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

1 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.

2 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.

3 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.

4 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.

5 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.

6 Open Stage: Arena, Royal & Derngate, Northampton, Saturday July 11

From Open Stage Performing Arts, Arena is a dynamic theatrical journey tracing how humanity has always gathered to witness performance, from the sacred circles of Ancient Greek theatre through Olympic competition, Roman spectacle and the thrill of circus, to the energy of modern sports arenas and global concerts. Expect a wide range of dance styles. Visit royalandderngate.co.uk or call 01604 624811 to book.

7 Derren Brown: Only Human, Royal & Derngate, Northampton, Tuesday July 21 to Saturday July 25

‘Mind-control’ master and psychological illusionist Derren Brown is coming to Northampton with his hugely successful new show. The details of the production, titled Only Human, are being kept a secret – and Brown likes it that way. He said: "Only Human seems to be going down very well, and people are keeping the show secret for which I’m very grateful. Try and come without knowing anything about it.”

Only Human is Derren Brown’s 11th show. Among his many previous productions are Derren Brown Showman, Something Wicked This Way Comes, Enigma, Derren Brown Svengali and Derren Brown Miracle.

His shows have garnered a record-breaking five Olivier Award nominations for Best Entertainment, winning twice – the largest number of nominations and wins for one-person shows in the history of the awards. His 2017 show, Secret, won the New York Drama Desk Award for Unique Theatrical Experience and returned for a sell-out run on Broadway in 2019. Visit royalandderngate.co.uk or call 01604 624811 to book.

8 The Sound of Springsteen, Castle Theatre, Wellingborough, Tuesday July 21

Celebrating 40 years since the Born in The USA album was released, The Sound of Springsteen promises to recreate the pure rock ‘n’ roll euphoria of Bruce Springsteen from Greetings from Asbury Park to 2020’s Ghosts via the legendary hits Born in the USA and Born to Run. Visit castletheatre.co.uk or call 01933 270 007 to book.

9 Five and The Wanted, Delapré Abbey, Friday July 24

Get ready for a huge summer throwback as Five bring some of the biggest hits of the 1990s and 2000s in a show packed with era-defining anthems and crowd favourites, set to the backdrop of one of the region’s most stunning venues. The boyband’s top 10 hits include Slam Dunk (Da Funk), When the Lights Go Out, Got the Feelin’, Everybody Get Up, Until the Time Is Through, If Ya Gettin' Down, Keep On Movin’, Let’s Dance and Closer to Me. Support comes from The Wanted 2.0.

10 Matthew Bourne's The Car Man, Milton Keynes Theatre, until Saturday July 11

Loosely based on Bizet’s ever-popular opera Carmen, Matthew Bourne’s award-winning The Car Man is back.

The original’s 19th Century Spanish cigarette factory becomes a greasy 1950’s garage-diner in the American Mid-West where the dreams and passions of a small town are shattered by the arrival of a handsome and enigmatic stranger. Fuelled by heat and desire, the inhabitants are driven into an unstoppable spiral of greed, lust, betrayal and revenge.

Visit atgtickets.com/MiltonKeynes to book or for more information.