Portsmouth Guildhall has today launched its Spring Season of shows and entertainment to take place in its Studio space with the brand-new identity of The Lens.
The new name for the venue formerly known as Guildhall Studio focusses a ray of light on the best in contemporary art and culture in the heart of Portsmouth with a diverse and eclectic programme of music, theatre, comedy and family entertainment.
The new name and logo design, inspired by the architectural ‘lens’ disks which can be seen in the Guildhall’s Box Office and foyers, establishes a more unique identity for the Studio space which opened in 2018.
Known for its rich and varied programme of emerging and established music and comic talent, powerful drama and beautiful family theatre, The Lens offers the opportunity to experience something new and different in a more intimate setting. Plus, with most tickets under the £20 mark (starting from just £3) The Lens offers a more affordable option of entertainment.
Welcoming some of the finest blues, jazz and folk musicians in the business, some of the region’s most exciting new music talent has also performed including The Lottery Winners and Red Faces presented by LMSUK, with The People’s Lounge’ popular World Music Village at Victorious Festival recreated in a series across the spectrums of electronic, nu-funk, neo-soul, Latin and African music.
CEO Andy Grays said, “Since opening in 2018 we are delighted with how the Studio and programme has developed independently of the main auditorium to offer something completely different within the city. We are excited to now further develop this unique identity and connection with artists and the community with our new name; The Lens.”
Read all about our latest season at The Lens:
Family Theatre
The Science Balloon Show (ages 4+)
Balloons are fun, right? Becky the Balloonatic wants you to see just how much we can learn from them. What is a prediction? How do we do an experiment? Full of spills, thrills and explosions!
19th March 2023 | £6 Adult & Child Ticket | BOOK NOW
Curious Investigators (ages 3-7)
Curious Investigators is a cracking adventure created in collaboration with engineering experts from Lancaster University: a delightfully surprising, highly visual show for 3–7 year olds and their grown-ups.
16th April 2023 | £6 Adult & Child Ticket | BOOK NOW
Journey to the Stars (4+)
It’s time to go on a Journey to the Stars! Let Squashbox Theatre be your guide on a journey through the universe: across the solar system, past twinkling stars, towards distant galaxies…to the edge of space and time itself!
27th May 2023 | £6 Adult & Child Ticket | BOOK NOW
Apple n Spice (3+)
Introduce children to storytelling, dance and shadow puppetry with Apple ‘N’ Spice, an original, interactive and multi-cultural dance performance.This new fairy tale tells the story of two stepmothers; one from the East and one from the West, watch the plot thicken as their stories entwine.
25th June 2023 | £6 Adult & Child Ticket | BOOK NOW
DIG! (6 months – 2 years)
As the sun comes up on a new day, the garden wakes up with busy bugs and wriggling worms! Join us for a gentle first theatre experience, perfect for the very young with music, rhythm and singing.
9th July 2023 | £6 Adult & Child Ticket | BOOK NOW
Theatre
Showbait
A showcase spotlighting selected 10 minute plays celebrating Crowbait’s first year in the UK. Each month playwrights have brought scripts with actors drawn from a hat to perform them and Audiences voted on the scripts to be performed.
18th February 2023 | £12.50 | BOOK NOW
SOLD
When auto-biographer Mary Prince tells of her extraordinary journey to overcome the brutality of slavery she becomes a beacon for the British anti-slavery movement. Through theatre, song, music, drumming and dance, SOLD is a masterpiece of Black British theatre.
26th March 2023 | £12 | BOOK NOW
Nothing Happens (Twice)
A journey of discovery into the real meaning of success. Funny and anarchic, honest and touching, this deeply personal show asks if making theatre is such hard work, why do we keep on doing it?
18th April 2023 | £12 | BOOK NOW
MUSIC
The Cinelli Brothers
The Cinelli Brothers have a passion for the music of the 1960’s, an amalgam of blues, rock and soul, and add a twist of contemporary style, making them a rising force on the music scene.
19th April 2023 | £17.30 | BOOK NOW
Jennifer Owens
Jennifer Owens is one of the finest vocalists you will hear today. Her timeless style, and emotive delivery have gained her an impressive audience of over one million between her social media platforms.
29th April 2023 | £20 | BOOK NOW