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). 

 There is something quite marvellous about watching a murder mystery play out on stage. And it's made even more thrilling when it's an adaptation of one of the most loved and celebrated crime thriller books of all time. But having a show based on a book with such a popular following can mean that there is an alarmingly high bar to live up to, and with a modern audience, will this 1939 tale be able to captivate audiences. 

Coming towards the end of their UK tour, the cast of the Agatha Christie play have landed in Southampton at the Mayflower Theatre and are ready to have audience members on the edge of their seat. With warnings of violence, murder, suicide, and gun shots, you are left wondering what on earth will happen before you even take your seat. Because in this classic whodunnit, nothing is quite as it seems. 

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. 

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.