More Theatre News
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Review: Kinky Boots at The Regent Theatre, Stoke
Posted on Thu 27 Nov
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La Voix to play Miss Hannigan in Annie The Musical
Posted on Thu 27 Nov
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Review: Calendar Girls at Crescent Theatre
Posted on Wed 26 Nov
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 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 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, stripy tiger, of course!
Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, until Sunday 28 December
CINDERELLA
With its comical Ugly Sisters, matchmaking fairy godmother, drop-dead-gorgeous Prince Charming, super-cute mice, and fits-one-foot-only glass slipper, Cinderella can justifiably lay claim to being the nation’s favourite pantomime story...
The Garrick’s version of Cinders (image above) has been written by Paul Hendy, is produced by Evolution, and features a ‘Dame of longstanding’ taking centre-stage; namely, Sam Rabone, who has spent many a festive season in a nice frock or several at the venue. Panto regular Ben Thornton is back too, taking on the role of Buttons...
Meanwhile, over in Birmingham, the BOA Group make a welcome return with their 10th Christmas production at the Old Rep Theatre. The company are presenting a version of Cinderella that they’re promising is awash with hilarious comedy, outrageous characters, dazzling costumes and plenty of audience participation...
In Stoke-on-Trent, Jonathan Wilkes leads the Regent Theatre pantomime cast as usual (image of Cinders, below), and is joined by Potteries panto favourite Kai Owen, while the ICC Telford version of the much-loved fairytale is promising ‘an unforgettable experience for children and adults alike’.
Last but certainly not least, Stone’s Crown Wharf Theatre is presenting a brand-new pantomime written and performed by local theatre company Stone Revellers.
The Old Rep, Birmingham, until Wednesday 31 December; Lichfield Garrick, until Sunday 11 January; Crown Wharf Theatre, Stone, Wednesday 3 - Saturday 6 December; Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Friday 12 December - Sunday 4 January; The ICC, Telford, Tuesday 16 December - Friday 2 January
SLEEPING BEAUTY
The tragic tale of a young princess who’s tricked by an evil fairy and pricks her finger on a spinning wheel, causing her to fall asleep for 100 years, offers a great story around which to build a pantomime production of real quality...
And Christmas 2025 sees four of the region’s most popular theatres doing exactly that!
RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner Danny Beard top-bills in Wolverhampton, where the cast also includes impressionist Debra Stephenson and much-loved pantomime favourites Tam Ryan and Ian Adams.
Over at the Coventry Belgrade, panto veteran Iain Lauchlan is, as usual, the creative force behind the venue’s festive-season offering, while at the Swan Theatre, the Worcester Repertory Company are promising a ‘dazzling production’ that comes complete with fairies, magic, and heaps of traditional panto fun.
And the Sleeping Beauty’s getting her head down at Stafford’s Gatehouse Theatre too, with Mark Rhodes, David Phipps-Davis and Samantha Spragg all making a welcome return to Pantoland.
SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS
Think Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber and three musicals come to mind: Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar and Evita.
Now, a new show has been added to the list of productions on which the legendary pair have collaborated: Sherlock Holmes And The Twelve Days Of Christmas.
A Birmingham Rep production created in association with Rice’s company, Heartaches Ltd, the brand-new comedy whodunnit - penned by and starring The Penny Dreadfuls’ Humphrey Ker and David Reed - finds Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson investigating a series of murders most foul in Victorian London’s theatreland...
And what’s more, each of the grisly crimes comes complete with an intriguing link to The Twelve Days Of Christmas...
The game, as Sherlock is famous for saying, is most definitely afoot...
The Rep, Birmingham, until Sunday 18 January
THE LITTLE MERMAID
Hans Christian Andersen’s famous fairytale tells the much-loved story of a beautiful mermaid princess who believes a better life awaits her out of the water...
Adapted for the stage by Theresa Heskins, who co-directs with Vicki Dela Amedume, this brand-new production features the New Vic’s signature blend of impressive circus skills and imaginative storytelling.
“There’s such rich visual language in the story of The Little Mermaid,” says Theresa, “and utilising circus opens up a whole host of possibilities for how we create this undersea world. Our audience members have been captivated by the way we combine contemporary circus and storytelling, and this is a perfect opportunity to bring these elements together into our biggest family show of the year.”
New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme, until Saturday 24 January
THE BFG
Roald Dahl’s delightful tale, written way back in 1982, is here given the Royal Shakespeare Company Christmas-show treatment.
The story follows the adventures of a little girl named Sophie, who’s taken to a magical land by the Big Friendly Giant (or BFG, for short). There, he teaches her whizzpopping, shows her his secret collection of dreams, and lets her taste his extraordinary food, the snozzcumber. When it becomes apparent a tribe of man-eating giants are planning to rampage through England, Sophie and the BFG realise they must save the country from unprecedented disaster...
Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, until Saturday 7 February
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 36 years ago... Set against the backdrop of the American 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.
The Alexandra, Birmingham, until Saturday 29 November
KINKY BOOTS
The newly appointed manager of his late father’s shoe factory, Charlie Price has got some tough decisions to make as he attempts to save the struggling business.
After a chance meeting with drag queen Lola, Charlie identifies a potentially lucrative niche market - creating footwear to cater for men who dress as women...
A topical story about diversity and acceptance, Kinky Boots is based on the 2005 film of the same name and features music & lyrics by 80s pop star Cyndi Lauper.
Expect a feelgood evening of catchy tunes, fierce anthems and warm-hearted humour.
Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, until Sunday 30 November
THE FORSYTE SAGA
An epic family drama, written by Nobel Prize winner John Galsworthy and here adapted for the stage by Lin Coghlan and Shaun McKenna, The Forsyte Saga arrives in Stratford-upon-Avon this month having received rave reviews during its sell-out run at London’s Park Theatre last year.
Presented in two parts and telling a story of love, ownership, and the end of Empire, the production is set across a time period of more than 40 years, from 1886 to 1927.
Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, Friday 28 November - Saturday 10 January
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 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, stripy tiger, of course!
Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Saturday 29 November - Sunday 28 December
DICK WHITTINGTON
Telling the terrific tale of a young man who heads for London in search of fame and fortune, Dick Whittington makes for a fantastic pantomime - not least because of the top adventures in which the happy-go-lucky title character finds himself involved...
If you’re a dyed-in-the-wool fan of the Theatre Severn panto experience, you’ll be delighted to know that this year’s offering is following the usual recipe for success.
What does that mean in practice? Well, to put some meat on the bone, it means Telford-born Paul Hendy is writing it, Evolution is producing it, and Brad Fitt is both starring in it and taking the directorial reins.
“There are pantos out there that go a bit near the knuckle - but I don’t think ours does,” says Brad. “I would never tell a joke that was offensive or rude. Sometimes, you can use a double entendre - but then that’s in your mind, that’s not me. You have to blame yourself!”
Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, until Sunday 4 January
THE OWL WHO CAME FOR CHRISTMAS
It’s quite a shock for Rosie when she wakes up to find herself nestled in a family’s new Christmas tree. But can Lily, Ethan, Mum and Dad help the little owl find her way home?... A true story lies behind this heartwarming production, which brings together ‘toe-tapping songs, captivating puppetry’ and plenty of audience participation.
Suitable for children aged three-plus.
Midlands Arts Centre (MAC), Birmingham, Monday 1 - Sunday 28 December
IT'S A WONDERFUL KNIFE
Now here’s a festive production with a difference...
It’s A Wonderful Knife is partly inspired by the BBC’s record-breaking 1989 screening of the hit movie Crocodile Dundee, which remains the most-watched film ever broadcast on Christmas Day in the UK.
The Old Joint Stock’s theatre manager, James Edge, is confident that audiences will very much appreciate the venue’s radical alternative to traditional pantomime fare: “We found a story that mixes It’s A Wonderful Life - arguably the most famous Christmas story of all time - with Crocodile Dundee. We’ve made a story that’s cohesive, hilarious and actually heartfelt - and it works. It’s going to be barmy. You’ll have a croc, wearing crocs - put it that way!”
Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham, Wednesday 3 - Tuesday 30 December
WELL DONE, MUMMY PENGUIN
Heartwarming humour and daring acrobatics are being promised by the producers of this ‘wintery treat for everyone aged three and up’. The show’s story follows the adventures of Mummy Penguin as she swims through icy waters, climbs perilous cliffs and tiptoes past some grumpy seals in search of a fishy dinner for her family.
The production is based on the same-named picture book by award-winning writer & illustrator Chris Haughton.
Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Wednesday 3 December - Saturday 3 January
DEAR SANTA LIVE
Presented with the intention of giving children aged two to seven both a fun introduction to theatre and a memorable yuletide treat, Dear Santa tells the tale of Father Christmas’ backfiring attempts to sort out the most fantastic of festive gifts for a girl named Sarah. With the assistance of his cheeky Elf, he finally settles on the perfect prezzie... Youngsters get the chance to enjoy a meet & greet with Santa after the show, during which each child will receive ‘an extra-special present’.
Stourbridge Town Hall, Thursday 4 December; Birmingham Town Hall, Sunday 14 December; Stafford Gatehouse, Tuesday 16 & Wednesday 17 December; Dudley Town Hall, Monday 22 & Tuesday 23 December
A SHODDY CHRISTMAS CAROL
If slapstick is the name of your game comedy-wise, then bag yourself a seat for this high-energy show from the well-regarded Shoddy Theatre.
A small group of one-time East 15 Acting School students, the ensemble have previously made a significant splash at the Edinburgh Fringe, where they were nominated for three Offie Awards for their coming-of-age comedy The Olive Boy.
They’re visiting two Midlands venues this month with their own ‘unhinged retelling’ of A Christmas Carol, in which one actor, a panicking stage manager, and a deluded director are left to save the show after the rest of the cast fail to turn up.
Lichfield Garrick, Thursday 4 December - Sunday 4 January
ANANSI THE SPIDER
A trickster spider from West African and Caribbean folklore, Anansi is weaving his web in Centenary Square this Christmas with a show that enjoyed huge success in London a couple of years back.
The production has been created by the critically acclaimed Unicorn Theatre, features a selection of stories, and is suitable for children aged between four and eight.
The Rep, Birmingham, Thursday 4 December - Sunday 11 January
DONE TO DEATH, BY JOVE
Fun-loving duo Gavin Robertson and Nicholas Collett blend humour, variety, theatre and dance in a show that pays spoof homage to ‘the great British detective’.
The production is based around the idea that its cast of six has become a cast of two due to an M6 breakdown of the van carrying the props, the set and four of the performers.
The intrepid remaining cast members, Messers Robertson and Collett, are therefore left to present the show on their own - an endeavour which, not surprisingly, leads to all manner of mix-ups and mayhem.
Harley Village Hall, Shropshire, Thursday 4 December; Cosy Hall, Newport, Shropshire,
Friday 5 December; Welshampton Parish Hall, Shropshire, Saturday 6 December; The Edge Arts Centre, Much Wenlock, South Shropshire, Saturday 31 January
TREASURE ISLAND
Robert Louis Stevenson’s high-seas caper here gets the pantomime treatment, as young Jim Hawkins heads off on the adventure of a lifetime - one which will see him not only setting sail in search of buried treasure, but also spending time in the company of a one-legged pirate with murder in mind...
Bromsgrove’s favourite Dame, William Hastings - making a welcome return for this year’s festive family show - is joined in the cast by ‘chief of mischief’ Kilian Perpetuini.
Artrix, Bromsgrove, Friday 5 - Monday 29 December
PETER PAN
Fly away to Neverland with the boy who wouldn’t grow up, meet a real fairy, marvellous mermaids, wonderful Wendy and the down-on-their-luck lost boys. Oh, and beware the ever-so-wicked Captain Hook and a very hungry crocodile who goes tick-tock (he swallowed a clock!).
JP McCue and Sean Dodds make a welcome return for this year’s festive family show, which is being produced by pantomime specialists Imagine Theatre.
Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa, Friday 5 December - Sunday 4 January
THE WIZARD OF OZ: A WICKED PANTOMIME
Classic pop bangers, dazzling dancing, groan-worthy jokes and plenty of audience participation ensure that this particular version of L Frank Baum’s much-loved story comes complete with plenty of panto magic. There are ruby crocs rather than ruby slippers, too, while Elphaba and Glinda are known as the Wicked Wench Of The West and The Good Wench Of Walsall respectively!
Walsall Arena, Saturday 6 - Sunday 21 December
NO SUCH THING AS WOLVES
A fun-filled family musical, created by Horrible Histories’ Gerard Foster and Richie Webb, No Such Thing As Wolves is the second of the Hippodrome’s My First Musical commissions, following on from the success of last year’s offering, The Jingleclaw.
This year’s production, directed by Emily Ling Williams, follows Hettie the Hedgehog as she opts to throw a party instead of settling down into hibernation.
“I think it’s such a feelgood show,” says Emily. “There’s such a sense of how important friendship is, family, and also appreciating the natural world. I think it’s really uplifting - there are definitely lots of jokes. I think people of all ages will find it very funny.”
Birmingham Hippodrome, Saturday 6 December - Sunday 4 January
ALADDIN
A perfect story for an evening of family-friendly entertainment finds street youth Aladdin trying against all odds to win the hand of the beautiful princess - and being helped in his endeavours by the mystical genie of the lamp...
At Solihull’s Core Theatre (top image), the award-winning Little Wolf Entertainment are promising their ‘most lavish, action-packed family adventure yet’, while Ludlow Assembly Rooms’ version of the much-loved Arabian Nights tale will be the venue’s fourth professional pantomime. Meanwhile, there’s an all-star cast adding to the panto magic in Redditch, with children’s favourite Dave Benson-Phillips, soap star Bill Ward (Coronation Street and Emmerdale) and Britain’s Got Talent’s Tony Rudd topping the bill.
The Core Theatre, Solihull, Saturday 6 December - Sunday 4 January; Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire, Wednesday 10 - Wednesday 31 December; Palace Theatre, Redditch, Monday 8 December - Sunday 4 January
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
When a young woman is captured by a hideous beast, she finds herself facing a life of isolation in his mysterious palace.
The Beast, too, is trapped - seemingly forever - inside the grotesquery of his physical appearance, the consequence of a spell cast upon him by an evil witch. Only Beauty’s ability to look beyond his ugliness and see the person within can save him...
So that’s the basic storyline. Now... what about the two above-listed versions?
Well, at Sutton Coldfield Town Hall (pictured below), they’ve very much gone the panto route - we’re thinking custard pies, double entendres, slapstick comedy and a hilariously costumed Dame... In sharp contrast, Coventry’s Albany Theatre is proudly declaring its version of the much-loved fairytale to be ‘a dazzling alternative to the traditional Christmas show’, complete with ‘bold storytelling, breathtaking visuals, music and dance’.
Sutton Coldfield Town Hall, Saturday 6 - Wednesday 31 December; The Albany Theatre, Coventry, Saturday 6 December - Sunday 4 January
BLEAK EXPECTATIONS
Bizarre adventures, romantic entanglements and fiendish plots are in plentiful supply in this ‘deliciously absurd’ spoof of Charles Dickens’ novels, presented by the always-value-for-money Stoke Rep Players.
The show is based on the same-named BBC Radio Four comedy series.
Stoke Rep Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Tuesday 9 - Satutrday 13 December
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF
After winning this year’s Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival, director Jordan Fein’s acclaimed version of Fiddler On The Roof headed out on a national tour and is spending Christmas in Birmingham.
The show’s story follows Tevye, an impoverished milkman in the tiny village of Anatevka, whose Jewish traditions are challenged and disrupted, both within his family - as his daughters choose husbands - and within his community - as the threat of displacement looms...
First produced for the stage in 1964, Fiddler is best known from its 1971 film incarnation starring Topol in the title role.
Hit songs include Matchmaker, Matchmaker and the hugely famous If I Were A Rich Man.
“The production is ever-changing, because Tevye contains so many facets,” says Matthew Woodyatt, who plays the character. “It’s a gift - everyone around me is so brilliant. In a glorious way, the show is never quite the same twice. It’s still playful, it’s still alive. New things are being discovered all the time, which is lovely.”
The Alexandra, Birmingham, Tuesday 9 December - Saturday 3 January
TALES FROM ACORN WOOD AT CHRISTMAS
Stage adaptations of books by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler invariably offer theatrical magic aplenty, so this is definitely a show that’s well worth catching.
Presented by the team behind two other hit kids’ productions, Dear Zoo Live and Dear Santa Live (the latter is previewed elsewhere on this page), the show features clever puppetry, toe-tapping songs, and the chance to join in with Pig and Hen’s game of hide & seek.
Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Wednesday 10 - Wednesday 24 December
SANTA'S NEW SLEIGH
When Brad Fitt isn’t busy playing pantomime Dames at Shrewsbury’s Theatre Severn - this year he’s starring at the venue in a sparkling production of Dick Whittington - he enjoys nothing more than replacing the panto wig with his playwright’s hat and churning out fun family shows like Santa’s New Sleigh. With a 50-minute running time, the production features audience participation, singalong opportunities and a poster and sticker for every child. And as an extra-special treat, audience members can also have their photo taken with Santa himself - so don’t forget to bring along your camera if you fancy taking an, er, ‘elfie’...
Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Friday 12 & Saturday 13 December
CAPTAIN SPROUT AND THE CHRISTMAS PIRATES
In the time-honoured tradition of the Grinch, the title character of this swashbuckling yuletide adventure has a dastardly plan to steal Christmas...
As rogues go, Captain Sprout is a truly rotten one. Thank heaven, then, for young Freddy Frith, who stands in his way armed with nothing but courage, kindness, and his trusty teddy, Mr Moo.
Expect ‘hilarious antics, magical shadow puppetry, original music and plenty of pirate-y chaos’.
Brewhouse Arts Centre, Burton upon Trent, Wednesday 17 - Wedneaday 24 December
PINOCCHIO: A CHRISTMAS TALE
The legendary tale of the wooden boy with a disappointing propensity for telling porky pies is here presented in a production that’s promising ‘soaring songs, lots of laughter, tears of joy and a very large whale’.
The show has been created by Holly Mallett, who’s perhaps best known for playing the role of Moxy in the hit CBBC show Andy And The Band.
Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham, Thursday 18 - Tuesday 30 December
SANTA'S CHRISTMAS PARTY
Dotty the Elf’s decorations have gone missing, Dasher the Reindeer’s party games are broken, and something has happened to Pompom the Penguin’s Christmas music. Santa’s Christmas Party is in definite danger of not happening - and it’s all down to the mischief-making Jack Frost...
A 45-minute interactive family show for children aged between two and eight, Honalee Media’s latest festive-season offering comes complete with a host of much-loved seasonal songs and the chance for children to pick up a present from Father Christmas.
The Core Theatre, Solihull, Friday 19 - Wednesday 24 December
THE GINGERBREAD BOY
The Gingerbread Boy is the new kid on the children’s-theatre block. Running for 50 minutes and suitable for youngsters aged two-plus, the show tells the story of a delightful friendship between young villager Blake and a remarkable boy who lives in the nearby Fairytale Forest and is made entirely from gingerbread. To further add to the production’s appeal, there’s a free gift for every child and a post-show opportunity to say a big hello to Father Christmas.
The Albany Theatre, Coventry, Saturday 20 - Wednesday 24 December
ROBIN HOOD
As if Robin Hood didn’t already have enough on his plate dealing with the dastardly Sheriff of Nottingham and wooing the beautiful Maid Marion, the festive season also finds Sherwood Forest’s most famous resident getting tangled up in all manner of pantomime traditions (custard pie, anyone?).
Gok Wan, Faye Tozer and Matt Cardle here join Hippodrome panto regular Matt Slack, who’s playing Robin, for ‘the ultimate sheriff-busting pantomime extravaganza’. Christopher Biggins makes a special appearance as King Richard, with Andrew Ryan and Sandra Marvin completing the high-quality line-up.
Birmingham Hippodrome,
Saturday 20 December - Sunday 1 February
THE MINCE PIE MOUSE
Teaching kids that ‘working together is always better’ - and that making a mince pie is no walk in the park - The Mince Pie Mouse is presented by Herefordshire’s Our Star Theatre Company... It’s a snowy Christmas Eve, and with Father Christmas out and about doing what he does best, his playful pets, Cat and Mouse, decide to make him a mince pie. Problem is, they haven’t got a clue how to do it - which is where the trouble starts...
Malvern Theatres, Monday 22 December - Sunday 4 January
HORRIBLE HISTORIES: HORRIBLE CHRISTMAS
The Horrible Histories team here presents ‘the terrific tale of Christmas’.
Charles Dickens, Oliver Cromwell and St Nicholas himself are among the characters who turn up in Horrible Histories: Horrible Christmas - a show that features everything from ‘Victorian villains and medieval monks, to puritan parties and Tudor treats’.
Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Tuesday 23 December
BLOOD BROTHERS
Although it’s effectively a class-driven ‘scouse melodrama’, to describe Blood Brothers as such is to greatly underestimate the emotional response it produces within its audience.
The show features adult actors playing children, a narrator who wanders through the scenes with warnings of impending doom, a good helping of sharp social awareness to counteract the sticky sentimentality, and a raft of much-loved musical numbers, including Bright New Day, Marilyn Monroe, and the emotionally charged Tell Me It’s Not True.
Musical theatre veteran Vivienne Carlyle stars as Mrs Johnstone.
Crewe Lyceum Theatre, Tuesday 20 - Saturday 24 January; Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Tuesday 27 - Saturday 31 January
THE WOMAN IN BLACK
Adapted by Stephen Mallatratt from the same-named Susan Hill novel, The Woman In Black is a classic ghost story first performed in 1989. It has since become one of the West End’s most successful plays, and was memorably made into a film starring Daniel Radcliffe in 2012.
Solicitor Arthur Kipp believes that his family have somehow been cursed by a mysterious woman in black. In an attempt to tell his story, and to exorcise the evil curse which he’s convinced hangs over him, he hires a young actor to assist him in recounting his experiences...
The Alexandra, Birmingham, Tuesday 27 - Saturday 31 January; Malvern Theatres, Tuesday 31 March - Saturday 4 April
MURDER SHE DIDN'T WRITE
Improvised shows are seemingly all the rage nowadays - and this one has certainly got 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.
Lichfield Garrick, Tuesday 3 February; The Swan Theatre, Worcester, Tuesday 24 February
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?...
Palace Theatre, Redditch, Thursday 19 February; Brierley Hill Civic, Sunday 24 May; Swan Theatre, Worcester, Saturday 6 June
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’.
The Rep, Birmingham, Friday 20 - Sunday 22 February; Lichfield Garrick, Monday 9 & Tuesday 10 March
BUDDY: THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY
Seen by tens of millions of people across the globe, Buddy is an enormously enduring and touchingly affectionate portrayal of one of rock & roll’s earliest and brightest stars. Charting the singer’s meteoric rise to fame and fortune, and following his career through to his very last performance, the show features timeless Buddy classics such as That’ll Be The Day, Peggy Sue, Oh Boy, Rave On and Everyday...
Lichfield Garrick, Monday 2 - Saturday 7 March; Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Monday 23 - Tuesday 24 March
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)!
Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Monday 13 - Saturday 18 April; The Alexandra, Birmingham, Monday 6 - Saturday 11 July
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 real-life couple Kevin Clifton and Stacey Dooley alongside Grant Kilburn and Shvorne Marks, pictured.
Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Tuesday 18 - Saturday 23 May