The summer holidays are almost upon us and there will be lots of youngsters across the region looking for fun things to do over the next eight or so weeks, writes our am dram guru Alison Norton. Here’s a great way to amuse them.

Local children’s theatre group, Reach for The Stage, based at The Towers Theatre, Tettenhall College, is running a Summer School for six to 18-year-olds, offering kids the opportunity to take part in singing classes, dance workshops and drama lessons in preparation for an ultimate summer school musical to be performed at the end of the course.

From 10am – 4pm children can study performing arts, thus improving their skills, make new friends and give mum and dad a rest!

For further information on Reach for the Stage or to book your place in the summer school, visit www.reachforthestage.co.uk or call Anna Vickers on 07983403375.

Winner of the Wolverhampton’s Top Talent competition, Joe Johnson has organised a concert in aid of the Children’s Society, which takes place on Tuesday 12th July at St John’s Church, St John’s Square Wolverhampton.

Together with his singing partner, Robert Follows and fellow Wolverhampton’s Top Talent finalist, saxophonist, Richard Jones and talented organist Alan Dawkins, the tenors will perform numbers from West End musicals as well as popular operatic pieces.

Fans of Mario Lanza or Il Divo and musical theatre are in for a treat. For tickets, priced at just £7, contact Hylda Cuxson of the Children’s Society on 01902 342924 or Joe on 01902 491271.

TAB Operatic Society, who perform at Brierley Hill Civic Hall, is presenting Annie later this year and have begun the search to find a dog to play the important role of Annie’s canine pal, Sandy.

There will be open auditions on July 24 and July 27 at Dudley Wood Methodist Church for children aged seven years and above for the title role and adult performers too, as well as for a medium sized, shaggy, rusty coloured, well-behaved hound!

For further information, contact Elaine Vine on 0121 550 7254 or Audree Henwood on 01384 393196.

On a sad note, the am dram world are mourning the loss this week of amateur actor Tom Rowley, who for many years performed with a variety of Midland drama groups, including Highbury Theatre, Grange Theatre, Lichfield Players, Sutton Arts and Walsall College.

Tom’s knowledge of music hall and theatre was second to none and his larger than life personality will be missed by everyone who knew him. God bless you Tom and condolences to your family.

Willenhall Operatic Society will be presenting their annual summer concert on July 22-23 at Pool Hayes School, entitled Magical Musicals, The Composers. Celebrating the music of 20th century composers, there are excerpts from West Side Story, Jersey Boys, The Wizard of Oz, plus a Lloyd-Webber Medley and a selection from Sondheim.

Tickets which are £10 for adults and £5 for children, including a fish and chip supper, are available on 01902 607355.

This group is also performing Mother Goose later in the year and are holding an open audition for children aged up to 14, on July 30 at St Andrew’s Church, Bentley at 2pm. Simply turn up on the day, or email colinchris06@btinternet.com

The Very Nice Production Company from Oswestry had a wonderful time last week as they performed their Stars in Their Eyes charity evening. There were appearances from Neil Diamond, Cher, Duffy, Kate Bush and Edith Piaf to name but a few, so quite a variety!

This group work diligently to raise money for local charities and will be repeating this show later in the year, in Llangollen and Oswestry, so watch this space for details of how to book tickets. It’s not only great fun, but supports worthwhile causes too. For further information on The Very Nice Production Company contact tracyk@blackcountrymetalworks.co.uk or call Karen on 01691 670555.

Dance lovers can catch Let’s Dance, a showcase of song and dance at the Mill Theatre, Sedgley, on July 12.

Approximately 200 performers from local schools and colleges will be taking part, as well as star of the BBC’s Finding Dorothy programme, Tasheka Coe and West End musical theatre performer, Jonathon Dudley.

Tickets, priced at just £8-£6 are available on 01902 682087.

Finally this week, Aldridge School are proud to present the best-loved musical, Les Miserables from July 12-16. Based on the timeless novel by Victor Hugo, Les Miserables contains heart-wrenching classics including I Dreamed a Dream, Empty Chairs and Empty Tables and One Day More.

The show is quite an undertaking for the youngsters involved, but this school has a long tradition of musical excellence, admitting up to 20 musical scholars each year. For tickets, contact Mrs Welch on 01922 743988.

That’s all for this week. Keep those emails and calls coming to a.norton@expressandstar.co.uk or 01902 319662. Break a leg!