There’s never a dull month when it comes to theatre in the Midlands. Check out our selection of shows coming to venues across the region during the next few weeks...
WAITRESS
This smash-hit Broadway and West End musical is based on the 2007 movie of the same name and visits the Midlands with West End favourite Carrie Hope Fletcher heading the cast.
Expert pie maker Jenna is trapped in a loveless marriage to a controlling and abusive man. She dreams of a better future. When a baking contest - and the town’s new doctor - provide her with the hope of something better, she has to decide whether she can find the strength and courage to rebuild her life.
The challenge she faces becomes even harder when her husband discovers the cash she’s been squirreling away with the intention of leaving him...
Billed as a musical celebration of friendship, motherhood, and the magic of a well-made pie, Waitress co-stars Les Dennis as Old Joe, with Evelyn Hoskins and Sandra Marvin also featuring.
It’s easy to forget that travelling across the globe used to be a very difficult and long-winded undertaking. Jules Verne’s classic adventure story, Around The World In 80 Days - here helmed by New Vic Artistic Director Theresa Heskins - offers a fun-filled reminder of a time when exotic climes really were ‘a world away’.
Making a welcome return to the Newcastle-under-Lyme theatre’s stage, this much-loved and family-friendly production recounts the story of English gentleman Phileas Fogg’s attempt to circumnavigate the globe in the aforementioned 80 days on a wager of £20,000, aided and abetted in his endeavour by his trusty valet, Passepartout...
Eight actors take on 109 characters, with six trains, five boats, two dances, one storm, a circus act and an elephant also featuring.
Cabaret star La Voix takes on the coveted role of the tyrannical Miss Hannigan when Annie visits Birmingham this month.
Telling the heart-warming rags-to-riches story of a little girl who finds herself transported from a New York orphanage to the luxurious world of a millionaire, the oft-touring Broadway musical features plenty of memorable songs, including It’s A Hard Knock Life, I Don’t Need Anything But You, Easy Street, and of course the legendary Tomorrow.
The show’s Stoke and Wolverhampton dates will see familiar television face and musical theatre favourite Claire Sweeney taking over from La Voix in the role of Miss Hannigan.
Roald Dahl’s enormous crocodile will be snapping at the heels of audiences across the Midlands this month, when the stage adaptation of the ever-popular children’s book - first published in 1978 - visits three local theatres.
“Roald Dahl’s stories are full of drama, jeopardy and peril,” says writer Suhayla El-Bushra, who created the production’s book and lyrics. “That’s why they’re so popular. The Enormous Crocodile is the ultimate peril for its audience because it’s about a very big crocodile who wants to eat a child - and the whole audience is full of children
The many sides of Oscar Wilde are laid bare in the late Micheál Mac Liammóir’s critically acclaimed offering, originally performed way back in 1960.
Alastair Whatley is the star of a one-man production which is directed by Michael Fentiman, whose theatrical version of The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe proved to be a major Christmas hit at the Birmingham Rep back in 2023.
The show is produced by the Olivier Award-nominated Original Theatre, the company behind the stage adaptation of author Sebastian Faulks’ Birdsong, another show which has toured to the region in recent times.
Tom Fletcher and Dougie Poynter are promising their brand-new production will come complete with new songs, a lot of laughs and (not surprisingly given the show’s title) a whole load of poo!
Based on Tom and Dougie’s bestselling children’s books, The Dinosaur That Pooped follows Danny and Dino as they try to get hold of the last two tickets to their favourite rock band’s last-ever concert. But with a villainous band manager lurking, nothing goes to plan... Will the band perform? Will Danny rock out? Or will Dino’s rumbling tummy save the day?...
Experience mischief and mayhem in this acclaimed stage adaptation of Dr Seuss' The Cat in the Hat.
From the moment his tall, red and white-striped hat appears, Sally and her brother know that the cat in the hat is the funniest, most mischievous cat they have ever met. With the trickiest of tricks and craziest of ideas, he turns a rainy afternoon into an amazing adventure.
The Cat in the Hat is a lively and engaging first theatre experience for children aged 3+, based on the best-selling book.
Meet the Cat in the Hat after the show and continue the mayhem - for free!
Zany funsters Oddsocks make a welcome return to the region, this time with their sure-to-be-entertaining take on Shakespeare’s famous story of star-crossed lovers.
“Our inclusive approach means that varied communities across the UK are able to engage with theatre,” say the company’s founders and husband & wife team, Andy Barrow and Elli Mackenzie. “We aim to tell good stories in a fun, informative way, gently challenging people’s perceptions and the way in which they react to theatre.”
Recently divorced mum Allie is trying to juggle childcare with the challenges of starting a new business. When she advertises for a lodger to help make ends meet, along comes the seemingly delightful Hedy. But all is not as it seems - and it isn’t too long before their new friendship takes a decidedly sinister turn...
Adapted from the hit 1992 film of the same name starring Bridget Fonda and Jennifer Jason Leigh, this brand-new touring production brings together familiar television faces Kym Marsh and Lisa Faulkner.
“The essence of the show is very much still the same [as the movie], but the story is slightly changed,” says Kym, who plays Hedi. “As well as being more up to date, it’s based in the UK rather than being in America. So there are differences, but the big, important, epic moments are still in there. And it’s very much still a thriller with a real shock factor - we want to have people on the edge of their seats. I think audiences will very much love the story, whether they’ve seen the film or not.
Frankie never wanted to be a star; she just wanted a family. But after a chance encounter with an up-and-coming director, she finds herself transported to Bollywood, ‘where dreams are mass-produced, identities are reshaped, and women are expected to smile and play by the script that’s written for them’...
Boasting ‘show-stopping choreography, lavish costumes, and a cast of unforgettable characters’, Frankie Goes To Bollywood has been inspired by real stories of British women who’ve been caught in the spotlight of the biggest film industry in the world.... The show is a Rifco Theatre Company production.
Wheelchair-using scally Connor Fisher has his eye on a sharp-tongued woman named Rose. After meeting her in the queue for a benefits reassessment, he then decides to pursue her on a pilgrimage to Lourdes.
Driven by determination to get his leg over, it’s fair to say the prayer, contemplation and quiet self-reflection usually associated with pilgrimage are a million miles from Connor’s thoughts. And it isn’t long before his antics rub off on his fellow pilgrims as well...
This brand-new play by comedian Laurence Clark has been produced by Liverpool’s Royal Court in partnership with Birds Of Paradise.
Relatively fresh from her stint in the Australian jungle on last winter’s I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here!, American comedian Ruby Wax makes a welcome return with a show that recalls her much-loved television series Ruby Wax Meets and The Full Wax. Ruby is joined on stage by lifelong friend and producer Clive Tulloh for a nostalgic look back at some of the most famous interviews from the two TV shows.
So, if you fancy hearing some scandalous and never-before-told stories about the likes of Donald Trump, OJ Simpson and Madonna, bag yourself a ticket; it should be a fun ride.
Described as a rags-to-riches adventure, Patel’s Millions blended ‘foot-tapping Bollywood songs with dazzling dances and laugh-out-loud comedy’ to tell the story of a struggling shopkeeper with big dreams...
Now, taking its inspiration from that old adage ‘if it’s not broken, don’t fix it’, comes this sequel offering, one that finds Mr Patel in deep trouble, having lost all of his money overnight. Back in his corner shop, he’s trying to keep up appearances, with his family having no idea that they’re broke.
And to make matters even trickier, his daughter’s wedding looms on the horizon, and Mrs Patel is in no mood to keep an eye on the budget...
Making its television debut as a BBC Play For Today on 1 November 1977, Mike Leigh’s Abigail’s Party became an instant hit.
A fascinating study of the pretensions of 1970s suburbia, the play focuses on the interplay between five ill-matched people during an evening characterised by alcohol, cigarettes, Demis Roussos records and cheesy nibbles. Tamzin Outhwaite stars.
There’s a new arrival on the way, and Peppa Pig, Mummy Pig, Daddy Pig and George all need the audience’s help to make sure everything’s ready for the arrival of baby Evie...
If you’ve taken your little ones to any of the previous Peppa Pig stage shows - and enjoyed the experience of watching them having a fantastic time - you’ll already know that this currently touring production is well worth catching.
Soon to be celebrating 40 years spent putting out blazes in Pontypandy - and lighting up children’s eyes with delight - Fireman Sam here finds himself yet again saving the day.
This time, he’s called into action when perpetual troublemaker Norman Price discovers clues to a pirate treasure and goes exploring deep into the caves...
First visiting theatres in 2008, Brainiac Live! provides plenty of family fun - with a few bangs, wallops and flashes thrown in for good measure!
“When we’re developing the show,” explains the production’s creative director, Andy Joyce, “what we’re looking for is a ‘Wow!’ moment; something that either makes a noise, has a huge effect, or creates a bang. It needs to have that pay-off, but it also has to be interesting.
“We learn about something from the scientists and then put our little spin on it. So my role has been about being in laboratories, watching things go whizz bang bok, and then asking the scientists: how big can we go on stage with this in a way that’s safe?”
The musical partnership of Alan Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg has produced some impressive results down the years, most memorably the smash-hit musical Les Miserables.
Another of their shows, less lauded than Les Mis but still widely admired, is this epic tale, which premiered in the West End some 37 years ago... Set against the backdrop of the evacuation of Saigon in 1975, the show tells the story of an American GI and his love for a young Vietnamese woman.
Best-known numbers include The Heat Is On In Saigon, The Movie In My Mind, Last Night Of The World and The American Dream.
Mean Girls proved to be a defining movie for a whole generation when it was released more than 20 years ago, so it’s no surprise that the story has since had theatrical life breathed into it.
The plotline follows the adventures of student Cady Heron as she engages with an elite group of popular high-school girls called The Plastics, whose queen bee, Regina George, is ably assisted in her conniving ways by her minions, Gretchen and Karen...
Steps star Faye Tozer takes top billing when the show visits Wolverhampton this month, playing three characters: Ms Heron, Ms Norbury and Mrs George.
Bold and imaginative storytelling, brought to life by brilliant young performers, is the promise being made by the producers of this family-friendly offering. The teams behind the show are Birmingham Hippodrome SEN and Drama Youth Theatres, who’ve teamed up to present ‘two hours of pure theatrical magic’, from exploring underwater worlds filled with pirates and hidden treasures, to reviving classic bedtime stories...
The recently screened second-series television adaptation of The Night Manager has once again brought to the fore the name of the original novel’s author: John le Carré.
Thirty years before he wrote The Night Manager, le Carré penned The Spy Who Came In From The Cold. His third book, it became an international bestseller and established the former MI5 and MI6 employee as a major name in the spy-novel genre.
Not only written but also set during the Cold War era, its story focuses on the character of British intelligence officer Alec Leamas, who is persuaded to undertake one final, dangerous, deceptive and deeply personal mission...
This acclaimed stage production visits the Midlands this month direct from the West End and following a sold-out run at Chichester Festival Theatre. Ralf Little (pictured) takes the title role.
Hook up your fishnets, tighten your corsets and prepare to ‘do The Time Warp again’ - The Rocky Horror Show is returning to the Midlands! Richard O Brien’s cult production tells the tale of the straight-laced Brad and the deliciously corruptible Janet, who arrive at the castle of the alien transvestite Frank N Furter and witness the birth of the monster, Rocky. Along the way, they take the audience through a selection of love-’em-or-loathe-’em musical numbers, including Damn It Janet, Sweet Transvestite, and The Time Warp. Great fun’s a guarantee - particularly if you get into the spirit of things and attend the show dressed in your very best stockings & suspenders (as many patrons do)!
A smash hit in the West End, with an Olivier Award nomination further proving its credentials, The Choir Of Man is no conventional theatre production. Set in a pub, featuring ‘a wildly talented group of incredible instrumentalists, world-class wordsmiths, and sensational singers’, it’s brimming with hits from artists including Queen, Luther Vandross, Paul Simon, Adele and Katy Perry. There’s no story to follow as such - the show maybe feels more like a gig than a play - but there’s certainly plenty to enjoy across its near two-hour running time.
Dinosaur Adventure Live is being advertised as ‘the greatest prehistoric show on Earth’, providing audiences with a ‘65 million years in the making’ hour of ‘roarsome’ fun that’s ‘totally T-rex-iffic’...
The interactive experience allows families to take a journey through the Jurassic era, meet dinos face-to-face, and check out the impossible-to-ignore roar of a terror-inducing Tyrannosaurus...
Blue Heeler puppy Bluey has certainly had plenty to bark about since making her television debut eight years ago.
The Australian animated pre-school series in which she stars has not only developed a huge international fanbase but also picked up prestigious Emmy and Bafta awards. On the back of such global success, it was only a matter of time before the popular pup’s adventures made it onto the stage...
This 50-minute show finds Bluey and younger sister Bingo determined to thwart their dad’s plan to enjoy a quiet Sunday afternoon...
“I’ve written a play that imagines Eric Morecambe, Tommy Cooper and Bob Monkhouse sitting in a dressing room discussing life, death, comedy, and what it means to be funny,” explains Paul Hendy, the one-time television presenter who’s not only written The Last Laugh but also produced and directed it. “Anybody who likes comedy and has an interest in the history of comedy - or, to be honest, just wants a good laugh - will enjoy this show, because ultimately it explores what it means to be funny, even if you don’t know these actual comedians.”
Now here’s an improvised show with plenty to recommend it...
First and foremost, it was a multiple-sell-out hit at the Edinburgh Fringe...
Secondly, it’s presented by a critically acclaimed company - Degrees Of Error - who are past masters of the improv genre...
Thirdly, the show is a real hoot. An Agatha Christie-inspired whodunnit, it features a classic murder-mystery, which is created ‘on the spot’. Audience members are then encouraged to don their deerstalkers (if they’ve brought them along!), grab a magnifying glass and make sure their ‘finger of suspicion’ is ‘at the ready’...
The show runs for two hours, including an interval.
Based on the hit movie starring Reese Witherspoon, this critically acclaimed musical follows the story of college sweetheart and homecoming queen Elle Woods, a girl who just doesn’t take no for an answer. So when her boyfriend, Warner, announces that he’s dumping her for someone more serious, Elle puts down the credit card, hits the books and heads for Harvard Law School.
Amber Davies (Pretty Woman, 9 to 5 The Musical) takes the lead role in a production directed by Nikolai Foster, the artistic director at Curve, Leicester. Commenting on the show, Nikolai and Curve’s chief executive, Chris Stafford, said: “Legally Blonde is firmly established in the musical theatre repertoire as a contemporary classic. Laurence O’Keefe, Nell Benjamin & Heather Hach’s electrifying musical about empowerment, equality and the folly of judging a book by its cover remains pitch-perfect and as relevant as ever.”
*Please note, Amber Davies will not be performing at the matinee performance at The Alexandra, Birmingham on Thursday 2 April at 2.30pm; she will not be performing at the matinee performance at Wolverhampton Grand on Thursday 15 October at 2.30pm; and she will not be performing at the matinee performance at The Regent on Thursday 19 November at 2.30pm.
You know what you’re going to get with a Willy Russell production. From Educating Rita to Shirley Valentine, his work is always sharp, refreshing, poignant and funny. And Blood Brothers doesn’t buck the trend. It’s effectively a class-driven Scouse melodrama, but to simply describe it as such is to vastly underestimate the emotional response it routinely produces within its audience.
Running for more than 10,000 performances in London’s West End - one of only five musicals ever to achieve that milestone - it tells the story of an unfortunate mother compelled to give away one of her twins. It also has adult actors playing children and boasts a sharp social awareness to counteract the sticky sentimentality. And if the measure of a musical’s success is being able to hum the songs when you come out of the theatre - without having known them all that well before you went in - then this is unquestionably one of the best.
A refreshingly anarchic approach to science communication is the name of the game when the Ministry of Science comes to town. As well as taking a look at the inventors and engineers who’ve shaped and inspired the modern world, the show’s presenters will be conducting clever demonstrations aplenty - so brace yourself for the occasional loud bang!
Giant liquid hydrogen clouds, exploding oxygen and hydrogen balloons, fire tornados, hydrogen bottle rockets, ignited methane and even a self-built hovercraft all feature.
Brace yourselves for the Rude Science team’s hilarious, high-tech, highly explosive new journey through the human body, packed with ‘burp biology, fart physics and revolting edible chemistry’.
At a very basic level, it’s a rollercoaster ride through a series of disgusting experiments built to delight young audiences; but scratch beneath the surface and you’ll discover a brilliantly constructed curriculum-driven adventure designed to gift Britain’s kids with a lasting fascination for science.
The show is the brainchild of Stefan Gates, high-octane presenter of 20 TV series (five for CBBC), award-winning author of 13 books (including Rude Science) and internationally renowned producer of world-class science stage shows.
This legendary show is of course a nicely contrived vehicle for the chart-topping music of 1970s Super Troupers Abba. Back in the day, the Swedish Fab Four scored mega-hit after mega-hit with catchy numbers including Waterloo, Dancing Queen, The Name Of The Game, The Winner Takes It All and Take A Chance On Me (all of which are present and correct in this blockbuster offering).
Set in a Greek-island paradise, Mamma Mia! tells the story of single mum Donna and her 20-year-old daughter, Sophie, who’s soon to get married. Formerly the lead singer of a three-piece girl group called The Dynamos, Donna led something of a crazy, carefree existence when she was a younger woman. As a result, Sophie’s never known who her father is... and if truth be told, Donna’s not entirely sure either. After stealing a sly glimpse at her mum’s old diary, sneaky Sophie identifies three possible candidates.
Masquerading as Donna, she sends messages inviting each of the men to attend her wedding. Hijinks, chaos and confusion inevitably ensue, all of which are best experienced to a pulsating Abba soundtrack, of course...
This Watermill Theatre revival might well strike a chord with long-in-the-tooth theatre-goers, calling to mind memories of 40-plus years ago, when the show was the talk of the town. Telling the story of ‘America’s Greatest Showman’, Phineas T Barnum, the musical premiered on Broadway in 1980, with one-time Carry On cast member Jim Dale taking the title role. The West End version opened the following year, and established Some Mothers Do ’ave ’em star Michael Crawford as one of the UK’s brightest theatrical talents.
Featuring hit numbers Come Follow The Band, The Colours Of My Life and There Is A Sucker Born Ev’ry Minute, this critically acclaimed production stars musical theatre favourite and one-time Joseph star Lee Mead in the title role. Acrobats, circus acts, and an ensemble cast of over 20 actor-musicians - playing 150 instruments between them - further add to the show’s appeal.
With millions of copies having been sold in double-quick time after it was published in 1999, it’s fair to say that Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler’s picture book The Gruffalo captured the hearts and minds of children everywhere. So it was no surprise when the dynamic duo then produced this sequel story five years later...
Despite her dad’s warning to stay away from the deep, dark wood, the Gruffalo’s child decides it’s time to go and explore, caring not a jot about the legend of the Big Bad Mouse...
Award-winning theatre company Tall Stories, who certainly know a thing or two about adapting Donaldson/Scheffler books for the stage, here present a production that brings together ‘songs, laughs and scary fun for everyone aged three to 103’.
If you’re long overdue a carefree night out, then why not grab yourself a ticket for this nostalgia-drenched get-together and dance your socks off in the aisles...
The Big Pants Party is described by its publicity as ‘the ultimate ladies night out, celebrating the iconic soundtrack of a lifetime of fun, love and friendship’.
Taking the form of a concert, the show has been specially designed to get its audience singing and dancing along. Big pants are optional.
There’s never a dull month when it comes to theatre in the Midlands. Check out our selection of shows coming to venues across the region during the next few weeks...
WAITRESS
This smash-hit Broadway and West End musical is based on the 2007 movie of the same name and visits the Midlands with West End favourite Carrie Hope Fletcher heading the cast.
Expert pie maker Jenna is trapped in a loveless marriage to a controlling and abusive man. She dreams of a better future. When a baking contest - and the town’s new doctor - provide her with the hope of something better, she has to decide whether she can find the strength and courage to rebuild her life.
The challenge she faces becomes even harder when her husband discovers the cash she’s been squirreling away with the intention of leaving him...
Billed as a musical celebration of friendship, motherhood, and the magic of a well-made pie, Waitress co-stars Les Dennis as Old Joe, with Evelyn Hoskins and Sandra Marvin also featuring.
Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, until Saturday 6 June; Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Monday 6 - Saturday 11 July
AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS
It’s easy to forget that travelling across the globe used to be a very difficult and long-winded undertaking. Jules Verne’s classic adventure story, Around The World In 80 Days - here helmed by New Vic Artistic Director Theresa Heskins - offers a fun-filled reminder of a time when exotic climes really were ‘a world away’.
Making a welcome return to the Newcastle-under-Lyme theatre’s stage, this much-loved and family-friendly production recounts the story of English gentleman Phileas Fogg’s attempt to circumnavigate the globe in the aforementioned 80 days on a wager of £20,000, aided and abetted in his endeavour by his trusty valet, Passepartout...
Eight actors take on 109 characters, with six trains, five boats, two dances, one storm, a circus act and an elephant also featuring.
New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme, until Saturday 20 June
ANNIE
Cabaret star La Voix takes on the coveted role of the tyrannical Miss Hannigan when Annie visits Birmingham this month.
Telling the heart-warming rags-to-riches story of a little girl who finds herself transported from a New York orphanage to the luxurious world of a millionaire, the oft-touring Broadway musical features plenty of memorable songs, including It’s A Hard Knock Life, I Don’t Need Anything But You, Easy Street, and of course the legendary Tomorrow.
The show’s Stoke and Wolverhampton dates will see familiar television face and musical theatre favourite Claire Sweeney taking over from La Voix in the role of Miss Hannigan.
The Alexandra, Birmingham, Tuesday 2 - Saturday 6 June; Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Tuesday 13 - Sunday 18 October; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Tuesday 16 - Sunday 21 February 2027
THE ENORMOUS CROCODILE
Roald Dahl’s enormous crocodile will be snapping at the heels of audiences across the Midlands this month, when the stage adaptation of the ever-popular children’s book - first published in 1978 - visits three local theatres.
“Roald Dahl’s stories are full of drama, jeopardy and peril,” says writer Suhayla El-Bushra, who created the production’s book and lyrics. “That’s why they’re so popular. The Enormous Crocodile is the ultimate peril for its audience because it’s about a very big crocodile who wants to eat a child - and the whole audience is full of children
Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Thursday 4 - Sunday 7 June; Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Thursday 11 - Sunday 14 June; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Thursday 18 - Sunday 21 June
THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING OSCAR
The many sides of Oscar Wilde are laid bare in the late Micheál Mac Liammóir’s critically acclaimed offering, originally performed way back in 1960.
Alastair Whatley is the star of a one-man production which is directed by Michael Fentiman, whose theatrical version of The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe proved to be a major Christmas hit at the Birmingham Rep back in 2023.
The show is produced by the Olivier Award-nominated Original Theatre, the company behind the stage adaptation of author Sebastian Faulks’ Birdsong, another show which has toured to the region in recent times.
Lichfield Garrick, Friday 5 June; Malvern Theatres, Wednesday 1 - Friday 3 July
THE DINOSAUR THAT POOPED: A ROCK SHOW
Tom Fletcher and Dougie Poynter are promising their brand-new production will come complete with new songs, a lot of laughs and (not surprisingly given the show’s title) a whole load of poo!
Based on Tom and Dougie’s bestselling children’s books, The Dinosaur That Pooped follows Danny and Dino as they try to get hold of the last two tickets to their favourite rock band’s last-ever concert. But with a villainous band manager lurking, nothing goes to plan... Will the band perform? Will Danny rock out? Or will Dino’s rumbling tummy save the day?...
Swan Theatre, Worcester, Saturday 6 June; Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Wednesday 22 July; Lichfield Garrick, Saturday 12 September; The Alexandra, Birmingham, Sunday 8 November
THE CAT IN THE HAT
Experience mischief and mayhem in this acclaimed stage adaptation of Dr Seuss' The Cat in the Hat.
From the moment his tall, red and white-striped hat appears, Sally and her brother know that the cat in the hat is the funniest, most mischievous cat they have ever met. With the trickiest of tricks and craziest of ideas, he turns a rainy afternoon into an amazing adventure.
The Cat in the Hat is a lively and engaging first theatre experience for children aged 3+, based on the best-selling book.
Meet the Cat in the Hat after the show and continue the mayhem - for free!
Stourbridge Town Hall, Saturday 6 - Sunday 7 June; Worcester Swan Theatre, Friday 26 June
ROMEO AND JULIET
Zany funsters Oddsocks make a welcome return to the region, this time with their sure-to-be-entertaining take on Shakespeare’s famous story of star-crossed lovers.
“Our inclusive approach means that varied communities across the UK are able to engage with theatre,” say the company’s founders and husband & wife team, Andy Barrow and Elli Mackenzie. “We aim to tell good stories in a fun, informative way, gently challenging people’s perceptions and the way in which they react to theatre.”
Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Monday 8 - Wednesday 10 June; Bowring Park, Telford, Sunday 21 June; Compton Verney, Warwickshire, Saturday 11 July; Avoncroft Museum, Bromsgrove, Sunday 12 July
SINGLE WHITE FEMALE
Recently divorced mum Allie is trying to juggle childcare with the challenges of starting a new business. When she advertises for a lodger to help make ends meet, along comes the seemingly delightful Hedy. But all is not as it seems - and it isn’t too long before their new friendship takes a decidedly sinister turn...
Adapted from the hit 1992 film of the same name starring Bridget Fonda and Jennifer Jason Leigh, this brand-new touring production brings together familiar television faces Kym Marsh and Lisa Faulkner.
“The essence of the show is very much still the same [as the movie], but the story is slightly changed,” says Kym, who plays Hedi. “As well as being more up to date, it’s based in the UK rather than being in America. So there are differences, but the big, important, epic moments are still in there. And it’s very much still a thriller with a real shock factor - we want to have people on the edge of their seats. I think audiences will very much love the story, whether they’ve seen the film or not.
Malvern Theatres, Tuesday 9 - Saturday 13 June
FRANKIE GOES TO BOLLYWOOD
Frankie never wanted to be a star; she just wanted a family. But after a chance encounter with an up-and-coming director, she finds herself transported to Bollywood, ‘where dreams are mass-produced, identities are reshaped, and women are expected to smile and play by the script that’s written for them’...
Boasting ‘show-stopping choreography, lavish costumes, and a cast of unforgettable characters’, Frankie Goes To Bollywood has been inspired by real stories of British women who’ve been caught in the spotlight of the biggest film industry in the world.... The show is a Rifco Theatre Company production.
The Rep, Birmingham, Wednesday 10 - Saturday 13 June
CURED
Wheelchair-using scally Connor Fisher has his eye on a sharp-tongued woman named Rose. After meeting her in the queue for a benefits reassessment, he then decides to pursue her on a pilgrimage to Lourdes.
Driven by determination to get his leg over, it’s fair to say the prayer, contemplation and quiet self-reflection usually associated with pilgrimage are a million miles from Connor’s thoughts. And it isn’t long before his antics rub off on his fellow pilgrims as well...
This brand-new play by comedian Laurence Clark has been produced by Liverpool’s Royal Court in partnership with Birds Of Paradise.
Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Thursday 11 - Saturday 13 June
RUBY WAX: ABSOLUTELY FAMOUS
Relatively fresh from her stint in the Australian jungle on last winter’s I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here!, American comedian Ruby Wax makes a welcome return with a show that recalls her much-loved television series Ruby Wax Meets and The Full Wax. Ruby is joined on stage by lifelong friend and producer Clive Tulloh for a nostalgic look back at some of the most famous interviews from the two TV shows.
So, if you fancy hearing some scandalous and never-before-told stories about the likes of Donald Trump, OJ Simpson and Madonna, bag yourself a ticket; it should be a fun ride.
Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Friday 12 June; Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Saturday 13 June
PATEL'S MILLIONS 2
Described as a rags-to-riches adventure, Patel’s Millions blended ‘foot-tapping Bollywood songs with dazzling dances and laugh-out-loud comedy’ to tell the story of a struggling shopkeeper with big dreams...
Now, taking its inspiration from that old adage ‘if it’s not broken, don’t fix it’, comes this sequel offering, one that finds Mr Patel in deep trouble, having lost all of his money overnight. Back in his corner shop, he’s trying to keep up appearances, with his family having no idea that they’re broke.
And to make matters even trickier, his daughter’s wedding looms on the horizon, and Mrs Patel is in no mood to keep an eye on the budget...
The Alexandra, Birmingham, Sunday 14 June
ABIGAIL'S PARTY
Making its television debut as a BBC Play For Today on 1 November 1977, Mike Leigh’s Abigail’s Party became an instant hit.
A fascinating study of the pretensions of 1970s suburbia, the play focuses on the interplay between five ill-matched people during an evening characterised by alcohol, cigarettes, Demis Roussos records and cheesy nibbles. Tamzin Outhwaite stars.
Malvern Theatres, Monday 15 - Saturday 20 June
PEPPA PIG'S BIG FAMILY DAY OUT
There’s a new arrival on the way, and Peppa Pig, Mummy Pig, Daddy Pig and George all need the audience’s help to make sure everything’s ready for the arrival of baby Evie...
If you’ve taken your little ones to any of the previous Peppa Pig stage shows - and enjoyed the experience of watching them having a fantastic time - you’ll already know that this currently touring production is well worth catching.
The Alexandra, Birmingham, Tuesday 16 & Wednesday 17 June; Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Friday 7 - Saturday 8 August
FIREMAN SAM LIVE
Soon to be celebrating 40 years spent putting out blazes in Pontypandy - and lighting up children’s eyes with delight - Fireman Sam here finds himself yet again saving the day.
This time, he’s called into action when perpetual troublemaker Norman Price discovers clues to a pirate treasure and goes exploring deep into the caves...
Birmingham Town Hall, Saturday 20 June; Brierley Hill Civic, Thursday 27 August; Malvern Festival Theatre, Sunday 6 September
BRAINIAC LIVE!
First visiting theatres in 2008, Brainiac Live! provides plenty of family fun - with a few bangs, wallops and flashes thrown in for good measure!
“When we’re developing the show,” explains the production’s creative director, Andy Joyce, “what we’re looking for is a ‘Wow!’ moment; something that either makes a noise, has a huge effect, or creates a bang. It needs to have that pay-off, but it also has to be interesting.
“We learn about something from the scientists and then put our little spin on it. So my role has been about being in laboratories, watching things go whizz bang bok, and then asking the scientists: how big can we go on stage with this in a way that’s safe?”
The Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Saturday 20 June
MISS SAIGON
The musical partnership of Alan Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg has produced some impressive results down the years, most memorably the smash-hit musical Les Miserables.
Another of their shows, less lauded than Les Mis but still widely admired, is this epic tale, which premiered in the West End some 37 years ago... Set against the backdrop of the evacuation of Saigon in 1975, the show tells the story of an American GI and his love for a young Vietnamese woman.
Best-known numbers include The Heat Is On In Saigon, The Movie In My Mind, Last Night Of The World and The American Dream.
Birmingham Hippodrome, Tuesday 23 - Saturday 27 June
MEAN GIRLS
Mean Girls proved to be a defining movie for a whole generation when it was released more than 20 years ago, so it’s no surprise that the story has since had theatrical life breathed into it.
The plotline follows the adventures of student Cady Heron as she engages with an elite group of popular high-school girls called The Plastics, whose queen bee, Regina George, is ably assisted in her conniving ways by her minions, Gretchen and Karen...
Steps star Faye Tozer takes top billing when the show visits Wolverhampton this month, playing three characters: Ms Heron, Ms Norbury and Mrs George.
Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Tuesday 23 - Saturday 27 June; The Alexandra, Birmingham, Monday 14 December - Saturday 2 January
Photo features previous West End cast.
INTO THE WILD AND OVER THE WAVES
Bold and imaginative storytelling, brought to life by brilliant young performers, is the promise being made by the producers of this family-friendly offering. The teams behind the show are Birmingham Hippodrome SEN and Drama Youth Theatres, who’ve teamed up to present ‘two hours of pure theatrical magic’, from exploring underwater worlds filled with pirates and hidden treasures, to reviving classic bedtime stories...
Birmingham Hippodrome, Monday 29 & Tuesday 30 June
THE SPY WHO CAME IN FROM THE COLD
The recently screened second-series television adaptation of The Night Manager has once again brought to the fore the name of the original novel’s author: John le Carré.
Thirty years before he wrote The Night Manager, le Carré penned The Spy Who Came In From The Cold. His third book, it became an international bestseller and established the former MI5 and MI6 employee as a major name in the spy-novel genre.
Not only written but also set during the Cold War era, its story focuses on the character of British intelligence officer Alec Leamas, who is persuaded to undertake one final, dangerous, deceptive and deeply personal mission...
This acclaimed stage production visits the Midlands this month direct from the West End and following a sold-out run at Chichester Festival Theatre. Ralf Little (pictured) takes the title role.
The Alexandra, Birmingham, Tuesday 30 June - Saturday 4 July
THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW
Hook up your fishnets, tighten your corsets and prepare to ‘do The Time Warp again’ - The Rocky Horror Show is returning to the Midlands! Richard O Brien’s cult production tells the tale of the straight-laced Brad and the deliciously corruptible Janet, who arrive at the castle of the alien transvestite Frank N Furter and witness the birth of the monster, Rocky. Along the way, they take the audience through a selection of love-’em-or-loathe-’em musical numbers, including Damn It Janet, Sweet Transvestite, and The Time Warp. Great fun’s a guarantee - particularly if you get into the spirit of things and attend the show dressed in your very best stockings & suspenders (as many patrons do)!
The Alexandra, Birmingham, Monday 6 - Saturday 11 July
THE CHOIR OF MAN
A smash hit in the West End, with an Olivier Award nomination further proving its credentials, The Choir Of Man is no conventional theatre production. Set in a pub, featuring ‘a wildly talented group of incredible instrumentalists, world-class wordsmiths, and sensational singers’, it’s brimming with hits from artists including Queen, Luther Vandross, Paul Simon, Adele and Katy Perry. There’s no story to follow as such - the show maybe feels more like a gig than a play - but there’s certainly plenty to enjoy across its near two-hour running time.
The Alexandra, Birmingham, Tuesday 14 - Saturday 18 July; Malvern Theatres, Tuesday 21 - Saturday 25 July; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Tuesday 20 - Saturday 24 October
DINOSAUR ADVENTURE LIVE
Dinosaur Adventure Live is being advertised as ‘the greatest prehistoric show on Earth’, providing audiences with a ‘65 million years in the making’ hour of ‘roarsome’ fun that’s ‘totally T-rex-iffic’...
The interactive experience allows families to take a journey through the Jurassic era, meet dinos face-to-face, and check out the impossible-to-ignore roar of a terror-inducing Tyrannosaurus...
Roses Theatre, Tewksbury, Tuesday 21 July; The Core Theatre, Solihull, Tuesday 28 July
BLUEY'S BIG PLAY
Blue Heeler puppy Bluey has certainly had plenty to bark about since making her television debut eight years ago.
The Australian animated pre-school series in which she stars has not only developed a huge international fanbase but also picked up prestigious Emmy and Bafta awards. On the back of such global success, it was only a matter of time before the popular pup’s adventures made it onto the stage...
This 50-minute show finds Bluey and younger sister Bingo determined to thwart their dad’s plan to enjoy a quiet Sunday afternoon...
Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Thursday 23 - Sunday 26 July
THE LAST LAUGH
“I’ve written a play that imagines Eric Morecambe, Tommy Cooper and Bob Monkhouse sitting in a dressing room discussing life, death, comedy, and what it means to be funny,” explains Paul Hendy, the one-time television presenter who’s not only written The Last Laugh but also produced and directed it. “Anybody who likes comedy and has an interest in the history of comedy - or, to be honest, just wants a good laugh - will enjoy this show, because ultimately it explores what it means to be funny, even if you don’t know these actual comedians.”
Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Wednesday 9 - Saturday 12 September
MURDER SHE DIDN'T WRITE
Now here’s an improvised show with plenty to recommend it...
First and foremost, it was a multiple-sell-out hit at the Edinburgh Fringe...
Secondly, it’s presented by a critically acclaimed company - Degrees Of Error - who are past masters of the improv genre...
Thirdly, the show is a real hoot. An Agatha Christie-inspired whodunnit, it features a classic murder-mystery, which is created ‘on the spot’. Audience members are then encouraged to don their deerstalkers (if they’ve brought them along!), grab a magnifying glass and make sure their ‘finger of suspicion’ is ‘at the ready’...
The show runs for two hours, including an interval.
Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Monday 21 September
LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL
Based on the hit movie starring Reese Witherspoon, this critically acclaimed musical follows the story of college sweetheart and homecoming queen Elle Woods, a girl who just doesn’t take no for an answer. So when her boyfriend, Warner, announces that he’s dumping her for someone more serious, Elle puts down the credit card, hits the books and heads for Harvard Law School.
Amber Davies (Pretty Woman, 9 to 5 The Musical) takes the lead role in a production directed by Nikolai Foster, the artistic director at Curve, Leicester. Commenting on the show, Nikolai and Curve’s chief executive, Chris Stafford, said: “Legally Blonde is firmly established in the musical theatre repertoire as a contemporary classic. Laurence O’Keefe, Nell Benjamin & Heather Hach’s electrifying musical about empowerment, equality and the folly of judging a book by its cover remains pitch-perfect and as relevant as ever.”
*Please note, Amber Davies will not be performing at the matinee performance at The Alexandra, Birmingham on Thursday 2 April at 2.30pm; she will not be performing at the matinee performance at Wolverhampton Grand on Thursday 15 October at 2.30pm; and she will not be performing at the matinee performance at The Regent on Thursday 19 November at 2.30pm.
Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Tuesday 13 - Saturday 17 October; Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Tuesday 17 - Saturday 21 November
BLOOD BROTHERS
You know what you’re going to get with a Willy Russell production. From Educating Rita to Shirley Valentine, his work is always sharp, refreshing, poignant and funny. And Blood Brothers doesn’t buck the trend. It’s effectively a class-driven Scouse melodrama, but to simply describe it as such is to vastly underestimate the emotional response it routinely produces within its audience.
Running for more than 10,000 performances in London’s West End - one of only five musicals ever to achieve that milestone - it tells the story of an unfortunate mother compelled to give away one of her twins. It also has adult actors playing children and boasts a sharp social awareness to counteract the sticky sentimentality. And if the measure of a musical’s success is being able to hum the songs when you come out of the theatre - without having known them all that well before you went in - then this is unquestionably one of the best.
Birmingham Hippodrome, Tuesday 20 - Saturday 24 October; Malvern Theatres, Tuesday 17 - Saturday 21 November
MINISTRY OF SCIENCE LIVE
A refreshingly anarchic approach to science communication is the name of the game when the Ministry of Science comes to town. As well as taking a look at the inventors and engineers who’ve shaped and inspired the modern world, the show’s presenters will be conducting clever demonstrations aplenty - so brace yourself for the occasional loud bang!
Giant liquid hydrogen clouds, exploding oxygen and hydrogen balloons, fire tornados, hydrogen bottle rockets, ignited methane and even a self-built hovercraft all feature.
Lichfield Garrick, Monday 26 October
THE UTTERLY REVOLTING SCIENCE SHOW
Brace yourselves for the Rude Science team’s hilarious, high-tech, highly explosive new journey through the human body, packed with ‘burp biology, fart physics and revolting edible chemistry’.
At a very basic level, it’s a rollercoaster ride through a series of disgusting experiments built to delight young audiences; but scratch beneath the surface and you’ll discover a brilliantly constructed curriculum-driven adventure designed to gift Britain’s kids with a lasting fascination for science.
The show is the brainchild of Stefan Gates, high-octane presenter of 20 TV series (five for CBBC), award-winning author of 13 books (including Rude Science) and internationally renowned producer of world-class science stage shows.
Kidderminster Town Hall, Monday 26 October
MAMMA MIA!
This legendary show is of course a nicely contrived vehicle for the chart-topping music of 1970s Super Troupers Abba. Back in the day, the Swedish Fab Four scored mega-hit after mega-hit with catchy numbers including Waterloo, Dancing Queen, The Name Of The Game, The Winner Takes It All and Take A Chance On Me (all of which are present and correct in this blockbuster offering).
Set in a Greek-island paradise, Mamma Mia! tells the story of single mum Donna and her 20-year-old daughter, Sophie, who’s soon to get married. Formerly the lead singer of a three-piece girl group called The Dynamos, Donna led something of a crazy, carefree existence when she was a younger woman. As a result, Sophie’s never known who her father is... and if truth be told, Donna’s not entirely sure either. After stealing a sly glimpse at her mum’s old diary, sneaky Sophie identifies three possible candidates.
Masquerading as Donna, she sends messages inviting each of the men to attend her wedding. Hijinks, chaos and confusion inevitably ensue, all of which are best experienced to a pulsating Abba soundtrack, of course...
Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Tuesday 27 October - Saturday 7 November
BARNUM
This Watermill Theatre revival might well strike a chord with long-in-the-tooth theatre-goers, calling to mind memories of 40-plus years ago, when the show was the talk of the town. Telling the story of ‘America’s Greatest Showman’, Phineas T Barnum, the musical premiered on Broadway in 1980, with one-time Carry On cast member Jim Dale taking the title role. The West End version opened the following year, and established Some Mothers Do ’ave ’em star Michael Crawford as one of the UK’s brightest theatrical talents.
Featuring hit numbers Come Follow The Band, The Colours Of My Life and There Is A Sucker Born Ev’ry Minute, this critically acclaimed production stars musical theatre favourite and one-time Joseph star Lee Mead in the title role. Acrobats, circus acts, and an ensemble cast of over 20 actor-musicians - playing 150 instruments between them - further add to the show’s appeal.
Malvern Theatres, Tuesday 27 - Saturday 31 October
THE GRUFFALO'S CHILD
With millions of copies having been sold in double-quick time after it was published in 1999, it’s fair to say that Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler’s picture book The Gruffalo captured the hearts and minds of children everywhere. So it was no surprise when the dynamic duo then produced this sequel story five years later...
Despite her dad’s warning to stay away from the deep, dark wood, the Gruffalo’s child decides it’s time to go and explore, caring not a jot about the legend of the Big Bad Mouse...
Award-winning theatre company Tall Stories, who certainly know a thing or two about adapting Donaldson/Scheffler books for the stage, here present a production that brings together ‘songs, laughs and scary fun for everyone aged three to 103’.
Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Saturday 28 November - Sunday 27 December
THE BIG PANTS PARTY
If you’re long overdue a carefree night out, then why not grab yourself a ticket for this nostalgia-drenched get-together and dance your socks off in the aisles...
The Big Pants Party is described by its publicity as ‘the ultimate ladies night out, celebrating the iconic soundtrack of a lifetime of fun, love and friendship’.
Taking the form of a concert, the show has been specially designed to get its audience singing and dancing along. Big pants are optional.
Tamworth Assembly Rooms, Saturday 12 December; The Albany Theatre, Coventry, Saturday 6 March 2027; Walsall Arena, Friday 12 March 2027