THEATRE

It’s a warm comedy about taking risks, finding love and embracing second chances – in the most surprising of places. W e might be looking to a new year, but at Milton Keynes Theatre the Christmas sparkle continues with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs performances carrying A great production needs an equally adept cast to shine to its fullest, and those taking care of casting business haven’t shirked any – they’ve secured a trio of aces; namely Hayley Mills, Paul Nicholas and Rula Lenska. “I am delighted to join the company of through to Sunday, January 8. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, as this

The start of the new year is traditionally a beautiful story of love and the importance drear; we’re all counting the pennies (now of new beginnings receives a new life as a more than ever), pay day seems forever and a fantastically feel-good show,” said Hayley, day away, and the weather is woeful. “Tales that warm the heart and lift the spirit

Bad times. But a trip to theatre-land will are a much-needed tonic at this time...” transport you to sunnier climes. Who doesn’t Marigold writer Deborah Moggach is just want some of that? And with Lesley Joseph, as excited to get this show on the road: Rob Rinder and the aptly named Paul Chuckle “I’m so thrilled that my characters are leading the cast, you’ll be in safe hands. stepping into a new life on the stage,” she Satisfaction, and smiles, guaranteed. said, “They’ve been waiting impatiently

We should also mention the Relaxed for the curtain to rise, and none of them Performance (Jan 5, 1pm) which will deliver is getting any younger. We’ve assembled the same awesome production enjoyed by a an amazing cast, so I hope they bring you typical audience, but with an atmosphere and plenty of laughs, and some warm sparks attitude that will make everyone feel safe and of recognition.” comfortable – because panto is there to be Read our exclusive interview with Hayley enjoyed by everyone. on pages 16-18.

When the panto season ends, New Last up this month, a couple of musical Adventures will return with another opportunity one-nighters, with The Illegal Eagles (Jan to fall in love with Matthew Bourne’s gothic 29) ‘playing’ tribute to The Eagles, obviously, romance, Sleeping Beauty (Jan 17-21). and a night celebrating sibling success with

This is your invitation to enter a wondrous The Carpenters Story (Jan 30). world of magical fairies and vampires, where the timeless tale of good vs evil is turned upside down, creating a supernatural love story that even the passage of time itself cannot hinder. Will Princess Aurora ever find her true love again? New Adventures are taking this show to 16 venues across the UK, making it the most wide-ranging, large tour of any dance company in the UK. With Tchaikovsky’s fang-tastic score and Bourne’s unparalleled choreography, audiences will be taken from the halcyon days of the Edwardian era to the modern day in this strikingly beautiful work. Bourne’s brilliant catalogue includes Swan Lake, Cinderella, The Car Man, and two of our favourites, Play Without Words and Edward Scissorhands. But it was Sleeping Beauty that became the fastest selling production in the company’s history when it premiered a decade ago. Enjoy the sumptuous sets and costumes, evocative lightning and masterly storytelling as New Adventures wow you – and that’s a given. When the cast have tip-toed their way from the venue, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel will take you on the journey of a lifetime (January 24-28). You know the film already; you’ll have followed the eclectic group of British retirees embarking on a new life.

Things are a little bit quieter as we exit 2022 and look forward to a new year of stage-stepping, but panto is still here to raise some cheer, and there are a couple of other tempting productions worth leaving home for. Sammy Jones has more... > Book your seats: atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes

Fang-tastic times Pic: Johan Persson and new lives in sunnier climes From the top: Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and Paul Chuckle in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs