Taking on the role of Sleeping Beauty in this year’s panto spectacular at Milton Keynes Theatre is a dream come true for star of musical theatre, Natalie Chua.
Natalie (pictured second left) is a home grown talent, and first appeared in panto on the same stage as a youngster when she shone as part of the ensemble more than 20 years ago.
She joined the Claire Sweeney led production of Aladdin.
“I was obsessed with everything about it,” she remembers.
Since then, her career has been on a solid upwards trajectory; as a teenager she recorded an album with Angelis, a classical singing group created by Simon Cowell.
Their eponymous debut album sold more than 350,000 copies!
“That was huge, it was amazing and I loved it so much,” she said, “I really thought I wanted to go into the music industry, but theatre called me and I found that I love going on stage as someone else.
“I started to get very nervous going on stage as me. I just love playing and telling stories,” which makes Sleeping Beauty the perfect fit.
And she has tucked a few more pantos under her belt, including Jack and the Beanstalk at Wimbledon Theatre - which also starred a couple of other faces who will wow audiences in MK this December; Alexandra Burke and Ceri Dupree.
“It is so nice to be back working with them, and to be with people you know.
“Theatre is people, and the people make it for you. We are going to have a lot of fun.”
And what about the remaining cast?
I’ve met Christopher Biggins before, and I’ve just met Sooty and Sweep,” she said, speaking post-press launch.
“I am not going to lie, I was a little bit starstruck! I was so excited - and they are so cute!”
Her training, and career to date, has meant Natalie relocated away from the new city, but she moved back to Milton Keynes earlier this year.
“I missed seeing mum,” she admits, "It is lovely being back. Growing up here was so different, and then I went away in my teenage years and early 20s, so it has been so nice coming back with a very different perspective and being a very different person.”
When time allows, Natalie has been revisiting past haunts and discovering new areas in the locality, and she enjoys walking the family pooch.
She has also been busy prepping for her driving test. By the time you read this she will hopefully be newly qualified: “I am so nervous of all those roundabouts!"
Natalie is also carving out a career away from the stage, but still in the theatre.
“I’ve been learning how to set and dress wigs and make wigs from scratch.
“I’ve always gravitated towards the wig room and wig department. I find it so fascinating, and I was so inspired by a friend of mine who is an actor and was making wigs when we went on tour.
“The creativity of wig and wardrobe departments is amazing.
“It’s fun to learn something completely brand new. Our industry it ebbs and flows when it comes to work, and I’m so lucky to find something that I am really enjoying, and equally enjoying, as well as being on stage.”
Not that she need worry about not being able to tread the boards. Her theatre CV is jam packed with A-list shows - from Miss Saigon and Anything Goes to Priscilla Queen of the Desert, and too many more to list in the here and now, when the focus is firmly on the festive show!
“Panto is a great way of bringing the whole family together and having a great day out,” she promises.
“Everyone will have a laugh, and we don’t take ourselves too seriously,” she guarantees, “It is a great introduction to theatre for the little ones and anyone who hasn’t seen live theatre before.
"You get to interact, you get to sing along. It is just so magical.”
Sleeping Beauty plays at Milton Keynes Theatre from Saturday, December 5, 2026 - Sunday, January 10, 2027.
Book tickets at atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes
