12/06/2023: Stage and screen festival returns to Thetford

This week it has been announced that the Thetford 'Stage and Screen Festival' will be returning in August for a second year.

The popular Thetford festival, which attracted thousands of stage and screen fans in 2022, returns with two days of free outdoor family cinema on the green by the Thetford riverside leisure complex in early August.  Free outdoor cinema events will then be followed by 2 evening outside theatre performances of Jane Austen's 'Sense & Sensibility' and Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', against the medieval backdrop of Thetford Priory at the end of August.

Breckland Council has funded the Stage and Screen Summer 2023 programme, in partnership with Thetford Town Council, to bring together local communities, attract visitors to the town and support local businesses.

The festival kicks off on the green of the Thetford Riverside complex on 5 August, with a free outside cinema showing family favourite 'Moana' (1 p.m.), 'Space Jam' (3 p.m.) and finally the time travelling family epic, 'Back to the Future' (5 p.m.). On Sunday, 6 August Pixar's 'Coco' will be shown at 1 p.m., followed by award winning 'Matilda the Musical' at 3p.m. and concludes with Spielberg's 'Jurassic Park' at 5.15 p.m. Over both days, a range of street food vendors and high street takeaways will be on hand for people including Dough & Co, Burger Amor, and popcorn buckets from the Light Cinema!

After the free outdoor cinema events, Thetford Priory will be providing the magnificent backdrop for two outside theatre productions by Chapterhouse Theatre company. The famous company of actors will be performing Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility on 22 August, followed by Shakespeare's A Midsummers Night's Dream on 23 August. Over 1000 tickets have been released to allow drama-lovers to catch these iconic shows over the two days.

Cllr Paul Claussen, Executive Member for Economic Development and Growth at Breckland Council, commented: "I am delighted to welcome back our Stage and Screen Summer events to Thetford for a second year. From free cinema to outstanding theatrical productions, this festival will showcase the very best Thetford has to offer, set against the stunning backdrops of Thetford Priory and the wonderful riverside area.  Stage and Screen 2023 is part of our Thriving Places commitment, to promote the district and its local businesses as a place to live, visit and enjoy."

There is no need to book a space to attend the free outside cinema. The Thetford Priory shows are ticket only events and can be purchased from www.chapterhouse.org (open air theatre).