Norwich Playhouse – Cultivated

Ray O’Leary: Laughter? I Hardly Know Her!

James Goffin — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 22:13:40 +0000

Looking like – in his words – the deputy manager of a charity shop – Ray O’Leary shuffles out to face a sold out Norwich Playhouse crowd.

Revamp plans for Norwich venue

Cultivated — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 11:43:46 +0000

Plans for a major revamp of Norwich’s Playhouse have been submitted to the city council.

Geoff Norcott

James Goffin — Sun, 15 Feb 2026 00:24:02 +0000

A trip to see a self-described basic bloke comic might not be everyone’s idea of a perfect Valentine’s Day – but it was tempting enough to nearly fill Ipswich’s Corn Exchange.

Janine Harouni: This Is What You Waited For

James Goffin — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 22:06:48 +0000

The joys – and otherwise – of parenting are central stage for Janine Harouni’s new tour, kicking off its 13-date run with a night at the Norwich Theatre Playhouse.

Post Office drama comes to region’s theatres

Cultivated — Sat, 17 Jan 2026 19:23:38 +0000

The shocking story of the Post Office scandal – and the real life experiences of one of the shopkeepers caught up in it – is explored in a new drama touring East Anglia in February and March.

The Liar, The Bitch, and The Wardrobe

James Goffin — Thu, 11 Dec 2025 23:19:32 +0000

There can’t be many pantos where the audience singalong is to Girly Girl Productions’ 10 Drunk Cigarettes – but if that’s a reference you recognise, you’ll be in your element here.

The Chaos That Has Been and Will No Doubt Return

James Goffin — Tue, 25 Nov 2025 22:32:01 +0000

Teenage kicks are writ large and loud in this boisterous, creative, and at times touching tale of two Luton lads and their complex relationship with home, in all its stripes.

Josie Long: Now Is The Time Of Monsters

James Goffin — Sat, 27 Sep 2025 23:01:53 +0000

These are troubled times, says Josie Long in her new touring show – but things have long been weird, and perhaps we should use that as an excuse to live and to celebrate.

Rave On: The Ultimate 50s and 60s Experience

James Goffin — Thu, 18 Sep 2025 21:45:16 +0000

The heyday of rock’n’roll spanned the Atlantic and left a legacy of dozens of great tunes – and Rave On is a whistlestop tour through many of them.

Gypsy

James Goffin — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 23:52:49 +0000

The story of one of American’s most notorious performers is the focus of this Sondheim-scripted musical.

Paul Zerdin: Jaw-drop

James Goffin — Tue, 02 Sep 2025 21:58:38 +0000

Ventriloquism is a largely neglected form of comedy; while there are plenty of stand ups, combining that with voice throwing and puppetry is a whole different level of skill.

How to Win Against History

James Goffin — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 22:47:48 +0000

At several points in this show we’re reminded that back when its protagonist was alive, gay meant happy. And in that sense, it’s a perfect epithet.

Songs of the Bulbul

James Goffin — Wed, 21 May 2025 22:35:43 +0000

This new dance work offers a mesmerising combination of movement and myth, inspired by the ancient Sufi story of a nightingale held in captivity.

Show Pony

James Goffin — Fri, 16 May 2025 19:58:03 +0000

If there was ever any doubt rules were made to be broken, Show Pony proves the point.

Gandini Juggling: Heka

James Goffin — Wed, 14 May 2025 20:48:49 +0000

Sean Gandini owes me an ice cream: his company’s show Heka is so captivating my lemon sorbet melted before I could take my eyes off the stage to eat it.

Our picks of the Norfolk and Norwich Festival

James Goffin — Mon, 05 May 2025 14:03:11 +0000

One of the UK’s oldest festivals kicks off its 2025 edition this week, with dozens of events around Norwich and venues across Norfolk. We’ve picked out a few festival highlights.

Spy Movie: The Play!

James Goffin — Tue, 29 Apr 2025 22:13:00 +0000

Your mission, should you choose to accept it: to watch the adventures of secret agent Jane Blonde, as she battles to save the world, and to put on a budget-stretched stage version of a spy movie.

Kate Butch: Wuthering Shites

James Goffin — Thu, 27 Mar 2025 22:29:23 +0000

Seemingly everything is being turned into a musical these days – plays, films, even court cases – but this is something else.

Sad Book

James Goffin — Fri, 14 Mar 2025 21:21:33 +0000

Michael Rosen’s award-winning novel gets a transformative dance adaptation in this deceptively simple production.

From Edinburgh with love

Cultivated — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 23:27:39 +0000

Blockbusters and budget theatre collide in a play opening its UK tour at Norwich’s Playhouse theatre next month.