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

1 Fawlty Towers, Royal & Derngate, Northampton, until Saturday November 22

It’s one of the greatest television comedies of all time – and now Fawlty Towers is coming to life in Northampton. Nearly 50 years since it was first broadcast on BBC Two in September 1975, John Cleese – who co-wrote the series with Connie Booth - has chosen three of his favourite original TV episodes and adapted them into a two-hour play, complete with a new finale. The episodes in question are The Hotel Inspector, The Germans and Communication Problems.

Set in a fictional hotel in the seaside town of Torquay, only 12 half hour episodes of the original BBC comedy were ever made.

The play tells how, following a tip-off that hotel inspectors may be visiting and eager to impress, irate proprietor Basil Fawlty attempts to ingratiate himself with guests that he suspects are there to critique the establishment. The situation is further plagued by a party of Germans, the deaf and dotty guest-from-hell, Mrs Richards, whose infuriating complaints prevent him from hiding a gambling win from his ever vigilant and bossy wife, Sybil. Together they run their hotel with a little help from the unflappable Polly, and very little help at all from Manuel, the trainee waiter from Barcelona who is the butt of Fawlty’s frustration.

Fawlty Towers – The Play is heading on tour following hugely successful and critically acclaimed West End run. Call 01604 624811 or visit www.royalandderngate.co.uk to book.

2 Annabel Croft - From Tennis Balls to Glitter Balls, Royal & Derngate, Northampton, Thursday November 20

The former tennis pro turned experienced broadcaster talks about her experiences from the world of sport to presenting television to dancing on Strictly. Call 01604 624811 or visit www.royalandderngate.co.uk to book.

3 GenFest 2025, Royal & Derngate, Northampton, until Saturday November 22

The special programme of events is dedicated to supporting emerging and established artists from Northamptonshire. Over the course of the festival, artists and audiences are invited to attend performances, showcases, works-in-progress, workshops and networking sessions. After every performance, whether it be in early development or more fully realised, audiences will have a chance to give feedback in Q&A sessions, helping artists shape the next stage of their work. Call 01604 624811 or visit www.royalandderngate.co.uk to book.

4 Ray Quinn – A Swinging Christmas, The Deco, Northampton, Thursday November 20

The star of stage and screen, and chart-topping platinum-selling swing artist, presents an evening of festive cheer. Visit theoldsavoy.co.uk or call 01604 491005 to book.

5 Gareth Malone, Royal & Derngate, Northampton, Thursday November 27

Gareth Malone – the man who got the nation singing – heads to Northampton to celebrate 50 years of song. ​Backed by his stellar live band and singers, as well as local choirs, Gareth, with his signature infectious energy and joy for music, will lead the audience through a setlist of classic songs from the 1960s to today. Full of uplifting pop hits, anthems everyone knows by heart, and a few personal surprises, Sing-Along-A-Gareth: 50 Years of Song is a showcase of the music that has shaped his life – and been the soundtrack to so many others

Audience members can expect an uplifting night packed with hits, including Bohemian Rhapsody (Queen), Wake Me Up (Avicii), Feeling Good (made famous by Nina Simone), Goldfinger (Shirley Bassey), The Greatest Love of All (Whitney Houston), Single Ladies (Beyoncé), Shake It Off (Taylor Swift), Juice (Lizzo) and many more. The night culminates in a roof-raising super-medley that builds in intensity and joy, aiming to get the entire crowd dancing in the aisles.

Gareth Malone OBE has galvanised the British choral scene through his award-winning BBC series, concert tours and recordings. First appearing on TV in the BAFTA winning series The Choir for BBC, Gareth has starred in multiple series since, including The Choir: Military Wives (BBC), Sing While You Work (BBC Two), and Naked Choir: Invictus Games (BBC Two). In 2012, he was made OBE in the Queen’s birthday honours for services to music.

He has had three number one records in the UK with the Military Wives Choir and the Gareth Malone All Star Choir for Children in Need.

Gareth is a fellow of the Royal Academy of Music, holds an honorary doctorate for the University of East Anglia and was awarded the Freedom of the City of London in 2010.

Call 01604 624811 or visit www.royalandderngate.co.uk to book.

6 GUS Band: The Snowman, Royal & Derngate, Northampton, Sunday November 23

The Northampton-based GUS Band – one of the world’s leading brass bands – present this special screening of The Snowman, by the beloved illustrator and cartoonist Raymond Briggs. The quintessential Christmas classic is accompanied by the The GUS Band playing live alongside the film to bring the score to life. In keeping with the book, the film is wordless and free of dialogue with the exception of Walking In The Air, which will be performed by a local Northamptonshire singer.

The Snowman has become and integral part of Christmas for children and adults alike since the picture book was first published in 1978, with the animated version first broadcast on Channel 4 in 1982.

The performance will also include a short concert of family favourite Christmas songs and music from The GUS Band. Call 01604 624811 or visit www.royalandderngate.co.uk to book.

7 A Tribute to Hans Zimmer & Film Favourites Illuminated, Lighthouse Theatre, Kettering, Thursday November 27

Enjoy an hour packed with some cinema’s most beloved music, performed by a chamber orchestra. Music comes from films including Avatar, ET, Dune, Gladiator, Harry Potter, Inception, Indiana Jones, James Bond, Jaws, Star Wars and Jurassic Park. Visit lighthousetheatre.co.uk or call 01536 414141 to book.

8 Josh Widdicombe: Not My Cup Of Tea, Royal & Derngate, Northampton, Tuesday November 25

The stand-up master has co-hosted in more than 30 series of the multi-award-winning Channel 4 series The Last Leg, is a team captain on Sky Max’s Rob Beckett’s Smart TV and co-hosts Sky’s Hold The Front Page. He also co-hosts the hugely popular podcast Parenting Hell with Rob Beckett, which led to a live arena tour in 2023 and a book which topped the Sunday Times Bestseller Charts. Call 01604 624811 or visit www.royalandderngate.co.uk to book.

9 Ward Thomas, Royal & Derngate, Northampton, Tuesday November 25

This unique show will take Ward Thomas back to their early days of performing and writing together, seeing the duo perform and share the stories behind the songs that have seen them make such an impact on country music. Call 01604 624811 or visit www.royalandderngate.co.uk to book.

10 Country Roads, The Deco, Northampton, Friday November 21

Enjoy some of the biggest country songs of all time – including 9 to 5, The Gambler, Walk the Line, Ring of Fire, King of the Road, Crazy, Rhinestone Cowboy, Jolene, Dance the Night Away, Walkin’ after Midnight and many more. Visit theoldsavoy.co.uk or call 01604 491005 to book.