Belgrade Announces Date for Junior Panto Auditions
Iain Lauchlan
The Belgrade Theatre has announced the audition date for the local Junior Chorus in this year’s Pantomime, Cinderella, written and directed by the Belgrade’s very own Dame, Iain Lauchlan.
The panto itself runs from 22 November 2023 to 13 January 2024, and tickets are now on sale.
After last year’s smashing success of Jack and the Beanstalk, the Belgrade Theatre in Coventry has announced that they are commencing their search for the Junior Chorus of this year’s pantomime, Cinderella.
Join Cinderella on her quest to win the heart of the dashing Prince Charming, with a little help from her best friend Buttons and the enchanting Fairy Godmother. But with her evil Ugly Sisters determined to ruin her chances and the clock about to strike midnight, will Cinders manage to win the Prince’s love before the spell runs out?
Once again written and directed by Iain Lauchlan, this year’s panto will feature the spectacular sets, lavish costumes and sing-along-songs that make a trip to the Belgrade a truly unmissable Christmas treat for thousands of families every year. What’s more, with not one but two dastardly dames in the shape of the Ugly Sisters, this year’s show is set to be double the fun (and mayhem)!
On Sunday 3 September, kids aged 9-16 from across Coventry and Warwickshire are invited to audition to be part of the legendary Belgrade panto. A total of 32 children will be selected to be part of the show, with the region’s most talented young performers making up three teams of eight, plus one full team of reserves.
Parents of young hopefuls are asked to bring their children to the Belgrade Theatre foyer for registration at 9.30am on Sunday 3 September. From 10am, children will be taught a dance routine by the show’s choreographer, which they’ll then be asked to perform in front of writer, director and Dame, Iain Lauchlan.
Initial auditions will take place in the morning, with successful candidates recalled for a second round during the afternoon. No prior experience of performing is necessary, but auditionees will need lots of energy and enthusiasm.
Auditionees also need to wear comfortable clothing and shoes that are easy to move and dance in, so be sure to leave the crowns and princess frocks at home. At least one parent or guardian must wait on site with each child throughout the audition process. Unaccompanied children will not be eligible to audition. At the end of the afternoon, the children chosen to perform will be asked to stay behind to be allocated to a team and to have initial wardrobe measurements taken, ahead of costume fittings.
All successful candidates will be committed to up to six rehearsals per week, taking place on weekends and weekday evenings from Monday 30 October. During the week beginning 13 November, there will be some daytime rehearsals. Cinderella runs from Wednesday 22 November – Saturday 13 January. There is a total of 64 performances in the run.
Pre-registration is not essential, but parents are encouraged to fill in a registration form in advance and bring it along with them to auditions. Download the registration form here.
Tickets and further information: https://www.belgrade.co.uk/events/cinderella/
