Norwich-based and Internationally-acclaimed circus company, Lost in Translation, will present three circus cabaret shows for different age groups as part of INTERLUDE. Circus Treats (age 5+), Circus Bites (age 12+) and Circus Lates (18+) will have performers flying through the air, performing acrobatic stunts, and manipulating bodies and objects in unlikely ways, keeping youth and adults alike glued to their seats with amazement.
They will also present their award-winning hit show The Hogwallops which tells a chaotic and colourful tale of a family of misfits. Based on Roald Dahl’s The Twits, it features heart-stopping aerial and floor acrobatics combined with an original live score to create an absurd portrayal of everyday life.

INTERLUDE is presented by Norwich Theatre in partnership with Lost in Translation and in collaboration with many of Norwich’s much-loved cultural organisations.
We are also pleased to announce that Norwich Puppet Theatre will present Norfolk-based company Garlic Theatre’s George and the Dragon, another award-winning show featuring live performance, puppetry, masks and music in a witty and inventive telling of the legendary medieval story as part of INTERLUDE.
Stephen Crocker, Chief Executive of Norwich Theatre, said: “Lost in Translation are the beating heart of our INTERLUDE collaboration and, during these past months of lockdown I have been so inspired by this brilliant company and the resilience and positivity of circus artists. I am delighted that their shows are the centrepiece of INTERLUDE and that we are also able to welcome Norfolk-made shows presented by Norwich Puppet Theatre into the lineup as well, giving a strong local flavour to our overall programme.”

Massimiliano Rossetti, Director of Lost in Translation Circus, said: “”We have now finished building the big top in Chapelfield Gardens and the Lost in Translation Circus team and I are now feeling that tingling and excitement in our bodies that happens when we know it is time to be on stage. We are creating three completely brand new shows in honour of INTERLUDE created with our partner Norwich Theatre, bringing together the best of the best of the UK and international performers who work with Lost in Translation circus. We will make
you laugh, gasp, wow and mostly we want people to go home with a smile and wanting more!”
Ian Woods, Operations Manager of Norwich Puppet Theatre, said: “Norwich Puppet Theatre is pleased to support both INTERLUDE and local artists by presenting Garlic Theatre from Wicklewood with their show “George and the Dragon”. Mark and Iklooshar met many years ago whilst working for us before setting off on their own journey creating their own touring puppet company – Garlic Theatre. It’s a great shame we can’t open our doors yet to present work inside, but INTERLUDE provides an opportunity for families and children to catch up with some live theatre that doesn’t involve looking at a screen!”

NEW SHOWS ON SALE NOW
Circus Treats
19-22 Aug & 19 Sept (times vary) | Tickets £14 (£12 concs) Family x 4 ticket £46 | Running time: max 65mins, no interval | age 5+
See the finest international circus performers in this thrilling family circus variety show.
Abigail Collins heads an exciting line-up of aerial, acrobatics, comedy and juggling from Norwich’s own Lost in Translation Circus and guest performers.
With comedy and spectacle for all ages, this is the perfect family day out!
A live circus experience, created specifically for INTERLUDE.
Circus Bites
18-20 Aug & 18 Sept, 7.30pm | Tickets £16 (£14 concs) Family x 4 ticket £52 | Running time: max 65mins, no interval | age 12+
It’s quiet in Chapelfield gardens. As the crowd approaches the park music starts to rise from inside the Big Top. What is it? It’s something you’ve never seen and nobody will see again. It’s the remains of The Greatest Show on Earth, dissolved into a mist that floods the whole Big Top, transforming it for one night only. Step inside and join the fabulously fantastic Abigail Collins as she guides you through this carousel of oddities and curiosities.
Bringing back to life the people and the acts of the golden age of circus through to circus as it is today, crossing extreme physical feats with theatre, dance and music. This full family friendly circus experience will have performers flying through the air, performing acrobatic stunts, and manipulating bodies and objects in unlikely ways, keeping young people and adults alike glued to their seats with amazement. Abigail’s cheeky wit, and quick rapport will have you howling with laughter, whilst world class performers from Norwich’s own Lost in Translation Circus and special guests take you on an unforgettable, all round, live circus experience, created specifically for INTERLUDE.

 

Circus Lates
Sat 12 Sep, 8.30pm | Tickets £17.50 | Running time: max 65mins, no interval | age 18+
Our beautiful red big top will become a unique set for an intriguing circus extravaganza.
The irrepressible Abigail Collins is our naughty Master of Ceremonies, for this adults only, late night circus event. Comedian, actor, singer, dancer, clown, acrobat, and all-round good-time gal Abigail has an uncanny ability to push the envelope well past its sticking point, and has been described as having ‘the body of an athlete and the mouth of Joan Rivers’!
Joining her is Norwich’s own Lost In Translation Circus, plus incredible special guests from the circus and cabaret circuit around the country, to thrill, amuse, entertain and possibly slightly scandalise the audience. A rambunctious and infectious mix of circus, modern burlesque, and comedy, Circus Lates invites you into the big top for a much needed adults’ night out.
A live circus experience, created specifically for INTERLUDE.

The Hogwallops
29 – 31 Aug (times vary) | Tickets £14 (concs £12) Family x 4 ticket £46 | running time: 65mins, no interval | age 5+
Spectacular circus skills blend seamlessly with physical comedy, theatrical storytelling and slapstick in this chaotic and colourful tale of a family of misfits. Heart-stopping aerial and floor acrobatics combine with an original live score to create an absurd portrayal of everyday life.
Lost in Translation Circus takes inspiration from Roald Dahl’s The Twits and Ettora Scola’s film Bruti, Sporchi e Cattivi (Ugly, Dirty and Bad) in this dysfunctional, quirky and funny family show.
‘The Hogwallops is the best of the combination of theatre and circus…colourful, funny and suitable for all ages’ British Theatre Guide, 4*
‘Quirky and colourful … triumphant skill and creativity’ Mumble Cirque, 4*
‘What makes is so special is that it never lets up, not even for a second … One of the most anarchic, maniacal hours of circus about – perfect for a family audience.’ Fest Magazine
George and the Dragon performed by Garlic Theatre
presented by Norwich Puppet Theatre
26 Aug, 11am & 1.30pm | Tickets £10 Family x 4 ticket £35 | running time: 45mins, no interval | age 5+
‘To save a maid St George a Dragon slew a pretty tale if all that’s told be true…’
Beware! In a cave under the castle lurks a fiery dragon waiting to devour monks, knights, sheep and…princesses! Will George be bold enough to challenge it – or will he run away?

In Garlic Theatre’s popular production, a delicious mix of wit, humour and inventiveness combine to celebrate one of the most famous medieval legends of all time. With live performance, rod and glove puppetry, masks and music.
‘A fascinating new dramatisiation demonstrating Garlic Theatre’s flair for comedy’ Time Out

 

FURTHER SHOWS TRANSFERRED FROM NORWICH PLAYHOUSE AND ON SALE NOW
Round the Horne
1 Sep, 7.30pm | Tickets £18.50 (concs £16) | Running time: 80mins, no interval
“A superb evening’s entertainment and I left the theatre wanting more” British Theatre Guide
“Oh, Mr Horne! How bona to vada your dolly old eek!”
From 1965 to 1968 there wasn’t a bigger radio programme in Britain: every Sunday afternoon millions of people would gather around the wireless to listen to Kenneth Horne and his merry crew.
With its infamous movie spoofs and hilarious regular characters such as Rambling Sid Rumpo, J. Peasemold Gruntfuttock, and Julian and Sandy, one of the biggest and best radio comedy shows of all time still excites today, 50 years on. Take a step back in time and experience this comedy classic live.

Arabella Weir: Does My Mum Loom Big In This?
2 Sept, 6pm | Tickets £18 | Running time: 60mins, no interval | 14+
The mother of all confessional shows from the bestselling author and star of The Fast Show and Two Doors Down.
Does My Mum Loom Big In This? is for everyone who’s had a mother or been a mother, featuring hair-raising hilarious true stories from Arabella’s dysfunctional childhood, her perilous career and her life as a single working mother.
Devastatingly funny, excruciatingly honest and definitely embarrassing for all of Arabella’s relatives, not to mention herself, this is a helter-skelter tour of appalling – and appallingly funny – maternal behaviour.

Ben Hart: 2 Metre Magic
8 Sep, 6pm | Tickets £15 | Running time: 60mins, no interval | 10+
Renowned magician and Britain’s Got Talent finalist Ben Hart performs his most intimate magic show yet in an evening of “close-up magic”, specially designed for our big-top. In an era when social distancing is paramount, Ben presents a magical and skilful show which transcends the 2 metre gap and provides a connection through magic and wonder.

A rare chance to witness up-close Ben’s acclaimed sleight-of-hand, set against a backdrop of hilarious repartee, stories of wonder and moments of deep astonishment.
Expect impossible magic with the most ordinary of items as Ben manipulates nature, your minds and the very fabric of reality.
“The living embodiment of magic” David Walliams “Mind blowing… a must see” Adelaide Advertiser
Graffiti Classics
10 Sep, 6pm | Tickets £12 (concs £10) | Running time: 80mins, no interval |
16 strings, 8 dancing feet and 4 voices with 1 aim: to make classical music wickedly funny and fantastically exhilarating for everyone, young and old.
Graffiti Classics burst the elitist boundaries of the traditional string quartet with their hilarious all-singing, all-dancing musical comedy show. It’s a classical concert, a gypsy-folk romp, an opera, a stand-up comedy set and a brilliant dance show all rolled into one!
From Beethoven to Bluegrass, Baroque to Pop, Mozart or Offenbach to Elvis, Strauss to Saturday Night Fever, there really is something for everyone
and Graffiti Classics never fail to get audiences laughing, clapping and singing along.
Kids and adults alike love the uplifting and virtuosic variety of musical styles, all tied together with cheeky audience interaction.
‘A delightful comedy string quartet….highbrow music finds fusion with visual comedy for those who choose to smile their way through classical music.’ The Stage
‘A simply wonderful show!’ The Times

 

Presented by Norwich Theatre and Lost in Translation Circus, INTERLUDE is a six-week programme of live performances and participatory activities delivered in a temporary outdoor venue adjacent to Norwich Theatre Royal in Chapelfield Gardens, Norwich, from Mon 10th Aug to Sun 20th September 2020. The event is supported by Norwich City Council and Norwich BID, in association with Aspall’s.

Additional shows and events will be programmed by a number of partner organisations in Norwich, including Norfolk & Norwich Festival, The Garage, Norwich Arts Centre and Norwich Puppet Theatre, with support from The National Centre for Writing. The whole line-up will continue to grow and be updated daily via Norwich Theatre’s website and social media channels.
INTERLUDE is the next instalment of Norwich Theatre’s During the Interval programme, a series of truly unique and different events, programmes and interventions bridging the gap between closing its doors in March until its venues are able to properly re-open again. The series began with the re-opening of the Playhouse Bar which includes a creative conversion of the much-loved stage at the Playhouse into a relaxed new lounge area and now, alongside INTERLUDE, also includes Norwich Free Market being held in the Theatre Royal Car Park on a fortnightly basis beginning on 8th August.