Nov 2012 - What`s On Live

Transcription

Midlands Cover - November_24-7 Cover 29/10/2012 17:43 Page 1
MIDLANDS WHAT’S ON ISSUE 323 NOVEMBER 2012
THE MIDLANDS ESSENTIAL ENTERTAINMENT GUIDE
www.whatsonlive.co.uk
£1.80
ISSUE 323 NOVEMBER 2012
EMELI
BRIT AWA SANDE
BACK IN RD-WINNER
THE REG
ION
INSIDE
Ben Richards
working 9 To 5 in the Midlands
interview inside
Dan Ryan
Skins actor clocks on
for his latest role
interview inside
Neal Foster
Birmingham Stage Company
celebrates twenty years...
interview inside
THE DEFINITIVE
LISTINGS GUIDE
MAGAZINE GROUP
ISSN 1462-7035
PART OF MIDLANDS WHAT’S ON MAGAZINE GROUP PUBLICATIONS
What’sOn
gets ready to rock and shock....
grand_whatson FP nov_Layout 1 29/10/2012 14:30 Page 1
Great Theatre at the Grand!
TUES 6 - SAT 10 NOV
TUES 20 - WED 21 NOV
THURS 22 - SAT 24 NOV
SADLER’S WELLS PRESENTS
Bilston Operatic
Company presents...
MUSIC AND
LYRICS BY
JERRY HERMAN
AN AMATEUR PRODUCTION
Ballet Girls &
Hip Hop Boys!
“ZANY AND ZIPPY, HILARIOUS AND HEARTWARMING. A WINNER”
THE TIMES
MON 26 NOV - SAT 1 DEC
SAT 8 DEC - SUN 20 JAN
MON 28 JAN - SAT 2 FEB
TUES 12 - SAT 16 FEB
ALSO BOOKING
TUES 19 - SAT 30 MARCH
‘BRILLIANT! IT EXPLODES LIKE GLITTERING FIREWORKS’
BILL KENWRIGHT
TUES 22 JANUARY
SHAKESPEARE 4 KIDZ: THE TEMPEST
BY ARRANGEMENT WITH THE REALLY USEFUL GROUP PRESENTS
THURS 24 JANUARY
REAL DIAMOND
A BIRTHDAY CONCERT
FRI 25 JANUARY
JACKSON LIVE IN CONCERT
SUN 27 JANUARY
THE GLENN MILLER ORCHESTRA
MON 4 - SAT 9 FEBRUARY
AGATHA CHRISTIES
LYRICS BY
MUSIC BY
TIM RICE
ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER
GO BACK FOR MURDER
SUN 17 - TUE 19 FEBRUARY
THE RUSSIAN STATE BALLET
OF SIBERIA
SAT 23 FEBRUARY
BILLY FURY YEARS
SUN 24 FEBRUARY
CIRCUS HILARIOUS
Follow us on
@WolvesGrand
Like us on Facebook: Wolverhampton Grand
Box Office 01902
42 92 12
BOOK ONLINE AT www.grandtheatre.co.uk
Contents November_Layout 1 29/10/2012 16:41 Page 1
November
2012
INSIDE:
Editor:
Davina Evans
[email protected]
01743 281708
The Ladykillers
Editorial Assistants:
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West End show arrives
in the Midlands p29
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Subscriptions:
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Dan Ryan
[email protected]
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interview inside p8
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9 To 5 The Musical - read the interview with Ben Richards on page 6
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Scottish stand-up back in
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News November_Layout 1 29/10/2012 16:44 Page 1
News
A ROUND-UP OF LOCAL AND NATIONAL ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
Graduates and guest
exhibitors announced for
Centrepiece 2012
Organisers of one of the Midlands’ finest
showcases of contemporary jewellery have
announced that this year’s event is to feature
work from six new graduates and five guest
exhibitors. Centrepiece 2012 brings together
the collective talents of thirty designer-makers. Designers Andrea Korsgen and Isabella
Hart will be returning to the Midlands just in
time for the event following a visit to
Southern India to share their skills - establishing a jewellery partnership with Mercy
Mission welfare society in the process.
An annual event at Birmingham’s Symphony
Hall, Centrepiece offers visitors an opportunity to purchase a range of unique, locally
designed items, and this year runs from 14
November to 23 December.
Marcus Collins to star in Hairspray
LG Arena scoops top award
Birmingham’s LG Arena has added yet
another accolade to its collection, scooping
Live Music Business Awards’ ‘Best Venue
Teamwork - Arena’ gong at a recent awards
ceremony in London. This follows hot on the
heels of the venue achieving seventh position in Pollstars list of the Top 100 arenas
worldwide. Guy Dunstan, General Manager
of the Arena, said of the Live Music Business
Awards success: “We’re thrilled with our
achievement. Just being two out of the three
finalists is a massive coup, but actually winning the award is the icing on the cake. And
what’s more humbling is to know we’ve been
voted for by industry peers - so they’re
telling us we’re the best in the UK!”
X Factor star Marcus Collins is to join the cast of Hairspray when it embarks on a second UK tour
next year. Marcus will play Seaweed Stubbs - the son of DJ Motormouth Maybelle and love interest of Penny Pingleton - when the production stops off at the Birmingham Hippodrome in May. He
will be joined by Waterloo Rd actor Mark Benton, who’ll assume the role of the larger-than-life
Edna Turnblad. Ex-EastEnder Lucy Benjamin stars as the scheming Velma Von Tussle, while newcomer Freya Sutton takes the role of big-haired teenager Tracy Turnblad. Of his forthcoming role,
Marcus said: “I can’t express how thrilled I am to be joining the tour of Hairspray. It’s been a pretty
amazing year for me, and now to be cast in my dream role feels like a new part of the adventure!
Having trained in musical theatre since my early teens, I’m really itching to get into rehearsals, and
so excited to be working with Mark, Lucy and the rest of the company.”
Domestic Goddess in Brum
Culture and shopping...
Celebrity chef, journalist and ‘Domestic
Goddess’ Nigella Lawson makes an appearance at Waterstones book store in
Birmingham’s New
Street late this
month. Nigella’s in
town on 27
November to promote her latest cookbook, Nigellissima,
which features over
one hundred Italian
recipes.
Visiting Birmingham’s top museums and art
galleries is being made easier early next
month courtesy of the return of the ever-popular Art Bus. On Saturday 1 December, the
tour bus will once again be visiting six of the
city’s galleries - Ikon, the Barber Institute of
Fine Arts, mac, Birmingham Museum & Art
Gallery, RBSA Gallery and Eastside Projects.
Ikon will be offering special discounts for Art
Bus users and a four-course menu in Cafe
Ikon for just £25.
New director announced
Birmingham’s Barber Institute has
announced that Nicola Kalinsky has been
appointed as the venue’s new director.
Nicola, who is currently Deputy Director and
Chief Curator at the Scottish National Portrait
Gallery, National Galleries of Scotland, will
take up her new post on 14 January - just in
time to play a major role in the Barber’s
eightieth anniversary programme.
4 www.whatsonlive.co.uk
News November_Layout 1 29/10/2012 16:44 Page 2
Spoken Word artist to share
his near-death experience
This month sees West Midlands-born poet
and writer Richard Tyrone Jones bring his
Big Heart to his home city of
Wolverhampton. In 2010, the former
Wolverhampton Grammar School pupil
received a very unwelcome thirtieth birthday
present - heart failure. Having battled back
from the brink of death, Richard - armed
with a pen and pacemaker - started writing
about the experience of living with a condition that will ‘almost certainly kill him’. The
resulting work of theatre, Richard Tyrone
Jones’s Big Heart, received much critical
acclaim when it appeared at the 2012
Edinburgh Fringe, and shows at the Arena
Theatre, Wolverhampton, on 28 November
as part of a UK-wide tour.
Michael Jackson in Birmingham...
Staffordshire craft show
back on course...
The Shire Hall Gallery’s annual
Contemporary Craft Fair makes a welcome
return this month. Entitled Handmade, the
fair showcases works by artists from across
the region and beyond, and offers visitors
the opportunity to buy original and handcrafted items. The event takes place on 2 &
3 November.
Arts funding awarded to
community art agency
Midlands-based community art agency
Multistory has announced that it’s been
awarded more than £300,000 funding by the
Arts Council for its Open For Business project. The award will allow the organisation to
forge ahead with its plan to promote the
untold story of British manufacturing and
industry through the lenses of the world’s
greatest photographers. The overall objective of the project is to create an exhibition
which, as well as being staged locally, will
also be relevant to a larger-scale show.
Cirque du Soleil’s Michael Jackson The Immortal World Tour is to visit Birmingham next year
following an acclaimed run at the O2 in London. The production, which is primarily aimed at
Jackson’s army of long-standing fans, has been described by our What’s On reviewer as ‘a
visual delight’, with ‘the troupe stunning the audience with their synchronicity, aerial acrobatics, animal impersonations and light fantastic firework display’.
Michael Jackson The Immortal World Tour stops off at the National Indoor Arena on Tuesday
26 March, with tickets, starting at £40, now available. Read the full review of the O2 show at
IN BRIEF
Classic meets
contemporary for
calendar shoot
Worcester’s The Hive
has proved to be a
perfect model of contemporary design in
more ways than one.
The building, which
was officially opened
by HRH The Queen in
July, was recently
selected as the backdrop for a photo shoot
for MOG magazine’s
calendar for 2013.
MOG magazine is a
new publication aimed
at Morgan owners and
enthusiasts across the
world, while The Hive
is becoming globally
recognised and was
recently shortlisted in
the World Architectural
Festival 2012.
Shropshire venue completes first phase of
multi-million pound refurbishment
Shropshire’s Telford Ice Rink - which is home to the town’s two
hockey teams, the Telford Tigers and Telford Titans - is being
given its first facelift since 1984, with the initial phase of a £4million refurbishment programme now complete. The majority of the
money is being spent on improving the venue’s general appearance and providing a new barrier to meet hockey regulations. The
second phase of the refurbishment, due for completion by
26 November, sees the introduction of Telford Soft Play in the
building’s new
extension. A newlook reception and
bar area, which
will be leased to
an external company some time in
the near future,
will be built in the
final phase of the
overhaul.
Professional Association of Alexander Teachers
Recreational Course in the Alexander Technique
Starting Early January 2013
If you have had lessons in the Alexander Technique for about a
year or attended an Introductory Evening Class, or a module in the
Alexander Technique at a university or equivalent then you are eligible
to join the PAAT Recreational Course. The Recreational Course will
offer guidance in deepening your understanding, knowledge and
application of the Technique – and you get to do it in company.
The 12-week course is held in Birmingham.
For an application form, please contact the PAAT Secretary
on 01743 241478 or email [email protected]
www.paat.org.uk
www.whatsonlive.co.uk 5
Ben Richards interview_Layout 1 29/10/2012 17:16 Page 1
“
It’s been
incredible.
Standing
ovations and lots
of laughter. We
couldn’t ask for
more.
”
Ben Richards
talks about working 9 To 5 in the Midlands...
Ben Richards interview_Layout 1 29/10/2012 17:16 Page 2
interview...
Probably best recognised for playing Bruno Milligan in Footballers’ Wives, and more recently
PC Nate Roberts in The Bill, Ben Richards has also made numerous appearances in the West
End - including an acclaimed turn as Sky Masterson in Guys And Dolls. Having recently battled
with cancer, Ben’s back and fighting fit, appearing as egotistical boss Franklyn Hart in Dolly
Parton’s 9 To 5 The Musical. What’s On’s Alev Dervish recently met up with him to find out
about his latest role...
The last twelve months have presented
you with very tough physical and
emotional challenges beyond your
control. But rather than choosing to take it
somewhat easier, you’re embarking on a
demanding tour. Where do you get your
energy and motivation from?
I had two choices; either beat this or die, and
I wanted to beat it. The alternative wasn’t an
option. I surrounded myself with positivity
and just got through it. My family and best
mate were amazing, I had a great bunch of
chemotherapy and radiotherapy nurses
around me, and a fantastic oncologist and
surgeon.
It’s not been easy, and at times I’ve been to
some very dark places. But I’m very
fortunate to have come out the other end,
and by Christmas I should have finished all
my chemo treatment. I’ve got a job that I
love. I’m working with an amazing company
doing an exciting new show and playing a
really great role.
How did starring in 9 To 5 The Musical
come about?
I was in a hospital bed when my agent called
to tell me I’d got the role. It was perfect
timing. It gave me something to look forward
to and get fit for, so it was absolutely
fantastic.
9 To 5 has now opened in Manchester.
What’s the reaction been like so far?
It’s been incredible. Standing ovations and
lots of laughter. We couldn’t ask for more.
Are you a big Dolly Parton fan?
Yeah, who doesn’t love her?
What’s your favourite Dolly Parton song?
I love the song that I sing in the musical,
Here For You; it’s just beautiful. I also defy
you not to love Shine Like The Sun. It’s such
a great end to Act One. The show is just
filled with great songs. Dolly’s so talented,
it’s ridiculous.
How hands-on has she been with the
production?
She’s very involved creatively with the show
and speaks to the directors. She’s constantly
tweaking it to get it right, and has added new
songs to the production. The show has
changed an awful lot since the American
tour, and it’s just perfect now. It’s the right
length and there are no dull moments, so it’s
just full speed ahead from the first song
onwards. It’s a fun-filled, action-packed two
hours. We should have seat belts on those
seats!
Did you have to learn any new disciplines
for this role?
I wouldn’t say I had to learn any new
disciplines, but I did have to find the nasty
side of me and really explore that. My
character is horrible!
Do you have anything in common with
your character, Franklin Hart Jr?
I think all men have the ability to look at a
woman and be distracted. A gentleman
wouldn’t look, but we’ve all probably had a
good peek! So we have the ability to display
certain Franklin J Hart characteristics. The
difference with Franklin is that he loves all
that. But I like to think I’m a modern,
Noughties man who behaves in a fairly
gentlemanly manner.
it’s the show that launched me. Since then
I’ve played a footballer, a physio, a gambler,
an unemployed stripper and a drag queen!
Very varied!
Who’s been the worst boss you’ve ever
had to work for?
I worked in a champagne and oyster bar
where the boss had his head firmly up his
rectum. He was so rude and demanding. A
‘please’ and ‘thank you’ doesn’t go amiss!
Have you ever turned down a role and
later regretted it?
No, my gut reaction has always been right.
What’s proving to be the most challenging
aspect of performing in 9 To 5?
Getting the balance right with this character so that he’s horrible but believable - has
been tricky, but it’s been fun to tap into that
dark side of the personality and savour it.
That and the fact that it’s very physically
demanding. I’m trussed up, lifted up, beaten
up and tied up. And I even throw Bonnie
Langford around the stage at one point.
Do you have a favourite scene?
I personally enjoy singing Here For You; it’s
a lot of fun. Natalie’s song Get Out And Stay
Out is really beautiful, although I think my
favourite moment is Change It.
Are there any roles that you’d rather
forget?
Yes! There’s some stuff that I’ve done on TV
which has been really cheesy, and some
performances on film that I’ve not been at all
happy with.
Is there a particular musical in which
you'd really like to perform in the future?
If they ever did a musical of Baz Luhrmann’s
Moulin Rouge, I’d love to be in that.
What have you got planned for the near
future?
I’m in a film called Chakara, which should be
out soon. We shot that in India and Spain
and it was a great experience. Then I’m off to
LA in February to audition for some pilots.
I’ve been wanting to go for a while. I was
meant to go last year, but became ill. So I’ll
definitely get out there this time...
Finally, what’s the most important lesson
you’ve learned from the events of the past
ten months?
Be honest with yourself. This is not a
rehearsal, so enjoy life!
Do you have a particular routine that you
perform before you go on stage?
Apart from making sure I’m vocally and
physically warmed up, checking my water at
the side of the stage, and also making sure
my hair and make-up is done, I’m ready to
go.
And how do you wind down postperformance?
I find a nice glass of rioja does the trick!
When did you realise you wanted to be an
actor?
I’ve always known I wanted to perform.
When I used to watch my sisters dance, I
wanted to join in. I was like Billy Elliott at the
back of the class.
So was dance your first love?
Absolutely; the singing and acting came
later.
Can you remember your first professional
role?
I think it was probably panto, somewhere. Or
it could have been as a dancer in Paignton.
What's been your favourite role to date?
I’ve been lucky in the sense that all the roles
I’ve played have been so much fun and a
challenge in their own right. It would
probably have to be Saturday Night Fever, as
Ben Richards stars in 9 To 5 The Musical at
the Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, from
Mon 19 to Sat 24 November, and at the New
Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham,
from Mon 17 December to Sat 5 January.
Dan Ryan interview_Layout 1 29/10/2012 14:01 Page 1
“
There have
been very few
things that I’ve
done that my
kids have been
able to come
and see, but
I’m thrilled that
they’ll be able
to come and
see this.
”
Dan Ryan
on why clocking on in Stratford is like coming home...
Although his name’s not instantly recognisable, Dan Ryan is nonetheless an actor whose CV
boasts a vast and eclectic array of TV, film and stage work, including Skins, The Street, Linda
Green and, more recently, Mount Pleasant. This month sees Dan returning to Stratford-uponAvon and the Royal Shakespeare Theatre - the venue where he started his career over twenty
years ago - to don whiskers and a tail for the RSC’s Christmas production of The Mouse And His
Child. What’s On caught up with him to find out what audiences can expect......
The Royal Shakespeare Company has
produced some great Christmas classics
in the past, not least among which is the
multi-award-winning Matilda. So how will
this year’s show compare?
No pressure there, eh?! But, as with Matilda,
The Mouse And His Child is one of those
great epic productions. It’s huge-scale, and
is a journeying play about a clockwork
mouse and his child who get left on a
rubbish dump where all the rats live. One of
the main rats, Manny rat, becomes obsessed
with them and they end up going on this
huge voyage which sees them trying to find
their way back to the toy shop. There’s so
much to the story - it’s very funny, it’s got
singing, has absolutely beautiful music and
is also very moving at times. I think it’s
classically Christmas and classically a family
show. There have been very few things that
I’ve done that my kids have been able to
come and see, but I’m thrilled that they’ll be
able to come and see this. For one of them,
it’ll be the first thing he’s ever seen me in...
So have your kids given you any tips on
how you should approach the role?
Well, they sort of creep up on me when I’m
learning lines at home and ask: “is that how
you’re going to do it, dad?”. My fourteenyear-old thinks he’s a bit smart, and he’s
commented that he’s not sure this is really
for him. But I’ve assured him that he’s going
to be absolutely captivated by it. I really do
think it has something very special, and I
don’t think there’s an age group that it
wouldn’t appeal to. Tamsin (Oglesby) has
come up with a great adaptation. Also, we’ve
got the benefit of the genius of Paul Hunter
(Co-Artistic Director), who I think is an
extraordinary deviser of this kind of work.
Is it a story that you were familiar with as
a child?
No, I didn’t know it at all. It’s funny, I’ve
spoken to a lot of people about this and I
don’t know how well it travelled from the
States to over here, being an American
book. I know for sure that people will be
going out and buying the book after they’ve
seen this, because it’s just one of those
perfect bedtime stories. I remember when
Harry Potter came out and I was reading my
kids the story; when they dropped off, I’d be
Dan Ryan interview_Layout 1 29/10/2012 14:01 Page 2
absolutely furious, because I needed to get
to the end of the chapter. So I’d carry on
sitting there reading the story out loud, doing
all the voices. When I first read this, I
remember thinking it had the same sort of
feel to it. It’s the sort of story where you want
to get to the end of each chapter and find
out what happens next. For adults, there are
some great themes that we can relate to,
and it’s all beautifully portrayed in the book.
in A Midsummer Night’s Dream there, which
is still one of my favourite on-stage
memories. So it really does feel like a home
to me, and I’m so pleased to be coming to
the new theatre, and trying to make my mark
there. So much has happened in the last
twelve years, both personally and
professionally, and I’ve always been gutted
not to be asked back, but hopefully this will
be the first return of many.
So what was the initial appeal of
appearing as a clockwork mouse?
I was offered another play somewhere else
at the same time, but what this clarified for
me - when I was approached for the role was that I wanted a different sort of
challenge. A lot of the plays which I’ve done
have been fairly political or to do with race.
They’ve all been brilliant productions but
Posh, which has just been in the West End, I
did originally at The Royal Court, and
Number Eleven and Fallout, which I did at
the Donmar - are all quite challenging pieces
for an audience to watch. What I decided
here was that I wanted a challenge for me,
and when this came up, it felt like exactly the
right thing to do. The other piece that I was
offered was very similar to something I’d
done before, and I’d gotten to the point, at
forty-four, where I’d started thinking ‘what’s
next?... What do I want to do next?’. I haven’t
sung on stage for probably twenty years,
and I realised it was something that I wanted
to do. I wanted to be involved in something
where people left the theatre feeling upbeat,
and this will certainly put audiences in the
Christmas spirit.
Your repertoire includes stage, TV and
film. How easy is it to adapt from one to
the other?
Friends who aren’t actors often ask which I
prefer, but I find it very difficult to say,
because they each involve different
disciplines. For me, what drags me from one
to the other is the writing. In terms of the
skills involved, I don’t really think about
going from one to the other. That said, if I go
onto the telly after doing this, I’ll probably be
asked, “can you stop doing that ridiculous
walk”, or, “can you stop twitching your nose,
and make your ears a bit smaller”.
So have there been any new disciplines
that you’ve had to master for the role?
Well, there’s dancing. I’m not a great mover,
but that’s part of the challenge. I’m loving
the singing and I’m loving the dancing.
We’re just working on the finale piece at the
moment, and it’s all very exciting...
Is it a fully costumed role, or is it a case
of just donning some ears and painting
some whiskers on your face?
The amount of characters that everyone is
playing is extraordinary, so there are quick
changes galore going on, because you’ve
got rats, you’ve got shrews and probably
about six different types of birds depicted in
the show. A lot of it is done symbolically, and
you have no doubt as to what the characters
are, but it’s not going to have that Beatrix
Potter sort of look. When we started
rehearsals we had racks and racks of exRSC costumes around and hundreds of
props, so the way that it’s been brought
together is very organic. The costume
design has come very much from what feels
right - the shrews are all at war, so they’ve
got army fatigues on, but you’ll know that
they’re shrews and you’ll know that the rats
are rats. Myself and Bettrys Jones, who
plays the child, have certainly got very
challenging costumes, being clockwork toys.
I had my first fitting yesterday and thought,
‘well that’s going to be rather warm for two
hours a night’.
It’s twelve years since you last performed
in Stratford. What does it mean to you to
be back working for the RSC?
My very first time on the stage was at
Stratford, and me wanting to become an
actor came from visiting Stratford on a school
trip. I’ve done Richard III there, which toured
and then returned, and I also played Bottom
You’ve played both lighthearted and
darker roles during your career, so is it
always just about the script?
I suppose I’m very lucky regarding the
variety of stuff that comes my way. I guess
there are certain casting directors who think
of me as ‘nice dad’, or as ‘the nice bloke
who lives up the road’. And then there’s
another group who think of me as this
horrible murdering person. And then there
are those who think, ‘Dan Ryan, oh he’s
funny’. So I guess I’m in the middle of this
and get taken along in different directions. I
certainly think that I’m very lucky to be able
to do that.
Professionally, where do you see yourself
long-term?
I’ve never really held any strong ambitions,
apart from wanting to play King Lear, which
is something I’ve wanted to do since leaving
drama school at twenty-one. That text had a
huge impact on me when I was younger, and
it’s just gone on from there. Generally, I like
being taken wherever the wind blows me,
and I’m fortunate that it keeps blowing me to
really nice places.
You say, apart from King Lear, there aren’t
any roles that you’ve hankered after. But
isn’t it true that you once begged Russell
T Davies for a part in Doctor Who?
Yes, I pretty much did. It was when my boys
were little - both were at the perfect age for
watching Doctor Who, and they were both
absolutely obsessed with it. I went to an
awards thing in Monte Carlo and the
producer, who I knew, was there, so I said,
“if you don’t get me in this show, I will haunt
you”. I’d worked with both Russell and Phil
Collinson, the producer, before. Three of my
best friends had already appeared in the
series, and I saw my involvement as a way of
earning the respect I deserved from my kids.
Then, when I did get a part, they were all
“great, dad, what are you playing? Are you
playing an alien?”. When I said, “no, I’m just
a human”, they were, “oh, that’s a bit
disappointing”. You can’t win, can you?
How did your role in Mount Pleasant,
currently being screened on Sky, come
about?
When I first got approached, Sally Lindsay
had already been cast and they were looking
for the Dan character. Originally it was a half-
interview...
hour sitcom which we had to take to the
BBC in order to do a table read - that’s
basically where the powers-that-be come in
and have a listen. They really liked the
essence of it, and they really liked the
relationship, but they didn’t think it was BBC
One material. They weren’t sure if it was
BBC Two material either, and they didn’t
think it was suitable for BBC Three. In the
end they decided not to take it. At that point,
BBC’s head of comedy got offered the job of
head of comedy at Sky, and it was the first
thing she commissioned, because she loved
it so much. However, she thought it needed
a different format. It took two years to get
from that first table read to us finishing the
first series. But I’m really proud to be part of
it. It’s got a great cast - I love working with
Pauline Collins and Bobby Ball - and it’s got
a great heart. It’s not strictly a family show,
but it’s got a hugely loyal following who love
the relationships in it. I don’t think there’s
been a show like it since Cold Feet; a show
in which people are so drawn to the
characters, and interested in what’s going to
happen to them next.
Are there plans for any more?
We hope to do more, but there’s been no
decision made by Sky yet. They’re so prolific
with what they’re making at the moment.
There’s so much new stuff all the time, but I
do think they could be swayed by the diehard Mount Pleasant fans who are constantly
on at me on Twitter to see if there’s going to
be a new series. Truth is, I really don’t know.
What have you got lined up when The
Mouse And His Child finishes its Stratford
run early next year?
In an ideal world we’d see Mount Pleasant
start filming in February. It would be great to
finish this, have a few weeks off, and then go
on and shoot another series. I’m under
option to do it, but at the moment the diary
is blank. But it could just as easily end up
being full.
Do you find it unnerving that you don’t
have anything lined up?
Not really. I guess it’s all part and parcel of
being an actor. It’s funny, because I do seem
to be someone who works an awful lot, but I
often finish a job with nothing to start. That’s
normally the way it works. With TV these
days, you audition on the Tuesday and the
show starts shooting on the Sunday. It’s a
very quick turnaround. I’ve got to the point
now where I finish a job and think, ‘right,
what’s next?’. I’m not one of those actors
who has jobs lined up. I probably had the
worst year I’ve ever had about five years
ago, when nothing was coming in. Suddenly,
you think, ‘wow, what have I done wrong?’,
but it’s just the nature of the business. I
guess one of the things about not being
placed in a particular box is that it means
you’re never the obvious choice. So you
may end up being out of work for a little
while. It may look like I’m working constantly,
but it’s certainly not the case.
Dan Ryan appears in The Mouse And His
Child at The Royal Shakespeare Theatre,
Stratford-upon-Avon, from Saturday 17
November to Saturday 12 January 2013
Neal Foster interview_Layout 1 29/10/2012 14:18 Page 1
The cast of James And The Giant Peach
Neal Foster
twenty years on and still going strong...
From small acorns... Back in 1992, Neal Foster had a theatre company but nowhere to house it.
Two decades on, Neal’s Birmingham Stage Company (BSC) has become so successful that it’s
never short of a place to call home, with theatres across the world eager to stage one of its many
highly rated productions. What’s On caught up with Birmingham-born Neal to find out how BSC
is intending to celebrate twenty glorious years...
Next month is Birmingham Stage
Company’s twentieth birthday. How does
the company plan to celebrate?
Good question. We’re so busy we haven’t
actually planned a party yet, but I think we’ll
have more cause for celebration if we can
get through all the shows we’ve got planned
for this autumn. We’ve actually got five
shows on for Christmas. In terms of big
events, we’re looking more towards our
twenty-first anniversary next year.
So how are you planning to mark that
momentous occasion?
We’ll be bringing a special production of
Horrible Histories to Birmingham, to the Old
Rep, and we’ll probably plan an office
celebration around that.
How did the creation of Birmingham Stage
Company come about?
I had a small theatre company and was
looking for a base in which to reside. I
looked at different theatres which weren’t
being used around the country and came
across the Old Rep theatre in Birmingham. It
was a coincidence that I was from
Birmingham, but I didn’t know about the Old
Rep theatre - a lot of people, even now, still
don’t know about it. It was this wonderful
auditorium in pristine condition, but it was
only being used for about five months of the
year, by amateur societies - some of which
are still using it today. It took a year for me to
persuade the City Council to let me base my
company at the theatre. Finally, they agreed,
and we launched our first show in 1992.
They agreed on the basis that there would
be no funding and no support. In fact, they
charged me to rent the theatre, and the
amateurs charged me to hire the lighting. I
have no idea how I did it, but here we are
some twenty years later!
And you’re still completely independent,
surviving entirely on box office sales...
Yes, we’re one hundred percent reliant on
box office sales. I suppose it would be an
achievement just to have survived, but I’m
pleased to say that we have, in fact,
flourished. I suppose it took a while for me to
realise that actually not having any public
funding was quite liberating - being able to
do what we wanted, how we wanted, and to
take risks. We’ve always been able to do the
Neal Foster interview_Layout 1 29/10/2012 14:18 Page 2
kind of work that we wanted to do without
having someone looking over our shoulder
saying, ‘should you really be doing that,
shouldn’t you be doing this?’. Eventually, that
became an enjoyable thing, but in the
beginning it was quite tough-going - although
we were lucky in that we had some very big
successes early on from a commercial point
of view. Our first Christmas show, The
Fantastic Mr Fox - which was the first
professional Christmas production to be
shown at the Old Rep for twenty years actually had seventeen-and-a-half thousand
people come to see it. That shows how
important Roald Dahl has always been to us
as a company. The theatre only has three
hundred-and-seventy-six seats, and we had
all those thousands of people come through
the doors to see that show. Artistically, our
first anniversary production, Cat On A Hot Tin
Roof, was considered by most people to be
the best production in Birmingham for about
twenty years. So from a commercial and
artistic point of view, we made quite an
impact early on, and I would say that those
two productions were crucial to the future
success of the company. It wasn’t long
afterwards that Richard Dreyfuss came over
from America to direct Hamlet, and Jonathan
Church directed The Crucible for us. He’s
now running Chichester, and also ran the
Birmingham Rep, so big things happened
quite quickly.
Is your role now purely managerial?
No, I’m still acting in the Horrible Histories
show in the West End. I’m an actor who runs
a theatre company. Most companies are run
by a director; this company is the other way
round.
Do you personally decide which shows
you’re going to produce?
Yes, generally I tend to decide what we’re
doing. I’ve got a fantastic team. There are just
four of us who run the whole outfit, which, by
comparison with companies like the
Birmingham Rep or the RSC, is an extremely
small number, yet I think we may actually
produce more shows.
What is it about Roald Dahl’s stories that
make them so appealing to adapt for the
stage?
Well, he was a genius. I also think his key
feature was that he didn’t patronise children
at all. He takes you on such amazing
adventures, a lot of which writers nowadays
would have to be very brave to write. For
example, George’s Marvellous Medicine is
about a boy who goes around the house
finding all the liquids he can to mix into a
potion to give to his grandma. A lot of writers
would think twice about writing that today,
worried that a child might go off and do it,
but children absolutely know fantasy from
reality, and they love the adventures he
creates. He’s also incredibly funny in a really
genuine and clever way, and he creates
some extraordinary characters. I think it’s
great writing, and I have no doubt that
people will still be reading his books in a
hundred years time. I think they must have
been classics the moment he put pen to
paper.
So is there a particular Dahl story that you
favour?
I think our forthcoming Christmas show,
James And The Giant Peach, is one that’s
always appealed to us. It was his first story,
so it’s got all the initial ingredients that you
saw expanded on in later stories. What I love
about it is it’s epic. It starts quite domestically,
then the peach ends up flying into the air,
sailing over the ocean and eventually landing
in New York. It’s got a great epic appeal, and
that’s always a great challenge for us as
producers.
There are obviously some great props
needed in the production. Who’s
responsible for those?
I have a fantastic creative team. We’ve got
Colin Richmond, who’s a very experienced
designer - he’s created the most fantastic set.
We’re just working out how we can afford it at
the moment - it’s expensive but it’s absolutely
genius, and if we can put everything on stage
that he’s created in this beautiful model that’s
sitting in our office, then it’s going to be
sensational.
You first presented James And The Giant
Peach more than ten years ago. How will
this latest incarnation differ?
I think it will be very different. As a company,
we’re ten years further on. We’ve got much
more experience and expertise, and we also
have far greater resources. As a company
we’ve come on leaps and bounds, so there
are a lot more possibilities open to us.
So what would you say has been the
highlight in the company’s twenty-year
history?
There have been a lot, which has been
interesting. I would say we’ve had something
wonderful happen every year. From the point
of view of children’s shows, it would have to
be The BFG, The Jungle Book and Horrible
Histories - at the moment we’re having a
tremendous amount of fun with that. Then
you’ve got Skellig and The Firework Maker’s
Daughter. In fact, I think everything we’ve
ever done has been a highlight. It’s all been
very special.
So how long does it take to get a show to
the stage?
Normally, I would say eighteen months.
That’s a lot of work, especially when
you’ve got so many productions showing
at any given time...
Yeah, I don’t really know how we do it. What
we like to do is forward-plan as much as
possible, to avoid getting caught out. We
always try to be ahead of ourselves. As a
company we’ve got quite a good reputation
with the theatres that we tour to, because
we’re always ahead of ourselves and we’re
always the first with the marketing. Every year
we have a theatre phone us asking, “can you
help us out, we don’t know what to do for
Christmas. Can you do something for us?”.
Maybe we’ve hit upon something by having
such a small team. Although it seems so few
of us are doing so much, there’s something
to be said for sitting around a small office
and working together, because we’re
constantly checking up on and knowing what
we’re all doing. Again, I also think it’s a virtue
of having no funding. There’s no safety net;
no one to bail us out if anything goes wrong.
Twenty years in, how would you
summarise the secret of your success?
I would like to think it’s because we produce
very good productions, and that when our
audiences put their hard-earned cash on the
counter to purchase a ticket for one of our
shows, they know they’re going to get
something special. My major aim is for
interview...
people to leave the theatre feeling different;
either happier or more reflective, or having a
better understanding of themselves, or
knowing something that they hadn’t known
two hours earlier when they walked in.
Do you think the public are now more
switched on about what they want to see?
The only thing we’ve found over the last few
years is that people are more inclined to go
and see what they really know well, rather
than take a risk on things they don’t know so
well. It’s a shame, as there’s a lot of
wonderful stuff out there which isn’t
necessarily well known, but I think because
of the recession, people are taking fewer
risks in terms of what they choose to see.
Which is the company’s most toured
production?
It has to be George’s Marvellous Medicine,
which we’ve been doing since 1995. I think
we’ve done about eight or nine productions,
and it never fails to delight. It’s such a
fantastic story, and we never get bored of it.
In fact, we’re doing it in Cambridge this
Christmas, and we just know it’s going to be
a fantastic experience. It’s just a faultless
piece of theatre.
How do you personally select pieces to
perform?
I choose the play first, and if I think there’s a
great part for me, I choose to be in it. I
choose plays very much on the basis of what
I think it will do to the audience. Will it take
them on a journey that’s worth going on? Will
they have felt that they’ve ‘gone somewhere’
by the end of the show? My test for knowing
whether a theatre production has worked is
whether the audience felt they had left the
theatre and journeyed into the world they
saw before them.
So looking ahead, what have you got
planned for 2013?
Horrible Histories and James And The Giant
Peach continue to tour, and Barmy Britain will
continue in the West End. Then we’ll have
some new programming towards the end of
the year. We’ve also got a few international
dates, with Horrible Histories going to Hong
Kong and Singapore, Australia and maybe
New Zealand.
How does it travel?
Brilliantly. They absolutely love it, and I love
foreign audiences. They’re so engaged, have
such a great time and are always willing to
take part. We’re also about to take Horrible
Histories to Dubai, Bahrain and Abu Dhabi,
and I kind of know already that it’s going to
be fantastic.
You’re very well travelled as a company both internationally and throughout the UK
- so how does the Midlands compare as a
theatre destination?
Very well. I think we’re nicely spoilt in the
Midlands with what we’ve got, and
Birmingham is still the theatre that I most
enjoy coming back to. It’s still our home.
Birmingham Stage Company present James
And The Giant Peach at The Old Rep,
Birmingham from Wednesday 14 November
to Saturday 2 February 2013
Music November_Layout 1 29/10/2012 14:15 Page 1
Music
Bat For Lashes
HMV Institute, Birmingham, Thurs 1 November
Making a mark with her unique sartorial and musical style, Natasha Khan has been singing about
love, loss and suffering since the release of debut
album Fur And Gold in 2006. Having followed it up
with the more commercially successful Two Suns in
2009, she’s now back from a three-year hiatus and
boasting a more sophisticated sound. Posing nude
for the cover of The Haunted Man, Khan has said
she chose a "specifically unsexy pose" to make a
point about the music industry's treatment of female artists.
Elbow
Rizzle Kicks
O2 Academy, Birmingham,
Sat 17 - Sun 18 November
Having the dubious honour of being the second
most illegally downloaded act in the UK (behind Ed
Sheeran), youngsters Jordan ‘Rizzle’ Stephens and
Harley ‘Sylvester’ Alexander-Sule are on the road
again. Playing two Birmingham dates on a tour that
takes them across the UK and Europe, the Mama
Do The Hump stars have recently recorded a comedy track with DJ Chris Moyles. Spending eight
weeks in the top-twenty with their hit single Down
With The Trumpets and scooping three MOBO
nominations, the twenty-year-olds have had a busy
year.
National Indoor Arena, Birmingham, Wed 28 November
British band Elbow have played together since 1990, picking up the 2008 Mercury Music
Prize for their album The Seldom Seen Kid. In 2012, the group released First Steps, the
BBC theme for the London Olympics. Originally called Mr Soft, their music embraces various genres, including indie rock, art rock, new prog, post-Britpop and, most evidently, alternative rock.
Emeli Sandé
Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Thurs 8 November
If you’re not ‘in the know’ about Emeli Sandé, the fact that she performed at both the
opening and closing ceremonies of the London 2012 Olympics offers excellent evidence
of her current high standing in the music industry. The Scottish recording artist and songwriter first came to public attention in 2009 when she featured on rapper Chipmunk’s Diamond Rings track, after which she contributed to rapper Wiley’s Never Be Your Woman
before finally releasing her first solo single, Heaven, in August 2011. As well as her career
as a singer, Emeli has also written for numerous artists (including Cher Lloyd, Susan
Boyle, Gabrielle, Leona Lewis, Alesha Dixon, Cheryl Cole and Tinie Tempah) and has
even been called “my favourite songwriter” by no less a Godlike entity than Mr Simon
Cowell. Expect ever-greater things from Ms Sandé in the years to come...
The Wedding Present
O2 Academy, Birmingham, Thurs 15 November;
The Assembly, Leamington Spa, Tues 20 November
British indie rock group The Wedding Present have
been gigging since 1985, when the group was
formed following the demise of the Lost Pandas.
With influences including The Fall, Buzzcocks and
Gang Of Four, the band is best known for playing
fast-paced indie rock. There’ve been numerous
line-up changes down the years, with vocalist and
guitarist David Gedge having been the band's only
constant member.
Music PREVIEWS
Madina Lake
Kasbah, Coventry, Sat 24 November;
HMV Institute, Birmingham, Fri 30 November
Hailing from Chicago, Illinois, this highly
rated quartet was formed by identical twin
brothers Nathan and Matthew Leone. Creating first band The Blank Theory in 1998, the
brothers then won US TV show Fear Factor,
the $50,000 prize money from which helped
them set up Madina Lake. This seven-date
Trilogy Finale Tour sees the band playing
their From Them, Through Us, To You album
from start to finish, as well as a range of other
material. Red Jumpsuit Apparatus supports.
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National Indoor Arena, Birmingham, Thursday 8 November
Terri Walker
The Drum, Birmingham, Sun 25 November
Born Chanelle Gstettenbauer but thankfully
changing her name to the more easily pronounceable Terri Walker, this highly rated
singer-songwriter specialises in R&B, soul,
neo soul, hip-hop soul and UK garage. Releasing her debut album, Untitled, in 2003 to
great critical acclaim, Walker has since gone
on to cut three more albums, 2005’s L.O.V.E,
2006’s I Am, and last year’s Walk With Me, as
well as providing the majority of the vocals for
Shanks & Bigfoot's debut album Swings &
Roundabouts.
Founded in Arkansas in 1995 by singer/pianist Amy Lee and guitarist Ben Moody, rock band
Evanescence enjoyed a staggering success with their debut album Fallen (from which came
best-known hit Bring Me To Life), racking up no fewer than seventeen million sales worldwide
and winning a pair of Grammy Awards into the bargain. The band have undergone numerous
line-up changes since that initial success, but continue to strike all the right ‘dark rock’ chords
with their dedicated legion of fans. They’re joined for their Birmingham gig by Utah-based
band The Used.
Spiritualized
Martyn Joseph
Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry,
Sunday 4 November
Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Wed 7 November; Huntingdon Hall, Worcester, Thurs 29
November
Formed in Rugby by Jason Pierce, aka
J.Spaceman, after the fall of his previous
band Spaceman 3, Spiritualized has been
playing psychedelic trance music since 1990.
Recently released seventh album Sweet
Heart And Sweet Light made the UK toptwenty, and has been described as ‘bruised
and tender, yet genuinely radiant’. Having
played festivals including
Wilderness and Bestival this
summer, the band returns
to the touring circuit with six
UK gigs. Support on the
night comes from Roy and
the Devil’s Motorcycle.
Welsh singer-songwriter Martyn Joseph is
best known for his lyrics of protest and social
lament, presented against a backdrop of
Celtic and folk music. "I can’t decide whether
I’m primarily a musician or an activist,” says
Joseph. “I guess it’s all part and parcel of the
same thing for me.” Independently releasing
his first studio album, I'm Only Beginning, in
1983, his career has not only spanned thirtyodd years but also three different labels Sony, Grapevine and his own Pipe Records.
He continues to tour extensively, both in the
UK and abroad.
The Staves
Hare & Hounds, Birmingham,
Wednesday 28 November
Ben Howard
O2 Academy, Birmingham, Sat 24 November
Raised by musical parents in picturesque
Devon, Ben Howard is strongly influenced by
artists from the 1960s and ’70s, including
Joni Mitchell and Bob Dylan. Unusually quiet
when it comes to the media and interviews,
almost all of his success has come from constant touring, word
of mouth and a
hardworking street
team. Ben is
closely associated
with the surfing
scene, and believes the travelling
nature of surflovers has played
an important role in
spreading the
word.
Acoustic folk rock group The Staves comprise three sisters from Watford - Emily, Jessica and Camilla. The trio appeared on Tom
Jones’ 2010 album Praise And Blame and
then on Fionn Regan's third album, 100 Acres
Of Sycamore. Other career highlights have
included supporting Bon Iver on their 2012
tour of the US and Canada, and performing
with The Civil Wars - a gig which brought
them to public attention in America for the
first time.
Ian Parker
The Jam House, Birmingham,
Tuesday 6 November; The Robin, Bilston,
Sun 16 December
Boasting a distinctive bitter-sweet vocal delivery and a penchant for writing brutally honest
lyrics, Ian Parker was born in Birmingham
and brought up in Stourbridge. Ian began
playing the guitar at the age of eight, having
been inspired by The Beatles, and released
his debut album, Inside, in 2003 (at the age
of twenty-seven). His musical genres include
blue-eyed soul, folk rock, blues-rock and
acoustic rock.
Music PREVIEWS
The Civil Wars
Thursday 8 November
Spellbinding singer-songwriters Joy Williams
and John Paul White are fairly new to the
game of being, er, spellbinding singer-songwriters, but they’ve wasted no time in creating a great big splash in the rough, tough
world of the music industry. The talented USborn pair have bagged not only one but two
coveted Grammy Awards, picking up the
2012 gongs for Best Folk Album and Best
Country Duo/Group Performance. Debut
album Barton Hollow has garnered plenty of
praise, and with Joy and John’s stated interest being in writing and performing songs
about ‘the good, the bad and the ugly of relationships’, it looks like the duo have got more
than enough left in their locker to ensure that
they’ll continue to cause a significant stir in
the months and years ahead.
Marilyn Manson National Indoor Arena, Thurs 29 November
A double dose of shock rock is on the menu when the self-proclaimed God Of F*** joins
forces with Rob Zombie for this Midlands gig. Christened with the far-from-shock-rock name of
Brian, Marilyn Manson’s name-change saw him juxtaposing the names of 1960s American cultural icons Marilyn Monroe and serial killer Charles Manson. He also decided to juxtapose outrageous visual and vocal styles, his celebrity then being further enhanced by his penchant for
controversial lyrics (not to mention by the aforementioned decision to dub himself the God Of
F***, a title that’s always likely to cause a bit of a stir!).
Steel Panther
Civic Hall, Wolverhampton, Tues 6 November
Profane and humorous lyrics are the name of
the game as far as Steel Panther are concerned, although they’re pretty heavily into
presenting exaggerated on-stage personas
too, reimagining and parodying the glam
metal music and lifestyle of the 1980s. The
band hails from Los Angeles and, at the time
of writing, have released three albums.
Trampled By Turtles
Yashin
Hare & Hounds, Birmingham,
Sunday 18 November
The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton,
Thurs 15 November
Hailing from Duluth, Minnesota, this indie folk
band is most famous for both their fast-paced
songs and plaintive ballads. Notorious for
playing high-energy concerts, they’ve cited
Townes Van Zant, Bob Dylan, Neil Young and
Ralph Stanley as inspirations. The multi-instrumentalists’ genre-defying songs explore
love, life and the everyday, and feature both
old-time and orchestral harmonies, as well as
plenty of banjo frolics. Following on from a
summer show at Lollapalooza, they appear in
Birmingham as part of their first ever UK and
Ireland tour.
When school friends Paul Travers (guitarist)
and Andrew McShane (bassist) discovered
that they had similar music tastes to Andrew’s university pal Michael Rice (vocalist),
it seemed sensible for the three of them to
think about forming a band. Drummer David
Beaton was added to the musical mix and
Glaswegian post-hardcore band Yashin was
formed. The boys quickly built up a considerable following, thanks in the main to their
time on tour with fellow Scottish band Flood
Of Red, and followed up with two EPs in 2008
- Pay To Play and Miles Away But Getting
Closer. Rice opted out in the autumn of that
year, and was replaced by Harry Radford and
Kevin Miles, after which the group released
its debut album Put Your Hands Where I Can
See Them.
Spector
The Sugarmill, Stoke-on-Trent,
Sat 3 November; HMV Institute, Birmingham,
Wed 7 November; Kasbah, Coventry, Sat 15
December
Megson
The Hive, Shrewsbury, Sun 11 November
Since releasing first album On The Side in
2004, husband-and-wife team Stu and Debbie Hanna have gone on to develop an enviable reputation on the English folk music
circuit. The duo have been hailed as both
fresh and innovative (a description which is
hardly surprising given that Debbie is classically trained and Stu’s a former punk!) and
specialise in self-composed melodies which
bring together intimate harmony singing and
multi-instrumental acoustic playing.
London-formed five-piece indie rock band
Spector have been described as "somewhere
between Roxy Music and the Strokes, The
Killers and Kanye West, Pulp and Frank Sinatra". It’s also been said that they’re "reminiscent of The Walkmen mainlined into The
Killers’ chugga-train drive". The band's debut
album, Enjoy It While It Lasts, reached number twelve in the UK albums chart, going to
number one on the Official Record Store
Chart during the week of its release.
Dreadzone
The Robin, Bilston, Fri 23 November
Presenting an eclectic fusion of dub, reggae,
techno, folk and rock music, Dreadzone
formed in 1993, during their early years employing backing vocalists who included
Melanie Blatt, Denise van Outen and Alison
Goldfrapp. Their second album, 1994’s Second Light, was championed by the legendary
John Peel, who cited it as one of his favourite
albums of all time.
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*Excludes Saturdays.
s
See web site for full term
.
ons
diti
con
and
DRESS TO PARTY
www.duellingpianobars.co.uk
0121 695 9206.
email: [email protected]
Regency Wharf, Broad Street, Birmingham B1 2DS
DuellingPianoBars
@Duelling_Pianos
featuring Aly Bain/Kieran
Goss/Jack McNeil & Charlie
Heys/Lucy Ward/The Lock
In - Pint Size with Damien Barber ...plus much more!
Tickets: Full festival (including workshops) £48/£45 concessions/£41 members/£30 students, Friday evening
£12/£11 concessions/£10 members/£8
students, Saturday afternoon FREE,
Saturday evening £18/£17 concessions/£16 members/£11 students, Sunday evening £22/£21 concessions/£20
members/£14 students, Sunday full
day (including workshops) £28/£27
concessions/£26 members/£17 students
Sun 11th Nov, 8.00pm
PAUL COX &
CHARLIE FABERT
Tickets: £12/£11 concs
/£10 members/ £7 students
Sat 17th Nov, 7.30pm
GARRICK THEATRE
THE LOCK IN
TIME GENTLEMEN PLEASE
SHOW FEATURING
DAMIEN BARBER
Tickets: £14/£13 concs
/£12 members/ £7 students
Sun 18th Nov, 8.00pm
LAURA ZAKIAN
Tickets: £12/£11 concs/£10 members/£7 students
Fri 23rd Nov, 8.30pm
THE MONSTER
CEILIDH BAND
Tickets: £10/£9 concs/
£8 members/£6 students
Sat 24th Nov, 8.00pm
THE PRODUCERS
Tickets: £12/£11 concs/£10 members/£7 students
ARTRIX,
BROMSGROVE
OAKENGATES THEATRE
@ THE PLACE
THEATRE ON THE
STEPS, BRIDGNORTH
TICKETS : £16.50*
TICKETS : £15*
TICKETS : £17*
Sat 10 & Sun 11 Nov
01527 577330
Sat 24 Nov, 7.30pm
01952 382382
Fri 7 & Sat 8 Dec
01746 763257
www.atrix.co.uk
www.theplacetelford.co.uk
www.theatreonthesteps.co.uk
* booking charges may apply
For a programme or further information contact:
Donegal House, Bore Street, Lichfield. WS13 6LU
BOX OFFICE 01543 262223
www.lichfieldarts.org.uk
You can now book on-line www.lichfieldarts.org.uk
Music GIG REVIEWS
Music LISTINGS
For further reviews, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk
For full listing information on gigs,
including times and dates, visit
Ultravox
Symphony Hall, Birmingham
To compliment the release of Brilliant
earlier this year - the first new album for
nearly two decades from messrs Ure,
Cann, Currie and Cross - and the release of their similarly titled new single,
Ultravox last month played the Midlands
to the obvious delight of their fans. Kicking straight off with the new single, they
Midge Ure
then performed the track New Europeans from the Vienna album. The set
included such classics as Vienna, Hymn, Dancing With Tears In My
Eyes and Reap The Wild Wind, as well as seven tracks from the new
album. All were greeted with great enthusiasm by the audience - although the band’s interaction with their fans was far less in evidence
than during their gigs on previous tours. Closing track Contact
seemed a curious choice with which to finish, feeling somewhat out
of context with the rest of the more-upbeat selection of songs, but all
in all, this was a great night out for loyal fans of Ultravox.
Peter Ward ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Kelly Clarkson
LG Arena, Birmingham
“I’ve been in this industry for ten years,”
said Grammy-winning Kelly Clarkson on
more than one occasion at the LG, the
latest stop-off on her Stronger arena
tour. While it’s difficult to believe that a
decade has flown by since she won the
first American Idol in 2002, Clarkson’s
polished, powerful vocals, not to mention confident, breezy interaction with
her adoring fans, offered plenty of evidence that she is nowadays a highly experienced performer who’s
well-accustomed to commanding the stage. There were belting pop
ballads aplenty, including Since You’ve Been Gone, Mr Know It All,
latest release Catch My Breath and the self-penned Because Of You,
while ‘the overcoming of adversity’ was a constant theme of her
back-catalogue selection (her Greatest Hits-Chapter One album is
out at the end of 2012). Kelly was, however, quick to point out that
she embraces many a genre of music, and among cover songs
(which included a rather good version of Fun’s We Are Young) even
paid tribute to Brummie band Black Sabbath with a rendition of their
hit Changes. A country ‘duet’ of Don’t You Wanna Stay was also
served up, courtesy of a larger-than-life hologram of Jason Aldean.
But the highlight of the night, and returning once again to that all-important Clarkson theme of empowerment, was closing song
Stronger, which brought the entire audience to its feet.
Claire Lloyd ■ ■ ■ ■■
Katie Melua
Appearing from behind the rich red velvet curtain, a tiny woman dressed in a
black flamenco-style outfit walked on
stage. The small lady with the big voice
then played Piece By Piece, a haunting,
touching start to the evening, with just
her guitar for company. Katie was then
joined by her Secret Symphony string
quartet for renditions of If I Were A Sailboat, I’d Love To Kill You and Closest
Thing To Crazy. The simplicity of the arrangements and the sweet
sound of the strings were sublime. Then, with a band behind her,
stand-out tracks The Flood, The Night I Dreamed I Was Awake and
Two Left Feet showed off her ability to move from cabaret singer to
diva. Once again alone, she closed with audience requests Spiders
Web and I Cried For You, and showed yet again why she’s one of
the UK’s best selling artists. Alev Dervish ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
THUR 1 NOV
THE DRIFTERS Palace
Theatre, Redditch
SHAM 69 The Robin, Bilston
MARTY WILDE'S ROCK 'N'
ROLL PARTY Victoria
Hall, Hanley, Stoke-onTrent
BRENDAN SHINE The
Place, Oakengates Theatre, Telford
LOSTPROPHETS Civic
Hall, Wolverhampton
STARS IN YOUR EYES
Four vocalists pay homage to some of the
worlds biggest musical
stars, including Barbra
Streisand, Michael
Buble, Tina Turner and
Rod Stewart, Prince Of
Wales Centre, Cannock
SAM KELLY The Rainbow, Birmingham
WAYNE SHORTER QUARTET Birmingham Town
Hall
TERRA NAOMI HMV Institute, Birmimngham
BAT FOR LASHES HMV Institute, Birmingham
THE SUBS The Jam
House, Birmingham
TO KILL A KING, LULU &
FITZ Hare & Hounds,
Birmingham
TOTOL FOREIGNER The
Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton
INSOLITO, SHE SCREAMS
MURDER, JOSEF AND THE
FRITZIS, DAKOTA RUINS &
SHAES TO FALL O2 Academy, Birmingham
IAN MCCULLOCH The
Sugarmill, Stoke-onTrent
JOSEPHINE FOSTER &
LUCY ANNE SALE Taylor’s
John’s House, Coventry
SPARZANZA, NG26 &
RAISE THE ALARM The
Asylum, Bimingham
THE KILLERS LG Arena,
Birmingham
RAUL D’OLIVEIRA The
Yardbird, Birmingham
FRI 2 NOV
SOLID SOUL The Jam
House, Birmingham
THE CROOKES The Sugarmill, Stoke-on-Trent
DAVID J PLUS VERY SPECIAL GUEST JOE BLACK
The Ballroom, Birmingham
CHARLIE LANDSBOROUGH
Theatre Severn,
Shrewsbury
FRANK & WALTERS HMV
Institute, Birmingham
JASPER IN THE COMPANY
OF OTHERS The Marr's
Bar, Worcester
NO SPRING CHICKEN The
Roadhouse, Birmingham
ROBBIE WILLIAMS TRIBUTE NIGHT Whittlebury
Hall Hotel & Spa
DAVE PEGG'S 65TH BIRTH-
DAY CONCERT FEATURING
FAIRPORT CONVENTION,
THE DYLAN PROJECT AND
ANNA RYDER (SIC) Birmingham Town Hall
THE STORY SO FAR &
GNARWOLVES Kasbah,
Coventry
FRED ZEPPELIN The Public, West Bromwich
TODAY’S TEARDROPS
Tribute to Roy Orbison
and Gene Pitney, Prince
Of Wales Centre, Cannock
JOE BROWN Palace Theatre, Redditch
SABATON Wulfrun Hall,
Wolverhampton
60S GOLD FEATURING
GERRY & THE PACEMAKERS, THE ANIMALS, PJ
PROBY AND CHIP HAWKES
Civic Hall, Wolverhampton
CHRIS FARLOWE Huntingdon Hall, Worcester
A WHOLE LOTTA LED The
THE ELO EXPERIENCE Victoria Hall, Hanley,
Stoke-on-Trent
DARKSIDE PRESENTS THE
FLOYD EXPERIENCE The
Robin, Bilston
THE PHIL BOND QUARTET
INTO THE SHADOWS Forest Arts Centre, Walsall
SILENT FILTER, GREENWOOD PARK, THE
CROOKED EMPIRE &
FIRST CLASS TRAMP O2
Academy, Birmingham
AMONG THE ECHOES
PLUS SPECIAL GUESTS
The Flapper, Birmingham
THE STORY SO FAR &
GNARWOLVES Kasbah.
Coventry
DR TEETH ALBUM LAUNCH
Cox’s Yard, Stratfordupon-Avon
MISTA JAM The Buttermarket, Shrewsbury
EUREKA MACHINES &
DRAG The Asylum, Birmingham
DOC DANEEKA & BENJAMIN DAMAGE Hare &
Hounds, Birmingham
LICHFIELD ROOTS & FOLK
FESTIVAL, Lichfield
Guildhall, Staffordshire
KINGS OV LEON River
Rooms, Stourbridge
SAT 3 NOV
PANDORA'S BOX Warwick
Arts Centre, Coventry
JAZZ MORLEY Taylor
JOE BROWN Palace Theatre, Redditch
THE PROCLAIMERS Warwick Arts Centre,
Coventry
THE JOHNNY CASH ROADSHOW Artrix, Bromsgrove
T-REXTASY The Robin,
Bilston
STICKY WICKET AND HIS 9
PIECE SWING ORCHESTRA
Huntingdon Hall,
Worcester
30H!3 02 Academy,
Birmingham
TWIN ATLANTIC 02 Academy, Birmingham
THE ELO EXPERIENCE
Prince Of Wales Centre,
Cannock
TOO PETTY - TRIBUTE TO
TOM PETTY & THE HEARTBREAKERS Cox's Yard,
Stratford-upon-Avon
THE IDIOT BASTARD BAND
Comic supergroup featuring Ade Edmundson,
Phill Jupitus, Neil Innes
& Rowland Rivron,
Birmingham Town Hall
EUREKA MACHINES The
Marr's Bar, Worcester
BOOTLEG BLONDIE The
Roadhouse, Birmingham
SPECTOR The Sugarmill,
Stoke-on-Trent
93, TOP BUZZ & RATTY..
HMV Institute, Birmingham
GLORY DAYS - BRUCE
SPRINGSTEEN TRIBUTE
The Assembly, Leamington Spa
TRADITIONAL AFRICAN
GOSPEL CONCERT Dudley
Concert Hall
2:54 Sunflower Lounge,
Birmingham
JIM MORAY mac, Birmingham
JD AND THE FDCS,
GLASSGUNS, LIPSHOCK,
EAST TOWN PIRATES &
QUESTIONS OF ANGELS
O2 Academy, Birmingham
ESCAPE IN PARIS, THIS
BURNING AGE, BOLSHIRE
& THE SCRIBERS The
Ballroom, Birmingham
ENEI ALBUM TOUR Hare
& Hounds, Birmingham
SOLID SOUL The Jam
House, Birmingham
THE COMMANDMENTS
The River Rooms,
Stourbridge
SUN 4 NOV
THE BIG BAND Crewe
Lyceum
FOREVER IN BLUE JEANS
Theatre Severn,
Shrewsbury
METAL HAMMER RAZOR
TOUR FEATURING DEVIL
SOLD HIS SOUL, HEIGHTS,
HEART OF A COWARD AND
STEAK NUMBER EIGHT 02
Academy, Birmingham
I O EARTH The Robin,
Bilston
SPIRITUALIZED Warwick
PETER KNIGHT’S
GIGSPANNER Kitchen
Garden Cafe, Kings
Heath, Birmingham
JOSHUA JAMES The
Yardbird, Shrewsbury
CHRIS HELME Hare &
Hounds, Birmingham
THE BOTS WITH YOUTH
MAN The Flapper, Birmingham
PHANTOM LIMB The Ironworks, Oswestry, North
Shropshire
THINK BIG TOUR O2
Academy, Birmingham
MON 5 NOV
DAVID ESSEX Symphony
Music LISTINGS
For full listing information on gigs
including, times and dates, visit
Hall, Birmingham
MOTORHEAD Civic Hall,
Wolverhampton
THE TWANG Wulfrun
Hall, Wolverhampton
INGRID MICHAELSON The
Glee Club, Birmingham
OH SLEEPER O2 Academy, Birmingham
THE CRIBS The Assembly, Leamington Spa
TUES 6 NOV
BROADWAY PLUS VIOLET,
ATLANTIS & AURORA The
CRIBS HMV Institute,
Birmingham
SAINT SAVIOUR The
IAN PARKER The Jam
House, Birmingham
THE PROCLAIMERS Birmingham Town Hall
MARTIN STEPHENSON
Solihull Arts Complex
BATES & MCBAIN - ECLECTIC COLLECTION FEATURING FORMER ELO2
FRONTMAN PHIL BATES
AND TINA MCBAIN Lichfield Garrick
KRISTINA TRAIN The
CLAUDIA BRUCKEN 02
Academy, Birmingham
ROLLING BACK THE
YEARS Dudley Concert
Hall
BELLOWHEAD Wulfrun
Hall, Wolverhampton
STEEL PANTHER Civic
Hall, Wolverhampton
NIGHTWISH 02 Academy, Birmingham
JAMIE SMITH’S MABON
Huntingdon Hall,
Worcester
GONG The Robin, Bilston
ALEX WILSON'S JAZZ TRIO
Warwick Arts Centre,
Coventry
KERRY ELLIS & BRIAN
MAY The Assembly,
Leamington Spa
SAVAGES The Rainbow,
Birmingham
BRASSTRONAUT John
Taylor’s House, Coven-
try
THE BORN FREE TOUR
The Assembly, Leamington
MABON Huntingdon
Hall, Worcester
ROLLING BACK THE
YEARS Dudley Concert
Hall
WED 7 NOV
SANDI THOM The Robin,
Bilston
MIKE PETERS 02 Academy, Birmingham
MARTY WILDE'S ROCK 'N'
ROLL New Alexandra
Theatre, Birmingham
PUNCH BROTHERS 02
Academy
CHICAGO BLUES BROTHERS Crewe Lyceum
MARTYN JOSEPH Theatre
Severn, Shrewsbury
A SKYLIT DRIVE The Sugarmill, Stoke-on-Trent
HOODED FANG Hare &
Hounds, Birmingham
SPECTOR, SWIM DEEP &
SPLASH! HMV Institute,
Birmingham
THE SOUNDS OF SIMON SIMON & GARFUNKEL
TRIBUTE Kitchen Garden
Cafe, Kings Heath,
Birmingham
JACK WHITE O2 Academy, Birmingham
JIM CAUSLEY & JENN
WITTS The Red Lion,
Kings Heath, Birmingham
KREG VIESSELMAN &
CLIFF HANDS Taylor
ANDY OLIVERI & HEINZSIGHT The Yardbird,
Birmingham
\ THUR
8 NOV
EDDIE AND THE HOT RODS
The Roadhouse, Birmingham
CONOR MAYNARD HMV
JAZZ MORLEY The Slade
Rooms, Wolverhampton
THE OFFICIAL RECEIVERS
BAND The Jam House,
Birmingham
DEAF HAVANA Kasbah,
Coventry
EVANESCENCE National
Indoor Arena, Birmingham
SNARKY PUPPY Hare &
Hounds, Birmingham
RALPH MCTELL Huntingdon Hall, Worcester
EMELI SANDE Symphony
Hall, Birmingham
EASY STAR ALL-STARS
The Robin, Bilston
JOOLS HOLLAND & HIS
RHYTHM & BLUES ORCHESTRA Victoria Hall,
Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent
THE CIVIL WARS Warwick
FRR LIVE, TRIVAX, GLASS
BULLET, EYES WIDE OPEN
& EDGE OF REASON O2
Academy, Birmingham
LARRY MCRAY BAND
Hare & Hounds, B’ham
CATFISH KEITH The Ironworks, Oswestry, North
Shropshire
DEAF HAVANA, CANTERBURY & THERE FOR TOMORROW Kasbah,
Coventry
CHRISTIAN KANE & BRIAN
NUTTER The Asylum,
Birmingham
HOLLY THOMAS The
ROB BARRON TRIO Bramall Music Building
Foyer, Barber Institute,
Birmingham
FRI 9 NOV
ROY ORBISON AND
FRIENDS Stratford Civic
Hall
THE ROYAL SOUTHERN
BROTHERHOOD The
Robin, Bilston
LET'S HANG ON - THE
MUSIC OF FRANKI VALI &
THE FOUR SEASONS The
MAYBESHEWILL 02 Academy, Birmingham
ONE NIGHT IN VEGAS
Crewe Lyceum
ONCE IN A LIFETIME FEATURING DAVID CASSIDY,
LEO SAYER, HOT CHOCOLATE AND SMOKIE LG
Arena, Birmingham
COLVIN QUARMBY PLUS
KEVIN O'REGAN BAND
Cox's Yard, Stratfordupon-Avon
MR BEN The Jam
House, Birmingham
GREG WILSON Hare &
Hounds, Birmingham
IAN MCNABB The Slade
HOLOGRAMS PLUS SUPPORT FROM EAGULLS
Hare & Hounds, B’ham
DEVLIN, KREPT & KONAN
MAXIMO PARK HMV Institute, Birmingham
HARDRIDE The Roadhouse, Birmingham
KEEP IT CASH - TRIBUTE
TO JOHNNY CASH The
SPICE GIRLS TRIBUTE
NIGHT Whittlebury Hall
Hotel & Spa
MELINGO mac, Birmingham
VAULT OF EAGLES, THIS
WICKED TONGUE & MANSIZE The Rainbow, Birmingham
BOMBSQUAD The Temple
@ The HMV Institute,
Birmingham
A CELEBRATION OF NEIL
DIAMOND Performed by
Wayne Denton, Tamworth Assembly Rooms
SAM AND THE WOMP 02
Academy, Birmingham
A SKYLIT DRIVE, OCEANS
ATE ALASKA & AURORA
The Asylum, Birmingham
THE SUPERSKAS
Newhampton Arts Centre, Wolverhampton
THE COUNTERFEIT
STONES The Roses,
Tewksbury
OASIS V THE STONE
ROSES The River
Rooms, Stourbridge
SAT 10 NOV
THE SKYNYRD EXPERIENCE The Marr's Bar,
Worcester
ROCK SOUND RIOT 2012
FROM THE JAM
MR BEN The Jam
House, Birmingham
DINGUS KHAN The Sugarmill, Stoke-on-Trent
THE KINX Cox's Yard,
Stratford-upon-Avon
TAKE IT EASY - EAGLES
TRIBUTE BAND Bloxwich
Library Theatre
HOPSIN 02 Academy,
Birmingham
MUSICAL PICNIC: SOUZA
WINDS Symphony Hall,
Birmingham
GORDON HENDRICKS IS
ELVIS Artrix, Bromsgrove
WIDE EYED & HEAVY
WAVES Sunflower
Lounge, Birmingham
TUNGSTEN DEAD BEATS,
FRAMED, CAL 22 & THE
PROSPECTS O2 Academy, Birmingham
HOT CLUB DE SWING &
THE ELECTRIC SWING CIRCUS COMES HOME Hare
& Hounds, Birmingham
PRIMER The Flapper,
Birmingham
LUCY ROSE Kasbah,
Coventry
DIANE SHAW The Buttermarket, Shrewsbury
ABSOLVA The Asylum,
Birmingham
THE SOUL SURVIVORS
The River Rooms,
Stourbridge
KATHRYN ROBERTS &
SEAN LAKEMAN
Newhampton Arts Centre, Wolverhampton
SAD CAFE Robin 2, Bilston
SUN 11 NOV
GORDON HENDRICKS IS
ELVIS Artrix, Bromsgrove
LANDMARQ The Robin,
Bilston
PAUL COX & CHARLIE
FABERT Lichfield Guildhall
COHEED AND CAMBRIA 02
Academy, Birmingham
THE LIVE BOX FEATURING
THE ARUAN ORTIZ &
MICHAEL JANISCH QUINTET Hare & Hounds,
Birmingham
MATRACA BERG The Assembly, Leamington
Spa
STIFF LITTLE FINGERS
The Slade Rooms,
Wolverhampton
ARCHITECTS, DEEZ NUTS,
BURY TOMORROW & ACACIA STRAIN HMV Institute, Birmingham
AMY CAN FLYY The Ballroom, Birmingham
MAGGIE BOYLE WITH
PAUL DOWNES Kitchen
Garden Cafe, Kings
Heath, Birmingham
SEA OF BEES & BARBAROSSA Hare &
Hounds, Birmingham
SILENT FILTER, LAUREN
PRYKE, BRAINS FOR
BREAKFAST, WINSTON’S
BIG BROTHER, ALICE
COLEY & ABILENE O2
Academy, Birmingham
WE ARE THE OCEAN, BOY
JUMPS SHIPS & THE HIDING PLACE The Sugarmill, Stoke-on-Trent
MEGSON The Hive,
Shrewsbury
MON 12 NOV
JAKE BUGG, FINDLAY &
TOM ODELL HMV Institute, Birmingham
THE BOOTLEG SIXTIES
WITH THE OVERTURES
Belgrade Theatre,
Coventry
GOJIRA The Slade
RACHEL SAGE Kitchen
Garden Cafe, Kings
Heath, Birmingham
MARCUS FOSTER & SPECIAL GUEST Hare &
Hounds, Birmingham
ICONS OF COUNTRY Tamworth Assembly Rooms
STEALING SHEEP Kasbah, Coventry
AMY CAN FLYY The Ballroom, Birmingham
HADDO - FOLK MUSIC
FROM THE BRITISH ISLES
The Lion Hotel, Shrewsbury
TUES 13 NOV
FOCUS The Robin, Bilston
ADAM ANT & THE GOOD,
MAD AND THE LOVELY
POSSE Victoria Hall,
YOUNG MAN & SPECIAL
GUESTS The Rainbow,
Birmingham
BUCK 65 HMV Institute,
Birmingham
CHRIS BOWDEN QUARTET
The Jam House, Birmingham
POLLY & THE BILLETS
DOUX Kitchen Garden
Cafe, Kings Heath,
Birmingham
SAINT SAVIOUR & WALL
Hare & Hounds, Birmingham
REVOKER, SACRED
MOTHER TONGUE & CYTOTA O2 Academy,
Birmingham
WED 14 NOV
THE STYLISTICS The Jam
House, Birmingham
ROYAL REPUBLIC The
PARKWAY DRIVE The
DJ FRESH (LIVE) HMV Institute, Birmingham
SUPERSILENT FEAT. JOHN
PAUL JONES & LUCIDA
GRANDE Birmingham
Town Hall
JOHN WILLIAMS AND
JOHN ETHERIDGE
Malvern Theatres
KIERAN GOSS Stafford
Gatehouse Theatre
SLADE AND SWEET New
Alexandra Theatre,
Birmingham
DAVID ESSEX Victoria
BILLY WALTON BAND The
Robin, Bilston
JAZZ MORLEY Hare &
Hounds, Birmingham
SAM CARTER The Red
Lion, Kings Heath,
Birmingham
JACQUI DANKWORTH &
DAVOD GORDON St
Chad’s Church,
Shrewsbury
ULI JON ROTH BAND The
River Rooms, Stourbridge
THUR 15 NOV
FOR THOSE ABOUT TO
ROCK FEATURING
LIVEWIRE THE AC/DC
SHOW AND THE ZZ TOPS
The Robin, Bilston
THE SENSATIONAL 60'S
EXPERIENCE FEATURING
THE TREMELOES, MARMALADE & THE DREAMERS Victoria Hall,
ELIZA SHADDAD Symphony Hall, Birmingham
THE WEDDING PRESENT
02 Academy, Birmingham
THE LEGENDS OF SWING
Lichfield Garrick
THE STYLISTICS Lichfield
Garrick
MAD DOG MCREA &
COSMO JARVIS HMV Institute, Birmingham
UGLY DUCKLING The Ballroom, Birmingham
BAND OF HORSES HMV
YASHIN PLUS DEAR SUPERSTAR, HATE THE FAITH
AND ENVY OF THE STATE
The Slade Rooms,
Wolverhampton
SOUL PATCH The Jam
House, Birmingham
BELLOWHEAD The Assembly, Leamington Spa
BONZO DOG DOO DAH
BAND The Queen's Hall,
Nuneaton
F****D UP & SPECIAL
GUESTS The Rainbow,
Birmingham
ALUNAGEORGE Hare &
Hounds, Birmingham
THE BLACK MIRRORS, SIX
TOWNS, THE RUBY DUKES
& THE DISCLOSURE PROJECT The Sugarmill,
Stoke-on-Trent
CLUB SMITH PLUS SUPPORT The Flapper, Birmingham
KREG VIESSELMAN The
Ironworks, Oswestry,
North Shropshire
VEXXEN & MOODY
BOMBER O2 Academy,
Birmingham
CLUB SMITH Flapper,
Birmingham
KIDS WE USED TO BE, WE
ARE SAVIOURS, ALL
THOUGHT OUT & LAUREN
PRYKE The Roadhouse,
Birmingham
A BLAST WITH FINE ARTS
BRASS Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa
THE CHRISTIANS The
Roses, Tewksbury
FRI 16 NOV
ARENA The Assembly,
Leamington Spa
REVIVAL TOUR 2012 FEATURING CHUCK RAGAN,
CORY BRANAN, EMILY
BARKER, JAY MALINOWSKI,
AND ROCKY VOTOLATO The
BLOOD ON THE DANCEFLOOR, IT BOYS & THE
OCEAN’S EYE HMV Institute, Birmingham
MENTALLICA The Roadhouse, Birmingham
CHINA CRISIS Cox's Yard,
Stratford-upon-Avon
PETER HOOK AND THE
LIGHT Kasbah, Coventry
EZIO The Glee Club,
Birmingham
THE UPBEAT BEATLES Solihull Arts Complex
STUDIO UNPLUGGED Solihull Arts Complex
THE ALBION BAND Huntingdon Hall, Worcester
SPUNGE 02 Academy,
Birmingham
THE ILLEGAL EAGLES Victoria Hall, Hanley, Stokeon-Trent
GERRY MCAVOY'S BAND
OF FRIENDS The Robin,
Bilston
CUSP Symphony Hall,
Birmingham
BOMBSQUAD HMV Institute, Birmingham
GENTLEMAN’S DUB CLUB
MUMIY TROLL &
ECHOTAPE The Rainbow,
Birmingham
KING CHARLES O2 Academy, Birmingham
NICK PRIDE & THE PIMPTONES WITH THE TITANICS
STEVE CRADOCK The Buttermarket, Shrewsbury
GENTLEMAN’S PISTOLS,
DESERT STORM & DIAMOND LIL The Asylum,
Bimingham
MANY EYES, OCCOEUR &
SEVENTH HORIZON The
BORN IN THE USA The
Roses, Tewksbury
UB40 - LABOUR OF LOVE
Tribute band, The River
Rooms, Stourbridge
SAT 17 NOV
DARKSIDE PRESENTS THE
FLOYD EXPERIENCE
Stafford Gatehouse
Theatre
RUFUS WAINWRIGHT
THE RED LEMONS The
Jam House, Birmingham
THE DUALERS The
Robin, Bilston
JAKE & ELWOOD & THE
BLACK RHINO BAND Victoria Hall, Hanley,
Stoke-on-Trent
RIZZLE KICKS 02 Academy, Birmingham
PINT SHOT RIOTS, DELTA
RHYTHM, MILLION EMPIRE, FOREVER TONIGHT
& GETAWAY CLUB 02
Academy, Birmingham
GLENN MILLER ORCHESTRA Dudley Concert
Hall
CLASSIC CLAPTON Huntingdon Hall, Worcester
PAUL CARRACK Royal
Spa Centre, Leamington Spa
THE SOUNDS OF SIMON A TRIBUTE TO SIMON AND
GARFUNKEL The Place,
Oakengates Theatre,
Telford
ONE NIGHT OF QUEEN Re-
gent Theatre, Hanley,
Stoke-on-Trent
SWING LEGENDS Bedworth Civic Hall
SPEECH DEBELLE HMV
HATS OFF TO LED ZEPLIN
Theatre Severn,
Shrewsbury
TEXAN PEACOCKS Cox's
Yard, Stratford-uponAvon
THE MANFREDS Birmingham Town Hall
THE NOTORIOUS BROTHERS The Roadhouse,
Birmingham
MIKE PETERS WITH SUPPORT FROM JOE SILVA
The Marr's Bar,
Worcester
ADAM ANT & THE GOOD,
MAD AND THE LOVELY
POSSE The Ballroom,
Birmingham
SGT. PEPPER'S ONLY DART
BOARD BAND Dovehouse
Theatre, Solihull
KARNATAKA The Assembly, Leamington Spa
THE CR00KES, HEY
SHOLAY & BLACK MARKET
EMPIRE Sunflower
Lounge, Birmingham
DON LETTS Hare &
Hounds, Birmingham
POST DESCARTES &
JAPANESE FIGHTING FISH
The Flapper, Birmingham
GUNS VS ROSES The Ironworks, Oswestry, North
Shropshire
ENDLESS KNOT Taylor
THE KRYSTALLETTES & JULIAN SMITH Nailcote Hall,
Berkswell, Warwickshire
GRIMPEN MIRE, SLABDRAGGER & UNDERSMILE
ANNIE MAC PRESENTS...
The Rainbow, Birmingham
PAPER TIGERS The Sugar
Mill, Hanley, Stoke-OnTrent
HENNA Newhampton
Arts Centre, Wolverhampton
AC/DC - DIRTY DC The
SUN 18 NOV
TRAMPLED BY TURTLES
RIZZLE KICKS 02 Academy, Birmingham
ZAPPA PLAYS ZAPPA Birm-
ingham Town Hall
THE BACHELORS Crewe
Lyceum
LAURA ZAKIAN Lichfield
Guildhall
SEETHER 02 Academy,
Birmingham
LA SHARK 02 Academy,
Birmingham
THE STRAWBS The Robin,
Bilston
HORSE, WITH FULL BAND
mac, Birmingham
WOODEN HORSE Kitchen
Garden Cafe, Kings
Heath, Birmingham
STRAIGHT ON RED Cox’s
Yard, Stratford
STARS AND FLIGHTS, LUNA
KISS, DRONES & THE LION
MON 19 NOV
JOAN ARMATRADING Victoria Hall, Hanley,
Stoke-on-Trent
PASSION PIT, CHURCHES
& CHAD VALLEY HMV Institute, Birmingham
JUAN ZELEDA, BENJAMIN
OWEN & JOE KARCHUD
02 Academy, Birmingham
GREG LAKE New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham
TYLER JAMES The Glee
Club, Birmingham
MYSTERY JETS HMV Institute, Birmingham
PINK MOON BY NICK
DRAKE Kitchen Garden
Cafe, Kings Heath,
Birmingham
TUES 20 NOV
THE WEDDING PRESENT
JULIE DEXTER The Jam
House, Birmingham
BUDDY HOLLY & THE
CRICKETERS Theatre
Severn, Shrewsbury
SOWETO KINCH TRIO Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury
PACO PENA: QUIMERAS
DIRTY THREE The Glee
Club, Birmingham
JACK DEJOHNETTE QUINTET Adrian Boult Hall,
Birmingham
HEATHER FINDLAY WITH
HER BAND The Robin,
Bilston
THE FEELERS O2 Acad-
emy, Birmingham
MIKE SILVER The Roses,
Tewksbury
WED 21 NOV
THE DYLAN PROJECT The
Robin, Bilston
BUDDY HOLLY & THE
CRICKETERS New
Alexandra Theatre,
Birmingham
EUROPE 02 Academy,
Birmingham
FEEDER Civic Hall,
Wolverhampton
SAM AND THE WOMP 02
Academy, Birmingham
SHOW OF HANDS Theatre
Severn, Shrewsbury
NETSKY Kasbah, Coventry
GONG The Assembly,
Leamington Spa
THE EARL GREY The
BUCKCHERRY HMV Institute, Birmingham
PEACE & SPECIAL GUESTS
The Sugar Mill, Stokeon-Trent
ALCHEMY DUO & EWAN
MCLENNAN The Red
Lion, Kings Heath,
Birmingham
SEPREVATION, CRANIATION & REGURGITATE LIFE
GOSPEL CENTRAL The
Jam House, Birmingham
THUR 22 NOV
CRYSTAL CASTLES HMV
LIL' JIMS BIG SQUEEZE
MAD CADDIES The Ballroom, Birmingham
DECIBEL ENSEMBLE FEATURING PAUL DUNMALL A
E Harris Building, Birmingham
CELTIC FIDDLE FESTIVAL
New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme
MOTOWN'S GREATEST
HITS - HOW SWEET IT IS
Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury
JIMMY BUCKLEY Theatre
Severn, Shrewsbury
RAYMOND FROGGATT
Prince Of Wales Centre,
Cannock
URBAN FOLK QUARTET
Huntingdon Hall,
Worcester
SONIC BOOM SIX, IMPERIAL LEISURE, MIXTAPE
SAINTS & NIGHTLIFE 02
Academy, Birmingham
RUNRIG Civic Hall,
Wolverhampton
AYNSLEY LISTER BAND
The Robin, Bilston
THE RAT PACK IS BACK
Palace Theatre, Redditch
MULATU ASTATKE Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry
JOHN DIPPER & LUKE
DANIELS ‘SUN STATIONS’
RAGDOLLS - TRIBUTE TO
JERSEY BOYS Tamworth
Assembly Rooms
JOSIE LONG Taylor John’s
House, Coventry
MISSING ANDY The Assembly, Leamington
Spa
SAM MARCHANT The
BRIGITTE BERAHA QUARTET Fri 23 Nov, Symphony Hall, Birmingham
DREADZONE The Robin,
Bilston
BEYOND THE BARRICADE
Victoria Hall, Hanley,
Stoke-on-Trent
LEVELLERS 02 Academy,
Birmingham
THE LANCASHIRE HOTPOTS 02 Academy, Birmingham
FRANK TURNER & THE
SLEEPING SOULS Civic
Hall, Wolverhampton
THERAPY 02 Academy,
Birmingham
FOUR PARTS GUITAR
Huntingdon Hall,
Worcester
MONSTER CEILIDH BAND
Lichfield Guildhall
THE DRIFTERS Prince Of
Wales Centre, Cannock
THE CARPET CUTOUTS
The Rainbow, B’ham
DR FEELGOOD Cox's
Yard, Stratford-uponAvon
ROXY MAGIC AND JEAN
GENIE The Slade
DETROIT SOUL The Jam
House, Birmingham
THE QUO The Roadhouse, Birmingham
THE SCOPYONS The
MATT CORBY, BEARS DEN
& LUCY MASON HMV Institute, Birmingham
TIPITINA The Garden
House, Hagley Rd,
Music LISTINGS
For full listing information on gigs
including, times and dates, visit
Birmingham
KIDS IN GLASS HOUSES
ALL THE YOUNG The
THE LIEUTENANTS The
4 PARTS GUITARS Huntingdon Hall, Worcester
DJ DEREK Newhampton
Arts Centre, Wolverhampton
SAT 24 NOV
NOKE Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry
SOLEY MOURNING The
HOT RED CHILLI PEPPERS
The Roundhouse, Birmingham
PETER HOOK AND THE
LIGHT The Sugarmill,
Stoke-on-Trent
LEGENDS OF ROCK FEATURING: MEGADETH TRIBUTE, REINVENTING TREND
OVERKILL AND MENTALLICA The Slade Rooms,
Wolverhampton
DETROIT SOUL The Jam
House, Birmingham
MADINA LAKE Kasbah,
Coventry
GORDON HENDRICKS IS
ELVIS The Place, Oakengates Theatre, Telford
THE PRODUCERS Lichfield Guildhall
THE CARPET CRAWLERS
Huntingdon Hall,
Worcester
THE "BEE GEES" NIGHT
FEVER PARTY Nailcote
Hall, Berkswell, Warwickshire
BEN HOWARD 02 Academy, Birmingham
THE COMPLETE STONE
ROSES 02 Academy,
Birmingham
SILENT FILTER FT. RONIN,
KHAOS THEORY, MY
HEROINE, ABBERLINE AND
TOM WALKER 02 Academy, Birmingham
THE COUNTERFEIT
STONES The Robin, Bilston
STEVE HARLEY & COCKNEY REBEL Symphony
Hall, Birmingham
MID-DAY MANTRA: RAJESH DAVID Symphony
Hall, Birmingham
BEYOND THE BARRICADE
AT CHRISTMAS Palace
Theatre, Redditch
PATRICK WOLF Warwick
GL LIVE PRESENTS AFFINITY - ONE NIGHT, ONE
GOD, ONE PEOPLE Featuring Breaker, Ni Sheng &
Natty Joshia, The Drum,
Birmingham
HUSTLE VI, COLD FIELDS,
PRISMS & RED BULL
NEW KILLER SHOES, SIXTYFOURS & PURPLE
STEREO The Flapper,
Birmingham
JEAGA & SILENT BLACKOUT The Ironworks, Oswestry, North
Shropshire
FRANK TURNER THE
SLEEPING SOULS The Assembly, Leamington
Spa
THE PRODUCERS Lichfield
Guildhall, Staffordshire
MOTOWN MAGIC The
BROWNFIELD BYRNE
QUINTET The Hive,
Shrewsbury
SUN 25 NOV
WILKO JOHNSON The
Robin, Bilston
SLADE AND SWEET Victoria Hall, Hanley, Stokeon-Trent
THE STYLISTICS Civic
Hall, Wolverhampton
THE MILK 02 Academy,
Birmingham
THE QUIREBOYS The
JOHN WHEELER OF HAYSEED DIXIE The Sugarmill, Stoke-on-Trent
BETH ORTON The Assembly, Leamington Spa
RODDY WOOMBLE The
Hive, Shrewsbury
BROOM BEZZUMS The
TERRI WALKER & KOF The
Drum, Birmingham
BEN CALVERY & THE
SWIFTS Kitchen Garden
Cafe, Kings Heath,
Birmingham
RODRIGO Y GABRIELA
HOSPITALITY HMV Institute, Birmingham
MON 26 NOV
THE CORONAS The Ballroom, Birmingham
BETH ORTON The Glee
Club, Birmingham
CONVERGE 02 Academy,
Birmingham
MARTIN BARRE'S NEW
DAY The Robin, Bilston
MATTHEWS SOUTHERN
COMFORT Kitchen Garden Cafe, Kings Heath,
Birmingham
AKALA O2 Academy,
Birmingham
ELLIOT BROOD Hare &
Hounds, Birmingham
SHARON SHANNON The
Assembly, Leamington
Spa
CENSOR YOURSELF MUSIC
PRESENTS... Cox’s Yard,
Stratford
TUES 27 NOV
THE FUREYS The Robin,
Bilston
THE SOFT MOON, DRACULA LEWIS, THE
All The Young - The Sugarmill, Stoke-on-Trent
GRAFHAM WATER SAILING
CLUB & RADIO BLACK
FOREST DJS The Rainbow, Birmingham
MAGNUM The Assembly,
Leamington Spa
RYAN LESLEY WITH FULL
LIVE BAND HMV Institute,
Birmingham
THE RIFLES The Sugarmill, Stoke-on-Trent
BONAFIDE The Slade
WED 28 NOV
ACKER BILK & THE PARAMOUNT JAZZ BAND New
Vic Theatre, Newcastleunder-Lyme
TRIO VD & THREENIL
ELECTRIC BOYS The
THE STAVES & LUKE
SITAL-SINGH Hare &
Hounds, Birmingham
JULIAN SMITH Malvern
Theatre
TESTAMENT Wulfrun
Hall, Wolverhampton
NEEDTOBREATHE 02
Academy, Birmingham
ELBOW National Indoor
Arena, Birmingham
COLIN BLUNSTONE &
BAND Huntingdon Hall,
Worcester
L.A. GUNS PLUS SUPPORT FROM DAM DICE
AND THE NEW SAINTS
The Robin, Bilston
10CC Victoria Hall, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent
BIG SEAN HMV Institute,
Birmingham
THE VIEW The Sugarmill,
Stoke-on-Trent
THE HURLING BOYS The
Red Lion, Kings Heath,
Birmingham
RAVENS & CHIMES Taylor
MIKE TRAMP The Asylum, Birmingham
THUR 29 NOV
BUDDY WHITTINGTON &
HIS BAND The Robin,
Bilston
MARTYN JOSEPH Huntingdon Hall, Worcester
ROB ZOMBIE AND MARILYN MANSON TWINS OF
EVIL TOUR National Indoor Arena, B’ham
THE UPBEAT BEATLES
Royal Spa Centre,
Leamington Spa
GET CAPE, WEAR CAPE,
FLY - SOLO ACOUSTIC
SOIL & FOZZY 02 Academy, Birmingham
THE VACCINES 02 Academy, Birmingham
EVAN DANOD & JULIANA
HATFIELD HMV Institute,
Birmingham
SUBTOTAL, ACTION REPLAY & OUR DAYS
WASTED O2 Academy,
Birmingham
CHRISTIAN REILLY PLUS
SUPPORT Hare &
Hounds, Birmingham
URBAN FOLK QUARTET
Tamworth Assembly
Rooms
THE SUBTERRANEANS
PLAY OUT Sampad concert featuring Jesse
Bannister, Zoe Rahman,
Seb Rochford & Kenny
Higgins; Elgar Concert
Hall, Bramall Music
Building, Birmingham
FRI 30 NOV
FRED ZEPPELIN The
Roadhouse, B’ham
MADINA LAKE, RED JUMP
SUIT APPARATUS, ACTION
BLAST HMV Institute,
Birmingham
THE SUBTERRANEANS
TIGERTAILZ The Slade
THE NORTH SEA SCROLLS
The Glee Club, Birmingham
TALON - THE BEST OF THE
EAGLES Malvern Theatres
SILENT FILTER FT. THE
ROZ BRUCE INFUSION 02
Academy, Birmingham
BOAT TO ROW, MISTY’S
BIG ADVENTURE, YOUNG
RUNAWAYS & CHARLOTTE
CARPENTER 02 Academy, Birmingham
ELKIE BROOKS Royal Spa
Centre, Leamington Spa
FLASH - A TRIBUTE TO
QUEEN The Robin, Bilston
THE MANFREDS Victoria
SQUEEZE Symphony
Hall, Birmingham
MARTIN TROTMAN BAND
TG COLLECTIVE mac,
Birmingham
THE ROZ BRUCE INFUSION, PIG PLASTIQUE,
COPPER LIGHTS & KEVIN
JAMES HADLEY O2 Academy, Birmingham
SUBSTANCE THROWBACK
XMAS PARTY FEAT.
MAGOO & MAD FLOW
FOALS & PETIT NOIR The
MURDER OF CROWS PLUS
SPECIAL GUESTS The
Flapper, Birmingham
Music Venues Box Office
Birmingham
02 ACADEMY
0121 622 8250
ADRIAN BOULT HALL
0121 331 5901
THE ASYLUM
0121 233 1109
THE BALLROOM, DALE END
0121 448 0797
THE BARBER INSTITUTE
0121 414 7333
BIRMINGHAM TOWN HALL
0121 780 3333
CBSO CENTRE
0121 780 3333
CUSTARD FACTORY,
0121 224 7777
FLAPPER 0121 236 2421
HARE & HOUNDS
0121 444 2081
HMV INSTITUTE
0121 643 0428
ISLAND BAR
0121 632 5296
THE JAM HOUSE
0121 200 3030
LG ARENA
0844 338 8000
NIA
0844 338 8000
THE RAINBOW
0121 772 8174
RED LION FOLK CLUB
0121472 4253
THE ROADHOUSE
0121 459 5660
SYMPHONY HALL
0121 780 3333
THE GLEE CLUB
0871 472 0400
THE YARDBIRD
0121 212 2524
Staffordshire
LICHFIELD GUILDHALL
01543 262223
THE SUGARMILL, HANLEY
STOKE-ON-TRENT
01159 454 593
Black Country
CIVIC HALL, WOLVERHAMPTON
0870 320 7000
DUDLEY CONCERT HALL
01384 815577
FOREST ARTS CENTRE
0845 111 2898
NEWHAMPTON ARTS CENTRE
01902 572090
THE PUBLIC, WEST BROMWICH
0121 533 7161
ROBIN 2, BILSTON
01902 401211
STOURBRIDGE TOWN HALL
01384 812812
WULFRUN HALL,
WOLVERHAMPTON
TAMWORTH ASSEMBLY ROOMS
01827 709618
VICTORIA HALL, HANLEY
0870 060 6649
STAFFORD GATEHOUSE
01785 254653
Warwickshire
COX’S YARD, STRATFORD
01789 404600
THE ASSEMBLY, LEAMINGTON
01926 311311
THE KASBAH, COVENTRY
024 7655 4473
NAILCOTE HALL,
BERKSWELL
02476 46 6174
0870 320 7000
Shropshire
STRATFORD CIVIC HALL
01789 207100
THE EDGE ARTS CENTRE,
MUCH WENLOCK
01952 728911
TAYLOR JOHN’S HOUSE,
COVENTRY
024 7623 0699
THE HIVE, SHREWSBURY
01743 234970
Worcestershire
THE IRONWORKS, OSWESTRY
01691 679123
HUNTINGDON HALL / SWAN
THEATRE 01905 611427
THEATRE SEVERN,
SHREWSBURY 01743 281281
MARR’S BAR, WORCESTER
01905 613336
THE PLACE, OAKENGATES,
TELFORD 01952 382382
THE RIVER ROOMS,
STOURBRIDGE
01384 397177
WEM TOWN HALL
01939 232299
Classical November_Layout 1 29/10/2012 16:51 Page 1
Royal Ballet Sinfonia
Concert
Classical Music PREVIEWS
Birmingham Cathedral, Sat 17 November
Performing regularly for some of the
world’s greatest ballet companies - including the Royal Ballet, Paris Opera Ballet,
New York City Ballet, the Kirov and La
Scala Ballet, as well as our very own Birmingham Royal Ballet - the Royal Ballet Sinfonia is most certainly one of Britain’s
busiest ballet orchestras. This unique concert at Birmingham’s beautiful Anglican
Cathedral opens and closes with two
Tchaikovsky classics - Fantasy Overture
from Romeo And Juliet and Symphony
No.5 in E minor op.64. It also sees the
orchestra - under the directorship of Koen
Kessels - join forces with Canon Marcus
Huxley and the Birmingham Cathedral
Choir in a performance of John Rutter’s
beautiful and much-acclaimed Gloria.
Andrea Bocelli
LG Arena, Birmingham, Sat 10 November
One of (if not the) most successful opera singers of modern times, Andrea Bocelli's talent is so
awesome that he can turn his voice to pretty much anything, whether it be Verdi or Puccini,
Mascagni or Massenet. The best-selling solo artist in the history of classical music, Bocelli lost
his sight at the age of twelve after accidentally being hit on the head during a football match
and suffering a brain haemorrhage. In 2010, he was honoured with a star on the Hollywood
Walk of Fame for his contribution to live theatre.
Royal
Philharmonic
Orchestra
Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Wed
28 November
Celebrity Piano Recital With
Evgeny Kissin
Symphony Hall, Birmingham,
Thurs 15 November
Having joined the esteemed Gnessin
School of Music for gifted children at the
age of six, Russian-born Evgeny Kissin is
today internationally recognised as one of
the greatest pianists of his generation.
Stopping off at Birmingham’s Symphony
Hall as part of a three-date UK tour, Kissin
here presents a rare recital of the great
classical and romantic repertoire, performing Haydn’s Sonata No 59 in E flat (Hob.
XVI:49), Beethoven’s Piano Sonata in C
minor, Op 111, Schubert’s Impromptus in F
minor (Op 142 No1), G flat, B flat and A flat
(Op 90 No4) and Liszt’s Hungarian Rhapsody No 12.
Acclaimed Scottishborn conductor
Rory Macdonald
takes the helm for
this latest RPO concert to be staged at
Butterworth Hall.
Sibelius’ Symphony
No.5 - regarded as
one of the simplest
tunes ever written promises to be the
perfect climax to a
concert of ‘ravishing’ twentieth century music. Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia on a theme by
Thomas Tallis,
Delius’ The Walk To
The Paradise Garden and
Shostakovich’s
Concerto for Trumpet and Piano also
feature.
Shrewsbury
Symphony
Orchestra
Allington Hall,
Shrewsbury School,
Wed 21 November
Founded in 1888,
the Shrewsbury
Symphony Orchestra is one of the
country’s oldest professional orchestras.
Originally known as
the Shrewsbury
Orchestral Society,
the orchestra today
boasts a membership in excess of
forty-five, and presents performances
in and around the
county of Shropshire. This month
sees the orchestra
welcome guest
pianist Viv McLean
into the fold, to perform one of the best
known and most
loved piano concertos of all time - the
Grieg in A minor.
Birmingham Bach Choir
Lichfield Cathedral, Sat 24 November
Returning to Lichfield’s historic cathedral,
the acclaimed Birmingham Bach Choir
here present the composer’s Christmas
Oratorio. First performed in the 1730s,
Bach's beautiful festive classic has
become a firm yuletide favourite. Written in
six sections, it tells the story of the birth of
Jesus, complete with angels, shepherds
and the gift-bearing Three Kings. Performing the entire Oratorio, the choir are joined
by The Musical And Amicable Society
Baroque Orchestra, conducted by Paul
Spicer. Soloists are soprano Sofia Larsson,
countertenor Leo Tomita, Evangelist Rupert
Charlesworth, tenor Stuart Jackson and
baritone Ed Ballard.
Paul Spicer
Classical November_Layout 1 29/10/2012 16:51 Page 2
Classical LISTINGS
For full listing information on classical
concerts, including times and dates,
visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk
CBSO LEONSKAJA PLAYS
GRIEG Featuring Alexander Vedernikov (conductor) and Elisabeth
Leonskaja (piano). Programme to include
works by Sibelius,
Grieg and Rachmaninov, Thurs 1 Nov, Symphony Hall, Birmingham
ROYAL NORTHERN COLLEGE OF MUSIC
LUNCHTIME CONCERT
Thurs 1 Nov, Warwick
ROYAL PHILHARMONIC
ORCHESTRA: ORGAN
GALA Featuring organist
Stephen Disley and the
City of Birmingham
Choir, Fri 2 Nov, Symphony Hall, Birmingham
SERIOUS CABARET Mary
Carewe and Philip Mayers investigate serious
and not-so-serious
composers’ flirtations
with cabaret and jazz
throughout the 20th
century, Fri 2 Nov,
CBSO Centre, Birmingham
RUSSIAN MASTERPIECES
FOR PIANO TRIO Featuring Joanne Quigley,
Jonathon Aasgaard &
David Quigley. Programme includes works
by Rachmaninov &
Shostakovich, Fri 2
Nov, Barber Concert
Hall, Birmingham
CBSO CENTRE STAGE
Featuring Elisabeth
Leonskaja (piano), Zoe
Beyers (violin), Elizabeth Golding (violin),
Catherine Bower (viola)
& David Powell (cello),
Fri 2 Nov, CBSO Centre, Birmingham
CBSO LEONSKAJA PLAYS
GRIEG Sat 3 Nov, Symphony Hall, Birmingham
THE YORK WAITS WITH
DEBORAH CATTERALL
(SINGER) Tues 6 Nov, St
Mary’s Church, Warwick
CBSO AUTUMN CONTRASTS Featuring
Andrew Manze (conductor) & Rainer Gibbons (oboe). Programme includes works
by Mozart', Vaughan
Williams & Schumann,
Wed 7 Nov, Symphony
Hall, Birmingham
JEPHTHA Performed by
Welsh National Opera,
Wed 7 Nov, Birmingham Hippodrome
THE LIGHTENING THIEVES
LUNCHTIME CONCERT
CBSO SUE PERKINS' CARTOON CLASSICS Featuring Michael Seal (conductor) & Sue Perkins
(presenter). Programme
to include works by
Tchaikovsky, Stravinsky,
Elgar, Liszt, Henry
Mancini, Wagner, Rossini, Danny Elfman,
Grieg, Dukas & Strauss,
Fri 9 Nov, Symphony
Hall, Birmingham
JOSEPH TONG & WAKA
HASEGAWA Programme
to include works by
Schubert, arr. Schoenberg, John McCabe &
Debussy, Fri 9 Nov,
Barber Concert Hall,
Birmingham
UNIVERSITY MUSIC SOCIETY: LULLABY OF WINTER
Fri 9 Nov, Elgar Concert
Hall, Bramall Music
MAGGINI STRING QUARTET Programme
includes works by
Mozart, Ireland &
Mendelssohn, Fri 9
Nov, Royal Pump
Rooms, Leamington
Spa
MUSICAL PICNIC: SOUZA
WINDS Tuck into a
morning of musical
entertainment for all the
family, Sat 10 Nov,
BRAHMS REQUIEM Feat.
Paul Leddington Wright
& Simon Over (conductors), The Southbank
Sinfonia, The St
Michael Singers & The
Parliament Choir, Sat 10
Nov, Coventry Cathedral
CITY OF BIRMINGHAM
CHOIR: BRAHMS &
RAUTAVAARA Featuring
Adrian Lucas (conductor), Eloise Routledge
(soprano), Robert Rice
(bass) & Roger Judd
(organ). Programme to
include Rautavaara On
The Last Frontier &
Brahms' Ein Deutsches
Requiem, Sat 10 Nov,
ANDREA BOCELLI Sat 10
Nov, LG Arena, Birmingham
EX CATHEDRA CONSORT:
LIKE UNTO MY SORROW
Sat 10 Nov, The Oratory, Birmingham
BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONIC
WINDS 20TH ANNIVERSARY GALA CONCERT Sat
10 Nov, CBSO Centre,
Birmingham
DORRIDGE MUSIC
SCHOOL IN CONCERT
Featuring more than
three hundred musicians performing an
eclectic range of music,
from classical to rock,
Sun 11 Nov, Symphony
Hall, Birmingham
CARNABY STREET! A festive programme of wind
& brass featuring
Simon Hogg, Jordan
Wooler & Paul McGrath
(conductors), Mon 12
Nov, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry
ORGAN CONCERT WITH
THOMAS TROTTER Programme includes works
by Buxtenhude, Pierne,
Lionel Rogg, Smith &
Reger, Mon 12 Nov,
ORCHESTRA OF THE
SWAN: VIVALDI'S FOUR
SEASONS Featuring
David Le Page (violin) &
David Curtis (conductor). Programme
includes works by
Respighi, Warlock &
Vivaldi, Tue 13 Nov,
Stratford Civic Hall
ALBERT HERRING English
Touring Opera present
Benjamin Britten’s classic comic depiction of
English village life, Tue
13 Nov, Malvern Theatres
CBSO THE YEAR 1912:
BRAVE NEW WORLDS
Featuring Jac van
Steen (conductor). Programme includes
Schoenberg's Five
Pieces for Orchestra &
Mahler's Symphony No
7, Wed 14 Nov, Symphony Hall, Birmingham
IN FRONT OF NATURE
CONCERT Featuring
Malin Christensson
(soprano), Christopher
Maltman (baritone) &
Joseph Middleton
(piano). Programme
includes works by
Grieg, Schubert, Wolf &
Purcell, Wed 14 Nov,
Barber Concert Hall,
Birmingham
CELEBRITY PIANO
RECITAL WITH EVGENY
KISSIN Thurs 15 Nov,
TOM LINDSAY LUNCHTIME
PIANO CONCERT Thurs
15 Nov, Warwick Arts
Centre, Coventry
FLORIAN KITT (CELLO) &
ALMA MARIA LABRAMAKK (PIANO) Programme includes works
by Schumann, Nigel
Osborne & Britten, Fri
16 Nov, Barber Concert
Hall, Birmingham
MALVERN FESTIVAL CHORUS Programme
includes works by Handel & Bach, Sat 17 Nov,
Malvern Theatre
THE CWMBACH MALE
CHOIR IN CONCERT Sat
17 Nov, The Roses Theatre, Tewksbury
WIND BAND & SAXOPHONE ENSEMBLE Programme includes works
by William Himes,
Edward Gregson, Eric
Whitacre & Nigel Hess,
Sat 17 Nov, Elgar Concert Hall, Bramall Music
ROYAL BALLET SINFONIA
CONCERT Sat 17 Nov,
Birmingham Cathedral
MOZART REQUIEM Featuring Sue Tyson
(soprano), Victoria
Shone (contralto),
Stephen Newlove
(tenor), Quentin Brown
(bass) & Patrick Larley
(conductor), Sat 17
Nov, St Laurence’s
Church, Ludlow, South
Shropshire
CBSO FAMILY CONCERT:
THE MAD HATTER'S TEA
PARTY Featuring
Michael Seal (conductor) & Alisdair Malloy
(presenter), Sun 18
Nov, Symphony Hall,
Birmingham
BIRMINGHAM UNIVERSITY
SINGERS: HOPE, FAITH,
LIFE, LOVE Programme
includes works by Britten, Randall Thompson,
Britten, Bantock, Elgar
& Parry, Sun 18 Nov,
Elgar Concert Hall, Bramall Music Building,
Birmingham
DAME GILLIAN WEIR This
concert forms part of
the internationally
acclaimed concert
organist's final tour and
features works by JS
Bach, Sweelinck,
Franck, Peeters, SaintSaens, Widor, Durufle,
Sergei Slonimsky &
Mushel, Mon 19 Nov,
BEETHOVEN PIANO CONCERTOS NOS 1 & 3 Featuring the Mahler
Chamber Orchestra &
Lief Ove Andsnes
(pianist). Programme to
include works by
Beethoven & Stravinsky, Tue 20 Nov, Symphony Hall, Birmingham
FIBONACCI SEQUENCE
Programme includes
works by Mozart, Barber, Koechlin &
Poulenc, Wed 21 Nov,
Maidment Hall, Shrewsbury School
CBSO THE BIRMINGHAM
BEETHOVEN CYCLE: MASS
IN C Featuring Olari Elts
(conductor), Anna
Leese (soprano), Kai
Ruutel (mezzo), Ben
Johnson (tenor),
Stephen Loges (bass)
& the CBSO Chorus,
Thurs 22 Nov, Symphony Hall, Birmingham
BEYOND CLASSICAL:
STRING THEORY Programme includes works
by Tchaikovsky, Dvorak
& Borodin, Thurs 22
Nov, Symphony Hall
Cafe Bar, Birmingham
COULL QUARTET Programme includes works
by Schubert,
Shostakovich &
Beethoven, Thurs 22
THE FIBONACCI QUARTET
Programme includes
works by Barber,
Mozart & Poulenc,
Thurs 22 Nov, Malvern
Theatre
MARC ANDRE HAMELIN
PIANO CONCERT Programme includes works
by Bach, Faure, Ravel
& Liszt, Fri 23 Nov,
Malvern Theatres
EARLY MUSIC ENSEMBLE
Fri 23 Nov, Birmingham
Cathedral
CBSO PLAYERS Programme includes works
by Haydn & Mozart, Fri
Birmingham
CBSO WHAT THE WORLD
NEEDS NOW... The music
of Burt Bacharach featuring Richard Balcombe (conductor),
Graham Bickley, Sarah
Lark and Alison Jiear
(vocalists), Fri 23 Nov,
MID-DAY MANTRA:
RAJESH DAVID Vocalist
Rajesh David performs
Indian classical and traditional folk accompanied by tabla and saxophone, Sat 24 Nov,
SINFONIA OF BIRMINGHAM Featuring Michael
Seal (conductor). Programme includes works
by Schubert, Berlio &
Brahms, Sat 24 Nov,
CBSO Centre, Birmingham
BIRMINGHAM FESTIVAL
CHORAL SOCIETY Directed from the Chamber
Organ by Patrick Larley,
Sat 24 Nov, Adrian
Boult Hall, Birmingham
CHANDOS SYMPHONY
ORCHESTRA Programme
includes works by
Strauss, Anderson,
Farnon, John Frith,
Coates, John Williams,
Massenet and von
Suppe, Sun 25 Nov,
Malvern Theatres
TOO HOT TO HANDEL
Armonico Consort interprets the music of the
Baroque in a unique
way for the twenty-first
century, Sun 25 Nov,
Theatre Severn,
Shrewsbury
UNIVERSITY MUSIC PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
Programme includes
works by Michael Zev
Gordon, Mahler &
Elgar, Sun 25 Nov,
Elgar Concert Hall,
Bramhall Music Building, Birmingham
BCMG’S ZIGZAG ENSEMBLE Sun 25 Nov, CBSO
Centre, Birmingham
ORGAN CONCERT WITH
THOMAS TROTTER Mon
26 Nov, Birmingham
Town Hall
BRODSKY QUARTET:
WHEEL OF 4TUNES Mon
26 Nov, Birmingham
Town Hall
HEPPELWHITE PIANO TRIO
WITH CHUEN AN CHERN
Programme to include
works by Haydn,
Boulanger, Chopin,
Prokofiev, Brahms &
Piazzolla, Tues 27 Nov,
Bridge House Theatre,
Warwick
BENJAMIN BRITTEN
CHRISTMAS CONCERT
Tues 27 Nov, Warwick
JOHN IRELAND: A SEMICENTENARY TRIBUTE
Featuring Kenneth
Hamilton on piano,
Tues 27 Nov, Elgar
Concert Hall, Bramall
Music Building, Birmingham
CBSO BENEDETTI PLAYS
SZYMANOWSKI Featuring
Kazushi Ono (conductor). Programme to
include works by Dvorak, Syzmanowski &
Bartok, Wed 28 Nov,
ROYAL PHILHARMONIC
ORCHESTRA Featuring
Rory Macdonald (conductor), Natasha
Paremski (piano) and
Mike Allen (trumpet).
Programme to include
works by Vaughan
Williams, Shostakovich,
Delius & Sibelius, Wed
Centre, Coventry
THE POWER OF MUSIC
Lyric and dramatic
song from 17th-Century
Italy featuring mezzo
Susan Buckley and
tenor Mark Tucker, Wed
28 Nov, Elgar Concert
Hall & The Dome,
Bramhall Music Building, Birmingham
WAREN MAILLEY-SMITH
PIANO CONCERT Thurs
Centre, Coventry
THE REVOLUTIONARY
DRAWING ROOM WITH
COLIN LAWSON (CLARINET) Programme
includes works by
Hummel, Haydn &
Mozart, Fri 30 Nov,
Royal Pump Rooms,
Leamington Spa
CHRISTOPHER ORTON
(RECORDER) & SLAVA
SIDORENKO (PIANO) Programme includes works
by York Bowen,
Thomas Simaku & Wessely, Fri 30 Nov, Barber
Concert Hall, Birmingham
CBSO CENTRE STAGE Programme includes works
by Mozart & Bliss, Fri
Birmingham
Classical
Box Office
ABBEY CHURCH,
SHREWSBURY
01743 232723
ADRIAN BOULT HALL,
B’HAM
0121 331 5901
ARTRIX, BROMSGROVE
01527 577330
BARBER CONCERT HALL
024 7637 6707
BIRMINGHAM
CONSERVATOIRE
0121 331 5901/2
BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME
0844 338 5000
BARBER INSTITUTE,
BIRMINGHAM
0121 414 7333
0121 780 3333
CBSO CENTRE,
BIRMINGHAM
0121 780 3333
COVENTRY CATHEDRAL
02476 521200
LICHFIELD GARRICK
01543 412121
ROYAL PUMP ROOMS,
LEAMINGTON SPA
01926 410 410
ST LAURENCE’S CHURCH,
LUDLOW
01584 872150
STRATFORD CIVIC HALL
01789 207100
SYMPHONY HALL,
BIRMINGHAM
0121 780 3333
VICTORIA HALL
STOKE-ON-TRENT
0844 871 7649
WARWICK ARTS CENTRE
02476 524524
Comedy November_Layout 1 29/10/2012 13:58 Page 1
Comedy
Chris Ramsey
Comedy
Box Office
Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Wed 14
November; Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Sun
25 November; Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Sat
15 December
Fosters’ Edinburgh Comedy Awards nominee
Chris is a real rising star. As well as being a
highly rated stand-up on the UK comedy circuit, he's also fast developing an impressive
telly career, having recently appeared alongside Vic Reeves and Gina McKee in the northern sitcom Hebburn. Gags include: "My venue
for the Edinburgh Festival is a portacabin, it's
literally a portacabin! I'm a Geordie, in a
Portacabin. I was going to call the show Auf
Wiedersehen Pet Live", and "People sometimes have trouble understanding my Geordie
accent when I perform.
I walked on stage once
in Nottingham and
shouted 'Alreet?' The
entire crowd just sat in
shocked silence. I
swear I heard one
bloke say, 'I think he's
Swiss! That must have
been a yodel'.”
Steve Hughes
Artrix, Bromsgrove, Thurs 1 November;
The Public, West Bromwich, Sat 3 November;
The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton, Sun 4
November; The Glee Club, Birmingham, Sun
25 November; Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry,
Sun 9 December
Boasting a reputation for hard-edged social
commentary, not to mention a big beard,
Aussie funnyman and ex-heavy metal drummer
Steve Hughes stops off in the Midlands as part
of a UK-wide tour. Steve's built up a loyal UK
following thanks to
storming sets on
Michael McIntyre’s
Comedy Roadshow
(BBC1), Stand Up For
The Week (Channel 4)
and One Night Stand
(Dave), and promises to
offer a thought-provoking and decidedly
amusing night out.
Rob Rouse
Artrix, Bromsgrove, Tues 13 November;
Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Fri 16 November;
Huntingdon Hall, Worcester, Fri 30 November
Boasting a plethora of TV credits, including
ITV's Celebrity Juice and Dave's One Night
Stand, Rob's hyperactive
brand of humour is
much in demand, a fact
that's evidenced by his
success in winning the
annual So You Think
You’re Funny? award, an
accolade also picked up
by equally high-profile
purveyors-of-mirth Dylan
Moran and Lee Mack.
John Shuttleworth
Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Sat 3 November;
Birmingham Town Hall, Wed 21 November
Perhaps the most talented comedian ever to emerge from the fair
steel city of Sheffield, John Shuttleworth is a raconteur par excellence, an accomplished musician, and a man who long ago
ascended like one of his own beloved pigeons into the upper echelons of the showbusiness world. This gig offers the perfect opportunity for Midlands-based lovers of light comedy and understated but
up-to-the-minute fashions to enjoy an evening in the company of Mr
Shuttleworth, care of his creator Graham Fellows, a one-time chartbuster with the unforgettable hit Jilted John.
Kevin Bridges
Birmingham Hippodrome, Sun 11 November; Victoria Hall, Stoke-onTrent, Mon 12 November; Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Fri 23
November; Civic Hall, Wolverhampton, Sat 24 November
Kevin Bridges was launched into the
comedy stratosphere at the still-tender
age of eighteen, when he reached
the finals of the So You Think You're
Funny? talent contest at the 2005
Edinburgh Fringe. Since then, the
Scotish-born stand-up has been
making comedy look like the easiest gig in the world, engaging his
audience with a laid-back style of
delivery and bags and bags of
high-quality wit. Jokes include,
“Americans go up to Edinburgh
Castle and think it’s a high
school - every lunchtime
they hear gunfire.”
ALEXANDRA THEATRE,
BIRMINGHAM
0844 871 3011
ARTRIX, BROMSGROVE
01527 577330
BEDWORTH CIVIC HALL
02476 376707
0121 780 3333
COX’S YARD
01789 404600
THE DRUM, BIRMINGHAM
0121 333 2444
DUDLEY CONCERT HALL
01384 815 577
GLEE CLUB, BIRMINGHAM
0871 4720400
HIGHLIGHT, BIRMINGHAM,
0844 844 0044
HUNTINGDON HALL,
WORCESTER,
01905 611427
THE JAM HOUSE,
BIRMINGHAM
0121 200 3030
KITCHEN GARDEN CAFE,
BIRMINGHAM
0121 443 4725
LG ARENA, BIRMINGHAM
0844 338 8000
LUDLOW ASSEMBLY
ROOMS
01584 878141
MAC, BIRMINGHAM
0121 446 3232
PALACE THEATRE,
REDDITCH
01527 65203
THE PUBLIC, WEST
BROMWICH
0121 533 7161
REGENT THEATRE, STOKEON-TRENT
0844 871 7649
RICOH ARENA, COVENTRY
0844 873 6565
THE ROSE THEATRE,
KIDDERMINSTER
01562 743745
ROYAL SPA CENTRE,
LEAMINGTON SPA
01926 334418
STAFFORD GATEHOUSE
THEATRE
01785 254653
SOLIHULL ARTS COMPLEX
0121 704 6962
THE SLADE ROOMS,
WOLVERHAMPTON
0870 320 7000
SYMPHONY HALL,
BIRMINGHAM
0121 780 3333
TAMWORTH ASSEMBLY
ROOMS
01827 709618
THEATRE SEVERN,
SHREWSBURY
01743 281281
VICTORIA HALL, HANLEY,
STOKE-ON-TRENT
0844 871 7649
WARWICK ARTS CENTRE
02476 524524
WEST BROMWICH TOWN
HALL
0121 596 4429
WULFRUN HALL,
WOLVERHAMPTON
0870 320 7000
Comedy November_Layout 1 29/10/2012 13:58 Page 2
Comedy LISTINGS
For full listing information on comedy
gigs including times and dates visit
STEVE HUGHES Thurs 1
Nov, Artrix, Bromsgrove
TIM KEY - MASTERSLUT
Thurs 1 Nov, mac,
Birmingham
KUM N AVALOFF COMEDY
NIGHT Thurs 1 Nov,
Stourbridge Town Hall
FRISKY & MANNISH
Thurs 1 Nov, Wulfrun
Hall, Wolverhampton
PATRICK MONAHAN Thurs
1 Nov, Hare & Hounds,
Birmingham
PETE JOHANSSON, DAN
NIGHTINGALE, JOE ROWNTREE & THE NOISE NEXT
DOOR Thurs 1 - Sat 3
Nov, The Glee Club,
Birmingham
MARTIN MOR, TREVOR
CROOK, TOPPING &
BUTCH, TOBY HADOKE Fri
2 Nov, Highlight
Comedy Club,
Birmingham
UPFRONT COMEDY PRESENTS BLACK HISTORY
MONTH COMEDY SPECIAL
Feat. Slim, Dane
Baptiste & Maureen
Younger, Fri 2 Nov, The
Drum, Birmingham
KILL FOR A SEAT COMEDY
CLUB Featuring Elis
James and David Trent,
Fri 2 Nov, mac,
Birmingham
PATRICK MONAHAN, JOE
BOR, SMUG ROBERTS &
WILL-E-ROBO Fri 2 - Sat
3 Nov, Jongleurs
Comedy Club,
Birmingham
JOHN SHUTTLEWORTH
Sat 3 Nov, Stafford
Gatehouse Theatre
MARTIN MOR, MATTHEW
OSBORN, TOPPING &
BUTCH & TOBY HADOKE
Sat 3 Nov, Highlight
Comedy Club,
Birmingham
STEVE HUGHES Sat 3
Nov, The Public, West
Bromwich
STEVE HUGHES Sun 4
Nov, The Slade Rooms,
Wolverhampton
DAN CLARK: LIVE Sun 4
Nov, The Glee Club,
Birmingham
MAGNIFICENT 7
FEATURING RICHARD
BLACKWOOD, GLENDA
JAXSON, SLIM, MR CEE,
QUINCY, WAYNE 'DIBBI'
ROLLINS AND HOST
KENNEDY Sun 4 Nov,
New Alexandra Theatre,
Birmingham
DARA O'BRIAIN Sun 4
Nov, Birmingham
Hippodrome
PAUL FOOT Sun 4 Nov,
Coventry
PAUL CHOWDRY Sun 4
Nov, Warwick Arts
Centre, Coventry
RHOD GILBERT - THE MAN
WITH THE FLAMING
BATTENBURG TATTOO
TOUR Tue 6 - Wed 7
Nov, Warwick Arts
Centre, Coventry
DAVID O'DOHERTY Wed 7
Nov, The Glee Club,
Birmingham
THE LAUGHING SOLE
FEATURING THE NOISE
NEXT DOOR Wed 7 Nov,
The Public, West
Bromwich
DAVE FULTON, JOHN
GAVIN, OWEN O’NEILL &
DOMINIC FRISBY Thurs 8
- Sat 10 Nov, The Glee
Club, Birmingham
AN EVENING WITH JULIAN
CLARY Fri 9 Nov,
Stafford Gatehouse
Theatre
PAUL CHOWDRY Fri 9
Nov, New Alexandra
Theatre, Birmingham
PAUL FOOT Fri 9 Nov,
The Glee Club,
Birmingham
MIKE WILKINSON, RON
VAUDRY, JOJO
SUTHERLAND & WAYNE
DEAKIN & JONNIE PRICE
Fri 9 Nov, Highlight
Comedy Club,
Birmingham
WITTANK Stars of
BBC3's Live at The
Electric bring their lavish parade of inventive
characters and sketch
magnificence to the
stage, Fri 9 Nov,
Theatre Severn,
Shrewsbury
JONATHAN MAYER, TOM
WRIGGLEWORTH, GORDON SOUTHERN & RUDI
LICKWOOD Fri 9 - Sat 10
Nov, Jongleurs
Comedy Club,
Birmingham
KEN DODD Sat 10 Nov,
Crewe Lyceum
JOJO SUTHERLAND, DAVE
TWENTYMAN, WAYNE
DEAKIN & ANDREW RYAN
Sat 10 Nov, Highlight
Comedy Club,
Birmingham
JIMMY TARBUCK Sat 10
Nov, Stafford
Gatehouse Theatre
PAPPY'S Sat 10 Nov,
Artrix, Bromsgrove
ALUN COCHRANE Sat 10
Nov, Wem Town Hall,
North Shropshire
STEWART FRANCIS Sat
Centre, Coventry
PAPPY'S Sun 11 Nov,
Coventry
KEVIN BRIDGES Sun 11
Nov, Birmingham
Hippodrome
ALEXEI SAYLE Sun 11
Nov, The Glee Club,
Birmingham
MARK WATSON Sun 11
Nov, Theatre Severn,
Shrewsbury
LEE NELSON Mon 12
Nov, New Alexandra
Theatre, Birmingham
KEVIN BRIDGES Mon 12
Nov, Victoria Hall,
ROB ROUSE Tue 13 Nov,
Artrix, Bromsgrove
CHRIS RAMSEY Wed 14
Shrewsbury
BOBBY DAVRO - FACE
HOPPER TOUR Wed 14
Nov, Lichfield Garrick
LAUGHING COWS FEATUR-
ING SHAZIA MIRZA AND
MERCEDES BENSON & MC
MAUREEN YOUNGER Wed
14 Nov, Kitchen Garden
Cafe, Kings Heath,
Birmingham
ARTHUR SMITH EXPOSED!
Wed 14 Nov, The Glee
Club, Birmingham
JETHRO Thurs 15 Nov,
Birmingham
ANDY ASKINS, MARTIN
MOR & IAN COPPINGER
Thurs 15 Nov, The Glee
Club, Birmingham
PAUL CHOWDRY Thurs
15 Nov, The Place,
Oakengates Theatre,
Telford
IAN D MONTFORT & IVAN
BRACKENBURY Thurs 15
Nov, Hare & Hounds,
Birmingham
DANIEL SLOSS AND KAI
HUMPHRIES Thurs 15
Nov, The Glee Club,
Birmingham
STEWART FRANCIS Thurs
15 Nov, Malvern
Theatres
ANDY ASKINS, MARTIN
MOR, IAN COPPINGER &
JAMES MULLINGER Fri 16
& Sat 17 Nov, The Glee
Club, Birmingham
PAUL FOOT Fri 16 Nov,
The Slade Rooms,
Wolverhampton
ROB ROUSE Fri 16 Nov,
Stafford Gatehouse
Theatre
PHIL BUTLER, BRENDAN
DEMPSEY, DALISO
CHAPONDA & DANNY
MCLAUGHLIN Fri 16 - Sat
17 Nov, Highlight
Comedy Club,
Birmingham
ALAN DAVIES: LIFE IS
PAIN Fri 16 - Sat 17
Nov, Warwick Arts
Centre, Coventry
SEAN PERCIVAL, MIKE
NEWALL, NATHAN CATON
& PHIL WALKER Fri 16 Sat 17 Nov, Jongleurs
Comedy Club,
Birmingham
JACK DEE Sat 17 Nov,
Birmingham
Hippodrome
BARNSTORMERS COMEDY
Sat 17 Nov, Solihull Arts
Complex
THE LICHFIELD GARRICK
COMEDY CLUB Sat 17
THE BOY WITH TAPE ON
HIS FACE Sun 18 Nov,
Lichfield Garrick
ANDI OSHO Sun 18 Nov,
The Glee Club,
Birmingham
LEE NELSON Sun 18
Nov, Warwick Arts
Centre, Coventry
JETHRO Mon 19 Nov,
The Place, Oakengates
Theatre, Telford
ROBIN INCE Wed 21 Nov,
The Glee Club,
Birmingham
JOHN SHUTTLEWORTH
Wed 21 Nov,
ANDY ROBINSON, MICK
FERRY, JOE LYCETT &
SALLY ANN HAYWARD
Thurs 22 Nov, The Glee
Club, Birmingham
FASCINATING AIDA: THE
CHEAP FLIGHTS TOUR
LENNY HENRY: POP LIFE
Thurs 22 Nov, The
Place, Oakengates,
Craig Murray - Worcestershire County Cricket Club
Telford
ANDY ROBINSON, MICK
FERRY, JOE LYCETT &
DAVID HADINGHAM Fri 23
Nov, The Glee Club,
Birmingham
KEVIN BRIDGES: THE
STORY CONTINUES Fri 23
Nov, Warwick Arts
Centre, Coventry
STAND-UP COMEDY
SHOWCASE Fri 23 Nov,
mac, Birmingham
GREG DAVIES Fri 23 Nov,
Birmingham
PAPPYS Fri 23 Nov, The
GAVIN WEBSTER,
ANDREW BIRD, RAY
BRADSHAW & PAUL
MYREHAUG Fri 23 Nov,
Highlight Comedy Club,
Birmingham
BARNSTORMERS COMEDY
NIGHT Line-up tbc Fri 23
Nov, Belgrade Theatre,
Coventry
KAREN BAYLEY, CHRIS
MCCAUSALD, GEOFF
BOYZ, SEAN COLLINS Fri
23 - Sat 24 Nov,
Jongleurs Comedy
Club, Birmingham
GAVIN WEBSTER, MARK
MAIER, RAY BRADSHAW &
RON VAUDRY Sat 24
Nov, Highlight Comedy
Club, Birmingham
KEVIN BRIDGES Sat 24
Nov, Civic Hall,
Wolverhampton
CHRIS RAMSEY Sun 25
Nov, Warwick Arts
Centre, Coventry
JEREMY HARDY Sun 25
Nov, The Place,
Oakengates Theatre,
Telford
PAUL FOOT Sun 25 Nov,
Stafford Gatehouse
Theatre
STEVE HUGHES Sun 25
Nov, The Glee Club,
Birmingham
GREG DAVIES Sun 25
Shrewsbury
MARCUS BRIGSTOCKE
Wed 28 Nov, The Place,
Oakengates Theatre,
Telford
ALUN COCHRANE Thurs
29 Nov, The Glee Club,
Birmingham
NEIL DELAMERE, KELLY
KINGHAM & ROGER
MONKHOUSE Thurs 29 Fri 30 Nov, The Glee
Club, Birmingham
KANE BROWN, JOHN
RYAN & KOJO Thurs 29 Fri 30 Nov, Jongleurs
Comedy Club,
Birmingham
ROB ROUSE Fri 30 Nov,
Huntingdon Hall,
Worcester
JIMMY CARR Fri 30 Nov,
Coventry
MARK STEEL Fri 30 Nov,
Stourbridge Town Hall
PAUL KERENSA, CRAIG
MURRAY, RO CAMPBELL &
MC TONY VINO Fri 30
Nov, Worcestershire
County Cricket Club
Doors open 7pm
Hot Walk-up buffet available until 8pm
Comedy Acts on at 8.30pm
Candle Lit Tables
Mc-Tony Vino
Tickets in advance
WCCC Members
Pre-Ordered Food
£12
£10
£8
call 01905 337933 for tickets or email
[email protected] for more infomation
Over 18’s Advised. Acts are not guaranteed.
Tickets are non-refundable
Paul
Kerens
Craig
Murray
Ro
Campbell
“attitude, style and
diamond-sharp wit”
“An instant crowd pleaser
with a charismatic mockconfrontational style”
“Hugely entertaining
and funny as hell”
TheatreNovember_Layout129/10/201216:28Page1
Theatre November_Layout 1 29/10/2012 17:32 Page 2
Theatre
WI
TICKEN
whats
onlive TS
.co.u
9 To 5: The Musical
to ente
r
k
Regent Theatre, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, Mon 19 - Sat 24 November; New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Sun 16 December - Sat 5 January
"I'm so excited that 9 To 5 the Musical is coming to the Midlands,"
says Dolly Parton, looking ahead to the stage version of the hit movie
and TV series from the early 1980s. "I'm hoping you have as much
fun watching it as I had writing the music for it. 9 To 5 the Musical is
perfect for anyone who's ever wanted to string up their boss, which is
almost all of us. So come join the fun!"
As with the movie and the spin-off TV series, the stage version centres around the story of three office workers who turn the tables on
their sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot of a boss. The show
features eighteen original Dolly Parton numbers, including, from her
last two albums, Backwoods Barbie, Shine Like The Sun, Get Out
And Stay Out and Let Love Grow.
9 To 5 stars Natalie Casey as Judy Bernly, Jackie Clune as Violet
Newstead, Bonnie Langford as Roz Keith, Amy Lennox as Doralee
Rhodes and Ben Richards as Franklin Hart. Read our interview with
Ben on page 6
The Ladykillers
Malvern Theatre, Mon 26 November - Sat 1
December; Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton,
Mon 28 January - Sat 2 February
This classic black comedy may be best known as a
1950s Ealing film, but its stage adaptation has
nonetheless garnered plenty of praise too, enjoying
a sell-out season in the London West End. For those
unfamiliar with the legendary Alec Guinness film, it
tells the story of a sweet little old lady, alone in her
house, who finds herself pitted against a gang of
criminal misfits intent on pulling off a brilliantly conceived heist. The Play What I Wrote director Sean
Foley is the man at the helm, while Clive Mantle,
Chris McCalphy, William Troughton, Shaun
Williamson and Michelle Dotrice star.
WI
TICKEN
TS
whats
onliv
to entee.co.uk
r
Grease The Musical
The Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton, Mon 26 November - Sat 1 December
Dust off your leather jackets, pull on your bobby-socks and get ready for the most
fun-filled, high-octane rock’n’roll party of them all. Grease is the original High School
musical, featuring all the unforgettable songs from the hit movie, including You’re The
One That I Want, Grease Is The Word, Summer Nights, Hopelessly Devoted To You,
Sandy, Greased Lightnin’ and many more. Danny Bayne, winner of ITV’s Grease Is
The Word, stars as Danny alongside Carina Gillespie as Sandy.
Theatre PREVIEWS
Wounded
TA Centre, Kings Heath, Birmingham,
until Sat 10 November
This site-specific new ghost story is being
presented at the TA Field Hospital in Birmingham by the Birmingham Repertory Theatre and the Wellcome Trust. Set in two time
zones a near-century apart, it tells the story
of wounded World War One soldier Alfred
Seddon, and the curious impact which he
begins to have on Kate Mulligan, a Combat
Medical Technician being treated in the selfsame hospital, but ninety-four years later...
American Idiot
New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Mon 26 November - Sat 1 December
Medea
Tues 13 - Sat 17 November
This modern version of Euripides’ classic
tragedy is here presented by Headlong, and
explores the inner turmil of a woman struggling to come to terms with her husband’s
infidelity, the challenges of motherhood and
the effects of sleep deprivation. Trapped in
her marital home with a seemingly hopeless
future stretching out ahead of her, she
begins to contemplate revenge, and may
even be driven to commit the most unimaginable of crimes...
Featuring the music of Green Day, American Idiot stops off in the Midlands direct from Broadway, and tells the story of three lifelong friends who are forced to choose between their
dreams and the safety of suburbia in a post-9/11 world. Charles Isherwood of The New York
Times described the show as ‘thrilling, emotionally charged, and as moving as any Broadway
musical I’ve seen this year’, which pretty much means the show comes highly recommended!
Me, Mum And Dusty
Springfield
Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham,
Thurs 1 - Fri 2 November; Artrix, Bromsgrove, Sat 3 November
A comedy which focuses on the bond
between mothers and daughters, Me, Mum
And Dusty Springfield also reflects on the
fact that some people are perhaps not quite
what they seem, and contemplates the ways in
which ‘we cope with loss
when it’s just too late’.
Written and performed by
Stephanie Ridings, it’s a
short one-woman show
that’s received great
reviews and comes complete with a lovely twist.
Twelfth Night
Belgrade Theatre, Coventry,
Thurs 8 - Sat 10 November
As with many Shakespearean comedies,
Twelfth Night is based on mistaken identity,
with Viola disguising herself as a boy and
causing all sorts of awkward romantic
shenanigans. The wooing of the beautiful
Lady Olivia by Duke Orsino is soon thrown
off the rails. 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 aim with more
than a little style... This acclaimed production
is here brought to the stage by all-male theatre company, Propeller.
Kabaddi, Kabaddi, Kabaddi
Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton, Mon 19
November; The Public, West Bromwich,
Wed 21 November
42nd Street
Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton,
until Sat 3 November
This classic musical made a real splash
when it first landed in 1980, picking up a
Tony Award for being the best new show on
the block. It's based on the 1933 movie of
the same name, which in turn was based on
the novel by Bradford Ropes, and tells the
inspiring story of small town Peggy Sawyer's
rise from chorine to Broadway star. Songs
include Lullaby Of Broadway, We're In The
Money, Keep Young And Beautiful, I Only
Have Eyes For You, and, of course, the spectacular title number itself. West End veterans
Dave Willetts and the ever-wonderful Marti
Webb ensure that this latest touring version
of the hit show is in the very safest of hands.
This powerful drama shifts from the red dust
of the Punjab to the Olympic stadiums of
Europe, exploring the Indian sport of Kabaddi and its place on the world stage. The play
is described by its producers as a drama
'about sport, nationality and belonging, with
a haunting love story at its heart'.
The Edge
mac, Birmingham, Tues 6 - Fri 9 November
Following an incident in the street with an
elderly drunkard, a young man named Ron
finds his life unexpectedly compromised, as
his living room becomes a battleground
between the old and the new, the past, the
present and the future. This dark, compelling
comedy comes from the pen of Edward
Bond, a man considered by many to be the
UK's greatest living playwright.
Theatre PREVIEWS
L.O.V.E
Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton,
Tues 13 - Wed 14 November
Described as 'an immoderate Shakespearean ménage à trois, with a touch of Shirley
Bassey', Volcano Theatre's violently passionate classic features three lovers as they
wrestle breathlessly with some of the greatest poems in the English language.
Karl Howman who appears in The Mousetrap
The Mousetrap
Misery
Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Thurs 15
November; Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton,
Fri 12 November
This two-hander is best known, of course,
from its 1990 film incarnation starring Kathy
Bates and James Caan. Adpated from the
story by Stephen King, it focuses on the horrific fate that befalls romance novelist Paul
Sheldon when, after crashing his car on a
snow-covered road, he finds himself stranded in an isolated farmhouse, cut off from
everyone except his rescuer - a woman who
claims to be his 'number one fan'...
Some Like It Hip Hop
Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton,
Tues 20 - Wed 21 November
ZooNation’s comical tale of love, mistaken
identity, cross-dressing, gender stereotypes
and revolution tugs its forelock in the direction of both Billy Wilder's classic movie Some
Like It Hot and Shakespeare's ever-popular
comedy, Twelfth Night.
Malvern Theatre, Mon 19 - Sat 24 November; New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham,
Mon 4 - Sat 9 February; Regent Theatre, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, Mon 18 - Sat 23 February
Not only has everyone heard of The Mousetrap, everyone's seen it too - haven't they? Okay,
maybe not, but as the show is this year celebrating 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 show, the famous Agatha Christie play has been performed almost twenty-five thousand
times, and turns up in the Midlands on its first ever tour. This particular production features
Bruno Langley, Karl Howman, Thomas Howes, Graham Seed, Steve France, Jemma Walker
and Jan Walters.
Circus Of Horrors: Curse Of
The Devil Doll
Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Wed 14
November; Civic Hall, Wolverhampton,
Fri 25 January
An off-kilter affair that bears more resemblance to a freak show than any modern definition of a circus, the Circus of Horrors is a
side-step into a world beyond both political
correctness and good taste. It brings together all the more extreme acts associated with
circus and takes them to the edge of reason.
This latest production is
described by its publicity
as ‘a whirlwind journey
though 1927 Berlin,
between world wars in
the roaring twenties, a
decadent decade and
the birth of the Cabaret’.
Should be good.
Boris Godunov
The Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon,
Thurs 15 November - Sat 30 March
Alexander Pushkin's drama tells the story of
the lead character's rise to power in late-sixteenth century Russia. Although he takes the
throne with an air of humility following the
death of the great Tsar Ivan the Terrible,
Boris Godunov is nonetheless the subject of
great rumour and speculation, with many
believing that he has secretly murdered the
rightful heir...
era’s most famous non-Shakespeare plays.
Presenting a world of magic, mischief and
the macabre, the work
tells the cautionary tale
of the brilliant Dr Faustus, whose insatiable
desire for knowledge
and unlimited power
spurs him on to make a
pact with the devil; a
pact from which,
inevitably, no good can
possibly come...
The Haunting
Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury,
Mon 5 - Sat 10 November
One of Charles Dickens’ lesser known works,
The Haunting tells the story of David Filde, a
young book dealer who’s employed by a
family friend to catalogue a rare and antiquated collection of books in a crumbling
moorlands mansion. But when he finds his
work interrupted by a series of strange and
mysterious events, David realises he must
convince his sceptical employer to accompany him on a journey towards the very edge
of terror...
Dr. Faustus
The Roses, Tewksbury, Wed 14 November
Christopher Marlowe's sixteenth century
exploration of debauchery, intrigue, obsession and fascination is one of the Elizabethan
Thursday 1st November, 7.30pm
STARS IN YOUR EYES
Barbra Streisand, Michael Buble,
Tina Turner and Rod Stewart
A fantastic 2 hour show playing homage to
some of the worlds biggest musical stars.
Friday 2nd November, 7.30pm
TODAYS TEARDROPS
Paul Joplins and his musicians
A fantastic tribute to Roy Orbison & Gene Pitney
Saturday 3rd November, 7.30pm
ELO EXPERIENCE
A group of talented musicians are currently
touring UK theatres bringing the most popular
songs back the the stage.
Sunday 11th November, 7.30pm
REMEMBER THE HEROES
Featuring Andy Reiss, Steve Ashcroft
& Martin Lewis
with a full supporting cast and surprise guests
Thursday 22nd November, 7.30pm
RAYMND FROGGATT
An evening with Raymond Froggatt
is pure magic, an evening not to be missed.
Friday 23rd November, 7.30pm
THE DRIFTERS
The Drifters are back on the road in the UK
performing both the classic hits from the last six
decades and their superb new material.
KEITH DE’WINTER
AS DAME DOLLY
KATIE MCGLYNN
AS FAIRY CUPCAKE
MON 2
MON 4 DECEM 31
BER
Theatre LISTINGS
Soul Sister - Belgrade Theatre, Coventry
For full listing information on theatre
productions including times and
dates visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk
Week Commencing
THUR 1 NOV
RING Fuel present a
sound journey in complete darkness that
forms part of a brand
new commissioning
and artist development
programme at Warwick
Arts, until Thurs 1 Nov,
Coventry
ABSURD PERSON SINGULAR Alan Ayckbourn's
award-winning 70s
classic, until Sat 3 Nov,
New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme
BLOOD BROTHERS Willy
Russell's musical set in
his native Liverpool.
Marti Pellow and Niki
Evans star, until Sat 3
Nov, Birmingham Hippodrome
HAUNTING JULIA Duncan
Preston, Richard
O’Callaghan and Joe
McFadden star in Alan
Ayckbourn’s haunting
study of grief, obsession and the supernatural, until Sat 3 Nov,
Malvern Theatres
SURPRISES World premiere production of
Alan Ayckbourn's latest
comedy drama, a play
with its head in the
future and its heart in
the past, until Sat 3
Nov, New Vic Theatre,
Newcastle-under-Lyme
TREASURE ISLAND Amateur production presented by The Derek
Grant Organisation,
until Sat 3 Nov, Lichfield
Garrick
YOU'RE ONLY YOUNG
TWICE Ian Dickens Productions present Ron
Aldridge's touching
comedy. Melvyn Hayes
(It Aint Half Hot Mum)
stars, until Sat 3 Nov,
Crewe Lyceum
A NIGHT IN VENICE Tinkers Farm present a
new production that,
set in modern-day Italy,
satirises the Berlusconi
regime and includes
clandestine relationships, mistaken identities, seduction and
scandal, until Sat 3
Nov, Crescent Theatre,
Birmingham
BOUNCERS John Godber's classic comedy.
Ian Reddington, Ace
Bhatti, Don Gilet and
William Ilkley star, until
Sat 3 Nov, Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent
42ND STREET Tony
award-winning musical.
Dave Willetts, Marti
Webb and Mark Bramble star, until Sat 3 Nov,
The Grand Theatre,
Wolverhampton
SOUL SISTER Brand new
musical inspired by the
life and times of Ike and
Tina Turner, until Sat 3
Coventry
DRACULA Blue Orange
Arts present their version of the Bram Stoker
classic, until Sat 3 Nov,
The Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham
DISNEY ON ICE: PASSPORT TO ADVENTURE
Join Mickey and Minnie
as they embark on a
magical journey that
will see the popular duo
- together with many of
their Disney friends visit an array of exciting
destinations, until Sun 4
Nov, National Indoor
Arena, Birmingham
THE DARK AT THE TOP OF
THE STAIRS until Sat 10
Coventry
WOUNDED Site-specific
new play that promises
to provide audiences
with an authentic experience of war time care
and history, until Sat 10
Nov, TA Centre, Kings
Heath, Birmingham
THE MERRY WIVES OF
WINDSOR Anita Dobson
makes her RSC debut
in Phillip Breen's version of Shakespeare's
great comedy, until Sat
12 Jan, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon
THE ORPHAN OF ZAO The
RSC present James
Fenton’s adaptation of
the first Chinese play to
be translated for the
West, until Thurs 28
March, Swan Theatre,
Stratford-upon-Avon
THE HAIRY BIKERS Everyone's favourite culinary
experts The Hairy Bikers present an evening
of world-inspired cooking, stories and hearty
laughs, Wed 1 Nov,
Royal Spa Centre,
Leamington Spa
RING Fuel present a
sound journey in complete darkness that
forms part of a brand
new commissioning
and artist development
programme at Warwick
Arts, Wed 1 Nov, Warwick Arts Centre,
Coventry
NT LIVE: TIMON OF
ATHENS Part of the
National Theatre Live
season, featuring the
best of British theatre
broadcast live, Thurs 1
Nov, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry & Malvern
Theatre
AN EVENING WITH BOYCIE
Only Fools And Horses
star John Challis talks
about his career, Thurs
1 Nov, Solihull Arts
Complex
SCARECROW atjc Theatre Company present
Mike Kenny’s
acclaimed children’s
play, Thurs 1 Nov, Lud-
low Assembly Rooms,
South Shropshire
JONTY HEARNDEN WHAT'S IN YOUR ATTIC?
Join Jonty as he shares
behind-the-scenes
secrets and stories,
Thurs 1 Nov, Lichfield
Garrick
THE GOOD PERSON OF
SEZUAN A new version
of Brecht’s classic comedy which sets the
story in 1980s Jamaica
- a time of political violence and gang warfare, Thurs 1 - 2 Nov,
The Drum, Birmingham
THE ENORMOUS TURNIP
Stuff and Nonsense
Theatre Company fuse
eccentric puppetry and
live music to present
their version of the
world-famous children’s
story, Thurs 1 - Fri 2
ME, MUM & DUSTY
SPRINGFIELD New, onewoman black comedy
which reflects upon the
bond which binds
mothers and daughters,
Thurs 1 - Fri 2 Nov, Old
Joint Stock Theatre,
Birmingham
THE CANTERBURY TALES
Tacit Theatre present
Geoffrey Chaucer's
bawdy epic, Thurs 1 Sat 3 Nov, Lichfield
Garrick
CALENDAR GIRLS Amateur production presented by Abbey Foregate (SURC) Drama
Group, Thurs 1 - Sat 3
Shrewsbury
VULGARITIES Total Arts
Community Theatre
presents a humourous
show packed with double meanings, Thurs 1 Sat 3 Nov, Tamworth
Arts Centre
LAWRIE MCMENEMY - ON
THE BALL During an
evening hosted by BBC
Radio's Mike Osman,
ex-football manager
Lawrie McMenemy
shares behind-thescenes stories and
takes questions from
the audience, Fri 2 Nov,
Lichfield Garrick
2 DEEP Physical comic
theatre from Rannel
Theatre Company, Fri 2
Nov, The Roses, Tewksbury
PIFF THE MAGIC DRAGON
Unique magic show, Fri
2 Nov, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre
POP ICONS 2012 Performance from some of
Worcestershire's most
talented young vocalists, Fri 2 Nov, Artrix,
Bromsgrove
INSPECTOR NORSE Lip
Service present a
Swedish self-assembly
crime thriller featuring a
drunken moose..., Fri 2
Nov, Arena Theatre,
Bromsgrove
ROMEO AND JULIET
REVISITED Physical production which follows
the lovers’ journey with
live music, singing,
dagger juggling and
sword fighting, Fri 2
Nov, Netherton Arts
Centre, Dudley
PINOCCHIO Image Musical Theatre present a
production with wonderful songs, great costumes and the opportunity for audience participation, Fri 2 Nov, Solihull Arts Complex
experts present an
evening of worldinspired cooking, stories and hearty laughs,
Fri 2 - Sat 3 Nov,
Malvern Theatres
FLYING HIGH Worcester
Musical Theatre Company present a fusion
of comedy, dance and
song, Fri 2 - Sat 10
Nov, The Swan Theatre,
Worcester
MACBETH Worcester
Repertory Company
present their version of
Shakespeare’s bloody
play, Fri 2 - Sat 3 Nov,
Malvern Priory
DON GIOVANNI Mid
Wales Opera present
Mozart’s tragic tale of
love, lust, betrayal and
revenge, Fri 2 - Sat 3
Nov, Ludlow Assembly
Rooms, South Shropshire
ME, MUM & DUSTY
SPRINGFIELD New, onewoman black comedy
reflecting upon the
bond which binds
mothers and daughters,
Sat 3 Nov, Artrix,
Bromsgrove
EMBRACED BURLESQUE
Sat 3 Nov, Newhampton Arts Centre, Wolverhampton
A KICK IN THE BAUBLES
MIG present an amateur prouduction of
Gordon Steel's festive
play, Sat 3 Nov, Stafford
Gatehouse Theatre
MISS SAIGON The Musical Theatre Production
Company present an
amateur production of
Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil’s
much-heralded musical, based on Puccini’s
Madame Butterfly, Sat 3
Nov, The Place, Oakengates Theatre, Telford
UNCLE BERT’S COW Amateur production for children, Sat 3 Nov, The
Swan Theatre, Worcester
A NIGHT OF MUSICALS
Featuring music from
more than twenty musicals. Michael Courtney
stars, Sat 3 Nov, Solihull Arts Complex
DIRTY DANCING TRIBUTE
SHOW Featuring all the
hits from the iconic
movie, Sat 3 Nov, Bedworth Civic Hall
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING The Crescent Theatre Company present
their version of Shakespeare's romantic comedy, Sat 3 - Sat 17 Nov,
Crescent Theatre, Birmingham
GRIMM TALES The University of Wolverhampton Drama department
present Carol Ann
Duffy's adaptation of
four of the Brothers
Grimm’s most famous
tales, including Hansel
& Gretel, Ashputtel,
Rumpelstiltskin and
Snow White, Sat 3 Nov,
Birmingham Library
Theatre
experts present an
Sun 4 Nov, Civic Hall,
Wolverhampton
Week Commencing
MON 5 NOV
DRIVING MISS DAISY
Timeless American play
which inspired the
Academy Award-winning film. Gwen Taylor
and Don Warrington
star, Mon 5 - Sat 10
Nov, Malvern Theatres
THE HAUNTING A spooktacular play adapted
from the ghost stories
by Charles Dickens.
David Robb (Downton
Abbey) and James
Roache star, Mon 5 Sat 10 Nov, Theatre
Severn, Shrewsbury
THE MEE CLUB A feelgood cabaret of performance poets, storytellers,
authors and stand-ups
with live music to follow, Tues 6 Nov,
Kitchen Garden Cafe,
THE COMING STORM
Forced Entertainment
present what’s
described as an exhilerating new show which
fuses the theatre
group’s trademark
black humour and
anarchic performance
style, Tues 6 - Wed 7
Theatre LISTINGS
productions, including times and
dates, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk
THE GOVERNMENT
INSPECTOR Northern
Broadsides present a
new version of Nikolai
Gogol's celebrated
comedy, Tue 6 - Sat 10
Nov, New Vic Theatre,
Newcatle-under-Lyme
MOTHER COURAGE AND
HER CHILDREN Blackeyed Theatre present
Lee Hall's translation of
Bertolt Brecht's twentieth century masterpiece, Tue 6 Nov,
Malvern Theatres
THAT’LL BE THE DAY
Rock’n’roll spectacular
featuring music from
the 50s, 60s & 70s,
Tues 6 - Wed 7 Nov,
The Roses, Tewksbury
THE COMING STORM
Forced Entertainment
present a new show
which fuses their trademark black humour,
arresting images and
anarchic performance
style, Tue 6 - Wed 7
THE GHOST'S TOUCH
Rumpus Theatre Company present a haunting new play by John
Goodrum, Tue 6 - Wed
7 Nov, Arena Theatre,
Wolverhampton
THE EDGE Big Brum
Theatre present a compelling, dark comedy
exploring what it is to
be human in the complex world of today,
Tues 6 - Fri 9 Nov, mac,
Birmingham
ANNIE GET YOUR GUN
Amateur production
presented by St
Alphege Musical Production Society, Tue 6 Sat 10 Nov, Solihull Arts
Complex
HELLO DOLLY Amateur
production presented
by Bilston Operatic
Company, Tue 6 - Sat
10 Nov, The Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton
WHEN WE ARE MARRIED
Stafford Players present
an amateur production
of JB Priestley's 1938
play, Tue 6 - Sat 10
Nov, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre
ASYLUM DIALOGUES
Human Rights theatre
group Ice and Fire
present a script-in-hand
performance which,
written by Sonja Linden, draws on real life
encounters between
asylum seekers and
British citizens, Wed 7
Nov, Newhampton Arts
Centre, Wolverhampton
AND THEN THERE WERE
NONE Wythall Theatre
Company present
Agatha Christie’s best
ever selling thriller, Wed
7 - Sat 10 Nov, Palace
Theatre, Redditch
HAIRY BIKERS Every-
one's favourite culinary
experts present an
Wed 7 Nov, Victoria
NICK BAKER: WEIRD
CREATURES A new show
packed with stories
about discovering,
meeting and filming an
array of weird and wonderful creatures, Wed 7
JEPHTHA Performed by
Welsh National Opera,
Wed 7 Nov, Birmingham Hippodrome
OH, WHISTLE... OH, WHISTLE, AND I'LL COME TO
YOU, MY LAD A tale of
nocturnal horror on the
Suffolk coast, considered by many to be MR
James's masterpiece,
Wed 7 Nov, Lichfield
Garrick
FELICITY ASTON: ALONE
IN ANTARCTICA A talk
from the first woman in
history to ski across
Antarctica alone, Wed 7
- Sat 17 Nov, Malvern
Theatres
LES MISERABLES
(SCHOOL EDITION) BMOS
Youtheatre present an
epic musical based on
Victor Hugo's
acclaimed novel, Wed 7
- Fri 9 Nov, Old Rep,
Birmingham
EVENING OF MEDIUMSHIP
WITH ANDREW DEE Wed
7 Nov, The Slade
COUNT MAGNUS - TWO
GHOST STORIES BY M R
JAMES A travel writer's
over-inquisitiveness
leads to a breathless,
diabolical chase from
darkest Sweden to rural
Essex, Thurs 8 Nov,
Lichfield Garrick
GREAT EXPECTATIONS
Everyman Theatre present a promenade performance of Dickens'
classic tale, Thurs 8 Sat 10 Nov, The Hive,
Worcester
TWELFTH NIGHT Propeller present an allmale production of
Shakespeare's comedy
of mistaken identity,
transformation and
deception, Thurs 8 Sat 10 Nov, Belgrade
Theatre, Coventry
LA BOHEME Welsh
National Opera present
a major new production
of Puccini's much-loved
romantic opera that
sees internationally
acclaimed director
Annabel Arden make
her company debut,
Thurs 8 - Sat 10 Nov,
Birmingham Hippodrome
A NIGHT OF DIRTY DANCING Concert show fea-
turing all the songs
from the much-loved
iconic movie, Thurs 8
THE FITZROVIA RADIO
HOUR Acclaimed production that recreates
the unique spirit of the
radio plays of the
1940s, Thurs 8 Nov,
Royal Spa Centre,
Leamington Spa
THREADBARE GREEBO 2
Headed Pigeon Productions present a surreal tale concerning a
boy made out of cloth,
mad scientists and talking tapeworms, Thurs 8
Nov, Arena Theatre,
Wolverhampton
THE POMEDY SHOW An
electric mix of
Jamaican comedy and
poetry celebrating
laughter, love and
learning for the entire
family and community,
Fri 9 Nov, Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton
NEIL INNES: SHORT STORIES, TALL SONGS Neil
performs a poignant,
humorous and topical
one-man show, spiced
with anecdotes of his
life and times in the
worlds of media and
showbusiness, Fri 9
Nov, Stourbridge Town
Hall
DR. PHIL'S RUDE HEALTH
SHOW Fri 9 Nov, Royal
Spa Centre, Leamington Spa
COUNT MAGNUS - TWO
GHOST STORIES BY M R
JAMES A travel writer's
over-inquisitiveness
leads to a breathless,
diabolical chase from
darkest Sweden to rural
Essex, Fri 9 Nov, Huntingdon Hall, Worcester
COSI FAN TUTE Welsh
National Opera present
Mozart's insightful comedy, Fri 9 Nov, Birmingham Hippodrome
TWO MONOLOGUES ON
MENTAL HEALTH: I CARE
AND SIMONE A woman
with bi-polar disorder
and her carer invite the
audience to witness
and reflect on their
experience. Presented
by Newman University
College, Fri 9 Nov, mac,
Birmingham
WITTANK Comedy show
that fuses inventive
characters with authentic sketches, Fri 9 Nov,
Theatre Severn,
Shrewsbury
KICKING OFF Frank
Bramwell's latest play
looks forward to a
future, a time when
today is but a dim
memory and when
hope is the only way
forward... Fri 9 - Sat 10
Nov, Old Joint Stock
Theatre, Birmingham
XANTHE GRESHAM - BABA
YAGA AND THE VIRGIN Fri
9 Nov, Lichfield Garrick
WIFE AFTER DEATH The
Billesley Players present Eric Chappell’s
sparkling comedy, Fri 9
- Sat 10 Nov, Dovehouse Theatre, Solihull
LOVERS ROCK MONOLOGUES A heart-warm-
Kicking Off - Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham
ing show which sees
Lovers Rock ambassadors Janet Kay, Caroll
Thompson & Victor
Romero Evans share
stories from back in the
day, Fri 9 - Sat 10 Nov,
The Drum, Birmingham
MILKSHAKE! LIVE Featuring the presenters and
characters from the
Channel 5 programme including Noddy, Fifi,
Roary, Mr Men &
Bananas in Pyjamas,
Sat 10 Nov, Stourbridge
Town Hall
THANKS FOR THE MEMORY Impresario and
Music Hall authority
Duggie Chapman
shares his memories
from Music Hall to Variety, Sat 10 Nov, Lichfield Garrick
TALBOT HOUSE - A HOME
FROM HOME Peter Gill's
feelgood play set
around a Belgium
house which became a
refuge for allied troops
during World War II, Sat
10 Nov, Huntingdon
Hall, Worcester
JUNK Theatrical performance from four
guys who collectively
present four elements
of performing art,
humorous dance routines, harmonised
singing, acting and talented percussion, Sat
10 Nov, The Place,
Oakengates Theatre,
Telford
A FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS A
Diwali celebration featuring South Asian
dance, music and song
from regional artists,
Sat 10 Nov, Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton
ALADDIN Indigo Moon
Theatre presents a
large-scale shadow
puppet production of
the classic children’s
tale, Sun 11 Nov, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury
Week Commencing
MON 12 NOV
THE KILLING OF SISTER
GEORGE The nonentities
present Frank Marcus’
witty and poignant
comedy, Mon 12 - Sat
17 Nov, The Rose Theatre, Kidderminster
AN EVENING WITH PAM
AYRES Mon 12 Nov,
Lichfield Garrick
GOOD GRIEF Penelope
Keith stars in a stage
adaptation of Keith
Waterhouse’s best-selling comic novel, Mon
12 - Sat 17 Nov,
Malvern Theatres
INSPECTOR DRAKE 2 The
Flying Ducks return
with another instalment
of inspired buffoonery
which sees the 1930s
cult detective tracking
down a ruthless serial
killer who commits a
hat-trick of murders in a
hat shop, Mon 12 Nov,
The Swan Theatre,
Worcester
CALENDAR GIRLS Tim
Firth’s acclaimed
drama inspired by a
true story and featuring
a stellar cast. Lesley
Joseph, Sue Holderness, Ruth Madoc,
Kathryn Rooney, Camilla Dallerup, Helen Fraser, Deena Payne, Kacey
Ainsworth & Kevin
Sacre star, Mon 12 Sat 17 Nov, The Grand
Theatre, Wolverhampton
MEDEA Headlong present Mike Bartlett's new
version of Euripides'
classic tragedy, Tue 13
- Sat 17 Nov, Warwick
L.O.V.E Volcano Theatre
return with their theatrical landmark based on
Shakespeare's Sonnets
with a touch of Shirley
Bassey, Tue 13 - Wed
14 Nov, Arena Theatre,
Wolverhampton
SUMMER HOLIDAY Redditch Operatic Society
present a new production which promises to
take audiences on a
holiday they’ll never forget... Tue 13 - Sat 17
Nov, Palace Theatre,
Redditch
VAMPIRES ROCK Musical
stage show which, set
in New York in the year
2030, follows the rising
of the undead while set
to some of the greatest
rock anthems ever, Tue
13 Nov, New Alexandra
Theatre, Birmingham
REMEMBER WHEN Neil
Sands and his West
End cast perform a mixture of great songs with
stunning costumes and
lashings of good-old
fashioned festive fun,
Tue 13 Nov, The Place,
Oakengates Theatre,
Telford
PHANTOMS AND THE
MUSICALS Barry Walker's Smackee makes a
welcome return, bringing the latest and greatest from London's West
NOVEMBER
BROMSGROVE’S THEATRE, CINEMA,
LIVE MUSIC AND COMEDY VENUE
HIGHLIGHTS
Sat 10th November
Mon 12th November
PAPPY'S: LAST.
SHOW. EVER
THE LOCK IN
ROB ROUSE
5-STAR EDINBURGH
FESTIVAL COMEDY SHOW
FOLK & HIP HOP DANCE
EXTRAVAGANZA WITH
THE DEMON BARBERS
HONEST, FRANK &
SERIOUSLY FUNNY
STAND-UP
Sun 18th November
Tues 20th November
Thurs 22nd November
FRED MACAULAY
THEA GILMORE
STAR OF TV AND BBC
RADIO 4S NEWS QUIZ
ONE OF THE UKS MOST
ENDURING SINGERSONGWRITERS
ANDY
FAIRWEATHER LOW
Tues 13th November
PEDIGREE THAT ROCK
DREAMS ARE MADE OF
FORTHCOMING CINEMA: Hope Springs (12A) //
Lawless (18) // Orphee (PG) // Holy Motors (18) //
Skyfall (12A)
The new Artrix brochure is available to download on www.artrix.co.uk
For bookings & full details log onto
www.artrix.co.uk or phone 01527 577330
Artrix, Slideslow Drive, Bromsgrove B60 1PQ Free parking on-site
Tues 6th Nov at 7.30pm
Wed 7th Nov at 1.30pm and 7.30pm
Mon 19th Nov at 7.30pm
Rumpus Theatre
presents
NOVEMBER SHOWS
the ghost’s touch
Wulfruna Street,
Wolverhampton
WV1 1SE
A haunting new play based
on the chilling tale
by Wilkie Collins.
kabaddi,
kabaddi, kabaddi
A powerful drama about sport,
nationality and belonging.
Supported by Black Country Touring
Tickets: £9 full price and £7 concs.
All matinee tickets £5.
Thurs 8th Nov at 7.30pm
Two Headed Pigeon
Theatre Company
presents
Wed 21st Nov at 7.30pm
Thurs 22nd Nov at 1.30pm and 7.30pm
A fairytale about mental illness
and social exclusion.
11+
Supported by Black Country Touring
and Outside Centre.
An energetic romp
for all the family.
All matinee tickets £5.
Sat 10th Nov at 7.30pm
Wed 28th Nov at 7.30pm
Surdhwani, Sampad and
Arena Theatre present
Richard Tyrone Jones presents
festival
of light
richard tyrone
jone’s big heart
A Diwali celebration
featuring South Asian
dance, music and song
from regional artists.
How do you fight back when
your heart tries to kill you?
All Tickets: £5
month please visit our website:
Oddsocks
presents
the
adventures
of
robin hood
threadbare greebo
Box Office
01902 321 321 For details of other shows this
Pursued by a Bear Productions in
co-production with Kali Theatre
presents
www.arena.wlv.ac.uk
Theatre LISTINGS
For full listing information on theatre productions, including times and dates, visit
End and Broadway, Tue 13
Coventry
DIM SUM NIGHTS Site-specific new show from Yellow
Earth Theatre Company
which fuses unique theatre
and Chinese food, Tue 13 Thurs 15 Nov, Ming Moon
Restaurant, Birmingham
KNICK KNACK AND DOO DAD
- REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL
Lyngo Theatre present a
brand new show for children which, set on an
island piled high with rubbish, tells a tale of friendship, Tues 13 Nov - Sun 2
Dec, mac, Birmingham
DISNEY'S BEAUTY AND THE
BEAST Get Your 'Wigle' On
present an amateur production of the much-loved
family favourite, Wed 14 Sat 17 Nov, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury
CIRCUS OF HORRORS: CURSE
OF THE DEVIL DOLL A whirlwind journey though 1927
Berlin - a decadent decade
and the birth of the
Cabaret, Wed 14 Nov, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry
DR. FAUSTUS New adaptation of Marlowe’s play,
Wed 14 Nov, The Roses,
Tewksbury
HANDA’S SURPRISE Little
Angel Theatre present a
blend of physical performance, puppetry, live music
and song, combined to
create an intimate, magical
production with audience
participation, Wed 14 Nov,
Newhampton Arts Centre,
Wolverhampton
FARM BOY New Percpectives Theatre Company
Michael Morpurgo’s Farm
Boy - the compelling
sequel to the award-winning War Horse, Wed 14
THE CANTERBURY TALES
Tacit Theatre present Geoffrey Chaucer's bawdy epic,
Wed 14 - Thurs 15 Nov,
Belgrade Theatre, Coventry
THE PRODUCERS A pro/am
production presented by
Curtain Call productions,
Wed 14 - Fri 16 Nov,
Crewe Lyceum
PORNOGRAPHY Combining
Simon Stephens’ visceral
play with uncompromising
performance and design,
this production will ask
you to consider your own
responsibility for a national
tragedy, Wed 14 - Sat 17
Nov, Warwick Arts Centre,
Coventry
JAMES AND THE GIANT
PEACH Birmingham Stage
Company present Roald
Dahl's classic adventure
for children, Wed 14 Nov Sat 2 Feb, Old Rep, Birmingham
MISERY Stage play adapted from Stephen King's
award-winning dark and
twisting tale, Thurs 15 Nov,
Stafford Gatehouse The-
atre
2DEEP Ranell present a
hip-hop comedy full of
jaw-dropping skills with a
futuristic twist, Thurs 15
Nov, Arena Theatre,
Wolverhampton
AN EVENING WITH ANDREW
MOTION Presented by Wenlock Poetry Festival, Thurs
15 Nov, The Edge Arts
Centre. Much Wenlock,
South Shropshire
THE SHOWSTOPPERS A
brand new musical comedy is created from scratch
at each performance of
this award-winning production. Audience suggestions spontaneously
become an all-singing, alldancing show on the spot,
Thurs 15 Nov, Solihull Arts
Complex
BORIS GODUNOV Michael
Boyd directs Adrian
Mitchell's adaptation of
Alexander Pushkin's political Russian drama, Thurs
15 Nov - Sat 30 Mar, The
Swan Theatre, Stratfordupon-Avon
BONZO DOG DOO DAH BAND
A blend of music, comedy
and performance art,
Thurs 15 Nov, The Queen's
Hall, Nuneaton
PIFF THE MAGIC DRAGON IN
JURASSIC BARK Debut UK
tour, Fri 16 Nov, The Public, West Bromwich
CABARET EVENING OF
ENTERTAINMENT Walsall
Operatic Society presents
a relaxed evening of music
from the West End, classic
musicals and films in the
informal setting of Lichfield
Garrick's cabaret-style studio, Fri 16 Nov, Lichfield
Garrick
BROADWAY AND BEYOND THE MAGIC LIVES ON Selection of forty musical numbers from a century of
Broadway shows, Fri 16
OFFA'S POETS IN CAPTIVITY
Offa's Poets present an
evening of entertaining
poetry made in the West
Midlands. Performers
include Emma Purshouse,
Jeff Phelps, Win Saha and
Dave Reeves, Fri 16 Nov,
Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton
HOKE'S BLUFF Action Hero
present an underdog story
that shifts and re-arranges
the trite conventions and
narratives of American
teen movies to talk about
what it means to be a winner on the inside, Fri 16 Sat 17 Nov, Warwick Arts
Centre, Coventry
THE NEW BLACK SHOWCASE
Raw readings of short,
sharp, new plays from
some of the West Midlands’ newest communities, Fri 16 - Sat 17 Nov,
Belgrade Theatre, Coventry
TIME GENTLEMEN PLEASE!
The UK's no.1 folk and hiphop dance extravaganza!,
Sat 17 Nov, Lichfield Garrick
HENNA British Punjabi storytellers Peter and Gorg
Chand take the audience
on a journey to incredible
landscapes, with tales of
love, loss, betrayal and
Bollywood dancing! Sat 17
Nov, Newhampton Arts
Centre, Wolverhampton
THE MOUSE AND HIS CHILD
The RSC present Tamsin
Oglesby's adaptation of
Russell Hoban's acclaimed
children's tale, Sat 17 Nov
- Sat 12 Jan, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratfordupon-Avon
A CHRISTMAS CAROL Dickens' Christmas classic is
here adapted and directed
by New Vic Artistic Director, Theresa Heskins, Sat
17 Nov - Sat 19 Jan, New
Vic Theatre, Newcastleunder-Lyme
Week Commencing
MON 19 NOV
SILVER BELLS CHRISTMAS
SHOW Performance fusing
the music of Christmas
present with the spirit of
Christmas past. Leah Bell,
Johnny de Little, Peter
Donegan, Jason King,
Jason Jones & The Silver
Belles Dancers, Mon 19
Nov, Tamworth Assembly
Rooms
KABADDI. KABADDI, KABADDI
Pursued By A Bear Productions present a powerful new drama about sport,
nationality and belonging,
with a haunting love story
at its heart, Mon 19 Nov,
blend of physical performance, puppetry, live music
and song, combined to
create an intimate, magical
production with audience
participation, Mon 19 Nov,
The Edge Arts Centre,
Much Wenlock, South
Shropshire
THE PAPER CINEMA'S
ODYSSEY BAC Take Out
presents a retelling of
Homer's epic poem, Mon
19 - Tue 20 Nov, Warwick
9 TO 5: THE MUSICAL New
musical comedy based on
the multi-award-winning
movie starring Dolly Parton. Bonnie Langford,
Natalie Casey, Jackie
Clune, Amy Lennox and
Ben Richards star, Mon 19
- Sat 24 Nov, Regent Theatre, Hanley, Stoke-onTrent
ROBIN PRINCE OF SHERWOOD Presented by St
Augustines Musical Theatre Company, Mon 19 Sat 24 Nov, Solihull Arts
Complex
THE MEE CLUB A feelgood
cabaret of performance
poets, storytellers, authors
and stand-ups with live
music to follow, Tues 20
Nov, Kitchen Garden Cafe,
THE MOUSETRAP Celebrating sixty incredible years
on stage, this world
famous and longest run-
ning show goes on tour for
the first time, Mon 19 - Sat
24 Nov, Malvern Theatres
SOME LIKE IT HIP HOP A
comic tale of love, mistaken identity, cross-dressing,
gender stereotypes and
revolution, Tue 20 - Wed
21 Nov, The Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton
MOTHERLAND Funny and
moving exploration of
what it means to be a
woman that is both funny
and moving, Tue 20 - Wed
21 Nov, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry
BOOGIE NIGHTS Musical featuring the best disco hits
that the 70s had to offer...
Tue 20 - Sat 24 Nov, Royal
Spa Centre, Leamington
Spa
STORYTELLING CAFE A double-bill feat. Rachel Murray
and Helen Appleton, Wed
21 Nov, Kitchen Garden
Cafe, Kings Heath, Birmingham
WE HOPE THAT YOU'RE
HAPPY... Made In China
present an examination of
what it means to be a
tuned-in, delusional and
unwitting consumer in a
hyper-communicative
world, Wed 21 - Thu 22
Nov, Warwick Arts Centre,
Coventry
THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN
HOOD Oddsocks present a
heart-warming romp suitable for all the family, complete with live music,
action and plenty of audience participation, Wed 21
Nov, Arena Theatre,
Wolverhampton
KABADDI KABADDI KABADDI
Gripping new drama about
sport, nationhood and
belonging, with a haunting
love story at its heart, Wed
21 Nov, The Public, West
Bromwich
A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS
The story of Thomas More,
the man who stood up to
King Henry VIII when the
King rejected the Roman
Catholic Church to obtain
divorce and remarriage,
Wed 21 - Sat 24 Nov,
BOOGIE NIGHTS: THE 70S
MUSICAL The heart-warming story of Roddy, a Jackthe-lad whose life of birds,
booze and boogies is
about to be turned upsidedown, Wed 21- Sat 24
Nov, Forest Arts Centre,
Walsall
A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS
Second Thoughts Theatre
Company present their
version of Robert Bolt’s
play, Wed 21 - Sat 24 Nov,
HONK! The Old Joint Stock
Musical Theatre Company
Stiles & Drewe's acclaimed
musical that's based on
Hans Christian Andersen's
classic children's tale, Wed
21 - Sun 25 Nov, Old Joint
Stock Theatre, Birmingham
CALENDAR GIRLS Amateur
production presented by
Stourbridge Theatre Company, Thurs 22 Nov, Stourbridge Town Hall
AN AUDIENCE WITH COLIN
FRY An evening of mediumship, Thurs 22 Nov,
BIRMINGHAM’S
PREMIER PUB
THEATRE
Thursday 1st Nov 7:30pm
Friday 2nd Nov 7:30pm
ME, MUM & DUSTY
SPRINGFIELD
A new comedy sprinkled with Dusty lyrics
and coated with a song or two. Reflecting
on the bond that binds mothers & daughters, people who are not quite what they
seem and how we cope with loss when
it’s just too late. £11/£9
Saturday 3rd Nov 2:30pm & 7:30pm
OUR KYLIE’S
GETTIN’ WED
A funny yet touching play about the
trials and tribulations of every family
wedding that you have ever been to! A
true feel-good show, Our Kylie's Gettin’
Wed will make you laugh and bring a
tear to your eye. £10 / £8
Fri 9th Nov 7:30pm
Sat 10th Nov 2pm & 7:30pm
KICKING OFF
Birmingham, England. The Riots,
2011/2025. What happened, was it all
a dream that went horribly wrong?
Frank Bramwell's latest play looks forward to a future when hope is the only
way forward... £12 / £10
Saturday 17th November 7:30pm
URBAN TARAB
OPEN STAGE
Come and join us for a night out with
a difference; this is belly dance - but
not as you know it!
There are many different styles and
moods to enjoy including fusions of
Flamenco, Gypsy and Indian dance..
To book: www.pedralta.com
21st-24th Nov - 7.30pm
24th & 25th Nov - 2.30pm
HONK!
OJSMTC presents Stiles and Drewe's
award winning musical based on the
Hans Christian Anderson tale about
the ugly duckling. £12 - £15
Wed 28th Nov 7:30pm
DICKENS’ TALES: BLEAK
HOUSE
Using a fusion of narration, original
text and the interweaving of his character creations, experience the
retelling of Dickens' unforgettable and
haunting novel. £10 / £8
Thursday 29th November 8pm
FOGHORN IMPROV
Using audience suggestions, Foghorn
Improv University will educate on a
fascinating and utterly pre-existant
subject. Disclaimer: facts contained in
this show may not be entirely accurate
£7.50
Tel: 0121 200 0946
& 0845 680 1926
email:[email protected].
www.oldjointstocktheatre.co.uk
or on-line at: www.oxboffice.com
Theatre November_Layout 1 29/10/2012 17:03 Page 13
NOVEMBER
CALL
SCARECROW
PIFF THE MAGIC DRAGON
JURASSIC BARK
Thurs 1 Nov, 11am
A story packed with
music, movement and
puppetry for children
and their families,
followed by an
interactive workshop.
Tickets £6 / £5.50 (show)
and £6 / £5.50 (workshop)
TIMON OF ATHENS
Fri 2 Nov
Wed 7th November
NICK BAKER:
WEIRD CREATURES
7.30pm. Tickets £14 / £12 concs
GATEHOUSE THEATRE
LET'S HANG ON
Streamed live via
satellite from the
National Theatre.
Simon Russell
Beale takes the title role in
Shakespeare’s fable of consumption, debt
and ruin. Tickets £15 / £14
Fri 2 & Sat 3 Nov, 7.30pm
Mid Wales Opera presents
the tragic tale of love, lust,
betrayal and revenge.
A brand new production,
bound to set your heart
racing.
Fri 16th November
BROADWAY AND
BEYOND : THE MAGIC
LIVES ON
WILL HOLLAND’S
COOKING DEMONSTRATION
Sat 10 Nov, 10.30am
7.30pm. £15 / £13 concs
Will Holland, Chef Patron
at La Becasse, host s a
fundraising event for
Ludlow Assembly Rooms.
Mon19th November
Tickets £10
EYES FRONT!
GATEHOUSE THEATRE
Isla St Clair presents this
delightfully nostalgic,
poignant and humorous
look at the effects of music
in wartime. As well as performing a selection of popular songs Isla tells the sto7.30pm, £12.00, £10.00 concs
ries behind them.
KEIRAN GOSS
GATEHOUSE THEATRE
JETHRO 2012
Wed 14 Nov
7.30pm. Tickets £19.50
FARM BOY
Wed 14 Nov, 8pm
Sat 3 Nov
The Sony and Perrier
nominated Shuttleworth
ventures beyond the garden gate to tread the
mean streets of Britain to
decide which is better:
8.00pm, £16.00, £15.00 concs
City life or country living?
Tue 13 Nov
Sat 17th November
THE SOUNDS OF SIMON:
A TRIBUTE TO SIMON
AND GARFUNKEL
Tickets £20 / £18.50
Piff the Magic Dragon
embarks on his first
major UK tour accompanied by Mr Piffles
the World's First Million Dollar Chihuahua™.
8.00pm, £14.00, £12.00 concs
JOHN SHUTTLEWORTH
Fri 9th November
Thurs 1 Nov,
7pm
DON GIOVANNI
FOR Y
BROCHOUR
U
TODAYRE
Fri 23rd November
Michael Morpurgo’s
compelling sequel to the
award-winning War Horse
brought to life by New
Perspectives Theatre
Company.
THE LADY BOYS OF
BANGKOK - CARNIVAL
QUEENS
Tickets £12 / £10
7.30pm. Tickets £20 / £18.50 concs
Ireland's leading songwriter and performer,
Kieran Goss’s music has
won him fans across the
globe, but if his songs
have brought him stardom, it's Kieran's live
shows which have made
him a legend in his homeland, selling out venues
7.30pm, £14.00, £11.00 concs
for over 20 years
MANCHESTER CAMERATA
MOZART’S FLUTE CONCERTO
THE LOCK IN
Fri 16 Nov, 7.30pm
Sat 24th November
Fri 16 Nov
The UK’s number one
folk and hiphop dance
extravaganza. .
GORDON HENDRICKS IS
ELVIS
Tickets £16.50 / £14.50
7.30pm, Tickets £15
OLA ONABULE
Sat 17 Nov, 8pm
Wed 28th November
An evening of powerful
soul and jazz music not
to be missed..
MARCUS BRIGSTOCKE:
THE BRIG SOCIETY
Tickets £15 / £14
8pm, Tickets £15
THE MADRIGIRLS
Fri 23 Nov, 7.30pm
Gábor Takács-Nagy continues his exploration of twentieth century British string
music with two more miniature masterpieces – Vaughan Williams’ folk-immersed
Five Variants for Strings and
Harp, and Elgar’s beautifully
melodic
Chanson de Matin et de
7.30pm, £15.00, £13.00 concs
Nuit.
PAUL FOOT
KENNY LARCH IS DEAD
Sun 25 Nov
Fri 7th - Mon 31st December
Charming acapella music
to compliment Ludlow’s
Medieval Fayre weekend.
Expect the unexpected
from the man The Independent described as
“sublime, original and brilliant”. A BBC New Comedy Award and Daily Telegraph Open Mic winner,
recent UK TV credits
include “Russell Howard’s
Good News” BBC3.
BOO
K
NOW
!
Tickets £12 / £11
Various Times, Tickets £14 - £48
7.30pm, £12.50
1 Mill Street, Ludlow,
Shropshire SY8 1AZ
01584 878141
www.ludlowassemblyrooms.co.uk
BOOKONLINE
Box Office 01785 254653
www.staffordgatehousetheatre.co.uk
Theatre LISTINGS
The Lady Boys Of Bangkok - The Place, Oakengates, Telford
productions, including times and
dates, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk
Birmingham
ANGELINA BALLERINA
THE MOUSICAL Thurs 22
- Sat 24 Nov, The
Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton
THE LADY BOYS OF
BANGKOK - CARNIVAL
QUEENS Join the festivities as sixteen of the
world’s most entrancing
beauties take you on a
carnival parade, Fri 23
MISERY Stage play
adapted from Stephen
King's award-winning
dark and twisting tale,
Fri 23 Nov, Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton
THE BOSS RULES - HOW
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN
CHANGED MY LIFE! Join
Sarfraz Manzoor on a
humorous journey back
to his childhood, where
the songs from The
Boss hold the key to
escaping from Luton
and finding the woman
of his dreams, Fri 23
Nov, The Drum, Birmingham
blend of physical performance, puppetry,
live music and song,
combined to create an
intimate, magical production with audience
participation, Fri 23
Nov, The Hive, Shrewsbury
MOTHER COURAGE AND
HER CHILDREN Blackeyed Theatre present
Lee Hall's translation of
Bertolt Brecht's twentieth century masterpiece, Fri 23 Nov, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury
THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES Eve Ensler's
hilarious Broadway and
West End smash hit is
back, featuring a new
all-star cast including
Clare Buckfield, Vicky
Entwistle and Hayley
Tamaddon, Fri 23 Nov,
Tamworth Assembly
Rooms
APPLAUSE A cabaret of
song and dance, Sat 24
Nov, Dovehouse Theatre, Solihull
EMBRACED BURLESQUE
Sat 24 Nov, Newhampton Arts Centre, Wolverhampton
TWO WRONGIES WORLD
OF WRONG A risque
dance-comedy that celebrates the glitz and
glamour of show time
while exploring the sad
and grubby truths that
sometimes lurk behind
the spotlight, Sat 24
IN THE SPOTLIGHT RSM's
annual showcase featuring students from the
stage academy together with professional
performers from Lon-
don's West End, Sat 24
- Sun 25 Nov, Arena
COLDER THAN HERE The
Crescent Theatre Company present Laura
Wade's dark but
translucent play of love,
death and grief, Sat 24
Nov - Sat 1 Dec, Crescent Theatre, Birmingham
THREE MEN IN A BOAT
The award-winning
Original Theatre Company present Jerome K
Jerome’s modern classic, Sun 25 Nov, Forest
Arts Centre, Walsall
ARMONICO CONCERT: TOO
HOT TO HANDEL The
story of two lovers carefully intertwines the
most ravishing of Handel’s arias from his
many operas, romping
from drama to comedy,
from tragedy to laughter, Sun 25 Nov, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury
Week Commencing
MON 26 NOV
THE LADYKILLERS Graham Linehan's new
adaptation of the celebrated Ealing comedy,
Mon 26 Nov - Sat 1
Dec, Malvern Theatres
AMERICAN IDIOT New
musical that's based on
Green Day's Grammy
Award-winning album
of the same name, Mon
26 Nov - Sat 1 Dec,
Birmingham
GREASE THE MUSICAL
Mon 26 Nov - Sat 1
Dec, The Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton
KABADDI KABADDI
KABADDI Gripping new
drama about sport,
nationhood and
belonging, with a
haunting love story at
its heart, Tues 27 Nov,
mac, Birmingham
FASCINATING AIDA Starring Dillie Keane, Liza
Pulman & Adele Anderson, Tue 27 Nov, Birmingham Town Hall
POETRY BITES WITH
JONATHON & MARIA TAYLOR Tues 27 Nov,
Kitchen Garden Cafe,
SOLIHULL GANG SHOW
2012 Based on the original Ralph Reader concept, Solihull Gang
Show presents a fusion
of singing, dancing and
comedy, Tue 27 Nov Sat 1 Dec, Solihull Arts
Complex
AN EVENING WITH DAVID
DIMBLEBY Wed 28 Nov,
Ludlow Assembly
RICHARD TYRONNE
JONES' BIG HEART Poet
and spoken word performer Richard Tyronne
Jones presents a solo
debut in which he
shares his near death
experience with the
audience, Wed 28 Nov,
SLEEPING BEAUTY Festive show promising
stunning sets, spectacular costumes and
sparkling performances, Wed 28 Nov - Sat 5
Jan, Belgrade Theatre,
Coventry
THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS Alan Bennett's
stage adaptation of
Kenneth Grahame's
classic tale, Wed 28
Nov - Sat 19 Jan, Crescent Theatre, Birmingham
THE ADVENTURES OF
ROBIN HOOD Oddsocks
present a heart-warming romp suitable for all
the family, complete
with live music, action
and plenty of audience
participation, Wed 28
Nov - Sat 1 Dec, Bridge
House Theatre, Warwick
FEEL GOOD MUSICAL
Reach Musical Theatre
present an array of
West End showstoppers including Mamma
Mia!, We Will Rock You
and Wicked, Thurs 29
Nov - Sat 1 Dec, Arena
WE'RE GOING ON A BEAR
HUNT Expect catchy
songs, interactive
scenes and plenty of
hands-on adventure in
this stage adaptation of
the much-loved picture
book written by Michael
Rosen and illustrated
be Helen Oxenbury,
Thurs 29 Nov - Sun 30
Dec, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry
AN AUDIENCE WITH
JONATHAN DIMBLEBY A
show which marks the
seventieth anniversary
of the Battle of El
Alamein in 1942, the
subject of Dimbleby’s
new book Destiny In
The Desert, Thurs 29
THE ADAM AND ANT
SHOW - ILLUSIONS AND
MAGIC Fri 30 Nov, The
Hive, Shrewsbury
EMPIRE Reckless Sleepers explore the notion
of the United Kingdom,
Europe, and the shifting
state of global politics
with people from Australia, Belgium and the
UK in a work-inprogress piece as part
of Triggered@Warwick,
Fri 30 Nov, Warwick
THE EMPEROR’S NEW
CLOTHES Luke Players
present David Foxton’s
play for children which
merges two popular
tales, Fri 30 Nov - Sat 1
Dec, mac, Birmingham
ERIC IN WONDERLAND
New Vic's Uncle Eric is
back and ready to murder yet another literary
classic, Fri 30 Nov - Sat
15 Dec, New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-underLyme
HELLO, DOLLY!
Described as one of the
brassiest Broadway
musicals of all time,
Hello Dolly follows the
spirited Dolly Levi, a
professional matchmaker intent on bringing
love to the great and
good of Manhattan, Fri
30 Nov - Sat 12 Jan,
The Curve, Leicester
CINDERELLA Traditional
Family Pantomime, Fri
30 Nov - Mon 3 Dec,
Crewe Lyceum
CELEBRATING
100 YEARS OF
ENTERTAINMENT
November 2012
Tues 30th Oct - Sat 3rd Nov, 7.30pm
Sat Mat 2.30pm
YOU’RE ONLY
YOUNG TWICE
Tickets from £12.00 - £18.50 C
Sun 4th November, 7.30pm
THE BIG BAND
Tickets from £16.00 C
Wed 7th November, 8.00pm
CHICAGO BLUES BROTHERS
Tickets from £17.00 / £19.00 / £21.00
Fri 9th November, 7.30pm
ONE NIGHT IN VEGAS
Tickets from £16.50 / £17.50 C
Sat 10th November, 7.00pm
KEN DODD
Tickets £20.50 C
Sat 18th November, 7.30pm
THE BACHELORS
Tickets £15.50 C
CREWE LYCEUM I HEATH STREET I CREWE I CW1 2DA
01270 686 777 www.lyceumtheatre.net
COMING SOON
TO THEATRE SEVERN
FRIDAY 9 NOVEMBER
WitTank
"A dazzling display of sketch
genius... There isn't a single
down moment in WitTank's
exhilaratingly perfect set"
'LIST
SATURDAY 17 NOVEMBER
You’ll feel like you've
travelled back in
time when you experience these
four top class musicians on
stage, recreating
Led Zeppelin's
magical
concerts.
8th - 10th November 7.45pm (3pm matinee)
Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham - 0121 212 2643
15th November - Stafford Gatehouse Theatre
17th November - Helmdon Reading Room, Northants
18th November - North Hall, Leamington Spa
23rd November - Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton
TUESDAY 20 NOVEMBER
SOWETO
KINCH TRIO
Award-winning jazz alto saxophonist
and hip hop star Soweto Kinch celebrates
the Autumn release of his new studio
double album titled 'The Legend of
Mike Smith' with a UK tour
This stunning show is based on 'The Seven
Deadly Sins'. Expect the unexpected!
WEDNESDAY 21 NOVEMBER
SHOW OF
HANDS
Powerhouse band Show of Hands
come to the Theatre Severn
in a year that sees them play
the Royal Albert Hall as they celebrate 20 years of an
incredible partnership that
has put them right at
the top of British folk.
VISIT OU
WEBSITE R
T
VIEW MO O
RE
SHOWS!
Box Office 01743 281 281
Book Online www.theatresevern.co.uk
Frankwell Quay,
Shrewsbury, Shropshire,
SY3 8FT
THE EASY WAY TO
BOOK
YOUR TICKETS
ONLINE
whatsonlive.co.uk
The most comprehensive what’s on listings website
for Birmingham and the West Midlands
Theatre REVIEWS
Here are a few of the theatre
productions we reviewed from last
month. For further theatre reviews, visit,
A Tender Thing
The Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon
So Friar Lawrence’s message does arrive and
Romeo and Juliet live. In fact, they live into old age
and have to face the all too common dilemmas:
personal care, terminal illness, death. This Romeo
and his Juliet still love each other, and Ben Power’s
clever script samples and remixes Shakespeare’s
words to make a strong new narrative. If you’re a
teenager, then the original Romeo And Juliet probably holds an added poignancy for you. So does
this play for the older members of the audience. It
portrays old age head on, and we all hope that we
have a love that can hold us in its arms until the
end. The play is set by the sea, cleverly evoked
through video design by Jacques Collin. The
motion back and forth, and the repetition of the
tide, is echoed through time, movement and language. The direction by Helens Kaut-Howson and
movement by Jane Gibson works to make this a
memorable piece of theatre. However, the crowning glory is the performances of Kathryn Hunter as
Juliet and Richard McCabe as Romeo; now I will
believe forever A Tender Thing, rather than Shakespeare’s original play. Jan Watts ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Blue/Orange
New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham
Blue/Orange has lost none of the pizazz so evident in its first production at the
National Theatre back in 2000. It’s a fantastic play which chooses to tread where very
few care to go, dealing with the issue of mental health and, more specifically, the
treatment of schizophrenia. This is theatre, not a documentary about the NHS, so we
accept the crisp, low set that is charmingly clinical, but not like a real hospital. The
hubbub of hospital life is also missing from the play, which features just three men
and a water cooler. The script is powerful, because it’s impossible to know where
these characters are going, and the outcome is left unresolved, allowing the audience
to draw its own conclusions. Robert Bathurst as Robert, Gerard McCarthy as Bruce
and Oliver Wilson as Christopher are foils in movement, speech and language, precipitating a serious debate within a cynical and corrupt framework. However, this is
not a glum evening. On the contrary, it’s a very funny one. There’s only one joke in
the text, but the juxtaposition of the performances make it a riot.
This is excellent theatre. If only the NHS had the same amount of time for patients in
the real world. Jan Watts ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Theatre Box Office
BRB: Swan Lake
Birmingham Hippodrome
Birmingham Royal Ballet’s production of
Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake was an excellent piece of
modern ballet. The Birmingham Hippodrome
played host to a full house, who were treated to the
Ivanov and Petipa version to this classic folk story of
love, romance and evil. All four acts were exquisitely performed by the main protagonists, with Sir
Peter Wright having ensured that the dance in Swan
Lake is immaculately choreographed. A special
mention goes to Nao Sakuma, as Odette and Odile,
and Chi Cao as Prince Siegfried. Act Three brought
a real sense of grandeur to proceedings, with ‘the
night of the Ball’ scene perfectly performed by the
company. Each of Prince Siegfried’s three potential
brides and their entourage livened up the evening
with an opulent act of dance. Birmingham Royal
Ballet certainly achieved a high standard with this
latest presentation of Swan Lake, and I’m certain
that the company
will perform with
similar excellence
in its forthcoming
production of Cinderella, which
begins on 21
November.
Parv Gandham
■■■■■
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
MAC 0121 446 3232
OLD JOINT STOCK THEATRE
0121 200 0946
OLD REP 0121 245 4455
0121 704 6962
Black Country
ARENA THEATRE
WOLVERHAMPTON
01902 321321
BLOXWICH THEATRE
01922 653183
DUDLEY CONCERT HALL
01384 812812
FOREST ARTS CENTRE, WALSALL
01922 654555
GRAND THEATRE,
01902 429212
NEWHAMPTON ARTS CENTRE
01902 572090
OLDBURY REP, OLDBURY
0121 552 2761
THE PUBLIC, WEST BROMWICH
0121 533 7161
Shropshire
THE BELFREY, WELLINGTON
01952 222277
THE EDGE, MUCH WENLOCK
01952 728911
THE HIVE, SHREWSBURY
01743 234970
LUDLOW ASSEMBLY
ROOMS 01584 878141
THE PLACE, OAKENGATES, TELFORD
01952 382382
THEATRE SEVERN, SHREWSBURY
01743 281281
WEM TOWN HALL
01939 232299
Staffordshire
LICHFIELD GARRICK
01543 412121
NEW VIC 01782 717962
PRINCE OF WALES
CENTRE, CANNOCK
01543 578762
REGENT THEATRE, STOKE
0870 060 6649
STAFFORD GATEHOUSE
01785 254653
STOKE REPERTORY THEATRE
01782 209784
Warwickshire
BEDWORTH CIVIC HALL
024 7637 6707
BELGRADE THEATRE, COVENTRY
024 7655 3055
BRIDGE HOUSE THEATRE, WARWICK
01926 776438
THE DREAM FACTORY
01926 419555
ROYAL SHAKESPEARE
THEATRE, STRATFORD-UPON-AVON
0844 800 1110
ROYAL SPA CENTRE
LEAMINGTON 01926 334418
WARWICK ARTS CENTRE COVENTRY
02476 524524
Worcestershire
ARTRIX ARTS CENTRE,
BROMSGROVE 01527 577330
THE HIVE
01905 822866
HUNTINGDON HALL, WORCESTER
01905 611427
MALVERN THEATRE
01684 892277
NORBURY THEATRE, DROITWICH
01905 770154
PALACE THEATRE
REDDITCH 01527 65203
ROSE THEATRE,
01562 743745
SWAN THEATRE,
WORCESTER 01905 611427
Theatre WEST END
Douglas Hodge to star as
Willy Wonka
Multi-award-winning actor Douglas Hodge
has confirmed that he’s to take the lead role
in Sam Mendes’ much-anticipated stage production of Charlie And The Chocolate Factory. Hodge, who has
extensive TV, film and
stage credits to his
name, will assume the
role of Willy Wonka
when the musical
enjoys its world premiere at the Theatre
Royal Drury Lane on
25 June next year.
David Hare’s play transfers to
the West End
Rupert Everett and Freddie Fox are to reprise
their roles as Oscar Wilde and Lord Alfred
Douglas when Neil Armfield’s acclaimed production of David Hare’s The Judas Kiss
transfers to the West End in January. The
Judas Kiss is centred around the relationship
between Wilde and Douglas, and concentrates on two critical points during Wilde’s
final years - the eve of his arrest at the Cadogan Hotel and a night
in Naples after his
release from two years
imprisonment. The
Judas Kiss shows at
the Duke of York’s Theatre from 17 January
to 6 April.
WEST END LISTINGS:
MUSICALS
AMERICAN IDIOT Hammersmith Apollo Theatre, 3 - 16 Dec 2012
BILLY ELLIOT – THE MUSICAL Victoria Palace
Theatre, booking until
21 Dec 2013
BLOOD BROTHERS
Phoenix Theatre booking until 10 Nov 2012
BODYGUARD Adelphi
Theatre 6 Nov 2012 27 Apr 2013
CABARET Savoy Theatre
booking until 19 Jan
2013
JERSEY BOYS Prince
Edward Theatre, booking until 17 Feb 2013
KISS ME KATE Old Vic
Theatre, 20 Nov 2012 2 Mar 2013
LES MISÉRABLES
Queen's Theatre booking until 26 Oct 2013
LET IT BE Prince Of
Wales Theatre, booking
until 19 Jan 2013
LION KING Lyceum Theatre, booking until 14
Apr 2013
LOSERVILLE Garrick Theatre, booking until 2
Mar 2013
MAMMA MIA! Novello
13 Apr 2013
MATILDA THE MUSICAL
Cambridge Theatre,
booking until 22 Dec
2013
PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
Her Majesty's Theatre,
booking until 26 Oct
2013
ROCK OF AGES Shaftesbury Theatre, booking
until 17 Feb 2013
ROOM ON THE BROOM
Lyric Theatre, 21 Nov
2012 - 13 Jan 2013
SCROOGE THE MUSICAL
London Palladium Theatre, booking until 5
Jan 2013
SHREK THE MUSICAL
Drury Lane, Theatre
Royal, booking until 24
Feb 2013
SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN
PalaceTheatre, booking
until 31 Aug 2013
STOMP Ambassadors
22 Dec 2013
THRILLER LIVE Lyric Theatre, booking until 3
Mar 2013
TOP HAT Aldwych Theatre, booking until 28
Apr 2013
VIVA FOREVER! Piccadilly
Theatre, 27 Nov 2012 1 June 2013
WE WILL ROCK YOU
Dominion Theatre,
booking until 23 Mar
2013
Alistair McGowan to star in anniversary production of Our House
Casting for a celebratory performance of Tim
Firth’s Olivier Award-winning musical Our
House is now complete, with impressionist
and actor Alistair McGowan confirmed to join
the production as Mr Pressman. The one-off
tenth anniversary show at the Savoy Theatre
on 11 November also features some of the
WICKED Apollo Victoria
27 Apr 2013
DRAMA
BERENICE Donmar
Warehouse, booking
until 24 Nov 2012
CHANGELING Young Vic
Theatre, 20 Nov 2012 15 Dec 2012
CHARIOTS OF FIRE
Gielgud Theatre, booking until 2 Feb 2013
CONSTELLATIONS
Duke Of York Theatre, 9
Nov 2012 - 5 Jan 2013
DAMNED BY DESPAIR
Olivier National Theatre,
booking until 17 Dec
2012
GOODNIGHT MISTER TOM
Phoenix Theatre, 22
Nov 2012 - 26 Jan
2013
HEDDA GABLER Old Vic
10 Nov 2012
MOUSETRAP St Martins
21 Dec 2013
OUR BOYS Duchess
15 Dec 2013
SCENES FROM AN EXECUTION Lyttelton National
Theatre, booking until 9
Dec 2012
original West End cast members, including
EastEnders actress Tameka Empson, who’ll
reprise her role as Billy. Chris Carswell stars
as Joe Casey, Madness frontman Suggs
plays Joe’s dad, Miria Parvin appears as
Sarah and Wendi Peters takes on the role of
Joe’s mum Kath.
WAR HORSE New Lon
don Theatre, booking
until 26 Oct 2013
WOMAN IN BLACK Fortune Theatre, booking
until 14 Dec 2013
COMEDY
39 STEPS Criterion Theatre, booking until 30
Mar 2013
BOY WITH TAPE ON HIS
FACE Duchess Theatre,
17 dec 2012 - 5 Jan
2013
CHORUS OF DISAPPROVAL Harold Pinter
Theatre, booking until 5
Jan 2013
MAGISTRATE Olivier
National Theatre, 14
Nov 2012 - 22 Jan 2013
MIDSUMMER NIGHTS
DREAM Noel Coward
Theatre, 7 Sept 2013 16 Nov 2013
ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS
Haymarket Theatre
Royal, booking until 31
Aug 2013
PRIVATES ON PARADE
Noel Coward Theatre, 1
Dec 2012 - 2 Mar 2013
TWELFTH NIGHT Apollo
Theatre, 2 Nov 2012 - 3
Feb 2013
YES, PRIME MINISTER
Trafalgar Studios, booking until- 12 Jan 2013
Loserville - Garrick Theatre
Sonia Sabri interview 1_Layout 1 31/10/2012 11:39 Page 1
“
London is so cut-throat
whereas in Birmingham
artists support each other. I
make a point of giving work
to musicians and dancers
based in Birmingham. We’re
very much home grown...
”
Sonia Sabri
Brummie through and through...
interview...
This year celebrating its tenth anniversary, Birmingham-based Sonia Sabri Company has earned
itself an international reputation for its performances of the South Asian art form Kathak. What’s
On recently caught up with artistic director Sonia to talk about the company - and why her
Birmingham roots are such an important element of her success.
For those not in the know, how would you
describe Kathak dance?
It’s a dance style from the northern part of
the Indian subcontinent. Kathak literally
means a storyteller. So primarily, when it first
began as an art form, people used to
portray stories through mime, song, lyrics
and what we nowadays know as rapping
and beatboxing. The latter has actually
existed in Kathak song from the time of its
creation. There’s also the technical part of
Kathak, which we refer to as pure dance - a
real demonstration of rhythms and body
movements. It’s quite a skilled and very
technical subject within the Kathak form.
There’s also a lot of footwork and interaction
with tabla, which is the main percussion
instrument. It’s one of those all-round art
forms where you can communicate through
expression. It’s also very dramatic. It has
links with flamenco; what we know as
flamenco today is actually a combination of
what used to be the native Spanish dance
and Kathak. The Kathak gypsies travelled
across to Europe and arrived in Southern
Spain - in Andalucia - where they generated
an ongoing collaboration, the result of which
is what’s today known as flamenco.
This year marks the company’s tenth
anniversary. How are you planning to
celebrate?
We’re doing a short national tour, which
premieres our new show Kaavish at
Capstone Theatre in Liverpool then comes
to mac in Birmingham on 24 November. The
mac, I would say, is very much my second
home, because I started my training there
when I was eight and now I teach there. I’m
a Company Associate Artist there as well. In
Liverpool, one of our key commissioners
Milapfest has commissioned the celebratory
programme, so it’s apt that we should
perform it there first. The mac is also
generously supporting us, providing a lot of
space and technical facilities and hosting an
exhibition which will be supplementary to
the performance. After November, we
perform in India, and then return to tour a
further five or seven dates, culminating in a
performance at London’s Royal Festival Hall.
After that, we’ll go into creating our new
show.
Has work already begun on that?
We’ll be doing some research and
development work between our mac show
and when we leave for India. There’ll also be
a two-week R&B with some dancers.
You mentioned starting your dance
training at the age of eight. Do you come
from a dance background?
No, not at all. I think my love of dance came
about as a result of the aspirations of my
parents - particulary my dad, who always
wanted to be a Bollywood actor. He ran
away from home and ended up in Mumbai,
but didn’t get anywhere with it. He
eventually ended up in England, got married
and had two kids. I was the first born, and I
guess he put all his energies into trying to
turn me into a Bollywood actress. So I went
to the Birmingham School of Speech and
Drama for about ten years from the age of
seven, and also became involved in
dancing. It was quite by accident that I got
into Kathak. I was first enrolled at mac for a
South Indian dance classical style, which
my dad didn’t really know much about. We
arrived earlier than scheduled and there was
a Kathak class already taking place, so he
thought I might as well jump into that one. I
haven’t looked back. Over the years, my
dad’s dream of me going to Bollywood
subsided, because dance is a very
disciplined form - particularly Kathak, which
is a very grounded art form. It really sorts
you out if you’re an un-sorted person, and it
gives you a real focus in life. Bollywood may
be fun and glamourous by comparison, but
it’s not a world in which one would
necessarily say they could feel safe and
happy.
Do you see dance as a useful tool in
breaking down social and cultural
barriers?
It’s really another language, one that’s
beyond the barriers of words. I think we
can use the medium of dance to explore
any topic, be it romantic, tragic or social.
It’s really an amplification of what we feel
and what we’re sometimes afraid to say.
We perform to a very mixed audience including people from orthodox
communities who sometimes believe that
dance and music aren’t things we should
be celebrating, but who nonetheless turn
up and take away something quite
meaningful. At the other end of the
spectrum, we perform to people who are
avant-garde - cutting-edge audiences
who’re amused by what we have to say
through our music and our dance. So yes, I
think we have to drop the labels and look
at Kathak for what it is. It’s as
contemporary as any Western dance
aesthetic. It’s a timeless art form which will
continue to evolve. It enables us to express
ourselves - and as humans, we need an
outlet for doing that.
Have you seen audience attitudes towards
dance change over the past ten years?
Absolutely! When I first decided that I
wanted to start a company, people imagined
that we would perform traditional Kathak
dance - there’s a particular format that one
performs - but from the outset we decided to
do something more challenging. In the first
year we produced a digital project which
brought together live music, live dance and
live digital interactivity on stage. That
completely challenged people’s perceptions
of what Kathak was, what Kathak could
become, and what the Sonia Sabri Company
could do. From that time on, we’ve always
tried to create something which is
groundbreaking and pioneering. I feel proud
to say that we’ve presented something that’s
very new and very different. And although
people have said that it’s controversial,
traditions - particulary the South Asia
traditions - have mirrored what we’ve done.
We’ve been at the forefront of creating new
ideas, and that’s what we intend to continue
doing for the next ten years.
And are your current objectives the same
as those you had when you started?
They’re bigger! The ethos of the company is
to challenge and broaden people’s
perspectives of what Kathak is, and we’re
always looking at ways of delivering not only
the dance vocabulary but also the
philosophy of Kathak. We’re always looking
for a narrative in which to convey a story.
What we do is look at ways of conveying that
narrative either on a solo basis or by working
as part of a collaboration with another dance
form or another artist. When we talk about
collaboration, it’s about having a dialogue on
and off stage. So we’re not forcing anything
to happen, such as ‘you follow my
technique’, or ‘I’ll follow your technique’. It’s
about how techniques come together. Out
most recent project, Kathakbox, toured
internationally for two years, and we brought
contemporary and African dance to that. We
found that, although we’re very different in
the way we use our vocabulary, there’s a
common thread in how we engage with the
audience. For example, a lot of people aren’t
aware that rap and beatbox derived from
Indian traditions. They think it’s something
very current and something that America
invented. Beatbox is a major context of
Kathak, so when we showcase that with
Kathakbox, people are really amazed. The
parallels between hip-hop dance and Kathak
are common, it’s just that people aren’t
aware of them, so part of our job is to reeducate, re-inform and surprise our
audiences.
Do you always look to strike a balance
between the more traditional and the
urban elements of your performances?
When we talk about tradition, it’s not about
reinventing old repertoires, it’s about a
particular classical format; a particular style
which you perform. The repertoire can be as
‘here and now’ as you like. It can be about
the Conservative Party and its agenda if you
want it to be, but it’s done through a classic
format of Kathak. Urban, I would say, is
much more a reflection of the movement
vocabulary I’ve developed by working with a
lot of younger dancers who’re influenced by
street dance and hip-hop. It’s quite a broad
subject in itself. Our audiences for both
strands are growing.
How does the understanding and
interpretation of dance differ between the
UK and India?
I think India is slowly accepting the
contemporising of traditional art forms although it’s looking through a very different
lens when it does that, because people in
India are still very much grounded in their
spiritual and cultural roots. To present anything
which is a really challenging art form is seen
as taking a risk. As an art form it can do more
than tell stories about gods, goddesses and
time?’. She’s also created some very stunning
pieces of work which take her art form to a
completely different dimension.
How do you balance your time between the
educational side of the company and
performing?
We’re now beginning to delegate more work. I
now have dancers coming through who can
deliver workshops and perform. It’s all about
legacy as well. I can’t be dancing forever, and
my work should continue when I’m not here,
but I can only do that through dancers and
musicians who have trained through the
company. A lot of our company dancers are
going out and work-shopping, which frees me
up to do what I should be doing - the work
which needs more time; the choreography, the
performing and the creating of works for the
company.
love. It’s a language through which you can
say and explore anything. Some of the dance
styles in India are related to festivals, particular
religious ceremonies and different parts of the
religious calendar, and it’s sometimes difficult
to move away from that. That said, it’s
becoming more progressive, and people like
ourselves are working with organisations there
to produce more hybrid-based choreographic
workshops and masterclasses. I was born
here, I trained here, and so my understanding
of body alignment is subconsciously informed
by other dance forms that I’m watching and
absorbing here in the UK. This means that my
cultural landscape and my dance landscape is
very different, because I’m accessing
contemporary, African and flamenco dance. In
India, all you see is Indian dance. The
reference points are therefore very different
over there.
Do you adapt your performances when in
India?
No, I don’t change. I would just choose things
deliberately not from the repertoire - for
example, a political piece that has nothing to
do with India. I’d also concentrate on Kathak’s
more Islamic influences, which don’t get
celebrated enough.
Would you ever choose Indian subject
matter and use it as a reference point?
I have done, certainly. It always seems new to
them, because my way of moving and the
shapes that I devise are very different to those
of a Kathak dancer who lives in India.
What’s your starting-point when devising a
new piece?
I would say that music is a very big stimulus. It
can be anything; rock, jazz, Purcell - anything.
I could also be influenced by something I’ve
heard on the news, or by a walk in the park.
Inspiration can come from anywhere.
What inspires you to take something to the
next stage?
When I start to get goose pimples with a
particular piece of music, or when something
evokes a particularly strong image in my mind.
It’s a very strong internal feeling that I get.
That’s when I begin to play in the studio. Then,
through listening and moving, things begin to
happen. Over time, when you begin to
improvise and play, you create phases and
dance segments. That’s when the music no
longer plays a major part in the delivery,
because you’ve found something else to hang
on to. The music eventually will stop being
part of it. It’s just a stimulus to feed an idea. I
then work with Sarvar Sabri, who’s our Musical
Director, and explain the kind of sounds I’m
hearing. Or he may have seen what I’ve
created and have some tune in his head, and
a piece develops from there.
Do you give yourself a timescale?
I don’t think it’s as black and white as that. I
usually have an idea early on whether
something’s going to work, and if it doesn’t,
then I lay it to rest. Obviously, if I’m working on
a commissioned piece, I have to make sure
that I have something I can create. It has to be
something that interests me. If I’m generally
excited about it, then I know I can make it
work.
Is there a fellow artist who’s proved to be a
big inspiration to you over the years?
There are a lot of people, actually. I think
Richard Alston is someone who’s been a huge
inspiration, because his relationship with
dance and music is very similar to mine. He’s
also mentored one of our research projects,
offered his pearls of wisdom and given us, as
a company, some great feedback. Richard
loved Kathakbox and invited us to perform at
The Place in London as part of their fortieth
anniversary programme. It was there that he
announced to the whole auditorium that he
was ‘a real fan of Sonia Sabri’... Shobana
Jeyasingh is another choreographer who I
really admire. She’s very interesting, because
she asks similar questions about her style of
dance to those that I ask, like ‘why can’t it be
classical and contemporary at the same
What does it mean to you as a company to
have finally secured funding from the Arts
Council?
It’s a wonderful feeling. We’ve been knocking
on their door for the past nine years. I’ve
always believed that the company has
delivered new work and groundbreaking
pieces within South Asian dance which really
ticks all their boxes. But no doubt the Arts
Council has had its own agenda, and I
suppose they only have a certain amount of
money to allocate at any given time. But I can
now understand why they’ve given it to me, as
they probably think they’ve had enough of me
saying the same thing over and over again.
And we do an awful lot of international work.
There’s no other dance group in the Midlands
that does as much international touring. I don’t
like to blow my own trumpet but there aren’t a
lot of small-scale companies who do forty
shows in a tour, so we’re in a very privileged
position. However, I wish that they’d
recognised us earlier on, because we could
have done something really, really fantastic.
How will the funding be spent?
It’s not a great amount but it will enable us to
sort ourselves in terms of space. It allows us
to recruit a couple of part-time staff, but
that’s about it.
How much of your success do you
attribute to your Birmingham roots?
An awful lot of it. I’m a Brummie-trained
dancer, because my teacher was from here,
and mac has been there all along, offering
support. Also, I met my husband Sabri here he’s the Musical Director - and if it wasn’t for
the one hundred-and-ten percent effort that
he gives to the company, we wouldn’t have a
company. If the two of us hadn’t put in so
much personal time and investment, we
wouldn’t have lasted for even two years. The
amount of times we’ve been up at 2am
sticking labels on flyers... I consider myself
really fortunate to be in Birmingham. I’ve
been given numerous invitations to move to
London - because that’s where it all happens
- but I’ve always turned them down. I’ve
seen the people who’ve gone there and
they’re really struggling. London is so cutthroat; in Birmingham, artists support each
other. I also make a point of giving work to
musicians and dancers based in
Birmingham. We’re very much homegrown...
Sonia Sabri Dance Company appear at mac
Arts Centre, Birmingham, from Fri 23 & Sat
24 November.
Theatre REVIEWS
Here are a few of the theatre
productions we reviewed from last
month. For further theatre reviews, visit,
The Hairy Bikers
Birmingham
The Hairy Bikers took to
the stage at the New
Alexandra Theatre last
month with their Larger Than Live Tour. Having
watched and enjoyed many of their television
shows, I wondered how their seemingly natural,
easy banter would work in a theatre
environment, what delicious culinary delights
they would conjure up, and how they would
otherwise fill the promised two hours and ten
minutes in front of a live audience.
After a grand entrance - though,
disappointingly, not by motorcycle - the first
course began, the guys introducing video clips
of their ‘best bits’. I began to worry about what
the evening might hold, and whether their easy
way with each other was actually just a front.
But the bikers love to engage with the audience
- and when they did, their relaxed repartee was
much in evidence. People were invited to join
them on stage, either to be cooked for or to
become contestants, as Si and Dave became
gameshow hosts. Overall, the show didn’t really
seem to know what it was supposed to be, and
mostly I felt awkward for the Hairy Bikers. I
didn’t go back for the second course.
Ted Finlay ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Cirque du Soleil - Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour
London’s O2 Arena
With hoards of fans dressed in their finest MJ attire, this was clearly a night for lifelong
Michael Jackson admirers.
Flashing images of Michael showed him at the start of his career with the Jackson 5, his
extraordinary talent and star quality already much in evidence. Coupled with displays of
on-stage contortion and magic, the images made for sensory overload.
Smooth Criminal kicked off the discography, the song accompanied by high-energy
dancers strutting their stuff in sharp suits and shiny boots. The first half of the evening was
rounded off with a live interpretation of the seminal Thriller, which almost raised the roof.
Part two kicked off with Beat It, while Heal The World and Earth Song reminded the
audience of MJ’s messages of peace, love and unity. His Scream duet with sister Janet
followed.
A visual delight, the troupe stunned the audience with their synchronicity, aerial acrobatics,
animal impersonations and a light fantastic firework display. The show ended with Man In
The Mirror, accompanied by an announcement about Jackson’s death. The report was a
reminder to the audience of the significance of the O2, the venue where his comeback
tour had been scheduled to begin in July 2009. Jackson died on 25 June.
Without question, this show is the next best thing to seeing Michael Jackson in concert.
Alev Dervish ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
THE EASY WAY TO
BOOK YOUR TICKETS
ONLINE
whatsonlive.co.uk
Dance November_Layout 1 29/10/2012 14:03 Page 1
Dance
Batsheva Ensemble Birmingham Hippodrome, Tues 13 - Wed 14 November
Tel Aviv-based Batsheva Ensemble this month make their way to the Midlands as part of an extensive UK debut tour. The Ensemble is the junior branch of Israel’s world-renowned contemporary dance group Batsheva Dance - a company consisting of more than three hundred international dancers recruited from some of the world’s most prestigious dance schools. Led by artistic director Ohad Naharin, the Ensemble here
perform Deca Dance - a production which brings together memorable segments from the choreographer’s past twenty years. Performed to an
eclectic mix of music - from Vivaldi to Dean Martin and The Beach Boys - this much-produced and critically acclaimed piece is constantly
updated to ensure each performance is given a fresh look.
The Lock In
Artrix, Bromsgrove, Mon 12 November; Ludlow Assembly Rooms,
South Shropshire, Fri 16 November; Lichfield Garrick,
Sat 17 November
Fusing two worlds at different ends of the spectrum, The Lock In
sees some of the UK’s oldest dance forms brought ‘bang up to
date’. The brainchild of award-winning folk band The Demon
Barbers, this cross-genre performance commences with a group of
street dancers arriving at an apparently deserted pub.
Soon, the more traditional regulars
arrive, and the ultimate in
dance stand-offs
ensues. Expect
sword dances performed with
snooker
cues, pub
bouncers
dancing the
Morris and
B-boys flirting with
clog girls...
Rambert Dance
Company
Regent Theatre, Hanley,
Stoke-on-Trent, Wed 14 Thurs 15 November
Maintaining their status as
one of Britain’s finest and
most popular dance companies, Rambert Dance this
month head back to the
Midlands with their latest
creation. Labyrinth Of Love
sees Irish choreographer
Marguerite Donlon make
her debut with the company, showcasing a powerful
and often humorous exploration of the ups and downs
of love, a piece which features movements inspired
by poems and prose spanning more than two thousand years.
Dance November_Layout 1 29/10/2012 14:03 Page 2
Sonia Sabri Dance Company
mac, Birmingham, Fri 23 - Sat 24 November
Midlands-based Sonia Sabri Company
blends elements of British and Indian culture
in performances which fuse music, movement and words to great effect. This year
sees the company mark its tenth anniversary
with a new production entitled Kaavish,
which traces Sonia’s artistic journey.
Featuring live performance, archive footage
and narrative, Kaavish sees Indian classical
dancer and choreographer Ash Mukherjee
perform as guest artist, while a live Indian
rock music arrangement is provided by
Sonia’s husband Sarvar Sabri. Audiences
will also be treated to three live excerpts of
past productions, comprising Shobana
Jeyasingh’s Neon Dream, Drishti and Nisbet.
Read our interview with Sonia at
Vincent Dance Theatre:
Motherland
The Patrick Centre, Birmingham
Hippodrome, Thurs 1 - Fri 2 November;
Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Tues 20 Wed 21 November
Since its formation in 1994, Vincent Dance
Theatre has earned itself a national and
international reputation for providing engaging dance theatre which broaches an array
of thought-provoking subject matter, in particular gender politics. In Motherland, the
ensemble of eleven men, women and children blend dance, text and live music to take
a look at the gender they were born into and
the price they are paying for it.
Dance LISTINGS
For full listing information on dance,
including times and dates, visit
COPPELIA Vienna
Festival Ballet present
the much-acclaimed
comic ballet set to
Delibes beautiful score,
Thurs 1 Nov, Bedworth
Civic Hall
MOTHERLAND Vincent
Dance Theatre present
an ensemble of eleven
men, women and children in a fusion of
dance, text and live
music that explores
gender and hypocrisies
in modern society,
Thurs 1 - Fri 2 Nov, The
Patrick Centre,
Birmingham
Hippodrome
PACO PENA - QUIMERAS
A fusion of Spanish
and African music and
dance which celebrates
immigration and shared
cultures, Fri 2 Nov,
Coventry
INFUSION CONTEMPORARY DANCE WEEKENDER
An energetic fusion of
dance forms which
takes Vanley Burke’s
exhibition as an inspiration, looking at dance
steeped in mythical history and giving it a contemporary twist, Sat 3 Sun 4 Nov, mac,
Birmingham
WENDY HOUSTOUN'S 50
ACTS Wendy Houston
presents a spirited
retaliation against
ageism and other modern rubbish involving
manifestos, songs,
apologies and errors...
Thurs 8 - Fri 9 Nov,
Coventry
ARTHUR PITA: GOD’S
GARDEN Based on the
parable of The Prodigal
Son, Arthur Pita’s production fuses dance
with live fado music to
bring to life the intensity and drama of rustic
village life, Thurs 8 - Fri
9 Nov, Patrick Centre,
Birmingham
Hippodrome
THE LOCK IN Some of
the UK’s oldest forms
of dance are brought
bang up to date as
they collide with some
of the youngest in an
exciting new dance
show, Mon 12 Nov,
Artrix, Bromsgrove
DECA DANCE Presented
by Israeli contemporary
dance ensemble
Batsheva Dance, Tue
13 - Wed 14 Nov,
Birmingham
Hippodrome
RAMBERT DANCE
COMPANY: LABYRINTH OF
LOVE TOUR Triple-bill of
works featuring
Marguerite Donlon's
Labyrinth Of Love,
Nijiinsky's L'Apres-midi
d'un faune & Mark
Baldwin's What Wild
Ecstasy, Wed 14 -
Thurs 15 Nov, Regent
Theatre, Hanley, Stokeon-Trent
THE NUTCRACKER
Presented by Moscow
Ballet La Classique,
Belgrade Theatre,
Coventry
ESSENCE OF IRELAND
Exploration of Irish
myths through narration, Irish music &
dancing, Sat 17 Nov,
New Alexandra
Theatre, Birmingham
THE LOCK IN Some of
the UK’s oldest forms
of dance are brought
bang up to date as
they collide with some
of the youngest in an
exciting new dance
show, Sat 17 Nov,
Lichfield Guildhall
URBAN TARAB Open
stage night presented
by Pedralta World
Fusion Belly Dance,
Sat 17 Nov, Old Joint
Stock Theatre,
Birmingham
NATIONAL DANCE
COMPANY WALES Triple
bill of international
work, Mon 19 Nov,
Theatre Severn,
Shrewsbury
COPPELIA Vienna
Festival Ballet present
the much-acclaimed
comic ballet set to
Delibes beautiful score,
Tue 20 Nov, Lichfield
Garrick
MOTHERLAND Tues 20 Wed 21 Wed, Warwick
THE NUTCRACKER The
Vienna Festival Ballet
present Tchaikovsky's
world famous classical
ballet, Wed 21 - Thu 22
CINDERELLA
Birmingham Royal
Ballet present one of
David Bintley’s most
celebrated creations to
date, Wed 21 Nov Sun 8 Dec,
Birmingham
Hippodrome
SONIA SABRI DANCE
COMPANY Celebratory
double-bill tracing
Sonia Sabri’s artistic
journey, Fri 23 - Sat 24
Nov, mac, Birmingham
TANGO PASION Fusion of
traditional and modern
dance styles together
with live music, Sun 25
Nov, Regent Theatre,
THERE IS HOPE Rosie
Kay Dance Theatre
present a brand new,
hard-hitting contemporary dance work which
takes a look at modern
morality, physicality
and the presence of
spirituality in our lives,
Tue 27 Nov, Arena
Theatre, W’hampton
Dance
Box Office
NEW ALEXANDRA
THEATRE, BIRMINGHAM
0844 871 3011
ARTRIX ARTS CENTRE,
BROMSGROVE
01527 577330
ARENA THEATRE
WOLVERHAMPTON
01902 321321
BEDWORTH CIVIC HALL
024 7637 6707
BIRMINGHAM
HIPPODROME
0844 338 5000
CRESCENT THEATRE,
BIRMINGHAM
0121 643 5858
THE DRUM, BIRMINGHAM
0121 333 2444
GRAND THEATRE
WOLVERHAMPTON,
01902 429212
LICHFIELD GARRICK
01543 412121
MAC, BIRMINGHAM
0121 446 3232
0121 704 6962
STAFFORD GATEHOUSE
THEATRE
01785 254 653
THE ROSES THEATRE,
TEWKSBURY
01684 295 074
THEATRE SEVERN,
SHREWSBURY
01743 281281
WARWICK ARTS CENTRE,
COVENTRY
02476 524524
THE EASY WAY TO
BOOK
YOUR TICKETS
ONLINE
whatsonlive.co.uk
Film November main_Layout 1 29/10/2012 14:13 Page 1
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TO WATCH THE LATEST MOVIE TRAILERS, VISIT: www.whatsonlive.co.uk
From
6
FRI 1V
NO
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2
CERT 12a
Starring Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner, Billy Burke, Peter Facinelli, Michael Sheen,
Dakota Fanning Directed by Bill Condon (USA)
The wait has been unbearable (at least, for Twitards). But now you can witness the conclusion to the phenomenally popular film series based on the phenomenally popular novels by Stephenie Meyer. It won’t be
giving too much away to remind one that Bella Swan is now a vampire and that she and R-Patz (er,
Edward Cullen) have sired a baby, Renesmee. In the fifth and final film, young Renesmee is wrongly identified as an ‘immortal child’ and all hell breaks loose. Meanwhile, in real life, KStew and R-Patz are back
together again (at least, at the time of going to press).
The Master
CERT 15 (144 mins)
Starring Joaquin Phoenix, Philip Seymour
Hoffman, Amy Adams, Laura Dern, Ambyr
Childers
Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson (USA)
From
6
FRI 1V
NO
A new film from writer-director Paul Thomas
Anderson is now an event. Think Boogie
Nights, Magnolia, Punch-Drunk Love and
There Will Be Blood and you get the drift.
He’s already been nominated for an Oscar
three times for his screenplays, and the
smart money is on him winning next year.
Joaquin Phoenix, who was last seen on
screen playing a bloated version of himself
in the pseudo-documentary I’m Still Here,
plays a World War Two veteran, Freddie
Quell. Unable to cope with his drunkenness
and post-traumatic stress disorder, Quell
finds salvation in a philosophical movement
known as The Cause, run by one Lancaster
Dodd (Hoffman). Any intentional comparisons to the Scientology movement have
been hotly denied. Anyway, The Master has
already won the FIPRESCI Prize for Best
Film at this year’s Venice Film Festival.
TOP 5
FILM BOX OFFICE
1 Skyfall (12a)
2 Madagascar 3 (3D) (PG)
3 Hotel Transylvania (3D) (U)
4 Taken 2 (12a)
5 Paranormal
Activity 4 (15)
Skyfall
Film NEW RELEASES
Released from Fri 2 Nov
For A Good Time Call
CERT 18 (85 mins)
Starring Ari Graynor, Lauren Miller, Seth
Rogen, Justin Long, Mimi Rogers, Nia
Vardalos Directed by Jamie Travis (USA)
If you liked Bridesmaids… Women are continuing to show that they can be funny, sexy
and raunchy, and this independent American
comedy focuses on two roommates who
dabble in the phone sex business. The
movie was actually written for Ari Graynor
(Caitlin Rucker in The Sopranos), who has
made it her own, while the script was based
on the experiences of the screenwriters
Lauren Miller and Katie Anne Naylon.
From
6
FRI 1
V
O
N
Argo CERT 15 (120 mins)
For A Good Time Call
Mental
Starring Ben Affleck, Bryan Cranston, Alan
Arkin, John Goodman, Kyle Chandler
Directed by Ben Affleck (USA)
CERT 15 (116 mins)
Starring Liev Schreiber, Toni Collette,
Anthony LaPaglia, Caroline Goodall, Kerry
Fox Directed by P.J. Hogan (Australia/USA)
To perhaps many people’s surprise, Ben
Affleck has emerged as one of the most
competent directors currently working in
Hollywood. Following his directorial forays
with Gone Baby Gone and The Town, Affleck
is getting more positive buzz with Argo. A
political thriller set around the rescue of six
American diplomats during the 1979 hostage
crisis in Iran, the film is produced by George
Clooney.
Set in New South Wales, Mental is the story
of an unhinged hitchhiker (Toni Collette)
who arrives in the suburbs to play nanny to
a family of dysfunctional girls. A bracing
examination of mental illness, Mental shows
that Australian cinema has lost none of its
bite (or sense of humour). Hogan, incidentally, previously directed Muriel’s Wedding
(with Toni Collette) and My Best Friend’s
Wedding.
Rust And Bone
CERT 15 (123 mins)
Starring Marion Cotillard, Matthias
Schoenaerts, Armand Verdure, Bouli Lanners
Directed by Jacques Audiard
(France/Belgium)
Jacques Audiard doesn’t paint in black and
white. He paints in vivid strokes of grey, tan
and ecru. He also presents us with complex,
flawed characters in narratives that seem to
build rather than unfold. Ali (Schoenaerts) is
a man seemingly on the run, a man probably
on the wrong side of the law and with a
young son in tow. Stéphanie (Cotillard) trains
killer whales for a marine park in the environs
of Nice. A chance encounter brings Ali and
Stéphanie together, two souls who could not
be less alike but are thrown in sync by circumstance. A powerful drama adapted from
a short story by Craig Davidson (from his
eponymous collection), Rust And Bone is not
as satisfying a film as Audiard’s The Beat
That My Heart Skipped or A Prophet, but is
still a cinematically potent experience. Mlle
Cotillard is wonderful, and exposed as a
woman clawing her way back from an imaginary crisis, while the Belgian Schoenaerts
certainly lives up to the physical demands of
his role. And there are some truly memorable
moments.
(Pine). When Sam returns to Los Angeles for
his father’s funeral, he discovers that the latter has left his fortune to somebody Sam hasn’t even heard of…
The good news is that the screenplay is by
Joel and Ethan Coen. The bad that the
Coen brothers have not always succeeded
with remakes (cf. The Ladykillers, True
Grit). This one is a comedy crime caper
updated from the 1966 romp of the same
name starring Shirley MacLaine (of
Downton Abbey fame) and Michael Caine.
Here Comes The Boom
CERT 12a (103 mins)
Starring Kevin James, Salma Hayek, Henry
Winkler Directed by Frank Coraci (USA)
Kevin James hasn’t had much luck with the
critics since his breakthrough performance in
Hitch (2005), opposite Will Smith. And his
last movie, Zookeeper, was a lemon. Still,
Kevin James diehards can now see him as
an overweight biology teacher who decides
to take up mixed martial arts to aid the
finances of his school.
Here Comes The Boom
People Like Us
CERT 12a (114 mins)
Starring Chris Pine, Elizabeth Banks, Olivia
Wilde, Jon Favreau, Michelle Pfeiffer, Mark
Duplass Directed by Alex Kurtzman (USA)
Don’t let the fact that Alex Kurtzman co-wrote
Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen and
Cowboys & Aliens fool you. His first film as
director is a very human drama about a silvertongued New York salesman called Sam
Gambit
CERT tbc
Starring Colin Firth, Cameron Diaz, Alan
Rickman, Tom Courtenay, Stanley Tucci,
Cloris Leachman Directed by Michael
Hoffman (USA/UK)
End Of Watch
CERT 15 (109 mins)
Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Peña, Anna
Kendrick, America Ferrera, Cody Horn
Directed by David Ayer (USA)
Released from Wed 21 Nov
Silver Linings Playbook
CERT tbc
Starring Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence,
Robert De Niro, Jackie Weaver, Chris Tucker,
Julia Stiles
Directed by David O. Russell (USA)
It’s that time of year. So many films opening
around now seem to be emblazoned with
Oscar potential. This comedy-drama (adapted from the 2008 novel by Matthew Quick) is
getting major buzz for Jennifer Lawrence,
who plays a
young widow
involved with a
bipolar man
(Cooper). Some
say the Oscar is
already hers. A
comedy rooted
in serious issues
and real people,
the film is another critical hit for
its director, David
O Russell (The
Silver Linings Playbook
Fighter).
Cop movies, especially actioners set within
the province of the LAPD, are hardly original
Hollywood fodder. What separates End Of
Watch from more recent outings is that the
principal grunts, Brian Taylor (Gyllenhaal) and
Mike Zavala (Peña), are actually decent guys.
Played out as a diary of their lives (there are
cameras everywhere), the film succeeds in
building a convincing chemistry between the
two officers (something sadly lacking in the
recent Sweeney update). Furthermore, the
edgy camerawork adds considerable suspense to the action sequences, many of
which are acutely thrilling stuff. But it’s the
edgy, profanity-streaked performances that
ultimately distinguish this policier.
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Fr
FRI om
NO 23
V
Nativity 2: Danger In The Manger!
CERT U (105 mins)
Starring David Tennant, Pam Ferris, Jessica Hynes, Marc Wootton,
Joanna Page Directed by Debbie Isitt (UK)
The trouble with improvised comedies is that you can never tell
whether or not they will work. The first Nativity! (2009), with Martin
Freeman, was predictable, implausible and OTT. In the sequel,
David Tennant plays identical twin brothers teaching at rival
schools. Then they enter their respective classes into a 'Sing a
Song for Christmas' competition.
Great Expectations CERT 12a (129 mins)
Starring Jeremy Irvine, Robbie Coltrane, Helena Bonham Carter,
Ralph Fiennes, Jason Flemyng, Holliday Grainger
Directed by Mike Newell (UK/USA)
Great Expectations is a whopping novel (185,258 words). Even so, filmmakers have repeatedly tried to grapple with its labyrinthine plot strands
and soap operatic twists. Mike Newell, who will forever be known as the
director of Four Weddings And A Funeral, has failed admirably with the
material. His evocation of Dickensian London is more Dickensian than
any before it; his casting choices are daring and largely successful. But
he cannot escape the constraints of the plot, and in its final third the film
unravels in a ludicrous torrent of flashbacks shot with a fish-eye lens. By
then the pile-up of coincidences, Pip’s petulance and Ralph Fiennes’
Magwitch-as-Fagin, my dear, have become too much. On the plus side,
Jason Flemyng is a wonderful Joe Gargery and John Mathieson’s cinematography is effectively painterly.
The Trouble With The Curve
CERT 12a (111 mins)
Starring Clint Eastwood, Amy Adams, Justin Timberlake, Matthew
Lillard, John Goodman Directed by Robert Lorenz (USA)
When Clint Eastwood, aged 78, starred in Gran Torino (2008), sceptics presumed he was too old to make a dent at the box-office. In the
event, the movie grossed $270 million and remains Clint’s highestgrossing hit to date. Now aged 82, he plays a baseball scout who
takes his daughter (Adams) along on his final recruiting trip.
The Trouble With The Curve
Film A-Z LISTINGS
All films are currently on general release
unless otherwise stated. For full listing
information, including times and dates,
360
Anthony Hopkins, Jude
Law, Rachel Weisz and
Ben Law star in Peter
Morgan’s dramatic
thriller. Showing at Stoke
Film Theatre, Fri 2 & Sat 3
Nov
5 Broken Cameras 15
Intimate first-hand
account of non-violent
resistance in the
Palestinian village Bil’in,
threatened by encroaching Israeli settlements.
Showing at Warwick Arts
Centre, Coventry, Wed 14
- Thurs 15 Nov; mac,
Birmingham, Tues 27 Wed 28 Nov
2 Days In New York
15
Sequel to the
acclaimed Two Days
In Paris. Julie Delpy
and Chris Rock star.
Showing at The Edge Arts
Centre, Much Wenlock,
South Shropshire, mon 5
Nov
Assembly Rooms, South
Shropshire
Anna Karenina 12a
Keira Knightley and Jude
Law star in the latest and
much-acclaimed adaptation of Tolstoy’s political
romance. Showing at
Coventry, Fri 9 - Mon 12 &
Wed 14 Nov; Wem Town
Hall, North Shropshire,
Wed 28 - Thurs 29 Nov
WATCH
THE FILM T
A
TRAILERS o.uk
ve.c
whatsonli
Beasts Of The Southern
Wild 12a
tbc
Persian mystery story that
offers a revealing look at
the Iranian middle-class
and how a simple lie can
open up a trail of problems. Showing at Royal
Spa Centre, Leamington
Spa, Sat 10 - Wed 14 Nov
Acclaimed fantasy drama
about Hushpuppy, a fearless six-year-old girl, living with her father in ‘the
Bathtub’, a fictitious
southern Bayou community. Showing at mac,
Birmingham, Fri 16 Thurs 22 Nov
African Oasis
The Best Exotic Marigold
Hotel 12a
Amour 12a
Drama concerning an
elderly couple whose
bond of love is severely
tested when one of the
two suffers a stroke.
Showing at mac,
Birmingham, Fri 30 Nov
The Angel’s Share 12a
Comedy-drama which
sees acclaimed British
director Ken Loach tackle
Scotland’s underclass.
Showing at Ludlow
Judi Dench, Maggie
Smith, Penelope Wilton &
Celia Imrie star as a
group of retired Brits who
descend on a hotel in
Udaipur, only to find that
it’s not as they were led to
believe. Showing at
Ludlow Assembly Rooms,
South Shropshire, Tues 27
& Thurs 29 Nov
Beauty 18
Oliver Hermanus’ drama
tells the story of Francois
van Heerden, a mid-forties, white, Afrikaansspeaking family man living in Bloemfontein.
Showing at mac,
Birmingham, Sun 11 Nov
CINEMA Box Office
Birmingham
AMC Broadway Plaza, Five
Ways 0121 450 6800
CINEWORLD Broad St, B’ham
0871 200 2000
CINEWORLD Solihull
0871 200 2000
ELECTRIC, B’ham
0121 643 7879
EMPIRE 0871 471 4714
THE GIANT SCREEN AT
MILLENNIUM POINT
0121 202 2222
Real-life mother and
daughter Chiara
Mastroianni and
Catherine Deneuve star in
a romantic drama which
follows the loves and
losses of a mother and
daughter over a forty-year
period. Showing at The
Edge Arts Centre, Much
Wenlock, South
Shropshire, Mon 26 Nov
Blow-Up 15
In 1960s London, a successful young photographer on a trip to a local
park photographs a mysterious beauty, but soon
discovers something disturbing when he develops
the pictures. Showing at
Coventry, Fri 2 & Sat 3
Nov
Call Me Kucha tbc
Documentary following
gay rights activist
David Kato as the
tries to repeal
Uganda’s homophobic laws and liberate
his fellow LGBT men
and women, or
‘kuchus’. Showing at
Coventry, Thurs 22 Nov
Cloudburst 15
About Ely (Darbareye Elly)
Documentary about the
Handsworth Cultural
Centre in Birmingham, an
oasis of cultural activities
for the area’s black community. Showing at mac,
Birmingham, Thurs 29
Nov
Beloved 15
LIBRARY THEATRE
0121 303 2868
MAC 0121 446 3232
ODEON 0871 224 4007
REEL Quinton 0121 421
5316
SHOWCASE 0871 220 1000
VUE CINEMA Star City 08712
240 240
Black Country
CINEWORLD WOLVERHAMPTON 0871 200 2000
LIGHT HOUSE MEDIA CEN-
Romantic comedy road
movie starring Olympia
Dukakis and Brenda
Fricker. Showing at mac,
Birmingham, Fri 9 Nov
Coraline 12a
Dakota Fanning, Teri
Hatcher, Dawn French
and Jennifer Saunders
lend their voices to this
animated adventure
based on Neil Gaiman’s
international bestselling
book. Showing at mac,
Birmingham, Sat 3 Nov
Diana Vreeland: The
Eye Has To Travel PG
An intimate portrait of the
life and work of legendary fashion icon and
Harpers Bazaar editor
Diana Vreeland. Showing
at mac, Birmingham,
Wed 14 - Thurs 15 Nov
The Doors: Live At The
Hollywood Bowl ‘68 12a
Screening of what’s
often described as the
best Doors performance
ever captured on film.
Showing at OMH,
Shrewsbury, Mon 12 Nov
Elena 15
Russian drama concern-
TRE, WOLVERHAMPTON
01902 716055
ODEON MERRY HILL,
DUDLEY 0871 22 44007
SHOWCASE, DUDLEY
0871 220 1000
SHOWCASE, WALSALL
0871 220 1000
Shropshire
OMH SHREWSBURY
01743 281281
CINEWORLD, SHREWSBURY
0871 200 2000
MAJESTIC, BRIDGNORTH
01746 761815
ODEON TELFORD
ing a dutiful housewife
who hatches a desperate
plan to protect her family
after her husband suffers
a heart attack. Showing at
mac, Birmingham, Tues
20 - Thurs 22 Nov
Ginger And Rosa 12a
Elle Fanning, Annette
Benning and Christina
Hendricks star in the latest film from critically
acclaimed filmmaker
Sally Potter, which
explores the friendship
between two inseparable
girls in 1962 London.
Showing at mac,
Birmingham, Fri 9 - Thurs
15 Nov; Warwick Arts
Centre, Coventry, Fri 16 Thurs 22 Nov; OMH,
Shrewsbury, Mon 19 Wed 21 Nov
Goodnight Mr Tom PG
John Thaw stars in an
award-winning adaptation
of Michael Morpurgo’s
novel. Showing at
Coventry, Sat 10 Nov
Hit So Hard
Documentary featuring
footage shot by Patty
Schemel, the acclaimed
and openly gay drummer
for Courtney Love’s seminal rock band Hole.
Showing at Light House
Media Centre,
Wolverhampton, Mon 12
Nov
Holy Motors 18
Leos Carax’s bizarre
metaphysical journey
between life, love and
death, featuring the
extraordinary French
actor Denis Lavant in a
variety of roles. Kylie
Minogue also stars.
Showing at OMH,
Shrewsbury, Tues 13 Thurs 15 Nov
Hope Springs 12a
Romantic comedy starring Meryl Streep and
Tommy Lee Jones as a
middle-aged couple who,
after thirty years of wedlock, feel the need to
seek marriage counselling. Steve Carrell also
stars. Showing at Artrix,
Bromsgrove, Mon 5- Fri 9
Nov; Ludlow Assembly
Rooms, South
Shropshire, Tues 6 Thurs 8 Nov; Wem Town
Tues 13 & Thurs 15 Nov;
Artrix, Bromsgrove, Mon
19 - Wed 21 Nov
0871 224 4007
OAKENGATES PICTURE
HOUSE
01952 615607
WEM TOWN HALL
01939 232299
Staffordshire
APOLLO, STAFFORD
0871 220 6000
CINEWORLD, BURTONUPON-TRENT 0871 200 2000
STOKE FILM THEATRE,
01782 411188
ODEON TAMWORTH
0871 224 4007
The Imposter 15
Bart Layton’s debut feature centres on a young
Frenchman who convinces a grieving Texan
family that he’s their sixteen-year-old son, who’s
been missing for three
years. Showing at Stoke
Film Theatre, Thurs 1 Nov
The Italian Job PG
Screening of the classic
action-comedy starring
Michael Caine. Showing
at Electric Cinema,
Birmingham, Sat 10 Nov
Keep The Lights On 18
What begins as a highly
charged first encounter
soon becomes something much more in Ira
Sachs’ latest drama.
Showing at mac,
Birmingham, Sat 10 Nov;
Light House Media
Centre, Wolverhampton,
Wed 14 Nov
Killing Them Softly 15
Brad Pitt and Ray Liotta
star in a crime thriller
based on the novel
Cogan’s Trade by
George V Higgins.
Showing at Stoke Film
Theatre, Thurs 22 Nov
Kiss Me 15
Swedish romantic drama
concerning Mia and Frida
who, both in their thirties,
meet for the first time at
their parents’ engagement party. Showing at
mac, Birmingham, Tues
13 Nov
The Last Man On Earth
PG
Post-apocalyptic 1964
horror fantasy starring
Vincent Price. Showing at
mac, Birmingham, Sun 4
Nov
Lawless 18
John Hillcoat’s authentic,
gritty and uncompromising crime drama which,
set in America’s deep
south in the Depression
era, tells the tale of a
gang of bootleggers
whose livelihood is threatened by a new deputy’s
desire to cut their profits.
Showing at Artrix,
Bromsgrove, Wed 14 Thurs 15 Nov; Ludlow
Shropshire, Tues 27 &
Thurs 29 Nov
concert at London’s O2
Arena. Showing at OMH,
Shrewsbury, Sun 4 Nov
Les Jeux Interdits
(Forbidden Games) 12a
Wartime drama concerning a young French girl
orphaned in a Nazi air
attack who is befriended
by the son of a poor
farmer. Showing at
Coventry, Tues 20 Nov
Looper 15
Emily Blunt and Bruce
Willis star in a sci-fi actioner set in 2072. Showing at
Light House Media
Centre, Wolverhampton,
Thurs 1 Nov; Warwick Arts
Centre, Coventry, Fri 2 Thurs 8 Nov; Stoke Film
Theatre, Fri 16 & Sat 17
Nov; mac, Birmingham,
Fri 16 - Tues 20 Nov
Monsieur Lazhar 12a
Comedy-drama set in a
Montreal public grade
school. Showing at Wem
Town Hall, North
Shropshire, Tues 6 Nov;
The Edge Arts Centre,
Much Wenlock, South
Moonrise Kingdom PG
Bill Murray and Bruce
Willis star in Wes
Anderson’s latest tale of
small-town characters
who come together in the
form of a search party
convened to look for a
pair of young lovers
who’ve eloped in 1960s
New England. Showing at
Wem Town Hall, North
Shropshire, Thurs 8 Nov
Mythical Monsters
Special screening featuring a selection of children’s favourite monsters,
including The Gruffalo
and The Gruffalo’s Child,
Centre, Coventry, Sat 17
Nov
The Nine To Five
Experience 18
Join Charlie Hides (aka
Kandi Kane Baxter) for a
bawdy and irreverent
screening of the camp
classic starring Dolly
Parton, Jane Fonda and
Lily Tomlin. Showing at
mac, Birmingham, Fri 16
Nov
Experience Led
Zeppelin’s historic 2007
Now Is Good 12a
Dakota Fanning stars as
seventeen-year-old Tessa
Scott in a film adaptation
of Jenny Downham’s
Warwickshire
Worcestershire
ODEON, COVENTRY
0871 224 4007
ODEON, NUNEATON
0871 224 4007
SHOWCASE, COVENTRY
0871 220 1000
APOLLO 4, LEAMINGTON
SPA 01926 427 448
ROYAL, LEAMINGTON SPA
01926 334418
WARWICK ARTS CENTRE
COVENTRY 02476 524524
ARTRIX, BROMSGROVE
01527 577330
MALVERN THEATRE
0845 287 2146
WAREHOUSE,
KIDDERMINSTER
01562 747773
VUE, WORCESTER
0871 224 0240
Led Zeppelin:
Celebration Day PG
Visit whatsonlive.co.uk
for venue website
details
For full listing information, including times and dates,
novel Before I Die.
Showing at Ludlow
Shropshire, Mon 12 - Tues
13 Nov
On The Road tbc
Adventure drama based
on Jack Kerouac’s seminal
pseudo-autobiography.
Centre, Coventry, Fri 2Thurs 8 Nov; Royal Spa
Centre, Leamington Spa,
Fri 16 - Thurs 22 Nov;
Ludlow Assembly Rooms,
South Shropshire, Wed 21 Thurs 22 Nov; Stoke Film
Theatre, Fri 23, Sat 24 &
Tues 27 Nov
Once Upon A Time In
Anatolia 15
Acclaimed crime drama
that’s based on the real life
experiences of one of its
writers. Showing at The
Edge Arts Centre, Much
Wenlock, South Shropshire
Orphee PG
Jean Cocteau’s 1950s
romantic fantasy. Showing
at Artrix, Bromsgrove, Sat
17 Nov
Pandora’s Box PG
GW Pabst’s 1929 silent
film follows the rise and fall
of captivating and amoral
young prostitute Lulu.
Centre, Coventry, Sat 3 Nov
Paris-Manhattan 15
A romantic comedy centered on a Woody Allenobsessed pharmacist
(Taglioni) and her would-
be lover (Bruel). Showing
at Warwick Arts Centre,
Coventry, Sun 18 Nov
Parlez-moi de Vous 15
The story of Melina, a latenight presenter of a radio
programme devoted to
emotional and sexual
problems. Showing at
Coventry, Mon 19 Nov
The Perks Of Being A
Wallflower 12a
Emma Watson stars in
Stephen Chbosky’s
romantic drama which
explores numerous contemporary issues.
Showing at OMH,
Shrewsbury, Fri 9 - Thurs
15 Nov
Private Peaceful 12a
Maxine Peake stars in
Michael Morpurgo’s classic rites-of-passage story
concerning two brothers
who fall for the same girl.
Showing at mac,
Birmingham, Fri 2 - Tues 6
Nov; Warwick Arts Centre,
Coventry, Fri 9 - Mon 12
Nov
Room 237 15
Documentary about hidden meanings in Stanley
Kubrick’s The Shining.
Showing at Electric
Cinema, Birmingham, Sun
4 - Thurs 8 Nov; mac,
Birmingham, Sun 25 - Mon
26 Nov
Ruby Sparks 15
Paul Dano (Little Miss
Sunshine) stars as a nov-
elist struggling with writer’s
block whose eponymous
protagonist miraculously
materialises. Showing at
OMH, Shrewsbury, Fri 16 Thurs 22 Nov
Rust And Bone 15
Jacques Audiard’s
acclaimed subtitled drama
follows a father who, put in
charge of his young son,
leaves Belgium to live with
his sister and her husband
as a family. Showing at
Electric Cinema,
15 Nov; mac, Birmingham,
Fri 23 - Thurs 29 Nov
The Sapphires PG
Feel-good movie set in
Australia in 1968 and
telling the story of four
aboriginal sisters who
become the southern
hemisphere’s answer to
The Supremes. Showing
at Warwick Arts Centre,
Coventry, Fri 23 - Thurs 29
Nov
Searching For
Sugarman 12a
A heartwarming and surprising documentary
about the enigmatic
1970s folk singer
Rodriguez. Showing at
Ludlow Assembly
Rooms, South
Shadow Dancer 15
Andrea Riseborough
stars as an informant for
M15 who spills the beans
in order to protect her
son. Clive Owen also
stars. Showing at Royal,
Leamington Spa, Fri 2 Wed 7 Nov; OMH,
Shrewsbury, Fri 2 - Thurs
8 Nov
The Shining 15
Stanley Kubrick’s classic
1980 thriller starring Jack
Nicholson. Showing at
Electric Cinema,
Birmingham, Thurs 8 Nov;
mac, Birmingham, Fri 23 Sat 24 Nov
Skyfall 12a
Daniel Craig returns as Ian
Fleming’s James Bond
007 in the longest-running
film franchise of all time.
Showing at Malvern
Theatre, until Thurs 8 Nov;
Electric Cinema,
Birmingham, until Thurs 15
Nov; OMH, Shrewsbury,
Fri 23 - Thurs 29 Nov
Strawberry Fields 15
Frances Lea’s low-budget
drama set in the transitory
world of strawberry pickers in the Kent countryside. Showing at mac,
Birmingham, Mon 5 Thurs 8 Nov
The Suicide Shop (Le
Magasin des Suicides) 15
Quirky French animation
which imagines a city
where the most successful shop is the one that
sells poisons and ropes
to help you end your life.
Centre, Coventry, Sat 17
Nov
Take This Waltz 15
Michelle Williams and
Seth Rogan star in
Sarah Polley’s romantic
comedy, which questions how long-term
relationships affect love,
sex and the way we look
at ourselves. Showing at
Ludlow Assembly
Rooms, South
Shropshire, Mon 19 Tues 20 Nov
To Rome With Love 12a
An all-star cast come
together in this Woody
Allen comedy, which follows the intertwining
romances, adventures
and predicaments of visitors to, and residents of,
Rome. Showing at
Electric Cinema,
Birmingham, Mon 19
Nov; Ludlow Assembly
Rooms, South
Shropshire, Sat 24 &
Mon 26 Nov
Une Vie Meilleure 15
A touching film that
explores the basic desire
to improve your circumstances amidst the current financial turmoil.
Centre, Coventry, Fri 16
Nov
Untouchable 15
French biographical
drama concerning a
paraplegic aristocrat
who takes on a young
black man from ‘the projects’ as his careworker.
Showing at mac,
8 Nov; Stoke Film
Theatre, Tues 13 & Thurs
15 Nov; Light House
Media Centre,
W’hampton, Fri 16 Thurs 22 Nov
Vito
Documentary which
explores the story of Vito
Russo, founding father of
the gay liberation movement and author of The
Celluloid Closet. Showing
at mac, Birmingham, Sun
11 Nov
Walkabout 12a
Adventure drama set in
the Australian outback.
Centre, Coventry, Fri 2 &
Sat 3 Nov
We Are Poets PG
An uplifting and inspiring
documentary follows a
group of young performance poets from Leeds,
chosen to represent the
UK in the annual poetry
slam competition.
Showing at Wem Town
Thurs 22 Nov
What Are They Telling
Us It’s Illegal For?
Young People from
Telford New Town examine the statement that
‘home taping is illegal’
and speak to the BPI,
Island Records, and Paul
Weller of the Style
Council. Showing at mac,
Birmingham, Thurs 29
Nov
DVD NEW RELEASES
Joyful Noise PG
Queen Latifah and Dolly
Parton play two dames
who lock horns in a fight
to win the National
Joyful Noise
Competition.
Released 5 November
Killer Joe 18
Matthew McConaughey
stars as the eponymous
killer hired by a young
drug dealer to take out
his evil mother in order
to collect the insurance.
Released 5 November
Katy Perry: Part Of Me
Seeking A Friend For
The End Of The World 15
Steve Carell plays a
morose insurance broker whose wife leaves
him after the earth is
given three weeks
before its collision with
an asteroid called
Matilda. However, after
befriending his neighbour Penny, played by
Keira Knightley, he finds
himself on a road trip
where anything can
happen.
Released 5 November
PG
Documentary featuring
scenes from Katy Perry’s
California Dreams world
tour which also takes a
trawl through her life,
touching on her divorce
from Russell Brand.
Released 5 November
Men In Black 3 PG
Margin Call 15
Thriller set in an investment bank during the
early stages of the economic downturn - aka
the Great Recession.
The Stellar cast includes
Kevin Spacey, Jeremy
Irons and Demi Moore.
Released 12 November
Tommy Lee Jones
and Will Smith star as
government agents
assigned to monitor
extraterrestrials living
undercover in New
York. Released 5 Nov
O’Dowd and Megan Fox
also star.
The Lorax U
Friends With Kids 18
Jennifer Westfeldt
writes,directs and stars
in a romantic comedy
about two thirtysomething best friends who
decide to have a baby
together while continuing to date other people. Adam Scott, Chris
family film from
Aardman Animations
that follows the misadventures of Father
Christmas’s son, Arthur.
Friends With Kids
Arthur Christmas U
Billy Nighy, Imelda
Staunton, Hugh Lawrie
and James McAvoy
lend their voices to this
acclaimed animated
Wahlberg), who finds
his relationship with his
girlfriend threatened
when she objects to
Ted’s obnoxious and
crude behaviour.
Animated adventure
with a strong environmental message, based
on the children's book
by Dr Seuss and featuring the voice talents of
Zac Efron and Taylor
Swift.
Ted 15
Ted is the constant companion of John (Mark
Ted
Visual Arts November_Layout 1 29/10/2012 16:35 Page 1
Visual Arts
Beat Streuli: New Street
Ikon Gallery, Birmingham,
Wed 21 November - Sun 3 February
Close-up images of people, often captured
unawares as they make their way along city
streets, are the stock-in-trade of highly rated Swiss
artist Beat Streuli. This latest exhibition of his work
blends photography, video and digital projections
to present a celebration of an artist whose creations have offered a thought-provoking reflection
on modern life and times. Huge images from
Streuli’s extensive archive, capturing human
moments in cities such as Sydney, Brussels, New
York, São Paulo, Guangzhou and Cape Town,
wallpaper Ikon’s first floor, and are complemented
by a slide and video installation featuring thousands of snapshots taken in Castellón (Spain) and
Birmingham during summer 2012.
Beat Strueli - Birmingham
Fiona Rae: Maybe You Can Live On
The Moon In The Next Century
New Art Gallery, Walsall, until Sun 30 December
Drawing inspiration from a wide range of sources
and artists, former Goldsmiths Art College pupil
Fiona Rae first came to prominence in 1988 when
she featured in Damien Hirst’s group show
Freeze. This saw Rae’s international reputation
develop at high speed, resulting in a nomination
for Tate’s Turner Prize in 1991. Having since been
exhibited widely in museums and galleries, Rae’s
work continues to be held in high regard, and features in many private and public collections
throughout the world. This particular exhibition
brings together paintings created between 2000
and 2011, a period which saw Rae introduce dramatic changes to her artistic practice.
Revealed: Government Art Collection
Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, Fri 16 November - Sun 24 February
Works by LS Lowry, Bridget Riley, Grayson Perry, Martin Creed and Andy Warhol all feature in this latest major exhibition to grace the Gas Hall at Birmingham Museum and Art
Gallery. For the very first time, more than two hundred works of art - ranging from historical to contemporary - are being brought together under one roof to tell the story of the
Government Art Collection since it began in 1898. The exhibits all come from
Government buildings across the world, with many having been commissioned for new
embassy buildings or to record important national events.
Horses
The Barber Institute, Birmingham,
until Wed 30 January
Man’s relationship with domestic
horses is here explored through
a series of prints and drawings
from the Barber’s collection.
Rarely seen photographs of Sir
Henry and Lady Barber, both
keen equestrians, feature in the
exhibition, and are presented
alongside Ferdinand Victor
Eugene Delacroix’s A Study Of A
Horse (pictured).
VisualArts PREVIEWS VisualArts LISTINGS
Ongoing exhibitions
His Dark Materials:
New Art By Adie Blundell
Herbert Art Gallery, Coventry,
Sat 24 November - Sun 17 March
Questioning the nature of human existence,
this debut solo exhibition from Coventrybased artist Adie Blundell uses large-scale
detailed drawings of ravens, albatrosses and
other bird-like creatures to explore our precarious position in
the world. Sculptures
formed from various
new and reclaimed
items - including
latex, plaster, salt and
iron - also feature,
and reflect the multiple obsessions which
dominate the artist’s
life.
Pop Highlights
Wolverhampton Art Gallery,
Sat 17 November - Wed 15 May, 2013
An eye-catching fibreglass maquette of King
Kong by Nicholas Monro features alongside
works by Andy Warhol, Peter Blake, Roy
Lichtenstein and Richard Hamilton in this, the
latest display of Pop Art to grace the
Wolverhampton Art
Gallery. New works
gifted to the collection by well-known art
collectors Jean and
Eric Cass are also on
display, including
sculptures by Allen
Jacqueline by Andy Warhol
Jones and Karel
(c) Andy Warhol Estate, DACS,
London 2012
Appel.
Painters And Players
Shire Hall Gallery, Stafford,
Sat 10 November - Sun 6 January
John Prescott Knight (1803-1881) is the only
Stafford-born artist with a national reputation.
Although now largely forgotten, in his time he
was a highly regarded painter of portraits
and genre scenes. He was also the son of
actor and comedian Edward Knight, a man
who was closely linked with the earliest days
of theatre in Stafford. This entertaining exhibition brings the intriguing story of the theatre
in nineteenth century Stafford together with
Staffordshire County Council’s important and
recently conserved collection of JP Knight
paintings.
For full listing information on Visual Art
exhibitions, including times and dates,
ANTONY DONALDSON
Exhibition featuring
early works from the
‘60s & '70s alongside
more recent pieces,
until Sat 3 Nov,
Wolverhampton Art
Gallery
DRAWBRIDGE ART GROUP
AUTUMN EXHIBITION until
Sat 3 Nov, Solihull Arts
Complex
MUSCLES, BALLS &
BOWLS Exhibition which
explores the history of
sport in Shakespeare’s
time, until Sun 4 Nov,
Nash’s House & New
Place, Stratford-uponAvon
A CENTURY OF ART The
work of both current
and past members of
the Coventry and
Warwickshire Society of
Artists (CWSA) is here
showcased in a celebration of the group’s
one hundred year history, until Sun 4 Nov,
Herbert Museum & Art
Gallery
YAEL BARTANA EXHIBITION Trilogy of films
based on the activities
of the Jewish
Renaissance Movement
in Poland, until Sun 4
November, Ikon,
Birmingham
WORCESTER SOCIETY OF
ARTISTS Sixty-fifth annual exhibition, until Sat 10
Nov, Worcester City Art
Gallery & Museum
OTHER PLACES Exhibition
of work by Ann
Wilkinson and Anne
Guest exploring the hidden narratives that
reside in our everyday
places yet exist only in
our imagination, until
Sat 10 Nov, Bilston
Craft Gallery
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Members of
Wolverhampton’s
diverse communities
respond to the city’s art
collection, until Sat 10
Nov, Wolverhampton Art
Gallery
AUTUMN SHOWCASE
Featuring an array of
autumnal artwork, until
Sat 17 Nov, Bilston Craft
Gallery
THE LIDICE STORY
Exhibition commemorating the seventieth
anniversary of the
destruction of the small
mining village of Lidice
in Czechoslovakia, until
Sun 4 Nov, The
Potteries Museum,
Stoke-on-Trent
VANLEY BURKE: BY THE
RIVERS OF BIRMINAM
Photographic exhibition
that documents the history of Handsworth's
Jamaican community
since the mid-1960s,
until Sun 18 Nov, mac,
Midlands Arts Centre,
Birmingham
ANN VERONICA
JANSSENS: OSCAR Video
portrait of the Brazilian
architect Oscar
Niemeyer at the age of
one hundred-and-two,
until Sun 4 Nov, Ikon
Gallery, Birmingham
THE ART OF SURVIVAL
This exhibition, forming
part of Conjunction 12,
features various surviving specimens and fragile fragments - ranging
from ancient artefacts to
contemporary artworks,
until Sun 18 Nov, The
Potteries Museum & Art
Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent
TONY AREFIN EXHIBITION
Exhibition celebrating
the work of graphic
designer Tony Arefin
(1960-2000), until Sun 4
Nov, Ikon Gallery,
Birmingham
MADE @ THE CONE
Working with a diverse
range of media, the
Made@The Cone collective create a stunning
Museums & Art Galleries
Birmingham
ARTIFEX Sutton Coldfield
0121 323 3776
BARBER INSTITUTE
0121 414 7333
BIRMINGHAM MUSEUM &
ART GALLERY 0121 303
2834
THE BURROWS GALLERY,
THE CUSTARD FACTORY
0121 224 7344
CASTLE GALLERIES
0121 633 0015
IKON GALLERY
0121 248 0708
THE EMBROIDERERS
GUILD This exhibition,
mounted as a tribute to
athletes around the
world, features no fewer
than three thousand
embroidered postcardsized images depicting
the life and times of
over two hundred sporting nations, until Sun 4
Nov, Artrix, Bromsgrove
NUMBER NINE THE GALLERY
0121 643 9099
RBSA GALLERY 0121236
4353
THREE WHITE WALLS
GALLERY
0121 643 0078
Black Country
BANTOCK HOUSE
WOLVERHAMPTON
01902 552195
BILSTON CRAFT GALLERY
01902 552507
BROADFIELD HOUSE GLASS
MUSEUM, DUDLEY
range of handcrafted
items, until Sun 18 Nov,
Red House Glass Cone,
Stourbridge
to any environment in
which he’s working,
until Sat 1 Dec, Warwick
SOUREN MOUSAVI SOLO
EXHIBITION Featuring
works inspired by the
Iranian artist’s journey to
freedom, until Sun 18
Nov, Gallery 150,
Leamington Spa
CASTLE HIGH ART Annual
exhibition by the museum’s local school, until
Sat 1 Dec, Dudley
Museum & Art Gallery
LEGEND! Hands-on family exhibition that
explores tales of dashing knights and brave
princesses. An event
part-funded by the
Worcestershire
Archeological Society,
until Sat 24 Nov,
Worcester City Art
Gallery & Museum
HARMINDER JUDGE: IN
THIS STRANGE HOUSE
Sinister and enigmatic
presentation comprising
film, digital prints and
sculptural installation,
New Art Gallery, Walsall
FUNCTION III
Photographic competition providing a platform for the region's
best young, creative talent, until Sun 25 Nov,
The Barber Institute,
Birmingham
REDDITCH: MEDIEVAL
BEGINNINGS TO THE
GREAT WAR The first in a
series of projects and
events to celebrate the
fiftieth anniversary in
2014 of Redditch being
designated a New
Town, until Sun 25 Nov,
Forge Mill Needle
Museum, Redditch
MADE TO MAKE Discover
the wealth of talent and
inspiration developed in
the region as eight
alumni of the
Birmingham Institute of
Art and Design’s School
of Jewellery MA showcase their recent work,
until Sat 1 Dec, Bilston
Craft Gallery
TRANSPLANTATION: A
SENSE OF PLACE & CULTURE Exhibition which
brings together leading
UK & Australian-based
makers of narrative jewellery, until Sat 1 Dec,
Bilston Craft Gallery
TRANSITIONS: DRAWINGS
FROM THE COLLECTION OF
MIMA This exhibition of
works from the collection of mima
(Middlesbrough Institute
of the Arts) presents
drawings by several key
artists in post-war
America, many of whom
are best known for
working in three dimensions, until Sat 1 Dec,
Coventry
THE BIG DRAW: DOT TO
DOT Project that pushes
the boundaries on a
classic childhood activity, until Sun 2 Dec, mac,
Birmingham
THE OLYMPICS Exhibition
of paintings, sculpture,
ceramics and textiles,
all inspired by the
Olympic Games and
the Olympic Torch
Parade, until Sat 20
Nov, The Willow Gallery,
Oswestry, North
Shropshire
LIVING CITY Sarah
Taylor Silverwood’s
works examine the
relationship between
humans and architecture through a series of
drawings and textbased pieces, until Sun
2 Dec, The Barber
MAN OF NOTE Exhibition
that celebrates Harry
Eccleston's legacy as
an artist and printmaker, until Sat 1 Dec,
Wolverhampton Art
Gallery
JODIE CAREY: SOLOMON’S
KNOT Using a wide
range of media, Jodie
Carey’s work explores
ideas of time, memory
and materiality, of time
passing, memories fading, of absence and
loss... until Sun 30 Dec,
The New Art Gallery,
Walsall
AENEAS WILDER: UNTITLED 162 See the Gallery
transformed through
intervention by Aeneas
Wilde - an artist who
develops complex,
extraordinarily beautiful
structures in response
01384 812745
DUDLEY MUSEUM
& ART GALLERY
01384 815575
LIGHT HOUSE MEDIA CENTRE
WOLVERHAMPTON
01902 716055
THE NEW ART GALLERY
WALSALL 01922 654400
RED HOUSE GLASS CONE
01384 812750
WOLVERHAMPTON ART
GALLERY 01902 552055
Staffordshire
THE POTTERIES MUSEUM &
ART GALLERY 01782 232323
SHIREHALL GALLERY
STAFFORD 01785 278345
THE DIG! Exhibition
showcasing archaeological finds uncovered so
far, until Mon 31 Dec,
STAFFORDSHIRE MUSEUM,
SHUGBOROUGH
01889 881388
Warwickshire
COMPTON VERNEY GALLERY
01926 645500
HERBERT ART GALLERY
COVENTRY 02476 832386
MEAD GALLERY WARWICK
02476 524524
ROYAL PUMP ROOMS
01926 742700
Worcestershire
WORCESTER CITY ART
GALLERY 01905 25371
Visit whatsonlive.co.uk
for venue website details
VisualArts LISTINGS
For full listing information on Visual Art
exhibitions, including times and dates,
Nash’s House & New
Place, Stratford-uponAvon
TAKING ACCOUNT OF OUR
PAST Find out about the
story of the Smith, Son
and Wilkie accountants
cataloguing project,
including behind-thescenes images of conservation and storage of
the records, until Mon
31 Dec, Wolverhampton
City Archives
THE STORIES OF SHAKESPEARE Joint exhibition
from the Royal
Shakespeare Theatre
& the Shakespeare
Birthplace Trust, until
Mon 31 Dec, Royal
Shakespeare Theatre,
Stratford-upon-Avon
DEAR SHAKESPEARE
New display that showcases a small but rare
collection of letters written by famous authors,
from Oscar Wilde to
Bram Stoker, until Mon
31 Dec, Nash’s House
& New Place, Stratfordupon-Avon
EMPOWERED: THE ART
AND HISTORY OF CEREBRAL PALSY MIDLANDS
Paintings and sculpture
created by artists from
the Birmingham-based
charity Cerebral Palsy
Midlands, until Tues 1
Jan, Birmingham
WEST MIDLANDS OPEN
A biennial collaboration
between Birmingham
Museum’s Trust and
Wolverhampton Art
Gallery, until Sat 5 Jan,
W’hampton Art Gallery
DINOSAURS UNCOVERED
Unique exhibition featuring life-size
dinosaurs, real and
replica fossils and
holographic video presentations by wildlife
expert Chris Packham,
until Sun 6 Jan,
Herbert Art Gallery &
Museum, Coventry
HORROR IN HOLLYWOOD:
THE JAMES WHALE STORY
Featuring previously
unseen cartoons, paintings and illustrations by
Dudley-born film director James Whale, until
Sat 1 Jan, Dudley
LOVE AND DEATH: VICTORIAN PAINTINGS FROM
THE TATE Exclusive exhibition featuring iconic
paintings from the Tate
alongside related works
from Birmingham's own
collection, until Sun 13
Jan, Birmingham
THROUGH OUR HANDS
Exhibition featuring
works from ten textile
artists, national and
international, who
approach quilting as a
contemporary art form,
until Sun 13 Jan, The
Royal Pump Rooms,
Leamington Spa
CITY OF HOME BY ALINA
KISINA Photographic
exhibition by the
Ukraine-born artist that
captures her home
town of Kiev in a halfabstract, half-representational format, until Fri
25 Jan, Light House
Media Centre,
Wolverhampton
BACK TO THE FUTURE
Exhibition exploring the
world-renowned glass
collections and
archives in the Dudley
Borough, demonstrating their importance to
the region's contemporary glass-makers and
designers, until Sun 27
Jan, Broadfield House
Glass Museum,
Kingswinford
IN FRONT OF NATURE
The first ever UK exhibition devoted entirely to
the paintings and
career of one of
Scandanavia's most
important painters,
Thomas Fearnley, until
Sun 27 Jan, The Barber
SCOOTERMANIA
Showcase of British
scooters from the ‘50s
& ‘60s, until Sun 3
March, Coventry
Transport Museum
STAFFORDSHIRE HOARD:
DARK AGE DISCOVERY
Featuring more than
two hundred pieces
from the fabulous
Anglo-Saxon hoard,
until Sun 1 Sep, 2013,
The Potteries Museum
& Art Gallery, Stoke-onTrent
ARTIST ROOM A yearlong exhibition featuring
sculptures, paintings
and prints. This display
will be accompanied by
a series of inspired
satellite exhibitions,
events and activities
through the course of
the year, until Sat 27
Oct, 2013, The New Art
Gallery, Walsall
MASTER OF LIGHT Lawrie
Williamson’s exhibition
of original oil paintings
& works on paper,
Thurs 1 - Fri 30 Nov,
Artifex Gallery,
Birmingham
JOHN PAUL VILLAFRATI:
WORKING OUR WAY WEST
Exhibition of artwork
from Simon Randall &
Carla Smith, all of which
is themed on the stories
and characters featured
on John Paul’s new EP,
Working Our Way West,
Master Of Light - Artifex Gallery, Birmingham
Fri 2 Nov - Sat 1 Dec,
Urban Coffee Company,
Church St, Birmingham
ELIZABETH CADD An exhibition of watercolours,
collage and monoprints
by Shropshire-based
artist Elizabeth Cadd,
including paintings of
Shropshire, Italy and
the Dorset coast, Fri 2
Nov - Fri 21 Dec,
Ludlow Assembly
Rooms, South
Shropshire
EMILIA NYLEN BODYSCAPES Exhibition
that records the shape,
structure and fabric of
the human body, Wed 7
Nov - Sun 2 Dec, Artrix,
Bromsgrove
A DICKENSIAN CHRISTMAS Exhibition which
marks the anniversary
year of Charles Dickens
two hundredth birthday,
Wed 7 Nov - Sat 13
Jan, Bantock House
Museum,
Wolverhampton
MISTER VOLDER GOES TO
THE CITY Taking an
ambiguous short story
as their starting point,
artists Rebecca Hurst
and Ben Pacey use
simple materials and
low-fi digital techniques
to create compelling,
atmospheric images,
Sat 10 Nov - Sun 13
Jan, mac, Birmingham
CELEBRATION OF YOUNG
ACHIEVEMENT A celebration of creative work by
past and current pupils
at a local school in
Wolverhampton, Sat 17
Nov - Sat 15 Dec,
PENN HOSPITAL: EXPLORING THE HISTORY A partnership exhibition
between W’hampton
Culture, Arts and
Heritage Learning and
Community
Engagement Team and
the Black Country
Partnership NHS
Foundation, Sat 17 Nov
- Sat 15 Dec
Events November_Layout 1 29/10/2012 14:09 Page 1
CHRISTMAS
FESTIVAL
24 – 25 NOV, 10AM – 4PM
FREE
Glassblowing demonstrations,
gift shop grotto, craft activities,
meet Santa and Mrs Claus
CHRISTMAS
CRAFT
MARKET
SANTA @ THE CONE
8, 9, 15, 16, 22 AND 23 DEC
FREE
Meet Santa, do a trail,
make a craft,
watch glassmaking.
£7 / £5 babe in arms
Craft stalls, children’s trail
glassblowing demonstrations,
WINTER TRAIL
24 – 25 NOV, 10AM – 4PM
1 DEC - 6 JAN. BROADFIELD
CLOSED ON MONDAYS
FREE
BACK TO THE FUTURE
UNTIL 27 JAN
An exhibition celebrating
400 years of glass making:
exciting and innovative
new work created by
West Midlands glass artists
inspired by pieces from the
museum’s world-renowned
collection
MADE @
THE CONE
UNTIL 18 NOVEMBER
Handcrafted items by the
cone’s creative tenants
ADULT CRAFT CLASSES
1, 8, 15 Dec – Kiln fused glass @ Cone - £21
30 Nov, 21 Dec – Various crafts @ Broadfield £5.25
PLUS
HAVE A GO DAY
3 NOVEMBER
Try your hand at a
craft with the tenants:
From £5
CHRISTMAS OPENING TIMES: CLOSED 24 DEC 2012 - 12 JAN 2013
Looks for the festive clues
at the Cone and Broadfield
FAMILY CRAFTS
8 Dec – Broadfield - £3.75
Visit the website for a full programme.
Events
WI
The Footman James Classic Motor Show NEC, Birmingham, Fri 16 - Sun 18 November
Attracting over ninety thousand visitors from all over the world, and
featuring more than twelve hundred cars, the Footman James Classic
Motor Show is considered to be the UK equivalent of France’s
Retromobile and Germany’s Techno Classica - both internationally
acclaimed events in the motoring calendar. Featuring exhibits from
Britain’s best motoring clubs, the Footman James provides a showcase for rare marques - ranging from pre-war through to retro classics - American muscle cars, Japanese performance cars and British
sports cars.
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Other attractions at the three-day event include the Wheeler Dealer
Live Stage - hosted by TV motoring show presenters Mike Brewer
and Ed China - an impressive Restoration Theatre, where a team of
mechanics will be on hand to show visitors how to restore a cherished classic car, and more than three hundred trade stands featuring a wide range of parts, spares, tools and memorabilia. New for
2012, and a scoop for racing enthusiasts, Hammerite Waxoyl, a
brand by AkzoNobel, will be displaying the Vodafone McLaren
Mercedes Formula One car.
The BBC Good Food Show
NEC, Birmingham, Wed 28 November Sun 2 December
James Martin and James D’Acampo are just
two of the famous faces who’re appearing at
this winter version of the acclaimed BBC
show, an event that’s positively packed with
inspiring ideas for budding chefs and food
enthusiasts. In keeping with the current trend
for baking, this year’s event sees the introduction of The Great British Bake Off stage, where
familiar faces
from the popular
TV programme
will host a
packed timetable
of events. And if
you’re lucky, you
may even catch
a glimpse of the
judges - the
queen of cakes
Mary Berry and
master baker
Paul Hollywood.
Antiques For Everyone NEC, Birmingham, Thurs 1 - Sun 4 November
A special display of rare and unusual oil lamps is sure to prove a major attraction at this
month’s Antiques For Everyone. More than eighty individual lamps belonging to collector
Nigel Reynolds feature at this year’s winter show, complimenting the usual vast array of fine
art and antiques that make this twice yearly get-together such a popular event for collectors
and enthusiasts from across the world.
Events PREVIEWS
Crafts For Christmas
NEC, Birmingham,
Thurs 8 - Sun 11 November
The perfect event for craft enthusiasts, this
annual gathering brings together three
shows under one roof. Crafts For Christmas
offers a huge selection of handmade gifts
from hundreds of exhibitors, and includes a
brand new Graduate Area featuring works by
newly qualified British designers and makers.
Cake International, meanwhile, provides
handy hints and tips for would-be makers,
while Art Materials Live offers the perfect
opportunity for visitors to view stunning displays and works of art, as well as discovering new methods, materials and techniques.
International Dirt Bike Show
Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, Thurs 1 - Sun 4 November
GCCF Supreme Cat Show
NEC, Birmingham, Sat 24 November
Now here's a purr-fect opportunity to get 'up
close and purr-sonal' with marvellous moggies aplenty! The Supreme Cat Show brings
together pussies and kittens of all shapes,
sizes, breeds and pedigrees, and features
breeders talks, a ‘best decorated pen’ competition, both pedigree and non-pedigree
cats in competition, and lots of trade stands
selling everything a cat and its owner could
possibly need. So if you love your commonor-garden moggy and are 'feline' in the mood
for what should be a great day out, then this
is the show for you!
Continuing with the successful low cost admission initiative introduced last year, this year’s
International Dirt Bike Show sees well-known motorcycling brands Honda, KTM, Suzuki,
Kawasaki and Husaberg exhibit at the event for the first time. Key attractions for 2012 include
the Extreme Mountain Bike Show where Danny Butler will lead his team in displays of skill,
agility and choreographed routines and the have-a-go activity zone, where children from five
to eleven can experience the fun of riding a restricted 50cc motorcycle on a specially design
circuit. Other highlights include stage shows, a trials zone and the Evoshock Moto Jumble
where enthusiasts can purchase second-hand parts, spares, tools, accessories, jumble, old
books and the like.
Birmingham International
Tattoo
National Indoor Arena, Birmingham,
of local carol singers and schoolchildren will
also be staging special performances in
Victoria Square during the run-up to
Christmas.
More than one thousand military musicians
and performers from across Europe and the
UK are lined-up to perform at this year’s
Tattoo. The Band of the Irish Guards takes
the lead at a show which also includes entertainment courtesy of the Royal Air Force
Cosford Queen’s Colour, the United
Kingdom Disco Display Team, the
Birmingham Tattoo Town Crier and the
Racing Dogs ‘Flybelt’ Competition.
Blitz Family Day
Gorgeous Craft Show
Coventry Transport Museum, Herbert Art
Gallery & Museum & Coventry Cathedral,
Sat 17 November
Families visiting three of Coventry’s main
attractions are provided with an insight into
what life was like during World War Two this
month, with different activities taking place at
each location. The activities on offer include
‘make do and mend’, wartime cooking,
codebreaking and first aid. The event, in
commemoration of the anniversary of the
Coventry Blitz, is free of charge, and children
who complete three or more activities will
receive a special Blitz Family Day badge in
recognition of their achievement.
Enginuity, Ironbridge, Shropshire,
Frankfurt Market
Birmingham City Centre,
Thurs 15 November - Sat 22 December
A wealth of ideas for Christmas gifts is once
again on offer at this annual selling exhibition, which brings together works from some
of the region’s best designer-makers and
purveyors of quality produce. With items for
sale at prices to suit all pockets, this annual
showcase of some of ‘Shropshire’s finest’
features an array of unique and interesting
items, from fine furniture, ceramics, glassware, textiles and jewellery through to
mouthwatering cakes, chutneys, meats and
sweet treats.
Birmingham’s Frankfurt Market is now well
known throughout the UK for being the
largest outdoor Christmas market in the
country. Celebrating its eleventh year, the
market is a focus for the second city’s festive
celebrations, offering a wide range of traditional handmade toys, art and items from
throughout the world, as well as plenty of
food and drink, including German mulled
wine (Glutelin), grilled sausages, vegetarian
options, pretzels and German beer. Groups
Events PREVIEWS
Worcester Victorian
Christmas Fayre
Worcester City Centre, Thurs 29 November Sun 2 December
This year marks the twentieth anniversary of
Worcester’s hugely popular festive celebration. The annual event, which attracts in
excess of one hundred thousand visitors, is
regarded as the leading themed street market in the West Midlands, and this year
opens with a lantern procession through the
city. In addition to the one hundred-and-forty
stalls which grace Worcester’s historic
streets - selling crafts, gifts and speciality
foods - this ever-popular event also features
an array of period entertainment, from choirs
and juggling stiltwalkers to a period carousel
and barrel organ music.
Ludlow Medieval Christmas Fayre
Ludlow Castle, South Shropshire, Sat 24 - Sun 25 November
Motley minstrels, chivalrous knights, courtly ladies, firebreathing jesters, a giant monk and a
duo of medieval musicians offer just a taste of the entertainment which awaits visitors to
Ludlow’s Medieval Christmas Fayre. Just what the doctor ordered to get you in the festive
spirit, this popular two-day event provides a perfect opportunity to purchase unusual
Christmas gifts, peruse plenty of displays and enjoy numerous medieval performances. It also
offers the chance to sample some of the town’s many culinary delights, which, given Ludlow’s
reputation as a purveyor of fine food, should certainly prove to be well worth a nibble.
Events LISTINGS
For full listing information on Events
including times and dates visit,
Week Commencing
THUR 1 NOV
SPOOKTACULAR HALF
TERM FUN until Fri 2
Nov, Museum of
Cannock Chase
HALF TERM FAMILY FUN
AT THE FARM Featuring
spooky crafts, pumpkin
carving, fun quizzes
and trails, until Fri 2
Nov, Shugborough
Historic Working Estate,
Staffordshire
CERAMIC DROP-IN
WORKSHOPS Offering
visitors a chance to create their very own halloween ceramic monster, until Fri 2 Nov,
Coalport China
Museum, Ironbridge,
Shropshire
MAD SCIENCE WEEK
SPOOKTACULAR! A week
of mad science workshops where visitors
can create gloopy lava
lamps, make fake
blood, discover bulging
brains, spin edible spiders’ webs and blow
up pumpkins, until Fri 2
Nov, Arena Theatre,
Wolverhampton
TILE DECORATING
WORKSHOPS Make your
own 'terrifying tile' with
the spookiest of
designs, until Fri 2 Nov,
Jackfield Tile Museum,
Ironbridge, Shropshire
AUTUMN JEWELS - HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES
Seasonal craft activities
including pumpkin
carving!, until Fri 2 Nov,
Worcestershire County
Museum, Hartlebury
Castle
HALLOWEEN FAMILY FUN
TRAIL until Sat 3 Nov,
Kenilworth Castle
TECHNO TERRORS Join
the drop-in workshop
and build the meanest,
scariest Techno Terror
you can!, until Sun 4
Nov, Enginuity,
THE HAUNTED CASTLE
Frightful family fun this
Halloween, with creepy
characters galore,
spookily themed walking trails and haunted
towers and turrets, until
Sun 4 Nov, Warwick
Castle
HALLOWEEN HAPPENINGS
AND FOCUS ON FAWKES
Commandery,
Worcester
HALLOWEEN MAIZE MAZE
SPOOKTACULAR! A
spooky spectacular for
families, until Sun 4
Nov, The Follies,
Hawkstone Park, North
Shropshire
SPOOKY SHAKESPEARE
Halloween-inspired fun,
until Sun 4 Nov, Hall's
Croft; Nash's House,
Anne Hathaway’s
Cottage & New Place,
Stratford-upon-Avon
FAMILY FUN DAYS - HALLOWEEN Spooky outdoor trails with takehome activities, until
Sun 4 Nov, Packwood
House, Warwickshire
HALLOWEEN FAMILY FUN
TRAIL Discover spooky
secrets & ghastly tales,
until Sun 4 Nov,
Stokesay Castle, South
Shropshire
HALLOWEEN HOLIDAY
TRAIL A family trail with
a Halloween theme to
lead you around the
grounds and keep your
little ones entertained,
until Sun 4 Nov,
Attingham Park, Nr
Shrewsbury
DAYTIME FAMILY HALLOWEEN HAUNTED CASTLE until Sun 4 Nov,
Tamworth Castle
HALLOWEEN HALF TERM
AT THE MONKEY FOREST
Featuring a variety of
ghoulish activities
throughout the week,
until Sun 4 Nov,
Trentham Monkey
Forest, Stoke-on-Trent
HALLOWEEN HAUNTINGS
Take a trip along the
site’s Halloween activity
arcade where wacky
games, pumpkin carving and spooky stories
await... until Mon 5
Nov, Park Hall
Countryside
Experience, Oswestry,
North Shropshire
REDDITCH: MEDIEVAL
BEGINNINGS TO THE
GREAT WAR The first in a
series of projects and
events to celebrate the
fiftieth anniversary in
2014 of Redditch being
designated a New
Town, until Sun 25 Nov,
Forge Mill Needle
Museum, Redditch
HALLOWEEN ARTS &
CRAFTS Spooktacular
workshop run by a professional artist, Thurs 1
Nov, Solihull Arts
Complex
ADULT CRAFT WORKSHOP
- CANAL ART COASTER
Learn the techniques of
traditional canal art
painting and make your
own decorative coaster... Thurs 1 Nov,
Walsall Museum
SCARY SOCK MONSTER
PUPPETS Drop-in workshop to create a scary
sock monster puppet
for Halloween, Thurs 1
Nov, Bilston Craft
Gallery
FOOD & CRAFT MARKET
Thurs 1 Nov, Castle
Square, Ludlow
GHOST TOUR OF THE
CASTLE Wrap up warm
for a guided tour where
you’ll encounter ghosts
from the castle’s history, Fri 2 Nov,
Whittington Castle,
North Shropshire
Aztec Weekend - Cadbury World, Birmingham
ANTIQUES FOR EVERYONE
Britain’s premier dedicated antiques event,
Thurs 1 - Sun 4 Nov,
NEC, Birmingham
SUPER SLAM WRESTLING
A brand new line-up of
top stars from America
face the best of British
talent in a two hour,
action-packed event for
all the family to enjoy,
Fri 2 Nov, Royal Spa
Centre, Leamington
Spa
HANDMADE CONTEMPORARY CRAFT FAIR
Featuring a wide variety
of crafts to suit all
pockets, Fri 2 & Sat 3
Nov, The Shire Hall
Gallery, Stafford
ALLSORTS ART FAIR
Featuring an assortment of art and craft
work, oil paintings,
watercolours, photography, textiles, sculptures,
jewellery, glassware,
feltwork and much
more... Sat 3 Nov,
Solihull Arts Complex
HALLOWEEN CRUISE A
spooky evening of
magic, illusion, mindreading and hypnotism
with Rob Chapman, Sat
3 Nov, Sabrina Boat,
Victoria Quay,
Shrewsbury
CRAFT FAIR Sale of work
by local makers,
including pottery, fabrics and jewellery, Sat 3
Nov, Bantock House
Museum,
Wolverhampton
AZTEC WEEKEND Sat 3 Sun 4 Nov, Cadbury
World, Birmingham
ON DESIGN A day devoted to design, including
a talk with curator and
leading designer
James Langdon and an
afternoon symposium
about design in a fine
art context, Sat 3 Nov,
Ikon Gallery,
Birmingham
FLIP ANIMATION Dip
your toes into the world
of animation and bring
your imagination to life
using a range of 2-D
and 3-D techniques,
Sat 3 Nov,
Wolverhampton Art
Gallery
ANTIQUE AND
COLLECTORS FAIR Sun 4
Nov, The Three
Counties Showground,
Malvern
ANTIQUE & COLLECTORS
FAIR Sun 4 Nov, Castle
Square, Ludlow
REMEMBER, REMEMBER THE 5TH OF NOVEMBER
BONFIRE &
FIREWORK DISPLAY
Fri 2 Nov, Hickman
Park,
Wolverhampton
FIREWORKS CELEBRATION Fri 2 Nov,
Trentham Estate,
Staffordshire
TRADITIONAL
BONFIRE EVENING
Sat 3 Nov, Black
Country Living
Museum, Dudley
BROWNHILLS BONFIRE & FIREWORK
DISPLAY Sat 3 Nov,
Holland Park,
Brownhills
OSWESTRY BONFIRE
& FIREWORKS Sat 3
Nov, Brogyntyn
Park, Oswestry,
North Shropshire
BONFIRE & FIREWORK DISPLAY Sat 3
Nov, West Park,
Wolverhampton
BONFIRE & FIREWORKS NIGHT Sat 3
Nov, Ragley Hall,
Warwickshire
FIREWORKS NIGHT
Family fireworks
and hot metal
extravaganza, Sat 3
Nov, Blists Hill,
Ironbridge,
Shropshire
WARWICK TOWN
BONFIRE & FIREWORKS Sat 3 Nov,
Warwick
Racecourse
BONFIRE NIGHT AND
FIREWORKS Sat 3
Nov, Shugborough
Historic Working
Estate,
Staffordshire
BONFIRE GALE Sat 3
Nov, Kenilworth
Castle,
Warwickshire
MALVERN
FIREWORKS Sat 3
Nov, The Three
Counties
Showground,
Malvern
HIMLEY BONFIRE &
FIREWORKS Sat 3
Nov, Himley Hall &
Park, Dudley
FIREWORKS FRENZY
Featuring Jet vehicles, monster truck
and stunts, topped
off with a huge
bonfire and firework
display, Sat 3 Nov,
Santa Pod
Firework extravaganza - Blists Hill, Ironbridge
Raceway,
Northampton
FIREWORK FESTIVAL
Sat 3 Nov, West
Midlands Safari
Park, Bewdley
ROUND TABLE FIREWORKS DISPLAY Sat
3 Nov, Tudor
Grange Park,
Solihull
VIKINGS AND FIREWORKS Sun 4 Nov,
Tutbury Park,
Staffordshire
BONFIRE & FIREWORKS NIGHT Sun 4
Nov, West Midlands
Showground,
Shrewsbury
BONFIRE &
FIREWORK
EXTRAVAGANZA
Featuring fun fair,
stalls, catering and
the Beacon Radio
Roadshow, Sun 4
Nov, Weston Park,
Staffordshire
TODDLER BONFIRE
NIGHT - NO BANGS!
Enjoy the crackling
bonfire being lit
and join in with the
special bonfire
songs, Mon 5 Nov,
Avoncroft Museum,
Bromsgrove
FIREWORKS SPECTACULAR Mon 5
Nov, Pype Hayes
Park,
Wolverhampton
WILLENHALL BONFIRE & FIREWORK
DISPLAY Sat 10 Nov,
Willenhall
BONFIRE EVENTS IN YOUR AREA
Events LISTINGS
For full listing information on Events
including times and dates visit,
AUTUMN WALK Take a
walk through the park
with head Gardener
Martin Gee, Sun 4 Nov,
Weston Park,
Staffordshire
ARTS AND CRAFTS
POTTERY A short course
for adults which focuses on the gallery's display of arts & crafts
ceramics - in particular
Ruskin Pottery - to
inspire participants to
create their own
objects in three halfday sessions, Sun 4
Nov, Birmingham
BRIDAL FAYRE Sun 4
Nov, Wolverhampton
Wanderers Football
Club
FAMILY SUNDAY: EXPLORING CLAY Sun 4 Nov,
The New Art Gallery,
Walsall
Week Commencing
MON 5 NOV
CONSERVATION TOUR OF
THE STAFFORDSHIRE
HOARD Mon 5 Nov,
Birmingham Museum &
Art Gallery
WWE WORLD TOUR Live
televised event featuring some of the biggest
names on the professional wrestling circuit,
Mon 5 - Tue 6 Nov, LG
Arena, Birmingham
LUDLOW LECTURES
Series of six lectures on
the history and landscape of Ludlow and
the Marches, Tue 6
Rooms, South
Shropshire
POETRY CAFE Featuring
a new theme every
month, Wed 7 Nov,
Ludlow Assembly
Rooms, South
Shropshire
CONSERVATION TOUR OF
THE STAFFORDSHIRE
HOARD Wed 7 Nov,
Birmingham Museum &
Art Gallery
DRIFT WHAT YA BRUNG
PUBLIC DRIFT DAY Wed 7
Nov, Santa Pod
Raceway, Northampton
WINTER TOUR Chance to
see the house after the
season has ended,
Thurs 8 Nov, Soho
House, Birmingham
LUDLOW LOCAL PRODUCE
MARKET Thurs 8 Nov,
Castle Square, Ludlow,
South Shropshire
HOBBY CRAFTS 2012 The
ideal place to purchase
your creative craft
materials!, Thurs 8 Sun 11 Nov, NEC,
Birmingham
CRAFTS FOR CHRISTMAS
Thurs 8 - Sun 11 Nov,
NEC, Birmingham
CAKE INTERNATIONAL Fri
9 - Sun 11 Nov, NEC,
Birmingham
INTERNATIONAL MODEL
BOAT SHOW An exhibition dedicated to all
aspects of marine modelling, Fri 9 - Sun 11
Nov, Warwickshire
Exhibition Centre
FAMILY ART DAY Creative
team activities for all
the family to enjoy, Sat
Centre, Coventry
ST MARY'S HOSPICE
CHARITY BAZAAR Join St
Mary's Hospice for their
annual Christmas
Bazaar, Sat 10 Nov,
Birmingham Botanical
Gardens
MAD JACK’S RACE
Annual five mile run
around the park in
association with the
Shrewsbury Athletics
Club, Sat 10 Nov,
Attingham Park,
Shrewsbury
MEMORY BOOKS WORKSHOP Make up a scrap
book about your family... Sat 10 Nov, Walsall
Local History Centre
DIWALI: GLOW Activities
include traditional contemporary dance performances and workshops, Dhol drumming
and mehndi – henna
hand patterns. Also a
children’s workshop
making ultra violet
glowing rangoli patterns and a unique
glowing Diva dance,
Sat 10 Nov, The New
Art Gallery, Walsall
BIRMINGHAM PARADE
See Father Christmas
lead a magical parade
as Birmingham’s countdown to Christmas
begins... Sat 10 Nov,
starting at Victoria
Square, Birmingham
WHAT THE DICKENS? - A
VICTORIAN MURDER MYSTERY Evening of thrills
& surprises as Mr
Dickens is confronted
with a most grisley
crime, Sat 10 Nov,
Worcestershire County
Museum, Hartlebury
Castle
GRAND SLAM OF DARTS
Sat 10 - Sun 18 Nov,
Civic Hall,
Wolverhampton
ARTS AND CRAFTS
Ruskin Pottery - to
create their own ceramic objects in three halfday sessions, Sun 11
Nov, Birmingham
AMERICAN STYLE
WRESTLING Sun 11 Nov,
The River Rooms,
Stourbridge
CHRISTMAS CRAFT &
GIFT FAYRE Sun 11 Nov,
Shrewsbury Town
Football Club
Week Commencing
MON 12 NOV
AUTUMN TEA DANCE Mon
12 Nov, Solihull Arts
Complex
CONSERVATION CENTRE
OPEN WEEK Gain exclusive behind-the-scenes
access to aircraft conservation work and
have a rare opportunity
to view current projects,
Mon 12 - Sat 17 Nov,
RAF Cosford, Nr
Wolverhampton
THE 23RD ERASMUS
DARWIN MEMORIAL
LECTURE Lichfield
Science and
Engineering Society
presents Great Ideas of
Biology with Sir Paul
Nurse, Tue 13 Nov,
Lichfield Garrick
LUDLOW LECTURES
the Marches, Tue 13
Rooms, South
Shropshire
SERVANT TOURS Service
with a smile as
Victorian servants take
visitors on a tour of
their working lives, Tues
13 Nov, Wightwick
Manor, Wolverhampton
CIVIC SOCIETY LECTURE
Wed 14 Nov, Ludlow
Assembly Rooms,
South Shropshire
FOOD & CRAFT MARKET
Thurs 15 Nov, Castle
Square, Ludlow, South
Shropshire
TOUR WITH DAI MORGAN
EVANS Take an exclusive tour of Wroxeter
Roman City and the
Roman Town House
with Professor Dai
Morgan Evans, Thurs
15 Nov, Wroxeter
Roman City, Shropshire
THE SKILLS SHOW A
unique opportunity for
visitors to be inspired
by skills in action,
The NEC, Birmingham
BIRMINGHAM FRANKFURT
CHRISTMAS MARKET
Thurs 15 Nov - Sat 22
Dec, Birmingham City
Centre
SILVER JEWELLERY
WORKSHOP Made To
Make exhibitor
Katherine Richmond
showcases different
metalworking techniques to enable you to
design and produce
your own piece of jewellery, Fri 16 Nov,
THE FOOTMAN JAMES
CLASSIC MOTOR SHOW
Fri 16 - Sun 18 Nov,
NEC, Birmingham
SPANISH RIDING SCHOOL
OF VIENNA Highly
trained horses and riders from the four hundred-and-thirty-year-old
High School for
Classical
Horsemanship return to
Birmingham to present
their new show,
Imperial Dream, Fri 16 Sun 18 Nov, National
Indoor Arena,
Birmingham
DRIFT WHAT YA BRUNG
PUBLIC DRIFT DAY Sat 17
Nov, Santa Pod
BLITZ FAMILY DAY
Experience life during
WWII at three Coventry
venues, Sat 17 Nov,
Coventry Transport
Museum, Coventry
Cathedral & The
Herbert Museum & Art
Gallery
LOCAL HISTORY FAIR
Featuring stalls representing historical
groups and societies
from in and around the
local area, as well as
family-friendly activities,
Sat 17 Nov, W’hampton
City Archives
IF YOU GO DOWN TO THE
WOODS... Fun woodland
activities designed for
the whole family to
enjoy, Sat 17 Nov,
Moseley Old Hall,
Wolverhampton
DIWALI CELEBRATIONS
Mark the festival of light
with traditional music,
lights and dancing, Sat
17 Nov, The Potteries
Museum & Art Gallery,
Stoke-on-Trent
GORGEOUS A unique
showcase of the
region's finest designermakers and Shropshire
food producers, Sat 17
- Sun 18 Nov, Enginuity,
CRAFT & CHRISTMAS
GIFT FAYRE Sat 17 - Sun
18 Nov, Himley Hall &
Park, Dudley
CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR
Chance to purchase
innovative works from
some of the region's
most creative people,
Coventry Transport
Museum
ANTIQUE & COLLECTORS
FAIR Sun 18 Nov, Castle
Shropshire
WINTER WONDERLAND
Sun 18 Nov, Museum
of Cannock Chase
FRIENDS CRAFT FAIR AND
CAROLS Sun 18 Nov,
Birmingham Botanical
Gardens
ARTS AND CRAFTS
Ruskin Pottery - to
create their own ceramic objects in three halfday sessions, Sun 18
Nov, Birmingham
CAMPERS CHRISTMAS A
Christmas light show
with a difference - see
the camper vans and
scooters blinged with
lights and decorations
in front of the museum,
Sun 18 Nov, Coventry
Transport Museum
Get in the mood for
Christmas and choose
from a wide range of
locally produced arts,
crafts and festive produce for use as really
unique Christmas gifts,
Sun 18 Nov,
Dudmaston Estate, Nr
Bridgnorth, Shropshire
Week Commencing
MON 19 NOV
LUDLOW LECTURES
the Marches, Tue 20
Rooms, South
Shropshire
MEET THE HOUSEKEEPERS Spend a morning
with the dedicated and
highly skilled
Conservation
Housekeepers and the
House Steward, Tues
20 Nov, Wightwick
Manor, Wolverhampton
CHRISTMAS RETAIL
SHOWCASE Featuring an
array of locally produced wares, Tues 20
Nov - Sat 12 Jan,
SPOTLIGHT Put your
own object under the
spotlight, Wed 21 Nov,
Birmingham Museum &
Art Gallery
LUDLOW LOCAL PRODUCE
MARKET Thurs 22 Nov,
South Shropshire
WINTER TOUR Chance to
see the house after the
open season has
ended, Thurs 22 Nov,
Soho House,
Birmingham
FESTIVE GIFT FAIR Thurs
22 - Sun 25 Nov, NEC,
Birmingham
CHARLES DICKENS’ FEAST
OF FESTIVE FRIGHTENERS! Performance by
Don’t Go Into The
Cellar Theatre co, Fri
23 Nov, Bantock House
& Museum,
Wolverhampton
NATIONAL ENGINEERING
& CONSTRUCTION
RECRUITMENT
EXHIBITION Fri 23 - Sat
24 Nov, NEC,
Birmingham
CHRISTMAS RAG RUG
WREATH MAKING WORKSHOP With craft specialist Jessie Lindon, Fri 23
- Sat 24 Nov, Back to
Backs, Birmingham
FIRE 2012 Two days of
impartation, ministry &
teaching, Fri 23 - Sat 24
Nov, LG Arena,
Birmingham
BIRMINGHAM
INTERNATIONAL TATTOO
Featuring marching
bands, dog display
teams, field guns and
all the trappings that
make up a military
spectacle, Sat 24 - Sun
25 Nov, National Indoor
Arena, Birmingham
MOTORCYCLE LIVE
Featuring displays from
all the major bike manufacturers, a line-up of
new models, off-road
machines, classic
favourites, custom and
touring bikes, along
with the latest in scooters and mopeds, Sat
24 Nov - Sun 2 Dec,
NEC, Birmingham
G.C.C.F SUPREME CAT
SHOW Prestige event in
the feline calendar - the
Crufts of the Cat Fancy,
Sat 24 Nov, NEC,
Birmingham
THE BIRMINGHAM
VINTAGE, CRAFTS &
CURIO BAZAAR Including
more than sixty stalls
showcasing wares from
vintage & collectable
traders, handmade
crafts by local designer
makers, speciality food
& great gift ideas for
Christmas. Live music
from the 40s & 50s and
a vintage ladies’ hair
salon also feature... Sat
24 Nov, Birmingham
Museum And Art
Gallery
ART BOOK & ZINE FAIR
Sat 24 Nov, The New
Art Gallery, Walsall
ROCK AND FOSSIL
IDENTIFICATION Have
your rocks and fossils
identified by resident
experts, Sat 24 Nov,
Dudley Museum & Art
Gallery
TRADITIONAL CRAFT FAIR
Featuring thirty stalls,
locally produced food,
craft demonstrations,
children’s craft activities
and entertainment, Sat
24 Nov, Shropshire
Wildlife Trust,
Shrewsbury
TOWN CHRISTMAS
LIGHTS SWITCH-ON Sat
24 Nov, Castle Square,
Ludlow, South
Shropshire
SOFT LEATHER GARLAND
- ADULT WORKSHOP Join
tutor Sarah Benson and
make your own beautiful soft leather garland... Sat 24 Nov,
Walsall Leather
Museum
FESTIVE MEDIEVAL BANQUETS Evening of mirth,
merriment & festivities,
Sat 24 Nov, Coombe
Abbey, Warwickshire
FLIGHTS OF FANCY
Brand new event featuring puppets and memorabilia from the iconic
science fiction shows of
Gerry & Sylvia
Anderson, Sat 24 - Sun
25 Nov, RAF Museum,
Cosford, Shropshire
SANTA’S SPECTACULAR
GROTTO & FARM VILLAGE
FUN Featuring fun fair
rides, reindeer hunt
and children’s shows,
Hatton Country World,
Warwick
EVENING TOURS BY CANDLELIGHT Sat 24 - Sun
Nov, Back to Backs,
Birmingham
THE WINTER
MEMORABILIA SHOW The
longest running and
most established event
for fans of movies, cult
TV, comics, video
games, sport & music...
NEC Birmingham
WARLEY NATIONAL
MODEL RAILWAY
EXHIBITION Annual
national model railway
exhibition, Sat 24 - Sun
25 Nov, NEC,
Birmingham
CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION
WEEKEND Sat 24 - Sun
25 Nov, Cadbury World,
Birmingham
SANTA HUNTS Embark
on a fun-filled search
for Santa as costumed
guides and magical
clues point the way to
Santa’s workshop,
where a surprise gift
awaits, Sat 24 - Sun 25
Nov, Black Country
Living Museum, Dudley
CHRISTMAS GROTTO No
child’s Christmas would
be complete without a
trip to see Father
Christmas, Sat 24 - Sun
25 Nov, Birmingham
LUDLOW MEDIEVAL
CHRISTMAS FAYRE
Jesters, entertainers
and historical re-enactments create a perfect
atmosphere in which to
get ahead with your
Christmas shopping,
Ludlow Castle, South
Shropshire
CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL
AND CRAFT FAYRE
Featuring glassmaking
demonstrations, open
studios, stalls, trails
and craft activities for
children, Sat 24 - Sun
25 Nov, Red House
Glass Cone, Dudley
11TH MALVERN DRIVE IN
CLASSIC CAR & BIKE
AUTOJUMBLE Sun 25
Nov, The Three
Malvern
CRAFT FAIR Sun 25 Nov,
Ford Green Hall, Stokeon-Trent
CHRISTMAS MEDIEVAL
MARKET Sun 25 Nov,
South Shropshire
TOY COLLECTORS FAIR
Sun 25 Nov, The Three
Malvern
Sun 25 Nov, Highbury
Hall, Moseley,
Birmingham
STIR UP SUNDAY Make
your very own
Christmas pudding to
take home, Sun 25
Nov, Warwickshire
Museum, Warwick
Week Commencing
MON 26 NOV
CHRISTMAS CERAMIC
WORKSHOP Christmasthemed clay modelling
workshop, Mon 26 Nov,
Coalport China
Museum, Ironbridge,
Shropshire
FROM PARK TO PLATE
Warden-led two hour
guided walk though the
parkland, Tues 27 Nov,
Charlecote Park,
Warwickshire
MEET NIGELLA LAWSON
Chance to meet the
Domestic Goddess and
purchase a signed
copy of her latest book,
Nigellissima, Tues 27
Nov, Waterstones, New
Street, Birmingham
DRIFT WHAT YA BRUNG
PUBLIC DRIFT DAY Wed
28 Nov, Santa Pod
THE BBC GOOD FOOD
SHOW WINTER 2012 The
biggest winter foodie
event of the year, with
speciality producers
and live demos from
top chefs including
James Martin, Hairy
Bikers and Gino
D’Acampo... Wed 28
Nov - Sun 2 Dec, NEC,
Birmingham
THE LUDLOW PUDDING
EXPERIENCE Promising a
great day out for foodies!, Wed 28 Nov,
Ludlow Assembly
Rooms, South
Shropshire
NATIONAL TRUST
LECTURE Discover why
we celebrate Christmas
in the way we do, Wed
28 Nov, Royal Spa
Centre, Leamington
Spa
FOOD & CRAFT MARKET
Thurs 29 Nov, Castle
Shropshire
FANCY EVERGREENS: A
BEGINNERS GUIDE TO
TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS
DECORATIONS Featuring
a short tour of the
Edwardian Locksmith’s
House and demonstrations on how to make
different types of traditional evergreen
arrangements - just in
time for advent, Thurs
29 Nov, The
Locksmith’s House,
Willenhall
VALUATION DAY: FINE ART
& ANTIQUES Fieldings
Auctioneers will be on
hand to value your
ceramics, jewellery, collectables, clocks,
watches, books etc...
Thurs 29 Nov, Bantock
House & Museum,
Wolverhampton
BONNETS UP DAY An
opportunity for technically minded types to
get under the bonnets
of three of the Heritage
Motor Centre's cars, Fri
30 Nov, Heritage Motor
Centre, Gaydon,
Warwickshire
CHRISTMAS WREATH
MAKING Expert driven
workshop where visitors can learn about the
different techniques
used to make wreaths
before getting creative
and making their very
own festive decoration
to take home, Fri 30
Nov, Kenilworth Castle
A CRAFTPLAY CHRISTMAS
AT BANTOCK Explore all
that glitters and shimmers in a special seasonal sensory and creative event for children
aged nought to four
years, Fri 30 Nov,
Bantock House &
Museum,
Wolverhampton
CHRISTMAS AT
COUGHTON See the
house decorated for
Christmas before the
family arrives, and celebrations begin... Fri 30
Nov, Coughton Court,
Worcestershire
FROST FAIR Annual
event featuring quality
local craft and food
stalls and plenty of
inspiration for
Christmas gifts, Fri 30
Nov - Sun 2 Dec,
Attingham Park,
Shrewsbury
NATIVITY TRAIL Telling
the original Christmas
story through the eyes
of some of the world’s
greatest artists, Fri 30
Nov - Mon 24 Dec,
Birmingham Museum &
Art Gallery
Variety is the
Life Of Spice..
Come out to play with a huge network of new friends.
A warm welcome awaits you!
Wouldn’t you love to be invited to
join a thriving club of 3000 friends
in the West Midlands (and 15,000
nationally!) who really know how
to enjoy themselves?
Well here’s your chance. We’re a
friendly, local action, adventure and
social group offering a wide variety
of opportunities for our members to
have fun together.
There’s literally something for
everyone; be it the latest adrenaline
pumping outdoor activities…
weekends & holidays… sports
nights… workshops on fascinating
subjects… or social nights including
theatre, parties and ‘behind the
scenes’ visits to all sorts of unusual
places you’ve always wanted to go.
Events take place at locations
across the West Midlands. Lots of
our members are single and come
along on there own, but we also
welcome couples and groups of
friends. There’s no hidden agenda
– we’re just one happy family of
friends. Members are all ages
(18–80!) and from all walks of life.
Get your FREE comprehensive
information pack today call:
0121 353 6161 (24 hours)
email [email protected]
or visit www.spicebham.com
The one unifying factor of anyone
joining Spice is that they want to live
life to the full.
Membership is equivalent to the
cost of just a pint of beer a week.
In fact, our money back promise
means that satisfaction is
guaranteed.
So what will
you be doing
tomorrow?
“It’s an opportunity to get to do lots of things you wouldn’t otherwise do
What our members are up to in November 2012
.
Thursday 1st November
■
■
■
■
Halesowen and Quinton Pub Night
Movember 2012 - Join our Spice Team
Nine Steps to Happiness
Proof House Private Tour
Friday 2nd November
■ Halloween Sleepover Party Night
Wednesday 21st November
■ Rally Driving Lesson
■ Turkish Bath and Swim
Sunday 11th November
■
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Saturday 3rd November
Beginners Horse Trek
Birmingham at War Afternoon Walk
Go Ape in Cannock
Helicopter Lesson
Malverns South and Eastnor Ramble
Segway Intro and Woodland Race
at Garlands
■
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■
■
Badminton For Fun - Coventry
Badminton For Fun - Wolverhampton
Badminton at NIA
Cotswold Outdoor Discount Evening
Personal Safety for Women
Pub Games Night
Thursday 22nd November
■ Cooking Masterclass Show - Easy
Christmas Entertaining
■ Barnt Green + Lickey Hills Ramble
■ Deer Walk with a Ranger at
Bradgate Park
■ Off Road Karting
■ Sandra's Bon Voyage Party
■ Sandra's Bon Voyage Party
■
■
■
■
■
Accomodation packages
Scuba Taster Morning Experience
The Idiot B*stard Band
Walk with Wolves - Bedford
Western Style Rifle Shooting Afternoon
Wyre Forest Mountain Biking
+ Map Reading
Sunday 4th November
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
Fire Eating Workshop (in tribute to Bob)
Firework Spectacular at Tutbury
Glass Art Workshop
Golf - Learn to Play in a Day
(Warwickshire)
Land Yachting Introduction
Power Kiting and Kite Buggy Full Day
Whittington + Hopwas Moderate
Ramble
Wrekin Ramble
Monday 12th November
■ Curry and Quiz - Wolverhampton
■ Furry Fables -Stories of our British
■ Badminton For Fun - Worcester
■ Spice Book Club
Mammals
Friday 23rd November
Tuesday 13th November
■ Asian Funeral Home Talk and Tour
■ Solihull Pub Night
■ Unihoc (Mixed Indoor Hockey)
■ Indoor Shooting
■ Murder Mystery Evening at
Dunsley Hall
■ Shootout and Party Food at the
Kiddies Playcentre!
Wednesday 14th November
■ Spice Hits Town at the Jam House
■ Welsh Cottage Walking Break
■ Badminton For Fun - Coventry
■ Badminton For Fun ■
■
■
■
Wolverhampton
Badminton at NIA
Slade and Sweet Live In Concert
Stylistics at the Jam House
Sutton Pub Night
Thursday 15th November
■ Blacksmithing Evening
■ Ghost Walk of Sutton Coldfield
■ Warwick / Leamington Pub Night
Saturday 24th November
■
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■
Caer Carodoc Ramble
Early Morning At Dudley Zoo
Hoar Cross Easy Ramble and Lunch
Jazz Night and Chinese Meal
Kurburgring Karting!
McLaren MP4-12C Thrill
Off Road Driving Day at Wrexham
Rally Driving Lesson
Symonds Yat Adventure Mission
Monday 5th November
Friday 16th November
■ Friday Fish and Chips Race Night
■ Llangollen Luxury Walking Weekend
■ Mendips and Cheddar Gorge
Walking Weekend
■ Adventure Golf at Star City!
■ Life Behind The Lens
■ Make up Application Skills for Beginners
■ Serenity Weekend
■ Spanish Riding School of Vienna
■
■
■
■
■
■
Aircraft Wreck Trek
Clent Easy/Moderate Ramble
Glass Art Workshop
Learn to Horse Ride in a Day
Mickleton Ramble
Quad Bike Trekking at Garlands
■ BBC Birmingham Behind the
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
Curry and Quiz - Solihull
Felicity Aston - Alone in Antarctica
Fencing for Beginners
Tamworth and Lichfield Pub Night
Walking With The Wounded
■
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■
■
■
■
■ Indian Dhol Drumming
■ Preview Evening (MAC)
■ Rodizio Rico Dining Experience at
■
■ Ballachulish Bargain Break
■ Coniston and South Lakes Walking
Weekend
■ New Members Easy Walking Weekend
■ Night in the Trenches
■ North Downs Walking and Social
Weekend
Badminton For Fun - Worcester
Learn to Snowboard Course
Recreational Skiing
Singers Hill Synagogue Visit
Ski Lesson - Beginners
Tubing Session
■
■
■
■
Blacksmithing Evening
Cinderella by Birmingham Royal Ballet
Confessions of a Tour Guide
Indoor Climbing at Redpoint
The Cube
Friday 9th November
Scenes
Barn Dance and Supper
Beginners Motorbiking
Broadway Ramble
Fast Effective Reading Day Workshop
Glass Blowing Workshop - Make a
Christmas Bauble
Lichfield Cathedral Library Tour
Trick Horse Riding
Vulcan Bomber Restoration
Experience
What to Wear Workshop
■
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■
■ Dance Routine to "I Gotta Feeling!"
■ How to Make Friends and Influence
■
■
■
■
■
■
People
Medieval Jousting
Microlighting Experience Flight
Mountain Biking for Beginners
SWAT Training Mission
Ultimate Craft Day at Redhouse Cone
Wilmcote Easy Ramble
■
■
■
■
Badminton at NIA
Quiz
■ Movember Moustached Mexican Meal
■ Unihoc (Mixed Indoor Hockey)
Friday 30th November
■ Abseiling for the Terrified
■ Barber Institute Tour
■ Glass Blowing Workshop - Make a
Christmas Bauble
Hawks, Owls, Tudors and Battles
Kinder Scout Night Ramble
Kinder Southern Edge Day Ramble
Knowle Easy Ramble
Lichfield/Trent Valley Easy Moderate
Cycle
■ Practical Tactical Airsoft Shooting
■
■
■
■
■
■ Bromsgrove Pub Night
■
■
■
■
■
Charity Sleep Out
Portland and Dorset Walking Weekend
The Merry Wives Of Windsor
Windermere Hydro Walking Weekend
York Christmas Markets Social and Party
Weekend
■ Drumming Experience for Beginners
■ Kings Heath Pub Night
■ Ten Pin Bowling (Broadway Plaza)
For future listings visit:
www.spicebham.com
...and meet lots of people you wouldn’t otherwise meet”. Jamie, Spice member
Christmas Feature _Layout 1 29/10/2012 16:37 Page 1
Christmas
countdown...
As preparations for the forthcoming festivities gain momentum, What’s On takes a look at what Midlands
audiences can expect from yet another bumper festive season of entertainment on offer in the region...
The Midlands has always attracted some of the biggest names in
showbiz for the Christmas period, and 2012 is certainly no exception.
Birmingham Hippodrome favourite Brian Conley will be up for some
swashbuckling fun at the venue when he heads an impressive cast in
a festive version of Robinson Crusoe. He’s joined for the occasion by
Birds Of A Feather star Lesley Joseph. Meanwhile, over in
Wolverhampton, the Grand Theatre plays host to veteran entertainer
Keith Harris and chums Orville and Cuddles, who’ll be performing
alongside Benidorm and Loose Women presenter Sherrie Hewson,
former Corrie shopkeeper Reg Holdsworth, and local lass Niki Evans
in what’s sure to be a ‘giant’ performance of Jack And The Beanstalk.
Stoke on Trent’s favourite Jonathan Wilkes will be shining his buttons
at the Regent Theatre, making a welcome return to the Potteries to
star in Cinderella, while a Christmas show with a difference is heading
to Birmingham’s New Alexandra Theatre, where Bonnie Langford
takes top billing in Dolly Parton’s 9 To 5 The Musical.
Alan Bennett’s adaptation of Kenneth Grahame’s much-loved children’s tale The Wind In The Willows is sure to provide yet another festive treat, courtesy of the Birmingham Repertory Theatre (showing at
Birmingham’s Crescent Theatre).
So why not check out our full run-down of ‘what's on where and with
who’ this forthcoming Christmas - we've included ticket prices as well,
to help you make an informed decision about how best to enjoy the
festive season 2012...
Festive show LISTINGS
CINDERELLA Fri 7 - Mon
31 Dec, The Place,
Oakengates Theatre,
Telford, £8.00 - £14.50.
Family tickets £45.00 £48.00
ALICE IN WONDERLAND
Fri 7 Dec - Sun 6 Jan,
Lichfield Garrick,
£13.50 - £22.50
JACK AND THE
BEANSTALK Featuring
Loose Women presenter Sherrie Hewson as
Lady Temple Savage,
alongside Keith Harris,
Orville and Cuddles,
Sat 8 Dec - Sun 20 Jan,
The Grand Theatre,
Wolverhampton, £15.50
- £25.50
CRACKERS A brand new,
crazy Christmas comedy, Sat 8 - Sat 22 Dec,
Belgrade Theatre,
Coventry, £7.75 £14.25 (£7.50 - £12.25)
GRIMM TALES Presented
by Poole Hayes Youth
Theatre, Wed 12 - Sun
16 Dec, Arena Theatre,
Wolverhampton, £9.00
(£7.00)
productions, including times and dates,
KNICK KNACK AND DOO
DAD Presented by
Lyngo Theatre, The
Lowry and mac, Tues 13
Nov - Sun 2 Dec, mac,
Birmingham, £8.00
JAMES AND THE GIANT
PEACH Birmingham
Stage Company present Roald Dahl's classic
adventure for children,
Wed 14 Nov - Sat 2
Feb, Old Rep,
Birmingham, £12.00 £18.50. Family tickets
£56.00
THE MOUSE AND HIS
CHILD Tamsin Oglesby's
adaptation of Russell
Hoban's acclaimed children's tale, Sat 17 Nov Sat 12 Jan, Royal
Shakespeare Theatre,
Stratford-upon-Avon.
Tickets from £14.00
A CHRISTMAS CAROL Sat
17 Nov - Sat 19 Jan,
New Vic Theatre,
Newcastle-under-Lyme,
£14.00 - £21.00
THE WIND IN THE
WILLOWS Alan Bennett's
stage adaptation of
Kenneth Grahame's
classic tale, Wed 28
Nov - Sat 19 Jan,
Crescent Theatre,
Birmingham, £9.00 £28.00
SLEEPING BEAUTY
Featuring Iain Lauchlan
as the Dame, Wed 28
Nov - Sat 5 Jan,
Belgrade Theatre,
Coventry, £12.00 £20.50
WE'RE GOING ON A BEAR
HUNT Adapted from the
picture book written by
Michael Rosen and
illustrated by Helen
Oxenbury, Sat 1 - Sun
30 Dec, Warwick Arts
Centre, Coventry,
£12.00 (£10.00)
CINDERELLA Presented
by Image Theatre, Fri
30 Nov - Mon 31 Dec,
Crewe Lyceum, £14.00
(£10.00)
HELLO, DOLLY! Fri 30
Nov - Sat 12 Jan, The
Curve, Leicester, £9.75
- £30.50
ERIC IN WONDERLAND Fri
30 Nov - Sat 15 Dec,
New Vic Theatre,
Newcastle-under-Lyme,
£16.00 - £21.00
SLEEPING BEAUTY
Starring Linda Nolan as
the Evil Carabosse,
Mon 3 - Sun 30 Dec,
Palace Theatre,
Redditch, £14.50 £17.50. Family tickets
£61.00
CINDERELLA Tue 4 - Sat
29 Dec, Bedworth Civic
Hall
THE LION, THE WITCH
AND THE WARDROBE
Wed 5 - Sat 8 Dec,
Dudley Little Theatre
JACK AND THE
BEANSTALK Thurs 6 Dec
- Sun 13 Jan, Theatre
Severn, Shrewsbury,
£12.00 - £16.00
SNOW WHITE Fri 7 - Mon
31 Dec, Royal Spa
Centre, Leamington
Spa, £8.50- £13.50
CINDERELLA Featuring
Jonathan Wilkes, Thurs
13 Dec - Fri 4 Jan,
Regent Theatre, Hanley,
Stoke-on-Trent, £9.50 £30.25
CINDERELLA Starring
Ruth Madoc, Jamie
Rickers and Emma
Nowell, Thurs 13 Dec Sun 6 Jan, Malvern
Theatre, £11.00 £22.00
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST:
THE ROCK 'N' ROLL PANTO
The classic fairytale is
given a rock'n'roll twist,
Thurs 13 Dec - Sat 12
Jan, Stafford
Gatehouse Theatre,
£16.95 (£12.95). Family
£50.00
DICK WHITTINGTON
Starring Malcolm Stent,
Fri 14 Dec - Mon 14
Jan, Solihull Arts
Complex, £11.00 £17.50
PETER PAN Sat 15 Dec Sat 29 Dec, Blue
Orange Theatre,
Birmingham
ROBINSON CRUSOE AND
THE CARIBBEAN PIRATES
Starring Brian Conley
and Lesley Joseph, Sat
15 Dec - Sun 27 Jan,
Birmingham
Hippodrome, £14.00 £37.50
9 TO 5: THE MUSICAL
New musical comedy
starring Bonnie
Langford, Natalie
Casey, Jackie Clune,
Amy Lennox and Ben
Richards, Mon 17 Dec Sat 5 Jan, New
Alexandra Theatre,
Birmingham, £15.00 £42.00
PUSS IN BOOTS Thurs 20
Dec - Tue 1 Jan, Bridge
House Theatre,
Warwick. Tickets from
£9.50
THE SELFISH GIANT
Sealegs Puppet
Theatre Company present an adaptation of
Oscar Wilde's fairytale,
Fri 21 - Sat 22 Dec,
Stafford Gatehouse
Theatre, £7.00. Family
ticket £24.00
THE GRUFFALO'S CHILD
Tall Stories return with a
musical stage adaptation of Julia
Donaldson's award-winning story, Sat 22 Dec Wed 16 Jan,
Birmingham Town Hall,
£10.50
Christmas 2012 with The REP
With music and merriment,
The Wind in The Willows
will keep you entertained
and enthralled, no matter
what your age!
@ The Crescent Theatre
Sheepcote St, Birmingham B16 8AE
28 November to 19 January
Tickets from £9, with Family Tickets available
Birmingham Repertory Theatre Company presents
By Kenneth Grahame, adapted for the stage by Alan Bennett,
additional lyrics and music by Jeremy Sams
Book Online
birmingham-rep.co.uk
Box Office
0121 236 4455
Registered Charity No.223660
Box Office 01743 281 281
Book Online www.theatresevern.co.uk
LUDLOW CASTLE,
LUDLOW, SHROPSHIRE
Saturday 10am ~ 9pm
(last admission 8.30pm)
Sunday 10am ~ 4pm
(last admission 3.30pm)
3 SHOW
S
PRICE O
F1
Over 100 stalls selling
seasonal gifts with a
medieval flavour
WITH MORE MUSIC, MINSTRELS, MERRIMENT
AND MIRTH THAN EVER BEFORE
Knights ~ Dragons ~ Giants ~ Juggler
Minstrels ~ Dancers ~ Storytellers
PLUS The bone-crunching Plantaganet’s Combat
Stanchester Quire’s Saturday Night Christmas Carols
Wynndebagge’s Winter Warmer Show
Falconry Displays ~ Motley Minstrels’ Gathering
The Bed of Nails and Fire Juggling
For details & tickets ring
Ludlow Visitor Information Centre on 01584 875053
or visit our website...
Thurs 8 - Sun 11 November
OPEN 9.30AM - 5.30PM (SUN 5.00PM)
Exclusive
Show Offers
& Free
Workshops!
Buy tickets on-line www.ichf.co.uk
or phone Ticket Hotline 01425 277988
Tickets: Adults £9 in advance, £11 on the door
Seniors £8 in advance, £10 on the door
Children under 16 FREE if acc by parent
OVER
400
EXHIBITORS!
SAVE
£2.00
OFF
EACH ADULT AND SENIOR TICKET
ORDERED BY 5PM MON 5TH NOVEMBER
The world’s largest Sugarcraft, Cake Decorating & Baking Show!
9-11 NOVEMBER
Media SponSor
What’sOn
MAGAZINE GROUP
International
Open 9.30am - 5.30pm (Sunday 5pm)
Separate Entry Price Tickets: Adults £10 in advance,
£12 on the door Seniors £9 in advance, £11 on the door
Separate
Entry Fee
THE
Great Barr
HOTEL
Christmas Parties from £17.95 Inc. buffet & disco
Christmas Family Sunday Lunch
Adults from £16.95, Children from £10.95
Sing-a-long Lunch
£15.95 Inc. 3 course Christmas meal, raffle, bingo &
hits from “the blitz”
Christmas Day lunch
Adults £59.50, Children £29.95
New Years Eve
from £39.95 Inc. Gala Buffet & Disco
Full Christmas Brochure
Available to download from
www.thegreatbarrhotel.com
BOO
KING
S
08
373 800
53
Great Barr Hotel,
Pear Tree Drive, Great Barr.
B43 6HS Tel: 0121 357 1141
Classifieds - Nov_Layout 1 29/10/2012 13:56 Page 1
classifieds
GREAT CAR PARKS
THROUGHOUT
THE MIDLANDS
INCLUDING OUR HURST ST CAR PARK
IN THE HEART OF
SOUTHSIDE, BIRMINGHAM
JUST 200 YARDS FROM THE BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME THEATRE,
THE GLEE CLUB AND ARCADIAN CENTRE
TO FIND YOUR NEAREST CAR PARK OR TO
DISCOVER THE BENEFITS OF A SEASON TICKET VISIT:
www.ncp.co.uk
Taking all Christmas party bookings now!
Special Offers & Party Packages
BOO
on all business staff parties.
NOWK!
● V.I.P Areas
● Extensice Luxurious Bar,
● Private Waitress Service & Sexy Dancers Around
● Ladies Welcome
Tel: 0121 643 8553
[email protected]
www.thesunsetclub.co.uk.
89 Holloway Head,
Birmingham City Centre B1 1QP
Clubbing Gay - November_Layout 1 29/10/2012 15:51 Page 1
Clubbing
BIRMINGHAM
AIR Heath Mill Lane, Digbeth, B9 4AL. Tel:
0121 766 6646
BAMBU Kottwall House, Wrottesley Street,
B5 4BN Tel: 0121 6224124
BUSHWACKERS 103 Edmund St, B3 2HZ
Tel: 0121 236 4994
FLARES NIGHTCLUB 55 Broad St, B15
1AY Tel: 0121 252 3100
GATECRASHER 183 Broad St,
B15 1DA Tel: 0121 525 1300
02 ACADEMY 16-18 Horsefair, Bristol St,
B1 1DB Tel: 0121 622 8250
REFLEX 36-37 Broad St, B1 2DY Tel:
0121 643 0444
SNOBS NIGHTCLUB 29 Paradise Circus,
Queensway, B1 2BJ Tel: 0121 643 5551
BLACK COUNTRY
OCEANA WOLVERHAMPTON Bilston Rd,
Wolverhampton Tel: 0845 402 5290
SHROPSHIRE
C:21 NIGHTCLUB 21 Abbey Foregate,
Shrewsbury, SY2 6AE Tel: 01743 271821
BUTTERMARKET Howard Street,
Shrewsbury Tel: 01743 281712
VELVET 13 Castle Foregate, Shrewsbury
SY1 2DJ Tel: 01743 281712
FEVER 19 - 21 Hills Lane, Shrewsbury
SY1 1QU Tel: 01743 247508
THE OFFICE 27a Market Street,
Oakengates TF2 6EN Tel:01952 616536
PUSSYCATS NIGHT CLUB 17 Tan Bank,
Wellington, TF2 6EJ Tel: 01952 224260
SPIRIT NIGHTCLUB 18 Abbey Foregate,
Shrewsbury, SY2 6AE Tel: 01743 355055
STAFFORDSHIRE
COURTURE & NOIRE ET BLANC 139
Newport Rd, Stafford, ST16 2EZ Tel: 01785
244755
LIQUID Brunswick St, Stoke-on-Trent, ST1
1DR Tel: 01782 284333
REFLEX 3-5 Brockley Square, Stoke-onTrent ST1 5LY Tel: 01782 206170
TRINITY NIGHTCLUB Spinning School
Lane, Tamworth,ST1 1DR Tel: 01827 58772
WARWICKSHIRE
CAREYS NIGHTCLUB Hereford Place,
Coventry CV1 3JZ Tel: 02476 227 397
EVOLVE NIGHTCLUB 2 Spencer Street,
Leamington Spa, Coventry CV31 3NF Tel:
01926 881449
JJ’S Skydome Leisure Park, Croft Rd,
Coventry CV1 3AZ. Tel: 02476 555913
LIQUID & ENVY Leicester Road,
Nuneaton CV11 4B. Tel: 02476 344216
Party mischief on the cards in Brum
The Custard Factory, Birmingham, Thurs 8 - Sat 10 November & Thurs 15 - Sat 17 November
Two weekends of ‘epic clubbing adventures’ are on the cards this month when The Town rolls into
Birmingham for the first ever time. The Old Library in the city’s Custard Factory is playing host to
what’s being described as ‘the ultimate funhouse’, bringing together exciting DJs and live acts. The
party fun is kicked off on the first Thursday by the Scratch Perverts - aka Tony Vegas and Prime Cuts
- who’re considered to be among the best turntablists in the world today. The Other Tribe, Stealing
Signs, Chew Lips, Leftside Wobble, Sam Redmore and DJ Sam Pepper are just a handful of the
other acts booked to appear. For a full line-up, visit, www.thetown.co.uk
Gay SCENE
Little Mix reschedule Nightingale date
Nightingale Club, Birmingham, Sat 17 November
X Factor 2011 winners Little Mix are set to bring their brand of
high-energy pop to Birmingham’s gay village mid-month
when they perform at the Nightingale Club. The British fourpiece, comprising Perrie Edwards, Jesy Nelson, Leigh-Anne
Pinnock and Jade Thirlwall, shot to stardom last year when
they became the first group ever to win The X Factor. The girls
were first scheduled to appear at the Nightingale back in
September, but had to cancel due to illness. Let’s hope
they’re on top form for this, their debut solo gig in the city...
GAY NIGHTCLUBS
BIRMINGHAM
CLUB CHIC 28 Horsefair, B1 1DD.
Tel: 0121 666 6808
THE CORE Sherlock Street, B5 6NB
Tel: 0121 622 2797
THE NIGHTINGALE Kent St, B5 6RD
Tel: 0121 622 1718
THE VILLAGE INN & UNDERGROUND
152 Hurst St, B5 6RY Tel: 0121 622 4742
BLACK COUNTRY
THE LION Birchills St, Walsall, WS2 8NG
Tel: 01922 610977
GORGEOUS Salop St Wolverhampton,
WV3 0SR Tel: 0844 357 8570
SHROPSHIRE
REFLEX Church St, Nuneaton, CV11 4BW
Tel: 02476 344216
C21 18-21 Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury.
SY2 6AE Tel: 01743 271821 (MON ONLY)
SPIRIT 22 Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury,
SY2 6AE Tel: 01743 355055 (MON ONLY)
WORCESTERSHIRE
STAFFORDSHIRE
BUSHWACKERS Trinity St, Worcester
WR1 2PW Tel: 01905 26878
THE FACTORY Bryan St, Hanley, StokeOn-Trent, ST1 2AA Tel: 01782 478799
TRAMPS Angel Place, Worcester WR1
3QN Tel: 019905 26936
WARWICKSHIRE
VELVET LOUNGE Angel Place, Worcester
WR1 3QN. Tel: 01905 619966
RAINBOWS Short St, Coventry CV1.
Tel: 02476 551738
WORCESTERSHIRE
VELVET CLUB Angel Row, Worcester,
WR1 3QN Tel: 01905 20218
Books-TV November_Layout 1 29/10/2012 13:54 Page 1
Books TV
Camp David
By David Walliams
As one half of the award-winning
comedy duo behind much-loved
TV series Little Britain, David
Walliams earned instant celebrity
status, with people around the
country mimicking some of the
show’s many famous catchphrases, including, "eh eh eh eh" and
"computer says no". But behind
the comedy lies a man who’s
both complex and fascinating; a
man who possesses a sharp intellect, a sensitive disposition and a
refreshing honesty - and who’s
often described as 'a bundle of
contradictions'. Now, with the
publication of his autobiography,
readers are provided with a
wealth of material to help them
unravel the mystery that is David Walliams. Providing a candid insight into
his life, Camp David tells of Walliams’ childhood growing up in the ‘posh
end’ of Banstead in the 1970s, his strained relationship with his father, and
why he remains a ‘mummy’s boy’ to this very day...
Pete Townshend: Who I Am
By Pete Townshend
Regarded as one of the greatest musical
talents Britain has ever produced, Pete
Townshend is not only the principle songwriter and lead guitarist for The Who, he’s
also credited with being the creator of the
concept album, has worked as a literary
editor, developed scripts for stage and TV,
and written songs that have defined a
generation. Now, in what’s being
described as one of the most eagerly
awaited autobiographies of recent times,
Townshend shares stories from his incredible life, describing what it’s like to be one
of the world’s most respected musicians
in one of rock’s greatest ever bands, and why he’s wanted to give it all up.
Rod: The Autobiography
By Rod Stewart
Described as ‘the rock autobiography of
the decade’, Rod Stewart’s new book
offers an entertaining and revealing
account of the rock’n’roll lifestyle of one of
Britain’s most endearing artists. Now a
dedicated family man, Rod’s fifty years as
a musician have seen him produce one of
the most memorable rock anthems of all
time, be inducted into the Hall of Fame
twice, perform the world’s largest ever
concert, and play out his not-so-private life
- the marriages, divorces and affairs with
some of the world’s most beautiful women
- for all the world to see. This honest and
frank account charts the journey that Rod
took from being a plumber’s son in North
London to an international star.
TOP 5
BOOKS
1
2
3
4
5
The Casual Vacancy
JK Rowling
Cheryl: My Story
Cheryl Cole
Jamies 15-Minute Meals
Jamie Oliver
The Hairy Dieters
The Hairy Bikers
Fifty Shades Freed
EL James
James Corden to bring new crime thriller
to the BBC...
Award-winning Gavin And Stacey star James Corden has joined
forces with fellow actor Matthew Baynton (Deano in Gavin And
Stacey) to produce a new crime caper for the BBC. The new
six-part comedy thriller centres around two hapless office workers who become inadvertently caught up in a criminal conspiracy and find themselves hurled into a deadly underworld.
Corden and Baynton began devising the storyline when they
worked together on Gavin And Stacey, and Baynton recently
commented that he was excited to be finally ‘making it a reality’.
Filming on The Wrong Mans commences in January.
Casting announced for The Syndicate
Casting for a second series of the much-acclaimed drama The
Syndicate has been announced by the BBC. Mark Addy (Great
Expectations), Alison Steadman (Gavin And Stacey), Jimi Mistry
(EastEnders), Siobhan Finneran (Downton Abbey) and Natalie
Gavin (Prisoners’ Wives) have all been confirmed for the six-part
series, which follows a syndicate of five poorly paid Bradford
hospital workers who share a life-changing win on the lottery.
Filming begins on new ITV drama
ITV has announced that filming on the latest addition to their
portfolio of new drama has now commenced. Set during the
London Blitz of 1940, Murder On The Home Front is loosely
based on the memoirs of Molly Lefebure, a World War Two secretary to Home Office Pathologist and pioneer of modern forensics Keith Simpson. Shedding new
light on the everyday horrors of living
in a city gripped by fear, Murder On
The Home Front follows the working
relationship of Dr Lennox Collins - a
pathologist new to murder cases and his secretary Molly Cooper.
Together, the two discover that a serial killer is at large under cover of the
Blitz, and set about convincing
Lennox’s unsympathetic boss to have
faith in their methods and theories.
Patrick Kennedy and Tamzin
Merchant head the cast, with the
series due for screening next year.
Tamzin Merchant
Eating Out November_Layout 1 29/10/2012 14:04 Page 1
Eating Out
Restaurant in search
of reviewers...
Birmingham’s Strada restaurant is on the lookout
for budding reviewers willing to sample its new
autumn menu. Twenty people, local to
Birmingham, will be selected from those who
submit an entry on the Strada website - closing
date 9 November. Successful candidates will then
be invited to pop along and titillate their tastebuds with some of the eatery’s new, freshly prepared authentic dishes. These include
Strozzapreti Pugliese, Pizza Speck, Pollo
Milanese and Tegamaccio, a Puglia-style stew of
red mullet, clams, squid, mussels and prawns in
a piquant home-made tomato and white wine
sauce. For visitors with a sweet tooth, the
tiramisu and the Cioccolato Fondente, with its
melting chocolate centre, should prove the ultimate temptation. Interested in becoming a
reviewer? Visit www.strada.co.uk for more details.
Avant le theatre... le Truc
REVIEW
Strada
Midlands chef through to final
Liam Davies, chef at the Bar 8 Brasserie at
Hogarth’s Hotel near Dorridge, Solihull, has
earned himself a place in the finals of a national
cookery competition. Liam - who works under
Martin Blunos, Hogarth’s Michelin-starred
Culinary Director
- will join mentor
chef Paul Foster
from Tuddenham
Mill in Suffolk in
the final of
Visionary Chef
2012 at
Northampton
City College on
Liam Davies
29 November.
Birmingham restaurants
sparkle for Diwali
Diwali, the Indian festival of light, takes place
mid-month, and two Birmingham restaurants
have announced that they’re to celebrate the
occasion with special Diwali-related menus.
Moseley’s fine dining Itihaas restaurant is offering
a special Diwali Thali for guests to enjoy between
5 and 9 November, while over in Hall Green, The
Horseshoe Bar and Restaurant is planning an
evening of glitz and glamour with Bombay Bling
on 17 November.
Le Truc is situated on
Ladywell Walk in the
Arcadian Centre, just a
stone’s throw away from
the Birmingham
Hippodrome. As such, it’s
an obvious place to grab a
bite to eat before a show which is exactly what we
did.
The restaurant presents a
fine wooden façade, with
numerous windows
through which to preview
the venue’s curious décor.
Inside, its appearance is
smart-casual and stylish,
with more than a nod to
artistic decadence, the
main wall being decorated
with caricatured portraits of
Serge Gainsbourg, lit by
boudoir-style chandeliers.
This obvious homage is a
clue to the connections Le
Truc has with both the
Birmingham and European
art scene. The restaurant
was recently involved in
the visual pop culture festival Eye Candy, and this
month is one of a number
of venues in both
Birmingham and Berlin to
be hosting the art exhibition Frame, which showcases work by both local
and international artists. All
this we discovered while
talking with Le Truc’s
General Manager Tim,
whose enthusiasm for both
food and art was contagious.
But this was all an added
bonus - we came for the
food, after all! Two menus
were on offer; the dinner
menu, available from 5pm
to 7.30pm, and the a la
carte. Individually, they
offered a varied selection together, we were spoiled
for choice. After some
deliberation on our part
and knowledgeable assistance from our lovely waitress, a decision was made
- chicken liver parfait with
toast, pear and apple chutney for me; potted shrimp
and toast for my dining
companion. My parfait was
indeed ‘parfait’; amazingly
light and flavoursome, with
the sweet chutney a delicious accompaniment. My
fellow diner enjoyed the
shrimp, which came with
more than a hint of lemon.
For main course, there was
only ever one choice for
me - the cassoulet; a
hearty feast of traditional
French sausage, chicken
and cannellini beans
cooked in a rich tomato
sauce. I love it, and I wasn’t disappointed. My com-
panion stayed with the dinner menu and had what he
described as the best lamb
shank he’d ever tasted beautifully flavoured and
accompanied by fantastically cheesy Chez Jules
gratin. My choices, all from
the a la carte, cost £18.50.
My co-diner’s, from the
dinner menu, £13.50 (£18
with wine and coffee).
Water was provided at the
table, so there was no
pressure to buy drinks my glass of sauvignon was
most definitely wanted!
Although our meal was
enjoyed at a leisurely
pace, we still got to the
theatre in good time. But
we didn’t have the chance
to sample from the dessert
menu or sip cocktails afterwards in the chic bar area,
so a return visit to Le Truc
is most definitely sur les
cartes. Ted Finlay
Food:
■■■■■
Service:
■■■■■
Ambience: ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Overall value ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
OVERALL ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Le Truc,
21 Ladywell Walk,
Birmingham,
B5 4ST
Tel: 0121 622 7050
Restaurant REVIEWS
Restaurant LISTINGS
Variety is the spice
of life...
For full listing information on
restaurants, including opening times and type of cuisine, visit: www.whatsonlive.co.uk
Located near the Hippodrome’s
side entrance, Chung Ying
Garden has occupied its spot in
Birmingham’s China Town since
1987.
With its low ceilings, and tables
accommodating large parties as
well as couples and small
groups, it was easy to feel at
home on our visit. While this
Cantonese restaurant doesn’t
possess the flash contemporary
interiors of some of its newer
neighbours, what it does offer in
spades is variety; this became
quickly apparent when we were
presented with a menu which
resembled the This Is Your Life
book - complete with its own
contents page!
Choices included meat-based
dishes ranging from paperwrapped venison to deep-fried
duck, seafood dishes aplenty,
and options for those wishing to
sample a set menu or deluxe
banquet. Vegetarians were also
very well catered for on a menu
that boasted plenty of food typical to Hong Kong. And, if a
favourite Cantonese or Chinese
dish happened to be absent,
the chefs - some of whom have
been with the restaurant for
twenty years - were happy to
whip it up.
Some starters seemed a little
pricey, particularly the deepfried mixed vegetables I
ordered, which, at £8, rivalled
the cost of the vegetarian
mains. However, when a huge
plate arrived, it was evident that
I should have shared it
(although as it was delicious, I
would have found that difficult!).
My dining companion tucked
into battered butterfly king
prawns. While undoubtedly
good, at a cost of £11 the
prawns should perhaps have
been fully shelled. We both followed up our starters by sam-
Birmingham
pling the restaurant’s famous
dim sums - there are two pages’
worth of fillings from which to
choose. These were positively
divine, and at prices of between
£2 and £4, are a real must-have
whenever you visit.
Mains, again, were very generous in size. I opted for a rather
spicy vegetarian Ma Por tofu
(£8.50), which packed a real
punch.
Although near fit-to-burst, we
finished with very reasonably
priced desserts (the drinks, too,
were well priced by restaurant
standards, again making Chung
Ying Garden a thumbs-up for
group visits.)
The upstairs function room has
played host to a variety of
events over the years, but
apparently restaurant diners
could soon be treated to live
music as part of their dining-out
experience. If so, we will most
certainly be making a return
visit, to sample a few more of
the three hundred-plus dishes
on offer. Claire Lloyd
Food:
Service:
Ambience:
Overall value
OVERALL
■■■■■
■■■■■
■■■■■
■■■■■
■■■■■
Chung Ying Garden
17 Thorp Street
Birmingham China Town
B5 4AT
Tel: 0121 666 6622
LOOKING FOR A
RESTAURANT ON YOUR
DOORSTEP?
VISIT
whatsonlive.co.uk
AALTO RESTAURANT
Hotel La Tour, Albert
Street, Birmingham B5
5JT 0121 718 8000
AL FRASH 186 Ladypool
Road, Sparkbrook, B12
8JS 0121 753 3120
THE ASQUITH 11 Newhall
Street, Birmingham,
B3 3NY 0121 200 1588
ASHA’S 12-22 Newhall
Street, B3 3LX 0121
200 2767
AZZARI TOO
204 Lightwoods Rd,
B67 5AZ 0121 429
6621
BANK 4 Brindleyplace,
B1 2JB 0121 633 4466
BAR EPERNAY 171-172
Wharfside Street,
The Mailbox, B1 1RL
0121 632 1430
BAR ESTILO 10-114
Wharfside St, The
Mailbox, B1 1RF 0121
643 3443
BARNT GREEN INN
Kendal End Rd, Rednal
B45 8PZ 0121 445
4949
BARAJEE 265 Broad St,
B1 2DS 0121 643 6700
BELLA ITALIA 102 New
St, B2 4HQ 0121
6431548
BERLIOZ Burlington
Arcade, New St, B2
4JQ
0121 633 1737
BLUE MANGO Regency
Wharf, Broad St, B1
2DS
0121 633 4422
BLUE GINGER 32 Poplar
Road, Kings Heath,
B14 7AD 0121 444
0999
BLUU Fleet St, Summer
Row, B3 1JH 0121 236
9013
BRANDED BULL STEAKHOUSE 175 Broad
Street, B15 1DT 0121
643 5968
BUONISSIMO 1 Albany
Rd, Harborne, B17 9JX
0121 426 2444
BYZANTIUM 11 York
Road, Kings Heath,
B14 7SA 0121 444
5444
CAFE IKON 1 Oozells
Square, Brindleyplace,
B1 2HS 0121 248 3226
CAFE ROUGE
Brindleyplace, Broad
Street, B1 2HJ 0121
643 6556
CAFE SOYA Unit 2,
Upper Dean Street B5
4SG 0121 622 3888
CARLUCCIO’S The
Water’s Edge,
Brindleyplace
B1 2HP 0121 633 9262
CELEBRITY INDIAN
44 Broad St, B1 2HP
0121 643 8969
THE CHAMELEON 1
Victoria Square, B1
1BD 0121 643 2233
CHEZ JULES 5a Ethel St,
B2 4BG 0121 633
4664
CHI 61 Newhall St,
B3 3RB 0121 233 3150
CHUNG YING
16-18 Wrottersley
Street, B5 4RT 0121
622 5669
CHUNG YING GARDEN 17
Thorpe St, B5 4AT
0121 666 6622
CIELO 6 Oozells Square,
Brindleyplace, B1 2JB
0121 632 6882
CITY CAFE GRILL Hylton
Garden Inn, 1
Brunswick Square,
Brindleyplace, B1 2HW
0121 643 1003
COFFEE ROOM BAR &
BISTRO Hurst St, B5
4TD 0121 605 4343
COTE The Mailbox,
B1 1RX 0121 631 1587
CUCINA RUSTICA 24
Ludgate Hill, B3 1DX
0121 233 2277
DEL VILLAGGIO
Unit 528, Middle Mall,
The Bullring. B5 4BE
0121 643 1400
DEOLALI BAR RESTAURANT
23A St Mary's Row,
Moseley B13 8HW
0121 442 2222
DUET CUISINE Unit 1,
Fort Dunlop. B24 9FD
0121 748 1234
EDMUNDS 6 Brindley
place, B1 2JB 0121
633 4944
FUMO 1 Waterloo Street,
Birmingham B2 5PG
0121 643 9979
HARJEES SPICES 512
Stratford Road,
Sparkhill, Birmingham,
B11 4AH
0121 773 6130
THE HORSESHOE BAR &
RESTAURANT 1214
Stratford Road, B28
9BH
0121 777
2340
ITIHAAS 18 Fleet St, B3
1JL 0121 212 3383
ITIHAAS BRASSERIE
Selfridges Food Hall,
Bullring, Birmingham
B5 4BP 0121 212 3383
JAMIES ITALIAN Middle
Mall, Bullring Shopping
Centre, B5 4BE
0121 270 3610
JIMMY SPICES Regency
Wharf, Broad St, B1
2DS 0121 643 2111
JUJU’S Canal Square,
B16 8EH 0121 456
3384
THE JUNCTION 212 High
Street, Harborne, B17
9PT 0121 428 2635
KINNAREE THAI 22
Waterfront Walk, B1
1SN. 0121 665 6568
LA BANCA 1986
Pershore Road,
Cotteridge, Kings
Norton, Birmingham
B30 3AS 0121 459
2204
LA BASTILLE 220
Corporation St, B4 6QB
0121 236 1171
LAS IGUANAS Arcadian
Centre, Hurst St, B5
4TD 0121 622 4466
LA PLANCHA 113
Alcester Road,
Moseley, Birmingham
B13 8DD 0121 449
5430
LASAN 3-4 Dakota
Buildings, James St, St
Paul’s Square, B3 1SD
0121 212 3664
THE LOFT LOUNGE
143 Bromsgrove St,
B5 6RG 0121 622
2444
LOVES The Glasshouse,
Browning St, B16 8FL
0121 454 5151
MANIC ORGANIC
46 Poplar Road,
B14 7AG 0121 441
3802
MAHARAJA 23/25 Hurst
St, B5 4AS 0121 622
2641
MECHU 47 - 59 Summer
Row, B3 1JJ 0121 212
1661
METRO BAR & GRILL 73
Cornwall St, B3 2DF
0121 200 1911
MILLER & CARTER 178180 Wharfside St, The
Mailbox, B1 1RN
0121 643 7738
MINT Yew Tree Retail
Park, Stoney Lane
Yardley, B25 8YP
0121 789 8908
MIRAGE FUSION
Broadway Casino,
Broadway Plaza
Ladywood Middleway,
B16 8LP 0121 456
5557
MOUNT FUJI The
Bullring, B5 4BH 0121
633 9853
OLD JOINTSTOCK PUB 4
Temple Row, B2 5NY
0121 200 1892
NATHANIEL’S RESTAURANT 13 St Mary’s Row,
Moseley, Birmingham,
B13 8HW, 0121 449
9618
OLD SPECKLED HEN
Mere Green Road,
Sutton Coldfield. B75
5BL 0121 308 9410
OPUS 54 Cornwall St,
B3 2DE 0121 200 2323
THE ORIENTAL The
Mailbox, 128-130
Wharfside St, B1 1RQ
0121 633 9988
PASTA DE PIAZZA 11
Brook Street, St Paul’s
Square, B3 1SA
0121 236 5858
PEACHY KEENS 1741
Coventry Road, Yardley
B26 1DS 0121 764
5519
PENNY BLACKS
The Mailbox, 132-134
Wharfside St, B1 1XL
0121 632 1460
PEPPERS 5b Broad
Street, Birmingham B15
1EJ 0121 633 4411
PICCOLINO
9 Brindleyplace, B1
2HS 0121 634 3055
PITCHER & PIANO
Brindleyplace, B1 2HP
0121 643 0214
PONTE DI LEGNO 44-44a
Woodbridge Rd,
Moseley, B13 8EJ
0121 449 8064
POPPY RED Arcadian
Centre, Birmingham B5
4TD 0121 687 1200
PUNJABI HAVELI 1558
Stratford Rd, Hall
Green, B28 9HA 0121
745 3636
PURNELL’S 55 Cornwall
St, B3 2DH 0121 212
9799
PUSHKAR 245 Broad St,
B1 2HQ 0121 643 7978
THE RECTORY 50-54 St
Paul’s Sq, B3 1QS
0121 605 1001
RED PEPPERS 117
Wharfside St, B1 1RF
0121 643 4202
ROSE MURREE 94 -96
Hagley Rd, Edgbaston,
B16 8LU 0121 456 4500
SABAI SABAI
25 Woodbridge Rd,
Moseley, B13 8EH
0121 4494498
SAN CARLO 4 Temple St,
B2 5BN 0121 633 0251
SHAH’S Unit 16, 1160
Warwick Road, Acocks
Green B27 6BP 0121
707 8297
SHIMLA PINKS 215 Broad
St, B15 1AY 0121 633
0366
SHOGUN TEPPANYAKI
The Mailbox, 27 - 29
Wharfside St, B1 1RD
0121 632 1253
SIMPSONS, 20 Highfield
Rd, Edgbaston B13 3DU
0121 454 3434
THE SLUG AND LETTUCE,
Brindley Place,
Birmingham B1 2HL
0121 633 3049
SPICE EXCHANGE,
1845 Pershore Rd
Kings Norton, B30 3DJ
0121 451 1007
STRADA 109-111
Wharfside St, The
Mailbox B1 1XL
0121 643 7279
SYRIANA 1 Constitution
Hill, B19 3LG 0121
2369444
TGI FRIDAYS 180 Hagley
Road, Edgbaston,
Birmingham B16 9NY
0121 454 1930
THAI EDGE 7 Oozells Sq,
B1 2HL 0121 643 3993
TIN TIN CANTONESE,
The Waters Edge,
Brindleyplace, B1 2HL
0121 633 0888
ULYSSES 42a Bristol
Street, B5 7AA 0121 622
3159
THE VAULTS Newhall
Place, Newhall Hill,
B1 3JH 0121 212 9837
VMF - ASTON VILLA FOOTBALL CLUB Villa Park,
Trinity Rd, B6 6HE 0121
326 1570
WAGAMAMA Brindley
Place, birmingham B1
2HL 0121 643 7656
THE WAREHOUSE CAFE 5457 Allison Street,
Digbeth, B5 5TH
0121 633 0261
WING WAH 278
Thimblemill Lane, B7
5HD 0121 327 7879
WOKTASTIC Paradise
Place, B3 3HJ 0121 236
3130
WONGS 5-11 Fleet St, B3
1JP 0121 212 1888
ZIZZI 183 High St,
Harborne B17 9QE
0121 428 4228 also at
The Mailbox B1 1RL
0121 632 1333.
10 Poplar Rd, Solihull,
B91 3AB 0121 704 5030
ZORBAS 359-361 Olton
Boulevard, Solihull B27
7DP 0121 706 4709
Black Country
ARBOUR LIGHTS 127-128
Lichfield Street, Walsall
WS1 1SY 01922 613361
BANKS BISTRO Chapel
Ash, Wolverhampton
WV1 4EP 01902 238433
BELLA 82 Chapel Ash,
Wolverhampton. 01902
427555
BENGAL FUSION 174 High
St, Lye, Stourbridge DY9
8LN. 01384 891111
BILASH 2 Cheapside,
Wolverhampton, WV1
1TU 01902 427762
THE BLUE BRICK
Broad Gauge Way,
Wolverhampton WV1
1AA 01902 875301
BRAVACCIOUS 4 Upper
Green, Wolverhampton
WV6 8QQ 01902
756052
CAFE CHAMPAGNE 253255 Bilston Road,
Wolverhampton WV2
2JN 01902 458024
CASA CASITA Upper
Gornal, Dudley. DY3
1UP 01902 676754
CATELLANI’S 6 School St,
Wolverhampton, WV1
4LR 01902 428928
CINNAMON COURT Bentley
Mill Way, Walsall WS2
0BP 0121 568 6664
THE COWSHED Clive
Farm Clive Rd,
Pattingham, WV6 7EN
01902 701888
THE CROOKED HOUSE
Coppice Hill, Himley DY3
4DA 01384 238583
THE DITCH 1 Town Hill,
Walsall, WS1 2EU
01922 643215
DON SALVO 25 Darlington
Street, Wolverhampton
WV1 4HW 01902 712819
DUNSLEY HALL Dunsley
Rd, Kinver, DY7 6LU
01384 877077
THE FAIRLAWNS AT
ALDRIDGE 178 Little
Aston Road, Aldridge,
Walsall WS9 0NU 01922
455122
FARADAYS The
Waterfront, Brierley Hill,
Dudley, DY5 1UR
01384 482 882
FIVE RIVERS Vicarage
Place, Walsall WS1 3NA
01922 646164
FOUR STONES Adam’s
Hill,Clint, Stourbridge,
DY9 9PS 01562 883260
FRANZLS 151 Milcote Rd,
Smethwick, B67 5BN
0121 429 7920
FRENCH CONNECTION
3 Coventry St,
Stourbridge DY8 1EP
01384 390940
FRENCH HEN Bromsgrove
Rd, Clent, Stourbridge
DY9 9PY 01562 883040
GOLDEN MOMENTS 2-3
Ablewell St, Walsall WS1
2EQ 01922 640363
LE BRASSERIE 5 Lower
Mill Street,
Kidderminster. DY11
6UU 01562 744976
MADE IN THAI Darlington
St, Wolverhampton WV1
4HW 01902 312512
PARADISE BALTI 7 Lower
Mill Street, Kidderminster
DY11 6UU 01562 60479
THE MANGO TREE Chester
Road, Stonnall, Walsall
WS9 9HJ 01922 457344
THE PIE FACTORY 50 Hurst
Lane, Tipton DY4 9AB
0121 557 1402
RED FORT Fold St,
Wolverhampton, WV1
Edmunds, Birmingham
4LP 01902 424440
RISTORANTE ROMAGNA 4
Upper Green, Tettenhall,
Wolverhampton WV6
8QQ 01902 756052
SAFFRON Wolverhampton
Road, Oldbury B69 4RR
0121 552 1752
SIMON’S 520 Chester Rd,
Aldridge, Walsall, WS9
0PU 0121 580 9293
SPICES Hollywell Rd,
Wednesbury. WS10 7PA
0121 502 0720
THE SPRINGHILL
Warstones Rd, Penn,
Wolverhampton WV4
4LB 01902 342530
THE SUMMERHOUSE 92
Gospel End Rd, Dudley
DY3 4AN 01902 676
102
THORNESCROFT
Bridgnorth Rd,
Wolverhampton, WV6
7EQ 01902 700 253
THE WOODMAN Claverley,
Wolverhampton WV5
7DG 01746 710 553
Shropshire
AFTAB 25 High St,
Ironbridge TF8 7AD
01952 432055
ALBRIGHT HUSSEY
Ellesmere Rd,
Shrewsbury, SY4 3AF
01939 290 523
BISTRO JACQUES 77/77a
Mardol, Shrewsbury SY1
1PZ 01743 272586
BUTLERS Park St, Shifnal,
TF11 9BA 01952
460662
CASA NARANJO Barracks
Passage, Wyle Cop,
Shrewsbury SY1 01743
588165
CASA RUIZ 45 High
Street, Bridgnorth, WV16
4DX 01746 218 084
CHEZ MAW Best Western
Valley Hotel, Buildwas
Rd, Ironbridge, TF8 7DW
01952 432247
THE COTTAGE Tern Hill,
Market Drayton TF9 3PX
01630 638984
CROMWELLS 11 Dogpole,
Shrewsbury SY1 1EN
01743 361440
DA VINCI’S 26 High St,
Ironbridge, TF8 7AD
01952 432250
DORRINGTON OLD HALL
PERSIAN CUISINE Main
road, Dorrington,
Shropshire SY5 7JD
01743 719100
DRAPERS 10 St Mary’s St
Shrewsbury, SY1 1DZ
01743 344679
THE FEATHERS Brockton,
Much Wenlock TF13 6JR
01746 785202
FENNELS 8 Market Place,
Shifnall TF11 9AZ 01952
463020
THE FOX INN 46 High St,
Much Wenlock TF136AD
01952 727292
FRANK CAFE BAR 128
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
HADLEY PARK HOUSE
Hadley Park, Telford TF1
6QJ 01952 677269
THE HAYWARDS at The
Lion Hotel, Wyle Cop,
Shrewsbury SY1 1UY
01743 353107
HILL VALLEY HOTEL
Tarporley Road,
Whitchurch SY13 4HA
0844 879 9049
THE INN AT GRINSHILL
The High Street,
Grinshill, Shrewsbury,
SY4 3BL 01939 220410
KING & THAI Avenue Rd,
Broseley, Telford TF12
5DL 01952 882004
THE KNIGHTON HOTEL
Broad Street, Knighton,
Powys LD7 1BL 01547
520530
LA BÉCASSE 17 Corve St,
Ludlow, SY8 1DA 01584
872 325
LA DOLCE VITA 35 Hills
Lane, Shrewsbury SY1
1QU 01743 249126
LA LANTERNA The Old
Vestry, St Julian's
Church, Shrewsbury
SY1 1UH 01743 233552
LION & PHEASANT 50
Wyle Cop Shrewsbury
SY1 1XJ 01743 770345
THE LION QUAYS Moreton,
Oswestry SY11 3EN
01691 684300
LOCH FYNE Talbot House,
Market Street,
Shrewsbury SY1 1LG
01743 277140
MAD JACKS 15 St Mary’s
St, Shrewsbury, SY1
1EQ 01743 358870
THE MALTHOUSE The
Wharfage, Ironbridge
TF8 7NH 01902 433712
MORGANS 1 Bellstone,
Shrewsbury SY1 1HU
01743 239114
MR UNDERHILLS Dinham
Weir, Ludlow Shropshire
SY8 1EH 01584 874431
THE MYTTON & MERMAID
Atcham, Shrewsbury,
SY5 6QG 01743 761220
THE OLD ORLETON INN
Holyhead Rd,
Wellington, TF1 2HA
01952 255011
THE OLD RECTORY HOTEL
& RESTAURANT Lowe Hill
Road, Wem, Shropshire
SY4 5UA 01939 233233
THE PEACH TREE 21
Abbey Foregate,
Shrewsbury, SY2 6AE
01743 355055
THE PLUME OF FEATHERS
Harley, Shrewsbury SY5
6LP 01743 727360
THE POUND AT LEEBOTWOOD Leebotwood, Nr
Church Stretton SY6
6ND 01694 751477
RENAISSANCE, 29a
Princess St,Shrewsbury,
SY11LW 01743 354289
ROMOLO Victoria Avenue,
shrewsbury SY1 1HH
01743 233244
SARACENS Shrewsbury
Rd, SY4 4AG 01939
210877
SEBASTIANS 45 Willow St,
Oswestry SY11 1AQ
01691 655444
SHALIMAR 23 Abbey
Foregate, Shrewsbury
SY2 6AE 01743 366658
SHERAZ 79 Wyle Cop,
Shrewsbury SY1 1UT
01743 242321
THE SILVERTON the Old
Dairy, 9-10 Frankwell,
Shrewsbury SY3 8JY
01743 248000
TIN TINS Wellington
Road, Telford TF2 8AJ
01952 608688
TRAITORS GATE Castle St,
Water Lane, Shrewsbury
SY1 2BX 01743 249152
THE WALLS Welsh Walls,
Oswestry SY11 1AW
01691 670970
ZIZZI RISORANTE 39-40
High Street, Shrewsbury
SY1 1SF 01743 353232
Staffordshire
NO 5 Gaol Mews,
Stafford ST16 3AN
01785 22 9900
95 HIGH GREEN Cannock.
WS11 1BH 01543
573905
1709 THE BASSERIE 3-5
Lombard St, Lichfield.
WS13 6DP 01543
257986
BELLA ITALIA 20
Greengate St, Stafford,
ST16 2HS
01785 211968
CHANDLERS Corn
Exchange, Conduit St,
Lichfield, WS13 6JU
01543 416688
THE CORNER HOUSE
Second Avenue, BurtonOn-Trent DE14 2WF
01283 542321
CURRY KUTEER 31
Greengate Street,
Stafford ST16 2HY
01785 253279
ESSENCE OF THE ORIENT
27 Broad Eye, Stafford
ST16 2QB 01785
229988
FOUR SEASONS Swinfen
Hall Lichfield, WS14
9RE 01543 481494
THE GREEN ROOM Castle
Dyke, Lichfield WS13
6HR 01543 412121
INDIAN VILLAGE
8 Lombard St, Lichfield.
WS13 6DR 01543
253415
INDICA Virage Park,
Cannock. WS11 0HN
08712 070417
JASMINE PEKING 21 High
St, Eccleshall, Stafford
ST21 6BW 01785
851200
LA DOLCE VITA 19 Stafford
St, Stone ST15 8QW
01785 817 985
THE LODGE 24
Birmingham Road,
Shenstone. WS14 0LQ
01543 483334
MALABAR 1-2 Water
Street, Stafford, ST16
2AG 01785 227 500/600
MARLOES 13 London
Restaurant LISTINGS
Road, Newcastle under
Lyme, ST4 1LQ 01782
661983
THE MILL 1 Mill St,
Stone, ST15 8BA 01785
818456
THE NAVIGATION INN
Newport Road, Gnosall,
Stafford ST20 0BN
01785 822327
OLD VICARAGE 2 Main St,
Branston, Burton, DE14
3EX 01283 533222
PASTICHE BISTRO 1 - 2
Mill Street, Stafford,
ST16 2AJ 01782 263
737
THE PEARL18 Market St,
Kidsgrove, ST7 4AB
01782 788887
THE PEAR TREE Swinfen,
Nr. Lichfield, WS14 9QR
01543 481807
PORTOFINO 38-40 Marsh
St Stoke-On-Trent, ST1
1JD 01782 209444
THE RED ROOM 7
Newcastle Road,
Congleton CW12 4HN
01260 297871
THE SWAN HOTEL 46
Greengate Street,
Stafford ST16 2JA
01785 258142
THORNBURY HALL, RASOI
Lockwood Rd, Kingsley
Holt, Stafford ST10 2DH
01538 750831
WOLSELEY ARMS
Wolseley Bridge,
Stafford ST17 0XS
01889 883179
Warwickshire
7 SQUARE 7 Old Square,
Warwick CV34 4RA
01926 411 755
NO. 9 CHURCH STREET
Stratford upon Avon,
Warwickshire CV37 6HB
01789 415522
ART KITCHEN 7 Swan St,
Warwick CV34 4BJ
01926 494303
AUBERGINE 32 Smith St,
Warwick CV34 4HS
01926 400 086
THE ALMANACK Abbey
End North, Kenilworth
CV8 1QJ 01926 353637
THE BLUEBELL 93 High
Street, Henley-in-Arden,
Warwickshire, B95 5AT
01564 793049
BLUE BISTRO 21 Spon St,
Coventry, CV1 3BA 024
7622 9274
BROWNS Earl St,
Coventry CV1 5RU 0247
622 1100
CARLUCCIOS 13
Waterside, StratfordUpon-Avon CV37 6BA
01789 267424
CASTLES 6 Castle St,
Warwick. CV34 4BP
01926 492525
CATALAN 6 Jury St ,
Warwick CV34 4EW
01926 498 930
THE CHURCH STREET
TOWNHOUSE 16 Church
Street, Stratford-uponAvon CV37 6HB 01789
262222
EGO 29 The Square,
Kenilworth, CV8 1EF
01926 864463
FINEST CATCH B’ham Rd,
Henley in Arden. B95
5QR 01564 793783
FIVE RIVERS 20-22
Victoria Terrace,
Leamington Spa, CV31
3AB 01926 431999
GEORGETOWN 23 Sheep
St, Stratford-Upon-Avon,
CV37 6EF 01789
204445
HELP OUT MILL Heather
Rd, Shakerstone,
Nuneaton. CV13 0BT
01530 260666
HOGARTH’S HOTEL 4
Ashes Rd, Solihull, B93
8QE 01564 779988
HORTONS 165 High
Street, Solihull B91 3ST
0121 709 3177
INDIA RED 1-2 Abbey St,
Nuneaton. CV11 5BP
02476 342090
JIMMY SPICES 64-66
Station Rd, Solihull, B91
3RX 0121 709 2111
LE BISTRO PIERRE Swans
Nest, Bridgford, Stratford
upon Avon. CV37 7LT
01789 264804
MATRICARDIS 97 High St,
5AT 01564 792735
MERCHANTS Swan Street,
Warwick CV34 4BJ
01926 403833
NAYA 148 High St,
5BS 01564 793089
NAILCOTE HALL Nailcote
Lane, Berkswell,
Coventry, CV7 7DE
02476 466174
NICOLINIS 14 The Parade,
4DW 01926 421620
ONE ELM 1 Guild St,
thE dINNEr cLub
Wagamma, Birmingham
Stratford-Upon-Avon,
CV37 6QZ 01789
404919
OSCARS 39 Chandos St,
4RL 01926 452807
PEEL’S Hampton Manor,
Hampton-in-Arden,
Solihull, B92 0EN 01675
446080
PREZZO 1-3 High St,
Warwick CV34 4AP
01926 475867
QUEANS RESTAURANT 15
Dormer Place,
Leamington Spa CV32
5AA 01926 315522
RESTAURANT 23
34 Hamilton Terrace,
Holly Walk Leamington
Spa, CV32 4LY 01926
422422
ROBBIES 74 Smith St,
Warwick CV34 4HU
01926 400470
ROOFTOP RESTAURANT
@ The RST, Waterside,
Stratford-upon-Avon,
CV37 6BB 01789
403449
SAFFRON GOLD Market St,
Westgate House,
Warwick CV34 4DE
01926 402061
THE SAXON MILL
Coventry Rd, Guys Cliffe,
Warwick CV34 5YN
01926 492 255
SIGNATURES @ The
Belgrade Theatre,
(ESt 86)
a rEcIpE for fINE food aNd Good compaNy
SINGLE?
For the more discerning
unattached person, age 30-45 or 45+
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
Coventry, CV1 1GS
02476 846762
TAILORS 22 Market Place,
Warwick CV34 4SL
01926 410590
THAI ELEPHANT
20 Regent St,
Leamington Spa,
Warwick CV32 5HQ
01926 886882
THE TREVELYAN Warwick
Rd, Stratford-upon-Avon,
CV37 ONR
01789 295252
WARWICK SPICE 24 Smith
St, Warwick CV34 4HS
01926 491736
THE VINE INN 86 - 88
West St, Warwick CV34
6AW 07873 219005
ZIZZI 85-87 Regent
Square House, Parade,
Leamington Spa CV 32
4NL
ZORBA’S Olton Boulevard,
Solihull. B27 7DP 0121
706 4709
01926
852980
Worcestershire
ANAKARI 47 The Tythings,
Worcester. WR1 1JT
01905 21412
ANGEL CHEF 1 Angel St,
Worcester WR1 3QT
01905 731131
ANUPAM 85 Church
Street, Malvern. WR14
2AE 01684 573814
BACCHUS 44 Worcester
Road, Bromsgrove B61
0TA 01527 877557
BENEDICTOS 34 Sidbury,
Worcester WR1 2HZ
01905 21444
BINDLES 55 Sidbury,
Worcester. WR1 2HU
01905 611120
BRAMBLINGS Hither
Green Lane, Redditch,
B98 9BE 01527 406600
BROWNS 24 Quay St,
Worcester. WR1 2JJ
01905 23263
THE BRIDGE INN Plough
Rd, Tibberton, Droitwich.
WR9 7NQ 01905
345874
THE BROOK INN Elcocks
Bank, Redditch. B97
5UD 01527 543209
BROWNS 24 Quay St,
Worcester WR1 2JJ
01905 26263
THE CHASE INN Chase
Rd, Upper Colwall,
Malvern. WR13 6DQ
01684 540276
CHESTERS 51 New St,
Worcester, WR1 2DL
01905 611638
CROWN & SANDYS
Main Rd, Ombersley,
WR9 0EW 01905
620252
EWE & LAMB Hanbury
Rd, Bromsgrove. B60
4DN 01527 871929
THE FIG TREE 99 Church
Street, Gt Malvern,
WR14 2AE 01684
569909
FOUR SEASONS 61
Lowesmoor, Worcester
WR1 2RS 01905 27026
FUSION BRASSERIE
Hawbridge, Stoulton,
Worcester WR7 4RJ
01905 840647
THE GARDENERS ARMS
Vines Lane, Droitwich.
WR9 8LU 01905 772936
THE GATE 36 Dodford Rd,
Bournheath,
Bromsgrove
B61 9JR 01527 878169
THE INN AT STONEHALL
Stonehall Common,
Worcester, WR5 3QG
01905820462
KING CHARLES II King
Charles House, New St,
Worcester WR1 2D
01905 22449
L’AMUSE BOUCHE 51
Graham Rd, Malvern.
WR14 2HU 01684
572427
LANGTREYS 89a High St,
Bromsgrove. B61 8AQ
01527 878242
LITTLE VENICE 1 - 3 St
Nicholas St, Worcester
WR1 1UW 01905
726126
LOTUS HOUSE 33
Ombersley St, Droitwich.
WR9 8QX 01905
770079
MAEKONG THAI 12
Worcester Rd,
Bromsgrove. B61 7AE
01527 578888
MASSALLA LOUNGE 35
Broad St, Worcester
WR1 3NH 01905
729955
MUG HOUSE Claines
Lane, Worcester WR3
7RN 01905 456649
OLD RECTIFYING HOUSE
North Parade, Worcester
WR1 3NN 01905
619622
ON THE ROCKS, Worcester
Rd, Bromsgrove. B61
7AE 01527 882412
PORTOFINO, 6 Worcester
Rd, Droitwich. WR9 8AD
01905 794799
PORTWAY ITALIAN,
Alcester Rd, Redditch.
B48 7HT 01564 824794
PUCCINI'S, 12 Friar St,
Worcester WR12LZ
01905 27770
RAJDOOT Cutnall Green,
Droitwich. WR9 0PW
01299 851000
RILY’S The Quadrant,
Redditch B98 8AE 01527
60544
ROSADOS’S 2 Finstall Rd,
Aston Fields,
Bromsgrove. B60 2DZ
01527 889948
SAFFRON BISTRO 15 New
St, Worcester WR1 2DP
01905 610505
SINGAPORE 29 Friar St,
Worcester WR1 2NA
01905 613005
THAI GALLERY 26-32 Friar
St, Worcester WR1 2LZ
01905 25451
THAI LOTUS 147
Worcester Rd,
Bromsgrove. B61 7HN
01527 882606
THAI RAMA Walwyn Rd,
Gt Malvern. WR13 6QX
01684 541563
THE WILDMOOR OAK
Top Road, Wildmoor,
Bromsgrove B61 0RB
0121 453 2696
To get your restaurant listed here
e: [email protected]
or call Jon Cartwright
on 01743 281703
p91 (IBC) R1_Layout 1 29/10/2012 09:23 Page 1
Christmas
CELEBRATE
WITH US....
Nestled in the heart of St. Paul's Square
and against the backdrop of the stunning
St Paul's Cathedral, Cucina Rustica is the
perfect setting for your stylish and
indulgent Christmas party.
We are determined to make it a
Christmas dining experience you
won't forget with our beautiful location,
added festive treats that await you at your tables.
VIEW OUR DELECTABLE CHRISTMAS 2012 MENU
WHICH IS NOW LIVE ON OUR WEBSITE!
Cucina Rustica
Tel: 0121 233 2277
Saint Paul's Square, 24 Ludgate Hill, Birmingham, B3 1DX
Email: [email protected]
web: www.cucinarustica.co.uk
Kasbah (FP-Nov)_Layout 1 29/10/2012 09:08 Page 1

Nov 2012 - What`s On Live

Transcription

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