Royal and Derngate Theatre

Dr Louise Newson: Breaking The Cycle – The Power of Hormones Following on from her hugely successful 2024 theatre tour, renowned physician and women’s hormone specialist Dr Louise Newson is back in 2026 with Breaking the Cycle: The Power of Hormones, an unmissable new show challenging everything you’ve been told about hormones. Hormones are important chemical messengers found throughout your body, telling it what to do and when. They are involved in your growth and development, metabolism, emotions,sexual and reproductive function, sleep and blood pressure. They help you feel happy, sad, furious and everything in between. But how do hormones really work? And how can we harness them for a happier, healthier life? Why is there so much confusion and misunderstanding about hormones? What is the difference between your own hormones and synthetic hormones, including contraceptives, available on prescription? In Breaking the Cycle: The Power of Hormones, Dr Louise will be answering these questions and more. Known as “the medic who kick-started the menopause revolution”, Dr Louise will be unpacking the history and the often-neglected science of hormones. She will be revealing decades of misinformation, medical misogyny and attempts for doctors to be silenced by the establishment, all leading to harms to the...

Join us for a comedy showcase of established and rising stand-up stars. The line-up includes Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee Glenn Moore, a comedian, actor and one of the best and most prolific joke writers in the country, along with compelling young comic Chloe Petts who is one of the most exciting acts on the circuit. They will be joined by critically acclaimed comedian and writer Jonny Pelham and comedy siren, crowd enchantress and heckler annihilator Cecily Hitchcock. A great night’s entertainment for all comedy lovers. Glenn Moore Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee Glenn Moore is a comedian, actor and one of the best and most prolific joke writers in the country. Glenn is a regular face on TV, having appeared on the likes of Live At The Apollo (BBC), Have I Got News For You (BBC), Mock The Week (BBC), 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown (Channel 4), The Russell Howard Hour (Sky), Guessable (Comedy Central), and The Stand Up Sketch Show (ITV2). He is a regular guest on The Great American Joke Off (CW network) in the US. He has his own Radio 4 comedy series ‘Glenn Moore’s Alamanac’. He can be heard daily as one quarter of The Dave Berry Breakfast Show on Absolute Radio, the UK’s biggest commercial radio breakfast show. He’s also appeared regularly on The News Quiz (Radio 4)...

Primetime Emmy Nominee Michelle Wolf has established herself as one of the most influential voices in the comedy landscape. Her stand-up specials across HBO and Netflix have garnered critical acclaim and top viewing figures. Wolf has headlined across the world, including her infamous appearance at the White House Correspondents Dinner. She has had two sold-out Edinburgh Fringe runs and scored a prestigious Edinburgh Comedy Award nomination. Wolf is also known for her appearances on The Daily Show (Comedy Central) and The Break with Michelle Wolf (Netflix). “Influential, daring and brilliant” Rolling Stone “Smart & sly” Guardian “The voice comedy needs right now” Village Voice “The future of stand-up comedy” Daily Beast

After his sell-out 2023 tour, the UK’s dishevelled king of stand-up, award-winning Seann Walsh returns with a brand-new hour of side-splitting comedy. Don’t miss his trademark high-energy exasperation and razor-sharp observations that leave audiences in stitches and on their feet all around the country. This year, he’s decided to name the show after the thing he says the most in life – This Is Torture. ‘Unquestionably the best observational comic of his generation’ – The Guardian ‘A cracking good show’ – The Telegraph ‘One of comedy’s hottest properties… very talented, very funny’ – The Evening Standard ‘He remains one of the most entertaining observational comics on the block’ – The Independent

As heard on BBC Radio 4! As a society we love stuff, it’s a statement about who we are and who we want to be. But apparently, this message is at odds with the looming environmental crisis. We’re now struggling to balance these worlds, to focus on the things that bring us real connections and nourish the soul. Award-winning Comedian and Award-winning Product Designer, Scott Bennett is desperately trying to cleanse his life of stuff, but is this even possible anymore? Tour support for Mickey Flanagan, Rob Brydon Jason Manford, and John Bishop. The star of Live At The Apollo, The News Quiz, The Now Show, The Ultimate Choice and Chortle Best Club Comedian Nominee 2022.

A stunning celebration of Mike Oldfield’s greatest hits. Internationally renowned maestro Phil Toms and his 10-piece electro orchestra deliver an outstanding signature concert to the Music Master Mike Oldfield performed at the highest level. Based on note for note transcriptions, additional highlights include Moonlight Shadow, To France and selections from Oldfield’s instrumental albums including Hergest Ridge, Ommadawn, Return To Ommadawn, The Songs Of Distant Earth and Tubular Bells 2. Rarely performed live in the UK, this is an outstanding signature concert to the Music Master Mike Oldfield performed at the highest level. Not to be missed.

Join the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) for an epic orchestral afternoon at the Royal & Derngate with internationally acclaimed violinist Clara-Jumi Kang. Please note that this programme has changed from earlier published versions. Please note the change of conductor for this concert. Ben Glassberg Conductor Clara-Jumi Kang Violin Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Hisaishi Encounter for String Orchestra Sibelius Violin Concerto Beethoven Symphony No.5 The first five bars of Beethoven’s iconic Fifth Symphony, possibly the most famous opening motif in classical music history, portend something mysterious and momentous. Filled with turmoil and beauty, this orchestral masterwork will leave you awestruck long after its triumphant finale. But that’s not all: the evening opens with a delightful new miniature from the RPO’s Composer-in-Association Joe Hisaishi (Spirited Away), and Clara-Jumi Kang brings her world-class insight to Sibelius’ brooding yet passionate Violin Concerto. Bringing together folk and classical styles, this timeless piece gives both soloist and orchestra a chance to shine, from its expressive and passionate beginning through to its spirited, dance-like final movement. ‘A vibrantly intense performance… direct yet sensitive and her technique throughout was marvellously secure and commanding… The powerhouse articulation and accuracy in the finale was phenomenal.’ – Limelight on Clara- Jumi Kang playing Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto, November 2024

Jimmy Tarbuck OBE, one of the most popular household names from the golden era of British stand up, is back with a bang. The much-loved entertainer is on tour through the spring and summer 2026 with his solo show An Evening With Jimmy Tarbuck which stops off at some of his favourite towns and venues in the UK. And he can’t wait. An Evening With Jimmy Tarbuck will see the acclaimed comedian and raconteur reflecting on a remarkable life in showbusiness, the seeds of which were sown in childhood. Jimmy will present a hugely entertaining mix of anecdotes and jokes, including recollections of his many years presenting Sunday Night At The London Palladium which shot him to fame in 1963. There will also be stories from Jimmy’s childhood, growing up in Liverpool where he was classmates – and good mates – with John Lennon. And of course, his golfing life, which has proved to be a rich source of entertainment and celebrity both on and off the course.