Spend This Christmas at Belgrade Theatre with BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, VAMPOMIME and More
By: BWW News Desk Nov. 11, 2015
Fans of a traditional family panto can look forward to an evening of festive fun and frivolity as BEAUTY AND THE BEAST takes to the Belgrade Main Stage from Wed 25 Nov 2015 - Sat 9 Jan 2016.
Following the success of last year's record-breaking production of Aladdin, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST features all the hallmarks of a traditional Belgrade Theatre pantomime, spectacular scenery, incredible costumes, hilarious slapstick and plenty of audience participation.
This year's festive extravaganza sees the return of Coventry panto legend Iain Lauchlan who will be donning the frock once again in the role of the irrepressible Dame Clarabelle Crumble. Iain holds legendary status in Coventry following 12 unforgettable years as Dame in Belgrade pantomimes between 1988 and 1999. Prior to Sleeping Beauty in 2012/13, Iain was last seen on the Belgrade stage in 2007 when he made a spectacular, one off return to play the Dame in Aladdin to celebrate the reopening of the theatre after its £14 million redevelopment project. This will be Iain's 21st Belgrade panto.
Over his 38 year career in the entertainment industry, Iain has worked on many dramas and television series including BBC's Playschool for eight years; the very successful Fingermouse series; BBC Playdays, Storytime and Fun Song Factory but is perhaps best known as the writer of the BAFTA award-winning children's television series, The Tweenies.
Also returning to the Belgrade panto this Christmas in the role of Willy Crumble, is Craig Hollingsworth, who played the Dame Trott's faithful sidekick and son Wishee Washee in Aladdin last year. Craig will be joined on stage by Jessica Niles in the role of Beauty and Charlie Bowyer as the Beast/Prince plus a full supporting cast which includes Andrew Gordon Watkins in the role of Maurice, Jenny Phillips as The Enchantress and Blake Scott as Dork.
Completing this year's line-up is a talented cast of 24 local performers aged 9-16 who together make up the production's three teams of pantomime chorus, Roses, Briars and Thorns. The 24 young performers successfully auditioned for a role in this year's festive pantomime earlier this year following record turn outs attracting young talent from as far afield as Birmingham, Nuneaton and Tamworth.
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST is written and directed by Iain Lauchlan; the Assistant Director is Paul Gibson; Costume and Set Design is by Mark Walters; Choreography is by Jenny Phillips; the Fight Director is Lisa Connell; Lighting Design is by Pete Kramer; the Musical Director is Glenn Hogue and the Sound Design is by Martyn Davies.
Tickets are priced from £14.50 - £23 for adults and £9.50 - £18 for children. Family tickets are available from £36. BEAUTY AND THE BEAST is set to be one of the most successful Belgrade pantomimes on record so audiences are advised to book now to avoid disappointment.
Meanwhile, running in the B2 studio from Sat 5 Dec - Sat 2 Jan, the Belgrade's ever popular B2 Xmas show is back with added bite this Christmas with a brand new comedy from the pen of Coventry Writer/Director Nick Walker, VAMPOMIME.
It's not easy putting on a pantomime when you're a theatre company entirely run by vampires. This year's production of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST is beset by practical problems - they can't enter the stage until they've been invited in and the glare of the lighting is really painful on their eyes. They're also distracted by an uncontrollable bloodlust for virgins, although they don't anticipate that being a big problem with Coventry audiences.
Will beauty get driven batty? Will the beast love in vein? Will the audience die laughing? Whatever happens, a monstrously good time is guaranteed for all!
Returning to the Belgrade Theatre this Christmas for the third consecutive year is local actress, Katy Stephens. Katy will be playing the role of Karen and is no stranger to the Belgrade having performed in last year's B2 Xmas Show, Oh No It Isn't! as well as previous productions of Twelfth Night, Sleeping Beauty, Our Day Out and Silas Marner. The Coventry based actress is also a regular at the RSC having performed most recently in Candide and Titus Andronicus.
She will be joined by Miriam Edwards in the role of Beauty. Miriam returns to the B2 stage following performance poetry play, The Hundred Years' War. Most recently Miriam joined the Belgrade on tour with Unplugged, a series of rehearsed readings across Coventry and Warwickshire where she performed an extract of VAMPOMIME. The cast is completed by Nick Trow who will be playing Vlad and Graeme Rose as Alan.
VAMPOMIME runs from Sat 5 Dec - Sat 2 Jan in the B2 Auditorium. Tickets are priced from £9.50 - £17 with concessions available.
Young theatre goers can look forward to a festive visit from Imagine Theatre who return to B2 from Thurs 10 - Thurs 24 Dec with their production of SANTA'S RUSTY ROBOT, an all-new interactive adventure for ages 2 - 6 from the pen of Iain Lauchlan.
Following the success of last year's sell-out production of Santa's Dizzy Day, this magical Christmas show for ages 2-6 years has been especially adapted for young theatre goers to enjoy with their families and includes a host of lovable yuletide characters, a catchy soundtrack of Christmas songs plus a chance to meet Santa and receive a present from him after the show.
This year Santa is having a bit of a problem with a friendly robot which he must deliver to someone on Christmas night and, unfortunately, it has been left out in the snow all night by mistake. When Santa brings it into his workshop the robot has rusted up completely and can't speak or move. Santa has to get the help of the children to find a way to get the robot's voice and movement back.
To book, call the Belgrade Theatre Box Office on 024 7655 3055 or visit the Belgrade Theatre website www.belgrade.co.uk where tickets are cheaper.
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