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

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 that grips his soul…

Following the success of the original play, Cluedo returns to the new city stage this month, with Cluedo 2 – The Next Chapter (April 16-20). It’s an entirely new story, set in the 1960s, featuring The Honourable Mrs. Emerald Peacock, Colonel Eugene Mustard, ‘Professor’ Alex Plum, Miss Annabel Scarlett, ‘The Reverend’ Hal Green and the housekeeper Mrs White.

Those who have penned the piece are pedigree players too – BAFTA Award winning TV writing duo Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran have had plenty of previous winners; Birds of a Feather and Dreamboats and Petticoats are two of their successes.

‘As the bodies pile up and our infamous colourful characters dart from room to room trying to escape the murderer and survive the night, Cluedo 2, will keep you guessing right up to the finale and invites budding detectives of all ages to watch for the clues and unravel the secrets, as they try to work out whodunnit… with what… and where!

Jason Burr (Hearbeat and Casualty) and Corrie actress Helen Flanagan will lead the casting, as Colonel Mustard and Miss Scarlett.
“If you’re a fan of the much loved board game – you’re gonna enjoy this! If you enjoyed the hysterical first play – you’re gonna love this one!” promise those behind the piece, “And if you missed the first play it doesn’t matter – this is a brand new story – so come and have some fun – you’ll love it too!”

Now, what has one lamp, three wishes and infinite possibilities? If you are shouting, ‘Disney spectacular Aladdin’ into these pages, you’d be correct – and it flies into town on a magic carpet for a month-long stay (April 24 – May 19).

Aladdin is the 10th highest grossing Broadway production of all time, which is an amazing achievement. This terrific tale with a truly wonderful score is guaranteed to transport viewers to A Whole New World – but ideally only those aged six years and up. Children under three years old won’t be admitted.

A monstrous time is a given over at The Stables with the return of Teach Rex Live and The Velociraptor Show (April 11) promising a roar-some time for half term.

In one snappy, action-packed hour long session, children will learn about the anatomy and life of this most mesmerizing creature who walked the earth before us.

And they’ll be able to get up close and personal, as realistic beasts roam around the audience!

Perfect for little ‘uns aged three and up, this show is every bit the hit with adults too. There are a choice of three performances – visit the website for details.

Trail-blazing comedian Paul Foot presents Dissolve (April 19), a show he promises is his ‘most personal, surprising and ground-breaking’ to date.

Life is a stress: full of rushed breakfasts, angry people, internal conflict, and Jacob Rees-Mogg. But what happens when everything you thought was important – your problems, grievances against others, your very identity – simply disappears? Paul will reveal how, in 2022, he discovered the secret of life.

We can’t leave The Stables behind without mentioning the British cult hero, and Godfather of Punk Poetry, John Cooper Clarke (April 22). If there are any tickets left as you read this, they definitely won’t stay in the box office for long.

A new stage adaptation of The Hound of the Baskervilles (April 15) shows at Stantonbury Theatre with one-time Tardis traveller Colin Baker and Terry Molloy (Radio star with The Archers) coming together to play Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson, followed, on April 20, by Morgan & West’s Massive Magic Show for Kids!

Gawps, gasps, and guffaws will be frequent in this fantastical magic filled extravaganza.

Milton Keynes Theatre: atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes
The Stables: stables.org
Stantonbury Theatre: stantonburytheatre.co.uk