Coastal theatre gets creative on local big issue

Creative juices are always flowing at the Little Theatre but next month they are in full flood.

Two plays, a writing workshop and a chance to quiz experts are among the events in our programme looking at an issue close to our hearts and our homes here on the coast – climate change.

The dramas are linked to the new Creative Sheringham Festival running from June 8-16, which we are delighted support to help celebrate all the creativity and talented people we are lucky to have on our doorstep.

On June 8 Phoenix, Dodo, Butterfly sees Norfolk farmers Martin and Becky navigating future flood, fire and drought in a combination of drama penned by UEA creative writing tutor Steve Waters mixed with quizzing climate change and coastal experts in a post-show question and answer session.

A house balancing on a local eroding cliff is also the setting for Elephant on June 13, in a touring show by North Norfolk-based fEAST Theatre. The following day its playwright Jeremy Page will host a free drama writing workshop from 10-12 with a focus on penning stories that can arise from coastal living. Booking is advisable via our website. And in a bid to encourage budding playwrights, which we see as a key role of a community theatre, we are also holding two more free workshops on May 11 and June 8 from 10-1.

Continuing the coastal theme, on June 15, we are screening After the Tide in which Norfolk filmmaker Joseph Harrington looks at the impact of erosion at Happisburgh – and you can quiz him about it after the showing.

A May 23 On The Beach workshop, themed on a day in the life of a seashore, is being staged specially for up to eight people living with dementia as part of the Norfolk and Norwich Festival.

We hope that shows the breadth of arts event we stage at the theatre, which is far beyond our core work of summer drama, am drams and panto. We try to pick out issues that are relevant to life in our lovely North Norfolk area and present them in an entertaining way which also caters for a wide range of people.

But as well as the “serious stuff” there is also fun on a maritime them with the comedy adventure Maybe Dick – a gag-filled take on the classic Captain Ahab encounter with Moby Dick on Saturday June 1. The family-friendly show promises to offer a “whale of a time.”

Don’t forget that Debbie has been nominated for a lifetime achievement accolade in the Norfolk Arts Awards. But she needs your votes to win an award she richly deserves for all the time and commitment she has given to our theatre for the past 22 years, and the wider arts world for much longer. You can read a story which outlines Debbie’s achievements on the news feed at our website and please visit https://norfolkartsawards.org.vote to vote before the deadline of 5pm on May 31.