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...

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!

Worcester Swan Theatre, Friday 26 June 

 

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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, until Saturday 27 June

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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, until Saturday 27 June; The Alexandra, Birmingham, Monday 14 December - Saturday 2 January

Photo features previous West End cast. 

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RICHARD III

The murderous and machiavellian Duke of Gloucester, better known - but only once he’s ascended the throne, of course - as Richard III, is perhaps the most powerful and evil of all theatre villains.

Shakespeare’s brutal play follows Gloucester’s blood-soaked trail as he uses all his skills as a lover, a liar, a trickster and a tyrant to seize power and become the King of England... Matthew Duckett, whose acting CV includes Netflix’s film version of Lady Chatterley’s Lover, takes the title role.

Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, until Saturday 4 July

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A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM

This fresh retelling of A Midsummer Night’s Dream - made with youngsters very much in mind - sees the Royal Shakespeare Company teaming up with leading children’s theatre ensemble Unicorn for the very first time. 

The show has proved a big hit with adults as well as kids, courtesy of its fast-track storytelling (it runs for just 80 interval-free minutes), eye-catching design and innovative creative captioning.  

This production features creative captions in every performance, fully integrated into the set design. For more information about the themes and content of this play, please see the content advisory page.

The Other Place, Stratford-upon-Avon, until Sunday 30 August

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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

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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

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MATILDA THE MUSICAL

Matilda is an extraordinary child, but her parents think she’s a nuisance. When they’re not glued to the television set, her mum practises ballroom dancing and her dad gloats about his latest dodgy business deal. 

Life at school isn’t much better for Matilda either. Then, one day, she discovers that she’s got very special powers and decides it’s high time the grown-ups were taught a much-needed lesson...

Adapted from one of Roald Dahl’s best-loved books, the Royal Shakespeare Company’s stage-musical version of Matilda - complete with music & lyrics by comedian Tim Minchin - has been delighting West End audiences for 15 years, during which time it’s bagged in excess of 100 international awards.

Birmingham Hippodrome, Wednesday 1 July - Sunday 2 August

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THE THREE MUSKETEERS

There’s plenty of swashbuckling fun to be had in Illyria’s lighthearted stage version of Alexandre Dumas’ classic adventure novel. Set against a sweeping backdrop of 17th-century war-torn France, the play is being advertised by Ilyria as a coming together of peril, politics and passion. 

The long-established theatricals wish to make it clear that younger children are most welcome at the show - assuming, they say, that they’re brave enough to attend…

Winterbourne Gardens, Birmingham, Friday 3 July; Weston Park, Shropshire, Friday 14 August; Hanbury Hall, Droitwich, Saturday 15 August

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MR SLEEPYBUM'S DREAM MACHINE

With accolades and glittering gongs aplenty to recommend it, Mr Sleepybum was a show well worth checking out. Now, the title character - a fella who has ‘stupid, silly dreams’ at night - is making a welcome return with this brand-new production.

Running for one hour and suitable for children aged between three and eight, the show sees Mr Sleepybum invent a machine that magically brings to life all manner of dreams, including ones featuring dinosaurs, robots, car chases and, er, the world’s largest blanket! 

Midlands Arts Centre (MAC), Birmingham, Saturday 4 July; Little Theatre, Donnington, Shropshire, Saturday 21 November

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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.

Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Monday 6 - Saturday 11 July

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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

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OTHELLO

Shakespeare’s tragic tale of lost handkerchiefs, ruined reputations and mistreated wives has always been one of theatre’s most powerful stories.

When Iago is overlooked for promotion by Othello, his Machiavellian mind turns to thoughts of vengeance. Othello’s willingness to be led by the nose is all grist to Iago’s mill, and fatal consequences ensue... 

The production is presented by the well-established and all-male Lord Chamberlain’s Men, who are taking on the challenge of performing Othello for the very first time in their history. 

Lichfield Cathedral, Tuesday 7 July; Coughton Court, Warwickshire, Friday 10 July; Shrewsbury Castle, Tuesday 28 & Wednesday 29 July; Alderford Lake, Whitchurch, North Shropshire, Tuesday 11 August; Bantock House & Gardens, Wolverhampton, Saturday 15 August  

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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.”   

Compton Verney, Warwickshire, Saturday 11 July; Avoncroft Museum, Bromsgrove, Sunday 12 July 

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THE CHANGELING

Oldbury Rep Players once again tread the boards in the middle of this month, presenting the world premiere of Paul Steventon-Marks’ reimagining of the Dracula myth. The Players have previously performed another of the award-winning playwright’s works: Frankenstein - A Monster In Paris.

Oldbury Rep, Saturday 11 - Saturday 18 July

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THE BAND

Written by Tim Firth and featuring the music of Take That, The Band is a story about the power which music can have over people. 

For five teenage girls, their favourite boyband and the music they play are everything. Twenty-five years later, the quintet attempt to rekindle their friendship with a trip to a concert by the band they loved so dearly as teenagers. But none of the ladies’ lives have turned out quite the way they were expecting... Presented by Sutton Coldfield Musical Theatre Company. 

Lichfield Garrick, Tuesday 14 - Saturday 18 July

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THE CHOIR OF MAN

A huge success 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 

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SURINDERELLA

Rifco Theatre Company have been producing live entertainment celebrating contemporary British South Asian experiences for a quarter of a century. Their latest show sees them turning their attention to the beloved theatre tradition of ‘the great British pantomime’ - but complete with a Bollywood-blockbuster-style twist! 

Expect magic, makeovers, selfie-obsessed stepsisters, and a mould-breaking title character... 

Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Thursday 16 - Sunday 19 July

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NORTHANGER ABBEY

Worcester Repertory Company presents Jane Austen's joyful romance.

Jane Austen’s classic satire tells the story of the bookish Catherine Morland, a 17-year-old girl whose obsession with Gothic horror novels helps fuel her imagination when she visits Northanger Abbey. The the one-time church and home of her suitor, Henry Tilney, is a place in which Catherine soon finds fact and fiction colliding... 

The Commandery, Worcester, Thursday 16 - Sunday 19 & Thursday 23 - Sunday 26 July

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BOILER ROOM SIX: A TITANIC STORY

In the final hours of 14 April 1912, the RMS Titanic, on her maiden voyage from Southampton to New York, collided with an iceberg. The ‘unsinkable ship’ slowly sank. It was one of the most tragic disasters of the 20th century, with 1,517 men, women and children losing their lives. 

One man who survived was the ship’s stoker, Frederick Barrett - and it’s his story of that fateful night that Boiler Room Six explores. 

The production stops off in Coventry this month as part of a UK tour.

Albany Theatre, Coventry, Saturday 18 July

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THE TIGER WHO CAME TO TEA

Everybody’s favourite tea-guzzling tiger is back in town, dropping in on Sophie and her mum just as they’re settling down for an afternoon cuppa... 
Adapted by David Wood from the late Judith Kerr’s 1968 book of the same name, this 55-minute show features singalong songs and plenty of magic - not to mention a big, stripey tiger, of course!

Age 3+

Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Monday 20 - Tuesday 21 July; Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Friday 24 July 

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GAME OF THRONES: THE MAD KING

Premiering at the Royal Shakespeare Company this month, Game Of Thrones: The Mad King is a prequel to the original books and HBO’s long-running television series. 

Described as ‘a sweeping new stage epic’, the production spans the final years before the events of the original novels, which were written by George RR Martin, who is serving as executive producer on the show. 

“When I first wrote Game Of Thrones, I never imagined that it would be anything other than a book,” says George. “For me, the RSC was the obvious choice when thinking about putting a Game Of Thrones story on the stage. Shakespeare is the greatest name in English literature, and his plays have been a constant source of inspiration to me and my writing.”

Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, Monday 20 July - Saturday 5 September

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​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

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THE KARATE KID THE MUSICAL

Martial arts movie The Karate Kid - one of the highest-grossing films of 1984 - saw bullied teenager Daniel LaRusso turn his fate around with the help of a mentor named Mr Miyagi... 

Now, the film’s story is being retold in this critically acclaimed stage-musical version, which is currently on its first-ever tour of the UK. 

“The story isn’t about karate per se - it’s about human connection,” says Singapore-raised veteran Adrian Pang, who stars as Mr Miyagi. “These two fish-out-of-water misfits, living in their own bubbles, find a way to connect despite generational and cultural differences. Two different worlds collide, and they form this bond and friendship.” 

The Alexandra, Birmingham, Tuesday 21 July - Saturday 25 July   

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JEEVES AND WOOSTER IN STIFF UPPER LIP, JEEVES

The wonderful world of PG Wodehouse lands in Telford as the ever-affable Bertie Wooster yet again gets himself into the type of terrible tangle from which only his razor-sharp valet Jeeves can extricate him. 
Comical escapades abound in an outdoor show featuring live jazz music performed by an ensemble of actor-musicians. 

The Amphitheatre, Telford Town Park, Wednesday 22 July

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BLUE MIST

Truth, trust and ambition come under the spotlight in Mohamed-Zain Dada’s ‘darkly funny’ Olivier Award-nominated play.

When aspiring journalist Jihad wins the chance to make his own documentary, he sets out to give voice to his community and challenge the usual stereotypes that fill the airwaves. But in a media landscape that profits off fear, how far can one voice really go?... Blue Mist is being presented by Boundless Theatre in association with Tamasha, a long-established British Asian company whose plays aim to reflect the realities of life in a multicultural society.    

The Rep, Birmingham, Wednesday 22 - Saturday 25 July

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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?...

Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Wednesday 22 July; Lichfield Garrick, Saturday 12 September; The Alexandra, Birmingham, Sunday 8 November 

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KING ARTHUR AND THE HOLY FAIL

The ever-impressive Three Inch Fools return with an epic tale of Arthurian adventure and medieval mayhem. 

Here’s the show’s set-up, as described by the Fools themselves: “When Camelot is rocked to its core by a tragic - and frankly improbable - incident involving a large table of an undisclosed shape, Arthur is thrust into the quest of a lifetime. Will he bravely battle through blistering cold and scorching fire to save his beloved realm, or will he crumble as fate refuses to cooperate?”

Shrewsbury Castle, Thursday 23 July

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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

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OUT OF THE BOX

A toothbrush stars in a balancing act, a string sparks a heist, and a tea party lands on someone’s head. Welcome to the wonderful world of Darryl J Carrington, a performer with  more than 20 years of circus and clowning experience who transforms’ everyday objects into extraordinary adventures’. The show is non-verbal and visits Telford with a host of five-star reviews to recommend it. 

The Ampitheatre, Telford Town Park, Saturday 25 July

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THE SWORD IN THE STONE

Cambridge Touring Productions is the company behind this family-friendly outdoor offering. The story focuses on two characters - young Wart and his friend Morgan - as they head for London. Along the way, they meet a selection of colourful characters and learn some seriously useful lessons about courage, friendship, and finding your way in the big, wide world.

Brueton Park, Solihull, Saturday 25 July

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MANBAND

A feelgood tale about four music-loving pub regulars wanting one last shot at fame and fortune, Bloomin’ Good Productions’ MANBand is showing at the Crescent Theatre as part of Birmingham Fest 2026.

Crescent Theatre, Birmingham, Monday 27 - Wednesday 29 July

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I'M SORRY PRIME MINISTER

Jonathan Lynn, who co-wrote the satirical television sitcoms Yes, Minister and Yes, Prime Minister, is the creative force behind this related stage play, which sees the return of the aforementioned series’ main characters: Jim Hacker and Sir Humphrey Appleby.

Former PM Hacker’s desire for a quiet life as master of an Oxford college is spectacularly upended when he finds himself facing the ultimate modern crisis - being cancelled by the college committee. Enter the delightfully devious Sir Humphrey, who’s lost none of his love for bureaucracy, Latin phrases, and well-timed obstruction...

Malvern Theatres, Tuesday 28 July - Saturday 1 August

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THE GREAT GATSBY

The critically acclaimed This Is My Theatre is the company behind this stage adaptation of F Scott Fitzgerald’s literary masterpiece. 

Set in the American Jazz Age of the Roaring 20s, the story focuses on the quixotic passion of mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsby for the beautiful former debutante Daisy Buchanan. In the process of recounting the tale - told though the eyes of Gatsby’s Long Island neighbour, Nick Carraway - Fitzgerald presents not only the story of a delightfully decadent decade but also a cautionary tale about the American Dream... 

The Old Place, Deansway, Worcester, Wednesday 29 July 

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AFTER PARTY

The Belgrade here joins forces with Traverse Theatre and Paines Plough to present preview performances of award-winning playwright Morna Young’s latest offering. Actress and matriarch Vivienne Blackwood summons her fractured family to an 80th-birthday celebration. As old tensions surface and beliefs collide, Vivienne’s real reason for gathering her relatives together soon becomes apparent... 

Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Thursday 30 July - Saturday 1 August & Wednesday 9 - Saturday 12 September

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IN THE NIGHT GARDEN LIVE

If your little ones are big fans of CBeebies television series In The Night Garden, they’re certain to love the live version as well. 

And it’s not only the kids who’re in love with the stage show. Audience surveys and parents’ reviews reveal that, for nine out of 10 adults, the production is a five-out-of-five theatrical experience... This currently touring show is titled Igglepiggle’s Busy Day.

Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Friday 31 July & Saturday 1 August

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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. 

Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Friday 7 - Saturday 8 August  

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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...

Brierley Hill Civic, Thursday 27 August; Malvern Festival Theatre, Sunday 6 September

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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

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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  

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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

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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. 

Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Tuesday 13 - Sunday 18 October; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Tuesday 16 - Sunday 21 February 2027

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​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

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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

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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 

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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

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​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   

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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

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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