10 must-see shows in the West Midlands this autumn

Now summer is pretty much over, we can ditch the BBQ’s and festivals for cosy nights with loved ones in the theatre. We’re a lucky bunch around here because we can take our pick of which venue to spend the evening in and what shows we can laugh, or cry, along to. This autumn is set to be a jam-packed season for theatres across the West Midlands, but here are the ones we suggest you don’t miss over the next few months.

The Importance of Being Earnest – Rep Theatre in Birmingham from 9th-24th September
Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest takes to the stage at The Rep with a fresh and contemporary spin. The story follows bachelor Jack Worthing and his best friend Algernon Moncrieff, who hope to marry society’s most eligible ladies. But with double identities, and hostile encounters, the pair become embroiled in a web of mistakes with hilarious consequences.

Blood Brothers – Birmingham Hippodrome from 10th-22nd October
The multi-award winning Blood Brothers arrives in Birmingham this Autumn and tells the moving tale of twins who were separated at birth. The two meet again but with fateful consequences. Sing along with classics including Bright New Day, Tell Me It’s Not True and Marilyn Monroe.

The Rover – Swan Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon until 11th February 2017
Three wandering cavaliers, exiled from Cromwell’s England, meet up in a Spanish colony as carnival begins. Meanwhile three wealthy sisters escape their brother and disappear into the city in search of love. As night falls, chaos ensues.

Our House – Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from 15th-19th November
Bilston Operatic Company present the smash hit Madness musical Our House this November in Wolverhampton. The story follows Joe Casey, who is celebrating his 16th birthday. When the police turn up after him and his girlfriend break into a luxury apartment, Joe has to decide between running away or facing the music, but the choice will impact his life forever.

Roll Over Beethoven – Belgrade Theatre in Coventry until 17th September
With a storyline that playfully echoes one of Shakespeare’s most famous plays, Roll Over Beethoven tells the story of how dreary, post-war England was transformed forever by Rock ‘n’ Roll. Bringing a blaze of neon colour to the monochrome streets of Blighty, this thrilling new musical features an original score that is sure to raise spirits and the roof.

The Tempest – Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon from 8th November from 8th November-21st January 2017
On a distant island a man waits. But this is no ordinary man, and this no ordinary island. Prospero is a magician and able to control the very elements and bend nature to his will. When a sail appears on the horizon, he reaches out across the ocean to the ship that contains the men who wronged him. He wrecks the ship and washes his enemies up on the shore. But when they wake, they find themselves lost on a fantastical island where nothing is as it seems.

Lee Mead – Some Enchanted Evening at Royal Spa Centre in Leamington Spa on 2nd October
Take a journey back to the time when fabulous MGM films and musical theatre shows of the 1940s and 1950s thrilled audiences around the world, Lee Mead will be singing movie classics including ‘Some Enchanted Evening’ from South Pacific, ‘I’ll See You in my Dreams’ from the 1940s film Kitty Foyle, the foot-tapping title song from the Gene Kelly film ‘Singing in the Rain’ and many other musical surprises from the golden age.

The Exorcist – Rep Theatre in Birmingham from 21st October-5th November
The UK premier of the true story follows the terrifying tale of young Regan, who has strange symptoms. Her desperate mother Chris turns to a local priest for help, but before Father Damian can tackle what’s before him, he must overcome his own shaken beliefs, as this fight is for more than just one girl’s soul.

Rocky Horror Picture Show – New Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham from 10th-15th October
Squeaky clean college kids Brad and his fiancée Janet meet Dr Frank ‘n’ Furter by chance when their car breaks down outside his house. It is an adventure they’ll never forget, with fun, frolics and frocks bursting with outrageous outfits and timeless songs including everyone’s favourite, The Time Warp.

Dead Sheep – Rep Theatre in Birmingham from 26th September-1st October
The true story of how former Prime Minister Mrs Thatcher, once the most powerful woman in the world, was brought down by Geoffrey Howe, her one time friend and political soul mate, with one of the greatest speeches ever made.