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
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
The Sleeping Beauty, Birmingham Royal Ballet
Cursed by a wicked fairy, a beautiful princess pricks her finger and falls into a deep sleep that can only be broken by true love’s kiss.
Candace Bushnell – True Tales of Sex, Success and Sex and the City
Candace Bushnell’s acclaimed one woman show True Tales of Sex, Success and Sex and the City.
& Juliet
What if Juliet’s famous ending was really just her beginning? What if she decided to...
Hairspray The Musical UK Tour
The musical phenomenon Hairspray returns!
Matthew Bourne’s Edward Scissorhands
Matthew Bourne’s magical dance production of Edward Scissorhands has carved a place in the hearts of audiences world-wide since its premiere in 2005.
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
Ten strangers are lured to a solitary mansion off the coast of Devon.
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
Bonnie and Clyde
Two small-town kids from the middle of nowhere became the biggest folk heroes in all America. They craved adventure - and each other. Their names were Bonnie and Clyde.
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.
I Should Be So Lucky – The Stock Aitken Waterman Musical
It’s here. All the hit-factory songs you love - finally on stage in an all-new musical.
The Wizard of Oz
The Producer of the smash-hit Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat presents a brand-new production of THE WIZARD OF OZ, one of the world’s most beloved musicals.
Wicked The Musical UK Tour
Wicked, the West End and Broadway musical sensation is flying around the UK on a 23/24 tour.
Jesus Christ Superstar
Mesmerizing new production of the iconic global phenomenon, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR
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?
Shrek The Musical
Based on the Oscar winning DreamWorks film, the Broadway and West End smash hit Shrek the Musical is a fun filled and hilarious musical comedy with a cast of vibrant characters and a ‘shrek-tackular’ score.
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