MAYFLOWER Theatre opens its 2017 account with Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story next week.

With the curtain coming down on pantomime season this weekend, it's time to tell the enduring tale of the musical icon’s meteoric rise to fame and his final legendary performance at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa, before his tragic and untimely death at the age of 22.

See how, in 18 short months, the Texas-born boy revolutionized the face of contemporary music influencing everyone from The Beatles to Bruce Springsteen from Wednesday to Saturday.

Next up in the winter / spring season, will be Bill Kenwright’s production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s Evita (January 17 to 21). Telling the story of Eva Peron, wife of former Argentine dictator Juan Peron, Evita follows Eva’s journey from humble beginnings through to extraordinary wealth, power and iconic status which ultimately lead her to be heralded as the ‘spiritual leader of the nation’ by the Argentine people.

Birmingham Royal Ballet are back in Southampton from January 25 to 28, this time with Cinderella, which is a sure-fire mix of wonderful dance, spectacular scenery, and a cast of characters that include mice, lizards and even a dancing frog.

Nearly thirty years since The Commitments first burst from the pages of Roddy Doyle’s best-selling novel, the world's hardest working soul band will be on stage from January 31 to February 4 as part of a UK and Ireland tour. The Commitments tells the story of Jimmy Rabbitte, a young working class music fan, who shapes an unlikely bunch of amateur musicians into an amazing live act.

Acclaimed by audiences and critics alike, Billy Elliot the Musical arrives on February 7 until March 4. Set in a northern mining town, against the background of the 1984/’85 miners’ strike, Billy’s journey takes him out of the boxing ring and into a ballet class where he discovers a passion for dance that inspires his family and whole community and changes his life forever.

Panto star Shane Richie returns will star in the next thrilling stage adaptation of multi-million selling author Peter James’ Not Dead Enough, alongside leading television presenter Laura Whitmore from March 7 to 11. On the night Brian Bishop murdered his wife, he was 60 miles away, asleep in bed. At least that’s what he claims. But as Detective Superintendent Roy Grace (Richie) continues to deal with the mysterious disappearance of his own wife, he starts to dig a little deeper into the chilling murder case and it soon becomes clear that love can be a dangerous thing.

Ghost The Musical (March 14 to 18) brings all the romance and magic of the classic story to life with stunning musical and illusions. Walking back to their apartment late one night, a tragic encounter sees Sam murdered and his beloved girlfriend Molly alone, in despair and utterly lost. But with the help of a phony psychic Sam, trapped between this world and the next, tries to communicate with Molly in the hope of saving her from grave danger…

A beloved fairy tale and Academy Award-winning movie, The Red Shoes (March 21 to 25) has seduced audiences and inspired generations with its tale of obsession, possession and one girl’s dream to be the greatest dancer in the world. Matthew Bourne’s magical adaptation is set to a new score arranged by Terry Davies using the music of golden-age Hollywood composer, Bernard Herrmann (famous for his work with Alfred Hitchcock and Orson Welles), with sumptuous set and costume designs by Lez Brotherston, Paule Constable (lighting) and Paul Groothuis (Sound).

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is back from March 27 to April 1. The show tells the story of 15-year-old Christopher Boone. He stands beside Mrs Shears’ dead dog, which has been speared with a garden fork, it is seven minutes after midnight and Christopher is under suspicion. He records each fact in a book he is writing to solve the mystery of who murdered Wellington. He has an extraordinary brain, and is exceptional at maths while ill-equipped to interpret everyday life. He has never ventured alone beyond the end of his road, he detests being touched and distrusts strangers. But his detective work, forbidden by his father, takes him on a frightening journey that upturns his world.

Step back in time and get ready for the biggest party in town! A sparkling new production of The Wedding Singer will play Southampton for one week only from April 4 to 8. Jon Robyns, Ray Quinn, Cassie Compton, Roxanne Pallett and Ruth Madoc will star in the hilarious musical based on the hit film.

Hailed by the New York Times as “inspirational”, Wonderland (April 18 to 22) is an enchanting musical adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass, with a huge heart, a medley of magic and a whole lot of wonder.

Le Vin herbé, La bohème and Madam Butterfly make up Welsh National Opera’s Love’s Poisoned Chalice season which comes to Mayflower Theatre from April 25 to 29. This season takes audiences on a journey of love, passion, heartbreak and tragedy through some of opera’s greatest tear jerking music.

Tickets for all the spring shows are available from 023 8071 1811 or mayflower.org.uk