What’s on at the theatre this June

Bluey’s Big Play for little kids, and big blue entertainment for big kids!

Murder mysteries, more giggle bringers and a pantomime to turn you red with its rude stuff. Here’s June’s juicy bits in theatre-land…

An Evening with Harry Redknapp (June 2) will keep your attention with engaging stories from his fruitful career in footie and TV – and there are plenty of tales to tell! Settle in for a great night.

Renowned British designer and judge on The Great Pottery Throw Down, Keith Brymer Jones will be throwing down stories in place of clay with his visit to the Derngate (June 3) when he shares stories of life in front of – and behind – the potter’s wheel.

There will be an on-stage demo at his wheel too, and he’ll be sharing his advice and tips for those budding creators among you.

Bluey’s Big Play (June 6-9) will enchant little minds. When Dad feels like a little bit of Sunday afternoon time out, Bluey and Bingo have other plans! Join them as they pull out all of the games and cleverness at their disposal to get Dad off that bean bag, during 50 minutes of fun.

‘It’s October 12, 1984 – the Brighton bombing. Maggie Thatcher emerges from the rubble, dusty but defiant and somehow in the living room of eight-year-old Damian Barr in Newarthill,’ and so begins the surreal but so-real rollercoaster, Scottish classic, Maggie & Me (June 6-8, Royal).

‘Buckle up for a surreal yet so-real rollercoaster ride through Damian’s painful past rediscovering who he really is. From the furnaces of the Ravenscraig Steelworks to the sanctuary of Carfin Grotto, there’s pain and joy, coming of age and coming out. And Saint Dolly Parton.’

Sister Act (June 10-15, Derngate) is a bonafide classic to warm the soul and raise the spirits, and Mark Simmons (June 12, Royal) brings the funnies with his show, Quip Off The Mark.

It’s a little more involved than one-liner giggles though, with a theme running throughout; Mark’s parents have sold the house he grew up in and he had to collect a box of stuff from the loft. What was in the box? He’ll reveal all in this show structured in a new way.

More funny business comes from Aurie Styla (June 15, Royal), who will talk about our wild world, and his journey to make sense of it…
If ever a title might be regretted by a comedian, it could be James Acaster’s latest – Hecklers Welcome.

James (June 20-22, Derngate) is also inviting you to support Northampton’s mental health charity, Lowdown, if you are able. It provides free and confidential support services for those aged 11-25 years old in our area. There’s no punchline here, just a desire to make a positive difference.

Anton Du Beke and Giovanni Pernice are Together (June 25, Derngate) with more fun, more dance, more songs and even more entertainment.
It will be a scream with plenty of fancy footwork thrown in.

The Actors Company will deliver the brand new whodunnit Another Bloody Murder (June 28-29, Royal), which draws on the best capers of country house detective stories, with a twist.

The inept Inspector Cluedo, his endlessly patient and long-suffering sergeant, Officer Joan, and a colourful and rather odd collection of residents and guests navigate their way through mayhem, mishaps and murder.

So – Whodunnit? The Bluff Colonel? The Heiress? The Butler? Will Inspector Cluedo ever solve the case of the disappearing Duchess? Is he even in the right house?
Adult themes, including comedy violence and sexual references, will feature.

A hop and a skip across town to The Old Savoy will deliver the adult panto, Cinderella And The Two Ugly S!*@s (June 7), with an invitation to the Prince’s Ball for bigger boys and girls only!

The Prince is known for holding the biggest balls in all the land and is hoping that all the gorgeous women in the Kingdom will come to see what he has to offer, but it’s not a glass slipper the royal household is looking to find the owner of. It’s something you’d find in one of those adult stores!

Book your seats: Royal & Derngate: royalandderngate.co.uk
The Old Savoy: theoldsavoy.co.uk