Thousands of people filled Norwich city centre last night to follow a 25ft puppet through the streets for the launch of the Norfolk & Norwich Festival 2024.
Mo and The Red Ribbon by French company L’Homme Debout explore the experience of migration from a child’s perspective.
The impressive show started at Westlegate, near John Lewis, progressing through the city to finish outside The Forum, with large balloons bouncing over the cowds.
Festival Director Daniel Brine said: “It was a thrill to see thousands of people on the Norwich streets as we launched this year’s festival. Mo and The Red Ribbon was a fantastic event, awe inspiring with a gigantic 25ft puppet greeting spectators, and poignant, with its exploration of contemporary migration.
“Now, the festival continues with an exciting blend of international acts alongside local artists from the East of England with world premieres and extraordinary dance, drama and music in spaces across Norwich and beyond until 26 May.”
The festival launch continues this weekend with a range of free performances at pop-up stages throughout the city, including a gravity defying spectacle from NoFit State Circus, roaming New Orleans rhythms from Das Brass and interactive spoon playing with Betty Brown Bags.
The festival runs until 26 May and includes world premieres from Circolombia with their new show Corazón and the new eight hour epic organ composition 268 years of reverb, composed by Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood, plus the UK premiere of Rachel Ní Bhraonáin’s high-octane dance theatre piece, MOSH.
- For more information and tickets visit the Norfolk & Norwich Festival website.
