Royal & Derngate

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Royal & Derngate
Main entrance
Map
Address1 Guildhall Road
Northampton, Northamptonshire
Coordinates52°14′10″N 0°53′37″W / 52.2362°N 0.8936°W / 52.2362; -0.8936
OwnerNorthampton Theatres Trust
DesignationGrade II listed (Royal)
Capacity450 (Royal)
1,200 (Derngate)
90 (Filmhouse)
Current useIn-House Productions
National Touring Productions
Concerts & Music Events
Comedy Shows
Talks & Lectures
Construction
Opened1884 (Royal)
1983 (Derngate)
2006 (Royal & Derngate)
2013 (Errol Flynn Filmhouse)
Rebuilt1887 C J Phipps (fire)
2005 (refurbishment)
ArchitectC J Phipps (Royal)
Aedas RHWL (Derngate)
Website
Royal & Derngate website

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;[1] 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;[2] 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."[3]

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.[4] It was shortlisted for the Regional Theatre of the Year Award again in 2016,[5] 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[edit]

Entrance to the Royal on Guildhall Road in May 2013

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.[6] It opened on 5 May 1884 with a production of William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night.[7] 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.[8] The Australian designer Catherine Harness was here in the 30s working with Thomas Osborne Robinson who was the decor and costume designer.[9] In 1937 Osborne Robinson designed the costumes for Laurence Olivier at the Old Vic and despite a job offer he stayed in Northampton.[10]

In January 1977, scenes for the Doctor Who serial The Talons of Weng-Chiang were shot inside the theatre.[11] 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.[12] Building work started in the early 1980s. It opened on 4 April 1983 with an evening performance by singer Jack Jones.

Recent years[edit]

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.[13] 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.[13] 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.[13]

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.[14] 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.[14] 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.[14]

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.[14]

A view of the Royal & Derngate complex from Swan Street in 2013. In 2015 an hotel was constructed in the car park in front of the building and now obscures this view.

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.[15]

Performances[edit]

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[edit]

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 [16]
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 [17]
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 [18]
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 [19]
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 [20]
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 [21]
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 [22]
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 [23]
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 [24]
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[edit]

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 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
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[edit]

Northampton Filmhouse
Northampton Filmhouse is attached to Royal & Derngate
Map
AddressDerngate, Northampton, NN1 1UD
LocationNorthampton, England, UK
OwnerNorthampton Theatres Trust
TypeCinema
Capacity88
Construction
Built2013
Opened2013
Website
www.northamptonfilmhouse.com

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.[25][26]

Due to the success of the Filmhouse, a second screen has been added to the site[27]

History[edit]

The first film shown was Behind the Candelabra. With the first public screening being Summer in February.[28]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Historic England. "THEATRE ROYAL (1039681)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
  2. ^ "London Theatre News, Reviews, Interviews and more - WhatsOnStage". Retrieved 9 August 2016.
  3. ^ "Town theatre wins national award". 6 January 2011. Retrieved 9 August 2016 – via bbc.co.uk.
  4. ^ "Northampton's Royal & Derngate scoops prestigious UK Theatre Award". Retrieved 6 October 2016.
  5. ^ "Royal & Derngate nominated as regional theatre of year in The Stage awards". Retrieved 9 August 2016.
  6. ^ "Ashcroft Theatre - the Safety Curtain". Archived from the original on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 23 October 2010. Henry Bird and his Theatrical Mural on the Ashcroft Theatre Safety Curtain, Croydon
  7. ^ Pevsner, Nikolaus (1961). The Buildings of England – Northamptonshire. London and New Haven: Yale University Press. p. 334. ISBN 978-0-300-09632-3.
  8. ^ Connelly, Gerry (1998). Errol Flynn in Northampton. Domra Publications. ISBN 978-0-9524417-2-4.
  9. ^ McPhee, John, "Catherine Hardess (1889–1970)", Australian Dictionary of Biography, Canberra: National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, retrieved 27 October 2023
  10. ^ "T. Osborne Robinson | Hargrave Fine Art". Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  11. ^ Mulkern, Patrick. "The Talons of Weng-Chiang ★★★★★". Radio Times. Retrieved 17 October 2019.
  12. ^ "Derngate Theatre | Arup Venues". 15 March 2021. Archived from the original on 15 March 2021. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
  13. ^ a b c "Accounts". Retrieved 9 August 2016.
  14. ^ a b c d "Dramatic changes at the Royal and Derngate". BBC. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
  15. ^ "Jo Gordon appointed as Chief Executive".
  16. ^ "The Royal and Derngate 2024 Shows".
  17. ^ "The Royal and Derngate 2023 Shows".
  18. ^ "The Royal and Derngate 2022 Shows".
  19. ^ "The Royal and Derngate 2021 Shows".
  20. ^ "The Royal and Derngate 2020 Shows".
  21. ^ "The Royal and Derngate 2019 Shows".
  22. ^ "The Royal and Derngate 2018 Shows".
  23. ^ "The Royal and Derngate 2017 Shows".
  24. ^ "The Royal and Derngate 2014 Shows".
  25. ^ "Northampton's new Northampton Filmhouse cinema to open next week". Northampton Chronicle & Echo. 12 June 2013.
  26. ^ "Cine-files: Errol Flynn Filmhouse, Northampton". The Guardian. 24 September 2013.
  27. ^ "Second screen for Errol Flynn Filmhouse - Errol Flynn Filmhouse". Errol Flynn Filmhouse. 27 July 2015. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
  28. ^ "Errol Flynn Filmhouse: Northampton cinema set to open". BBC. 12 June 2013.

Bibliography[edit]

  • Guide to British Theatres 1750-1950, John Earl and Michael Sell pp. 170–71 (Theatres Trust, 2000) ISBN 0-7136-5688-3

External links[edit]

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