Midland and Shropshire am dram round-up

You may recall that the award-winning, British comedian, actor and writer, James Corden enjoyed massive success both in the West End and on Broadway. He appeared in the leading role of Francis Henshall, the hapless, unemployed Skiffle player who inadvertently ends up working for two very different, but equally demanding masters – Roscoe Crabbe, a gangster, and Stanley Stubbers, an upper class twit.

In an attempt to keep both masters happy and apart, while at the same time feeding his face, Francis’s crazy antics will leave you breathless. Add to that a case of mistaken identity, an 87-year-old incontinent, death threats and gangsters and it is a complete riot.

The first time I saw this play, the tears of laughter literally ran down my face. There are some surprises, not to mention audience participation that you will feel as confused, harassed and helpless as Francis by the end, but it’s totally hilarious.

A 60s Skiffle band also add to the bright, cheery atmosphere with a host of hits.

It takes a special comedy actor to play the role of Francis and a very competent cast of comedy actors too, so Richard Taylor and The Nonentities will be taking on the responsibility over at The Rose Theatre in Kidderminster from June 5-10, performing One Man, Two Guvnors at 7.30pm nightly.

l For tickets, visit www.rosetheatre.co.uk or call 01562 743745.

Gilbert and Sullivan productions remain as popular as ever, despite the age of their compositions.

Ruddigore, or The Witches Curse as it is also known, will be presented on June 1-3 by Tettenhall Operatic Society, who perform at The Towers Theatre within Tettenhall College.

Ruddigore is a comic melodrama set in a seaside village with a corps of professional bridesmaids who are forever frustrated at not having anything to do. The operetta also features an evil baronet, a witch’s curse, a mad woman and a gallery of ghostly ancestors.

Under a terrible curse, all of the Baronets of Ruddigore must commit some kind of crime every single day, or else die in agony. Robin Oakapple is in love with Rose Maybud, the village beauty, but hasn’t worked up the courage to tell her. He enlists the help of his foster brother, Richard Dauntless, who is prepared to woo Rose on Robin’s behalf, but who falls in love with her himself at first sight.

Robin is hiding a secret; he is actually Sir Ruthven Muratroyd and has been in disguise as a local farmer for several years. His younger brother Despard, thinking him dead, has assumed the title and the curse.

Will Robin succeed in his quest to win Rose’s hand? I bet he does.

l For tickets priced at £11 for Thursday evening and £12.50 for Friday and Saturday, visit www.tettenhalloperatic.weebly.com, visit the group’s Facebook page or call 01902 751729.

God of Carnage is a play by Yasmina Reza, which is described as ‘a comedy’ although I am not so sure. The subject matter is rather unusual for a comedy I think, but I will reserve judgement.

The Fellowship Players from Walsall have chosen it as their next production, from June 8-17 at the Grange Playhouse, so why not go along and see for yourself?

It was originally written in French and is about two sets of patents, one of whose child has hurt the other during a session at a public playground, who subsequently meet up to discuss the matter like sensible adults. However, as the discussion progresses, both sets of parents become increasingly childish, resulting in chaos.

l For tickets priced at just £10 each, call 01922 630495 or visit www.fellowship-players.co.uk

One of my favourite musicals and movies is Singin’ in the Rain. I’ve watched it over and over again as well as having appeared in it with my home company South Staffs MTC.

This all-singing, all-dancing show is hard to produce and direct, but well worth it as the unforgettable score, which includes You Are My Lucky Star, Make ‘Em Laugh, Good Morn’ and of course the title tune, is nothing less than delightful and, of course, the special effects are amazing.

Set in 1927, Don Lockwood and Lina Lamont are the darlings of the silent movies and together with their accompanist Cosmo Brown, are Hollywood royalty. But everything is about to change with the introduction of ‘The Talkies’ as Lina’s speaking and singing voice leaves a lot to be desired. Lina also has designs on Don, but no way is he interested.

Enter Cathy Selden, a chorus girl whom Don is in love with, who just might be able to help them to overcome Lina’s problem, but will it be at the expense of their relationship?

You can catch a production of Singin’ in the Rain at the Lichfield Garrick Theatre from June 6-10, when Trinity Players present the show.

l It’s a feel-good feast of musical theatre, suitable for all ages. For tickets contact www.trinityplayers.com www.lichfieldgarrick.com or call 0154341212.

Finally, at Forest Arts Centre in Walsall from June 1-3, there is a production of All Shook Up, the hip-swivelling, lip-curling dynamite musical presented by Walsall Youth Theatre.

Set in 1955 in a small town in the USA, a motor-cycle riding roustabout show up and sets about changing everything and everyone he meets.

Inspired by the songs of Elvis Presley, All Shook Up includes such classics as Heartbreak Hotel, Jailhouse Rock, Hound Dog and the title song, all guaranteed to have you jumping up and down in your blue suede shoes.

l For tickets priced at just £7.50 each, visit www.forestartscentre.co.uk or call 0300 555 2898.

l That’s all for this week. Please keep those emails and good quality photos coming to a.norton@expressandstar.co.uk, call me on 01902 319662 or follow me on Twitter @AlisonNorton