BIRMINGHAM EXHIBITION
The Ghost Streets of Balsall Heath
Ort Gallery
Moseley Road
ends January 28

In the late 1960s, US photographer and film-maker Janet Mendelsohn spent several months documenting the everyday life of Balsall Heath, images which are a vivid record of the community at a time of rapid change.

Many of the streets depicted were demolished soon afterwards and this exhibition includes extraordinary images exploring a social housing crisis, poverty, migration and the experience of childhood in the area.

ortgallery.co.uk

BRIGHTON THEATRE
About a Revolution
The Other Place, The Warren
Jew Street
May 16 and 17

[[{"fid":"3206","view_mode":"inlineright","fields":{"format":"inlineright","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":false,"field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":false},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"inlineright","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":false,"field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":false}},"attributes":{"class":"media-element file-inlineright","data-delta":"1"},"link_text":null}]]A century after the October revolution, Joe Gill's About a Revolution asks the question whether something similar could happen in Britain in a play which follows Abi, living on the streets in a country divided and on the edge. The question is, can she help spark a revolt to end decades of injustice or is it all in her head?

Directed by Tanushka Marah and with a young cast of 10, it's a play unafraid to tackle the big subjects of our time — homelessness, austerity, the mental health crisis and political conflict. Inspired by revolutionary art, historical speeches and the voices of young people today, it's a don't miss at this year's Brighton Festival.

otherplacebrighton.co.uk

GLASGOW CABARET
The Great May Day Cabaret
Oran Mor
Byres Road
May 7

[[{"fid":"3207","view_mode":"inlineright","fields":{"format":"inlineright","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":false,"field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":false},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"inlineright","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":false,"field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":false}},"attributes":{"class":"media-element file-inlineright","data-delta":"1"},"link_text":null}]]Featuring another fantastic line-up, the seventh annual Great May Cabaret includes a tribute to founder member Chris Bartter, whose untimely death last October robbed the trade union movement and the Morning Star of a great campaigner and supporter of the arts.

On the bill is Leicester’s singer-songwriter and activist Grace Petrie (pictured), Scottish rapper, author of “Poverty Safari” and commentator Darren “Loki” McGarvey, Fife’s own Rab Noakes, Gaelic singer Maeve Mackinnon and folk legend Arthur Johnstone.

Compered by Dave Anderson, with Fraser Speirs and Stephen Wright providing musical backing. Speakers will include Richard Leonard MSP and a Unison representative.

oran-mor.co.uk

HUTTON RUDBY/TOURING
The Damned United
Village Hall
April 28

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Anders Lustgarten's The Damned United, adapted from the book by David Peace and produced by the excellent Red Ladder theatre company, takes you inside the tortured mind of a genius slamming up against his limits and brings to life the beauty and brutality of football, the proletarian ballet. Tours until June 23.

huttonrudbyvillagehall.org.uk