Here is our top 10 theatre picks for April. From amateur to professional, get your diaries at the ready to pop some of the most important dates in...

31 March to 26 April
Shrek The Musical
Birmingham Hippodrome
Click here

1 to 3 April 
Rent
South Staffs Musical Theatre Company at Wolverhampton Grammar School
Click here

7 to 11 April
Sweeney Todd
Tamworth Arts Club at Landau Forte Sixth Form Centre
Click here

8 to 11 April
A View From The Bridge
Belgrade Theatre, Coventry
Click here

14 to 18 April
42nd Street
Peterbrook Players at Solihull Arts Complex
Click here

21 April to 2 May
The Bodyguard
Wolverhampton Grand
Click here

21 to 25 April 
The Producers
Studley Operatic Society at Redditch Palace Theatre
Click here

23 to 25 April 
A Man For All Seasons
Union Theatre at St Edburgha’s Church, Yardley
Click here

27 April to 2 May
Rebecca
Birmingham Repertory Theatre
Click here

28 April to 2 May
Our House
Solihull On Stage at Solihull Arts Complex
Click here

Solihull On Stage are bringing the infectious Madness musical, Our House, to Solihull Arts Complex from 28 April to 2 May.  

Madness’ greatest hits come to Solihull, as the award-winning Solihull on Stage presents Tim Firth’s fantastic musical. Marking a Solihull Arts Complex premiere, the cast will be performing the triple Olivier award-winning musical, featuring some of Madness’s greatest songs including Baggy Trousers, House of Fun, It Must be Love and, of course, the title song Our House. 

The story follows Camden lad Joe Casey who, on the night of his 16th birthday, makes a decision that will change his life. To impress Sarah, the girl of his dreams, Joe breaks into a building development, but things take a turn for the worse when the police turn up. Joe’s life splits into two; the Good Joe who stays and gives himself up and Bad Joe who flees, leaving Sarah to run from the police. 

Our House follows the two paths that Joe’s life could take after that fateful night. Over a period of seven years, and two alternative lives, Joe deals with the consequences of that night. All this is watched by Joe’s deceased father, who pulls the two stories together. 

Set in London this new classic musical will have the audience on the edge of their seats and roaring with laughter as the songs of the 80s are given a life of their own. Fizzing with energetic numbers and humour, this show is a must for Madness fans and musical goers alike.

Solihull On Stage present Our House at Solihull Arts Complex from 28 April to 2 May. For more information and to book tickets click here.

Find Solihull On Stage on Facebook here.
Find Solihull On Stage on Twitter here.

The NODA award-winning St. Augustine’s Musical Theatre Company have just announced the cast for their November production of Sister Act, which will also be the Solihull premiere of this infectious musical treat.

Loretta Parnell will be leading the cast, in the vocally demanding role of Deloris van Cartier - the part made famous by Whoopi Goldberg in the film version of Sister Act. This will be Loretta's debut with the company and she brings extensive stage experience to the role. Loretta will be joined by St. Augustine’s MTC regular Rachel Pattinson as Mother Superior, whilst Sister Mary Robert will be played by Alice White, Sister Mary Lazarus by Sarah Furmage, Sister Mary Theresa by Alison Tumber and Sister Mary Martin-of-Tours by Dianne Bennett.  Deloris’s backing singers, Michelle and Tina, will be played by Laura White and Charlotte Costello.

Produced and directed by Veronica Walsh, with musical direction from Stephen Powell and choreography by Liane Hughes, this show promises to be an absolute delight. 

The show runs at Solihull Arts Complex from 17 to 21 November. For more information about the show and St. Augustines MTC click here.

You can find St Augustines MTC on Facebook here.
You can find St Augustines MTC on Twitter here.

Studley Operatic Society are excited to present The Producers, which is making its debut performance at the Redditch Palace Theatre from 21 to 25 April 2015.

The Producers is destined to delight Redditch Palace Theatre audiences with its breathless combination of song, dance and laughter. Mel Brookes' multi award-winning musical features a riotous mix of eccentric characters and show stopping songs. You will be toe-tapping your way through the brilliant, camp, over the top world of Broadway.  

This outrageous musical comedy features fading producer Max Bialystock, who convinces Leo Bloom to assist him in producing a guaranteed flop in an attempt to steal $2m and escape to Rio!

With an extremely talented cast, this is a show not to be missed this April. For more information and to book tickets for Studley Operatic Society's production click here or call 01527 65203. Alternatively, for advance ticket sales with no booking fee please contact Mrs Jackie Perry on 01527 525699 or email studleyoperatic@gmail.com.

Find Studley Operatic Society on Facebook here.
Find Studley Operatic on Twitter here. 

Emteaz Hussain's brand new play, Blood, opens at Belgrade Theatre, Coventry running from 27 March to 11 April. Directed by Esther Richardson, Blood is a fresh, funny and compelling new love story about two teenagers from a Midlands Pakistani community. 

Like a modern-day Romeo and Juliet, Caneze and Sully’s story is about family ties and the risks people are willing to take for love – and the lengths to which others will go to keep them apart. A timely and contemporary story, this play goes straight to the heart. It lets us into a world governed by links to family and clan, as much as fiercely individual wants and desires.

Emteaz Hussain is a Nottingham-based performance poet, playwright and workshop leader who has worked with Benjamin Zephaniah and Lemn Sissay. Her acclaimed first play, Sweet Cider, was produced by Tamasha in 2008. This new play is a co-production between Tamasha and Belgrade Theatre. 

For more information and to book tickets click here or call Belgrade Theatre, Coventry box office on 024 7655 3055. 

Starbuck Theatre Company is a new Midlands based Theatre Company with Youth Training Strand. It's aim is to put on top quality shows using Midlands based actors, whilst allowing the Youth Company to work alongside the Theatre Company - learning everything that goes into putting on a show.  

Their first show is the beautiful and funny off-Broadway musical comedy I Love You Because. This is one of the first times it's been performed in the UK and it's first tour of the Midlands. The company have been lucky enough to be in direct contact with the shows lyricist, Ryan Cunningham, who has been supportive of their show.  It is 'lovingly ripped' from Jane Austen's 'Pride and Prejudice', but set in modern day New York, and follows the lives of 4 completely different people. 

This is a small show, with a big heart, comprising of only 6 cast members and 4 band members.

They have already performed at one venue in Worcester, and are now embarking on a short tour, including Malvern and Birmingham. See below for more details.

For more information about Starbuck Theatre Company and Youth Training Company, just click here, or call 07711 230317.

If you'd like to book tickets for I Love You Because just click here or call Ticket Source directly on 0333 666 3366. 

(Please note a booking fee applies online and there is a charge for the telephone service)

Saturday 18 April, 7.30pm
Malvern Coach House Theatre
Theatre House, Grange Road, 
Malvern, 
Worcestershire, 
WR14 3HA

Saturday 9 May, 7.30pm
Ruddock Performing Arts Centre
King Edwards School Studio Theatre
Edgbaston Park Road, 
Birmingham,
B15 2UA 

St Alphege Musical Production Society (STAMPS) are on the lookout for talented singers and dancers, for their November production of Crazy For You. 

This wonderful Gershwin musical follows the story of Bobby Child, a well-to-do 1930s playboy whose dream in life is to dance. This high energy comedy includes mistaken identity, plot twists, fabulous dance numbers and classic Gershwin music including I Got Rhythm, Embraceable You and Someone To Watch Over Me.

So, if you can sing, dance and are free on Wednesdays before and during the first week of November, then you could be the man or woman STAMPS want. Tap dancing workshops and a show introduction begins on 15 April, 7.30pm at Oliver Bird Hall (see map below).
 
Follow @angiebillingha1 #CrazyAuditions to keep up to date with this production. 

Originally written by Stephen Sondheim in 1979, Sweeney Todd was performed on Broadway and in London's West End, winning the Tony Award for Best Musical and Olivier Award for Best New Musical. In 2007, it was adapted for the big screen by gothic-inspired director Tim Burton and featuring Helena Bonham-Carter and Johnny Depp.

Karen Wilkes, director, says: 
“The show has stretched our talented cast and production team, with some truly awe-inspiring acting and singing in store for our audience. Although the principles get up to some rather gruesome antics, there is a lot of humour running throughout the show. We're having plenty of fun at rehearsals and that will come across in our performances.”

Tickets for Tamworth Arts Club's Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (which contains adult themes), are available by clicking here or by calling Tamworth Information Centre on 01827 709618.

Find Tamworth Arts Club on Facebook here.
Find Tamworth Arts Club on Twitter here. 

Joan Littlewood’s legendary musical has been revived to commemorate the 100th anniversary of World War One.

Originally produced by Joan Littlewood at the Theatre Royal Stratford East, Oh What A Lovely War is a satirical masterpiece which was made into a classic film in 1969, starring amongst others Maggie Smith, John Gielgud and John Mills.

This highly acclaimed revival, directed by the multi award-winning Terry Johnson, is a riot of music and colour, deeply moving and features some of the greatest songs from the First World War.

The show features Wendi Peters, best-known for her role as Cilla Battersby in Coronation Street, alongside Ian Reddington (EastEnders, Coronation Street) and Christopher Villiers (Emmerdale).

Oh What A Lovely War opens at Belgrade Theatre, Coventry on 31 March and runs until 4 April. But don't worry, if you can't make the dates, the show returns to the Midlands on 5 May, running at Birmingham Repertory Theatre until 9 May.

Belgrade Theatre, Coventry
31 March – 4 April 2015
Belgrade Square, Coventry, CV1 1GS
Book Online

Birmingham Repertory Theatre
5 – 9 May 2015
Broad Street, Birmingham, West Midlands B1 2EP
Book Online

Award-winning Peterbrook Players return to Solihull Arts Complex this April with their latest musical offering. Following on from their recent successes, including The Producers, Me & My Girl, Annie and Oliver, the Solihull troupe take to the stage with the Broadway blockbuster, 42nd Street. 

The story follows Peggy Sawyer, a young girl with the hope of hitting the big time in New York City. After securing a role as a chorus girl, fate strikes and Peggy has a decision to make. Could this be the opportunity of a lifetime? 

With a fantastic score, featuring classics like Lullaby on Broadway, Dames and We’re in the Money, 42nd Street is brimming with high octane tap dance and fantastic music, combined with a witty script that offers entertainment for all. 

42nd Street runs at Solihull Arts Complex from 14 to 18 April. To book tickets for this energetic show, just click here or call Solihull Arts Complex box office on 0121 704 6962.

Please note tickets are selling fast, so to avoid disappointment and secure the best remaining seats, early booking is advisable. 

Find Peterbrook Players on Facebook here.
Find Peterbrook Players on Twitter here.