Words Catherine Collins. Pictures: Ian Cumming Photography. Thousands of revellers descended on Southampton Common on Saturday for the return of retro ‘80s festival, Let’s Rock yesterday (July 9). Former Spandau Ballet front man, Tony Hadley, kicked off the day of back-to-back music, performing a set that included True, Gold...
Entertainment Reviews
Review: Jersey Boys at Mayflower Theatre, Southampton
by Catherine Collins. Oh What a Night! It may not have been late December back in ’63, but it felt like it could be as the audience were transported back to the ‘60s and ‘70s with a series of toe-tapping songs by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, as...
REVIEW: Bat Out of Hell: The Musical at Mayflower Theatre, Southampton
by Catherine Collins. Having never seen it before, I wasn’t sure what to expect from Bat Out of Hell: The Musical when it opened at Mayflower Theatre last night (28 June). Yes, I knew some of the songs – who hasn’t heard of Meat Loaf? And, when it burst...
Review: Singin’ in the Rain, Mayflower Theatre, Southampton
by Martin Brisland. SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN, WHAT A GLORIOUS FEELING! In a 2012 poll of film critics, Singin’ in the Rain was voted as the best film of the 20th century. This 5* feel good production at the Mayflower is probably the best show you will see there...
Review: Waitress at Mayflower Theatre, Southampton
Waitress isn’t quite The Great British Bake Off but it is a recipe for success! It was the first Broadway musical with an all female creative team. Music and lyrics are by Grammy nominated singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles, who manages to write hook laden songs about waiting for a pregnancy test,...
Review: Cluedo at Mayflower Theatre, Southampton
by Martin Brisland. Was it Miss Scarlet, with the revolver in the dining room, or was it Professor Plum, with the lead pipe in the library? Based on the classic detective board game and the hit 1985 film Clue, the brand new stage play of Cluedo is at the...
Review: WNO Don Giovanni, Mayflower Theatre, Southampton
by Martin Brisland. The charismatic Don Giovanni, opera’s ultimate seducer, is back pursuing women on his way around Europe. He takes what he wants, living for lust and without any conscience. When he refuses to show remorse, his past catches up with him and leads to his ultimate fiery...
Review: Footloose, Mayflower Theatre, Southampton
By Catherine Collins. Growing up in the 80s means we were spoilt with some classic films, and Footloose, starring Kevin Bacon, was no exception – so I had high expectations for the stage musical that opened at the Mayflower Theatre last night (May 3). City boy Ren – played...
Review: The Da Vinci Code, The Mayflower Theatre, Southampton
by Martin Brisland. You’ve read the book, watched the film, now see the play! The world premiere stage adaptation of Dan Brown’s blockbuster novel The Da Vinci Code is at the Mayflower Theatre until the 30th April. With over 100 million copies of the book sold, this is the story that...
Review: Beautiful! – The Carole King Musical at Mayflower Theatre, Southampton
by Martin Brisland. Hail to King! Beautiful – the Carole King Musical, is an absolute must-see. It won Tony awards in New York in 2014 and Olivier awards in London in 2015. It also wins this reviewers award for the most outstanding musical of its time and for providing pure theatre...