Dirty Dancing at Milton Keynes Theatre

21^st October – 8^th November 2014

I have waited for this amazing production to arrive back at Milton Keynes Theatre and…Yes, at last it’s here!!!

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 and I know I'm not the only one!

The theatre had a real buzz as I entered, with groups of ladies flicking through the hot pink programme seeing who the leading players were in this classic show on it's record breaking tour.

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 there for you to experience, the stage script is almost word for word to the film.

I watched in awe as the talented cast brought the stage to life...Baby played by Roseanna Frascona was exceptional, she was funny, believable - her performance was flawless.

Gareth Bailey as Johnny showed a glint of Patrick, especially in his swagger and stature – the ladies in the seats next to mine described Bailey as “Buff” and I must admit, I totally agreed!

The chemistry between the pair was definitely there, they danced brilliantly together and when that iconic moment with "the lift" finally arrived – it was pure theatre magic.

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 director Sarah Tipple has achieved this exceptionally well.

Dirty Dancing is a 5 star show and I would have happily sat through it all over again...I didn't want it to end.  It is amazing and a definite must see.

Get your ticket...you can’t miss this one!

Enjoy!

Lily B x

Dreamboats and Miniskirts - Milton Keynes Theatre 
6th October - 11th October 2014

This new musical, the sequel to the smash hit Dreamboats and Petticoats is set to be as equally as successful.

Dreamboats and miniskirts story moves onto the "Swinging Sixties" (1962 and 1963 to be precise) when British pop really took centre stage.

It was the dawn of the era of the miniskirt, courtesy of fashion icon Mary Quant in '64, Twiggy and of course the birth of The Beatles.

The same characters are all here, Bobby (Alex Beaumont) and Laura (Elizabeth Carter) Norman (Ross William Wild) and Sue (Louise Olley) and not forgetting Ray (David Luke) and Donna (Anna Campkin).

Bobby and Laura are in the midst of a somewhat dwindling recording career when on a live television show Bobby is made a fool of and ends with the sugary sweet couple parting as a duo...

Bobby decides to join Ray and the other members of the band The Conquests, enlisting the newly married with baby on the way, Norman.  The band are waiting for that one hit...their BIG break...but will they make it??  Laura is picked for solo stardom, will she make top of the pops??

Of course they do - this is a saccharine rich feel good musical where every boy gets their girls AND everyone gets a record deal!

As I looked around the auditorium it was easy to see that the majority of the audience didn't need to read all about the '60's quite as intently as I did - they were chatting, exchanging memories because they had lived it, loved it and it was clear they were here to have a really good time.

This musical just bursts with 60's hits (far too many to mention) they come thick and fast - all performed live throughout and brilliantly so.  The vocal talents of all the leads is undeniable, particularly the brilliant and powerful Louise Olley as Sue.

The stand out performances of the night had to be Chloe Edwards-Wood (Tenor Saxophone/Clarinet) and Charlotte Peak (Bass Saxophone/Flute).  When the girls strutted their stuff on the stage it was hard to believe just how good they were, to be able to sing, dance and act whilst playing at the same time - they made it look effortless.

The whole cast are uber talented and with each up beat number after the other, they gave it their all, injecting such energy to the story.

I particularly loved the rendition of "Twist and Shout" performed by The Liverpool Foursome with the Cavern Club as the back drop , the performance was outstanding and I wanted more!

A mention must also to the whole cast who mesmerized the audience with an a cappella version of "You Really Got a Hold On Me" - utterly brilliant.

The story is a little loose, but it holds the string of hits together nicely.  Dreamboats and Miniskirts has some very funny one liners - delivered well, music that will have your feet tapping throughout and vocal/musical talent in abundance.

The only one criticism to this production is that, I and my fellow theatre goers were itching to get up and dance. All were waiting to be invited to jump up out of their seats, I could see the expectation in all of the faces around me - "Hippy Hippy Shake" was the penultimate song, the cast took their curtain call, came back out again and the much awaited moment we had waited for had arrived...

...only for the cast to sing a slow love song "When You're Young and In Love". 

It was very beautifully sung, but I think they missed a trick with not engaging the audience for the last song, to allow the buzz of an up tempo song to still be resonating in their ears as they left the auditorium. 

Go to see this show for the live music and talent on stage, not the story and you won't be disappointed.

Enjoy!

Lily B x

What's coming up at Milton Keynes Theatre?...read the reviews here as they hit the stage over the coming months and book your tickets to a fantastic night out!

Dreamboats and Miniskirts

The sequel to Dreamboats and Petticoats. What happened to ‘Bobby & Laura’ and ‘Norman & Sue’…? Their story continues inspired by the 7 smash hit multi-million selling albums of Dreamboats and Petticoats. It’s 1963, and the world is changing. Bobby and Laura’s single Dreamboats and Petticoats has not taken off. Norman and Sue have settled down to non-marital bliss – and a baby! But Ray and Donna seem blissfully happy… The advent of the Beatles and the Merseyside sound is inspirational. But will it inspire Bobby and Laura to have one more shot at stardom – Norman to “get off the drains” and find that singing voice he has longed for, and Ray to realise his ambition and manage a really top pop act!? All will be revealed in a follow up with the same wit, charm, and great songs as Dreamboats and Petticoats. Many of the songs are from the next period in pop history…

Dirty Dancing

The Classic Story on Stage. An unprecedented live experience, exploding with heart-pounding music, passionate romance and sensationally sexy dancing. Seen by millions across the globe this worldwide smash-hit tells the classic story of Baby and Johnny, two fiercely independent young spirits from different worlds, who come together in what will be the most challenging and triumphant summer of their lives. Featuring hit songs, including Hungry Eyes, Hey Baby, Do You Love Me? and the heart stopping I've Had The Time of My Life. Don't miss your chance to see this truly spectacular musical theatre event. You'll have the time of your life.

Fastest selling West End show in history!

Recommended for ages 14+

English National Ballet - Swan Lake

The story of Prince Siegfried’s love for the Swan Queen Odette, their battle against the evil sorcerer, Rothbart, and a fateful encounter with the manipulative Odile is revealed in English National Ballet’s acclaimed production of Swan Lake. Beloved for its exquisite dancing, beautiful sets and Tchaikovsky’s glorious music, played by the Orchestra of English National Ballet, this Swan Lake is a thrill for the dedicated ballet fan or first-time ballet-goer.

Glyndebourne on Tour - La Traviata

Transferring direct from Glyndebourne’s renowned summer festival, a new production of Verdi’s masterpiece - the story of a ‘fallen woman’ who, in the shadow of death, grasps life and lives it to the full. Intensely passionate and tragic, La traviata remains one of the most popular operas of all time. Written by Verdi at the peak of his powers, it is lyrical, heartbreaking and unforgettable, appealing directly to the emotions and resulting in an opera that invents itself anew for every generation.

Sung in Italian with English supertitles

Calamity Jane

Following numerous highly acclaimed productions that include Sweeney Todd and Sunset Boulevard, The Watermill Theatre returns with a new production of the classic musical Calamity Jane. Starring Jodie Prenger (Oliver!, Spamalot and One Man Two Guvnors) alongside a cast of multi-talented actor/musicians, this brand new production gets to the heart and soul of the musical. Calamity Jane can outrun and out shoot any man in Deadwood. Hard, boastful and desperate to impress, she travels to Chicago on the Deadwood Stage to recruit a star, Adelaide Adams. But things don’t go too smoothly for Calamity, as everyone in town favours the new girl and she struggles to keep her jealousy and pride in check. It takes her long standing enemy Wild Bill Hickok to make her see sense, and realise her Secret Love…

With an Oscar nominated score that includes The Black Hills of Dakota, The Deadwood Stage (Whip-Crack-Away), Just Blew in from the Windy City and the Award winning song Secret Love, don’t miss this new production which blows into your city for one week only.

Peter Pan

Taking a break from our TV screens in hit series’ such as Law & Order UK and The Chase,  your favourite funny man Bradley Walsh is set for a spectacular return to Milton Keynes Theatre after smashing Box Office records in Cinderella (2006) and Aladdin (2007)! Leading an all-star cast as Smee, Captain Hook’s hapless first mate, in the tale of Peter Pan, this year’s pantomime will be a magical delight for families of all ages– and there will definitely be some fun to be had for those big kids who never grew up!

Joining Bradley on the decks of the Jolly Roger after soaring to fame in Britain’s Got Talent will be Street Dance sensations Flawless  as a group of pop-locking, hip-hopping  pirates as you have never seen them before. With a national tour with English National Ballet and two hit movies under their belts, expect to see some ‘moon-walking’ the plank with this motley crew!

Get ready with your loudest boo and hiss, as no panto is complete without its dastardly villain, and there is no bigger baddie in all of Neverland than this year’s Captain Hook, David Bedella (Rocky Horror Show, Jerry Springer The Opera).

To book tickets to any of the above productions go to: WWW.ATGTICKETS.COM/MILTONKEYNES
or call Milton Keynes Theatre Box Office 0844 871 7652

Happy Days - A New Musical, Milton Keynes Theatre 
16th June - 21 June 2014

As the recognisable theme booms out, this new musical adaptation of the TV series Happy Days blasts on to the stage with gusto, if noting else.

This is a trip down memory lane for us all who watched the iconic Arthur Fonzarelli "The Fonz" (Henry Winkler) every week - week in, week out for 10 years.

To choose such a beloved show viewed by millions of now, grown up teens is risky.  It has to be spot on and unfortunately this isn't. 

The level of the effort by the cast was undeniable - this musical relays too heavily on the nostalgia of the TV series and sadly this is a middle of the production at best.

The story set in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1959, the action centers around the famous Arnold's Diner, which is under threat of closure (so that a new fangled "shopping mall" can be built). This is particularly dull story line, which is hard to buy into and very predictable.  The musical seems to try too hard to cram every character into each scene, which makes it quite frantic.  Less is more...and the Malachi Brothers were just cringe worthy.

I looked forward to seeing the characters I had loved for so many years come to life on the stage, from Marion Cunningham (played by Cheryl Baker), to the young heart throb Chachi (Eddie Myles) and of course the Fonz himself, played by Ben Freeman. He just didn't recreate the character, style, charisma or swagger of The Fonz. 

I was bitterly disappointed.  The show just lacked the wow factor all round.  Even sexy Ex Sugar Babe Heidi Range (as the Foxy Pinky Tuscadero) lacked oomph.  Her voice was fantastic,as you would expect - however, her acting was very wooden and totally unbelievable in the role.

Stand out performances were from Cheryl Baker and the ensemble, giving it their all. The choreography is brilliant thanks to Andrew Wight - whilst the songs are not memorable, their delivery was faultless.

Stage set by Tom Roger's was totally fantastic (and probably the best bit) managing to seamlessly swap from the Al's Diner,the Cunningham's' kitchen, the Garage and much more - so clever! 

You cannot deny that Happy Days has charm and innocence, and to hear the sound track just brings back such happy memories...just don't set your expectations too high.

Lily B X 

West Side Story 
Milton Keynes Theatre 3rd June - 14th June 2014

Transporting the story of Romeo and Juliet from Verona, Italy to 1950's New York - West Side Story follows the doomed young love between Tony and Maria as their rival families, the Jets and the Sharks clash over territory and power.

The musical numbers in this show are as memorable as the show is itself...and they come thick and fast.  Classics such as Maria, Somewhere and the feisty America  If you like musical theatre, you will LOVE West Side Story.  It's almost impossible not to hum one of the tunes as you leave the auditorium!

The choreography is so strong and the cast of male dancers show case this, as their dancing abilities outshine their acting/singing.

However, that said, the very talented young star Louis Maskell (Tony) has a voice that puts the hairs on the back of your neck tingle when he hits the notes spot on.  His control and technique are sublime and surpass his years.

Of the girls in the cast, a special mention has to go to Katie Hall (Maria) who is as cute as a button and has such a huge voice for someone so petite - it's quite simply amazing.

The other female lead Djalenga Scott (Anita) is spell binding, she gave a faultless all  round performance and when she is on stage, it's hard to take your eyes off of her.

The lovers Tony and Maria (Maskell and Hall) are convincing young lovers and are so tender together - when they duet the sound is exquisite, beautiful and immensely emotional.

This is one show you can't miss - it's a classic for a reason.

Grab a ticket NOW!...so who will you be...a Jet or a Shark?

Enjoy!

Lily B X