by Katie Thompson
It’s that time again! Norfolk & Norwich Festival is arriving this May (9 – 25 May) in Norwich and with it comes a packed 17-day programme of amazing events. From incredible circus-themed acts and captivating illusion to enthralling talks, family-friendly workshops, and musical performances of an array of genres. Not to mention the City of Literature Weekend, Toast Festival Speak Easy and Little ‘nn’ Fest!
So, if you want to discover something new- be it musicians, filmmakers, or how to tell a story- there’s an event for you. It’s time to immerse yourself at the Norfolk & Norwich Festival!
The festival begins with the Welcome Weekend (9 May, 6pm & 10 – 11 May, 11am – 5pm, FREE) as incredible acts pop up throughout the city centre.
On Friday, The Forum plays host to a double bill of entertainment. Speak Percussion and All The Queen’s Men will herald the festival’s opening with a special composition and bespoke choreography that reimagines a marching band. Then, it’s a modern-day mash up of dance, music and performance in ‘High Voltage’, bringing together over 150 of the region’s guitarists! Over Saturday and Sunday, you can see the likes of aerial dance by Levantes Dance Theatre, acrobatics from Sadiq Ali Company and an interactive water-themed installation by Artizani. There are even singing trapeze performers in ‘Waiting Song’ by Mish Weaver.
And Norfolk and Norwich Festival ends with a bang, too, thanks to the final performance of Showdown (14 – 25 May, 3pm, 5pm or 7pm, from £10), a spectacle of jaw-dropping circus stunts where you decide the winner! And in between? Here’s our insider’s guide to the festival’s hidden gems!
M.G. Leonard takes us on an intriguing Egyptian adventure in Hunt for the Golden Scarab
For any budding adventurers, M.G. Leonard’s latest children’s book ‘Hunt for the Golden Scarab’ will draw you into a world of time travel and Egyptian intrigue. She’ll reveal how a journey down the Nile inspired the book, exploring the incredible history behind the Valley of the Kings, and a world of Pharaohs, mummification, and lost tombs. We want to know more already!
Did You Know? M.G. is a passionate insect enthusiast, especially when it comes to beetles! She keeps an array of exotic beetles as pets, is Vice President of insect charity Buglife, and has appeared on the likes of Blue Peter, Springwatch Unsprung, Countryfile, and more.
The Paper Cinema’s stories are perfect for little festival goers!
As part of the festival’s Little ‘nn’ Fest (especially for the smaller festival goers among us!), The Paper Cinema is bringing two enchanting tales to life with a unique blend of hand-drawn animation and live performance. In ‘The Rock Charmer’, you’ll be taken on a journey inspired by the natural landscape of Dorset’s magnificent Jurassic Coast, whilst original creation ‘The Night Flyer’ follows the pursuit of a mysterious train and a lost girl. You’re sure to be mesmerised!
Did You Know? This show is performed live by just two puppeteers and a multi-instrumentalist. They use vivid pen and ink drawings, puppetry, film and projection, and a treasure trove of acoustic and electronic sounds to essentially create a live movie.
Try something different with Norwich University of the Arts’ Immersive Visualisation and Simulation Lab
Now for something a little different. Immerse yourself into our world’s changing landscapes with Norwich University of the Arts’ brand-new Immersive Visualisation and Simulation Lab. It’s both innovative and fascinating, combining technology (a 360° screen, AI, cameras, and audio) with live performance and video installations. Get lost in ‘Atemporal 360’ (22 – 23 May) and ‘Lost Communications’ (15 – 16 May).
Did You Know? Norwich University of the Arts’ Immersive Visualisation Lab is the first facility of its kind in the UK. It’s a viewing experience likely to be completely unique to any you’ve had before!
Ageing, femininity and acrobatics- Show Pony is full of love and laughter
Show Pony is a candid look at ageing, femininity, and acrobatics. This autobiographical piece by Berlin-based circus company still hungry, in collaboration with British performance maker Bryony Kimmings, is full of love and laughter and is sure to resonate with the audience’s own experiences whilst challenging our prejudices. It’s a story of growing older and the importance of friendship, expressed through captivating circus disciplines.
Did You Know? The show’s three performers- Romy Seibt, Lena Ries and Anke van Engelshoven- are old friends with successful international careers. They reunited to create innovative circus shows including this semi-autobiographical piece.
Sarah Jane Morris’ specially-crafted songs tell the story of 12 amazing female singer-songwriters
When you think of pioneering female music artists, who do you think of? Billie Holliday, Nina Simone and Aretha Franklin? Janis Joplin, Joni Mitchell and Patti Smith? Or how about Annie Lennox, Kate Bush and Sinead O’Connor? Sarah Jane Morris’s ‘The Sisterhood’ celebrates these trailblazers (alongside Bessie Smith, Miriam Makeba and Rickie Lee Jones). As one of the world’s great jazz-soul vocalists (thanks to her incredible range), and with co-writer and producer Tony Rémy, Morris presents 12 crafted songs each telling the story of these amazing singer-songwriters.
Did You Know? Sarah Jane Morris may not be a name known to everyone, but she initially found fame with the Communards, singing opposite Jimmy Somerville on ‘Don’t Leave Me This Way’.
Norfolk & Norwich Festival is taking place from 9 – 25 May 2025 across Norwich and Norfolk. The festival’s many venues include the Adnams Spiegeltent in Chapelfield Gardens, Norwich Cathedral and the National Centre for Writing, as well as Houghton Hall and King’s Lynn’s GroundWork Gallery. Events are both free and ticketed.
