Belgrade buzzing for anniversary

To mark the occasion the theatre will be hosting a series of special events and exhibitions culminating in a celebratory Gala Evening on Friday September 21.

At the event, artistic director Hamish Glen and associate director of the Belgrade Community and Education Company, Justine Themen take to the main stage to discuss the journey the theatre has been on and what the future holds.

The evening also includes tickets to see either 20th Century Boy on the Main Stage or Fragile in B2, followed by a post-show reception and party.

Hamish said, “The last five years have been fantastic and I’m really looking forward to celebrating all that we’ve achieved with the people of Coventry.

“The redevelopment has been received really well by the public, particularly the new B2 auditorium, which has seen packed out audiences for shows such as Scenes from a Marriage, One Night in November and We Love You City. Our aspiration for the next five years remains the same - to continue to provide a varied and life enhancing programme of artistic work, alongside our valuable work in the local community, which is carried out by the Community and Education Company.”

Free events are taking place, including an exhibition of production photographs on the theatre’s Burbidge Gallery and screenings of work created by the Community and Education Company.

Tomorrow (Saturday), visitors can see what goes on behind the scenes of the Belgrade by attending one of the free backstage tours.

These will take place between 10am and 12pm and must be booked in advance through the box office.

The theatre is inviting children who were born in 2007 to be nominated by their parents and entered into a draw to win one of five Golden Tickets to the Belgrade Theatre.

Each ticket will allow the winner to come to the Belgrade five times every year, for the next five years accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Entry forms can be collected from the box office between now and Thursday.

Theatre is holding open auditions on tomrrow (Saturday) to find 24 talented children to appear in this year’s pantomime, Sleeping Beauty, which runs from November.

The auditions will take place from 10am and are for children aged between eight and 16 years old.

Auditions will start promptly at 10am and parents are asked to drop their children at the Stage Door opposite the Town Wall Tavern no later than 9.45am where they will be met by licensed chaperones.

Children must be prepared to remain all day and should wear comfortable clothing as they will be required to dance at the audition.

They are also advised to bring a soft drink with them.