NNF12: Festival theatre show previews

A show about the population of Norfolk — starring the population of Norfolk. A mother and son's dance party and a collaboration between acclaimed dance company Fabulous Beast and Hothouse Flowers. SIMON PARKIN previews festival theatre.

THE STRANGE UNDOING OF PRUDENCIA HART

Student Union Bar, Norwich University Collage of the Arts, May 11-13, 7.30pm, �13, under-25s �5, 01603 766400, www.nnfestival.org.uk

One wintry morning, Prudencia Hart, an uptight academic, sets off to attend a conference in Kelso. As the snow begins to fall, little does she know who or what awaits her there… Created and devised by David Grieg and Wils Wilson this event, inspired by the border ballads, promises to be an evening of anarchic theatre, haunting folk music and strange goings-on, oh and and wittily wild karaoke too.

SUSAN & DARREN

Epic Studios, Magdalen Street, Norwich, May 13-16, �10, under-25s �5, booking details as above

Susan & Darren is an 'event with dancing' created with and performed by Darren Pritchard and his mum, Susan. Darren is a dancer and Susan is his cleaner. This dark, joyous and intimate show invites audiences into their world as they prepare for one of their infamous parties. It's performance in which real life doesn't stop when the show starts. Join the party. And bring your mum!

THE OH F*** MOMENT

Epic Studios, Magdalen Street, Norwich, May 17-20, 4pm/7pm, �10, under-25s �5, booking details as above

You just f***ed up. Now what? Sometimes, f**k-ups are so massive, there's no way back. In this Fringe First-winning show, poet Hannah Jane Walker and Chris Thorpe examine the poetic guts of mistakes in a bundle of words and strip lighting. F**king up is the truest, funniest, most terrifying moment you can experience. You will make a mistake, maybe you'll learn from it.

100% NORFOLK

Norwich Theatre Royal, May 18-19, �15-�5.50, under-25s �5, booking details as above

This is a show about the population of Norfolk — starring the population of Norfolk. 100% Norfolk promises to be one of the festival highlights. Director Emma Bernard has recruited 100 local people. They will come together on stage as questions are asked about their lives. It's a living portrait of who we are and the place we live.

MIRROR

Open, Norwich, May 18-22, �6, booking details as above

Boukje Schweigman artistic director of Dutch theatre company Schweigman& gives a world premiere of his latest work which draws on his genius for movement, design, light, sound and the manipulation of space. Mirror will be a sensorial experience. Let your gaze roam free and let curiosity be your guide. This is an exclusive, intimate show for just 30 people, so you'll need to book early.

RIAN

Norwich Theatre Royal, May 18-19, �21-�5.50, under-25s �5, booking details as above

Hugely acclaimed dance company Fabulous Beast come to the festival following sell-out runs at the Barbican and London Coliseum. With three Olivier Award nominations under his belt, choreographer and founding director Michael Keegan-Dolan has established a reputation for his dynamic and innovative approach to dance theatre. Here he collaborates with one of Ireland's most successful folk rock musicians, Liam � Maonla� of Hothouse Flowers.

LE GRAND C

Hippodrome, Great Yarmouth, May 25-26, �18-�5 (�15-�12 cons), family �53 (�43 cons), booking details as above

There surely couldn't be a better setting for the visceral thrill of modern circus of this show from French company Compagnie XY, whose fusion of enthralling physical daring and sharp observation of everyday scenes has placed them at the forefront of modern circus. It promises to be utterly submersive experience in a 360-degree alternative universe of acrobatics, dance, music and human pyramids.