The Adnams Spiegeltent

There’s something about seeing that solid reminder that the city is about to become more exciting, more silly, more surprising than it is when it’s metaphorically doing its day job. There’s a buzz, a feeling that you might turn a familiar corner and encounter street theatre. Weird shit turns up in places you’d least expect. As much as these are a part of life in Norwich, it’s nice to be in a lather of indecision over which events you’re going to attend. The Garden Party in Chapelfield on the 20th/21st is a given obviously, and I fully expect that Museum of the Moon at the Forum will be awesome – it’s a giant inflatable moon for crysake! You can sit in deckchairs and bathe in the moonlight! – the bits that seem most intriguing are what’s happening in the Spiegeltent. Of course there’s the family stuff and music. But there’s always such a deliciously louche and decadent air there. If the Spiegeltent were a person, they’d live in a high ceilinged apartment with a wrought iron lift and they’d never open their heavy velvet curtains before noon. It’s an intoxicating venue to be in, whether you’re there for the Ragroof Tea Dances, Driftwood Circus (various dates that I don’t have space to elaborate on here) or what sounds like the utterly bewitching and beguiling Night Magic on the 22nd & 23rd, where the audience are encouraged to don their gladrags to join in with the fun after the performance.

I’m not your mum so I won’t tell you everything that’s on. Anyway, you’re far too intelligent and lovely for that kind of spoon feeding. Just make sure you get in there and find what’s on and book your tickets where necessary or you’ll miss out. Linger within tent instead.

Find out everything that’s happening at the Norfolk & Norwich Festival at nnfestival.org.uk