Mayflower announces their newest associate companies, The Stage Door and Aardvarks Can’t Jump (ACJ) Productions, to strengthen Southampton’s cultural ecosystem and champion the development of new work and emerging talent.
Mayflower, which operates both Mayflower Theatre and Mayflower Studios, welcomes more than 520,000 visitors each year and reinvests all surplus into its venues and community programmes.
With a mission to provide inspiring experiences for all, the organisation continues to place artistic excellence, inclusivity and participation at the heart of its work. Its programme spans musicals, dance, comedy, circus, cabaret, spoken word and visual arts, alongside a growing portfolio of Made by Mayflower productions and co-productions.
“We are delighted to expand our Associate Company network with both The Stage Door and ACJ Productions,” explains Sara Scott, Creative Director at Mayflower. “These partnerships are central to our vision of building a collaborative, innovative and inclusive arts sector in Southampton, where artists and audiences can thrive.”
The Stage Door, Southampton’s only fringe theatre, live music venue and bar, is widely recognised as a vibrant and inclusive cultural hub. With an eclectic programme ranging from cabaret and comedy to theatre and live music, it provides a vital platform for emerging talent. The organisation is also a founding partner of Southampton Pride and plays a key role in supporting LGBTQ+ communities and championing diverse voices within the arts.
“Working more closely with Mayflower and ACJ Productions opens up exciting opportunities for artists and audiences alike, adds Julianne Watling-McCarthy, Artistic Director at The Stage Door. “Together, we can continue to support emerging talent and create work that reflects the diversity and creativity of our community.”
Aardvarks Can’t Jump (ACJ) Productions is an innovative theatre company specialising in new musical theatre. Originally established to support the work of composing duo Amies & Clements, ACJ has evolved into a collaborative producing company working with a range of new and established creatives. Its work spans full-scale productions, workshops and concerts, alongside activity in music production and live promotion.
“This partnership represents a major step forward for ACJ Productions,” continues Kevin Jones, Partner at ACJ Productions. “Collaborating with Mayflower and The Stage Door allows us to develop new musical theatre at scale, support creatives from the ground up and bring fresh work to wider audiences.”
At the heart of this expanded partnership is a shared ambition to develop new work, particularly in musical theatre, and to nurture the next generation of artists. A key initiative within this collaboration is Showtime—a joint project between Mayflower, The Stage Door and ACJ Productions, which presents a series of new musical showcases throughout the year, supported by Arts Council England funding.
The partnerships will also support a range of creative and developmental activities, including writing collaborations, new commissions, and projects including Five Children and the Return of It. Alongside this, the organisations will work together on artist development, workshops, and learning programmes, as well as continuing to support initiatives such as Pride Southampton and The Stage Door’s producing work.
Through shared resources and expertise, the partnership will offer mentoring, rehearsal space and performance opportunities, alongside joint producing and programming ventures. It also creates a framework for long-term collaboration, enabling each organisation to grow its profile locally and nationally while contributing to a thriving, inclusive cultural sector.
Together, these partnerships signal a bold and ambitious future for Southampton’s cultural sector rooted in collaboration, creativity and access for all.
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