Ten of the Best - Your guide to what to see around Northants in the coming days
From classic ballet to stand-up stars, there’s plenty to enjoy
1 Agatha Christie’s Death On The Nile, Royal & Derngate, Northampton, until Saturday November 8
Aboard a cruise under the heat of the Egyptian sun, a couple’s idyllic honeymoon is cut short by a brutal murder. Can the world-famous detective, Hercule Poirot, untangle the web of lies and solve another crime? Following the sell-out tour of Murder on the Orient Express, the production of the Agatha Christie classic reunites writer Ken Ludwig, director Lucy Bailey, whose version of Witness for the Prosecution has been a major hit, and theatre company Fiery Angel.
Starring as Poirot is Mark Hadfield, whose credits include Belfast, Outlander and Wallander. He will be joined on stage by Glynis Barber (Dempsey and Makepeace, EastEnders) and Bob Barrett (Murder on the Orient Express, Holby City).
Call 01604 624811 or visit www.royalandderngate.co.uk to book.
2 Imperial Classical Ballet: Swan Lake, Castle Theatre, Wellingborough, Sunday November 9
Swan Lake is the compelling legend of a tragic romance in which a princess, Odette, is turned into a swan by an evil curse. Prince Siegfried chances upon a flock of swans while out hunting. When one of the swans turns into a beautiful young woman he is instantly captivated – will his love prove strong enough to break the evil spell that she is under? From the opulent splendour of the palace ballroom to the moonlit lake where majestic swans glide in perfect formation, this compelling tale of tragic romance has it all.
Producer Alexej Ignatow, of Amande Concerts, which produces the show, said: “With extensive national tours that get our productions seen the length and breadth of the country, we are able to offer national audiences in various theatres an unforgettable experience at a fraction of the price of the major opera houses, all without sacrificing quality. We aim to deliver top quality productions every year and make new converts wherever we go.”
Visit castletheatre.co.uk or call 01933 270 007 to book.
3 Myra DuBois: Cosmic Empath, Royal & Derngate, Northampton, Friday November 7
“I’ve consulted my own wellness guide, the very Reverend Dr Guru Malcolm,” says Myra, “and he tells me that right now every star of the cosmos is looking at me with expectation.” Expect trademark killer wit and a singing voice that’s truly like no-one else’s. Call 01604 624811 or visit www.royalandderngate.co.uk to book.
4 The Rat Pack: Swingin’ At The Sands, Royal & Derngate, Northampton, Sunday November 9
Featuring stars of the West End show The Rat Pack, Live From Las Vegas, this fully choreographed show features the likes of Fly Me To The Moon, Mr Bojangles and That’s Amore, along with singalongs New York, New York and My Way, in a celebration of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jnr. Call 01604 624811 or visit www.royalandderngate.co.uk to book.
5 Rave On, Royal & Derngate, Northampton, Thursday November 13
Charting the meteoric rise of rock and roll, Rave On is a tour through music’s most revolutionary decades, featuring vibrant vintage costumes, colourful staging and dancing in the aisles. From the emergence of rock and roll at Sun Records in Memphis, to the British Invasion and beyond, it includes hits from the likes of Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, The Beatles, Connie Francis, The Who, Little Richard, Roy Orbison, Lulu, The Beach Boys and many more. Call 01604 624811 or visit www.royalandderngate.co.uk to book.
6 Northern Live – Do I Love You, The Deco, Northampton, Saturday November 8
Keeping the faith with the original sounds of the underground movement that started on the dance floors in the north and eventually swept the nation, the show boasts an 11-piece band with four lead vocalists performing more than 30 original hits. Visit theoldsavoy.co.uk or call 01604 491005 to book.
7 Ed Patrick – Catch Your Breath, The Core at Corby Cube, Friday November 14
NHS anaesthetist, comedian and author Ed Patrick finds the comedy in his story of becoming a junior doctor, the NHS, the pitfalls of modern medicine and the power of questioning it. Ed has appeared on Have I Got News For You and been heard on BBC Radio 2, BBC Radio 4 and BBC Radio Scotland. Ed also hosts the Comedians Surgery podcast where he speaks to guests including Joe Lycett, Rose Matafeo and Phil Wang about their health stories and experiences. Visit thecorecorby.com or call 01536 470470 to book.
8 Count Arthur Strong is Charles Dickens in A Christmas Carol, Castle Theatre, Wellingborough, Saturday November 8
The hapless Vaudevillian comic creation tells the Charles Dickens story and follows this with his own adaptation of the most classic of festive tales, A Christmas Carol. “If you miss it, you weren’t there!,” he says. Visit castletheatre.co.uk or call 01933 270 007 to book.
9 George Lewis: The Best Thing You’ll Ever Do, Royal & Derngate, Northampton, Friday November 14
Stand-up comedian George has racked up hundreds of millions of views for his dad-centric online sketches about the big things in life, like owning an air fryer, watching a David Beckham documentary and the excruciating experience of trying to do a jigsaw with your kid. Now he’s bringing his brand new stand up show to the stage. “It won’t just be about parenting though,” he says – because he’s “bought a new Hoover, watched some more stuff on Netflix… loads”. George has appeared on The Stand Up Sketch Show and Comedy Central Live, written a bestselling book (Don’t Panic! All the stuff the expectant dad needs to know) andsupported Romesh Ranganathan, Tom Allen, Russell Kane and Josh Widdicombe on their national tours. Call 01604 624811 or visit www.royalandderngate.co.uk to book.
10 Chris McCausland: Yonks!, Lighthouse Theatre, Kettering, Sunday November 9
Chris became a household name on his way to winning last year’s Strictly Come Dancing. He’s also been on Would I Lie to You, Have I Got News for You, The Royal Variety, QI, Blankety Blank, The Last Leg and plenty more as well. Now he’s hitting the road again with what’s billed as “another masterclass in stand-up comedy that has literally been yonks in the making”. Visit lighthousetheatre.co.uk or call 01536 414141 to book.