Royal and Derngate

Chair of The News Quiz (Radio 4), host of the global hit satirical podcast The Bugle, and Test Match Special statistician, the stand-up comedian, broadcaster and writer, who has firmly established himself in the vanguard of British comedy with his unique brand of inventive, incisive political satire, returns with his latest stand-up show, The Zaltgeist. With the 3rd millennium almost 2.5% complete, Andy Zaltzman, one of the UK’s leading satirical comedians, assesses the state of Planet Earth and its most famous and controversial species – the human race. In the biggest stand-up tour of his career, Andy will attempt to concoct vaguely plausible answers to perennial questions such as What?, Who?, Where?, and above all Why? As chair of The News Quiz since 2020, Andy has brought his inventive brand of satirical comedy to BBC Radio 4’s long-running flagship topical comedy show, earning the show multiple awards, critical acclaim and a growing listenership. Andy has hosted The Bugle, one of the world’s longest-running and best-loved comedy podcasts, since 2007 (alongside John Oliver until 2015, and with numerous co-hosts from numerous continents since 2016). Renowned for its unique cocktail of up-to-the-minute global satire and premium-grade hogwash, and listened to by hundreds of thousands around the world, The Bugle recently passed the 600-episode mark,...

Aye Aye! Ahoy Hoy! The Unstoppable Talking Panjandrum Is Back In Town! Celebrating 50 Years Afloat On The Showbiz Seas! Dead Men Tell No Tales – So Might As Well Get Em All Told Now! Avast!  Two Thundering Hours Guaranteed! “An Absolutely Blistering Night Out!” – The Isle Of Arran Shoemaker’s Monthly “Indiscreet Revelations Told With Swashbuckling Verve!” – Some Genius On Twitter As Seen On BBC1, BBC2, BBC4 And Virtually Every Radio Station In The Known World! (Even Pirate Ones) Positively Final Voyage! All Aboard!

You’ve seen her cuddling orangutans, being “Wide Awake” on Saturday mornings and almost skating to glory on Dancing on Ice. Now, wildlife TV legend Michaela Strachan swaps the binoculars for the spotlight in her brand-new live theatre show Not Just A Wild Life. Marking 40 years in the public eye – on our screens, in the wild and sometimes out of her depth. From The Wide Awake Club, The Hitman And Her and The Really Wild Show to Countryfile, Springwatch and beyond, the show laughs at the chaos of TV, celebrates the beauty of nature and reflects on what it means to grow up – and grow older – on screen. It’s a high energy, funny and heart-warming journey through four decades of conservation and re-invention. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be upstaged by an elephant, wrangle the likes of Chris Packham, or ice skate on National TV looking like Julie Andrews, then this show is for you! Not Just A Wild Life promises an evening of inspiration, nostalgia and genuine connection – for nature nerds, nostalgia lovers, and anyone who’s ever wondered how a rubber chicken can change the course of your life.

With over 4.5 million social media followers and countless TV appearances under his belt, Pete Firman is the UK’s top comic magician. Join him for an evening of Tricks & Giggles, as Pete brings his trademark blend of magic and comedy from the small screen to stages around the UK with this brand-new show. Expect impossible feats, sleight of hand and big laughs from one of magic’s most exciting performers! As seen on Amazon’s Good Omens, ITV1’s Tonight At The London Palladium and The Next Great Magician, BBC1’s The John Bishop Show and The Sarah Millican Television Programme. He’s probably also popped up on your social media feeds with his mind-boggling and regularly viral magic videos.

It’s almost easier to say whom Ruby Wax DIDN’T meet, interview and coax fascinating insights from in her huge TV shows ‘Ruby Wax Meets‘ and ‘Full Wax‘. Donald Trump, OJ Simpson, Pamela Anderson, Madonna and many more. Her provocative, abrasive, incomparable style was – just about – kept in check by lifelong friend and A-list producer, Clive Tulloh. Together live on stage they review clips from the extraordinary shows, tell scandalous stories never before heard – and take the audience along for the ride. Featuring Ruby Wax & Clive Tulloh.

Have you ever considered how a single weapon could change the course of history? What stories lie behind the guns that shaped empires, wars, and even criminal underworlds? How did these firearms influence not just battles, but entire societies? Known for his acclaimed documentaries Black and British: A Forgotten History and A House Through Time, David Olusoga offers remarkable storytelling in this powerful, unexpected and enlightening social narrative. Join David as he uncovers the story of four firearms that changed the world and the lives of our ancestors. The Thompson Sub-Machine Gun was the wonder weapon that was supposed to end to the slaughter of the First World War. But in the hands of the gangsters of Prohibition-era America it became the infamous ‘Tommy Gun’. The Maxim gun enabled Europeans to conquer Africa in the 1890s, but 20 years later it became one of the biggest killers in European history when deployed on the Western Front. It is still being used to considerable effect on the battlefields of Ukraine. The Brown Bess flintlock musket, standard issue to the British Army from the early 18th to mid-19th century, was famously used in conflicts from the American War of Independence to Waterloo, symbolising the height of British...

Shoot From The Hip bring their award-winning, TikTok-viral improvised comedy to Northampton! Featuring chaotic games, epic scenes, and ever-so-slightly unhinged performances, their Metro, Evening Standard, and Time Out-recommended shows are completely unscripted, unpredictable – and unforgettable. “Pitched to perfection Go and see them, and wear waterproof mascara.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Reviews Hub “Jaw-achingly funny” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Bookmarks and Stages ”Quick-witted and fast on their feet”– ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Broadway World “As refined as it is ridiculous not one to miss.” – ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Broadway Baby “Side-splitting quick wit” – The Evening Standard “Well worth a shot (pun intended)” – Time Out

MC Hammersmith is the world’s leading freestyle rapper to emerge from the ghetto of middle-class West London. He presents an hour of improvised comedy raps based on your suggestions. Featuring brand-new routines for 2026! You’ll leave astounded at the speed of his brain, the spontaneity of his punchlines, and the stability of his upbringing. Jaw-dropping, hilarious, utterly unbelievable. ★★★★★ ‘Stomach-achingly funny raps’ (EdFringeReview.com). ★★★★★ ‘An improvised hip-hop masterpiece’ (VoiceMag.uk). Tour support for Jason Manford. 200 million views online. As heard on BBC Radio 4, as seen on Beta Squad.