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Announcing Junior Chorus auditions for Jack and the Beanstalk

Coventry kids aged 9-16 are invited to open auditions for this year's panto, Jack and the Beanstalk, on Sun 4 Sept

For the first time since 2019, we’re delighted to be commencing our search for the Junior Chorus of this year’s LIVE pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk.

On Sunday 4 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 Sun 4 Sept. 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 31 October. During the week beginning 14 November, there will be some daytime rehearsals. Jack and the Beanstalk runs from Weds 23 Nov – Sat 7 Jan. There are a total at 55 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.

Full details about auditions can be found in our information pack.

“It’s that time of year again when my mind is turning to the question of who’ll be in this year’s Christmas panto. Every year, I’m hugely impressed by the talented young people I get to see at the auditions, and I’m sure this year will be no exception. We’re looking for children from all of Coventry’s diverse communities, with all different levels of experience, so if you’re thinking of auditioning please do come along. It’s always a pleasure getting to meet so many brilliant youngsters, so put the date in your diaries, and I hope to see you there on 4th September!”