Belgrade Theatre Coventry News

Jagged Fence Productions has announced that it will present a series of free events inspired by Laurie Slade's acclaimed new version of August Strindberg's The Father. The adaptation, to be given its London premiere at Trafalgar Studios from 17 March (now in previews), will mark the first time Strindberg's play has been performed in a London theatre in 50 years. Scroll down for a first look at the cast in action!

Tamasha Artistic Directors Fin Kennedy and Sudha Bhuchar today announce the cast for Emteaz Hussain's Blood - the centrepiece production of their 25th anniversary year.

According to published reports, Alan Howard, who was a memeber of the Royal Shakespeare Company and actor at the Royal National Theatre, passed away last week in London from pneumonia. He was 77 years old.

Laurie Slade's acclaimed new version of August Strindberg's The Father is to be given its London premiere at Trafalgar Studios this March. Jagged Fence Productions in association with Making Productions will present the play, for which casting is also announced today. Directed by Abbey Wright, former Resident Assistant Director at the Donmar Warehouse, Slade's contemporary adaptation of Strindberg's masterpiece will star Alex Ferns as the Captain. Tickets are on sale now.

Ron Cook (Mr Selfridge, Henry V, King Lear, Hot Fuzz) as Sir Charles Gurney, Kathryn Drysdale (Suspects, Love's Labour's Lost, Tripping Over, Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps) as Grace Shelley, Joshua McGuire (Privacy, Posh, About Time, Mr Turner) as Dinsdale Gurney and Anthony O'Donnell (The Captain of Kopenick, Skyfall, Matchpoint) as Daniel Tucker, join BAFTA winning James McAvoy, as Jack, the 14th Earl of Gurney, in the first West End revival of Peter Barnes' satirical comedy, The Ruling Class, directed by Jamie Lloyd, Artistic Director of Trafalgar Transformed.

Following in the wake of last year's hugely successful production of The Perfect Murder, Dead Simple - Peter James' all-time best-selling novel will be brought to life on stage for the first time in a thrilling new adaptation which will visit the Belgrade Theatre Coventry from Mon 26 - Sat 31 Jan 2015.

Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, opening tonight, January 12 at London's Playhouse Theatre after beginning previews last month, stars Tamsin Greig, Haydn Gwynne, Jerome Pradon, Anna Skellern,Ricardo Afonso, Haydn Oakley, Willemijn Verkaik and Seline Hizli.

Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, opening tonight, December 20, in the West End, stars Tamsin Greig, Haydn Gwynne, Jerome Pradon, Anna Skellern,Ricardo Afonso, Haydn Oakley, Willemijn Verkaik and Seline Hizli.

Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, beginning tonight, December 17, in the West End, stars Tamsin Greig, Haydn Gwynne, Jerome Pradon, Anna Skellern, Ricardo Afonso, Haydn Oakley, Willemijn Verkaik and Seline Hizli.

Having visited the Belgrade a couple of weeks ago to see their annual pantomime (which was rather good I might add), I was also invited to see their 'alternative' panto or "udderly gripping comedy thriller" as it has been branded. The production is aptly named Oh No It Isn't! and is back by popular demand having achieved great audience reaction in 2013 on the B2 stage.

A fun and fabulous evening was had by all at the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry last night for their panto press night. This year's Christmas production is Aladdin and is jam packed full of pantomime traditions and enjoyable entertainment for the whole family. I was first introduced to the Belgrade's seasonal show last year when watching Jack and the Beanstalk and even though they are on a smaller scale than that of the Birmingham Hippodrome or Wolverhampton Grand, they are definite rivals in the panto stakes based on enjoyment level.

Ron Cook (Mr Selfridge, Henry V, King Lear, Hot Fuzz) as Sir Charles Gurney, Kathryn Drysdale (Suspects, Love's Labour's Lost, Tripping Over, Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps) as Grace Shelley, Joshua McGuire (Privacy, Posh, About Time, Mr Turner) as Dinsdale Gurney and Anthony O'Donnell (The Captain of Kopenick, Skyfall, Matchpoint) as Daniel Tucker, join BAFTA winning James McAvoy, as Jack, the 14th Earl of Gurney, in the first West End revival of Peter Barnes' satirical comedy, The Ruling Class, directed by Jamie Lloyd, Artistic Director of Trafalgar Transformed.

Ron Cook (Mr Selfridge, Henry V, King Lear, Hot Fuzz) as Sir Charles Gurney, Kathryn Drysdale (Suspects, Love's Labour's Lost, Tripping Over, Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps) as Grace Shelley, Joshua McGuire (Privacy, Posh, About Time, Mr Turner) as Dinsdale Gurney and Anthony O'Donnell (The Captain of Kopenick, Skyfall, Matchpoint) as Daniel Tucker, join BAFTA winning James McAvoy, as Jack, the 14thEarl of Gurney, in the first West End revival of Peter Barnes' satirical comedy, The Ruling Class, directed by Jamie Lloyd, Artistic Director of Trafalgar Transformed.

Seline Hizli completes the cast for Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown joining the previously announced Tamsin Greig, Haydn Gwynne, Jerome Pradon, Anna Skellern, Ricardo Afonso, Haydn Oakley and Willemijn Verkaik. Additional cast includes Marianne Benedict, Holly James, Michael Matus, Rebecca McKinnis, Sarah Moyle, Alastair Natkiel, Nuno Queimado and Dale Rapley.

This Is My Family broke all sales records at the Sheffield Crucible last year and due to this success has been sent on the road to visit several venues across the country. Tim Firth, writer of Calendar Girls, has turned his hand to this musical comedy and having his name attached to the production is a definite draw for audiences. The show tells the story of thirteen year old Nicky who enters a competition to win a holiday and all she needs to do is describe her family. The irony is that the perfect unit she describes is not entirely true. Although they are not exactly dysfunctional, there are plenty of family traits/issues which audience members can relate to.

If you are a fan of ska music, there is much to like about the Belgrade Theatre's production of Three Minute Heroes. Dubbed as the 2 Tone Musical, the production follows fictional characters trying to make it in the music industry. With the band consisting of a diverse group of young people, 2 Tone was the appropriate record company that they were trying to win over. There was also an ongoing racist battle during 1979-1981 when the show is set. Coventry decided to put on a benefit in 1981 to pay tribute to a Sikh man who was killed in the city as part of the racist protests and that really was when the ska music family came together to make a difference.

Propaganda Swing is a co-production between the Belgrade Theatre and Nottingham Playhouse Theatre Company and is written by Peter Arnott. The writing is based upon a true story at the commencement of World War II in Berlin. Billy Constant, an American CBS journalist, narrates the proceedings and is heavily revolved around his love for German jazz singer, Lala Anderson. Lala is part of a jazz band whom are forced to conform to music approved by Hitler against their will.

Hadyn Gwynne, Jerome Pradon and Anna Skellern join Tamsin Greig in the UK premiere of David Yazbek and Jeffrey Lane's new musical adaptation of Pedro Almodovar's Oscar-nominated film Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown. Directed by Tony Award-winner Bartlett Sher, and following two full-scale development workshops with actors, musicians and the creative team, the production will open in a limited run for 20 weeks only at The Playhouse Theatre on 12 January 2015, with previews from 20 December 2014.

Casting is announced for Our Town at the Almeida Theatre. Award-winning US actor-director David Cromer will direct and perform in this intimate version of Thornton Wilder's iconic American play. The cast will also include Michael Ajao, Paul Bigley, Arthur Byrne, Sidney Cole, Kate Dickie, Laura Elsworthy, Anna Francolini, Matthew Jacobs-Morgan, Daniel Kendrick, Simon Lennon, Jessica Lester, Richard Lumsden, Annette McLaughlin, Christopher Staines, Rhashan Stoneand David Walmsley.

In just under a month's time, the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry will play host to the premiere of Peter Arnott's thrilling new wartime drama Propaganda Swing.