WELCOME!
Happy New Year from the Belgrade Theatre.
Well, what an incredible year 2024 was! Our drama Swim, Aunty, Swim! won Best New Play at the UK Theatre Awards, our co-produced musical Play On! premiered at the Belgrade to enormous critical acclaim, and our co-production My Mother’s Funeral won a Fringe First Award at the Edinburgh Festival and is now set to enjoy runs in London and New York.
Looking ahead, 2025 is set to be just as amazing as we open our world premiere production of Romeo and Juliet. This flagship show, co-produced with Bristol Old Vic and Hackney Empire, is the highlight of our season and absolutely not to be missed!
In May we are really excited to be opening, Two Pints, another brand-new Belgrade production running in B2. Written by award-winning Irish writer Roddy Doyle (The Commitments), this hilarious and heartwarming drama is set in a Dublin pub and follows two old friends as they attempt to put the world to rights, one pint at a time.
We also welcome some of the UK’s best touring productions to the Belgrade. For musical fans there’s the return of the international smash-hit SIX, the legendary Rocky Horror Show and Friends the Musical Parody (could we BE more excited?!).
There’s fantastic drama in store with chilling thriller The Croft, starring TV favourite Liza Goodard, sensational dance from Strictly favourite Nikita Kuzmin and the acclaimed Ballet Black plus loads of live music, with tributes to the Beatles, The Dubliners and more.
We also have an incredible programme of work for families, with amazing shows for little ones like The Elmer Adventure and Room on the Broom, plus a whole host of fun activities taking place throughout the Belgrade for May half term – keep checking the website for details.
We’d like to thank you all for your support last year, we couldn’t do it without you, and we look forward to spending this exciting new year together.
With best wishes,
Laura Elliot, Chief Executive
Corey Campbell, Creative Director
WELCOME!
FRI 21 FEB – SAT 8 MAR
A BELGRADE THEATRE, BRISTOL OLD VIC AND HACKNEY EMPIRE CO-PRODUCTION
ROMEO AND JULIET
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Corey Campbell
Lyrics by That’s A Rap, Music by A Class
Some aspects of this new, innovative co-production of Romeo and Juliet aren’t new at all.
Everything that makes Shakespeare’s play so well loved is here. The rich, feuding families. The intense, forbidden passion. And the flash of violence that tears the young lovers apart, sending them spiralling towards tragedy.
This is unmistakeably Shakespeare’s love story, unaltered in its original text. But it’s not just Shakespeare’s play. There is an important Plus One: rap.
Our story shines with new, original elements of rap – as well as soul and R&B. Think everyday English as well as the Elizabethan variety. And the poetry of rap rhythms as well as perfect pentameters.
Romeo and Juliet is a co-production with Bristol Old Vic and Hackney Empire. Directed by Corey Campbell, creative director of the Belgrade, the play springs from our communities. The music elements reflect a collaboration with new company, That’s a Rap. And we’ve worked with local young people who have been taken out of mainstream education, on the production.
Together, we’ve created something unique. A Shakespearean lyrical love story – for people who love the music of the spoken word of every generation.
EVENINGS: 7.30PM (EXCEPT WED 26 FEB, 7PM) | MORNING: FRI 28 FEB, 10:30AM | MATINEES: WED 5 & THU 6 MAR, 1PM, SAT 1 & SAT 8 MAR, 2PM | FROM £18 | SCHOOLS AND UNDER 26S £15 | 11+
POST SHOW Q&A: FRI 28 FEB, AFTER THE 7.30PM PERFORMANCE
SCHOOLS’ POST SHOW Q&A: THU 6 MAR, AFTER THE 1PM PERFORMANCE
TUE 11 & WED 12 MAR
DRIFTWOOD
By Tim Foley. Directed by Neil Bettles (ThickSkin) and Elle While (Pentabus)
An inspiring story about hope, love and belonging.
Two brothers on a beach need to figure out what to do with their dad – but the sea has other ideas. Mark and Tiny walk the shore of Seaton Carew in the North East. Their dad is dying, and their town is crumbling. Family rifts and political divides try to pull them apart, while a figure made of driftwood stalks the shore at night.
This play perfectly balances a moving and at times funny story in a physical and visually striking production.
ThickSkin and Pentabus are two of the UK’s most prominent theatre companies. Joining forces to present Driftwood, by former Bruntwood Prize Winner, Tim Foley (Electric Rosary).
‘A beautiful story, delivered with creativity and love.’ Audience Member
7.45PM | MATINEE: WED 1PM | FROM £12 | 14+
THU 27 & FRI 28 FEB
NEW PERSPECTIVES THEATRE COMPANY PRESENTS
(THE) WOMAN
By Jane Upton.
“So good we thought it was written by a man!”
M is a woman. M is a writer. M is a mother.
Catapulted from the crest of a hit play and hijacked by motherhood – the wild nights out have been replaced by evenings in with baby and a breastpump. Suddenly M is burnt out, angry, lonely, unsure and, quite frankly, terrified of the future.
She wants to tell her story, her way. But, as she spills her guts and starts to write, everyone around her shares their opinions on who she is, who she should be and how she’s f**cking up motherhood.
From award-winning writer Jane Upton, this 2022 Bruntwood Prize shortlisted play is relatable, funny and a painful scream from the abyss of early motherhood.
7.45PM | FROM £12 | 15+
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Credit: Mike Baker
WED 19 – SAT 22 MAR
LITTLE WOMEN
Anne-Marie Casey’s masterful new adaptation of Little Women breathes new life into one of the best loved novels of all time.
Step into the world of sisterhood, courage and ambition, as the March sisters - tomboy Jo, beautiful Meg, sensitive Beth, and spoilt Amy - navigate the challenges of the Civil War era, forging unbreakable bonds of love and family.
Inspired by author Louisa May Alcott’s own journey into womanhood, Little Women is as relevant today as it was at the time of its first release, proving that women can be bold, persistent, self-assured, and the heroes of their own story.
This beautiful new adaptation is a celebration of women, filled with laugher, tears and a theatrical, heartwarming lifting of the spirits.
7.30PM | MATINEES: THU & SAT, 2PM | FROM £18 | 10+
★★★★
“Anne-Marie Casey bottles the story’s magic.” Daily Mail
“Stylish, humorous and compassionate, this is a lovingly crafted adaptation.” The Telegraph
WED 2 – SAT 5 APR
GRACE DICKENSON PRODUCTIONS AND THEATRE UNCUT IN ASSOCIATION WITH BRISTOL OLD VIC PRESENTS
PLAYFIGHT
Written
by Julia Grogan. Directed by Emma Callander
“I’ve been thinking about time. Every second. The ugly bits, the fuzzy bits. The bits so shameful you feel your knickers shimmy down your legs and bury themselves underground.”
Three friends grow up under an ancient tree. They’re filthy, brutal and full of hope. By turns hysterical and poignant, Playfight is a “stunningly accomplished” (★★★★★ The Observer) and searing probe of their inner lives as they hunt for love. Proper, ugly love. As their roots sink deeper, the branches stretch higher... so they decide to climb.
An Edinburgh Festival smash-hit, Playfight by Julia Grogan is a “marvellous jewel of a play” (★★★★★ The Times) that shines a vivid light on adolescent desire in a landscape of rising sexual violence.
“[A] marvellous jewel of a play... an extraordinary thrill.” The Times
“Edgy, vulnerable and, at times, ruthless, Playfight will replay in your head long after you wave the cast goodbye.” Time Out
“Played with a punk-rock pace and these three performances are as indelible as teenage dreams.” The Guardian
7:45PM | FROM £12 | 16+
The more the merrier (& cheaper!)
Celebrating a birthday?
A night out with friends? Big works do?
Book as a group of 6 – 10 people and save 10% off the price of your tickets, with extra special rates available for groups of more than 10.
Grab a group deal at: groups@belgrade.co.uk
Credit: Nicola Young
WED 2 – SAT 5 APR
A CHILDREN’S THEATRE PARTNERSHIP, UNICORN THEATRE AND SHEFFIELD THEATRES PRODUCTION
PIG HEART BOY
Based on the novel by Malorie Blackman, Adapted by Winsome Pinnock. Directed by Tristan Fynn-Aiduenu.
Is it better to have a pig’s heart that works … than a human heart that doesn’t?
Cameron is thirteen, and all he wants is to be normal – have friends, go to school, and dive to the bottom of his local swimming pool. But he desperately needs a heart transplant and time is running out. When he’s finally offered a new heart, Cameron must choose how far he’ll go to get his life back.
From the multi award-winning writer Malorie Blackman OBE, author of Noughts and Crosses, this brilliant novel is brought to life in a brand-new adaptation by Winsome Pinnock
and is directed by Tristan Fynn-Aiduenu in a Unicorn co-production with Sheffield Theatres and Children’s Theatre Partnership.
Pig Heart Boy was shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal and adapted by the BBC into a Bafta award-winning TV series.
WED – FRI, 10.30AM & 2PM | SAT 2PM & 7PM | FROM £18 | SCHOOLS £10 |
TUE 8 APR
TIATA FAHODZI PRESENTS
EVERYWHERE
A triple bill of short plays Theatre is EVERYWHERE around us.
tiata fahodzi presents EVERYWHERE - a triple bill of short plays driven by the provocation: what we do in what spaces matters.
Drama and conflict are things we experience everywhere, beyond the limitations of a theatre space. Three commissioned writers are exploring what that means to them in short form.
Working with brilliant actors and creatives, the triple bill consists of three 30-minute pieces and will bring together some of the best established and emerging theatre talent to tell original and diverse stories that take us from displacement to maternity wards.
The EVERYWHERE triple bill is very much about instigating conversations and curiosity between artists and audiences.
7.45PM | FROM £14 | 14+
WED 9 – SAT 12 APR
TAMBO & BONES
Written by Dave Harris. Directed by Matthew Xia.
Tambo and Bones are stuck in a minstrel show. It’s hard to know what’s real when you’re stuck in a minstrel show. Their escape plan: get out, get rich, get even.
Join Tambo and Bones on their journey from comedy double-act to hip-hop superstars, to activists in an America at the epicentre of the global Black Lives Matter movement.
Tambo & Bones laughs through our past, blows the roof off our present and imagines an explosive future for our world and for theatre.
‘A racially charged metatheatrical satire and “ragsto-riches hip-hop odyssey” by slam poet turned playwright Dave Harris.’ (Time Out New York, 30 Best Off Broadway shows to see in Spring 2022)
★★★★★ “By far the best new American play I have seen for years.” LondonTheatre
★★★★★ “A stellar work of art.” All That Dazzles
★★★★★ “A new classic.” lastminutetheatretickets.com
★★★★ “Unique, challenging and oh-so necessary.” The Guardian
★★★★ “Like nothing you’ve ever seen.” The Telegraph
★★★★“This is not your typical play about race.” The Times
This show contains strong racial language and discusses themes some may find upsetting in relation to race.
An Actors Touring Company, Stratford East and Royal & Derngate, Northampton co-production in association with Belgrade Theatre, Leeds Playhouse and Liverpool Everyman.
7.30PM | MATINEE: SAT 2PM | FROM £18 | 14+
Breakfasts, Brownies & Bubbles!
Lunch with friends? Afternoon Tea with mum? Fed up working from home?
Open daily from 9am, the Belgrade Café is one of the most popular in the city centre, with friendly staff, free WIFI and a tempting selection of freshly prepared food.
Upstairs, Nineteen 58 is THE place to soak up the excitement before a show, or simply enjoy a great night out with family and friends in one of Coventry’s most stylish bars. Cheers!
Credit: Mark Radford
WED 23 – SAT 26 APR
TALL STORIES PRESENTS
ROOM ON THE BROOM
Based on the bestselling book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler
Iggety ziggety zaggety zoom!
Jump on board the broom with the witch and her cat in Tall Stories’ fun-filled adaptation of Room on the Broom, the best-selling picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.
The witch and her cat are travelling on their broomstick when they pick up some hitch-hikers – a friendly dog, a beautiful green bird and a frantic frog. But this broomstick’s not meant for five and – CRACK – it snaps in two… just as the hungry dragon appears!
Will there ever be room on the broom for everyone? Find out in the magical Olivier Award-nominated show for everyone aged three and up.
“Undeniably charming… Winning performances, jaunty songs and some delightful puppetry… A sweet little enchantment.” Time Out
“Children’s theatre doesn’t come much better than this.” The Stage
“A perfect introduction to the theatre.” Sunday Express★
“Very catchy songs, brilliant puppets and a fantastically animated cast.” Families Magazine
WED: 1.30PM | THU – SAT: 10.30AM & 1PM | FROM £12 | 3+
TUE 29 APR – SAT 3 MAY
QUEEN’S THEATRE HORNCHURCH AND THE THEATRE NATION PARTNERSHIPS PRESENT
HANDBAGGED
11 years of weekly, behind-closed-doors meetings, where the destiny of a nation is shaped.
Moira Buffini’s clever, funny and charming political comedy unlocks the palace door, imagining the untold conversations of two of history’s most powerful women, Margaret Thatcher and Queen Elizabeth II.
Ronald Reagan, Denis Thatcher and an ensemble of familiar faces add to the biting satire and sharp humour as the gloves come off and personalities clash.
25 years later, with both women now gone, their shadows still loom large, as this Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch and Theatre Nation Partnerships production explores the legacy of this divisive premiership, leaving audiences to question what they truly know about those who decide our nation’s destiny.
7.30PM | MATINEES: THU & SAT, 2PM | FROM £18 | 12+
WED 7 – SAT 10 MAY
HEADLONG THEATRE PRESENTS
THE HOUSE PARTY
Written by Laura Lomas.
Directed by Holly Race Roughan
A co-production with Chichester Festival Theatre in association with Frantic Assembly
A wild party. A friendship. And one night that changes everything.
It’s Julie’s 18th birthday, and she’s throwing a party in her father’s extravagant townhouse. Her boyfriend has just dumped her and her long-suffering best friend Christine is trying to pick up the pieces. As the revellers pile into the booze, down in the kitchen Christine and her boyfriend Jon – son of Julie’s cleaner – clear up and dare to dream of the future.
But as the volume goes up and the shots go down, Julie concocts a twisted cocktail of entitlement, desire and destruction.
Described as “bracingly relevant and searingly shocking” by WhatsOnStage and “Fresh, ferociously intense, and visually striking” by The Stage, The House Party explores themes of class, power, and privilege with raw intensity.
Directed by Headlong’s Artistic Director Holly Race Roughan with movement from the formidable Frantic Assembly, Laura Lomas’ The House Party spins Strindberg’s Miss Julie into intense, fizzing life for today’s generation.
7.30PM | MATINEES: THU & SAT 2PM | FROM £18 | 14+
FRI 2 – SAT 24 MAY
A BELGRADE THEATRE CO-PRODUCTION WITH DOUBLE M ARTS AND EVENTS
TWO PINTS
By Roddy Doyle. Directed by Sara Joyce
“Two more, Raymond – good man”.
In their Dublin local, two old friends meet regularly for good conversation, good craic and more than a few good pints.
As the Guinness flows, these barstool philosophers put the world to rights by sharing their honest and often hilarious thoughts on life’s big topics –fatherhood, death and whether Nigella or Kylie would make the better Midfielder…
Blisteringly funny, but packing an emotional punch, Two Pints explores the friendship between two men of a certain vintage as they attempt to support each other through life’s triumphs and tragedies, one pint at a time.
Incredibly witty and wonderfully poignant, this sharp observational comedy is written by award-winning Irish author Roddy Doyle (The Commitments, the Booker Prize winning Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha and the Paula Spencer trilogy).
Originally produced by Abbey Theatre, Dublin in 2017, this UK premiere production is directed by rising Irish star Sara Joyce (The Last Return – Druid Theatre, Traverse Edinburgh (Fringe First)).
7.45PM (EXCEPT WED 7 MAY, 7PM) | MATINEES: SATS 10, 17 & 24 MAY AND THUS 15 & 22 MAY 2.15PM | FROM £12 | 14+
TWO PINTS
“Roddy
Doyle pulls two perfect pints... it is achingly, breathtakingly funny.” – Sunday Independent (Ireland)
Add some magic to your event!
You don’t have to be a world-class actor to take centre stage at the Belgrade.
Every year, businesses, charities, community groups and individuals hire our spaces, and our incredible staff, to make their event extra special.
Whether it’s a meeting, presentation, conference or party – add a little theatrical magic and make it a moment to remember!
Credit: Robert Day
TUE 20 – SAT 24 MAY
ORIGINAL THEATRE PRESENTS THE CROFT
A thriller by Ali Milles. Directed by Philip Franks.
The past won’t be silenced.
Based on a true highland story. In the remote Scottish Highlands two women arrive at a former Crofters Hut in the deserted village of Coillie Ghille. When suddenly the weekend getaway takes an unexpected turn. Cut off from the modern world, Laura and Suzanne find themselves drawn into the dark history of the Croft and the lives that passed before them.
In this bold and haunting play, the present interweaves with the past as ancient tales surface and the terrifying truth lurking in the Croft is revealed.
Starring Liza Goddard, one of the UK’s favourite actresses, most recently seen in Noises Off and known for her roles in Doctor Who and Bergerac, and Caroline Harker (A Touch of Frost). Directed by award-winning director Philip Franks (Murder in the Dark, Agatha Christie’s The Mirror Crack’d) and produced by Original Theatre (Birdsong, Murder in the Dark, Agatha Christie’s The Mirror Crack’d), The Croft will be setting pulses racing this Spring.
★★★★★
“Thrilling, superb new play… as the secrets of The Croft unfold, they will stay with you long after you have left the theatre!”
– WhatsGoodToDo
★★★★
“A guaranteed evening of intriguing mystery, one that will keep you on your toes and ears pricked until the final beat.”
– Creative Reviews UK
7.30PM | MATINEES: THU & SAT: 2PM | FROM £18 | 13+
FAMILY FUN THIS MAY HALF TERM!
Keep the kids entertained this half term with a trip to the Belgrade Theatre.
There will be two fantastic shows running in our stunning B2 auditorium plus loads of free family friendly workshops and activities happening throughout the building during the week. Keep checking the website for details. With close convenient parking, an onsite café and loads of theatrical fun in store – the Belgrade is THE place to spend the holidays.
Credit: Nicola Young
A very first opera for 0-2 year olds
THU 29 MAY
HURLY BURLY PRESENTS
YOU ARE THE SUN
A folk inspired opera for babies and grown-ups that explores the magic of nature.
Combining the joy of gentle classical singing and sensory play, it is an invitation to see beauty in the smallest things and to let plants be our guides.
Celebrate the gift of nature and help to conjure a world out of breath, water, sunlight and soil in this magical musical adventure for 0–2-year-olds.
10.30AM, 12 MIDDAY & 1.30PM | FROM £8 | 0-2 YRS
FRI 30 & SAT 31 MAY
AN ANT CALLED AMY
By Julie Sharkey
This is a story about an ant called Amy (an award-winning ant one might add), her brother Andy and a Brown Spider. Amy the ant works very hard. When she wins the Employee of the Month Award, Amy feels a happiness that drives her to work even harder. But is she truly content? With the help of the Brown Spider, Amy learns to find true happiness by appreciating the world around her and celebrating her brother’s memory in the everyday.
A charming and moving story by a captivating Irish storyteller, An Ant Called Amy tells the tale of an ant who learns to slow down.
FRI 1PM & 3PM | SAT 11AM & 1PM | FROM £12 | 5 – 8YRS
Created by Catherine Carter and Sarah Forbes with words and music by Catherine Carter
TALL STORIES PRESENT
THE ELMER ADVENTURE
By Alan Bennett. Directed by Séan Linnen.
Elmer is not elephant colour – Elmer is patchwork. Join three friends on a joyful jungle adventure in Tall Stories’ magical, musical adaptation of the much-loved Elmer books by David McKee.
Everyone loves the stories about Elmer the patchwork elephant – whether he’s pretending to be an ordinary grey elephant or playing a practical joke. But has anyone ever actually seen him?
Can you help find him? Is that a patchwork trunk hidden among the trees and bushes of the jungle?
The enchanting and colourful world of Elmer is brought to life through songs, storytelling and puppetry by Tall Stories, the company who
brought you The Gruffalo and Room on the Broom live on stage – for everyone aged three and up.
Celebrate Elmer’s unique patchwork colours and wear all your colourful clothes when you see the show.
“Tall Stories sets the benchmark for children’s theatre.” The Sunday Times
THU: 1.30PM | FRI & SAT: 10.30AM & 1PM | FROM £10 | 3+
Take part, and really take off!
Playing your part needn’t mean playing a part. Whether you’re a student, a keen amateur, a parent looking to entertain their kids, or you’re looking to develop a career in the Arts, there is a place for you at the Belgrade.
We’ll provide the workshops, drama classes, support and mentors - YOU bring the ideas, energy, enthusiasm and talent.
Find out how you can play your part at the Belgrade.
Credit: Nicola Young
WED 11 & THU 12 JUN
PENGUIN
A production by Hamzeh Al Hussien & Amy Golding
Here’s what you need to know...
I am Hamzeh. My favourite shisha flavour is double apple. I love dancing.
Here’s what’s going to happen...
There will be loud music. A wedding. My first time on a plane. A lot of moonlight.
This is the story of my life (so far). People have a lot of questions. The answer is, “Yes.
I can do anything.”
Full of humour and beauty, Hamzeh Al-Hussien’s extraordinary story takes you on a personal tour of the places he knows best: his village in the Syrian mountains, the Za’atari camp in Jordan, Gateshead and inside his mind, a place full of music, dancing, fantasies and marbles. Hamzeh invites the audience to be his childhood friends, to hold up the moon to light his way into his dreams, brushing the dust from his clothes... and taking the stage.
The show is captioned in both English and Arabic. 7.45PM | FROM £12 | 11+
WED 18 – SAT 21 JUN
CAHOOTS NI PRESENT
THE VANISHING ELEPHANT
Opu, a young boy in Bengal, dreams of one day becoming an elephant trainer. When he befriends Janu, an Asian Elephant, their friendship is the first step on an adventure so huge, it spans decades and continents.
Years in the future, Opu, now an old man, hears that world famous magician Harry Houdini will vanish an elephant, live on stage in New York City. Could it really be Janu, Opu’s old friend, so far from home? He too must bravely make the long journey into the unknown to find out.
7PM | MATINEE: SAT 2PM | FROM £18 | 8+
MON 16 – WED 18 JUN
ODDSOCKS PRESENT
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
Oddsocks return to the Belgrade Theatre with another high-energy, feel-good, family theatre show.
Shakespeare’s most magical, fast paced, hilarious comedy, A Midsummer Night’s Dream will be performed in Oddsocks’ inimitable irreverent and knockabout style with live music, comedy action and even some outrageous hunting dogs!
Four lovers run off to an Athenian forest where mysterious woodland creatures play tricks on them with hilarious results and when a troupe of amateur actors decide to rehearse in a glade the fairies intervention leads to bizarre and outrageous comedy.
Don’t miss out – catch the Dream!
MON 7PM | TUES 1.30PM & 7PM | WEDS 7PM | FROM £12 | SCHOOLS £10 | 7+
SIX
DIVORCED ★ BEHEADED ★ LIVE!
The crowning glory of Broadway, the West End and beyond, the international smash hit musical SIX makes its royal return to Coventry following its previous sold-out run!
Winner of over 35 international awards including the Tony Award for Best Original Score and Best Costume Design double winner of the WhatsOnStage Award for Best West End Show and a Gold-Disk winning album, this sell-out Tudor take-off has ‘an incredibly strong and powerful message’ (The Australian) and is ‘pure entertainment’ (New York Times).
From Tudor Queens to Pop Princesses, the six wives of Henry VIII take to the mic to tell their tales, remixing five hundred years of historical heartbreak into an 80-minute celebration of 21st century girl power. These Queens may have green sleeves but their lipstick is rebellious red.
Think you know the rhyme, think again… Divorced. Beheaded. LIVE!
★★★★★ “The most uplifting new British musical I have ever had the privilege to watch.”
– Evening Standard
★★★★★ “Exhilarating entertainment from six killer Queens. They will, they will rock you!”
– Daily Express
★★★★★ “A royal treat.” – Daily Telegraph
★★★★★ “Smart. Sassy. I’d give this ridiculously fun musical six stars if I could.” – Sunday Express
★★★★★ “Captivating and exhilarating. Do yourself a favour and go and party with SIX. You won’t regret it!”
– Attitude
TUE 8PM | WED – FRI 6PM & 8.30PM | SAT 4PM & 8PM | FROM £28 | 10+
MON 14 – WED 26 JUL
BELGRADE THEATRE PRESENTS SEE IT FIRST
Following the success of last year’s inaugural programme, we are delighted to be bringing See It First back for 2025.
Once again we will welcome you to join us at the Belgrade which will become an artistic hub for the region. The programme will include a series of workshops, work in progress, and engaging conversations between artists and audiences.
There will also be an opportunity to see incredible new work from some of the UK’s most exciting theatre-makers before anybody else - like last year’s co-production My Mother’s Funeral which went on to win a Fringe First Award and transfer to London and New York!
Keep checking the website for more details.
See It First is for the curious, for artists in search of inspiration and audiences in search of new adventure.
THU 24 – SAT 26 JULY
NICOLL ENTERTAINMENT PRESENT A ROSE THEATRE, LOWRY, NORTHERN STAGE, UNICORN THEATRE AND MAST MAYFLOWER STUDIOS PRODUCTION
THE KOALA WHO COULD
Based on the book by Rachel Bright & Jim Field. Directed and Co-Adapted by Emma Earle. Composed & Co-Adapted by Eamonn O’Dwyer. Based on the bestselling picture book about taking a chance.
An empowering and chuckle-out-loud story about embracing change — whether we like it or not.
“In a wonderful place, at the breaking of dawn, where the breezes were soft and the sunshine was warm, a place where the creatures ran wild and played free ... A Koala called Kevin clung to a tree.”
Join Kevin, King of the staying-still-kings, and his
friends kangaroo and wombat in an Australian Outback adventure, as they learn that “life can be great when you try something new!”
Based on the award-winning book by Rachel Bright & Jim Field published by Hachette Children’s Group, this brand-new adaptation for stage is directed by Emma Earle (Oi Frog & Friends!), with music and lyrics by Eamonn O’Dwyer (The Lion Inside).
“Fabulous rhymes, I’m in love with Kevin.” – Claudia Winkleman
THU 2PM | FRI & SAT 11AM & 2PM | FROM £12 | 2+
MON 22 – SAT 27 SEP
THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW
– The Telegraph
“Fierce and fabulous fun!”
– Daily Express
“Still the sexiest & funniest show in town.”
– Evening Standard
Ready to thrill you with fun and naughty moments, Richard O’Brien’s legendary rock ‘n’ roll musical, The Rocky Horror Show comes to Coventry as part of a new world tour.
Having been seen by over 35 million theatregoers, The Rocky Horror Show is the story of two squeaky clean college kids – Brad and his fiancée Janet. When by a twist of fate, their car breaks
down outside a creepy mansion whilst on their way to visit their former college professor, they meet the charismatic Dr Frank-n-Furter. It is an adventure they’ll never forget, filled with fun, frolics, frocks, and frivolity.
Directed by Christopher Luscombe, The Rocky Horror Show is the biggest party and features timeless classics, including Sweet Transvestite, Dammit Janet, and of course, the pelvic thrusting showstopping Time Warp
MON – THU 8PM | FRI & SAT 5PM & 8.30PM | FROM £18 | 12+
TUE 28 OCT – SAT 1 NOV
FRIENDS – THE MUSICAL PARODY
Get ready for non-stop laughs with your favourite Friends. FRIENDS! The Musical Parody, the hit New York and Las Vegas sensation, is a side-splitting musical comedy packed with iconic moments from all ten seasons of the beloved television series. Featuring an entirely original musical score, the show follows the escapades of the world’s most famous group of twenty-somethings.
From the Producers of Hairspray and the Director of the Full Monty, this humorous take on the beloved TV show blends iconic moments with laugh-out-loud comedy. Join Rachel, Ross, Monica, Chandler, Joey, and Phoebe — as they navigate love, friendship, and life’s ups and downs in 1990’s New York City.
Whether you’re in a love triangle, trying to make it as an actor, or just can’t quit your day job, you’ll be laughing, crying, and quoting your favourite lines all night long!
Warning: May cause spontaneous PIVOT-ing!
TUES – THU 7.30PM | FRI 5PM & 8.30PM | SAT 2PM & 7.30PM | FROM £18 | 14+
SAT 29 MAR
ROYO, CUFFE & TAYLOR AND LIVE NATION PRESENT
TUE 4 NOV
BALLET BLACK: SHADOWS
Cassa Pancho’s Ballet Black makes its debut at the Belgrade with this incredible double bill.
Featuring the darkly comic adaptation of international bestselling novel, My Sister, The Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite.
When Korede gets a distress call from her sister Ayoola, she knows what to do: bleach, rubber gloves, nerves of steel, and a strong stomach. It’s the third boyfriend Ayoola has killed in ‘self-defence,’ and the third mess Korede has to clean up. She should probably go to the police, but family comes first.
Award-winning choreographer, Chanel DaSilva is known for using the power of the arts to inspire change. Her work delves into what it means to be human, with a focus on driving positive change. In this new piece DaSilva explores the intense practice of shadow work and how it can reveal our true selves.
7.30PM | FROM £18 | 12+
NIKITA KUZMIN: MIDNIGHT DANCER
Rising star of Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Big Brother Nikita Kuzmin brings his brand-new show Midnight Dancer to the stage in his first ever solo tour.
Nikita is joined by a sharp and chic cast of talented dancers and vocalists in a show like no other, jam-packed with the hits we all know and love in an evening bursting with happiness, euphoria and of course, world-class dance.
7.30PM | FROM £18 | LIMITED MEET & GREET TICKETS £124
BELONGINGS
By Tangled Feet and Rowan Tree
We are all trying to work out our story. Who are we? How are we shaped? Where do we fit in?
Cleo arrives into a new home, unsure of what the future holds. She meets the playful Bertie, who brings her out of her shell, and Leila, who she has more in common with than she first thought. Life has been unsettled for the trio. Together they unite to discover a place called home, the value of play and how to own their own stories. Developed through working creatively with young people in care over a period of years, this “inspiring, engaging, beautifully evocative production” (Everything Theatre) explores a fundamental need we all share - the need to belong.
11AM & 3PM | FROM £12 | 7+
WED 14 MAY MURDER SHE DIDN’T WRITE
FRI 16 MAY
GEORGE ELIOT IN WORDS AND MUSIC
Presented by Hambletts with Orchestra of the Swan
George Eliot brought to bold and dramatic life.
Don your deerstalker and grab your magnifying glass as this talented company use audience suggestions to create a hilarious improvised murder mystery. All you have to do is solve it!
★★★★★ “Hilarious... the show is a riot.”
(Scottish Daily Mail)
7.30PM | FROM £18 | 12+
This female-led show tells George Eliot’s story through her great novels, letters, journals, poetry, and journalism. Performed by acclaimed singer-songwriter SuRie and Orchestra of the Swan, alongside a guest leading actress, to be announced.
Cleo arrives into a new home, unsure of what the future holds. She meets the playful Bertie, who brings her out of her shell, and Leila, who she has more in common with than she first thought. Life has been unsettled for the trio. Together they unite to discover a place called home.
Developed with young people in care, this inspiring show explores our need to belong.
7.30PM | FROM £18
We’ve always been masters of manufacturing in Coventry and that legacy lives on at Belgrade Theatre Scenery.
Our workshop team designs, creates and builds original scenery and constructions for touring shows, for film and TV, and for events and exhibitions across the UK. Get in touch and let’s discuss your plans. cwinfield@belgrade.co.uk
Making a scene – in a good way
Photo credit: Nicola Young, from the Belgrade Theatre production Swim, Aunty Swim! with set design by Claire Winfield of Belgrade Theatre Scenery
FRI 28 MAR
LIZA PULMAN & JOE STILGOE – A COUPLE OF SWELLS
A Couple of Swells is the inspired pairing of two unique entertainers - Liza Pulman, songstress, comedienne and one-third of the iconic Fascinating Aida, and virtuoso pianist, songwriter and singer Joe Stilgoe
Together they combine humour and musicianship at the very highest level, making old songs sound new and new songs feel like you’ve known them all your life.
SEVEN DRUNKEN NIGHTS - THE STORY OF THE DUBLINERS
Direct from the West End and riding high on the success of world tours, Seven Drunken Nights - The Story of the Dubliners brings the ultimate feel-good Irish show back to the Belgrade.
Steeped in song, story and revelry, this spectacular tale celebrates The Dubliners, Ireland’s favourite musical sons in authentic style.
7.30PM | FROM £18
TUE 15 APR
THE SENSATIONAL 60S EXPERIENCE
Featuring five original artists from the swinging sixties.
Whether reliving your childhood memories or simply seeing what your parents have been raving about for all these years, this is the show to see, full of timeless classics including: The Legend Of Xanadu, Mighty Quinn, Everlasting Love, Storm In A Teacup, Hitchin A Ride, plus many more.
7.30PM | FROM £18
THU 17 APR
ACROSS THE UNIVERSE – THE BEATLES ’66 – ‘70
The music recorded by the Beatles from 1966-1970 represents some of the most ground-breaking in popular music history. Many of these recordings were never intended to be recreated live.
Now in homage to this sensationally creative period in The Beatles’ career, Across the Universe brings these recordings to life with stunning detail and accuracy with a live orchestra.
7.30PM | FROM £18
Set your alarm – earlybird tickets for the legendary 2025 Belgrade Panto must end on 28 Feb!
“Coventry should be incredibly proud of its it’spantomime, truly special.” – Coventry Live
WED 19 NOV – SAT 3 JAN
BELGRADE THEATRE IN ASSOCIATION WITH IMAGINE THEATRE PRESENTS
SLEEPING BEAUTY
By Iain Lauchlan
This year’s show is the dreamy tale of Sleeping Beauty – one of our most popular titles ever.
When Princess Aurora pricks her finger on an enchanted spinning wheel she’s cursed to fall asleep for 100 years, unless she’s kissed by her one true love. Enter the dashing Prince (and his two rather calamitous sidekicks) who embark on a brave adventure to save the Princess from her terrible fate. But with the wicked Fairy Carabosse determined to ruin their plans, will our trusty trio be triumphant or is the Princess doomed to a century of snoozing? You’ll have to come along to find out!
Sleeping Beauty will be full to the brim with all of the wonderful elements that make a trip to the Belgrade such a well-loved Christmas tradition for thousands of families every year.
Snap up your seats today and join us for fairytale sets, outlandish costumes, a breathtaking dragon, a hilarious Dame and enough rip-roaring laughter to wake up even the heaviest of sleepers!
Earlybird tickets for Sleeping Beauty are on sale until 28 Feb. Make sure you book early to get the best seats at the best price, including our most affordable £18 tickets across all performances, including Christmas Eve. These tickets will get snapped up quickly though - do not be caught napping!
Sleeping Beauty at the Belgrade Theatre, where Coventry celebrates Christmas.
A great night starts long before the curtain goes up. We’ve made every step of your visit as smooth and as memorable as possible. Here’s how…
GET HERE EASILY
We’re right in the centre of Coventry, within walking distance of the bus depot (10 mins) and train station (15 mins). Our address is Belgrade Theatre, Belgrade Square, Coventry, CV1 1GS.
SHOWS FOR EVERYONE
We’re working hard to make sure a visit to the Belgrade is easy and enjoyable for everyone.
We have regular access performances for audiences with specific needs, which you can find on our website’s What’s On page. Get in touch on 024 7655 3055 or pop in to see our lovely Box Office team about your specific access needs.
A Warm Welcome To All
Scan here to start planning your visit
Credit: Joe Bailey
“Love this place! Friendly staff, great atmosphere – never had a bad experience at the Belgrade!” –Audience Feedback
THE PLACE TO BE
