Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra announces partnership with Mayflower Theatre

Florence Lockheart
Monday, April 24, 2023

The orchestra's partnership with the South Coast’s biggest theatre will bring symphonic and chamber-scale concerts to Southampton audiences, as well as opportunities for emerging talent

The musicians of the BSO will perform regularly at Southampton's Mayflower Theatre as part of a new partnership with the grade II listed venue ©BSO
The musicians of the BSO will perform regularly at Southampton's Mayflower Theatre as part of a new partnership with the grade II listed venue ©BSO

Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (BSO) has announced a new partnership with Southampton’s Mayflower Theatre. The collaboration will provide Southampton audiences with a series of concerts at both Mayflower Theatre and the city’s community creative hub at MAST Mayflower Studios.

The first concert of the new partnership took place last weekend (22 April) with the BSO’s Southampton-based community choir, BSO Voices, joining forces with the orchestra in a programme celebrating Disney composer Alan Menken. Next year, the orchestra will bring Southampton audiences a New Year’s Viennese Gala (6 January) before another film-themed programme of music by John Williams and Hans Zimmer (9 March).

Mayflower Theatre chief executive Michael Ockwell said: ‘Both Mayflower Theatre and MAST Mayflower Studios are thrilled to become a regular host for the BSO and establishing another home for their great music within Southampton. Community is of great importance to Mayflower Theatre and MAST, and we are excited to explore the potential outreach opportunities which will come from this partnership.’

The 2,270-seat grade II listed Mayflower Theatre is the South Coast’s biggest theatre. As well as presenting orchestral concerts, the theatre will also host future events in collaboration with the Southampton and Isle of Wight Music Hub designed to support emerging talent. The next generation of audiences will also be served by this new partnership with MAST Mayflower Studios hosting family-friendly chamber-scale performances as part of the orchestra’s BSO On Your Doorstep series.

BSO chief executive Dougie Scarfe said: ‘There is a compelling dynamism for culture in Southampton, something that was brilliantly captured in its shortlisted bid for the UK’s City of Culture 2025 and subsequent foundation of Southampton Culture Trust. We’re excited to play a role in helping to shape the next chapter and this new partnership builds on our existing relationships with local music hubs and venue partners.’