Dreams'n'Wishes Productions
About Us
Dreams’n’Wishes Productions is a Milton Keynes based theatre group, bringing high quality musicals and pantomimes to the local area. We are a vastly experienced, passionate group of volunteers who are dedicated to the art of staging shows of the highest possible standard. Our mission is to inspire and entertain, to offer a genuine alternative to the bigger professional shows in town – and have a jolly good time while doing it!
We stage our own pantomimes, putting an emphasis on story-driven, family friendly fun with a strong sense of magic and splendour. We don’t have the celebrity names of big-town theatre, but our companies are oozing with talent and we love to amaze and surprise our audiences with the production values we are able to bring. There’s a clever mix of popular songs, silly comedy and dazzling dance routines, all wrapped up in a fast-paced magical production of the highest standard. No wonder we’ve been dubbed “the best little panto in MK”.
Dreams’n’Wishes brings the same production values and approach when staging our summer musicals. Making use of professional scenery and lighting, alongside a live orchestra, we aim to create fast paced, high quality shows – with just a touch of ‘wow’ factor.
Board of Trustees
Kevin Amies
Co-Founder of Dreams'n'Wishes / Treasurer
Kevin’s background as a business owner means his focus leans more toward the financial and operational aspects of Dreams ‘n’ Wishes Productions than ‘treading the boards’. However, he has been performing as a drummer for well over 40 years both on stage (including for several Dreams ‘n’ Wishes Productions shows) as well as with a variety of bands across the south of England.
His background in the technical aspect of performing with bands led him into the role of sound engineering the MKAOS 2006 pantomime following which he joined forces with John to expand their working partnership with a view to putting on the high-quality productions you see from Dreams ‘n’ Wishes today.
When he’s not running the Box Office, the sound-desk or the finances for Dreams ‘n’ Wishes, Kevin can be found flying his light aircraft, playing drums with local band ‘Unit Six’ and operating his Building & Property Development company.
James Down
Secretary
Bio incoming…
Martin Putman
Honorary President
Martin has been lighting shows for MKAOS over the last 40 years or so, only missing two Pantomimes along the way!
His passion for lighting can be traced back to his school days where he was an active member of the drama department at school, moving on to provide lighting – and sound – for amateur productions in Milton Keynes and the surrounding area.
Design credits include musicals, plays, pantomimes, G&S and more recently “live events”. In addition to this, Martin still finds time to work with local Dance and Drama Schools in Milton Keynes, and other organisations across the country who require assistance with the technical aspects of production.
Leigh Smith
Chair of Trustees
Leigh has been a trustee of MKAOS since 2023 and loves their ethos and drive to produce high quality theatre in MK.
Leigh is, at heart, a concert Tenor feeling most at home performing songs from musical theatre and pop/rock classics. However due to having 2 left feet, found his groove in the world of musical theatre away from being on stage and that as a musical director and director.
Leigh has been producing shows for the last 24 years, both directing and MD’ing and credits include Shrek, The Little Mermaid, Soho Cinders, Guys & Dolls, Titanic, The Who’s Tommy, Summer Holiday, My Fair Lady, Grease, Sister Act, Made In Dagenham, Our House, Anything Goes, The Producers, Oliver!, Fiddler On The Roof and many more including panto’s, concerts and revue shows. Leigh is extremely excited to bring his ideas and passion to the table and let MKAOS do what they do best, make Dreams and Wishes come true.
Life Members
Beryl Argles, Gill Coyne, Vera Lowe, Paul Mason, Martin Putman, Brenda Richardson, Robert Skears, Mike Simpson
The History of Dreams'n'Wishes
One of – if not THE longest established theatre group in the area, award-winning Dreams’n’Wishes has been presenting Milton Keynes and its surrounds with live theatre since 1953.
From 1953, the then-named Bletchley Amateur Operatic Society performed a summer musical every year and – from 1976 – a pantomime at Christmas time. During this period they also regularly perfomed concerts in the local area and had a thriving Youth Theatre group who regularly took to the stage. The group later rebranded to become the Milton Keynes Amateur Operatic Society.
Productions: 1950s and 60s
- 1954 – Lilac Time
- 1955 – Maid of the Mountains
- 1956 – Quaker Girl
- 1957 – Waltz Without End
- 1958 – White Horse Inn
- 1959 – Blossom Time
- 1960 – Student Prince
- 1961 – Rose Marie
- 1962 – Showboat
- 1963 – Free as Air
- 1964 – Merry Widow
- 1965 – South Pacific
- 1966 – Pink Champagne
- 1967 – Carousel
- 1968 – The Gipsy Barron
- 1969 – My Fair Lady
Productions: 1970s and 80s
- 1970 – Orpheus in the Underworld
- 1971 – The Sound of Music
- 1972 – White Horse Inn
- 1973 – Oklahoma!
- 1974 – Viva Mexico
- 1975 – The King and I
- 1976 – The Count of Luxembourg
- 1976 – Babes in the Wood (pantomime)
- 1977 – Lilac Time
- 1977 – Jack and the Beanstalk (pantomime)
- 1978 – Camelot
- 1978 – Cinderella (pantomime)
- 1979 – Showboat
- 1979 – Aladdin (pantomime)
- 1980 – Half a Sixpence
- 1980 – Dick Whittington (pantomime)
- 1981 – Summer Song
- 1981 – Sleeping Beauty (pantomime)
- 1982 – Pajama Game
- 1982 – Babes in the Wood (pantomime)
- 1983 – Merry Widow
- 1983 – Mother Goose (pantomime)
- 1984 – My Fair Lady
- 1984 – Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves (pantomime)
- 1985 – Annie Get Your Gun
- 1985 – Puss in Boots (pantomime)
- 1986 – Kismet
- 1986 – Cinderella (pantomime)
- 1987 – Fiddler on the Roof
- 1987 – Jack and the Beanstalk (pantomime)
- 1988 – Guys and Dolls
- 1988 – Aladdin (pantomime)
- 1989 – Oklahoma!
- 1989 – Dick Whittington (pantomime)
Productions: 1990s and 00s
- 1990 – Hello Dolly
- 1990 – Sleeping Beauty (pantomime)
- 1991 – Half a Sixpence
- 1991 – Mother Goose (pantomime)
- 1992 – The Music Man
- 1992 – Cinderella (pantomime)
- 1993 – South Pacific
- 1993 – Babes in the Wood (pantomime)
- 1994 – Brigadoon
- 1994 – Aladdin (pantomime)
- 1995 – Camelot
- 1995 – Beauty and the Beast (pantomime)
- 1996 – Kiss Me Kate
- 1996 – Puss in Boots (pantomime)
- 1997 – Carousel
- 1997 – Jack and the Beanstalk (pantomime)
- 1998 – Anything Goes
- 1998 – Dick Whittington (pantomime)
- 1999 – Fiddler on the Roof
- 1999 – Aladdin (pantomime)
- 2000 – Me & My Girl
- 2000 – Cinderella (pantomime)
- 2001 – Oklahoma!
- 2001 – Mother Goose (pantomime)
- 2002 – Mack and Mabel
- 2002 – Babes in the Wood (pantomime)
- 2003 – Oliver!
- 2003 – Jack and the Beanstalk (pantomime)
- 2004 – Hello Dolly
- 2004 – Dick Whittington (pantomime)
- 2005 – Chess
- 2005 – Aladdin (pantomime)
- 2006 – Seussical
- 2006 – Sleeping Beauty (pantomime)
- 2007 – Kiss Me Kate
- 2007 – Cinderella (pantomime)
- 2008 – Children of Eden
- 2008 – Snow White (pantomime)
- 2009 – Boogie Nights
- 2009 – Beauty and The Beast (pantomime)
Productions: 2010 - Present
Click here to see more information about our post-2010 productions.
The FUTURE of Dreams'n'Wishes
Dreams’n’Wishes has continued to grow from strength to strength and we are excited to see what the future holds for us!
In 2024 – after 17 years of wonderful collaboration with James Clark – we welcome Leigh Smith to the fold as our resident Musical Director. 2024 also saw a further tweak to the name of the group – officially stepping away from “amateur” and adopting the title “Dreams’n’Wishes Productions”.
In 2025, John Dowell bid farewell to the spotlight, retiring his panto frock and director’s clipboard after nearly two decades of extraordinary leadership. A true institution in the world of Pantomime, John leaves behind a remarkable legacy—having touched the lives of hundreds, if not thousands, of people. From audiences to cast, crew, and production teams, his influence has been profound and lasting. We are immensely proud to celebrate all that he has achieved, and grateful for the joy, inspiration, and dedication he brought to every performance.
If you would like to become a part of the Dreams’n’Wishes Productions team, click here to get involved.
We look forward to being a part of your theatrical adventures, for generations to come!