As we pack away the decorations, eat the last of the turkey sandwiches and as the final performances of pantomime draw to an end, we are excitedly looking forward to the New Year at Norwich Theatre.
We’ve got something for everyone in 2023, from dazzling musicals and breath-taking dance to hilarious comedy and heart-stopping drama. Here’s our very own rundown of 23 unmissable shows in 2023.
Musicals
Everybody loves a musical, and we’ve got some incredible ones lined up:
Girl From The North Country (28 Feb – 4 Mar). Hailed by the Observer as the ‘No.1 Theatre Show of the Year’, this is a bold reimagining of the legendary songs of Bob Dylan.
Strictly Ballroom the Musical (10 – 15 Apr). A toe-tapping classic directed by Craig Revel Horwood and starring Strictly Come Dancing’s Kevin Clifton.
Heathers (13 – 17 Jun). Hardcore musical theatre fans will be thrilled to see this award-winning black comedy on the Royal stage, but make sure you also keep your eye on…
Cake – The Marie Antoinette PLAYlist (25 – 29 Apr). A brand new musical at the Playhouse which combines rap and RnB with 18th century France.
The Land of Might-Have-Been (25 – 30 Jul). Our ground-breaking new co-production with Buxton International Festival tells the story of Vera Brittain through the songs of Ivor Novello.
Family
Looking for something that the whole family will love? We’ve got some fantastic shows to keep everyone entertained:
The Tiger Who Came To Tea (2 – 4 Mar). A West End musical play adaptation of the classic children’s book by Judith Kerr, suitable for age 3+.
Unexpected Twist (28 Mar – 1 Apr). A retelling of Dicken’s classic Oliver Twist by former Children’s Laureate Michael Rosen, suitable for age 8+.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (19 – 29 Apr). A musical for all ages that immerses you in Roald Dahl’s world of pure imagination.
The Smeds and the Smoos (4 – 7 May). From the company that brought you The Gruffalo and Room on the Broom comes a new interplanetary adventure for ages 3+.
The SpongeBob Musical (4 – 8 Jul). Plunge into an all-singing, all-dancing and brand new musical based on the hit TV series, suitable for ages 6+.
Dance
We’re proud to be able to bring stunning dance shows from all over the world to the heart of East Anglia. Don’t miss these world-class performances:
Varna International Ballet (6 – 8 Feb). This magnificent Bulgarian corps de ballet bring classics Coppélia, Giselle and Swan Lake to Norwich.
Kin by Gecko (14 – 16 Mar). Suffolk-based and internationally touring physical theatre company Gecko present a story of community, migration, empathy and home, commissioned by the National Theatre.
Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty (4 – 8 Apr). The fastest selling production in New Adventures’ history reawakens in a wondrous world of magic and love.
5 Soldiers by K2CO (20 – 22 Apr). Rosie Kay’s award-winning show is a thrilling and humane portrait of army life which will be followed by an unmissable post-show discussion.
Breakin’ Convention (27 May). The world’s biggest festival of hip hop dance returns to Norwich, featuring jaw-dropping performances, DJs, graffiti artists and freestyle sessions.
Drama
We can’t wait to welcome the work of internationally acclaimed companies and playwrights to our stage in Norwich in 2023:
The City and The Town (10 – 11 Mar). Described as ‘our most exciting political playwright’, Anders Lustgarten’s latest play brings a fresh perspective to the divides and problems Britain faces today.
Julius Caesar (6 – 10 Jun). The Royal Shakespeare Company returns to Norwich with this fast-paced political thriller, interpreted from Shakespeare’s timeless story.
Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of) (19 – 24 Jun). A unique and audacious retelling of Jane Austen’s iconic love story featuring men, money and microphones!
The Ocean at the End of the Lane (5 – 9 Sep). The National Theatre’s major new adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s tale of fantasy, myth, friendship and magic.
People
We’ve got some amazing and inspirational people treading the boards at Norwich Theatre in 2023…
High Performance Live (5 Feb). Sports broadcaster Jake Humphrey and Psychologist Professor Damian Hughes turn the lived experiences of the planet’s high performers into your life lessons.
Garth Marenghi’s TerrorTome Book Tour (14 Feb). Straight out of Channel 4 sitcom Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace, horror literature’s greatest living author marks the release of his multi-volume epic.
Tommy Blaize & NYJO Present: Ray Charles (16 Mar). Lead singer of the BBC Strictly Come Dancing band Tommy Blaize and 19-piece jazz band NYJO pay homage to the work of the father of Soul.
Early bird offer for Panto 2023
Riding on the coattails of Jack and the Beanstalk, next year’s pantomime Sleeping Beauty (9 Dec 2023 – 7 Jan 2024) is already available to book. Claim 15% off band A-C tickets if you book before 28 Feb 2023!
