After Miss Julie
A version of Strindberg's "Miss Julie" by Patrick Marber
Milton Keynes Theatre 18th - 23rd July 2016
Set in 1945 in an English country house, on the eve of Labour's landslide victory at the end of the World War II, this compelling and erotic psychological thriller is by Strindberg's 1888 masterpiece.
During a summer ball, the beautiful daughter of the peer who owns the house, wanders into the servants' quarters.
As she flirts with her father's handsome chauffeur, indifferent to the presence of his fiancee, what beings as game playing ignites into passion with devastating consequences.
Helen George plays Miss Julie. Well known for her role as Trixie Franklin in Call the Midwife, she recently received huge praise for her thrilling performances in Strictly Come Dancing.
Patrick Marber's plays include Dealer's Choice, which won the 1995 Evening Standard Award for Best Comedy and the phenomenal international hit, Closer, which won the Evening Standard Award for Best Comedy, the Critic's Circle and Olivier awards for Best New Play and was made into a BAFTA Award winning film in 2004.
"No one, but no one writes about sex wars like Patrick Marber" - Tribune
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)
Present Laughter by Noel Coward
Milton Keynes Theatre 11th - 16th July 2016
Prior to the West End comes Present Laughter, starring Samuel West.
Actor, charmer and diva, Garry Essendine is determined to disregard his advancing years and receding hairline by revelling in endless tantrums and casual affairs.
But just as he is about to depart for Africa, he finds himself besieged by a bevvy of would-be seductresses - not to mention his long suffering secretary, his estranged wife and an obsessed young playwright!
As he attempts to disentangle himself from their clutches and demands, the humour escalates, accompanied by delicious dialogue and sparkling repartee.
Samuel West (Notting Hill, Mr Selfridge, RSC's Hamlet) stars in undoubtedly one of Noel Coward's funniest plays as he looks at life behind the theatrical curtain and reveals a world of glittering wits, dashing dressing gowns and ostentatious personalities.
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)
Thriller Live - Milton Keynes Theatre
4th - 9th July 2016
Direct from London's West End and now in its 8th year, Thriller Live has been seen by over 3.5 million people in 30 Countries.
Thriller Live is not a musical and it doesn't profess to be one. Instead it is a wonderful celebration of the music by the King of Pop, the one and only Michael Jackson.
Jackson has an amazing and dazzling back catalogue of music to choose from, this show is two hours long and it's wall to wall hits - all of the best known songs are in this, including I want You Back, ABC, Can You Feel It, Off the Wall, Smooth Criminal, Beat It, Billy Jean...the list is endless.
But of course there is Thriller! (and wow was that good!)
The show doesn't have a story, it doesn't need one. It has a little narrative that strings the songs together nicely. It tells the story of the birth and successes of the Jackson 5 and of course, the legend, Michael Jackson.
There is an exceptionally talented cast and live band, the atmosphere inside the Milton Keynes Theatre was electric. The performances were high octane from the start and didn't falter.
The choreography by Gary Lloyd is a massive part of Thriller Live, it is inventive, exhilarating and makes you feel exhausted just watching!
The vocals from Ione Townsend, Tyrone Lee, Shaquille Hemmans and Adam J Bernard who sing the leads, were powerful and faultless.
However, for me, it was Sean Christopher that stole the show, his performance was breathtaking - Christopher is such a talent.
It was inevitable when the audience erupted when he performed the iconic "moonwalk".
If you are a Michael Jackson fan you will love this show, I guarantee you will be itching to get up and dance and it didn't take the MK Theatre audience long to do just that!
As the final curtain fell, a fellow audience member summed up exactly how I felt..."I could sit through that all over again, it was just brilliant"
Don't stop 'til you get enough...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)
