The Sound of Music - Milton Keynes Theatre
26th May - 6th June 2015
I can't remember how many times I have sat with my family (especially at Christmas) watching this wonderful musical and loved every minute of it time and time again...
Celebrating the film's 50th anniversary this year, I couldn't wait to see The Sound of Music on stage at Milton Keynes Theatre.
Directed by Martin Connor, this is a lavish production that has had no corners cut in taking it on tour. You get all of the splendour, staging and magic.
The Sound of Music is based on the true story of the Von Trapp Family's flight across the mountains to escape the clutches of The Third Reich.
After capturing the hearts of the country and winning the BBC's smash hit show Over The Rainbow, Danielle Hope takes the role of Maria - she brings a new lease of life to the role and gives it a vulnerable likeability which is essential to making her Maria the warm, loving and caring centre of the story.
Danielle is note perfect, her diction is incredible and her interaction with the Von Trapp children is just delightful...
Now to the children - they are totally fabulous! You can't help fall in love with them all - their charm issues from the stage, their collective voices are incredible. Together they carry the most iconic songs that we all know and love, Do-Re-Mi, The Lonely Goatherd and of course, So Long - Farewell. Just brilliant!
Steven Houghton takes on the role of the stern Captain Von Trapp - the handsome, lonely disciplinarian who runs his household like a military vessel. He has his exterior broken down by the kindness and warmth of Maria. Houghton makes a fabulous Captain, the two leads have a real connection and helps take the love story to a more believable place.
I loved watching them meet (as did my fellow theatre goers) awkwardly dancing the traditional Lander together for the first time - it was magical.
The story captures the political issues of the era so well - depicting the struggle and the passionate love of your country in the face of the onslaught of a dictatorship...Edelweiss brings tears to my eyes.
The roles of the Baroness Schraeder (Sarah Soetaert) and Max Detweiler (Howard Samuels) were cast superbly - the two give the roles that air of inevitability of conformism. Their songs together that do not feature in the original film (and so are unfamiliar), still received a fabulous response from the audience.
One last mention has to go to Jan Hartley as Mother Abbess. WOW! This has to be one of the best versions of Climb Every Mountain - it is uplifting, inspirational and very touching.
The Sound of Music is a musical for all ages - it is magical and something that generation after generation will fall in love with.
This is a production is not to be missed!
To book tickets call 0844 8717652 or go on line www.atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes
Enjoy!
Lily B x
Barnum - Milton Keynes Theatre
12th - 16th May 2015
Barnum is the story about the life and times of America's Greatest Showman, PT Barnum - a man on a mission to add a little colour to everyone's lives.
"Men, women and children who cannot live on gravity alone, need something to satisfy their gayer, lighter moods and hours"
Brian Conley plays a magnificent Barnum - you couldn't get a greater showman to play this part!
Barnum is a colourful extravaganza of a musical, even before the show begins the cast bounce, juggle and fly around the theatre showcasing fantastic circus tricks in amongst the audience.
Conley has the audience eating out of the palm of his hand from the start, he absolutely owns the stage like no one else - his voice fits perfectly to the musical score.
Brian Conley posses the ability to engage you, the audience were totally transfixed. The tension was almost audible as he attempted to walk the high wire! It was brilliant, I can't wow about this show enough!
The fantastically talented Linzi Hateley played a great Chairy Barnum, the chemistry between the two leads was charming. PT Barnum had a rollercoaster of a life and Brian Conley gives one hell of a performance - he makes you laugh and cry within moments of eachother.
The uber talented cast bring each and every musical number to life. You won't be able to stop yourself tapping your feet to the wonderful music.
Hats off to choreographer Andrew Wright, the stage was filled with movement non stop - the talent is undeniable.
If you love a musical, then you will LOVE Barnum - Brian Conley is an absolute star!
Enjoy!
Lily B X
The King's Speech - Milton Keynes Theatre
5th May - 9th May 2015
Playwright David Seidler actually started writing The King's Speech as a movie "I got about 70 pages into it and I showed it to my wife, who said, why don't you write it as a play?"
Having a stammer from early childhood himself, Seidler had taken inspiration from George VI's battle to overcome his impediment and vowed he would someday write about it.
His script was heavily vetted by some very eminent British historians, who all confirmed that the story was wholly correct except for the fact that the relationship between the King and the speech therapist was actually over a period of about 23 years. Seidler condensed the time line so it felt like it was over a much shorter period for the play.
Famously, the Queen Mother requested that Seidler delay telling her husband's story during her lifetime, which meant that he had to wait a very long time before he could see his project finally come to fruition.
I was interested to see how a recent, well loved award winning film would transfer to the stage - I wasn't disappointed.
It has much irreverent wit and all of the historical detail, it portrays the same sense of the Royal Family's struggles and successes at a key moment in time when the Country was on the brink of war.
The story is really about the relationship between "Bertie" and Lionel Logue - the Australian speech therapist, who was instrumental in curing the stammer of the man who became King George VI.
As the much loved Scott Robinson in Neighbours, Jason Donavan headlines this production as the unorthodox voice coach Lionel Logue. Donavan is clearly authentic enough in being a brash Australian, however is was eerie seeing the former golden boy now as a dowdy middle-aged man. Donavan is surprisingly a fine actor, I quickly forgot I was watching a former soap star!
Stage and screen star Raymond Coultard as the vulnerable Bertie, gives a stunning and deeply moving portrayal of the man who never wanted to be King.
The stage set and costumes are wonderful - the set cleverly dotted with wooden doors from which the cast move on and off stage. It is all very slick, the movement of the props by the cast swiftly on and off the stage to change the look and feel is extremely well done.
Both leading men gave hugely compelling and powerful performances and it was no wonder the whole audience rose to their feet in appreciation at the end.
It was completely absorbing throughout and a brilliant nights entertainment.
Enjoy!
Lily B X
Northern Ballet - Wuthering Heights
Milton Keynes Theatre 28th April 2015
The highly acclaimed Northern Ballet performed Wuthering Heights at Milton Keynes Theatre as part of a tour of this classic Emily Bronte novel.
Working with composer Claude-Michael Schonberg who has Les Miserables and Miss Saigon to his credits, artistic director David Nixon OBE conjures up the timeless setting and characters of this classic novel with outstanding choreography.
Bronte's powerful story of passion and obsession is famous for its leading characters - Cathy and Heathcliff, all set against the torrid, bleak backdrop of the Yorkshire Moors.
After meeting as children, the pair are inseparable, wondering the Moors together and spending many happy hours together.
However, over time their childish affection deepens into an all consuming, overwhelming and devastating love.
The simple, minimalistic sets, with the stark charcoal landscapes and windswept tree combine seductively with atmospheric lighting to capture the untamed beauty of the Yorkshire Moors and an absolutely fantastic backdrop for the fated lovers.
There are some stunning performances by young Cathy (Rachael Gillespie) and Young Heathcliff (Jeremy Curnier) - they captured the powerful emotions of the young lovers to perfection. They were breathtaking to watch, almost moving as one - undivided souls. It was beautiful.
Martha Leebolt (Cathy) and Tobias Batley (Heathcliff) were magical together. Batley proved an exceptionally powerful actor/dancer and Leebolt gave a passionate, graceful performance. The two were simply a visual spectacle to behold.
The emotion that oozed from the stage was incredible, it draws you in and you are lost in it. I can't think of a more moving production.
This is a timeless classic that has been reborn for a modern audience and it will captivate you from start to finish.
Lily B X
