Between 26 – 31 July 2022, we will fling open our doors for the first-ever Family Festival! The festival celebrates families of all shapes and sizes and will be a creative adventure like no other. Events will take place across our three venues, with the opportunity to get right on stage!
Across the week, there will be a range of activities and shows, including free options. Families are encouraged to join the activities together and celebrate all things creative.
Sam Patel, Head of Creative Engagement at Norwich Theatre, said:
“We are delighted to have this opportunity to welcome families into the theatre and share the wellbeing benefits of creativity. We have an amazing line-up of workshops and activities for all ages and the whole family. We really encourage all the mums, dads, grandparents, carers and guardians to share creative experiences with their families to create, sing, stitch and laugh their way through the first week of the summer holidays.”
During the Family Festival, you can Learn How to Beatbox (26 July) with a professional beatboxer, watch about the inspiring Paper Planes film (27 July), or even hand sew your own insects and animals with unique messages supporting the natural world with Say it With Stitch (27 July).
A key event not to be missed is the opportunity to have a family Poetry Picnic on the Norwich Theatre Royal stage (27 July) and enjoy music and poetry with poet Simon Mole and musician Gecko, who will be performing from the auditorium seats. Bring your own picnic!
To make everyone howl with laughter, Comedy Club 4 Kids at Norwich Theatre Playhouse (28 July) offers children aged 6+ and their families a normal comedy club experience with some of the best acts from the international circuit. Also at the Norwich Theatre Playhouse, you will be able to join the hugely popular Mr Bubbles for The Bubble Show (26 July). Mr Bubbles will create extraordinary soap bubbles in all shapes and sizes in front of your eyes for a show that is a unique blend of magic, storytelling, and bubble art!
If you are wild about words, come and discover words that have been Lost in the Land of Letterpress at Norwich Theatre Stage Two on 26 July. Create abstract landscapes by hand printing with wooden letterpress type. This event is completely free, and all materials will be provided. Be warned: things might get messy, so wear clothes suitable for arts and crafts!
Could you rap about a rabbit and turn it into a habit? What about making a rhyme about a llama with some drama? In Mark Grist’s Z to A of Rapping Animals at Norwich Theatre Stage Two on 27 July, the award-winning spoken word artist will help you write animal raps (and poems) packed full of originality and flair.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar munches its way on to Norwich Theatre Playhouse stage between 29 – 30 July. Alongside this much-loved tale, the show features three other Eric Carle stories as you enter his bright and colourful world.
Don’t stop moving with our Mini-Ravers Morning Club (28 July) or our Summer Special Music and Movement for toddlers and babies (29 July) at Norwich Theatre Stage Two. To get the boys in your life up and moving, there is a Movement and Physical Theatre Workshop for Boys (29 July). They will creatively explore rhythmical movement, energy, and artistic expression with games and group activities.
The Silly Stories Club (26 – 27 July) is sure to be a morning of giggles and glee as writer Paul Goldsmith helps you pen your own silly stories and build your storytelling confidence. Parents, you are not allowed, but why not relax in Café Royal with a drink and cake? Anyone attending one of the Family Festival activities will get double stamps on their Café Royal loyalty card.
There will be lots of drop-in activities throughout the week in all areas, including the Box Office, Café Royal, and Prelude. So join our chefs and decorate your own cookie, take on the theatre explorers trail, get your face painted or take in the music in the Café Royal with the lunchtime concerts.
If all the activity gives you an appetite, why not set up camp in our beautiful building for a bite to eat and some respite from all the fun. Feel free to eat your packed lunch or grab one of our special Family Festival Deals. While eating your lunch, you might even get a show with roaming musicians and magicians to entertain the young and the young at heart.
Events