THEATRE

Let’s hear it

Marvellous musicals, cracking comedy and veterinary chat all features in this month’s theatre programme. And The Deco has a chance to engage in some of Angela Lansbury’s most famous work...

Northampton Musical Theatre Company will show off its collective talent again this November (1-5) when they do justice to Calendar Girls – The Musical.

The death of a much-loved husband prompts a group of extraordinary women in a small Yorkshire Women’s Institute to raise money for charity by stripping for a ‘nude’ calendar.

Tim Firth is responsible for the story, and some fella called Gary Barlow did good with music and lyrics.

Let us hope the sunflowers are big and blooming for the Derngate run!

Animal lovers in need of love, hope and healing need to book for An Evening with Noel Fitzpatrick (Nov 6) when the ‘supervet’ will give you an insight into his bionic world and the animals who have inspired him.

If you go walkies to the venue, this show will give you plenty of food for thought.

One of the best bands to come out of the 80s were Level 42 and the band, still led by bassist Mark King, will be in town (Nov 8) as part of its Lessons In Live tour.

A couple of months back we caught Jools Holland live in Milton Keynes and his boogiewoogie brilliance wowed the sell-out crowd. Soon it’ll be the ‘fampton’s turn to enjoy a session with the ivory tickler and his band of many talents. Fine Young Cannibals frontman Roland Gift will join Ruby Turner and Louise Marshall at the show (Nov 9).

Giggle bringer Paul Chowdry presents Family Friendly Comedian (Nov 10), and a day later (Nov 11, Underground) Jen Brister goes live with The Optimist. Has the pandemic changed her for the better or is she the same old pessimistic naysayer she’s always been?

The 11th anniversary edition of Strictly Northampton dances its way to the Derngate stage (Nov 12) with local contestants paired with students from the Step by Step Dance School.

for the Girls Pic: Matt Crockett

They’ve had eight weeks to straighten their frame, loosen their footwork and sizzle in hold at this Ballroom and Latin extravaganza, in support of Cynthia Spencer Hospice charity.

Jamali Maddix is back on the road and brings King Crud to the Royal (Nov 12) to tackle more home truths and universal issues, and NMPAT delivers Youth In Concert (Nov 13) with performances by County Youth Concert Band, County Youth Choir, County Youth Brass Band, County Youth Big Band and County Youth Orchestra. The same day the Royal presents Flo & Joan with Sweet Release. With piano and percussion, these seriously funny siblings will bring smiles around topics including over-thinking, alien lovers and fringes.

Harry Hill (Nov 18, Derngate) is ready to introduce fans to his new baby elephant, Sarah, and Ian, The Information Worm alongside familiar feline Stouffer the Cat.

Music comes from Woman to Woman (Nov 19) with Beverley Craven, Judie Tzuke, Julia Fordham and Rumer, and Aled Jones and Russell Watson (Nov 20) get all festive before Dreamgirls enjoys a shorter run than previously advertised, due to logistical problems.

Its five-day stay begins at Derngate on November 22. Buckle up for a rollercoaster ride through fame, fortune, and the ruthless realities of show business - it’s one of the best productions we’ve viewed in 2022. Last up, The Night Before Christmas, which > Book your show seats: Royal and Derngate: royalandderngate.co.uk starts its five-week stay the month before The Deco: theoldsavoy.co.uk Christmas – on November 25. The Core: thecorecorby.com

Take a seat at the Royal and watch as the

Northampton Musical Theatre kick the month off with Calendar Girls - The Musical at The Derngate and The Dreamgirls arrive on November 22 enduring festive poem (a favourite for more than two centuries) comes to life – Father Christmas and his reindeer will fly through the starlit sky in a magical production for under 7s and their families. Performances continue until New Year’s Eve. At The Deco, November’s attractions include The Songs of James Bond (Nov 2), The Lindisfarne Story (Nov 21) and SolveAlong-A-Murder-She-Wrote with Sing a Song of Murder - an interactive screening of the classic Murder, She Wrote episode which sees Jessica Fletcher visiting London where she gets caught up in another murder mystery. Of course she does! Games, prizes, audience participation and plenty of laughter is a given. Dom Joly will be at The Core in Corby (Nov 4) with his first tour in more than a decade. In ‘Holiday Snaps – Travel and Comedy in the Danger Zone,’ Dom will talk about his exploits as a serial globe-trotting seeker of dangerous travel spots. From North Korea through the Congo and Syria to Dom Joly appears at The Core on Nov 4 Chernobyl, he’s visited some of the most unusual places on the planet. We went to the Lake District, but whatever takes your fancy.