Showing this week

Avenue Q

The laugh-out-loud show that’s had sell out runs on Broadway, in the West End and all across the UK. Avenue Q is the cheekily charming musical that tells the story of the loveable (and unforgettable) characters on a downtown New York street trying to make sense of life’s burning issues.

18 March to 23 March

Showing this week

First Bite Festival 2019

Derby Theatre is hosting the second of three First Bite events taking place in the Midlands this spring. Join us for a chance to see an eclectic collection of extracts and new ideas from some of the most exciting theatre makers working across the region.

22 March

Showing this week

Rabbit Girl & The Search for Wonder

A new family show with music, animation and puppetry. Playful, poignant and with a little sprinkling of magic, Rabbit Girl & The Search for Wonder is a new show inspired by stories from lots of families.

23 March

Showing this week

The Closest Thing To Magic

 JL Dance & Performing Arts Academy are coming to Derby for their annual showcase, The Closest Thing To Magic!

24 March

Showing next week

Much Ado About Nothing

Six years of war are finally over. Two young dreamers fall head over heels, while two others resume their combative courtship. Told in true Northern Broadsides style, this production of Shakespeare’s glorious romantic comedy is sure to capture your hearts this Spring.

26 March to 30 March

Showing next week

Pepper & Honey

Written by a Croatian playwright and performed by a Croatian actor, Pepper and Honey is a poignant, subtle and timely play about the journey of change, cultural differences, trying not to feel like a foreigner in your adopted country. The UK’s first ‘European’ theatre piece to premiere the day after the UK leaves the European Union.

30 March

Showing next week

The Jungle Book - Hard Hat Sunday

Put your hard hat on and join us as the set goes up for The Jungle Book, with our expert technical team on hand to give you the low-down on the process.

31 March

The Jungle Book - Unwrapped Final Stages

An opportunity to join the technical rehearsal for a unique insight into the final stages of opening our new Easter production.

3 April

The Jungle Book

Inspired by Rudyard Kipling’s magical stories, with brand-new original songs, The Jungle Book promises to be the perfect adventure for all the family this Easter.

5 April to 20 April

Mission Abort

One in three women in the UK will at some point choose to terminate a pregnancy. Worldwide, the number is one in four. Mission Abort is the important story about the human being behind the choice.

12 April

An Indian Abroad

Pariah Khan's debut one man show takes the trope of white adventurers exploring ‘foreign’ lands and spins this concept on its head, asking that all important question: what if a student from India took a gap year to Britain?

13 April

Derby Youth Theatre Double Bill: Second Person Narrative & Skellig

Derby Youth Theatre’s year 7-9 groups have chosen two plays from a range of compelling scripts to perform with their own twist. Expect thrilling adventures, imaginative characters and surprising plot twists. This is an evening of theatre not to be missed.

18 April to 19 April

The Remains of the Day

2017 Nobel Prize winner Kazuo Ishiguro’s novel, which became a beloved Merchant Ivory film and is now transformed into an exquisite stage play, is a story for anyone who has ever been afraid to follow their heart.

23 April to 27 April

intotheclouds

intotheclouds is a playful, sensory and highly visual experience for very young children and babies aged 6-18 months developed in partnership with the NHS’s Small Steps Big Changes and over 50 babies and their families across Nottingham.

25 April

Raze Up: Development Day

A professional development day for queer artists of all disciplines to skill-up, meet-up, and Raze Up!

27 April

Raze Up: Network

Join Raze and other queer performers to hear from award-winning queer artists and find out what’s going on in your city! A great opportunity to learn and network

27 April

Raze Up: Showcase

An evening of some of the UK’s newest, brightest, and badass queer performers. Raze Collective have commissioned exciting queer performers from around the country to create anything from high-brow performance art darling to a bloody good night out. Join us for Raze Collective’s first ever commission showcase and see three new pieces of risk-taking, celebratory and innovative new performance in one night.

27 April

Sam Sweeney - The Unfinished Violin

The Unfinished Violin is an expansion and development from the music of the highly acclaimed live show Sam Sweeney's Fiddle "Made in the Great War."

5 May

Turn of the Screw

This new adaptation of Henry James’ iconic tale, which was the original inspiration for Susan Hill’s The Woman in Black, is a masterclass in stage-craft, with captivating performances, deliciously atmospheric set and lighting design and an evocative soundtrack.

7 May to 11 May

Five Kinds of Silence

Five Kinds of Silence follows the aftermath of abusive Billy’s reign over his wife, Mary and their two daughters, Susan and Janet, coming to a bitter end after the women are driven to murder.

10 May to 11 May

The Ronnie Scott’s Story: 60th Anniversary Concert

In this, the 60th Anniversary of one of the world's most iconic music venues, the Ronnie Scott's All Stars take to the road to celebrate the 'Ronnie Scott's Story'.

12 May

Ballet Black: Triple Bill featuring Ingoma

Ballet Black's popular programme contrasts dramatic and inventive storytelling in a lively showcase of modern ballets, returning for their second year here at Derby Theatre.

14 May

Jasper Carrott's Stand Up And Rock

Stand Up & Rock sees the legendary Jasper Carrott back live on stage with a new stand up show and performing alongside his musical compatriots that have been rockin’ audiences all over the world.

15 May to 16 May

The Pillowman

In a town where a writer’s dark stories have become real life, who is to blame? Katurian is interrogated by two twisted policemen in connection with a spate of copy-cat murders in his town, but what lengths will he go to in order to protect and preserve his stories?

17 May to 18 May

Kate Rusby 2019

Kate Rusby returns to Derby Theatre to perform a selection of fresh new songs from her album, due for release 2019, alongside much-loved classics from her back catalogue.

17 May

An Evening With Andy Hamilton

Following sold out theatre tours of his ‘Change Management’ show, award-winning comedian, comedy writer and director Andy Hamilton is back with his first ever up-close and personal show.

19 May

1984

In a time when we have become victims of perpetual war, government surveillance and propaganda. When the Party decide what we should think and how we should act, and individuality is banned, Winston and Julia rebel against the totalitarian state by performing the political act of falling in love.

24 May to 25 May

Pricks

I've had over 70,000 pricks… Of the medical kind. This is my chance to set the record straight about Type 1 diabetics like me. This urgent, funny new show tells a surprisingly moving and uplifting story about families and learning to care for each other better.

24 May

A Super Happy Story (About Feeling Super Sad)

A hilarious cabaret musical about depression, that explains, sings, and throws glitter about how it’s OK not to be OK.

25 May

Puss In Boots

Bringing this much-loved children’s story to life, Puss in Boots is the perfect opportunity for your little ones to enjoy live ballet, music and theatre.

28 May

Brainiac Live! Science Abuse

Based on the original TV Show and celebrating its 10th Anniversary live on tour, Brainiac Live! is back... More mischievous than ever before! Expect exploding dustbins, combusting microwaves and loads of live daredevil stunts.

30 May

The BonBons Cabaret On Tour

Did you leave a good job in the city? Are you sick of working for the man every night and day? Well pour yourself a cup of ambition, yawn, stretch, and come alive because heaven really is a place on earth! Be a drag, be a queen, get out the shoes that were made for walking, for tonight we are going to do it our way!

30 May

See-Through

All you need is a camera, an internet connection and something to say. Last year, 34% of young people voted YouTuber as their top career choice. Claire was intrigued. She decided to have a go. An edited, unedited, live, pre-recorded, reality show that invites you to see behind the camera.

31 May

Ruby Wax: How to be Human

Ruby Wax invites you to use more of your mind for compassion, instead of just chasing what’s ‘better’, like a hamster on a wheel. With a little help from monk Thubten Gelong, who explains how the mind works, and neuroscientist Ash Ranpura, who explains where everything that makes us ‘us’ can be found in the brain.

31 May

Flaming Beats

Follow HEAT Academy through an entertaining performance for all the family to enjoy. You'll find a mixture of styles from Ballet, Musical Theatre, Commercial, Tumbling to a spectacular Aerial Silks performance and much more...

2 June

Open Mic

Our open-mic nights are a great opportunity for all performers to try out a range of work with other like-minded artists.

6 June

Derby Book Festival: Commemorating D-Day

Giles Milton’s bold new history, D-Day: The Soldiers' Story, narrates the day's events through the tales of survivors from all sides. This special Derby Book Festival event will also include music and dance from the period to commemorate this historic event.

6 June

Derby Book Festival: Melvyn Bragg in conversation

Derby Book Festival welcomes broadcaster, author and parliamentarian, Melvyn Bragg (Lord Bragg of Wigton) to their fifth Festival.

7 June

Derwent Brass: Stage & Screen

Derbyshire’s finest brass band Derwent Brass returns to the theatre with an evening featuring some of the very best music from your favourite movies and musicals including West Side Story, Les Misérables, Star Wars, The Incredibles and much more.

8 June

Reginald D Hunter: Facing The Beast

Celebrating his twentieth anniversary as a comedian living and performing in the UK, Reginald D Hunter sets out on a forty date tour of the UK and Ireland in 2019 with his highly anticipated new show.

9 June

Derby Youth Theatre Double Bill: A Thousand Reasons Not To Fly & Little Criminals

Both Youth Theatre groups chose their favourite play out of a selection of exciting and compelling scripts and can’t wait to perform their versions of the stories they loved the most.

14 June to 15 June

JTQ: the James Taylor Quartet

Lead by Hammond organ-guru, James Taylor, JTQ stands with one foot planted in 2019, and other, just as firmly, somewhere south of the 1970s. 

14 June

Celebrating Carnival 2019

An evening full of vibrant costumes, exhibition, steel pan, comedy, soca and carnival dance displays.

15 June

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Bill Kenwright’s ‘Amazing’, ’Superb’, ‘Wonderful’ and ‘Brilliant’ production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s sparkling family musical comes to Derby.

18 June to 22 June

Journeys of Destiny

Journeys of Destiny is a new play for young people and community audiences, which takes stories from all our families and weaves them with that of Saad Al-Kassab, a young Syrian refugee whose dreams had to change forever when war broke out in his city of Homs.

20 June

Horrible Histories: Dreadful Deaf

It’s time to prepare yourselves for Horrible Histories live on stage as it delves into the dreadful, dangerous and deluded stories of the deaf! From groovy Greeks to gorgeous Georgians, ruthless Romans to vile Victorians, come with us into this incredible world to discover the extraordinary people and amazing stories you simply won’t believe!

22 June to 23 June

Footloose - the Musical

Centre Stage Theatre Arts invite you to kick off your Sunday shoes as they take you back to the 80s with their production of Footloose – the Musical.

26 June to 28 June

Desert Islands Flicks

A blockbuster, adventure and rom com rolled into one, Desert Island Flicks sees two leading ladies reimagine, remake and spoof the most memorable movie moments of all time, taking on all the lead roles, stunts, and special effects!

5 July

The Death Show

Created in response to a provocative and unashamedly honest conversation about death, The Death Show looks to better understand our relationship with death and dying and why we struggle to accept our own mortality.

6 July

American Idiot

In the first fully staged MT Experiment, Matt Powell presents the high-octane, Grammy and Tony Award-winning hit musical: Green Day's AMERICAN IDIOT.

10 July to 13 July

FIVE

FIVE is a playful exploration of our five human senses through dance, movement and live music. Created by Derbyshire-based family theatre specialists WinterWalker, this warm, funny and inclusive show is a perfect introduction to live performance for children age 3 to 6 and their grown-ups. Free stay 'n' play area and free ice cream with every ticket.

31 July to 10 August

One Man Two Guvnors

Richard Bean’s hilarious smash-hit comedy premieres in Derby for a limited run this Autumn. Directed by Sarah Brigham, featuring a side-splitting mix of physical comedy, farce and live music, One Man Two Guvnors is one great night out.

7 September to 28 September

The Lady Vanishes

A quick-witted and devilishly fun thriller, the 1939 classic film is ranked as one of the best British films of all time. This early masterpiece from Hitchcock – the ‘Master of Suspense’ – is brought to life in a new adaptation from the masters of the stage thriller.

7 October to 12 October

Blood Brothers

Written by Willy Russell, the legendary Blood Brothers tells the captivating and moving tale of twins who, separated at birth, grow up on opposite sides of the tracks, only to meet again with fateful consequences.

14 October to 19 October

Fern Brady: Power and Chaos

As seen on Live from the BBC, Live from the Comedy Store, The Russell Howard Hour, and Live at the Apollo Fern is one of the UK’s hottest comedy stars. Known for being totally unique and completely fearless her new show will tackle sexuality, feminism, power, Brexit, Britishness, Scottishness and nationality all with her caustic wit, exceptional writing and electric stage craft.

23 October

Stewart Francis: Into the Punset

The star of 'Mock the Week', 'Live at the Apollo' and 'Crackerjack' embarks on a brand-new show, in this, his last tour EVER!!! See him before he heads off... INTO THE PUNSET.

30 October

Count Arthur Strong "Is Anybody Out There?"

In his brand-new show, Count Arthur Strong seamlessly combines the very best showbiz entertainment you’ll currently find in the world, possibly, as he wrestles with some of the big questions that other all-round entertainers shy away from.

10 November

A Christmas Carol

Neil Duffield's stunning adaption of Charles Dickens' treasured novel returns to the Derby Theatre stage for Christmas 2019. Made in Derby and performed by a talented ensemble cast, this much-loved festive story will be a heart-warming experience for all the family.

29 November to 4 January