Today the Playhouse turns 25!
“Happy Birthday to us! This brings back so many fond memories from the last 25 years… from Sarah Millican driving herself to the venue before she got famous, to offering Tim Minchin one of his first gigs straight after his Edinburgh debut, to having the great Ian McKellen performing three shows during his 80th tour… and I can go on! Even if we have to defer celebrations until such time when it’ll be safe for us to get together, we’re so proud and happy to have had your love and support over the last 25 years. Thank you!” Caroline Richardson, Norwich Theatre Playhouse Director
“It’s fantastic to mark our wonderful Playhouse turning 25 today and, whilst we can’t do that in person with the many people who’ve supported us along the way, we will all be doing so in our hearts. Our plans for a big celebration are simply postponed until next year when it’s possible to do so and we are back with our usual fabulous artistic programme and our iconic bar is serving again.” Stephen Crocker, Norwich Theatre Chief Executive
The iconic venue started its life in the late nineteenth century. It’s had many transformations throughout the years, and was once a maltings building. Since becoming a theatre 25 years ago, the Playhouse has seen many famous artists and performers tread the boards, from Eddie Izzard to Rambert2, making it one of the best fringe venues in the country and the winner of the 2018 Chortle Award for Best Comedy Venue in the East & Midlands.
Photo: Stephen Crocker, Norwich Theatre Chief Executive, and Caroline Richardson, Norwich Theatre Playhouse Director, having a socially distanced celebration on the Playhouse stage (Photo: Richard Jarmy)