Shobna Gulati, Joe McGann & More Set for Belgrade's Autumn Season

Shobna Gulati and Joe McGann will star in a major new touring production of John Godber's bittersweet masterpiece April In Paris from Tues 7 - Sat 11 October at the Belgrade Theatre, it was announced today.

The production is one of fifteen new titles to be added to the Belgrade Theatre's Autumn programme of high-quality touring shows with a further nine shows announced for Spring 2015. Also joining the Belgrade's Autumn Season programme are a major new revival of Tim Firth's musical comedy, This Is My Family, Jerome K Jerome's classic tale of boating misadventure Three Men In A Boat and the hugely anticipated sequel to Dreamboats and Petticoats, Dreamboats and Miniskirts.

Written and directed by John Godber, April In Paris will play to the Belgrade from Tues 7- Sat 11 Oct as part of a major new UK tour in 2014. This brand new production by Derby Theatre features star performances from stage and television favourites Shobna Gulati (Coronation Street, Dinnerladies) and Joe McGann (Calendar Girls, The Rise and Fall Of Little Voice).

Following a sell-out UK tour in 2012, Craig Gilbert's ingenious adaptation of the classic British yarn Three Men In A Boat will be making a splash in B2 from Tues 14 - Sat 18 Oct. Based on the much-loved novel by Jerome K Jerome, this hilarious new production by Original Theatre Company features a working pub, live piano accompaniment, music hall singing, a dog and a feast of physical comedy. A classic tale of nautical misadventure, youthful friendship and mischievous folly celebrating the very essence of 'Britishness'.

Know-it-all dads, truculent teens and awkward in-laws take centre stage in the Sheffield Theatres production of This Is My Family, touring to the Belgrade Main Stage from Tue 28 - Sat 1 Nov. Fresh from the pen of Tim Firth - the man behind the smash-hit Calendar Girls - this brilliantly observed new musical comedy is the perfect show for anyone who has ever known, or been in, a family. And worst of all, tried to go on holiday with one.

Commemorating the centenary of World War One and following their highly acclaimed poetry in performance production 'Being Human', Midlands Creative Projects in association with Bloodaxe Books return to the B2 stage with their heart-wrenching new production of The Hundred Years War from Fri 31 Oct - Sat 1 Nov. Drawing on forty extraordinary war poems written between 1914 and 2013, this brand new production fuses poetry and theatre to create a distinctive and deeply moving portrayal of life under fire.

The Belgrade Theatre Community and Education Company continue their pioneering work with BME communities in Coventry with New Black Showcase in B2 from Thurs 6 - Sat 8 Nov. Now in its fourth successful year, New Black Showcase offers emerging young BME writers aged 18 and over with the opportunity to have their work performed at the theatre by a company of professional actors. This year's showcase will incorporate staged readings of four new plays produced as part of the 2013 Critical Mass programme, each incorporating a strong female focus.

World-renowned ballet company, Moscow Ballet - La Classique return to the Belgrade stage from Thurs 6 - Sat 8 Nov with their captivating production of Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker.

Following two hugely successful runs of the smash-hit musical Dreamboats and Petticoats, Bill Kenwright's hotly-anticipated follow-up production Dreamboats and Miniskirts bursts onto the Belgrade Main Stage from Mon 10 - Sat 15 Nov for one week only. Picking up where the story of love-struck teens Bobby and Laura left off, this feel-good musical sequel features all the wit, charm, and great songs of Dreamboats and Petticoats but with an added 60s twist.

Arriving just in time for Christmas, young-theatre goers can look forward to an early visit from St Nick in Santa's Dizzy Day with performances lasting a total of 40 minutes each taking place in the Burbidge Room on Fri 5 & Sat 6 Dec followed by a further six performances scheduled from Mon 15 - Sat 20 Dec. Ideal for ages 2-6 years, this all-new interactive, family adventure will feature the opportunity for young audiences to meet Father Christmas after the show where they will receive a festive gift.

Throughout the season, the Belgrade will also play host to a selection of one-night concert shows from across the UK touring circuit. Bringing the bright lights of Bollywood to the Belgrade, Hits From The Khans returns on Fri 29 Aug for an evening of non-stop musical hits performed by the Bollywood Pandits. This will be followed by a visit from dynamic rhythm and blues band Dr Feelgood on Tues 30 Sept.

Loved by the nation for his pure treble voice, singer, actor, author and broadcaster Aled Jones MBE will make his first visit to the Belgrade on Thurs 2 Oct in Aled Jones - Songs Of Hope and Inspiration featuring an eclectic mix of songs, anecdotes and stories from Aled's 27 years in the public eye.

Star of BBC3 Unzipped and Live At The Apollo Russell Kane leads a bumper comedy line-up in Live At The Belgrade on Friday 3rd Oct with further acts to be announced. Paying tribute to the legendary 'King of Pop', Forever Jackson tours to the Belgrade Main Stage on Wed 22 October. This is followed by a visit from No. 1 Elton John UK tribute act, Ultimate Elton on Thur 23 Oct.

Recreating the original sounds of soul, Soul Legends arrives direct from the USA on Fri 24 Oct and celebrating ABBA's iconic 1974 Eurovision triumph, Thank You for The Music will bring the lycra-tight harmonies and timeless musicianship of Sweden's original fab four to life on Sat 25 Oct in a special anniversary party concert featuring a host of ABBA's signature hits from the '70s and '80s.

Looking ahead to 2015, newly announced one-night shows in January include Hats Off To Led Zeppelin featuring star of We Will Rock You, Peter Eldridge on Wed 14 Jan, recreating the sounds of rock 'n' roll's golden era, Buddy Holly - A Legend Reborn returns on Thurs 15 Jan followed by a visit from The Simon and Garfunkel Story starring Dean Elliott, leading actor from the West End, Olivier Award nominated musical Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story, as Paul Simon on Fri 16 Jan. Back by popular demand, feel-good concert show 80s Mania returns with a brand new production on Sat 17 Jan. Smash-hit rock spectacular Vampires Rock is back to bite on Mon 19 Jan.

Celebrating fifteen fabulous years, The Rat Pack Is Back brings Las Vegas glamour to Belgrade followed by the return of 'the King' in The Elvis Years on Fri 23 Jan featuring 'Images of the King World Champion', Mario Kombou. Completing the all-American musical line-up, the multi-talented East Coast Boys present their internationally-acclaimed tribute to Frankie Valli And The Four Seasons Big Boys Don't Cry on Sat 24 Jan.

Tickets to all of these shows are available to Friends of the Belgrade Theatre from Friday 13 June and will be on sale to the general public from Monday 16 June. To book call the Belgrade box office on 024 7655 3055 or go online at www.belgrade.co.uk

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