Commuters were treated to a free performance at Norwich Station as a preview to a major 17-day event.

The Norfolk & Norwich (N&N) Festival returns from Friday, May 10 until Sunday, May 26 2024, with a jam-packed programme across the city and beyond of theatre, dance, music and much more. 

A launch event was held on the concourse at Norwich Railway Station on Thursday morning, with this location chosen as Greater Anglia is the travel partner.

Norwich Evening News: L-R Artistic director Daniel Brine joins Jonathan Denby from Greater Anglia at the launch of Norfolk and Norwich Festival at Norwich Station Picture: Luke WitcombL-R Artistic director Daniel Brine joins Jonathan Denby from Greater Anglia at the launch of Norfolk and Norwich Festival at Norwich Station Picture: Luke Witcomb (Image: Luke Witcomb)

READ MORE: 9 major highlights at the Norfolk & Norwich Festival 2024

After speeches from N&N Festival director Daniel Brine and Jonathan Denby, head of corporate affairs for Greater Anglia, Raggle Taggle Arts gave a special preview performance.

The duo's 30-minute physical theatre show Betty Brown Bags will be performed in full as part of the free Welcome Weekend programme across the city streets on May 11 and 12. 

Norwich Evening News: A crowd watches Raggle Taggle Arts perform at Norwich Station Picture: Luke WitcombA crowd watches Raggle Taggle Arts perform at Norwich Station Picture: Luke Witcomb (Image: Luke Witcomb)

Mr Brine said: "From things to do with the family to a raucous night of fun in the Adnams Speigeltent, there is something for everyone at the festival."

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Mr Denby said: “Our partnership helps the festival to go from strength to strength, with a fantastic annual celebration that is fun for audiences and the local community."

The opening night event at 9pm on Friday, May 10 is free to attend and it will see a 25ft wicker puppet parade through the streets of Norwich, going from Westlegate to The Forum. 

Norwich Evening News: Artistic director Daniel Brine, Jonathan Denby from Greater Anglia and performers from Raggle Taggle Arts outside Norwich Station Picture: Luke WitcombArtistic director Daniel Brine, Jonathan Denby from Greater Anglia and performers from Raggle Taggle Arts outside Norwich Station Picture: Luke Witcomb (Image: Luke Witcomb)

Mr Brine added: "Mo & The Red Ribbon is a fantastic show from French company L’Homme Debout and it follows a young boy's experience of migration through puppetry." 

READ MORE: Giant puppet to open Norfolk & Norwich Festival 2024

From May 15 to 26, Chapelfield Gardens in Norwich becomes Festival Gardens, home to the Adnams Spiegeltent with the headline show Corazón from Colombian circus troupe Circolombia.

See the full programme and book tickets (if required) at nnfestival.org.uk