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...

OPERATION MINCEMEAT

Hit musical Operation Mincemeat tells the strange-but-true story of a brilliant deception co-ordinated by British intelligence in the Second World War. 

Visiting the Potteries as part of a national tour, the show features 50 characters but only five lead actors, who swap roles, genders and costumes before the audience’s very eyes.

“It’s five people on stage, creating hundreds of different characters and loads of different places,” says Jamie-Rose Monk, who’s one of the five. “There’s a real sense of fun and creativity. It feels like ‘a night at the theatre’ that you couldn’t do anywhere else. You couldn’t watch that on screen; it wouldn’t really work. It’s about being there with everybody. It also appeals to a lot of different people. It has great music, lots of comedy, high stakes, and is really moving in parts. It just ticks all your boxes.” 

Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, until Saturday 2 May; The Alexandra, Birmingham, Monday 11 - Saturday 16 May

---

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.

Birmingham Hippodrome, until Saturday 2 May; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Monday 1 - Saturday 6 June; Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Monday 6 - Saturday 11 July

---

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM

Accessible language, likeable characters, romantic liaisons, magical creatures and a series of comical caperings with an ass are combined to excellent effect in one of Shakespeare’s most popular works... 

Lysander and Demetrius both fancy Hermia, Helena’s sitting on the shelf, Titania and Oberon are up to no good, and Puck’s got his finger in more pies than Mr Kipling. Add into the mix a group of rude mechanicals, and the recipe for success is pretty much complete...

Regional talent takes centre stage in this decidedly Brummie production. Adam Carver, best known as cabaret favourite Fatt Butcher, stars as the mischief-making Puck. 

The Rep, Birmingham, until Sunday 24 May

---

DRIFTWOOD

A ‘deeply evocative’ tale of self-determination, family and belonging, set against the backdrop of a 1950s colonial Trinidad on the edge of political independence, Driftwood is the debut play from Casualty, Holby City and EastEnders actor Martina Laird. The production is helmed by Chichester Festival Theatre’s artistic director, Justin Audibert.  

“The play grew from a deep desire to explore inherited patterns, the desire for connection and self-determination,” explains Martina, “and [also] to place Caribbean voices and histories at the centre of the story. To see these characters brought to life by such a generous and gifted ensemble, and under Justin’s direction, feels profoundly moving.” 

The Other Place, Stratford-upon-Avon, until Saturday 30 May

---

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE RESISTIBLE RISE OF ARTURO UI

Bertolt Brecht’s play - concerning itself with a mobster and small-time crook who will stop at nothing to control the local cauliflower racket - is a satire on Hitler’s ascent to power and the rise of the Nazi Party and far right.

“It’s a gangster spectacle,” says Mark Gatiss, who plays the title character, “a sort of cartoon of it all - and there’s a lot to be enjoyed in that. Brecht loved gangster movies..., so it’s quite playful and fantastical...
“I think the great thing is that it’s a wonderful way of, as Brecht would have said, showing the message through a very entertaining vehicle. You can instantly make a connection between a small-time gangster and a dictator. The really fascinating thing is Ui, like Hitler, was kind of a joke. He was just one of many agitators, but then found his moment and way in. The terrifying thing is how easily that can happen.”  

Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, until Saturday 30 May

---

THE CONSTANT WIFE

W Somerset Maugham’s 1927 comedy of manners contemplates the ways in which men, but particularly women, of the era were beginning to rethink their traditional notions of love, marriage and social convention. Constance’s friends and sister are well aware that her husband, a successful Harley Street doctor, is being unfaithful to her with her best pal. What they don’t realise is that Constance knows about the affair, too - and has her very own deliciously devilish way of dealing with the problem... Kara Tointon takes the title role in this fast-paced and witty production, reimagined for the modern era by the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Malvern Theatres, Tuesday 5 - Saturday 9 May

---

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.

The Alexandra, Birmingham, Tuesday 5 - Saturday 9 May; Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Tuesday 26 - Saturday 30 May; Malvern Theatres, Tuesday 9 - Saturday 13 June 

---

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.

Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Wednesday 6 & Thursday 7 May; Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Monday 21 September  

---

BUS STOP GOTHS

When Viv and Sid, two ethereal-plane angels tasked with watching over Middlesbrough, realise that the city’s alt youth are having a grim time of it, they decide to take matters into their own hands... 
A surreal modern folktale, Bus Stop Goths is the debut show from Queer, non-binary theatre maker Audrey Cook. 

“One theme we cover in the show is a young person’s fear around taking up space,” Audrey told narcmagazine.com. “Kids aren’t daft; they don’t want to be alienated. So if they don’t learn to be a bit rebellious or a bit playful, they instead learn to shrink themselves and contort themselves to fit into boxes that don’t offend or challenge.”   

Midlands Arts Centre (MAC), Birmingham, Thursday 7 May

---

WELSH NATIONAL OPERA

Currently celebrating their 80th anniversary, Welsh National Opera stop off in Birmingham this month with a brand-new production - a contemporary reimagining of Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman (Thursday the 7th) - and an old favourite - Blaze Of Glory! (Friday the 8th). The former, which was premiered in 1843 with the composer conducting the performance, is based on a centuries-old Dutch legend of a ghost ship and a cursed sailor. Its music, not surprisingly, is stormy and dramatic, evoking the power of the ocean...

Blaze Of Glory!, meanwhile, is set somewhat closer to home. Its story focuses on a group of Welsh miners as they embark on a musical journey to reform their male voice choir after a local mining disaster. Steeped in the Welsh choral tradition, the work combines traditional harmonies and the acapella sounds of the 1950s with operetta, gospel and big band sounds.

Birmingham Hippodrome, Thursday 7 & Friday 8 May

---

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!

Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Saturday 9 & Sunday 10 May; Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa, Wednesday 27 - Thursday 28 May; Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Friday 29 May; Midlands Arts Centre (MAC), Birmingham, Monday 31 May; Stourbridge Town Hall, Saturday 6 - Sunday 7 June; Worcester Swan Theatre, Friday 26 June 

 

---

ELLEN KENT: THE FAREWELL TOUR - MADAMA BUTTERFLY

The story of a young geisha girl who marries an American naval officer, only to find that he soon returns home and marries another, Puccini’s Madama Butterfly is among the most popular operas of all time. 

This particular version, presented by Ukraine’s Opera International Kyiv, is one of three productions visiting venues across the country as part of Ellen Kent’s farewell tour. Ellen has been presenting extravagant opera and ballet productions to appreciative audiences around the UK for more than 30 years, in the process showcasing the talents of some of Europe’s major opera companies.

“It’s the most popular opera in the whole world,” says Ellen, in talking about Madama Butterfly. “We’ve got a very good cast. We’ve got a Korean girl, Elena Dee, who’s a class act, playing Cio-Cio-San. A good cast and a slick, beautiful production… For some reason, it seems to be the British favourite.” 

 Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Wednesday 13 May

---

MALORY TOWERS

All the ‘highs’ - jinx, drama and spirits - are very much present and correct in this once-again-touring stage incarnation of Enid Blyton’s much-loved novels about the girls’ boarding school of the title. 

Adapted & helmed by former Shakespeare’s Globe artistic director Emma Rice, the show is being marketed as the original ‘girl power’ story - an ideal night at the theatre for girls, boys and any grown-up children who still dream of midnight feasts and Cornish clifftops. The show has an age recommendation of eight-plus and ‘contains themes that some people may find difficult’. 

Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Tueday 12 - Saturday 16 May

---

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...

Birmingham Hippodrome, Tuesday 12 - Saturday 30 May; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Tuesday 27 October - Saturday 7 November

---

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.”

Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Wednesday 13 - Saturday16 May; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Wednesday 9 - Saturday 12 September

---

THE GRUFFALO

With millions of copies of the book having been sold, it’s fair to say that Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler’s award-winning Gruffalo has captured the hearts and minds of children everywhere. 

Tall Stories’ stage adaptation follows Mouse as he heads out on a journey through the deep dark wood, scaring away hungry animals with tales of the terrifying Gruffalo. Imagine his surprise, then, when he suddenly finds himself coming face-to-face with the very creature he’s been talking about! 
Tall Stories’ delicate yet playful approach to their material - and their ability to let whatever story they’re telling speak for itself, without flashy gimmicks or over-the-top costumes - places them at the very forefront of family theatre. 

An imaginative and engaging musical that comes complete with some good old-fashioned audience participation, The Gruffalo offers truly ‘monstrous’ fun for children aged three and older. 

Malvern Theatres, Friday 15 - Sunday 17 May; Birmingham Hippodrome, Thursday 21 - Sunday 24 May; Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Wednesday 27 - Saturday 30 May  

---

ODE TO JOYCE

Cheryl Knight channels her inner Joyce Grenfell in this one-woman homage to one of the 20th century’s greatest British female entertainers. First conceived in honour of Joyce’s centenary year and playing to sell-out audiences at the Edinburgh Festival, the critically acclaimed revue show combines a selecti0n of Grenfell’s best-known songs and monologues with some of her more rare, delicate and poignant pieces. 

Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Sunday 17 May

---

2:22 A GHOST STORY

Husband & wife Jenny and Sam are divided. Jenny believes their new home is haunted; Sam isn’t having any of it. But something certainly feels strange and frightening. Determined to find out the truth once and for all, they decide to stay up until 2:22 - at which time, all will be revealed. Or not... 

2.22 A Ghost Story premiered in the West End back in 2021, not only becoming a major hit but also providing both Lily Allen and Cheryl with an opportunity to tread the boards. 

This latest touring version of the show stars James Bye, Natalie Casey, Grant Kilburn and Shvorne Marks.

Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Tuesday 18 - Saturday 23 May 

---

THE BEEKEEPER OF ALEPPO

Nesrin Alrefaai and Matthew Spangler’s stage adaptation of Christy Leftieri’s bestselling novel reflects on the connections that exist between friends, families and strangers.

The story follows the characters of beekeeper Nuri and artist Afra, a married couple enjoying a simple life in the beautiful Syrian city of Aleppo. But when war breaks out, the pair flee for their lives, embarking on a journey that sees them not only face the pain of their own unbearable loss but also the challenge of finding each other again. 

---

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.

Lichfield Garrick, Tuesday 19 - Saturday 23 May; Birmingham Hippodrome, Tuesday 20 - Saturday 24 October; Malvern Theatres, Tuesday 17 - Saturday 21 November

---

SISTERS 360

Stepsisters Fatima and Salima are cool, close, and share a burning ambition - to win the Tiny Is Mighty skateboarding contest. But when they start hearing whispers about their parents planning to live apart - meaning that they too, as stepsisters, will be separated - they realise that their chances of winning competition gold are set to take a turn for the worse...

Bradford writer Asif Khan is the creative talent behind this inspirational story about ‘family, friendship and the importance of following your dreams’. 

 Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Saturday 23 May

---

GLORIOUS

By virtue of Glorious! having premiered some 21 years ago and been followed by a high-profile film starring Meryl Streep and Hugh Grant, the story of Florence Foster Jenkins is pretty well known. An inter-war American socialite and amateur coloratura soprano, Florence became famous for her technically incompetent recitals, her dreadful performances gaining her the unwanted title of the world’s worst opera singer... Former Coronation Street favourite Wendi Peters here takes on the to-die-for role of Florence.   

Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Tuesday 19 - Saturday 23 May

---

BLOOD BROTHERS

Genuinely moving, surprisingly funny, and filled with all of Willy Russell’s usual astute observations about the British class system, Blood Brothers tells the story of twins, separated at birth, who spend their lives in contrasting social circumstances but are inextricably drawn together. A musical loved even by theatre-goers who don’t love musicals, the show boasts a raft of memorable songs, including Bright New Day, Marilyn Monroe and the emotionally charged Tell Me It’s Not True. 

Lichfield Garrick, Tuesday 19 - Saturday 23 May; Birmingham Hippodrome, Tuesdayv 20 October - Saturday 24 October; Malvern Theatres, Tuesday 17 - Saturday 21 November

---

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, Saturday 23 May - Saturday 20 June  

---

JUSTIN TIME TO ROCK

BAFTA Award-winning children’s television presenter Justin Fletcher returns to the region with a brand-new all-singing, all-dancing extravaganza. Justin is advising his young fans to prepare themselves for a show that’s positively awash with well-known songs, energetic dancing and plenty of rocktastic fun!

Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Sunday 24 May; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Monday 25 May

---

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?...

Brierley Hill Civic, Sunday 24 May; Swan Theatre, Worcester, Saturday 6 June

---

FIREMAN SAM LIVE

Next year celebrating 40 years spent putting out blazes in Pontypandy and lighting up children’s eyes with delight, Fireman Sam 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...

Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Monday 25 May; Birmingham Town Hall, Saturday 20 June 

---

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.

The Alexandra, Birmingham, Monday 25 May; Palace Theatre Redditch, Wednesday 27 May; Lichfield Garrick, Monday 26 October

---

OH ZEUS!

Comedy theatre company Le Navet Bete make a welcome return to the region with what they’re promising will be a riotous and all-out-hilarious ride through Greek mythology. Featuring three actors playing no fewer than 40 characters, the show is built around a storyline that sees King of the Gods Zeus hatching a plan to thwart his daughter’s plans to marry a mere mortal. “It’s a non-stop evening of entertainment,” proclaim the Exeter ensemble, in waxing lyrical about their latest show. “Expect sensational physical comedy, outrageous jokes, fast-paced chaos, and more togas than you can smash a plate at.”

Lichfield Garrick, Tuesday 26 & Wednesday 27 May

---

THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION

Given that film critics regard The Shawshank Redemption as one of the greatest movies of all time, it’s hardly surprising to find that its stage version is out on the road yet again and doing good business.

Based on a 1982 Stephen King novella, the story revolves around the character of Andy Dufresne, a man serving a double life sentence at the notorious Shawshank facility. An unlikely friendship with prison fixer Red makes the experience a little more bearable. But when the warden decides to make Andy’s life a living hell, the nothing-to-lose lifer hatches a daring and ingenious plan to escape... Joe McFadden, Ben Onwukwe and Bill Ward star.

The Alexandra, Birmingham, Tuesday 26 - Saturday 30 May 

---

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...

Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa, Tuesday 26 May; Roses Theatre, Tewksbury, Tuesday 21 July; The Core Theatre, Solihull, Tuesday 28 July

---

DINO TALES: A ROARSOME ADVENTURE

Calling all dinosaur rangers - Jurassic Rescue needs your help! There's a baby Ankylosaurus that needs rescuing before The Doc gets his evil hands on it… Along the adventure you’ll meet Freya the dancing Raptor, Dylan the cheeky Dilophosaurus, Angie the Ankylosaurus, Scar the fearsome and Roxy the mighty T-Rex.

With a captivating story and an entire herd of pre-historic beasts, Dino Tales is an unforgettable family adventure starring Europe’s largest walking dinosaurs to ever roam the stage. You and the kids will be jumping for Jurassic joy, so get ready for the ultimate Jurassic rescue adventure.

Walsall Arena, Wednesday 27 May

---

THE INVISIBLE MAN

An evening of tongue-in-cheek fun is being promised by the producers of this stage adaptation of HG Wells’ famous story... 
But will the title character put in an appearance, we wonder?!...
Expect quick and silly costume changes, prop manipulations and whacky imaginings, as three energetic actors from Our Star Theatre Company take on the challenge of playing 15 characters... 
The show enjoyed a sell-out run at the Edinburgh Fringe a couple of years back.

Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Wednesday 27 May; Stafford Gatehoue, Saturday 30 May; The Henrician, Evesham, Thursday 4 June

---

HORRIBLE HISTORIES

So, it’s time to prepare yourselves for two amazing shows with Horrible Histories live on stage! Using actors and eye-popping 3D special effects, these two astounding shows are guaranteed to thrill you and your children. Historical figures and events will come alive on stage and hover at your fingertips!

From the fascinating Pharaohs to the power of the pyramids, discover the foul facts of death and decay with the meanest mummies in Egypt. Are you ready to rumble with Ramesses the Great? Dare you enter through the Gates of the afterlife? It’s the history of Egypt with the nasty bits left in!

Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Thursday 28 - Saturday 30 May

---

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.

Stourbridge Town Hall, Friday 29 May; Kidderminster Town Hall, Monday 26 October 

---

AUSTENTATIOUS

Taking the subtitle ‘an improvised Jane Austen novel’, Austentatious visits the Midlands this month having garnered plenty of praise on its previous visits. 

Lighthearted and delightfully throwaway, the show sees the performers utilising audience suggestions to develop a play that not only pays homage to Austen but also generates plenty of laughter along the way. 
Performed in period costume with live musical accompaniment, the production is described by its publicity as ‘a riotous, razor-sharp show where swooning is guaranteed’. Great fun’s a certainty - and who doesn’t love a bit of a swoon?

Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Saturday 30 May

---

​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

---

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  

---

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 

---

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

---

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

---

​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