Through the summer and beyond, Royal & Derngate offers an exciting programme of drama, music, comedy, dance and family entertainment for Northampton audiences.
The theatre’s Made in Northampton season continues in April with Party Season, the razor-sharp new comedy about parenting created by The Wardrobe Ensemble. Newly announced for October is a co-production of Othello with Northern Stage, HOME and Citizens Theatre. Set in 1980s Thatcher’s Britain, the threat of war looms over the loving domesticity of army general Othello and his new bride, the noble Desdemona, in this new look at Shakespeare’s searing tragedy. For younger audiences, this year’s Made in Northampton festive production will be a brand new stage adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks’ beloved picture book, What the Ladybird Heard at Christmas.
There is a treat in-store for musical lovers when Frankie Goes to Bollywood takes to the Royal stage this April, diving deep into the glitzy, high-pressure world of Indian cinema. Musicals in Derngate auditorium include Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story, the ever-popular SIX The Musical and Olivier Award-winning new show Operation Mincemeat, telling the fast-paced, hilarious and unbelievable true story of the secret World War II mission. The ultimate feel-good hit show The Choir of Man comes to Northampton this autumn on its first ever tour, and Willy Russell’s legendary Blood Brothers returns. Christmas will start early with Northampton Musical Theare Company’s production of Elf The Musical, and tickets are already on sale for West End smash hit Burlesque A BIG New Musical which comes to Northampton in January as part of its first ever UK tour.
There’s also a great programme of touring drama visiting Royal & Derngate, including the Reduced Shakespeare Company with a new version of their West End hit, The Complete Works of Shakespeare (abridged), and Eric & Ern, a brilliant homage to the nation’s favourite comedy legends Morecambe and Wise, crammed full of renditions of their famous sketches. Coming in the autumn, Wilko – Love and Death and Rock ‘n’ Roll tells the tale of Wilko Johnson, the iconic rock star and founder of legendary band Dr Feelgood. Already announced for 2027 drama lovers can look forward to The Mousetrap, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time and Paranormal Activity.
Another big highlight of summer season is the return of the master of mind control and psychological illusion, Derren Brown, with his latest show Only Human, which is sure to be a mind-blowing experience.
Birmingham Royal Ballet return in May for two performances by BRB2, their second company of rising stars, while performances by Strictly stars include Amy Dowden and Carlos Gu in their show Reborn, Kai Widdrington with his Evolution tour, and Jukebox Idols which brings together dancer Nadiya Bychkova with vocal harmony group The Overtones.
The music programme includes BBC Radio 3’s Friday Night is Music Night with the BBC Concert Orchestra, in a live broadcast celebrating the music of legendary musical theatre composer Richard Rodgers. The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra also return with a concert featuring Beethoven’s iconic Fifth Symphony. Other performances include the violin virtuoso Nigel Kennedy, The Rock Orchestra by Candlelight and an afternoon of old time favourites with The Magnificent Music Hall. Actor Anton Lesser reunites with the Orchestra of the Swan for A Beautiful Thread – Thomas Hardy in Words and Music.
The comedy line up features gigs by Troy Hawke and Michelle Wolf in Derngate auditorium, while the programme for the Royal stage includes comic magician Pete Firman and improv group Shoot from the Hip, along with stand up gigs by Andy Zaltzman, Tom Stade, Seann Walsh and Alfie Moore, and an Avalon Mixed Bill Comedy Night headlined by Glenn Moore and Chloe Petts. Highlights in the Underground studio include two shows from Marcel Lucont, a family gameshow for kids and a performance for adult audiences.
This summer sees the return of Discos for Grown Ups, this time featuring legendary ‘80s DJ Gary Davies, and Mythos: Ragnarok, the ground-breaking show where professional wrestlers bring the tales of Norse mythology to life, while the Golden Gloves Gala brings white collar boxing to Royal & Derngate for the first time. The summer season also brings opportunities to hear from sporting legends such as football player and manager Harry Redknapp, Formula 1 champion Nigel Mansell and English rugby stars Mike Brown and Danny Care. Other appearances include wildlife presenter Michaela Strachan, TV historian David Olusoga, wildlife cameraman Hamza Yassin, and acclaimed comedian and raconteur Jimmy Tarbuck OBE, reflecting on a remarkable life in showbusiness.
For those who like to be part of the action, WiFi Wars interactive comedy gameshow comes to the Underground studio this summer, where the whole audience will compete on games, quizzes and puzzles that are beamed to their smartphones. Further ahead, GamesWorld, the interactive video games experience, returns in October.
Children’s picture book favourites Zog and The Tiger Who Came to Tea take to the stage this summer, with The Gruffalo returning in the autumn. Other family entertainment includes CBeebies’ megastar Justin Fletcher with Justin Time to Rock, BBC Gastronaut Stefan Gates with Rude Science, and the musical adventure My First Concert with guest appearances from Pinkfong, Baby Shark and The Zoomies. Royal & Derngate’s Holiday Clubs are also back, with projects running in the summer holidays and October half-term.
Looking ahead to Christmas, TV legend Steve McFadden (Phil Mitchell in EastEnders) will be heading up the cast in the theatre’s spectacular family pantomime, Beauty and the Beast.
For more information about any of these events, call Box Office on 01604 624811, or visit the theatre’s website, www.royalandderngate.co.uk. 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.
