Following on from their slightly risqué production of Avenue Q, Lichfield Operatic Society chose the tried and tested My Fair Lady for their production this week at the Garrick.
After 20 years of writing songs, six albums and support slots for the likes of Seth Lakeman, Joan Armatrading, Paul Brady, Gretchen Peters and Paul Carrack, it is not surprising that the singer songwriter Lisbee Stainton knows how to put on an entertaining show.
Midlands cognoscenti’s theatre director of choice Tracey Street is a relatively unsung star in her homeland, but unsurprisingly her new show is yet another triumph to add to her illustrious track record to date.
Matilda The Musical at the Birmingham Hippodrome is an absolute triumph.
Sam has some problems – he has a hangover, has left a series of regrettable messages for his ex-girlfriend and doesn’t know the girl waking up next to him, or the escort who is sleeping in his bath.
Intrigue, wartime secrets, political issues, double and triple agents, tap dancing, singing, 1940’s talk radio, and biscuits – The Foundry Group packed a lot into The Ministry of Biscuits when they performed it for a near-capacity audience at Lichfield’s Garrick theatre.
In a stunning gold jumpsuit and platform shoes, Paloma Faith took to the open-air stage at Cannock Chase and belted out a wonderful set of new songs and old favourites.
Birmingham Royal Ballet really know how to put on a gala evening and this triple bill – far from being a run of the mill programme for a Wednesday night – was a masterful showcase for everything that has gone over the last quarter century towards making this company world class.
In director Roxana Silbert’s expert hands, drama and dance come together as Georg Buchner’s original drama is here powerfully revitalised from its early 19th Century origin and brought firmly up to date – this could be anywhere in the world, now.
After more than 30 years at the forefront of the live jump-jive jazz scene, it is no wonder that the musical institution of King Pleasure and the Biscuit Boys knew how to put on a show and draw a large crowd as they closed the Lichfield Arts Blues and Jazz Festival.
The Walsall Jazz Orchestra have become one of the leading big bands in the area, taking in some of the most talented musicians and producing concerts that blend advanced music-making skills with an audience friendly style.
Tony Christie’s Amarillo entered the public consciousness permanently with Comic Relief and as a seasoned performer with a self-deprecating sense of humour he himself quips “most people think Peter Kay recorded it.”
