Come and join us for our exciting Mini Makers children's craft or art activity at Northamptonshire Central Library! Children aged 11 and under and their carers are very welcome to join us for an afternoon of fun, crafts and arts! This is a drop-in session. There is a charge of £1 per child.
We are delighted to be hosting local, contemporary artist Sophie Slade once again in our Barwell Room and mezzanine level galleries. Sophie’s work lights up the town in terrific colour and form!
Get ready for a showcase of the most hilariously bad album art ever created! The Worst Record Covers in the World exhibition features collector Steve Goldman’s unique selection of over 500 unintentionally awful record sleeves. From bizarre design choices to laugh-out-loud concepts gone wrong, this exhibition celebrates creative risk and the joy of failure in art. Visitors can even listen to tracks from these records and vote for their favourite “worst” cover. Admission is free — come for the cringe, stay for the comedy!
Explore the history of gladiatorial fights in Britain. The events of the amphitheatre – its wild beasts and enslaved fighters – are one of the most enduring aspects of Roman culture that still capture the public imagination today. This touring exhibition brings together some of the country's most important objects to tell the story of Britain's entertainment venues and the people who died to the roar of the crowd. It will reveal the violence of the arena, and the importance of spectacle within Roman culture. Highlights include the Colchester Vase loaned by Colchester Museums, which records an actual battle between two real gladiators, and the Hawkedon Helmet, the only confirmed piece of gladiatorial armour from Roman Britain. These iconic loans will be supported by a selection of other items that reveal the popularity of gladiators throughout Roman society. This tour is in partnership with Colchester and Ipswich Museums and is inspired by the recent exhibition at Colchester Castle, Gladiators: A Day at the Roman Games which featured British Museum loans. It will explore Roman spectacle in the local region, following in the footsteps of the gladiators who fought in the amphitheatres of Britain.
Northampton Museum & Art Gallery Saturday 17 May - Sunday 28 June 2025 The exhibition F332 illustrates the work of 14 photographers who find themselves at a personal crossroads; as they move on to the next phase of their career they share with us an eclectic mix of photographs and projects that explore their unique experiences.
For the first time since 1881, the home of dinosaurs, Natural History Museum, is going on tour! Ever since they were first identified in the 1800s, dinosaurs have sparked the imagination of kids and adults alike and for the first time ever, the world renowned Natural History Museum have teamed up with Mark Thompson Productions to take you on a dinosaur adventure like no other. We’ll go on a pre-historic journey together to the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods and watch the life-like dinosaurs come alive right on stage! Not only that, we’ll also find out more about fossils, time scales and how our planet has changed over hundreds of millions of years. So get ready for a roaring experience like no other as Natural History Museum presents Dinosaurs Live comes to a town near you. Age guidance: 3+ Running time approximately one hour Show times 12noon and 3.30pm
Earthquakes In London by Mike Bartlett weaves together the lives of three sisters – Sarah, Freya, and Jasmine – against the backdrop of a world on the brink of environmental catastrophe. The narrative spans several decades, exploring themes of climate change, family dynamics, and personal responsibility. Sarah, a government minister, grapples with political and ethical dilemmas. Freya, pregnant and anxious about the future, seeks stability. Jasmine, the youngest, rebels against societal norms. Their estranged father, Robert, a climate scientist, adds complexity with his dire predictions and revelations. Earthquakes In London challenges audiences to reflect on their impact on the planet and the legacy they leave behind. It’s a powerful call to action, urging us to consider the consequences of our choices and the importance of hope and resilience in the face of global challenges. This production comes to Royal & Derngate from the 3rd Year BA Acting students at the University of Northampton.
A lot of our bottomless brunches have ended up with impromptu Karaoke session, so we thought "why not dedicate a whole night to it?". We also thought it would be good to make it a bit of a free-for-all. Just turn up and pay for what you drink - just like a normal Karaoke Bar...obviously our bar will be rather eccentric but relaxed! We just ask that you let us know you'll be attending, so we know how many people are interested. We will provide the PA, mic and speakers plus the music (with words if you need them, of course!) and you simply do the rest...who knows, it may turn out to be 'simply the best'.
A Dream by Chris Bush transports Shakespeare’s most beloved characters into the chaos of a modern-day hospital. This dramatic comedy is packed with songs, mischief, and mistaken identities, creating a vibrant and engaging experience for the audience. The play features numerous twists on familiar characters like Romeo and Jules, who are recovering from an accidental overdose, Antony and Cleo reminiscing in the waiting room, and Beatrice and Benedict bickering over a knee operation. As night falls in the A&E department, Pharmacist Puck begins to distribute medicine, leading to a series of whimsical and chaotic events reminiscent of a midsummer night’s madness. This production comes to Royal & Derngate from the 3rd Year BA Acting students at the University of Northampton.
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra takes the Royal & Derngate stage once more, under the baton of “natural melodist” (Der Tagesspiegel) Antonello Manacorda. They are joined by RPO artist-in-residence, violinist Johan Dalene, to perform Mendelssohn’s deeply romantic Violin Concerto, his “consistently brilliant interpretations” (la Citadella) are guaranteed to send shivers down your spine. The concert is bookended by favourites from Mozart and Tchaikovsky. Opening with the instantly recognisable overture from Mozart’s enchanting opera The Magic Flute, let the joyful energy and sprightly melodies transport you to a world of fantasy and adventure, before being swept away by the powerful emotions of Tchaikovsky’s final masterpiece. From its brooding opening to its emotionally charged finale, his iconic Sixth Symphony is a work that will envelop you in a rich tapestry of sound that plumbs the depths of the human experience. Antonello Manacorda Conductor Johan Dalene Violin Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Mozart Magic Flute Overture Mendelssohn Violin Concerto Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 6 ‘Pathétique’