Ex-ballerina stays on her toes

There are hidden treasurers out there in am dram land. I suspect that in every attic and cupboard there are little gems from theatre world.

Local performer, Duncan Nimmo has a copy of the acting edition of the libretto of Salad Days. It is an antique at least and is free to a good home, so if you would like it, email dbnimmo@blueyonder.co.uk he will happily hand it over.

Working as a professional entertainer must be such an amazing experience, but what happens when you stop working? KJ Maddison, a former West End ballerina and musical theatre performer took a break in her career to become Mum to her lovely son, Tolley, together with dad James, but now she has got itchy feet (pardon the pun!)

She is therefore setting up her own dance class, Body Elegance, which starts on August 31 at The Reading Room in Penkridge. Her aim is to help you to sculpt your body with a low impact, high intensity workout, which will create leaner, longer muscles and transform your shape. The workout incorporates ballet and dance based exercise for all abilities and she even offers an over 50's class.

KJ has over 20 years experience in professional theatre, having appeared in several West End smashes and touring the world. She trained at two of the top performing arts schools in the country, specialising in classical ballet. Who could be a better teacher?

The first class is free, so why not go along and see if you enjoy it? Call 07870 556881 or email kjmaddision@btinternet.com for more information.

We are at least a week into the school holidays now and all over the region summer schools are in full flow.

The Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Grand Ambition youth group and their brand new adult choir, Grand Circle, have been hard at work getting ready to present their latest production entitled Glee, Born in the USA, on August 1.

It's an all American celebration and a musical journey across the United States, from the bright lights of Vegas to the heat of New York City, the country sound of Nashville to the sunshine state of West Coast California.

The show includes Glee favourites, Golddigga, Time of My Life, California Girls, Empire State of Mind and Kids in America to name but a few, with lively, well choreographed routines to put you in the summer mood.

For tickets, priced at £10 for adults and £5 for children, call the box office on 01902 429212 or visit www.grandtheatre.co.uk

Over in Telford, the Oakengates Theatre Youth Summer Project production is Sweeney Todd, the award winning musical comedy, (despite the subject matter!) about the Demon Barber of Fleet Street.

This group of talented performers is aged between 8-21 years old and enjoy a variety of workshops before going into rehearsal for their summer performance.

Barber, Sweeney Todd is hell bent on revenge on the villainous Judge Turpin who condemned him to a sentence in Botany Bay, but on his return to London it isn't long before his thirst for blood spreads further afield. With the help of his faithfully companion, Mrs Lovett, customers soon begin to disappear in the strangest of circumstances. Just don't ask what the filling is in Mrs Lovett's meat pies!

It's macabre and the stuff nightmares are made of, but nevertheless, the story is compelling and an excellent example of black comedy. Michael Ball and Imelda Staunton have recently enjoyed a hit run in the West End as the two central characters in Sweeney Todd and delighted audiences with a score which includes Pretty Women, A Little Priest and the emotional ballad, Not While I'm Around.

With music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and adapted for the stage by Christopher Bond, Sweeney is certainly one to watch. This is the schools' version though, so you won't be too horrified!

Catch Sweeney Todd from August 1-3. For tickets priced at £9-£7 call the Oakengates Theatre box office on 01952 382382 or visit www.theplacetelford.com

Finally this week, at the Birmingham Alexandra Theatre, from August 21-24, Stage Experience, the summer theatre's summer project group, is presenting their 10th year anniversary production, Annie.

When a young orphan is sent to live with a millionaire by the cruel Miss Hannigan, she thinks all her dreams have come true. Little does she know that Miss Hannigan and her scheming brother, Rooster and his horrible girlfriend Lilly have other plans for her!

Annie is one of the best-loved musical comedies, with a heart-warming score which includes Easy Street, It's a Hard Knock Life and of course the heart-wrenching ballad, Tomorrow.

For tickets contact visit www.atgtickets.com

Well that's all for this week. Keep those emails coming to a.norton@expressandstar.co.uk , call me on 01902 319662 or follow me on Twitter @AlisonNorton

Break a leg!