Your Midlands and Shropshire am dram guide

One such group who approached me recently is Pelsall Musical Society, who will perform the pantomime version of Treasure Island from February 6 to 8 at Pelsall Methodist Church Hall, with performances at 7.30pm and 2.30pm on the Saturday.

Spokesperson for the society, Andrew Potter, said: “Ahoy there, me hearties – all aboard for the adventure of a lifetime.

"Long John Silver and his fearsome crew may think that treasure is within their grasp, but they’ve reckoned without the ladies of the Smuggler’s Cove Women’s Institute.

"Filled with mischief, custard pies, songs and laughter, this is a voyage into panto mayhem that you definitely do not want to miss.”

Andrew continued, “Pelsall Musical Society has been around for 62 years and our members range from children to 80 years old plus.

"Our mission is to bring a few hours of affordable joy to the local area, and have fun in the process.

“In our panto you can take part in the singalong, boo the baddies, and cheer the goodies- oh yes you can. You might even go home speaking like a pirate.”

“We are a friendly society which nurtures talent and we are always eager to recruit new members.

"If you enjoy acting and singing, we are interested to meet you.”

For tickets priced at £10 for adults and £8.50 for concessions and more information on joining this group, call Jennifer on 01922 684263. Discounts for group bookings and families are also available.

Another panto with a pirate theme is Robinson Crusoe, which Kay’s Theatre Group will perform at The Swan Theatre in Worcester from January 30 to February 9.

This is the group’s 66th production, and it’s a swashbuckling adventure.

This colourful panto follows Robinson Crusoe on his quest to win the heart of Junita, the Captain's daughter. The Captain sets sail with Robinson, the ship's cook Margarita, Juicilita and her son Nick as crew.

But pirate Cut-Throat has a treasure map and recruits Skull-Duggery and Cross-Bones, who then foolishly sell the map to cabin boy Nick.

A chase across the high seas follows and a storm rises which sees both crews end up underwater in Davy Jones' locker.

Thanks to the Spirit of the Sea, they are saved and cast ashore on tropical islands, encountering natives whilst continuing on their quest for the spoils.

Who will find the treasure first?

For tickets, call 01905 425299 or 08453883783.

If you feel as though pantomime should retreat until next Christmas though, why not try a little Acyckbourn?

At Sutton Arts Centre, you can catch a production of his popular farce, Third Person Singular from January 30 to February 8, with performances at 7.30pm nightly.

Meet three couples in their three kitchens on the Christmas Eves of three successive years.

The 'lower class' but very much up and coming Hopcrofts are in their bright new, gadget filled kitchen anxiously giving a little party for their bank manager and his wife and an architect neighbour.

Next there is the architect and his wife in their neglected untidy flat. The bank manager and his wife are in their large slightly modernised and Victorian style kitchen

Running like a dark thread through the wild comedy of behind the scenes disasters at Christmas parties, is the story of the advance of the Hopcrofts to material prosperity and the decline of the others.

For tickets, visit www.suttonartstheatre.co.uk/ or call 0121 355 5355.

From February 1 to 8, thriller fans can enjoy a traditional Victorian tale; Gaslight by Patrick Hamilton at the Crescent Theatre in Birmingham.

With sadistic cruelty, Jack Manningham is slowly driving his wife Bella insane. Tension continues to build, when the brusque but friendly ex-detective Rough arrives unannounced on the scene to set matters to rights.

Please note there will be an After Dark discussion following the 7.45pm evening performance on February 7, which is free for ticket holders.

For tickets, priced at £12 for adults, £11 for concessions and £8 for the matinee, visit www.crescent-theatre.co.uk or call 0121 643 5858.

Finally this week, I heard recently from a good theatre friend of mine, Paul Marston, of the death of an amateur theatre stalwart, Derrick Clenton, who has passed away aged 94 following a short illness.

Although I didn’t know Derrick personally, it was a delight to hear all about his life in amateur theatre.

Derrick was the only original, surviving member of the Fellowship Players from Walsall and until last New Year’s Eve was reasonably well.

The Fellowship Players have been in existence for over 70 years and Derrick’s knowledge of the Grange Playhouse in Walsall, where the group performs, was quite unique, as he was responsible for the electrical wiring of the newly opened building in 1951.

Despite his great age, Derrick remained the Treasurer of the company and lived very much an independent life, enjoying numerous holidays and theatre visits to the West End with his family and friends and also enjoyed a very close relationship with his neighbours,

Derrick was also was a church warden at St Matthew’s Church and was much loved by everyone who knew him.

He made regular patient visits to the Manor Hospital as part of his duties for Walsall League of Friends too and everyone who knew him tells me Derrick will be much missed.

Such sad news. Let’s raise a glass to this wonderful gentleman as he heads to the star dressing room in the sky.

That’s all for this week. Please send me all your am dram news and good quality colour photos to a.norton@expressandstar.co.uk, call me on 01902 319662 or follow me on Twitter @AlisonNorton or on Facebook.

Break a leg!