Theatre in and around Milton Keynes: your guide to the week ahead

Rapunzel and the Tower of DoomOctober 8Stantonbury Theatre The acclaimed Theatre of Widdershins come to Stantonbury to perform Rapunzel and the Tower of Doom, on Saturday afternoon.The collective have taken this tale right back to its roots...They have teased out the tangles and styled it into a beautifully coiffeured hair piece, and it now comes with plenty of body, volume and loads of highlights!It is also perfect for little ‘uns aged four years and above, and it clocks in at 50 minutes meaning there will be no time for youngsters to get all fidgety!

> If you’ve got wannabe stage-steppers in your house, it might be worth considering Stantonbury’s Stagestruck Youth Theatre. Sessions run every Friday, 4.30pm to 6.30pm and give experience of workshops, rehearsals and performances, with at least two productions annually. Contemporary drama, musical theatre and classic theatre are all explored, and recent productions include Bugsy Malone, AMidsummer Night’s Dream and Sparkleshark. Stagestruck is perfect for youngsters aged 12 years and up whether experienced or still seeking their first introduction to a life under stage lights!www.stantonburytheatre.co.uk

Swan LakeOctober 12The Grove , Dunstable

Russian State Ballet and Opera House create the charming and enthralling world of Swan Lake.The story is woven around princess Odette, who is turned into a swan by an evil curse. But, will a prince’s love prove strong enough to break the curse and save her despite the odds?www.thegrovetheatre.co.uk

Andy Hamilton: Change ManagementOctober 9The Stables In his 60 years on this planet, comedy writer and performer Andy Hamilton has experienced many changes. For instance, he was once a six foot four inch-tall professional basketball player, until a tree fell on him. But, of course, change is an inescapable part of the human condition. Why? Is that fair? Some changes are good, some bad. How come they aren’t more clearly labelled? How did we end up working longer hours? Where did all the sparrows go? If you’re feeling flustered because of flux, Andy is coming to town to tell you how to cope with all the changes that are still to come. A word of warning though; this show will definitely contain mild peril! Adult material and strong language are also a feature.www.stables.org

Dare Devil Rises to JaramaOctober 8Waterside, Aylesbury In 1936, Speedway star Clem ‘Dare Devil’ Beckett joined others to fight with the Spanish people to defend democracy against Franco’s fascist armies. This play tells his extraordinary story as part of the 80th Anniversary commemorations of the Spanish Civil War.atgtickets.com/aylesbury

The Woman in BlackOctober 10-15Northampton Royal A lawyer is obsessed with a curse he believes has been cast over him and his family by the spectre of a woman in black and engages a sceptical young actor to help him tell his terrifying story and exorcise the fear that grips his soul. It begins innocently enough, but how will it end?www.royalandderngate.co.uk

Save the Last Dance for MeUntil October 8Aylesbury Waterside A nostalgic feel-good journey transporting you back to music’s golden era as you follow two teenage sisters making their way through the summer of ‘63. Expect all the highs and lows that come with young love and holiday romances in this work from the pen of Marks and Granwww.atgtickets.com/aylesbury