Belgrade Theatre announces Junior Chorus auditions for Jack and the Beanstalk
Coventry kids aged 9-16 invited to open auditions for Christmas panto on Sun 4 Sept
For the first time since 2019, the Belgrade Theatre is delighted to be commencing their search for the Junior Chorus of this year’s LIVE pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk.
On Sunday 4 September, kids aged 9-16 from across Coventry and Warwickshire are invited to audition to be part of the Belgrade’s 2022-23 Christmas pantomime. A total of 32 children will be selected to be part of the show, with the region’s most talented young performers making up three teams of eight, plus one full team of reserves.
Parents of young hopefuls are asked to bring their children to the Belgrade Theatre foyer for registration at 9.30amon the day. From 10am, children will be taught a dance routine by the show’s choreographer, which they’ll then be asked to perform in front of writer, director and Dame, Iain Lauchlan.
Iain Lauchlan said: “It’s that time of year again when my mind is turning to the question of who’ll be in this year’s Christmas panto! Every year, I’m hugely impressed by the talented young people I get to see at the auditions, and I’m sure this year will be no exception.
“We’re looking for children from all of Coventry’s diverse communities, with all different levels of experience, so if you’re thinking of auditioning please do come along. It’s always a pleasure getting to meet so many brilliant youngsters, so put the date in your diaries, and I hope to see you there on 4th September!”
Initial auditions will take place in the morning, with successful candidates recalled for a second round during the afternoon. No prior experience of performing is necessary, but auditionees will need lots of energy and enthusiasm.
Auditionees also need to wear comfortable clothing and shoes that are easy to move and dance in, so be sure to leave the crowns and princess frocks at home.
At least one parent or guardian must wait on site with each child throughout the audition process. Unaccompanied children will not be eligible to audition.
At the end of the afternoon, the children chosen to perform will be asked to stay behind to be allocated to a team and to have initial wardrobe measurements taken, ahead of costume fittings.
All successful candidates will be committed to up to six rehearsals per week, taking place on weekends and weekday evenings from Monday 31 October. During the week beginning 14 November, there will be some daytime rehearsals. Jack and the Beanstalk runs from 23 November – 7 January. There are a total at 55 performances in the run.
Pre-registration is not essential, but parents are encouraged to fill in a registration form in advance and bring it along with them to auditions. The form can be downloaded from the website at
https://bit.ly/3yLizQc
Jack and the Beanstalk runs at the Belgrade Theatre from Wednesday 27 November until Saturday 7 December. Tickets are available to book now by calling the box office on 024 7655 3055, or visiting
www.belgrade.co.uk.
THE BELGRADE THEATRE
The Belgrade Theatre is Coventry’s largest professional theatre, producing and presenting a diverse range of shows, events and ground-breaking community and education initiatives. In its landmark building, across the region, the UK and online, it uses theatre to entertain, inspire, share the city’s stories, uncover hidden histories, and unleash the creativity of diverse communities.
64 years ago, critic Kenneth Tynan saw the theatre’s completion as the beginning of a new era. ‘Enter most theatres and it’s the gilded, cupidaceous past’, he wrote. ‘Enter this one, and you enter the future.’ The Belgrade is in a period of transition into a new future, led by CEO Laura Elliot and Creative Director Corey Campbell. These leaders have ambitious plans to build on the Theatre’s rich history of pioneering theatre, participation, and talent development, to realise a lasting place of sanctuary for creatives and communities.
Through values of collaboration, evolution and authenticity, their working mission is to use the transformative power of theatre to enrich the people of Coventry and beyond.
Over the next three years, Laura Elliot and Corey Campbell will lead a people first approach; prioritising co-creation and cultural democracy, aiming to be a leading example of a regional inclusive learning theatre that sits at the heart of its community.
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