Belgrade Theatre Sets Full Autumn 2016 Season

Coventry's Belgrade Theatre has today announced full details of the shows to feature in its Autumn 2016 Season which include a brand new production of original British rock 'n' roll musical, Roll Over Beethoven from the director of Three Minute Heroes, the UK premiere of Ostrich Boys in B2, based on the award-winning novel by Keith Gray and the return of Birmingham comedy-legend Jasper Carrott and award-winning impressionist Alistair McGowan to the Midlands from Tues 14 - Thurs 16 Mar 2017.

Autumn 2016 Highlights

Kicking off the Belgrade's Autumn 2016 season this September, Roll Over Beethoven tells the story of how dreary, post-war England was transformed forever by American Rock 'n' Roll.

Bringing a blaze of neon colour to the monochrome streets of Blighty, this thrilling new musical is written and directed by Bob Eaton, who recently scored a smash-hit at the Belgrade with the 2-Tone musical Three Minute Heroes and features an original Rock 'n' Roll score that is sure to raise spirits and raise the roof! The production will run for two weeks on the Belgrade Main Stage from Sat 3 - Sat 17 Sept.

This will be followed by the stage premiere production of Ostrich Boys in B2 from Sat 10 - Sat 24 Sept. Adapted by Carl Miller and based on the much-loved book by Keith Gray, this touching, and - at times - hilarious coming-of-age tale tells the story of teenage pals Kenny, Sim and Blake, who together embark upon on epic mission to honour a friend's life touched by tragedy. Their need to put things right takes them on a chaotic, emotional and often darkly comic, pilgrimage north. Along the way, their unity is threatened as uneasy truths are realised in this powerful story of loss, hope and the meaning of friendship.

Ostrich Boys is directed by the Belgrade's multi-award-winning Creative Associate, Tony Graham who was last seen at the Belgrade directing Only A Day in February 2015. This action-packed new production sees four actors play multiple roles, on a stunning set in the intimate B2 auditorium.

Christmas at the Belgrade

Running alongside the Belgrade's 2016/17 pantomime, Dick Whittington, Coventry Writer/Director Nick Walker returns with another hilarious instalment of alternative festive fun in Private Dick Whittington this Christmas. Running in B2 from Sat 3 - Sat 31 Dec, this fun-packed, comedy crime-caper takes its inspiration from 1950s film noir and is loaded with so many bad jokes, it's ri-dick-ulous!

From the team behind the sell-out productions of Santa's Dizzy Day and Santa's Rusty Robot, young theatre-goers can look forward to a festive visit from Santa's Polka Dot Pirate from Thurs 8 - Sat 24 Dec, a brand new production for ages 2-6 years directed by Iain Lauchlan.

Join Santa, Ellie and Rudolph in their quest to help the Polka Dot Pirate find his way back from the North Pole in this fun-filled, interactive family adventure, created especially for the youngest theatre goers at Christmas!

As always there will be plenty of chance for the children to join in with the action and sing-along with their favourite songs. Plus, as an added treat, all of the children will get to meet Santa and receive a special gift from him after the show.

Touring Productions

The Belgrade has also announced details of a number of high quality touring productions visiting the theatre this Autumn which include the return of Birmingham comedy-legends Jasper Carrott and Alistair McGowan to the Midlands from Tues 14 - Thurs 16 Mar 2017. Bringing together two of Britain's best-loved entertainers, An Evening Shared with Alistair McGowan and Jasper Carrott will see stand-up legend Jasper return to the Midlands stage for the first time in over 10 years alongside his comedy partner for three nights of unforgettable comedy, conversation and impressions.

Fans of theatrical suspense can look forward to a brand new production of Emelyn Williams' psychological thriller Night Must Fall running on the Main Stage from Weds 28 Sept - Sat 1 Oct. Produced by The Original Theatre Company in association with Salisbury Playhouse, this tense and atmospheric British mystery stars Gwen Taylor as Mrs Bramson, who was last seen at the Belgrade Theatre starring alongside Don Warrington in the hit touring production of Driving Miss Daisy in 2012.

This will be followed by a visit from Alan Ayckbourn's classic comedy, Relatively Speaking starring two of Britain's favourite household names, Robert Powell (star of The Detectives and Jesus of Nazareth) and Liza Goddard, best known for her roles in Life of Riley, Doctor Who and Bergerac from Mon 31 Oct - Sat 5 Nov.

Running in B2 from Thurs 13 - Sat 15 Oct, Paradise of the Assassins is a thought-provoking and chillingly resonant new drama from Theatre Accord produced in association with Tara Arts, one of the leading commissioners of multi-cultural theatre in the UK. Written a century ago by the famous Lucknow polymath and Communist, Abdul Halim Sharar, this hard-hitting and startlingly contemporary tale of the price humans pay for Utopia has been adapted for the stage by award-winning director Anthony Clark and is told through dynamic theatricality as this engaging and unpredictable story shifts from the humorous to the terrifying.

Local Musical Theatre Company, 4PLAY, make their theatrical debut in B2 with Stephen Sondheim's classic, award- winning musical, Into The Woods from Thurs 24 - Sat 26 Nov. Bringing together well-known fairy tale characters, a golden slipper, corn-yellow hair, a milky-white cow, a blood-red cloak, magic beans and, of course, the curse of a witch - this highly original and intelligent musical stars Mark Rattray as The Baker and is a must-see for fans of theatrical innovation and classic storytelling alike.

Previously announced Autumn touring productions include political comedy Dead Sheep running on the Main Stage from Wed 19 - Sat 22 Oct. Starring original Spitting Image voice over artist, Steve Nallon as Margaret Thatcher and Graham Seed as Ian Gow, best known for playing Nigel Pargetter in the long-running Radio Four drama, The Archers, this razor-sharp comedy tells the true story of how Mrs Thatcher, once the most powerful woman in the world, was brought down by Geoffrey Howe, her one time friend and political soul mate.

Other previously announced touring shows include the anticipated revival of cult sci-fi spoof musical Little Shop Of Horrors starring X-Factor favourite Rhydian Roberts from Wed 26 - Sat 29 Oct, Peppa Pig's Surprise on Wed 5 & Thurs 6 Oct, Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story from Wed 12 - Sat 15 Oct and Macbeth - The Director's Cut from Tues 1 - Fri 4 Nov.

Looking Ahead - Spring 2017

Looking ahead to Spring 2017, Fawlty Towers meets Noises Off in the multi award-winning, West End smash hit comedy, The Play That Goes Wrong from Tues 24 - Sat 28 Jan. Hailed "a gut-busting hit" by the New York Times, this brilliantly funny tale of an amateur murder mystery gone amiss has won a host of celebrity endorsements from the likes of Joanna Lumley through to Ant and Dec and promises to be the perfect pick-me-up for anyone looking for a laugh-out-loud night out.

This will join the previously announced, record-breaking, smash-hit musical Dirty Dancing, which visits the Main Stage from Mon 30 Jan - Sat 4 Feb 2017.

One Night Concerts

Newly announced concert shows arriving this Autumn include the celebrated off-broadway production of Lennon - Through A Glass Onion on Fri 21 - Sat 22 Oct. This will be followed by the return of Talon - The Best of the Eagles on Tues 8 Nov and Chas and Dave - The Full Story Live on Wed 9 Nov. Paying tribute to the genius of the legendary David Bowie, Pop Up Bowie celebrates the life of one of music's greatest recording artists on Sat 12 Nov. Looking ahead to 2017, Supreme Queen is a high-energy celebration of the music of Freddy Mercury and Brian May arriving on the Main Stage on Thurs 19 Jan. Stepping back in time to the seventies, Arrival - The Hits of Abba features over two hours of fantastic hits, authentic costumes and first class vocals inspired by the music of Sweden's original fab four on Fri 20 Jan. This will be followed by Some Guys Have All The Luck on Sat 21 Jan, a musical celebration of the life and career of rock 'n' roll superstar, Rod Stewart. Completing the line-up and back by public demand for 2016, The Sensational Sixties Experience returns for another instalment of feel-good nostalgia on Tues 28 Feb.

Tickets for all newly announced productions are on sale now. For tickets, call the Belgrade Theatre Box Office on 024 7655 3055 or visit the website www.belgrade.co.uk where cheaper tickets are available.

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