By Sally Churchward. The world can feel like a very bleak place, sometimes more so than others. Yesterday was definitely one of those days. But & Juliet last night (6/11/24) at the Mayflower Theatre was exactly the feelgood and more full frontal reminder that there is also joy to...
Entertainment Reviews
Review: Wonderboy, MAST Mayflower Studios, Southampton, 5 November 2024
By Lewis MacLean. The first thing that caught my eye (and ears) in Wonderboy – which opened at MAST Mayflower Studios last night – was the use of vivid colourful shapes and funky music courtesy of innovative use of digital technology. ‘This was new’, I thought and as time...
Review: Delilah Bon, Joiners, Southampton
Words and pictures by Spring Wise. “And your mother is my cheerleader And I know just how to please her She’s knitting me a sweater Said “Delilah Bon 4eva!”” The first thing I noticed when I arrived at the Joiners (1/11/24) was that I wasn’t the only wheelchair...
Review: They Might Be Giants, Southampton O2 Guildhall
By Dan O’Farrell. Music is memory, as everyone knows. The power of that moment when you really fall in love with a song, album or band will guarantee that your brain magically transports you to that moment every time you subsequently hear it. That’s my only explanation as to...
Review: Los Bitchos, 1865, Southampton, 29 October 2024
By Vicky Greer. Southampton, late October. The clocks have just gone back and the daily grey skies offer little reason to leave your house. The antidote? Los Bitchos at The 1865, transporting you to sunnier climes with their unique blend of surf rock, cumbia and camp. It’s not a...
Review: Grease the Musical, Mayflower Theatre, Southampton, 29 October 2024
By Catherine Collins. The world’s best-loved musical, Grease, opened at Mayflower Theatre last night to a auditorium of, what seemed to be, more pink ladies than people. Set in the 1959, Grease follows the story of leather-clad Danny and girl-next-door Sandy when they are unexpectedly reunited at Rydell High...
Review: Stone, The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth, 27 October 2024
Words and photos by Rhona Murphy. There’s an under the radar rumbling of anticipation building for Liverpool’s Stone. Having built up a loyal following playing headline shows, support shows and festivals there’s no doubting their work ethic. Stone have toured almost without breaks in both mainland Europe as well...
Review: Citizen, Troxy London (Run For Cover Records), 25 October 2024
Words and photos by Rhona Murphy. The Grade 2 listed venue, Troxy, has hosted many different types of events since it started up in 1933 as a cinema. Since then it’s been home to the Royal Opera House (rehearsal space), and a bingo hall before morphing into live events...
Review: Millie Manders & the Shutup, 1865, Southampton, 25 October 2024
Words by Vicky Greer. Photos by Billy Perrett. It’s easy to feel like the music industry is broken. Hell, it’s easy to feel like the whole world is broken when you turn on the news. But every so often, there’s a voice that fights to prove you wrong. Millie Manders...
Review: Floella Benjamin’s Coming to England, MAST Southampton Studios
By Graham Hiley. Image: Mark Senior Floella Benjamin’s Coming to England. More specifically, Floella Benjamin’s Coming to Southampton. Again! Southampton was the young Floella’s first sight of England when she arrived here from Trinidad on the Marques de Comillas on September 2, 1960 – aged just 10. The now...