Wow! What a week for our talented acts

Our am dram guru Alison Norton casts her expert eye over the shows that you should be looking out for this week.

What an exciting week for the local talent of Wolverhampton, with organist, Jean Martyn from Brewood and MJ Mytton-Sanneh (a member of the great new boy band New Bounce) from Finchfield appearing on Britain's Got Talent!

I have a feeling we will be seeing a lot more of young MJ. Having already played a young Michael Jackson in the West End hit show, Thriller, MJ can hardly be called an amateur performer, but like all of us, he started small, training at Wolverhampton Stagecoach, and has grown. New Bounce could well be set to be the next big thing in the music business.

Simon Cowell certainly had a smile on his face on Saturday night!

And if that is not enough, Liam Payne from chart toppers One Direction is back home too, this time supporting his sister as she performs in Pink Production's next show, Pink Rockz at The Mill Theatre, Sedgley on June 14-15.

Following the success of a string of sell-out productions, company director, Jodie Richards is very excited and cannot wait to showcase the talent her group has to offer. The show is packed with songs from the best rock musicals in the West End and film, including Camp Rock 2, American Idiot, We Will Rock You and Love Shack.

Tickets, priced at just £8-£7 are available on 01902 682087 or on the door. Pre-booking is advisable.

For further information, visit www.jodierichards.co.uk

One of the most important parts of the process of producing an amateur show is choosing a production team. Often amateurs use existing members of their group which cancause problems because – as the saying goes – familiarity often breeds contempt.

Unless you have a very good relationship between committee and the applicants, it can be difficult.

Having said that, hiring professionals is expensive and often amateur directors and choreographers understand the needs and the abilities of an amateur company better than those who are used to working with extreme levels of talent and have the advantage of a wage being paid to performers.

Amateur companies sometimes seem to struggle understanding the difference between a producer and a director.

The producer, or producers, are the person or group of people who are in control of the financial side of the production and organise and book the facilities required. The director is the person who directs the cast and is the creative drive behind the show.

Alridge Musical Comedy Society has written to me to request my help in finding them a producer (although I suspect they mean a director) for their next production, which is Return to the Forbidden Planet.

This group have been nominated on numerous occasions for best regional production by NODA and won the best regional pantomime award for their 2011 production of Dick Whittington.

Spokesperson Sarah Hemming said, "They are an enthusiastic and fun company who always give their best.

"They work hard to provide an entertaining, high quality show every time they perform."

Interested? Contact Julie Lamb on 07885634284 by June 30th.

Now details of a casting. South Staffs Musical Theatre Company is presenting Guys and Dolls at the Grand Theatre in Wolverhampton, from October 11-15.

The company are well into rehearsal and the show has been cast, all with the exception of one part – Big Jule. He's a tough guy gangster and yet a very comical hood. Think 1940s New York and you will get a flavour of the character.

The group are also looking for a fire swinger or fire eater to appear in the Havana scenes of the show.

Interested or know anyone who can help? Contact me at the email address below for further information.

At The Rose Theatre, Kidderminster, The Nonentities will perform a classic Noel Coward piece, Present Laughter, from June 13-18.

Vintage Coward written in 1939, Present Laughter tells the tale of a few days in the life of the successful and self-obsessed light comedy actor Garry Essendine, as he prepares to travel around Africa.

For tickets, priced at £9-£7.50, contact the box office on 01562 743745 or visit www.rosetheatre.co.uk

Finally, Bridgnorth Theatre on the Steps Company is presenting Jeffrey Archer's compelling play, Beyond Reasonable Doubt from June 9-11 and June 16-18.

Archer's first stage play, it tells the tale of a man accused of the wilful murder of his terminally ill wife.

It is a tense and gripping courtroom drama which ends with a surprising twist. Not to be missed.

For tickets priced at £7-£10 contact 01746 763257 or visit the box office at Bridgnorth Library.

Well that's all for this week.

Remember to email me at a.norton@expressandstar.co.uk address or call 01902 319662 with all your news and photos.

And come on you guys from the Shropshire area, I would love to hear more from you!

Break a leg!