Theatre

We hope you can support us on our venture to present top shows here in town centre at North Walsham People’s Theatre. Our pop up theatre is located in the Rooms of the Black Swan – it’s in the separate building opposite the pub itself.

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Our theatre development project:
How is the project funded?

Scenechange is our big project for 2023 and into 2024 – we want to renovate our theatre space (now called the Black Swan Theatre) which will make it all look and feel better, but most importantly be more usable for the community and fit for purpose.

This project is part-funded by the UK Government through the Rural England Prosperity Fund. The Rural Fund supports the aims of the government’s Levelling Up White Paper and Future Farming Programme. It funds capital projects for small businesses and community infrastructure. This will help to improve productivity and strengthen the rural economy and rural communities.

FAQs

What’s the address?
Black Swan Theatre, Black Swan Loke, North Walsham, Norfolk. NR28 9BX

Where can I park?
The nearest parking is next door at Bank Loke Car Park, which is free after 6pm.

Can I get there by public transport?
North Walsham is served by buses and the train station is a 10 minute walk away.

What is the Black Swan Theatre?
We enjoy presenting shows for North Walsham and the surrounding area – always ensuring a welcoming and friendly atmosphere and top shows that will be made in North Walsham and for North Walsham.

How do I buy tickets?
• We recommend you book in-person at the Black Swan to avoid paying a booking fee.
• You can book online via our What’s On page.
• Or you can call our box office on 01603 850373 (this is an answer phone service and we will call you back when we can).

Can the theatre be hired out?
Yes our theatre is here for everybody! The space can be hired out (as can some of the space in the pub as well). The spaces are great for classes, groups, meetings, parties, events, wedding receptions, Christening parties and wakes. Check out our hire page here.

Who runs it and how is it funded?
It is run by a group of volunteers and New Stages, who also run classes and groups in the area. New Stages is a Community Interest Company meaning it runs everything as a not-for-profit venture and social enterprise. We are ultimately funded through ticket sales – we are proud to be as self-sustainable as we can, including making the most of fundraising events ourselves. We are also supported through different funding grants and we always welcome new projects and partnerships. Regular classes include North Norfolk Youth Theatre, North Walsham People’s Choir and adult acting classes.
Read more

Joseph Ballard, director of New Stages, also head’s up the theatre. Joseph has a lot of experience of running theatres and festivals. His past work includes London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, leading various theatres and being at the helm of the organisation that established the Atrium Theatre and the North Walsham Festival. His theatre credits include various productions in performance, directing and as a playwright locally, across the UK and abroad. Recent projects include a partnership with the Royal Shakespeare Company and Norwich Theatre Royal. Local credits in North Walsham include writing, performing and directing in-house shows at the Atrium Theatre including Gepetto in Pinnochio, variety shows and the beast and prince in Beauty and the Beast. Recent shows at North Walsham People’s Theatre include The House, Jack The Ripper Jack and the Beanstalk (2017), Snow White (2018), Sleeping Beauty (2022).

How can I support it?
You can buy tickets and come along to shows or help volunteer Front of House, backstage, fundraising or with scenery. You can also help by sharing and posting things on social media like Facebook and Twitter or helping distribute flyers and displaying posters anywhere you think will help spread the word!

Can I volunteer to help?
Yes please! We always like to welcome new volunteers; whether that is Front of House and ushering or checking tickets or helping with a show in rehearsals, backstage, tech-wise or with scenery and costumes. Please get in touch with us if you would like to be part of it.

Why at the Black Swan?
It’s a town centre location with a Bank Loke Car Park just next door with free parking after 6pm. Keeping it in the town centre means we’re doing our bit to support our town and its offer of evening trade and focus on our high street and its businesses. There’s also a bar in the theatre space which will be open before some shows and at the interval.

How do I keep up-to-date?
Join our e-mailing list online by clicking here.
You can also like ‘Black Swan Pub Theatre on Facebook here and ‘New Stages’ on Facebook and Twitter.

How accessible is the theatre?
There is limited parking immediately next to the theatre in our own small car park, but cars can drop off outside the venue before parking just 50 yards away. We always accommodate wheelchair users (please book a wheelchair space or advise at time of booking). The theatre has toilets but unfortunately there is no dedicated accessible toilet, but there is a ramp and handrail fitted.

We would like to develop the venue further to accommodate this in the future. All the seating is on the ground (with a raised stage) which means seating is movable and we can create more space when needed. If you have any specific access requests please let us know and we’ll do our very best to help! Contact us

What about little ones?
Children aged 3 and under come free if they can sit on your lap. We also ask that if you are doing this, please select a seat at the end of a row so you can take them outside should they get uncomfortable or noisy.

How can I spread the word?
Tell your friends you are going and spread the word! Word-of-mouth is always the best way but if you’re on Facebook, click here and you’ll be taken to the Event Page where you can join it and share the link online too! You could also download and share or display the show poster below too or get in touch with us and we will sort out some posters and flyers for you.

Can we work with you to present an event or show at theatre?
We always welcome partnership working and we will help when we can. Get in touch with us to talk some more!

Do you have scenery or equipment we can hire?
We have a collection of costumes or set pieces that can be hired from us. We also have folding chairs that can be borrowed for local community events.
You can find out more here.