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18 Phonebox Magazine | January 2026Theatre becomes a skatepark in a new production designed to educate children about the online world.A new creative production, which aims to educate children about online space, is at Northampton next month.The city%u2019s Royal & Derngate Theatre%u2019s creative engagement team have a wide variety of education offers available associated with the production, called Top Gs Like Me, which takes place in February.Opportunities include post-show discussions, a choice of workshops, a podcast, a CPD (Continuous Professional Development) event and a chance for organisations to sign up to Royal & Derngate%u2019s new Education Partnership programme. Presented as part of the theatre%u2019s Made in Northampton season, Top Gs Like Me is a new play by local playwright Samson Hawkins, which will be directed by the theatre%u2019s Artistic Director Jesse Jones. The production asks questions of the massive online space available to children and how it influences young minds, and will see the Derngate auditorium transformed into a replica skatepark. At a time when the national conversation turns more and more to how we understand and protect our children online, the theatre is staging the production in the hope that thousands of young people will see it, with specific initiatives to target the student population. Through the associated activities on offer, education providers can enable their students to engage in greater depth with the important themes of the play and also further develop their creative skills.Tickets for educational institutions are %u00a310 each, and there%u2019s a free teacher%u2019s ticket available for every 10 students booked. Several of the school's performances will be followed by post-show discussions, including a talk by activist Nathaniel Cole and a Q&A with the director, cast and creative team. There will also be a Beyond the Stage podcast available featuring a conversation with director Jesse Jones and playwright Samson Hawkins. Four workshops can be booked as one-offs or a series, and can be tailored to the needs of individual groups. Subjects include writing drama, art and online safety. There will also be a two-day event at the theatre on Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th January, offering workshops and talks from organisations such as Beyond Equality and bestselling author Laura Bates, aimed at providing teachers, youth leaders and parents with the tools to advise and guide students and their children through the common challenges and risks presented by increasingly digitalised lives.Royal & Derngate has launched a new Education Partnership programme. By becoming an Education Partner, schools and colleges can save money and receive exclusive offers, including backstage tours and talks. Top Gs Like Me is at Northampton%u2019s Royal & Derngate Theatre, Saturday 21st February to Saturday 7th March and is recommended for ages 14 and over. Get your skates on!Top Gs Like Me scheduleFebruary:Sat 21st, 7pmMon 23rd, 11am (Schools Performance)Tue 24th, 7pm (Schools Performance)Wed 25th, 7pm (Press Night) Thu 26th, 11am (Schools Performance, Post-show talk) Thu 26th,7pm (BSL interpreted) Fri 27th, 7pmSat 28th, 2.30pm & 7pmMarch:Tue 3rd, 11am & 7pm (Schools Performances)Wed 4th, 7pm (Schools Performance)Thu 5th, 11am (Schools Performance, Post-show talk) & Thu 5th, 7pm (Audio Described, 6pm Touch Tour)Fri 6th, 7pmSat 7th, 2.30pm (Relaxed) & 7pmArtistic Director Jesse Jones.