Today marks the opening date of Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2024, the world’s largest performance arts festival. For those of you who are not visiting Scotland this month, we are bringing heaps of shows set to perform at the festival to our hometown of Norwich this year and next!
With a vast billing of talent, from comedians to ventriloquists and storytellers to musicians, this line-up has something for everyone.
Camille O’Sullivan: Loveletter | 6 Sep | Norwich Theatre Playhouse
Crowned as the “Queen of the Edinburgh Festival” by the BBC, Camille performs songs and stories about loss, love, joy, light and darkness. Camille transforms each song she performs into an intense, emotional and theatrical experience. Expect joy and pure passion.
Nish Kumar: Nish, Don’t Kill My Vibe | 8 Sep | Norwich Theatre Royal
Nish Kumar, one of The Guardian and The Telegraph’s 50 Best Comedians of the 21st Century, is back on tour with his brand new politically-charged stand-up show. Expect jokes about climate collapse and income inequality. It’s 80 minutes of sweet, sweet vibe-killing.
Sarah Keyworth: My Eyes Are Up Here | 11 Sep 24 & 25 Feb 25 | Norwich Theatre Playhouse
Sarah Keyworth is back with a brand new, joyous show about family, acceptance and a pair of big (well, not super big) losses. This show has recently become the Winner of the Most Outstanding Show at The Melbourne Comedy Festival 2024.
George Lewis: The Best Thing You’ll Ever Do | 13 Sep 24 & 8 Mar 25 | Norwich Theatre Playhouse
Described as ‘the funniest dad on Instagram’, stand-up comedian George has racked up hundreds of millions of views for his hilarious online sketches about the big things in life. Now he’s bringing his brand-new stand-up show to the stage. It won’t just be about parenting though, because he has done loads this year. He’s bought a new hoover, watched some more stuff on Netflix… loads.
Rachel Parris: Poise | 17 Sep | Norwich Theatre Playhouse
Rachel Parris is back with her biggest tour yet, presenting a dazzling new hour of her signature blend of stand-up and songs. The BAFTA-nominated comedian is best known for both her viral satirical segments on The Mash Report and Late Night Mash, which have had over 100 million views.
Katie Arnstein: The Long Run | 22 Sep |Norwich Theatre Stage Two
One in two of us will get cancer in our lifetimes. It can happen to anyone. People who run the marathon… They’ve only got themselves to blame. The Long Run is a tender, emotionally rich – and hilarious – story about human connection, cancer diagnosis, and long-distance running.
Christopher Hall: Girl for All Seasons | 24 Sep | Norwich Theatre Playhouse
Social media sensation Christopher tells us of his life, as a ‘boy who’s a bit girly really’. From unhealthy obsessions with pop princesses, falling in line behind the School Classroom Queen Bees, and gaining life lessons from the cast of ‘Bad Girls’ why wouldn’t everyone strive to be girlier?
Rhys Nicholson: Huge Big Party Congratulations! | 26 Sep | Norwich Theatre Playhouse
On this, the year of our Lord 2024, it’s a brand-new, hour-long, stand-up comedy concert from your ol’ pal Rhys Nicholson. Only a coward wouldn’t attend. As seen on RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under, Roast Battle UK, The Stand Up Sketch Show, Taskmaster AU and Netflix.
An Evening Without Kate Bush | 27 Sep | Norwich Theatre Playhouse
Howl with the Hounds of Love and dance on the moors with Wuthering Heights! Kate Bush isn’t there, but you can be. Indulge in an evening of iconic music from one of the most influential voices in British music.
James Rowland Dies at the End of the Show | 28 Sep | Norwich Theatre Stage Two
What would you do with the last hour of your life? For James the answer is easy: he wants to tell you a story. A desert island disc spun from threads of the future. Full of the joy and wonder of being alive. It is a show about life, humanity and, of course, James Rowland will die at the end of the show.
Amy Gledhill: Make Me Look Fit on the Poster | 29 Sep | Norwich Theatre Playhouse
Amy is a multi-award-winning comedian, actor and writer and is the only act ever to be nominated for the prestigious Edinburgh Comedy Award twice in the same year. Following her hugely successful debut show, The Girl Before the Girl You Marry, Amy Gledhill returns with another stand-up offering.
Matt Forde: The End of an Era Tour | 2 Oct | Norwich Theatre Playhouse
Finally, the UK has a new government. That can only mean one thing: new people to mock. Leading political comedian and satirist Matt Forde makes this his personal mission.
Sophie Duker: But Daddy I Love Her | 4 Oct | Norwich Theatre Playhouse
The Taskmaster champ is back on tour and dealing with her (sugar) daddy issues in a hilarious new stand-up show. Sophie takes the stage with her trademark naughtiness, this time arguing that we should all choose silliness over common sense and hot wet fantasies over cold, bleak reality.
Black is the Color of My Voice 5 | 6 Oct | Norwich Theatre Playhouse
Inspired by the life of Nina Simone and featuring many of her most iconic songs performed live. Apphia Campbell’s acclaimed play follows a successful singer and civil rights activist as she seeks redemption after the untimely death of her father. She reflects on the journey that took her from a young piano prodigy destined for a life in the service of the church to a renowned jazz vocalist at the forefront of the Civil Rights Movement.
Mark Thomas: Gaffa Tapes | 17 Oct | Norwich Theatre Playhouse
Jokes, rants, politics, play and the occasional sing-song. In his time, he has won awards, forced a politician to resign, changed laws on tax and protest, become the Guinness Book of Records world record holder for the number of protests in 24 hours, taken the police to court 3 times and won, walked the length of the Israeli Wall in the West Bank, and generally mucked about trying to have fun.
It’s the Economy, Stupid! | 19 Oct | Norwich Theatre Stage Two
Joe Sellman-Leava and Dylan Howells embark on a quest to uncover how the economy wins elections and why the force that dominates our lives is so bloody complicated! Armed with boxes, bags and an old board game, Joe and Dylan calculate how their lives have been shaped by the economies they grew up in.
Grace Campbell is On Heat | 19 Oct | Norwich Theatre Playhouse
In her brand new show, the unwaveringly honest comedian will ask big questions about the world, her vagina, and her obsession with making her dog her entire brand. Bound to be fiery, unhinged, but also a more mature Campbell, which no one has ever seen before.
Ginger Johnson Blows Off! | 25 – 26 Oct | Norwich Theatre Playhouse
Join comedian, crash mat and winner of Drag Race UK Ginger Johnson as she swaps her stilettos for safety goggles and takes a death-defying leap from the runway to the real world. Expect big hair, big heart and big laughs as Britain’s ditziest daredevil takes on her biggest challenge yet!
Colin Hoult: Colin | 27 Oct | Norwich Theatre Playhouse
Following a huge national tour of ‘The Death of Anna Mann’, the critically acclaimed comedian is back with a stand-up show about family, fatherhood, and a formative childhood experience with a ouija board and a gorilla.
Henry Rowley: Just Literally | 4 Nov | Norwich Theatre Playhouse
TikTok comedy sensation and rising star Henry will be touring the UK & Ireland for the very first time. Join this Gen-Z internet twat for fast-paced stand-up and character sketch comedy featuring some familiar faces.
Kiri Pritchard-McLean: Peacock | 1-2 Nov | Norwich Theatre Playhouse
Kiri has become a foster parent. Until now she hasn’t been able to talk about it on stage, she hasn’t even told the kids in her care that she’s a comedian. However, this year it’s all changed! So, come and join her as she lifts the lid on social workers, first aid training and what not to do when a vicar searches for you on YouTube.
The Cat in the Hat | 11 – 22 Dec | Norwich Theatre Playhouse
Experience mischief this Christmas and see the acclaimed stage adaptation of Dr Seuss’ The Cat in the Hat. From the moment his tall, red and white-striped hat appears, Sally and her brother know that the cat in the hat is the funniest, most mischievous cat they have ever met. With the trickiest of tricks and craziest of ideas, he turns a rainy afternoon into an amazing adventure.
Juliette Burton: Hopepunk | 18 Jan 25 | Norwich Theatre Stage Two
In a world where everything seems negative, hope can be a rebellion. But is the punk-rocking power of positivity passé? Or is despair a luxury we can’t afford? Comedian and activist Juliette Burton finds the funny both in the darkness of desolation and being blinded by the light.
Nina Conti: Whose Face is it Anyway? | 19 Jan 25 | Norwich Theatre Royal
The virtuoso ventriloquist, BAFTA nominee and British Comedy Award winner is back on tour! Nina presents an unparalleled, unscripted brand-new show that delves deep into who we are, hijacking faces to spark a bold, hysterical reality warp.
Lynn Faces | 28 Jan – 1 Feb 25 | Norwich Theatre Stage Two
Nearing 40, painfully shy and trying to make sense of a painful break-up, Leah forms a punk bank inspired by Lynn from Alan Partridge. As they take to the stage for their first gig with no musical ability, Leah is forced to face the reality of a life that looks nothing like she thought it would. A funny, farcical and poignant look at toxic power dynamics, the power of friendship, and how silliness can be healing.
Jazz Emu: Knight Fever | 21 Feb 25 | Norwich Theatre Playhouse
Jazz Emu is the viral comedy character sensation from award-winning writer, actor, musician Archie Henderson. Jazz’s dreams come true when they secure the headline slot at The Royal Variety Show; at long last, Jazz Emu has a chance to secure his long-coveted Knighthood. But a series of recent criminal allegations are threatening to snatch the coveted prize from before his very eyes.
Lucy Porter: No Regrets | 28 Feb 25 | Norwich Theatre Playhouse
Disastrous dates, professional calamities, ruined friendships and parenting fails. Comedian Lucy Porter describes all the mistakes she’s made, works out why they happened, and ponders how her life would have turned out if she’d acted differently.
Tom Stade: Risky Business | 5 Mar 25 | Norwich Theatre Playhouse
Tom’s funny and today’s funny don’t always see eye to eye, but that’s cool; it’s not Tom’s way to follow the herd. He much prefers to take the path less travelled. Join this independent spirit and irrepressible force of nature, as he airdrops his ingenious and unflinching comedy into this ever-changing minefield.
Ania Magliano: Forgive Me, Father | 22 Mar 25 | Norwich Theatre Playhouse
You know when you’re trying to wee on a night out, and you’re interrupted by a random girl who insists on telling you all her secrets even though you’ve never met? Imagine that, but she has a microphone. She is also the writer for Amelia Dimoldenberg, the host of Chicken Shop Dates!
Justin Moorhouse: The Greatest Performance of My Life | 13 Apr 25 | Norwich Theatre Stage Two
Justin’s unparalleled ability to blend side-splitting humour with touching insights offers a rare glimpse into the human condition through the lens of a comedian. This performance is more than just a series of jokes; it’s a heartfelt journey through the joys, sorrows, and hilarity of life.
Alex Mitchell: Tics Towards Puffection | 10 May 25 | Norwich Theatre Playhouse
Britain’s Got Talent 2024 finalist Alex Mitchell uses self-deprecating humour – laughing at himself, his neurodivergence, disability and sexuality – to reflect on some of the most difficult subjects within his own life and wider society. His debut show creates a heartwarming, emotional, but always hilarious show.
