The Commitments is quite simply a show about putting a band together that enjoy playing soul music. It’s a show that brings together working class Irish youngsters to showcase their talents and take Dublin by storm. But at its heart, it’s a show about unlikely faces nurturing talents and the highs and lows of forming and disbanding a band. It’s a show that celebrates musicians and is filled with laughs and has a killer soundtrack. 

 The Rocky Horror Show is a cult film, musical and all round piece of history that has fans spanning generations.  Created by the iconic Richard O'Brien and now hitting its 50th year of entertaining audiences, Rocky Horror is a film that pushed the boundaries of gender and sexuality and it's a musical that has audience members dressing up, shouting and bringing props to every show. It's a film that I have a huge soft spot for, and a musical that I haven't seen since before the dreaded Covid pandemic. So being able to take Max to see this iconic show as it danced across the Mayflower Theatre stage was a night I couldn't say no to. 

 Matthew Bourne is an icon in the ballet world, creating masterpieces of theatre that take you to other worlds and put a new spin on old classics to tempt and impress audiences. From Edward Scissorhands to Romeo and Juliet, Matthew Bourne has taken the idea of a ballet and turned it on its head, creating showstoppers that engage new audiences and win over traditional ballet enthusiasts.

Whenever I think about ballet, I always think about my Grandma. She ran her own dance school and saw students take to the big stages. So whenever I sit in an audience about to watch one on stage, I always seem to think 'What would Grandma think of this'. And honestly, I think Matthew Bourne's Sleeping Beauty would have blown her away. 

 Dada Masilo is an award winning choreographer from South Africa. She blends unfamiliar dance forms with contemporary dance or classical ballet to create a new language of dance on stage. Having previously adapted shows such as Swan Lake and Giselle, Masilo is now taking on Pina Bausch's The Rite Of Spring and fusing it with Tswana dance, the dance form native to the country of Botswana. 

What you are left with is a show that is raw, unflinchingly bold, and a journey of the meaning of rituals and sacrifice to the Tswana people. Currently on a UK tour in association with Dance Consortium, The Sacrifice has landed in Southampton for two nights at the Mayflower Theatre before continuing on an extensive UK tour. 

There’s always suspicion in the auditorium when you’re watching a murder mystery show. In this case, The Mousetrap was the perfect show to capture the hearts of audiences at the Mayflower Theatre, Southampton. It gives an opportunity for almost all ages to take part in such a twisted storyline as you become armchair detectives.