DRAMA DANCE MUSIC COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES WORKSHOPS FAMILY SHOWS COMEDY MUSICALS SPRING 2025
Don’t miss our hilarious, fun-filled 2024 pantomime, Cinderella, with a star-studded cast!
Strictly champion Joanne Clifton will be dazzling as the Fairy, alongside CBeebies’ favourite Andy Day, as Dandini, the Prince’s sidekick. Gordon Cooper and Matt Daines play the hilariously wicked Stepsisters, and are joined by the award-winning comedian, Dave Bibby as Buttons, Marcellus Whyte as Prince Charming (Mamma Mia! I Have A Dream), and the wonderfully talented Marcavia McCarthy as Cinderella!
AS CINDERELLA
This spectacular show will be written by Paul Hendy and produced by the award-winning Evolution Productions, the same team behind 2023’s brilliant Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs and 2022’s smash-hit, Jack And The Beanstalk
It’s never too early to book, and with lavish sets, hilarious jokes and fun for the whole family, what’s not to love? So don’t be late for the ball… get your tickets now!
Fri 6 – Tue 31 December Times vary, see p. 60
Tickets from £12.50
BSL Interpreted
Audio Described
Touch Tour
Information p. 56-57
Join the Jolly Christmas Postman on a frosty, fairytale adventure in this brandnew stage adaptation.
This award-winning story for all the family sees the Jolly Postman cycling through the snow to deliver parcels and letters to familiar friends as they prepare for Christmas celebrations
There are visit to Red Riding Hood, Humpty Dumpty, the Gingerbread Man, and not forgetting the big, bad wolf!
As the snow continues to fall, who will help the Jolly Postman get home in time for Christmas?
Live music, original songs and a sprinkling of theatre magic bring this favourite festive classic to life for all ages to enjoy.
This family show will see the combined forces of Royal & Derngate Artistic Director Jesse Jones and adaptor Adam Peck (A Monster Calls, Bristol Old Vic) bring this much-loved classic to life – with songs by Darren Clark.
By arrangement with Penguin Books Ltd, a Penguin Random House UK company
Sat 7 – Tues 31 December Times vary, see p. 60
ROYAL
Tickets from £16
BSL Interpreted
Audio Described
Touch Tour
Captioned
Relaxed
Running
“THE MUSICAL OF ITS GENERATION, FOR ALL GENERATIONS”
BOOK BY STEVEN LEVENSON
MUSIC & LYRICS BY BENJ PASEK & JUSTIN PAUL
Today is going to be a good day. And here’s why…
Meet Evan: an anxious high school kid who wants nothing more than to fit in. The thing is, on his way to fitting in, he didn’t tell the whole truth. And now must give up on a life he never dreamt he’d have. As events spiral and the truth comes out, Evan faces a reckoning with himself and everyone around him.
Packed with some of the biggest musical theatre songs of the last decade, Dear Evan Hansen has a score by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (Oscar-winning composers for The Greatest Showman), book by Steven Levenson and more awards than can be listed here. Well OK, we’ll mention a few: Tony® Award for Best Musical, Olivier Award for Best New Musical, Grammy® Award for Best Musical Theatre Score… no big deal but the list goes on!
With direction by Adam Penford (Artistic Director at Nottingham Playhouse), this brand-new production marks the first time that the Broadway and West End phenomenon will tour the UK & Ireland.
At Royal & Derngate, #YouWillBeFound.
Tue 14 – Sat 18 January
Eves 7.30pm, Wed & Sat
Matinees 2.30pm
DERNGATE
Tickets from £17
BSL Interpreted
Audio Described
Touch Tour
Access Information p. 56-57
White Cobra return to Royal & Derngate with a 90 minute roller coaster comedy, full of colourful characters, and ideal for all ages looking for a fun evening. The play is adapted by Clive Francis from Graham Greene’s iconic satirical novel, which was made into a classic British film starring Alec Guinness and Noel Coward.
Jim Wormold, an under-employed vacuum cleaner salesman living in 1950s Cuba, is struggling to pay for his teenage daughter’s increasingly extravagant lifestyle. So when the British Secret Service asks him to become their ‘Man in Havana’ he can’t afford to say no.
There’s just one problem: he doesn’t know anything! To avoid suspicion he begins concocting a series of intricate fictions. But Wormold soon discovers that his stories are closer to the truth than he could have ever imagined.
Last Rites combines exciting physical, non-verbal storytelling with dynamic projection and an immersive soundtrack. Told through a Deaf man’s unique perspective, this show tells the poignant story of a complex relationship cut short.
In life, his father wouldn’t learn sign language, but in death Arjun needs to find a way to say goodbye. Creating his own intimate, final ceremony, Arjun brings to life a rich tapestry of shared memories.
Internationally acclaimed theatre makers Ramesh Meyyappan and George Mann collaborate for the first time in multi-award-winning Ad Infinitum’s moving new performance celebrating the transformative power of grief and parenthood.
Last Rites is made possible through funding from Arts Council England and Bristol City Council and co-commissioned by London International Mime Festival, Derby Theatre and Corn Exchange Newbury. This production is supported by Paul and Joanna Pearson.
Artwork by Martha Hegarty with photos by Mihaela Bodlovic and Camilla Greenwell.
Thu 16 - Sat 18 January Eves 7.30pm, Sat Matinee 2.30pm
ROYAL
Tickets from £18
From Our Community
Tue 28 - Wed 29 January 7.30pm
ROYAL
Tickets from £20
Starring Alasdair Baker, Isabella Inchbald, Joey Lockhart, Luke Rhodri and Theo Woolford.
Middle Ground Theatre Company Ltd is delighted to present Dial M For Mayhem, a brand new charming comedy drama from the author and director of the hugely successful courtroom phenomenon The Verdict.
Set in 1991, it follows of a group of travelling actors from south of the Scottish border as they conquer the beautiful unforgiving landscape of the Highlands and Islands village hall circuit to perform Frederick Knott’s classic 1950’s thriller Dial M For Murder
Set against the breathtaking backdrop of mountains and lochs, complete with unpredictable Scottish weather and internal company squabbling, Act 1's gentle comic yarn gives way to Act 2's gleeful back stage comedy of the play within the play!
HHHH “IMPRESSIVE... KEEPS THE LAUGHTER ROLLING.” Behind the Arras HHHH “A JOY TO WATCH.” Fairypoweredproductions.com
HHHH “A THEATRICAL TREAT” Derbyworld
Mon 3 - Sat 8 February
Eves 7.30pm, Wed & Sat
Matinees 2.30pm
ROYAL
Tickets from £13
M is a woman. M is a writer. M is a mother.
Catapulted from the crest of a hit play and hijacked by motherhood –the wild nights out have been replaced by evenings in with baby and a breastpump. Suddenly M is burnt out, angry, lonely, unsure and, quite frankly, terrified of the future.
She wants to tell her story, her way. But, as she spills her guts and starts to write, everyone around her shares their opinions on who she is, who she should be and how she’s messing everything up.
From award-winning writer Jane Upton, this 2022 Bruntwood Prize shortlisted play is relatable, funny and a painful scream from the abyss of early motherhood.
Thu 13 – Sat 15 February
Eves 7pm
Sat Matinee 2.30pm
ROYAL
Tickets from £15 I 16+
Contains strong language, references of a sexual nature and neonatal death.
Relaxed
Access Information p. 56-57
George wishes he wasn’t the scruffiest giant in town. So when he sees a new shop selling giant-sized clothes, he decides it’s time for a new look: smart trousers, smart shirt, stripy tie, shiny shoes. Now he’s the smartest giant in town… until he bumps into some animals who desperately need his help – and his clothes!
This heart-warming tale about friendship and helping those in need is brought to life in a musical, puppet-filled adventure, following on from Little Angel Theatre’s bestselling adaptations of Julia Donaldson’s picture books including The Singing Mermaid and The Everywhere Bear.
A Little Angel Theatre and Fierylight co-production
Based on the bestselling book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler
HHHHH “A JOY” Evening Standard
Tue 18 & Wed 19 February
Tue 1pm & 4pm, Wed 10am & 1pm
ROYAL
Tickets from £18
Recommended for ages 3-8
Relaxed
Access Information p. 56-57
Varna International Ballet returns for a new season in 2025 brought to life by magical special effects, accompanied live by the Varna International Ballet Orchestra.
The company presents three beloved ballet classics. In Romeo & Juliet, Shakespeare’s timeless and tragic love story is brought to life by Prokofiev’s soaring score. Another of the great romantic ballets, Swan Lake features Tchaikovsky’s haunting and unforgettable music. The most famous of fantasy ballets for all the family, The Nutcracker starts as night falls on Christmas Eve, sweeping us away to a fairy-tale world where nothing is quite as it seems.
Romeo & Juliet: Mon 3 March 7.30pm
Swan Lake: Tue 4 March 7.30pm
The Nutcracker: Wed 5 March 2.30pm & 7.30pm
DERNGATE
Tickets from £18
“UNIQUE,
CHALLENGING AND OH-SO NECESSARY”
The Guardian HHHH
"LIKE NOTHING YOU'VE EVER SEEN”
The Telegraph
Tambo and Bones are stuck in a minstrel show. It’s hard to know what’s real when you’re stuck in a minstrel show. Their escape plan: get out, get rich, get even.
In this exhilarating, funny and provocative satire, Tambo and Bones journey from comedy double-act, to hip-hop superstars, to activists in a future America, contending with the alarming repercussions of a nation torn apart by race.
Spanning 500 years of history, Tambo & Bones laughs through our past, blows the roof off our present and imagines an explosive future for our world and for theatre.
Tambo & Bones was one of the most talked about cultural events of 2023 when it received its UK premiere at Stratford East. Directed by Matthew Xia, this Made In Northampton co-production opens in Northampton before embarking on its first ever UK tour.
An Actors Touring Company, Stratford East and Royal & Derngate, Northampton coproduction in association with Belgrade Theatre, Leeds Playhouse and Liverpool Everyman
Fri 7 – Sat 15 March
Eves 7pm, Thu & Sat Matinees 2.30pm
ROYAL
Tickets from £15
This satirical show contains sounds of gunfire, strong language, repeated use of a racial slur, references to ethnic violence and war crimes, and discusses themes some may find upsetting relating to race.
Audio Described
Touch Tour
Access Information p. 56-57
Bill Kenwright Ltd presents Cruel Intentions: The ’90s Musical
Created by Jordan Ross, Lindsey Rosin and Roger Kumble
Based on the original hit film by Roger Kumble
Originally produced by Eva Price
Following sell-out seasons in London and New York, the brand-new smash hit musical Cruel Intentions is coming to Northampton. Based on the iconic film and inspired by Les Liaisons Dangereuses, it’s packed with ‘90s pop classics including the songs of Britney Spears, Boyz II Men, Christina Aguilera, TLC, R.E.M., Ace of Base, Natalie Imbruglia, The Verve, *NSYNC and many more!
Step siblings Sebastian Valmont and Kathryn Merteuil engage in a cruel bet: Kathryn goads Sebastian into attempting to seduce Annette Hargrove, the headmaster’s virtuous daughter.
Weaving a web of secrets and temptation, their crusade wreaks havoc on the students at their exclusive Manhattan high school. It’s not long before the duo become entangled in their own web of deception and unexpected romance, with explosive results…
The iconic movie set to the decade’s best songs is an irresistible combination and with over forty 4 and 5 star reviews, it’s the ultimate ‘90s night out.
Tue 18 – Sat 22 March
Tue – Thu 7.30pm Fri 5pm & 8.30pm Sat 2.30pm & 7.30pm
DERNGATE
Tickets from £17
Recommended age 15+
BSL Interpreted
Audio Described
Touch Tour
Access Information p. 56-57
Tom Fletcher’s interactive adventures for big imaginations are leaping from page to stage, as the beloved ‘Who’s in Your Book?' series returns to Royal & Derngate in this musical show adaptation.
A group of performers are preparing to start their show, but quickly discover they are not alone on stage. Little Monster wants to be part of the fun too! With an invitation to his friends, Dragon, Alien and Unicorn to join him, you can expect comedy and chaos as they help to create a magical show, learning about the joy of books and friendship along the way.
A high-energy 50-minute adventure featuring lively original music, this show is the perfect introduction to live theatre.
Expect plenty of playful fun for your littlest ones as their favourite characters come to life in a show that is packed with interactive moments to enjoy together. There’s a Monster in Your Show… and he can’t wait to meet you!
Mon 21 - Tues 22 April 11am & 1.30pm ROYAL
Tickets from £16
For the past 30 years the National Theatre Connections festival has been a celebration of young people, theatre and the importance of access to the arts. Each year the National Theatre commissions a collection of new plays for young people to perform, uniting some of the most exciting UK playwrights of today with the theatre-makers of tomorrow.
Royal & Derngate hosts the largest and most diverse of the regional Connections festivals that take place across the country, and we are thrilled to welcome hundreds of young people to Northampton again this April for what promises to be an exciting week of new writing packed with young talent.
Royal & Derngate’s own Young Company will be taking part in the festival performing Saba’s Swim by Danusia Samal (see page 36).
Mon 31 March – Sun 6 April
Times vary, see website ROYAL and UNDERGROUND
Tickets from £6
We all want to meet people from history. The trouble is everyone is dead! So it’s time to prepare yourselves for two amazing shows with Horrible Histories live on stage! Using actors and eye-popping 3D special effects, these astounding shows are guaranteed to thrill you and your children. Historical figures and events will come alive on stage and hover at your fingertips!
Terrible Tudors: From the horrible Henries to the end of evil Elizabeth, hear the legends (and the lies!) about the torturing Tudors. Find out the fate of Henry’s headless wives and his punch up with the Pope. Meet Bloody Mary and see Ed fall dead in his bed. Survive the Spanish Armada as it sails into the audience!
Awful Egyptians: From the fascinating Pharaohs to the power of the pyramids, discover the foul facts of death and decay with the meanest mummies in Egypt. Are you ready to rumble with Ramesses the Great? Dare you enter through the Gates of the afterlife?
Wed 16 - Sat 19
April
Terrible Tudors: Wed & Fri 2pm, Thu & Sat 6.30pm
Awful Egyptians: Wed & Fri
6.30pm, Thu & Sat 2pm
DERNGATE
Tickets from £17
It’s history with the nasty bits left in!
EASTER HOLIDAYS FAMILY FUN
Don your deerstalker, grab your magnifying glass and get your ‘finger of suspicion’ at the ready because Edinburgh Fringe favourites, Degrees of Error, are bringing back their multiple sell-out show for your sleuthing pleasure.
They’ll create a classic murder mystery on-the-spot in this ingenious improvised comedy. You, the audience, become the author as the cast act out your very own Agatha Christie-inspired masterpiece live on stage. At each show this extraordinarily talented company use audience suggestions to create a unique, original and extremely comical murder mystery just for you. All you have to do... is solve it!
Ms Gold poisoned at a synchronised swimming gala? Dr Blue exploded by cannon during a hot air balloon race? Professor Violet crushed to death at a Love Island recoupling? You decide!
But will you guess whodunnit before the killer is revealed?
HHHHH “HILARIOUS... THE SHOW IS A RIOT” Scottish Daily Mail
Mon 14 - Thu 17 April
Eves 7.30pm
Wed Matinee 2.30pm
ROYAL
Tickets from £22
“It’s not breaking a code that matters, it’s where you go from there.”
Mastermind code breaker. Maverick. Arguably one of the most important and inquisitive minds of the twentieth century. Alan Turing is famed for cracking the Enigma code at Bletchley Park, effectively securing victory for the Allied forces in WWII.
From triumph to tragedy, get to know a human being who loved, lost and never stopped asking questions in a quest for truth and understanding in this new production of Hugh Whitemore’s Breaking the Code
For the first time, taking into consideration his recent Royal pardon and the development of Turing’s law, the original play will feature new material that speaks to Turing’s lasting legacy on modern Britain.
The production will be directed by Royal & Derngate's Artistic Director
Jesse Jones
Thu 11 – Sat 27 September
Eves 7.30pm (Tue 16 September 7pm)
Thu & Sat Matinees 2.30pm (excl. Sat 13 September)
ROYAL
Tickets from £15
Audio Described
Touch Tour
Captioned
Relaxed
Recommended for ages 12+
Contains adult themes
Access Information p. 56-57
This season's one-nighters...
We’ve packed our spring season with a fabulous variety of entertainment at Royal & Derngate. Top class comedy, theatre, music and family shows mean there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Visit us online royalandderngate.co.uk
SCREAMING BLUE MURDER COMEDY CLUB
Doors 7.45pm, Show 8pm
ROYAL
Tickets from £17 I 16+
Join us for our popular comedy club with compère Dan Evans. This season features many of comedy’s rising stars:
Sat 25 January
Andrew O’Neill, Joey Page
Maureen Younger
Thu 27 February
Phil Nichol, Dee Allum, Roger Monkhouse
Line up may be subject to change, advance booking is recommended.
THE OPERA
BOYS: A Night At The Musicals
Sat 11 January 7.30pm
ROYAL
Tickets from £25
Whether you’re a fan of modern day smash hit musicals like Jersey Boys, Mamma Mia! and Wicked or prefer the classics from Cole Porter,
George Gershwin and Rodgers & Hammerstein, or adore the definitive masterpieces like Les Misérables, Phantom of the Opera and West Side Story, this show has something for everyone and is perfect for musical theatre lovers both young and old.
With beautiful vocal arrangements, spectacular close part harmony and a great line in humour, The Opera Boys have been delighting audiences all over the world with their unique show combining beautiful, powerful and emotional music with funny, engaging and light-hearted entertainment.
LEGEND: The Music Of Bob Marley
Sat 11 January 7.30pm
DERNGATE
Tickets from £31
An unforgettable evening celebrating this musical icon in one fantastic stage show.
Combining his superb, distinctive vocals with flawless musicianship, a supremely talented cast recreate the timeless hits.
Could You Be Loved, Is This Love, One Love, No Woman No Cry, Three Little Birds, Jammin’, Buffalo Soldier, Stir It Up, Get Up Stand Up, Exodus, Waiting in Vain, Satisfy, My Soul, Iron Lion Zion, I Shot the Sheriff and many more reggae classics.
DAZZLING DIAMONDS:
The Comedy Variety Drag Show
Sun 12 January 7.30pm
ROYAL
Tickets from £28 I 14+
The Dazzling Diamonds make a triumphant return with a brand-new comedy variety drag show. From jaw-dropping dance numbers to hilarious lip-sync performances and not forgetting the sensational live vocals, the cast are pulling out all the stops to make this show as unforgettable as the last!
MAN IN THE MIRROR
Fri 24 January 7.30pm
DERNGATE
Tickets from £28
This is the Man In The Mirror – The brand new must-see, electrifying tribute concert to Michael Jackson.
Starring CJ, one of the world’s greatest Michael Jackson Tribute Artists and supported by a talented cast of performers and musicians who capture the essence of Michael Jackson’s unique style and charisma like no other, this scintillating production will keep you on the edge of your seats.
LONDON SYMPHONIC ROCK ORCHESTRA
Sat 25 January 7.30pm DERNGATE
Tickets from £39.50
Limited Availability
A collective of 12 classically trained artists brought together by their love of rock music and immense talent, the LSRO formed in 2018 and have been wowing audiences ever since. Dressed as an army of rock warriors, LSRO perform whilst immersed in a candlelit fantasy forest. The atmosphere is electric, the musicians are mesmerising and the supersonic, 100% live wall of sound they create leaves the audience instantly captivated.
Expect reimagined classic hits from: AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, Metallica, Iron Maiden, Guns N’ Roses, Evanescence, Motörhead, Foo Fighters, Rage Against The Machine, System of a Down and many more.
ANIA MAGLIANO:
Forgive Me, Father
Thu 30 January 7.30pm ROYAL
Tickets from £19.50 I 16+
You know when you're trying to wee on a night out, and a random girl you don't know starts telling you her secrets? Imagine that, but she has a microphone.
After three critically acclaimed sellout runs at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and three sold-out Soho Theatre runs, Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Show 2023 nominee, Ania Magliano, is back on tour.
ONE NIGHT OF ELVIS
Thu 30 January 7.30pm DERNGATE
Tickets from £30
A show dedicated to preserving the respect of the greatest entertainer of all time, Elvis Presley. Lee Memphis King faithfully recreates an Elvis performance with the authenticity and passion of an Elvis concert.
The show is enhanced by an orchestra of world class musicians and backing vocalists coupled with impressive video screen projection mapping out Elvis’s life and music. Lee Memphis King recreates it all with stunning authenticity – the voice and equally important for Lee, the passion and energy that Elvis put into his songs.
THE 80S SHOW
Fri 31 January 7.30pm
DERNGATE
Tickets from £29
Featuring an exceptional line-up of musicians including saxophone and percussionist, The 80s Show guarantees an authentic and high-energy performance that will capture the essence of the era. To complement the incredible music, The 80s Show will also feature visually stunning big screen footage and a dazzling light and laser show that will enhance the atmosphere and create a truly unforgettable and immersive spectacle. Prepare to be mesmerised as the stage comes alive with an explosion of vibrant colours, synchronised with the music, and designed to transport you back to the glory days of the 80s.
NC JAZZ:
Fabienne Ambuehl Quartet
Fri 31 January 7.30pm
ROYAL
Tickets from £22
Swiss pianist, composer and singer Fabienne Ambuehl leads a trio that is rhythmically compelling, lyrical and evocative. Ambuehl’s thoughtfully structured compositions have a striking energy and dynamism, express painterly details and capture strong emotions. Her music conjures vivid images of place and landscape. Ambuehl’s vocals are distinctive, veering across wide emotional terrain from the sensitive to the ecstatic. Working with Matt Ridley (The Antidote, The Darius Brubeck Quartet) and Jon Scott (Mulatu Astatke, GoGo Penguin), two of the most experienced and in demand musicians on the London scene, Ambuehl’s music explores a variety of colour and texture with clearly communicated ideas and alert interaction within the trio.
“STRIPPED-BACK MINIMALISM AND EMOTIONAL DEPTH, PLAYFULNESS AND MATURITY, AND A PROFOUND JAZZ SENSIBILITY COMBINED WITH A POWERFUL ROMANTIC IMAGINATION, FORGE HER UNMISTAKABLE STYLE." Norbert Krampf
CARL HUTCHINSON: Today Years Old
Sat 1 February 7.30pm
ROYAL
Tickets from £19.50 I 14+
What has quickly became an annual tradition. Carl is back for a third consecutive back-to-back tour. His storytelling skills & ability to hold an audience is second to none.
Rich in observations and exaggerated physical comedy, a night out with this Geordie is guaranteed to have you belly laughing from start to finish.
“THE MOST RELATABLE COMIC EVER, GREAT VIBES” HHHHH
“JUST SO, SO FUNNY” HHHHH
THE GREATEST HITS OF MOTOWN How Sweet It Is
Sat 1 February 7.30pm DERNGATE
Tickets from £32
This stunning 100% live show combines first class music with the slickest choreography and an amazing band, to deliver truly outstanding performances for the best Motown experience you will ever have!
This show will have you Dancing On The Ceiling, with songs from legendary artistes such as Lionel Richie, The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, The Four Tops, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, The Jackson Five, The Isley Brothers, Edwin Starr and many, many more.
Let’s Get Ready… to Go Loco, Down in Acapulco.
THE BOWIE SHOW
Tue 4 February 7.30pm DERNGATE
Tickets from £32
From the alter-ego of Ziggy Stardust, through the dark and desolate years of Berlin, the pure joy of Let’s Dance to the genius of Blackstar, this show takes you on an emotional musical rollercoaster.
With world class musicians, dancers, elaborate costumes, all choreographed to exquisite, thought-provoking visuals, this show pulls all the strands of David Bowie’s fragmented life together, treating audiences of all ages to a night of breathtaking, unexpected and 'other worldly' performances.
“EXCELLENT!“ Rick Wakeman (Legendary piano man)
“…I’M DEEPLY IMPRESSED” Mike Garson (Bowie’s longest serving bandmate)
“...WOW!..VERY GOOD INDEED!” Ken Scott (Iconic Bowie producer)
JACK DEE: Small World
Thu 6 February 7.30pm DERNGATE
Tickets from £32 I Strictly 14+
Culture wars, the environment, British foreign policy and social justice: these are just a few of the topics that Jack spectacularly fails to address (or even mention for that matter) in his brand new show. Instead, for reasons known only to him, he doubles down on his fascination with the meaningless small things of life like Zoom protocol, what’s new in the world of radiators and the worst careers advice office in the world.
Join Jack as he guides you through his varied life and career with his customary charm and well known gift for talking absolute rubbish on any given subject.
STREETS AHEAD:
Back With A Bang
Sat 8 February 7.30pm
DERNGATE
Tickets from £20.50
As Streets Ahead Studios enter their 22nd year of business they are Back With A Bang to showcase all the talent at this amazingly versatile dance school. Over 400 students will take to the stage to perform a colourful and varied show full of street dance, ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, musical theatre and lyrical dance!!
After a sell out Cheers to Twenty Years back in 2022 you can be guaranteed that these guys will have you clapping, cheering, dancing in your seats and even shedding a tear, so get booking today...and don't forget to bring tissues!!
PRETTY VACANT
Tue 11 February 7.30pm
DERNGATE
Tickets from £29.50
Not many musical explosions define a generation and change music forever. There was Rock and Roll in 1956, Beatlemania in 1963, Flower Power in 1967, The birth of Rock in 1970 and then there was… Punk and New Wave.
For the first time all the hits, attitude and fashion are brought to the stage by this incredibly talented cast of musicians, singers and dancers that will take you on a rollercoaster ride you will never forget.
Featuring hits originally performed by The Sex Pistols, The Clash, Blondie, The Damned, Ramones, Buzzcocks, Sham 69, The Undertones, Ian Dury and The Blockheads, The Police, The Jam, Generation X, Siouxsie and The Banshees, The Pretenders, Joy Division, The Stranglers and many, many more.
BIG GIRLS DON’T CRY
Wed 12 February 7.30pm
DERNGATE
Tickets from £30
The internationally-acclaimed tribute to Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons.
They skyrocketed to worldwide stardom 60 years ago with No1 hits Big Girls Don’t Cry, Walk Like a Man and Sherry – so, come out tonight as we celebrate all of their million-selling hits, Rag Doll, Oh What a Night, Silence is Golden… in one incredible concert show! Time to hang on to what you got… 7.30pm - it’s the time, Northampton - it’s the place, Royal & Derngate - it’s the motion.
JIMMY CARR: Laughs Funny
Thu 13 February 7pm and 9.30pm
DERNGATE
Tickets from £37 I 16+
Jimmy Carr laughs funny and he wants to make you laugh by being funny. All new material.
GIOVANNI: The Last Dance
Fri 14 February 7.30pm
DERNGATE
Tickets from £47
Strictly Come Dancing professional Giovanni Pernice returns in 2025. The 2021 Strictly champion and BAFTAwinner will be taking to the stage once again with his company of world class performers.
Giovanni Pernice, the Italian maestro of dance, takes centre stage in The Last Dance, a mesmerising production that transcends the boundaries of live performance.
With a career rooted in passion, dedication, and unparalleled artistry, Giovanni has become a household name, captivating audiences worldwide with his electrifying performances and unmatched charisma. Don’t miss Giovanni’s Last Dance on tour in 2025.
VALENTINE’S GALA WITH THE ROYAL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
Sat 15 February 7.30pm
DERNGATE
Tickets from £17
Join the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra for a Valentine’s night to remember, featuring some of the most romantic pieces of music ever written, from the worlds of film, opera and classical music – performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Enjoy well-known themes from Spartacus, Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Doctor Zhivago, much-loved classics by Tchaikovsky and Bizet, and Bruch’s Violin Concerto performed by Irene Duval. Richard Balcombe Conductor, Irene Duval Violin Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
CLINTON BAPTISTE: Roller
Ghoster
Sun 16 February 7.30pm
ROYAL
Tickets from £29.50 I 14+
Britain’s most celebrated clairvoyant medium psychic from Peter Kay’s Phoenix Nights returns with his hilarious one-man show featuring his trademark audience readings, the story of his meteoric rise and some spooky treats to make your hair stand on end.
Laugh, gasp, scream your head off… but whatever you do… hold tight, as Clinton takes you on probably the most white knuckle ride of your life!
SHEN YUN
Mon 17 February 7pm
Tue 18 February 2pm and 7pm
DERNGATE
Tickets from £62
Experience China Before Communism
Shen Yun takes you on an extraordinary journey through China’s 5,000 years of divinely inspired culture. Exquisite beauty from the heavens, profound wisdom from dynasties past, timeless legends, and ethnic traditions all spring to life through classical Chinese dance, enchanting live orchestral music, authentic costumes, and patented interactive backdrops. Revisit a time when scholars and artists sought harmony with the Tao, or the “Way” of the universe, and when divine beings walked upon the earth to inspire humanity.
DAVID O’DOHERTY: Tiny Piano Man
Thu 20 February 8pm
ROYAL
Tickets from £25 I Strictly 14+
The dishevelled prince of €10 eBay keyboards tries to make you feel alive with a new pageant of laughter, song and occasionally getting up from a chair. It’s gonna be a big one.
Star of 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, Live at The Apollo, The Great Celebrity Bake Off 2024 and Along For the Ride with David O’Doherty
ESHAAN AKBAR: Live 2025
Fri 21 February 8pm
ROYAL
Tickets from £20.50 I 14+
Eshaan Akbar is back doing jokes on tour! Eshaan’s previous tour, The Pretender, was described by The Times as “pretty sick” (not an actual quote) so this one is likely to be mad good. Eshaan has supported some of the biggest acts in the UK, including Micky Flanagan, Jason Manford and Kae Kurd, and has been seen on Sex Education (Netflix), Mock The Week (BBC), QI (BBC), Live At The Apollo (BBC), Comedy Central Live and many more.
ELKIE BROOKS: The Long Farewell Tour
Fri 21 February 7.30pm
DERNGATE
Tickets from £36
A celebration of Elkie’s illustrious award-winning career in music, performing some of her biggest hits including Pearl’s A Singer, Lilac Wine, Fool (If You think It’s Over), Don’t Cry Out Loud, blues, rock, jazz and material from her eagerly anticipated new album. Joined of course by her incredible band.
An exceptional performer with an unmistakable voice which has earned her the title of ‘British Queen Of Blues’, Elkie never fails to captivate her audience.
ROYAL
Sat 22 February 2pm
DERNGATE
Tickets from £13
Relaxed
Access Information p. 56-57
Featuring 25 musicians performing a range of music in ways you’ve never imagined, this event is specially designed for people who may find traditional concerts challenging to attend.
There will be opportunities to sing, dance, move about or just listen as preferred, and ‘chill out’ spaces will be available for anyone needing some quiet time before re-entering the auditorium. At the end of the concert, you will be invited to take part in optional activities offering a range of musical interactive experiences led by the RPO musicians.
VIGGO VENN
Sat 22 February 7.30pm
ROYAL
Tickets from £22 I 12+
Optional meet and greet tickets available +£40
Norwegian clown Viggo Venn moved to this country with one dream: to be a British comedian. The rest, you already know about. After blowing away the competition in an explosion of hi-vis jackets, balloons, and joyous idiocy, Viggo became the most talked-about new entertainer in the country by winning Britain's Got Talent in June 2023.
Don't miss him as he staggers bewildered into your town for a first national tour.
HHHH “INFECTIOUS FUN” The Telegraph
HHHH “MASTERFUL. MOST IMPORTANTLY... NORWEGIAN”
Broadway Baby
HHHH “MY CHEEKS WERE ACHING FROM LAUGHTER” Fringe Guru"
TOM STADE: Risky Business
Sun 23 February 8pm
ROYAL
Tickets from £23.50 I 16+
Tom’s funny and today’s funny don’t always see eye to eye, but that’s cool; it’s not Tom’s way to follow the herd. He much prefers to take the path less travelled (some smart guy once said that).
Join this independent spirit and irrepressible force of nature, as he airdrops his ingenious and unflinching comedy into an ever-changing minefield.
It’s a risky business navigating the tightrope of today’s times but Tom’s approaching it with his usual gusto. Without risk there is no reward.
THE STORY OF GUITAR HEROES
Sun 23 February 7.30pm DERNGATE
Tickets from £29.50
Featuring world-class musicianship and state-of-the-art video projection, this epic concert journeys through five decades, from 1950s rock & roll to the most influential guitar heroes of the modern era.
Renowned for recreating the unique sounds of each guitar legend with incredible accuracy, The Story of Guitar Heroes utilises no less than 30 different authentic guitars.
BRIT FLOYD
Mon 24 February 7.30pm
DERNGATE
Tickets from £34.50
Brit Floyd returns to the stage in 2025 with their biggest and most spectacular production to date, celebrating the 50th anniversary of Pink Floyd’s classic album Wish You Were Here, complete with a stunning laser and light show, iconic circular screen, inflatables and theatrics.
The two and a half hour plus show will also feature classic tracks from Pink Floyd’s magnificent catalogue of albums, including The Dark Side of the Moon, The Wall, Animals, The Division Bell, Meddle and much more.
BACK IN THE DAY
Tue 25 February 7.30pm
DERNGATE
Tickets from £26.50
This brand-new show takes you on an unforgettable journey through the vibrant sounds of the ‘80s, ‘90s and ‘00s, all brought to life by exceptional vocalists and a sensational live band.
Get ready to relive the party era of music as the stage comes alive with the infectious beats, iconic melodies and unforgettable anthems that defined these decades. From the synthdriven pop hits of the ‘80s to Britpop and alternative rock of the ‘90s, and the indie and R&B tunes of the ‘00s, Back In The Day guarantees an evening of non-stop nostalgia.
SHOWSTOPPER!
The Improvised Musical
Wed 26 February 7.30pm
ROYAL
Tickets from £27 I 12+
Spontaneous musical comedy at its absolute finest – direct from the West End and returning to Northampton by popular demand.
With fifteen years as an Edinburgh Fringe must-see phenomenon, a BBC Radio 4 series and an Olivier Award to their name, The Showstoppers have delighted audiences across the globe.
A brand-new musical comedy is created from scratch at each performance as audience suggestions are transformed on the spot into all-singing, all dancing productions with hilarious results. These incredible performers are guaranteed to impress as they create shows packed with drama, dazzling dance routines and catchy melodies – and it's all made up on the spot! HHHHH “SO POLISHED, IT DEFIES BELIEF” Daily Telegraph
KATE MOSSE – LABYRINTH LIVE: Unlocking The Secrets Of The Labyrinth
Fri 28 February 7.30pm
ROYAL
Tickets from £31.50
With theatre at its most dazzling, immersive and dramatic, with music, imagery, and film, Kate Mosse will take us through history and mystery, on an epic journey across the breathtaking landscape of the Languedoc – of Carcassonne, Toulouse, Chartres and the Pyrenees.
As she revisits the brutal 13th-century wars between Catholic and Cathar, 20th-century Nazi-conspiracy theories, and the modern-day Grail legends that still surround the legendary mountainside where the so-called heretics met their fate, she will also share the secrets behind her writing.
HENNING WEHN: Acid Wehn
Sat 1 March 7.30pm
DERNGATE
Tickets from £28.50 I 16+
Award-deserving German Comedy Ambassador Henning Wehn takes an unbiased look at climate change, a topic sure to delight audiences and no surprise. After all, everyone loves talking about the weather. Rain or shine, all will be fine. Or maybe it won’t. Who knows?! Come along. Or else.
"WEHN HAS GIVEN US AN UNDERSTANDING OF GERMAN QUIRKS" - King Charles III
SHABAZ ALI: I'm Rich You’re Poor
Sat 1 March 7.30pm
ROYAL
Tickets from £22 I 14+
Join global sensation social media sensation, Shabaz Ali, as he takes to the stage in his debut live comedy tour. Jam-packed with his roaring, on point and hugely requested observations of the mindboggling lengths that are taken to present a ‘perfect’ life online. From designer ice cubes to Stanley cups and their wild and somewhat varied uses, nothing escapes his withering comedic commentary. A hilarious and interactive show where no-one is off limits (including the audience!), that will make you fall in love with your own extraordinary, ordinary life.
THE MAGIC OF THE BEE GEES
Sun 2 March 7.30pm
DERNGATE
Tickets from £30
Immerse yourself in the brothers’ music through the Sixties, Seventies, and Eighties – including hits they wrote for artists such as Celine Dion, Diana Ross and Dolly Parton.
Join us for this breath-taking concert spectacular, taking you on a musical journey through all your favourite songs, including Night Fever, Stayin’ Alive, More Than a Woman, You Should Be Dancing, How Deep is Your Love and many more!
LOST IN MUSIC
Thu 6 March 7.30pm
DERNGATE
Tickets from £30
Join us as we recreate the magical ‘70s and let us take you on a musical journey straight to the heart of disco! Relive some of the greatest songs of all time from artists such as Donna Summer, Gloria Gaynor, Earth, Wind & Fire, Sister Sledge and Chic. So, come dressed to impress as we celebrate the golden age of disco!
SABA'S SWIM
Fri 7 - Sat 8 March 2pm & 7pm
UNDERGROUND
Tickets from £6 I 12+
From Our Community
Seven months ago, Saba walked out of her GCSE mocks and didn't come back. Her friends don't understand why. Now, on prom night, Saba's finally made contact, challenging her friends to track her down via a series of cryptic clues. But when the friends are finally reunited, Saba is different. The way she sees the world has changed. And what she's asking of her friends... is it more than they can give?
This new play written by Danusia Samal, directed by Anna Simpson, and performed by the Royal & Derngate Young Company, asks probing questions about the responsibility of the individual in a troubled globalised world, as well as growing up, growing apart, and how far should you go for what you think is right.
The Young Company will also be performing Saba’s Swim as part of the National Theatre Connections Festival (see page 15).
LEVELLERS
COLLECTIVE: Acoustic Tour
Sat 8 March 8pm
DERNGATE
Tickets from £30.50
Having decided in 2018 to do something a bit different with their extensive back catalogue, the Levellers, together with members of fellow Brighton band The Moulettes, went on to record two albums radically reworking their songs.
Now after two highly acclaimed acoustic tours and albums as the Levellers Collective, they embark on a new tour, marking the release of a Live Album and DVD in spring 2025, when audiences can enjoy these new acoustic arrangements of Levellers songs, both old and new.
NMPAT: Big Sing
Wed 12 - Thu 13 March 6.30pm
DERNGATE
Tickets from £10
Northamptonshire Music and Performing Arts Trust presents a celebration of singing, featuring a massed primary school choir formed from schools across Northamptonshire.
NMPAT: Orchestra
Spectacular
Sun 9 March 6pm
DERNGATE
Tickets from £10
Northamptonshire Music and Performing Arts Trust presents an opportunity to share inspiration and aspiration with three generations of orchestras – County Junior Orchestra, County Training Orchestra and County Youth Orchestra.
KATHERINE RYAN:
Battleaxe
Fri 14 March 8pm
DERNGATE
Tickets from £29.50 I 16+
Limited availability
TV’s beloved Katherine Ryan makes a hugely welcome return to the stage with her brand-new live show, Battleaxe Get your tickets now to see a true masterclass in how to enter your Battleaxe era.
AHIR SHAH: Ends
Fri 14 March 7.30pm
UNDERGROUND
Tickets from £19.50 I 14+
Ahir Shah presents his awardwinning stand-up show Ends. The show spans six decades, three generations, and two continents, synthesising past and present in search of hope for the future. It’s funnier than it sounds, honestly. Loads of absolutely cracking gags.
EDDIE KADI
Sat 15 March 8pm
UNDERGROUND
Tickets from £16 I 18+
The highly anticipated nationwide debut tour from one of comedy’s fastest rising stars. A Son, Brother, Dad and Friend. From one culture to another. Join stand up sensation Eddie Kadi as he tells us how he got there.
Star of Strictly Come Dancing (BBC), team captain of ITV’s Sorry I Didn’t Know and host of The Official AfroBeats Chart Show on BBC1XTRA, Eddie has been seen on BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Comedy Central.
THE ELO SHOW
Sat 15 March 7.30pm
DERNGATE
Tickets from £30
The world’s greatest tribute to Jeff Lynne and ELO is back on the road in 2024 with a stunning new stage production, featuring a band of amazing musicians complimented by a female string section and playing hit after hit from ELO’s vast back catalogue. With beautiful harmonies from six singers, string section and world class band, this really is as close as you will get to the real thing.
HOW TO BEAT SCAMMERS
With Nick Stapleton
Sun 16 March 7.30pm
ROYAL
Tickets from £28
As the presenter of BBC’s BAFTA and multi-award-winning Scam Interceptors, Nick has witnessed the sheer scale of the scam industry. He’s seen behind the curtain, and it’s clear, we can’t rely solely on authorities or banks to protect us. In this unique evening, audiences can expect a revealing exploration of the murky world of scams and fraud, as Nick shares some essential strategies to make sure your money stays where it should, in your pocket.
NMPAT: Wind Band Spectacular
Sun 16 March 6pm DERNGATE
Tickets from £10
Northamptonshire Music and Performing Arts Trust presents an opportunity to share inspiration and aspiration with three generations of orchestras – County Junior Wind Orchestra, County Training Wind Orchestra and County Youth Concert Band
ROB AUTON: The Eyes Open And Shut Show
Fri 21 March 8pm UNDERGROUND
Tickets from £19.50 I 16+
Award-winning writer, comedian and actor Rob Auton brings his latest show The Eyes Open and Shut Show to Northampton. Rob has written ten hit Edinburgh Festival Fringe comedy/theatre/ spoken-word shows on specific themes.
The Eyes Open and Shut Show is a show about eyes when they are open and eyes when they are shut. With this show Rob wanted to explore what he could do to himself and others with language when eyes are open and shut. After writing ten shows on specific themes, he wanted to think about what makes him open his eyes and what makes him shut them.
MARKUS
BIRDMAN: We Are All In The Gutter...
Sat 22 March 7.30pm UNDERGROUND
Tickets from £17.50 I 14+
...But Some Of Us Are Looking At The Gutter.
BGT semi-finalist (2023) and Chortle Best Club Comic (nom2023), Markus Birdman, is back with a brand new show!
A stroke survivor who has been left half blind as a result, Markus says: “I have had a unique experience about a topic, often sniggered over, but I'm keen to make you laugh, but also to raise a little awareness. Well done me! (Ahem!)”
Support from BBC New Comedy Awards semi-finalist (2023), the hilarious Malinda Mukuma. HHHH “A TORRENT OF FORMIDABLE GAGS” Chortle HHHH“THIS MOST PERSONAL HOUR, IS THE BEST THING I’VE SEEN BIRDMAN DO” The Scotsman
SIR GEOFF HURST
Sun 23 March 7.30pm DERNGATE
Tickets from £31.50
Optional meet and greet tickets available from £82
Enjoy an evening with England’s hat trick hero and World Cup winner. Sir Geoff Hurst comes to Royal & Derngate in 2025 for one final farewell tour.
Back by popular demand after last year’s successful tour, Sir Geoff will talk amusingly about his illustrious West Ham and England career. The second half will be a question and answer session with the audience.
LEMN SISSAY:
Let The Light Pour In, Live
Tue 25 March 7.30pm
ROYAL
Tickets from £30
Optional Book add-on + £12.99
Spend an evening with a master of the spoken word, BAFTA-nominated author, activist, performer and Sunday Times number one bestseller, Lemn Sissay OBE, as he takes to the stage with this brandnew show.
With live readings from his books, Lemn will unravel some of the original stories behind the poems, and how they have been used in people’s lives and his own. With the unique chance to pepper Lemn with questions, this thoughtprovoking and entertaining show on the power of creativity can’t be missed. An evening full of truth, humour and hope, Lemn will allow us into his morning poetry practice and show us all how he lets the light pour in.
CHRIS MCCAUSLAND: Yonks!
Tue 25 March 7.30pm DERNGATE
Tickets from £22.50 I 16+ Limited availability
He’s been called an “overnight success” – Even though he’s been doing this for bloody yonks!
Following his appearance on Strictly Come Dancing, Chris McCausland is hitting the road again with another masterclass in stand-up comedy that has literally been yonks in the making.
MARK STEEL: The Leopard In My House
Wed 26 March 8pm ROYAL
Tickets from £20 I 14+
Join multi-award-winning, BAFTAnominated writer and comedian Mark Steel for his new tour The Leopard In My House. The topic? His battle with throat cancer. A battle he is winning (thankfully) and which only his rapier wit could fashion a comedy tour show out of. Cancer has done nothing to dull Mark's acute political observations or quash his "frankly bonkers" energy: you will laugh, you will cry, but you'll laugh again, and again, and again. The Leopard In My House is proof that this leftie, working-class, Radio 4 favourite truly deserves his place in the UK comedy pantheon.
NIKITA KUZMIN:
Midnight Dancer
Fri 28 March 7.30pm DERNGATE
Tickets from £31.50
Rising star of Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Big Brother, Nikita Kuzmin brings his brand-new show, Midnight Dancer, to the stage on his first ever solo UK and Ireland Tour.
LOU SANDERS: No Kissing In The Bingo Hall
Thu 27 March 8pm ROYAL
Tickets from £24.50 I 14+
A show about being human – can you relate???
Just like Tom Cruise does all his own stunts, I’m going to do all my own jokes!
A deep, dumb show for the masses.
Nikita is joined by a sharp and chic cast of talented dancers and vocalists in a show like no other, jam-packed with the hits we all know and love in an evening bursting with happiness, euphoria and of course, world-class dance.
NC JAZZ
Fri 28 March 7.30pm ROYAL
Tickets from £22
NC Jazz is a charitable organisation that promotes high quality jazz contributing to the education and enjoyment of jazz through live gigs, participative programmes and workshops throughout Northampton.
The programme of events run from September through to June, presenting two instalments of live jazz in our Royal theatre, each season.
NC Jazz is an active member of Arts Council England’s National Portfolio Organisation MJazz
For more information please visit www.royalandderngate.co.uk/ whats-on
AN EVENING WITH AGGERS: Beyond The Boundary
Sat 29 March 7.30pm DERNGATE
Tickets from £37
Get ready to be bowled over by true cricket legend and renowned BBC correspondent, Jonathan Agnew
From his early days learning the ropes under the guidance of the legendary Brian Johnston to rising above the infamous “leg over” incident, Agnew has cemented his status as one of the most esteemed commentators and interviewers in the cricket world.
Whether you’re a die-hard fan or new to the game, plunge into the world of cricket with exclusive behind-the-scenes footage, an electrifying blend of sporting highlights, uproarious anecdotes, and side-splitting humour.
SCOTT BENNETT: Stuff
Sat 29 March 7.30pm UNDERGROUND
Tickets from £20 I 16+ Limited Availability
As a society we love stuff, it’s a statement about who we are and who we want to be. But apparently, this message is at odds with the looming environmental crisis. We’re now struggling to balance these worlds, to focus on the things that bring us real connections and nourish the soul. Award-winning comedian and award-winning product designer, Scott Bennett is desperately trying to cleanse his life of stuff, but is this even possible anymore?
“WITHOUT DOUBT LIVE COMEDY'S BEST KEPT SECRET” Evening Standard"
AL MURRAY THE PUB LANDLORD: Guv Island
Sat 29 March 7.30pm DERNGATE
Tickets from £32 I 14+
Optional meet and greet tickets + £20
Standing up so you don’t have to take it lying it down anymore, the Pub Landlord is back to make sense of the questions you probably already had the answers to. You know what they say: There’s no school like the old school, with the dodgy overflowing toilets.
JASON
DONOVAN: Doin’ Fine 25
Sun 30 March 7.30pm
DERNGATE
Tickets from £49
This show promises to be a musical feast of a night of unforgettable tunes, featuring a dynamic selection of Jason’s most beloved songs from stage shows such as Joseph, Priscilla, Rocky Horror and Grease to nods to his TV work like Neighbours and Strictly and of course his biggest pop hits like Especially For You, Too Many Broken Hearts, Any Dream Will Do and Sealed with a Kiss
ANTON DU BEKE: At The Musicals
Tue 1 April 7.30pm
DERNGATE
Tickets from £45
Strictly Come Dancing judge, Anton Du Beke, will be performing songs and dances from some of his favourite musicals.
Joined by his live band, special guest singer, and dancers, expect a glamorous evening from classic West End and Broadway shows.
MIKE + THE MECHANICS: Living The Years
Wed 2 April 7.30pm
DERNGATE
Tickets from £47
This tour will see Mike + The Mechanics play their hits including Over My Shoulder, The Living Years and All I Need Is A Miracle as well as drift into some of Genesis’s much loved classic tracks.
DARA O’BRIAIN: Re:Creation
Thu 3 April 8pm
DERNGATE
Tickets from £32 I 14+
Dara’s new show Re:Creation sees one of Ireland’s finest live comedians back doing his favourite thing: standing in a theatre, telling stories and creating madness with the audience. It’s guaranteed to be a very, very, funny night.
KAREN AND GORKA: Speakeasy
Fri 4 April 7.30pm
DERNGATE
Tickets from £40
Strictly Come Dancing professionals Karen Hauer and Gorka Marquez are thrilled to bring their all-new show Speakeasy to theatres in 2025.
Expect exhilarating live music and breath-taking choreography with Karen and Gorka’s newest offering, following their debut tour Firedance. Unlock the door to an undercover world of elegance and iconic dance flavours. From the clandestine New York Speakeasy to the sultry Havana dance floors and from the Burlesque Cabaret Clubs of the mid 1900’s to the glittering mirror balls of Studio 54, Speakeasy will be a delicious dance experience.
NATHAN CARTER
Sat 5 April 7.30pm
DERNGATE
Tickets from £31
Now, as he releases his new album Music Man, Ireland’s top entertainer Nathan Carter has announced a brand-new UK tour!
Born in Liverpool to Irish parents from County Down, Nathan Carter has released 13 studio albums and 6 live albums, with a sound that traverses pop, Irish folk, country music and timeless ballads.
THAT’LL BE THE DAY
Tue 8 April 7.30pm
DERNGATE
Tickets from £32
Let the world’s leading rock ’n‘ roll show take you on a journey through the years, as together you celebrate the most iconic moments in comedy, rock ’n‘ roll and pop culture from the ’50s right the way through to the ’80s. Combining uproarious comedy sketches and impersonations with breathtaking vocals and dazzling musicianship, That’ll Be The Day truly is in a league of its own. It’s no wonder this show has been touring solidly for over 35 years and it just gets better and better!
RHOD GILBERT AND THE GIANT GRAPEFRUIT
Wed 9 April 7.30pm
DERNGATE
Tickets from £37 I 16+
Limited Availability
When life gives Rhod lemons…
In his last show The Book of John, Rhod was dealing with some pretty pungent life citrus, and an idiot called John. Little did he know that things were about to turn even more sour… But Rhod’s not bitter; he’s bouncing back and feeling remarkably zesty. Hilariously dark, passionate and way too personal, this is classic Gilbert, squeezing every last drop out of life’s latest curveballs… with a little help from an old adversary.
JOHN POWER
Thu 10 April 7.30pm
ROYAL
Tickets from £28.50
John Power had the best rock ’n’ roll apprenticeship ever – playing bass as an 18-year-old in The La’s. Forming
Cast in 1991, he sang, wrote songs and played guitar for one of Britpop’s pre-eminent bands – securing two platinum-selling records before returning to the charts in 2024 with the magnificent Love Is The Call Power’s solo career produced some of his best work – and now it’s time to reflect on Britpop, the hits – Alright, Sandstorm, Walkaway, Flying and more – in this intimate show that mixes John’s best-loved songs with wild, funny and tender stories.
THE REAL THING
Fri 11 April 7.30pm
DERNGATE
Tickets from £32
The Real Thing, with original vocalists Chris Amoo and Dave Smith, are on tour promoting their first new album of original material in 44 years. They enjoyed success in the ‘70s and ‘80s with three Top 10 singles; the No 1 Hit, You To Me Are Everything, Can’t Get By Without You and Can You Feel The Force
MARK THOMPSON'S SPECTACULAR SCIENCE SHOW
Sat 12 April 2.30pm
ROYAL
Tickets from £19
You think science is boring, think again; this is science like you have never seen it before. Designed for children and adults alike, Mark’s Spectacular Science Show explores the strange and magical properties of matter with exploding elephant’s toothpaste, vortexgenerating dustbins and even howling jelly babies!
Awarded ‘Best Kid’s Show at Edinburgh Fringe’ by The Derek Awards, this interactive show promises to entertain and educate in the most spectacular way!
HHHHH “A BRILLIANT SHOW FOR ALL THE FAMILY.” One4Review
HHHHH "THE SPECTACULAR SCIENCE SHOW IS CERTAINLY SPECTACULAR! THE HOUR-LONG SHOW BLENDS PERFECTLY THE BALANCE OF AN EDUCATIONAL DISPLAY WITH ENTERTAINMENT AND AMAZEMENT" Families Online
HHHHH Families Edinburgh Magazine
THE SENSATIONAL 60s EXPERIENCE
Sat 12 April 3pm
DERNGATE
Tickets from £33
Whether you come to relive your childhood memories or you just simply want to see what your parents have been raving about for all these years this is the show to see. These legends of the ’60s will deliver to you a night never to be forgotten. Starring Dozy Beaky Mick & Tich, Mike d’Abo (former lead singer with Manfred Mann), Steve Ellis (The Voice of Love Affair), The Fortunes and Vanity Fare
PAUL YOUNG
Sun 13 April 7.30pm DERNGATE
Tickets from £32
Optional VIP and Meet & Greet packages available from £47
This show will combine conversation and acoustic versions of songs. Paul’s meeting fans, singing songs, and telling stories about his incredible career. It’s time to revel in the classic hits and learn the stories behind them in this intimate show.
JAMALI MADDIX: Aston
Fri 18 April 7.30pm ROYAL
Tickets from £24 I 16+
Expect Jamali’s trademark brutally honest and unflinching perspectives on the world at large. His last tours have sold-out shows across the globe, playing the UK, Europe, Asia, Australia and North America.
SEVEN DRUNKEN NIGHTS
Sun 20 April 7.30pm DERNGATE
Tickets from £21.50
Steeped in song, story and revelry, this spectacular tale celebrates The Dubliners, Ireland’s favourite musical sons, in authentic style. Come join us for an unforgettable night out and see why lifelong Dubliner devotees and new fans alike are singing high praise for this amazing production, direct from the West End.
STEWART LEE VS THE MAN-WULF
Tue 22 & Wed 23 April 7.30pm
DERNGATE
Tickets from £30.50 I 14+
In this brand-new show, Stewart Lee shares his stage with a toughtalking werewolf comedian from the dark forests of the subconscious who hates humanity. The Man-Wulf lays down a ferocious comedy challenge to the culturally irrelevant and physically enfeebled Lee. Can the beast inside us all be silenced with the silver bullet of Lee’s unprecedentedly critically acclaimed style of stand-up?
WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT
Thu 24 April 7.30pm DERNGATE
Tickets from £22
After a fantastic sell out debut tour across the UK, Tina Turner fans will have the time of their lives as What’s Love Got To Do With It? is back for 2025 celebrating the music and 60-year career of this incredible rock and soul legend. Expect a night of high energy and feel-good rock-androll, performed by an all-live band. This joyous show features all the hitsincluding Proud Mary, River Deep, Simply The Best, Private Dancer, and many more.
PULMAN & STILGOE: A Couple Of Swells
Thu 24 April 7.30pm
ROYAL
Tickets from £22
The inspired pairing of two unique entertainers - Liza Pulman, songstress, comedienne and onethird of the iconic Fascinating Aida, and virtuoso pianist, songwriter and singer Joe Stilgoe
Prepare to be swept away by Joe’s dazzling piano playing, Liza’s exquisite vocals and their beautiful, tight harmonies as they dig into the true classics and hidden gems of Irving Berlin, Paul McCartney, Billy Joel and Leonard Bernstein, and others.
This is old-fashioned glamour in the company of two, modern-day musical greats.
“OOOO…IT'S SO GOOD” Dawn French
HARRY HILL: New
Bits and Greatest Hits
Fri 25 April 7.30pm
DERNGATE
Tickets from £32 I 9+
Join me on my Diamond Jubilee lap of honour as I celebrate 60 glorious years of fun, laughter and low level disruption!
Marvel! As I offer new insights into the hot topics of the day such as the demise of the SCART lead, The Culture Wars, the differences between crab sticks and rhubarb and the origins of tirimisu!
Guffaw with delight! As I delve into my back catalogue using my patented ‘Old Bit Randomiser’ for old favourites like ‘Interspecies Tennis’, ‘The time I went up in the Space Shuttle’ and ‘When Nan got her hair caught in the knitting’!
NABIL ABDULRASHID: Urban Battuta
Fri 25 April 8pm UNDERGOUND
Tickets from £17.50 I 16+
Award-winning, international touring comedian Nabil Abdulrashid returns with a riotous new stand-up show.
As seen on Live at the Apollo, Have I Got News For You, 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown and The Last Leg. As heard on Off Menu with James Acaster and Ed Gamble and Hoovering with Jessica Fostekew.
HHHH “A POTENT, MISCHIEVOUSLY ENTERTAINING VOICE” Scotsman
HHHH “ABDULRASHID IS EMERGING AS ONE OF COMEDY'S MOST HONEST CHRONICLERS OF LIFE'S COMPLEXITIES AND CONTRADICTIONS” Guardian
HHHH “PINCH-ME CLEVER AND PAINSTAKINGLY BOLD...NEVER PREDICTABLE, OFTEN HYSTERICAL - AND OVERALL A JOY” Time Out
ANDREW BIRD: A Ticklish Mind
Sat 26 April 7.30pm
ROYAL
Tickets from £21 I 16+
When asking his 9-year-old son if he is ticklish, he replied “only my mind”. Which is a great way to describe a sense of humour. And lord knows we all need a good tickle in the mind now and then, so join Andrew as he finds the funny from “Sports washing” to Spa hotels.
"A BRILLIANTLY FUNNY COMEDIAN" Russell Howard
Refreshments
Our bars are open from one hour before a show begins and are the perfect place to enjoy a pre-show or interval drink. Why not pre-order your interval drinks so that they will be ready and waiting for you at the interval? You can pre-order at any open theatre bar.
The main Foyer Bar offers a selection of beer, wines, spirits and soft drinks. Two further bars are open on busy nights, in the Royal Foyer and Derngate Circle.
There are now water taps on all bars that you can access freely to refill your plastic and metal water bottles.
The Theatre Shop offers a range of confectionary and Marshfield Farm icecream.
We proudly support local suppliers, serving Wharf Distillery’s English Single Malt Grain Spirit, Stonyfield Wine’s Sparkling wine, Phipps IPA, Saxby’s Cider and various flavoured gins from Warner’s Distillery.
Members benefit from a 10% discount at all our bars –just show your membership card when ordering.
Get Involved
ROYAL & DERNGATE COMMUNITY CHOIR
We are delighted that we have a few spaces available for those interested in joining our friendly choir. This wonderful group that love to sing, enjoy a mix of fun singing sessions, skills based workshops and rehearsals for shows and sharing’s. Masterclasses include MD Gareth Fuller, the fantastic Ruby Turner, International performer and song-writer Greg Coulson and the brilliant local practitioner Katie Bunting. The choir will be taking part in a brand new production for Northampton Carnival in June, so it is a wonderful time to join us and be a brilliant part of Northampton’s community.
Previous shows include Retro Reminiscence – an 80s inspired show at the Picturedrome and singing as part of the Northants Sing’s Out Choir (Britain’s Got Talent) at Derngate in November.
To join or find out more please email getinvolved@royalandderngate.co.uk
“
YOUNG COMPANY
Do you love live theatre? Do you love performing, writing, or directing? Want to develop your skills in a fun and friendly environment, and even gain industry experience? Then the Royal & Derngate Young Company awaits.
The Young Company welcomes participants up to 21 years old for weekly workshops, and now has a new group for 5-7 years.
Come join a young ensemble working with seasoned professionals to build confidence and imagination, express ideas, collaborate in creating new work with like-minded young people, and develop performance skills in movement, voice, character, devising, and scriptwriting.
A limited number of free bursary places are available upon request.
To join or find our more please email getinvolved@royalandderngate.co.uk
2,722
Being part of the choir is an outlet for my love of singing and also a place of solace when life gets a bit rocky –Leony, Choir Member since 2012 attendances last year in weekly choir sessions and performances
Royal & Derngate Community Choir, Retro Reminiscence
THE ACTORS COMPANY
This group is for those over 21yrs interested in developing their acting skills, meeting others interested in the craft of acting and rehearsing and performing for shows and sharing’s. This group will be working towards a new show to be performed in the Royal Theatre in July 2025.
Previous shows include Another Bloody Murder by Scott Bradley, The Three Musketeers directed by Dan McGarry and a term developing vocal skills with the talented Voice Director Gemma Boaden.
To join or find our more please email getinvolved@royalandderngate.co.uk
NEXTGEN PROGRAMMES
The applause isn’t just for those treading the boards Looking to develop skills in non-performing roles? Then our NextGen programme is for you. NextGen includes masterclasses from Industry professionals in Irextimg, Producing, Lighting Design and Sound. Placements in non performance roles and opportunities to work with us here at Royal & Derngate.
Full bursary places are available upon request. Contact getinvolved@royalanderngate.co.uk for more information.
MIXED NETWORK NORTHANTS
This group offers insightful discussions, empowering workshops, and creative sessions, all centred around embracing and understanding mixed race identity and culture. The group have previously enjoyed a Mixed Network Meal at Coconut Paradise, seeing 60 members bring and share food representing their heritage, theatre trips to Royal & Derngate, workshops with Chris Lowe and Roger Mendonca and lots of conversations, support and sharing’s. The group meet the second Tuesday of each month 6.30pm-8.30pm at Saints Café, Giles Street and are supported by People In Harmony. Please email chris@onebrownbear.co.uk for more information, or turn up for a cup of tea, a warm chat and like minded people.
All of our community members enjoy benefits such are merchandise, invitations to special events and some press nights and many discounts on bars, food and tickets here and in the community.
4,800
community members have participated in activities with Royal & Derngate over the last 6 months
Young Company, Bugsy Malone
