Midland am dram guide

I personally am not an advocator of these awards, but respect the fact that other companies like to enter and that their members are motivated by their involvement.

I just wish we could find a fairer way of judging am dram across the region without the obvious favouritism that the NODA awards bring and I know I am not the only one. My thoughts aside, well done to everyone who entered.

Meanwhile, there is so much going on this week, so let's get started.

Performing Arts courses in all forms, be it music, dance, drama or musical theatre are extremely popular choices for young people these days, whether the want to teach or enter the world of show business and the University of Wolverhampton, right here in the centre of our region offers some of the best.

Students tackle increasingly complex modern musicals, despite often limited performance space and technical facilities, but with surprisingly good results.

The current students of the University of Wolverhampton's Musical Theatre department will present Dolly Parton's fun filled comedy musical, 9 to 5, from May 10-13 at the Arena Theatre.

Winding back the clock to 1980 when a woman's place in the world of work was behind a typewriter, this is the tale of three female workers, Doralee, Violet and Judy, who turn the tables on their chauvinistic boss to take over the company, raise the profile of women workers and appoint Violet CEO!

I chatted to the students about their roles and the challenging musical numbers in the show.

Twenty one year old Paige Hudder shares the role of Judy with Bryoni Bradshaw. Judy has probably the biggest solo number in the show – Get Out and Stay Out – which she sings to her philandering husband when her confidence reaches its peak and she finally makes the decision to throw him out.

Paige said, "The music is definitely challenging when you consider some of the complicated harmonies." Bryoni continued, "I have found it difficult to harmonise with the principal characters while the ensemble is also harmonising underneath, but despite these challenges the score of 9 to 5 has vocally strengthened our cast."

Olivia Courtney and Caitlin Gallagher share the role of Doralee, the character which Dolly Parton played herself in both the musical and the film. Hopefully English audiences will understand the American humour.

"That is something that will rely a lot on everyone making sure they deliver the humour clearly," said Caitlin. "I think that the humour in 9 to 5 is accessible and appeals to everyone as its comedy is quite diverse in its nature," continued Olivia.

Finally the role of Violet is played by Polly Sargent and Kristina Rudge. Both girls agree the laughs in 9 to 5 will appeal to all. "There's everything from sarcastic anecdotes to slapstick," said Polly, while Kristina added "The entire show is full of innuendoes and jokes that have the potential to keep the audience laughing throughout the show."

Add to the comedy a score which includes Shine Like The Sun, Around Here and of course the title song and you will want to set you alarms so that you don't miss it!

For tickets for 9 to 5 the musical, call the Arena Theatre Box Office on 01902 321321 or visit http://www.wlv.ac.uk/arena-theatre/

Lovers of West End musicals are in for a treat as Brierley Hill Musical Theatre Company presents an evening of smash hits from Jersey Boys, Jekyll and Hyde, Kiss Me Kate, Les Miserables and Starlight Express at 7.30pm on April 29 at Wordsley Church. The concert will also include an excerpt from their forthcoming production, My Fair Lady, which they will present in October.

The proceeds will support local charities, so for tickets call 0345 6588095 or visit www.bhmtc.co.uk

On May 5-6, at the Mill Theatre, Sedgley, WBOS Youth Theatre is presenting Remix, a new take on song and dance presented by their bright young stars.

Audiences can look forward to no less than 30 tunes, some from musicals, some contemporary, but a great mixture of ensemble numbers, mash-ups, solos and smaller groups.

With excerpts from West Side Story, Sister Act, Blood Brothers and covers of The Jackson Five, Cyndi Lauper, James Arthur and Sam Smith, there is something for everyone presented by a group of very talented young performers.

For tickets priced at £14 for adults and £12 for concessions, visit wbosytickets@btinternet.com or call 07736 283781.

Highbury Theatre in Sutton Coldfield is celebrating its 75th anniversary next month, with an open day on May 6.

The theatre will be open from 11am-12.30pm and from 2pm-4pm for a presentation of performance, workshops for adults and children and reminiscences including a film of the original building work, with a new soundtrack and featuring the theatre's President, Dickie Bird, who has been an active member of Highbury Players since 1942. A very impressive achievement.

For more information, call 0121 373 2761 or visit www.highburytheatre.co.uk

Oldbury Rep is presenting the classic thriller, Sleuth by Anthony Shaffer from May 6-13.

Described as the ultimate game of Cat and Mouse, Sleuth is set in a beautiful English country mansion, where mystery writer Andrew Wyke plans his revenge against a young rival, Milo Tindle, who has Wyke's wife in his sights, but all is not as it seems.

Immortalised on the big screen by Sir Lawrence Olivier and Michael Caine and then updated in 2007 starring Michael Caine again, this time in the role of Wyke, with Jude Law as Tindle, Sleuth is a brilliant parody of the Agatha Christie country house murder mystery, but with a cunning twist. Unmissable!

For tickets, priced at £10-£8, visit www.oldburyrep.org or call 0121 552 2761

Well that's all for this week. Tell me all your news and send me some good quality colour photos to a.norton@expressandstar.co.uk, call me on 01902 319662 or follow me on Twitter @AlisonNorton

Break a leg!

By Alison Norton