Evita
Milton Keynes Theatre 23rd - 27th May 2017

Telling the story of Eva Peron, wife of former Argentine dictator Juan Peron, Evita follows Eva's journey from her humble beginnings through to extraordinary wealth, power and iconic status which ultimately lead her to be heralded as the "spiritual leader of the nation" by the Argentine people.

This Bill Kenwright production with music and lyrics by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice has not got 'big names' that immediately shout out, however the show has been extremely well cast and interestingly, seemingly more important from an audiences point of view.

Evita's long standing appeal and success lies in its captivating story line, brilliant songs and uber talented cast members.



Emma Hutton takes the lead as Evita, who has recently has played Elphaba in the West End smash hit 'Wicked', she gave a strong, emotional and gripping performance throughout.

'Don't Cry For Me Argentina' was performed delicately yet sublimely powerfully by Hatton, it certainly packed a punch that the Milton Keynes audience really appreciated.

The relative newcomer, Gian Marco Schiaretti, as Che was charismatic, powerful and played the narrator role to perfection.

The end came far too soon, the audience rose as one in recognition of a wonderful evenings entertainment.

Evita is absolutely enthralling from start to finish - definitely don't keep your distance...Oh what a show!!

Enjoy!

Lily B X

To book just visit Milton Keynes Theatre Box Office, call 0844 871 7652 (bkg fee) or go to www.atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes  (bkg fee)

Mamma Mia!
2nd - 20th May 2017 Milton Keynes Theatre

Welcome to the ultimate feel good party! The most exhilarating smash-hit musical has arrived Milton Keynes Theatre.

Set on a Greek island paradise, a story of love, friendship and identity is cleverly told through the timeless songs of ABBA.  With music and lyrics by Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus, this is an absolute must see!

On the eve of her wedding, Sophie is on a quest to discover the identity of her father so he can walk her down the aisle.  After reading through her Mother, Donna's old diaries, she decides to invite old flames Sam, Bill, and Harry back to the island.  They arrive bemused and all reminisce about their last visit twenty years ago...

Get set for a show that's absolutely jammed packed with ABBA hits, sparkling with vitality and bags of fun!  The whole cast looked like they were having a ball!

Donna's oldest and best friends arrive for the celebration, the three together are brilliant - Helen Hobson (Donna) Gillian Herdie (Rosie) and Emma Clifford (Tanya).  Their scenes together are hilarious, especially the rendition of 'Does Your Mother Know' by Tanya whilst teasing a young handsome friend of the groom!

Lucy May Barker (Sophie) gave a strong performance in her lead role, as did Phillip Ryan as Sky her husband to be - the two have a very innocent and cute chemistry together.

Mamma Mia is expertly staged, the clever set and props are brilliantly utilised.  There are platform shoes a plenty, glittering flares and fantastic music.  



There was so much frivolity on the stage, I especially loved the dance routine by the grooms friends all decked out in swimwear, snorkels and flippers!  It's easy to see why the audience gave the cast a standing ovation.

Definitely one to catch, I guarantee you will be dancing in the aisles to this! Unmissable!

Enjoy!

Lily B X 

To book just visit Milton Keynes Theatre Box Office, call 0844 871 7652 (bkg fee) or go to www.atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes  (bkg fee)

Dirty Dancing

Milton Keynes Theatre 24^th – 29^th April 2017

The classic story on stage is back, with an all-new 2016/2017 tour. I adore this amazing show and it’s here at Milton Keynes Theatre!

The iconic dance moves and timeless music of Dirty Dancing has arrived!  I was so excited to see my absolute all-time favourite chick flick on stage again.

The theatre had a real buzz as I entered, I know many people will have been reminiscing about the totally fantastic Patrick Swayze who is sadly no longer with us, but his legacy lives on in Dirty Dancing.

For those of you that may not be familiar with the film (I've said it before and I will say it again...where have you been??) It's the story of Frances 'Baby' Houseman, a daddy’s girl who secretly falls in love for the first time with someone her daddy would definitely not approve of.

She meets Johnny Castle, a dance instructor and member of the entertainment staff at the lavish Kellerman's hotel.

"It was the summer of 1963. When everybody called me baby and it didn't occur to me to mind. That was before President Kennedy got shot, before the Beatles came, when I couldn't wait to join the Peace Corps and I thought I'd never find a guy as great as my dad. That was the summer we went to Kellerman's...."

Baby is drawn to the "behind the scenes" exploits of the entertainment staff (who seem to have so much more fun than the paying guests). Intrigued, she finds herself in situations which challenge her beliefs about herself, her family and the world around her.

The iconic dances are all there for you to experience and the stage script is almost word for word to the film.

I watched in awe as the uber talented cast brought the stage to life.  I loved “Kellerman’s Band” performing live, the memorable songs sung with such passion.

Baby played by Katie Hartland was fabulous - she was funny, totally believable in her role, her performance was flawless.

Lewis Griffiths as Johnny showed more than a glint of Patrick, especially in his swagger, stature and voice – there is a treat for the ladies, I won’t spoil it but Griffiths certainly made an impression…cheeky!

The chemistry between the pair was there, they danced brilliantly together and when that iconic moment with "the lift" finally arrived – it was pure theatre magic, you just couldn't help but applaud it.

The clever set and great costumes set the scene so well - it's not easy to transfer such a well-known film to stage but Company Manager/Resident Director Russ Spencer has achieved this exceptionally well.

Dirty Dancing is an absolutely fabulous show, a definite must see. It deserved the standing ovation it received.

Get your tickets quick...you can’t miss this one!

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

Enjoy!

Lily B x

Northern Ballet - Casanova

Milton Keynes Theatre 18th - 22nd April 2017

"I have always loved truth so passionately that I have often resorted to lying as a way of introducing it into the minds which were ignorant of its charms" Giacomo Girolamo Casanova

Since his death in 1798, the name Casanova has been a derogatory word used to describe someone that is a seducer, philanderer and womaniser.

Northern Ballet take on the story of this Italian adventurer and writer from Venice...

"Casanova's life was epic and I wanted to do this justice" - Kenneth Tindall, Northern Ballet

Casanova is truly a spectacle with sumptuous costumes and set by Christopher Oram, this adaptation by Tindall is nothing but stunning.

It displays the many facets of the insecure Casanova, showing that he was "a man larger than his love affairs".

Kerry Muzzey's score is one of grandeur and played superbly by the Northern Ballet Sinfonia.

The role of Casanova is danced by Giuliano Contadini - an amazing interpretation of the man of such vast intellectual, creative and sexual energy.

His performance gave such intensity, the powerful scenes are spellbinding, as is all of the performances by the amazingly talented dancers.

The life of Casanova is so prevalent, it is hard to edit it into a two hour ballet but Kenneth Tindell has triumphed.

The Northern Ballet never shy away from taking on something different and Casanova is an impressive and exhilarating evening's ballet.

Lily B x

Lord of the Dance - Dangerous Games
Milton Keynes Theatre 4th April - 9th April 2017

Celebrating 20 years since he debuted Lord of the Dance, Flatley’s UK tour will star his protégés James Keegan, Morgan Comer and Mathew Smith in the role of the Lord of the Dance. 

This show possesses all of the precision and thrills of the original, but also features fantastic new staging, costumes and absolutely mesmerising choreography.

With new music by composer Gerard Fahy, this latest iteration combines the best of tradition with all the excitement of new music and dance.

The uber talented Flatley who not only is the creator but is the producer, director and choreographer!  He brings forty of the world's most outstanding young dancers and musicians to the stage - all of the cast deliver phenomenal performances.

Based on Irish folklore, Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games is a classic tale of Good v Evil.  The story is of a little spirit who travels through time to help the Lord of the Dance protect his people from the evil threat of Don Dorcha, the Dark Lord.  As this dark power challenges our hero, the mystical adventure draws you into a world of danger, desire and love...will he be triumphant?

Expect brilliant staging, pyrotechnics in abundance and the thunderous sound of synchronised metal heels.

Lily B x

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

Shirley Valentine

Milton Keynes Theatre 27th March - 1st April 2017

Shirley is a Liverpool housewife.  Her kids have flown the nest and now her life consists of lugging shopping bags home in the rain, cooking dinner for her husband...and talking to the wall in her kitchen.

Where has her life gone? Where has that carefree, wild Shirley Valentine gone?  Is she just plain old Shirley Bradshaw now? What has she got left to look forward to?  These are all questions she asks the wall on a daily basis!

Then, out of the blue, her best friend offers her a trip to Greece for two weeks.  Shirley is torn...should she go? How can she? Would her husband even notice?  Secretly she packs her bags in readiness to head to the sun...

When she gets there, she discovers something very unexpected, she finds and falls in love with herself - Shirley Valentine.

Willy Russell's heart-warming comedy made famous by Pauline Collins, now enjoying its 30th anniversary, stars Jodie Prenger in the first revival of this wonderful story.

BBC TV's "I'd Do Anything" winner Jodie Prenger gives an absolutely fantastic performance as the bored housewife.  Her clever and well timed delivery was superb, you almost forget she is on the stage on her own throughout the production!

The kitchen set in the first act is the perfect setting for cooking "chips and eggs" (even though it's a Thursday and on a Thursday it just has to be steak and chips...however, this particular Thursday the steak was fed to a neighbours dog!)

The second act the stage is transformed into a Greek shore (although this was a little disappointing with what looked like huge plastic mounds for rocks and a wrinkled aqua marine backdrop for sea and sky.)

Saying that, it did not detract from the brilliance of Prenger's ability to hold the audience in the palm of her hand.

Jodie Prenger's portrayal of not only Shirley, but the other characters she 'interacts' with whilst telling her story was absolutely brilliant.  Prenger was definitely deserving of the standing ovation she received.

There are lots of laughs to be had in this delightful comedy - a great evenings entertainment.

Enjoy!

Lily B x

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