Culture
REVIEW: 42nd Street At The Mayflower Theatre
Transport yourself back to 1933 New York because that’s exactly where Southampton’s Mayflower theatre was tonight. ‘42nd Street’ is as classic as musicals come. It has everything; the glitz and the glamour, show-stopping acting, a magnificent orchestra, and of course those famous toe-tapping songs. This musical almost epitomises Broadway, and they just aren’t made this way anymore. ‘42nd Street’ is based on the 1933 film of the same name and is most well-known for the wildly impressive tap dance numbers. Director Jonathon Church (Singin’ In The Rain, The Drifters Girl), has perfectly managed to mix the old with new to tell this iconic feel-good story in an updated, rejuvenated way that doesn’t feel dated in the slightest.
The story follows a small town American girl, Peggy Sawyer, arriving in New York City and dreaming of her name up in lights. She catches the eye of a big-time director and gets her big break in the chorus line of a brand new show on Broadway. But when the leading lady gets injured, Peggy gets a shot to see her name in lights. The idea of this story is one that so many people can connect with in different ways. We’ve all had a dream of catching our break, and just like Julian Marsh tells Peggy in the show, “people trying out all over the world will be thinking maybe they’ll get their big break and be the next Peggy Sawyer.” (Or something along those lines at least). This show is funny, heart-warming, breathtaking and just exactly what you think of when somebody says the word, ‘Broadway’. All of these things have to stem from the fantastically energetic and charismatic cast that tell the story not only through song, but through dance as well.
The whole company were just sublime. The dances were inch perfect, the acting superb, and the singing was top form as well. Fantastic! There are a few shoutouts that have to be made however. Samantha Womack who played the role of ‘Dorothy Brock’, was terrifically camp and had such a powerful voice, controlling the stage and audience with her presence. Michael Praed, who played the role of ‘Julian Marsh’ was fantastic in his delivery and really helped the show flow from point to point. Faye Tozer and Les Dennis (yes, the same Les Dennis who had a well timed exit from Strictly) played the roles of ‘Maggie Jones’ & ‘Bert Barry’, who were the classic on stage duo that brought a bit a light to the scene exactly when it needed it – always getting a laugh from the audience, brilliant work! And finally Sam Lips (‘Billy Lawlor’) and Nicole-Lily Baisden (‘Peggy Sawyer’), were not only outstanding in their own right – but as the ‘will-they-won’t -they’ love interests as well. Sam’s voice was just immaculate, and to sing as he was in-between energetic dance breaks was extremely impressive. Nicole’s story telling throughout was inspired. You followed and felt attached to the nervous yet bubbly girl you met at the start of the show, and stayed with her as she evolved into the star of the show. Not to mention her dancing and singing ability as well. Incredible! I honestly cannot state how awe-inspiring watching the whole company dance numbers was. I understand that as a dancer, 42nd Street is one of the hardest shows to get cast in, and now I can see why. Their hard work certainly doesn’t go unnoticed. Just exceptional from every last company member!
The set and lighting for the show were big, bold and sparkly. I know I’ve said it already, but even the set was everything you’d expect from a Broadway or West-End show. Not only was it big and extravagant, but it was also really cleverly thought out and put together. The use of shadows and projections throughout was really well done. Usually when shows use projections, I feel as though the idea of the projection is always better than the execution. This was not the case for ‘42nd Street’ however. Projectionist, Jon Driscoll, has nailed exactly what is needed for a projection to remain effective but not look tacky. Ben Cracknell, lighting designer, has also clearly worked closely with Jon and Robert Jones (set and costume designer), to be able to light such an array of different scenes. One piece of design that particularly sticks out in my mind is the ‘shadow dance’ on the white screen using shadows from both in front and behind the curtain. So simple yet so effective. I also loved how the set would go from the stage of ‘Pretty Girl’ (the show within the show), to backstage of that very show, just from the drop of a curtain or stage surrounding with a quick light change.
Another thing that stood out to me was the costume design. More specifically how this accentuated the dancing. The dancing by itself was really telling a story, but the period accurate costumes on top of this just added that extra cherry on top of the cake. A personal favourite of mine was the gold sequinned blazer that ‘Billy Lawler’ wore during one the songs, and the way in which the light shone off of it. The costumes were suave yet glamorous and it all worked together wonderfully.
Now tap dance is its own form of music and rhythm, but the show would be nothing without the live orchestra that went along with it. The musical has some very famous songs such as ’42nd Street’ and ‘Lullaby of Broadway’, along with a beautiful swing and jazz score. To hear all of this with a live orchestra just makes the show feel that much more real. The way in which the tap dance and orchestra complimented each other was wonderful and I love how the conductor (Grant Walsh), became a character by becoming the conductor for ‘Pretty Girl’. Extremely clever, and it makes the audience feel even more a part of the story.
‘42nd Street’ is everything you’d ever want a musical to be and more. The story is timeless, and the fact that it’s 90 years old backs this up. The breathtaking tap dance routines that the show is famous for are mesmerising, and the mixture of classic romance and comedy is delightful. The whole musical gives a sense of that backstage intrigue, of what goes on behind the curtain – and by letting us in, we feel like we’re part of some sort of secret. Each and every dancer, actor, singer – anybody and everybody involved in this show deserve a big round of applause. I wish all the cast and crew of ‘42nd Street’ the best of luck as they continue on their UK tour and here’s hoping that the timeless musical keeps tapping on.
If something looks perfect from the outside does it mean it actually is?
That’s the concept that director Jay Roach brings to life in the new movie The Roses released in August 2025.
The Roses is a reimagining of the 1989 film The War of the Roses which was originally based on Warren Adler’s 1981 novel.
Although unlike the novel the characters instead are shown to struggle with their different careers either rising or falling.
It has been adapted, in my opinion, to make it resonate with women a lot more as in both the novel and first film the women were stay at home mothers who felt unsatisfied.
This appears to be one of the main reasons for the divorces with Barbara (Kathleen Turner) eventually turning to a catering business.
However, within the new modernised version Ivy’s (Olivia Colman) successful career is a point of contempt for Theo (Benedict Cumberbatch).
While it starts off with a more realistic depiction of parents struggling with the loss of a career and a start of a new one, it slowly divulges itself away from the typical divorcee movie.
I watched this movie at the Everyman (luxury I know!) and the grip it had on me as an audience member was outstanding.
With the selection of actors involved in this movie it’s no surprise that there is a mix of comedy and drama making it a satirical black comedy.
While it was delightful to watch, I feel that some audience members might criticise the realism of the movie.
Yet I go to the cinema to be transported from real life so the mix of realism and shock factor was highly entertaining.
A contrasting mix of comedy and darkness
The performances from the actors was exactly what the movie needed.
The chemistry, or lack thereof, between Colman and Cumberbatch was so believable that you would think that they were married in real life.
Their delivery of both the comedy and the rage was again so believable that it sucked me as the audience into what was the “dirty laundry” of their personal lives.
With a supporting cast including Andy Samberg, Allison Janney and others their characters mostly brought the comedy relief needed in to break the movie up.
They also gave us a contrast to the main relationship being shown which helped us recognise how some of the actions were exaggerated for our benefit.
However, some critics online have noted that while it is undeniably a satirical dark comedy, the dark comedy seemed to be held back some times, therefore not always giving it the edge it needed.
I think that for a 15 certificate movie it had just the right amount to stretch over its wide audience.
Another criticism that The Roses received was that the contrast between the comedy and cruelty was sometimes so abrupt that it didn’t hit as hard as it could have.
At some points the comedy seemed out of place which almost gave the film a sort of jarring feel as they changed between the emotions.
The ending is ambiguous which can have mixed reactions from the audience.
Some may like to have the movie tied up neatly at the end whereas others like that they can believe what they want to believe.
I am the latter in the case of this movie as I enjoyed the fact that I could believe either the more macabre ending or not.
To me the ending, without giving any spoilers, had me on the edge of my seat with a real 360 turn.
Again it had the perfect amount of shock factor and comedy which highlighted the overall tone throughout.
I felt that it drew the entire film together nicely especially with the ending performance from Coleman and Cumberbatch.
Winchester original artist Sam Bishop has been releasing music for almost a decade but after not releasing a new song for the last two years, Just a Little is set to be release this Friday, February 7th.
Sam first got into music when he was in secondary school, after watching Imagine Dragons in the O2 he fell in love with their support act.
As an only child he has always been a creative person, writing stories and songs in his free time.
The first thought has never been how can I perform live but how can I write?
Sam also enjoyed:”I enjoy feeling nervous but eventually acting felt like second nature, so I decided to give music a go.”
After getting into music in school Sam released his first song in 2016.
“It has been trial and error since with each year getting better and better performing and writing more.”
I asked him whether he has always written his own songs, and he explained: “The first thought has never been how can I perform live but how can I write?
“That’s the angle I attack music with.”
For Sam music has always been a way to express how he feels.
But what’s the best part of the writing process?
Well, for Sam it’s the feeling of a song coming together as a whole, he compared the writing process to a tap, that it slowly drips until it starts to flow.
“You get a melody and a good lyric. It feels amazing when it all comes together it’s so special, it’s definitely a process it takes time and trial and error.”
Sam’s new single Just a Little, is no different, going through this same process, and has now come together ready for its release this Friday.
It all started in last summer, when Sam was on a flight from Miami to LA, he wasn’t interested in watching the typical films you find on airplanes, and felt creative, this is where the chorus for Just a Little was born.
Being away from family for a prolonged amount of time through working away and travelling gave Sam the feeling of wanting to be connected and keep in touch with people’s lives whilst being away.
Just a Little is about questioning whether you’re enough.
It’s a song full of vulnerability and expressing that and truly allowing yourself to feel those feelings.
After Sam’s travels he got home and revisited the song, from there it started to take off and really build.
He sent the song to his friend Toby who he describes as an unbelievable guitarist, and an excellent musician.
Toby then worked on the song as a production, whilst Sam worked on the lyrics.
Just a Little was kind of a one off, as a process it was very natural.
By mid-November the song was finished and now is the time for its release.
This song has a different sound to Sam’s previous songs, and he’s excited for people to hear this new style of music from him.
“It’s a very personal song washed under happy and jolly music.
“It’s very current and popular; something you’d expect to hear on the radio.”
Sam hopes that that the release allows people to connect with not just the lyrics but how the song feels.
Following the release Sam has big plans for the next year.
This is the start of a new sound for him, and he hopes more songs like this will follow with maybe one or two before the end of the year.
There are also a number of gigs to be announced for the next three months that he is looking forward to performing.
At the end of our interview Sam said: “Songs will happen, it’s what I love to do it’s so expressive as an art form and it’s something I will always want to do.
“Just a Little was kind of a one off, as a process it was very natural.
After not releasing a song for two years, once the lyrics were finished and he got the song back from Toby he knew this was the one that this would be the re-release of his music as an original artist.
Just a Little is out at midnight February 7th.
For announcements of new music and dates of performances you can follow Sam on Instagram @sambishopmusician.
The wait is over for Winchester’s burger lovers, as a new Five Guys restaurant has opened in the heart of the city centre.
The American burger chain, world famous for its customisable smash burgers and seemingly bottomless fries opened on Monday, December 2nd.
It was a soft launch without any ceremony for the restaurant, but the new staff and management immediately had a growing queue of customers on their hands.
Five Guys has taken one of three units from the former Debenhams department store. The other two are Nando’s which opened last month and Pizza Express.
Founded in Virginia in 1986, Five Guys launched in the UK in 2013 and has become a popular choice for burger lovers, including celebrities such as Tommy Fury, Mollie King, Ed Sheeran, and Maya Jama.
There are now 1,800 restaurants worldwide including 171 in the UK.
The new Winchester branch is expected to be a popular addition to the city’s food scene.
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