It’s showtime! The Garage in Norwich can’t wait to open the doors to its theatre again. There’s plenty to enjoy – with drama, music and comedy.
Adam Taylor, the performing arts hub’s executive director, said: “I’m so pleased to be welcoming people back into our theatre for our summer/autumn season. There are some cracking shows – as ever. We all know that theatres have struggled during this pandemic, but we’ve learnt lots during the last 14 months that will shape our programme in the years to come. From how to better reach audiences that will love our performances through to quality of the productions on our stages. This season is one that I’m relieved to present and very proud to share.”
Kicking things off is improvised play It Doesn’t Get Easier, You Just Get Stronger (June 19). S.Y Productions takes you down the rabbit hole of mental health and how it’s okay not to be okay.
The Garage is hosting National Theatre Connections 2021 this year. Bringing together some of the UK’s most exciting writers with tomorrow’s theatre-makers, there are four plays. Inspire Peterborough College perform The IT and Fisher Youth Theatre Group perform Find A Partner (June 22). 20Twenty perform Witches Can’t Be Burned and Broadland High Ormiston perform Like There’s No Tomorrow (June 23).
The Garage welcomes fEAST Theatre back with Dulcie and Walter (June 30-July 1), a new play by Great Yarmouth writer Catherine Herman. Dulcie and Walter want to see out their days on their small farm in Norfolk. When Dulcie’s great-niece Mary visits, she finds out more about their long life together and family secrets Dulcie is determined to keep buried. A profound, life-affirming and hilarious play about the sacrifices women make, growing old and staying wild, and chewin’ the cud over a nice bowl of lamb stew.
Frozen Light, who are based at The Garage, stage 2065 (September 14-18), a futuristic sensory extravaganza for audiences with profound and multiple learning disabilities. Set in a world stifled by an oppressive regime made up of all-powerful corporations, can a group of rebels change things for the better?
Comedian Carl Hutchinson (October 26) returns with a new show after two consecutive sell-out years. Expect captivating stories, observations and audience interaction from what critics call a “joyously funny” and “an all-round comic”.
Songwriter and guitarist Nick Harper (November 5) has been described as one of the UK’s best kept musical secrets. He’s the son of folk rock singer, songwriter and guitarist Roy Harper who influenced the likes of Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, Pete Townshend, Kate Bush, Pink Floyd and Jethro Tull’s Ian Anderson to name a few.
He’s cooked gourmet food using hotel room appliances and tools from his shed. In Movable Feast (November 6) George Egg turns his attention to stuff you’d find on planes, trains and automob-meals.
Rifle through all the noise and self-promotion of modern life with comedian Jayde Adams’ The Ballad of Kylie Jenner’s Old Face (November 19). The Snackmasters and Crazy Delicious host was recently seen learning how to sing opera before performing live in front of the whole nation for Comic Relief. Her first stand-up special on Amazon last year was critically acclaimed, amassed 60 million views across social media and was long-listed for the Best Variety Special Emmy in the Hollywood Reporter Predictions.
Katie Snell, The Garage’s general manager, said: “We’re talking to performers, constantly monitoring current government guidelines and reassessing our protocols our protocols to ensure all our shows are Covid-secure. If anybody has any concerns or questions, you can find our current Covid policy on our website.”
Book tickets at thegarage.org.uk/shows.
