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A new collaborative festival will allow young people to experience a vibrant mix of dance, theatre and poetry performances when it arrives at the Marina Theatre in Lowestoft.

Once Upon a Festival returns this June in venues and schools across East Anglia – featuring some of the best children’s performances companies from across the UK.

Led by Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds, the Festival has five other partner venues; Marina Theatre, Lowestoft, Meet Up in Thetford, Southwold Arts Centre, Marketplace CPP – Chatteris In Myth & Memory and The Garage, Norwich.

A number of schools across Waveney will also be involved in the festival – which begins at the Marina Theatre on 14 and 15 June with Judith Kerr’s classic book The Tiger Who Came to Tea.

Pied Piper Theatre Company visit Southwold Arts Centre on 16 June with The Lighthouse Keeper’s Lunch, the show is packed with live music and audience participation.

On Father’s Day, Sunday, June 18 you can also watch the National Theatre Live’s screening of their children’s show Peter Pan at the Marina Theatre.

Week two opens with Suffolk based Theatre Company Wonderful Beast perform their latest show Orla’s Moon at Southwold Arts Centre.

Lyngo Theatre will be at the Marina Theatre with There and Back Again; The Odyssey a classic tale full of giants, myths and legends on 21 June at 1.30pm and 4.30pm.

This year’s Festival is sponsored by Taylor Wimpey and has been supported with funding from Bury St Edmunds Town Council, Lowestoft Rising and Arts Council England.

Will Isgrove, Head of Young People and Outreach at the Marina Theatre, said: “We are really excited to be partnering with the Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds to deliver ‘Once Upon a Festival’. It is a great opportunity for local schools to come and be a part of some high quality theatre and engage with storytelling and performance.”

For more information about the performances at the Marina Theatre, call the box office on 01502 533200 or visit our what’s on page

A full schedule of the events is listed below.

From stunning musicals to gripping dramas, and from high profile family shows to some popular live music, there is something for everyone in the new Marina Theatre brochure.

The charitable trust have announced some exciting acts for the remainder of the year with highlights including All or Nothing: The Mod Musical, Jane McDonald and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

For youngsters there is The Tiger Who Came To Tea, a welcome return by the very popular Mister Maker, the Best of Barmy Britain from the Horrible Histories team and Stick Man.

Popular comedians Henning Wehn, Paul Chowdhry and Jenny Eclair are sure to entertain along with some top quality music shows including John Otway and Les McKeown’s Bay City Rollers.

Tribute shows to George Michael, Spice Girls and Abba are set to be showcased along with two dramas, Strictly Murder and It Runs in the Family from Talking Scarlet.

Or maybe the shows including Magic of Motown, Tosca: Russian State Opera and The Nutcracker will strike a chord?

Alongside the live shows there is also ‘The Flicks’ the increasingly popular cinema films and quality live screenings.

The theatre have also announced that this year’s magical pantomime will be Aladdin, running for 32 performances from December 13th. Early Bird tickets are available until September 1st, so don’t miss out.

Visit www.marinatheatre.co.uk to view the full brochure and to book any of the new shows.

Alternatively, contact the box office on 01502 533200.

It is one of the most challenging endurance races in the world – with true grit and determination required for a staggering 26.2 miles.

But for Will Isgrove, the Marina Theatre’s head of Young People and Outreach, the physical challenge is all in aid of a number of new theatre projects.

Since arriving at the theatre in October 2016, Will has been involved in setting up and running new youth theatre groups and an over 50s drama group.

He regularly works with schools and colleges to highlight opportunities and activities for people in the community.

Will is taking part in his debut London Marathon to raise money for the Marina Theatre Trust, with funds going directly to the new projects – so more people across East Anglia can get involved with the theatre.

“A huge part of my work revolves around establishing the theatre as a central part of the community and becoming a hub for local people of all ages and backgrounds,” Will said.

“We have never had anything like this at the Marina before and we’re really excited about the good work we can do. I am running the London Marathon to raise money for the Marina to be able to develop our ideas and help make a real impact in Lowestoft.”

The Marina Theatre Trust is a registered charity, located in the heart of Lowestoft. They regularly host a diverse selection of shows and productions, along with cinema screenings.

“Being a new boy in the office, I was the natural choice (and only volunteer) for a 26 mile jaunt around London,” Will added.

“I have a reasonable base level of fitness, by which I mean I can walk the two flights of stairs to the office without wheezing, but have never even contemplated attempting anything like this before. Any support you can offer is massively appreciated and helps us make the Marina the best venue it can be for Lowestoft.”

To support Will and to pledge a donation, visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/WillIsgrove

Alternatively, drop into the Marina Theatre box office, where you can pledge your donation there!

To arrange a further chat with Will or if you would like to set up further interviews or video content, email joerandlesome@marinatheatre.co.uk