As Royal & Derngate launches its annual Unforgettable Gift appeal for 2026, the theatre is pleased to be supported by Northamptonshire Community Foundation through the Northamptonshire Education Trust Fund, the Sir Gyles Isham Bursary on behalf of Lamport Hall Preservation Trust and CarlsbergBritvic. With their help and with the generosity of the theatre’s audience members and many of its Business Club Members, this yearly collaboration enables the organisation to gift hundreds of free tickets for its Christmas shows to children and young people who have faced difficulties this year.

After a series of campaigns which started in 2015, the appeal has now been able to give away over 5,500 tickets to families in need, making the Christmas period more magical for a considerable number of children across Northamptonshire. Over the last eleven years Unforgettable Gift has raised over £190,000 across 22,000 donations.

Customers are invited to add a gift-aided donation of £10 when making a booking at Royal & Derngate. Donations will help to provide free tickets to the 2026 pantomime Beauty and the Beast and the delightful new stage adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks‘ best-selling picture book What the Ladybird Heard at Christmas. Donations will also help to fund bursaries for young people to take part in Royal & Derngate’s youth theatre programmes, who would not otherwise be able to participate.

Rachel McGrath, CEO of Northamptonshire Community Foundation, said: “The Unforgettable Gift Appeal brings joy to families who might otherwise miss out on the magic of live theatre at Christmas. This year marks both 25 years of Northamptonshire Community Foundation and our 11th year of partnership with Royal & Derngate on the appeal, and we’re delighted to continue helping make the festive season more accessible while creating special memories for families across our community.”

Jodie Morten-Davies, of The Never Alone Project said of last year’s campaign: “Christmas time can be an especially challenging period for many of the families we support, so having the opportunity to come together with others to share joy and laughter helps us create lasting memories.”​

Holly Gladwell, Acting Chief Executive at Royal & Derngate, said: “It never ceases to be a thrill to be able to share the magic of theatre, at this special time of year, with those who might not otherwise have a chance to enjoy it. We are so grateful to our audiences and supporters who help to make this campaign such a success each year.”

Anyone can donate to this very special cause simply by calling Box Office on 01604 624811 or visiting www.royalandderngate.co.uk/unforgettable-gift. There will also be donation points around the venue and bucket collections after performances. Any businesses interested in supporting the campaign with a donation, should email development@royalandderngate.co.uk.

For more information about Royal & Derngate’s Christmas shows, and to book tickets, call Box Office on 01604 624811 or visit www.royalandderngate.co.uk.