This event is presented as part of Norwich Film Festival’s 2024 edition, which will see hundreds of short films, features, talks, workshops and more taking place in venues around Norwich from 11th-24th November.

NFF2024: Nosferatu + Live Score by Minima

Norwich Theatre Royal

For a decade now, the Scummy Mummies have been touring their hit comedy show to sold-out audiences around the country. Now they’re bringing all their most-loved songs, sketches, and stand-up together for a night that will make you laugh till you wee. Guaranteed to make you feel normal about your parenting skills, or very smug about being child-free.

The Scummy Mummies: Greatest Hits

There is nothing more than to love and be loved. How far would you go for love?

Birdsong

New Works Showcase Chosen presented by Rewrites

Three icons of music. Six decades of hits. One amazing concert.
Celebrate the soundtrack of your life with this brand-new show featuring the music of three of the most acclaimed and beloved divas of modern times – Diana Ross, Whitney Houston, and Beyonce Knowles.

Legends - The Divas

Since emerging in 2016, Hannah Sanders & Ben Savage have been defying all conventions of style, genre and compartmentalisation. A touch of ‘Americana’, yet quintessentially English. Traditional, yet contemporary, with their individual writing style. Playful and instinctive, they constantly do the unexpected; yet they do it with such panache and natural chemistry it makes perfect sense.

Hannah Sanders & Ben Savage

Following an international tour in China, Temper Theatre are bringing their highly acclaimed production HOME to Norwich for the first time.

Home

Join Steps superstar, Claire Richards, for the ultimate disco party,  EVERYBODY DANCE!

Everybody Dance with Claire Richards

Next year, Sh!t-faced Shakespeare® are pouring their legendary cock-eyed chaos into the Bard-shaped vessel that is A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Think drunken donkeys, fandangled fairies and mullered mechanicals… it’s hard to imagine anything more magical, right?

Sh!t-faced Shakespeare ® A Midsummer Night's Dream

“In 1974 my father invested £750 (£9,800 in today’s money) in a Royal Worcester porcelain figure of The Duke of Wellington on horseback – made to celebrate his victory over Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo. He kept the figure we affectionately called The Duke, wrapped in sponge, in a big box, under his bed.

The Duke

Carlos Acosta’s brand-new production Nutcracker in Havana explodes onto its debut UK tour, featuring new choreography by Carlos Acosta CBE performed by more than 20 dancers from his Cuban company, Acosta Danza.

Carlos Acosta's Nutcracker in Havana

Play in a Day is a fun, friendly exploration of theatre making, encouraging creativity, imagination and confidence through performance. Participants will warm up with games and exercises, before delving into the piece, through acting, directing, movement and physical theatre; each participant will be encouraged to input into the outcome, and together the group will produce a short, original piece of theatre, to share with their families.

Play in a Day (11-15)

The Windrush Secret, set in 2018, is about a young white far-right racist party leader, a black Caribbean diplomat and a white Oxford educated Home Office government official who are giving speeches on the same day, at different times, in separate locations about a million people who migrated from the Caribbean to Britain between 1948 and 1973 (The Windrush Generation), and the British political scandal which began in 2018.

The Windrush Secret

Play in a Day (7-10)

A chance to Meet & Greet with Will Young, take a photo on your device, and get a free tour programme.  Please note that this event will take place in the auditorium at 5:45 pm.  This ticket does not give entry to the show.

Will Young - Pre-show Meet & Greet

To celebrate the new album, Will is embarking on his most intimate tour yet – taking shape as an up close and personal evening of acoustic performances, stories and conversation. The 50-date UK tour will kick off in September through to November. About the tour, Young says: “I’m very excited to be going to a lot of places I haven’t been. I wanted to go to smaller venues so I could properly get around the country rather than just playing the big cities.”

Will Young: Light it Up

Stories that Move is a creative family workshop celebrating Black History Month, exploring the incredible and brave journeys made by the passengers on board the Empire Windrush in 1948. For families with children age 5 – 10.

Stories that Move: A Family Dance Workshop

This Autumn sees acid house culture celebrated in the theatre in a totally unique, ground-breaking show hosted by Kirk Field, author of the award-winning, best-selling book ‘RAVE NEW WORLD: confessions of a raving reporter’. Plus special guest appearance from Danny Rampling, who helped shape the scene.

Kirk Field - Acid House Cabaret: Rave New World

Santi and Naz are bestest-best friends living in a village in pre-partition India. One Sikh, one Muslim; they have little understanding of how religion will divide them.

Santi & Naz

Writer, theatre-maker and storyteller John Osborne has created a show in celebration of Norwich.

Norwich - A Love Story

A brand-new festival celebrating stories comes to Norwich, 24-27 October. Norwich Book Festival is designed for readers, with a programme of events for everybody to enjoy. Taking place in England’s first UNESCO City of Literature, Norwich Book Festival includes events from across genres, including crime, popular-science and politics, as well as two days of free activities at The Forum in Norwich.

Mother State - Helen Charman

The Laws of Connection - David Robson

The Boy Lost in the Maize - Joseph Coelho

Dress for Kathleen - Heather Richardson

Join comedian, crash mat and winner of Drag Race UK Ginger Johnson as she swaps her stilettos for safety goggles and takes a death-defying leap from the runway to the real world.

Ginger Johnson

In 1989 he formed Suede releasing the Mercury winning debut “Suede”. The era-defining “Dog Man Star” was followed by his collaboration with David McAlmont on the anthem ”Yes”. Two solo albums on Creation yielded a Brit nomination before  producing seminal releases by The Libertines, Tricky, Black Kids, Kate Nash, James Morrison, Texas, Mark Eitzel, Paloma Faith and Duffy – spawning her Grammy and Brit Award winning debut Rockferry.

Bernard Butler

This free work-in-progress sharing will showcase an early version of a new adaptation of The Go-Between, one of the great novels of Norfolk and a timeless exploration of memory.

Work-in-Progress: The Go Between

This is the untold but true tale of how nearly 50,000 Jewish Bulgarians were saved from deportation and death.

The Brief Life and Mysterious Death of Boris III King of Bulgaria

Taverham Band, based near Norwich, is proud to be celebrating its 50th Anniversary in 2024.  Formed in November 1974 by a small team of villagers, the Band now consists of some 36 volunteer members performing a wide range of concerts and charitable events across Norfolk and beyond.

Taverham Band 50th Anniversary Concert

With her passion for compassion and flair for giving care, the “bust a gut funny” (Graham Norton) Myra DuBois calls out to the disadvantaged, downtrodden and tyrannised of the world with her manifesto for mental health: AdMyrism! But are you ready to receive the call?

Myra DuBois: Be Well

Winner of four Olivier Awards including Best New Musical in London and the Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical on Broadway, this smash hit show shares the incredible real-life story of the 7,000 air passengers from all over the world who were grounded in Canada during the wake of 9/11, and the small Newfoundland community that invited these ‘come from aways’ into their lives with open hearts.

Come From Away

With All My Love will see Jane travel to more than 20 theatres and arenas across the UK, including Norwich Theatre Royal, performing the songs you love as well as new material penned by Jane herself.

Jane McDonald

A story about the son of the god of the sun, HELIOS transplants the Ancient Greek tale into a  modern-day myth wound round the winding roads of rural England – and into the everyday living of a towering city. It’s a story about life, the invisible monuments we build to it, and the little things that leave big marks.

Helios

When the citizens of Bikini Bottom discover that a volcano will soon erupt and destroy their humble home, SpongeBob and his friends must come together to save the fate of their undersea.

The SpongeBob Musical

For the first time ever, all of Dolly Parton’s biggest hits can be experienced together in a rollicking and joyous new musical comedy.

Here You Come Again

After the tremendous success of last year’s visit from the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine, we’re delighted to start our season with the Lviv National Philharmonic Orchestra of Ukraine, led by the leading Ukrainian conductor, Theodore Kuchar.

Lviv National Philharmonic Orchestra of Ukraine

In celebration of Black History Month, enjoy this modern retelling of the Léo Delibes’ 1870 ballet, Coppelia with your family.

Free Sunday Screening: Coppelia (2022)

Inspired by the life of Nina Simone, and featuring many of her most iconic songs performed live.

Black Is The Color Of My Voice

Celebrating 40 years of iconic and chart-topping compilation albums, this brand-new musical comedy has an unbeatable 80s soundtrack and show-stopping direction and choreography by Strictly Come Dancing’s Craig Revel Horwood. This is an event you won’t want to miss.

NOW That's What I Call A Musical

Why do some novels inspire people to commit murder?  Which fictional characters and plots arouse lethal violence in the real world?  How does crime fiction become crime fact?

Killer Books

Sir John Falstaff, everyone’s favourite Shakespearean sleazeball, has fallen on hard times. In order to fix his finances he plans to seduce the wives of two wealthy merchants. But, wise to his wily ways, the ladies take the opportunity to punish Falstaff by playing a series of hilarious tricks on the nincompoop knight.

The Pantaloons Present: The Merry Wives of Windsor

Amy Gledhill – Edinburgh Comedy Award 2024 Best Show winner, triple Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee, National Comedy Award nominee and 1/3 of cult double act The Delightful Sausage – returns with a brand new show about self-confidence, romance and bin bags.

Amy Gledhill: Make Me Look Fit On The Poster

After a sell out farewell show The Squirrels, just couldn’t keep away! They are back with a one night only extravaganza! Filled with songs – both old and new – and their outrageous comedy routines, this is an evening you will not want to miss, after all, if Cher can do more than one farewell show, so can The Squirrels.

The Squirrels: One More Time

“We love our weekly visits to the music and movement class. My daughter joined the toddler class at 18 months and her confidence has grown so much. Abbie’s classes have the perfect mix of free and structured play and her creative use of props and imagination creates a brilliant hour of fun.”

Sing, Dance, Play for Babies

Howl with the Hounds of Love and dance on the moors with Wuthering Heights!

An Evening Without Kate Bush

A new show from James Rowland featuring his captivating mix of theatre, comedy and music.

James Rowland: Learning to Fly

On this, the year of our Lord 2024, it’s a brand-new, hour-long, stand-up comedy concert from your ol’ pal Rhys Nicholson. Only a coward wouldn’t attend.

Rhys Nicholson: Huge Big Party Congratulations!

Theatre Cares brings together individuals with mild to moderate dementia and their carers/partners for engaging and participatory music workshops that spark joy, curiosity and new friendships!

Theatre Cares - A Life in Music - Group Two

A brand-new production of this much-loved family favourite stars Adam Garcia (Wicked, Kiss Me Kate, Coyote Ugly) as Caractacus Potts, Liam Fox (Emmerdale) as Grandpa Potts and Charlie Brooks (The Ocean at the End of the Lane, EastEnders) as the Child catcher.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

An opportunity for migrants, refugees and asylum seekers to engage creatively and connect with other communities. A platform for diverse theatrical languages to inspire, be shared and celebrated. As a theatre of sanctuary we have a responsibility to create a safe environment for all members of our community to come together and champion creative voices from all backgrounds.

Theatre Makers: Being Migrant

From unhealthy obsessions with pop princesses, falling in line behind the School Classroom Queen Bees, and gaining life lessons from the cast of ‘Bad Girls’ why wouldn’t everyone strive to be girlier?

Christopher Hall - Girl For All Seasons

Solo again, Britain’s most celebrated clairvoyant medium psychic from Peter Kay’s ‘Phoenix Nights’ returns with his brand new hilarious one-man stand up show.

Clinton Baptiste: Roller Ghoster!

Is it better to have a pig’s heart that works … than a human heart that doesn’t?

Pig Heart Boy

Having recently received the prestigious acclaim of being Her Majesty the Queen’s favourite literary Detective, Superintendent Roy Grace is back, in a brand new play, for the seventh Peter James stage adaptation and world premiere of the bestselling PICTURE YOU DEAD.

Picture You Dead

Founded 90 years ago in Czechoslovakia and now the official orchestra of the City of Prague, this distinguished orchestra continues to work with renowned conductors and soloists world-wide.

Prague Symphony Orchestra

Stick a pony in your pocket – the record-breaking and critically acclaimed West End comedy musical comes to Norwich!

Only Fools & Horses The Musical

Celebrate our 10th year of musical magic with “It’s A Beautiful Noise with Fisher Stevens” in 2025, the ultimate Neil Diamond tribute!

It's a Beautiful Noise

Let your imagination be transported to Africa with songs by the fire, near a river or under the African skies and be immersed in music and words of joy, sorrow, hope and resilience as we take you on a journey of everyday life in Africa.

African Choir of Norfolk

As the clock strikes midnight join Ebenezer Scrooge on the journey of a lifetime to discover the true meaning of Christmas. Travel with the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future through family firesides, cold winter nights and the promise of a brighter future. A festive feast for the senses, Northern Ballet brings one of the most loved stories of all time to life.

A Christmas Carol

Northern Ballet Revealed gives you an insight into the life of a touring ballet company. Find out what it takes to bring a production to life as we reveal secrets from behind the scenes. Get a sneak peak of costumes and props and ask questions about the Company and our productions. You’ll then have the chance to watch the Company dancers in their daily, onstage ballet class as they warm up for the performance – a real treat!

Northern Ballet Revealed

Taking place on stage, Northern Ballet’s workshops are suitable for those with dance experience or beginners with a secret desire to dance.

Northern Ballet - Over 55's Workshop

A celebrated musical juggernaut for four decades, thrilling audiences from Tasmania in the South Pacific to Svalbard in the Artic Circle, Windsor Castle to Carnegie Hall, the all-singing, all-plucking Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain continues to break the mould with a programme of new tunes as well as old classics.

Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain

Join Mouse on a daring adventure through the deep, dark wood in Tall Stories’ magical, musical adaptation of the classic picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler – celebrating 25 years in 2024!

The Gruffalo

Back for a third consecutive year, we’re thrilled to be hosting a dazzling Christmas Night at the Theatre. The stage is set for you to enjoy the spectacular festivities and make many magical memories!

A Christmas Night at the Theatre 2024

Due to public pressure, Count Arthur Strong extends his fond farewell to you, for a ‘once in a lifetime’ limited run. As he takes on, one of the literary greats, the famous Charles Dickens, and then goes on to present his one-man interpretation of A Christmas Carol. ‘If you miss it, you weren’t there!’

Count Arthur Strong is Charles Dickens in 'A Christmas Carol'

TOAST is poetry, but not as you know it. An evening of spoken word and live performance, TOAST is Norfolk’s biggest regular poetry night. Audiences have called it “heart-filling,” and “immersive” – there’ll always be something you like at TOAST (even if you don’t think you like poetry). Funny, moving, and entertaining, TOAST is a great night out for everyone.

TOAST Poetry

He’s gathered some of his favourite stars of the international cabaret scene to dazzle, delight and intoxicate you. We’re talking award-winners, West End stars, Jaw-droppers and side-splitters! Every previous year this show has completely sold out, so get your tickets now. You’ll have to pay for the whole seat, but you’ll only be using the edge!

Mat Ricardo's Christmas Cabaret

Norwich Theatre presents a specially curated evening of the best new work currently being made by local artists. Discover solo performers, companies and new collaborations as they share with you original projects fresh off the ideas board. Expect ‘scratch’ offerings from theatre-makers, musical-makers, dancers and much in between; the perfect way to sample different art-forms.

New Works Showcase An evening of scratch performances

Starring Norwich favourite Joe Tracini, back for his fifth year on our pantomime stage. Joe will be back in the centre of the comedy action and is joined by the wonderfully talented Lisa Maxwell (The Bill, EastEnders, Hollyoaks, Casualty, Loose Women) in the role of our Evil Aunt.

Aladdin

Eloisa Scrooge is the world’s worst boss, until she’s nominated for a Christmas Eve makeover from an exuberant trio of queer ghosts.

Ghosted

Experience mischief this Christmas and see the acclaimed stage adaptation of Dr Seuss’ The Cat In The Hat.

The Cat in the Hat

Now in their 15th year at the Norwich Playhouse, Popular vocalist Joe Ringer, his band and the region’s top vocal talent return this December, bigger and better than ever with their all-new Christmas Spectacular.

Step Into Christmas with the Joe Ringer Band

A full-scale production set in the murky Dark Ages where love, politics and witchcraft collide.

Macbeth

Stephen Daldry’s multi award-winning National Theatre production of JB Priestley’s classic thriller returns after a record-breaking, sell-out tour in 2022.

An Inspector Calls

Cult hit event Solve-Along-A-Murder-She-Wrote returns to Norwich with an interactive screening of the classic Murder, She Wrote episode “Paint Me a Murder”. Following riotous presentations of “Broadway Malady” and “Sing a Song of Murder”, Tim Benzie returns with “Paint Me a Murder”, where Jessica Fletcher is invited to the remote island home of a famous artist, but soon there’s a murder that only she (or you!) can solve!

Solve-Along-a Murder She Wrote

Nearing 40, painfully shy and trying to make sense of a painful break-up, Leah forms a punk bank inspired by Lynn from Alan Partridge. As they take to the stage for their first gig with no musical ability, Leah is forced to face the reality of a life that looks nothing like she thought it would.

Lynn Faces

To celebrate its 100th year, Norfolk and Norwich Operatic Society (NNOS) is delighted to announce Singin’ in the Rain as their 2025 production. This musical is adapted for the stage from the golden-age movie of the same name.

Singin' in the Rain

Josh Berry intends to provide some sort of answer to this question, through his many impressions and characters, as he tells the tale of being his best friend’s best man earlier this year. From routines on how to organise a ‘progressive stag do’, to the amusing difficulties men seem to face around positive emotional expression, the show is an opportunity for us to have a ruddy good laugh at a concept that could do with being taken a bit less seriously. There’s also a routine about how much Josh hates runners and refuses to become one.

Josh Berry: Manthropology

Put on your blue suede shoes and come to celebrate the music of the King of Rock ’n’ Roll with the UK’s supreme Elvis – Rob Kingsley – and his talented cast.

A Vision of Elvis

Rachel Watson longs for a different life. Her only escape is the perfect couple she watches through the train window every day, happy and in love. Or so it appears.

The Girl on the Train

Radio 4 favourite, comedy legend, and ‘the 42nd best reason to love Britain’ (The Telegraph) JOHN SHUTTLEWORTH, is back with more hilarious stories and songs performed on his trusty Yamaha organ (with built-in auto accompaniment!) In RAISE THE OOF John celebrates 40 years in showbiz.

John Shuttleworth - Raise the Oof

A brand new musical comedy is created from scratch at each performance of this award-winning show as audience suggestions are transformed on the spot into all-singing, all dancing productions with hilarious results. These incredible performers are guaranteed to impress as they create shows packed with drama, dazzling dance routines and catchy melodies – and it’s all made up on the spot!

Showstopper! The Improvised Musical

Marking over 13 years of working together on 6 shows that have toured 17 countries over 3 continents, Moments is Theatre Re’s move to pause and rediscover why. Weaving Katherine Graham, Guillaume Pigé and Alex Judd’s personal stories of becoming parents and reaching mid-life with theatrical imagination, they unpick their creative bond, re-evaluate success and make a new show.

Moments by Theatre Re

Starring Strictly Come Dancing’s Joanne Clifton (Shrek the Musical, The Addams Family) as the fierce yet fabulous Velma von Tussle. Making her directorial debut is Hairspray royalty Brenda Edwards (Hairspray, We Will Rock You) who will bring new energy from behind the scenes.

Hairspray

The time is 1897. Mankind is on the cusp of vast technological change, scientific mastery and media innovation. But poised between traditional beliefs, the threat of the unknown and the shock of the new world, an altogether darker fear is emerging. As a new shadow looms large over England, a small group of young men and women, led by Professor Van Helsing, are plunged into an epic struggle for survival.

Dracula

This marathon feat of gig theatre follows Kate, as she flits through her twenties fuelled on highs & hedonism. Kate represents a generation’s search for purpose and the need to dance in the face of adversity.

Elle Dillon-Reams: HoneyBEE

Bringing his successful sell out and highly praised show. Astronomer and author Adrian West (aka VirtualAstro) presents a glorious visual and thought-provoking experience for everyone that looks up and wonders.

The Night Sky Show

MEAT is an electrifying roar of fury, a rallying cry of protest & unifying celebration of strength packed with heroism & heart.

Elle Dillon-Reams: MEAT

Shakespeare’s tale of primal passion and timeless tragedy is brought to life by Prokofiev’s soaring score, set in bustling Renaissance Verona and with an emotionally charged choreography that befits the world’s greatest love story.

Romeo and Juliet - Varna International Ballet 2025

This most famous of fantasy ballets for all the family begins as night falls on Christmas Eve.  As snowflakes fall outside, the warm glow of the open fire sends flickering shadows across the boughs of the Christmas tree and all the presents beneath.

The Nutcracker - Varna International Ballet 2025

From the impressive splendour of the Palace ballroom to the moon-lit lake where swans glide in perfect formation, this compelling tale of tragic romance has it all. From Odile, the temptress in black tulle as she seduces the Prince by spinning with captivating precision to the spellbound purity of the swan queen, Odette as she flutters with emotional intensity, the dual role of Odette/Odile is one of ballet’s most unmissable technical challenges.

Swan Lake - Varna International Ballet 2025

For the first time ever musical supernova Jazz Emu (The Guardian’s breakout comedy act of 2023) will be touring the UK with his hotly anticipated brand-new show, Knight Fever, alongside his full live band, ‘The Cosmique Perfectión’ in spring 2025. Following his run at the Soho Theatre & Edinburgh Festival Fringe, this tour will feature brand new songs, and an appearance from the King himself.

Jazz Emu: Knight Fever

So it’s time to prepare yourselves for two amazing shows with Horrible Histories live on stage! Using actors and eye-popping 3D special effects, these astounding shows are guaranteed to thrill you and your children. Historical figures and events will come alive on stage and hover at your fingertips!

Horrible Histories 3D: Awful Egyptians

Joyce Grenfell was one of the greatest female entertainers of the twentieth century, loved the world over for her hilarious and beautifully observed monologues and songs, as well as numerous film, television and radio appearances.

Ode to Joyce

Horrible Histories 3D: Terrible Tudors

After his TV appearance on “The Russell Howard Hour” Andrew supported Russell Howard on his massive national tour including six straight shows at The London Palladium. He has also recently supported Troy Hawke and at The UK Comedy Awards was voted “Comic’s Comic-Best Act”.

Andrew Bird: A Ticklish Mind

Get ready for an unforgettable evening of thrilling adventure on the big screen!
The Banff Mountain Film Festival is back with a brand-new line-up of captivating short films packed with extreme journeys, intriguing characters and stunning cinematography. Join the world’s top outdoor filmmakers and adventurers as they climb, ski, paddle, run and ride through the wildest corners of the planet!

Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour

In 1631, The Fens, the flat area of land stretching from Cambridge to Norwich, were drained.

Forgotten in the Land of Egypt

The Broadway and West End sensation, Kinky Boots The Musical, is strutting back to Norwich Theatre Royal in a brand-new production starring Strictly Come Dancing’s Johannes Radebe and rising star Dan Partridge.  This joy-filled sensation, based on a true story and hit movie, features Tony® and Grammy® winning music and lyrics by pop icon Cyndi Lauper, a hilarious and life-affirming book by Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein and is directed by Nikolai Foster (Grease and Wizard of Oz).

Kinky Boots

You’ve got your ticket to see Kinky Boots – now to make your theatre experience extra special!

Norwich Theatre Lounge Experience - Kinky Boots

Described as ‘the funniest dad on Instagram’, stand-up comedian George has racked up hundreds of millions of views for his hilarious online sketches about the big things in life, like owning an air fryer, watching a David Beckham documentary, and the excruciating experience of trying to do a jigsaw with your kid.

George Lewis: The Best Thing You'll Ever Do.

What if wishes were granted? What if magic was real? When a Storyteller appears everyone is enchanted…

The Frog & The Princess and other stories

Returning to Stage after their sold out performance of “Alice in Wonderland” in 2024, Box Tale Soup present a stunning adaptations of The Picture of Dorian Gray.

Norwich Theatre

12 - 16 Nov, 2024

Birdsong

Nov 16, 2024

African Choir of Norfolk

19 - 23 Nov, 2024