favourite telly. Things they love watching. Things that inspired them. Things that they watched as a family.

Things that scared them. It’s a bit like Desert Island Discs but for television. For forty-five minutes we get lost in their world, show clips from what they liked to watch, and I dish out trivia information about that particular show.

Has it been fun to do?

A lot of fun. I got the pilot idea through at Christmas and knew straight away it was something I wanted to be involved in. The BBC are really pleased with it. We’re all looking forward to it being screened and seeing how it’s received. It’s a nostalgic look at television through the years, and every guest has a different point of view.

What were your favourite shows growing up?

I used to love watching Cilla Black. She used to be on on a Sunday night and I vividly remember watching her when I was a tiny little kid of about seven. I loved Watch With Mother with Andy Pandy, Bill And Ben and the Flower Pot Men. Then, when I was older, I’d love watching Captain Scarlet & The Mysterons and, later still, Colditz.

And do you have a guilty pleasure on TV today?

I watch X Factor every now and again because the kids love watching it. I never get into any series because I’m constantly flitting all over the place, so don’t have a regular schedule.

What are you looking to do after you’ve taken a holiday?

Who knows? I’ve never planned anything. You can’t.

You just see how it goes. I’ve got pantomime in Southend, so there’s something there at the end of the year. I guess in between I’ll be a dad for a while, which is something I enjoy. I’m looking forward to spending some time at home just pottering around.

No plans to go off and join the circus, then?

No. Been there, done that.

Brian Conley stars as Phineas T Barnum at the Birmingham Hippodrome, from Tues 7 July to Sat 1 August

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Music Modest Mouse The Institute, Birmingham, Sun 5 July

When it comes to producing albums, American indie rock band Modest Mouse have been as quiet as a, er, mouse for the better part of a decade. So to say that their recently released offering, Strangers To Ourselves, has been long-anticipated by their many and varied fans is probably a bit of an understatement.

This Birmingham gig forms part of a summertime concert schedule that also includes the London Calling and T In The Park festivals.

Camel Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton, Thurs 23 July

When seminal Canterbury rock band Camel first banged out a tune, Edward Heath was prime minister and the UK was getting to grips with decimalisation (we’re talking 1971 here). Long in the tooth and certainly not short on quality, they continue to serve up their trademark blend of progressive, symphonic and space rock, albeit with only guitarist/vocalist Andy Latimer remaining from the original line-up.

Eliza Carthy and the Wayward Band Lichfield Cathedral, Tues 7 July

A familiar name on the folk circuit, Eliza Carthy is the daughter of Norma Waterson and Martin Carthy. An extremely talented singer and multi-instrumentalist (including fiddle, guitar and mandolin), she's been a big name in folk for a good few years now, and has won numerous BBC Radio Two Folk Awards. Eliza is here joined by the eleven-piece Wayward Band, which brings together musicians from a variety of highly rated ensembles (including Bellowhead, Mawkin, Blowzabella, Edward II, Emily Portman Trio, Peatbog Fairies, Dreams Of Tall Buildings and Tyde).

Mary J Blige Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham, Fri 3 July

Raised on the mean streets of the Bronx and discovered as a teenager singing karaoke in her local mall, Mary J Blige was subsequently nurtured by Puff Daddy in the days before he became P Diddy. There was no need for Mary to develop the requisite hip-hop ‘attitude’, though. It was already there, in spades - and to such an extent that it sometimes threatened to all but overshadow her music.

Still a real talent in a pool of lesser pretenders, her powerful voice demands to be heard.

This Birmingham performance comes in support of her latest album, The London Sessions.

Bellowhead Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent, Fri 17 July

This eleven-piece group merge folk, jazz, funk, classical and world music influences with a twist of English music hall. Between them they play more than twenty instruments in a unique mix, and have picked up numerous coveted awards in recognition of their quality.

This Stoke-on-Trent show isn’t to be confused with their two-part Farewell Tour (yes, after eleven years the band have decided to call it a day), which takes place November 2015 and April/May 2016.

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fri 3 july 7pm

hannah & brian ........................................

sat 4 july 7pm

the buskets ........................................

Sun 5 July 7pm

lou whatling ........................................ fri 10 July 7pm

robbie jones ........................................ sun 11 july 7pm

dan page

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

sun 12 july 7pm

kim smith

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

Fri 17 July 7pm

joe seagER

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

Sat 18 july 7pm

michaela wylde ........................................ sun 19 july 7pm

hannah & brian ........................................

Fri 24 july 7pm

heidi brown ........................................

SAT 25 july 7pm

ADam phillips ........................................ sun 26 july 7pm

andy mills

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

fri 31 july 7pm

lou whatling

12 www.whatsonlive.co.uk

Music July Region Two.qxp_Layout 1 22/06/2015 14:15 Page 4

Music PREVIEWS Robert Plant And The Sensational Space Shifters Cannock Chase, Rugeley, Staffs, Sat 11 July

Black Country boy and former Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant is here joined on stage by his band, The Sensational Space Shifters.

Every bit as comfortable performing as he is recording, the legendary sixty-six-year-old still knows how to leave audiences speechless with his impressive stage swagger, and scored a big hit last year with his album, Lullaby And... The Ceaseless Roar. Expect tracks from the album as well as other solo material and new interpretations of Zeppelin classics.

Darren Emerson The Buttermarket, Shrewsbury, Fri 3 July

Badly Drawn Boy Town Hall, Birmingham, Sat 25 July

Damon Gough's debut album, The Hour Of Bewilderbeast, made it clear he was a star in the making, winning him the Mercury Music Prize in the year 2000. Twelve months later he penned the score for Hugh Grant movie About A Boy and then followed up with two more critically acclaimed albums in Have You Fed The Fish? and One Plus One Is One. He’s appearing in Birmingham to celebrate the fifteenth anniversary of The Hour Of Bewilderbeast and, accompanied by his band, will be performing the album in its entirety.

As global dance music celebrities go, former Underworld star Darren Emerson is a pretty big one. First stamping his mark on dance culture over a quarter of a century ago, he continues to bring his trademark passion to the business of promoting new talent in whichever far-flung corners of the world he happens to find it. Darren is a true pioneer, having collaborated with artists as diverse as Sasha, Depeche Mode, Bjork and The Chemical Brothers.

This very special Shrewsbury date is being presented by local promoters Traffic Music, who’re celebrating their tenth birthday this year.

Naomi Namz Elliott The Drum, Birmingham, Sat 18 July

Having already scored a success with debut single Rainbow and follow-up offering Escape, Neo-Soul artist Naomi Namz Elliott is here launching her first EP, Gold Rush.

Naomi’s been attracting plenty of attention in recent months - so much so, in fact, that The Drum is promising an evening that’ll not only be ‘unforgettable’ but also ‘the start of something big’.

Beres Hammond And Bunny Wailer O2 Academy, Birmingham, Sat 18 July

Joanne Shaw Taylor The Robin, Bilston, Sat 25 July

Brummie-born British blues rock guitarist Joanne Shaw Taylor reckons she’s always had a deep voice. And by the time she was thirteen, she’d started playing the electric guitar. It’s perhaps not surprising, then, that a few years later she decided to bring together her quality vocals and musicianship and go professional. This Bilston gig sees Joanne very much returning to her roots, as she recently explained to Blues In Britain. “My father used to bring me to the Robin to see international touring bands,” recalls Joanne.

“I saw everyone here - John Hammond, Andrew Junior Boy Jones and a lot of the authentic American blues touring artists. So for me that was great.”

Joanne’s appearance comes in support of latest album The Dirty Truth.

Two reggae giants for the price of one is the mouthwatering deal on offer here. One-time Zap Pow lead singer Beres Hammond scored a massive hit when he released his debut solo album, Soul Reggae, way back in 1976, going on to bask in the full glare of the limelight some two decades later while contracted to Elektra Records.

Bunny Wailer, meanwhile, is one of the Jamaican music scene’s elder statesmen and a founding member of The Wailers (along with childhood friends Bob Marley and Peter Tosh). As with Beres, Bunny released his debut solo album in 1976, since which time he’s cut a further twenty-nine, bagging three coveted Grammy Awards in the process.

We Are Scientists The Sugarmill, Stoke-on-Trent, Fri 31 July

With a website that includes a section in which the boys offer helpful advice to all manner of desperate correspondents (including one who’s been single for so long he’s started touching himself inappropriately, and another who can’t work out the difference between a muffin and a cupcake), it’s clear to see that New York-based indie funsters We Are Scientists have no desire to be just a conventional rock band.

“It does seem that a lot of other bands get a lot of fun out of being incredibly, vocally serious,” observed guitarist and vocalist Keith Murray in an interview with Digital Spy. “That's a primary attraction to being a musician and getting to posture artistically. To me, it's like watching ballet - it seems like good fun but unfortunately I don't have the muscles for it!”

Art Themen And The Tom Hill Trio The Hive, Shrewsbury, Sat 11 July

Widely considered to be one of Britain’s greatest saxophonists, Art Themen has developed his impressive reputation as a musician while at the same time holding down a day job as an orthopaedic surgeon!

His style (of music, not surgery) has been called ‘engagingly erratic’ and sees him absorbing and re-shaping a wide variety of influences, from Sonny Rollins to the present day.

The Midlands-based Tom Hill Trio provide support. www.whatsonlive.co.uk 13

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

WED 1 JUL KATHRYN WILLIAMS Kitchen Garden Cafe, Birmingham MIDNIGHT BONFIRES PLUS THE SHERPAS Hare & Hounds, Birmingham JULIE DEXTER The Jam House, Birmingham HIDDEN CHARMS The Sunflower Lounge, Birmingham BURT BACHARACH LIVE IN CONCERT WITH FULL ORCHESTRA Symphony Hall, Birmingham

THU 2 JUL FRANKIE VALLI AND THE FOUR SEASONS Genting Arena, Birmingham THE THREE DEGREES The Jam House, B’ham SHAKATAK The Robin, Bilston WHERE I'M BOUND PLUS SEXTAPES & THIS MEMORY The Rainbow Venues, Birmingham

FRI 3 JUL THE BEAT BROTHERS The Jam House, B’ham SHOWADDYWADDY Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent

MARY J. BLIGE Barclaycard Arena, B’ham DARREN EMERSON The Buttermarket, Shrewsbury GOLDIE LOOKIN CHAIN The Institute, B’ham PAUL CARRACK The Robin, Bilston PALOMA FAITH Delamere Forest, Cheshire 360 AND FRIENDS Hare & Hounds, Birmingham SLOW CLUB & EKKAH The Institute, Birmingham FRAN THE MAN Irish Centre, Birmingham THE CAJUN ROOSTERS Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire KATY ROSE BENNETT Ort Cafe, Birmingham THE BILLY FURY YEARS Prince Of Wales Centre, Cannock THE HAIR ROCK EXPERIENCE The Roadhouse, Birmingham PURIFY THE HORROR, ABSOLUTION, ASCARIS & BEAUTICIAN Scruffy Murphys, Birmingham THE ALBION The Sugarmill, Stoke-on-Trent ART THEMEN QUARTET (Birmimgham International Jazz Festival),

14 www.whatsonlive.co.uk

The Barber Institute, Birmingham LUNCHTIME GUITAR CONCERT FEATURING FRANCES GRIFFIN & LEO TURNER Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery HANNAH & BRIAN Havana Republic, Shrewsbury

Stourbridge SEA OF BEES The Sunflower Lounge, B’ham THE BANDICOOTS Market Square, Wellington, Shropshire THE BUSKETS Havana Republic, Shrewsbury

SAT 4 JUL

MODEST MOUSE The Institute, Birmingham ROD AND THE FACEZ The Roadhouse, B’ham THE NIC’S, BEAR MAKES NINJA, A BORN DISASTER Scruffy Murphys, Birmingham LEON BRIDGES The Institute, Birmingham THE WONDER STUFF & THE TWANG Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton THE ELECTRIC SWING CIRCUS Ludlow Castle, South Shropshire WILNECOTE ST JOHN'S BAND Tamworth Castle, Staffs SHILLELAGH Irish Centre, Birmingham HANNAH ALDRIDGE Kitchen Garden Cafe, Birmingham LOU WHATLING Havana Republic, Shrewsbury

THE BEAT BROTHERS The Jam House, B’ham KICK UP THE 80'S The Robin, Bilston FLEETWOOD MAC Genting Arena, B’ham WAKENIING THE HOLLOW, LET VENGANCE RISE, SILENT JACK & WHOA MAMA Scruffy Murphys, Birmingham TOM ODELL Delamere Forest, Cheshire THE STONES The Roadhouse, Birmingham FOLK AT THE CASTLE Ludlow Castle, Shropshire THE JAYS Tamworth Castle, Staffordshire RESPUBLICA, RED LIGHT ROOM, HARMFOOL, TIDES APART & SEASONS O2 Academy, Birmingham REVOLVER, BELLA DIEM, LOOCA & HOPE STREET The Flapper, B’ham THE HURLING BOYS Irish Centre, Birmingham TELSEN, SEMANTICS, TINNED ASTRONAUT & PRETENCE The Rainbow Venues, Birmingham THE SOUL SURVIVORS The River Rooms,

SUN 5 JUL

MON 6 JUL THE LONDON KLEZMER QUARTET Lichfield Garrick JOSEPH & MAIA Lichfield Garrick HARP & A MONKEY Stafford Gatehouse, Stafford

TUE 7 JUL KARYN WHITE The Jam House, Birmingham CURTIS ELLER'S AMERICAN CIRCUS Kitchen Garden Cafe, B’ham ELIZA CARTHY AND THE WAYWARD BAND Lichfield Cathedral JON BODEN & SACCONI QUARTET Lichfield Cathedral FLEETWOOD MAC Genting Arena, B’ham

WED 8 JUL GOSPEL CENTRAL The Jam House, B’ham BIOHAZARD The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton AREA 11 O2 Academy, Birmingham DEFEATER & NAPOLEON The Rainbow Venues, Birmingham NINE DAIS WONDER Lichfield Garrick THE ADVENTURES OF NELLIE BLY Lichfield Garrick

THU 9 JUL BOOKENDS - TRIBUTE TO SIMON & GARFUNKEL The Robin, Bilston BETTE MIDLER Barclaycard Arena, B’ham KATE BUST DEFORE THE DAWN, TRIBUTE ACT The River Rooms, Stourbridge CHEMICAL MOJO, ANGER RISING & WHOA MAMA The Flapper, B’ham KING PLEASURE & THE

BISCUIT BOYS The Jam House, Birmingham LADIES ROCK The Place, Oakengates Theatre, Telford, Shropshire

FRI 10 JUL PALOMA FAITH Cannock Chase Forest ANDY FAIRWEATHER LOW AND THE LOW RIDERS Solihull Arts Complex THE NEXTMEN Hare & Hounds, Birmingham CASH - JOHNNY CASH TRIBUTE The Roadhouse, Birmingham CHOIR WITH NO NAME BIRMINGHAM'S SUMMER SPECTACULAR mac Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham ROBBIE JONES Havana Republic, Shrewsbury CHRONIXX & ZINCFENCE REDEMPTION WITH SPECIAL GUEST DRE ISLAND The Institute, B’ham CANNIBAL OX The Rainbow Venues, B’ham MILESTONE EXPRESS Irish Centre, B’ham WEST COAST EAGLES, DEE D & THE JAMES GANG The River Rooms, Stourbridge THE SUPERSKAS The Robin, Bilston THE ROBBIE WILLIAMS EXPERIENCE Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury STRANGER IN DEATH, EVIL EMPIRE, RISING STRUGGLE & TOMB HAZARD Scruffy Murphys, B’ham LISBON, VULPES VULPES,

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CONCRETE GARDENS & SHOOTING HEIGHTS The Sugarmill, Stoke-onTrent BBC BIG BAND Lichfield Cathedral SARAH LENKA (Birmingham International Jazz Festival), The Barber Institute, Birmingham

SAT 11 JUL NEIL DIAMOND Genting Arena, Birmingham GUNS VS ROSES The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton DAN PAGE Havana Republic, Shrewsbury ROBERT PLANT PRESENTS SENSATIONAL SPACE SHIFTERS Cannock Chase Forest STIPE - R.E.M TRIBUTE The Roadhouse, B’ham SHALAMAR FEATURING HOWARD HEWETT, JEFFREY DANIEL AND CAROLYN GRIFFEY The Robin, Bilston BRENDON MANDERS, PIERRE & MERKAGE O2 Academy, Birmingham BEBE & THE TROJANS Katie Fitzgerald's, Stourbridge CLAY The Oobleck, Birmingham JUNGLE TING FEATURING BLADERUNNER, COOL HAND FLEX, TIM RYAN, CAUTIOUS, MC RANSKI, MARGA MC AND MC PM The Oobleck, B’ham VIVA LA COLDPLAY The Edge Arts Centre, Much Wenlock, Shropshire GUY ORNADEL Hare & Hounds, Birmingham ART THEMEN AND THE TOM HILL TRIO The Hive, Shrewsbury STAR OF THE SEA Irish Centre, BirminghamLOUISE PETIT Ort Cafe, Birmingham THE MAD GEESE, HISTORY OF SEX & BLANK PARODY The Rainbow Venues, Birmingham KICK UP THE 80'S The River Rooms, Stourbridge EVENTUAL FATE, LIVE BAIT & CHOKEHOLD The Sugarmill, Stoke-on-Trent COOL & UKE Market Square, Wellington, Shropshire

SUN 12 JUL TOM ODELL Cannock Chase Forest, Staffs BROLLY & FRIENDS 2015 IRISH CHARITY NIGHT Symphony Hall, B’ham RIVAL STATE The Rainbow Venues, B’ham ROCK OF AGES EXPERIENCE The Robin, Bilston TAMWORTH WIND BAND Tamworth Castle, Staffs IRENE & TOM Irish Centre, Birmingham JOE SMITH AND THE HOLY ROLLERS Ort Cafe, Birmingham KIM SMITH Havana Republic, Shrewsbury

MON 13 JUL BOYS OF THE LOUGH New Vic Theatre, Newcastleunder-Lyme CHRIS BARRON (SPIN DOCTORS) AND LACH

(BBC RADIO 4'S THE LACH CHRONICLES) The Robin, Bilston ANVIL O2 Academy, Birmingham

TUE 14 JUL SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD Stafford Gatehouse Theatre (until 18th) ALL THINGS CONSIDERED & CIRCLE ON THE ROAD Crescent Theatre, Birmingham AFFIEJAM AND DAVID FREJA Symphony Hall, Birmingham

WED 15 JUL KEITH JAMES Kitchen Garden Cafe, Birmingham MARY CHAPIN CARPENTER Birmingham Town Hall

THU 16 JUL ASWAD The Jam House, Birmingham AUSTINN The Asylum, Birmingham RED FACES The River Rooms, Stourbridge SOLEY MOURNING The Robin, Bilston

FRI 17 JUL FRED ZEPPELIN The Robin, Bilston URBAN INTRO The Jam House, Birmingham SCROOBIUS PIP (DJ SET) & ALTERNATIVE DUBSTEP ORCHESTRA Hare & Hounds, Birmingham STRANGER IN DEATH, EVIL EMPIRE, RISING STRUGGLE & TOMB HAZARD Scruffy Murphys, Birmingham BELLOWHEAD Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent THE SMYTHS The River Rooms, Stourbridge RINSE & FLESH The Sugarmill, Stoke-on-Trent JOE SEAGER Havana Republic, Shrewsbury

SAT 18 JUL THE MEDICINE BOYS Market Square, Wellington, Shropshire THREE BLIND MICE Katie Fitzgerald's, Stourbridge URBAN INTRO The Jam House, Birmingham JEAN GENIE - TRIBUTE TO DAVID BOWIE The Robin, Bilston NEIL DIAMOND Genting Arena, Birmingham THE SEARCHERS Ludlow Assembly Rooms, Shropshire THE SMYTHS The Sugarmill, Stoke-on-Trent JAKE QUICKENDEN O2 Academy, Birmingham OTIS GIBBS Birchmeadow Centre, Broseley, Shropshire GEHTIKA The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton ESSENTIAL HOLLIES Tamworth Assembly Rooms BERES HAMMOND & BUNNY WAILER O2 Academy, Birmingham NAOMI NAMZ ELLIOTT The Drum, Birmingham

UNDER THE COVERS Irish Centre, Birmingham JAMES BROUGH, ROBINPLAYSCHORDS & LEGENDS OF THE WHITNASH STATE CIRCUS Ort Cafe, Birmingham DURAN: THE TRIBUTE The River Rooms, Stourbridge FINLEY QUAYE Alfie Bird’s, Birmingham BEST FRIENDS The Sunflower Lounge, B’ham WITCHSORROW, RELENTLESS, GEVAUDAN & PELUGION Scruffy Murphys, Birmingham MICHAELA WYLDE Havana Republic, Shrewsbury

SUN 19 JUL MORPHEUS RISING + HION MAIDEN The Robin, Bilston JUST FLOYD The Robin, Bilston THE CITY OF LICHFIELD BAND Tamworth Castle, Staffs FRAN THE MAN Irish Centre, Birmingham HANNAH & BRIAN Havana Republic, Shrewsbury RENAI

MON 20 JUL

NICOLAS MCDONALD The Institute, Birmingham SIMPLY SOWETO ENCHA Old Joint Stock, B’ham (until 22nd) BLACK COUNTRY DAY LIVE MUSIC BASH WITH THE EMPTY CAN, CROOKED HOUSE & MANY MORE The Robin, Bilston MY FAVOURITE RUNNER UP, DEBUNK & PACIFIC VIEW The Rainbow Venues, Birmingham

THE TREMBLING WILBURYS The Roadhouse, Birmingham THE STRAWBS The Robin, Bilston FRAN THE MAN Irish Centre, Birmingham ADAM BEYER & IDA ENBERG The Rainbow Venues, Birmingham P!NK - MISS UNDERSTOOD The River Rooms, Stourbridge FRONTIER RUCKUS The Sunflower Lounge, Birmingham SORANO SANTOS Jazzline free gig, Symphony Hall, Birmingham HEIDI BROWN Havana Republic, Shrewsbury

BROKEN OAK DUET, CONSTANT WAVES, LUDOVICO & FALLS The Flapper, Birmingham WILD IRISH Irish Centre, Birmingham ADAM PHILIPS Havana Republic, Shrewsbury INSTITUTES, BREEZE, BLOOM, BLOODSUGAR & MIDNIGHT CONVOY The Rainbow Venues, Birmingham ICONIC 80'S The River Rooms, Stourbridge TUSSK The Sugarmill, Stoke-on-Trent BADLY DRAWN BOY Birmingham Town Hall

SAT 25 JUL

THE SPRINGSTEEN SESSIONS - BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN TRIBUTE The Robin, Bilston HUM KALAAM mac - Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham THE BUS STATION, LOONIES, HUSBANDS N KNIVES & MORE The Rainbow Venues, Birmingham BLAKE & BRAZIL Irish Centre, Birmingham ANDY MILLS Havana Republic, Shrewsbury

UP4 THE DOWNSTROKE The Jam House, Birmingham OYE SANTANA The Roadhouse, Birmingham VOICE OF THE HEART KAREN CARPENTER Wolverhampton Grand Theatre BLOOD YOUTH & TRASH BOAT The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton JOANNE SHAW TAYLOR & VIRGIL & THE ACCELERATORS The Robin, Bilston THE 58'S BLUES BAND Tamworth Castle, Staffs SLAUGHTER HORSE, VEXXEN, INTHROES, SECRETS OF MARIANA & SAMSARA O2 Academy, Birmingham VOODOO Katie Fitzgerald's, Stourbridge OFF THE CUFF FEATURING DINOSAUR PILE-UP, &U&I, TANGLED HAIR, THEM WOLVES, TIGERCLUB, FRAUDS, SUNSHINE FRISBEE LASERBEAM, THE

SUN 26 JUL

MON 27 JUL SOULFLY O2 Academy, Birmingham

TUE 28 JUL THE SONICS The Institute, Birmingham BLITZ KIDS The Rainbow Venues, Birmingham

WED 29 JUL

Bilston THE AMERICAN STANDARD TOUR featuring The Fender All-Star Band The Flapper, B’ham BROTHERS GROOVE The Jam House, B’ham

THU 30 JUL GUNS 2 ROSES The Robin, Bilston DEL CAMINO The Jam House, Birmingham LISA MILLS Katie Fitzgerald's, Stourbridge ED SHEERAN TRIBUTE JACK SHEPHARD The River Rooms, Stourbridge SOULFLY The Sugarmill, Stoke-on-Trent

FRI 31 JUL SUPREME QUEEN The Robin, Bilston GROUPER The Jam House, Birmingham MOTOWN'S GREATEST HITS - HOW SWEET IT IS New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham WE ARE SCIENTISTS The Sugarmill, Stoke-onTrent SOLSTAFIR The Institute, Birmingham THE REPLICAS The River Rooms, Stourbridge ROB BARRON TRIO Jazzline free gig, Symphony Hall, Birmingham BEACH BABY The Rainbow Venues, B’ham THE FIVE HUNDRED, PELUGION, SOMA DARK & RUSTLUNG Scruffy Murphys, Birmingham LOU WHATLING Havana Republic, Shrewsbury

THE PRETTY THINGS PEEPSHOW The Robin,

TUE 21 JUL THREE STEP MANOEUVRE The Jam House, Birmingham

WED 22 JUL LIL' JIMMY REED BAND The Robin, Bilston BARS & MELDOY The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton THE PAINS OF BEING PURE AT HEART The Rainbow Venues, Birmingham MIKE DIGNAM The Rainbow Venues, B’ham

THU 23 JUL THE FOUNDATIONS The Jam House, B’ham JESS SILK Katie Fitzgerald's, Stourbridge CAMEL Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton FELL OUT BOY The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton THE FELICE BROTHERS & PIERCE BROTHERS The Rainbow Venues, Birmingham LARRY MILLER The River Rooms, Stourbridge

FRI 24 JUL UP4 THE DOWNSTROKE The Jam House, Birmingham THE DRIFTERS Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton

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 BARCLAYCARD ARENA 0121 780 4141 BIRMINGHAM TOWN HALL 0121 780 3333 CBSO CENTRE 0121 780 3333 FLAPPER 0121 236 2421 GENTING ARENA 0121 780 4141 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 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

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

0870 320 7000 STOURBRIDGE TOWN HALL 01384 812812 WULFRUN HALL, WOLVERHAMPTON

0870 320 7000

Shropshire BIRCHMEADOW, BROSELEY 01952 882210 THE BUTTERMARKET, SHREWSBURY 01743 355055 THE EDGE ARTS CENTRE, MUCH WENLOCK 01952 728911 HAVANA REPUBLIC SHREWSBURY 01743 281744

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

Staffordshire FOXLOWE ARTS CENTRE, LEEK 01538 386112 LICHFIELD GUILDHALL 01543 262223 MITCHELL ARTS CENTRE, STOKE-ON-TRENT 01782 409307 THE SUGARMILL, HANLEY STOKE-ON-TRENT 01159 454 593 TAMWORTH ASSEMBLY ROOMS 01827 709618 VICTORIA HALL, HANLEY 0870 060 6649 STAFFORD GATEHOUSE

01785 254653

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

Visit: www.whatsonlive.co.uk

www.whatsonlive.co.uk 15

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Classical Music PREVIEWS

Aquarelle Guitar Quartet Church Stretton School, South Shropshire, Tues 28 July

The dynamic and innovative Aquarelle Guitar Quartet are widely considered to be one of Britain’s leading chamber music groups, earning plaudits for their original arrangements from a wide selection of styles, periods and cultures.

Their programme for this Church Stretton Arts Festival concert includes Rimsky-Korsakov’s Capriccio Espagnol, Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No 6 and Albeniz’s La Vega.

Phoenix Singers Bramall Music Building, Birmingham, Sat 11 July

Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Sun 5 July

Richard Farnes here conducts the orchestra and chorus of Opera North as they present what’s been described as ‘the ultimate Romantic opera’. Sung in German with English surtitles, Wagner’s much-lauded work features a phantom ship, a satanic curse and ‘a love more powerful than death itself’. It’s also the piece with which the composer attempted to escape the poverty into which he’d fallen in his mid-twenties. The initial critical response to the opera was mixed, and Wagner failed to find the will to speak up for his creation. “I was in sufficiently ill humour to remain silent and leave The Flying Dutchman undefended,” said the composer several years later. Note, this concert is being presented without an interval.

Concord College, Shropshire, Sat 25 July

Guy Johnston

16 www.whatsonlive.co.uk

The Sacconi Quartet Swinfen Hall, Lichfield, Wed 8 July

Guy Johnston And Katya Apekisheva Guy Johnston and Katya Apekisheva are here performing as part of the Church Stretton Arts Festival.

A one-time BBC Young Musician of the Year, Johnston has been hailed one of the most exciting and versatile British cellists of his generation.

Pianist Apekisheva, meanwhile, is in great demand internationally as both a soloist and a chamber musician.

They perform a concert featuring the following: Sonata in Bb (Mendelssohn); Fantasiestücke (Schumann); Intermezzo (Schumann); and Sonata No 2 in F (Brahms).

Comprising over one hundred-and-twenty members, Birmingham choir the Phoenix Singers perform for pleasure while at the same time raising money for charity.

Their latest concert, presented in aid of Alzheimer’s UK, features Fauré’s Requiem, numerous much-loved choral pieces including Zadok The Priest - and a selection of popular songs from the shows.

Ex Cathedra: Summer Music By Candlelight Lichfield Cathedral, Thurs 9 July

Jeffrey Skidmore once again takes the baton to conduct Birmingham’s highly rated early music ensemble, this time in a concert which promises to transport the audience to ‘an enchanted world’.

The programme, presented by candlelight as dusk falls, moves seamlessly from seasonal favourites to ‘rare, rediscovered, contemporary and lighter repertoire, sprinkled with carefully chosen readings from across the ages’.

The concert also features the world premiere of a piece by Lichfield Festival’s composer-in-residence, David Matthews.

His new work has been inspired by the dawn chorus.

Blessing concerts with infectious energy and enthusiasm is the stock-in-trade of the award-winning Sacconi Quartet. Formed at the beginning of the millennium, the foursome have been widely praised for their imaginative approach. They are currently the Quartet-in-Association at the Royal College of Music and Associate Artist at the Bristol Old Vic. This late-night concert sees them performing The Juliet Letters, a unique and compelling ‘Shakespearean song-cycle’ for string quartet and singer (in this instance, Jon Boden). The piece was written by Elvis Costello and the Brodsky Quartet.

Classical July Region 2.qxp_Layout 1 22/06/2015 11:28 Page 2

Classical LISTINGS For full listing information on classical concerts, including times and dates, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk ENO LIVE SCREENING: CARMEN Screening of ENO’s staging of Bizet’s passionate opera, Wed 1 July, mac - Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham BURT BACHARACH LIVE IN CONCERT WITH FULL ORCHESTRA Wed 1 July, Symphony Hall, Birmingham CBSO SCHOOLS CONCERT: BITE-SIZE CLASSICS Programme includes works

by Britten, Elgar, Mozart & Holst, Thurs 2 July, Symphony Hall, Birmingham RUSSELL WATSON An intimate evening with one of the world's most prominent tenors, Thurs 2 - Fri 3 July, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury CBSO FRIDAY NIGHT CLASSICS: THE ELLA FITZGERALD SONGBOOK Fri 3 July, Symphony Hall, Birmingham THE MAGIC FLUTE A Lichfield Festival production of one of Mozart's bestloved operas, Fri 3 July, Lichfield Cathedral JONATHAN MCGOVERN, SONGS OF THE NIGHT Baritone Jonathan is joined by pianist James Baillieu. Programme includes works by Britten, Schubert & Tchaikovsky, Sat 4 July, Wade Street Church, Lichfield GIG CARITUS Evening of classical music, choir singing & orchestral performances, presented as part of the Black Country Festival, Sat 4 July, St John’s United Reformed Church, Stourbridge CARDUCCI QUARTET Sat 4 July, Symphony Hall Cafe Bar, Birmingham GWILYM SIMCOCK with Wolfgang Muthspiel & Julian Arguelles, Sat 4

July, Lichfield Cathedral JULIAN LLOYD-WEBBER The renowned cellist is here joined by his wife Jiaxin for a programme that includes works by Faure, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Rachmaninov, William Lloyd Webber, Philip Glass, Frank Bridge & JS Bach, Sat 4 July, Lichfield Cathedral NATIONAL YOUTH HARP ORCHESTRA Sat 4 July, Festival Drayton Centre, Market Drayton, North Shropshire WAGNER'S THE FLYING DUTCHMAN Sun 5 July, Symphony Hall, Birmingham HARP & A MONKEY - THE GREAT WAR-NEW SONGS & STORIES Marking the centenary of the First World War, the programme includes both original songs and reworkings of traditional songs, Mon 6 July, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre DANIEL PIORO (VIOLIN) Young Artist Recital, Mon 6 July, Wade Street Church, Lichfield MICHAEL MORPURGO: THE MOZART QUESTION CONCERT Featuring Daniel Pioro on violin, Mon 6 July, Lichfield Garrick SEPTURA BRASS Programme includes works

by Brahms, Handel, Lassus and more...

Mon 6 July, Lichfield Cathedral LONDON KLEZMER QUARTET Featuring a programme of soulful Jewish music, Mon 6 July, Lichfield Garrick SOH-YON KIM (VIOLIN) Young Artist Recital, Tues 7 July, Wade Street Church, Lichfield NATIONAL FESTIVAL OF MUSIC FOR YOUTH Five-

Julian & Jiaxin Webber - Lichfield Cathedral

day celebration of music-making, bringing together eight thousand performers from across the UK, Tues 7 - Sat 11 July, Birmingham Conservatoire MICHAEL PETROV Rising star Michael here performs works by Schubert, Sacher, Dutilleax and Schumann, with accompaniment from pianist Alexander Ullman, Wed 8 July, Wade Street Church, Lichfield THE SACCONI QUARTET Celebrating the one hundred-and-fiftieth anniversary of the births of Sibelius and Nielsen, the Sacconi Quartet here perform their stunning Scandinavian repertoire, Wed 8 July, Swinfen Hall Hotel, Lichfield CITY OF BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Featuring Lahav Shani (conductor) & Jennifer Pike (violin), Wed 8 July, Lichfield Cathedral AMY HARMAN (BASSOON) Principal Basoonist of the Philharmonic Orchestra, Thurs 9 July, Wade Street Church, Lichfield AFTERNOON RECITAL WITH THE SACCONI QUARTET Programme includes works by Mozart, David Matthews and Beethoven, Thurs 9 July, St Michael's Church, Lichfield EX CATHEDRA SUMMER MUSIC BY CANDLELIGHT Conducted by Jeffery Skidmore, Thurs 9 July, Lichfield Cathedral CHATHAMS SCHOOL Part of the Young Artist Series, four talented students from Chathams School present a diverse recital programme, Fri 10 July, Wade Street Church, Lichfield THE SACCONI QUARTET: HEARTFELT A Sacconi Quartet digital production with sound, light and touch, combining an immersive, interactive musical performance with robotics and audience-responsive lighting, Fri 10 July, Lichfield Garrick ORGAN PROMS WITH ROGER FISHER Sat 11 July, Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent BIRMINGHAM FESTIVAL CHORAL SOCIETY Programme includes works

by Mendelssohn & Puccini, Sat 11 July, Ruddock Performing Arts Centre, Birmingham YUANFAN YANG Young Artist Recital. Programme includes works

by David Matthews, Schumann, Chopin & Yuafan Yang, Sat 11 Jul, Wade Street Church, Lichfield ORCHESTRA OF THE AGE OF ENLIGHTENMENT Programme includes Vivaldi’s Four Seasons & Telemann’s Violin Concerto ‘The Frogs’, Sat 11 July, Lichfield Cathe-

Mirga Gražinté-Tyla - Symphony Hall, Birmingham

dral PHOENIX SINGERS Programme includes Faure’s Requiem & other choral favourites.

Charity concert in aid of Alzheimer’s UK, Sat 11 July, Bramall Music Building, Birmingham REBECCA NEWMAN Thurs 16 July, Lichfield Garrick CBSO SUMMER CONCERT Featuring Mirga Gražinté-Tyla (conductor).

Programme includes Tchaikovsky’s Sleeping Beauty; Barber’s Knoxville Summer Of 1915 & Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7, Thurs

23 July, Symphony Hall, Birmingham GUY JOHNSTON (CELLO) & KATYA APEKISHEVA (PIANO) Sat 25 July, Concord College, Nr Shrewsbury CBSO YOUTH ORCHESTRA ACADEMY Programme includes works by Magnus Lindberg, Strauss & Brahms, Sun 26 July, Birmingham Town Hall AQUARELLE GUITAR QUARTET Programme includes works by Albeniz, Rimsky-Korsakov & Bach, Tues 28 July, Church Stretton School, South Shropshire

PIANO DUETS PRESENTED

BY SUSIE ALLAN & ROSALIND JONES Programme includes works

by Mozart, Schubert, Ravel & Debussy, Thurs 30 July, St Laurence’s Church, Church Stretton, South Shropshire AURORA WIND ENSEMBLE WITH JOANNA SMITH (PIANO) Programme includes works by Poulenc, Mozart, Mendelssohn & Percy Grainger, Fri 31 July, St Laurence’s Church, Church Stretton, South Shropshire

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Comedy Alfie Moore

Comedy Box Office

Stourbridge Town Hall, Thurs 2 July

Staunch Sheffield socialist Alfie Moore is a master raconteur and a very funny man. He was also a serving police officer in Humberside for eighteen years. Indeed, referencing his two careers, his website advises that ‘if you would like to see Alfie live’, your options are either to ‘catch him at one of his gigs’ or ‘drive to Scunthorpe and park on a double yellow line’... Alfie made it to week five of ITV’s Show Me The Funny back in 2011, and is a much-indemand after-dinner speaker. Jokes include: "I'm in a same-sex marriage... the sex is always the same."

Terry Christian Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Sat 11 July

Best known as the presenter of hit 1990s Channel Four series The Word, Terry Christian originally intended his one-man stand-up show to last just forty-five minutes. As it’s turned out, he instead stays on stage for the length of an entire football match. The Naked Confessions Of A Recovering Catholic has proved to be a cathartic experience for the Manchester-born funnyman, who uses the show to talk about sex, violence, priests, nuns and God. “I just talk about how messed up I am,” Terry recently told the Liverpool Echo.

“I’m not an evil person but if people think I am, I just tell them it’s not my fault and blame it on God!”

Marcus Brigstocke Lichfield Garrick, Sat 11 July

Peddling a line in dark, intelligent comedy, Time Out Comedy Awardwinner Marcus Brigstocke is a major comic talent. The star of BBC's The Late Edition and The Now Show is one of the most inventive talents on the comedy circuit, boasting a style all his own. Occasionally venturing into acting, Marcus’ credits to date include performances in the touring production of Monty Python’s Spamalot, Adam Savage in BBC One sitcom The Savages and a leading role in BBC Three’s Vacant Possession.

He appears at the Lichfield Garrick as part of the Lichfield Festival programme. Visit lichfieldfestival.org for further details.

Josh Howie The Glee Club, Hanley, Sat 25 July

Patrick Monahan Mitchell Arts Centre, Hanley, Fri 10 July

Half-Iranian, half-Irish stand-up comic Patrick Monahan is no slouch when it comes to bringing up the subject of his own ethnicity on stage - after all, he’s got a quality opening gag about spending all of his holidays in customs, and he’s not afraid to use it! "Iran has been in the news pretty much constantly since I was a kid," says Monahan. “I guess I like to think that maybe I’m breaking down stereotypes about Iranians. I’ve lost count of the number of people who’ve come up to me after a show and said that they didn’t expect Iranians to be funny.”

18 www.whatsonlive.co.uk

Josh Howie readily acknowledges that his comedy is never going to make everyone happy. In a recent interview with the Jewish Chronicle, the London-born funnyman admitted that he can often cause offence in his quest to be funny: “What I love doing is picking on people a bit. I’m not one of those shock comedians who’s shocking for the sake of it.” Howie may not be a shock comedian but he’s certainly a funny one.

“Sometimes,” he recently revealed, “I write a joke that's so good I have to genuinely alter my position on a subject in order to allow myself to tell it.” Gags include: “My wife came home with a vibrator, started waving it about and screamed, ‘I don't need you now! I don't need you now!’... Guess who had to put the batteries in...”

CIVIC HALL, WOLVERHAMPTON 0870 320 7000 THE DRUM, BIRMINGHAM 0121 333 2444 STOURBRIDGE TOWN HALL 01384 812812 THE GEORGE HOTEL, LICHFIELD 07816 778 709 THE GLEE CLUB, BIRMINGHAM 0871 4720400 THE GLEE CLUB, HANLEY 0871 4720400 JONGLEURS COMEDY CLUB, BIRMINGHAM 08700 111 960 KATIE FITZGERALD’S, STOURBRIDGE 01384 374410 LICHFIELD GARRICK 01543 412 121 MAC, BIRMINGHAM 0121 446 3232 MANFORD’S COMEDY CLUB, BIRMINGHAM 0121 643 9132 MITCHELL ARTS CENTRE 01782 409307 NATIONAL BREWERY CENTRE, BURTON-UPONTRENT 01283 532 880 REGENT THEATRE, STOKE-ON-TRENT 0844 871 7649 STAFFORD GATEHOUSE THEATRE 01785 619 080 THEATRE SEVERN, SHREWSBURY 01743 281 281 WEDNESBURY TOWN HALL 0121 556 4914

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Comedy LISTINGS For full listing information on comedy gigs including times and dates visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk LUCY PORTER & HAL CRUTTENDEN Thurs 2 July, mac - Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham ALFIE MOORE, JAY HANDLEY & MARSHALL ANDERSON Thurs 2 July, Stourbridge Town Hall PHIL WANG, COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBINSON & COMIC TBC Thurs 2 July, The Glee Club, Birmingham TOM WRIGGLESWORTH, GORDON SOUTHERN MARVYN DICKSON & KAREN BAYLEY Thurs 2 July, The George Hotel, Lichfield PATRICK MONAHAN Thurs 2 July, Katie Fitzgerald’s, Stourbridge ROGER D, MR CEE FEATURING JAMALI MADDIX Fri 3 July, The Drum, Birmingham MIKE WILKINSON, CHRISTIAN REILLY, WILL MARS & ABIGOLIAH SCHAMAUN Fri 3 - Sat 4 July, Jongleurs Comedy Club, Birmingham ALEX BOARDMAN, JAVIER JARQUIN, ANDREW RYAN & COMIC TBC Fri 3 July, The Glee Club, Birmingham ALEX BOARDMAN, JAVIER JARQUIN, ANDREW RYAN & MARK SIMMONS Sat 4 July, The Glee Club, Birmingham ROUGH WORKS - NEW MATERIAL NIGHT Sun 5 July, The Glee Club, Birmingham PHIL NICHOL & STELLA GRAHAM Tues 7 July, The Dark Horse Pub, Birmingham MARK WATSON Tues 7 July, Lichfield Garrick TOM STADE & MICK FERRY Thurs 9 July, The Glee Club, Birmingham NICK DOODY & ANDREW WATTS Thurs 9 July, mac - Midlands Arts

Centre, Birmingham TOM STADE, JAMES DOWDESWELL & COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBINSON Thurs 9, The Glee Club, Birmingham LUISA OMIELAN Fri 10 July, The Glee Club, Birmingham PAUL MONAHAN Fri 10 July, Mitchell Arts Centre, Hanley TOM STADE, JAMES DOWDESWELL, EDDY BRIMSON & ALLYSON SMITH Fri 10 - Sat 11 July, The Glee Club, Birmingham RUDI LICKWOOD, ERIC LAMPAERT, SALLY-ANNE HAYWARD & NICK DOODY Fri 10 - Sat 11 July, Jongleurs Comedy Club, Birmingham TERRY CHRISTIAN Sat 11 July, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury MARCUS BRIGSTOCKE Sat 11 July, Lichfield Garrick DUNCAN OAKLEY, PHIL PAGETT, NICK PAGE & DAN NIGHTINGALE Sun 12 July, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury GEIN'S FAMILY GIFT SHOP, MICHAEL J DOLAN & HARRIET DYER Tues 14 July, Rose Villa Tavern, Birmingham LUISA OMIELAN Thurs 16 July, The Glee Club, Birmingham ALFIE MOORE & GAVIN WEBSTER Thurs 16 July, mac - Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham TOM WRIGGLESWORTH, ROB DEERING & COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBINSON Thurs 16 July, The Glee Club, Birmingham ALEX HORNE Fri 17 July, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre JOJO SMITH, BENNY BOOT, NICK PAGE & NICK WILTY Fri 17 - Sat 18 July, Jongleurs Comedy Club,

Junior Simpson - Lichfield Garrick

Birmingham TOM WRIGGLESWORTH, ROB DEERING, JOSH HOWIE & BOBBY MAIR Fri 17 - Sat 18 July, The Glee Club, Birmingham LOL COMEDY CLUB WITH MC DAMION LARKIN Sat 18 July, Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent TOM STADE, GARY DELANEY, ARCHIE KELLY & ANDY ROBINSON Sun 19 July, Wednesbury Town Hall STEPHEN CARLIN & GEORGE EGG Thurs 23 July, mac - Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham PAUL TONKINSON, JARRED CHRISTMAS & COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBINSON Thurs 23 July, The Glee Club, Birmingham PAUL TONKINSON, JARRED CHRISTMAS, LAURA LEXX & PAUL F TAYLOR Fri 24 July, The Glee Club, Birmingham JUNIOR SIMPSON, GEORGE RIGDEN, NIK COPPIN, PAUL REVILL & CHRIS PURCHASE Fri 24 July, Lichfield Garrick ANDREW BIRD KAI HUMPHRIES, PETE JOHANSSON & PHIL WALKER Fri 24 - Sat 25 July, Jongleurs Comedy Club, Birmingham KEVIN BRIDGES Sat 25 July, Civic Hall, Wolverhampton JOSH HOWIE, DAVE TWENTYMAN, ANDY ASKINS & BOBBY MAIR Sat 25 July, The Glee Club, Hanley MARK OLVER, ADAM ROWE & COMIC TBC Sat 25 July, Manford’s Comedy Club, Birmingham JARRED CHRISTMAS, LAURA LEXX, PAUL F TAYLOR & COMIC TBC Sat 25 July, The Glee Club, Birmingham COMEDY IN THE MET LINE UP TBC Sat 25 July, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre THE LAUGHING SOLE COMEDY CLUB FOR KIDS Sun 26 July, mac Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham PATRICK MONAHAN & JONNY AWSUM Thurs 30 July, mac - Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham ALUN COCHRAND, HAL CRUTTENDEN Thurs 30 July, The Glee Club, Birmingham PETER BRUSH, JONNY AWSUM, MICKEY D & ERICH MCELROY Fri 31 July, Jongleurs Comedy Club, Birmingham TOM DEACON, ANDY ASKINS, STEVE BUGEJA & SIMON BLIGH Fri 31 July, The Glee Club, Birmingham GEOFF BOYZ, DAVID TSONOS, JAMIE GOSNEY, TACO & CARLY SMALLMAN Fri 31 July, The National Brewery Centre, Burton upon Trent

Comedy PREVIEW

Alex Horne Jongleurs Comedy Club, Birmingham, Fri 19 - Sat 20 June

Alex Horne is a man with a fast-growing reputation, both as a standup and a writer. The star and co-creator of BBC Four’s comedy quiz show We Need Answers, the award-winning funnyman is a former member of Cambridge Footlights, and cleverly blends delicately crafted material with an unusual style of delivery. Examples of his style are, "I used to do a lot of jokes about crash mats, but I've moved on now. Still, it's always nice to have something to fall back on", and "My grandfather was shrewd. People threw small mammals at him till he suffocated".

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Theatre

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Tues 28 July - Sat 1 August

Michael Praed, Noel Sullivan, Carley Stenson and Mark Benton star in this national touring show. It’s based on Frank Oz’s 1988 film starring Steve Martin and Michael Caine - which itself was based on 1964’s Bedtime Story, with David Niven and Marlon Brando.

Set in the decadent underworld of the French Riviera, it tells the humorous tale of two seasoned swindlers and their attempts to hoodwink a millionaire soap heiress.

Unlike the movie which inspired it, the stage version of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is a musical - and one that’s in a very safe pair of hands too, with Kinky Boots, Hairspray and Legally Blonde director Jerry Mitchell the man at the helm.

Read our review of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, online at www.whatsonlive.co.uk

The Hundred Years War Lichfield Garrick, Tues 7 July; Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Thurs 9 July

Poetry and theatre are here combined to create a show that’s being described by its promoters as ‘a distinctive and deeply moving portrayal of life under fire’.

Comprising thirty-five war poems written between 1914 and 2013, The Hundred Years’ War is a new production featuring three performers, live music and striking imagery.

It’s being presented by Being Human, Midlands Creative Projects in association with Bloodaxe Books and the Belgrade Theatre, and is appropriate for audience members aged fourteen-plus.

Moscow State Circus Brierley Hill, Dudley, 8 - 12 July

The Moscow State Circus is very possibly the best-known circus in the world, based on over two hundred years of tradition. When animals became an unpopular aspect of circuses, this flexible family favourite adapted to survive by moving the emphasis to astonishing displays of human skill and endurance, many of which are evident in its latest production, Zhelaniy. Based on a popular Russian folklore story, the show transports its audience to ‘a wondrous and mysterious enchanted garden’. The garden is a place where wishes are granted to the beautiful Zhenya, who finds herself surrounded by ‘a multitude of flying, back-flipping, juggling, wire-walking and roller-skating performers’. www.whatsonlive.co.uk 21

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Theatre PREVIEWS The Mousetrap Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton, until Sat 4 July

Not only has everyone heard of The Mousetrap, everyone's seen it too - haven't they?

Okay, maybe not, but as the show recently celebrated its sixtieth year in the West End, it's fair to say its capacity to put bums on seats is absolutely beyond question. The world's longest-running production, the famous Agatha Christie play has been performed over twenty-five thousand times.

Aliens Love Underpants Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Sat 12 July; Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton; Wed 22 - Fri 24 July

Me At The Zoo The REP, Birmingham, Tues 7 - Wed 8 July

This first full-length play by Young REP graduate Grace Barrington focuses on the character of seventeen-year-old Charlie Bottle.

Unhappy with the impact that social media is having on best friend Amy, Charlie determines to do something about it - courtesy of a video camera, a fake competition and a brilliant plan... The publicity for Me At The Zoo describes the production as ‘a hilarious, fast-paced and thrilling exploration into the light and dark sides of social media’. So if you fancy checking out fresh young writing talent and are willing to run the risk that you may never again think about Facebook and Twitter in quite the same way, this is definitely the show for you.

Given the title, it’s perhaps not surprising that producers Big Wooden Horse and Nick Brooke Limited are selling this show as one that’s so funny ‘you’ll laugh your pants off’. And they may well be right about that. Based on the bestselling children’s book by Claire Freedman and Ben Cort, the production features ‘stunning effects, madcap action and original music’. And if that little lot isn’t enough to tempt you, the promise of a close encounter with ‘lots of aliens’ surely is... more than a little style.

This particular production, which forms part of the Lichfield Festival, is brought to the stage by Shoreditch-based Shakespeare company The Malachites.

The Importance Of Being Earnest The Grange Playhouse, Walsall, Wed 15 - Sat 25 July

This famous Oscar Wilde work is a rightlyadored slice of farce that’s very much stood the test of time. The story revolves around the attempts of Jack to marry his true love Gwendolen - despite the fact that Algernon is masquerading as his wayward brother, Earnest, in order to see his exquisite ward, Cecily. Add the ingredient of the redoubtable Lady Bracknell and there’s little wonder that disaster looms large on Jack’s horizon...

This amateur production is brought to the stage by The Grange Players.

Mr Merrick, The Elephant Man The Blue Boar, Ludlow, South Shropshire, Sat 4 July

Twelfth Night Lichfield Garrick, Fri 10 July

As with many Shakespearean comedies, Twelfth Night is based on a case of mistaken identity, with Viola disguising herself as a boy and causing all sorts of awkward romantic shenanigans. The play is made by the subplot, in which the merciless Sir Toby Belch and his foolish companion, Sir Andrew Aguecheek, seek to humiliate the pompous Malvolio - and achieve their ambition with

The Victorian-era Elephant Man came to real prominence when film director David Lynch made a movie about him way back in 1980.

The tale of Joseph Merrick is certainly one of great courage and fortitude. Merrick was a badly disfigured man who, shunned by society, eked out a living for himself by making appearances as a ‘fairground freak’.

This well-reviewed production from the hugely popular Lucky Dog uses new research to reassess the profoundly moving story of Merrick, with the company claiming that its version of events is ‘the most accurate account ever presented’.

Cyrano de Bergerac Crescent Theatre, Birmingham, Sat 4 - Sat 11 July; Saint Nicholas Place, Birmingham, Wed 15 - Thurs 16 July; Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens, Birmingham, Sat 18 - Sun 19 July; Selly Manor, Birmingham, Tues 21 - Wed 22 July; Harvington Hall, Kidderminster, Sat 25 Sun 26 July

Edmond Rostand’s famous 1897 play tells the tale of the poet and soldier of the title, Cyrano de Bergerac, who’s desperate to win the love of the beautiful Lady Roxane.

His efforts to do so, however, are somewhat complicated by the fact he’s got a proboscis that's almost as big as the Eiffel Tower (that’s an exaggeration for effect, obviously, but you get the idea).

Gold New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Wed 15 - Sat 25 July

Being presented as part of a festival of plays inspired by the Staffordshire Hoard, Gold takes ‘a sideways look at the metal that cannot be destroyed’. The show is performed by Francesca Millican-Slater, who describes the production as ‘a one-woman show using storytelling, PowerPoint, lyricism and possibly some classic gold tracks’ to look at the way perspectives about gold have changed ‘since five kilos were buried in a Staffordshire field one thousand years ago’...

www.whatsonlive.co.uk 23

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Thurs 1 Oct, 1pm & 7.30pm Fri 2 Oct, 1pm

Fri 23 Oct, 1pm & 7.30pm IMPULSE COLECTIVE present

Fittings Multimedia Arts

Edmund the Learned Pig

Mon 23 & Tue 24 Nov, 7.30pm Wed 25 Nov, 1pm & 7.30pm

Blackeyed Theatre

THE

CANTERBURY TALES

Cell

Tickets: £10/£8 concs, £5 mat

28 www.whatsonlive.co.uk

Tickets: £10/£8 concs, £5 mat

Tickets: £10/£8 concs, £5 mat

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Theatre PREVIEWS East Is East Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Mon 20 - Sun 25 July

Pauline McLynn (Father Ted, Shameless and EastEnders) stars as Ella in Ayub Khan Din's semi-autobiographical account of British Asian life in the 1970s. 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.

Read the interview with Pauline on page 6.

WIN TI

Barnum Room On The Broom Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Tues 7 - Wed 8 July

Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, the creators of The Gruffalo and We’re Going On A Bear Hunt, are the team behind this 'spellbinding' tale of a witch who makes the mistake of thinking she can fit a daft dog, a beautiful bird and a friendly frog - as well as her own cat - on her broomstick without it snapping in two. And when a hungry dragon appears, things really start to hot up...

In The Night Garden Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham, Sat 11 - Sat 25 July

If your little ones are big fans of the top-rated CBeebies television series, they’re certain to be delighted by this live version. And it’s not only the kids who’re in love with the production. Audience surveys and parents' reviews on NightGardenLive.com reveal that, for nine out of ten adults, it’s a five-out-of-five theatrical experience!

Taking place in an all-weather, purpose-built inflatable showdome featuring numerous family-friendly facilities, the show uses fullsize costumes and magical puppets to bring to life Igglepiggle, Upsy Daisy, Makka Pakka and friends.

CKETS

whatso nlive.c to enter o.uk

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-the-tooth theatre-goers it will recall pleasant memories of thirty-plus years ago, when the show was the 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 Midlands favourite Brian Conley.

Read our interview with Brian on page 8.

Much Ado About Nothing

Inala

Stafford Castle, until Sat 11 July

New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Mon 27 - Wed 29 July

Stafford Festival Shakespeare celebrates its twenty-fifth anniversary with this ever-popular tale of love and deceit.

Much Ado About Nothing is the story of two pairs of lovers. The first, Beatrice and Benedick, conduct their courtship through sarcasm and verbal sparring. The second and much younger couple are Claudio and Hero. The course of their love is cruelly interrupted by the villainous Don John, who falsely accuses Hero of infidelity and wantoness, timing his accusation to coincide with their wedding day. When Hero collapses and appears to be dead, the pressure is on to clear her name and reunite the young lovers.

One of Shakespeare’s most popular comedies, Much Ado About Nothing’s profile was raised by the joyful Kenneth Branagh film version back in the 1990s.

Honk! The Musical Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Wed 8 - Sat 11 July

When a group of talented musicians find their way into the public consciousness through a baked beans advert, it says a lot about the state of the world and the power of advertising.

Such was the case with South African singers Ladysmith Black Mambazo.

Still, don’t be fooled - Ladysmith had been around a long time before they provided that memorable Heinz soundtrack, having recorded over forty albums and sold over six million records worldwide. They’re also much in evidence on Paul Simon’s Graceland album, using their Zulu harmonies and unique sound to provide some unusual and interesting additions to his music.

This latest presentation sees them collaborating with award-winning choreographer Mark Baldwin and nine world-class dancers including talent from the Royal Ballet - to present a live storytelling experience that embraces an exhilarating fusion of South African and Western cultures.

At the time of writing, Stiles & Drewe’s hit musical has been performed in excess of eight thousand times, at venues across the world. It's based on Hans Christian Andersen's The Ugly Duckling and tells the story of an odd-looking baby duck and his quest to find his mother. While en route to doing so, he encounters a beautiful swan tangled in a fishing line and subsequently falls in love.

What a quacker of a well-hatched tale! www.whatsonlive.co.uk 25

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STAFFORD FESTIVAL SHAKESPEARE: MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING STAFFORD CASTLE

Thurs 25 June Sat 11 July

Thurs 9th July

Stafford Festival Shakespeare returns for its 25th anniversary year with Much Ado About Nothing, one of Shakespeare’s wittiest comedies. Stafford Tickets from £12 Festival Shakespeare is one of Europe's largest open air Shakespeare productions. Much Ado About Nothing will be performed under the stars against the striking background of Stafford Castle, in fully covered grandstand seating. To complete the festival feel you can treat yourself to a picnic for two, some delicious ‘grab and go’ food or even a three course meal, all witha fully licensed bar.

LADIES ROCK Time: 7.30pm

Sat 8th August

JOE PASQUALE

NT LIVE: MAN AND SUPERMAN

Time: 7.30pm

GATEHOUSE THEATRE

Fri 3 July

Sat 5th September

THE KAST OFF KINKS Time: 7.30pm

Academy Award® nominee Ralph Fiennes (The English Patient, Schindler’s List; Oedipus at the National Theatre) plays Jack Tanner in this exhilarating reinvention of Shaw’s witty, provocative classic. A 7pm, £12.50/£10 Students romantic comedy, an epic fairytale, a fiery philosophical debate, Man and Superman asks fundamental questions about how we live.

NT LIVE: EVERYMAN

Wed 9th September

GATEHOUSE THEATRE

AN AUDIENCE WITH CHRIS RYAN

Thurs 16 July

Time: 7.30pm

Sat 19th September

SING-A-LONG-A FROZEN Time: 11am, 3pm, 6.30pm

Tues 22nd September

THE SIMON AND GARFUNKEL STORY Time: 7.30pm

BAFTA winner and Academy Award® nominee Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave) takes the title role in this dynamic new production of one of Eng7pm, £12.50 / £10 students lish drama’s oldest plays, directed by the National Theatre’s new Director Rufus Norris (Broken, London Road).

ALEX HORNE GATEHOUSE THEATRE

Fri 17 July Remember that board game Mousetrap? In this unprecedented comedy experience, you can watch award winning comedian (and three time Countdown champion) 8pm, £15.50 Alex Horne attempt something similar in just 60 minutes.

Stupidly ambitious, logistically problematic, potentially dangerous, this is the show Alex has wanted to make for a decade. Finally he will be Monsieur Butterfly. One flap of his delicate wings and mayhem will prevail.

ANDRE RIEU’S 2015 MAASTRICHT CONCERT

Weds 23rd September

JOSH WIDDICOMBE Time: 8.00pm

Thurs 24th September

LET’S HANG ON Time: 7.30pm

GATEHOUSE THEATRE

Sat 18 July Be prepared for emotions to soar during one of the most extraordinary concerts of the year as the maestro puts on a magnificent spectacle during this very special annual event.

7.30pm, £18.50/£16.50 As always, André is joined by his famous Johann Strauss Orchestra, his sopranos, tenors and some very special guests and 2015 is shaping up to be his biggest and most spectacular concert ever to be screened in cinemas!

TRES TRES CABARET THE MET STUDIO

Fri 31 July Très Très Cabaret promises to bring you the most extravagant variety show to the secluded intimacy of The MET Studio. Featuring the hottest performers from the international cabaret scene to 18+ surprise and delight you. Dress to 8pm, £15 impress and join us for an evening of glitz, glamour and so much more. Get your tickets now for the show that is yet again set to be the talk of the town.

Fri 25th September

FLEETWOOD BAC Time: 7.30pm

TWC GP 01035

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

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Arts FESTIVALS Birmingham Fest various venues across Birmingham, 17 July - 2 August

Providing an opportunity for UK artists and companies to showcase their work, Birmingham Fest continues to grow as an independent, funding-free event.

The two-and-a-bit-week festival, which takes place at AE Harris, the Blue Orange Theatre, the Crescent and the Old Joint Stock, features theatre, dance, music, comedy, poetry, rehearsed readings, workshops and Simply Soweto Encha seminars. Offering a taster of what’s coming up, a workshop hosted by Tracey Street on 18 July explores the skills needed to unlock creativity and imagination as an actor. Other highlights include One Year Off

by FRED Theatre - ‘a surreal comic dystopia told through the eyes of four people defined by football’ - and the return of Simply Soweto Encha (20 - 22 July), who last year won the event’s Show Of The Festival award. Hailing from South Africa, the highly rated ensemble fuse ‘infectious’ dance with both old and new school cappella arrangements. They are here presenting a brand new show.

For full listings of what’s happening where throughout the festival, visit birminghamfest.co.uk.

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

WED 1 JULY THE JEW OF MALTA Justin Audibert makes his RSC debut to direct Christopher Marlowe's subversive play, until Tue 8 Sept, The Swan Theatre, Stratford-uponAvon THE MERCHANT OF VENICE Polly Findlay directs Shakespeare's uncompromising play, until Wed 2 Sept, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon OTHELLO Holby City's Hugh Quarshie returns to the RSC to play Shakespeare's Othello.

Lucian Msamati features as Iago and Joanna Vanderham as Desdemona, until Fri 28 Aug, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon UNEARTHED/ THE GIFT Main stage double bill featuring Theresa Heskins' archaeological whodunnit (Unearthed) and Jemma Kennedy's epic of romance and adventure, until Sat 25 July, New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme A THING WORTH KEEPING An audio journey for two people at a time that takes audiences outside and around the New Vic Theatre. Over the course of thirty minutes this interactive theatre experience considers value, worth and

ownership, asking: ‘what's important to you?’, until Sat 25 July, New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING Stafford Festival Shakespeare celebrates its twenty-fifth anniversary with this popular tale of love and deceit, until Sat 11 July, Stafford Castle THE TEMPEST Rooftop Theatre Company present a staging of Shakespeare’s mystical play as part of the Ludlow Fringe Festival, until Tue 7 July, Ludlow Assembly Rooms, TRANKLEMENTS ‘Funny and inspiring' solo performance about underdogs, written and performed by Caroline Horton, until Sat 4 July, New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme DEAD SIMPLE Stage adaptation of Peter James' most famous and popular novel, until Sat 4 July, New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham THE MOUSETRAP Touring production of Agatha Christie's famous thriller - the longest running show in the history of British theatre, until Sat 4 July, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre OKLAHOMA! New touring production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's Pulitzer Prize-winning musical, starring Gary Wilmot as Ali Hakim, Belinda Lang as Aunt

Eller, Ashley Day as Curly and Nic Greenshields as Jud Fry, until Sat 4 July, Birmingham Hippodrome THE THRILL OF LOVE Second Thoughts Drama Group present the story of Ruth Ellis, Wed 1 Sat 4 July, The Bear Pit Theatre, Stratford-uponAvon, South Shropshire OCTONAUTS AND THE DEEP SEA VOLCANO ADVENTURE Stage show based on the popular CBeebies TV series, Wed 1 - Thurs 2 July, Lichfield Garrick OPPOSITION Presented

by BOA Year 10 Dance Pathway, this showcase explores a range of dance style pieces and choreographic tasks that the students have explored, Wed 1 Thurs 2 July, The Old Rep, Birmingham CARMEN LIVE Screening of ENO’s staging of Bizet’s passionate opera, Wed 1 July, mac - Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham EMMA Heartbreak Productions present a staging of Jane Austen’s comedy of manners, Wed 1 July, Shugborough Historic Working Estate, Staffordshire JANE EYRE Chapterhouse Touring Theatre Company present a staging of Charlotte Bronte’s classic tale, Wed 1 July, Birmingham Botanical Gardens DON'T LEAVE ME NOW BY BRIAN DANIEL Two rehearsed play readings of Brian Daniel’s play, which explores the impact of earlyonset dementia on family life, Wed 1 July, mac

- Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham ELMHURST SCHOOL OF DANCE Showcase of works from Elmhurst's students aged eleven to nineteen. Programme includes specially commissioned works by Birminghambased contemporary choreographer/director Corey Baker, Carlos Pons Guerra and Birmingham Royal Ballet's Ruth Brill, Thurs 2 - Sat 4 July, The REP, Birmingham MACBETH Ludlow's very own Old Dic Theatre Company present Shakespeare's classic tale, Thurs 2 July, The Blue Boar, Ludlow, South Shropshire VOLPONE Former RSC Artistic Director Trevor Nunn returns to direct Henry Goodman in the title role of Jonson’s comic play, Fri 3 July Sat 12 Sept, The Swan Theatre, Stratford-uponAvon THE THRONE/LARKSONG Main-stage double-bill featuring Frazer Flintham's warmhearted comedy (The Throne) and Chris Bush's powerful tale of friendship and fate (Larksong), Fri 3 - Sat 25 July, New Vic Theatre, Newcastleunder-Lyme HONK! Amateur production of Stiles & Drewe's acclaimed musical that's based on Hans Christian Andersen's classic children's tale, Fri 3 - Sun 5 July, The Belfrey Theatre, Wellington, Shropshire MACBETH Ludlow's very own Old Dic Theatre Company present Shakespeare's classic tale, Fri 3 - Sat 4 July, Chang Thai Bar, Ludlow, South Shropshire HALFWAY TO PARADISE THE BILLY FURY STORY Musical which charts the rise to fame of a shy young boy from Liverpool who became one of Britain's bestloved rock stars, Fri 3 July, Prince Of Wales Centre, Cannock THE SITCOM TRIALS Short extracts of new sitcoms performed for you, the audience, to decide who’s crowned the Sitcom Champion 2015, Fri 3 July, Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham MORGAN AND WEST A magic show for all the family, Fri 3 July, Lichfield Garrick CYRANO DE BERGERAC Presented by the Crescent Theatre Company, Sat 4 - Sat 11 July, Crescent Theatre, Birmingham MR MERRICK, THE ELEPHANT MAN Lucky Dog Theatre Productions explore John Merrick’s final years in hospital and his complicated relationship with his doctor, Frederick

Treves, Sat 4 July, The Blue Boar, Ludlow, South Shropshire JACK THE RIPPER: FACTS, NO FICTION Philip Hutchinson presents a one-man show which brings more than a sprinkling of humour to the story of Victorian London’s most infamous killer, Sat 4 July, The Blue Boar, Ludlow, South Shropshire THE SECOND BEST BED Liz Grand stars as Anne Hathaway on the night of Shakespeare's funeral in a one-woman play which has received great critical acclaim since its premiere at the Swan Theatre, Worcester, in 2012, Sat 4 July, Lichfield Garrick BACK TO THE MUSICAL A musical theatre odyssey which promises to transport audiences from the 1920s to the modern day, Sat 4 July, mac - Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham LANDSCAPES Mimika Theatre's white dome is the setting for a magical and intimate show visiting four realised landscapes, Sun 5 Mon 6 July, The George Hotel, Lichfield THE PICTURE OF DOREEN GRAY Lipservice Theatre presents a twist on Oscar Wilde’s classic play, Sun 5 July, Lichfield Garrick

Week Commencing

MON 6 JULY BARNUM Brian Conley stars in the Greatest Show On Earth in Cameron Mackintosh's blockbuster musical, Tue 7 July - Sat 1 Aug, Birmingham Hippodrome ME AT THE ZOO First fulllength play by Young REP graduate Grace Barrington, Tue 7 - Wed 8 July, The REP, Birmingham ROOM ON THE BROOM Stage adaptation of Julia Donaldson's bestselling book that's sure to provide a magical, musical treat for children and families alike, Tue 7 - Wed 8 July, Regent Theatre, Stokeon-Trent DAVID STARKEY The UK's constitutional historian, known for his forthright views, talks about the thirteenth century agreement that limited the power of the monarch for the first time, Tue 7 July, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury THE HUNDRED YEARS' WAR: THE SOMME TO AFGHANISTAN Midlands Creative Projects in association with Bloodaxe Books and the Belgrade Theatre presents live music, poetry and striking images in The Hundred Years' War,

Tue 7 July, Lichfield Garrick MOSCOW STATE CIRCUS Wed 8 - Sun 12 July, Merry Hill Centre, Dudley HONK! THE MUSICAL Musical Youth Theatre Stafford present an amateur production of Stiles & Drewe's acclaimed musical that's based on Hans Christian Andersen's classic children's tale, Wed 8 - Sat 11 July, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre A GREEK CHORUS LINE Presented by BOA Year 10 Acting, Wed 8 Thurs 9 July, The Old Rep, Birmingham AN EVENING WITH ANN WIDDECOMBE Dynamic words, opinions and anecdotes from a real tour de force, Wed 8 July, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM Chapterhouse Theatre present an outdoor staging of Shakespeare’s heartwarming play, Wed 8 July, Birmingham Botanical Gardens THE ADVENTURES OF NELLIE BLY A onewoman show about a highly original woman, reporter Nellie Bly. Told with songs and piano accompaniment, Wed 8 July, Lichfield Garrick OLD TIME MUSIC HALL Sketches, songs and laughter providing an evening of classic British entertainment, Thurs 9 - Fri 17 July, Hall Green Little Theatre, Acocks Green, Birmingham ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION AND ANORAK OF FIRE Two one-act plays performed by Intimate Theatre as part of the Lichfield Festival, Thurs 9 - Fri 10 July, The George Hotel, Lichfield THE HUNDRED YEARS' WAR: THE SOMME TO AFGHANISTAN Midlands Creative Projects in association with Bloodaxe Books and the Belgrade Theatre present live music, poetry and striking images, Thurs 9 July, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury HEAR MY VOICE, THE FINAL SHOUT Students from across the West Midlands come together for the end of the three-year Hear My Voice project, with a performance of their own compositions and choreography, Thurs 9 July, LIchfield Cathedral TANGO STORIES Accordianist Ksenija Sidorova & Rambert dancer/choreographer Kirill Burlov present the first of only two UK performances, Thurs 9 July, Lichfield Garrick HONK! Amateur production of Stiles & Drewe's acclaimed musical that's based on Hans Christian Andersen's

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Theatre LISTINGS For full listing information on theatre productions, including times and dates, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk classic children's tale, Fri 10 - Sun 12 July, The Belfrey Theatre, Wellington, Shropshire GREYWING HOUSE Award-winning performer Mary Beth Morossa returns with her second solo show, in which she intertwines dark storytelling, poetry, cabaret and theatrical performance, Fri 10 Sat 11 July, Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham OUR DAY OUT Company Theatre School present their version of Willy Russell’s celebration of the joys and agonies of growing up and being footloose, fourteen and free from school, Fri 10 July, The Crescent Theatre, Birmingham SLEEPING THROUGH THE ALARM Belgrade Senior Youth Theatre in association with Frantic Assembly present a play about the pressure of choices that affect the rest of your life, Fri 10, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry (Part of July Festival) FISH IN THE SEA Random Improbability's comedy about love, sex and the terror of being left on the shelf, Fri 10 July, Artrix, Bromsgrove; (Part of BirminghamFest) TWELFTH NIGHT The Malachites - starring BAFTA-nominated John McEnery - present Shakespeare’s comedy of mistaken identity, transformation and deception, Fri 10 July, Lichfield Garrick CTRL-ALT-DELETE A play exploring the power and fragility of the mind, Fri 10 July, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry (Part of July Festival) IN THE NIGHT GARDEN LIVE Showdome musical theatre experience for the whole family, presented within a purpose-built touring space. Made up of two state-of-the-art show domes, the setting recreates the magical world of the popular BBC children's show, Sat 11 - Sat 25 July, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE Telford Academy of Performing Arts present a showcase of street dance, ballet, tap, musical theatre and more, Sat 11 July, The Place, Oakengates Theatre, Telford, Shropshire ALIENS LOVE UNDERPANTS Theatrical experience for youngsters based on the bestselling children's book,

Sun 12 July, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury VERA'S TEA DANCE A swinging 40s & 50s party with The Three Belles and The Bevin Boys, Sun 12 July, Drayton Manor Theme Park, Tamworth, Staffs

Week Commencing

MON 13 JULY SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD Somewhere between a musical and a song cycle, Songs For A New World explores defining moments across history, Tue 14 - Sat 18 July, Stafford Gatehouse ENTERTAINING ANGELS Lichfield Players present an amateur staging of Richard Everett's thought-provoking comedy, Tue 14 - Sat 18 July, Lichfield Garrick GOLD One-woman show exploring the hold that the precious metal has over us. Francesca Millican-Slater uses storytelling, PowerPoint, lyricism and possibly some classic gold tracks to get her point across, Wed 15 - Sat 25 July, New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffs THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA Get Your Wigle On present an amateur youth production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's hit musical, Wed 15 Sat 18 July, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury THE THIEVING MAGPIE Midland Opera presents a Rossini classic.

Sung in English, Wed 15 - Sat 18 July, Crescent Theatre, Birmingham GIRLS LIKE THAT Evan Placey’s urgent and explosive new play explores both gender equality and the devastating impact of bullying, Wed 15 - Sat 18 July, The Crescent Theatre, Birmingham CYRANO DE BERGERAC Presented by the Crescent Theatre Company, Wed 15 - Thurs 16 July, Saint Nicholas' Place, Kings Norton, B’ham AN EVENING OF MUSICAL THEATRE The Arts Centre Telford present an amateur production of various well-loved musical moments, Wed 15 & Thurs 16 July, The Place, Oakengates Theatre, Shropshire TEMPEST presented by Rain Or Shine Theatre Company, Wed 15 July, Birmingham Botanical Gardens

ONE YEAR OFF A surreal comic dystopia told through the eyes of four people defined by football, Thurs 16 - Sat 18 July, Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham FISH IN THE SEA Random Improbability's comedy about love, sex and the terror of being left on the shelf, Fri 17 Sun 19 July, Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham (Part of BirminghamFest) FLEXUS DANCE COLLECTIVE: LIMITS Choreographed performance investigating psychological and social barriers, Fri 17 July, mac Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham AN EVENING OF DIRTY DANCING Choreographed, highly interactive celebration of music from the iconic movie, Fri 17 July, Regent Theatre, Stokeon-Trent THE LONE PINE CLUB

by Alice Birch. A new play about four young adventurers, Sat 18 Sun 26 July, Carding Mill Valley & The Shropshire Hills CYRANO DE BERGERAC Presented by the Crescent Theatre Company, Sat 18 - Sun 19 July, Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens, Birmingham DIARY OF A NOBODY The classic literary tale of social climber Charles Pooter, presented in the modern day, Sat 18 July, Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham TWELFTH NIGHT Oddsocks bring their own inimitable style to Shakespeare’s comedy of mistaken identity, transformation and deception, Sat 18 July, Mac Arena, B’ham MUSICALS DISCOVERED Night Project Theatre in association with Blue Orange Theatre present an evening of songs from smash-hit musicals, as well as new writings, Sat 18 July, Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham (Part of BirminghamFest) EMMA Heartbreak Productions present a staging of Jane Austen’s comedy of manners, Sat 18 July, Hanbury Hall, B’ham MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING Oddsocks present a high-octane musical version of Shakespeare's witty battle of the sexes, Sun 19 July , mac - Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham YPTG THROUGH THE YEARS Showcase featuring hits from past shows - including Seussical, Camp Rock and Footloose - and new numbers from Matilda, Annie and Legally Blonde, Sun 19 July, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury UNFOLD RE-WORKS Professional dance from

Much Ado About Nothing - mac, Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham

well-known and traditional contemporary dance pieces, re-imagined into more-modern dance works. A Birminghamfest event, Sun 19 July, The Crescent Theatre, Birmingham HERITAGE Rogueplay Theatre’s Young Rogues present a ‘blistering black comedy with music that explores the darker side of nationalism’. A Birminghamfest production, Sun 19 July, Crescent Theatre, Birmingham AMALGAMATION RDC Youth & ACE Youth join forces to present a showcase of their latest work. A Birminghamfest production, Sun 19 July, The Crescent Theatre, Birmingham

Week Commencing

MON 20 JULY EAST IS EAST Pauline McLynn (Father Ted, Shameless and EastEnders) stars as Ella in Ayub Khan Din's semiautobiographical account of British Asian life in the 1970s, Mon 20 - Sat 25 July, Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent THE SPEECH Damn Cheek present a though-provoking play exploring the territory between truth and spin, Mon 20 & Wed 22 July, Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham (Part of BirminghamFest) A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE On The Floor Theatre Company present a unique and unusual production where animal transformations give way to interestingly associated monologues. A Birminghamfest production, Mon 20 - Tues 21 July, The Crescent Theatre, Birmingham 2 UP, 2 DOWN, 1 BACK Five teenagers wake up in a void and are forced to play a deadly game to escape, Mon 20 July, Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham (Part of

BirminghamFest) THE DOOR Damn Cheek present a play in which two strangers realise they’re not strangers at all, Tues 21; Thurs 23 July, Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham (Part of BirminghamFest) CYRANO DE BERGERAC Presented by the Crescent Theatre Company, Tue 21 - Wed 22 July, Selly Manor, Birmingham A POSITIVE LIFE Autin Dance Theatre present a brand new work of dance & physical theatre, inspired by the thirtieth anniversary of the discovery of the HIV virus. A Birminghamfest event, Tues 21 July, The Crescent Theatre, Birmingham THE GRANDMOTHER Irritable Monkey present Nicholas Tuck’s tragicomedy, which examines the idea of unconditional love and how quickly it can be ripped apart. A Birminghamfest event, Tues 21 July, Crescent Theatre, Birmingham TWELFTH NIGHT Oddsocks bring their own inimitable style to Shakespeare’s comedy of mistaken identity, transformation and deception, Tue 21 July, Whitbourne Hall, Birmingham ALIENS LOVE UNDERPANTS Theatrical experience for youngsters based on the best selling children's book, Wed 22 - Fri 24 July, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre NORMADS Far From The Norm transport audiences into the future of hip hop theatre. A Birminghamfest event, Wed 22 July, The Crescent Theatre, Birmingham THE HIDEOUT Haste Theatre present a riotous collision of Greek mythology and the Kit Kat club, Thurs 23 & Fri 24 July, Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham EXTREME Big Script presents an evening of short plays, Thurs 23 -

Fri 24 July, Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham (Part of BirminghamFest) WAITING FOR GARBO The Company Of Legendary Children present James Piercy’s drama, set in New York City in 1990, where three teenagers sit in wait for a glimpse of reclusive movie star Greta Garbo. A Birminghamfest production, Thurs 23 July, The Crescent Theatre, Birmingham A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM Forge Production House Ltd present a fast-paced version of Shakespeare’s classic comedy, Thurs 23 July, The Crescent Theatre, Birmingham MEDEA Oakley Flanagan presents a company of young actors who bring a new version of Euripides’ classic tale of love and revenge to the stage, Fri 24 July, Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham (Part of BirminghamFest) A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM Madcap Theatre combine comedy, music, dance, stage combat and physicality to present Shakespeare's classic comedy, Fri 24 July, mac Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham THE STAR DOOR & MUSIC TO BREAK UP TO Jigsaw Collective present a double bill of works exploring a child’s perspective of death in a family and the trials & woes of going through a break up. A Birminghamfest event, Fri 24 July, The Crescent Theatre, Birmingham FLICK & JULIE: POP UP PENNY PINCHERS Evening of comedy sketches & songs, Fri 24 July, Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham CYRANO DE BERGERAC Presented by the Crescent Theatre Company, Sat 25 & Sun 26 July, Harvington Hall, Kidderminster D SE DANCE Bollywood Dreams Dance Compa-

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Theatre LISTINGS For full listing information on theatre productions, including times and dates, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk ny marks its tenth anniversary with a showcase of Bollywood magic, Sat 25 - Sun 26 July, Crescent Theatre, Birmingham RHYTHM OF THE DANCE Internationally acclaimed Irish step dance show, Sat 25 July, Lichfield Garrick THE JUNGLE BOOK Chapterhouse Theatre Company present an outdoor production of Rudyard Kipling’s enchanting tale, Sat 25 July, Fort Dunlop, Birmingham AN AUDIENCE WITH GORGEOUS GEORGE Alex Brockie Productions present a new bio-play about gender-bending persona and outrageous behaviour, Sat 25 July, Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham (Part of BirminghamFest) BEOWULF Atomic Force & Barely Human Puppets present a contemporary version of the Anglo-Saxon epic, combining table-top and shadow puppetry, live music & poetry, Sat 25

July, Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham SHAAM-E-TARANNUM Semi-classical indian music and dance, including folk, bollywood, qawalli, sufi and more. Directed by Dr Ranjita Awasthi, Sat 25 July, mac - Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham SONIA SABRI COMPANY: LOK VIRSA A rare chance to experience regional song, poetry, visual arts, calligraphy, music & dance from different parts of Pakistan, Sun 26 July, mac - Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham

Week Commencing

MON 27 JULY IN THE HEIGHTS LinManuel Miranda’s new hip-hop musical, which tells the story of three days in the life of Washington Heights, Mon 27 - Thurs 30 July, The Crescent Theatre, Birmingham THE MORNING AFTER Sam wakes up not

knowing what happened the night before... A new comedy from the writer of Head Girl, from last year’s Birmingham Fest, Mon 27 - Wed 29 July, Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham THE THREE LITTLE PIGS A very curly musical tale starring Simon Webbe, Tues 28 July - Sun 2 Aug,Town Hall, Birmingham DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS Michael Praed, Noel Sullivan, Carley Stenson and Mark Benton star in this national touring show, based on Frank Oz’s 1988 film, Tue 28 July Sat 1 Aug, Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent LEAR ALONE TheatreOfTheQuarter present a thought-provoking reworking of the original play by award-winning playwright Frank Bramwell and using the words of William Shakespeare, Tues 28 & Thurs 30 July, St Paul’s Church, Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham THE ENDURING ROMANCE OF CATHY AND HEATHCLIFF An unconventional reimagining of the classic romance, Tues 28 July, Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham LEAR ALONE TheatreOfTheQuarter present a

thought-provoking reworking of the original play by award-winning playwright Frank Bramwell and using the words of William Shakespeare, Wed 29 & Fri 31 July, Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham EMMA Heartbreak Productions present a staging of Jane

Austen’s comedy of manners, Thurs 30 July, Warley Woods, Birmingham THE ENGAGEMENT Fortitude Theatre presents a tale of love and despair, Thurs 30 July, Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham (Part of BirminghamFest) TRES TRES CABARET Stafford's very own bur-

lesque and cabaret night. Strictly over-eighteens only, Fri 31 July, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre GRIMM UP NORTH Original comedy sketch show featuring songs, video, audience participation - and a spot of bingo!, Fri 31 July, Old Joint Stock Theatre, 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 359 9444 SOLIHULL ARTS COMPLEX 0121 704 6962 SUTTON ARTS THEATRE, SUTTON COLDFIELD 0121 355 5355

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

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

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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

The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

Bruno is a perfectly normal nine-year-old boy who’s more interested in spending his time in playful fantasy than in the boring and restricted world of the adults around him. Set during World War Two, the story starts in Berlin, where Bruno lives with his father, mother and sister. But Bruno’s family are no ordinary lot. His father has been personally chosen

by Adolf Hitler to carry out what everyone refers to as ‘a very important job’. So the family pack up and move away, leaving Bruno very unhappy at having to leave his grandmother and friends behind in Berlin. It’s lonely and boring for him in his new home. The adults frequently refrain that life isn’t fair and that Bruno should accept his fate. He doesn’t.

Determined to fulfill his ambition and become an explorer, Bruno sneaks from the confines of the house and heads towards the rows and rows of drab huts where all the people wear striped pyjamas. His journey ends at a razor-wire fence, where he meets and befriends Shmuel. The boys try to meet every day. In doing so, their relationship develops beautifully as they find common ground...

Given the weight of the subjects tackled in this production, The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas feels light - buoyed, as it is, by Bruno’s innocence and sincerity. The background horror is never directly presented and the boys’ ultimate fate is left to the imagination. John Boyne’s best-selling novel has here been brought to the stage by the Children’s Touring Partnership. The performance is suitable for adults and older children.

Ted Finlay n n n n

The Deranged Marriage Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry

Ten years after its original outing, Rifco Arts' The Deranged Marriage more than proves its continued relevance. A colourful collision of Restoration comedy, Bollywood movies and contemporary drama, it tells the story of Sona who, thwarted in her own dreams, finally gives in to her family's wishes and consents to an arranged marriage.

A familiar Shakespearean structure makes up the show’s backbone, with multiple romances, buried histories and a generation clash drawn out through Sona's big fat wedding celebrations. Subplots seemingly unconnected to the less-than-promising central wedding echo Much Ado, while a beautiful balcony, warm-colour palette and secret engagement self-consciously recall Romeo And Juliet.

Fortunately, in this story, the older generation (with the exception of hilariously manipulative matriarch Aunty Lata) come to their senses before their children doom themselves to misery.

Along with the classic love versus duty conflict, the play deals with hot topics like sexual orientation and the struggle to start a career. The inclusion of love interest Tony's deaf friend feels a little contrived - his only real function is to provide a few extra jokes before disappearing altogether - but otherwise things gel together well.

What really makes this show, however, is Pravesh Kumar's sharp wit and some clever audience engagement, both perfectly delivered by an allround excellent cast. Dialogue falls down a little in more serious moments, but there's never long to wait for the next great gag to lift things up again.

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The King Dances And Carmina Burana Birmingham Hippodrome It’s not only a significant time in the history of Birmingham Royal Ballet (BRB), which is marking its twenty-fifth anniversary, but also in the career of David Bintley, who’s been the company’s artistic director for twenty years. This celebratory season offers the birth of a new ballet by Bintley, one which coincidentally explores the birth of ballet itself.

The King Dances is loosely based on the night in 1653 when King Louis XIV famously created the Le Ballet De La Nuit. Dancing the role of Apollo, many say Louis was the creator of western ballet. An original production which lasted a long twelve hours, its essence is here captured by Bintley in just thirty-five minutes, divided into the four watches from the original work.

Bintley’s choreography is interesting. Representative of court dancing, it nonetheless features extremely complex and rapid footwork that comes with a distinctly modern edge. The staging is quite simplistic, the linear formations basic but extremely strong.

For some, Stephen Montague’s score will be too much. It’s not Tchaikovsky, that’s for sure, but it is beautifully engulfing - immersive for both dancer and audience. Rich and lavish crescendos oppose the minimal and peaceful breaks.

It may appear that this ballet isn’t as celebratory as some in the BRB repertoire - it isn’t a ballet in the sense most people imagine. For me, though, it is rather wonderful - constantly pushing at the boundaries of the art form. And I did most definitely sense a hint of what Bintley and BRB’s future works may look like.

Carmina Burana was the first ballet created for the company by David Bintley as artistic director. Symbolic of the modern edge Bintley brings to BRB, it’s rich in both passion and drive. Telling the story of three seminarians’ departure from faith, the production boasts exciting and imaginative choreography and design.

There’s absolutely no sign of this work dating. Instead, it matures and comes back stronger each time it’s performed.. Jamie Ryan n n n n

Absent Friends Belgrade Theatre, Coventry

This is prime Alan Ayckbourn territory. We’re in the suburban ’70s and six deeply unlovable and badly dressed characters are spending an enforced afternoon together in a desperate, old-friends attempt to cheer up poor Colin, whose perfect fiancé has recently drowned at sea. Judging by his chronically and relentlessly pious cheerfulness, it may have been suicide.

Five of the characters are definitely glass-half-empty types, and Colin’s glass is decidedly three quarters full. Nevertheless, all the depressives have to do to help while away his Saturday afternoon is not to mention death, drowning, the sea or relationships.

They fail miserably of course; enough to make you squirm.

Director Michael Cabot pushes Ayckbourn’s ‘types’ to the nervy edge of pantomime.

There’s just enough realism to recognise them amongst one’s own social circle, and enough exaggeration for them to be safely beyond it.

Ashley Cook’s Colin is played as such a nerdy ‘pain’ it’s no wonder no one has seen him for years. But he’s known them all a long time, which is dangerous stuff; for Colin has whole tins of beans to spill and tables are bound to be turned.

Kathryn Ritchie’s taciturn Evelyn is a woman reduced to a monosyllabic shell, and Catherine Harvey’s hostess, Diane - in her unflatteringly shapeless, shifting, chiffon, floor-length dress - is such a confessionalist no priest would want to sit next to her.

But the best-invented character in this London Classic Theatre touring production is John Dorney’s ‘John’. In orange cords and kipper tie, he’s a hopelessly uncomfortable nervous wreck who’s constantly on the move.

The show gets off to a surprisingly pedestrian start and Mr Ayckbourn might wince at the occasional lost opportunity. Not all his knives are pushed firmly home. It also takes time for the rhythm to settle, but the audience was biddable and generous.

I suspect, overall, the author would be more than content to sit back and watch yet another highly entertained audience enjoy a classic from his rich catalogue of remarkably well-observed plays.

Absent Friends shows at Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, from 3 to 5 September.

Chris Eldon Lee n n n n

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Theatre WEST END Long-running comedy to close in West End The team behind The 39 Steps has announced that the production is to close on 5 September.

The comic adaptation of John Buchanan’s classic thriller started out at the West Yorkshire Playhouse in 2005, spending a short period at the Tricycle Theatre before moving to The Criterion in September 2006.

Probably best known from Alfred Hitchcock’s 1935 movie adaptation, The 39 Steps follows handsome hero Richard Hannay as he battles to retain his stiff upper lip in the face of dastardly murders and lifethreatening encounters with double-crossing secret agents. There are some beautiful and mysterious women involved in the storyline too, so it's not all bad news for our intrepid hero! Four fearless actors play no fewer than one hundred-and-thirtynine roles in this real gem of a show.

To date, more than three million people have seen The 39 Steps worldwide - so if you want to catch it before its final curtain, you have only until early September to do so.

Beverley Knight to star as Grizabella Wolverhampton-born Beverley Knight has announced she’s to play Grizabella in the record-breaking Cats The Musical.

Knight, who’ll be following in the footsteps of Nicole Scherzinger and Kerry Ellis, will take on the role for a ten-week run at the London Palladium (from 23 October 2015 until 2 January 2016).

“To be asked to join the company of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s historic show was so exciting and totally unexpected,” said Beverley. “Vocally I’m so different to the many incredible women who’ve sung the classic Memory over the years. To follow in their footsteps is something to truly relish! I’m really looking forward to transforming into Grizabella, with her fabulous costume and amazing make-up, and to playing the role at the London Palladium. Working with Andrew will be a real privilege.”

Based on TS Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book Of Practical Cats, Cats The Musical returned to the West End in December last year, reuniting the original creative team of Director Trevor Nunn, Associate Director and Choreographer Gillian Lynne, Designer John Napier and Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber.

The show is based around one special night of the year when all Jellicle cats meet at the Jellicle Ball. Old Deuteronomy, their wise and benevolent leader, makes the Jellicle choice and announces which of them will go up to the Heaviside Layer and be reborn into a whole new Jellicle life.

One of the longest-running shows in West End and Broadway history, Cats received its world premiere at the New London Theatre in 1981, where it then played for twenty-one record-breaking years.

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Film From Fri 3 July

Amy CERT 15 (128 mins) Directed by Asif Kapadia (UK)

Asif Kapadia won ecstatic reviews for his Bafta-winning documentary Senna (about the Formula One numero uno Ayrton Senna). Now he focuses his attention on the career, life and death of Amy Winehouse, the London-born singer-songwriter. Again, the reviews have been exemplary - although Amy’s family are none too happy with the film.

From Fri 24 July

Inside Out CERT U (102 mins) Featuring the voices of Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, Bill Hader, Lewis Black, Mindy Kaling, Kaitlyn Dias, Diane Lane, Kyle MacLachlan Directed by Pete Docter and Ronaldo Del Carmen (USA)

Magic Mike XXL CERT 15 (115 mins) Starring Channing Tatum, Matt Bomer, Joe Manganiello, Andie MacDowell, Amber Heard, Elizabeth Banks, Jada Pinkett Smith Directed by Gregory Jacobs (USA)

Following the disappointing reception of Cars 2 and the lack of a feature in 2014, Pixar has bounced back with this highly original cartoon. Largely set inside the brain of an eleven-year-old girl, the film’s five protagonists are the emotions that dominate her actions: Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust and Sadness, each given its own voice. But there’s more to this set-up than meets the mind, as Joy and Sadness get lost! On the review gatherer website Rotten Tomatoes, the film was given a one hundred percent rating. In 3D.

The former male stripper ‘Magic Mike’ (Tatum) is back, this time to compete in a stripping convention in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina - his last hurrah. Incidentally, Steven Soderbergh, who directed the original film, returns here as cinematographer.

Expect six packs galore.

Terminator Genisys

CERT 12a (126 mins)

Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jason Clarke, Emilia Clarke, Jai Courtney, Lee Byunghun, Matt Smith, JK Simmons Directed by Alan Taylor (USA)

The Governor of California is back. At least, Arnie, as T-800, is back in cybernetic mode.

This time John Connor is played by Jason Clarke (Zero Dark Thirty, Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes) and finds himself fighting the Machines on two temporal fronts: from both the past and the future. The London-born Emilia Clarke (Daenerys Targaryen in Game Of Thrones) plays Sarah Connor. In case you’re guessing, this is the fifth instalment of the franchise started by James Cameron back in 1984. In 3D. www.whatsonlive.co.uk 35

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Film NEW RELEASES Released from Fri 10 July

The Choir CERT PG (103 mins) Starring Dustin Hoffman, Kathy Bates, Debra Winger, Garrett Wareing, Eddie Izzard, Josh Lucas Directed by François Girard (USA)

A troublesome eleven-year-old orphan (Wareing) ends up at the National Boychoir Academy. However, even though he can sing well, he rebels against his privileged classmates and the school’s exacting choir master (Hoffman). The Canadian director François Girard previously directed the music-orientated films Thirty Two Short Films About Glenn Gould and The Red Violin. Formerly known as Boychoir.

From Fri 10 July

Love & Mercy CERT 12a (121 mins) Starring John Cusack, Paul Dano, Elizabeth Banks, Paul Giamatti, Jake Abel Directed by Bill Pohlad (USA)

Brian Wilson was the co-founder of The Beach Boys and this is his story. His younger self is played by Dano, his older persona by Cusack. It was not an easy life.

Released from Fri 17 July

Ant-Man CERT tbc Starring Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Corey Stoll, Bobby Cannavale, Michael Peña, Michael Douglas, Hayley Atwell Directed by Peyton Reed (USA)

Ready for a new franchise? Here comes AntMan - aka Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) - the latest superhero to scurry out of the Marvel Comics catalogue. Scott Lang is actually a conman who comes by a suit that enables him to shrink yet become incredibly strong.

With the new technology at his pincer tips he decides to reform his ways and join up with the entomologist Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) to save the world.

The Reunion CERT 15 tbc

37 www.whatsonlive.co.uk

Seth MacFarlane’s Ted (2012) was arguably the most successful comedy to feature a teddy bear - ever (international gross: $550million). In this follow-up, Ted marries Tami-Lynn (Barth) and they decide to have a baby. But Ted, being just a stuffed toy, needs human spermatozoa to impregnate her. Enter John Bennett (Wahlberg), so to speak.

Self/Less CERT tbc Starring Ryan Reynolds, Ben Kingsley, Matthew Goode, Michelle Dockery, Natalie Martinez Directed by Tarsem Singh (USA)

Damian (Ryan Reynolds) is a healthy young man who, thanks to pioneering medical science, has the consciousness of a wealthy dying aristocratic transferred into his body.

Inevitably, though, there is a clash of interests… Bizarrely, Ryan Reynolds’ wife Blake Lively also played somebody trapped in a younger body in this year’s The Age Of Adaline.

Starring Anna Odell, Anders Berg, David Nordström Directed by Anna Odell (Sweden)

The school reunion in question is a twentyyear anniversary and Anna Odell, the class loser, had decided to air her grievances...

One would like to think that the writer-director-actress Anna Odell got a real kick out of making The Reunion. Unsuspecting filmgoers may be drawn to the Swedish film’s precarious fourth-wall playfulness, furrowing their brows in patient expectation. But, alas, the end result is at best little more than a parlour game, a soufflé-light experiment - at worst a self-indulgent whinge. One prays for a third act that will resolve this personal exploration of school bullying, but instead the plot just (literally) floats away.

Ted 2 CERT tbc Starring Mark Wahlberg, Seth MacFarlane, Amanda Seyfried, Jessica Barth, Liam Neeson, Morgan Freeman Directed by Seth MacFarlane (USA)

The Gallows CERT tbc Starring Cassidy Gifford, Pfeifer Brown, Ryan Shoos Directed by Travis Cluff and Chris Lofing (USA)

‘The Gallows’ is the name of a school play that, twenty years ago, ended in tragedy. To commemorate the calamity, the show is mounted in an anniversary production. Not a good idea… Another ‘found footage’ horror film.

True Story CERT 15 (99 mins) Starring Jonah Hill, James Franco, Felicity Jones, Gretchen Mol, Connor Kikot Directed by Rupert Goold (USA)

Jonah Hill plays Michael Finkel, a journalist for The New York Times who is fired for fabri-

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cating a front-page story. He then discovers that a murderer, Christian Longo (James Franco), has adopted his identity and is now in prison. Unable to get work, Finkel decides to meet up with Longo, who agrees to tell his story in return for writing lessons.

Apparently, this is a true story. The man at the helm is the highly-acclaimed, Londonborn stage director Rupert Goold, making his film debut.

Released from Fri 17 July

The Legend Of Barney Thomson CERT tbc

Starring Emma Thompson, Robert Carlyle, Ray Winstone, Tom Courtenay, Ashley Jensen, Martin Compston Directed by Robert Carlyle (UK/Canada)

Unlike Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Glaswegian barber Barney Thomson stumbles into serial murder by accident. Following a somewhat low profile on the big screen in recent years, Robert Carlyle (the star of The Full Monty) comes back with a bang, making his directorial debut to boot.

From Thurs 30 July

Southpaw CERT 15 (124 mins) Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Forest Whitaker, Rachel McAdams, Naomie Harris, Victor Ortiz, Curtis ‘50 Cent’ Jackson, Tyrese Gibson Directed by Antoine Fuqua (USA)

With the Weinstein Company's Harvey Weinstein already predicting Oscar glory for Jake Gyllenhaal, Southpaw should have some thespian punch. Gyllenhaal plays Billy Hope, a boxer at the height of his career - but his wife (McAdams) pleads for him to quit...

Incidentally, the American Academy does like to hand out Oscars to actors playing boxers: think Robert De Niro, Hilary Swank and Christian Bale.

Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation CERT tbc Starring Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson, Ving Rhames, Sean Harris, Alec Baldwin Directed by Christopher McQuarrie (USA)

Christopher McQuarrie directed Tom Cruise in the smart and thrilling Jack Reacher, so let’s hope he repeats the trick for the fifth instalment in the Mission: Impossible franchise. Of course, it’s the team’s most impossible mission yet - to eliminate a rogue organisation every bit as efficient as they are themselves.

Filmed in Vienna, London, Marrakech, Casablanca, Rabat and Southampton.

Beyond The Reach CERT 12a (91 mins) Starring Michael Douglas, Jeremy Irvine, Ronny Cox, Hanna Mangan-Lawrence Directed by Jean-Baptiste Léonetti (USA)

Maggie CERT 15 (95 mins) Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Abigail Breslin, Joely Richardson, Douglas M. Griffin, JD Evermore Directed by Henry Hobson (USA/Switzerland)

Maggie is played by Abigail Breslin, the child star who brightened up such movies as Little Miss Sunshine and My Sister's Keeper. But Breslin is now nineteen and plays a teenager infected by the Necroambulist virus, which turns good folk into zombies. However, Maggie’s father (Arnie) stays by her. Mr Schwarzenegger also co-produced.

Michael Douglas plays John Madec, a corporate shark who goes hunting in the Mojave Desert. But when he accidentally shoots a desert hobo, his reparation takes an unexpected and dangerous turn… Based on the 1972 novel Deathwatch by Robb White, the film was not reviewed kindly in the States.

Released from Fri 17 July

Hot Pursuit CERT 12a (87 mins) Starring Reese Witherspoon, Sofía Vergara, Matthew Del Negro, Michael Mosley, John Carroll Lynch, Richard T. Jones, Vincent Laresca Directed by Anne Fletcher (USA)

Reese Witherspoon may be small (5' 1½") but as San Antonio cop Rose Cooper she packs a large piece. And she has to use it when she’s assigned to protect a cartel informant (Laresca) and his wife (Vergara) across the back roads of Texas. Witherspoon, who’s recently made a name for herself in tough dramas, returns to comedy here but, sadly, to critical disdain. www.whatsonlive.co.uk 37

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interview

SHREWSBURY

FOLK AN INSIGHT INTO ONE OF THE COUNTRY’S MOST POPULAR FESTIVALS

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Seventeen years ago, husband-and-wife team Alan and Sandra Surtees decided to put their love of folk music to good use and create ‘the sort of festival that we would want to go to ourselves’.

In fact, it was music which had brought the couple together in the first place. Alan and Sandra met at Bromyard Festival some twenty-odd years ago - and, as Alan pointed out, it was ‘love at first hear’.

Starting life in Bridgnorth in 1997, Alan and Sandra’s folk music event moved to Shrewsbury’s Quarry Park nine years later and became the Shrewsbury Folk Festival. The move saw an immediate increase in its attendance by an impressive sixty percent. The following year saw the festival move again, this time to its current home at the West Mid Showground. What’s On recently met up with Festival Director Alan over a cup of coffee to discuss the festival’s past, present and future...

To what do you attribute the festival’s continued success, Alan?

I think it’s the diversity. I’ve had a lot of stick from the ‘old school’ who say ‘It’s not folk music’ or ‘It’s all got too big’. I think people want to ‘discover’ at festivals. They want to say to their mates, ‘Did you see the Carolina Chocolate Drops? Weren’t they bloody brilliant!’ It’s almost one-upmanship.

Recently, a bloke in a pub near to where I live came up to me and said, “You’re Alan Surtees, aren’t you? I bring all my mates who hate folk music to your festival and they go home loving it’. That’s what I want to do to people. I’m like a folk evangelist!

as well. We’ll have all of these wonderful artists getting together to rehearse side two of Abbey Road. It’s going to be great.

had to swap him into Sunday and persuade Callan to come on Monday. So the logistics can be a nightmare.

Purely personal choice - which artists would you choose to headline a Friday, Saturday and Sunday night.

I’d bring Blackie And The Rodeo Kings back.

Then there’s a marvellous band called Tedeschi Trucks from America. They’re a husband-and-wife team. They’ve got a horn section, two drummers and are absolutely fabulous. I also want to get Daryl Scott, another American, but I’d like to get him with Tim O’Brien. Together they’re just magic.

Away from the music, what’s your favourite aspect of the festival?

I think the parade has really got me over the years. The biggest buzz I get out of it is watching people watching what we put on.

Personal artistic preferences will always play a part in programming a festival, but how easy or difficult is it to strike a balance between those personal preferences and ensuring the event has commercial appeal?

It’s not difficult because very often the two meet. Commercial appeal appeals to me, so that comes together. The great thing about a festival when you’ve got four days is that you can present all the traditional artists who’re in demand, you can put new and quirky things in, and you can still bring in bands like Bellowhead and Show Of Hands who draw big crowds. I don’t feel I’ve ever compromised the word ‘folk’. I may have put a rock’n’roll band on, but as far as I’m concerned rock’n’roll is folk music. It’s more about quality than genre. We had Molotov Jukebox on last year. Nothing to do with folk there were some acoustics there - but they’re punchy and we knew they’d get the party started. We try to build up to a crescendo each night, where it gets more vibrant and probably a little bit louder.

You’re feeding your hunger for American music there then, Alan...

Yeah, I’m thinking of doing an American Day for 2016, to get it out of my system. I was looking at a fantastic player yesterday, Texas Martha And The House Of Twang. They’re great.

The end of Bellowhead leaves a big gap in the festival market. Is there an upcoming band you’d like to champion who you think might fill that void?

I want to see Jon Boden and Sam Sweeney bring something together. I can understand a thirteen-piece band is going to be hard to keep together. They’re working on several things. Jon always has so many irons in the fire. Sam’s a pal, so we keep in touch. Things will evolve, I’m sure. Lots of things will come to the fore. Looking ahead, I’d like to get more involved in world music, and we are this year. We’re bringing artists over from India, Canada and Africa, so it really will be a multinational affair.

Which artist are you most looking forward to catching at this year’s festival?

Dawes from Los Angeles. They’ve got that lovely Laurel Canyon sound. Great music, very thoughtful words and they suit me down to the ground. I’m also looking forward to the Folk Slam on the Monday afternoon. It’s a pet project of mine and I’ve actually persuaded Richard Thompson to stay over and play in it

Where does your research for artists take you?

We go to Folk Alliance in the States every other year, and we went to the East Coast Music Awards last year. That’s where we met The Barra MacNeils and Ten Strings And A Goat Skin, who’re coming this year. I’ve seen La Bottine Souriante quite a few times and they’re just terrific. Sometimes we book them there and other times we just give them our card.

Who have you persistently tried to get to the festival without succeeding?

There are a few. Not many at the moment.

There are a number of American acts that I’d like to get. We’re working on it. There are three hundred folk festivals in the UK and, apart from Cambridge, I think we’re the only folk festival that spends money flying people over from America. You double up your costs if you fly someone like Blackie... over. They were a nightmare. They all came from different airports.

Were they your most expensive booking?

No. Probably Afro Celts, and for several reasons. The fee is high, and then you have to bring in a new sound desk for them. They want their own side of stage monitors. They want side fills, which gives them a feel for the auditorium. If you have a band like that, everything gets expensive.

How about the logistics of programming?

You can’t imagine how complicated the programming is, especially when I cock things up. We’ve got Gordie McKeeman and his Rhythm Boys coming this year. They’re a Canadian bluegrass group. He’s an East Coast Canadian who dances. He’s like this man with rubber legs and he’s absolutely brilliant. Anyway, I booked him in on the Saturday and he’s in Belgium Saturday. So I

Have you ever been starstruck?

Yes. Richard Thompson. I can’t talk to him because, to me, he’s God. I’ll make sure I chat to him this year, though.

Do you play an instrument?

Not very well. I would say yes, my wife would say no. I play a little bit of melodeon and a bit of guitar. I know the rudiments but I’m not very good. I wouldn’t dare play in public. It’s playing-in-my-bedroom stuff. I sing a bit of choral and I’m not too bad. Even John Jones turned round to me when I was on stage with him and said, “You’ve got a pretty good voice, Surtees”.

If you’d had the talent, would you have liked to be a musician?

Oh my God, yeah. I was talking to another promoter a couple of weeks ago who said, “You know why we do this, don’t you? It’s because we want to be them”. And that’s exactly right. I want to be that star on stage, but I haven’t got the talent to do it.

What’s the biggest mistake you’ve ever made?

We had no communication radios the first year, so we had to run everywhere. Sandra lost half a stone in a weekend. We were dashing everywhere, but I learned a good lesson. When people run up to you and say, ‘We’ve got a problem’, take your time getting there because by the time you do, someone else will have sorted it. I still do that - and then if they don’t sort it, I will. There’s a fortnight of problem-solving leading up to the festival. I’m there a week before for the buildup and it’s great fun. You’ve got loads of stewards on site and we have sessions in the bar. They’re all your mates because they’ve been working with you for years. I think the comradeship of the build-up washes into the festival. We’ve got lots of lovely, smiley stewards because they enjoy being there with us.

Finally, what’s your long-term vision for the festival?

Not to grow it an awful lot because I think we’re maxed out on the showground site. But I’ll continue doing it until I drop. While I’m still loving it, I’ll carry on doing it. My mission is to make the festival as good as I can make it.

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Festivals

Kathryn Tickell & The Side

Cheltenham Festival Various venues around Cheltenham, Tues 30 June - Sat 11 July

“In Cheltenham seventy years ago, there was no greater act of looking to a post-war future than the establishment of a music festival,” says Meurig Bowen, the current festival director. “In this anniversary year of both the end of World War Two and the start of this festival, we take a look at the kind of music that was being written during the war and at its close - pieces by Britten, Copland, Messiaen, Poulenc, Shostakovich and Strauss that are as strikingly different as they are indisputably great.”

Another focus of this year’s festival is the city of Paris. “From the Montmartre of Satie to Claire Martin’s cabaret programme,” explains Meurig, “and from a Joan of Arc silent film to wartime Messiaen.”

Music’s close links with film are also explored. “Medieval music, Bernard Herrmann and Chopin are live accompaniments to three wonderfully different films,” continues the director.

And there’s plenty more besides, including blockbuster symphonies

by Mahler and Rachmaninov, Mendelssohn on period instruments, and in excess of twenty world premieres. Meurig is rightly proud of the festival’s diversity, and hopes visitors will find the 2015 line-up every bit as enticing as he himself does.

Coventry Godiva Festival War Memorial Park, Coventry, Fri 3 - Sun 5 July

London Klezmer Quartet

Lichfield Festival Various venues in Lichfield City Centre, Fri 3 - Sun 12 July

Lichfield Festival brings the best national and international artists and performers to the West Midlands each year for a summer celebration of classical music, dance, drama, film, jazz, literature, poetry, visual arts and world music.

Following the success of the pig parade in 2011, this year’s event kicks off with an elephant parade a procession of painted elephants and their keepers.

London Klezmer Quartet (Mon 6), Soh-Yon Kim (Tues 7) and BBC Big Band (Fri 10) all feature in the festival’s music line-up. Dance and theatre performances come from Tango Stories (Thurs 9), with Mark Watson (Tues 7) featuring on the comedy bill. For the full line-up and more information, visit lichfieldfestival.org

Maintaining its status as one of the biggest free, ticketless festivals in the country, Godiva this year hosts a diverse and impressive programme, with ska/reggae bands The Skints and Dreadzone performing on the Saturday night as well as urban acts, Big Narstie and Lady Leshurr.

Indie rock Liverpudlians The Wombats take top billing on the Saturday evening, while Embrace round off the festival with a selection of their crowdpleasing hits on the Sunday.

As well as its plethora of well-known names - Fun Lovin’ Criminals, Don Broco, The Beat and We Are The Ocean included - Godiva Festival also provides a platform on which local artists and bands can showcase their skills.

The event this year will also bring a Ceilidh Dance for the first time and also offers comedy acts, vintage markets, a silent disco, family field entertainment, licensed bars and food stalls.

The Wombats

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Festival PREVIEWS

Simmer Down Festival Handsworth Park, Birmingham, Sun 19 July

Mostly Jazz, Funk & Soul

The fastest growing and most diverse festival in Birmingham, Simmer Down last year attracted more than twelve thousand people to the beautiful surroundings of Handsworth Park. The event is now in its sixth year and firmly established on the city's summer festivals calendar.

Solidly rooted in North Birmingham, Simmer Down is a free family fun day which celebrates the city's rich musical diversity. This year’s get-together is headlined by international reggae superstar Maxi Priest.

The festival’s attractions include live performances and numerous arts participation activities, taking place across several stages and marquees. There’s also an increasing number of fun activities for all the family to enjoy, including arts and education workshops, face painting, small rides and a community cricket match. A number of food stalls provide the opportunity to enjoy the wide selection of cuisine that’s readily available in Birmingham.

Moseley Park, Birmingham, Sat 10 - Sun 12 July

This hugely popular open-air festival returns to Moseley Park with another three days of contemporary jazz, funk and soul music.

Headliners include Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Gregory Porter - who’ll be closing festivities on the Sunday night - and musical legends The Sugarhill Gang - best known for 1979 hit Rappers Delight, the first rap single to reach the top forty on the Billboard Hot 100. American composer and vibraphone player Roy Ayers takes the Saturday headline slot.

Craig Charles, The Pharcyde, Hackey Colliery Band, The James Hunter Six and The Mouse Outfit feat. Dr Syntax & Sparkz also feature in this year’s extensive line-up.

But it doesn’t stop there... For those wanting to party into the early hours, the nearby Hare & Hounds pub is hosting after-parties on the Friday and Saturday evenings. For more information, visit mostlyjazz.co.uk.

Maxi Priest

Festival At The Edge Stokes Barn, Much Wenlock, Shropshire, Fri 17 - Sun 19 July

Gregory Porter

Blues At The Fold

The beautiful setting of Wenlock Edge provides a perfect backdrop for this annual get-together, which features artists from across the globe. Recognised as one of the oldest events of its kind in England, Festival At The Edge launches major new storytelling endeavours and features performances from some of folk’s finest. Artists confirmed to appear in 2015 include British storytellers Hugh Lupton and Ruth Kirkpatrick and folk artists Steve Ashley and O’Hooley & Tidow. The Hut People, Pete Morton, Ange Hardy and Wilcox:Hulse also feature on the bill. Both day and weekend tickets are available, with an additional fee for camping.

For more information, visit festivalattheedge.org.

The Fold, Worcester, Sat 4 July

This Worcester-based community blues festival boasts a stellar line-up that features, among others, acoustic roots artist Jack Blackman, good-time blues band The King Biscuit Boys, Swampcandy, Slack Alice and Will ‘Harmonica’ Wilde Band.

MADE Birmingham The Digbeth Triangle, Birmingham Sat 25 - Sun 26 July

The Metropolitan, Arts & Dance Event (MADE) features a world-class electronic musical line-up and combines it with some of Birmingham's best visual and street artists, designers, set builders, creatives and musicians. This year’s line-up includes Beardyman, Claude VonStroke, David Rodigan & Julio Bashmore and many more.

An additional day has been added to the programme this year and offers ‘a celebration of food, beverage and artistic talent from the Midlands and beyond’. Digbeth Dining Club, the award-winning street food event which has revolutionised the foodie scene in Birmingham, returns to host the food programming on the day. A number of independent breweries and distilleries will also be represented.

Other attractions include street art from Digbeth's City Of Colours, live music, spoken word and retro gaming. Tickets and more information can be found at madebirmingham.com

O’Hooley & Tidow

Warwick Folk

Billy Bragg

In and around Warwick School, Thurs 23 - Sun 26 July

Now in its thirty-sixth year, this hugely popular festival continues to attract the creme de la creme of the folk world, with Billy Bragg, Lil’ Jimmy Reed Band, The Demon Barbers XL and Nancy Kerr & The Sweet Visitor Band all headlining in 2015. In addition to four days’worth of extensive music on its main stages, the event also features a programme of ceilidhs, workshops, talks, a family festival and impromptu acoustic sessions. www.whatsonlive.co.uk 43

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Festivals Listings For full listing information on festivals, including dates and line-up, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk

JULY CAMPER JAM Line-up to be announced, Fri 3 Sun 5 July, Weston Park, Staffordshire GODIVA FESTIVAL Lineup includes The Wombats, Fun Lovin’ Criminals, Embrace & The Beat, Fri 3 - Sun 5 July, War Memorial Park, Coventry BLUES AT THE FOLD Lineup includes Jack Blackman, The King Biscuit Boys, Swampcandy & Will ‘Harmonica’ Wilde Band, Sat 4 July, The Fold, Worcester LEAMINGTON SPA UKULELE FESTIVAL Lineup includes Lynda Styne & Red Hot Duo, Chonkinfeckle, Bitter Jug Stompers & Gabriela, Sat 4 July, Newbold Comyn Arms, Warwickshire BIRMINGHAM ROCKS FESTIVAL Line-up includes The Bad Flowers, Glassbullet, Wet Lettuce And The Magik Bean & The Shanklins, Sat 4 - Sun 5 Jul, O’Neills, Birmingham LLANGOLLEN INTERNATIONAL MUSICAL EISTEDDFOD Line-up includes Rufus Wainwright, Alfie Boe, UB40’s Ali Campbell, Astro and Mickey Virtue & Gareth Malone and his Voices choir, Mon 6 - Sun 12 July, Royal International Pavillion BUXTON FESTIVAL FRINGE Line-up includes Albion, City Of Manchester Orchestra, Basin Street Jazz and Blues & Dale Storr, Wed 8 - Sun 26 Jul, various venues around Buxton 2000 TREES FESTIVAL Line-up includes Deaf Havana, Idlewild, We Are The Ocean & The Subways, Thurs 9 - Sat 11 Jul, Upcote Farm, Cheltenham BROMSGROVE FOLK FES-

TIVAL Line-up includes Artisan, Colum Sands, Hat Fitz and Cara & Anthony John Clarke, Thurs 9 - Sun 12 July, The Bowling Green, Bromsgrove NOISILY FESTIVAL Lineup includes Stephan Bodzin, Grouch, Boris Brejcha & Parasense, Thurs 9 - Sun 12 Jul, Coney Woods, Leicester NAPTON MUSIC FESTIVAL Line-up includes Jellyheads, The Session, Abba Chique & Vendettas, Fri 10 - Sat 11 July, Napton on the Hill, Warwickshire SOUNDS IN THE GROUNDS Line-up includes Kaiser Chiefs, Professor Green, Ella Eyre, Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra & Lucy O’Byrne, Fri 10 - Sat 11 July, Warwick Castle THE MOSTLY JAZZ, FUNK & SOUL FESTIVAL Lineup includes Roy Ayers, Gregory Porter, Craig Charles & Hackney Colliery Band, Fri 10 - Sun 12 July, Moseley Park, Birmingham PUNKS AGAINST CANCER Line-up to be announced, Fri 10 - Sun 12 Jul, The Hairy Dog, Derbyshire CORNBURY MUSIC FESTIVAL Line-up includes Tom Jones, Razorlight, Roger Hodgson & The Fratellis, Fri 10 - Sun 12 Jul, Great Tew Estate, Oxfordshire BUXTON FESTIVAL Lineup includes English Chamber Orchestra, The Schubert Ensemble, The Fitzwilliam String Quartet & Maria Camahort Quintet, Fri 10 - Sun 26 Jul, various venues in Buxton, Derby THE BURTON REAL ALE AND JAZZ FESTIVAL A weekend of jazz music and a range of beers, ales, cider and food stalls, Fri 17 - Sat 18 Jul, National Brewery Centre, Burton

Rufus Wainwright Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod

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ALIVE AT DELAPRE PARK Line-up includes Jessie J, Alfie Boe & McBusted, Fri 17 - Sun 19 Jul, Delapre Park, Northampton FESTIVAL AT THE EDGE Line-up includes O’Hooley & Tidow, Steve Ashley, The Hut People & Pete Morton, Fri 17 - Sun 19 Jul, Stokes Barn, Much Wenlock, Shropshire FESTIVAL 8 Line-up includes Alternative Dubstep Orchestra, Seas Of Mirth, Hallouminati & Rick Emsley, Fri 17 Sun 19 Jul, Cabourne Parva, Lincolnshire BUG JAM Line-up includes Neumonics, The Cheeky Keys, Jump The Gunn & Whiteroom, Fri 17 - Sun 19 Jul, Santa Pod Raceway, Northamptonshire L FEST Line-up includes Lucy Spraggan, O’Hooley & Tidow, The Tuts & Holloway, Fri 17 - Mon 20 July, Uttoxeter Racecourse, Staffordshire SPLENDOUR Line-up includes The Specials, James, Jess Glynne & Lawson, Sat 18 July, Wollaton Park, Nottinghamshire SIMMER DOWN Line-up to be announced, Sun 19 Jul, Handsworth Park, Birmingham WARWICK FOLK FESTIVAL Line-up includes Billy Bragg, Lil’ Jimmy Reed Band, The Demon Barbers XL & Nancy Kerr, Thurs 23 - Sun 26 July, various venues around Warwick DEERSTOCK Line-up includes Ferocious Dog, Big Boy Bloater, Doggen All Star Band & Funke and the Two Tone Baby, Fri 24 - Sun 26 Jul, Newton, Nottinghamshire INDIETRACKS MUSIC FESTIVAL Line-up includes The Go! Team, Cinerama, Martha & Tigercats, Fri 24 - Sun 26 Jul, Butterley Station, near Ripley, Derbyshire NOZSTOCK FESTIVAL Line-up includes The Wu Tang Clan, Martha Reeves and The Vandellas, Beardyman & London Elektricity, Fri 24 - Sun 26 July, Bromyard, Hereford MADE BIRMINGHAM Lineup includes Beardyman, Claude Von Stroke, David Rodigan & Julio Bashmore, Sat 25 July, The Digbeth Triangle, Birmingham Y-NOT FESTIVAL Line-up includes Snoop Dogg, Primal Scream, Basement Jaxx & Ocean Colour Scene, Fri 31 Jul - Sun 2 Aug, Mouldridge Lane, Derbyshire CARFEST NORTH Line-up includes Billy Ocean, Seasick Steve, Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott & Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Fri 31 Jul - Sun 2 Aug, Oulton Park Race Circuit, Cheshire

MADE Birmingham

AUGUST BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR Line-up includes Within Temptation, Trivium, Rob Zombie & Black Label Society, Thurs 6 Sun 9 Aug, Catton Hall, Derbyshire BULLDOG BASH Line-up includes Permageddon, Easydread, TBone & Sky Valley Mistress, Thurs 6 - Sun 9 Aug, Shakespeare County Raceway, Stratfordupon-Avon STRAWBERRY FIELDS FESTIVAL Line-up includes Bombay Bicycle Club (DJ Set), Mistajam, Mark Knight & Jaguar Skills, Fri 7 - Sat 8 Aug, Cattow Farm, Leicester LAKEFEST Line-up to be announced, Fri 7 - Sat 9 Aug, Croft Farm Waterpark, Tewkesbury REWIND NORTH Line-up includes Soul II Soul, The Human League, The Boomtown Rats & Kim Wilde, Fri 7 - Sun 9 Aug, Capesthorne Hall, Cheshire FARMER PHIL’S FESTIVAL Line-up includes Dr Feelgood, Ferocious Dog, 3 Daft Monkeys & Talisman, Fri 14 - Sun 16 Aug, Gatten Farm, Shropshire BETLEY CONCERTS Lineup includes Tom Jones, Total Access Live & Collabro, Fri 14 - Sun 16 Jul, Betley Court Farm, Cheshire LICHFIELD FAKE FESTIVAL Line-up includes Bon Jovi Experience, Kazabian & Space Cowboy, Sat 15 Aug, Beacon Park, Lichfield THE NORTH SHROPSHIRE CAJUN AND ZYDECO BIG WEEKEND Line-up includes Jimmy Breaux, Randy Vidrine, Rough Chowder & The Hotfoot Specials, Fri 14 - Sun 16 Aug, Welshampton, North Shropshire THE GREEN MAN FESTIVAL Line-up includes St Vincent, Super Furry Animals, Hot Chip & Slowdrive, Thurs 20 Sun 23 Aug, Glanusk

Park, Brecon Beacons THE JUST SO FESTIVAL Line-up includes Seas Of Mirth, Formidable Vegetable Sound System, Patch and The Giant & Backyard Burners, Fri 21 - Sun 23 Aug, Rode Hall Parkland, Cheshire WILDWOOD FESTIVAL Line-up includes Albany Down, The Band From County Hell, Big Boy Bloater and The Limits & Chantel McGregor, Fri 21 - Sun 23 Aug, Tupholme Abbey Fields, Lincolnshire PERSHORE JAZZ FESTIVAL Line-up includes Kevin Grenfell’s Jazz Giants, John Hallam and Remi Jazz, Gypsy Fire, Digby Fairweather’s Half Dozen, Fri 21 - Sun 23 Aug, Pershore College, Warwickshire V FESTIVAL Line-up includes Calvin Harris, Kasabian, Stereophonics & Sam Smith, Sat 22 - Sun 23 Aug, Weston Park, Staffordshire PRESTEIGNE FESTIVAL Line-up includes Fenella Humphreys, Matthew Taylor, Navarra Quartet & Nova Music Opera Thurs 27 Aug Tues 1 Sept, Powys CREAMFIELDS Line-up includes Avicii, Tiesto, Armin Van Buuren & The Chemical Brothers, Fri 28 - Sun 30 Aug, Daresbury, Cheshire BEERMAGEDDON Line-up includes Rannoch, Mpire Of Evil, Tyson Dog & Heavenwood, Fri 28 - Sun 30 Aug, Stoke Prior Country Club, Bromsgrove SHREWSBURY FOLK FESTIVAL Line-up includes Richard Thompson, La Bottine Souriante, Kate Rusby & Sharon Shannon, Fri 28 - Mon 31 Aug, West Midland Showground, Shrewsbury GREENBELT FESTIVAL Line-up includes Duke Special, Pascuala Ilabaca, King Porter Stomp & Worry Dolls, Fri 28 Aug - Mon 31 Aug, Boughton House, Northamptonshire FUSION FESTIVAL Lineup includes Justin

Bieber, McBusted, Rudimental & Tinie Tempah, Sat 29 - Sun 30 Aug, Cofton Park, Birmingham

SEPTEMBER MOSELEY FOLK FESTIVAL Line-up includes The Monkees, Spiritualized, Idlewild & Anna Calvi, Fri 4 - Sun 6 Sept, Moseley Park, Birmingham FESTIVAL NO.6 Line-up includes Grace Jones, Belle & Sebastian, DJ Harvey & The 2 Bears, Fri 4 - Mon 7 Sept, Portmeirion WELFEST ON THE MEADOW Line-up includes The Loose Covers, The Vooz, Souled Out 2 Funk & Matt Eaves, Sat 5 Sept, Synder Meadow, Warwickshire BELBROUGHTON BEER AND MUSIC FESTIVAL Line-up to be announced, Thurs 10 - Sat 12 Sept, Hartle Lane, Worcestershire ONBOARD THE CRAFT FESTIVAL Line-up includes The Hawklords, Son of Man, Dr Hasbeen & Glow People, Fri 11 - Sat 12 Sept, Stoke Prior Sports & Country Club, Bromsgrove WHITWELL FESTIVAL OF MUSIC Line-up includes Eddie & The Hot Rods, Seven Little Sisters, Maelor Hughes & Black Thorn, Fri 11 - Sun 13 Sept, various locations around Banbury SHREWSBURY FIELDS FOREVER FESTIVAL Lineup to be announced, Fri 11 - Sun 13 Sept, location tbc, Shropshire BROMYARD FOLK FESTIVAL Line-up includes Breabach, Gerry Colvin Band, John Doyle & Sharon Shannon, Fri 11 - Sun 13 Sept, Bromyard WORCESTER MUSIC FESTIVAL Line-up to be announced, Fri 18 - Sun 20 Sept, various venues in Worcester

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A Great Day Out Aston Hall HERITAGE TOURS Unicorns, secret doors, cannon balls and maybe a ghost or two - these are just a few things to look out for on Aston Hall's new Heritage Tours.

New this year, the Birmingham Museums Trust’s Heritage Tours offer fresh, in-depth insights into the city’s historical treasures. Meanwhile, shorter Heritage Highlights Tours provide an interactive, family-friendly alternative to traditional talks, with a fun, informal approach allowing kids of all ages to get up close and personal with the past.

Built between 1618 and 1635, Aston Hall was originally home to Thomas Holte, a wealthy nobleman with a reputation for his terrible temper. Bringing the Jacobean world to life with fascinating facts and stories, the stunning mansion’s expert ambassadors take visitors on a journey that reveals the stark contrast between lavish family rooms and cramped servant quarters.

Objects to touch and smell paint vivid pictures of seventeenth-century life, from everyday cooking and hygiene to Civil War sieges. Learn how Renaissance people cleaned their teeth, or how different rooms smelled depending on which candles were used. Marvel at a magnificent table spread, including a lively-looking peacock pie, and sit yourself on the guests’ velvet-covered toilet.

While listening to tales of Thomas Holte’s cruelty, keep an eye out for the ghosts of unfortunate former inhabitants.

Towards the end, there's also a chance to discover the amazing inventions of James Watt Jr, Aston Hall’s last resident owner (from 18171848).

Other Birmingham Museums Trust venues introducing Heritage Tours include the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter, the Tudor-era Blakesley Hall, Matthew Boulton's Soho House, and Sarehole Mill - a childhood haunt of JRR Tolkien.

For further information, visit, birminghammuseums.org.uk

“The tours will make every trip to our heritage sites extra special, and really bring a slice of the past to life” Robert Hayes, Birmingham Museums Trust’s Commercial Director

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A Great Day Out Drayton Manor Park THOMAS LAND Since launching at Drayton Manor Park in 2008, the much-loved Thomas Land has become one of the Midlands’ - and indeed the UK’s - most visited tourist attractions.

And now, with a £2.5million expansion bringing about a forty percent increase in its size, there’s even more fun in store for families.

Noticeably bigger and easier to navigate than before, Thomas Land is a fantastic experience, with more than enough excitement to fill an entire day. And with everything from a gentle carousel to a thrilling rollercoaster, there’s definitely something for all ages.

For devoted Thomas fans, the park is surely the most magical place on earth. And even those not so familiar with the famous blue engine couldn’t fail to enjoy themselves in this Thomas & Friends-themed world, brought to life by friendly and enthusiastic staff.

Along with long-standing favourites such as Harold The Helicopter, Bertie Bus and Cranky The Crane, there are three brand new rides for youngsters to enjoy, all situated outside an equally brand new Sodor Airport.

Captain’s Sea Adventure allows children to climb aboard the yellow rescue boat and set off on a journey of adventure across the waves.

Each boat is armed with water guns which can not only be used by the kids to soak one another but also to drench bystanders who’re daring enough to stand in the Splash Zone.

Toby’s Tram Express, meanwhile, allows youngsters to board the longsuffering character for the ride of a lifetime into the sky.

then douse fires with their very own hose.

Of course, the older rides remain hugely popular. The charming Winston’s Whistle Stop Tour takes you across Thomas Land with a bird’s eye view of the park.

Harold The Helicopter still delights as he takes children soaring into the sky, as does the newly sited Jeremy’s Jet Flying Academy.

Toddlers will adore driving Sodor’s classic cars, while for more thrillseeking children there’s the Troublesome Trucks rollercoaster and Cranky The Crane’s terrifying drop.

But the star of the show will always be Thomas himself. His ‘really useful’ journeys transport guests from Knapford Station across the park to Farmer McColl’s Farm, where another raft of activities awaits. These include Terence’s Driving School, Spencer’s Play Area and a Thomas & Friends exhibition featuring a delightful model railway.

The Fat Controller, otherwise known as Sir Topham Hat, also pops up regularly throughout the day with a host of specially created interactive songs.

With so much to do, it’s best to arrive early and take advantage of everything Thomas Land has to offer. There’s little doubt that children will want to return to the venue again and again.

The third new ride is Flynn’s Fire & Rescue, which sees children elevated aboard a platform on the loveable red engine, from where they can

For devoted e s, th Thomas fan the ly park is sure al most magic . rth place on ea

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interview

I

CAPTURING HISTORY ON FILM...

Photographer Vanley Burke has spent almost fifty years documenting the stories of the Windrush Generation and their children - the Caribbean migrants who arrived in the UK in 1948 aboard the Empire Windrush. An avid collector of items relating to the African Caribbean community, Vanley is this month exhibiting the entire contents of his Nechells flat at Birmingham’s Ikon Gallery.

What’s On recently caught up with the man often referred to as ‘the Godfather of Black British photography’...

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What inspired you to hand over the entire contents of your Birmingham flat to the Ikon, Vanley?

I was asked to put on an exhibition and, as I’m an artist, I therefore felt the need to respond. As well as being where I live, my flat is a place where I keep stuff that I’ve collected. I have my art from Africa as well as work that I’ve produced. I guess it’s pretty different from most other places where people reside. I’ve worked with Ikon before.

My first exhibition there was in 1983. It was titled Handsworth From Inside and featured photographs taken in Handsworth, so I didn’t hesitate when asked to do this.

What’s in the collection?

I’ve been taking photographs for nearly fifty years now and have also been collecting items relating to the African Caribbean community for a considerable period of that time. My archive in the Birmingham Central Library features material that’s quite similar to what I have here. I have a lot of vinyl records, a lot of CDs, videos, books, pamphlets and leaflets. The collection also includes threedimensional objects such as wall plaques, hangings and trinkets - things that the working class seem to decorate their front rooms with.

Which of the possessions in the collection are you most attached to?

Each piece is important. Each one is equally as vital. You never know if, in the future, someone is going to read the dissertation that looks at blackness in Britain and be inspired to do something great from that. Or maybe even pick up a little leaflet about someone who’s done a talk or something which might inspire them.

Has anyone ever fed back to you how you or your work has inspired them to go on and do something great?

All of the while. A woman said to me in the park, ‘I would like to thank you very much for the work that you’ve been doing because without it I wouldn’t be able to tell my story to my children’. A lot of people visit the archives and use the material for dissertations. We have many, many visits. In fact, when I was selecting some material for the show at Ikon, I saw a pile of posters that some reader had requested. For me, that justifies everything I do. People are using the archive. I’m told it’s one of the most popular archives in the city, and I also receive requests from all over England and abroad, as well publications, television - you name it.

You’ve been documenting the Windrush Generation since the 1960s. Which of the many momentous occasions that you’ve recorded has had the biggest impact on you personally?

I’m not sure which one, but I’m tempted to say the next one. Photographically, the one that’s stood the test of time, I suppose, would be African Liberation Day in Handsworth Park in 1977. It was a particularly large event and it was one of the first ones that I covered quite extensively.

Back to the very beginning... How did you first get into photography?

I was still living in Jamaica when I was given a camera by my mother. I was about ten

years old and it arrived in one of the many parcels she would send from England to family for Christmas, birthdays or any other special occasion. In this particular parcel was a Kodak Box Brownie 127. I was delighted. I became fascinated by the whole idea of the image and how it’s recorded.

You’ve captured individuals and communities in many other cities and towns across the UK and overseas. Why is Birmingham so appealing to you as a photographer?

I’ve always lived in Birmingham. I left Jamaica for Birmingham, and when I decided that I was going to document the lives and experiences of African Caribbean people as they struggled to establish themselves here, I thought the appearance of people in Birmingham was quite similar to those in Bristol or Leeds or London or anywhere else.

So I didn’t really feel the need to move to those cities to document as well. I thought I would do a better job if I stuck to a geographical area. Over the years I’ve photographed various things in London, Leeds and Bristol, but I’ve mainly concentrated on Birmingham and its community. I’ve photographed aspects of the Asian community, Sikhs, Muslims and so on.

I’ve captured some of the Vietnamese communities and Gambian communities and I’m particularly interested in migration and settlement.

As an artist you’re renowned for capturing your subjects at ease, whether in their own environment, at work, at play or in the community. What tip would you give to anyone wanting to follow in your footsteps?

Get a good pair of shoes! I doubt anyone would want to follow in my footsteps, to be honest, because it hasn’t been easy.

Dedicating your life to documenting a group of people brings few rewards in terms of making a living. It’s pretty tough. In terms of taking photographs, I’d tell them to set themselves a goal and stick to it. I think the advice I’d give would depend on the individual. It’s hard to say ‘follow in my footsteps’ because I wouldn’t wish that on anyone.

It may not be that rewarding from a financial viewpoint, but surely it must’ve given you great satisfaction?

It’s extremely rewarding, but reaching a point where you’re satisfied requires you to crawl through a few minefields first. I feel history is a by-product of life. Whether we write it or not, history is going to be there. If we don’t write our own history, then it will be written for us - and we’ve never really trusted the traditional writers of history because they were the very people who enslaved us. How can you have someone who was previously enslaving you writing your history? I felt sacrifices had to be made. I knew I’d have to give up something and do it properly, setting a foundation for the whole idea of documenting our history as it unfolded here in England. That was my intention and, to a large extent, it still is.

You recently worked with SAMPAD South Asian Arts on their exhibition trail along the Stratford Road...

Yeah, I’m the photographer for that. I’ve also just come back from Canada, where I was involved in the Scotiabank Contact Photography Festival. It’s one of the world’s largest photo festivals, if not the largest.

There were over two hundred exhibitions featured, but ours was deemed the most significant, so we’re quite pleased with that.

My work’s also in the British photographic exhibition that’s showing in China at the moment. I’ve also worked in South Africa. I photographed Nelson Mandela’s release from prison. I spent six weeks there in 1990, six months in 1996, and returned again in 2002. Last year I was invited to put on an exhibition at the university of Johannesburg relating to migration and settlement.

During your time as a resident of Birmingham you’ll have seen a lot of change. What’s been the most significant?

I think the most significant perhaps would be New Street Station. But for me as a people watcher - a watcher of migration and settlement - I’m particularly intrigued by how migrants use areas like Handsworth. Prior to us, the African Caribbeans, there were others who came in. There was a Polish population and a Polish club in Handsworth when we arrived there, and then the Sikh community moved in shortly after us. Now we have a lot of people from eastern Europe and various other places. That’s the sort of cosmopolitan nature of people in Handsworth. It’s just wonderful.

In what way would you further like to build on your legacy to Birmingham’s black community?

My interest is just collecting material that makes art. By that I mean the hats - the sort that women wear to church - and clothes.

One thing I’m very much interested in at the moment is dissertations. I’m interested in dissertations with black people as the subject. It doesn’t have to be written by a black person, they just need to be the subject. So they’re one of the things I would like to concentrate on. Collecting books and magazines as well - perhaps some backdated magazines that might be out of print.

And how will the collection end?

I don’t know because it’s so important, is being used so widely and is respected within the community. I’ve had one or two academics who’ve said it’s a very valuable resource, so I feel the need to continue. The idea of taking it slightly more academic is, for me, an interesting one, not least because dissertations will probably occupy less space than some of the other objects I’ve collected.

What’s the difference between a hoarder and a collector?

With a collector you can see the corners of the room, with a hoarder you can’t.

At Home With Vanley Burke shows at Ikon Gallery, from Wed 22 July to Sun 27 September

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Visual Arts My Little Collection Dudley Museum & Art Gallery, Sat 11 July - Sat 31 October

This is the largest exhibition of My Little Pony ever presented in the UK. In total there are two thousand, five hundred ponies on display - from the smallest at less than an inch tall to the largest at a height of three foot.

Rare mail-order ponies, prototypes and collectors’ editions also feature, as does a range of associated merchandise.

This exhibition is the result of one woman’s collecting over many years, first as a child in the 1980s and then as an adult in the twenty-first century.

Coming from the Mill 1917 - 18, pastel © The Lowry Collection, Salford

Lowry And Berry: Observers Of Urban Life Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, Sat 25 July - Sun 10 January 2016

Archaeopteryx Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery, Mon 27 July - Sun 30 August

This fascinating exhibition from the National Museum of Wales focuses on Archaeopteryx, an animal which has long been called the ‘missing link’ between dinosaurs and birds. The presentation examines the history of the famous Archaeopteryx specimens (of which there are eleven) - from the discovery of the first one in 1861 right up to the present day. The specimens are represented by five resin casts and six lifesized high-resolution images. They all come from a number of quarries near the Bavarian town of Solnhofen in southern Germany.

The exhibition is accompanied by a number of additional real and replica Solnhofen specimens.

LS Lowry and his Stoke-on-Trent-born fellow artist Arthur Berry had much in common.

Both working class and hailing from the north of England, they were passionate about urban life, portraying the world around them in a fundamentally unpretentious way. This new exhibition provides an opportunity to compare and contrast the work of two artists whose paintings sought to celebrate the beauty and humour of everyday life.

Tickets to the exhibition cost £5, with concessions available at £3.

Tilleke Schwarz Embroidery Shire Hall Gallery, Stafford, Sat 11 July - Sun 6 September

Netherlands-based textile artist Tilleke Schwarz here presents a solo exhibition of some of her framed embroideries, a collection of works which blend contemporary influences, graffiti, icons, texts and traditional images. Stitching ‘maps of modern life’ that she intends to be understood as ‘a kind of visual poetry’, Tilleke cites her major sources of inspiration as “daily life, mass media, traditional samplers”... and cats. www.whatsonlive.co.uk 51

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VisualArts PREVIEWS VisualArts LISTINGS Further exhibitions

Anne Frank And You Millennium Point, Birmingham, until Wed 15 July

“We’re honoured to have been chosen by the Anne Frank Trust as the venue for this flagship exhibition,” says Neil Anderson, director of marketing, events and communications at Millennium Point. “We’re all familiar with the story of Anne, but this exhibition tells it in a very different and contemporary way - not only in the way it presents the story physically, but also via the comparisons it makes with current issues.”

As well as exploring Anne Frank’s story through use of photographs, videos and diary extracts, the exhibition features a lifesize replica of her bedroom in the secret annexe and a range of interactive panels which explore the impact of prejudice in modern-day society.

“Millennium Point is a venue which is all about learning and creative thinking,” continues Neil. “I’ve no doubt this compelling and thought-provoking exhibition will capture the interest and curiosity of our visitors.”

For full listing information on Visual Art exhibitions, including times and dates, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk THE FIRST CASUALTY OF WAR IS TRUTH Exhibition featuring work by contemporary art group re:collect, Wed 1 July, Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery ANNA LORENZ NWA Sculptural and wallbased explorations developed from the Next Wave exhibition, held at the RBSA Gallery in May 2014 to support emerging artists, until Sat 4 July, RBSA Gallery, Birmingham TREVOR APPLESON: BIRMINGHAM Exhibition exploring self-representation as a counterpoint to the conventions of the traditional photographic portrait, until Sun 5 July, mac Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham STAFFORDSHIRE OPEN ART Featuring paintings, drawings, prints, photography, film & animation and sculpture, until Sun 5 July, Shire Hall Gallery, Stafford SAMARA SCOTT: SILKS New body of work drawing on the phenomenon of post-internet art, until Sat 11 July, Eastside Projects, Birmingham

Pop In Space: We Choose To Go To The Moon Wolverhampton Art Gallery, until Sat 18 July

Artists’ responses to the Cold War-era Space Race are presented and explored in this fascinating exhibition, which highlights the impact of creatives such as Eduardo Paolozzi, Gerald Laing, David Lamelas and Kiki Kogelnik. By employing space imagery to reflect the glamour and power of infinite exploration, these and other artists created striking space-age imagery during the 1950s and ’60s.

The exhibition also explores the tensions which arose from the technological and ideological rivalry between the US and the Soviet Union, both of whom were focused on outmanoeuvring the other in the field of space exploration.

YOU AND ME HERE WE ARE Exhibition of original material including the artist’s film, The Most Smallest Heath In The Spaghetti Junction, until Sat 11 July, Eastside Projects, Birmingham FRIENDS’ EXHIBITION Showcase of jewellery, ceramics, textiles, drawing, paintings & printmaking, until Sat 11 July, RBSA Gallery, Birmingham JOHNNY WHITE'S BEASTLY MACHINES A selection of quirky artworks including a moving dog with kennel, two gnus in a canoe, a whale and more, until Sun 12 July, Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery PAVEL BÜCHLER Exhibition of work utilising a wide range of media. This is the artist’s most comprehensive UK exhibition to date, until Sun 12 July, Ikon Gallery, Birmingham GAME OVER BY TRANSIENT-ART A fascinating exhibition which presents new artwork inspired by the visit of artists and designers to The Coffin Works, until Fri 24 July, Newman Brothers Coffin Works, Birmingham

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THE LIBERATED QUILT: NEW WORK FROM THROUGH OUR HANDS Showcase of work from international artists working with mainly stitched textile techniques, until Sat 25 July, Bilston Craft Gallery EARLY SUMMER EXHIBITION Featuring new landscapes by Andrew Lansley and selected Redfern Gallery artists, until Sat 25 July, Twenty Twenty Gallery, Much Wenlock, Shropshire 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 and memorabilia, until Sun 26 July, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery NÁSTIO MOSQUITO A selection of the artist’s work at the fifty-sixth Biennale di Venezia, until Sun 26 July, Ikon Gallery, Birmingham SIÂN MACFARLANE - WE ARE ILLUMINATED Featuring a multi-layered film, which interweaves past and present and explores the synchronicites of leisure pastimes throughout the ages, until Sun 26 July, The New Art Gallery, Walsall JAMAICAN HIDDEN HISTORIES Exhibition showcasing historical, cultural & economic links between Jamaica and Britain, until Thurs 30 July, The Drum, Birmingham LORD HILL, WATERLOO, WESTON & SHROPSHIRE: GEORGE RICHMOND'S PORTRAIT OF LORD HILL A small exhibition about Rowland Hill, 1st Viscount Hill of Hawkstone and Almarez, until Sat 1 Aug, Weston Park, Staffordshire HISTORIC PORTRAITS Seven outstanding historical portraits on loan from a private collection, until Sat 1 Aug, Weston Park, Staffordshire SIGNALLING AND ELECTRICS IN MINES New collection of objects relating to controlling safety risks underground, until Sun 2 Aug, The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery,

Stoke-on-Trent DAVID GEORGE RBSA A selection of oils and watercolours of the artiist’s recent travels to Cornwall, France, Cuba, Portugal, Ibiza and Wales, until Sat 8 Aug, RBSA Gallery, Birmingham FAY NICOLSON: OVER AND OVER PURE FORM Solo exhibition showcasing how the artist plays with the physicality of images and possibilities for formal and material transformation through repetition, until Sat 8 Aug, Grand Union, Birmingham GEORGIAN ENAMELS: A NEW NARRATIVE A new permanent installation featuring more than three hundred barely visible works referencing plant drawings, until Sun 9 Aug, Bantock House & Park, Wolverhampton ROB LECKEY ARBSA A display of harbours, boats, cities and landscapes using acrylic paint and inks, collage and mixed media, until Sat 15 Aug, RBSA, Birmingham LITTLE WORKS OF ART: 100 YEARS OF GREETING CARDS Exploring the history of greeting cards and postcards, and how the sending of cards became rooted in our culture, until Sun 16 Aug, Museum of Cannock Chase MARTIN PARR: BLACK COUNTRY STORIES Photographic portrait archive about life in the Black Country, until Sat 22 Aug, Wolverhampton Art Gallery ST IVES ARTISTS An infocus exhibition from The Clive Beardsmore Gift which looks at a body of work by artists associated with the Cornish harbour town of St Ives, until Sun 23 Aug, The New Art Gallery, Walsall GREEN FINGERED Solo exhibition by Gemma Marmalade, until Sat 29 Aug, BOM (Birmingham Open Media), Dudley Street, Birmingham MADE AT MAC: CERAMICS An exhibition of course participants’ work, until Mon 31 Aug, mac Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham LOVE IS ENOUGH: ANDY WARHOL AND WILLIAM MORRIS Exhibition bringing together significant and iconic works by both artists, including some rarely seen pieces, until Sun 6 Sept, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery FROM ‘RED’ ELLEN TO OSWALD MOSLEY Portraits of inter-war politicians by Edmund Knapp, until Sun 6 Sept, The Barber Institute, Birmingham

SMALL WORLDS The urban environment and social and economic change form the focus for this multi-artist exhibition, until Sun 6 Sept, The New Art Gallery, Walsall THE STOURBRIDGE PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY EXHIBITION An array of work by the Stourbridge Photographic Society, from flamenco dancers to a misty dawn across a vineyard, until Sun 6 Sept, Himley Hall & Park, Dudley TO CHECK THE TIDE OF PREJUDICE Exhibition of lithographs, original sketches and wash drawings of the construction of the London & Birmingham Railway in the 1830s, until Thurs 10 Sept, Coalbrookdale Gallery, Ironbridge, Shropshire NAUTICAL CRAFT EXHIBITION Works by contemporary designer/makers created in response to the sea and coast, until Sat 12 Sept, RBSA Gallery, Birmingham LOVE, LIFE & LANDSCAPES Featuring German romantic prints & drawings from the Barber’s collection, until Sun 13 Sept, The Barber Institute, Birmingham ANIMAL ARCHITECTURE

BY ADAM KOSSOFF Exhibition that explores the restoration of Dudley Zoo's famous animal enclosures, until Sat 19 Sept, Wolverhampton Art Gallery THE MODERNIST FACE: SMITH, DOBSON & BRITISH PORTRAITURE 1920-60 A snapshot through the lens of Modernism, this latest Barber exhibition explores the work of two under-appreciated British artists, until Sun 27 Sept, The Barber Institute, Birmingham JACQUES NIMKI: SEEN/UNSEEN A new permanent installation featuring more than three hundred barely visible works referencing plant drawings, until Sun 27 Sept, Ikon Gallery, Birmingham ANIMAL ALPHABET Have fun working your way through the alphabet with animals from the museum’s collections in this family-friendly show, until Sun 27 Sept, The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent HIDDEN STORIES An art installation created by local artist Matt Reeves and Ignite (Thinktank's Young People's Forum) until Wed 30 Sept, Thinktank at Millennium Point, Birmingham 9 EVENINGS: REDUX Fresh look at Billy

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Wendy Ramshaw’s Room Of Dreams Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery

Kluver’s seminal 1966 art, performance & technology programme, until Sat 17 Oct, Vivid Projects, Digbeth, Birmingham PILOTS OF THE CARIBBEAN VOLUNTEERS OF AFRICAN HERITAGE IN THE RAF A new exhibition curated in partnership with Black Cultural Archives.

It tells the inspirational story of these volunteers, commemorating and celebrating their vital contribution to the defence of Britain during two World Wars and the subsequent peace, until Sat 31 Oct, RAF Cosford, Shifnal STILL WITH US: THE STORY OF YARDLEY PEOPLE IN WORLD WAR ONE An exhibition celebrating the lives of some of the people in Yardley during World War One, until Sun 1

Nov, Blakesley Hall, Birmingham THE CLIVE BEARDSMORE GIFT The 2015 interventions into the Garman Ryan Collection is a selection from a substantial gift of artworks donated to The New Art Gallery Walsall by a private collector, Clive Beardsmore, until Wed 30 Dec, The New Art Gallery, Walsall BIRMINGHAM PEOPLE AND CHANGE IN THE INNER-CITY Display exploring the way in which ordinary Birmingham people have been represented in art during the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, until Thurs 31 Dec, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery 20TH CENTURY BRITISH STUDIO CERAMICS A display of seventy-eight pieces of studio ceram-

ics made by twentynine potters working in England and Wales during the twentieth century, until Thurs 31 Dec, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery

explores relationships to culture, landscape and body in this display of sculptures, Mon 6 July - Sat 29 Aug, RBSA Gallery, Birmingham

INHERITING ROME Exhibition which uses money to explore and question our deep-seated familiarity with the Roman Empire’s imagery, until Sun 24 Jan 2016, The Barber Institute, Birmingham

PORTRAIT PRIZE EXHIBITION This biennial event see RBSA team up with the charity Changing Faces. Part of the exhibition shows how portraiture can reveal the richness and diversity of faces, Thurs 16 July Sat 22 Aug, RBSA Gallery, Birmingham

WENDY RAMSHAW’S ROOM OF DREAMS An installation made up of many parts, from small jewels in frames to large, freestanding furniture, until Sun 22 May 2016, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery BEORMA (II) An exploration of the Birmingham art scene’s archives regarding the subject of gender, Fri 3 - Sat 25 July, Stryx, Birmingham ESTONIAN STREET ART Group show, Fri 3 Wed 29 July, Centrala Gallery & Cafe, Birmingham PORTRAIT SALON Exhibition of photographs, Mon 6 - Fri 31 July, The Parkside Gallery, Birmingham PHILIP POTTER ARBSA Drawing inspiration from natural and synthetic forms, Philip here

CANNON HILL ART SCHOOL SUMMER SHOW Showcase of end-ofyear work by Cannon Hill Art School Students, Sat 18 July Sun 6 Sept, mac Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham AT HOME WITH VANLEY BURKE Exhibition showcasing the entire contents of the artist’s flat in Nechells, north-east Birmingham, Wed 22 July - Sun 27 Sept, Ikon Gallery, Birmingham TAKEHISA KOSUGI Exhibition featuring three of the artist’s sound installations, involving everyday materials and radio electronics, Wed 22 July - Sun 27 Sept, Ikon, 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

RED HOUSE GLASS CONE 01384 812750 WOLVERHAMPTON ART GALLERY 01902 552055

Shropshire

NUMBER NINE THE GALLERY 0121 643 9099 RBSA GALLERY 0121 2364353 STRYX GALLERY, DIGBETH stryxarts@gmail.com THREE WHITE WALLS GALLERY 0121 200 3328

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 VAN GALLERY, MARKET HALL, SHREWSBURY 01743 355079 QUBE, OSWESTRY 01691 656882

Black Country

Staffordshire

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

AIRSPACE GALLERY 01782 261221 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

GRAND UNION 0121 643 9079 IKON GALLERY 0121 248 0708

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Events

Staffordshire Bike Show Britannia Stadium, Stoke-on-Trent, Sun 19 July Bike fanatic? Then get your motor running, get out on the highway and head for the Britannia Stadium on the third Sunday of this month. The Staffordshire Bike Show this year features an appearance from four-times world champion and one-time ‘king of the jungle’ Carl Fogarty. Other big names who’ll be on site include extreme motorcycle stunt rider Kevin Carmichael and three-times British Solo Trials Champion Steve Colley. Have-a-go archery sessions, eighty

exhibitors and traders, live music and plenty of arena action also feature.

There’s a ‘most Triumph motorcycles in a parade’ world record attempt taking place too. Competent riders interested in participating should take their Triumph to the stadium and be able to show a full licence. The attempt will start at around 9am. Participants must have registered and signed in by 8.45am.

Blists Hill Country Fair Blists Hill Victorian Town, Nr Ironbridge, Shropshire, Mon 27 July - Sun 2 August

The atmosphere of a traditional Victorian country fair is this month being recreated at Blists Hill. Attractions include traditional games on the green with the town’s residents, the chance to be entertained by the Prince Albert Players, working-horse demonstrations and a whole host of games, including apple bobbing, musical chairs, sack races and a tug-of-war.

Demonstrations of country crafts, from rag rug making to woodwork skills, are also included.

Great British Food Festival Shugborough Estate, Staffordshire, Sat 11 - Sun 12 July

A must for the region’s foodies, this two-day event features over eighty local producers, celebrity and local chef demos, cookery lessons, talks and live music. For those wishing to show off their baking skills, the festival hosts a Cake Off competition with three distinct categories - Victoria Sponge, Chocolate Delicious and Signature Bake. Free admission to the festival is available for all entrants, and there’s a ‘fantastic foodie prize’ for the winner. For those feeling brave enough, the event offers various Men V Food challenges for both men and women throughout the weekend. So if you think you can sink a foot of chilli sausage, beef it up with half-pound burgers, keep your cool with suicide sauce or down a pint of cider, then pop along and have a go. You never know, a Men V Food Champion t-shirt could be yours... www.whatsonlive.co.uk 55

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Events PREVIEWS Fun activities at Eastnor Ledbury, Herefordshire, Open Daily from 11am

If Eastnor Castle’s never been on your radar when it comes to planning fun family days out, this is the month to put that right.

July events include a day with Tractor Ted (on the 5th), the opportunity to get creative with Eastnor pottery (the 12th) and a teddy bears’ picnic (on the 19th).

And the award-winning Herefordshire tourist attraction boasts plenty more besides. An adventure playground, a junior assault course, a knight’s maze, a mini zip-wire and Land Rover Little Off Roaders all ensure there’s plenty to keep the kids entertained.

There’s also the impressive castle itself and its picturesque grounds to enjoy, not to mention Valley Lawn - a spacious area ideal for high-energy children and perfect for picnics.

Antiques For Everyone NEC, Birmingham, Thurs 23 - Sat 26 July

Antiques For Everyone offers the perfect opportunity for enthusiasts and collectors to browse, purchase and obtain information on a vast array of furniture and collectables. Items for sale include Georgian and Victorian furniture, British and European works of art, and highly collectable pottery, porcelain and jewellery from the past three hundred years, with prices ranging from £10 to £100,000.

This particular show also features a superb collection of Derbyshire Blue John, a form of fluorite which has a translucent appearance. Colours range from dark purple and violet to light brown and honey yellow. The collection is the core of a unique sale on loan from Fellows Auctioneers prior to its auction in Birmingham’s historic Jewellery Quarter in October. It features exceptional ornaments and items of jewellery, many of which were made in Birmingham by Matthew Boulton in the late eighteenth century.

The Big Art Show West Midland Showground, Shrewsbury, Fri 3 - Sun 5 July

Head Showcasing work from some of the best art and craft artists in Britain, aiming to make it the biggest art event of its kind in the West Midlands. Glass smiths, ceramicists, furniture designers, textile artists, sculptors, painters, metalworkers and jewellers will be among the 120 exhibitor line-up for 2015. As well as over 100 short animation films, Shropshire Photographic Society is holding its summer exhibition at The Big Art Show.

The festival’s line-up of entertainment includes comedy from The Fizzogs, period theatrical reenactments, a funfair and a chance to enjoy a variety of circus skills.

would-be visitors that the event will be ‘great value for money’.

And judging by the line-up, they’re probably right. Well-established attractions include the ever-popular monster trucks and a motorcycle display team. New additions to the bill are quad bike daredevil the Kangaroo Kid, the Stampede Stunt Company performing a selection of stunts on horses, and a sheepdog display. A funfair, puppet shows, a miniature steam railway and a BMX track also feature.

Large Model Aircraft Rally RAF Cosford Museum, Sat 18 - Sun 19 July

Family Festival Walford and North Shropshire College, North Shropshire, Sun 12 July

The Women Chainmakers’ Festival

North Shropshire College’s first ever family festival is being promoted as an actionpacked event with all the ingredients for a great day out.

Highlights include a Shropshire FA football tournament, a birds of prey presentation, live music from local bands, Olympic weightlifting, a tai chi and yoga demonstration, archery, rugby, air rifle shooting, mini tennis, a three-legged race and welly wanging.

Black Country Living Museum, Dudley, Sat 11 July

Cradley Heath high street will be closed off for this Black Country Festival event, which celebrates the achievements of eight hundred women chainmakers who, via a tenweek strike at the beginning of the twentieth century, fought to establish a minimum wage for their labour.

The strike was led by trade unionist Mary Macarthur, who founded the National Federation of Women Workers and later stood for Parliament as a Labour candidate.

This year’s rally is joining in the celebrations to mark the seventy-fifth anniversary of the Battle Of Britain, with hundreds of scale models of iconic aircraft taking to the skies (they look like the real thing when they’re up there!). A wide selection of models - from biplanes to modern-day jets - will be on show, all designed, built and flown by members of the Large Model Association (LMA).

Commenting on the event, the LMA’s chairman, Dave Johnson, said: “This year we’ve put together a fantastic flying display of large models with participants from across Europe, and we hope that, with a little help from the weather, it will be the best we’ve seen at Cosford for several years.”

City Of Wolverhampton Show Wolverhampton Racecourse, Sat 11 - Sun 12 July

The City Of Wolverhampton Show’s move from West Park to the racecourse has not been without controversy. Organisers have had to defend a substantial percentage price rise and the introduction of a £3 parking charge. They’ve done so by reassuring www.whatsonlive.co.uk 57

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Events PREVIEWS Silverstone Classics Silverstone Circuit, Northampton, Fri 25 - Sun 26 July

Billed as ‘the world’s biggest classic motor-racing festival’, the Silverstone Classic is a real mecca for car enthusiasts, at the same time offering top-notch entertainment for families. Renowned for attracting some of the biggest names in the industry, this year sees the event celebrating its twenty-fifth anniversary.

Highlights include more than twenty races, a performance from Status Quo, a display of over ten thousand classic cars, a giant wheel and vintage funfair, a huge shopping village and numerous ‘dynamic’ demonstrations.

1940s Weekend Black Country Living Museum, Dudley, Sat 18 - Sun 19 July

This is the Black Country Living Museum’s largest ever 1940s weekend. The event offers visitors the chance to stroll through vintage memorabilia markets, meet 1940s characters and prepare for an evacuee lesson in St James’ school. Other attractions include wartime variety shows, austerity-busting ‘make do and mend’ workshops, fashion shows and street performers.

There’s also the chance to experience air-raid scenarios and listen to some of Churchill’s most stirring speeches, performed live by a re-enactor.

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

WED 1 JULY WWI MILITARY HOSPITAL Wed 1 July, Stokesay Castle, Shropshire DISCOVER & EXPLORESPRING ART CART Family 'drop in' workshops suitable for families with children aged five and over, until Sun 5 July, Shire Hall Gallery, Stafford LUDLOW FRINGE FESTIVAL Now in its third year, the Ludlow Fringe Festival is an independent arts, community and culture festival that takes over Ludlow’s street and venues, until Sun 5 July, various locations around Ludlow, South Shropshire WIMBLEDON LIVE! Watch the on-court action while out and about in Brindleyplace, courtesy of a large outdoor screen in Central Square, until Mon 6 July, Brindleyplace, Birmingham MILLING SUNDAYS See the mill as it’s brought

back to life to grind wheat into flour, and learn how the mill's machinery works, until Sun 19 July, Sarehole Mill, Birmingham HORRIBLE HISTORIES: WICKED WARWICK New for 2015, the Horrible Histories bring Wicked Warwick back to life, until Sun 6 Sept, Warwick Castle THE BODENGNOME GNOME HUNT Join in the fun and hunt the gnomes, until Sun 30 Aug, Bodenham Arboretum, Kidderminster LEGO CITY DEEP SEA EXPLORERS Get handson and build a Lego sea creature. Take part in other activities to become a real-life Lego City Deep Sea Explorer, until Mon 31 Aug, National Sea Life Centre, Birmingham BIG BRUM OPEN TOP BUZ TOURS A chance to see Birmingham in all its glory, until Sun 27 Sept, Victoria Square, Birmingham BIG BUTTERFLY COUNT Join the count in the park, Thurs 2 July,

Priory Park, Dudley FRIDAY TWILIGHT AFTERNOON TEA WITH THE GEORGIAN BUTLER Watch a demonstration of how to set the dinner table, and learn about the etiquette associated with dining in 1815, Fri 3 July, Potteries Museum and Art Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent COLMORE FOOD FESTIVAL Showcasing the food and drink available in Birmingham’s commercial quarter, Fri 3 - Sat 4 July, Victoria Square, Birmingham CAMPER JAM Highlights include live bands, food village, children's activities and the ever-popular 'cooking in a camper' competition, Fri 3 - Sun 5 July, Weston Park, Staffordshire THE BIG ART SHOW Showcasing work from some of the best art & craft artists in Britain, Fri 3 - Sun 5 July, West Midland Showground, Shrewsbury 2015 FORMULA 1 BRITISH GRAND PRIX Fri 3 - Sun 5 July, Silverstone Circuit, Northampton BOWBROOK HAVE-A-GO ARCHERY All ages and abilities welcome, Sat 4 July, Chirk Castle, Shropshire 4X4 IN THE FOREST Join the rangers in your 4x4 to explore Cannock

Chase. Meet at Birches Valley Forest Centre, Sat 4 July, Cannock Chase Forest, Staffs LICHFIELD FESTIVAL: FLORETTE FESTIVAL MARKET Arts, crafts, games, facepainting, street entertainment and food & drink from across the region, Sat 4 July, LIchfield Cathedral STAR-SPANGLED RAG RUGGING Create an American-inspired rag rug for your home.

Perfect for beginners to this traditional technique, Sat 4 July, Birmingham Back to Backs WATERLOO 200TH ANNIVERSARY Events to celebrate the bicentenary of the Battle of

Waterloo, Sat 4 July, Potteries Museum and Art Gallery, Stoke-onTrent ROLLS ROYCE COLLECTORS CAR SHOW A day full of vintage fun! Sat 4 July, Brockhampton Estate, Nr Bromyard, Herefordshire AN INTRODUCTION TO BEEKEEPING Join Colin and Ian from Bournville Beekeepers, Sat 4 July, Selly Manor, Birmingham BLACKSMITH EXPERIENCE DAY A taster session providing an introduction to the forge, the basic tools and how to use them, Sat 4 July, Black Country Living Museum, Dudley

SUMMER VINTAGE FAIR Sat 4 July, New National Destiny Centre, Dudley STAFFORDSHIRE CYCLING FESTIVAL The second day of two-wheeled fun, incorporating a massparticipation cycle ride in the daytime, cycling activities for the family and a professional cycle race in the evening, Sat 4 July, Shugborough Historic Working Estate, Staffordshire MAKING WAVES - THE WELSH WATERWAY FESTIVAL A contingent of Wilderness boats will be accompanied by steam, electric and model boats, while entertainers and

Camper Jam - Weston Park, Staffordshire

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Events LISTINGS For full listing information on Events, including times and dates, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk exhibitors take over the canalside, Sat 4 - Sun 5 July, Welshpool, Powys STEP BACK TO THE 1940S Popular event taking a lighthearted journey back to wartime Britain.

Attractions include costumed re-enactments, a 1940s Blackout Fair, displays of historic civilian & military vehicles, a wartime operations room and period memorabilia stands Sat 4 Sun 5 July, Severn Valley Railway, Kidderminster HERITAGE WEEKEND Listen to informative talks about the Cadbury family before taking a stroll around the historic Bournville Village, Sat 4 - Sun 5 July, Cadbury World, Birmingham MASTERS FESTIVAL A two day celebration of the history of motorsport, Sat 4 - Sun 5 July, Donington Park Racing Circuit JAPSHOW The first major event for Japanese car fans, featuring RWYB competition, Jap Drag Series, FWD Drag Series, club displays, drifting, drag demos, Show’n’Shine and more, Sun 5 July, Santa Pod Raceway, Northampton TRACTOR TED Bouncy fun with the Giant Tractor Ted inflatable, Sun 5 July, Eastnor Castle Deer Park, Herefordshire VINTAGE AND PVT The annual MAC Vintage meeting in association with the Vintage Sports Car Club, Sun 5 July, Shelsley Walsh, Worcester CAMERA FAIR The UK's largest independent camera fair, featuring over one hundred stands, Sun 5 July, Wolverhampton Racecourse TUDOR DAY Step back in time for a taste of Tudor life, Sun 5 July, Ford Green Hall, Stoke-onTrent TREE TRAIL Sun 5 July, Himley Hall, Dudley KNOTTY TRAIN DAY A chance to travel on what’s said to be one of the oldest trains in the country, Sun 5 July, Foxfield Railway, Staffordshire HOT HOT HOT! LATIN AMERICAN FESTIVAL Featuring music, dance and workshops, Sun 5 July, The Arcadian Centre, Birmingham WHITE ADMIRAL WALK A summer walk through the woods, Sun 5 July, Dudmaston Estate, Shropshire

BEYOND THE LOOP: ATTINGHAM TO IRONBRIDGE Archaeologist Dr Nigel Baker takes a journey down to the river, discovering all the local history, Sun 5 July, Attingham Park, Shrewsbury

Week Commencing

MON 6 JULY TILE DECORATING WORKSHOP Drop-in sessions where visitors can use the tube lining technique to produce their own ceramic masterpiece. Activities vary from day to day. Tiles cost from £5 each and can be fired and sent to you for a small extra charge to cover p&p, Tues 7 July, Jackfield Tile Museum, Ironbridge, Shropshire LOCAL HISTORY TALK - A TALE OF THREE TOWNS A talk by former Wolverhampton City Archaeologist Mike Shaw, Wed 8 July, Wolverhampton City Archives GARDEN FLORISTRY WORKSHOP The garden team give a hands-on seasonal workshop, Thurs 9 July, Cholmondeley Castle, Shropshire DRAGSTALGIA A weekend event dedicated to race cars, bikes and hot rods from a bygone era, Fri 10 - Sun 12 July, Santa Pod Raceway, Northampton EVENING SCENIC SPECIALS A scenic evening ride with the added option of traditional fish and chip supper, Sat 11 July, Severn Valley Railway, Kidderminster ROLLING MILL DEMONSTRATION A typical Black Country hand rolling mill from around the 1900s, Sat 11 July, Black Country Living Museum, Dudley COVENTRY TRANSPORT MUSEUM CLASSIC CAR BREAKFAST CLUB A chance to show off your classic car and/or motorcycle, Sat 11 July, Coventry Transport Museum MORGANS THRILL ON THE HILL Featuring hundreds of Morgan Cars, live music, trade stands and much more, Sat 11 July, Shelsley Walsh, Worcestershire LINO PRINTING WORKSHOPS WITH AMANDA HILLIER Fullday lino printing course - includes all materials and light refreshments.

Suitable for ages four-

teen-plus, Sat 11 July, Jackfield Tile Museum, Ironbridge, Shropshire AN INTRODUCTION TO BAROQUE ART Curator Helen Hillyard gives a special lecture on Baroque Art, Sat 11 July, Birmingham Museum And Art Gallery SILVER PENDANT JEWELLERY WORKSHOP Join designer maker Louise Mary Muttitt and learn the skills and techniques of a silversmith in a creative oneday workshop, Sat 11 July, Museum of the Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham CHARACTER WEEKEND Get snapped with some of Cadbury's most colourful characters, including Caramel Bunny, Freddo, Creme Egg and Mr Cadbury's Parrot, Sat 11 - Sun 12 July, Cadbury World, Birmingham BLACK COUNTRY WEEKEND Embark on a discovery trail and uncover the proud industrial heritage of the region, or relax with a local real ale and a bag BCLM’s famous traditional fish and chips, Sat 11 - Sun 12 July, Black Country Living Museum, Dudley THE GREAT BRITISH FOOD FESTIVAL Sat 11 - Sun 12 July, Shugborough Historic Working Estate, Staffordshire CITY OF WOLVERHAMPTON SHOW Including a trio of new attractions alongside favourites Big Pete Monster Truck and Bolddog Lings Motorcycle Display Team, Sat 11 - Sun 12 July, Wolverhampton Racecourse BLACK COUNTRY DAY CELEBRATIONS Sat 11 Sun 12 July, Red House Glass Cone, Dudley NATIONAL CAR RACES THE BRITISH AUTOMOBILE Two days of racing, Sat 11 - Sun 12 July, Donington Park Racing Circuit WW2 WEEKEND A selection of stalls, music, fashion, food and other delights, Sat 11 - Sun 12 July, Staffordshire Regiment Museum DISCOVER & EXPLORE SUMMER ART CART Family 'drop in' and workshop sessions, suitable for families with children aged five and older, Sat 11 July - Sun 6 Sept, Shire Hall Gallery, Stafford UPSTAIRS, DOWNSTAIRS: BEHIND THE SCENES TOUR Revealing what goes on behind the scenes of a stately home, Sun 12 July, Weston Park, Shropshire FESTIVAL ACTIVITIES Enjoy festival activities in the Providence Chapel as the Friends

No Fit State Circus, performers at City of Wolverhampton Show

of the Black Country Living Museum host activities as part of Black Country Day celebrations with the Dudley Council of Churches, Sun 12 July, Black Country Living Museum, Dudley SUNDAY SCENES TOUR Take a walk with a member of the Trentham team and discover the story behind the restoration of Trentham Gardens, Sun 12 July, Trentham Gardens, Staffordshire RACE FOR LIFE A 5km run around Himley Park in aid of Cancer Research UK, Sun 12 July, Himley Hall, Dudley BIRMINGHAM MUSIC BUS TOUR Explore Birmingham’s contribution to the music scene, from Black Sabbath, UB40 and Musical Youth to Laura Mvula and many more, Sun 12 July, Victoria Square, Birmingham SOUTH STAFFS BONSAI SHOW Sun 12 July, Birmingham Botanical Gardens FLYING POTTER Creative workshops with Eastnor Pottery, Sun 12 July, Eastnor Castle Deer Park, Herefordshire BREAKFAST CLUB Monthly social gathering open to all, Sun 12 July, Shelsley Walsh, Worcestershire ANTIQUE AND VINTAGE FAIR Sun 12 July, Maws Craft Centre, nr Ironbridge, Shropshire STEAM CREAM LAND CRUISE TRAIN Enjoy cream tea whilst travelling by steam train through the countryside, Sun 12 July, Foxfield Railway, Staffordshire WALLED GARDEN IN BLOOM: FRUIT FEST Discover all about the fruit in the walled garden, Sun 12 July, Attingham Park, Nr Shrewsbury

Week Commencing

MON 13 JULY HONDA RON HASLAM RACE SCHOOL The Ron Haslam Race School offers the experience of riding on an international racing circuit, Mon 13 July, Donington Park Racing Circuit BRINDLEYPLACE FILM FESTIVAL Free outdoor event, Mon 13 - Sun 19 July, Brindleyplace, Birmingham TILE DECORATING WORKSHOP Drop-in tile decorating workshop where visitors can try the tube lining technique to produce their own ceramic masterpiece. Activities vary from day to day. Tiles cost from £5 each and can be fired and sent to you for a small extra charge to cover p&p, Tues 14 July, Jackfield Tile Museum, Ironbridge, Shropshire BAT WALK A chance to meet the population of bats living at the castle, Tues 14 July, Chirk Castle, Shropshire LOCAL HISTORY TALK NINETEENTH CENTURY ACCIDENTS A talk by local historian Jane Smith, Fri 17 July, Wolverhampton Art Gallery THE BURTON REAL ALE AND JAZZ FESTIVAL A weekend of jazz music, beer and food, Fri 17 Sat 18 July, National Brewery Centre, Burton-upon-Trent, Staffs PEEP BEHIND THE SCENES A unique insight into what goes on behind the scenes to keep Severn Valley Railway running, Sat 18 July, Severn Valley Railway, Kidderminster ADULT WORKSHOP: CONTEMPORARY SCREENPRINTING Create designs and prints with artist Karoline Rerrie, Sat 18 July, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery 'TAKE CAUTION!' WITH

STEWART EASTON Design and stitch a pocket square using simple hand embroidery stitches. Suitable for adults and children aged seven-plus, Sat 18 July, Shire Hall Gallery, Stafford FAMILY CRAFT Sat 18 Wed 29 July, Red House Glass Cone, Dudley FAMILY TRAIL Sat 18 Wed 29 July, Dudley Museum and Art Gallery, Dudley FASHION IN THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY Julia Lowe talks about the varying details of sixteenth century fashion, Sat 18 July, Selly Manor, Birmingham LARGE MODEL AIRCRAFT RALLY An air show in miniature - a must for any aviation enthusiast, Sat 18 - Sun 19 July, RAF Cosford, Nr Wolverhampton VINTAGE AT THE MANOR A selection of handmade and vintage stalls, live entertainment, makeovers and a tea room, Sat 18 - Sun 19 July, Manor House Museum, Wednesbury 1940S WEEKEND A nostalgic journey back to the sights and sounds of wartime Britain, Sat 18 - Sun 19 July, Black Country Living Museum, Dudley IF YOU GO DOWN TO THE WOODS TODAY... Fun woodland activities for all the family, Sat 18 Sun 19 July, Moseley Old Hall, Nr Wolverhampton SUMMER STEAM GALA Featuring visiting locomotive Wissington, Sat 18 - Sun 19 July, Foxfield Railway, Stafford KITE FESTIVAL Take your own kite, or purchase one on the day, to fly around the grounds, Sat 18 - Sun 19 July, Berrington Hall, Nr Leominster FAMILY TRAIL Sat 18 Wed 29 July, Broadfield House Glass Museum, Kingswinford SUMMER HOLIDAY

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Events LISTINGS For full listing information on Events, including times and dates, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk FAMILY FUN Join the summer of fun at Cadbury World with a whole host of entertainers, Sat 18 July - Wed 2 Sept, Cadbury World, Birmingham LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION! An actionpacked summer of magic, movie sets and more, Mon 20 July Wed 2 Sept, Black Country Living Museum, Dudley TERRIFIC TEXTILES WORKSHOPS Discover more about fantastic creations made from a variety of textiles, Sat 18 July - Sun 6 Sept, Enginuity Museum, Ironbridge, Shropshire SUMMER HOLIDAY CANDLE DIPPING Join fun drop-in workshops to make your own fabulously coloured candle, Sat 18 July - Sun 6 Sept, Blists Hill, Ironbridge, Shropshire SUMMER OF ARCHAEOLOGY - INDIANA BONES TRAIL Explore the Summer of Archaeology excavations on the estate, Sat 18 July - Sun 6 Sep Brockhampton Estate, Bromyard, Nr Hereford PLAY LIKE AN EDWARDIAN Test your skill with an array of Edwardian and wartime fete games, Sat 18 July Sun 6 Sept, Croft Castle, Nr Leominster CERAMIC TEXTURES Discover how to add texture to clay models, or how to paint a money box, china flower or fridge magnet.

From Tuesday to Thursday, visitors will be given the chance to design and make their own clay model to take home, Mon 20 July Wed 2 Sept, Coalport China Museum, Ironbridge, Shropshire HORRIBLE HISTORIES: MEDIAEVAL MAYHEM Sat 18 July - Sun 6 Sept Sept, Warwick Castle SEVEN SECRET DOORS Discover the seven doors and what secrets lay behind them, Sat 18 July - Mon 7 Sept, Shugborough Historic Working Estate, Staffordshire SUMMER FUN Featuring the Maize Maze, Sat 18 July - Sun 27 Sept, Park Hall Farm, Shropshire TOUR OF THE GARDENS Weston’s roses and seasonal bedding will be in full flower as Martin Gee takes you on a guided tour of the gardens, Sun 19 July, Weston Park, Staffordshire DIGGING UP

BROCKHAMPTON Making up part of the Festival of British Archaeology, this event offers the opportunity to see the first trenches being dug and a chance to meet the archaeologists, Sun 19 July, Brockhampton Estate, Nr Bromyard, Herefordshire TEDDY BEARS’ PICNIC Take along your favourite teddies for a picnic, with stories, fun and games from entertainer Jem, Sun 19 July, Eastnor Castle Deer Park, Herefordshire STAFFORDSHIRE BIKE SHOW A major event for bikers featuring leading manufacturers, attractions, accessories and much more, including lots of family fun, Sun 19 July, Britannia Stadium, Stoke-onTrent LUDLOW ROTARY CLUB FUN DOG DAY A family fun day centred around dogs in the grounds of the court, Sun 19 July, Stokesay Court, Shropshire EXCAVATE! SUMMER OF ARCHAEOLOGY A chance to get involved in the archaeological digs taking place over the summer, Sun 19 July - Sun 9 Aug, Brockhampton Estate, Nr Bromyard

Week Commencing

MON 20 JULY MONKEYING AROUND CIRCUS SKILLS Fun week-long circus summer school, aimed at young people aged between eight and eighteen, Mon 20 - Fri 24 July, The Place, Oakengates Theatre, Telford SUMMER HOLIDAY TILE DECORATING WORKSHOP Try your hand at the tube lining technique to produce a tile featuring your own design and choice of colours.

Activities vary from dayto day, Mon 20 - Fri 24 July, Jackfield Tile Museum, Ironbridge, Shropshire HAPPY BIRTHDAY BACK TO BACKS The Back To Backs mice are playing hide and seek - find them all to win a prize, Tues 21 - Sun 26 July, Birmingham Back to Backs HOLIDAY POTTERS An hour of messy creativity with Stephanie Kelly, Tues 21 July, The Hive, Shrewsbury THE THREAD OF LIFE Adults’ cross-stitch workshop, Wed 22 July, Bilston Craft Centre, Wolverhampton

WALK WITH THE GARDENERS The head gardener gives a seasonal tour, Wed 22 July, Chirk Castle, Shropshire HONDA RON HASLAM RACE SCHOOL The Ron Haslam Race School offers the experience of riding on an international racing circuit, Wed 22 July, Donington Park Racing Circuit TEDDY BEARS PICNIC Thurs 23 July, Broadfield Glass House, Kingswinford THE SECRET LIFE OF A MONK Thurs 23 July, Priory Park, Dudley LOVE IS ENOUGH: DIGITAL POP Make your own photo portraits, Fri 24 July, Birmingham Museum And Art Gallery 22ND MOPAR EURO NATIONALS The Ultimate American Muscle Car show with RWYB, a burnout competition, jet car and live evening entertainment, Fri 24 Sun 26 July, Santa Pod Raceway, Northampton SILVERSTONE CLASSIC Billed as ‘the world’s biggest classic motorracing festival’, Fri 24 Sun 26 July, Silverstone Circuit, Northampton EVENING SCENIC SPECIALS A scenic evening ride with the added option of traditional fish and chip supper, Sat 25 July, Severn Valley Railway, Bewdley, Nr Kidderminster KIDS DISCOVER RAG RUGGING Join the crafty folk to learn how to make a mini rag rug, Sat 25 July, Birmingham Back to Backs LADIES DAY Sat 25 July, Severn Valley Railway, Bewdley, Nr Kidderminster GLENN MILLER OPEN AIR CONCERT Sat 25 July, Maws Craft Centre, Nr Ironbridge, Shropshire BRITISH WOODCARVING ASSOCIATION EXHIBITION A display of work bylocal amateur carvers, Sat 25 July - Sun 9 Aug, Chirk Castle, Shropshire THE RILEY MOTOR CLUB 90TH ANNIVERSARY To celebrate this milestone, the club are bringing thirty classic Rileys to Millennium Place, Sat 25 July, Coventry Transport Museum CIVIL WAR FIREARMS WEEKEND Brian Goodwin from Leeds Armoury inspects the castle’s collection, Sat 25 - Sun 26 July, Chirk Castle, Shropshire COSFORD FOOD FESTIVAL Featuring cooking demonstrations, food and drink giveaways and entertainment across the weekend, Sat 25 - Sun 26 July, RAF Cosford, Nr Wolverhampton

Summer Holiday Candle Dipping - Blists Hill Victorian Town, Shropshire

1940S WEEKEND Sat 25 Sun 26 July, Red House Glass Cone, Dudley FIGHTING KNIGHTS Watch the brave knights prepare for combat, Sat 25 - Sun 26 July, Stokesay Castle, Shropshire BRITISH TRUCK CHAMPIONSHIP & SUPPORT RACES Sat 25 Sun 26 July, Donington Park Racing Circuit AUDAX DIAMOND JUBILEE RALLY A weekend rally with camping - celebrating cars from the Rootes stable, Sat 25 Sun 26 July, Heritage Motor Centre, Gaydon, Warwickshire LACE WARS - JACOBITE REBELLION RE-ENACTMENT Skirmish re-enactments, drills and living history camp, Sat 25 Sun 26 July, Avoncroft Museum, Bromsgrove WEEKEND ARCHAEOLOGISTS A chance to join in with the volunteers and community members in archeological activities including pot washing, sieving soil and generating theories about excavations, Sat 25 Sun 26 July, Brockhampton Estate, Nr Bromyard ‘50 THINGS’ WOODLAND CAMP Bushcraft expert Mick Cowles and the rangers lead a weekend of wild camping, Sat 25 - Sun 26 July, Dudmaston Estate, Shropshire MULTI-PERIOD LIVING HISTORY WEEKEND Sat 25 - Sun 26 July, Whittington Castle, Shropshire CLASSIC VEHICLE DAY Featuring a selection of pre-war cars at Kidderminster station and a display of Ford cars of all ages at the Visitor Centre at Highley, Sun 26 July, Severn Valley Railway, Bewdley, Nr Kidderminster FESTIVAL OF BLACK COUNTRY VEHICLES Now in its thirteenth year,

this is an annual gathering of cars, motorcycles and commercial vehicles, all built in the Black Country, Sun 26 July, Black Country Living Museum, Dudley GARDEN DESIGN WORKSHOP A one-day workshop, with awardwinning garden designer Clive Mollart, on how to make the most of your garden, Sun 26 July, Trentham Gardens, Stoke-onTrent DROITWICH SPA MODEL BOAT CLUB Sun 26 July, Bodenham Arboretum, Crossways, Kidderminster BIG EDWARDIAN SUMMER BASH An Edwardian summer celebration of outdoor play and games, Sun 26 July, Croft Castle, Nr Leominster LOK VIRSA - BEYOND BORDERS A one-day arts festival celebrating the rich cultural heritage of Pakistan, Sun 26 July, mac, Birmingham ARTS AND CRAFTS Join in Carnival Arts crafty workshops, Sun 26 Thurs 30 July, Eastnor Castle Deer Park, Herefordshire TUDOR THREADS AND STUART SEWING Sun 26 July, Moseley Old Hall, Wolverhampton

Week Commencing

MON 27 JULY AN EVENING WITH BOYCOTT & AGGERS - THE SECOND INNINGS Mon 27 July, Symphony Hall, Birmingham SUMMER HOLIDAY TILE DECORATING WORKSHOPS Join a summer-themed dropin tile decorating workshop and try the tube lining technique to produce a tile featuring your own design and choice of colours.

Activities vary from day to day, Mon 27 - Fri 31 July, Jackfield Tile Museum, ironbridge, Shropshire

THE COUNTRY FAIR Join the town’s residents on the green at this new event. See country craft demonstrations, working horses and have a go at horse driving, Mon 27 July - Sun 2 Aug, Blists Hill Victorian Town, Ironbridge, Shropshire HAPPY BIRTHDAY BACK TO BACKS The Back To Backs mice are playing hide and seek - find them all to win a prize, Tues 28 - Fri 31 July, Birmingham Back to Backs FAMILY ART WORKSHOP: POPTASTIC PRINTING Inspired by Andy Warhol, the learning officers are on hand to help you make your very own vibrant and colourful prints, Wed 29 July, Birmingham Museum And Art Gallery ANIMATION WORKSHOP Produce your own colourful characters and sets with Chris Vandyke, Wed 29 July, The Hive, Shrewsbury, Shropshire HONDA RON HASLAM RACE SCHOOL The Ron Haslam Race School offers the experience of riding on an international racing circuit, Wed 29 July, Donington Park Racing Circuit BUGS AND BUTTERFLIES FAMILY DAY Thurs 30 July, Dudley Museum and Art Gallery, Dudley TEDDY BEARS’ PICNIC Treat your favourite teddy to some fun & games, Thurs 30 July, Ford Green Hall, Stokeon-Trent LOVE IS ENOUGH: FAMILY FRIDAY Family-friendly tour of the new exhibition, with craft activities too, Fri 31 July, Birmingham Museum And Art Gallery ULTIMATE STREET CAR The fastest, hottest, largest and loudest modified car festival in Europe, Fri 31 July Sun 2 Aug, Santa Pod Raceway, Northampton

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Eating Out July region two.qxp_Layout 1 22/06/2015 18:25 Page 1

Eating Out Celebrity chef brings the tastes and smells of Italy to Wolverhampton Gino D’Acampo is bringing his inimitable charm, wit and culinary skill to Wolverhampton Civic Hall in November. Gino’s Italian Escape Live On Stage delivers the tastes and smells of Mediterranean cuisine to Midlands audiences, with selected fans being invited to join him on stage. Tickets priced £26.95 are now on sale for the 3 November event.

Beautiful views of The River Severn from The Foundry

New venture for Shrewsbury brothers Four brothers have taken over one of Shrewsbury’s oldest cafes to create a lunchtime experience based on globally inspired, locally sourced produce. The tudor tea room Poppy’s has been transformed into CSONS by the Crouch brothers - Reuben, Josh, Ben and Adam. The siblings have over fifty years of relevant experience between them, ranging from cheffing in top London establishments to working with nationally renowned baristas and suppliers of award-winning artisan meats, cheeses and craft lagers. The venue caters for roughly sixty covers and is open for breakfast, lunch and coffees. The brothers plan to expand into the evening market later this year. To book a table, call 01743 272709.

Want us to review your restaurant?, then contact lei@whatsonlive.co.uk or call 01743 281703

An enticing pre-theatre menu at a very reasonable price...

REVIEW A restaurant in Shrewsbury’s Theatre Severn, you say? I didn’t know there was a restaurant in Shrewsbury’s Theatre Severn! But indeed there is, tucked away on the second floor.

The Foundry is a petite eatery that dishes up seasonal specials and an extremely enticing pre-theatre menu at a very reasonable price.

It also offers impressive views of the River Severn and the town’s Welsh Bridge. On the evening we dined there, the doors were flung open to the balcony and the breeze was drifting in. Our friendly waitress, Kayleigh, read out the specials. We opted for the pork belly crubeens - with apple puree and cider-pickled vegetables - and the special: goats cheese and lavender pannacotta with toasted sourdough. Both were superb starters. The pannacotta was light, with

just a hint of lavender (enough to make it interesting), while the crubeens (battered and deep-fried pork belly) went down a storm with my carnivorous husband!

For our main courses, we opted for the pan seared mackerel with rosemary roasted new potatoes, heritage tomato, olive and caper salad, and the vegetarian option of spinach pancakes with roasted Mediterranean vegetables and Shropshire Blue sauce. The mackerel was an incredibly tasty, wholesome dish, made with quality ingredients. The pancakes were unusual.

Despite being a vegetarian dish, the generous smothering of Shropshire Blue sauce felt wholly indulgent. We mopped up with a side of hand-cut chips.

With half an hour left before our show was due to start, we squeezed in a pudding of chocolate ganache with dulche de leche, toasted hazelnuts and ice cream, and crème brulee with shortbread bis-

cuits. The chocolate ganache was a very rich and naughty treat, while the crème brulee was light and delicious. Diners can come back for pudding in the theatre show’s interval, should they feel a little rushed beforehand.

The Foundry really is a hidden jewel that more theatre-goers should take advantage of. It offers a very relaxed dining experience. And with owner and experienced chef Matthew Periam at the helm of the daily specials board, both the front-of-house and the kitchen teams have got it sussed! Jessica Aston Food: nnnnn Service: nnnnn Ambience: n n n n n Overall value n n n n n OVERALL n n n n n The Foundry Theatre Severn Shrewsbury Shropshire SY3 8FT Tel: 01743 281281

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

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, WS12EQ 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

THE DINNER CLUB

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 BUTLERS Park St, Shifnal, TF11 9BA 01952 460128 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, Shifna,l 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

(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

Fishmore Hall - Ludlow, South Shropshire

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 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 THE MYTTON & MERMAID Atcham, Shrewsbury, SY5 6QG 01743 761220 THE OLD ORLETON INN Holyhead Rd, Wellington, TF1 2HA 01952 255011 THE OLD RECTORY HOTEL & RESTAURANT Lowe Hill Road, Wem, Shropshire, SY4 5UA 01939 233233 THE PEACH TREE 21 Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, SY2 6AE 01743 355055

THE PLUME OF FEATHERS Harley, Shrewsbury, SY5 6LP 01743 727360 PORTER HOUSE 15 St Mary’s St, Shrewsbury, SY1 1EQ 01743 358870 THE POUND AT LEEBOTWOOD Leebotwood, Nr Church Stretton, SY6 6ND 01694 751477 RENAISSANCE, 29a Princess St, Shrewsbury, SY11LW 01743 354289 ROMOLO Victoria Avenue, Shrewsbury, SY1 1HH 01743 233244 SARACENS Shrewsbury Rd, SY4 4AG 01939 210877 SEBASTIANS 45 Willow St, Oswestry, SY11 1AQ 01691 655444 SHALIMAR 23 Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, SY2 6AE 01743 366658 SHERAZ 79 Wyle Cop, Shrewsbury, SY1 1UT 01743 242321 THE SILVERTON the Old Dairy, 9-10 Frankwell, Shrewsbury SY3 8JY 01743 248000 TIN TINS Wellington Road, Telford, TF2 8AJ 01952 608688 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, Cannoc, 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-uponTrent 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 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

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Great Theatre at the Grand!

WED 22 - FRI 24 JULY

SAT 25 JULY

THU 20 AUG

THU 3 SEPT

FRI 4 - SAT 5 SEPT

TUES 8 - SAT 12 SEPT

West Bromwich Operatic Society are extremely proud to present

Music by ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER Book & Lyrics by DON BLACK & CHRISTOPHER HAMPTON Based on the film by BILLY WILDER An amateur production by arrangement with The Really Useful Group Ltd

SUN 13 SEPT

Follow us on

SAT 26 SEPT

@WolvesGrand

WED 30 SEPT - SUN 11 OCT

Like us on Facebook: Wolverhampton Grand

Box Office 01902

42 92 12

BOOK ONLINE AT www.grandtheatre.co.uk