What’s on at the theatre in Northampton

Doppelgingers, Pink Ladies, a Fresh Prince favourite, a magical night out, a sharp dressed man, Six Chick Flicks and Rapunzel. Just some of the variety coming to a stage near you this May. Sammy Jones digs deep…

The last time he was in these parts, Ray Bradshaw (May 1, Royal) delivered the goods with Deaf Com One, about growing up with deaf parents. Now, the multi award-winning comedian is back with Doppelginger.

Ray is always being told, ‘You look just like my mate…’ and so now he’s on a quest to find the person who looks most like him. This latest show is a heartwarming comedy about a silly search for a man with an orange beard who is follicly challenged. Do you have a bald, ginger bearded pal in their 30s? Take them along. They could be The One. This show will have a BSL Interpreter too.

Six Chick Flicks (May 3, Royal) was a sell-out smash hit at the Edinburgh Fringe and now it’s your turn to add to your smile lines at the hands of New York comedians Kerry Ipema and KK Apple who will take you from the deck of the Titanic to the glittery pink halls of Harvard Law.

‘If you love chick flicks you’ll love this show. If you hate chick flicks…you’ll love this show!’ is the promise.
Essentially, Six Chick Flicks is a ‘Legally Blonde Pretty Woman Dirty Danced on the Beaches while writing a Notebook on the Titanic.’ Geddit?!

Gyles Brandreth (May 5, Derngate) Can’t Stop Talking – he’s been burbling and babbling since he was a baby and now the jumper-loving knowledge pot is set to share a rollercoaster of tales and revelations from his unlikely life in show business and politics. And his Royal associations!

We’re not saying you should settle in for the night, but the verbivore holds the world record for the longest-ever after-dinner speech. It was 12 and a half hours long…
Tom Allen is the household name with the acerbic wit and riotous storytelling, and the dapper dressed fella – and host of The Apprentice: You’re Fired is spending two nights in this neck of the woods (May 9 & 10, Derngate) with Completely.

He wants your opinions on his vegetable patch…
Calling all Burger Palace Boys and Pink Ladies; Grease is the word (May 13-18, Derngate) and the Rydell High centred action is grittier and more glamorous than ever before. So many years on, and it’s still electrifyin’!

The School For Scandal (May 21-25, Royal) is deliciously naughty and outrageously silly. A timeless comedy in social satire and the art of gossip.

Sir Peter Teazle (played by Fresh Prince of Bel Air star Joseph Marcell) believes his young wife is sleeping with someone else. She isn’t, but she’s starting to think if her husband believes it, she may as well give it a go.

‘I’m Not As Well As I Thought I Was’ declares Ruby Wax (May 28, Royal) as she continues performances of her ‘rawest, darkest, funniest and most compelling stage show yet,’ due to enormous demand.

Everybody’s Talking About Jamie (May 28-June 1) is a modern day marvel as many of you know already. If you’ve seen it before, you’ll want some more, and if you’ve yet to indulge, now is the time.

Jamie New is sixteen and lives on a council estate in Sheffield. He doesn’t quite fit in and is terrified about the future. But he 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.
Milton Keynes-raised, West End star Ivano Turco is in the lead role.

Emmanuel Sonubi (May 29, Royal) will take you on a whistle stop tour through the jobs that have led him to become a must-see sensation, with his show Curriculum Vitae, and a day later Smack The Pony star Fiona Allen will take over with her debut stand-up show. It’s about family, marriage and things that truly annoy her.
Fiona says it’s a show, ‘for everyone, even those passive-aggressive school mums.’

Over at The Old Savoy, the kids will be catered for during half term with the DollyPopz Children’s Show (May 28), before you let your hair down with the tangled musical adventure Rapunzel (May 29), followed by Milkshake! Live on Holiday (May 30). Dora, Pip and Posy will be there. Will your little ‘uns?