Reviews

Birmingham Opera Company
Shelborne Rubber Factory, Birmingham
Date reviewed: 13th August 08

Birmingham Opera Company just doesn’t do traditional.  If what you are after is a performance that is only for connoisseurs and means that you won’t have to rub shoulders with the great unwashed, than this may not be for you.  Then again, maybe it will: the crowd on the opening night ranged from whispering children, to boho art junkies, to the stern, suited art critics.  What united all of us was the response at the end.  The applause was rapturous.  The air was electric.  The children whooped, the art junkies cheered and even the stern suited critics deigned to applaud.  The evening had been a success. Read more »

Venue: Courtyard Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon
Date Reviewed: 6th August 2008

Ugly reality shatters glossy illusion in Gregory Doran’s absorbing production of Shakespeare’s Hamlet at the RSC’s Courtyard Theatre in Stratford.

Set in the sleek luxury of present-day European royalty, the court of Denmark is all shiny surfaces and sparkling chandeliers, presided over by the smooth Claudius and his glamorous wife Gertrude. It takes a half-damned ghost to reveal the rottenness at the heart of the regal veneer – that Claudius took his brother’s life, crown and queen – and to demand vengeance from the dead king’s son, Hamlet. Read more »

News

Yes, it is primarily a music rather than theatre event, but seeing as it’s still officially Festival Season before a new term begins for the stage,  it’s worth diverting the attention of the Midlands to a different type of live performance.

Moseley Folk Festival returns to the leafy surroundings of Moseley Park - home of Tolkien’s Hobbit hole - for another glorious weekend of live music; as well as Ceilidhs in the dance tent, Morris dancing on the village green, eco-powered fairground rides, seventeenth-century storytelling pirates, Carrom championships and, of course, Extreme Knitting.

If you’re not bearded enough to know your Carrom from your Ceilidhs, worry thou not as the spectacular musical line-up is the main attraction, with sets from Jose Gonzales, Seth Lakeman and Scott Matthews and Morcheeba amongst 20+ other acts.

Moseley Folk Festival is also delighted to welcome Ian Campbell back into the limelight for a very special performance to help close the festival. Long before his sons Ali and Robin shot to fame with UB40 their dad was an established name in his own right, playing all over Europe with the Ian Campbell Folk Group.

Campbell will be joined by another of his musical sons, David, for the Sunday afternoon set, and he has announced that this will be his last ever live performance.

Featuring the finest in traditional and contemporary folk music, there’s something for all tastes - not to mention the well-stocked real ale and scrumpy bar, and more delicious catering;  including an organic pig roast.

Moseley Folk Festival: 29th-31st August

Moseley Park
Alcester Road, Moseley
Birmingham B13 8DD

Doors:
Friday 3pm – 11pm
Saturday 12pm – 11pm
Sunday 12pm – 11pm

Tickets:
Children under 12 accompanied by an adult go free.
Children aged 12-15 go half price.
Friday:
Adult £15
Child £7.50

Saturday:
Adult £33
Child £16

Sunday:
Adult £33
Child £16

Full Weekend:
Adult £55
Child £27.50
Family £120 (2 Adults, 2 Children)
See www.moseleyfolk.co.uk for details of ticketing outlets and further information

Image: Pete Ashton

DanceXchange is set to launch its new season of performances at The Patrick Centre, Birmingham Hippdrome on Wednesday 24 September.  Incorporating contemporary, flamenco, breaking, robotics and African dance, it’s a varied programme of the very highest quality to entice not only dance fans but newcomers too.  Read more »

Interviews

Unless you’ve been living underground for the past few months, you’ll be aware that Dr Who has landed in the West Midlands.

From July 24th to November 15th the latest Time Lord has put to one side his travels in the tardis to tread the boards at the RSC as the Bard’s most complex hero; Hamlet, as well as playing the part of Berowne in Love’s Labour’s Lost. Read more »

Tim Firth is one of the UK’s most successfully versatile writers. With numerous theatre credits to his name (including Neville’s Island and The Flint Street Nativity) he has also written for both the big and small screen; most well-known for the hugely successful Calendar Girls.

With Our House, however, Tim returns to his first love - music. Inspired by the songs of 80’s ska band Madness, Our House is on its 2nd tour of the UK; having won an Olivier award for Best Musical for the first production. Read more »