by Nick Mabey. Shaun Mckenna’s adaptation of Peter James’ latest DCI Grace novel is an enjoyable romp in the French countryside. Our protagonist takes his young family and their friend/nanny on a much needed holiday, only to find themselves stuck in a dark, almost gothic chambre-d’hote, whose owners are...
Entertainment Reviews
Review: My Morning Jacket at Kentish Town Forum
Words: Tom Williams. Image: Austin Nelson. Note-perfect performance from Jim James and band “There will be bigotry,” sings My Morning Jacket’s Jim James “And there will be open minds”. He’s not wrong, and even the crowd for tonight’s show demonstrates as much; nine tenths of those at Kentish Town...
Review: Winnie the Pooh: The New Musical Stage Adaptation, Mayflower Theatre, Southampton, 31 May 2023
The new musical adaptation of Winnie the Pooh – which opened at Mayflower Theatre today – brings Pooh, Piglet, Kanga, Roo, Owl, and Tigger, to the stage. Deep in the Hundred Acre Wood, a new adventure is about to begin as we join Pooh and friends on a series...
Review: Leftfield, Bournemouth O2 Academy, May 27th 2023
Leftfield in Bournemouth: Hauntology, not nostalgia Words by Tom Williams. Image by Steve Gullick. Leftfield are one of a handful of acts who I got into largely because their ‘Leftism’ album- with its distinctive shark’s jaws cover- appeared in the CD collections of slightly older, much cooler friends when...
Creative Connections exhibition – Southampton City Art Gallery
by Martin Brisland. Last night (May 25th) saw more than 250 people attended the launch of the Creative Connections exhibition at Southampton City Art Gallery. This is a National Portrait Gallery led project to explore the city through portraiture and runs until 30 September. The standard is excellent and...
Review: The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel – Mayflower Theatre, Southampton, May 23rd 2023
by Martin Brisland. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel delighted the audience at Southampton’s Mayflower Theatre last night. The message of the story, about the importance of embracing life, love and going on adventures at any age, clearly resonated with the audience who hung onto every word and laughed at...
Review: Think Floyd, MAST Mayflower Studios Southampton
Words and pictures by : Peter Nicholson. Whenever I’m asked to photograph a tribute act, my excitement isn’t always piqued. However, having been a life-long Pink Floyd fan, and remembering seeing Think Floyd on stage about ten years ago, when I was asked to “shoot the show”, I could...
Review: Welsh National Opera – The Magic Flute, Mayflower Theatre Southampton May 16
by Martin Brisland. Mozart’s final opera Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute) first premiered in 1791 just months before his death at 35. This opera, about the triumph of good over evil, love over hate, counts as one of the most popular of all time. Its message is to pursue...
Review: Message in a Bottle, Mayflower Theatre, Southampton 11th May 2023
Words and photos by: Peter Nicholson. Not a word was spoken, but so much was said. This show is simply spectacular. Based on the title, and knowing the show was performed to the music of Sting and The Police, I had been expecting a rather cliched effort to make...
Review: Joe Bonamassa, Bournemouth International Centre, 9th May 2023
words and pictures by Peter Nicholson. Having had a privileged preview of Joe Bonamassa’s live video of his concert in Red Rocks, Colorado, I was eager to see (and photograph) the man in action at the Bournemouth International Centre. This iconic blues guitarist has been on the music scene...