The first-ever UK and Ireland tour of TINA – The Tina Turner Musical, comes to Milton Keynes Theatre direct from the West End from Tue 27 Jan – Sat 7 Feb 2026.

TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL is the story of legendary artist Tina Turner, the twelve-time Grammy Award-winning Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Set to the pulse-pounding soundtrack of her iconic hits, including The Best, What’s Love Got To Do With It?, Private Dancer and River Deep, Mountain High, the musical is an inspiring true story of a woman who dared to dream fiercely, shatter barriers and defy the bounds of age, gender, and race to conquer the world against all odds.

The cast will be led by Elle Ma-Kinga N’Zuzi (Moulin Rouge! Das Musical, Cologne; Sweet Charity, Nottingham Playhouse) and Jochebel Ohene MacCarthy (Ghost the Musical, UK Tour; Hairspray, London Coliseum), who will share the iconic role of Tina Turner, alongside David King-Yombo (Moulin Rouge, Piccadilly Theatre; Oklahoma!, Wyndham’s Theatre) as Ike Turner.

Joining them in the cast is Martin Allanson, who will play Record Producer Phil Spector, with William Beckerleg as record company Marketing Manager Erwin Bach, Rushand Chambers as Tina’s father Richard Bullock, Claude East as Tina’s grandmother Gran Georgeanna (GG), Isaac Elder as Tina’s Manager Roger Davies, Georgia Gillam as Tina’s sister Alline Bullock, Letitia Hector as Tina’s mother Zelma Bullock, Kyle Richardson as Tina’s first love Raymond Hill, and Gemma Sutton as Ike and Tina’s manager Rhonda Graam.

TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL continues to run in the West End at the Aldwych Theatre, where it has played for over 6 years following its world premiere, receiving critical acclaim, and breaking all Box Office records at the venue. It is currently booking until 25 October 2025, making it the longest-running show to ever run at the Aldwych. The production is also a global success, with 8 productions having opened worldwide since 2018, including on Broadway and across North America, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands and Australia. The show is currently on tour in both North America and Australia.

Directed by Phyllida Lloyd and written by Olivier Award and Pulitzer Prize-winner Katori Hall, with Frank Ketelaar and Kees Prins, TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL is choreographed by Anthony van Laast, with set and costume designs by Mark Thompson, musical supervision by Nicholas Skilbeck, lighting by Bruno Poet, sound by Nevin Steinberg, projection design by Jeff Sugg, orchestrations by Ethan Popp, and wigs, hair and makeup design by Campbell Young Associates, casting by Pippa Ailion CDG and Natalie Gallacher CDG.

TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL is produced by Stage Entertainment, Joop van den Ende and Tali Pelman, in association with Tina Turner.

TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL is dedicated to the memory of Tina Turner, who sadly passed away in May 2023.

Book your tickets now at ATGTICKETS.COM/MiltonKeynes

LISTINGS

TINA – The Tina Turner Musical
Performances: Tue 27 Jan – Sat 7 Feb 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

Venture just outside Milton Keynes to Forestry England Salcey Forest where families get step into a magical forest adventure with the new Room on the Broom Trail – launching January 2026.

Bringing Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s much loved story to life, this enchanting trail offers a spellbinding experience for families to enjoy throughout 2026. Celebrating the 25^th anniversary of the beloved book, the trail is packed with activities, fascinating forest facts, and plenty of hands on fun. It’s the perfect way for families to explore the great outdoors.

From 27 January, visitors can join Witch and her friends on a spellbinding journey through the forest. Along the way, children will help Witch find her lost hat, bow and wand, and collect magical ingredients to complete her spell. Each stop on the trail is packed with fun activities, fascinating forest facts, and a sprinkle of woodland magic – perfect for young explorers and families looking for an unforgettable day out.

Demi Langford, Forest Centre Manager said:
“We’re thrilled to bring the magic of Room on the Broom to Salcey Forest. This trail is a wonderful way for families to connect with nature, enjoy a beloved story, and create unforgettable memories together. With fun activities and enchanting surprises along the way, it’s the perfect adventure for young explorers.”

To make the adventure even more special, families can pick up a Room on the Broom trail pack for just £4. Each pack includes a themed lanyard, magic spell cards, stickers, a pencil, and a pop-out craft to create your very own witchy wand.

The Room on the Broom trail continues the successful partnership between Forestry England and Magic Light Pictures, which began in 2014, bringing Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s beloved characters to life in natural settings. Filled with woodland magic, captivating storytelling, and family fun, this new trail offers the perfect way for families to enjoy the great outdoors together throughout 2026.

For more details visit: www.forestryengland.uk/room-on-the-broom

Reggae Land has revealed their full line-up for its sixth and biggest edition to date when it returns to Milton Keynes National Bowl on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd August 2026. With more than 120 artists due to perform across seven stages, the announcement proves that this will be the celebrated festival’s most ambitious year yet, with one of the biggest ever reggae and dancehall festival line-ups ever assembled anywhere in the world.

Since moving to Milton Keynes’ National Bowl, Reggae Land has transformed the iconic venue into a Caribbean cultural hub that carefully combines world-class performances with Caribbean food villages, rum bars, flea markets, museum spaces and immersive decor. In 2026, the festival expands further with the addition of two new stages, even higher levels of production and sound and up to 100,000 attendees across the weekend. All this and more makes Reggae Land a truly authentic and tastefully curated showcase of Caribbean music, food and art in many different forms.

Across the much anticipated August weekend, Reggae Land will once again celebrate a full spectrum from roots and reggae royalty to dancehall, dub, jungle and carnival energy, all while bringing together legendary names, global stars, emerging artists and scene-defining selectors.

Saturday’s Main Stage is led by the return of two reggae and dancehall legends, bringing their exclusive world debut of landmark supergroup The King & The Royals, which unites the king of dancehall himself, Beenie Man, alongside reggae royalty, Morgan Heritage, both returning to Reggae Land having performed separately in 2023 and 2025 respectively. The King & The Royals serve up a historic, unifying live experience that brings together their two Grammy-winning legacies for one powerful, deeply authentic celebration, with spiritual uplift and lyrical mastery at its core. Dancehall fire and reggae soul will collide and feature many of their global hits, timeless classics and an emotional, high-energy vibe designed for all ages and all generations. They will be joined by debut performances from Tarrus Riley, Barrington Levy and Jah9, as well as Konshens and Kranium, who both make their debut Reggae Land appearances.

On Sunday, the Main Stage welcomes one of the most sought after dancehall artists on the planet, making his long awaited Reggae Land debut, the one and only Vybz Kartel. He is one of dancehall’s most influential and prolific artists and has long redefined the genre with his razor sharp lyricism, endless creativity and unmatched cultural impact. He’s a global hit machine with standouts including ‘Summertime,’ ‘Wine to the Top’ and “Party With Me” plus a catalogue that spans street anthems, club classics and melodic crossovers. On stage, Kartel brings intensity, presence and unifying singalongs charged with attitude and an unmistakable sound that has shaped modern dancehall.

Alongside him is another debut Reggae Land performance from the incredible Grammy nominated Shenseea, as well as the return of one of Jamaica’s most commercially successful exports, Shaggy, making his first appearance since headlining the very first Reggae Land back in 2022. Super Cat, Inner Circle and Mo’Kalamity & The Wizards make up the rest of Sunday’s mainstage line-up, who all continue the festival’s tradition of showcasing iconic voices alongside contemporary global stars.

The One Love Stage continues to honour roots, culture and conscious sounds. Saturday’s lineup includes Richie Spice, Ken Boothe, Jesse Royal, Samory I, League of Rebelz and Ras Kwame, while Sunday sees performances from Sanchez, Mr Vegas, Alborosie, Third World and Hollie Cook.

New for 2026, the Dancehall Stage delivers high-energy performances and sound system culture across both days. Saturday features T.O.K, Charly Black, Stylo G, The Heatwave presents Hot Wuk and sets from Seani B, Kash & Pharaoh G, DJ Larni and DJ Dennyhus & Prime. Sunday brings Cham, Serani, Ding Dong, David Rodigan, Becca D, Shayna Marie, DJ Nate and DJ Davda.

The Carnival Stage brings crossover energy and bass-driven sounds. Saturday includes General Levy, the Jungle Cakes takeover featuring Ed Solo, Deekline, Benny Page, Navigator and Killa P, Eva Lazarus, Robbo Ranx, Prince Fatty & Horseman, Jamie Rodigan and Sugarkane. Sunday hosts Congo Natty, Fabio & Grooverider & MC GQ, Top Cat (Live), Ragga Twins Crew, Shabba presents Janelle Wynter, Serocee & Friends, Ras Kwame’s Reggae Recipe and Kaya Fyah.

The Dub Stage returns with heavyweight sound system culture across both days, including Mad Professor, Little Lion Sound, Reggae Roast, Scientist, Mungos Hi Fi  & Charlie P, Aba Shanti I, YNG CPTN Sound, Sisters in Dub, Saxon Sound, Side by Side Soundsystem, King Tubby’s Soundsystem and more.

Rompa’s Reggae Shack returns with Ayito, Clapper Priest, Chez, Boxer Banton, Daddy Nature, DJ Ardi, DJ Dansey, Uncle Dugs, Lionpulse and more across the weekend, while the newly introduced Bob’s Bar Stage provides a dedicated space for roots reggae, dub and lovers rock. Across the weekend, artists include Earl Gateshead, Don Letts, Iration Steppas, Channel One, Dub Pistols Sound System, Rhoda Dakar,  Greensleeves Hi Fi, Josh Skints, Mark Ryder, Gully B and Queen Bee. 

Nowhere in the country, or arguably anywhere in Europe, serves up such a rich, tasteful blend of Caribbean music and culture than Reggae Land, as of 2 February 2026 – tickets were all sold out. Keep an eye on our socials for additional ticket releases.

Friday 23 January marks a major milestone for Milton Keynes: exactly one year until the city is 60 years old, having been officially designated as a New Town on 23 January 1967.

The countdown begins now to mark six decades of community spirit, growth, and creativity.

Over the years, Milton Keynes has grown from a bold idea into one of the UK’s most successful and fastest growing cities. Home to major national and international companies, world leading innovation, and one of the most diverse and welcoming populations in the country, Milton Keynes has truly made its mark. Its energy, ambition and strong community networks helped it achieve official city status in 2022, recognising the important role the city plays on both a national and global stage.

Milton Keynes City Council, working closely with partners, has begun exploring ideas for an exciting cultural programme for 2027 to celebrate the city’s achievements and shine a light on everything that makes Milton Keynes a special place to live, work and visit. The city council is inviting residents and community groups to share their ideas on what local events could help bring communities together, focusing on neighbourhood celebrations on the day itself, to a high profile summer event, and opportunities during the International Festival.

Cllr Shanika Mahendren, Cabinet Member for Planning and Placemaking, said: “We want 2027 to be a truly outstanding celebration of culture, one where everyone can take part, share their stories and come together. It’s a chance for people across Milton Keynes to showcase their heritage, their ambitions and the ideas that continue to build our reputation as a city of innovation and imagination. I look forward to working with communities across Milton Keynes to create an unforgettable year of celebration.”

The Milton Keynes Museum team has been working closely with the city council and communities across the city for the past two years to develop the New City Gallery and to collect and celebrate the city’s shared story.

Bill Griffiths, Director of Milton Keynes Museum said: “Milton Keynes is one of the most important national city building projects of the twentieth century, and it continues to grow and evolve. It is a unique example of what can be achieved by people and communities coming together to build their own city and culture. The 60th birthday is a tremendous opportunity to celebrate this and look to the future together with optimism.”

There will be many other opportunities for local people to get involved, starting with a series of workshops consulting on a new Creative and Cultural Strategy, which is also due to begin in 2027.

For more information about the 60th anniversary plans, how to get involved, and the development of the new Creative and Cultural Strategy, visit:
City Council’s Culture Page

Milton Keynes is set for a night of big laughs as The Comedy Cow returns to The Venue MK on Friday 27 February, delivering an unmissable evening of live stand-up comedy.

Doors open at 19:00, with the show starting promptly at 20:00.

Headlining the night is the brilliantly anarchic Spencer Jones, star of Live at the Apollo, 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, and winner of the Edinburgh Comedy Award for Best Show. Known for his surreal storytelling, musical madness, and unpredictable charm, Jones promises a headline set packed with originality and laughter.

Opening the show is comedy veteran Mike Gunn, one of the UK circuit’s most respected acts, bringing razor-sharp wit and masterful timing to kick the night off in style.

Holding the night together as MC is the ever-reliable Julian Deane, whose slick crowd work and warm delivery make him a favourite at comedy clubs across the country. Completing the line-up is rising star Ed Hedges, taking the middle spot with his clever, relatable humour and fast-growing reputation.

Event details:

• Event: The Comedy Cow
• Venue: The Venue MK
• Date: Friday 27 February
• Doors: 19:00
• Show starts: 20:00

With a carefully curated line-up of established names and exciting talent, The Comedy Cow continues its reputation for bringing high-quality comedy nights to Milton Keynes.

Tickets are expected to sell fast, so early booking is strongly advised.

BOOK HERE

Willen Hospice has officially opened the doors to its brand new clearance outlet in Stacey Bushes, welcoming more than 500 customers on the first day.

With everything priced at just £1, £3 or £5, shoppers were queuing around the block on Thursday to be the first to grab a bargain and support the outlet’s launch. The city’s Mayor, Councillor James Lancaster, and Hospice Chief Executive, Kate Broadhurst, were present to cut the ribbon.

More than 2,600 items were sold on opening day alone, half of which were women’s clothing. This raised vital funds that will help the Hospice continue providing life-changing care for the community.

As well as a great selection of women’s and men’s clothing and homewares, the shop also features a concession from Off The Record – the Hospice’s hugely popular independent music store based in central Milton Keynes. This was a big draw for some shoppers, with more than 500 vinyls and CDs being sold.

Ian Palmer, Associate Director of Retail at Willen Hospice, said “The opening of our clearance outlet has exceeded all our expectations. We were delighted that so many of the community came along to support us, and this shows how important sustainable shopping is to local people. The average item price is £2, so this really is a great place to get a bargain! We’re also incredibly grateful to our staff and volunteers who worked so hard to get the shop ready. Seeing the community come together like this reinforces why this shop matters and the positive impact it will have.”

The Hospice needs to raise £9.6 million each year to provide its expert care services for local people with a life-limiting illness. Its 13 charity shops across Milton Keynes and neighbouring areas are one of its most important and reliable sources of income. Through shopping sustainably, customers are directly helping care for patients and their families.

The new clearance outlet is located at the front of Stacey Bushes Trading Centre on Erica Road, with plenty of free parking and makes a new permanent addition to the Hospice’s growing retail presence. Opening hours are 10am-4pm Wednesday to Sunday (closed Mondays and Tuesdays). To keep up to date with shop events and sales, follow Willen Hospice Shops on Facebook and Instagram.

If you’d like to get involved in running the clearance outlet, the Hospice is currently looking for enthusiastic volunteers. This is a fantastic opportunity to make a meaningful difference, meet new people and be part of a team. For more information, pop into the shop, visit willen-hospice.org.uk/volunteer-in-retail or call 01908 306998.

The Community Orchard at Woughton on the Green celebrates its 50th anniversary this year!

Planted in 1976 by the Milton Keynes Development Corporation, the orchard is the largest of its kind in the city and is now cared for by The Parks Trust alongside volunteers from the Mid Shires Orchard Group.

Home to 19 native apple varieties, the orchard continues its original purpose of offering free fruit for local people to enjoy. To mark the golden anniversary, several community events will take place in 2026, including a traditional Wassail Ceremony on 24 January, a Spring Picnic on 9 May, a Summer Picnic on 25 July, and the popular Apple Day on 17 October. Full event details are available on theparkstrust.com/goldenorchard

The orchard’s history stretches back even further to its days as Cottage Farm, once home to Patch, a much‑loved Shire horse whose name lives on in the nearby allotments. As part of the anniversary, The Parks Trust is inviting residents to share personal memories and stories of the orchard. Visitors are reminded to collect apples from the ground rather than picking from the trees to help protect them.

Amy Gerhard, Events & Community Engagement Assistant at The Parks Trust says “The orchard has always been for the people of Milton Keynes, and this anniversary is a chance to celebrate that together. From the Wassail to picnics and Apple Day, these events are all about bringing neighbours, families, and friends together to share in its rich history and vibrant future.”

Find out more on theparkstrust.com/goldenorchard

After an emotional search that uncovered countless acts of selflessness across the county, a luxury Buckinghamshire hotel has announced the winner of its ‘Christmas Hero’ competition – along with two surprise runners-up.

Horwood House, an award-winning, 4-star country house hotel and conference venue in Little Horwood, near Milton Keynes, launched the campaign last month to honour an unsung community champion with a luxury Rural Retreat Spa Package.

While the hotel originally set out to find a single winner, the sheer volume and emotional weight of the nominations left the judges with an impossible choice. As a result, the hotel has expanded the prize pool to recognise three extraordinary community champions.

The overall winner was Nick Freeman, who was nominated by multiple members of the community for his tireless work co-running The Man Cave UK’s Bletchley group, which supports men’s mental health.

Nominations described Nick as an “unsung hero” who responds to men in crisis around the clock, despite having a full-time job in manufacturing, being a personal carer to a family member and looking after a toddler at home. Beyond facilitating support groups, Nick has voluntarily created a city-wide digital network to signpost residents to vital mental health services and has even been credited with saving lives through his intervention and guidance.

Speaking on hearing he had won the competition, Nick said: “I had no idea people had nominated me so was quite overwhelmed when I got the call from the hotel to say I had won! It’s certainly a nice recognition for the work I do in the community. At The Man Cave UK, we support over 400 men aged 18 to 79, providing them with the platform to speak to someone 24/7 during any life struggles. We’ve just opened our sixth ‘man cave’ in Newport Pagnell, with 2026 expected to be our biggest year yet as we continue to ensure men always have someone to talk to about their mental health.”

The two additional standout nominees, who will each receive a ‘Peaceful Escape’ spa break, include:

• Clare Pacey, founder of The Woad Farm Project. Clare was recognised for her dedication to supporting over 1,000 children experiencing trauma or exclusion through therapeutic support in nature with animals. Nominations highlighted her “vision and passion,” noting that she works unpaid and has continued to run sessions and manage the project late into the night, even through pregnancy and caring for a newborn.
• Amee Tomkins, a local volunteer who brings joy to the most vulnerable. Amee visited intensive care and stroke wards with her therapy dog to ensure patients weren’t alone during the festive season. Despite having a young family of her own, she dedicated her Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to visiting wards, even hand-writing cards and making gifts for patients and staff.

Caroline Morrone, General Manager at Horwood House Hotel, said: “When we launched this search, we hoped to find one person to spoil for Christmas. However, we were genuinely inundated with entries, and the stories we received were incredibly moving. It became clear very quickly that we couldn’t choose just one winner.

“Nick, Clare, and Amee represent the very best of our community. From saving lives and supporting children through trauma to bringing comfort to hospital patients, their kindness is inspiring. We are delighted to give them a chance to relax and be the ones looked after for a change. We also want to say a huge thank you to everyone who took the time to nominate – it is clear that Buckinghamshire is full of heroes.”

Find out more information on Horwood House Hotel, https://www.horwoodhouse.co.uk/

Milton Keynes Development Partnership (MKDP) has selected ATG Entertainment (ATG) as its preferred partner to operate a brand-new, multi-purpose events venue in the heart of Milton Keynes.

ATG, the global leader in live entertainment with over 30 years of experience, will bring its national and international expertise to the 4,000-capacity venue at the Old Bus Station, Elder Gate. The venue is expected to attract more than 300,000 visitors annually, hosting a diverse range of performers and acts. It will complement ATG’s highly successful operation of Milton Keynes Theatre since it opened in 1999 by enabling larger-scale music performances and live experiences that the existing theatre cannot accommodate.

This landmark project represents a £76 million investment from MKDP and is forecast to deliver £158 million in economic and community benefits, alongside creating approximately 70 new jobs. The development forms part of MKDP’s updated Business Plan for 2024–2027, which focuses on transformative placemaking projects to enhance the city centre and provide facilities befitting a growing city. The venue will be located adjacent to the recently revitalised Station Square and close to Unity Place, Santander UK’s new £150 million headquarters and community hub.

ATG has a proven track record of attracting major acts and strengthening cultural offerings. This new venue will expand Milton Keynes’ entertainment landscape, giving residents and visitors access to blockbuster concerts and large-scale live experiences, with over 100 headline events planned annually.

Later this year, MKDP will begin the planning process, including a public consultation to ensure local voices help shape the development. Construction is expected to start soon after, with the venue scheduled to open in 2029.

“Identifying ATG as our preferred partner takes us one step closer to delivering a world-class events venue for Milton Keynes. This project reflects our shared vision with Milton Keynes City Council to create a vibrant, welcoming city centre that offers something for everyone. The venue will not only bring incredible live entertainment to the heart of the city but also boost the local economy, create jobs, and strengthen Milton Keynes’ reputation as a destination for music, culture, and events. We’re excited to work with ATG and the community to make this vision a reality.”
– Nicola Sawford, Chair of MKDP

“We are delighted to be named preferred partner for this landmark new venue in Milton Keynes. The city has ambitious plans for its future, a growing population, and a strong cultural appetite, making it an ideal location for a large-scale, multi-purpose events venue of this kind.

This new venue will complement the success of Milton Keynes Theatre by enabling larger-scale live music, comedy, and entertainment experiences that cannot currently be accommodated, broadening the city’s cultural offer for residents and visitors alike.

As the global leader in live entertainment, we work with the world’s leading artists, promoters, and producers to present concerts, comedy, and live events at scale, and we look forward to bringing that expertise to Milton Keynes. We’re excited to work in partnership with MKDP, the City Council, and the local community to create a world-class destination that delivers lasting cultural and economic benefits for the city.”
– Nick Potter, Chief Operating Officer for ATG Entertainment

MKDP is an independent organisation owned by Milton Keynes City Council. Through strategic land development, MKDP generates funding to support placemaking projects across the city. By 2027, MKDP will have provided £7.8 million to the city council for placemaking projects, rising to £23 million by 2035/36.

The Milton Keynes branch of John Lewis, in partnership with the UK and Ireland tour of TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL, is showcasing costumes from the production ahead of its arrival at Milton Keynes Theatre, where it will play from Tuesday 27 January – Saturday 7 February. The costumes are on display now until 9 February.

Designed by set and costume designer Mark Thompson, costumes on display at the store include replicas of the iconic gold fringe dress worn by Tina Turner for her landmark performance of Proud Mary on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1970, and the unforgettable red leather outfit from Tina’s 1988 Rio de Janeiro concert. This unique opportunity gives Milton Keynes shoppers the chance to see the costumes up close.

TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL is the story of legendary artist Tina Turner, the twelve-time Grammy Award-winning Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Set to the pulse-pounding soundtrack of her iconic hits, including The Best, What’s Love Got To Do With It?, Private Dancer and River Deep, Mountain High, the musical is an inspiring true story of a woman who dared to dream fiercely, shatter barriers and defy the bounds of age, gender, and race to conquer the world against all odds.

Elle Ma-Kinga N’Zuzi and Jochebel Ohene MacCarthy will share the iconic role of Tina Turner alongside David King-Yombo as Ike Turner. Martin Allanson will play Record Producer Phil Spector, with William Beckerleg as record company Marketing Manager Erwin Bach, Rushand Chambers as Tina’s father Richard Bullock, Claude East as Tina’s grandmother Gran Georgeanna (GG), Isaac Elder as Tina’s Manager Roger Davies, Georgia Gillam as Tina’s sister Alline Bullock, Letitia Hector as Tina’s mother Zelma Bullock, Kyle Richardson as Tina’s first love Raymond Hill, Bree Smith as Standby Tina Turner and Gemma Sutton as Ike and Tina’s manager Rhonda Graam.

TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL is produced by Stage Entertainment, Joop van den Ende and Tali Pelman, in association with Tina Turner.

TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL is dedicated to the memory of Tina Turner, who sadly passed away in May 2023.

Book your tickets now at ATGTICKETS.COM/MiltonKeynes

After all the fun, food and chaos of the festive season, there’s nothing quite like a New Year (and your New Year’s Resolutions) to give you a little bit of time to pause, reflect and re-focus on your wellbeing.

Whether you’re looking to spend more time outdoors, take on a new hobby or challenge yourself by trying something new, Xscape Milton Keynes has got everything you’re looking for under one gigantic roof.

SET YOUR GOALS

Looking to get out of your comfort zone? Or are you hoping to improve your PBs and master your favourite activity? From booking onto a climbing session at Gravity Rocks to completing all six themed escape rooms at Escape Hunt, Xscape is here to make all of your 2026 goals both fun and achievable. Between working on your Volcano Falls par, gearing up to bowl a perfect game at Hollywood Bowl or setting up a new Nuffield Health routine and shaping healthy habits, you’ll be levelling up your skills and reaching your goals in no time at all.

GET MOVING

From 5Ks to marathon training, if you’re looking to get outdoors and get moving this January, the first thing to do is plan a visit to Ellis Brigham, Trespass and Evans Cycles. Before you step into your new training regime, make sure you’re kitted out for everything with all the latest high-quality gear for everything from winter walks to summer hikes. If you prefer to stay indoors, there are still plenty of ways to increase your movement at Xscape – dive into the pool at Nuffield Health, burn off some energy with an open jump session at Gravity and increase your fitness as you race to the top of the Gravity Rocks climbing wall.

EMBRACE NEW CHALLENGES

It’s officially the time of year to take on a new challenge or two – and Xscape Milton Keynes have plenty to choose from! Whether you’re starting small and looking to challenge yourself to beat the high score on your favourite Funstation arcade game or you’re thinking bigger and wanting to dive into a new hobby and progress your flight skills at iFLY, you’re in the right place. Want to learn a new skill? Check out Snozone’s beginner courses. Looking to become your friend group’s biggest movie buff? Head to Cineworld and challenge yourself to watch a new film every week. And then, of course, there’s the biggest challenge of all…deciding what to explore first!

Visit the Xscape Milton Keynes website

The National Theatre’s tour of Dear England will be entertaining football and non-football fans alike when it kicks off at Milton Keynes Theatre from Tuesday 20 – Saturday 24 January 2026.

Following a record-breaking run in the West End in 2023, James Graham’s Olivier Award-winning play Dear England is now on tour, visiting 16 venues across England, in a co-production with Josh Andrews and Stuart Galbraith for JAS Theatricals. Performances run at Milton Keynes Theatre from Tue 20 – Sat 24 Jan 2026, with tickets available now via ATGTICKETS.COM/MiltonKeynes.

Dear England is ‘gripping, moving and funny…as good as theatre gets’ (★★★★ The Sunday Times). Audiences have been brought to their feet for this inspiring, at times heartbreaking, and ultimately uplifting story of Gareth Southgate’s revolutionary tenure as England manager.

Heading the cast in “the decade’s biggest theatrical triumph” (★★★★ Daily Telegraph) is David Sturzaker as England manager Gareth Southgate, with Samantha Womack (EastEnders, Mount Pleasant) playing team psychologist Pippa Grange. The cast also includes: Jake Ashton-Nelson (Jordan Henderson), Luke Azille (Jadon Sancho), Ian Bartholomew (Greg Dyke), Jass Beki (Bukayo Saka), Ashley Byam (Raheem Sterling), Steven Dykes (Sam Allardyce), Courtney George (Alex Scott), Oscar Gough (Harry Kane), Jayden Hanley (Marcus Rashford), Connor Hawker (Harry Maguire), Tom Lane (Eric Dier), Ian Kirkby (Gary Lineker), Jack Maddison (Jordan Pickford), Liam Prince-Donnelly (Dele Alli), and George Rainsford (Mike Webster). Stuart Ash, Natalie Boakye, Ebube Chukwuma, Sam Craig, Miles Henderson and Alex Wadham complete the company. The cast are also playing additional roles as part of the ensemble.

Dear England is written by multi-award-winning stage and screen writer James Graham (Punch, West End; Sherwood, BBC One), directed by Almeida Theatre’s Artistic Director Rupert Goold (Patriots, Ink; Almeida Theatre/West End/Broadway), with set design by Es Devlin (Beyoncé’s Renaissance World Tour; The Lehman Trilogy, National Theatre).

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 to the promised land.

The National Theatre will run a year-long schools engagement programme inspired by Gareth Southgate’s ‘Dear England’ open letter that he wrote to England fans in 2021.  This programme, which will prompt young people across the UK to reflect on their own place in history, just as the footballers in Southgate’s squad were encouraged to do, is in response to this year being the 80^th anniversary of the Second World War.  It will be delivered in schools across England with assemblies and workshops using spoken word and sound design to support students to share the hopes and aspirations they have for themselves and other young people, 80 years from now.  The resulting sound archive will form a unique 2025–2026 time capsule.  Students will also be invited to see performances of Dear England during the tour.  This year-long schools engagement programme is expected to reach over 10,000 young people.

Dear England was originally commissioned by the National Theatre and developed with the theatre’s New Work department.  Its world premiere was on 20 June 2023 in the Olivier theatre.  Following a sold-out run, Dear England transferred to the Prince Edward Theatre, in London’s West End, from 9 October 2023 to 13 January 2024, where it broke box office records.  Dear England was subsequently released to cinemas through National Theatre Live on 24 January 2024 and has been screened almost 2,500 times across the UK.  In February 2024, the BBC announced it had commissioned a four-part drama of Dear England based on the stage production for BBC One and BBC iPlayer, and it won ‘Best New Play’ at the 2024 Olivier Awards later that year.  Dear England returned to the National Theatre in spring 2025, updated to reflect the 2024 UEFA EURO tournament and Gareth Southgate’s final chapter as England manager.  The play had its regional premiere at the Lowry in Salford on 29 May, followed by a 4-week run.

Book your tickets now at ATGTICKETS.COM/MiltonKeynes

LISTINGS

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