THEATRE

What the Dickens?!

An Unexpected Twist at The Royal

You’ll be hard pushed to find a much more varied programme of theatre events than that offered by Royal & Derngate this coming month. And with half term on the horizon, The Old Savoy has a programme of great things for little folks, much to the relief of parents across the town! Sammy Jones has the round-up...

Henry Blofeld is back with the new show, My Dear Old Things (Feb 2) which sees him share memories of his days as a young England hopeful, how an Eton bus knocked him off his stride and how he went from a career in the City to tapping the keys as a cricket journalist. A witty, engaging evening awaits anyone batty about cricket.

Funny fella Tom Stade will take The High Road to The Royal (Feb 3), and Giovanni Pernice, Strictly’s 2021 dancing champ, invited you to journey to his homeland with Made In Italy (Feb 5).

An Evening with Tim Rice (Feb 6) is a chance to listen to material from Evita, The Lion King, Chess, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Joseph and His Technicolour Dreamcoat at the Derngate.

“I have had the good fortune to work with some of the greatest composers of our time, including Andrew Lloyd Webber, Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson, Elton John and Alan Menken, without whose wonderful melodies I’d be at home watching television,” he said.

Vocals will come from The Duncan Waugh Band.

Great British Bake Off judge Pru Leith promises nothing is off the menu in her first ever live show, which will give you an insight into her life as a successful restaurateur, novelist and businesswoman. After the main course, she will be joined for ‘pudding’ by Clive Tulloh, who will put your questions to her.

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra will present some of the best blockbuster film scores of all time; from Star Wars and Jurassic Park to Schindler’s List (Feb 10).

Alfie Moore’s Fair Cop Unleashed Underground show (Feb 10) is sold-out, but try now for his return date on April 21.

Queen Extravaganza will rock fans (Feb 11) at the Derngate, and Jon Richardson brings The Knitwit (Feb 12) to the stage, asking the sort of questions that worry us too, such as ‘Will the recycling be put out on the right day?’

The same night, Ray Bradshaw will be at the Underground with Deaf Com 1. Ray grew up with deaf parents and his show will be performed in English and BSL. A clever, charming and funny night out awaits.

Author Michael Rosen has combined his new tale with the Dickens classic that inspired it, and the result, Unexpected Twist will premiere at The Royal (Feb 13-25).

Chris de Burgh (Feb 13) has enjoyed international success spanning five decades, and he’ll treat you to many of his hits, together with guitar and piano tracks from his current album on his Derngate return.

Sarah Keyworth comes to the Underground (Feb 16), Varna International Ballet (Feb 16-18) tip-toes to the Derngate and Mike Bubbins (Feb 17) brings his first ever solo stand-up tour, Throwback, to the Underground.

An interactive dance film with music and digital projection will take a light-hearted look at our sense of touch and how it influences our everyday lives, in a shared experience for children aged five to nine years and their grown-ups! It’s called Squidge (Feb 18).

Rambert Dance will deliver Peaky Blinders: The Redemption Of Thomas Shelby (Feb 2125), a sensation which The Telegraph declared a piece where ‘you can never quite tell whether you’re at a dance show or a grungy rock gig.’

Having supported some of the biggest acts in the UK Eshaan Akbar is now heading out on his debut tour, The Pretender (Feb 25), which calls in at the Underground, and a month brimming with buzzy stuff is seen

From the top: Squidge, Unpexpected Twist, Kevin Clifton and Maisie Smith in Strictly Ballroom The Musical and the Great British Bake Off’s Pru Leith will be brightening up Northampton in February

out with Strictly Ballroom The Musical (Feb 27-March 4). Based on Baz Luhrmann’s film phenomenon, it stars former Strictly Come Dancing favourite Kevin Clifton, and Strictly contestant, Eastenders’ actress Maisie Smith.

At The Old Savoy, The Little Mermaid Family Panto (Feb 11, 2.30pm-5pm) will take you on an underwater adventure, promising a ‘whale of a time’ for the whole family. Then, from 7.30pm, The Little Mermaid adult panto returns. Do make sure you book for the right performance! The Amazing Bubble Man (Feb 13) will combine comedy and artistry with spellbinding tricks to keep everyone mesmerized. It’ll be lovely-bubbly!

Harry Styles fans can enjoy a tribute (Feb 15) and youngsters will want in for Milkshake Live! (Feb 16) a chance to learn songs and dances with their pals, and parents!

> Book your seats: Derngate, Royal & Underground: royalandderngate.co.uk The Old Savoy: theoldsavoy.co.uk