The healing power of art comes under the spotlight in Bedlam, Birmingham’s third arts and mental health festival.

The BEDLAM Arts and Mental Health Festival takes place from Tuesday 17–Saturday 28 October in arts venues and mental health settings across the city. Shaped by people who have experienced mental ill health, the festival celebrates arts and wellbeing.

To mark the third BEDLAM Festival, as well as Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust and Birmingham Repertory Theatre, organisers welcome on board new partners mac Birmingham and Sampad South Asian Arts who have worked with artists to create and present new diverse theatre, dance and visual art.

The three week Festival features celebrated performance poet, Lemn Sissay, performing his one-man play, Something Dark (24 October, mac Birmingham); Kahaani (Story) (27 October, mac Birmingham) will bring to life stories of ageing, loss and friendship; Birmingham actress, Olivia Winteringham looks at love and grief and how the state of our minds can affect how we remember our past in Delightful (26 & 27 October, Birmingham Repertory Theatre). And, a Wellbeing Discovery Day (Sunday 22 October, Birmingham Repertory Theatre) for all ages will offer yoga, meditation, tai chi and a range of mindfulness activities.

As well as arts performances and workshops BEDLAM hosts Arts & Wellbeing a half-day symposium examining the use of arts in wellbeing and mental health. Plus Mental Health First Aid Lite offers an introduction to mental health issues for the public. Both will be held on Friday 27 October. Further information

For more information visit www.birmingham-rep.co.uk

The hilarious, heart-warming and tear-jerking memoir from one of Britain’s best-loved comedians and actors.

Visit www.thsh.co.uk

The world’s biggest girl group returns to Birmingham with their brand new Glory Days Tour. It’s been an amazing journey for the only group to ever win the X Factor back in 2011… and this is one show you won’t want to miss!

Visit www.theticketfactory.com

Is life that bad or have we good reason to complain about it? Are we filled with righteous anger at a world gone wrong or are we all just a bunch of whiny little brats? In short, are we spoiled? Byrne takes this question, turns it upside down and shakes it until the funny falls out.

Visit www.redditchpalacetheatre.co.uk

The BAFTA-nominated star of Cuckoo, Man Down, The Inbetweeners and Taskmaster, is back with his first stand up show in four years. Come witness the magnificent beast that is Greg Davies.

Visit www.thsh.co.uk

The international smash hit musical comedy returns for one week featuring the hit songs Welcome to the 60s, You Can’t Stop the Beat and The Nicest Kids in Town.

Visit www.birminghamhippodrome.com

Join the stand-up comedian, poet, improviser and TV stalwart for more than an hour of tales, laughs and diversions.

Visit  www.oldreptheatre.co.uk

Something for the weekend…

The Mid Autumn Festival at the Arcadian, Southside should be a stunner of an event running from 12pm-7pm tomorrow.

Expect dragon dances, taekwondo, music, fireworks and oodles of scrummy food plus James Wong of the Chinese Festival Committee Birmingham & Chung Ying Garden is shaving his head all in the name of charity! Must see.

For more details visit: http://cnybirmingham.org.uk/events/mid-autumn-festival/

One of the largest independent arts festival in the region featuring A-list heavy-hitters and a vast range of new local acts. This year’s festival sees more than 60 performances, including local boy Joe Lycett.

Visit www.bhamcomfest.co.uk

Equestrian utopia as the world’s most famous horse show returns with top-class entertainment, breath-taking displays and spectacular horsemanship all on display over five magical days.

Visit www.hoys.co.uk