Culture
REVIEW: Greatest Days at the Mayflower Theatre
Tonight, Southampton turned into Manchester as the Mayflower theatre housed Take That on their brand new tour! Okay not exactly, there were no surprise cameos from Gary or Robbie, but Take That’s official musical ‘Greatest Days’ performed its opening night on its tour stop in Southampton. This isn’t your standard juke-box musical, but is instead a heart-felt story following friendship and everything in-between, using Take That’s back catalogue of music to help tell the story. The show has been slightly reworked from its original form where it was called, ‘The Band’, and has even had a film (with the same new name) which was released earlier this year. I knew very little about the story line to this musical before tonight and was expecting an almost biopic love letter to Take That for their biggest fans. I however, was pleasantly surprised because what I thought would be a potentially tacky and cheesy affair, turned out to be a heartbreaking but hilarious story.
You may be wondering, ‘How can the show be both heartbreaking and hilarious at the same time?’. The answer is simply down to the fantastic writing. Tim Firth, the original story writer, really knows how to write a story that you can connect with, empathise with, and understand whilst feeling full of laughter. Without giving too much away; The story follows a group of five boy band obsessed friends in the 90s, who drift apart but reunite over 20 years later to see their heartthrobs one last time in what could be potentially be the ‘Greatest Day’ of their lives! (I got this one in early, I’m sorry). One thing that I found very impressive was the relationship that the audience managed to build with the ‘boy-band’ through the other characters on stage. It was almost as if the boy-band were the thoughts of the actors on stage (like the imaginary friend to them) and that the audience were connecting through the thoughts of the other characters via the band. Extremely clever idea, written and directed brilliantly!
The whole cast were fantastic. They made you laugh when you needed to, made you think when you needed to, and made you feel when you needed to. The cast can basically be split into 4 separate groups; The boy-band, The young friends, The old friends, Jeff and every Dave. The boy-band not only portrayed that ‘friend figure’ like I mentioned before, but also at multiple points throughout the show, actually put on mini concerts – transporting you back to the 90s. Not only through the fantastic dancing, choreography and costume, but of course singing which was incredible! Both sets of friends, young and old, were fantastic! Their chemistry was brilliant and the way in which they portrayed their emotion across to the audience was perfect. Also the way they resembled their older/younger counterparts was terrific. I’d like to give a special shoutout to Jamie-Rose Monk, who played the role of ‘Claire’ as I was hung up on her every word. She got the most laughs out of me (and the audience at that), and you could just feel the meaning in every word she said. Amazing performance. Mary Moore, who played the role of ‘Debbie’ also deserves a shoutout. In a show where there are some quite serious points they have to hit, she did so in an upbeat classy way leaving the audience feeling positive and not upset. Another Amazing performance! It goes without saying that Jennifer Ellison, who played the role of ‘Rachel’, was the audiences main point of connection and her and her younger counterpart, Olivia Hallett, had the audiences full attention into what they were doing. Brilliant! And of course how could I forget Christopher D. Hunt (‘Jeff’) and Alan Stocks (‘Every Dave’). Although they both may not have had the biggest roles, I think that some of the impact and laughs that they created were of the biggest. That in itself says masses, so well done to everybody!
The set and lighting for this show were so impressive. To start with the set, it was a fixed set with moveable interactive components I.e. the stairs. Those stairs became so much more however; a bus, a stage, a police station, a water fountain and many, many more. Set designer, Lucy Osbourne, clearly worked very closely with both Directors, Tim Firth and Stacey Haynes, in creating an immersive set that the characters can become a part of when moving and interacting with. Very well thought out, and very well handled by the actors. The lighting was also brilliant. There were times the lighting would’ve been bog standard and lighting the types of places mentioned above. But then in an instant they would have to turn into this huge concert light rig which was just amazing. They were big, they were extravagant, and they matched the tone of each song perfectly. One thing I would say is that the show is clearly used to being performed on a much smaller scale, so they did struggle to fill the stage a little bit, leaving a lot of blank space. However a personal favourite touch of mine was the lights within the staircase; that without giving away too much away, gave that extra ‘Shine’. (I’m not sorry for that one).
Of course the music to the show was all ‘Take That’ hits, perfectly selected at the correct moments to help portray the story. But what really helped these songs portray their message further was the fact that they were orchestrated and played by a live band. This musical actually opened up new meanings to each of the songs in the specific context that they were in, and a live band was definitely the way to go to help this. I’m always a firm believer that soundtracks for musicals are a big no no, and a live band makes it all feel so much more real. The pace of the show and storytelling was actually very good. I don’t think there was one moment that I was beginning to think things were dragging. Act 1 takes us through the 90s where the girls have been to see their adored boy-band before drifting apart. Act 2, takes us fully through the reconnection of friends and finding comfort in each other and who they’ve become in their personal journeys.
To sum up, I thought I’d be leaving this musical and writing, “if you’re big fans of Take That, this is a can’t miss show for you” (which is still true), but I’m actually leaving thinking that if you’re a fan of musicals with a poignant touching story, then this is definitely one for you as well. I love how everybody can resonate through this story of friendship and having ‘your band’ or ‘your artist’ that you put on when you’re excited, or when you’re sad, or angry, or happy. For the characters in the musical, their band may have been singing Take That songs but they were just called ‘boy-band’. The way the story was written and performed seemed to be a call that everybody can individually perceive in their own way. It’s such a touching, uplifting musical that actually makes you feel things. All of this, plus a free Take That concert – you cant really go wrong. ‘Greatest Days’ is currently half way through its UK tour and I wish them all the success going forward, hoping they’ll be ‘Back for Good’ soon.
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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