By Joy McKay. It really felt like Christmas as I arrived at The Mayflower, it was frosty and dark outside but the foyer was particularly warm and welcoming festooned with Christmas trees (29/11/23). I very much of the opinion decorations in November are too early but on this occasion,...
Review: La Traviata (Welsh National Opera), Mayflower Theatre, Southampton
By Joy McKay. The opera La Traviata was composed by Giuseppe Verdi with libretto by Francesco Maria Piave and is based on the novel Camille by Alexandre Dumas. It is the most commonly performed, and therefore considered the most popular, opera in the world. The story is set in...
1 in 7 won’t be buying presents for their children this Christmas
Research from national charity Family Action reveals the stark reality many families face this Christmas. Families across the UK are facing increasing financial hardship and new research from Family Action reveals that 1 in 7 parents/carers surveyed, said they won’t be able to afford to buy presents for their...
Tree of Light charity initiative returns this Christmas
A befriending charity in Southampton has officially launched its 15th annual Tree of Light Christmas fundraising and awareness campaign – pledging to ‘shine a light on loneliness’ in the city. Through its sponsored Christmas lights, each one commemorating a loved one or special cause, and its festive switch-on events...
Review: WNO – Aniadamar, the Fountain of Tears, Mayflower, Southampton
By Martin Brisland. It is refreshing to see the Welsh National Opera (WNO) try new or less often performed material. Last year they had a hit with Janacek’s The Makropulos Affair from the 1920s. This season they chose the unique Ainadamar which was only written in 2003 and it...
Free masterclass for Southampton creatives this month
CHAOS Network are hosting a free masterclass with Lawdit Solicitors Co-Founder Michael Coyle, ‘introduction to intellectual property law,’ on November 27th. It offers the chance to brush up on the basics of copyright and intellectual property law and to hear some top tips on how to keep your work...
Photos: Beverley Knight at Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre
Photos by Kate Hunter. Photographer Kate Hunter captured striking photos of singer Beverley Knight at Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre (November 11). The British artist, whose career spans almost three decades, was celebrating turning 50 in style, with a roof-raising concert, performing a selection of her hits alongside new material. Visit...
Under the Covers books section: short stories big on thrills
By Carolyn Thomas. Those who find the lead up to Christmas all rather too saccharine may be delighted to lose themselves in the latest collection of creepy tales of terror and paranoia by local author Oli Jacobs. His newest nine short horror stories, wrapped up in a volume called...
Review: The Mary Wallopers at Southampton’s Engine Rooms
Words and photos by Isabella Briscoe. Fresh off the plane from their huge North American tour, The Mary Wallopers kicked off their biggest ever UK tour in Southampton. Celebrating their second album Irish Rock N Roll, the band took to the stage at the Engine Rooms on the 8th...
People’s Pride: there’s no place for transphobia
By People’s Pride Southampton. In their latest column, People’s Pride Southampton looks at the impact of transphobia on transgender people and the wider community, ahead of Trans Day of Remembrance on November 20. In the current political landscape, a heated debate rages over the rights and protections afforded to...