By Martin Brisland. Andalucia was a performance that brought the whole capacity audience of 400 to a standing ovation. This two-hour show has already had many five-star reviews, I give it six! Daniel Martinez is the ‘rock star’ of flamenco. Only 31, he is already an acclaimed award-winning guitarist...
Entertainment Reviews
Review: Songs to Learn & Sing – The Very Best of Echo & The Bunnymen @ The O2 Academy, Bournemouth
Words and photos by Callum Linklater. As you enter the main auditorium you can’t help but notice the grandeur of this grade II listed building that proudly boasts a majestic interior. Looking around I couldn’t help but notice the diversity among the audience, between age and even fashion, showing...
Death Trap – Rambert Dance Company, Mayflower Theatre, Southampton
By Joy McKay. Following their hugely successful tour of Peaky Blinders stalwarts of the British Contemporary dance scene, Rambert, are back in Southampton with Death Trap. A show of two short modern pieces by Ben Duke, connected by one intriguing theme; death. Rambert brought Peaky Blinders to The Mayflower...
Review – Blood Brothers, Mayflower Theatre, Southampton
By Graham Hiley. It is not just the audience who regularly return to Blood Brothers time after time – so too do the cast. Willy Russell’s powerful and provocative piece stays with anyone who sees it – or appears in it. For the touring production at the Mayflower, 11...
Photos: Bursfest 13
Words and pictures by Anita Foxall. Main image: Pegasuses. It has been 13 years of Bursfest and this year’s was another fantastic one. Rob Swallow and Ron May work relentlessly to make it happen every year supported by an incredible, warm, welcoming group of volunteers. Both the Village Stage...
Review: Shrek, Mayflower Theatre
By Graham Hiley. It was bright, beautiful and ogre-the-top! Shrek The Musical stank the place out – in the best possible way. With enough fart, burp and body odour jokes to stink a battleship, this slick new production of the animated classic left the Mayflower audience… swamped! This is...
Review: São Paulo Dance Company, Mayflower Theatre, Southampton
By Katie Isham. Imagine a world where the government founds a dance company. Stop laughing. It really happened. In 2008, the Brazilian government did just that and since then, the São Paulo Dance Company has been going from strength to strength. Talking of strength, the muscles and power wielded on...
Review: Birmingham Royal Ballet: Sleeping Beauty, Mayflower Theatre, 8 February 2024
By Joy McKay. This year is the 40th anniversary of Sir Peter Wright’s retelling of The Sleeping Beauty, which opened at Mayflower Theatre last night. Based on the original 1890 collaboration between composer Tchaikovsky with choreographers Marius Pepita and Lev Ivanov it is a true classic of classical ballet....
Review: Interesting Wallpaper, Heartbreakers, Southampton
By Anita Foxall Interesting Wallpaper had their headliner show at Heartbreakers on the 26 January. They were joined by 2 local bands, Sturmey Archers and Watching the Buzzards, for a complete Sofa City Bands Collective celebration. A full venue filled with support for local music. Who said we are not...
Review: Oh What a Lovely War, MAST Mayflower Studios, 29 January 2024
By Martin Brisland. More than sixty years on from its debut, this classic satire about war still has power to shock and to thoroughly entertain. Blackeyed Theatre’s first-rate production of Oh What A Lovely War set in World War 1 is highly relevant today given the threats to world...