The Midlands and Shropshire am dram with Alison Norton

Many a musical theatre production has been based on a true story or in some cases a different genre of music, for example Romeo and Juliet and West Side Story, La Boehme and Rent, and likewise with Aida.

Based on Verdi's opera of the same name, the show premiered on Broadway in March 2003 and was nominated for no less than five Tony Awards, winning four, including Best Original Score and Best Performance by a Leading Actress.

The enslaved Nubian princess, Aida, falls in love with Radames, an Egyptian soldier who is betrothed to the Pharaoh's daughter, Amneris. As their forbidden love blossoms, Aida is forced to weigh her heart against the responsibility that she faces as the leader of her people.

West Bromwich Operatic Society will perform Aida from October 5 to 8 at the Dormston Mill Theatre in Sedgley.

Fire-fighter, Lyndon Flavell from Penn takes the role of Radames, whilst mother of twins and professional singer, Tasheka Coe from Tettenhall takes the title role.

The score of Aida is wonderfully uplifting with soaring ballads and rousing chorus numbers and includes Every Story is a Love Story, A Step Too Far, Written in the Stars and Fortune Favours the Brave.

Tickets are £15.50 each and are available from www.ticketsource.co.uk/event/132241 or visit www.wbos.co.uk for more information.

Meanwhile for something a little more light-hearted, Codsall Dramatic Society is presenting Ladies Down Under, a hilarious, yet poignant comedy by Amanda Whittington, which is actually the sequel to their highly successful performance of another of her comedy offerings, Ladies Day, which the group presented in 2008.

It follow the fortunes of four friends from a fish packing factory in Hull who win a huge amount of money on a bet at Ascot and set off on a trip of a lifetime to Australia in search of new adventures and challenges.

The play runs from September 21 to 24 at Codsall Village Hall, with a 7.30pm start. There is also a Saturday matinee performance at 2.30pm.

Tickets are just £7.50 and may be obtained from Codsall Crafts and Models in The Square, Codsall, Ian Rigby Jewellers at Birches Bridge or by calling 01902 267322. Or visit www.codsalldramaticsociety.co.uk

In Shropshire, The Little Theatre Donnington is presenting Born in the Gardens, by Peter Nichols from September 29 to October 1.

Born in the Gardens is a black comedy which follows the ups and downs of a family in the transition period after losing a loved one. It's also thought-provoking and yet there are laugh out loud moments too. For tickets priced at £6 each, visit www.littletheatredonnington.co.uk or call 01952 407959.

News of a wonderful opportunity for young performers now, who can take part in West End Dreams, a concert which will be hosted at The Indigo at the O2 Arena in London on December 11. There are performance opportunities for young people aged from just six years old and above and it is open to dance schools, theatre groups, choirs, glee clubs, Irish Dancing groups and just about any genre of theatre you can imagine.

This experience is guaranteed to create memories which will last a lifetime. For more information visit www.o2westenddreams.co.uk

A wonderful story which I particularly remember from my childhood is Little Women. I avidly followed the progress of the March sisters from children to women as they loved and lost, suffered heartache, laughed together and played tricks on each other.

Louisa M Alcott created a series of semi-biographical books, first published in 1869, and

characters which became popular both in her native America and here over the pond.

Aldridge Youth Theatre has the privilege of presenting the musical theatre version of the story from September 22 to 24 at their home theatre in Noddy Park Road. How lovely for the ladies in the company to wear authentic 19th century costumes with huge skirts, frills and furbelows. Not sure I fancy a bonnet though!

This heart-warming musical is suitable for anyone who is over 10 years of age and the score includes Our Finest Dreams, which the sisters sing together, Take a Chance on Me, The Weekly Volcano Press and Small Umbrella in the Rain. For tickets, priced at £8 for adults and £7 for concessions, call the group's box office on 01922 458615.

Finally this week, my home company, South Staffs Musical Theatre Company is nearing the end of their rehearsals for the Dolly Parton classic musical comedy Nine to Five, which we will perform at the Grand Theatre from October 11 to 15.

This hilarious tale of three female co-workers who plan to dispose of their egotistical, bigot of a boss and take over the company will have you rolling in the aisles. Call the Grand Theatre Box Office on 01902 429212 for tickets.

Well that's all for this week. Please keep your emails coming to a.norton@expressandstar.co.uk and remember to include good quality photographs which I can include with all your news too. Alternatively, you can call me on 01902 319662 or follow me on Twitter

@AlisonNorton

Break a leg!