Kick your knees up, step in time!

Norwich Theatre Royal has recently announced a range of new shows coming to the city in 2015/2016:

The multi-award-winning musical story of a magical flying nanny is set to enchant East Anglian theatregoers.

Much-loved Mary Poppins will appear at Norwich Theatre Royal on June 29 to July 30, 2016, and is one of a handful of extra shows being added to the theatre programme. Other productions coming to the city include a world-famous chilling thriller, a spectacular dance-show featuring two Strictly Come Dancing favourites, and a musical celebration of Nineties Ibiza starring a TV icon.

Heading the line-up is the Disney and Cameron Mackintosh production of Mary Poppins which is sure to be one of the hottest tickets of the next 12 months. Co-producer and legendary impresario Cameron said: “It is hard to believe that it is already 11 years since Mary Poppins first landed on the London stage. My goodness, time flies faster than our beloved Nanny!

“I’m delighted to be bringing her back to the UK after spreading her magic around the world. Since we originally staged the production, we have found even more magical ways to stage this timeless tale and I am sure you will find our new Mary practically perfect in every way.”

The magical story of the world’s favourite Nanny arriving on Cherry Tree Lane will be triumphantly and spectacularly brought to the stage with dazzling choreography, incredible effects and unforgettable songs.

It boasts a book by the Oscar-winning writer and Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes, and a timeless score by Richard M Sherman and Robert B Sherman which includes the songs Jolly Holiday, Step in Time, Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious and Feed the Birds, along with new songs and additional music and lyrics by the Olivier award-winning British team of George Stiles and Anthony Drewe.

The strong creative team is led by stage and film director Richard Eyre, with co-direction and choreography by Matthew Bourne, whose work is also much loved by Norwich Theatre Royal audiences.

Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s production of Mary Poppins first opened on stage in 2004 running in the West End for three years and over 1250 performances. It won a number of awards including Olivier’s for Best Theatre Choreography and Best Set Design, as well as the Evening Standard Award for Best Set Design and the Variety Club Award for Best Musical. The Broadway production also ran for over six years where it won the Tony Award for Best Set Design.

The show has subsequently toured Australia, New Zealand, the U.S, and the UK, and has been seen by over 11 million people. It is also currently breaking box office records in Vienna.

Mary Poppins heads a line-up which also sees the return of An Inspector Calls to Norwich Theatre Royal on December 1-5. This is also a theatrical phenomenon having won 19 stage awards so far. Originally penned by JB Priestley and directed by Stephen Daldry, it is set during a dinner party which is interrupted by a detective who is investigating the suicide of a young woman.

An Inspector Calls

Cue a host of twists and turns in a play which has proved to be a huge hit worldwide thanks to the drama of the production and its stunning set. The production also boasts a strong East Anglian link as it is produced by Norwich Theatre Royal chief executive Peter Wilson.

Also set to return are Strictly Come Dancing favourites Flavia Cacace and Vincent Simone in their latest production, the stunning Latin-themed dance spectacular The Last Tango. Taking to the stage on November 2-7, the pair say it will be the final chance to see them perform together on stage.

Flavia Cacace and Vincent Simone

Their previous visits to the city with Midnight Tango and Dance ‘Til Dawn proved incredibly popular and this final show in their dance trilogy will be another opportunity to marvel at their skill on the stage after 20 years as professional partners which has seen them become World Dance title-holders, as well as stage and small-screen favourites.

And batten down the hatches for an explosion of Nineties nostalgia when Last Night A DJ Saved My Life arrives on February 1-2 next year. Baywatch and Knight Rider heart-throb David Hasselhoff heads the cast of this brand new show which sees him play an extrovert party-going DJ and nightclub owner who has to rediscover his parental skills when his daughter comes to visit, and loves the party life just as much as him.

The show comes from the team behind Dreamboats and Petticoats, and Boogie Nights, and features a host of big Nineties hits including Ride On Time, Saturday Night and Things Can Only Get Better.

David, aka The Hoff, cannot wait to bring the show to the region. He said: “See it. Believe it. Live it. This is my motto and I am living it now. I can’t wait to bring something new and different to Norwich audiences.

“I absolutely love theatre and the interaction with the audience. To play a character that I can relate to while celebrating an era of fantastic music is going to be Hofftastic.”

I'm really looking forward to taking the children to see Mary Poppins as it's my all-time favourite children's film and I'm looking forward to seeing The Hoff in action too!