The Pantaloons are a travelling theatre company which frequently come to the Broads National Park to places such as How Hill and Dilham playing field. They take famous productions and execute them with a handful of cast members and a large amount of improvisation and audience participation. Their performances are always fun and jovial, seeing a good turn out from loyal locals. Their performances are often open-air and offer the chance to sit outside with a picnic hamper. Although a word of warning… the players do often help themselves to the audience’s picnics!
Bungay is home to a beautiful Georgian theatre that was repurposed after its golden years as a steam laundry and warehouse among other things, before being revived in 1995. Since then it has championed the arts in the local area, with regular live theatre as well as cinema, poetry nights, live music, and art and charitable workshops. There’s a range of forms that are pioneered as well as regular new productions, so don’t miss out on a chance to get involved.
Situated in the heart of Norwich is the show-stealing Norwich Theatre Royal. This iconic city theatre boasts an array of classic stage productions from musicals to pantomime, opera to ballet. It is situated down the road from the decadent Assembly House which offers pre-theatre dining for those wishing to make the most of the occasion. Don’t forget to book early, as tickets are popular and productions such as the internationally acclaimed Miss Saigon sell out many months in advance of the performance.
The Norwich Puppet Theatre is an unusual and innovative company that produce puppet based theatre and workshops for children. They are a great introductory theatre company to get kids interested in the stage and involved in hands-on workshops. For anybody visiting the Broads National Park as part of a family holiday, this venue is an absolute must.
The Playhouse in Norwich used to be a 19th-century maltings, before being turned into the Playhouse in 1995. Now the Playhouse provides an array of entertainment from comedy, cabaret, Shakespeare, children’s shows, musicals and much more. As well as their theatre they have a thriving and quirky pub with the world sitting upside down on the ceiling (must be seen to be believed). For variety and uniqueness, the Playhouse is the ideal venue.
Tucked away down St. Johns Alley in Norwich is the theatre of Maddermarket. Since the 1920s this little production venue has played host to an array of musicals, comedies, tragedies and children’s workshops. They are nestled in the heart of Norwich and are the perfect venue for anybody wishing to enjoy a meal out with friends, a few drinks and then a night of quirky entertainment.
Once owned by the brother of famous author Ann Sewell, who wrote Black Beauty, Sewell Barn has had many uses in its time from carriage house to girl’s school bicycle shed. But it is now the home of Sewell Barn Theatre. They host regular productions in the north of the city of Norwich, and are the perfect unusual venue to evoke the magic of the stage.
The Spinning Wheel Theatre brings the stage to rural East Anglia with an array of plays being performed in local village halls all around Norfolk and Suffolk throughout the year. As well as offering professional shows they also include educational opportunities in the way of workshops and community projects.
The Nutmeg Puppet Theatre company was founded in 1979 and produces charming children’s productions on an array of subjects. Among their productions is ‘Pip’s Wildlife Garden’ in which ‘Pip’ and ‘grumpy Gran’ clash over how they enjoy their time in the garden. The Nutmeg Puppet Theatre create all of their own puppets and offer a great introduction to theatre for curious young minds.
The Marina Theatre in Lowestoft is the perfect venue for people sailing on the Suffolk side of the Broads. This beautiful 19th-century theatre was faced with demolition in 1985 but was thankfully saved by the county council and has become a cultural hub, showcasing an array of theatre and cinema. For vintage vibes and a great night close to shops and sailing, the Marina Theatre is the venue for you.
So whether you’re a committed thespian or a theatre newcomer, why not tread the boards in the Broads National Park? There are tons of fantastic productions happening all the time, including pop-up and outdoor performances, so don't forget to check our Arts event listings on a regular basis!
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