Norwich Playhouse opened in 1995 in a building that dates back over 150 years and was once a riverside maltings. Aside from this fact, the Playhouse is modern in almost every other way. An intimate, yet airy performance space with surprisingly comfortable seats and a regular timetable of great drama, comedy, musical theatre and dance make the Playhouse a venue worth checking out.
In addition to the superb theatre, Norwich Playhouse has two galleries that often host visiting exhibitions, a fantastic and usually bustling bar and an award winning outside terrace and garden.

Summer / Autumn 2008 At Norwich Playhouse.
 
BACK TO BROADWAY is currently on a UK tour with a sparkling new production of songs from some of the best loved musicals. This talented quartet of singers produce stunning vocal performances enriched with beautiful harmonies, lively choreography and glitzy costumes to bring you a taste of Les Miserables, Chicago, Hairspray, We Will Rock You, Wicked, West Side Story, Mamma Mia and many more. This show will also feature local children who have taken part in a Back to Broadway summer school. With spectacular special effects this enchanting new production brings all the magic of the West End and Broadway to life in one unforgettable experience.
Saturday 30 August 7.30pm. Tickets £15 or £13 concessions.

AN EVENING OF JAZZ AND CABARET.
It’s back! The night of jazz & cabaret when you never quite know what’s going to happen – except for high-quality performances from artists all giving their time and talents for this Breakthrough Breast Cancer charity event.

Sun 7 Sept 7pm. £17.50 all tickets.
 
GERTRUDE’S SECRET.
Prunella Scales features in this absorbing drama, alongside Jack Ellis from ITV’s Coronation Street. What exactly is Gertrude’s terrible secret? And why has 10-year-old Emily been stranded in a seedy Amsterdam hotel room? Writer Benedick West presents a world of sad, comic and bizarre characters in this powerful and atmospheric play.

Sat 13 Sept 2.30pm and 7.30pm. £15 or £13 concessions. Suggested for age 12+.
 
POOL (NO WATER).
Norwich Theatre Royal Actors Company follow up their successful production of Sexual Perversity in Chicago with this darkly comic drama, written by Mark Ravenhill (author of Shopping and Fucking). The reunion of a group of artists is cut short when their host suffers a horrific accident, and an almost unthinkable plan emerges: could her suffering become their work of art?

Tue 16 – Sat 20 Sept 8pm. £12 or £10 concessions. Age 16+.

MOREMI.
An epic African drama about a beautiful and courageous woman who stakes her life for the benefit of her people. The story is told using theatre, dynamic dances, masquerade, powerful music and elaborate costumes.

Thurs 2 Oct 7.30pm. £10 or £8 concessions.
 
RELOJ DE ARENA.
Flamenco dance group Alma Flamenca return with their dynamic new show. Red-hot rhythms emanate from the feet of the dancers, fabulous costumes fill the stage with colour and light and the virtuoso musicians transport the audience to the very heart of the Spanish flamenco tradition.

Sat 4 Oct 8pm. £15 or £13 concessions.
 
THE BIBLE: THE COMPLETE WORD OF GOD (ABRIDGED).
The Reduced Shakespeare Company set their reductive sights on the Holy Bible, and attempt to answer the great theological questions: did Adam and Eve have navels? Did Moses really look like Charlton Heston? An affectionate, irreverent romp through old-time religion – can bolts of lightning be far behind?

Fri 17 Oct 7.30pm. £15 or £13 concessions.
 
SHAKESPEARE’S R&J.
A unique adaptation of Shakespeare’s most popular play; set in an exclusive 1950s boarding school. Four pupils hide in the chapel late one night and begin reading Romeo and Juliet aloud. As the story unfolds the boys come to understand the price of challenging fate and the true dangers of forbidden love.

Mon 20 – Wed 22 Oct 7.30pm. £12 or £10 concessions. Suggested for age 11+.
 
MY BRILLIANT DIVORCE.
Comedienne Dillie Keane stars as Angela Lipsky in this Olivier Award-nominated comedy about mid-life crises, shifty solicitors, disapproving mothers, helpline counsellors and a surprising singles’ weekend in Wales.

Fri 24 Oct 7.30pm. £15 or £13 concessions.
 
THE BIG BALLET.
A unique dance company, made up of ballerinas who weigh no less than 17 stone each, present a selection of classical and modern ballet pieces in a hilarious comedy show full of fun and astounding choreography - proving that grace, elegance and charisma are not dependent on size!

Sat 25 Oct 2.30pm and 7.30pm. £17.50 or £15 concessions.

Download the AUTUMN brochure in full. Click here (please be patient - 5.5MB PDF).

Playhouse tickets can be purchased through the Theatre Royal Box Office, via the Playhouse website or by telephone on 01603 598598 (Mon-Sat 9.30am-6pm).