Ten of the Best - Your guide to what to see around Northants in the coming days
From stand-up stars to the stories of musical greats, 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 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.
3 Barry Steele's Roy Orbison Story, Castle Theatre, Wellingborough, Thursday February 5
Celebrate 70 years of hits and Roy Orbison’s 90th birthday in this musical tribute. Barry Steele’s acclaimed Roy Orbison Story honours the unforgettable music of The Big O and the timeless sounds of the Traveling Wilburys. Barry Steele’s remarkable West End performances and international tours across New Zealand and Europe have earned rave reviews and standing ovations. Visit castletheatre.co.uk or call 01933 270 007 to book.
4 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.
5 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.
6 Murder, She Didn’t Write, Lighthouse Theatre, Kettering, Sunday February 1
Don that deerstalker, grab that magnifying glass and get that ‘finger of suspicion’ at the ready – Edinburgh Fringe favourites Degrees of Error are bringing back their multiple sell-out show. They’ll create a classic murder mystery on the spot in this ingenious improvised comedy. The audience become the author as the cast act out an Agatha Christie-inspired masterpiece live on stage. At each show the talented company use audience suggestions to create a unique, original and comical murder mystery. All the audience has to do is solve it. Visit lighthousetheatre.co.uk or call 01536 414141 to book.
7 The Carpenters Experience, The Core at Corby Cube, Saturday January 31
Featuring the voice of Maggie Nestor and eight top-class musicians, the show captures the sights and sounds of the remarkable talents of Richard and Karen Carpenter.
Karen’s silky contralto is combined with Richard’s delightful piano and seamless harmonies in this big production that brings Close To You, We’ve Only Just Begun, Top Of The World, Rainy Days And Mondays, Solitaire, Goodbye To Love, Please Mr Postman, For All We Know, Only Yesterday and dozens more classic songs to the stage. Visit thecorecorby.com or call 01536 470470 to book.
8 Anglia Comedy Allstars, The Deco, Northampton, Saturday January 31
The stand-up night returns with a line-up featuring Simon Brodkin, Josh Pugh, Nabil Abdulrashid and Rachel Fairburn. Acclaimed character comedian Simon Brodkin – who performed for years as Lee Nelson – is now performing as himself. Simon hit global headlines multiple times for his high-profile stunts, including handing Theresa May a P45 during her speech at the Conservative Party Conference and showering disgraced FIFA president Sepp Blatter with banknotes. Live at the Apollo star Josh Pugh takes the audience through his life with his own unique style, and was tour support for Joe Lycett, having amassed millions views on his online videos. His recent television appearances include The Last Leg, Mock The Week Hypothetical, Question Team and Guessable. Nabil Abdulrashid has come a long way since being a finalist and golden buzzer on Britain’s Got Talent –he is an acclaimed stand-up who has performed comedy all over the world, with a flourishing TV career including Live at the Apollo, QI, Cats Does Countdown, Have I Got News For You and Celebrity Masterchef. And Live at the Apollo star Rachel Fairburn is a comedian from Manchester with five critically acclaimed solo shows under her belt. Visit theoldsavoy.co.uk or call 01604 491005 to book.
9 Jim Davidson – Last Man Standing… Just!, The Deco, Northampton, Friday January 30
Jim invites audiences to join him once again for what he calls “a riotous evening where freedom of speech takes centre stage, comedy bites back and the battle for Britain’s comedic soul rages on”. Visit theoldsavoy.co.uk or call 01604 491005 to book.
10 Tina – The Tina Turner Musical, Milton Keynes Theatre, until Saturday February 7
Set to the pulse-pounding soundtrack of her hits, the show uncovers the heart and soul behind the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll, from humble beginnings to stardom. From Nutbush, Tennessee, to her triumphant transformation into a multi award-winning global superstar, Tina Turner didn’t just break the rules, she rewrote them, winning 12 Grammy Awards in the process. Expect hits including The Best, What’s Love Got To Do With It?, Private Dancer and River Deep, Mountain High. Visit atgtickets.com/MiltonKeynes to book.