The Common Lot 

theatre - performance - creativity 

For, with and about the people of Norwich.

_____________________________________

Our mission is to make theatre: relevant, home grown and accessible.

Read about our values here.



Help support our new project: Mousehold to the Marsh


Click here to make a donation to our Crowdfunder and to find out more.

MOUSEHOLD to the MARSH

Mousehold to the Marsh is our latest large community theatre project to investigate, celebrate and encourage our connection with Norwich's green spaces


Together we will build a show from scratch 

in 6 months for 

10 outdoor performances in July.


We launched the project on Sunday 12th Jan at St Catherine's Church Hall and on Monday 13th Jan at Plumstead Road Library.


Help support this project

Click here to make a donation to our Crowdfunder and to find out more.


Help us get it right

Click here to fill in our anonymous questionnaire on Norwich nature and climate change.


For more info email hello@thecommonlot.org

Rename The Streets!

Did you know that over 90% of streets that are named for people are named after men? Even when a street is named for a woman it's usually a saint or a queen. In the UK there are more statues of goats and people called John than there are of women.

Rename The Streets! is a project which is redressing the balance. It’s for anyone who identifies as a girl, woman or as non- binary. It incorporates street theatre, original song and street art.

Click here to find out where and when!

See below for the things we're doing and things we've done.  

''We all have something to offer and something to gain ...''

185 Drayton Road

What's happening at our skills sharing base?
More ...

Common Lot Singers

Meeting weekly to sing and perform.
More ...

The Common Plot 

All the joy of an allotment,
none of the burden.
More ...

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

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

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

Three days of events form the royalists to the irreverent - there was something for everyone.  More ...

The Galley Hill Dash
2021/4

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

A fast moving show about challenged and challenging dads, made with important UEA research into fathers' experiences.
More ...

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

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

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

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

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

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 

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 

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

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 ...