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Shropshire What's On February 2022.qxp_Shropshire Cover 20/01/2022 12:55 Page 1
Your FREE essential entertainment guide for the Midlands NISH KUMAR
HEADS TO THE SHIRE
What sOn
Shropshire ISSUE 421 FEBRUARY 2022
’
FILM I COMEDY I THEATRE I GIGS I VISUAL ARTS I EVENTS I FOOD shropshirewhatson.co.uk
inside:
DEAD GOOD
a fully masked, death-defying
adventure at Theatre Severn
A TRUE BEAUTY
Disney’s Beauty And The Beast
The Musical out on tour...
KIDS’ PLAY
fun and frolics for youngsters
at Telford International Centre
Dance February.qxp_Layout 1 20/01/2022 09:17 Page 5
Contents February 22 Wolves/Shrop/Staffs .qxp_Layout 1 20/01/2022 16:02 Page 1
February 2022
What’sOn C O N T E N T S
INSIDE:
First Word 4
Food 13
17
04 10 13
Gigs
Comedy 20
Theatre 24
17 20 22
Dance 36
Film 43
Visual Arts 48
24 36 43
Events 51
Follow us at:
whatsonshropshire
46 48 51 staffordshirewhatson
whatsonwolverhampton
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Publisher and CEO: Martin Monahan Accounts Administrator: Julia Perry julia@21stcd.com 01743 281717
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without the prior knowledge and consent of the publishers.
First Word WolvesShropsStaffs February NEW.qxp_Layout 1 20/01/2022 15:59 Page 1
News from around the region
Shrewsbury gets a brand-
new springtime festival
A brand-new festival is being added to
Shrewsbury’s springtime events programme.
Presented by Shropshire Festivals and taking
place on Friday 20 & Saturday 21 May,
Shropshire Party At The Quarry Park is an
outdoor festival ‘with local tipples and tasty
street food being served up alongside a music
stage, tipis and live entertainment’.
Shropshire Festivals’ other events include
Shropshire Kids Festival, Shrewsbury Food
Festival and Shropshire Oktoberfest. For
more information and to purchase early-bird
tickets, visit shropshirepartyatthepark.co.uk
Exhibition looks beyond Roy Wood to rock up at Camp Severn Kids Fest to
the horizon at Lichfield Shrewsbury theatre make its debut this spring
Cathedral Midlands music legend Roy Wood will be A new four-day children’s event is being held
An exhibition explaining how Europeans rocking up at Shrewsbury’s Theatre Severn at Shrewsbury’s West Mid Showground this
viewed the world in the past continues to later in the year (Sunday 20 November). spring.
show at Lichfield Cathedral until 27 February. Recently inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Taking place from 29 April to 2 May, Camp
The exhibition includes a display of the of Fame in New York, Roy will be Severn Kids Festival features a wide range of
Cathedral Library’s collection of map-books accompanied by his band as he performs activities for youngsters to enjoy, including a
from the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries - a time classic hits from his stellar career, including monster truck show, a family circus, an Alice
when European explorers looked beyond the California Man, Flowers In The Rain, Fire In Wonderland stage show and a teddy bears’
horizon and journeyed to faraway places. To Brigade and the iconic I Wish It Could Be picnic. The event also includes a special
find out more, visit lichfield-cathedral.org Christmas Every Day. extravaganza on the Bank Holiday Monday
To find out more and book tickets, visit (the 2nd) for families who prefer to purchase
theatresevern.co.uk a one-day ticket. For more information, visit
campsevernkidsfestival.co.uk
Yonex badminton
championships back in
Birmingham next month
Badminton England and the Championships
return to Utilita Arena Birmingham next
Call-out for people to month (16 - 20 March), bringing the best
players from around the world to compete in
share their stories about one of the sport’s oldest and most prestigious
life in the West Midlands tournaments.
For more information and to book tickets,
Leamington Spa dance-circus company
Motionhouse is calling on Midlanders to visit: allenglandbadminton.com Batonbearers needed for
share their stories about life in the region. Games ’22
Motionhouse last month unveiled a special The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games
post box in the city’s Centenary Square and has launched a search to find 2,022
invited people to post their stories there. Batonbearers for the Queen’s Baton Relay in
All the stories will be uploaded onto a digital England.
platform via the Motionhouse website. The relay traditionally builds anticipation for
Commenting on the initiative, Motionhouse the Games ‘by celebrating, connecting and
Rehearsal Director Junior Cunningham said: exciting communities across the
“The stories will form a snapshot of life in the Commonwealth, and shining a light on
region as Birmingham and the West Midlands untold stories and unsung local heroes from
become the focus of international attention the places it visits’. To nominate and find out
through the Commonwealth Games.” more, go to birmingham2022.com/qbr
04 whatsonlive.co.uk
First Word WolvesShropsStaffs February NEW.qxp_Layout 1 20/01/2022 10:06 Page 2
First Word
Libraries to
become digital
learning hubs
The cities of Stoke-on-Trent
and Birmingham are each set
to benefit from the opening of
a ‘digital schoolhouse’.
Using play-based learning ‘to
bring the computing
curriculum to life’, the
national Digital Schoolhouse
project has received funding
of £75,000 from Arts Council
England to run a pilot
programme that will bring the
initiative into public libraries
for the first time ever.
The pilot is part of an effort to
further Digital Schoolhouse’s
reach into more communities.
The programme is already
successfully embedded within
the country, reaching over
110,000 students and 10,000
teachers through its 52
Peaky Blinders dance show to premiere at the Hippodrome
schoolhouses. Tickets are now on sale for Rambert Dance’s on the creation and world premiere of Peaky
Peaky Blinders: The Redemption Of Thomas Blinders: The Redemption Of Thomas Shelby.
Shelby. The opportunity to collaborate on a production
Running and The dance-theatre production will have its world that is so synonymous with our city is incredibly
walking the premiere on 27 September at co-producing exciting, and we can’t wait for audiences to
Shropshire Way partner venue Birmingham Hippodrome, where
it will run until 2 October. Commenting on the
experience the thrill of seeing the well-known
characters from the show come to life on our
Shropshire’s popular running show, Chris Sudworth, director of artistic stage in this sensational adaptation.”
and walking event, SW80K programme at Birmingham Hippodrome, said: For more information and to purchase tickets,
Festival, returns to its regular “We are delighted to be partnering with Rambert visit: birminghamhippodrome.com
April slot this year.
Taking place on Saturday the
2nd, the event sees runners
and walkers from across the Darwin Festival
UK and beyond descend on makes a return
the Shropshire Hills Discovery
Centre in Craven Arms to take
in Shrewsbury
part in one of three events - The Darwin Shrewsbury
the ‘mighty’ SW80K, the Festival makes a welcome
Mammothon or the Half- return this month.
Mammothon. The annual event, which
To find out more, visit the celebrates the town’s
Shropshire Hills Discovery most famous son, takes
Centre website. place from 7 to 13
February and once again
promises to provide
plenty of thought-
provoking and inspiring
A dinosaur takeover in Stafford!
entertainment. A ‘fun-filled’ dinosaur experience is coming to Stafford in the spring.
To find out what’s Combining entertainment with education and taking place on 30
happening and where, go April at the town’s New Beacon Sports & Fitness venue, Dinomania
online at: darwin. features a mini museum with real and replica fossils, a meet & greet
originalshrewsbury.co.uk opportunity with baby dinosaurs, and a special dinosaur quiz.
To find out more, visit dinomania.co.uk
whatsonlive.co.uk 05
First Word WolvesShropsStaffs February NEW.qxp_Layout 1 20/01/2022 10:06 Page 3
First Word News from around the region
Entries now open for
Potters ’Arf Marathon
Runners and
walkers have been
signing up for this
year’s Potters ’Arf
Marathon, as
entrants look to get
fit and have some
fun in 2022.
Organisers are hopeful that as many as 2,000
people will take part in the event on Sunday
12 June.
The half-marathon raises money for local
charities including Douglas Macmillan
hospice and The Alice Charity, which work to
improve the lives of families in crisis.
Nativity! The Musical returns to Brum for Christmas
Proms In The Park at Nativity! The Musical is making a Christmas delighted to finally welcome back Debbie’s
West Mid Showground 2022 return to Birmingham Repertory spectacular and heart-warming hit show to
Theatre, five years after receiving its world her home city of Birmingham. Christmas is a
A Proms in the Park night will debut at
premiere at the venue. special time for families to come together,
Shrewsbury’s West Mid Showground in the
Debbie Isitt’s highly acclaimed show centres and Nativity! The Musical provides the
autumn.
around the fictional St Bernadette’s School, perfect theatre treat for all ages.”
The event will feature classics such as Land
where every child has one Christmas wish - The show runs at the Rep from Saturday 19
Of Hope And Glory and Rule Britannia,
to star in a Nativity. November to Saturday 7 January.
performed by the 40-piece Midlands Proms
Commenting on the news, the Rep’s Artistic For more information and to book tickets,
Orchestra and Shrewsbury-born classical
Director, Sean Foley, said: “We are especially visit birmingham-rep.co.uk
singer Holly Teague (pictured).
The concert takes place on 10 September,
with early-bird tickets available now at
tickettailor.com/events/ukacproductions. Mirror Mirror: Beverley Registration now open for
Image credit: Sally Sparrow Photography Knight in Snow White the National Forest Trek
The Mary Stevens Hospice is this month 2022
presenting a pantomime version of Snow
White And The Seven Dwarfs - with West End
star Beverley Knight making an on-screen
contribution as the Magic Mirror.
Showing at Stourbridge Town Hall from
Friday 18 to Wednesday 23 February, the
production also features X-Factor stars Stevi
Ritchie and Bradley Hunt, Brum Radio duo
Karen & Luke, Black Country Radio's Matt
Dudley and local favourite Wally Wombat.
To date, The Mary Stevens Hospice
As You Like It shows at Pantomime Company has raised over
New Vic ahead of UK tour £45,000 to fund patient care at the hospice. Registration is now open for the National
The New Vic Theatre in Newcastle-under- Forest Trek, an annual walking challenge
Lyme is this month kicking off its 2022 spring weaving through the lush woodlands, rugged
season with Shakespeare’s As You Like It. countryside and industrial heritage of the
A co-production with Northern Broadsides, National Forest.
the popular comedy shows at the venue from Running from 9 to 11 September, the event
Friday 4 to Saturday 26 February before features one, two or three-day treks that
embarking on a national tour. undulate through the Leicestershire,
For more information and to book tickets, Derbyshire and Staffordshire countryside.
visit newvictheatre.org.uk To find out more and to register a place for
individuals or teams, visit:
nationalforesttrek.co.uk
06 whatsonlive.co.uk
First Word WolvesShropsStaffs February NEW.qxp_Layout 1 20/01/2022 10:06 Page 4
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First Word WolvesShropsStaffs February NEW.qxp_Layout 1 20/01/2022 10:06 Page 6
News from around the region
First Word
Cosford Air Show
returns for 2022
This year’s RAF Cosford Air
Show will tell a 70-year story
of aviation and royalty, to
celebrate Her Majesty The
Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Returning to the skies on
Sunday 12 June, the popular
event will feature a wide range
of RAF flying displays, hands-
on experiences for visitors of
all ages to enjoy, and
immersive storytelling
entertainment in the always-
popular Vintage Village. For
more information and to
purchase tickets, visit
cosfordairshow.co.uk
Festival of musical theatre debuts in the Midlands
Warwickshire’s Ragley Hall is this spring hosting village and 10 hours of entertainment on
a brand-new musical theatre event. multiple stages. Performers at the event include
Taking place at the venue on Sunday 1 May, West End stars Marisha Wallace, Kerry Ellis, Lee
Gaiety Musical Theatre Festival will feature Mead and Cassidy Janson.
theatrical workshops, a fairground, a festival For more information, visit gaietyfestival.co.uk
Insomnia Gaming
Festival is back!
Insomnia Gaming Festival is The Masked
making a return to Singer Live...
Birmingham’s NEC this Easter
(Friday 15 to Monday 18 April). Hit Saturday night TV
A diverse show ‘for gamers of show The Masked Singer
all backgrounds, identities heads out on a live tour
and ethnicities’, the four-day this spring and will be
event features cosplay, brand- stopping off at Utilita
new and upcoming releases, Arena Birmingham on
indie and tabletop games, Tuesday 5 April.
gaming content creators and The show’s producers are
plenty more. promising ‘stunning set
For further information and to pieces, brand-new and
book tickets, visit: fabulously elaborate
insomniagamingfestival.com character costumes, and
a dazzling series of
spectacular song & dance
routines’. Wolverhampton arts centre announces
Tickets are now on sale at
utilitaarenabham.co.uk its spring-season programme
I Spy With My Little Eye at half-term (Thursday 24 & Friday 25
February), an Easter treat with circus theatre adventure Ernie’s
Journey (Tuesday 12 April) and live music from, among others,
Dreadzone and Ex-Ned’s Atomic Dustbin members, are amongst the
spring-season programme highlights at Newhampton Arts Centre in
Wolverhampton. To find out more, book tickets and see the full
programme of events, visit newhamptonarts.co.uk
whatsonlive.co.uk 09
Marvellous.qxp_Layout 1 19/01/2022 12:11 Page 1
Something
Marvellous
New play celebrates the life and adventures of
Staffordshire local hero Neil Baldwin
10 whatsonlive.co.ukMarvellous.qxp_Layout 1 19/01/2022 12:11 Page 2
by Ellie Hutchings
Staffordshire’s New Vic Theatre is bringing brand-new show Marvellous to the stage
next month. What’s On caught up with Artistic Director Theresa Heskins to find out
about the play, which tells the incredible true story of a celebrated local hero...
Neil Baldwin is a local hero in Staffordshire. has also rubbed shoulders with the feel inspired to think about their own
Born in Newcastle-under-Lyme in 1946, he Archbishop of Canterbury, Gary Lineker and ambitions, and I hope they’ll feel really
was diagnosed with a learning disability as a Prince Edward. proud of our area.”
child but has refused to be limited by the Lou Macari, former Scottish international Bringing Marvellous to the stage has been a
label. footballer and manager of Stoke City in the challenge. The production was cancelled on
Neil’s extraordinary life has seen him go from early ’90s, described Neil as the best signing two previous occasions due to Covid
registered clown to Stoke City Football Club he ever made. restrictions, but Theresa remained positive
kit man and unofficial mascot for Keele In 2020 Neil’s autobiography was published, that the show would go on: “Marvellous has
University. In 2015 he was named Supporter forming the basis for the New Vic’s play, always been right at the top of our list of
of the Year by Stoke City, and in 2019 he was which he’s co-created. things we wanted to make happen. We’re so
awarded a British Empire Medal for services committed to it because it’s important for us
“Neil’s been with us the whole time we’ve
to the community. to be able to celebrate a local hero. And Neil
been developing the show,” says Theresa.
His life story was told in the 2014 BBC Two has been so generous with his time in
“He’s been in the rehearsal room with us and
drama, Marvellous. The film went on to win a helping us make it.
worked on the script with us, so it’s very
BAFTA and received unanimously positive much his version of his life story. “We’re excited about finally being able to
reviews. Now, the New Vic Theatre is perform it, and what we’ve been finding with
“He’s amazing to be with because he has this
bringing the local legend’s story to the stage all the shows we had to postpone is that
incredible facility for spreading happiness.
with a brand-new play which, like the film, is they’re much better for the time they’ve had
He’s a fairy story in himself, and he makes
titled Marvellous. Combining football stars, in extra development. I think Marvellous will
everybody else’s life feel like one. We’re
bishops and politicians with circus acts and be a better play because of it, too.”
trying to get that magic that he has into the
comedy, the show promises to be funny, Theresa is delighted that the New Vic’s
play, so that the show also spreads happiness
moving and inspiring in equal measure. audiences have been so enthusiastic about
and makes people come out of the theatre
“I was really struck by the BBC film and how with a massive smile on their face.” returning to the theatre: “It’s wonderful to
much that impacted on people both locally have audiences coming back in numbers -
Marvellous combines a playful script with
and nationally,” explains New Vic Artistic and especially to see families coming in and
physical comedy to tell the story of Neil’s
Director Theresa Heskins. “People started enjoying the shows. We’re so grateful to the
remarkable life.
saying to me in the street, ‘You’ve got to put local people for the support that they’ve
Neil’s story on stage’, and I realised they were “The play is quirky and funny, and it’s very shown to the theatre, and for their patience
right. much like Neil. He’s got all these and continuing engagement. It’s a wonderful
personalities that he’s played, like the circus feeling to have people telling us what an
“When Neil was young, he was told he
clown and the chicken, which are part of the important part of the local community we
probably wouldn’t amount to much. But he’s
story we tell.” are.”
gone out and achieved his dreams and
ambitions. It’s an inspiring story because In referring to ‘the chicken’, Theresa is So what can New Vic audiences expect when
Neil hasn’t allowed himself to be knocked talking about the chicken costume Neil they visit the venue to enjoy Marvellous?
back. would wear while he was kit man for Stoke.
“Our show is very different from the film,
He is also known for having interrupted one
“He’s an example of what we could all because it’s very theatrical. It contains a lot
of Lou Macari’s TV interviews by appearing
achieve if we follow our dreams. He wanted more of Neil’s own humour and a certain
in the background dressed in a kilt.
to be a circus clown, so he went off and mischievousness which the film doesn’t have.
joined the circus. He wanted to be a football Although Neil is renowned for his sense of And, of course, it’s live every night, so
manager, so he got a job as kit man for Stoke humour, the show also touches on some of anything could happen!”
City Football Club. He wanted to go to the more difficult times in his life. “It’s
university, and he’s been awarded an moving in parts because his life hasn’t
honorary degree from Keele. He’s even had always been easy, but Neil’s approach to
his own episode of Songs Of Praise!” dealing with challenges is an inspiration, so Marvellous shows at the New Vic Theatre,
it’s also very uplifting. Newcastle-under-Lyme, from Fri 11 March
If all that wasn’t enough for one man, Neil
“I hope that people who see the show will to Saturday 9 April
whatsonlive.co.uk 11Food News - February WolvesShropsStaffs.qxp_Layout 1 20/01/2022 11:59 Page 1
Food News - February WolvesShropsStaffs.qxp_Layout 1 20/01/2022 11:59 Page 2
Food news from across the region...
Food
Tickets on sale for
Cosford Food Festival
Early-bird tickets are now on sale for
one of the region’s top foodie events.
Taking place at RAF Cosford on 23 & 24
July, Cosford Food Festival features
food & drink stalls, demonstrations and
live entertainment.
This year’s event also includes Whisky
and Rum Flight Masterclasses,
providing an exclusive opportunity to
enjoy a tasting experience aboard RAF
Cosford’s VC10 aircraft. Sessions cost
£15 and tickets must be booked in
advance alongside admission tickets to
the show.
For further information about the food
festival, visit: rafmuseum.org.uk
Staffordshire eco-lodge hotel opens private dining space
North Staffordshire’s eco-lodge hotel, The pickled onion, brioche, wasabi; pheasant -
Tawny, has opened a new eatery. curried parsnip, piccolo parsnip, pear chutney;
The Perch sits above the venue’s Plumicorn butter-poached lobster - truffle anna potato,
restaurant and is an intimate private dining aged parmesan, queen kale, lobster mayo; and
space for small groups. fallen apple - a crumble with custard and white
Guests can opt for a bespoke menu of seven or chocolate.
It’s a date! Lounges to eight courses - developed in conversation with
the chef and starting at £130 per person - or a
Those looking for more casual dining should
check out the hotel’s Feather Lounge and its
open in Shrewsbury five-course tasting menu with matched wines, menu of in-house wood-fired pizzas, tapas,
Restaurant chain Lounges’ new starting at £75 per person (excluding wines). charcuterie boards and flatbreads.
Shrewsbury venue is set to open on The Perch and The Plumicorn both boast The Tawny opened in the 70-acre gardens of the
Wednesday 2 February. sumptuous menus created by Chris Alexander. sprawling Consall Hall Estate in mid-2021. The
Located on the town’s Pride Hill, Floro Chris brings a wealth of experience to his role venue comes complete with shepherd’s huts,
Lounge will feature the brand’s regular of executive head chef - including time spent treehouses, boathouses and the Lookout,
crowd pullers, including Breakfast working in Michelin kitchens - and enjoys which features a private deck with an outdoor
Club, Cheeky Mondays - free drink or taking simple ingredients and ‘elevating them’ spa bath.
pudding with any special, main or through clever cooking. For further information and to book, visit:
burger - and Tapas Tuesday - three Dishes at main restaurant The Plumicorn thetawny.co.uk
tapas dishes and a glass of wine for include: yellowfin tuna - tuna tartare, egg yolk,
£11.50 (after 5pm). For further details,
visit: the lounges.co.uk
Bottomless brunch fun at Wolverhampton’s The Bohemian
Wolverhampton venue The Bohemian has The following Sunday’s brunches (6 March) are
launched a series of bottomless brunch events themed around Disney (12noon - 3pm) and Ru
‘to help get us through the remaining winter Paul’s Drag Race (4pm - 7pm).
months... and beyond’. As well as ‘lashings of entertainment’, each
A double dose of fun on Sunday 27 February brunch includes bottomless belinis, mocktails,
features Take Me To The Movies (12noon - 3pm) pizza, dough balls and chips. The Disney event
- with songs from The Greatest Showman, even features a special quiz, offering ardent
Grease, Fame, Dirty Dancing and more - and fans the chance to test their knowledge of all
Country Brunch (4pm - 7pm) - including hits things Mouse House.
from country music stars like Dolly Parton, For further information and to book, visit:
Shania Twain and Johnny Cash. bohemianwolverhampton.co.uk
whatsonlive.co.uk 13Classical February WolvesShropsStaffs.qxp_Layout 1 20/01/2022 14:58 Page 1
14 whatsonlive.co.ukClassical February WolvesShropsStaffs.qxp_Layout 1 20/01/2022 14:58 Page 2
Classical
Classical music from across the region...
Ex Cathedra:
Monteverdi Vespers
Birmingham Town Hall, Sun 13 February
Hailed for its opulent choruses and
moving solo arias and duets, Monteverdi’s
iconic late-Renaissance masterpiece is
considered one of the great pillars of the
Baroque repertoire.
In the ever-capable hands of the always-
impressive Ex Cathedra, the work is being
presented in a style which Jeffrey
Skidmore, the ensemble’s founder, feels is
best described as ‘lavish “Hollywood”‘.
A three-hour workshop on the 12th offers
enthusiasts the opportunity to learn parts
of the 1610 Vespers while singing
alongside Ex Cathedra and His Majesty’s
Sagbutts & Cornetts (who will also be
performing in the concert itself the
BBC Philharmonic Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent, Fri 18 February following day).
Residing at the Corporation's Manchester Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No2,
home of Media City in Salford Quays, the excerpts from Bizet’s Carmen, and the 1945
BBC Philharmonic is no stranger to Stoke- Suite of Stravinsky’s 1910 ballet, The
on-Trent, regularly presenting Victoria Hall Firebird (about which you can read more
concert-goers with works from its below).
impressive repertoire. The pianist for the evening is the award-
This latest visit to the Potteries sees winning Spaniard, Juan Pérez Floristán
conductor Ben Gurnon leading the (pictured).
orchestra in a programme that features
CBSO: The Firebird Opera Boys Carducci String Quartet:
Symphony Hall, Thurs 17 February Stourbridge Town Hall, Thurs 10 February; Vienna to Moscow
Prince Of Wales Centre, Cannock, Fri 11
Before The Firebird, Igor Stravinsky was February; Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Sat The Lion Hotel, Shrewsbury, Fri 4 February
relatively unknown and untested... After 27 February; Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Fri Performing nearly 100 international
The Firebird, he was internationally 25 March
concerts each year, Carducci are regarded
acclaimed. as one of the most successful string
A celebration of much-loved Russian folk quartets in the business. Indeed, the
stories and fairytales, the ballet was offered Washington Post described their
as a commission to Stravinsky only after performances as displaying 'a deep and
several far more prominent writers had almost familial sense of unity... full of life
turned it down. The young composer, as the and vitality... extravagantly beautiful...'
most junior member of The Firebird’s Featuring compositions by Schubert,
creative team, was then required to produce Beethoven and Shostakovich, Carducci’s
the music according to his superiors’ Crossover artists have been big business for Shrewsbury programme rounds off
requirements. It is testament indeed to his much of the 21st century, so there’s little Shropshire Music’s Vienna To Moscow
staggering talent that he was nonetheless wonder that Opera Boys continue to enjoy trilogy of concerts.
able to create a piece of music which not such a successful career. They are
only caused a sensation when first significantly assisted along the way by their
performed but is nowadays widely remarkable talent - their classically trained
considered to be a masterpiece... voices combine in a powerhouse of vocal
The CBSO’s programme for the concert also harmony to deliver a winning blend of
features Rachmaninov’s Rhapsody On A opera, pop and everything in between.
Theme Of Paganini, Kodály’s Dances Of Expect Nessun Dorma and Time To Say
Galánta, and Debussy’s Nocturnes: Sirènes. Goodbye, along with showstoppers from
Lionel Bringuier conducts, Sunwook Kim is Les Miserables, Phantom Of The Opera,
the pianist. Jersey Boys and many more.
whatsonlive.co.uk 15GIGS February WolvesShropsStaffs.qxp_Layout 1 19/01/2022 11:25 Page 1
16 whatsonlive.co.ukGIGS February WolvesShropsStaffs.qxp_Layout 1 19/01/2022 11:25 Page 2
Gigs
Live music from across the region...
The Clause
The Sugarmill, Stoke-on-Trent,
Wed 23 February
Brummie four-piece The Clause bring
together the swagger of the ’60s, the rolling
groove of the ’80s and the riotous verve and
attitude of the ’90s.
Last year saw them support Pigeon
Detectives, Slow Readers Club, DMAs and The
Snuts, while their last three singles have
garnered an impressive 2.5 million streams.
With singalong choruses that are destined for
stadiums, they visit the Potteries as part of
their solo 2022 tour, ahead of a new album
release in the spring.
Seth Lakeman features 14 powerful songs, including the
BBC Radio Two playlisted single, Higher We
Newhampton Arts Centre, Wolverhampton,
Wed 9 February
Aspire.
Pandemic aside, 2021 was a busy year for
A popular figure on the folk scene and Seth, having also celebrated the 15th
beyond, singer-songwriter and multi- anniversary of his gold-selling Freedom
instrumentalist Seth Lakeman is visiting Fields album, for which he released a deluxe
Wolverhampton this month in support of his reissue on CD and Vinyl.
new album, Make Your Mark. Support on the night comes from fellow folk
Written during lockdown, the album singer Benji Kirkpatrick.
Sea Power Kyla Brox Simone Felice
Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Lichfield Guildhall, Sat 12 February Henry Tudor House, Shrewsbury,
Thurs 24 February Fri 25 February
Mancunian vocalist Kyla Brox’s raw talent
BAFTA-winning and Mercury-nominated Sea and “tender, urgent, gritty’’ sound has seen Simone Felice’s path through life has been
Power - formerly known as British Sea Power, her described as ‘the finest female blues far from smooth. As a young boy he suffered
of course - are widely admired for the singer of her generation’. a brain aneurysm which saw him
intensity and invention of their live shows. The winner of the 2018 and ’19 UK Blues pronounced clinically dead for several
Describing their sound as “amplified high Challenge, she was also named best female minutes. Then, as an adult, the loss of his
church rock music”, they remain a bold, vocalist at the 2019 European Blues Awards. child in a late-term miscarriage was swiftly
galvanising, idiosyncratic force. Kyla is the daughter of cult blues figure followed by emergency surgery which saw
The band are visiting the Midlands in support Victor Brox, in whose band she began her him fitted with a mechanical heart...
of new album Everything Was Forever, which career while still a teenager. Little wonder, then, that his songs display
is set to be released on the 11th of this month. such maturity and depth.
He visits the Midlands this month with his
King King
All The Bright Coins tour.
Birmingham Town Hall, Tues 22 February
King King’s five studio albums have seen the
band establish themselves as major movers
and shakers on the UK blues rock scene.
Boasting a live show replete with soul and
swagger, the boys are led by charismatic
man-in-a-kilt Alan Nimmo, whose brother
Stevie joined the line-up just in time to
contribute to King King’s most recent album,
Maverick.
whatsonlive.co.uk 17Flo & Jo .qxp_Layout 1 19/01/2022 11:16 Page 1
Sister Act
Musical comedy sisters Nicola and Rosie Dempsey, better known as Flo & Joan, have
been a big hit on TV shows including Live At The Apollo, The Royal Variety
Performance and The Russell Howard Hour, as well as having their own one-hour
comedy special on Amazon Prime.
The award-winning piano/percussion duo return to the stage this spring for their
biggest-ever UK tour. We caught up with them to find out what to expect…
18 whatsonlive.co.ukFlo & Jo .qxp_Layout 1 19/01/2022 11:16 Page 2
by Steve Adams
With a mammoth tour booked during an that keyboard looks a bit big… And who inspired you to become
on-off pandemic, I assume you are Don’t read anything into anything we do or performers in the first place? Victoria
optimists or at least ‘hopers’? say. Ever. We’re very small people so Wood seems an obvious choice - in terms
We’ve stopped looking at the date, and each naturally our instruments seem very large. of wordplay/content as much as the
morning we simply wake up, check to see musical element - but who else? Were the
what our diary says we should be doing, If you had to put together a job spec for original Flo and Joan (your nan and her
check the news for any dramatic events that your line of work, what skills would be sister) in any way inspirational?
might prevent us from fulfilling those essential and desirable? Nicola: I wouldn’t say I was inspired to be a
obligations, and if we’re in the clear, we get A love of story and a playful nature. And performer, but people like Victoria Wood and
on with it. It’s a terrifying and exhilarating despite how it seems, you really don’t have to Tim Minchin made me want to write musical
way to live, but we’re all used to that now, stress yourself out about being funny or comedy. Eddie Izzard was probably the first
aren’t we? clever to perform improv comedy. It’s all stand-up whose brain and thinking really
about listening really carefully and resonated with me. And I found Tina Fey and
The tour is your biggest, and 60(!) dates responding instinctively - tapping into what Amy Poehler right when my love for comedy
long - how does that look written down? makes all of us naturally funny and was blooming too.
Intimidating? And how do you prepare for interesting. Rosie: I used to like watching Julie Walters
it - are there any changes to your routines run around a shoe shop saying ‘We think
due to Covid? Does the tour rider include The new show is set to cover ‘topics of the we’ve got hens in the skirting board’, and it’s
vitamin C and LFTs? day’ - do you knock many songs or all gone on from there really. The OG Flo and
If we’re printing on paper in size 12, single routines up on the fly or largely stick to a Joan were a double act without realising, so
spaced Arial font, 60 tour dates looks like set list, albeit with scope to adlib and we thank them for that inspiration.
just under two pages of A4. If you think about react to the audience?
it that way, it’s not especially intimidating By and large we stick to a set list because Are there any contemporary comedians
because that’s barely the length of a Year Six we’ve been honing the show to keep it as you particularly like or relate to?
SATS essay. If you look at them on a map it’s good and tight as we can. But of course we Bridget Christie. Michelle Wolf. Rob Auton.
pretty exciting. We’ve been lucky to gig in the leave a little bit of room for ad-libbing, to Jenny Slate. Megan Stalter. We watch all of
pockets of time where venues have been keep it fun and so you know we’re not robots. these people and come away feeling great
open over the last two years, so you’ll be and inspired. And Billy Connolly will always
relieved to know we’re not rusty. Our rider seem contemporary to us too.
this year is 40 bottles of fresh champagne, to Speaking of the setlist, when you’re
be replenished every show, and one dog each putting a show together, do you feel
obliged to throw in a few greatest hits? Finally, the tour takes in quite a wide
for us to pet between songs. We’re staying
There must be people who always want to variety of venues - do you have a favourite
humble.
hear I Drank Too Much or other or weirdest place you’ve performed?
favourites? Birmingham Town Hall is a Grade-I listed
Speaking of the shows, the new one is
It’s our biggest tour yet, so we’ll be keeping building - is it the poshest?
called Sweet Release. Can you give us an
in a few F&J bangers for the thirsty fans and We’ve got quite a few big posh venues on the
idea of what it’s about?
people who’ve never seen us live before, but tour, including Birmingham, so we’re excited
The show is a collection of new songs that
we might be giving them a little twist and to shake the ghosts around in them. The
cover loads of different stuff, but it also
freshen to keep everyone, and us, on our actual poshest place was a private party
touches on what you want to keep hold of in
toes. We also have a lot of new stuff we’re where our dressing room was their indoor
life and what you choose to let go of, which is
excited to pump into the canon as well, so it’s swimming pool. We expect nothing less than
where the title Sweet Release came from.
a good mix. that now. The weirdest? When we lived in
Someone asked us if a ‘sweet release’ is a
Toronto we played a gig in a weed room (it’s
fart. That’s not what the show is about, but if
This is your fifth full-length show - was it legal there, don’t worry) and we were
you want to view it through that lens then all
all conceived and written during basically hot boxed in there for an hour. Our
power to you.
lockdown? Was inspiration hard to come performance style by the end of the set was
by during that time? very different to the beginning.
Do you have a favourite sweet
(confectionery) release? It’s been written over the last two years,
Nicola: Today I’ll go for a fizzy bubblegum which included both periods of lockdown
bottle, a scream and a vowel please, Carol. and freedoms. If anything it was easier for us
to write because we had no idea if or when Flo & Joan bring their new Sweet Release
Rosie: All sweets except Parma Violets. All we’d be touring again, so we got to open our show to Birmingham Town Hall on 8
releases except Parma Violets. brains and come up with stuff with March, Stafford Gatehouse on 9 March,
absolutely no pressure whatsoever. We’re Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa on 6
Should we read anything into the kitschy never short of inspiration, so even two years May and Stourbridge Town Hall on 25 May
’60s album cover-style tour poster - were of uncertainty didn’t hinder us there, you’ll
you going for the Sonny & Cher look? And be pleased to know.
whatsonlive.co.uk 19Comedy February 2022.qxp_Layout 1 19/01/2022 10:49 Page 1
Comedy previews from across the region...
Shaparak Khorsandi
The Old Rep, Birmingham, Sun 20 February
Iranian-born comedian Shaparak found
herself being moved to the UK some 40-plus
years ago, after her father - the poet and
satirist Hadi Khorsandi - wrote a poem that
was perceived as being critical of Iran’s
revolutionary regime. “Obviously there's free
speech in Iran,” says Shaparak, “but little
freedom after you've spoken.”
A regular contributor to radio and television
programmes, Shaparak describes herself as
a ‘spit and sawdust’ stand-up comic, happily
pulling on her wellies and trudging through
muddy fields to perform at any and every
music festival that boasts a comedy tent.
She visits the Midlands this month with her
new show, It Was The 90s!.
Nish Kumar
Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa, Thurs 17 February; The Place, Telford, Sat 19 February;
Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Fri 11 March; Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Thurs 31 March;
Birmingham Town Hall, Fri 15 April
“Once you get established as a comedian,” Croyden-born comedian has emphatically
explains Nish Kumar, who this month tours hit the big time and, even more
to the Midlands with new show Your Power, impressively, has done so simply by being
Your Control, “you have to start taking his usual affable self. “For years I thought
comedy seriously, which is obviously an comedians had to be confrontational or
oxymoron. When you’re a nobody, you can awkward,” he recently told the Guardian.
just go up to the Edinburgh Fringe, get “But then I realised, if people basically like
drunk and have fun.” you and think you’re an okay guy, they’ll
Nish’s days of anonymity - inebriated or listen to you talk about absolutely
otherwise - are now behind him. The anything.”
Glenn Wool Reginald D Hunter Alfie Brown
Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Sat 5 February; Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Henry Tudor House, Shrewsbury, Wed 16
Stourbridge Town Hall, Thurs 10 March Thurs 17 February; Birmingham Town Hall, February; The Glee Club, Birmingham, Fri 25
Wed 30 March; Stratford Play House, February
Glenn Wool manages to be smart, Stratford-upon-Avon, Sat 23 April
sophisticated and silly all in the space of a “I refute that I’m saying things to plainly
American comedian Reginald D Hunter’s and wilfully disrupt social progress,”
single evening. And it’s perhaps this
no-nonsense style and hugely amusing explains Alfie Brown. “I am not. I might
chameleon-like quality more than any other
perspectives on the differences between the seem smug, I know - apologies - and I’m
which has so endeared him to the great
US and the UK have struck a real chord with often misunderstood. So at this particular
British public.
his audiences. point in the unfolding history of meaning,
Canadian Glenn’s act sees him cleverly
“I felt like an outsider in America when I intention, signs and signifiers, I am
putting his own unique spin on the big
was growing up,” he says, “and I feel like sometimes going to tell you what I f***ing
stories of the day. Touching base with a
an outsider in Britain now. The difference is mean!”
wide variety of political, religious and
that feeling like an outsider in Britain Thirty-four-year-old Alfie stops off in the
social subjects, he intelligently processes
seems... normal. There are people who've region this month with well-reviewed
the material to create nuggets of pure
lived here all their lives who feel like touring show Sensitive Man, in which he
comedy gold, quite often delivered in a style
outsiders. But one of the things I love about candidly tackles issues including mental
that’s engagingly surreal.
Britain is that it makes room for what y'all health - he’s bipolar himself - white male
Glenn this month visits the region with The
like to call ‘the eccentric’. I mean, hell, privilege, Formula One racing, and the way
Tiny Kings Of Winter, a show in which he
Britain makes a warm and comfortable in which young people get to “ostentatiously
reflects on ‘the last four years of
space for mother****ers who just like wave around” great “wads of time”.
tumultuous change’.
staring at trains! I think that's very
evolved.”
20 whatsonlive.co.ukComedy February 2022.qxp_Layout 1 19/01/2022 10:49 Page 2
Comedy
Jamali Maddix
The Glee Club, Birmingham, Wed 9 February;
Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Fri 11
February; Henry Tudor House, Shrewsbury,
Sun 13 February
One-time Chortle ‘student comedian of the
year’ Jamali Maddix has been hailed for his
frank yet ironic take on everyday racism and
his willingness to tackle the ever-topical
subject of terrorism.
Citing influences that range from Gandhi to
his Uncle Mark, the 30-year-old Londoner
was recently at the centre of a racism row
himself. Appearing on TV’s Taskmaster, he
held a stick over his shoulder, as if playing
golf, explained he was pretending to be ‘a
white dude’ and then added, “I have a very
narrow view about what you people do.”
Ross Noble
Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Sun 6 February
Geordie comic Ross Noble maybe hasn’t
quite hit the heights once expected of him,
Shazia Mirza
but he’s undoubtedly one of the UK’s most Huntingdon Hall, Worcester, Sat 19 February; The Old Rep, Birmingham, Sun 27 February
talented funnymen. He also has a nice line Muslim comedian Shazia Mirza’s certainly But Muslim men don't want to marry me
in surreal comedy, never gives an audience not averse to treading a delicate line when it because... I speak”, and, “My dad said if I
the same show twice, and boasts an comes to her material. In the aftermath of went out with a black man, he'd burn me.
impressive number of followers on Twitter. 9/11, the Brummie comic joked, “My name is Which would be good, because then I'd be
Heading for Birmingham this month with Shazia Mirza - at least that's what it says on black too”.
latest show Humournoid, Ross includes my pilot's licence.” Not to everybody’s taste, obviously, but then
among his jokes, “If the Pope doesn't want Other examples of Shazia balancing on the which comedian ever could be?
to be knocked down, he shouldn't dress up very precipice of acceptable humour include: Shazia stops off at two Midlands venues this
as a skittle”. “My parents really want me to get married. month with her show, Coconut.
Daliso Chaponda Ed Byrne
Brewhouse Arts Centre, Burton-upon-Trent, Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa, Thurs 10
Sat 12 February; The Glee Club, Birmingham, February; Dudley Town Hall, Sat 12 February;
Wed 4 May Walsall Arena, Wed 16 February; The Core,
Solihull, Wed 23 February; Palace Theatre,
Malawian Daliso has blended the slick North Redditch, Fri 29 April; The Place, Telford, Wed
American style of comedy he learned while 15 June
working in Canada with a real talent for A highly regarded master of observational
brevity, ensuring that his gags, although not comedy, Ed Byrne admits to being a little
one-liners, nonetheless come thick and fast. uncomfortable about some of the ‘more
Like all good comedians, he can adapt his act laddish’ material he used in the early days of
to suit his audience - on a previous trip to the his stand-up career.
Midlands, he performed a filthy set in “My comedy reflected my life at that time -
Birmingham’s Silhouettes Strip Club before single and enjoying myself. Most of it was
heading off to regale family audiences at the fairly harmless, but some of the stuff about
Greenbelt Christian Festival! an ex-girlfriend I can see was a bit angry, and
Jokes include, “I moved to the UK because of I wouldn't do it now.”
the BNP - they said the immigrants were Ed visits the Midlands this month with latest
taking all the best jobs and all the best show If I’m Honest..., in which he takes a
women, and I thought, ‘Wow, that sounds like long, hard look at himself and tries to decide
a good deal to me!’” whether he has any traits worth passing on
to his children.
whatsonlive.co.uk 21Beauty & The Beast.qxp_Layout 1 19/01/2022 16:38 Page 1
A tale as
old as time...
Disney’s Beauty And The Beast The Musical
is set to delight Midlands audiences
22 whatsonlive.co.ukBeauty & The Beast.qxp_Layout 1 19/01/2022 16:38 Page 2
by Ellie Hutchings
Disney’s Beauty And The Beast The Musical visits Birmingham Hippodrome next
month. What’s On caught up with cast member and 2013 X Factor winner Sam Bailey to
find out what audiences can expect from the show…
Sam Bailey shot to fame when she won The X Following the original film’s release, Alan “My daughter came to see opening night and
Factor in 2013. Since then she’s released a Menken and Howard Ashman's song, Beauty she was over the moon. I said to her, see, I
chart-topping debut album, appeared as a And The Beast, won the Academy Award for told you princesses wear glasses! I think it
supporting artist on Beyoncé’s The Mrs Carter Best Original Song, with Belle and Be Our will really make a difference to other little
Show world tour and starred in musicals Guest also nominated for the award. girls out there who want to be princesses.”
Chicago and Fat Friends. Understandably, Sam finds it difficult to pick Being a mother herself has helped Sam
Now, she’s playing the lovable teapot Mrs her favourite number. tackle her role as Mrs Potts, who is a
Potts in Disney’s Beauty And The Beast The “Obviously I love singing Beauty And The maternal figure for Belle and mother to
Musical. Twenty-seven years after the show’s Beast every night. I’m on stage for Be Our teacup Chip.
Broadway debut, members of the original Guest too, and the audience goes crazy every “When you’re playing a character for any
creative team have come together to time they hear the first few lines of that song. show, you can’t just step into it straight away;
reimagine the beloved ‘tale as old as time’ for It’s 12 minutes long, so we have an amazing you have to find it first. I definitely see myself
a new UK tour. group of ensemble dancers and cast in Mrs Potts because I’m very mumsy and I
Most people will be familiar with the story in members that dance flat out for 12 minutes. do mother most of the characters.
which village girl Belle is imprisoned by the “My favourite number that I’m not on stage “Sometimes I get emotional because I can
Beast, before reversing the spell that was cast for is Gaston. I’m usually in the wings understand how my character feels. There’s a
on the former prince. Disney turned the fairy waiting to go on, and my heart is in my moment at the end where Chip runs up to
tale into an animated movie in 1991, and Sam mouth every night because the tricks they do me, and I get emotional every time because I
is thrilled to be part of a story that so many on stage are insane. It’s so clever. And it gets have a son and I miss him so much when I’m
have grown up with. an amazing reaction from the audience, too. away working. I miss all my kids.”
“I pinch myself every day!” she says. “I’m so The cast have to wait to say the next line And with Birmingham just a 45-minute
honoured to be working with such a talented because everyone’s cheering so loud.” commute from her family home, Sam can’t
cast and crew. Sometimes I can hardly Though audiences can look forward to a wait to bring the show to the Hippodrome.
concentrate because I get pulled in by largely faithful retelling of the much-loved “For the last six months I’ve only been home
someone doing an amazing bit of acting on Disney film, there’s one detail that may come on Sundays and Mondays, so I’m really
the stage.” as a surprise - and it’s something that is very looking forward to being in Birmingham.
This new tour uses state-of-the-art important to Sam...
“Being away with the show has been tough,
technology and the latest theatrical “When I first started rehearsals for Beauty, I but we’re putting smiles on people’s faces up
innovations to enchant its audiences - asked the bosses at Disney to make a film and down the country, and that feels
although Sam is reluctant to give away the about a Disney princess who wears glasses. I amazing. I think it’s important to understand
magic. got really choked up when I said it because how valuable musical theatre is to people,
“Jim Steinmeyer designed the illusions for my daughter wears glasses and she doesn’t especially at the moment.
the show and he’s incredible. He's put some think she’s a princess. She says princesses
“The thing about Beauty And The Beast is
great tricks together that will have people don’t wear glasses.
that it resonates with people because it has
guessing when they leave. This whole show “When I went back to rehearsals, the the message to never judge a book by its
is so magical - it’s got magic that even I can’t director, Matt West, pulled me to one side cover. I think a lot of people tend to judge by
work out, and I’ve been doing it for six and said he’d spoken to Tom Schumacher, what someone looks like, when they should
months now! who’s head of Disney Theatrical Group, and get to know them first. Beauty And The Beast
“I’ve done Beauty And The Beast panto Tom said that Belle is to wear glasses in the is such a beautiful story because it proves
before, but this is the real thing. And the big musical. So in the first scene she comes out that point.”
difference with panto is that you can’t sing wearing glasses, and every time she reads a
any of the Disney songs.” book in the show she wears them.”
Disney’s Beauty And The Beast The
Disney is renowned for singalong tunes that Sam hopes that this small detail will make a
Musical shows at Birmingham
are enjoyed by all generations, and the big difference for the children in the
Hippodrome from Thurs 3 to Sat 26 March
Beauty soundtrack has got plenty of them. audience.
whatsonlive.co.uk 23Theatre FEBRUARY.qxp_Layout 1 20/01/2022 09:35 Page 1
Theatre Theatre previews from around the region
9 To 5 The Musical turn the tables on their sexist bigot of a boss.
The show is awash with Dolly’s music, as you might expect, and
Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Tues 22 - Sat 26 February there’s no getting away from her overall influence on the production -
Taking its Broadway bow back in 2009, Dolly Parton’s 9 To 5 The she even takes on the role of narrator, appearing in a huge clock face
Musical is a well-established show that hits the ground running and to move the story forward!
provides exactly the kind of frothy entertainment you might expect. 9 To 5’s Potteries stop-off sees former Brookside favourite and long-
As with the original 1980 movie and subsequent spin-off TV series, the time West End star Claire Sweeney heading the cast.
stage production centres around the story of three office workers who
Vampire’s Rock: Jersey Boys Six The Musical
Ghost Train Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Tues 8 - Sat Wolverhampton Grand Theatre,
19 February; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Tues 1 - Sat 5 February
The Place, Telford, Thurs 3 February; Tues 7 - Sat 18 March 2023
The Alexandra, Birmingham, Tues 15 February From Tudor queens to battling boss-women,
Steve Steinman’s cult rock show focuses on Six The Musical sees the wives of Henry VIII
the exceedingly evil doings of undead creature take to the stage to tell their own versions of
of the night Baron Von Rockula, malevolent their lives.
owner of the Live And Let Die club. When the The one-act production, which premiered at
ill-fated venue burns to the ground, the baron the Edinburgh Fringe in 2017, was enjoying a
and his band of blood-sucking vampires take runaway success until Covid put the brakes
refuge in the Ghost Train - an old, abandoned on - but being a show that sits somewhere
fairground ride - and hatch a dastardly plan to between a Girls Aloud gig and a traditional
lure victims into a world of rock’n’roll hell... musical, it’s having no trouble whatsoever
Expect classic anthems aplenty, including We re-finding its momentum.
Rockin’ and rollin’ New Jersey boys Frankie A loud and colourful celebration of girl
Will Rock You, Bat Out Of Hell and Sweet
Valli And The Four Seasons scored some truly power, the production sees the cast being
Child Of Mine.
massive hits during the mid-1960s - and this ably supported by all-female band The
award-winning jukebox musical tells their Ladies In Waiting.
story.
Taking a documentary-style format, the show
is structured as four ‘seasons’, each being
narrated by a different member of the band.
Featured hits include Walk Like A Man, Bye
Bye Baby, Big Girls Don't Cry, Sherry, Can’t
Take My Eyes Off You, Working My Way Back
To You and December 1963 (Oh, What A
Night).
24 whatsonlive.co.ukTheatre FEBRUARY.qxp_Layout 1 20/01/2022 09:35 Page 2
Theatre FEBRUARY.qxp_Layout 1 20/01/2022 09:35 Page 3
Theatre FEBRUARY.qxp_Layout 1 20/01/2022 09:35 Page 4
Theatre previews from around the region
Theatre
Dead Good
Swan Theatre, Worcester, Thurs 3 - Fri 4
February; MAC Birmingham, Tues 8 February;
The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Tues 15
February; Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Mon 28
February & Tues 1 March; Arena Theatre,
Wolverhampton, Sat 5 March
Worcestershire-based full mask theatre
company Vamos here tackle the thorny
subject of death - the ultimate shared
experience.
Witty and wordless, Dead Good focuses on
the characters of Bob and Bernard, two men
who have only a couple of things in common:
one, that they’re both dying; and two, that
they’re not going down without a fight.
With a bottle of Bollinger in hand, they set
out on one final death-defying adventure in
Bernard’s Bentley... Vamos have created the
show in collaboration with palliative-care
patients and specialists.
Dracula Kerbs investigations
in a number of
Lichfield Garrick, Sun 20 February; Malvern Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, James’ most
Theatres, Sun 27 February Sat 26 February - Sat 5 March
popular works.
Bram Stoker’s Dracula is best known from its Coventry-originated theatre company Graeae - On this
many and varied cinematic incarnations - but the ensemble behind this brand-new play occasion,
as stage productions like The Woman In about sex, romance and disability - put Grace is called
Black have ably illustrated, a well-presented features such as signing, captioning and in when a man
work of theatre can be every bit as audio description at the very heart of their who finds a
spinetingling as anything the big screen has productions. USB memory stick on a train inadvertently
to offer. “Every Graeae show is different,” says the becomes a witness to a vicious murder...
This brand-new one-man version of the company’s CEO and Artistic Director, Jenny EastEnders stalwart Adam Woodyatt (Ian
famous gothic horror finds James Gaddas Sealey. “We never add ‘access’ on. It comes Beale) takes top billing. Laurie Brett, who
(Bad Girls, Coronation Street, Medics) from looking at the script, who the characters played Ian’s wife, Jane, in the long-running
coming across Stoker’s original handwritten are, what we’re trying to say, and then BBC One soap, also stars.
copy of the story while working on a satellite thinking about what access brings to that.”
channel TV show. In reading the hair-raising Kerbs, Michael Southan’s debut offering,
tale, he finds pages which were never focuses on the characters of Lucy and David, Menopause The Musical 2
actually published, leading him to a a couple whose desperate desire to enjoy Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Tues 15 & Wed 16
terrifying discovery... some quality time alone together sees them February; Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Tues
15 March; Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Sun
Better make sure you pack a few bulbs of heading off for a weekend break at a caravan 27 March; The Alexandra, Birmingham, Sun 24
garlic and a wooden stake for this one, just to holiday park. April
be on the safe side... But not everything goes according to plan...
Female stars ‘of a certain age’ are much in
evidence in this highly anticipated sequel.
Looking Good Dead In the first show, four women met in a
department store, with conversation quickly
Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Mon 7 - Sat 12 turning to the one thing they all had in
February; The Alexandra, Birmingham, Mon 21
- Sat 26 February; Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, common - the menopause. Cue innumerable
Mon 7 - Sat 12 March one-liners on subjects including
Bestselling crime writer Peter James has forgetfulness, mood swings, wrinkles, night
scored major successes on stage as well as in sweats and uncontrollable chocolate binges...
print, with adaptations of his novels having This follow-up offering - subtitled Cruising
played to appreciative audiences at venues The Menopause - catches up with the ladies
across the UK. five years later, this time as they set off on the
This latest offering features Detective high seas.
Superintendent Roy Grace, the Brighton- Crissy Rock, Nicole Barber-Lane, Rebecca
based policeman who’s headed up murder Wheatley and Nicki French star.
whatsonlive.co.uk 27You can also read
