National Theatre Connections Festival 2026

The ELO Show

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

THE ELO SHOW – The World’s Greatest tribute to Jeff Lynne and E.L.O are back on the road 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. After touring and selling out venues all over the UK and Europe, this show gets bigger every year, now with a dazzling light and laser show, 3D video screens modeled on ELO’s own touring show design and even a huge spaceship! 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. Expect songs like, Evil Woman, Don’t Bring Me Down, Telephone Line, Sweet Talkin Woman, Turn to stone, Wild West Hero, The Diary of Horace Wimp and of course the legendary Mr. Blue Sky plus many more with a surprise or two. Don’t miss out on this fantastic night of nostalgia and classic tunes. Dancing is welcome in certain sections 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. If you’d like to change your seat, our team is...

Dan Owen: NEPTUNE

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

Known for his arresting, husky vocals and gritty, blues-infused pop/rock, Dan Owen is a British alternative singer/songwriter from Shropshire, England. Having become interested in music at an early age, Dan Owen began performing under the name ‘Bluesboy Dan’ at open mic nights, gradually earning a committed fan base with his passionate versions of songs by artists such as Robert Johnson and John Lee Hooker, while also focusing on writing his own material. Following an online video of the young guitarist performing Bob Dylan’s “The Ballad of Hollis Brown” gaining widespread attention in 2012, Owen signed to Atlantic Records, released two EPs, an album and performed on a European tour with Birdy, before his own headline tour. He has since supported artists such as Blanco White, Manfred Man, Paul Jones and Brian Adams. Owen’s second album, The Willow Tree was released last November. His most honest and real music to date, it contains cuts from songwriter royalty – the late, great Scott English and incredible guitar playing from Canadian master Ariel Posen.

Grimethorpe Colliery Band

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

Formed in 1917, during the First World War, Grimethorpe Colliery Band is a British institution. National and British Open Champions on numerous occasions, the band’s contest successes remain legendary. These include 16 Brass In Concert Championship titles, 11 times Yorkshire Regional Champions, two English National Championship victories, four times British Open Champions and four times National Champion Brass Band of Great Britain. Grimethorpe’s diverse noted concert performances include those at the FIFA World Cup, BAFTA Awards, BBC Proms, Eurovision and London 2012 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony, together with a wealth of national and international television / radio appearances and professional recordings. The band has been the recipient of two gold discs, as well as a BAFTA nomination for its contributions to the global hit movie Brassed Off for which Grimethorpe was the focal point. The Royal Albert Hall, Symphony Hall, Barbican, Westminster Abbey, European Parliament, Sydney Opera House and more, have all played host to Grimethorpe. With tours to Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, and concerts & festival appearances throughout Europe, the band’s performance reputation remains unsurpassed. In addition to continuing to delight audiences across the globe, Grimethorpe also continues to invest in and support its local community in Grimethorpe, Barnsley and South...

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,...

That’ll Be The Day 40th Year Anniversary Tour

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

Don’t miss this unforgettable performance celebrating the 40th Anniversary of That’ll Be The Day. Experience a unique blend of rock‘n’roll, pop, and comedy, featuring timeless hits from the ’50s through to the ’80s. Join us to celebrate this milestone as we enjoy four decades of entertainment, showcasing the energy, passion, and talent that has made this the UK’s longest-running touring theatre show. Dancing is welcome in certain sections 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

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,...

Mythos: Ragnarök

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

Famously dubbed the “maddest, baddest show” of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival by the Daily Mail, this groundbreaking cult-classic adaptation of ancient Norse mythology is finally touring the UK! Spend Easter Saturday with Thor, Loki, Freyja and the Norse Gods (all played by pro wrestlers!) as they try to put their differences aside to build a new world and avoid a prophecy of imending doom. Part hilarious ancient storytelling and part high-octane extravaganza, The Telegraph calls this unique theatrical experience “a knockout spectacle” and “the perfect way to tell this story”. Best of all, the Derngate’s unique 360 degree stage means you’ll be close to the action wherever you sit! One of the UK’s best examples of fierce independent theatre, Mythos: Ragnarök is written, produced and funded by the same actors who perform it. You don’t need to know or like anything about the subject matter to understand and adore the show, or appreciate the sheer passion and ability of the performers – doing something that has never, ever been done before in theatre. ★★★★★ “Sets the bar high for theatre as we know it” – Broadway Baby ★★★★★ “Pro wrestling’s natural evolution…it is masterful.” – One4Review ★★★★ “An exceptional show” – Broadway World Save...

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,...

Recurring

Rude Science

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

The naughtiest, funniest, most revolting science show in the world. Brace yourselves for BBC Gastronaut Stefan Gates’ revolutionary, high-tech, highly-explosive new show, packed with outrageous science stunts. On the surface it’s a riot of disgusting experiments built to delight young audiences but under the bonnet it’s a brilliantly-constructed curriculum-driven adventure designed to inspire Britain’s kids with a lasting fascination for science. Expect enormous bottoms, f*rt machines, snot cocktails, vast whoopee cushions, pee-powered fireworks and ear-wax-oozing mannequins in this celebration of the fascinating bodily science essential to life. The show transforms complex biology, physics and chemistry into educational hilarity using Stef’s signature stunts and encyclopaedic science knowledge. Stefan Gates is an award-winning presenter of 20 TV series (including five for CBBC including Incredible Edibles, Gastrolab and Gastronuts),and a STEM author of 12 books (including Fartology and Science You Can Eat), and he’s internationally renowned for his clever, high-octane, highly-educational stage shows that inspire young audiences to fall in love with science. Both shows are followed by a 40mins post-show meet and greet and photo opportunity with Stefan Content Warning: Loud bangs, audience participation, latex balloons, stage fog.

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,...

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