Month: May 2022

The following review is based on the performance of Sister Act at The Prince of Wales Theatre in Cannock, on Friday 13 May, 2022.

Full of belly-laughs, poignant moments and show-stopping numbers, Sister Act, performed by the Aldridge Musical Comedy Society (AMCS) at the Prince of Wales Theatre, was a feel-good treat that thoroughly deserved the standing ovation it received from the sell-out audience on Friday night.

What Is Sister Act About?

Based on the popular 1992 movie, Sister Act is a musical comedy that follows nightclub performer Deloris Van Cartier as she seeks to hit the big time. After being told she isn’t good enough after a performance at her gangster boyfriend’s nightclub, she splits up with him and becomes witness to a murder.

With the gangsters hot on her tail, Deloris is soon on the run and takes refuge at a convent where she struggles to adapt to the holy life. However, both Deloris and the nuns learn something from each other and she discovers that sisterhood isn’t so bad at all as she helps improve the nuns’ singing, who can barely hold a note together when she first arrives.

Unlike previous shows produced by the society, like Thoroughly Modern Millie, Me & My Girl and West Side Story, Sister Act is a non-stop production that barely lets the cast take a breather with rapid costume changes, intricate vocal harmonies and one song arriving quickly after another.

A Diva Performance

With an effervescent, energetic performance and strong vocals across a variety of big numbers, no-one worked harder than Chloe Robinson playing the lead role of Deloris Van Cartier.

Capturing the humour of the disco diva perfectly and shining on stage with big hitters such as ‘Raise Your Voice’ and ‘Take Me to Heaven’, Deloris was backed up immaculately by the sweet harmonies of the captivating cast of nuns, who consistently delivered music to our ears with a dynamic performance.

When singing as a group, with the likes of ‘Fabulous, Baby!’ and ‘Sunday Morning Fever’, the atmosphere in the theatre was taken to another level with sparkling harmonies that were far removed from the outrageous (and very funny) out-of-tune harmonies appearing near the beginning of Act 1 prior to the nuns learning to sing by Deloris.

Highlights Of Sister Act

In a show packed full of highlights, Mother Superior, played by Helen Bodley, commanded the stage with a performance befitting of any professional production. Indeed, it’s amazing to think that the cast are amateurs as numerous performances wouldn’t have looked out of place in the West End.

This included the loveable Sister Mary Robert played by Beth Flint, who transformed superbly from a shy, softly spoken nun to a defiant diva that had the audience firmly on her side by the time she sang a poignant rendition of ‘The Life I Never Lived’, which touchingly talks about how she discovered her inner strength.  

Though the cast of Sister Act is predominantly female, the male cast also provided a number of memorable highlights as they performed two laugh-out-loud performances of ‘When I Find My Baby’ and ‘Lady in the Long Black Dress’, combining awkwardness, physical humour and hilarious high-pitched voices that saw many shoulders shaking across the auditorium. In fact, two women sitting next to us were still giggling a good five minutes after!

Officer “Sweaty” Eddie, played by Richard Beckett, also delivered a strong performance that put the audience firmly on the side of his nice-guy character with a stand-out rendition of ‘I Could Be That Guy’ that earned him one of the biggest cheers of the night during the finale.

The real stand-out moment for us, however, was undoubtedly the big numbers, when some of the stars of the show were backed up on stage by the chorus. Between them, they literally raised the roof with their voices and created an electrically-charged atmosphere in the theatre.

Complemented by impressive choreography, a dazzling set and lighting, and a vibrant 12-piece band, Sister Act by the Aldridge Musical Comedy Society proved to be big hit with us and the audience. As the encore arrived, the full company were thoroughly deserved of their standing ovation and left many heading home with huge smiles on their faces – a thoroughly enjoyable night out!

What’s Next From AMCS?

AMCS return to The Prince of Wales Theatre this November with what is expected to be an exciting concert – Musicals That Rock – featuring songs from musicals such as Wicked, Rent, School of Rock, We Will Rock You and Bat Out of Hell to name but a few!

If you’re interested in finding out more about future performances, or how you can join the society, visit the AMCS website or Facebook page.

A convenience store in Aldridge could face sanctions after being linked to violent disorder, drugs and underage sales.

The 1^st Stop on Walsall Road, Aldridge has been closed since March after an order was submitted by Black Country Magistrates’ Court. This week, the Walsall licensing and safety committee are considering further sanctions once the premises are allowed to re-open in June.

West Midlands Police reported that the store may be linked to “postcode wars” between local youths aged 15-16 and in February revealed that the side alleyway of the store was being used to hide weapons, including a claw hammer.

Other findings suggest that the shop was being used by students and ex-students of Aldridge school to sell cannabis, while a staff member was found in possession of the drug and a Rambo-style knife was found under the counter.

The police have expressed concerns that the store is negatively impacting the community.

On re-opening, the conditions of the closure order that came into effect in March will mean that no under 18’s are allowed in the store unless accompanied by an adult and background checks should be taken on all staff.

A decision on the store’s license and any changes to the agreed sanctions when re-opening are due to be decided today, Thursday 12 May.

A hotel in Walsall has claimed the accolade of being one of the best 25 hotels in TripAdvisor’s 20^th annual Traveller’s Choice Best of the Best Awards.

Standing alongside the likes of many top London hotels, including Claridge’s, Fairlawns Hotel & Spa in Aldridge was placed 25^th in the category of “Top Hotels in the UK”.

• Full list of winners and categories in the annual Traveller’s Awards

The family-run hotel currently has 1,677 reviews on TripAdvisor with a 4.5/5 star rating.

One reviewer wrote: “The place feels homely. From the moment we arrived until the moment we left I could not fault anything.”

Another wrote: “Nothing is too much trouble for the staff and the spa days are very good value for money.”

The four-star hotel, which is set on 12 acres of grounds, delivers a variety of special offers, including spa days, stay & dine promotions and afternoon tea. It also boasts a health and fitness club and various mind and body classes.

To find out more, check out the Fairlawns website.

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A former school in Bloxwich, which was declined for listed status earlier this year, is now up for auction.

The building has stood on the same spot on Essex Street for 120-years and was formerly the North Walsall Junior and Infant school before being used as a local history centre for a number of years.

The building is up for auction with the guide price of £290,000 and includes parking, the caretaker’s house and a large repository with three annexes.

Ron Darlington, a consultant director at Bond Wolfe, said: “This is an unusual but fascinating lot that could be suitable for various uses including redevelopment, subject to obtaining the appropriate planning permission.

“There are a multiple collection of rooms and spaces including the entrance lobby, staff office, reception room, kitchen, toilets, office, stores with racking, display room and classroom.

“There’s also a large storehouse with three annexes and extensive mobile shelving, an additional office and store with racking and a server room.

“There is plenty of parking space outside, plus access to a plant room and what was the caretaker’s house.”

The former school will feature at the next Bond Wolfe auction at 9am on May 19. To find out more, visit: https://www.bondwolfe.com/auctions/properties/169208-property-auction-bloxwich/

Walsall will play a part in the official Queen’s Baton Relay in the lead up to the start of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

The Baton Relay takes place across the country for 29 days before it arrives at the opening ceremony at the Alexandra Stadium on 28 July, 2022.

The relay will arrive in Walsall on 23 July and visit the Walsall Gala baths, which is hosting a range of events, including an artistic swimming display and a Come and Try Aquatics programme.

The Queen’s Baton Relay will then arrive at Walsall Arboretum where a Commonwealth Cultural Festival will be taking place.

Locals are invited to get involved with the celebrations, with further details due to be announced shortly.

Councillor Garry Perry, Deputy Leader for Resilient Communities said:

“Following on from the many community events planned across the borough for Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee, it really is shaping up to be a summer of celebrations.

“We will issue more details about the supporting events we are organising in the coming weeks and I hope lots of residents turn out on the day to enjoy the events and to give our Batonbearers a cheer.”

For more information on the Queen’s Baton Relay, visit www.birmingham2022.com/qbr.

A series of special events and festivals are being held in each of Sandwell’s six towns in the lead up to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games to showcase the rich culture of the local community.

Starting in May and running through until July, free public events will be held at various open spaces, heritage sites and town centres, in addition to ticketed events taking place in the evenings.

The Shine A Light festivals will culminate with a two-week festival being held at Sandwell Valley between 25 July-8 August.

Free Public Events

The free public events will feature family fun, stalls and creative workshops, as well as food and drink.

They will take place between 10am until 4pm on the following dates:

• Oldbury Town Centre – 14 and 15 May
• Smethwick – Lightwoods Park – 21 May and Bearwood High Street – 22 May
• Wednesbury Town Centre – 28 and 29 May
• West Bromwich Town Centre – 11 and 12 June
• Rowley Regis – Cradley Heath 25 June and Blackheath High Street 26 June
• Tipton Town Centre – 16 and 17 July

Shine A Light Festival Evenings

A number of evening events are also being planned with a small charge (yet to be decided) for entrance. They will include live performances, fairs, entertainment and food and drink.

These events take place between 4pm until 9pm on the following dates:

• Oldbury – Barnford Park, 14 May
• Smethwick – Victoria Park, Smethwick, 21 May
• Wednesbury – Brunswick Park, 28 May
• West Bromwich – Dartmouth Park, 11 June
• Rowley Regis: Haden Hill Park – 25 June
• Tipton: Victoria Park Tipton – 16 Jul

Sandwell Valley Park Festival

Finally, there will be a two-week event with entertainment running daily between 25 July until 8 August at Sandwell Valley Park. This will include live action on the big screen from the Commonwealth Games, and features a food festival on the 6-7 August.

For further information, please visit the Shine A Light Festival webpage.