What’s on at the theatre this July

Pigs and lions and tiger feet – there’s an animal thread running through this month’s theatre happenings. Together with some funnies and things that go bump in the night! Pulse’s Sammy Jones brings you more…

Well done if you were quick enough to secure a ticket to see national treasure, Miriam Margolyes at the Derngate (July 1), because her loose tongue and life well lived makes her a compelling, hilarious and sometimes poignant speaker.

The Vogue cover star and famous trumper (nope, that’s not an affectionate term for a fan of Donald!) has been sold out for yonks.
Peppa Pig’s Fun Day Out (Derngate, July 3 & 4) will entertain the kids and might even make you snort too, when you follow Peppa on a special journey to the beach for a party. Trot-ter along for a right squeal!

Marvellous magic man Ali Cook is bringing his Principles of Deception to town (Royal, July 5 & 6). When he was a youngster, Ali was given a copy of the book that he has named his show after, and it was the first page-turner to record every type of magic trick.
He’s going to perform them all at this gig. It’ll be a busy night.

Tiger Feet at the ready for The Glam Rock Show (Derngate, July 6). Girls rock your boys (and all that) at the 70s glam extravaganza.
Local lad done spectacularly well, James Acaster’s extra performances of his Heckler’s Welcome show at the Derngate (July 9 & 10) are fully booked, but you can still find the funnies with The Screaming Blue Murder Comedy Club (July 14, Filmhouse Screen 2) bringing Alistair Barrie and Sarah-Anne Haywood to the mic.

A roar-some time is a given (July 18-21, Derngate) when Madagascar: The Musical pays a visit.

Alex the lion is the king of the urban jungle. In fact, you might say he’s the ‘mane’ attraction at New York’s Central Park Zoo. He and his pals – Marty the zebra, Melman the giraffe and Gloria the hippo – have spent their whole lives in blissful captivity, but Marty lets his curiosity get the better of him and makes his escape – with the help of some prodigious penguins – to explore the world.
You’ve seen it on screen, now see it on stage.

CBBC presenter Karim Zeroual – who strutted his stuff on Strictly – is signed up to perform.
Whether you are #TeamBeliever or #TeamSceptic, a long-term Uncanny fan or just interested in the paranormal, you’ll want in for Uncanny with Danny Robins (July 22, Derngate).

The fella behind the West End hit 2:22 – A Ghost Story asks only that you bring an open mind with you.
The venue might be different, but the spooky vibes will be the same over at The Old Savoy (July 6) with The Haunting of Blaine Manor, which has been called ‘the new Woman in Black’. High praise, indeed.

It’s 1953, and renowned American parapsychologist Doctor Roy Earle, famous for discrediting hauntings and exposing fake mediums, is invited to attend a seance in Blaine Manor, said to be the most haunted building in England.

This award-winning show is a love letter to the Golden Age of Hollywood and the Hammer Horror era. Goosebumps and chills are included in the price of every ticket – there is something horrific in the manor walls, and it has been awakened…

From the chilly to the silly with a top line-up coming together under the banner, Anglia Comedy Allstars (July 12).

Ready to make you giggle will be Sara Pascoe, writer and star of BBC 2 sitcom Out Of Her Mind, and host of The Great British Sewing Bee, and Seann Walsh, who The Times declares is ‘Hugely funny, deliciously entertaining.’

We’ve seen him and our opinion is the same. You want more from this strictly over 18s bash?
Rhys James and Laura Lexx are fellow familiars and pedigree assured. Take your seats for an evening of funnies from those who know how to command a room.