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Diane Parkes

Diane Parkes

don maclean

Don: I am too pretty to play an ugly sister

THERE is nothing like a dame and Don Maclean should know as he prepares to take to the stage in women’s garb for the 13th time. Read

John Barrowman

Dr Who star John Barrowman would like a return pantomime booking in Birmingham

DOCTOR Who and Torchwood star John Barrowman has hinted he could return to Birmingham next year to star in the country's biggest pantomime. Read

Captain Hook in Peter Pan at Birmingham Repertory Theatre.

Peter Pan, Birmingham Repertory Theatre

DIRECTOR Rachel Kavanaugh has sprinkled a touch of magic dust onto this musical production of the classic tale of Peter Pan, the boy who never grows up. Read

nutcracker

Christmas 'cracker

Festive favourite from Birmingham’s top ballet dancers Read

corrie santa

Corrie 'Scrooge' turns into Santa

DRESSED in red with his bushy white beard and glasses, actor Roy Barraclough passes for a very realistic Father Christmas – so much so that hundreds of children are convinced he really is the man heading down their chimney each year. Read

deacon blue

Lorraine still has some suprises in store

MUSIC fans can expect a mixed bag of something old, something new, something borrowed and something Deacon Blue when the Scottish band perform at Birmingham’s Symphony Hall tonight. Read

noughts

Love across the divide

YOUNGSTERS will be crossing the race and class divide in a new stage adaptation of Malorie Blackman’s best-selling novel for teenagers Noughts & Crosses. Read

russ_spencer

Thrilling time for Santa's chief elf.

MILLIONS around the world watched singer Russ Spencer and his band Scooch take on Eurovision this spring – but this Christmas he is taking on a totally different persona as an elf. Read

Darren Day

Hello Dolly! is a family affair

ACTOR Darren Day is every inch the family man these days and even a 30 week tour with Hello Dolly! won’t give him a rest from the nappy changing. Read

Shilpa Shetty

Shilpa has something to sing and dance about

ALL the magic o f India’s movie heritage comes to Birmingham this week when Shilpa Shetty stars in Miss Bollywood. Read

rick wakeman

A real mixed bag from Mr Grumpy

MUSICIAN Rick Wakeman’s new stage show is set to be something quite unlike anything you have ever seen before. Read

Liza Goddard in She Stoops To Conquer.

That's no actor - that's my ex!

WHEN actress Liza Goddard signed up to play the part of Mrs Hardcastle in She Stoops to Conquer she had no idea who would be playing Mr Hardcastle. Read

Balti.

East, west, the Brum balti's best!

TREKKING along the Inca Trail in Peru, running the New York Marathon, touring The Valley of Kings in Egypt... and a curry in Birmingham's Balti Belt! Read

Happy families in a Dickens classic

IT is a family affair for Charles Dickens' epic Nicholas Nickleby when two of the lead roles are played by a father and daughter duo. Read

Mary Poppins at the Birmingham Hippodrome.

Mary Poppins to fly into Brum!

AWARD-winning West End musical Mary Poppins wings its way into Birmingham next summer when the Hippodrome plays host to the country's favourite nanny for 11 weeks. Read

ed_lay

Brum snares hot property

HE may be the drummer with one of the UK's hottest bands but when Ed Lay decided to move house there was only one city for him - Birmingham. Read

cirque du soleil

Fever breaks out at Cirque Du Soleil

BIRMINGHAM’S National Indoor Arena becomes a big top next week for the arrival of internationally renowned circus company Cirque du Soleil. Read

Gabby Logan

Gabby dances into the stores

STRICTLY Come Dancing hopeful Gabby Logan swapped her tap shoes for designer ones as she launched a new fashion collection in Birmingham. Read

brief_encounter

Brief encounter but not as you know it

EXPECT the unexpected - that is the message from Kneehigh Theatre Company as it brings its adaptation of Noel Coward's Brief Encounter to Birmingham Repertory Theatre from tomorrow. Read

Spanish passion erupts in Brum

SPAIN comes to Birmingham this autumn as the city becomes the flamenco centre of the UK. Read

Author Profile

Diane Parkes has worked in journalism for 14 years and has been with the Birmingham Mail for ten. She is Women's Editor covering health, fitness, education, fashion and beauty features. As Dance and Theatre Editor she is also responsible for professional arts coverage across the region.

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