10 things to do around Milton Keynes

Here is our guide of 10 things to do in and around Milton Keynes.

1 OPERALove’s Poisoned Chalice, Milton Keynes Theatre, March 21 to 25Love, passion, heartbreak and tragedy are promised in a series of grand productions presented by Welsh National Opera. The first is a new production of Frank Martin’s Le Vin herbé. Puccini’s much-loved La bohème returns with a production which WNO first staged in 2012 to high praise from both critics and audiences. And completing the trio is another Puccini classic: Madam Butterfly, given a sepia-tinted look and punctuated with irresistible music.Details: www.atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes2 THEATRERuddigore, Stantonbury Theatre, March 21 to 25Wolverton Gilbert & Sullivan Society present this glorious spoof of the Victorian melodrama, full of comic sterotypes and absurd plot contrivances, along with of fun and laughter.Details: www.wolvertongands.co.uk 3 MUSICMarvellous Mozart, The Stables, Wavendon, March 17 and 18The venue hosts a two-day festival of concerts, workshops, talks and family events dedicated to the music and life of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Highlights include two concerts by Ensemble 360, which will feature many of Mozart’s most celebrated works. Classic FM presenter John Suchet will be giving a talk based on his recently published book on the life and times of Mozart. Also included on the programme is a family concert designed to introduce younger audiences to Mozart’s music.Details: www.stables.org 4MUSICMarc Almond, The Stables, Wavendon, March 20As a warm-up gig for his UK tour, Marc Almond, one of the UK’s most gifted and unique vocal talents, will be performing many of his best-loved hits, including his number one singles TaintedLove and Something’sGotten Hold Of My Heart.Details: www.stables.org5 THEATREShakespeare Double Bill, Stantonbury Theatre, March 16Merely Theatre present two of Shakespeare’s best-loved plays – Romeo & Juliet and Twelfth Night – in stripped-back style, seeking to blow the cobwebs off Shakespeare.Details: www.stantonburytheatre.co.uk6 MUSICDreadzone, The Craufurd Arms, Wolverton, March 18Entering a their third decade, Dreadzone remain one of the most energetic, exciting and powerful live bands to emerge from the post-rave scene, mixing dub with aspects of dance, guitar riffs, folk roots sentiments and breakbeat bass styles.Details: www.thepadpresents.com7 FAMILYThe Very Hungry Caterpillar, Stantonbury Theatre, March 17It was first published in 1969 and nibbled its way into the hearts of millions of children all over the world. Now the timeless classic makes its way off the page and onto the stage, with a menagerie of lovable puppets.Details: www.stantonburytheatre.co.uk8 MUSICStylusboy, College Arms Bar, Cranfield, March 17Indie-folk musician Stylusboy performs at the next Forest Folk and Roots night. Expect music influenced by the likes Damien Rice, Ryan Adams, Nick Drake and Neil Young.Details: www.forestfolkandroots.weebly.com9 COMEDYWhose Turn?, York House Centre, Stony Stratford, March 18Watch (and throw suggestions at) the performers as they play a variety of silly games on a high-energy night of improvisational fun.Details: whoseturn.org.uk10 MUSICOysters 3, The Stables, Wavendon, March 22John Jones, Alan Prosser and Ian Telfer, the three founder members and creative heart of folk-rock legends Oysterband, embark on an evening of fresh acoustic performance and off-the-wall stories. The evening will provide an insight into their sometimes turbulent, often funny history, with great songs from every era of a unique career.Details: www,stables.org