Belgrade Theatre to Present PROPAGANDA SWING, THREE MINUTE HEROES & More this Autumn

The Belgrade Theatre has announced full details of its new Autumn 2014 Season which will see Hamish Glen direct a brand new co-production of Peter Arnott's gripping WWII drama Propaganda Swing, premiering at the Belgrade this September. This will be followed by the return of Bob Eaton's smash-hit 2 Tone musical Three Minute Heroes in October and the Belgrade's annual pantomime, which this year is Aladdin. The Belgrade will also be re-instating its popular B2 Xmas Show Oh No It Isn't.

Directed by Belgrade Theatre Artistic Director Hamish Glen, Propaganda Swing is a captivating combination of WWII intrigue and drama set against a backdrop of glitz, glamour and Big Band swagger.

This brand new co-production with Nottingham Playhouse follows in the success of Charlie Peace: His Amazing Life and Astounding Legend which premiered in Nottingham in September last year. Propaganda Swing will run on the Belgrade Main Stage from Sat 13 - Sat 27 Sept after which it will transfer to Nottingham Playhouse from Fri 2 - Sat 18 Oct.

Throwing a spotlight on the gripping true story of 'Charly and his Orchestra', this compelling new play by Peter Arnott reveals the characters behind the story of how some of the greatest German jazz musicians of the day entered into a Faustian pact with the Fascists in order to continue playing their beloved music at the price of seeing it corrupted for evil.

The Nazis hated jazz - they saw it as decadent and impure. But one of them, Propaganda Ministry official, Karl "Charly" Schwedler, understood its true power. And he made it his mission to harness that power so the Nazis could use jazz as a weapon of war.

Featuring a talented cast of eight actor-musicians performing some of the greatest jazz music of the era, this powerful new production promises to be the must-see show of the Belgrade's Autumn season.

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 will make its long awaited return to Coventry for three weeks this Autumn following two previous sell-out seasons at the venue.

Written and Directed by former Belgrade Artistic Director and life-long 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.

Three Minute Heroes is a funny, feel-good and, at times, thought-provoking tribute to the city that inspired a musical revolution. Featuring a terrific live band and a soundtrack of songs which made stars of The Specials and The Selecter. The eagerly-awaited new production will run in B2 from Sat 4 - Sat 25 Oct.

Christmas time sees the return of the Belgrade's traditional family pantomime, as Aladdin takes to the Main Stage from Wed 26 Nov - Sat 10 Jan. Featuring spectacular scenery, incredible costumes, hilarious slapstick and plenty of audience participation, this year's festive extravaganza features script by Iain Lauchlan, the creator of the BBC children's show The Tweenies. Iain will also be directing and playing Dame.

There's festive fun for grown-ups with the return of the Belgrade's popular B2 Xmas Show, Oh No It Isn't! from Sat 6 - Sat 27 Dec. First commissioned in 2013, Oh No It Isn't! is a hilarious comedy thriller, written and directed by acclaimed Coventry writer, Nick Walker. Programmed to run in B2 alongside the Belgrade's 2014 pantomime Aladdin, the original production starred award-winning RSC actress Katy Stephens, John McKeever and Richard Kidd, who both appeared in We Love You City and Clare Louise Connolly. A hilarious yuletide treat and the perfect alternative to panto!

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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