REVIEW: Guys and Dolls at MK Theatre

Guys and Dolls at Milton Keynes Theatre

 

 

Guys and Dolls first premiered on Broadway in 1950 and captured the optimism and energy of post-WWII America.This show set in the 1950’s will appeal mostly to an older audience. 

Featuring some of Broadway’s greatest songs including Luck Be A Lady and Sit Down You’re Rockin’ The Boat, it’s a fun, feel-good show with an all-star cast including Richard Fleeshman (Coronation Street, Midsomer Murders and Call the Midwife), Maxwell Caulfield (Emmerdale, Casualty and Grease 2), Louise Dearman (Wicked) and Anna O’Bryne (Love Never Dies), this was a fantastic production.

 

The costumes were realistic and reflected the era well, as did the dancing, which was very well choreographed. The set was sumptuous and atmospheric particularly during the Havana scene where the rhumba was the order of the day.

The show has a large cast of talented dancers and singers with the most amazing buzzing energy to be seen on stage. It's a dazzling show that it would be a shame to miss.

Tickets still available.
Running from: Tue 14th – Sat 18th June
Tickets: visit atgtickets.com or call 0844 871 7652.

REVIEW: Priscilla Queen of the Desert at MK Theatre

Priscilla Queen of the Desert Review 

This performance really was a spectacle and a proper feel-good show. With outrageous costumes and brilliant dance floor classics, it was such a fun, lively experience, with many of the audience dancing along too.

With Neighbours heartthrob Jason Donovan as Tick, he really stood out as a great actor. Having performed in Priscilla Queen of the Desert before, I felt like he really knew what he was doing, and he created a very believable character.

Based on the smash-hit movie, this glitzy show follows the adventure of three drag queens as they drive across Australia on the search for love and friendship. The three main characters, played by Jason Donovan, Simon Green and Adam Bailey, gelled really well together, and the relationships between them felt very natural to watch. Not forgetting to mention their costumes, which were everything I’d hoped for and more… Very glitzy, very crazy and very funny!

With dance floor classics such as ‘I Will Survive’, ‘Hot Stuff’, ‘Boogie Wonderland’ and ‘Go West’, this was a very glamorous, jazzed-up performance. The audience loved these hits, and the dancers were so impressive and extremely well-rehearsed. The three ‘Divas’, Lisa-Marie Holmes, Laura Mansell and Catherine Mort, who did a lot of the singing, had such amazing voices. The other actors would often mime to the Divas’ voices in a very comical way - definitely not to be missed.

If you fancy an evening of fun, glamour, and a lot of laughs, this is definitely a show for you. Please note this performance does recommend individuals viewing are ages 15 years and over. Tickets available: atgtickets.com.

REVIEW: King Charles III at MK Theatre

The Queen is Dead!

Review of King Charles III at MK Theatre

Following sold-out performances at the Almeida Theatre, King Charles III has hit Milton Keynes Theatre, bringing with it the shock that the Queen is dead. Directed by Rupert Goold and penned by award-winning Dr Foster writer, Mike Bartlett, the regal play explores not only Britain’s most famous family, but how the prince perceives ruling the roost for the very first time.

The humourous side of the play was continually enjoyed by the audience, however there are clearly more serious undertones to the dramatic performance too. With William and Kate – who is particularly well-cast and looks uncannily like the Duchess herself – having to make tough decisions, the play really did give an insight into just how significant the royal family are.

One character who particularly stood out was Prince Harry, played by Richard Glaves. His charm, immaturity and likeability really shone through and he constantly had the audience enthralled in his outbursts! King Charles III himself – played by Robert Powell – faces some very important decisions and there was a chill to be felt over the audience at two particularly haunting points in the performance – but we won’t give too much away.

King Charles III at MK Theatre

With the same setting used throughout, it worked seamlessly and the lighting worked fantastically well with the backdrop.  With crowns and royalty galore, it really was an exciting performance. Having already won an Olivier Award and a Critics Circle Award for Best New Play 2015, this really is a must-see!

King Charles III is at MK Theatre until 17^th October – visit atgtickets.com to book.

Review: Shrek the Musical at Milton Keynes Theatre

Stomping around the Swamp with Shrek

Shrek and Fiona

Often we think of musicals deriving from books or plays, but now what was a Dreamworks Animation film has been brought to life in this fantastic, theatrical performance – and what a great performance it was!

The audience were dazzled by Shrek’s ogre-like features, stunned by Fiona’s beauty, and continually humoured by Donkey’s remarks (not to mention the farting!) The viewers also learn secrets not previously revealed in the film, such as Shrek’s backstory and Fiona’s upbringing. Having said this, it still is similar to the film, so if you were a fan of the 2001 movie, you are sure to love this too.

As one would hope from a musical, the music itself was fantastic; all the younger (and some of the older) members of the audience were very energetic when it came to dancing. It features brand new songs that tell the story of Shrek, Fiona and  Donkey. A special mention to Dean Chisnall, who plays Shrek, for bringing the character to life; what a fantastic actor! It was also Lord Farquaad played by Gerard Carey who had the audience in fits of laughter. If I say `silly legs` you will understand!
Costumes were similar to the film with great attention to detail. The staging was magical. The dragon had the children in the audience mesmerised as it was expertly manoeuvred round the stage by the crew.

It definitely isn’t a musical to be missed. Adults and children will be delighted! Tickets are still available from atgtickets.com; the last performance is Sunday 6^th September.

Also look out for the new service at MK Theatre called Ordertorium Food whereby you can order from a small menu of icecreams, drinks and snacks delivered to your seat. You will certainly feel like a VIP!

DEBBIE HALL

REVIEW: The Woman in Black at MK Theatre

A spine chilling horror story that will leave you terrified

The Woman in Black is at MK Theatre until March 28th. 

If you hanker after the stories of Edgar Allan Poe, enjoy Dickens` ghost stories and appreciate the gothic retelling of mysteries, then you won’t be disappointed by this adaptation of Susan Hill`s novel, The Woman in Black.

Stephen Mallatratt carefully took the story and adapted it into a play within a play, always being mindful to the original text. Sadly he has since passed away, but director Robin Hereford continues his work.

The action takes place in the 1950s, a time where instant communication was unheard of

and the north was a very long way.  The director uses the audience`s imagination to build the tension but knows how to break it too with some humour at just the right times.

It`s a well told horror story with a gradual build up, a fantastic atmosphere and palpable tension. The use of smoke, loud bangs, music and lighting create a terrifying overall effect. There`s much skill going on behind the scenes to bring this production to life.

The actors Malcolm James and Matt Connor are perfectly cast in their roles, never being over the top.

If you want to be scared, don`t miss this production. Until March 28.

DEBBIE HALL

REVIEW – Dawn French: 30 Million Minutes at MK Theatre

No clock watching from this audience member

It was a misty and chilly evening, but the atmosphere was anything but cold in the MK Theatre as hundreds took their seats for one of the venue’s most anticipated shows of the autumn season. 
Famous for her dazzling humour as one half of French and Saunders and as the savvy Geraldine on the Vicar of Dibley, Dawn French was finally arriving in Milton Keynes as part of her 90-date tour, 30 Million Minutes.
She’s one of the UK’s most famous and loved comedians, but her show isn’t stand-up. It’s a monologue, an autobiography, a play and a comedy all rolled into one.
Marching on the stage to a delighted audience, she takes them on a journey through her life and career. As a fan myself, I kept pinching myself that it was the woman herself on stage. Touchingly sombre at parts and delightfully excited at others, her dance to MC Hammer’s Can’t Touch This is something everyone, everywhere, should see. 
She confronts what the press have said about her over the years, and he annoyance at the lack of truth (including a specific gastric band reference). 
It’s a tremendous show, full of laughs and quiet moments of reflection, and she commands the stage for the whole two hours. There was no clock watching from this audience member.
A must for any Dawn French fan, she assures you before you leave that everyone is fabulous in their own way. And it gives you a beaming smile to walk into the night with.

MISCHA ALLEN

This month's book reviews...

If you like reading, you'll probably be acquainted with our book reviews page each month in the Phonebox magazine. This month, we featured a review of the book titled: 'The Absolutist" by John Boyne. Set in the first world war, this is written by the same author who brought us the heart wrenching book; "The boy in the striped pyjamas" and sounds like it is an equally touching story. If you haven't read "The boy in the striped pyjamas" then let us tell you a little about that one as well. Set in the Second World War, the book tells the story of the son of a German commander at a concentration camp and his unlikely friendship with a Jewish boy on the other side of the camp fence. Touching and unexpected at times, it is a story which is well worth a read. Have a read of the review of "The Absolutist" by the same author, either follow the link and read the review here, or click to enlarge the image below, and see if it takes your fancy.

Another book reviewed this month was "Familiar passions" by Nina Bawden. Best known for her children's books, particularly "Carrie's War", she has also written a number of excellent adults books, and this is one of them. A story which explores relationships, pasts, future, deceptions and secrets and more, we think the review will leave you wanting to give it a read! Click here to read the full review.