Shropshire Star

Your Midlands and Shropshire am dram round-up

There’s a double offering on February 15 and 16 at the Prince of Wales Theatre in Cannock, when Split Mast Theatre presents two very different plays, The Wonderful World of Dissocia by Anthony Neilson and then the classic play version of Willy Russell’s Blood Brothers.

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Double trouble – the cast of Split Mast Theatre in rehearsal

The group’s first offering, The Wonderful World of Dissocia, is magical, fantasy play that takes its audience on a trip away from reality, to explore a world of psychological disconnection.

Somewhere between a delayed transatlantic flight and the clocks going back, Lisa has lost an hour. She’s an hour slow, and it’s spoiling her life. She therefore travels to the country of Dissocia to try and retrieve her hour, but Dissocia is a surreal place filled with insecurity guards, musical fields, time flies and a violent scapegoat, all under threat from the Black Dog King.

It’s one to conjure with that’s for sure, but did enjoy success at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and toured the UK before making its London debut at the Royal Court Theatre in March 2007.

Then their second piece is the well-known tale of twins parted at birth whose life paths continually cross although they are unaware of each other’s true identity.

Described as ‘a tale of friendship, love, guilt, destiny and what it means to have nothing and to have everything in life’, Blood Brothers is sure to elicit the contrasts of both warmth and sorrow.

l For more information on Split Mask Theatre and to book tickets for the shows, visit the group’s Facebook page.

From February 8-10, the Year 11 students from Birmingham Ormiston Academy will present Bring It On, the Musical, at the Old Rep in the city centre.

Inspired by the hit film of the same name, this show is the perfect vehicle for young, energetic performers and boasts a cast of colourful characters as well as the opportunity for singers, dancers and actors to display their talents in equal measure. And to top all of that, it is composed by Lin-Manuel Miranda of Hamilton fame.

Campbell is cheer-royalty at Truman High School and her senior year should prove the most cheertastic yet, as she’s been named captain of the squad. But, an unexpected redistricting has forced her to spend her final year of high school at the neighbouring hard-knock Jackson High School.

Despite having the deck stacked against her, Campbell befriends the dance crew girls and, along with their headstrong and hardworking leader, Danielle, manages to form a powerhouse squad for the ultimate competition – the National Championships.

l Sounds like fun? For tickets visit www.oldreptheatre.co.uk or call 0121 359 9444.

Also in Birmingham but this time from February 10-17, the resident group at The Crescent Theatre is presenting Nothing by Lulu Raczka.

Nothing is a series of perceptive and at times, outrageously funny, interwoven monologues, covering every topic from customer service, to poor TV, from cup-cakes to stalking, so some things we encounter in everyday life and others not so common. But, if you like something a little different, it’s a sure-fire hit.

l For tickets priced at £12-£7, visit www.crescent-theatre.co.uk or call 0121 643 5858.

Charlemont Dramatic Society is one of the best-established groups in the area and are currently seeking new members.

They are specifically looking for performers aged 16 and over, both acting and non-acting, so whether you love to tread the boards, have technical ability or simply would like to help front of house, CADS want to hear from you.

l Visit www.thecads.weebly.com for more information.

There is a distinctly French feel over at the Village Hall in Horsehay, Telford, as the Horsehay Amateur Dramatic Society presents ‘Allo, ‘Allo from February 8-10.

Based on the hit BBC comedy by Jeremy Lloyd and David Croft, this uproarious comedy relates the adventures of a hapless cafe owner, Rene, in occupied France.

Look out for all of your favourite characters, including Rene’s tone-deaf wife Edith, Major-General von Klinkerhoffen and the Gestapo officer Herr Flick.

Rene and Edith have stashed a priceless portrait stolen by the Nazis in a sausage in their cellar, where two British airmen are also hiding until the resistance can repatriate them.

Communications with London using the wireless that is disguised as a cockatoo add to the many embarrassments this intrepid proprietor endures in the company of his patrons.

Then news that the Fuhrer is scheduled to visit the town inspires tricksters disguised as Hitler to frequent the cafe. Meanwhile Rene summons all the wit he can muster to save his cafe and his life.

It’s a riot.

l For tickets visit http://www.horsehayamdram.co.uk

One of my favourite festive shows has to be the glorious White Christmas. Now I know it seems a little early in the year to be talking snow and log fires, but Redditch Operatic Society, who will present the show from November 20-24, is looking for a director.

They are hoping to find someone who has the creative and organisational skills to create a memorable production for them. If you think that could be you, then the group would be delighted to hear from you.

Having done this show with my home company in 2015, I know that White Christmas does need a strong choreographer too, so whoever take on the role needs to have a flair for directing around the dance numbers which are plentiful.

l For more information, please get in touch by email in the first instance to tony@redditch-operatic.co.uk

Finally this week, Bridgnorth Players have an open meeting on February 7 at Peepo in the High Street to try out selected play extracts and at the same time, enjoy pizza. Join them from 8pm.

Then February 11 at 3pm at Oldbury Village Hall in Bridgnorth, sees the auditions for the groups spring production Nude with Violin, a satire on modern art by Noel Coward, which they will perform from May 11-12 and then May 18-19.

l Bridgnorth Players present at least two productions a year and take great pride in the quality of their performance, so if you would like some drama in your life, why not contact their director, Liz Herdson on 01746 763247 or visit www.bridgnorthplayers.wordpress.com

l Well, 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