Issue Eight Spring/Summer 2011
Goodnight Mister Tom Set during the dark and dangerous build-up to the Second World War, Goodnight Mister Tom follows the sad William Beech, who is evacuated to the idyllic English countryside and builds a remarkable and moving friendship with the elderly recluse Tom Oakley. All seems perfect until William is devastatingly summoned by his mother back to London. A tale of two broken souls at very different ends of the age scale, Goodnight Mister Tom celebrates the value of love and proves that friendship knows no barriers. Goodnight Mister Tom was written by Michelle Magorian and first published in the UK in 1981. It is an enduring classic for both children and adults alike and has sold in excess of 1.2 million copies in the
UK alone. As well as being a world-wide favourite, the BAFTA award-winning TV film of the book starring John Thaw attracted 14 million viewers making it one of the best loved stories of its generation. The book has won many awards including The Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize in 1981, was commended
for the Carnegie Medal and in 2005 was voted amongst the top 100 books in the BBC’s Big Read. This brand new adaptation for the stage comes courtesy of David Wood, the UK’s “National Children’s Dramatist” (The Times). Oliver Ford Davies plays the title role of Tom Oakley.
Exclusive Friends of the Belgrade Theatre Events 1) Stages through the Ages Workshop* Date: Tuesday 10th May Time: 4.30pm – 6.30pm Meeting Place: Box Office Take part in our educational workshop exploring the history of theatre in Coventry including The Mysteries, the Godiva Procession, Theatre in Education, Carnival, and the Belgrade Theatre and its current vision. You are welcome to bring a guest along to this event – it might be of interest to young people who are passionate about theatre. *This workshop lasts 2 hours
2) Workshop Visit Date: Friday 3rd June Time: 10.15am Meeting Place: Box Office Visit our set making and wardrobe workshops for an exclusive look at the work that goes on behind the scenes. The Belgrade Theatre will be putting on a minibus from the theatre to our workshops for all attendees.
3) Backstage Tour Date: Monday 13th June Time: 10.30am Meeting Place: Box Office Ever wanted to see what’s behind the scenes at the Belgrade Theatre? Come on our backstage tour exclusively for Friends of the Belgrade Theatre.
To book a place for any of these events please contact Box Office on 024 7655 3055 or email friends@belgrade.co.uk
Friends of the Belgrade Theatre benefit from receiving 20% off individual tickets. See back page for season diary.