The ArtsCelebrate the arts at The Assembly House

Ever wished you could experience all the splendour of a Viennese Grand Ball - whirling around the floor to the classical tunes of a fantastic live orchestra?

Well - get ready to immerse yourself in Imperial Vienna for an elegant afternoon of music and dance - right in the heart of Norwich!

The Imperial Vienna Orchestra - conducted by music maestro Dario Salvi - is back by popular demand - ready to welcome you to the historic Noverre Ballroom at The Assembly House

Experienced Dancers - prepare to take to the floor for the Ballroom Waltz, Tango, Quickstep and - of course - Viennese Waltz.

Never danced before? Don't worry - "You'll be Fine" - as our resident Social Dancing supremo Niall O'Brien and his friendly host dancers will help guide you through some easy, fun-to-do Viennese-style party dances plus well-known sequence dances such as the Viennese Swing, Square Tango and St. Bernard's Waltz.

Concert-goers - sit back, relax and enjoy some wonderful classical Viennese favourites by the Strauss Family as well as other dance and concert music including Busoni's Concertino for Clarinet and Small Orchestra with soloist Alastair Watson.

Dress Code: Elegant. Dress to impress!

Single Tickets £17. Couple offer £30

Buy tickets in person (next door to The Assembly House) at Theatre Royal Norwich Box Office (open during normal box office hours)

or BUY ONLINE securely via credit / debit card / Paypal via Eventzilla here: http://www.eventzilla.net/web/event?EventID=2138987329

Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ImperialViennaOrchestra

Join our Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/215945635217537/

Further details - call: 01603 598688

A fund-raising concert supporting Norfolk’s awarded Rising Star Annabella Ellis in her postgraduate study at the London Royal Academy of Music.

Featuring also Malta’s upcoming mezzo-soprano Clare Ghigo, Estonia’s talented pianist Kristina Rokashevich and members from the delightful Norfolk Operatic Society.

The concert will be a selection of famous arias and duets from composers including Puccini, Mozart, Granados and Walton - all with a finishing touch of light music.

7.30pm Assembly House Music Room, tickets £8 Box Office 01603 598688

Bar open at 7pm

Britten Sinfonia’s principals close this

commemorative series with a showcase including

Britten’s solo works. Featured is Britten’s rarely

performed Suite for Harp and oboe masterpiece Six

Metamorphoses after Ovid. No retrospective would

be complete without the man who so profoundly

influenced Britten’s musical development: Bridge’s

Two Old English Songs and Sir Roger de Coverley

are two of his most-loved works and show Bridge’s

exemplary writing for strings. The winner of Britten

Sinfonia’s open composition competition Opus 2013

receives its première.

Jacqueline Shave, Miranda Dale violins

Clare Finnimore viola

Caroline Dearnley cello

Nicholas Daniel oboe

Lucy Wakeford harp

Britten Six Metamorphoses after Ovid

Britten Tema ‘Sacher’

Bridge Two Old English Songs

OPUS 2013 composition

competition winner New work

(World première tour)

Britten Suite for Harp

Bridge Sir Roger de Coverley

Friday 5 April - 1pm

Tickets £8 • Box Office: 01603 630000

Cantankerous, world-weary and generally grumpy - think of an adjective synonymous with “crabby” and it will apply to Stephen Febble. All he wants is a quiet life but, to his horror, his long-suffering

wife Virginia fills the house with guests for the weekend. Palin gives us

a play with more than a thread of black humour, and suprising revelations of emotion, as well as farce.

Tuesday 26th to Saturday 30th March, 7.30pm

Matinée Saturday 30th March, 2.30pm

Tickets: £9; children 16 and under £6.

Book on-line at: www.greathall.ticketsource.co.uk

Box Office: 01603 630000

DSI London present in association with Miller Dance a special exhibition in March of some of the dresses worn on the popular TV show. Get up close and personal with a selection of the wonderful dresses which will be on display in the Grand Hall at The Assembly House for a limited period only – Monday 18th to Saturday 23rd March.

www.millerdance.co.uk

Facebook: Miller Dance (Norwich)

Richard and Lynn Miller have been teaching dance

for many years. Their Norwich-based Miller Dance

Centre first opened in 1991 and Ballroom and Latin

dance have always been their main passions. Thanks

to the success of TV’s Strictly Come Dancing,

Richard and Lynn’s expertise is currently in demand

all over the country and they pride themselves

on looking after all their students, whether total

beginners or those who already have some dance

experience.

Some time ago, Richard and Lynn decided to host

regular dinner dances at The Assembly House, with

the Grade I-listed, Georgian venue providing the

perfect backdrop for these events. Thanks to the

wonderful surroundings, delicious cuisine and the

professional dance cabaret and showcases, these

evenings are proving very popular.

The next Assembly House event is in The Noverre

Ballroom on Saturday 16th March, with a drinks

reception, a three-course dinner with coffee,

dancing after dinner and carriages at 11.30pm.

Saturday 16th March

6.30pm to 11.30pm

Tickets £45

Box Office: 01603 488249

For more information please email:

enquiries@millerdance.co.uk or see the website at:

www.millerdance.co.uk.

This year’s Norfolk County Music Festival

will take place in the first two weeks of

March. All of the piano classes will be

held throughout the day in The Music

Room at The Assembly House from

Monday 11th to Friday 15th March. The

classes are open to all amateur musicians

and are adjudicated by experienced

professional musicians in order to

encourage, inform and entertain. All

classes are open to the public at a cost of

just £2 for each day. See www.ncmf.org.uk

for more information.

Two of Britten’s most admired composers and contemporaries

feature in this vibrant programme with stage and dance

connections. Copland’s Vitebsk takes inspiration from a

Jewish folk theme by playwright Ansky while Britten’s Three

Divertimenti, with its charming waltz, took its original subtitle

from Shakespeare. Shostakovich’s Two Pieces is best known as

music from his opera Lady Macbeth and ballet The Age of Gold.

Completing the programme is a new work by the winner of the

University of Cambridge Composer Workshop 2012, Jay Greenberg.

Thomas Gould

Miranda Dale violins

Clare Finnimore viola

Caroline Dearnley cello

Alasdair Beatson piano

Copland Vitebsk

Shostakovich Two Pieces for

String Quartet (Elegy & Polka)

Britten Reflection

Jay Greenberg New work

(World première tour)

(Winner of 2012 University

of Cambridge Composers’

Workshop)

Britten Three Divertimenti

Friday 8 February - 1pm

Tickets £8 • Box Office: 01603 630000

Cookery demonstration by Richard Hughes followed

by a ‘Pots & Shots’ Reception in the Music Room at

The Assembly House

Wednesday 6 February 7.00pm

Tickets £20

To find out more or to make a donation phone 01603 496333

or email judy.bailey@ageuknorwich.org.uk

All profits go to Age UK Norwich Registered Charity Number 1094623

Moving into Britten’s centenary season, Britten

Sinfonia’s celebrated lunchtime concerts explore Britten’s

chamber music in context with his influences and

contemporaries. Works dedicated to Peter Pears interweave

with works inspired by Sitwell verse in this fascinating

portrait performed by tenor Mark Padmore, one of Pears’

finest living interpreters. Britten’s friend Poulenc wrote his

heartfelt Élégie in memory of hornist Dennis Brain whose

artistry was the muse for so many composers, Britten among

them. Bringing the programme’s themes together is a new

work by Gerald Barry.

Mark Padmore tenor

Richard Watkins horn

Caroline Dearnley cello

Huw Watkins piano

Richard Rodney Bennett

Tom O’Bedlam’s Song

Poulenc Elégie

(in memory of Dennis Brain)

Gerald Barry New work

(World première tour)

Walton Three Songs

(words Edith Sitwell)

Britten The Heart of the Matter

Friday 25 January - 1pm

Tickets £8 • Box Office: 01603 630000

Fancy a great night out? Then come along

to the ‘Background Dinner Jazz’ evening on

Friday 7th September for a wonderful, fivecourse

meal, a glass of fizz and some great

music from Chrissy D and her talented trio.

In celebration of the EDP Adnams Norfolk

Food & Drink Festival, the theme of this

event is fine Norfolk food, coupled with the

perfect background jazz.

For bookings please call 01603 626402

Tuesday 26th to Saturday 30th June, 7.30pm

Matinée Saturday 30th June, 2.30pm

Tickets £9; children 16 and under £6.

Box Office: 01603 598688 or book on-line at:-

www.greathall.ticketsource.co.uk

Take one feminist writer suffering from chronic writer’s block with a deadline looming, a slightly on-edge former student, a supportive and sensitive husband, an unhappy housewife and a new modern man, add a cow on the loose and you’ve got a wonderful evening of

entertainment!

The play is based on true events involving the real-life feminist Germaine Greer, although keep this quiet unless you want to hear her roar.

Join us for a wonderful comedy where the Female of the Species is deadlier than the male!

Friday 1st June – from 7.30pm - Two courses

and cover charge, £25 per person.

Jazz up your evenings at The Assembly House with the talented

Chrissy D and her smooth-sounding trio, back by popular

demand! In celebration of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, ‘Best

of British’ is this month’s theme. Take a look back at the British

jazz scene of the 1900’s with a menu of Great British classics to

match.

Starring Adrian Wright, and Adrian Turner at the

piano. Friday 18th May. Box Office: 01603 598688.

Tickets: £12.50.

Adrian Wright has carved a unique career from his passion for

bringing back to life “lost” songs from British musicals and intimate

revues, performed impeccably.

With two Adrians, one grand piano, and blasts of retro wit and

sophistication, Good Clean Fun is a passport to a funny and

touching journey into the theatrical past. According to the Eastern

Daily Press, Adrian Wright “turns every song into an experience… and

be warned …there are fairies at the bottom of his garden!”

Wednesday 16th May, The Music Room

Tickets £15 from www.imageacoustic.com

or acousticpromotions@gmail.com or

by phone on: 07941 378311.

Martyn Joseph is a regular visitor to The Assembly House on his UK tours. This time he’s bringing a friend – poet, philosopher and BBC Radio 4 presenter Stewart Henderson. The reviews say it all. Q Magazine, Mojo, The Sunday Times, The Daily Telegraph, The

Independent – all have accorded hugely impressive accolades to the respective songwriting, performing and poetic talents of Martyn Joseph and Stewart Henderson.

Of the two, one is melodically tall and sings, the other is poetically shorter and doesn’t. Martyn Joseph and Stewart Henderson in performance tell of ‘the passion, absurdity and at times, terrible joy of being alive.’ They perform together.... Because They Can.

Expect an evening of belting songs, poignant verse

you can whistle, and some mirthful ranting.

Tuesday 1st to Saturday 5th May, 7.30pm

Matinée Saturday 5th May, 2.30pm

Tickets: £9; children 16 and under £6.

Box Office: 01603 598688 or on-line at:

www.greathall.ticketsource.co.uk

This play, based on Stephen Knight’s book ‘The Final Solution’, gave author Brian Clemens the opportunity to take the audience on a fantastic journey in a fast-moving dramatisation of one of the most plausible of Ripper theories, and with a mixture of drama, humour and fear he guides us towards Stephen Knight’s possible solution. As Holmes and Watson become embroiled in the grisly Whitechapel murders of 1888 we remember the names of his victims: Martha Tabram, Mary Ann Nicholls, Annie Chapman, Elizabeth Stride, Catherine Beddows and Marie Jeanette Kelly. All are assured of a place in history, but the Ripper’s name remains in the shadows, from which he came.

Mark Padmore tenor

Jacqueline Shave, Miranda Dale violins

Clare Finnimore viola

Caroline Dearnley cello

Emer McDonough flute

Nicholas Daniel oboe

Vaughan Williams 10 Blake Songs

Jonathan Dove New work (World première tour)

Warlock The Curlew

Renowned tenor, Mark Padmore joins Britten Sinfonia for the final concert in the 2011-12 At Lunch series. At the centre of this programme is a work by British composer, Jonathan Dove, co-commissioned by Britten Sinfonia and Wigmore Hall with support from the Tenner for a Tenor campaign. This new work will form the filling for the sandwich at this lunchtime concert with the programme starting with Vaughan Williams’ 10 Blake Songs scored for tenor and oboe and ending with perhaps Peter Warlock’s best work, The Curlew.

Box Office:

01603 630000

Saturday 21st April, The Noverre Ballroom, 8pm

Tickets £19. Box Office:01603 598688.

On Saturday 21 April, two legendary guitarists, one

from the world of folk and blues, the other jazz, will

be double-heading at The Assembly House when

Martin Taylor and Martin Simpson appear in concert –

this concert is definitely not to be missed!

www.harmoniousassociation.co.uk

An intimate performance of Baroque Chamber Music inspired by

the 17th Century pioneering concert promoter and coal merchant

Mr Thomas Britton.

The Harmonious Association brings together some of the UK’s

finest period performers for their inaugural concert at The

Assembly House. Between them the musicians have performed

and toured in the UK, Europe and beyond, appeared on BBC Radio

3 and 4, released numerous award-winning and highly acclaimed

CDs, and have been editors’ picks in many leading national papers

and publications. All of the performers are either based in East

Anglia or have very strong connections with the region.

The programme includes works by composers who frequented

Britton’s London concert series which was held in the loft of

his Clerkenwell house: Paisible, Keller, Handel, Croft, Finger and

Parcham.

Thomas Gould, Miranda Dale violins

Clare Finnimore viola

Caroline Dearnley cello

Huw Watkins piano

Luke Bedford Three Intermezzi (World première tour)

Franck Piano Quintet in F minor

At the centrepiece of this programme is Franck’s Piano Quintet. It marked a watershed in the history of chamber music repertoire when first performed due to its broad emotional range and abundance of passion. The new work, Three Intermezzi, in this concert (cocommissioned by Britten Sinfonia and Wigmore Hall) is written by Luke Bedford, resident composer at Wigmore Hall. Luke studied at the Royal College of Music and his music is full of brooding expressive intensity in which every note counts with maximum purpose.

Norwich Theatre Royal Box Office:

01603 630000

Tickets £12.50 from the Box Office on

01603 598688 and on the door.

A hilarious show for anyone who has

ever had a really bad day.

See the production that delighted at the

Brighton Fringe Festival!

Inspired by a true story, Piano Recital (Piano Not Included) explores the backstage disasters

as well as the daily joys and struggles of professional musicians. It is packed full of comedy,

theatre, music and a contagious joie de vivre that is impossible to resist.

Noverre Ballroom, Friday 20th January at 1pm.

Box Office 01603 630000.

Music for the combination of oboe, bassoon and

piano is unusual and here young composer Elspeth

Brooke adds to the repertoire with a new work

commissioned by Britten Sinfonia and Wigmore Hall.

The Music Room.

Sunday 18th December, matinee 2.30pm, evening

performance 7.30pm. Thursday 22nd December, 7.30pm

Tickets £9 each in advance or £11 on the door.

On sale at: www.mixedvoice.co.uk or via Prelude

Records on 01603 628319.

Sit back, relax and get into the Christmas spirit with Mixed

Voice as they take you on a festive journey through your

favourite Christmas songs. Featuring specially arranged

solos, duets and group songs, as well as the 30-strong

Mixed Voice choir, all backed by a fantastic live band.

by Roger Crane, directed by David Hare.

Tuesday 22nd to Saturday 26th November, 7.30pm; Saturday matinee 2.30pm.

Tickets £9; children 16 and under £6. Box Office: 01603 598688.

The Assembly House’s resident theatre company, The Great Hall Players, presents an intriguing

and gripping piece of theatre, a spiritual mystery wrapped in a puzzling enigma that faces the

Roman Catholic Church in the modern age.

The Noverre Ballroom. Tuesday 4th to Saturday 8th October, 7.30pm; Saturday matinee 2.30pm. Tickets £9; children 16 and under £6. Box Office: 01603 598688.

The Great Hall Theatre Company presents the first play of their new season. When suicide is the order of the day, Vincent assures the perfect, painless ending. But in the case of Walter and Celia Bryce, what is the order of the day?

We all love a good murder mystery; a fun evening with speculation, double dealing and a dramatic conclusion. BUT WHERE IS THE EVIDENCE??

The Assembly House for one evening only reverts back to its HIGH SCHOOL days when the Norwich Public Day school was in residence. We have a classroom murder mystery full of intrigue and forensic clues. Get shown by real experts how to remove marks from objects and how to tell the difference between them!!Come to the Assembly House & find out what happened at School on that day. Learn the secrets of CSI whilst enjoying a 3 course meal all for just £35.00.

EVENT CANCELLED

Join us for a Feast Of Flamenco - sit back & relax as we serve dish after dish to the table, spoon it out & pass it on. A great way to get the party started. With a mouth watering selection of Spanish style foods in the tapas tradition. And all this to the strains of the Flamenco Guitar and the energectic dancers of Strictly Flamenco - A true Taste of Spain.

Cover Charge £4 - Flamenco Feast £19.50. per person. Reservations essential, so telephone 01603 626402 to book your place for what promises to be an unforgetable evening.

Another hilarious production by the Great Hall Theatre Company - this production has been described as -"farce at its best" - an evening of fun & laughter - not to be missed!! ..."One of Ray Cooney's greatest comedies"...

Tickets £8 - 16's & under £5 - Box Office 01603 - 598688

EXTRA MATINEE PERFORMANCE SATURDAY 9th JULY 2.30.p.m.

Saturday 21st May-Part of the Norwich Fringe festival 2011

Norwich’s New Burlesque & Cabaret Club sell out show Varietease has teamed up with Norwich Assembly House on Theatre Street to launch Norwich’s new bi monthly burlesque and cabaret club.

...Set in the most sumptuous surroundings and featuring an eclectic assortment of burlesque, circus, theatre, arts, music and comedy...Club Varietease has it all.

The night will include walk about acts and reserved candle lit tables. Take a stroll into the magical garden or meander by the giant 4 foot roses to the water fountain. With a burlesque themed restaurant, equiped with fantastic live entertainment while you dine, Club Varietease will blow you away.

Showcasing the finest talent in the east of England performers include;

:Millicent Binks : Panthera : Lola LoveBoat : Marla Marie : Miss Indigo Blue : Saucy Starlet : Madam Bon Bon :Divalicious : Arriane Le Davier

+ Many Many More Special Guests

Our Compare - The Amazing Tom Butterworth alongside Jazz band Swing Ball & Vintage DJ extraordinaire DJ Renzo.

DINNER 7-9pm

SHOW starts at 8pm

Tickets £16.50 or 38.50 including dining & VIP Tables*

Theatre Royal Box Office 01603 630000

*Dining

& Entertainment with top chefs, in our themed restaurant with

entertainment & reserved show seating /Only 150 seats our last show

sold out so get your tickets early to avoid disappointment.

Varietease Burlesque & Cabaret Club

t: 01603 748236 e:info@varietease.co.uk

Great Hall Theatre Company present this classic tale of wealth and power across generations.

Please note there is a Matinee Performance on Saturday 14th May starting at 2.30.p.m.

Tickets £8, children 16 & under £5. Box Office 010603 598688

Great Hall Players present Oscar Wilde's "trivial comedy for serious people"!! An evening of the most unique, fast & racy entertainment

Tickets £8 children 16's & under £5 Box Office 01603 598688

A humorous performance storytelling evening of slightly tall tales about growing up in the 1970's by Andre Brammer, national award-winning performance story teller.

Doors Open at 7.30.p.m. Performance at 8.00.p.m.

Tickets £6 avaiable from 01692 500949 or andrew@speakingwords.co.uk

www.speakingwords.co.uk

“Cruelty, fear, insanity and murder – a true story...”

Director – Paula Alexian

Tuesday 23rd to Saturday 27th November, 7.30pm

Saturday matinee 2.30pm. The Noverre Auditorium

Tickets: £8; 16s and under £5. Call 01603 598688.

Road Hill House – the home of an ordinary, middle class Victorian family. Or was it? In 1860, events erupted, revealing the secrets behind the facade of Victorian society; just as Jack the Ripper later went on to expose the misery of the East End. Cruelty, fear, insanity and murder all dwelt at Road Hill House. Based on fact, this story so gripped the nation that even Charles Dickens offered a theory.

Mr Whitcher, from the new Metropolitan Detective Department, soon reached a conclusion. But was he correct? Was this crime fully solved? Fact really is stranger than fiction so judge for yourself!

A great evening of detection awaits...