by Spring Wise. Arresting from the very start, when an intimidating open stage welcomes a semi-naked dancer in powerful movement, this is the most exciting dance performance I’ve seen in many years. I came in knowing only that this work was inspired by Pina Bausch’s Rite of Spring and...
Entertainment Reviews
Review: Ri Baroche – Drag ‘n’ Drop, The Art House, Southampton, March 2
words and pictures by Anita Foxall. Drag ‘n’ Drop, a drag musical-comedy, is Ri Baroche’s new show. They performed it at The Art House, Southampton, on 2nd March for the first time as a warm up for their upcoming show at the Brighton FemFest on 7th March, but also as...
Review: Abigail’s Party, Theatre Royal Winchester
Rebecca Birch as Beverly, George Readshaw as Tony – Photo by Sheila Burnett By Charlotte Ndupuechi Dark, funny and a joy to watch. Like a time capsule from the 1970s with an intriguing, yet uncomfortable reflection on relationships and class in British society. Abigail‘s Party tells the story of...
Review: The Mousetrap, Mayflower Theatre, Southampton, February 28
by Joy McKay. Agatha Christie’s classic ‘WhoDunit’ was originally written in 1947 as a radio sketch named ‘Three Blind Mice’ for the birthday of Queen Mary, but first opened as ‘The Mousetrap’ we know today in 1952. It is famously the world’s longest running play having a continuous run...
Review: February Words at Whiskey poetry evening, featuring Benjin
by Andy Buchanan This is a relatively new monthly poetry night held at the Whiskey Blue bar in London Road, Southampton but it is organised by local poet Issa Loyaan Farrah-Kelly (pictured top). You may know Issa as the face of Southampton City of Culture’s bid, but Issa has...
Review: Tuto Tribe, Whiskey Blue, Southampton, February 24
words and photos by Peter Nicholson. I wondered what the collective noun for saxophones was. A quick Google search revealed that it might be a “hornucopia”, but there were lots of other suggestions… “a wall”, “a lush”, “a blossom”, and others. I’d like to add “Tribe” of saxophones to...
Review: Charlie and Stan at MAST Mayflower Studios, February 21
by Martin Brisland. This show is genius! A truly original and unique tale of two men that revolutionised comedy in the early 20th century. A ‘Told By An Idiot’ production, Charlie and Stan premièred in early 2020 for the London International Mime Festival. It is written and directed by...
Review: Strictly Ballroom: The Musical, Mayflower Theatre, February 20
by Tessa Hurst. Strictly Ballroom: The Musical has been adapted from the 1992 Baz Luhrmann film of the same name, set in the Australian ballroom dancing scene in the early nineties. This show has been directed and co-choreographed by well-known Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood, and his...
Literary homes and haunts – from Haworth to Hampshire
by Carolyn Thomas. Every year thousands of people travel to places associated with the authors they love. The link can be that it’s the place where a writer was born, lived, died, or set their novels. But does seeing a writing desk or following the route taken by a...
Review: Fisherman’s Friends: The Musical, Mayflower Theatre, Southampton – February 15
by Martin Brisland. In these hard times audiences want a little escapism with story that reinforces the best of the human spirit. Fisherman’s Friends delivers just that. This amazing true story has been told in two films, an ITV documentary and a book and now in this feel-good musical. ...