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...
Entertainment Reviews
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...
Review: Frank Turner and the Sleeping Souls & PET NEEDS, O2 Guildhall Southampton
photographed and written by Peter Nicholson. www.peternicholsonphotography.co.uk PET NEEDS played the final night of a USA and UK tour at the O2 Guildhall Southampton last night (14 October). It was the culmination of weeks on the road, coast to coast across North America, touring with Frank Turner And The...
Review: Scream Aloud at Strawberry Fields, Boldre, New Forest
by Catherine Collins. CONTENT WARNING – images unsuitable for children. The sun was setting as we arrived at Strawberry Fields in Boldre, near Lymington last night (14 October), providing an eerie backdrop to the Big Top tent as we drove into the car park. Were we ready for an...
Review: The Lemonheads, The 1865, Southampton
by Sam Wise. 30 years ago, Evan Dando blessed the world with one of the greatest albums of the 90s. It’s A Shame About Ray had no weak spots, no b-grade material, it ran through fast and tight with songs that veered between genius, and merely excellent. Not only...
Review: Easy Life at The Brook, Southampton
Photographs and words by Peter Nicholson. I had been looking forward to seeing Easy Life at The Brook, Southampton (8 October). I really like their studio work, but had been less than impressed by videos I’d seen of their live performances, so I wanted to see for myself. ...
Photos: St James’ Park, Southampton, Village Show
Friends of St. James’ Park in Shirley, Southampton, held their first ever ‘ Village Show’ on Sunday (September 25), a fun-filled and free community event which included vegetable, cake, flowers and art competitions. The event included a stage, featuring live band music, choir, and young dance group performers as...