Interactive, interplanetary live show with big visuals and storytelling for 6-12 year olds and their grown-ups, created by the Science Museum.
The Space Explorers Academy comes to Derby Theatre on Friday 22 January 2027, as part of the venue's 2026-2027 season. It's an interactive, interplanetary live show created by the Science Museum in association with the UK Space Agency and Mark Thompson Productions — the same team behind Ministry of Science Live!.
They've billed it as a fun-filled theatrical adventure for 6-12-year-olds and the grown-ups who love space, and it takes the audience on a journey around the planets. You'll go past the Sun, through Jupiter's storms and Saturn's rings, and out to the icy giants at the edge of the solar system, with big visuals, storytelling and planet facts along the way. It's designed for kids to get stuck into, so it's more of a shared experience than a sit-back-and-watch kind of thing.
The show is hosted at the Derby Theatre, the city's premier destination for world-class theatre and a lively arts hub in the heart of the city centre. Beyond the main stage, it's home to workshops, classes and events throughout the year, so there's usually plenty going on there even when a particular show isn't running.
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There are two performances on the day: 11:00am and 5:00pm, so you can pick whichever fits your schedule better. Each one runs for an hour, which is a good length for younger audiences to stay focused without getting restless. Tickets are £16.50, and the show is held in the Main House at 15 Theatre Walk, St Peter's Quarter, Derby DE1 2NF.
