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This May will see the return of one of the East of England biggest arts and cultural events – Norfolk & Norwich Festival.

Over the course of seventeen days (13-29 May) Norwich will be bursting with engaging, innovative, clever, creative and new experiences for audiences.

The Festival boasts more than 90 different events, including music, theatre, literature, visual arts and a host of outdoor work. The breadth of work means that there is always something for everyone, whether they are an experienced arts consumer or encountering it for the first time.

This year’s programme also includes a specially commissioned production of The Tempest, directed by William Galinksy, which will be performed in Great Yarmouth’s Hippodrome.

2016 Highlights

Fierce Light

As we approach 100 years since the Battle of the Somme, Fierce Light brings together outstanding international poets, filmmakers and visual artists to explore the WWI and its legacy in the 21st Century. This World Premiere event is a major national co-commission by 14-18 NOW, Norfolk & Norwich Festival and Writers’ Centre Norwich.

The Beethoven Safari

Experience classical music in a whole new way this May with Aurora Orchestra’s ‘The Beethoven Safari’. This innovative event will see the orchestra popping up across the city in a ‘Beethoven Safari’ – creating unexpected encounters for the public where they can enjoy some of the best loved and most recognisable pieces of classical music.

Aurora Orchestra. Norfolk & Norwich Festival 2016. © Sarah Lee

Cain

In another of the Festival’s commissions, The Festival Chorus will perform work from one of the country’s most exciting young composers, Kemal Yusuf. Cain follows the life of the first-born human, and the world’s first murdered, in a work that speaks of suffering, self-worth and the compelling need to revive and make anew.

The Tempest

Inspired by the magic of the Hippodrome, William Galinsky will direct The Tempest, bringing to life The Bard’s work for a modern day audience. It tells the story of a shipwrecked Duke of Naples and the great magician, Prospero.

[LIVE] Art Club

Norwich Arts Centre will once again present some of the more ‘leftfield’ performances at NNF16. It includes a mix of national touring productions alongside some of the finest artists from the East of England.

'Tonight I'm gonna be the New Me' by Made In Chine. Norfolk & Norwich Festival. © Robert Davenport

City of Literature Weekend

Writers’ Centre Norwich presents the City of Literature Weekend, inviting audiences to join some of the most original thinkers, activists and writers in an exploration of ideas.  These will range from cutting edge neuroscience through to unimaginable stories of human perseverance.

Mary English

The discovery of a 100 year old trunk in an attic begins an exciting journey through the story of Mary English’s life, a 19th century adventurer and business woman. Using puppetry and visual theatre, Mary English will tell tales of the New World, of battles lost and won, and a young girl left behind.

KinAesthetic Theatre Co.'s Mary English. Norfolk & Norwich Festival 2016.

For more information and to book tickets, please visit: http://www.nnfestival.org.uk/