WHATS COMING UP?  Look below for the amazing productions about to hit the Milton Keynes Theatre!  Book your tickets now so you don't miss out...

BOOKING DETAILS
CONTACT MILTON KEYNES THEATRE BOX OFFICE 0844 871 7652 OR VISIT WWW.ATGTICKETS.COM/MILTONKEYNES

FEBRUARY
WICKED – 4 FEB – 6 MAR
Winner of 90 international awards, Wicked has been casting its magical spell over audiences across the world for a decade. In a brilliantly witty re-imagining of the stories and characters created by L, Frank Baum in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Wicked tells the untold story of an unlikely but profound friendship between two sorcery students. Their extraordinary adventures in Oz will ultimately see them fulfill their destinies as Glinda The Good and The Wicked Witch of the West.

MARCH
WELSH NATIONAL OPERA LA TRAVIATA/MANON LESCAUT/BOULEVARD SOLITUDE – (11 – 15 March)
La Traviata, Verdi’s classic opera.
Manon Lescaut, Puccini. A new production – Manon has been seduced, she wanted to taste the tempting fruit of adult life, but now realises that the fruit is rotten. Does Manon have any chance for salvation?

Boulevard Solitude, Henze. A new production – Armand and Manon are penniless but in love, but a cruel world of 20th century capitalism shatters their happiness, and leaves them stranded on a boulevard of broken dreams.

FASCINATING AIDA CHARM OFFENSIVE – 16 MAR
Dilli Keane, Adele Anderson and Liza Pulman celebrate 30 years of Fascinating Aida with a brand new show. Expect topical new songs hot off the press, plus some outrageous old favorites as Fascinating Aida continue to grow old disgracefully!

FALLEN ANGELS – 18 – 22 MAR
Jenny Seagrove and Sara Crowe star as best friends Julia and Jane in a heavenly new production of Noel Cowards divine comedy classic. With their passionless husbands away playing golf, a mutual long ago lover announces his intention to pay Julia and Jane an impromptu visit. All in a fluster, there’s clearly only one thing to do, pop open the Champagne!

COMPAGNIE KÄFIG’S BOXE BOXE – 25 - 26 MAR
Dance from France that packs a punch! Eight exceptional dancers blend martial arts, street and contemporary dance to create a spirited and stunning fusion of hip hop and fisticuffs, which has dazzled audiences, the world over. The dancers move in unison to live music from an on stage string quartet, with beautifully rendered classical music including Schubert, Ravel, Philip Glass and Glenn Miller.

BOOTLEG BEATLES – 23 MAR
For over thirty years The Bootleg Beatles have been performing to audiences across the globe, winning over even the most hardened sceptics with their stunning recreation of The Beatles’ sound and look.

SUSAN BOYLE IN CONCERT – 27 MAR
Performing a sensational and contemporary repertoire of iconic album tracks including I Dreamed A Dream and Wild Horses as well as classics never performed live by Susan before, this will be a show that captures and enthrals the audience.

PSYCHIC SALLY ON THE ROAD – 28 MAR
Sally has dedicated her life to exploring the work of spirit and her live shows aim to give validation that our loved ones still exist.

ANTON DU BEKE BALLROOM TO BROADWAY – 30 MAR
With special guest Summer Strallen, the nation’s favourite ballroom dancer Anton Du Beke is back with a thrilling new show conjuring up the elegance of ballroom at its best and the unmissable razzle dazzle of Broadway.

THE PERFECT MURDER – 31 MAR – 5 APR
The world stage premiere for the no.1 best selling author Peter James’. Victor Smiley and his wife Joan have been married for a long time. But their marriage has reached crisis point and Victor has decided there is only one way to get Joan out of his life forever. Starring Les Dennis (Chicago, Hairspray, Art) and Claire Goose (Waking The Dead, Casualty)

APRIL
KATE RUSBY – 6 APR
Of all the stars in Folk Music’s wondrous firmament, few shine as brightly. Rusby’s singing and hugely engaging Yorkshire wit will ensure that you will be treated to a truly remarkable and unforgettable concert experience.

ROBIN COUSINS’ ICE – 8 – 12 APR
Directed and choreographed by Robin Cousins, the dynamic and atmospheric ICE will draw you into its unique world where world class skaters hand picked by Robin, glide, soar flip and fly in a truly theatrical setting.

DERREN BROWN’S INFAMOUS – 14 – 19 APR
Direct from the West End, the acknowledged master of psychological illusion returns to the stage with his latest show, INFAMOUS, demonstrating once again why Derren is one of the world’s most renowned live performers; a dark manipulator of magic and mind control.

PAUL CARRACK – 20 APR
Christened ‘The Man with the Golden Voice’ in a recent BBC 4 documentary, internationally respected British singer/songwriter Paul Carrack the voice of pop classics such as How Long, Over My Shoulder and many more returns to familiar ground.

TONIGHT’S THE NIGHT – THE ROD STEWART MUSICAL - 21 – 26 APR
The smash hit West End musical comedy inspired by the songs of Rod Stewart, is the all singing all dancing feel good show which went on to play sold out theaters across the UK. Rediscover the magic of these timeless songs from Maggie May, Baby Jane and Hot Legs to Sailing and many more!

THE SOLD SILVER 60’S SHOW – 27 APR
They say that if you remember the 60's you weren't there! Relive the 60's with the original artists singing their greatest hits – Brian Poole and The Tremeloes, Chris Farlowe, Chris Montez and Wayne Fontana all backed by Vanity Fare.

BLACK COFFEE – 28 APR – 3 MAY
In the first play ever written by Agatha Christie, we are introduced to Hercule Poirot who went on to become the most famous detective of all time and the only fictional character to receive a full – page obituary in the New York Times. Robert Powell is the new Poirot.

MAY
DANCE ‘TIL DAWN – 5 – 10 MAY
In 1940s LA, a romance unfolds between a beautiful starlet and her handsome lover. Starring Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace, Dance ‘Til Dawn will transport you to a time of elegance with stunning sets, a live band and world-class dancers.

FAME THE MUSICAL – 12 – 17 MAY
This brand new production will take you on a high octane roller coaster ride through dizzy heights and crashing lows as a group of star struck wannabes embark on their quest for the
ultimate accolade – fame. Breathtaking dance routines, show stopping tunes Fame is the feel good sensation that you will never forget!

ELVIS PRESLEY ON STAGE - 18 MAY
Using the latest technology, Elvis performs via state of the art video screens singing lead vocals backed by a live band, singers and an orchestra.

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM – 20 -24 MAY
Northern Ballet’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream sees the romantic antics of a touring dance company played out on one magical night as the company travels by sleeper train from London to Edinburgh.

THREE LITTLE PIGS – 23 MAY
Northern Ballet’s latest production especially for children.

PYGMALION – 27 – 31 MAY
BAFTA award winning Alistair McGowan leads Rula Lenska (Calendar Girls, Coronation Street), Jamie Foreman (Oliver Twist, EastEnders) in the centenary production of Shaw’s enduring masterpiece.

JUNE
WEST SIDE STORY – 03 – 14 JUN
The show that changed the face of musical theatre forever. Based on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and packed with unforgettable songs including Maria, Tonight, Somewhere America and I Feel Pretty, this production comes direct to MKT from a sell out season at London’s Sadler’s Wells.

HAPPY DAYS – 16 – 21 JUN
Happy Days are here again with the premiere of a brand new musical based on the hit TV series featuring the unforgettable ‘King of Cool’ Arthur The Fonz Fonzarelli. Happy Days is guaranteed to have you rockin’ and rollin’ all week long!

JULY
SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN – 1 – 12 JUL
This spectacular show is packed full of the charm, romance and tinsel town glamour of one of the world’s best loved movies and features all the songs from the glorious MGM score. Featuring screen star Maxwell Caulfield and Coronation Street favourite Vicky Binns, Singin In The Rain showers you with everything you could wish for in a hit musical with its sumptuous set design (including 12,000 litres of water!) and high energy choreography.

PEPPA PIG’S BIG SPLASH – 23 – 24 JUL
Join Peppa and her friends for another all singing, all dancing adventure full of songs and muddy puddles!

AUGUST
ROCK OF AGES – 18 – 23 AUG
Direct from the West End, this 80’s themed musical features over 30 eyebrow scorching tunes including: Don’t Stop Believin’, We Built This City, The Final Countdown and many more!

TOP HAT – 26 AUG – 6 SEP
Direct from its tremendous success in London, Top Hat brings the glamour of Hollywood’s golden age and the glorious tap dancing magic of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers to the stage in one of the greatest dance musicals of all time.

OCTOBER
DIRTY DANCING – 21 OCT – 8 NOV
Dirty Dancing is an unprecedented live experience, exploding with heart – pounding music, passionate romance and sensationally sexy dancing. Seen by millions across the globe, this world wide smash hit tells the classic story of Baby and Johnny, featuring 35 hit songs including the heart stopping I've Had The Time of My Life.

Matthew Bourne - Swan Lake 28th January -1st February 2014

Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake has lost none of its glamour but grows and changes with each fresh cast.

Bourne’s breathtaking and sexy version of Swan Lake is definitely a glamorous piece of dance theatre.  If you are expected copious amount of tulle, ballet shoes and tutus, you will be surprised that this version contains none of those.  What it has is dynamic stage sets, the most amazing costumes (both designed by Les Brotherston), wit, passion and sensitivity - all performed by fabulously talented dancers.
  

Originally written by Tchaikovsky in the late 19th century, Swan Lake was staged at Moscow’s Bolshoi Theatre in 1877.  This surprisingly witty production has been designed to reach out to a modern audience, to excite them, to move them. This production is very powerful, immensely intense and extremely passionate.

The curtain rises on a prince, (the amazing Sam Archer) who is lost and lonely in a world he feels he doesn't belong.  The brilliant, over-sized settings portrays the stuffy life of the court, where the bored Prince is dwarfed by the weight of the protocol thrust upon him, forced to repeat the same meaningless tasks and insulated from any real communication with the world around him.  

He is an anguished soul, trapped and unsuited to life in the public eye, craving love and attention from the brilliant Madelaine Brennan, who plays his icy mother, the Queen. Brennan portrayed a real magisterial quality in the character.  Sadly, the Queen is incapable of expressing emotion - which ultimately undoes her son’s sanity.

The Prince does have some altercations with a commoner - “a girlfriend” played by the vivacious, funny and talented Kerry Biggin.  Bourne has managed to bring so much wit and fun to this production, and the girlfriend character was instrumental in this.  There are little touches of comedy genius with subtle glances and even an addition of a stuffed corgi on stage!

The iconic swans burst into the Princes world just as he is on the verge of despairing suicide.   The swans allow him freedom, however it is the lead swan, which is the symbol of the love and passion, he is starved of.  Jonathan Olivier (lead swan/stranger) puts his heart and soul into his performance, the intensity shows in every inch of his body.  His movement is immensely powerful; his grace and body form was sublime. To watch both Olivier and Archer dance together in total synergy was timeless.

The Milton Keynes Theatre audience rose to their feet as the final curtain fell to applaud this totally breathtaking and irresistible production that premiered in Saddlers Wells in 1995….every time I see this it just gets stronger and stronger.  Long may it continue. 

Lily B xx

Imperial Ice Stars - Sleeping Beauty on Ice at Milton Keynes Theatre

The world famous Imperial Ice Stars, who have won international acclaim and five-star reviews with their stunning productions, bring Sleeping Beauty to MK Theatre as part of their national tour.

The Imperial Ice Stars specialise in performing theatrical ice skating in the intimacy of the theatre and are renowned for their daring and amazing ice feats, some only seen in the Olympic area - all performed within the confines of a frozen theatre stage! Using 14 tonnes of ice and taking over 140 man hours to build, this production needs to be seen to be believed.

The twenty-five strong cast of Olympic, World, European and National Championship skaters comprise the cream of Russian skating talent, and between them have won over 200 competition medals.

The production boasts one of the most expensive sets ever created for a theatrical ice show by Australia's top scenic designers - Eamon D'Arcy.  It incorporates stunning three dimensional scenery, magical special effects, high wire flying and wonderfully opulent costumes by Natella Abdulaeva and Svetlana Murzak.

This interpretation of the classic tale set to the music of Tchaikovsky, The Imperial Ice Stars tell the story of Sleeping Beauty.  The superb choreography by the truly talented Tony Mercer, who is widely regarded as the world's leading creator of theatre on ice.

Putting the story aside, you will be able to sit back and enjoy some of the finest ice skaters strut their stuff on stage - this show will appeal to every age group.  You will be treated to amazing feats of bravery and strength by the cast, the ice dance is super slick and silky smooth.  One thing, don't leave before the encore or you will miss out on being dazzled by the brilliance of the whole cast who literally go mad by performing some of the most daring skating you will see.  I guarantee it will make you sit up and gasp in total amazement!

The Imperial Ice Stars - Sleeping Beauty, is an unforgettable experience and will take your breath away!

Lily B xx

Visit  www.imperialicestars.com/tour-info for future dates

Abigail's Party by Mike Leigh on tour

MK Theatre 

Take a step back in time to the 70's in Mike Leigh's classic play - Abigail's Party now on tour.

This quick, witty and brilliantly written, Abigail's Party is a story of bored house wife Beverly, played by the totally fantastic Hannah Waterman - who throws a party for her newly moved in neighbours Angela (Katie Lightfoot) and her husband Tony (Samuel James).

Add a newly divorced Sue (Emily Raymond) from across the road who's escaping her house which has been taken over by her teenage daughter, Abigail.  Sue sits uncomfortably while Beverly plays the "hostess with the mostess", plying Sue with copious amounts of gin and tonic and the 70's favorite cheese and pineapple chunks on little sticks stuck in a tin foil covered melon!

Waterman is amazing on stage, she plays the part to a T! Busty, bubbly and feisty - the party really gets going when her totally stressed husband Laurence (Martin Marquez) returns from work, Beverly puts on a Demis Roussos record and gets everyone to dance..."you can't beat a bit of Demis, you know what I mean?" - what unfolds is so funny, it will make you cry with laughter and then stops you dead in your tracks...this comedy has some really intense moments.

Abigail's Party portrays that not all that glitters is gold - and you can't judge a book by its pristine cover.  It reveals bored marriages, sexually frustrated wives and over stretched relationships.  Leigh shows that no relationship is perfect but that when push comes to shove and something drastic happens, you realise just what your partner means to you.

The set is authentic, the cast is brilliant and the story very strong - Abigail's Party is a great night's entertainment!

Enjoy...

Lily B x

Starlight Express - Milton Keynes Theatre

Review date 25th April 2013

Starlight Express started life in 1975 as a story that Andrew Lloyd Webber had high hopes of being a animated movie.  It never got off the ground in that format so he re-wrote it for his children Imogen and Nicholas.  It was that very version that opened in March 1984 at the Apollo Victoria Theatre in London.

Nine years later the show was revised an re-vamped with new music, which was dedicated to Lloyd Webber's son Alistair.  Starlight has run for over eighteen years and transfixed audiences with such punch and precision, I couldn't wait to see it at MK Theatre.

The story is Cinderella-esque - but with trains.  It is so different, and so clever - the whole show is a wow!  A race is on to find the best between the long running champ diesel train "Greaseball "(Jamie Capewell) and the new comer with his electrifying speed "Electra" (Mykal Rand)...but have they forgotten about the good old steam trains? In steps "Rusty" (Kristopher Harding) to do his best to beat the rest!

The dancers are uber talented, they sing and dance with such flair and fluidity, it's amazing how they do it so well...AND on skates!?

The choreography is super slick and seriously intricate, and why wouldn't it be with Arlene Phillips directing and providing the fantastic choreography- it's roller skate dancing at its very best! Add to that music by Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Richard Stilgoe, it's a recipe for a fantastic show.

The staging of this show is quite spectacular, the costumes are amazing - but the addition of  the 3D sections takes it to another level.  You have to experience it to fully appreciate it. 

"Starlight Express is a complete theatrical experience.  It is a love story and a story of triumph, involving sportsmanship, rivalry, dander and thrills.  It is a show that truly has something for everyone..."

Catch the Starlight Express if you can!

Lily B xx

Milton Keynes Theatre
The Woman in Black Monday 8th April - Saturday 13th April 2013

Review 8th April 2013

To appreciate this gripping piece of theatre, you must know the background to the story...

Director Robin Herford was the artistic director of The Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough in the late 80's.  He needed a play to run over Christmas with only a small budget to use, so he approached his good friend and playwright Stephen Mallatratt to write a play.  Herford wanted a ghost story and Mallatratt suggested adapting Susan Hill's novel "The Women in Black".

Herford was drawn immediately to the "evocative power" of the book but it had one draw back.. the cast needed was immense and couldn't be afforded on such a low budget.  Mallatratt proceeded to write the Woman in Black in the style of the Shakespearean "play within  a play" - which made it a two man production....plus The Lady in Black...

This cut price production has run for 25 years and still going strong!

"The magic of the theatre, made possible only by the most precious and under used of  them commodities, the audiences imagination.  This piece relies extremely heavily on it, as all good theatre should.  Add to it the skill and proficiency of talented performers and technicians, along with a wonderfully gripping story" 

Gripping story...I would say amazingly gripping!! From the moment you walk into the slightly colder than usual auditorium, there is an air of chilling expectation.

The bare stage (bar a shabby costume basket, clothes rail and drapes...   Just watch what is behind the drapes...)  It's the actors that draw you in to the story...and keep you there on the edge of your seat.  If like me, you are slightly scared of anything ghostly, you will have your coat tucked up around your eyes and ears to shield from from the scary bits!! 

The story centers on a young solicitor, Arthur Kipps, who is summonsed to a small market town on the East Coast of England to attend the funeral of Mrs Alice Drablow, an elderly recluse who lived alone in the desolate Eel Marsh House.  The eerie house is situated on a causeway and at high tide is completely cut off from the mainland, with only the boggy marshland around.

At the funeral, Kipps sees a woman swathed in black from head to toe, with a pale drawn face.  Kipps sets about putting Mrs Drablow's affairs in order at Eel Marsh House, having to stay in the house on his own (as no one else will set foot inside). He endures an increasingly terrifying sequence of unexplained noises, events and  screams in the night....

Julian Forsyth (Arthur Kipps) and Anthony Eden (The Actor) both give an outstanding performance.

The "play" is so that Kipps can have his story told and he can at last rest in peace - and the actor who played his part has a better understanding of his suffering.  What becomes of the man portraying the part of Kipps...What happens to those that see "The Women in Black"??

This is a spine chilling tale and a brilliant piece of theatre.  Book your tickets now...

Lily B x  

MK Theatre - Madam Butterfly 

Review date 28th March 2013

The Welsh National Opera are touring with a trio of operas, one of which is the heart breaking story of Puccini's Madam Butterfly, sung in Italian with English surtitles.

I have been lucky enough to review many operas performed by the WNO, you can feel the passion issuing from the stage with every performance.  The WNO profess this passion and their want to share this by way of accessible fully staged award winning productions - and they deliver time and time again.

Set in Nagasaki, Japan - the story is about Cio-Cio-San (better known as Madam Butterfly) - a marriage broker introduces the burly Lieutenant Pinkerton of the United States Navy to the beautiful young geisha, Madam Butterfly.  He marries her but promptly leaves to return to America after spending a passionate night with Butterfly.

Cio-Cio-San is left to longingly look out to sea day after day and sings for her American Lieutenant to return to her arms. Three years after he left, she still desperately clings on to the hope that she will be with him again and that he will share in the life of their beautiful son. Pinkerton is made aware of his son's existence. Finally, he returns, but with his new American wife Kate, but they have returned for Cio-Cio-San's son to take him back to America.
 

The tragedy that follows is what makes Madam Butterfly's tale the most heart-wrenching in Italian opera. Her aria 'One fine day' shows how Puccini masterfully uses every note to wrap his audience in her tragic story.

Lt.Pinkerton (Gwyn Hughes Jones) is commanding in his role, his depth of vocal and stage presence was very strong.  Cheryl Barker (Madam Butterfly) was sublime in her role, she had passion and intensity in her vocals and really brought a tear to my eye during her aria.

Director Joachim Herz cleverly brings a sepia tinged production to the stage - it can only be described as looking at a beautiful old photograph, which is brought to life.  Madam Butterfly is an extremely moving, stunning production and is a wonderful way to spend an evening at the theatre. 

Look at www.wno.org.uk to follow the WNO Spring 2013 Season tour.

Lily B x