Wayfaring

The Norfolk & Norwich Festival, an arts festival in the East of England, has announced the first shows of its 2018 schedule – three of which will run for the first time.

Visitors can expect a programme of theatre, music, dance, circus, large scale outdoor work and free events. The 2018 dates are confirmed as 11th to 27th May, and public booking has already opened.

The full timetable will be announced in February, and will be the first presented under the new festival directorship, Daniel Brine. The festival takes place across various venues, from Norwich Theatre Royal to St Andrew’s Hall. 

Festival highlights and premieres

The UK circus company Barely Methodical Troupe will headline the Adnams Spiegeltent with the world premiere of Shift, a ‘gravity defying performance’ following their previous hits Bromance and Kin.

At the Norwich Puppet Theatre, meanwhile, the theatre company Improbable will present the premiere of their new production The Paper Man, which ‘seeks to explore what we do when fascism comes to town’.

Another large scale world premiere for 2018 will be the show called Wayfaring, which is inspired by the landscape and ancient routes of the Icknield Way.

Wayfaring will see artists And Now: (Ben Rigby and Mandy Dike) create a series of artworks in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and craft an installation on Wells Beach which will see illumination, music and performance transform it on the final festival weekend.

More for audiences

Other artists and productions set to feature in the 2018 programme include singer/songwriter Ben Folds with a programme of his best-loved songs and recent compositions; and Thomas Adès and Britten Sinfonia with popular Beethoven Symphonies No 4 and 5.

Groups can also enjoy vocal group Ladysmith Black Mambazo, and the London Philharmonic Orchestra with a programme of Mahler and Rachmaninoff.

Group travel organisers should call 01603-766400 for special bookings.

Full information on all Norfolk & Norwich Festival events at www.nnfestival.org.uk.

Pictured: Wayfaring. (Photo credit: Nick Read)

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