THEATRE

Strictly’s Karen Hauer & Gorka Marquez turn up the heat at Derngate Ed Gamble brings the laughter this month

Extramarital affairs and sweet releases!

Relationships between father and son, forbidden passion, steamy dance shows and comedy players; Sammy Jones looks to a month of theatre action.

At some point or another, Bob and Danny will have shared a car ride with you, been present at your kitchen table, or perhaps helped you unwind at the end of a difficult day.

As two of the nation’s best broadcasters, they have been on the airwaves for decades, during which time ‘Whispering’ Bob Harris and the rather more forceful Danny Baker have been backstage, front stage, at home and on the road with nearly every artist that really deserves to be called a legend.

They were there during rock and soul’s golden age, and now they’ve decided to share some of the many stories they’ve accumulated. This will be a blast! Catch them at the Derngate (March 14).

The Wellspring (March 17-26) is ‘a Northamptonshire tale about the stories that shape us.’

It’s an intimate, autobiographical exploration of the relationship between award-winning playwright Barney Norris (The Remains of the Day) and his father, internationally acclaimed pianist and broadcaster David Owen Norris.

David is also responsible for the music that will accompany the on-stage deliveries at The Royal Theatre, as The Wellspring examines how a boy and his father can relate to each other, and takes you into the complex and shifting dynamic between the generations.

Strictly lovers can still get their dance fix in the coming months; with the show not set to return to the small screen until the end of the summer, its professional dancers take their moves on the road, and they are heading this way.

This month (March 18) Karen Hauer & Gorka Marquez arrive with Firedance, which is bursting with pulsing beats, seductive choreography and passion.

Live Latin musicians and a dynamic dance ensemble will add further heat. Simmering? Nope, this show really will be on fire, as you’ll know if you’ve ever seen them move.

And there’s another Strictly pro on his way; dancing sensation, international champion and 2021 finalist Johannes Radebe visits the venue a day later (March 19).

Freedom takes the viewer from African Fusion to fiery Latin, with classic dance arrangements, huge party anthems and a company of dancers.

He’ll also lead you on his personal journey, from growing up in South Africa, to traveling the world and winning titles. A true inspiration, a thoroughly decent man and more than a bit nimble on his feet - read our exclusive interview on pages 12, 13 and 14.

Bob Harris and Danny Baker

Flo & Joan offer a Sweet Release at The Core

We go from feet to funnies (March 20) with Ed Gamble. He’s co-host of the podcast hit Off Menu with James Acaster, and turns our frown upside down whenever he pops up on the small screen. Which he does, often.

We Will Rock You is touring to mark its 20th anniversary (March 21-26), but do we really need to explain more about the smash-hit musical by Queen and Ben Elton? Thought not.

Luke Kempner brings Macho Macho Man to the Underground (March 26). Join the star of Spitting Image as he tries to work out what masculinity really means.

More cheery stuff follows (March 27) with the return of Stewart Lee and his production Snowflake/Tornado, and then an intoxicating new staging of movie thriller Fatal Attraction (March 29 – April 2) arrives.

If ever there was a good advertisement for not engaging in extramarital shenanigans, this was it!

Britain’s Got Talent finalist Ben Hart brings his alternative magic to The Deco (March 24), followed a day later (March 25) by Iain Stirling, the voice of Love Island, the face of Loose Men and stand-up ace. Iain has often pondered the question, ‘How do people manage to be normal?’ and so he decided to write a show all about it.

And finally, a quick mention for Flo & Joan who present Sweet Release at The Core in Corby (March 17).

The siblings are climbing out of their pits and, armed with a piano and percussion section, will bring you songs and comedy about everything from alien lovers to fringes!

> Make your choices and click to book: The Deco: thedeco.co.uk Royal, Derngate & Underground: royalandderngate.co.uk The Core: thecorecorby.com