Maddermarket Theatre Programme:

September – December 2013

Click on image to view or download a pdf brochure of our programme

Highlights abound in new Maddermarket season………..

Guaranteed to have you on the edge of your seats is the story of Leopold and Loeb, two wealthy law students from Chicago, who set out to commit the perfect murder of 14 year old Robert ‘Bobby’ Franks.  Alfred Hitchcock’s ROPE is a true thriller and is on stage 22^nd to 31^st August.

A week of music and burlesque to suit all tastes  follows led by KING PLEASURE AND THE BISCUIT BOYS (Tues 3^rd Sept) who over three decades have established themselves as the ‘Kings of Swing’ performing a show with a cheer you up guarantee! For lovers of Irish folk and Celtic music, the return of DAVEY ARTHUR & FRIENDS (Wed 4^th Sept) to the Madders will be welcomed by his many fans. Still touring with the Fureys, his performances on the Tenor Banjo are legendary. No year would be complete without the inevitable visit of RAYMOND FROGGATT (Thurs 5^th Sept). Froggie followers descend on Norwich from around the country to enjoy his music and his many hilarious stories. An evening with Raymond Froggatt is always pure magic. The mood changes dramatically as PURPLE ZEPPELIN (Fri 6^th Sept) take to stage with the four highly talented musicians recreating the best of Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin. In this unique, full on, two part show you will hear more than 30 classic songs. As promised, the week ends with the amazing LE THEATRE DE DECADENCE (Sat 7^th Sept) bringing you the best of burlesque beauties and cabaret wonders. This high energy show features Betsy Rose and Trixie Sparkle and will have you gasping and laughing in all the right places.

Throughout September in the Maddermarket bar will be a unique collection of memorabilia, images and letters telling the story of the sinking of RMS Laconia by a German U-Boat on 12^th September 1942. The Laconia was a troop ship carrying 2500 passengers and crew, most of the passengers being Italian prisoners of war. Linked to this small exhibition is a Maddermarket Production and WORLD PREMIERE of NOW IS THE HOUR ( Fri 19^th Sept to Sat 28^th Sept) written by David Walter Hall, an epic story of love, loss and survival based on the accounts of the victims and survivors of the RMS Laconia. Left adrift, one lifeboat spent 28 excruciating days at sea. The one act version of Now Is The Hour was a highlight at the 2008 Edinburgh Fringe.

Those who enjoy the songs of Kathleen Ferrier will enjoy BLOW THE WIND SOUTHERLY (Mon 30^th Sept), a part ‘Talking Head’ and part concert one-woman show starring Judi Daykin.

Blues, New Orleans, Funk and shuffle tunes are sure to get the house rocking and Chicago based guitarist Danny ‘Double Dynamite’ Draher heads a stella line-up of musicians to present THE RED HOT BLUES SHOW (Tues 1^st Oct). The ever popular LOCRIAN ENSEMBLE (Wed 2^nd Oct) calm the atmosphere performing an evening of Mozart – Winds by Candlelight on their first visit of the season.

Back by popular demand is Folk singer MADDY PRIOR (Thur 3^rd Oct) supported by Giles Lewin and the singing, accordion playing, clog dancing and youth of Hannah James. If you want to see this show please book early. New to the Maddermarket are the highly recommended MASTERS OF THE HOUSE (Fri 4^th Oct). This group of experienced and talented West End performers will take the audience through a spectacular journey of musical theatre performing songs from Evita, Les Miserables, Miss Saigon, Blood Brothers and many more.

PROGFATHERS (Sat 5^th Oct) – A Tribute to Progressive Rock perform the work of Genesis, Yes, King Crimson, Van de Graaf Generator and many more so prepare to hear some incredible music from the best of British progressive rock bands of the 1970’s.

The opportunity to ‘dress up’ is always very popular and this is exactly what Pheonix Opera would like you to do for their production of HAPPY AS A SANDBAG (Wed 9^th – Sat 12^th Oct), a musical evening of entertainment recapturing in song and laughter the ‘spirit of the blitz’.

Lunchtime performances include Interlude performing BROADWAY TO HOLLYWOOD, AND BEYOND (Thur 17^th – Fri 18^th Oct) and Broad Horizons performing Alan Bennett’s SOLDIERING ON (Mon 28^th Oct – Fri 1^st Nov).

A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE (Thur 24 Oct – Sat 2 Nov) is probably Tennessee Williams most famous play, containing two of the most powerful and charismatic characters he ever invented, Stanley Kowalski and Blanche Dubois. This Maddermarket Production will grip you from beginning to end. During this run you may also like to hear all about the famous Maddermarket Wardrobe and DRESS TO IMPRESS (Thur 31^st Oct) is a fascinating insight presented by Wardrobe Mistress, Amanda Greenway.

Norfolk Youth Music Theatre return with the ever popular OLIVER (Wed 6^th Nov – Sat 9^th Nov).

Christopher Hampton’s brilliant and highly actable adaptation of Chekhov’s masterpiece, THE SEAGULL (Thur 21 Nov – Sat 30 Nov) along with the Maddermarket’s daringly theatrical interpretation will be certain to breathe new life into this enchanting, romantic and heartbreakingly beautiful classic.

Winding up towards Christmas is music from THE BLUES BAND (Wed 4^th Dec) featuring Paul Jones, Dave Kelly, Rob Townsend, Gary Fletcher and Tom McGuinness followed by two nights of THE LOCRIAN ENSEMBLE (Thur 5^th Dec – Fri 6^th Dec) presenting The Spirit of Christmas by Candlelight .

A seasonal mixture of carols, spoken word, humorous readings and dance is provided by THE ALBION CHRISTMAS BAND (Sat 7^th Dec).

The Maddermarket is delighted to welcome back to Norwich our very own OLI BROWN (Sun 8^th Dec) performing ACOUSTIC versions of the artist’s songs. This is a rare performance and will be a sell-out so book early to avoid missing this fabulous evening.

A highlight for the Maddermarket  is their Christmas show, traditionally a show for the whole family to enjoy together. Those who were lucky enough to visit the theatre last Christmas were treated to the remarkable production of The Railway Children.  Nobody believed they could get a train on stage…. but they did!

The icy wastelands of Scandinavia, the incredible Northern Lights…… could it be possible?

The promise is that this Christmas audiences will experience a show that will equally remain long in the memory.

THE SNOW QUEEN opens on Fri 20^th December and runs through to Sat 4^th January with a very special on-stage presentation THE MAKING OF THE SNOW QUEEN on Sat 21 December (6pm).

THE SNOW QUEEN is a heart-warming classic tale and is one of Hans Christian Anderson’s most widely acclaimed stories.

When Kay is snatched from his home by the beautiful, cruel Snow Queen, his friend Gerda sets out on an epic journey to rescue him.

As she searches, she encounters a series of strangers to whom she tells her tale. Charmed by her story and her innocence, each of them helps Gerda, so that, at last, she is able to find the Snow Queen’s icy palace.

But, at the end of her epic journey, will she manage to set Kay free?

Two new ticket prices have been introduced for THE SNOW QUEEN.

The Family Ticket (2 adults and 2 children) and the Parent & Child Ticket (1 adult & 1 child)

 

Maddermarket Theatre, St John’s Alley, Norwich, NR2 1DR

Website and on-line bookings: www.maddermarket.co.uk

Box Office: 01603 620917

Administration: 01603 626560

 

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