Bumper line-up of stars set to brighten autumn
A new stage version of classic comedy Dad's Army and the first Sir Malcolm Arnold Festival featuring rock legend Jon Lord are among the attractions lined up for the new autumn season at Northampton's Derngate.
Other musical highlights include concerts by Sophie Ellis Bextor, Belinda Carlisle and opera diva Lesley Garrett and there's a feast of comedy with shows by Ross Noble, Paul Merton, Sean Hughes, Frank Skinner and Ken Dodd.
Two 'lost' episodes of Dad's Army are among the three being presented at the Derngate from September 17 to 22, starring Leslie Grantham as Private Walker and Emmerdale's Peter Martin as Captain Mainwaring.
Other September shows include the stage version of radio's I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue, the return of comics Ross Noble and Sean Hughes and a concert by Sixties stars The Manfreds.
Hi-de-Hi star Ruth Madoc heads an all-star cast in a new production of Annie from September 24 to 29.
Deep Purple keyboard king Jon Lord will perform his Concerto for Group and Orchestra with the Royal Philharmonic on October 7 as part of the Malcolm Arnold Festival.
The piece was premiered at the Royal Albert Hall in 1969 with the Northampton-born composer as conductor.
October concerts also include Sophie Ellis Bextor, Runrig, Bev Bevan's Move, Rick Wakeman and tribute shows to Elvis Presley, Patsy Cline, Queen and the Rolling Stones.
There are shows by TV adventurer Ray Mears and percussion group The Noise Ensemble but Frank Skinner's one-man show has already sold out.
November music ranges from Joe Brown, The Stylistics and The Saw Doctors to Mike and the Mechanics frontman Paul Carrack, cult African singers Ladysmith Black Mambazo and The Blockheads with comedian Phill Jupitus replacing the late Ian Dury on lead vocals.
Lesley Garrett guests with the Manchester Camerata Orchestra and Have I Got News For You star Paul Merton presents an evening of extracts featuring his silent movie heroes.
December music highlights include shows by The Commitments, glam rockers Slade and Mud, Kate Rusby and Belinda Carlisle.
Special guests appear in The Vagina Monologues and this year's Derngate panto is Peter Pan with Sophie Lawrence in the title role and David Essex as Captain Hook.
Full ticket details and bookings for all shows on 01604 624811 or www.royalandderngate.co.uk.
The Royal Theatre
Alan Ayckbourn's Time Of My Life and J B Priestley's The Glass Cage are featured in an exciting new season of drama at The Royal Theatre in Northampton.
The two productions , in September and November respectively, are directed by Laurie Sansom, artistic director of the Derngate and Royal, who has a particular affection for both plays.
He spent four years at The Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough working alongside Ayckbourn and is passionate about bringing The Glass Cage to the stage for the first time in 50 years.
Also being staged in November is a new adaptation of Captain Corelli's Mandolin and the punk comedy Meeting Joe Strummer, a tale about two young men whose lives are transformed by The Clash.
Other drama highlights are Roald Dahl's Danny: Champion of the World, performed by the Birmingham Stage Company, and cult comedy troupe Spymonkey's version of the outrageous musical comedy Cooped.
The season gets under way with Northampton Festival Opera's production of Bizet's The Pearl Fishers (September 13 to 15) and this year's Christmas show will be the children's classic 101 Dalmatians.
Next January the Olivier Award-winning West End production of John Buchan's The 39 Steps can be seen prior to its move to Broadway and Northampton Gilbert & Sullivan Group returns with its version of The Mikado.
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein will also run from February 22 to March 15.
This October the Royal hosts a Children's Festival with performances of Tom Thumb, The Puppet Who Planted Trees and Egg and Spoon.
Ticket details and bookings on 01604 624811.
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Weather for Northampton
Friday 10 February 2012
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