Your Midlands and Shropshire am dram round up

On August 17 at 7.30pm at the Dormston Mill Theatre in Sedgley, mezzo soprano Tara Kelsey (pictured) is presenting her very own musical feast; A Song to Remember. It’s a concert of opera and her other favourite tunes from the 1930s, 40s and 50s, in memory of her dad John Kelsey, who died earlier this year.

John was a huge admirer of Mario Lanza and passed his love of the incomparable tenor’s music on to Tara, along with the work of Gershwin and Sinatra. Tara has managed to weave all her favourites into the concert and it promises to be a treat.

I asked her to tell me a little about the event: “I’m busy all day, every day planning my concert,” she says.

“I can never switch off from it and I think it’s because it holds such personal sentiment regarding my dad. It was his wish for me to keep singing and be happy.

“Dad adored to sing and had a beautiful, natural baritone voice. Over the years he enjoyed performing in am dram companies at The Little Theatre Donnington Telford, and was also a member of the Wolverhampton Quaver Club and Walsall Harmonic society, where he would go and perform weekly and often take me along as a guest singer,” she explains.

“He competed in music festivals including The Dudley Festival of Music and Drama and Dance, often gaining distinctions for his vocal ability. Dad and I would often duet together.”

They obviously had a lovely relationship and their shared love of Mario Lanza brought them even closer together.

“The thing I adore most about Mario’s voice is the abandonment and passion within it. He really lived and breathed every song he sang.”

Audiences will be delighted to hear Tara has, of course, included some of Mario Lanza’s most popular songs inher concert, including Because your Mine, from the title MGM film written by Nicholas Brodszky, and also Beloved from the operetta The Student Prince. There will be some Gershwin numbers too including Love Walked in from the Goldwyn Follies, and two piano medleys by Gershwin and Cole Porter.

I asked Tara why she loves to sing.

“I feel my happiest when I’m singing on stage and conveying the music and its every emotion to the audience,” she says. “My favourite opera has to be Puccini’s Tosca, but I sing many musical theatre songs and ballads from the mid-20th century too.”

Tara is joined by the Midlands favourite tenor, Joe Johnson, who has been delighting audiences with his outstanding vocal ability for many a year and knew Tara’s dad well. Also appearing will be pianist Wayne Baddeley, who has performed with high-profile bands such as the BBC Concert Orchestra and the Joe Loss Orchestra, as well as making appearances on daytime TV and on radio.

Trust me, this will be a lovely, sentimental evening with something for everyone to enjoy.

l For tickets, priced at £12 each, call 01384 816389 or visit the Facebook Page, A Song to Remember.

I’m great believer that theatre is for everyone. I have regular contact with several groups in our area who cater specifically for actors and actresses who have learning and physical disabilities and benefit greatly from the opportunity to express themselves through performance.

Two groups who rehearse and perform at Newhampton Arts Centre in Wolverhampton are now joining forces to present a double bill of Todd Sweeney (based on the famous tale of Sweeney Todd the Demon Barber) and my very favourite Disney offering, Beauty and the Beast.

On August 5, The Discoverers will start the proceedings off with the story of the hapless barber from Bilston (well that’s a change to the original) who becomes entangled with the evil deeds of his friend, a local butcher. It’s the Black Country version of the classic.

Then Take a Bow, will delight us with their interpretation of Beauty and the Beast, including some interesting transformations and some additional, unexpected characters. Bring your dancing shoes too, because I think they intend to get the whole audience on their feet.

l There are performances at 3pm and 6.30pm on the day and tickets are just £5 each. Visit www.newhamptonarts.co.uk to purchase.

Lovers of John Steinbeck’s classic novel, Of Mice and Men will be pleased to hear that casting is now taking place for the play, which will be performed at The Grange Playhouse in Walsall from November 16-25.

There’s a reading of the play on Monday, August 7, followed by auditions on August 15 and 23.

The group is seeking nine gentlemen of various ethnicities, aged between early twenties to sixties and also one female in her twenties.

The powerful storyline requires experienced actors who have the ability to bring out the characterisations of these demanding roles.

l For more information, contact brownleanne92@gmail.com or call Leanne on 07909594017.

Finally this week, if your youngsters need occupying during the long summer holidays, RSM Stage Academy in Wolverhampton is holding stage experience weeks from August 7-11 (Movies Week) and August 21-25 (Legends Week).

Students will have the opportunity to work with a team of professional teachers, as well as special guests from the West End, to improve their skills in drama, singing and dance whilst having fun and making new friends.

Each week will end with a showcase performance for friends and family.

l For information, visit www.rsmstageacademy.co.uk or call 01902 725100 or 07583 849316.

l Send your news to a.norton@expressandstar.co.uk, call 01902 319662 or follow me on Twitter

@AlisonNorton