Following the live and on demand stream of The Nutcracker at The REP, Birmingham Royal Ballet continues to find creative ways of keeping audiences entertained with the release of Carlos Acosta’s first major digital commission for the Company: Empty Stage.

‘Empty Stage’ is a poignant, hope-filled response to COVID’s impact on live performance and demonstrates the Birmingham Royal Ballet’s deep-rooted desire to keep ballet alive during difficult times. Directed by Roseanna Anderson and Joshua Ben-Tovim and named after the whimsical, heartstring-tugging song by Benjamin Scheuer, the film features a host of Birmingham Royal Ballet dancers as well as some of the Company members who all work behind the scenes to make performances possible, in a tribute to the industry.

An initial melancholic tone reflecting on what has been lost transforms into a message of hope as the lights go up and magic re-enters the theatre. The applause we hear is not just an encouragement but recognition of a shared live experience that nourishes all involved. This unique concept from Carlos Acosta, realised in collaboration with up-and-coming directors Roseanna Anderson and Joshua Ben-Tovim of award-winning company Impermanence and decorated singer songwriter Benjamin Scheuer, is another indication of his ambition to expand the creative horizons of the Company. 

Birmingham Royal Ballet looks towards the future with hope that at some point this year, the full production of Cinderella will fill the empty stages with dancers, and theatres with audiences as planned. But as uncertainty continues to build for the spring, we can only wait to see what might be possible. Watch this space!

Director of Birmingham Royal Ballet Carlos Acosta said ‘Everyone has been focused on creating digital content recently. We have been fortunate to have performed live on stage whether for audiences in the theatre or in their homes but this project is something else. I wanted to make a film that told the story of the past 9 months in a hopeful and optimistic way and to make it a work of art in its own right rather than a version of a live experience or a promotional vehicle. I find the ideal collaborators for this in Benjamin, Joshua and Roseanna.’

‘We felt it was important to start the new year on as positive a note as possible, whatever the situation regarding our plans looked like. As has been the case throughout 2020, Birmingham Royal Ballet’s focus has been on what is possible rather than what is not.’

The collaboration between Acosta, Impermanence and Scheuer came together serendipitously: In May 2020 when Carlos was featured in BBC Arts: Dance on Film, he came across a film by Impermanence. In September 2020, Scheuer wrote Empty Stage on a public piano in London, and sent the track to Nick Finney from NB Studio, (the design-firm behind Birmingham Royal Ballet’s 2020 rebrand). Finney introduced Carlos to Scheuer’s music - it was love at first listen. Thus the collaboration was born. Working with artists from different disciplines is a deep rooted desire for Acosta; whilst continuing to nurture and highlight the world class talent in his own company, there is also a strong pull to do the same though cross-art collaborations.

Says Scheuer: ‘In September 2020, I went for a walk in London, thinking about all the closed theatres. The phrase “all that’s left is an empty stage” was going round in my head. I spied a public piano, sat down, and wrote the song Empty Stage. The song has now blossomed into a joyful collaboration of song, dance, costume, film-making, and recording technology. It is a pleasure and honor to work with Carlos Acosta and Birmingham Royal Ballet; with the Royal Ballet Sinfonia, their marvellous conductor Paul Murphy and the extraordinary orchestral arranger Paul Davies; with Grammy Award-winning pianist Matt Rollings; with my co-producer of the song, Grammy Award-winning Robin Baynton; and with the brilliant Joshua Ben-Tovim and Roseanna Anderson, the directors of the film. They all bring the song to life in a way I could only have dreamed.’

Roseanna Anderson and Joshua Ben-Tovim of Impermanence said: ‘Carlos Acosta has an enthusiasm and drive to create and connect. That energy became part of this film which has been an amazing thing to be involved in. BRB is about entertainment, craft, skill, beautiful costumes; it's about light and scale, and it's about audiences. We wanted the film to show all that. Benjamin has an incredible song-writing ability and his history of performing in the theatre gave the whole project a feeling of genuine sentiment, which is so important. There was a big team involved and everyone went above and beyond to make this film happen.’

Whilst things remain in flux and plans continue to be revisited, Birmingham Royal Ballet proves once again that they are an agile and creative company and under Carlos Acosta’s directorship who knows where the road will take them.

An award-winning Black Country business coach has written his first book to help people run their businesses more efficiently - and he’s offering free copies to businesses in the Black Country and Shropshire. Think Smarter, Do Less, Get More From Your Business and Your Life, by Andy Hemming, is a practical guide to having more success, fun and fulfilment in business and in life. 

Available on Amazon, Andy, who runs successful, multi-award-winning business coaching firm ActionCOACH Black Country, is giving away copies to Black Country and Shropshire business owners to celebrate its launch. Andy, who has been consistently placed in the top 10 Action Coaches in the world since 2014, says the book contains an overview of his business philosophy, developed from 14 years of business coaching. 

“I’ve had the idea for a book for a long time,” he said. “I’m passionate about helping managing directors and business owners to break through and get more success from their businesses. I’m also passionate about the Black Country - I come from the area, and I have first-hand experience of the drive and determination business owners in the area have. I want to help them succeed, which is why I’m prepared to give my knowledge away to them for free.” 

Andy has worked with hundreds of businesses over the years, with turnovers ranging from £50k to £50m - but says regardless of their size, they often need to adopt the same basic philosophies to grow and succeed. He is a firm believer in working smarter, rather than harder. He added: “Many people start their business with dreams of more freedom, more money or both. In reality, most just end up working harder, with their businesses running them instead of the other way round.  

“People are so busy being caught up in the ‘doing’ of their business, they don’t have time to think. I know it doesn’t have to be that way. I always ask people how many good ideas do they have when they’re busy - and the answer is none. But when you have time and you’re relaxed, you can have loads.  

“My new book gives people a blueprint to work to, explaining the changes they need to make to be able to achieve the success they desire.” ActionCOACH Black Country, which works with businesses across the Black Country and Shropshire, was recently awarded UK Firm of the Year, Best Client Results and UK Coach of the Year for its managing director Andy Hemming in the national ActionCOACH UK awards. 

A film that cast unknown east London schoolgirls in most of its main roles has been honoured with five prizes at the British Independent Film Awards. Rocks won best British independent film, and one of its stars, Kosar Ali, 17, was named both best supporting actress and most promising newcomer.

The film got glowing reviews when it came out last year and is now on Netflix.

Its other winners included D'Angelou Osei Kissiedu, who was just seven when he played little brother Emmanuel. He was named best supporting actor, with a seven-decade age gap between him and the winner of the best actor award - Sir Anthony Hopkins, 83, who was recognised for playing a man struggling with dementia in The Father.

To find the young stars of Rocks, director Sarah Gavron and casting director Lucy Pardee auditioned about 1,300 students, most of whom had no acting experience. The chosen cast then improvised much of the film's dialogue. After the virtual awards ceremony, Ali, who plays Rocks' best friend Sumaya, said that the film had made her understand myself as a person as well as an actor.

She said: "Before this whole experience I never thought I would be who I am today, winning awards and even pursuing this acting career."

Producer Ameenah Ayub Allen said Rocks was a celebration of female film-making. "We were making this film that really had a truly independent spirit. She said: “It had a truly independent methodology".

"When we were filming, we always thought the film was imbued with the spirit of a teenage girl and it is just phenomenal that it has come here and that the spirit of a teenage girl has won best film, with a completely different way of film-making, with all these incredible women." Bukky Bakray, 18, who plays the title character, was nominated for best actress. That award went to Wunmi Mosaku for refugee horror His House, which had four wins in total.

The Father won three, while psychological horror Saint Maud won two. Actor Riz Ahmed claimed the award for debut screenwriter for Mogul Mowgli, which also won best music, while Ahmed's The Long Goodbye won best short film.

With a sensational voice and scintillating performances of everything from Justin Timberlake’s ‘Can’t Stop The Feeling’ to Tones And I’s ‘Dance Monkey’, Aston Merrygold proved to be a highlight of the latest of ITV’s ‘The Masked Singer’. The rockin’ Robin proved to be a real fan favourite as he finished third in the competition, which achieved a massive peak audience of 10.6 million viewers during last week’s final.

Having successfully introduced himself to a new generation of fans, Aston builds on his rediscovery by sharing his brand new single ‘Share A Coke’, which was premiered on Radio 1 by Rickie, Melvin and Charlie. It’s the latest step in the resurgence of one of British pop’s most distinctive voices. Aston first came to prominence with JLS, as the four friends achieved five UK #1 smashes, a further five Top 10 singles and five hit albums.

After the R&B/pop stylings of his recent single ‘Overboard’, ‘Share A Coke’ showcases the dazzling diversity of Aston’s voice. Set to a reflective backdrop of acoustic guitar and affecting piano, the song taps in what everyone is feeling right now: yearning to once again be able to spend time with loved ones, family and friends.

Aston says, “It’s been an incredibly tough 12 months for so many people, and what’s been so clear to me is just how much we all miss being with our family, friends, relatives, colleagues on a daily basis. Human interaction is so important to us all. ’Share A Coke’ is about something that none of us will ever take for granted again, just enjoying a moment, sharing a drink, having a chat, and that longing for it to return soon.”

He wrote ‘Share A Coke’ with Kassa Alexander (WSTRN, Anne-Marie) and Victoria Akintola (Sam Smith, Michael Kiwanuka). It was produced by two Grammy nominees: Lukas Nathanson and Scott Effman, whose credits include Chris Brown and Justin Bieber.

Aston has remained in the spotlight since JLS went on hiatus, and now has a social media following of over 1.3 million people. His growing solo discography started with ‘Get Stupid’, which has amassed 15 million streams at Spotify. He has applied his multifaceted talents to high profile projects including competing on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’, starring in the West End production of ‘Rip It Up’ and judging the talent show ‘Got To Dance’. He also plays the manager of a boyband in the CBBC comedy-drama ‘Almost Never’, which will return for a new series.

In addition to his solo career, Aston is scheduled to join JLS for a hugely anticipated solo tour. Their first tour since 2013 is currently scheduled to commence in June. It comprises 28 arena shows across the UK and Ireland, including three nights at London’s O2.

Six new dates have been added to Royal Birmingham Conservatoire’s popular Lunchtime Music series.  The free Monday series has been proving a real hit with online audiences missing the live concert experience. 

Lasting just under an hour, the filmed concerts are the perfect lunchtime break and are performed by musicians from the Conservatoire (part of Birmingham City University) who are at the very highest level of study and already launching their professional careers. 

From the many comments from audience members, it is clear the series is filling a void in people’s lives right now. One said: “These performances are an absolute joy and help me face yet another week in lockdown”.  Another commented: “My heart goes out to all the superb talent at RBC during these times, including those behind the scenes. Thank you to everyone for finding a way to bring this wonderful concert to us!”

As well as being enjoyed by viewers, the concerts are giving students a high quality, professionally filmed performance opportunity and providing a connection with virtual audiences at a time when physical concerts are not possible.

The new dates in February and March continue the existing series and showcase a wealth of talent and variety of music with concerts featuring the harp and saxophone departments; operatic arias; mixed recitals of music for trumpet, bassoon, guitar, flute and piano; and a solo piano recital.

A “world class” entertainment venue operator is soon to be appointed for the Civic Halls, City of Wolverhampton Council has announced. The iconic venue is due to reopen in early 2022 following a major refurbishment programme. Once open, the famous venue will again host leading musical and entertainment acts, attracting visitors to the city and boosting the local economy. 

The Council’s Cabinet is set to approve a preferred operator from a shortlist of premier names at a meeting. The preferred operator, which will enter into a long-term partnership with the council, will be announced in May.

It follows a thorough selection process that saw a strong list of recognised and renowned contenders whittled down to a shortlist of three. The operator will then bring forward exciting and ambitious plans for the venue with bigger and better acts and events, supporting the city’s economy at a vital time. Plans will also benefit local businesses, see new jobs created and raise the city’s profile. 

The new operator will also work closely with development contractor, Willmott Dixon Interiors, on the final stages of the multi-million-pound transformation of the Grade II-listed building. The improvements, allied to the expertise of a leading operator, will ensure the Grade II-listed halls remain a prominent venue on the entertainment circuit for generations of audiences to come. 

Councillor Stephen Simkins, Cabinet Member for City Economy, said: “Bold and ambitious projects like the Civic Halls, the award-winning Interchange, i9, Art Gallery, Future High Streets Fund improvements and Canalside city living plans, are essential to the Wolverhampton’s regeneration strategy, wider transformation and economic well-being. They were important before Covid-19 struck - and are even more important now.  

“From a final shortlist of three world class operators, we are delighted to be in the enviable position of securing a leading name with an incredibly strong track record. Their expertise will help take the iconic venue to the next level and provide an amazing experience for anyone visiting the halls. 

“The works that are being carried out on the building will enable them to attract more popular and prestigious entertainment acts, while retaining the current characteristics of the venue that make them popular with performers, producers and audiences. The Civic is an integral part of Wolverhampton’s entertainment and music heritage and an important part of our visitor economy. 

“We believe it has the potential to become a recognised venue not just regionally and nationally, but also internationally. The re-opening and the successful operation of the halls will reap big rewards in terms of jobs and economic benefit for the city as we look to relight from the impact of the pandemic.”

Associate Director of IPW who led the competition, Maria Bertelli, added: “It has been a very competitive process, showing the strength of Wolverhampton as a market and the status of the Civic Halls in the history of entertainment venues across the UK. All parties saw the potential of the refurbishment to re-position the venue at the forefront of mid-scale venues in the UK.” 

The works being undertaken by Willmott Dixon Interiors will see the height above the stage to the rear of the Civic Hall increased to attract bigger and better shows. Overall, there will be wider and more comfortable seats, more bars and more space to socialise, expanded and revamped toilet facilities to give visitors an improved experience, lift access to new balconies, better access arrangements for disabled visitors (including enhanced wheelchair access), a greater number of accessible viewing points, and improved room temperatures through the installation of a new air conditioning system. 

As the transformation of the Wolves Civic ramps up, the council is celebrating the fascinating history and emotional power of this iconic building through their website. The website celebrates all the joy the halls have brought to Wolverhampton over the years – recognising the famous names alongside the personal memories. It also gives people the opportunity to share their stories of great nights out at the Civic via the ‘Your Stories’ section on the website.