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

One show which is very dear to my heart at the moment, (as I am about to appear in it!) is the wonderful musical comedy, Guys and Dolls, which Hagley Theatre Company’s youth section will be ‘Rockin’ the Boat’ from October 5-8 at Hagley Community Centre.

This uplifting musical has all the right ingredients – comedy, romance and wonderful songs and has stood the test of time.

In this particular production, Jake Smith appears as Sky Masterson and Naomi More as the Salvation Army heroine, Sarah Brown.

For an evening of pure song and dance, contact Susan Dean on 07907457217 for tickets, or call into Paddock Butchers in Hagley.

The music of war is a wonderful way of remembering those who lost their lives in conflict and acts as a reminder that we should never forget.

Jean Brown Productions based in Cannock, in association with Beyond the Barricade Ltd, are proud to present an evening of wartime entertainment from October 7-8, with a show entitled Ensatainment, in aid of The Royal British Legion.

The Forces’ Sweetheart – Dame Vera Lynn

The haunting melodies of World War Two will be performed by 20 singers in a show that kept the home fires burning and the spirit in the hearts of the men on the front line.

If you love the music of Dame Vera Lynn, Gracie Fields, Flanagan and Allen, Glenn Miller and the Andrews Sisters, this is the one for you.

It is a brand new production, with new orchestrations, new lighting designs and a big screen depicting classic footage from the war years.

Catch Ensatainment at the Prince of Wales Theatre, Cannock. For tickets contact Jean on 01543 579984 or the box office on 01543 578762. Oh, and 1940s dress is optional – so dust off those uniforms!

TAB Operatic Society, based in Cradley Heath is holding an open audition for new members to join for their forthcoming production of Annie in March 2011. The audition is at Dudley Wood Methodist Church Hall on October 7.

Fancy treading the boards? Contact Elaine Vine on 0121 550 7254 or Audree Henwood on 01384 393196 for more information.

Over in Cannock, musical lovers can enjoy an evening of songs from West End shows and movies, together with the comedy of local comedian, Doug Parker, at Cannock Cricket and Hockey Club on October 6.

Wolverhampton opera singer and winner of the ‘Wolverhampton’s Got Talent’ contest, Joe Johnson, is also taking part and will be selling his CDs and holding a raffle to raise money for the Down’s Syndrome Association.

For tickets, call 01902 491271 or 07973701852. It’s a great cause, so please go along and support it.

From October 5-7, there is a celebration of the life of Shropshire performer, Patience Peplinski, who was involved in amateur shows for many years, accompanying and directing local societies, as well as teaching piano.

Whitchurch Little Theatre Group, Telford and District Light Operatic Players and Whitchurch Operatic and Dramatic Society have come together to perform musical theatre songs to raise money for The Stroke Association and the British Thyroid Association in Patience’s memory.

For tickets, contact 01948 667600 or email Jason Wainwright at info@securasound.co.uk

There’s an evening of fun at Whittington Village Hall on October 8, as the local drama group, HATS present a concert entitled A Ticket To Ride, designed to transport you back to the golden era of your youth.

Devised by members of the group, Chris Jones and Gary Hyde, there will be sketches, songs and dance and full audience participation.

For tickets, priced at just £8 including supper, contact Kay on 01543 490355 or Les on 01922 682029.

Alternatively, visit www.hatsdrama.com

That’s all from me for for this week but you can email me at a.norton@expressandstar.co.uk or call me on 01902 319662 with all your news if you’re part of an am dram group in the Midlands or Shropshire and would like a mention. You can also email me pictures. Break a leg!