2 Tone Comes Home! Coventry Musical Three Minute Heroes Returns to The Belgrade Stage

The Belgrade Theatre has announced that Three Minute Heroes will make its long awaited return to Coventry for three weeks this Autumn. The smash-hit production will play on the Belgrade's B2 stage from Sat 4 - Sat 25 October.

Written and Directed by former Belgrade Artistic Director and committed 2 Tone fan Bob Eaton, Three Minute Heroes famously played to sell-out audiences during its original premiere at the Belgrade in 2000. Overwhelming public demand saw the production return to the Belgrade Main Stage for a second successful run in the following year.

Welcome to Coventry - centre of the musical universe - at a time when the city's bands ruled the airwaves. The music had to be Ska and the legendary 2 Tone label was at the hub of it all.

Telling the story of 2 Tone through the lives of five Coventry teenagers and the racial tensions that engulfed the city at that time, Three Minute Heroes is a funny, feel-good and, at times, thought-provoking tribute to the city that inspired a musical revolution. Featuring a soundtrack of songs which made stars of The Specials and The Selecter, this much-loved musical features a talented cast of actor-musicians playing a selection of foot-stomping favourites from the era including Gangsters, Do Nothing, On My Radio, Missing Words, A Message to You, Rudy, Ghost Town, Free Nelson Mandela and Three Minute Hero.

Writer/Director Bob Eaton said: 'I'm delighted to be bringing Three Minute Heroes back to the Belgrade Theatre for 2014, this time on the B2 stage. As a writer, I've always been fascinating by local stories, stories which mean something to a particular town or city. The story of 2 Tone is written into Coventry's DNA and Three Minute Heroes was my way of celebrating and reflecting upon that legacy. When the show was first conceived back in 2000, I was lucky enough to have the support of many of the original stars of the 2 Tone movement including Pauline Black, Neol Davies, Horace Panter and Rankin Roger who got involved in workshops and came up with some really great ideas on moving the show forward. Fourteen years on and here we are, bringing the story of 2 Tone to a whole new generation of fans. For this production, I'm fortunate to be working with a fantastic group of local, young actor-musicians. There's a whole new generation of teenagers who are really into Ska and it was important to me that the production reflect that legacy. It was an exciting project back in 2000 and I think this time around, it's going to be even more exciting!'

This brand new production features a young cast of up-and-coming Midlands talent including 'Cov Kids' Conor Nolan as Sean, Joe Eaton Kent as Tim and Elizah Jackson as Sharon who previously appeared together in Bob Eaton's The Re-creation Quartet performed as part of the 2013 Coventry Mysteries Festival. Completing the cast are Worcestershire actress and star of Birmingham-based alternative rock band, Our Mutual Friend, Sarah Workman (Sonia) and acclaimed multi-instrumentalist Sheldon Green (Zac) who is responsible for arranging and playing music for some of the country's biggest venues including the National Theatre and the O2. Sheldon's previous actor-musician credits include the title role of 'Hutch' at the Riverside Studios and Jonny in the Bill Kenwright U.K touring production of Save The Last Dance For Me.

Completing the show's all-ska musical line-up, the Belgrade Theatre is delighted to welcome founder member of The Selecter, Charley 'Aitch' Bembridge, who joins the production as Drummer. Originally from Jamaica, Charley came to England in 1962 and settled in Gloucester, where he went to school with Lynval Golding from The Specials. Along with Lynval, he came to Coventry in 1976 and met up with various musicians including Jerry Dammers, Ray King, Pauline Black and Neol Davis. Since The Selecter, Charley has gone on to play alongside iconic artisits such as David Bowie, Green Day, Kid Rock, Ian Dury and the Blockheads, Susie Quattro, The Banshees and Bob Geldof. Joining Charley on stage are professional musicians Dan McIntyre (Guitar), Joey Hickman (Trombone/Keyboard) and Michael Searl (Bass).

Design is by Patrick Connellan whose previous credits include the Belgrade's critically-acclaimed production of One Night In November. Lighting design is by Chris Ellis with Musical Supervision by Tayo Akinbode.

Tickets for Three Minute Heroes are available now from the box office on 024 7655 3055 priced from £9 - £21.25 or via www.belgrade.co.uk where cheaper tickets are available.

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