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Birmingham

FILM I COMEDY I THEATRE I GIGS I VISUAL ARTS I EVENTS I FOOD

What’sOnbirminghamwhatson.co.uk

Your FREE essential entertainment guide for the Midlands ISSUE 372 DECEMBER 2016

inside:

thelistYour 16-page week by week listings guide

KATHERINE JENKINSCELEBRATES

CHRISTMAS AT SYMPHONY HALL

The BearA magical and vibrant adaptation of RaymondBrigg’s classic story see feature inside...

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Raymond Briggs’ much-lovedtale set to delight youngstersFeature page 8

talks about her ChristmasCracker of a show...

Interview page 18

Superheroes assemble for liveBarclaycard Arena show

page 45

Your 16-page week-by-week listings guide

page 53

The Bear Mrs Barbara Nice Marvel Live the list

inside:

Magic Lantern Festival - illuminate your Christmas at Birmingham’s Botanical Gardens page 49

December 2016

4. First Word 14. Music 20. Comedy 24. Theatre 39. Film 42. Visual Arts 45. Events11. Food

Contents

Contents December Birmingham.qxp_Layout 1 21/11/2016 10:45 Page 2

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Enter Shikari announced asSlam Dunk headline actBritish rock band Enter Shikari will headline the 2017Slam Dunk Festival in Birmingham.The talented four-piece, who are this year celebratingtheir 10th anniversary, made their first appearance at thefestival in 2015 and will be performing ‘a very specialexclusive UK festival set’."Slam Dunk is a festival that we’ve been attending fromthe very start,” says band member Rou Reynolds. “It'sgrown into one of the most important festivals in alterna-tive music, and it will be an absolute honour to headlineit in 2017. We’re going to be celebrating the 10-yearanniversary of our debut album, Take To The Skies, whichfeels totally mental in and of itself. The fact that we get toreminisce and relive tracks we recorded so long ago, andwhich are still held dear by so many, is something I couldnever have anticipated back then, and it fills me withappreciation for everyone who’s supported the band overthe years.”Slam Dunk Festival Midlands takes place at the GentingArena and NEC on 27 May. For tickets, visit theticketfacto-ry.com or call 0844 33 88 222.

Monster alert! Dippy theDinosaur heads for Brum The UK’s most famous dinosaur is headingfor the Midlands.The Natural History Museum’s (NHM) plas-ter-of-Paris model of a Diplodocus will spendfour months at Birmingham Museum & ArtGallery (BMAG) as part of a nationwide tour.The model, affectionately referred to asDippy, has been delighting visitors to theNHM since 1905 and has never before beenexhibited outside London.The full skeleton in its displayed pose is animpressive 21.3 metres long, 4.3 metres wideand 4.25 metres high. Commenting on the exhibit, which arrives atBMAG on 17 May 2018, Dr Ellen McAdam,Director of Birmingham Museums Trust,said: “I remember encountering Dippy on myfirst visit to London at the age of 11, when Iwas fascinated equally by fossils and mum-mies. I’m thrilled that we’re now able tobring the most famous dinosaur cast inBritain to Birmingham.”

Celebrating 25 years ofSound Investment...A concert celebratingthe 25th anniversary ofBirminghamContemporary MusicGroup’s (BCMG) SoundInvestment crowdfund-ing scheme takes placethis month.The Thomas Adès-con-ducted event at thecity’s CBSO Centre, onSaturday 10 December, will feature severalSound Investment pieces and the world pre-miere of a new work by Francisco Coll. Commenting on the celebrations, BCMG’sartistic director, Stephan Meier, said: “SoundInvestors share with BCMG a mercurialenjoyment in seeing a new work develop andan inherent sense of adventure. The bril-liance of Sound Investment lies in its sim-plicity. In creating Sound Investment, mypredecessors, Simon Clugston and StephenNewbould, developed a model for engage-ment and creative fundraising that was wayahead of its time, and which has beenadmired and replicated in various formsworldwide. Most importantly, it has createdan international BCMG family that extendsfar beyond the concert platform. Our chal-lenge is to continue to stay ahead of thegame, something we are very much lookingforward to doing.”

Charity fundraisers can stretch their legs andget into the spirit of Christmas over the firstweekend of December, courtesy of two fes-tive-themed ‘fun runs’ taking place inBirmingham. Acorns Children’s Hospice is hoping to raisemuch-needed funds when they host a SantaRun around Birmingham’s Cannon Hill Parkon Saturday 3 December. Participants will be given their very ownfancy-dress Santa suits and can then enjoy a5km Santa Run or a 2km Santa Stroll.To sign up, visit acorns.org.uk/santa, call01564 82 5000 or [email protected], Birmingham’s St Mary’s Hospiceis calling on people to take part in its annualJingle Bell Jog around Kings Heath Park onSunday 4 December. The registration fee includes a Santa suitand bushy white beard for participants towear while completing the 2km route.To find out more, visit careatchristmas.org.

First Word

Get jogging to spreadsome Christmas cheer

Thomas Ades

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First Word

Venues announced forNew Art West Midlands 2017Thirty-one artists from six regional art schools areset to exhibit new work at four leading galleries aspart of New Art West Midlands 2017.A launch vehicle for emerging artists, New ArtWest Midlands will next year use BirminghamMuseum & Art Gallery, mac birmingham,Wolverhampton Art Gallery and Worcester City ArtGallery to display the new work, which includespainting, installation, sculpture, photography,video, animation and digital artworks.The exhibition will show at each of the four ven-ues from 18 February to 14 May. For more informa-tion, visit newartwestmidlands.co.uk

Music on the menu at Pizza ExpressPizza Express is this month opening a pop-up live music venue in itsBrindleyplace branch in Birmingham.The new Pizza Express Jazz Club will host six live music performancesover the first three weekends in December, with BRIT Award winnerBeverley Craven kickstarting the season on the 2nd. Also featuring is Motown Live Revue (3 December), Mari Wilson (9 Dec),Shakatak (10 Dec), Liane Carroll (16 Dec) and Kiki Dee (17 Dec). For tickets and more information, visit pizzaexpresslive.com/pizzaex-press-live-birmingham

Iconic truck makes festive visit to BrumThe iconic Coca-Cola truck is visiting Birmingham this month as part ofits UK tour. The truck stops off in the city on Saturday 17 December, pro-viding families with the opportunity to explore a ‘magical winter won-derland’, and then, after dark, to enjoy a short Christmas animationscreened onto the truck. “Coca-Cola is synonymous with the Christmas season,” says AedamarHowlett, marketing director for Coca-Cola Great Britain, “and it’s nosecret that our much-loved truck tour marks the unofficial countdown toChristmas.” For more information, visit coca-cola.co.uk/stories/keep-on-trucking

Snow White first edition a star attraction atAntiques For Everyone’s winter showA rare first-edition book, recounting the popular fairytale of Snow WhiteAnd The Seven Dwarfs, looks set to be the star attraction at this month’sAntiques For Everyone Winter Fair in Birmingham.Published in 1937 and valued at £28,500, the first edition features a highnumber of original signatures. Walt Disney himself signed the book, asdid 51 of the 64 original illustrators who worked on the classic movie ver-sion of Snow White.The book is being exhibited at the event by Paul Foster, of London-basedFoster Books. “It’s one of those rare books that pop up from time to timethat are highly sought after and everyone wants to get hold of,” saysPaul. “The book has a perfect storm of collectable features, such as itbeing a first edition, having its original dust jacket and the highly unusu-al number of signatures. We’re expecting a lot of interest at the fair.” Antiques For Everyone Winter Fair takes place at the NEC, Birmingham,from 1 to 4 December. For more information, visitantiquesforeveryone.co.uk

A festive first atBirmingham RepBirmingham RepertoryTheatre will be getting intothe Christmas spirit early nextyear when it stages the worldpremiere of Nativity! TheMusical.Based on the popular UK filmfranchise and running at TheREP from Friday 20 Octoberuntil Saturday 12 November,the show is written anddirected by Debbie Isitt, whoalso created the movies. “I’ve always believed thatNativity! would make a fan-tastic stage musical,” saysDebbie. “It’s so full of joy, thechildren are so sweet andfunny and the songs so catchythat it lends itself to being theperfect Christmas musical.Now we’ve been able toassemble our theatricaldream team, I can’t wait to getstarted on creating an unfor-gettable stage show.”To book tickets for the pro-duction, ring 0121 236 4455 orvisit Birmingham-rep.co.uk

Local sponsorfor St Patrick’sFestival paradeBirmingham St Patrick’sFestival has announced thatlocal road surface treatment &waste management companyKiely Bros Ltd will be the offi-cial headline sponsors of nextyear’s parade, taking place onSunday 12 March.“The parade is hugely impor-tant to so many people andhas become a celebration ofIrish and Birmingham cul-ture,” says festival committeemember Peter Connolly.“Without the support fromstakeholders in the city,who’ve picked up events thatthe council used to support,the city wouldn’t have cele-brations like this. “We’ve been working hardover the summer andautumn, and look forward toannouncing all our plans fornext year’s parade verysoon.”

Disney On Icecelebrates 100years of magicMickey Mouse and a wholehost of other famous car-toon characters take to the

ice at Birmingham’sGenting Arena next year, to

celebrate a century of Walt Disney-inspired

entertainment.Disney On Ice: 100 Years OfMagic will feature over 50characters from the compa-ny’s long and illustrious

history, including Aladdin,Beauty And The Beast,Pinocchio and The LionKing. Frozen’s Anna, Elsa

and Olaf also feature.Disney On Ice: 100 Years OfMagic shows at the GentingArena from 12 to 16 April.For tickets, ring 0844 33 88222 (Calls cost 7p per minuteplus your phone company's

access charge).



Fearsome, ferocious and extremely fluffy -coming face-to-face with a full-size polarbear might sound terrifying, but what kidhasn't secretly wondered what it might belike to stroke that soft, white fur?

In Raymond Briggs' picture book, TheBear, 6¾-year-old Tilly gets a chance todo just that when the title character unex-pectedly climbs in through her bedroomwindow one day.

If you've ever seen a copy of the book,you've probably already found yourself al-most involuntarily reaching out to touchBriggs' gorgeous illustrations, rendered inexquisite and irresistible detail. Now, withthe help of designer Sam Wyer (The Ele-phantom, Alice's Adventures Under-ground) and puppet director FinnCaldwell (War Horse, Running Wild), chil-dren's theatre company Pins & Needles isseeking to recreate the creature live onstage, in an acclaimed adaptation that’scoming to mac birmingham this Christ-mas.

“The major pull for us in deciding toadapt this story was the question of howto show this enormous polar bear onstage,” explains Pins & Needles ArtisticDirector Emma Earle, “and how to strike abalance between not making it too fright-ening, but also keeping a sense of its nat-ural wildness. We spent a lot of timefinding the right materials to give a senseof movement to the bear's fur, and figur-

ing out how to make the eyes seem likethey're really looking in the right direc-tion. There's no doubt that the Bear's firstappearance in the story is a really excit-ing, dramatic moment.”

How the bear was going to look to an au-dience of small children wasn't the onlyconsideration, however. It took a lot ofplanning and workshopping to settle onthe final construction: a plaster-coatedskeleton covered with a lightweight,shredded fabric that ripples as the puppetmoves, with central carbon rods providingstrength and handholds for the pup-peteers.

“Because of the sorts of venues the showwas playing in,” Emma continues, “wealso knew that we’d have to be able to tellthe story with three performers - one play-ing Tilly and the other two operating thebear. There are some scenes where we justuse the head and the front paws, but it’sset up so that you also get to see the fullbear. The design had to be lightweightenough for two puppeteers to be able tocope with the physical demands of operat-ing it for a 55-minute show, but also be-lievable enough to make it really live andbreathe.”

If Tilly is a little nervous to begin with, it’snot long before she and the bear becomethe best of friends. But as much as shegrows to love her new pal, she quicklylearns that looking after an animal is far

from glamorous. It's a tough - and some-times fairly yucky - job!

“After the bear arrives in the house itstarts causing havoc,” explains Emma.“There's a bit where he's smashed up thekitchen and done a poo on the stairs, andwhile he's trying to get the goldfish out ofthe goldfish bowl, Tilly's busy trying toscoop up this big poo with a spade beforeher mum and dad get home - and ends upwafting it dangerously close to the audi-ence!”

Not to worry, though - no real animaldroppings are used in the making of thisshow! It's all down to the magic of theatre.

“The poo is just a sort of giant brownbeanbag that gets thrown onto the stagewith an accompanying sound effect.There's bear wee as well - that's gold con-fetti that gets poured out from a jug andleft for Tilly to discover, so it's all abouthow she reacts to it, holding her nose andmopping it up.”

Of course, bringing the bear itself to lifewasn't the only challenge for Emma andher team. Heavy on visuals, Briggs' origi-nal story offers theatre-makers a perfectstarting point for the design, but beingshort, also leaves them plenty of room toflesh things out and get creative with thenarrative.

“When we started adapting it, we lookedat the book very, very closely, poring over

FEATURE

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PUPPETRY, POLAR BEARSAND PRETEND POOPins & Needles bring The Bear to mac birmingham for Christmas

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every single image of the storyboard, try-ing to interpret what was happening ineach frame and joining the dots betweenthem. Often there's a sense of action tak-ing place between scenes that's perhapssuggested but not shown by Briggs, so weopened up some of those areas. Also, wedid quite a bit of restructuring, so some ofthe chronology is slightly different fromthe book. But we wanted to be as faithfulas we possibly could, and we hope that, ifhe were to see the show, he would con-sider it a good reflection of what he wastrying to achieve.”

Among Pins & Needles' additions to thestory are a whole range of immersive ele-ments - instances of audience involve-ment and interaction that help to reallytransport younger viewers inside Tilly'sworld.

“There's a sort of pre-show bit, before thestory properly begins, where Tilly does abit of getting to know the audience, talk-ing to the children and showing themsome of her toys. Her favourite is herteddy, who’s in her band - she thinks she'sgoing to be a pop star. Later on, the bearpuppet has some pretty close encounterswith the audience as well - there's a bitwhere it jumps into the water to chase afish which kind of goes over the heads ofthe audience - it gets close enough to highfive! We also have bubble machines andsnow machines - at the end of the show,

the set transforms into this snowy land-scape which sort of extends out into thefront rows.”

This final, frozen Arctic scene stands insharp contrast to the cosiness of Tilly'shouse, full of vibrant colours and busy’70s-style patterns, partly inspired by chil-dren's dens composed of rugs and blan-kets. The space is constantly reinvented,with a bed that then becomes a sofa andlater opens up to become a bath. Whenthe final transition comes, it should feelproperly Christmassy - but with a typicalBriggs bittersweet edge, the loveable bearmust ultimately leave Tilly behind and re-turn to its proper environment.

“We absolutely love Raymond Briggs' sto-ries and his artwork because they appealto the whole family. On the one hand,they're quite simple and magical with alot of knockabout humour, so they workfor very young children, but at the sametime there are layers to his work. [TheBear] is a really interesting story about thepower of a child's imagination, aboutforming very strong and intense friend-ships and what happens when you lose afriend, how you cope with that. It's veryaccessible but also quite sophisticated insome ways.”

It's not the first time Pins & Needles haveadapted Briggs' work for the theatre. Backin 2012, they staged the premiere of themuch-loved Father Christmas at the Lyric

Hammersmith. Since then, they've contin-ued the tradition of producing festive chil-dren's shows each year.

“Although we did a couple of other Christ-mas shows before that, it was reallythrough the success of Father Christmasthat things started to escalate. This year,we've got Father Christmas showing at theLyric, we've got Mr Popper's Penguinsabout to visit various UK venues before aWest End run at the Criterion, and we'vealso got The Bear at the mac. It's a reallybusy time of year for us, but we love it andwe're proud of each one of those produc-tions.

“It always feels special doing a Christmasshow, and we really hope that by the timeour audiences leave the theatre, they'velaughed, they've been moved and they'vebeen magically transported a bit. We'realso very aware that often these showswill be a child's first experience of livetheatre, so that gives it another layer ofimportance for us. It should be a reallyjoyful experience for the whole family.”

The Bear shows at mac birminghamfrom Monday 5 to Saturday 31December, and at Warwick Arts Centre,Coventry, from Friday 24 to Sunday26 February.

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by Heather Kincaid

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FOOD December Birmingham (4) (1).qxp_Layout 1 21/11/2016 16:18 Page 1

The team behind Edmunds, oneof Birmingham’s many fine din-ing eateries, have relaunchedtheir venue. Edmunds Bistro de Luxe isdesigned to make the restaurantmore accessible to more cus-tomers more often, offering awider choice, with more flexibleand diverse menus.Coming straight off the back ofreceiving two AA rosettes, andoverlooking the Brindleyplacefountains, the venue prides itselfon showcasing classic Frenchcountry cuisine, cooked in amodern style and using best-of-British ingredients.Part of this new concept is thearrival of the Menu Du Jour setmenu, offering diners two cours-es for £19 from Tuesday toFriday between 12pm and2.30pm, and from Tuesday toSaturday between 5.30pm and6.30pm. If you take into account

the fact that the main coursesalone start from £16, the setmenu really does offer excep-tional value for money.Whilst sipping on two beautiful-ly created French martinis, weperused the mouthwateringmenu with great excitement -everything sounded absolutelydelicious!Sticking (mostly) with the MenuDu Jour options, to start, I chosethe honey-roasted lamb sweet-breads and paimpol haricotbeans served with autumn truf-fle, girolle mushrooms and atruffle dressing, which wasserved at the table. It was a stun-ning dish, both in taste andappearance. The earthy taste ofthe truffle and the mushroomsperfectly complemented thesweet taste of the sweetbreads.The haricot beans helped bringthe dish together, giving it moresubstance and adding yet anoth-er welcome flavour.

My partner opted for a dish thatwasn’t included in the set menu- the Mediterranean gazpachowith pink crevette and octopus,served with heritage tomato,anchoiade and parmesan. Thesweet, juicy shrimp and tenderoctopus were the perfect accom-paniment to the thick, rich gaz-pacho, while the tomatoeshelped deliver a real sense offreshness. The salty flavour ofthe anchoiade brought yetanother dimension to the dish -a flavour sensation indeed.Fittingly, we decided to sharesome escargots. You can’t visit aFrench restaurant without order-ing a few snails, can you? That’sif they’re to your taste, of course.Served with garlic and parsleybutter, they were certainly atasty addition to the starters.Then to our main dishes. Againchoosing from the set menu, Iopted for monkfish cheeks,which were served with rata-touille and smoked auberginepurée, olive croquettes and redpepper, courgette and basilcoulis. The monkfish was thenicest I’ve ever tasted, cooked toperfection and showcasing abeautifully meaty texture. Thesmoked aubergine purée wasone of my highlights of theevening - it was an absolutedream and a perfect accompani-ment to the fish. The olive cro-quettes added another texture;the coulis, bursts of additionalflavours. I could have eaten itthree times over!My partner’s main course camein the form of supreme of freerange guinea fowl served withgirolles mushrooms, parmentierpotato, butternut squash purée,pine kernels, blackberries and a

roasted guinea fowl jus. Again,the guinea fowl was cooked toperfection, the soft meat offeringa nice contrast to the salty,crispy skin. The other elements,not surprisingly, workedextremely well together, creatinga very tasty plate of food.When eating from the Menu DuJour, for a £5 supplement dinerscan choose any dessert off the àla carte menu - which is, ofcourse, what we did.We shared a hot toffee soufflé,served with chocolate ice cream,and a raspberry & chocolateéclair, served with nougatineand raspberry sorbet. Bothdesserts provided a very enjoy-able end to our Edmunds finedining experience.Edmunds Bistro De Luxe is finedining at its best. The service iscommendable, with the staffbeing both knowledgeable andwelcoming. The food was exem-plary and the surroundings justas impressive. There wasn’t asingle thing on the menu that Iwouldn’t have been happy toorder, and I can’t wait to returnto sample more of the exquisitefood that the team have to offer.Lauren Foster

Food: nnnnn

Service: nnnnn

Ambience: nnnnn

Overall value nnnnn

OVERALL nnnnn

Edmunds Bistro de Luxe6 BrindleyplaceBirmingham B1 2JBTel: 0121 633 4944

whatsonlive.co.uk 11

REVIEW: Edmunds Bistro de Luxe,Brindleyplace, Birmingham

Fine dining at its best...

Food

Birmingham Thai restaurant voted Best Oriental Establishment in national awardsPopular Thai eatery Sabai Sabai has been named Best Oriental Establishment at the annu-al Food Awards England event. Winning the coveted title topped off a great 2016 for the restaurant chain, which hasBirmingham branches in Harborne and Moseley and a new establishment in Stratford-upon-Avon. Earlier in the year, the husband-and-wife-owned eatery also won the BestOriental Restaurant title at the Birmingham Food, Drink & Hospitality Awards. Food Awards England is now in its third year. Based on the results of a public vote, theinitiative commends the talented individuals and businesses that ‘constantly deliver high-quality dishes, produce and supplies, to ensure impeccable service to their customers’.




Birmingham-createdmixer is ‘just the tonic’Gin lovers can now add a brand new,Birmingham-created tonic to theirfavourite drink.The team at 40 St Paul's Gin Bar havecreated their very own tonic water,one that’s lighter and less bitter thanthe traditional brands. “I've never really been the biggest fanof tonic,” says the venue’s owner,Amanjot Singh Johal. “Even the bestones are too bitter, and mask that bit-terness with sugar. I knew I had tocreate a version that could allow meto enjoy my gin.”Hockley Tonic is available from 40 StPaul's and wine merchants LokiWine. Other select independentretailers are also stocking it in theweeks leading up to Christmas.

Indian street foodvenue offers newdining experienceA new venue serving Indian streetfood has opened in Solihull.Indico Street Kitchen is located inShirley’s Parkgate Shopping Centre. Itserves a menu that includes dishessuch as gol gappa (puffed hollowpastry rounds filled with seasonedpotatoes and chilled, mint-flavouredwater), and pav bhaji (a spicy blendof mashed vegetables with a lightlybattered toasted bun).Commenting on the restaurant, itsowner, Faheem Badur, said: “Eatingout should be a fun experience, withthe best quality of food, service andambience. What I’m trying to recreateis a real sense of fun, using the bestof Indian culture, music, street food,street art and amazing cocktails.”For more information, visitindicostreetfood.co.uk

Birmingham’s Viva Brazil restaurant haslaunched a new menu.The Bennett’s Hill-located steak house is bestknown for its all-you-can-eat cuts of meat,including a ‘meat of the month’. Not surpris-ingly, the option for December is turkey - roast-ed on a charcoal barbecue and glazed with

cranberry and rosemary sauce.Viva Brazil has also expanded its cocktailmenu, added new dishes to its salad islandand launched its first ever children’s menu, aswell as expanding its kids-eat-free offer.To make a booking, call 0121 212 1020 or [email protected].

An informal venue where customers can enjoy up to 30 differenttypes of macaroon and a glass of carefully chosen prosecco hasopened in Birmingham’s Great Western Arcade.Miss Macaroon is the brainchild of local entrepreneur RosieGinday, who trained as a pastry chef under Glynn Purnell. “We’ve been working towards this for some time,” says Rosie, “soI’m genuinely proud that we’ve been able to bring the first MissMacaroon store to the people of Birmingham, my home city.“Whilst this is our first outlet, there are plans to open multiplevenues across the UK. Leeds will hopefully be our next destina-tion, and we have an ambitious business plan that we hope willsee us hit 100 Miss Macaroon shops by 2021.”For further information, visit missmacaroon.co.uk or follow@iammissmacaroon on twitter.

A brand new seafood restaurant has opened inthe building which once housed Birmingham’sFuturist Cinema.Situated on John Bright Street near the NewAlexandra Theatre, Lobster Peninsula boasts anine-strong kitchen team led by head chefSaming Saetang, a Brummie of Thai origin. The new eatery’s menu includes lobster bisqueand lobster chowder, chilled oysters, steamed

mussels and garlic prawns.The top floor of the venue is a state-of-the-artnightclub, which opens on Friday and Saturdaynights until 3am.Lobster Peninsula is open Monday to Thursdayfrom 12pm to 11pm (last orders at 10pm), Fridayand Saturday from midday to midnight, andSunday from 12pm to 10.30pm.

Food


New seafood eatery opens in old cinema building

Brum Brazilian steak house launches new menu

Birmingham entrepreneur opens Miss Macaroon


Beans On ToastHare & Hounds, Birmingham, Tues 6 December

Self-confessed drunkard Beans On Toastselected his name because he wanted tobe called something basic and simple -to reflect his music! “I’m not the greatest guitarist in theworld," he once admitted to Listen UpManchester.com. "I play simple three-chord folk songs, but if I see somethingthat interests me, something thatintrigues or angers me, I pick up my gui-tar and I write a song.” Emerging from the London folk sceneover a decade ago, Beans On Toast firstperformed at Glastonbury in 2007 andhas been a regular at the festival in theyears which have followed. Singing mainly about sex, drugs and pol-itics, he's a surefire bet for an entertain-ing evening out.

Red Hot Chili PeppersGenting Arena, Birmingham, Sat 10 - Sun 11 December

With a reputation for outrageous on-stageantics, Red Hot Chili Peppers brilliantlyblend rock with funk, throwing in elementsof punk, hip-hop and psychedelic rock justfor good measure.Comprising Anthony Kiedis on vocals, Fleaon bass, Chad Smith on drums and JoshKlinghoffer on guitar, the band are touring insupport of their Danger Mouse-produced 11thstudio album, The Getaway. Mixed by NigelGodrich, it made the number-one spot in 10countries across Europe.


PlaceboBarclaycard Arena, Birmingham, Thurs 8 December

Alternative rock band Placebo, heading toBirmingham this month as part of a worldtour, are celebrating the 20th anniversary ofthe release of their platinum-selling, self-titled debut album. With best-known songs including PureMorning and Every You, Every Me, and a cultfanbase that’s stood by them throughout,their career has seen them delve into thegenres of glam rock, goth rock, grunge andpunk rock.The band promise a set list spanning theirwhole back catalogue. Brian Molko teased:“Let's just say there will be songs in the setthat I've sworn never to play again. I thinkit's time that we purposefully acknowledgedwhat a lot of Placebo fans really want tohear.”

Gigs

PixiesO2 Academy, Birmingham, Thurs 8 December

Supporting their sophomore post-reunionalbum, Head Carrier, Pixies embark on a high-ly anticipated world tour. The 12-track collection of the band's uniquemix of surrealism, psychedelia, dissonanceand surf rock was released in September togreat critical acclaim.In addition, the band - Black Francis, JoeySantiago and David Lovering - officially wel-come bassist Paz Lenchantin to the permanentline-up. Lenchantin has been the band's tour-ing bassist since January 2014, and played anintegral part in the recording of Head Carrier. Best known for singles such as Where Is MyMind? and Here Comes Your Man, Pixies’lyrics cover offbeat subjects such as extrater-restrials, surrealism, incest and biblical vio-lence.

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Scott MatthewsThe Glee Club, Birmingham, Sun 4 December

Wolverhampton-born singer-song-writer Scott Matthews visits the Gleethis month in support of his latestalbum, Home Part 2."Home Part 2 feels free,” says Scott,“and it’s a place that’s blossomedinto its own world and flourishedinto something far beyond what Iimagined. After delving into a broad,sometimes darker, tonal range inrecent times, I can say that HomePart 2 is my brightest spectrum oflight to date, and I feel all the betterfor it.”

The TwangO2 Academy, Birmingham, Sat 17 December

The Twang were signed in 2007 andhailed as Britain’s best new band byNME. Hailing from Quinton inBirmingham, Phil Etheridge and JonWatkin came together musically aftermeeting at Kidderminster College.Originally called Neon Twang, theband enjoyed great success withtheir debut album, Love It When IFeel Like This, reaching numberthree in the charts. They followed upwith Jewellery Quarter (2009), 10:20(2012) and Neontwang (2014).This is the ninth consecutive yearthey’ve presented a Christmas show.

Gig previews from around the region

Biffy ClyroBarclaycard Arena, Birmingham, Wed 7 December

Finding stardom in 2007 with the albumPuzzle, Scottish rockers Biffy Clyro havesince established themselves as one of thebiggest bands on the music scene. Puzzle was actually the group’s fourth

album, so the boys were no overnight suc-cess story. Indeed, it was only their decisionto perform ‘more mainstream’ songs thatbrought them to the attention of a wideraudience. The three-piece have recently released sev-enth studio album Ellipsis, which shotstraight to number one in the UK.

The CoralKasbah, Coventry, Mon 12 December

After a five-year hiatus, The Coral releasedtheir eighth full-length studio album,Distance Inbetween, earlier this year. Theirreturn sees the band joined by guitarist PaulMolloy, formerly of The Zutons. “Paul was in a band with my brother Ian,”says Coral lead singer James Skelly. “He fit-ted in and he respected the music. Althoughhe was playing, he never stepped on thetoes of what we’d already done, so that con-vinced us he was the right guy for the job.”Best known for their singles Dreaming OfYou, In The Morning, Pass It On and Don’tThink You’re The First, the influential five-piece embark on a new UK tour following aheadline performance at Liverpool SoundCity this summer. Read the full interview with James at what-sonlive.co.uk

The Bootleg BeatlesSymphony Hall, Birmingham, Thurs 8 December

Formed in 1980 fromthe cast of the musi-cal Beatlemania, theBootleg Beatlesremain one of themost popular tributeacts in the country, despite the emergence ofnumerous rivals. Their ongoing success isdown to the accuracy of their portrayals ofthe Fab Four, not only managing to lookuncannily like them but also soundingincredibly authentic. A nostalgic but vital journey through the1960s awaits...

MadnessBarclaycard Arena, Birmingham, Sat 17 December

Madness were one of the most prominentbands of the 2 Tone Ska revival in the late1970s and early 1980s. With hits like BaggyTrousers, On The Wings Of A Dove and OurHouse to recommendthem, an eveningwith Suggs and thegang guaranteesplenty of great musicand more than a littlemadcap mayhem.

For the complete gig guide visit whatsonlive.co.uk 15

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Danielle De Niese Recital Hall, Birmingham Conservatoire,Mon 12 December

Labelled ‘opera’s coolest soprano’ by theNew York Times Magazine, Australian-born Danielle De Niese’s singing prowessfirst came to prominence in 2005 whenshe appeared as Cleopatra in GiulioCesare at the Glyndebourne Festival.Since then, Danielle has toured extensive-ly, regularly appearing on some of theworld’s most prestigious concert andopera stages.

BirminghamPhilharmonic Orchestra The Bramall, University Of Birmingham,Sun 18 December

Musical Director Michael Lloyd conductsthe final concert of BirminghamPhilharmonic Orchestra’s 75th anniver-sary year. One of the Midlands’ best known andmost admired non-professional orches-tras, the Birmingham Phil on this occa-sion presents a programme which com-prises the following: Stravinsky’sGreeting Prelude; Bernstein’s CandideOverture; Respighi’s Feste Romane; andexcerpts from Tchaikovsky’s much-lovedNutcracker.

Classical Music


Katherine Jenkins: Celebration Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Thurs 22 December

“The live performance aspect is my favourite part of what I do, and I also happen to loveChristmas,” says Katherine Jenkins in talking about her festive-season concert tour.“The show will feature traditional and popular Christmas music - and I also want to geteveryone together to sing a little bit. I really want some community carol singing. I want tohear the voices of the audience and compare them as I make my way around the UK!” As well as a selection of seasonal music, the concert also includes songs from Katherine’s11th and most recent album, Celebration, a collection created to mark a year that’s includ-ed the Queen’s 90th birthday, the Rio Olympics and Euro 2016.

Ex Cathedra: ChristmasMusic By CandlelightSt Peter’s Church, Wolverhampton,Sat 3 December; St John’s Church,Birmingham, Thurs 8 December; HerefordCathedral, Wed 7 December; St Paul’sChurch, Birmingham, Mon 19 - Thurs22 December

What better way to get into theChristmas spirit than by enjoying anevening with one of the country’s finestchoral music ensembles? Under the directorship of its founder,Jeffrey Skidmore, Ex Cathedra is thismonth presenting its atmosphericChristmas Music By Candlelight experi-ence, an event that features festivefavourites from around the globe andacross the ages, interspersed with a vari-ety of seasonal readings.

Nicola Benedetti:Tchaikovsky Symphony Hall,Birmingham,Wed 7 December

Scottish-born violin-ist Nicola Benedettiis one of classicalmusic’s most sought-after performers, herroad to fame begin-ning when she wonYoung Musician ofthe Year in 2004. A former pupil at the Yehudi MenuhinSchool for young musicians, Benedetti wasvoted Best Female Artist at both the 2012and 2013 Classical BRIT Awards, and hasperformed with some of the world’s mostrenowned conductors. The internationallyacclaimed Omer Meir Wellber is the manwith the baton for this particular concert,which also features the City of BirminghamSymphony Orchestra. Benedetti’s performance of Tchaikovsky’sgloriously songful concerto is neatly sand-wiched between two other fabulous works -Richard Strauss’s Ein Heldenleben andRimsky-Korsakov’s The Tsar’s Bride:Overture.

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Fast becoming a staple feature of Birming-ham's festive offering, Barbara Nice isback again with a brand new, bumperChristmas show for the fifth year running.As December descends upon us, wecaught up with the much-loved King'sHeath housewife - played by local legendJanice Connolly - to find out what we canexpect from this year's ChristmasCracker...

“It's going to be a really good night out,”Connolly assures. “You name it, I've got it!I've got a ukulele band, mince pies andBarbara's famous raffle. I've got specialguests including Lorraine Bowen, whowas a semi-finalist on Britain's Got Talentlast year. It's great fun and a brilliantthing to do with friends. People alwayscome out saying it's put them right in themood for Christmas!”

The continued success of Barbara's an-nual Christmas show in the city has sur-prised Connolly, but she's pleased as afestive spiced punch that people are stillturning out in their droves to share anevening of silliness with her - and there'llbe more of them this year than ever!

“It was only supposed to be a one-off re-ally, but people enjoyed it so much that Ithink it's become part of people's tradi-tion now - it's as traditional as Rudolphthe Red-Nosed Reindeer! It started off asjust the one night at mac, and now it'sgrown into a kind of little tour. I'm doing afew dates at mac and also one at the Ar-trix in Bromsgrove, and then there areshows in Manchester, Clitheroe andBrighton.”

Naturally, Barbara is pretty big on Christ-mas, but for Connolly herself, it's thequiet time that comes just after the bigday that's the real joy of the holiday sea-son.

“I don't mean to be miserable, but I dosometimes find Christmas Day itself canbe a bit much. It's lovely when people gettogether and enjoy themselves, but there'ssuch a lot to do, isn't there? I much prefer


Barbara Nicetalks about her Christmas Cracker and explains why we allneed to carry on laughing...

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those days in between Boxing Day andNew Year's Eve - those kind of lost dayswhere you haven't got to do anything, butyour house looks great because yourChristmas tree's up, and you can watch allthe stuff on telly that you've been wantingto see on catch-up, and you can just kindof breathe a bit. That's my favourite.”

Of course, a Barbara is for life and not justfor Christmas, and 2016 has definitelybeen a brilliant year for the King's Heathcomic. As well as taking home the title ofBest Midlands Comedian in our ownWhat's On Readers' Awards, she was alsonamed as runner-up in the Midlands Com-edy Awards, and has been busy in Birm-ingham and Salford recording a newsitcom set to air on BBC Radio Two inMarch.

“Barbara was never one for rushing - she'sbeen taking it very slowly, but I do thinkshe's finally starting to get the recognitionshe deserves. The sitcom is about Bar-bara's life at home with her husband andher best friend, Mary. She and her hus-band Ken have both got a lot of time ontheir hands, but Barbara's a get-up-and-doer while Ken just wants to stay at homewatching quiz shows, so it's about her sortof putting a firework under him! Werecorded four episodes to capacity audi-ences that really, really liked it, so I'mhoping people will listen in and say to theBBC, 'More of this please! More BarbaraNice!'”

It's now several years since Connolly cameto Birmingham, but to this day she stillnods to her northern origins in perform-ances outside the city. She’s Barbara fromStockport in some shows, Barbara fromKing's Heath in others.

“I don't change a thing really, apart fromthe bus - it's a number 50 bus when I'mdoing King's Heath Barbara and a 192 ifI'm doing Stockport Barbara. That's theonly change. But she travels very well.Wherever I go, people come and tell methat I'm just like their auntie or their mum- it's the same down south as well.”

In the past, Connolly has commented onthe negative attitudes towards Birming-ham that are present in much of the restof the country, both in the north and thesouth. In recent years, however, huge re-development and investment in the city,as well as a growing cultural output, hashelped to really challenge those percep-tions.

“I was working with an actor from Walsallon a radio play recently, and he said he'snoticed that a lot more people are askingfor his proper accent now - it's somethingpeople are seeking out and enjoying, per-haps partly because of things like PeakyBlinders. Anybody that comes to Birming-ham for the first time immediatelychanges their mind about it, and a lot ofthat is to do with what the powers-that-beare providing for people. It looks a lot bet-ter now, and there’s genuinely more to do.I went to the Royal Television SocietyAwards at the Motorcycle Museum, andSteven Knight, who made Peaky Blinders,was there. Now he's a great fella! And hesaid that, I think within the next twoyears, they're looking to open a film stu-dio at the NEC, so hopefully there shouldbe more and more really good stuff com-ing this way.”

Outside of being Barbara, Connolly alsohas a career as a theatre-maker, havingrun the well-regarded company Women InTheatre for an impressive 33 years. Theirlatest project, Starting Out, premiered atBirmingham REP in October, and washighly praised for its portrayal of the diffi-culties faced by young women enteringthe world of work today.

“About three years ago, to celebrate our30th anniversary, we talked to women inBirmingham who’d also been doing theirjobs for 30 years, and we created a set ofmonologues based on those conversa-tions. So this year, I thought it'd be reallygood to talk to young women about theirexperiences of getting onto the career lad-der, because I think it's really tough foryoung people now. We got great feedback

at The REP, and also when we took theshow to London, which is great becausewe're not particularly well known there.”

Nevertheless, Women In Theatre isn't, asthe name might suggest, a project exclu-sively by and for women. Over the years,they've worked with many men, and evenaddressed important male issues such asmental health and testicular cancer. Butat its heart is a commitment to improvingdiversity in our theatres, providing a plat-form for those whose voices might nototherwise be heard.

With her theatre company known for tak-ing on weighty issues, Connolly is acutelyaware of the many pressing problems inour society today. From the outside, theincreasing hardship and division in ourworld might make a comedian's job seemlike a tough one, but for her, the difficul-ties that we're facing only serve to makelaughter more important than ever.

“I'm a big believer in comedy running sideby side with serious issues because I thinkthat, in life, often the times you laugh themost are after big, terrible events. I alsothink the working class are really good atlaughing, and I think we should continueto do that. A lot of that is maybe becausepeople have had harder lives and theyknow how to make the most of it whenthey're in a bad situation. In the northparticularly you get a lot of comedy com-ing out of women working in the mills andshouting to each other and becomingthese big, matriarchal characters - that'spart of what's made things like Corona-tion Street so successful. And I think it'simportant. I think we've got to keeplaughing because it gives us strength, andalso it's a way of connecting with peopleand making them feel less powerless.”

Barbara Nice’s Christmas Cracker showsat Artrix, Bromsgrove, on Monday 12December and mac birmingham onSaturday 17 and Sunday 18 December.


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Mick FerryThe Glee Club,Birmingham, Wed 14- Sat 17 & Sat 31December

Highly regarded notonly as a stand-upbut also a compere,Mick has peddledhis cynical brand ofhumour on BBC One’s Michael McIntyre’sComedy Roadshow. He’s also enjoyed the experience of ‘being afilm star’, having appeared in Ken Loach’sPalm D’Or-nominated movie, Looking ForEric. He’s an old-style comedian in many ways, hisdour manner a throwback to the days whenblunt northern funnymen were ten-a-penny,while his humour is derived from a fairly pes-simistic outlook on life. “There's no message in this show”, hedeclared at one of his gigs. “There's no morallesson, there are just some jokes. And if youneed a comedian to tell you how to think andtreat other people, then you should take a****ing hard look at yourself.”

MickeySharmamac, Birmingham,Sat 10 December

If life had workedout differently forMickey Sharma, thetool of his tradewould have been acricket bat rather than a microphone. The Karachi-born funnyman was a promisingyoung cricketer with an ambition to play forIndia, but a nasty head injury, sustainedwhile practising his batting, hit his chosencareer for six... One emergency operation later, Mickey’ssporting aspirations were in tatters, and along period of both recovery and depressionfollowed. But the Indian cricket team’s losshas proved to be comedy’s gain, with Mickeyearning himself plenty of plaudits and admir-ers since launching his full-time stand-upcareer four years ago. His Birmingham appearance this month seeshim presenting his latest show, A SharmaSutra’s Tale.

JoshWiddicombeCivic Hall,Wolverhampton,Thurs 8 December

Peddling a nice linein exasperated, self-deprecating humourwhen performinglive, Devon-raised funnyman JoshWiddicombe pumps out his cleverly craftedgags at a brisk pace, hitting the mark withthe vast majority of his observational materi-al. This latest touring show, What Do I Do Now,has met with favourable reviews and seesJosh blending nostalgic recollections abouthis childhood with a well-pitched rant at themodern world. Widdicombe jokes include: “Hotdogs causebum cancer - that was the original slogan forMcDonald's before ‘I'm loving it’,” and,“People say it’s better to have loved and lostthan never loved at all. But that’s not howlosing things works. When you lose yourphone, your first reaction isn't, “At least Ihad a phone; it's better to have had a phoneand lost a phone than never to have phonedat all.”

Six of the best...

Comedy

25 Years Of Reeves & Mortimer:The Poignant MomentsBarclaycard Arena, Birmingham, Fri 9 December

Reeves & Mortimer’s scheduled appearance in Birminghamlast winter had to be postponed due to the latter’s need for atriple heart bypass operation, so it’s particularly nice to seethem back in the Midlands this month. Vic and Bob first worked together over a quarter of a century ago.They shot to stardom courtesy of a brand of anarchic humourthat blended surreal material with more traditional double-act fare such as corny jokes and violent slapstick. For a time in the 1990s they were pretty much thebiggest names on the UK comedy circuit. Their TVwork included shows such as The Smell Of Reeves &Mortimer and Shooting Stars - and even a remake ofthe cult 1960s television adventure series Randall &Hopkirk (Deceased).“Playing in front of a living audience is where it all beganfor us,” says Bob Mortimer. “Some people feel most alivewhen they’re on fire or in Turkey, but for us the stage iswhere we thrive. I will ensure that Vic arrives at all datessmartly dressed and unarmed. I promise not to mention foot-ball, JLS or apricots during the performances. Should youchoose to attend, be warned - I will not be wearing a toupé.”

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Ahir ShahStafford GatehouseTheatre,Sat 17 December

Oxbridge graduateAhir Shah is happyto describe his act asa blend of ‘philo-sophical inquiry,political vigour andsweet gags’. He also realises that the path to comedy star-dom can be a long and arduous one: “Overthe course of the last decade,” he says, “mystatus on the circuit has skyrocketed from‘curiosity’ to ‘interloper’!” Ahir’s latest touring show, Machines, notonly went down a storm in Edinburgh lastsummer but also, he enthusiastically reveals,contains an absolutely cracking joke aboutlizards. The gig’s not without its serious moments -the comedian was caught up in the Parisattacks last year and shares his experience ofthe devastation - but his natural optimismand incisive delivery of his material ensurethat a reason to smile is never too far away.

RudiLickwoodRegent Theatre,Stoke-on-Trent,Sat 31 December

Nobody’s safe frombecoming a target ofRudi Lickwood’sfast-paced humour,least of all his wife,who, he claims, has emasculated him, andwhose snoring and menstruating he hates.His kids don’t escape unscathed either - butthen if they were better at art and playing therecorder, they wouldn’t give their dad quiteso much material to work with. Lickwood started out as an Eddie Murphyimpersonater back in the late 1980s, beforeturning his considerable comic talent to thebusiness of stand-up. Jokes include: “I’ve got a 26-year-old kid whoI found out about last year through the ChildSupport Agency. They tracked me down andgave me a court summons for leaving thescene of the accident.”Rudi appears at the Regent as part of thevenue’s Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club night.

ScottCapurroLichfield Garrick,Thurs 15 December

Outrageous and out-spoken, gay comedi-an Scott Capurro cer-tainly knows how toprovoke a response -as hefty numbers of complaints followingvarious television appearances ably testify. Confident, catty, charismatic andCalifornian, Scott has no qualms about usingmaterial that might well offend a significantproportion of an unprepared audience. When he’s not in boundary-pushing modeand talking about subjects like AIDS - which,according to his website, he’s avoided con-tracting ‘by telling unsavory jokes in everyEnglish-speaking country’ - his materialincludes such humorous observations as,“Scotland had oil, but it's running outthanks to all that deep frying.” The gag was voted one of the top 10 at theEdinburgh Fringe a couple of years back.

For more comedy listings visit whatsonlive.co.uk 21

Stephen K Amos The Old Rep, Birmingham, Sat 3 December

Stephen K Amos returns to Birmingham this month withhis latest touring show, World Famous, in which he revealseverything he’s learned from the cultures of the countriesin which he’s performed his stand-up routine. His popularity both here and abroad are suitable rewardfor a comedian who sometimes wondered whether his bigbreak would ever come. “I used to do a joke where I saidI'd have to wait for Lenny Henry to die before I could geton television,” he says, referring to his belief that opportu-nities for black comedians are few and far between.Whatever the truth, there's little question that Stephen'svery much basking in the televisual limelight these days.His success is no surprise, mind, given the quality of hismaterial and his effortless ability to strike all the rightchords with his ever-appreciative audience. Jokes include: “Christmases were terrible, not like nowa-days when kids get everything. My sister got a miniatureset of perfumes called ‘Ample’. It was tiny, but even I couldsee where my dad had scraped off the ‘S’.”

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FEATURE


Crime, Christmas and

celebrity cultureJohn Partridge stars in Chicago at the New Alexandra Theatre

Chicago in the 1920s. These are violent,troubled times, where danger lurks inshadows and gangsters run the show. It'salso the beginning of a burgeoningcelebrity culture, with the growth of Holly-wood movies, popular music and a boom-ing media industry combining to nurture anew breed of megastars. Sensational sto-ries sell, and journalists prowl the streets,sniffing out the juiciest morsels they canfind in the hope of making headlines...

Living and working among them is Mau-rine Dallas Watkins, a young reporter forthe Chicago Tribune. It's while coveringtwo high-profile murders that she sees howcelebrity obsession is changing the waythat courts treat criminals, prompting herto write a play based on her stories.Nearly 50 years later, the play would betransformed into what would become thelongest-running American musical onBroadway, outdone only by the BritishPhantom Of The Opera.

Forty-one years after its smash-hit USdebut, Chicago is undertaking a brand newUK tour, arriving at Birmingham's NewAlexandra Theatre in time for Christmas.The production's fabulous cast includesEastEnders' John Partridge in the starringrole of slick, quick-talking lawyer BillyFlynn, a character he imagines might havecarved a slightly different career were hearound today...

“Billy is the King of Spin,” explains Par-tridge. “I guess today's equivalent wouldbe something like a PR Guru. It's his job toraise the profiles of our two loveable mur-deresses, Roxy and Velma, to ensure their

names stay in the press and ultimately getthem let off for their crimes. It's a dream ofa part. I get to flick the hair, shine theshoes, put on the tux, and get draped infeathers!”

Some things change while others stay thesame. The internet and the explosion of re-ality TV might have affected the way we in-teract with our celebrities today, not tomention swelling their ranks enormously,but ultimately, our culture is a continua-tion of the one that Watkins saw emergingclose to a century ago.

“It's very topical now,” Partridge contin-ues. “Even when the musical was con-ceived back in 1975, I don't think we hadany idea of how celebrity culture would ex-plode. It's everywhere now - it's in people'shomes, on television, in magazines and onsocial media. There's no getting away fromit. I think that's part of the reason the showhas this lasting appeal - the story is verycontemporary in its nature but it’s dealtwith in this old-school way.”

Doing justice to the powerful story and itscompelling characters is paramount in thisproduction, which has been stripped cleanof all the flashy and sometimes shallow ex-tras that are often part and parcel of large-scale musicals.

“It's a very stark, minimal set that we have,which really focuses your attention on thenarrative and the storytelling of the show.There are no scene changes and no cos-tume changes, which is quite unusual for amusical and quite brave. Often, shows relyon sets and costumes, perhaps becausethey need to, whereas Chicago is so power-

‘‘

”

It’s a dream ofa part. I get toflick the hair,shine the shoes,put on the tux,and get drapedin feathers!

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ful that it doesn't need all the extras. Itdoes mean audiences have to really payattention, though, because they're notbeing directed by the set. That's whatmakes it such a great piece for an actor - itmeans that we're in charge of taking theaudience on the journey, rather than ex-ternal things doing that for you.”

Rest assured, however, that the show willstill look and sound fantastic. It might notbe conventionally flamboyant, but it's stillundeniably stylish in its own way, packedfull of iconic musical numbers and incred-ible choreography.

“It's a very clever, highly stylised musical.The choreography and the dialogue andthe songs are all woven seamlessly to-gether so that everything is very fluid, andthere really is something for everybody.The score is legendary - you couldn't askfor a better one - and our band is ab-solutely exceptional. People often forgetthat Chicago has a jazz score, and in thistour, we have an amazing 12-strong jazzband who’re very much part of the show.In my opinion, they're worth the ticketprice alone! We also have one of the sexi-est ensembles of dancers that you’ll seeon stage this Christmas, trust me!”

With its clever script, intricate dancingand stand-out musical numbers, youmight think that such a complex and de-manding show would make hours of prac-tice and rehearsal an essential, but forPartridge, fresh from his stint on CelebrityBig Brother, time was a luxury not af-forded in this case.

“I actually only had three days' rehearsal,

which I do not recommend!” he laughs.“It was scary. I came out of the Big Brotherhouse on the Friday, did all the press thatwent with that, and then I had my first re-hearsal on the Monday. When we openedon the Wednesday, there were a lot ofgrey-faced producers standing in thewings thinking, 'Oh my God, is he gonnapull this off?' But fortunately musical the-atre is in my blood. I went into Cats whenI was 16 and I'm now 46, so it's somethingI've done for a long time. And, I'm pleasedto say, it all came off. Funnily enough, I'mgoing to be going through another hair-raising rehearsal period shortly - we finishChicago on 31 December, and then mynext show, La Cage Aux Folles, opens inOxford on 5 January. It seems to be becom-ing what I'm known for!”

Of course, it may have helped that Par-tridge already had some familiarity withthe role, having initially been offered itback in 2010. But since beginning thisyear's tour, he's had plenty of time to getto grips with Billy, continually learning, fi-nessing and developing the part.

“When I was first offered it in 2010, Iturned it down because I didn't think Ihad the maturity, but when I knew theshow was coming round again, I activelythrew my hat into the ring. Luckily theywere very receptive and offered me thepart straight away. I've had a wonderfultime doing it - it's a great company, we'vereally grown together, and we're all stillconstantly finding new ways of playing it.In Birmingham we're also going to bejoined by Mica Paris, and it's alwayslovely to have a fresh viewpoint on some-

thing, especially at this stage in the tour.”

Partridge is no stranger to working duringthe Christmas season. Over the last fiveyears, he's appeared in various pan-tomimes, including Birmingham Hippo-drome's Snow White And The SevenDwarfs in 2013.

“This is the first year in a while that Iwon’t be slapping my thigh and muggingoutrageously to the audience for laughs!I'm afraid working over Christmas is allpart and parcel of being an actor - the hol-idays are our busy times, so we take ourvacations at other times of the year. Butall my family are going to come and watchthe show on Boxing Day - if I've got to dotwo shows on Boxing Day then they canall come and see me!”

And while treading the boards instead offlopping in front of the telly at the heightof the holiday season isn't for everyone,Partridge is looking forward to being backhere for another Christmas show, havingthoroughly enjoyed his stint in the UK'sbiggest and best panto.

“Every audience is different, and everytown you visit has a different sort of feel.Some are harder than others, but othersare on their feet the minute you come outon stage! I've always found the audiencesto be very warm and receptive in Birming-ham, so I'm glad to be coming back.”

Chicago runs at Birmingham's NewAlexandra Theatre from Monday 12 toSaturday 31 December.


by Heather Kincaid

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Dick WhittingtonDoctor Who and Torchwood star John Barrowman will be hoping the streetsof the second city are paved with gold this Christmas, when he takes thetitle role in Birmingham Hippodrome’s pantomime production of DickWhittingtonJoining John on stage this year, to star as King Rat, is Steve McFadden, bestknown as EastEnders bad boy Phil Mitchell.Support comes from The Krankies (as Councillor and Jimmy Krankie),Hippodrome favourite Matt Slack (as Idle Jack), West End star Jodie Prenger(as Fairy Bow Bells) and popular Midlands panto Dame, Andrew Ryan (asSarah the Cook).The story of a young man who heads off on his travels in search of fame andfortune, Dick Whittington is one of the most popular of all pantomimes. It’stherefore no surprise to find that our eponymous hero’s journey sees himstopping off at not one, not two, but three theatres across the Midlands thisChristmas. Dick Whittington shows at Birmingham Hippodrome fromMon 19 December - Sun 29 January

As well as the Hippodrome, Dick’s also visiting the Coventry Belgrade,where the venue’s long-term panto writer, director and Dame, IainLauchlan, is returning for his 22nd show. Iain’s heading up a productionthat comes complete with ‘singalong songs, amazing sets and extravagantcostumes’ - and which will no doubt be packed to its festive rafters withaction, comedy and family fun. Dick Whittington shows at Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, until Sat 7 January

Another well-established ‘king of Midlands pantomime’ is comedianMalcolm Stent, who, like Iain, has clocked up more years of writing and per-forming pantos than he probably cares to remember. In much the same wayas Iain has made his indelible mark at the Belgrade, Malcolm has become afestive-season legend at The Core - formerly known as Solihull ArtsComplex. His latest version of Dick Whittington features ‘action, adventure,secrets, songs, dancing, trickery, romance, swashbuckling sailors androgue-ish rats aplenty’. In short, pretty much every ingredient you need fora barnstorming evening of pantomime magic. Dick Whittington shows at The Core, Solihull, from Fri 9 - Sat 31 December

Jack And The BeanstalkPrince Of Wales Centre, Cannock,Thurs 22 - Fri 30 December

If you’re up for a bit of fe-fi-fo-fumming thisfestive season, a trip to the Prince of WalesCentre should be right up your beanstalk,with a talented cast of performers ensuringthat not all encounters with grumpy, cash-counting ogres need end in tears.Keith de Winter gets all glammed up to staras Dame Dolly, with CBBC’s Shorelle Hopkinreturning ‘by popular demand’ to performsome wand-waving magic as The Fairy.

Robin Hood And TheBabes In The WoodThe Roses, Tewkesbury, Sat 3 December -Sat 7 January; Artrix, Bromsgrove,Fri 16 - Fri 23 December

As if Robin Hood didn't already have enoughon his plate, dealing with the evil Sheriff ofNottingham, wooing the delicious MaidMarion and wondering how to stop the colos-sal Friar Tuck from eating everything in hispath, the festive season also finds him get-ting tangled up in the many and varied tradi-tions of pantomime. When the dastardly sheriff hires a pair ofbungling baddies to put paid to his brotherKing Richard’s children - the ‘Babes’ of thetitle - he thinks his wickedness will securehim the throne of England. But he’s reck-oned without our dashing hero, a Santa’sSack-worth of audience participation andmore corny gags than you could fit into agiant-size Christmas stocking.As is usually the case, Midlands theatre com-pany All & Sundry are the purveyors of panto

mirth at the Artix. Down the M5 in Tewkesbury, meanwhile, TheRoses’ version of the show has been writtenby the ever-reliable Ben Crocker, whose pre-vious work for the theatre includes its lastfour pantomimes: Aladdin 2012; Jack AndThe Beanstalk 2013; Beauty And The Beast2014; and Cinderella 2015.


Festive favourites from around the regionPantos

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Pantos

AladdinThe Wolverhampton Grand is certainly on a roll when it comesto providing high-quality panto fare - and the venue'sChristmas 2016 offering looks set to be every bit as energisedand entertaining as any of its illustrious predecessors.X-Factor winner Joe McElderry takes the title role in a showthat also sees internet sensation Doreen Tipton making herpanto debut as the Lazy Empress Of China. Pantomime stalwart Lisa Riley stars as the Slave Of The Ring,with CBeebies' Mr Bloom - Ben Faulks - threatening to feel acollar or two as the Chief of Peking Police. Britain’s Got Talent soprano Lucy Kay appears in the role ofPrincess Jasmine, while illusionist Stefan Pejic plays the evilsorcerer Abanazar. Panto regular Ian Adams dons a plethora of glamorous outfitsas Widow Twankey.

Aladdin shows at Wolverhampton Grand Theatrefrom Sat 10 December to Sun 22 January

Aladdin also manages to fly his magic carpet into Birminghamand Stratford this Christmas. He comes in to land in Brum atthe Jewellery Quarter’s Blue Orange Theatre, where theMidland Academy of Musical Theatre are the ensemblecharged with the task of recounting this most famous ofArabian Nights stories.Meanwhile over in ‘Shakespeare country’, a talented cast ofWest End performers will be looking to provide audiences withan Open Sesame to an evening of laugh-out-loud family fun.

Aladdin also shows at The Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham,from Wed 7 to Fri 9 December and Stratford Artshouse,Stratford-upon-Avon from Wed 14 to Tues 27 December

Sleeping BeautyLichfield Garrick, Thurs 1 - Sat 31 December;The Place, Oakengates, Shropshire, Wed 7 -Sat 31 December; Malvern Theatre, Thurs 15December - Sun 8 January

The tragic tale of a young princess who’stricked by an evil fairy and pricks her fingeron a spinning wheel, causing her to sleep for100 years, offers a great story around whichto build a pantomime production of realquality. And judging by the above venues’ previousyuletide offerings, the Garrick, The Place andMalvern Theatre’s 2016 festive versions of thepopular fairytale are likely to provide sometruly top-notch family fun... In Lichfield, Cbeebies television favouriteRebecca Keatley takes the role of FairyMoonbeam, appearing alongside local lad

Sam Rabone - as the production’s Dame,Nurse Nelly - and a host of special effects,including a fire-breathing dragon...Meanwhile, the star of this year’s panto atThe Place might well arrive at the venue in arather unusual way. By ostrich!Long-established comedian and entertainerBernie Clifton - who's best known for ‘riding’his faithful ostrich companion, Oswald - isappearing in the Shropshire theatre’sChristmas presentation alongside WinkTaylor from CITV’s The Sooty Show... And speaking of The Sooty Show, another ofits stars, Chris Pizzey, is appearing as SillyBilly in the Malvern Theatre version of thestory. He’s joined by a top-billing GillianWright - aka EastEnders’ Jean Slater -Channel Five’s Milkshake presenter AmyThompson and Casualty’s Rebecca Wheatley.Quinn Patrick dons the poorly applied rougeand comedy wig to play Nurse Nelly.

Snow White And TheSeven DwarfsSutton Coldfield Town Hall,Fri 16 - Fri 30 December

Everybody knows the story of Snow WhiteAnd The Seven Dwarfs, even if there are stilla few people who haven't seen the golden-age Disney movie. The fact that it's a 24-caratclassic of a fairytale means that a pantomimestage version is always a surefire winner. Expect all the usual elements, includingrouged-up Dames and more slapstick come-dy than you could throw a custard pie at.

Sleeping Beauty - Lichfield Garrick

Sleeping Beauty - The Place, Oakengates



Cinderella‘Son of the Potteries’ Jonathan Wilkes dons the tightsto star as Buttons in this ever-popular pantomimetale. Homecoming hero Jonathan is pretty much a fes-tive fixture at the Regent Theatre nowadays, as is hisgood pal Christian Patterson, who’s also making awelcome return. With its comical Ugly Sisters, match-making fairy godmother, drop-dead-gorgeous PrinceCharming, super-cute mice and fits-one-foot-onlyglass slipper, Cinderella can justifiably lay claim tobeing the most popular of all pantomimes. And theRegent Theatre production isn’t the only incarnationof this legendary fairytale delighting Midlands audi-ences this Christmas... Cinderella shows at Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trentfrom Thurs 8 December to Sunday 8 January

Theatre Severn’s version of the story features all theusual panto elements of comedy, singing, dancing,audience participation and ‘stunning’ sets and cos-tumes. And also very much as usual, it stars the ever-popular Brad Fitt, on this occasion appearing ‘asyou’ve never seen him before’...

Cinderella shows at Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury,Wed 30 Nov - Sun 8 January

Cinders is this year also putting some elbow greaseinto scrubbing the stage at the Swan Theatre inWorcestershire, courtesy of the well-regardedWorcester Theatre Company.

Cinderella shows at Swan Theatre, Worcester fromMon 5 December to Sun 8 January

Aladdin:The Wok’n’Roll Panto Stafford Gatehouse Theatre,Thurs 8 December - Sun 8 January

They’ve done it before and now they’re doingit again. Yep, Stafford Gatehouse’s oft-usedstrategy of imbuing their annual pantomimewith a real rock’n’roll flavour has proved sopopular in previous years that the venue isgiving the exact same treatment to its 2016production. So... they’ve taken this famousArabian Nights story, stirred in a few time-honoured pantomime favourites, and thenseasoned liberally with all manner of rock-’n’roll hits - including favourites from Aretha

Franklin, The Monkees, James Brown, TheTemptations and The Jackson Five. A recipe for success if ever there was one, sobrace yourself for a fabulous festive feast offun and frivolity.

Beauty And The BeastRoyal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa, Sat 3 -Sat 31 December; Palace Theatre, Redditch,Mon 5 - Sat 31 December

When a young womanis captured by ahideous beast, shefinds herself facing alife of isolation in hismysterious palace.The Beast, too, istrapped - seeminglyforever - inside thegrotesquery of hisphysical appearance,the consequence of a spell cast upon him byan evil witch. Only Beauty’s ability to lookbeyond his ugliness and see the person with-in can save him...That’s pretty much the story outline of thismuch-loved, age-old fairytale, which is thisChristmas being given the pantomime treat-

ment by two popular Midlands theatres. The Royal Spa Centre in Leamington is prom-ising a show that features ‘spectacularscenery, fabulous costumes, incredible spe-cial effects and bags of slapstick fun’ - not tomention a glamorous Dame with a turbo-charged hoover!...Over at the Palace in Redditch, Dancing OnIce winner and EastEnders actor SamAttaway stars as the oafish and arrogantGaston, with Emmerdale and Bad Girlsfavourite Nicole Faraday lending support inthe role of Witch Guillotine.

Festive favourites from around the region

Cinderellat at Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury Cinderella at Swan Theatre, Worcester

Cinderella at Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent



Crimes Against ChristmasLichfield Garrick, Fri 9 - Sat 31 December

New Old Friends, whose previous theatricalendeavours have included the highly ratedFalcon’s Malteser, describe their latest offer-ing as an ‘anti-panto’ cross between anAgatha Christie whodunnit, The Twelve DaysOf Christmas and The 39 Steps. Produced in partnership with LichfieldGarrick, Theatre Royal Bath and NaturalTheatre Company, the show sees a host ofcharacters invited to a party in a mysterioushouse on a remote island. Once the guestshave gathered, curious and fatal things relat-ed to Christmas begin to happen, with Lordsa-leaping to their deaths, lead-pipes ‘pipingpeople’s heads in’, and the guest of honourmore than a little concerned about the pres-ence of a rope in a nearby pear tree...

What The Dickens?!Artrix, Bromsgrove, Wed 7 December

Birmingham-based comedy improvisersFoghorn Unscripted use suggestions fromtheir audience and the power of their ownimaginations to create and perform their

shows. For this particular theatrical offering,the ensemble are promising a ‘fast-moving,audience-led, made-up comedy romp’through the wonderful world of CharlesDickens. Preposterous names, ludicrous coincidencesand crowd-rousing melodrama will “delightand astound you,” claim Foghorn. And it's aclaim about which they're so confident,they’re even willing to bet “a hundred goldsovereigns” that they'll be bang on themoney... Given the company’s impressive collection offive-star reviews, you would probably dowell to politely decline that wager.

The 39 StepsOld Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham, Thurs 15 - Fri 23 December

People who remember the various film ver-sions of John Buchan's classic spy thrillerwill be hard-pressed to call any of them'humorous'. By contrast, the stage version ofhis much-loved yarn bagged the 2007 OlivierAward for Best New Comedy - courtesy ofsome imaginative thinking on the part of itscreative team.So why not catch up with handsome heroRichard Hannay as he battles to remainimpressively stiff-upper-lipped in the face ofdastardly murders and life-threateningencounters with double-crossing secretagents. Oh, and there are some beautiful and myste-rious women involved too, so it's not all badnews for our intrepid hero! Four fearless actors play no fewer than 150roles in this real gem of a show.

A Christmas CarolThe covetous sinning of the miserly Scrooge,the eternal hope offered by Tiny Tim, theghostly visions of redemption; of all CharlesDickens’ festive stories, A Christmas Carolreigns supreme.As you might expect at this time of year,Dickens’ Victorian-age cautionary tale ismuch in evidence at theatres across thecountry - not least here in the Midlands,where it’s being performed at three popularvenues...At mac birmingham, the highly ratedChapterhouse Theatre Company present aversion that comes complete with song,dance and a ‘magnificent’ original musicalscore... A Christmas Carol shows at mac, Birminghamfrom Fri 9 to Sat 10 December

Coventry’s Albany Theatre, meanwhile, playshost to the award-winning Tread The Boards,as they present their family-friendly take onthe much-loved Christmas classic...A Christmas Carol shows at Albany Theatre,Coventry, Mon 12 December to Mon 2 January

The Crescent Theatre’s ever-reliable in-housecompany is the other ensemble this monthrecounting the story of Scrooge’s spiritualawakening. A Christmas Carol shows at The CrescentTheatre, Birmingham from Sat 3 to Sat 17December

Theatre

The TempestRoyal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, until Sat 21 January

Check out these alternatives to the traditional panto...

Boasting strange beings with superhumanpowers, a thrilling fantasy plot and anunderlying moral message about the tri-umph of reconciliation over revenge, TheTempest is the most obviously spectacular ofShakespeare’s works. This brand new production, starring SimonRussell Beale in the lead role of exiled Dukeof Milan Prospero, is likely to be more visual-ly impressive than any version that’s gonebefore, thanks in no small measure to theuse of groundbreaking motion capture tech-nology. This modern-day ‘device’ sees the shape-shifting spirit Ariel rendered as a digital pro-jection whose movements will be controlled

by an actor live on stage.“We had to really work at the vocabulary ofthis digital stuff,” says Russell Beale. “AsProspero, I do have a relationship with Arielas a digital figure, but I think in the end it'simportant for the character to have a humandimension - and especially in the big, emo-tional moments, like when Ariel asks ifProspero loves him, or when they say good-bye. But for the rest of the play you've gotAriel showing off, which causes Prosperogreat delight, and you can just enjoy thesheer splendour of these extraordinary fig-ures.”Read our online interview with SimonRussell Beale at whatsonlive.co.uk

A Christmas Carol at The Albany Theatre




Treasure IslandBirmingham Rep, Fri 25 November - Sat 7 January

This latest theatrical version of Robert LouisStevenson’s classic tale, a modern adapta-tion by Bryony Lavery, puts an interestingspin on the author’s swashbuckling story,with the chief protagonist being a girl ratherthan a boy.When pirates ransack her grandmother’sinn, fearless Jim is drawn into the adventureof a lifetime - one which will see her not onlysetting sail in search of buried treasure butalso spending time in the company of a one-legged pirate with murder in mind...

Zorro’s ChristmasAdventureArtrix, Bromsgrove, Thurs 29 December

If you’ve already sampled a Little EnglishTheatre production, you’ll know just howmuch fun they are. And there’s every reasonto imagine this latest offering will followsuit. When Santa Claus crash-lands in thescorching Mexican desert, the future ofChristmas is on the line. Thank heaven,then, for the arrival of the one and onlyZorro. A masked avenger, he’s on a missionnot only to save Christmas but also to thwartthe evil El Scorchio, who plans to marry thebeautiful (take a deep breath...) MariaConchita Juanita Tortilla Bonita...

Wind In The WillowsThe OId Rep, Birmingham,until Sat 31 December

A firm festive favourite, Kenneth Grahame’smuch-loved riverside tale ably demonstratesthe way in which one life can command thefull attention of three others! Loyal Mole, faithful Ratty and steady oldBadger simply don’t have time for any oftheir own interests - they’re far too busy hav-ing to look after their reckless and irrepress-ible friend, Mr Toad... Presented by Scott Ritchie Productions andBirmingham Ormiston Academy.

The Snow QueenNew Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme,until Sat 28 January

The Snow Queen is ruler of all she surveys.When she kidnaps young Kay, it’s left to hissister, Gerda, to save him from a bleak futurein the frostbitten wastelands... The New Vic here give this Hans ChristianAndersen work a brand new treatment, pre-senting a timeless tale that brings together‘enchanting characters, original music andbreathtaking on-stage magic’. This particular take on sibling love setagainst the snow-laden landscapes of thenorth has been directed with the intention ofappealing to family members of all ages.

Rapunzel And Her WitchArena Theatre, Wolverhampton,Sun 4 & Mon 5 December

‘Beautiful’ puppets, ‘magical’ transforma-tions and an innovative use of sign languageare here combined by the highly rated KrazyKat theatre company, an ensemble wellversed in the business of visual storytelling.The 50-minute show, which is being publi-cised as ‘a tall tale of princes and pigtails,potions and pizzas’, has been created forchildren aged between three and seven. The production is suitable for both deaf andhearing audiences.

Santa’s New SleighTheatre Severn, Shrewsbury,Fri 16 - Sat 24 December

When Theatre Severn regular Brad Fitt isn’tbusy playing pantomime Dames - or, as he’sdoing this year, starring as Buttons in thevenue’s production of Cinderella - he enjoysnothing more than replacing the panto wigwith his playwright’s hat. Brad’s Santa's New Sleigh - here being pre-sented by Curve Theatre and suitable for twoto seven-year-olds - comes complete with fes-tive-show favourites including audience par-ticipation, singalong opportunities and aspecial Christmas present from Santa Claus

himself. And as an extra-special treat, audi-ence members can also have their phototaken with the white-bearded giver of gifts,so be sure to have your cameras and smartphones at the ready....

Stick ManWarwick Arts Centre, Coventry,until Sat 31 December

“Scamp Theatre send shivers down myspine,” reveals Julia Donaldson, the co-cre-ator (along with Alex Scheffler) of the hugelypopular children’s book on which this showis based. “They’re so lively and innovative. Ilove their production of Stick Man, and so dothe audiences.” Julia’s not wrong - audiences most definitelydo love the show, as a smash-hit season inthe West End ably demonstrated. Featuring a trio of talented performers, theproduction brings together puppetry, songs,live music and ‘funky moves’ to tell the storyof Stick Man’s desperate attempts to get backto the family tree. Suitable for children agedthree and older.

Santa And The PiratesThat Don’t Want ChristmasBrewhouse Arts Centre, Burton-upon-Trent,Tues 13 December

CBeebies Spot Bots stars Callum Donnellyand Robin Hatcher are the dynamic duobehind this brand new touring show.Santa’s getting ready for Christmas Eve andneeds to know who’s been naughty andwho’s been nice. Problem is, he’s lost hisnaughty list. Enter some mainbrace-splicingpirates from the Good Ship Christmas Cheer,offering him the kind of helping hand he’ddo well to accept - but then can he reallyafford to trust a pirate?...Awash with familiar songs, this lively festiveoffering also provides children with thechance to post their Dear Santa letters, not tomention pick up a post-show gift from thebig man himself.

Treasure Island The Snow Queen Stick Man

Christmas



Where’s My Igloo Gone?Arena Theatre, Tues 6 - Thurs 8 December;Artrix, Bromsgrove, Sun 18 December;

Soaring snow geese, pet husky dogs, starrynights, fishing adventures and the kind ofcold that makes the skin tingle are all fea-tured in this Bone Ensemble story about a lit-tle girl who sets off in search of help whenher igloo starts to melt...“We’re collaborating with experts in climatechange and social psychology,” explain theBirmingham-based theatre company, “so thatwe can weave scientific knowledge into acompelling narrative with dynamic interac-tive activities, engaging audiences with cli-mate change in a new and refreshing way.”

Dear SantaLichfield Garrick,Tues 13 - Sat 24 December

Presented with the intention of giving chil-dren aged two to seven both a fun introduc-tion to theatre and an early yuletide treat,Dear Santa tells the tale of FatherChristmas’s attempts to sort out the mostfantastic of festive gifts for a girl namedSarah. But it’s only with the intervention ofhis cheeky Elf that he finally manages to set-tle on the perfect prezzie for her... Youngsters get the chance to meet-and-greetSanta after the show.

What The Ladybird HeardBirmingham Town Hall, Tues 27 December -Wed 11 January

Given the success of numerous stage adapta-tions of Julia Donaldson’s hugely popularbooks, it’s a real no-brainer to mount one ofher stories as a festive offering. BirminghamTown Hall has very wisely done just that,presenting a stage version of the award-win-ning picture book by Donaldson and LydiaMonks.When Hefty Hugh and Lanky Len set out tosteal the farmer’s prize cow, they soon findthat the best-laid plans of mice and craftyrobbers can sometimes be undone by the

tiniest and quietest of creatures - namely,one very small ladybird...Fifty-five action-packed and musical minutesin length, this well-reviewed show is recom-mended for children aged three and older.

The WitchesDudley Little Theatre,Thurs 8 - Sat 10 December

Roald Dahl’s evil witches don’t look any dif-ferent from human women - at least untilyou scratch the surface. When you do, itbecomes apparent that they sport wigs toconceal their bald heads, gloves to covertheir clawed hands, and find ‘pretty shoes’ afar-from-comfortable fit for their toeless feet.What’s more, they’d love to squish andsquelch all the wretched little children theydespise. Fingers crossed, then (not clawedones, though!), that an unnamed seven-year-old boy and his Norwegian grandmother canstop the gruesome rotters in their tracks.Presented by Dudley Little Theatre.

Santa’s Polka Dot PirateBelgrade Theatre, Coventry,Thurs 8 - Sat 24 December

Imagine Theatre’s previous Father Christmasadventures - Santa’s Dizzy Day and Santa’sRusty Robot - went down an absolute snow-storm with their target audience. The Coventry-based company will be hopingthat their latest addition to the series warmsthe cockles of just as many tiny hearts.Audience participation and singalong funare much in evidence in a show that findsthe Polka Dot Pirate lost at the North Pole. Created with two to six-year-olds in mindand with a running time of approximately 35minutes, the production provides youngsterswith the opportunity to give their Christmaswish-list to the great man in person.

The Sorcerer’s ApprenticeThe Core, Solihull, Sat 17 - Sun 18 & Tues 20 -Sat 24 December

Blunderbus theatre company are past mas-ters at pitching their shows to perfectionwhen it comes to delighting and entertainingchildren aged three to seven. And theNottinghamshire-based ensemble are at itagain with this latest offering, in which a lit-tle boy with a dream to be a world-classmagician encounters a real-life sorcerer.Music, puppetry and storytelling are all pres-ent and correct in a 55-minute, interval-freeshow that comes complete with all mannerof ‘magical’ and Christmas-related surprises.

Room On The BroomThe REP, Birmingham,Thurs 22 December - Sun 8 January

Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, the cre-ators of The Gruffalo and We’re Going On ABear Hunt, are the team behind this spell-binding tale. A witch makes the mistake ofthinking she can fit a daft dog, a beautifulbird and a friendly frog - as well as her owncat - on her broomstick without it snappingin two. And when a hungry dragon appears,things really start to hot up... Presented by Tall Stories, this Olivier-nomi-nated show features ‘songs, laughs and scaryfun’ for children aged three and older.

Where’s My Igloo Gone? What The Ladybird Heard The Sorcerer’s Apprentice

more festive fun across the region...


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We've all been there; flustered, fed up andstuck at the back of a long line that seemsto be going nowhere fast. Queueing hasalmost become a quintessential part ofChristmas - but what if it didn't have tobe?

At Birmingham's Genting and BarclaycardArenas, there's an easy way to beat theChristmas crush, whether you're organis-ing a get-together or simply hunting forthe perfect gift.

Working with the NEC Group across itstwo venues, Amplify deliver a range ofunique hospitality packages, offering notonly priority booking and a private mem-bers' entrance away from the crowds, butalso a whole host of extras that will makeyou the envy of everyone else attending.

“The concept has been running at the NECfor about 30 years, starting out as theArena Club,” explains general managerSally Walder. “Then, in 2009, it was re-branded as Amplify. We cover everythingfrom rock and pop to classical, and fromcomedy to special events like Crufts andSports Personality Of The Year, with bene-fits including premium tickets, car parkpasses, food and drink and access to ourbrand new and newly refurbished hospi-tality areas before the shows.”

That's not all, though. For each event,packages are carefully tailored to suit theperformance and its audience. A show forfamilies might incorporate face-paintingand fun activities for kids, for example,while a high-end concert like Paul Simonor Sting will boast a glamorous cham-pagne reception and some of the bestseats in the house.

“You might think, from the outside, thathospitality packages would mainly appeal

to a slightly older, more affluent audi-ence,” says Sally, “but they're actually re-ally popular across everything fromDisney shows to Justin Bieber to RodStewart. It might be that you want a morecomfortable and convenient experiencewhen you've got a group of kids with you,or it might be that you want to avoid thequeues and treat yourself or a loved one.”

There are various ways to take advantageof what Amplify has to offer. If it's just asingle event that's caught your eye, there'sno need to commit long-term, with vari-ous Freestyle packages available on an as-and-when basis. Nevertheless, there areexcellent reasons for signing up for an-nual Club membership - around £500 plusVAT guarantees priority booking and greatdiscounts and extras for all shows acrossboth venues throughout the year.

Those looking for that extra level of lux-ury, meanwhile, can find it in Air member-ship, described as the ‘crème de la crème’of hospitality and particularly popularwith business clients. Due to its exclusiv-ity, however, Air is currently sold out,with a waiting list for those hoping to signup!

“When we've got huge names like Adeleor Take That,” explains Sally, “and there'sa high demand, sometimes only our Am-plify members will be able to enjoy theVIP treatment. I think the big advantage,though, is how well looked-after all ourmembers are. For us, it's all about goingthat extra mile, forming a rapport andmaking sure we do the very best for themon every single visit.”

Over the coming months, visitors shouldlook out for what's on offer for everythingfrom Black Sabbath to Andre Rieu and

from Olly Murs to Cirque du Soleil. Sally'sown top recommendation is the hotly an-ticipated Sports Personality Of The Yearawards ceremony.

“The Sports Personality is a big one we'vegot coming up at the Genting Arena with asuper bespoke package. VIPs will comeinto our newly refurbished restaurant, theLakeside Lounge, and enjoy a glass ofchampagne and a three-course gourmetmeal. We've also got former Sports Per-sonality Of The Year Steve Cram doing anexclusive Q&A before the show. Oncethey're inside, they'll be seated right atthe front overlooking all the VVIPs – peo-ple like Andy Murray and David Beckham.Then we'll be putting on some after-showentertainment as well, with a band andmore refreshments. I think the regulartickets for Sports Personality Of The Yearhave now sold out, so this is a great op-portunity for anyone who’s desperate togo and is looking for that top-tier experi-ence.”

Whoever you are and whatever yourneeds, Amplify promises to make yourvisit extra special. For full pricing andto find out more, visit amplify.co.uk

FEATURE


AMPLIFY YOUR EXPERIENCEGet the most out of gigs and shows at Birmingham’s arenas

Courtesy of Amplify, What’s On isgiving away one pair of VIP tick-ets, plus a hospitality package, toStrictly Come Dancing Live Tour atBarclaycard Arena, Birmingham,on Sunday 22 January. Visit whatsonlive.co.uk to find outmore and to enter.

Amplify single page.qxp_Layout 1 21/11/2016 10:52 Page 2


‘tis the Season

Christmas Slogan Jumper £34 Topshop

YSL Holiday Look Palette Collectors Edition£59 Exclusive to Selfridges

Lulu Guinness Hard Sided 4W Medium Case£229.99 very.co.uk

Borg Dressing Gown £45 Marks & Spencer

KitchenAid 150 Artisan 4.8L Stand Mixer£449.95 John Lewis

Roberts Revival RD-60 DAB Radio £180 House of Fraser

Q and A a Day: 5-year Journal £13.79 WH Smith

Christmas Miniatures Candle Collection £66 Jo Malone

Bayswater bag in Oxblood£950 Mulberry

Dyson Supersonic Hairdryer£299.99 Boots

Your ultimate gift guide for this Christmas,

courtesy of What’s On

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Personalised Polar Bear Bookends by Bombus£50 notonthehighstreet.com

GoPro HERO5 Action Camcorder £349 currys.co.uk Chillsner beer chiller £17 root7.com

Tile Gen 2 Bluetooth Tracker£19.99 currys.co.uk

Fitbit Alta in Black/22K Gold Plated £129.99 fitbit.com

Micro Maxi Micro Deluxe Scooter £119.99 John Lewis Furby Connect £74.99 Toys R Us

Kiehl’s Limited Edition Skincare gift set for men£29.50 Selfridges

Amazon Echo £149.99 amazon.co.ukHappy Socks Gift Box

£28 flannels.com

Personalised The Snowman And The Snowdogfrom £17.99 penwizard.com

Rolling Stones neon sculpture£59.99 iconneon.com

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Film Dec GROUP.qxp_Layout 1 21/11/2016 11:16 Page 1

Rogue One:A Star Wars Story CERT tbc

Starring Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, BenMendelsohn, Donnie Yen, Mads Mikkelsen,Alan Tudyk, Jiang Wen, Forest Whitaker, RizAhmed Directed by Gareth Edwards (USA)

No, this is not a sequel to Star Wars: TheForce Awakens, but a free-standing episodein the so-called Star Wars universe. Here,Jyn Erso, a recruit for the Rebel Alliance(Birmingham’s very own Felicity Jones), ismobilised to steal the plans of the DeathStar. But even with the aid of the intelligenceofficer Cassian Andor (Mexico's Diego Luna),the task proves to be more perilous thananybody could have imagined. The director,Gareth Edwards, is the Warwickshire-bornfilmmaker who conjured up the specialeffects for his first film - Monsters (2010) - onhis laptop, before going on to helm the$160million reboot of Godzilla (2014). Expect your multiplex to be packed.

Released Fri 16 December

Sully: Miracle OnThe Hudson CERT 12a (96 mins)

Starring Tom Hanks, Aaron Eckhart, LauraLinney, Anna Gunn, Ann CusackDirected by Clint Eastwood (USA)

The US Airways pilot Chesley 'Sully'Sullenberger (Tom Hanks) grabbed interna-tional headlines when he landed his dis-abled aircraft on the waters of the HudsonRiver, saving the lives of everybody on board.However, what happened afterwards did notpaint ‘Sully’ in such a favourable light...Adapted from the book Highest Duty bySullenberger and Jeffrey Zaslow.


Chi-Raq CERT 15 (127 mins)

Starring Nick Cannon, Wesley Snipes, TeyonahParris, Jennifer Hudson, Angela Bassett, JohnCusack, Samuel L JacksonDirected by Spike Lee (USA)

Classics’ scholars will be familiar with thetale of Aristophanes' Lysistrata, in which thewomen folk in ancient Greece withheld theirsexual favours until their men put downtheir weapons. Here, writer-director-producerSpike Lee transfers the action to theEnglewood neighbourhood of Chicago wheregang violence has become a way of life. It’sthe first film produced by Amazon Studios.


Film highlights released in December...

Eat That QuestionCERT 15 (93 mins)

Directed by Thorsten Schütte(France/Germany)

Biographical documentaries havebecome all the rage. This one is aboutthe late rock musician and songwriterFrank Zappa, who challenged both thepolitical and musical norm. Expectsome rude words.


CRITIC’S CHOICE

Film



Film


Moana CERT tbc

With the voices of Dwayne Johnson, Auli'iCravalho, Temuera Morrison, NicoleScherzinger, Rachel House, JemaineClement, Alan Tudyk Directed by RonClements and John Musker (USA)

From the directing team that brought usThe Little Mermaid and Aladdin, Moanapromises big old-fashioned values andentertainment. This story, though, is atotal original and is credited to seven dif-ferent writers. Set within a mystical com-munity in Polynesia, it features Moana

Waialiki (the voice of Cravalho), the 16-year-old daughter of a chieftain, whotakes to the high seas in order to rescueher people. Along for the ride comesnone other than Maui, a Polynesia demi-god voiced by Dwayne Johnson. The songs were co-written by the PulitzerPrize-winning composer Lin-ManuelMiranda, who previously wrote the musicand lyrics for the Tony-winning musicalIn The Heights.


Bleed For This CERT 15 (117 mins)

Starring Miles Teller, Aaron Eckhart, KateySagal, Ciarán Hinds, Ted LevineDirected by Ben Younger (USA)

Hollywood does love its pugilism. After JakeGyllenhaal gave his all in Southpaw, nowcomes Miles Teller as former champ VinnyPazienza, he who held world titles as light-weight, light middleweight and super mid-dleweight. Expect quite a lot of physical con-frontation.


The Unknown Girl CERT tbcStarring Adèle Haenel, Olivier Bonnaud,Jérémie Renier, Louka Minnella, OlivierGourmetDirected by Luc Dardenne and Jean-PierreDardenne (Belgium/France)

The Dardenne brothers continue their socio-political agenda with this drama about adoctor (Adèle Haenel) who sets about investi-gating why a patient was refused the surgerythat might have saved her life. The Dardennes previously brought us theaward-winning films L'Enfant, The Kid WithA Bike and Two Days, One Night.


Office Christmas PartyCERT 15 tbc

Starring Jason Bateman, Olivia Munn, TJMiller, Jillian Bell, Courtney B Vance, KateMcKinnon, Jennifer AnistonDirected by Josh Gordon and Will Speck (USA)

The details are irrelevant. This is a seasonalAmerican comedy in which grown men andwomen behave like animals in the spirit offarce. The title says it all..

Released Wed 7 December

Molly Moon And TheIncredible Book OfHypnotism CERT U (96 mins)Starring Dominic Monaghan, Lesley Manville,Emily Watson, Joan Collins, Raffey Cassidy,Celia Imrie, Anne-Marie DuffDirected by Christopher N. Rowley (UK)

Kids just love these long titles. This is anadaptation of Georgia Byng's 2002 novel andfeatures Molly Moon, an orphan and childhypnotist. However, once she achieves adegree of fame and fortune, a nasty strangerholds her dog captive and demands that shehelps him steal some loot. The Americanreviews were not charitable.

Released Fri 2 DecemberCRITIC’S CHOICE


Birth Of A NationCERT 15 (120 mins)

Starring Nate Parker, Armie Hammer, ColmanDomingo, Aja Naomi King, Jackie Earle Haley,Gabrielle UnionDirected by Nate Parker (USA/Canada)

It’s quite a year for revolting slaves. After theAfrican-American rebellion portrayed in GaryRoss’s exquisite and harrowing Free State OfJones we now have the true-life story of NatTurner (Nate Parker). Parker also directed,co-wrote and co-produced the drama, whichreceived the Grand Jury Prize at this year’sSundance festival. Oscar glory is expected tofollow.


The Pass CERT 15 (87 mins)

Starring Russell Tovey, Arinzé Kene, LisaMcGrillis, Nico MirallegroDirected by Ben A Williams (UK)

In the age of celebrity and the digital image,one can never be too careful. Something thatonce happened between two aspiring foot-ballers returns to haunt them years later.Expect some strong ‘adult’ themes.


Snowden CERT 15

Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, ShaileneWoodley, Melissa Leo, Zachary Quinto, TomWilkinson, Rhys Ifans, Nicolas CageDirected by Oliver Stone (USA/Germany)

Not a film about theWelsh mountain (or thephotographer) but thewhistle-blower EdwardSnowden. It was he wholeaked the NSA's illegalsurveillance techniquesand was forced to upsticks and move toMoscow. Oliver Stone does like to court con-troversy and has made a number of brilliantfilms, but he can also be a self-consciousdirector who lets his style overwhelm hissubject. However, if this film is half as goodas the stunning, Oscar-winning documentaryabout Snowden, Citizenfour (2014), it will beworth catching.


Collateral Beauty CERT tbcStarring Will Smith, Edward Norton, KeiraKnightley, Michael Peña, Naomie Harris,Kate Winslet, Helen MirrenDirected by David Frankel (USA)

Following a terrible tragedy, a New Yorkadvertising executive (Will Smith) finds thatLove, Time and Death are irrevocably linked.Expect some big questions and metaphysicalmusings. This could be a genuine turkey - ora future cult.

Released Mon 26 December

Monster TrucksCERT PG (105 mins)

Starring Lucas Till, Jane Levy, Barry Pepper,Amy Ryan, Rob Lowe, Danny GloverDirected by Chris Wedge (USA/Canada)

In an effort to escapethe claustrophobia ofhis small town, a highschool senior builds amonster truck out of theremnants of car scrap.And this is the reallyodd bit: an accident at alocal oil-drilling siteunleashes a subterranean creature with aneed and talent for speed. Well, of course. In3D.


Why Him? CERT tbc

Starring James Franco, Bryan Cranston, ZoeyDeutch, Megan Mullally, Griffin Gluck,Keegan-Michael KeyDirected by John Hamburg(USA)

What are fathers like? Asomewhat over-protectivepaterfamilias, NedFleming (Bryan Cranston)visits his daughter at uni-versity where she intro-duces him to her newboyfriend (James Franco).Ned takes an immediate dislike to the man, aprofane, socially awkward character whoalso happens to be a billionaire…


The Eagle HuntressCERT U (87 mins)

Narrated by Daisy RidleyDirected by Otto Bell (UK/Mongolia/USA)

Strange as it may seem, Mongolia hasproduced some of the most engagingand haunting of documentaries (notleast The Cave Of The Yellow Dog andThe Story Of The Weeping Camel). Thisone, co-produced by the Englishactress Daisy Ridley and the US docu-mentarian Morgan Spurlock, is thetrue story of a 13-year-old Mongoliangirl who attempts to become the firstfemale eagle hunter in her country.


Ballerina CERT U (89 mins)

Starring Elle Fanning, Dane DeHaan,Maddie Ziegler, Carly Rae JepsenDirected by Eric Summer and Éric Warin(France/Canada)

Félicie is a poor 11-year-old orphan girlfrom Brittany who finds her way toParis in 1879. There, she hopes to enrolat the Grand Opera House to become aballerina, without really knowing whatthe arduous process entails. Then shemeets Victor, an aspiring young inven-tor, who believes that it is possible torealise one’s dreams. The dancesequences employed motion capturethe better to realise the authenticity ofthe moves.


Passengers CERT 12a tbc

Starring Jennifer Lawrence, Chris Pratt,Michael Sheen, Laurence Fishburne,Andy García Directed by Morten Tyldum(USA)

Don’t you hate itwhen you’re wokenprematurely? Fortwo passengers ona spacecraft boundfor a distantcolony, a malfunc-tion in the sleepchamber wakesthem up 90 yearstoo early. Andthat’s an awful long time for two isolat-ed strangers to get to know eachother… Jennifer Lawrence was paid$20million for her part (against 30 per-cent of the profit). The director previ-ously brought us The Imitation Game.In 3D.

Released Wed 21 December

Film releases in December




MidpointnessAirSpace Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent,until Sat 17 December

“Midpointness seeks to explore the dynamicsof inner/outer dialogues between the workand the viewer,” explain the exhibition’scurators, Andrew Bracey and Steve Dutton.“It opens up other potentials that an artistmight hope for when he/she explores thegenerative potential of the work of art.”This evolving project, investigating thenature of the artist, the exhibition, the audi-ence and the work of art, brings togetherpieces by 27 UK and international artists. As part of the evolution process, the show’scuratorial control will at times be handedover to the gallery’s staff and exhibition visi-tors.

The Riches Beneath UsBilston Craft Gallery, Wolverhampton,until Sat 31 December

This new exhibition features a range of geo-logical objects drawn from a vast collectionthat was bequeathed to the city ofWolverhampton by Scottish geologist DoctorJohn Fraser in 1911.The objects on show all have a local connec-tion. Highlights include an internationallyrenowned spider fossil - discovered nearCoseley - and a fossilised leaf which fell froma prehistoric tree. Both objects are over 300million years old.The show also features the tooth of aPlesiosaur, a vicious predator from theJurassic age.

The Pastoral AndThe SublimeThe Barber Institute, Birmingham,until Sun 8 January

Watercolours, drawings and prints byGainsborough, Turner and Constable all fea-ture in this remarkable exhibition, whichalso features three impressive watercoloursby Birmingham-born artist David Cox, one ofis pictured above.Focusing on the work of British artistsbetween the late 18th and 19th centuries, theshow presents contrasting images of the nat-ural world, displaying vast, desolate, dra-matic and sometimes terrifying landscapesalongside charming and familiar pastoralscenes.

Visual Arts

Roger HiornsIkon Gallery, Birmingham,Wed 7 December - Sun 5 March

“You always have to think about materialsand objects in terms of being malleable,”explains Birmingham-born artist RogerHiorns. “You have to cut them off from whattheir established use is, to directly interferewith their world-ness. It becomes a processof human empowerment to re-use and re-propose the power of objects simply leftlying in the street.”Roger transforms materials and readymadesin order to focus on various aspects of mod-ern life, often through current affairs. His work to date has involved growing vastamounts of copper sulphate crystals onobjects ranging from car engines to domesticinteriors. He’s also created paintings madefrom brain matter, injected jet engines withanti-depressant drugs to affect a roboticnervous system, and produced a video workin which choristers of Birmingham’s StPhilip’s Cathedral sing Evensong while lyingon their backs on the floor of the nave. “I believe that the artist’s role is to movethings on,” explains Roger, “to hold up atruthful mirror in order that progress mightcontinue. Frankly I’m suspicious of many ofmy contemporaries who make work that sim-ply reflects the desires of collectors.”

Visual Arts December.qxp_Layout 1 21/11/2016 10:57 Page 1

For more visual arts listings, visit whatsonlive.co.uk 43

Night In The MuseumBirmingham Museum & Art Gallery,until Sun 12 February

An exhibition presented to cele-brate the Arts Council Collection’s70th anniversary, Night In TheMuseum features a selection ofworks curated by leading Britishartist Ryan Gander. All of the included pieces, drawnfrom the Council’s world-classnational collection of modern andcontemporary British art, challengevisitors to rethink the role of thecurator, the art object and the spec-tator.The exhibition features the work ofover 30 artists, including Ganderhimself. Birmingham Museum & Art Galleryis one of four ‘national partners’hosting exhibitions drawn from theArts Council Collection over thecoming three years.

Life EchoBirmingham Open Media, until Sat 28 January

“Life Echo explores the links between sound, memoryand wellbeing,” explains sound artist Justin Wiggan. “Itstarted when I discovered that my wife had triple negativebreast cancer, which obviously had a massive impact onour lives. I became aware of how much I was relying onrecalling good memories to get me through this traumaticperiod, and I started analysing those memories. As asound artist, I was curious about the connection betweensound and memory, and wanted to investigate that fur-ther.”It wasn't long before Wiggan realised that his researchmight be able to impact positively on other people's livesas well. He therefore embarked on a residency at the JohnTaylor Hospice, interviewing patients and selecting fivestrong memories from each. From these, he created one-minute sound experiences,which were then given to thepatients to access wheneverthey were feeling low.“We found that this not onlyhad a massively positive effecton them,” explains Wiggan,“but also that it helped theirfamilies, both in terms of leav-ing a legacy and bridging agap at a time when conversa-tion is hard. When you seesomeone at a hospice, day in,day out, you often end up nottalking about what's impor-tant and just discussing mun-dane things like medication,so this became a way for peo-ple to share emotions.”

Made In The MiddleHerbert Art Gallery, Coventry,Fri 2 December - Sun 5 February

This touring exhibition featureswork by some of the best con-temporary craftmakers in theMidlands, bringing togetherceramics, jewellery, metalworkand textiles created by both newand established artists. Selected by an expert panelthrough open entry, the items onshow reflect the latest develop-ments and trends in craft. The exhibition is the eighth inthe Made In The Middle seriesand provides visitors with anideal opportunity to purchaselocally produced work asChristmas gifts for family andfriends.

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Events December.qxp_Layout 1 21/11/2016 16:21 Page 1

Marvel Universe LiveBarclaycard Arena, Birmingham, Thurs 22 - Fri 30 December

Having flown, leapt, jumped and powered their way off the comicbook pages and onto cinema screens across the globe, Marvel’s leg-endary superheroes are now coming in to land at the BarclaycardArena. The Stan Lee-created universe, including star names like Spiderman,Iron Man, the Hulk, Thor, Captain America and Wolverine, has beendelighting generations of fans since the early 1960s. But it’s been theadvent of high-quality computer-generated imagery that’s been the

real game-changer for these web-slinging, cape-wearing, hammer-wielding world-savers. Movie-makers can now create stunning visu-als and special effects that regularly leave cinema-goers wide-eyedand gobsmacked. Little wonder, then, that Marvel is looking to further develop its prod-uct by ‘going live’. Cutting-edge special effects, pyrotechnics, aerialstunts, martial arts and motorcycles all feature in a brand new tour-ing show that sees the aforementioned superheroes going into battleagainst some of Marvel’s most sinister supervillains. Sounds as though a breathtaking couple of hours could well be onthe cards...

Events

Antiques For EveryoneWinter FairNEC, Birmingham,Thurs 1 - Sun 4 December

The Birmingham Assay Office, where hall-marks are applied, is making a significantcontribution to this month’s show.A number of items from a beautiful range ofsilver - inspired by the arts & crafts move-ment and manufactured in Birmingham inthe late 19th and early 20th century - will beon show at the fair in a special feature exhi-bition. The items form part of the AssayOffice’s private collection. The fair features displays of antique anddecorative furniture, treen, ceramics,kitchenalia, silver, glass, jewellery andworks of art, arms and armour, maps, dolls,bears and an array of vintage and decorativecollectables. With more than 250 dealersshowcasing their wares - and with itemsranging in price from as little as £10 right upto £100,000 for the more serious collectors -this ever-popular event offers the perfectopportunity to pick up some unusual gifts.

Blists HillVictorian ChristmasBlists Hill Victorian Town, Ironbridge,Sat 3 - Sun 4 and Sat 10 - Sun 11December

Plenty of Victorian festive cheer is onoffer at Shropshire’s Blists Hill muse-um this month, as residents busythemselves with preparations forChristmas. Visitors to the award-winning site canenjoy seasonal music from bands andchoirs, ride on a horse-drawn cart,experience some festive-style enter-tainment - including a mini-pan-tomime and a singalong with carolsingers - and partake in a spot ofChristmas shopping in the town’snumerous retail outlets. And just in case all that’s not enoughto ensure your youngsters are happilyentertained, Father Christmas himself -along with his reindeer - will be onhand to hear some last-minute giftrequests.



The countdown to Christmas is now in fullswing, with Ice Skate Birmingham, locatedin the city’s iconic Centenary Square, nowofficially open for business. And there are plenty of reasons to visit theice rink, the Ice Lounge bar and the bigwheel during the festive season. Situated next to the Frankfurt ChristmasMarket & Craft Fair, Ice Skate Birminghamwas opened by the city’s Lord Mayor -Councillor Carl Rice - and Father Christmashimself.

The ice rink

A great way to get into the festive spirit, theattraction is suitable for participants of allages and abilities, from ice-skating novicesto professional-standard skaters. Skating aids in the shape of penguins can bepurchased for beginners from the box officefor £3. Marshals are on the ice at all times to ensurethat the rink is always a safe place to skate,so there’s no need to worry about fallingover - after all, it's all part and parcel of thefun and adds to the overall experience.

The Ice Lounge bar

What better way to relax after a 45-minuteice-skating session than with a hot choco-late & marshmallows, a glass of mulled wineor cider. The Ice Lounge, located right next to the icerink and open both to skaters and non-skaters, serves coffee, tea, wine, beer, pros-ecco and a selection of spirits. It's the per-fect place to unwind and watch others tak-ing a spin on the ice. You can also spectate from the viewing plat-form outside the bar. With 600 square meters of iced surfaces, IceSkate Birmingham can accommodate up to300 people at any one time and is thereforeideal for large groups. Parties of more than10 people who are looking to book forChristmas office outings, birthday celebra-tions and social get-togethers can make useof the discounted prices on offer for the icerink and the big wheel.

The big wheel

And speaking of the big wheel... why nottake a ride right up to the top and enjoybeautiful views of Birmingham’s skyline andCentenary Square’s ‘winter wonderland’. The sights are pretty spectacular, whetheryou’re taking a ride in the daytime or atnight.And make a special note in your diary forNew Year’s Eve, when the big wheel, ice rinkand Ice Lounge bar will all be open until1am, allowing you to skate your way into2017.

Ice Skate Birmingham is open seven daysa week from 10am to 10pm (closedChristmas Day) and can be enjoyed until8 January.Prices for the ice rink range from £7 to£9.50. Tickets for the big wheel cost £5each


FEATURE

It’s been a long time since Birmingham experienced a white Christmas, but there is at least one place inthe city where people can enjoy the delights of a winter wonderland. As in previous years, Ice SkateBirmingham is offering fun-seeking Midlanders the chance to pretend they’re Torvill or Dean by taking ayuletide spin across the ‘icy wastes’ of Centenary Square. The big observation wheel is back too, foranybody who fancies a bird’s-eye view of the second city this festive season. Lauren Cox gets her skates on to find out more...

ICE SKATE BIRMINGHAM


more events from around the region


Christmas In The HomeBlack Country Living Museum, DudleySat 26 - Sun 27 NovemberSat 3 - Sun 4, Sat 10 - Sun 11 and Sat 17 - Sat 24 December

The sights, sounds and smells of Christmasespast are very much in evidence at the BlackCountry Living Museum this month. Visitors can step inside period cottages andhouses to help costumed characters create ‘ahost of fabulous festive recipes from MrsBeeton’s Book of Household Management’. Helping to stir the sixpence into the Christmaspudding, assisting with some ‘make do andmend’ decorations and crafting a spicedorange pomander are among the other attrac-tions ensuring a hands-on experience for fami-lies to enjoy.

Telford EuropeanChristmas MarketSouthwater, Telford, Thurs 1 - Fri 23 December

Running daily throughout December until the23rd, Telford’s European market features 32traditional chalets, 70 percent of which will beEuropean, 30 percent local. A funfair for younger visitors and performanc-es from local choirs and acoustic bands alsoplay their part in creating a suitably festive

atmosphere. “The market will not only be showcasing food,drink and products from authentic Europeanstallholders,” says Shaun Davies, Leader ofTelford & Wrekin Council, “it will also give anumber of local businesses the opportunity tohave a stall of their own at an event which islikely to attract thousands of visitors.”

Shrewsbury Winter FestivalThe Quarry Park, ShrewsburySat 10 - Sun 11 December

Shopping avenues filled with more than 170artisan producers, craftspeople and designersensure the Shrewsbury Winter Festival offersplenty of opportunity for visitors to get theirChristmas shopping done. And there’s lots toenjoy at the event besides retail therapy,including family activities across the weekendand a programme of live music events. There’seven the chance to ‘get vocal’ yourself, by tak-ing part in a big festive singalong. There are numerous activities to enjoy outsidethe festival gates too, not least among whichare the Hobsons Ale and Festive Food trails. The event is this year fundraising on behalf ofthe Shrewsbury Ark, a charity for homelessand vulnerable people.

Clothes Show LiveNEC, Birmingham,Fri 2 - Tues 6 December

A hot ticket for fashionistaseverywhere, Clothes Show Liveregularly attracts a plethora ofwell-known celebrities from theworlds of music and TV - andthis year is no exception. With appearances by TOWIE’sJoey Essex and Made InChelsea’s Binky and Jamie con-firmed, 2016 promises to be abumper show. In addition to showcasing waresfrom hundreds of leading fash-ion and beauty brands, the five-day event also features non-stopcatwalk shows and live perform-ances by, among others, risingBritish music stars Charlotte OCand Daecolm. Other attractions include a Q&Asession with fashion bloggerSarah Ashcroft - otherwiseknown as ‘that Pommie girl’ -and TV favourite Mark Heyes’sCurves With Confidence work-shop. Plenty to enjoy at this year’sshow, then, which is sadly thelast one to be held inBirmingham. From 2017, theevent will be taking place inLiverpool, as part of BritishStyle Collective.

Santa’s WinterWonderlandSnowDome, Tamworth, until Sat 31 December

Suitable for all age groups, Santa’s WinterWonderland provides plenty of festive fun forvisitors to Tamworth’s snowy indoor attrac-tion. A safe environment ensures youngsters areable to play and slide in real snow as theyexplore Santa’s Christmas snow trail, take awalk through the enchanted forest, enjoy agame of snowballs and hitch a ride on asledge. There’s also an all-new Santa Show to enjoy,with the Big Man in Red making final prepara-tions for another ‘Christmas extravaganza’.The less adventurous, meanwhile, can observethe snow-related action as they amble alongthe promenade walkway. There’s even an ani-mal village, where you can visit Santa’s rein-deer and meet some of his furry friends.




Drayton’s MagicalChristmasDrayton Manor Theme Park, Tamworth,until Sat 31 December

Real reindeer, an indoor ice rink,Christmas arts and crafts, live shows, car-ols, presents, light shows, Santa Claus anda ‘magnificent’ fireworks display - oh, andsnowfall over the Island of Sodor! - areamong the attractions giving DraytonManor Park & Zoo a decidedly festive feelthis month. Families can also catch a ride on ThomasThe Tank Engine, dance along with TheFat Controller and all his Fungineer friendsand sample the thrills and spills of a 15-minute Polar Express In 4D experience.

Tudor ChristmasBlakesley Hall, BirminghamSat 10 December

Historical reenactors, handbell ringers,costumed musicians and a talented choirare all present and correct at this specialone-day event. Visitors to the 17th centuryhouse can find out what domestic lifewould’ve been like for a well-to-do family,their friends, servants and visiting trades-men during the Christmas season. Home-

made mulled wine and festive food areavailable for anybody who enjoys them-selves best on a full stomach.

Victorian ChristmasWeekendsCompton Verney, Warwickshire,Sat 3 - Sun 4 and Sat 10 - Sun 11 December

If you’re going to host a Victorian-styleChristmas, who better to have along for theride than Queen Victoria herself? Her Majesty is part and festive parcel ofCompton Verney’s 2016 yuletide celebra-tions, explaining to visitors how theVictorian era changed the way in whichthe country celebrates Christmas. As well as this fascinating brush withbygone royalty, the event also features afestive food fair, craft demonstrations andworkshops, the chance to learn how todesign and make Christmas cards and anopportunity to say a yuletide hello toFather Christmas and his reindeer. Compton Verney’s ‘season to be jolly’ endswith hymns and songs in the chapel, fol-lowed by traditional Christmas tunesunderneath the portico. A sure-to-be-impressive fireworks displaybrings proceedings to an end with a suit-ably big bang or several.



Santa SafariHawkstone Park,Shrewsbury,Fri 2 - Fri 23 December

The North Pole’s mostfamous resident comesto North Shropshirethis month, withHawkstone ParkFollies once again transformed into a SantaSafari experience. A trip through the site’s‘illuminated woodland’ leads the way to ahillside grotto, where a Wishing Arch marksthe entrance to a network of fairy-lit cavernsand tunnels. It’s here that Santa will residein the run-up to Christmas (along with hiselves and reindeer, of course), spreadingplenty of festive cheer and handing out aspecial gift to every visiting child.

Christmas At The ValleySandwell Park Farm, Sat 3 - Sat 24 December

Given that it’s one of the Midlands’ mostpopular visitor destinations, it’s perhaps alittle surprising that this is Sandwell ParkFarm’s very first Christmas At The Valley. If the inaugural festival’s line-up is anythingto go by, though, it’s unlikely to be thevenue’s last such event, with organisersensuring there’s plenty to make the experi-ence one that will see families returning yearafter year. Attractions include Santa Claus inhis grotto with a sackful of goodies to handout to young visitors, kids’ activities galore, aChristmas treasure hunt, the chance to sam-ple seasonal food and drink, and extraevents scheduled at the weekends. And good ol’ St Nick’s even brought along hisreindeer too, to delight children who’re keento make some fabulous four-legged friendsthis festive season.

Carols in the CavernsDudley Canal &Tunnel Trust, Dudley,Sun 4, Sun 11 andSun 18 December

As Christmas expe-riences go, thisone’s pretty unique,featuring a boat triparound the DudleyCanal Trust’s caverns and limestone mines.Along the way, an onboard choir sing a hostof festive favourites, including; Ding Dong,Merrily On High; God Rest Ye Merry,Gentlemen; Coventry Carol; and Silent Night.The trip through the tunnel network takes inlocations such as Cathedral Arch and thefamous Singing Cavern.

Magic Lantern FestivalBirmingham Botanical Gardens,Fri 25 November - Mon 2 January

Celebrating over 2,000 years of lantern fes-tivals, this ‘illuminating’ event sees visitorsaccessing the venue through a giantlantern entrance before following alantern-lit trail around the gardens. Aside from enjoying the collection of beau-

tifully constructed lanterns and the natu-ral scenery, visitors to the festival can alsocatch up with Santa and his reindeer. Other attractions include a 12-metre-widelantern scene - featuring penguins, snow-men, Christmas trees and baubles - and aspecial fairy-themed area, complete with afloating fairy, beautiful butterflies andthousands of bright and tiny lights.





Santa’s Workshop Coventry Transport Museum,Mon 19 - Wed 21 December

As well as the chance to check out numerouswork & leisure vehicles and stop off in the glit-tering Jaguar room, a yuletide visit to theCoventry Transport Museum also provides visi-tors with plenty of opportunity to get them-selves in the festive spirit. While Santa looks after his sleigh ride, childrencan ‘get crafty’ in a mini Christmas workshopby making large paper stars, winter wands andjingle sticks. There’s also a free Family Trail toenjoy, which sees participants following Santathrough the museum’s exhibitions, decoratingthe venue’s Makaton Christmas tree as they go.Children of any age are welcome, but activitiesare particularly suitable for youngsters agedfour-plus.

Webb’s Ice SkatingWebbs OfWychbold GardenCentre, untilMon 2 January

Visitors to WebbsOf WychboldGarden Centre canget their skates onand have some funon the ice thisChristmas.The popularWorcestershirevenue is once again hosting a festive-seasonice-skating rink - and is letting it be known thatthis year’s version is bigger and better than everbefore.Open seven days a week (excluding ChristmasDay and Boxing Day), the rink comes completewith a lit-up roof, allowing families to skatewhatever the weather.The popular attraction also provides skates thatstrap over normal shoes, to ensure that youngerchildren and toddlers can have lots of fun onthe ice too. Sit-on and push-along aids are alsoavailable.

The Bear: StoryReadingsmac, Birmingham, Mon 12,Sat 17 and Sat 24 December

Now here’s a novel and entirelyadmirable approach to introduc-ing young children to theatre.Cognisant of the fact that tinytots and toddlers might find agreat big polar bear just a littlebit disconcerting, those cleverpeople at mac birmingham havetaken steps to stop the young-sters’ nerves from jangling whilethey’re watching the venue’sChristmas adaptation ofRaymond Briggs’s The Bear.Prior to three performances ofthe show, a member of the castwill read the story aloud, so thatchildren know what to expectwhen they settle down to enjoythe production. And who knows - if they’re reallylucky, they might even catch asneaky glimpse of the big,friendly bear himself...

Yuletide AtAvoncroftAvoncroft Museum, BromsgroveTuesdays & Wednesdays between6 & 21 December

Avoncroft’s historic buildingsare being transformed for thefestive season by the addition ofperiod decorations. Yuletide visitors can help re-enactors prepare for Christmas,try seasonal craft activities andenjoy festive music in theMission Church. Meanwhile, on Fridays andSaturdays between the 9th andthe 23rd, younger visitors canjoin the Avoncroft Elves andhelp Santa prepare for the bigday. And speaking of Santa, he’ll betaking up residence in his Grottoand giving a gift to every childwho pays him a visit.

Moscow State CircusStar City, Birmingham,Tues 20 December - Sun 8 January

The Moscow State Circus is very possibly thebest-known circus in the world, based on over200 years of tradition. When animals became an unpopular aspect ofcircuses, this flexible family favourite adaptedto survive by moving the emphasis to astonish-ing displays of human skill and endurance -

many of which are evident in its current produc-tion, Zhelaniy.Based on a popular Russian folklore story, theshow transports its audience to ‘a wondrousand mysterious enchanted garden’, where wish-es are granted to the beautiful Zhenya, whofinds herself surrounded by ‘a multitude of fly-ing, back-flipping, juggling, wire-walking androller-skating performers’.




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Your week to week listings guide

December 2016thelist

Music I Comedy I Theatre I Dance I Film I Events I Visual Arts I and more!

Eliza A

nd The Bear at O

2 Academ

y - Sunday 4 D

ecember

What’s OnThurs 1 to Sun 11 December Mon 12 to Sun 18 December Mon 19 to Sun 25 December Mon 26 to Sat 31 December

The Clothes Show Liveat the NEC, Birmingham

Fri 2 - Tues 6 December

Ne-Yo at O2 Academy,Birmingham

Thurs 15 December

James Arthur atO2 Institute, Birmingham

Wed 21 December

The Sound Of Musicalsat Symphony Hall, Birmingham

Thurs 29 December

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Visual ArtsBirmingham Museum &Art GalleryHONOURING VC INDIAN SOLDIERS INWORLD WAR ONE Exhibition telling thestories of South Asian soldiers of theBritish Indian Army who were award-ed the Victoria Cross during the FirstWorld War, until Sat 28 Jan

BIRMINGHAM PEOPLE AND CHANGE INTHE INNER-CITY Birmingham Peopleexplores the ways in which ordinaryBrummie folk have been representedin art during the 20th and 21st cen-turies. Change In The Inner-Cityfocuses on the four inner-city wardsof Ladywood - Nechells, Soho, Astonand Ladywood, until Fri 31 Mar 2017

FAITH IN BIRMINGHAM, Exploring howdifferent faiths have influenced andshaped the city, until Sun 3 Feb 2019

NIGHT IN THE MUSEUM: RYAN GANDERCURATES THE ARTS COUNCILCOLLECTION Leading British artistRyan Gander’s selection of artworksfrom the Arts Council Collection, Sat26 Nov - Sun 12 FebCONNECTED HISTORIES: MUSLIMS INTHE FIRST WORLD WAR A new exhibi-tion which explores the untold storiesof more than 400,000 Muslim sol-diers in the First World War, until Sun5 Mar

Centrala Gallery, DigbethALEKSANDRA NATALIA KOPER Newworks by emerging Polish Artist, untilSat 7 Jan

Eastside ProjectsNEW WINTER ART FAIR Showcasing adiverse range of artistic practices.The perfect place to snap up uniqueChristmas gifts and affordable worksof art, Fri 2 - Sat 3 Dec

Ikon GalleryNEW ROGER HIORNS Birmingham-bornartist Roger Hiorns focuses on vari-ous aspects of modern life - oftenthrough current affairs - closelyanalysing behaviour and materials,and what is assumed or taken forgranted, Wed 7 Dec - Sun 5 Mar

NEW ROBERT GROVES - FIRST LIGHT Aselection of pastel drawings byRobert Groves, a founder artist ofIkon, inspired by the gardens ofPackwood House, Warwickshire,Wed 7 Dec - Sun 5 Mar

RBSA GalleryNEW START Works including jewellery,ceramics and textiles, as well asdrawing, painting and printmaking.An opportunity to purchase originalartwork for £300 or less, Fri 30 Dec -Sat 11 Feb

The Barber InstituteBURIED TREASURES Exhibition explor-

ing coin hoards, telling the stories oftheir deposition and discovery, untilSun 26 Feb 2017

BELLOWS AND THE BODY Featuring anew acquisition - Nude, MissBentham (1906) - an early master-piece by one of the most significantAmerican painters of the early 20thcentury, George Bellows (1882-1925), until Sun 22 JanUNCOVERING THE BODYComplementing major exhibitionBellows And The Body, until Sun 29Jan

mac, BirminghamMADE AT MAC: THE ART OF COMPUTERGAMES AND ANIMATION Showcasingthe work of participants from the ani-mation courses for children andyoung people, until Sun 8 Jan

Museum of The JewelleryQuarterCOLLECTING BIRMINGHAM: STORIESTHAT SHOULD BE SHARED The first in aseries of four exhibitions showcasingobjects collected from local people,telling their stories of life inBirmingham, until Sat 31 Dec

OtherTIM PEAKE'S PHOTOS FROM SPACECelebrating Tim Peake's mission tothe International Space Station, theimages in this exhibition showremarkable landscapes on Earthtaken from space, and life on boardthe space station, until Sat 31 Dec,Thinktank at Millennium Point,Birmingham

FIFTEEN EXHIBITION The artists haveworked closely with Millennium Pointto create a sculpture that will epito-mise the history and changes of thebuilding over the last 15 years, untilTue 3 Jan, Millennium Point &Eastside ParkINSPIRING KNOWLEDGE Exhibition thatcelebrates the opening of the univer-sity's new library by showcasinggroundbreaking works from the past500 years, until Fri 30 June, TheUniversity of BirminghamNEW MECHANICAL THINGS:ADVENTURES AND INVENTIONS FROMTHE WORLD OF ROWLAND EMETTShowcasing some of RowlandEmett's most significant works,including the original Chitty ChittyBang Bang car, Thurs 1 Dec - Sun 5Mar, Thinktank at Millennium Point,Birmingham

NEW INSTAGRAMERS OF BIRMINGHAMEXHIBITION IGersBirmingham wasestablished in 2012 with the aim ofdeveloping an Instagram photogra-phy community in the city to pro-mote photography in and ofBirmingham. This is the first exhibi-tion which will feature a collection ofimages from instameets (regular get-togethers) and a Photo Of The Daypost featuring the city, Sat 3 Dec,Nest, Digbeth


thelist Thursday 1 - Sunday 4 December

GigsANDY MORTON’S JAZZBALLARDS Thurs 1 Dec,Kitchen Garden Cafe,Birmingham

MAD DOG MCREA Thurs1 Dec, The Robin,Bilston

DR JOHN COOPERCLARKE & HUGHCORNWELL Thurs 1Dec, O2 Institute,Birmingham

DR HOOK STARRINGDENNIS LOCORRIEREThurs 1 Dec, Civic Hall,Wolverhampton

KATIE MELUA Thurs 1Dec, Symphony Hall,Birmingham

EMILY PORTMAN ANDTHE CORACLE BANDThurs 1 Dec, mac,Birmingham

MC LARS + MEGA RAN +KOO KOO KANGA ROOThurs 1 Dec, TheRainbow Venues,Birmingham

BEACH HEAD Thurs 1Dec, The SunflowerLounge, Birmingham

FRIGHTENED RABBITThurs 1 Dec, O2Institute, Birmingham

THE SCRATCH BANDThurs 1 Dec, TheRoadhouse, B’ham

THE SUBTERRANEANSFri 2 - Sat 3 Dec,The Jam House,Birmingham

DURAN (DURAN DURAN)Fri 2 Dec, Route 44,Birmingham

THE ELECTRIC SWINGCIRCUS Fri 2 Dec, Hare & Hounds,Birmingham

JAWS Fri 2 Dec, TheRainbow Venues,Birmingham

PANIC ROOM Fri 2 Dec,The Robin, Bilston

ROD STEWART Fri 2 - Sat

3 Dec, BarclaycardArena, Birmingham

JESSARAE Fri 2 Dec,O2 Institute, B’ham

DUA LIPA Fri 2 Dec, O2 Academy, B’ham

PILGRIMAGE FEATROTUNDA OF WONDER,SKA'D FOR LIFE & YOUNGPILGRIMS Fri 2 Dec,Hare & Hounds,Birmingham

WHISKEY MYERS Fri 2Dec, O2 Institute,Birmingham

SONIA ‘INDIGO’ CLARKE& LYNETTE WALTERSFri 2 Dec, Blue PianoRestaurant And Bar,Birmingham

SIMON SPILLETT Fri 2Dec, Symphony Hall,Birmingham

FRONTEERS Fri 2 Dec,The Sunflower Lounge,Birmingham

SETH LAKEMAN Fri 2Dec, Birmingham TownHall

THE BEAT Sat 3 Dec,The Slade Rooms,Wolverhampton

LISSIE Sat 3 Dec, O2Institute, Birmingham

DARKSIDE - THE PINKFLOYD SHOW Sat 3 Dec,Wulfrun Hall,Wolverhampton

THE BORN AGAINBEATLES Sat 3 Dec, The Roadhouse, B’ham

THE SMYTHS Sat 3 Dec,O2 Academy, B’ham

THE SHIRES Sat 3 Dec,O2 Institute, B’ham

DUBCHERRY Sat 3 Dec,The Night Owl, B’ham

SACK SABBATH Sat 3Dec, Route 44, B’ham

FROM THE JAM Sat 3Dec, The Robin, Bilston

BUFFALO SUMMER Sat 3Dec, The Asylum,Birmingham

GARY BLAND Sat 3 Dec,Blue Piano RestaurantAnd Bar, Birmingham

CELTIC CHRISTMASSTRINGS Sat 3 Dec,Lichfield Guildhall

JIM BOB Sat 3 Dec, The Rainbow Venues,Birmingham

BICEP, JOY ORBISON,GILLES PETERSON,HUNEE & O’FLYNN Sat 3Dec, The RainbowVenues, Birmingham

ART LATES: BUBBLES &BLUES Sat 3 Dec,Birmingham MuseumAnd Art Gallery

THE MIGHTY YOUNG Sat3 Dec, The SunflowerLounge, Birmingham

STEVE GIBBONS Sun 4Dec, Kitchen GardenCafe, Birmingham

ONE NIGHT OF QUEENSun 4 Dec, NewAlexandra Theatre,Birmingham

THE FABULOUS BORDEL-LOS Sun 4 Dec, TheRobin, Bilston

THE MOONS Sun 4 Dec,Hare & Hounds,Birmingham

ELIZA AND THE BEARSun 4 Dec, O2Academy, Birmingham

KATE TEMPEST Sun 4Dec, O2 Institute,Birmingham

GERRY COLVIN Sun 4Dec, Hare & Hounds,Birmingham

SCOTT MATTHEWS Sun 4Dec, Glee Club,Birmingham

SKABUCKS Sun 4 Dec,The Actress & Bishop,Birmingham

SUNDAY CLASSICS Sun4 Dec, The SpottedDog, Birmingham

PRIMAL SCREAMSun 4 Dec, O2Institute, Birmingham

THE SAW DOCTORS Sun4 Dec, Wulfrun Hall,Wolverhampton

SWAMPY'S XMASSACRESun 4 Dec, TheRoadhouse, B’ham

THROUGHOUT DECEMBER

Eliza And The Bear - O2 Academy, Birmingham

The List 1 - 5 Dec - BIRMINGHAM ONLY VERSION MM.qxp_Layout 1 21/11/2016 10:41 Page 1

Classical MusicALISON BALSOM WITH THE ZURICHCHAMBER ORCHESTRA Programmeincludes works by Mozart, Hummel &Shostakovich, Thurs 1 Dec,Birmingham Town Hall

HANDEL’S MESSIAH Featuring the Cityof Birmingham Choir, Alison Roddy(soprano), Fri 2 Dec, Symphony Hall

MI LUNA Spanish early music with amodern twist, Fri 2 Dec, Artrix,Bromsgrove

FLORENTINE ARTS ENSEMBLE: DAHL'SNORWEGIAN LANDSCAPE Programmeincludes works by Grieg, Fri 2 Dec,The Barber Institute, Birmingham

BRASS CLASSICS AT ADVENTProgramme includes works byMahler, Saint-Saens, Berlioz arr.Brand & Dvorak arr. Tarling, Fri 2Dec, St Paul’s Church, Birmingham

BIRMINGHAM UNIVERSITY SINGERS ANDUNIVERSITY WOMEN'S CHOIRFeaturing Simon Carrington (choirdirector). Programme includes worksby Guerrero, Lully, Berlioz, Poulenc,Dove, Byrd, Legrenzi & Raminish,Fri 2 Dec, The Bramall, University OfBirmingham

UNIVERSITY CHORUS Programmeincludes Vaughan Williams' InWindsor Forest & George Shearing'sSongs & Sonnets from Shakespeare,Sat 3 Dec, The Bramall, University OfBirmingham

EX CATHEDRA: CHRISTMAS MUSIC BYCANDLELIGHT Sat 3 Dec, St Peter'sCollegiate Church, Wolverhampton

DI XIAO PIANO RECITAL Sat 3 Dec, HolyTrinity Church, Sutton Coldfield

THE BRITISH POLICE SYMPHONYORCHESTRA - PROMS NIGHTSPECTACULAR Programme includesworks by Puccini, Wagner, Walton,John Williams & Beethoven, Sat 3Dec, Symphony Hall, Birmingham

PHILHARMONIA ORCHESTRAProgramme includes works byDvorak & Shostakovich, Sun 4 Dec,The Bramall, University OfBirmingham

EX CATHEDRA: A BRAZILIAN CHRISTMASFeaturing the Ex Cathedra Consort &Baroque Orchestra. Jeffrey Skidmoreconducts, Sun 4 Dec, BirminghamTown Hall

MONDAY SHOWCASE Featuring Yue Yu(viola), Gyorgy Hodoszo (piano),Michael Lam (baritone) & JonathanFrench (piano). Programme includesworks by Vieuxtemps, Liszt, Mozart,Schubert & Brahms, Mon 5 Dec,Recital Hall, BirminghamConservatoire

Comedy GigsKUM-N-AVALOFF COMEDY NIGHT Thurs1 Dec, Stourbridge Town Hall

STAND UP COMEDY SHOWCASE Thurs 1Dec, mac, Birmingham

MANILLA ROAD COMEDY Thurs 1 Dec,The Victoria, Birmingham

MITCH BENN, CARL DONNELLY, ANGIEBELCHER & GEORGE ZACH Thurs 1 Dec,The George Hotel, Lichfield

ANDREW O'NEILL Thurs 1 Dec, TheSlade Rooms, Wolverhampton

ED GAMBLE, JIMMY MCGHIE, JOHNFOTHERGILL & ANDY ROBINSON Thurs 1Dec, The Glee Club, Birmingham

GEOFF BOYZ, EDDIE BRIMSON, MATTWELCOME & DANNY MCLOUGHLINThurs 1 - Sat 3 Dec, The ComedyLoft, Birmingham

JOHN SIMMIT, RUDI LICKWOOD,ANNETTE FAGON & ROGER D Fri 2 Dec,mac, Birmingham

ANDREW BIRD, ED GAMBLE, JIMMYMCGHIE & JOHN FOTHERGILL Fri 2 - Sat3 Dec, The Glee Club, Birmingham

STEPHEN K AMOS Sat 3 Dec, Old RepTheatre, Birmingham

THE LAUGHING SOLE COMEDY FOR KIDSSun 4 Dec, mac, Birmingham

TheatreRELATIVELY SPEAKING The CrescentTheatre Company present an ama-teur production of Alan Ayckbourn’scomedy of mistaken identity, untilSat 3 Dec, Crescent Theatre, B’ham

GEORGE'S MARVELLOUS MEDICINE TheBirmingham Stage Company pres-ents its acclaimed version of RoaldDahl's much-loved story, until Sat 3Dec, New Alexandra Theatre, B’ham

THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS An irrever-ent and playful take on KennethGrahame's classic children's story,until Sat 31 Dec, The Old RepTheatre, Birmingham

TREASURE ISLAND Bryony Lavery’smodern adaptation of Robert LouisStevenson’s swashbuckling classic,until Sat 7 Jan, The REP, B’ham

THE TEMPEST Shakespeare's magi-cal exploration of revenge, forgive-ness, love and magic, until Sat 21Jan, Royal Shakespeare Theatre,Stratford-upon-Avon

THE TWO NOBLE KINSMEN Based onChaucer's The Knight's Tale, TheTwo Noble Kinsmen is attributed toJohn Fletcher & WilliamShakespeare and is best describedas a tragicomedy exploring theintoxication and strangeness oflove, until Tues 7 Feb, The SwanTheatre, Stratford-upon-Avon

THE SEVEN ACTS OF MERCY AndersLustgarten’s visceral new play con-fronts the dangerous necessity ofcompassion, in a world where it’s in

short supply. Directed by RSCDeputy Artistic Director EricaWhyman, until Fri 10 Feb, The SwanTheatre, Stratford-upon-Avon

THE ROVER Aphra Behn's anarchicrestoration comedy, set in thetopsy-turvy world of the carnival.Loveday Ingram returns to the RSCto direct, until Sat 11 Feb, TheSwan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon

DIRTY DANCING The story of Babyand Jonny, told through heart-pounding music and sensationallysexy dancing, Mon 28 Nov - Sat 3Dec, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

BROKEN BISCUITS Paines Plough &Live Theatre present a heartwarm-ing coming-of-age story, Tues 29Nov - Sat 3 Dec, The REP, B’ham

THE FESTIVE FOOTSIE CLUB Featuringfemme fatales, quirky comedy and‘extraordinary performances to sur-prise and delight...’ Thurs 1 Dec,Old Joint Stock Theatre, B’ham

ORLANDO Little Earthquake directSarah Ruhl's staging of VirginiaWoolf's gender-bending novel,Thurs 1 - Sat 3 Dec, GeorgeCadbury Hall (University OfBirmingham)

FROM IBIZA TO THE NORFOLK BROADSAdrian Berry’s acclaimed tale of ayoung David Bowie obsessive, Fri 2Dec, mac, Birmingham

TINA TURNER: TEA LADY AND FRIENDSCharacter comedian Tracey Collinsreturns to the OJS with a range of

new characters in what promises tobe a ‘high-octane and utterly hilari-ous show’, Fri 2 Dec, The Old JointStock Theatre, Birmingham

TREASURE ISLAND Luke Players pres-ent Phil Willmott’s adaptation of theRobert Louis Stevenson classic, Fri 2- Sat 3 Dec, mac, Birmingham

A CHRISTMAS CAROL The CrescentTheatre Company presents its ver-sion of Charles Dickens’ festive tale,Sat 3 - Sat 17 Dec, CrescentTheatre, Birmingham

SLEEPING BEAUTY Casting includesCBeebies star Rebecca Keatley asPrincess Aurora and Sam Raboneas Nurse Kelly. Children's entertain-er Ben Thornton and author IanBillings also star, Sat 3 Dec - Sat 31Dec, Lichfield Garrick

DanceTHE NUTCRACKER - BRB Brimmingwith festive energy, this ballet is theperfect Christmas treat for the entirefamily, until Tues 13 Dec,Birmingham Hippodrome

THE WOLF AND PETER CoisceimDance Theatre present an energeticstaging of the timeless story ofcourage and imagination, Fri 2 - Sat3 Dec, DanceXchange, B’ham

Thursday 1 - Sunday 4 December


Birmingham Big Art ProjectBirmingham Museum & Art Gallery, Sat 10 December - Sun 23 April

Stopping off at the Museum & Art Gallery on the final leg of its tour -having already been displayed at the Library of Birmingham and thecity’s Millennium Point - the Big Art Project exhibition features fiveproposals by five artists for ‘the most ambitious public art commis-sion in Birmingham’s long history’. Once created, the £2million com-mission will be situated to the east of the city centre, at a site thatwill become a busy arrival point following the construction ofBirmingham’s High-Speed Railway Station (HS2).Visitors to this month’s exhibition are being encouraged to sharetheir opinions on all five proposals. The winning proposal will bechosen next month.



Talks AN EVENING WITH ARCHERS ACTRESSSUNNY ORMONDE Sat 3 Dec, Artrix,Bromsgrove

AN EVENING WITH GRAHAM NORTONJoin the broadcaster and comedianas he talks about his debut novel,Holding, Sun 4 Dec, SymphonyHall, Birmingham

FilmINDEPENDENT LISTINGS:

FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FINDTHEM (12a) Adventure/Fantasy.Starring Eddie Redmayne, EzraMiller. Electric Cinema, Birmingham,until Thurs 1 Dec

A UNITED KINGDOM (12a)Biography/Drama. Starring DavidOyelowo, Rosamund Pike. ElectricCinema, Birmingham, until Thurs 1Dec; The Mockingbird, Birmingham,until Thurs 8 Dec

ONE MORE TIME WITH FEELING (15)Documentary. Starring Nick Cave.Electric Cinema, Birmingham, Thurs1 Dec

PHILADELPHIA (12) Drama. StarringTom Hanks, Denzel Washington.Artrix, Bromsgrove, Thurs 1 Dec

ZARAFA (PG) Animation/Family. mac,Birmingham, Sat 3 Dec

BLUE COLLAR (18) Crime/Drama.Starring Richard Pryor, Harvey Keitel.mac, Birmingham, Sun 4 Dec

BOYZ N THE HOOD (15) Crime/Drama.Starring Ice Cube, Cuba GoodingJnr. Electric Cinema, Birmingham,Sun 4 Dec

NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE:Released from Fri 2 December,showing at selected cinemas

BLEED FOR THIS (15)

CHI-RAQ (15)

EAT THAT QUESTION (15)

MOANA (15)

MOLLY MOON AND THE INCREDIBLEBOOK OF HYPNOTISM (U)

SULLY (12a)

THE UNKNOWN GIRL (tbc)

EventsTAKE A STROLL TO THE NORTH POLE ATTHE NATIONAL SEA LIFE CENTRE until -Fri 23 Dec, National Sea Life Centre,Birmingham

SANTA BOAT TRIPS Why take the kidsto Lapland to see Santa thisChristmas when they can visit him byboat in his underground grotto deepin the Dudley Caverns, until Fri 23Dec, Dudley Canal Tunnel andLimestone Mines

SANTA SAFARI A magical festive dayout for all the family, combining afour-mile self-drive safari with a visitto see Santa, until Sat 24 Dec, WestMidland Safari and Leisure Park,Bewdley

CHRISTMAS AT BADDESLEY Warm up infront of a crackling fire in the GreatHall, surrounded by natural yuletidedecorations, until Tues 27 Dec,Baddesley Clinton, Solihull

BIRMINGHAM FRANKFURT CHRISTMASMARKET until Thurs 29 Dec,Birmingham City Centre

SANTA'S WINTER WONDERLAND untilSat 31 Dec, The Snowdome,Tamworth

DRAYTON’S MAGICAL CHRISTMAS Enjoythe guaranteed snowfall over theIsland of Sodar, meet FatherChristmas and catch a ride onThomas, until Sat 31 Dec, DraytonManor Theme Park, Tamworth

MAGIC LANTERN FESTIVAL See page49 for details, until Mon 2 Jan,Birmingham Botanical Gardens

THE THEATRE OF CHRISTMAS SeePackwood dressed for Christmas byprofessional artist Jennifer Collier,until Fri 6 Jan, Packwood House,Solihull

ICE SKATE BIRMINGHAM Plenty of funto be had at the ice rink located nearthe Frankfurt Christmas Market, untilSun 8 Jan, Centenary Square,Birmingham

NATIVITY TRAIL Follow the stars,answering the Christmas questionsas you go, before reaching the liveNativity scene in the barn buildings.You may even be lucky enough tosee a new-born baby donkey, untilSun 8 Jan, Bodenham Arboretum,Kidderminster

DECK THE HALLS Browse stalls andvisit Father Christmas in his grotto,Thurs 1 Dec, Manor House Museum,West Bromwich

CHRISTMAS CRACKER EXPRESS Take amagical steam train journey alongthe Severn Valley in the company ofFather Christmas, Thurs 1 Dec,Severn Valley Railway, Kidderminster

ANTIQUES FOR EVERYONE WINTER FAIRSee page 45 for details, Thurs 1 Dec- Sun 4 Dec, NEC, Birmingham

CHRISTMAS THROUGH THE AGESGuided tours of the Hall exploringChristmas throughout the ages.Pomander-making sessions andWassailing included as part of thetour, Thurs 1 - Thurs 22 Dec,Blakesley Hall, Birmingham

DIGBETH FIRST FRIDAY Digbeth comesalive on the first Friday of eachmonth with exhibitions, late-nightopenings, special events, culture inunexpected spaces, live music, streetfood and more..., Fri 2 Dec, Digbeth

CHRISTMAS REVELS BY THE FIRESIDESettle around the magnificentJacobean fireplace for some festivestorytelling and join in the seasonalsongs performed by the BirminghamCity Council Choir, Fri 2 Dec, AstonHall, Birmingham

WINTER ART FAIR Showcasing afford-able artworks, artist books and edi-tions, music and homemade refresh-ments, Fri 2 - Sat 3 Dec, EastsideProjects, Birmingham

THE CLOTHES SHOW 2016 See page 47for details. Fri 2 - Tues 6 Dec, NEC,Birmingham

KINGS HEATH FARMERS MARKET Sat 3Dec, All Saints' Church, Birmingham

CHRISTMAS RAG WREATH MAKINGLearn the history of the craft and thetechniques needed to create yourown wreath, Sat 3 Dec, BirminghamBack to Backs

WINTER MARKET Sat 3 Dec, The BondComplex, Birmingham

CHRISTMAS CAROLS WITH FAIR Sat 3Dec, Birmingham Botanical Gardens

ART LATES: BUBBLES & BLUES Anevening of art, bubbles and bluesmusic, Sat 3 Dec, BirminghamMuseum And Art Gallery

CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS Featuringcarol singing, costumed guided toursand a children's Christmas Lanternscraft activity, Sat 3 Dec, Museum ofthe Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham

THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLESMeet the world’s most famous detec-tive, Sherlock Holmes, as he’s calledupon to solve the greatest mystery ofall time, Sat 3 Dec, Severn ValleyCountry Park, Bridgnorth

A FROZEN CHRISTMAS AND SANTASATURDAY Join Anna, Elsa, Olaf andSven in a special singalong show,then meet Santa - who may have alittle Christmas surprise for you to

take home, Sat 3 Dec, Manor HouseMuseum, West Bromwich

UK DRONE SHOW Europe's largestgathering of drones, drone racers,RC cars, robot fighting and con-sumer technology, Sat 3 - Sun 4 Dec,NEC, Birmingham

CHRISTMAS IN THE HOME Step back intime and take part in some seasonalactivities, Sat 3 - Sun 4 Dec, BlackCountry Living Museum, Dudley

VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS Soak up theseasonal atmosphere and revel intraditional celebrations and entertain-ment, Sat 3 - Sun 4 Dec, Blists Hill,Ironbridge, Shropshire

SANTA HUNTS Fun-filled search forSanta, Sat 3 - Sun 4 Dec, BlackCountry Living Museum, Dudley

CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION WEEKENDSSanta stars in his very own show andhas a gift for every child, Sat 3 - Sun4 Dec, Cadbury World, Birmingham

CHRISTMAS SWAGS SWING Sat 3 - Sun4 Dec, Moseley Old Hall,Wolverhampton

RAGLEY BY CANDLELIGHT Festivemusic from a local choir, mulledwine, mince pies and a guided walkaround the candlelit State Rooms,Sat 3 - Sun 11 Dec, Ragley Hall,Alcester

CHRISTMAS AT THE VALLEY Sat 3 - Sat24 Dec, Sandwell Park Farm, WestBromwich

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS BUS TOUR Sun 4Dec, Birmingham City Centre

ANTIQUE AND COLLECTORS FAIR Sun 4Dec, Bantock House & Park,Wolverhampton

VITALITY NETBALL INTERNATIONALSERIES Sun 4 Dec, Ricoh Arena,Coventry

CHRISTMAS MAGIC LANTERN SHOWStep back in time and witness a tra-ditional Victorian magic lantern show,Sun 4 Dec, Blakesley Hall,Birmingham

POSTMAN PAT AND JESS THE CAT MEETAND GREET Sun 4 Dec, Resorts World,Birmingham

thelist Thursday 1 - Sunday 4 December


Christmas Revels By The Fireside - Aston Hall, Birmingham



Classical MusicBIRMINGHAM CONSERVATOIRE TRIOProgramme includes works by PhilipGlass, Rachmaninov, Ravel, RoxannaPanufnik & Mendelssohn, Tues 6Dec, Recital Hall, BirminghamConservatoire

LUNCHTIME CHRISTMAS MUSIC WITHTHE CHORISTERS OF WESTMINSTERABBEY Featuring James O’Donnell(conductor) & Thomas Trotter(organ), Wed 7 Dec, Symphony Hall,Birmingham

CITY OF BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONYORCHESTRA WITH NICOLA BENEDETTIFeaturing Omer Meir Wellber (con-ductor). Programme includes worksby Rimsky-Korsakov, Tchaikovsky &R. Strauss, Wed 7 Dec, SymphonyHall, Birmingham

CBSO CENTRE STAGE: WIND SERENADEProgramme includes works byHummel, Mozart & Dvorak arr.Clements, Thurs 8 Dec, CBSOCentre, Birmingham

CBSO: WHITE CHRISTMAS FeaturingRichard Balcombe (conductor) &Graham Bickley, Mary Carewe,Emma Kershaw & Maurice Clarke(vocalists), Fri 9 Dec, SymphonyHall, Birmingham

BCMG: SOUND INVESTMENT 25THANNIVERSARY CONCERT FeaturingThomas Ades (conductor) &Elizabeth Atherton (soprano), Sat 10Dec, CBSO Centre, Birmingham

SUTTON COLDFIELD CHORAL SOCIETY &ORCHESTRA: HANDEL’S MESSIAH Sat 10Dec, Sutton Coldfield Town Hall

HALESOWEN ORCHESTRA FeaturingCharlotte Moseley (soprano).Programme includes works byMendelssohn, Prokofiev & Elgar, Sat10 Dec, Cornbow Hall, Halesowen

CHRISTMAS WITH THE SALVATION ARMYSun 11 Dec, Symphony Hall,Birmingham

Comedy GigsCHEEKY MONKEY COMEDY Tues 6 Dec,The Dark Horse, Birmingham

JOJO SMITH, PAUL MCCAFFERY, TOMSTADE & COMIC TBC Wed 7 Dec, TheGlee Club, Birmingham

JOSH WIDDICOMBE Thurs 8 Dec, CivicHall, Wolverhampton

GARY DELANEY, LLOYD GRIFFITH, DAVIDMORGAN Thurs 8 Dec, The Bramall,Birmingham

GAVIN WEBSTER, MATT REED, STEPHENBAILEY & STEVE SHANYASKI Thurs 8 -Sat 10 Dec, The Comedy Loft, B’ham

PAUL MCCAFFERY, ANDY ASKINS, TOMSTADE & COMIC TBC Thurs 8 - Sat 10Dec, The Glee Club, Birmingham

REEVES & MORTIMER Fri 9 Dec,Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham

KEN DODD Sat 10 Dec, Civic Hall,Wolverhampton

MICKEY SHARMA Sat 10 Dec, mac,Birmingham

TheatreALADDIN Midland Academy ofMusical Theatre presents its versionof the festive favourite, until Fri 9Dec, The Blue Orange, Birmingham

TREASURE ISLAND Bryony Lavery’smodern adaptation of Robert LouisStevenson’s swashbuckling classic,until Sat 7 Jan, The REP,Birmingham

CINDERELLA Starring Stoke’sfavourite son Jonathan Wilkes asButtons, alongside panto favouriteChristian Patterson and SimonNehan as the Ugly Sisters, Thurs 8Dec - Sun 8 Jan, Regent Theatre,Stoke-on-Trent


SLEEPING BEAUTY Casting includesCBeebies star Rebecca Keatley asPrincess Aurora and Sam Raboneas Nurse Kelly. Children's entertain-er Ben Thornton and author IanBillings also star, until Sat 31 Dec,Lichfield Garrick

THE BEAR Pins & Needles present abrand new staging of RaymondBriggs’ heartwarming and humor-ous wintry tale, Mon 5 - Sat 31 Dec,mac, Birmingham

ONCE UPON A TIME: THE STAR PROJ-ECT Mark Nicholls’ original storystarts after the famous Disney starshave had their ‘happy ever after’,Tues 6 Dec, Artrix, Bromsgrove

DICK WHITTINGTON AND THE PI-RATS OFTHE CARIBBEAN Tues 6 - Sun 11 Dec,Rugeley Rose Theatre, Rugeley

WHAT THE DICKENS? FoghornUnscripted present a series ofimprovised stories twisted by theaudience, Wed 7 Dec, Artrix,Bromsgrove

ALADDIN Midland Academy ofMusical Theatre presents its versionof the festive favourite, Wed 7 - Fri 9Dec, The Blue Orange, Birmingham

THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMASInnovative new writing, absurdhumour and an entire improvisedscene come together in this‘Christmas show with a difference’,Wed 7 - Fri 9 Dec, Old Joint StockTheatre, Birmingham

BLITHE SPIRIT Birmingham School of

Monday 5 - Sunday 11 December

GigsEDWINA HAYES Mon 5Dec, Crescent Theatre,Birmingham

MEMPHIS MAY FIRE,SILVERSTEIN & THEDEVIL WEARS PRADAMon 5 Dec, TheAsylum, Birmingham

UNIVERSITY CAROLSERVICE Mon 5 Dec,The Bramall,Birmingham University

SLOWCOACHES Mon 5Dec, The SunflowerLounge, Birmingham

AGAINST ME! Tues 6Dec, O2 Academy,Birmingham

FAULKNER Tues 6 Dec -Wed 7 Dec, The JamHouse, Birmingham

EWAN MCLENNAN,JIMMY ALDRIDGE & SIDGOLDSMITH Tues 6 Dec,Kitchen Garden Cafe,Birmingham

ROACHFORD Tues 6Dec, The Robin, Bilston

BULLET FOR MYVALENTINE Tues 6 Dec,O2 Academy, B’ham

BEANS ON TOAST Tues 6Dec, Hare & Hounds,Birmingham

THEME PARK Tues 6Dec, Hare & Hounds,Birmingham

HEART OF GOLD Tues 6Dec, The SunflowerLounge, Birmingham

JAMES Wed 7 Dec,Civic Hall,Wolverhampton

THE FRANKIE VALLISTORY - JERSEY BOYFEAT: STEPHEN JAMESWed 7 Dec, The Robin,Bilston

MARTIN HARLEY Wed 7Dec, Hare & Hounds,Birmingham

MARTHA TILSTON Wed 7Dec, The Red Lion FolkClub, Birmingham

CLAY Wed 7 Dec, TheSunflower Lounge,Birmingham

BULLET FOR MYVALENTINE PLAY THEPOISON Wed 7 Dec, O2Academy, Birmingham

BIFFY CLYRO Wed 7Dec, BarclaycardArena, Birmingham

EMMA JONSON QUARTETWed 7 Dec, Blue PianoRestaurant And Bar,Birmingham

GALACTIC EMPIRE Wed 7Dec, O2 Academy,Birmingham

THE AC30'S Wed 7 Dec,

The Roadhouse,Birmingham

UP4 THE DOWNSTROKEThurs 8 Dec - Sat 10Dec, The Jam House,Birmingham

ROY WOOD ROCK & ROLLBAND Thurs 8 Dec, TheRobin, Bilston

THE BOOTLEG BEATLESThurs 8 Dec,Symphony Hall,Birmingham

UNCLE ACID & THEDEADBEATS Thurs 8Dec, The RainbowVenues, Birmingham

THE FRATELLIS Thurs 8Dec, O2 Institute,Birmingham

PLACEBO Thurs 8 Dec,Barclaycard Arena,Birmingham

PIXIES Thurs 8 Dec, O2 Academy, B’ham

DANIEL LIONEYE Thurs 8Dec, The SladeRooms,Wolverhampton

JAZZ COLLECTIVECHRISTIMAS SWING-ALONG Thurs 8 Dec,The Bramall, Universityof Birmingham

LARKIN POE Fri 9 Dec,O2 Institute, B’ham

JEAN GENIE - TRIBUTE TODAVID BOWIE Fri 9 Dec,The Roadhouse, B’ham

ROBYN GORDON Fri 9Dec, O2 Institute,Birmingham

GO WEST Fri 9 Dec, The Robin, Bilston

THE BOOTLEG BEATLESFri 9 Dec, Civic Hall,Wolverhampton

ONE STOP BOOGIE Fri 9Dec, The River Rooms,Stourbridge

THE BAD FLOWERS Fri 9Dec, Route 44, B’ham

FULLSHORE, ROOKCRUTCHES, THE BRAZENFri 9 Dec, The Actress& Bishop, Birmingham

JON PLEASED WIMMINFri 9 Dec, Hare &Hounds, Birmingham

THE AMITY AFFLICTIONFri 9 Dec, O2 Institute,Birmingham

LORDS OF BLACK Fri 9Dec, The Asylum,Birmingham

BLUE SILK Fri 9 Dec,Blue Piano RestaurantAnd Bar, Birmingham

OF KINGS AND CAPTAINSFri 9 Dec, KatieFitzgerald's,Stourbridge

USED & ABUSED Fri 9Dec, The RainbowVenues, Birmingham

LILLI UNWIN Fri 9 Dec,Symphony Hall,Birmingham

THE ZZ TOPS Tribute toZZ Top. Sat 10 Dec,The Roadhouse,Birmingham

BIG COUNTRY Sat 10Dec, The CopperRooms, Coventry

THE ULTIMATE EAGLESSat 10 Dec, The Robin,Bilston

GORDON HENDRICKS ISELVIS Sat 10 Dec,Artrix, Bromsgrove

KING PLEASURE AND THEBISCUIT BOYS Sat 10Dec, Lichfield Guildhall

REAL FRIENDS Sat 10Dec, The Asylum,Birmingham

LEVELLERS Sat 10 Dec,O2 Academy, B’ham

BLACK ROSE CADILLACSat 10 Dec, O2Academy, Birmingham

HUMAN LEAGUE Sat 10Dec, BarclaycardArena, Birmingham

THE MODFATHERS Sat 10Dec, The Actress &Bishop, Birmingham

MAGNUM Sat 10 Dec,Wulfrun Hall,Wolverhampton

THE OVERTONES Sat 10Dec, Symphony Hall,Birmingham

ABSOLUTE BOWIE Sat 10Dec, O2 Academy,Birmingham

EASTWOOD Sat 10 Dec,Katie Fitzgerald's,Stourbridge

SUPER FURRY ANIMALSSat 10 Dec, O2Institute, Birmingham

LTJ BUKEM Sat 10 &Sun 11 Dec, Hare &Hounds, Birmingham

RED HOT CHILLI PEPPERSSat 10 Dec - Sun 11Dec, Genting Arena,Birmingham

THE LINDISFARNE STORYSun 11 Dec, LichfieldGuildhall

BEARTOOTH Sun 11Dec, O2 Institute,Birmingham

REUBEN JAMES TRIO &TROPE Sun 11 Dec, TheGlee Club, Birmingham

BOLLYWOOD MASTI Sun11 Dec, mac,Birmingham

TEARING IT UP FOR XMASSun 11 Dec, TheRoadhouse, B’ham

WEIRD DREAMS Sun 11Dec, The SunflowerLounge, Birmingham

The List 5 - 11 Dec - Birmingham Only VERSION.qxp_Layout 1 21/11/2016 10:39 Page 1



Acting present its version of NoelCoward’s comic play, Wed 7 - Sat10 Dec, The Crescent Theatre,Birmingham

A CHRISTMAS CAROL ChapterhouseTheatre bring Charles Dickens’ fes-tive story to life via period costume,song, dance and a ‘magnificent’original musical score, Fri 9 - Sat 10Dec, mac, Birmingham

ALADDIN Ben Crocker’s version ofthe much-loved pantomime, Fri 9 -Sat 17 Dec, Hall Green LittleTheatre, Sutton Coldfield

CRIMES AGAINST CHRISTMAS Newcomedy thriller that sees a host ofcharacters invited to a party in amysterious house on a remoteisland, Fri 9 - Sat 31 Dec, LichfieldGarrick

DICK WHITTINGTON Action, adven-ture, secrets, songs, dance andtrickery are the order of the day inthis festive favourite, written by andstarring Midlands stalwart MalcolmStent, Fri 9 - Sat 31 Dec, The Core,Solihull

MR B THE GENTLEMAN RHYMER Mr Bcontinues his ongoing quest toreconnect hip-hop with mannersand the Queen’s English, Sat 10Dec, The Old Joint Stock Theatre,Birmingham

ALADDIN Magical pantomime adven-ture starring Joe McElderry, LisaRiley, Ian Adams, Ben Faulks and‘Lazy Cow’ Doreen Tipton, Sat 10Dec - Sun 22 Jan, WolverhamptonGrand Theatre

WIFI WARS Live comedy game showwhere audience participation iscompulsory, Sun 11 Dec, mac,Birmingham

DanceKEEP DANCING Brand new danceshow celebrating the world ofBallroom and Latin, featuring RobinWindsor and other special celebrityguests from Strictly Come Dancing,Tues 6 Dec - Sat 10 Dec, NewAlexandra Theatre, Birmingham

ROMEO & JULIET Ballet Cymru pres-ents a choreographed staging ofthe greatest love story of all time,Sat 10 Dec, Stourbridge Town Hall

Talks JOHNNY MARR: SET THE BOY FREE Inconversation with John Robb, TheSmiths guitarist talks about his tran-sition from roaming the streets ofManchester to constantly pushingmusical boundaries, Fri 9 Dec,Birmingham Town Hall


TOP FIVE (15) Comedy/Romance.Starring Chris Rock, RosarioDawson. mac, Birmingham, Fri 9 Dec

THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING (PG)Adventure/Drama. Starring ElijahWood, Ian McKellen. ElectricCinema, Birmingham, Fri 9 Dec

THE RETURN OF THE KING (12)Adventure/Drama. Starring ElijahWood, Ian McKellen. ElectricCinema, Birmingham, Sun 11 Dec

THE TWO TOWERS (12)Adventure/Drama. Starring ElijahWood, Ian McKellen. ElectricCinema, Birmingham, Sat 10 Dec

IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE (U)Family/Fantasy. Starring JamesStewart, Donna Reed. ElectricCinema, Birmingham, Sat 10 - Sat 24Dec

THERE WILL BE BLOOD (15) Drama.Starring Daniel Day-Lewis, PaulDano. Electric Cinema, Birmingham,Sun 11 Dec

NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE:Released from Fri 9 Dec, showing atselected cinemas

OFFICE CHRISTMAS PARTY (tbc)

BIRTH OF A NATION (15)

THE PASS (15)

SNOWDEN (15)

EventsTAKE A STROLL TO THE NORTH POLE ATTHE NATIONAL SEA LIFE CENTRE until Fri23 Dec, National Sea Life Centre,Birmingham






DRAYTON’S MAGICAL CHRISTMAS Enjoythe guaranteed snowfall over theIsland of Sodar, meet Father

Christmas and catch a ride onThomas, until Sat 31 Dec, DraytonManor Theme Park, Tamworth




NATIVITY TRAIL Follow the stars,answering the Christmas questionsas you go, before reaching the liveNativity scene in the barn buildings.You may even be lucky enough tosee a new-born baby donkey, untilSun 8 Jan, Bodenham Arboretum,Kidderminster

CHRISTMAS EVENINGS AT BADDESLEYEnjoy Christmas decorations by can-dlelight, followed by a three-coursefestive supper, Mon 5 Dec,Baddesley Clinton, Solihull

SPORTING LUNCH WITH PHIL TUFNELLMon 5 Dec, Drayton Manor ThemePark, Tamworth

AN EVENING OF CHRISTMAS CAROLSVoices of Tantallon sing a wide vari-ety of festive music, Mon 5 Dec -Tues 6 Dec, Wightwick Manor,Wolverhampton

TUESDAY TILE DECORATINGWORKSHOPS Activities vary from dayto day, Tues 6 Dec, Jackfield TileMuseum, Ironbridge, Shropshire

CRAFTPLAY EXPLORERS Discover, playand create with your child, Tues 6Dec, Bilston Craft Gallery,Wolverhampton

CHRISTMAS CRACKER EXPRESS Take amagical steam train journey alongthe Severn Valley in the company ofFather Christmas and your class-mates, Tues 6 - Thurs 8 Dec, SevernValley Railway, Bridgnorth

CHRISTMAS EVENINGS AT BADDESLEYEnjoy Christmas decorations by can-dlelight, followed by a three-coursefestive supper, Wed 7 Dec,Baddesley Clinton, Solihull

CHRISTMAS EVENING TOUR A tour ofthe house, beautifully dressed forChristmas, followed by a two-coursesupper, Wed 7 Dec, PackwoodHouse, Solihull

CHRISTMAS EVENINGS AT BADDESLEYEnjoy Christmas decorations by can-dlelight, followed by a three-coursefestive supper, Fri 9 Dec, BaddesleyClinton, Solihull

TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS EVENINGSStroll through the museum’s beauti-fully decorated gas-lit streets andtake in the sights, sounds and smellsof a magical Christmas past, Fri 9 -Sat 10 Dec, Black Country LivingMuseum, Dudley

CIRCUSMASH PRESENTS MAD WORLDWINTER SHOWCASE Fri 9 - Sat 10 Dec,CircusMASH, Birmingham

INSOMNIA59 Featuring the latest and

greatest in games, music and droneracing, Fri 9 - Sun 11 Dec, NEC,Birmingham

FATHER CHRISTMAS' LIVING ROOM Sat10 Dec, Birmingham Back to Backs,Birmingham

FESTIVE CHRISTMAS CONCERT Freecharity carol concert raising moneyfor Heart Research UK atBirmingham Children's Hospital, Sat10 Dec, Brindleyplace, Birmingham

EDWARDIAN TEAROOMS LATE: MUPPETSCHRISTMAS CAROL Sat 10 Dec,Birmingham Museum And Art Gallery

TUDOR CHRISTMAS AT BLAKESLEY HALLSee Blakesley Hall dressed for aTudor Christmas and meet Tudorcharacters preparing for the Yuletidefestivities, Sat 10 Dec, Blakesley Hall,Birmingham

FESTIVE CHRISTMAS CONCERT CharityChristmas concert in theBrindleyplace bandstand in aid ofHeart Research UK, Sat 10 Dec,Brindleyplace, Birmingham

KINGS NORTON FARMERS' MARKET Sat10 Dec, The Green, Kings Norton,Birmingham

AN EVENING WITH SANTA Charity eventto raise funds for the zoo's new SnowLeopard enclosure project, Sat 10Dec, Dudley Zoological Gardens

CHRISTMAS IN THE HOME Step back intime and take part in some seasonal,activities, Sat 10 - Sun 11 Dec, BlackCountry Living Museum, Dudley

CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION WEEKENDSSanta stars in his very own show andhas a gift for every child, Sat 10 -Sun 11 Dec, Cadbury World,Birmingham

LADIES KENNEL ASSOCIATION GeneralChampionship Dog Show licensedby the Kennel Club, Sat 10 - Sun 11Dec, NEC, Birmingham

17TH CENTURY CHRISTMAS Taste tradi-tional Christmas recipes, see thehouse decorated with traditionalgreenery, toast bread over the openfire in the hall and much more, Sat10 - Sun 11 Dec, Moseley Old Hall,Wolverhampton

SANTA'S SLEEPOVERS Experience amagical festive sleepover at oneAlton Tower's themed hotels, Sun 11Dec, Alton Towers, Stoke-on-Trent

CHRISTMAS RAG WREATH MAKINGLearn the history of the craft and thetechniques needed to create awreath, Sun 11 Dec, BirminghamBack to Backs

HUNT FOR SANTA Sun 11 Dec, ManorHouse Museum, West Bromwich

Why The Wh


thelist Monday 12 - Sunday 18 December

Classical MusicDANIELLE DE NIESE Intimate concertwith ‘operas coolest soprano’, Mon12 Dec, Recital Hall, BirminghamConservatoire

JOHN RUTTER’S CHRISTMAS CELEBRA-TION Featuring the RoyalPhilharmonic Orchestra, John Rutter(conductor), Elin Manahan Thomas(soprano), Melanie Marshall (mezzo-soprano), Andrew Lucas (organ),Choristers of St Albans Cathedral &The Bach Choir, Mon 12 Dec,Symphony Hall, Birmingham

THE TALLIS SCHOLARS: A RENAISSANCECHRISTMAS Programme includesworks by Victoria, Part, Sheppard,Britten, Tavener & Tallis, Tues 13 Dec,Symphony Hall, Birmingham

CBSO: ENIGMA VARIATIONS FeaturingVassily Sinaisky (conductor) &Behzod Abduraimov (piano).Programme includes works byTchaikovsky, Saint-Saens & Elgar,Tues 13 Dec, Symphony Hall,Birmingham

MESSIAN: LA NATIVITÉ DU SEIGNEUREnjoy this testament to OlivierMessiaen’s faith, inspired by the birthof Jesus, performed by members ofthe Birmingham Conservatoire organdepartment, Wed 14 Dec, St Chad’sCathedral, Birmingham

THE BIRMINGHAM CANOLDIR MALECHOIR 50TH ANNIVERSARY CHRISTMASCONCERT Thurs 15 Dec, BirminghamTown Hall

MIDLANDS HOSPITAL CHOIR: CHRIST-MAS-IS-A-COMING Featuring JamesLlewelyn Jones (conductor), GeminiBrass (Ensemble), Richard Dawson(Organist), Kieran Jones (Soloist) &the Four Oaks Cluster Choir, Fri 16Dec, Birmingham Town Hall

BIRMINGHAM CONSERVATOIRE REPER-TOIRE ORCHESTRA Featuring DanieleRosina (conductor) & NafisUmerkulova (piano). Programmeincludes works by Liadov,Rachmaninov & Tchaikovsky, Fri 16Dec, Bramall Hall, BirminghamUniversity

THE MIDLAND CHAMBER PLAYERS Fri 16Dec, The Birmingham & MidlandInstitute

FESTIVE FAVOURITES WITH JESSICAHYNES Featuring Simon Halsey (con-ductor), Jessica Hynes (presenter) &the CBSO Choruses, Fri 16 - Mon 19Dec, Symphony Hall, Birmingham

BIRMINGHAM FESTIVAL CHORAL SOCIE-TY Conducted by Kevin Gill, Sat 17Dec, St John’s & St Peter’s Church,Ladywood, Birmingham

METROPOLITAN BRASS QUINTET Sat 17Dec, Symphony Hall, Birmingham

THE CHOIR WITH NO NAME: BIG CHRIST-MAS SINGALONG Sat 17 Dec, TheBramall, University Of Birmingham

LONDON CONCERT ORCHESTRA: CHRIST-MAS CLASSICS Featuring KevinWhately (special guest reader),Adrian Lucas (conductor), JuliaDoyle (soprano), City of BirminghamChoir & the Fanfare Trumpeters fromthe Band of the Queen’s Division, Sat

17 Dec, Symphony Hall, Birmingham

BIRMINGHAM BACH CHOIR: NINELESSONS & CAROLS Featuring PaulSpice (conductor) & Paul Carr(organist), Sun 18 Dec, St Alban theMartyr Church, Birmingham

BIRMINGHAM PHILHARMONIC ORCHES-TRA featuring the City Of BirminghamChoir, Michael Lloyd (conductor) &Alison Roddy (soprano). Programmeincludes works by Stravinsky,Bernstein, Respighi & Tchaikovsky,Sun 18 Dec, The Bramall, UniversityOf Birmingham

Comedy GigsBARBARA NICE'S CHRISTMAS CRACKERMon 12 Dec, Artrix, Bromsgrove

SEANN WALSH Tues 13 Dec, Artrix,Bromsgrove

JO ENRIGHT, CHARMIAN HUGHES ALIWARWOOD & MAUREEN YOUNGER Wed14 Dec, Kitchen Garden Cafe, B’ham

MICK FERRY, ROB DEERING, MIKEWILMOT & ANDY ROBINSON Wed 14 -Sat 17 Dec, The Glee Club, B’ham

SCOTT CAPURRO, ABBIE SCHAMAUN &BEC HILL Thurs 15 Dec, LichfieldGarrick

CHARLIE BAKER, PAUL TONKINSONThurs 15 Dec, Station Pub, SuttonColdfield

ROB ROUSE, RAY PEACOCK, VINCE ATTA& SEAN PERCIVAL Thurs 15 - Sat 17Dec, The Comedy Loft, Birmingham

MARK NELSON, JAY HANDLEY, MICKY PKERR & ADAM ROWE Sat 17 Dec,Religion, Wolverhampton

BARBARA NICE'S CHRISTMAS CRACKERSat 17 - Sun 18 Dec, mac,Birmingham

TOADALLY FREE COMEDY! Sun 18 Dec,The Blue Orange Theatre, B’ham

TheatreTHE BEAR Pins & Needles present abrand new staging of RaymondBriggs’ heartwarming and humor-ous wintry tale, until Sat 31 Dec,mac, Birmingham

CRIMES AGAINST CHRISTMAS Newcomedy thriller that sees a host ofcharacters invited to a party in amysterious house on a remoteisland, until Sat 31 Dec, LichfieldGarrick

GigsKULA SHAKER Mon 12Dec, O2 Institute,Birmingham

WHITE TYGER & WHITECOAST REBELS Mon 12Dec, The Robin, Bilston

JAMES TW Mon 12 DecThe Sunflower Lounge,Birmingham

THE DYLAN PROJECTTues 13 Dec, TheRobin, Bilston

MIST Tues 13 Dec, O2Institute, Birmingham

BOB LOG III Tues 13Dec, Hare & Hounds,Birmingham

KING NO ONE Tues 13Dec, The RainbowVenues, Birmingham

JORJA SMITH Tues 13Dec, The SunflowerLounge, Birmingham

THE URBAN VOODOOMACHINE Wed 14 Dec,The Robin, Bilston

AREA 11 Wed 14 Dec,The Asylum, B’ham

JOOLS HOLLAND AND HISRHYTHM AND BLUESORCHESTRA Wed 14 -Thurs 15 Dec,Symphony Hall, B’ham

ALISON EVE Wed 14Dec, The Red Lion FolkClub, Birmingham

ABBA RIGINAL Wed 14Dec, The Bramall,Birmingham University

THE CHRISTMAS SKAPARTY FEATURING THENEVILLE STAPLE BAND,TALISMAN & BUSTERSHUFFLE Wed 14 Dec,Birmingham Town Hall

SLOW CLUB Thurs 15Dec, Hare & Hounds,Birmingham

BAY CITY ROLLERS Thurs15 Dec, Civic Hall,Wolverhampton

SCHOOLBOY Q Thurs 15Dec, O2 Institute,

Birmingham

THE LINDISFARNE STORYThurs 15 Dec, TheRobin, Bilston

KORN & LIMP BIZKITThurs 15 Dec,Barclaycard Arena,Birmingham

NE-YO Thurs 15 Dec,O2 Academy, B’ham

WAVES AGAINST TIDESThurs 15 Dec, TheRoadhouse, B’ham

DEVILMENT Thurs 15Dec, The SladeRooms,Wolverhampton

CLUTCH Fri 16 Dec, O2Institute, Birmingham

FULLY LOADED & VONKRYSTAL ROXZ Fri 16Dec, Route 44, B’ham

STATUS QUO Fri 16 Dec,Barclaycard Arena,Birmingham

SLADE Fri 16 Dec, TheRobin, Bilston

HELLS BELLS Fri 16Dec, The Roadhouse,Birmingham

GARY WHITTINGHAM &SMOKIN’ ADE WAKELINFri 16 Dec, Blue PianoRestaurant And Bar,Birmingham

UNDER A BANNER WITHHEADSTICKS Fri 16 Dec,The Slade Rooms,Wolverhampton

THE WILDHEARTS Fri 16Dec, Wulfrun Hall,Wolverhampton

FESTIVE FAVOURITESWITH JESSICA HYNES Fri16 Dec - Mon 19 Dec,Symphony Hall, B’ham

THE EBONY QUARTET Fri16 Dec, BirminghamMuseum And ArtGallery

GOD DAMN, JOHNNYFOREIGNER & YOUTHMAN Sat 10 & Sun 11Dec, Hare & Hounds,Birmingham

SHOWADDYWADDY Sat

17 Dec, The Robin,Bilston

MADNESS Sat 17 Dec,Barclaycard Arena,Birmingham

IVOR & LYN'S CLASSICROCK DISCO Sat 17 Dec,Route 44, Birmingham

BEAT GOES BANG Sat 17Dec, Hare & Hounds,Birmingham

DARK SIDE OF THE WALLSat 17 Dec, TheRoadhousem, B’ham

FREESTYLE XMAS PARTYWITH DJ FORMAT Sat 17Dec, Hare & Hounds,Birmingham

A CHRISTMAS BALL FORA MODERN WORLD Sat17 Dec, O2 Institute,Birmingham

WOLFTOWN Sat 17 Dec,The Slade Rooms,Wolverhampton

FOREVER YOUNG -BANDS & DJS Sat 17Dec, Wulfrun Hall,Wolverhampton

THE TWANG Sat 17 Dec,O2 Academy,Birmingham

METROPOLITAN BRASSQUINTET Sat 17 Dec,Symphony Hall,Birmingham

THE DELRAY ROCKETSSun 18 Dec, TheActress & Bishop,Birmingham

ANDY MCKEE Sun 18Dec, The Glee Club,Birmingham

TOUCHSTONE Sun 18Dec, The Robin, Bilston

SUNDAY CLASSICS Sun18 Dec, The SpottedDog, Birmingham

DIRTY OLD FOLKERS Sun18 Dec, KitchenGarden Cafe, B’ham

SOUL CITY Sun 18 Dec,The Roadhouse, B’ham

YELLOWCARD Sun 18Dec, O2 Institute,Birmingham


Jools Holland - Symphony Hall




DICK WHITTINGTON Action, adven-ture, secrets, songs, dance andtrickery are the order of the day inthis festive favourite, written by andstarring Midlands stalwart MalcolmStent, until Sat 31 Dec, The Core,Solihull


CINDERELLA Starring Stoke’sfavourite son Jonathan Wilkes asButtons, alongside panto favouriteChristian Patterson and SimonNehan as the Ugly Sisters, until Sun8 Jan, Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent

ALADDIN: THE WOK AND ROLL PANTOFestive show with a difference, fea-turing classic rock'n'roll hits fromAretha Franklin, The Monkees,James Brown, The Temptations,The Jackson Five, and manymore... until Sun 8 Jan, StaffordGatehouse Theatre


ALADDIN Magical pantomime adven-ture starring Joe McElderry, LisaRiley, Ian Adams, Ben Faulks and‘Lazy Cow’ Doreen Tipton, until Sun22 Jan, Wolverhampton GrandTheatre

I, CORINNE DADAT Fiction and docu-mentary blend to paint a portrait ofa woman who’s invisible to most,Mon 12 - Tues 13 Dec, The REP,Birmingham

A CHRISTMAS WASSAIL Evening offestive fun, Christmas comedy andseasonal song, Mon 12 - Tues 13Dec, Highbury Hall, Birmingham

CHICAGO THE MUSICAL JohnPartridge stars as lawyer Billy Flynnin a brand new UK tour of Kander &Ebb's smash-hit musical. SoulQueen Mica Paris stars as MamaMorton, while Coronation Street starHayley Tamaddon takes the lead asRoxie Hart, Mon 12 - Sat 31 Dec,New Alexandra Theatre,Birmingham

DEAR SANTA Festive story whichpromises to be ‘a perfect introduc-tion to theatre for two to seven-year-olds’, Tues 13 Dec - Sat 24 Dec,Lichfield Garrick

THE 39 STEPS Award-winning, fast-paced whodunnit where over 150zany characters are played by acast of four, Thurs 15 - Fri 23 Dec,The Old Joint Stock Theatre,Birmingham

ROBIN HOOD AND THE BABES IN THEWOOD All & Sundry presents itsannual festive offering - completewith corny gags, song, dance andplenty of audience participation, Fri16 - Fri 23 Dec, Artrix, Bromsgrove

SNOW WHITE Singing sensationLydia Borg stars in the title role ofthis festive favourite, Fri 16 - Fri 30

Dec, Sutton Coldfield Town Hall

CIRCUS OF HORRORS - THE NEVER-ENDING NIGHTMARE An amalgama-tion of bizarre, brave and beautifulacts, all woven into an Alice InHorrorland-type story, driven by amainly original soundscape andperformed with a forked tonguefirmly in each cheek! Sat 17 Dec,Star City, Birmingham

THE SORCERER’S APPRENTICE Brandnew adaptation of a timeless tale,Sat 17 - Sun 18 Dec, The Core,Solihull

THE WIZARD OF OZ A festive stroll tothe Emerald City with Dorothy, Toto,Scarecrow, Tin Man & Lion, Sat 17 -Sat 31 Dec, The Blue OrangeTheatre, Birmingham

WHERE’S MY IGLOO GONE? The BoneEnsemble take audiences ‘on amagical journey through an Arcticworld of soaring snow geese, pethusky dogs and starry nights’, Sun18 Dec, Artrix, Bromsgrove

A CHRISTMAS WASSAIL Evening offestive fun, Christmas comedy andseasonal song, Sun 18 - Tues 20Dec, Crescent Theatre, Birmingham

Talks ALANATOMY Alan Carr talks abouthis new memoir, a follow-up to hisbest-selling autobiography, LookWho It Is! Note that a copy of Alan’sbook is included in the ticket price,Sat 17 Dec, Birmingham Town Hall


BLUE VELVET (18) Mystery/Thriller.Starring Kyle MacLachlan, DennisHopper. Electric Cinema,Birmingham, Mon 12 Dec

BAD SANTA (15) Comedy/Crime.Starring Billy Bob Thornton, BernieMac. Electric Cinema, Birmingham,Tues 13 Dec

HOLLYWOOD SHUFFLE (15) Comedy.Starring Robert Townsend, Anne-Marie Johnson. mac, Birmingham,Fri 16 Dec

THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL (U)Comedy/Family. Starring MichaelCaine, Dave Goelz. Electric Cinema,Birmingham, Fri 16 - Mon 19 Dec

ELF (PG) Comedy/Fantasy. StarringWill Ferrell, James Caan. ElectricCinema, Birmingham, Fri 16 - Sat 24Dec

THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS(PG) Family/Fantasy. With the voicesof Danny Elfman, Chris Sarandon.Electric Cinema, Birmingham, Fri 16Dec

CAR WASH (PG) Comedy. StarringRichard Pryor, Franklyn Ajaye. mac,Birmingham, Sat 17 Dec

CINEMA PARADISO (15) Drama.Starring Philippe Noiret, EnzoCannavale. Electric Cinema,Birmingham, Sat 17 Dec

BATMAN RETURNS (15) Action. StarringMichael Keaton, Danny DeVito.Electric Cinema, Birmingham, Sat 17Dec

HOME ALONE (PG) Comedy/Family.Starring Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci.Electric Cinema, Birmingham, Sat 17- Sat 24 Dec

WHITE CHRISTMAS (U)Musical/Romance. Starring BingCrosby, Danny Kaye. This eventincludes wine tasting. ElectricCinema, Birmingham, Sun 18 Dec

NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE:Released from Fri 16 Dec, showingat selected cinemas

STAR WARS: ROGUE ONE (tbc)

THE EAGLE HUNTRESS (tbc)

EventsTAKE A STROLL TO THE NORTH POLE ATTHE NATIONAL SEA LIFE CENTRE until Fri23 Dec, National Sea Life Centre,Birmingham










THE BEAR STORY READINGS Hear thestory of The Bear by RaymondBriggs, read by one of the cast.Perhaps you'll catch a sneakyglimpse of the big, friendly bear, Mon12 Dec mac, Birmingham

AN EVENING OF CHRISTMAS CAROLSVoices of Tantallon sing a wide vari-ety of festive music, Mon 12 - Tues13 Dec, Wightwick Manor,Wolverhampton

TUESDAY TILE DECORATINGWORKSHOPS Activities vary from dayto day, Tues 13 Dec, Jackfield TileMuseum, Ironbridge, Shropshire

GARDEN OF CURIOUS A-MUSE-MENTSInteractive after-dark adventure,Thurs 15 - Sat 17 Dec,Shakespeare's New Place, Stratford-upon-Avon

TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS EVENINGSStroll through the museum’s beauti-fully decorated gas-lit streets andtake in the sights, sounds and smellsof a magical Christmas past, Fri 16Dec - Sun 18 Dec, Black CountryLiving Museum, Dudley

CHRISTMASES PAST Experience thesights and sounds of the festive sea-son from the 17th century rightthrough to the 1940s, Sat 17 Dec,Aston Hall, Birmingham

THE BEAR STORY READINGS Hear thestory of The Bear by RaymondBriggs, read by one of the cast.Perhaps you'll catch a sneakyglimpse of the big, friendly bear, Sat17 Dec, mac, Birmingham

FATHER CHRISTMAS' LIVING ROOM VisitSanta in a traditional front room ofthe Back to Backs, Sat 17 Dec,Birmingham Back to Backs

17TH CENTURY CHRISTMAS Taste tradi-tional Christmas recipes, see thehouse decorated with traditionalgreenery, toast bread over the openfire in the hall and much more, Sat17 - Sun 18 Dec, Moseley Old Hall,Wolverhampton

CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION WEEKENDSSanta stars in his very own show andhas a gift for every child, Sat 17 -Sun 18 Dec, Cadbury World,Bournville

CHILDREN’S VICTORIAN CHRISTMASSANTA TRAILS Meet the Victorianhousehold, readying themselves forSanta’s annual visit, Sat 17 - Tues 20Dec, Tamworth Castle, Staffordshire

SANTA'S SLEEPOVERS Experience amagical festive sleepover at oneAlton Tower's themed hotels, Sat 17 -Fri 23 Dec, Alton Towers,Staffordshire

CHRISTMAS IN THE HOME Step back intime and take part in some seasonalactivities, Sat 17 - Sat 24 Dec, BlackCountry Living Museum, Dudley

BBC SPORTS PERSONALITY OF THE YEARGary Lineker, Claire Balding andGabby Logan celebrating the biggestsporting achievements of the year,Sun 18 Dec, Genting Arena,Birmingham


Classical MusicSING CAROLS WITH THE CITY ORGANISTAND BIRMINGHAM CATHEDRAL CHOIRFeaturing Marcus Huxley (musicaldirector), Jeremy Nicholas (presenter)& Thomas Trotter (organ), Mon 19Dec, Birmingham Town Hall

CBSO CENTRE STAGE: A PALM COURTCHRISTMAS PARTY Featuring theBerkley Salon Ensemble & the CBSOYouth Chorus, Mon 19 Dec, CBSOCentre, Birmingham

CHRISTMAS CAROL SINGALONG FeaturingLouise Dearman (special guestsinger), the London Concert Orchestra& the London Concert Chorus, Mon 19Dec, Symphony Hall, Birmingham

A PALM COURT CHRISTMAS PARTYFeaturing the Berkley Salon Ensemble& the CBSO Youth Chorus. Mon 19Dec, CBSO Centre, Birmingham

EX CATHEDRA: CHRISTMAS MUSIC BYCANDLELIGHT Featuring JeffreySkidmore (conductor), Mon 19 - Thurs22 Dec, St Paul's Church, Birmingham

ANDRE RIEU Wed 21 Dec, GentingArena, Birmingham

EX CATHEDRA FAMILY CONCERT: ANGELSSTARS & KINGS Featuring Ex Cathedra,Ex Cathedra Academy of Vocal Music,Wed 21 Dec, St Paul's Church, B’ham

KATHERINE JENKINS: CELEBRATIONFeaturing Anthony Inglis (conductor) &the London Concert Orchestra, Thurs22 Dec, Symphony Hall, Birmingham

LONDON CONCERT ORCHESTRA: WHITECHRISTMAS Featuring Laura Tebbutt &Tim Howar (guest singers), JohnRigby (conductor) & Capital Voices, Fri23 Dec, Symphony Hall, Birmingham

MOZART FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA: CAROLSBY CANDLELIGHT Featuring Keri Fuge(soprano) & Michael Bawtree (conduc-tor), Sat 24 Dec, Symphony Hall,Birmingham

Comedy GigsLUISA OMILEAN Mon 19 Dec, TheComedy Loft, Birmingham

CHEEKY MONKEY COMEDY Tues 20 Dec,The Dark Horse, Birmingham

DANNY MCLOUGHLIN, STEVE HARRIS,ROGER MONKHOUSE & DARIUS DAVIESWed 21 - Fri 23 Dec, The ComedyLoft, Birmingham

GEOFF NORCOTT, CARL DONNELLY, MARKOLVER & ANDY ROBINSON Thurs 22 Dec,The Glee Club, Birmingham

TAMAR BROADBENT & CHRISTIAN REILLYFri 23 Dec, Wolverhampton GrandTheatre

GEOFF NORCOTT, CARL DONNELLY, STEVEGRIBBIN & COMIC TBC Fri 23 Dec, TheGlee Club, Birmingham

TheatreTHE BEAR Pins & Needles present abrand new staging of RaymondBriggs’ heartwarming and humorouswintry tale, until Sat 31 Dec, mac,Birmingham

CRIMES AGAINST CHRISTMAS Newcomedy thriller that sees a host ofcharacters invited to a party in a mys-terious house on a remote island,until Sat 31 Dec, Lichfield Garrick

DICK WHITTINGTON Action, adventure,secrets, songs, dance and trickeryare the order of the day in this festivefavourite, written by and starringMidlands stalwart Malcolm Stent,until Sat 31 Dec, The Core, Solihull

THE WIZARD OF OZ A festive stroll tothe Emerald City with Dorothy, Toto,Scarecrow, Tin Man & Lion, until Sat31 Dec, The Blue Orange Theatre,Birmingham

CHICAGO THE MUSICAL John Partridgestars as lawyer Billy Flynn in a brandnew UK tour of Kander & Ebb'ssmash-hit musical. Soul Queen MicaParis stars as Mama Morton, whileCoronation Street star HayleyTamaddon takes the lead as RoxieHart, until Sat 31 Dec, NewAlexandra Theatre, Birmingham

TREASURE ISLAND Bryony Lavery’smodern adaptation of Robert LouisStevenson’s swashbuckling classic,until Sat 7 Jan, The REP, Birmingham

CINDERELLA Starring Stoke’s favouriteson Jonathan Wilkes as Buttons,alongside panto favourite ChristianPatterson and Simon Nehan as theUgly Sisters, until Sun 8 Jan, RegentTheatre, Stoke-on-Trent

ROOM ON THE BROOM Festive stagingof Julia Donaldson’s magical tale foryounger audiences, until Sun 8 Jan,The REP, Birmingham

ALADDIN: THE WOK AND ROLL PANTOFestive show with a difference, featur-ing classic rock'n'roll hits from ArethaFranklin, The Monkees, JamesBrown, The Temptations, TheJackson Five, and many more... untilSun 8 Jan, Stafford GatehouseTheatre

MOSCOW STATE CIRCUS The world-renowned circus present Zhelanly, an‘awe-inspiring’ show based onRussian folklore, until Sun 8 Jan, StarCity, Birmingham

THE TEMPEST Shakespeare's magicalexploration of revenge, forgiveness,love and magic, until Sat 21 Jan,Royal Shakespeare Theatre,Stratford-upon-Avon


DICK WHITTINGTON Starring JohnBarrowman as Dick Whittington,EastEnders' bad lad Steve McFaddenas the evil King Rat, Jodie Prenger asFairy Bow Bells, legendary double


GigsURBAN INTRO Mon 19 -Wed 21 Dec, The JamHouse, Birmingham

SWEET FEATURING ANDYSCOTT Mon 19 Dec,The Robin, Bilston

JAMES YORKSTON Mon19 Dec, KitchenGarden Cafe, B’ham

THE SEX PISSED DOLLSTues 20 Dec, TheRobin, Bilston

DIRTY OLD FOLKERSTues 20 Dec, KitchenGarden Cafe, B’ham

ROY WOOD ROCKMASTues 20 Dec,Symphony Hall, B’ham

HOOPLA BLUE, FLAMIN-GO FLAME, PAPERBUOYS & GRIM DISCOWed 21 Dec, Hare &Hounds, Birmingham

SUPREME QUEEN Wed21 Dec, The Robin,Bilston

MAD JOCKS ANDENGLISHMEN Wed 21Dec, The Red LionFolk Club, Birmingham

THE DESTROYERS Wed21 Dec, The GleeClub, Birmingham

TIGRESS Wed 21 Dec,The Asylum, B’ham

THE TEMPER TRAP Wed21 Dec, O2 Institute,Birmingham

DOM PIPKIN Wed 21Dec, Blue PianoRestaurant And Bar,Birmingham

A FAMILY CHRISTMASWITH THE TOWN HALLGOSPEL CHOIR Wed 21Dec, BirminghamTown Hall

NGOD Wed 21 Dec,The Sunflower

Lounge, Birmingham

JAMES ARTHUR Wed 21Dec, O2 institute,Birmingham

DETROIT SOUL Thurs 22- Fri 23 Dec, The JamHouse, B’ham

THE HAIR ROCKEXPERIENCE Thurs 22Dec, The Roadhouse,Birmingham

FRED ZEPPELIN Thurs22 Dec, The Robin,Bilston

SANTAGEDDON Thurs 22Dec, The RiverRooms, Stourbridge

MADDY PRIOR & THECARNIVAL BAND Thurs22 Dec, BirminghamTown Hall

THE STONES Fri 23 Dec,The Roadhouse,Birmingham

KICK UP THE 80'S Fri 23Dec, The Robin,Bilston

THE REWIND 80's PARTYBAND Fri 23 Dec,Route 44, Birmingham

SPACEHOPPERS Fri 23Dec, Katie Fitzgerald's,Stourbridge

THE WONDER STUFF Fri23 Dec, O2 Institute,Birmingham

JAYKAE Fri 23 Dec, O2Academy, Birmingham

LIQUOR AND POKER Fri23 Dec The RiverRooms, Stourbridge

ANDY WILLIAMSCHRISTMASSPECTACULAR STARRINGTHE OSMONDS Fri 23Dec, BirminghamTown Hall

WHITE CHRISTMAS Fri23 Dec, SymphonyHall, Birmingham

ROD STEWART TRIBUTE -GARRY PEASE Sat 24Dec, The RiverRooms, Stourbridge

THE STRAIGHT ACES Sat24 Dec, KatieFitzgerald's,Stourbridge

THE WEST COASTEAGLES Sat 24 Dec,The Roadhouse,Birmingham

THE UPBEAT BEATLESSat 24 Dec, TheRobin, Bilston


The Wonder Stuff - O2 Academy, Birmingham

Maddy Prior And The Carnival Band- Birmingham Town Hall

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act The Krankies as Councillor &Jimmy Krankie, Matt Slack as IdleJack and Andrew Ryan as Sarahthe Cook, Mon 19 Dec - Sun 29Jan, Birmingham Hippodrome

CHRISTMAS GOTHIC RebeccaVaughan's dark celebration of thefestive season, complete with talesof terror for dark Christmas nights,Tues 20 Dec, Stafford GatehouseTheatre

SING-A-LONG-A FROZEN A full screen-ing of Disney's Frozen, with lyricson screen to help you sing alongduring the film, Tues 20 Dec,Stourbridge Town Hall

SANTA SAVES CHRISTMAS Join FairyTwinkle and Pompom the Penguinas they meet Father Christmas athis home in the North Pole, Tues 20Dec, Mitchell Arts Centre, Stoke-on-Trent

MOSCOW STATE CIRCUS The world-renowned circus present Zhelanly,an ‘awe-inspiring’ show based onRussian folklore, Tues 20 Dec - Sun8 Jan, Star City, Birmingham

ROOM ON THE BROOM Festive stagingof Julia Donaldson’s magical talefor younger audiences, Thurs 22Dec - Sun 8 Jan, The REP,Birmingham

THE ANDY WILLIAMS CHRISTMASEXTRAVAGANZA Featuring TheOsmonds, ventriloquist SteveHewlett, singer Charlie Green(Britain’s Got Talent) and The MoonRiver Singers & Dancers, Fri 23Dec, Birmingham Town Hall


THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS(PG) Family/Fantasy. With the voicesof Danny Elfman, Chris Sarandon.Electric Cinema, Birmingham, Mon19 Dec

HAPPY FEET (U) Animation/Comedy.With the voices of Elijah Wood,Brittany Murphy. Artrix, Bromsgrove,Mon 19 Dec

MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS (PG)Comedy/Drama. Starring JudyGarland, Margaret O'Brien. ElectricCinema, Birmingham, Mon 19 - Tues20 Dec

HOME ALONE 2 (PG) Comedy/Family.Starring Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci.Electric Cinema, Birmingham, Wed21 Dec

DIE HARD (15) Action/Thriller. StarringBruce Willis, Alan Rickman. ElectricCinema, Birmingham, Wed 21 Dec

A CHRISTMAS CAROL (U) Drama,Fantasy. Starring Alastair Sim, JackWarner. Electric Cinema,Birmingham, Sat 24 Dec

NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE:Released from Mon 19 Dec, showingat selected cinemas

BALLERINA (tbc)

PASSENGERS (tbc)

EventsTAKE A STROLL TO THE NORTH POLE ATTHE NATIONAL SEA LIFE CENTRE untilFri 23 Dec, National Sea Life Centre,Birmingham










SANTA'S WORKSHOP Make large paperstars, winter wands and jingle sticks,Mon 19 - Wed 21 Dec, CoventryTransport Museum

SANTA HUNTS A fun-filled search forSanta, Mon 19 - Sat 24 Dec, BlackCountry Living Museum, Dudley

A VICTORIAN CINDERELLA PUPPETSHOW The story of the glass slipper,presented by Treasure Trove PuppetCompany, Tues 20 Dec, ShrewsburyMuseum & Art Gallery

CRAFTPLAY EXPLORERS Discover, playand create with your child, Tues 20Dec, Bilston Craft Gallery,Wolverhampton

CHRISTMAS QUEST 2016 A trip roundKings Walk Wood to find the tastes,

sights, sounds and smells ofChristmases past, Tues 20 - Wed 21Dec, Moseley Old Hall,Wolverhampton

CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION WEEKENDSSanta stars in his very own show andhas a gift for every child, Tues 20 -Thurs 22 Dec, Cadbury World,Bournville

MOSCOW STATE CIRCUS Tues 20 Dec -Sun 8 Jan, Star City, Birmingham

ARTFORUM A range of art activities for14 to 25-year-olds, using different

materials and methods, with thegallery as inspiration, Wed 21 Dec,Wolverhampton Art Gallery

MARVEL UNIVERSE LIVE! Marvel super-heroes step off the silver screen andonto the stage, Thurs 22 - Fri 30 Dec,Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham

THE BEAR STORY READINGS Hear thestory of The Bear by RaymondBriggs, read by one of the cast.Perhaps you'll catch a sneakyglimpse of the big, friendly bear, Sat24 Dec, mac, Birmingham


Santa’s Winter Wonderland - The Snowdome, Tamworth

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ClassicalMusicLAST NIGHT OF THE CHRISTMAS PROMSFeaturing the London ConcertOrchestra, Madeleine Pierard (sopra-no), Nicky Spence (tenor), JonathanAntoine (guest singer) & HilaryDavan Wetton (conductor), Tues 27Dec, Symphony Hall, Birmingham

MOZART FESTIVAL CHORUS: GLORIOUSHANDEL BY CANDLELIGHT Featuringthe Canzonetta Choir, Crispian-Steele Perkins (trumpet), DaisyBrown (soprano) & Steven Devine(conductor), Thurs 29 Dec,Symphony Hall, Birmingham

LONDON CONCERT ORCHESTRA: ZIMMERVS WILLIAMS Enjoy the best scoresfrom the two greatest film composersof the 20th Century, Fri 30 Dec,Symphony Hall, Birmingham

LONDON CONCERT ORCHESTRA: NEWYEAR’S EVE GALA Featuring AdrianDwyer (tenor), James Cleverton(baritone) & Anthony Inglis (conduc-tor), Programme includes works byDebussy, Denza, Walton, Rossini,Tchaikovsky, Glinka, Mascagni, Bizet& Mussorgsky, Sat 31 Dec,Symphony Hall, Birmingham

Comedy GigsFAT PENGUIN COMEDY Wed 28 Dec,The Patrick Kavanagh, Birmingham

JOJO SMITH, COMEDY CAROUSEL WITHANDY ROBINSON & COMIC TBC Thurs29 Dec, The Glee Club, Birmingham

RAY PEACOCK, STEPHEN BAILEY, IVANBLACKENBURY & COMIC TBC Sat 31Dec, The Comedy Loft, Birmingham

BARBARA NICE Sat 31 Dec, KitchenGarden Cafe, Birmingham

MICK FERRY, ANDY ROBINSON, MICHAELLEGGE & COMIC TBC Sat 31 Dec, TheGlee Club, Birmingham

TheatreTHE BEAR Pins & Needles present abrand new staging of RaymondBriggs’ heartwarming and humor-ous wintry tale, until Sat 31 Dec,mac, Birmingham

CRIMES AGAINST CHRISTMAS Newcomedy thriller that sees a host ofcharacters invited to a party in amysterious house on a remoteisland, until Sat 31 Dec, LichfieldGarrick

DICK WHITTINGTON Action, adven-ture, secrets, songs, dance andtrickery are the order of the day inthis festive favourite, written by andstarring Midlands stalwart MalcolmStent, until Sat 31 Dec, The Core,Solihull

THE WIZARD OF OZ A festive stroll to

the Emerald City with Dorothy, Toto,Scarecrow, Tin Man & Lion, untilSat 31 Dec, The Blue OrangeTheatre, Birmingham

CHICAGO THE MUSICAL JohnPartridge stars as lawyer Billy Flynnin a brand new UK tour of Kander &Ebb's smash-hit musical. SoulQueen Mica Paris stars as MamaMorton, while Coronation Street starHayley Tamaddon takes the lead asRoxie Hart, until Sat 31 Dec, NewAlexandra Theatre, Birmingham


CINDERELLA Starring Stoke’sfavourite son Jonathan Wilkes asButtons, alongside panto favouriteChristian Patterson and SimonNehan as the Ugly Sisters, until Sun8 Jan, Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent

ROOM ON THE BROOM Festive stagingof Julia Donaldson’s magical talefor younger audiences, until Sun 8Jan, The REP, Birmingham

ALADDIN: THE WOK AND ROLL PANTOFestive show with a difference, fea-turing classic rock'n'roll hits fromAretha Franklin, The Monkees,James Brown, The Temptations,The Jackson Five, and manymore... until Sun 8 Jan, StaffordGatehouse Theatre

MOSCOW STATE CIRCUS The world-renowned circus present Zhelanly,an ‘awe-inspiring’ show based onRussian folklore, until Sun 8 Jan,Star City, Birmingham



DICK WHITTINGTON Starring JohnBarrowman as Dick Whittington,EastEnders' bad lad SteveMcFadden as the evil King Rat,Jodie Prenger as Fairy Bow Bells,legendary double act The Krankiesas Councillor & Jimmy Krankie,Matt Slack as Idle Jack and AndrewRyan as Sarah the Cook, until Sun29 Jan, Birmingham Hippodrome


GigsLIMEHOUSE LIZZY Mon26 Dec, The Robin,Bilston

RICHY AHMED Mon 26Dec, The RainbowVenues, Birmingham

THE BON JOVIEXPERIENCE Mon 26Dec, The River Rooms,Stourbridge

SOULED OUT 2 FUNKMon 26 Dec, TheRoadhouse, B’ham

RUBIO, BIGGER THANSEATTLE & PARGETERSREUNION1 Mon 26 Dec,Katie Fitzgerald's,Stourbridge

TREVOR NELSON CLUBCLASSICS UK TOUR Mon26 Dec, O2 Institute,Birmingham

HOUSE OF JEALOUSLOVERS Mon 26 - Tues27 Dec, Hare &Hounds, Birmingham

BAD MANNERS Tues 27Dec, The Robin, Bilston

STEVE GIBBONS Tues 27Dec, Hare & Hounds,

Birmingham

GORDON HENDRICKS ISELVIS Tues 27 Dec, TheRiver Rooms,Stourbridge

SKABUCKS Tues 27 Dec,The Roadhouse,Birmingham

THE TREVOR BURTONCHRISTMAS SHOW Wed28 Dec, TheRoadhouse, B’ham

ABBA CLASSICS Wed 28Dec, Symphony Hall,Birmingham

DIRT BOX DISCO Wed 28Dec, The Asylum,Birmingham

THE DIRTY DC - AC/DCTRIBUTE Wed 28 Dec,The Robin, Bilston

THE SEX PISTOLSEXPERIENCE Thurs 29Dec, The Roadhouse,Birmingham

DEFINITELY MIGHT BE,ADORED & HAPPYMONDAZE Thurs 29 Dec,The Robin, Bilston

WHITE TYGER & WHITECOAST REBELS Thurs 29Dec, The River Rooms,Stourbridge

THE SOUND OF MUSICALSThurs 29 Dec,Symphony Hall,Birmingham

B'SPOKE Fri 30 Dec, TheJam House,Birmingham

KILLERSTREAM Fri 30Dec, The River Rooms,Stourbridge

KICK UP THE 80'S Fri 30Dec, The Roadhouse,Birmingham

SOUL SURVIVORS Fri 30Dec, The Robin, Bilston

THE SUBTERRANEANS Sat31 Dec, The JamHouse, Birmingham

THE DECADES BAND Sat31 Dec, The RiverRooms, Stourbridge

T.REXTASY Sat 31 Dec,The Robin, Bilston

THE TOM WALKER TRIOSat 31 Dec, Blue PianoRestaurant And Bar,Birmingham

NEW YEARS EVE ALLTHINGS ROCK NIGHTWITH DJ BEAR Sat 31Dec, Route 44,Birmingham


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WHAT THE LADYBIRD HEARD Stageadaptation of Julia Donaldson &Lydia Monks’ colourful farmyardadventure, Tues 27 - Wed 11 Jan,Birmingham Town Hall

ZORRO'S CHRISTMAS ADVENTURE TheLittle English Theatre present their2016 Christmas show, Thurs 29 Dec,Artrix, Bromsgrove

FilmNEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE:Released from Mon 26 Dec, showingat selected cinemas

COLLATERAL BEAUTY (tbc)

MONSTER TRUCKS (PG)

WHY HIM? (tbc)

EventsCHRISTMAS CELEBRATION WEEKENDSSanta stars in his very own show andhas a gift for every child, until Thurs22 Dec, Cadbury World, Bournville

TAKE A STROLL TO THE NORTH POLE AT

THE NATIONAL SEA LIFE CENTRE untilFri 23 Dec, National Sea Life Centre,Birmingham


SANTA HUNTS A fun-filled search forSanta, Mon until Sat 24 Dec, BlackCountry Living Museum, Dudley



MARVEL UNIVERSE LIVE! Marvel super-heroes step off the silver screen andonto the stage, until Fri 30 Dec,Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham


DRAYTON’S MAGICAL CHRISTMAS Enjoythe guaranteed snowfall over theIsland of Sodar, meet FatherChristmas and catch a ride onThomas, until Sat 31 Dec, Drayton

Manor Theme Park, Tamworth



TOY COLLECTORS FAIR Tues 27 Dec,NEC, Birmingham

MOSELEY ARTS MARKET Featuring art-work, ceramics, jewellery, mosaics,textiles and other unique hand-craft-ed gifts produced by local artists anddesigners, Sat 31 Dec, VictoriaParade, Moseley, BirminghamALICEIN WINTERLAND NEW YEAR’S EVESPECIAL Sat 31 Dec, The Bohemian,Wolverhampton

Monday 26 - Sunday 31 Decemberthelist

What The Ladybird Heard - Birmingham Town Hall


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Magical Lantern Festival (FP- December 16).qxp_Layout 1 21/11/2016 09:58 Page 1

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Birmingham Cover Online.qxp Birmingham Cover 28/11/2016 09 ... · Brigg’s classic story see feature inside... Birmingham Cover Online.qxp_Birmingham Cover 28/11/2016 09:33 Page