The Deadwood Stage is rolling on in to the Palace Theatre, Redditch this week as Redditch Operatic Society presents a true classic - Calamity Jane.

Made famous by the 1953 musical film starring Doris Day and Howard Keel, Redditch Operatic Society are delighted to present the classic, musical comedy in this colourful and lively new production.

Featuring the infamous songs The Black Hills of Dakota, The Deadwood Stage, Windy City and Secret Love, this feel‐good show will delight every member of the family.

Grab your cowboy – or rather cowgirl – hats and join Calam and friends on a rootin’, tootin’ and mighty wild adventure from Tuesday 17 to Saturday 21 November. Shows start at 7.30pm each evening with a matinee on the Saturday at 2.30pm.

Tickets cost between £15.75* and £16.75* depending on which night you attend. Tickets bought through the Palace Theatre are subject to an inclusive *booking fee of 75p per ticket up to a maximum of £3.

To book tickets call the Palace Theatre on 01527 65203, book online or pop into the box office.
 
Tickets are also available to purchase through the society.

Only one other writer could compete with Shakespeare for the title of the most quoted playwright, and that is Oscar Wilde. Spitfire Theatre Company produces their first production of a Wilde play with The Importance of Being Earnest, directed by Jenny Jenkins from 10 - 12 November.
 
The Importance of Being Earnest is Oscar Wilde’s last play and has been hailed as one of the cleverest comedies in the English language. Dapper Jack Worthing and Algernon, his compatriot in cavorting, have fallen for two ladies who have their hearts set on marrying a man named Ernest. In order to pursue the romance, both men concoct an elaborate deception which leads to an even more outlandish surprise when the formidable Lady Bracknell starts sleuthing about for the far-fetched truth.
 
Wilde was a great admirer of the social commentary plays of Shaw and Ibsen. In this new interpretation, Jenny Jenkins draws parallels from the recent popularity of such brash "constructed Reality series" like The Only Way Is Essex, Geordie Shore, but most prominently the West London based Made in Chelsea. 
 
"Oscar Wilde's 'comedy of manners' satirised the wealthy upper classes of his time," Jenny explains, "This is a play about young people with too much money, too much time, and not enough to care about and the 'Chelsea Set' seemed like the perfect modern parallel. So much of the script is characters spouting Wilde's perfect witticisms through ridiculous observations on life, seemingly to no-one in particular. The idea that these characters were trying to entertain and inspire a legion of fans through a reality TV series really appealed to me and has driven our rehearsal process."
 
The Importance of Being Earnest was written during the period of Wilde’s life when he had his own secrets. A happily married man with children, Wilde also conducted a whole other life with Lord Alfred Douglas. The Importance of Being Earnest opened on Valentine’s Day in 1895 and shortly thereafter the great scandal of Wilde’s life became public. He was imprisoned, his named removed from the play, and Wilde never came back as a literary force within his lifetime.
 
Jenkins makes her Spitfire Theatre Company directing debut with The Importance of Being Earnest. A graduate of Birmingham Repertory Theatre's Foundry. Jenny toured the South West with Patchwork Theatre and is now artistic director of BrightParticular Productions. Recent credits include Spiced Indian Air for Royal Shakespeare Company Pilot Sites, The Recruit at A.E. Harris and Romeo and Juliet and A Midsummer Night's Dream for Shakespeare in Performance. Jenny is an experienced workshop leader and youth theatre director and co-directed Don't Feed the Animals by Jemma Kennedy at the National Theatre for Connections. 
 
Tickets to The Importance of Being Earnest are available now through the Spitfire Theatre Company box office by clicking here or by calling 01788 863 033. 

Brownhills Musical Theatre Company are set to get your toes tapping this week as they present their second full production concert.

Rock & Roll to Broadway plays at The Prince of Wales Theatre, Cannock from 4 to 7 November and will transport you along New York's 'Great White Way'. Experience some of the most iconic musical numbers, old and new, with performances from On the Town, Sweeney Todd, Matilda, Catch Me If You Can and Follies. 

Once you're comfortable, you'll be whisked through four decades of pop, ballad and glam rock culminating in a rock 'n' roll finale that will get you to your feet and have you dancing all the way home.

So sit back, relax and enjoy the journey.

Running from 4 to 7 November at The Prince of Wales Theatre Cannock, for more information on Rock & Roll to Broadway click here.

Could you be the next star to ‘tread the boards’ at Birmingham’s New Alexandra Theatre?
 
Birmingham’s oldest and most successful musical theatre company BMOS are returning to the New Alexandra Theatre from 14 – 18 June 2016 to present the Doris Day classic Calamity Jane. For the first time ever open auditions will be held at the theatre. 

AUDITIONS: MONDAY 9 NOVEMBER, 7PM AT THE NEW ALEXANDRA THEATRE
 
This award-winning company and Birmingham institution has been the stepping stone for stars of the West End, film and television for over 130 years and pride themselves on a reputation for productions which has earned them the tag line “professional in all but name…” (Centre Stage) and the 2014 Regional Award for Best Production from the National Operatic and Dramatic Association.
 
Strong singers and dancers are sought for principal and ensemble work with key roles for men and women of all ages. Calamity herself, played by Doris Day in the 1950s film, has a playing age of late 20’s with further principal ladies aged 19 to mid 30’s. For the men there’s Wild Bill Hickock, originally played by Howard Keel, aged mid to late 30’s, song and dance man Francis Fryer aged mid to late 20’s and character parts for all ages 20 to 60+.
 
Rehearsals will begin in January 2016 and as well as the opportunity to perform on this amazing stage, members also have the opportunity to build on their performance experience with a host of pre-show concerts and events as well as making some life-long friends in the region’s most friendly theatre company.
 
If you, or someone you know, would like to learn more, then email Membership Secretary, Claire Hemming, claire@hemming20.wanadoo.co.uk, complete the online application at www.bmosmusicals.org or message their Facebook page here 
 
Tickets go on sale to ATG Theatre Card holders on Wednesday 18 November, 10am and general on sale is Friday 20 November, 10am. 

Bilston Operatic Company returns to Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from 10 – 14 November with the feel-good Broadway and West End smash hit musical Hairspray.

Hairspray is a musical based on the 1988 film of the same name which starred Divine and Ricki Lake by cult filmmaker John Waters. With music and lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, Hairspray originally opened to rave reviews on Broadway in 2002 and subsequently won eight Tony Awards. The show is set in Baltimore in 1962 where the fifties are out and change is in the air, the show is about removing prejudices and standing up for what you believe in. Teenager Tracy Turnblad uses her new-found fame to fight for equality on a popular TV show.

For this production, Rebecca Lutter will play Tracy Turnblad and is joined by Adam Starr as her mother, Edna. Phil Jackson completes the Turnblad family as Wilbur. Francesca Holt plays Penny Pingleton, Jason Andrew Guest is Seaweed and Jack Cottis will play heartthrob Link Larkin. Alicia Barnes is Amber Von Tussle and Niamh Allen is Velma Von Tussle. Adam Lacey will play Corny Collins, Laura Wynter is Motormouth Maybelle, Jaida Gordan-Smith is Little Inez and Prudy Pingleton is played by Sarah Houghton.

The rest of the cast features energetic local performers in ensemble roles. Laura Canadine returns as Producer/Choreographer and Musical Direction is by Ian Stephenson.

Bilston Operatic Company, established in 1927, performed annually at The Theatre Royal in Bilston for 30 years before moving to the Grand Theatre where they have performed ever since.  Productions in recent years have included Peter Pan (2014), Annie (2013), Hello Dolly (2012) and A Christmas Carol (2011). The society also has a youth company who recently performed Little Shop of Horrors at Dormston Theatre.

Hairspray runs at Wolverhampton Grand from 10 to 14 November, to book tickets click here or call 01902 429 212.

Audiences in Solihull are set to go crazy for the first show performed at the newly renovated Arts Complex. St Alphege Musical Production Society (STAMPS) are gearing up to perform the George Gershwin musical Crazy for You at the theatre from Tuesday 3 November to Saturday 7 November.

Set in the 1930s, the much-loved musical follows the desperate attempts of showbiz wannabe Bobby Child (Rob Bateman) to make it big on Broadway. Eager to become a star and impress the girl of his dreams, Polly Baker (Becky Wicketts), Bobby pretends to be theatre impresario Bela Zangler (Steve Hayes), but when the real Zangler turns up things get very interesting.

The show is full of toe-tapping routines and well-known numbers like I Got Rhythm and They Can't Take That Away from Me and will be the first show to be performed in the renovated auditorium with its new seats.

Director, Terry Wheddon, said:
​"We are absolutely delighted to be bringing this classic to the newly renovated Arts Complex. This is one of the most entertaining shows around and rehearsals have been an absolute blast. The cast are really excited to get onto the stage and perform this wonderful show. From an audience perspective there really is something for everyone in Crazy for You."

Tickets are available from the Solihull Arts Complex box office by clicking here, or call or 0121 704 6962.

From 3 to 7 November, the acclaimed production of William Golding’s Lord Of The Flies explodes onto the stage at Birmingham Repertory Theatre, on tour following its 2011 sell-out premiere and another hugely successful run at London’s award-winning Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre.
 
After a group of schoolboys survive a plane crash, what starts as a classic desert island adventure quickly descends into a struggle for survival in a darkly sinister world of superstition and immorality. William Golding’s 20th century classic explodes onto the stage in this remarkable production.
 
The cast of young actors will feature Freddie Watkins (Nativity) as Jack, Luke Ward-Wilkinson (Wild at Heart,Beautiful People) as Ralph, Anthony Roberts as Piggy, Keenan Munn-Francis (The Scottsboro Boys, The Lion King) as Simon, Matthew Castle as Roger, Dylan Llewellyn as Henry, Michael Ajao as Maurice, Yossi Goodlink as Bill and Jonathan Holby as Naval Officer. Twin brothers Thiago Pigatto and Fellipe Pigatto will play twins Sam and Eric. The role of Perceval will be shared by David Evans, Guy Abrahams and Benedict Barker.
 
First published in 1954, Lord Of The Flies was William Golding’s debut novel. His other works includingFree Fall, The Spire, Rites Of Passage (Booker Prize winner), The Paper Men and Fire Down Below. In 1983 Golding was awarded The Nobel Prize in Literature.
 
Lord Of The Flies is directed by Timothy Sheader and co-directed by Liam Steel, with and sound score by Nick Powell, lighting design by Paul Keogan and sound design by Avgoustas Psillas for Autograph.
 
Perhaps most impressive is the set, designed by Jon Bausor (known for his work on the 2012 Paralympic Opening Ceremony in London and a variety of shows for National Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company and Regents Park Open Air Theatre), which comprises of part of an airplane fuselage, which now makes the leap from outdoor to indoor stage without losing any of its epic scale.

Lord of the Flies runs at Birmingham Repertory Thetare until 7 November. To book tickets click here or call 0121 236 4455. 

Belgrade Theatre, Coventry is thrilled to welcome the new UK touring production of Terence Rattigan’s Flare Path from Tuesday 3 – Saturday 7 November, directed by Justin Audibert and starring Philip Franks, Olivia Hallinan, Leon Ockenden and Alastair Whatley.
 
Based on Rattigan’s experiences as a tail gunner during World War II, Flare Path paints an evocative portrait of life in wartime Britain for the life-and-death existence of the RAF bomber crews, and their wives and sweethearts who were left waiting their return.  
                       
Philip Franks, who will play Squadron Leader Swanson, is perhaps best-known for his television roles as Charley in The Darling Buds of May and Sergeant Craddock in Heartbeat, as well as Tom Pinch in Martin Chuzzlewit and Richard in Bleak House. Recent theatre credits includes UK tours of The History Boys and The Rocky Horror Show. 

Olivia Hallinan will play Patricia Graham. Olivia’s numerous television credits include Laura Timmins in Larkrise To Candleford, Kim in the award-winning series Sugar Rush, Ellie Allard in Girls in Love and Liddy Blakeman in Murder in Suburbia.

Leon Ockenden, who will play Peter Kyle, is best known for his television roles as Prince Serge De Bolotoff in Mr Selfridge, Hector Reid in Waterloo Road, Dr Chris Oakley in Heartbeat and Sam Taylor in Family Affairs. 
 
Alastair Whatley, who will play Teddy Graham, is currently playing Evans in the UK tour of Birdsong (Birdsong Productions/ Original Theatre Company). Alastair is also the Artistic Director of the Original Theatre Company.                
                                                                                               
Set in 1942 against a backdrop of heartache and quiet bravery, Flare Path tells the story of former actress Patricia, the wife of RAF pilot Teddy, whose marriage is tested to the limits by the surprise arrival of Patricia’s ex‐lover and Hollywood idol Peter Kyle. An unexpected and dangerous mission over Germany puts Patricia at the centre of an emotional conflict as unpredictable as the war in the skies.

Flare Path combines highly charged drama with a truly authentic taste of the fear, camaraderie and passion experienced by the men and women who fought to save their country, their families and each other.

This new production of Flare Path will be directed by Justin Audibert, who is currently directing The Jew of Malta for the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford. 

Flare Path runs at the Belgrade Theatre from 3 to 7 November. For more information and to book tickets click here or call 024 7655 3055.

'Attend the Tale of Sweeney Todd' - the invitation that opens the most macabre of musicals leads to a world of villainy and dark humour in which the legendary Demon Barber returns from imprisonment to exact revenge upon the wickedest of enemies.

Stephen Sondheim’s lyrical masterpiece is as exciting as it is intriguing, and at once disturbing, as it is raucously funny. 

Night Project Theatre presents an intimate and unique production at the Blue Orange Theatre until 7 November. Join Mrs Lovett in her infamous Pie-Shop as she serves up Todd’s victims to the hungry mouths of Victorian London.
 
Playing until 7 November tickets are available through the theatre, both online or over the phone on 0121 212 2643. 
 
Sweeney's waiting!

Following recent successes in staging 42nd Street, The Producers, Me & My Girl, Annie and Oliver, the award-winning Peterbrook Players need some men.
 
The friendly Solihull-based amateur dramatics group are looking for men to join their lovely ladies in their next musical blockbuster, Copacabana. The show will play at Solihull Arts Complex in April 2016, filled with superb songs, fantastic music, character parts and fun dance routines.
 
Offering something for all abilities, rehearsals are currently underway on Thursday evenings at Peterbrook School in Solihull Lodge so, if you feel like a challenge, wish to practice or rekindle existing skills, please text Steve on 07935 288737 or email peterbrookplayers@btinternet.co.uk.