APRIL 08 (April 4 - May 29)

Now until Saturday September 27 The RSC performs THE MERCHANT OF VENICE at Stratford's Courtyard Theatre.

Sunday April 6 The Palace Theatre hosts AN EVENING WITH BLOWERS.

The RAF MASSED VOLUNTARY BANDS play a 90th anniversary concert at Symphony Hall.

Monday April 7 - Saturday April 12 Anita Dobson stars in HELLO DOLLY at the Festival Theatre.

The Rose Theatre presents Arthur Miller's THE CRUCIBLE.

Tuesday April 8 - Saturday April 12 All & Sundry presents crime drama CAT'S CRADLE at Artrix.

Wednesday April 9 The UKULELE ORCHESTRA OF BREAT BRITAIN play the Forum Theatre.

Thursday April 10 - Sunday April 13 The NEC hosts the NATIONAL HOMEBUILDING & RENOVATING SHOW.

Friday April 11 - Sunday April 13 The Hippodrome presents THE HARDER THEY COME, based on the iconic film.

Friday April 11 - Saturday April 26 Josie Lawrence stars in Tom Stoppard's spy thriller HAPGOOD at the Rep.

Saturday April 12 Symphony Hall presents ARABIAN NIGHTS, with music by Rimsky-Korsakov and Ravel.

The TREVOR EMENY QUARTET performs swinging jazz at the Norbury.

Monday April 14 - Thursday April 17 The Grand Theatre presents HORRIBLE HISTORIES live on stage.

Monday April 14 - Saturday April 19 Broadway musical THE WEDDING SINGER comes to the Hippodrome.

Nigel Havers stars in Alan Bennett's SINGLE SPIES at the Festival Theatre.

Wednesday April 16 - Saturday April 19 STATIC - a story of love, loss and compilation tapes - comes to the Rep.

Friday April 18 Huntingdon Hall presents tribute band T-REXTASY.

Saturday April 19 Artrix presents charity concert BLUES BROTHERS RELOADED.

The Forum Theatre hosts a tribute to BENNY GOODMAN Symphony Hall hosts the CANOLDIR MALE CHOIR ANNUAL CONCERT with the Sirenian Singers (World Choir of the Year 1998) and National Children's Choir of Great Britain.

Sunday April 20 Tony Christie and Bobby Crush appear in the ALL STAR VARIETY SHOW at the Grand Theatre.

Monday April 21 - Saturday April 26 Simon MacCorkindale stars in SLEUTH at the Festival Theatre.

The Hippodrome welcomes FRENCH & SAUNDERS LIVE 2008.

Tuesday April 22 GEORGIE FAME performs at Huntingdon Hall.

Tuesday April 22 - Friday April 25 An evening of nostalgia in OLD TIME MUSIC HALL at the Rose Theatre.

Tuesday April 22 - Saturday April 26 Studley Operatic Society performs KISS ME KATE at the Palace Theatre.

Wednesday April 23 The Grand Theatre presents THE BIG BALLET, with Russian dancers all weighing 17 stone or more.

Huntingdon Hall hosts a ST GEORGE'S DAY CELEBRATION.

Thursday April 24 - Saturday May 17 The Rep presents black comedy HOW TO TELL THE MONSTERS FROM THE MISFITS.

Thursday April 24 - Thursday September 25 The RSC performs THE TAMING OF THE SHREW at the Courtyard Theatre.

Symphony Hall screens THE BLUE PLANET LIVE, with scenes from the TV series accompanied by music.

Friday April 25 The Alexandra Theatre presents ONE NIGHT OF ELVIS.

BILLY BRAGG & SPECIAL GUESTS perform at Town Hall.

Saturday April 26 The DUTCH SWING COLLEGE BAND perform at the Forum Theatre.

The CHUCKLE BROTHERS star in an Indiana Jones-style adventure at the Alexandra Theatre.

The Norbury presents GEORGE MICHAEL', as seen on Stars in Their Eyes.

Monday April 28 Artrix welcomes ever-popular comedienne JO BRAND.

Tuesday April 29 West Bromwich Operatic Society perform SHOW BOAT at the Grand Theatre.

Wednesday April 30 The Alexandra Theatre presents PAM ANN: TERROR AT 41,000 FEET.

Wednesday April 30 - Friday May 2 The Rose Theatre presents HOT STUFF!, a collection of short plays.

Thursday May 1 Canadian folk group TANGLEFOOT perform at Huntingdon Hall.

Thursday May 1 - Saturday May 3 The Hippodrome presents Cuban dance spectacular HAVANA RAKATAN.

Friday May 2 MATCHBOX TWENTY play the NIA.

The Alexandra Theatre presents MADAMA BUTTERFLY.

Wildlife expert CHRIS PACKHAM appears at Huntingdon Hall.

Friday May 2 - Sunday May 4 West End smash SINATRA comes to Symphony Hall.

Saturday May 3 Verdi's LA TRAVIATA comes to the Alexandra Theatre.

Monday May 5 - Saturday May 10 Willy Russell's BLOOD BROTHERS comes to the Festival Theatre.

Tuesday May 6 Worcester's Swan Theatre presents JOE BROWN - 50th ANNIVERSARY TOUR!

Tuesday May 6 - Saturday May 10 A stage adaptation of Jacqueline Wilson's SECRETS at the Grand Theatre.

Tuesday May 6 - Saturday May 17 Tommy Steele stars in DOCTOR DOLITTLE at the Hippodrome.

Wednesday May 7 Katherine Jenkins and Darcey Bussell star in VIVA LA DIVA at the NIA.

Wednesday May 7 - Saturday May 10 The Rep presents TESTING THE ECHO, a play about becoming British.

Thursday May 8 THE COUNTERFEIT STONES perform at Worcester's Swan Theatre.

Friday May 9 - Thursday November 13 The RSC performs A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM at the Courtyard Theatre.

Saturday May 10 Four local rock n' roll heroes return to Town Hall with BRUM ROCKS LIVE.

Sunday May 11 Easy listening legend JACK JONES brings his Big Band 50th Anniversary Tour to Symphony Hall.

Monday May 12 - Saturday May 17 Simon Callow stars in EQUUS at the Festival Theatre.

Four friends glam up for Ascot in LADIES DAY at the Rose Theatre.

Tuesday May 13 - Wednesday May 14 Nine dancers from different cultures perform BAHOK at the Rep.

Family entertainment in AESOP'S FABLES at the Swan, Worcester.

Thursday May 15 The Russian State Symphony Orchestra performs RACHMANINOV'S SECOND SYMPHONY at Symphony Hall.

The BLUES BAND perform at Huntingdon Hall.

Friday May 16 MARK KNOPFLER plays the NEC Arena.

Worcester's Swan Theatre presents THE MOTOWN SHOW.

Monday May 19 - Saturday May 24 The Russian State Opera of Siberia bring MADAM BUTTERFLY and LA BOHEME to the Festival Theatre.

Wednesday May 21 - Saturday May 24 The Rep presents ZAMEEN, a moving tale of nature and globalisation.

The Kirov Ballet performs JEWELS, a GALA PROGRAMME and DON QUIXOTE at the Hippodrome (selected dates).

Wednesday May 21 - Saturday May 24 Lisa Riley stars in pole-dancing comedy THE NAKED TRUTH at the Swan Theatre, Worcester.

Thursday May 22 GORDON GILTRAP performs at the Rose Theatre.

Friday May 23 BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB perform at Symphony Hall.

Saturday May 24 Stand-up comic MICHAEL MCINTYRE appears at Artrix.

Sunday May 25 THE ZOMBIES & THE YARDBIRDS in concert at Symphony Hall.

Monday May 26 THE OSMONDS reunion tour calls into the NEC.

Monday May 26 - Saturday June 7 The Hippodrome presents DISNEY'S HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL.

Tuesday May 27 - Wednesday May 28 LENNY HENRY previews brand new material at Worcester's Swan Theatre.

Wednesday May 28 FAIRPORT ACOUSTIC CONVENTION play at Huntingdon Hall.

Thursday May 29 - Saturday June 21 OUR HOUSE, based on the music of Madness, comes to the Rep.

Thursday May 29 - Saturday May 31 A host of 70s hits in DANCING QUEEN at the Grand Theatre.

Friday May 30 Led Zep tribute act WHOLE LOTTA LED perform at Artrix.

Saturday June 7 UB40 frontman ALI CAMPBELL brings his solo tour to the NIA Academy.

Tuesday June 10 - Wednesday June 11 The NIA welcomes NEIL DIAMOND.

Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham: 0870 607 7533

Artrix, Bromsgrove: 01527 577330

Birmingham Hippodrome: 0870 730 1234

Birmingham Rep: 0121 236 4455

Birmingham Town Hall: 0121 780 3333

Festival & Forum Theatres, Malvern: 01684 892277

Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton: 01902 429212

Huntingdon Hall, Worcester: 01905 611427

NEC/NIA, Birmingham: 0871 945 6000

Norbury Theatre, Droitwich: 01905 770154

Palace Theatre, Redditch: 01527 65203

Rose Theatre, Kidderminster: 01562 743745

Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC): 0844 800 1110

Swan Theatre, Worcester: 01905 611427

Symphony Hall, Birmingham: 0121 780 3333

12:07pm Thursday 10th April 2008

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