GenFest 2025: Dorothy and Her Very Many Friends – by Jude Taylor

The inspirational story of  Northampton’s legendary pioneering hero –  Walter Tull – is brought to the stage in a new musical drama by award winning playwright Dougie Blaxland and celebrated composer Chris Anthony. Commissioned by Show Racism The Red Card and produced in association with Live Wire Theatre, Our Little Hour explores how Walter Tull – grandson of a Barbadian slave – orphaned at eight years old rose to prominence against all odds. The first black footballer to play at the highest level of the domestic game in the UK he went on to achieve yet another historic breakthrough as the first man of his heritage to be commissioned as an Officer in the British Army. Tragically killed in action just a few weeks before the end of World War 1, Walter Tull’s pioneering achievements have earned him a distinguished place in British history and in the hearts of everyone who knows his story. Combining a power packed drama with hauntingly original music, Our Little Hour comes hot on the heels of huge critical acclaim for On The Ropes – Dougie Blaxland’s most recent musical drama – which enjoyed a sell out run at The Park Theatre London last year. Winner of the 2021 National Campaign for the Arts Best Arts Project...

Based on the the 1980’s big screen hit, Footloose The Musical bursts on to the Derngate stage this Autumn, performed by our local award-winning group Northampton Musical Theatre Company. Ren McCormack a teenage city boy is forced to move to Bomont – a small rural town in America where he learns rock ‘n’ roll and dancing have both been banned by the local preacher. Ren then decides to try and change this and works to get the whole town up on its feet! This full-of-energy musical, packed with popular songs including Holding Out For A Hero and Let’s Hear It For The Boy along with the title track Footloose, will get you wanting to be up on your feet dancing.

The inspirational story of  Northampton’s legendary pioneering hero –  Walter Tull – is brought to the stage in a new musical drama by award winning playwright Dougie Blaxland and celebrated composer Chris Anthony. Commissioned by Show Racism The Red Card and produced in association with Live Wire Theatre, Our Little Hour explores how Walter Tull – grandson of a Barbadian slave – orphaned at eight years old rose to prominence against all odds. The first black footballer to play at the highest level of the domestic game in the UK he went on to achieve yet another historic breakthrough as the first man of his heritage to be commissioned as an Officer in the British Army. Tragically killed in action just a few weeks before the end of World War 1, Walter Tull’s pioneering achievements have earned him a distinguished place in British history and in the hearts of everyone who knows his story. Combining a power packed drama with hauntingly original music, Our Little Hour comes hot on the heels of huge critical acclaim for On The Ropes – Dougie Blaxland’s most recent musical drama – which enjoyed a sell out run at The Park Theatre London last year. Winner of the 2021 National Campaign for the Arts Best Arts Project...