Take a trip behind the curtain at Royal & Derngate

Theatre enthusiasts can enjoy a unique backstage tour experience, with a wonderful storyteller taking them behind the curtain, to explore the unseen areas of The Royal. The next Behind The Curtain tours are scheduled for Friday 23 March.

Visitors will be taken back in time, starting from the opening night in 1884, and will hear the real life stories of people who created, performed in or watched shows at the theatre throughout the decades. They may even meet the theatre’s resident ghost along the way! There is also the chance to discover how Made In Northampton productions are created with a visit to Royal & Derngate’s workshop and paintshop.

Behind The Curtain is an engaging theatrical tour for suitable groups, schools and individuals and lasts approximately 90 minutes. Customers are advised to wear flat shoes. Tickets are £13* each and can be booked by calling Royal & Derngate Box Office on 01604 624811. The next tour available on Friday 23 March starting at 1.30pm and 3.30pm.

In addition exclusive tours can be arranged for groups, and there is also a special version of the tour for primary schools, including an option to visit the Derngate auditorium control room and have a go at operating the lights.

Unfortunately, the standard tour is not suitable for those with access requirements, but accessible tours suitable for those with access needs, hearing or visual impairment are available with prior booking. Please contact erica.martin@royalandderngate.co.uk for further information or to book a primary school, exclusive or accessible tour.

* A charge of £3 applies for all transactions of £15 and over. Does not apply to Groups, Friends or Disabled Patrons, and is per-transaction, not per-ticket.

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Fat Friends the Musical is at Milton Keynes Theatre until Saturday 10th March

The hit TV show Fat Friends from award-winning national treasure Kay Mellor (creator of Girlfriends, Love, Lies & Records, Band of Gold, The Syndicate and In The Club) has burst onto the stage in a brand new musical, with original music by Nick Lloyd Webber.

Join the infamous group of TV’s most loveable characters as they are put through their Zumba paces at their local branch of Super Slimmers by the lovelorn Lauren whilst Kelly fantasises about fitting into the wedding dress of her dreams.

Packed full of hope, humour, love and weight loss, this new stage show reunites our favourite foodie friends and sell-out audiences are loving it!

With an all-star cast including West End favourite and winner of the BBC’s I’d Do Anything, Jodie Prenger, X Factor winner Sam Bailey, Atomic Kitten’s pop sensation Natasha Hamilton, star of Emmerdale and Wicked Natalie Anderson and Coronation Street legend Kevin Kennedy,

Fat Friends The Musical is a feel-good night out for every body and is a HUGE hit!

★★★★
‘Super-sized fun with a fantastic cast. A very funny show!’
Huddersfield Examiner

Fat Friends the Musical is at Milton Keynes Theatre until Saturday 10th March

Box Office: 0844 870 0887 or online: www.atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes

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Following a sold-out run at the National Theatre’s Lyttelton Theatre, the NT has embarked on a UK tour of its acclaimed production of Hedda Gabler and is at Milton Keynes Theatre 27 February – 3 March.

Lizzy Watts plays the title role along with Madlena Nedeva (Berte), Christine Kavanagh (Juliana), Abhin Galeya (Tesman), Annabel Bates (Thea), Adam Best (Brack) and Richard Pyros (Lovborg).

Just married. Bored already. Hedda longs to be free…

This vital new version of Ibsen’s masterpiece by Olivier and Tony Award-winning playwright Patrick Marber (Closer, Three Days in the Country) is directed by Ivo van Hove, one of the world’s most exciting directors. Olivier and Tony Award-winning van Hove made his National Theatre debut with Hedda Gabler, which ran in repertoire at the NT’s Lyttelton Theatre during 2017. .

Lizzy Watts’ theatre credits include Strife at Chichester Festival Theatre, The Angry Brigade and Artefacts at The Bush, A Midsummer Night’s Dream at The Globe, Blink for Nabokov and Wasted for Paines Plough. TV includes The Durrells and Midsommer Murders and plays Ivy Layton in BBC Radio 4’s Home Front.

 Hedda Gabler is at  Milton Keynes Theatre until Saturday 3rd March.

Box Office: 0844 871 7652 or online: atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes

Hedda Gabler herself is not a nice person. Having just got married for all the wrong reasons, she comes back from honeymoon and quickly feels trapped. She’s witty, cunning, vicious and vivacious. Sadly for her and those around her she vents her frustrations upon those people that if she were normal she might love – and love dearly

.Set and lighting design for Hedda Gabler is by Jan Versweyveld. The play is set in the newly-wed’s apartment. Large and so far sparsely furnished. Hedda herself mentions that the room is all wrong and its hard to breathe. It was so huge that I would have thought breathing was one of the few things you could do in comfort, this room reminded me of the Amazon building. Just a very large  white square panelled box with a French windows onto an imaginary balcony. There were no doors, so the cast (frequently) entered and left via the audience – a move that I thought was distracting and almost reminiscent of pantomime.

The highly experienced and more than capable cast all gave fine performances – even whilst galloping backwards and forwards up and down the aisles and steps from the auditorium onto the stage!

As you might expect, there was a fair amount of precious arty nonsense being trotted out in the foyer, one person was heard to sum up those comments with “Isn’t it wonderful! I love it when a play really makes you think……………….I had to ask my friend with me to explain it all to me!” Yes I’m afraid there is an amount of The Emperor’s New Clothes about Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler – we’ve all been told just how wonderful it is for so many years………

Ernie Almond.

Hedda Gabler is at  Milton Keynes Theatre until Saturday 3rd March.

Box Office: 0844 871 7652 or online: atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes

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BEAUTIFUL – THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL, Milton Keynes Theatre until Saturday 24 February.

BEAUTIFUL – THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL received its Broadway premiere in January 2014 at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre where it continues to play to packed houses and throughout 2015/2016 it toured the US. The London production ended its triumphant two and a half year run at the Aldwych in August.

BEAUTIFUL – THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL has a book by Douglas McGrath with words and music by Gerry Goffin, Carole King, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil.  The show tells the inspiring true story of King’s remarkable rise to stardom, from being part of a hit songwriting team with her husband Gerry Goffin, to her relationship with fellow writers and best friends Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann, to becoming one of the most successful solo acts in popular music history.

Along the way, she wrote the soundtrack to a generation, including one of the best-selling albums of all time, Tapestry, and countless classics such as (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman, Take Good Care of My Baby, You’ve Got a Friend, So Far Away, It Might as Well Rain Until September, Up on the Roof and The Locomotion. The show also includes the Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann hit songs You’ve Lost that Lovin Feeling, On Broadway and We Gotta Get out of This Place.

Bronté Barbé plays Carole King, she was a finalist in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s BBC1 television series “Over The Rainbow” in 2010. Since then she has appeared on stage in both London’s West End and around the UK. Previous credits include “Cool Rider” in the West End and ‘Princess Fiona’ in the UK Tour of “Shrek -The Musical”. She most recently starred in “The Wild Party” at The Other Palace.

Kane Oliver Parry (playing Gerry Goffin) has starred in “Carousel” and “Sweeney Todd” at London’s Coliseum. West End credits include “Wicked” and “Urinetown”, “The Light Princess” at the National Theatre and the International Arena Tour of “We Will Rock You”.

BEAUTIFUL – THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL, is at  Milton Keynes Theatre until Saturday 24 February.

Box Office: 0844 871 7652 or online: atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes

Jhez Bermudez went along to see the show in Milton Keynes and these are his thoughts:

I was not sure what to expect when I went along to see Beautiful – The Carole King Musical, but I needn’t have worried – it does what it says on the tin! It is beautiful! With a strong story, a stellar cast lead by a stunningly good performance by Bronte Barbe, fabulous music with a very good live orchestra lead by Patrick Hurley, strong acting against some brilliant sets designed by  Derek McLane what was there not to like?

Apart from being a very good true story that was approved by the great lady herself, Beautiful brings home to you just what a prolific songwriter Carole King has been. Her first professional recording when she was sixteen, the names of other singers that have recorded her songs reads like a who’s who of the International music industry. As for Carole’s own recordings, although her album Tapestry usually springs to mind, this show reminds us that quite apart from writing for others, she has recorded no less than 25 studio albums.

All these facts and figures would mean nothing if the show itself weren’t presented with such panache and slick professionalism. Whether you prefer Celine Dion to Mariah Carey or Aretha Franklin to James Taylor there is something for you in this show – and if you’re very lucky you might – just might – get a ticket!  Thoroughly recommended!

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The much-anticipated return of Matthew Bourne’s “CINDERELLA” is at  Milton Keynes Theatre from 13th – 17th February.

Matthew Bourne said: “Cinderella is one of my most heartfelt works and a personal favourite amongst my re-imagined classic stories. I’m delighted to have brought together this cast of current star performers, experienced New Adventures veterans and exciting young talent. I’m thrilled to see another generation of Company dancers take on this beloved production”

Fresh from their triumph playing Victoria Page in “The Red Shoes”, the role of ‘Cinderella’ will be performed by Cordelia Braithwaite and Ashley Shaw.

Credit : Johan Persson

Cinderella’s heroic Pilot, ‘Harry’, will be performed by Will Bozier, Andrew Monaghan and Dominic North.

‘The Angel’ (Cinderella’s ‘Fairy GodFather’) will be danced by Paris Fitzpatrick and Liam Mower.

‘Sybil’, Cinderella’s Step-Mother, is performed by Madelaine Brennan and Anjali Mehra.

‘Robert’, Cinderella’s Father is performed by Alan Vincent and Dan Wright.

One of New Adventures’ most loved productions Matthew Bourne’s “CINDERELLA” is a thrilling and evocative love story, set in London during the Second World War. This interpretation of the classic fairy tale has, at its heart, a true war-time romance. A chance meeting results in a magical night for Cinderella and her dashing young RAF pilot, together just long enough to fall in love before being parted by the horrors of the Blitz.

With Lez Brotherston’s sumptuous costumes and sets, which won an Olivier Award for his original designs, and lighting by Olivier Award-winning Neil Austin, “CINDERELLA” will be performed in Surround Sound, designed by Paul Groothuis and features a specially commissioned recording played by a 60-piece orchestra.  Matthew Bourne’s vivid story telling has never been more heart-stopping and touching, and will take the audience into the heart of Prokofiev’s magnificent score, and the sights and sounds of war-torn London.

2017 marks 20 years since “CINDERELLA” first premiered in the West End and it concludes a year-long celebration of work to commemorate the 30th Anniversary of New Adventures.

“CINDERELLA” is at  Milton Keynes Theatre from 13 – 17th February.

Box Office: 0844 870 0887 or online: www.atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes

I have been on, in and around theatre for getting on for three score years and ten and have learned a bit, but I wouldn’t presume to know enough to criticize Matthew Bourne production. The man is – and I don’t ever remember using this term in print before – a genius! All I can do is to describe what I saw and try to persuade you to go and witness Cinderella at the MK Theatre this week.

Prokofiev,s wonderful music was used in the original Bolshoi production of Cinderella in 1946 and the well know Frederick Ashton version in London. But who apart from Matthew Bourne, would come up with the idea of using the same score, but setting the whole thing in London during the blitz? He says that it was when he heard the Prokofiev sat and wrote the piece during the Second World War that set him thinking.

Well, it worked! This is certainly different, the story is used magnificently, but the usual “handsome prince” is a wartime pilot suffering from the after effects of a crash. Every member of the cast is a separate character that we get to know as the story unfolds.

There are Step sisters, a pretty nasty stepmother as you might expect but watch out for Angel danced brilliantly on the night we were there by Paris Fitzpatrick. No standard ballet positions here, twists, turns and occasionally contortions the like of which you might see on a solo dancer on BGT and did I notice a little nod towards moon walking?

We see ARP Wardens, spivs, prostitutes and rent boys. The surround sound is wonderful for the recording of the 60 piece orchestra – and it certainly helps as the bombs begin to drop!

I’ve been careful not to give too much away, but believe me this is a new treatment that works perfectly and is mesmerising to watch. A far cry from Sir Frederick Ashton, but I’ve a strong feeling that he would love it!

Get a ticket if you can!

Ernie Almond

“CINDERELLA” is at  Milton Keynes Theatre from 13 – 17th February.

Box Office: 0844 870 0887 or online: www.atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes

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The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, is William Finn’s Tony award-winning musical and it’s at the Cripps Auditorium, in Magdalene College, Cambridge from 13^th – 17^th February.

An eccentric but endearing comedy, the show tells the story of a hilarious Spelling Bee though a unique mixture of musical numbers, improvisation and audience participation. Six high-schoolers face their fears, dreams and angst in a bid to gain a slot in the National Spelling Bee. Overseen by adults who are seemingly stuck in adolescence themselves, the result is a bawdy journey about competition and growing up. It manages to strike the perfect balance between being surreal, realistic and touching.

 Rehearsal photograph

Director, Leo Béar, was drawn to taking on the musical due to its particular combination of eccentricities syas “It combines the best parts of musical theatre, from catchy songs and well-explored characters to fantastic punchlines and a story you actually want to see through to the end.” Uncommonly, Spelling Bee also involves ad lib and audience participation. Realising that this is something he never “imagined working with in theatre”, Béar promises that these techniques add an entirely “special something” to the show; no two performances will be exactly the same.

 Refreshing, bold and wistful, The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a musical that stands out against the crowd – and gets the crowd involved.

The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, is at the Cripps Auditorium, in Magdalene College, Cambridge from 13^th – 17^th February.

Tickets available online: mmps-bee.com/ticket

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JERSEY BOYS UK Tour 2017/2018

JERSEY BOYS, at Milton Keynes Theatre, until Saturday 3 February, stars as Frankie Valli Michael Watson, (We Will Rock You, original London casts of Imagine This, Sister Act and Shrek the Musical).  Simon Bailey as Tommy De Vito,(The Phantom of the Opera, I Can’t Sing: The X Factor Musical and We Will Rock You).

JERSEY BOYS UK Tour 2017/2018

 On the night that I saw the show James Winter did a fine job standing in as Bob Gaudio as did Karl James Wilson as Nick Massi. Michael and Simon  have previously performed their roles in JERSEY BOYS in the West End to great acclaim.

JERSEY BOYS first opened in London at the Prince Edward Theatre on 18 March 2008 and moved to the Piccadilly Theatre in March 2014. The Olivier Award-winning West End production closed on Sunday 26 March 2017 and the first UK & Ireland Tour of JERSEY BOYS was a record-breaking success and ran for 18 months, this being the 2nd tour of the show looks as though it will have a similar success

JERSEY BOYS is the remarkable true story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons and their rise to stardom from the wrong side of the tracks. These four boys from New Jersey became one of the most successful bands in pop history, were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and sold 175 million records worldwide, all before they turned 30. The show is packed with their hits, including Beggin’, Sherry, Walk Like A Man, December, 1963 (Oh What a Night), Big Girls Don’t Cry, My Eyes Adored You, Let’s Hang On (To What We’ve Got), Bye Bye Baby, Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, Working My Way Back to You, Fallen Angel, Rag Doll and Who Loves You.

JERSEY BOYS UK Tour 2017/2018

Winner of Broadway’s Tony, London’s Olivier and Australia’s Helpmann Awards for Best New Musical, JERSEY BOYS is the winner of 57 major awards worldwide and has been seen by over 25 million people worldwide. JERSEY BOYS first opened in London at the Prince Edward Theatre on 18 March 2008 and moved to the Piccadilly Theatre in March 2014. The Olivier Award-winning West End production closed on Sunday 26 March 2017 and the first UK & Ireland Tour of JERSEY BOYS was a record-breaking success and ran for 18 months, this being the 2nd tour of the show looks as though it will have a similar success

JERSEY BOYS is written by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, with music by Bob Gaudio and lyrics by Bob Crewe. The UK & Ireland Tour production is staged by the entire original Broadway creative team, led by director Des McAnuff and choreographer Sergio Trujillo.

JERSEY BOYS is at Milton Keynes Theatre, until Saturday 3 February

Box Office: 0844 870 0887 or online: www.atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes

JERSEY BOYS UK Tour 2017/2018                            

Ernie Almond went along on Wednesday, and these were his thoughts:

 The set, which is on show as the audience arrives is reminiscent of West Side Story with its high wire fences and metal gantries – but of course the music is so very different to that! Speaking of the music, it was very good to see live musicians on stage as part of the show – albeit helped here and there by some very good click tracks. The arrangements and the vocalisation by this talented cast I’m sure not only pleased the packed house of Frankie Valli fans, but the old man himself – not that Mr Valli senior was in attendance!

I have to be honest, I’ve seen more sparkling performances of Jersey Boys, but the voices were as good as ever, even if the “boys” are now nearer 40 than 30 let alone the 16yr olds they are supposed to portray at the beginning.

The set worked well and the scene changes handled with the help of cast members were efficient and happened smoothly before our eyes. I would take to task set designer Klara Zieglerova and costume designer Jess Goldstein for the finale though. Mainly a grey and white set with some spectacular lighting effects (mainly white), all very well you might think, but the principal cast were by that time in grey suits! They all but disappeared, not helped by the fact that the whole show came to an end with the cast wandering off in all directions waving to the audience.

Ernie Almond

JERSEY BOYS is at Milton Keynes Theatre, until Saturday 3 February

Box Office: 0844 870 0887 or online: www.atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes

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Dance To The Music, starring Kristina Rihanoff, Robin Windsor and Oksana Platero is at the Beck Theatre, Hayes this week!

Wed 17 January 2018

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Cinderella at Milton Keynes Theatre starring Brian Conley, Gok Wan and Lauren Hall

Cinderella opened with a magical moment when Fairy Gok Mother welcomed the audience to a captivating scene of spectacle whilst sitting on a half moon with glittery smoke beneath making it dreamy and fantastical. With that it set the mood that this was going to be really magical.
Then a short trick using a stack of luggage that formed a door which was used to introduce the star of the show Brian Conley. The moment he set foot on that stage raucous laughter could be heard from all sides of the theatre. He had indeed arrived and his story telling truly captivated the audience.
Unfortunately I was in danger of forgetting that I was watching a panto as Brian’s Buttons totally dominated the story of Cinderella. This engaging artist truly awakened the audience and his delivery of jokes really brought the house down.
The production also rightly boasts beautiful sets and wonderful costumes.

Cinderella at Milton Keynes Theatre starring Brian Conley, Gok Wan and Lauren Hall

IThe only thing that did not impress me were the ugly sisters. They were rarely very funny at all and they even seemed to fade as the story went on. This was more than made up for by Brian and Gok Wan who had such chemistry which really was the highlight of this production.

Cinderella at Milton Keynes Theatre starring Brian Conley, Gok Wan and Lauren Hall

There was another highlight when the carriage brought huge delight to the audience as it started to move towards the audience reminiscent of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Jhez Bermudez

Cinderella at Milton Keynes Theatre starring Brian Conley, Gok Wan and Lauren Hall

Cinderella is at Milton Keynes Theatre until Sunday 14th January.

Box Office: www.atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes or Call:0844 871 7652

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ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER’S “SUNSET BOULEVARD” at Milton Keynes Theatre, 28th November –  2 December.

STARRING RIA JONES AS ‘NORMA DESMOND’ AND DANNY MAC AS ‘JOE GILLIS’

Last year, Ria Jones played the role of ‘Norma Desmond’ at the London Coliseum when Glenn Close was indisposed, receiving rave reviews and standing ovations for her performance. Ria has recently starred as ‘Dorothy Brock’ in 42nd Street at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. Her West End credits include ‘Fantine’ in Les Misérables, ‘Grizabella’ in CATS and ‘Florence’ in Chess. Her touring credits include ‘Alex’ in The Witches of Eastwick, ‘Mrs Overall’ in Acorn Antiques – The Musical, ‘Reno Sweeney’ in Anything Goes and ‘The Narrator’ in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Danny Mac who plays Joe Gillis captured the nation’s hearts and received overwhelming support during his incredible time on BBC1’s Strictly Come Dancing making it all the way to the final. He most recently starred as ‘Gabey’ in On The Town at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre. His other musical theatre credits include Wicked and Legally Blonde.

Adam Pearce (playing Max Von Mayerling’), has many West End credits to his name including Les Misérables at the Queen’s Theatre, as well as the original casts of Love Never Dies at the Adelphi and The Light Princess at the National Theatre. Adam has also appeared in Evita, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Sweeney Todd, all at the Adelphi.

Molly Lynch (Betty Schaefer)most recently appeared in English National Opera’s Carousel at the Coliseum, where she has also appeared in Sweeney Todd. Her other credits include Fiddler on the Roof at Grange Park Opera.

One of the all-time great musicals, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Tony Award®-winning (Best Musical, Best Original Score and Best Book of a Musical) masterpiece SUNSET BOULEVARD is a compelling story of romance and obsession, based on Billy Wilder’s legendary film, with Don Black and Christopher Hampton’s wonderful book and lyrics. This much-loved score includes the title number Sunset Boulevard, With One Look, As If We Never Said Goodbye, The Greatest Star Of All and The Perfect Yearand is performed by a full 16 piece orchestra.

In her mansion on Sunset Boulevard, faded, silent-screen goddess, Norma Desmond, lives in a fantasy world. Impoverished screen writer, Joe Gillis, on the run from debt collectors, stumbles into her reclusive world. Persuaded to work on Norma’s ‘masterpiece’, a film script that she believes will put her back in front of the cameras, he is seduced by her and her luxurious life-style. Joe becomes entrapped in a claustrophobic world until his love for another woman leads him to try and break free with dramatic consequences.

“SUNSET BOULEVARD” is at Milton Keynes Theatre from 28 Nov – 2 Dec.

Box Office: 0844 870 0887 or online: www.atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes

Review.

I have managed to see three different productions of Sunset Boulevard, the original London run when Petula Clarke had taken over the lead, the revival last year with Glenn Close which was semi-staged and this touring version with Ria Jones. There’s no way that Ms Jones can be considered Glenn Close’s stand in now – she IS Norma Desmond!

I spoke to Ria before the Milton Keynes run of the show and we were discussing how Norma Desmond in the show is a character that audiences need to love, hate and sympathise with in equal measures. Not an easy task for an actress, but Ria has got the balance exactly right.

Ria Jones is ably supported by a very strong cast led by Danny Mac who narrates, sings, dances, acts and manages to be a bit of “eye candy” for the ladies whilst he’s doing it!

This touring production is a BIG show! It has a big and very fine 16 piece orchestra that manages to somehow sound like a 40 piece one, it has a big set (although the sliding panels became a little tiresome, a big cast and take it from me, the show is very big on talent!

A great night out for musical fans, people that love the film industry and those of use that love a bloody good story!

Ernie Almond

“Sunset Boulevard” is at Milton Keynes Theatre from 28 Nov – 2 Dec.

Box Office: 0844 870 0887 or online: www.atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes

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