The ArtsCelebrate the arts at The Assembly House
Assembly House + Arts
Discover why the Assembly House is such a strong supporter of artistic Norwich
Performing Arts
Upcoming events

A Tribute to André RieuGrand Viennese Ball and Concert ••
2nd June
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
Previous events
A Night To Remember ••
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 At Lunch ••
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
The Great Hall Theatre Company presents…The Weekendby Michael Palin Directed by Barry Parsons ••
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

See the Strictly dresses at the Assembly House! •••
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.
Facebook: Miller Dance (Norwich)

Strictly Dinner Dances ••
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:
Norfolk County Music Festival ••
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.
Britten Sinfonia At Lunch ••
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
BOBBLE DAY! - Norwich Age UK •
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
Britten Sinfonia At Lunch ••
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
Dress Up for Dinner Jazz! ••
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
THE GREAT HALL THEATRE COMPANY PRESENTS...Female Of The Speciesby Joanna Murray-Smith Directed by Rebecca Wass •
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!
JAZZ ROYALTY ••
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.
GOOD CLEAN FUN ••
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!”
Martyn Joseph andStewart Henderson ••
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.
THE GREAT HALL THEATRECOMPANY PRESENTS...Holmes And The Ripperby, Brian Clemens, Directed by Vic Young ••
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.
Britten Sinfonia At Lunch 4 ••
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

Martin Taylor & Martin Simpson ••
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!

The Harmonious Assocation Presents:Music & Fire CANCELLED ••
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.
Britten Sinfonia At Lunch 3 ••
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

The Goldman Ensemble presents Piano Recital (Piano Not Included) ••
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.
Britten Sinfonia at Lunch ••
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.

Mixed Voice Christmas Show ••
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.
The Last Confesssion •
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.
Natural Causes By Eric Chappell. Directed By Tabitha Paternoster. ••
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?

"MURDER IN THE CLASSROOM" CANCELLED •
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

Flamenco Feast featuring "STRICTLY FLAMENCO" - Restaurant •
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.

The Great Hall Theatre Company presents - "RUN FOR YOUR WIFE" by Ray Cooney & directed by Malcolm Robinson •
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.

"VARIETEASE" - Burlesque & Cabaret Club -NOVERRE BALLROOM •
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

The Great Hall Theatre Company present "The Forsyte Saga" NOVERRE AUDITORIUM •
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 "The Importance of being Earnest" by Oscar Wilde - Noverre Auditorium •
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

"Stumpy Sanderson's Scrapnook "THE NEW WINE YEARS" •
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
The Road Hill House Murderby David Morrison •
“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...




