# Royal & Derngate

Royal & Derngate is a theatre complex in the Cultural Quarter of Northampton, England, consisting of the Royal Theatre, Derngate Theatre and the Northampton Filmhouse. The Royal was built by theatre architect Charles J. Phipps and opened in 1884. Ninety-nine years later in 1983, Derngate, designed by RHWL, was built to the rear of the Royal. Whilst the two theatres were physically linked, they did not combine organisations until a formal merger in 1999; they are run by the Northampton Theatres Trust. The Royal Theatre, established as a producing house, has a capacity of 450 seats and since 1976 has been designated a Grade II listed building; Derngate Theatre seats a maximum of 1,200 and is a multi-purpose space in which the auditorium can be configured for a variety of events including theatre, opera, live music, dance, fashion and sports. The Northampton Filmhouse, an independent cinema built to the side of the complex, opened in 2013.
In 2005, both theatres closed for an 18-month £14.5m redevelopment. The theatres were merged into one complex, a creativity centre was constructed, and the two venues were totally refurbished. The complex reopened as Royal & Derngate in October 2006. From its reopening, Laurie Sansom was artistic director; under his tenure, The Stage hailed Royal & Derngate as The Regional Theatre of the Year (2010) in its inaugural Stage 100 Awards for "its artistic quality and connections it has with local audiences."
In 2013 James Dacre took over as artistic director. The Royal & Derngate was awarded the UK Theatre Management Award for Best Presentation of Touring Theatre for its Made in Northampton co-produced work in 2015 and the UK Theatre Award for Best Touring Production in 2016. It was shortlisted for the Regional Theatre of the Year Award again in 2016, and also nominated for Theatre of the Year in The Stage 2022 Awards.
In addition to staging and producing entertainment, Royal & Derngate also provide a programme of creative projects in its Underground space. This is the site of its Youth Theatre. It also presented chances for the local community to get involved in performing, writing and finding out more about what goes on behind the scenes.

## History

The Royal Theatre was the first building of what now exists as the Royal & Derngate complex. The Royal, then called the Theatre Royal and Opera House, was built for John Franklin by Henry Martin and designed by renowned Victorian theatre architect Charles J. Phipps with mural artist Henry Bird. It opened on 5 May 1884 with a production of William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. On the theatre's opening, The Stage newspaper reported:
   No element of success was wanting to contribute to the superb triumph that crowned the opening of this new theatre; the audience which thronged every available part of the house, comprised the rank and fashion of the town and county, while the charming Thespian temple, fresh from the hand of the scene painters, gleamed everywhere with light and colour. The artistically designed scenery, the dress circle brilliant with blue and gold, the crimson rested chairs, together with the soft and delicate beauty of the ceiling and mural embellishment, were the theme of audible admiration from all parts of the house.
The theatre suffered damage from fire in 1887, and was restored by Charles J. Phipps. He was the original architect and also built the Savoy Theatre in London. The Royal's proscenium stage was widened in 1889. In the theatre's first four decades, productions of George Edwardes's musical comedies, operas, pantomimes, burlesques and melodramas were most popular. In 1927 the theatre became the home to the Northampton Repertory Players, and it has been run since as a producing house. It is supported by a workshop and wardrobe. Since 1976, The Royal has been designated a Grade II listed building.
Actor Errol Flynn made early appearances on the Royal's stage before embarking on his film career. For several months in 1933, he was part of the Northampton Repertory Players at the Royal. The Australian designer Catherine Harness was here in the 30s working with Thomas Osborne Robinson who was the decor and costume designer. In 1937 Osborne Robinson designed the costumes for Laurence Olivier at the Old Vic and despite a job offer he stayed in Northampton.
In January 1977, scenes for the Doctor Who serial The Talons of Weng-Chiang were shot inside the theatre. The serial was set in Victorian London and an authentic atmosphere was wanted for the theatre scenes. According to director David Maloney on the DVD commentary, the theatre was chosen because it had the nearest original fly gallery to London.
Derngate Theatre was added to the rear of the Royal, and was constructed on the former site of Northampton's bus station. Following its conception by Northampton Borough Council, RHWL designed the new theatre with Arup providing acoustic consultancy and engineering services. Building work started in the early 1980s. It opened on 4 April 1983 with an evening performance by singer Jack Jones.

### Recent years

In 1999, the Royal Theatre and Derngate became a combined organisation, run by the Northampton Theatres Trust. In 2005, both theatres closed for an 18-month redevelopment. The total cost, £14.5 million, was received from various outlets, including £1.6m from the Heritage Lottery Fund, £2.6m from the East Midlands Development Agency and Northampton Partnership, and almost £1m from partnership funding by the theatres' development team. The redevelopment merged and totally refurbished both venues. A creativity centre was also built. 100 staff were made redundant but all were offered the opportunity of re-employment once the complex reopened. Initially, the refurbishment work was to be completed in annual periods of three-months. When it was learned that both venues needed to have asbestos removed, and rotten flooring had to be replaced in the Royal, project managers and officials decided to shut the entire venue for more than one year.
Most money was spent on making the theatres "more comfortable for the audiences"; new seats and air conditioning were installed, and other building systems upgraded. The 1980s orange décor of Derngate was replaced with lighting techniques allowing changes to the colour of the interior. The Royal was restored to its original Victorian splendour. Other improvements included the creation of a joint foyer with a new main entrance. A creativity centre for education and community work was added, together with an atrium-style performance space, a new rehearsal room, and better changing rooms for actors.
During the 18-month closure, productions were moved elsewhere. The Comedy Club moved to the Roadmender, as did the youth theatre and education work. The classical music season went to Spinney Hill Hall at Northampton School for Girls, while dance moved to The Castle theatre in Wellingborough.
The complex reopened as Royal & Derngate in October 2006. Royal & Derngate is now the main venue for arts and entertainment in Northamptonshire. The Royal auditorium seats 530, Derngate seats 1,200-1,400 people, and the 2013 film theatre seats 90. The venue offers a diverse programme: drama, dance, stand-up comedy, classical music, children's shows, opera, and pantomime. It also hosts the annual February degree conferment ceremonies for the University of Northampton.
The venue has produced critically acclaimed shows, including Stephen Sondheim's Follies, J.B. Priestley's The Glass Cage, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, and Roald Dahl's James and the Giant Peach, as well as collaborating with Frantic Assembly on productions of Frankenstein and Othello. World premieres have included Arthur Miller's The Hook, Aldous Huxley's Brave New World, and a new play about Marvin Gaye, Soul by Roy Williams. For Christmas 2016, Royal & Derngate will be presenting the European premiere of Broadway sensation Peter and the Starcatcher.
On 16 November 2018, Jo Gordon was announced as the new chief executive of Northamptonshire Arts Management Trust and its venues, Royal & Derngate and The Core at Corby Cube.

## Performances

Royal & Derngate welcomes over 300,000 audience members each year to see work in both stages and in the Underground space. 20,000 people a year also take part in over 700 creative projects. Over 20,000 people attended a free outdoor spectacular Crackers? by The World Famous at Delapre Park. Some 80,000 people enjoyed Made in Northampton productions (productions made in-house at Royal & Derngate) that toured throughout the UK.
In 2009, to celebrate its 125th anniversary, the theatres' season included a celebration of Britain's most popular living playwright, Alan Ayckbourn, a new show created with the funny company Spymonkey, and a Young America season, featuring two rarely seen plays by Eugene O’Neill and Tennessee Williams about young people in love. Royal & Derngate also toured co-productions of Kneehigh Theatre's Brief Encounter and, with Fiery Angel, The BFG. In addition, Royal & Derngate played host to some of the biggest touring shows in the country, including the UK premiere of English National Ballet's Angelina Ballerina's Big Audition and Rambert Dance Company, which has returned since the redevelopment.
The following year, the Young America season transferred to the National Theatre in London, winning a TMA Award and being nominated for an Evening Standard Award. In 2010, Royal & Derngate developed a new charity to provide not-for-profit management services for the complex; it also established another charity to operate Corby Cube, a new theatre in Corby.
In 2011, the R & G's production of End of the Rainbow was transferred to the West End and nominated for 4 Olivier Awards. In addition, Royal & Derngate was named the Regional Theatre of the Year in the inaugural Stage 100 awards. In 2015 Royal & Derngate was shortlisted for Regional Theatre of the Year in The Stage Awards, and won the UK Theatre Award for Best Presentation of Touring Theatre. In 2016 the venue won the UK Theatre Award for Best Touring Production.

### Touring & Regional Productions

The Royal & Derngate host many events across the year, with touring and regional plays & musicals being some of the most popular at the box office.
2024 Touring & Regional Season :
| Show | Duration | Venue | Notes |
| 2:22 A Ghost Story | 05/01/2024 - 13/01/2024 | The Derngate | Original UK National Tour / 1st Cast Change Venue |
| Yippee Ki Yay, the Die Hard parody | 11/01/2024 - 12/01/2024 | The Royal | MIN Production |
| The Frogs | 19/01/2024 - 03/02/2024 | The Royal | MIN Co-Production with Spymonkey |
| The Mousetrap | 12/02/2024 - 17/02/2024 | The Derngate | UK National Tour |
| Houdini's Greatest Escape | 13/02/2024 - 14/02/2024 | The Royal | MIN Production |
| What's Love Got to Do with It? | 25/02/2024 - 26/02/2024 | The Derngate | 2nd UK National Tour |
| Oh! What A Lovely War | 26/02/2024 - 27/02/2024 | The Royal | 60th Anniversary Tour |
| Buffy | 27/02/2024 | The Derngate | UK National Tour |
| Cracking | 19/03/2024 | The Royal | MIN Co-Production with Theatre Royal, Plymouth |
| The Father | 22/03/2024 - 23/03/2024 | The Royal | White Cobra Theatre Co-Production |
| Stranger Sings | 23/04/2024 | The Derngate | Original UK National Tour |
| THE TIME MACHINE – A Comedy | 26/03/2024 - 30/04/2024 | The Royal | MIN Co-Production with Original Theatre |
| Life of Pi | 02/04/2024 - 06/04/2024 | The Derngate | Original UK National Tour |
| Moby Dick | 05/04/2024 - 13/04/2024 | The Royal | MIN Production Co-Production with Simple8 |
| Shrek the Musical | 23/04/2024 - 27/04/2024 | The Derngate | 3rd UK National Tour |
| King Arthur | 25/04/2024 - 27/04/2024 | The Royal | Le Navat Bete |
| West End NOW | 08/05/2024 - 11/05/2024 | The Royal | Northampton Musical Theatre Company |
| Grease | 13/05/2024 - 18/05/2024 | The Derngate | 4th UK National Tour |
| Everybody's Talking About Jamie | 27/05/2024 - 01/06/2024 | The Derngate | 2nd UK National Tour |
| Sister Act | 10/06/2024 - 15/06/2024 | The Derngate | 3rd UK National Tour |
| Peppa Pig's Fun Day Out | 03/07/2024 - 04/07/2024 | The Derngate | Original UK National Tour |
| Madagascar: The Musical | 18/07/2024 - 21/07/2024 | The Derngate | Original UK National Tour |
| Pretty Woman: The Musical | 09/09/2024 - 14/09/2024 | The Derngate | Original UK National Tour |
| Bonnie & Clyde | 22/10/2024 - 26/10/2024 | The Derngate | Original UK National Tour |
| Footloose | 29/10/2024 - 02/11/2024 | The Derngate | Northampton Musical Theatre Company |
| Cinderella | 02/12/2024 - 31/12/2024 | The Derngate | Evolution Productions / Christmas Panto |
2023 Touring & Regional Season :
| Show | Duration | Venue | Notes |
| The Cher Show | 10/01/2023 - 14/01/2023 | The Derngate | Original UK National Tour |
| Unexpected Twist | 11/02/2023 - 25/02/2023 | The Royal | MIN Production / UK Premiere |
| Strictly Ballroom | 27/02/2023 - 04/03/2023 | The Derngate | Original UK National Tour |
| Henry V | 07/03/2023 - 18/03/2023 | The Royal | |
| Jersey Boys | 21/03/2023 - 01/04/2023 | The Derngate | 3rd UK National Tour |
| Quality Street | 04/04/2023 - 08/04/2023 | The Royal | MIN Production / UK Premiere |
| The Commitments | 10/04/2023 - 15/04/2023 | The Derngate | 2nd UK National Tour |
| Wuthering Heights | 24/04/2023 - 06/05/2023 | The Royal | MIN Production / UK Premiere |
| The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel | 09/05/2023 - 14/05/2023 | The Derngate | Original UK National Tour |
| The Witness | 17/05/2023 - 18/05/2023 | The Royal | MIN Production / UK Premiere |
| Guys & Dolls | 19/05/2023 - 20/05/2023 | The Royal | Northampton Musical Theatre Company |
| 1012 | 25/05/2023 - 26/05/2023 | The Royal | MIN Production / UK Premiere |
| Love & Information | 27/05/2023 - 28/05/2023 | The Royal | MIN Production / UK Premiere |
| Grapes of Wrath | 29/05/2023 - 30/05/2023 | The Royal | MIN Production / UK Premiere |
| Happy Birthday Sunita | 06/06/2023 - 10/06/2023 | The Derngate | Rifco Theatre Company / World Premiere |
| The Three Musketeers | 14/06/2023 - 16/06/2023 | The Royal | MIN Production |
| And Then There Were None | 07/09/2023 - 16/09/2023 | The Derngate | 5th UK National Tour |
| Oh, What a Lovely War! | 02/10/2023 - 03/10/2023 | The Royal | 2nd UK National Tour |
| Greatest Days | 02/10/2023 - 07/10/2023 | The Derngate | Original UK National Tour |
| Crimes On Centre Court | 04/10/2023 - 05/10/2023 | The Royal | MIN Production / UK Premiere |
| Murder in the Dark | 16/10/2023 - 21/10/2023 | The Royal | Original UK National Tour |
| Kinky Boots | 24/10/2023 - 28/10/2023 | The Derngate | Northampton Musical Theatre Company |
| I, Daniel Blake | 01/11/2023 - 04/11/2023 | The Royal | Original UK National Tour |
| Six | 27/11/2023 - 02/12/2023 | The Derngate | 2nd UK National Tour |
| It's A Wonderful Life | 30/11/2023 - 02/12/2023 | The Royal | White Cobra Theatre |
| Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs | 08/12/2023 - 31/12/2023 | The Derngate | Evolution Productions / Christmas Panto |
2022 Touring & Regional Season :
| Show | Duration | Venue | Notes |
| Waitress | 10/01/2022 - 15/01/2022 | The Derngate | Original UK National Tour |
| Hairspray | 31/01/2022 - 05/02/2022 | The Derngate | 5th UK National Tour |
| Six | 15/02/2022 - 19/02/2022 | The Derngate | Original UK National Tour |
| An Improbable Musical | 25/02/2022 - 05/03/2022 | The Royal | Original Regional Tour |
| Bedknobs & Broomsticks | 01/03/2022 - 05/03/2022 | The Derngate | Original UK National Tour |
| The Wellspring: A Memory Cycle | 17/03/2022 - 26/03/2022 | The Royal | MIN Production / UK Regional Tour (Opening Venue) |
| We Will Rock You | 21/03/2022 - 26/03/2022 | The Derngate | 3rd UK National Tour |
| Fatal Attraction | 29/03/2022 - 02/04/2022 | The Derngate | Original UK National Tour (Opening Venue) |
| Bette & Joan | 02/04/2022 - 03/04/2022 | The Royal | MIN Production / World Premiere |
| The Osmonds | 03/04/2022 - 07/04/2022 | The Derngate | Original UK National Tour |
| The Gut Girls | 12/05/2022 - 14/05/2022 | The Royal | MIN Production |
| Buckets | 12/05/2022 - 14/05/2022 | The Royal | MIN Production |
| Mog The Forgetful Cat | 03/06/2022 - 19/06/2022 | The Royal | MIN Co-Production with the Old Vic / UK 5 Stop Tour (Opening Venue) |
| Dance of Death | 21/06/2022 - 23/06/2022 | The Royal | MIN Production |
| The Rocky Horror Show | 04/07/2022 - 09/07/2022 | The Derngate | 12th UK National Tour |
| Playtime | 02/09/2022 - 17/09/2022 | The Royal | MIN Production / World Premiere |
| Friendsical | 14/09/2022 - 15/09/2022 | The Derngate | UK National Tour (Opening Venue) |
| The Color Purple | 04/10/2022 - 08/10/2022 | The Derngate | Original UK National Tour |
| The Two Popes | 11/10/2022 - 15/10/2022 | The Royal | MIN Production |
| The Mirror Crack'd | 31/10/2022 - 05/11/2022 | The Royal | MIN Production / East Midlands Tour (Opening Venue) |
| Calendar Girls | 01/11/2022 - 05/11/2022 | The Derngate | Northampton Musical Theatre Company |
| Dreamgirls | 22/11/2022 - 26/11/2022 | The Derngate | Original UK National Tour |
| Jack & The Beanstalk | 10/12/2022 - 15/01/2023 | The Derngate | Evolution Productions / Christmas Panto |
2021 Touring & Regional Season :
| Show | Duration | Venue | Notes |
| Theatre Closed due to COVID-19 | 01/01/2021 - 15/05/2021 | | |
| Animal Farm | 17/05/2021 - 22/05/2021 | The Royal | National Youth Theatre & MIN Co-Production |
| Othello | 25/05/2021 - 29/05/2021 | The Royal | National Youth Theatre |
| Four Quartets | 08/06/2021 - 12/06/2021 | The Royal | National Youth Theatre |
| Gin Craze! | 17/07/2021 - 31/07/2021 | The Royal | National Youth Theatre & MIN Co-Production |
| Educating Rita | 26/07/2021 - 31/07/2021 | The Derngate | 40th Anniversary UK National Tour |
| Priscilla, Queen of the Desert | 02/08/2021 - 07/08/2021 | The Derngate | Postponed 4th UK National Tour |
| 60 Miles By Road or Rail | 22/08/2021 - 26/08/2021 | The Royal | MIN Production |
| Chicago | 04/09/2021 - 10/09/2021 | The Derngate | Original UK National Tour |
| Shrek | 26/10/2021 - 30/10/2021 | The Derngate | Northampton Musical Theatre Company |
| Blue/Orange | 23/11/2021 - 04/12/2021 | The Royal | MIN Production / World Premiere |
2020 Touring & Regional Season :
| Show | Duration | Venue | Notes |
| Mame | 07/01/2020 - 11/01/2020 | The Royal | 50th Anniversary UK National Tour (Closing Venue) |
| A Murder is Announced | 13/01/2020 - 18/01/2020 | The Royal | UK National Tour |
| Holes | 24/01/2020 - 01/02/2020 | The Royal | MIN Production |
| Beautiful: The Carole King Musical | 04/02/2020 - 08/02/2020 | The Derngate | 2nd UK National Tour |
| Alone in Berlin | 08/02/2020 - 29/02/2020 | The Royal | MIN Production |
| Curtains | 25/02/2020 - 29/02/2020 | The Derngate | Original UK National Tour |
| Last of the Pelican Daughters | 03/03/2020 - 07/03/2020 | The Royal | Regional Tour |
| Everybody's Talking About Jamie | 10/03/2020 - 14/03/2020 | The Derngate | Original UK National Tour |
| Theatre Closed due to COVID-19 | 16/03/2020 - 31/12/2020 | | |
2019 Touring & Regional Season :
| Show | Duration | Venue | Notes |
| Our Lady of Kibeho | 12/01/2019 - 02/02/2019 | The Royal | MIN Production |
| The Full Monty | 15/01/2019 - 19/01/2019 | The Derngate | 2nd UK National Tour |
| The Mousetrap | 04/02/2019 - 09/02/2019 | The Derngate | 65th Anniversary Tour |
| Caroline's Kitchen | 11/02/2019 - 16/02/2019 | The Royal | UK National Tour |
| Avenue Q | 18/02/2019 - 23/02/2019 | The Derngate | 3rd UK National Tour |
| The Remains of the Day | 23/02/2019 - 16/03/2019 | The Royal | Original UK National Tour (Opening Venue) |
| Abigail's Party | 04/03/2019 - 09/03/2019 | The Derngate | New Victoria Theatre Co-Production |
| Edmond de Bergerac | 09/04/2019 - 13/04/2019 | The Royal | Birmingham Repertory Theatre UK National Tour |
| Ghost | 19/04/2019 - 11/05/2019 | The Royal | 3rd UK National Tour |
| Rock of Ages | 07/05/2019 - 11/05/2019 | The Derngate | 2nd UK National Tour |
| Richard III | 14/05/2019 - 31/05/2019 | The Royal | UK National Tour (Opening Venue) |
| Jekyll and Hyde | 31/05/2019 - 01/06/2019 | The Royal | Northampton Musical Theatre Company |
| The Pope | 08/06/2019 - 22/06/2019 | The Royal | MIN Production |
| Dirty Dancing | 10/06/2019 - 15/06/2019 | The Derngate | |
| Two Trains Running | 31/08/2019 - 14/09/2019 | The Royal | MIN Production |
| Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story | 09/09/2019 - 14/09/2019 | The Derngate | 7th UK National Tour |
| The Woman in Black | 30/09/2019 - 05/10/2019 | The Royal | |
| Toast | 07/10/2019 - 12/10/2019 | The Royal | MIN Production |
| Calendar Girls | 08/10/2019 - 12/10/2019 | The Derngate | Original UK National Tour |
| A View from the Bridge | 15/10/2019 - 26/10/2019 | The Royal | 2nd UK National Tour |
| Made in Dagenham | 29/10/2019 - 02/11/2019 | The Derngate | Northampton Musical Theatre Company |
| The Season | 01/11/2019 - 30/11/2019 | The Royal | MIN Co-Production with New Wolsey Theatre / World Premiere |
| Cinderella | 06/12/2019 - 29/12/2019 | The Derngate | Evolution Productions / Christmas Panto |
| Pippi Longstocking | 10/12/2019 - 30/12/2019 | The Royal | MIN Production |
2018 Touring & Regional Season :
| Show | Duration | Venue | Notes |
| The Play That Goes Wrong | 04/01/2018 - 07/01/2018 | The Derngate | 3rd UK National Tour (Opening Venue) |
| A Passage to India | 11/01/2018 - 20/01/2018 | The Royal | Regional Tour (Opening Venue) |
| Mamma Mia | 23/01/2018 - 02/02/2018 | The Derngate | 2nd UK National Tour |
| Of Mice and Men | 05/02/2018 - 10/02/2018 | The Royal | UK 10 City Tour |
| Cilla The Musical | 20/02/2018 - 24/02/2018 | The Derngate | Original UK National Tour |
| Love from a Stranger | 23/02/2018 - 17/03/2018 | The Royal | MIN Production |
| Hamlet | 27/02/2018 - 03/03/2018 | The Derngate | UK National Tour |
| Shrek the Musical | 14/03/2018 - 25/03/2018 | The Derngate | 2nd UK National Tour |
| The Selfish Giant | 04/04/2018 - 07/04/2018 | The Royal | MIN Production |
| The Last Ship | 24/04/2018 - 28/04/2018 | The Derngate | Original UK National Tour |
| Flying Lovers of Vitebsk | 24/04/2018 - 28/04/2018 | The Royal | MIN Production / World Premiere |
| Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em | 01/05/2018 - 05/05/2018 | The Derngate | Original UK National Tour |
| The Importance of Being Ernest | 08/05/2018 - 12/05/2018 | The Royal | MIN Production |
| Art | 14/05/2018 - 18/05/2018 | The Derngate | 25th Anniversary UK National Tour |
| The Band | 29/05/2018 - 09/05/2018 | The Derngate | Original UK National Tour |
| Education, Education, Education | 29/05/2018 - 02/06/2018 | The Royal | MIN Production |
| Club Wonderland | 08/06/2018 - 09/06/2018 | The Royal | MIN Production / World Premiere |
| Titanic | 25/06/2018 - 30/06/2018 | The Derngate | Original UK National Tour |
| Bugsy Malone | 07/07/2018 - 15/07/2018 | The Royal | UK National Tour |
| The Lovely Bones | 01/09/2018 - 19/09/2018 | The Royal | MIN Production |
| Kinky Boots | 19/09/2018 - 10/10/2018 | The Derngate | Original UK National Tour (Opening Venue) |
| Touching the Void | 09/10/2018 - 20/10/2018 | The Royal | 2nd UK National Tour / MIN Co-Production |
| Shoulder to Shoulder | 21/10/2018 - 24/10/2018 | The Royal | MIN Production |
| West Side Story | 23/10/2018 - 27/10/2018 | The Derngate | Northampton Musical Theatre Company |
| Private Peaceful | 01/11/2018 - 02/11/2018 | The Royal | Nottingham Playhouse Production |
| Rebus | 05/11/2018 - 10/11/2018 | The Royal | MIN Production / World Premiere |
| Rain Man | 19/11/2018 - 24/11/2018 | The Royal | MIN Production / UK Premiere |
| The Worst Witch | 04/12/2018 - 30/12/2018 | The Royal | MIN Production / World Premiere |
| Peter Pan | 07/12/2018 - 30/12/2018 | The Derngate | Evolution Productions / Christmas Panto |
2017 Touring & Regional Season :
| Show | Duration | Venue | Notes |
| Sunny Afternoon | 10/01/2016 - 14/01/2017 | The Derngate | Original UK National Tour |
| The Full Monty | 16/01/2017 - 21/01/2017 | The Derngate | 3rd UK National Tour |
| Invincible | 24/01/2017 - 28/01/2017 | The Royal | MIN Production / UK 8 Stop Tour (Opening Venue) |
| Henceforward... | 06/02/2017 - 11/02/2017 | The Royal | MIN Co-Production with Stephen Joseph Theatre |
| A Passionate Woman | 07/03/2017 - 11/03/2017 | The Royal | MIN Co-Production with Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield |
| Sister Act | 27/03/2017 - 01/04/2017 | The Derngate | 2nd UK National Tour |
| Million Dollar Quartet | 18/04/2017 - 22/04/2017 | The Derngate | Original UK National Tour |
| Not Dead Enough | 02/05/2017 - 06/05/2017 | The Royal | MIN Production |
2014 Touring & Regional Season :
| Show | Duration | Venue | Notes |
| HMS Pinafore | 20/01/2014 - 25/01/2014 | The Royal | |
| Dreamboats and Petticoats | 27/01/2014 - 02/02/2014 | The Derngate | 3rd UK National Tour |
| Fallen Angels | 10/02/2014 - 15/02/2014 | The Royal | Revival Tour |
| A Tale of Two Cities | 21/02/2014 - 15/03/2014 | The Royal | MIN Production / UK Premiere |
| Animal Farm | 20/02/2014 - 22/02/2014 | The Royal | |
| Blood Brothers | 24/03/2014 - 29/03/2014 | The Derngate | West End Farewell Tour |
| Every Last Trick | 18/04/2014 - 10/05/2014 | The Royal | MIN Production / World Premiere |
| Fiddler on the Roof | 22/04/2014 - 26/04/2014 | The Derngate | |
| The Play That Goes Wrong | 12/05/2014 - 17/05/2014 | The Derngate | Original UK National Tour |
| Dealer's Choice | 23/05/2014 - 16/06/2014 | The Royal | First UK Revival |
| Let It Be | 26/05/2014 - 31/05/2014 | The Derngate | Original UK National Tour |
| Regeneration | 29/08/2014 - 20/09/2014 | The Royal | MIN Production / World Premiere |
| One Man, Two Guvnors | 22/09/2014 - 27/08/2014 | The Derngate | 3rd UK National Tour |
| Cat On A Hot Tin Roof | 01/10/2014 - 18/10/2014 | The Royal | MIN Production / UK Regional Tour (Opening Venue) |
| This Is My Family | 21/10/2014 - 25/10/2014 | The Royal | UK Regional Tour (Opening Venue) |
| South Pacific | 28/10/2014 - 01/10/2014 | The Derngate | Northampton Musical Theatre Company |
| The Full Monty | 10/11/2014 - 15/11/2014 | The Derngate | 2nd UK National Tour |
| The Woman In Black | 10/11/2014 - 15/11/2014 | The Royal | |
| Peter Pan | 05/12/2014 - 05/01/2015 | The Derngate | Evolution Productions / Christmas Panto |

### Made in Northampton Productions

Made in Northampton is the name given to productions that have been produced in-house at the Royal Theatre. Since re-opening, Royal & Derngate has worked with various writers, creative teams and companies to produce these shows, receiving considerable critical and commercial praise. .
Other highlights have included the premiere of Nicholas Wright's adaptation of Pat Barker's novel Regeneration, in a co-production with Touring Consortium Theatre Company in 2014. It also premiered Mike Poulton’s adaptation of A Tale of Two Cities.
The Made in Northampton 2015 season included world premieres of Arthur Miller's The Hook in a co-production with Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse, and Aldous Huxley's Brave New World in a co-production with Touring Consortium Theatre Company. The programme also included a co-production of King John with Shakespeare’s Globe, and Patrick Hamilton's classic thriller Gaslight.
Highlights of its Made in Northampton 2016 season include major tours of Peter Whelan's The Herbal Bed (Winner of Best Touring Production in the UK Theatre Awards), King Lear starring Michael Pennington, and Spymonkey's The Complete Deaths. It produced the world premiere of Soul, a new play by Roy Williams about American singer Marvin Gaye, and the European Premiere of Peter and the Starcatcher.
Shows, including 2007's 101 Dalmatians, 2018's The Worst Witch and 2019's The Season renamed Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) have gone on to be transferred to London's West End.
2024 season :
| Show | Duration | Director | Notes |
| Yippee Ki Yay, the Die Hard parody | 11/01/2024 - 12/01/2024 | Hal Chambers | Fringe Festival Winner |
| The Frogs | 19/01/2024 - 03/02/2024 | Toby Park & Aitor Basauri | Co-Production with Spymonkey |
| Houdini's Greatest Escape | 13/02/2024 - 14/02/2024 | James Dacre | UK Premiere |
| Cracking | 19/03/2024 | Shôn Dale-Jones | Co-Production with Theatre Royal, Plymouth |
| The Father | 22/03/2024 - 23/03/2024 | Martin Borley-Cox | White Cobra Theatre Co-Production |
| THE TIME MACHINE – A Comedy | 26/03/2024 - 30/04/2024 | Orla O’Loughlin | Co-Production with Original Theatre |
| Moby Dick | 05/04/2024 - 13/04/2024 | Simple8 | Co-Production with Simple8 |
2023 season :
| Show | Duration | Director | Notes |
| Unexpected Twist | 11/02/2023 - 25/02/2023 | James Dacre | UK Premiere |
| Quality Street | 04/04/2023 - 08/04/2023 | James Dacre | UK Premiere |
| Wuthering Heights | 24/04/2023 - 06/05/2023 | Lucinka Eisler | UK Premiere |
| The Witness | 17/05/2023 - 18/05/2023 | Jo Blake | Co-Production with Carbon Theatre UK Premiere |
| 1012 | 25/05/2023 - 26/05/2023 | James Dacre | UK Premiere |
| Love & Information | 27/05/2023 - 28/05/2023 | Martin Borley-Cox | World Premiere |
| Grapes Of Wrath | 29/05/2023 - 30/05/2023 | Martin Borley-Cox | |
| Crimes On Centre Court | 04/10/2023 - 05/10/2023 | James Dacre | World Premiere |
2022 season :
| Show | Duration | Director | Notes |
| An Improbable Musical | 25/02/2022 - 05/03/2022 | Josie Lawrence, Niall Ashdown and Ruth Bratt | Co-Production with The New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich 2nd Stop on Regional Tour |
| The Wellspring: A Memory Cycle | 17/03/2022 - 26/03/2022 | James Dacre | UK Regional Tour (Opening Venue) |
| Bette & Joan | 02/04/2022 - 03/04/2022 | Martin Borley-Cox | World Premiere Northamptonshire County Tour (Opening Venue) |
| The Gut Girls | 12/05/2022 - 14/05/2022 | Martin Borley-Cox | |
| Buckets | 12/05/2022 - 14/05/2022 | Martin Borley-Cox | |
| Mog The Forgetful Cat | 03/06/2022 - 19/06/2022 | Helena Middleton & Jesse Jones | Co-Production with the Old Vic UK 5 Stop Tour (Opening Venue) |
| Dance of Death | 21/06/2022 - 23/06/2022 | Lindsay Duncan & Hilton McRae | |
| Playtime | 02/09/2022 - 17/09/2022 | Valentina Ceschi & Thomas Eccleshare | World Premiere |
| The Two Popes | 11/10/2022 - 15/10/2022 | James Dacre | |
| The Mirror Crack'd | 31/10/2022 - 05/11/2022 | James Dacre | East Midlands Tour (Opening Venue) |
2021 season :
| Show | Duration | Director | Notes |
| Animal Farm | 17/05/2021 - 22/05/2021 | Ed Stambollouain | Co-Production with National Youth Theatre |
| Gin Craze! | 17/07/2021 - 31/07/2021 | Ed Stambollouain | Co-Production with National Youth Theatre |
| 60 Miles By Road or Rail | 22/08/2021 - 26/08/2021 | James Dacre | A Northampton Story |
| Blue/Orange | 23/11/2021 - 04/12/2021 | James Dacre | |
2020 season :
| Show | Duration | Director | Notes |
| Holes | 24/01/2020 - 01/02/2020 | James Dacre | |
| Alone in Berlin | 08/02/2020 - 29/02/2020 | James Dacre | |
2019 season :
| Show | Duration | Director | Notes |
| Our Lady of Kibeho | 12/01/2019 - 02/02/2019 | Katori Hall | |
| Abigail's Party | 04/03/2019 - 09/03/2019 | Sarah Esdaile | New Victoria Theatre Co-Production |
| The Season by Jim Barne and Kit Buchan | 01/11/2019 - 30/11/2019 | Tim Jackson | MIN Christmas Season World Premiere, co-production with The New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich Transferred to Off-West End renamed to Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) Telegraph Theatre Awards Best New Show |
| Pippi Longstocking | 10/12/2019 - 30/12/2019 | Mike Akers | MIN Christmas Season |
2018 season :
| Show | Duration | Director | Notes |
| The Worst Witch | 04/12/2018 - 30/12/2018 | Emma Reeves | World Premiere Laurence Olivier Awards Family Show Transferred to West End |
2017 season :
| Show | Duration | Director | Notes |
| Invincible | 24/01/2017 - 28/01/2017 | Christopher Harper | UK 8 Stop Tour (Opening Venue) |
| Henceforward... | 06/02/2017 - 11/02/2017 | Alan Ayckbourn | Co-Production with Stephen Joseph Theatre |
| A Passionate Woman | 07/03/2017 - 11/03/2017 | James Darcy | Co-Production with Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield |
2016 season :
| Show | Duration | Director | Notes |
| The Herbal Bed by Peter Whelan | Fri 5 – Sat 27 February 2016 | James Dacre | A co-production with English Touring Theatre and Rose Theatre Kingston, UK Tour UK Theatre Award for Best Touring Production |
| King Lear | Fri 1 – Sat 23 April 2016 | Max Webster | Starring Michael Pennington UK Tour in association with Ambassador Theatre Group |
| Spymonkey's The Complete Deaths | Thu 5 – Sat 7 May 2016 (previews) Mon 17 - Wed 19 Oct 16 | Tim Crouch | World Premiere A co-production with Spymonkey and Brighton Festival |
| Peepolykus' The Massive Tragedy of Madame Bovary | Tue 10 – Sat 14 May 2016 | Gemma Bodinetz | World Premiere A co-production with Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse, Bristol Old Vic and Nuffield Southampton |
| Soul by Roy Williams | Fri 20 May – Sat 11 June 2016 | James Dacre | World Premiere Starring Adjoa Andoh A co-production with Hackney Empire |
| The Tempest adapted by Rebecca Lenkiewicz | Thu 23 June – Sat 2 July 2016 | Caroline Steinbeis | A co-production with National Youth Theatre |
| A Tale of Two Cities adapted by Mike Poulton with music by Rachel Portman | Sat 10 – Sat 17 September 2016 | James Dacre | World Premiere A co-production with Touring Consortium Theatre Company |
| Peter and the Starcatcher adapted by Rick Elice | Tue 29 November – Sat 31 December 2016 | Luke Sheppard | European premiere A co-production with Paul Taylor Mills |
| Second Star to the Right | Fri 02 Dec 16 - Sat 07 Jan 17 | Jesse Jones | World Premiere |
2015 season :
| Show | Duration | Director | Notes |
| Cyrano de Bergerac | Fri 3 – Sat 25 April 2015 | Lorne Campbell | A co-production with Northern Stage |
| King John | Fri 24 April – Sat 16 May 2015 | James Dacre | A co-production with Shakespeare's Globe Also performed at Temple Church, Salisbury Cathedral and Holy Sepulchre Church |
| The Hook by Arthur Miller | Fri 5 – Sat 27 June 2015 | James Dacre | World Premiere A co-production with Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse. |
| Brave New World adapted by Dawn King with music by These New Puritans | Fri 4 – Sat 26 September 2015 | James Dacre | A co-production with Touring Consortium Theatre Company |
| Gaslight by Patrick Hamilton | Fri 16 October – Sat 7 November 2015 | Lucy Bailey | Starring Tara Fitzgerald |
| The Snow Queen by Georgia Pritchett | Wed 25 November 2015 – Sat 3 January 2016 | Gary Sefton | World Premiere A co-production with Nuffield Theatre |
| The Herbal Bed by Peter Whelan | Fri 5 – Sat 27 February 2016 | James Dacre | A co-production with English Touring Theatre and Rose Theatre Kingston, UK Tour UK Theatre Award for Best Touring Production |
| | | | Season won UK Theatre Award for Best Presentation of Touring Theatre |
2014 season :
| Show | Duration | Director | Notes |
| A Tale of Two Cities, adapted by Mike Poulton | 21 February – 15 March | James Dacre | World Premiere Composed by Rachel Portman |
| The Body of An American by Dan O'Brien | 27 February – 8 March | James Dacre | European Premiere A co-production with The Gate Theatre Nominated for Evening Standard Award |
| Every Last Trick, adapted by Tamsin Oglesby | 18 April – 10 May | Paul Hunter | World Premiere A collaboration between members of Spymonkey and Told by an Idiot |
| Moominsummer Madness, adapted by Phil Porter | 22 May – 1 June | Dani Parr and Peter Gianville | World Premiere A co-production with Polka Theatre, in association with Little Angel Theatre |
| Pat Barker's Regeneration, adapted for the stage by Nicholas Wright | 22 August – 20 September | Simon Godwin | World Premiere A co-production with Touring Consortium Theatre Company |
| Cat on a Hot Tin Roof by Tennessee Williams | 1 – 18 October | James Dacre | A co-production with Northern Stage and the Royal Exchange Theatre |
| Merlin by Ella Hickson | 26 November 2014 – 4 January 2015 | Liam Steel | World Premiere A co-production with Nuffield Theatre |
2013 season :
| Show | Duration | Director | Notes |
| One for the Road | 1 – 23 February | Laurie Sansom | Part of Comedy Gold season |
| Mr Whatnot | 15 March – 6 April | Cal McCrystal | Part of Comedy Gold season |
| A Midsummer Night's Dream | 19 April – 11 May | Gary Sefton | Part of Comedy Gold season |
| Dancing at Lughnasa | 24 May – 15 June | Richard Beecham | |
| To Sir, With Love | 6 – 28 September | Mark Babych | World Premiere Nominated—WhatsOnStage Award for Best Regional Production |
| The Wind in the Willows | 27 November 2013 – 5 January 2014 | Gary Sefton | |
2012 season :
| Show | Duration | Director | Notes |
| Oedipussy | 3 – 18 February | Emma Rice | World Premiere A co-production with Spymonkey |
| Ladies in Lavender | 6 – 21 April | Robin Lefevre | A co-production with Daniel Schumann and Lee Dean |
| The Bacchae | 18 May – 30 June | Laurie Sansom | Part of the Festival of Chaos season |
| Blood Wedding | 18 May – 30 June | Laurie Sansom | Part of the Festival of Chaos season |
| Hedda Gabler | 6 – 28 July | Laurie Sansom | Part of the Festival of Chaos season |
| Bully Boy | 24 August – 15 September | David Gilmore and Patrick Sandford | World Premiere A co-production with Lee Dean, Charles Diamond, Daniel Schumann and St James Theatre |
| God of Carnage | 19 October – 10 November | Kate Saxon | |
| A Christmas Carol | 28 November 2012 – 6 January 2013 | Gary Sefton | |
| Humbug! | 11 December 2012 – 13 January 2013 | Dani Parr | |
2011 season :
| Show | Duration | Director | Notes |
| The Years Between | 4 – 26 February | Kate Saxon | Nominated—TMA Award for Best Performance in a Play |
| Diary of a Nobody | 4 – 19 March | Gary Sefton | A co-production with Under the Radar Partnership |
| In Praise of Love | 1 – 23 April | Richard Beecham | |
| Hamlet! The Musical | 6 – 21 May | Ryan McBride | A co-production with Eleanor Lloyd Productions |
| Eden End | 6 – 25 June | Laurie Sansom | |
| End of the Rainbow | 25 August – 3 September | Terry Johnson | Post West End revival, prior to national tour A co-production with Lee Dean |
| Basket Case | 9 – 24 September | Robin Lefevre | A co-production with Lee Dean |
| The Two Gentlemen of Verona | 30 September – 22 October | Matthew Dunster | |
| The Go-Between | 2 – 19 November | Roger Haines | World Premiere A co-production with Derby Live and West Yorkshire Playhouse UK Theatre Award for Best Production of a Musical |
| Alice in Wonderland | 30 November 2011 – 8 January 2012 | Laurie Sansom and Dani Parr | |
2010 season :
| Show | Duration | Director | Notes |
| End of the Rainbow | 5 – 20 February | Terry Johnson | Part of Addicted to You season A co-production with Lee Dean Revived at Trafalgar Studios, London from 2010 to 2011 Revived at Guthrie Theater, Minneapolis in 2012 Revived at Belasco Theatre, New York in 2010 Outer Critics' Circle Award and Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Play Nominated—Laurence Olivier Awards for Best Actress, Best New Play, Best Supporting Actor and Best Sound Design Nominated—Tony Awards for Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor and Best Sound Design |
| My Zinc Bed | 26 February – 13 March | Laurie Sansom | Part of Addicted to You season |
| Honest | 26 February – 13 March | Mike Bartlett | World Premiere Part of Addicted to You season |
| Travels with My Aunt | 30 April – 15 May | Gary Sefton | |
| Town | 18 June – 3 July | Esther Richardson | World Premiere Part of Hometown season |
| Flathampton | 9 – 17 July | Dani Parr | Part of Hometown season Revived in 2011 |
| The Talented Mr. Ripley | 17 September – 9 October | Raz Shaw | |
| The Duchess of Malfi | 15 – 30 October | Laurie Sansom | Nominated—TMA Award for Best Design |
| The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe | 1 December 2010 – 9 January 2011 | Dani Parr | |
| Through the Wardrobe | 7 – 19 December | Beth van der Ham-Edwards | |
2009 season :
| Show | Duration | Director | Notes |
| Noël Coward's Brief Encounter | 13 – 28 February | Emma Rice | Kneehigh Theatre in collaboration with Royal & Derngate TMA Award for Best Touring Production |
| The BFG | 12 – 28 March | Phil Clark | A co-production with Fiery Angel |
| Under Milk Wood | 1 – 16 May | Adele Thomas | |
| Wish Wash | 6 – 27 June | Dani Parr | |
| Just Between Ourselves | 22 May – 13 June | Mark Rosenblatt | Part of Ayckbourn at 70 season |
| Private Fears in Public Places | 22 June – 11 July | Laurie Sansom | Part of Ayckbourn at 70 season Nominated—TMA Award for Best Lighting Design |
| Man of the Moment | 27 July – 15 August | Alan Ayckbourn | Ayckbourn at 70 season |
| Moby Dick | 18 – 26 September | Jos Houben | A co-production with Spymonkey |
| Beyond the Horizon and Spring Storm | 9 October – 14 November | Laurie Sansom | Part of Young America season Revived at London's National Theatre in 2010 TMA Award for Best Director and Best Lighting Design Nominated—Evening Standard Award for Best Director |
| Honk! | 1 December 2009 – 3 January 2010 | Andrew Panton | |
2008 season :
| Show | Duration | Director | Notes |
| The Clean House | 1 – 16 February | John Dove | In association with Lee Dean |
| Mary Shelley's Frankenstein | 22 February – 15 March | Laurie Sansom | In association with Frantic Assembly |
| Humble Boy | 11 April – 3 May | Richard Beecham | |
| Laurel and Hardy | 20 – 31 May | Peter Rowe | A co-production with New Wolsey, Ipswich in association with Anvil Arts |
| James and the Giant Peach | 13 – 28 June | Dani Parr | |
| The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie | 12 September – 4 October | Laurie Sansom | TMA Award for Best Performance in a Play Revived at Assembly Hall, Edinburgh in 2009 |
| Othello | 7 – 18 October | Scott Graham and Steven Hoggett | Frantic Assembly and Theatre Royal Plymouth in association with Royal & Derngate TMA Award for Best Director |
| The Wizard of Oz | 3 December 2008 – 11 January 2009 | Laurie Sansom | |
2007 season :
| Show | Duration | Director | Notes |
| Twelfth Night | 26 January – 17 February | Laurie Sansom | Part of A Season of Love and Madness |
| Soap | 2 – 24 March | Laurie Sansom | Part of A Season of Love and Madness |
| The Way of the World | 27 April – 19 May | Selina Cadell | Part of A Season of Love and Madness |
| Knitwits | 21 April – 12 May | Dani Parr | |
| Closer | 25 May – 16 June | Tamara Harvey | |
| Starseeker | 22 June – 7 July | Dani Parr | |
| Time of My Life | 21 September – 13 October | Laurie Sansom | |
| The Glass Cage | 1 – 17 November | Laurie Sansom | |
| 101 Dalmatians | 4 December 2007 – 6 January 2008 | Dani Parr | |
2006 season :
| Show | Duration | Director | Notes |
| Follies | 20 October – 18 November | Laurie Sansom | Nominated—TMA Award for Best Musical Production Nominated—Whatsonstage Award for Best Regional Production |
| Pinocchio | 5 December 2006 – 13 January 2007 | Lu Kemp | |

## Northampton Filmhouse

The Northampton Filmhouse, formerly known as Errol Flynn Filmhouse until September 2018, is a cinema located in the Cultural Quarter of Northampton.The cinema has a capacity of 90 and is attached to the theatre complex. The cinema opened on 20 June 2013, the birthdate of Errol Flynn.
Due to the success of the Filmhouse, a second screen has been added to the site

### History

The first film shown was Behind the Candelabra. With the first public screening being Summer in February.