Mayflower Theatre
Mayflower Theatre
4.5
9:30 AM - 9:30 PM
Monday
9:30 AM - 9:30 PM
Tuesday
9:30 AM - 9:30 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM - 9:30 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 9:30 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 9:30 PM
Saturday
9:30 AM - 9:30 PM
Full view
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
618 within 3 miles
Attractions
124 within 6 miles
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
2,394 reviews
Excellent
1,403
Very good
669
Average
147
Poor
97
Terrible
78
STM0041
Bullard, TX696 contributions
Nov 2022
Spending a few days in Southampton before boarding a Transatlantic cruise, my wife and I thought taking in a British play would be great fun. It was a great call.
Today was a rainy day so an indoor event was a great decision. Staying at the Leonardo Royal Hotel, the Mayflower Theatre was a 20 minute walk away. The theatre was built in 1928 and had a wonderful decor.
The name of the production we attended was An Inspector Calls. Excellent performances by the cast, a twisting plot, friendly staff and comfortable seating made our trip here enjoyable. Ticket prices were reasonable. Would attend another production in a heartbeat.
Today was a rainy day so an indoor event was a great decision. Staying at the Leonardo Royal Hotel, the Mayflower Theatre was a 20 minute walk away. The theatre was built in 1928 and had a wonderful decor.
The name of the production we attended was An Inspector Calls. Excellent performances by the cast, a twisting plot, friendly staff and comfortable seating made our trip here enjoyable. Ticket prices were reasonable. Would attend another production in a heartbeat.
Written November 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Scenic827364
4 contributions
Aug 2021 • Friends
Parking is not an issue as there are 4 choices. Closest and smallest is the layby along Southampton Rd outside a row of shops. Pay and display but free after 1800. Next is just around the corner, left at the traffic lights and again outside some shops. Also pay and display. 3rd option is the large open air park next to the station. Pay at machine (usually broken) or at ticket office in the station building. Last and biggest is the multi storey, where spaces are small and after the show, all the drivers from all the floors want to use the single at the same time. Need patience.
The theatre itself allows entry only 45 mins before the performance meaning a 15 minute wait outside in the street as the website advises arriving 1 hour before the start. Not good for a 90 year old with mobility problems. It would also help if the ticket scanner machine worked. All the time we were in the queue it was not tested as functional until it failed at the first try. Well done the duty front of house manager for giving up his machine to get the punters moving. Not so well done the doorman for not checking his equipment.
The bar was its old boisterous self with eager theatre goers soaking up the pre show atmosphere as well as the booze. Nice to have the auditorium opening early too allowing a steady flow from the bar to the seats instead of the usual last minute rush. The low number seats in row J were excellent,as the line of sight to the stage,was slightly left of the heads in front so no obstruction. There is also additional leg run since the refurbishment and I believe additional padding in the cushions, as the normally numb posterior, did not distract.
The show itself varies with each visit but the theatre gets all the praise. Well done Mayflower. Can't wait for the Panto in Jan next year, but will have to. Oh yes I will.
The theatre itself allows entry only 45 mins before the performance meaning a 15 minute wait outside in the street as the website advises arriving 1 hour before the start. Not good for a 90 year old with mobility problems. It would also help if the ticket scanner machine worked. All the time we were in the queue it was not tested as functional until it failed at the first try. Well done the duty front of house manager for giving up his machine to get the punters moving. Not so well done the doorman for not checking his equipment.
The bar was its old boisterous self with eager theatre goers soaking up the pre show atmosphere as well as the booze. Nice to have the auditorium opening early too allowing a steady flow from the bar to the seats instead of the usual last minute rush. The low number seats in row J were excellent,as the line of sight to the stage,was slightly left of the heads in front so no obstruction. There is also additional leg run since the refurbishment and I believe additional padding in the cushions, as the normally numb posterior, did not distract.
The show itself varies with each visit but the theatre gets all the praise. Well done Mayflower. Can't wait for the Panto in Jan next year, but will have to. Oh yes I will.
Written August 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
np672
England, UK17 contributions
Dec 2021
I'm usually the one tagging along to watch the ballet. Whilst I usually enjoy the sense of occasion the Mayflower theatre brings to a production as well as the music, I wouldn't say I was a ballet aficionado. However, Merlin by the Northen ballet is a different kettle of fish. Apparently the director has also done West End shows, which is evident from the scenery and special effects. Puppetry also plays a an integral and seemless part to the story telling. There isn't a moment when you're not glued to the performance, the cast do a magnificent job of story telling through music and dance. I noticed on google that a ballet purist reviewer in The Guardian only gave it three starts! Nonsense! This should be a sell out and could run and run. Not just my opinion either, my ballet oficianado was captivated too.
Written December 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
sazzalish
Portsmouth, UK3 contributions
Jan 2023 • Family
I am writing to complain about the treatment myself and my family received yesterday (Saturday 28th 2023) at the 2pm performance of My Fair Lady.
I bought the tickets for my mother's and daughter's birthday and was refused entry on the basis that I had my 4 month old baby with me in a sling.
Firstly, I felt the person who checked our tickets was quite rude in telling me I would likely not be allowed in. She spoke to me in a condescending tone, and didn't show any compassion, nor apologise for the inconvenience.
I understand she was upholding the rules but she didn't need to do this in an irritated manner. Having worked in customer service myself, I am aware how awkward it is to tell someone they are not allowed to do something but it is possible to do this in a polite and pleasant way which was not in evidence here (especially as I was not being argumentative - I was a mixture of confused and disappointed). The theatre manager was polite so I give him his due there.
My baby has been to 3 different theatre performances in her short life already with no issues. However, if I had been told that I'd need to leave if she started crying I would have accepted and understood those conditions of us being admitted to the show. In my opinion, she wouldn't have - before babies start moving on their own all they need is cuddles and milk which she would have had. I feel that this would have been an acceptable compromise.
Secondly, on your website show pages I can see it is specifically stated no under 2s for the Sponge Bob show but only states recommend for over 8s on My Fair Lady show page (screenshots attached).
The theatre manager stated it was theatre policy not to allow babies in but I cant see anything under booking information, or the FAQs, that states this. I can now see it was on the tickets but I did not have this information prior to booking and when they are sent online and you believe you only need to show the barcode it doesn't make details like this stand out. Other theatres in the local area do not have these rules so its not something I thought to check. I would not have booked the tickets if I was aware of this policy.
I am aware I cannot change the theatre rules but I do think this is a discriminatory policy to mums of young babies, and especially mums who are breastfeeding (a characteristic that is protected under the Equality Act). It's not a viable option for me to leave my baby with anyone else for that amount of time yet. I also think that it's somewhat nonsensical given that I wouldn't take my 2 year old to any theatre performance, or even the cinema yet, as they would be so much more disruptive than any baby under 6 months ever could be.
As it stands my eldest daughter was so upset, she and my mum needed to leave at the interval. It was very disappointing that a family event of 3 generations celebrating their birthdays ended in a trip to a coffee shop and not the theatre.
I bought the tickets for my mother's and daughter's birthday and was refused entry on the basis that I had my 4 month old baby with me in a sling.
Firstly, I felt the person who checked our tickets was quite rude in telling me I would likely not be allowed in. She spoke to me in a condescending tone, and didn't show any compassion, nor apologise for the inconvenience.
I understand she was upholding the rules but she didn't need to do this in an irritated manner. Having worked in customer service myself, I am aware how awkward it is to tell someone they are not allowed to do something but it is possible to do this in a polite and pleasant way which was not in evidence here (especially as I was not being argumentative - I was a mixture of confused and disappointed). The theatre manager was polite so I give him his due there.
My baby has been to 3 different theatre performances in her short life already with no issues. However, if I had been told that I'd need to leave if she started crying I would have accepted and understood those conditions of us being admitted to the show. In my opinion, she wouldn't have - before babies start moving on their own all they need is cuddles and milk which she would have had. I feel that this would have been an acceptable compromise.
Secondly, on your website show pages I can see it is specifically stated no under 2s for the Sponge Bob show but only states recommend for over 8s on My Fair Lady show page (screenshots attached).
The theatre manager stated it was theatre policy not to allow babies in but I cant see anything under booking information, or the FAQs, that states this. I can now see it was on the tickets but I did not have this information prior to booking and when they are sent online and you believe you only need to show the barcode it doesn't make details like this stand out. Other theatres in the local area do not have these rules so its not something I thought to check. I would not have booked the tickets if I was aware of this policy.
I am aware I cannot change the theatre rules but I do think this is a discriminatory policy to mums of young babies, and especially mums who are breastfeeding (a characteristic that is protected under the Equality Act). It's not a viable option for me to leave my baby with anyone else for that amount of time yet. I also think that it's somewhat nonsensical given that I wouldn't take my 2 year old to any theatre performance, or even the cinema yet, as they would be so much more disruptive than any baby under 6 months ever could be.
As it stands my eldest daughter was so upset, she and my mum needed to leave at the interval. It was very disappointing that a family event of 3 generations celebrating their birthdays ended in a trip to a coffee shop and not the theatre.
Written February 3, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Winona H
1 contribution
Mar 2023
I would use to say that the Mayflower was a great theatre however not so much anymore.
I had tickets for a show I can no longer attend due to strikes and their is no other form of transport to get their nor make the any other showings during the week. I asked them to exchange for another show or a credit note but refused because of their NO REFUND POLICY.
I understand but this is not like we did this on purpose and it totally out of our control. The customer service are completely unhelpful and refuse to flexible in any way. Meaning my friend and I not only miss out on a show we were really looking forward to seeing but loose money at an economic time when people can afford to just loose money like that. It's too short notice to get someone else to purchase them.
This is the first time I have ever had to ask this theatre to exchange tickets and never thought they would be so unhelpful when other theatres are so helpful and understanding when I have been in a similar situation.
I am hugely disappointed as I regularly went to the theatre and was a supporter. Now I will rethink purchasing any tickets in future and so will my family and friends.
I recommend you think before buying tickets at the theatre especially in a time of strikes as you may not be able to see your favourite show leaving you disappointed and out of pocket.
I had tickets for a show I can no longer attend due to strikes and their is no other form of transport to get their nor make the any other showings during the week. I asked them to exchange for another show or a credit note but refused because of their NO REFUND POLICY.
I understand but this is not like we did this on purpose and it totally out of our control. The customer service are completely unhelpful and refuse to flexible in any way. Meaning my friend and I not only miss out on a show we were really looking forward to seeing but loose money at an economic time when people can afford to just loose money like that. It's too short notice to get someone else to purchase them.
This is the first time I have ever had to ask this theatre to exchange tickets and never thought they would be so unhelpful when other theatres are so helpful and understanding when I have been in a similar situation.
I am hugely disappointed as I regularly went to the theatre and was a supporter. Now I will rethink purchasing any tickets in future and so will my family and friends.
I recommend you think before buying tickets at the theatre especially in a time of strikes as you may not be able to see your favourite show leaving you disappointed and out of pocket.
Written March 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Christy
Hampshire, UK453 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
We came to see Tim Peake on Friday and it was seamless entry with a nice traffic flow, helpful staff and straight to our seats.
The seats are back up quote close so your knees/shins do sit against the seat infront, slightly uncomfortable for those with bigger legs, but comfortable seats.
Bar is slightly overpriced, but usual case in theatres. We enjoyed our experience, and have booked to come back and see Snow White/Diversity in December.
2 min walk to local multistorey carpark and lots of restaurants around.
The seats are back up quote close so your knees/shins do sit against the seat infront, slightly uncomfortable for those with bigger legs, but comfortable seats.
Bar is slightly overpriced, but usual case in theatres. We enjoyed our experience, and have booked to come back and see Snow White/Diversity in December.
2 min walk to local multistorey carpark and lots of restaurants around.
Written March 12, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
martinedavidson
1 contribution
Jan 2020 • Couples
Felt a bit disappointed by this production. The costumes appear to have been made on a low budget. Really looked forward to the iconic bell bottom over the shoe base trousers but they were not there. Joe’s performance was unremarkable and appeared to lack lustre or commitment to the character. The bus was really good as was the trio’s performance in Alice Springs which had been really creatively directed and performed.
Written January 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Dibleygirl
Southampton, UK319 contributions
Jan 2020
The only tickets we could purchase for our show were way up in the gods, which can be tricky to access if youhave mobiity problems. The seats are also very close together, so if you are of above average height, this could be quite uncomfortable. Nevertheless, we enjoyed our outing to this grand building. PS the box office staff were super helpful when one of our number forgot her ticket, thank you!
Written February 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
chrissieb94
Dorset, UK2,011 contributions
Jun 2021 • Couples
It was lovely to return to the Mayflower and ‘A Beautiful Noise’ was their first musical show since reopening. Our seats in the circle were booked some time ago and we’re well spaced from others to allow for social distancing. Your entrance door was determined by your seating location. Codes were scanned and temperatures taken. The bar was open and purchased drinks were consumed in your seats. The show was very good and thoroughly enjoyed, with Fisher Stevens and his band helping us appreciate the music of Neil Diamond. At the end you wait in your seat to be directed out. The whole evening was most enjoyable and the theatre and its friendly staff had worked hard to follow current regulations. We look forward to our next visit in the autumn.
Written July 7, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
greenbarbara8
Southampton, UK88 contributions
Jan 2023
Lovely theatre with beautiful decor. Went to see the fabulous My Fair Lady and our seats in the stalls row L had a great view.
Ladies & gents toilets close to the stalls bar and unisex toilets available (formerly the ladies) to the right of the stage inside the theatre.
Ladies & gents toilets close to the stalls bar and unisex toilets available (formerly the ladies) to the right of the stage inside the theatre.
Written January 14, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
SheilaPenfold
Southampton, UK1 contribution
The best place to park for an evening performance at Mayflower Theatre.
John M
London, UK9 contributions
The multi storey is in the street behind the Mayflower or alternatively it's free to park in the Civic Centre car park after 6pm. I would recommend Picolo Mondo which is nearby for a meal if you have time.
MrandMrswhittaker
Southampton, UK14 contributions
The side box seats at the mayflower theatre are they proper chairs with backs as I have been told by someone they may be stools ?
Yvonne
2 contributions
Sorry I don't know
RosEngland
Hampshire, UK567 contributions
Has anyone sat in the rear Circle seats right at the very back? Just wondering what sort of view it is, and if it is very restricted. TIA
ClaireSoll
Chichester, UK42 contributions
Hi I'm looking for seat advice. I'm booking for 2 adults and 2 youngish children. I'm deliberating between middle stalls or front dress circle. Or possible side seats in stalls or circle boxes (although these are listed as restricted view and seem to be top price!) Any advice? I don't mind paying top price but would like a decent view!
Retired_Gentleman
Southampton, UK266 contributions
I always go for the dress circle, particularly the front row if still available. I am not tall and with the front row I get an unobstructed view; even right at the end seats in the front row, the view is unobstructed. I hate it when people in the front rows stand up to dance or whatever and I am forced to stand up too to get any sort of view. This tends to happen more in the stalls than the circle in my experience.
Hello, does anybody know if they allow stage door, if so where is the stage door located?
DAVIDMS20050
Emsworth, UK1,282 contributions
Allow stage door what? The stage door is to the left as you walk from the car park to the front of the Theatre. I think some words are missing from your question? If you have not used the local multi-storey car park and on foot it is to the right of the main front entrance.
MarkMahoney
Aldershot, UK1,803 contributions
Hello, has anybody sat in the side Stall or circle high seats? Or the very side front row seat (slightly restricted) in circle? Any thoughts and opinions be appreciated. Many thanks
OLDGIT71
Horsham, UK1,022 contributions
Not me - front Grand Circle
DirtwaterFox
Brighton
Is there a dress code at the Mayflower theatre when the performance is a ballet?
Patsy J
Sutton Scotney, UK42 contributions
No, anything seems to go!
Personally I would dress fairly smart to show respect to the cast and performance.
Mayflower Theatre (Southampton) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Mayflower Theatre
- Mayflower Theatre is open:
- Mon - Thu 9:30 AM - 9:30 PM
- Fri - Fri 10:00 AM - 9:30 PM
- Sat - Sat 9:30 AM - 9:30 PM
- Hotels near Mayflower Theatre:
- (0.06 mi) Claremont Guest House
- (0.09 mi) City Park Guest House
- (0.06 mi) Mayview Guesthouse
- (0.08 mi) Polygon Villas
- (0.08 mi) Abbey Lodge
- Restaurants near Mayflower Theatre:
- (0.02 mi) Milan Italian Southampton
- (0.03 mi) Coleman's
- (0.03 mi) The Mayflower Village
- (0.03 mi) The Vestry Restaurant and Bar
- (0.03 mi) Pizza Cottage
- Attractions near Mayflower Theatre:
- (0.10 mi) Elusion Escape Rooms
- (0.04 mi) Endulge Holistic Therapy
- (0.11 mi) SeaCity Museum
- (0.07 mi) The Guitar Store
- (0.05 mi) The Talking Heads