2011 was our first official year as the Autumn Festival of Norfolk. Our choice of play was one festival Co-Founder Peter Barrow knew Stash had wanted to stage in London but hadn’t got ‘round to doing so. As with all our plays we chose it because we knew we had the lead actors in place. And as Peter so rightly said “We cared about the characters in the story”, something we have always checked in on throughout our programming.
Rebecca Chapman (Bristol Old Vic Theatre School) & Tom Harper (Webber Douglas Academy) had perfect chemistry together, and our ensemble cast was outstanding. We delivered a beautiful gem of an American play, made famous on film with Burt Lancaster & Katherine Hepburn. “A magical family story of love, faith, and miracles” it was a resounding hit for us and helped put the festival on the map.
New Commissions for 2011 included:
TOTAL ENSEMBLE THEATRE COMPANY, launched by REBECCA CHAPMAN, with Co-founder of Chickenshed JO COLLINS MBE as patron.
RUFUS RANK INVESTGATES. Norfolk author EVE STEBBING wrote and directed a 1940’s staged radio play at the Hostry. This popular period piece of radio theatre returns in 2020 with a brand new story and cast of 25 Norfolk actors
FATHER & SON by Canon NEVILLE BOUNDY. A brilliantly observed play about God & Jesus was performed, starring father and son actors in real life, CHRIS & PETER ELLIS.
Our Norfolk Singer/Songwriters concert returned with an-all female line up of CELESTE LOVICK, HAYLEY MOYSES, JESS MORGAN.
We gained our first Festival Principal Sponsors FOSTERS SOLICITORS. This would prove a working relationship that has seen the company support in many ways throughout our first decade.
Lasting friendships made and a shining example of Business in the Arts, in action.
