Norwich Theatre Talks

Norwich Theatre's Chief Executive and Creative Director, Stephen, talks to Tom Sleigh about his role as Chair of Norwich Theatre.

On this episode of Norwich Theatre Talks, Stephen talks to Christina Bianco about her impressions and role as Narrator in Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

In this episode of Norwich Theatre Talks, Chief Executive and Creative Director, Stephen, chats to comedian Marcus Brigstocke about his upcoming stand-up show, Vitruvian Mango.Get tickets for Marcus' show here: bit.ly/3GuGklJ*Language warning: Contains expletives

In this episode of Norwich Theatre Talks, Stephen talks to the titular star of Hamilton, Marley Fenton. *SPOILER for Hamilton at 12:11

In this episode of Norwich Theatre Talks, Chief Executive and Creative Director, Stephen, chats to Strictly Come Dancing star Janette Manrara about her upcoming role in Chicago as Roxie Hart.

In this episode of Norwich Theatre Talks, Chief Executive and Creative Director Stephen sits down with Laura Horton to discuss her new show co-commissioned by Norwich Theatre, Lynn Faces.

In this episode of Norwich Theatre Talks, Chief Executive and Creative Director Stephen sits down with Michael Maloney to discuss his debut as Hercule Poirot in Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express.   Their conversation delves into the dynamics of touring theatre, the perks of being part of an iconic TV series like The Crown, and pondering over what they would ask Shakespeare if they had the chance.

For this episode, Chief Executive & Creative Director Stephen Crocker talked to ITV legend Lisa Maxwell in rehearsals of Norwich Theatre's pantomime Aladdin. The pair talked about the tradition of panto, being the baddie for the first time, being on variety shows and how being on the stage is a great training ground for Loose Women.   In part two of Norwich Theatre Talks interview, Stephen talks to Lisa about her role in Aladdin, trying the Norfolk accent, going to Great Yarmouth on a magic carpet and her three dogs! 

In this episode of Norwich Theatre Talks, we journeyed to Sinitta's dressing room, whilst she was starring in NOW That's What I Call a Musical!

On this episode of Norwich Theatre Talks, we kick off Season 3 with a chat to Maisie Adam, ahead of her Norwich Theatre Playhouse debut. We are also pleased to announce the launch of our brand new radio show, Stage Door, on Norwich’s community radio station, Future Radio. You can listen to Stage Door in association with Norwich Theatre on the first Monday of every month from 6pm. You can also listen again on the Future Radio website https://futureradio.co.uk/

In this episode, Stephen Crocker is joined by our new pantomime dame and Norfolk Nimmo Twin, Owen Evans.Raised in Cromer, Owen attended the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) where he studied with the Moscow Arts Theatre School. As an actor, he has appeared in countless plays and theatre productions, including with the Royal Shakespeare Company.Owen will be starring alongside West End musical stars Tarik Frimpong and Meesha Turner; pantomime favourite Joe Tracini; and ITV star Lisa Maxwell in Aladdin at Norwich Theatre Royal from 7 Dec to 5 Jan. Tickets are available via our website.The episode also features Lauren Farley, Business Development Manager at Norwich Theatre. Lauren and Stephen discuss the varied ways that Norwich Theatre, a registered charity that receives no public funding, uses its venues to generate extra income.Listen to the episode now on Spotify, YouTube and Norwich Theatre Digital Stage (via our website).

It's another Norwich Theatre Talks - On Tour episode! This summer, we are excited to be hosting a Festival of New Musicals at Norwich Theatre Playhouse. The week will bring you delightfully silly, outrageously funny brand-new musicals before they head off to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival for their debut! From the producer that brought you Cake: The Marie Antoinette Playlist and My Son's A Queer (But What Can You Do?), three brand new musicals – Come Dine With Me: The Musical; I Wish You Well – The Gwyneth Paltrow Ski-Trial Musical; and SILENCE! The Musical will all be headlining the festival.  In this episode, Stephen chats with X Factor star Diana Vickers from I Wish You Well – The Gwyneth Paltrow Ski-Trial Musical; Danielle Coombe and Harry Chandler from Come Dine With Me: The Musical; and Mark Oxtoby from SILENCE! The Musical. They talk about the shows, the process of developing them, and the excitement of previewing them in Norwich before taking them to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. For the full Fringe experience, you can enjoy all three musicals for just £36 with our Festival Ticket, just add each show to your basket and the discount will automatically apply.

This episode Stephen Crocker is joined by Kitty Morgan, writer of new British musical, The Highwayman ahead of its run at Norwich Theatre Playhouse in August. The Highwayman tells the story of a dashing rogue in a full-throttle musical charge through the grimy underbelly of 1600s England, where love is as dangerous as a back-alley brawl. Kitty talks about the process of creating a musical inspired by the infamous Alfred Noyes poem and its journey from page to stage. The episode also includes Glen Neath from Darkfield, who recently brought SÉANCE and ARCADE to Norwich Theatre Beyond. If you joined us in the shipping containers and want to know more about how you create such a unique show listen to the episode now on Spotify, YouTube and Norwich Theatre Digital Stage (via our website).

It’s our Norwich Theatre Talks – On Tour episode!    Our guests are acclaimed international disabled choreographer, performer and director, Marc Brew; and award-winning choreographer and director, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, who are bringing their astounding piece, an Accident / a Life to Norwich Theatre Royal in May 2024.    It is a stunning, highly visual theatrical experience, including music, dance, storytelling, film and a car exploring the moments in our lives when everything changes. For Marc, this was his car accident, where he went from ballet dancer to paraplegic in a split second.   This solo marks the first collaboration of the Australian, Scotland based artist with the world-renowned Flemish-Moroccan choreographer. We were so excited to talk with them that we set up a special On Tour episode while host Stephen Crocker was in Birmingham with On Before and they were able to dial in.

On this episode of Norwich Theatre Talks, host Stephen Crocker talks to the legend that is Gary Wilmot, who was visiting Norwich as part of his tour playing the Wizard of Oz. He shares his early theatre experiences and what it's like to be an upcoming star during the golden age of variety performances. Stephen also chats all things financial, with Norwich Theatre Finance Director, Becci Winton. People are often surprised to hear that when it comes to ticket pricing and discounting, this is largely led by the visiting company or show, rather than the us. She talks about our registered charity status, and our range of initiatives in place to make tickets as accessible to all as we can.

On this episode of Norwich Theatre Talks, Stephen talks to Rosy Carrick about how she uses her show Musclebound to explore the female sexual experience. He also talks to Playhouse Bar Manager, Fernando Santos-Castilla, about being part of a creative hub in the city centre.

Comedian Janey Godley joined host Stephen Crocker in Podcast Corner for a a hard-hitting conversation ahead of her sold-out show ‘Not Dead Yet’ at Norwich Theatre Playhouse. Janey was first diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2021 and despite chemotherapy, just over a year later she learned that she had cancer in her abdomen and now talks openly on stage about the fact that she will eventually die of cancer. This episode also features Norwich Theatre's Teresa Baker, Head of People and Culture. For support of the themes discussed in the episode: The Big C: 0800 092 7640, www.big-c.co.uk Samaritans: 116 123, www.samaritans.org Marie Curie: 0800 090 2309, www.mariecurie.org.uk

Watch this month’s episode of Norwich Theatre Talks where Stephen Crocker sits down for a chat with Karl Minns about his career and being a Nimmo twin for almost 30 years. This episode also features Norwich Theatre’s Zoe Phillips, who is our Head of Campaigns and Oscar, our office pup who is our Head of Barketing.

Welcome to our Christmas episode of Norwich Theatre Talks! Our special guest on the episode is Millie O’Connell, our panto Princess Rose, who talks about her iconic roles in SIX The Musical and The Cher Show, her love for Norwich and her role as Sleeping Beauty. Later in the episode, we meet Hannah Crouch, our Friends and Supporters Manager as well as Ellen Siegert, the creator of our panto minis, a collection of crochet dolls which are part of our Christmas Appeal Raffle.

Listen to episode one of Norwich Theatre Talks’ second season! Our special guest on the episode is Beverley Callard who talks about her career, her mental health journey as well as being this year’s panto baddie. Later in the episode, we meet Rebecca Lyon, our Head of Media and Communications who shares details about what it’s like to work at the theatre.

This month, we have recorded a special episode of the Norwich Theatre Talks podcast, exploring opera, featuring guests including General Director of English Touring Opera Robin Norton-Hale, and audience member Marion Welham.

Watch this month's episode of Norwich Theatre Talks where Stephen Crocker sits down for a chat with Carlos Acosta about his dance company Acosta Danza and performing at 50. This episode also features Norwich Theatre's Emma Maxwell, who is our Senior Stage Technician.

The art of drag is the theme for Norwich Theatre’s latest podcast episode. Craig Revel Horwood joined host Stephen Crocker in Podcast Corner at Norwich Theatre Playhouse, while he was in Norwich playing Miss Hannigan in Annie the Musical this month. He tells Stephen about how he created his version of Miss Hannigan; his drag persona in Australia; the creativity in gender-flipping well-known roles; and why jumping out of an aeroplane was less nerve-wracking than conducting at the Royal Opera House. Craig also talks about his time on Strictly Come Dancing and how he learned Latin and Ballroom at the late Len Goodman’s School of Dance in Dartford. He is the longest serving Strictly judge in the world, across the 60 versions. This episode also features local drag performers Joseph Ballard, known as Titania Trust, and Norwich Theatre’s graphic designer Nic Gordon, who performs as Jester Mirage.

Welcome to our podcast corner! In this episode, Stephen Crocker interviews Audrey Brisson and Iain Farrington about The Land of Might-Have-Been, a brand new musical produced by Norwich Theatre and Buxton International Festival. As always, we'll also introduce you to a member of our team at the Norwich theatre - Dec Matwij, our Head of AV.

In this episode, Stephen Crocker welcomes Sir Matthew Bourne to our podcast corner where they discuss dance, touring, and all things performance. As always, we will also introduce you to a member of the Norwich Theatre team, our Head of Facilities and Sustainability, Martyn Herbert.

This episode, we welcomed two amazing women who have been charting a course within the theatre industry. Suzi Ruffell, one of Norwich’s favourite comedians and Tara Claxton, Head of Technical Operations at Norwich Theatre, chat to Stephen about their personal stories and experiences in the industry.

To celebrate World Theatre Day, we welcomed legendary Showman, Derren Brown to Podcast Corner at the Playhouse to talk about making theatre, happiness and touring. We also featured Miche Montague, Creative Communities Producer at Norwich Theatre to talk about our Theatre Makers.

Mental Health campaigner and ex-liberal democrat MP, Sir Norman Lamb joins us in Podcast Corner at the Playhouse to talk about children’s mental health and the role creativity can play. Michael Williams, CEO of Buxton International Festival and writer of this summer’s new musical, The Land of Might-Have-Been talks about this beautiful new co-production with Norwich Theatre.

The power of stories is the theme for Norwich Theatre’s second podcast episode. Jake Humphrey one of the UK's best-respected sports presenters and Professor Damian Hughes, his co-host on High Performance, explore how as individuals we can use storytelling and creativity to be challenged and inspired.  Sam Dawson later talks about Creative Matters: Climate Stories, a new year-long focus for Norwich Theatre exploring the climate crisis and presenting ways in which all of us can influence our collective future

Norwich Theatre is excited to launch its brand new podcast! Hosted by Chief Executive and Creative Director, Stephen Crocker, and recorded live at Norwich Theatre Playhouse, each monthly episode will feature a star guest plus news from Norwich Theatre. The first episode of Norwich Theatre Talks stars Joe Tracini, who plays the lead role in this year’s panto Jack and the Beanstalk. He speaks with Stephen about his award-winning panto roles, his Sunday Times bestselling book, mental health advocacy and why we all need panto at this time of year. It also features Creative Engagement Project Manager, Elspeth Hunter who talks about Norwich Theatre’s Christmas Appeal. This year Norwich Theatre is fundraising for Theatre of Possibility, which provides creative experiences for children and young people facing severe life challenges.