Creative Midlands West

ArtsFest Events
Box of Frogs brings you Bread and Circus
Comedy Festival returns with another stellar line-up
The Colin Grazer Enigma
Would you like the chance to work @FriezeLondon Art Fair in October? Deadlines close very soon! http://t.co/iGZnp8V9

ArtsFest Events

Posted: 24 Aug 2012 02:24 AM PDT

Big Script are running a couple of events as part of ArtsFest this year:

Invisible Women 3.30-4pm
Sat Sept 8th with Next Page Productions at the Hexagon, MAC in Birmingham

Rehearsed reading of a new play featuring regional actors Caroline Ryden, Ali Belbin and Steve Jackson

Free entry. Adult themes.

Red, White and Blue 5-5.30pm
Sat Sept 8th with Big Script at the Foyle Studio (upstairs), MAC in Birmingham

New writing from Big Script – short dramas/sketches exploring British-ness. Free entry.

www.macarts.co.uk

mac birmingham

Cannon Hill Park

Birmingham B12 9QH

Box of Frogs brings you Bread and Circus

Posted: 24 Aug 2012 02:19 AM PDT

…a whole new level of Improv fun for Birmingham.

Bread and Circus is the ultimate DIY Improv night.

Come along, put you name in the hat, and when it gets drawn it's your turn on stage! Games, scenes, sketches, you choose.

Completely free, and open to all levels of experience, including none.

OPEN MIC MEETS KARAOKE, WITH AN IMPROV TWIST!

Wednesday September 19^th, at the Patrick Kavanagh pub in Moseley. Starts 8pm.

Facebook event here:-

https://www.facebook.com/events/calendar#!/events/214759385320073/

Spread the word, come along, bring your friends.

For more information on location and stuff, see our websitewww.boxoffrogsimpro.co.uk

Comedy Festival returns with another stellar line-up

Posted: 24 Aug 2012 02:16 AM PDT

Headline acts include John Bishop, Hairy Bikers, Seann Walsh,
The Midnight Beast, Charlie Murphy and punk poet John Cooper Clarke

Birmingham Comedy Festival returns this October with yet another great line-up of top comedy talent.

Headlining the city-wide festival, which runs from Friday 5 to Sunday 14 October 2012, is none other than John Bishop, who'll be packing The NIA for three nights (Oct 11-13).

He's joined by foodie-duo The Hairy Bikers, who'll be entertaining audiences at the New Alexandra Theatre (Oct 5-6).

Punk poet John Cooper Clarke, recently at the top of the charts as guest on Plan B's Ill Manors album, makes a much anticipated return to the festival (Town Hall, Oct 11), while music takes centre-stage with appearances from The Midnight Beast (O2 Academy, Oct 14), fresh from the success of their E4 sitcom, and Irish freestyle improv' sensations Abandoman (The Glee Club, Oct 7). There's also sharp observations and the odd tune from the Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre (Old Joint Stock, Oct 11).

As always, local acts play a strong part in the festival line up, with appearances from Joe Lycett (arguably Birmingham's next big comedy star! – Blue Orange Theatre, Oct 9), King Heath housewife Mrs Barbara Nice (mac, Oct 7; Kitchen Garden Cafe, Oct 10), along with varied line-ups at such venues as The Actress And Bishop and Six Eight Cafe.

And if you think you've got what it takes to become a stand-up comedian, why not try hone your skills at a one of two comedy workshops in which improv' troupe Box Of Frogs and comedian and broadcaster James Cook share top tips and industry secrets (Blue Orange Theatre, Oct 13-14).

Other highlights include a free exhibition by fine artist Steve Lilly depicting classic comedy favourites (Artfull Expression, Oct 5-27), a 'comference' examining the links between art and comedy (Hare And Hounds, Oct 6), Comedy In The Dark (Electric, Oct 11) Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream (Blue Orange Theatre, Sept 27 to Oct 6), and a night of extremely low-budget remakes of Hollywood blockbusters entitled Short And Swede (Cafe Ort, Oct 11).

A spokesperson for the festival said: "We have well over 60 shows this year, taking place right across the city, including stand-up comedy, theatre, film, art, sketch shows, puppets, workshops, poetry and music. There's not only events happening in big theatres, venues and clubs, but also cafes and neighbourhood pubs, once again highlighting just how vibrant and fresh Birmingham's comedy scene is."

For more information, including full line-up, see: www.bhamcomfest.co.uk

The Birmingham Comedy Festival 2012 is presented in association with evening5 from National Express West Midlands, and supported by The Arcadian.

Jack Kelly, spokesperson from National Express West Midlands, said: "National Express West Midlands is proud to be involved with the Birmingham Comedy Festival where not only will people have a great time at the comedy shows, we can save them money to and from the venues with our evening5 ticket – unlimited travel for 5 people for £5"

Jo Salmon Asset Manager for the Arcadian said: "The Arcadian is home to The Glee Club one of the best known comedy venues in Birmingham, so it only seemed fitting that we support the Birmingham Comedy Festival".

LISTINGS

Friday 5 to Sunday 14 October 2012

Birmingham Comedy Festival

Ten-days of the very best of stand-up comedy featuring stellar TV names and new, fast-rising talent. Plus music, theatre, film, spoken word and special events.

Various Venues, Birmingham

Web: www.bhamcomfest.co.uk

Facebook.com/BhamComFest

Twitter: @BhamComFest

The Colin Grazer Enigma

Posted: 24 Aug 2012 02:12 AM PDT

30th October 2012
Tamworth

To commemorate the 70th anniversary of Able Seaman Colin Grazier GC, Tamworth's heroic son who was jointly responsible for capturing the Enigma Code during World War II, the Arts Development team in association with Fired Up Theatre are delivering a promenade performance which captures some of the key moments of this daring officer's story.

The team that produced Pink Floyd-The Wall in June of this year are working on their next community arts programme with a narrative by local poet and writer, Mal Dewhirst and accompanying original musical score by Jim Dewhirst..
Storytelling, dance and physical theatre will signpost the dramatic boy's own adventure at various locations including The Bandstand, The Railway Station, The Town Hall and Gungate.

Further details to follow.

If you are local to Tamworth and wish to take part in the Colin Grazier Enigma please e-mail fireduptheatre@aol.com for more information.