The good folk of Bromsgrove are becoming increasingly pirate-conscious, thanks to the arrival at its Artrix theatre next month of Charlotte Badger, the musical story of the town's woman pirate.
But their interest reached new heights last week, when somebody used a long ladder to remove an 8ft by 4ft poster on laminated vinyl from its position, bolted high on the theatre wall. The poster shows actress Gail Graye in piratical mode and it clearly stirred an enterprising fan to action.
Charlotte Badger is the latest show to be written by Euan Rose, co-creator of the hit Brummie musical Wallop Mrs Cox. It had a successful try-out in the grounds of a Bromsgrove pub during the summer, since when it has been substantially expanded and co-writer Charles Townsend has written several more songs for it.
Euan Rose is amazed at the cheek and determination behind the theft of the poster. He said: "It could not be easily reached, was securely bolted to the wall and would have required a hefty pull to rip it away. We're now waiting for a replacement."
It looks as if the days of soggy costumes and ruined sets will soon be over for Rowney Green Players, the Worcestershire village group that was formed near Redditch 84 years ago.
For a long time, their wardrobe, props and sets have been suffering because rain has been getting in through the flat roof beneath which they are kept at the back of the village community centre - but now, the Peace Hall's organising committee has been awarded £80,000 from the People's Millions scheme, to enable vital repairs to be carried out.
The Peace Hall was built in the early 1960s and recent years have seen the Players soldiering bravely on, maintaining an exceptionally high standard with their twice-yearly productions while their wardrobe and scenery dock have been repeatedly ruined - so the news of the hall's windfall has been welcomed unreservedly.
Their treasurer Isla Davies said: "We're so thrilled! It will make a huge difference to us. We have had to throw out a whole load of costumes because they've gone mouldy. It's wonderful to think that we shall now be able to keep our wardrobe nice and dry."
Players chairman Sue Walker, who is also a member of the hall committee as the Players' representative, said: "It's fantastic news! The hall committee has also applied to the Lottery to enable us to refurbish the whole hall by improving the stage, the auditorium and other things."
Still riding high from the success last month of their sell-out panto - Mother Hubbard Goes Wild West - the Players expect to be told the result of that application today.
The work on the roof has to be completed within 12 months and is now being put out to tender.
The first production of the new year for Birmingham's Crescent Theatre will be James and the Giant Peach, the Roald Dahl fantasy about a lad who finds himself with a bag that contains the strongest magic in the world. It will run from January 12-26.
So where does the giant peach come into it? It emerges after James spills the bag near a peach tree, then it takes young James - and his new friends, Centipede, Earthworm, Grasshopper, Ladybird and Spider - across the ocean to New York.
All good family fun.
I touch the awestruck forelock to the eternally effervescent Krankies, playing Captain and Mate in a very fine Dick Whittington at the Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton.
They have been in showbusiness for 35 years and I still don't know their surname - neither the programme nor their website reveals it - but they continue to be the funniest double act in Britain. Most of the fun comes from the diminutive Janette with her squeaky Scots accent and her round little crumpled face, but Ian is a splendidly unselfish support.
They are an object lesson in keeping the laughter flowing. It's probably too late for this season, but any amateur producer with a mind to learning more of the panto art should make a point of pilgrimaging to Wolverhampton.
Highbury Little Theatre raised £27 for the development fund at the Sutton Coldfield venue - with a bear-naming competition.
The newsletter reports: "Liz and Alistair have found a new home for the bear, whose name turned out to be Gillian."
Well, thank heaven for that.
WHAT'S ON
A Christmas Wassail, Crescent Theatre, Birmingham (to tomorrow).
The Scatterbrained Scarecrow of Oz, Highbury Little Theatre, Sutton Coldfield Dec 21-Jan 5).
Aladdin, Talisman Theatre, Kenilworth (Dec 22-Jan 12).
