Royal & Derngate, Northampton have announced the full cast and creative team for Party Season, the latest play from The Wardrobe Ensemble. The new comedy will have its World Premiere from Thursday 2 to Saturday 11 April 2026 as part of the Made in Northampton season, before touring to Oxford, Worthing, Salford and Bristol.
Party Season explores identity, class and chaos as three children’s parties unfold over one weekend. The show promises a sugar-fuelled, high-energy look at the pressures of parenthood when social niceties begin to unravel.
The Wardrobe Ensemble, long-time collaborators with Royal & Derngate, celebrate their 15th anniversary this year. The collective have built a reputation for inventive, irreverent work including The Last of the Pelican Daughters, 1972: The Future of Sex and Education, Education, Education, which later transferred to the West End.
The production is co-directed by Royal & Derngate’s Artistic Director and founding ensemble member Jesse Jones, alongside Helena Middleton. The cast includes Tom England, Jesse Meadows and Ben Vardy, all recently seen in Mog’s Christmas. They are joined by James Newton, Kerry Lovell, Jacade Simpson and Fowzia Madar.
The creative team features Set and Costume Designer Bronia Housman, Lighting Designer Chris Swain, Sound Designer Beth Duke and Dramaturg Tom Brennan.
Performances in Northampton will include a relaxed performance designed to welcome parents and carers with babes-in-arms and those who prefer a more informal atmosphere.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
