What if the natural world could tell its side of the story?
That’s one of the questions at the heart of Edgeland, an immersive outdoor theatre experience unlike anything Norfolk has seen before. Set in Sweet Briar Marsh, a nature reserve on the edge of Norwich, the performance blends mystery, technology, and storytelling as part of a guided nature tour.
We were invited to experience Edgeland for ourselves, and it’s safe to say this isn’t your typical night at the theatre. If you’re curious to learn more about this one-of-a-kind production, read on for our full review. Don’t worry there won’t be any spoilers.
Note: We were given press tickets to see the show so that we could share our experience with our readers. Photos (except for the one of the memorial) were provided by Norwich Theatre.
What is Edgeland?
Edgeland is a guided nature walk through Sweet Briar Marsh with a twist. It blends a layered narrative with live performance, immersive 3D audio, and the wild landscape itself as the stage.
During the tour, the audience hears intriguing facts about the marshland and its inhabitants, while slowly uncovering a mystery that lingers in the background: several years ago, a woman named Amanda disappeared under strange circumstances. The only witnesses? The local plants and animals.
Part mystery, part eco-theatre, Edgeland is a playful yet powerful exploration of how we relate to the natural world. It’s not a sit-down performance. The story unfolds as the audience moves through the reserve, guided by audio in their headsets and live performances woven into the landscape.
Created by Limbik Theatre in partnership with Norwich Theatre and Norfolk Wildlife Trust, Edgeland invites audiences to experience nature, and storytelling, in a way that’s thoughtful, inventive, and completely unexpected.
Our Experience at Edgeland
We arrived at Theatre Royal at 6:30 pm for our 7:00 pm show. After being warmly welcomed inside, we were directed upstairs where we checked in and received our headsets, along with a quick demonstration on how to use them, there’s just a simple power button to get familiar with. There was time to relax, use the facilities, and settle in before boarding the bus for the main event.
The bus, which had comfortable seating and a relaxed atmosphere, departed right on schedule. Soft music played for the first part of the journey before we were asked to put on our headsets for an introductory audio segment. It was a thoughtful, reflective piece that helped set the tone, and while it wasn’t essential to following the story, it was a nice touch and a good way to test the sound.
After about 15 minutes, we arrived near Sweet Briar Marsh. From there, it was a short 10-minute walk, mostly along Marriott’s Way, led by a friendly steward from Norwich Theatre. Once we reached the marsh, it was time to put our headsets back on and begin the main experience.
The performance took us on a 2.5-kilometre walk through the reserve, pausing at intervals to take in both natural features and live performances. The audio and staging blended seamlessly with the surroundings. At one point, we were lucky enough to spot a heron taking flight. It was one of those small, unscripted moments that made the experience feel even more connected to the landscape.
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The walk lasted around 75 minutes. Afterward, there was a short break with the option to use a portaloo before boarding the return bus back to Theatre Royal.
It was a well-paced, well-organised evening that felt both imaginative and grounded, offering a rare opportunity to engage with local theatre and nature in such an immersive way.
Edgeland Review
Edgeland is one of the most unique and brilliantly executed productions we’ve ever experienced in Norfolk. From start to finish, it was clear just how much thought and care had gone into every detail.
The team at Norwich Theatre made the entire experience seamless. From showing us how to use the headphones to guiding us from bus to marsh, everything was handled with a calm, friendly professionalism that helped set the tone. The bus was surprisingly comfortable, and the soundtrack that played en route kept everyone focused and intrigued.
Once the performance began, we found ourselves completely absorbed. At times it genuinely felt like we were on a real nature tour, especially thanks to our tour guide, Dawn, who shared fascinating insights about the landscape and wildlife. Some of the audio was pre-recorded, but the synchronisation with the live performers was spot-on which no small feat when you’re dealing with a site as expansive and unpredictable as Sweet Briar Marsh.
The storyline centred around Amanda’s disappearance was gripping and emotionally resonant. It was tinged with sadness but full of intrigue, and it kept us guessing right to the very end. There were some genuinely surprising moments, which we won’t spoil here, but suffice it to say, the ending left us talking the whole way back.
The acting throughout was exceptional. At times, it was difficult to tell where the show ended and real life began. The immersive audio played a big role in this. The blend of natural and fabricated sounds, like birdsong, blurred the lines in a way that felt playful and profound.
We did notice the occasional moment where the audio dropped out or stuttered slightly, but these were brief and didn’t detract from the overall experience or the clarity of the story.
Sweet Briar Marsh itself was a beautiful location for the performance. The changing landscape, from open marsh to shaded woodland, added a richness to the staging, with each area providing a new atmosphere and setting. The costumed performers, portraying everything from gorse and swallows to burdock and oak trees, were visually striking and cleverly used. A special mention goes to our very memorable close encounter with an oak tree (played by a human actor, of course).
The production also made brilliant use of the environment, weaving features like the underpass and a large fallen tree seamlessly into the story. These moments brought a real sense of place to the performance.
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Beyond the storytelling and the visuals, Edgeland offers something deeper. It’s full of fascinating facts about the natural world, but its most powerful message might be the simplest: to slow down and truly see what’s around us. It called to mind William Henry Davies’ poem Leisure—“What is this life if, full of care, we have no time to stand and stare?”
The pace of the walk was gentle and unhurried. The group was small, with only around 25 people. We never felt rushed, which allowed space to reflect, observe, and absorb. And while a standing ovation felt a bit tricky with everyone already on their feet, the extended applause was well earned.
Without revealing too much, we can’t emphasise enough just how clever, creative, and beautifully crafted this production is. It’s a rare gem of a show, thought-provoking, playful, and perfectly suited to Norfolk. Pictures can not do it justice, it’s definitely something you need to experience for yourself.
Read more about Edgeland here.
Edgeland FAQs
Select dates through 15 June 2025. At time of writing, all remaining shows are sold-out, but I am hoping they will add more spots soon. Check availability here.
Tickets for performances that include the bus ride are £19 and ones without the bus ride are £17.
Yes. They choose headphones that have been tested by people with hearing aids.
The official age recommendation is 12 and above. Some of the storyline around Amanda’s disappearance might be disturbing to young children.
The performance moves throughout the reserve mostly on Grade 2 mown paths which are not suitable for manual wheelchairs.
You can use the toilets at Theatre Royal before the bus leaves and then there is a portaloo at the finish.
The actual performance lasts 75 minutes. Keep in mind there is also the bus rides, walk to the start, and opportunity to use the toilets at the end. The whole experience took 2.5 hours.