Norfolk & Norwich Festival unveils its programme for May 2013

>May Events / Art & Theatre / Events in Norfolk and Suffolk March 5, 2013

World and UK premieres, large-scale spectaculars, intimate interventions, international music, and much, much more in annual arts feast

Now one of the biggest draws on the international arts scene Norfolk & Norwich Festival has announced its eagerly awaited full programme for 2013 with the most diverse, varied and exciting line-up in its 240-year history.

A rich selection of the best of the world’s music, theatre, circus, literature, dance, kids’ shows and free outdoor performance will bring a true feast of the arts in all its forms to Norfolk.

Between the spectacular opening show from France’s Compagnie des Quidams in Cathedral Close (10 & 11 May) and the closing concert featuring Verdi’s Requiem (26 May) in its entirety, performed by London Philharmonic Orchestra with the Festival Chorus, there is surely something for everyone. The 17 days of the Festival host over 165 performances of 75 shows as well as 101 exhibition days. 29 different venues will be used ranging from the established theatres and concert halls to Britain’s only surviving total circus building (The Hippodrome in Great Yarmouth) and a tranquil ruined abbey on the Norfolk Broads. Performers will travel from 6 continents to appear.

‘This is a programme packed with new commissions, world and and UK premieres: from the local to the international, from the large scale to the intimate’ says Artistic Director William Galinsky. ‘The Festival encourages a sense of community through a celebration of art and culture, people and place while also encouraging cultural tourism and bringing extra visitors into the city and county. Alongside our dedication to bringing the world’s best artists to the region, we also aim to inspire our own artists to make work that can hold its own on the world stage.’

World and UK premieres include the very first UK visit by New York based Nature Theater of Oklahoma with their epic show Life and Times. Telling the true story of one very ordinary life based on the verbatim transcript of a 16-hour phone conversation, Life and Times is a very extraordinary show. Parts 4.5 and 5 of what will ultimately become a 24 hour cycle will have their world premiere performances in Norwich. Life and Times can be seen as individual performances over 4 evenings (21-24 May) or as one magnificent marathon over 12 hours (Saturday 25 May) at which the cast will cook a barbeque for the audience in one interval, serve ice cream in another and milk and cookies in another. ‘One of the most unforgettable adventures of my theatre going experience’ New York Times.

Music new and old from all over the world has always been at the heart of the Festival. The classical programme includes a plethora of exceptional British orchestras and musicians and some exciting premieres. The Philharmonia Orchestra celebrate the Britten Centenary with a programme that includes Our Hunting Fathers (13 May), originally commissioned for the 1936 Norfolk & Norwich Festival and performed that year in the very same hall in which it can be heard in 2013. Britten Sinfonia meanwhile will introduce the UK premiere of Nico Mulhy’s viscerally percussive Double Standard (23 May) alongside his concerto for electric violin, Seeing Is Believing and John Adams’ Shaker Loops and Chamber Symphony. One of the world’s most versatile instrumentalists of our time, Steven Osborne presents his awe inspiring reading of Messiaen’s solo piano masterpiece Vingt regards sur l’infant-Jésus (22 May) and yet another world premiere comes from the pen of Elspeth Brooke with At The World’s Edge, a collaboration with puppeteer Seonaid Goody, performed by Brooke and Goody with the London Sinfonetta (19 May). Other concerts feature outstanding young ensemble Aurora Orchestra (18 May), cellist Oliver Coates (10 May), London Philharmonic (26 May) and more.

Music of a more contemporary bent features fast-rising French star Woodkid (13 May) with his multimedia show highlighting the grandiose folk tinged but beat driven electronica of his debut album The Golden Age (Island). Woodkid has already enjoyed one successful career directing videos for the likes of Lana Del Ray, Rihanna, Katy Perry and Moby and this informs the highly visual nature of his live performances. Soft rock maestros Midlake helped relaunch the career of singer songwriter John Grant with his 2010 ‘album of the year’ The Queen of Denmark. He now returns with the elegant, emotionally raw Pale Green Ghosts featuring Sinead O’Connor on backing vocals and a date in Norwich (19 May). Other gigs include the instant party that is New Orleans’ The Soul Rebels (12 May) ‘the missing link between Public Enemy and Louis Armstrong’ Village Voice, the world’s greatest Fado singer and huge international star Mariza (14 May), Iranian Grammy Award nominee Kayhan Kalhor (15 May) and Malian singer-sonwriter, Damon Albarn and John Paul Jones collaborator Rokia Traoré (21 May) showcasing her new John Parrish (PJ Harvey) produced album.

There’s also a strong visual art element to the Festival. These Foolish Travels is a new installation from UK artist Brian Griffiths. In the vast expanse of the Keep at Norwich Castle Griffiths will erect a carnivalesque collection of tents and temporary dwellings, presenting an absurdist rendition of space shrunk to fit the confines of the keep’s walls with Griffiths’ customary mix of poignance and humour (11 May-2 June). Curator, art historian, writer, patron muse and Professor Lynda Morris curated the first major UK shows from Robert Mapplethorpe, Jeremy Dellar and many others. She spent 4 years drinking with Gilbert and George and 18 years at the helm of the world renowned East International Exhibition. Dear Lynda is the work of her lifetime (30 April – 25 May).

A healthy and varied literature programme celebrates Norwich’s status as England’s only UNESCO City of Literature. Notable names include poets Don Patterson OBE, Sophie Hannah and Hannah Lowe (13 May), Ali Smith (14 May), Radio 4 broadcaster and performance poet Luke Wright (15 May). Fringe First winners Hannah Walker and Chris Thorpe bring their new show I Wish I Was Lonely (16 May), novelist and free thinker Will Self is in conversation on 17 May and novelist come polymath Amit Choudhuri explores the intersection between spoken word and music (23 May).

Other shows of note include further world premieres from Fringe First winners curious directive (The Kindness of Strangers, set in a moving ambulance, (10-12 May) and Circa, heralded as one of the world’s great new circus companies, with Beyond (21-24 May) which will transfer to London at the South Bank’s Wonderland (10-26 June). Beyond is one of the shows in the Adnams Spiegeltent featuring 9 days of glamour, thrills and entertainment taking the Festival through to the wee small hours (17-25 May). Outrageous, internationally renowned artist Franko B brings his new full-length theatrical piece Because of Love to Norwich Arts Centre (18 May). There are just six opportunities to see spectacular 2012 sell-out success How Like An Angel (14-17 May) and only 5 to see Black Watch (17-20 April), the multi-award winning National Theatre of Scotland sensation outside the main Festival weeks, marking the 50^th anniversary of University of East Anglia.

The Festival features many large-scale free family events that, thanks to generous sponsorship from May Gurney is all free alongside a variety of children’s events and shows (Baby Disco Dance Hall for the under 5’s anyone?)

To sum up William Galinsky added ‘The Festival aims to inspire, delight, entertain and provoke. Our commitment to strengthening Norfolk and Norwich’s position as a world-class cultural destination is reflected in this year’s partnerships with other arts organisations, artists and our travel partner Greater Anglia – as well as bringing some of the world’s greatest performers to the county.’

Helen Lax, Regional Director for Arts Council England, East said ‘Norfolk and Norwich Festival is receiving deserved attention for its artistic excellence and ambition. Bringing a broad programme for local audiences to enjoy, festival time in Norfolk creates a sense of wonder and excitement that is truly distinctive. This year there promises to be provocation in the theatres, fun in the Adnams Speigeltent and spectacle on the street with world class work and an international flavour. We are proud to support the festival which brings increased economic benefit to the county and sets out the importance of public funding for the arts so people can experience great art.’

Cllr Brenda Arthur, leader Norwich City Council commented ‘We are very pleased to be able support the Norfolk and Norwich Festival this year. Hosting one of the largest and best-known arts festivals in the country really helps to cement Norwich’s prized position as a city of culture. But just as important to us as key partners, is that the festival provides free high quality events so that as many residents as possible can have an opportunity to take part.’

Barry Stone, Cabinet Member for Culture at Norfolk County Council said ‘Norfolk County Council is proud to support the 2013 Norfolk & Norwich Festival. This year’s Festival programme will bring an exciting and inspiring array of artistic performances and events to people of all ages, including many free outdoor events for families and children. As one of the largest and best-known arts festivals in the UK, the Festival attracts national and international audiences, raising the profile of the county and the city as a culturally thriving place in which to live and visit.’

Bradley Adnams, Marketing Manager at Adnams added, ‘It is great to be back supporting the Norfolk & Norwich Festival again. We have been proud to work with the Festival for a number of years and are delighted to be back sponsoring the 2013 Adnams Spiegeltent. The programme is jam-packed, with a terrific range of exciting and varied acts. And of course, Festival goers will be able to enjoy a pint of Adnams beer along the way. We’re looking forward to it!’

Jonathan Denby, Head of Corporate Affairs for Greater Anglia said ‘Greater Anglia is delighted to be the Travel Partner for the 2013 Norfolk & Norwich Festival, extending a highly successful partnership between the Festival and the region’s railways which extends back over 20 years. We will be helping to promote the Festival, providing tickets for artists and taking a proactive role in this year’s event. One of our locomotives continues to carry the Norfolk & Norwich Festival name and we hope many people will travel to Festival events by train.’

Nigel Dyer, Regional Director of May Gurney said ‘May Gurney has been an enthusiastic sponsor of the Norfolk & Norwich Festival since 2007. As a national company based locally we believe that supporting the free outdoor Festival performances as MG Free strengthens our commitment to local communities. It helps thousands of people in Norfolk & Norwich enjoy brilliant and innovative performances but also supports and nurtures the growth of regional and national outdoor arts projects.’

Full information on all Norfolk & Norwich Festival events at www.nnfestival.org.uk