Midlands Cover - October vrs 2_24-7 Cover 24/09/2012 17:14 Page 1 M THE MIDLANDS ESSENTIAL ENTERTAINMENT GUIDE ID L A N D S W H A T ’S O N IS S U E 3 2 2 O C T O B E R 2 0 1 2 www.whatsonlive.co.uk £1.80 ISSUE 322 OCTOBER2012 BSJACOCOKUH SINNE TC HOBEM CIESITDYHI.A..NOP INSIDE Rob Rouse talks comedy, kids and teaching interview inside Lesley Joseph bares all in Calendar Girls interview inside Jesus Christ Superstar! Andrew Lloyd Webber musical in the Midlands more inside THE DEFINITIVE LISTINGS GUIDE P A R T O F M ID L A N D S W H A T ’S O What’sOn N M A MAGAZINE GROUP G A ZIN 35 E 0 GROUP PU SN 1462-7 B S L I IC ATIO brings her Secret Symphony to Birmingham interview inside... N S GRAND Whatson oct_Layout 1 24/09/2012 15:58 Page 1 Great Theatre at the Grand! 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No part of this publication may be reproduced, or stored in an electronic system, transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopied, recording or otherwise, without the prior knowledge and consent of the publishers. News October_Layout 1 24/09/2012 16:49 Page 1 News A ROUND-UP OF LOCAL AND NATIONAL ENTERTAINMENT NEWS Theatre group announce major investment Ambassador Theatre Group has announced that it’s to invest fifteen-million pounds into capital projects, including a major overhaul of the company’s Front of House areas, bars and toilets, in order to enhance the customer experience. The Front of House investment is heavily supported by an ambitious cus- tomer service programme, Be A Star, and the introduction of exciting new product ranges. Coventry actress to perform in home city An actress who started out as a member of the Belgrade Youth Theatre is returning to the Coventry venue this month to star in William Inge’s classic American drama The Dark At The Top Of The Stairs. Jenny-May Darcy, whose post-Belgrade Theatre drama training saw her New dimension for Solihull festival spend three years at the Courtyard Theatre in London, has appeared in numerous TV com- mercials and music videos, and is very much A popular event in the Midlands’ culinary calendar has been given a new look for 2012. This looking forward to returning to the Midlands. year’s A Taste Of Solihull features themed music and theatre performances as part of a three- “Growing up as an aspiring actress in day celebration of the town’s gastronomic delights. Live performers on the main stage include Coventry, the Belgrade was always a huge part Birmingham Conservatoire’s Harper String Trio, Irish dancers performing alongside O’Neill's of my life,” says Jenny-May. “I'm thrilled to chefs, Latin-influenced street dancers strutting their stuff with Nando’s and Eastern-inspired have landed this role in The Dark At The Top Of dancers accompanying a sushi making masterclass by Yo Sushi. Many of the performances The Stairs - and are by talented local youngsters from Starstruck Theatre School and Learning Curves school to be performing of Dance. Other festival attractions include cooking demonstrations from more than twenty it at the Belgrade restaurants at a live Demo Kitchen in Mell Square, exclusive offers at restaurants across the really is the icing town, three food markets (an Italian, a Farmer’s and a Chilli), craft activities and mask making on the cake. It by Giraffe restaurant, and Japanese writing sessions by Wagamama. Solihull resident and feels like I’ve performer John Innes - often referred to as ‘The People’s Tenor’ - will also be present, per- returned to my forming two opera arias in Mell Square on the Sunday. Read our interview with John, and find roots; to the out more about the festival, at www.whatsonlive.co.uk. place that first inspired me to Midland theme park wins increase interest in the event by offering visi- want to act, over a decade ago.” Jenny-May Darcy national award tors something different in terms of main- stream off-road manufacturer displays. HM Moto has an extensive range of fully road- Holby City star in Birmingham Drayton Manor Theme Park in Tamworth has legal enduro machines, as well as trail, kids’ come out on top in a national initiative to find and motocross bikes, while Jotagas will Celebrated actor Hugh Quarshie, best the Best UK Attraction for Children. Beating showcase its 2013 model JT trials bike in its known for his role as Dr Ric Griffin in Holby off stiff opposition from Warner Bros. Studio three capacities; 250cc, 280cc and 300cc. City, recently paid a flying visit to Tour London - The Making Of Harry Potter, Birmingham to promote the forthcoming The London Bridge Experience and ZSL Afrovibes Festival returns to sixth annual Music Video & Screen Awards. London Zoo, the family-owned-and-run Hugh, together with Tameka Empson (Kim theme park won the award at a special cere- the Midlands Fox in EastEnders), will host the awards cer- mony in Birmingham. Commenting on emony at the city’s prestigious International Drayton Manor’s success, the venue’s man- The biennial Afrovibes Festival returns to Convention Centre on 27 October. The event aging director, Colin Bryan, said: “Drayton Birmingham this month, stopping off at The forms part of Birmingham’s Black Manor has been a popular family attraction Drum Arts Centre in Aston as part of an International Film Festival, which runs from since it opened in 1950. The park has extensive UK tour. The event comprises a 22 to 28 October. changed considerably since then, but one thought-provoking programme of entertain- thing which has always remained the same ment from South Africa and beyond, with is our passion for providing an amazing day dance, theatre, music and spoken word per- out for all our visitors.” formances all featuring. The festival’s pro- Two new exhibitors confirmed gramme includes an for off-road show appearance by the exuberant Organisers of Stoneleigh Park’s International Sibikwa Arts Dirt Bike show have announced two new African exhibitors for 2012 - HM Moto UK and Indigenous Jotagas UK. It’s hoped that the attendance Orchestra on Sharonjit Shorcara, Hugh Quarshie, Mark Davis and Dean Alexander, of these two manufacturers will further 13 October. 4 www.whatsonlive.co.uk News October_Layout 1 24/09/2012 16:49 Page 2 Bonnie Langford to star in Dolly Parton musical Stoke-on-Trent’s Regent Theatre has announced that Bonnie Langford is return- ing to the region next month to star as Roz in Dolly Parton’s 9 To 5 The Musical. Bonnie will be joined in the stage version of the hit 1980s movie by Natalie Casey, Jackie Clune and Amy Lennox. Telling the story of three office workers who turn the tables on their big- oted boss, 9 To 5 shows at the Regent from 19 to 24 November. The show then visits the New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, over the Christmas period, run- ning from 17 December to 5 January. Hospitality gets new branding... Shropshire venue awarded Jazz Services Grant The NEC group’s hospitality arm is to get a makeover this month, with brighter, edgier The Edge Arts Centre in the beautiful South branding. Gone are the days when event hospitality was confined to big businesses and Shropshire town of Much Wenlock has been football clubs. amplify’s modern flexible packages mean that enhancing entertainment with awarded £1,920 to enhance its jazz pro- pre-event dining, private areas and personal service is now an easy option, and great way to gramme. The arts centre has earned itself make special occasions that little bit more memorable, be it at the NIA in the heart of an impressive reputation for its ability to Birmingham or the LG Arena south of the city. Smart contemporary Showcubes at the NIA attract the cream of both British and interna- can facilitate up to fourteen guests and come complete will catering facilities, private bar, tional jazz music talent, and it’s hoped that hostess and panoramic views over the arena, and, if your party is larger, then two cubes can this latest investment will allow it to further open up into one to cater for twenty eight. Over at the LG Arena, the innovative Showdeck develop its programme of music. platform offers a fully personalised service for visitors, with the finest seats and complimenta- Commenting on the grant, Arts Centre ry drinks throughout the show. So, if you’re on the lookout for an alternative to the usual Director Alison Vermee said: “This award is Christmas party, birthday celebration or hen night, then a visit to www.amplify.co.uk - a great boost to our jazz programme at a http://www.amplify.co.uk - might be all that’s needed. time when other sources of funding are under threat. It’s a great privilege to be able Tickets on sale for major Birmingham show to bring interna- IN BRIEF tionally-known Tickets for the touring production of Disney’s multi-award-winning players to rural Fancy yourself as The Lion King go on sale this month. The much-heralded musical Shropshire. One a singer? is currently out on tour for the first time, and arrives at the of the biggest Birmingham Hippodrome next June for a three-month run. Tickets attractions for Sing Live are on the are priced from £25 to £60 and go on general sale (counter and them is The lookout for enthusiastic online) on 24 October (25 October for phone bookings). Edge’s enthusi- singers (both male and For further information, visit www.birminghamhippodrome.com astic and loyal Gwilym Simcock, Asaf Sirkis and female) in the audience.” Tim Garland Birmingham, Warwick and Coventry areas to perform in their show Like A Bit Of Eye Candy? at Birmingham Town Hall on Saturday 13 A brand new visual pop culture festival January. The show will showcasing art, design and illustration takes feature songs from place in Birmingham this month. Eye Candy numerous hit musicals, Festival of Visual Culture runs from 11 to 14 including Starlight October in bars, restaurants and local Express, Chess, spaces in the Southside area of the city, and Ragtime, The Phantom features a series of exhibitions, meet-ups Of The Opera, Les and interventions, as well as a talks pro- Miserables and gramme with industry heavyweights. Eye Wicked. Preview Candy is this year in partnership with evenings take place in comics event Birmingham Zine Fest, with Coventry on 2 Professional Association of Alexander Teachers both festivals forming part of a season of October; Moseley in events taking place throughout 2012 to cel- Birmingham on 3 Alexander Technique ebrate the area's rich cultural mix. October, and Warwick on 4 October. There will be no auditions, and no experience is Lessons and Courses needed - the only stip- ulation is that all In the Midlands singers must be aged sixteen or older. Interested? Then why For locations and details please not visit telephone 01743 241478 www.singliveuk.com or email [email protected] for more information. www.paat.org.uk www.whatsonlive.co.uk 5 Rob Rouse interview_Layout 1 24/09/2012 14:21 Page 1 “ I guess it depends on who you are and what you do, but I don’t think that any subject should entirely be off limits” Rob Rouse talks comedy, kids and teaching... Boasting a plethora of TV credits, including Channel Four's 8 Out Of 10 Cats, ITV's Celebrity Juice and Dave's One Night Stand, Rob Rouse peddles a hyperactive brand of humour that’s much in demand. What’s On caught up with the award-winning comedian to find out what audiences can expect from his latest UK tour... When did you first realise that you were and they can work out how to be funny. And degree anyway. There’s stuff that I wasn’t funny? then there are people who are utterly meant to say at school, or things that I I don’t really know. Probably when I was a unaware that they’re hilarious and can’t do it wasn’t meant to say at work, that I can now child, but maybe I just thought I was funny. on stage. I like to think that I’m somewhere say on stage and have people go, ‘that’s There’s a real difference between thinking in between. I’m a bit of a natural clown, and great!’, rather than ‘fire that man!’. I feel very you’re funny and then realising that you’re that’s part of what I bring to what I do, but I lucky to have a job where I can express funny, which, let’s be honest, is always up try to focus it. myself like that. I can arse about, I can say for debate, isn’t it? There’s also a real exactly what I want, regardless of how difference between being a funny person So does comedy consume your whole offensive people may or may not think it is. and being funny for people on a stage. life? As long as I’m accountable for what I say, There are comedians who are funny in real Hopefully not. I’m hugely lucky not to have then I can do it. Without being churlish life and funny on stage, and I hope I’m one a real job, which is the way I look at it. about it, it feels like a very healthy way for of those, and there are people who are not Something that essentially used to get me me to live my life. funny at all off stage, but who are very funny told off at school now earns me a living. on stage. Some people find masks, I think, Genuinely, that’s how it feels - to a certain 6 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Rob Rouse interview_Layout 1 24/09/2012 14:21 Page 2 interview... You trained to be a geography teacher, so writing and just do that same material again how did the transition into comedy come and again, or you can constantly put yourself about? in a position of possibly failing by trying stuff I was kind of bullied into it by some mates in out all the time. That’s why I love to tour a pub one night. They said they’d done a each year, because unless you throw stuff charity comedy night the evening before and away, you’ll never write new stuff. I try to And what’s been your favourite comedy reckoned I’d be alright at it. I was very drunk, grab it when it’s there, make the most of it, moment? agreed to do it, and absolutely loved it. I was and play it out in front of an audience at gigs Every time you have a gig where you just aware that I was in a partisan crowd of and previews. walk away feeling utterly at ease with people who wanted it to work for me and everything. Yeah, that’s what it is, when I’ve who knew each other, but there was Apart from your kids, what other themes had a really good gig and I’m on a high. something inside me that was completely do you favour in your work? overwhelmed by the incredible feeling I got Things that you love or hate. It tends to be How do you come down from that? from the moment. I think it’s a very special things that you’re drawn towards because You just have to wait. I drive home and listen gift to be able to make people laugh, and it’s you’ve got frustration, elation or confusion to some great music, or just sit until I pass certainly addictive. I decided it was around those things. For me, anything that out. something that was worth doing. Not that feels weighty and dramatic in reality is good teaching wasn’t, but it made me realise that stuff to get into. Anything that’s a bit You’ve appeared in numerous TV panel there was a series of decisions that I was uncomfortable to talk about is always good shows. Do you have a favourite? making by default. I thought I could have a stuff for comedy, because you’re not just Not really, they’re all really good fun to do. 8 crack at it and it would be my thing entirely, doing safe stuff. I think there’s a place for Out Of 10 Cats was great, but I was a lot so I rebelled at twenty-five. I stuck it to the everything, but I think when you’re doing live younger then. Mad, Mad, World was my man late. Most people do it when they’re stuff, you should be pushing what you can most recent, and that was good. They were fifteen, but I waited another ten years. do. In this new show, there’s literally thirty- a really nice bunch to work with. I met some five minutes about poo, and I think it’s one of really interesting characters and we had a bit You won So You Think You’re Funny? in the best shows I’ve ever done. For anyone to of a giggle. 1998 - how much has your comedy be offended by it, they’d have to be nuts, evolved since then? because that’s the joy - doing it and getting Apart from the current tour, what other Quite a lot, really, because I’ve changed. I’m people to lose their inhibitions and come projects are you working on at the a very different person now to how I was with it. There’s a lot of poo in my life at the moment? back then. I now have two children, and my moment, so there’s a big chunk of it in the I’ve written quite a few scripts, and I’ve got a life is very different to how it was, and that show. few of them in with the Baby Cow production changes you as a person. Back then, my act company. We’re talking with broadcasters was nonsense, it was just bolted together Is there ever a subject that’s totally off about them, which is very exciting. I’m also and was quite madcap, high-energy stuff. limits? working on shorts of my own, and trying to Now it’s a lot more autobiographical, but I I guess it depends on who you are and what shoot things that I’ve written. That’s my next think it’s a lot better and a lot funnier than it you do, but I don’t think that any subject creative goal. used to be, because the stuff I now talk should entirely be off limits. You can talk about is real. It’s my life, and I know what I’m about anything, but you have to take Has there ever been a time in the past talking about. I also know who I am more. responsibility for what you say and you have fourteen years when you’ve thought about to allow people to react in the way that they jacking it all in and doing something else? Obviously, being a parent provides you do and accept that that will happen. If you Oh definitely! I think any comic that tells you with plenty of material, Do you ever worry can deal with that, and your conscience is there haven’t been times when they’ve fallen that one day your kids are going to look okay with it - and if you’re a good person - out of love with it has either had some sort of back and say, ‘God dad, why did you use then it should be alright. I don’t think certain miraculous career or is lying. I think, like with me?’ people in the media should dictate what everything, you have to be honest with Absolutely, but I’d say, ‘well, you weren’t artists discuss, otherwise you might as well yourself. It’s an odd thing to describe going to get a job, were you? You weren’t strangle everyone’s creativity. It would yourself as a comedian. On my passport it going to feed yourself, you weren’t going to effectively be taking away free speech. says comedian, and it’s hard to believe that’s let your dad retire at thirty-eight and put his what I am. At passport control, they ask, feet up, were you? No, you were just a You’re criss-crossing the country again ‘what is it you do?’, and I reply, ‘I’m a normal, lazy, selfish four-year-old who with this current tour. So where, in your comedian, so please let me into your country needed feeding, clothing and a roof over his experience, do you find the best so that I can take the piss out of it’. head. So what else was I going to do? And audiences - north or south? you just shat on me’. So somehow I’m going I think the whole north/south divide is one of So if you did decide to jack it in, what to have to get something out of that. those constructs, or kind of reductive things, would you do? that are invented by people in the north or Well, I’ve got a chainsaw and an angle What’s the biggest sacrifice that you’ve the south who haven’t been to the other. I grinder. I’d probably look at what I’ve got in had to make along the way? lived in London for years, and every the garage and take it from there. I suppose the biggest sacrifice is that I work northerner I knew thought it was fantastic. weekends, when most of my friends and Every Londoner I’ve met in Manchester, Has there ever been a time when you’ve family are off. I sacrifice time, but at least the Leeds or Birmingham thinks it’s fantastic regretted not pursuing a career in time that I spend doing my job, I’m enjoying living there too. These opinions tend to be teaching? myself. If you put this question to my wife, informed by people who don’t travel No, because I think I would have been an she’d probably give you a list as long as all anywhere and tend to in-breed in their own appalling teacher. Name a country and I’ll tell of the arms in China, I should imagine. So little streets. But without brown-nosing, I do you the capital city. yeah, it’s just time, and the time I spend find the Midlands a fun place. I can’t theorise away. I just try to make the most of it when why I find Birmingham such a fun city to Korea. I’m at home. Balancing life is a human perform in. I wonder if it’s because it’s such I don’t know. condition, and it’s tough for most people. a culturally diverse city, and people just seem to rub along quite nicely thank you. It Shocking! I’m so happy you’re not When preparing new material, is there a comes across as this big melting-pot with a teaching my kids. certain time or place where you’re most great sense of humour. People appear to be Exactly. That’s why I made the responsible creative? quite laid back. move of not becoming a geography teacher. Not really. I just scribble stuff down. I think things through when I’m travelling, or As a comedian, what’s the best accolade wherever and whenever I can. Inspiration you could ever receive? Rob Rouse performs at Warwick Arts comes from the strangest places at the I think it’s what happens when you’re doing Centre, Coventry, Sun 21 October; Artrix, oddest times, and you’ve just got to it. It’s the feeling that I get when a gig is Bromsgrove, Tues 13 November; Stafford embrace it when it’s there; try and make flying - that’s the top and bottom of it. It’s Gatehouse Theatre, Fri 16 November; and some sense of it. You can do comedy one of being in that moment, sharing it with your Huntingdon Hall, Worcester, Fri 30 two ways. You can find a very safe way of audience and essentially having a great time. November. www.whatsonlive.co.uk7 Lesley Joseph interview_Layout 1 24/09/2012 14:45 Page 1 Lesley Joseph on why supporting Calendar Girls is so important... Best known for playing Dorian in the much-loved 1980/’90s TV sitcom Birds Of A Feather, Lesley Joseph this month returns to the Midlands to perform in the stage version of Tim Firth’s Calendar Girls. What’s On caught up with her to talk about why the play remains so popular, and to find out what brings her to the region this Christmas. What’s the big attraction of appearing in about doing it, and it was such a fantastic they quite like seeing different people in it, Calendar Girls? experience. We all enjoyed it so much that but I also think the show does something to They offered it to me last year, but it was the director has asked the whole cast back, them. I don’t think there’s anyone in this never something that I’d particularly wanted and all but one of us has agreed do it. So country who hasn’t been touched by cancer; to do - it was never on my radar. But then I everybody knows everybody else really well. either themselves, someone in their family or read the play and I thought, “you know what, It’s a great experience, and the audiences a close friend. The show aids cancer this is brilliant”. It falls between something absolutely love it. research, with a proportion of the money which is quite hilarious and something which going to Leukaemia research, but it also is quite moving. So once I’d read it and met There’s obviously a healthy appetite for shows something positive coming out of the producer, I decided to do it. I found out the show. Why do you think it remains so what was a terrible diagnosis. Everybody who else was performing in it, and they were popular? goes through the horrors of seeing someone all people whose work I admired. So we set Audiences return to see the show because dealing with cancer, and this shows it being 8 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Lesley Joseph interview_Layout 1 24/09/2012 14:45 Page 2 interview... dealt with in an incredibly empathetic way. It Is it true that there might be a Christmas also makes you laugh, so you leave the Special of Birds Of A Feather? theatre feeling good. I don’t know. The BBC showed some interest in resurrecting it, as they did with Ab Fab. haven’t had script meetings, but I do know Who are you playing this time round? There was talk, but we’ll have to wait and that it’s going to be huge, beautifully staged, I play Chris, who instigates the whole thing see. Maybe next year... and featuring big musical numbers. It’s going alongside Annie, who’s being played by Sue to be a spectacular feast, which Birmingham Holderness. We work really well together; we Has there ever been a worry that playing Hippodrome pantos always are. I’m thrilled to know each other anyway, and it’s a lovely Dorian would lead to you becoming be doing it. I’ve never worked on stage with partnership. typecast? Brian before, but I once did one of his No, it’s never been a concern. And if I did Dangerous Brian sketches, which, for some Did you have any initial reservations about become typecast, then that’s absolutely fine, obscure reason, saw me surrounded by a getting undressed on stage? because I’ve had a great career and it’s not python. I hate snakes, so that was a little bit No. To be honest, the only people who really something I’m going to worry about. Dorian scary! see anything are the people backstage. Out was a fantastic role, and I wouldn’t have front, everything is pretty much covered - you dreamed of turning it down. Panto’s often described as hard work, so see a certain amount, but not as much as we what’s its attraction? see on stage. It’s fine anyway, because the You mentioned having a great career. It’s I love it! You get great songs, great lighting, majority of actors spend most of their time in certainly been very varied. So what’s been great costumes - and an interaction with the their dressing rooms getting dressed in front your most challenging role? audience that fulfills the little bit of me that of other people, so that’s not really a problem. I think it would have to be a Neil Simon play wants to be a stand-up comedian. It’s a called The Gingerbread Lady, in which I chance to live out your fantasies, because You recently had a big theatre success with played a drunk who’d fallen off the wagon. everything is so beautiful. the resurrection of Birds Of A Feather. That really was quite emotionally draining, What was your initial reaction when and I was on stage for the whole time. Other And what’s your all-time favourite panto? approached about the stage adaptation? than that, I’m not really sure. The role I’ve I love Snow White. I did a great Snow White We all spoke and said we’d love to do it - but enjoyed the most would have to be in in Belfast. It’s a great panto, because you then, when we did, it was unlike anything I’d Humble Boy, which I did about five years can be evil and fun at the same time. I also ever done in my life. It was sort of about the ago. I also absolutely adored performing in love Cinderella, but I’m really looking forward play, but it was as much about seeing the Annie. All roles are challenging in their own to doing something which is a bit different three of us together again. way, but none of them have been like a this year. mountain to climb. Were you surprised by the audience Seeing you on stage in Birds Of A Feather, reaction? Your work moves between TV and stage. If it was obvious how little you’d aged over Yeah, we were slightly surprised by how great you had to choose between the two, which the years. What do you do to keep in it was. Some nights, the laughs were would you prefer? condition? absolutely huge, and we were just thrilled that If I were looking for an easier life, I’d choose I lost two stone to do Birds. I’d relaxed a little people loved it so much. To put a half-hour television. If I were looking for a more on the old weight front, so I went on quite a television show, or sometimes an hour-long satisfied life, I’d choose stage. The stage was strict health and fitness regime. I did a lot of Christmas special, on stage is always going why I entered into this business, but I also exercise, ate very carefully for about four to be a slight gamble, because you’re not love the rules and parameters of television. months, and lost the weight. Now I have a sure whether the construction will hold series of exercises that I do to keep toned, together for that long, so we were absolutely It’s an ever-changing industry. What do and that’s basically it. thrilled that it did. you think has had the most negative effect during your time in the business? Finally, what was the most valuable lesson What was the biggest obstacle you had to Reality television. I suspect it’s negative in you learned while filming When I Get overcome when performing it on stage? terms of allowing television companies not to OIder? There wasn’t one, really, other than finding the put out the same amount of drama. But I I don’t think I learned a lesson so much, I right script. The first script we had wasn’t suspect we’re seeing a bit of a sea-change just made various notes to myself. Number good, but then the original scriptwriters got now. Productions like Downton Abbey have one: life goes by incredibly quickly, and you involved. Once they came on board, proved that people do still want to see good should only ever treat older people in a way everything slotted into place. We’ll be dramas, they do still want to see good that you’d like to be treated yourself - which changing the set when we bring it back for a sitcoms and good soaps. They still want their is something I do anyway, because I do a lot second run next year, and we’ll also fine-tune dramas, they want their news - they want all of work with the elderly. It was an absolutely what didn’t work with the first script. There the serious stuff as well. Reality television devastating programme to do - depressing was such an appetite for the show, and there made it really difficult for actors to get work, and uplifting at the same time. But what I were so many places that we didn’t get to because the work thinned out, but I think it’s wish and pray for is that lessons from older tour last time round - Scotland, Ireland, all on its way back again now. people are taken on board by the Southampton and Newcastle, for example. To Government, and that money is found to be honest, I think we could tour it for years. You’ve had your own foray into Reality TV. treat them with the dignity they deserve. Do you have any regrets? Most older people had a very different life - a Were you surprised by the audience mix? No, they’ve only been minor shows. I’ve life which didn’t offer the benefits that we It was interesting. There were a lot of young never done the big ones. I could never do enjoy nowadays - and their stoicism and people, but then I suppose some of the Dancing On Ice, Celebrity Big Brother or I’m bravery is incredible. I sincerely hope teenagers that came to see the stage show A Celebrity. It’s just not me. measures are put in place that allow every would either have been very young when it older person to reach the end of their life was originally screened, or may have seen re- Could you ever be tempted? with dignity and proper care, and that you’ll runs. Back in its day, Birds of A Feather was a No, even when they offer a lot of money. It never again read headlines which report that show which families would sit down together could easily go against you. At the time, it somebody died in hospital through a lack of to watch, and you had the feeling it was may sound tempting - especially if you could water, through not being given enough to eat appropriate for any age. do with the money - but it may not do you and drink, which happens all the time. It was any favours in the long run. a tough show to film, but I wouldn’t have Did you keep in touch with Pauline and missed it for the world. Linda in the intervening years? Christmas sees you returning to the region Yes. It’s quite funny, because we’re all manic to perform alongside Brian Conley in Scrabble players at the moment, and play Robinson Crusoe. It’s quite an unusual Lesley stars in Calendar Girls at Belgrade against each other on our phones. So panto, so can you tell us a bit about your Theatre, Coventry, Mon 15 - Sat 20 October wherever we are, we’re always doing Words role? and The Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton, With Friends. It’s so funny - and when I wake I’ll be playing the Enchantress of the Ocean - Mon 12 - Sat 17 November. Lesley will also up in the morning, there’s always a new word she’s the one who helps Robinson Crusoe appear in Robinson Crusoe at Birmingham to find from Pauline. We’ve become quite find the treasure map. That’s about as much Hippodrome,Sat 15 December - Sun 27 competitive. as I know at the moment, because we January, 2013 www.whatsonlive.co.uk9 Katie Melua online interview_Layout 1 27/09/2012 12:02 Page 1 “ I’ve been a crazy go-getter for the best part of the last ten years, and I think that aspect of my personality has mellowed a little bit. Now I’m married, I realise how important it is to have a base.” Katie Melua brings her Secret Symphony to the Midlands...