Agatha Christie Theatre Company: And Then There Were None
Milton Keynes Theatre 20th July - 25th July 2015

Agatha Christie’s fabulous classic and most successful work And Then There Were None staged by Bill Kenwright, has arrived at Milton Keynes Theatre – it is masterful, slick and true to the 1939 novel.

With stage productions you obviously lose the lavish location settings, wonderful vintage cars and breath taking scenery you come to expect and love with an Agatha Christie movie, however Simon Scullion’s set looks aesthetically beautiful with marvelous Art Deco styling.

The enormous circular framed window sits centre stage showing the only view of the outside world for the ten strangers invited for a weekend away by the mysterious Mr and Mrs Owens.

The ten guests find themselves thrown together on a remote island off the southern coast of England, all brought together for the same sinister reason – finding out that they all have dark secrets.

In typical Christie style with twists and turns in the plot, the audience is left to the very end to know just who did do it!  The ten “guests” are greeted by the house keeper Ethel and butler Rogers who seemingly have only just been employed by the owner of the house, they arrive one by one until they are all together in the large drawing room.

A voice eerily speaks to them all from the shadows, introducing each and every person one by one with a chilling secret – that they have all had a hand in another’s death, murderers one and all!

There are wonderful performances from the whole cast – Paul Nicholas is simply superb as the elderly and distinguished magistrate Sir Lawrence Wargrave, Fraser Hines does well as a solemn Rogers.  Mark Curry is totally believable in his role as Doctor Armstrong while Susan Penhaligon is fantastic as Emily Brent, preaching to a glamorous young Vera Claythorne (Verity Rushworth) on the immorality of the young.

Colin Buchanan as William Blore, Eric Carte and Ben Nealon as General Mackenzie and Philip Lombard respectively give well rounded character portrayals.  Judith Rae and Paul Hassall make early exits but they too are totally convincing in their roles as the forthright housekeeper Ethel Rogers and the “wizard” Anthony Marston.

The ten gradually are whittled down one by one as each guest suffers a gruesome death.  They come to realise that a childhood rhyme that hangs over the imposing mantelpiece and the “Ten Little Soldier Boys” that stand on there has some macabre significance. 

Each death is exactly like the rhyme describes…but if they are all to die, who is the killer? Is there another person hiding somewhere on the island??

Despite my best intentions I could not spot the reduction of the soldier’s numbers diminishing during the play, with the action cleverly drawing your eyes away.  The creeping suspense throughout is brilliantly done and there is more than one genuine jump out of your skin moments!

The paranoia sets in as the last guests look at each other wondering which one will be the last survivor, the last little soldier…or not?!?

Totally brilliant and a must see production.

Enjoy!

Lily B X

Jesus Christ Superstar

Milton Keynes Theatre 13th July - 18th July 2015

Bill Kenwright presents Jesus Christ Superstar, the original rock musical by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber.

The musical wowed the crowds at Milton Keynes Theatre, as it has for decades.

Depicting the final days of Jesus, this classic may seem to a few to have dated however, this latest revival shows that it has lost none of its power and the musical numbers are as fresh as they were in the 70’s.

The amazing talented Glenn Carter plays the tortured Jesus, his performance and vocal range left the audience open mouthed – he was quite brilliant.  The emotion that Carter put into his performance was second to none.

Rachel Adedeji (of X Factor fame) played a lovely soft and adoring Mary Magdelene. Adedeji possesses a wonderful tone to her voice, you could tell that she could have belted out each note, her vocal control during “I don’t know how to love him” was packed with feeling…it was perfect. 

Fellow X Factor contestant Rydian Roberts gave a good performance as Pontius Pilate, sympathetically portraying the man who’s meeting with Jesus helped him understand the truth.

Understudy Tim Oxbrow as Judas gave a powerful performance – Oxbrow has a great rock voice and was a convincing troubled Judas.

With clever usage of a singular set throughout, with just the addition of props such as flaming bowls of fire, a white cloth upon the floor for the last supper and then a back drop of glitz for the camp palace of King Herod – it was inspired.

The utterly camp as Christmas portrayal of King Herod (Tom Gilling) was a well-received comic relief within such solemn proceedings.  Never before have I seen King Herod donning tassels attached strategically to his chest!??

An enormous wooden halo is suspended over the stage throughout the entire performance is used effectively to depict the location and the sentiment of the scenes with Jesus.

The production ends with the heart stopping crucifixion – the resonating sound of the metal against metal as Jesus is nailed to the cross coupled with the behind the scene female vocals floated out as Jesus is slowly killed on the cross.

The silence as his head fell was almost audible, with many of my fellow theatre goers wiping tears from their eyes – it was incredibly moving.

It was a realistic representation of the greatest story ever told.  Jesus Christ Superstar is a classic and still is remarkable musical theatre.

Lily B x

What's on and what's coming up at Milton Keynes Theatre

No matter what the weather is like outside, it’s going to be a sizzlingly, hot summer at Milton Keynes Theatre!

Now on...If laughter really is the best medicine (and they do say that it is) then everyone should be prescribed a hearty dose of Spamalot. The multi award-winning comedy musical gallops into Milton Keynes to the sound of a medley of coconut shells.

There’s more heavenly musical magic from another all-time family favourite this summer - Jesus Christ Superstar, the first great rock opera, has a story as compelling today as it was when the musical was first produced more than 40 years ago (let alone when the events took place more than 2000 years ago!)

The King of rock ‘n’ roll lives again through 25 of his best-loved songs in Love Me Tender, a new musical inspired by the chart-busting hits of Elvis Presley.

The big summer blockbuster, Shrek the Musical, is a must-see show for the whole family and it’s going to be taking OGRE Milton Keynes for three whole, big, bright and beautiful weeks! Don’t miss the chance to see this all-singing, all-dancing extravaganza live on stage and join the green adventure!

You can’t beat a good, old-fashioned murder mystery and there is chilling thrills with The Agatha Christie Theatre Company in And Then There Were None.

With an amazing line-up of one night shows including comedy from Milton Jones and Jimmy Carr, live music from The Proclaimers and Russell Watson, psychic entertainment from Colin Fry and the very best from tribute bands performing music by Queen, The Eagles and The Carpenters the summer season at Milton Keynes Theatre really is hot stuff!

Looking a little bit further ahead, the days may be getting shorter but the nights at Milton Keynes Theatre will be just as bright with shows such as The Glenn Miller Story, starring Tommy Steele, The National Theatre’s multi award-winning production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and three operas from the internationally acclaimed Glyndebourne Tour in the autumn programme.

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

The Sound of Music - Milton Keynes Theatre
26th May - 6th June 2015

I can't remember how many times I have sat with my family (especially at Christmas) watching this wonderful musical and loved every minute of it time and time again...

Celebrating the film's 50th anniversary this year, I couldn't wait to see The Sound of Music on stage at Milton Keynes Theatre.

Directed by Martin Connor, this is a lavish production that has had no corners cut in taking it on tour.  You get all of the splendour, staging and magic.

The Sound of Music is based on the true story of the Von Trapp Family's flight across the mountains to escape the clutches of The Third Reich.

After capturing the hearts of the country and winning the BBC's smash hit show Over The Rainbow, Danielle Hope takes the role of Maria - she brings a new lease of life to the role and gives it a vulnerable likeability which is essential to making her Maria the warm, loving and caring centre of the story.

Danielle is note perfect, her diction is incredible and her interaction with the Von Trapp children is just delightful...

Now to the children - they are totally fabulous!  You can't help fall in love with them all - their charm issues from the stage, their collective voices are incredible.  Together they carry the most iconic songs that we all know and love, Do-Re-Mi, The Lonely Goatherd and of course, So Long - Farewell.  Just brilliant!

Steven Houghton takes on the role of the stern Captain Von Trapp - the handsome, lonely disciplinarian who runs his household like a military vessel.  He has his exterior broken down by the kindness and warmth of Maria.  Houghton makes a fabulous Captain, the two leads have a real connection and helps take the love story to a more believable place.

I loved watching them meet (as did my fellow theatre goers) awkwardly dancing the traditional Lander together for the first time - it was magical.

The story captures the political issues of the era so well - depicting the struggle and the passionate love of your country in the face of the onslaught of a dictatorship...Edelweiss brings tears to my eyes. 

The roles of the Baroness Schraeder (Sarah Soetaert) and Max Detweiler (Howard Samuels) were cast superbly - the two give the roles that air of inevitability of conformism.  Their songs together that do not feature in the original film (and so are unfamiliar), still received a fabulous response from the audience.

One last mention has to go to Jan Hartley as Mother Abbess. WOW! This has to be one of the best versions of Climb Every Mountain - it is uplifting, inspirational and very touching.

The Sound of Music is a musical for all ages - it is magical and something that generation after generation will fall in love with.

This is a production is not to be missed!

To book tickets call 0844 8717652 or go on line www.atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes

Enjoy!

Lily B x

Barnum - Milton Keynes Theatre
12th - 16th May 2015
 
Barnum is the story about the life and times of America's Greatest Showman, PT Barnum - a man on a mission to add a little colour to everyone's lives.
 
"Men, women and children who cannot live on gravity alone, need something to satisfy their gayer, lighter moods and hours"
 
Brian Conley plays a magnificent Barnum - you couldn't get a greater showman to play this part!
 
Barnum is a colourful extravaganza of a musical, even before the show begins the cast bounce, juggle and fly around the theatre showcasing fantastic circus tricks in amongst the audience.
 
Conley has the audience eating out of the palm of his hand from the start, he absolutely owns the stage like no one else - his voice fits perfectly to the musical score.
 
Brian Conley posses the ability to engage you, the audience were totally transfixed.  The tension was almost audible as he attempted to walk the high wire!  It was brilliant, I can't wow about this show enough!
 
The fantastically talented Linzi Hateley played a great Chairy Barnum, the chemistry between the two leads was charming.  PT Barnum had a rollercoaster of a life and Brian Conley gives one hell of a performance -  he makes you laugh and cry within moments of eachother.
 
The uber talented cast bring each and every musical number to life.  You won't be able to stop yourself tapping your feet to the wonderful music. 
 
Hats off to choreographer Andrew Wright, the stage was filled with movement non stop - the talent is undeniable.

If you love a musical, then you will LOVE Barnum - Brian Conley is an absolute star!

Enjoy!

Lily B X
 

The King's Speech - Milton Keynes Theatre
5th May - 9th May 2015

Playwright David Seidler actually started writing The King's Speech as a movie "I got about 70 pages into it and I showed it to my wife, who said, why don't you write it as a play?"

Having a stammer from early childhood himself, Seidler had taken inspiration from George VI's battle to overcome his impediment and vowed he would someday write about it.

His script was heavily vetted by some very eminent British historians, who all confirmed that the story was wholly correct except for the fact that the relationship between the King and the speech therapist was actually over a period of about 23 years. Seidler condensed the time line so it felt like it was over a much shorter period for the play.

Famously, the Queen Mother requested that Seidler delay telling her husband's story during her lifetime, which meant that he had to wait a very long time before he could see his project finally come to fruition.

I was interested to see how a recent, well loved award winning film would transfer to the stage - I wasn't disappointed.

It has much irreverent wit and all of the historical detail, it portrays the same sense of the Royal Family's struggles and successes at a key moment in time when the Country was on the brink of war. 

The story is really about the relationship between "Bertie" and Lionel Logue - the Australian speech therapist, who was instrumental in curing the stammer of the man who became King George VI.

As the much loved Scott Robinson in Neighbours, Jason Donavan headlines this production as the unorthodox voice coach Lionel Logue.  Donavan is clearly authentic enough in being a brash Australian, however is was eerie seeing the former golden boy now as a dowdy middle-aged man.  Donavan is surprisingly a fine actor, I quickly forgot I was watching a former soap star!

Stage and screen star Raymond Coultard as the vulnerable Bertie, gives a stunning and deeply moving portrayal of the man who never wanted to be King. 

The stage set and costumes are wonderful - the set cleverly dotted with wooden doors from which the cast move on and off stage.  It is all very slick, the movement of the props by the cast swiftly on and off the stage to change the look and feel is extremely well done. 

Both leading men gave hugely compelling and powerful performances and it was no wonder the whole audience rose to their feet in appreciation at the end.

It was completely absorbing throughout and a brilliant nights entertainment.

Enjoy!

Lily B X