Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Milton Keynes Theatre 28th June - 2nd July 2016

Bill Kenwright's production of Joseph, remains an irrepressible delight.  The classic pairing of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber - this is definitely a show that an audience never tires of.

It's wonderfully colourful, its score totally uplifting...Joseph is a fabulous all-rounder of a musical, full of unforgettable songs including Close Every Door To Me and Any Dream Will Do.

The story is a retelling of the Biblical tale of Joseph and the coat of many colours (with a massive dose of satire and bags full of fun thrown in).  The songs contain such cheeky lyrics and set to such a wide variety of musical styles from Country, Calypso to Rock n Roll from the Elvis-inspired Pharaoh!

This production of Joseph stars X Factor winner Joe McElderry - even back then you could hear he possessed a voice for musical theatre and he didn't disappoint.  He was simply fantastic.  Listening to Joe sing Close Every Door To Me, made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.  McElderry nailed it, the audience roared with applause and appreciation to show just how good it was.

I can't deny Joe had a few wooden moments on stage but his vocals more than made up for this.  His gorgeous, endearing smile and silken tones certainly won the Milton Keynes audience's hearts.

Lucy Kay as the Narrator was fantastic in the role - it requires a constant stage presence and versatile vocals, which Kay made, not only light work of but totally excelled.

The supporting cast were vibrant and enthusiastic throughout, as was the charming Joseph Choir.

There was so much to love about this show - an exaggerated Elvis performance courtesy of Emilianos Stamatakis as the Pharaoh to the hilarious inflatable sheep that popped up... just when you weren't expecting it!

The audience thoroughly revelled in the finale and then best of all the curtain call - on their feet, singing and clapping along.  The buzz in the theatre was electric, totally fabulous and not something you see on that scale very often.

I guarantee you will leave the theatre with a smile on your face and be singing the songs as you leave the auditorium!

Go, Go, Go Joseph...book your tickets now!

Enjoy!

Lily B x

Tickets are on sale now!  Book at Milton Keynes Theatre Box Office, call 0844 871 7652 (booking fee) or visit www.atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes (booking fee)

The Classic Thriller Theatre Company - Rehearsal for Murder
Milton Keynes Theatre 20th - 25th June 2016

Following the phenomenal decade-long success of The Agatha Christie Theatre Company, which sold over two million tickets and continually played to packed houses around the UK, Bill Kenwright presents a new production from the pen of the legendary award-winning writing team Levinson and Link, whose work includes the mystery series Murder, She Wrote and Columbo.

Playwright Alex Dennison is left heartbroken when his fiancee and leading lady Monica Welles is found dead from an apparent suicide.  On the anniversary of that ill-fated night, Alex assembles the same cast and crew in the same theatre, for a reading of his new play. But as the reading begins, it becomes clear that Alex believes that Monica was murdered and he intends to uncover her killer...

The star cast features screen heart-throb Gary Mavers of Peak Practice and Casualty fame and fresh from playing evil Gordon Livesy in Emmerdale. Stage and screen leading man, Alex Ferns, who gripped the nation playing the villainous Trevor Morgan in EastEnders, is joined by Susie May best known for playing much loved Chardonnay in the ITV series Footballers' Wives.

Joining them will be chart-topper Anita Harris, whose films include the Carry On franchise, Pop-Idol Mark Wynter, who since his ht-parade days has featured in no fewer than seven Agatha Christie Theatre Company productions, Lauren Drummond from Holby City and Ben Nealon from ITV's award winning drama Solider Soldier.

Tickets are on sale now!  Book at Milton Keynes Theatre Box Office, call 0844 871 7652 (booking fee) or visit www.atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes (booking fee)

Guys and Dolls - Milton Keynes Theatre
14th - 18th June 2016

Direct from the West End comes six Olivier Award nominated show, Guys and Dolls to Milton Keynes Theatre.

It's a wonderful romantic story of gamblers, gangsters and nightclub singers - just bursting with pizzazz!

Set in the prohibition era in New York, the lovable rogue Nathan Detroit (Maxwell Caulfield) needs to raise cash in a dash for his illegal craps game.  

His long suffering girlfriend of fourteen years, cabaret singer Miss Adelaide (Louise Dearman) is running out of patience...will Miss Adelaide ever become Mrs. Detroit!?

The one man that Detroit needs is big time gambler, Sky Masterson (Richard Fleeshman) and sets about making a bet that Masterson cannot refuse...

The charismatic Fleeshman oozes with confidence in the role and had the audience drawn in like moths to a flame! Totally fabulous in every way, his soft crooning voice was reminiscent of Sinatra (who incidentally didn't play this part in the 1955 film version - Marlon Brando did.)  Fleeshman played the part with ease, "Luck be a Lady" was both brilliant and memorable.

The whole cast are uber talented.  The coupling of Jack Edwards as Nicely-Nicely Johnson and Mark Sangster as Benny Southstreet, was pure genius.  It provided immensely powerful support to the story as the two bit side kicks of Detroit. But, most of all it was their strong vocals and impeccable timing that made it brilliant.

Sister Sarah Brown (Anna O'Byrne) is the feisty "sinner soul saver" - O'Byrne brought a real naivete and genuine likeability to the role.  Her scene in a Cuban night club was very clever, seeing Sister Sarah gradually being seduced by Bacardi and the music, Anna proved to be a fabulous all round actress.

A real stand out too was Louise Dearman as Miss Adelaide, she possesses a fantastic on stage presence and is a fabulous character singer - her obvious bubbly personality suited this part and was utterly brilliant.

There are huge amounts of dazzling dance routines in Guys and Dolls,  courtesy of choreographers Carlos Acosta and Andrew Wright.  The whole pace of the show is high energy from start to finish.

The show gives real value for money, being just over three hours long (including a 20 minute interval) - it's got a talented cast, great orchestra, memorable score, wonderful costumes and a zany set...a recipe for an amazing night at the theatre!

Guys and Dolls has stood the test of time and is as endearing now, as it was when it first came to a stage many moons ago.

Don't leave it too late to book, this is good wholesome entertainment for all.

Enjoy!

Lily B X

Tickets are on sale now!  Book at Milton Keynes Theatre Box Office, call 0844 871 7652 (booking fee) or visit www.atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes (booking fee)

Annie - Milton Keynes Theatre 30th May to 4th June 2016

Annie, the world's favourite family musical, starring Birds of a Feather star Lesley Joseph as the tyrannical Miss Hannigan!

Set in the 1930s New York during The Great Depression, brave young Annie is force to live a life of misery at Miss Hannigan's orphanage.

Determined to find her real parents, her luck changes when she is chosen to spend Christmas at the residence of famous billionaire, Oliver Warbucks. Miss Hannigan has other ideas and hatches a plan to spoil Annie's Search.

With its award-winning book and score, this stunning new production includes the unforgettable songs Hard Knock Life, Easy Street, I Don't Need Anything But You and Tomorrow.

How about a spot of "Afternoon Tea"?

Enhance your theatre experience at Milton Keynes Theatre with Afternoon Tea hosted in the luxurious Ambassador Lounge before the show and throughout the interval.

Our Afternoon Tea, a selection of sweet treats only, includes a scone, delicious cakes and tempting mini tarts, all served with a choice of Illy coffee, Twinings tea or a glass of our finest prosecco.

This charming package is ideal as a gift, if you are celebrating a special occasion, or should you simply choose to treat yourself.

Afternoon Tea is just £15 (excluding show ticket) 

Tickets are on sale now!  Book at Milton Keynes Theatre Box Office, call 0844 871 7652 (booking fee) or visit www.atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes (booking fee)