Alison Norton's Midlands am dram guide - Feb 24

Our am dram guru

casts her expert eye over the shows that you should be looking out for, including a cast call for Annie, a production of Fiddler on The Roof, a concert of music from screen and stage and no less than two productions of Titanic The Musical.

I don't know how any of you feel about the 'search for a star' approach to casting professional shows?

Andrew Lloyd-Webber's newest venture is to find the title role for Jesus Christ Superstar in a similar fashion to his Over The Rainbow search for Dorothy.

As an am dram performer myself, I suppose I should see it as a wonderful opportunity for us to learn in a professional environment and have the chance to perform on the West End – but there is part of me that says what about all the training and hard work professionals put in for years and years and may never been recognised?

What if the amateur performer does not have the stamina or experience needed to play a role eight times a week for a long period of time? Is it really fair to just go on TV and win a whole new career and life for yourself?

Having said that, I am sure it works in the am dram world when local companies are searching for a special someone to cast in a particular role.

Walsall Operatic Society is intending to go down this route for their 2013 production of Annie, which they will perform at the Lichfield Garrick Theatre next March.

Obviously it's a long way off, but if you would like to be considered for a role in this production, please contact Phil James on 07836794025 for more information.

This group are due to perform Fiddler on the Roof at the same venue from March 13-17.

They are a young, enthusiastic company with excellent talent, soplease go along and support them. For tickets, contact Phil James or visit www.lichfieldgarrick.com

On February 29, you can catch Quarry Bank Operatic Society's concert entitled Gotta Sing! Gotta Dance! at the Cornbow Hall in Halesowen.

Enjoy an evening of music and dance from stage and screen, including numbers from Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Miss Saigon, Phantom of the Opera, The Jersey Boys and Wicked, to name but a few.

The evening will be in cabaret style and you are advised to arrive early as there is no reserved seating. For tickets, priced at just £11, contact Linda Raybould on 01384 820902 or visit www.qbos.org.uk

One show which doesn't sound much fun, but is actually very good, is Titanic the Musical.

Obviously it tells the story of the sinking of the ship in 1912 on her maiden voyage to America, but there is a humour, and a sense of hope about this musical, which you wouldn't necessarily associate with the title.

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the tragedy, Shewsbury Amateur Operatic Society are presenting the Tony Award-winning Titanic from March 14-17 at Theatre Severn, complete with a cast of over 60 passengers and ship's personnel as well as a full orchestra. For an exciting theatrical experience, call 01743 236855 for tickets, or visit www.shrewsburyoperaticsociety.dsnet.info

Incidentally, West Bromwich Operatic Society is also performing Titanic at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from April 17-21, so more information on their version nearer the time.

A little further afield, Knowle Operatic Society, who perform at the Solihull Arts Complex, is presenting Rodgers and Hammerstein's heart-wrenching Carousel from March 4-10.

One of the most popular musicals of its time, Carousel has a wonderful score including June is Bustin' Out All Over, What's the Use of Wonderin' and of course You'll Never Walk Alone.

For tickets call 0121 704 6962 or visit www.kosweb.co.uk

Finally, you may recall that in last week's column I mentioned Impulse Productions' show, Parade, which ran at the Arena Theatre from February 15-18.

Well, I went along on the Friday evening and I have to say it was outstanding. Parade is not an easy musical to pull off by any means.

I really knew very little about it except for the basic storyline and I certainly could not have told you any of the songs beforehand – and yet it was one of the best amateur musical performances I have seen for a long time.

Every member of the company stayed perfectly in character throughout the whole show, every principal had outstanding vocals and acting ability, the choreography was unobtrusive but very effective and the set simple but in keeping with the piece

Luke Renwick and Becci Steen as Leo and Lucille Frank were both excellent, but it was Omari Douglas who really stole the show with exceptional performances in no less than three roles.

He is certainly a talent to watch!

As we all waited for the final line which would hopefully reveal the end of the tale, you could have literally cut the atmosphere with a knife.

Well done Impulse Productions! I can't wait for the next one.

That's all for this week. Email me at a.norton@expressandstar.co.uk with all your news.

Break a leg!