Things to do in Southampton this weekend (February 2 to 4)

Enjoy backstage theatre tours, Chinese New Year celebrations, karaoke with a difference and  more in and around Southampton this weekend...

At Mayflower Theatre...

A new and improved backstage tour will be launched as the historic city venue opens its doors to the public during an open day on Saturday.

A tour programme, dubbed an 'inspiring place' and launched by panto star Ashley Banjo, will see tours tailored to different groups, including private family interactive tours, student focused tours and heritage backstage tours.

During tours of the 2,271-seat Grade II-listed building, theatre lovers will be able to see the rich history of the venue as they are led by the theatre's experienced team of tour guides. They will get the opportunity to see where the magic is made in the dressing rooms, on the fly floor and other backstage areas, as well as a chance to stand on Mayflower Theatre’s stage.

Visitors can enjoy access to archive materials and enjoy behind the scenes imagery captured by Danny Kaan on his series of Access All Areas shoots.

At MAST Mayflower Studios...

Join UK Shaolin for an enchanting celebration of the Chinese New Year.

Immerse yourself in the rich culture, traditions, and vibrant performances that mark the beginning of the Year of the Dragon!

Be amazed by the incredible skills of Kung Fu artists as they showcase breathtaking martial arts displays, witness the mesmerising Lion and Dragon Dance, a symbol of good luck and fortune and enjoy live music performances featuring traditional Chinese instruments and captivating dance routines that blend modern and traditional styles.

The show, one of the first Chinese New Year celebrations to take place in the city, gets underway at 3pm and lasts around two and a half hours with an interval.

At Engine Rooms Southampton...

Barrioke is back! 

The hilarious show that allows the audience to sing along with a TV legend returns on Saturday following previous sell outs. 

Former Eastenders and Extras star Shaun Williamson is promising fans a fun-packed evening of karaoke and humour, in which he will duet on every song.

The actor, who played Barry Evans in the soap, and his Barrioke show have taken the festival scene by storm and enjoyed previous outings at The Joiners and The Engine Rooms.

Shaun hosts the event with his usual trademark warmth and teasing banter, accompanying participants on stage, creating riotous fun and the ultimate Instagram moment.  

At St Mary's Stadium...

Southampton Women grace the hallowed turf on Sunday when they take on Crystal Palace in a pivotal Championship clash. 

They currently sit third in the table and could go top, depending on the results of leaders Charlton Athletic and second placed Sunderland.

Crystal Palace, the previous club of striker Rianna Dean, lie in fifth spot, three points behind Saints. 

At Mayflower Theatre...

The international best-selling novelist Candace Bushnell – author and creator of TV’s iconic TV drama Sex and the City -  takes a whirlwind tour of New York City, sharing her remarkable philosophy through stories of fashion, literature. . . and, of course, sex when True Tales of Sex, Success and Sex and the City visits Southampton on Friday.

Candace’s column in the New York Observer inspired the legendary TV series, which went on to win multiple Emmy, Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Awards and spawned two box office-busting films. Her books and screen successes redefined modern relationships in the Nineties and Noughties.

This incredible onstage memoir unravels at a quick pace - from Candace’s arrival in New York City with just $20 in her pocket, to features in Time Magazine, the New York Times and Variety Magazine, and interviews with Oprah Winfrey.

Always provocative, the literary phenomenon’s life story is crafted into an inspirational and entertaining stage show.