Norfolk Community Fund has provided £2,500 of match funding
On The Huh! 900 Years of Norwich Market
Norwich, Norfolk, United Kingdom
Aim
Support The Common Lot to make The Market Show - 6 FREE shows in July 2026 celebrating 900 years of the iconic Norwich Market.
Click here to watch our launch event in full: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQc-8mPUp6Q
For the last 12 years The Common Lot has been making theatre for, with and about the people of Norwich. Always free, always accessible and always original. Our last show was enjoyed by over 3500 people of all ages.
In 2026 we are making 'On The Huh! 900 Years of Norwich Market' - a community performance and exhibition event about the rich history of Norwich Market. In our unique 'docu-panto' style, and with a large cast of participants, this FREE event in the city centre will investigate, celebrate and showcase the rich history of the largest permanent outdoor market in the UK. There will be 6 outdoor performances on summer evenings at the end of July (21st to 26th). All completely free for audiences and participants to enjoy. But this will only be possible with your help.
"Fab new performance by faves of ours The Common Lot. It was an absolute privilege to watch this on Mousehold Heath, and the message has never been more important."-Enjoying Norfolk on our previous show Mousehold to the Marsh.
Why this show? Why now?
Everyone loves Norwich Market, and everyone has an opinion about it.
The summer of 2025 felt like a time of hate and conflict in our city. It can sometimes seem as if we are more divided than ever.
But Norwich Market tells a different story. For almost 1000 years the market has been a place where people from all walks of life come together to buy and sell, to debate, to share, and to mix and mingle. It's a place that embodies our city's freethinking spirit, capacity for welcome and the value of independent, local trade.
As Norwich Market prepares for another major change, this celebratory, joyful and inclusive event is an opportunity to tell a positive story about a constantly evolving, changing and resilient community.
"It'll help a lot of people to come on to the Market, and see how much fun it is, and all the characters, I think it's a great idea!"-The Yarn & Craft Store, Norwich Market
What's the plan?
We'll make this large-scale participatory cultural event in six months. We know this works because we've done it many times before ('Come Yew In!', 'Anglia Square a Love Story', 'The Great Estate', Mousehold to the Marsh and more).
There are three phases: Research. Respond. Realise. Each relies on the good will, skills and knowledge of our participants and partners.
Research - in January and February our citizen researchers will be finding stories from the last 1000 years.
Respond - February and March is our devising and writing stage when we take what we have learnt and turn it into songs and script.
Realise - April to July, an enthusiastic band of singers, actors, musicians, stage managers, crew, designers and stewards will work tirelessly to make the show the best it can be.
July 21st - July 26th 6 site-specific promenade performances in the heart of the city.
What have we done already?
A lot of the preparation for this project is already complete. We've been talking to market traders and shoppers about their opinions and memories of the market as well as their thoughts about its future. We've delved into the archives to mine the extensive research that already exists. We've secured support from some great partners (see below) and they have been helping us think about what changes this show can bring. We've recruited our team and designed the research phase of the project. We've worked out our budget and we've found some of the money. We don't know yet exactly what this show will look like. That's a deliberate choice because the making of the piece will be a collaboration and the content will come from the research.
Who are we working with? Here are the organisations we're working with to make this happen:
-Norwich City Council
-Anglia Ruskin University
-The Forum Trust
-National Centre for Writing
-Norwich Arts Centre
-The Chivers Trust
-Sustainable Food Norwich
-Norwich BID
Why we need your help
We believe that theatre should be for everyone, everywhere. That's why we never charge to see a Common Lot show.
Too often people feel that theatre is not for them. There are multiple barriers to access, from ticket pricing to the grand intimidating buildings that theatre is often presented in. We exist to take down these barriers.
We offer a unique opportunity in Norwich: to see or participate in large scale productions presented in public spaces, professional in process and quality, without the exchange of money. This sense of equity also applies to our research and development. For this project we have amateur 'boots on the ground' community activists, with lived experience of and deep connection to the area, working alongside academics and other partners.
In order to maintain this quality and reach, we need support.
Help us raise £10,000 more to make the show happen.
How will we spend the money?
Rehearsal space £750
Exhibition materials £900
Costume and art materials £1000
Staging and set £1000
Community workshops £1600
Printing and design £750
Access fund for participants £1250
Contribution to professional fees: direction, musical direction and production management £2750
REWARDS
All donations - name in programme
£25 - On the Huh! souvenir badge
£50 - Common Lot t-towel
£100 - limited edition On The Huh! apron
£250 - your name (or a name of your choice) in the script
This project successfully funded on 15th April 2026