Very special actor needed

I do get unusual requests for amateur performers from time to time, but this one in particular is unique and so I am hoping that someone out there in am dram land can help.

The Grange Players, who perform at The Grange Playhouse in Walsall, are seeking an East Asian actor to play the role of a young Japanese soldier in their forthcoming production of The Long and the Short and the Tall.

Set in British Malaya in World War II, this play tells the tale of a group of British Army soldiers hiding in a tin mine, whose radio malfunctions and then are stumbled across by a Japanese soldier. The role is non-speaking but nonetheless a pivotal part of the play, which requires a very special actor, as he is on stage for the majority of the play, silently reacting to the characters and the script.

The group are casting well in advance as the production does not take place until March 2014, but obviously they need to time find the right performer. For more information or to arrange an audition, contact grangeplayhouse@talktalk.net or call Paul Viles on 07986539755.

Summer schools are getting ready to welcome young performers all over the area, as the holidays approach. From July 29-August 2, the Arena Theatre in Wolverhampton is running a week long session, in partnership with the Birmingham Repertory theatre. Development officer for the Arena Theatre, Alison Vermee said: "This is an exciting development for the Arena and young people in Wolverhampton who will benefit from Birmingham Rep's expertise in creating work with the 13-18 year age group. We are keeping the cost low (£35 for the week) so that as many young people as possible can take part." For more information contact www.arenatheatre.info or call 01902 321321.

Local performers, Lisa Copson and Salli Woodhouse have formed a new group, based at the Dormston Centre in Sedgley and the Ruskin Glasshouse Centre in Amblecote, called Playmakers West Midlands. Young people aged between 4-18 years are invited to join in workshops and performances of Alice in Wonderland which will run from July 29-August 9 and August 12-23. Contact the girls on 07970393865 or 07730585883 or email info@playmakerswestmids.com

The Shelfield Male Voice Choir is performing their annual summer concert at Pelsall Community Centre on July 27. It's a musical theatre delight with Memory from Cats, Bring Him Home from Les Miserables, Love Changes Everything from Aspects of Love and the wonderful anthem, You'll Never Walk Alone from Rodgers and Hammerstein's Carousel. Guest artists, Alison and Ian Room will also be performing and the whole concert is under the leadership of musical director Andrew Webb and accompanist, Nicola Bennett. For tickets, priced at just £6 each, contact royevans67@aol.com or call 01922 682070.

Over in Birmingham, winner of the Best Actress and Best Solo Performance from the Stratford-Upon-Avon fringe 2012, Meg Lloyd, appears as legend of the stage and screen, Katharine Hepburn at the Old Join Stock Theatre. Adapted from her memoirs, this play entitled Tea at Five is an intimate look at the actress's life, set at her family home. Meg's interpretation of the role is described as captivating and flawless, so definitely worth a look. Catch Tea at Five from July 26-27. For tickets call 0121 200 0946 or visit www.oldjoinstocktheatre.co.uk

The Forest Arts Company, under the musical direction of James Maddison, who perform at the Forest Arts Centre in Walsall, is presenting the off-Broadway hit musical, Songs from a New World by Jason Robert Brown, from July 25-27. This is an unusual one, as it features just four performers who characters evolve and develop throughout the show. In Brown's own words: "It's about hitting the wall and having to make a choice, or take a stand, or turn around and go back."

The wonderfully uplifting, melodious score includes The New World, The Steam Train and I'd Give It All For You. For tickets, priced at £10-£6 contact the box office on 0845 111 2898 or visit www.whatsonwalsall.co.uk

Finally this week, Telford and District Light Operatic Players have asked me to remind everyone that tickets for their next production, The Wizard of Oz, have gone on sale this week. Call the Oakengates Theatre box office on 01952 382382.

That's all for this week. Keep those emails coming to a.norton@expressandstar.co.uk, or call me on 01902 319662.

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