The Production Exchange, producer of Sutton Coldfield’s forthcoming pantomime Cinderella, has announced a date for this year’s auditions for the Young Ensemble. The production team will be in the Royal Town on Sunday 5th September for auditions at Sutton Coldfield Town Hall.

Director Colin Blumenau said: “We are looking for all-round performers, who can act, sing and dance, all of which are equally important. The young ensemble is an integral part of the show. They are massively important to add their enthusiasm and energy into the mix and are a vital part of the spectacle that is panto!”

The rise of music streaming means that almost every recording imaginable is only ever a click away - a situation that would’ve been incomprehensible only fifteen years ago. Artists can benefit too, as suddenly songs that wouldn’t reach beyond a domestic market are now available to the world at large.

But it’s a broken and often absurd model. How can artists continue to create when income from streaming is so low? How much is music worth in 2021?

ITV has said there are “no current plans” for another series of Simon Cowell’s singing competition.

The statement came following reports in The Sun that Cowell had axed the programme. The newspaper said the reality show was being rested for at least five years.

Birmingham Repertory Theatre is excited to announce the full casting for its 25th anniversary production of East Is East, the classic comic family drama of the British-Asian experience. The cast is led by Tony Jayawardena as George and Sophie Stanton as Ella. The rest of the cast is completed by Amy-Leigh Hickman as Meenah; Irvine Iqbal as Mr Shah/Dr; Adonis Jenieco as Saleem; Rachel Lumberg as Annie; Noah Manzoor as Sajit; Joeravar Sangha as Maneer; Gurjeet Singh as Tariq and Assad Zaman as Abdul.

George Khan wants to raise his family the proper Pakistani way but hasn’t counted on the distractions of 70s Salford. Abdul and Tariq aren’t ready to be married off, Saleem is pushing artistic boundaries, Meenah’s skirt is too short and Sajit just wants to hide in his parka. Can mum Ella keep the family together? Since premiering on The REP’s stage in 1996, East Is East has sold out three London runs, been adapted into a BAFTA Award-winning film and become a modern classic of comic-drama.

The smash-hit comedy-drama now returns home for its 25^th anniversary before going onto the National Theatre. The full creative team has also been announced today, with the previously announced Director Iqbal Khan being joined by Bretta Gerecke (Set, Projection and Lighting Design), Susan Kulkarni (Costume Design), Felix Dubs (Composer), Jon Nicholls (Sound Design), Stuart Burt CDG (Casting), Natasha Kathi-Chandra (Associate Director) and Max White (Video Associate). East Is East will play at Birmingham Repertory Theatre from 3-25 September.

In line with current Government regulations, The REP is now open to full capacity, but we continue to take a number of carefully managed steps and precautions to help audiences feel safe and enjoy their chosen performance. The wearing of masks is encouraged throughout the building, additional cleaning will continue and some performances will still have socially distanced seating.

Mikron Theatre are aiming to score with their next theatrical offering for their 49th year of touring. Just like the great game itself this will be an action-packed play of two halves full of live music fun and laughter with no plans for extra time!

They will be premiering Amanda Whittington's new play Atalanta Forever which looks at the story of the pioneering women in football in 1920. Atalanta Forever will kick off in May and tour by road and river until the 19^th September.

Whitesnake and Foreigner today announce that together they will be hitting the road across the U.K. & Ireland in 2022 alongside very special guests Europe. Tickets go on sale this Friday 30^th July 2021 from 9am at LiveNation.co.uk.  
 
The legendary artists will tour the U.K. & Ireland starting in Dublin on 10 May 2022 before hitting Glasgow, Newcastle, London, Manchester, Nottingham, Birmingham before closing in Cardiff. Together both Whitesnake and Foreigner boast a catalogue that spans the decades with seminal and anthemic hits such as “Here I Go Again”, "Still Of The Night" and “Is This Love” [Whitesnake], “I Want To Know What Love Is”, “Juke Box Hero” and “Cold As Ice” [Foreigner] to name a few. Very special guests Europe will bring their electrifying “The Final Countdown” and more to this eight date U.K. arena tour.
 
One of the most anticipated tours of 2022, even this mega line-up cannot contain their excitement! “After all the extraordinary challenges we’ve been through together over the last year & a half, I am beyond excited to be able to announce our 2022 UK dates!!! I pray every day we can all make this happen & once again, share unforgettable evenings together & celebrate the amazing journey we have been on for almost 50 years!!! Boys & Girls…Whitesnake, Foreigner & Europe…It Doesn’t Get Any Better!!! Let’s Make This Night To Remember…& Let’s Make Some F@ckin’ Noise!!! says David Coverdale of Whitesnake.
 
Mick Jones from Foreigner said “We can’t wait to kick off the summer in the UK & Ireland with a massive tour alongside our friends Whitesnake and Europe. We’re looking forward to playing all our biggest hits for our fans, and rocking across the country”.
 
Europe’s Joey Tempest said “What an explosive start to the summer of 2022 for us! A U.K. & Ireland Arena tour with our friends in Whitesnake and Foreigner! YEAH! An evening of some of the biggest anthems in classic Rock! We are truly honored to be invited as special guests”.
 
On October 29 2021, Whitesnake will release newly remastered and remixed CD and LP deluxe editions of Restless Heart, along with unreleased demos and studio outtakes and a DVD. The DVD includes music videos and a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the album with new interviews from David Coverdale. The set comes with a hardbound book filled with rare and unseen photos from the era. Fans can pre-order the album now.
 
Whitesnake, Foreigner and Europe will take fans on a musical journey at this once in a lifetime performance. Combining arguably music’s most celebrated rock legends, this tour will see Whitesnake, Foreigner and Europe perform their formidable musical arsenal.