Alison Norton's Midlands am dram guide - January 20

Our am dram guru

casts her expert eye over the shows that you should be looking out for this week - including the Madness musical Our House, pantos Jack and the Beanstalk and Dick Whittington and the Richard Harris thriller Two Minds.

Performing arts studies in schools and colleges these days is of such a high standard that some productions by youngsters can certainly give professional theatre a run for its money.

Coppice Performing Arts School in Willenhall have a wealth of talent to draw from and under the enthusiastic instruction of their teacher, Steve Clifton, regularly delight friends and family with a host of musical theatre productions, including We Will Rock You and Les Miserables.

This year, the group have chosen to perform the Madness musical, Our House, which you can catch at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from January 27-28.

First performed at the school back in March 2011, the musical was so well received that when they were offered the opportunity to perform at the Grand, the group jumped at the chance.

Scenes were re-plotted and dance numbers extended to cope with the new venue and members of staff joined the pupils to make Our House their best performance yet.

Jay Wiley takes the role of Joe, a jack-the-lad torn between right and wrong, with Amy Goodall as his love interest Sarah.

While Joe has appeared in every production by Coppice, Amy is a relatively latecomer to musical theatre, but certainly makes up for her limited experience with outstanding vocals.

With a cast of 75 performing Madness classics including It Must Be Love, Driving in my Car, the heart-wrenching NW5 and of course the title song, Our House, it promises to be quite a night!

For tickets call the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre box office on 01902 429212.

Rainbow Pantomimes, who perform at the Mill Theatre, Sedgley, delight their audiences every year and 2012 is no exception as they take to the stage with the ever-popular Jack and the Beanstalk.

With a new director this year, Rainbow continues to grow and improve, whilst still keeping the traditions of pantomime alive.

Catch Rainbow's production from January 22-28 at 7.30pm nightly and 2.30pm matinees on weekends. For tickets, priced at £5-£9, call Dora on 01902 894472, or visit www.rainbowpantomimeco.uk for more information about the company.

If you need a break from dames, princes and community songs, why not opt for something a little more serious? The Nonentities from The Rose Theatre in Kidderminster, are presenting the psychological drama, Two Minds by Richard Harris from January 23-28.

Described as "more than just a thriller", this play apparently gives a dramatic insight into the lives and minds of seemingly ordinary people.

A divorced father of two, David, moves into a new house with his partner, Annie. Although on the surface everything seems fine, it isn't long before a series of peculiar events cast a shadow over their happiness.

Will David's increasing obsession with their neighbour drive the couple apart? Why not go along and see for yourself?

For tickets contact the Rose Theatre box office on 01562 743754 or visit www.rosetheatre.co.uk

Finally this week Harlequin Pantomimes, based at Perton Civic Centre, will be performing Dick Whittington from January 24-28. This is the group's sixth panto over which time their popularity, never mind their ticket sales, have gone from strength to strength with regular customers often booking twelve months in advance.

The cast for Dick Whittington boasts no fewer than ten different families too, with many of the original members now bringing along their youngsters to join in. This makes for one big, happy family with plenty of fun and laughter both in rehearsal and at their thriving social events.

Ian Jones takes over as director this year with Tim Harding and Lisa Farmer alongside him. Paul Bowman makes his 20th appearance as dame (in this case Dolly Dumpling!) while student and dance teacher, Lindsey Grant plays the title role.

Her mum Jeanette is on board too, as one half of the comedy duo Scupper and Captain Cuttlefish played by Simon Fenner who has even grown a beard especially for the part!

Luke Bennett, aged 13, appears as Tom the Dancing Cat in his first principal role of the company and Alquin Magpantay reprises his role as pantomime baddie for the third year running, this time as King Rat.

Alquin studied theatre back home in The Philippines for many years before coming to England and I don't know if they have panto out there, but Alquin has taken to it like a duck to water. He is evil personified!

There are songs old and new, including Hello Dolly, Bright New Day and All In This Together, giving this traditional panto a revitalised look and feel.

Although Dick Whittington is very well sold, there are a few tickets left, so contact the Ticket Secretary on 01902 678242 for details.

Well, that's all for this week. Email me at a.norton@expressandstar.co.uk with all your news and photos.

Break a leg!