Heads were turning in Norwich city centre at the weekend as a farmyard animal made a surprise appearance.

A pig puppet took centre stage outside The Forum on Saturday to promote the Betty Blue Eyes musical heading to the city. 

The cast performed a medley of songs from the show, which will be at Norwich Theatre Royal from January 23 to 27 2024. 

Norwich Evening News: The cast of Betty Blue Eyes outside The Forum Picture: Richard Jarmy PhotographyThe cast of Betty Blue Eyes outside The Forum Picture: Richard Jarmy Photography (Image: Richard Jarmy)

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Norwich and Norfolk Operatic Society's (NNOS) latest production follows in the footsteps of the hit musical Kinky Boots in 2023.

Audiences can once again expect a talented cast of local actors and singers, with a 10-piece band bringing the score to life. 

Norwich Evening News: Betty the pig puppet is the star of the show Picture: Richard Jarmy Photography Betty the pig puppet is the star of the show Picture: Richard Jarmy Photography (Image: Richard Jarmy)

Betty Blue Eyes is based on the 1984 Alan Bennett film 'A Private Function', which starred Michael Palin and Dame Maggie Smith.

War has ended, but Britain’s long-suffering citizens are suffering under the burden of food rationing, high unemployment and the coldest winter for decades.

The only bright spark on the horizon is the impending marriage of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip.

Norwich Evening News: The cast of Betty Blue Eyes singing outside The Forum Picture: Richard Jarmy PhotographyThe cast of Betty Blue Eyes singing outside The Forum Picture: Richard Jarmy Photography (Image: Richard Jarmy)

Enter Betty, an adorable pig who is being illegally reared to ensure local dignitaries of a small community in Yorkshire can celebrate while the local population makes do with Spam.

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That is until someone inadvertently stumbles across Betty, leading to a kidnapping.

Will Mugford, who is playing Gilbert Chilvers, said: “Betty Blue Eyes, on the surface, appears to be an action-packed escapade about pigs and class warfare.

Norwich Evening News: The cast of Betty Blue Eyes performed a medley of songs outside The Forum Picture: Richard Jarmy PhotographyThe cast of Betty Blue Eyes performed a medley of songs outside The Forum Picture: Richard Jarmy Photography (Image: Richard Jarmy)

"However, at its heart, the show is about a family trying to get by after the Second World War. 

“Meeting our Betty for the first time was pretty special – she has quite a presence and commands the room every time she enters, so getting to meet her was awesome."

Book tickets at norwichtheatre.org or call the box office on 01603 630000.