Giants and ghosts

But here's the relevance to my old mate Leigh, Tony saw the theatre's ghost - the Grey Lady - in the middle of a performance once.

Building on the success of its regular family-friendly events, Royal & Derngate is holding its Big Friendly Festival this Saturday, 14 March, to celebrate the start of its latest production. This free event runs from 3.00pm until 5.45pm, featuring lots of fun activities for children to enjoy with their families.

Circus skills workshops offer the chance to have a go at something new - try walking tall like a giant on a tightrope! There'll be storytelling by professional actors Bev Denim (last seen at Royal & Derngate in 101 Dalmatians) and Tom Jude (Grasshopper in the theatre's recent production of James and the Giant Peach).

The fabulous Circo Rum Ba Ba, who were a great hit at Royal & Derngate's Return & Discover weekend, are also back to entertain everyone with their huge stiltwalking, snozzcumber-eating Big Friendly Giant. And the Queen of England will be on hand to help them hunt for giants throughout the building.

There'll be the chance to dress up in a host of colourful costumes and take part in colouring competitions in the cafe bar, where you can also relax with a nice cup of tea and a piece of cake!

After the Big Friendly Festival on Saturday there's a performance of The BFG in Royal auditorium, starting at 6.00pm. The festival activities in the afternoon are free of charge and open to all, whether you are coming to see the show or not.

To book tickets call the Box Office on 01604 624811 or online at www.royalandderngate.co.uk.

Roald Dahl's enduringly popular children's book, The BFG, takes to the stage in an adaptation by David Wood, the UK's 'National Children's Dramatist' (The Times). This well-loved story of a dream-blowing, big friendly giant (BFG) and orphan girl Sophie in the land of child-eating giants is being staged by Northampton's Royal & Derngate and Fiery Light, taking to the Royal stage until Saturday 28 March, before embarking on an extensive national tour.

The cast includes, from the theatre's recent production of James and the Giant Peach, Adam Baxter, who returns to play Sam Simkins and Louise Shuttleworth to play Mary, maid to the Queen of England.

The production links in with schools' Key Stage 2 priorities and there is a free Education pack for teachers on the show's web-site: www.lovebfg.com.

The actors play a huge number of musical instruments between them in this production, creating an amazing soundscape (hence the sight of giants playing fiddles and saxophones - quite mindblowing).

If you really must know more about Leigh Banks try http://ghosthuntertv.blogspot.com