Half-term fun and a modern twist on an old classic.
Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre is beating the winter blues with a fresh adaptation of classic comedy The Alchemist, which updates the corruption and crookery of this timeless tale from 17th century London to modern day Coventry.
Running in the Belgrade’s B2 auditorium from Saturday 1st to Saturday 22nd February, The Alchemist tells the story of a trio of undesirable criminals and con artists who prey on the weaknesses of local citizens by offering a range of alternative services, from the secret of eternal youth, to that recipe of recipes which will turn a tin can into bankable gold.
Masters of the ludicrous disguise, the team of shameless scammers find their multiple deceptions spiralling out of control, until they receive some alarming news.
This new adaptation will be directed by Paul Burbridge from Riding Lights Theatre Company, who is co-producing the show. Paul said, “In contrast to many other plays from the Shakespearian age, there’s a specific urban reality to The Alchemist which takes a little adjusting to make it feel modern. The ‘now’ factor of the play is intensified by a sense of the local Neighbourhood Watch – with everyone enjoying the jokes and the references to pubs, streets and businesses which they might have been in only yesterday. So the production and the text will combine a sense of place in Coventry with characters and events which have hit our current national headlines.”
The cast of The Alchemist includes Barrett Robertson, who local audiences may recognise from The Belgrade Theatre Unplugged, which saw a group of professional actors perform rehearsed readings of Belgrade shows, including The Alchemist, at unique venues around Coventry and Warwickshire last summer. Originally from Birmingham, he has also appeared at the Belgrade in poetry in performance show Being Human.
Tickets are available now from the Belgrade’s Box Office priced from £8.75 to £20.75 or via www.belgrade.co.uk where cheaper tickets are available
This half term the Begrade also welcomes the return of Horrible Histories and their new show Barmy Britain which will provide family fun during the school holidays from Tuesday 18th to Saturday 22nd February.
Featuring professional actors and amazing Bogglevision 3D special effects, audience members will go on a historical adventure to see some of Britain’s barmiest figures brought to life on the Main Stage, including the battling Boudicca, Guy Fawkes and Dick Turpin. You can also find out what it would be like if a Viking moved in next door, how to do battle in the First World War, the perils of losing your heart or head to horrible Henry VIII and find out whether evil Queen Elizabeth can entertain England.
Barmy Britain is adapted by Terry Deary and Neal Foster from Deary’s bestselling Horrible Histories books. Terry Deary is the world’s bestselling non-fiction author for children and one of the most popular children’s authors in the country. He has written 200 books which have been translated into 40 different languages. His 50 Horrible Histories titles have sold over 25 million copies worldwide from China to Brazil.
Barmy Britain has been produced by Birmingham Stage Company, the country’s premiere company producing theatre for children. They are well known for their great stage versions of children’s classics such as The Jungle Book and many Roald Dahl adaptations including George’s Marvellous Medicine and James and the Giant Peach, which have all visited the Belgrade in recent years.
The company will return to the Belgrade with Tom’s Midnight Garden, which will run on the Main Stage from Tuesday 15th to Saturday 19th April.
Tickets for both shows are available now from the Box Office on 024 7655 3055 priced from £14.25 to £18.75 with child tickets available from £9.50 and family tickets from £36. Cheaper tickets can be purchased online at www.belgrade.co.uk.
