Ten of the Best - Your guide to what to see around Northants in the coming days
From a madcap musical to sharp satire, there’s plenty to enjoy
1 An Evening With Nigel Mansell CBE, Royal & Derngate, Northampton, Friday July 3
The F1 legend shares stories and insights from his remarkable career. Mansell started racing in British Formula Ford at age 15 and soon progressed to Formula 3. His talent was noticed by Colin Chapman of Lotus, who hired him as a test driver before he joined the Formula 1 team’s main lineup in 1980. Mansell’s F1 career spanned 15 seasons (1980-1992, 1994-1995) and during this time he drove for Lotus, Williams, Ferrari, and McLaren. He won the F1 World Championship in 1992 with Williams. Nigel spent two years with Ferrari and is the last driver to be personally selected by Enzo Ferrari. He was nicknamed ‘II Leone’ – The Lion – for his brave and determined racing style. Visit royalandderngate.co.uk or call 01604 624811 to book.
2 Lost Is Found, Castle Theatre, Wellingborough, Thursday July 2 and Friday 3
Lost is Found is a joyful, family-friendly musical set at a lively summer camp, where children discover friendship, belonging and second chances. With a cast of talented local children and adults, the show bursts with songs, humour and heart as Jesus' parables, including the Lost Sheep and the Good Samaritan, come to life in fresh, imaginative ways. Featuring music from Sovereign Grace Music, this uplifting Compass Theatre Company production celebrates hope, forgiveness and the joy of being found. Visit castletheatre.co.uk or call 01933 270 007 to book.
3 Rumours of Fleetwood Mac, Royal & Derngate, Northampton, Wednesday July 8
The show offers a unique opportunity for fans, both old and new, to rediscover the songs and performances that have ensured Fleetwood Mac’s place as one of the most beloved groups of all time. Rumours of Fleetwood Mac is personally endorsed by Fleetwood Mac founding member Mick Fleetwood. Visit royalandderngate.co.uk or call 01604 624811 to book.
4 Richard Ayoade - Afterthoughts, Royal & Derngate, Northampton, Thursday July 9
Having risen to fame in The IT Crowd and his acclaimed films Submarine and The Double, Richard asks big questions like: Where’s the box to tick if you actually are a robot? Visit royalandderngate.co.uk or call 01604 624811 to book.
5 A Country Night In Nashville, Castle Theatre, Wellingborough, Friday July 10
A Country Night In Nashville recreates the scene of a buzzing honky tonk in downtown Nashville, aiming to capture the energy and atmosphere of an evening in the home of country music. It promises a musical journey through the history of country, featuring songs from its biggest stars both past and present. Hits by artists ranging from Johnny Cash to Alan Jackson, Dolly to The Chicks, Willie Nelson to Kacey Musgraves, are showcased by Dominic Halpin and the Hurricanes. Songs include Ring Of Fire, Crazy, Follow Your Arrow, It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere, Need You Now, 9 to 5 and The Gambler. Visit castletheatre.co.uk or call 01933 270 007 to book.
6 Operation Mincemeat, Royal & Derngate, Northampton, Monday July 13 to Saturday July 18
The Olivier Award-winning musical has been a sensation in London and New York, with 113 five-star reviews in the West End history and a Tony nomination for Best New Musical on Broadway. Billed as “Singin’ in the Rain meets Strangers on a Train,” Operation Mincemeat is a fast-paced, comical and barely believable true story telling of a secret mission that helped the Allies win the Second World War. How did a dead body, a fake love letter, and – of all people – Ian Fleming come together to wrongfoot Hitler? Visit royalandderngate.co.uk or call 01604 624811 to book.
7 The Resistible Rise Of Arturo Ui, Royal & Derngate, Northampton, Friday July 3 and Saturday July 4
It’s 1930s Chicago, a city of jazz and gangsters, prohibition and poverty. The murk of the Great Depression opens the door for a small-time crook named Arturo Ui to make a big name for himself. Feeding on the city’s fear, Ui and his cronies make back-alley deals to protect the workers. What starts as a little bribery here, a little corruption there, begins to take a poisonous root, and Ui’s influence gains a dangerous momentum that threatens to seep through business, politics and the law itself to seize the entire city. In a fresh adaptation by Pulitzer, Olivier, and Tony award-winning American playwright Bruce Norris performed by Royal & Derngate Young Company, Bertolt Brecht’s satirical political masterpiece about Hitler’s ascent to power is rendered anew. Visit royalandderngate.co.uk or call 01604 624811 to book.
8 Dead Dog In A Suitcase, Royal & Derngate, Northampton, Friday July 17 and Saturday July 18
Mayor Goodman has been assassinated. Contract killer Macheath has just married pretty Polly Peachum and they plan to escape to a better world – but Mr and Mrs Peachum aren’t happy about it. With betrayal, murder and their world having been turned upside down, the truth won’t stay hidden for much longer. But does Mac have one last trick up his sleeve – or is it the hangman’s noose after all?
The new re-imagining of John Gray’s classic The Beggar’s Opera is directed by Kitty Benford and performed by The Actors Company and the award winning Royal & Derngate Community Choir. Bursting with wit, wonder and weirdness, it follows an extraordinary cast of characters as they shoot, hoot and sing their way through this twisted morality tale. Visit royalandderngate.co.uk or call 01604 624811 to book.
9 Rock For Heroes, The Core at Corby Cube, Saturday July 11
Enjoy a night of classic rock anthems, brought to life by a top live band. Experience thrilling performances of the biggest hits from rock legends like Queen, Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, AC/DC, Bon Jovi, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Fleetwood Mac, Def Leppard and more. Visit thecorecorby.com or call 01536 470470 to book.
10 I'm Sorry, Prime Minister, Milton Keynes Theatre, until Saturday July 4
From the Bafta-winning co-creator of Yes, Minister and Yes, Prime Minister, comes the long-awaited final chapter of the classic British political satire. Jim Hacker (Simon Rouse) is back - older, but perhaps not wiser, and still utterly baffled by the real world. Hoping for a quiet retirement at the tranquil Hacker College, Oxford, Jim instead finds himself facing the ultimate modern crisis: cancelled by the college committee. Enter the delightfully devious Sir Humphrey Appleby (Clive Francis), who has lost none of his love for bureaucracy, Latin phrases, and well-timed obstruction. Visit atgtickets.com/MiltonKeynes to book.