A night at the pub with a difference is coming to Norwich, as part of a national tour.
Lay Down Your Burdens is an Olivier Award nominated, dance-theatre show that invites the audience to take part, sitting amongst the action and contributing to a unique soundtrack.
The show is set in a friendly and welcoming British working class pub, hosted by charismatic landlady Sara. Each night she welcomes the same regulars and listens to their stories and woes. Until, one day, a stranger with an excess of baggage gets blown in from the cold.
Featuring a cast of six dancer/performers and two musicians, the piece is inspired by the Bob Dylan song Lay Down Your Weary Tune. We meet the regulars and hear their stories as they arrive and take their usual seats. In this convivial setting the guests (audience) are encouraged to join the conversations that go round the bar.
As the audience joins in with the conversation through unstructured tasks and supported testimonials, their voices are recorded and edited live to create a collective weary tune, bespoke to each performance and played each night as the final moment of the show.
Choreographer and theatre maker Rhiannon Faith’s show also features an original score by John Victor (of London band Gengahr) alongside live original music played by Ceilidh duo Ólta Duo.
- Lay Down Your Burdens is at Norwich Theatre Royal for two performances, on 28 and 29 March 2025. There will also be a free workshop for ticket holders with the cast on Thursday 27 March 2025.
