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...
Entertainment Reviews
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...
Review: A Couple of Swells, MAST Mayflower Studios, Southampton, 20 April 2023
By Martin Brisland In the film Easter Parade (1947), Judy Garland and Fred Astaire sing We’re a Couple of Swells. They appear as a couple of tramps in worn out clothing cast off by the super rich or ‘swells’. This is the title of the brand new show performed...
Review: Caity Baser, The Engine Rooms – 19th April 2023
words and photos by Peter Nicholson. After my interview with Caity Baser last month, ahead of her home-town show at Southampton’s Engine Rooms, I was keen to see if her energy and enthusiasm would extend to the performance in her stage show… It did, ten fold! Caity was obviously...
Review: Morganway + Alyssa Bonagura, The Joiners, Southampton, 16th April 2023
photography and words by Peter Nicholson. Morganway describe themselves as a formidable live act, and I certainly have no argument with that. Appearing at the Joiners, Southampton, on Sunday, the band gave an excited audience a great show. For some of the band, it was somewhat of a homecoming...
Photos & review: Reef + When Rivers Meet & Electric Milk – Portsmouth Guildhall, March 13
words and pictures by Peter Nicholson. I had hoped to see Reef at their Bournemouth show earlier this month, but that performance, along with others, was cancelled at the last minute because bass player Jack Bessant had been taken to hospital with a head injury. So it was a...