By Graham Hiley. If only my new grand-daughter was a couple of years older! She would absolutely love Hey! Christmas Tree at Chichester’s Minerva Theatre. Aimed at three to seven-year-olds this charming story is the perfect introduction to theatre for younger children. In fact, it is something of a...
Entertainment Reviews
Opinion: Winchester and Southampton – which is the king of Christmas markets this year?
By Mabel Wellman. It’s that time of year again! It’s getting darker earlier, and the cold weather is starting to set in for the next few months. And to help us all get through it, our cities and towns are adorned with bright and warming lights and decorations. Last...
Review: Mother Goose, Theatre Royal Winchester
By Chris Richards. Theatre Royal Winchester have done it again! They cannot fail, they have the best traditional family pantomimes I’ve ever seen. Mother Goose is no exception. Before I say anymore, just go and book your tickets now, to make sure you get a seat! I’ll wait. Now...
Review: Michael Kiwanuka, Vinolo outstore at The 1865, Southampton
Words: Nick Mabey. Photos: Liz Bogdan. The 1865 was absolutely heaving last night (2/12/24) as Michael Kiwanuka continued to celebrate his first album in five years in his adopted home of Southampton. He might have been on the road for most of the year, but last week’s release of...
Review: Nutcracker – English National Ballet, Mayflower Theatre, Southampton
By Nick Mabey. The English National Ballet have been producing versions of this much-loved Christmas-themed ballet every year since 1950 and I’d be surprised if any of the previous 73 versions of Tchaikovsky’s Nutracker outdo the visual spectacle we were treated to at the Mayflower Theatre last night (29/11/24). ...
Review: Light Up Trail, Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, Romsey
By Sally Churchward. Twinkly lights brightening up the winter darkness have long since been a feature of Christmas. But in recent years there’s been a growth of specific light-based seasonal attractions. And on Thursday (28/11/24), the Light Up Trail opened at Hillier Gardens in Romsey, Hampshire. If you’ve never...
Review: Mariposa by DeNada Dance Theatre, MAST Mayflower Southampton
By Spring Wise. I expected to be able to write a somewhat narrative review of this show, being that it’s an adaptation of Madame Butterfly, and spoiler rules do not apply to 120 year old operas! Mariposa, however, is something entirely its own. Choreographer Carlos Pons Guerra sets his...
Review: The Devil Wears Prada, Dominion Theatre, London
By Graham Hiley. Photos: Matt Crockett. Grab your Gucci, dig out your Dior and Choos your Jimmy. Then gird your loins and head for the Dominion Theatre for The Devil Wears Prada – the musical. The celebrated movie has been given a sparkling makeover into a smash hit show...
Review: Chicago, Mayflower Theatre, Southampton
By Graham Hiley Darren Day gave them the old Razzle Dazzle in Chicago at Southampton’s Mayflower Theatre last night (19/11/24). For one week only, the star of stage and screen is reprising his iconic role of Billy Flynn the slick smart-talking lawyer who defends murderess Roxie Hart by sensationalising...
Review: Welsh National Opera – Rigoletto, Mayflower Theatre, Southampton
By Chris Richards. photo: Richard Hubert Smith. My mum got totally distracted by one courtier’s long, thin, and (most probably) fake willy. It was my first opera, it was eye-opening. I have long considered an opera to be mainly about the big drama moments and fabulous costumes – underpinned...