By Rachel Jones & Luke Richards. “I never wanted to murder anyone. It was necessary.” Not exactly a comforting opening line, but it tells you everything you need to know about The Talented Mr Ripley. Based on Patricia Highsmith’s psychological thriller, this adaptation leans straight into questions of identity,...
Articles with the Tag Theatre
Review: The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) – Mayflower Studios, Southampton
By Martin Brisland. Shakespeare’s words that ‘one man in his time plays many parts’ seem very appropriate for this production. Directed and co-written by Adam Long, this is a theatrical compression that is the stock-in-trade of this RSC – the Reduced Shakespeare Company – not to be confused with the...
Review: The Woman In Black, Mayflower Studios, Southampton
By Martin Brisland. Many will know that The Mousetrap is our longest running West End play having started in 1952, but do you know the second longest? It is Susan Hill’s 1983 Gothic horror novel The Woman in Black which Hill has acknowledged was inspired by The Turn of the Screw by Henry James. From 1989, The Woman in Black played a record-breaking run...
Review: Horrible Histories Live (and Undead)! The Concert, Mayflower Theatre, Southampton
By Joy McKay. Horrible Histories, a favourite of the Scholastic book fair and hit CBBC show took to the stage at Southampton’s Mayflower Theatre last night for Horrible Histories Live (and Undead)! The Concert (2/4/26). Accompanied by two intrepid junior reviewers (aged 8) we went, excitedly, to find out...
Review: To Kill A Mockingbird – Mayflower Theatre, Southampton
By Graham Hiley. It is a strange dichotomy that To Kill A Mockingbird makes deeply uncomfortable viewing for a modern audience and yet remains as relevant as when the classic novel was written in 1960. Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning story of racial prejudice in 1930’s Alabama has been adapted...
Review: Maskers Theatre does it again with sell-out Educating Rita
By Charlotte Ndupuechi. Southampton amateur theatre company Maskers Theatre has done it again, delivering a sell-out show that left audiences delighted — and last night’s final performance of Educating Rita proved exactly why. Willy Russell’s sharp, much-loved script was handled with confidence and clarity. The chemistry between the two...
Review: Friends! The Musical Parody, Mayflower Theatre, Southampton
By Melanie Adams. (AKA Ken Adams). It’s the one where they make a musical parody of arguably the most iconic show of the 90s. And I have to admit, as a huge fan of the series, I almost gave this a miss because surely it would be as disastrous as...
Review: Peter Pan, Mayflower Theatre, Southampton
By Sally Churchward. Anyone who is at least a semi-regular attendee to the Mayflower Theatre’s pantomime will have come to know what to expect and this year’s delivers just that. It is a spectacular show, with tight performances, striking costumes, an impressive ensemble, a comedian and some big name...
Mary Poppins is back! Interview with local cast member Darcy Finden
By Nick Mabey. Cameron Mckintosh’s production of Mary Poppins returns to Southampton’s Mayflower Theatre on 27th August for a jam-packed thirty performances in 24 days. For Poppins aficionados (yes I’m a proper fan boy) it’s a chance to relive the timeless magic of the flying governess and for anyone...
Review: Peter Grimes, Welsh National Opera – Mayflower Theatre, Southampton
By Martin Brisland. Benjamin Britten’s 1945 opera Peter Grimes saw the young composer’s emergence as a fully formed musical dramatist, and it remains his defining work. A near capacity Mayflower Theatre audience witnessed a real treat with one of the Welsh National Opera’s best productions (30/4/25). Fisherman Grimes is...