Ketts Rebellion: 1549 - Open Air Theatre in Norwich

---

Photo by Jane Christian

Surprise treat today stumbling across an open air theatre production, in the grounds of Norwich Castle, of 1549: the Story of Ketts Rebellion – an excellent musical drama by The Common Lot theatre group about a bloody event in Norfolk history that took place during the July and August of 1549. The location was also poignant as the castle walls are the very same ones Robert Kett was hanged from after the rebellion was quashed.

Despite the grim subject-matter, the play contained plenty of humour, including contemporary political references to Brexit, referendums and the Bullingdon Club, as well as a lot of Norwich in-jokes – laments about bearded hipsters taking over The Lanes and serving gluten-free pasties on slates and tea in jam-jars, and the fact the Norwich & Norfolk Festival celebrates culture in Norfolk by bringing in Russian circus troupes. There was also a huge laugh when the top-hatted villain asked how did Norwich ever get to be a UNESCO City of Literature when it let its library burn to the ground. (And, yes, there were also plenty of jibes at the fate of the Norwich football team.)

The play ran for just under two hours and most of the audience remained in their seats despite two torrential downpours. Admission was free but with a bucket being passed around for donations. You can catch the show again at Wymondham Abbey at 7:30pm of Friday 8th July + Kett's Heights (Norwich) 2:30 & 7:30pm Saturday 9th + Household Heath (Norwich) 2:30pm Sunday 10th.