THEATRE

Him & Me: Anton Du Beke and Giovanni Pernice

Teachers telling tales!

A class act – Two Mr Ps in a Pod(cast)

See The Prince of Boogie-woogie, Jools Holland at MK Theatre this month

Bubbles and tickling the ivories, mind games and terrible performances. Sammy Jones has details of July’s hottest theatre tickets...

Don’t forget that David Walliams’ Billionaire Boy is at MK Theatre (June 30-July 3).

It’s a modern story that shows why all the riches in the world can’t buy real friendship. Of course it’s all wrapped up in Walliams’ quite brilliant storytelling, which is a little bit bonkers too!

The venue then goes dark for a couple of weeks, but what better way to welcome back audiences than with Strictly favourites Anton Du Beke and Giovanni Pernice?

The longest-serving professional turned judge is joined by 2021’s trophy winner (July 17) in a show they’ve called Him & Me.

Anton & Giovanni will be joined by a cast of svelte movers and tunesmiths, delivering a show to enthral Strictly fans.

The Ballroom King and Jive Master are in demand and will need to The Play That Goes Wrong be nifty on their feet with two performances on the day – at 2.30pm and 7.30pm.

Jools Holland has just been back in play on BBC 2 with the 46th series of his Later With... sessions.

His ability at the keys to step in with artists from across the musical spectrum has long given us mixed emotions; part awe, part jealousy!

As the UK’s most popular pianist and bandleader, the man who boasts an OBE has performed and recorded with some of the most talented musicians and songwriters in the world, including Eric Clapton, the late George Harrison and Luther Vandross, Sting, BB King and Paul Weller.

But for Jools nothing feels quite as good as when he is leading his 20-piece Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, and incredibly he has been touring these shows for the past quarter century. Milton Keynes is regular spot on the itinerary, and some of you will recall his Campbell Park shows.

This time, he’s sticking with his now familiar visit to MK Theatre.

The vocal prowess of Ruby Turner and soulful sounds of Louise Marshall will also feature.

Mind control and psychological illusion follows with Derren Brown (July 19-July 23).

This is Derren’s first brand new show in six years and what to expect is a closely guarded secret. But if you are one of the thousands who have sat open-mouthed at the theatre during one of his previous visits, you’ll know that it’ll be nothing short of amazing. It’s edge of your seat viewing, and he’s got the Olivier nominations and awards to back that up. The show following will be one big let down – but that’s exactly why you should take a ticket! The Play That Goes Wrong (July 25-30) is coming back to town for more mishaps, mis-timed entrances, and calamities concerning stage props. You’ll laugh ‘til it hurts with this slice of brilliance. ‘The Cornley Drama Society are putting on a 1920s murder mystery, but as the title suggests, everything that can go wrong....does! As the accident prone thesps battle on against all the odds to reach their final curtain call, hilarious results ensue!’

If the cast really do screw up while trying to get things wrong the right way, things would really go wrong in a bad way, if you see what we mean!

Last up for July at MK Theatre, a one night stand (July 31) with Some Guys Have All the Luck – The Rod Stewart Story.

From Handbags & Gladrags to Stay with Me and Twisting The Night Away, fans will be in safe hands with frontman Paul Metcalfe taking on the energy and charisma of the legendary singer.

Well, it beats filling pot-holes, eh?!

At The Stables, Two Mr Ps in a Pod(cast) have been doing great business – their show at the Wavendon venue (July 2) has been selling so swiftly that the siblings have been snapped up for a second date on July 23.

Mr P – a primary school teacher for more than 14 years – is now the most followed teacher on social media in the country, thanks to his canny ability at sharing ideas and funny insights into life in the classroom.

Then his younger brother got involved and the podcast launched. It has since had more than four million listens and their debut book, the fantastically titled, Put A Wet Paper Towel On It; The Weird and Wonderful World of Primary Schools is a Sunday Times Best Seller.

Who will like this? Anyone who went to school, of course!

The Bubble Show returns (July 24) with a truly original blend of magic, storytelling and bubble art. Smoke bubbles, giant bubbles and fire bubbles will feature. If all goes to plan, it’ll be sud-sational!

> Book in: Milton Keynes Theatre: atgtickets.com/ venues/milton-keynes-theatre The Stables: stables.org