Ten of the Best - Your guide to what to see around Northants in the coming days
From mesmerising magic to panto fun, there’s plenty to enjoy
1 The Eternal Shame of Sue Perkins, Royal & Derngate, Northampton, Thursday January 29
She's known to some as Bake-Off Sue, or Taskmaster Sue, or Just A Minute Sue, or the Sue from the travel shows – but stand-up Sue is full of surprises. In this brand-new show, she shares the unlikely happenings from a career in the spotlight. In her first live show in over a decade, Sue talks – and raises plenty of laughs – about on stigma, humiliation and misunderstanding. Visit royalandderngate.co.uk or call 01604 624811 to book.
2 James Phelan – The Man Who Was Magic, Lighthouse Theatre, Kettering, Saturday January 24
The visually rich spectacle, inspired by the ‘Roaring 20s’, is full of comedy, surprises and powerful, sleight-of-hand storytelling. James Phelan is known best for his showmanship, building warmth and connection with his audience, combined with jaw-dropping magic and a relaxed presentation style, earning rave reviews and with the Sun describing him as “Joel Dommett meets David Blaine”. Visit lighthousetheatre.co.uk or call 01536 414141 to book.
3 Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Castle Theatre, Wellingborough, January 27 to February 1
Wellingborough Pantomime Society return with their annual extravaganza, directed by past principal boy Heather Bambridge. The show is suitable for all the family with professional scenery, well-known music and colourful costumes. Hiss and boo the wicked Queen, enjoy all the traditional fun and laughter of pantomime. Visit castletheatre.co.uk or call 01933 270 007 to book.
4 Nicolas Moreton: Life Lines, Northampton Museum & Art Gallery, until Sunday March 22 Celebrated Northamptonshire sculptor Nicolas Moreton presents a new exhibition of work in stone. Moreton uses hand-carved stone to explore what he calls “the elemental forces that bind us - blood, water, memory, and connection”. Developed over several years, this exhibition showcases a significant body of new work created especially for Northampton. Moreton aims to show how stone carving continues to thrive, even in a digital and AI-driven age. Alongside the sculptures, visitors will also be able to explore a selection of drawings, maquettes and smaller studies that illuminate his process and creative imagination. Moreton was elected a member of the Royal Society of Sculptors in 1995 and has major public works in London, Dublin, Yorkshire and Milton Keynes. The London Evening Standard said of Moreton: “He is among his generation unrivalled in technique”. See nicolasmoreton.com for more information.
5 The Bon Jovi Experience, Royal & Derngate, Northampton, Friday January 30
Get ready to rock through an unforgettable journey through the heyday of stadium rock with a show endorsed by Jon Bon Jovi himself. The Bon Jovi Experience features smash hits such as Livin’ On a Prayer, You Give Love A Bad Name, Bad Medicine and many more. Visit royalandderngate.co.uk or call 01604 624811 to book.
6 The Wonder of Stevie, Royal & Derngate, Northampton, Thursday January 29
Voted one of Britain’s top soul singers, vocalist Noel McCalla, award-winning saxophonist Derek Nash and their world-class live band present a diverse catalogue of Stevie Wonder classics, taken from 1970s Signed, Sealed, Delivered through to Talking Book, Innervisions, Songs in the Key of Life and Hotter than July. Expect hit after hit, from the dancefloor classics I Wish and Superstition to the beautiful arrangements of My Cherie Amour and Overjoyed. The show will also feature compositions by Stevie that others artists have had massive hits with. The Wonder of Stevie’s nine-piece band features musicians who have previously performed with a wide variety of music legends including Bill Withers, Amy Winehouse, The Bee Gees, Eric Clapton, David Gilmour, Martha Reeves, Jamiroquai, Booker T. Jones, Sam Moore, Jethro Tull, Eddie Floyd, Gregory Porter and Alfie Boe. Jools Holland said: “I marvel at this dazzling homage to one of the great masters of 20th and 21st century music.” Visit royalandderngate.co.uk or call 01604 624811 to book.
7 Sky Full of Stars, The Deco, Northampton, Saturday January 24
The celebrated tribute to Coldplay aims to captures the essence of one of the world’s biggest bands, promising a “whirlwind of fun, laughter and unforgettable moments”. The show features all the band’s hits, from the anthemic Viva La Vida to the uplifting Sky Full of Stars, as well as the likes of Clocks, Yellow, Paradise and Hymn for the Weekend. Visit theoldsavoy.co.uk or call 01604 491005 to book.
8 Simon & Garfunkel: Through The Years, Royal & Derngate, Northampton, Sunday January 25
The duo Bookends, comprising Dan Haynes and Pete Richards, have toured the globe extensively with their concerts celebrating Simon & Garfunkel. Performing the songs against a backdrop of evocative imagery, their delicate recreation of the unmistakable sound of the American folk-rock duo includes hits such as The Sound of Silence, Mrs Robinson, The Boxer and Bookends’ own beautiful rendition of the unforgettable Bridge Over Troubled Water. Visit royalandderngate.co.uk or call 01604 624811 to book.
9 Screaming Blue Murder Comedy Club, The Core at Corby Cube, Friday January 23
The popular stand-up night returns, with performances from Michael Fabbri, Ingrid Dahle and Tad Mahlunge. The compère is Brendan Dempsey. Visit thecorecorby.com or call 01536 470470 to book.
10 Dear England, Milton Keynes Theatre, Tuesday January 20 to Saturday January 24
The acclaimed play tells the story of Gareth Southgate’s tenure as manager of the England men’s football team. He takes over as the country that gave the world football had delivered a painful pattern of loss, with the worst record for penalties in the world. Southgate knows he needs to open his mind and face up to the years of hurt to take team and country back to the promised land. David Sturzaker (Doctors, BBC) plays Southgate in this examination of the nation and the game. He is joined by stage and screen actress Samantha Womack (EastEnders, BBC; The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe) as team psychologist Pippa Grange. The Telegraph called it “the decade’s biggest theatrical triumph”. Visit atgtickets.com/MiltonKeynes to book.