Review: Dweezil Zappa plays Hot Rats

Richard Lutz chews his pew over Hot Rats at Birmingham Town Hall.

Voting and the long poisonous shadow of the referendum

Richard Lutz braces himself for an election that will stop the country cold in its winter tracks.

Two weeks, two walks, two winter days

Richard Lutz treks through the changes of winter.

Review: The Boy in The Dress

Richard Lutz takes his pew for a feel.good musical about change and friendship.

Review: Jools Holland at Birmingham’s Symphony Hall

Richard Lutz survives a full assault of Jools Holland.

From Everest to Embleton, it’s a mountain of plastic, paper and polystyrene

Sheilagh Matheson walks on an award-winning beach but has to pick her way through a wasteland of rubbish. 

Screengrab: The Irishman

Richard Lutz takes in a long eulogy to the Mafia life.

The fingerprints of man on the edge of winter

Richard Lutz roams through another week.

RSC Review: A Museum in Baghdad

Richard Lutz watches two plays on the same Stratford stage. But does it work?

Review: Carlos Acosta, Birmingham Hippodrome

Richard Lutz takes a pew for a Cuban spectacle.

Of haws, herons and hawks

Richard Lutz takes in the autumn. 

Opera Review: The Cunning Little Vixen

Richard Lutz takes his pew at the Birmingham Hippodrome.

Advocate for an Advocaat

Sheilagh Matheson raises a glass or two.

Bonkers brexit bonanza ballot

Richard Lutz checks into Hotel Ballotbox.

RSC review: Shakespeare swaps genders in the swinging sixties

Richard Lutz takes his pew for King John at Stratford’s Swan Theatre.

The town that doesn’t see itself

Sheilagh Matheson works in an African community so poor it can’t afford mirrors.

All aboard: First plans go in for revamped Camp Hill rail line

Richard Lutz reports on a step forward in opening the Moseley/Kings Heath train line.

Review: Some Like It Hip Hop

Richard Lutz rakes his pew for a lively night down at The Birmingham Hippodrome

Review: Pride and Prejudice (Sort Of)

A cheeky take on Jane Austen’s classic comedy of manners tickles Richard Lutz’s ribs. 

Review: Dada Masilo’s Giselle

strong>Richard Lutz watches a classic ballet stunningly turned on its head.

Review: Prism at The Birmingham Rep

Richard Lutz takes his pew for a moving journey through the past.

What autumn brings

Richard Lutz says goodbye to a friend.

Howard: Thomas Cook bosses hit back over bonuses

Sir Howard Elston’s latest report on the big bucks doled out to troubled travel group chief honcho.

Right royal messes and other stories

Richard Lutz reports on another blighted week in Old Blighty. 

Cameron is where the blame lies

Richard Lutz points the finger of blame at you-know-who.

Britain braced for Hurricane Bojo

Take to the storm cellars, warns our Westminster hack Lord Howie Elston.

Britain: Broken, bedevilled, betrayed

Richard Lutz watches democracy go down the pan.

My no-deal letter to my MP

Richard Lutz tries to persuade his MP to turn his back on No Deal come October.

Howard’s Big Ask: Is tough guy Putin in charge of Hodge Hill?

b>Sir Howie Elston, scourge of the left and enemy of the right, with the burning shock query of the millennium:

Requiem for a bloody nation

Richard Lutz on the double massacre in the US.