National Theatre Connections Festival 2026

Marcel Lucont: Les Enfants Terribles – A Gameshow For Awful Children

Royal and Derngate Theatre 19-21 Guildhall Road, Northampton, Northamptonshire, NN1 1DP

Winner: Best Kids Show – UK Kids Comedy Festival Marcel Lucont presents a wild family gameshow, in which kids get to be pests, politicians and pétomanes to be crowned the most awful child of the day. See what happens when international insouciance meets infantile exuberance. A big hit at Edinburgh Fringe and many other festivals, the multi-award-winning comic channels his acerbic humour and quickfire wit into a series of tasks for the younger generation, which is every bit as entertaining for adults as it is for children. ★★★★★ “AN ABSOLUTE GEM… IF YOU DON’T HAVE KIDS, BORROW SOMEONE ELSE’S… A TREAT FROM BEGINNING TO END” Edinburgh Festivals magazine ★★★★★ “PITCHED PERFECTLY… INCREDIBLY WITTY AND DRY, ENSURING ADULTS ARE KEPT COMPLETELY ENTERTAINED…HILARIOUS” Edinburgh Festivals For Kids

Recurring

Party Season

Royal and Derngate Theatre 19-21 Guildhall Road, Northampton, Northamptonshire, NN1 1DP

PAY WHAT YOU CAN: Join us for the Relaxed performance on Saturday 11 April at 2.30pm. A great option for parents, with babes in arms welcome, and a more informal atmosphere designed to help audiences feel comfortable. Relaxed performances are open to everyone. Three parties. One weekend. The invitations have been sent and there’s no going back…it’s Party Season! Xander is back in town, and this weekend he’s on parenting duty. The kids are in the ball pit; the Entertainer is blowing bubbles; the adults gobble Perelló olives and pretend to like each other. As ancient grudges rear their heads, the tension rises like a helium balloon. Caught between who he was and who he’s supposed to be, Xander must decide whether he’s going to grow up or just pass the parcel. From the multi-award-winning creators of Education, Education, Education and The Last Of The Pelican Daughters comes a sugar-fuelled, bobbin-winding fever dream where class identities collide, social niceties unravel, and underslept parents do their best to hold it all together. Party Season is a razor-sharp new comedy about privilege, party rings and the pressures of being a parent. RSVP! A Royal & Derngate, Northampton, Wardrobe Ensemble and Lowry co-production Audience Notices: This production contains Strong Language,...

Marcel Lucont’s Whine List

Royal and Derngate Theatre 19-21 Guildhall Road, Northampton, Northamptonshire, NN1 1DP

The multi-award-deserving deadpan Frenchman serves up a unique Whine List of the audience’s past gripes, moans and misdemeanours, while also dishing out some of his premier erotic poetry. The show has played to packed audiences all around the world. Expect louche musings, dry wit and Gallic superiority. This show is being recorded for the Marcel Lucont’s Whine List podcast. Please arrive 30 minutes before the show starts, so you can enter your whines. Winner: Best Comedy Show – Fringe World Awards As seen on Live At The Comedy Store (Comedy Central), Set List (Sky Atlantic), The John Bishop Show (BBC1) and Live At The Electric (BBC3). “FRESH, ACCESSIBLE AND HILARIOUS” The Guardian “EXCEPTIONALLY DRY…SUPERB” The Times “HIS ELEGANT, SARDONIC TURNS OF PHRASE ARE AN UTTER JOY…SUPERB STUFF” Time Out

The Sensational ’60s Experience

Royal and Derngate Theatre 19-21 Guildhall Road, Northampton, Northamptonshire, NN1 1DP

The Sensational ’60s Experience is the biggest ’60s show on tour. Featuring an incredible ensemble of original artistes and band members, this is the ultimate festival of nostalgia that will have you stepping back in time to that magical decade of music and memories. Whether you’re reliving the soundtrack of your youth or discovering what your parents have been raving about, this is the must-see show of 2026! Starring Dozy Beaky Mick & Tich, The Trems (featuring Jeff Brown former member of The Tremeloes), The Fortunes, Spencer James (40 years lead singer with The Searchers), and Vanity Fare, this unforgettable night is packed with timeless classics like The Legend Of Xanadu, Silence Is Golden, Storm In A Teacup, Needles And Pins, Hitchin’ A Ride, plus many more! Get ready to be transported to a time when pop music was at its very best. The Sensational ’60s Experience is a show you’ll never forget! Dancing is welcome during this performance! Please listen for announcements from the stage, stay considerate of those around you and for your safety ensure fire exits remain clear.

Recurring

Frankie Goes To Bollywood

Royal and Derngate Theatre 19-21 Guildhall Road, Northampton, Northamptonshire, NN1 1DP

After a smash-hit UK tour, Frankie Goes To Bollywood returns – bigger, bolder, and bursting with Bollywood glamour. This dazzling musical comedy-drama dives deep into the glitzy, high-pressure world of Indian cinema, where dreams are mass-produced, identities are reshaped, and women are expected to smile and play by the script written for them. At the centre of it all is Frankie, a young British woman with little interest in fame. But her quiet suburban life is turned upside down as she is thrust into a world of dazzling lights, choreographed perfection and media obsession. Frankie must decide: Can she become a star without losing who she really is? What must she give up to succeed in a man’s world – and what is she willing to fight for? With show-stopping choreography, lavish costumes, and a cast of unforgettable characters, Frankie Goes To Bollywood is a bold, uplifting story of ambition, transformation, and the power of telling your own story. Featuring original Bollywood songs by hit composer Harry Anand, this is Rifco Theatre Company’s most ambitious production yet – a celebration of love, identity and courage, packed with joy, drama, and spectacular entertainment. Whether you’re a fan of musicals, Bollywood films, or powerful British stories, this is...

James B Partridge: Primary School Bangers

Royal and Derngate Theatre 19-21 Guildhall Road, Northampton, Northamptonshire, NN1 1DP

Get ready for the ultimate throwback as Primary School Bangers comes to Royal & Derngate. James B Partridge, the singing teacher turned viral star, has taken nostalgic school assembly songs from the classroom to some of the UK’s biggest stages. With millions of TikTok views, sold-out tours across the country, and a Glastonbury set so popular the field had to be shut, James has become a true live phenomenon. Expect all the assembly classics you remember – from He’s Got the Whole World, to This Little Light Of Mine – plus surprises and mash-ups that guarantee a night of laughter, memories and unforgettable singalongs.

Recurring

Frankie Goes To Bollywood

Royal and Derngate Theatre 19-21 Guildhall Road, Northampton, Northamptonshire, NN1 1DP

After a smash-hit UK tour, Frankie Goes To Bollywood returns – bigger, bolder, and bursting with Bollywood glamour. This dazzling musical comedy-drama dives deep into the glitzy, high-pressure world of Indian cinema, where dreams are mass-produced, identities are reshaped, and women are expected to smile and play by the script written for them. At the centre of it all is Frankie, a young British woman with little interest in fame. But her quiet suburban life is turned upside down as she is thrust into a world of dazzling lights, choreographed perfection and media obsession. Frankie must decide: Can she become a star without losing who she really is? What must she give up to succeed in a man’s world – and what is she willing to fight for? With show-stopping choreography, lavish costumes, and a cast of unforgettable characters, Frankie Goes To Bollywood is a bold, uplifting story of ambition, transformation, and the power of telling your own story. Featuring original Bollywood songs by hit composer Harry Anand, this is Rifco Theatre Company’s most ambitious production yet – a celebration of love, identity and courage, packed with joy, drama, and spectacular entertainment. Whether you’re a fan of musicals, Bollywood films, or powerful British stories, this is...

Recurring

Frankie Goes To Bollywood

Royal and Derngate Theatre 19-21 Guildhall Road, Northampton, Northamptonshire, NN1 1DP

After a smash-hit UK tour, Frankie Goes To Bollywood returns – bigger, bolder, and bursting with Bollywood glamour. This dazzling musical comedy-drama dives deep into the glitzy, high-pressure world of Indian cinema, where dreams are mass-produced, identities are reshaped, and women are expected to smile and play by the script written for them. At the centre of it all is Frankie, a young British woman with little interest in fame. But her quiet suburban life is turned upside down as she is thrust into a world of dazzling lights, choreographed perfection and media obsession. Frankie must decide: Can she become a star without losing who she really is? What must she give up to succeed in a man’s world – and what is she willing to fight for? With show-stopping choreography, lavish costumes, and a cast of unforgettable characters, Frankie Goes To Bollywood is a bold, uplifting story of ambition, transformation, and the power of telling your own story. Featuring original Bollywood songs by hit composer Harry Anand, this is Rifco Theatre Company’s most ambitious production yet – a celebration of love, identity and courage, packed with joy, drama, and spectacular entertainment. Whether you’re a fan of musicals, Bollywood films, or powerful British stories, this is...

Fastlove

Royal and Derngate Theatre 19-21 Guildhall Road, Northampton, Northamptonshire, NN1 1DP

The George Michael Tribute Direct from London’s West End, this is the world’s favourite George Michael celebration! Few shows have reached the dizzy heights of Fastlove, now touring in 18 countries, selling over 250,000 tickets worldwide. Join us for one very special night as we celebrate the late great George Michael. Our talented cast will recreate for you a night like no other! Make new memories whilst reliving old classics – this one is for the fans as we celebrate one of the greatest musicians the world has ever seen, and we say thank you! This show has it all, the power, emotion and star quality in this stunning production with full video and light show, as we respectfully recreate the soundtrack to your life. Playing all the hits, from Wham! right through his glittering career, including Wake Me Up, Too Funky, Father Figure, Freedom, Faith, Knew You Were Waiting, Careless Whisper and many more. If you want a fun night out – I would definitely hotfoot it to Fastlove” North West End “Executed with precision and passion, capturing the essence of George Michael’s music” Five Things Today  “. . . the real deal. Own it, you’ve earned the right to be called the best George...

Recurring

Frankie Goes To Bollywood

Royal and Derngate Theatre 19-21 Guildhall Road, Northampton, Northamptonshire, NN1 1DP

After a smash-hit UK tour, Frankie Goes To Bollywood returns – bigger, bolder, and bursting with Bollywood glamour. This dazzling musical comedy-drama dives deep into the glitzy, high-pressure world of Indian cinema, where dreams are mass-produced, identities are reshaped, and women are expected to smile and play by the script written for them. At the centre of it all is Frankie, a young British woman with little interest in fame. But her quiet suburban life is turned upside down as she is thrust into a world of dazzling lights, choreographed perfection and media obsession. Frankie must decide: Can she become a star without losing who she really is? What must she give up to succeed in a man’s world – and what is she willing to fight for? With show-stopping choreography, lavish costumes, and a cast of unforgettable characters, Frankie Goes To Bollywood is a bold, uplifting story of ambition, transformation, and the power of telling your own story. Featuring original Bollywood songs by hit composer Harry Anand, this is Rifco Theatre Company’s most ambitious production yet – a celebration of love, identity and courage, packed with joy, drama, and spectacular entertainment. Whether you’re a fan of musicals, Bollywood films, or powerful British stories, this is...

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