AN open-air concert featuring much-loved film theme classics and proms favourites is set to be performed in Malvern by the world-renowned English Symphony Orchestra tomorrow.

A Night at the Movies and Proms Finale is being held at Malvern's Three Counties Showground and will include a selection of popular and memorable themes from some of the biggest and most successful films of all time.

The Malvern-based ESO will also be joined by award-winning soprano Suzannah Clark for the event, which is hoped will spur the audience into a united chorus of song and flag-waving.

Suzannah has sung at some of the top opera houses in the world and led the celebrations at the opening ceremony of the Euro '96 Football Championships, singing to around 70,000 at Wembley and more than 440 million people watching around the world.

The evening will finish with a spectacular firework display and concert-goers are invited to bring their own chairs and picnics.

Music will include theme tunes from classic films such as James Bond, Jurassic Park, Ben Hur, The Battle of Britain, Schindler's List and Star Trek, followed by traditional, patriotic anthems such as Pomp & Circumstance, Jerusalem and Rule Britannia.

Conductor Stephen Roberts said the evening promised to be a memorable experience for everyone.

"The Three Counties Showground is a wonderful setting for this open-air concert and the programme appeals to people of all ages," he said. "I am very much looking forward to conducting this exciting and popular selection of music."

The show will take place at 7pm and the gates should open at the showground at 4.45pm.

Tickets for adults cost £18 in advance, with one child's ticket free with every adult ticket booked.

Additional children's tickets cost £8 in advance and groups of 10 people or more can buy their tickets for £17 each.

To book tickets or find out more information, phone the ESO box office on 01684 560696.

Choral cornucopia on cards

EVERYTHING from classical composers to new young talent will be on show in Kidderminster Choral Society's forthcoming season.

Traditional favourites and up-and-coming musical talent, such as Wyre Forest Young Voices, are included in the new programme.

And according to the society the 2004-2005 programme is more ambitious than ever before.

"This is one of the biggest and most ambitious programmes the society has ever done. Only in our centenary year, in 1999, did we present more concerts and events," said publicity officer Ray Harrowing.

The season starts on Saturday, November 27, with a concert featuring the composers, Vaughn Williams, Dvork and Kodly.

There will be a Gala Christmas concert on Saturday, December 18, while on Friday and Saturday, March 4-5 brings a work specially commissioned by the Society for school choirs.

The spring concert will be performed on Saturday, March 19.

Meanwhile, auditions will be held from Saturday, April 30, to Sunday, May 1 for young musicians who hope to take part in the Wyre Forest Young Performers' MusicFest.

On Friday, May 6, Roderick Williams, dubbed Britain's top bass-baritone, will star in a solo celebrity recital.

The following day he will perform with the Theodor Storms Chor from Germany, the Wyre Forest Young Voices and the society.

The curtain falls on the season with a schools concert and evening concert by the English String Orchestra, on Friday, June 17.

Copies of the brochure, containing full details of the season's events, are available in libraries and at Kidderminster Town Hall.

Meanwhile, any singers wishing to join the society should call Martin Lewis, on 01562 822771.

Rehearsals start on Friday, September 9, at 7pm, at Baxter Church Hall, Kidderminster.

Fun packed shows ahead

Tickets are now on sale at Birmingham Hippodrome for an autumn/winter season featuring many new productions, together with the return of some of theatre's great favourites.

Highlights include the UK premire of Bill Kenwright's new production of Jesus Christ Superstar and the Broadway and West End Production of Kiss Me, Kate with Les Dennis and former EastEnders star Michael Greco.

The Birmingham Royal Ballet will present a spectacular season of dance at their home theatre performing a variety of works including the premiere of a new piece by artistic director David Bintley and the return of The Nutcracker this Christmas.

Comedy

As part of Birmingham Evening Mail Comedy Festival the Hippodrome will be presenting award-winning Sikh comedian, Sody Singh Kahlon in the Patrick Centre.

Other comedy performances come from Ken Dodd with his Happiness Show, the return of the modern cult classic The Play What I Wrote - the acclaimed tribute to Morecambe and Wise, featuring surprise celebrity guests.

For tickets and more information about shows contact Birmingham Hippodrome Box Office on 0870 730 1234.