In 2026, Mayflower is showcasing a variety of Dance across both of its stages. From Birmingham Royal Ballet and Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures to local Dance Theatre group Zoielogic, there are many dance productions to experience this coming year.
Shows include:
TeaċDaṁsa / Michael Keegan-Dolan MÁM
17 – 18 February 2026 at Mayflower Theatre
MÁM is international dance-theatre at its finest. Described as ‘90 minutes of ritualised ecstasy’ by The Irish Times, this visionary piece playfully and provocatively takes you on an otherworldly journey steeped in the landscape and culture of West Kerry in Ireland.
MÁM sees 12 fearless dancers summon a whirlwind of myth and magic, moved by the collaborative music making of virtuoso Irish traditional concertina player Cormac Begley and European classical contemporary collective s t a r g a z e, performed live on stage.
Nominated for an Olivier Award, MÁM has enjoyed sellout performances at Sadler’s Wells, London and across Festivals world-wide. This rapturous production now embarks on its debut UK tour for Dance Consortium.
Matthew Bourne’s The Red Shoes
10 – 14 March 2026 at Mayflower Theatre
A timeless fairytale and Academy Award-winning movie, The Red Shoes has captivated audiences and inspired generations of dancers with its powerful tale of obsession, possession and one girl’s dream to be the greatest dancer in the world. Victoria Page lives to dance but her ambitions become a fierce struggle between the two men who inspire her passion.
Matthew Bourne’s magical double Olivier Award-winning production of the legendary Powell and Pressburger film is set to a score orchestrated by Terry Davies, featuring the mesmerizing music of golden-age Hollywood composer Bernard Herrmann, with sumptuous designs by Lez Brotherston (set and costumes), Paule Constable (lighting) and Paul Groothuis (sound).
Zoielogic Dance Theatre present ManMade
18 – 19 March 2026 at Mayflower Studios
ManMade, established in 2010 and delivered with generous support by Backstage Trust, is ZoieLogic’s pioneering male youth dance platform. It brings together boys and young men aged 10-19, from different local schools, for a positive, fun dance experience!Comprising a programme of workshops which lead to a brilliant live performance on stage,
ManMade is an exciting opportunity for male-identifying students to work together towards a shared goal. It offers both personal and creative development for students, helping them build confidence, wellbeing and teamwork.
Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Don Quixote
15 – 18 April 2026 at Mayflower Theatre
Birmingham Royal Ballet returns to Southamptonwith the first revival of Director Carlos Acosta’s joyful production of Don Quixote, inspired by Miguel de Cervantes’ classic novel.Meet the famous knight himself, lovers Kitri and Basilio, and a host of supporting characters, all paired with spectacular dance and vivacious comedy.
Dance Consortium presents Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo
19 – 20 May 2026 at Mayflower Theatre
Celebrating 50 years as the world’s foremost gender-skewing comic ballet company, parodying the conventions of romantic and classical dance.‘The Trocks’ return with a sensational repertoire of hilarious and breath-taking pieces that will challenge every dance norm with technical panach
Matthew Bourne’s The Car Man
16 – 19 September 2026 at Mayflower Theatre
Loosely based on Bizet’s ever-popular opera Carmen, The Car Man has one of the most thrilling and instantly recognisable scores in New Adventures’ repertoire.In a greasy 1950’s garage-diner in the American Mid-West, the dreams and passions of a small town are shattered by the arrival of a handsome and enigmatic stranger. Fueled by heat and desire, the inhabitants are driven into an unstoppable spiral of greed, lust, betrayal and revenge.
Matthew Bourne’s vivid storytelling combines with one of the most passionately dramatic scores ever written. With music by Terry Davies, and featuring Rodion Shchedrin’s Carmen Suite, it creates a dance thriller like no other.
Tickets for all shows listed are on sale at mayflower.org.uk or 02380 711811.
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