The Manfreds, featuring original Manfred Mann members Paul Jones and Tom McGuinness, will once again bring their highly acclaimed Maximum Rhythm and Blues show to Royal & Derngate on Sat 4 October. Their incredible repertoire of hits includes the iconic songs Do Wah Diddy Diddy, Pretty Flamingo, 5-4-3-2-1, The Mighty Quinn, plus many more, including those from Paul Jones’ solo success and Tom McGuinness from his hugely successful group, McGuinness Flint. The band is delighted, and indeed privileged, to welcome their very special guest, Noel McCalla. Described by Blues & Soul magazine as ‘One of Britain’s best soul singers’, Noel’s impressive CV boast such credentials as lead singer with Manfred Mann’s Earth Band from 1991 until 2009, which brings hits  such as Blinded By The Light and Davy’s On The Road Again onto the set list, plus his own unique blend of soul/jazz/blues inspired material.

After their successful launch and recent Viva Verdi! concert, Northampton Opera Group returns to Royal & Derngate. There’s a new line-up of international opera soloists, local vocal talent and a brand-new programme of the greatest opera choruses and solos of every kind, from comic tunes to heartbreak, love and tragedy. If you love singing, join us!

Richard Exall Quartet presents Goes Getz: A Tribute to the music of Stan Getz Mike Ridout – Guitar Mark Adams – Double Bass Clark Tracey – Drums The Richard Exall Quartet bring you a varied and exciting programme consisting of favourites from Jazz Samba, Getz Au Go Go and The Cool Sound Of Stan Getz. Making the most of Getz’s reputation for beautiful ballads and rip-roaring swing standards.

Discover the Secrets Hidden in Death with Dr Richard Shepherd – Live on Stage Step into the world of the forensic investigation of sudden and suspicious death with Dr Richard Shepherd, the UK’s most distinguished forensic pathologist, as he returns to theatres with his captivating new tour: Unnatural Causes – Time Of Death. Following his acclaimed 2021 and 2022 tours, Dr Shepherd brings audiences an unmissable evening exploring the mysteries of life, death, and many minutes in between. In the realm of forensic pathology time is crucial and holds the key to understanding the truth behind accidents, murders and unexplained deaths – whether it’s the exact moment of death needed to help solve a crime, or how long it would take to die or an understanding what happens in the minutes, days and weeks after death. All these different times help interpret the truths a body can tell.  Providing you ask the right questions. Unnatural Causes – Time Of Death explores why the understanding of the passing of time is one of the most important factors in unravelling the secrets of a life cut short. With over 23,000 autopsies to his name, Dr Shepherd has worked on the cases that defined our times: The Spy...

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!

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.

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

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.

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!

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...

“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.

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) ???? THE HERALD ???? EVENING STANDARD

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.

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....

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.

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...

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.

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...

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 (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

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