by Catherine Collins. As The Osmonds: A New Musical burst onto the Mayflower Theatre stage last night ( 8 November), the audience was transported back in time to hear their story – told from the eyes of middle brother, Jay. From Utah, USA, The Osmonds started life as a...
Entertainment Reviews
Review: Blancmange at The Brook, Southampton.
words and pictures by Peter Nicholson. Although I’d like to be thought to be far too young, I clearly remember the Summer of 1979 and hearing “Are Friends Electric” for the first time. It was arguably the birth of mainstream appreciation of synth-based music. It sprang from the “New...
Review: MY BABY at The 1865, Southampton
by Alex Thurley-Ratcliff. MY BABY at The 1865 last night (November 4) was the first ‘proper’ gig I’ve been to in three years. I actually tried to go to see them last year at the same venue but I was too ill, as I’ve been slowly recovering from long...
Review & interview: Plastic Mermaids – The Joiners, Southampton
words and pictures by Peter Nicholson. Another stormy night was on the cards as I headed to this iconic venue, The Joiners, in Southampton for the Plastic Mermaids gig (November 4). They were back in Southampton to promote their recent album “It’s Not Comfortable To Grow”, and, hailing from...
Review: Asylums at Vinilo Record Store, Southampton
words and pictures by Peter Nicholson. With any review of a gig, honesty is always the best route to follow for the reviewer. Otherwise, what’s the point? Anything else would simply give a false impression of the gig. So, to be frank, it was a wet and windy night,...
Review: An Inspector Calls, Mayflower Theatre, Southampton
by Martin Brisland. An Inspector Calls is a modern classic. It is rightfully still on the school curriculum, hence the plethora of schools in attendance on the opening night last night (November 1). The play follows the Birling family, who receive a visit from Inspector Goole regarding the death...
Review: The Color Purple, Mayflower Theatre, Southampton
by Catherine Collins. The story of fear, abuse and oppression may not be what is expected of a musical, and yet The Color Purple, which opened at Mayflower Theatre last night (25 October), is exactly that. Based on Alice Walker’s 1982 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name, The Color...
Review: Richard II – MAST Mayflower Studios, Southampton
by Martin Brisland. Tangle Theatre Company’s aim is to perform classic plays in new and surprising ways in their distinctive Southern African township theatre style. In association with MAST Mayflower Studios, Tangle have devised a radical adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Richard the Second. The original Zimbabwean score is impressive,...
Review: The Little Mermaid – Mayflower Theatre, Southampton
by Sarah Groszewski. The Northern Ballet’s The Little Mermaid had its world premiere at the Mayflower Theatre in 2017 and has returned for a brief stint after 5 years. Based on Hans Christian Andersen’s 1837 fairytale (with not a Disney reference in sight!), The Little Mermaid tells the story...
Review: The Merry Wives of Windsor – The Maskers Studio Theatre, Shirley
by Charlotte Ndupuechi. The Maskers Studio Theatre’s latest production, The Merry Wives of Windsor, has brought Shakespeare to life in the heart of Shirley, Southampton. This hidden gem hit the spot again with yet another great performance from these enthusiastic amateurs. Funny, well acted and great costumes made for...