Events

“I’d rather walk in blood than walk a slave” On the furthest outreaches of the Roman Empire, the edge of the known world, rebellion is brewing… The King of the Iceni has died. His widow, Boudica, comes to claim her rightful throne and territories in defiance of the occupying force, Rome. For daring to try and take what is hers the native queen is flogged, her daughters raped, and they are banished from their homeland. But now Queen Boudica has returned. And this time, she has an army. She will take back her land, her freedom, and more, much more: she will have revenge. She will have blood. Join us for Boudica (written by Tristan Bernays, directed by Anna Simpson with fight choreography by Kiel O’Shea) and watch the Royal & Derngate Young Company bring this play based on ancient history hurtling into the 21st century, exploring urgent and provocative questions about occupation and oppression, the legacy of colonial violence, and how people try to hold on to their humanity amidst war’s brutality. Performed in arrangement with Nick Hern Books. From our Community. Content Warning: Contains strong language, depictions of violence and death, and references to sexual assault.

Matthew Bourne’s award-winning The Midnight Bell comes to Northampton for the first time in 2025. In 1930s London ordinary people emerge from cheap boarding houses nightly to pour out their passions, hopes and dreams in the pubs and fog-bound streets of Soho and Fitzrovia. Step inside The Midnight Bell, a tavern where one particular lonely-hearts club gather to play out their lovelorn affairs of the heart; bitter comedies of longing, frustration, betrayal and redemption. Inspired by the great English novelist Patrick Hamilton (Twenty Thousand Streets Under The Sky, Hangover Square) who created some of the most authentic fiction of his era; stories borne out of years of social interactions with the working man and woman at his favourite location – the London Pub. Hailed by The Observer as ‘the undisputed king of dance theatre’, master storyteller Bourne has produced some of the most successful dance theatre productions of the last 30 years including Swan Lake, Cinderella, The Red Shoes and Edward Scissorhands. In Conversation with Matthew Bourne Join us after the performance on Tue 15 July 7:30pm for a fully BSL interpreted chat with Matthew Bourne himself for a unique opportunity to discover the insights of creating this show. This event is free with a ticket to...