SNAKE IN THE GRASS

Tickets £12, £10 AND £8

Miriam has devoted herself to caring for her bad-tempered father in his declining years – assisted by a nurse, Alice. However, when the old man dies he leaves most of his wealth to another sister, Annabel, who returns from Tasmania after 30 years away. Alan Ayckbourn’s 61st play – first performed in 2002 – is a ‘ghost’ story blending black humour, spine-tingling horror, and reflections on the darker side of life.

September – Thurs 16th, Fri 17th, Sat 18th, Mon 20th, Tues 21st, Wed 22nd, Thurs 23rd & Fri 24th: 7.30PM PERFORMANCE

Sat 25th: 2.30PM & 7.30PM PERFORMANCE

TRAVELS WITH MY AUNT

Tickets £12, £10 AND £8

Retired bank manager Henry Pulling experiences a whole new side of life when he and his Aunt Augusta – whom he has not seen for 50 years – travel across Europe, and eventually even further afield. Augusta pulls Henry away from his quiet, suburban existence into a world of adventure, crime – and the astonishing details of her highly unconventional past. Giles Havergal’s adaptation of Graham Greene’s novel was first performed at the Citizens’ Theatre, Glasgow, in 1989.

October – Thurs 21st, Fri 22nd, Sat 23rd, Mon 25th, Tues 26th, Wed 27th, Thurs 28th, Fri 29th: 7.30PM PERFORMANCE

Sat 30th: 2.30PM & 7.30PM PERFORMANCE

MEASURE FOR MEASURE

Tickets £12, £10 AND £8

Vincentio, Duke of Vienna, leaves the city in mysterious circumstances, leaving his strait-laced deputy, Angelo, to run affairs in his absence. Angelo decides to enforce the city’s harsh laws against fornication, which is punishable by death. But he turns out to be a hypocrite when he sexually blackmails the sister of the first nobleman to fall foul of the clampdown. William Shakespeare is thought to have written ‘Measure for Measure’ in 1603 or 1604. An array of prostitutes, pimps, prisoners and ‘plods’ add to the entertainment! Themes of mercy, justice and truth are all highlighted in a play usually categorised either as a comedy, or as one of the ‘problem plays’.

November – Thurs 18th, Fri 19th, Sat 20th, Mon 22nd, Tues 23rd, Wed 24th, Thurs 25th, Fri 26th: 7.30PM PERFORMANCE

Sun 27th: 2.30PM & 7.30PM PERFORMANCE

THE BFG

Tickets £12, £10 AND £8

This year’s Christmas show sees the eagerly-anticipated arrival of the Big Friendly Giant in David Wood’s adaptation of the hugely popular children’s book by Roald Dahl. The story of the 24-feet-tall BFG and a little orphan girl called Sophie brings some of Dahl’s most memorable characters to the stage. The BFG and Sophie team up to save England’s children from the hideous child-eating giants – Bloodbottler, Fleshlumpeater, Bonecruncher, Meatdripper, Childchewer and Gizzardgulper. They also get a little help from Her Majesty, The Queen, and from the heads of the Army and Air Force!

December – Sat 18th, Mon 27th, Tues 28th, Wed 29th, Thurs 30th: 2.30PM & 6.30PM PERFORMANCE

– Sun 19th, Sun 26th: 4.00PM PERFORMANCE

– Tues 21st, Wed 22nd, Thurs 23rd: 7.30PM PERFORMANCE

– Fri 31st: 2.30PM PERFORMANCE

January – Sun 2nd: 4.00PM PERFORMANCE

– Mon 3rd: 2.30PM PERFORMANCE

WED SEPT 29TH: 7.30PM

The Blues Band formed in 1979 to play for fun and a bit of beer money. But Paul Jones, Dave Kelly, Tom McGuinness, Gary Fletcher and Rob Townsend soon had whole new careers. Their recorded material includes both original songs and their own readings of songs from the genre’s finest writers like Willie Dixon, Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, and Sleepy John Estes. www.thebluesband.com

ALL SEATS: £19.00

THURS SEPT 30TH: 7.30PM

The Churchfitters are one of the most musically inventive quartets on the scene today. Their superb, energetic show unites the rhythms of rock, pop and jazz with the universal appeal of traditional music. With three explosive voices, the use of a dozen or so acoustic instruments, and flamboyant personalities, they are taking audiences by storm throughout the UK. www.churchfitters.com

ALL SEATS: £10.00

FRI OCT 1ST: 7.30PM

Members of the Locrian Ensemble will be suitably attired in Russian costume for this evening dedicated to the work of 19th century Russian composer Pyotr Tchaikowsky, whose music is saturated with a strong, vigorous life that is inspiring to listen to. Its rugged strength and hypnotic rhythms are underpinned by heartfelt emotion, strong melodies and richness of harmony. The Locrians perform the sweeping melodies of the ‘Souvenir de Florence’, a selection from the ‘Nutcracker Suite’, and the prelude from ‘Swan Lake’. There is also a ‘Sabre Dance’ and Sergei Rachmaninoff’s ‘Vocalise’. www.locrianensemble.co.uk

ALL SEATS: £15.00

SAT OCT 2ND: 7.30PM

This popular group of local singers returns by popular demand with a brand new production. The Upper Octave will recreate the best of musical theatre, intertwined with iconic movie themes during this two-hour extravaganza. The programme includes songs from ‘Phantom of the Opera’, ‘Titanic’, ‘Carousel’, ‘Anything Goes’, ‘Chicago’ and the James Bond films. Don’t miss this musical feast! www.theupperoctave.com

SEATS: £10.00 (CONCESSIONS £8.00)

WED OCT 6TH: 7.30PM

This fantastic 10-piece Steely Dan tribute will have you ‘Reelin’ in the Years’ during a dynamic show featuring classic tracks such as ‘Rikki Don’t Lose That Number’, ‘Do it Again’, ‘Haitian Divorce’,’FM’ and many more hits from the American jazz rock legends. www.steemydan.co.uk

ALL SEATS: £14.00

FRI OCT 8TH: 7.30PM: & SAT OCT 9TH (2.30PM & 7.30PM)

The talented Strand Singers return with another helping of laughter and much-loved songs following the sell-out success of their music hall show at the Maddermarket last December. Favourites old and new will ensure a rousing show. Dress up and join in if you want to – and bring your friends! All profits go to local charities.

ALL SEATS: £10.00

WED NOV 3RD – SAT NOV 6TH: 7.30PM, & SAT MATINEE: 2.30PM

This funny and moving story is set at the beginning of the Second World War, and tells of the ‘invasion’ of a Somerset village by ‘vackees’ – child evacuees from London. The musical tells of their scrapes and adventures with the hostile villagers, and centres on a young boy, Kip, and his first experiences of love and war. With memorable tunes, humour, pathos and a special appearance by ‘Ginger Rogers’, this show has the lot! Book and lyrics by Hiawyn Oram, music by Carl Davis. www.norfolkymt.net

SEATS: £10.00 (CONCESSIONS £8.00)

WED DEC 1ST – THURS DEC 2ND: 7.30PM

The UK’s leading Elvis production is back for a special Christmas show – and features special guest appearances from musical legends Buddy Holly, Roy Orbison and Marilyn Monroe! This outstanding tour production from the team behind the West End show ‘Jailhouse Rock’ features original star Mario Kombou, and Ivor Novello-award winning musical director David MacKay leading an incredible band. The show features more than 40 of your favourite hits. www.parkpromotions.com www.thejoyof6.com

ALL SEATS: £17.50

 FRI DEC 3RD – SAT DEC 4TH: 7.30PM

The Locrian Ensemble’s annual Christmas concert is one of the hottest tickets in the Maddermarket calendar. This special event includes carols for ensemble and audience, Christmas favourites, harp solos and guest singer – and this year the group is joined by the award-winning Norwich High School for Girls Chamber Choir, directed by Hilary Weiland. This evocative event is the ideal way to debunk the commercialisation of Christmas, and to enter the true spirit of the festive season. www.locrianensemble.co.uk

ALL SEATS: £15.00

 MON SEPT 20TH – FRI SEPT 24TH: 1.10PM

A two-man murder mystery with a difference. Peter Sowerbutts and David Blood, directed by Mark Finbow, take their audience on a Gallic journey to Victorian Northern England, where cloth caps, clogs and warm ale abound. It’s t’bloody murder up there…or is it? Presented by Eyeswrite in association with Headless Teddy Productions. This show takes place in the rehearsal room. www.headlessteddy.co.uk

SEATS £6.00 (CONCESSIONS £5.00)

 THURS OCT 14TH: 1.10PM, & FRI OCT 15TH: 1.10PM & 7.30PM

Interlude returns as Maddermarket stalwarts young and old present a celebratory programme of songs from 1900 to 1999. The show promises a nostalgic 60 minutes of music starting with Scott Joplin and running through to ‘Destiny’s Child’. An exciting range covers music hall, ragtime, jazz, swing, rock, punk, boy/girl bands, and much more – including a birthday tribute to Elvis. This show takes place in the bar.

ALL SEATS: £5.00

 MON OCT 25TH – FRI OCT 29TH: 1.10PM

Judi Daykin plays the single, suburban and lonely Miss Ruddock as the Broad Horizons Theatre Group presents another of the famous ‘Talking Heads’. Miss Ruddock writes letters. Not nice letters or friendly letters, but letters that cause trouble and get her into trouble in turn. So when she decides that the child across the road is being abused, the consequences are not what she expects them to be. Alan Bennett’s script is, as ever, full of humour, pathos and wit. Book quickly – these shows often sell out. www.broadhorizonstheatre.com

SEATS £6.00 (CONCESSIONS £5.00)

Saltbox, Norwich’s leading alternative comedy club since 2007, returns for a special night featuring the best in stand-up from the UK and local comedy scene. Richard Herring, Catie Wilkins, David Trent and Dan McKee star in this show, which takes place in the rehearsal room. Saltbox has been described on the Comedy Channel as one of the best clubs outside London.

SEATS: £8.00 In ADVANCE, £10.00 on Door

MON NOV 22ND – FRI NOV 26TH: 1.10PM

Jo Sessions, of Cut Out & Keep Theatre, brings to life Joyce Grenfell’s brilliantly observed, funny and bitter-sweet nursery school sketches, which are certain to entertain and put a smile on your face. An ideal way to mark the centenary of the much-loved Joyce Grenfell’s birth in 1910. Don’t miss this one if you like children! www.cutoutandkeeptheatre.com

SEATS £6.00 (CONCESSIONS £5.00)