Review: The Birds and The Bees, Norwich Playhouse

This is the first collaboration between three local theatres - Norwich Playhouse, the New Wolsey in Ipswich and the Theatre Royal in Bury St Edmunds.

The comedy is a new version of a 2016 Canadian play which has been reimagined by Holt’s James McDermott. He relocates the tale to Cromer where we meet beekeeper and divorcee Gail (Louise Gold), her turkey farmer daughter Sarah (Laura Doddington), neighbouring farmer Earl (Sion Tudor Owen) and UEA student Ben (Richard McIver) who all have various hang ups to resolve.

The play’s key themes of family, farming, and love remain but it’s mainly lust that we see in action - do be ready for partial nudity and plenty of ‘bedroom action’!

The storyline unfolds as all four characters develop their relationships with each other, accept that life can and does change, and realise that love - with strings attached - does bring lasting joy.

It may sound a touch heavy, but it is delivered in a very light hearted, almost slapstick fashion - think Alan Ayckbourn, perhaps. And there are lots and lots of local idioms - and some fair attempts at that most tricky of things - a Norfolk accent!

It’s a lovely, delicate and somewhat tongue-in-cheek look at Norfolk life so enjoy!

The show continues until April 30.

Sarah Hardy