Through the spring and beyond, Royal & Derngate offers an exciting programme of drama, music, comedy, dance and family entertainment for Northamptonshire audiences.
As part of the theatre’s Made in Northampton drama season local playwright Samson Hawkins’ brand new play Top Gs Like Me will transform Derngate auditorium into a skatepark. Crackling with dry humour and a modern-day wit, this dynamic production dives headfirst into the influence of online culture, the pull of toxic masculinity, and the search for identity in a digital age.
The Made in Northampton season continues in April with Party Season, a razor-sharp new comedy about privilege, party rings and the pressures of being a parent, produced in collaboration with The Wardrobe Ensemble (creators of Education, Education, Education).
Touring drama heading to the Derngate stage includes Danny Robins’ smash-hit spine chiller 2.22 A Ghost Story, which returns in January, with a newly announced cast of James Bye, Gary Lucy, Natalie Casey and Shvorne Marks. Coming to the Royal auditorium, comedy thriller Murder at Midnight promises a murder mystery with a difference, starring Jason Durr, Susie Blake, Max Bowden and Katie McGlynn.
Spitfire Girls tells the extraordinary true stories of the women who dared to fly during the second World War. Reduced Shakespeare Company return with a new rebooted version of their hit show The Complete Works of Shakespeare (abridged), and local group White Cobra will be performing Jim Cartwright’s modern classic The Rise and Fall of Little Voice.
There is a treat in-store for musical lovers when Frankie Goes to Bollywood takes to the Royal stage in April, diving deep into the glitzy, high-pressure world of Indian cinema. With show-stopping choreography, lavish costumes, and a cast of unforgettable characters, this dazzling musical comedy-drama is a bold uplifting story of ambition, transformation and self-discovery.
Musicals in Derngate auditorium include Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story, the ever-popular SIX The Musical and Olivier Award-winning new musical Operation Mincemeat. The ultimate feel-good hit show The Choir of Man comes to Northampton this autumn on its first ever tour and tickets are now on sale for Willy Russell’s legendary Blood Brothers.
Children’s picture book favourites The Gruffalo’s Child, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Zog and The Tiger Who Came to Tea are all heading to Northampton. Other family entertainment includes CBeebies’ megastar Justin Fletcher with Justin Time to Rock, and BBC Gastronaut Stefan Gates with Rude Science.
A jam-packed comedy line-up includes Dead Ringers, BBC Radio 4’s legendary topical satire show, which takes to the road for a first ever UK tour, starring long-standing cast members Jon Culshaw, Jan Ravens, Lewis MacLeod and Duncan Wisbey. The Derngate stage also welcomes gigs by Sue Perkins, Ross Noble, Chris McCausland, Tom Davis and Harry Enfield, plus Paul Merton and Suki Webster with their Improv Show.
Comedy performances on the Royal stage include Matt Forde, Vittorio Angelone, Suzi Ruffell, Ania Magliano, Emmanuel Sonubi, John Kearns and Andy Zaltzman, to name but a few. Screaming Blue Murder continues its regular comedy club nights and the newly refurbished Underground Studio will also host comedians such as Stephen K Amos, Chloe Petts and Josh James.
The music programme includes the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra’s Valentine’s Opera Gala with an afternoon of operatic indulgence at its most romantic, and BBC Radio 3’s Friday Night is Music Night, with the BBC Concert Orchestra, celebrating the music of legendary composer Richard Rodgers.
Other performances include the Grimethorpe Colliery Band and The Rock Orchestra by Candlelight. Alternative singer/songwriter Dan Owen performs an intimate gig in the Underground Studio, while unexpected hit, Primary School Bangers, features James B Partridge, the singing teacher turned viral star, now bringing nostalgic school assembly songs to some of the UK’s largest stages! A host of top tribute shows includes Beautiful Crazy – The Luke Combs Collection, Punk Off and The Shoop Shoop Show in addition to all the perennial favourites.
The spectacular Shen Yun returns with its journey through China’s culture and legends with classical Chinese dance and live orchestral music.
Other events include appearances from garden designer Adam Frost, wildlife photographer and filmmaker Gordon Buchanan, and wildlife presenter Michaela Strachan. Neil Brand presents 100 Years Celebration of Laurel & Hardy, bringing their timeless comedy to life with his improvised piano accompaniment. Mythos: Ragnarok retells the Norse mythology through the medium of wrestling in an Edinburgh Fringe cult classic, and the Golden Gloves Boxing Gala offers an unforgettable evening of sport, entertainment and philanthropy. A highlight for the summer is the new show Only Human by the master of mind control Derren Brown.
The National Theatre’s Connections festival will once again welcome hundreds of young people to perform an exciting collection of newly commissioned plays, including Royal & Derngate’s own Young Company presenting Britney’s Lock.
For more information about any of these events, call Box Office on 01604 624811, or visit the theatre’s website, www.royalandderngate.co.uk/whats-on. Information about creative activities and projects, including youth theatre classes, can be found in the Get Involved section of the website.
The Made in Northampton season is sponsored by Michael Jones Jeweller.