Free swap – radio for theatre

Presenters bag parts in Belgrade panto.

After announcing their love of panto on the Free Radio Breakfast Show, presenters John Dalziel aka JD and Roisin McCourt have been invited to join the cast of the Belgrade’s panto Jack and the Beanstalk, for a special one-off performance.

The invitation came directly from writer and director Iain Lauchlan, who is also playing Dame Trott in Jack and the Beanstalk. He called the JD Breakfast Show to personally ask them if they’d like to be involved in one of the most famous scenes in panto; the main he’s behind you scene, which in Jack and the Beanstalk takes place in the Giant’s castle.

JD said, “As a Coventry kid I’ve always wanted to be in the Belgrade panto but never had the guts to audition. I was always in my school productions at Ernesford Grange and never thought I’d have this opportunity to work on Coventry’s biggest stage. I’m so excited!”

Roisin added, “As the one with the drama qualification, this doesn’t faze me as much as it does JD, but to be back treading the Belgrade boards reminds me of my time in the panto when I was six. I can’t wait to get started at rehearsals!

JD and Roisin will be making their one-off stage debut with Dame Trott and the rest of the cast during the 7pm performance of Jack and the Beanstalk on Thursday 12th December.

Jack and the Beanstalk is running at the Belgrade Theatre until 5th January 2014. Tickets are available now from the Belgrade’s Box Office on 024 7655 3055 priced from £13.50 to £22.25, with child and concession tickets from £10.50. Family tickets are priced from £36 to £62 and cheaper tickets can be purchased online via www.belgrade.co.uk.