THEATRE

Welcome to… the school of hard rocks!

A purr-fect new show from an old favourite, a monstrously marvellous musical and plenty of ‘one-night stands’! Pulse’s Sammy Jones looks at the month ahead in theatre land...

Get ready to rock at the Derngate

So many of us grew up with the beloved stories of Mog the Forgetful Cat, from the creative mind of Judith Kerr. But never will you have seen them played out on stage. Until now.

Royal & Derngate, The Old Vic and The Wardrobe Ensemble have collaborated to bring the iconic stories to the theatre – and the world premiere production begins on June 3, as part of the Made in Northampton 2022 season.

‘Mog always seems to be in trouble. She forgets that she has a cat flap and she forgets that she has already eaten her supper. But sometimes, Mog’s forgetfulness comes in very handy...’

Take your seat for a performance (they run at The Royal through to June 19) and join Mog and her people, the Thomas family, on a journey through the life of a really remarkable cat as she cat-ches a burglar, gatecrashes a cat show, goes to the vee-eee-tee and eats lots of eggs. “I absolutely loved the Mog books growing up,” said Helen Middleton of The Wardrobe Ensemble, “We used to have a book fair at my school and I would literally race there to make sure I was the first to get my hands on a copy. I am so delighted to be part of the team which will bring Mog to the stage...” It’s safe to say that this will provide ticketholders with a purr-fect night out...

The movie was marvellous and then School of Rock wowed the West End stage.

Now, the amps go up to 11 and the Jack Black smash – adapted for stage by Andrew Lloyd Webber – arrives at the Derngate (June 6) for a six-day stay.

You’ll get a heap of new songs courtesy of ALW, all the tracks you want from the movie, and a band of clever kids in charge of instruments.

Join pretend substitute music teacher Dewey Finn and his pint-sized musical prodigies who learn that Metallica are more important than Maths, Deep Purple will always win over Drama and studying the music of Foreigner is better than studying Foreign Languages...or something like that.

Together, they are going to stick it to the man.

It’s a long way to the top if you wanna rock ‘n’ roll. Or a short journey to the heart of the ‘fampton for your musical comedy fix.

What’s Love Got To Do With It (June 13) is a celebration of the lady with the pins, Miss Tina Turner. Proud Mary, Nutbush City Limits, Private Dancer...you know the songs.

NMPAT – The Festival (June 14 & 15) is a welcome opportunity to engage with arts performances from some of our junior and secondary school pupils, before funny fella Romesh Ranganathan follows with a four-day stay, but that sold-out ages ago.

Two-time Strictly trophy winner Oti Mabuse presents her show, I Am Here (June 21) delivering everything from mesmerising Jives and pumping Sambas to South Africa’s exhilarating Kwaito. You’ll be exhausted just watching her and her astounding dancers.

A thrilling new version of The Dance of Death comes to The Royal (June 21-23) about a marriage pushed to its limits. Expect taunts, recriminations and biting humour delivered by Lindsay Duncan, Hilton McRae and Emily Bruni.

Other Derngate highlights before the month end include Ronan Keating (June 22), Strictly’s Anton & Giovanni with the show, Me and Him (June 23) and Strictly Presents Keeeep Dancing (June 27), with a feast of

Mark Steel brings some laughs to The Royal later this month

Kerr-Kneale Productions Ltd 2022 Pic: © pros and past finalists. The Wanted’s Max George, himself a former competitor on the show, will take care of the music.

Last up at the Derngate (June 29 & 30) is a little piggy who we hope has done wonders for the sale of fake bacon; Peppa Pig. She will be enjoying her Best Day Ever.

Over at The Royal, Mark Steel will tickle the funny bone (June 24) and Patrick Kielty also pop in (June 25).

A quick mention of A Bit of a Carry On which will be happening at The Deco on June 26, when Darling Buds of May actor Tyler Butterworth tells the funny, moving and unashamedly nostalgic story of his muchloved parents, the nation’s first female TV impressionist Janet Brown, and the inimitable Carry On star Peter Butterworth.

Mog the Forgetful Cat mooches in to town

> Check in: Royal & Derngate: royalandderngate.co.uk The Deco: theoldsavoy.co.uk