Which Charles Dickens novel is your favourite? That’s the question which set In Common writer Nick Mabey on a two-year reading mission. Finding himself unable to answer because he hadn’t read any Dickens, Nick became aware of this gap in his literary knowledge and resolved there and then to...
Review: Isle of Wight Festival, Friday 16 June
by Nick Mabey. A Different Class Friday at the festival and Newport was rocking. The sun shone, the crowds swarmed, everything was as it should be. For me it was all about Jarvis Cocker but more of that later. First things first; a minor rant. For package holiday makers,...
Applause review: Broadway’s Jukebox Musicals, Freemantle & Shirley Amateur Theatrical Society
by amateur dramatics editor Martin Brisland. Singing is a great way to lift your spirits and that is just what Freemantle and Shirley Amateur Theatrical Society (FASATS) provided for an enthusiastic audience on a hot Friday summer night at Freemantle Community Centre (16/6/23). The ‘jukebox musical’ has become a...
Suburban Safari: Rollesbrook Greenway
by Katie Isham. Did anyone else know there’s basically a jungle in town? Rollesbrook Greenway is a stretch of woodland running through the terraced streets of The Polygon in Southampton’s city centre. A mere stone’s throw from the immaculately manicured lawns of the city parks, here grows the absolute...
Artists’ contributions sought for Gender, Mobility & Technology exhibition at University of Southampton
Calling all artists! A group or researchers at The University of Southampton known as Close the Data Gap have been sponsored by the Web Science Institute and are looking for Artwork for their new exhibition exploring Gender, Mobility and Technology. How do you experience your everyday journeys? Walking the kids...
Pay it forward with a book for Southampton school children
To celebrate the release of ‘City of Stolen Magic’ by Southampton’s own Nazneen Ahmed Pathak, independent book store October Books is organising apay it forward book scheme to gift copies of the book to local school children. An organiser of the scheme explained: “We’re super excited here at October...
Review: Arctic Monkeys, Ageas Bowl, Southampton – June 14
by Nick Mabey. On Tuesday at the Ageas Bowl, Southampton, Arctic Monkeys were in town bringing sun, great music, and Alex Turner’s iconic Sheffield strut. Crowds arrived early and in massive numbers to enjoy everything the evening had to offer. The food may have been a little overpriced but...
Black History Month South & SS Shieldhall are bringing a special Windrush 75th anniversary event
A momentous occasion is on the horizon as the SS Shieldhall sets sail from Southampton on 24th June as part of the Windrush 75 celebrations marking the 75th anniversary of the arrival of HMT Empire Windrush at the Port of Tilbury on 22nd June 1948. The event will be...
Heritage: the story behind the pineapple at Southampton’s Royal Pier
by Martin Brisland. Have you ever wondered why there is a pineapple at the top of the gatehouse to the Royal Pier? A golden pineapple sits on top of Southampton’s ornate Royal Pier entrance building. In fact, once you start noticing them you will see them on street railings,...
Review: Wish you were Dead, Mayflower Theatre, Southampton, June 6
by Nick Mabey. Shaun Mckenna’s adaptation of Peter James’ latest DCI Grace novel is an enjoyable romp in the French countryside. Our protagonist takes his young family and their friend/nanny on a much needed holiday, only to find themselves stuck in a dark, almost gothic chambre-d’hote, whose owners are...