Waitress isn’t quite The Great British Bake Off but it is a recipe for success! It was the first Broadway musical with an all female creative team. Music and lyrics are by Grammy nominated singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles, who manages to write hook laden songs about waiting for a pregnancy test,...
Entertainment Reviews
Review: Cluedo at Mayflower Theatre, Southampton
by Martin Brisland. Was it Miss Scarlet, with the revolver in the dining room, or was it Professor Plum, with the lead pipe in the library? Based on the classic detective board game and the hit 1985 film Clue, the brand new stage play of Cluedo is at the...
Review: WNO Don Giovanni, Mayflower Theatre, Southampton
by Martin Brisland. The charismatic Don Giovanni, opera’s ultimate seducer, is back pursuing women on his way around Europe. He takes what he wants, living for lust and without any conscience. When he refuses to show remorse, his past catches up with him and leads to his ultimate fiery...
Review: Footloose, Mayflower Theatre, Southampton
By Catherine Collins. Growing up in the 80s means we were spoilt with some classic films, and Footloose, starring Kevin Bacon, was no exception – so I had high expectations for the stage musical that opened at the Mayflower Theatre last night (May 3). City boy Ren – played...
Review: The Da Vinci Code, The Mayflower Theatre, Southampton
by Martin Brisland. You’ve read the book, watched the film, now see the play! The world premiere stage adaptation of Dan Brown’s blockbuster novel The Da Vinci Code is at the Mayflower Theatre until the 30th April. With over 100 million copies of the book sold, this is the story that...
Review: Beautiful! – The Carole King Musical at Mayflower Theatre, Southampton
by Martin Brisland. Hail to King! Beautiful – the Carole King Musical, is an absolute must-see. It won Tony awards in New York in 2014 and Olivier awards in London in 2015. It also wins this reviewers award for the most outstanding musical of its time and for providing pure theatre...
Photos: Southampton plays for Ukraine
by Mike Daish. On Sunday the 3rd April, I attended the final event of Southampton plays for Ukraine, organised by Music in the City’s Martin Perry, at the 1865 in Brunswick Square. What an absolutely brilliant way to spend a few hours on a Sunday afternoon. I think everyone...
Review: Matthew Bourne’s Nutcracker! at Mayflower Theatre, Southampton
by Martin Brisland. Matthew Bourne’s fabulous Nutcracker! returns to the Mayflower Theatre for the first time in nine years and it is not to be missed. It is Bourne at his best: clever, charming, colourful, sexy, full of energy and so much fun! Only Bourne could grab a revered...
Review: The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, MAST Mayflower Studios, Southampton
by Catherine Collins. As the lights rise in the intimate setting of MAST Mayflower Studios, a dimly lit two-up-two-down house down an alleyway is revealed and the bittersweet comedy that is The Rise and Fall of Little Voice begins. Little Voice and Mari Hoff – are the mother and...
Review: Sheila’s Island, MAST Mayflower Studios, Southampton
by Martin Brisland. Want cheering up? Then this comedy drama is for you and had the audience laughing throughout. Think Lord of the Flies meets Dinnerladies meets Miranda and The Office. Described as “a comedy in thick fog”, Sheila’s Island is a reimagining of Tim Firth’s 1992 play Neville’s...