Theatre

Northampton Gilbert & Sullivan Group are thrilled to return to Royal & Derngate with their 69th Anniversary production, Ruddygore. Ruddygore is Gilbert & Sullivan’s well-loved satirical take on Victorian Melodrama, with a plot that has everything; ghosts, witches, curses, disguises, a wicked villain who tries to make off with the fair maiden, and of course love. Ruddygore follows the spooky goings-on in a peaceful Cornish fishing village, a painfully shy farmer, Robin Oakapple, trying to work up the courage to ask the beautiful Rose Maybud for her hand, a family secret that has the potential to change everything, and an ancient picture gallery brought to life to haunt its owner, much to the annoyance of the ancestral ghosts! Under the direction of Leon Berger and musical direction of David Chambers, join us as ‘the night wind howls’ to cheer the hero, weep with the heroine and boo the villain as we head to the peaceful village of Rederring, and Gilbert & Sullivan’s supernatural opera Ruddygore, presented in its original version.

Across the world, Sir Geoff Hurst certainly needs no introduction. He is a football legend who is still the only player ever to score a hat-trick in a World Cup Final. Sir Geoff made his name with club side West Ham United, with whom he made 499 league and cup appearances, scoring 248 goals. He was Player of the Year three times and won the FA Cup with West Ham in 1964 and the European Cup Winners Cup in 1965.

The Story of Swing: ‘From Bobby Darin to Buble’ Returning for the second year running, The Story of Swing is hosted by renowned singer/entertainer Gareth John with 20-piece big band, Jazz Colossus. The show takes you on a journey through the much-loved style of swing and big band music through the hits of Bobby Darin, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr, right through to modern day crooners such as Michael Buble and Harry Connick Jr. While Gareth is known for his top-class showmanship, having shared the stage with members of the Beautiful South, The Specials and many more through his career, he will be joined by some very special guests on the night.