BACK TO SCHOOL: A magical journey – Discovery class attends The Nutcracker at the Hippodrome

Words supplied by Queensbury School

(Ed’s note – this BACK TO SCHOOL article was first written for the Erdington Local printed edition and published on 17.01.25)

Queensbury students sitting in the Circle at the Birmingham Hippodrome to watch The Nutcracker / Pic supplied by Queensbury School

Just before Christmas, our Discovery class had the wonderful opportunity to attend a performance of The Nutcracker at the Hippodrome.

The atmosphere at the Hippodrome was alive with excitement as the students took their seats, eagerly anticipating the start of the show. From the moment the curtain rose, they were transported into a world of magic and wonder.

It was an unforgettable experience for everyone involved. The students demonstrated exemplary behaviour, representing our school with pride and respect. They were mesmerised by the stunning performance, the artistry of the dancers, and the enchanting storytelling brought to life through music and choreography.

Queensbury students with front of house staff at the Birmingham Hippodrome / Pic supplied by Queensbury School

The trip to see The Nutcracker wasn’t just about enjoying a performance; it was about broadening horizons and inspiring new ways of thinking.

In summary, the trip to see The Nutcracker at the Hippodrome was a resounding success. It not only provided an unforgettable experience but also enriched the students’ understanding and appreciation of the arts.

This magical outing will undoubtedly remain a cherished memory for everyone involved, a shining example of how education extends far beyond the classroom walls.

For more Queensbury School visit www.queensburysch.com

For more for the Birmingham Hippodrome visit www.birminghamhippodrome.com

Queensbury School is part of the Erdington Local BACK TO SCHOOL programme, working together to celebrate school life from staffroom to classroom.

If your school would like to know more about going BACK TO SCHOOL with Erdington Local please email: [email protected]

NEWS: ‘The Game’s Afoot’ as The Erdington Players present award winning murder mystery play

 Words by Ed King / Pics supplied by The Erdington Players

Local amateur dramatics company, The Erdington Players, is set to return to the stage this November with their production of Ken Ludwig’s award winning murder mystery play The Game’s Afoot (Holmes for the Holidays).

Running from 13-16 November at the United Reformed Church (URC) on Holly Lane, tickets will be priced at £9 (adults) and £7 (children under 16). Performances will be held at 7:30pm from Wednesday to Friday, with a 2:30pm matinee rounding up the run on the Saturday.

For direct links to online ticket sales for The Erdington Players’ upcoming production of The Game’s Afoot tickets, click here.

The Erdington Players, which has operated since 1963, has pervious performed family friendly plays and musicals including Goodnight Mister Tom, Peter Pan, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and Grease, and is committed to bringing “affordable theatre to the heart of the community.”

The Erdington Players rehearse The Game’s Afoot by Ken Ludwig

Written by renowned American playwright, Ken Ludwig, The Game’s Afoot has kept audiences guessing on both sides of the Atlantic since premiering at the Cleveland Playhouse, Ohio, on 25 November 2011.

The murder mystery tells the story of a famed 1930’s actor, William Gillette, housing a Christmas Eve party for his Sherlock Holmes cast members. But as life imitates art, not all of his festive guests will make it through the night – with Gillette assuming the persona of his on stage detective to solve the case.

The Game’s Afoot was nominated for and won the Edgar Allen Poe Award for ‘Best Play’ following its initial run, with The Erdington Players bringing it across the pond nearly 13 years later to the day.

The show’s director, Colin Bridle, said: “The cast and crew are working hard to deliver The Game’s Afoot, and it’s a fantastic challenge for us to bring such a strong, critically acclaimed script to life.”

The Erdington Players cast of The Game’s Afoot by Ken Ledwig

He added: “This is a show that combines a genuinely gripping ‘whodunnit’ with laugh-out-loud slapstick elements, and we’re sure that our audiences will enjoy watching it as much as we’re enjoying making it.”

While The Erdington Players focus on the upcoming performance, the group has also issued an appeal to the community for help as it looks to recruit new members.

Founded over 60 years ago, The Erdington Players is one of the longest running amateur dramatics companies in the city and want to build both cast and crew to support their aims of two annual productions.

James Cresswell, chairman of The Erdington Players, said: “Delivering quality, affordable community theatre for more than 60 years is a legacy that we’re immensely proud of, and something that we’re keen to continue to offer.

“Our latest production owes everything to the small, passionate group of volunteers that make up our group today.”

He added: “The reality is, however, that we must increase our numbers in order to deliver shows going forward.

“Therefore, we would encourage anyone who would like to join us, whether as a performer, backstage hand, or as a member of our front-of-house team, to get in touch.”

The Erdington Players present The Game’s Afoot at the Erdington United Reformed Church, Holly Lane, from 13-16 November. For a direct link to online ticke sales visit www.ticketsource.co.uk/erdington-the-players

For more on The Erdington Players visit www.facebook.com/urcplayers

NEWS: Erdington locals get discounted tickets to UK première of Becoming Nancy at Birmingham Rep

Words by Ed King / Rehearsal pics by Mark Senior

Erdington locals can get their hands on heavily discounted tickets to the UK première run of the musical Becoming Nancy – which comes to the Birmingham Rep theatre from 3 October until 2 November.

With standard tickets costing up to over £50 including booking fee, Erdington residents can pick up a special ticket for only £10 for evening performances on 9, 10, and 11 October – alongside an afternoon matinee on 10 October.

A maximum of four tickets can be purchased per household and buyers will need a valid Erdington postcode whilst booking – simply click here to contact the Birmingham Rep Box Office and use the promotional code: ERDINGTON.

Becoming Nancy cast / Mark Senior

Based on the debut novel by composer Terry Ronald, released in 2011, Becoming Nancy tells the story of talented student David Starr (Joseph Peacock) who auditions for the school performance of Oliver! – the musical adaption of the Dickins classic Oliver Twist.

Hoping to be cast as Fagin, the show’s lovable rogue and male lead, David’s impressive vocal range and pop star pretentions win over the school production’s director who instead casts him as Nancy – the most prominent female lead.

The unconventional casting grabs the attention of everyone in town and at school, with divided opinion about whether he should take the role – as David finds solace in his no-nonsense friend Frances (Paige Peddie) and surprising co-star and school football team captain Maxie (Joseph Vella).

The story follows the characters as they navigate a difficult coming of age journey, challenged by small town fervour and the battle between who they want to be and who their friends and family think they should be.

Becoming Nancy was adapted for the stage by Elliot Davis, with music by George Stiles and lyrics by Anthony Drewe. Additional songs were also penned by the author of the original book, Terry Ronald, and Elliot Davis.

Taking to the stage for the first time in 2019, Becoming Nancy has its world première at the Alliance Theatre, Atlanta, Georgia – directed and choreographed on its first run by Jerry Mitchell.

Joseph Peacock (David Starr) and Jospeh Vell (Maxie Boswell) / Credit Mark Senior

Known for his extensive work in musical theatre – which credits productions including Legally Blonde, Kinky Boots, The Devil Wears Prada, Hairspray, Pretty Woman: The Musical – Jerry Mitchell is back as both director and choreographer for the UK première run of Becoming Nancy.

In an interview made as part of the promotion for the UK run, Mitchell told: “It’s an amazing experience to discover a hit musical before it becomes a hit on the West End or Broadway – and I think Becoming Nancy has that potential.”

Becoming Nancy / Interview with Jerry Mitchell, director and choreographer  

Becoming Nancy makes its UK première at the Birmingham REP theatre, running from 3 October and run until 2 November – with discounted tickets for Erdington locals available on 9, 10, and 11 October.

For more information direct from the theatre, with links online ticket sales, visit www.birmingham-rep.co.uk/whats-on/becoming-nancy

For more on Becoming Nancy the musical visit www.becomingnancymusical.com

EXCLUSIVE: Real to Real – stories of how music shaped the lives of local residents / Invite to exclusive live recording with a free drink for Erdington Local readers

“If music was removed from the world, I would feel empty, bereft, and devoid of anything.”

Erdington Local readers are being invited to an exclusive recording of Real to Real – an eclectic living history of how music inspired and shaped the lives of local residents, being performed as monologues at The Highbury Theatre on Wednesday 13 July from 7:30pm to 9pm.

From the soca and reggae of Trinidad and Jamaica, to the prog rock of Birmingham’s biker bars and the city’s legendary soundsystems and blues parties – all the stories are real life, recorded on to audio reals and video for digital archive.

Suitable for all ages, to get your free ticket to Real to Real visit: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/real-to-reel-tickets-379007560817

For the first Erdington Local readers to book their tickets, there will be a free drink on arrival at The Highbury Theatre Bar – alcoholic or soft drinks are available.

To get your free drink, simply book your ticket via the Eventbrite link above and email the confirmation to: [email protected]

Held at The Highbury Theatre on Wednesday 13 July, Real to Real was going to be a closed set recording – but organisers are now opening the theatre doors to allow members of the public to hear these amazing and inspiring stories for the first time.

Hear how Pete and Linda fell in lust over their love of vinyl (and Pete looking like David Cassidy), found friends and escaped the school bullies by bonding over music, played progressive rock to the notorious Birmingham biker gangs of the 80’s, and make a modern living out of music running Boldmere’s own Psychotron Records.

Listen to Dionee and Janet tell you about growing up around the ‘old time’ soca and reggae of Jamaica and Trinidad – embracing the music of their family’s roots in kitchens and churches, to start hosting their own soundsystems and blues parties across Birmingham in the 80’s and 90’s.

And Phil, who grew up with an Irish, Scottish, Yorkshire, and Liverpool family tree – embracing the political call to arms from Public Enemy and Dead Kennedy’s, as he travelled across Europe juggling fire (and knocking down speaker stacks) with bands on the booming free party and squatter scene of the early 90’s.

Or Henry Robert Hayes, the self professed “music nutcase”, who DJed his way through pubs and clubs before maxing out his credit cards and launching a £350,000 radio station – which he later sold for £5million.

Real to Real is directed by Tonia Dáley-Campbell, a Midlands actress, award-winning writer, published author, director, and now casting director for heart casting.

Tonia has been working in the creative industries for over 21 years, is the annual host for Tedx Wolverhampton, and the new Audience Development consultant for The Grand Theatre Wolverhampton.

The live monologues with be accompanied by Birmingham based punk/reggae band Lobster.

Joe Cook from Lobster said: “I’m really interested when different art forms meet – so having music and monologues in the same space such as the theatre pushes the band out of its comfort zone and allows us to create in a different way.

“The gig should be a great mix of different art forms coming together, as well as inspiration coming from stories from local people.”

For more from Blackstory Partnership visit www.blackstorypartnership.com 

For more on The Highbury Theatre, including details on how to get there, visit www.highburytheatre.co.uk

NEWS: Kingstanding’s CLOC Musical Theatre Company restart rehearsals – looking for new members ahead of their summer production

Words by Ed King / Pics supplied by CLOC Musical Theatre Company

From 10 January, Kingstanding’s long running CLOC Musical Theatre Company (CLOC MTC) are restarting their weekly rehearsals – hoping to find more local people with a penchant for the performing arts.

Meeting every Monday evening at St Mark’s Church, Bandywood Crescent, Kingstanding, CLOC are on the hunt for new members ahead of their summer production – offering an open invitation to anyone who wants to check out the company ahead of the upcoming auditions, regardless of previous stage experience or ability.

Having been unable to tread the boards due to Covid and lockdown restrictions, Monday 10 January marks the long awaited return of CLOC’s weekly workshops – with rehearsals running from 7:30pm.

But the Kingstanding company pride themselves on being “a family”, hosting many social events outside of their Monday rehearsals – including a regular curry club, Christmas meals, and trips to places of interest around the UK.

Anyone interested in finding out more about CLOC MTC can drop in to one of the weekly Monday evening sessions – or contact the company directly by calling Stacey on 07990 727355 or emailing [email protected]

All ages are welcomed, although children under 14 must be chaperoned by a responsible adult – with production roles available both onstage and backstage.

Established as an operatic ensemble back in 1937, the company’s first production was Clementine Ward’s three act operetta Peal the Fisher Maiden.

Producing a variety of annual musicals, stage shows, and concerts, including special variety shows for active servicemen from 1942-4, CLOC now present two productions each year – a regular pantomime in February, followed by the company’s “main show” later in the year.

CLOC are now working towards their summer production of Godspell – Stephen Schwartz’s renowned musical that retells the Gospels of Matthew – with a performance set for July this year.

The company will then look towards their 2023 pantomime, Beauty and the Beast.

Previous productions have included Tom Jones (1940), Annie Get Your Gun (1966), South Pacific (1984), and Fiddler on the Roof (2005) – alongside firm panto favourites including Aladdin, Jack and the Beanstalk, Dick Whittington, and Cinderella.

CLOC have performed shows in a variety of theatre spaces across Birmingham, including Sutton Coldfield Town Hall, Highbury Theatre Centre, The Crescent Theatre, and The Old REP.

Celebrating it’s 85th year in 2022, CLOC have staged over 158 productions throughout the years – making it one of North Birmingham’s longest running musical theatre companies.

Now able to meet up and rehearse for the first time since Covid, the near century old company is looking for more tireless thespians, confident crooners, and dedicated dancers to get involved – welcoming any ages and stages.

Ben Neville from CLOC MTC told Erdington Local: “The last two years have been pretty miserable, but CLOC are starting rehearsals again and we’d love to welcome some new members to the group.

“We are very much a warm welcoming company; we welcome anyone who wants to tread the boards, who wants to come and be part of something. We’re like a family. We welcome all ages and talents… we make everyone feel at home when they come through the doors.

“With our company, there are roles both on stage and working backstage – we have some members who might not want to be in a certain show but want to help backstage, and we welcome that.

“We want everyone to take part and there are many opportunities to do different things and to learn new skills.

“We’ve had two years of misery; we’ve not been able to do much. And this is an opportunity to step out of your comfort zone and to try something new. So, if you’re a lover of the theatre and you’ve always wanted to get on stage, this is the place to do it.

“Don’t be shy, we’re all in it together, and we will support and cheer everyone on with every performance.”

For more on CLOC Musical Theatre Company visit www.cloc.org.uk