Film & Theatre
Milton Keynes Theatre reopens on with a selection of great shows
Milton Keynes Theatre has announced its plans to welcome back audiences from Sunday 25 July, providing step 4 of the government’s roadmap goes ahead as scheduled.
After being closed for 16 months, the lights will finally come up and the curtain will rise again, as audiences are welcomed back for a sensational season of world class entertainment. The theatre is known and loved for hosting a breadth of high quality productions from musicals and drama to opera and dance, and this reopening season doesn’t disappoint. The reopening season will include breathtaking acrobatics from Canadian circus company The 7 Fingers, seat-gripping suspense from Dial M For Murder and hit musical Waitress arriving fresh from the West End.
The return of live theatre also sees the return of Milton Keynes Theatre’s Price Promise ticket deals. Continuing the theatre’s commitment to making theatre affordable for all, a limited number of tickets will be available for some of the most popular shows for just £13.
Emma Sullivan, Theatre Director of Milton Keynes Theatre said today “We are over the moon to announce our plans for reopening this July! Our whole team have been touched by the support we’ve received from our community over the past few months. We’ve seen how much live theatre has been missed in the region and can’t wait to give the people of Milton Keynes some much needed entertainment in the safest way possible.”
Reopening shows at Milton Keynes Theatre
The first show scheduled to reopen the theatre will be from loveable singer Jane McDonald on Sunday 25 July, with her much anticipated ‘Let The Light In’ tour. From there it’s a summer of captivating cult hits starting with timeless musical, The Rocky Horror Show, from Monday 2 August. Strictly Come Dancing winner Ore Oduba stars as Brad Majors in the Filled with fun, frolics, frocks, and frivolity – it’s the perfect show to get the party started once again in Milton Keynes!
EastEnders’ Adam Woodyatt and Gaynor Faye lead a talented cast in Looking Good Dead, the new thriller from best-selling author Peter James. The brand new ‘edge of your seat’ drama will be playing from Monday 16 August. Just before the summer’s over, one of the world’s best-loved musicals, Grease, returns with Peter Andre starring as Teen Angel and Vince Fontaine from Monday 23 August. And Samantha Womack and Cameron Blakely star as parents of the kookiest family in town, The Addams Family, from Tuesday 31 August.
The theatre’s Creative Learning programme will return in September, offering activities & experiences which engage, educate and empower people of all abilities, ages, genders and races within the venue and local community.
Upcoming shows at Milton Keynes Theatre
JANE MCDONALD
SUN 25 JUL 2021
The BAFTA award-winning star always delivers phenomenal show along with her fantastic live band and backing singers. With stunning production and a new line-up of songs her Let the Light In Tour promises to be the best one yet.
LUTHER – LUTHER VANDROSS CELEBRATION
SUN 1 AUG 2021 The world’s premier show in celebration of ‘The Velvet Voice’ experience all the hits from his amazing career, culminating over 40 million album sales and eight Grammy awards including many of the greatest dance anthems and love songs ever written, fronted by international Luther Vandross tribute Harry Cambridge and his 10 piece band.
THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW
MON 2 AUG – SAT 7 AUG 2021
Ready to thrill you with fun and naughty moments, Richard O’Brien’s legendary rock ‘n’ roll musical, The Rocky Horror Show returns as part of a sell-out worldwide tour, having been seen by over 30 million theatregoers. Starring Strictly Come Dancing winner Ore Oduba as Brad and directed by Christopher Luscombe, The Rocky Horror Show is a guaranteed party and features timeless classics, including Sweet Transvestite, Damn it Janet, and of course, the pelvic-thrusting, show-stopping Time Warp.
THE MAGIC OF MOTOWN
SUN 8 AUG 2021
Get ready for all the hits, glittering costumes, dazzling dance routines and outstanding musicianship in this breath-taking live concert spectacular. Come celebrate our brand-new show for 2021 as we Reach Out and show your there Ain’t no mountain high enough with the biggest Motown party of the year.
Summer evenings got better, as Wells & Co pub The Chequer Inn in Woolmer Green launches outdoor movie nights in its brand new Aspall cider summer garden. Grab some friends and family and come for a night of great food, fantastic drinks and classic films.
Tickets cost £5 per person and including a pint of Aspall (or soft drink alternative), the movie and popcorn. The movies showing are as below, each kicking off at 7.30pm and you can book at table here: https://chequerswoolmergreen.co.uk/book-a-table/.
Movies on show at The Chequers Inn
- Friday 28th July – The Greatest Showman
- Saturday 29th July – Grease
- Sunday 30th July – Notting Hill
The Chequer Inn in Woolmer Green offers something for everyone, making it the perfect destination for visitors to experience the local culture. With traditional dishes and ales, visitors are sure to sample an authentic taste of British cuisine. Additionally, a selection of fine wines, spirits and cask ales allows guests to choose something that suits their tastes.
Last year, the Hertfordshire based pub, reopened its doors after an extensive refurbishment including an entirely refreshed bar and dining area, redecorated throughout to create a modern and chic look and feel to the pub located in the civil parish village of Woolmer Green. The cosy interior boasts an intimate lounge area and large dining area, while the extensive garden makeover included heated spaces and high table fire pits, perfect for those late-summer evenings.
Escape to The Chequers, a charming and inviting pub tucked away in the picturesque village of Woolmer Green. With its cozy lounge, spacious dining room, and beautifully maintained gardens, it’s the perfect place to snuggle up during winter or soak up the sunshine on a glorious summer day.
Returning for the first time since 2019, this year sees the return of Wycombe Swan’s Summer Youth Project. Running since 1993, numerous participants have gone on to have successful careers both on and off stage. Join us on our next adventure! Build confidence, develop skills, have fun, and make long-lasting friendships.
About Wycombe Swan Summer Youth Project (SYP)
Over the two-week project, Wycombe Swan comes alive to the sights and sounds of 150 young people doing everything they can to put on a full-scale musical in time for curtain up!
Participants have the option of taking to the stage as a performer, or to make magic happen as part of the Technical Team.
All performances take place on our main stage in the 1,000 seated Wycombe Swan Theatre.
Only those wishing to have a principal/speaking role or be a dance captain need to audition.
Big Fish The Show
This year, the show is BIG FISH. Based on the novel by Daniel Wallace and the acclaimed film directed by Tim Burton.
AUDITIONS (FOR THOSE WISHING TO HAVE A SPEAKING ROLE): Sunday 22 May
DATES: Mon 15 to Sunday 28 August
AGES: 9-21 (performers). 14-21 (technical team)
PRICE: £190
It is our wish that no young person misses out due to financial constraints. For this reason, we offer bursaries of up to 100% so that anybody can take part.
TO APPLY, AND FOR MORE INFO: Visit https://wycombeswan.co.uk/Online/summerproject
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Friday 13 May
Milton Keynes Theatre is delighted to announce its summer season of sensational entertainment!
Returning to the venue after a sell-out run in 2019 is the phenomenal Les Misérables, the musical often regarded as the most popular in the world. Cameron Mackintosh’s acclaimed production arrives in Milton Keynes on Tue 26 Apr for four weeks.
Northern Ballet share their take on the beloved literary classic The Great Gatsby from Tue 24 May, promising the most glamourous party in town.
From Mon 30 May, a whodunnit everyone can enjoy arrives fresh out the boardgame box and onto the stage. Cluedo is the new comedy thriller directed by Mark Bell, director of the award winning The Play That Goes Wrong, which will also be arriving in Milton Keynes on Mon 25 Jul.
Brining life and energy to the immortal songs of the late Jim Steinman and Meat Loaf is the rocking musical, Bat Out of Hell, from 14 June. With all the anthems you know and love, this show is set to be a crowd-pleaser for those inclined to rock ‘n’ roll.
From best-selling author David Walliams comes the Olivier nominated Billionaire Boy from Thu 30 Jun, a winner for the whole family!
Fancy yourself a decoder? Try to decipher the secrets, clues and riddles in The Da Vinci Code from Tue 12 Jul. The world premiere tour of the brand-new stage production stars Coronation Street’s Christopher Harper and Danny John-Jules (Red Dwarf, Death in Paradise).
Take a chance on the ultimate feel-good musical MAMMA MIA! as it returns to Milton Keynes on Tue 2 Aug. Set on a Greek island paradise, this musical is a story of love, friendship and identity, cleverly told through the timeless songs of ABBA. And from one musical legend to another, The Cher Show joins Milton Keynes Theatre from Tue 9 Aug. Get ready to Turn Back Time in this outrageous new musical directed by Arlene Phillips (Grease, Starlight Express) and choreographed by Strictly’s Oti Mabuse.
Willy Russell’s moving Liverpudlian tale, Blood Brothers, then takes to the stage from Tue 30 Aug. Few musicals have been received with such acclaim as this multi-award-winning production which surpassed 10,000 performances in London’s West End.
Milton Keynes will be screaming Go, Go, Go Joseph this September when the sensational new production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat comes to the Milton Keynes Theatre for two weeks. The family musical which opens on Mon 12 Sep stars Alexandra Burke as the Narrator and Jac Yarrowas Joseph.
Milton Keynes Theatre continues its outstanding programme of one night entertainment this season. The hilarious Menopause the Musical 2 comes to the theatre on Sat 11 Jun. Enjoy an evening with world famous football manager Harry Redknapp on Tue 28 Jun. Strictly professionals Anton & Giovanni team up for an evening of song and dance with their show, Him and Me. And the tribute shows are back! For Rod Stewart fans there’s Some Guys Have All The Luck on Sun 31 Jul, and celebrating the music of Tina Turner is What’s Love Got To Do With It on Sun 4 Sep.
