Update: 14 September 22
Live Broadcast from Norwich Theatre Royal of the State Funeral of Her Majesty The Queen
The State Funeral of Her Majesty The Queen, which takes place on Monday 19 September, will be broadcast live and free-of-charge at Norwich Theatre Royal for those who would like to watch and mark the event alongside other people.
Norwich Theatre will broadcast live news coverage, projected onto a 7m wide by 4.5m high screen on the stage in the auditorium.
Tickets for the screening are free but need to be booked, either online here Screening of the State Funeral of Her Majesty The Queen at the Theatre Royal box office counter or over the phone on 01603 630 000.
In partnership with Norwich City Council, for the time around the funeral Norwich Theatre will also host Norwich City Council’s Books of Condolence in a quiet area of the Theatre Royal, for those who want to leave their condolences. This is available to everyone, with or without a ticket to watch the funeral.
Stephen Crocker, Chief Executive of Norwich Theatre said:“This is a monumental moment in history as we honour Her Majesty The Queen’s lifetime of public service. We know many people will appreciate the opportunity to be together at this time of national mourning and we hope to be able to provide a space of sanctuary and togetherness in our city.
“As we broadcast the State Funeral, we will remember with warmth and gratefulness a life of extraordinary duty, strength and support to people all around the world.
“The title ‘Theatre Royal’ was originally granted by the monarch as a license to bring people together and Norwich was among the very first cities in the country to be afforded this status, more than 250 years ago. We are pleased to open the Theatre Royal to continue bringing people together for a unique moment in our history and to have Norwich City Council’s Books of Condolence available in the Theatre Royal as well on this day.”
On Monday 19 September, the doors at Norwich Theatre Royal will open at 10am for people to arrive, with the broadcast beginning at 10.30am.
The Building and Books of Condolence will be accessible for anyone throughout the day, with or without a ticket. A ticket must be booked to watch the screening in the auditorium, and these are free of charge.
Update: 13 September 22
Together with the people of Norfolk and all around the world, Norwich Theatre mourns Her Majesty the Queen and pays tribute to her incredible life and legacy.
The state funeral of Her Majesty The Queen will be on Monday 19 September. That evening’s performance of Les Misérables will not go ahead, however an additional matinee will be added to the run on Wednesday 21 September, and all bookers will be contacted to re-seat them to see the show, or offered a credit or refund. Post Office Scandal at the Playhouse will also be rescheduled and bookers contacted once a new date has been agreed.
This week Norwich Theatre Royal will continue to create a moment for collective reflection and to make an act of respect with a minute silence and the playing of the National Anthem before performances of Les Misérables.
The State Funeral
On the day of the State Funeral, it is our intention to broadcast the funeral live and free of charge in the auditorium of Norwich Theatre Royal for those who would like to watch and mark the event alongside other people.
Stephen Crocker said: “Having the status of ‘Theatre Royal’ is not often resonant nowadays, but it originally gave the theatre a licence to bring people together in Norwich. For this monumental event for our longest reigning monarch, we want to provide an area of sanctuary and collectiveness in the city. We know many people will appreciate the opportunity to be together at this time, respectfully acknowledging this grief and national loss.”
Further information on the arrangements for this day will be released on Wednesday 14 September.
Update: 9 September 22
It was with profound sadness that we learned of the death of Her Majesty The Queen yesterday evening. We send our most sincere condolences to the Royal Family.
Immediately prior to last night’s performance of Les Misérables, we created a moment for collective reflection and to make an act of respect with a two minute silence and the playing of the National Anthem.
It was a moment of great poignancy that felt absolutely appropriate and our audiences very much appreciated the opportunity to be together and at the same time respectfully acknowledging this grief and national loss.
In line with the wishes of the Royal Household and guidance issued by the Government, all of our planned performances and activities will currently go ahead. Norwich Theatre’s three buildings will also remain open as usual over the coming days.
However, as we enter this period of national mourning, we will continue to make appropriate acts of respect in our Front of House spaces and before the start of each performance. A period of silence and the National Anthem will be played prior to each performance of Les Misérables at Theatre Royal until the State Funeral takes place.
Special arrangements for the day of the State Funeral will be put in place across all of our buildings once details are confirmed.
Norwich Theatre Royal will also broadcast this evening’s televised speech by King Charles III in its Front of House areas for people attending Les Misérables or anyone who wishes to watch the address collectively.
Across the entirety of her reign, Her Majesty oversaw and encouraged the development of her country as one of the leading powerhouses for the arts and for theatre. She has inspired and encouraged countless people in their creative experiences and Norwich Theatre is proud to join with other Norfolk institutions and cultural organisations nationally in enabling a period of national mourning and supporting communities with opportunities for collective grief.
Statement: 8 September 22
All of us at Norwich Theatre join the rest of the people of Norfolk and around the world in expressing deep sadness at the death of Her Majesty The Queen.
Her extraordinary lifetime of service, strength and support to people all around the world is remembered with gratefulness and warmth.
Her great love of Sandringham and Norfolk means she was held in particular affection in our county, and as a keen supporter of the arts, she has inspired and encouraged countless people in creative experience.
Further information from Norwich Theatre on performances this week will be released in due course.