Our officially-stamped annual shout-out to what’s been the hottest of dishes in the previous calendar year... as voted for communally by some, most or all of the Monkey Kettle Crew. Take a deep breath and feel the love. Split over two parts this year to a) heighten the tension, and b) divvy up the Word Count.
(in alphabetical order by winner)
BEST MILTON KEYNES PLAY
“Art”: Sh*t Happens Productions
Always exciting to get a new name on the local theatre map, and though Sh*t Happens are not necessarily permanently based in MK, we were massively impressed to see their production of “Art” at Stantonbury in October. In fact, you can read exactly what I thought about it right here.
BEST MILTON KEYNES DRINKING ESTABLISHMENT
The Barn, Central MK
I suspect this may be a protest vote, but you can’t argue that it’s pleasantly quiet compared to some central drinking dens – plus it’s got a long Monkey Kettle / Ludamus pedigree!
BEST MILTON KEYNES RADIO SHOW
Basement Music – CRMK
Still the best show for local music despite some newer pretenders emerging in the field. Now with added Scott for double the fun!
BEST MILTON KEYNES MUSIC VENUE
The Craufurd Arms
A second year running for the Craufurd, though they were run close by runners-up The Watershed in Newport this time out. But you can’t argue with the sheer amount of quality bands they have on, including bands of a national standard. Great work kept up, especially in the current climate.
BEST MILTON KEYNES POETRY PERFORMER
Danni Antagonist
One of the things we dig the most at Monkey Kettle is seeing people we think are Good to begin with develop, improve, find their true inner voice and get Very Good. Step forward Mizz Antagonist – every time we’ve seen you in the last couple of years you’re better and better! Your set supporting John Hegley in Luton last Autumn was a particular treat!
BEST MILTON KEYNES FESTIVAL
Great Linford Waterside
I make that... (counts on fingers) 8 years out of the last 11! Man, they must be doing something right!
BEST MILTON KEYNES MUSIC PROMOTION
INDIEscreet
This is a pretty strong field, but the sheer amount of gigs that Indiescreet have managed to put on in the last year just about swung it for them ahead of the likes of Underpass at Craufurd and the Sno!Jam open mic. Attracting an excellent array of bands to the Sno!Bar, both national and local, they’re one of the busiest promotions in town.
BEST MILTON KEYNES ONE-OFF EVENT
“Lend Us Your Ears”: A WORD IN EDGEWAYS / PLANET ZYZ
As promised, this new category celebrates things that are ace which don’t easily fall under any other umbrella. For example the runners-up were the Parks Trust Cinema days and the frankly baffling Golden Hour of Neville Modley. And the winner was this sound-montage installation thing about Wolverton hosted at MADCAP, which was compelling and incredible. And this was what I said about it last March.
BEST MILTON KEYNES BAND / ARTIST
Lionsex
How could it be anyone else, really? Their success spiralling up in to the sky like a mighty whirlwind of rock, their album “Get It” was released by Universal Music in 2011 – yes, a real record label and everything! Despite their hugeness they were still nice enough to come and play a storming gig for us at the Slug in the Summer – the best of our gig gigs there. Rock on, fellas!
BEST MILTON KEYNES THEATRE COMPANY
Ludamus
And similarly, who else? In their 20th year we could all only stand and raise a solid salute to one of the quirkiest, most adventurous and best-kept secrets of the MK theatre world. Who else would come up with a comedy musical called “Carlos The Hapless Peasant Vs The Whirligig Of Time” and put a song about tanks in it? No one.
To Be Continued...
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