Departure Lounge 2024

Thu 11 – Fri 12 Jul, 2024

A summer festival of fresh and exciting performance…now in its 12th year!

Departure Lounge is celebrating its 12th anniversary, on this summer at Derby Theatre from Thursday 11 until Friday 12 July, a fantastic summer festival of fresh and thrilling theatre with a bumper line-up of shows, works-in-progress, workshops, gatherings and a hub for fresh, contemporary, cutting edge and innovative performance.

Departure Lounge sees Derby Theatre transformed into a fabulous performance-filled festival site, with shows in many different spaces across the building…so, calling all artists and audiences, why not come and join us this summer?!

Part of Festival Pass Saver Deal

Book 3 or more festival shows in one transaction by Fri 21 June and get 30% OFF your total booking.

See individual show pages for qualifying shows. (Offer not available on workshops or free events)

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Upcoming Events

Design Futures: Carbon Literacy Training for Theatre Designers and their Associates

Thu 11 Jul, 2024

This one day course is specifically tailored to the needs of theatre designers and their collaborators, with a focus on freelance artistic practice and decision making processes.

Producer Gathering Event

Thu 11 Jul, 2024

Join us for Producer Gathering at Departure Lounge on Thursday, July 11th, from 11:00am to 4:00pm. Explore the transformative theme of "Art as Activism" and delve into the provocative topic…

Recruit

Thu 11 - Fri 12 Jul, 2024

A suspiciously enigmatic organisation is looking for new members and launching a recruitment drive. Sign up for an interview slot and see if you have what it takes to make…

Dual

Thu 11 Jul, 2024

East London to Esfahan: A Dual narrative of passports and protests.

World Kiosk

Thu 11 - Fri 12 Jul, 2024

We invite you to find out about your global neighbours in a whole new light.

Find out more Book now

When We See Ourselves (work-in-progress)

Thu 11 Jul, 2024

A 21st century inter-cultural relationship is set against the life of 18th century botanist Carl Linneaus, whose early attempts to classify all living things, including people by their skin colour,…

Departure Lounge 2024 Launch Event

Thu 11 Jul, 2024

Meet at Box Office for our outdoor launch event to kick off this year’s Departure Lounge with a bang!

The Luckiest Girl Alive

Thu 11 Jul, 2024

The Luckiest Girl Alive is a piece of puppet theatre based on the extraordinary real-life story of Hoda Ali; the human rights activist, campaigner against FGM (Female Genital Mutilation).

A Citizens’ Assembly

Thu 11 Jul, 2024

We are the citizens! This is our assembly! We are the actors in this story!

Speakers’ Corner

Thu 11 Jul, 2024

Sit back, grab a drink, relax and join us for some spoken word after the rush of the day.

Find out more Book now

Departure Lounge 2024 Panel Discussion

Fri 12 Jul, 2024

This year’s FREE panel discussion will respond to our theme of Art as Activism and is a forum to share ideas.

Kill the Cop Inside Your Head

Fri 12 Jul, 2024

Spoken word and performance artist Subira Joy explores their experiences being targeted by the police as a Black, queer and trans person in the UK. 

Sanctuary Scratch

Fri 12 Jul, 2024

Derby Theatre's Reaching Communities programme is delighted to share three Sanctuary Scratch performances with you created by a variety of wonderful artists residing here in Derby.

Speed Meetings

Fri 12 Jul, 2024

Come and meet fellow industry creatives in our one-hour speed meeting session.

Co-Creating Place Workshop

Fri 12 Jul, 2024

In this engaging and interactive session, we will delve deeply into the methods of community building and co-creation within the realms of performance and art practice.

Story Chefs

Fri 12 Jul, 2024

A pop up story kitchen, bursting with tales and flavours from around the world.

Q&A with Julie Hesmondhalgh

Fri 12 Jul, 2024

Come and join Julie for an hour’s chat around the theme of ‘art as activism’ and a chance for you to ask that burning question.

Look After Your Knees

Fri 12 Jul, 2024

A new solo performance by Funny Women finalist Natalie Bellingham that uses comedy, storytelling and movement to celebrate being human in all its banality, sprinkled with joy and ridiculousness.

Talking About The Fire

Fri 12 Jul, 2024

If nuclear weapons continue to exist, we won’t. That’s where this show starts.

Inside Odds On

Mon 8 - Sat 20 Jul, 2024

Step into a brand new slots shop with a difference in Derby.

DJ Omar Afterparty

Fri 12 Jul, 2024

Let’s see the party off together in the only way we know how – in the capable hands of DJ Omar!

Find out more Book now