The King's Lynn Nine

A project developed by Bootworks Theatre Co., The King’s Lynn Nine brought together a group of nine-year-old children at The Workshop at the Old Library in King’s Lynn to collaborate and create a performance piece for Norfolk & Norwich Festival 2026.

Over the course of a week, the Bootworks team worked with and listened to their young collaborators. Together, they created a performance – part theatre, part vox-pops – that explored that unique space, halfway between birth and adulthood, occupied by nine-year-olds.

How often are the perspectives of children considered in our society? King’s Lynn Nine was a project designed to counter the prevailing ‘adultist state’, in which the opinions of our young people are often overlooked. It provided a platform for children to tell it how it is, how it was… and how it could be.

Following on from the success of The Norwich Nine in 2025, we were delighted that the piece was one of the first public performances to be staged at The Workshop at the Old Library, a new arts hub being developed in King’s Lynn’s Carnegie Library building.

‘I enjoyed getting to know lots of people and being myself. I learnt how to express myself and become more confident and understanding.’
Participant, King’s Lynn Nine

‘I thought it was amazing! (My daughter) is feeling very, very proud of herself. It’s lovely to see how much she enjoyed it. Thank you for letting her be a part of it, I hope more chances come along….’
Parent, King’s Lynn Nine participant

‘I truly enjoyed watching my daughter perform on stage. It was such fun and in the same way emotional to see what she wanted to become in the future. (She) carried herself with such confidence and grace, I was so pleased to see her talent shine through. The performance was engaging and memorable. Thank you for giving us this opportunity.’
Parent, King’s Lynn Nine participant

Artists

Bootworks Theatre Co.

Location

King’s Lynn

Participants

Nine nine-year-olds

Partner

The Workshop, King’s Lynn