Next month, Coventry will come alive to The Sound of Music as Bill Kenwright’s lavish new production of the show heads for the Belgrade Theatre next month.

Ahead of its arrival on Tuesday, February 6, here are five great reasons to catch the iconic musical in its current incarnation.

It’s one of the most popular stories of all time

Following its initial release in March 1965, the film adaptation became an instant smash-hit. By November 1966, The Sound of Music had become the third highest grossing film in history, surpassing Gone with the Wind and holding its record for five years.

It broke box office records in 29 different countries, selling 283 million tickets worldwide and earning a total of $286,000,000. Adjusted for inflation, it remains the fifth highest grossing film of all time today.

It features the last ever Rodgers & Hammerstein score

The score to The Sound of Music might be one of the most iconic in stage and screen history, but it was fated to be the last collaboration between legendary song-writing duo Rodgers & Hammerstein.

Sadly, Oscar Hammerstein II never got to witness the success of the film version, dying from cancer just nine months after the shows Broadway premiere in 1959.

Librettist Oscar Hammerstein II never got to witness the phenomenon that was the film adaptation, dying just nine months after the show’s original Broadway premiere in 1959.

During his illustrious career, he won a total of eight Tony Awards and two Academy Awards for Best Original Song, and co-wrote 850 different songs, collaborating with numerous composers such as Jerome Kern (with whom he co-wrote Show Boat), Vincent Youmans, Rudolf Friml, Richard A. Whiting and Sigmund Romberg as well as his best-known writing partner, Richard Rodgers.

It marks the centenary of the Russian Revolution

In the year marking the centenary of the Russian Revolution, Faithful Ruslan is set during the aftermath of the death of Josef Stalin and the closure of the Gulag prison camps.

Told through the eyes of an innocent and loyal guard dog, the play looks at the real historical events that took place in Russia following the Revolution, from the unique perspective of an animal.

We follow the journey of this highly-trained dog, who is determined to serve his duty as the world around him descends in chaos and ultimately ends in a terrible tragedy.

Having been described as a ’modern Animal Farm’, the production serves as a powerful allegory for the disorientation of post-revolution Russia.

You will be amazed by the physicality

You might wonder how you stage a production from the point of view of a dog? Unlike the National Theatre’s production of War Horse which used puppets to bring the horses to life on stage, Faithful Ruslan has an ensemble cast of 13 actors who will make the physical transformation from dogs, to guards, to prisoners, and at one point even chickens!

Movement Director and physical theatre pioneer Marcello Magni, has worked with the actors to perfect their depiction of these characters but also to become objects, buildings and doors, making it an exciting, visual feast for the audience.

Marcello is renowned in the theatrical world for his innovative productions and Faithful Ruslan is no exception!

It will make you laugh and cry

Whether or not you are an animal lover, this production is one that will play to your emotions. It is impossible not to sympathise with the character of Ruslan, who is played with remarkable attention to detail by young actor Max Keeble who gives an outstanding performance in his first professional stage debut.

As we follow Ruslan’s journey, we also encounter some delightful characters such as fellow dog ‘Treasure’ who approaches life with a boundless optimism in complete contrast to Ruslan.

But there are also powerful and dramatic scenes depicting the atrocities of the Russian Gulag Camps and towards the end as Ruslan’s tragic fate becomes clear. Prepare for a rollercoaster of emotion.

It’s directed by Helena Kaut-Howson

This will be Helena’s third production for the Belgrade Theatre following her versions of two Russian dramas, Sons Without Fathers in 2015 and Uncle Vanya in 2011.

The Polish-born director has won many awards for her ambitious and adventurous artistic vision, which has resulted in incredible theatrical experiences.

She has previously directed over 100 theatre productions and operas in the UK and abroad and has developed a reputation as a master director of European drama.

Celebrate B2’s 10th Anniversary

This September, the Belgrade Theatre is celebrating 10 years of B2 - its second auditorium which was added onto the original 1958 building in 2007.

This flexible and intimate theatre space allows audiences to get up close to the action on stage, seating between 200-300 people, depending on the configuration of the seating.

Over the last 10 years, the auditorium has seen many incredible productions take to the stage and Faithful Ruslan is an opportunity for audiences to experience B2 at its best.

Faithful Ruslan – The Story of a Dog runs on the Main Stage until Sat 16 Sept. Tickets are priced at £13 & £15.50 and are available from the Belgrade Box Office on 024 7655 3055 or via the Belgrade Theatre website here.