The Berry Theatre

Just one week until our pre-Edinburgh Festival comedy gig! We can't wait to see this double-bill of hotly-tipped comedy acts Alice Marshall and Edd Hedges, who we think will take this year’s festival by storm.

On sale now!
She's Merkel To His Trump. He's Boris to her Theresa. Two of Britain's finest impressionists come together in the ultimate Special Relationship.
Featuring personalities from Farage to Lumley, Diane Abbott to Fiona Bruce and the sublime to Jacob Rees Mogg. Over 30 characters for the price of 2 (3 at weekends). A unique mix of impressions and satire from the stars of Bremner, Bird and Fortune and Dead Ringers.
... “Rory Bremner is “a prodigiously gifted vocal comic” - TELEGRAPH
“Jan Ravens... The perfect mimic for our times” - OBSERVER
Age suitability: 16+ Tickets: £20 / £18 concessions Running time: 90 mins + interval
See More

Unfortunately it's not coming home just yet, but a huge well done to the England team who have done us all proud at this tournament!

Our Creative Programme Producer for Theatre Lewis spent time with Stuff and Nonsense Theatre Company and students from Norwood School earlier this week to look at the joy of devising. Read all about it in his blog following the link below. It's a lovely read!

Up next in The Point's summer outdoor family programme, is ABC Concerts with Strings and Things - a delightful musical journey for families where you are invited to clap, sing, and dance along to the wonderful live music... and even changing a nappy is ok! The perfect Saturday activity for all the family, with tickets from just £6. Visit: https://bit.ly/2KIbZ5w for more info and to book.

We are currently experiencing a few technical problems with card payments at our Box Office. Please bring cash for on the door payments where possible. Apologies for any inconvenience.

This will be such a wonderful day out for families! Head on down to our sister venue The Point this Saturday for this brightly coloured treat of a show by the lovely Commotion Dance. Tickets are just £3 per person or £10 for a family of four. There's also the chance to enjoy a delicious BBQ lunch, yummy ice creams and a free workshop too! Help us spread the word and see you there 🌞

We're delighted that Tabby McTat will be visiting us in October, tickets are selling fast so book yours here: https://goo.gl/Siyg7C

In a world where rainy days and Mondays collide, one man’s solitary journey to find himself has only just begun…
Matthew Floyd Jones (the piano player from Frisky and Mannish) plays the piano player from The Carpenters in a razor-sharp parody play about a life spent playing the piano.
Richard used to be on top of the world, to the left of (and slightly behind) Karen. Now he’s back with a vengeance, only to find out it’s not exactly yesterday once more anymore.
... DISCLAIMER: This Award-Winning Fringe hit show is not endorsed by the real Richard Carpenter.
“A uniquely talented performer... meticulously constructed... the bittersweet comedy narrative is priceless” ★★★★ The Stage
See More

The weather is set to be lovely all week! 🌞😎 If you're looking to get outside with kids this weekend and keep them well and truly entertained, then join us at The Point our sister venue, for their Family Fun Days. First up this weekend on the garden stage, is the delightful puppet show Reynard the Fox by The Fabularium. With interactive workshops in between shows, family friendly play area and outdoor bar, we know where we're going to be on Saturday! https://bit.ly/2GtHVoX

Join us at our sister venue The Point this weekend for this hilariously titled show... it's one for kids, little and big!

In case you missed it, two excellent shows have just gone on sale!
For uncanny impressions of all your favourites from Captain Mainwaring to Private Pike, don't miss Dad's Army Radio Hour, broadcasting here on Friday 12th October. 2 actors play 25 characters in a 'pretty much perfect feat of mimicry' (The Times) celebrating 50 years of Jimmy Perry and David Croft's quintessential sitcom.
Then looking waaaaaay ahead to May 2019, the one and only Gyles Brandreth pops in for a d...azzling show filled with wit, wisdom, high drama, low comedy and hilarious name-dropping.
Book your tickets now! https://goo.gl/HQimxX
See More

They say all political careers end in tears. In Gyles Brandreth's case it's tears of laughter as the actor, author, ex-MP, One Show reporter and QI, Have I Got News For You and Countdown star is back on tour with his new show celebrating all things theatrical. Without hesitation or repetition (and just a touch of deviation), Just a Minute regular Gyles delivers a dazzling hour of wit, wisdom, high drama, low comedy, and hilarious name-dropping.

Our summer programme for families may be coming to an end... but the fun doesn't stop there!
Head over to our sister venue The Point for their Summer Social season - enjoy FIVE consecutive weekends of Outdoor Family Fun! Starting with FREE festival Eastleigh Unwrapped and circus spectacle Children are stinky on Sat 23rd June. Then catch The Fabularium Reynard the Fox (30th June), Commotion Dance Little Artist: Big Painting (7th July), ABC Concerts Strings & Things (14th July) and PaddleBoat Theatre Company's Rustle (21st July). WOW, what a line-up!

WIN!
For your chance to win tickets to Flanders & Swann: At the Drop of a Hippopotamus tomorrow, enter here... https://goo.gl/forms/gMSyjq8j4UCLqKdD3

Good morning! It's Moomin's day here at The Berry Theatre! Escape the grey weather and join us for one of three shows, tickets are just £8 for adults and £6 for children!

It looks like it's going to be a dull, grey half-term, so why not put some colour back into it with the hilarious Big Howard Little Howard as they take to our stage (and screen!) tomorrow?
https://goo.gl/g7u9fy

Getting Saturday Storytime withdrawal?
We hear you... but don't fret! You can head on over to our sister venue The Point in June where there's not one but two chances to take a trip into the story wood for the usual bonkers Saturday morning adventure. Check it out below!

Just over a week to go until we present the critically acclaimed Flanders and Swann Tour. Don't miss award-winning comedian Tim FitzHigham and BBC Radio 4 musical maestro Duncan Walsh Atkins as they bring to life the wit and wordplay of ingenious comedy songsmiths Flanders and Swann, in this much-loved, nostalgic gem of a show.
For more info and tickets join the event below!

The very lovable Moomins are travelling from Moominvalley to Hedge End this summer half-term with the help of Get Lost & Found, here's a little taste of what to expect...

Wow! Thank you to the Berry Theatre for organising an amazing experience today when we came to watch A Stuff of Nonsense Play. It was my first time visiting the theatre and I was really impressed with the facilities.



In particular I cannot thank Nikki McCretton ( Artistic Director and Writer at the Stuff of Nonsense company) and her team enough! Today we came to watch The Elves and the Shoemaker at the Berry Theatre in Hedge End, Southampton. My son has many autistic traits and one thing we've always really struggled with is taking him to the theatre or cinema. He gets extremely distressed and can become violent at the very mention of going to see a film or play. Once he even ended up watching a pantomime in the green room as he couldn't cope with the noise and peril! We decided however to try him again, now he's almost 7, with one of the stuff of nonsense plays (my sister had previously taken my daughter and her sons to a previous production and they had all really enjoyed it). My sister very thoughtfully contacted the Berry Theatre and arranged for us to have a tour before the start of the show to try and help him become less anxious about the experience.



Well, what a difference, following our excellent tour where we were shown where the lights and music are controlled, the back of the stage and were introduced to the fabulous actors and puppets, my son sat and was enthralled. At the end of the performance he even did a standing ovation! Nikki invited us back at the end to thank the actors and show their cousins what it looked like. Thank you so much Nikki and the team, including the Berry Theatre, watching my son brought tears to my eyes and when asked what he thought of the show, his reply was 'It was awesome, epic'.



It truly was an epic experience from the start to end, one that has really helped my son begin to overcome one of his big fears.

We went to watch Little red riding hood last night and I have to say it was Fabulous! My little captain america and minion loved every second. It was the perfect way to start our christmas holidays, with a small cosy play full of excitment, education (loved the new words song), beautiful singing and no loud scary shouting out or big booming noises. Our youngest has sensory issues and we were so worried hed be freaked out. It really helped that the actors came and chatted to everyone before the play started. I wish i could give it 10 stars!

We went to see a musical booked at the last minute and it was fantastic. The theatre is lovely, clean and modern. The staff are very friendly and pleasant. The performance Made In Dagenham was excellent and your actors were extremely good. We are planning on going back to see a children's performance in the half term as so impressed with the venue.

We saw little red riding hood at 3pm today it was great there was 35 of us all the children and adults enjoyed it perfect length for children we will keep a look out for whats on in future well done xx

We had our first visit today to see 'Jack' and can't praise the venue enough. The staff provided first class personalised service and took the time to talk to my little boy even remembering his name when leaving. Superb facilities and we have already booked to visit again.

Watched tonight The Secret Garden and thought it was absolutely fantastic. Everyone involved should be very proud of themselves, costumes, cast and all who worked behind the scenes were just excellent. Everyone clearly worked so hard and put 100% effort into it and it showed. Well done all.

The staff are always great and the venue itself is a good performance space. Last night I was there watching a theatre live broadcast which is a good way of seeing RSC and NT productions at a reasonable price. Been there several times and always recommend it.

Santas Little Trolls was a really good show. We enjoyed it as much as our 5 year old did! Great props :-) Lovely venue too.

Our daughter was dancing in Treasure island with LKSA. We loved the show, the whole cast were brilliant! Would definitely come again! Thanks.. & having never been to The Berry Theatre before, we were surprised how lovely it is, can't believe we never knew of it before now. Please pass our well done's on to the whole cast a crew for a fab panto! X

Lovely theatre the children really enjoyed their experience watching Chester Tuffnut We had a two and a half year old and a four year old .I liked how the actors interacted with the children in the audience before the show and the meet the puppets experience after the show . Appreciated the booster cushions for the little ones. We have also attended some of the adult productions and have never been disappointed keep up the good work Berry we're lucky to have you.

Just watched the Little Red Hen show. The kids loved it and adults enjoyed it just as much! It was one of the best kids shows we have been to; acting and puppetry was great, the length of the show was just right and the theatre is lovely.

Just been to see Nicobobinus with my daughter and neice. Quite simply a superb production. The best show we have seen yet at the fabulous Berry Theatre. 2 hours of pure entertainment on my doorstep for less than cost of a takeaway pizza.

Just back from our first visit to The Berry and seeing The Death of Stalin, and we will most definitely be returning. Very comfortable and welcoming Theatre. Easy to get to and lots going on. Thank you. �

It's a wonderful theatre with a good access for wheelchairs. Ramps, toilets and a normal place between the other people. They just remove some chairs. Behind the stage it's also accessible. Very nice theatre and also have balconies.

I was just playin Adam in the little red hen that was at the Berry Theatre for a couple of weeks and it was by far the best theatre I've ever worked in. The whole team were fantastic, from front of house, to ushers to the tech team. Special shout out to Shaun who was exceptional; a lovely, cool and easy going guy who made the whole experience just perfect. Seriously good audiences, lovely local people who were very responsive and great fun. Thanks for letting us have the best job in the world. Gareth.

I think last night with Omid Djalili was possibly the best comedy evening I've been to at The Berry Theatre, allowing for personal taste. However, we have seen Jo Brand, Josh Widdecombe, Shappi Khorsandi & others. Please don't stop bringing comedy to Hedge End, we love it!

Brilliant community venue! Really well co-ordinated & perfect for communities to share their talents. My daughter is 5 & had her first on stage experience - she couldn't have wished for better!

Been to see Little Red Riding Hood this evening. My friend and I and our 4 year old boys loved it. An amusing rendition of a classic story. Just the right length performance and the children were kept engaged throughout.

This was my first visit to the Berry Theatre. Lovely venue, very friendly and welcoming staff, nice bar area and free car parking.

We will be coming again in 2016!