National Theatre Connections Festival 2026

100 Years Of Laurel & Hardy

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

Following the success of his 2023/24 tour, Neil Brand invites you to celebrate the centenary of Laurel and Hardy with a brand-new show. In 1926, Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy signed separate contracts with Hollywood film mogul Hal Roach, and appeared for the first time in a film together, 45 Minutes From Hollywood. The following year they would become an official comedy partnership that would set the whole world rocking with laughter. Nobody could have anticipated at the time how this unlikely Anglo/American comedy duo would become global icons in over 130 countries around the world. We are pleased to announce and celebrate those 100 years with the brand new production of Neil Brand’s 100 Years Of Laurel & Hardy 2026 Centenary Tour. Neil has established himself as the foremost exponent of silent film and improvised piano accompaniment. Thanks to new restorations of their silent films, and the rediscovery of some of their lesser-known comedies, Neil will uncover gems of hilarity from the team whose comedy never ages, and bring them to jaw-dropping life with the demanding live piano improvisations for which he is so famous. Featuring extended scenes from the best of their silent comedies, particularly You’re Darn Tootin, The Finishing Touch and The Second Hundred Years. Neil’s...

Riona O Connor & Olga Thompson: This Is All Too Much

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

The Irish & Greek comedy sensations are finally leaving their couches after 8pm to bring you their brand new shows! With over 1 million followers, a writers award and viral videos by the bucket load, these West End and Hit Edinburgh Fringe ladies will make you laugh till you leak. Now firmly in the over 40s club, Riona & Olga are battling their perimenopausal panic with belter comedy songs, hot flashes, and memory lapses. Desperate to feel visible, these 2 Moms of 5 boys are taking sexy back… and asking for a refund. Coming to you in their slippers for a raucous night of big laughs, big hair and big knickers. Grab your granny pants and join Riona & Olga for 2 killer shows in one hilariously hormonal night! ‘Hilarious Mom’ – Cosmopolitan (about Riona) ‘Brilliant’ BBC 5Live (Olga) ‘Incredible’ The Guardian (re Olga BBC Show This Is My House)

Chris McCausland: Yonks!

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

You might have seen him on Strictly Come Dancing, Would I Lie to You, Have I Got News for You, The Royal Variety, QI, Blankety Blank, The Last Leg, and tons more as well. He’s been called an “overnight success” – even though he’s been doing this for bloody yonks! Chris McCausland is hitting the road again with another masterclass in stand-up comedy that has literally been yonks in the making. The last tour was a sell-out, so get your tickets now! Access: This show will be Captioned. You can access the live captioning through StageTEXT on your device.

The Addams Family: young@part edition

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

THE ADDAMS FAMILY embraces the wackiness in every family, features an original story and a dilemma that’s every father’s nightmare: Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, has grown up and fallen in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respectable family—a man her parents have never met. And if that wasn’t upsetting enough, Wednesday confides in her father and begs him not to tell her mother. Now, Gomez Addams must do something he’s never done before—keep a secret from his beloved wife, Morticia. Everything will change for the whole family on the fateful night they host a dinner for Wednesday’s “normal” boyfriend and his parents… Friday School performance starts 11am 22nd March’26 Saturday School performance starts 2.30pm 22nd March’26

A Chorus Line: Teen edition

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

Hopefuls congregate at a cattle call for Broadway dancers. A sour director, Zach, and his brusque assistant whittle down the ranks until they’re left with 13 dancers. All tell their life stories — some tragic, some comic — and explain their love of dance. Tension mounts when Cassie, who was once both a big star and is the director’s ex-girlfriend, auditions. But Zach must choose only the best for his show… Further Stages performance starts 6.00pm 22nd March ’26

Tom Davis: Spudgun

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

Tom Davis is back on the road, firing out his freshly cooked observations on life’s hot topics. Co-host of the mega-hit podcast Wolf And Owl with Romesh Ranganathan, star of BAFTA and Royal Television Society award-winning comedy series Murder In Successville and BBC One smash-hit comedy King Gary, Tom also has his own special Underdog available to watch on Sky and NOW TV. Also seen on Wonka, Paddington 2, The Curse, A League Of Their Own (Sky), Live At The Apollo (BBC) and The Jonathan Ross Show (ITV). Get ready – this one’s fully loaded.

Recurring

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show

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

The critically acclaimed production of The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show created by Jonathan Rockefeller features a menagerie of 75 lovable puppets. The production faithfully adapts four stories by author/illustrator Eric Carle: Brown Bear, Brown Bear, 10 Little Rubber Ducks, The Very Busy Spider and of course, the star of the show – The Very Hungry Caterpillar. The Very Hungry Caterpillar has delighted generations of readers since it was first published in 1969 selling more than 48 million copies worldwide. Brown Bear, Brown Bear, now celebrating 50 years, has sold more than 18.2 million copies. The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show is a vibrant celebration of Eric Carle’s adored classics and the perfect introduction to live theatre. “A Triumph!” – Time Out “Charming and ingenious” – The Stage

Recurring

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show

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

The critically acclaimed production of The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show created by Jonathan Rockefeller features a menagerie of 75 lovable puppets. The production faithfully adapts four stories by author/illustrator Eric Carle: Brown Bear, Brown Bear, 10 Little Rubber Ducks, The Very Busy Spider and of course, the star of the show – The Very Hungry Caterpillar. The Very Hungry Caterpillar has delighted generations of readers since it was first published in 1969 selling more than 48 million copies worldwide. Brown Bear, Brown Bear, now celebrating 50 years, has sold more than 18.2 million copies. The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show is a vibrant celebration of Eric Carle’s adored classics and the perfect introduction to live theatre. “A Triumph!” – Time Out “Charming and ingenious” – The Stage

Jason Manford: A Manford All Seasons

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

Jason Manford is back with his brand-new live show, A Manford All Seasons. Jason’s been busy since his last smash-hit stand up show but fans of his Absolute Radio show will know this nationally acclaimed comedian hasn’t changed a bit. A Manford All Seasons is Jason’s latest comic offering that is set to hit the road in 2024, his iconic ‘expert observational comedy’ (The Guardian) is sure to be ‘comic gold’ (Mail on Sunday). Starstruck (ITV1), Unbeatable (BBC One), Big Night Of Musicals (BBC One), The National Lottery’s New Year’s Eve Big Bash (ITV1), First & Last (BBC One), The Masked Singer (ITV1), What Would Your Kid Do? (ITV1), Olivier Awards (ITV1), Scarborough (BBC One), 8 Out Of 10 Cats (Channel 4), The Nightly Show (ITV1), Sunday Night At The Palladium (ITV1), Live At The Apollo (BBC One), Have I Got News For You (BBC One), QI (BBC Two) and The Royal Variety Performance (ITV1) have all helped establish Jason as a nationally known comic.

Recurring

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show

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

The critically acclaimed production of The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show created by Jonathan Rockefeller features a menagerie of 75 lovable puppets. The production faithfully adapts four stories by author/illustrator Eric Carle: Brown Bear, Brown Bear, 10 Little Rubber Ducks, The Very Busy Spider and of course, the star of the show – The Very Hungry Caterpillar. The Very Hungry Caterpillar has delighted generations of readers since it was first published in 1969 selling more than 48 million copies worldwide. Brown Bear, Brown Bear, now celebrating 50 years, has sold more than 18.2 million copies. The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show is a vibrant celebration of Eric Carle’s adored classics and the perfect introduction to live theatre. “A Triumph!” – Time Out “Charming and ingenious” – The Stage

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