100 local performers, including children from 5 schools, will be joining The Common Lot to bring the history of ‘Norwich over the water’ to life across three city centre stages between 4 – 14 July. These events are a highlight of our year-long celebration, ‘Anglia Square: A Love Story’, a project made possible thanks to The National Heritage Lottery Fund.
The show begins at The Garth, behind St Georges Street, with a second stage at St Georges Green (opposite Norwich Playhouse) and concludes under the canopy at the iconic Anglia Square. The show will encourage audiences from the south of Norwich, over the River Wensum, to the north which has traditionally been the home of the working class, of industry and rebellion, and today is the most culturally diverse part of our city.
As Director, Simon Floyd explains, ‘ At St George’s Green stage we will give the audience maps marked with 14 different performance spots to find between there and Anglia Square. People can come and experience a different show every night by discovering a wide range of ‘spots’, from a punk band under the flyover to the lost shops of Botolph Street wandering about. The scale of this show is incredible and even in rehearsals hearing so many voices fill Anglia Square with song has sent shivers down my spine. We cannot encourage people enough to come and join us to enjoy stories old and new about the original heart of our city.’
Since January volunteer researchers, in collaboration with Anglia Ruskin University, have collated facts and stories about the area which have been turned into songs and script for the show, which features the ‘Stump Cross Singers’ , our project community choir. Images about and inspired by the Anglia Square area will also be on display in the windows of local homes and businesses during the performance period. This range of heritage is being shared at a time of uncertainty for the local community as the planning decision about the redevelopment of the Square has been referred to national government.
Performances begin at The Garth at 7.30pm on Thursday 4, Friday 5, Sunday 7, Thursday 11, Friday 12, Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 July and at 3pm on Sunday 7 and 14 July. They are free and suitable for all.