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please note many venues do not publish listings more than a month in advance

latest reviews:
Daughters of Albion - 27/04/08
Town Hall
Andy Mabbett
Hapgood - 15/04/08
Birmingham Repertory Theatre
Andy Mabbett
Portishead - 13/04/08
Wolverhampton Civic Hall
simon gray
Manchester Orchestra - 12/02/08
Barfly
simon gray
Kula Shaker - 09/02/08
Birmingham Academy
simon gray

birmingham alive ! featured event:
The Assassin

theatre
14 May - 17 May
crescent theatre

Written by the existentialist French philosopher, Jean-Paul Sartre, this rarely performed play is set during the second world war in a fictional country.

The tension and focus are on the main character, Hugo Barine, who has joined Illyria's Proletarian Party to forget his past. In order to gain acceptance and to escape the label of a mere bourgeois intellectual, he begs the leaders of his faction to allow him to take direct action - to become an assassin. His target will be the Party leader, Hoederer who has agreed to negotiate deals with the Fascist leaders of Illyria to get his hands dirty for the party's political survival.
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symphony hall featured event:
Chant d'Amour - Turangalîla Symphony

classical
20 May
symphony hall

There is nothing else in the whole of classical music to compare with the
experience of hearing Messiaen’s amazing Turangalîla Symphony live. A
larger-than-life tribute to the cosmic power of love, it features a massive
orchestra and major solos for piano and ondes martenot, the
other-worldly electronic instrument that was this composer’s speciality. It is conducted in the composer’s centenary year by Ilan Volkov, who has built a very strong reputation in large-scale 20th-century scores. We also begin a three-week Janácek focus with Taras Bulba, his stirring triptych telling of the battles and ultimate death of a Ukrainian Cossack hero.
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birmingham alive ! featured event:
The Muffin Men - Classic Zappa featuring Jimmy Carl Black

rock
22 May
the robin, bilston

Originally formed in 1990 to play a one off show to celebrate the 50th birthday of their
favourite composer, the Muffin Men have gone on to play more than 400 shows in 10
countries. They have recorded 10 CDs and had 4 original members of the Mothers of Invention/Zappa bands in their line-up. Their line-up and flavour have changed somewhat
over the years - just as Zappa himself evolved his bands and repertoire, allowing the
music to grow.
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glee club featured event:
Julian Cope lecture- Ancient Worship of the Gods Beyond Rome

talks
26 May
town hall

Capsule present an event at Town Hall as part of Fierce Festival, featuring an evening of the occult with visionary rock musician and hip archaeologist Julian Cope.

Cope will present one of his infamous lectures, based on his years of study of the occult, mythology and Britain’s pre-history. Followed by a screening of cult film Haxan (1922 dir: Benjamin Christensen)-an other worldly vision of grave robbing, torture, possessed nuns, baby sacrifices and satanic Sabbath, with a live soundtrack by art house electronix outfit Bronnt Industries Kapital.
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birmingham alive ! featured event:
the laughing sole - James Dowdeswell + Isy Suttie + Tim Hill + Ben Hutchison

comedy
3 June
the british oak, stirchley

The Laughing Sole is a comedy club in Stirchley featuring both up and coming and established comedians. It takes place in the friendly environment of The British Oak pub on the Pershore Road in Stirchley, with a great reputation for being friendly and welcoming.
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birmingham repertory theatre featured event:
cabaret

musicals
29 August - 13 September
birmingham rep

The sensational double Olivier Award Winner and Variety Club Awards Best Musical turns Weimar Berlin of 1931 into a divine haven of decadence, its extraordinary and morally ambiguous inhabitants determined to keep up appearances as the real world - outside the comfortable sanctuary of the cabaret - prepares for the nightmarish chaos of war.

And at its heart is the legendary Sally Bowles who performs nightly at the infamous Kit Kat Klub in A shimmering masterpiece of a show guaranteed night after night! It's divine decadence darling!
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other listings sites are available...
at birmingham alive! we believe the city is big enough for all of us - as comprehensive as we aim to be, we recognise that nobody can cover absolutely every single event there is. if you can't find something interesting here, you might find these other sites to be helpful:

LiveBrum
Whats On In Brum
Arts Central
Birmingham City Council


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what's on - 12 May - rss edition
what's on later
Bahok
dance
13 May - 14 May
birmingham rep
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