Of the many Christmas events that I have attended over last few weeks, this is the one that will really stay in my memory.
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Read full Article'Christmas Crackers' is what tonight's audience were promised, and 'Christmas Crackers' is what they got
Read full ArticleThe definitive way to kick-start your own Christmas celebrations.
The new songs demonstrate just how far Eliza Delf has developed as a songwriter and performer over the last twelve months.
They came, they saw, and they conquered. And the Waterfront Studio audience drift away into the November night, inspired, uplifted, and energised.
Nutcracker in Havana is an absolute Christmas Cracker of a show
An epic project to travel the world, collecting and creating an archive of eclectic and diverse musical performance
Another night to remember for Norwich fans of John Grant
The hits come thick and fast.
An ostensibly amusing, but also incredibly thought-provoking, production.
'Easy As Pie', and a deliciously fun night out.
An all-dancing highland rave in downtown Diss.
The feel-good musical that you will want to see over and over and again
Now, that's what I call a jukebox musical.
An inspired and crowd-thrilling set.
This was certainly one of the finest folk performances I have been to in 2024
A celebration of teenage hopes and dreams
You will believe a car can fly.
The gospel according to Welly is witty and fun
Heartfelt songs about ambitions and dreams, friendship and experience, but mostly about life itself.
Lime Cordiale certainly made a real splash on their first visit to The Adrian Flux Waterfront.
This remains one singular sensation. Go see.
A high velocity performance tonight from Le Vent du Nord, and one that whipped up a storm in the South Norfolk market town of Diss
See this wonderful new musical now, if you can.
A fabulously pop-tastic party, featuring a canon of top tunes from start to finish.
Another fantastic collaboration between Norwich Theatre and Buxton International Theatre. Thank you to Stephen Crocker, and everyone at Norwich Theatre for managing to pull this one off.
A gloriously dark, and very funny, musical stage parody.
A phenomenal show from one of the country's finest folk-punk singer-songwriters
An hilarious homage to Channel 4's much-loved television show
Love this show. Catch it if you can before it hits Edinburgh
Kitty Perrin's unique blend of dreamy indie-pop will have gained even more fans following this Pony-Up show
A delight for children and parents of all ages.
Life-affirming, inclusive and diverse, and celebrating every type of friendship.
A cracker of a 'Summer Night', in the beautiful heart of Thetford Forest. .
An hilarious comedy, made to look so easy. Pleasure and laughter all of the way.
'Grease' is still very much 'the word'.
Baque Luar is all about the beat, and that is what their first visit to Norwich will be remembered for, long after this year's Norfolk & Norwich Festival has ended.
Another wonderfully atmospheric music evening within the Adnams Spiegeltent.
My favourite late night gig of the Festival so far.
An innovative and illuminating evening of choral music from this world-class Irish ensemble.
A rare, and very special, visit to Norwich from one of Scotland's greatest contemporary folk singers.
A wonderful full-orchestra evening
Pongo came, Pongo sang, Pongo danced, and Pongo conquered.
An inspired booking by the Festival, and always a pleasure to listen to any kind of live music within the Church of St Peter Mancroft
Tackling exciting lesser-known pieces with confidence and daring.
For a Romeo & Juliet with that extra rollercoaster ride of emotion and spectacle, look no further.
Music which harmoniously harnesses the sounds of nature
A unique, and wholly immersive, audience experience
I find myself holding back the tears – that is how powerful the finale of this show is.
A show packed with moving words and memories about the city we love.
The tears and the laughter are still there, collectively delivered with true Yorkshire grit, and stoic Northern wit.
A memorable evening on so many counts.
A true gem of a show, faithful to the film’s roots, and yet still honouring its core message that it is OK to be different.
A dazzling display of elegance, strength and stamina
A musical love story, doomed from the start, but with enough heart to steal you away until the final curtain.
A masterful and moving performance of Bill Vine's latest composition
Brave and challenging, English Touring Opera really do deliver 'Opera That Moves'.
In this fresh English Touring Opera production, the morality of the tale shines through with a new-found relevance. Bravo ETO.
A scintillating and crowd-pleasing set from folk legends Spiers & Boden, and wonderful to see the Maddermarket Theatre filled to the rafters
The seventh stop on Big Country's celebratory 'Return to Steeltown' tour.
Come on Norwich, let’s be ‘aving you, and let’s be off to see the wizard, too.
There may be bigger, seated, venues on this string of UK dates, but for the intimate, close-up feel of Joanne Shaw Taylor's brand of the blues, Norwich's Waterfront is going to take some beating.
Support local talent. Buy this album. And watch Kitewing soar.
Completing their triage of Tchaikovsky's most loved ballets.
Swan Lake is a mouth-watering spectacle. This production becomes the complete dance experience.
'Toast' had moved to Norwich Theatre Playhouse this month, and even in this much larger venue, nearly all the seats were taken
A superb one-man show from the accordion-wielding member of the magnificent Young'uns
For sheer guts and dedication you had to admire this performance from The Clause
An absolute delight from start to finish - a heart-warming blinder of a show.
A Baroque blinder of a night
A magnificent seasonal pantomime of which Norfolk should be really proud.
A unique talent, and one worth making the effort to discover.
The Mary Wallopers have it all. You simply could not ask for better craic on a Sunday night in Norwich.
In these days of real horror and turmoil around the world, perhaps an occasional dose of Rodgers and Hammerstein's theatrical escapism is no bad thing.
The levels of energy and enthusiasm (both on and off stage) prove that The Pigeon Detectives are still up for a grand night out. Whatever night it is.
The theatrical experience is witty and well-paced, with a tone that lies somewhere between 'Six' and 'Fascinating Aida'.
The enormity and significance of this concert suddenly sank home, and I felt guilty for simply being free to come along and listen to this great classical music.
There is so much more to this stage version of The Full Monty than a titillating knock-off Chippendales show
Two very different pieces, but one absolutely fabulous evening
Kezia Gill's first journey back to Norwich since supporting The Shires at Epic Studios two years ago
Elements of this fact-based narrative still hold frighteningly true today
The experience is a delight from start to finish
Or, 'Why democracy is overrated and I don't miss it at all'
This was an evening to let the music do the talking
A magnificent tribute to one of England's finest modern contemporary rock composers.
James Rowland's latest show examines friendship, home, love, and loss
Thank you Deepdale – you did it again. This is still my favourite festival of the year, and judging by the number of returning acts and audience members, everybody else's, too.
'Jerry Springer : The Opera' still has the power to both shock and make you laugh out loud, and, more importantly, to make you think about the role of the media and of organised religion.
'The Bodyguard' is one of the most joyous musical experiences to have visited Norwich Theatre Royal in many a year. 100% recommended.
This is definite must-see show. Hats off to Stephen Crocker, and the whole of the Norwich Theatre team, for the courage and conviction to co-produce this wonderful show together with the Buxton International Festival.
And what a moving and powerful performance it was
...the concert commences, immediately filling tha vast hall space with the spine-tinglingly soulful vocals that have come to define Giddens' live performances.
It's an astonishing sixty years since vocalist Colin Blunstone and keyboardist Rod Argent first set up shop, and on the evidence of their performance at Epic they are still fighting fit. Rod Argent's keyboard skills were as nimble as ever, while Blunstone's fine voice was impeccable all night. For men in their late seventies, the combination was little short of astonishing.
Another great night at Epic – once again the sound and lights were spot on, and the staff are always so friendly. Let's hope that Rick Lennox and the team can continue to attract further contemporary and trending music acts like these.
....'Sleeping Beauty remains an iconic work, a gothic romance brought to life with all the charisma, charm and wit that we have come to expect from Sir Matthew Bourne
Even as an ageing single male, Flat & The Curves provided me with to be one of my funniest Saturday nights ever. Out of those that I can still remember, of course.
This is the best Vagaband album yet, and marks the band's progression into brave new territory, but whilst remaining true to their roots.
And thank you, Varna International Ballet, for your first visit to our city. It was an absolute delight to have the opportunity watch you perform. Please, please, please, come back soon.
A two year delay but well worth it ........
Strings, bassoon, harp, double bass, flute and saxophones all contribute to this effusive concoction of folk fable, premonitory dreams and messages from nature. An early contender for my Album of the Year?
A daring and innovative show which is resplendent in its writing, engagingly delivered, and absolutely perfect for the run up to Christmas
‘Soul of Albion’ is an album unafraid to reflect on the state of the nation, and yet still manages to convey the band’s love of a good time and a drink
.....just read the review
A great album from start to finish – every song on it could justifiably argue a case for inclusion on a GGD 'Best Of'' compilation
If you have never seen The Nimmo Twins, then you better be bloody quick. Their run of shows at Norwich Theatre Playhouse sold out yonks ago. If you are quick, you might be lucky as they are doing a one-night-only show at Norwich Theatre Royal on August 23rd. If not, just “keep on troshin”.
Life is a learning experience and if like me you had not heard of Nellie Bly then all I can say is ... it is an engrossing show that left me highly impressed, as well as suitably enlightened. Find out More PLEASE
not only are the key cast magnificent, but the entire ensemble of dancers, singers and musicians deliver a truly scintillating performance
Loved it, loved it, loved it, darlings. xxx
This theatrical reinvention of 'LOL' certainly had me 'Laughing Out Loud' from start to finish"
"Crude Apache have created a show that, by delving into local history, makes us also think about workers’ rights today. Bravo!"
Destined to be one of the standout albums of 2022, make sure you catch Beabadoobee at Reading and Leeds Festival this summer, or at the Nick Rayns LCR here in Norwich on October 8th. This is going to be the year of Beatopia.
“We are spared the graphic horrors, but the message hits its target with dramatic precision”
Common Lot for, once again, coming up with a community-based show that is entertaining, educational, topical, and inspiring. It does them, and Norwich, proud. Go see it.
Fantastic costumes, fantastic choreography, fantastic performances, and fantastic songs. What more is there to say? This production of Dreamgirls is simply supreme, supreme, supreme!!! (There, I said it. Sue me if you dare!)
I would not have missed this evening's show for anything. However, twenty four hours on, I cannot help musing on how this was something of an opportunity missed
Levitation Orchestra's sound is a potent cocktail of uninhibited energy and elegant exploration, bound together by an egality of interwoven
Shibe was an absolute gentleman, talking us through each piece, and playing to the wonderfully attentive audience with virtuosic confidence and class.
..the sparkle in her eye tonight, and the obvious love shared between mother and son, turned this Spiegeltent show into a wholly unforgettable experience.
These three musical artists delivered a venerable tribute to Jenny Lind that was sensitive, informative and beautifully presented
...the audience tonight were treated to something rather special, listening to a fresh generation of musicians discover and revive the songwriting treasures of the past
Petrie's fierce musical stand for the things that she feels passionate about has triumphantly fired the bellies of another festival audience.
"With James Conway's direction and Gerry Cornelius' conducting, 'The Golden Cockerel' is most definitely in safe hands"
The album closes with a piano and the sound of rain in 'Saint Michael'. Retrospective and atmospheric rather than apostolic in its tone,
From start to finish this is an absolute peach of an album, a juicy slice of post-punk, pop perfection.
For a crypt-kicking delight of an evening, The Addams Family are your perfect ghoulish hosts.
If you are not already familiar with the work of Susanna Wallumrød (or, come to that, Charles Baudelaire) I would implore you to give 'Elevation' a listen. It is most certainly an album that is all that I cannot leave behind.
Yes, it is comedy. Yes, it is fun, and yes it is raucous and at times saucy. McDermott's smartly integrated East Anglian references and dialectical nuance will delight local audiences. But, ultimately it is a much bigger picture, and there is so much more for us all to think about and take away from 'The Birds and The Bees'
Alluvium's sense of fluidity and pace continues in the cinematic harpsichord-led title track, whilst 'Earth' creates a distinctly retro revisitation of Colin Blunstone on a 1970's Alan Parsons concept album
....nothing could have prepared me for the spectacle and passion of this version of the Leeds Playhouse production, currently playing at Norwich Theatre Royal.
As a classic drama about love, lust and conflict, 'Private Lives' still takes some beating.
it is almost as though the listener has been taken on their own enlightening journey of discovery as well.
I remember when, soon after taking being appointed as CEO of Norwich Theatre, Stephen Crocker made a pledge to continue to bring more world class contemporary dance to Norwich. He has delivered on that promise ........
This is a stripped-back work that is overwhelmingly enhanced by the beauty and fragility of Leschper's vocals, creating a naturalistic and folkier feel to previous works, and producing an authentic sense of natural impermeance.
'Owl Cage' is an album that should now be heard way beyond the rugged peaks of the Cumbrian countryside
Are they destined to become the next big thing? Who knows? But, for now, I am happy to listen, and wait, and see what happens next.
'The Garden' is a collection that has been laid out with love and affection. It emerges as a truly original and fascinating retrospective of this talented artist. Thoroughly recommended.
Make sure that you don't miss out on what will almost certainly the best feel-good night out (or matinee) on offer in Norwich over the festive season.
Robin Good is directed with lashings of local references and a bundle of in-jokes that will delight Norwich audiences – poking fun at our parochiality, our poor public transport links, and our patchy mobile phone reception.
After the sunshine and warmth of the previous night's 'L'elisir d'amore' the Glyndebourne Tour could not have provided more by way of contrast.
Glyndebourne Tour in Norwich last night gave me the opportunity to immerse myself for two and a half hours in Italian operatic sunshine, whilst the rest of Norwich shivered in the dark and the cold outside.
Northern Ballet are always eagerly awaited visitors to the Theatre Royal, both for their full productions and for their wonderful child-friendly shows (they return in April 2020 with a special version of Little Red Riding Hood). We now have October 2020 to look forward to, and their return with an exciting new production – Merlin
Guitar music is by no means dead. It has just been resting.
After taking their bows together, she and Clare Uchima leave the stage, and an audience that has just given them the biggest, most rapturous, ovation that I can ever remember hearing at the LCR.
The fluidity of the movement, together with the dancers' phenomenal strength and control, is breathtaking, and lead dancer Zeleydi Crespo has a powerful presence which has the entire audience spellbound
Reach The Moon, managed to achieve what many others have tried and failed to do – to recreate the excitement and overwhelming sense of achievement that emerged from that historic moment on July 20th, 1969
They may have been around for almost two decades, and may not have visited Norwich for a while but, judging by tonight's show, Hot Chip have certainly not gone off the boil.
Was Wild Paths 2019 a success? Well, you had better believe it. With its incredibly ambitious goals for a first year, booking a ridiculously rich array of artists and venues, but by galvanising a fantastic team of organisers and volunteers, somehow Ben Street had pulled it off – four days and nights of remarkable shows that reinforced Norwich's position on the musical map, and gave the city's music fans plenty to talk about for months to come. Thank you, Ben.
Thought-provoking, at times perhaps a little clichéd, but entirely relevant and altogether rather beautiful.
This was a precious evening of magnificent songwriting, professionalism and performance, all served up by one of Sheffield's finest.
Rambert's visits to Norwich are always eagerly anticipated, and this programme of three very different yet thematically interconnected pieces, demonstrates Benoit Swan Pouffer's commitment to maintaining the company's proud reputation for taking risks....
if you are looking for a friendly and extremely well-organised weekend that offers an eclectic mix of music that makes you want to dance, makes you want to cry, and sometimes just makes you go want to go 'wow!', then Deepdale is it
This surely confirms them as one of the most innovative and original acts to emerge in 2019
Exciting solo performances from each player demonstrate Nérija's collaborative ethic, and the breadth of individual talent within this scintillating project.
A brilliantly brave debut.
It is a journey that, over the course of two hours, and more than six centuries, tells the tale of two cities....As a result, I am more in love with this city than ever before. Anglia Square included.
This was indeed an evening of wide-ranging musical delights, when the sun really did come out and shine
During the course of the evening we get a chance to hear each and every one of the album's ten track
Back in the early 80's Altered Images were one of the biggest pop acts around, with three top 30 albums and six UK top 40 singles between 1981 and 1983. We talked to lead singer and songwriter Clare Grogan, and asked her about the band's initial success, and their continuing popularity more than 35 years after Happy Birthday was first released.
Hannigan's typically sparse and ethereal folk compositions into a sonic panorama that is nothing short of alchemic.
Tracks like Ghosts and Lovers ably demonstrate what a beautiful album Ellipsism has turned out to be
Jesse Mac Cormack's album debut arrives as a work of scorching atmosphere, panoramic tumbling melodies and vast lyrical spaces
The resultant 60 minute show is a kaleidoscopic and psychedelic delight from start to end.
Whichever route (musical choices, age, or whatever) brought us here, we were all to experience to one of the most moving and stirring musical evenings that I have attended at the UEA.
Roseate, is undoubtedly the strongest track of the entire album, a powerful mission statement that begins with harp and ethereal vocals and builds to a surging conclusion, complete with pounding drum machine, synth and strings.
this music contains brilliantly crafted slices of wit and irony set out to debunk male toxicity, xenophobia and anti-matriarchy
All in all, another noteworthy collection
When You're Ready emerges as one of the most impressive and accessible of debut albums
Norwich's Nic Norton returns with another engaging and original collection
its relentless pace grips and holds right until the very final spin.
tale of two lovers on the precipice of break-up
Tonight, Huey Morgan is definitely 'the man', and Fun Lovin' Criminals do what they do best – leave their audience hungry for more
Top marks to the Norwich Playhouse for hosting this debut visit from Rambert 2. The scale of the venue, and the fantastic sound, made this a perfect evening
Erica Whyman had decided on a contemporary transfer for this 400 year old tale of family feuding, love at first sight, and crossed star destiny, but it is a darker, starker version of the classic.....
A musical interpretation of Hieronymus Bosch's fifteenth century triptych panels sounds like the kind of recorded oddity that emerges from a crate digging session at the local vinyl fair, rather than a contemporary electronic folk-jazz release.
Drastic Measures emerges from the new wave of composer-musician-producers...
'True musicians do not have a choice', he muses, 'we just have to keep on writing and performing. It is what we do'. Well evidenced at this gig
An imaginative sixty minute show created around Dickens' iconic 1843 work,
Even before the house lights dimmed the crowd had started up a chant of 'Miles, Miles - Miles Fucking Kane'
Their voices fit together perfectly and are also comfortable taking lead, usually on their own compositions. But when you listen to the lyrics of each song you realise that the inspiration often comes from a very specific source.....
Whether you are a fan of Jessie or not remains a matter of individual taste, but from what I saw and heard tonight the new material deserves a serious listen – her voice is strong and confident, and the songs are a million miles away from the frothy pop of 2011
When a band that originally formed in 1966 changes its name four times......Yet I really should not be worried
The band are currently on a celebratory tour of the UK, and Sunday night at the Theatre Royal was their first visit to Norwich since playing here in 2013.
Curved Air at The Waterfront
Pancrazi is wonderful as Prince Charming, and her parallel appearance as a maid and confidante to Cinderella in Pandolfe's household suggests a dimension of gender fluidity, adding yet another layer of duality, metamorphosis and contrast to the production
I never got to see The Smiths perform live, and Johnny Marr had packed up his guitar and left The Cribs by the time they played Latitude in 2011, so this gig at the Nick Rayns LCR was to be my first up-close encounter with the legendary guitarist
It started the previous night, when someone suggested that I really ought to check out The Velveteers at Bermuda Bob's Rum Shack. 'They're a bit like The White Stripes', they explained, before adding cryptically, 'But then, they're not'. I'm intrigued, but could actually do with that night in. I file the suggestion under 'poss, but probs not'.
I am unsure how the name of Eivør Pálsdóttirremained underneath my radar for quite so long
An Outline of Late Nights / Early Mornings
Four young local acts impress.
Good luck to you all.
9/10
Delightful.
6/10
Every one of these bands I could go and enjoy live again
9/10
An enthralling and illuminating spectacle.
One Slambovian hell of an evening
7/10
7/10
A calculated crescendo
One of the country's finest young folk singers.
5/10
A big star in the making.
The audience is totally enraptured with each song
An evening of absolute professionalism.
8/10
The vocal harmonies are gorgeous
A musical Venn diagram,
8/10
The weekend has most certainly landed.
9/10
5/10
An underground vibe in ancient vaults.
I am definitely on board.
An engaging and informative evening
7/10
9/10
A quasi-religious experience
8/10
A perfectly-pitched production
Get to know your local music scene
8/10
8/10
Big up support Misty Miller.
We are, once again, helplessly won over.
9/10
8/10
Get a bit of sausage when you can
We all by now know that there is neither an Eliza nor a Bear in Eliza And The Bear.
This is never going to quite float my boat
A triumph.
8/10
Gaz Coombes is no stranger to Norfolk
I really love this band to bits
3/10
Not bad at all, Eska
Contemporary folk in all its domestic glory
8/10
7/10
9/10
6/10
The performance is definitely on a grand scale, with so many individual talents on display
You see? Norwich does know how to have a good time.
A thoroughly entertaining, impressive and thought-provoking evening
A truly inspirational idea from NS&V and the library management
5/10
8/10
9/10
BK & Dad, Midnight Zoo & Claws play live
A warm and superbly talented performance
Let me laugh with you, Sean, not at you or at others.
Forty years later, again they leave us wanting more.
7/10
Compelling to watch, and to hear.
5/10
9/10
7/10
A banging good family musical with a great cast and unforgettable songs
7/10
6/10
"An arena performance but with the intimacy of a private audience"
5/10
The Boy Gedge's two bands play Norwich
6/10
The second half appears to kick off with a new-found synergy
Tonight Gigspanner spun the world thrice over.
8/10
A tour-de force
As sure as night follows day we need bands like The Sundowners.
A veritable smorgasbord of reflection and projection
Saint Julian takes to the Waterfront
A beautiful and sensitive album that is a lot more uplifting than you might first expect
Banging job.
An ambitious album of pretty average songs.
Addison's Uncle play on Norwich Market
This is the Kit delight NAC once again
This is indie-folk for the Waitrose generation.
Totally engaging, beautiful and thought-provoking.
Pick yourselves up, Champs, and try again.
A triumph for Peace
Like eating jam roly-poly without the custard.
A crowning glory.
Gorgeous, masterful, confessional, and uplifting.
Spotlights carve across the stage like a lighthouse on a misty night.
A truly complex talent whose fame is already set to spread beyond our Norfolk borders.