J’AIME DECEMBER 2021

W H AT ’ S O N
What’s On this festive season
AWAY FROM THE SLAPSTICK FUN OF PANTO, THERE ARE PLENTY OF OTHER
EVENTS AROUND THE MIDLANDS TO KEEP YOU ENTERTAINED THIS MONTH
WHAT: THE NUTCRACKER
WHERE: BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME
WHEN: UNTIL DECEMBER 11
After 30 years, Sir Peter Wright’s legendary production of The Nutcracker will be undergoing
a major renovation. It will return, refreshed and revitalised, to Birmingham Hippodrome’s
stage in November 2022, allowing Birmingham Royal Ballet the unique opportunity to
present a special adaptation of their London production on their home stage in Birmingham
this year.
The show opens on a wintry soundscape; the Dickensian tones of Simon Callow as
Drosselmeyer echo across the auditorium as he introduces the enchanting tale to our
captivated audiences. Tchaikovsky’s soaring score and the 60-strong Royal Ballet Sinfonia
take centre stage in this unique production that brings the orchestra out from the pit and
onto a platform raised above the stage.
And, of course, in front of all of this we see Birmingham Royal Ballet’s company of worldclass
dancers as they beautifully tell this most nostalgic of stories, taking Clara on the ultimate
Christmas journey through a fantastical winter wonderland of dancing snowflakes to the
kingdom of the Sugar Plum Fairy. Tickets are priced from £25. For more details visit
www.birminghamhippodrome.com
WHAT: A CHRISTMAS CAROL
WHERE: LICHFIELD GARRICK STUDIO
WHEN: DECEMBER 11 TO 24
Ebenezer Scrooge is the meanest, most miserable man in London. He only cares for one thing
– money. Of all the people and things Scrooge dislikes, he hates Christmas most of all.
One Christmas Eve, Scrooge is visited by the ghosts of Christmas past, present and yet-tocome,
who attempt to show him the error of his ways and teach him to become a better man.
Following their hugely popular productions of Round the Horne and Hancock’s Half Hour,
Apollo Theatre Company returns to Lichfield Garrick with this brand new adaptation
of Charles Dickens’ classic Christmas tale, a charming and beautiful story guaranteed to
entertain the whole family.
Tickets are priced at £20. For more details visit www.lichfieldgarrick.com
WHAT: THE PLAY WHAT I WROTE
WHERE: THE REP, BIRMINGHAM
WHEN: UNTIL JANUARY 1
When The Play What I Wrote opened in London’s West End, originally directed by Kenneth
Branagh, every single review was a rave, every show a sell-out and it won every major theatre
award. The Sunday Times called it “a triumph” and The Observer said “audiences weep with
laughter”. Now a brand new production directed by The Rep’s Artistic Director Sean Foley
and co-written by Hamish McColl, Sean Foley and, of course, Eddie Braben will be bringing
sunshine to Birmingham this Christmas.
‘Thom’ has written a play, an epic set in the French Revolution called ‘A Tight Squeeze for
the Scarlet Pimple’. ‘Dennis’, on the other hand, wants to continue with their double act.
He believes that if they perform a tribute to Morecambe and Wise, Thom’s confidence will
be restored and the double act will go on. But first Dennis needs to persuade a guest star to
appear in the play what Thom wrote…
With a mystery guest star at every performance, this “recklessly, tear-inducingly funny show”
(The Guardian) is “a loving celebration of comic genius which is itself touched with comic
genius” (Daily Telegraph).
Tickets are priced from £10. For more details visit www.birmingham-rep.co.uk
58 www.jaimemagazine.com