Award-winning Children's Theatre Director, Tony Graham, to Direct U.K Premiere of ONLY A DAY at Coventry's Belgrade Theatre

The Belgrade Theatre will present the U.K premiere of Martin Baltscheit's heartfelt and thought-provoking play for ages 7 and over, ONLY A DAY, playing in B2 for two weeks this February.

Flying into B2 from Sat 7 - Sat 21 Feb, ONLY A DAY is a funny, poignant and surprising play from the pen of acclaimed German children's author and illustrator Martin Baltscheit with translation by David Henry Wilson.

Directed by the Belgrade's multi award-winning Creative Associate, Tony Graham, one of Britain's leading directors of theatre for children and young people, this masterful story of the cycle of life and the power of friendship promises to be a theatrical highlight of the Belgrade's Spring Season.

A fox and a wild boar keep watch over the hatching of a mayfly. Aware that it lives for only a day, they are faced with a dilemma. Who cares about a mayfly anyway? But when they meet a beautiful flying insect, who has spent years preparing to hatch into the world, they have to think again. So begins a great adventure in which nothing will ever be the same.

Tony Graham, said: 'It's a huge thrill to be directing this brand new production of Martin Baltscheit's Only A Day. Whilst the show is ideally suited to ages 7-11, this is a play for everyone which asks important questions about truth, friendship and how we choose to live our lives.

The Belgrade holds a special place in the hearts of those who make professional theatre for young audiences. That this production will make its U.K premiere in the same year as the 50th Anniversary of Theatre in Education at the Belgrade Theatre, makes the event all the more special. As in 1965, where the work was all about inspiring the hearts and minds of our youth, their aim today is to honour that tradition. After the show, there will be an opportunity for children and their families to talk to the characters, ask questions and reflect upon what they have just witnessed. Taking part is the key to TiE.'

Heading up the cast in the role of the mayfly is children's TV favourite, Dominique Jackson. A respected stage and television actress, Dominique is perhaps best known for playing emo teenager Lauren Valentine in the long-running Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks and Becky in the hit children's TV series Becky and Barnaby Bear. Other TV credits include Rosie Speedwell in The New Worst Witch(2005), Selena in My Parents Are Aliens, The Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy, Casualty, The Bill, Doctors and Conviction Little Britain. Theatre credits include Molly in Annie at the Victoria Palace and The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz at Hull Truck Theatre playing the title role of Dorothy.

Joining Dominique on stage are a talented cast which includes actor-musicians Lowri Amies (Mayfly 2), Andrew Ashford (Boar) and Jacob James Beswick (Fox).

ONLY A DAY features original composition by Martin Ward, whose credits include Will Tuckett's hugely popular production of The Wind In The Willows currently playing at the Vaudeville Theatre, London. Set and Costume design is by Jason Southgate with Lighting Design by Adam Crosthwaite. The Movement Director is Lawrence Evans.

ONLY A DAY will visit B2 from Sat 7 - Sat 21 February. Tickets are priced from £7.50 to £10. Family tickets are priced from £24 and £31. School tickets are priced at £6. Tickets are on sale now via the Belgrade Theatre Box Office on 024 7655 3055 or online at www.belgrade.co.uk where tickets are cheaper.

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