Norwich Theatre say 'rule of six' won't stop Christmas season

The theatre announced they'd be temporarily reopening in December for three festive shows on Wednesday 9th September, shortly after the Government revealed changes to the coronavirus guidelines.

But Chief Executive, Stephen Crocker, told us the new 'rule of six' won't ruin their plans.

He said: "We are currently delivering a temporary venue in Chapelfield Gardens and of course we launched our plans for Christmas.

"But the announcement won't affect either of those things, because each of those projects are delivered with bubbles no larger than six, they're thoroughly risk assessed, and full social distancing is in place."

The special season of festive performances will include three shows: Panto in a Pickle!, A Circus Carol, and She Go Does It Under the Christmas Tree... with Friends.

The panto performance will feature "Norwich's favourite Dame" Richard Gauntlett and encompasses the traditional panto fun during an adventure through six stories.

Following it's sell-out success at the Norwich Playhouse at Christmas last year, A Circus Carol will be re-staged especially for the Theatre Royal. The show's based on a well-known Dickens story but with a twist, Ebenezer Scrooge is shown the error of his ways by three ghosts and astounding circus skills.

And then completing the season will be another brand new show from Norfolk comedian Karl Minns, with the return of one of his favourite Nimmo Twins comedy creations, She Go, alongside some other local characters. The performance will be a festive look back at what a year 2020 has been in Norfolk.

Mr Crocker told us why it's so important that they can reopen their doors to the public during December: "I was talking to somebody just a few weeks ago who said to me...

"I've been to Theatre Royal every Christmas for every year of my life and I'm 32 years-old, I don't want to break that tradition.

"I believe our audiences, for many of whom a festive trip to the theatre is a long-standing tradition, need a Christmas treat more than ever before this year. I am delighted that we're able to produce A Right Royal Christmas with such a fantastic programme of shows and artists that will keep that tradition alive and guarantee a fun and safe trip to the theatre."

He said it's not just about audiences though, having theatre's open is great for the local community in other ways too: "This provides work for our staff, artists, freelancers, this feeds the supply chain, it will support the city centre economy. As we've seen through Interlude, shops, retail and hospitality benefit from theatres being open as well."

Pantomime Dame, Richard Gauntlett, said: "The postponement of 'Dick Whittington and his Cat' this year was a huge disappointment for all involved and this opportunity to fill the 'Panto-void' with a new twist is an exciting and unexpected pleasure. Be prepared for pantomime but not as we know it! - and it does mean that I can do my Christmas shopping in Norwich."

Director of Lost in Translation Circus, Massimiliano Rossetti, who co-produced the A Circus Carol performance, said: "I'm very honoured that we will have the opportunity to perform again and this time on the beautiful stage at the Theatre Royal.

"Together with Norwich Theatre I feel that we have been contributing to bringing the arts back to life and we need to give value and importance to creativity more than ever before.

"I'm very excited to be performing at Christmas, sharing smiles, amazement, joy and laughter with audiences during the festive season."

Comedian Karl Minns added: "We've all missed being inside theatres and this is a huge honour and a big step forward in reclaiming our beloved spaces.

"It's been a tough year for everyone, so to end the year and go into Christmas with some joy and laughter is something I'm really looking forward to."

Norwich Theatre say whilst a full-scale re-opening of Theatre Royal, Playhouse and Stage Two will not be possible until social distancing measures are further relaxed, this short season will be planned with current guidance in mind and both the shows and the Covid-secure modifications to the Theatre Royal building have been made possible through grants and donations.