Royal & Derngate’s Artistic Director Jesse Jones has announced the remaining programme for its 2024 Made in Northampton season which sees co-productions this autumn with Paines Plough and the Rose Theatre, both presenting new work, and a world premiere production of Janet and Allan Ahlberg’s much-loved classic The Jolly Christmas Postman.
A week-long festival of new work from regional artists, GenFest, complements the theatre’s ongoing Generate artist development programme, along with its work with children and young people. The theatre also continues to present a range of the very best touring shows.
Following the emergency closure of the building due to the discovery of RAAC and the ensuing works to make things safe again, with the building now reopened, Jesse is delighted to reveal a rich and diverse programme of work that demonstrates the organisation’s commitment to supporting local artists as well as offering a broad and exciting range of work in both of the spaces.
The Made in Northampton programming strand will see co- producing partnerships with writing giant Paines Plough, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year with a new production called My Mother’s Funeral: The Show. Further details will be announced when this show goes on sale in May.
Alongside this, Royal & Derngate will partner with the Rose Theatre in Kingston, Bristol Old Vic and Malvern Theatres on a new stage adaptation of Never Let Me Go, which takes to the Royal stage from Wednesday October 16. Kazuo Ishiguro’s international best-selling novel arrives on stage in this world premiere of Suzanne Heathcote’s gripping new adaptation.
At Christmas, the theatre is proud to present Janet and Allan Ahlberg’s family favourite The Jolly Christmas Postman in a festive production for audiences of all ages, taking to the Royal stage from Saturday December 7 to Sunday December 29.
Live music, original songs and a sprinkling of theatre magic bring this favourite festive classic to life for all ages to enjoy. The Jolly Christmas Postman ispresented by arrangement with Penguin Books Ltd, a Penguin Random House UK company.
Jesse Jones said: “As I enter the final weeks of rehearsal for Moby Dick, it is exciting to look ahead to our co-productions with Paines Plough and the Rose Theatre, who we will collaborate with to stage new and vital productions for our Northampton audiences. I am also delighted that we will be bringing Janet and Allan Ahlberg’s beautiful seasonal classic The Jolly Christmas Postman to life for younger audiences.”
The Made in Northampton season is sponsored locally by Michael Jones Jeweller.
For more information or to book, visit Royal & Derngate or call Box Office on 01604 624811.
