Reviews

Birmingham Rep
Date Reviewed: 2nd September 2008

I love a Cabaret. The gaudy, decadent razzmatazz of underground 1930s Berlin drawn into warped focus by the deathly external corrosion of Nazism. Not many people have made a song and dance out of world war and genocide, but the contrast between the internal, careless hedonism and external brutal regime has always made this a striking and deeply affecting story. Read more »

Moseley Park does strange things to your perception of time and space. Despite having lived and/or worked in Moseley for over 4 years I’m still a bit confused as to actually geographically where the hell the Park is. It doesn’t seem to make sense; this beautiful, leafy and completely invisible enclave in the heart of urban Birmingham. Read more »

News

Leicester shows off its Curves
2 September 2008

Journalists got a sneak peek at Leicester’s new £61 million, state-of-the-art theatre complex Curve at a press conference held today in London to announce the inaugural season, which opens in December (See WOS main site Other News) – and we wanted to share the impressive photos with you! Read more »

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

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 »