Motown legends The Four Tops and The Temptations have announced a UK arena tour in November 2018, including a night at Arena Birmingham.  They will be joined by special guests, yet to be announced.

These two bands are true icons and epitomise the Motown sound that shook the world in the 60s and continues to delight audiences, old and new.

The Four Tops have a vast catalogue of hits, with 27 UK top 40 singles, which include I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch) and the 1966 number one Reach Out (I’ll Be There). The line-up for the tour includes original member Duke Fakir plus Ronnie McNeir, Lawrence Payton and Harold ‘Spike’ Bonhart.

The Temptations were the first Motown band to win a Grammy Award – and have won three in total. In 2013, they were honoured with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award: a deserved tribute to a band that helped shape Soul and R&B music as we know it. Amongst their classics are My Girl and Papa Was a Rolling Stone. The line-up is founder member, Otis Williams, Ron Tyson, Terry Weeks, Larry Braggs and Willie Greene Jr.

“These songs are the soundtrack to our lives – we love performing them as much as ever, especially to the UK audiences” – says The Temptations’ Otis Williams –Duke Fakir agrees “We love coming to the UK –this is our favourite tour and we love the people of the UK … and they treat us like royalty. They love the music which makes it wonderful to perform on stage every night”

The Four Tops and The Temptations

Kevin Hart announced he is expanding his widely successful and massively hysterical ‘The Kevin Hart Irresponsible Tour,’ adding over 100 new dates including one at Arena Birmingham.

Hart’s last multi-city domestic and international WHAT NOW comedy tour sold out large venues all over the world, including being the first comedian to sell out an NFL stadium, selling over 50,000 tickets in one show at Lincoln Financial Field.  Internationally, he sold out over a dozen arenas in the European market, selling over 150,000 tickets, and sold out arenas across Australia, selling 100,000 tickets. Hart’s hit comedy tour grossed over $100 million worldwide.

2017 was a banner year for Hart, his memoir I Can’t Make This Up: Life Lessons debuted at Number One on the New York Times Bestseller list and remained on the list for ten consecutive weeks.  The book also topped records on the Audible platform, selling over 100,000 copies in the first five weeks. Earlier in the year Hart voiced a title character in Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie.  To close 2017, Kevin appeared in the Sony reboot of the classic film Jumanji alongside Dwayne Johnson and Jack Black.  Jumanji has been Kevin’s highest grossing box office release to date, the movie has made over $800 million worldwide.

Hart’s newest business venture is his digital platform the LOL NETWORK - Laugh Out Loud, the comedy brand and multi-platform network founded by Hart in partnership global content leader Lionsgate. Hart’s next feature film is Night School for Universal, a film in which he co-wrote, produces and stars in - all under the Hartbeat production banner.  The comedy follows a group of misfits who are forced to attend adult classes in the longshot chance they’ll pass the GED exam.

The eagerly anticipated 5th anniversary edition of the Singapore International Jazz Festival (SING JAZZ) 2018 returns to the iconic Marina Bay Sands from 6 to 8 April, and is all set to excite over 20,000 fans with a distinctively curated musical line-up. The three-night musical extravaganza spans across multiple stages around the integrated resort to feature Jazz and all its affiliated genres, including Soul, Blues, Latin, Funk, R&B, Hip-Hop, World Music and Electro Swing.

The Main Stage and The Late Show combine with an impressive 30-hours of live music by 12 mega-acts across the entire weekend. On Friday 6 April, Electro Swing sensations, Parov Stelar will headline the sunset sessions on The Main Stage by the waterfront at Marina Bay Sands Event Plaza, introducing a massive weekend of music.

'Super Saturday' features a stunning programme comprising five-time Grammy Award-winning soul singer Lalah Hathaway, and jazz-pop genius Jamie Cullum on The Main Stage, with legendary hip-hop and soul artist Ms. Lauryn Hill headlining The Late Show.

Performing in Singapore for the very first time, Ms. Hill's show will be one of the most highly anticipated performances of the year, fittingly as her monumental album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, hailed as "one of the most incredible albums ever made", marks its 20th anniversary in 2018.

Setting the scene for party-goers, the electric atmosphere of The Late Show indoors at Sands Expo and Convention Centre will be designed as an intimate concert arena (complete with VIP tables), taking the late-night experience till 4am on both Friday 6 and Saturday 7 April.

A record 600 media and PR industry representatives attended TravMedia's second annual International Media Marketplace (IMM) USA, on Thursday, January 25, 2018, breaking new attendance levels for the global event program, now in its sixth year.

IMM USA connected 300 North American media with 285 PR representatives of 204 international travel brands in the impressive all-glass River Pavilion, a 45,000 square feet space on the top floor of the Jacob K. Javits Center. Collectively they participated in 9,628 pre-scheduled, one-on-one appointments – plus 4.5 hours of open networking which took place across multiple catered events.

Headline Sponsor Tourism Australia showcased ten destinations, products and experiences in the 'Australia Pavilion', with a coffee cart activation in the adjacent Media Lounge by Bluestone Lane, New York, who originally hail from Melbourne. Media enjoyed more than 700 of Australia's signature flat white coffees throughout the daylong program.

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) continued their support of the IMM program with 21 CLIA Members joining a dedicated 'Cruise Capsule' within the event. More than 550 guests at the sit-down lunch enjoyed an address by Arnold Donald, CLIA Global Chairman and President and CEO, Carnival Corporation & plc, where topline results were exclusively revealed from the '2018 Cruise Travel Report: Annual Study of Attitudes, Behaviors and Travel Preferences'.

Tourism Australia also hosted the official cocktail reception for media and VIPs, timed to coincide with Australia Day celebrations. Guests were treated to wines by Ultimate Winery Experiences Australia, gourmet pies and sausage rolls, and Australian ice-cream by Oddfellows including 'Tim Tam Slam', 'Lamington' and 'Hokey Pokey'. At the reception, Tourism Australia's managing director John O'Sullivan spoke on 'Discover Aboriginal Experiences' a new collective in their Signature Experiences program.

Nick Wayland, CEO and Founder of TravMedia said, "The tremendous success of our second annual IMM USA 2018 event would not have been possible without the record media and industry in attendance, and the incredible support of Headline Sponsor, Tourism Australia, as well as major exhibiting partner Cruise Lines International Association, who chose IMM to exclusively release their 2018 Cruise Travel Report with Global Chairman, Arnold Donald.”

Birmingham’s famed Glee Club is opening its doors for a special family show on Sunday 18 February 2018, complete with sweet treat mocktails.

The family-friendly afternoon performance, suitable for ages 7+, promises three leading acts including Britain’s Got Talent sensation Jonny Awsum and CBBC’s Howard Read.

Jonny Awsum hit the headlines after earning a standing ovation and reaching the semi-finals of ITV's Britain's Got Talent 2017, roping in presenters Ant and Dec during his appearances. An acclaimed feel-good musical comedian, he's played at major music festivals and sold out London theatres with his "show for kids of all ages, from 5 to 105!"

Combining animation, stand-up and song, Howard Read is one of the UK's leading family entertainers. His countless TV credits include CBBC, Sesame Street, Disney, Cartoon Network and more, with such shows as Danger Mouse, Horrible Histories and (of course) Little Howard’s Big Question.

Completing the line-up is comedian, podcaster and writer Laura Lexx, who’s toured with the likes of Russell Kane and Jason Manford. A rising star, she won Best MC in the 2017 Comic’s Comic Awards and was nominated as Best Compere in the 2016 and 2017 Chortle Comedy Awards.

Food is also available with a Sunday lunch themed bap (for adults, including a veggie option) and popcorn chicken with cheesy beans and salsa dip, or grilled mac' cheese veggie hot dog, for the younger audience members.

Meanwhile, the bar will be serving a selection of child-friendly Sweet Treat Mocktails, including Socks On The Beach (cranberry and orange juice with raspberry and apricot puree over crushed ice), and Dirty Smartie-ni (chocolate milkshake and crushed ice laced with coloured syrups and topped with whipped cream and Smarties).

Catch The Glee Family Show at The Glee Club, Hurst Street, Birmingham, on Sunday 18 February 2018. Doors open at 1pm.

 WWE LIVE is unique blend of sport and entertainment, combining in-ring match action with dramatic entertainment. Bursting with all the drama and energy of a rock concert, in a fun, lively and exciting environment, WWE Live in the ultimate in family entertainment! WWE Live returns to Birmingham on the 15 May 2018 at the Genting Arena

See your favourite WWE Superstars live in action including:  

Intercontinental Championship Match

Roman Reigns

vs

The Miz

***

Seth Rollins

***

Braun Strowman

***

Cesaro & Sheamus

***

Finn Balor

***

Alexa Bliss

***

Sasha Banks

***

Asuka

Line up subject to change

The Sleeping Beauty is one of the grandest ballets ever created, with a classical score by Tchaikovsky and original choreography by Marius Petipa. The opulent world of Imperial Russian ballet, with its marvellous mixture of virtuoso dance, fairy tale characters and dazzling spectacle, has delighted audiences for over a hundred years. Sir Peter Wright’s 1984 production for Birmingham Royal Ballet, with designs by Philip Prowse, is acclaimed as one of the best in the world.

Resplendent in a shimmering palette of blush pink and gold, the wardrobe of The Sleeping Beauty is the largest and most complex of any ballet in Birmingham Royal Ballet’s repertory. The expert costume and wig departments begin work as soon as the ballet is announced, preparing themselves for months of repairing and renovating original costumes, dressing wigs and ponytails, fitting new costumes on dancers and ensuring every fine detail will be ready for the opening night of The Sleeping Beauty.

The Sleeping Beauty wardrobe – facts and figures:

The Sleeping Beauty is Birmingham Royal Ballet’s biggest production in terms of costumes and wigs, and the only which requires an entire articulated lorry just for wardrobe.

There are 66 wigs, 31 ponytails and 1 beard in The Sleeping Beauty, all prepared and applied by a dedicated wig department.

There are 40 rails of costumes and 17 wicker skips in The Sleeping Beauty wardrobe – including 4 rails of Princess Aurora tutus alone.

The dancer playing Princess Aurora wears 3 tutus throughout the ballet. With 9 ballerinas cast in the lead role, each with their own complete set of costumes, the wardrobe team must prepare 27 Aurora tutus.

It takes approximately 1 week to make a tutu base, or skirt, and about 4 weeks to complete the entire process. There are usually three fittings with the dancer who will be wearing the tutu.

The court lady dresses weigh just over 1 stone each, and the dress for the evil fairy Carabosse weighs much more.

Many of the original costumes are still in use today, including Birmingham Royal Ballet Assistant Director Marion Tait’s own Princess Aurora tutu.

Throughout the run of The Sleeping Beauty, the costume staff can spend up to 3 hours each day repairing costumes.

The Sleeping Beauty produces so much laundry that the washing machines are in constant use throughout the show.

The wardrobe includes 8 baskets of shoes – some ballerinas will use 10 pairs of pointe shoes or more throughout the tour.

On Friday 19 January, for one night only, the acclaimed Royal Ballet Sinfonia returns to the Symphony Hall, Birmingham for their spectacular Evening of Music and Dance. Compered by David Bintley, led by Principal Conductor Paul Murphy and joined on stage by Birmingham Royal Ballet dancers, this annual event is an extraordinary evening of breath-taking music and stunning dance in one of the best concert halls in the world.

The programme includes a wide variety of music and dance, from well-loved classics to some hidden gems selected by the Royal Ballet Sinfonia conductors. Amongst others, this year's repertory will include danced excerpts from Don Quixote, La Fille mal gardée and The Sleeping Beauty, alongside Humperdinck's overture to Hansel and Gretel, Korngold's suite from the film The Adventures of Robin Hood and Elgar's beautiful miniature, Sospiri. The programme also includes a pas de deux from Christopher Wheeldon's After The Rain; a company premiere for Birmingham Royal Ballet.

This performance will be particularly special because, after an incredible 18 year career with Birmingham Royal Ballet, principal dancer Iain Mackay will give his final performance at the Evening of Music and Dance. One of Birmingham Royal Ballet’s most valued and versatile dancers, Iain’s ability to take on everything from classical princes to intense dramatic roles has seen him become a firm favourite with audiences at Birmingham Hippodrome and at the Company’s touring venues across the UK.

Birmingham Bach Choir’s annual Come And Sing! event offers singers an opportunity to rehearse with the one of the West Midlands’ leading choirs (10 Feb 2018, Selly Oak Methodist Church, B’ham).

Under the direction of celebrated conductor Paul Spicer, 2018’s Come And Sing! explores choruses from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s rousing and mournful Requiem (or to give it it’s full name, Requiem In D Minor).

Requiem was commissioned in 1791, the same year Mozart completed his famed opera, The Magic Flute, and the same year he died, at the age of just 35. Though the work wasn’t fully completed by the composer at the time of his death, incomplete parts were finished by his student Süssmayr and it’s now “one of the most famous choral works in the classical repertoire” (ClassicFM).

Established in 1919, Birmingham Bach Choir is one of the West Midlands’ oldest and most distinguished musical groups. Regularly performing at major concert venues their repertoire spans works from the great composers, to contemporary and modern pieces.

“Our annual Come And Sing! is one of the most popular events in our calendar,” says Birmingham Bach Choir Chair Sarah Platt. “It’s a chance for singers to really explore a familiar piece of music – in this case Mozart’s wonderful Requiem - led by one of the UK’s most respected choral leaders. It all makes for an inspiring and enjoyable afternoon.”

55 years ago in February 1963 The Beatles brought their Cavern Club show to King's Heath's old Ritz Ballroom next to the Hare and Hounds.  Now history will repeat itself when current resident band Made In Liverpool bring their Cavern Club show to the Hare & Hounds as part of King's Heath Walk Of Fame's unique day long celebration of this historic event.

The Ritz Ballroom was one of four venues run by Irish Couple Ma and Pa Regan in the 1960's. Originally scheduled to appear in January, The Beatles had been prevented by blizzard like conditions from getting to the Ritz Ballroom from another of the Regans' venues - the Plaza at Old Hill. When they did eventually make it on 15 February, they had just got to No. 1 in the charts with Please, Please Me and had to enter the rear of the venue from Milford Place by a ladder!

From 3 pm to 6 pm a great selection of local musicians will perform their favourite Beatles songs in a special pre- Valentine's Day All You Need Is Love session at Fletchers Bar. Expect songs in a range of musical styles from the jazz soul of Blue Silk, the folk rock of Mr Apollo, the Ukulele Theatre, Peters plays Lennon and the notorious Eggmen plus more fantastic local musicians still to be announced.

At 7 pm doors will then open at the award winning Hare and Hounds for the evening concert by the top tribute band Made In Liverpool to conclude Beatles Fest 2018.

Born and bred in Liverpool, the band perform at venues world-wide with recent performances being as far afield as Russia, USA, Australia, Switzerland, Europe and the Far East

Originally named The Fab Four they were the first Beatles tribute band to play the Cavern when it re-opened and are mentioned in music writer and Merseybeat historian Spencer Leigh’s book ‘The Cavern, The Most Famous Club in the World’. And they still continue to play at the Cavern on a regular basis.

Their performance as The Beatles has been described as unique, uncontrived, exciting and mind blowing!

All the members of the band are accomplished musicians and several have appeared in musical productions about The Beatles at the legendary Liverpool Everyman Theatre and throughout the UK.

The audience can expect to hear nearly two hours of The Beatles Greatest Hits.

A celebration concert in memory of one of Birmingham's greatest musicians, David Bowie’s drummer, and a series of concerts featuring some of the best contemporary female bandleaders are among the highlights of Jazzlines' city-wide Winter/ Spring 2018 programme.

The Andy Hamilton Centenary Celebration (25 Mar 2018, Town Hall, B'ham) celebrates the life of the legendary jazz musician Andy Hamilton MBE. Born in Jamaica on 26 March 1918, the tenor saxophonist formed his first band in 1928 before moving to the UK in 1949. Settling in Birmingham, he eventually became a major figure in the city's vibrant music scene. Much missed, Andy passed away in 2012, though his influence continues. Headlining the special concert is The Notebenders Big Band, formed by Andy in the local community of Ladywood, who'll perform alongside invited guests and past members.

Multi-award winning vocalist Zara McFarlane (7 Feb 2018, Hare and Hounds, Kings Heath, B'ham) explores British-Jamaican identity with her heady combination of jazz, reggae, calypso and more. Signed to Gilles Peterson's Brownswood Recordings, her recent album, Arise, was produced by drummer/ producer Moses Boyd (of Binker and Moses fame). A lyrically conscious songwriter, Zara has earned a string of awards including a MOBO, Urban Music Award and JazzFM Award, and was featured singer in the RSC's recent production of Anthony and Cleopatra, performing music written by Laura Mvula.

My Iris is the latest ensemble project from saxophonist, BASCA British Composer Award winner and former BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artist Trish Clowes. Well-known for her orchestral arrangements, My Iris sees Clowes explores smaller scale arrangements with equal confidence (25 Jan 2018, Eastside Jazz Club, B'ham). Joining her on saxophone at Birmingham’s newest jazz venue are Chris Montague (guitar), Ross Stanley (piano and Hammond organ) and James Maddren (drums).

Two piano/ saxophone duos take to the Symphony Hall stage for an intimate performance on 28 March 2018. After working together on the London jazz scene in various large ensembles, including the London Jazz Orchestra, Tori Freestone (Julian Siegel Jazz Orchestra, UK All Star Big Band) and Alcyona Mick (Natacha Atlas, Jerry Dammers Spatial Orchestra, Zoe Rahman) have fused their different approaches to present a set of original material and contemporary standards with a twist. They're joined by the Stan Sulzmann / Nikki Iles Duo, who've been working together, on and off, for some 20 years.

Recognised as one of the world's leading drummers, Mark Guiliana has worked with such artists as Brad Mehldau (as duo Mehliana), Matt Cameron (Soundgarden, Pearl Jam) and neo-soul singer-songwriter Meshell Ndegeocello. But it's his contribution to David Bowie's breath-taking final album, Blackstar, for which he is arguably best known. The Mark Guiliana Jazz Quartet (27 Apr 2018, CBSO Centre, Bham) sees him perform selections from his acclaimed album, Jersey, an infectious collection of boundary-pushing acoustic tracks that includes an instrumental reading of Bowie’s poignant Where Are We Now?

The Royal Opera presents Giuseppe Verdi’s Rigoletto – a work the composer himself called his ‘best opera’ – live in cinemas worldwide on Tuesday 16 January.

Rigoletto was performed 250 times in the 10 years following its premiere in 1851 and has become one of the most popular of all operas. Featuring many musical highlights, the opera includes the well-known arias ‘Questa o quella’ and ‘La donna è mobile’ (both made popular by tenor Luciana Pavarotti, among others) and the much-loved Act III quartet ‘Bella figlia dell’amore’, which was recently heard in the 2012 British comedy-drama film Quartet.

The opera’s story follows Rigoletto, the hunchbacked court jester to the libertine Duke of Mantua, who is cursed by the father of one of the Duke’s latest conquests for his mocking laughter. When the Duke turns his attention to Rigoletto’s own daughter Gilda, it seems the curse is taking effect, and the jester must plot to protect her from the Duke’s immoral intent.

Directed by David McVicar, the production highlights the cruelty at the heart of Verdi’s tragic opera. Featuring dark, Renaissance-inspired set and costume designs, the staging creates the shocking and insidious world within which this gripping tale unfolds.

Alexander Joel conducts a cast led by Greek baritone Dimitri Platanias in the title role and featuring American tenor Michael Fabiano as the Duke of Mantua, alongside English soprano Lucy Crowe as Gilda.

Opera lovers will want to consider a sunny getaway to Egypt in March 2018, with Verdi's Aida, set in Egypt, to be performed in an outdoor amphitheatre against the mesmerising backdrop of the Giza pyramids and the Great Sphinx.

The performances, taking place from 8-10 March in Cairo, will be staged in a 1,500 seat arena with four classes of seating available. The staging will include a bridge that brings the performers closer to the audience.

Holding a special place in the operatic canon, Aida tells the story of forbidden love between the Egyptian leader Radames and the beautiful Nubian princess Aida. The plot is based on a true story found in Papyrus and re-written by French Egyptologist Auguste Mariette. 150 years ago, Ismail Pasha, Khedive of Egypt, commissioned Giuseppe Verdi to write an opera to mark the opening of the Khedivial Opera House, which stood in Cairo until 1971.

The 2018 production will be performed by the Cairo Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Mr David Crescenzi. Having studied at the Conservatory of Fermo and the Conservatory of Pesaro, Crescenzi rose to prominence whilst conducting notable works such as Rossini's Il barbiere di Siviglia, Donizetti's L'elisir d'amore, Puccini's Tosca and Verdi's Un ballo in maschera. From 2002 to 2005, he was guest conductor at the National Theatre of Timisoara.

Lead character Ramadis will be played by Dario Di Vietri and Riccardo Massi, with Dragana Radakovic and Dr. Eman Mostafa playing the part of Aida on alternate nights.

First debuted at the Cairo Opera House, the production has since been hosted around the world, with Aida having been sung more than 1,500 times since its outset. The show has moved to several different sites across Egypt, including the Giza Pyramids in 1987 & 2010 and the Deir Al-Bahari Temple in Luxor in 1994.

Di Xiao (肖荻), a classical piano soloist from China, has been named one of Birmingham City University’s Alumni of the Year. She will receive her award on Tuesday 9 January in Symphony Hall, Birmingham, in the presence of hundreds of graduands and their families.

Despite her global success, Di came from very humble beginnings in her native city of Guangzhou. Growing up in a poor yet musical family, Di’s father sold his motorbike – the family’s only transport – in order to buy her a piano when she was just two years old. In order to find a good teacher, her dad had to pedal for an hour each way across the city with her on the back of his bicycle, to get to her piano lessons.

Honing her talent at the junior Conservatoire in Guangzhou, Di went on to study at the Odessa Conservatoire, Ukraine and the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing, graduating from the latter with one of the highest marks in its history.

Di Xiao then got the chance to study at Birmingham City University’s Royal Birmingham Conservatoire for where she developed personally and professionally on an Advanced Postgraduate Diploma, and had the chance to build her experience with the opportunity to perform at such prestigious venues as Birmingham’s world-famous Symphony Hall.

Di Xiao said: “When I was doing my Master’s degree at the Central Conservatoire of Beijing, I played in a masterclass hosted by the then Vice-Principal of Birmingham Conservatoire, Mark Racz. He enjoyed my playing and, after he went back to the UK, invited me to study at Birmingham Conservatoire under scholarship so I said yes!  Looking back, that really was the turning point in my life.

“I remember that the student volunteer picked me up from the airport and everybody I met was so friendly and helpful. It did make a huge difference for someone who had just travelled half-way around the globe and spoke in a completely different language, as I had very little English then. I remember I marvelled at the facilities and the pianos I got to practise on. Until then I never knew that you could find so many different colours and textures on one instrument.”

On completing her studies at Birmingham City University, Di was selected as the UK’s European Concert Halls Organisation (ECHO) Raising Star for the 2008/09 season, which led to further recitals in prestigious venues in the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, Spain and Austria. She has released four albums and been featured on TV and radio in the UK and China – and the Birmingham Post have described her as “a pianist of awesome gifts”.

The Alumni of the Year award provides an opportunity to recognise Birmingham City University graduates who have made a valuable contribution to society or their professional field. It also demonstrates the extraordinary range of achievements among the University’s former students.

On finding out that she had been selected for the award, Di Xiao said: “I feel very honoured indeed to be chosen as Alumni of the Year. I also feel very lucky and grateful for everything that the University has done for me and the opportunities it has exposed me to.

“I arrived as a student over a decade ago and now, as an Honorary Member of the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, I am part of this big family and I will endeavour to share its positive spirit with as many people and students as I can because I know that, apart from the amazing facilities that we now have, it's always the people that make a place special. I shall never take this responsibility lightly.”

Now based in the UK, Di continues to play for audiences across the world, performing regularly outside the UK in Europe and Asia. She aims to become an international ambassador for the piano, combining both Chinese and Western repertoire in the programming of concerts and creating a bridge between the two cultures.

Di remains involved with Birmingham City University as a Piano Tutor at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, helping to nurture the next generation of pianists.

A unique contemporary building, the new Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, which opened in September this year, incorporates five public performance spaces including its 500 seat Concert Hall for orchestral training and performance, a purpose-built organ studio and private rehearsal and practice rooms.

Furthermore, as the first purpose built conservatoire in the UK since 1987, the new £57 million institution is the only one of its kind in the country designed for the demands of the digital age.

Hot off the heels of her 20 date Autumn UK Tour, Ellie Taylor is back by popular demand with her show ‘This Guy’ for a 12 date, Spring UK tour.

Married and in her 30s, Ellie has overcome the surprise of being in a dreadfully happy marriage only for society to test her with a new question - whether or not she wants to breed. If Ellie had been given a pound every time she’s been asked ‘Are you going to have a baby?’ she could have bought a really expensive baby.

But with the maternal instinct of a pitta bread, Ellie has questions - how do you know if you're ready to be a parent? Should you just take the risk regardless? And what if Ellie does have a baby and her career stalls, or her marriage breaks down or more terrifying of all, the kid has a monobrow?

Following the huge success of her 2016 Fringe show, Infidelity, Ellie has since completed another successful 2017 Fringe run and a nationwide tour of ‘This Guy’. Ellie’s extensive credits include BBC’s Live At The Apollo, Lets Sing and Dance for Comic Relief, Mock the Week, The John Bishop show, The Now Show (BBC Radio 4) as well as a lead role in the new series of Disney’s television programme The Lodge and Comedy Central’s Brotherhood. Ellie is also back for a second series of the BBC 2 show The Mash Report, hosted by Nish Kumar and returning in early 2018.

The Eden Project is going back to the Stone Age this February half-term (February 10 to 18) with a week-long event celebrating the forthcoming Aardman film Early Man, being released by STUDIOCANAL in the UK on January 26, 2018.

Early Man is the new prehistoric comedy adventure from four-time Academy Award-winning director Nick Park and Aardman, the creators of Wallace & Gromit and Shaun the Sheep.

Shot in Aardman's own distinctive style, the film will take audiences on an extraordinary journey into an exciting new world unleashing an unforgettable tribe of unique and funny new characters voiced by an all-star British cast.

The Eden Project, based near St Austell in Cornwall, will be marking the release of this cinematic treat with a series of themed activities taking place around the gardens and Biomes.

The dome tent in the arena will be transformed into a Stone Age cave, where visitors will be able to daub cave art on the walls, make their own prehistoric accessories and help in an archaeological dig.

Animation enthusiasts can also discover the tricks of the trade and see how the film was made in the studio area.

This will feature behind-the-scenes footage and film clips and production art work, providing inspiration for everyone to make their own character from the film in the model-making workshops.

Visitors will be able to trek through the Rainforest Biome to find Schookel coins, the film's prehistoric currency, and take part in bush craft and survival skills workshops.

Set at the dawn of time, when prehistoric creatures roamed the earth, Early Man tells the story of courageous caveman hero Dug (Eddie Redmayne) and his best friend Hognob as they unite his tribe against a mighty enemy Lord Nooth (Tom Hiddleston) and his Bronze Age City to save their home.

Peter Lord, Co-founder & Creative Director, Aardman, said: “Early Man is set to be one of the best family films of the year and we're proud to be celebrating it at Eden this February half-term. Dug, Hognob and their lovable band of prehistoric misfits will be enlivening Eden for the duration of the holiday with some amazing stone age stunts.”

Leading Dug's tribe of lovable misfits is Chief Bobnar (Timothy Spall) who is joined by Treebor (Richard Ayoade), Magma (Selina Griffiths), Asbo (Johnny Vegas), Barry (Mark Williams), Gravelle (Gina Yashere), Eemak (Simon Greenall) and Grubup (Richard Webber). Maisie Williams voices Goona, the gallant and indomitable rebel who befriends Dug and helps the tribe in their battle to beat the Bronze Age at their own game.

Aardman is a production company based in Bristol specialising in stop-motion animation. Their most famous work includes the Wallace & Gromit films, Shaun the Sheep and Creature Comforts. Feature films include Chicken Run, Flushed Away and Arthur Christmas.