a place to inspire, a place for all

7 CHAIR’S WELCOME

9 AN EXTRAORDINARY THEATRE CO 11 FROM 1856 & BEYOND 13 OUR VISION

15 FACTS & FIGURES

17 ARTS AT OUR HEART

NT 19 A TWENTY FIRST CENTURY THEATRE

21 ONE GIANT LEAP

23 GET WITH THE PROGRAMME

25 BE PART OF OUR MAGIC

EN THANK YOU 27-29 TS 30 OUR TRUSTEES 7

a welcome from our Chair

Having lived in for over 40 years, I am honoured to be Chair of New Theatre Royal at this incredibly exciting time.

This is a unique chance to provide a cultural hub for Portsmouth that is focused on spreading the opportunity, excitement and enjoyment of arts across all communities in our city.

One of the most remarkable things about our theatre is the fusion of old and new. The clean modern lines of our new building combined with the beautiful Victorian architecture of the existing theatre create something truly wonderful. Equally as exciting is what will take place inside as we embrace all manner of exhilarating and eclectic art forms, from cutting-edge arts, new performers just starting out and local amateur dramatic productions to the best national performance groups.

We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the people that supported the theatre when we were closed and who fought tirelessly to keep it alive, I want to do justice to them and to this remarkable building.

Judith Smyth, Chair, New Theatre Royal 9

a extraordinary theatre Since first opening our doors Many colourful characters as a theatre in 1856, we have have walked our boards over enjoyed a long and fascinating the years including Ellen Terry, history. Despite many attempts Dame Peggy Ashcroft, Sarah of closure and demolition our Bernhardt, Laurel and Hardy, Grade II* listed theatre has Henry Irving and Twiggy. shown true resilience, surviving fire and war to remain a culturalContinually evolving to landmark in the heart of embrace changing social Portsmouth. trends, the theatre has accommodated the era of film, variety performance and even live wrestling in the early 1960s.

New Theatre Royal now starts a new chapter in its sensational history and we look forward to what the future has to offer.

New Theatre Royal is a National Portfolio Organisation, which means that we represent some of the best arts practice in the world. 11 from 1856 and beyond...

Hector Ross and Kim New Peacock New Theatre New Theatre Theatre Royal ran it as a Royal Royal reopens played host repertory suffered a with a new to stars such theatre, but devastating The first live partnership with The theatre The theatre as Laurel its success fire which performance the University was deemed wasredesigned and Hardy, was short- destroyed the in 20 years, of Portsmouth; to be an and enlarged by Morecombe lived. Dame backstage ‘All the a restored eyesore Frank Matcham. and Wise, Peggy area of the World’s A 19th century in the city The Theatre A stage roller Hughie Ashcroft and theatre. The Stage’ was auditorium and centre and Royal is was installed Green who Sir Edward fire curtain shown, a 21st century plans for opened enabled horses presented Woodward saved the as part of stage house demolition by Henry to gallop across Opportunity performed auditorium Portsmouth with improved started Rutley the stage Knocks there from damage Festivities accessibility

1856 1884 1900 1932 1948 1951 1957 1960 1966 1971 1972 1976 1980 1994 2015 to 1966

Owner and Thanks to the New Theatre The theatre Ken Russell The theatre The dressing Manager of protestations Royal operated as filmed was bought room the theatre of a young hosted the Portsmouth his iconic by the newly block was John Waters boy, Kenneth first ever Royal film ‘The formedTheatre demolished Boughton Edmunds live cookery Arena; a Boyfriend’ Royal Trust. and the engaged Gately, the show in the wrestling here The young boy first stop- C.J. Phipps theatre was UK and boxing who in 1932 start rebuild to rebuild converted to a venue. clamoured for began the theatre, cinema Giant it to be saved which was Haystacks by conversion opened on and Jackie to a cinema, 4th August Pallo became the 1884 and wrestled Chairman renamed there New Theatre Royal

Famous faces Arnold Schwarzenegger Big Daddy Alec Guiness Peter Sellers Sheila Hancock Frankie Howerd Kenny Baker Lenny Henry Charlie Chaplin Dame Ellen Terry Simon Callow 13

our vision... QUAL

New Theatre Royal will be a unique venue making a dynamic contribution to ITYCOM the cultural, educational, economic and social life of the community. MUNITY DIVER SITY

Our vision is to empower through Our new theatre will offer New Theatre Royal is your theatre. ‘Whether coming to enjoy a show, creativity and bring performances something for everyone. From We want you to feel a sense of learn new skills, put on your own and artistic opportunities to the professional drama, comedy and ownership and membership of it. event or simply enjoy a coffee in city. Rooted in everything we do dance to music, bingo and boxing our vibrant café area, we whole- is our commitment to three core - our aim is to present, develop heartedly welcome you to be a values - quality, diversity and and create high quality and part of this new and exciting era.’ community. diverse productions. Caroline Sharman, Artistic Director & CEO 15

NUMBER One of the only working we were OF SEATS IN Phipps/Matcham designed great words SAVED THE NEW theatres still in BY AUDITORIUM? operation in the UK “Treasured memories from my teens, thrilling restoration progress now and great expectations of things to come - this fabulous theatre ONE VOTE! will always be close to my heart.” - Paul Jones, lead singer OUR of Manfred Mann and BBC Broadcaster 700 a heritage theatre Merci, au charmant Directuer with a IS modern FAMOUS stage GRAFITTI the actress Sarah Bernhardt left her mark on the wall IN OUR in a dressing room!

FEATURED IN CHARLES of theatres 1 in the DICKENS’ NOVEL, UK Nicholas 175 A BUZZING which is a Nickleby CAFE NATIONAL PORTFOLIO ORGANISATION 17

Arts and performance is a universal cultural phenomenon enjoyed around the world. Drama, music, dance and comedy create colour, bring beauty and present diversity. Here are just some of the ways that the arts are vital to the 63 PERCENT development of individuals and our society… of the UK population have been to the theatre in the past year. (Source: EXPRESSION, Arts Council England, 2013) ESCAPISM, THE CREATIVE ENJOYMENT INDUSTRIES at As well as being somewhere that accounted for 1.71m jobs in 2013, arts our heart gives you a voice, the theatre is 5.6% of total UK jobs. somewhere for you to come and escape the rat-race. 76.9 BILLION MAKING was the value of the creative CONNECTIONS industries in 2013, 5% of the UK economy. (Source: Arts The arts can help you to reach Council England, 2013) out, break down barriers and unite with your community.

INSPIRATION TO EDUCATION

There is so much that the arts can teach us about how to be and communicate with one ‘A community another, both socially and in the workplace. with arts at its heart is a community ECONOMIC with value’ GROWTH Arts Council England The arts industry champions the development of your community, acting as a gateway into employment and driving business to other industries. 19

a twenty first century theatre

With improved accessibility, a 700-capacity auditorium, fantastic new backstage area, state-of-the-art education facilities and buzzing café, the theatre will be a thriving social hub, creative learning space and must-see visitor attraction. Alive and vibrant at all times, it will be the venue of choice for everyone in the community.

The centrepiece of our new theatre will be The Minghella Studio. Named after the great educator and filmmaker Antony Minghella CBE (pictured right), the contemporary space can be enjoyed and utilised by teachers, students, conference delegates and business leaders alike. It can also transform into a studio space for up to 90, to be used by world-class actors and directors as well as new local talent looking to hone their skills on and off the stage. 21 ONE

GIANT As an Arts Award Centre we have enabled nearly 200 young people aged from 6 – 15 to achieve their Arts Award LEAP qualification

New Theatre Royal is one of Arts Council England’s National Portfolio Organisations

Creative Lab is an innovative new programme where artists will get the chance to explore and experiment, pushing boundaries in the arts while also enhancing their Whether it be school Our innovative work with skills through mentorship. ...towards making the pupils enjoying off- the community, driven stage skills days, young by our commitment to arts more accessible offenders creating street- lifelong learning, has dance performances enabled us to bring arts to everyone or people with learning and audiences together difficulties performing to cement and grow with professional partnerships and helps dance companies, our us capture people’s passionate Creative stories throughout the Learning Department city. provides endless opportunities to open doors and minds. 23

MUSIC A live Mozart piano concerto to an unplugged rock band, we will bring music to your ears. get with the programme

We want to appeal to the whole community and our new programme will reflect the rich and diverse audiences of the city with ARTS From folk dance and classical theatre to sport, music and cultural street performers and immersive drama, you can events being as prominent find it all here. as arts, theatre and dance.

CULTURE From baking cakes to discovering atoms, enjoy an eclectic mix of entertainment and education inspired by every COMEDY Comedy is all in the timing, walk of life. you can see the funniest up-and-coming comics here first.

COMMUNITY Providing a stage for EDUCATION Whether its home-grown stars including local creative groups, workshops or masterclasses, we make amateur dramatic societies and schools. theatre come alive for the next generation. 25 Support the work of the theatre & be part of the magic

New Theatre Royal is extremely grateful to all its brand a become a fabulous supporters and businesses who make such a vital contribution to it success. We thrive on support production corporate from businesses, individuals, volunteers, and our This unique opportunity means partner your company branding will be community. Re-opening soon following a £5 million in the spotlight. By sponsoring Show your support for New rebuild and refurbishment there has never been a better a production your company will Theatre Royal and the important time for you to become part it of its magic. be associated with one of the cultural and economic part we south’s most exiting venues and play in the city by becoming a benefit from all its pre-launch corporate partner. In doing so a activity. You can host a first you will be able to align your make £5 donation night, receive backstage passes business with our rich heritage Become a part of New Theatre and invitations to rehearsals, and dedication to quality, Royal’s future by simply and take your branding out on diversity and community. You donating £5 towards our theatre tour with us across the UK. will benefit from year-round facilities, programming and showcasing of your company to essential work in the community. audiences from across the South and enjoy unique productions from both well-known and support our emerging artists. As our partner, you can take advantage of youth theatre take a our bespoke package for staff (5-18 yrs) training, away days, media handling and communications Your support will help provide seat workshops. Your partnership will opportunities for young people for also give you brand exposure to experience theatre and in adverting, flyers, brochures, develop a range of performance posters and programmes. You skills. These fun but educational £215 could even treat staff or clients sessions involve a range of This is a once in a lifetime to a backstage tour and benefit skills based workshops that opportunity to sponsor a seat in from reduced ticket rates and complement productions and our newly refurbished theatre. It’s a priority booking. end of term shows, giving very special way of remembering a members the confidence and loved one, celebrating that special experience they need to create anniversary or birthday or your quality performances they can way of showing us how passionate be proud of. you are about the theatre. It could even be a constant reminder of your own or your drama group’s last your spectacular performance! Open host sponsor a to everyone, you can use your seat own event as a unique gift or to promote your Our new theatre boasts a workshop business. Sponsorship includes a plaque with the name of your choice range of unique spaces that are By sponsoring one of our and is for the lifetime of the seat. available for you to use to host education, performance or various events. You can hold your writing workshops, you will AGM with us, a product launch play an important role in or bring your staff together helping us reach people of We are looking to work with businesses of for team building and to learn all ages in the community. presentation or public speaking We are also committed to all sizes and can create bespoke packages skills. As well as our state-of-the- providing valuable skills to to meet your needs. Come and join us on art facilities we can also provide those young people who do workshops and entertainment, not normally have access to our journey and reach a huge regional and all within the beautiful the creative arts. Your vital setting of our Grade II* listed sponsorship could be the audience while demonstrating your support building located in the heart of spark that changes a child’s the city and only 2 minutes from life. for the local community and the arts. the railway station.

To find out more about how you can get involved call us on 023 92 778996 or email our Director of Development & Fundraising, Fiona Wilson - [email protected] 27

to Having made significant thank you our Patrons contributions to the arts, our patrons inspire future artistic talent and work alongside us to support the success of the TH theatre. Sheila Hancock CBE

Paul Jones

Becky Kitter

Sir Peter Maxwell-Davis CBE

Brian Murphy ANK Christopher Timothy

Sandi Toskvig

Twiggy

Timothy West

Beatie Wolfe YOU 29

It is down to the support and generosity to of many that New Theatre Royal has been ... and our Supporters reinvigorated to become one of the most modern and exciting theatres in the country.

Arts Council England Brittany Ferries TH Condor Office Solutions Coutts & Co The Foyle Foundation Garfield Weston Foundation Chamber of Commerce Hampshire County Council Heritage Lottery Fund The Hornpipe Theatre’s Trust The Joyce Fletcher Charitable Trust Mary Rose Trust The Monument Trust ANK Parity Trust Partnership for Urban South Hampshire Portsmouth City Council Portsmouth Football Club The Southern Cooperative Strand Harbour Management The Trefoil Trust University of Portsmouth The Wolfson Foundation

YOU ... and all those anonymous supporters who have given both their time and money to help save our lovely theatre our Trustees

Susan Aistrope

Krysia Botowoskia

Colin Brady

Josh Brown

Professor Catherine Harper

Tim Herman

Alan Massey

Drusilla Moody

David Penrose

Caroline Sharman

Judith Smyth (Chair)

Cllr Linda Symes

Paul Taylor This document is available in large print upon request

20-24 Guildhall Walk, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO1 2DD Box Office: 023 9264 9000 newtheatreroyal.com @newtheatreroyal facebook.com/newtheatreroyal

The New Theatre Royal Trustees (Portsmouth) Limited is a registered charity no. 271976 and is a company limited by guarantee and registered in London, no.1266053. Registered office as above.