Royal and Derngate

“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...

Roarsome fun for all the family! Looking for fun days out with the kids? Dare to experience the dangers and delights of Dinosaur World Live in this roarsome interactive show for all the family! Discover a pre-historic world of astonishing (and remarkably life-like) dinosaurs. Meet a host of impressive creatures, including every child’s favourite flesh-eating giant, the Tyrannosaurus Rex, a Triceratops, Giraffatitan, Microraptor and Segnosaurus! A special meet and greet after the show offers all our brave explorers the chance to make a new dinosaur friend. Don’t miss this entertaining and mind-expanding jurassic adventure, live on stage. Olivier Award winner for Best Family Show 2024!

Roarsome fun for all the family! Looking for fun days out with the kids? Dare to experience the dangers and delights of Dinosaur World Live in this roarsome interactive show for all the family! Discover a pre-historic world of astonishing (and remarkably life-like) dinosaurs. Meet a host of impressive creatures, including every child’s favourite flesh-eating giant, the Tyrannosaurus Rex, a Triceratops, Giraffatitan, Microraptor and Segnosaurus! A special meet and greet after the show offers all our brave explorers the chance to make a new dinosaur friend. Don’t miss this entertaining and mind-expanding jurassic adventure, live on stage. Olivier Award winner for Best Family Show 2024!

“It’s not breaking a code that matters, it’s where you go from there” Mastermind. Code breaker. Maverick. Arguably one of the most important and inquisitive minds of the twentieth century.  Alan Turing is famed for cracking the Enigma code at Bletchley Park, effectively securing victory for the Allied forces in WWII. From triumph to tragedy, get to know a human being who loved, lost and never stopped asking questions in a quest for truth and understanding in this new production of Hugh Whitemore’s Breaking The Code. For the first time, taking into consideration his recent Royal pardon and the development of Turing’s law, the original play will feature a new epilogue by Neil Bartlett that speaks to Turing’s lasting legacy on modern Britain. Stay after the audio described performance on Wed 24 September for an exclusive Post-Show Q&A with director Jesse Jones and the cast of Breaking The Code. Dive deeper into the story, the production, and the creative process in this engaging discussion, which will be audio described for accessibility. A ROYAL & DERNGATE, NORTHAMPTON, LANDMARK THEATRES AND OXFORD PLAYHOUSE CO-PRODUCTION IN ASSOCIATION WITH LIVERPOOL EVERYMAN & PLAYHOUSE AND HOME

Get ready for the ultimate rock experience as BAT OUT OF HELL roars into Northampton in 2025! The iconic music of Jim Steinman and Meat Loaf will once again shake the stage, delivering an electrifying journey that will ignite your love for rock like never before. This heart-pounding experience, with a powerhouse eight-piece live band on stage, delivers a new production with sprawling multi-level platforms to transport you from Raven’s bedroom to the underground world of the Lost in a visual feast that pushes the boundaries of live theatre. Headlining this epic production, we are thrilled to welcome back Glenn Adamson, Sharon Sexton, and Rob Fowler in the iconic roles of Strat, Sloane, and Falco, joined by the sensational Katie Tonkinson as Raven. Their unmatched vocal talents will bring Meat Loaf’s anthems to life, including I’d Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That), Paradise By The Dashboard Light, Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad, Dead Ringer For Love, and, of course, Bat Out of Hell. Brace yourself for a legendary night of rock ‘n’ roll as BAT OUT OF HELL: The Musical explodes back onto the stage, promising a spectacle that will leave you breathless!

“It’s not breaking a code that matters, it’s where you go from there” Mastermind. Code breaker. Maverick. Arguably one of the most important and inquisitive minds of the twentieth century.  Alan Turing is famed for cracking the Enigma code at Bletchley Park, effectively securing victory for the Allied forces in WWII. From triumph to tragedy, get to know a human being who loved, lost and never stopped asking questions in a quest for truth and understanding in this new production of Hugh Whitemore’s Breaking The Code. For the first time, taking into consideration his recent Royal pardon and the development of Turing’s law, the original play will feature a new epilogue by Neil Bartlett that speaks to Turing’s lasting legacy on modern Britain. Stay after the audio described performance on Wed 24 September for an exclusive Post-Show Q&A with director Jesse Jones and the cast of Breaking The Code. Dive deeper into the story, the production, and the creative process in this engaging discussion, which will be audio described for accessibility. A ROYAL & DERNGATE, NORTHAMPTON, LANDMARK THEATRES AND OXFORD PLAYHOUSE CO-PRODUCTION IN ASSOCIATION WITH LIVERPOOL EVERYMAN & PLAYHOUSE AND HOME

“It’s not breaking a code that matters, it’s where you go from there” Mastermind. Code breaker. Maverick. Arguably one of the most important and inquisitive minds of the twentieth century.  Alan Turing is famed for cracking the Enigma code at Bletchley Park, effectively securing victory for the Allied forces in WWII. From triumph to tragedy, get to know a human being who loved, lost and never stopped asking questions in a quest for truth and understanding in this new production of Hugh Whitemore’s Breaking The Code. For the first time, taking into consideration his recent Royal pardon and the development of Turing’s law, the original play will feature a new epilogue by Neil Bartlett that speaks to Turing’s lasting legacy on modern Britain. Stay after the audio described performance on Wed 24 September for an exclusive Post-Show Q&A with director Jesse Jones and the cast of Breaking The Code. Dive deeper into the story, the production, and the creative process in this engaging discussion, which will be audio described for accessibility. A ROYAL & DERNGATE, NORTHAMPTON, LANDMARK THEATRES AND OXFORD PLAYHOUSE CO-PRODUCTION IN ASSOCIATION WITH LIVERPOOL EVERYMAN & PLAYHOUSE AND HOME

Get ready for the ultimate rock experience as BAT OUT OF HELL roars into Northampton in 2025! The iconic music of Jim Steinman and Meat Loaf will once again shake the stage, delivering an electrifying journey that will ignite your love for rock like never before. This heart-pounding experience, with a powerhouse eight-piece live band on stage, delivers a new production with sprawling multi-level platforms to transport you from Raven’s bedroom to the underground world of the Lost in a visual feast that pushes the boundaries of live theatre. Headlining this epic production, we are thrilled to welcome back Glenn Adamson, Sharon Sexton, and Rob Fowler in the iconic roles of Strat, Sloane, and Falco, joined by the sensational Katie Tonkinson as Raven. Their unmatched vocal talents will bring Meat Loaf’s anthems to life, including I’d Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That), Paradise By The Dashboard Light, Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad, Dead Ringer For Love, and, of course, Bat Out of Hell. Brace yourself for a legendary night of rock ‘n’ roll as BAT OUT OF HELL: The Musical explodes back onto the stage, promising a spectacle that will leave you breathless!

“It’s not breaking a code that matters, it’s where you go from there” Mastermind. Code breaker. Maverick. Arguably one of the most important and inquisitive minds of the twentieth century.  Alan Turing is famed for cracking the Enigma code at Bletchley Park, effectively securing victory for the Allied forces in WWII. From triumph to tragedy, get to know a human being who loved, lost and never stopped asking questions in a quest for truth and understanding in this new production of Hugh Whitemore’s Breaking The Code. For the first time, taking into consideration his recent Royal pardon and the development of Turing’s law, the original play will feature a new epilogue by Neil Bartlett that speaks to Turing’s lasting legacy on modern Britain. Stay after the audio described performance on Wed 24 September for an exclusive Post-Show Q&A with director Jesse Jones and the cast of Breaking The Code. Dive deeper into the story, the production, and the creative process in this engaging discussion, which will be audio described for accessibility. A ROYAL & DERNGATE, NORTHAMPTON, LANDMARK THEATRES AND OXFORD PLAYHOUSE CO-PRODUCTION IN ASSOCIATION WITH LIVERPOOL EVERYMAN & PLAYHOUSE AND HOME

“It’s not breaking a code that matters, it’s where you go from there” Mastermind. Code breaker. Maverick. Arguably one of the most important and inquisitive minds of the twentieth century.  Alan Turing is famed for cracking the Enigma code at Bletchley Park, effectively securing victory for the Allied forces in WWII. From triumph to tragedy, get to know a human being who loved, lost and never stopped asking questions in a quest for truth and understanding in this new production of Hugh Whitemore’s Breaking The Code. For the first time, taking into consideration his recent Royal pardon and the development of Turing’s law, the original play will feature a new epilogue by Neil Bartlett that speaks to Turing’s lasting legacy on modern Britain. Stay after the audio described performance on Wed 24 September for an exclusive Post-Show Q&A with director Jesse Jones and the cast of Breaking The Code. Dive deeper into the story, the production, and the creative process in this engaging discussion, which will be audio described for accessibility. A ROYAL & DERNGATE, NORTHAMPTON, LANDMARK THEATRES AND OXFORD PLAYHOUSE CO-PRODUCTION IN ASSOCIATION WITH LIVERPOOL EVERYMAN & PLAYHOUSE AND HOME