Midlands and Shropshire am dram guide

With this in mind, a local company called Love Dudley, represented by Becky Cook, will be presenting The Easter Production at Dudley Town Hall on Saturday. April 15 and Sunday 16 at 7.30pm, directed by Jon and Miriam Buckeridge.

The Ticket spoke to Becky about the idea for the show and how the writing process evolved:

“We never really set out to write a musical or stage a show,” says Becky.

“Instead we just started thinking about how the death of Jesus would have been for his mother Mary and we had a clear image of a heartbroken mother kneeling and singing at the foot of the cross. Whatever your beliefs that is a haunting and very real image that we can all relate to in some way,” she continues.

“A simple song emerged from this image,” says Becky, “which allowed members of our church to connect with death and Jesus in a very personal way, especially those who are mothers themselves. More songs just started emerging following the different characters in the story, which gave us a slightly different viewpoint and understanding.”

The story follows the last days on Earth of Jesus, The Last Supper, the Crucifixion and eventually the Resurrection.

Jesus is played by Jon Martin, who has had no lines to learn at all, as although he’s the central character, the story is told through the eyes of those around him. Lucky Jon!

Mary is played by Becky, who performs both her grief and hope, while the whole piece is linked nicely together by a narrator, played by Pete Hopper.

The production aims to give the audience a 3D view of the Easter story, to see reflections in their own lives.

Sounds a little sombre? Remember that theatre is not just about sequins and tap shoes. Just think about the theatrical symbol of the masks – comedy and tragedy and this production is certainly set to provoke your thoughts and is well worth seeing.

Becky feels the production is suitable for adults, whether they identify as having a faith or not, but it might not be suitable for youngsters under 12 however, parents can use their discretion.

So for something a little different, but still very entertaining this Easter time, call 01384 812812 or visit www.easterproduction.org for tickets, which are priced at just £5 each.

Over in Shrewsbury, things are a little more light-hearted as youth group, Get Your Wiggle On, present a concert entitled Musical Medley on April 18-19, at Theatre Severn starting at 7.30pm.

It promises to be a packed evening of entertainment including an especially adapted version of Tim Minchin’s West End smash musical Matilda.

l For tickets, priced at £13 each and £12 for concessions, call 01743 281281 or visit www.theatresevern.co.uk

From April 6-8, the Stafford Gatehouse Youth Theatre will present The Domino Effect by Finn Kennedy at the Met Studio within the theatre.

In the East End of London, 15-year-old Amina Rashman never speaks, her own silent protest against all the bad things in the world that seem to always happen to good people. She lives in a world of fantasy, but when her mother walks out on the family home and Amina is left to fend for herself, she discovers she has a unique power.

The group will be using dance and physical theatre to bring this modern classic to life, as well as exploring ideas about fate and self-determination.

l For tickets priced at £7 and £6 for concessions, call 01785 619080 or visit www.staffordgatehouse.co.uk

Over in the Shropshire area, TADLOP (Telford and District Light Operatic Players) are presenting a rarely performed musical, Just So, which is based on five of the the legendry children’s stories by Rudyard Kipling, woven into one wonderfully uplifting show written by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe.

Full of vibrant, unusual, heroic characters from the animal kingdom, Just So was first produced by Cameron Mackintosh in the 1980’s before enjoying relative success across the UK and the USA.

When the lands flood, thanks to a disobedient crab who interferes with the ocean, the animal kingdom is in danger.

While the other animals accept their sad fate, Elephant’s Child embarks on a journey to challenge the crab. On his travels he meets scores of other animals and discovers how the mysteries of their phenomenon came to be.

The score of the show is described as electrifying and upbeat and includes the songs Another Tempest, The Limpopo River, Leaps and Bounds and Little One Come Hither.

It offers performers the wonderful opportunity of studying animal behaviour and movement as well as telling the story through song and drama.

l TADLOP will perform Just So at The Telford Priory School from April 19-22. For tickets priced at £12 each plus a booking fee, visit www.tadlop.com

Finally this week, there’s the musical Annie at the Lichfield Garrick Theatre from April 18-22, courtesy of Lichfield Operatic Society.

Our young Am Dram Stars of the week, Molly and Katie will be appearing in the title role of a musical which tells the story of the red-headed orphan Annie who, together with her faithful hound Sandy, escape from the amusing but often drunken Miss Hannigan and finds happiness with Daddy Warbucks. It’s guaranteed to warm the coldest heart.

The score includes classic musical theatre tunes such as You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile, Easy Street, It’s a Hard Knock Life and, of course, Tomorrow.

l For tickets priced at £21-£16.50 call 01543 412121 or visit www.lichfieldgarrick.com/annie

l Well that’s all for this week. Please keep your emails and good quality photos coming to a.norton@expressandstar.co.uk, call me on 01902 319662 or follow me on Twitter @AlisonNorton and remember to nominate your Am Dram Stars of the week too.