Entertainment News

On Friday 19 January, for one night only, the acclaimed Royal Ballet Sinfonia returns to the Symphony Hall, Birmingham for their spectacular Evening of Music and Dance. Compered by David Bintley, led by Principal Conductor Paul Murphy and joined on stage by Birmingham Royal Ballet dancers, this annual event is an extraordinary evening of breath-taking music and stunning dance in one of the best concert halls in the world.

The programme includes a wide variety of music and dance, from well-loved classics to some hidden gems selected by the Royal Ballet Sinfonia conductors. Amongst others, this year's repertory will include danced excerpts from Don Quixote, La Fille mal gardée and The Sleeping Beauty, alongside Humperdinck's overture to Hansel and Gretel, Korngold's suite from the film The Adventures of Robin Hood and Elgar's beautiful miniature, Sospiri. The programme also includes a pas de deux from Christopher Wheeldon's After The Rain; a company premiere for Birmingham Royal Ballet.

This performance will be particularly special because, after an incredible 18 year career with Birmingham Royal Ballet, principal dancer Iain Mackay will give his final performance at the Evening of Music and Dance. One of Birmingham Royal Ballet’s most valued and versatile dancers, Iain’s ability to take on everything from classical princes to intense dramatic roles has seen him become a firm favourite with audiences at Birmingham Hippodrome and at the Company’s touring venues across the UK.

Birmingham Bach Choir’s annual Come And Sing! event offers singers an opportunity to rehearse with the one of the West Midlands’ leading choirs (10 Feb 2018, Selly Oak Methodist Church, B’ham).

Under the direction of celebrated conductor Paul Spicer, 2018’s Come And Sing! explores choruses from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s rousing and mournful Requiem (or to give it it’s full name, Requiem In D Minor).

Requiem was commissioned in 1791, the same year Mozart completed his famed opera, The Magic Flute, and the same year he died, at the age of just 35. Though the work wasn’t fully completed by the composer at the time of his death, incomplete parts were finished by his student Süssmayr and it’s now “one of the most famous choral works in the classical repertoire” (ClassicFM).

Established in 1919, Birmingham Bach Choir is one of the West Midlands’ oldest and most distinguished musical groups. Regularly performing at major concert venues their repertoire spans works from the great composers, to contemporary and modern pieces.

“Our annual Come And Sing! is one of the most popular events in our calendar,” says Birmingham Bach Choir Chair Sarah Platt. “It’s a chance for singers to really explore a familiar piece of music – in this case Mozart’s wonderful Requiem - led by one of the UK’s most respected choral leaders. It all makes for an inspiring and enjoyable afternoon.”

55 years ago in February 1963 The Beatles brought their Cavern Club show to King's Heath's old Ritz Ballroom next to the Hare and Hounds.  Now history will repeat itself when current resident band Made In Liverpool bring their Cavern Club show to the Hare & Hounds as part of King's Heath Walk Of Fame's unique day long celebration of this historic event.

The Ritz Ballroom was one of four venues run by Irish Couple Ma and Pa Regan in the 1960's. Originally scheduled to appear in January, The Beatles had been prevented by blizzard like conditions from getting to the Ritz Ballroom from another of the Regans' venues - the Plaza at Old Hill. When they did eventually make it on 15 February, they had just got to No. 1 in the charts with Please, Please Me and had to enter the rear of the venue from Milford Place by a ladder!

From 3 pm to 6 pm a great selection of local musicians will perform their favourite Beatles songs in a special pre- Valentine's Day All You Need Is Love session at Fletchers Bar. Expect songs in a range of musical styles from the jazz soul of Blue Silk, the folk rock of Mr Apollo, the Ukulele Theatre, Peters plays Lennon and the notorious Eggmen plus more fantastic local musicians still to be announced.

At 7 pm doors will then open at the award winning Hare and Hounds for the evening concert by the top tribute band Made In Liverpool to conclude Beatles Fest 2018.

Born and bred in Liverpool, the band perform at venues world-wide with recent performances being as far afield as Russia, USA, Australia, Switzerland, Europe and the Far East

Originally named The Fab Four they were the first Beatles tribute band to play the Cavern when it re-opened and are mentioned in music writer and Merseybeat historian Spencer Leigh’s book ‘The Cavern, The Most Famous Club in the World’. And they still continue to play at the Cavern on a regular basis.

Their performance as The Beatles has been described as unique, uncontrived, exciting and mind blowing!

All the members of the band are accomplished musicians and several have appeared in musical productions about The Beatles at the legendary Liverpool Everyman Theatre and throughout the UK.

The audience can expect to hear nearly two hours of The Beatles Greatest Hits.

A celebration concert in memory of one of Birmingham's greatest musicians, David Bowie’s drummer, and a series of concerts featuring some of the best contemporary female bandleaders are among the highlights of Jazzlines' city-wide Winter/ Spring 2018 programme.

The Andy Hamilton Centenary Celebration (25 Mar 2018, Town Hall, B'ham) celebrates the life of the legendary jazz musician Andy Hamilton MBE. Born in Jamaica on 26 March 1918, the tenor saxophonist formed his first band in 1928 before moving to the UK in 1949. Settling in Birmingham, he eventually became a major figure in the city's vibrant music scene. Much missed, Andy passed away in 2012, though his influence continues. Headlining the special concert is The Notebenders Big Band, formed by Andy in the local community of Ladywood, who'll perform alongside invited guests and past members.

Multi-award winning vocalist Zara McFarlane (7 Feb 2018, Hare and Hounds, Kings Heath, B'ham) explores British-Jamaican identity with her heady combination of jazz, reggae, calypso and more. Signed to Gilles Peterson's Brownswood Recordings, her recent album, Arise, was produced by drummer/ producer Moses Boyd (of Binker and Moses fame). A lyrically conscious songwriter, Zara has earned a string of awards including a MOBO, Urban Music Award and JazzFM Award, and was featured singer in the RSC's recent production of Anthony and Cleopatra, performing music written by Laura Mvula.

My Iris is the latest ensemble project from saxophonist, BASCA British Composer Award winner and former BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artist Trish Clowes. Well-known for her orchestral arrangements, My Iris sees Clowes explores smaller scale arrangements with equal confidence (25 Jan 2018, Eastside Jazz Club, B'ham). Joining her on saxophone at Birmingham’s newest jazz venue are Chris Montague (guitar), Ross Stanley (piano and Hammond organ) and James Maddren (drums).

Two piano/ saxophone duos take to the Symphony Hall stage for an intimate performance on 28 March 2018. After working together on the London jazz scene in various large ensembles, including the London Jazz Orchestra, Tori Freestone (Julian Siegel Jazz Orchestra, UK All Star Big Band) and Alcyona Mick (Natacha Atlas, Jerry Dammers Spatial Orchestra, Zoe Rahman) have fused their different approaches to present a set of original material and contemporary standards with a twist. They're joined by the Stan Sulzmann / Nikki Iles Duo, who've been working together, on and off, for some 20 years.

Recognised as one of the world's leading drummers, Mark Guiliana has worked with such artists as Brad Mehldau (as duo Mehliana), Matt Cameron (Soundgarden, Pearl Jam) and neo-soul singer-songwriter Meshell Ndegeocello. But it's his contribution to David Bowie's breath-taking final album, Blackstar, for which he is arguably best known. The Mark Guiliana Jazz Quartet (27 Apr 2018, CBSO Centre, Bham) sees him perform selections from his acclaimed album, Jersey, an infectious collection of boundary-pushing acoustic tracks that includes an instrumental reading of Bowie’s poignant Where Are We Now?

The Royal Opera presents Giuseppe Verdi’s Rigoletto – a work the composer himself called his ‘best opera’ – live in cinemas worldwide on Tuesday 16 January.

Rigoletto was performed 250 times in the 10 years following its premiere in 1851 and has become one of the most popular of all operas. Featuring many musical highlights, the opera includes the well-known arias ‘Questa o quella’ and ‘La donna è mobile’ (both made popular by tenor Luciana Pavarotti, among others) and the much-loved Act III quartet ‘Bella figlia dell’amore’, which was recently heard in the 2012 British comedy-drama film Quartet.

The opera’s story follows Rigoletto, the hunchbacked court jester to the libertine Duke of Mantua, who is cursed by the father of one of the Duke’s latest conquests for his mocking laughter. When the Duke turns his attention to Rigoletto’s own daughter Gilda, it seems the curse is taking effect, and the jester must plot to protect her from the Duke’s immoral intent.

Directed by David McVicar, the production highlights the cruelty at the heart of Verdi’s tragic opera. Featuring dark, Renaissance-inspired set and costume designs, the staging creates the shocking and insidious world within which this gripping tale unfolds.

Alexander Joel conducts a cast led by Greek baritone Dimitri Platanias in the title role and featuring American tenor Michael Fabiano as the Duke of Mantua, alongside English soprano Lucy Crowe as Gilda.

Opera lovers will want to consider a sunny getaway to Egypt in March 2018, with Verdi's Aida, set in Egypt, to be performed in an outdoor amphitheatre against the mesmerising backdrop of the Giza pyramids and the Great Sphinx.

The performances, taking place from 8-10 March in Cairo, will be staged in a 1,500 seat arena with four classes of seating available. The staging will include a bridge that brings the performers closer to the audience.

Holding a special place in the operatic canon, Aida tells the story of forbidden love between the Egyptian leader Radames and the beautiful Nubian princess Aida. The plot is based on a true story found in Papyrus and re-written by French Egyptologist Auguste Mariette. 150 years ago, Ismail Pasha, Khedive of Egypt, commissioned Giuseppe Verdi to write an opera to mark the opening of the Khedivial Opera House, which stood in Cairo until 1971.

The 2018 production will be performed by the Cairo Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Mr David Crescenzi. Having studied at the Conservatory of Fermo and the Conservatory of Pesaro, Crescenzi rose to prominence whilst conducting notable works such as Rossini's Il barbiere di Siviglia, Donizetti's L'elisir d'amore, Puccini's Tosca and Verdi's Un ballo in maschera. From 2002 to 2005, he was guest conductor at the National Theatre of Timisoara.

Lead character Ramadis will be played by Dario Di Vietri and Riccardo Massi, with Dragana Radakovic and Dr. Eman Mostafa playing the part of Aida on alternate nights.

First debuted at the Cairo Opera House, the production has since been hosted around the world, with Aida having been sung more than 1,500 times since its outset. The show has moved to several different sites across Egypt, including the Giza Pyramids in 1987 & 2010 and the Deir Al-Bahari Temple in Luxor in 1994.

Di Xiao (肖荻), a classical piano soloist from China, has been named one of Birmingham City University’s Alumni of the Year. She will receive her award on Tuesday 9 January in Symphony Hall, Birmingham, in the presence of hundreds of graduands and their families.

Despite her global success, Di came from very humble beginnings in her native city of Guangzhou. Growing up in a poor yet musical family, Di’s father sold his motorbike – the family’s only transport – in order to buy her a piano when she was just two years old. In order to find a good teacher, her dad had to pedal for an hour each way across the city with her on the back of his bicycle, to get to her piano lessons.

Honing her talent at the junior Conservatoire in Guangzhou, Di went on to study at the Odessa Conservatoire, Ukraine and the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing, graduating from the latter with one of the highest marks in its history.

Di Xiao then got the chance to study at Birmingham City University’s Royal Birmingham Conservatoire for where she developed personally and professionally on an Advanced Postgraduate Diploma, and had the chance to build her experience with the opportunity to perform at such prestigious venues as Birmingham’s world-famous Symphony Hall.

Di Xiao said: “When I was doing my Master’s degree at the Central Conservatoire of Beijing, I played in a masterclass hosted by the then Vice-Principal of Birmingham Conservatoire, Mark Racz. He enjoyed my playing and, after he went back to the UK, invited me to study at Birmingham Conservatoire under scholarship so I said yes!  Looking back, that really was the turning point in my life.

“I remember that the student volunteer picked me up from the airport and everybody I met was so friendly and helpful. It did make a huge difference for someone who had just travelled half-way around the globe and spoke in a completely different language, as I had very little English then. I remember I marvelled at the facilities and the pianos I got to practise on. Until then I never knew that you could find so many different colours and textures on one instrument.”

On completing her studies at Birmingham City University, Di was selected as the UK’s European Concert Halls Organisation (ECHO) Raising Star for the 2008/09 season, which led to further recitals in prestigious venues in the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, Spain and Austria. She has released four albums and been featured on TV and radio in the UK and China – and the Birmingham Post have described her as “a pianist of awesome gifts”.

The Alumni of the Year award provides an opportunity to recognise Birmingham City University graduates who have made a valuable contribution to society or their professional field. It also demonstrates the extraordinary range of achievements among the University’s former students.

On finding out that she had been selected for the award, Di Xiao said: “I feel very honoured indeed to be chosen as Alumni of the Year. I also feel very lucky and grateful for everything that the University has done for me and the opportunities it has exposed me to.

“I arrived as a student over a decade ago and now, as an Honorary Member of the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, I am part of this big family and I will endeavour to share its positive spirit with as many people and students as I can because I know that, apart from the amazing facilities that we now have, it's always the people that make a place special. I shall never take this responsibility lightly.”

Now based in the UK, Di continues to play for audiences across the world, performing regularly outside the UK in Europe and Asia. She aims to become an international ambassador for the piano, combining both Chinese and Western repertoire in the programming of concerts and creating a bridge between the two cultures.

Di remains involved with Birmingham City University as a Piano Tutor at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, helping to nurture the next generation of pianists.

A unique contemporary building, the new Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, which opened in September this year, incorporates five public performance spaces including its 500 seat Concert Hall for orchestral training and performance, a purpose-built organ studio and private rehearsal and practice rooms.

Furthermore, as the first purpose built conservatoire in the UK since 1987, the new £57 million institution is the only one of its kind in the country designed for the demands of the digital age.

Hot off the heels of her 20 date Autumn UK Tour, Ellie Taylor is back by popular demand with her show ‘This Guy’ for a 12 date, Spring UK tour.

Married and in her 30s, Ellie has overcome the surprise of being in a dreadfully happy marriage only for society to test her with a new question - whether or not she wants to breed. If Ellie had been given a pound every time she’s been asked ‘Are you going to have a baby?’ she could have bought a really expensive baby.

But with the maternal instinct of a pitta bread, Ellie has questions - how do you know if you're ready to be a parent? Should you just take the risk regardless? And what if Ellie does have a baby and her career stalls, or her marriage breaks down or more terrifying of all, the kid has a monobrow?

Following the huge success of her 2016 Fringe show, Infidelity, Ellie has since completed another successful 2017 Fringe run and a nationwide tour of ‘This Guy’. Ellie’s extensive credits include BBC’s Live At The Apollo, Lets Sing and Dance for Comic Relief, Mock the Week, The John Bishop show, The Now Show (BBC Radio 4) as well as a lead role in the new series of Disney’s television programme The Lodge and Comedy Central’s Brotherhood. Ellie is also back for a second series of the BBC 2 show The Mash Report, hosted by Nish Kumar and returning in early 2018.

The Eden Project is going back to the Stone Age this February half-term (February 10 to 18) with a week-long event celebrating the forthcoming Aardman film Early Man, being released by STUDIOCANAL in the UK on January 26, 2018.

Early Man is the new prehistoric comedy adventure from four-time Academy Award-winning director Nick Park and Aardman, the creators of Wallace & Gromit and Shaun the Sheep.

Shot in Aardman's own distinctive style, the film will take audiences on an extraordinary journey into an exciting new world unleashing an unforgettable tribe of unique and funny new characters voiced by an all-star British cast.

The Eden Project, based near St Austell in Cornwall, will be marking the release of this cinematic treat with a series of themed activities taking place around the gardens and Biomes.

The dome tent in the arena will be transformed into a Stone Age cave, where visitors will be able to daub cave art on the walls, make their own prehistoric accessories and help in an archaeological dig.

Animation enthusiasts can also discover the tricks of the trade and see how the film was made in the studio area.

This will feature behind-the-scenes footage and film clips and production art work, providing inspiration for everyone to make their own character from the film in the model-making workshops.

Visitors will be able to trek through the Rainforest Biome to find Schookel coins, the film's prehistoric currency, and take part in bush craft and survival skills workshops.

Set at the dawn of time, when prehistoric creatures roamed the earth, Early Man tells the story of courageous caveman hero Dug (Eddie Redmayne) and his best friend Hognob as they unite his tribe against a mighty enemy Lord Nooth (Tom Hiddleston) and his Bronze Age City to save their home.

Peter Lord, Co-founder & Creative Director, Aardman, said: “Early Man is set to be one of the best family films of the year and we're proud to be celebrating it at Eden this February half-term. Dug, Hognob and their lovable band of prehistoric misfits will be enlivening Eden for the duration of the holiday with some amazing stone age stunts.”

Leading Dug's tribe of lovable misfits is Chief Bobnar (Timothy Spall) who is joined by Treebor (Richard Ayoade), Magma (Selina Griffiths), Asbo (Johnny Vegas), Barry (Mark Williams), Gravelle (Gina Yashere), Eemak (Simon Greenall) and Grubup (Richard Webber). Maisie Williams voices Goona, the gallant and indomitable rebel who befriends Dug and helps the tribe in their battle to beat the Bronze Age at their own game.

Aardman is a production company based in Bristol specialising in stop-motion animation. Their most famous work includes the Wallace & Gromit films, Shaun the Sheep and Creature Comforts. Feature films include Chicken Run, Flushed Away and Arthur Christmas.

Two upcoming Birmingham musicians have joined forces with fire alarm manufacturer, Fire Angel, to raise money for the national charity the Children’s Burns Trust.

Andy Lawrence Flynn and Dan Hodges from Wolverhampton, decided to launch a charity single to make people aware of the fantastic cause.

The single, ‘Never Be Alone’ has been written and produced by Andy Lawrence Flynn and Dan Hodges and was recorded at Attic Music. When composing the song the duo were inspired by conversations with the team at the Children’s Burns Trust and wanted a song which encompassed how young burns victims may feel.

Alison Tweddle from The Children’s Burns Trust, said: “We are thrilled to be working with Andy, Dan and Fire Angel on this single. The success of our charity is dependent on the kind donations of people to ensure that we can offer burns survivors both rehabilitation and financial support, as well as helping us to raise awareness of the important messages around prevention and good first aid”.  

Speaking of the single launch Jess Pennington, Campaign Manager for Fire Angel, said; “The Children’s Burns Trust is a fantastic charity and we are delighted to be helping them raise awareness of their activity.

“The campaign will also help make people aware of the importance of fire safety in the home, especially in the run up to Christmas when candles and decorative lights become more prevalent in the home. 

“Unfortunately a high majority of burns incidents occur in the home but the risk of a fire incident can be dramatically reduced by regularly checking and replacing a fire alarm.

“Many people don’t realise that smoke alarm sensors will degrade over time, leading to a reduced sensitivity in detecting heat or smoke, as a result they should be replaced every ten years.

“In order for a smoke alarm to be certified by European safety standards, they need to have a replace by date on the alarm.”

The Royal Opera presents Giuseppe Verdi’s Rigoletto – a work the composer himself called his ‘best opera’ – live in cinemas worldwide on Tuesday 16 January.

Rigoletto was performed 250 times in the 10 years following its premiere in 1851 and has become one of the most popular of all operas. Featuring many musical highlights, the opera includes the well-known arias ‘Questa o quella’ and ‘La donna è mobile’ (both made popular by tenor Luciana Pavarotti, among others) and the much-loved Act III quartet ‘Bella figlia dell’amore’, which was recently heard in the 2012 British comedy-drama film Quartet.

The opera’s story follows Rigoletto, the hunchbacked court jester to the libertine Duke of Mantua, who is cursed by the father of one of the Duke’s latest conquests for his mocking laughter. When the Duke turns his attention to Rigoletto’s own daughter Gilda, it seems the curse is taking effect, and the jester must plot to protect her from the Duke’s immoral intent.

Directed by David McVicar, the production highlights the cruelty at the heart of Verdi’s tragic opera. Featuring dark, Renaissance-inspired set and costume designs, the staging creates the shocking and insidious world within which this gripping tale unfolds.

Alexander Joel conducts a cast led by Greek baritone Dimitri Platanias in the title role and featuring American tenor Michael Fabiano as the Duke of Mantua, alongside English soprano Lucy Crowe as Gilda.

Macao is hosting some of the film industry's finest for its second annual International Film Festival and Awards‧Macao (IFFAM), which is taking place until 14 December. Under the theme 'A New Avenue to the World of Films', the festival features a dazzling line-up of international film stars and directors – including Hollywood star Jeremy Renner and renowned director John Woo – as well as a colourful programme of screenings, red-carpet presentations, industry events and masterclasses, and a high-profile awards ceremony.

The festival kicked off on December 8 with an opening ceremony followed by the screening of Paddington 2, and is showcasing more than 40 international films over seven days. The competition section features 10 films including British productions “Beast”, starring Jessie Buckley, Johnny Flynn, Trystan Gravelle and Geraldine James, and “My Pure Land”, which is the UK submission to this year's foreign language Oscar category.

The films screened fall into several different categories including Gala, Flying Daggers, Best of Fest Panorama and Crossfire, classic genre films selected by six heavyweight directors. Other highlight events include a Masterclass from internationally-acclaimed director John Woo – who is also the Festival Ambassador - and an “In Conversation” with Michelle Yeoh, star of iconic films such as Tomorrow Never Dies, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Memoirs of a Geisha. Hollywood icon Jeremy Renner - who starred as Hawkeye in the Marvel films and was nominated for an Academy Award for his acclaimed performance in The Hurt Locker – is acting as Talent Ambassador.

For the second year running, a collaboration with the British Film Institute (BFI) sees 24 of Macao's most promising young filmmakers working together to produce two short films, led by industry professionals from the BFI.

Artistic director of IFFAM, Mike Goodridge, stated “I am so delighted to unveil our programme for the festival this year. I am very proud of the line-up which brings a feast of world cinema to the audiences of Macao.”

The Sleeping Beauty is one of the grandest ballets in Birmingham Royal Ballet’s repertory, with a classical score by Tchaikovsky and original choreography by Marius Petipa. The opulent world of Imperial Russian ballet, with its marvellous mixture of virtuoso dance, fairy tale characters and dazzling spectacle, has delighted audiences for over a hundred years. Sir Peter Wright’s 1984 production for Birmingham Royal Ballet, with designs by Philip Prowse, is acclaimed as one of the best in the world.

Alongside the full length production, Birmingham Royal Ballet will also present its first ever relaxed performance, with a specially adapted version of The Sleeping Beauty to be performed at Birmingham Hippodrome on Tuesday 20 February. This exciting new initiative is open to everyone, but intended to cater for anyone who may find going to the theatre challenging. In particular, BRB’s relaxed performance is designed for people with an Autistic Spectrum condition, learning disability or sensory and communication disorder. Changes to the production will include a shorter running time, changes to lighting and sound levels to avoid sensory overload, and a flexible seating plan with plenty of room to move around during the performance.

Record-breaking, global comedy superstar, Jeff Dunham, is bringing his cast of characters to the UK in 2018 for two dates only. America’s favorite ventriloquist has announced the UK leg of his ‘Passively Aggressive’ tour and his only dates in the country this year on 19^th May at Birmingham’s Genting Arena and 20^th May at London’s The SSE Arena, Wembley.

Recently Dunham released his latest standup special, Jeff Dunham: Relative Disaster, on Netflix that was recorded in Dublin. The special features Dunham along with his ill-behaved and slightly demented posse of characters for a gleeful skewering of family and politics. Dunham and his famous cohorts Walter, Achmed the Dead Terrorist, Bubba J, and Peanut also consider what a new member to their already dysfunctional family could mean, putting the ‘relative’ in Relative Disaster.

Dunham, a Guinness World Record holder for “Most Tickets Sold for a Stand-up Comedy Tour,” has built an entertainment empire over years of non-stop touring and innovation. With over a million YouTube subscribers amassing over a billion views, he has carved out his own unique space in the comedy world leading to record-breaking viewership with his comedy specials on Comedy Central and NBC. His 2015 standup special, Jeff Dunham: Unhinged in Hollywood, debuted on NBC Primetime in the fall and ranked as the time period’s top non-sports program on the Big 4 in every key measure.

Finally, adding to an amazing list of recent accomplishments, Dunham’s contribution to the world of show business and comedy for over two decades of superstardom was recognized when he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame!

A firm fixture on the city’s festive calendar, Birmingham Bach Choir present their hugely popular Nine Lessons and Carols on Sunday 17 December 2017.

Taking place at St Alban’s Church, Birmingham, at 3.30pm, Nine Lessons and Carols features a series of Bible readings telling the Christmas story, interspersed with seasonal music for the choir and congregation.

Led by conductor Paul Spicer and accompanied by organist Paul Carr, those attending are invited to join in singing such familiar carols as O Come All Ye Faithful, O Little Town of Bethlehem and Hark The Herald Angels, as well as listening to the choir perform John Rutter's Dormi Jesu, R Rodney Bennett's Lullaby Baby, and Tomas Luis de Victoria's beautiful 16th century motet, O Magnum Mysterium.

Though a long-held annual tradition, this year marks Birmingham Bach Choir’s second visit to St Alban the Martyr, in Highgate, Birmingham. A hidden 19^th century Grade II* listed Gothic Revival gem, it’s renowned for its magnificent ornamental panels, painted by Birmingham-born artist Kate Bunce. With a hand-beaten copper frame by sister Myra, the panels demonstrate a strong Pre-Raphaelite influence.

Birmingham Bach Choir Chair Sarah Platt, said: “Just a few minutes away from the bustle of the city centre, the magnificent St Alban’s is a lovely venue for our traditional afternoon Nine Lessons and Carols service, which touches on the true spirit of Christmas. We welcome all to come and join us in reflection and song.”

Nine Lessons and Carols takes place on 17 December 2017, the last Sunday before Christmas, at 3.30pm. Admission is free, with an optional collection for church funds. No booking required. St Alban the Martyr Church, Conybere St, Highgate, Birmingham B12 0YH.

In addition to the traditional service, members of the Birmingham Bach Choir together with the Midlands Military and Community Choir will be filling the atrium of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Edgbaston, with the sound of Christmas carols on Wednesday 20 December 2017 from 6.30pm-7.45pm. This fundraising appearance will help to provide Christmas trees for the wards, treats for staff and patients, and free parking and television for patients and their visitors on Christmas Day. Passers-by are welcome to join in the singing (and usually do!).

The UK’s leading classical ballet touring company will be crossing two oceans in 2018, as Birmingham Royal Ballet announces extensive international touring to Virginia and Japan. The company will be flying across the Atlantic to perform Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s Romeo and Juliet at Virginia Arts Festival (20-22 April 2018). Next, from 11 to 27 May, the Company heads east to perform in four cities across the southern region of Japan. Performing in Japan’s capital city of Tokyo, they will bring to life Sir Peter Wright’s The Sleeping Beauty and Sir Frederick Ashton’s La Fille mal gardée, alongside further performances of The Sleeping Beauty in Nishinomiya, Shiga and Nagoya.

In April 2018, Birmingham Royal Ballet makes a welcome return to Virginia Arts Festival after seven years to set hearts alight with Kenneth MacMillan’s exquisite Romeo and Juliet. Love at first dance, forbidden passions, dangerous secrets and star-crossed fate combine in this exhilarating classic ballet. From the balcony scene’s ecstatic pas de deux, exploring love in all its soaring wonder, to the lovers’ heart-breaking ends, Romeo and Juliet is dance at its most poignant and beautiful.

Promoted by NBS Performing Arts Foundation based in Tokyo, the company’s tour to Japan celebrates two greats of British ballet with performances of Sir Peter Wright’s The Sleeping Beauty and Sir Frederick Ashton’s La Fille mal gardée.

Dancing alongside Birmingham Royal Ballet principal Mathias Dingman, Alina Cojocaru will guest in two performances of The Sleeping Beauty in Tokyo (18 and 20 May). Born in Bucharest, Alina trained in Kiev for seven years before joining the Royal Ballet School in 1997. Upon completion of her training she returned to Kiev to join the company as a principal dancer. She joined the Royal Ballet in 1999, and was promoted to principal in 2001 after a performance of Giselle. Alina joined the English National Ballet in 2013 as a Lead Principal. She continues to perform with companies worldwide, and is a regular guest with the Hamburg Ballet and American Ballet Theatre. In February 2012 Alina premiered her Alina Cojocaru - Dream Project in Tokyo, Japan, which she directed and staged, featuring friends and colleagues from the Tokyo Ballet, Hamburg Ballet, ENB and Royal Ballet. Alina's second Dream Project took place in July 2014.

Mathias Heymann will guest in two performances of La Fille mal gardée in Tokyo (25 and 27 May) alongside Birmingham Royal Ballet principal Momoko Hirata. Mathias trained at the Paris Opera Ballet School, and joined the corps de ballet of the Paris Opera Ballet at the age of 17. In 2006, he was promoted to coryphée and awarded the Prix du Cercle Carpeaux and Prix AROP de la Danse. Following further promotions in 2007 and 2008, Mathias was made an étoile on 16 April 2009 following his debut performance as Lenski in John Cranko’s Onegin. In 2012, he was awarded the Prix Benois de la Danse and the Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres.

The Sleeping Beauty is one of the grandest ballets in Birmingham Royal Ballet’s repertory, with a classical score by Tchaikovsky and original choreography by Marius Petipa. The opulent world of Imperial Russian ballet, with its marvellous mixture of virtuoso dance, fairy tale characters and dazzling spectacle, has delighted audiences for over a hundred years. Sir Peter Wright’s 1984 production for Birmingham Royal Ballet, with designs by Philip Prowse, is acclaimed as one of the best in the world.

Sir Frederick Ashton’s sunniest, funniest masterpiece, La Fille mal gardée (The Wayward Daughter) mixes spectacular classical ballet with finely wrought English comedy, colourful sets designed by cartoonist Osbert Lancaster, a clog-dancing dame and a super-cute miniature pony. It is based on a 1789 French ballet originally created by Jean Dauberval; John Lanchbery created the music for Ashton’s ballet from Ferdinand Hérold’s 1828 score. Inspired by Ashton’s love of the English countryside, La Fille mal gardée includes some of his most virtuoso, energetic choreography as well as elements of traditional folk dancing.