Message In A Bottle At Mayflower Theatre, Southampton Review

Reviewed by Maddie Reynolds

What a show from start to finish.   It focuses on 3 teenagers in an imagined story of what happens when they flee and the challenges they could face on their journey to safer shores. Zoo nation are amazing dancers with potential to emotionally send this message of refugees. It is a story of loss, fear, survival, hope and Love.

The choreography was very good and each dancer was impeccable with their timing. Katie Prince has done each and every song justice and the dance moves to each piece of music just fit so beautifully.

We arrived at the Mayflower and parked just across the road from the Mayflower Studio and paid £3 to park for the evening. This is a bargain as parking can be so expensive these days when you’re enjoying a night out. Traffic into Southampton was quiet from Bournemouth and we arrived within in plenty of time. You have to arrive early to get these spaces as they are on the opposite side of the road. There are plenty of car parks close to the theatre and some street parking.

My friend and I went for dinner first in the pub next door called the Mayflower Village which sells great food and is reasonably priced and does deals of the day along with kid’s meals.

We were seated in the stalls H33 and H32 we had a brilliant view of the whole stage and set We received our E-tickets for the show well in advance with an email letting us know if we needed anything to just speak to them when we arrived.

This Musical is a hip-hop dance show and is set to the songs of Sting.  I grew up listening to Sting as my parents are big fans of his music. I haven’t listened to his music in years and wasn’t sure I would remember any of the songs, but as soon as they were played throughout the show I was able to relate these songs within the story. The story is done through a hip-hop, ballet, and contemporary dance journey and their energy throughout the whole performance was inviting. The opening number the dancers just kept coming and flying onto the stage with incredible tumbles and acrobatics.

There is lots of darkness and gloom but it sends a powerful message of love, hope, and survival. The interpretation of the story will remain within each individual.

Each Sting song was beautifully linked to each situation and the lighting, and projection dance is incredible to watch as the story unfolds. It lack emotion at times but remains a powerful story. It took a while for the story to unfold but during Act 2 it came to live and what a powerful ending.

The running time is 2 hours with an interval.

I would definitely recommend the show.  It was powerful and well worth seeing, with a standing aviation at the end that was well deserved. The whole audience up and joining in and clapping along with lots of cheering as the main cast showed off some dance moves to some well know Sting soundtracks.

The staff were very helpful and friendly as always.

There is no programme for this show however an information sheet on the website which can be found under the show information, this gives you a synopsis of the show, list of the order of songs, and a list of credits.

Rating: 4 of 5

Tickets range from £14.50 to £34.50

This show is running from the 11th May to 13th May at the Mayflower Southampton

Tickets can be booked online:
https://www.mayflower.org.uk/whats-on/message-in-a-bottle-2023/

Mayflower Theatre, 22-26 Commercial Rd, Southampton SO15 1GE