Features

Rare works by widely-regarded pop artist and filmmaker, Andy Warhol, have gone on display at Nottingham's Lakeside Arts Gallery.

2026 is fast approaching, and with it comes a new year of great productions in Birmingham and across the Midlands. We've picked just a few of our favourites in theatre, dance, musicals, drag and cabaret that would make great Christmas gifts or, of course, a treat for yourself. ★ Fiddler on the Roof at The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham ( 9th December 2025 - 3rd January 2026 ) “Completely sold out at the Barbican in London, this is a rare opportunity to catch this critically ac

Drag star, La Voix, has been announced in exciting new casting for the UK tour of the hit musical, Annie. La Voix (the drag persona of Christopher Dennis) will play Miss Hannigan across several venues including The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, which plays in June 2026.

Wolverhampton-born singer, songwriter and performer, Beverley Knight MBE will reprise her Olivier Award-winning role as Emmeline Pankhurst, alongside alongside Sharon Rose as the title character, Sylvia Pankhurst in the touring production of the Olivier-nominated musical, Sylvia.

Joe Lycett’s celebration of all things Brummie, the International Day of Birmingham, is returning for its second year in 2025.

A lost miniature portrait, which until now has never been seen by the public, is thought to depict William Shakespeare’s secret gay lover and the subject of his erotic sonnets.

Natalie Brookes, a Northampton-based trans folk musician and composer, is launching a new EP centred around promoting queer musicians on the folk music scene.

As part of an LGBTQ+ community comedy project, The Rep Theatre, Birmingham are hosting a free comedy masterclass with renowned comedian Angie Belcher. The event will be held on Saturday 16th August 12pm-4.30pm

Queer Voices’ a new LGBTQ+ poetry open mic is set to launch in Worcester next week. Taking place on the fourth Thursday of each month, starting from Thursday 24th July 2025, the event is an open mic poetry and spoken word night celebrating LGBTQ+ creativity, expression, and community.

Labour MP for Nottingham East, Nadia Whittome, has said she is proud of her party’s pledge to tackle violence against women and girls but is ‘appalled’ by their stance on trans rights. She hopes, however, to be able to push from within the party to influence change on trans rights, and move the party forward.

This year's Durham Miners’ Gala will feature a ‘Pride bloc’ during its banner march for the first time in the event’s history.

Queer Labour MP, Nadia Whittome, has said that the UK’s asylum system needs a “complete overhaul” during a meeting with an LGBTQ+ refugee in parliament.

Walsall Pride have announced the line-up for their Pride Picnic in the Park; a celebration that will feature music and entertainment.

Northampton Pride – due to take place on Saturday 12th July 2025 – has announced the line-up for the festival which includes a talented collection of singers, performers and entertainers

2025’s Pride Power List from The Guardian has been announced, and among the activist, celebrities, icons and individuals from the LGBTQ+ community in the top 100 are many names from across the Midlands region.

LGBTQ+ veterans have been given a first look at a new memorial that is due to be installed at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire this August.

latpack Film Festival – a mobile arts organisation – are hosting a line-up of events this summer in Birmingham, including an outdoor cinema screening of the much-loved classic, The Wizard of Oz (1939).

A new film project that will share stories from the LGBTQ+ community, from people who are facing the end of their lives and those experiencing bereavement, aims to improve the support available to them.

Forward Film and Television Festival together with The Mockingbird Cinema are hosting an event that will screen three short films created by Birmingham’s own Joe Lycett, followed by a Q&A with the comedian, presenter and artist himself.

An adaptation of Paris Lees’ memoir ‘What It Feels Like For A Girl’ – set in Nottingham during the early noughties – is coming to the BBC during Pride Month this year.