Theatre auditions start around the West Midlands

After a couple of weeks away on holiday, I wasn't really looking forward to coming back to work, but I was delighted to see how many emails I had received from amateur companies, all enthusiastically looking forward to the new season and eager to promote their shows

It seems to be a time for auditioning too, so here goes.

Wolverhampton Musical Comedy Company, who perform at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, are holding an open audition for their next production, Footloose, which they will perform next March.

This show is full of 1980s classic hits, including Let's Hear it for Boy, Holding Out for a Hero and of course the title song, Footloose. Remember the film starring Kevin Bacon and Lori Singer? It's a tale of teenage rebellion against loving, but misguided parents, as well as a love story, a comedy and a modern musical all rolled into one.

Muscom are looking for performers, aged 16 years and above with a variety of stage skills.

The audition will take place on September 4 at Penn United Reformed Church Hall from 7pm.

Interested? Call the company's membership secretary Bev Pugh on 07583453625 for more details and an application form.

In contrast to Footloose, which is a high energy production, on September 2, Tab Operatic Society is also holding an open audition, this time for their next show, High Society, a far more sedate affair, but just as entertaining.

As it title would suggest, set amid the high society of America in the in the 1950's, the film version starred the beautiful Grace Kelly, Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby and included the hits True Love and Who Wants to be a Millionaire?

TAB is seeking singers, dancers and potential principal players for the production, so you are welcome to go along and audition at Dudley Wood Methodist Church Hall at 2pm on the day, with the actual performances taking place from March 19-23 2013.

For more information, contact Elaine Vine on 0121 550 7254.

Pink Productions are also auditioning, this time for their next production, which is entitled Believe, taking place at the Mill Theatre in Sedgley in December. Expect numbers from Hairspray, Happy Feet, Ghost the Musical to name but few of the show stoppers.

Anyone aged between 5 and 45 years old can go along on September 2 at 12 noon for under 12s and 2.30pm for everyone else, at Holy Trinity Church, Ettinghsall Park Estate.

If it's good enough to launch Liam Payne's career, then it's good enough for you too! For more information, contact Pink's principal, Jodie Richards on 01902 682087 or visit www.pinkper formingarts.co.uk

Dudley Little Theatre, who perform at Netherton Arts Centre, kick off their drama season with a production of the classic thriller by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, The Hound of the Baskervilles, from September 5-8 at 7.30pm nightly.

The infamous Sherlock Holmes and his faithful friend Dr. Watson search the moors for a mythical hound in this atmospheric piece.

Tickets, priced at just £7 or £6, with a 10 per cent discount for group bookings, can be obtained from Chris on 01384 872583 or from www.dudleylit tletheatre.org

Over in Shropshire, the young people of Tanat Theatre are presenting two one hour plays on August 31, September 1, 7 and 8 at Green School Theatre in Llanrhaeadr.

The first play, entitled Party, is a comical piece by Tom Basden which won awards at the Edinburgh Festival, about idealist teenagers who meet up and form a political party.

However, some of the group seem to think they are attending an actual party and so chaos soon ensues.

The second play is by David Rowley and is the tale of two teenage girls who escape from a remand home and go into hiding. This dramatic play explores the relationship between not only the girls, but also the two young men who eventually find them.

For tickets, priced at £5 for adults and £3 for children, contact 01691 860497.

The festive season is never very far away and in fact only earlier this week I was invited to attend a pantomime horse race at Dunstall Park to promote the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre's 2012 panto, Jack and The Beanstalk.

Many panto groups are about to go in rehearsal too, so watch this space for details over the coming weeks, even though it is only August!

Tipton Arts have been working hard to sell tickets for their forthcoming Christmas show, Dick Whittington, but the early bird discounted price on tickets ends on September 1, so get booking.

Contact Lynne Hendry on 07918148011 for more information on prices and details of the performance.

Well that's all for this week. Keep those emails and photographs coming to a.norton@expressandstar.co.uk - I look forward to hearing from you all.

Break a leg!