Spring season 2026 in full at Derby Theatre

2026 promises a sensational season of shows for all, ways to get involved and electrifying events. From MADE IN DERBY productions to thrilling touring shows; fantastic family fun to wonderful one-nighters, there are many shows available to keep you entertained, amused and inspired! 

Opening the Spring Season from our produced work, Derby Theatre is proud to present, in co-production with Bolton Octagon, and Hull Truck Theatre, their MADE IN DERBY production of Macbeth. Running Wednesday 1 to Saturday 18 April 2026, this chilling production of Shakespeare’s iconic tragedy lays bare the human cost of unchecked ambition, set in a country ravaged by war and rebellion where a fragile peace has finally broken out across an exhausted and wounded land. It follows Macbeth, returning from battle, who meets three witches bearing a strange and fateful prophecy that begins a chain of bloody and brutal events. Don’t miss this powerful production. 

Following on later in the year, our summer MADE IN DERBY co-production with Northern Stage is Little Shop of Horrors, running Saturday 30 May to Saturday 20 June 2026. Directed by Sarah Brigham, with Musical Supervision and Orchestration by Matthew Malone, this dazzling production of the cult classic delivers the deliciously dark, delightfully tongue in cheek musical that has charmed audiences for over 40 years. All performances will include creative captions, as well as all the unforgettable songs including Skid Row (Downtown), Suddenly Seymour and Feed Me (Git It). With music by Alan Menken and book and lyrics by Howard Ashman, the show is a madcap mash up of sci fi, Motown and B movie horror. 

Unmissable blockbusters and bold new theatre also feature next spring. It kickstarts with The Signalman, a new extended adaptation of their hugely successful production of Charles Dickens’ nerve tingling ghostly masterpiece, starring Chris Walker (Doctors, Merseybeat, Playing the Field, The Bill, Coronation Street) and John Burton (Father Brown, Brookside). Showing from Tuesday 27 to Saturday 31 January, this 1880 set story follows a tormented signalman who is haunted by visions of impending disaster on his isolated stretch of line. Next comes Glorious! – the true story of American socialite Florence Foster Jenkins, who was known for her flamboyant costumes, enigmatic performances, and decidedly off-key voice, starring Wendi Peters (Coronation Street) and Matthew James Morrison (EastEnders) in this 20th anniversary production. Dubbed ‘the worst singer in the world,’ Glorious! comes Tuesday 24 to Saturday 28 February. Continuing the season is Glitch, The True Story of the Post Office Scandal comes Thursday 5 until Saturday 7 March. This inspirational true story is based on the experiences of Pam Stubbs and her colleagues. Murder comes to the countryside in the theatrical world premiere of the critically acclaimed television favourite Midsomer Murders. Daniel Casey, who created the role of Sergeant Troy in ITV’s Midsomer Murders, now returns to play the role of Inspector Tom Barnaby. Spend an evening in England’s deadliest county from Tuesday 24 to Saturday 28 March. In May we present Sherlock Holmes: The Hunt for Moriarty, Tuesday 5 to Saturday 9 May, a thrilling adventure based on the work of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, combining powerful performances, a haunting soundscape and innovative design as Holmes and Watson race against time through London 1901, confronting shadows of the past and the most corrupt forces of Empire.  After a smash-hit UK tour, Frankie Goes to Bollywood returns Tuesday 12 to Saturday 16 May – bigger, bolder, and bursting with Bollywood glamour. Whether you’re a fan of musicals, Bollywood films, or powerful British stories, this is one night at the theatre you won’t want to miss; it also concludes with a post-show afterparty with Jin & Seetal, UK’s Bhangra first male and female duo act on Tuesday 12 May. 

Other top-class touring shows, and wonderful one-nighters include Roshni (from the Persian word meaning light or brilliance), an intimate crafting of dance and live music inspired by the stories and experiences of everyday people. Music celebrations continue with Pulman and Stilgoe – Hooray for Hollywood. Starting with the Jazz Singer in 1927, almost 100 years later audiences are still flocking to the box-office to watch the big screen come alive with singing, dancing, comedy and romance. The Hollywood musical feels like it’s been with us forever. Comedy one-nighters include The Comedy Store, bringing “The Best In Stand Up” from around the globe, showcasing the brightest names in comedy today. Basic Bloke 2 – There’s No Bloke Without Fire, tours with comedian, author, podcaster and radio host Geoff Norcott. Touring talks come from the likes of:Toyah Willcox for An Evening with Toyah: Songs and Stories. She’s hitting the road for an extensive UK tour in which she’ll sing favourite hits and tell stories from her remarkable career. Adam Frost brings amusing anecdotes and poignant reflections, offering audiences the chance to immerse themselves not just in gardening, but in human nature itself and the madness of it all. Pam Ayres – Doggedly Onward presents a lifetime of hilarious insights into the delights and tribulations of everyday life. Craig Revel Horwood: Revelations Songs Boys Don’t Sing promises a Fab-U-Lous night of big songs, tall tales, and glamour, and all things Strictly Come Dancing. More one-nighters include Alfie Moore: Apocalypse Now, a brand-new tour show ‘Fair Cop’.

Lear’s Shadow is a mischievous, engaging reflection on Shakespeare’s great domestic tragedy. It stars Colin Hurley who is performing in the Derby Theatre production of Macbeth in the same week! Other studio shows include: Meet Fred, Please Do Not Touch, Ram Comedy Club, When We See Ourselves, Antony and Cleopatra, Nine Sixteenths, Fun! with Barbara Nice and more to come! 

Looking for fun with the family? We have plenty of family favourites lined up for the season. It starts with Pied Piper, a raucous musical re-imagining of a medieval fairy-tale, featuring a talented cast of beatboxers, musicians and special guest performances from the local community. Get ready for an electrifying night of vocal wizardry for all the family between Saturday 21 – Sunday 22 February. Top Secret – The Magic of Science, a fast-moving colourful magical science show comes Sunday 1 March, suitable for the whole family filled with mystery, suspense, and lots of mess! The gripping Romeo and Juliet story of Noughts and Crosses returns to Derby Theatre Tuesday 10 to Saturday 14 March; a captivating drama of love, revolution and what it means to grow up in a divided world. There’s a Snake in My School, a spectacularly funny new musical, full of mischief, mayhem and songs, shows Thursday 19 to Friday 20 March, which is based on the number one bestselling book by David Walliams. Keep an eye out for more family fun throughout the year. 

Derby Theatre continues its 50th anniversary celebrations with a DT Communities’ Cultural Celebration Party on Sunday 18 January 2026. The evening will feature variety, fashion, sip and paint and a DJ party, bringing creative cultural activities into the Derby Theatre space. Created with the DT Communities steering groups, the event will showcase performances, local talent and the diverse voices that have shaped the programme so far, while welcoming new artists into the journey. Audiences are invited to join the celebration and come together as a community. 

Every year, Connections commissions new plays for young people to perform. The programme brings together some of the UK’s most exciting writers with the theatre-makers of tomorrow. NT Connections Festival returns annually, for 2026 from Friday 24 to Sunday 26 April. A festival of performance, new writing, workshops and much more for 13–19-year-olds, the nationwide youth theatre festival has a history of championing the talent of young people from across the UK.  Get ready to continue celebrating the creativity, talent and passion of Derby’s young performers over summer. Our Youth Theatre double bills will yet again be a showcase of vibrant, imaginative performances, crafted and brought to life by the next generation of theatre-makers. Come and be inspired by the energy, skill and storytelling of our youth theatre groups as they take to the stage. 

Other exciting community events include a Dementia Poetry Session to come. Join us this World Poetry Day (Saturday 21 March) as members of our Dementia Carers’ Café take to the stage to showcase their writing and performing talents. Through a series of workshops, the group have written a new collection of poems and will be sharing them publicly for the first time. 

Calling all artists and audiences! Departure Lounge Festival returns Thursday 2 to Saturday 4 July, which is In Good Company and Derby Theatre’s fantastic summer festival of fresh, thrilling and contemporary performance, panel discussions and much more. We will once again see the theatre transformed into a fabulous festival site playing host to a wonderful cocktail of shows from artists and companies from across the UK. This year we’re exploring Unity & Community, and how theatre connects and creates community both in the work we make and the way we make it. Join in on all the weird and the wonderful, all in one festival pass. You are invited to join us! 

For FULL season details, accessible performances and lots of ways on how you can GET INVOLVED with Derby Theatre, take a look at our digital brochure or visit www.derbytheatre.co.uk.