At last years Norfolk and Norwich Festival I wrote my first blog about dance. Nothing has changed and much like before, I still know little about dance, and even less about hip-hop.
But even with my very small knowledge of the subject, I had heard of the production Blak Whyte Gray- by Boy Blue.
Today’s blog marks the return of the Spiegeltent – a fantastic temporary venue in Chapelfield Gardens. It is the home to many shows, but today we are talking about A Simple Space, by internationally renown Gravity and other Myths. They are an Australian circus troupe that formed in 2009, and the award winning production they have brought to the Norfolk and Norwich Festival has been touring worldwide since 2013!
Currently my life revolves around rhododendrons and a stubborn handkerchief tree. So what better way to kick off my 2019 Norfolk and Norwich Festival season by going to see an immersive piece of theatre to do with horticulture.
Plants. My life revolves around plants.
Although to be honest I cant exactly complain. Wild Longings was a moving promenade piece ending in a hilarious musical pun filled picnic.
Everyone searches for the one.
I’ve been searching for the last few years now.
I thought I had found the one in Merlin. I met him stuck in a muddy field when I moved back to Norfolk in 2016. I fell in love instantly.
Born in 1987 like me, he was a little quirky and needed some love. But sadly it wasn’t meant to be. He was perfect for now, but not for the long term.
My last visit to this years Norfolk and Norwich Festival was to The Adnams Spiegeltent to see the specially commissioned show SHIFT, by the Barely Methodical Troupe.
SHIFT Explores shifting perceptions and realities through power based acrobatics mixing show-stopping circus tricks with the emotional punch of theatre.
I was first introduced to Ben Folds in 2008, when the sound technician at the theatre I worked at used the Ben Folds Five as sound check music. By the end of the week I had to ask him what was playing and it was instantly added to my very small iTunes library- which at the time mainly consisted of show tunes and 80s rock! (I did discover that I knew a fair few of their songs already though)
Its a festival of firsts for me this year. First time writing about dance. First time writing about music and first time at The Norwich Puppet Theatre.
I don’t know why it’s taken me so long – its a brilliant venue that I will be keeping a closer eye on for sure.
Improbable have been on my radar for years. The company were founded by Julian Crouch, Phelim McDermott, Lee Simpson and Nick Sweeting in 1996. They came up frequently during university, but our paths never crossed until now!
What do we do when fascism comes to town?
Confusingly the first production I saw at this years Norfolk and Norwich Festival was a show called Grand Finale at the Norwich Theatre Royal.
I love to walk. I walk a lot in Norfolk, but the thing about Norfolk is it is rather flat.
Ok- now that is a lie, I can safely attest that there are hills, but Beeston Bump aside there are no great inclines.
I have had the hiking bug for quite some time now, but it would be quite a journey to hike my first peak. I’d have to head inland and the two combined would turn into a multi- day trip, which at the moment isn’t really possible.
So when I discovered that the island in the Whitsundays I would be staying on had a peak I made a note in my notebook that I would be doing it.
The first post from my amazing trip to Australia is about a theatre show- which was actually one of the last things I did whilst out there. BUT this show finishes on Sunday 24th September so I wanted to post this before then just in case it tempts anyone in and around Brisbane to go!
Fun House was created by Strut & Fret especially for this years Brisbane Festival. They are the same company who created “Limbo” and “Blanc de Blanc” ( both of which have been performed in the UK so fingers crossed for Fun House making the trip overseas.)
