Welcome to the house of fun - it's Madness

Our am-dram guru

casts her expert eye over the shows you should be looking out for.

A couple of weekends ago I was lucky enough to go to the West End to see Priscilla Queen of the Desert – probably the campest show in town! With incredible costumes, amazing stage effects, and a super-talented cast it is totally discotastic" and the epitome of the modern musical.

More and more the old favourite Rodgers and Hammerstein classics are being replaced by the so-called 'Jukebox Musicals' such as Mama Mia, Boogie Nights and Priscilla, but love 'em or hate 'em, there is no getting away from the fact that they are amazingly popular and perfect entertainment.

One jukebox musical that is proving very popular amongst amateur companies is Our House, featuring the music of 1980s super group, Madness.

For the last 21 years, the Summer Youth Project has proved highly successful and this year they are presenting two musicals – for the older participants Our House and for 8-12-year-olds, Gel.

A tale of pure romance and fun, Our House is the story of sixteen year old Joe, who in an effort to impress the girl of his dreams breaks into a building site overlooking his home which is owned by a high-powered property developer.

When the police turn up, Joe's life splits in two – the good Joe wants to stay and confess but the bad Joe runs away.

This group have worked incredibly hard to bring to life the music of Madness including House of Fun, Driving in my Car, It Must Be Love and of course the title tune, Our House.

The witty script and feel-good factor will ensure it appeals to all age-groups and the infectious atmosphere of the madcap tunes of Madness just make you to jump out of your seat and join in.

Gel is the tale of a youth theatre who succeed against all odds – having to contend with the pressures of rehearsing and the unwelcome attentions of a street gang who do their best to wreck all their efforts.

The compelling rock score, which includes some beautiful ballads, is matched by a sharp and funny script.

Catch Our House from August 4-6 and Gel from August 26-27. For tickets, priced at £9-£7, contact Oakengates Theatre Box Office on 01952 382382.

Glee is still very much alive, with appearances by the stars at various venues later this year and the hit TV programme The Glee Project.

With this in mind, the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre's Youth Choir, Grand Ambition, are performing a Glee Gala, a night of Glee inspired entertainment on Friday, July 29.

There are mash-ups from the US favourite series and a whole host of Glee tunes performed by local young singers.

So if you love Don't Stop Believin', Walking on Sunshine and Maybe This Time you will be delighted by a night at this wonderful theatre. For tickets, priced at just £5, call the Grand Theatre Box Office on 01902 429212.

Brownhills Musical Theatre Company are celebrating 40 years this year and to mark this special occasion, are holding a dinner dance at Fairlawns Hotel, on November 5.

This may sound a long way off, but they are anxious to contact past members of the group to come a long and join them in the celebration.

The company is currently in rehearsal for their October concert, One Enchanted Evening, which they will be performing later in the year at Brownhills Technology College Theatre, but more about that nearer the time.

If you would like to attend this special event, contact Karen Cruxton on 07948093855 or visit www.brownhillsmtc.co.uk

Finally this week Shoebox Theatre, based in Tamworth, are running various holiday activities throughout the next eight weeks, aimed at entertaining anyone who is on school holidays.

Teaming up with the local library, Tamworth Castle and media production company, Zazzoo, Shoebox Theatre are offering the following opportunities for anyone over the age of 13, interested in drama and anyone who may like to find out a little more about the area's history.

On August 4,11,25 at the Torc Campus, there are drama and film workshops covering the use of props in film and theatre, improvisation, storyboards using tales from Tamworth's past, including scenes based on ideas about the Saxon Hoard.

On July 28, August 18 and September 15, there are research workshops and on September 1, why not join in a visit to see the Saxon Hoard at Tamworth Castle?

Not only is theatre of this nature informative, but by acting out thought-provoking scenes from history it offers performers the opportunity to play a variety of roles and work on their characterisation techniques.

For further details, contact mail@shoeboxtheatre.co.uk or call 07976 208828.

Well, that's all for this week. Keep those emails, photos and phone calls coming.

You can reach me at a.norton@expressandstar.co.uk or call 01902 319662.

I look forward to hearing from you. Break a leg!