By Diane Parkes For stage designer Charles Edwards, Giacomo Puccini is the greatest opera composer because his stories cut straight to the heart. Puccini’s understanding of people ensures his works, which include Tosca, La bohème and Madam Butterfly,are among the most popular and frequently staged operas worldwide. And it...
Theatre Royal Winchester reveals Mother Goose panto cast
Photo credit: The Other Richard Theatre Royal Winchester announces the cast for this year’s pantomime, Mother Goose, set to run from 30 November 2024 to 5 January 2025. The traditional story of Mother Goose tells of a lady who is about to be thrown off her land when she cannot...
Christmas all wrapped up at Mayflower Theatre and MAST Mayflower Studios
Following a record-breaking festive season in 2023, Mayflower has once again got Christmas all wrapped up across Mayflower Theatre and MAST Mayflower Studios. From ballet, to pantomime, and youth theatre to music nights, Mayflower’s Christmas offering is bigger and better than ever. Shows include: The Overtones: Good Times Christmas...
Heritage: Do you know your streets in Southampton?
By Martin Brisland. Do you know your streets in Southampton? Where do you think Southampton’s High Street is? Many would assume that the precinct area around the entrance to Westquay, with its large shops,is the High Street. In fact, the area from the Bargate down to Town Quay is...
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...
Embrace Christmas at Theatre Royal Winchester
Winchester comes alive at Christmas and Theatre Royal Winchester is no exception – with a programme of festive treats that will guarantee audiences of all ages can embrace the most wonderful time of the year, wholeheartedly. The season begins early with a familiar face returning to the stage to...
Interview: Wendy James speaks ahead of her Hampshire appearances
Words by Joy McKay. Photo by David Leigh Dodd. On a Friday evening in 1989 I sat down to watch Top of The Pops, as I did every week. I remember Wendy James, lead singer of Transvision Vamp, screaming down the camera lens at me as she launched into...
Kev Orkian and Sydnie Christmas to headline Countdown to Christmas event in Southampton
Officially kickstarting the Christmas festivities in the city, will be Kev Orkian and Sydnie Christmas. Award-winning actor and comedian, Kev Orkian, will be leading the fun before he heads back to Mayflower Theatre, alongside Ashley Banjo and Diversity – who will be climbing a beanstalk of gigantic proportions to...
View from the Kingsland: Rock Bottom
By Nick Mabey. Considering we’ve only amassed a grand total of one point from nine games, it’s surprising Saints have only just arrived at the bottom of the table (discounting goal difference moments here and there). We had Wolves to thank for elevating us to 19th until this past...