Derngate launches new digital comedy musical starring Jason Manford as live performances postponed

A Northampton theatre is launching a digital musical that could help keep people entertained during the coronavirus pandemic.

While Royal & Derngate is closed and all live performances have been suspended, the theatre is turning its hand to digital entertainment.

The Derngate’s musical Zoological Society, starring Jason Manford, is definitely not for children as it features comical zoo animals who deal with adult problems, thoughts and feelings.

A spokeswoman for the theatre said: “For grown ups only, this outrageous new musical comedy reveals the innermost thoughts of a troupe of loveable zoo animals, from gossiping giraffes and depressed monkeys to a penguin nervous about becoming a single mother and two pandas feeling the pressure to procreate.”

Zoological Society, which will be released as a concept album including a number of songs, is written by multi-award-winners Vikki Stone and Katie Mulgrew.

Starring Jason Manford, Lucie Jones from West End show Waitress and Trevor Dion Nicholas from Aladdin and Hamilton, the musical has been written to entertain people in the comfort of their own homes as part of the Derngate’s initiative to create a number of musicals, supported by the Arts Council England’s Ambition for Excellence programme.

Zoological Society will be released as an album on Friday (March 27) and will be available from all main streaming services.

A short film introducing the characters has also been made by award-winning animator Tim Wheatley and is available to watch now.

Visit the Derngate’s website to find out more information and to watch the short film.