Your Midlands and Shropshire am dram guide

The Sound of Music remains one of the top three most successful films in history and is probably the world’s most popular musical, translated into dozens of languages, with record-breaking productions still touring internationally.

The musical also has a special place in theatre history and the company is delighted to bring it to life to celebrate the show’s sixtieth anniversary. It was first performed on Broadway in 1959, starring the renown musical theatre star Mary Martin, before Julie Andrews took over the role for the 1965 film version, which went on to win no less than five academy awards.

Based on the delightful, true story of the Von Trapp Family Singers, The Sound of Music follows the story of a postulant nun, Maria, who takes a job as a governess for a large family in Austria while she decides whether or not to take her final vows. But, with seven children to keep under control, most of whom are unhappy having lost their mother and seeking attention from their grieving father, it certainly isn’t an easy task.

The unforgettable score of the show includes Do-Re-Mi, The Lonely Goatherd, Climb Every Mountain, My Favourite Things, Edelweiss and of course the title song The Sound of Music.

It’s the perfect family treat, so for tickets priced at £22-£21 each call 01543 412121 or visit www.lichfieldgarrick.com

In contrast, maybe don’t take the whole family to see this one!

Musical Theatre Stafford are set to perform their most revealing show ever, when they present The Full Monty, the Broadway Musical at the Stafford Gatehouse Theatre from April 30-May 4.

This is the American musical version of the 1997 British film and boasts a book by Terrence McNally and a score by David Yazbek. It was nominated for nine Tony awards, including Best Musical, when it shimmied its way onto Broadway in the year 2000.

For six men, unemployed and down on their luck in Buffalo, New York, times are tough. Jerry may lose his son in a custody battle with his ex-wife; his best friend Dave is battling weight and self-esteem issues; their former boss Harold pretends to his wife that he’s still working. Then there’s lonely Malcolm who still lives with his mother, plus the accident-prone Ethan. Completing the group is Horse, who may be unemployed and older, but he’s still got the moves!

The score differs from the original UK version, but includes some lively numbers including Big-Ass Rock, It’s a Woman’s World, Breeze Off the River and Let it Go. Not exactly Hot Stuff, but equally as catchy.

Could joining forces to perform a strip act at a local nightclub be the answer to these would-be strippers’ prayers?

Join Musical Theatre Stafford for The Full Monty as they take on the world with great songs, fabulous dance numbers, big laughs, and of course, the most highly anticipated closing number ever!

For tickets, contact the Stafford Gatehouse Theatre Box Office on 01785 619080 or visit www.musicaltheatrestafford.org.uk/fm

It’s bound to raise a smile!

A request now from local group, Backstreet Theatre Company, who will be performing The Wedding Singer later this year.

They are keen to get hold of some wedding dresses, bridesmaid’s dresses and cocktail dresses from the 1980’s for the show. See this as a chance to declutter ladies!

If you have any outfits to donate, please contact Caroline on 07970 958160 or email backstreettheatrecompany@gmail.com

Finally this week, with a cast of 34 youngsters, Youth Onstage will have you dancing in the aisles as they perform the smash hit musical, Fame at The Old Rep Theatre in Birmingham from May 2-4.

The story follows some of the students at the New York School of Performing Arts throughout their four-year course, seeing them coming to terms with life and relationships; those who persevere, who are resilient and those who are not.

Youth Onstage has outstanding talented dedicated membership aged from 9 to 25 years old.

One of the group’s long-standing members Gibsa, who is playing the part of Tyrone Jackson, travels each week from WAC Arts in London for rehearsals. They also have one member who first performed with Youth Onstage at the age of nine, Hannah who is playing the part of Serena. Sadly though, this is her last production as she has now reached the grand age of 25.

Their leading lady Ellie, who is playing the part of Carmen, is now in the final heats of Miss England, with the final only months away. What an amazing group of young performers!

Spokesperson Donna Bremner told me, “Whilst some of our older members have currently moved away and undertaking degrees in the Performing Arts or Media Studies, Youth Onstage feel very privileged to have such a talented, dedicated group of young people.”

You are guaranteed a musical extravaganza with music ranging from classical to pop and rap whilst the dance moves from ballet through to modern and hip-hop.

For tickets, visit www.youthonstage.org or call 07903 238109 or 0121 359 9444.

There will be much excitement across the skies of Shropshire very soon, as the most famous flying car in the world swoops in for a production of the timeless family musical, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, presented by Mad Cow productions.

This group was set up in 2003 by Alex Hinton and Lisa Lowarch, whose aim was, and remains, to create high quality theatre for the people of Shropshire, with excellent production values and strong performances, at an accessible price and to enable their members to reach new, and ever higher standards of performance.

As a result, “the herd” as Alex describes them, has won the Mayor’s Special Award for their outstanding contribution to the local community.

The Shrewsbury based Mad Cows have taken the very brave decision to perform the stage adaptation of the film musical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang from May 2-4 at Theatre Severn.

The 1968 film starred Dick Van Dyke, Sally-Ann Howes and Lionel Jeffries, not to mention the ballet master Robert Helpmann in the role of the horrible Child-Catcher! He was the thing nightmares are made of! I am not sure who is playing that role in Mad Cow’s version, but it’s a great character part.

The storyline of the show is simple but very uplifting.

An eccentric inventor, Caractacus Potts, sets about restoring an old race car from a scrap heap for his children, Jeremy and Jemima. Trouble occurs however when the evil Baron Bomburst desires the once famous car for himself. The family joins forces with Truly Scrumptious and batty Grandpa Potts to outwit the dastardly Baron and Baroness and their villainous spies.

This family-friendly blockbuster features an unforgettable score by the Sherman Brothers, who also wrote the music for Mary Poppins and Jungle Book and includes Hushabye Mountain, Truly Scrumptious, You Two, Toot Sweets, Me Ol’ Bam-boo, Chu-Chi Face and of course the title song.

This is a huge show for an amateur group to take on and co-producer and director for Mad Cows, Alex Hinton told me “I believe this is the most expensive amateur show ever performed in Shropshire, at £70,000 and rising.”

The Cows, as they are affectionately known, certainly have their work cut out, but with a host of successful productions behind them, including The Full Monty, Anything Goes, Noises Off, The Game’s Afoot, Kiss Me Kate, Blithe Spirit and The Producers to name but a few, together with her co-producer and choreographer Lisa Lowarch, Alex is confident.

I think if anyone can pull this show off, the Mad Cows can!

Filled with spectacular stage effects and unforgettable songs, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is a high-flying, fun-filled adventure for all ages. It’s proving very popular with local school parties too.

There are performances of Chitty on Thursday-Saturday at 7.30pm, matinees on Friday and Saturday at 2.30pm and for tickets priced at £23.50-£15.50 contact the box office at Theatre Severn on 01746 281281, visit www.theatresevern.co.uk or www.madcowproductions.co.uk

Good luck Alex, Lisa and your cast. It’s going to be “uncategorical, a fuel burning oracle!”

That’s all for this week. Remember to send me all your news and good quality colour photos to a.norton@expressandstar.co.uk. Or, you can call me on 01902 319662 or follow me on Twitter @AlisonNorton.

Break a leg!