Norwich Theatre's Family Festival  Returns!

After the success of last year’s first ever Family Festival, Norwich Theatre is delighted to welcome families back again, this time to the Norwich Theatre Playhouse and brand new River Tent! 

It runs from 29 Aug – 1 Sep and features activities and shows for families to get creative with each other. The week includes free drop-in sessions as well as bookable workshops from £7. The Playhouse Bar is open before each session and throughout the day, and there will be a special Tuck Shop for children, with items for just a pound.  

Tue 29 Aug  

Join local artist Alex in the River Tent to design and create fabric hangings in the free drop-in session Playhouse Tapestries.   

In Costume Design Studio, you can try your hand at costume design and produce a designer’s sketchbook brimming with fresh ideas and inventive costumes. This session is perfect for children aged 6 – 8 with a grown-up.  

The only limit is your imagination in Stage in a Shoebox! This session will teach you the basics of scale model making for theatre and ingenious ways of rethinking everyday objects into miniature worlds. Suitable for ages 7 – 14.  

Wed 30 Aug  

Today is all about stories, and the Never-ending Story drop-in session at the River Tent will see families put pen to paper and create one long story.   

 Take an Imagination Walk through some much-loved children’s stories right on the Playhouse stage. This session uses sensory props and fun games perfect for ages 2 -5 and their grown up.  

Sensory Stories for SEND will be accessible for non-verbal children, guiding the group through a journey of imagination and play using sensory materials and props.  

Come to our Writer’s Block Party and unleash your creative side. This word-based session will see young authors use games, quick writes, and drama-based activities to improve their storytelling. Suitable for children aged 8 – 12.  

Poetry Jam will see your child unleash their inner poet from sonnets to limericks. They will explore various poetry techniques that are great for aged 8 – 12.   

Join professional writer Poppy for an afternoon of giggles and glee in The Silly Stories Club. She will recount ticklish tales and help you to create your own silly stories. Perfect for 5 – 7 years old with their grown-up.  

For £1, come along and see Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist Mama G in the auditorium with a brand new panto adventure for the whole family! This storytelling show is full of panto fun, interaction, song, dance and puppetry.  

Thu 31 Aug  

Get the acting bug with our drama-based day.    

Play at the Playhouse will see you tread the boards of the Playhouse. Participants will warm up with drama games and exercises before delving into and creating an original piece of theatre.  

Your little ones won’t miss out on the drama games with Tot’s Drama. The session uses imaginative storytelling that will be a fun and creative shared experience.  

Fri 1 Sep  

Down at the River Tent, you can make music in our Drumming Circle. There will be an array of traditional African drums and percussion instruments to share your rhythm.   

Come for a family sing-along with the Family Choir. The session will include vocal warm up, body percussion and rhythm games before learning a tune and creating a big, beautiful sound together! Suitable for those over the age of 6 with their grown-up.  

In Mini Dance Lab, you will be introduced to a variety of dance styles and techniques inspired by the shows on Norwich Theatre’s stages. Perfect for ages 6–9.  

Musical Explorers for SEND will be accessible to non-verbal children and will guide them through a journey of imagination and musical play in a relaxed environment. Great for those aged 7 – 11 with their grown-up.  

For an energetic session, why not try Physical Theatre for ages 10–13. This fast-paced workshop will explore movement styles and techniques before working towards an original physical theatre piece.  

For the young ravers, the Mini Raver’s Club is a fun, inclusive hour of moving, grooving and for the young and young-at-heart to rave like you did back in the day, together on the Playhouse Stage. Perfect for ages 1 – 6 with their grown up.    

If show tunes are more your thing, you won’t want to miss Musical Theatre Song. All your favourites will be sung, and the sound of music will be heard throughout! This is great for anyone aged 10 – 15.  

Join harpist Zenia Horne in The Lullaby Circle for an hour of beautiful, interactive music-making to round off the Family Festival with quiet contemplation in this soothing lullaby session. Designed especially for children aged 18 months to 4 and their parents.