West Midlands am dram guide

But first, let's hit fairyland with a family, fun-filled feast – Jack and the Beanstalk – presented by Aldridge Youth Theatre, who open this evening and run on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings throughout the rest of January.

Evening performances commence at 7.30pm and there are also Saturday matinees at 2.30pm.

With a cast of more than 40 young performers, this revised version of the pantomime has been written by Neville Ellis, under the direction of Ian Eaton.

Grace Tregellis, aged 18, takes the title role, with Dame Dotty Durden played by 16-year-old Ben Johns.

Spokesperson for the group Linda Symonds describes the show as 'a pantomime written in traditional style, appropriate for young and old alike with music and laughter in plentiful supply'. Sounds good to me.

You can catch Jack and the Beanstalk at the group's own theatre on Noddy Park Road. For tickets call 01922 458615.

From January 21 to 28, Stourbridge Pantomime Company is presenting Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at Stourbridge Town Hall, with evening performances at 7.15pm and a Saturday matinee at 2.15pm.

Please note though that the Sunday performances begin one hour earlier.

This award-winning group always presents excellent panto performances, coupled with superb costumes, stunning sets and outstanding special effects.

They have frozen their ticket prices too this year, which is good news for families, with adults at just £13 each and concessions at £9 each.

For more information and to purchase tickets, call 07426 498475 or email peter.twankey@blueyonder.co.uk

At Perton Civic Centre from January 17 to 21, Harlequin Pantomimes will be presenting Puss in Boots. This makes a nice change from Aladdin or Cinderella and is one of the oldest running pantomimes in existence.

Written by a professional panto dame, Phillip Meeks, it should be a great script because if anyone knows how to make a panto audience laugh, it's a dame. Paul Bowman celebrates his 24th year appearing as panto dame, in this case, Doris Dimple, while Dom Napier plays his son work shy Rory and Kate Pingree-Webber plays his brother Jamie.

Natalie Maynard takes the role of love interest Princess Fiona, with Ellie Farmer, who usually takes the role of principal boy for the company, moving from good to evil to playing Wisteria the wicked witch and David Ball in the role of Rumbletum the Ogre.

Under the musical direction of Tim Harding, with choreography by Lisa Farmer and directed by Alf Rai, Harlequin is now in its 12th year of producing pantomimes and for the last six years have won NODA awards for their area, District 7.

The group is pleased to announce their 2018 too, which will be Little Red Riding Hood.

For tickets priced at £9, call 01902 678242 or 07530 372852.

With the tiny ones in mind, Wriggle Dance Company is presenting The Colour of Me on January 21 at the Old Rep in Birmingham.

This is an interactive performance for very young children and the company invite you to join them on the stage and step inside a magical world of colour.

Can you feel the excitement of the deep blue sea? The green peace of nature and go where no child has ever been before – inside an orange?

This production has live music, projections and promises to be delight and inspire young audiences. For tickets priced at £8 each or a family of four for £30, visit www.oldreptheatre.co.uk or call 0121 359 9444.

For something completely different, the Grange Players from Walsall are presenting Holmes for the Holidays until January 21, at the Grange Playhouse on Broadway North.

Although the run has already started, there are still plenty of dates for you to enjoy.

It's December 1936 and Broadway star William Gillette, who is famous for his portrayals of super smooth detective, Sherlock Holmes, has invited his fellow cast members to his home for the weekend.

Described as a rollercoaster of laughs, death, danger and hilarity, Holmes for the Holidays is a glittering Whodunit set during the festive period, resulting the leading man assuming the role of his beloved Sherlock Holmes.

For further information and to book tickets, priced at just £10 each, visit www.grangeplayers.co.uk

Viva Musica Choir, who rehearse at Ham Dingle Primary School in Pedmore, Stourbridge, is holding an open evening on January 17.

This is a great opportunity for budding new singers to go along and meet the existing choir with a view to joining. Sing your way into the new year!

Viva Musica is a mixed voice choir consisting of sopranos, altos, tenors and basses, who perform a wide and varied repertoire through a series of concerts across the year, singing everything from classical favourites to upbeat popular tunes. Their next performance will be on May 20 at Dudley Town Hall.

Joining the choir is also a great way to make new friends, as they hold regular social events for members too.

For more information visit viva-musica.co.uk or see the choir's Facebook page.

And finally this week, Brierley Hill Musical Theatre Company is performing Cinderella at Brierley Hill Civic Hall on January 14, 15, 19, 20 and 21.

With a superb cast, catchy, popular tunes and laughs galore, it promises to be fun for all the family For tickets call 0845 6588095 or book online at www.bhmtc.co.uk

Well that's all for this week. Please keep your emails and good quality photos coming to a.norton@expressandstar.co.uk, call me on 01902 319662 or follow me on Twitter @AlisonNorton.

Break a leg!

By Alison Norton