Theatre

Dino’s and spooky shows, and a magic lamp and the Godfather of Punk Poetry. You want variety? Sammy Jones talks you through lots of it with a peek behind the curtain at April’s theatre opportunities... You’ll get chills, and they’ll probably start multiplying at Milton Keynes Theatre this month, but it won’t have anything to do with the students of Rydell High. In fact, April’s first play to devour is thrilling, exciting and fear inducing all rolled into a package known as The Woman in Black (April 2-6). Susan Hill’s chilling ghost story is horrifyingly good – and more than seven million ticket sales prove the point. Arthur Kipps is obsessed with a curse he believes has been cast over him and his family by the spectre of a Woman in Black, so he engages a sceptical young actor to help him tell his terrifying story and exorcise the fear..

It promises one lamp, three wishes and infinite possibilities, and this April, Milton Keynes Theatre invites everyone to revel in the wonder of Disney’s breathtaking spectacle, Aladdin. The magic carpet will touch down for a month-long stay in the new city from April 24. The exuberant production features iconic music by Alan Menken, Howard Ashman, and Tim Rice, truly making it a ‘sound’ proposition as much as a visual spectacular! Superstar composer Alan has accrued a terrific number of accolades for his work on Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid and the film version of Aladdin. “It’s always been a dream of mine to somehow restore the telling of Aladdin the way Howard Ashman and I first envisioned it, and how we wrote it,” Alan said, “The Disney film version is a dazzling action-adventure tale with great animation effects and a handful of songs, some with lyrics by Howard..

Following record-breaking runs on Broadway and in the West End, as well as on a US tour and in cities around the world, Pretty Woman is now on the road in the UK – and will be at Milton Keynes Theatre this March. According to his wife Barbara and daughter Kathleen, director of the film and co-writer of the musical Garry Marshall would have been thrilled to learn of its ongoing success. He passed away in 2016 after working on the production with the movie’s writer J. F. Lawton for many years and dreaming that it might open in New York some day. “Had someone told him it would be such a hit around the world he wouldn’t have believed it,” Barbara said, “Not only did it make it to Broadway, it’s bringing joy to so many people in so many other places.” Kathleen agreed: “As well as being a..

A feel-good month of upbeat musicals and comedy awaits on our local stages – just what the doctor ordered to banish any dull moods. Pulse’s Sammy Jones talks you through what’s on, where... Shrek the Musical is the perfect pick-me-up for this dreary time of year, and it’s a show the whole family will be wowed by. Join Shrek – the most famous green star of stage and screen since Kermit – and his trusty sidekick Donkey as they set out on a quest to defeat the fearsome dragon and rescue Princess Fiona, in the hugely popular tale. Antony Lawrence has previously brought the goods to leading roles in The Lion King, We Will Rock You and Matilda the Musical, and now he’s Shrek, while Strictly star Joanne Clifton (now a seasoned stage star herself) is Princess Fiona. We asked Donkey why people should take in a performance and he..

Stock Aitken Waterman (SAW) filled the pop charts with gargantuan tunes and soundtracked a generation with era-defining songs from Kylie, Rick Astley, Jason Donovan and a whole heap of others. Now that music is making its way to theatre stages with the world premiere of the SAW musical, I Should Be So Lucky. The upbeat delivery will bring some colourful cheer to the stage in Milton Keynes in early March. The worlds of theatre and music share many of the same disciplines, but it’s not necessarily an easy transition, as Pete Waterman found out. “This is a very different genre for us – musical theatre – it’s hard work, it’s one of the hardest things I’ve done in my life,” Pete told us, “My admiration for the cast is unbelievable. The hours they work and the detail they put in. “The last thing you want is the writers of the..

Paulerspury Players have kicked off their 34th annual Pantomime “Robin Hood” in Paulerspury Village Hall, Towcester, NN12 7NA from Wednesday 21st February 2024 to Saturday 24th February 2024. Robin Hood is a traditional pantomime full of songs, jokes, slapstick and the odd inflatable palm tree. Robin, our hero and his friends Lady Marian, Dame Freya Tuck and Will and Scarlett are just some of the characters you will meet in this comic adventure. The story is one that everyone knows but with a some twists and turns along the way.  You can join in the fun and boo the Sheriff, King John and Hilda, and our baddie trio. But is panto just for kids… oh no it isn’t, panto is for everyone! There is something for all ages, an enjoyable evening of fun is guaranteed and not to be missed. Tickets are available by visiting paulerspuryplayers.com or by calling the..

Rock. Paper. Scissorhands Looking for a little post-Crimbo lift? How about some inspired asian culture, a ‘cutting-edge’ dance delivery, a new production that is simply kick ass-pirational and the multi-talented Miles Jupp. Sammy Jones has the lowdown of what's on at the theatre this month... Let’s be honest, January is the most miserable time of the year; you go from tinsel and cheer to month long drear. The weather is woeful, payday takes forever to arrive, and taking down the decorations just makes everything seem even more gloomy. If only there was a way to hang on to a little of the festive fun. But wait, there is; go see Cinderella at MK Theatre. Nothing, and we mean nothing, will stop Brian Conley and the panto clan from lifting your spirits. The Fairy Godmother of all Pantos also has the best Ugly Sisters around; Claudia and Tess bagged a prestigious..

After an extra special, unique event to impress your loved ones? Candlelight Concerts make for an evening to remember, as Pulse writer Emma-Rose Norris found out last month when visiting Northampton’s historic Delapré Abbey. If you’re not sure what a concert by candlelight entails, think serene surroundings bathed in the warm glow of flickering candlelight - Fever’s Candlelight Concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations around the globe. Candlelight began by making the finest works of classical music accessible to all, and today this remains their mission. Thus, you’ll always find tributes to renowned classical composers, as well as film composers like Hans Zimmer and Joe Hisaishi, on rotation. However, these Candlelight evenings have now expanded, and you can experience programmes dedicated to the likes of Rihanna, Oasis, the Jackson 5, Taylor Swift as well as other unforgettable tributes that are being continually added to its..

Brian Conley will be donning his familiar Buttons costume and spending Christmas at Milton Keynes Theatre in this year’s pantomime, Cinderella, and he’ll be joined by a very familiar face this time - his daughter Lucy will be making wishes come true in the production. They both sat down with Pulse’s Sammy Jones for a chat at Chicheley Hall... Brian is the king of British Pantomime in our opinion, and we’ve seen enough of them to know. Mind you, he’s had plenty of practice when it comes to honing his craft in the seasonal spectaculars – he’s added the giggles and sparkle to more than 35 of them. Nothing gets in the way of Brian and panto. Not even the birth of his daughter. “I was induced two days early so he didn’t miss a performance, which my mum agreed to,” giggles Lucy, “I am fully a panto baby!” The..

Morbid history, marvellous music and giggles galore. Pulse’s Sammy Jones takes a stroll through November’s on stage attractions... We’ll start with a little reminder that Carabosse Theatre has continuing performances of Bram Stoker’s Dracula at Stantonbury Theatre until November 4. It is being described as a ‘sensory feast’ and it’s one that has a cast of class, and a whole host of clever people adding further value – ‘Count’ them: MK Women’s Choir, Act Out/Act Up Drama Group, illusionist David Penn and MK College Art Students taking care of a ‘pop up’ Gallery Exhibition. Later in the month, Stantonbury has a gruesome sing-song with Wolverton Gilbert & Sullivan Society taking you back to the dark alleyways of Victorian London, and the Old Time Music Hall of the East End, with all eyes on the working girls and fellas who lived there. ‘With a mix of rousing songs, comedy and pathos,..

Babies, Batman, Bourne and Breeeep! September is going to ‘b’ great in theatre-land. Pulse’s Sammy Jones explains more... Puppet pal Paul Zerdin will be back on The Stables stage (Sep 3) in the opening week of an extensive new UK tour, when he will be joined by little folks Sam, Albert, Baby, Roger the bodyguard and an urban fox. But that’s not all - the America’s Got Talent winner, and arguably the UK’s No.1 ventriloquist, also has some new surprises for fans. “I can’t wait to introduce you to my new characters which have really unsettled my existing dysfunctional sponge family,” he said, calling this Puppetman road trip his ‘most personal show yet.’ Over at MK Theatre, the delightful New Adventures bring Matthew Bourne’s brilliance to life with a classic among classics, Romeo and Juliet (Sep 5-9) . This is the first co-production between New Adventures and Sadlers Wells, two..