JACK AND THE BEANSTALK and OH NO IT ISN'T Bring Festive Fun to Belgrade Theatre, Nov 2013-Jan 2014

Once again, Coventry's Belgrade Theatre is covering all bases this Christmas, with festive fun for the family on the Main Stage in its traditional pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk, and a yuletide treat for grown-ups in its brand new B2 Xmas Show, Oh No It Isn't!, starring RSC actress KaTy Stephens.

Running on the Belgrade's Main Stage from today, Weds 27 Nov to Sun 5 Jan, Jack and the Beanstalk, has been written by Iain Lauchlan, the creator of hit children's TV shows such as The Tweenies and presenter on Playdays and Fingermouse. He will also be directing and starring in the show as Dame Trott.

Iain holds legendary status in Coventry following 12 unforgettable years as Dame in Belgrade pantomimes between 1988 and 1999. Prior to last year's performance in Sleeping Beauty, he 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.

Joining him onstage in Jack and the Beanstalk is Craig Hollingsworth as Simple Simon, Clare Humphrey as the Fairy, Alyssa Martyn as Jack, Katriona Perrett as the Princess, William Finkenrath as Fleshcreep, Jamie Anderson as the Giant and the King. Aaron Gibson and Macey Cherrett lead the ensemble.

Co-directing with Iain Lauchlan is Paul Gibson, choreography is by Jenny Philips, lighting design is by Marcus Robinson and sound design is by Martyn Davies. The set and costumes have been designed by Mark Walters and created by Belgrade Production Services.

After performing in Sleeping Beauty at the Belgrade last year, KaTy Stephens will be on hand to provide some festive fun for grown-ups in the Belgrade's brand new B2 Xmas Show, Oh No It Isn't! from Sat 7 to Sat 28 Dec.

Katy has enjoyed a hugely successful career on stage. She recently played Laura in the Belgrade's critically acclaimed production of Strindberg's The Father. She has also appeared in numerous Royal Shakespeare Company productions including The Histories Cycle, for which she won the What's On Stage Award for Best Actress in a Play. Along with the company, she also won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Ensemble Performance and the Evening Standard Editor's Award.

Written and directed by Nick Walker, Oh No It Isn't! is a new comedy thriller which follows the story of four actors performing in a Christmas panto. For the audience it's a fun, yuletide treat, but for the actors on stage, it's a matter of life and death.

Joining KaTy Stephens onstage is Richard Kidd and John McKeever, who both return to the Belgrade after performing in its FA Cup play We Love You City, which was also written by Nick Walker. Completing the cast is Clare Louise Connolly. Lighting design is by Glyn Edwards and sound design is by Martyn Davies.

As ever, the B2 Xmas Show has been created especially for grown-ups and at just over an hour long it's perfect for office parties or anyone who wants to enjoy a Christmas night out away from the kids.

Tickets for Jack and the Beanstalk and Oh No It Isn't! are available now from the Belgrade's Box Office on 024 7655 3055 or via www.belgrade.co.uk where cheaper tickets are available.

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