There is something I am loving at the moment about theatre. Whilst I love new shows and emerging talented playwrights, I am also loving the revivals and remakes of classic shows that have engaged and entertained audiences for generations. 

Whilst The King and I is not a show that I would normally jump to see, and a film that I haven’t seen since I was a teenager, I had heard nothing but wonderful things about it’s revival. From the gorgeous scenery, to the tremendous acting, there is nothing like sitting in a theatre and being whisked away to the sounds of classic Rodgers & Hammerstein. 

The RMS Titanic set off on its maiden voyage from the docks of Southampton on the 10th April 1912. It was the largest ship afloat at the time and set to make the journey from the UK to New York a journey of a lifetime. However, as we know from the history books, on the 14th April the ship struck an iceberg and hours later sunk killing more than 1500 people. 

Whilst there have been many retellings of the tale of the Titanic, from the Oscar winning film, to exhibitions and plays, the musical is something that has passed me by and I’ve been eager to catch it after seeing so many positive reviews. Celebrating its 10th anniversary in the UK, Titanic the Musical has landed in Southampton again to impress audiences. 

 Cher is nothing short of a legend. An Icon. A Diva. She is someone that has transcended decades and is still the goddess of pop that we know and love. The Cher Show is a musical that takes us on the wild and often rocky rollercoaster that is Cher's life. From the modest upbringing in California to her whirlwind romances, this show packs over seven decades worth of history into a 2hr 30min show that has more sequins, glitter, and wigs than an episode of RuPaul's Drag Race. 

Embarking on a tour before testing the waters in the West End can sometimes be a fall at the first hurdle, but the waves of positive reviews of this show left me eager to believe that it could be something wonderful. And as it hit the Mayflower Theatre stage, it most certainly was nothing short of spectacular.

One thing that I love about An Inspector Calls is how timeless the story is. It's one that I studied at school, and is still chosen as a GCSE text year after year. As this brilliant stage adaptation of J.B Priestley's play  by Stephen Daldry enters its 30th year, its phenomenal to see how not only the show has held up over all this time, but still shocks and entertains its audiences year after year. 

Back at the Mayflower Theatre, Southampton, this landmark show was ready to entertain hoards of year 11 school children and avid theatre goers alike as they embarked on just under two hours of eye opening theatre. 

Bugsy Malone is a film that has entertained the masses for the past nearly 50 years. With a cast solely of children, this musical movie told the tale of Bugsy Malone and the conflict between Fat Sam and Dandy Dan and won over the hearts of many, including myself. Who wouldn't want to drive pedal cars, fire splurge guns and pretend to be grown ups? 

Now on a UK tour, this latest revival of the show packs a punch and takes to the Mayflower Theatre, Southampton to entertain us and show us who the good and bad guys really are. As a super fan of the film, I have to be honest and say I went into the theatre with some nerves, but let's just say we could have been anything that we wanted to be and I was overjoyed with the outcome! 

Singin' In The Rain is a classic musical that is the stuff of legends. Originally a big screen movie that took the world by storm, this show has been adapted time and time again and wowwed audiences the world over.  

Now 70 years since the original film came out, the show is back in stage impressing a new generation of audiences with a stunning UK tour. The show has tap danced its way down to the Mayflower Theatre, Southampton and both myself and Max couldn't wait to dance in the rain as we watched this fantastic show.

Heading to local theatres straight from the West End, Waitress is a show that is taking the UK by storm, one slice of pie at a time. Based on the film of the same name, this musical has been adapted by the legendary Sara Bareilles into a sweet show that covers serious topics such as domestic abuse and adultery, but is packed full of comedy, drama, and superb singing. 

As part of its tour it has now opened up at the Mayflower Theatre, Southampton and Max and I couldn't wait to see the show. It was one of the last shows that I had seen pre-lockdown and the songs were still in my head to this day. 

 Do you hear the people sing? Well you could definitely hear the cast of Les Miserables as they took to the Mayflower Theatre, Southampton stage. And fortunately for us, Max and I were invited to join them at the barricades at they brought the house down. 

Based on the classic tale by Victor Hugo, this tour version of Les Miserables has come full circle as it returns to Southampton in 2022. Watch as you follow a story about love, freedom, sacrifice, and fighting for what you truly believe in. With hit songs that even the most infrequent theatre goer will know, it's truly a show for the masses. And the timelessness of the show is evident in how it still stands strong today. 

The Book of Mormon is a musical that is not shy of being controversial. The show that is based on the Mormon religion is one that people may assume is derogatory and mocks one of the biggest religions in America, but in all honesty it's a show that is clever, entertaining and altogether a brilliant night out. 

The Book of Mormon is a show that I have already seen before. After being fortunate enough to see it during the first few months of its UK launch, it's been a long time coming to go and see it again. The Book of Mormon is now embarking on its own missionary around the UK, visiting venues around the country on a UK Tour. I was fortunate enough to be invited along to the Mayflower Theatre, Southampton to see if I believe.  

 You should have been there. You should have seen it! You won't believe the things we saw that went down at the Mayflower Theatre when the absolutely spectacular cast of Everybody's Talking About Jamie took to the stage. 

I last saw Everybody's Talking About Jamie just before the first lockdown in London and it absolutely blew me away. The cast the musicality and the performance itself. As soon as I knew it was going on tour and would be visiting Southampton, I knew that I had to be there. And luckily for me, Scott surprised me with some tickets for Christmas. 

 The show on everybody's lips is gonna be "Chicago The Musical". Chicago is one of those musicals that exudes with talent, sexiness and glamour. And it's a show that has hit the Mayflower Theatre stage with a bang this week. 

Priscilla Queen Of The Desert is a show that is unapologetically fearless, fun and fabulous. It's a show that has wowed audiences for years and continues to do so on its UK tour in 2021. Not a show to shy away from issues about LGBTQ+ rights and the fight for equality, this show feels just as relevant as it was when it first took to the stage in 2006.

Bursting with glitter, big wigs and bigger costumes, this show brought the house down as it took to the Mayflower Theatre, Southampton stage. I took Max along with me (as he is partial to a flamboyant show or two!) and we honestly had the time of our lives!