The UK tour of Coming to England, a brand new stage adaptation based on Floella Benjamin’s award-winning book, comes to MAST Mayflower Studios from Tuesday 22 to Saturday 26 October 2024. We spoke with Floella ahead of the Southampton show. Could you tell us about Coming to England, and...
Features
Interview: Kym Marsh on playing Cruella de Vil in 101 Dalmatians the Musical
A new musical version of the classic family tale, 101 Dalmatians, will take to the stage at Mayflower Theatre in Southampton from Tuesday 22 to Saturday 26 October 2024. We spoke with Kym Marsh, who plays Cruella de Vil, ahead of her Southampton show. From making her name as...
Interview: Sir Michael Morpurgo speaks about War Horse ahead of Mayflower Theatre date
The National Theatre’s global smash-hit production of War Horse – the unforgettable theatrical event based on Michael Morpurgo’s beloved novel – visits Mayflower Theatre from Tuesday 8 to Saturday 19 October 2024. We spoke with author, Sir Michael Morpurgo, ahead of the Southampton show. What did you think when...
Interview: Joseph Taylor on his upcoming role as Romeo in Northern Ballet’s Romeo & Juliet
Image: Joseph Taylor by Kyle Baines Northern Ballet will bring their award-winning Romeo & Juliet to Mayflower Theatre from Thursday 3 to Saturday 5 October 2024, inviting audiences to rediscover the iconic love story like it’s the very first time. We caught up with Northern Ballet Premier Dancer Joseph Taylor,...
Interview: The team behind Southampton’s Abyssal Festival chat about its origins and where it’s going
All images by Becca Cairns Photography. The latest Abyssal Festival took place in Southampton at the weekend. Organisers David Burke, along with Harley Edwards and Chris Gilgan, chatted to Spring Wise about the event. “Small metal festivals have run in Southampton for years, on and off. When Harley...
Experience: How roller derby changed my life
By Laura McCarthy. Like many people, I found coping with the stresses of the COVID-19 epidemic led me to pick up a new hobby. I was part-way through my teacher training when lockdown started and, later, when the summer arrived, I was faced with endless empty weeks. No chance...
Experience: black velvet dress at the school disco
By Spring Wise. When I was ten, there was a school disco. My auntie took me shopping and bought me the most beautiful dress I could imagine. It was black velvet and made me feel like an Old Hollywood movie star. I chose it, no one chose it for...
Interview: Gavin Adams on his upcoming role as Aladdin at Mayflower Theatre
Disney’s hit Broadway and West End musical, Aladdin, lands in Southampton as part of its first ever UK and Ireland tour from Thursday 5 to Sunday 29 September 2024. Adapted from Disney’s 1992 animated film and centuries-old folktales, including One Thousand and One Nights, this smash-hit musical is brought...
Opinion: writing a new chapter of hope
By Manthan Pathak. First came the trauma. Then the fight. Now the hope. It’s been an emotional couple of weeks. I’ve watched in horror as extreme violence by the far right, targeted at immigrants and all people of colour, has disfigured our country. Perhaps it’s useful here to offer...
Southampton’s anti-fascist counter demonstration – last night we took our country back
By Sam Wise. Last night, Southampton made me proud. I’m sure everyone was aware of the brief spate of far-right violence that had happened in the last week or two, using the excuse of the tragic stabbings in Southport to justify “peaceful protests” which devolved into fighting with the...