It's Party Season at the Royal Theatre in Northampton this week. If you thought adult parties are hard work, just wait until you have to navigate three children’s parties in one weekend! The kids are in the ball pit; the Entertainer is blowing bubbles; the adults gobble Perelló olives and pretend to like each other.  As ancient grudges rear their heads, the tension rises like a helium balloon.  Caught between who he was and who he’s supposed to be, Xander must decide whether

Here & Now – The Steps Musical arrives in Milton Keynes from Tue 31 Mar – Sat 4 Apr – it’d be a TRAGEDY to miss it!   It’s Friday night, and the vibe is right as Caz and her fabulous friends dream of the perfect summer of love.  But when Caz discovers her ‘happy ever after’ is a lie, and her friends attempts at romance are a total tragedy, they wonder – will love ever get a hold on their hearts?  Or should they all just take a chance on a happy ending… Caz works in a supermar

Sunny Afternoon musical is the story of The Kinks and this show has really got me! The show tells the story of two brothers, Ray and Dave.  Two very different personalities and yet despite sibling rivalry they show compassion and support for each other when the other one needs it. Ray played by Danny Horn  is outstanding in the role, delivering a conscientious and emotionally withdrawn Ray off stage but in front of an audience he is as wild as his brother. You can’t help but

It’s over 35 years since the legendary musical Miss Saigon  had its world premiere at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London’s West End. The Olivier and Tony Award-winning show has remained an enduring favourite with audiences ever since, seen by more than 38 million people worldwide. But this major new production touring the UK and Ireland marks an exciting, fresh chapter: it’s a brand-new invention of Miss Saigon , giving audiences a different experience of the timeless tal

Melting Pot and  Birmingham Repertory Theatre are bringing their thrilling co-production,  Inspector Morse: House of Ghosts , to Milton Keynes Theatre this March as part of a major UK tour.   A chilling mystery unfolds when a young actress suddenly dies on stage during a performance, and Detective Chief Inspector Morse embarks on a gripping investigation.  What begins as a suspicious death inquiry takes a darker turn when the legendary inspector, together with DS Lewis, uncov

Top G’s Like Me is currently playing in Dernage theatre and I can’t recommend this highly enough.  Firstly, it’s the Derngate like you have never seen it before.  It’s been turned into a skate park.  The stage is in the middle of the auditorium with seats all around and a half pipe at its centre  There is a park bench, an overfull rubbish bin and even the detail the floor has squares of fake grass.  It doesn’t end there.  The pillars in the foyer are graffitied.  I have never

I was excited to be in Aylesbury Waterside Theatre last night as if it were Christmas.  Actually, despite it being the beginning of February, it was Christmas as I was there to see Mischief’s Christmas Carol Goes Wrong.  I dressed up in a tinsel jumper and even bumped into Andy Collins who is a resident thespian for the Aylesbury panto.  It was beginning to look a lot like Christmas. I have seen all the ‘goes wrong’ series and loved them all.  I would normally say that my sen

Q&A with Amber Davies who is playing Elle Woods in the UK tour of Legally Blonde. How long has the role of Elle Woods in Legally Blonde The Musical  been on your wishlist? For a long time. I've actually been singing the material since college. These are songs that I've always loved to sing and it's always been a dream role. In terms of the trajectory of my career it's one of the biggest female roles in musical theatre when it comes to time on stage and the responsibility of p

If you want to start the year on a (River Deep Mountain) High, you can’t get higher than Tina – The Tina Turner Musical that is currently showing in Milton Keynes Theatre.  It’s an explosive extravaganza and tells the story of overcoming hardship to reach your dreams.     It’s a powerful story.  Tina Turner started life as Anna Mae Bullock and grew up in the Tennessee where cotton picking was part of life and segregation was rife throughout America.  Anna Mae always had a voi

Have you ever had the feeling you are being watched? Or followed?  Tom Ripley has.  Follow him to the Waterside theatre, Aylesbury, where The Talented Mr Ripley is currently playing. Tom Ripley is a nobody—scraping by in New York, forging signatures, telling little white lies—until a chance encounter changes everything.  When a wealthy stranger offers him an all-expenses-paid trip to Italy to bring home his wayward son, Dickie Greenleaf, Tom leaps at the opportunity. But in

Dear England, is in Milton Keynes Theatre this week.  This award-winning play tells the story of the man who was once only famous for missing a penalty.  But it’s time to change the game.  The country that gave the world football has since delivered a painful pattern of loss.  The England men’s team has the worst track record for penalties in the world, and manager Gareth Southgate knows he needs to open his mind and face up to the years of hurt to take team and country back

If I say Pivot, I Know, my eyes, my eyes, How you doin’? and Could I be anymore… then there can be only one show I am referring to.  It’s the 90’s sitcom series FRIENDS. Its so iconic with so many funny moments, that its original 10 seasons are known to generations of fans.  Now there is a musical parody of the series, playing at Milton Keynes Theatre this week.  I am a huge fan of FRIENDS and raised my children on FRIENDS.  Together we quote it to each other all the time. I

Roll up, roll up for the best panto ever.  If someone asked me for what I want in my perfect panto – Goldilocks And The Three Bears has it all.  I love magic – it has magic.  I love a tap dance – it has a tap dance (with three bears no less!).  It has acrobats that can limbo under fire.  It has great music.  It feels more like Las Vegas with its lights and showgirls than Milton Keynes.  But Milton Keynes should sparkle and this show feels proud to be in Milton Keynes with two

Are you ready for panto? I can’t hear you – I said are you ready for panto?!!!  Well, I am and my first panto of the season is at Royal & Derngate Theatre where we have The All New Adventures Of Peter Pan. This panto feels interactive and is fun filled to get you ready for the festive season.  There are fireworks, bubbles and even water pistols (you have been warned).  There are jokes for kids, jokes for adults and jokes for me.  Yes, I need a special joke such as … I ordered

Jasmine Storm interviews Brian Conley (Billy Barnum) and Lucy Conley (Goldilocks) who are both staring in this years Panto, Goldilocks And The Three Bears at Milton Keynes Theatre. JS: Hello. Lovely to meet you both. BC: Oh, look you got a Back To The Future programme! JS: I saw you last week. BC: Oh really?! Did you enjoy it? JS: Absolutely loved it. BC: (in American accent) Great Scott Marty! JS: You were fantastic! BC: Oh really?  Thank you.  I am so pleased you enjoyed it

sss Fawlty Towers has always been in my top five of favourite comedy shows.  Its slapstick humour and comic timing is legendary.  For those who have never stayed at Fawlty Towers, this hotel is run by Basil and Sybil Fawlty, helped by Polly and Manuel.  Basil is henpecked and although he tries his best to be pleasant to both staff and his guests, he often is run ragged and loses his temper quite easily.  Sybil loves a chat and although calm, she expects Basil to do most of th

David Robbins was born to play a dame. This year he is playing Dame Betty Barnum in Goldilocks and The Three Bears at Milton Keynes Theatre from 6 December 2025 to 11 January 2026. JS: Thank you for speaking with me.  My first question is what do you love about panto?  Do you love the audience participation and what is your favourite panto? Because you’ve done a lot of panto, haven’t you? DR: I have done a lot of panto.  I have.  I’ve been doing panto for so long, but that’s

The world’s favourite nanny flies into Milton Keynes Theatre for four magical weeks, with performances running from Wed 29 October to Sat 22 November.  Based on the stories of P.L. Travers and the Walt Disney film, the story of the world’s favourite nanny arriving on Cherry Tree Lane is more magical than ever before, featuring dazzling choreography, incredible effects and unforgettable songs. The timeless score includes the classic Sherman Brothers songs: Jolly Holiday, Step

The award-winning smash hit musical The Bodyguard returns to Milton Keynes Theatre this week.   The Bodyguard tells the story of Rachel Marron who is an award-winning singer, whose people take on a new bodyguard, Former Secret Service agent, Frank.  Rachel doesn’t like the changes to her routine that Frank insists on and she rebels against them, not realising she is putting herself in danger.  Her son, Fletcher likes Frank and she watches their friendship grow and that warms

Like a classic mystery? This week Agatha Christie’s Death On The Nile comes to Milton Keynes Theatre. This famous whodunnit reunites writer  Ken Ludwig , director Lucy Bailey  and producers  Fiery Angel  for the European premiere of a new adaptation of the globally celebrated Agatha Christie story.   On board a luxurious cruise under the heat of the Egyptian sun, a couple’s idyllic honeymoon is cut short by a brutal murder.  As secrets that have been buried in the sands of t