Ten of the Best - Your guide to what to see around Northants in the coming days

1 Adam Frost, Royal & Derngate, Northampton, Tuesday March 17

In his most personal show to date, the award-winning British garden designer and BBC Gardeners’ World presenter will discuss the plants that have shaped his life and reflect on what’s brought him to where he is now. He’ll unearth the inspiration he’s found through a life in the garden and from the people he’s met along the way. Adam will share previously untold stories of how his passion for plants has taken him around the world and challenged him with unexpected experiences – from curating a garden in Japan during a monsoon to meeting heroes.

In a new twist he will highlight the music that’s steered his course and why he identifies as an “old romantic fool”. He talks the audience through the soundtrack to his planting taking inspiration from music that includes Louis Armstrong’s What A Wonderful World, You’ll Never Walk Alone by Marcus Mumford and There’d Better be a Mirrorball by Arctic Monkeys.

He also has songs that capture his love for each specific area of the garden, including The Killers’ Mr. Brightside, Lucky Man by Richard Ashcroft, Dreamy Skies by the Rolling Stones and Secret Garden by Bruce Springsteen.

Adam Frost is an award-winning British garden designer, author and TV presenter. Aside from BBC’s Gardeners’ World (BBC Two), he appears regularly on the BBC’s coverage of RHS Chelsea Flower Show, fronts films for Morning Live (BBC One) and has appeared on The One Show and DIY SOS.

Visit royalandderngate.co.uk or call 01604 624811 to book.

2 Paul Merton & Suki Webster’s Improv Show, Royal & Derngate, Northampton, Thursday March 19

Following critically acclaimed seasons in London and Edinburgh, Paul Merton and Suki Webster, two of the UK’s leading improvisers, present an evening of unscripted cutting-edge comedy. Expect a show full of fast, fabulously funny improvised games, scenes, stories and surrealism. Visit royalandderngate.co.uk or call 01604 624811 to book.

3 The Irish House Party, The Core at Corby Cube, Tuesday March 17

It’s a fitting treat for St Patrick’s Day. Be transported back to the heart of an impromptu Irish house party – a traditional song-and-dance celebration dating back to the early 19th century, where loved ones were given a final farewell before emigrating to America, Canada, Australia and the UK. On stage, The Irish House Party musicians – two of whom are world-class dancers – perform with infectious energy, lightning-fast footwork, top musicianship and great banter. Instruments include guitar, violin, flute and bodhran (Irish drum), all of which combine with close harmony singing and dancing, in a celebration of a centuries-old tradition – but with a contemporary twist. Visit thecorecorby.com or call 01536 470470 to book.

4 Legend – The Music of Bob Marley, Royal & Derngate, Northampton, Saturday March 14

The two-hour rasta spectacular showcases the magic of Marley with songs including Could You Be Loved, One Love, No Woman No Cry, Get Up Stand Up and more. Visit royalandderngate.co.uk or call 01604 624811 to book.

5 Glendon Gang Show, The Core at Corby Cube, until Saturday March 14

Dozens of Cubs, Brownies, Scouts and Guides ranging in age from eight to 25 years are waiting to entertain the public in a fast-moving variety show. Glendon Gang Show was formed in 2024 by the merging of Corby & Kettering Gang Shows, which had previously operated independently, within the same Scouting District of Glendon (Corby & Kettering). The gang shows of Kettering and Corby have produced more than 120 annual performance and many thousands of people have enjoyed the songs, sketches, dancing and general family entertainment that Gang Shows provide. Visit thecorecorby.com or call 01536 470470 to book.

6 Ross Noble – Cranium Of Curiosities, Royal & Derngate, Northampton, Friday March 13

He’s billed as “The Wizard of Waffle, The Rambler Royale, The Noodlers’ Noodler” – and he’s back live on stage to tour a tornado of tangents. What the show will be about is anybody’s guess, but that’s all part of the fun. Visit royalandderngate.co.uk or call 01604 624811 to book.

7 Ben Fogle: Wild, Lighthouse Theatre, Kettering, Tuesday March 17

The adventurer’s theatre show promises stories of hope, possibility, and positivity. From the wilderness of Northern Sweden to the jungles of Honduras, and the hostile extreme environments of Chernobyl to the mountains of Nepal, Ben will take theatregoers on a journey with inspiring and uplifting tales of self-discovery, packed with extraordinary true stories of Ben’s encounters with people and animals, and how they changed his life. Visit lighthousetheatre.co.uk or call 01536 414141 to book.

8 Kane Brown: Crowd Work King, Lighthouse Theatre, Kettering, March 15

It’s an hour of purely unscripted, unplanned comedy, all based around audience participation. Nobody knows what’s coming next – not even the comedian. Guz Khan called him “the most naturally talented standup with a crowd I’ve ever seen”. Visit lighthousetheatre.co.uk or call 01536 414141 to book.

9 Northamptonshire Music and Performing Arts Trust Big Sing, Royal & Derngate, Northampton, Thursday March 12

Join a wild musical celebration inspired by the 200th anniversary of the founding of the Zoological Society of London. The performance features a massed school choir formed from schools across Northamptonshire. Visit royalandderngate.co.uk or call 01604 624811 to book.

10 Inspector Morse: House of Ghosts, Milton Keynes Theatre, Tuesday March 17 to Saturday March 21

A chilling mystery unfolds when a young actress suddenly dies on stage during a performance, and Detective Chief Inspector Morse embarks on a gripping investigation. What begins as a suspicious death inquiry takes a darker turn when the legendary inspector, together with DS Lewis, uncovers a connection to sinister events in his own past, 25 years earlier. Inspector Morse: House of Ghosts marks the first-ever stage adaptation of the much-loved detective. ITV's long-running Inspector Morse, hailed by Radio Times as “The greatest British crime series of all time,” has inspired equally beloved spin-offs, Lewis and Endeavour. The productions stars Tom Chambers (Father Brown, Strictly Come Dancing) as Inspector Morse. Visit atgtickets.com/MiltonKeynes to book.