Northampton BID

We Call It Ballet: Sleeping Beauty Dance & Light Show
2025-10-11 18:00 (Europe/London) | Royal and Derngate Theatre, 19-21 Guildhall Road, Northampton, Northamptonshire, NN1 1DP
Experience Sleeping Beauty like never before in this dance and light show.
Enjoy a unique fusion of classical ballet and modern technology, where local dancers literally light up the stage with glittering routines and glow-in-the-dark costumes. The timeless tale of the cursed princess awakened by her true love’s kiss comes to life on stage, as pirouettes and gravity-defying leaps cast a kaleidoscope of colours across the space.
It’s a beautiful production you won’t want to miss! Get your tickets now for We Call It Ballet in Northampton: Sleeping Beauty Dance and Light Show!

The Return Of The Legends
2025-10-11 19:30
Brendan, James, Pasha, Vincent and Ian.
All household names, all Strictly favourites, all kings of the ballroom, and all re-uniting again in The Return Of The Legends!
The boys return, following the incredible success of last year’s sold-out Legends Of The Dance Floor tour, described by Strictly Head Judge,Shirley Ballas as ‘by far one of the funniest shows that I’ve ever seen in my life. A great evening out’!
Brendan Cole, James Jordan, Pasha Kovalev, Vincent Simone and Ian Waite, together with a supporting cast, are back to create another evening of spectacular dancing, hilarious camaraderie, great music and a huge amount of laughter! They have all headlined their own solo tours but together they create what one journalist described as “a show that was nothing short of spectacular.”
All five thoroughly enjoyed their reunion last year and feel that they still have stories to tell, secrets to reveal and more dances to perform.
Performing Latin, ballroom, tango, rumba and so much more… our Legends are back with new routines and more hilarious Strictly and life stories.
It is showbusiness at its very best!
If you loved Legends Of The Dance Floor and you want more of the same, then grab your tickets now. If you didn’t see it last year, what are you waiting for… get your dancing shoes on!

Sam Avery
2025-10-11 20:00
Back with a bang, award-winning comedian Sam Avery returns with his electrifying new show, Thunderstorm! ?
In his trademark punchy style, Sam takes you on a whirlwind journey through the chaos of the modern world – from parenting disasters to culture wars, conspiracy theories to political morons.
With sharp wit and a stormy twist, he’s here to prove that the only way to weather modern life is through laughter!
Expect thunderous punchlines, lightning-fast jokes, and a night of belly laughs you won’t forget.

Mathew Horne: In Conversation
2025-10-12 15:00
A very special afternoon talking all things Gavin & Stacey with none other than the show’s lead: Mathew Horne!
For the very first time since the series’ hilarious and explosive finale, Mathew is sitting down in front of live audiences at select theatres, deep in conversation all about his Gavin & Stacey journey – talking his absolute favourite moments, revealing hilarious tales of behind the scenes misadventures, and exploring the quite colossal impact the show’s had on his own day-to-day life!
There will be a Q&A with the audience at these special events – so please come ready with your questions for Mathew! These shows are a very rare opportunity for an intimate audience with the lead of the nation’s very favourite series; early booking is strongly recommended to avoid disappointment!

Sibelius’ Symphony No.2 with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
2025-10-12 15:00
Vasily Petrenko Conductor
Boris Giltburg Piano
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

Nielsen Maskarade Overture
Grieg Piano Concerto
Sibelius Symphony No.2
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) returns to the Royal & Derngate stage, joining forces with acclaimed pianist Boris Giltburg and conducted by RPO Musical Director, Vasily Petrenko. ‘Titanic’ was how one critic described the playing of Boris Giltburg, and they didn’t stop there: ‘Giltburg had enormous reserves of firepower – and of musing poetry, too – to open up whole worlds of feeling and imagination.’
Now imagine him bringing all his wizardry to one of the best-loved showpieces of all time – Grieg’s evergreen (and gloriously tuneful) Piano Concerto. It’s the big heart of a concert that begins with the bright and witty Overture from Danish composer Carl Nielsen’s neo-classical comic Opera Maskarade, and ends beneath the Northern Lights of Finland, as Sibelius’ mighty Second Symphony grows from tranquil beginnings to a soaring hymn of triumph.
‘He made me listen to the music afresh… the whole trajectory of the piece became clearer. The audience’s reaction was fervent and impassioned, and rightly so.’ Seen and Heard International on Boris Giltburg, February 2024

Ed Byrne
2025-10-12 19:30
Our headliner at this very special evening of comedy is a certified legend of stand-up! With a TV career now in its third decade, Ed Byrne has regularly appeared on the likes of QI, Mock The Week, The Pilgrimage, Dara And Ed’s Road To Mandalay, The Graham Norton Show and Have I Got News For You, as well as hosting Live At The Apollo and Comic Relief Bake Off. His latest tour, Tragedy Plus Time, won British Comedy Guide’s Best Comedy Show Of The Year and sold out venues nationwide, becoming his most critically and commercially successful yet.
With legions of fans both in the UK and abroad, Ed remains the observational stand-up to see.
The brilliant opening and middle comedians for this night will be confirmed soon!

Russell Watson: The Evolution Tour
2025-10-14 19:30
Celebrating 25 Remarkable Years of The Voice
Join Russell Watson for a celebration of his 25-year career as the UK’s most prolific classical recording artist. Known as The Voice, Russell will be performing some of his best-known tracks and favourite pieces both old and new including Va, pensiero, Nessun Dorma, Caruso,Where My Heart Will Take Me (from Star Trek: Enterprise), plus new songs Shine and Grow.
Russell’s legendary career began with a bang and only grew louder. As the first UK artist to score a transatlantic No. 1 in both the UK and the US, he has since achieved an incredible 8 top-ten albums, over 7 million album sales worldwide, and 4 Classical BRIT Awards. With a presence in the UK Top 20 on 17 separate occasions, Russell’s voice has cemented his place in the music history books as a global icon with achievements unmatched in the world of classical crossover music.
Beyond the recording studio, Russell Watson has performed for some of the world’s most notable figures, including multiple appearances for Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles, and the late Pope John Paul II. Russell’s star power extends musical theatre as well, with roles in classics like Jeff Wayne’s War of the Worlds and Chicago.
Performing alongside his live band, this is the perfect chance to celebrate the incredible journey of one of the world’s greatest voices.

Rich Hall: Chin Music
2025-10-14 20:00
“Chin Music” has two meanings. One is idle talk. The other is a brushback throw in baseball or cricket to intimidate the batter. Both describe Rich Hall’s comedy. Idle but intimidating. Sharp, quick, splenetic, and sublimely improvisational. If you’ve never seen him, you need to hustle down to your local venue and grab a seat because he never disappoints. Ever.

Kae Kurd: What’s O’Kurd
2025-10-17 19:00
Stand up sensation and social media star Kae Kurd returns with his highly anticipated brand new
tour: What’s O’Kurd.
Co-host of the hit podcast Aint Got a Clue, voice of ITV’s Loaded in Paradise and star of Live at
the Apollo (BBC), Mock the Week (BBC Two), Celebrity Masterchef (BBC One) and The
Apprentice: You’re Fired (BBC Two) As a hugely in-demand writer, his credits include Cunk &
Other Humans (BBC Two), Have I Got News For You (BBC Two) and A League of Their Own
(Sky One)
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Matt Green
2025-10-18 19:30
Following his debut sell-out national tour, online comedy star Matt Green returns with brand new jokes about the state of politics, the world and himself. Matt has moved house and the world has moved into an even more chaotic state. But we can still laugh about it – right?
Is selling a flat more annoying than Donald Trump? Will Keir Starmer ever be cool? And what happens when an algorithm knows you better than you know yourself? Or are these all just illegitimate concerns?
As seen and heard in his viral clips on social media and YouTube, James O’Brien’s show on LBC, Radio 4’s POV, Oh God What Now?, Paper Cuts, Mrs Sidhu Investigates, The Marlow Murder Club and even as a news reporter in Doctor Who! You might also have seen the back of his head in A Very Royal Scandal, but only if you were really paying attention in the wedding photographer scene.

Ardal O’Hanlon: Not Himself
2025-10-18 20:00
Oh, it’s all there! All the trademarks are in evidence in Ardal O’Hanlon’s latest show. Beautifully crafted stand-up comedy? Yes. Celebrated use of language? Tick. Lateral thinking, surreal flourishes, sharp observations? Of course. As for the occasional profundity? Maybe.
Despite his best attempts over many decades to put the world to rights, it is still a colossal mess. And so, Ardal has no choice but to go out on the road again. Like the good comedy doctor he is, he fearlessly diagnoses the various pathologies and neuroses that are currently ravaging humanity. Disclaimer: No solutions provided.
After an alarming experience at the supermarket, Ardal reflects on who he is as a man and a comedian. He examines his own ethnic and religious background. And thinks twice about the very core of his identity as a voice of reason. Is everything a big lie? With no major trauma of his own to draw on for material, apart from the drag of getting older, he also turns his gaze outwards at the joys and follies of contemporary life. Towel Animals? A.I.? Chair Yoga? Cauliflower as a main course? Yes. Yes. Yes. And Yes.
No current idiocy is left unexamined. With a highly developed sense of the ridiculous, and proper comedy bones, Not Himself, is a testament to the healing power of humour. And the joy of jokes.*
*Ardal is not only an acclaimed stand-up comedian who has performed world-wide. He will be familiar to many from his appearances in TV shows such as Taskmaster and Would I Lie To You?, leading roles in Death In Paradise, Father Ted, and My Hero as well as cameos in Derry Girls, The Woman in The Wall, Return to Paradise and Rosie Molloy Gives Up Everything.
He will soon be seen in the feature film, Fran The Man and the new Netflix series, How To Get To Heaven From Belfast, as well as the CW drama, Sherlock And Daughter. Ardal is currently writing his third novel.

Sara Pascoe: I am a Strange Gloop
2025-10-19 19:30
Have you ever been awake in the middle of the night and thought something so smart and astute that you couldn’t wait for the world to wake up so you could tell them?
THIS SHOW IS THAT THOUGHT.
In that it doesn’t make much sense and is a bit weird on reflection.
Sara Pascoe is a comedian and her children don’t sleep and her kitchen won’t clean itself and her husband “doesn’t want to be in it”.
As seen and heard on Taskmaster, Live at the Apollo, The Great British Sewing Bee, Last One Laughing UK, QI, 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, Mock the Week and co-host of Sara & Cariad’s Weirdos Book Club podcast.

Jimmy Carr: Laughs Funny
2025-10-22 19:00
Jimmy Carr’s brand new live tour, Laughs Funny, is on sale now.
Jimmy Carr laughs funny and he wants to make you laugh by being funny.

Rick Wakeman: Six Wives + King Arthur
2025-10-23 19:30
The Return of the Caped Crusader, Part 2: The Six Wives of Henry VIII and The Myths and Legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table
Iconic keyboard player and composer Rick Wakeman CBE and his band, the English Rock Ensemble, take to the road again to perform his classic albums, The Six Wives Of Henry VIII and The Myths And Legends Of King Arthur And The Knights Of The Round Table, in their entirety.
The musical line-up will be the same as last year’s The Return Of The Caped Crusader Part 1, with Rick, of course, leading the band on keyboards, brilliantly supported by Dave Colquhoun (guitars and backing vocals), Adam Falkner (drums), Lee Pomeroy (bass and backing vocals) and Adam Wakeman (keyboard, guitars and backing vocals). Mollie Marriott will again be lead vocalist, with three yet-to-be-announced backing singers.
Rick comments, “To still be playing both of these suites of music at the age of 76 is a remarkable milestone in my life. With a stunning array of musicianship surrounding me, I only wish I could be in the audience watching and listening, so all those sitting out there will have to do it for me!”
Don’t miss this unlikely-to-be-repeated opportunity to hear two classic epics by one of the true legends of progressive rock and his band of superb musicians when they tour the UK.

Omid Djalili: Namaste
2025-10-24 20:00
The Persian Comedy Powerhouse performs his critically acclaimed new show Namaste where Omid peacefully bows to his inner anger and unleashes a torrent of comedic vitriol upon the current state of this dangerously messed up planet.
No government gets a green card. No tyrant avoids a take down. No audience member leaves the theatre with an ounce of laughter left in them.
You have been warned.

Two Mr Ps in a Podcast: Live
2025-10-25 19:30
LET THAT BE A LESSON…
Join the Two Mr Ps as they take their award-winning podcast back on the road with Let That Be A Lesson… Prepare for an evening filled with laughter as they share more hilarious stories and anecdotes about the challenges teachers, parents, and school staff face while working with the most unintentionally funny comedians of all—children.
Drawing from their uproarious classroom experiences, as well as the most embarrassing, cringeworthy, and downright hilarious tales from educators across the UK, the Two Mr Ps will have you laughing until your cheeks hurt. And just like in school, audience participation is encouraged! You can submit your own stories, confessions, dilemmas and embarrassing moments to be read anonymously during the show here – http://bit.ly/3CDIz4x
Mr P has been a primary school teacher for over 17 years and is one of the leading voices for teachers and school staff in the UK. He continues to work part-time in school and delivers training nationwide and internationally. With his unique blend of practical tips and humorous insights into classroom life, he has become one of the most followed teachers on social media.
Don’t miss this chance to see the Two Mr Ps live—it’s a lesson in laughter you won’t want to miss!

NMTC – Jesus Christ Superstar
2025-10-28 19:30, 2025-10-29 19:30, 2025-10-30 19:30, 2025-10-31 19:30, 2025-11-01 19:30
Lyrics by Tim Rice and Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber. An amateur production by arrangement with The Really Useful Group Limited. What’s the buzz?…. With over 30 productions performed in the Derngate Auditorium, Northampton Musical Theatre Company are excited to be returning once again with the epic musical Jesus Christ Superstar. With music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice, Jesus Christ Superstar has wowed audiences for over 50 years. A timeless work, the rock opera tells the story of Jesus in the final days leading up to his crucifixion, but seen through the eyes of Judas Iscariot. The iconic 1970s rock score contains well-known numbers such as Superstar, I Don’t Know How to Love Him and Gethsemane. Don’t miss your chance to experience this unforgettable musical.

Shlomo’s Beatbox Adventure for Kids
2025-10-29 14:00
SK Shlomo (they/them) is a world record-breaking beatboxer who makes all kinds of music using just their mouth and a mic.
Their 5-star sell-out show Shlomo’s Beatbox Adventure for Kids is back!
International non-binary beatbox star SK Shlomo has collaborated with Bjork, Ed Sheeran and Gorillaz, toured the world and performed on main stages at festivals like Glastonbury.
Join this sonic superhero and become one of their sidekicks in a world of funny sounds, brilliant noises and cool music, whether you’re aged 1 or 101!
????? “A perfect show… sets young imaginations alight” The Times

Stevie Martin
2025-10-30 19:30
Stevie Martin (Taskmaster, Mitchell & Webb’s brand new sketch show, 8 out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, The Horne Section TV Show) has been doing online comedy for a while (45 million views worldwide) but is now returning to live comedy with her latest show, which sold out at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and at Soho Theatre this year.
It’s like her online stuff but she’ll be on a stage and you can’t pause her to get a snack (meats?). Also you have to sit in a specific room to watch it (please don’t bring your meats to this room).
???? ‘High-quality gags tightly packed inside other gags, ready to jack-in-the-box out and multiply… Ingenious’ The Guardian
???? ‘Stevie Martin’s densely-packed show peeking behind the curtain of online stardom begs repeat visits… A clever, knowing and, crucially, hilarious, hour’ The Scotsman
???? ‘Successfully brings that online visual hilarity to the stage, via twin immersive screens assaulting your senses with messages from her phone and laptop while Stevie hardly catches breath between gags’ Daily Express

Tom Houghton: Deep
2025-10-30 19:30
After a phenomenal, sold-out, international tour. Plus, a second round of supporting Milton Jones. The man who asked us, “Do you ski?” is turning everything upside down and asking, “Do you scuba?”
In a world full of relentless click bate, online distractions, and brain rotting content, Tom’s racing brain finally became too much for him.
Having left the Western world behind, Tom found himself in Indonesia where he plunged into a journey of self-discovery. He submerged himself as far down in the ocean as possible, while asking the most profound questions of what truly makes someone who they are.
And now he’s bringing his discoveries to you.
It’s time to go Deep
As seen on Netflix, Comedy Central and host of Very British Problems

A Squash And A Squeeze
2025-10-31 14:00
A Little Angel Theatre and Lowry Co-Production
A musical adaptation of the best-selling book – A Squash And A Squeeze – written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler

Step into the magical world of A Squash And A Squeeze live on stage for the first time!
Once upon a time, a little old lady lived all by herself in her cosy cottage, but she wasn’t happy – her house felt just too small. Whatever could she do? Will the wise old man’s solution of bringing in a flappy, scratchy, greedy, noisy crowd of farmyard animals work?
Join us for this heart warming and hilarious adventure, full of beautiful puppets and enchanting songs. Written and illustrated by the unparalleled picture book partnership of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, and adapted for the stage by Olivier-nominated duo Barb Jungr and Samantha Lane.

Jools Holland
2025-11-02 19:30
Musical maestro Jools Holland and his famous Rhythm & Blues Orchestra return to Royal & Derngate for their 2025 Autumn/Winter tour, with special guest Imelda May.
One of Ireland’s most celebrated artists, Imelda May has had many high-profile collaborations with Jeff Beck, and performed with music legends including Lou Reed, Bono, Tom Jones, Noel Gallagher, and Robert Plant. With a dynamic blend of blues, rock, soul, gospel, and jazz, Imelda’s self-written and produced album Love Tattoo remains the best-selling album by a homegrown female artist in Ireland. Her electric performances promise an unforgettable experience for audiences.
The tour will also mark an exciting new chapter as Ed Richardson is welcomed in as the orchestra’s new drummer, following the retirement of the legendary Gilson Lavis. After starting out together in Squeeze, Gilson became a cornerstone of Jools’ Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, keeping the beat over a span of several decades and retiring with an incredible legacy.
Fans will be thrilled to hear that the shows will once again feature the incredible ‘Queen of Boogie Woogie’ Ruby Turner, as well as the outstanding vocals of Louise Marshall, and Sumudu Jayatilaka. Together with the skillful musicianship of the Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, Jools Holland will be performing songs from throughout his career. With a catalogue of classics to choose from, the show is sure to have fans on their feet!

Agatha Christie’s Death On The Nile
2025-11-04 19:30, 2025-11-05 19:30
Bitter rivals. Buried secrets. A love to die for.
On board a luxurious cruise under the heat of the Egyptian sun, a couple’s idyllic honeymoon is cut short by a brutal murder. As secrets that have been buried in the sands of time finally resurface, can the world-famous detective, Hercule Poirot, untangle the web of lies and solve another crime?
Following the sell-out tour of Murder On The Orient Express, this thrilling production will feature reunites writer Ken Ludwig, director Lucy Bailey (Witness For The Prosecution) and Fiery Angel.
Starring as Poirot is Mark Hadfield (Belfast; Outlander; Wallander) who will be joined on stage by Glynis Barber (Dempsey and Makepeace; EastEnders) and Bob Barrett (Murder on the Orient Express; Holby City). This brand-new adaptation of the Agatha Christie classic is not to be missed.

Sh!t-faced Shakespeare® Hamlet
2025-11-04 19:30, 2025-11-05 19:30
Sh!t-faced Shakespeare® have toured the world, broken America, established themselves on London’s West End, won numerous awards, and survived a zero-star review in The Times. In 2025, they will be celebrating 15 years on the wagon with one of the Bard’s most popular tragedies, Hamlet.
Featuring a cast of professional Shakespearean actors, this unique production takes an unpredictable twist each night as one performer is chosen to be deliberately intoxicated for up to four hours before showtime. The rest of the cast must then navigate the play, improvising their way through the unpredictable chaos that springs from their inebriated colleague’s booze-fuelled antics.
Sh!t-faced Shakespeare® ?are excited to once again drunkenly stomp all over the greatest dramatic work ever committed to page in the English language: the story of a privileged whiny lad who goes a bit bonkers and does some stabbings.
“How the hell did they make it to 15 years?!” we hear you cry. Book now and find out!
