THEATRE

Russell Kane leaps into town on September 10, followed by the wonderful Dawn French on the 25th and rugby legend Martin Bayfield on the 30th

Scrum guys

have all the luck

Pic: Dennis Luckett

Pant-wetting observations from Russell Kane, buttock-clenching embarrassing stories from Dawn French and Jason Byrne brings his new show, Unblocked to the toilet, erm we mean stage. There’s an unsavoury theme this month. Thankfully sportsman Martin Bayfield is ‘trying’ to bring some balance...

Rising comedian Glenn Moore steps to the Underground (September 10). He already has an Edinburgh Comedy Award nomination for Best Show and appearances on Mock The Week and The Stand-up Sketch Show, and now the fella is bringing the laughs with his work, Will You Still Need Me, Will You Still Feed Me, Glenn I’m Sixty Moore.

The same night, over at the Derngate, cheeky chappie Russell Kane presents The Essex Variant, a high-octane show promising nuclear-energy belly laughs and pantwetting observations.

A two night stay (September 14 & 15) follows at the Derngate for ‘the one inspired by the pals who live in a super apartment in NYC.’

Friendsical was a bigger hit than Smelly Cat at the 2019 Edinburgh Festival. The unique new parody inspired by the iconic TV show Friends was a total triumph.

‘When Ross’s wife leaves him for another woman, he fears he will never find love again. But then Rachel runs back into his life... will he end up with his one true love?’

Includes newbie songs like ‘You’re Over Me, When Were You Under Me?’ and Richard’s Moustache...

Ed Gamble’s planned March date at the venue was scuppered when he caught Covid, but he definitely will be at the Derngate on September 21 with his show, Electric.

Hopefully ticket prices haven’t risen in keeping with the fuel charge?!

If you fancy journeying around the constellations, stars, planets and more, take a ticket to check in with Adrian West, aka VirtualAstro, when he brings The Night Sky Show to town (September 23), and The Cube Disability Arts Academy hands the Derngate stage over to its students (September 24) for the sequel to their 2021 production – and this one promises to be even bigger.

Dawn French Is A Huge Tw*t. Her words, not ours. We’ll let her explain: “This show is so-named because unfortunately, it’s horribly accurate. There have been far too many times I have made stupid mistakes or misunderstood something vital or jumped the gun in a spectacular display of tw*ttery. I thought I might tell some of these buttock-clenching embarrassing stories to give the audience a peek behind the scenes of my work life...”

Join her at the Derngate on September 25.

If you were around in the 80s, you’ll remember just how big Paul Young’s No Parlez elpee was, and the single smashes that it offered; Wherever I Lay My Hat, Every Time You Go Away and Love of The Common People among them.

Brilliant times with the songs to match. Paul has never really stopped, playing solo and with his Tex-Mex types Los Pacaminos, but he’ll be digging into those pop times past for Essential 80s (September 27) which will also feature T’Pau and Hue & Cry, which means more awesomeness like China In Your Hand, Heart and Soul, Looking For Linda and Ordinary Angel.

If you’ve got an appetite for more music, former Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett has got the tunes. He’s following up his most successful solo tour to date with Genesis Revisited – Foxtrot At Fifty and Hackett Highlights (September 28).

Martin Bayfield brings his Rugby Legends show to the venue (September 30), and the former England rugby international will be in conversation with some familiar faces; World Cup winner Matt Dawson, player turned podcaster and author James Haskell and TV pundit David Flatman.

“This is the game I want to celebrate. The game of my youth, the game that became my family, the game that took me around the world and opened the door to so many unexpected wonders,” Martin said, “If you’ve played the game, you’ll nod your head and chuckle. If rugby is new to you, you’ll shake your head in disbelief. It shouldn’t work, but it does, and that’s why I love it so much.”

In Corby, the Core presents a punchy, immersive production that recaptures the passion and controversy of Trainspotting (September 6-10), delivered by Scottish company In Your Face Theatre.

Choose life, and choose a ticket.

Also at the Core, Jason Byrne is Unblocked (September 24). Jason has had his heart and career unblocked, and the constipation of Covid has been cleared. Now that live entertainment has been colonically irrigated, he presumably promises a poop free show....

And before we wrap up this month, a reminder that Ray Quinn will visit The Old Savoy (September 24) with The King of Swing, celebrating the world-famous Rat Pack.

Expect to hear the greatest hits from the greatest singers; Davis Jr, Sinatra and Martin.

> Tickets: Derngate & Underground: royalandderngate.co.uk The Core: thecorecorby.com The Old Savoy: theoldsavoy.co.uk