The Empire Theatre was established in 1928 by Moss Empires and changed its name in 1950 to the Gaumont when it was purchased by the Rank Organisation. In 1986 the theatre was bought by Southampton City Council, after a public enquiry, to prevent it from being turned into a bingo hall. The theatre was renamed Mayflower Theatre and reopened in February 1987 when The Mayflower Theatre Trust was established to manage the theatre.
We are the biggest theatre on the south coast with just over 2,270 seats in our auditorium. Our aim is to bring a diverse range of shows to Southampton, and we present a mixture of spectacular touring productions, from musicals – many direct from the West End – to dance, opera, drama, ballet and comedy.
We run as an independent theatre and operate as a charitable trust – we don’t receive direct funding from any external bodies, so all the money generated from tickets sales is invested back into the theatre, to support our community and education strategies and ensure the upkeep of our Grade II listed theatre
Upcoming events at The Southampton Mayflower Theatre
Rambert Dance Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby
Written and adapted for the stage by Peaky Blinders’ creator Steven Knight, Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby is a dance theatre show directed and choreographed by Rambert’s Artistic Director Benoit Swan Pouffer. The production will feature the 20 permanent Rambert dance company on stage, and a live band playing specially commissioned music.
War Horse
War Horse is an unforgettable theatrical experience which takes audiences on an extraordinary journey from the fields of rural Devon to the trenches of First World War France.
Jools Holland & his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra
Jools Holland & his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra with special guests Marc Almond and Toby Lee
Hairspray
Hairspray the Musical is back on tour near you
Some Guys Have All The Luck
Some Guys Have All The Luck – The Rod Stewart Story is back in theatres with its hotly anticipated new production.
Unfortunate – The Untold Story Of Ursula The Sea Witch A Musical Parody
Disney villain. Octo-woman. Plus-size icon. Fresh from complete sell out runs at the Edinburgh Fringe...
David Essex
David Essex has enjoyed a remarkable career that has combined concerts, records, theatre, composing, films and television with striking success
& Juliet
What if Juliet’s famous ending was really just her beginning? What if she decided to...
Come From Away
7,000 Stranded Passengers. One Small Town. A Remarkable True Story.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
The most fantasmagorical musical of all time is flying into a venue near you in 2024!
An Officer and a Gentleman the Musical
An Officer and a Gentleman is an inspiring, breathtakingly romantic musical and celebrates triumph over adversity
Hamilton On Tour
Lin-Manuel Miranda’s multi award-winning cultural phenomenon Hamilton is touring the UK for the very first time in 2023/2024.
Wicked The Musical UK Tour
Wicked, the West End and Broadway musical sensation is flying around the UK on a 23/24 tour.
Pretty Woman The Musical
Big night out. Big. HUGE. Pretty Woman: The Musical is finally embarking on a UK and Ireland tour.
Life of Pi
After a cargo ship sinks in the middle of the vast Pacific Ocean, there are five survivors stranded on a lifeboat - a hyena, a zebra, an orangutan, a Royal Bengal tiger, and a sixteen year-old boy named Pi. Time is against them, nature is harsh, who will survive?
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