Once Upon A Time In Sokoto
2026-10-02 19:30, 2026-10-03 19:30, 2026-10-04 19:30, 2026-10-05 19:30, 2026-10-06 19:30, 2026-10-07 19:30, 2026-10-08 19:30, 2026-10-09 19:30 (Europe/London) and 1 more date | Royal & Derngate, 19-21 Guildhall Rd,, Northampton, NN1 1DP
“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 for Once Upon A Time In Sokoto, Nigeria-born Inua Ellams is an internationally celebrated poet, playwright, and artist. He has published four poetry collections and his plays include the hugely popular and critically acclaimed Barber Shop Chronicles (Fuel/National Theatre, UK and International tour) and the award-winning The 14th Tale (Fuel/UK tour) and his retelling of Three Sisters (National Theatre).

Othello
2026-10-14 19:30, 2026-10-15 19:30, 2026-10-16 19:30, 2026-10-17 19:30
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.”

The Mousetrap
2027-01-08 19:30, 2027-01-09 19:30, 2027-01-10 19:30, 2027-01-11 19:30, 2027-01-12 19:30, 2027-01-13 19:30, 2027-01-14 19:30, 2027-01-15 19:30 and 1 more date
SOLVE THEATRE’S MOST FAMOUS MYSTERY
Since 1952, Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap has captivated the world with silent clues, shifting Shadows and the best kept secret in theatre history. Now, the record-breaking classic embarks on its 75th Anniversary Tour across the UK and Ireland.
A shocking murder rattles London. Far from the chaos, a remote country guesthouse welcomes seven strangers seeking refuge. But when a police sergeant battles through a deadly snowstorm with a warning no one expects, it becomes clear the threat is already within their walls.
Every whisper hides a clue. Every story masks a lie. And as suspicion tightens its grip, one question chills the room:
Who among them is capable of murder?
Step inside Royal & Derngate, and solve the greatest murder mystery that has kept the world guessing for generations.
THE MANOR AWAITS

Private Peaceful
2027-01-28 19:30, 2027-01-29 19:30, 2027-01-30 19:30
“An important and brilliantly executed piece of theatre” British Theatre Guide
After captivating audiences worldwide, Private Peaceful returns to the stage with fresh energy and timeless power.
From Michael Morpurgo, beloved author of War Horse, comes the unforgettable story of Tommo Peaceful. On the eve of battle, Tommo looks back over the events that shaped his life: the warmth of family, the innocence of first love, and the deep bond with his brother that carries him through the horrors of war.
In this acclaimed one-person tour de force, adapted and directed by Simon Reade, a single actor conjures an entire world of characters, landscapes, and emotions. At once heart-warming and heart-breaking, Private Peaceful is both a moving family drama and a powerful reminder of the human cost of war.
Lauded across the globe as an international smash hit, this production now embarks on a bold new chapter.
One man. One story. One unmissable night of theatre.

A Shoddy Detective
2027-02-19 19:30, 2027-02-20 19:30
A laugh-out-loud comedy whodunnit featuring four actors, a dozen characters and a whole load of chaos.
When a priceless painting vanishes at a manor auction, Detective Stuart Pidcock and his unlikely ally must interrogate eccentric suspects, outwit a cunning thief, and crack the century’s mystery.
The unlikely duo must question the colourful array of suspects living at the manor, all while trying to track down the cunning thief and solve the crime of the century.
After sell-out runs in the West End, at the Edinburgh Fringe, and across the UK, the Shoddy team return bigger, funnier, and even more ridiculous than before.
Catch the comedy that’s taking the country by storm — before it vanishes without a clue!

The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time
2027-02-24 19:30, 2027-02-25 19:30, 2027-02-26 19:30
‘An incredible rollercoaster of a tale’ – The Guardian
THE CENTURY’S MOST POPULAR MURDER MYSTERY
The internationally celebrated novel that captivated 10 million readers is coming in a brand-new staging more thrilling than ever.
Christopher Boone is gifted with a brilliant mind for numbers but unsettled by the unpredictability of people and everyday life. When a neighbour’s dog is discovered killed, he finds himself under suspicion. Determined to prove his innocence, Christopher becomes both detective and suspect, drawn into a mystery that grows darker and more complex with every clue he uncovers.What begins as the search for a culprit soon reveals secrets closer to home, forcing him to confront truths that will test his courage, his family, and his understanding of trust, independence, and the wider world.
Inventive, gripping, and moving, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time combines the intrigue of a whodunnit with a powerful coming-of-age story in an unforgettable theatrical event.
