What’s on at mac w/c: 25th of May

Hello, are you ok sir/madam? What’s that sorry? Your here for a weekly fix of W.O.A.M. I’m sorry but I think your in the wrong place…

…KIDDING! Welcome welcome friends! Are you excited for this weeks W.O.A.M.? (No I’m not explaining it again) same here!

Lets not beat around the bush, are you ready?

Are you steady?

Then lets……………………GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This week, mac Birmingham have on offer a wide variety of Cinema Screenings, Theatre Performances, Exhibitions, Spoken Word Readings and Markets.

For more information on any of the shows and events detailed below, please check the relevant links below (posted next to the events/shows)

As always have a wonderful week everyone, make good choices!

Regards

Andy and Amelia

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Cinema: This week in the Cinema we have ‘8 1/2’. Guido is a film director, trying to relax after his last big hit. He can’t get a moment’s peace, however, with the people who have worked with him in the past constantly looking for more work. He wrestles with his conscience, but is unable to come up with a new idea. While thinking, he starts to recall major happenings in his life, and all the women he has loved and left. An autobiographical film of Fellini, about the trials and tribulations of film making. Written by Colin Tinto.

There is also ‘The Dark Horse’. Starring an extraordinary NZ cast; Cliff Curtis (Whale Rider and Boy), James Rolleston (Boy) and Kirk Torrance (Outrageous Fortune) The Dark Horse is an inspiring true story based on the life of a charismatic, brilliant but little-known New Zealand Hero and chess champion – Genesis Potini, aka Gen.

Mac cinema is also showing ‘Cinderella’. A live-action feature inspired by the classic fairy tale, “Cinderella” brings to life the timeless images from Disney’s 1950 animated masterpiece as fully-realized characters in a visually-dazzling spectacle for a whole new generation.

Also showing at mac cinema is ‘The Falling’. Carol Morley’s eagerly awaited follow up to her devastating Dreams of a Life is another beguiling insight into human behaviour; this time the agitated fever of teenage girlhood. It’s set in 1969. Best friends Lydia (Maisie Williams of Game of Thrones fame) and Abbie (breathtaking newcomer Florence Pugh) have cultivated a world of two in the midst of the pent-up repressions of a buttoned up English girls school. Lydia’s fixation on her friend is a welcome distraction from her frustratingly impenetrable mother (Maxine Peake) who suffers from agoraphobia and whose cool detachment leaves Lydia feeling rootless. Her fragile world, with Abbie at its centre, starts to unravel when her white magic-obsessed brother and Abbie sleep together, and a tragedy and ensuing mysterious fainting epidemic overtake the school. With cinematography from acclaimed cinematographer Agnès Godard (Beau Travail) and Everything But the Girl’s Tracey Thorn contributing angular melodies, syncopated to match the off-beat emotion; this is cinema to swoon over.

Mac are also screening ‘A Royal Night Out’. On May 8th 1945, everything changed. The Allies won the war, and VE Day (Victory in Europe) was celebrated in the streets of London. Behind the palace walls, the Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret can only watch while the people of the city enjoy their victory. After some serious persuasion, their parents – the King and Queen – let them out for the night, but only under close supervision. It’s not long before the plan goes awry, and Elizabeth finds herself separated from her sister. The future Queen is alone in the city, surrounded by strangers. She encounters Jack, a handsome young man who takes a shine to the royal in disguise, and the two get to know each other as the revelry continues around them. Things are never simple though, and as celebration turns to chaos, can Elizabeth stay safe? This formerly untold story tells the tale of royals let loose in the big city on the most exciting night of their lives, and watches as they struggle with their identities and the way they are ‘supposed’ to behave. Starring Sarah Gadon (The Amazing Spider-Man 2), Bel Powley (Side by Side) and Jack Reynor (Transformers: Age of Extinction), A Royal Night Out is a moving historical drama that looks at the difference between who we are and who we wish we could be.

For a fulfilling fix of fantastic foreign cinema, look no further than ‘Phoenix’. June, 1945. Badly injured, her face destroyed, Auschwitz survivor Nelly returns to her hometown, Berlin. She’s accompanied by Lene, a Jewish Agency employee and Nelly’s friend from pre-war days.Having barely recovered from facial surgery, Nelly ignores Lene’s warnings and sets out to find her husband, Johnny – the love of her life who, by refusing to abandon their marriage, protected her from Nazi persecution for so long.

Finally a screening ‘National Theatre Live: Encore Screening The Hard Problem’. Acclaimed playwright Tom Stoppard (Shakespeare in Love, Arcadia, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead) returns to the National Theatre with his highly-anticipated new play The Hard Problem, directed by Nicholas Hytner (Othello, Hamlet, One Man, Two Guvnors). Hilary, a young psychology researcher at a brainscience institute, is nursing a private sorrow and a troubling question at work, where psychology and biology meet. If there is nothing but matter, what is consciousness? This is ‘the hard problem’ which puts Hilary at odds with her colleagues who include her first mentor Spike, her boss Leo and the billionaire founder of the institute, Jerry.

For more on the exciting cinema screenings at mac, please visit the links below!

– 8 1/2: http://macbirmingham.co.uk/event/8-1-2/

– The Dark Horse: http://macbirmingham.co.uk/event/the-dark-horse/

– Cinderella: http://macbirmingham.co.uk/event/cinderella/

– The Falling: http://macbirmingham.co.uk/event/the-falling/

– Force Majeure: http://macbirmingham.co.uk/event/force-majeure/

– Encallados: http://macbirmingham.co.uk/event/encallados/

– A Royal Night Out: http://macbirmingham.co.uk/event/a-royal-night-out/

– Phoenix: http://macbirmingham.co.uk/event/phoenix/

– National Theatre Live: Encore Screening The Hard Problem: http://macbirmingham.co.uk/event/nt-live-encore-screening-the-hard-problem/

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Theatre: This week in mac’s Theatre offerings include ‘Pitschi – The Kitten With Dreams’. Pitschi doesn’t care for the rough and tumble and mischievous fun of kitten play, but instead dreams of being something else – a chicken, perhaps, or a goat, or a rabbit… for after all, anything is better than being a cat! This original production uses a rich mix of story-telling, physical theatre, music and song to tell the story of a kitten that learns to be happy by being exactly what she is.

Also on at mac is a performance from Tutti Frutti Productions: ‘Rapunzel’. This is a story about a girl.  The story happened in a once upon a time, and in a once upon a place. The girl was called Rapunzel. Placed high-up in a tower above the world and faced with the challenge of growing-up, she is found alone, dreaming….

For further information, check the links below!

– Pitschi – The Kitten With Dreams: http://macbirmingham.co.uk/event/pitschi-the-kitten-with-dreams/

– Tutti Frutti Productions: Rapunzel: http://macbirmingham.co.uk/event/tutti-frutti-productions-rapunzel/

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Exhibitions: This week, mac are hosting three brilliant exhibitions! Firstly, tmac are exhibiting Trevor Appleson’s ‘Birmingham’. Appleson’s classic portrait photographs of carefully selected demographic groups made in his makeshift portable studio are now well known. In towns and settlements from Cape Town to Mexico City to Kibbutz Hatzerim in Israel, Appleson sets up on beaches, street corners, and other public spaces, enabling a captivating representation of place.

Also showing is ‘Wish You Were Here’. Selected from Jeremy Cooper’s major artists’ postcards collection, Wish you were here? presents works by some of today’s most famous artists. Featuring over 200 artists including Carl Andre, Joseph Beuys, Ruth Claxton, Julie Cockburn, Gilbert & George, Richard Long, Yoko Ono, Ruth Proctor, Dieter Roth, amongst many others, this is a unique opportunity to see works from the collection, some for the first time, before its donation to the British Museum Prints and Drawings Department in 2018.

Finally, made at mac are exhibiting work from mac’s in house Ceramics course. To demonstrate the process of creating, and to share the experiences of those participating, our made at mac series exhibits course participants’ work. Our aim is to communicate the richness and quality of both the learning experience and the content produced on site at mac Birmingham. The work featured in made at mac this summer has been created in our ‘Introduction to Ceramics’ course. Through techniques including coiling, slab-building, throwing and press-moulding, Artist Tutor Wendy Tournay’s practical approach to teaching ceramics encourages the learner to develop and apply their skills in the Pottery Studio.

For more information on these exhibitions and more, click the links below!

– Trevor Appleson: Birmingham: http://macbirmingham.co.uk/exhibition/birmingham/

– Wish You We’re Here: http://macbirmingham.co.uk/exhibition/wish-you-were-here/

– Made at mac: Ceramics: http://macbirmingham.co.uk/exhibition/made-at-mac-ceramics-1/

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Spoken Word: The Spoken Word offering this week is presented by Alexei Sayle: ‘Listen With Alexei’. Alexei Sayle best selling author, comedian and actor will be giving a preview of the second volume of his hilarious and thought-provoking memoirs with a reading from Thatcher Stole My Trousers as well as from his first volume Stalin Ate My Homework along with some of his famous short stories.

For more on this and other Spoken Word events at mac, please click the link below!

– Alexei Sayle: Listen With Alexei: http://macbirmingham.co.uk/event/alexei-sayle/

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Markets: This Sunday mac are hosting a Food Market for more information click the link below!

– Food Market: http://macbirmingham.co.uk/event/food-market/

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And that’s it for your weekly W.O.A.M. fix, don’t forget to like and share with everyone you know, until next time folks.

Au Revoir

Andy and Amelia

#workplacement

Review – (h)experiment: Slot Together

For the past two Saturdays, I have been a busy bee, a very busy bee. But also a very happy, satisfied and inspired busy bee, because ladies and gentlemen, for the past two Saturdays, I have had the opportunity to attend a really exciting offering from the (h)experiment… SLOT TOGETHER!

In association with Stan’s Café, mac commissioned 8 new pieces of really exciting theatre! But there was a catch, each of these 8 pieces, had to fall within some rules, such as:

– All pieces must be performed within a set space (8 x 6)

– Each piece were given the same 12 props to use, of which they had use 5 minimum (A coffee mug, gun, clock, banana, flowers, a letter, telephone, rope, a newspaper, a chair, a table and a picture frame)

– Each piece was to only last 20 minutes

This is theatre however, not sport, acts were not penalised, booed or buzzed for stepping out of line, using additional props or being an additional minute or two long, the ‘rules’ were purely a stimulus from which to create, not inhibit. Anyway, enough of that, you probably want to know a little about the acts, right?

There were a wide variety of different pieces performed over the two Saturday’s in which the (h)experiment took place (9th and the 16th of May) including a Croatian language lesson, a philosophical self help guide, an exploration of gender identity and empathising with a Banana (yes, you read that correctly)

Each of the twelve props were utilised in a variety of ways, in some pieces they were used sparingly, whereas in others they were at the core of what the piece was, (seriously, the amount of empathy felt for a banana, was unbelievable. A BANANA!?)

It’s truly awe inspiring to see how much depth, variety and passion, had gone into each of these pieces, and each individual piece was so diverse in its execution, delivery and the content explored within.

I personally will be following each of the eight artists who performed over the two Saturday’s to see what they will create in the future, and you can too! Links to all of their relevant social media pages & websites can be found here:

http://macbirmingham.co.uk/event/hexperiment-slot-together/

All in all, some very exciting pieces, and a wonderful way to spend two Saturday evenings!

#workplacement

Review: Cardboard Citizen’s ‘Benefit’ – 14/05/15

Cardboard Citizen’s ‘Benefit’ was a captivating performance that highlighted the difficulties that can accrue within the benefits system.
Within the piece they explore 3 stories that all inter link in some way, each story with its own struggle. Sanctions are explored in this piece and the testing that happens when determining what type of benefit an individual should be given.
Cardboard citizens uses Forum Theatre within their pieces which is a technique taken from the famous practitioner Augusto Boal.

I thought benefit was a really interesting piece of theatre. The stories that they told were so honest that the audience connected to them and want to help. Which worked well for the second half of the show as we, as audience members, got to participate and alter the happens within one of the stories and see if we could create a different outcome.
This created lots of discussion amongst the audience members and even some disagreements on how we should alter the scenario to benefit the character.

It was an interesting way to look at the benefit system and highlight its problems.
I left feeling like I wanted to help change this floored system as its suppose to help the individuals who need it most, not make them up through hoops and be set impossible targets at the some of the hardest points in their lives.

Benefit is a must see!!

#workplacement

What’s on at mac w/c: May 18th

Salutations my friends! How have you been? How about that weather huh? Craaaaaaaaazy!

Anyway enough chit chat, I know why your here, your here for yet another dose of your favourite blog post W.O.A.M. (c’mon, you gotta know what this means by now, right?)

This week mac Birmingham are offering a wide range of exciting Cinema screenings, Theatre Performances, Exhibitions, Music Performances, Dance Shows, Comedy shows and Talks!

As always you can all the information you need in the links posted below.

Now then, shall we get started?

Cinema: This week in the Cinema we have ‘Far From The Madding Crowd’. Based on the literary classic by Thomas Hardy, FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD is the story of independent, beautiful and headstrong Bathsheba Everdene (Carey Mulligan), who attracts three very different suitors: Gabriel Oak (Matthias Schoenaerts), a sheep farmer, captivated by her wilful spirit; Frank Troy (Tom Sturridge), a handsome and reckless sergeant; and William Boldwood (Michael Sheen), a prosperous and mature bachelor. This timeless story of Bathsheba’s choices and passions explores the nature of relationships and love – as well as the human ability to overcome hardships through resilience and perseverance.

In addition to this the Cinema is also showing foreign language film ‘Argerich’. The mother through the daughter’s eyes – a family portrait blending intimate conversations, agreements and disagreements, and shred ties of sounds and blood. This intimate portrait of two musical giants by Martha Argerich’s daughter Stéphanie has been filmed over two decades and around the world: Warsaw, where Martha Argerich won the Chopin competition first prize; Japan, which hosts a unique Argerich festival; London, where Stephen Kovacevich, Stéphanie’s father, lives, works and enjoys intensively Indian food; Belgium, where Martha lives in a house filled with pianos and cats; Argentina, which she left at the age of twelve to study in Vienna, but still conceals valuable family treasures; Switzerland, where Stéphanie and her sister Lyda are currently living. Made up of documentary sequences focusing on the two characters of Martha and Stephen in their everyday lives, in rehearsal and in performance, the film will be largely given over to intimate, delicious anecdotes, and a few scenes in which the family is reunited. A film by Stéphanie Argerich.

‘A View From The Bridge’ is showing this Monday. Don’t miss a stellar cast led by Mark Strong (The Imitation Game; Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy) in the Young Vic’s ‘magnetic, electrifying, astonishingly bold’ production of A View from the Bridge – the Evening Standard, Guardian and Independent’s top theatre pick of 2014. The great Arthur Miller confronts the American dream in this dark and passionate tale. In Brooklyn, longshoreman Eddie Carbone welcomes his Sicilian cousins to the land of freedom. But when one of them falls for his beautiful niece, they discover that freedom comes at a price.

Mac cinema are also showing ENO Live: ‘The Pirates of Penzance’. Guaranteed to be a major event, Mike Leigh (Palme d’Or winner and five times Oscar nominee) directs his first ever opera for the stage. Gilbert and Sullivan’s popular comic opera features much-loved favourites including A Policeman’s Lot is Not a Happy One and I am the Very Model of a Modern Major General. Sentimental pirates, blundering policeman, absurd adventures and improbable paradoxes – Gilbert and Sullivan’s dazzling The Pirates of Penzance comes to ENO in a highly anticipated new production from renowned film maker and director Mike Leigh.

For lovers of foreign cinema, mac has got you covered! ‘Tots Volem El Millor Per A Ella’ One year after suffering a horrible traffic accident, Geni is ready to resume her life… or at least that’s  what her family wants to see. The truth is that despite trying to please everyone, Geni feels unable to live up to the expectations: her life before the accident no longer interests her. Why resume it then? The confusion that this creates causes her behaviour to become increasingly more erratic and leads to a single idea that begins to grow within her: escape.

Not enough of a fix for you foreign film addicts out there? Fine! Here’s another gem: ‘8&1/2’.Guido is a film director, trying to relax after his last big hit. He can’t get a moment’s peace, however, with the people who have worked with him in the past constantly looking for more work. He wrestles with his conscience, but is unable to come up with a new idea. While thinking, he starts to recall major happenings in his life, and all the women he has loved and left. An autobiographical film of Fellini, about the trials and tribulations of film making. Written by Colin Tinto.

Mac cinema are also showing ‘Harold Offeh: Covers (Plus Q+A)’. Covers: Graceful Series followed by a conversation with the artist + live performance commission from Kate Spence / Black Hole Club. Harold Offeh born in Accra, Ghana is an artist who works in a range of media including performance, video, photography and interactive and digital media, employing humour as a means to confront the viewer with an assessment of contemporary popular culture.

In addition, mac are also showing ‘The Dark Horse’. Starring an extraordinary NZ cast; Cliff Curtis (Whale Rider and Boy), James Rolleston (Boy) and Kirk Torrance (Outrageous Fortune) The Dark Horse is an inspiring true story based on the life of a charismatic, brilliant but little-known New Zealand Hero and chess champion – Genesis Potini, aka Gen.

And finally this week mac cinema are screening timeless classic ‘Cinderella’. A live-action feature inspired by the classic fairy tale, “Cinderella” brings to life the timeless images from Disney’s 1950 animated masterpiece as fully-realized characters in a visually-dazzling spectacle for a whole new generation.

For more on mac’s vast array of films, check the links below!

– Far From The Madding Crowd: http://macbirmingham.co.uk/event/far-from-the-madding-crowd-1/

– Argerich: http://macbirmingham.co.uk/event/argerich/

– National Theatre Live: Encore Screening A View From The Bridge: http://macbirmingham.co.uk/event/nt-live-encore-screening-a-view-from-the-bridge/

– ENO Live: The Pirates of Penzance (Live): http://macbirmingham.co.uk/event/eno-live-pirates-of-penzance-live/

– Tots Volem El Millor Per A Ella: http://macbirmingham.co.uk/event/tots-volem-el-millor-per-a-ella/

– 8 1/2: http://macbirmingham.co.uk/event/8-1-2/

– Harold Offeh: Covers (Plus Q+A): http://macbirmingham.co.uk/event/harold-offeh-covers-plus-q-a/

– The Dark Horse: http://macbirmingham.co.uk/event/the-dark-horse/

– Cinderella: http://macbirmingham.co.uk/event/cinderella/

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Theatre: This week in mac’s Theatre offerings include ‘Somewhwere to: Top Girls)’. Top Girls is a 1982 play by Caryl Churchill now infamous in theatre for its stylistic innovations and non-linnear narrative. The story follows zeitgesit Marlene who has just been appointed Office Manager and explores contemporary issues of women in the workplace and examines women’s position in society as well as the nature of what success really is.

For more on Top Girls and other Theatre performances at mac, click on the link below!

– Somewhere to: Top Girls: http://macbirmingham.co.uk/event/somewhere-to_top-girls/

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Exhibitions: This week, mac are hosting two brilliant exhibitions! Including Trevor Appleson: ‘Birmingham’. Appleson’s classic portrait photographs of carefully selected demographic groups made in his makeshift portable studio are now well known. In towns and settlements from Cape Town to Mexico City to Kibbutz Hatzerim in Israel, Appleson sets up on beaches, street corners, and other public spaces, enabling a captivating representation of place.

Also, mac are showing ‘Wish You We’re Here’. Selected from Jeremy Cooper’s major artists’ postcards collection, Wish you were here? presents works by some of today’s most famous artists. Featuring over 200 artists including Carl Andre, Joseph Beuys, Ruth Claxton, Julie Cockburn, Gilbert & George, Richard Long, Yoko Ono, Ruth Proctor, Dieter Roth, amongst many others, this is a unique opportunity to see works from the collection, some for the first time, before its donation to the British Museum Prints and Drawings Department in 2018.

For more on exciting exhibitions at mac, visit the links below!

– Trevor Appleson: Birmingham: http://macbirmingham.co.uk/exhibition/birmingham/

– Wish You We’re Here: http://macbirmingham.co.uk/exhibition/wish-you-were-here/

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Music: Mac’s music offerings this week are bountiful! An event from (h) experiment: ‘Sparks May fly’. Two world class musicians come together for a day of music making and the result of their collaboration will be performed for an intimate audience that evening. There are just a few simple rules: each pair of musicians should have some common ground, they should never have played together before (at least not in public) and they should be natural improvisers, happy to collaborate and embrace risk.

Also on offer at mac is ‘Merrymouth’. Merrymouth are a three piece folk-orientated band featuring Ocean Colour Scene songwriter and vocalist Simon Fowler (guitar/vocals), Dan Sealey (guitar/vocals) & Adam Barry (piano/organ/vocals).

For more on (h) experiment, Merrymouth and everything Music related, click on the links below!

– (h) experiment: Sparks may Fly: http://macbirmingham.co.uk/event/sparks-may-fly/

– Merrymouth: http://macbirmingham.co.uk/event/merrymouth/

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Dance: The dance offering at mac this week is a production from Women and Theatre: ‘Boys Talk’. An engaging celebration of male communication with movement, performance and spoken word.Created using the stories and experiences of young men living in Birmingham, Boys Talk explores how boys talk,what they talk about and how they say it. Developed in partnership with Elmhurst School for Dance, Edwards Trust, SWIIS Fostercare and mac birmingham’s Next generation programme.

For more on ‘Boys Talk’ and other dance based performances, check out the link below!

– Women and Theatre: Boys Talk: http://macbirmingham.co.uk/event/women-theatre-boys-talk/

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Comedy: The Comedy offerings at mac this week is an exciting offering from (h) experiment: ‘Paradise Circus Live’. Paradise Circus Live is old fashioned revue with a local twist – a host of satirical sketches, stand-up, songs, games and monologues. Jon Bounds and Jon Hickman bring a version of their popular Birmingham miscellany, Paradise Circus, to the stage with biting satire of the media and Birmingham itself — all refracted through  a thick lens of Marxist critical theory. It’s funnier than it sounds. Hickman is not from round these  parts and Bounds will take him through what it really means to understand Birmingham.

For more on (h) experiment and other comedy shows at mac, check the link below!

– (h) experiment: Paradise Circus Live: http://macbirmingham.co.uk/event/paradise-circus-live/

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Talks: This week mac have an exciting talk from the Cannon Hill Art School Lecture: ‘Artists’. Led by Cornelia Parker who will explore her process of making, exhibiting and engaging audiences.

For more on This and any other lecture at mac, check the link below!

– Cannon Hill Art School Lecture: Artists: http://macbirmingham.co.uk/event/cannon-hill-art-school-lecture-artists/

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And that’s just about it for your W.O.A.M. fix this week mis amigos (cue the google translate search!) Thanks for tuning in and see you next time for What’s on at mac!

Take it easy now everyone

Andy and Amelia

What’s on at mac w/c: 11th of May

 

 

A very very merry good morning/afternoon/evening to you all! Its time for your weekly W.O.A.M. fix! (What’s on at mac, just in case you weren’t quite clear).

We have a wide range of performances going on to suit all tastes, including Cinema screenings, Theatre performances, Exhibitions, Music performances, Comedy shows and talks from a number of speakers!

Without further ado, lets get browsing! And as always ladies and gentlemen, browse safely

Have a great week everyone!

Work hard, play harder

Andy and Amelia

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Cinema: This week in the Cinema we have ‘While We’re Young’ Acclaimed indie auteur Noah Baumbach (The Squid and the Whale, Frances Ha) has created another witty and exploratory comedy-drama with While We’re Young, here reuniting with his Greenberg star Ben Stiller, who plays documentary filmmaker Josh, married to Naomi Watts’ Cornelia. They’re a somewhat neurotic couple considering their future – while most of their friends have had children, they’re still unsure, becoming ever more aware that their lives are fleeting and their remaining choices, limiting – when they meet carefree Jamie (Adam Driver) and Darby (Amanda Seyfried), a pair of bohemian, louche 20-somethings whose hipster cool they find endlessly appealing. But is their friendship the real deal or are Josh and Cornelia just trying to avoid grappling with the actualities of middle-age?

For fans of Foreign films, mac cinema can offer ‘The Invisible Life’ Hugo, a man on the cusp of middle age is in the grip of an unshakeable torpor, squandering his life away. Facing the impending death of his friend and professional mentor Antonio, he realises something must change. Existing somewhere between the existential horror of Bergman and absurdist literary dread of Kafka,The Invisible Life explores how Hugo’s past smothers his ability to imagine and create a future for himself.

In addition to this the Cinema is also showing National Theatre Live: ‘Man and Superman’ Academy Award® nominee Ralph Fiennes (The English Patient, Schindler’s List; Oedipus at the National Theatre) plays Jack Tanner in this exhilarating reinvention of George Bernard Shaw’s witty, provocative classic. A romantic comedy, an epic fairytale, a fiery philosophical debate, Man and Superman asks fundamental questions about how we live.

This week mac are also showing ‘Far From The Madding Crowd’. Based on the literary classic by Thomas Hardy, FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD is the story of independent, beautiful and headstrong Bathsheba Everdene (Carey Mulligan), who attracts three very different suitors: Gabriel Oak (Matthias Schoenaerts), a sheep farmer, captivated by her wilful spirit; Frank Troy (Tom Sturridge), a handsome and reckless sergeant; and William Boldwood (Michael Sheen), a prosperous and mature bachelor. This timeless story of Bathsheba’s choices and passions explores the nature of relationships and love – as well as the human ability to overcome hardships through resilience and perseverance.

Also coming to mac cinema: ‘X + Y’. Preferring to hide in the safety of his own private world, Nathan struggles to connect with people, often pushing away those who want to be closest to him, including his mother, Julie. Without the ability to understand love or affection, Nathan finds the comfort and security he needs in numbers and mathematics. Mentored by his unconventional and anarchic teacher, Mr Humphreys, it becomes clear that Nathan’s talents are enough to win him a place on the British team competing at the highly revered International Mathematics Olympiad. Being part of a team and one which has a real chance of winning seems like it could change Nathan’s life forever. But when the team go to train in Taiwan, Nathan is faced with a multitude of unexpected challenges, not least the new and unfamiliar feelings he begins to experience for one of the Chinese competitors, the beautiful Zhang Mei. From England to Taipei and back again, this inspiring and life-affirming story follows the unconventional and hilarious relationship between student and teacher, whose roles are often reversed, and the unfathomable experience of first love – when you don’t even understand what love is.

If installations are your thing, then look no further than ‘Queer Traces: Paris is Burning’ Black Hole Club members Michael Lightborne and Kate Spence present a live AV installation deconstructing Jennie Livingston’s seminal documentary of the 80s vogue ball scene Paris is Burning (1990). The installation will feature the durational performance ‘Strike a Pose’ by Kate Spence, Lightborne’s ‘New Gods’ video sculptures, and a throbbing, otherworldly, disco soundtrack. A Museums at Night 2015 event.

Finally this week mac cinema are showing ‘The Lodger’ (With live score from Minima). Set in a foggy and unsettled London with a Jack the Ripper type serial killer on the loose, The Lodger: A Story of the London Fog (1927) was Alfred Hitchcock’s first major commercial and critical success. Based on a story by Marie Belloc Lowndes, the film is a masterpiece of atmospheric thriller filmmaking. It contains many of Hitchcock’s subsequent trademark themes, and also features his first recognisable film cameo. This screening will be accompanied by a new live score from Minima.

For more on mac cinema screenings past present and future, click the link below!

– While We’re Young: http://macbirmingham.co.uk/event/while-were-young/

– The invisible life: http://macbirmingham.co.uk/event/the-invisible-life/

– NT Live: Man & Superman: http://macbirmingham.co.uk/event/nt-live-man-and-superman/

– Far from the Maddening Crowd: http://macbirmingham.co.uk/event/far-from-the-madding-crowd-1/

– X & Y: http://macbirmingham.co.uk/event/x-y/

– Queer Traces: Paris is Burning: http://macbirmingham.co.uk/whats-on/cinema/

– The Lodger (With live score from Minima): http://macbirmingham.co.uk/event/the-lodger-with-live-score-by-minima/

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Theatre: This week in mac’s Theatre offerings include an exciting offering from (h) experiment: ‘Slot Together’ The same 8’ x 6’ stage, the same 12 props, 8 newly commissioned shows, each 20 minutes long, playing by the same rules. We have been promised: Hamlet’s Gravediggers in the Ebola Zone; a DIY Gone With The Wind tribute; clever tricks with time; visual play with objects; a comic lesson in Croatian; comic tools for thinking and the tale of Satish Kumar’s extraordinary walk for peace in 1961. Part two is this Saturday, don’t miss out!

Also this week Cardboard Citizends presents: ‘Benefit’. Three interwoven stories unlock the frustrations and passions of characters struggling with their bank balances, their histories and their own sense of self. A coup in a foreign country half a century ago, a disability leaves a person isolated, and a sex addiction that’s destroying a relationship link three characters in a carefully crafted story about lives and loves and the social systems they have come to depend upon.

For more on mac’s Theatre offerings, check the links below!

– (h) experiment: Slot Together: http://macbirmingham.co.uk/event/hexperiment-slot-together/

– Cardboard Citizens: Benefit: http://macbirmingham.co.uk/event/cardboard-citizens-benefit/

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Exhibitions: This week, mac are hosting two exciting Exhibitions! Firstly is work from Trevor Appleson: ‘Birmingham’. Appleson’s classic portrait photographs of carefully selected demographic groups made in his makeshift portable studio are now well known. In towns and settlements from Cape Town to Mexico City to Kibbutz Hatzerim in Israel, Appleson sets up on beaches, street corners, and other public spaces, enabling a captivating representation of place.

Also this week ‘Wish You Were Here’ Selected from Jeremy Cooper’s major artists’ postcards collection, Wish you were here? presents works by some of today’s most famous artists. Featuring over 200 artists including Carl Andre, Joseph Beuys, Ruth Claxton, Julie Cockburn, Gilbert & George, Richard Long, Yoko Ono, Ruth Proctor, Dieter Roth, amongst many others, this is a unique opportunity to see works from the collection, some for the first time, before its donation to the British Museum Prints and Drawings Department in 2018.

Fore more on mac’s exciting Exhibitions check out the links below!

– Trevor Appleson: Birmingham: http://macbirmingham.co.uk/exhibition/birmingham/

– Wish You Were Here: http://macbirmingham.co.uk/exhibition/wish-you-were-here/

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Music: The Music offerings at mac this week include an exciting showing from (h) experiment: ‘Sparks may Fly’. Two world class musicians come together for a day of music making and the result of their collaboration will be performed for an intimate audience that evening. There are just a few simple rules: each pair of musicians should have some common ground, they should never have played together before (at least not in public) and they should be natural improvisers, happy to collaborate and embrace risk.

Also this week at mac ‘Brebach’ Ever since launching their career as winners of an Open Stage Award at Celtic Connections 2005, Breabach’s star has been steeply on the rise, an ascent that continues with the release of their fourth album, Ùrlar. They are often described as the new faces of Scottish Traditional music. Their career has already seen them voted ‘Best Group’ at the Scots Trad Music Awards and nominated for BBC Radio 2 Folk and German Folk Awards.

For more information on music at mac, check the links below!

– (h) experiment: Sparks may fly: http://macbirmingham.co.uk/event/sparks-may-fly/

– Breabach: http://macbirmingham.co.uk/event/breabach/

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Comedy: The Comedy offerings at mac this week include (h) experiment: ‘Quizshowreoke’. Are you feeling lucky? Can you sing in tune…or blag it with enthusiasm? Are you good at board games and puzzles under pressure? Quizshowreoke is an interactive game show from Team Party Unicorn. The Hexagon Theatre is turned into one big board game and contestants from the audience will get the chance to win prizes with their wits or sing in a battle to the death in a no expense (as in very low budget) musical finale!

Fore more on this, and other comedy shows at mac, click the links below!

– (h) experiment: Quizshowreoke: http://macbirmingham.co.uk/event/quizshowreoke/

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Talks: This week mac are hosting some really exciting talks, including: Cannon Hill Art School Lecture: ‘Art School & Education’.Led by Peter Jenkinson OBE, Chancellor of Cannon Hill Art School, who will consider the contemporary role and value of art in education.

Cannon Hill Art School are also presenting: ‘Artist Study Day’. Led by practising artists who will introduce their work and their process of making, the Study Day will also explore ways of exhibiting and engaging audiences. Drop in sessions will run from 10.30am to 3.30pm.

Finally, mac are also showing ‘In The Space with Nikki Tanner’. Hosted by local BBC radio presenter, Nikki Tapper. An evening of live music, conversation accompanied by dance and poetry in front of a live audience. Come willing to participate, laugh and be blessed! Live music, live chat, life stories.

For more on these talks, and up and coming talks held at mac, see the links below!

– Cannon Hill Art School Lecture: Art School & Education: http://macbirmingham.co.uk/event/cannon-hill-art-school-lecture-art-schools-art-education/

– Cannon Hill Art School: Artist Study Day: http://macbirmingham.co.uk/event/cannon-hill-art-school-artist-study-day/

– In The Space With Nikki Tapper: http://macbirmingham.co.uk/event/in-the-space-with-nikki-tapper/

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Well, that’s your weekly W.O.A.M fix this week people (Is W.O.A.M catching on? I hope so!) come back this time next week for yet another look at what your favourite arts centre are offering you!

ciao for now folks

Andy and Amelia

#workplacement

Cinema Review: A Little Chaos

Alan Rickman’s ‘A Little Chaos’ was a wonder to watch. With an intriguing story, characters you could connect with and that you felt for, shot in beautiful scenic landscape and flowers that would make anyones fingers green, it was a fantastic film and all should see it! The interwoven relationships within court and the pomp and circumstance that Rickman conveys throughout the film gives an insight into France during the rein of King Louis XIV and the competition of two landscape gardeners (one of great merit and one of known) in the completion of the gardens of Versailles and how this competition creates an attraction between the two but each have secrets they are not willing to share.

The mac cinema is a comfortable, cosy space with raked seats which helps if you are on the short side. The cosiness of the cinema adds a more intimate feeling and it enhances your enjoyment of the film. The cinema has a variety of films that it shows which is different from other cinemas as you get more a eclectic viewing choice over the programme whereas at other cinemas it is usually just the brand new films and they charge you a bomb to go and sit it in a gigantic, freezing cold room.

Its a great film all should watch it!

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First Bite Festival

On Saturday 2nd May, the First Bite Festival returned to mac. The First Bite Festival is a festival produced by theatre company China Plate, commissioned by mac Birmingham and Warwick Arts Centre and supported by greenhouse and In Good Company.

The First Bite Festival is a showcase of ten of the most exciting new companies from across the Midlands and they show works in progress, finished pieces or scratches of work they are creating. Two of those companies that have performed in First Bite get the chance to perform in Bite Size which is being commissioned at Warwick Arts Centre. Bite Size is like First Bite but it is a national showcase/ festival which anyone can enter.

China Plate is an independent theatre studio that works with artists, venues, festivals and funders to make original, exciting theatre that plays with form and has narrative at its heart. The reason they started First Bite was for a chance to see the new work being created but also to try and create a network across the Midlands to encourage collaboration between venues and companies.

In Good Company is the professional development programme for artists making work in the East Midlands, led by Creative Producer Ruby Glaskin. Funded by Arts Council England, it launched in July 2014 and is delivered by Derby Theatre, Create Theatre in Mansfield and Attenborough Arts Centre in Leicester.

The companies that performed at First Bite are:
-Cloud Cuckoo Land
-Rachael Young
-Humanish
-Barrel Organ
-Almost Human
-Lucy J Skilbeck
-Stephanie Ridings
-Spiltmilk Dance
-Tina Hoffman
– Also during the day there were three performances of a work by Michael Pinchbeck.

Each company had a slot of around 20 minutes to show what they had been working on. There was a mixture of children’s theatre, solo performance art, spoken word, physical theatre/ puppetry and dance. All of the pieces, whether they were scratches or almost finished were interesting and exciting pieces of theatre and showed that the Midlands is a truly gifted place full of truly gifted theatre makers.

Bite Size will be happening in the near future at Warwick Arts Centre, dates are yet to tbc so keep a look out!!

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Whats on at mac w/c: 04/05/15

Good Morning/Afternoon/Evening everyone, its time for another look at what’s on at mac! This week we have a wide variety of Cinema Screenings, Theatre performances, Exhibitions, Music Performances and Comedy Shows all happening at mac, below are links to all of these wonderful events.

Browse responsibly everyone

Best wishes

Andy and Amelia

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Cinema: This week in the Cinema, fans of foreign films can enjoy ‘Exit’ Directed by Hsiang Chienn, Exit tells the story of Ling, 45, finds her mundane life crushed by the sudden diagnosis of early onset menopause. Overwhelmed by loneliness, her absent husband and rebellious daughter offer no comfort. During a routine visit to her hospitalised mother-in-law, she becomes captivated by a male patient with bandaged eyes in excruciating pain. This wordless stranger lights a spark in Ling and their increasingly intimate interactions promise to rekindle her dormant desire.

Also this week the cinema is showing ‘While We’re Young’. Acclaimed indie auteur Noah Baumbach (The Squid and the Whale, Frances Ha) has created another witty and exploratory comedy-drama with While We’re Young, here reuniting with his Greenberg star Ben Stiller, who plays documentary filmmaker Josh, married to Naomi Watts’ Cornelia. They’re a somewhat neurotic couple considering their future – while most of their friends have had children, they’re still unsure, becoming ever more aware that their lives are fleeting and their remaining choices, limiting – when they meet carefree Jamie (Adam Driver) and Darby (Amanda Seyfried), a pair of bohemian, louche 20-somethings whose hipster cool they find endlessly appealing. But is their friendship the real deal or are Josh and Cornelia just trying to avoid grappling with the actualities of middle-age?

For cinema go’ers looking to get their Documentary fix, mac cinema is showing ‘Alf Engers aka ‘The King” +Q&A. Determined, mercurial, controversial and above all, brilliant, Engers’ domination of short-distance racing in the 1970’s was unprecedented. He won five straight national 25 championships, and held competition record throughout the decade. But his ambition reached even higher: he wanted to achieve something unique, and he spent ten years of his life chasing the dream of the 30mph time-trial, a dream that became reality in 1978. To achieve this he had to battle on several fronts, not just the battles of speed and pain, which all great athletes share, but the battle with authority; for Engers was a rebel in quiet waters of time-trialling, a man whom the authorities seemed determined to thwart and cut down to size.

This cinema age, brings you a production from the stage! (Yes that was appalling, sorry!) ‘Hamlet’ from the Royal Exchange Manchester is the next cinema offering! From its sell-out run at Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre comes this unique and critically acclaimed production of Shakespeare’s tragic Hamlet. In this stripped-back, fresh and fast-paced version, BAFTA nominee Maxine Peake creates a Hamlet for now, giving a performance hailed as “delicately ferocious” by The Guardian and “a milestone Hamlet” by the Manchester Evening News.

Another Foreign language film fix is the next offering of the UK Green Film Festival: ‘Good Things Await’. Niels Stokholm is one of the most idealistic farmers in Denmark. He runs the biodynamic farm with his wife, Rita, and from their farm, Thorshøjgaard, they distribute products to some of the best restaurants in the world.But not everyone is equally fond of Thorshøjgaard and their holistic methods. Authorities and bureaucracy threaten to close down the farm.

And finally this week mac are showing ‘Dark Horse’ The Incredible True Story of Dream Alliance is an inspirational true story set in the village of Cefn Fforest in one of the poorest mining valleys in Wales. When Jan Vokes, the barmaid at a local working men’s club, overhears a regular talking about the time he owned a share of a racehorse, she decides to breed a racehorse of her own and goes into business with the regular and her husband.

For more information on any and all of these films, just click the links below!

– Exit: http://macbirmingham.co.uk/event/exit/

– While were Young: http://macbirmingham.co.uk/event/while-were-young/

– Alf Engers aka ‘The King’ +Q&A: http://macbirmingham.co.uk/event/alf-engers-aka-the-king-q-a/

– Hamlet from the Royal Exchange Manchester (Encore): http://macbirmingham.co.uk/event/hamlet-from-the-royal-exchange-manchester-encore/

– UK Green Festival: Good Things Await: http://macbirmingham.co.uk/event/uk-green-film-festival-good-things-await/

– Dark Horse: http://macbirmingham.co.uk/event/dark-horse/

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Theatre: This week in mac’s Theatre offerings include ‘(h) experiment: Slot Together (part 1)’ .The same 8’ x 6’ stage, the same 12 props, 8 newly commissioned shows, each 20 minutes long, playing by the same rules.We have been promised: Hamlet’s Gravediggers in the Ebola Zone; a DIY Gone With The Wind tribute; clever tricks with time; visual play with objects; a comic lesson in Croatian; comic tools for thinking and the tale of Satish Kumar’s extraordinary walk for peace in 1961. Come to part 2 on the 16th of May

For more on this show and more, please check the link below!

– (h) experiment: Slot Together: http://macbirmingham.co.uk/event/hexperiment-slot-together/

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Exhibitions: This week, mac are hosting two brilliant exhibitions! ‘Made at mac presents textiles’ are showcasing the work ‘From Paper to Fabric’ course run at mac. To demonstrate the process of creating, and to share the experiences of those participating, our made at mac series exhibits course participants’ work. Our aim is to communicate the richness and quality of both the learning experience and the content produced on site at mac.

Also showing until this Saturday is ‘Wish you were here?’ Selected from Jeremy Cooper’s major artists’ postcards collection, Wish you were here? presents works by some of today’s most famous artists. Featuring over 200 artists including Carl Andre, Joseph Beuys, Ruth Claxton, Julie Cockburn, Gilbert & George, Richard Long, Yoko Ono, Ruth Proctor, Dieter Roth, amongst many others, this is a unique opportunity to see works from the collection, some for the first time, before its donation to the British Museum Prints and Drawings Department in 2018.

For more on the exciting Exhibitions held at mac, please click the links below!

– Made at mac: Textiles: http://macbirmingham.co.uk/exhibition/made-at-mac-textiles/

– Wish You Were Here: http://macbirmingham.co.uk/exhibition/wish-you-were-here/

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Music: This weeks music offerings include ‘Atlan’ After nearly 35 years together—the longest running lineup of founding members in Irish music—the members of Altan were ready to flex their musical boundaries when they began work on their newest album, The Widening Gyre. With a new band member, Martin Tourish on accordion, and the help of many good friends in the studio, Altan’s new album fuses the traditional Irish music that they are known for, namely Donegal fiddling and Gaelic singing traditions, with American roots music, particularly that of the Appalachian bluegrass fiddle.

Also on show is another offering from (h) experiment ‘Sparks May Fly’ .Two world class musicians come together for a day of music making and the result of their collaboration will be performed for an intimate audience that evening. There are just a few simple rules: each pair of musicians should have some common ground, they should never have played together before (at least not in public) and they should be natural improvisers, happy to collaborate and embrace risk. We’re not expecting polished performances, but an informal insight into their creative process; a continuation of the musical conversation the two musicians will have been having throughout the day.

Last but not least, ‘Merrymouth’. Merrymouth are a three piece folk-orientated band featuring Ocean Colour Scene songwriter and vocalist Simon Fowler (guitar/vocals), Dan Sealey (guitar/vocals) & Adam Barry (piano/organ/vocals).

For more on mac’s music performances click the links below

– Atlan: http://macbirmingham.co.uk/event/altan/

– (h) experiment: Sparks may Fly: http://macbirmingham.co.uk/event/sparks-may-fly/

– Merrymouth (Acoustic): http://macbirmingham.co.uk/event/merrymouth/

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Comedy: By way of Comedy shows, there are some real gems on offer at mac this week! Including yet another offering from (h) experiment: ‘Pandemic Live!’ Can you help us save the world? The Hexagon is in lock down as award winning comedians James Cook and Paul Savage invite three guests and an audience to help cure four virulent diseases and save humanity from a global pandemic in our make shift CDC. Based on the popular Z-man board game.

Also this week for Comedy fans (and lets face it, who isn’t?) Women and Theatre present ‘A Celebration of Comedy’. Since July 2014 Women & Theatre have run 6 comedy courses with different groups. Working with bereaved adults and young people, young carers and older adults, each course has created a new set of stand-up comedians.This event is a celebration of the project, with participants from all 6 courses showcasing their comedy material alongside compere Mrs Barbara Nice.

For additional information on the comedy shows at mac this week, please click on the link below

– (h) experiment: Pandemic live!: http://macbirmingham.co.uk/event/hexperiment-pandemic-live/

– A Celebration of Comedy: http://macbirmingham.co.uk/event/a-celebration-of-comedy/

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Well there we have it ladies and gentlemen, the end of your ‘Whats on at mac’ (WOAM) fix for the week commencing the 4th of May, but don’t be sad, come back next week for yet another update! And for all your updates on the greatest arts centre in the West midlands, stay in touch, with bsaatmac

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Trevor Appleson Exhibition: Birmingham – Sat 2 May – Sun 5 July at mac birmingham

Tomorrow at mac Birmingham, Trevor Appleson’s ‘Birmingham’ exhibition begins in the first floor gallery and admission is free so you have no excuse not to go and see it!

Trevor Appleson is well know for his classic portrait photographs made in a makeshift portable studio, his approach of taking photographs of people on the street, in their hometowns around the world allows for a bewitching representation of a certain place through its resident.

Appleson uses a particular style of dropping a black backdrop behind the subject, only using the sun as his source of light allows for a natural openness of the photographs, which as a viewer invites you into his work.
For this project Appleson photographed over 500 people in outside spaces all over Birmingham.

Alongside the conventional portraits, their are seven large-scale assemblages reflecting upon self-representation in the digital age. Each has three components, a selfie/ snapshot, an object or collection of objects that represents the subject and a still life photograph.

Appleson’s ‘Birmingham’ provides a representation of youth culture and style in Birmingham. It offers the view through the photographers lens and from outside in the personal archives of the young people portrayed. It also approaches the question of how social media and youth culture have become a way of archiving this generations lives digitally.

So if you are free from Sat 2 May until Sun 5 Jul (which I’m sure you will be at least once) then take a look at Trevor Appleson’s ‘Birmingham’. Link here for more information: http://macbirmingham.co.uk/exhibition/birmingham/

See ya!

#workplacement

Rachael Young: BBC Performing Arts Fellow

Rachael Young is a performer and writing based out of Nottingham.
She makes socially-engaged installations, live performances and sound works. She is currently the BBC Performing Arts Fellow at mac Birmingham and will be participating the First Bite Festival at mac on Saturday 2nd of May performing a piece that is still in development ‘I, Myself and Me. She has shown work at Curve Leicester, The Yard London and Contact Manchester.

The First Bite Festival is a chance for the most exciting theatre makers across the Midlands at the moment to showcase new ideas and new writing they have been creating. Ten regional companies will show works in progress, new material and look for feedback on these new pieces. Two of the pieces will be commissioned by the company China Plate, mac Birmingham and Warwick Arts Centre and are guaranteed slots at the Bite Size Festival at Warwick Arts Centre in November. As well as that, their will be opportunities to talk to the theatre makers and industry figures about  working in the industry of theatre and theatre making.

Rachael Young who is performing in session one at the first bite festival will be showing a re work of her ‘I, Myself and Me’.
‘I, Myself and Me’ is a piece about what happens when we stop being what society expects and we become the other.

Rachael’s work is playful, fun, experimental and often autobiographical, which makes her (In my opinion) one to watch as she creates innovative pieces that will have you laughing, crying and make you think about your own self.

If you want to know more about Rachael Young this is a link to her website: http://www.rachaelyoung.net/
Also this is the link to the First Bite Festival at mac on Saturday if you are interested in Rachael’s work: http://macbirmingham.co.uk/event/first-bite-festival/

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