The Family Festival is returning to Norwich Theatre for a fourth year with a fantastic fun-filled time offering lots of free, pay what you feel and low-cost activities to keep the family entertained this October half-term.
With events taking place at Norwich Theatre Café Royal, Norwich Theatre Playhouse and Norwich Theatre Stage Two between 27 Oct – 1 Nov. The festival features a wide variety of interactive workshops, sensory activities, and family-friendly shows.
Get your creativity fired up with the Crafty Café drop-in (all ages) (27 Oct) where you can spend time with the family while making puppets inspired by the play War Horse. However, if you’re looking for something a little more in-depth, there’s also the War Horse: Puppetry Workshop (10-15) (28 Oct), where you can really delve into the physicality and artistry of bringing a show to life with a workshop led by a previous War Horse puppeteer.
Smaller children might enjoy Creative Play for Babies & Toddlers (6-18 months) (29 Oct), Family Move & Groove (4-7 and grown-ups) (29 Oct) encouraging them to move and shake in fun-filled, high-energy dance workshops. Older kids can also try their hand at dance in New Adventures: Take Flight dance workshop (10-17) (1 Nov) a movement session focused on Matthew Bourne’s rendition of Swan Lake. If dancing is not your thing come along to Family Drama & Play (7-10 and grown-ups) (30 Oct) for a hilarious, playful hour of games, activities and creative play.
If you need something a little more chill, you can check out Sensory Stories for SEND (7-11) (29 Oct), a relaxed drop-in style workshop that explores sensory play designed for children who have special educational needs and disabilities. It’s an easy, relaxed session with lots of interactivity to keep kids engaged and entertained.
Celebrating Black History Month we have Fantastic Pablo Fanque (work in progress) (31 Oct) a show that blends puppetry, music and joyful storytelling to bring to life a remarkable local legend who’s circus amazed audiences across the country. You can also learn a bit more about Pablo Fanque for Storytelling: Pablo Fanque 4-8 (28 Oct) at the Playhouse all about his fascinating life in Norwich!
Rounding out the line-up we have a series of family friendly shows including The Three Bears (27 Oct) is a modern take on the classic fairytale and Claytime a play with clay where you are invited to shape the story with your clay creations.
Sam Beal, Head of Creative Engagement at Norwich Theatre, said: “We are thrilled to welcome families back to Norwich Theatre for our fourth Family Festival! This year’s programme is bursting with fun and we are also really excited to be hosting sessions with incredible theatre companies, like the National Theatre and Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures, offering something for every member of the family to get involved with. So, bring the whole family and come and get creative with us.”
All the activities provided are either free to attend or low-cost, with drop-in sessions and bookable events. Book your place to avoid disappointment.
The Family Festival is supported by the Alan Boswell Group Charitable Trust, The Geoffrey Watling Charity, the Simon Gibson Charitable Trust and The Educational Foundation of Alderman John Norman.
