Programme announced for GenFest 2026 – Royal & Derngate’s annual new work festival
Following the success of its festivals over the last six years, Royal & Derngate’s artist support programme Generate has launched GenFest 2026, featuring an exciting programme of events, taking place at the theatre this September. Dedicated to supporting emerging and established artists from Northamptonshire and across the East Midlands, this autumn’s GenFest will run from Thursday 17 to Sunday 20 September.
Over the course of the festival, audiences are invited to watch performances having their first outings and work-in-progress performances still in development. Artists also have the opportunity to attend development workshops and one to one advice sessions.
On the Thursday (17 September) there will be the chance to see three new family shows starting with Sophie Loosemore’s Lula, a playful first experience of sensory theatre for babies and their grown ups, in the Underground foyer. Taking to the Royal stage, Riki Cycle: Food Waste, by A Children’s Story is an exciting eco-adventure inspiring children and families to care for our planet. In the Underground Studio, Jo Blake and Mikael Oberg’s Before the Stars Fell brings together storytelling and innovative sound technology to explore a vast ecological time where humans, animals, rocks and stars speak a common mythic language.
Friday evening in the Underground Studio brings Spool, a psychological horror by Polis Loizou, followed in the Royal by We Had Fun by Emmeline Hartley & Jack Mullings, a distinctly unromantic dark comedy exploring the greyest area of sexual politics.
Frank Wurzinger takes to the Royal stage on the Saturday for two performances of Drill Baby Drill, a one-man show performed by a polar bear, full of slapstick improvisations, clowning and puppetry, exploring loss, grief and the endless search for hope.
On the Sunday, the Writing Doesn't Have To Be Lonely Takeover will see a series of scenes by local writers being performed in various spaces throughout the theatre’s iconic architecture, each inspired by its unique location.
Operating since 2012, Royal & Derngate’s artist development programme Generate is committed to supporting the work and development of artists, with opportunities including rehearsal and performance space, mentorship, scratch opportunities, masterclasses, funding, networking, placements, ticket offers and special one-off events and commissions.
Royal & Derngate’s Associate Director (Engagement & New Work) Erica Martin commented: “We’re looking forward to showcasing some brilliant new work at GenFest this year. Our Generate Artist Development programme is such an important part of our work, and we are thrilled to be able share with our audiences more of the exciting projects and artists we are supporting.”
GenFest 2026 takes place from Thursday 17 to Sunday 20 September. Tickets for performances range from £5 to £10*. For more information, times and dates, and to book, visit www.royalandderngate.co.uk/genfest or call Box Office on 01604 624811.
* A non-refundable £4 per-transaction fee applies for bookings of £20 and over. Does not apply to Groups and Members. Prices may change subject to availability.