Alison Norton's am-dram round up - October 17

Our am dram guru Alison Norton casts her expert eye over the shows that you should be looking out for this week - including a 'Stars In Their Eyes' night and La Cage Aux Folles, with proviews of Oliver! and a theatre workshop for youngsters.

Amateur performers just love Stars in Their Eyes! Give any am- dramer the chance to dress up and perform as Elvis, Cher, Elton John or Kate Bush and they are away!

One group who can't wait to do just that are The Very Nice Production Company, based in Oswestry. On October 21 at the Bryn Howel Hotel, Llangollen and November 7 at Parkhall, the group can promise a riotous evening of fun and frolics with ten solo stars from around the area who will impersonate the likes of Shania Twain, Duffy, George Michael, Neil Diamond and Doris Day.

For tickets for either date, contact Karen on 01691 670555 or call into Just The Right Thing in Oswestry.

One of the funniest, most moving and spectacular musicals of all has to be La Cage Aux Folles. When the idyllic existence of Georges and Albin (his partner and drag performer) is threatened by their son's engagement to the daughter of a right-wing politician, mayhem ensues as the openly gay couple attempt to keep up the pretence of a traditional marriage.

This is a show packed with glitz, glamour and gags and a wonderful musical score which includes The Best of Times, With Anne on my Arm, Song on the Sand and the original version of the disco floor filler, I Am What I Am.

Stourbridge Amateur Operatic Society is very excited to celebrate their 100th show by presenting La Cage at Stourbridge Town Hall until Saturday, October 22, 2011.

In this production, Albin is played by a newcomer to the society, Mark Horne and not only that, but this is his first leading role. It's a brave man who takes on this role as a first!

Spokesperson for the group, David Shaw said: "In the early stages of rehearsal he resembled a young Hyacinth Bucket.

"He's doing a grand job and he is going to wow the audience when the show kicks off."

In complete contrast, the part of Albin's partner, Georges, is played by Stourbridge veteran David Gregory, who audiences will instantly recognise from his performances in Our House, Footloose and Anything Goes, to name but a few.

In true La Cage fashion The Cagelles are both men and women (see if you can guess who is who!) and there are sequins and feathers galore, courtesy of Triple C's Costume Hire in Lye.

All in all this uplifting, inspirational show is a delight and will have you singing and dancing all the way home.

For tickets priced at £10.50-£17.50, contact 07504 301767 or visit www.stourbridge-operatic.co.uk

Half-term is looming and the kids will need occupying.

If you are not going away on holiday, one way to keep them out of mischief is to enrol them in Theatre First's Gleeful theatre workshop, which runs from October 24-28 at Great Wyrley Performing Arts High School. With tuition from professionals from the work of theatre, children can expect a fun week of singing, dancing and acting to learn all the numbers from the hit US TV series, culminating in a performance for family and friends at the end of the week.

Sound good? Email theatrefirst@gmail.com or call 07519244954 for further information.

Stafford and District Operatic Society is proud to present the wonderful Oliver! at the Gatehouse Theatre in the town from October 25-29.

This classic rags to riches story of young Oliver Twist and his adventures on the streets of London has certainly stood the test of time.

Following the original novel written by Charles Dickens, there have been several film versions and stage adaptations, the latest being the Cameron Macintosh production which is due to tour next year.

Oliver! always guarantees a large audience for amateur performers.

Everyone knows the musical numbers, which include You've Got To Pick a Pocket, My Name, Oom-pah-pah! and Where is Love? and the wonderful characters created by Dickens. The story is rather dark in parts, but of course he wrote about the time in which he lived when the streets of the capital were teeming with villains and thieves.

That said, the humour between the central characters if plentiful and of course there is a happy ending.

For tickets, priced at £9.50-£14.50, contact the Gatehouse Theatre Box Office on 01785 222834 or visit www.staffordoperatic.org.uk

Finally you can catch Alan Ayckbourn's futuristic farce, Henceforward at the Arena Theatre in Wolverhampton on October 15, presented by Define Theatre.

Jerome Watkins is a desperate man. Barricaded in his home, devoid of all human contact, all he has for company are a malfunctioning housekeeper and his own strange mind.

Can he regain what matters most to him?

For tickets, priced at £9 and £7, contact 01902 321321 or email kati.fullard@hotmail.co.uk

That's all for this week.

Remember to email all your news and photos to me at a.norton@expressandstar.co.uk

Break a leg!