The Wizard Of Oz – Sutton Coldfield Musical Youth Theatre ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Wizard Of Oz – Sutton Coldfield Musical Youth Theatre

Sutton Coldfield Town Hall

Monday 16th February – Dress Rehearsal

By Nigel Gambles

Photography – Studio 55 Photography

There’s no place like home… and on this occasion, there was certainly no better place to be than Sutton Coldfield Town Hall, where Sutton Coldfield Musical Youth Theatre transported audiences down the Yellow Brick Road in a vibrant, heartfelt production of The Wizard of Oz.

From the opening notes of Over the Rainbow, it was clear this was a special evening. The transition from sepia-toned Kansas to the dazzling colour of Oz was beautifully handled, drawing audible gasps from the audience and setting the tone for a joyful theatrical journey.

Leading the way was Lola Hinsley as Dorothy, delivering a wonderfully warm and sincere performance. Her vocals were confident and emotionally grounded, capturing Dorothy’s innocence while showing impressive strength for such a demanding role. She carried the story effortlessly — a truly standout portrayal.

And then there was Biscuit as Toto — quite simply, the scene-stealer of the night. Every entrance earned smiles, laughs, and spontaneous applause. Proof, if ever it was needed, that four legs can sometimes upstage an entire cast.

Dorothy’s companions were equally engaging:

Elliott Winhall brought charm and comedy as the Scarecrow,
Jamie Wilson offered heart and humour as the Tin Man,
Euan Barnby delivered a delightful Cowardly Lion with great physicality and timing.

Louise Heard revelled in her role as Miss Gulch / The Wicked Witch, striking the perfect balance between menace and theatrical fun, while George Wells added gravitas and warmth as Professor Marvel / The Wizard.

Supporting roles were handled with confidence by Daisy Moore (Aunt Em / Glinda) and Kian Haden (Uncle Henry / Guard), with strong contributions from principal vocalists Erin Freeman, Grace Wilson, Molly Lewis and Neve Matthews.

The principal dancers — Anna Green, Aubane Doireau, Daisy Yates, Erin Freeman, Esme Wolverson, Molly Lewis, Natalie Heard, Neve Matthews, Peyton Lockley and Sophia Reeve — brought real energy and polish to the Emerald City sequences, while the full ensemble filled the stage with colour, movement and infectious enthusiasm.

Behind the scenes, this production was steered with care and creativity by director Georgia Young, supported by musical director Imogen Botham and choreographer Ellie Johnstone, with Neve Matthews also serving as Dance Captain. The result was a tightly paced show with lively choreography and well-balanced musical moments.

Stage management by Paula Lumsden, alongside a dedicated crew including Finley Waldron, Paul Lumsden, Ian Bowley, Ed Hill, Nathan Rock, Tom Wells, Hannah Litwinne, Simon Smith, Kate Holland, Lauren Orgil and Mark Shett, ensured everything ran smoothly.

Costumes by Suzanne Harris (assisted by Liv Lawton) were bright and characterful, while lighting from Going Dark Theatrical Services, sound by Sam Bukhshav, scenery by Made to Measure Productions, and props from Theatre House combined to create a fully immersive Oz.

⭐ A Fond Farewell

This production also marks a bittersweet milestone for director Georgia Young, who, after five productions with the youth group, will now be moving on to the adult company, where she’ll be producing Frozen next year. She will be deeply missed by the youth cast and families alike — her passion, encouragement and creative vision have clearly left a lasting legacy.

What truly sets this production apart is the heart behind it. Every scene reflects the dedication, rehearsal hours, and genuine love for theatre shared by cast and crew alike.

A joyful, polished and thoroughly uplifting evening — and another shining example of just how strong Sutton Coldfield’s youth theatre scene continues to be.

Click those ruby slippers and follow that Yellow Brick Road — you won’t regret it. 👠✨

Dick Whittington – Mint Theatre Society ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Dick Whittington – Mint Theatre Society

Stonnall Village Hall

Sunday 14th December – Dress Rehearsal

By Nigel Gambles

Photography – Studio 55 Photography

Mint Theatre Group once again bring community theatre magic to Stonnall Village Hall with their fun-filled production of Dick Whittington — a lively, laugh-a-minute pantomime packed with local humour, catchy songs and plenty of audience interaction.

Leading the show with charm and confidence, Ellie Ball makes a spirited Dick Whittington, full of enthusiasm and warmth. Her chemistry with Beth Howell as Alice Fitzwarren adds a lovely romantic note to the adventure, while Charlotte Ball as Fairy Bow Bells brings a graceful sparkle to every scene, guiding Dick and the audience with poise and gentle humour.

Every good panto needs its mischief, and Duncan Gleig as King Rat delivers villainy with relish — booed, hissed and loved in equal measure. Dave Stonehouse as Sarah the Cook is a joy from start to finish, delighting the crowd with larger-than-life energy, perfectly timed gags and more outrageous costumes than you can count.

Andrew Hughes shines as the ever-daft Idle Jack, keeping the laughter coming thick and fast, while Rebecca Shiner’s Cat adds a wonderfully playful touch with great physical comedy and charm. David Daly as Alderman Fitzwarren and Paul Warner as Sultan Vinegar both bring solid character work to their roles, and Liz Daly’s Tricky Pete adds just the right pinch of panto mischief.

The show is full of colourful set pieces, cheerful choreography and a clear sense of fun shared between cast and audience alike. With strong direction from Alex Howell, clever local references and plenty of heart, Dick Whittington captures exactly what makes traditional pantomime so special.

Mint Theatre Group prove once again that community theatre can deliver professional-quality laughs and feel-good festive entertainment.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A joyous, family-friendly pantomime brimming with humour, heart and hometown sparkle.

Beauty & The Beast – Talegate Theatre Productions ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Beauty & The Beast – Talegate Theatre Productions

Sutton Coldfield Town Hall

Sunday 14th December

By Nigel Gambles

Photography – Studio 55 Photography

Talegate Theatre Productions once again deliver a dazzling slice of festive fun with Beauty and The Beast — a vibrant, laugh-out-loud retelling of the classic fairy tale packed with sparkle, songs and plenty of silliness.

From the moment the curtain rises, the energy never dips. Bethany Oliver brings warmth and poise to the role of Belle, her vocals clear and confident, while Gareth Lord gives real heart to the Prince/Beast, making the transformation scene genuinely magical.

There’s a perfect balance of humour and heart thanks to the show’s larger-than-life characters. Steve Boyce steals many a scene as the flamboyant Dame Cheri Gateau, serving quick-fire wit and fabulous costumes in equal measure. James Bartlett as Gaviscon and Josh Dixon as Franc the Fool keep the younger audience roaring with laughter — their comic timing and audience rapport spot on throughout.

Every panto needs a good villain, and Alexandra Allison as Witch Hazel delivers just that with gusto, conjuring boos, hisses and plenty of mischievous glee. Whilst singing Defying Gravity at the end of Act One, she quite literally does so — soaring above the stage in a spectacular and magical flying scene that left the audience gasping and applauding in delight.

Choreography by Justine Lee keeps the ensemble tight and lively, with Farrah Palmer (also Dance Captain) and Sophie Atkins leading the numbers with flair. The Sparkles School of Dance junior chorus add charm and enthusiasm to every scene they appear in.

Behind the scenes, the production team shine just as brightly. With direction and script by James Worthington, the pacing is sharp and the jokes land well for all ages. The colourful costumes (by Talegate Theatre Productions) and eye-catching scenery (by Dave Law) create a rich fairy-tale world, enhanced by Bethany Knowles’ clever lighting design and Burnt Toast SFX, whose special effects add a real touch of wonder.

It’s a show that truly embraces everything a pantomime should be — fun, interactive, full of heart and festive sparkle. Whether you’re booing the baddie, laughing at the Dame’s antics, or cheering for true love’s triumph, Beauty and The Beast is guaranteed to leave audiences smiling.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A magical, family-friendly treat brimming with energy, colour and Christmas cheer.

Into The Woods – Script Youth Musical Theatre ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Into the Woods – Script Youth Musical Theatre

Crescent Theatre – Birmingham

Friday 28th November– Dress Rehearsal

By Lee Williams

**Photography – Lee Williams Photography (For WOISC)**

If you love fairy tales but wish they had a bit more bite (and more songs), “Into The Woods” is right up your alley. This musical, created by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine, takes stories you already know—Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel—and mashes them together in a way that’s both hilarious and surprisingly deep. Since hitting Broadway in 1987, it’s become a favourite for theatre fans everywhere. Now it’s here – presented by Script Youth Musical Theatre Company.

At first glance, it’s a strange and wild mix of familiar characters all heading into the woods to chase after their biggest dreams. The Baker and his Wife just want a kid, but a Witch has put a curse on them. Everyone’s paths cross, and things get out of hand fast. Wishes do come true—but not always in the way anyone expects.

The music in “Into The Woods” is awesome. In the original Sondheim really knew how to write songs that stick with you. From the catchy and funny “Agony” to the moving “No One Is Alone,” there’s a great mix of humour and heart. The lyrics are clever, packed with puns and deeper meanings, so there’s always something new to catch each time you listen.

The production and set here is kept simple, letting your imagination fill in the rest. There’s plenty of room for cool lighting and sound effects, and with so many characters sharing the stage, things stay lively and fun.

This show gives actors a lot to work with—no boring roles here! Whether it’s the Baker, the Witch, or even Little Red Riding Hood, everyone gets a moment to shine. Performances by Gracie Reynolds and Masie Holdsworth as the Witch are lively and pop whereas Daniel George and Niamh Scott-Walters/Lexi Roberts play the Baker and Baker’s Wife brilliantly. We must admit, Nancy Reynolds and Isla Rose Thompson play extremely cute cows!

“Into The Woods” is loads of fun, with catchy songs and sharp humour, but it also has something to say. Whether you’re watching for the first time or the fiftieth, you’ll find new bits to enjoy and think about. So, if you’re up for a musical that’s smart, funny, and a little bit dark, don’t miss your chance to get lost in these woods.

⭐️ ⭐️ Christmas Events in Sutton Coldfield Town Centre ⭐️ ⭐️

Christmas Events in Sutton Coldfield Town Centre

Sunday 30th November

Meet The Grinch & Cindy-Lou 12pm-3pm

Free Face painting 10am-3pm

Farmers & Craft Market 10am-3pm

Saturday 13th December

Walk In Snow globe 11am-4pm

Victorian Stilt Walker 12pm-4pm

Meet Father Christmas 12pm-4pm

Victorian Christmas Market 10am-8pm

Sunday 14th December

Walk In Snow globe 11am-4pm

Victorian Stilt Walker 12pm-4pm

Meet Father Christmas 12pm-4pm

Victorian Christmas Market 10am-5pm

Saturday 20th December

See The Gingerbreads 12pm-3pm

Victorian Stilt Walker 12pm-4pm

Meet Father Christmas 12pm-4pm

Victorian Christmas Market 10am-8pm

Sunday 21st December

See The Elves 12pm-4pm

Victorian Stilt Walker 12pm-4pm

Meet Father Christmas 12pm-4pm

Victorian Christmas Market 10am-5pm

Victorian Christmas Market

Week 1)

Thursday 11th – Sunday 14th December

Week 2)

Thursday 18th – Sunday 21st December

Times) Thursday, Friday, Saturday 10am-8pm & Sunday10am-5pm

Events brought to you by Visit Royal Sutton Coldfield BID and Victorian Market trader bookings through LSD Promotions

Sutton Coldfield town centre

Pictures Courtesy Visit Royal Sutton Coldfield BID

Royal Sutton Fun Run Presentation Evening 2025

Last week saw the annual presentation evening for the Royal Sutton Fun Run

Participants in this year’s 42nd Royal Sutton Fun Run have chosen 154 charities and voluntary organisations to benefit from the £285,570 they have raised in 2025. The fourth highest total on record since the event began in 1982.

Event Director, Tracey Spare said: “Fun Run participants have raised another staggering sum of money for their chosen charities & voluntary organisations, which is particularly pleasing when you consider the challenging domestic financial challenges.

The total raised and distributed since the first Royal Sutton Fun Run in 1982 has now reached over £5.68million.

Picture 1:

Dominic Robson, [Headteacher] Claire Bolton [Business Development], Nyla Baig & Jonas Echeta [Charity Captains] – Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School presented to Rachel McNair & Kerrie Henry-Edge, BIRMINGHAM MIND

Picture 2:

Andy Perks [Inktree] & Giles Edmunds & Lakhdeep Kaur [Directors, Specsavers Sutton Coldfield & Mere Green] & Karl Rowntree [MD, RotoSpa] presented to Jackie Price, Centre Manager & Trevor Saadi [Chair] SUTTON COLDFIELD CANCER SUPPORT CENTRE.

Picture 3:

Mark Thomas, Director, Gemini Wealth Management presented to Vicky Burford, CEO PANS PANDAS UK

Cheque 4:

James Pike, Vanessa Hoe & Nicola Davies [RSFR Directors] presented to Elle Huguet, Assistant Fundraising Manager, GOOD HOPE HOSPITAL CHARITY

Picture 5:

Kira McClure, Dave Steggles & Abbi Brown – Charity Leaders, Sertec & Amy Cox, Owner FIT Sutton Coldfield presented to Amanda Devlin, Regional Fundraiser, BIRMINGHAM CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL.

My Fair Lady – Cloc Musical Theatre Company ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

My Fair Lady – Cloc MTC

Sutton Coldfield Town Hall

Wednesday 22nd October 2025 – Opening Night

By Nigel Gambles

Photography – Studio 55 Photography

‘My Fair Lady’ is a wonderful show. The musical is set in London, in that great period at the beginning of the 20th century, when the Empire, King and country were all Great with a capital G, and tells the story of a famous English Language phonetician, Henry Higgins, who makes a bet with friend and fellow linguist, Colonel Pickering, that he can turn a working-class flower seller into a high society lady in six months. The challenge is accepted, since Eliza herself the “guttersnipe” flowergirl wishes to learn to speak properly in order to work in a flower shop.

I have seen the show once before about 25 years ago with a star studded cast including Jonathan Pryce, Martine McCutcheon and Dennis Waterman, very nice you might say, but my point is that this cast from Cloc MTC could easily take their places, so polished and professional are their performances.

First off, this is a long show nearly three hours so get comfortable for a long but rewarding journey in uncomfortable theatre chairs!

The set is predominantly a huge screen showing scenes of London, Covent Garden, Ascot and general street scenes. This worked superbly with only a few props having to be moved on and off stage.

John Biddell plays Henry Higgins. One of the standout aspects of Johns’s portrayal was his ability to capture Higgins’ arrogance and condescension. Higgins is a character who is used to getting his way and sees himself as superior to those around him, particularly Eliza. John was able to convey this sense of superiority through his posture, facial expressions, and vocal inflections, at the same time he also showed Higgins vulnerability and humanity. John managed to show this complexity through his performance and particularly his interactions with Eliza.

Moving on to Eliza Dolittle, Audrey Hepburn who made this role unmatchable that is until Samantha Rogers took on the role, her fabulous voice and wonderful acting gave soul to the character. Her vocal range is incredible and she demonstrates excellent control. She brought Eliza to life in a way that few performers have before. Her performance was subtle and detailed and her singing had wonderful quality that draws the audience in and keeps them engaged. Her incredible voice, combined with her acting skills, made her portrayal of Miss Doolittle truly unforgettable. She left a lasting impression on us.

Matt Beebe made a lively, spritely, and considerate Pickering. A lovely clear voice and diction as well as a great stage presence helped his character along nicely. Hayley Howen as Henry’s mother, Mrs.Higgins was a delight, as was Stacey Muxlow’s Mrs Pearce. Alex Nash gives a wonderful performance as the lovestruck Freddie and his rendition of On The Street Where You Live was beautiful and really endearing.

The principals were supported by a large and enthusiastic chorus of all ages, filling the stage where necessary.

Producer Rosemary Ravenscroft has done an excellent job pulling together this mammoth show whilst installing a level of commitment and enthusiasm from what must be hours and hours of rehearsals, that is off the scale, this can be seen in the dance sections choreographed by Teresa Biddell which are superb and so in sync – perfect.

The orchestra led by Peter Wingate were excellent if not somewhat over powering in a few sections. Lighting by Going Dark was as usual “spot on”.

Beauty & The Beast – Script Youth Musical Theatre ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Beauty & The Beast – Script Youth Musical Theatre Company

Crescent Theatre

Thursday 11th September 2025 – Dress Rehearsal

By : Nigel Gambles

Photography by : Studio 55 Photography

This familiar story, is a magical tale of mystery, sorcery, dreams, sadness, longing, and a just-in-time happy and moving ending.

A young prince, cursed and imprisoned in the form of a beast must find true love before the last rose petal falls to break the spell.

The true love appears in the form of Belle played by Erin Phillips, a wonderful singer with an amazing voice, a village girl who is being pursued by the narcissistic and arrogant hunter Gaston played to perfection by Findlay Laidlaw a strong and powerful vocalist, along with his side-kick LeFou the talented and hilarious Evie Rice, more on Evie later.

Belle refuses Gaston’s advances, yet the other village girls Effie Jobling, Isabelle Round and Darci Rice very amusingly fawn for his attention and affections.

Belle comes face to face with the Beast Samuel McCormac in his castle, whilst looking for her father Maurice, Zachariah Scrivens, who has been captured and selflessly ends up swapping places to gain his freedom. Belle soon befriends a host of wonderful characters in the ‘enchanted’ castle, who hope ‘this is the one to break the spell’. This magnificent group – Lumiere (Kian Haden), Mrs Potts (Chloe Mason), Chip (Oliver Malkin), Cogsworth (Amiee Whillis), Madame De La Grande Bouche (Jess Lewis) and the constantly amusing Babette (Louise Heard) are forever memorable.

Despite a turbulent beginning, a deep friendship develops between Belle and Beast and eventually the curse is broken. The true prince is revealed, Gaston is seen off, and peace, dance and merriment ensue. Therein lies the underlying message of the play: inward characteristics such as kindness should forever be valued over superficial qualities like appearance.

Forgive me for not mentioning by name the many other young actors, but they were all fantastic and the final number including the whole cast was a total delight.

Well done to Louise Farmer for such creative, enthusiastic production and once again ensuring that she got the maximum enthusiasm and effort from the whole cast and Kelly McCormac for the meticulous choreography. A very special mention to Evie Rice who upon finding out the group would be doing Beauty and the Beast jumped at the chance to design and make Belles dresses as part of her finals at BOA, they are superb.

I have always thought that putting one’s trust and faith in children and young people brings out their best. Script Youth Musical Theatre certainly helps in this by promoting positive growth opportunities such as confidence building, creativity, communicating and working with others, as well as enabling the skills of acting, singing and dancing.

Six The Musical – Teen Edition : Lichfield Musical Youth Theatre ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Six The Musical – Teen Edition : Lichfield Musical Youth Theatre

The Hub St Marys

Wednesday 2nd July 2025

By : Nigel Gambles

Photography by : LMYT

What a wonderful, colourful show excellently performed by the young company. I have not seen Six before and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The setting in St Marys Hub was absolutely the perfect place for it and the sound and lighting design by Sam Burkinshaw and Stephen Rainsford complemented it perfectly

The six wives filled the stage with their exuberant singing. The stunning costumes designed and made by Sue Broad were perfect showing the different personalities of the wives beautifully

As with all the shows that I’ve seen from Lichfield Musical Youth Theatre, the standard of performance, choreography, acting and overall sheen is of top priority, and this show has all of the above and an added fistful of sass and attitude.

The six wives of Henry VIII are Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Katherine Howard, and Catherine Parr. “Six” tells each of their stories in a very atypical fashion: the wives have all come together as part of a pop girl group, and they each sing a song about who has suffered the most as Henry’s wife. The winner will be the new leader of the group.

Evelyn Maymand plays Catherine of Aragon : The first wife of Henry VIII, was known for her strength and determination. She sings “No Way” and stands her ground despite her divorce. Evelyn was absolutely solid through out and set a high bar for the other queens to follow.

Anne Boleyn: The second wife of Henry VIII infamous for her beheading and she likes to remind you, was portrayed with great wit by Jess Horne. “Don’t Lose Ur Head” is such a well known number and Jess brought all the sass and energy this deserved.

Jane Seymour: The third wife of Henry VIII, often seen as the love of his life, was so beautifully played by Molly Bastable. She depicted the gentle and kind mother who died in childbirth with such emotion. Singing “Heart of Stone”, you would have needed one to not be moved.

Anne of Cleves: Maiya Ogden was the fourth wife of Henry VIII, known for her short-lived marriage to the king. This a difficult part as you need to be pragmatic and somewhat aloof especially when singing “Get Down”. Maiya was more than up to the task and totally nailed it.

Katherine Howard: The fifth wife of Henry VIII, was Beth Winspear. Beth was excellent as she took the audience on the journey of a young and naive girl who meets a tragic end. As she sang “All You Wanna Do” she showcased the desire for love and the unsavoury attention that can bring.

Catherine Parr: The sixth and final wife of Henry VIII was Molly Darby. Catherine was known for her intelligence and influence and Molly carried the characterisation with skill beyond her years. “I Don’t Need Your Love” was amazing.

All SIX girls performed to the highest standard and it was easy to forget you were watching a youth production. You could see clearly that each one had lived the part and were having fun.

Jessica Bennett is the Director and Choreographer and Oliver Rowe Musical Director of SIX and what a show they gave us. Technically as close to perfect as you could get. With spectacular lighting and great use of space, they got the very best from her undoubtably talented singers and dancers.

I would have to say that overall “Six” was a total triumph and a credit to all those involved

If you don’t want to lose your head hurry and get those tickets the show runs until Saturday 5th July with 2 performances each night 6.30pm and 9.00pm

Chop Chop..

https://thehubstmarys.co.uk/events/lmyt-six-teen-edition/

Legally Blonde -Script Youth Musical Theatre Company ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Legally Blonde -Script Youth Musical Theatre Company

Highbury Theatre

Monday 30th June 2025

By : Nigel Gambles

Photography by : Studio 55 Photography

As they say OMG where do I start. I attended the dress rehearsal for this show Monday night and I can promise that you are in for an absolute treat. I have seen the show a number of times performed by different theatre groups but I can truthfully say this was one of the best!! The energy and enjoyment just came off the stage in waves.

The show is based on the movie of the same name and follows the star of the show Elle Woods who seems to have it all, but then it all starts to go wrong when her rich boyfriend dumps her in favour of going to Harvard Law School. So determined to win him back she charms her way in to the same university. Whilst there she struggles with all manor of things but eventually with the help of new friends and her dog Bruiser she starts to realise her potential and sets out to prove herself. The story is a triumph over adversity and empowering female friendships.

Peyton Lockley who is making her lead debut plays Elle Woods. She is superb, her vocals are strong and clear and her dancing excellent. Peyton totally embraced the role and will blow you away. She has strong support from her fellow cast members Maddie Howard who plays Paulette the owner of the hair salon and forms a strong bond with Elle. Maddy has a strong stage presence and delivers a commanding performance when teamed up with Elle and Kyle the UPS man. Daniel George who plays Emmett a charming and sensitive law student who supports Elle, captures the sensitive nature of the character and delivers a great performance.

Full credit must be given to the supporting cast who worked hard and delivered fantastic performances, all of which can be attributed to the great direction of Louise Sall and Tim Rice. The choreography is very good all thanks to the hard work of Amelia. Do not miss this show as the strap line goes ” This musical is so much fun it should be illegal”