Entertainment News

Former Ireland and Aston Villa Legend 'Paul McGrath' will be reminiscing about his career at The Irish Centre in Birmingham in November. The man known as 'God' to the Villa fans will be at The Irish Centre in Deritend on Thursday November 5th talking about his life and the highs and lows of his football career. He'll also be explaining how he became one of the most high-profile figures in Irish Sporting history and there will be a chance to ask him questions, get a photo and signature.

Fans of Northern Soul can scoot down to a Sandwell photography exhibition and sound out the music which inspired the 1970s iconic dance scene. Sandwell photographer Anthony McFarlane, of Mac13Soul Photographic, is showing his work at Sandwell Arts Café at Sandwell College’s Central 6 campus (formerly The Public).

Following critically-acclaimed, sell-out runs at the Almeida Theatre and in the West End, King Charles III has its regional premiere at Birmingham Repertory Theatre this September. Robert Powell will take on the role of King Charles.  The production opens at The REP from September 4 – 19 before embarking on a major UK tour.

What do you do when your nights become days and your days become a re-enactment of some of the dodgier scenes from the Living Dead films?  Well, in Paul’s case you put off crying about the futility of everything to pull the jokes from the burning wreckage of your REM sleep.  Black Country Comic Paul Savage has spent a lot of time thinking about this show.  Mainly at 3am, whilst staring at the ceiling. 

The city of Kyoto is getting ready to welcome thousands of manga and anime fans as the final stages of preparation for the fourth Kyoto International Manga Anime Fair 2015 take place. The creative show for fans of the Japanese art form will open at Miyakomesse, Kyoto's International Manga Museum on 19 and 20 September 2015. International tourists can embrace the popular Japanese culture for free by showing their passport on arrival at the event.

As the nights draw in, one boutique inn bordering the Lakes and the Dales is offering a new movie experience for guests to enjoy some big screen action in the luxury of their own private cinema. From September, the Sun Inn in Kirkby Lonsdale is teaming up with home technology specialists Majik House to offer exclusive cinema packages for private groups of up to 6 people.

An iconic Lake District mountain and what lies within is to provide the inspiration for a live underground performance by a 44-piece orchestra and a unique light display designed by 'Paper Bridge' artist Steve Messam this September. Honister Slate Mine, deep inside the mighty Fleetwith Pike, has been chosen by the award-winning Cobweb Orchestra as one of four subterranean venues across the North of England to host a special underground music and light extravaganza featuring their full-piece orchestra.

Two world champion break dance crews from different corners of the globe are set to lay down their best dance moves in an epic dance battle in London's Trafalgar Square. London-based UK B-Boy crew, Soul Mavericks, will face Korea's B- Boy World champions Jinjo Crew, at the free London Korean Festival on August 9th in Trafalgar Square. Both crews are widely acclaimed and travel internationally to represent their countries in hip-hop dance battles.

The voices of reggae past, present and future join forces for one night only to showcase and celebrate the journey of Jamaican music as The Drum Arts/Theatre Centre, in Birmingham, will be presenting Mykal Rose, Etana and Cold Fever in Concert in the Main Auditorium on Friday September 11.

Equal parts memoir and historical account, the new book from author Tadesse E.A., “Ethiopia: Making Sense of the Past and the Present with People” (published by Balboa Press AU), tells a poignant story of life in Ethiopia. “History and historic events have a significant impact on people,” Tadesse E.A. says. “Whatever we do, wherever we live our history, is a key part of who we are today."

‘All the world’s a stage...’ and in this case, the decks of a pirate shipwreck play area at community garden Martineau Gardens, will be transformed into a stage for a special outdoor theatre production of ‘Hamlet’. The Shakespearean tragedy will be performed on Thursday 6 and Friday 7 August by Folksy Theatre.

Wolverhampton’s “most infamous neighbourhood” accidents in the 19^th century and Georgian enamelling will be the subject of talks exploring different facets of local history next month. The City of Wolverhampton Council's Arts and Museums Service regularly organises local history talks on a wide variety of topics, including three this month.

After some serious spring cleaning – there will be piles of records (vinyl, CDs tapes, including exclusive promo copies) and books, plus some posters, African clothes and craft, and bits and pieces that need a 'loving home.' So you can swing over to Harlesden, in London, and grab a bargain, or just a chat with BBM/BMC's Kwaku, who'll be manning the stalls.

Take the new Film Trail at Blenheim Palace, from Friday 31 July, and discover behind the scenes of your favourite action film. Mission Impossible's latest blockbuster Rogue Nation premiers on the 24 July and is in theatres from Friday 31 July. Visitors can head to Blenheim Palace to see how and where the film was shot and learn all about filming at the Palace.

It's summertime at the Maritime Museum in Falmouth which means there's a whole host of family fun for the school holidays. Opening on July 18, enter the Dragon's Den, the Maritime Museum's new interactive Vikings and dragons play zone. Explore the world of Viking myths, monsters and legends with games galore and fun for kids of all ages.