Half term fun for children and their families at Norwich Theatre takes place from 30 May to 1 Jun, including an Imagination Walk, activities for SEND children, Dance and Drama Days and a host of free activities, such as Norwich Theatre’s fancy-dress box, puppets and activity sheets to keep the whole family. Workshops have free grown-up places, and there are offers for multiple sessions.
The packed week of fun begins with The Wish Gatherer (29 May), a beautiful opera for children aged 7-11 (Key Stage 2). It explores the impact of climate change on the natural world in a national curriculum-linked adventure story. Lola is a young girl struggling with the effects on her world after COVID, her parent’s recent divorce and the climate crisis. One day, she sets out to meet the magical Wish Gatherer. This show marks the first in an ambitious, imaginative trilogy of operas for children based on the environment and nature by The English Touring Opera.
Also starting on 29 May is Norwich Theatre’s Theatre of Possibility Programme (29 – 31 May). The three-day workshop will use playful drama games and theatre skills to enable young people with autism aged 12 -17 to work together and inspire creativity in an inclusive, friendly and supportive space.
On Tue 30 May, take part in Norwich Theatre’s Drama Day for an extended drama-based workshop for all those budding actors. The session will explore devising, staging and performing in a fun, supportive and creative environment to produce a short original piece of theatre. Grown-ups will be invited into the studio to watch a short, informal sharing.
Join your little ones on an Imagination Walk (31 May) through some much-loved children’s stories. Embark on an epic journey and encounter magical characters and wild landscapes while staying warm and dry in the theatre. This session is suitable for children aged 2 to 5 years with their grown-ups.
Musical Explorers for SEND (31 May) is a sensory, creative session designed for disabled and neurodiverse young people and their parents and carers. This session will be accessible for non-verbal children and will guide them through a journey of imagination and sensory and musical play.
On Thu 1 Jun, Norwich Theatre will host its Dance Day. Drawing from different music and dance styles, this energetic session will explore choreography, musicality and performance in a supportive and creative environment. No dance or movement experience is required in this fun and accessible approach to dance. Together the group will produce a short, original piece of dance which parents and carers will be invited to watch.Drama and Dance Day are suitable for children aged between 7 and 14, and there is a £5 discount for booking both days.
Café Royal will be open all week to meet friends before a workshop or relax and soak up the theatre atmosphere. The café will offer a free cookie with every children’s hot chocolate or Fruit Shoot. Don’t forget to stamp your loyalty card to get your tenth drink free.
Book now!