Love At First Bite - Alternative Yuletide Comedy VAMPOMIME Opens In Coventry

The stakes were well and truly raised at the Belgrade Theatre last night as intrepid audience members from across Coventry and Warwickshire descended on the venue under cover of darkness to mark the official opening of the theatre's alternative Christmas comedy, Vampomime, running in B2 from Sat 5 Dec - Sat 2 Jan.

Running alongside the Belgrade's Christmas production of Beauty and the Beast, Vampomime is a brilliantly batty new comedy direct from the pen of acclaimed Coventry writer Nick Walker whose previous writing credits include the 2014/15 comedy thriller, Oh No It Isn't! and Coventry sporting drama We Love You City.

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!

Writer/Director Nick Walker said, 'For me, I've always really enjoyed Vampire literature from Dracula to Bram Stoker onwards. When I was told that the main house was going to be performing Beauty and the Beast it got me thinking, what sort of beast should we have in our B2 alternative Christmas show? In thinking of my favourite beasts, I thought why don't we do something with vampires and that quickly evolved into the idea that Vampires have a range of practical difficulties in life which got me wondering what it would be like if they formed a theatre company and put on a pantomime. I also think the whole vampire culture has got much more interesting recently thanks to shows like Buffy, Twilight and Being Human where vampires are put in quite recognizable, everyday situations. It's not castles and Transylvania anymore, it's urban settings and you can't get much more urban than Coventry!'

Vampomime has been created specifically for grown-ups in mind which makes it ideal for office parties, group nights out or for anyone who fancies a festive night out away from the kids.

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 Jack Trow who will be playing the role of Vladimir and Graeme Rose as actor-manager Alan.

Vampomime runs in B2 studio from Sat 5 Dec - Sat 2 Jan. For tickets, call our friendly Box Office on 024 7655 3055 or visit www.belgrade.co.uk where tickets are cheaper.