First Word WolvesShropsStaffs August (1).qxp_Layout 1 22/07/2021 17:37 Page 1
News from around the region
Gangsta Granny back at Wolverhampton’s Grand next year David Walliams’ Gangsta Granny will make a welcome return to the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre next year. The show is joined in the venue’s Spring 2022 line-up by a Russian State Ballet of Siberia triple bill, West Bromwich Operatic Society’s presentation of Calendar Girls The Musical, and Clive Webb, Danny Adams and Mick Potts in A Fright In The Museum And The Curse Of The Ancient Custard Pie. For more information about these and other shows at the Grand, visit grandtheatre.co.uk
Summer fun at New Vic Theatre’s woodland camp The New Vic Theatre’s school summer holiday activities for young people are this year being hosted in the immersive setting of an outdoor woodland camp. Run by the New Vic Education team, the programme of activities includes the opportunity for children aged 10 to 15 to rehearse a play and prepare to perform it outdoors (Monday 9 to Friday 13 August). Children aged four to nine, meanwhile, can use their imaginations during two days of activities, drama games and crafts (Thursday 5 & Friday 6 August). For more information, send an email to lparry@newvictheatre.org.uk.
Severn Valley Railway’s festive favourite returns Following sell-outs in 2019 and 2020, Severn Valley Railway's festive-season Steam In Lights will again return this Christmas. Featuring a ride on a steam train covered by thousands of lights, and the chance to enjoy 04 whatsonlive.co.uk
‘amazing displays of magical creatures and mystical auroras only seen from the train’, the event runs on selected dates from Friday 19 November until Thursday 23 December. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the website: svr.digitickets.co.uk
Children’s book raises awareness of important part of Ironbridge history An Ironbridge business established during the pandemic has joined forces with a local author & illustrator to raise funds for a charity working to preserve the history of coracles in the Ironbridge Gorge. The Bolthole Store, an interiors shop, café & studio, has allocated one of the windows at its premises on The Wharfage in Ironbridge to the promotion of a new children’s book, Colin In A Coracle. The book tells the story of an English Bull Terrier and his adventures on the River Severn. Written by local author & illustrator Cal Westbrook, and funded by the Heritage Fund, the book has been developed to raise awareness of coracles and their place in Ironbridge’s history.
Maureen Nolan to star in Snow White in Stafford Maureen Nolan will be joined by CBeebies' Rebecca Keatley and Any Dream Will Do star Keith Jack in this year’s Stafford Gatehouse pantomime production of Snow White. The show will see Maureen taking the role of the Wicked Queen, with Rebecca starring as the title character and Keith Jack playing the handsome prince. Commenting on the news, Maureen said: “I’m thrilled to be doing pantomime at the newly refurbished Gatehouse and terrorising all the Staffordshire audiences, who, I hope, will be in the mood for dancing!” The show runs from Friday 10 to Friday 31 December. For more information and to book tickets, visit staffordgatehousetheatre.co.uk
Women and bikes... Staffordshire’s Tutbury Castle is this month hosting a Women In Motorcycling exhibition (21 August). Speaking about the event, its organiser, Lindsay Atkinson, said: “Listen to inspirational speakers, ask those pressing questions on our panel talks, check out the gallery of women riders, join a workshop and learn new skills, get advanced tips in the learner zone, shop at our carefully curated stalls or just relax and absorb the atmosphere at the bar.” For more information and to purchase tickets, visit womenmoto.co.uk
