Following a flash demonstration last night (21/1/26) anti-asylum seeker protesters have announced that they will be back on Friday (23/1/25), gathering outside a Portswood hotel housing asylum seekers who have been placed in the accommodation by the Home Office whilst awaiting the outcome of their asylum applications. Southampton Stand Up To Racism will be holding

To mark Hear & Now opening last night at Mayflower Theatre, four of the cast visited Waitrose in John Lewis, Westquay for some supermarket fun, bringing the colourful world of Better Best Bargains to Southampton. UK pop band Steps’ official musical Here & Now is at Mayflower Theatre from until Saturday 24 January. Welcome to

A celebration of the world’s best loved US country rock artists visits Theatre Royal Winchester in The Americana Revue on Sunday 1 February. The Americana Revue is a live music stage show celebrating the music of some of the greatest singer/songwriters of the 20th century, the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Fleetwood Mac, Johnny Cash, Creedence

One of Loose Women’s most outspoken panellists continues her biggest solo tour to date in 2026 Janet Street-Porter Off The Leash, and will be performing at The Point, Eastleigh on Thursday 12 February. From a bolshy child with a Welsh-speaking budgie to a national treasure, Janet Street-Porter’s life (and language) has always been colourful. As a

Fans of The Lord of the Rings will be thrilled to learn that an homage to the fantasy adventure visits Theatre Royal Winchester on Friday 30 January in the comic Parody of the Rings. Parody of the Rings tells the story of what happens when a local cinema’s Lord of the Rings movie marathon goes

Following a hugely successful UK tour, Bluey, Bingo, Mum and Dad are back by popular demand in the Olivier Award nominated live stage show, Bluey’s Big Play, which visits Mayflower Theatre on Friday 20 and Saturday 21 February 2026. Bluey’s Big Play is a delightful treat for families, featuring the original voices from the beloved

A new free exhibition focusing on the Royal National Lifeboat Institution’s (RNLI) Second World War story launched this week at Lighthouse Poole. RNLI Stories of Courage 1939-45 will run for six weeks until Saturday 28 February. Through rarely viewed artwork and artefacts from the RNLI’s heritage collections, this exhibition explores how volunteer crews continued to

Fans of the late Kenneth Williams are in for a treat when performer David Benson celebrates the actor and comedian in My Life with Kenneth Williams at Theatre Royal Winchester on Wednesday 28 January. In My Life with Kenneth Williams, David Benson revisits his own classic performance of the star – best known for his

Schools from Southampton and Hampshire are taking part in the National Theatre’s The Next Morning school programme, delivered as part of the nationwide tour of James Graham’s award-winning play Dear England, with support from Mayflower Theatre. As part of last year’s events and celebrations to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, The Next Morning is a

Step Into a World of Wonder as August the Platypus, The Point’s Storyworld, returns for its fourth year this weekend. The Point’s beloved Storyworld is back, inviting under 5s and their families to embark on a magical adventure filled with imagination, laughter, and life lessons. After the adventures of Lou Lou the Snow Dragon last

Lordshill Road Runners, a community running group based in Southampton, have raised almost £900 for local charity Yellow Door, helping to support people affected by domestic and sexual abuse. The group first fundraised for the charity in September, when members took part in a 10k run in aid of several local causes. The event raised

True crime fans can enjoy this deep dive into how serial killers are classified from an expert forensics lecturer when The Psychology of Serial Killers with Jennifer Rees visits Theatre Royal Winchester on Tuesday 27 January. Audiences will learn the differences between lust killers and visionary killers, and male and female serial killers – with

By Diane Parkes. When choreographer and dancer, Michael Keegan-Dolan, was creating MÁM, he turned to the music and landscape of his native Ireland for inspiration. “I was born in Ireland in 1969,” Michael explains. “There was a lot going on politically and economically. I think much of the work I make comes from where and

Peppa Pig Live is back in a brand new ‘oinktastic’ stage show Peppa Pig’s Big Family Show, which visits Mayflower Studios, from Wednesday 18 to Saturday 21 February 2026. Based on the much-loved animated preschool TV series, Peppa Pig’s Big Family Show is packed full of music, adventure and surprises for little ones as Peppa’s

Fans of the group famous for One Way or Another, Call Me, and Maria can enjoy an evening with their tribute, Totally Blondie, at Theatre Royal Winchester on Friday 23 January. Totally Blondie celebrate one of the most iconic bands to emerge from the seventies with an evening packed with material from the band’s very first

Adult audiences are invited to a comedy evening exploring everything from menopause to mansplaining when Scummy Mummies: Hot Mess visits Theatre Royal Winchester on Wednesday 21 and Thursday 22 January. Scummy Mummies: Hot Mess is a brand new comedy show from the popular duo, Helen Thorn, and Ellie Gibson, exploring adult topics, from teenagers to

Michael Keegan-Dolan’s company, TeaċDaṁsa, brings its triumphant 2020 production, MÁM, to Mayflower Theatre from Tuesday 17 to Wednesday 18 February 2026. MÁM‘s whirling dervish of dance, ancient rites and live music is international dance theatre at its finest.  This visionary piece playfully and provocatively takes audiences on an overwhelming otherworldly journey through the landscape and

An evening of early rock ‘n’ roll, blues and soul, performed by a father and son double act, visits Theatre Royal Winchester on Tuesday 20 January – Ben & Tom Waters: A Very Special Night of Boogie, Blues & Rock ‘n’ Roll. Audiences can expect a celebration of rhythm and blues, rock ‘n’ roll, jazz

Get ready for an electrifying live vocal drag-stravaganza from the fearless and fabulous Queenz, as the drag-meets-musical supergroup spread gender bender splendour where Dancing Queenz and Disco Dreams collide in the ultimate celebration of pop royalty through the decades with Drag me to the Disco, coming to Mayflower Studios on  Saturday 7 February 2026. In

Newspaper editor, broadcaster, pensioner, Janet Street-Porter takes to the stage to rant against growing old gracefully at Theatre Royal Winchester on Tuesday 13 January 2026. The TV executive turned Loose Women panellist – once at the forefront of some of Britain’s most enduring cultural moments, now with a senior railcard and four ex-husbands – is

By Sarah Crompton. Samantha Womack is exactly where she wants to be – standing on a stage, surrounded by noise, activity, the roar of the crowd, she is the still centre of a frenetic world. Pippa Grange, the psychologist who helped Gareth Southgate fashion a new kind of England, a different kind of football team,

Popular broadcaster, Fred Dinenage, presents an evening of expert insight on gang lords, Ronnie and Reggie Kray, at Theatre Royal Winchester on Thursday 15 January 2026. In Ronnie, Reggie and Me with Fred Dinenage, the official biographer to Britain’s most notorious gangsters shares the twins’ story – from ultimate crime lords of London’s underworld, feared

The Point has revealed The Frog Princess: A Festive Adventure as its professional Christmas production for 2026, from Saturday 12 to Monday 28 December 2026 The brand-new show marks the third festive collaboration between The Point and The House of Many Moons, following the huge success of TINK! A Festive Neverland Fairytale in 2025 and

Beatles fans are in for a treat when an incredible group take to the stage to perform The Magic of the Beatles at Theatre Royal Winchester on Wednesday 14 January 2026. The Magic of the Beatles is packed with favourites, classics from She Loves You and Help! to Hey Jude and Let It Be and

Theatre Royal Winchester opens the new year in 2026 with a programme packed with music to suit all ages and tastes – from musical theatre to rock, opera to pop, and much more. The programme begins with two popular returning shows – Oh What a Night! (9 – 10 January), which celebrates the music of

Michael Harrison and David Ian are delighted to announce that their smash hit production of the musical, Annie, will tour to Mayflower Theatre from 25 – 30 January 2027. Set in 1930s New York during The Great Depression, brave young Annie is forced to live a life of misery and torment at Miss Hannigan’s orphanage.

After the success of their previous two pantomimes in Southampton in 2023 (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs) and 2024 (Jack and the Beanstalk), street dance sensations Ashley Banjo & Diversity will make a triumphant return to Mayflower Theatre in 2026, leading the cast of Robin Hood. Under the leadership of Ashley Banjo as founder,

Following the announcement of Horrible Histories – The Concert earlier this year, Birmingham Stage Company and Lion Television have revealed the cast bringing the BAFTA Award-winning TV show to life on stage, and coming to Southampton’s Mayflower Theatre in April. For the very first time, Horrible Histories Live (and Dead!) on Stage will feature both the hit TV songs and stars

Photo credit Danny Kaan This year’s traditional family pantomime at Theatre Royal Winchester, Puss in Boots, has been nominated for five awards. Puss in Boots has been nominated in five categories in the Fringe Theatre Awards – with actors Bekah Selina – who plays Puss – and Julian Eardley – Dame Dolly Duster – each

It’s over 35 years since the legendary musical Miss Saigon had its world premiere at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London’s West End. The Olivier and Tony Award-winning show has remained an enduring favourite with audiences ever since, seen by more than 38 million people worldwide. But this major new production touring the UK

Play to the Crowd – the arts and education charity that runs Theatre Royal Winchester, Hat Fair and Playmakers – has announced that The Brooks Shopping Centre has made a generous donation towards helping local children experience panto. As part of their pledge to continue to support the charity by renewing their Corporate Membership, the

Winner of Dave’s Funniest Joke of the Fringe 2024, Mark Simmons, will tour to Mayflower Studios  on Wednesday 28 January 2026. His debut tour, Quip Off the Mark, lasted three years, with over 215 dates over across the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand and sold over 25,000 tickets. Along the way he picked up

Activists are to hold a demonstration outside BBC Southampton this afternoon demanding media coverage for eight hunger-striking pro-Palestine activists held in British prisons without trial (10/12/25). Eight pro-Palestine prisoners held in British prisons awaiting trial for alleged direct action against the production and export of weapons to Israel are currently on a hunger strike. The

A new version of Boublil and Schönberg’s legendary musical, Miss Saigon, visits Mayflower Theatre from Tuesday 27 January to Saturday 7 February 2026. In the last days of the Vietnam War, 17-year-old Kim is forced to work in a Saigon bar run by a notorious character known as The Engineer. There she meets and falls

Photo by Will Faulkner. 2025 has been a momentous year for Steamship Shieldhall and her volunteers, as she marked her 70th anniversary in style. Shieldhall’s volunteers were presented with the ‘The King’s Award for Voluntary Service’. Looking ahead to 2026 the first tranche of its sailing programme has been published. Also released are dates covering

With 22 million record sales and 500 million streams under their collective belts, Steps are the UK’s most successful mixed-gender band ever. Since coming to fame in 1997 with 5,6,7,8, Claire Richards, Faye Tozer, Ian ‘H’ Watkins, Lee Latchford-Evans and Lisa Scott-Lee have notched up 14 top five singles and four number one albums and

Play to the Crowd has celebrated the completion of the bold, exciting new artwork at Theatre Royal Winchester, designed to brighten up the building and provide a colourful welcome to audiences and visitors. The artwork, entitled Inside Outside: Art on the Street, was created to ‘bring the inside outside’, celebrate the creativity, imagination, colour and

UK pop band Steps’ official musical Here & Now will tour to Mayflower Theatre from Tuesday 20 to Saturday 24 January 2026. Welcome to seaside superstore Better Best Bargains, where it’s Friday night, the vibe is right, and everyone’s dancing in the aisles. But, when Caz discovers the shelves are stocked with lies and betrayal

The National Theatre’s smash-hit play, Dear England, is embarking on its first ever national tour and is coming to Mayflower Theatre. Multi-award-winning stage and screen writer, James Graham, sits down to talk about the play, his inspiration, background and more. What did you feel when you met Gareth Southgate? Well, he’s a hero, so I

Southampton residents and businesses are being urged to get involved with a citywide charity campaign launching next month to promote positive mental health and wellbeing. Southampton City Council and NHS-endorsed, Southampton Mental Health Network, is asking people to come together for its ‘Power of Hello’ Campaign – counting down to the city’s Mental Health Friendly

The highly anticipated tour of the smash-hit production, Dear England, will visit Mayflower Theatre from Tuesday 13 until Saturday 17 January 2026, Dear England, tells the uplifting, at times heart-breaking, and ultimately inspiring story of Gareth Southgate’s revolutionary tenure as England manager in this gripping examination of nation and game. It’s time to change the

A Southampton anti-racist organisation is inviting people to take part in a unity march and rally in Portswood on Sunday (30th November).  The move comes after an anti-asylum seeker rally, which has been held on almost every Friday evening since early summer, has been moved to Sunday afternoon. A group known as ‘Southampton Patriots’ announced

FRIENDS! The Musical Parody, packed with all of the iconic moments from all 10 seasons of the beloved television series, will tour to Mayflower Theatre from Tuesday 6 to Saturday 10 January 2026. This side-splitting musical comedy is an uncensored, fast-paced romp featuring an entirely original musical score, and showcases the escapades of the world’s

A brand-new staging of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, based on the internationally celebrated novel that captivated 10 million readers and inspired a ground-breaking National Theatre production, will visit Mayflower Theatre next year. Christopher Boone is gifted with a brilliant mind for numbers, but unsettled by the unpredictability of people and

Show Racism the Red Card has announced the cast for the 2026 production of Our Little Hour – the musical based on the life of the late, great Walter Tull that will be touring theatres across the UK throughout February and March, coming to The Lighthouse, Poole, on 12th March.  Leon Newman (pictured top) returns

As part of its ongoing commitment to the upkeep of its Grade II listed building, Mayflower is celebrating the return of their iconic auditorium chandeliers following an extensive restoration project that began in November 2024. The fully refurbished chandeliers have been reinstalled this week, once again taking pride of place in the theatre. Originally designed

Visitors to Southampton in late November and December can enjoy the Christmas Market in the shadow of the Bargate and Christmas performances at the Mayflower and MAST Theatres. Plus of course the wonders of Christmas shopping!  Southampton has always had a rich connection with Christmas, and this year on Saturdays and Sundays in December, tales

New Adventures has announced that Matthew Bourne’s award-winning dance thriller The Car Man will return for a 2026 UK tour, visiting Mayflower Theatre from Wednesday 16 – Saturday 19 September 2026. Loosely based on Bizet’s ever-popular opera, The Car Man has one of the most thrilling and instantly recognisable scores in New Adventures’ repertoire. The familiar

Looking for the perfect gift this Christmas that is guaranteed to generate an unforgettable experience? Why not gift the magic of live theatre at Mayflower, with an incredible line-up of awe-inspiring shows across both venues that will have friends and family thanking you long into the new year. Shows include: Dear England (13 -17 January

By Martin Brisland.  The social and political discourse in the UK has become so very toxic. How did this happen? Things certainly got worse during the Brexit referendum in 2016. It quickly turned into two sides with entrenched views unable to reasonably debate the issues. People only listening to those who confirm their own opinions. Starting

Fly into Christmas when Tink! A Festive Neverland Fairytale visits The Point, Eastleigh from Saturday 13 to Sunday 28 December 2025. With the night’s drawing in, it’s time to turn your thoughts to Christmas, and what makes an Eastleigh family Christmas truly magical? A family outing to the theatre to see Tink! A Festive Neverland

Steps’ Claire Richards and Faye Tozer visited Mayflower Theatre’s stage ahead of their brand-new show Hear & Now, touring to Southampton from 20 – 24 January 2026. Welcome to seaside superstore Better Best Bargains, where it’s Friday night, the vibe is right, and everyone’s dancing in the aisles. But when Caz discovers the shelves are stocked

The No. 1, multi-platinum-selling vocal group, The Overtones, are back with the festive event of the season in celebration of their highly anticipated 15th anniversary, including dates in Southampton, Bournemouth and Portsmouth. This winter, fans can expect an unforgettable night of music, celebration and seasonal sparkle as Britain’s best-loved, chart-topping vocal harmony group takes to

The south coast’s biggest panto is set to make a soaring return next month when The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan visits Mayflower Theatre from Saturday 13 December 2025 to Sunday 4 January 2026. Climb aboard the Jolly Roger with Captain Hook and Peter Pan as they battle on the high seas, joined by a

Cranking up the festive cheer across the UK – including dates in Portsmouth, Bournemouth and Salisbury – is That’ll Be Christmas, Prestige Productions’ latest edition of the smash-hit tour That’ll Be The Day. Following their monumental 40th anniversary autumn outing, That’ll Be Christmas is the gift that keeps giving, taking audiences on a rockin’ sleigh

Last week, Theatre Royal Winchester played host to a dame, a cat and a baddie – looking forward to welcoming audiences to this year’s traditional family pantomime, Puss in Boots. The theatre opened its doors to Julian Eardley who will play Dame Dolly Duster this Christmas, in his 16th panto at the venue, Bekah Selina

Image of Layton Williams Producers Mayflower Southampton, Curve and Bristol Old Vic have revealed Layton Williams and George Blagden will join the cast of John Kander and Fred Ebb’s ground-breaking musical, Kiss of the Spider Woman. Obsession or salvation? one kiss from the spider woman can change everything. In a brutal prison, Molina – condemned

The Point will showcase The Fabrics of Freedom – a culmination of the Future Arts Centres projects Our Freedom: Then and Now. This vibrant community celebration project is marking the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. As part of a nationwide programme supported by the UK Government through Arts Council England

Plans are in place for Mayflower Theatre to undertake the most significant refurbishment of its toilet facilities in its 97-year history – doubling the provision for customers. This work will be carried out in conjunction with the development of a new rehearsal space and replacement of the theatre’s “Grid” above the stage during summer 2026.

The first ever World Tour of multi-award-winning hit stage show, Moulin Rouge! The Musical, will come to Mayflower Theatre in Southampton with performances from Thursday 24 September to Saturday 24 October 2026. Enter a world of splendour and romance, of eye-popping excess, of glitz, grandeur, and glory! Baz Luhrmann’s revolutionary film comes to life onstage,

True crime fans are invited to explore the dark and twisted lives of Emma Kenny’s Killer Couples, when the show comes to Theatre Royal Winchester on Thursday 13 November. This is a brand-new show that not only explores true crime case studies, but romances that went horribly wrong, unravelling the complex psychology of couples who

Honouring their commitment to the great tradition of classical ballet, English National Ballet will present Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s The Sleeping Beauty at  Mayflower Theatre from Wednesday 26 to Saturday 29 November 2025. As a baby, Princess Aurora is cursed by the wicked Carabosse: on her 16th birthday, she will prick her finger and die. Her godmother the Lilac

As the first real-life couple to star in 2:22 – A Ghost Story, Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton are relishing the chance to work together again. It’s been seven years since they took the Glitterball Trophy on Strictly Come Dancing. “And that feels like a really long time ago,” says Dooley now. The presenter, journalist

Following their only festival slot of the summer at the Gent Jazz Festival, Ibibio Sound Machine will be back on the road in the UK this autumn. The genre-blending group have announced a series of new dates in beloved grassroots venues across the country, including Engine Rooms in Southampton on Saturday 25 October. Fronted by

Photos by Matt Barnett Mayflower (Mayflower Theatre and Mayflower Studios)  launches the first episode of Mayflower Spotlights Podcast, a brand-new podcast that aims to shine a light on stories both on and beyond the stage. The first episode, released on Wednesday 8 October, features stars of Mayflower Theatre’s pantomime – The Pantomime Adventures of Peter

By Anita Foxall. On Saturday (4 October), October Books in Southampton welcomed creativity and cultural reflection as Writing Our Legacy, with the support of Wool Wire Events, hosted a powerful workshop titled Migration, Memory and Identity – No Place Like Home. Led by Susmita Bhattacharya and Liz Amos, the event invited participants to explore themes of

Mayflower (Mayflower Theatre and Mayflower Studios) have announced Mayflower Spotlights Podcast – a brand-new podcast that aims to shine a light on stories both on and beyond the stage. The podcast will run regularly from October 2025. Each episode will offer a mix of show-based interviews, highlights from Mayflower’s impact work, and a peek into

The producers of the brand-new musical Here & Now, presented by UK pop sensation Steps, have announced that West End actress Lara Denning will star in the role of Caz for the show’s Southampton dates. Welcome to seaside superstore Better Best Bargains, where it’s Friday night, the vibe is right, and everyone’s dancing in the

The creators of the Back to the Future film trilogy are delighted to announce the first ever UK tour of the multi award-winning Back to the Future the Musical will be touring to Mayflower Theatre, Southampton from Tuesday 8 June to Saturday 3 July 2027. Back to the Future the Musical continues to run in the

By Liam Rudden. Main image: Elle as Tina On 24 May 2023, Anna Mae Bullock, the ‘Queen of Rock ’n’ – Roll better known to the world as Tina Turner, died at her home in Küsnacht, Switzerland, at the age of 83. It was a day that Jochebel Ohene MacCarthy will never forget as, at

By Diane Parkes When Welsh National Opera’s new production of Leonard Bernstein’s zany Candide premiered two years ago it was critically acclaimed and loved by audiences – so much so that the show is back on tour this Autumn. Playing at Mayflower Theatre on 2 October, Candide is based on the novella by French Enlightenment

Classic TV stars return to the Winchester stage in a Sherlock Holmes adventure with a difference when Sherlock Holmes & The Sign of Four: A radio play live on stage comes to Theatre Royal Winchester from Tuesday 30 September. Colin Baker (Doctor Who) and Terry Molloy (The Archers) return to reprise their roles as Holmes

A local charity’s summer prize draw is coming to an end – but there’s still time to enter! Play to the Crowd’s summer 2025 giveaway, which includes the top prize of a luxury holiday to Malta, plus, a cosy countryside retreat, a delicious banquet meal, and more, will end on Thursday 11 September at 15:00

Play to the Crowd has announced that a second grant-making trust has extended its support of the charity by way of a considerable grant towards its current refurbishment project. The arts and education charity that runs Theatre Royal Winchester, Hat Fair and Playmakers appealed to long-standing supporter, The Backstage Trust – which offers grants to

Comedy fans are invited to an evening of homegrown comic relief with the Locally Grown Laughs Talent Night at Theatre Royal Winchester on Wednesday 10 September. Audiences can expect comedy observation, comic poetry, wordplay, relatable – and less relatable – material, and silly song from a host of local performers. The line-up includes comedy poet,

On Friday, some of the cast of Mary Poppins, including Stefanie Jones and Jack Chambers, attended Mayflower Park for a jolly holiday photo call to celebrate their official opening night of the show at Mayflower Theatre. Since its premiere at the Bristol Hippodrome in 2004, the stage adaptation of Mary Poppins has gone on to

Play to the Crowd is pleased to announce that more local businesses have come forward to support the charity’s incredible summer 2025 giveaway. Kyoto Kitchen and Bangkok Bistro, both in the centre of Winchester, are the latest businesses to offer special experiences in the latest prize draw launched by the arts and education charity that

What does it mean to be part of a diaspora? How are our identities shaped by physical locations? Where is ‘home’ when generations move through continents over time? In this poetry workshop, on Saturday, October 4th, experienced facilitators Liz Amos and Susmita Bhattacharya will guide you to express your own experiences of land and legacy

Fans of the British pop icon, Dusty Springfield, can enjoy an evening of classics with The Dusty Show at Theatre Royal Winchester on Thursday 18 September. The Dusty Show is a tribute starring singer Louise Anne Masters – who takes audiences on a journey through Springfield’s glorious career –with grace and authenticity, and an incredible

Dance enthusiasts can delight in a triple bill of classical Indian pieces when the show, Sevens, comes to Theatre Royal Winchester on Tuesday 16 September. Sevens features Bharatanatyam and Kathak dance – the former from southern India is known for its graceful and sculptural poses, hand gestures and facial expressions; the latter from northern India,

Cool cats are invited to a night celebrating stars Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jnr. when Rat Pack Live comes to Theatre Royal Winchester on Sunday 14 September. The show is a tribute, which combines the charisma and swagger of the trio – known as The Rat Pack, and the definition of cool

ABBA fans waxed lyrical about MANIA: The ABBA Tribute when the show came to Theatre Royal Winchester last year so they will be thrilled to learn that it returns this autumn with performances on Friday 12 and Saturday 13 September. MANIA: The ABBA Tribute – which comes direct from London’s West End – is accepted

True crime fans are invited to a chilling talk by a genuine serial killer catcher when The Makings of a Murderer 2: The Real Manhunter comes to Theatre Royal Winchester on Tuesday 9 September. The show explores how some of the UK’s most evil murderers were caught and is presented by Senior Investigating Officer Colin

The multi award-winning musical SIX, written by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, today announces its return to Mayflower Theatre in 2026, following five consecutive sell-out years. SIX follows the six wives of Henry VIII as they take to the mic to tell their own personal tales, remixing five hundred years of historical heartbreak into an

Fans of the works of Thomas Hardy can delight in an evening celebrating his life, novels, and poetry when A Beautiful Thread: Thomas Hardy in Words and Music comes to Theatre Royal Winchester on Sunday 7 September. A Beautiful Thread weaves the English writer’s life – as dramatic as any of his books– with his

Sherlock Holmes fans can enjoy another mystery adventure with the fictional detective when Sherlock Holmes: The Hunt for Moriarty comes to Theatre Royal Winchester from Thursday 4 to Saturday 6 September. The Hunt for Moriarty opens in London in 1901 with the British Empire waging war in the name of a Queen whose health is

This autumn, Canadian circus company Cirque Éloize returns to the UK for the first time since 2019 to give the World Premiere of iD Reloaded, and includes a stop at Mayflower Theatre on Tuesday 23 and Wednesday 24 September 2025. Directed and created by the company’s co-founder Jeannot Painchaud, iD Reloaded is an intoxicating blend

Autumn and Winter will soon be here, and Theatre Royal Winchester’s new season programme is packed with shows that will keep audiences entertained during the darkest of months. Including classic stories, insightful talks, engaging family theatre, music, dance and comedy, movie and theatre screenings, pantomime, Christmas shows and backstage tours! The season begins with drama

Images: Steve James The 2025 Wickham Festival has been hailed as the best yet after surviving an opening day scare. Organisers were almost forced to cancel or delay the main acts as thunderstorms threatened to force them to close the site on the opening Thursday. There were dozens of lightning strikes in the region but

The James Brown Experience is coming to Mayflower Studios, Southampton on Friday 5 September 2025. Now officially in association with The James Brown Family Foundation, the show is a celebration of his unmatched impact on music, culture, and civil rights. This immersive live show captures the electrifying energy, legendary voice, and dynamic moves of one

Audiences who have been following the fortunes of the writers and directors of the Unwritten artist development programme at Theatre Royal Winchester are invited to support the winners at their final Showcase on Friday 29 August. The two winning shows that will be performed are: Alternative Reality about a long suffering wife, Paula, who is

By Martin Brisland. On Saturday 2 August, Waterstones at 7 The Hundred in Romsey is holding a fun day to celebrate its first year of opening. I will be there in the morning, along with other local authors. An A to Z of Romsey, published earlier this year, was my sixth local history book for

The classic multi award-winning musical Mary Poppins will tour to Mayflower Theatre from  Wednesday 27 August – Saturday 20 September 2025. Mary Poppins Is the largest production on tour with a touring company of 100 people, it  takes 17 45-foot trailers to move the production from one venue to the next. The show finishes in

The Point is set to be part of Eastleigh Borough’s very first Walking and Wheeling Festival, presenting Careering through time: A Solve-along-Railway Adventure at Royal Victoria Country Park, Netley, on Thursday 14 August from 10:20am. Eastleigh Borough Council has partnered with Hampshire County Council to fund Sustrans, the walking and cycling charity, to provide an

Family audiences are invited to venture into the mountains with popular children’s character, Fireman Sam, in The Great Camping Adventure at Theatre Royal Winchester on Sunday 11 August. The story tells of a boy called Norman who wants to impress his friends so follows two famous animal explorers into the mountains after they arrive in

The Point announces a new community-led project as part of Future Arts Centres’ national campaign, Our Freedom: Then and Now. The initiative invites the people of Eastleigh to reflect on what freedom means today, 80 years after the end of the Second World War. The venue will be delivering 10 community-focused workshops at The Point,

Families who have already enjoyed a Horrible Histories live stage show, and those who know the beloved children’s books and TV series, will be excited to learn that Gorgeous Georgians & Vile Victorians will be at Theatre Royal Winchester on Saturday 9 August. An hilarious show for ages 5 – 105, Gorgeous Georgians & Vile

The Forbidden Nights guys are back to tantalise adult audiences with a night they will never forget, at Theatre Royal Winchester on Thursday 7 August. Forbidden Nights features sexy, fun dance routines and incredible circus stunts – with chances for the audience to join the guys on stage or stay in their seats and interact

Play to the Crowd – the arts and education charity that runs Theatre Royal Winchester, Hat Fair and Playmakers creative learning and community engagement – has announced a new appeal to fundraise for the theatre’s outdated downstairs Stalls toilets. The charity’s Give A Crap: Save Our Toilets appeal aims to raise £100,000 to help complete

Mayflower (Mayflower Theatre and Mayflower Studios) share details of their What’s On brochure, which covers a variety of shows and events all the way through into 2027. There has been many new exciting show on sales, which include: Noël & Gertie – Date: 19 – 27 September 2025 – Mayflower Studios – Tickets from £11.50 Mayflower Southampton is

Playmakers – the creative learning and community engagement work of the arts and education charity, Play to the Crowd – wants young people aged 7 – 18 to join in with their play-making days at Theatre Royal Winchester in August. Play in 2 Days and Play in 3 Days are two opportunities for young avid

Classic rock ‘n’ roll fans will be delighted to learn of a celebration of American music when Buddy Holly and the Cricketers comes to Theatre Royal Winchester on Tuesday 29 July. Featuring raw rock ‘n’ roll and haunting ballads, five amazingly talented young actor-musicians take to the stage to play live – with energetic performances

Fans of the Jurassic – young and old, children and their grown ups – are invited to come face to face with the dinosaurs of the era with Dinosaur Adventure Life: The Big Jurassic Storm on Saturday 26 July – with two show times available. Dinosaur Adventure Live: The Big Jurassic Storm is a new

The classic multi award-winning musical Mary Poppins will tour to Mayflower Theatre from  Wednesday 27 August – Saturday 20 September 2025. Based on the stories of P.L. Travers and the Walt Disney film, the story of the world’s favourite nanny arriving on Cherry Tree Lane is more magical than ever before – featuring dazzling choreography,

Photos: Stuart Allen Winchester’s Hat Fair provided a great day was had at the UK’s longest running festival of Outdoor Arts  last weekend. The festival, which took place on Saturday 5 July across Winchester city centre, saw an exciting line-up of street performers, local talent, and national and international acts, take to the streets and

Fans of progressive rock can enjoy an evening celebrating the music of Phil Collins and Genesis when Seriously Collins comes to Theatre Royal Winchester on Friday 25 July. Audiences will be taken on a journey back in time to relive the legendary hits of the musician, songwriter and record producer, Phil Collins – who produced

Children and their grown ups are invited to celebrate Spot’s Birthday Party at Theatre Royal Winchester from Tuesday 22 to Thursday 24 July 2025.. Spot invites little ones aged 2+ and their families to join him and his friends, Steve the Monkey, Tom the Crocodile, Helen the Hippo, Sally and Sam, and Spot’s parents, for

Photo credit: Danny Kaan The smash-hit Wiltshire Creative Production of The Girl on the Train will visit Mayflower Theatre from Tuesday 22 to Saturday 26 July 2025. We spoke to Laura Whitmore ahead of her role as Rachel Watson in the tour. The tour calls at Southampton. Does it have any significance for you? I’ve played in Southampton

Irish music fans are invited to take their seat at ‘Murphy’s Bar’, which takes over the stage at Theatre Royal Winchester, for One Night in Dublin, on Sunday 20 July. One Night in Dublin is an evening of favourite Irish classics from bands like The Pogues, The Saw Doctors, The Fureys, The Dropkick Murphys and

American country rock fans are invited to an evening of timeless classics with The Dr. Hook Songbook at Theatre Royal Winchester on Saturday 19 July. This sensational live concert breathes new life into the rock band’s catalogue, which includes songs such as When You’re in Love With A Beautiful Woman, Only Sixteen, Sexy Eyes and

Fans of the UK’s number one boy band and their tribute act counterparts – who have been described as ‘the closest thing to Take That’ by the band’s original manager – will be pleased to learn that The Take That Experience return to Theatre Royal Winchester on Friday 18 July. The Take That Experience take

Photo credit: Nobby Clark Ever since they began playing mother and daughter twenty-two years ago at the start of three seasons of the TV series Life Begins, Anne Reid and Caroline Quentin have been friends. “She even came to live next door to me at one point,” says Reid. “She used to get me drunk

Photo: Breaking ground at Mayflower Theatre are of Leader of Southampton City Council Councillor Lorna Fielker with Mayflower’s Chief Executive Michael Ockwell alongside Aiden Walsh and Dave Dimmock from contractors GF Holding. Construction work is now officially underway on Mayflower’s new rehearsal studio development, marking a significant milestone in Mayflower’s ongoing investment in regeneration for

Play to the Crowd – the arts and education charity that runs Theatre Royal Winchester, Hat Fair and Playmakers – has announced a new summer prize draw – with the chance to win a luxury break on the island of Malta. The exclusive prize holiday includes five nights bed & breakfast for two people at

Fans of comedic theatre are invited to celebrate the season with a high-energy, feel-good adaptation of the Shakespeare classic, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, at Theatre Royal Winchester on Wednesday 16 July. The story tells of four lovers who run away to the countryside where mysterious woodland creatures play tricks on them with hilarious consequences –

Photo credit: Danny Kaan The smash-hit Wiltshire Creative Production of The Girl on the Train will visit Mayflower Theatre from Tuesday 22 to Saturday 26 July 2025. Rachel Watson longs for a different life. Her only escape is the perfect couple she watches through the train window every day, happy and in love. Or so it appears.

Audiences are invited to an evening with former Chief Political Correspondent, John Sergeant, at Theatre Royal Winchester on Thursday 10 July. This evening of funny and thought-provoking conversation will see one of Britain’s most popular and respected broadcasters sharing anecdotes and recollections from his career. As a former ITN Political Editor, John Sergeant’s award-winning career

As part of the Jane Austen 250 Celebrations in the city this year, Mayflower are presenting two Austen-themed productions – and on Tuesday, the cast of Pride & Prejudice* (*sort of) currently performing at Mayflower Theatre met the talented young cast of The Last Rose of Summer, performing at Mayflower Studios in August. Handing the

Audiences of all ages are invited to an evening of music, song, dance and storytelling, exploring ‘when life feels like a beach’, when the Hat Fair Community Celebration comes to Theatre Royal Winchester on Friday 4 July. This special one-night event will dive into sanctuary and safe spaces, the power of connection, belonging and joy

Royal Ballet Principal dancer Matthew Ball will joins the company of Quadrophenia, a Mod Ballet for select performances during the Southampton run, as a guest artist in the role of Godfather. The show will tour to Mayflower Theatre from 18 – 21 June 2025. In 1973, guitar smashing rock genius Pete Townshend wrote Quadrophenia. Recorded

By Royal Appointment – the debut play of Daisy Goodwin, creator of hit ITV historical drama Victoria – tours to Mayflower Theatre from Wednesday 9 to Saturday 12 July 2025. The late Queen Elizabeth II was famous for her discretion. She never said anything in public that could ruffle the lightest of feathers. But she

Audiences are invited to an evening with former MP, Vince Cable, at Theatre Royal Winchester on Friday 27 June. The retired politician, who was the Leader of the Liberal Democrats and Secretary of State for Business Innovation and Skills, will speak to journalist and broadcaster, Matt Stadlen, about his life in and out of politics.

by Theo Bosanquet. Sex, drugs and rock ’n’ roll may not immediately strike you as obvious themes for a ballet. But then you’ve probably never seen a ballet quite like Quadrophenia. Based on The Who’s landmark 1973 album, which tells the story of a troubled young man, Jimmy, and his coming-of-age against the backdrop of

Photos: Stuart Martin To mark National Dinosaur Day on 1 June 2025, Tybalt the T-Rex, star of Olivier Award-Winning Dinosaur World Live visited Lost Kingdom at Paultons Park and Westquay, Southampton for a prehistoric adventure – and to meet the public, ahead of the show touring to Mayflower Theatre on 29 and 30 July 2025.

Families are invited to a fairy tale with a difference when The Worst Princess visits Theatre Royal Winchester from Friday 27 June. The Worst Princess tells the story of Feisty Sue who is not your everyday fairy tale princess, she is The Worst Princess – and after being rescued by her twit of a prince,

Popular entertainers, Liza Pulman and Joe Stilogoe, come together for an evening of spectacular music, comedy and song in Pulman & Stilgoe: A Couple of Swells at Theatre Royal Winchester on Thursday 26 June. The critically acclaimed Liza Pulman and Joe Stilgoe join forces for a glittering evening of classics and hidden gems from the

By Matthew Hemley, When leading West End lady Carrie Hope Fletcher was first approached about starring in the new UK tour of Calamity Jane – which visits Mayflower Theatre from Tuesday 3 to Saturday 7 June 2025 – there was one person who wanted her to take on the role more than anyone else… her

Fans of the classic spy movie can enjoy a comedic homage to the genre when Spy Movie: The Play! comes to Theatre Royal Winchester on Wednesday 25 June. Spy Movie: The Play! tells the story of Agent Blonde who has 24 hours to save the world! The only things standing in her way are dastardly

Experience an enchanted musical performance by talented musicians in the iconic home of Florence Nightingale, when Fever presents Candlelight to raise money for the JCSR (Jibraan Chaudhary Sepsis Research) Foundation at Embley Park, West Wellow on Saturday 28 June at 8.15pm. Illuminated by the warm glow of thousands of candles, Candlelight will create an immersive

Fans and supporters of emerging local talent are invited to the Unwritten: Scratch Night at Theatre Royal Winchester on Friday 13 June. An evening of monologues and duologues, each is an original piece by a local writer who has worked with an assigned director to bring their script to life. The 12 writers and directors

Jeremy Dyson and Andy Nyman’s worldwide cult phenomenon, Ghost Stories, will visit Mayflower Theatre from Tuesday 24 to Saturday 28 June 2025, as part of its UK tour. When Professor Goodman, an arch-sceptic out to debunk the paranormal, embarks on an investigation of three apparent hauntings – as recounted by a night-watchman, a teenage boy,

Playmakers – the creative learning and community engagement branch of the arts and education charity, Play to the Crowd – is looking for local stand-up comedians and comic singers, musicians and poets for a new showcase. Playmakers’ next local talent night, the Locally Grown Laughs Talent Night, will showcase local comedic talent and take place

The Point Eastleigh with The Berry Theatre has announced its dynamic Summer 2025 programme, offering a diverse array of events and activities designed to creatively engage and entertain the community. From the spectacular annual and completely free Unwrapped Festival, the return of a live music Summer Social – to a host of Theatre, music, Edinburgh

Family audiences are encouraged to embrace change in a brand-new adaptation of the bestselling picture book, The Koala Who Could, at Theatre Royal Winchester from Friday 13 to Sunday 15 June 2025. The Koala Who Could tells the story of a koala called Kevin who is clung to a tree in ‘a place where the

Fancy slipping and sliding your way through a new family fun run that’s coming to Fordingbridge this summer? Wessex Cancer Support is hosting Wet N Wild, an aqua assault course featuring inflatable obstacles, a foam tunnel, water jets, bubbles and colour clouds. Held at Jubilee Camping on Saturday 2 August, Wet N Wild is open

The world premiere of Quadrophenia, a Mod Ballet will tour to Mayflower Theatre from 18 – 21 June 2025. In 1973, guitar smashing rock genius Pete Townshend wrote Quadrophenia. Recorded by The Who – it quickly became an iconic and multi-million selling album. Quadrophenia defined a generation and in 1979 inspired the cult classic feature

Opera fans will be pleased to hear that New Sussex Opera returns to Theatre Royal Winchester on Sunday 8 June with the UK premiere production of The Silver Bell. The Silver Bell (or Le Timbre d’argent) tells the story of a poor, tormented artist who is consumed with passion and ambition and is given a

Comedy theatre fans are in for a treat when the slapstick murder mystery, A Shoddy Detective and The Art of Deception visits Theatre Royal Winchester from Friday 6 June. A Shoddy Detective and The Art of Deception tells of a priceless painting that goes missing during a private auction, leading to Detective Stuart Pidcock being

Beloved Scottish nanny, Euphegenia Doubtfire, will be packing up her suitcase and hitting the road as musicasl Mrs. Doubtfire tours to Mayflower Theatre from Tuesday 2 to Sunday 28 February 2027. We spoke to Euphegenia Doubtfire about the upcoming UK and Ireland tour. Mrs. Doubtfire, we are so excited to hear that your story is

Pride and Prejudice* (*Sort Of) – a unique and audacious retelling of Jane Austen’s most iconic love story – visits Mayflower Theatre from Tuesday 10 to Saturday 14 June 2025. Men, money and microphones will be fought over in this irreverent but affectionate adaptation, where the stakes couldn’t be higher when it comes to romance.

Jazz and swing fans are invited to an evening celebrating the music and dance of the 1920s and 30s, with Swinging at the Cotton Club at Theatre Royal Winchester on Sunday 25 May. During the show, audiences are transported to New York City and back to the 1920s and 30s, through the doors of Harlem’s

The whip-crackin’ production of the Broadway and West End hit musical, Calamity Jane, will visit Mayflower Theatre from Tuesday 3 to Saturday 7 June 2025. Based on the much-loved Doris Day movie, this foot-stomping new production features all the sure-fire classic songs including The Deadwood Stage (Whip-Crack-Away), The Black Hills of Dakota, Just Blew in

Play to the Crowd, the charity that runs Theatre Royal Winchester, is looking for young people to audition to be in the community ensemble for this year’s traditional family pantomime, Puss in Boots, which will run from Saturday 29 November 2025 – Sunday 4 January 2026. The charity that produces the theatre’s annual pantomime wants

Opera aficionados are invited to an evening with beloved opera star, Sir Willard White, at Theatre Royal Winchester on Saturday 24 May. The evening with see Sir Willard White – considered one of the most versatile opera singers of the last 40 years – reminisce on his life on stage and screen and sing songs

Young audiences can enjoy a live tribute to viral sensation, Ms Rachel, when Fun for Little Ones: A Tribute to Ms Rachel visits Theatre Royal Winchester on Saturday 24 May. This fun, interactive, live on stage performance brings Ms Rachel’s character to life – encapsulating the online star’s bubbly personality and sweet singing voice. It

Image: Benoit Swan Pouffer by Johan Persson Rambert’s thrilling stage adaptation The Redemption of Thomas Shelby captures the Peaky story, with stunning performances from Rambert’s dancers and an iconic soundtrack from a live on-stage band, from Tuesday 20 to Saturday 24 May 2025. We spoke to Peaky Blinders’ writer, Steven Knight, ahead of the tour.

Fans of Neil Diamond are invited to a show celebrating the legendary singer-songwriter when It’s A Beautiful Noise Show: The definitive tribute to Neil Diamond visits Theatre Royal Winchester on Friday 23 May. The internationally acclaimed It’s A Beautiful Noise Show celebrates a musical icon that has sold over 130 million albums in his career

Beloved Scottish nanny Euphegenia Doubtfire will be packing up her suitcase and hitting the road as her West End and Broadway musical Mrs. Doubtfire tours to Southampton for the first time, as part of her the UK and Ireland tour. The hit comedy musical will open at Mayflower Theatre with performances from Tuesday 2 to

The world’s biggest celebration of The Dubliners – one of Ireland’s most iconic bands – is coming to Poole and Portsmouth. Seven Drunken Nights: The Story of the Dubliners will visit Lighthouse Arts and Entertainment in Poole on Thursday 15 May, and Kings Theatre in Portsmouth on Saturday 24 May. In association with the legendary Irish

Image: Benoit Swan Pouffer by Johan Persson Rambert’s thrilling stage adaptation The Redemption of Thomas Shelby captures the Peaky story, with stunning performances from Rambert’s dancers and an iconic soundtrack from a live on-stage band, from Tuesday 20 to Saturday 24 May 2025. We spoke to artistic director, Benoit Swan Pouffer, ahead of the tour. Please

Following his acclaimed, sell-out 46-date tour in 2024, Julian Clary is set to saddle up once more as he heads back out on the road with a set of Spring 2025 dates for his hit western-themed stand-up show, A Fistful of Clary! The revered comic and Taskmaster (C4) star will play 28 new shows across

Southampton gardeners are being invited to collect free seeds from a community bakery in the city to grow plants for a charity Spring Plant Sale next month.  CommuniBakes in Shirley, which is the venue for the event on May 10, is offering people complimentary packets of seeds to grow for the fundraiser in aid of

After a hiatus of nearly 30 years, on Bank Holiday Monday, 26th May St Denys, Southampton, will be buzzing with the sounds, sights, and excitement of a carnival.  A group of local residents, known as St Denys Crew, have come together to organise the event, which is free to attend and promises a whole host

The sensational production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat returns to Mayflower Theatre from Tuesday 13 to Sunday 18 May 2025. We spoke to Christina Bianco ahead of her role as Narrator. What appealed to you about the show? I have been a great fan of Joseph and the Amazing

The Olivier, Tony and Grammy Award-winning musical, Kinky Boots the Musical, will visit Mayflower Theatre from Tuesday 27 to Saturday 31 May 2025. After inheriting his family’s failing shoe factory and with a relationship on the rocks, life is proving to be very challenging for Charlie Price. That is until he meets Lola, a drag

Playmakers Youth Theatre return this week – with the Summer sessions running until the end of June and participants working towards shows for Winchester’s own Hat Fair festival. The sessions are a chance for participants to explore acting, character development, story generation, and more; learn to work with others; have fun, makes friends and build

Fans of the best-selling The Dinosaur That Pooped books can enjoy an adaptation of The Dinosaur That Pooped A Rock Show at Theatre Royal Winchester on Saturday 10 May. The Dinosaur That Pooped A Rock Show sees Danny and Dino’s favourite rock band playing their last ever concert and the friends go on a quest

Theatre Royal Winchester is pleased to announce it will be hosting classic movies on its big screen from early May. The series of films features a range of golden oldies and contemporary favourites – Singin’ in the Rain, Dirty Dancing, Some Like It Hot, Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope, Matilda and Roman

By Mabel Wellman, director of Trans Pride Southampton. On the 26th April, Southampton will have a protest to support transgender people. This protest follows on from the recent Supreme Court ruling that a transgender woman is not a woman, as defined under the Equality Act 2010 regarding sex discrimination. All trans people remain protected by

Photo credit: Tristrim Kenton The sensational production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat returns to Mayflower Theatre from Tuesday 13 to Sunday 18 May 2025. We spoke to Adam Filipe ahead of his role as Joseph. What appealed to you about the show? It is such an iconic part

Play to the Crowd has announced that this year’s traditional family pantomime at Theatre Royal Winchester will be Puss in Boots, which will run from Saturday 29 November 2025 – Sunday 4 January 2026, with tickets now on sale Puss in Boots will tell of the story of Colin, the poor Miller’s son. Life is

Fans of improv and whodunnits are invited to a classic murder mystery created from scratch when Murder, She Didn’t Write: The Improvised Murder Mystery comes to Theatre Royal Winchester from Thursday 8 May. In Murder She Didn’t Write, the cast ask the audience for their suggestions before acting them out, transforming that evening’s brand-new ideas

An evening of award-winning films showcasing the planet’s most spectacular landscapes and daring feats of courage and human resilience – the Kendal Mountain Tour 2025 – comes to Theatre Royal Winchester on Wednesday 7 May. The programme of films explores biking; regaining control by reconnecting with nature; ski-touring; an attempt by three young men with

The Point, Eastleigh is delighted to announce Tink! A Festive Neverland Fairytale as its in-house professional Christmas production for 2025. Audiences are invited to join The Point this festive season for a heartwarming musical adventure. Tink! A Festive Neverland Fairytale follows Tinkerbell in her twilight years as she looks back on her younger days in Neverland, reliving adventures

Fans of gravity-defying choreography and jaw-dropping circus stunts will be captivated by Hidden, which comes to Theatre Royal Winchester from Friday 2 May. Hidden explores how, in a divided world and in times of crisis, light can come out of the dark; and showcases a group of fearless performers as they throw, catch and lift

If baking takes your (fondant) fancy, Wessex Cancer Support would love you to host a Cakes4Cancer event this May, to raise money to support local people affected by cancer. Rolling out across Hampshire, Dorset and the Isle of Wight between 5 and 11 May, Cakes4Cancer is a really simple way to come together with friends,

X Factor winner, Alexandra Burke, and TV’s Dr Ranj will lead the cast of Mayflower Theatre’s The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan in this year’s festive offering. Climb aboard the Jolly Roger with Captain Hook and Peter Pan as they battle on the high seas, joined by a crew of mischievous pirates and a very

The sensational production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat returns to Mayflower Theatre from Tuesday 13 to Sunday 18 May 2025. Released as a concept album in 1969, the stage version of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat has become one of the world’s most beloved family musicals. It’s been

The organisers of Hat Fair – the UK’s longest running festival of Outdoor Arts – are looking for stall holders to take part in the event, which takes place on Saturday 5 July. Market traders, charities and good causes are being asked to apply to be part of the festival – with stall holders being

Casting has been announced for Mayflower Theatre’s 2025 Summer Youth Project, Grease: School Edition, as the leads meet with musical theatre superstar, Marley Fenton, who previously starred as Danny Zuko in the 2024 tour of Grease the Musical. Grease: School Edition will bring the electrifying energy of Rydell High to Mayflower Theatre this summer, as

Fans of historical drama will be captivated by the story of adventurer, lover and traitor, Sir Walter Raleigh when That Knave, Raleigh comes to Theatre Royal Winchester on Wednesday 30 April. The show, which takes audiences back to the Elizabethan era, tells the story of one of Britain’s most famous men from history, Elizabeth I’s

Mayflower (Mayflower Theatre and Mayflower Studios) share details of their risk free dance scheme, which is to develop dance audiences within the local community. The Risk Free offering will provide audiences with the opportunity of trying something they may not otherwise attend, with zero risk. If you don’t like the performance, Mayflower will give you

In support of her new album, A Complicated Woman, Self Esteem, AKA Rebecca Lucy Taylor, has announced an intimate record store tour, including a date in Southampton on 24 April. The album, due for release on 25 April, is the follow up to the hugely acclaimed BRIT and Mercury Prize-nominated 2021 album Prioritise Pleasure. A

Fans of farce are invited to an evening of multiple mistaken identity when The Comedy of Terrors! comes to Theatre Royal Winchester on Tuesday 29 April. The Comedy of Terrors! tells the story of Jo Smith who arrives for an audition with director, Vyvian Jones – only to discover that she has actually been invited

An opera singer is on a mission to make opera more interesting. Comedy writer and opera singer, Lucy Mellors, is flying into Mayflower Studios on Wednesday 7 May for a performance of It is I, Seagull, her comedy opera show set in space. Raised in Hedge End, Southampton, Lucy grew up performing shows at school

Celebrate the life and music of the American country music singer, Glen Campbell, with Rhinestone Cowboy, at Theatre Royal Winchester on Friday 25 April. Rhinestone Cowboy takes audiences on a journey through Campbell’s remarkable career, reliving the highs and lows – from his humble beginnings and early session musician days in the 1960s to his

Welsh National Opera’s (WNO) Spring Season comes to Mayflower Theatre from Wednesday 30 April to Saturday 3 May, and Peter Grimes, The Marriage of Figaro, and Play Opera Live. Peter Grimes Following on from the success of Welsh National Opera’s new production of Britten’s Death in Venice, this Spring Season opens with another new production,

Local young people are invited to audition for a professionally-led musical production of the all-time classic, Annie – that will be performed at Theatre Royal Winchester this summer. Annie is the story of a little orphan girl living in 1930s New York, determined to find the parents who abandoned her on the doorstep of a

The Pianist, a new musical adaptation of Władysław Szpilman’s memoir, adapted and directed by Thom Southerland will play as a semi-staged workshop for two performances only at Mayflower Studios next week on Wednesday 9 and Saturday 12 April. For the first time, it will incorporate his original compositions into the musical narrative, with arrangements by

Theatre Royal Winchester’s 2025 Spring Summer season – which runs from April to August – features music, children’s theatre, drama, comedy, improv, community shows, National Theatre Live screenings, classic films, talks, dance and more! The season kicks off with Playmakers’ youth theatre groups returning to the stage with their annual Youth Takeover (4 April) –

By Vicky Greer.    The sun is out, the people of Southampton are venturing outside again, and we’ve got a stacked line-up of live entertainment coming to the city. I don’t care if I’m getting ahead of myself – summer has arrived, basically. This April, we’ve got some of the most fresh and exciting names

I’m Alan Partridge star Steve Coogan takes on four roles in the National Theatre Live screening of Dr. Strangelove at Theatre Royal Winchester on Wednesday 23 April. Dr. Strangelove tells of the moment a rogue US General triggers a nuclear attack and the surreal race that takes place, seeing the Government and one eccentric scientist

Children can delight in the colourful adventures with their favourite patchwork elephant when The Elmer Adventure comes to Theatre Royal Winchester from Tuesday 15 April. The Elmer Adventure tells the story of three friends on a jungle trail, featuring Elmer the elephant – who is not elephant grey but patchwork! But has anyone actually seen

Comedian Lou Sanders takes to the stage at Theatre Royal Winchester to explore being human, on Sunday 13 April. Lou Sanders (No Kissing in the Bingo Hall) is ‘a deep, dumb show for the masses’ – and, according to her show copy, ‘just like Tom Cruise does all his own stunts’, the comedian will do

Family audiences – and anyone who loves bubbles – will be pleased to hear that The Amazing Bubble Man, Louis Pearl, returns to Theatre Royal Winchester on Sunday 13 April. The Amazing Bubble Man show invites audiences into a world of bubble making – with Louis creating the most incredible bubbles and doing tricks that

Mayflower (Mayflower Theatre and Mayflower Studios) have a number of shows during the Easter school holidays to provide inspiring experiences for all. From Broadway and West End phenomenon, Hamilton, to Mayflower produced and co-produced work to Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s classic children’s book, The Baddies brought to life on stage. This Easter, there is

Award-winning improv that puts audience ideas centre stage returns to Theatre Royal Winchester on Saturday 12 April with shows for adults and children with big imaginations! The Showstoppers’ Kids Show asks the children in the audience to shout out ideas to create their very own dream musical that all ages will enjoy. The cast on

Award Winning Theatre Maker, Shôn Dale-Jones, tours to The Point, Eastleigh on Friday 4 April. Shôn Dale-Jones tours with his Fringe First award winning show, The Duke, which, alongside Me & Robin Hood – a show about inequality, privilege and poverty – has raised over £100,000 for charities supporting children refugees and street-connected children. Dale-Jones

Photo: Joel Dommett Set on the stunning Southsea seafront, multi-award-winning Victorious Festival (22/23/24 August 2025) – the UK’s biggest metropolitan festival – has today announced that this year’s comedy offering will be front and centre on the festival’s main stage building on its growing popularity at the festival. This year’s comedy performances will take place

Fans of Michael Morpurgo’s War Horse may be keen to learn that his sequel story, Farm Boy, comes to Theatre Royal Winchester from Tuesday 8 April. Farm Boy tells of a summer when a young boy goes to stay on his grandfather’s farm, where it feels like time stands still, where an old Fordson tractor

Young audiences and their grown-ups are in for surprising sounds, smells, and silly science when Rude Science Live visits Theatre Royal Winchester on Sunday 6 April. Described as the naughtiest, funniest and most revolting science show in the world, Rude Science Live is packed with outrageous and disgusting science experiments – fart machines, snot cocktails,

Fans of Irish music are invited to a celebratory knees-up at Theatre Royal Winchester when the band, The Fureys, takes to the stage on Saturday 5 April – with their last ever concert in the city as they look forward to retirement. The Fureys are one of Ireland’s most acclaimed and influential middle of the

The brand-new stage adaptation of The Baddies, Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s smash-hit 2022 story, visits Mayflower Studios from Wednesday 16 to Saturday 19 April 2025. We spoke to director and choreographer, Katie Beard, and composer, Joe Stilgoe, about their upcoming tour. How did this co-production of The Baddies between Freckle Productions and Edinburgh’sRoyal Lyceum

Join the celebration of Mugenkyo’s landmark 30th anniversary, with a very special show of big beats, visual treats & vital energy at The Berry Theatre on Friday 4 April 2025. Taking the audience on a journey in time, a thrilling ride through their 30 years, the concert is a full theatrical experience, with dynamic choreography

Doctor Who star, Ncuti Gatwa, takes to the stage in National Theatre Live screening, The Importance of Being Earnest, at Theatre Royal Winchester on Sunday 30 March. The Importance of Being Earnest tells of Jack, who – while assuming the role of a dutiful guardian in the country – lets loose in town under a

Unruly, a ground-breaking production about the power of friendship, community, and resistance, embarks on its national tour across the UK this spring, stopping off at Mayflower Studios – as part of its Shout Season – on 17 April 2025. Unruly, a bold new show written and performed by Vici Wreford-Sinnott, embarks on its highly anticipated

New casting has been announced for the brand-new stage adaptation of The Baddies, Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s smash-hit 2022 story, which visits Mayflower Studios from Wednesday 16 to Saturday 19 April 2025. Meet the very worst Baddies in the world! Don’t you dare to come too close to a witch, a troll and an

Playmakers Youth Theatre are back with their annual Youth Takeover at Theatre Royal Winchester on Friday 4 April, celebrating months of hard work, presenting a host of original shows inspired by the works of William Shakespeare. The talented young performers of the youth theatre, aged School Years 2 – 10+, as well as from South

The Royal Shakespeare Company’s smash hit production of Matilda The Musical, based on Roald Dahl’s beloved book, will add six further dates to its upcoming tour, which includes Mayflower Theatre, Southampton. This anarchic production, about a strong and determined heroine with a vivid imagination, has won over 100 global awards, including 24 for Best Musical.

A film screening of Titanic the Musical, directed by Mayflower’s Associate Artistic Director Thom Southerland, will take place at Mayflower Studios  on the anniversary of the ship’s sinking on Monday 14 April. The screening will be accompanied by a special Q&A session with Thom Southerland, Director (Mayflower Artistic Director) and Danielle Tarento, Producer. In the

Image: The Nature of Forgetting. Theatre Royal Winchester is hosting a number of fresh and experimental shows later this month as part of RAW – Winchester’s new contemporary performance week, which runs from Tuesday 25 – Saturday 29 March. RAW will offer audiences a range of innovative shows featuring drama, dance, music, song, spoken word

Main image: Stories in the Dust Audiences across the district can look forward to two family shows coming to Wickham and Colden Common community centres in April. Stories in the Dust (Thursday 10 April) tells the story of two explorers journeying across a mysterious land, playing games, telling stories and singing songs inspired by a

Mayflower’s (Mayflower Theatre and Mayflower Studios) new Spring/Summer What’s On brochure has landed in both venues. Take a look to see some of the brand-new and existing shows featured. Shows include: Hamilton – 18 March – 26 April 2025 – Mayflower Theatre Lin-Manuel Miranda’s multi award-winning cultural phenomenon Hamilton is touring the UK for the very

Comedian Josh Berry returns to Theatre Royal Winchester with his show, Best Man, on Saturday 22 March. The comic takes to the stage to ask what positive masculinity is in a world where everyone knows what toxic masculinity is. He will explore the subject through his many impressions and characters as he tells the story

Three of Winchester’s performing arts charities, Play to the Crowd, Hampshire Cultural Trust and Discarded Nut, have joined forces to celebrate contemporary performance with the creation of RAW – Winchester’s contemporary performance week. This year’s RAW will run from Tuesday 25 to Saturday 29 March with performances taking place at Theatre Royal Winchester, The Arc

Political sketch writer, John Crace, will bring his show, What the Hell Just Happened? to The Berry Theatre on Friday 28 March. John Crace has been the Guardian’s political sketch writer for the last ten years and is one of the paper’s most loved columnists. He has also written twenty books on everything from cricket,

Play to the Crowd, the charity that runs Theatre Royal Winchester, is hosting a series of quizzes in the theatre foyer to raise funds for their artist development programme. Teams are invited to pit their wits against each other to answer the most general knowledge, theatre and pop culture questions for the ultimate bragging rights!

Family audiences are invited to meet the worst villains ever when The Baddies comes to Theatre Royal Winchester from Friday 21 March. The Baddies is a stage adaptation of the book by children’s author Julia Donaldson and illustrator Axel Scheffler and tells of a witch, a troll and an ancient ghost who are the worst

Local writers and directors looking for others to discuss creative ideas with and work together are invited to apply for a ‘speed-dating’ evening at Theatre Royal Winchester on Wednesday 9 April. The Unwritten: Creative Speed Dating Evening, which will see writers and directors pitching ideas, showcasing their work and forming working partnerships, is the first

Five-star and Moliere Award winning theatre show, In Other Words, heads to The Point, Eastleigh on Friday 14 March. In Other Words is a deeply affecting love story, exploring the transformative power of music to help reconnect those living with dementia to their loved ones and the world around them. The play traces the relationship

Musical theatre fans can enjoy every minute of Dreamcoat Stars – a chance to revel in the biggest musical numbers – when the show returns to Theatre Royal Winchester on Sunday 16 March. Dreamcoat Stars features four sensational singers from the global hit, Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat, performing new songs and arrangements from audience

Child audiences and their grown-ups are invited to meet three brave little Viking girls when Three Little Vikings comes to Theatre Royal Winchester on Saturday 15 March. Three Little Vikings tells the story of three little girls from a Viking village where everything is going wrong – chickens are disappearing, trees are falling down, there’s

Rock fans will enjoy a tribute to the music of the popular Hollywood musical and film when The Rock of Ages Experience visits Theatre Royal Winchester on Friday 14 March. The Rock of Ages Experience takes audiences on a trip through time with a full 1980s rock playlist with songs from the likes of Bon

Thomas Hardy’s classic novel, Tess of the D’Urbervilles, is told through the language of dance and circus when Tess comes to Theatre Royal Winchester from Tuesday 11 March. This retelling of Hardy’s work, which told of a country girl who is wronged and then faces judgement from her community, captures the same beauty and heartbreak,

The multi award-winning Hamilton will play a six week season at Mayflower Theatre, Southampton from 18 March – 26 April 2025. Take a look at the new production shots from the show: Tickets for Hamilton (Tuesday 18 – Saturday 26 April 2025)  are on sale at mayflower.org.uk or 02380 711811. Photos by Danny Kaan. In Common is

Seasoned opera lovers and newcomers to the genre can delight in the witty Die Fledermaus, which comes to Theatre Royal Winchester on Sunday 9 March. Die Fledermaus is an operetta by Johann Strauss and tells a witty story of mischief and misidentification. This adaptation, translated into English, is brought to the stage by the company

Sixty years into her storied career, Elkie Brooks has added a raft of additional new dates to her Long Farewell Tour, including one at Fareham Live on 12 May. A celebration of her illustrious, award-winning six decades in music, Elkie will be performing some of her biggest hits on this new tour with her incredible

Eva Phillips returns to Southampton with the first ever UK and Ireland tour of the multi award-winning musical, Hamilton, playing at Mayflower Theatre from Tuesday 18 March until Saturday 26 April 2025. Eva grew up in Swanmore before moving to London to train at The Urdang Academy, where she graduated with a First Class Degree

Author Kate Mosse returns to Theatre Royal Winchester with her one-woman show, Labyrinth Live: Unlocking the Secrets of the Labyrinth on Saturday 8 March – also International Women’s Day. The show celebrates the 20th anniversary of the writer’s global bestseller as she takes to the stage to revisit her novel about destiny and betrayal, brutal

Navigating the post-pandemic touring world, where nostalgia is king of the jungle, Alabama 3, have agreed to give fans a hypo full of love and hook in a mainline to 1997 and 2000 when they visit Engine Rooms on Friday 28 March. In December, Alabama 3 marked the 25th anniversary of  Woke Up This Morning,

Photo credit: Ant Robling Little ones can enjoy the playful puppets who appear in a stage adaptation based on Tom Fletcher’s interactive stories when There’s A Monster In Your Show comes to Theatre Royal Winchester from Thursday 6 March. There’s A Monster In Your Show tells the story of a group of performers who are

Experience a range of captivating dramas at the Mayflower Theatre and Mayflower Studios this year. Shows include: Murder on the Orient Express – 18 – 22 February 2025 – Mayflower Theatre Winter 1934 and an avalanche stops The Orient Express dead in its tracks. A murder. A train full of suspects. An impossible case. Trapped

Local people from in and around Winchester who are interested in performing at this year’s Hat Fair – the UK’s longest running festival of Outdoor Arts – can now apply to take part. Singers, musicians, comics, choirs, dance troupes and others with a short performance piece they would like to showcase at the festival, which

Miss Saigon will visit Southampton in 2026, as Michael Harrison and Cameron Mackintosh announce that a new version of Boublil and Schönberg’s legendary musical will tour Mayflower Theatre from Tuesday 27 January to Saturday 7 February. In the last days of the Vietnam War, 17-year-old Kim is forced to work in a Saigon bar run by

The multi award-winning Hamilton will play a six week season at Mayflower Theatre, Southampton from 18 March – 26 April 2025. Hamilton is the story of America then, told by America now. Featuring a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B and Broadway, HAMILTON has taken the story of American founding father Alexander Hamilton and created

Chichester Festival Theatre have announced an exciting line-up for their 2025 Festival Season. It includes five world and two UK premieres, two musicals, and masterpieces from world drama featuring stars such as: Mark Addy, Natalie Dormer, Beverley Knight, Tom Rosenthal, Jenna Russell and Giles Terera. The world premieres feature: The Government Inspector – Gogol’s sparkling satire

Fans of circus, comedy, magic and more will be thrilled to learn that Hat Fair Cabaret is back – at Theatre Royal Winchester on Saturday 1 March. This is a chance for fans of Winchester’s Outdoor Arts festival, which takes place the first weekend of July each year, to enjoy watching favourites perform award-winning comedy,

Spitfire Girls, a new play by Katherine Senior, will premiere at Mayflower Studios from Thursday 20 to Saturday 22 March 2025. Marking the 80th Anniversary year of the end of World War II, the production has been developed with support from the National Theatre Generate Programme. Directed by Seán Aydon with design by Sarah Beaton,

Hat Fair – the UK’s longest running festival of Outdoor Arts – is back for another summer, this year on Saturday 5 July. The festival – run by arts and education charity, Play to the Crowd – takes place in Winchester city centre and which celebrated its fiftieth birthday in style last year will this

Award-winning jazz vocalist and long-time radio broadcaster, Clare Teal, returns to Theatre Royal Winchester on Friday 28 February. The beloved singer who has won British Jazz Singer of the Year several times and sung with artists such as Jamie Callum and Liza Minelli returns with a brand-new show celebrating 25 years of touring swing –

New Adventures announces the full cast of 40 for Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake, playing at Mayflower Theatre in Southampton, from  Tuesday 11 to Saturday 15 March 2025, as part of its 30th anniversary. This ground-breaking production of Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece caused a sensation when it premiered almost 30 years ago and has since become the most

Photo credit: Chris Floyd Following his most recent single, Bada Bing, Bada Boom, featuring the formidable Miles Kane (The Last Shadow Puppets), and collaborations with Italian legend, Zucchero, and Australian pop royalty, Natalie Imbruglia, Jack Savoretti returns to the UK for a solo unplugged tour at some of his favourite venues, including O2 Academy in Bournemouth on

Victorious Festival, UK’s biggest metropolitan family-friendly festival, has announced further acts to its line-up including, comedian, actor, and now ballroom dancer Chris McCausland. Chris will join this year’s incredible comedy line-up, alongside Joel Dommett and Ruby Wax! Elsewhere on the music line-up, Beats & Swing are bringing the party to the Seaside Stage with Fabio & Grooverider, The Cuban Brothers, and Utah Saints all on the bill. Plus, each

To coincide with this years’ Time to Talk Day, which took place on Thursday, Solent Mind has released its brand-new podcast, Cause for Conversation, focused on normalising conversations around mental health. The new series will cover a variety of mental health topics and will feature trained professionals from across Hampshire’s largest mental health charity, as

Stowaway Festival have announced the second wave of artists for their 2025 event, happening over the weekend of August 15 – 17 in ancient woodlands and lakes near Stowe, Buckinghamshire. Internationally renowned dance music superstars Jungle will perform a headline DJ set, with reggae legends The Wailers also heading to Stowaway 2025.  Another legend of

The Chichester Festival Theatre have pulled off a giant coup. The iconic West Sussex venue is to stage Roald Dahl’s hugely popular story the BFG. Adapted by Tom Wells and in conjunction with the Royal Shakespeare Company, the production will run at the Chichester Festival Theatre from Monday 16 March – Sunday 12 April 2026

Fans of contemporary dance are invited to celebrate an award-winning choreographer through her latest creation, NOW, which comes to Theatre Royal Winchester on Thursday 27 February. NOW celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Jasmin Vardimon Company and is the latest creation by the award-winning choreographer, Jasmin Vardimon MBE – revisiting favourite moments from the company’s

Registration for auditions is now open for Mayflower’s 2025 Summer Youth Projects, Grease: School Edition and The Last Rose of Summer. The two new projects mark 12 years of Summer Youth productions at Mayflower which has seen over 1,600 participants get involved. Grease: School Edition will bring the electrifying energy of Rydell High to Mayflower

The hilariously funny yet beautifully performed world class show, MozART Group, comes to Mayflower Studios on Saturday 1 March 2025. With more than 5 million tickets sold in 50+ counties, the string quartet has more than just a smattering of humour interwoven amongst the horsehair of their bows. Hysterical, even if you don’t know your

In Asia, dragons represent resilience, joy and optimism. They are the inspiration for Dragons – the latest work by avant-garde choreographer Eun-Me Ahn, a swirling hallucinatory mix of dance, music, holograms and incredible costumes, which comes to Mayflower Theatre on Monday 24 and Tuesday 25 February. In Dragons, Ahn and her company of seven extraordinary

While the Holocaust is remembered rightly as an act of genocide against Europe’s Jewish population, the Nazis also sent close to 250,000 people with disabilities to their deaths. This grim fact is highlighted by Winchester’s Blue Apple Theatre, whose performers have learning disabilities and have been making a short documentary to mark Holocaust Memorial Day

Agatha Christie Ltd, Fiery Angel and Lucy Bailey (director of the West End hit Witness for the Prosecution) will bring Ken Ludwig’s adaptation of another Agatha Christie classic, Murder on the Orient Express to the Mayflower Theatre stage from Tuesday 18 to Saturday 22 February 2025. We spoke to Michael Maloney and Bob Barrett on playing

By Laura McCarthy. Southampton’s beloved independent bookshop October Books will be hosting a variety of exciting events for lovers of reading, writing, and even cooking this February. Things get underway half way through the month, when they will be holding a poetry fundraiser on Saturday 15th February from 2.30pm until 5pm. October Books aim to

Comedy fans can welcome the return of Radio 4 favourite, John Shuttleworth, as he takes to the stage to celebrate his career, at Theatre Royal Winchester on Wednesday 12 February. John Shuttleworth is a fictional singer-songwriter and radio presenter created in 1985 and performed by comedy actor and musician Graham Fellows. In RAISE THE OOF,

Photo Credit: Alistair Muir Since it premiered in Manchester in March 2011 and moved to the West End that summer, Ghost the Musical has thrilled audiences around the world. It has been on Broadway, played everywhere from Germany to Australia via South Korea and Russia, and has toured the UK, North America and Asia. As

Riders to the Sea written by Ralph Vaughan Williams based on the play by JM Synge visits MAST Mayflower Studios from Thursday 30 January to Saturday 1 February 2025. We spoke to Michael Betteridge, Composer of Riders to the Sea and prologue The Last Bit of the Moon.  How did you become involved in music? Neither

By Diane Parkes. Artist and stage designer John Macfarlane has created stunning sets for shows across the globe but there was one story he really wanted to work on – Prokofiev’s ballet Cinderella. So when former Birmingham Royal Ballet (BRB) Director David Bintley decided to create a new production of Cinderella for 2010, John was

Comedy superstar John Bishop is coming to Mayflower Theatre on Sunday 16 February, after adding extra dates to his Back At It UK and Ireland stand-up tour following phenomenal demand for tickets. After two years spent TV presenting, stage acting, podcast hosting, dog walking and decorating the spare room, John is back doing the thing

Riders to the Sea written by Ralph Vaughan Williams based on the play by JM Synge visits MAST Mayflower Studios from Thursday 30 January to Saturday 1 February 2025. We spoke to artistic director of OperaUpClose and director of Riders to the Sea, Flora McIntosh, ahead of the show. Why Riders to the Sea? When OperaUpClose

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat favourite, Jason Donovan, will return to Mayflower Theatre this spring. For one week only, he will reprise his celebrated role as Pharaoh. Playing from 13 – 18 May 2025, these dates mark the only opportunity to see Jason on the 2025 UK tour. Jason returns to this sensational production

Often compared to the legendary Karen Carpenter, Harriet’s brings her latest album, Trying to Get the Feeling Again, to Hanger Farm Arts Centre on Thursday 6 February. Celebrating ‘70s nostalgia,  the album emerges as Harriet has successfully taken some of the timeless classics of the decade to a new audience, with her social media teasers

Theatre Royal Winchester was delighted to welcome back a former bride – who said her vows on the theatre’s stage almost two decades ago – just days before Christmas Day to present her husband with a replacement wedding ring as a festive surprise. On Monday 23 December, Lucy McLoughlin, 48, from Winchester, surprised her husband,

The Point and The House of Many Moons’ Christmas production, Cinderella’s Wellies, captivated students from Norwood Primary School on Thursday during an exclusive preview performance. With its 10-day run at The Point, Eastleigh, which began on Saturday and runs through to New Year’s Eve – the show promises to bring festive cheer to audiences of

Photo credit: Richard Davenport Theatre Royal Winchester has been enjoying incredible feedback from audiences about this year’s traditional family pantomime, Mother Goose – with the show now in its third week and running until Sunday 5 January 2025. The story of a poor lady whose fortunes change when she meets the magical goose, Priscilla, who

Mayflower Theatre has released production images for this year’s biggest pantomime on the South Coast, the GIANT, Jack and the Beanstalk. The 2024/2025 pantomime will see Britain’s Got Talent winners and street dance sensations, Ashley Banjo and Diversity, return to lead this year’s cast as Jack and the Trot Family, alongside award-winning actor and stand-up

Main image: Queens of the Stone Age by Andreas Neumann Victorious Festival has announced its first wave of artists for next summers’ three day event on Southsea Common, which takes place on 23/24/25 August 2025. Headlining Sunday night are three-time Grammy Award-winning, Kings of Leon, delivering an unforgettable set filled with classic songs and fan

Image by Andy Heathcote. Following her hugely successful 40-date ‘Showgirl’ tour and ‘All Killa No Filla Live’ 10 year anniversary tour, comedian Rachel Fairburn (BBC Two’s Live at the Apollo) is heading out on her new 32-date ‘Side-Eye’ UK tour from 6th February, bringing her to The Attic, Totton, on February 14th. In her highly-anticipated

Audiences who adore a Christmas carol concert are invited to a festive evening of song with Celebrate Voice at Christmas at Theatre Royal Winchester on Friday 20 December. Celebrate Voice at Christmas is a variety performance of opera, show songs, cabaret and festive favourites, plus carols for the audience to join in with. A show

Legendary space rock pioneers Hawkwind will return to UK stages in Spring 2025, touring in support of their current studio album ‘Stories From Time And Space‘ out on Cherry Red Records.  Their 36th studio album stands as an outstanding progression to the space-age, trademark Hawkwind sound and a superb addition to their varied and celebrated catalogue. Famed for their spellbinding live

After breaking box office records and delighting audiences in the West End, on Broadway, and on the big screen since 1988, the timeless story of Hairspray  comes to Mayflower Theatre from Tuesday 7 to Saturday 11 January 2025. Hairspray centres around heroine Tracy Turnblad, who has big hair, a big heart, and big dreams to

The spotlight will be on the science of light as the award winning Light Up Sir Harold Hillier Gardens At Christmas – a finalist in two categories in this year’s Tourism South East Beautiful South Tourism Awards – gets ready to welcome visitors this week to a sparkling family celebration of Christmas and colour.  

As panto season approaches, Jack and the Beanstalk makes a gigantic return to Mayflower Theatre from Saturday 14 December 2024 to Sunday 5 January 2025. We spoke to Kev Orkian ahead of his role as Silly Simon in this giant of a production. What does pantomime mean to you? Pantomime is a theatre art form

As panto season approaches, Jack and the Beanstalk makes a gigantic return to Mayflower Theatre from Saturday 14 December 2024 to Sunday 5 January 2025. Follow Jack and climb a beanstalk of gigantic proportions to cloudland in this magical family pantomime. Doomed to sell his trusty cow, join Jack as they fight to outwit the

Tom Fletcher’s There’s a Monster in Your Show, based on his much-loved Who’s in Your Book? children’s book series, gets a festive twist this Christmas, with a specially written seasonal show, There’s a Monster in Your Christmas Show, playing at The Berry Theatre, Hedge End from Saturday 14 to Tuesday 24 December. A group of

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Christmas Show will play at MAST Mayflower Studios from Wednesday 4 to Saturday 14 December 2024. Suitable for all ages, the show faithfully adapts four stories by author/illustrator Eric Carle: Brown Bear, Brown Bear, 10 Little Rubber Ducks, the magical Christmas story Dream Snow and, of course, the star of the show, The Very Hungry

Photo credit: Paul Coltas The multi-awarding winning musical, Chicago, comes to Mayflower Theatre from Tuesday 19 to Saturday 23 November 2024. We spoke to Fay Brookes as she returns to the role of Roxie Hart in the UK and Ireland tour. You are well known for your award-winning turn as Kate Connor in Coronation Street, however

Mariposa, a queer tragedy inspired by Puccini’s Madame Butterfly, visits MAST Mayflower Studios on Friday 22 and Saturday 23 November 2024. We spoke with choreographer Carlos Pons Guerra ahead of the upcoming show. We see that the BBC described you as the Pedro Almodovar of dance! How do you feel about that?  I think that’s

Darren Day joins the UK and Ireland tour of Chicago as Billy Flynn for one week only, playing the Mayflower Theatre, Southampton from Tuesday 19 to Saturday 23 November 2024. Darren returns to the role, joining stage and soap star Faye Brookes as Roxie Hart, much-loved performer and TV personality Brenda Edwards as Mama Morton,

Photo: Brenda Edwards by Paul Coltas The multi-awarding winning musical, Chicago, comes to Mayflower Theatre from Tuesday 19 to Saturday 23 November 2024. We spoke to Brenda Edwards as she returns to the role of Mama Morton in the UK and Ireland tour. You initially made your West End debut as Mama Morton, and have returned

Officially kickstarting the Christmas festivities in the city, will be Kev Orkian and Sydnie Christmas. Award-winning actor and comedian, Kev Orkian, will be leading the fun before he heads back to Mayflower Theatre, alongside Ashley Banjo and Diversity – who will be climbing a beanstalk of gigantic proportions to cloudland in the spectacular family pantomime,

This holiday season, Cinderella’s Wellies takes the stage at The Point, Eastleigh, running from Saturday 21 to Tuesday 31 December. This delightful family show promises to be a festive treat for audiences of all ages. What makes this production truly special is its fully local approach, showcasing the incredible talent of the local community. The

Award-winning play, Wonder Boy is heading to MAST Mayflower Studios in from Tuesday 5 to Saturday 9 November 2024. Wonder Boy is a heart-warming and inspiring story about the power of communication told through the experiences of 12-year-old Sonny who lives with a stammer and has to find his way in a world ruled by

Get ready for an out-of-this-world experience as Bowjangles in Dracula in Space lands at The Point in Eastleigh on Friday 18 October 2024. Performing as a string quartet, the show follows outrageous adventures, charismatic characters and original musical comedy, bringing music, theatre and comedy together in a way you’ve never seen before. Dracula in Space is

Local members of the community can get involved in a new piece of theatre, which will be co-created in collaboration with Bunkhum Ensemble, The Point, Eastleigh and The Dome, Brighton. Bunkum Ensemble – a new theatre company based at The Point in Eastleigh – are looking to meet creative people from the area, who want

Three-time Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee, Larry Dean is set to embark on a national tour this autumn with his brand-new stand up show Dodger, bringing him to Southampton’s Berry Theatre on February 25th. Dodger sees Larry contemplate his heroes and his identity. His hero was Elvis, but this year his thoughts have been all shook up. Stemming from

The UK tour of Coming to England, a brand new stage adaptation based on Floella Benjamin’s award-winning book, comes to MAST Mayflower Studios from Tuesday 22 to Saturday 26 October 2024. We spoke with Floella ahead of the Southampton show. Could you tell us about Coming to England, and where the inspiration for the story

On the one hand, Christmas is still ages away. Some of us are only just prepared to accept – faced with decisions about turning heating on and getting soggy whenever we step outside – that summer is over, and anyway, we’ve still got Halloween and Guy Fawkes night before the festive season gets underway. On

Simple Minds will headline TK Maxx Summer Sessions when they return to Southampton on Sunday 29 June 2025. The announcement comes following the success of 2024’s inaugural Southampton Summer Sessions—which featured world-class headliners such as Placebo, Tom Jones, Loyle Carner and Nile Rodgers & CHIC. Simple Minds are one of the UK’s most successful bands, with

An innovative light festival will brighten Southampton next February. Southampton Forward is calling for nominations for local people from communities across the city to be featured, shining a light on the people who make Southampton.  City Reflections will celebrate local people and highlight the diverse stories, culture and heritage of Southampton’s communities. Hundreds of images

Image: Lou Taylor at a previous BMHS launch. Black History Month South (BHMS)  has announced the official launch of its 2024 celebrations with an event themed “Reclaiming Narratives,” set to take place on Monday, 23rd September 2024. The event will  run from 11am to 2pm at St Mary’s Fire Station, 122 Brinton’s Rd, Southampton. This

After her previous completely sold out, highly acclaimed debut tour-  and fresh from hosting Live At The Apollo and appearances on A League Of Their Own and Have I Got News For You – Maisie Adam is heading to MAST Mayflower Studios on Saturday 19 October,  with her brand new show, Appraisal. It’s been a

Image: Tom Deacon Winchester Comedy Festival bring another host of well-known comedians to Theatre Royal Winchester on Friday 27 September for an evening of laughter. This autumn the gala line-up includes faces from TV including Shazia Mirza, Sean McLoughlin, Andrew White and Tom Deacon as MC. The award-winning Shazia Mirza is a British stand up

Image: Fern Brady The team at Mayflower Theatre and MAST Mayflower Studios announce a hilarious line-up of comedic stars, who will takeover our stages this Autumn. Featuring a dynamic mix for a variety of audiences, all shows promise side-splitting laughter and sharp wit. Shows include: Frank Skinner: 30 Years of Dirt – 1 October 2024

Audiences will be thrilled to learn that Black is the Color of My Voice returns to Theatre Royal Winchester on Monday 16 September – for one night only. Black is the Color of My Voice tells the story of a successful singer and civil rights activist as she seeks redemption after the untimely death of

Words By Vicky Greer.  The age-old question: How many gigs can you go to in a week? Try as I might, I’ve never managed more than two (recently, it was the same band, when I saw The Damned twice in six days). I’ve tried many times, but something always gets in the way; the artist

The sultry, mysterious atmosphere of Paris is coming to theatres across the UK  – including Portsmouth Guildhall on Wednesday 9 October – with Come What May. Starring AJ and Curtis Pritchard (Strictly Come Dancing, Dancing With The Stars, Love Island) and a cast of West End performers, this incredible show features all your favourite hits

Singer Camille O’Sullivan performs intensely dramatic interpretations of favourite songs in Loveletter at Theatre Royal Winchester on Wednesday 11 September. The show sees the multi-award-winning singer – known for her unique take on songs – performing tracks and stories about love, loss, joy, light and darkness, choosing music from her favourite writers Nick Cave, Leonard

Ahead of a week of performances of Madagascar the Musical at Mayflower Theatre, a couple of the cast escaped to Marwell Zoo, to get stuck in and see what is really involved in living and breathing the zoo environment. Connor Keetley (Skipper/Maurice) and James Hilton-Foster (ensemble) got stuck in with the zookeepers, feeding the giraffes,

Andrew Combs announces a brand new album, Dream Pictures, which is released on the same day he plays at The Railway in Winchester on 23 August 2024. Dream Pictures is written for the quiet hours that bring each day to a close. At night, after putting his children to bed, Andrew would go into his

Disney’s Aladdin is celebrating the upcoming run of its highly acclaimed show at Mayflower Theatre with a special performance of its iconic number, Proud of Your Boy, by Aaron Elijah Patel at the Southampton Pride Stage, Guildhall Square on Saturday 24 August. Julianne Watling-McCarthy, Director of Southampton Pride CIC explains: “Mayflower Theatre have been strong and

Photo credit: Striking Faces The Wickham Festival’s switch to a new site has proved to be a huge success. Organisers took the long-standing popular event to a new field a few hundreds yards away in a bid to avoid the mud which proved such a problem last year. And the move paid off. Festival chief

By Sally Churchward. Amid growing racist violence across the country, Southampton communities are standing together against hate. On Wednesday evening, a demonstration organised by Hampshire Antifascists will be held in the city centre, leaving from the Peace Fountain at 7pm. This will be a counter-demonstration to planned demonstrations at immigration solicitors offices and advice agencies

Music fans will enjoy the ultimate tribute to feel-good Irish music when One Night in Dublin comes to Theatre Royal Winchester on Friday 30 August. One Night in Dublin sees Middi and his award-winning tribute band, the Wild Murphys, transporting audiences to ‘Murphy’s Pub’ for two hours of music, song and humour – with the

Madagascar the Musical comes to Mayflower Theatre from Wednesday 21 to Saturday 24 August. Popular TV Presenter, theatre performer and Strictly Finalist Karim Zeroual – best known for anchoring CBBC and reaching the final of Strictly Come Dancing in 2019 – leads the cast of the brand-new UK tour of smash-hit family favourite Madagascar the

To mark their royal return to Mayflower Theatre in 2025, and yet another sell out run this year, Mayflower Theatre and SIX visited Tudor House in Southampton to visit the Bronze Cannon which is in situ in the house garden. The cast of SIX visited the bronze cannon which was made for Henry VIII in

Fans of a pre-historic world will be thrilled to learn that the award-winning interactive show, Dinosaur World Live is coming to Theatre Royal Winchester from Saturday 10 August. Direct from London’s West End – and nominated for Best Family Show at this year’s Olivier Awards – Dinosaur World Live invites audiences, young and old, to

Children will enjoy a charming musical adaptation of the beloved classic, The Tiger Who Came to Tea, when it comes to Theatre Royal Winchester from Monday 5 August. The Tiger Who Came to Tea is a delightful family show, which tells the story of Sophie and her mummy as they sit down for tea and

Disney’s hit Broadway and West End musical, Aladdin, lands in Southampton as part of its first ever UK and Ireland tour from Thursday 5 to Sunday 29 September 2024. Adapted from Disney’s 1992 animated film and centuries-old folktales, including One Thousand and One Nights, this smash-hit musical is brought to theatrical life in a unique

Fans of magic are invited to experience London’s longest-running theatre magic show, West End Magic, when it comes to Theatre Royal Winchester on Sunday 4 August. West End Magic is a family-friendly show featuring magic, illusion, comedy and variety acts from British Champion of Magic, Oliver Tabor – who has performed around the world; appeared

For the first time ever, hit theatre tour Bluey’s Big Play will visit the UK following sell-out shows across Australia and the US, arriving at Mayflower Theatre from Tuesday 27 to Friday 30 August 2024. Audiences of all ages will get to see Bluey, her younger sister Bingo and Mum & Dad Bandit and Chilli,

Fans of Britain’s Got Talent finalist, magician Cillian O’Connor, will be delighted to hear that he takes to the stage at Theatre Royal Winchester on Tuesday 30 July. This year Cillian is touring his first ever live stage show, My Magic World – a show that promises to amaze audiences of all ages, and featuring

As Mayflower Theatre get ready to welcome Smash- hit family Favourite Madagascar the Musical to the stage from 21- 24 August, they announce a roarsome summer holiday offer of tickets for just £15 – if you book by the 21 July (T&C’s apply). Alex the lion is the king of the urban jungle, the main

Photo credit: Tom Wren Families searching for a show they can all enjoy should look no further than Mr Toad – performed at Theatre Royal Winchester on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 July. It tells the story of Mr Toad of Toad Hall, which is under threat from the sly Miss Weasel, and whose insatiable

Football fans – in particular those who root for the underdog – and others may be interested in The Giant Killers, which comes to Theatre Royal Winchester on Wednesday 24 July. It tells the inspiring true story of a ragtag bunch of Lancashire mill workers in the town of Darwen who defied the odds to

Children and their families, eager for some more ‘history with the nasty bits left in’, can delight in the return of the Horrible Histories gang, this time with their show, Rotten Royals, coming to Theatre Royal Winchester on Sunday 21 July. Britain’s favourite history show is back with revolting rulers and mad monarchs from the

By Anita Foxall. Between the 11 and the 13 of July, Southampton will be home to a new event – the Southampton Fringe Festival. It will include a variety of performances and events: musicals, plays, poetry readings, etc. Daniel Harris and Becky Birkett-Mills, the organisers, have been nurturing this idea for a while, and last

Rock fans are invited to celebrate a rock line-up like no other when The History of Rock takes to the stage at Theatre Royal Winchester on Friday 19 July. Audiences will be taken on a journey throughout the history of rock, showcasing classic hits from the likes of Deep Purple, Guns N’ Roses and Queen

Maskers Theatre – Romeo and Juliet, Townhill Park House The Maskers Theatre return to Townhill Park House with ‘Romeo and Juliet’ Shakespeare’s story of love and loss. On the Sundial Lawn against the backdrop of the house Thursday 18 – Saturday 27 July 7.30pm each evening and 2.30pm on Saturday (grounds open early for picnics).

Actor Andrew Scott returns in another National Theatre Live screening – Present Laughter, at Theatre Royal Winchester on Tuesday 23 July. Present Laughter tells of star actor, Garry Essendine, as he prepares to embark on an overseas tour – when his colourful life is in danger of spiralling out of control. Engulfed by an escalating

Adult audiences looking for an entertaining, funny and frank evening of song and chat are welcome at Girls Night Out at Theatre Royal Winchester on Thursday 18 July. Girls Night Out is an award-winning cabaret of outrageous vocals, rip-roaring humour and unapologetic misbehaviour and cheeky chat – with no subject off limits! Girls Night Out

Fans of the rock band Dire Straits are invited to an evening celebrating their award-winning music when DS:UK perform at Theatre Royal Winchester on Thursday 11 July. The band bring to the stage their highly anticipated The Alchemical Tour, which pays tribute to Dire Straits’ infamous live album – Alchemy: Dire Straits Live – their

Tomáš Hanus & WNO Orchestra – Prague Spring Festival Opening Concert – Photo Credit Pražské Jaro 2 The Welsh National Opera (WNO) Orchestra will embark on a musical journey through some of Central Europe’s finest masterpieces, for their summer concert tour, Crossing Borders,  presented by WNO Music Director Tomáš Hanus. The tour will visit Turner

The critically acclaimed musical parody, Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch, will swim into Mayflower Theatre from 6 – 7 July 2024. Join everyone’s favourite Disney Diva, Ursula, as she gives her take on what really happened all those years ago under the sea. With an original hot pop soundtrack and trademark

Photo credit: Adrienne Photography Hat Fair, the UK’s longest running festival of Outdoor Arts, is back for another summer – this year from Friday 5 – Sunday 7 July – and to celebrate the festival’s 50th birthday, the programme features a host of familiar faces, ready to bring more outrageous street theatre, circus, comedy and

The team at Mayflower Theatre and MAST Mayflower Studios have announced details of the exciting and eclectic mix of musical tribute shows, which will be performing across both venues this July. With musical genres spanning the decades, audiences can enjoy the thrill of live performances across both venues this summer. Shows include: The Magic of

By Manthan Pathak. It’s a Monday morning like any other for most of us, but not for everyone. Outside Portswood police station dozens of men and women seeking refuge queue to ‘report’, a regular commitment they must make if they have claimed asylum. For many, they know that every reporting visit carries the risk of

 Cricket fans can be in for a humorous but insightful evening when one man show, Jack’s Ashes, comes to Theatre Royal Winchester on Wednesday 1 May. Jack’s Ashes tells the story of former professional cricketer, Jack, as he steps up to give his team talk to motivate the players, but as the wickets fall the

Mayflower Theatre announces the renewal of Paris Smith’s long-standing 30 plus year partnership. A number of years ago, Paris Smith also extended its support to MAST Mayflower Studios, which fosters artist development and promotes youth engagement. The new arrangement follows the fusion of these two wonderful and different venues under Mayflower’s banner, underscoring Paris Smith’s

Image by Charlie Clift. The bestselling children’s author David Walliams and the award-winning Birmingham Stage Company have teamed up for a brand-new production of the family adventure Awful Auntie, touring the UK 14th March – 7th December, coming to Poole this weekend and Southampton in November. This is their latest collaboration in a series of

Loyle Carner will headline the first ever TK Maxx presents Southampton Summer Sessions on Saturday 29 June. He is the latest to join an unmissable collection of world-class talent, including Nile Rodgers & CHIC, Tom Jones, Madness, Placebo, Paloma Faith, and Kaiser Chiefs set to headline Guildhall Square for Southampton Summer Sessions from 15 to 30 June. One of the leading voices in British rap, Loyle

Victorious Festival is organised by a team of locals who are passionate about Portsmouth and enjoy spreading positivity through their Victorious in the Community arm and charitable contributions. This year saw Victorious in the Community donate over £150,000 to good causes, bringing the total since 2014 to £711,426.53. But it’s not just about the numbers,

Pink Floyd fans can celebrate the anniversary of one of the rock band’s ground-breaking albums when the tribute act, All Floyd, visits Theatre Royal Winchester on Friday 5 April. This year marks three decades since the release of Pink Floyd’s The Division Bell album, which sold more than an estimated 10 million copies worldwide –

Adventurers and film enthusiasts alike can enjoy an evening of award-winning films, capturing the very best of the planet, when Kendal Mountain Tour 2024: A Night of Adventure Films comes to Theatre Royal Winchester on Thursday 4 April. Audiences are invited to enjoy an evening of films that take in the world’s most breath-taking landscapes

Tom Fletcher’s interactive adventures for big imaginations are leaping from page to stage, as the beloved Who’s in Your Book? series, makes its debut as a brand-new musical show – There’s a Monster in Your Show will play at MAST Mayflower Studios from Thursday 25 to Sunday 28 April 2024. A group of performers are

Lucy Porter is set to embark on a national tour from this September, with her brand-new show – all about regrets – bringing her to The Attic in Totton next spring. Frank Sinatra had too few regrets to mention, but Lucy’s got hundreds, and she’s prepared to go into graphic detail about all of them.

Come From Away, the multi award-winning Best Musical across the globe, will tour to Mayflower Theatre from Tuesday 16 to Saturday 20 April 2024. Come From Away shares the incredible real-life story of the 7,000 air passengers from all over the world who were grounded in Canada during the wake of 9/11, and the small Newfoundland community

The bestselling children’s author David Walliams and the award-winning Birmingham Stage Company have teamed up for a brand-new production of the family adventure Awful Auntie. This is their latest collaboration in a series of shows which includes the Oliver Award-nominated Gangsta Granny and Billionaire Boy. It comes to Poole’s Lighthouse this month, from March 21

Little ones can enjoy another Julia Donaldson classic coming to Theatre Royal Winchester – Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book, which is with the venue from Tuesday 2 to Wednesday 3 April 2024. Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book tells the story of Charlie who loves reading – especially books about pirates. But his sister hates it and finds

Southampton  gardeners are being asked to sow extra seeds, take cuttings and grow plants on for a charity plant sale in the city this spring. Communicare is hosting the event in May at CommuniBakes and is asking for plant donations to sell to raise money to help vulnerable and isolated people in Southampton. Fundraising and

Image credit: Dean Chalkley. Following the acclaim for the award-winning musical based on his songs, ‘Standing At The Sky’s Edge’, which opened earlier this month for a six-month run in London’s West End, today Richard Hawley recently released new single: “Two For His Heels”. It is the opening track on Hawley’s forthcoming album, ‘In This City They

Image by: Emilyn Cardona. Ireland’s Cardinals have returned with “Unreal”, their much-anticipated follow-up to last year’s debut single proper, “Roseland”, a song saw them heralded across press for the maturity and fully-formed nature of their sound. The 7″ vinyl, released on tastemaker label So Young, went on to hurriedly sell out within only two hours

TV dance sensation and international champion Johannes Radebe is thrilled to be presenting a brand-new production, Johannes Radebe: House of JoJo, at Mayflower Theatre on Sunday 7 April, following the phenomenal success of his first two sell-out UK and Ireland tours. Join Johannes Radebe and a host of eclectic characters in this brand-new theatrical celebration

The organisers of Hat Fair – the UK’s longest running festival of Outdoor Arts – are looking for volunteers for this year’s event, which takes place from Friday 5 – Sunday 7 July. The festival, which takes over the city streets and green spaces of Winchester, is visited each summer by tens of thousands of

REWRITES – the showcase for new musicals started by The Lowry, Salford in 2017 presents Nel’s Place at MAST Mayflower Studios on Thursday 14 and Friday 15 March. Trapped in a hoard of memories and music, Nel yearns to make space for granddaughter Molly’s 16th birthday celebrations. Can Nel find a way through grief to

Young science enthusiasts and their families are invited to a brand-new production at Theatre Royal Winchester on Sunday 17 March. Science Museum: The Live Stage Show is an unmissable family show aimed at inspiring audiences in new and exciting ways, fuelling their imaginations, capturing their fascination and igniting their curiosity. The show is by London’s

Victorious Festival is thrilled to announce one of the most iconic stages, the Seaside Stage, is back for 2024, presented by Beats and Swing. Back with a huge line-up for the weekend, including Australian artist Dub FX – known for revolutionising the concept of a one man band with live looping and samples – is guaranteed

Fan-favourite and winner of Best New Musical (What’s On Stage Awards 2023), Bonnie & Clyde The Musical comes to Mayflower Theatre from 2 – 6 April 2024. Bonnie & Clyde The Musical is the story of two small-town kids from the middle of nowhere who became the biggest folk heroes in all America. They craved

New single, The Serpent and the King – from the album, Invincible Shield, released on 8 March –  sees Judas Priest at their heavy metal best, with what is without doubt the most fist pumping track on their much-anticipated forthcoming new album. The new single launched as Apple Music’s New Music Daily, along with an

Mayflower Theatre has announced further star casting for this year’s giant pantomime spectacular, Jack and the Beanstalk. Joining the previously announced Britain’s Got Talent winners and street dance sensations, Ashley Banjo and Diversity, will be award-winning actor and stand-up comedian, Kev Orkian – who will be returning to Mayflower Theatre after a sensational season appearing

Young fans of children’s book writer Julia Donaldson’s beloved stories will love Zog and the Flying Doctors, which visits Theatre Royal Winchester from Friday 8  to Sunday 10 March. Zog and the Flying Doctors tells the story of Zog, a super keen student turned air-ambulance who, with his Flying Doctor crew of Princess Pearl and

Image by Georges Antoni. Royel Otis will support headliners Kaiser Chiefs, for this year’s inaugural Southampton Summer Sessions series on Sunday 30 June. They join previously announced Tom Jones, Madness, Nile Rodgers & CHIC and Sophie Ellis-Bextor on the growing lineup of unmissable acts who will take over Southampton’s Guildhall Square for Summer Sessions from 15 to 30 June. The vibrant Australian duo Royel Otis, comprising Otis Pavlovic

Playmakers are offering local talent the chance to perform at this year’s Hat Fair festival – and there are two ways for them to get involved. Playmakers are calling upon local singers, musicians, comics, choir members, dance troupes and others with a short performance to apply now to be part of Hat Fair – the

Following his sixth consecutive year on the hit BBC show, Strictly Come Dancing favourite Graziano Di Prima and his wife Giada Lini will take to the stage in a brand-new dance show, Believe: My Life on Stage, which visits MAST Mayflower Studios on Friday 15 March 2024. Joining this dynamic duo will be a company

By Mabel Wellman. Trans Pride Southampton is returning to Southampton this year on the 29th June. Last year Trans Prids was a small and intimate event at Watts Park. The event started with a march through City Centre, then a picnic in Watts Park. Trans Pride Southampton this year will be at Edmund Kell Unitarian

Contemporary dance enthusiasts will delight in new production, LORE, which visits Theatre Royal Winchester on Tuesday 5 March. LORE takes audiences on a folklore inspired journey into a pagan world of gods, demons and humans. The show explores a connection with nature and the energy that flows from the ground through our bodies and back

by Michael Coveney. After their initial success with an early, twenty-minute version of Joseph and His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in 1968, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice were taken up by producer David Land, given a weekly wage of £20 a week each, an office, and encouraged to write anything at all with just one

Set against the picturesque backdrop of Cowes, the Fringe Festival will take place from the 24 – 26 of May 2024, offering visitors the opportunity to enjoy a diverse range of music and performances. The much-anticipated return of the Cowes Fringe Festival is set to dazzle audiences with an array of performances from an eclectic

By Diane Parkes Welsh National Opera and director Olivia Fuchs are joining forces with contemporary circus company NoFit State for a bold new production of Benjamin Britten’s Death in Venice this spring. The production, which comes to Mayflower Theatre on March 20, will use a range of circus skills to re-tell the classic tale of

The incredible Showstopper! The Improvised Musical and Showstoppers’ Kids Show are coming back to MAST Mayflower Studios on Saturday 16 March 2024. Spontaneous musical comedy at its finest, this is the first ever long-form improv show to have a full West End run and to be nominated and win an Olivier Award! Completely improvised and genuinely

Little Angel Theatre’s major new adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book will run from Friday 8 – Sunday10 March at MAST Mayflower Studios. Alongside this puppet-filled musical, which at its core celebrates the joy of reading, Little Angel Theatre will deliver a ground-breaking literacy project aimed at creating a supportive

Hampshire Star, Frank Turner, is set to release his 10th album, Undefeated, on 3 May, which includes recently released single, Do One. Undefeated follows his first UK  number one album, 2022’s FTHC, and is the result of his decision to step away from the major label world to re-embrace the liberation of working as an

The final season of Southampton’s grassroots cultural stalwart The Art House is in full swing with every week packed with gigs as artists queue up for “one last show” in the much loved venue. The Art House will no longer have a permanent, bricks and mortar home but will still very much be a presence

The organisers of Hat Fair, the UK’s longest running festival of Outdoor Arts, are looking for market traders for the festival weekend. The festival, which takes place throughout the streets and green spaces of Winchester over the first weekend of July, will have pitches available for traders on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 July. Market traders will have the opportunity to

Buckinghamshire’s biggest and best music festival PennFest have announced a host of exciting additions to their summer 2024 line-up! Ella Henderson, Professor Green, Newton Faulkner, Dutty Moonshine Big Band, East 17 Christmas Special, DJ Hype, Grooverider, Oxide & Neutrino and Matt Jam Lamont will join headliners Paul Weller, Richard Ashcroft and Jess Glynne in the first

Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds announce that their first show of 2024 will take place at Poole Lighthouse on Sunday17 March. The intimate gig will mark Noel’s second appearance at the venue, after first performing there 20 years ago with Oasis (on 23 June 2004 – a warm up show ahead of the band headlining

Direct from the West End, and having sold out venues worldwide, Seven Drunken Nights – The Story of The Dubliners will perform at Mayflower Theatre on 8 March 2024. In partnership with Tourism Ireland and in association with legendary Irish pub O’Donoghue’s – the place where it all started for The Dubliners back in 1962

Fans of a classic Victorian ghost story are in for a treat with The Signalman at Theatre Royal Winchester from Thursday 14 to Saturday 16 March. The Signalman tells of a terrified signalman who unburdens himself on to a young student who chances upon his railway cutting, telling him a chilling tale of a spectre

The casting team of Dear Evan Hansen, in collaboration with TikTok, are searching for the next generation of talent to star in the first ever UK tour of the Olivier, Tony and Grammy award-winning Best Musical. Today is going to be a good day. And here’s why Meet Evan: an anxious high school kid who

Sugababes, Razorlight, The Kooks, James Bay, Groove Armada, Professor Green, Tom Walker and more added as second wave artist additions for this year’s Victorious Festival in Southsea. The multi-award-winning Victorious Festival (23/24/25 August 2024) – the UK’s biggest metropolitan festival – has today announced a fresh round of acts to this year’s already monumental line-up,

It’s back! Last year saw the launch of Road To Victorious, an exciting competition open to bands based within the PO postcode area. Crystal Tides were the worthy winners, shortlisted from hundreds of talented applicants within the PO postcode, and went on to win your votes! Their prize saw them participate in a huge festival

Friends fanatics will be delighted to hear that the award-winning parody, Friend (The One with Gunther), is coming to Theatre Royal Winchester on Friday 9 February. The show, which celebrates the much-loved 90s TV series – all ten seasons, 236 episodes – retells the stories of everyone’s favourite characters, Ross, Rachel, Phoebe, Chandler, Monica and

Rock Goddess Suzi Quatro is set to headline a star-studded line-up at this year’s Wickham Festival. The American legend will join the Levellers, Seth Lakeman, Tony Christie and many more at the popular event which runs from August 1-4. The Detroit-born singer will top the bill on the Friday night when she will be belting

N’Faly Kouyaté will be bringing his Ré-Génération Tour to the UK for a series of special live shows this month, beginning at Southampton’s Turner Sims on 8 February. Best known as the frontman of Afro Celt Sound System, the Belgium-based artist will be hitting the road for nine intimate shows with his new solo project.

Judas Priest have announced plans to delight fans with a new world tour in 2024, including a visit to Bournemouth International Centre on 17 March. Over the past 50 years Judas Priest have sold more than 50 million albums worldwide and headlined the world’s biggest stages. Their evolving music and live performances also saw the

By Diane Parkes. Theatre audiences can look forward to some Brazilian sunshine this spring when São Paulo Dance Company tours the UK and Ireland for the first time. The company comes to Mayflower Theatre, Southampton on 13 and 14 February with a triple bill of contemporary works by some of the world’s leading Spanish and

Theatre Royal Winchester is looking forward to the return of drama – from award-winning theatre companies to shows that will inspire the little ones. In February, New Old Friends return with Houdini’s Great Escape (22 – 24 February) about the world’s greatest entertainer who is framed for murder. From the company that brought Crimes on

The Freemantle and Shirley Amateur Theatrical Society’s pantomime this year is set way back in the past, in the times of the Roman’s invasion in fact, in 55 BC (Before Covid!) The scene is set in the ‘Prologue’ by Lurkio Ludicrous, a poor downtrodden Roman slave. He will help you along with the story, and

Theatre Royal Winchester audiences have delighted in the National Theatre Live screenings of theatre productions captured live in London. Last year local theatre-goers enjoyed the likes of The Crucible, Life of Pi and GOOD and this year the theatre is hosting more screenings featuring well-known actors and by critically acclaimed and award-winning playwrights. So popular

Playmakers want to hear from local community groups interested in taking part in this summer’s Hat Fair Carnival. The theme of the procession will be Look Back, Look Forwards, Look Up and will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Hat Fair – the UK’s longest running festival of Outdoor Arts, which takes place in Winchester city

A ‘Queer & Quantum’ Science & Arts Day comes to The Stage Door, Southampton on Sunday 31st March 2024 for Trans Day of Visibility, celebrating  STEM subjects, the arts and trans/non-binary visibility in both.   The event will feature talks from LGBTQIA+ scientists across quantum physics,  astrophysics and more, supported by charity Pride In Stem, who

Theatre Royal Winchester has a brand-new programme packed full of family shows guaranteed to entertain young and old, creating plenty of opportunities for the generations to come together to enjoy lots of quality time. The fun starts with an evening of circus, magic and comedy in the Hat Fair Cabaret (21 January) – all the

Comedy fans who missed out on tickets to see Viggo Venn perform at Theatre Royal Winchester next month will be pleased to hear that an additional show date has been added, and he will take to the Winchester stage this month on Wednesday 24 January. The Norwegian clown – who moved to the UK with

Theatre Royal Winchester is not only looking forward to a new season of professional shows, but also shows performed by local community members and for special causes. The new year begins with An Evening with Alan Titchmarsh (Wed 17 Jan) when the gardener, writer, novelist and broadcaster will talk about his life as part of

The team at Mayflower Theatre have announce that their 2024 Mayflower Tours Open Day will take place on Saturday 3 February. The Open Day will launch An Inspiring Place – the new and improved public venue tour programme, which will see tours tailored to different groups of attendees, including private family interactive tours, student focused

Famed for his star turn as a pop-star in the 80s with the Communards, as well as his long stint presenting Saturday Live on BBC Radio Four and (until he very recently retired) his full time job as a Church of England priest; The Reverend Richard Coles embarked on his first UK Tour in autumn,

By Charlotte Ndupuechi. A glamorous and vibrant celebration to mark the 18th anniversary of Unity 101 Radio took place at the Novotel Southampton on Friday the 5th of January. This is an annual awards ceremony to recognise the achievements of the station’s volunteers and partners.  If you haven’t already heard of Unity 101, where have

Fans of magic are in for a treat when the UK’s leading comedy magician, Pete Firman, brings his show, TrikTok, to Theatre Royal Winchester on Saturday 20 January. TrikTok, is an evening of jaw-dropping magic and hilarious comedy, which sees the critically-acclaimed magician take his magic from the small screen and transport it on to

The City’s Mayflower venues, Mayflower Theatre and MAST Mayflower Studio, are celebrating a record-breaking run of festive shows. Over 80,000 people saw Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, A Christmas Carol and Counting Down to Christmas across both venues. Mayflower Theatre had over 74,000 people attending Snow White, making it the highest attended pantomime for the

Cornerstone of Southampton’s grassroots cultural scene, The Art House CIC, will be leaving its Above Bar home in March this year. The arts venue, cafe, meeting place and much more, which has been at its present location for 15 years, will no longer have a permanent physical home. They made the announcement at 5pm on

Southampton-based young people’s charity, No Limits, is concerned about the rising number of young people facing issues with housing and homelessness, the cost of living, and their mental health, in the run up to Christmas. Demand for help is increasing. In the last year, the number of young people asking for support with money has increased by

Research from national charity Family Action reveals the stark reality many families face this Christmas. Families across the UK are facing increasing financial hardship and new research from Family Action reveals that 1 in 7 parents/carers surveyed, said they won’t be able to afford to buy presents for their children this Christmas due to financial

By Charlie Hislop Fundraisers are being organised across Southampton in the next two months by musicians, and others, to help the Platform Tavern get back up and running after a night-time fire in the bar. A number of local bands have already signed up… Chicago 9, the Platform Posse, and the Pete Harris Blues Band

Its been a long journey for the dedicated team of volunteers, but we after their recent Community Action Day,the only specifically designed Allotment s for residents with disabilities in Southampton is open. A spokesperson for the group said, “its been a real achievement by a team of volunteers who deserve huge thanks. The fact that

Despite nearly nine in 10 (89%) Brits believing being by the coast has a positive impact on their mental health, over two million people are missing out on the positive benefits having never visited the seaside recreationally. The new research, conducted by the Southampton International Boat Show ahead of its 54th year, shows that 3% of

No Limits, a Southampton-based charity supporting young people across Hampshire, has been nominated three times for the 2023 Children and Young People Now Awards – the gold standard for work with children, young people and families. The awards cover 24 categories and are the highest recognition for organisations across the country that support young people on a day-to-day basis.   The Preventing Homelessness Project, which supports young people

A new writing group, The Portswood Writers Circle, has recently launched at independent bookshop October Books. The group will next be meeting on Monday 22nd May. The aim of the group is to create a welcoming and encouraging environment in which local writers of all genres, styles, and experience can explore the creative process together.

People in Southampton looking to connect with others in the community can attend a new multigenerational group which has recently launched. Meeting Place, set up by Saint Mary’s Church and supported by Communicare, will take place every Wednesday during term time at October Books in Portswood from 2.30pm.  The new group to provide somewhere for

by Martin Brisland, amateur dramatics editor. In Common has been featuring professional theatre previews and reviews for some years now. As a community based online publication, we are expanding to working with local amateur companies in 2023 for a new Applause! section. This region has an excellent reputation for quality amateur productions. After all the