The Midnight Bell
09 Sep - 13 Sep
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£20 - £48.25
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Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures company returns to Norwich Theatre Royal in 2025 with The Midnight Bell.
In 1930s London, ordinary people emerge from cheap boarding houses nightly to pour out their passions, hopes and dreams in the pubs and fog-bound streets of Soho and Fitzrovia. Step inside The Midnight Bell, a tavern where one particular lonely-hearts club gather to play out their lovelorn affairs of the heart; bitter comedies of longing, frustration, betrayal and redemption.
Inspired by the great English novelist Patrick Hamilton (Twenty Thousand Streets Under The Sky, Hangover Square) who created some of the most authentic fiction of his era; stories borne out of years of social interactions with the working man and woman at his favourite location – the London Pub.
Hailed by The Observer as ‘the undisputed king of dance theatre’, master storyteller, Matthew Bourne, has created some of the most successful dance productions of the last thirty years including Swan Lake, Cinderella, The Red Shoes, Romeo and Juliet and Edward Scissorhands.
The Midnight Bell premiered to great acclaim in 2021 and received five nominations at the 2022 National Dance Awards, with Matthew Bourne winning the award for Best Modern Choreography and Michela Meazza for Outstanding Female Modern Performance.
The cast for The Midnight Bell will feature fourteen of New Adventures’ finest actor/dancers in roles that challenge and reveal the darker reaches of the human heart.
Important information
Ticket prices: £20 - £48.25
Running time: 1 hour 50 minutes including interval
Age recommendation: 14+
Available to book:
21 October at 10 am – Ambassadors, Supporters, Gold Friends and Corporates
23 October at 10 am – Friends and Best Friends
25 October at 10 am – General
Concessions:
Friends – 5% off
Ambassadors, Supporters, Best Friends and Gold Friends – 10% off
Corporate – £2 off
O60s – £5 off Bands A&B weekday matinee and Thu eve only
U25s – £6 off Bands A-D Tue – Thu performances only
Schools – £20 Band A-D weekday matinee and Thu eve only (TA free with 10 tickets)
Groups – 20+ 10% off, 40+ 20% off, 80+ 25% off
£10 seats for this show are reserved for members of My Theatre
Book your touch tour here
Content Warning:
The Midnight Bell contains scenes of a sexual nature, including sexual violence and mental distress, smoking on stage (e-cigarettes), haze and flickering lights (not strobe).
Access performances
Audio Described: Thu 11th Sep
Touch Tour: Thu 11th Sep
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For more information visit Pay in Instalments
Why not visit our restaurant…
Make your theatre trip extra special and dine in Prelude, a fresh and contemporary space inspired by the building’s art deco heritage.
With the hassle taken out, relax and enjoy our seasonal set price menu in Prelude. Your table is reserved for the whole evening, so you can enjoy your dessert and drinks in the show interval. Plus, Theatre Royal Friends can enjoy a 10% discount!
Gallery
Reviews
★★★★★
“Silky, Sexy. Intoxicating”
The I★★★★
“A poignant portrait of love, lust and longing. Raise a glass to this dazzling dance.”
The Guardian★★★★
“A TRIUMPH of Bourne’s genius for exact storytelling.”
Observer★★★★
“GLORIOUSLY ATMOSPHERIC. Bourne’s dancers are superb.”
Evening Standard★★★★
“HEARTFELT. Tells stories with absolute tenderness.”
The Independent★★★★
“HAUNTINGLY BEAUTIFUL, utter heaven, achingly moving.”
Sunday Express
Venue
Fresh, seasonal, and locally sourced produce. Enjoy the best in food and drink at our restaurant Prelude or a quick delicious bite before the show.
Directions to the Theatre Royal. Where to park near the theatre, drop-off & disabled parking plus public transport information.
Up-to-date information on access our building, accessible performances and details on personal assistant tickets.