Enjoy shows and family fun online thanks to leading regional theatre

One of Britain’s most acclaimed regional theatres is treating audiences across the nation to an array of online delights while the building remains closed. The Royal & Derngate in Northampton has launched Royal & Derngate at home, a digital platform packed with creative content for audiences to watch, join in with and share from their homes. The venue launched a brand new digital musical #ZoologicalSociety by Vikki Stone and Katie Mulgrew, which has been enjoyed by more than 100,000 people and is available to stream for free. Highlights of other productions from its Made in Northampton programme include uproarious co-productions with resident company Spymonkey, Every Last Trick and The Complete Deaths, and specially narrated performances of popular children’s stories such as The Everywhere Bear. The theatre is also providing activities for all ages to take part in, including craft activities and free beginners yoga classes to stream each week. Other areas of the site include Filmhouse at home, Northampton Filmhouse’s weekly watch-along for audiences missing the shared experience of an auditorium. In addition, there are links to productions from the theatre’s emerging performer’s scheme, Generate, backstage tours and more. The theatre’s productions frequently receive national acclaim and go on to become hits in venues around the country. Two of its Made in Northampton productions which transferred to London last year have been nominated for the 2020 Olivier Awards - The Worst Witch and Our Lady of Kibeho. While it remains closed, Royal & Derngate are asking audiences to support them through this challenging period. Every donation received helps secure the venue’s future and continue its work via Royal & Derngate at home to be a vital lifeline to those isolating or alone. Royal & Derngate at home can be found at www.royalandderngate.co.uk/athome. The majority of the content on the site is free and being updated daily with new activities and watchable content.