NAC Reopening With Micro Performance Festival

We were so pleased to hear about the reopening of Norwich Arts Centre (NAC), as I am sure many of you were. We had a word with Kelly of NAC to find out more >>>

Kev: So it’s exciting to hear Norwich Arts Centre is set to reopen this month after a 5 month closure. Can you tell us a bit about what you’ve been up to behind closed doors?

Kelly: Yes, we are so happy to be able to finally reopen and bring the building back to life. It’s obviously been a difficult time for us all but we have been keeping ourselves busy. Following an extended shutdown we seized the opportunity to complete our regeneration project so customers can expect some exciting new updates including fully refurbished toilets (yes the toilets have finally been updated!) and a complete redecoration of the auditorium with natural light now flooding in due to the removal of the boarded windows.
The windows in the hall had been plastered shut since 1980 so it was a bit of a moment taking them down and letting in the light for the first time in 40 years!

Kev: So when are you opening the doors and what can we expect?

Kelly: We’re kicking off with micro performance festival TILTED EAST, a weekend of local talent from Thursday 22 October – Sunday 25 October. Following that we’ll be opening up as a unique and safe, table-serviced bar with pop-up performances, projections, candlelit evenings and curated playlists. We will be a unique Norwich Lanes drinking spot.

Kev: So what exactly is Tilted East?

Kelly: TILTED EAST is seasonal festival of performance showcasing playful, provocative and political work from some of Norwich’s best performers. On Thursday’s opening night Molly Naylor shares new work and celebrates the recent launch of her new poetry collection ‘Stop Trying to be Fantastic’. Molly will also be joined by some top secret exciting special guests!

Kev: I hear you also have Luke Wright performing?

Kelly: Yes Friday sees the return of Luke Wright freshfrom his century of lockdown Twitter gigs with his show ‘The Remains of Logan Dankworth’, a political verse play that looks at trust and privilege in the age of Brexit. Luke will also be performing on Saturday night joined by Cobbler, a sample based electronic producer, whose debut single Monster received BBC 6 Music airplay in August.

Kev: You have been running the popular True Stories Live over the last few years. Does that get a look in over the festival?

Kelly: Yes we are delighted to bring back True Stories on Saturday night after Luke Wright and Cobbler. As ever it promises to be a moving and unpredictable event where people tell true stories about their lives in front of a warm, supportive audience. The theme this month is The Best Sex I (N)ever Had so should be an interesting one!

Kev: So what can we expect on Sunday?

Kelly:Sunday afternoon showcases ‘Shed’, new work from poet and performer Martin Figura. Shed examines war and legacy in this multimedia theatre piece. We finish off the weekend with another regular favourite Toast who are delighted to bring you an evening of poetry and spoken word from the best writers in the country. Hosted by Lewis Buxton the evening will feature Andy Bennett, Ellie Reeves & Shannon Clinton-Copeland.

Kev: How does it feel to bringing live performance back to NAC, after what must have been a frustrating time for the team?

Kelly: We are definitely still in uncertain times but we’re excited to be working again. We’re really looking forward to sharing the changes to the venue, we’ve made it more sustainable and safer for everyone.We’re hopeful for the arts community and we’re looking to the future but independent businesses need support more than ever before so do pop in and say hello.

All TILTED EAST events are £5 each and social distanced, with seating in groups of two, four or six. Tickets will be very limited due to COVID capacity so be sure to book ahead through the website. www.norwichartscentre.co.uk