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A group of five adults, one holding a small toddler to her chest, walk side by side in a line to a point beyond the camera. They are in a theatre studio space.

Theatre of Sanctuary

Support for Refugees and Asylum Seekers

In 2020 we became a Theatre of Sanctuary in recognition of our commitment to being a place of support, safety and hospitality for refugees and asylum seekers in Norwich. We have since been re-awarded Theatre of Sanctuary status in 2025 for our ongoing work within the local community. The theatre is one of just 34 arts organisations across the UK to be awarded sanctuary status.

Where possible we offer a range of creative and practical projects including seminars, performances and workshops. These tailored and bespoke projects are accessible to all those within the refugee and asylum seeker communities.

We are committed to ensuring the arts are a place of connection, creativity, and inclusion.
We’ve hosted café conversations for asylum seekers and refugees to share support and understanding, offered free places on courses, and provided reduced-cost tickets for groups supporting sanctuary seekers. We’ve also programmed work exploring refugee experiences across our stages.
Our commitment grew through initiatives like the Encore Community-Ticketing Scheme, distributing free tickets to those connected to community organisations; the Community Choir, celebrating global voices twice a month; and Theatre Makers: Migration Matters, a co-created piece bringing together migrants, refugees, and host communities.
Through our Living as an Artist programme, we’ve supported artistic lives with workshops, resources, and peer networks.
We are also a proud partner of a landmark initiative: Stage Door 10, pioneered by refugee-led arts charity Good Chance Theatre. This national training programme has placed 10 people from displaced backgrounds in paid creative traineeships with 10 of the UK’s leading theatre and arts organisations, supporting a new generation of diverse talent in the industry. We are delighted that our new trainee is someone who joined Norwich Theatre as a participant and who is now going full circle to gain training as a practitioner.  You can read more about Stage Door 10 here https://norwichtheatre.org/good-chance-presents-stage-door-10/

Palm To Palm

Our project Palm To Palm, co-produced with the Royal Shakespeare Company,  saw us working closely with local organisations and volunteers from the refugee and asylum seeker community to produce an interpretation of Romeo and Juliet inspired by themes of conflict, banishment and home.

Below are some rehearsal shots during the making of the play and a short film, by the RSC , showcasing the play:

Norwich City of Sanctuary

Norwich City of Sanctuary celebrates those places and groups in the city who have a strong commitment to providing a welcome for people seeking sanctuary, and to building a culture of welcome for future generations.

For more details on other organisation locally as a place of sanctuary please visit Norwich City of Sanctuary website.

Norwich Theatre Royal, Playhouse and Stage Two are part of Norwich Theatre, the operating name of Theatre Royal (Norwich) Trust Limited.
Registered Office: Theatre Street, Norwich NR2 1RL. Company Registration No. 997352. Registered Charity No. 262259.