Dear England
Dear England
Embedded Files
Milton Keynes Theatre
20.1.26
Made me love football again
If you know me as a theatre maker, you know I like a clear stage. If the script and the company are good enough then the play can shine with just that. This show is a perfect example of my kind of theatre but enhanced with a stylish yet minimal set, great tec and music, classy choreography and on point voice work. Everyone maintains the voices and accents, especially when one actor is portraying several different characters. There are some particularly enjoyable caricatures which are spot on, poking fun at some real ejits in the public domain. The costumes and wigs alongside the actor’s skills tell you much about the character portrayed, big up the dressers as there are some super-fast changes in this show.
James Graham’s script is extremely funny, very moving and is about so much more than the beautiful game. Using the dreaded penalty taking for the individual player and dreadful penalty record of the England team, the story explores how Gareth Southgate changed the dressing room vibe by creating a whole team with a more balanced, collaborative and kinder ethos, something the great Arsene Wenger did at Arsenal. This democracy was continued in the programme where the performers were listed in alphabetical order rather than to a ‘star system’, I like that a lot. Small yet significant moments in the text added depth, for example when the players learn what the three lions on the shirt represent historically. This England team of young men with varied cultural backgrounds gaining an understanding of the wider impact of the crusades added an important layer to the story.
There were many moments where the audience were silent and still, no mean feat when there were school groups in, this demonstrates how gripping the play is, everyone holding their breath as one.
I really liked the way the fourth wall was broken, drawing the audience in and making us part of it, the mentions of our fab city of MK were entertaining too.
The choreography is stunning; on the pitch, in the dressing room, at training sessions, using slo-mo and freezes producing some brilliant stage images and using rhythms enabling transitions from scene to scene, moment to moment.
As an aside the Director Rupert Goold, also directed one of my favourite Shakespeare films, Macbeth (with Patrick Stuart and Goold’s wife Kate Fleetwood in the lead roles) I recommend you check it out.
Being a football manager is like being a theatre director, you can do all the prep but once they are on the pitch/stage, it is out of your hands. All the work can fall apart if the team aren’t there for each other, if an individual loses focus and/or stops believing in themselves or they get sloppy.
Dear England is a show for everyone because its about human beings coming together and negotiating their way through huge national and very public scrutiny, it’s about team building, mental health awareness, individuals coming to terms with personal and collective failure but learning that ultimately, unity and belief are the way forward.
The media and the sports fans have a job to do alongside the players, rather than slagging them off when they don’t achieve their potential, be there for your team through the good times and the bad because we are in this together and that is how the England men’s team could one day shine and win big. As the play notes, the England women’s team have achieved this so there is hope boys. This play reminded me what watching one’s team can do, it made me want to watch football again and to believe…
If you are a football fan who isn’t into theatre, then this is ideal for you.
If you are theatre fan who isn’t interested in football, then this is ideal for you.
Dear England
Performances: Tue 20 Jan - Sat 24 Jan 2026
Access bookings: 0333 009 5399
Group bookings: 0207 206 1174
Online Booking: ATGTICKETS.COM/MiltonKeynes*
*Fees may apply. Calls cost up to 7p per minute, plus your phone company’s access charge
Facebook, X & Instagram: @MKTheatre
Age Recommendation: 10+ It is a bit sweary.
To hear Lee Scriven and I chat about the show...
FRIENDS! The Musical Parody
Review Nadia John
Review Nadia John
Full disclosure, I’m a FRIENDS superfan and I went into this with high expectations which I didn’t think would be met. To paraphrase my favourite Friend “Could I BE more wrong?!”
Like many sitcoms of that era and before it, FRIENDS was filmed in front of a live studio audience, and you instantly get that vibe on entering the theatre. The warmup guy draws you in, and you feel like you’re part of the show. The set changes were smoothly done by the “TV studio crew” and each individual set had details which made them recognisable locations from the show.
Iconic characters Janice, Marcel, and (ahem) Tom Selleck made appearances, along with the much-loved Hugsy, Chick and Duck and Mrs Whiskerson. The ensemble cast absolutely nailed each of their characters, Daniel Parkinson as Chandler and Eva Hope as Rachel particularly stood out for me, the nuances, mannerisms, and vocal inflections of their performances had me doing double takes more than once.
It was clear that Jennie Quirk, costume designer, did her research the costumes were absolutely on point, and I was suddenly reminiscing about the fashions of the 90’s.
The original songs shone a light on subject areas that fans pondered when watching the show such as: The Only Coffee Shop in New York City, 45 Grove Street – How Can We Afford This Place? , Will They or Won’t They?, and of course We were on a Break! – having songs interspersed throughout the show didn’t seem at all out of place, the entire cast held their own vocally, special shout out to Edward Leigh as Gunther for his performance of Part of Their Gang, we feel you buddy.
The hair and make-up also helped draw you in to the “Friendsiverse” and regardless of whether you‘ve watched all 10 series on repeat since the 90’s or if you’ve never seen a single episode (or anything in between) this show is an upbeat, good fun jaunt through the lives of six firm friends and I guarantee you will come out of the theatre with a smile on your face, and feeling better than you did when you went in.
Book your tickets now!
Please note that the Friday matinee is a late one at 5.30pm and the evening show is 8.30pm, Saturday matinee is 2.30pm, all other evening shows start at 7.30pm
Performances: Tue 13 - Sat 17 Jan 2026
Access bookings: 0333 009 5399
Group bookings: 0207 206 1174
Online Booking: ATGTICKETS.COM/MiltonKeynes*
*Fees may apply. Calls cost up to 7p per minute, plus your phone company’s access charge
Facebook, X & Instagram: @MKTheatre
Roll Up, Roll Up, Panto is upon us
Oh Yes it IS!
Roll Up, Roll Up, Panto is upon us
Oh Yes it IS!
Goldilocks and the Three Bears
Milton Keynes Theatre
10.12.25
Fabulous Festive Fun DELIVERED!
This spectacular panto isn’t just happening in Milton Keynes, our fab city is celebrated in the show, from the opening number to some gags in the script.
The running time is 2 hours 20 including the interval and they get SO much in - storytelling, songs, dances, hilarity, the terrific Timbukto Tumblers, mind blowing illusions from Phil Hitchcock, the uber glamour of Dame Betty Barnum played by David Robbins (who also makes all his own costumes and wigs), the dastardly Baron Von Blackheart (love his theme music) played by Gary Milner who is revelling in the baddie roll and properly cracks the whip, the adorable Goldilocks played by Lucy Conley and of course, the ringmaster and Lord of the Laugh, Brian Conley as Billy Barnum.
They all work so well together and its great watching the daughter/dad relationship on stage with Lucy and Brian. Not forgetting the three bears with their wobbly bellies (they must be SO hot in those costumes), the orchestra (hurrah for live musicians) and the ensemble, all directed by the brilliant, award-winning Kathryn Rooney.
Brian absolutely knows how to play the audience with his perfect balance of inclusion and teasing, he is old school entertainment, and it is essential that those skills are not lost for future performers and audiences. Lucy has it and I know will continue the tradition, as will Max Fulham who was in the MKT panto last season as Smee, Max is a ventriloquist of extraordinary talent – thank goodness they will be keeping traditional panto alive in the future.
The set and costumes are as always superb, SO many sparkles and sequins. This is, as always, a 10 out of 10 and I will be going again in the new year. Hurrah for Crossroads Pantomimes, they really have it sussed.
Performances: Sat 6 Dec 2025 - Sun 11 Jan 2026
Relaxed performance January 6th - typically, they are for people who have autism or have sensory communication disorders or learning difficulties and some theatres also occasionally run them for people with dementia.
Access bookings: 0333 009 5399
Group bookings: 0207 206 1174
Online Booking: ATGTICKETS.COM/MiltonKeynes*
*Fees may apply. Calls cost up to 7p per minute, plus your phone company’s access charge
Facebook, X and Instagram: @MKTheatre #MKPanto
https://www.atgtickets.com/venues/milton-keynes-theatre
Shiny Hussain and I had the pleasure of chatting to Brian and Lucy Conley, David Robbins and Gary Milner a couple of months ago, Brian and Lucy both said how much they like MK. They were all a delight to chat to, you can hear them on the our listen again tab.
https://www.mixcloud.com/stonyradiouk/101225-stony-sunrise-brian-and-lucy-conley-mk-theatre-panto/
https://www.mixcloud.com/stonyradiouk/101225-stony-sunrise-gary-milner-mk-theatre-panto/
https://www.mixcloud.com/stonyradiouk/21225-stony-sunrise-david-robbins-mk-theatre-panto/
Mary Poppins - Milton Keynes Theatre
Mary Poppins - Milton Keynes Theatre
31.10.25
Totally Perfect in Every Way
Just wow, where do I start? Cameron Mackintosh’s spectacular, funny, magical, moving show hits every target, the cast, set, costumes, illusions, lighting, projections and a live orchestra deliver a dazzling show resulting in a very happy audience. Look at who else is behind it; book by Julian Fellows, music by Richard M. and Robert B. Sherman with new songs and additional music from George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, choreographed by Matthew Bourne and Stephen Mear, and directed by Richard Eyre, it is genuinely one of the best shows I have ever seen and is in my top five favourites.
Like the film, this stage show of Mary Poppins is of course perfect for the whole family (although please note there is age guidance of 7+ and under 5 year olds will not be admitted) but the vast majority of the audience were adults, and everyone loved it! The exquisite set design has so many layers with, for me, the truly magical reveal of the Banks house reminded me of a pop-up book which is genius. There are lots of laughs, some creepy moments too and the illusions are mind blowing.
Over 20 great songs and dances, including tap dancing with a specific tap section you may never have seen and might struggle to work out just how Jack Chambers (the adorable Bert) did it, but my goodness its spectacular. The physical work of the company creating tableaus that then morph into dances is stunning, the classic songs are there and gave goosebumps as do the songs that aren't in the film.
The whole company are brilliant; of course, the leads are wonderful, Stefanie Jones is Mary Poppins, Lucie-Mae Sumner as Winifred Banks (check out the chat I had with her on Stony Sunrise, Stony Radio next week) and Michael D. Xavier as George Banks are fab but I have to give a shout out to Connie Jones who played Jane Banks and Oli Manning who played Michael Banks, these young actors were, like the rest of the company, superb and I know they are professionals, but they are still children and were equal to the adults as well as being on stage for much of the show, keep your eyes open for them in the future.
There is so much to love about this show, a multiple level of brilliance that leftme in wonder, admiration, joy and with a face that aches from grinning and a heart full.
Absolute 10 out of 10 – do not miss it and don’t forget, group bookings get a discount.
Performances: Wednesday 29 Oct – Saturday 22 Nov 2025 (Evenings @ 7:30pm, Wed, Thu & Sat matinees @ 2:30pm, Sun matinees @ 2pm)
Access bookings: 0333 009 5399
Group bookings: 0207 206 1174
Online Booking: ATGTICKETS.COM/MiltonKeynes*
*Fees may apply. Calls cost up to 7p per minute, plus your phone company’s access charge
Facebook, X & Instagram: @MKTheatre
Caz Tricks
2:22 A Ghost Story - Milton Keynes Theatre
2:22 A Ghost Story - Milton Keynes Theatre
15.9.25
“THERE’S SOMETHING IN OUR HOUSE. I HEAR IT EVERY NIGHT, AT THE SAME TIME."
A young woman is alone in an old house that is clearly undergoing renovation. It is late, she is decorating, there’s a baby monitor on the coffee table, the baby is asleep in the bedroom upstairs, nobody else is in the house, her husband is away, she is a new, first time mum. The security light comes on outside, the urban foxes screech, the tension builds, the clock says 2:22am and there are footsteps on the floorboards above…
This clever script by Danny Robins locates us in the here and now, four young adults are having supper and it emerges that the house the hosts have recently moved into might be haunted, weird stuff is happening, it doesn’t make sense, is there a ghost or is there a rational explanation?
In 2:22 the audience are taken through a night where Jenny, Stacey Dooley, tries to convince her husband, the ever rational and never wrong Sam, Kevin Clifton, that the new home they are making by ripping the heart out of the old one is haunted, Sam has been away and is having none of it. Sam’s uni pal, Lauren, Shvorne Marks, and her fella Ben, Grant Kilburn, are the guests, Ben is open to the idea of a ghost, very open and he is understanding of Jenny, Lauren swings from one to the other and sways increasingly as the copious amounts of alcohol she consumes take over, but throughout it, Sam, a committed atheist, rejects the idea totally, he does not believe in ghosts. The clock ticks towards 2:22am the time when Jenny has heard the ghost, she has insisted they all stay up until then to prove she isn’t making it up and she isn’t mad. The reveal at the end is a good one, the evidence is there throughout but subtly done and no spoilers from me.
It's a witty play, a good balance of really funny and super creepy, the debates between the four characters are engaging, it’s technically challenging and the timing must be precise. The set, the cast, lighting and soundscape means this could be a 5 star show and, unlike the last time I saw it, it absolutely is, it works beautifully. A mention too for company members Rochelle Harvey and Paul Sockett, an audience might wonder why they have such small (yet essential) roles but remember, they are understudies so deserving of a notice and thanks.
Last time I saw this show, the woman on my left, a total stranger, jumped an awful lot, screamed a couple of times and grabbed me a few times too which was amusing. At least this time the woman on my left who jumped, grabbed and at one point elbowed me was my friend! Despite not liking scary stuff, Judith Brooker really did enjoy it!
2:22 A Ghost Story gets a 5 out of 5 from me as this time it completely succeeded in telling the story brilliantly, thanks to a superb cast, spot on timing, great writing, design and directing.
Even though I have seen it before, even though I knew what was going on and going to happen I got the tingles.
Caz Tricks
Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Milton Keynes Theatre
7.8.25
Fab songs, fab cast and so funny!
When I was about 8 or 9, we did Joseph at school, I was in the chorus and have loved the songs ever since, but I have never seen the show so didn’t know what to expect. I certainly didn’t expect to remember all the words to all the songs we sang in our production, but that just demonstrates the importance of the arts in education, all these many (many…many) years later, the words are still with me, which never happened with my times tables!
I also didn’t expect it to be so funny or quite as bonkers but then it was written as a school show by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, so that does make sense. Get the programme to find out more.
A children’s show needs light and shade, lots of laughs and silliness whilst telling a story of hope, survival and forgiveness. Joseph’s brothers get sick of him, take his flash coat and dump him in a well but pull him back out and sell him into slavery (great camels and of course they spit) then they tell their dad he is dead. I mean, I know he was annoying swishing his coat around and sharing his dreams of dominance over his siblings and parents shouldn’t have favourites but… I suppose that’s brothers for you. Of course, there is a happy ending, the show is jam packed with songs and only a little dialogue linking it all.
It's a perfect ensemble piece, so everyone gets a chance to shine, lots of different musical genres included and frankly, for me, anything that has tap dancing in it, is a winner! A huge cast, stunning set, costumes, choreography and lighting and with a live orchestra. A big shout out to Conductor/Musical Director John Rigby who was a joy and owned the audience!
So many fab performances but my goodness, Adam Filipe is amazing as Joseph and what a gorgeous voice. Loved it when some of the child actors took on older roles for example, as men with beards or when one was the goat sacrifice and a girl as Pharaoh’s Butler - no spoilers but many great moments and the youth owned it. Respect to the dressers who were super busy with so many costume changes.
I understand this is an updated/modernised version but there were a few things that irked. I didn’t get why the Narrator (Christina Bianco) was dressed so glamorously when telling the children the story at the beginning as the children were all in casual clothes or see the need for the mobile phone and as superbly talented as Bianco is, I felt she was overused. Why does The Narrator play Joseph’s father and Potiphar’s wife when there are other actors who could play those roles? I also had a moment of reflection which took me out of the production when listening to Close Every Door, it’s in the lyrics.
However, from performers to the design and the 24 songs in about 2 hours is a great night out, it is a lovely show to take children to and how lucky are we to have Milton Keynes Theatre?
Runs to Sunday August 10th August – yes, SUNDAY!
2 shows Saturday and 2 shows Sunday – check the Sunday times, half an hour earlier.
Performances: Wed 6 Aug - Sun 10 Aug 2025
Access bookings: 0333 009 5399
Group bookings: 0207 206 1174
Online Booking: ATGTICKETS.COM/MiltonKeynes*
*Fees may apply. Calls cost up to 7p per minute, plus your phone company’s access charge
Facebook, X & Instagram: @MKTheatre
Caz Tricks
Top Hat - Milton Keynes Theatre
Top Hat - Milton Keynes Theatre
23.9.25
TOTALLY TAPTASTIC!
How often is it that the whole audience leave the theatre smiling, chatting to total strangers and feeling that the world simply better place? Well, with Top Hat they certainly do. What a show, from the opening moment to the Conductor, Stephen Ridley, downing his baton as the audience were leaving, it was a spectacular, uplifting, laughter filled, carnival of Hollywood glamour.
This stage adaptation of the 1935 Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers film, with music by Irving Berlin, begins with a full-on tap routine to Puttin’ on the Ritz, which delighted me and everyone in the auditorium. The grin only left my face when I was laughing, this show is hilarious, it is a proper feel-good night out.
When chatting to a woman and her daughter in the interval, the mother and I knew all the songs as we’d grown up watching the films when we were children and her daughter knew a couple of songs as they have been used in ads!
Almost 100 years on, the Hollywood heritage shines through and, in the programme, director and choreographer Kathleen Marshall tells how she assisted her brother Rob (film/theatre director and choreographer) on his first Broadway show; he had assisted Graciela Daniele who assisted Bob Fosse who was supervised on his first show by Jerome Robbins – what a legacy!
It is a very simple story of mistaken identity, strong women, daft but often well-meaning men and that is all you need with the music and dance numbers, the glitz and the glam.
When I spoke on Stony Sunrise (www.stonyradio.com) to Jeremy Batt who is in the company, one of the things we discussed was the number of people involved in the show, check the programme for the long list but when you go to see it (and I really urge you do to so), note the costume changes, the often very quick and full costume changes. Then consider all those who are backstage dressing, helping the performers in and out of their costumes and that is just part of what goes on behind the scenes. This helps us understand just what is involved in staging a huge show like this.
The set (Peter McIntosh) is just genius, a part revolve stage which changes the location cleanly and magically taking us to where we need to be, it’s a huge cast, a huge show and hugely enjoyable.
While there's moonlight, and music, and love, and romance on stage, you just need to sit back and enjoy it all in Top Hat.
Performances: Tue 23 – Sat 27 Sep 2025
Access bookings: 0333 009 5399
Group bookings: 0207 206 1174
Online Booking: ATGTICKETS.COM/MiltonKeynes*
*Fees may apply. Calls cost up to 7p per minute, plus your phone company’s access charge
Caz Tricks
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