There’s lots of good theatre in store for the early summer – and we’ve thrown in a few other special literary activities that we don’t want you to miss too!
Pick of the Pops Story Competition, running now until 31 May
Victory Radio and the Portsmouth Authors Collective have joined forces for a unique competition this month! We reckon this is a perfect opportunity for anyone who would like to have a crack at writing a short story for the first time, as well as more experienced writers looking for wider exposure.
Linking to Victory’s theme of nostalgic music, all you need to do is pick a song you love from the 1950s to 2000s period and write a 600-word story that connects to the song title. The top ten stories will be broadcast on Victory Radio, and there are some great prizes to be won too. Go on, have a go, we dare you! Enter for just £5 using the link in the header.
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, Kings Theatre 7-11 May
If you haven’t heard about this quirky smash-hit musical yet, where have you been?
It’s coming to Portsmouth this month and Lou’s really looking forward to it – I suggest you have a read of her review this week!
Life of Pi, Mayflower Theatre Southampton 14-18 May
If you missed it at Chichester, you’ve got a final chance to catch the first UK tour of this massive hit in Southampton. Based on the book which won the Man Booker Prize and has sold more than 15 million copies, this is a story of an epic journey and a tale of endurance and hope!
Join Pi after an epic storm in the Pacific Ocean, stranded on a lifeboat with four other survivors – a hyena, a zebra, an orangutan, and a Royal Bengal tiger… What could go wrong? Tickets from £19.50.
The Freshwater Five, The Spring Havant 16 May
I’m gutted to be missing this one, it sounds fascinating! In 2011, five Isle of Wight fishermen were sentenced to a total of 104 years in prison for conspiring to import £53m worth of cocaine. However, they have always professed their innocence and their tale has long divided the island community…
Fresh from a sell-out tour, the show comes to Havant for one night only. It promises a rich investigation into the men’s downfall through storytelling, poetry and song – and also considers the role of smuggling both in our history and lives today. Tickets are £15.
A talk with Sir David Hare, University of Portsmouth 17 May at 5.30pm
This month Portsmouth has a unique opportunity to hear from celebrated playwright and director David Hare! He’s taking part in a one-off live-streamed talk at the university and will discuss his writing process and the importance of theatre to culture and society, with specific reference to his play Amy’s View which is being staged in Portsmouth this autumn. Tickets are free and you can book your place by emailing maryroseproductions.theatre@gmail.com.
ART, Titchfield Festival Theatre, 21-25 May
I loved this play when I first saw it, so I’m pleased to see it coming to Hampshire. It’s a funny, fast-paced and thought-provoking comedy which is accessible for everyone (you don’t need to know anything about art, don’t worry!)
When Serge spends an extortionate amount of money on a blank white painting, his friends Marc and Yvan are baffled. Serge thinks it’s art, but his friends remain unconvinced. Can the three of them manage to agree or is their friendship about to fall apart?
All England Dance Finals, New Theatre Royal 25 May – 2 June
Dance fans should check this one out. The All England Dance Competition was founded in July 1923 and brings dancers aged from 3 to 21 years old to compete against each other in a series of regional finals.
New Theatre Royal is hosting the Southern Regional Final again this year after hosting it in 2022, and there are three sessions a day – so you’re sure to find something that works for your diary. Tickets cost £7.50 or you can buy a day pass for £18.
The Caretaker, Chichester Festival Theatre 8 June – 13 July
Pinter fans – and anyone with a taste for the absurd – will be pleased to know that The Caretaker is coming to Chichester this summer. When I last saw this on stage I reckoned it was as powerful as it would have been in the 60s.
One of his first, most celebrated and frequently-performed plays, it’s full of his trademark dark humour and has its fair share of disturbing themes. Tickets start at £10.
