Entertainment News

Nearly 200 years since it was published, the Christmas classic A Night Before Christmas is set for a reboot as Amazon searches to find a new Christmas Eve classic – launching the career of an unknown author in the process. The nationwide writing competition is open to all adult UK residents, with the winning story to be illustrated and published ahead of Christmas Eve. Alongside the opportunity to have his or her work professionally illustrated by esteemed artist Aless Baylis, the author will receive a £2,000 Amazon gift card, a top of the range Fire tablet and royalties from the book for years to come, following the initial five-day giveaway this Christmas.

LOVE - a new play written through a devising process by Alexander Zeldin opens in the Dorfman Theatre on 5 December. It's the run up to Christmas. In a city where over 50,000 households are living in temporary accommodation, three families find themselves without a home. A middle-aged man and his elderly mum, a young family with a baby on the way, a newly arrived woman from Sudan. Strangers. Forced together. No space is personal.

This summer, influential British icons The Specials and legendary reggae heroes Toots And The Maytals will share the stage for the very first time. With both acts boasting significant careers that span over 40 years, they’ll play Birmingham at the end of May to kick-start the summer with a refreshing mix of timeless anthems. The Specials are undoubtedly one of the most celebrated UK bands of all time. 

Official cider of Rugby League, Kingstone Press, has lived up to its name of Experiential Brand of the Year, by delighting rugby league supporters with a once-in-a-lifetime photo opportunity at the Four Nations. At each England game, fans were invited to sit in front of a branded photo board and be part of the England team photo. Rewarding people with a unique souvenir, the activity was designed to strengthen the consumer relationship with Kingstone Press and further link the cider to the sport.

With over 300 years of history and heritage, the World Heritage Site Blenheim Palace is the perfect place to visit undercover. Head inside the Palace to discover exciting contemporary artworks, battles fought on tapestries and learn all about the life of the family and the staff. Take the guided State Room Tour, which runs throughout the day and is led by experts who each have their own passions and areas of special interest.

2017 marks a special year for Gardeners’ World, 50 years of the much-loved TV programme. In honour of this celebratory milestone, BBC Gardeners’ World Live (15-18 June, NEC) will be hosting a variety of extra special features in the anniversary year including the topically themed Beautiful Borders – and this is the perfect place for fresh garden design talent to get involved.

Wolverhampton is hosting its first ever literary festival with a host of celebrated home-grown literary and musical talent set to appear at city venues. The Wolverhampton Original Literature Festival (WOLF) today announced the first wave of artists set to appear at the weekend-long event from January 27-29, 2017. Acclaimed authors, musicians, workshops, art and children’s events are lined up in the inaugural festival, which is being held at Wolverhampton Art Gallery, The Slade Rooms, Bantock House, Central Library, The Arena Theatre, The University of Wolverhampton and Newhampton Arts Centre.

Between raising the roof on St Andrew's Day (30 November) for Scotland's patron saint, and raising a dram in honour of the Bard on Burns Night (25 January) - with the world-famous Hogmanay celebrations in between - it's fair to say that Scotland does a celebration well. Revellers are invited to get into the festive spirit and join Scotland's Winter Festivals, taking place throughout the country.

Following on from an already phenomenal year, which included her second Hyundai Mercury Prize shortlisting in as little as three years and four MOBO Award nominations, Laura Mvula has announced the release of her new single ‘Ready or Not’ which has been chosen as the soundtrack for the legendary House of Fraser Christmas campaign.

The Dinosaurs of China is a world exclusive exhibition, coming to Europe for the first time in the summer of 2017.  It features some of the best preserved dinosaur fossils and specimens never before seen outside of Asia, and will bring to life the story of how dinosaurs evolved into the birds that live alongside us today.  Hosted at Nottingham's historic Wollaton Hall, with a complementary exhibition at Lakeside Arts, this must-see exhibition runs from 1 July to 30 October.

There will be absolutely nothing dainty about the stunning Charbonnel Christmas Tree which will form the centrepiece of the festive celebrations this December at Cliveden House. The magnificent Nordmann Fir will rise majestically to its full height of over fifteen feet and be totally bedecked with sparkling lights and exquisite Charbonnel et Walker gift boxes containing chocolate selections. The tree will be completed with luxurious satin ribbons creating a delicious festive triumph.

The Real Housewives of Cheshire returns to ITVBe with Manchester's silver fox Raj Somaiya making a guest appearance on the show. The popular series hit ITVBe screens back in January 2015. With viewers enjoying following the wives' glamourous lives, the series quickly became one of the most successful original commissions for the channel since its launch.

Are your tentacles tingling? Are you quivering in anticipation? The atest wondrous experience to float in to Sea Life London Aquarium is Ocean Invaders: Enter the world of the jellyfish. Visitors immerse themselves in the fascinating world of the jellyfish in the new sensory experience that will enlighten you to this mysterious, fascinating and beautiful species.

Comedy superstar John Bishop is set to return to Birmingham in autumn 2017, as he announces his long awaited return to stand-up comedy, with a brand new live show, WINGING IT.  One of UK's biggest stars, John will be bringing this huge tour to the Barclaycard Arena for three nights, on 10^th, 11^th and 12^th November 2017.

On Saturday November 19th, from 6 to 10 PM the entire Moab Arts & Recreation Center will transform into a wonderland up upcycled art and crafts! The Stage Room will feature live performances from Moab Taiko Dan and the Fiery Furnace Marching Band. There will be a Community Arts Contest, a student artist showcase and there will be a Make-Your-Own Toast bar with homemade sourdough bread donated by Kaki's Kitchen, and gourmet spreads donated by dip-master Sarah Perez-Sans of Youth Garden Project.

This Christmas it's time to ditch the traditional green and red and spread some festive fun in all the colours of the rainbow! From 21 December, Poppy and Branch will be back at DreamWorks Tours: Shrek's Adventure! London to celebrate Christmas with everyone's favourite ogre. Far Far Away will be having a festive makeover for guests to enjoy as they journey through the ten live-action shows and meet the locals, from Princess Fiona in the snowy magic bus depot to Doris in the Poison Apple Pub (let's hope she hasn't burned the turkey like last year!)