From comedy galore to theatre and dance, there is lots to look forward to at Norwich Playhouse this summer. Arts correspondent Emma Knights takes a look at the new season announced today.
Big name comedians, theatre direct from Edinburgh Festival Fringe and closer to home, and innovative new dance are among the vibrant mix of shows heading to Norwich Playhouse this summer.
The St Georges Street venue has today revealed a packed programme of events for its May to September line-up.
Norwich Playhouse director Caroline Richardson said: 'It's a pleasure to announce another summer of exceptional shows.
'We're delighted to be bringing Playhouse favourites Mark Watson, Henning Wehn, and Chris Ramsey back, and to debut powerful new work like Karl Minn's solo show and A Super Happy Story (About Feeling Super Sad).
'We hope the people of Norwich, Norfolk, and the East are as excited as we are by the new season, and that we see them in the audience!'
Below are some of Norwich Playhouse's May to September highlights:
COMEDY
Internet star Mo Gilligan will bring his quick-witted social-media routine to Norwich on May 29 and 31 meanwhile Sarah Kendall, the creator and star of BBC Radio 4 series Australian Trilogy, will perform a blistering evening of storytelling on June 1.
Henning Wehn, the self-styled German Comedy Ambassador, will present his work-in-progress - or 'masterpiece-under-construction' - Das Neuen Materialen Nachten from June 7 to 9, and Grumpy Old Women - featuring Jenny Éclair, Dillie Keane and Lizzie Roper - will take to the Playhouse stage on June 15.
Celebrity Juice regular Chris Ramsey will be bringing his new tour to Norwich on June 24 and Edinburgh Comedy Award winner Tim Key will be at the theatre on June 29. Mark Watson will also be returning from September 27 to 29 with a show fresh from Edinburgh.
THEATRE
New pop-musical SIX - a co-production with Kenny Wax & Global Musicals and Norwich Theatre Royal - will see the six wives of Henry VIII sing their way out of the history books and into the spotlight in a show full of catchy tunes, sass, and attitude from July 11 to 15.
Norwich-based Sound Ideas Theatre Company will be bursting into song in classic musical Singin' in the Rain from August 22 to 26, meanwhile Karl Minns will be presenting new solo show Sortabiography from August 30 to September 1.
The Playhouse will host a day of improvisation on September 15 with The Showstoppers' Kids Show and Showstopper! The Improvised Musical.
Private Peaceful, a stage adaptation of the Michael Morpurgo novel, will be performed from September 18 to 21, and Fringe favourite A Super Happy Story (About Feeling Super Sad) will capture the contradictions of mental health with singing, glitter and laughter on September 22.
Young audiences can also look forward to the musical adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks' picture book farmyard adventure What The Ladybird Heard from July 3 to 8.
MUSIC
Dazzling diva La Voix will be at the theatre on July 27 and celebrating 10 years of Norwich Pride with a night of extravagant musical delight featuring the songs of Cher, Shirley Bassey and more. The Floyd Effect will be recreating the sound and intensity of a Pink Floyd concert on August 4, meanwhile The Billy Joel Songbook will take to the stage on September 14.
DANCE
Border Tales will be combining dance and dialogue to explore immigration and multi-cultural Britain on May 5.
Norwich-based all-male dance company Legacy will be performing The Evolution of Man[sculinity] - a show telling the story of two centuries of masculinity through hip hop, musical theatre and contemporary dance - on June 22 and 23.
Natyapriya will present Shantakaram, a story of love conquering evil, on September 8, and 201 Dance Company's SKIN on October 5 will use urban dance and an original score to portray a journey of gender transition.
For more about Norwich Playhouse shows and to book tickets, visit www.norwichplayhouse.co.uk or call the box office on 01603 598598.
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