by Martin Brisland. Last night (May 25th) saw more than 250 people attended the launch of the Creative Connections exhibition at Southampton City Art Gallery. This is a National Portrait Gallery led project to explore the city through portraiture and runs until 30 September. The standard is excellent and...
Entertainment Reviews
Review: The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel – Mayflower Theatre, Southampton, May 23rd 2023
by Martin Brisland. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel delighted the audience at Southampton’s Mayflower Theatre last night. The message of the story, about the importance of embracing life, love and going on adventures at any age, clearly resonated with the audience who hung onto every word and laughed at...
Review: Think Floyd, MAST Mayflower Studios Southampton
Words and pictures by : Peter Nicholson. Whenever I’m asked to photograph a tribute act, my excitement isn’t always piqued. However, having been a life-long Pink Floyd fan, and remembering seeing Think Floyd on stage about ten years ago, when I was asked to “shoot the show”, I could...
Review: Welsh National Opera – The Magic Flute, Mayflower Theatre Southampton May 16
by Martin Brisland. Mozart’s final opera Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute) first premiered in 1791 just months before his death at 35. This opera, about the triumph of good over evil, love over hate, counts as one of the most popular of all time. Its message is to pursue...
Review: Message in a Bottle, Mayflower Theatre, Southampton 11th May 2023
Words and photos by: Peter Nicholson. Not a word was spoken, but so much was said. This show is simply spectacular. Based on the title, and knowing the show was performed to the music of Sting and The Police, I had been expecting a rather cliched effort to make...
Review: Joe Bonamassa, Bournemouth International Centre, 9th May 2023
words and pictures by Peter Nicholson. Having had a privileged preview of Joe Bonamassa’s live video of his concert in Red Rocks, Colorado, I was eager to see (and photograph) the man in action at the Bournemouth International Centre. This iconic blues guitarist has been on the music scene...
Review: Around the World in 80 Days, Theatre Royal Winchester
by Charlotte Ndupuechi. Around The World in 80 Days by Jules Verne, adapted and directed by Juliet Forster, is at Theatre Royal Winchester this week, but as you have never seen it before. My two children saw the poster and insisted we saw the show. The idea of fun...
Review: Sister Act, Mayflower Theatre, Southampton, 2 May 2023
By Catherine Collins Sister Act opened at Mayflower Theatre tonight, and this feel-good show was a joy to watch from start to finish. Based on the iconic movie of the same name from 1992, starring Whoopi Goldberg, this sparkling tribute to the universal power of friendship, sisterhood and music...
Review: Annie: The Musical, Mayflower Theatre, Southampton, 24 April 2023
By Catherine Collins When Annie: The Musical opened at Mayflower Theatre last night – I was immediately transported back in time to one of my favourite childhood films of the 80s. The show begins with the set of an orphanage dormitory in New York in the 1930s – during...
Review: Gormenghast, Maskers Studio Theatre, Southampton, 24 April 2023
By Martin Brisland Firstly, for those who haven’t yet discovered the Maskers Theatre Company it is time you did! Since 1994 it has had its own studio theatre seating around 40. Complete with a bar, this hidden gem can be found just off Shirley High Street. Maskers were established...