Ten of the Best - Your guide to what to see around Northants in the coming month
From supernatural scares to panto chaos, there’s much to enjoy
1 2:22 A Ghost Story, Royal & Derngate, Northampton, Thursday January 8 to Saturday January 17
Jenny believes her new home is haunted, but her husband Sam isn’t having any of it. They argue with their first dinner guests, old friend Lauren and new partner Ben. Can the dead really walk again? Belief and scepticism clash, but something feels strange and frightening, and that something is getting closer, so they’re going to stay up – until 2.22 – and then they’ll know.
Winner of Best New Play at the WhatsOnStage Awards, the supernatural thriller stars James Bye (Eastenders), Natalie Casey (2 Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps), Gary Lucy (Hollyoaks) and Shvorne Marks (Three Little Birds). Written by Danny Robins, creator of the hit BBC podcasts Uncanny & The Battersea Poltergeist, 2:22 A Ghost Story comes fresh from record-breaking seasons at five West End theatres with a host of acclaimed star performances. Visit royalandderngate.co.uk or call 01604 624811 to book.
2 Rapunzel, The Core at Corby Cube, Thursday January 8 to Sunday January 11
Corby Amateur Theatrical Society presents Rapunzels, a sparkling new pantomime from the master of modern panto, Ben Crocker. Trapped in a lonely tower by the wicked witch Gothel, Rapunzel dreams of a world beyond her window. With the help of the charming rogue Rudi O’Malley, the irrepressible Dame Hilda, and a host of larger-than-life characters, Rapunzel’s daring escape leads to wild adventures across land and sea – from magical kingdoms to stormy voyages and the hilarious perils of pirate pubs. Full of catchy songs, colourful costumes, jokes, slapstick battles and true panto sparkle, Rapunzel promises fun for the whole family. Visit thecorecorby.com or call 01536 470470 to book.
3 Stephen K Amos: Now We're Talking, Royal & Derngate, Northampton, Saturday January 10
The acclaimed comic’s joke book is overflowing – and he wants to share it. He promises to “get down to the nitty gritty,” with “no filter, no limits”. Stephen has charmed audiences all over the world, for many years, with the honesty of his material. He won the hearts of many when he starred in I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here Australia and currently he can be seen playing the role of Conductor in Tim Burton’s film Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. Also a gifted actor, Amos has impressed critics with his recent stage performance as Alfred P Doolittle in the London Coliseum’s production of My Fair Lady. Visit royalandderngate.co.uk or call 01604 624811 to book.
4 The Dazzling Diamonds: Comedy Drag Show, Royal & Derngate, Northampton, Friday January 16
Featuring a cast of three internationally acclaimed performers, the show is amix of outrageous comedy, live vocals and dance routines. Expect hits from Tina Turner, Adele, Lady Gaga, Elton John, and many more – though not quite as they have been seen before. Visit royalandderngate.co.uk or call 01604 624811 to book.
5 Opera Boys: A Night At The Musicals, Royal & Derngate, Northampton, Saturday January 17
Enjoy an evening of powerhouse vocals, four-part harmony, musical medleys and solo performances – all delivered with charm, style and humour. It features numbers from smash hit modern musicals like Jersey Boys, Mamma Mia, Wicked and Frozen, classics from Cole Porter, George Gershwin and Rodgers & Hammerstein, and masterpieces like Les Misérables, Phantom Of The Opera and West Side Story. Visit royalandderngate.co.uk or call 01604 624811 to book.
6 Luther Live and Velvet Voices, The Deco, Northampton, Saturday January 17
Step into a world of soul, romance and unforgettable grooves with Luther Live & Velvet Voices, celebrating the golden era of R’n’B. The show brings the smooth sounds of Luther Vandross, Alexander O’Neal and many others to life, with powerhouse vocals, a top live band and emotion aplenty. The show also pays tribute to a roll call of R’n’B royalty, including Marvin Gaye, Bobby Brown, and George Benson – delivering hit after hit from the ‘80s and ‘90s. Expect to hear Never Too Much, Shine, Give Me the Reason, Dance with My Father, Criticize, Saturday Love, If You Were Here Tonight, Sexual Healing, Give Me the Night and many many more. Visit theoldsavoy.co.uk or call 01604 491005 to book.
7 Twist & Shout, Castle Theatre, Wellingborough, Friday January 16
An all-star cast from the West End deliver a musical powerhouse of a show that starts with the explosion of British pop in 1962 through to the era of Flower Power and Free Love of the late ‘60s. Music lovers are invited to return to a time when skirts got shorter and hair got longer as the cast revives the hits of The Beatles, Herman’s Hermits, Gerry and the Pacemakers, The Rolling Stones, Cilla Black, Manfred Mann, Dusty Springfield, Lulu, Sandy Shaw and many more. The non-stop, 40-song music feast includes She Loves You, Glad All Over, You’re My World, Jumpin’ Jack Flash, Something Tells Me I’m Into Something Good, Shout, Ferry Cross The Mersey and many more. Visit castletheatre.co.uk or call 01933 270 007 to book.
8 Northampton Town & County Art Society Annual Exhibition, Northampton Museum and Art Gallery, until January 11
Paintings, sculptures and original print work by some of the county’s best artists are currently on show in Northampton next month. Featuring the works of professional and celebrated local artists, this year’s exhibition – the 108th in the society's history – includes art by non-society members which bring a fresh edge to an already popular show, and adds to the rich variety of styles and media from the cream of Northamptonshire artists.
The exhibition remains a showcase for Northamptonshire's artists, and is a major event in the county's art calendar. The majority of work is available for sale, offering an ideal opportunity to buy a unique Christmas present. Visit northamptonmuseums.com or sites.google.com/site/northamptontandcartsoc for details.
9 Bowie Experience, Castle Theatre, Wellingborough, Friday January 9
Direct from London’s West End, Bowie Experience celebrates the sound and vision of David Bowie, featuring all the hits from A to Ziggy. Visit castletheatre.co.uk or call 01933 270 007 to book.
10 Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Milton Keynes Theatre, until Sunday January 11
Join comedian, TV and musical theatre star Brian Conley for this year’s panto as Milton Keynes Theatre is transformed into a sensational circus, where everything is possible, and anything could happen. Brian will be joined on-stage by his daughter, Lucy Conley, who stars as Goldilocks along with a cast including renowned dame David Robbins as Dame Betty Barnum, panto villain Gary Milner as The Evil Ringmaster, magician Phil Hitchcock as the Magical Mysterioso, and, direct from Zippo’s Circus, The Timbuktu Tumblers. Visit atgtickets.com/MiltonKeynes to book.