Ten of the Best - Your guide to what to see around Northants in the coming days
From a violin great to the fun of the circus, there’s plenty to enjoy
1 Nigel Kennedy: A Virtuoso Concert Performance, Royal & Derngate, Northampton, Friday June 19
One of the UK’s greatest living violinists presents an evening that reflects his love of what he calls “a unified approach to all music”. Kennedy will be accompanied by Alec Dankworth, son of the late John Dankworth and Cleo Laine, on double bass and the great cellist Peter Adams. Kennedy won a scholarship to the Yehudi Menuhin School of Music aged just seven. At 13, Kennedy was introduced to the jazz violin legend Stephane Grappelli, sparking a lifelong involvement in the genre. Kennedy’s 1989 hit recording of Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons made him an international star, and he remains known for combining a unique mix of repertoire with energy, dynamics and remarkable technical and emotional musicality. Call 01604 624811 or visit royalandderngate.co.uk to book.
2 Eric & Ern, Royal & Derngate, Northampton, Monday June 15 to Saturday June 20
The hundredth birthdays of Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise are being celebrated in an acclaimed show coming to Northampton. Eric & Ern is the new show from Ian Ashpitel and Jonty Stephen, the Olivier-nominated duo behind the hugely celebrated and critically revered West End hit Eric & Little Ern. It promises to take audiences back to the times when whole families would huddle around the television to watch those classic Morecambe and Wise Christmas specials, and is crammed full of renditions of those famous comedy sketches.
From Greig’s Piano Concerto to Mr Memory, Eric and Ern is a show full of Morecambe and Wise’s most loved routines, songs and sketches - and of course their special musical guest. It is suitable for all the family.
Eric and Ern is created by Ian Ashpitel and Jonty Stephens based on the writing of Eddie Braben. Ian came into acting late in life after spending nine years in the Royal Navy as a radio operator. After seeing a play in Plymouth, Ian left the navy and went to The Birmingham School of Speech Training and Dramatic Art, as it was then known, where he met and became friends with Jonty in 1983. That was in 1983 and the two have remained friends ever since. They came together to perform and write for the first time in their joint venture Eric and Little Ern, which toured and played in London’s West End in 2015 and was nominated for an Olivier Award. Ian also said the first words in the first programme broadcast on Channel 5, in his role as Chris Hart in Family Affairs.
Visit royalandderngate.co.uk or call 01604 624811 to book.
3 Jukebox Idols, Royal & Derngate, Northampton, Tuesday June 23
Strictly Come Dancing favourites Louis Smith and Nadiya Bychkova are teaming up with the platinum-selling vocal harmony group The Overtones in this new show. The evening promises a “non-stop whirlwind” of the greatest hits from the ‘50s and ‘60s’ biggest stars, celebrating era-defining music from the likes of Nat King Cole, Elvis Presley, Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, The Beatles, The Beach Boys and Motown acts, among many others that poured from jukeboxes around the globe.
With their distinctive style, The Overtones’ chart-topping quartet of Mark Franks, Darren Everest, Jay James and Mike Crawshaw have enjoyed more than a decade of success during which the in-demand group achieved five Top 10 albums. They have performed multiple sold-out tours and headlined many of the world's most prestigious venues, including the London Palladium and the Royal Albert Hall. The group also performed at the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, played to more than one million people at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin and, in 2022, sang at the World Cup in Qatar before England’s victory over Senegal.
The Overtones will joined on stage by world–champion professional dancer and Strictly Come Dancing star Nadiya Bychkova and former Olympic gymnast and Strictly champion Louis Smith MBE. Visit royalandderngate.co.uk or call 01604 624811 to book.
4 Theatretrain presents Best Day of My Life, Royal & Derngate, Northampton, Sunday June 21
Enjoy a cavalcade of hits from 1960 to 2019. Each decade has its own stories, objects, pictures, films, fashion and, of course, music. Theatretrain specialises in creating large-scale productions with young people. Visit royalandderngate.co.uk or call 01604 624811 to book.
5 Remember When, Lighthouse Theatre, Kettering, Tuesday June 23
Step back in time with Neil Sands and his West End cast as they celebrate a 20 record-breaking years of afternoon nostalgia shows. Theatregoers can relive the golden days of the 1940s, ’50s, ’60s and ’70s in a heartwarming trip down Memory Lane, packed with more than 60 of the greatest songs ever written. From the wartime singalongs of Vera Lynn to the swinging hits of the Beatles, Dusty, Elvis, and even ABBA – it’s the music that shaped generations. Visit royalandderngate.co.uk or call 01604 624811 to book.
6 Giffords Circus: Waterfield, Evenley Wood Garden, until June 22
Giffords Circus enters its 26th year with its most ambitious production yet. The show marks a return to the English countryside, to handcrafted storytelling and to the original spirit that first set the circus in motion.
Inspired by the charming wildlife of rural England, Waterfield draws on the tradition of British children’s literature. Audiences will meet a host of feathered and furred characters brought to life through death-defying circus acts, comedy and movement along a magical riverbank. Director Cal McCrystal said: “We’ve poured our hearts into Waterfield, creating a show full of joy, thrills and theatrical wonder. It’s a celebration of the countryside, of tradition, and of a magical world, each performance hand-crafted, immersive, and designed to delight audiences of all ages.” Long-time musical director James Keay’s score transports audiences through an arrangement of reimagined classic British folk and pop tracks from the Giffords Circus live six-piece band The Grasshoppers. Visit giffordscircus.com to book.
7 Jah Makin It Happen: A Reggae Musical, Royal & Derngate, Northampton, Wednesday June 24
Told through the vibrant sounds of reggae music, this new musical comedy portrays a Jamaican family’s challenges, resilience, and eventual triumphs as they adapt to a new life after migrating to the UK during the Windrush era. Visit royalandderngate.co.uk or call 01604 624811 to book.
8 Kai: Evolution, Royal & Derngate, Northampton, Friday June 26
Sharing his evolution from where it all started as a young competition dancer to becoming a star of Strictly Come Dancing, Kai Widdrington takes audience members on a mesmerising journey through an array of dance genres, showcasing his versatility and passion for dance. Visit royalandderngate.co.uk or call 01604 624811 to book.
9 What’s Love Got To Do With It?, Royal & Derngate, Northampton, Thursday June 18
The tribute show celebrates the music and remarkable career the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Tina Turner. Expect the likes of Proud Mary, River Deep Mountain High, Simply The Best, Private Dancer, Nutbush City Limits, and many more. Visit royalandderngate.co.uk or call 01604 624811 to book.
10 The Karate Kid The Musical, Milton Keynes Theatre, until Saturday June 20
The much-loved 1984 film comes to life on stage in this musical adaptation. The heartfelt coming-of-age story takes flight with musical numbers and inventive choreography. Daniel LaRusso’s journey is reimagined through movement, music, and energetic storytelling. At its heart is the powerful bond between Daniel and Mr Miyagi, who teaches that karate isn’t about fighting – it’s about balance, dignity, and respect. Adrian Pang leads the company as Mr Miyagi, with Gino Ochello as Daniel LaRusso. Visit atgtickets.com/MiltonKeynes to book or for more information.