Moseley is the Birmingham suburb that mixes the arty with the crafty – and now it’s offering an additional treat for the intrepid explorer.

There is a narrow alley opposite the Sainsbury store, and it is turning out to be a trail to the unexpected. Up for discovery are such trifles as a re-enactment of Creation, Noah’s Flood and even The Nativity.

So what’s going on?

It turns out to be the rehearsals for Moseley’s first Mystery Plays, due to be staged in Moseley Park on Friday and Saturday next week.

There are three plays, each with an experienced director. Melanie Wood is a former bungee jumper, former sky-diver and former canyon swinger (no, I don’t know, either, but she is directing The Nativity). And Ian Nicholson, who recently directed The Rivals for the Crescent Theatre, is now responsible for the creation of the universe.

n Keith Hayes is a comparative newcomer to Highbury Theatre Centre, having joined the Sutton Coldfield group about two years ago – but in 11 days time he will be there as a visitor.

He has just completed the legal essentials to establish his community interest company, Backdrop Productions, and at 4pm on Sunday, July 12, he will be with it at Highbury to launch a one-off performance of Little Frankie, a children’s play about bullying written by Jason Aldridge and his wife Beverley.

n Meanwhile, also with the younger set in mind, we have the Maverick Youth Academy Summer School for ages eight upwards.

It will be held at Old Yardleians Rugby Club, Solihull, giving guidance on acting, movement, dance, comedy and script-writing. It runs from Monday, July 27, and will finish with a performance on the Friday, four days later.

The fee for the week is £120 with discounts for siblings. Application forms are available at 07531 138 248, or online at Deborah@mavericktheatre.co.uk.

n Here’s a line for a playwright, culled straight from my son’s 50th birthday, when the presents included a case of very acceptable wine.

“Oh, great! Now I need something to celebrate – and I probably won’t have anything now until I’m 60.”

* Whats On

* Moseley Mystery Plays: St Anne’s & St Mary’s Churches, Moseley Green Gardens (Friday & Saturday);

* The Taming of the Shrew: Crescent Players, Birmingham Botanical Gardens (to tomorrow) & Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens (Saturday);

* Cruisin’: Highbury Youth Theatre, Highbury Little Theatre, Sutton Coldfield (to Saturday);

* Groovin’ in the Sixties, Baby: Startime Variety, Cornbow Hall, Halesowen (to Saturday);

* HMS Pinafore: Coleshill Operatic Society, Coleshill Town Hall (to Saturday);

* The Full Monty: Talisman Theatre, Kenilworth (July 2-11);

* Iron: Crescent Theatre, Birmingham (July 3,4, 6, 8, 10 & 11);

* Kiss of the Spiderwoman: Crescent Theatre, Birmingham (July 4, 5, 7, 9 & 11).