2010 - 2011 Season

A theatre to treasure

The Sewell Barn is a magical place. Our unique intimate auditorium allows each performance to be a truly shared journey between the actors and the audience. Every night the show is different because it reflects the personality and mood of the 100 people who have bought tickets for that occasion.

The Sewell Barn is a friendly place. Whether you are one of our many loyal regulars, or a newcomer, you will find our volunteer staff warm and friendly, and anxious to make your outing a special occasion.

The Sewell Barn is a great venue for classic plays, comedies and challenging theatrical experiences: this season we continue our 30-year tradition of excellence providing you with plenty of choice and plenty to talk about. We bring you the momentous 'Hedda Gabler'; Shakespearean laughs (in more ways than one); period farce in 'Rookery Nook' and your spines will be tingle by 'Jekyll and Hyde'.

Share in a great theatrical experience by buying one of our affordable tickets; by getting involved in the multitude of aspects of our behind-the-scenes work (training provided) or by trying your hand on stage at one of our free adult acting workshops.

Remember, we are entirely amateur; we love what we do!

Role Play by Alan Ayckbourn, directed by Malcolm Robinson
October 14, 15, 16, 20, 21, 22, 23. Additional performance 2.30pm Oct. 23rd.

The master of modern comedy returns to the Sewell Barn stage bringing us a blend of unique humour and subtlelty, with darker social undertones. A successful, but hopelessly mismatched, young couple try to come to terms with their flimsy relationship and the inevitable pressure from family dogma and tradition. This isn't helped when an important family dinner party is interrupted by a runaway lap-dancer and her persuing minder.

Hedda Gabler by Henrik Ibsen, adapted by Richard Eyre, directed by Clare Howard.
November 25, 26, 27, December 1, 2, 3, 4. Additional performance 2.30pm Dec. 4th.

Following her marriage to a respected academic, why does the beautiful, intelligent and passionate Hedda play cruel games with the lives of people around her? When Eilert Loevborg - a reformed libertine -re-enters her life, her destructive impulse is unfettered. First performed in 1890, Hedda Gabler is rarely off the English stage. This lively 2005 adaptation has been highly acclaimed for its crackling energy and black humour.

Rookery Nook by Ben Travers, directed by Robert Little
January 13, 14, 15, 19, 20, 21, 22. Additional performance 2.30pm Jan. 22nd.

Rookery Nook; where cats exist only to be stepped on, loofahs to be sat on, servants to be abused by brittle young toffs and the natural place for a dropped, incriminating golf club is diwn someone's trousers. Enjoying a heyday of popularity in the inter-war years, Ben Travers still provides a fun night out for all the family. Don't miss it!

The Shakespeare Revue by Christopher Luscombe and Malcolm McKee, directed by Cassie Tillett
February 17, 18, 19, 23, 24, 25, 26. Additional performance 2.30pm Feb. 26th.

A totally unserious look at the world of Shakespeare, his plays and their actors, in a nostalgic revue format of songs and sketches. Originally created by members of the Royal Shakespeare Company, the show combines classic extracts from musicals, plays, novels and existing revues with items written specially for the occasion. Contributors include all our favourite composers and humorists, and even the Bard himself.

East of Eden by John Steinbeck, adapted and directed by Roger Parsley
March 24, 25, 26, 30, 31, April 1, 2. Additional performance 2.30pm Apr. 2nd.

This powerful parable explores the battle between good and evil with echoes of the Adam and Eve story. As we follow the central character, Cal, on a tortured journey of self-discovery, his emotionally charged relationships with his family make for a fascinating and powerful story, with an uplifting ending.

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by R. L. Stevenson, adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher, directed by Rob Morris
April 28, 29, 30, May 4, 5, 6, 7.

A fast moving, tense and suspenseful look at the evil that can lurk in the hearts of men. Dr. Jekyll's experiments with exotic powders bring forth another self, Mr. Edward Hyde, a sensualist and villain who is free to commit the sins he is too civilised to comprehend. A new and shocking version of Robert Louis Stevenson's novella.

My Mother Said I Never Should by Charlotte Keatley, directed by Michelle Montague
June 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 17, 18.

This poignant and engrossing play explores the twentieth century relationships between four generations of women from the same family. Moving seamlessly between past and present, it develops into an exploration of emotional inheritance. From air raids to art school, birth pills to post-punk, through myths and motherhood, the quartet share and pass on wisdom in what becomes a full circle of life.

An award winning play and one of the great success stories of modern British theatre.

The Merry Wives of Windsor by William Shakespeare, directed by Carol Lovett
July 14, 15, 16, 20, 21, 22, 23.

Falstaff, Shakespeare's "fat knight", tries to court two married women at the same time. The resulting mayhem gives us one of Shakespeare's most enduring and well-loved comedies. This early demonstration of 'Girl Power', although set within the sixteenth century confines of Windsor, strikes a surprisingly modern note and reminds us that human nature does not change wherever or whenever it is portrayed.

Details of workshops and audition venues and dates are now to be found on the Backstage page.

Access Information
To use the loop system in the auditorium, please turn your hearing aid to the T position.
At each performance there are one or two spaces available for wheelchair users, with parking adjacent to the Theatre.  Foyer and toilet facilities are fully accessible. Please inform the Ticket Office at the time of booking if you will be attending the theatre in a wheelchair or if you have any other special                   needs.

Performance Times                     Evening                    Matinée

Performances start                           7.30pm                      2.30pm
Foyer opens                                    6.45pm                      1.45pm
Auditorium opens                            7.15pm                      2.15pm

Ticket Prices

Full price                                         £8.00 inc programme
Concessions                                    £6.00 inc programme
Free drink on first night!

Ticket Office.  Customer Services (2nd Floor). Jarrold Department Store, 1-11 London Street, Norwich NR2 1JF.
Tel: 01603 697248.  Fax: 01603 611296.  custserv@jarrold.co.uk
Opening Hours  
9.00 - 5.30 Mon, Wed, Thur, Fri.
9.30 - 5.30 Tues.
9.00 - 6.00 Sat.
10.30 - 4.30 Sun.

Reserved tickets must be collected from the theatre by 7.15pm on the night of the performance. We reserve the right to sell uncollected tickets. All performances start at 7.30pm.

Want to know more?
For regular Sewell Barn information, join our free mailing list.  Leave your postal address on our Information Line, or with a steward.
Infomation Line: 01603 418803