Art is one of the most subjective things on the planet. I mean, what constitutes great art? What one person loves, and feels is deep and meaningful, another finds nonsense and wasteful. What someone feels a piece of art is worth is down to them and them alone, yet despite knowing all of this you can't help but judge the viewpoint of others. What happens when your opinions do not match the ones of your best friends?

That in itself is what the show Art is about. It's an 80 minute play about three friends who's differing opinions could make or break a friendship. Having previously won several awards including an Olivier, Tony, and Moliere, I was excited to go into this show blind to see just what the big deal is over some art. 

When Jamie Lloyd announced that his latest production would be Romeo and Juliet and star Tom Holland in one of the title roles, the hype around this show was like nothing I had seen before with a piece of theatre. Getting a ticket was reminiscent of getting one of Wonka's Golden Ticket's and somehow I was successful in scoring one of these sought after tickets; albeit in what was dubbed as a slight restricted view. But would the hype of Spiderman taking on another iconic role truly win me over, or would it be a case of a show not living up to the Olivier Award winning older sister (Sunset Boulevard). 

 The Full Monty is one of those iconic British 90's movies that everyone seems to know. Whether you've seen it or not, you know the premise. A bunch of average Joe's get their kit off in order to help make ends meet whilst covering some themes such as mental health, body image, and sexuality. Whilst its origins are on the big screen, it's been living on the stage since Simon Beaufort created this award winning play in 2013. Billed as a true girl's night out, the Mayflower Theatre was certainly full of excited women ready for a fun evening ahead. 

 The geniuses behind the hilarious “Grown Ups”, “The Play That Goes Wrong”, and “Magic Goes Wrong” are back! With their combination of physical theatre and utter chaos, Peter Pan Goes Wrong is yet another Mischief Theatre take on a show for the whole family to love and enjoy. From the brains of Henry Shields, Jonathan Sayers, and Henry Lewis, Peter Pan Goes Wrong is a show that will have laughing until you cry, and loving every moment of the show. 

2:22 is a show that has swept almost every west end theatre by storm. With a revolving cast of celebrity names, and a secret so big that fans keep coming back for more, it's easy to see why there is such a hype about this supernatural show. It's currently on tour around the UK with another set of household names, and I was invited to see whether this stunt casted show really lived up to the hype I had heard so much about. 

From the brain of Danny Robins, the hit writer behind the paranormal podcast The Battersea Poltergeist, 2:22 A Ghost Story is his first foray at west end theatre. And with nominations and award wins a-plenty, it's easy to see how the buzz around this show has developed and generated. And to be perfectly honest, who doesn't love a ghost story?

 Sizwe Banzi is Dead is a play originally created in 1972 in Cape Town, South Africa before transferring to London and New York. Named one of the best plays ever made by The Independent, it has now been brought to a 2023 audience by actor/director John Pfumojena in association with Mayflower Made. With its premiere taking place at Mast Mayflower Studios, before embarking on a short UK tour, I was so fortunate to be invited to experience this version of the classic Fugard, Kani, and Ntshona play. 

 I absolutely adore courtroom dramas, crime documentaries, thriller books. Basically anything that deals with crime, courts, and justice. I know I'm not the only one with this passion as the rise in true crime documentaries and podcasts soars and the popularity in shows and plays around crime and punishment tread the many theatre boards around the UK. The Verdict is one of those shows that seems to tick all of those boxes for crime fans that want an evening out where they can indulge their detective brains and try and work out how this courtroom drama will ultimately end. 

 Neil Gaiman is a master in storytelling. His words transport readers to another life, another time, or another world and take you on an adventure that sticks with you for a lifetime. He weaves mystery, horror, thriller and fantasy into a story that is like no other that you have read. To say I’m a fan is an understatement, but the success of his stories have spanned across decades and evolved into adaptions that bring these magical worlds to life. 

The Ocean At The End Of The Lane is a tale of the mystery and mundane that has been adapted by the wonders at the National Theatre to create a staggeringly powerful play. After a successful run in London (that had me completely gutted I missed!) I was so pleased to see it was heading on tour. 

 The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is a story based on a book by Deborah Moggach which was subsequently turned into a film. It's a story that has won over the hearts of many audiences, and is now taking to the stage to capture the hearts of even more. Whilst currently on a UK Tour, the show is travelling up and down the country before it lands in the West End. 

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.

 Trainspotting is an iconic tale. Whether you've read the book by Irving Welsh or seen the film starring Ewan McGregor, it's a cult classic that seems utterly timeless. And now, this story takes on a new stage version that is a complete sensory overload in the most brilliant of ways. 

In Your Face Productions have taken the stage play written by Harry Gibson to create an immersive, visceral 75-minute gut punch that will leave you feeling blown away. After a sell out Edinburgh Fringe season, Trainspotting Live is now on tour and has stopped at its final destination at the MAST Mayflower Studios. 

Treasure Island is a story that has taken on many forms since its creation in 1883. What started as a novel has now turned into a movie, musical, TV series and play. There was even a Muppets version which is arguably one of the best, that is until Le Navet Bete came along with their version, that doesn't quite fit the timeless tale perfectly. 

Le Navet Bete are a theatre troupe from Exeter, UK that have been putting on shows to entertain the masses since 2008. If you are a fan of slightly slapstick shows that don't take themselves seriously, that also have some magical elements that the whole family will love, then Le Navet Bete are the group for you. Whenever I try and describe them to friends I always mention Mischief Theatre, but Le Navet Bete are in a league of their own! 

After seeing two of their previous shows (Dracula: The Bloody Truth and The Three Musketeers) we were looking forward to seeing what was next on their list to tour. This time is was the age old tale of Treasure Island, and boy was it a tale to remember. 

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is a story and play that has wowed audiences for over a decade now.  Based on the 2003 novel of the same name by Mark Haddon, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is a tale about a 15 year old boy called Christopher Boone who finds his neighbours dog has died in mysterious circumstances. He heads on a journey of discovery to find out that the things he knows and loves might not be as simple as they seem. 

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is on a UK Tour and has landed in Southampton at The Mayflower Theatre. Max and I were invited along to see what we thought of this electric show. 

I always love taking a shot at a show that seems to go against the grain, one that stands out and seems a bit different from everything else in the West End. So when Scott asked if The Shark Is Broken was a play that I wanted to see, I got us tickets. I'm going to be honest, whilst I love the film of Jaws and it's one that I've seen time and time again, I wasn't too sure if a play about it was really going to win me over, but I am always willing to give something a try. With the show being an Edinburgh Festival smash, I knew we would be in for a treat. 

 Everyone knows the tale of The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe. The story of four intrepid explorers that venture into the back of a mothball filled wardrobe and into a world where time flies, creatures talk, and it's been winter for over 100 years. It's a tale that myself and Max have been reading for a while as whilst it isn't necessarily a Christmas tale, it does get you into that festive mood. 

Taking on this mammoth book by C.S Lewis and turning it into a stage play is no mean feat. With a magical wardrobe, statuesque lion, and menacing witch, it's hard to see how something so spectacular on the page can still keep its essence of innocence and bravery on the stage. But this show breathes a new life into this story and brings it alive in ways that we could have never imagined. 

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe took to the Mayflower Theatre, Southampton stage and boy was it a show to remember.