“Wow, what an evening!” – Audiences in the Coventry have taken to social media to share their excitement about seeing the final performances of Wise Children. Take a look at what they had to say, then book your tickets before the show closes at the Belgrade Theatre this weekend!
The production, the inaugural show by Rice’s company of the same name, ends its UK tour at the Coventry venue, but as an extra treat for audiences at these last performances, Rice, who also directs the production, will play the role of Nora Chance. The role had previously been played by the show’s choreographer, Etta Murfitt.
Wise Children is based on Angela Carter’s novel of the same name. It is a big, bawdy tangle of theatrical joy and heartbreak that celebrates show business, family, forgiveness and hope. The entertaining theatrical tale is packed with show girls and Shakespeare, sex and scandal, music, mischief and mistaken identity.
It is Shakespeare’s birthday. In Brixton, Nora and Dora Chance – twin chorus girls born and bred south of the river – are celebrating their 75th birthday. Over the river in Chelsea, their father and greatest actor of his generation Melchior Hazard turns 100 on the same day. As does his twin brother Peregrine. If, in fact, he’s still alive. And if, in truth, Melchior is their real father after all…
Joining Rice in the cast are Gareth Snook as Nora’s twin, Dora, Paul Hunter and Mike Shepherd (Melchior and Peregrine Hazard), Ankur Bahl and Sam Archer (Young Melchior and Peregrine), Omari Douglas (Showgirl Nora), Mirabelle Gremaud and Melissa James (both Showgirl Dora), Bettrys Jones (Young Dora), Katy Owen (Grandma Chance), Patrycja Kujawska, Stu Barker, Alex Heane and Ian Ross.
Wise Children runs at the Belgrade Theatre as part of a spring season that also includes The Mousetrap, wrestling comedy Glory and touring musical Club Tropicana.
What’s being said on Twitter?
Loved @Wise_Children @BelgradeTheatre #WiseChildren a rich celebration of theatre and ideas of family .. great Q&A too with @BelgradeClaire pic.twitter.com/yx8cpPeejw
— Lara Ratnaraja (@lararatnaraja) April 3, 2019
#WiseChildren is a kaleidoscope of storytelling bursting with song, dance & colourful characters taking the audience on a theatrical journey of carnivalesque magic. In other words #NOT2BMISSED Currently playing @BelgradeTheatre TKTS: https://t.co/ByHifGgzou pic.twitter.com/sGrMzKV0zg
— Hardish Virk (@HardishVirk) April 3, 2019
Wow, what an evening!
Our @KHVIIISchool A Level 🎭 group had a brilliant time watching the wildly creative #WiseChildren @BelgradeTheatre #Inspired by the remarkable Emma Rice and her new @Wise_Children company discussing their debut tour and creative process! @Coventry2021 pic.twitter.com/sU2Pp54Dfa
— KHVIIIDrama (@KhviiiDrama) April 3, 2019
Back home from the VIP night of #WiseChildren and I’ve now got Electric Avenue stuck in my head #earworm #PaperCrownsAndButterflies #greattheatre pic.twitter.com/ji77H9t9y6
— Lian Wilkinson (@LianWilkinson) April 3, 2019
Soaked up the showbiz with mi madre at #WiseChildren tonight. Incredible play, amazing to see Emma Rice perform with a hilarious cast, wicked that I saw it in Cov @BelgradeTheatre! Coventrians, please go see. pic.twitter.com/G8aVx5xh2z
— Sinéad Brady (@SineadRoseBrady) April 2, 2019
Privilege to see such amazing theatre @BelgradeTheatre tonight! Great performances from all involved and a story worth watching unfold twenty times over! #WiseChildren
— Rae Seymour (@Rae_Seymour) April 2, 2019
