The Maddermarket theatre is located in St John’s Alley in the heart of Norwich, nestled in the popular area of ‘Norwich Lanes’. It was founded in 1921 by Nugent Monck.
The theatre was originally built as a Roman Catholic chapel in 1794. It was small, the main body of the building measuring only forty by forty-six feet. However, a vaulted ceiling gave it excellent acoustics; more importantly, it already had galleries on three sides. The building was quickly converted by the Guild of Norwich Players from a state of near-dereliction into an Elizabethan style playhouse.
The Maddermarket Theatre opened in 1921, with the resident company, The Norwich Players Theatre Company, putting on shows in the main auditorium and intimate Emmerson Studio every other month. Visiting theatre companies, bands and other acts occupy the theatre at other times.
The theatre is run by volunteers and to find out more, or become a volunteer front of house or backstage, please contact volunteer@maddermarket.org.
If you would like to act at the theatre check the website under Get Involved > Auditions.
To hire costumes, the auditorium or the bar, check the website under Hire Us.
Tours are available upon request. To book a tour, which can last approximately 1 hour, please contact boxoffice@maddermarket.co.uk
Various prices available, contact boxoffice@maddermarket.org for more details or check the specific show details and prices at maddermarket.co.uk
Box office opens weekdays 10-2. On show days it is open 90minutes before the show starts. The bar is open 60minutes before the show starts. Contact boxoffice@maddermarket.co.uk for more information on show times or check the specific show at maddermarket.co.uk
The Maddermarket Theatre is in the centre of Norwich on St John’s Alley, which runs between Pottergate and St Andrews Street, just 5 minutes walk from the central market place, City Hall and Forum Millennium Library. It can also be approached from St. Benedict’s Street, Duke Street and Lobster Lane.
There is no parking onsite but St. Andrew’s Multi-Storey Car Park (1084 spaces) or St. Giles Multi-Storey Car Park (330 spaces) are both just a 5 minute walk away. There is blue badge parking opposite Jarrold’s on London Street or more on Gentleman’s walk. There are pull-ins making drop-offs possible both at the bottom of St John’s Alley at Charing Cross, or at the top on Pottergate.
