THEATRE AND PERFORMANCE

Edinburgh Festival Fringe hit Six Chick Flicks comes to Northampton’s Royal and Derngate on 2 May. Two actors, six beloved films, and one hilarious parody. It’s fast-paced, hysterical, and not to be missed (Also showing at the Y Theatre in Leicester on 2 June).

National Dance Theatre Company of Jamaica embarks on what’s billed as a ground-breaking performance at Leicester Curve on 3 & 4 May, blending tradition with innovation to lead audiences on a breath-taking journey through Jamaica’s rich cultural heritage, bringing to life the island’s vibrant folklore, rituals, and stories.

grease the musical northampton royal and derngate tour

The multi-award-winning Six doesn’t show any signs of waning in popularity as it heads back the Leicester Curve from 2-12 May, then Grease The Musical hits the Derngate stage in Northampton from 13-18 May and From 21-25 May at the Royal theatre, Sheridan’s hilarious School For Scandal (rumoured to have been inspired by his rather risquée visits to the Bouverie family at Delapré Abbey), is a masterclass in social satire and the art of gossip.

Beautiful Evil Things is a new, high-energy, one woman show combining physical storytelling with cut-throat wit at the Attenborough Arts Centre in Leicester on 10 May. A epic retelling of the Trojan War by a Gorgon whose head was strapped to the shield of a goddess.

If you’re a Stranger Things superfan (or have teenagers in the house), you’ll have lapped up 4 seasons of the TV show and the critically acclaimed stage play, so on 22 May it’s time to head to the De Montfort Hall in Leicester for, err, Stranger Sings, an irreverent twist on the hit Netflix series loaded with pop culture references, heavy synth, poor parenting and dancing demogorgons. Wanna dance with somebody? Whitney – Queen of the Night promises to bring all the bangers to the Royal and Derngate Stage in Northampton on 22 May

And now for something a bit more highbrow, Birmingham Royal Ballet comes to the Derngate on 25 May to perform Carlos Acosta’s Classical Selection from some of the very best young dancers from around the world. Then, developed through working creatively with young people in care over a period of years, Belonging, at Leicester Curve on 25 May, in which three friends balance, dance and climb to navigate imagined worlds and divided loyalties, exploring a fundamental need we all share – the need to belong. And, following a three-year West End residency, the smash-hit musical Everybody’s Talking About Jamie returns to Northampton from 28 May – 1 June.

MUSEUMS & EXHIBITIONS

GALACTIC GATHERING STAR WARS NATIONAL SPACE CENTRE LEICESTER

To celebrate Star Wars Day (4 & 5 May) head to a galaxy not so far away, Leicester’s National Space Centre, for Galactic Gathering – Festival of the Force, where a weekend of intergalactic fun for all the family lies in store. You can meet your favourite characters, drive a droid and celebrate 10 years of Rebels. OK geeks, you’re allowed to go even if you’re not a kid and May the fourth be with you.

Motorsport and F1 fans making a pit stop at Silverstone Museum will see some of the world’s most iconic IndyCars for the first time ever, as the venue’s new exhibition gets off the starting grid from 1 May. Vistors can also test drive the new Sim Suite, state-of-the-art racing simulator experience that gives you the chance to to drive your choice of open and closed wheel cars around Silverstone Circuit, using state of the art tech.

Fancy getting arty? Boughton House, near Kettering, host Northants & Rutland Open Studios Pop-Up Studios for an exhibition from 4-6 May. Work from five local artists, Sharon Ingram, Paul Kane, Dashienova, Niall McCready and Cate Kutas will be on display in the Stableyard area, including the Tearoom and Coach House, whilst Lisa Timmerman’s ‘Flow‘ exhibition continues at 78 Derngate in Northampton.

Photo: The National Gallery London. Renoir The Umbrellas — Photo: The National Gallery London.

To mark the 200th anniversary of the National Gallery, 12 museums across the country will display some of the most iconic pieces of artwork in the NT’s collection, with Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s iconic painting The Umbrellas (c. 1886) set to be on display at Leicester Museum and Art Gallery from 10 May, a fantastic opportunity to see this celebrate work IRL.

International street art festival Bring the Paint is back in Leicester from 20-26 May, murals and graffiti art gracing the city’s buildings, exhibitions, music, street art tours and workshops. PLus, there’s even more street art at Leicester Museum and Art Gallery‘s Paint to Pixel exhibition, which is based on the seminal graffiti photography book Subway Art by Martha Cooper, is an immersive journey into the world of graffiti art, running until 27 May.

vivienne westwood a personal collection northampton museum and art gallery

And be sure to head to Northampton Museum and Art Gallery to see Vivienne Westwood: A Personal Collection, on until 9 June. This exhibition showcases a small part of an extensive personal collection that features iconic shoes and outfits from Westwood’s career-defining collections such as Seditionairies and Pirate.

WORKSHOPS AND COURSES

scented candle workshop hopping hare towcester

To make sure you’re smelling fabulous this month, the gorgeously scented Hopping Hare in Towcester are hosting a range workshops this month, including Candle Making (4 May), Tea Lights and Wax Melts (8 May) and Create your Own Perfume (12 May).

Feeling poetic? Always. Growing Your Poetic Voice is a 10-week course taking place at the Attenborough Arts Centre in Leicester (running from 10 May to 19 July) aimed at any writer with some previous experience of writing poetry. Each week will focus on a specific subject, including writing for special events, nature writing, writing for publication and more.

Burns Street Studios, set in a converted shoe factory in Northampton, have a flurry of cool workshops and classes coming up, including a Beginners Sewing Class with textiles guru Abi Jackson on 18 May, covering everything the baffled novice needs to know. Then From Garden to Vase in Culworth is running a series of small group cutting garden courses (max 6 people), giving an introduction to growing and arranging your own seasonal flowers. On 18 May you can learn all about Cutting & Conditioning Flowers, with further courses taking paces throughout the spring and summer months.

Fancy trying your hand at foraging? Head over here for our pick of some of the best to book for this spring, summer and autumn.

FESTIVALS & FAIRS

Northampton Museum‘s Vintage and Alternative Market is on 4 May, with loads of clothing and accessories, gifts and quirky crafts to rummage through. Plus you can pop in to the Vivinne Westwood exhibition whilst you’re here.

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at St. Martin’s Square in Leicester on, yes you guessed it, 5 May, with Mexican cuisine, street performances, workshops, and a live Mariachi band, plus live music and DJs throughout the day.

RSPCA Northamptonshire’s Spring Dog Show returns on 5 May, and this year has the stunning grounds of Rockingham Castle as its setting. Beautiful views across the Welland Valley and a fun day are in store for all the family – both two and four legged. The Castle itself is also open for those wishing to venture inside (though furry friends are not allowed inside, with the exception of assistance dogs). Speaking of dogs, there’s loads of fun to be had at Chester House Estate this May Bank Holiday (6 May), including a bar, BBQ, live music and craft activities and be sure not to miss Woof Fest on 12 May, with a fun dog show, hay bale racing and games for dogs, a puppucino bar, dog trainer and groomer talks, Flyball demos, kids activities and crafts and an artisan and craft market.

Delapré NN Fest is at Delapré Abbey in Northampton from 17-19 May, with a comedy night on the Friday, a day of family entertainment on Saturday and a family silent disco on Sunday, whilst on 18 & 19 May it’s Rockingham Castle‘s Spring Artisan Fair, showcasing a range of food, drink and crafts from local makers and producers.

Didn’t manage to nab tickets for the Eras Tour? Who cares? Immerse yourself in a world of the best tribute music, drinks, food, entertainment and fun at Glastonbudget from 23-26 May at Turnpost Farm, Wymeswold. We’re talking all the hits from Bon Jovi, Abba, Daft Punk, Bowie, The Spice Girls and tons more, but without the insane price tag.

Now in its 11th year, Leicester’s Festival2Funky will be a 3-day celebration of black music and arts, at the 2Funky Music Café from 24-26 May. Expect live music, DJs, spoken work and poetry, graffiti workshops, family raves and loads more. Head to Rural Life at Lamport Hall, on 28 & 29 May. A journey through the ages in rural Northants with live demos, vintage fairground rides, animal petting corner, shire horses, tractor rides, crafts, music entertainment, falconry, steam engines, vintage cars and loads more.

Spanning 7 Days, 34 performances and 15 chances to Give it a Go! in activities and workshops, The Spark Festival in Leicester is packed with incredible events for families from 8-25 May, including music making, graffiti, painting and play. And Northampton Record Fair returns to the garden of The Black Prince in Northampton on 25 May, with Vinyl Underground & Friends DJing all day long. Records and beer garden? Sounds like the perfect way to spend Saturday to us.

WELLBEING & FITNESS

yoga swim at the falcon castle ashby wellbeing

If you’re after some fresh air and new connections, Adventure Geek is a Northants based walking club that walks a minimum of three times a week in small groups of no more than 15, allowing you to get chatting and meet likeminded peeps. Join leader Emily on 4 May for a hilly five mile circular walk at Badby Woods to enjoy the last of this year’s bluebells, and lovely views across the Fawsley Estate or you can find more walks here.

Yoga and Swim is back at the sumptuous Falcon in Castle Ashby this month on 6, 20 & 27 May. Delight in a tranquil yoga session beneath a magnificent cedar tree (above), followed by an exhilarating open water swim in the spectacular lake. There are also regular open water swimming session and yoga classes to book, as well as a wide range of wellness activities from guided nature walks to residential retreats.

If you need some time to switch off and unwind, retreat to Salcey Forest for an afternoon of relaxation and connection with Time Seekers Retreats and Wilder Lives on 10 May for yoga, forest bathing, an amble through the woods connecting with nature and a guided relaxation session. The lovely gang at Hideaway Wood Farm are opening up their alpaca fields for a yoga sesh in the great outdoors on 12 May. Throw some shapes alongside the gorgeous alpacas in an hour long practice, before gathering by the camp fire for a post yoga cup of tea and relax in this lovely hidden oasis just outside Daventry. Ans on 13 May head to Magazine Heaven at Rushden Lakes for a relaxing Gong Bath, it’s an hour of meditation and healing sound therapy with wonderful Tea Lab herbal teas to sip on and good vibes.

Northampton Lift Tower Abseil Challenge takes place on 11 May, when you can abseil down Northampton’s iconic 418ft Lift Tower whilst raising money for Cransley Hospice. Feeling fit? Shires and Spires, Naseby is on 12 May. Try the Ultra – a whopping 35 mile circuit from Naseby via Holdenby, Althorp and Cottesbrook – or opt for the slightly gentler a 10k, multi-terrain half marathon or multi-terrain marathon.

And if you’re really hardcore, the Run Rabbit Trail Festival in Market Harborough is on 18 & 19 May, where you can try a range of 10k, 25k and 56k challenges over days. There’s a festival vibe, with a runners village, food and drinks and overnight camping available. plus guest speakers and live music.

COMEDY

She’s loud, she swears and she’s a bit inappropriate. Same, babe. After a packed-out show last October, Laura Belbin is back at the Y Theatre in Leicester on 9 May and taking to the stage with her brand new show with one question, is there such a thing as too much? Tom Allen puts down his giant whisk for a minute on 9 & 10 May and heads to Northampton’s Royal and Derngate for his latest stand-up tour, Completely. Then Kettering’s very own James Acaster is playing two nights on home turf at The Lighthouse Theatre on 15 & 16 May and on 25 May Ed Gamble heads to De Montfort Hall in Leicester for his new show Hot Diggity Dog.

Join Scummy Mummies Ellie and Helen, at the Y Theatre in Leicester on 23 May, as they celebrate ten years of scumminess! For a decade now, they’ve been touring their hit comedy show to sold-out audiences. Now they’re bringing all their most-loved songs, sketches, and stand-up together for a night that will make you laugh ’til you tinkle.

On 28 May, the iconic Ruby Wax gets raw, dark and perennially funny in I’m Not As Well As I Thought I Was, followed by Smack The Pony’s Fiona Allen (above) on 30 May as well as The Mash Report’s fabulous Rachel Parris at the Y Theatre on 30 May.

MUSIC

British-Ugandan singer-songwriter Daudi Matsiko performs his carefully crafted modern folk at Attenborough Arts Centre in Leicester on 17 May. Think deft, melancholic picking reminiscent of Nick Drake, tempered by contemporary percussion and instrumentation. Matsiko’s vocals derive their strength from their seeming fragility. Then The Royal Philharmonic perform Verdi’s Requiem at the Derngate in Northampton on 19 May.

The Victorian Gallery, at Leicester Museum & Art Gallery are is hosting their 78th season of Lunchtime Concerts, which take place on selected Thursdays at 1pm and last one hour. With performances from a wide range of ensembles and soloists, if you work in the city and fancy doing something different in your lunch hour(ish) then make this your go-to.

FOOD AND DRINK

supper clun italian filipp berrio northampton museum and art gallery

On 18 May, don’t miss Northampton Museum‘s Italian Supper Club with Italian food writer and cookery tutor, Carmela Sereno Hayes. Diners will be treated to a four course Italian dinner, served in the stunning surroundings of the museum’s gorgeous link space. A fill menu and further details on booking can be found here.

The inaugural Daventry Feastival is set to satisfy your hunger at the Old Gas Works on 24 May, featuring amazing food vendors, including Flavour Trailer, Gurkha Street Food, Santina’s Wood Fired Pizza, Taco Lab, Monday Night Eating Club and Cookie Babes, along with craft beer and real ale bar, cocktail bar, DJ, local ciders and outside dinning. Street food fest Bite Street is popping up at a few different venues this month, including Northampton County Ground (3-5 May) and Delapré Abbey (24-26 May).

Then one of my favourite nights out, on 25 May, head to The Food Library‘s much vaunted Dining Club in Northampton for a meal showcasing dream team Michael and Laura’s talent for beautiful, delicious and sustainable food and warm hospitality. Each of Michael’s menus features at least four courses (but usually more) made up of freshly grown or creatively preserved produce from the kitchen garden, foraged food, seasonal treats from local suppliers, Food Library chutneys, ferments, cured meats and preserves, plus cocktails or mocktails with homemade liqueurs, kombucha and cordials. Can’t make it this month? There are more dates throughout the year.

And don’t miss the somewhat legendary Last Friday, on 31 May April at LCB Depot in Leicester. It’s managed by local independent businesses, all creatively helping to curate a night of exceptional street food, art and music

FOR THE KIDS

Dive into the magical world of Club Origami at the Attenborough Arts Centre in Leicester on 5 May, for an immersive and interactive dance show inviting family audiences to create, imagine and explore whole new ways of thinking, playing and moving. Dance, fashion and live music meet the magic of origami in this spirited and inspiring adventure in a land made purely of paper and play. Aimed at children aged 6 and under.

On 18 May, Go Wild In The Wood and camp among the trees at Evenley Wood Garden and get stuck in to a plethora of brilliant activities from bat walks to dawn chorus, onsite BBQ, live music from Project band and forest school fun. It’s the perfect chance to experience the garden overnight and you can join in some of the activities on offer or just chill out and relax in nature.

Watch out for our Half Term Guide for more family-friendly fun, coming up in May.

FURTHER AFIELD

This spring the Welsh National Opera are brining two fantastic shows to the Birmingham Hippodrome. An inventive take on Mozart’s comic opera Così fan tutte lands on 10 May, with the setting moved from 18th century Naples to Seventies Britain (!) and four school Sixth Formers discovering how delicious and awkward falling in love can be. Or looking for a tale of obsession, love and beauty? Move over Saltburn, Death In Venice is in town! The final opera by Benjamin Britten (1973) is a re-telling of Thomas Mann’s novella about the renowned but lonely author Gustav von Aschenbach who travels to Venice on a whim, only to fall in love with a young aristocratic boy staying in the same hotel. Cue misplaced desire, delusion and a parable on the dangers of fantasy left unchecked. No final dance in the nude though, thankfully! Two hours and 40 minutes including one interval, sung in English on 11 May. Book now to avoid missing out.

Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world, but still open all year for visitors – oh, hi HRH. Current exhibits alongside the jaw-dropping state rooms include Queen Mary’s doll’s house and the Dressing the Georgians exhbition. There’s also private tours to book if you want the Royal treatment. If you’ve got kids in tow make time to visit the stonking new adventure playground in Windsor Great Park. It costs from £10 for adults and £13 for kids, meanwhile at the castle, adult tickets cost from £30, child from £15 if you book in advance and under 5s go free.

Royal lustre, glittering coaches and a horse or two. Love the pomp and ceremony of royal events? Head straight for the Royal Mews – a working royal stables responsible for the King’s road travel. A stone’s throw from Buckingham Palace, you can get up close to the fairytale-like Gold State Coach used in coronations since 1821 and the Rolls Royce Phantom VI used in royal weddings. You can even climb aboard a reproduction landau for that essential photo opp, tack up a (wooden) pony, and ‘ooh and aah’ over the other carriages and shiny bits of kit. A great day out for all ages. Tickets: adults from £17, Kids (5-17yrs) from £8.50 and under 5s free.

SAVE THE DATE

Theatreland is packed with unmissables this spring. For a hilarious, feminist send-up of all your favourite girls’ night movies – Titanic, Pretty Woman, Beaches, Legally Blonde, The Notebook and Dirty Dancing, don’t miss Six Chick Flicks – a night of biting wit, fun montages, dance breaks, original songs and improvised moments performed by Kerry Ipema and KK Apple. Book now to catch it at Leicester’s Y Theatre on 2 June.

With over 150 artists and musicians taking part in Nevill Holt Festival (1-26 June), this year’s most fabulous high-brow music and arts festival, which takes place at the Nevill Holt Estate just outside Market Harborough, is a must-see. Mozart’s The Magic Flute with alfresco fine dining in the interval? Pass the fizz.

The Formula 1® Qatar Airways British Grand Prix 2024 gets underway at Silverstone on 5 – 7 July and we’re giving Muddy readers the chance to book ahead for a VIP package for the Sunday that’ll bag you the best seats, food and drink included and all the festival fun and entertainment for a rocking family day out.

Fed up with sky-high ticket prices and the mayhem of big beast festivals? Look no further than Stowaway Festival, a dreamy three-dayer from 16-18 Aug, right on the Northants/Bucks border, with thoughtfully curated artists (Leftfield, Groove Armada, Greentea Peng), small stages, woodland light shows, yoga, hot tubs and massages and some seriously good feasting.

Sophie Ellis Bextor, Busted and Olly Murs headline this year’s Silverstone Festival on 23-25 Aug, plus expect loads of classic cars, fairground ride, foodie vibes and loads more.

May Days! 65+ things to do near you this month

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