National Treasures Nigel Havers and Sian Phillips in New U.K Tour of Oscar Wilde’s Vintage Comedy Classic. We’re very excited to announce that much-loved stars of stage and screen, Nigel Havers and Sian Phillips will visit the Belgrade Theatre this Autumn in the new U.K touring production of Oscar Wilde’s vintage comedy classic The Importance of Being Earnest from 29 Sept – Sat 3 Oct. The show is one of three hit dramas confirmed to visit the Belgrade this Autumn with other newly announced titles including Moira Buffini’s Olivier award-nominated comedy, Handbagged (6-10 Oct) and the return of Agatha Christie’s recordbreaking, Box Office smash-hit The Mousetrap (9 -14 Nov). Direct from the West End, Oscar Wilde’s much loved and brilliantly witty masterpiece The Importance of Being Earnest comes to Coventry from Tues 29 Sept – Sat 3 Oct starring Nigel Havers, Christine Kavanagh and Sian Phillips performing as The Bunbury Company of Players. Much-loved for its elegant lampooning of the hypocrisies of Victorian society, Oscar Wilde’s enduring masterpiece opens as two bachelors, the dependable John Worthing, J.P. and upper class playboy Algernon Moncrieff, feel compelled to create different identities in order to pursue two eligible ladies Cecily Cardew and Gwendolyn Fairfax. The hilarious misadventures which result from their subterfuge; their brushes with the redoubtable Lady Bracknell and the uptight Miss Prism result in a production that fizzles with some of the finest dialogue to be found in theatre. This will be followed by a visit from Moira Buffini’s Olivier award-nominated comedy, Handbagged from 6-10 October. Having enjoyed smash-hit success on the West End,
Handbagged is a wickedly funny new play that opens the clasp on the relationship between two giants of 20th Century politics, Queen Elizabeth II and Margaret Thatcher. Described by The Independent as ‘Irresistibly mischievous’, this celebrated and brilliantly astute new comedy speculates on that most provocative of questions: What did the world’s most powerful women talk about behind closed palace doors? Back by popular demand following a recordbreaking week in 2012/13, Agatha Christie’s legendary Box Office smash-hit The Mousetrap returns from 9 - 14 Nov. The Mousetrap is famous around the world for being the longest running show of any kind in the history of theatre, with over 25,000 performances and now the 60th anniversary production is back by popular demand following a record breaking sell out week in 2012/2013. The scene is set when a group of people gathered in a country house cut off by the snow discover, to their horror, that there is a murderer in their midst.Who can it be? One by one the suspicious characters reveal their sordid pasts until at the last, nerve-shredding moment the identity and the motive are finally revealed. In her own inimitable style, Dame Agatha Christie has created an atmosphere of shuddering suspense and a brilliantly intricate plot where murder lurks around every corner.
Tickets for all three shows are now on sale via the Belgrade Theatre Box Office on 024 7655 3055 or via the website: www.belgrade.co.uk where cheaper tickets are available.
May
Events
Workshop Tour
Backstage Tour
Tuesday 14 July at 11am
Did you know that we have our own set and costume making workshops? Not only do the highly skilled workshop staff make sets for Belgrade productions but they also make them for other theatres across the UK (and the World). We open the doors to our workshops for this exclusive Friends event. Meet at the Belgrade Theatre Box Office to be taken to the workshop, which is based off site.
Saturday 1st August at 10.30am
Take a peek behind the curtain of the Belgrade Theatre in this backstage tour, which offers a unique opportunity to explore the unseen areas of the Belgrade. To book your place on any of these FREE events please contact Lexy Rooney on 024 7684 6758 or email friends@belgrade.co.uk
Protect Your Children, There’s Cougars in Cov!
Thank you to those who joined the cast of Cougar – The Musical for an afternoon of live music, cocktails and chat earlier in the month. I hope that you enjoyed yourselves and went home singing “Yes!” and I’m sure you enjoyed meeting our very own hot young ‘bear cub’, Barnaby Hughes!
With just a few short weeks until the cast of Cougar – The Musical take to the stage in Coventry, we’re delighted to be able to offer you an exclusive sneak peek behind-the-scenes of our latest photo call with our fabulous female cast members Dawn Hope, Suanne Braun and Pippa Winslow, who joined us at the theatre earlier this month. Plus, read on for a fabulous first glimpse of Juliet Shillingford’s cabaret club-inspired set design for the show. Juliet’s ultra-sassy set takes its inspiration from downtown New York and comes complete with cocktail bar, neon projections and ultra-reflective floor!
Say hello to feisty feline Dawn Hope, who plays high-flying academic Clarity in the show.
Cougar – The Musical makes it’s UK premiere in Coventry from Sat 16 May – Sat 6 June so prepare to pounce and grab yourself a slice of the action this Spring with this season’s must-see musical. Juliet Shillingford’s ultra sassy model box set takes its inspiration from the neon landscapes of downtown New York.
Pippa Winslow (a.k.a housewife and divorcee Lilly) gets up close and personal in Coventry
Introducing Suanne Braun who plays flamboyant night club owner and good time gal Mary Marie in Cougar The Musical!
Ps. Cougar Bites: Visit the News and Blog section of the website to watch video interviews with the leading ladies.
Our trio of fabulous felines get ready to pounce…
Meet the Team
Sarah Benn
What is your role at the
Belgrade Theatre? I hold several roles. Primarily I am the Commercial Assistant to the Development department but I also assist the Production Administrator and work on the Box Office.
How long have you worked here?
I began working here in 2003 and came back following the closure for the building of B2 so 12 years.
How did you get into your job?
I began as a Front of House usher and following the closure period, came back as a Theatre Operative.
What are the most exciting and challenging parts of your job? The nature of my job ensures that no 2 days are the same and working across several departments is a challenge in itself.
Have you ever experienced any real disasters?
The only thing that has really come close to a disaster was the day local contractors discovered and unexploded WW2 bomb and initially the theatre had to be evacuated and finally the whole city centre!
What are your favourite shows that you have seen at
the Belgrade Theatre? Most recently, Three Minute Heroes. I love the music portrayed within the performance and it was a celebration.
What shows are you most looking forward to seeing in
the new season? I’m really looking forward to Belgrade Unplugged. Last year was a great experience and we are hoping this year will be just as good. It’s a great opportunity to showcase our shows a wider audience.
Spot a Star in the Cafebar On the first night of a week-long tour the Theatre’s management team host a drinks reception for the cast and crew of the show in the Cafébar. Why not stay for a drink after the show and see if you can spot a star. 12 May – The Ghost Train 26 May – Horrible Histories
8 June – Absent Friends 16 June – The Boy in the Striped
Pyjamas
Friends Reviews
We want to hear from you. If you attended a show at the Belgrade recently and want to release your inner theatre critic please send your reviews to friends@belgrade.co.uk. *We cannot guarantee that your review will be published.We will publish positive and negative reviews in line with our policy to be Open, Honest and Down to Earth. The Stage newspaper searches for an undiscovered theatre critic. Could that be you? The Stage Critic Search 2015 – in association with TheatrePeople. com – is a competition to find the nation’s best undiscovered critic. It is part of The Stage’s ongoing commitment to nationwide theatre reviews at a time when many UK publications are cutting back on their reviews coverage, particularly outside London. To apply, you need to write a 200-word review of a recent production (you must have seen it in April or May 2015) and you review is to be submitted it by 9am on May 29, 2015. Further details can be found at: https://www.thestage.co.uk/features/promoted/2015/ stage-critic-search-2015/
B
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Community & Education Company
Throughout 2015 we will be celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Theatre in Education movement, which began at the Belgrade in 1965, with a year of events to celebrate and promote theatre made for and with young people. Events include Inspiring Curiosity: In Our Own Words, a festival of theatre by young people, for young people; Inspiring Curiosity Conference, a 2-day conference exploring the relationship between theatre and learning; and the Inspiring Curiosity October Festival, 2 weeks of professional theatre for young people in schools and at the Belgrade. We also invite you to sign our pledge to Support Drama in Schools as a vital part of young peoples’ education and development at www.inspiringcuriousity.co.uk Inspiring Curiosity website: www.inspiringcuriosity.co.uk I Support Drama in Schools: www.inspiringcuriosity.co.uk/i-support-drama-in-school/ Front of House
We are being kept busy at the moment as we continue with a packed season of shows and visiting companies. We are preparing for the large dance shows that we host at the end of the season, often including up to 300 children. Preparations are also underway for this year’s Belgrade Unplugged events and site visits took place last month ahead of the performances in June. Development
We welcome Helen Hotchkiss as our new Head of Development, focusing on raising money from Trusts and Foundations and working with the team to develop new fundraising initiatives. We are also planning events and campaigns for the year ahead, including our Christmas appeal; Give the Gift of Theatre. Production
With a varied programme of shows this season it is an interesting time for the Production department. Rehearsals are now well under way for our production of Cougar The Musical, and a vibrant show needs a vibrant set to match so the Workshop department are creating a ‘bright lights of New York’ style set whilst the Stage Management team are working hard to source some unusual props including some neon furniture. In contrast to this, the department are also creating a much darker, Romany Gypsy style fairground set for High Time Opera’s production of Hansel and Gretel. Communications
It’s all change in the Communications Department as we say farewell to Tom Jeavons, who leaves us to head up the Marketing Department at Nottingham Playhouse. Joining the team in May 2015, we’re delighted to welcome Sairah Rehman in the role of Communications Assistant with responsibility for Audience Development. Joining the team as Communications Officer will be Emma Rowan, who joins us from the New Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham where she worked as Marketing Assistant. Elsewhere in the department, preparations are well underway for the Autumn with ten new shows now on sale and a new What’s On Guide scheduled to doorstep in early July.
Relive your school days at the Belgrade annual
Gala Night
On Friday 11 September we will be hosting a special fundraising event in support of the Belgrade Theatre Trust (Charity number 219163). Ahead of the performance of CRUSH there will be a discussion on the Main Stage with our Artistic Director, Hamish Glen, and Associate Director, Justine Themen, about the work of the Belgrade. There will then be a post-show party with a live band in the foyer and a complimentary glass of fizz for all audience members. More information will be announced shortly.
Friendly Hello!
We would like to say a friendly hello and welcome to new or renewed Friends of the Belgrade Theatre:
Hitash Patel (Producers’ Circle) Martin Barber & David White (Producers’ Circle) Mrs P L Hall (Actors’ Circle) Mr and Mrs Auld (Actors’ Circle) Dot Trailor (Actors’ Circle) Catherine Fisher (Actors’ Circle) Mrs Pickering (Actors’ Circle) Geoff & Liz Cole (Writers’ Circle) Barbara Royston (Actors’ Circle) Sandra Clarke (Actors’ Circle) Mark Hayward (Actors’ Circle) Carolyn Reid (Writers’ Circle)
Want to see even more shows (for free)? We are looking to recruit some Daytime Ushers to join our team. For more information or to apply please contact Eamonn Finnerty, Operations Manager, on 024 7684 6431 or email efinnerty@belgrade.co.uk