Two Worlds of Charlie F - Wolverhampton Grand

Stars ***** Honestly, I wish I could give more.

From about thirty seconds in the tears started and I don't think they stopped until I got home. The Two Worlds of Charlie F is the story, slightly fictionalised, of how the actors, ex service personnel, were injured in battle. We start in Selly Oak Hospital where injured personnel were brought for treatment before the new Queen Elizabeth was opened. I was pleased that unlike in the documentary the Brummie accent wasn't over done! Lance Corporal Charlie Fowler (Cassidy Little) is waking up for the first time since he was injured in Afghanistan completely confused about his surroundings.

He then takes us through a tour of how he and the rest of the company joined up, training, arrival in Afghanistan, being injured, recovery and life afterwards. Seeing them acting out what was possibly the worst event of their lives; the mentally traumatic recoveries; and coming to terms with losing a part of themselves was incredibly powerful and to do that each night must take a lot of strength.

I have never known a theatre to be so silent through a play before, a stunned silence where people even forgot to laugh at the jokes until someone else did. There was a standing ovation at the end like I have never seen, it wasn't the normal loud cheering and whistling, it was quiet with an atmosphere that felt like the audience were paying respect to the team. 

I was left feeling humbled by these people, I am a crutches user myself, the press team at The Grand always make sure I have an aisle seat that is near enough to somewhere I can leave my crutches. Watching these people who have achieved so much really affected me. As I walked through the theatre during the interval I reflected on the fact I was injured by a silly accident kicking off things I didn't know were wrong and it seemed so insignificant compared to them. 

This is not a play to go to if you want to feel good about yourself but it is really worth seeing.

ROBIN COUSINS’ ICE - The Skating Stage Experience

ROBIN COUSINS’ ICE - The Skating Stage Experience

PRESS NIGHT: Wednesday 23 April at 7.30pm

Jamie Wilson, Paul Elliott and Duncan C Weldon for Triumph Entertainment are delighted to present the World Premiere of “ROBIN COUSINS’ ICE - The Skating Stage Experience”, skating to Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from Wednesday 23 – Sunday 27 April.

Olympic champion and head judge on ITV’s Dancing on Ice, Robin Cousins has hand-picked the greatest ice skaters from around the globe to bring his incredible new production to life.

The cast comprises: Annie Aggeler (USA), Lisa Brewin (UK), Vaughn Chipeur (Canada), Natalie Cunningham (UK), Kate Endriulaitis (Australia), Adam Jukes (UK), Eriq Lyons (Canada), Brandee Malto (USA), Lisa Mocchizuki (Japan), Oscar Peter (Switzerland), Philippe Poirier (Canada), Neill Shelton (USA), Michael Solonoski (USA) and Jenna Smith (USA).  For full cast biographies visit: www.robincousinsice.com

Dynamic and atmospheric “ROBIN COUSINS' ICE” will draw you into its unique world, where world class skaters glide, soar, flip and fly in a truly theatrical setting.  ICE features a powerful soundtrack of original music and reworked modern classics designed to delight and enthrall.

Robin Cousins' ICE redefines ice skating for a new generation with a spectacular show the like of which UK theatres have not seen in 30 years.

Robin Cousins said “It’s been 30 years since I created ‘Electric Ice’ which took to the theatrical stage and changed the look of ice shows. I am very excited to bring the daring and dazzling world of figure skating back into an intimate theatrical setting. Both of my previous shows, “Electric Ice” and “Ice Majesty”, were created in the UK, and I’m very proud that the World Premiere of “ROBIN COUSINS’ ICE” will happen here too.

“The show is not an adaptation of a ballet, or borrowed from the world of musical theatre. There are no judges, just the audience. It is a show where the choreography is driven by the music, where the movement has room to breathe, and the skaters can let their blades do the talking. To be able to move like a skater is every dancer’s dream. To be motionless, yet travelling at great speed. Skaters are able to soar across the frozen stage in ways a dancer can only dream of doing.

“I have been working ‘on ice’ for over 40 years, from my start in regional club competitions to World and Olympic Championships, choreography and performance for film, television, theatre and award winning arena Ice productions. Every new project brings its own challenges and I relish the chance to try something new with tried and tested ideas. I’m always pushing myself in new directions.”

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Robin Cousins’ – ICE
Wednesday 23 – Sunday 27 April
Wed – Sat eve 7.30pm, Thur and Sat Matinees at 2.30pm and Sunday at 11am
Tickets from £14.50 - £34.50

CELEBRITY BIG BROTHER WINNER JIM DAVIDSON ANNOUNCES TOUR

Jim Davidson has announced that his “No Further Action” tour will be making a stop at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre on Monday 12 January 2015. Tickets go on sale today.

Very few comedians could turn the worst year of their life into a resounding success, but fresh from winning the most successful ever series of Big Brother by a landslide, comedy king Jim Davidson has done exactly that.

No Further Action will see Jim tell the story of his arrest and the nightmare 12 months that followed, the clearing of his name and winning the heart of the nation all over again as a Big Brother champion. Jim will be doing all this in the only way he knows how, by entertaining people, something he’s been doing to great acclaim for nearly 40 years. It promises to be the most outrageous, hilarious and insightful show Jim has ever performed, but most of all it will be the truth.

Jim will take No Further Action on a 54 date UK tour, starting at the Great Yarmouth Britannia Pier on 5 September 2014.

On announcing the new show, Jim said “It was an interesting time, I had a rough ride for a while, but it’s great to be back on stage doing what I love, and the best way of dealing with a nightmare is to talk about it! I always seem to find the funny side of things...even this! And then, for a finale, along came Big Brother!  Wait to you hear the inside stories on that!”

No stranger to the limelight, having dominated prime time TV comedy for over a decade, Jim is not only one of the country’s best established comics, but one of the most popular stand-up comedians of all time. Alongside hosting much loved shows such as Big Break and The Generation Game  Jim’s sell-out theatre tours and pantomimes have broken box office records and received critical acclaim

During the 80s Jim travelled the world performing for the troops, taking his top quality entertainment to some of the most inhospitable places imaginable. For this he was made an OBE. Now his time in Big Brother has come to an end, this brilliant comedian is back where he belongs – on stage, entertaining audiences around the country.

JULIAN CLARY ANNOUNCED AS STAR OF WOLVERHAMPTON GRAND THEATRES LAVISH FAMILY PANTOMIME

Wolverhampton Grand Theatre has announced that the star of this year’s spectacular family pantomime Cinderella will be panto legend Julian Clary, who will play Dandini.

Julian Clary has established himself as one of the country’s most recognisable and popular stage and television entertainers. He has turned his hand to comedy, acting, presenting, writing and in 2012 Julian won Celebrity Big Brother.

As well as writing autobiography, Julian has become an accomplished novelist with a number of best-sellers to his credit. He is a hugely-popular panto performer and has headlined some of the biggest pantomimes around the UK.

Last year Julian toured the UK in his one-man show and this spring will tour the show in Australia and New Zealand. Julian is currently performing his new show Canned Clary at the St James Theatre in London.

Cinderella will once again be produced by Qdos Entertainment, the world’s biggest pantomime who were behind the success of last year’s production of Sleeping Beauty. Qdos have a reputation for producing large-scale West End quality shows packed with special effects and audience participation.

Michael Harrison, managing director of Qdos Entertainment’s pantomimes division said “It’s fitting that for Cinderella, the most magical family pantomime of them all, that we have been able to cast Julian Clary, the most glamorous of all pantomime stars, in our Wolverhampton show this Christmas. Julian is a fine actor and a first-rate comedian and is guaranteed to keep audiences laughing right up to the final curtain call”.

Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Chief Executive Peter Cutchie said,

“I am absolutely thrilled that Julian Clary will be coming to Wolverhampton for the 2014/15 pantomime.  It is already an exciting year, as the theatre achieves its 120^th anniversary but now we have even more reason to celebrate as it will also mark Julian’s first pantomime outing on the Grand’s stage. I’ve seen him perform in many pantomimes and he truly is one of the greats.”

Cinderella at the Grand Theatre Wolverhampton runs from Saturday 6 December 2014 to Sunday 18 January 2015. For tickets are more information visit grandtheatre.co.uk or call 01902 42 92 12.

Grease - Wolverhampton Grand

Performed by Wolverhampton Musical Comedy Company.

Stars * * * * *

A very talented cast of 43 sang our favourite songs from the hit musical beautifully and danced with such energy that it was tempting to get up and join them. The hand jive started with some performers in the aisles which really brought the audience into the scene.

Very simple yet clever set design allowed the stage to be quickly transformed and a very clever transformation of the car for Greased Lightening.

It was good to see "Teen Angel's" sense of humour when he had a little trouble with the set but took it in his stride.

An enjoyable show, lots of fun and definitely worth seeing if you can!