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Category Archives: News

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Award Winners 2024

By admin | July 31, 2024 - 11:15 am |July 31, 2024 News
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  Birmingham Fest 2024 is over and was as ever an absolute joy, with a wonderful range of shows and fantastic performances.   It’s therefore been difficult to pick out some award winners but we’ve done it and here goes!   *BEST SHOW – “AN IMPROVISED MURDER” (FOGHORN UNSCRIPTED). *BEST PERFORMANCE… Continue reading →

101 Dalmatians The Musical review

By admin | July 2, 2024 - 11:51 pm |July 2, 2024 News
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  101 Dalmatians, The Musical. The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham.   Everyone is familiar with 101 Dalmatians – either the 1961 Disney animated classic, or the 1996 Disney live action version. This show has nothing to do with either, but the plot is basically the same as it is based on… Continue reading →

Birmingham Fest 2024 line-up and guide

By admin | June 30, 2024 - 12:15 pm |July 2, 2024 News
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  The programme for Birmingham Fest 2024 has arrived! You can see the full line up here. You can view and download the guide here: BF2024 GUIDE This can also be downloaded from our main website page.   This year’s festival takes place between 10-28 July (inclusive). We have a great,… Continue reading →

“The Syndicate” review

By admin | June 26, 2024 - 12:03 am |June 26, 2024 News
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  The Syndicate. The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham.   I have to admit I’ve never seen The Syndicate TV series. Not one episode of the four series. So I went into this with fresh eyes. It was created (and written) by Kay Mellor and each series follows a group of people (a… Continue reading →

“The 39 Steps” review

By admin | June 4, 2024 - 11:19 pm |June 5, 2024 News
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  The 39 Steps. The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham.   If you want to see a stage play of John Buchan’s novel, this isn’t it. This is instead a parody of Alfred Hitchcock’s film adaptation – which was radically different from the novel. And what a parody!   The plot is… Continue reading →

“Unfortunate” review

By admin | April 12, 2024 - 12:58 am |April 12, 2024 News
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  Unfortunate. Birmingham Hippodrome.   Think you’ve seen The Little Mermaid? Think again. Unfortunate is the “untold story” of Ursula the sea witch from the classic Disney movie. This isn’t a kids’ story though. This is dirty Disney! Billed as a musical parody it retells the story of the much… Continue reading →

Shrek the Musical review

By admin | April 10, 2024 - 12:54 pm |April 10, 2024 News
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  Shrek the Musical. The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham.   The 2001 Dreamworks animation was a huge hit and this musical adaptation which opened on Broadway in 2008 has also been a huge hit. This is the latest UK tour. For those not familiar with the story, it follows an ogre… Continue reading →

“I Should Be So Lucky” review

By admin | April 5, 2024 - 12:00 am |April 5, 2024 News
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  I Should Be So Lucky. The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham.   Stock Aitken Waterman ruled the charts in the second half of the 80’s (and also early 90’s). The songwriting and producing trio scored more than 100 UK top 40 hits (plus dozens of worldwide hits) and sold over 150… Continue reading →

Birmingham Fest welcomes a new venue

By admin | March 22, 2024 - 4:40 pm |March 22, 2024 News
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  We are excited to welcome a brand new venue for Birmingham Fest, and a brand new venue for the city. Introducing The Birmingham Black Box. An exciting new performance space in a fantastic listed building. It’s multi purpose and extremely versatile, suitable for multiple uses. You can read all about… Continue reading →

“Peter Pan Goes Wrong” review

By admin | March 19, 2024 - 12:36 am |March 19, 2024 News
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  Peter Pan Goes Wrong. Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham.   Think you’ve seen Peter Pan? Think again! Presented by the fictitious “Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society” this is their latest am-dram production – Peter Pan. You’ve heard the saying “it’ll be alright on the night”. Well in this case it couldn’t be… Continue reading →

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  • Calendar (Fest: July 11-27)

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    1
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    8:00 PM - "Brazen" by Lorna Meehan
    13
    8:00 PM - "Brazen" by Lorna Meehan
    14
    7:00 PM - "Activating Human Words" by Wesley Rolston
    7:00 PM - "Victoria's Diaries" by Tell Tale
    15
    7:30 PM - "An Evening Of Improv" by Box Of Frogs
    16
    7:00 PM - "Updownsizing" by Ginny Davis
    17
    7:00 PM - "Frankenstein" by Blue Orange Arts
    9:00 PM - "He'd Murder Me" by Baby Grace Theatre
    18
    7:00 PM - "Frankenstein" by Blue Orange Arts
    9:00 PM - "He'd Murder Me" by Baby Grace Theatre
    19
    7:00 PM - "Frankenstein" by Blue Orange Arts
    20
    3:00 PM - "Frankenstein" by Blue Orange Arts
    7:00 PM - "Frankenstein" by Blue Orange Arts
    9:00 PM - "Go Japesh*t" by Thespianage Productions
    21
    3:00 PM - "Not Just William" by Tell Tale
    7:00 PM - "New Version of Me" by Midsummers Theatre
    22
    7:00 PM - "Sundown" by Taking Chances
    23
    7:00 PM - "Sundown" by Taking Chances
    24
    7:00 PM - "Sundown" by Taking Chances
    25
    7:00 PM - "A Matter of Law" by Two Jens & Me
    9:00 PM - "Skin In The Game" by Paul Westwood
    26
    7:00 PM - "A Matter of Law" by Two Jens & Me
    9:00 PM - "Skin In The Game" by Paul Westwood
    27
    7:00 PM - "A Matter of Law" by Two Jens & Me
    9:00 PM - "Skin In The Game" by Paul Westwood
    28
    5:00 PM - "The Winter's Tale Revisited" by The Willmore Singers
    7:00 PM - "We'll Be In Touch" by Joanna Gay
    9:00 PM - "Skin In The Game" by Paul Westwood
    29
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    31
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    4
    "Brazen" by Lorna Meehan
    "Brazen" by Lorna Meehan
    12/07/2019    
    8:00 pm - 9:00 pm
    @ A.E. Harris
    • Drama
    An autobiographical spoken word journey exploring coming of age, the nature of hero worship and the difficulty in just being yourself. Inspired by a deep connection to Jim Morrison and The Doors, 'Brazen' explores our complicated relationship with bravery, the transformative power of music and how sometimes, the wildest thing you can do is be vulnerable.
    More Info
    "Brazen" by Lorna Meehan
    "Brazen" by Lorna Meehan
    13/07/2019    
    8:00 pm - 9:00 pm
    @ A.E. Harris
    • Drama
    An autobiographical spoken word journey exploring coming of age, the nature of hero worship and the difficulty in just being yourself. Inspired by a deep connection to Jim Morrison and The Doors, 'Brazen' explores our complicated relationship with bravery, the transformative power of music and how sometimes, the wildest thing you can do is be vulnerable.
    More Info
    "Activating Human Words" by Wesley Rolston
    "Activating Human Words" by Wesley Rolston
    14/07/2019    
    7:00 pm - 7:45 pm
    The Victoria
    • Poetry
    This performance poetry piece takes four words that each possess significance on their own but when combined could become a means to explore human problems we face as individuals and we feel are affecting our society. The four words are: Accept, Connect, Release and Enact. What do they mean to you?
    More Info
    "Victoria's Diaries" by Tell Tale
    "Victoria's Diaries" by Tell Tale
    14/07/2019    
    7:00 pm - 8:15 pm
    The Blue Orange Theatre
    • Drama
    A special preview performance of Tell Tale’s new play to mark 200 years since the birth of Queen Victoria. Hear her life story from summer holidays as a child and her loving marriage to Albert to the various assassination attempts upon her told entirely in her own words through her letters and journal entries.
    More Info
    "An Evening Of Improv" by Box Of Frogs
    "An Evening Of Improv" by Box Of Frogs
    15/07/2019    
    7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
    The Blue Orange Theatre
    • Comedy
    Box of Frogs present their own brand of high-octane improvised nonsense from audience suggestions. All your favourite improv games, unrehearsed and improvised entirely live. No-one knows what will happen, least of all them! Expect to laugh, expect to be amazed - but most of all expect the unexpected!
    More Info
    "Updownsizing" by Ginny Davis
    "Updownsizing" by Ginny Davis
    16/07/2019    
    7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
    The Blue Orange Theatre
    • Comedy
    • Drama
    A new one-woman comedy about the chaos of modern family life from previous Birmingham Fest Best Original Piece writer/performer, Ginny Davis. The kids have flown the nest so time to downsize. Mum’s packing. Husband is under her feet and it’s starting to rain.
    More Info
    "Frankenstein" by Blue Orange Arts
    "Frankenstein" by Blue Orange Arts
    17/07/2019    
    7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
    The Blue Orange Theatre
    • Drama
    Mary Shelley's gothic masterpiece. It is 1818 and, as a bell tolls nearby, Victor Frankenstein’s monstrous creation explodes into existence. Using fast paced story-telling and physical theatre, Blue Orange Arts presents an one hour faithful telling of the classic novel.
    More Info
    "He'd Murder Me" by Baby Grace Theatre
    "He'd Murder Me" by Baby Grace Theatre
    17/07/2019    
    9:00 pm - 9:45 pm
    The Blue Orange Theatre
    • Drama
    Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, 1977. The North is in the grip of the Yorkshire Ripper’s reign of terror. Against the backdrop of suspicion and fear, 15-year-old Jack attempts to find his identity in the world. A coming of age story - Yorkshire style.
    More Info
    "Frankenstein" by Blue Orange Arts
    "Frankenstein" by Blue Orange Arts
    18/07/2019    
    7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
    The Blue Orange Theatre
    • Drama
    Mary Shelley's gothic masterpiece. It is 1818 and, as a bell tolls nearby, Victor Frankenstein’s monstrous creation explodes into existence. Using fast paced story-telling and physical theatre, Blue Orange Arts presents an one hour faithful telling of the classic novel.
    More Info
    "He'd Murder Me" by Baby Grace Theatre
    "He'd Murder Me" by Baby Grace Theatre
    18/07/2019    
    9:00 pm - 9:45 pm
    The Blue Orange Theatre
    • Drama
    Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, 1977. The North is in the grip of the Yorkshire Ripper’s reign of terror. Against the backdrop of suspicion and fear, 15-year-old Jack attempts to find his identity in the world. A coming of age story - Yorkshire style.
    More Info
    "Frankenstein" by Blue Orange Arts
    "Frankenstein" by Blue Orange Arts
    19/07/2019    
    7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
    The Blue Orange Theatre
    • Drama
    Mary Shelley's gothic masterpiece. It is 1818 and, as a bell tolls nearby, Victor Frankenstein’s monstrous creation explodes into existence. Using fast paced story-telling and physical theatre, Blue Orange Arts presents an one hour faithful telling of the classic novel.
    More Info
    "Frankenstein" by Blue Orange Arts
    "Frankenstein" by Blue Orange Arts
    20/07/2019    
    3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
    The Blue Orange Theatre
    • Drama
    Mary Shelley's gothic masterpiece. It is 1818 and, as a bell tolls nearby, Victor Frankenstein’s monstrous creation explodes into existence. Using fast paced story-telling and physical theatre, Blue Orange Arts presents an one hour faithful telling of the classic novel.
    More Info
    "Frankenstein" by Blue Orange Arts
    "Frankenstein" by Blue Orange Arts
    20/07/2019    
    7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
    The Blue Orange Theatre
    • Drama
    Mary Shelley's gothic masterpiece. It is 1818 and, as a bell tolls nearby, Victor Frankenstein’s monstrous creation explodes into existence. Using fast paced story-telling and physical theatre, Blue Orange Arts presents an one hour faithful telling of the classic novel.
    More Info
    "Go Japesh*t" by Thespianage Productions
    "Go Japesh*t" by Thespianage Productions
    20/07/2019    
    9:00 pm - 10:00 pm
    The Blue Orange Theatre
    • Comedy
    Returning to Birmingham Fest for the first time in 5 years, Thespianage present short-form improvised comedy with a twist! During 'Japesh*t rounds' the audience has the power to throw the players a real curveball: enforce random accents, bring in a physical quirk, or make a celebrity appear!
    More Info
    "Not Just William" by Tell Tale
    "Not Just William" by Tell Tale
    21/07/2019    
    3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
    The Blue Orange Theatre
    • Children
    • Drama
    Times are hard for the Shakespeare family. Young William is not having the happiest of birthdays until a simple errand sends him on an enchanted journey where he discovers a world of stories which will stay with him for the rest of his life. A great introduction to the man, his times featuring the folk tales which inspired some of Shakespeare’s most famous plays.
    More Info
    "New Version of Me" by Midsummers Theatre
    "New Version of Me" by Midsummers Theatre
    21/07/2019    
    7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
    • Drama
    *THIS PERFORMANCE IS NO LONGER GOING AHEAD*
    More Info
    "Sundown" by Taking Chances
    "Sundown" by Taking Chances
    22/07/2019    
    7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
    The Blue Orange Theatre
    • Drama
    “Sundown” is a moving drama about one person’s need to go somewhere specific at a defining point in their life. More importantly, a need to be there on their own. The problem is, someone else has exactly the same need at exactly the same time. Will both of their plans go ahead or will things take a different turn? "Touching & funny".
    More Info
    "Sundown" by Taking Chances
    "Sundown" by Taking Chances
    23/07/2019    
    7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
    The Blue Orange Theatre
    • Drama
    “Sundown” is a moving drama about one person’s need to go somewhere specific at a defining point in their life. More importantly, a need to be there on their own. The problem is, someone else has exactly the same need at exactly the same time. Will both of their plans go ahead or will things take a different turn? "Touching & funny".
    More Info
    "Sundown" by Taking Chances
    "Sundown" by Taking Chances
    24/07/2019    
    7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
    The Blue Orange Theatre
    • Drama
    “Sundown” is a moving drama about one person’s need to go somewhere specific at a defining point in their life. More importantly, a need to be there on their own. The problem is, someone else has exactly the same need at exactly the same time. Will both of their plans go ahead or will things take a different turn? "Touching & funny".
    More Info
    "A Matter of Law" by Two Jens & Me
    "A Matter of Law" by Two Jens & Me
    25/07/2019    
    7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
    The Blue Orange Theatre
    • Drama
    This brand new play seeks to highlight the suffering of men in domestic abuse. The play is set in a courtroom which is trying the case of Edwina Frankield who is charged with four counts of GBH and the use of Coercive and Controlling behaviour against her husband. You the audience will be asked to decide if she's guilty.
    More Info
    "Skin In The Game" by Paul Westwood
    "Skin In The Game" by Paul Westwood
    25/07/2019    
    9:00 pm - 10:15 pm
    The Blue Orange Theatre
    • Drama
    A brand new thriller. Nechells, Birmingham, Summer, 2019. The family flat isn't selling. Dad's gone into a care home that needs paying for. Three estranged siblings meet to sort things out, but the reality of the situation is more terrifying than any of them can imagine.
    More Info
    "A Matter of Law" by Two Jens & Me
    "A Matter of Law" by Two Jens & Me
    26/07/2019    
    7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
    The Blue Orange Theatre
    • Drama
    This brand new play seeks to highlight the suffering of men in domestic abuse. The play is set in a courtroom which is trying the case of Edwina Frankield who is charged with four counts of GBH and the use of Coercive and Controlling behaviour against her husband. You the audience will be asked to decide if she's guilty.
    More Info
    "Skin In The Game" by Paul Westwood
    "Skin In The Game" by Paul Westwood
    26/07/2019    
    9:00 pm - 10:15 pm
    The Blue Orange Theatre
    • Drama
    A brand new thriller. Nechells, Birmingham, Summer, 2019. The family flat isn't selling. Dad's gone into a care home that needs paying for. Three estranged siblings meet to sort things out, but the reality of the situation is more terrifying than any of them can imagine.
    More Info
    "A Matter of Law" by Two Jens & Me
    "A Matter of Law" by Two Jens & Me
    27/07/2019    
    7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
    The Blue Orange Theatre
    • Drama
    This brand new play seeks to highlight the suffering of men in domestic abuse. The play is set in a courtroom which is trying the case of Edwina Frankield who is charged with four counts of GBH and the use of Coercive and Controlling behaviour against her husband. You the audience will be asked to decide if she's guilty.
    More Info
    "Skin In The Game" by Paul Westwood
    "Skin In The Game" by Paul Westwood
    27/07/2019    
    9:00 pm - 10:15 pm
    The Blue Orange Theatre
    • Drama
    A brand new thriller. Nechells, Birmingham, Summer, 2019. The family flat isn't selling. Dad's gone into a care home that needs paying for. Three estranged siblings meet to sort things out, but the reality of the situation is more terrifying than any of them can imagine.
    More Info
    "The Winter's Tale Revisited" by The Willmore Singers
    "The Winter's Tale Revisited" by The Willmore Singers
    28/07/2019    
    5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
    • Drama
    • Music
    *THIS PERFORMANCE IS NO LONGER GOING AHEAD*
    More Info
    "We'll Be In Touch" by Joanna Gay
    "We'll Be In Touch" by Joanna Gay
    28/07/2019    
    7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
    The Blue Orange Theatre
    • Drama
    Mickey and Spud have lived next door to each other most of their lives. They have no money, no job and no other friends but what they do have is a friendship like no other. Fed up with always feeling like society has left them behind they make a pact to stick together and spend the rest of their lives dossing around and remaining jobless. 
    More Info
    "Skin In The Game" by Paul Westwood
    "Skin In The Game" by Paul Westwood
    28/07/2019    
    9:00 pm - 10:15 pm
    The Blue Orange Theatre
    • Drama
    A brand new thriller. Nechells, Birmingham, Summer, 2019. The family flat isn't selling. Dad's gone into a care home that needs paying for. Three estranged siblings meet to sort things out, but the reality of the situation is more terrifying than any of them can imagine.
    More Info
    Events on 12/07/2019
    "Brazen" by Lorna Meehan
    "Brazen" by Lorna Meehan
    12 Jul 19
    Birmingham
    Events on 13/07/2019
    "Brazen" by Lorna Meehan
    "Brazen" by Lorna Meehan
    13 Jul 19
    Birmingham
    Events on 14/07/2019
    "Activating Human Words" by Wesley Rolston
    "Activating Human Words" by Wesley Rolston
    14 Jul 19
    Birmingham
    "Victoria's Diaries" by Tell Tale
    "Victoria's Diaries" by Tell Tale
    14 Jul 19
    Birmingham
    Events on 15/07/2019
    "An Evening Of Improv" by Box Of Frogs
    "An Evening Of Improv" by Box Of Frogs
    15 Jul 19
    Birmingham
    Events on 16/07/2019
    "Updownsizing" by Ginny Davis
    "Updownsizing" by Ginny Davis
    16 Jul 19
    Birmingham
    Events on 17/07/2019
    "Frankenstein" by Blue Orange Arts
    "Frankenstein" by Blue Orange Arts
    17 Jul 19
    Birmingham
    "He'd Murder Me" by Baby Grace Theatre
    "He'd Murder Me" by Baby Grace Theatre
    17 Jul 19
    Birmingham
    Events on 18/07/2019
    "Frankenstein" by Blue Orange Arts
    "Frankenstein" by Blue Orange Arts
    18 Jul 19
    Birmingham
    "He'd Murder Me" by Baby Grace Theatre
    "He'd Murder Me" by Baby Grace Theatre
    18 Jul 19
    Birmingham
    Events on 19/07/2019
    "Frankenstein" by Blue Orange Arts
    "Frankenstein" by Blue Orange Arts
    19 Jul 19
    Birmingham
    Events on 20/07/2019
    "Frankenstein" by Blue Orange Arts
    "Frankenstein" by Blue Orange Arts
    20 Jul 19
    Birmingham
    "Frankenstein" by Blue Orange Arts
    "Frankenstein" by Blue Orange Arts
    20 Jul 19
    Birmingham
    "Go Japesh*t" by Thespianage Productions
    "Go Japesh*t" by Thespianage Productions
    20 Jul 19
    Birmingham
    Events on 21/07/2019
    "Not Just William" by Tell Tale
    "Not Just William" by Tell Tale
    21 Jul 19
    Birmingham
    "New Version of Me" by Midsummers Theatre
    "New Version of Me" by Midsummers Theatre
    21 Jul 19
    Events on 22/07/2019
    "Sundown" by Taking Chances
    "Sundown" by Taking Chances
    22 Jul 19
    Birmingham
    Events on 23/07/2019
    "Sundown" by Taking Chances
    "Sundown" by Taking Chances
    23 Jul 19
    Birmingham
    Events on 24/07/2019
    "Sundown" by Taking Chances
    "Sundown" by Taking Chances
    24 Jul 19
    Birmingham
    Events on 25/07/2019
    "A Matter of Law" by Two Jens & Me
    "A Matter of Law" by Two Jens & Me
    25 Jul 19
    Birmingham
    "Skin In The Game" by Paul Westwood
    "Skin In The Game" by Paul Westwood
    25 Jul 19
    Birmingham
    Events on 26/07/2019
    "A Matter of Law" by Two Jens & Me
    "A Matter of Law" by Two Jens & Me
    26 Jul 19
    Birmingham
    "Skin In The Game" by Paul Westwood
    "Skin In The Game" by Paul Westwood
    26 Jul 19
    Birmingham
    Events on 27/07/2019
    "A Matter of Law" by Two Jens & Me
    "A Matter of Law" by Two Jens & Me
    27 Jul 19
    Birmingham
    "Skin In The Game" by Paul Westwood
    "Skin In The Game" by Paul Westwood
    27 Jul 19
    Birmingham
    Events on 28/07/2019
    "The Winter's Tale Revisited" by The Willmore Singers
    "The Winter's Tale Revisited" by The Willmore Singers
    28 Jul 19
    "We'll Be In Touch" by Joanna Gay
    "We'll Be In Touch" by Joanna Gay
    28 Jul 19
    Birmingham
    "Skin In The Game" by Paul Westwood
    "Skin In The Game" by Paul Westwood
    28 Jul 19
    Birmingham
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