Jazzy beats with a sinister backdrop in new WW2 play at Coventry’s Belgrade

Miranda Wilford and fellow cast members in Propaganda Swing. Picture by Nicola Young.

Propaganda Swing, directed by the Belgrade’s artistic director Hamish Glen and written for the theatre and the Nottingham Playhouse by Peter Arnott, takes the stage from September 13 to 27.

The play throws a spotlight on the true story of ‘Charly and his Orchestra’. The Nazis hated jazz, but Propaganda Ministry official, Karl “Charly” Schwedler, understood its true power and made it his mission to enable the Nazis to use jazz as a weapon of war.

Speaking to the Courier this week, Hamish Glen, who commissioned Peter Arnott to write the play, said: “The story is so intriguing, and woven through it is some great live jazz. That recipe was what made is so perfect for the stage.

“I had no idea that this had happened, but the people in the band are all real people. some of whom you can see performing on YouTube.

“It’s a unique story out of all the war stories out there and it’s done with great wit, charm and humour - it’s not dark or depressing at all.”

Tickets cost between £9 and £21.25. Call 024 7655 3055 or visit www.belgrade.co.uk