Spring local theatre highlights in Portsmouth and Hampshire
Did you know we’ve got a fantastic line-up of local theatre here in Pompey this spring? I can’t recall such a strong programme for some time, so I thought I’d share my top picks!
Brimming with local talent, there’s something for everyone here. And this is entertainment for all – you certainly won’t need to be a regular theatre-goer to appreciate these.
Best of all, ticket prices start at just £10 – an amazing price for a night out! So, which will take your fancy?
The Unfriend, 17-20 March at The Square Tower
*Top pick for comedy!*
Choose this one for… a riotous night of laughter!
The Unfriend enjoyed sell-out seasons in Chichester and the West End (where cast members included Reece Shearsmith and Lee Mack). Now it’s coming to Portsmouth for the first time, courtesy of our own award-winning local CCADS Theatre team, who I’m sure will do it full justice and have us laughing out loud as the chaos and fun unfolds.
While on holiday, suburban British couple befriend Elsa – a slightly nuts Trump-loving widow from Denver. They agree to stay in touch, because nobody really ever does – or do they? When Elsa announces she’s coming to stay a few months later, they do a little digging about her – and things are even worse than they seem. In fact, their lives could be in danger…
This one takes place in The Square Tower, which makes for a very atmospheric setting. Tickets cost £18 and you can book here.
DNA The Play, 26-28 March at Groundlings Theatre
Choose this one for… a thought-provoking black comedy starring local young people
This piece by Dennis Kelly has been described as a jet-black comedy and a short, sharp shocker of a play. This month the Groundlings team brings it to Portsmouth with an inspiring cast of young local amateur actors, all aged 12 to 17 years old.
When a group of teenagers take things too far, something bad – really bad – happens and they are left in a panic and facing the consequences. This thought-provoking piece explores the themes of
friendship, bullying, peer pressure and pack mentality – and will make us ask whether our behaviours are learned or inherent in us all?
Suitable for adults and teenagers, it’s a great opportunity to support our young local talent while enjoying the historic setting of Groundlings Theatre. Tickets cost just £12 (concessions £10) – book here.
Short Plays for 2025, 11 and 13 April at Southsea Cinema
*Best value night out!*
Choose this one for… great variety with something for everyone
Local writer Roger Goldsmith has done it again, bringing together an eclectic mix of short plays and stories that includes something for everyone.
Having loved all of his previous collaborations, I’ve no hesitation in recommending this one – expect a nice mix of comedy and touching, real-life drama in the relaxed and intimate setting of Southsea Cinema.
Featured this time are pieces by local writers Kia Wilson, Christine Lawrence and Esther Harris as well as a few treats from slightly further afield – the premiere of a new play by established TV scriptwriter John Foster, and one by acclaimed writer and producer Carol Younghusband. Tickets are priced at a bargain £10 (concessions £9) – get booking here.
Showbait, 24-25 April at Groundlings Theatre
Choose this one for: the best of new local theatre
Each month, a diverse group of Portsmouth writers get together to nervously read out their latest work in front of their peers. Members then take a vote to choose their favourite, and each of the monthly winners is performed in public for the first time at an annual showcase!
I saw last year’s show and it was absolutely brilliant. Now back for a third year, Showbait 2025 again promises to bring us the best of new local theatre in just one evening. Featuring ten short plays by local writers, there’s a bit of everything from hilarious comedy to touching tragedy.
This is a great way to support and encourage our local creative talent. Tickets are £15 (£10 concessions) and you can buy yours here.
The Oyster House, May and June – various dates and venues
*Top pick for mystery fans!*
Choose this one for: a haunting local story and wide choice of local locations
Local theatre company People and Stories is behind this new mystery drama about the intriguing real-life Oyster House – which stood on an islet in Langstone Harbour for more than 130 years before finally succumbing to the tides in 1948.
Set in 1913, an artist arrives by boat to take up residency in the lonely house. As the sun sets over the Portsmouth horizon, a body is found in the mud and a series of events unfold, against a backdrop of rising tensions and the prospect of war.
Expect an engaging and up-close experience with great storytelling and a local cast. You can choose between 13 venues across Portsmouth, Gosport, Havant and beyond. Tickets cost £20, or sign up for free as a Friend of People and Stories to get yours for just £14.
