One Night in November, Coventry Belgrade Theatre’s play about a family’s harrowing experience of the Blitz, is being staged in the city for the fourth time.
Hamish Glen, the Belgrade’s artistic director who directs the play, said, “One Night in November has really struck a chord with audiences and I’m delighted that we’re able to revive the show again.
“I’m especially pleased to be adapting the play for the main stage as this allows us to do things on a much bigger scale.
“With the help of even bigger and better special effects and pyrotechnics, we’re hoping to capture the sense of what it feels like to be at the mercy of such a dreadful aerial bomb attack.”
One Night in November tells the story of Katie, a headstrong 18-year-old trainee teacher who meets Michael, an Oxford tutor of romantic literature and language, while waiting for the “all clear” at a railway station.
It’s the beginning of what could be a straightforward love story. But nothing is straightforward in wartime.
Unknown to Katie, Michael has been forced to turn his language skills to deciphering codes at Bletchley Park.
Alan Pollock’s drama was first staged in the Belgrade’s B2 auditorium in 2008.
The latest production has a new cast including Charlotte Ritchie, from Channel 4’s BAFTA-nominated comedy Fresh Meat, as Katie.
The cast also includes Sanchia McCormack, Jason Langley, James Hornsby, Helen Coles, Barry Aird, Ian Barritt, Verity Kirk and Charlie Roe.
Set design is by Patrick Connellan, with lighting design by Arnim Freiss and soundscape design by John Scott. Video consultant is Will Duke and the video programmer is Sam Hunt.
One Night in November which has already started at the Belgrade runs until Saturday 19 October. Press night is Tuesday 1 October.