Theatre

Get a Pi-ece of the action! New versions of classic shows, a special anniversary for Northampton’s G&S Society and one gag after another with funny folks showing out all over. Sammy Jones leads you through April’s theatre business... Universally acclaimed in theatreland, Life of Pi comes to the Derngate stage (April 2-6) with amazing visuals and world-class puppetry for your eyes to devour. 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. The story of a true journey of endurance and hope. There is more drama on the high seas with Moby Dick (April 5-13) at The Royal ready to make a splash. 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..

Coleen Nolan will be getting Naked in Northampton this March, in a manner of speaking. She told Pulse’s Sammy Jones what’s on the musical menu... She’s the Loose Woman with the quick wit and the empathetic nature, and she’s super confident. Or so we thought, but talking to Coleen Nolan she assures us that she struggles with confidence. “I am scared of everything. I have been doing Loose Women for something like 23 or 24 years, and before every show I get nervous,” she admits, “Even the Loose Women are like ‘I can’t believe you still get nervous.’ But I don’t necessarily think nerves are a bad thing and it’s because whatever I set my mind to, I want to do it well.” Right now, Coleen is out on the road starring in her own theatre show, Naked, and those nerves are bristling. Incredibly, this is the first time she..

The Derngate has so many comedy nights ahead this month that Sammy Jones has had to write her own one-liners to give them all a plug! It’s not all comedy though; death and disease in the Middle Ages gets a mention, and The Old Savoy is bringing smart lady Coleen Nolan to the stage. Here’s the lowdown... The giggles start with Stewart Lee (Derngate, March 1) who returns for another outing of Basic Lee. The man who is known for his groundbreaking high concept shows involving overarched interlinked narratives, massive sets and enormous comedy props, is doing an about turn with this delivery; just one man and his mic. Al Murray is back as The Pub Landlord in Guv Island (March 2), Axel Blake, 2022’s winner of Britain’s Got Talent will be In Style (March 3, Royal), and Miles Jupp (March 5, Royal) presents On I Bang, ‘a tale about..

February promises shows that are funny, fruity and fabulous. Strictly speaking, Giovanni Pernice’s return to the Derngate stage (Feb 4) will be an unforgettable experience for fans of delectable dance – and the show title promises as much; it’s called Let Me Entertain You. Giovanni will be joined by a cast of West End players. They won’t put a foot wrong! At The Royal, the Rabbit Hole Detectives podcast will be recorded live (Feb 10) with friends Richard Coles, Cat Jarman and Charles Spencer pooling passions and knowledge to investigate the strange and curious pockets of history, and they’ll be answering the questions you wouldn’t even think to ask. Whether you are a history buff yourself, or just chronically curious you can expect a wonderful evening of forensically researched, beautifully observed explorations of history with a hearty serving of personal anecdotes and giggle-inducing tangents. Simply, this will be ace! The..

Hoppy talkin’, talking, hoppy talk! A show produced by Royal & Derngate plays on the Royal stage and helps get the new year off to a flying start. Read all about it and then stop pond-ering and go book tickets, says Pulse’s Sammy Jones as she casts an eye over January’s stage shows in the town... Already a celebrated West End hit, 2:22 A Ghost Story will bring chills to the Derngate (Jan 5-13), with a cast of class including The Wanted’s Jay McGuiness, Emmerdale actress Emma Wade, Call the Midwife’s George Rainford and Vera Chok from Hollyoaks. This supernatural thriller bagged the gong for Best New Play at the Whatsonstage Awards and is funny and adrenaline-fuelled in equal measure. Jenny believes her new home is haunted, but her husband Sam isn’t having any of it. They argue with their first dinner guests, old friend Lauren and new partner Ben...

It’s the most magical time of the year, and pantomime is a huge part of that family entertainment, with lost slippers, ‘wooden actors’ (read the feature!), talking mirrors, lost children and all sorts of bonkers stories waiting to be told. Sammy Jones once again picked up the magical wand and sprinkled some fairy dust to bring you the ultimate guide to pantos in the area. Oh, yes she did! Panto: Cinderella Starring: Brian Conley is swapping Albert Square for the new city – and his daughter Lucy will join the cast this time Where: Milton Keynes Theatre When: Saturday, December 9 2023 –Sunday, January 14 2024 What to expect: Another top class production from the team behind Crossroads. They say: “This Cinderella is a bit different, so I think you are going to want to see it. Even though you might have seen Cinderella before, this is a nice, different..