EASTENDERS' Jessie Wallace & Shane Richie to Lead THE PERFECT MURDER at the Belgrade

Coventry's Belgrade Theatre has today announced full details of its Spring 2016 Season which will see EastEnders' original odd couple, Jessie Wallace and Shane Richie appear on stage together for the first time in Peter James' acclaimed comedy-thriller, The Perfect Murder.

Better known to EastEnders' viewers as 'Kat and Alfie Moon', this brand new UK touring production will see the much-loved soap duo swap the Queen Vic bar for the Belgrade boards as couple-at-war Victor and Joan Smiley in the world-stage premiere of Peter James' darkly comic and multi-million selling crime-thriller. The production will visit the Belgrade Theatre from Tues 29 Mar - Sat 2 Apr as part of a major new UK tour.

Fans of theatrical intrigue can look forward to a bumper-season of murder mystery kicking off with a brand new stage adaptation of Alfred Hitchcock's darkly gripping thriller, Dial M For Murder from Tues 26 - Sat 30 Jan starring Coronation Street's Oliver Mellor and Hollyoaks' actress Terry Dwyer.

This will be followed by a visit to the criminal underworld in a stylish new staging of the classic British crime-thriller Get Carter running on the Main Stage from Tues 22 - Sat 26 Mar. Inspired by the novel by Ted Lewis, this hard-hitting murder-mystery is set against an explosive backdrop of sex, gambling and violence in 1960s Newcastle and was originally made famous by Mike Hodge's seminal film starring Michael Cane.

From seedy city back-streets to sleepy Yorkshire village, the much-loved Sunday night sitcom Heartbeat will visit the stage for the first time from Mon 11 - Sat 16 Apr in a brand new adaptation featuring original cast members David Stockwell and Gina Ward. This will be followed by a return visit from the ever popular Agatha Christie Theatre Company with their brand new staging of the all-time classic thriller, Rehearsal For Murder from Mon 9 - Sat 14 May.

Big Nights Out 2016

Widely regarded as An undiscovered masterpiece of the American repertoire, the Belgrade is thrilled to present a new stage adaptation of Lorraine Hansbury's seminal family-drama, A Raisin in the Sun in B2 from Tues 22 - Sat 26 Mar. Standing shoulder to shoulder with the works of writers like Arthur Miller and Tennessee Williams, this gripping portrayal of working class life on the cusp of the civil rights era bursts with intensity as we watch the Younger family fight against all odds to keep their dream of a better future alive.

Hot off the heels of the sell-out UK tours, Midnight Tango and Dance 'Til Dawn, Strictly superstars Vincent Simone & Flavia Cacace bring their most moving production yet to the Belgrade Main Stage as they prepare to dance in their final stage show, The Last Tango. Running on the Main Stage from Thu 26 - Sat 28 May, this intimate, passionate and explosive live experience will see the nation's best loved Argentine Tango Champions re-unite for the final time.

Celebrating South Asian Arts

Throughout Spring 2015, the Belgrade's B2 auditorium will play host to a unique season of work showcasing some of the best new work by South Asian artists in the UK today.

Running in B2 from Sat 23 - Sat 30 Apr, dance-theatre company Phizzical in association with the Belgrade Theatre present Bring On The Bollywood, a delightfully ludicrous romantic romp through the trials and tribulations of matchmaking as seen through the eyes of one wickedly witty family.

This will be followed by a visit from the award-winning Kali Theatre Company and their new production of The Dishonoured running in B2 from Wed 4 - Sat 7 May. This highly-charged espionage thriller is set against a backdrop of duplicity, corruption and mounting civic unrest and promises to be a theatrical highlight of the Spring Season.

New Voices in British Theatre

Inspired by the real-life story of Khudaddad Khan, the first South Asian soldier to be awarded the Victoria Cross for bravery, Wipers tells the extraordinary story of the millions of South Asian soldiers who fought alongside their British brothers in the Battle of Ypres - one of the first and bloodiest battles of The Great War. Written by Ishy Din and directed by Suba Das, this brand new co-production between the Belgrade Theatre, Leicester Curve Theatre and Watford Palace Theatre will visit B2 from Thurs 12 - Sat 21 May.

Family Shows, Comedy and One Night Concerts

There's theatrical fun for families in The Giant's Loo Roll on Thurs 2 June, a hilarious new children's which enjoyed a sell-out run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and on UK Tour. From the company behind Marty MacDonald's Farm, Pongo's Party is an all new, interactive adventure featuring the voice of CBeebies Justin Fletcher as Pongo The Pig, running on Fri 3 - Sat 4 June on the Main Stage.

A quiet Irish village community is turned upside down with the arrival of a Hollywood film producer with the return of smash-hit, quick-fire comedy Stones In His Pockets from Thurs 31 Mar - Sat 2 Apr. Fascinating Aida's Dillie Keane takes a break from her gal pals in her first solo show in 557 years on Sat 5 Mar whilst comedy lovers can look forward to a riotous night out in Menopause The Musical, a hilariously candid celebration of women and 'the change' running on the Main Stage from Thurs 21 - Sat 23 April

Alan Ayckbourn fans are treated to a night of classic comedy beginning with Round and Round The Garden from Tues 26 - Sat 30 April, an award-winning play exploring the secrets and lies that simmer beneath the surface of family relationships. This will be followed by a return visit from London Classic Theatre Company with their hilarious new staging of perhaps Pinter's best-loved play, The Birthday Party from Tues 14 - Sat 18 June.

Newly announced one night shows this spring include The Magic of the Beatles on Wed 4 May, Sinatra, Sequins and Swing, an all singing, all-swinging live tribute to the legend of 'Old blue eyes' on Tues 17 May and Whitney, Queen of the Night - a soulful, live tribute to one of pop's foremost musical icons on Thurs 19 May. For a full list of one night concerts, please see the website for more details.

Tickets for all of the above shows will be on sale to the general public on Fri 30th October at 10am. 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.

To post a comment, you must register and login.