Nottinghamshire &amp; Derbyshire

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-theatre-amp-film">THEATRE &amp; FILM</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/03/romeo-juliet.jpg" alt="ROMEO AND JULIET BALLET" class="wp-image-8361" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/03/romeo-juliet.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/03/romeo-juliet-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/03/romeo-juliet-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Northern Ballet&#8217;s Romeo &amp; Juliet</figcaption></figure>



The greatest love story ever told is back on stage as Northern Ballet brings its electrifying production of <a href="https://trch.co.uk/whats-on/nb-romeo-juliet-24/">Romeo &amp; Juliet</a> to Nottingham Theatre Royal from 30 April – 4 May. Fast-paced and full-blooded, it’s going to be gorgeous.



Opera buff? You’re in for a treat when Puccini’s <a href="https://buxtonoperahouse.org.uk/event/manon-lescaut-english-touring-opera">Manon Lescaut</a> comes to Buxton Opera House from Thurs 4&nbsp;&#8211;&nbsp;Sat 6 April. Drama, tension and a stunning score – it’s got it all.



The brilliant Lloyd Webber musical <a href="https://buxtonoperahouse.org.uk/event/evita">Evita</a> takes a turn from Thurs 25 &#8211; Sun 28 April, performed by talented local performers at Buxton Opera House.



Funnyman Frank Skinner brings his stand-up show <a href="https://trch.co.uk/whats-on/frank-skinner/">30 Years of Dirt</a> to Nottingham Theatre Royal on Sun 28 April.



Part of the Nottingham Puppet Festival (see below), <a href="https://trch.co.uk/whats-on/the-life-of-pi-2024/">The Life of Pi</a> is on stage at the Theatre Royal on 15-20 April. Jaw-dropping visuals&nbsp;and world-class puppetry combine for a show that&#8217;s pure wonder.



Mark Gatiss will give you goosebumps at the National Theatre (NT Live) screening of <a href="https://chesterfieldtheatres.co.uk/shows/nt-live-the-motive-and-the-cue-(15).aspx">The Motive and the Cue</a> at The Winding Wheel Theatre in Chesterfield on <a href="https://chesterfieldtheatres.co.uk/shows/nt-live-the-motive-and-the-cue-(15).aspx">Sat 13 April</a>. Directed by Sam Mendes, it’s fierce and funny.



Grab your pyjamas and your gal pals for a stay-up-all-night <a href="https://www.derbyquad.co.uk/events/sleepover/">Sleepover At QUAD!</a><a href="https://www.derbyquad.co.uk/events/sleepover/">&nbsp;</a> in Derby. Flash back to your youth with a selection of four classic teen films – The Notebook, 10 Things I Hate About You, Clueless and a one-off showing of the new 2024 Mean Girls. It’s going to be SO fetch. The movie marathon costs £25 and runs from 8.30pm until around 6.30am on Sat 6 April with breaks between each film.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-for-kids">FOR KIDS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/03/jurassic-world.jpg" alt="t-rex and scientist actor on stage at jurassic world show" class="wp-image-8360" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/03/jurassic-world.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/03/jurassic-world-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/03/jurassic-world-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Dino fans in the fam? Come face-to-face with the world’s largest walking T-rex, velociraptors and at the <a href="https://www.derbylive.co.uk/whats-on/jurassic-earth/">Jurassic Earth</a> show at Derby Arena on Sun 28 April. Bring your biggest roar (and bravest kids) as there will be plenty of audience participation and chances to get involved.



Interactive family theatre tour&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sambradshawproductions.com/current-productions/spots-birthday-party/">Spot’s Birthday Party</a> (based on the much-loved&nbsp;Spot the Dog&nbsp;stories), comes to <a href="http://www.derbytheatre.co.uk/">Derby Theatre</a> 4-7 April. Woof to that! The show, which promises songs and dance, and is being produced by the guys behind David Walliam’s&nbsp;Mr Stink, so it bodes well. For children 2+.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sambradshawproductions.com/current-productions/spots-birthday-party/">Book here</a>.



Nottingham comes to life with puppetry of every kind in all corners of the city as the <a href="https://nottinghampuppetfestival.co.uk/">Nottingham Puppet Festival</a> takes centre stage from Tues 9 &#8211; Sun 21 April. There will be plenty of family fun with an early years’ library tour of&nbsp;The Search for Teddy Island&nbsp;and&nbsp;Charlie Comet and the Magic in the Attic. On Sat 13 April puppets will take over the city centre streets for a day of eye-popping performances and parades with spectacular costumes, beautiful storytelling and handcrafted marionettes.



More madcap fun on stage when <a href="https://nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk/events/science-museum-live/">Science Museum Live</a> performs at Nottingham Playhouse on Tues 9 April. London’s world-renowned Science Museum is captivating – designed to &nbsp;ignite curiosity and inspire young minds.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/03/science-live.jpg" alt="flames on stage at science live with the science museum" class="wp-image-8362" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/03/science-live.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/03/science-live-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/03/science-live-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Discover dragons, sword fighting and knight training at the annual <a href="https://www.derbylive.co.uk/whats-on/st-georges-day-celebrations/">St George’s Day celebrations</a> in Derby city centre on Sat 20 April. Running from 12pm until 2pm, this free family event kicks off with a tongue-in-cheek re-telling of St George and the Dragon battle from the brilliantly irreverent Lost Boys.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-further-afield">FURTHER AFIELD</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/03/Gold-carriage-1024x683.jpg" alt="BUCKINGHAM PALACE GOLD CARRIAGE AT ROYAL MEWS" class="wp-image-8446" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/03/Gold-carriage-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/03/Gold-carriage-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/03/Gold-carriage-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/03/Gold-carriage.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Royal lustre, glittering coaches&nbsp;and a horse or two. Love the pomp and ceremony of royal events? Head straight for the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rct.uk/visit/the-royal-mews-buckingham-palace?utm_source=muddystilettos&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=rm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Royal Mews</a>&nbsp;– a working&nbsp;royal stables&nbsp;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&nbsp;Rolls Royce Phantom VI&nbsp;used&nbsp;in royal weddings.&nbsp;You can even&nbsp;climb aboard a&nbsp;reproduction landau&nbsp;for that essential photo opp, tack up a (wooden) pony, and ‘ooh and aah’ over the&nbsp;other&nbsp;carriages and shiny bits of kit. A great day out for all ages.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rct.uk/visit/the-royal-mews-buckingham-palace?utm_source=muddystilettos&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=rm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tickets</a>: adults from £17, Kids (5-17yrs) from £8.50 and under 5s free.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/04/Match-hospitality-for-whats-on-guide-1024x683.jpg" alt="Silverstone race track" class="wp-image-8492" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/04/Match-hospitality-for-whats-on-guide-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/04/Match-hospitality-for-whats-on-guide-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/04/Match-hospitality-for-whats-on-guide-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/04/Match-hospitality-for-whats-on-guide.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Talking of wheels, don’t forget you can now book for&nbsp;<a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/day-trips/british-grand-prix-best-enclosure-and-special-offer-tickets/">Racing Green hospitality at Silverstone</a>&nbsp;for the British Grand Prix too – there’s an exclusive Muddy offer where you only need to book the Sunday rather than the whole weekend.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-music">MUSIC</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/03/Blue.jpg" alt="The band Blue on their Greatest Hits tour nottingham" class="wp-image-8364" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/03/Blue.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/03/Blue-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/03/Blue-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/03/Blue-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/03/Blue-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Who wants a nostalgic throwback to those boyband days when Blue made us all blush? All rise! The boys (well, er, men) from <a href="https://trch.co.uk/whats-on/blue/">Blue</a> will be taking to the stage with their greatest hits at Nottingham’s Royal Concert Hall on Tues 30 April. Is the tash doing it for you?



Always atmospheric and worthwhile, candelit concert <a href="https://derbycathedral.org/events/concerts/the-beatles-by-candlelight/">The Beatles by Candlelight</a> comes to Derby Cathedral on Wed 10 and Thurs 11 April.



<a href="https://tickets.trch.co.uk/151212/151213?queueittoken=e_waitingroom~q_8556008e-c0f6-47b5-9fea-ac8ce4d1ecf6~ts_1711023633~ce_true~rt_safetynet~h_9032287552244900fe0570b3831f07ee6061ec49d751acdc52e6f8a3451c29fe">Paloma Faith</a> is make a return to the&nbsp;<a href="https://tickets.trch.co.uk/151212/151213">Royal Concert Hall</a>&nbsp;on&nbsp;Fri 5 April&nbsp;with her Glorification of Sadness Tour. The following night,&nbsp;6 April,&nbsp;<a href="https://tickets.motorpointarenanottingham.com/shows/Show.aspx?sh=jamesblu24" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">James Blun</a>t performs at Nottingham Motorpoint Arena with his new album&nbsp;Who We Used To Be.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-arts-amp-culture">ARTS &amp; CULTURE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/03/ARCHITECTS-OF-AIR.jpg" alt="architect of air luminarium nottinghamshire" class="wp-image-8370" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/03/ARCHITECTS-OF-AIR.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/03/ARCHITECTS-OF-AIR-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/03/ARCHITECTS-OF-AIR-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/03/ARCHITECTS-OF-AIR-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/03/ARCHITECTS-OF-AIR-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



A giant inflatable sculpture (pictured) will land in Chesterfield Road Park, Mansfield for the school Easter holidays and it’s a must-see. Architects of Air’s inflatable<a href="https://issuu.com/tgdh/docs/j079820_mansfield_brochure_april-september_issuu_w"> Luminarium</a> is a magical, multi-sensory experience. From Thurs 4 &#8211; Sat 13 April.



This nature-inspired art exhibition is a dendrophile’s dream. Atmospheric tree portraits and works of art based on the theme of woodlands and trees go on display at The Harley Gallery, Welbeck from Sat 20 April, with <a href="https://www.welbeck.co.uk/experience/events/?page=3">The Art of Trees</a> transporting visitors to the depths of the forest.&nbsp;



Over in Derbyshire, Chatsworth’s new exhibition <a href="https://www.chatsworth.org/events/picturing-childhood/">Picturing Childhood</a> is now underway and runs (until 6 October), celebrating children and their experience of the world as represented in art. Worth a look.



Pop into Thoresby Park for the <a href="https://thoresby.com/events/courtyard-market-by-little-humming-bird-events-2april/">Courtyard Market</a> featuring local artisans on Sun 28 April.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-outdoors">OUTDOORS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/03/norwood-park-open-gardens.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-8401" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/03/norwood-park-open-gardens.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/03/norwood-park-open-gardens-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/03/norwood-park-open-gardens-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Now this is a treat for anyone Southwell way who’s never had chance to explore the gorgeous Norwood Park estate. <a href="https://www.norwoodpark.co.uk/event-details/norwood-open-gardens-with-kids-activity-trail-2024-04-07-09-30">Norwood Open Gardens</a> will open to the public on Sun 7 April (and the first Sunday of May too) &nbsp;for you to explore the woodland walks, apple orchards and meet the very photogenic Highland cows. There’s even a kids’ activity trail to keep littlies happy.



Haddon Hall’s first <a href="https://www.haddonhall.co.uk/events/event/wildlife-walk-the-bird-life-of-haddon-medieval-park/">Wildlife Walk</a> of the season kicks off this month led by BBC Springwatch bird expert Jack Baddams. Jack will take you behind the scenes into the private parkland that surrounds Haddon Hall, Bakwell with fascinating insights into the birds living there on Fri 19 Apil and Sun 21 April at 10.30am.

What’s on April: The unmissable this month near you

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