Musical heaven - autumn at Milton Keynes Theatre
From the outrageous to the familiar. Something for everyone.
THE autumn season at Milton Keynes Theatre is a pure indulgence for fans of the musical but those looking for drama will find slim pickings.
There are just two plays this season – but they are corkers. Alan Bennett's critically acclaimed new drama The Habit of Art comes straight from a lengthy stint at The National Theatre and The Globe offer Shakespeare's glorious comedy The Merry Wives of Windsor.
Old favourites like the family favourite musical Annie, Blues Brothers and Blood Brothers are back but we also have some cracking new musicals – the outrageous Spamalot, Hairspray and The Wiz – not to mention a revisit by the dance sensation, Stomp, ballet's retelling of Romeo and Juliet and a trio of passionate operas from Glyndebourne.
Children can get a dose of one of their favourite stories, Roald Dahl's bittersweet comedy, George's Marvellous Medicine, which the Birmingham Stage Company is bringing to the venue in October. While Christmas sees the glittering panto, Dick Whittington.
Hairspray has become a global sensation. The story of Tracy Turnblad's big ambition to follow her dreams has won fans both on stage and screen and it's coming to MKT in September with Brian Conley playing Tracy's mum, Edna, and fellow entertainer Les Dennis as her loving dad, Wilbur.
Monty Python fans will have to wait until December to enjoy the irreverent delights of Spamalot. Funnier than the Black Death (their quote, not mine) it's a comic treat that Always Looks on the Bright Side of Life.
Ripped off, sorry, adapted from, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, it's not for the faint-hearted. It's decidedly silly, as you'd expect, but if you're looking for something completely different, it promises a Knight to remember.
Set in 1972 The Habit of Art is a thought-provoking, deeply funny story about an imagined meeting between two of Bennett's great heroes, Benjamin Britten and WH Auden. It delves into creativity, growing old, inspiration and ultimately what constitutes art. Starring Desmond Barritt and Malcolm Sinclair.
It's the first time The Globe has staged a major UK tour and the bawdy, funny, feel-good comedy, The Merry Wives of Windsor, is a great crowd-pleaser.
A fat old knight, more jester and rogue than honourable soldier, attempts to seduce two ladies only for the women to turn the tables. It's an hilarious farce that's recommended for anyone reluctant to commit to a night of Shakespeare.
For a full list of what's on look on the theatre's website www.ambassadortickets.com/miltonkeynes.
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Weather for Leighton Buzzard
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 12 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 21 mph
Wind direction: East
