‘We Are Ipswich’ launches a new campaign
‘Stay Local, Discover the New’
celebrating Ipswich’s world-class music, dance, theatre, art and heritage
‘We Are Ipswich’, the collective of nationally-acclaimed arts and heritage organisations which works together to bring world-class culture to the town, has launched the line-up of events which will be included in its new campaign ‘Stay Local, Discover the New’, encouraging residents to explore the wealth of cultural offerings close to home this Summer.
The packed line-up of ‘Stay Local, Discover the New’ events has been launched on the All About Ipswich website, with more events being added regularly:
https://allaboutipswich.com/whats-on/cultural-highlights/
Why travel when the best of UK theatre, dance, live music, events, film and contemporary performance is right on your doorstep? ‘We Are Ipswich’ brings local audiences a bold, diverse and unmissable season of cutting-edge performances from across the country. Forthcoming events include plays showcasing the best new UK writing at Eastern Angles, special audio and video pieces inspired by the Suffolk landscape at SPILL Think Tank, an Olivier Award-winning dance company teaming up with young artists at DanceEast, a swash-buckling pirate comedy and a LGBTQIA+ comedy night at the New Wolsey Theatre, behind-the-scenes tours, walks and talks, workshops, films and family activities at Suffolk Archives, classic films and the latest releases at King Street Cinema in the venue’s 50th anniversary year and over 70 top artists performing as part of multi-venue music festival Brighten The Corners.
‘We Are Ipswich’ works towards the goal of reinforcing Ipswich’s status as Suffolk’s cultural capital. From theatres and galleries, to museums and live performance spaces, the collective is dedicated to making Ipswich a place where creativity thrives. Members include: Brighten The Corners, Colchester and Ipswich Museums, DanceEast, Eastern Angles Theatre Company, Gecko, Suffolk Archives, Ipswich Theatres, King Street Cinema, New Wolsey Theatre, Red Rose Chain, SPILL Festival + Think Tank, and Suffolk Libraries.
Douglas Rintoul, Chair of ‘We Are Ipswich’ and Chief Executive/Artistic Director of New Wolsey Theatre, said “I feel so privileged to live in Ipswich and to see first-hand the sheer breadth and quality of work our cultural organisations bring to the town. Each of our partners in We Are Ipswich specialises in their own area and works tirelessly to curate and present some of the most diverse, exciting and contemporary work from the region, across the UK and beyond. At any moment throughout the year, you can look at what’s on offer and it feels like a constant festival – there’s always something new, bold or unexpected to experience. Whether it’s world-class theatre, inspiring dance, boundary-pushing live art or incredible live music, there truly is something for everyone. Come and try something new – you won’t be disappointed.”
The programme, as featured on the All About Ipswich website, includes:
- New Wolsey Theatre – Le Navet Bete’s Treasure Island, 10-14 June, and Laugh out Proud, Friday 20 June
After smash-hit runs of Dracula: The Bloody Truth and King Arthur, the notoriously funny men from multi-award-winning theatre company Le Navet Bete return to the New Wolsey Theatre this June with their swashbuckling smash-hit comedy, Treasure Island! Suitable for adults, couples and families alike, and featuring dastardly pirates, tropical islands and a mermaid you’ll never forget, you can expect laugh out loud comedy as you set sail on the Jolly Todger with Jim Lad, Long John Silver and a whole host of other characters for a hilarious voyage across the seas. But will they get there in one piece? Is everyone who they say they are? And does ‘X’ really mark the spot? Laugh Out Proud is a LGBTQIA+ comedy night featuring the best in established and upcoming acts from the community on the UK comedy circuit. Hosted by bisexual comedian Mark Cram, this night is all about giving acts, and audiences alike, a fun and friendly place to express themselves, to kick back and have a laugh in an inclusive and welcoming comedy club environment.
- The Hold – Behind the Scenes Tour at Suffolk Archives, Saturday 17 May
Join an archivist for a guided tour of the award-nominated building and see some of Suffolk Archives’ collections in the natural habitat.
- Shifting Soundscapes | Matthew Shenton at SPILL Think Tank, Thursday 22 May
A special audio performance exploring how the sounds of the Suffolk village of Holbrook have changed over the past 100 years. What might the village have sounded like? This live aural performance uncovers them, using manipulated field recordings, homemade instruments, and modified electronics.
- Brighten The Corners Festival launch gig with MADMADMAD at St Stephen’s Church, Friday 23 May
Brighten The Corners and Tune Up Presents MADMADMAD, with support from Gloop Unit, for the BTC Festival 2025 Launch Party at St Stephen’s Church. Tune Up is a live music events course for 16-25 year olds teaching skills and knowledge in production, programming, marketing and event management.
- Play Pizza Pint: There is a Light and a Whistle at Eastern Angles, Wednesday 28 May
In the beginning there were stories. Stories of girls and women and men and Love. So when she meets him, she knows the script and she’s ready. But things are starting to go wrong and the stories she’s been told don’t serve her anymore. Presented by award nominated Play Nicely Theatre whose hit 2023 tour of Bruntwood Judge’s Prize winner Martha Loader’s play Splinter was a Finalist in the Pub Theatre Standing Ovation Awards and awarded an Offcomm. Part of EA’s Play, Pizza & Pints project which aims to showcase some of the best new writing from playwrights across East Anglia and the wider UK. Enjoy a new play, a slice of pizza and an alcoholic or soft drink, all for the price of a £14 ticket!
- Buff at Eastern Angles, Saturday 31 May
After a bad break-up a plus-sized, gay primary school teacher decides to sublet his flat to a buff Instagram model, with whom he falls madly in love. This funny yet poignant body-positive solo show tackles body image pressure, social media envy and one man’s journey to self-acceptance. Buff is written by new up-and-coming playwright Ben Fensome, presented by Emmerson and Ward Productions in association with Octagon Bolton, and directed by The Stage Debut Award shortlisted Scott Le Crass (Rose, West End; Toxic, Home, Manchester).
- Immaterial Terrain and Other Films | Emily Richardson + Jonathan P. Watts at SPILL Think Tank, Thursday 5 June
Camera in hand, over the duration of a year, Richardson repeatedly walked the Suffolk coastline. These walks structure a film that documents a singular and fragile landscape at an uncertain moment. Immaterial Terrain engages with ideas about energy, transformation, erosion, loss, erasure, memory, and forgetting. Other films shown at this special screening include Cobra Mist, filmed in Orford Ness, and Arboreal, filmed at an ancient oak forest in Suffolk. A conversation with Emily’s long-time collaborator Jonathan P. Watts will round-off the evening.
- Brighten The Corners Festival, multiple Ipswich venues, Friday 13 & Saturday 14 June
Live music multi-venue festival Brighten The Corners returns to Ipswich this summer. With 70+ artists including headliners London post-punk icons Dry Cleaning and grime-punk duo Bob Vylan, the multi-venue festival takes place across BTC-run venues The Baths, St Stephen’s Church and The Smokehouse, plus, King Street Cinema, Ipswich Corn Exchange and the outdoor free stage on the Cornhill. A weekend of incredible live music, DJs, talks, food and more.
- An Introduction in How to Research Your House History at Suffolk Archives, Friday 27 June
Have you ever wanted to find out more about your house and who lived in it but don’t know where to start? Join one of Suffolk Archives’ archivists for a beginner’s guide to researching your home’s history.
- Walks: All Things Nautical! at Suffolk Archives, Wednesday 9 July & Saturday 26 July
The first walk explores where the town’s original waterfront was, who sailed from it and more about Ipswich, the River Orwell and its famous sailors. The second delves into Ipswich’s long history as a river port. It looks at the waterfront’s history and recent redevelopment, with tales of sailors, smugglers, shipbuilding and the Press Gang. Both are part of Suffolk Archives’ latest free exhibition, Anchors Away – Suffolk and the Sea. It explores the county’s rich and swashbuckling maritime history from 27 June – 27 September.
- Gravity | National Youth Dance Company X Boy Blue at DanceEast, Saturday 12 July
Olivier award-winning hip hop dance theatre company Boy Blue have teamed up with National Youth Dance Company’s (NYDC) young people to create a brand-new show for 2025. Don’t miss the fusion of Boy Blue’s radical vision and the super talents of the young dancers of NYDC.
From thrilling new theatre to awe-inspiring dance, boundary-pushing live art exhibitions and much, much more, Ipswich will be bursting with must-see shows and events to be excited about this Summer. #WeAreIpswich #TrySomethingNew
