Alison Norton's Midlands am dram round-up - January 27

Our

casts her expert eye over the shows that you should be looking out for this week.

Did you know that February 7, 2012, is the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Dickens? I didn't until Neville Street from the Shropshire Drama Company informed me that to celebrate this event, a Dickens Weekend is being held on the weekend of February 3-5 at The Lion Hotel in Shrewsbury.

Attended by the author's great, great grandson, actor Gerald Dickens, there will be readings and a screening of his wonderful festive tale, A Christmas Carol, an illustrated talk by local historian David Trumper and walks around Shrewsbury, visiting locations which appeared in the 1984 version of the film.

For more information, visit www.thelionhotelshrewsbury.com or call 01743 353107 for tickets priced at £8.50-£15.

Back in pantoland, Startime Variety, who perform at The Cornbow Hall in Halesowen, are presenting Jack and The Beanstalk from February 1-4.

This group were formed back in 1967 and have gone from strength to strength ever since, presenting their own special brand of musical theatre and pantomimes.

Written and produced by Startime member, Mike Clifford, you can expect all the favourite characters in this panto, including Jack, Silly Billy and of course Daisy the Cow, but watch out for some new ones too, such as Princess Prudence, Slime Ball and Felix.

In true pantomime tradition there are plenty of fun and frolics and well known tunes for everyone to join in.

There are evening performances at 7.15pm and a Saturday matinee at 2.15pm. For tickets, priced at £8.50-£10.00, or £30 for a family of 2 adults and 2 children, call 01384 812812 or visit www.dudley.gov.uk/entertainment

From February 2-11, you can catch the hilarious 'Allo, 'Allo, presented by the Walsall Fellowship Players at the Grange Playhouse in Walsall.

This particular episode tells the tale of how cafe owner, Rene and his wife, Edith, attempt to hold on to a priceless painting, (you know the one!) stolen by the Nazis and secreted inside a large sausage in his cafe's cellar.

The audience are been encouraged to dress in 1940's costumes, so it should be great fun.

For tickets, priced at £9, call 01922 630495. I vill say zis only once!

Fans of Terry Pratchett will be delighted to hear that Irana Brown's adaptation of his novel, Lords and Ladies, will be presented from February 1-4 at the Lichfield Garrick Theatre by the Lichfield Players.

It's a complex plot with squabbling witches, a concerned king and a royal wedding to contend with, but if you fancy something a little different, this is the play for you.

With a cast of 28, wardrobe mistress, Lesley Westrop and her team have been working hard to produce suitable costumes for the piece, including witches, wizards, elves and even an orang-utan! Apparently the orang-utan suit is still at the cleaners, but she has been promised it for opening night! That's am dram for you!

For tickets, priced at £10 each, contact 01543 412412 or visit www.lichfieldgarrick.com

Local choir, Viva Musica, based at St. James's Church, Wollaston, work tirelessly to support various charities in the area each year, with a series of concerts, raffles and by asking for donations.

In 2011 the group raised almost £1,500 for The Deansley Centre at New Cross Hospital, which specialises in cancer treatment.

In 2012 they will be supporting the Mary Stevens Hospice and I would urge you all to go along and see the choir and at the same time help them raise money for this worthwhile cause.

Viva Musica's next performance will be a matinee concert of popular choral music on Saturday, February 4, including compositions by Karl Jenkins, John Rutter and Paul McCartney.

Joining the choir will be Linda May on flute, Tony May on clarinet and pianist, Michael Jones

As this is a 3pm concert, those of you who dislike the dark, cold winter evenings might find it a preferable alternative, so why not go along?

For tickets, priced at just £7 please contact Rosemary Phillips on 01384 376708 or they are available at Music Matters, Market Street, Stourbridge, or on the door at St. James's Church on the day.

Well. that's all for this week. You can email me at a.norton@expressandstar.co.uk with all your news and remember to include colour photographs if you have them, or call me on 01902 319662. Break a leg!