MK Theatre celebrates its 25th anniversary

Posted 9th October 2024

‘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, with more than 2,300 concrete-mixing lorries responsible for delivering more than 25,000 tonnes of concrete to the site!

Building work was completed in 1999, with the curtain rising on this new theatrical hub for the first time on October 4, 1999, signalling the start of a weeklong celebration.

“I opened this theatre with Annie, and I introduced Simon Callow who made the opening night speech,” remembered Lesley Joseph, who has since returned in several productions, and spent a season in panto here.

“I think it is fabulous,” she said, “It has a great atmosphere and I’m always really pleased to come back.”
Somewhere in the region of nine million people have followed those first audiences in catching a show here – and at the last guesstimate, they’ve had more than 10,000 productions to choose from; so many musicals, comedies, plays, ballets and operas among them.

Ordinarily, the theatre finds itself making headlines for its shows, but every now and again it picks up coverage for more colourful events; much-missed singer Amy Winehouse enjoyed a few too many drinks before a fiery confrontation with a theatre manager landed her in court.
She pleaded guilty to common assault and public order offences, and the national press had a field day.

A minority of people also saw red when Jerry Springer The Musical was staged here, but the small protest was far outweighed by ticket-holders keen to see the lively show!

EastEnders’ Steve McFadden attracted more national titles to write about the theatre when he stayed in his motorhome in the theatre car park while appearing in pantomime back in 2004.

But most of the time, the headlines are for the top-draw shows and names to match, and there have been so many.

The annual pantomime has delivered Hollywood stars and household names aplenty; Elvis’ former wife, Priscilla Presley and the inimitable Mickey Rooney have all starred. In 2024, we will welcome the fab-u-lous Craig Revel Horwood to town, heading up the cast of Peter Pan.
Others who have stopped by include Dame Joan Collins, Sheridan Smith, Sir Patrick Stewart, Martin Freeman, Dawn French and Penelope Keith.

You want more? David Suchet, Neil Pearson, Susan Hampshire, Marti Pellow, Richard E Grant, Wayne Sleep and Timothy West.
TV and stage favourites who have taken the reins during the festive seasons include Gok Wan, Brian Conley, Bradley Walsh, Shane Richie, Gareth Gates, Lenny Henry, Joe Pasquale and Gary Wilmot.

As for shows? How do you pick from thousands of ‘em? It’s an impossible list to harvest, but includes Les Miserables, Starlight Express, Cats, Cabaret, Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang, Wicked, Hairspray, Blood Brothers and War Horse.

The theatre strikes a wonderful balance between core favourites and classics, and new innovative deliveries, so there is always the opportunity to discover a new favourite show.

Musicians who have delighted fans at the venue are as varied as Elvis Costello, Queen’s Brian May, Katherine Jenkins and cockney aces Chas & Dave, while singers who have taken on stage roles include David Essex, Tommy Steele, Will Young and Alexandra Burke.

The auditorium, which can be adjusted to vary between 900 and 1400 seats in number, is widely heralded by the many stars who perform there, who are used to playing older and less accommodating spaces. They appreciate its welcome use of space, and modernism.

“The whole team here at Milton Keynes Theatre are thrilled to be celebrating the 25th anniversary of the building’s opening this year,” said theatre director Emma Sullivan, “Since our doors first opened in October 1999, some of the most iconic dramas, comedies, musicals, dance productions, operas and more have been performed on our stage. Our 25th year promises even more brilliant productions, including Chicago, Dear Evan Hansen and of course, this year’s panto Peter Pan.

“It’s been our pleasure to welcome audiences from Milton Keynes and beyond over the last 25 years, and we look forward to welcoming them to the theatre over the next 25 years and beyond,” she added.

Starry, starry nights
My work as a leisure editor in Milton Keynes has given me access to the stars and creatives behind the shows, and I have had a ball (and been to a fair few with Cinders!), writes Sammy Jones.

I have danced with Lionel Blair, got the giggles with Roger Moore, stage-stepped as an extra in Spamalot alongside Joe Pasquale (and was afforded the title of ‘Best couldn’t give a s**t face of the tour’!), and been charmed by Sir Ian McKellan.

An unashamed pantomime devotee, I always look forward to the annual festive offering, and we have had plenty of A-listers stepping up to bring the fun times; chatting with Priscilla Presley about family life away from the glare of the spotlight was enlightening, Dirk Benedict, star of The A Team, opened up about his battle with ill health,and how he triumphed and came back stronger, and Patrick Duffy, aka Bobby Ewing in Dallas, told me how Buddhism helped him deal with the tragic murder of his parents.

Hollywood legend Mickey Rooney was a tricky interviewee, but, in between bickering with his wife, I managed to get him to open up. As other interviewers will tell you, that was no easy feat!

I shared incredibly rude insults with the late, great, Rik Mayall, who appreciated my ability at matching his crude turn of phrase, and later I joined him in Westminster when he launched his tour of The New Statesman.

Watching him trading verbal blows with protestors who believed him to be a real MP, and seeing him bring the traffic to a standstill on those busy London streets in the shadow of Big Ben was sensational. Memories to treasure, for sure.

Chatting with Eurythmics man Dave Stewart about his work as Musical Director for Ghost, was a rare chance to discover the man behind so many classic hits, and nattering with Neil Sedaka felt like a real privilege.

I’ve given music to Bilbo Baggins, or at least the actor behind the character, Martin Freeman after we talked about music for a time. Wonder if he still has that Mark Lanegan cassette?!

Queen star Sir Brian May and I bonded over a shared passion for animal welfare, and Chas Hodges, of Chas & Dave, talked of his early career days working with artists like Jerry Lee Lewis, and also spoke frankly about his cancer diagnosis in a bid to encourage others to get checked.
Such a down to earth, lovely man, with an exceptional amount of talent to match – and greatly missed.

I even had a long chat with Buddy Holly’s widow, Maria about her husband which was a highlight among many.

Theatre is as much of a passion to me today as it has ever been. Provoking, moving, enlightening, emotional…it is all of these things, and so much more.

Theatre is pure escapism, and a safe way to lose yourself in other times, events, people and places. When the lights dim and the curtain rises, the anticipation is every bit as palpable today as it was that first time I engaged with a production.
And in MK Theatre we have the best of the West End delivered direct to our doorstep.
Aren’t we lucky?