Welcome to The Common Lot
Embedded Files
We are The Common Lot. We make theatre for, with and about the people of Norwich. Our work is always free, original and family friendly.
We follow three principles in all that we do:
Everyone must benefit.
All contributions are equally valued.
We have what we need (and if we don’t, we can find it!)
We draw on the richness of energy, talent and enthusiasm of local people to create our shows.
On 19th September we will hold the third edition of our FREE fun run in Mile Cross, called The Galley Hill Dash.
The event will take place along Galley Hill Road, opposite Sloughbottom Park on Drayton Road, beginning at 10am with cheerleading dance and song, followed by a challenging road race for about 90 serious runners (10 times up the hill). This will be then followed by brave residents joining slow bike and hobby horse races and a once-up-the-hill dash for everybody.
There is no need to book-just turn up to watch, dress up fancy or take part in other ways.
There will be refreshments, prizes and fun for all. The Lord Mayor also promises to be in attendance to award the winners with their rosettes.
See below for the things we're doing and things we've done.
See below for the things we're doing and things we've done.
''We all have something to offer and something to gain ...''
On The Huh!
On The Huh!
In July we put on our original FREE family friendly show celebrating the history of Norwich Market, called On The Huh! 900 Years of Norwich Market. Find out more here.
To view our exhibition about the history of the market click here.
The show was built from scratch in 6 months for 6 outdoor performances in July 2026.
Art Auction 2025
Art Auction 2025
At a time when there seems to be so much hate around, we held an Art Auction to show some love! Alongside Norwich City of Sanctuary Arts Stream we raised money for the brilliant work done by organisations in our city who work with asylum seekers and refugees.
Click here to find out more.
Mousehold to the Marsh
Mousehold to the Marsh
In summer 2025 we made Mousehold to the Marsh - a community show about nature in North Norwich. The show investigated, celebrated and encouraged our connection to the nature and green spaces.
Goodbye Anglia Square
Goodbye Anglia Square
On 16th March 2025 our Singers said goodbye to an icon of Norwich with some songs from our show Anglia Square: A Love Story
Norwich City Council has bought the site and plans to build more than a thousand homes on there instead.
Listen to coverage of the farewell on BBC Sounds.
Singers Show
Singers Show
As part of our 10 year anniversary celebrations, we put on a series of gigs. Often a progressive company, focused on the matters of the day, these were rare retrospectives of the music we have made over the years.
These gigs included multiple performances at Latitude Festival in July 2024, as well as a trio of concerts, coined Songs From The Shows, featuring a selection of songs from the theatre we’ve made over the last 10 years. These gigs were held on Thursday 10th October at St. Catherine's Church and then Friday 11th-Saturday 12th October at the Octagon Chapel.
Carnival
Carnival
We had a great time supporting 2024's Lord Mayor's Carnival, working with several community groups to help them make costumes and have fun with the crowds, including the eventual winners the fantastic Sanctuary Ambassadors.
Rosie's Plaques
2018 to present
Rosie's Plaques
2018 to present
A guerrilla art project staged by women of The Common Lot.
Less than 12% of blue plaques celebrate women. It’s a bloody outrage!
Winner of our second Norfolk Arts Award.
Visit the Rosies' website here.
100 Years of Mile Cross
2023/4
100 Years of Mile Cross
2023/4
Working with local people and schools to celebrate the centenary of the country's oldest purpose-built social housing estate
Together we made two exhibitions, a website, a free touring show, a processional pageant and a publication. More ...
Songs of Hope and Protest
2022
Songs of Hope and Protest
2022
An outdoor show and song-writing project made in collaboration with UEA academics exploring the history of the English protest song. More ...
Mile Cross Jubilee
2022
Mile Cross Jubilee
2022
Three days of events form the royalists to the irreverent - there was something for everyone. More ...
The Galley Hill Dash
2021/4 / 6
The Galley Hill Dash
2021/4 / 6
A road race, slow bike race and community fun run, complete with cheerleaders, Captain Canary and and a prize for all.
More ...
How's Your Father?
2021
How's Your Father?
2021
A fast moving show about challenged and challenging dads, made with important UEA research into fathers' experiences.
More ...
Food and Fun
2020
Food and Fun
2020
We couldn't make theatre together during lockdown - but we did run socially distanced, outdoor workshops for kids. More ...
Anglia Square:
A Love Story
2019
Anglia Square:
A Love Story
2019
A timely project exploring the history of the Norwich Over the Water: three stages, five schools, 35 citizen researchers, 700 people, 4000 audience and much more. More ...
All Mouth: No Trousers
2018
All Mouth: No Trousers
2018
An all-female made show celebrating stories of radical Norfolk women.
Leading to Rosies Plaques, Rename the Streets! and activity all over the country.
Come Yew In!
2017
Come Yew In!
2017
A proud musical history of strangers in Norwich, enjoyed by thousands.
This was our first Norfolk Arts Award winner and a project that has led to an incredible legacy. More ...
1549: The Story of
Kett's Rebellion
2016
1549: The Story of
Kett's Rebellion
2016
Norfolk's most famous disobedience.
A large community cast playing to thousands in parks and open spaces across the city
More ...
A Welcome Feast
Sunday June 30th 2024
A Welcome Feast
Sunday June 30th 2024
Celebrating stories and food from around the world as part of our work with the City of Sanctuary Arts Stream.
More ...
Boudicca The Panto
2014
Boudicca The Panto
2014
Our first show was this smash-hit alternative Panto at Norwich Arts Centre, loosely based on the history of the marauding Iceni queen. . Many of the original community cast still perform with us today. More ...
Street Performances
2015 to present
Street Performances
2015 to present
We regularly take to the streets to raise money and awareness for good causes.
Punk Carols, Not the Nativity, The Cost of Living Crisismass , Spooky City and many other shows. More ...
Dream '16 with the RSC
2015-16
Dream '16 with the RSC
2015-16
A wonderful opportunity to work with the best. We' re quite sure that, at one time, we had the best Bottom in the land! More ...
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse