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...
Entertainment Reviews
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. ...
Review: Rambert Dance’s Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby, Mayflower Theatre, Southampton
by Joy McKay. I’ve been a fan of the Rambert dance company and their future-feeling take on contemporary ballet since I was a teenager in the 90s studying the choreography of Christopher Bruce and Richard Alston. I never miss a show when Rambert come to Southampton but when I...
Review: Rob Clamp – The Joiners, Southampton
words and pictures by Peter Nicholson. When one of our local talents sells out the iconic Joiners at his first attempt, it has to be a gig worth attending! So I did exactly that. Hailing from Romsey, Rob Clamp, is now busier than he’s ever been through his music...
Review: Sherlock Holmes, The Valley of Fear, MAST Mayflower Studios February 2
by Chris Richards. It is always a pleasure to visit the MAST in Southampton city centre. It has an intimate, simple and beautiful set up and the staff are always a friendly guide to theatre goers. This particular performance was no exception. Each of the five actors in Sherlock...
Review: Luka Okros, Turner Sims, Southampton, February 2
by Martin Brisland. London-based Georgian pianist Luka Okros made a triumphant return to Turner Sims last night (February 2with this first class recital. The recital started with Mozart’s Piano Sonata No 8 in A minor, K310 written in 1788. An interesting piece in that Mozart rarely wrote in a...
Review: Swan Lake – Birmingham Royal Ballet, Mayflower Theatre, February 2
by Tessa Hurst. Swan Lake has and always will be my favourite ballet, from going to see it as a child, dreaming of one day being a ballerina up on the stage, right up to now with some of the more modern interpretations. Swan Lake is a tragedy told...
Review: The National Theatre Live Presents: The Crucible at Theatre Royal Winchester, February 1
by Lewis MacLean. For those who don’t know, cinemas have been streaming plays from theatres live across the country for a while now. Often, it is an art house cinema like Harbour Lights, or even in Showcase Cinema De Lux but tonight’s host was the Theatre Royal Winchester. Attending...
Review: The Beat feat Ranking jnr, Old Fire Station Bournemouth, January 27th
by James Nicholson. Formed in 1978, The Beat are known as one of the most significant ska bands in the UK and have been at the forefront of the revival for more than 40 years. Despite the band featuring none of the original members, it is hard to believe...