Theatre

23rd Jan 2025

History with the nasty bits left in…...

Murderous royals, deadly train rides and things that go bump in the night. Dark, but delicious, days are ahead in theatre-land this month. Sammy Jones has the details... We start with a little reminder that amateur theatre group Drama Llamas continue with performances of Splendour (Jan 31-Feb 2) at Stony Stratford’s York House – pick up last month’s edition for more details on the work by Abi Morgan. Now, if you want to get kids into history, you need to make it engaging and bring it alive – warts and all. Horrible Histories is the show that delivers all the guts and grit about our famous ancestors, and the team is back in play at MK Theatre (Feb 6-9), digging into the Terrible Tudors. You’ll learn about the horrible Henries and the end of evil Elizabeth, and hear the legends (and the lies) about the torturing Tudors. What about Henry’s..

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23rd Jan 2025

Scream-a-long a theatre with Ghost Stories

There will be a chill in the air this month that, for a change, won’t have anything to do with the temperatures outside! Ghost Stories, the supernatural stage scarefest co-creation of Andy Nyman and Jeremy Dyson arrives at Milton Keynes Theatre on Tuesday, February 18 for a five-day stay. It’s not completely new – having premiered 14 years ago, before making it onto the screen in the film version starring Martin Freeman and Paul Whitehouse. And yet the secrets that have led to its success remain closely guarded, by creators and audiences alike. “Secrets are precious,” Andy explained, “If you give people a secret that they really enjoy and you ask them nicely to keep it, they do.” Andy is a chap who knows only too well the power of keeping lips buttoned – before Ghost Stories, he was the man behind many of Derren Brown’s mystery-filled stage shows and..

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15th Jan 2025

Revealing MKs incredible history like never before

Milton Keynes Museum is known for preserving local history, but with the launch of its Ancient Gallery this month, the Museum is realising the next milestone in its own history. The hub has grown in line with the new city, and in 2015, in partnership with MK Council, it announced plans for an ambitious multi-million pound expansion, with the aim of telling the whole story of our local heritage, from prehistory right up to the present, writes Sammy Jones. Milton Keynes is a city where dreams are realised - but it is also a place with a rich, significant historical tapestry. In 2017, as part of the City’s 50th Anniversary celebrations, the Museum began working hard towards realising one of the visions in the city's original masterplan - to have a Museum to collect, maintain and share the area's internationally significant heritage. Later, this month the ancient gallery will open..

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15th Jan 2025

What’s on at the theatre this January

See in the new year with Cuba, crooners and comedy Forget the post-Crimbo lull, January in theatre-land is poised to deliver plenty, as Sammy Jones discovered... If you are keen to hold on to the festive feels that little bit longer, a reminder that Peter Pan continues at Milton Keynes Theatre (until Jan 5) with Craig Revel Horwood leading the cast of class. When the curtain falls on the seasonal show, there are still reasons to be cheerful, starting with the return of Milton Jones, bringing his new show Ha! Milton to town. The king of the one-liner and recipient of not one, but two Sony Awards comes to the new city with his trademark quirky style and lightning-fast wit, on January 10. We have it on good authority that topics will include giraffes, and tomatoes. Miss out this time, and you’ll have to erm, ketchup later. Jimmy Carr and..

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15th Jan 2025

Dear Evan Hansen makes its Milton Keynes debut this January

‘The idea of hope is so important’ Dear Evan Hansen makes its Milton Keynes debut later this month, as part of its much anticipated UK tour. As mentioned across the page, the story centres around high school kid Evan who desperately wants to fit in. When a classmate, Connor Murphy, himself struggling with drug abuse and depression, scrawls his name across the cast on Evan’s broken arm, it is assumed that Connor and Evan must have been close friends when, a short time later Connor takes his own life. It’s a deceit Evan initially goes along with, and as events spiral and the truth comes out, Evan faces a reckoning with himself and everyone around him. West End star Alice Fearn was hooked just as soon as she heard the musical score: “When Dear Evan Hansen started in America, it was one of those productions that released the album before..

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12th Dec 2024

50 years in the spotlight, and counting

During its half century of entertaining locals, Stantonbury Theatre has welcomed a diverse array of leading names to its stage. Sammy Jones looks back at its colourful history with those who have steered the creative ship... Jazz stars George Melly and Stephane Grappelli, stage and screen comedian Tommy Trinder, singer Helen Shapiro and astronomer Sir Patrick Moore have all taken the stage in times past. But when the doors opened for the very first time in 1974, Dame Cleo Laine and Sir John Dankworth played the first concert. A note from the event programme, written by Mr Ireland, the Chair of Bucks County Council, read: ‘The County Council is proud to associate with the Borough Council and the Development Corporation to provide facilities which will meet some of the leisure and cultural demands of the community as a whole as well as serving the educational needs of the next generation.”..

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30th Oct 2024

MK Theatre to announce temporary Elf and Safety measures

Looking for something to take you away from the humdrum and into theatre heaven? Pulse’s Sammy Jones takes a whistle-stop tour through November’s shows heading your way. Christmas is edging closer (sorry, but it is), and MK Theatre has a pre-Crimbo festive show in town which is a real cracker! Elf The Musical (Nov 6-10) is based on the cinematic hit from the early noughties, and it will charm the whole family. When orphan Buddy crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts, he ends up in the North Pole, and the would-be elf is raised unaware that he is actually a human – until his size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth! Santa allows him to visit NYC to find his father and learn his true identity. But then he discovers that his dad is on the naughty list... The World’s Biggest Productions company – run by..

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09th Oct 2024

What’s on at the theatre in Milton Keynes this October

Enjoy a foxy night out with The Vixen Dozens of dogs, a vixen, funny folks and an Awful Auntie – just some of this month’s highlights in theatre-land. Pulse’s Sammy Jones has more... It’s something of a nightmare for pooches; Cruella de Vil has a plan to swipe all the Dalmatian puppies in town because she desires a new fur coat...which means there is trouble ahead for Pongo and Perdi and their litter of tail-wagging young pups. But if Cruella thinks this will be an easy task, she is barking mad! Pop star turned TV star Kym Marsh is in the role as the evil fashionista when 101 Dalmatians The Musical airs at MK Theatre (Oct 1-5). The sexy, sassy stage hit Chicago returns (Oct 12-19) with murder, greed, corruption, exploitation, adultery and treachery all playing their part in this legendary show. Set amidst the razzle-dazzle decadence of the 1920s,..

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09th Oct 2024

Now That’s What I Call A Fab New Show

‘Dust off your spandex, crimp your hair and get ready to press play on the rest of your life,’ by taking a ticket for Now That’s What I Call A Musical, which will be raising the volume at MK Theatre this November. This new to the stage delivery celebrates 40 years of the iconic, chart-topping compilation Now albums, with a soundtrack including goodies like Gold, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun and Tainted Love. ‘It’s Birmingham, 1989. Gemma and April, two school friends, are busy with very important business - planning their lives based on Number One Magazine quizzes and dreaming of snogging Rick Astley! Fast forward to Birmingham 2009, and they’re confronted with their worst nightmare: the school reunion...! ‘As friends reunite, drama unfolds, and old flames reappear...’ This show is actress Nina Wadia’s debut in musical theatre: “And I’m genuinely terrified,” she admitted, “But I love challenges in my..

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09th Oct 2024

MK Theatre celebrates its 25th anniversary

‘Please take your seats, this evening’s performance will begin in two minutes...’ It is such a big part of the cultural offering in Milton Keynes that it is difficult to imagine a time when it wasn’t here, and yet MK Theatre is only just celebrating its 25th anniversary this month. And what a quarter century it has been, writes Sammy Jones... Campaigners in the new town had been calling for a new arts space for the growing community as far back as the early 1970s, but though there was mention made for a large-scale theatre in the development blueprint, there would be no movement for decades. But when it – eventually – came, it was stunning. It was designed by Blonski Heard architects who were appointed in 1993, and actor and local resident Kevin Whately launched the construction in 1997. The considerable sized building took 500,000 man hours to complete,..

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24th Sep 2024

The Stables’ Christmas Show Is Now On Sale

Tickets for The Stables’ Christmas show are now on sale. Touching, funny and utterly original, A Christmas Tail, created and performed by leading theatre company Dizzy O’Dare, promises to be the perfect festive treat for the whole family to enjoy. Having got lost in a snow-storm, a mischievous but lovable puppy faces an epic journey to get home in time for Christmas. Featuring a series of hair-raising escapades along the way, including chaotic snowball fights and side-splitting sledging antics, the show offers a whirlwind of laughter, surprises and heartwarming moments. Can our young but brave puppy make it back home safely in time? All will be revealed in this pawsome adventure for everyone over 4 years old. Fusing comedy, circus and puppetry, and interwoven with music and songs, the action will be fast-paced, with lots of visual humour, music and song – and plenty of opportunities for audience participation. Dizzy..

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16th Sep 2024

50th anniversary of Stantonbury Theatre

This December will be the 50th Anniversary of the opening of Stantonbury Theatre, MK’s first purpose-built theatre. Since its inception, Stantonbury Theatre has endeavored to champion locally produced theatre and support local dance schools and youth theatres in producing the next generation of performers. Announcements will be made soon with our own celebratory events, but in the meantime, there will be plenty more to commemorate as we are hosting a great selection of comedy, children’s theatre and music along with the local theatre groups coming out in force with etcetera Theatre Company’s Steel Magnolias (13th Oct) and Company MK’s Sister Act (23rd-26th Oct) – Not to mention the anniversary concerts of Olney Brass Band’s 50th (28th Sept), MK Brass’ 40th (19th Oct), The Living Archive’s 40th (6th Oct) and the Wolverton Gilbert & Sullivan Society’s 50th (7th/8th Nov)! MK Theatre of Comedy revisit the quirky inhabitants of Dibley for the..

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16th Sep 2024

What’s on at the theatre in Milton Keynes this September

Lots of variety, funnies and music for you in this month’s selection of theatre choices, which comes by Royal appointment, with lots of conspiracy discussion and a deadly school visit. Pulse’s Sammy Jones explains more... If you want a show bursting with colour and filled with sensational songs, Hairspray (Sept 2-7) is this month’s choice at Milton Keynes Theatre. Just like the press bumf will tell you, it’s a big, bold and beautiful musical, just the same as the 80’s film which came first. Taking the reins as Edna Turnblad is Neil Hurst, who some of you will recognise from his time on the Corrie cobbles. Brenda Edwards was a smash hit in the show when she starred as Motormouth Maybelle, directed by Paul Kerryson. This time around the Loose Woman and stage star will be flexing her talent behind the curtain - sharing directing duties with Kerryson. Tracy Turnblad..

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16th Sep 2024

Canine Capers make for a paw-some night at MK Theatre...

She has been a pop star and a soap star, but for her latest role, Kym Marsh – one time chart topper with Hear’Say and Rovers Return regular in Coronation Street – is channeling an altogether more unsavoury character; starring as Cruella de Vil in 101 Dalmatians The Musical. This production, which visits Milton Keynes Theatre in October, comes with plenty of bark and bite, and Kym is relishing the challenge of playing the dog murdering fashionista. It’ll test her acting skills too: “Trying to get into the head of a person who wants to skin puppies to wear is especially alien to me because I’m such a huge dog lover!” she laughed, “I’ve got two of my own, and I adore them.” This being a musical, Kym is getting to flex her vocal chords once again, something that she’s not needed to do for quite some time. “If you..

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01st Aug 2024

Milton Keynes Theatre will open its stage up to Re:INCARNATION

This September, Milton Keynes Theatre will open its stage up to Re:INCARNATION which will bring all of the spirit of Lagos here to the new city. Forecast to become the world’s biggest city by the turn of the century, Lagos is massive, youthful and exciting – and the Nigerian megalopolis is also where the show’s choreographer Qudus Onikeku was born. “Lagos is very much captured in the show,” he promises, “The energy of Lagos, the vibrancy, the youthfulness, the craziness, the madness, the beauty, the ugliness – are what I was really inspired by...and it is showcasing the young energy encapsulated in the city with a lot of joy and a lot of colour.” Re:INCARNATION’s UK premiere was hosted at London’s Southbank Centre, brought to life by 10 dancers and two musicians collectively delivering a live soundtrack featuring West African music genre Afrobeats and dynamic dancing - contemporary, salsa, hip..

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