Sunny Afternoon pulled up at Milton Keynes Theatre and provided a brilliant and befitting tribute to the legendary Kinks. Armed with some of the greatest pop anthems of the 20 th century the show charted the rise of one of Britain’s most cherished rock bands. Miriam Buether’s superb stage design set the tone of the the swinging ’60s, with the stage walls littered with speakers and amplifiers, taking you right into the world of the band. As the show started it quickly became apparent, the cast were playing their instruments live! Trust me, that’s rare, very rare.   Plus, the tempo of the play was spot on, with continuous movement from a large cast that ensured all the scene changes were smooth and never distracted you from the plot. I was relieved the show’s portrayal of the Kinks story wasn’t overtly twee and the script wasn’t just written to fill the gaps between well-known songs. Sadly, a trait that I’ve often endured many times before when watching other rock music legends musicals. Technically, a live show, with a live band playing and performers singing on and off mics is demanding. And yes, there were times when the vocals drifted, but I would prefer that any day over backing tracks and computerized vocal enhancement. Sunny Afternoon narrates the story from Ray Davies’s perspective, the lead singer and the songwriter behind the music, lyrics and the band’s musical ethos.   In doing so, it presents the true story of The Kinks and how four young boys from London’s outskirts rose to become a famous part of rock history. As I said, Sunny Afternoon details their upbringing and downfalls as a group in a very respectful and highly enjoyable manner. The four band members Pete Quaife (Harry Curley), Mick Avory (Zakarie Stokes), Dave Davies (Oliver Hoare) and Ray Davies (Danny Horn) all brilliantly portray their alter egos and are very convincing as a British pop group of the 1960’s. But it wouldn’t be fair or right to lavish praise on just the band, as the entire cast were superb. Many taking on lots of different parts and roles, while also musically contributing to the live performances. Ray Davies’s songs possess a strong sense of storytelling, infused with his unique sharpness, humor, and a touch of melancholy and nostalgia. Bringing them to life live on stage is a heavy responsibility, but for me this production passed the test with aplomb. All in all, this was one of the best musicals I’ve seen for a very long time. To sum up, Sunny Afternoon: ‘You Really Got Me! https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/sunny-afternoon/milton-keynes-theatre/

Inspector Morse: House of Ghosts arrived at MK Theatre and provided an enjoyable and engaging murder mystery. For fans of the original Inspector Morse TV series, this new outing, written for the stage by Alma Cullen, is a welcome arrival. It’s been nigh on 25 years since the final episode of the iconic ITV series (1987–2000) starring John Thaw as Detective Inspector Morse and Kevin Whately as Sergeant Lewis. Alma Cullen’s take on the great Colin Dexter’s grumpy detective forces Morse to confront the highs and the lows of his Oxford student days. With Tom Chambers leading as Morse and the excellent supporting cast the play allows fans to experience a fresh take on Morse, with everything you would expect from a classic whodunnit.  However, if you are seeking a live replication of Thaw’s original Morse persona you will be disappointed, House of Ghosts, is not a tribute show to the iconic duo of Lewis and Morse.   To be fair, much of the spirit of the TV series endures. Barrington Pheloung’s haunting Morse Code theme tune opens proceedings and the stage is set, quite literally: it is 1987 and a production of  Hamlet  is in full flow when the actress playing Ophelia dies suddenly on stage. It is up to Morse to examine the play-within-a-play's cast, Chambers approaches the legendary role with his own style but there is tangible respect for Thaw’s original interpretation. An interesting mystery then unfolds over two acts with many twists and turns as Detective Chief Inspector Morse embarks on a gripping investigation and a surprising conclusion. I really liked the stage set and set changes: Very simple, very good and very Edinburgh Fringe if you get my drift and the stage lights helped create the correct ambience for each scene. All in all, Inspector Morse: House of Ghosts is a befitting tribute to the legendary TV show and if you like traditional theatrical mysteries of murder, you should catch this production.   MK Theatre – 17/21 March – https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/inspector-morse-house-of-ghosts/milton-keynes-theatre/

The Broadway musical, Legally Blonde arrived at Milton Keynes Theatre and proved Blondes do have more fun! Some 25 years on since the hugely popular cinematic hit and 20 years since it was turned into a Broadway musical, Legally Blonde hasn’t lost its ability to charm audiences. The theatre show  has previously enjoyed a West End run, UK tours and regional productions Now it’s back for another UK tour in a new colourful and energetic production suited to modern times. Based on the aforementioned much-loved Reese Witherspoon film this musical theatre version of Legally Blonde features music and lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin and a book by Heather Hach. The plot follows Elle Woods, as she works to get into Harvard Law School to follow the love of her life Warner. In doing so she surprises herself and those around her by becoming a great lawyer, full of integrity, and realising Warner may not be all that she really wants in life. As I mentioned this new production has been given some updates to bring it in line with 2026 culture and the story has been tweaked to make it work for the stage. Be warned, this is a full-on musical, i.e. the story is mostly told via narrative songs, something I personally found difficult. The barrage of tunes were caught between trying to tell a story while endeavoring to be musically melodic.   However, in Act 2, the pace and use of narrative songs was much better and as a result the show was more enjoyable and easier to follow.   The large cast were superb with powerful voices and strong, tight, choreography. The leading actors, especially Elle played by Amber Davies delivered their performances with engaging warmth. Set wise, the staging was very cool, very bright and seamless with an abundance of pink that Barbie would fully approve of. For many though, the two on stage scene-stealers were the live hounds Sprout and Milo as Bruiser and Rufus. To sum up, if you loved the film, you will enjoy this thoroughly modern musical.   Legally Blonde The Musical – MK Theatre 10/4 March https://www.dowhatinmk.co.uk/event-details/legally-blonde

The moving and mesmeric production of  The Red Shoes arrived at MK Theatre and proved you can believe the hype. The critically acclaimed Matthew Bourne’s rendition of  The Red Shoes  is based on Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger’s 1948 film, which in turn was based on the classic fairytale by Hans Christian Andersen. The tragic tale of a love triangle with a difference is beautifully moving with playful comic sections plus classic forties costumes and lush scenery. Red Shoes is the story of Victoria Page, a rising star in the world of ballet. When fate decrees that Page replace an unexpectedly injured Prima Ballerina, her good fortune comes at a cost, leaving her torn between her lover, composer Julian Craster, and manipulative ballet company manager, Boris Lermontov. There is something magical when watching a professional ballet in full flight in a packed and appreciative theatre. You are gripped as the story travels from Covent Garden to Monte Carlo and from Paris to the East End. The ballet dancers were all collectively talented the dancing and acting throughout is expressive and exceptional from the entire cast. Matthew Bourne has the golden touch of making ballet accessible and enjoyable to a wider range of audience (like me) who would never believe such an art form would be for them. His varying styles of dance and use of facial expressions and body language that tell the true story behind how the characters are feeling is a wonderful trait. The show’s set design is impressive with a dynamic and moveable stage which transforms constantly throughout the production, the set adds pace and energy to the story and is almost a character in itself.  Clever use of lighting invites the audience to emotionally engage with the many twists of fate being expressed in this beautiful ballet. It’s not often you get the chance to see such an esteemed ballet production with such class outside the West End, thanks to Mathew Bourne and MK Theatre you can.  So do yourself a favour and see Red Shoes, you will not regret it. https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/matthew-bournes-production-of-the-red-shoes/milton-keynes-theatre/

There are some tribute bands that look the part, some that only sound the part, some even combine both, but few, very few ever evoke the emotion felt when remembering the original artist. I can only think of the Bootleg Beatles, Abba’s Bjorn Again that manage to capture the spirit of such treasured bands. Well on tonight’s evidence, I would now also include T Rextasy into the tribute hall of fame. Led by the dazzling Danielz as Bolan and his kick ass band, punters were treated to an act that somehow has the music, persona and ambience of the legendary T Rex. Some of the audience may have been lucky enough to witness Marc Bolan play live in his prime, some like me unfortunately didn’t. Something I deeply regret. But from what I’ve seen via films, TV and documentaries T Rextasy do provide a brilliant representation of those halcyon days. The beauty of Bolan’s anthems is their light touch, it’s an easy trait to play faster and louder in an effort to appease the audience. T Rextasy possessed the confidence not to do so. Yes, there were wonderful full on rock moments that Bolan was renowned for, but it was Danielz and his band’s desire to leave space and let those melodies and hooks do their work. It was lovely to see the band again, as I first come across them way back in the 1990s at Dukes, they were brilliant then and they were brilliant at the Stable Theatre last night. The standing ovation given proved that class never fades, only shines.

Tina – The Tina Turner Musical is a vibrant and empowering jukebox musical that chronicles the troubled life and extraordinary career of the Queen of Rock 'n' Roll. It's through Tina's eyes that we relive her tumultuous road to stardom. From Anna Mae Bullock in Nutbush, a talented child singer in her dad's church battling a difficult relationship with her mother, to being discovered by her future husband Ike Turner and eventual reinvention as a solo artist. The set is so simple but works so well and the large screen at the back frequently enables so many different locations to be visualised as you go on the life journey with Tina. The use of the screen is so effective when it’s either quite empty or plain and the talented cast are using their silhouettes to create such wonderful shapes with their bodies to deliver visual splendour. It's the music that has drawn many people in and with a live band, the songs sounded great and the whole cast add to that. The hits keep rollin' through from across the decades. The stand out rendition for me, was the breathtaking version of River Deep Mountain High. But there were many more of her glorious hit featured. The actress playing Tina, Elle Ma-Kinga N’Zuzi, gave a stunning performance, not just her voice, but her passion and soul were evident throughout the production. To sum up, The Tina Turner Musical, it’s an emotionally engaging spectacle that will not disappoint. https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/tina-the-tina-turner-musical/milton-keynes-theatre/

The highly acclaimed Dear England kicked off its run at MK theatre chronicling the real-life journey of Gareth Southgate’s leadership of the England men’s football team. Football is often quoted as writing its own scripts, the drama, tension and excitement of the beautiful game is downright emotional Trying to transfer those traits from a pitch to a stage is a huge task, but Dear England does so with aplomb. Football meets theatre? It’s not a combination you’d expect and that’s exactly why it works so effectively. It’s not about goals and glory; it’s about identity, pressure, masculinity, and the weight of a nation’s expectation. The Lions roar in James Graham’s play, directed by Rupert Gold it engagingly portrays Gareth Southgate and his heroic nearly men of England.   The set design by Es Devlin is a brilliant combination of being modern, very simplistic and very effective. Most scenes take place on a football pitch or behind closed doors at training sessions and in pre- and post-game moments.   And take it from me, having spent over 20 years in professional football, the play’s boot room banter, boardroom politics and emotional turmoil are spot on.   As in football, you do need stars to shine and David Sturzaker as Gareth Southgate was brilliant, but like any manager he was backed up superbly by his team. Ie in this case all the cast and crew.   It is a remarkable play on so many levels. Like the game it so brilliantly portrays, it takes risks, possesses real tangible tension, celebration and emotional devastation. In doing so, it reminded me why I love football, love my dear England and love theatre! In a word: Glorious! https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/dear-england/milton-keynes-theatre/

FRIENDS! The Musical Parody is in town at the Milton Keynes Theatre and provides a nostalgic night of live entertainment. For a generation, Friends wasn’t just the 90s, but THE 90s! Millions loved Central Perk’s Friday night take away and wallowed in their weekly exploits. Now, thanks to this live theatre production you can personally enjoy the company of Rachel, Phoebe, Monica, Chandler, Joey and Ross. In short, FRIENDS! The Musical Parody is Friends greatest hits. Cheesy and twee, you bet it is! The parody’s plot spans all ten series of the show, condensing years of twists, romances, and sitcom shenanigans into a whirlwind two-hour performance, packed with non-stop jokes, musical numbers, and small details which are sure to delight any serious Friends fans. Once warmed up, the show builds steadily, layering musical numbers with running gags and affectionate character digs. Chandler and Monica’s portrayals are very good in capturing the chemistry that made their on-screen relationship so enjoyable The script and songs are peppered with nods to the audience, breaking the fourth wall and milking every nostalgic reference for all it’s worth. The cast were engaging throughout the show and provided a warm ambiance that made the TV series so popular. In a nutshell, if you like Friends, you will love this show. FRIENDS! The Musical Parody Milton Keynes Theatre - Tue 13 Jan - Sat 17 Jan 2026 https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/friends-the-musical-parody/milton-keynes-theatre/

If you are looking for a perfect pantomime, then head to Milton Keynes Theatre for the superb Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Pantomime legend Brian Conley returns as Billy Barnum to lead this year’s cast. He’s joined by his daughter Lucy Conley, who stars as Goldilocks along with renowned dame David Robbins as Dame Betty Barnum. Add the traditional villain Gary Milner as Baron Von Blackheart, magician Phil Hitchcock as the Magical Mysterioso, and The Timbuktu Tumblers and you have a magical show that all the family can enjoy. The theatre stage is set as a sensational circus, where everything is possible, and anything could and does happen. This enjoyable extravaganza is packed with hilarious comedy, brilliant special effects, mind blowing stunts, and awe-inspiring circus acts that collectively make it a panto fit for the millennium. The plot is based on Goldilocks’ circus coming under threat from an evil rival circus owner and with the help of their circus friends, they battle to rescue their Big Top from ruin. The storyline is enhanced by a wide range of spectacular sets, stunning dance routines and a collection of top tunes. The tempo is very fast paced, an important trait when taking children to live shows, in short from what I witnessed from my own clan and other children in the stalls; they loved every second of the production. Brian Conley is worthy of his acclaimed status of being a pantomime legend. His enthusiasm to entertain, speed of ad libs and comic timing is superb throughout the show. But to be fair, it was the collective efforts of a brilliant back stage team, especially the wonderful wardrobe and light techs, live musicians and the huge cast that made this Goldilocks a must-see show. And it is a show you must see.   Goldilocks and the Three Bears runs at Milton Keynes Theatre from Sat 6 Dec 2025 until Sun 11 Jan 2026. Book your tickets today at ATGTICKETS.COM/MiltonKeynes and be swept away by a pantomime spectacular that’s just right! The official charity partner for this year’s pantomime is the Milton Keynes Community Foundation (MKCF), which means that the generous donations made during the panto season will go directly into MKCF’s Community Fund , ensuring that local charities and community groups across Milton Keynes benefit through vital grant opportunities.

Cameron Mackintosh and Disney’s lavish new UK tour production of the multi award-winning musical Mary Poppins has landed at Mk Theatre for a highly anticipated run. The new stage version of Mary Poppins is an impressive achievement; it takes a very much-loved and iconic film as it’s starting point, retains everything that made the film so wonderful, and somehow gives you so much more. And take it from me, this memorable family show lived up to its reputation and hype! This is a big, big show.  Beautifully designed sets, breathtaking magical effects and brilliant tunes. Add the sheer scale and the imaginative complexity and imagination you will find it hard to see a touring show that can match such live theatrical grandeur as Mary Poppins. Armed with jaw-dropping sets, exquisite dancers, a timeless score and more than a hint of magic, this stage adaptation of the classic tale of the world's most extraordinary nanny is one of the most sensational live productions I’ve witnessed.   For those who haven’t come across Mary’s exploits before; Jane and Michael Banks are in need of a new nanny, but they have some very exacting requests. The nanny must be kind and funny, sing songs, take them on outings, never be cruel nor even smell bad.   When the mysterious Mary Poppins appears seemingly out of nowhere, she teaches the children and the adults of the Banks family a lesson or two, whist taking them on adventures far beyond their on your wildest dreams. The score is performed by a brilliant live orchestra. The quality of the sound, the sheer nostalgia and stellar performances of these much-loved songs was downright emotional. These timeless Mary Poppins tunes include some of the greatest pop songs ever made. We are talking about the likes of Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, Let's Go Fly a Kite and Feed the Birds. The entire cast were collectively superb and the choreography on display is nothing short of spectacular. I will refrain from mentioning the special effects, as they are so special they need to be seen in person to be believed. So, see it, and like me and my five-year-old granddaughter, you will love it and yes you will be asking Santa for a Kyte!   https://www.dowhatinmk.co.uk/event-details/mary-poppins

Based on the much-loved Oscar-nominated Warner Bros. movie starring Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner, The Bodyguard, arrived in Milton Keynes for a highly anticipated run. The aforementioned film is one of the most iconic rom – coms ever made. So, the producers were under pressure to match the celluloid magic on stage. Which they did. To date, the theatre show has played to over 3.9 million people in 15 countries and 45 US cities. Countries include the Netherlands, Germany, South Korea, Canada, Italy, Australia, Spain, France, the US, Austria and Japan and now here in Milton Keynes. This award-winning musical tells the story of former Secret Service agent turned bodyguard, Frank Farmer, who is hired to protect superstar Rachel Marron from an unknown stalker but, as you'd expect with two big personalities, each of them expects to be in charge - but what they don’t expect is to fall in love.   The original film is remembered for its amazing soundtrack and the stage show is equally enjoyable featuring some of the biggest hits of the 90s, including Queen of the Night, I Wanna Dance With Somebody, I’m Every Woman and of course the iconic I Will Always Love You. The show is fast-paced and doesn’t lag at all throughout the two acts. Smooth scene and incredibly quick costume changes and top-class choreography ensure this production never tires. The staging, lighting and effects are on a west end level, especially the opening number that visually pushes the boundaries of musical theatre on a touring show level. If you love musicals, you will love this show. https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/the-bodyguard/milton-keynes-theatre/