Our am dram guru Alison Norton casts her expert eye over the shows that you should be looking out for this week.

Pantomime in June? It’s insane! While the nights are still light and the sun is shining it is hard to imagine cold winter evenings and the festive sparkle of fairy dust, but this week saw the launch of the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre’s 2011/2012 pantomime, Snow White and the Severn Dwarfs – starring Mr Showbiz Sam Kane and his beautiful wife, actress and ex-model, Linda Lusardi.

I was lucky enough to interview Linda and Sam recently and a nicer couple you couldn’t meet.

They’re great supporters of the British institution that is panto – every festive season they dust down their wands to entertain families with this special brand of comedy and musical theatre that only us Brits understand and love.

Linda is appearing as the Wicked Queen, a character she loves and she gets to fly too! Sam Kane will no doubt charm the audience as the handsome prince and 14 local youngsters will have a great opportunity to appear as dwarfs, as the pantomime company recruits two teams to play the magnificent seven

The children’s audition date has now been decided upon and next week I will have full details of how you can apply.

The serious laughter this year will be provided by panto veterans The Grumbleweeds and X-Factor queen Niki Evans will cast her spell as The Fairy.

In the usual Grand Theatre style it’s the perfect panto for all the family. I?can’t wait.

Over in Stourbridge, the Side by Side Theatre Company continually push the boundaries and challenge the perception of those with learning disabilities by offering awardwinning performances to Midland audiences. Their aim is to afford those with learning disabilities the opportunity to explore a means of self expression through theatre and the performing arts.

This in turn gives members the chance to develop their abilities and to improve their self confidence.

They strive to achieve professional standards, entertain and at the same time, raise the profile of other performers with similar disadvantages.

From June 22-24, you can catch their latest production, Who Is Pilgrim? at Stourbridge Town Hall.

Based on the John Bunyan novel, Pilgrim’s Progress, the play follows the leading character, Pilgrim along a journey of self-discovery, meeting characters along the way who lead him to realise that the journey is far more important than the final destination.

The group have been on tour with this play and artistic director, Susan Wallin said: “Everyone who saw the play said what a wonderful piece of theatre it was.

“People were amazed and couldn’t stop talking about us.”

Interested? For tickets call 01384 395350 or visit www.sidebysidetheatrecompanystourbridge.co.uk

The cast of Camp Rock who are performing at Wolverhampton’s Arena Theatre

Summer has arrived early at the Wolverhampton Arena Theatre next week, as local children’s theatre group, Reach For The Stage, under the watchful eye of their principal, Anna Vickers, perform the hugely popular Disney musical, Camp Rock on June 24-25.

This is the tale of a group of youngsters attending a summer camp, with big dreams of becoming professional performers.

It is of course a cheesy love story, with all the showbiz glamour you would expect from a teenage Disney classic. Camp Rock includes some fabulous songs. Ask the kids if they know This is Me, Can’t Back Down and We Rock. Bet they do!

Emily Rathbone plays the dream role of lead character, Mitchie. Anna said, “The standard was high and competition was hard, but Emily piped them all to the post and grabbed the role to make it her very own.”

Reach for the Stage provide weekend and holiday classes in dance, drama and singing, rehearsing at Tettenhall College.

Youngsters aged six to 18 are welcome and Anna strives to keep class sizes small, so that the children get the best attention and the opportunity to improve and grow in performance skills.

Their next production is one of my favourites – Bugsy Malone. Get ready for pie fights and cars powered by feet; it’s great one for kids and adults alike.

So, if you know anyone who would like to join, simple check out their website, www.reachforthestage.co.uk and download an application form, or call Anna Vickers on 07826879554.

I am going along to see Camp Rock with my friend Vicky Price from the Grand Theatre on next Friday night. Hopefully we will see you there.

For tickets, priced at £8-£6, call 01902 321321 or book online at www.arenatheatre.info

I still need more information from the Shropshire area. If you have a show to promote in sunny Shropshire, get in touch.

You’ll be surprised at the results and if you have already been featured in this column, then please spread the word.

Well that’s all for this week.

Remember to email me at a.norton@expressandstar.co.uk or call me on 01902 319662 with all your news and include some photos too.

Break a leg!