Royal and Derngate

Sixty years ago the Beatles’ debut feature-length film A Hard Day’s Night became a huge critical and commercial success , even being nominated for two Academy Awards. The following year in 1965 their second film Help!, this one in colour, received similar glowing plaudits. The group was hailed as a modern-day Marx Brothers and their director, Dick Lester, credited with ‘fathering’ the MTV pop video culture that was to come. So what better time to celebrate the songs not just from the soundtracks of these two iconic motion pictures, but from all five in their catalogue. Featuring hits from A Hard Day’s Night, Help!, Magical Mystery Tour, Yellow Submarine and Let It Be, The Bootleg Beatles and their orchestra will take you on a whistle stop trip through the celluloid career of the Fab Four in their brand new spectacular multi-media stage show. It’s all there, the costumes, the hairstyles, the banter and the gear. It’s not the Beatles….. but you simply won’t believe it! “You have to pinch yourself that you’re not seeing some kind of Al magic at play” The Times, Sunday Review “Less a Tribute , more a reincarnation” The Daily Telegraph.

Level 42 are delighted to announce that they will embark upon the World Machine 40th Anniversary Tour coming to Royal & Derngate for Autumn 2025. All of the shows will feature Special Guests Roachford. The tour will celebrate this landmark – and indeed breakthrough – album for Level 42, and the band will also, of course, be breaking out many of their classic era-defining hits. World Machine was the album that changed everything for Level 42, and set them on the path to true super-stardom. Released in 1985, it was a hit both here and in the States, and has now been certified double Platinum. It was on this album, the band’s sixth, that arguably they nailed down the sound and the style that made them one of the biggest groups in the world. On this album they refined the funky pop fusion that had grown from their jazz roots – and had already brought them serious success – and truly made it their own. World Machine features the singles Something About You (the band’s only American top 10 hit) and Leaving Me Now, and it showed the band’s progression in style and confidence that would lead to their massive Running In The Family album the following year. Four decades on from...

The virtuoso ventriloquist, BAFTA nominee and British Comedy Award winner is heading back to Northampton! Nina presents an unparalleled, unscripted brand new show that delves deep into who we are, hijacking faces to spark a bold, hysterical reality warp. Nina Conti (and Monkey) has regularly sold out shows all over the world with her widely acclaimed performances: in London’s West End, off-Broadway in New York, at Sydney’s Opera House, across the UK on tour and more – all without moving her lips! As seen on BBC’s Live At The Apollo and many more. Her clips, live show special and In Therapy web series, have amassed several million views online.

Following their summer performances at Wilderness, Glastonbury Festival and Brighton’s Gay Pride to packed out crowds, Björn Again return to Royal & Derngate. Fans can expect one massive sing-along with the Australian ABBA show next Autumn – not to be missed! The Internationally acclaimed Björn Again show was created and founded in 1988 in Melbourne, by Australian musician/manager Rod Stephen. Since then, Björn Again has been hailed as the most successful tribute show of all time, and is the only ABBA tribute show globally to have been endorsed by the original members of ABBA. Designed as a tongue-in-cheek rocked-up light-hearted ABBA satire, the show rapidly achieved worldwide cult status with critical acclaim and was acknowledged for singlehandedly initiating the ABBA revival, which brought about ABBA Gold, Muriel’s Wedding and MAMMA MIA!

Hal is back with a brand-new tour for 2025 with a show that promises to stick it to ‘The Man’, as long as ‘The Man’ doesn’t stick it back to him. With his trademark hard-hitting ‘take no prisoners’ comedy (this is what Hal told me to write!!!) he will be hilariously pontificating on subjects like middle-aged dating, social media, the insanity of modern politics and the fact that his daughters love him but don’t respect him. He believes that, after you’ve seen the show, you’ll feel exactly the same way. His last tour was extended four times and he’s one of a select number of comics to have done Live At The Apollo three times and the Royal Variety twice. TV also includes Have I Got News For You, The Apprentice You’re Fired, Bake Off Extra Slice and Would I Lie To You.

Georgie Carroll is back with her brand-new show, Infectious. An undeniable live comedy powerhouse and a natural storyteller, she’s razor sharp and riotous. Nurse turned comedian, Georgie Carroll is not only brilliantly funny, she is unstoppable on the comedy circuit having performed her smash hit award winning show Sista Flo 2.0 for three solid years of sold out seasons (UK, NZ, AU). Don’t miss her brand new show!

Join Professor Alice Roberts as she takes us on an investigative journey to establish who spread Christianity, how and why; the story of the fall of an Empire – and the rise of another. Celebrating the publication of her new book, Domination, the narrative will lead audiences from a secluded valley in South Wales to the shores of Brittany; from the heart of the Roman Empire in a time of political turmoil to the ancient city of Corinth in the footsteps of the apostle Paul; from Alexandria in the fourth century to Constantinople. As the Roman Empire crumbled in Western Europe, a shadow of power remained, almost perfectly mapping onto its disappearing territories. And then, it continued to spread. Unearthing the archaeological clues and challenging long-established histories, Professor Roberts tells a remarkable story about the relationship between the Roman Empire and Christianity. Lifting the veil on secrets that have been hidden in plain sight, this story is nothing short of astonishing. Domination is a page-turning exploration of power and its survival, and now you have the opportunity to hear more from the author in this exciting evening with Professor Alice Roberts.

Jake Lambert is going on his first national tour. Described as “A joke machine” by The Telegraph, the show will see the comedian talk about trying to navigate his way through everyday life, why he has a fear of being normal, and asking why we all feel the need to ask strangers what breed their dogs are. It seems the perfect time for his first tour too; his online videos have gained over 150million views, he has been supporting Michael McIntyre on his worldwide tour and he will be appearing on the next series of Live at the Apollo. ????? “…pure brilliance from start to finish” London Theatre 1 ????? “An absolute must-see” RGM ???? “A joke machine” The Telegraph

The show might be cancelled… but the night is just beginning! When the curtain fails to rise, the Royal & Derngate’s unstoppable Front of House team step into the spotlight to save the show – with no script, no safety net, and definitely no permission! Expect a gloriously chaotic night of singing, dancing, acting, and surprises as the front of house team you know and love turn the theatre upside down. Led by a quick-witted compère and featuring familiar faces from their viral TikTok channel, this immersive experience begins the moment you enter the foyer – and doesn’t let up until the final bow. It’s backstage meets spotlight, and nothing is off-limits. One cancelled show. One fearless team. One unforgettable night.

Please Note: This show has been rescheduled from Sat 15 March. The highly anticipated nationwide debut tour from one of comedy’s fastest rising stars. A Son, Brother, Dad and Friend. From one culture to another. Join stand up sensation Eddie Kadi as he tells us how he got there. Star of Strictly Come Dancing (BBC) and Team Captain of ITV’s Sorry I Didn’t Know. Host of The Official AfroBeats Chart Show on BBC1XTRA. As seen on BBC, ITV, Channel 4 & Comedy Central. Best Breakthrough Award Nominee at Royal Television Society Awards and Edinburgh TV Awards.

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!

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...

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.

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!

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

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!