Royal & Derngate Spring 2024 brochure by RoyalDerngate

What’s On

SPRING 2024

DRAMA DANCE MUSIC COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES WORKSHOPS FAMILY SHOWS COMEDY MUSICALS

We are open We are delighted to welcome audiences safely once again to Royal & Derngate and Northampton Filmhouse after a brief closure this Autumn following the discovery of Reinforced Autoclave Aerated Concrete (RAAC) in parts of our foyer spaces. Thanks to all of those who have joined us since re‑opening and to those who have been so patient while we have had to reschedule performances to new dates – we cannot wait to welcome you back. The show experience in both auditoriums is completely unaffected, so you are most welcome to sit back and continue to enjoy the many live performances we have to offer. The only slight difference will be the visitor experience in entry/exit routes and the availability of some facilities. These changes mean that audiences will remain protected from affected areas of the theatre foyer at all times. You can still expect a warm welcome from our staff and access to bars, toilets and our theatre shop as usual. Please check your pre-show welcome email for full details of routes into the building, which may vary from the ones you are used to. For any accessibility needs, please read the following pages (60-61), where you will also find specific information about where there might now be required steps leading to the various seating areas. Extra signage is available, and our staff will always be ready to assist. We are sure you will find something to tempt you in this Spring Brochure, and we look forward to seeing you very soon.

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Highlights GEORGE RAINSFORD

FIONA WADE

VERA CHOK

JAY McGUINESS

Sat 10 February

Wed 21 – Sun 25 February

THE GREATEST HITS OF MOTOWN

THERE’S A MONSTER IN YOUR SHOW

Thu 7 March

Fri 8 March

Sat 9 March

ALICE ROBERTS

ROSIE JONES Triple Threat

FISHERMAN’S FRIENDS

Tue 26 – Sat 30 March

Fri 5 – Sat 13 April

Wed 17 April

THE TIME MACHINE

MOBY DICK

JULIAN CLARY

Fri 5 – Sat 13 January

2.22: A GHOST STORY The Hit Play By

DANNY ROBINS

Directed by

MATTHEW DUNSTER & ISABEL MARR

Crypt Tour 2024

A Fistful Of Clary

Access Performances Please use the symbols throughout this brochure and the listings on page 61 for access performances this season. For more Access information at Royal & Derngate please see page 60.

Audio-Described Touch Tours

British Sign Language (BSL) Interpreted/Integrated

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Captioned Relaxed

Cover images: Life Of Pi, Romesh Ranganathan, The Frogs, Fascinating Aïda

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★★★★★ The Times

‘ONE OF THE MOST STUNNING SHOWS I HAVE EVER SEEN’ Time Out

★★★★★ The Observer

★★★★★ Sunday Express

★★★★★

★★★★★ The Guardian

Daily Express

★★★★★ Sunday Times

★★★★★ Mail on Sunday

★★★★★ Daily Mail

WINNER OF EVERY MAJOR PLAY AWARD INCLUDING 5 OLIVIERS AND 3 TONYS

COMING TO NORTHAMPTON DUE TO HUGE DEMAND!

LOP_Tour_1080x1080px_BLUE.indd 1

26/09/2023 14:53

BOOK NOW FOR A BIG NIGHT OUT. BIG. HUGE.

THE FROGS THE FATHER THE TIME MACHINE LIFE OF PI MOBY DICK SHREK THE MUSICAL

KING ARTHUR EVERYBODY’S TALKING ABOUT JAMIE PEPPA PIG MADAGASCAR THE MUSICAL PRETTY WOMAN

• Best seats at lower prices • • Exchange dates of tickets for free • • Pay no transaction fee • • Discounts on programmes • 4

Discount is applied when tickets are purchased in a single transaction

Members enjoy an extra 5% off

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& L A Y O R STICK-MAS AT DERNGATE

CHRISTMAS

CELEBRATE

FRECKLE PRODUCTIONS PRESENT

LIVE

ON S

TA G E

BASED ON THE BOOK BY

Touching, funny and utterly original, Freckle Productions’ delightful adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s Stick Man is coming to the Royal stage for Christmas 2023! What starts off as a morning jog becomes quite the misadventure for Stick Man: a dog wants to play fetch with him, a swan builds a nest with him, and he even ends up on a fire! How will Stick Man ever get back to the family tree? This award-winning production, from the team behind Zog and Zog And The Flying Doctors, features a trio of top actors and is packed full of puppetry, songs, live music and funky moves.

Thu 7 – Sun 31 December Times vary, see website ROYAL Tickets from £16 Concessions, Groups and Stage & Screen Members discounts BSL Interpreted Audio Described

HHHH “MORE FUN THAN YOU CAN SHAKE A STICK AT” DAILY MAIL

Touch Tour

HHHH “ZESTY AND DELIGHTFUL. A CLEVER COMPELLING TREAT” THE INDEPENDENT

Captioned

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Relaxed All ages welcome

CHRISTMAS Don’t miss this year’s hilarious, fun-filled family pantomime. Playing the dashing Prince Charming will be TV presenter, actor and Strictly winner Ore Oduba, while Coronation Street superstar Wendi Peters will play the Wicked Queen, with the hilarious and much-loved Bob Golding returning as our dame, Nurse Nellie. The Magnificent Seven will be lead by Sarge, played by Dean Whatton (Game Of Thrones). One of Britain’s most treasured comedians (and Northampton’s very own), Alan Carr, will appear as the Magic Mirror! Alan Carr’s video appearance is in aid of Neuroblastoma UK, a charity which Alan is a proud patron of.

Fri 8 – Sun 31 December Times vary, see website DERNGATE Tickets from £12 Concessions, Groups and Stage & Screen Members discounts BSL Interpreted Audio Described

The show will be written by Paul Hendy and produced by the award‑winning Evolution, the same team behind last year’s smash-hit Jack And The Beanstalk and 2021’s brilliant Dick Whittington. With lavish sets, hilarious jokes and fun for the whole family... Hi‑ho, Hi‑ho it’s off to panto you go!

Captioned Relaxed

HHHHH “5 STAR RATING IS JUST NOT ENOUGH!” What’s Good To Do on Jack And The Beanstalk 2022

6 Alan Carr will appear on screen in a pre-recorded video

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FIONA WADE

VERA CHOK

The Hit Play By

DANNY ROBINS The new stage phenomenon that has taken the West End by storm now comes to Northampton. Winner of Best New Play at the Whatsonstage Awards, this edge-of-your-seat, supernatural thriller stars Jay McGuiness (The Wanted, BIG! The Musical, Rip It Up), Fiona Wade (Emmerdale, Silent Witness), George Rainsford (Call The Midwife, Casualty) and Vera Chok (Hollyoaks, Cobra). Written by Danny Robins, creator of the hit BBC podcasts Uncanny and The Battersea Poltergeist, 2:22 A Ghost Story comes fresh from record-breaking seasons at five West End theatres with a host of acclaimed star performances. It’s a brilliantly funny and adrenaline-filled night where secrets emerge and ghosts may or may not appear… What do you believe? And do you dare discover the truth? HHHH “A MODERN CLASSIC” Sunday Times

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JAY McGUINESS

JANUARY

GEORGE RAINSFORD

Directed by

MATTHEW DUNSTER & ISABEL MARR

Fri 5 – Sat 13 January Eves 7.30pm, Wed & Second Sat Matinees 2.30pm DERNGATE Tickets from £12 Concessions, Groups and Stage & Screen Members discounts BSL Interpreted Audio Described Touch Tour Recommended for ages 12+

JANUARY

SPYMONKEY’S TRAGICALLY FUNNY ATTEMPT TO PULL OFF A CLASSIC GREEK COMEDY BY CARL GROSE AND SPYMONKEY, WITH MASSIVE APOLOGIES TO ARISTOPHANES

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JANUARY Spymonkey’s Toby Park and Aitor Basauri are at the end of the road. The other Spymonkeys have taken themselves off to a better place, and they’re about to call it a day. To their rescue rides mega-rich philanthropist Patty Getty and her theatrically ambitious niece Pamela with an offer they can’t refuse! But does this beleaguered comedy duo have what it takes to perform the classic Greek comedy The Frogs at Patty’s legendary amphitheatre in Hollywood? Shot through with Spymonkey’s uniquely surreal comedy, The Frogs is a delirious trip through Greek theatre, a monster-filled Underworld and classic vaudeville double acts. Promising more existential angst than Clash Of The Titans and more bronzed oiled torsos than Waiting For Godot – oh, and there’s a jumping chorus of tap-dancing frogs! What are you waiting for? Hop to it! “THE GREATEST CLOWNS CURRENTLY WORKING IN BRITISH THEATRE” Time Out “THE REMARKABLE SPYMONKEY – HEADLONG ABSURDISM AND PHYSICAL BRILLIANCE” The Times on Spymonkey’s Oedipussy Performances on Tue 30 January 7.30pm and Fri 2 February 7.30pm will have Integrated British Sign Language Interpretation.

A Royal & Derngate, Northampton & Spymonkey co‑production

WWW.SPYMONKEY.CO.UK

Fri 19 January – Sat 3 February Eves 7.30pm (Wed 24 Jan 7pm) Thu & Sat Matinees 2.30pm (Excl. Sat 20 Jan)

ROYAL Tickets from £15 Concessions, Groups and Stage & Screen Members discounts BSL Integrated Audio Described Touch Tour Captioned Post-show Talk Recommended for ages 12+ Subscribe & Save! - See page 4

Written by Carl Grose & Spymonkey Performed by Toby Park, Aitor Basauri & Jacoba Williams Director Joyce Henderson Set & Costumes Lucy Bradridge Original Music Toby Park EDI Consultancy Sharon White Choreographer Simone Murphy Integrated BSL Interpreter Becky Barry Community Engagement Facilitator Helen Clifford

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Spymonkey’s The Frogs is supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England

JANUARY

“5,000 years of Chinese music and dance in one night.” – The New York Times

FRECKLE PRODUCTIONS AND ROSE THEATRE PRESENT

LIVE ON ST AG E

BASED ON THE BOOK BY

The moment the curtain opens, you enter a wondrous dream. Shen Yun takes you on an extraordinary journey through China’s 5,000 years of divinely inspired culture. Exquisite beauty from the heavens, profound wisdom from dynasties past, timeless legends and ethnic traditions all spring to life through classical Chinese dance, enchanting live orchestral music, authentic costumes, and patented interactive backdrops. Revisit a time when scholars and artists sought harmony with the Tao, or the “Way” of the universe, and when divine beings walked upon the earth to inspire humanity.

Zog, super keen student turned air-ambulance, still lands with a bang-crash-thump. Together with his Flying Doctor crew, Princess Pearl and Sir Gadabout, they tend to a sunburnt mermaid, a unicorn with one too many horns and a lion with the flu. However, Pearl’s uncle, the King, has other ideas about whether princesses should be doctors, and she’s soon locked up in the castle back in a crown and a silly frilly dress! With a bit of help from some friends and half a pound of cheese, can Pearl make her uncle better and prove princesses can be doctors too?

Join us for a night filled with beauty and wisdom, courage and hope… it’s the experience of a lifetime! See Shen Yun—live on stage.

Based on Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s bestselling sequel, Freckle Productions (Zog, Stick Man) are back with music and lyrics by Joe Stilgoe for this truly modern take on the classic fairy tale.

Sat 20 – Tue 23 January Sat & Tue 2pm & 7pm, Sun 1pm DERNGATE Tickets from £62 Children under 5 are not admitted

Fri 15 – Sun 17 March Fri 4.30pm, Sat & Sun 10.30am, 1.30pm & 4pm DERNGATE Tickets from £16 Recommended for ages 3+

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FEBRUARY Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap is the world’s longest-running play. This thrilling West End production is the genre-defining murder mystery from the best-selling novelist of all time… case closed! As news spreads of a murder in London, a group of seven strangers find themselves snowed in at a remote countryside guesthouse. When a police sergeant arrives, the guests discover – to their horror – that a killer is in their midst! Which one is the murderer? Who will be their next victim? Can you solve this world-famous mystery for yourself? Now celebrating 70 years, The Mousetrap has kept millions of people from every corner of the globe on the edge of their seats. Could you be next? Starring Todd Carty (EastEnders, The Bill) and Gwyneth Strong (Only Fools And Horses, EastEnders). “THE CLEVEREST MURDER MYSTERY OF BRITISH THEATRE” The Telegraph

Mon 12 – Sat 17 February Eves 7.30pm, Wed & Sat Matinees 2.30pm DERNGATE Tickets from £17 Concessions, Groups and Stage & Screen Members discounts BSL Interpreted Audio Described Touch Tour Recommended for ages 7+

“A TRULY ENTERTAINING CLASSIC THRILLER” The Sunday Times

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FEBRUARY Tom Fletcher’s interactive adventures for big imaginations are leaping from page to stage, as the beloved Who’s In Your Book? series makes its debut as a brand-new musical show. A group of performers are preparing to start their show, but quickly discover they are not alone on stage. Little Monster wants to be part of the fun too! With an invitation to his friends, Dragon, Alien and Unicorn to join him, you can expect comedy and chaos as they help to create a magical show, learning about the joy of books and friendship along the way. A high-energy 50-minute adventure featuring lively original music, this show is the perfect introduction to live theatre.

Wed 21 – Sun 25 February Wed 1.30pm, Thu-Sun 11am & 1.30pm ROYAL Tickets from £14 Concessions, Groups and Stage & Screen Members discounts Recommended for ages 2+

Expect plenty of playful fun for your littlest ones as their favourite characters come to life in a show that is packed with interactive moments to enjoy together. There’s A Monster In Your Show... and he can’t wait to meet you!

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FEBRUARY

VARNA INTERNATIONAL BALLET

SLEEPING BEAUTY SWAN LAKE THE NUTCRACKER

Varna International Ballet returns for a new season in 2024, brought to life by magical special effects and accompanied by a live orchestra. Sleeping Beauty: Every child’s favourite fairy tale, this is the classic story of love and innocence, mystery and magic set to Tchaikovsky’s sublime score. Stunning choreography, sumptuous costumes and wonderful sets form this fantasy world. Swan Lake: The greatest romantic ballet of all time is brought to life by Tchaikovsky’s haunting and unforgettable score. From the impressive splendour of the Palace ballroom to the moon-lit lake where swans glide in perfect formation, this compelling tale of tragic romance has it all. The Nutcracker: This most famous of fantasy ballets for all the family begins as night falls on Christmas Eve. As snowflakes fall outside, the warm glow of the open fire sends flickering shadows across the boughs of the Christmas tree and all the presents beneath.

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Sleeping Beauty: Thu 22 February 7.30pm Swan Lake: Fri 23 February 7.30pm The Nutcracker: Sat 24 February 2.30pm & 7.30pm DERNGATE Tickets from £22 Concessions, Groups and Stage & Screen Members discounts

MARCH Direct from its London run, the must-see comedy of 2023 hits the road this Spring! H G Wells’ comic deadly serious masterpiece will never be the same again as a hapless highly skilled group of actors embark on a journey of a lifetime! Will they be able to defeat the space time paradox - or at least get through the second half? From the team behind the smash hit comedy The Hound Of The Baskervilles and the award-winning Original Theatre (Murder In The Dark, The Mirror Crack’d, Caroline’s Kitchen, Invincible, The Habit Of Art). Warning: may contain Cher tunes. HHHHH “AN ABSOLUTE CLASSIC. A MUST-SEE SHOW” Fairy Powered Productions

Tue 26 – Sat 30 March Eves 7.30pm, Thu & Sat Matinees 2.30pm ROYAL Tickets from £17 Concessions, Groups and Stage & Screen Members discounts BSL Interpreted Audio Described Subscribe & Save! - See page 4

HHHHH “EXQUISITELY ENTERTAINING… THOROUGHLY, RIDICULOUSLY AMUSING” The Indiependent

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APRIL

★★★★★ The Times

‘ONE OF THE MOST STUNNING SHOWS I HAVE EVER SEEN’ Time Out

★★★★★ The Observer

★★★★★ Sunday Express

★★★★★

★★★★★ The Guardian

Daily Express

★★★★★ Sunday Times

★★★★★ Mail on Sunday

★ ★★★★ Daily Mail

EASTER HOLIDAY TREAT

WINNER OF EVERY MAJOR PLAY AWARD INCLUDING 5 OLIVIERS AND 3 TONYS LOP_Tour_1080x1080px_BLUE.indd 1

Based on the best-selling book by Yann Martel, the five-star hit show, winner of five Olivier Awards including Best New Play, comes to Royal & Derngate. After conquering the West End and Broadway, the HHHHH ‘theatrical phenomenon’ (Telegraph) embarks on its biggest adventure yet. Jaw-dropping visuals and world-class puppetry combine in a unique and ‘breath‑taking’ (The Times) theatrical event that is ‘a wonder to behold’ (Daily Mail). After an epic storm in the Pacific Ocean, Pi is stranded on a lifeboat with four other survivors – a hyena, a zebra, an orangutan, and a Royal Bengal tiger. Based on the global phenomenon and winner of the Man Booker Prize, selling over fifteen million copies worldwide, Life Of Pi is the hugely popular story of an epic journey of endurance and hope. Don’t miss the West End and Broadway spectacle on its first ever UK tour.

26/09/2023 14:53

Tue 2 – Sat 6 April Eves 7.30pm, Wed & Sat Matinees 2.30pm DERNGATE Tickets from £15 Concessions, Groups and Stage & Screen Members discounts BSL Interpreted Audio Described Touch Tour Subscribe & Save! - See page 4

“IT WILL MAKE YOU BELIEVE IN THEATRE. A TRIUMPH” Sunday Times

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APRIL 16

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APRIL “There she blows!” Set sail on an unforgettable journey on the high seas in this stunning new retelling of Moby Dick. In search of fortune and adventure, a humble schoolmaster boards a whaling ship due to sail east off Cape Cod, only to find a Captain hell-bent on revenge - on the whale that lost him his leg. So begins the quest for Moby Dick. From the award-winning ensemble that brought A Passage To India to such dynamic life on the Royal stage in 2018, Simple8 conjure the spirit and atmosphere of Herman Melville’s masterpiece, creating a captivating world at sea with wooden planks, tattered sheets and rousing sea shanties, as the hunt for the most famous whale on earth is ingeniously brought to life. HHHHH “A COMPANY POSSESSING THE SKILLS, DEDICATION AND INTELLIGENCE TO CREATE WONDER” The Times HHHH “THIS PRODUCTION SHOULD PUT SIMPLE8 IN THE FRONT RANK OF COMPANIES WORKING IN THE COUNTRY TODAY” WhatsOnStage.com Winner of: PETER BROOK EMPTY SPACE AWARD: Best Ensemble OFF-WEST END AWARD: Best Ensemble

Simple8, in association with Royal & Derngate, Northampton

Fri 5 – Sat 13 April Eves 7.30pm (Wed 10 Apr 7pm) Thu & Sat Matinees 2.30pm (Excl. Sat 6 Apr)

ROYAL Tickets from £15 Concessions, Groups and Stage & Screen Members discounts BSL Interpreted Audio Described Touch Tour Relaxed Recommended for ages 7+ Subscribe & Save! - See page 4

Director Jesse Jones

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APRIL The National Theatre Connections Festival is a celebration of young people, theatre and the importance of access to the arts. Each year the National Theatre commissions a collection of new plays for young people to perform, bringing together some of the UK’s most exciting writers with the theatre-makers of tomorrow. Royal & Derngate hosts the largest and most diverse of the regional festivals that take place across the country, and we are delighted to welcome hundreds of young people to Northampton again this April. Groups from across the region will perform a host of exciting new plays, including Age Is Revolting by Abi Zakarian, Kiss / Marry / Push Off Cliff by Josh Azouz, Orchestra by Charlie Josephine, Shout by Alexis Zegerman, and Wind/Rush Generation(s) by Mojisola Adebayo. Royal & Derngate’s own Young Company: Acting group will be taking part in the festival performing The Periodicals by Siân Owen (see page 47). Mon 15 – Sun 21 April Times vary, see website ROYAL Tickets from £6

The Kings of comedy, Le Navet Bete, return to the stage with a brand-new comedy for the ages. This hilarious retelling of the Arthurian legends, suitable for the whole family, will have audiences crying with laughter and become part of the legend themselves! Camelot is in trouble. King Arthur knows that if he doesn’t turn things around, this civilisation will be forgotten, and be known as nothing more than a rather dull time in British history. But when three hapless squires approach him about changing that legacy… a legend is born. “IF YOU ONLY SEE ONE SHOW…THIS IS IT. EXCELLENT” British Theatre Guide on Le Navet Bete’s Robin Hood Thu 25 – Sat 27 April Eves 7.30pm, Sat Matinee 2.30pm ROYAL Tickets from £17 Recommended for ages 7+ Subscribe & Save! - See page 4

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APRIL Join Shrek and his trusty sidekick Donkey as they set out on a quest to defeat the fearsome dragon and rescue the beautiful Princess Fiona. With a heartwarming story and a cast of unforgettable characters, this musical extravaganza is a journey you won’t want to miss. The show is set to a toe-tapping soundtrack featuring fabulous songs like I’m A Believer, Big Bright Beautiful World and I Know It’s Today. These tunes will have you humming all the way home. It’s the perfect night out for the whole family, offering an award-winning show that promises a musical spectacular for big kids and little kids alike. Our stellar cast is led by theatre legend Antony Lawrence and Strictly Come Dancing star Joanne Clifton. Book your tickets today and get ready for an unforgettable journey with Shrek and his friends – because in this kingdom, everyone is a part of the adventure!

Tue 23 – Sat 27 April Tue – Sat Eves 7.30pm Wed & Sat Matinees 2.30pm DERNGATE Tickets from £27 Concessions, Groups and Stage & Screen Members discounts BSL Interpreted Audio Described Touch Tour Subscribe & Save! - See page 4

Based on the DreamWorks Animation Motion Picture and the Book by William Steig. Book and Lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire. Music by Jeanine Tesori. Originally produced on Broadway by DreamWorks Theatricals and Neal Street Productions

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MAY

HHHH ‘THIS PRODUCTION HAS GLAMOUR AND GRIT’ THE TIMES

BOOK, MUSIC & LYRICS BY

JIM JACOBS & WARREN CASEY DIRECTOR NIKOLAI FOSTER CHOREOGRAPHY ARLENE PHILLIPS TheGrease_Northampton_130x130.indd world’s best-loved musical is back! 1 Grittier and more glamorous than ever before. After a whirlwind summer romance, leather-clad greaser Danny and girl‑next‑door Sandy are unexpectedly reunited when she transfers to Rydell High for senior year. But can they survive the trials and tribulations of teenage life and find true love once more? With its phenomenal score, bursting with hits including Summer Nights, Greased Lightnin’, Hopelessly Devoted To You and You’re The One That I Want, this thrilling new version directed by Nikolai Foster, which opened in the West End, is brought to life by a fresh young cast who bring energy, vitality and passion to this ultimate musical classic.

Mon 13 – Sat 18 May 02/11/2023 10:52 Eves 7.30pm, Thu & Sat Matinees 2.30pm DERNGATE Tickets from £17 BSL Interpreted Audio Described Touch Tour

Reignite your passion and get ready for an explosion of summer loving. So round-up your Burger Palace Boys, pick up your Pink Ladies and re‑discover why Grease really is the one that you want!

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Following a record-breaking three-year West End residency, sold-out UK and Ireland Tour and Amazon studios award-winning film, the smash-hit and critically acclaimed musical Everybody’s Talking About Jamie returns to Royal & Derngate. Jamie New is sixteen and lives on a council estate in Sheffield. Jamie doesn’t quite fit in. Jamie is terrified about the future. Jamie is going to be a sensation. Supported by his brilliant loving mum and surrounded by his friends, Jamie overcomes prejudice, beats the bullies and steps out of the darkness, into the spotlight. This ‘Funny, outrageous, touching’ (Daily Telegraph), musical sensation is to be experienced by all the family and not to be missed! Funny, fabulous and feel good, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie features an all‑star cast including West End sensation Ivano Turco as Jamie, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie veteran Talia Palamathanan as Pritti, X-Factor winner and legend Sam Bailey as Miss Hedge and Strictly Come Dancing royalty Kevin Clifton as Hugo/Loco Chanelle, with further casting to be announced.

MAY

COMING TO NORTHAMPTON DUE TO HUGE DEMAND!

Mon 27 May – Sat 1 June Eves 7.30pm, Wed & Sat Matinees 2.30pm DERNGATE Tickets from £15 BSL Interpreted Audio Described Recommended for ages 14+ Subscribe & Save! - See page 4

Sixteen: the edge of possibility. Time to make your dreams come true.

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JUNE

HHHHH

“IT’S THE MOST JOYFUL SHOW I’VE SEEN ALL YEAR,

BAR NUN.”

The Sun

Sister Act Need new artwork FOR REAL LIFE Bluey’s Big Play is produced by Andrew Kay and Cuffe & Taylor with Windmill Theatre Co for BBC Studios.

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When Dad feels like a little bit of Sunday afternoon yourselves sisters – the habit is coming to Royal timeBrace out, Bluey and Bingo have other plans! Join them & Derngate! miss this eagerly anticipated as they pull out allDon’t of the games and cleverness at brand production of the theirnew disposal to get Dad offBroadway that bean and bag.UK smash hit musical Sister Act direct from London. Bluey’s Big Play is a brand-new theatrical adaptation AllEmmy your prayers have beenchildren’s answeredtelevision with a stunning ® of the award-winning cast, including Weststory Endby star Landi Oshinowo series, with an original Bluey creator Joe as Deloris, nun on theJoff run!Bush. Brumm, and everyone’s new music favourite by Bluey composer, ® original by Tony 8-time Oscar® JoinFeaturing the Heelers in theirmusic first live theatreand show made award-winner Alan Menken (Disney’s Aladdin, just for you, featuring brilliantly created puppets, this Enchanted) songs inspired by Motown, soul is Bluey as you’veand never seen it before, brought to realand thispremiere. heavenly musical is joyous and uplifting in life indisco, this UK equal measures. A musical sent from above, Sister Act HHHHH “A GLORIOUS CELEBRATION OF the spirits is the brilliant, must-see show which raises EVERYTHING YOU LOVE ABOUT THE SHOW” and warms the soul time after time. The Guardian

Thu 6 – Sun 9 June Thu & Fri 10am & 1pm, Sat Mon & Sun1010am, & 4pm – Sat 1pm 15 June DERNGATE Eves 7.30pm, Wed & Sat Matinees 2.30pm Tickets from £16 ROYAL Recommended all ages Tickets fromfor £22

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Brace yourselves sisters – the habit is coming to Royal & Derngate! Don’t miss this eagerly anticipated brand new production of the Broadway and UK smash hit musical Sister Act direct from London. All your prayers have been answered with a stunning cast, including West End star Landi Oshinowo as Deloris, everyone’s favourite nun on the run! Featuring original music by Tony® and 8-time Oscar® award-winner Alan Menken (Disney’s Aladdin, Enchanted) and songs inspired by Motown, soul and disco, this heavenly musical is joyous and uplifting in equal measures. A musical sent from above, Sister Act is the brilliant, must-see show which raises the spirits and warms the soul time after time. Mon 10 – Sat 15 June Eves 7.30pm, Wed & Sat Matinees 2.30pm ROYAL Tickets from £22 BSL Interpreted Audio Described

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Sat 29 & Sun 30 June

NOW BOOKING

Now booking...

Wed 3 & Thu 4 July

BOOK NOW FOR A BIG NIGHT OUT. BIG. HUGE.

Thu 18 – Sun 21 July Box Office 01604 624811

Mon 9 – Sat 14 September

JANUARY

Also this season... Support shows from our community, laugh along to established and upcoming comedians, be entertained by dance and drama, and uplifted by musical and magical delights. A show at Royal & Derngate is just the tonic to start your 2024 off with a bang! Sign up at royalandderngate.co.uk

PASADENA ROOF ORCHESTRA

YIPPEE KI YAY

Wed 10 January 7.30pm ROYAL Tickets from £25

Thu 11 January 7.30pm ROYAL Tickets from £19 I 14+

With an unparalleled reputation across the UK, Europe and beyond, for over 50 years the Pasadena Roof Orchestra have been re-creating the sounds of a golden era of music from the 1920s and 1930s to widespread acclaim.

Acclaimed retelling of classic film Die Hard from Richard Marsh Fringe First-winner, London poetry slam champion, BBC Audio Drama Best Scripted Comedy Drama award-winner and New York cop (one of these is untrue). This joyfully funny show tours following rave reviews for its première at the Edinburgh Fringe and 2023 UK and USA tours.

In this beautifully crafted new concert for 2024 the orchestra take to the stage with a sparkling selection of their best-loved music and songs. Expect to hear classics from the pens of Irving Berlin, Ray Noble and Cole Porter, as well as electrifying hot jazz from the likes of Fletcher Henderson and Duke Ellington. Presenting the show, and putting on his top hat and tails, is the suave singer and band leader Duncan Galloway. So pack up your troubles, come on get happy, and experience an evening of superlative live music, with more than a dash of wit and humour.

The Die Hard parody

When gunmen seize an LA skyscraper, off-duty policeman John McClane is the hostages’ only hope. This uplifting action romp (and unauthorised parody) pays affectionate tribute to the iconic ’80s festive fan favourite. Essential viewing for Hans Gruber superfans and newcomers alike. HHHH “A LOVE LETTER TO A MASTERPIECE” The Times

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JANUARY LIMITED AVAILABILITY

CARL HUTCHINSON Watch Till The End Fri 12 January 7.30pm ROYAL Tickets from £17 I 16+

Carl Hutchinson is back with a brand new show. After a mammoth 87 date run in 2022, Carl capitalised and got right to work to produce his best show yet. If you’ve seen the Geordie in action before you know exactly what type of amazing night you’re in for. If you haven’t seen Carl, prepare to be dazzled by the UK comedy scene’s best kept secret.

THE DAZZLING DIAMONDS

Comedy Drag Show Sat 13 January 7.30pm ROYAL Tickets from £25

The Dazzling Diamonds are coming to Royal & Derngate with their brand-new comedy variety drag show. The show is packed with high energy dance routines, stunning live vocals, and side-splitting comedy sketches, not forgetting the spectacular costumes which are bound to leave your jaw on the floor!

“ANIMATED DELIVERY OF UNIVERSALLY IDENTIFIABLE MATERIAL ALL TOLD WITH AN EASY, ENGAGING CHARM” Chortle

Featuring favourite singalong songs from artists such as Cher, Adele and Dolly Parton, as well as songs from some of your favourite movies, the show is certain to have something for everyone!

“UNEXPECTED PUNCHLINES AND OCCASIONAL SLAPSTICK. A VERY CLEVER MIND AT WORK HERE” Fringe Review

Join Miss Lola Lush, Miss Alexis and Bailey La Creame for an unforgettable night filled with glamour, laughter and fun.

SARAH MILLICAN Late Bloomer

Wed 24 & Thu 25 January & Wed 18 September 8pm DERNGATE Tickets from £34.50 I 16+

When Sarah Millican was a bairn, she wouldn’t say boo to a goose. Quiet at school, not many friends, no boobs til she was sixteen. Now? NOW she is loud, with good friends, a cracking rack and goose booing all over the shop. In Late Bloomer, Sarah’s brand‑new stand-up show, she explores how one became the other. Plus, lots of stuff about dinners and lady gardens. Come along, laugh at her, with her, beside her.

Contains adult themes and strong language. Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult.

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JANUARY

LIMITED AVAILABILITY

THE ’80S SHOW Fri 26 January 7.30pm DERNGATE Tickets from £28

The Greatest Tribute to the Greatest Decade, brings you the best ’80s party on the Planet! The ’80s were about high energy and innovation, which produced some of the most memorable bands and styles of all time. The ’80s Show has gone to monumental lengths to get all the sounds and music absolutely perfect to take you on a journey of nostalgia to the golden days when it was all about fun. Add to that an amazing light/ video/laser show, you can enjoy the massive hits of Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Duran Duran, Whitney Houston, Tears For Fears, Madonna, Spandau Ballet, Kim Wilde, Wham, Tiffany, Go West, Level 42, Belinda Carlisle, OMD, Erasure, Elton John, David Bowie and many more. Frankie says “Don’t miss it!”

CIRQUE ENCHANTMENT

DIVERSITY

Sat 27 January 3pm & 7pm DERNGATE Tickets from £27

Mon 29 – Wed 31 January 7.30pm DERNGATE Tickets from £32 Meet & Greet Package available

Supernova

This magical production features superb choreography, breathtaking live vocals and mesmerising circus performers. With an eclectic and iconic musical soundtrack including Wings, Mad World, Sweet Dreams, The Show Must Go On, Relight My Fire, I’ll Put A Spell On You and many more. Cirque Enchantment sees a little girl with a big imagination enter a frozen circus wonderland and a mysterious path of good versus evil. Meeting an array of weird, wonderful and talented characters along the way. This stunning family show that will offer a much needed escape from reality this Winter. Cirque Enchantment is a dynamic fairytale for all the family. Book now for the Cirque Enchantment experience.

Britain’s most-successful dance group, Diversity bring their brand‑new family show Supernova to Northampton. Diversity took the nation by storm when they won the third series of Britain’s Got Talent in 2009 and have since sold out multiple tours, with countless television and live performances. Supernova follows Diversity’s sold-out Connected tour in 2021, which combined playful, comedic routines with powerful statements on human connectivity. Big, relentless and energetic, the tour dazzled fans across the UK. Book now to secure your tickets to this dazzling dance experience!

www.royalandderngate.co.uk

FEBRUARY SOLD OUT

THE STORY OF GUITAR HEROES

BIG GIRLS DON’T CRY

Thu 1 February 7.30pm DERNGATE Tickets from £28

Fri 2 February 7.30pm DERNGATE Tickets from £29.50

One of the UK’s premier live concert experiences, The Story Of Guitar Heroes has garnered critical acclaim for its incredible homage to some of the most influential and iconic guitarists from the past 50 years.

Come out tonight as we take you to a place where the moon shines bright and we dance the night away, taking you back in time with Big Girls Don’t Cry, celebrating the iconic sounds of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons.

Featuring talented world-class musicians and state-of-the-art video projection, the show journeys through five decades, from 1950s Rock & Roll through to the most creative and inspirational guitar heroes of the modern era. Renowned for its highly versatile musicianship, The Story Of Guitar Heroes recreates the unique sounds of each guitar legend with incredible accuracy, utilising no less than 30 different authentic guitars. Expect classic hits from legends including Hank Marvin, Chuck Berry, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Brian May, Jimmy Page, Mark Knopfler, Van Halen, Slash and many more!

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This internationally acclaimed show authentically revives the sublime harmonies of New Jersey’s finest with hits such as Sherry, Walk Like A Man and Big Girls Don’t Cry. It showcases Frankie’s incredible falsetto, and features his solo hits like Grease, Let’s Hang On, Working My Way Back to You, Beggin’, and Who Loves You. So it’s time to hang on to what we got and celebrate one of the worlds treasures in two hours of non-stop hits. Oh what a night it will be! It’s the time, it’s the place, it’s the motion.

ROMESH RANGANATHAN Hustle

Sat 3 February 3pm & 8pm DERNGATE Tickets from £32 I 14+

After a sell-out tour in 2022, Romesh Ranganathan is back with a brand-new show examining the human condition… are people inherently good? Is charity always a positive thing? Is hustling the key to success? Or is all this a load of rubbish we’ve made up to keep people working hard for no reason. Join Romesh as he examines all of these issues and more while providing no real answers. Best known for The Misadventures Of Romesh Ranganathan, The Ranganation, Rob & Romesh Vs, A League Of Their Own, Avoidance, Romantic Getaway, hosting of Weakest Link and For The Love Of Hip Hop. HHHH “A MASTERCLASS IN SPINNING LIFE’S FRUSTRATIONS INTO COMEDY GOLD” Evening Standard

FEBRUARY

JUSTIN MOORHOUSE Stretch & Think

Sat 3 February 7.30pm UNDERGROUND Tickets from £17

Justin Moorhouse is back: still funny, yet middle aged. This brand new show may contain: Yoga, getting older, Madonna, shoplifters, Labradoodles, middle‑aged cyclists, The Menopause, running, hating football fans but loving football, not drinking, funerals, is Tapas a rip off?, Captain Tom, Droylsden,the environment, self-improvement, ruining a sexual position, electric car charging spots used by doggers, nursery graduation, horses, Stig look-a-likes, home cooked food in places that aren’t your own home, the odd advantages of fundamental religions, the gym and shop door etiquette. And he’s got a new suit. Come, it’ll be fun.

JIMMY CARR

GIOVANNI PERNICE

Terribly Funny 2.0

Let Me Entertain You Sun 4 February 5pm DERNGATE Tickets from £44 Meet & Greet Package available

BSL Interpreted

The ultimate showman returns! Giovanni Pernice is back in 2024 for his brand new live tour – Let Me Entertain You. The Strictly Come Dancing champion and BAFTA winner is the epitome of live entertainment. Giovanni will be joined by a world class cast of professional dancers, including Strictly’s Lauren Oakley, and West End performers to bring you an unforgettable experience. HHHHH “GIOVANNI WAS THE PERFECT ENTERTAINER” Northampton Chronicle & Echo

Mon 5 February 7pm & 9.30pm DERNGATE Tickets from £34.50 I 16+

Star of the UK’s most streamed Netflix comedy special of 2021, Jimmy Carr returns. Jimmy’s show contains jokes about all kinds of terrible things. Terrible things that might have affected you or people you know and love. But they’re just jokes – they are not the terrible things. Having political correctness at a comedy show is like having health and safety at a rodeo. Now you’ve been warned, buy a ticket. Please note this is the same show that was performed on Fri 19 May 2023.

May contain haze, smoke, pyrotechnics and flashing lights. £1 of each ticket price supports The Strictly Foundation, supporting underprivileged children through stage school and theatre training.

www.royalandderngate.co.uk

FEBRUARY

THE WORLD ACCORDING TO KALEB

Kaleb Goes On Tour

LIMITED AVAILABILITY

LUTHER LIVE Wed 7 February 7.30pm DERNGATE Tickets from £30.50

The world’s premier show in celebration of ‘The Velvet Voice’ – experience all the hits from Luther Vandross’ amazing career, culminating in over 40 million album sales and eight Grammy awards including many of the greatest dance anthems and love songs ever written, fronted by international Luther Vandross tribute Harry Cambridge and his 10-piece band. The show features hits such as Never Too Much, Here And Now, Give Me The Reason, I Really Didn’t Mean It, Stop To Love, So Amazing, The Best Things In Life Are Free, Always And Forever, Endless Love, Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now, Your Secret Love, Shine, The Closer I Get To You, Love The One You’re With, Any Love, Superstar, Until You Come Back To Me, Dance With My Father, and more.

Box Office 01604 624811

Thu 8 February 7.30pm DERNGATE Tickets from £29.50

Shut the gate! Kaleb Cooper, Chipping Norton’s finest celebrity farmer and Sunday Times bestselling author, who shot to fame starring in Clarkson’s Farm, has decided to conquer his fear of the unknown and embark on his first ever theatre tour with, The World Accordng To Kaleb: Kaleb Goes On Tour. Kaleb has captured the hearts of viewers around the world with his often-frustrating quest to teach Jeremy Clarkson a thing or two about farming, as well as his extremely amusing comments on life, the universe and everything. First and foremost a farmer, Kaleb is now learning something new himself and stepping outside of his beloved Chippy to treat audiences to a rip-roaring riot of a show.

FASCINATING AÏDA The 40th Anniversary Show! Fri 9 February 7.30pm DERNGATE Tickets from £30.75 I 14+

Celebrating 40 years on the road in 2023, Dillie, Liza and Adèle, Britain’s raciest and sassiest musical cabaret trio, are bringing their brand-new show to Northampton. LIMITED AVAILABILITY

Fascinating Aïda have racked-up millions of internet followers, performed in the world’s most prestigious venues and been showered with awards and plaudits since they sashayed onto the scene back in 1983. Uniquely charming, with diamond-sharp satire, filthy, hilarious and outrageous, this indomitable trio are still the mistresses of their craft. Marking this astonishing milestone, the show will feature much-loved favourites and some wickedly hilarious new songs.

FEBRUARY

THE GREATEST HITS OF MOTOWN How Sweet It Is

Sat 10 February 7.30pm DERNGATE Tickets from £32

SCREAMING BLUE MURDER COMEDY CLUB Doors 7.45pm, Show 8pm ROYAL Tickets from £13.50 I 16+ Line up may be subject to change, advance booking is recommended.

Join us for our popular comedy club with compère Dan Evans. This season features many of comedy’s rising stars: Fri 9 February

Thu 2 May

Dan Antopolski Alex Haddow Joe Jacobs

Darius Davies Jenny Collier Joey Page

Sat 2 March

Richard Morton Joshua Bethania Diane Spencer

This stunning 100% live show combines first class music with the slickest choreography and an amazing band to deliver truly outstanding performances for the best Motown experience you will ever have! This show will have you Dancing On The Ceiling, with songs from legendary artistes such as Lionel Richie, The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, The Four Tops, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, The Jackson Five, The Isley Brothers, Edwin Starr and many, many more. “OUTSTANDING, WITH SOME THRILLING DANCE ROUTINES, AMUSING PATTER AND A BRILLIANT BACKING BAND” Lancashire Telegraph

www.royalandderngate.co.uk

FEBRUARY LIMITED AVAILABILITY

CHLOE PETTS Sat 10 February 7.30pm UNDERGROUND Tickets from £17 I 14+

Fresh from her smash-hit Edinburgh Fringe run and Soho Theatre sell-out debut, Chloe Petts returns with her follow‑up hour. Everyone complimented her on how polite she was with big issues in the last show so now she’s cashing in those points and plans on being really rude. Expect routines on Greta Thunberg, the footie and calling you all a bunch of virgins. HHHH “A FIRST SHOW THAT WAS WORTH WAITING FOR” The Guardian HHHH “ASTONISHINGLY ASSURED DEBUT FROM PETTS… YOU’LL LEARN THINGS, BUT YOU’LL LAUGH EVEN MORE” Metro HHHH “ONE OF THE MOST ACCOMPLISHED FRINGE DEBUTS EVER” Evening Standard

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PIERRE NOVELLIE Why Can’t I Just Enjoy Things?

BABATUNDE ALÉSHÉ Babahood

Sat 10 February 7.30pm ROYAL Tickets from £15.50 I 16+

Sun 11 February 8pm ROYAL Tickets from £17 I 16+

Before the plague and WW3 Pierre Novellie was a chortling, apple-cheeked blacksmith and now he is a scowling wretch in a tattered cloak.

Join the multi-award-winning star of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! and Celebrity Gogglebox as he talks family and fatherhood in this highly anticipated debut tour.

The show is observational comedy for people who think they don’t like observational comedy. A mixture of high-brow and low-brow references from five-star receiving, award-winning, hit-podcasting, Frank Skinnersupporting Pierre Novellie.

A powerhouse performer, his stand up presents a hilariously fresh perspective, oozing charisma whilst showcasing impeccable stagecraft and comic timing.

Co-host of the hit podcast BudPod. As seen on The Mash Report, Stand Up Central and as heard on The Now Show. HHHH “HILARIOUS” The Times

A firm TV favourite, the hugely popular award-winning comedian, actor and podcaster has appeared in shows including Guessable (Comedy Central), House Of Games (BBC), Sorry I Didn’t Know (ITV), The Stand Up Sketch Show (ITV2), Rhod Gilbert’s Growing Pains (Comedy Central), Comedians Giving Lectures (Dave) as well as a cast regular in the BAFTA-nominated Celebrity Gogglebox (C4).

FEBRUARY

THE MAGIC OF TERRY PRATCHETT Sat 17 February 7.30pm ROYAL Tickets from £15.50 I 16+

Join author and comedian Marc Burrows on a journey through the life and work of Sir Terry Pratchett, based on his Locus Award-winning biography and officially endorsed by the author’s estate.

HOUDINI’S GREATEST ESCAPE Tue 13 & Wed 14 February 7.30pm, Wed matinee 2.30pm ROYAL Tickets from £24

Harry Houdini is the world’s greatest entertainer. Just as his death-defying escapology stunts have him and his wife Bess on the cusp of a careerdefining performance for King Edward, he finds himself framed for murder by a gang of criminals in cahoots with the chief of police. And how is his rival, The Superstar Spiritualist Medium, involved? All will be revealed in this hilarious 39 Steps-esque thriller, played out in New Old Friends’ (Crimes On Centre Court) inimitable, award‑winning style of physical comedy, sparkling wit and just a touch of chaos. Featuring a cast of four playing multiple roles on an almost harder-working set, this show will have you laughing and gasping throughout at the magic of theatre and the ‘real’ magic of illusions designed by TV’s Pete Firman (Good Omens, The Magicians).

Explore Pratchett’s life, influences, impact, wit and wisdom, from his days as a school librarian to his time as a trainee journalist to his untimely death from Alzheimer’s in 2015. Celebrate the 40th anniversary of Discworld and discover the joy, anger, and delicious cock ‘n’ bull stories of one of the greatest storytellers of all time. Warning: includes bad puns and unnecessary footnotes.

www.royalandderngate.co.uk

FEBRUARY

NC JAZZ

Allison Neale/ Colin Oxley Quartet Sun 18 February 7.30pm ROYAL Tickets from £14.50

American born altoist Allison Neale’s beautifully crafted lines evoke the spirit of Paul Desmond and Art Pepper with whom she has a particular affinity. For this special project Allison joins forces with guitarist Colin Oxley to recreate the magical pairing of Paul Desmond, best known for his long standing association with Dave Brubeck, and Jim Hall, guitarist with Sonny Rollins. Drawing from these influences, they explore their own unique musical partnership, while staying true to the nature of the original recordings, beautiful in their simplicity and elegance. They are joined by wonderful bassist Simon Read and superb drummer Matt Fishwick to complete the lineup.

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TAP FACTORY Sun 18 February 7.30pm DERNGATE Tickets from £29

After mesmerizing audiences across five continents with over 700 shows, Tap Factory is thrilled to make its return to the UK with its 10th Anniversary Tour! Prepare to be captivated as eight extraordinary performers deliver a sensational blend of dance, acrobatics, music, and comedy, creating a show that appeals to audiences of all ages. Brace yourself for an electrifying display of high-energy dance, explosive percussion, and jawdropping acrobatics, seamlessly woven together with live music and mesmerizing choreography. This mind-blowing experience will ignite your senses and make your toes tap. Fast and furiously funny, for all the family!

FIREMAN SAM

The Great Camping Adventure Mon 19 February 12pm & 3.30pm DERNGATE Tickets from £18.50

Brand new for 2024. Norman wants to go on an adventure to impress his friends, so when two famous animal explorers arrive in Pontypandy, he decides to follow them into the mountains. But when Norman discovers a rare red squirrel, one of the explorers decides to take the glory for themselves, leaving Norman stranded in a cave. Now it’s up to Fireman Sam to save the day and ensure everyone is safe on their camping adventure!

FEBRUARY

PHIL WANG

Wang In There, Baby! Tue 20 February 7.30pm DERNGATE Tickets from £26.50 I 16+

RUDE SCIENCE LIVE Tue 20 February 1.30pm DERNGATE Tickets from £15 I 6+

Brace yourselves for TV Gastronaut Stefan Gates’ hilarious, high‑tech, highly-explosive new family show, packed with science stunts, spectacular experiments and bizarre props. Expect enormous bottoms, fart machines, snot cocktails, pee-powered fireworks and vast whoopee cushions in this celebration of the fascinating bodily science essential to life. This show transforms complex biology, physics and chemistry into educational hilarity using Stef’s signature stunts and outrageous, encyclopaedic science knowledge. Stef is an award-winning CBBC presenter and STEM author of 12 books, renowned for world-class, high-octane, highly-educational shows designed to inspire young audiences with science.

Hot off the heels of his criticallyacclaimed Netflix special, David Letterman appearance, and role on Life & Beth with Amy Schumer, Phil Wang is bringing a brand new stand-up show to venues nationwide. He’s chatting race, family, nipples, and everything else that’s been going on in his Philly little life.

SIR RANULPH FIENNES Mad, Bad and Dangerous

Wed 21 February 7.30pm DERNGATE Tickets from £35.50

Spend an evening in the extraordinary company of Sir Ranulph Fiennes OBE - ‘the world’s greatest living explorer’- as he goes beyond his recordbreaking achievements to explore the man behind the myth. He’s broken countless world records, from pole-to-pole circumnavigation to being the first to conquer the Arctic and Antarctica on foot and the first Briton to summit Everest. Accompanied by stunning, never‑before-seen images and home videos, this show guarantees to leave you entertained and inspired to seek out your own adventures.

www.royalandderngate.co.uk

FEBRUARY Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

DVOŘÁK’S SYMPHONY NO.9, ‘FROM THE NEW WORLD’ Sun 25 February 2.30pm DERNGATE Tickets from £17

Conducted by Shiyeon Sung, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra continue their 2023/24 season with a piece made famous by bread, known as the music from Hovis’ ‘Boy on the Bike’ adverts. Written during a trip to America, it combines Dvořák’s signature Czech rhythms with the sounds of American spirituals. RPO Artist-in-Residence Zlatomir Fung performs Haydn’s Cello Concerto in C major. Unearthed in 1961, two centuries after it was written, it swiftly gained popularity for its sense of joy and optimism from the cello’s triumphant opening chord in the first movement.

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WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT? Mon 26 February 7.30pm DERNGATE Tickets from £27

International sensation What’s Love Got To Do With It? is back. The exciting live show celebrating the music of Tina Turner is getting back on the road with a huge tour across the UK. In this exciting touring theatre show, audiences can expect a night of high energy with feelgood rock-and-roll featuring Tina’s greatest hits performed by the amazing vocal talent of Holly Bannis (Whitney - Queen Of The Night, ITV’s Starstruck) supported by a full 10-piece live band. Audiences can look forward to hearing Tina’s most-loved classic hits including Private Dancer, What’s Love Got To Do With It?, Proud Mary, River Deep, Nutbush City Limits, Simply The Best and many more

OH WHAT A LOVELY WAR Tue 27 February 2pm & 7.30pm ROYAL Tickets from £25

Blackeyed Theatre present this cornerstone of modern musical theatre and one of the very greatest stage satires, Oh What A Lovely War is an extraordinary theatrical journey bringing to life the folly, farce and tragedy of the First World War. Wildly satirical, visually stunning and deeply moving, it’s the musical that revolutionised modern theatre. Brimming with timeless songs, razor‑sharp satire and high jinks, Oh What A Lovely War is a hilarious, heart-breaking snapshot of life for those caught in the crossfire of conflict, a unanimous voice from the trenches and a timely warning from the theatre of war itself. Now, more than ever, it holds a mirror up to the world and speaks to us all. “ONE OF THE MOST INNOVATIVE, AUDACIOUS COMPANIES WORKING IN CONTEMPORARY ENGLISH THEATRE” The Stage

FEBRUARY

BUFFY REVAMPED Tue 27 February 7.30pm DERNGATE Tickets from £30 I 14+

Seventy minutes. Seven seasons. One Spike. This fast-paced gem brings you the entire 144 episodes of the hit ’90s TV show, Buffy The Vampire Slayer, as told through the eyes of the one person who knows it inside out… Spike. Funny, satirical and bursting with ’90s pop-culture references, it’s the perfect parody for Buffy aficionados and those who never enrolled at Sunnydale High alike. Created by comedian Brendan Murphy whose last show, FRIEND (The One with Gunther), won Best Play at the World Wide Comedy Awards. Winner: Best One Person Show and Best Comedy Performance at the Dark Chat Awards 2022.

DR MICHAEL MOSLEY & DR CLARE BAILEY

ONE NIGHT OF ELVIS Thu 29 February 7.30pm DERNGATE Tickets from £28

Eat (Well) Sleep (Better) Live (Longer!)

Wed 28 February 7.30pm DERNGATE Tickets from £30

For the first time ever, husband and wife and team Dr Michael Mosley and Dr Clare Bailey are set to embark on a joint UK theatre tour. In this informative, entertaining, and highly interactive live show, the health gurus will share their latest health tips, do cooking demos and show behind the scenes clips from upcoming TV series. With mental and physical health problems on the rise, Michael and Clare will reveal how simple changes can transform your life, so we can all Eat well, Sleep better, and Live longer!

Lee Memphis King faithfully recreates an Elvis performance with the authenticity and passion of an Elvis concert. Hear all of the hits including Heartbreak Hotel, The Wonder Of You, Suspicious Minds and many more in this two hour epic performance. This amazing show is enhanced by an orchestra of world class musicians and backing vocalists, coupled with impressive video screen projection mapping out Elvis’s life and music. Lee Memphis King recreates it all with stunning authenticity – the voice and equally important for Lee, the passion and energy that Elvis put into his songs. Pure entertainment and pure Presley.

www.royalandderngate.co.uk

MARCH

BERT’S HOUSE

STEWART LEE

AL MURRAY

Thu 29 February & Fri 1 March 7.30pm ROYAL Tickets from £14

Fri 1 March 7.30pm DERNGATE Tickets from £27.50

Sat 2 March 7.30pm DERNGATE Tickets from £32

After a decade of ground-breaking high concept shows involving overarched interlinked narratives, massive sets and enormous comedy props, Stewart Lee enters the post-pandemic era in streamlined solo stand up mode.

“Country, the UK, lost its way, seeks life partner/mentor/inspiration. Good sense of humour essential. No timewasters, tedious show-offs or offend-o-trons need apply. HR free zone.”

Step inside the ‘delightful’ abode of Dunedin Guest House, run by tight fisted but kind-hearted Bert. It would be his seaside paradise, if it weren’t for all the guests. The paper might be hanging off the walls, the roof may spring the odd leak, and the bar selection is definitely questionable, but with his handy assistant (and unrequited love) Emily by his side, Bert’s house could be a Bed & Breakfast on the brink of a great love story. But with the arrival of pesky guests and a new employee to juggle, Bert needs to keep his wits about him – what are the Robinsons up to? Is Jane really who she says she is? And why is Mr Stevens such a tw*t?

Basic Lee

One man, one microphone, and one microphone in the wings in case the one on stage breaks. Pure. Simple. Classic. Basic Lee. Returning to Northampton after selling out in 2023! “THE WORLD’S GREATEST LIVING STAND UP” The Times

Guv Island

Standing up so you don’t have to take it lying it down anymore, the Pub Landlord is back to make sense of the questions you probably already had the answers to. You know what they say: there’s no school like the old school, with the dodgy overflowing toilets.

Please note this is the same show that was performed on Mon 23 January 2023

Come inside for this hilarious, sea‑side-splitting comedy on its debut tour from On The Shore, written by and starring award‑winning comedian Lou Chawner.

Box Office 01604 624811

MARCH Northamptonshire Music and Performing Arts Trust

AXEL BLAKE

MILES JUPP

ORCHESTRA SPECTACULAR

Sun 3 March 7.30pm ROYAL Tickets from £22 I 16+

Tue 5 March 7.30pm ROYAL Tickets from £24 I 16+

Britain’s Got Talent 2022 winner Axel Blake is heading out on the road with his new show In Style.

Since Miles Jupp’s last tour finished at The London Palladium in 2017, he’s been in The Full Monty, The Durrells and Why Didn’t They Ask Evans?, as well as a heap of episodes of Frankie Boyle’s New World Order and Have I Got News For You. He’s made an award-winning radio series and he’s published a novel. But for Covid, he would have played a lead at the RSC. Hey ho.

Sun 3 March 6pm DERNGATE Tickets from £10 From Our Community

Northamptonshire Music and Performing Arts Trust presents an opportunity to share inspiration and aspiration with three generations of orchestras – County Junior Orchestra, County Training Orchestra and County Youth Orchestra.

In Style

On I Bang

From the wilds of Dunstable, Axel Blake arrived on the country’s living room screens in style as Simon Cowell’s golden buzzer on Britain’s Got Talent. His observational comedy paired with his witty charm captivated the audience propelling him to be crowned 2022 Champion of the hit show. Axel is continuing to chase his dreams. Fresh from appearing on the 2022 edition of the Royal Variety Show he is on the road with his first ever national tour – Axel Blake is coming to your town – In Style.

Yet one sunny day in the middle of all this, he suddenly suffered a brain seizure. This led to the discovery of a tumour the size of a cherry tomato, and a rather pressing need to undergo major neurosurgery. Obviously, one doesn’t wish to make a big deal of it, but the experience has left him with a story to tell and a few things that he’d like to share with the room.

www.royalandderngate.co.uk

MARCH Northamptonshire Music and Performing Arts Trust

ALICE ROBERTS

BIG SING

Thu 7 March 7.30pm ROYAL Tickets from £27

Wed 6 & Thu 7 March 6.30pm DERNGATE Tickets from £8 From Our Community

Northamptonshire Music and Performing Arts Trust presents a celebration of our singing heroes, featuring a massed primary school choir formed from schools across Northamptonshire.

Crypt Tour 2024

Professor Alice Roberts is returning in Spring 2024 to launch her new book, Crypt. This final instalment of her highly-acclaimed trilogy explores the experience of life, death and disease in the Middle Ages and beyond. Alice looks at the archaeological evidence for terrible brutality directed at an ethnic minority in medieval England, she explores the impact of incurable epidemics sweeping through Europe and looks at how modern science is unlocking secrets from the watery grave of the Mary Rose shipwreck. Professor Alice Roberts’ charismatic and engaging style has captivated audiences from all backgrounds for over two decades. Don’t miss this opportunity to join her for a fascinating evening, learn more about her latest book and even bag yourself a signed copy.

Box Office 01604 624811

THE ELO SHOW Fri 8 March 7.30pm DERNGATE Tickets from £28

Internationally acclaimed musician Brian Cummins returns with this stunning show celebrating the music of Jeff Lynne and E.L.O. With a band of amazing musicians this will be a fabulous night of hit after hit from such a vast back catalogue. The ELO Show has an amazing light and laser show and 3D video screens including a huge Spaceship hovering over the stage! Expect songs like Evil Woman, Don’t Bring Me Down, Telephone Line, Sweet Talkin’ Woman, Turn To Stone, Wild West Hero, The Diary Of Horace Wimp and of course the legendary Mr. Blue Sky, plus many more with a surprise or two. Don’t miss out on this fantastic night of nostalgia and classic tunes.

MARCH

LIMITED AVAILABILITY

ROSIE JONES

TROY HAWKE

The Greeters Guild!

FISHERMAN’S FRIENDS

Fri 8 March 7.30pm ROYAL Tickets from £17 I 16+

Sat 9 March 7.30pm ROYAL Tickets from £22.50 I 16+

Sat 9 March 7.30pm DERNGATE Tickets from £29.50

BSL Interpreted

Everyone’s favourite 1930s throwback greetings and compliments aficionado Troy Hawke returns to theatres nationwide with his brand new show.

Fisherman’s Friends have nine albums to their name, two feature films, a stage musical, a book, a TV documentary, they’ve played for royalty and to tens of thousands of fans in sell-out tours year in year out… No, it’s not The Beatles, Take That or One Direction – it’s the Fisherman’s Friends!

Triple Threat

Rosie Jones is on the road for a UK tour and, boy, she is excited. Join Rosie as she ponders whether she is a national treasure, a little prick, or somewhere in between! This show is guaranteed to be full of unapologetic cheekiness, nonsensical fun and unadulterated joy from the triple threat herself. Best known for her hit travel series’ Trip Hazard and Mission: Accessible, and for numerous appearances on shows such as The Last Leg, 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown, Hypothetical, Mock The Week, The Ranganation and Joe Lycett’s Got Your Back to name just a few!

A journey which started with a non-consensual customer service shift outside TK MAXX in Macclesfield has lead him around the world and directly into the orbit of the world’s biggest sporting figures. He’s confused Premiership footballers, been threatened by heavyweight boxers and improved the vocabulary of Formula 1 legends. In this show Troy examines his unlikely genesis and explores exactly why a well-dressed man simply being nice to people has caused such a kerfuffle. HHHHH “A RIP SNORTINGLY FUNNY HOUR” Chortle

Bound by shared experience, for more than 30 years they have gathered on the Platt on the harbour in their native Port Isaac to sing the songs of the sea, songs that in some cases have been handed down for hundreds of years, songs that connect them to generations of Cornish fishermen that have come before them. And thanks to the small film with a big heart that shares their name, the story of the original Cornish ‘buoy band’ is known around the world.

www.royalandderngate.co.uk

MARCH Northamptonshire Music and Performing Arts Trust

WIND BAND SPECTACULAR

FIONA ALLEN Sat 9 March 8pm UNDERGROUND Tickets from £18 I 16+

Double Emmy Award-winner and star of Smack The Pony Fiona Allen is touring her debut stand‑up show! Like most working mums, since her children were born she hasn’t had a moment for herself. Now free, she has tried new hobbies, new places, even attempting to get fit - difficult when your spirit animal is a sloth! With nowhere left to turn she decided to go on the road as a stand-up. A show about family, marriage, and things that truly annoy her. It’s a show for everyone, even those passiveaggressive school mums.

Sun 10 March 6pm DERNGATE Tickets from £10 From Our Community

Northamptonshire Music and Performing Arts Trust presents an opportunity to share inspiration and aspiration with three generations of wind orchestras – County Junior Wind Orchestra, County Training Wind Orchestra and County Youth Concert Band.

Royal & Derngate Young Company Acting

THE PERIODICALS Mon 11 & Tue 12 March 7pm ROYAL Tickets from £6 I 14+ From Our Community

Set in the near future, a group of young people live as a feral group of techno-savvy fugitives, living off-the land – a.k.a. a rubbish dump. They stay out of sight of the authorities, particularly the education authorities who are desperate to get them back into school. However school has lost its allure. When the young people are in school they are overlooked and underestimated - seen as being more trouble than they are worth. So now, for this group, school’s out forever. Written by by Siân Owen and directed by Jack Smith, our Young Company Acting cast will also be performing this play as part of the National Theatre Connections Festival in April (see page 18).

Box Office 01604 624811

MARCH

JONATHAN PIE

Heroes And Villains Mon 11 & Tue 12 March 7.30pm DERNGATE Tickets from £22 I 16+

Jonathan Pie: Hero or Villain? A question often asked and one that Pie hopes to answer in his brandnew live show. Join him as he celebrates the UK’s greatest heroes (Nurses / Gary Lineker / 24-hour off-licence proprietors) and takes a verbal blowtorch to its villains (The Tories / Cyclists). Marvel in wonder as he kicks in The Establishment’s back doors and rifles through its kitchen cupboards. “SMARTER, SHARPER, ANGRIER AND FUNNIER” The Times “A POWERHOUSE PERFORMANCE” Evening Standard

ROSS NOBLE’S JIBBER JABBER JAMBOREE

CARA DILLON Coming Home

Thu 14 March 7.30pm ROYAL Tickets from £26

Wed 13 March 8pm DERNGATE Tickets from £31 I 15+

Jibber Jabber Jamboree marks Ross Noble’s 21st solo stand-up tour. To celebrate this milestone, he invites you to join him for an evening of the sort of inspired nonsense that has cemented his place as the supreme master of stream of conscious freewheeling stand up. This is a chance to see Noble live on stage in his natural habitat. What’s it about? What will we learn? How will it change the world? Are all pointless questions to ask when Noble is off on one of his tangents. Grab a ticket and come and enjoy the ride. “ONE OF COMEDY’S GREATEST MARVELS” The Daily Telegraph “THE SUPREME MASTER OF SPONTANEOUS STAND-UP AND TRUE KING OF SURREAL FLIGHTS OF FANTASY” Time Out

Few singers are as celebrated and revered as Cara Dillon. Known for her captivating live performances she seldom fails to leave audiences spellbound. Spring 2024 sees Cara unveiling Coming Home, her first new material in almost six years, in which she effortlessly blurs the lines between spoken word and song to stunning effect. Skilfully interspersed with songs from her catalogue throughout the set, join Cara and her band as she shares this truly unique and inspiring collection accompanied by original music written by Sam Lakeman. This will be a very special opportunity to experience a revealing and emotive performance by this internationally acclaimed singer – not one to miss!

www.royalandderngate.co.uk

MARCH

THE SCUMMY MUMMIES Greatest Hits

Thu 14 March 7.30pm DERNGATE Tickets from £25

Join Ellie and Helen as they celebrate ten years of scumminess! For a decade now, the Scummy Mummies have been touring their hit comedy show to sold-out audiences around the country. Now they’re bringing all their most-loved songs, sketches and stand-up together for a night that will make you laugh till you wee. Guaranteed to make you feel normal about your parenting skills, or very smug about being child‑free. “HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! 5 STARS” One4Review “VERY FUNNY”The Guardian

Box Office 01604 624811

PETE FIRMAN

MATT GREEN

Fri 15 March 7.30pm ROYAL Tickets from £18

Sat 16 March 7.30pm ROYAL Tickets from £17.50 I 16+

With over 175 million online views and countless TV appearances under his belt, Pete Firman is firmly established as the UK’s top comedy magician. You may have seen him on ITV1’s Tonight At The London Palladium and The Next Great Magician, BBC1’s The Magicians, The John Bishop Show and The Sarah Millican Television Programme, or caught one of his massively popular viral videos on social media.

Debut national tour from that guy (@mattgreencomedy) you’ve seen on Twitter being funny about politics. A stand up show featuring jokes about politics and jokes not about politics. That probably covers it.

TrikTok

Pete is an award-winning performer who is not to be missed live. Expect an evening of jaw-dropping magic and laugh-out-loud comedy. TrikTok takes Pete’s magic from the small screen to the stage and gives audiences a chance to see his critically-acclaimed magical skills in the flesh.

That Guy

Matt has achieved millions of views for his online satirical comedy videos since he started making them during lockdown. He’s also been performing stand up comedy for nearly 20 years, and this is his first show since the madness of Covid/Johnson/Truss/Lord-knowswhat-else began. May also feature an appearance from a Tory Minister – if Matt can afford his daily rate… As seen and heard on Late Night Mash, Avoidance, The Witchfinder, Mrs Sidhu Investigates, Times Radio, Oh God What Now? and many more.

MARCH

ANIA MAGLIANO

I Can’t Believe You’ve Done This Sat 16 March 7.30pm UNDERGROUND Tickets from £16 I 16+

To the hairdresser at [redacted] Salon: You can take my money. You can take my dignity. You can take too much off the ends. But you cannot take my right to talk about it on stage. This is a show about the worst haircut of Ania Magliano’s life. Winner of Best New Show at Leicester Comedy Festival 2022, Ania Magliano sold out both runs of her critically acclaimed shows at the 2022 and 2023 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Her second show I Can’t Believe You’ve Done This was nominated for the prestigious Best Comedy Show Award at Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2023 and ranked #1 in Time Out’s The 11 best comedy shows 2023 list. HHHH “WILL HAVE YOU CRYING WITH LAUGHTER” The Guardian

MORGAN & WEST’S MASSIVE MAGIC SHOW FOR KIDS!

JUSTIN HAYWARD Mon 18 March 7.30pm DERNGATE Tickets from £44.50

Legendary singer-songwriter Justin Hayward OBE, The Voice of the Moody Blues, is coming to Northampton.

Sun 17 March 2.30pm ROYAL Tickets from £16 I 5+

Roll up, roll up! Morgan & West are back with a massive magic show for kids (and their childish grown-ups)! Expect gawps, gasps and guffaws in this relentlessly funny and fantastical magic filled extravaganza, guaranteed to delight those aged five and 105, and indeed everyone in between! This brand new magic show is full of Morgan & West’s trademark wit, whimsy and wall-to-wall silliness. Conjuring capers, mysterious magic tricks, larger than life laughs and fantastic facial furniture are all crammed into one hour of non‑stop fun for all the family.

Justin enjoyed a career which is now in its fifth decade. He is best known as the vocalist, lead guitarist and composer for the iconic Moody Blues, whose hits include the masterful Nights In White Satin, Tuesday Afternoon, Question, The Voice and the US top 40 hits I Know You’re Out There Somewhere and In Your Wildest Dreams: plus other classic, era and genre-defining hits. These laid the foundation for the incredible success story of the Moody Blues – as well as Hayward’s solo work – which continues to this day.

HHHH “SUPERBLY CRAFTED” The Stage

www.royalandderngate.co.uk

MARCH

CRACKING

By Shôn Dale-Jones Tue 19 March 7.30pm ROYAL Tickets from £12

A completely made-up true story When the world goes mad, do we inevitably go mad too? When Shôn playfully cracks an egg on his mother’s head, he has no idea real-life internet trolls will appear on his doorstep. Cracking takes on the battle between love and hate, asking what’s funny and where we draw the line. Part stand-up, part theatre Cracking is a funny, touching and thought‑provoking solo performance that sews together fact and fiction into one seamless whole making us wonder what’s real, what’s not and what’s gone wrong. This story about love and hatred celebrates how searching for connection beats disconnecting. “A MESMERISING PERSONALITY… A GIFTED STORYTELLER... A NATURAL COMIC” The Guardian

Box Office 01604 624811

A BEAUTIFUL NOISE

Orchestral Edition Tue 19 March 7.30pm DERNGATE Tickets from £33.50

Experience the 2024 Orchestral Edition of A Beautiful Noise, the definitive Neil Diamond tribute! Immerse yourself in the iconic music of Neil Diamond and witness the incomparable Fisher Stevens pay tribute to him like never before. Experience the exceptional orchestra as they breath new life into classics such as Sweet Caroline, Cracklin’ Rosie, Love On The Rocks, I’m A Believer and Hello Again. More than just a show, this enchanting production captivates your senses and leaves you yearning for more. Join us for A Beautiful Noise: Orchestral Edition in 2024, where the magic of Neil Diamond comes to life.

IAIN STIRLING Relevant

Wed 20 March 7.30pm ROYAL Tickets from £24.50 I 16+

The BAFTA-winning comedian, ‘national sensation’ (Evening Standard) and ‘extremely funny’ (Daily Telegraph) Iain Stirling, is bringing his intuitive razor-sharp humour back on tour with a brand new stand-up show for 2024. As the iconic voice of Love Island, star and writer of sitcom Buffering on ITV, and with his own stand-up special, Failing Upwards, on Prime Video, Iain hits the road once more with a brand new hour (of jokes) in his biggest tour to date! (It’s called Relevant if you’re interested).

MARCH

LUCY BEAUMONT The Trouble And Strife!

Wed 20 March 7.30pm DERNGATE Tickets from £24.50 I 14+

It’s time for the wife to tour now. Award-winning stand-up comedian BEFORE she met Jon Richardson, Taskmaster star and BAFTA nominee, Lucy Beaumont is going to let loose and let slip on her roller coaster world. Life through the Beaumont lens is more surreal than you could ever imagine. HHHH “BEAUMONT’S BIG SKILL IS CAPTURING THE POETRY IN THE ORDINARY” The List “EXTRAVAGANTLY TALENTED” The Guardian “BEAUMONT IS A RIOT!” The Scotsman “FUNNY AND PAINFULLY RELATABLE” Radio Times

DANIEL O’REILLY Out of Character Thu 21 March 7.30pm ROYAL Tickets from £27 I 16+

Daniel O’Reilly is still boasting one of the largest, strongest, most loyal and fastest growing social media followings in the UK that his fans has grown up with him through the years! He has had many characters, but for this live show he’s going ‘Out Of Character’ to stand up as he brings the laughs and looks back on the mischief, the mistakes and the madness of his career so far. From losing it all, battling addiction and becoming a father he’s been on some rollercoaster and wants you to come for a ride with him, so grab your tickets now and make sure you got your seat belt on!

CHAKA

The Music Of Chaka Khan Thu 21 March 7.30pm DERNGATE Tickets from £31.50 I 14+

An exhilarating music show celebrating one of the world’s most gifted music icons and multiple Grammy award-winner, Chaka Khan. Honouring the legacy of a legendary singer and songwriter who has captivated audiences and inspired generations of singers for over five decades with her funk, soul, pop and dance hits, Chaka – The Music Of Chaka Khan is the ultimate musical tribute celebrating an icon. Led by the incomparable Sulene Fleming (The Brand New Heavies, Incognito, The New Master Sounds) and featuring a stellar live band, this 2-hour music show encapsulates the true essence of Chaka Khan.

www.royalandderngate.co.uk

MARCH

THE FATHER Fri 22 & Sat 23 March Fri 7.30pm, Sat 2pm & 6pm ROYAL Tickets from £17 I 12+

Subscribe & Save! - See page 4 From Our Community

Seen through the eyes of a man with dementia, The Father exposes the emotional toll it has on him and his family. Moving and at times heart-breaking, André’s story will be recognised by all too many families. Blisteringly honest but ultimately uplifting, it’s a story of our times. Recently an Oscar and BAFTA‑winning film starring Anthony Hopkins and Olivia Colman, this production is by the award-winning White Cobra and stars local actors Ian Spiby as André and Kate Billingham as Anne. The cast also includes Richard Jordan, Fraser Haines, Bernie Wood and Kimberley Vaughan with original music by Martin Heath. It is directed by Martin Borley-Cox. The portrait of André is by Willy Gilder who is living with dementia.

Box Office 01604 624811

STRANGER SINGS

THE BUBBLE SHOW

Sat 23 March 7.30pm DERNGATE Tickets from £30

Sun 24 March 2pm ROYAL Tickets from £15 I Ages 3-12

Tune in, children of the ’80s! Join us in the upside-down for this award-winning, smash hit new parody musical, Stranger Sings! This award-winning sci-fi spoof is a wild, irreverent twist on the hit Netflix series – in all its hair-raising, blockbuster glory.

Join Mr. Bubbles with his extraordinary soap bubbles in all shapes and sizes!

Take a trip with your favourite gang on a night of indulgent pop culture references, heavy synth, poor parenting, dancing demogorgons and maybe – just maybe – you might find justice for Barb along the way. Let the incredible original writing of Jonathan Hogue subvert the genre with this fearless parody, where there are too many mullets, a generous helping of fairy lights, and the ’80s finally embraces feminism.

The Bubble Show is a unique blend of magic, storytelling, science and bubble art! Enjoy bouncy bubbles, bubbles inside bubbles, smoke bubbles, square bubbles, giant bubbles and even fire bubbles! Actor, storyteller and Guinness World Record holder, The Highland Joker, is one of the top bubble artists in the world, bringing you an interactive, fun, international award-winning bubble extravaganza! HHHHH “FLAWLESSLY SIMPLE AND FULL OF WONDER” Deadline News

No mouthbreathers allowed.

MARCH

AN EVENING WITH ANTON DU BEKE AND FRIENDS Tue 26 March 7.30pm DERNGATE Tickets from £42

THE MIGHTY ’90S Sun 24 March 7.30pm DERNGATE Tickets from £32

The ultimate pop party celebrating the style, sounds and stars of this diverse and dynamic decade. The pop, the rock, the power ballads and everything in between. Get ready to dance up a storm and sing your heart out with our power pop supergroup. Celebrating the hits of Take That, The Spice Girls, Blur, Oasis, Britney, Backstreet Boys, Celine, Whitney and many more. Featuring a talented cast of singers/dancers/musicians and the sensational vocals of ’90s pop powerhouse Cleopatra. There ain’t no party like The Mighty ’90s Live!

Strictly Come Dancing legend and judge, Anton Du Beke, takes to the stage! With his live band, guest singer Lance Ellington, and his dancers, expect a fab‑u‑lous evening of song, dance and laughter. Anton will be performing some of his favourite songs and dances that have inspired his career throughout his life. Expect behind the scenes stories from his time on Strictly that will have you laughing out loud. Don’t miss this special opportunity to get up close to the King of the Ballroom.

LOST IN MUSIC Wed 27 March 7.30pm DERNGATE Tickets from £34

Get ready to get Lost In Music! Join us as we recreate the magical ’70s and let us take you on a musical journey straight to the heart of disco! Relive some of the greatest songs of all time from artists such as Donna Summer, Gloria Gaynor, Earth, Wind & Fire, Sister Sledge and Chic. This show boasts a sensational live band, incredibly talented cast and stunning vocals and is sure to have you on your feet! So, come dressed to impress as we celebrate the golden age of disco! With songs such as Never Can Say Goodbye, On The Radio, Hot Stuff, Car Wash, Boogie Wonderland and many, many more! It’s the feel-good show of the year! Lose yourself with us and leave your troubles at home!

www.royalandderngate.co.uk

MARCH

HAPPY MONDAYS

COLLIDE

TOMMY TIERNAN

Thu 28 March 7pm DERNGATE Tickets from £42

Sat 30 March 7.30pm DERNGATE Tickets from £22.50 From Our Community

Wed 10 April 7.30pm DERNGATE Tickets from £29.80 I 16+

Legendary Manchester band Happy Mondays have announced their first headline tour in five years. ‘The Been There Done That Tour’ will head to Northampton for Spring 2024, joined by very special guests and fellow ‘90s British music icons, Inspiral Carpets and Stereo MC’s. Happy Mondays, featuring original lineup – front man Shaun Ryder, Bez (freaky dancing and percussion), Rowetta (vocals) Mark Day (guitar), Gary Whelan (drums) and Dan Broad (MD/ guitar/keys) will perform the band’s classic hits such as 24 Hour Party People, Step On, Hallelujah, Loose Fit, Judge Fudge, W.F.L., and Kinky Afro, amongst many others.

Box Office 01604 624811

A Choirfest Experience

After a show-stopping performance of Stand By Me at the wedding of The Duke & Duchess of Sussex, founder and conductor of the Kingdom Choir, Karen Gibson MBE will be sharing the stage with 200 voices at Collide: A Choirfest Experience. This show features the award‑nominated Northampton Male Voice Choir, Queen Eleanor Choir and Northants Sings Out (West) in a trailblazing, collaboration of their musical genres and individual styles. The absolute finest from an array of artistic disciplines are also set to feature during this hotly anticipated musical experience. With specially arranged mass ensemble pieces led by award‑winning MD Gareth Fuller, the evening features an all-star live band and string quartet.

tommedian

Tommy Tiernan’s brand new show tommedian is a fun fueled trip through the comic imagination of one of the best comedians in the world. This is a wild, uninhibited and fiercely physical display of stand up. A madcap parade of characters, memories and ridiculous flights of fancy. Theatrical, poetical and slightly unhinged…. DON’T YOU DARE MISS IT! Tiernan’s legendary recordbreaking ticket sales extend across the world. The star of Channel 4’s hit show Derry Girls and Live At The Apollo (BBC) and the host of his own highly critically praised improvised chat show. This event is a phone-free show, please see our website for details.

APRIL

THE CARPENTERS STORY

MIXED BILL COMEDY MEGASHOW

Fri 12 April 7.30pm DERNGATE Tickets from £34.50

Sat 13 April 7.30pm DERNGATE Tickets from £27

A musical journey through the glittering career of pop’s most famous brother and sister duo.

A guaranteed great night out for couples, friends or colleagues.

This highly acclaimed production continues to captivate audiences across the UK with its spectacular celebration of the classic songbook that made The Carpenters a legend. This brand new show features the outstanding vocal talents of Claire Furley, with Musical Director Phil Aldridge leading The Carpenters Story band as they re-create Richard Carpenter’s original orchestral arrangements including Close To You, Top Of The World, We’ve Only Just Begun, Rainy Days & Mondays, Goodbye To Love and many more!

THE BILLY JOEL SONGBOOK Sun 14 April 7.30pm DERNGATE Tickets from £27

After a hugely successful collaboration at Franklin’s Gardens in June 2023, Northampton based promoters The Comedy Crate are teaming up again with The Comedy Cow from Milton Keynes to bring you the best in comedy. This night will contain a mix of TV names and the best circuit headliners from a team with over 20 years combined experience in booking. For more information, please visit www.royalandderngate.co.uk to find out who our special guests will be.

The hugely acclaimed singersongwriter and pianist Elio Pace and his incredible band are set to thrill UK audiences once more with the smash-hit, award-winning show The Billy Joel Songbook. This exciting live show pays homage to one of the most iconic musicians, singer-songwriters and composers of the 20th Century, transporting the audience through a catalogue of Joel’s music. Elio and his band will perform more than 30 hits, including The Longest Time, She’s Always A Woman, An Innocent Man, Uptown Girl, Tell Her About It, The River of Dreams, We Didn’t Start The Fire and Piano Man. “ELIO ROCKS” Brian May

www.royalandderngate.co.uk

APRIL

THE BOOTLEG BEATLES

JULIAN CLARY

ED GAMBLE

Mon 15 April 7.30pm DERNGATE Tickets from £33.50

Wed 17 April 7.30pm DERNGATE Tickets from £31 I 16+

Thu 18 April 7.30pm DERNGATE Tickets from £27 I 16+

Regarded the world over as being the gold standard of tribute acts,The Bootleg Beatles return to Northampton for another nostalgic whirlwind trip through the sixties.

You’ve heard of The Man With No Name? Well, here’s The Man With No Shame.

Ed Gamble has minced a load of meat (thoughts), piped it into a casing (show) and it’s coming to a bun (venue) near you.

With fastidious attention to detail, the band manage to spectacularly recreate the sound and look of the Fab Four through each iconic phase of their illustrious career, with what can only be described as uncanny authenticity. Their rave reviews say it all. With a little help from their ever-popular orchestral ensemble this magical multi-media show is an absolute must-see for Beatle fanatics of all ages. “ENTIRELY CONVINCING” The Times “LESS A TRIBUTE MORE A REINCARNATION” The Daily Telegraph

Box Office 01604 624811

A Fistful Of Clary

Julian Clary, renowned homosexual and national trinket, is fixing to saddle up and head on out for his 2024 UK tour. “Yes, it has a Western theme,” the old buckaroo confirms, sipping Bourbon from a pint tankard. “It was only a matter of time before I eased myself into some chaps” he adds, dabbing his temples with a damp flannel. “THE MASTER OF CAMP COMEDY... MIXING THE EXPECTED WITH THE SPONTANEOUS, HE IS PURE ENTERTAINMENT” The Times “ADULT COMEDY THAT MAKES YOU GIGGLE LIKE A CHILD” The Standard

Hot Diggity Dog

There will be all your classic Gamble ranting, raving and spluttering but he’s doing fine mentally. Promise. Co-host of the award-winning mega-hit podcast Off Menu with James Acaster, judge on Great British Menu, Taskmaster champion and host of Taskmaster the Podcast, and has his own special Blood Sugar available worldwide on Amazon Prime. Also seen and heard on Mock the Week (BBC2), Live At The Apollo (BBC), The Russell Howard Hour (Sky), QI (BBC2), Would I Lie To You (BBC) and Sunday mornings on Radio X alongside Matthew Crosby. “COMEDY GOLD” Time Out

APRIL

DON’T STOP BELIEVIN’

The End-Of-The-Night Anthems Show Fri 19 April 7.30pm DERNGATE Tickets from £34

Jump aboard the midnight train – heaven is a place on Earth called Northampton as the greatest endof-the-night anthems spectacular roars into town. Guaranteeing a crazy, crazy night of non-stop, singalong favourites – 30 of the biggest songs are brought to life by a sizzling cast, fantastic costumes and amazing light show. Featuring hits such as Summer Of ’69, I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll, Livin’ On A Prayer, Sweet Child O’ Mine, China In Your Hand, You Shook Me All Night Long, Sweet Home Alabama and more, hold on to the feeling and Don’t Stop Believin’.

RUMOURS OF FLEETWOOD MAC

LLOYD GRIFFITH Baroque And Roll Tue 23 April 7.30pm ROYAL Tickets from £19 I 16+

Sun 21 April 7.30pm DERNGATE Tickets from £32

Rumours Of Fleetwood Mac, the world’s finest tribute to Fleetwood Mac, returns to the stage in 2024 celebrating the very best of Fleetwood Mac. Channelling the spirit of Fleetwood Mac at their very best, Rumours Of Fleetwood Mac offers a unique opportunity for fans, both old and new, to rediscover the songs and performances that have ensured Fleetwood Mac’s place as one of the most loved groups of all time. Personally endorsed by Fleetwood Mac founding member, Mick Fleetwood, Rumours Of Fleetwood Mac is the ultimate tribute to one of rock and roll’s most remarkable groups.

Lloyd Griffith is back with a brand new show Baroque And Roll. It’s a big year for Lloyd, he’s turning 40 and with it, the impending midlife crisis – or ‘renaissance’ as he’s insisting it’s called; complete with body hair removal, head hair additions, teeth whitening and obviously the obligatory half marathon sign up. It’ll be funny and yes, there’ll be the odd song or two from that magnificent voice of his. As seen on Ted Lasso (Apple), Nolly (ITV), Soccer AM (RIP), 8 Out Of 10 Cats (Channel 4), Can You Beat The Bookies (BBC), Live At The Comedy Store (Comedy Central), House Of Games (BBC). “A WARM, RELATABLE AND HILARIOUS SHOW” Sunday Post “USEFUL IDIOT” The Guardian

www.royalandderngate.co.uk

APRIL

GRIMETHORPE COLLIERY BAND

ROSIE HOLT

RAY BRADSHAW

Sunday 28 April 3pm DERNGATE Tickets from £22

Sunday 28 April 7.30pm ROYAL Tickets from £22

Wed 1 May 8pm ROYAL Tickets from £18.50 I 16+

The acclaimed Grimethorpe Colliery Band return to Royal & Derngate.

The worse the political career, the more lucrative the subsequent entertainment opportunities. Matt Hancock may have slaughtered millions but now he’s making a killing. So can Rosie Holt‘s viral hit MP follow “politainers” Dorries, Farage and Rees-Mogg and leap from the pages of Hansard to Heat?

They bring a programme of classic brass band repertoire and music from the film Brassed Off alongside newer works and entertaining solos. National and British Open Champions on numerous occasions, the band’s contest successes remain legendary and they have performed all over the world. Their diverse range of performances include the FIFA World Cup, the BAFTA Awards, the BBC Proms, Eurovision and the London 2012 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony. They received a BAFTA nomination for their key role in the global hit movie, Brassed Off. “SENSATIONAL” The Times

Box Office 01604 624811

That’s Politainment!

Following a hugely successful Edinburgh Fringe season, Rosie takes this brand-new show on the road, to tightrope the thin line between politics and entertainment. HHHH “A PINPOINT PORTRAYAL OF THE PERSONAE MANIFESTING OUR NATIONAL PSYCHE” The Observer

Doppelginger

BSL Interpreted

Multi-award-winning comedian Ray Bradshaw is forever being told “you look just like my mate…” wherever he goes. It’s been happening for years and he’s worried about it. Either someone is cloning generic bald men or there’s a ginger bearded bald man out there who’s doing a bad job of stalking Ray. In his brand-new show Doppelginger, Ray is going to use the latest in genetic research (the internet) to try and put an end to this once and for all. He’s on a quest to find the person who looks most like him. If you have a bald, ginger bearded friend in their 30s (true at time of writing), then bring them along. You never know – they could be The One. HHHHH “RAUCOUSLY FUNNY” BroadwayBaby

Coming Soon...

SIX CHICK FLICKS

GYLES BRANDRETH

Sat 4 May 7.30pm Tickets from £19

Sun 5 May 3pm Tickets from £27

TOM ALLEN

AN EVENING OF BURLESQUE

Quip Off The Mark

NC JAZZ Sun 5 May 7.30pm Tickets from £17

Completely

RPO

BIRMINGHAM ROYAL BALLET 2

Verdi’s Requiem Sun 19 May 7.30pm Tickets from £17

MARK SIMMONS

Fri 3 May 7.30pm Tickets from £24

Thu 9 & Fri 10 May 7.30pm Tickets from £27

Sat 25 May 2.30pm & 7.30pm Tickets from £12

Can’t Stop Talking

Sat 11 May 7.30pm Tickets from £30

EMMANUEL SONUBI Curriculum Vitae

Wed 29 7.30pm Tickets from £18.50

www.royalandderngate.co.uk

Make A Night Of It Our bars are open from one hour before a show begins and are the perfect place to enjoy a pre-show or interval drink. Why not pre-order your interval drinks so that they will be ready and waiting for you at the interval? You can pre-order your drinks at any open theatre bar. Our bars offer a selection of beer, wines, spirits and soft drinks. The Theatre Shop is your destination if you have a sweet tooth, offering a range of confectionery, grab bags and ice creams. We sell a variety of flavours of Marshfield Farm ice cream, including plant based ice cream. We proudly support local suppliers, serving Wharf Distillery’s English Single Malt Grain Spirit, Stonyfield Wine’s Sparkling wine, Phipps IPA, Saxby’s Cider and various flavoured gins from Warner’s Distillery. Members benefit from a 10% discount at all our bars – just show your membership card when ordering.

Get Together With Groups Why not join us with a group of 6+ and take advantage of a host of benefits, including: • Savings on ticket prices • Extended payment dates • No postage charge • Free group organiser ticket for groups of 20+ • Pre-ordering of drinks and snacks To make a group booking email group.bookings@royalandderngate.co.uk or call 01604 624811.

Get Involved... in being creative together... in developing new skills... with singing... with acting... with youth theatre... with your community... with inspiring artists...

THE ACTORS COMPANY For those aged over 21, our non‑professional Actors Company perform classic, contemporary and new work commissioned by Royal & Derngate. Led by theatre practitioners, members enjoy masterclasses in performance skills such as voice, movement and text, as well as working alongside professional directors to devise, rehearse and perform productions. Email: getinvolved@ royalandderngate.co.uk

ROYAL & DERNGATE COMMUNITY CHOIR

Our resident choir provides opportunities to develop singing skills and be part of live performances. Members are diverse in terms of age, background and culture, but all share a passion for singing and performance. Explore different musical genres, increase your musical confidence and have fun singing with others. A great way to relax and boost your wellbeing through song. Email: getinvolved@ royalandderngate.co.uk

MIXED IDENTITY Join us each month for a vibrant exploration of mixed-race identity, where open engaging discussions meet creative workshops designed to enlighten and inspire. These are relaxed, fun, social sessions with like-minded individuals. Your story is a piece of the mosaic we’re building—come and share it at our welcoming sessions. Supported by Jenny Lebbon, People In Harmony and Northampton Community Foundation. For more information email chris@onebrownbear.co.uk.

Andrew O’Neill for a discussion on how comedy reflects the world we’re living in. How do you satirise something that is already ridiculous? This event is FREE but please book your place via Box Office 01604 624811. 24 HOURS IN CLOUD CUCKOO LAND

An overnight theatre experiment! Sat 20 – Sun 21 January

IS SATIRE DEAD?

Aristophanes wrote The Frogs as part of the Dionysia Festival, an Ancient Athenian Festival to celebrate the theatre God Dionysius. We will be immersing ourselves in one of his other comedies The Birds and creating our own 24hr Dionysia! We will be devising a set of short comic pieces overnight, learning clown skills, foraging for set and costumes and performing whatever we’ve come up with in a state of brilliant sleep-deprived delirium. Led by Tamsyn Payne and Gemma Knight.

Thu 27 January 5.30-7pm

Cost: £15

Join Award-winning comedian, musician and best-selling writer

Book via Box Office 01604 624811.

FROGS WORKSHOPS Inspired by Spymonkey’s production of The Frogs, join us for our Beyond The Stage workshop programme in January

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Opportunities For Young People MUSICAL THEATRE GROUPS

Youth Theatre Musicals suitable for ages 10-13 Young Company Musicals suitable for ages 14-21 Royal & Derngate’s popular Musicals groups are perfect for young people who love acting, singing and dancing. Members attend fun weekly sessions to develop key theatre skills such as acting through song, choreography, vocal technique and performance.

NEXTGEN PROGRAMMES YOUTH THEATRE AND YOUNG COMPANY Do you love acting and performing? Enjoy being creative? Want to develop your skills further in a fun and friendly theatre environment? Want to gain industry experience working with theatre professionals? Then our Royal & Derngate Youth Theatre and Young Company groups are for you! Weekly sessions provide a great way to build confidence and social skills, develop key theatre skills and make new friends who share your love of theatre. Email: getinvolved@ royalandderngate.co.uk

ACTING GROUPS

Young Company suitable for ages 14-21 Interested in developing your acting skills working with texts? Want to experience working with a director? Then sign up to our Young Company acting group and journey through character development, script work and methods of staging plays. SATURDAY YOUTH THEATRE

Act One suitable for ages 8-10 Act Two suitable for ages 11-13 Come and work with some brilliant professional theatre makers to increase confidence, express ideas, collaborate with other young people and explore theatre skills such as script-writing, developing characters and creating your own theatre. No previous experience required – just a playful, positive attitude.

Box Office 01604 624811

Want to develop skills in non-performing roles? Then our NextGen programmes are for you. NextGen courses are currently running in Stage Management, Technical Theatre, Operations and Wardrobe. Supported by West Northants Council NEXTGEN: ASSISTANT PRACTITIONERS

Suitable for ages 16+ Interested in supporting young people to get the most out of their experience and collaborating with theatre professionals? Then sign up to be an Assistant Practitioner and receive training, mentoring and practical experience that could lead to paid work. Perfect for anyone interested in a career working creatively with young people. A limited number of free bursary places are available upon request. Contact getinvolved@ royalandderngate.co.uk for more information.

Artist Development Opportunities

GENERATE

see if it has legs? Have an idea for a show that you want to talk through?

Royal & Derngate’s Artist Development programme has supported over 6000 artists since 2012 to create work and develop their careers. The Generate programme is designed to work closely with local artists to support their needs and provide opportunities for advice, mentorship, rehearsal space, masterclasses and networking.

We are Fur Coat No Knickers Theatre, Generate Associate Artists of Royal & Derngate. We are running a relaxed group session for theatre makers and devisors who are looking to share, receive feedback and collectively bounce ideas around.

To access information please join our mailing list by emailing getinvolved@royalandderngate. co.uk and find us on Facebook by searching for Generate Royal & Derngate.

THROW IT AT THE WALL Are you a theatre maker who’s interested in sharing new work? Got a scene up on its feet and want to

58Box Office 01604 624811

If you’re interested in sharing material, attending a session, or finding out more information, please email furcoatnoknickerstheatre@ gmail.com Session dates are: Mon 22 January, Mon 8 April, Mon 15 July and Mon 14 October 6-8pm.

EAST MIDLANDS ACTORS WORKSHOP A supportive network for professional actors based in the region, providing professional development opportunities to

develop your acting craft. Monthly sessions and workshops are held at Royal & Derngate. For more information, please contact eastmidlandsactorsworkshop@ gmail.com

WRITING DOESN’T HAVE TO BE LONELY We are currently supporting writers and their development through the Writing Doesn’t Have To Be Lonely group led by artist Dan McGarry and producer Caroline Nash. This is an opportunity to develop writing skills, bounce ideas and share your work on the first Thursday of every month. To sign up or for more information, please contact carolinelnash@ hotmail.com.

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JOIN US FOR THE VERY BEST INDEPENDENT, BLOCKBUSTER AND EVENT CINEMA IN THE COMFIEST SEATS IN TOWN! Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, the Northampton Filmhouse offers the discerning cinema-goer an affordable, unrivalled experience in Northampton. You can expect a warm welcome every time you visit, then sit back in the comfort of luxury, reclining leather seats to enjoy a range of snacks and drinks while you watch the very best in world, independent, British and mainstream films. As well as live screenings, and the best selection of alternative content in Northampton, you can also enjoy early booking and discounts on concession with a Filmhouse Membership.

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On top of our standard programme, our screenings include shows exclusively for parents and their babies, silver screenings for our more mature visitors, captioning, audio description and audio enhancement, and regular screenings of LGBTQIA+ cinema. You can even hire a cinema for private screenings, small conferences and presentations.

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ACCESS INFORMATION

Access Information ACCESS TICKETING SCHEME By telling us about your specific needs and joining our Access Scheme, we can ensure that your tickets and seating are taken care of. Once registered, you will also be able to receive free or discounted tickets for your companion when you visit. To apply, please contact the Box Office, email access@royalandderngate.co.uk or visit www.royalandderngate.co.uk/access.

ACCESSIBLE PARKING There are Disabled/Blue Badge holders’ parking spaces to the front of Royal & Derngate in Albion Place surface car park (NN1 1UD). Disabled badge holders can park free along Derngate (NN1 1TY) and Guildhall Road (NN1 1DP) in permitted spaces.

BUILDING ACCESS Royal & Derngate has level access into the building and into each auditorium, with wheelchair spaces in both. Please be aware that there is a steep hill to walk up from St John’s Car Park to the Main Entrance on Swan Street.

WHEELCHAIR USERS & MOBILITY SCOOTERS If you are a wheelchair user or wish to transfer to a seat, please contact the Box Office so we can ensure that suitable seating is allocated. Should you need to use a mobility scooter to get to your seat, we can assist with a wheelchair we have for use in these instances. Scooters can be safely left outside the auditorium.

GETTING TO YOUR SEAT Due to the discovery of RAA Concrete, getting to your seat may temporarily be slightly different. DERNGATE AUDITORIUM • For the Stalls there are up to 16 steps up the auditorium, with level lift access for access patrons. • For the Circle there are up to 20 steps up to the auditorium, with no lift access. • For the Upper Circle there are up to 35 steps up to the auditorium, with no lift access.

• For the Upper Circle there are up to 36 steps up to the auditorium, with no lift access. Our dedicated Access Hosts wear orange ties so they stand out from the team. They are always on hand to assist anyone with mobility / additional needs.

ASSISTANCE DOGS Assistance Dogs are welcome. Water and free ‘doggy’ ice cream can be provided for all service dogs. If you wish to take your dog into the auditorium, please mention this when booking your ticket so a suitable seat can be assigned to you. Our Access Hosts are always happy to look after any Assistance Dogs.

ACCESSIBLE TOILETS & CHANGING FACILITIES Accessible toilets and changing facilities are available in the main foyer. There is an adult changing facility with hoist located next to Underground 1&2, accessible by lift. Please let us know in advance of your visit if you may require access to this facility.

BROCHURE Large print and audio versions of this brochure are available on request. Please call Box Office on 01604 624811.

NORTHAMPTON FILMHOUSE A range of Access Screenings are also available at Northampton Filmhouse. These include Audio Described, Dementia-Friendly, Autism-Friendly, Subtitled and Parent & Baby. All films have Audio Enhancement available. To find out more visit www.northamptonfilmhouse.com/access. For more information about Accessibility at Royal & Derngate and Northampton Filmhouse, please contact Box Office on 01604 624811.

ROYAL AUDITORIUM • For the Stalls there are 19 steps down to the auditorium, with lift access for access patrons. • For the Circle there is level access from the street into the front of the auditorium with 14 steps up to the rear of the auditorium. 60

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RELAXED During these performances elements of the show are adapted to reduce anxiety and stress. Whilst the narrative of the show does not change, we make small adjustments to sound levels and special effects. Ideal for those on the autistic spectrum, younger audiences or those with learning difficulties or additional needs. Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs Sat 30 Dec 1pm Stick Man Sun 17 Dec 1pm & Thu 28 Dec 1pm Moby Dick Sat 13 Apr 2.30pm

CAPTIONED At these performances large screens are positioned on either side of the stage and present the actors’ spoken words into visible text. Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs Tue 19 Dec 7pm Stick Man Sat 30 Dec 4pm The Frogs Thu 25 Jan 2.30pm

BRITISH SIGN LANGUAGE (BSL) INTERPRETED These performances have BSL interpretation throughout, delivered by an interpreter who stands to the right of the stage in a spotlight. Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs Sun 17 Dec 5pm & Thu 28 Dec 2pm Stick Man Wed 20 Dec 1pm 2.22 A Ghost Story Thu 11 Jan 7.30pm The Frogs (BSL Integrated) Tue 30 Jan 7.30pm & Fri 2 Feb 7.30pm Giovanni Pernice Sun 4 Feb 5pm The Mousetrap Thu 15 Feb 7.30pm Rosie Jones Fri 8 Mar 7.30pm The Time Machine Thu 28 Mar 7.30pm Life Of Pi Thu 4 Apr 7.30pm Moby Dick Thu 11 Apr 7.30pm Shrek The Musical Thu 25 Apr 7.30pm Ray Bradshaw Wed 1 May 8pm Grease Thu 16 May 7.30pm Everybody’s Talking About Jamie Thu 30 May 7.30pm Box Office 01604 624811

AUDIO DESCRIBED & AUDIO ENHANCED These performances are described to audience members through headsets. The description is live and details all of the action that is taking place on stage. A 15-minute introduction before the performance describes the cast, character relationships, details about costume, set and any visual effects. Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs Fri 15 Dec 7pm & Fri 29 Dec 1pm Stick Man Sat 16 Dec 1pm 2.22 A Ghost Story Wed 10 Jan 7.30pm The Frogs Thu 1 Feb 7.30pm The Mousetrap Wed 14 Feb 7.30pm

ACCESS INFORMATION

Please use the symbols throughout this brochure and the listings below for access performances this year. For performances beyond May 2024 please visit our website.

Life Of Pi Wed 3 Apr 7.30pm Moby Dick Fri 12 Apr 7.30pm Shrek The Musical Wed 24 Apr 7.30pm Grease Wed 15 May 7.30pm Everybody’s Talking About Jamie Wed 29 May 7.30pm

Sennheiser Mobile Connect We are delighted to have introduced Sennheiser Mobile Connect, a Wi-Fi based audio enhancement system. This enables us to provide Audio Description for certain performances and Audio Enhancement all shows, which can be listened to using your own smartphone/tablet and headphones. Find out more at www.royalandderngate.co.uk/ sennheiser-mobile-connect

PRE-SHOW TOUCH TOURS For many of our Audio-Described Performances, we offer a free Touch Tour. This is an opportunity to experience the stage up close. You will be able to explore and touch set pieces, props and costumes. Touch Tours last around 30 minutes and are for our blind and visually impaired customers. Spaces are limited so please speak to our Box Office team when booking your ticket to a performance. Stick Man Sat 16 Dec 12pm 2.22 A Ghost Story Wed 10 Jan 6.30pm The Frogs Thu 1 Feb 6.30pm The Mousetrap Wed 14 Feb 6.30pm Life Of Pi Wed 3 Apr 6.30pm Moby Dick Fri 12 Apr 6.30pm Grease Wed 15 May 6.30pm 61

BOOKING INFORMATION

Booking Information BOX OFFICE OPENING HOURS

TRANSACTION FEE

Box Office telephone lines are open Tuesday-Saturday 10am-6pm. Our Box Office counter service is available Tuesday-Friday 12pm-6pm and Saturday 10am-6pm. If a performance is scheduled on Sunday or Monday our Counter will open no later than 1 hour before, and remain open until 15 minutes after the start of the last scheduled performance. If there are no performances we remain closed on a Sunday and Monday.

A non-refundable transaction charge of £4 applies to all bookings of £20 and over, except for Members, Access Patrons and Group Bookers. This charge is only applicable per‑transaction and not per-ticket. The transaction charge exists to support the running costs of Royal & Derngate.

We encourage customers to use cashless payment options in order to reduce contact at our bars and Box Office. We accept all major credit and debit cards, Apple Pay or Google Pay. You can also pay with National Theatre Tokens or Royal & Derngate gift vouchers.

DISCOUNTS/CONCESSIONS Under 16s, Over 60s, Students, Job Seekers and Access Patrons may be able to claim a discount on their tickets. Please let us know if you are eligible for a concession at the time of booking and note that at some performances only certain types of concession may apply. • Stage & Screen Members also often make savings on our regular ticket prices. • For selected performances an allocation of tickets can be purchased at reduced prices by Groups, who also benefit from extended payment terms and a dedicated team member to support their booking. For more information email group.bookings@ royalandderngate.co.uk or call 01604 620066. • Our Subscribe & Save package offer reduced prices when booking for three or more shows – details on page 4. • Only one discount can be applied per ticket and all discounts are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time. • When booking performances that allow free entry for babes-in-arms, please inform Box Office how many you will be bringing. Age limits for free babes-in-arms tickets can vary.

TICKET DELIVERY

As ticket revenue is divided between many different parties, an increase in ticket prices may not necessarily benefit the theatre. By adding a transaction charge, we ensure that every penny goes directly to Royal & Derngate. We will continue to tell you about these charges when you book tickets with us.

CONDITIONS OF SALE Once purchased, tickets are non-refundable except where a show is cancelled or postponed. Ticket exchanges may be offered for the same production on payment of a small per ticket fee. For sold out shows we will accept returned tickets for re-sale up to 24 hours prior on the understanding that a gift voucher (less transaction fees) will be provided if the tickets are re-sold. Any tickets found to be sold via an unauthorised agent may be void without refund and the ticket holder refused entry. When booking, customers now have the option to add refund protection to their tickets via a third party provider, Booking Protect. This protects your ticket should you be unable to attend a show for reasons outside of your control such as illness. Please visit our website for full details on our conditions of sale.

STAYING IN TOUCH Our Box Office and website will ask when you book if you wish to receive further information from us about Royal & Derngate’s events and activities. We will record your wishes and use them to inform what you receive from us in future. You can update these preferences at any time by accessing your account via our website or by calling Box Office. Full information on how we use your data can be found at www.royalandderngate.co.uk/privacy.

Tickets can be sent electronically free of charge and may be printed at home or displayed on a smart phone upon entry. There is a £1.50 fee applicable to post your tickets to a UK address. We recommend that we do not post any tickets booked within 10 days of the performance, and instead will hold them at the Box Office for collection and a £1 fee applies for this service.

Box Office 01604 624811

GETTING HERE Royal & Derngate, 19-21 Guildhall Rd, Northampton NN1 1DP Royal & Derngate has entrances on Swan Street, Guildhall Road and Derngate. Please check your preshow email to find out which entrance to use hich may vary from what you are used to. The Northampton Filmhouse is located adjacent to Royal & Derngate in Albion Place and can be accessed from Derngate. Both venues are located in the centre of Northampton, approximately 15 minutes by car from the M1 and an hour from London by train. The postcode for SAT NAV devices is NN1 1DP. The train station is a 15 minute walk from the theatre.

CAR PARKING The closest car parks are St. John’s Multi-Storey Car Park and Albion Place Car Park. See the map for additional car parks. There are also a number of pay and display on‑street options available. Please don’t hesitate to talk to Box Office at time of booking if you have any concerns about your visit. For further information, including parking charges,please visit www.northampton.gov.uk/parking.

RESPECTING EVERYONE IN OUR SPACES We have introduced a new set of guidelines to encourage all of our visitors to be respectful and have the best possible time while attending our venues. BE AN ALLY – Everyone deserves to feel valued and supported. Racism, homophobia, and other hateful behaviours have no place in our society, and will not be tolerated in our spaces.

VISITOR INFORMATION

Visitor Information

BAG CHECKS – These keep everyone safe. Please make your bags are available so that we can check these quickly. ENJOY THE SHOW – Be considerate of the performers and the people around you. We love to see you enjoy the shows; it’s why we do what we do. However, if behaviours become obstructive or create an unsafe environment, we will ask that they stop. FORGET YOUR PHONE FOR A WHILE – Switch to silent. Please do not take pictures or film during performances. EATING AND DRINKING – Super loud or smelly foods are best avoided in the theatres and cinema. Please don’t bring your own alcohol. It will be confiscated and you can collect it as you exit. WHAT IF I’M LATE? – We might ask you to wait a few minutes until there’s a good point for you to go in.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

P1 St. John’s NN1 1HA 485 spaces P2 Albion Place NN1 1UD 71 spaces

P3 Hazelwood Rd P5 Commercial St. NN1 1PN NCP NN1 1LG 42 spaces 37 spaces P4 The Ridings P6 Mayorhold NN1 3HA NN1 2BT 1073 spaces 55 spaces

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All details were correct at time of going to print. We reserve the right to make any alterations to the programme, performers, times, ticket prices and Box Office opening hours. All concessions are subject to availability and some may only be available for a limited period. All prices are subject to change. Proof of status will be required on the first purchase of a concessionary ticket and can be checked on any subsequent ticket purchase. Some events or performances may be advertised in the national media prior to publication in the brochure and this is beyond the control of the Management. For full T&Cs see www.royalandderngate.co.uk/terms-conditions

WHAT’S ON

What’s On

For full Access Performance listings please see pages 60-61. Audio Described Touch Tours JANUARY Fri 5 January Sat 6 January Mon 8 January Tue 9 January Wed 10 January Thu 11 January Fri 12 January Sat 13 January Fri 19 January Sat 20 January Sun 21 January Mon 22 January Tue 23 January Wed 24 January Thu 25 January Fri 26 January Sat 27 January Mon 29 January Tue 30 January Wed 31 January FEBRUARY Thu 1 February Fri 2 February Sat 3 February

Sun 4 February Mon 5 February Wed 7 February Thu 8 February Fri 9 February Sat 10 February

BSL Interpreted/Integrated Captioned

Relaxed Pre/Post Show Talk

SHOW TIME 2.22 A Ghost Story 7.30pm 2.22 A Ghost Story 7.30pm 2.22 A Ghost Story 7.30pm 2.22 A Ghost Story 7.30pm 2.22 A Ghost Story 2.30pm & 7.30pm Pasadena Roof Orchestra 7.30pm 2.22 A Ghost Story 7.30pm Yippee Ki Yay: The Die Hard Parody 7.30pm 2.22 A Ghost Story 7.30pm Carl Hutchinson 7.30pm 2.22 A Ghost Story 2.30pm & 7.30pm The Dazzling Diamonds 7.30pm The Frogs 7.30pm Shen Yun 2pm & 7pm The Frogs 7.30pm Shen Yun 1pm The Frogs 7.30pm Shen Yun 2pm & 7pm The Frogs 7.30pm The Frogs 7pm Sarah Millican 8pm The Frogs 2.30pm & 7.30pm Sarah Millican 8pm The Frogs 7.30pm The ’80s Show 7.30pm The Frogs 2.30pm & 7.30pm Cirque Enchantment 3pm & 7pm The Frogs 7.30pm Diversity 7.30pm The Frogs 7.30pm Diversity 7.30pm The Frogs 7.30pm Diversity 7.30pm SHOW TIME The Frogs 2.30pm & 7.30pm The Story Of Guitar Heroes 7.30pm The Frogs 7.30pm Big Girls Don't Cry 7.30pm The Frogs 2.30pm & 7.30pm Romesh Ranganathan 3pm & 8pm Justin Moorhouse 7.30pm Giovanni Pernice 5pm Jimmy Carr 7pm & 9.30pm Luther Live 7.30pm The World According To Caleb 7.30pm Fascinating Aïda 7.30pm Screaming Blue Murder 8pm The Greatest Hits Of Motown 7.30pm Chloe Petts 7.30pm Pierre Novellie 7.30pm

VENUE Derngate Derngate Derngate Derngate Derngate Royal Derngate Royal Derngate Royal Derngate Royal Royal Derngate Royal Derngate Royal Derngate Royal Royal Derngate Royal Derngate Royal Derngate Royal Derngate Royal Derngate Royal Derngate Royal Derngate VENUE Royal Derngate Royal Derngate Royal Derngate Underground Derngate Derngate Derngate Derngate Derngate Royal Derngate Underground Royal

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Wed 14 February Thu 15 February Fri 16 February Sat 17 February Sun 18 February Mon 19 February Tue 20 February Wed 21 February Thu 22 February Fri 23 February Sat 24 February Sun 25 February Mon 26 February Tue 27 February Wed 28 February Thu 29 February MARCH Fri 1 March Sat 2 March Sun 3 March Tue 5 March Wed 6 March Thu 7 March Fri 8 March Sat 9 March

Sun 10 March Mon 11 March Tue 12 March Wed 13 March

Babatunde Aléshé 8pm The Mousetrap 7.30pm The Mousetrap 7.30pm Houdini's Greatest Escape 7.30pm The Mousetrap 2.30pm & 7.30pm Houdini's Greatest Escape 2.30pm & 7.30pm The Mousetrap 7.30pm The Mousetrap 7.30pm The Mousetrap 2.30pm & 7.30pm The Magic of Terry Pratchett 7.30pm NC Jazz 7.30pm Tap Factory 7.30pm Fireman Sam 12pm & 3.30pm Rude Science Live 1.30pm Phil Wang 7.30pm There's A Monster In Your Show 1.30pm Sir Ranulph Feinnes 7.30pm There's A Monster In Your Show 11am & 1.30pm Varna International Ballet: 7.30pm Sleeping Beauty There's A Monster In Your Show 11am & 1.30pm Varna International Ballet: 7.30pm Swan Lake There's A Monster In Your Show 11am & 1.30pm Varna International Ballet: 2.30pm & 7.30pm The Nutcracker There's A Monster In Your Show 11am & 1.30pm Royal Philharmonic Orchestra 2.30pm What’s Love Got To Do With It? 7.30pm Oh What A Lovely War 2pm & 7.30pm Buffy Revamped 7.30pm Dr Michael Mosley & Dr Clare Bailey 7.30pm One Night Of Elvis 7.30pm Bert's House 7.30pm SHOW TIME Bert's House 7.30pm Stewart Lee 7.30pm Screaming Blue Murder 8pm Al Murray 7.30pm NMPAT: Orchestra Spectacular 6pm Axel Blake 7.30pm Miles Jupp 7.30pm NMPAT: Big Sing 6.30pm NMPAT: Big Sing 6.30pm Alice Roberts 7.30pm The ELO Show 7.30pm Rosie Jones 7.30pm Troy Hawke 7.30pm Fisherman's Friends 7.30pm Fiona Allan 8pm NMPAT: Wind Band Spectacular 6pm Royal & Derngate Young Company 7pm Acting: The Periodicals Jonathan Pie 7.30pm Royal & Derngate Young Company 7pm Acting: The Periodicals Jonathan Pie 7.30pm Ross Noble’s Jibber Jabber 8pm Jamboree

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Royal Derngate Derngate Royal Derngate Royal Derngate Derngate Derngate Royal Royal Derngate Derngate Derngate Derngate Royal Derngate Royal

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WHAT’S ON

Sun 11 February Mon 12 February Tue 13 February

WHAT’S ON

Thu 14 March Fri 15 March Sat 16 March

Sun 17 March Mon 18 March Tue 19 March Wed 20 March Thu 21 March Fri 22 March Sat 23 March Sun 24 March Mon 25 March Tue 26 March Wed 27 March Thu 28 March Fri 29 March Sat 30 March APRIL Tue 2 April Wed 3 April Thu 4 April Fri 5 April Sat 6 April Mon 8 April Tue 9 April Wed 10 April Thu 11 April Fri 12 April Sat 13 April Sun 14 April Mon 15 April Tue 16 April Wed 17 April Thu 18 April Fri 19 April

Cara Dillon The Scummy Mummies Zog And The Flying Doctors Pete Firman Zog And The Flying Doctors Matt Green Ania Magliano Zog And The Flying Doctors Morgan & West’s Massive Magic Show for Kids! Justin Hayward Cracking A Beautiful Noise Iain Stirling Lucy Beaumont Daniel O’Reilly Chaka: The Music Of Chaka Khan The Father The Father Stranger Sings The Bubble Show The Mighty ’90s Dancing Schools UK The Time Machine An Evening With Anton Du Beke The Time Machine Lost In Music The Time Machine Happy Mondays The Time Machine The Time Machine Collide: A Choirfest Experience SHOW Life Of Pi Life Of Pi Life Of Pi Moby Dick Life Of Pi Moby Dick Life Of Pi Moby Dick Moby Dick Moby Dick Tommy Tiernan Moby Dick Moby Dick The Carpenters Story Moby Dick Mixed Bill Comedy Megashow The Billy Joel Songbook Connections Festival The Bootleg Beatles Connections Festival Connections Festival Julian Clary Connections Festival Ed Gamble Connections Festival Don’t Stop Believin’

7.30pm 7.30pm 4.30pm 7.30pm 10.30am, 1.30pm & 4pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 10.30am, 1.30pm & 4pm

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7.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 2pm & 6pm 7.30pm 2pm 7.30pm 6.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 2.30pm & 7.30pm 7pm 7.30pm 2.30pm & 7.30pm 7.30pm TIME 7.30pm 2.30pm & 7.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 2.30pm & 7.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 7pm 7.30pm 2.30pm & 7.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 2.30pm & 7.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm Times Vary 7.30pm Times Vary Times Vary 7.30pm Times Vary 7.30pm Times Vary 7.30pm

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Looking to put your brand in the spotlight and have a great night out along the way? We’ve got just the ticket. Whether you’re interested in staff recognition, client entertaining, or unique ways to increase your brand exposure, a business club membership is a great way to get involved!

BUSINESS CLUB

Join Our Business Club To find out more, email businessclub@royalandderngate.co.uk.

THANK YOU TO ALL OUR MEMBERS

NORTHAMPTON TOWN CENTRE HOTEL by AccorHotels

THANK YOU TO OUR FUNDERS & SUPPORTERS

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STAGE & SCREEN MEMBERSHIP

Our memberships are designed to save you money and give you more. Whether you’re a theatre lover or film buff, there’s something for everyone, and with our Stage & Screen Membership you can enjoy the very best in entertainment from across both Royal & Derngate and Northampton Filmhouse. DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE

Our Director’s Circle memberships give you everything from the Stage & Screen Membership and more! Get closer to the action at the level that suits you, all of which include a donation as part of the membership fee to help us continue our ongoing charitable work.

PRIORITY BOOKING • TICKET DISCOUNTS • FREE TICKET EXCHANGES • NO FEES

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Box Office 01604 624811 www.royalandderngate.co.uk