Gina Long
Joseph Ballard is brining back Norwich Fringe
- Credit: Contributed
Joseph Ballard is a theatre producer, performer, and playwright based in Norwich. His career spans theatre shows and establishing charitable organisations and festivals, to teaching and working with the production team at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. During the pandemic, Joseph has led online creative and wellbeing programmes and he has relaunched Norwich Fringe, which will take place online from March 18-21.
What’s the impact of Covid-19 and how are you adapting?
As someone working in the theatre industry, nearly all our work disappeared overnight, shortly followed by postponements which eventually became cancellations.
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Meryl O Rourke is on the comedy line-up for the Norwich Fringe Festival 2021
- Credit: David Harrison
The organisation of a virtual festival taking place is gathering pace as a comedy line-up has been announced.
The festival will stream from 4pm to 10pm each day with a mixture of new theatre, music, an arts showcase, and comedy.
Hooma Comedy Club, based in Norwich, has taken the role of associate producer for the comedy line-up this year, which includes presenting their own Friday night takeover on March 19.
The line-up for the evening includes Ciara Jack, one of the region’s most informed comics, who turns big topics into laughs.
Joseph Ballard, director of Norwich Fringe Festival
- Credit: Joseph Ballard
Despite the arts and culture sector being severely hit by Covid-19, a popular city festival will be returning after six years.
The Norwich Fringe Festival 2021 will run from March 18 to 21, with all shows and events being streamed either live or pre-recorded online.
Organisers have put together a varied programme ranging from theatre to comedy, art and music.
Joseph Ballard, director of Norwich Fringe, said: “I’d been exploring options for resurrecting the city’s Fringe for a while and last year – while times were challenging for all of us – I wanted to connect creatives and makers of all artforms together.