Dreamboats and Petticoats

Hey baby won’t you take a chance? Say that you’ll let me have this dance…well let’s dance! Dreamboats and Petticoats is here at Milton Keynes Theatre until 8^th July.

A new musical, inspired by the million selling album with hits such as Let’s Twist Again, Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen and Let’s Dance, this shows brings to life the wonderful era of Rock & Roll. Set in 1961, primarily at the Youth Club, we follow a group of teenagers as they deal with life’s troubles, love, ambition and writing their own music. They’re truly inspired by the pop music explosion over the last decade with dreams to become the next big pop sensation themselves.

The set was nice and simple showcasing the Youth Club with a few tweaks, turns and signs to take you into different scenes. Bright lighting and loud music will pull you along with the characters as they compete to win the song writing contest.

Excellent hairstyles, costumes and make up and the whole cast had brilliant voices and dance moves – our favourites were definitely the leads, Bobby and Laura, played by Alistair Higgins and Elizabeth Carter, they were cast perfectly. The show is also really quite funny and was very enjoyable to watch! Suitable for all ages and anybody that appreciates swishy petticoats as they spin and shiny, neatly greased hair that would make Elvis proud.

To grab some tickets, head to www.atgtickets.com

Footloose: The Musical

Everybody cut loose! Footloose! What a fab musical, I absolutely loved it.

The story starts with Ren and his mum moving away from trendy Chicago to the small and old-fashioned town known as Bomont. A town where dancing is illegal and we follow Ren and his friends as they challenge this law; wanting to express themselves in the art of music and dance.

They've done a great job of developing the classic 80’s movie into an actor-musician show. The cast is incredibly talented and very entertaining to watch. They are acting, singing, playing instruments and dancing at the same time – I was mesmerised from the first scene to the last and there are some great comedy moments too, especially from Willard, played by Gareth Gates. He’s a really funny character – he engaged the audience well with his comical faces and actions directed towards us and his silly jokes got a good giggle.

Luke Baker and Hannah Price played the rebel lovebirds Ren McCormack and the reverend’s daughter Ariel Moore. They were both brilliant and I particularly liked Rusty and Willards relationship too (Gareth and Joanna Sawyer) which was awkward but lovely! With 80’s classics like Footloose, Holding Out For A Hero and Let’s Hear It For The Boy, you can’t help but tap your feet and sing along.

Hats off to all the creatives from the fantastic choreography to the lighting and stage sets (which were far from simple) and one of the best sets I’ve seen from a touring theatre show, you can see the amount of effort, time and detail that went into creating it.

Without giving too much away, the ending has all the audience on their feet clapping, dancing and cheering so we left buzzing.

Footloose the Musical is running this week at MK Theatre from Monday 17th – Saturday 22nd October. Tickets from www.atgtickets.com

Edwardian Village Fete and rock 'n' roll- Saturday events

Tomorrow there's an opportunity to travel back in time to the Edwardian era at the Memorial hall, Northampton Road in Yardley Hastings. The Edwardian themed fete and produce show features the star attraction of the 'Picture Postcard Tent', where you can have your very own themed portrait taken by photographer Jo Blackwell. The annual show will feature all the usual attractions, including horticulture and handicrafts, music, traditional games, village stalls, competitions, flower festival, memorabilia, and of course a great selection of foods and drinks.

If that doesn't float your boat, then why not head on over to the Newport Pagnell football club where  "rock 'n' roll hop with Tartan Ted" will be on from 7.30pm till late. £5 admission on the door with proceeds going to the Newport Pagnell Christmas Lights.

Then of course, as you should have seen in the blog earlier today, there's the Big Olney Food Festival taking place all weekend in Olney, there's loads to do so have a great weekend!