Together presents Once Upon A Time In Sokoto by Inua Ellams
“There are powers that bind the world together, softer than spirits yet stronger than stone, that tie the river to the tree, the tree to rain clouds, rain clouds to the land, and people to each other.”
The award-winning Once Upon A Time In
Sokoto tells the epic story of a beautiful but unlikely friendship forged between a slave and her former master. Differences in faith, culture and heritage are overcome in the face of new enemies, in a gripping family drama set against the backdrop of events leading to the creation of Nigeria.
Winner of the 2024 Alfred Fagon Award, Inua Ellams is a celebrated poet, playwright, and artist. His plays include the hugely popular Barber Shop Chronicles and the award-winning The 14th Tale
OTHELLO
Tue 13 - Sat 17 October ROYAL
Eves 7.30pm
Wed & Thu 11am (schools)
Sat Matinee 2.30pm
Tickets from £21 I 14+
By William Shakespeare, Directed by Anthony Almeida
“A secret marriage. The brink of war. Fact and fiction.”
It’s not just black and white. Fear, passion and paranoia bubble beneath the surface of Othello and Desdemona’s newlywed life. Iago’s manipulations begin in whispers – and end in ruin.
Director Anthony Almeida‘s new
production looks afresh at this iconic tragedy – as much about love as it is about hate.
“Chaos is come again.”
Content Warnings: Domestic violence, psychological manipulation, sexual references, themes related to racism and mental health, and death
A Northern Stage, HOME Manchester and Citizens Theatre co-production, in association with Royal & Derngate
ERIC & ERN - Wed 17 - Sat 20 June
NIGEL KENNEDY - Fri 19 June
MINCEMEAT - Mon 13 - Sat 18 July DERREN BROWN: ONLY HUMAN - Tue 21 - Sat 25 July
THE CHOIR OF MAN - Tue 6 - Sat 10 October
THE GRUFFALO - Thu 29 October - Sun 1 November
WILKO - Mon 2 - Wed 4 November
BLOOD BROTHERS - Tue 24 - Sat 28 November
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SUMMER SALE! TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM £14 IF BOOKED BEFORE AUG 2026
WHAT THE LADYBIRD HEARD AT CHRISTMAS
Sat 28 NovemberThu 31 December
ROYAL
Times vary, see website.
Tickets from £17 I 3+
It’s Christmas time, and the clever little Ladybird is off on a festive adventure. As she visits her friends for the holidays, she soon discovers that familiar troublemakers Hefty Hugh and Lanky Len are hatching a new plan. This time, the dastardly duo are after the children’s Christmas presents, and they’re ready to cause chaos before morning!
Little do they know, the smallest creature will make the biggest difference with their quiet courage and a brilliant ideas.
Co-directed by our Artistic Director, Jesse Jones and Associate Director,
Erica Martin. From the team behind The Jolly Christmas Postman, this festive delight is perfect for little ones and their grown-ups.
Times vary, see website. Tickets from £17 I 5+ Don’t miss this year’s spectacular, fun-filled family pantomime, Beauty And The Beast starring TV legend, Steve McFadden (EastEnders) as the boo-able baddie, and iconic children’s TV star Dani Harmer (Tracy Beaker) as Fairy Cupid!
Beauty And The Beast will, once again, be written by Paul Hendy and produced by Evolution Productions, the same award-winning team that brought you last year’s smash-hit pantomime.
As always, the Royal & Derngate pantomime promises to be top-quality, hilarious, 5-star entertainment, packed with laugh-out-loud thrills, stunning costumes, lavish sets and fabulous music.
It’s never too early to book, and this BEAUTY is one you won’t want to miss!
BSL Interpreted
Audio Described
Touch Tour
Captioned
Relaxed
THEATRETRAIN
Best Day Of My Life
Sat 21 June 5pm
DERNGATE
Tickets from £25 I 5+
A cavalcade of hits from 1960 to 2019. The 350 performers are split into two groups, with half making up a big choir and the other half telling their story through dance and acting. In the interval, they swap over so all the performers sing, dance and act. Each decade has its own stories, objects, pictures, films, fashion and of course
JAH MAKIN IT HAPPEN
A Reggae Musical
Wed 24 June 7pm
ROYAL
Tickets from £22
Told through the vibrant sounds of reggae music, this brand new popular musical comedy portrays a Jamaican family’s challenges, resilience, and eventual triumphs as they adapt to a new life after migrating to the UK during the Windrush era.
BROOMHALL’S PRESENTS
Veronica’s Show
Sat 25 July 1.30pm
DERNGATE
Tickets from £12
From Our Community
Join Broomhall’s Day Care Provision who honour and remember the wonderful Veronica Broomhall. The people whose lives have been touched and enriched by Veronica take to the stage to showcase just how
music. As the evening continues, each decade fits into the next. It’s like seeing your life flash before you as you make connections with the past, greet songs as old friends and relive memories. What was the best day of your life?
Central character Johnny dreams of becoming a reggae star, determined to provide the best life for his wife and children in the land he loves – Jamaica. But when a hurricane leaves him jobless, he leaves in search of new opportunities in the UK.
amazing she was. There’ll be singing and dancing as well as reminiscing and sharing memories.
All performers have SEND and are so excited to put on this show in Veronica’s memory. She was a very special lady, and this show promises to be just as special.
THE BEST OF THE BEE GEES
Fri 11 September 7.30pm
DERNGATE
Tickets from £37
In 2026, The Best of the Bee Gees Show is honouring the 1979 Greatest Album with a set list of iconic disco, ballads and songs written for other legends, on a European tour celebrating 28 years on the road. The only Bee Gees show in the world endorsed by the Gibb family and original Bee Gees musicians
EMERALD
STORM
Tue 15 September 7.30pm
DERNGATE
Tickets from £28
When Riverdance and Stomp collide, a storm is born! Direct from the West End, Emerald Storm is an electrifying new dance phenomenon starring Britain’s Got Talent finalist Tom Ball, whose powerhouse vocals captivated millions and shot him to national fame.
Fusing the fire of Irish dance with the grit of urban tap, this high-octane production explodes with rhythm,
MAN IN THE MIRROR
Thu 24 September 7.30pm
DERNGATE
Tickets from £28
Join us for a Thriller of an evening, as we celebrate the legendary King of Pop.
Starring CJ, one of the world’s greatest Michael Jackson tribute artists and supported by a talented cast of performers and musicians. Featuring all his greatest hits, including Thriller, Billie Jean, Beat It, Smooth
with a very special guest (Maurice Gibbs’ Son) Nick Endacott-Gibb. You should be dancing to the Greatest chart busters and memories which defined their career – Massachusetts, I Started a Joke, Stayin’ Alive, Night Fever, How Deep Is Your Love and so much more.
passion and pure spectacle - elevated by soaring live vocals woven throughout From the first beat to the final note, Emerald Storm is an immersive, unforgettable celebration of rhythm, energy and sheer talent - guaranteed to leave audiences on their feet
Criminal and, of course, Man In The Mirror. Complete with dazzling choreography, stunning visual effects, light show and authentic costumes. So get ready as we take you back in time, for a night like no other.
AN ORCHESTRAL
TRIBUTE TO TIM BURTON
Sat 26 September 3.30PM & 7.30PM
DERNGATE
Tickets from £35
An Orchestral Tribute To Tim Burton & Dark Fantasy By Moonlight – An enchanting performance of whimsical and otherworldly dark fantasy film music, brought to life by the Illuminated Orchestra, beneath the glow of a giant moon.
BLIPPI
Be Like Blippi Tour
Sun 27 September 1pm & 4pm
DERNGATE
Tickets from £27 Get ready to see the world more curiously, because Blippi is coming to your hometown in the all-new Be Like Blippi Tour!
Join Blippi and Meekah live on stage for a one-of-a-kind interactive adventure that inspires kids to move like, play like, and explore just like Blippi!
NEW DAWN FADES
A Play About Joy Division & Manchester
Wed 30 September 7.30pm
DERNGATE
Tickets from £29.50
New Dawn Fades - A Play About Joy Division And Manchester - the funny, moving, and powerful story of Ian Curtis and the rise of Joy Division. Blending humour, drama and music, the play charts the band’s rapid rise, to the brink of international success, with
A spellbinding concert celebrating the music from cinema’s most whimsical and eerie masterpieces – from Tim Burton’s gothic fantasy films to cult classics of the dark and magical, performed live by an 18-piece chamber orchestra.
This brand-new show is packed with high-energy music and surprises, featuring fan-favourite songs like The Excavator Song, Monster Truck, Dino Dance and Curious Like Me. With Blippi’s signature mix of play, learning, and exploration in this unforgettable adventure full of fun and discovery.
Ian and Debbie Curtis at the epicentre, a young couple grappling with fame, creativity, and interpersonal turmoil. The remaining members would achieve worldwide success as New Order. Written by Brian Gorman and produced by the creative team from last year’s sell-out tour, with producers Tin Orb.
THE ILLEGAL EAGLES
Thu 1 October 7.30pm
DERNGATE
Tickets from £40.50
Celebrating over 50 years since the formation of the legendary West Coast Country Rock band The Eagles in 1971, The Illegal Eagles make a welcome return with a brand new production, promising more of their trademark musical prowess, acute attention to detail and incredible showmanship.
THE 80S SHOW
Fri 2 October 7.30pm
DERNGATE
Tickets from £30.50
The 80s Show - A spectacular journey through the biggest hits of the ‘80s. Get ready to step back in time and relive the iconic sounds of the greatest musical era as the The 80s Show transports you on a nostalgic journey, showcasing the unforgettable hits that defined a generation with an electrifying production to match!
FINLAY CHRISTIE
Sat 10 October 7.30pm
UNDERGROUND
Tickets from £17 I 16+
Finlay Christie (Live At The Apollo, 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown, Have I Got News For You) humblebrags for an hour about his f***boy era and his new search for meaningful, authentic connection.
This critically acclaimed show features the very best from the Eagles’ catalogue of classics including Hotel California, Desperado, Take It Easy, New Kid In Town, Life In The Fast Lane and many more…
From the infectious pop melodies of Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet and Wham! to the rock anthems of Bon Jovi and Tears For Fears plus a few nice surprises, this show will have everyone dancing and singing along to their favourite ‘80s tunes.
His past YouTube specials OK Zoomer and Aura Farmer have nearly a million views total online, which is really good.
“THE VOICE OF A GENERATION.” Chortle
KPOP HOLIDAY CLUB
Mon 3 – Fri 7 August, 9am – 5pm*
UNDERGROUND
Tickets £250 | 4–8 years
Join us for an immersive weeklong adventure inspired by the KPOP Sensation! Create songs, learn routines and perform at the end of the week.
JUNGLE SAFARI EXPLORERS
Mon 10 – Fri 14 August, 9am – 5pm*
UNDERGROUND
Tickets £250 | 4–8 years
Let your little explorer loose this summer as we take them on a Jungle themed safari adventure through their imaginations!
TIME TRAVELLER ACADEMY
Mon 10 – Fri 14 August, 9am – 5pm*
UNDERGROUND
Tickets £250 | 9–13 years
Give your young adventurer a fun and thoughtprovoking summer experience learning to travel through time itself.
To find out more or sign up, please email getinvolved@royalandderngate.co.uk
Box Office 01604 624811
Bursaries available upon request. * We can accommodate an early bird drop off at 8.30am and later pick up at 5.30pm for £50 across the 5 days
ACCESS TICKETING SCHEME
By telling us about your specific needs and joining our Access Scheme, we can ensure that your tickets and seating needs are taken care of. For the most up to date information visit - www.royalandderngate.co.uk/your-visit/access-information/
