Alison Norton's am dram round-up - January 13

Happy New Year to you all and let's look forward to some exciting theatre in 2012!

Pantomime isn't just for Christmas you know, (oh, no it isn't!) January seems to be the main month of the year when dames, princes and Fairy Godmothers dust off their wigs, boots and wands and get ready to entertain us.

There's nothing like a good old traditional panto to chase the January blues away, but Oldbury Repertory Theatre, based at the Barlow Theatre, is presenting a panto with a twist – their very own version of Dick Whittington from January 13-21.

In this topical production, on his adventures Dick meets King Rat and his gang, who are planning to take over London and destroy Ye Olde Olympic Games, as well as sailing off to the Caribbean on the Black Pearl with Captain Jack Sparrow.

For tickets priced at £9-£8, contact 0121 552 2761 or call Alan Wood on 10384 832556.

Over in Stourbridge, you can catch Stourbridge Pantomime Company's production of Robinson Crusoe at the Town Hall theatre from January 21-28.

This talented company stars Sarah Rose in the title role, with Lara Mitchell as love interest, Polly Cockles, Mel Glazzard as the fairy and Nick Perkins in his very first principal role as dimwit Herbert Bosun.

There are upbeat tunes including hits by Tina Turner, kiddie's favourites and of course songs from musical theatre.

Sarah's boyfriend Steve Coussens is playing The Sherriff of Nottingham in a rival panto, Babes in the Wood, which Brierley Hill Operatic Society is presenting at the same time. I bet it's a laugh a minute in their household at the moment! For tickets contact 01384 836963 or visit www.stourbridgepanto.co.uk

The Young Ones are celebrating their 40th anniversary this year, with a production of Cinderella at Netherton Arts Centre from January 21-28.

As the name of their company suggests, this is a group of youngsters aged seven to 18 years old, who perform a panto every year.

Performances are nightly at 7.15pm and there is a Saturday matinee at 2.15pm too, so take the kids.

For tickets for more information about this group, call Chris Sykes on 01384 895266.

A less well-known panto is The Pied Piper, which Aldridge Youth Theatre is presenting at Noddy Park Road from January 13-14, 19-21 and 26-28.

Although still a traditional theme, this is a new and updated version of a very old story, set in Hampton in the Marsh, a small sleepy English town.

The town council are in trouble with the householders, as rubbish has built up in the streets resulting in a plague of rats! (Get the picture?)

Luckily, travelling entertainers Paddy O'Piper and Dougie Drum roll into town and save the day! 18-year-old Joe Cryan plays Paddy with 14-year-old Will Young (no, not THE Will Young!) as Dougie.

George Daulton plays Dame Dilly Dumpling. Let's hope this is a life-long hobby for George, as Dames are hard to come by these days! There are performances nightly at 7.30pm with 2.30pm matinees on Saturdays.

Tickets, priced £9 for adults and £8 for concessions, are available from the box office on 01922 458615.

Old Fallings Players who perform at Moreton Community School, are presenting Fiddler on the Roof from May 17-19 and are looking for new members, in particular men, to join for the show.

As you can imagine, men are a key ingredient in this show (remember the bottle dance?) and in true am dram style, they are thin on the ground as usual.

Chairwoman of the group, Vi Ellis said: "Rehearsals are every Friday at 7.30pm at Old Fallings United Reformed Church and anyone is welcome to come along."

You can call Vi on 01902 732123 to arrange an audition or find out more about the production.

Finally this week, there is exciting news of another audition. South Staffs Musical Theatre Company will be presenting The Sound of Music at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from October 9-13 and are auditioning for the Von Trapp family children on Saturday February 25th at the theatre.

Young people aged between eight and 18 years old are invited to audition for the roles of the children and also Liesel and Rolf and can register online at www.grandtheatre.co.uk from Monday, January 16.

The group is looking for two sets of six children, who can sing, dance and act, plus the slightly older roles of Liesel and Rolf (who are, if you remember the song, Sixteen Going on Seventeen!)

For more information visit the Grand Theatre website from Monday onwards – full details of the audition will be there, or email nortonaj@hotmail.co.uk for further information.

Well that's all for this week.

Remember to email me your news and photos to a.norton@expressandstar.co.uk or call me on 01902 319662.

Break a leg!