Norfolk and Norwich Festival director’s 10 events not to miss

NNF18. Transe Express will be taking to the city's streets for the opening spectacle of the Norfolk and Norwich festival on Friday, May 11. Photo: Iona Petmezakis (Image: Iona Petmezakis)

Norfolk and Norwich Festival kicks off tomorrow and is once again bringing 17 days of weird and wonderful cultural delights for audiences to enjoy.

Music, theatre, circus, literature and more feature in the packed programme which runs until May 27 and spans the entire arts spectrum.

It is Daniel Brine's first Norfolk and Norwich Festival as director and he said he was looking forward to diving into the programme and celebrating Norwich as a 'festival city.'

The new Norfolk and Norwich Festival director, Daniel Brine. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant)

'Since I've arrived in Norwich I've seen the strong identity that the city has, which relies heavily on a commitment to and engagement with culture and I'm particularly excited to experience this over the next few weeks as Norwich comes alive as a 'festival city,' he said.

'There is a lot I'm looking forward to in this year's festival so it's been hard to narrow it down to just 10 highlights.

'We've got a very strong music programme this year, both in the Adnams Spiegeltent and elsewhere in Norwich, the return of the Garden Party, our free outdoor family weekend, the City of Literature Weekend and, importantly, our own big festival commissions headlining too.

NNF18 - Forced Entertainment's Real Magic.Photo: Hugo Glendinning (Image: Hugo Glendinning)

'We've got a huge variety of work here over the next fortnight, coming to us from all over the world, to be presented alongside our own homegrown artists.'

Mr Brine also paid tribute to the whole team behind the 2018 arts extravaganza including his predecessor William Galinsky who laid the foundations for the 2018 festival's major commissions and partnerships.

Here Mr Brine shares 10 highlights not to miss:

NNF18 - Transe Express. Photo: HervePetitbon (Image: HervePetitbon)

• Festival Launch with Transe Express - May 11, meet at Cathedral Close, Norwich

'The big free outdoor festival launch is back. Follow the procession of giant dolls and look up to the dazzling aerial display. This is a great way for all the family to jump start the festival.'

Talvin Singh (Image: Archant)

• Talvin Singh - May 12, Norwich Cathedral

'This year we're presenting some great projects in Norwich Cathedral including a world premiere of a new performance by Talvin Singh, who is renowned for his combination of classical tabla and contemporary music.'

NNF18 - Andrei IonitaPhoto: Daniel Delang (Image: Daniel Delang)

• BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artists - May 13 Ashley Riches, May 14 Mariam Batsashvili, May 18 Aleksey Semenenko, May 23 Andrei Ionita, all at Norwich Playhouse

'It's great that the festival gets to support talented young artists. Working with BBC Radio 3, we present four promising artists from around the world. It's a chance to enjoy their virtuosity but also the depth and variety of their programmes.'

NNF18 - Improbable's The Paper Man.Photo: Camilla Greenwell (Image: Camilla Greenwell)

• Improbable's The Paper Man - May 14-19, Norwich Puppet Theatre

'Improbable have a great story to tell about strength of character, football and politics. Created especially for the festival, this new work promises to be moving and thought-provoking.'

NNF18 - Hofesh Shechter Company's Grand FinalePhoto: Rahi Rezvani (Image: Rahi Rezvani)

• Hofesh Shechter Company's Grand Finale - May 15, Norwich Theatre Royal

'Hofesh Shechter's dance company has an international reputation for its high energy and bold choreography. This show will be part gig, part dance, part theatre and full of anarchic energy.'

NNF18 - Barely Methodical Troupe's ShiftPhoto: Chris Nash (Image: Chris Nash)

• Barely Methodical Troupe's Shift - May 16-27, The Adnams Spiegeltent

'The current sensation of British circus have made a new show specially for The Adnams Spiegeltent in Norwich. Barely Methodical Troupe's past shows have been physical, fast and funny, so this is one I wouldn't miss.'

NNF18 - Le Gateau Chocolat's IconsPhoto: Eli Schmidt (Image: Eli Schmidt)

• La Gateau Chocolat's Icons - May 18 and 19, The Adnams Spiegeltent

'The Adnams Spiegeltent is the place to be for late night music. There is such a good range of music on, I might just find myself in the tent every night. I'm particularly looking forward to Icons because Le Gateau Chocolat is a great performer.'

Ockham's Razor will be performing Belly of the Whale outside The Forum in Norwich. Photo: Mark Dawson Photography (Image: Mark Dawson Photography)

• The Garden Party - May 19 and 20, Chapelfield Gardens

'The Garden Party is two days of free fun for all the family. This is a great weekend of new and exciting outdoor performance alongside lots for the kids to take part in.'

NNF18 - Forced Entertainment's Real Magic.Photo: Hugo Glendinning (Image: Hugo Glendinning)

• Forced Entertainment's Real Magic - May 26, Norwich Playhouse

'When I think of exciting British performance, I think of Forced Entertainment. Real Magic is their latest show and it's a little absurd, pretty arty and a lot of laughs.'

NNF18 - Britten Sinfonia. Photo: Chris Christodoulou (Image: Chris Christodoulou)

• Britten Sinfonia with Thomas Ades - May 27, Norwich Theatre Royal

'Conductor Thomas Ades returns with Britten Sinfonia in the second year of their journey through Beethoven's symphonies.'

Norfolk and Norwich Festival runs from May 11 to 27. For more information, including dates and times of all festival events, and to book tickets, visit www.nnfestival.org.uk