ALADDIN to Open Belgrade's Christmas Season, from 26 Nov

There's festive fun and adventure aplenty this Christmas as one of the most popular pantomimes of them all, Aladdin takes to the Belgrade Main Stage from Wed 26 Nov - Sat 10 Jan.

Following in the success of last year's record-breaking production of Jack and the Beanstalk, Aladdin features all the hallmarks of a traditional Belgrade Theatre pantomime, spectacular scenery, incredible costumes, hilarious slapstick and plenty of audience participation.

There's heaps of fun to be had as poor Aladdin attempts to win the heart of the beautiful princess Jasmine. But there's a problem - the law decrees that she can only marry a prince. With the evil Abanazaar determined to stand in his way, can Widow Twankey and Wishee Washey help Aladdin on his path to happiness or are they more interested in the soapy world of their Chinese laundry?

This year's festive extravaganza sees the return of Coventry panto legend Iain Lauchlan who will be donning the frock once again in the role of the irrepressible Widow Twankey. Iain holds legendary status in Coventry following 12 unforgettable years as Dame in Belgrade pantomimes between 1988 and 1999. Prior to Sleeping Beauty in 2012/13, Iain 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.

Over his 38 year career in the entertainment industry, Iain has worked on many dramas and television series including BBC's Playschool for eight years; the very successful Fingermouse series; BBC Playdays, Storytime and Fun Song Factory but is perhaps best known for as the writer of the BAFTA award-winning children's television series, The Tweenies.

Also returning to the Belgrade panto this Christmas in the role of Twankey's idiot son and loveable sidekick Wishee Washey is Craig Hollingsworth, who played the Dame Trott's son Simon in Jack and the Beanstalk last year. Completing this year's festive line-up are Arina II (Princess Jasmine), Sion Lloyd (Abanazar), William Finkenrath (Emperor), Joanna Sandi (SoShi/Spirit of the Lamp) and Marcquelle Ward (The Genie of the Lamp).

Aladdin runs on the Belgrade's Main Stage from Weds 26 Nov 2014 - Sat 10 Jan 2015. Tickets are priced from £13.75 for adults and £8.75 for children. To book, call the Belgrade Theatre Box Office on 024 7655 3055 or visit the Belgrade Theatre website www.belgrade.co.uk where tickets are cheaper. Tickets for this year's festive extravaganza are currently flying off the shelves so audiences are advised to book early to avoid disappointment.

Coventry based actress Katy Stephens will be on hand to provide some festive fun for grownups in the Belgrade's popular B2 Xmas Show, Oh No It Isn't! from Sat 6 - Sat 27 Dec, a hilarious comedy thriller, written and directed by acclaimed Coventry writer, Nick Walker.

Katy will be reprising the role of Jack in this year's production and is no stranger to the Belgrade having peformed in previous productions of Twelfth Night, Sleeping Beauty, Our Day Out and Silas Marner. The Coventry based actress is a regular at the RSC having performed most recently in Candide and Titus Andronicus. Also returning to the Belgrade to play the role of Tony and the Vicar is Richard Kidd. Richard has worked with Oh No It Isn't! Writer and Director Nick Walker on many productions including We Love You City for the Belgrade Theatre and We're Only Here Today by Talking Birds Theatre Company. Completing the cast are Tom Shepherd in the role of Sam and Emily May Smith in the roles of the Giant and Sal.

Four actors are performing a Christmas panto. For the audience it's a fun, yuletide treat - for the actors on stage, it's a matter of life and death! We soon discover that the cast are all embroiled in a plot to kill each other. A prop gun is swapped for the real thing and a poisoned apple is on the menu.

Who's bean-stalking who? Will the Giant come out on top? Or will it be curtains for Daisy the cow? The cry of "He's behind you!" has never sounded so chilling!

Arriving just in time for Christmas, young theatre goers can look forward to an early visit from St Nick in all-new interactive adventure Santa's Dizzy Day on Fri 5 & Sat 6 Dec followed by a further nine performances on Mon 15 - Mon 24 Dec. Written by Iain Lauchlan, this fun-packed festive adventure for children is the perfect pre-Christmas treat as audiences are invited to sing along, have fun and help Santa out of a tricky situation. Children will also be given the opportunity to deliver their letter to Santa in person with a free gift included for every child.

Tickets for all productions are currently on sale from the Belgrade Theatre Box Office on 024 7655 3055 or online at www.belgrade.co.uk where tickets are cheaper.

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