Tickets for our opening shows are now on sale following a refurbishment project of over £4.5 million to restore it back to its former glory and bring it into the 21st Century. The curtain will be raised for the first time in four years on the 15th October with The Great Gatsby.
A glamorous new stage adaptation from the nationally acclaimed, Blackeyed Theatre, audiences will be immersed in the decadence of America’s ‘Jazz Age’ as the sights, sounds and feel of the ‘Roaring Twenties’ are recreated. Featuring fabulous live music alongside the timeless language of Fitzgerald’s Great American Novel, this exciting new production runs until 17th October and promises to deliver a dazzling start to the theatre’s next chapter.
Much loved US born comedian Ruby Wax is also due to grace the stage on the 24th November as she brings her latest show, Sane New World, to Portsmouth. Other comedians lined up to follow in Ruby’s footsteps include both international comedy acts as well as emerging new talent.
Sheena Hulme, Operations Director at NTR, comments: “This is just the start of an exciting new programme of events that will give audiences a taster of what is to come next year when we launch our full Spring/Summer programme. This will include world-class professional drama, dance, music, comedy and children’s performances and events – there will be something for everyone to enjoy.”
Following its restoration, the theatre can now hold up to 700 and has had extensive work carried out to restore the stage, fly-tower and backstage area, while also improving accessibility to the theatre. The rebuild also brings with it new café and bar areas as well as a brand new studio space, a legacy to the great educator and filmmaker Antony Minghella CBE, who studied in Portsmouth and went on to have a 30-year career as a director, producer and actor.
“The revival of New Theatre Royal is about much more than the restoration of the beloved, historic building – it is about supporting the creation of jobs, driving traffic to local businesses and developing a new state-of-the art space for the community to enjoy,” said Caroline Sharman, CEO at NTR.
“New Theatre Royal will become a destination for local people and visitors alike, and provide real community benefits in the process.”