Ten of the Best - Your guide to what to see around Northants in the coming days
From roarsome family fun to a big ‘80s party and top stand-up, there’s plenty to enjoy
1 The Tiger Who Came To Tea, Royal & Derngate, Northampton, Tuesday June 2 to Thursday June 4
The doorbell rings just as Sophie and her mummy are sitting down to tea. What they certainly don’t expect to see at the door is a big, stripy tiger! Packed with oodles of magic, singalong songs and clumsy chaos, the Olivier Award-nominated smash hit show returns to the venue. Visit royalandderngate.co.uk or call 01604 624811 to book.
2 Dinosaur Adventure Live, The Deco, Northampton, Friday May 29
Family-friendly storytelling, striking puppetry and ‘roarsome’ science will bring the ancient world of dinosaurs back to life. Dinosaur Adventure Live features everything from a shadowy raptor on the loose to baby dinosaurs the audience can feed, with every twist in the plot promising gasps, giggles and the occasional scare. The show blends humour, thrills and hands-on learning into an interactive stage experience. Children are encouraged to stomp, roar, and swish their tails along with the action. And Beyond the action, the show has plenty of educational moments. The show is recommended for ages four and above. It lasts for one hour, with no interval. Visit theoldsavoy.co.uk or call 01604 491005 to book.
3 We Will Rock You, The Core at Corby Cube, Thursday May 28 to Saturday May 30
Corby Amateur Theatrical Society presents the worldwide smash hit musical by Queen and Ben Elton. It includes 24 of Queen’s biggest hits, such as We are the Champions, Radio Ga Ga, I Want To Break Free, Somebody To Love, Killer Queen, Don’t Stop Me Now, Under Pressure, Bohemian Rhapsody, Another One Bites The Dust and of course We Will Rock You. Visit thecorecorby.com or call 01536 470470 to book.
4 Disco For Grown Ups: Gary Davies’ 80s Party, Royal & Derngate, Northampton, Friday May 29
The legendary ’80s DJ and current BBC Radio 2 favourite has teamed up with Discos For Grown Ups to present an unstoppable, high-energy ’80s party. Expect dancers, confetti showers, lights, lasers, mirror balls and all the some of the greatest ’80s classics to boogie to from Wham, Erasure, Abba, Whitney, A-ha, Queen, Depeche Mode, Duran Duran, Human League, Madonna, Eurythmics, Soft Cell and many more. Visit royalandderngate.co.uk or call 01604 624811 to book.
5 An Evening with Jack the Ripper, Castle Theatre, Wellingborough, Thursday June 4
Between August and November 1888, in Whitechapel, London, a series of women were brutally murdered. It’s the greatest unsolved case in criminal history, one that continues to confuse and confound, generating argument, debate and a host of different theories. The identity of the killer remains a mystery – but this show tries to uncover it. An Evening with Jack the Ripper will delve into the sordid realms of Victorian London in an attempt to finally unmask the man who preyed upon the most vulnerable members of society. It’s presented by the award-winning producer and broadcaster Steve Morgan, who has captivated thousands of people on his celebrated Ripper Walks through the East End of London, where he retraces the steps of the notorious killer through the streets he stalked. Visit castletheatre.co.uk or call 01933 270 007 to book.
6 Screaming Blue Murder Comedy Club, Royal & Derngate, Northampton, Saturday May 30
The popular stand-up night returns, with performances from Alistair Barrie, Alex Bertulis-Fernandes and Ross Smith. Compere for the show is Dan Evans. Visit royalandderngate.co.uk or call 01604 624811 to book.
7 Los Endos Ultimate Genesis present The Genesis Revelation, Castle Theatre, Wellingborough, Saturday May 30
Los Endos aim to capture the excitement of a live Genesis gig from the 1970s, with a two-and-a-half-hour performance of top musicianship and a light show. Featuring music from their early heyday when Peter Gabriel sang and Steve Hackett played guitar to when Phil Collins took centre stage, Los Endos have focussed on music from all the hit albums of the ‘70s plus a few surprises. Visit castletheatre.co.uk or call 01933 270 007 to book.
8 The Addams Family, Lighthouse Theatre, Kettering, Thursday June 4 to Saturday June 6
Youth musical theatre company Rare Productions presents a macabre comical feast. Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, has grown up and fallen in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respectable family—a man her parents have never met. And if that wasn’t upsetting enough, Wednesday confides in her father and begs him not to tell her mother. Now, Gomez Addams must do something he’s never done before – keep a secret from his beloved wife, Morticia. Everything will change for the whole family on the fateful night they host a dinner for Wednesday’s “normal” boyfriend and his parents. Visit lighthousetheatre.co.uk or call 01536 414141 to book.
9 Visualise textile art exhibition, Sulgrave Manor, until July 5
This exhibition of contemporary stitched art textiles, created by the Visualise textile group, includes artwork inspired by the manor, gardens and the history of the ancestral home of George Washington, to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the American Declaration of Independence. On display are abstract, realistic and figurative works of art using a wide variety of media: paper, fabric and found objects. These are stitched or felted by hand and machine to create art inspired by both the natural world and the man-made environment.
Visualise was formed several years ago, by like-minded artists who enjoy creating diverse work with stitch as the common thread. Comprising Wendy Bates, Jane Caven, Anne Clayton, Janet Gosling, Bridget Hawkridge, Sandra Jenkins, Thérèse Kane, Karin Kirk, Mary Martin, Alyssa Robinson, Jane Stock, Val Taylor, Tessa Thompson and Rebecca Warrington, the group meets regularly in Welford, Northamptonshire. The exhibition also features work by Nigel Cheney, the current mentor to the group. Visit www.visualise.online or www.sulgravemanor.org.uk for more information.
10 The Best In Comedy, Lighthouse Theatre, Kettering, Friday May 29
Big names promise a night of big laughs in Kettering, with the show featuring Bridget Christie, Jayde Adams, Stephen Bailey and Esther Manitoh. Taskmaster star Bridget Christie is known for her remarkable range, being playful and surreal at times but never afraid to make a hard-hitting point. Jayde Adams is a multi-award winning comedian, star of Strictly Come Dancing and ITV sitcom Ruby Speaking, who also stars in the Bafta-winning Alma’s Not Normal (BBC Two), the new Take That film Greatest Days, Good Omens and The Outlaws, as well as hosting Channel 4’s food shows Crazy Delicious and Snackmasters. Comedian, presenter, actor and writer, Stephen Bailey describes himself as a “proud northern, working class, gay man”, with an indecorous brand of gossipy humour and TV credits including Would I Lie to You, Live at the Apollo, The Stand Up Sketch Show, Roast Battle, Celebrity Mastermind and The Apprentice: You’re Fired. And Esther Manito calls herself “an Arab Essex girl who will challenge every single preconception of what that means,” and has been seen on Live at The Apollo, The Stand Up Sketch Show and Hypothetical. Visit lighthousetheatre.co.uk or call 01536 414141 to book.