The Belgrade was the first municipal theatre built in England. Designed by the City Architects, it was opened in March 1958. It was named in recognition of a gift of timber from Yugoslavia, its emblem of the dove expressing the artistic understanding between people and countries.
During the summer of 1961, I had successfully auditioned for Derby Playhouse and Hornchurch Theatre but the Belgrade Theatre in Coventry – the first civic theatre built in UK since the Second World War – offered me the highest salary of £9 (about $15) per week “to play as cast”. Anthony Richardson the artistic director (not Tony Richardson, his contemporary ) must have been impressed by the 21 undergraduate productions I had done at Cambridge. This was the perfect job for a beginner who hadn’t been to drama school, joining a company of actors who would work on a different play every two weeks through the year.
There were a number of actors’ flats adjacent to the theatre in Corporation Street – £3 a week, electricity for heating and cooking was extra. My meagre funds were eked out with the help of the assistants of the Co-operative foodstore opposite – they undercharged us actors.
| Year | Place | Title/Writer | Director/Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 |
Belgrade Theatre Coventry |
A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS
Robert Bolt |
DIRECTOR: David Forder ROLE: William Roper |
| 1961 |
Belgrade Theatre Coventry |
WHEN WE ARE MARRIED
J B Priestley |
DIRECTOR: Brian Bell ROLE: Fred Dyson |
| 1961 |
Belgrade Theatre Coventry |
YOU NEVER CAN TELL
Bernard Shaw |
DIRECTOR: David Forder ROLE: Philip Clandon |
| 1961 |
Belgrade Theatre Coventry |
BLACK COFFEE
Agatha Christie |
DIRECTOR: Brian Bell ROLE: Tredwell (the butler) |
| 1961 |
Coventry Theatre | Midnight Matinee |
|
| 1961 |
Belgrade Theatre Coventry |
CELEBRATION
Keith Waterhouse & Willis Hall |
DIRECTOR: Anthony Richardson ROLE: Stan Dyson |
| 1961 |
Belgrade Theatre Coventry |
END OF CONFLICT
Barry England |
DIRECTOR: Anthony Richardson ROLE: Simon Mason |
| 1961 |
Belgrade Theatre Coventry |
MR. PICKWICK
Stanley Young (adapted from Charles Dickens novel) |
DIRECTOR: Brian Bell ROLE: Mr. Snodgrass |
| 1961 |
Belgrade Theatre Coventry |
TOAD OF TOAD HALL
A A Milne (from Kenneth Graham's novel) |
DIRECTOR: Brian Bell ROLE: Chief Weasel |
| 1962 |
Belgrade Theatre Coventry |
THE SEAGULL (1962)
Anton Chekov |
DIRECTOR: Anthony Richardson ROLE: Konstantin |
| 1962 |
Belgrade Theatre Coventry |
THE BRIDE COMES BACK
Ronald Millar |
ROLE: Joe Tilney |
| 1962 |
Belgrade Theatre Coventry |
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING (1962)
William Shakespeare |
DIRECTOR: Graham Crowden ROLE: Count Claudio |
| 1962 |
Belgrade Theatre Coventry |
HAPPY RETURNS
|
ROLE: various (singing & dancing) |
| 1962 |
Belgrade Theatre Coventry |
TEN LITTLE N****RS
Agatha Christie |
DIRECTOR: Geoffrey Edwards ROLE: Anthony Marston |
| 1962 |
Belgrade Theatre Coventry |
THE IRREGULAR VERB TO LOVE
Hugh & Margaret Williams |
DIRECTOR: Geoffrey Edwards ROLE: Andrew Rankin |
| 1962 |
Belgrade Theatre Coventry |
NOAH
Andre Obey |
DIRECTOR: Anthony Richardson ROLE: Shem |
| 1962 |
Belgrade Theatre Coventry |
SEMI-DETACHED
David Turner |
DIRECTOR: Anthony Richardson ROLE: Tom Midway |