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ARTY *AND* ARTISAN
Anyone who attended the first ever Edgbaston Village Artisan Market, back in early June, knew they were at something different. Not only did the sun come out but the music and the perfectly curated stalls combined for an event that stood out from the dozen-odd that make monthly market appearances. Such was the popularity, the second instalment arrives this Saturday (September 4, 10am to 3pm) along Greenfield Crescent, with almost double the stalls. Last time round I ploughed hard-earned Queen's paper into Pip's Hot Sauce (as I always do), Worcester-made Hussingtree gin and Kings Heath pie gods Rourke's. If any child you know has a birthday inbound take a look at Emma O'Brien's gloriously ugly textile monsters. Handmade and in desperate need of dental work, they are priced at far less than you think they're going to be, especially when you ask Emma how long they take-a to make-a. Accordion-led singalongs, places to eat and drink, dog-friendly and zero traffic make it a real gem of an event. Oh and Taartie donuts will make sure you never look at a Krispy Kreme ever again. More
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LIFE BEGINS AT 50
Pub quiz trivia: Video Killed the Radio Star was the first song to play on MTV and Chanel No.5 were the first to advertise on Channel 5. Less likely to come up but absolutely worth knowing is that First impressions was the first show to grace The REP, 50 years ago, a musical adaptation of Pride & Prejudice. Princess Margaret opened the theatre on October 20, 1971. Since that day the REP has become, absolutely, a jewel in Birmingham's cultural crown — the only producing theatre in the city, over the last 15 years it's produced more than 130 new plays, as well as presenting over 60 productions on its three stages every year. To mark five decades in their current venue (prior to that they were, of course, based were the Old Rep is now, opening with a production of Twelfth Night in February 1913) The REP have a fantastic programme for Autumn / Winter. Perhaps the biggest show to re-grace her boards is the homecoming of East Is East, returning to Brum for its own anniversary, turning 25. Directed by Iqbal Khan (see the main interview above) and since premiering on The REP’s stage in 1996, it's sold out three London runs, been adapted into a BAFTA Award-winning film and become a modern classic of comic-drama. Rediscover this joyous play where it all began (Sept 3 to 25). A new musical follows and invites guests to experience London's Swinging Sixties in a play featuring the music of Tom "think I better dance now" Jones, What's New Pussycat? (Oct 8 to Nov 14). Perhaps the pièce de résistance comes, though, when The REP’s Artistic Director Sean Foley directs his own hit, The Play What I Wrote, Nov 27 to Jan 1. Reviewers went gah-gah for this one when it was in the West End and a guest star will appear every night. More
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Venue: Pause @ Isherwood, 85-89 Woodlands Park Rd, B30 1HA; Instagram
Choice: A 'Hemingway' (£4) and a white chocolate blondie (£3.50)
Chooser: Rory
Keep your money because I'll tell you this for free — cake and coffee hot spot Pause, nuzzled nicely into florist par excellence, Isherwood in Bournville, is 2021's most charming launch. The creation of business partners Farah Chaudry and Rory McGhie, who have been running Pause as a pop-up while hunting for a permanent home, sits in a small bank of shops I didn't know existed on Woodlands Park Road, within walkable distance of Rowheath Pavilion. The workload is split simply; Rory's on coffee (having spent 15 years in hospitality and 9 of those on mugs of Joe at Urban, Tilt and Quarter Horse, to name a few) and self-taught, sweet-things miracle worker Farah is on cakes and bakes. "There's also an absurd amount of other things to running a business" Rory reminds me with exceptional sangfroid as he's hit by a sudden rush of customers — anyone would think 1pm was a bad time for me to show up out of the blue, notepad in hand, expecting an interview. Every fortnight Rory rotates coffee supplier, not only to keep customers interested but also to get a feel for what Bournvillions want, this is, after all, only day six since they opened. At the moment the coffee comes from Girls Who Grind, an all female specialty coffee roastery who source specifically and exclusively from women producers, seeking out those coffees that are creating positive change through the empowerment of women. Rory's not a woman, but their coffee is in safe hands as he is absolutely one of the city's best (and nicest) baristas. I went for a Hemingway which is a coffee you won't find on Google — Rory stumbled upon it in Tulum, Mexico, and was told with absolutely zero proof, that Ernest was a fan of it. A Cubano espresso is sweet whisked and introduced to 20z of milk and a cinnamon garnish. Rory told me it has a chewy quality, but he's talking baloney because it slipped down without a bite. Chewy or not, it was spellbindingly good. Now, my sweet tooth is about as sweet as a Broad Street bouncer at kick out time, but Farah's cakes walk the sugar tightrope with mercurial balance. Yes, there's that hit of sugar, but her baking — so good she ditched a career in the law to go full time — is smooth and controlled, with savoury notes throughout. Perfect composition, this is the sweet treat for those who wouldn't have ended up in Wonka's chocolate lake, the peanut butter blondie I ordered being a standout example. On paper it sounds so sugary you'll being seeing into the future inside four bites, but that's not the reality. This is morish. Almost dangerously so. A joy to enjoy, as is the entire venue. Throw those curtains wide, sang Elbow, one launch like this a year would see us right.
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