By Kate Wyver What do your pets get up to when you’re not around? When Dermot O’Leary adopted Toto and Silver, two wriggling little kittens from Italy, he began to imagine their adventures: solving crimes, making friends and getting into all sorts of sticky situations. These day-dreamings led to the...
Preview: The Ballad of Johnny & June, Mayflower Theatre, Southampton
The Ballad of Johnny & June – the story of Johnny Cash and June Carter – will visit Mayflower Theatre from Tuesday 8 to Saturday 12 September 2026. Love is a burning thing, and no one burned brighter than Johnny Cash and June Carter. He was a small-town musician...
Interview: Composer & lyricist Eamonn O’Dwyer on working with The Lion Inside
A heart-warming adaptation of a children’s favourite comes to Mayflower Studios in the shape of The Lion Inside, from Friday 28 to Sunday 30 August 2026. We caught up with composer and lyricist, Eamonn O’Dwyer, to chat about working with The Lion Inside. What was your first experience of...
Create a Play in 2 Days at Theatre Royal Winchester
Young people interested in performing and theatre are invited to recreate one of Aesop’s tales when Play in 2 Days begins at Theatre Royal Winchester on Thursday 6 August. Play in 2 Days is an opportunity for young people aged 6 – 12 years to spend two days exploring...
Comedy at Mayflower this summer
Ready to laugh out loud? Mayflower has you covered. This summer Mayflower Theatre and Mayflower Studios have a whole line up of comedy, ready to fulfil your next comedy fix. The line up includes: Stitches Comedy Club – 2 July 2026 at Mayflower Studios Award-winning comedy returns to Mayflower Studios, with...
Hat Fair set to return first weekend of July 2027
Photo credit: Stuart Allen The Outdoor Arts festival Hat Fair – one of Winchester’s most distinctive and much-loved cultural events – will return to the city’s streets on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 July 2027, following its planned pause in 2026. While audiences will not see the festival take...
Sam Ryder to star in Jesus Christ Superstar
Sam Ryder will star in Jesus Christ Superstar when it stops at Mayflower Theatre from Wednesday 1 to Saturday 11 September 2027, as part of its UK tour. Jesus Christ Superstar follows the events of the last days of the life of Jesus Christ, as seen through the eyes...
A summer of Mayflower
This summer is all about Made By Mayflower and co-productions for Mayflower, who are presenting three shows, all of which are either produced or co-produced with local investment, further contributing to Mayflower’s vision of being nationally recognised in providing inspiring experiences. “At Mayflower, we’re passionate about creating and championing...
Review: The Importance of Being Oscar, Theatre Royal Winchester
Words by Joy McKay. Photo credit: Marc Brenner. Star rating: 4 out of 5. The Importance of Being Oscar is a play first premiered in Dublin in 1960 written and performed by Micheál Mac Liammóir. It quickly achieved success being shown on Broadway, as an award winning television production...
Heritage: Here comes the sun!
Photo credit: Katie Belo dos Santos & Words: Martin Brisland. Human society has always been connected to the sun for our survival. The Helios artwork by artist Luke Jerram was on display in Winchester Cathedral earlier in 2026. Helios, which is Greek for sun, is a touring artwork, which features...