Five Norwich restaurants help to cook up a theatrical treat

Gastronomic is the latest show to be created by innovative Norwich theatre company curious directive who will also be adding state-of-the art augmented reality into the recipe for the high-flying show.

At each performance about 40 audience members will 'board' a long haul flight on an Airbus A380 and they will be treated to a five-course tasting menu as well as their own in-flight screen which will add an extra dimension to their immersive dining experience.

As they fly over oceans, deserts and rainforests, the food will accompany stories about why and how the three chefs in the show came to be there.

The five-course taster menu is being created by Richard Bainbridge from Benedicts, Shun Tomii from Shiki, Dalsukh Jetani from Namaste Village, Richard Hughes from The Assembly House, and Keith Cottrell from Norwich Theatre Royal's Kemp's Restaurant.

Jack Lowe, left, founder of the Norwich theatre company curious directive, and Stephen Crocker, chief executive Norwich Theatre Royal, who are both involved in a new show Gastronomic. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2018)

Jack Lowe, founder of curious directive and part of Gastronomic's devising team, said the idea came from a free online course looking at how and why politicians take the act of eating together so seriously.

'From that, we chose an airline to place characters and their stories as food becomes the soundtrack to some of the most important conversations imaginable,' he said.

The show is being devised throughout August with performers Janet Etuk, Georgina Strawson and Craig Hamilton.

Stephen Crocker, chief executive of Norwich Theatre Royal which is co-commissioning the show along with curious directive, said: 'We thought this is the opportunity to do something truly extraordinary. We've got Jack and curious directive, one of the brilliant young theatre companies in the country right now, and five amazing chefs from across our brilliant city. We are just going to throw it all in a pot, stir it all together and hopefully produce an amazing show.'

Chefs from five Norwich restaurants who are involved in a new show Gastronomic, a co-production between the Theatre Royal and Norwich theatre company curious directive. From left, Richard Bainbridge, Benedicts; Shun Tomii, Shiki; Keith Cottrell, Kemp's; Richard Hughes, Assembly House; and Dalsukh Jetani, Namaste Village. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2018)

Gastronomic is being created with support from the National Theatre Immersive Storytelling Studio.

• Gastronomic is at Stage Two, at Norwich Theatre Royal, from September 6 to 22. Visit www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk