Dancer needed for Carousel at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

During the summertime the appeal of going to the theatre wanes for some who are put off at the thought of sitting in a hot auditorium, but for those theatrical die-hards like me who just cannot resist it, probably one of the most topical shows to see at this time of year is Summer Holiday.

Who doesn't remember the movie of the same name, starring the Peter Pan of Pop, Sir Cliff Richard (or simply "Cliff" as he was known back then) alongside the lovely Una Stubbs and comic actor Mervyn Hayes?

It's a real feel-good musical, oozing nostalgia, adapted for the stage by Michael Gyngell and Mark Haddigan. When a group of youngsters journey in a double decker London red bus through Europe, you get to share in their adventures along the way.

The hit-filled score features 1960's classic tunes including In the Country, I Could Easily Fall in Love with You, Bachelor Boy, Move It, Living Doll, The Young Ones and of course the title song, which we all love to sing along to on the beach.

From June 20-22, you can catch Summer Holiday at the Mill Theatre in Sedgley, performed by Tipton Arts. For tickets priced at just £11-£9, call 07929621363 or visit www.tiptonarts.co.uk

South Staffs Musical Theatre Company is seeking a very special performer for their production of Carousel at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre in October – a trained male dancer for the role of the Carousel boy to perform a duet with the character Louise, which promises to be one of the highlights of this Rodgers and Hammerstein classic. Come on guys, this is the perfect opportunity to show off you skills so if you are interested, contact 07886194144.

If you are a lover of West End smashes, The Music Department of the Kingswinford School, in Dudley is presenting a concert entitled Night at the Musicals on June 20, in their school hall.

Featuring hits from West Side Story, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Les Miserables, The Wizard of Oz and Phantom of the Opera, it promises to be quite a treat.

Soloists include Tom Kiteley, Jessica Powell and Molly Wood, accompanied by the school orchestra. For tickets, priced at just £2.50 which includes a glass of wine or a soft drink and cheese and biscuits, it is amazing value for money. Call 01384 296596 or visit www.kingswinford.dudley.sch.uk

Lovers of all things dance can catch The Next Step at the Arena Theatre in Wolverhampton, presented by Willenhall E-Act Academy on June 21.

This is a showcase of a mixture of different dance styles including abstract contemporary, dance for musical theatre and urban street. For tickets, contact the Arena Theatre box office on 01902 321321.

If operetta is your delight, then Tettenhall Operatic Company, who perform at Smestow High School, is presenting La Perichole by Jacques Offenbach from June 27-29. La Perichole is set in Lima, Peru, where pomposity, intrigue and love flourish. Offenbach is known for light-hearted, melodious operetta and this is one is no exception. Sheila Smith takes the title role, with Mike Rawlings as Piquillo and Adrian Peakman as The Viceroy, Don Andrez. Set in three acts, it is the story of a travelling entertainer, who with her partner, Piquillo, scraps a living on the streets of Lima. When she is introduced to the Viceroy's court, a very strange wedding takes place and so the story begins to unfold.... For tickets, priced at just £12-£10, contact Marilyn Goodwin on 01902 751729.

I am always interested to hear of professionals who are good enough to spend time helping amateur performers. After all, we should never forget where we started should we? The amateur cast of Blood Brothers, to be presented by The Nonentities from Kidderminster from June 17-22. The group were lucky enough to meet two members of the professional cast of the same show when they appeared at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre in May.

Sean Jones, who plays Mickey and Mark Hutchinson who plays his twin brother Eddy, took time out of their busy schedule to offer some invaluable advice to The Nonentities on their forthcoming production.

Set in working-class Liverpool, Blood Brothers is the tale of twins, Mickey and Eddie whose down-trodden mother has no choice but to give one away and, who, against all odds find each other, despite the old wives' tale that twins parted at birth who eventually meet will die.

Newcomer to the group and drama student at Halesowen College, Chris Drew, takes the role of Eddie, while Nathan Lawrence appears as Mickey. For tickets, call the Rose Theatre Box Office on 01562 743745 or visit www.rosetheatre.co.uk

That's all for this week. Keep those emails coming to a.norton@expressandstar.co.uk or call me on 01902 319662. Or why not follow me on Twitter @AlisonNorton.

Break a leg!