On Tuesday 19 April the theatre will be throwing open its doors to members of the public for a Community Open Day to share the exciting plans for the future. The New Theatre Royal, Portsmouth is delighted to have been included in the Arts Council England National Portfolio programme and awarded funding for the next three years.

The investment will ensure the theatre can continue to programme work whilst the back of the theatre is rebuilt by taking shows out on the road. New Theatre Royal in the Community (‘NTR@’) will increase the skills development opportunities for young people and further the artist development programme as a founder consortium member of HOUSE.

HOUSE is a consortium of regional producers that includes Brighton Festival and Dome; Oxford Playhouse; Newbury Corn Exchange; The Point in Eastleigh; Farnham Maltings; South Street in Reading and the Theatre Royal, Margate. The ambition of the consortium is to work in partnership across the South East to find new and different ways of building the audience for theatre. HOUSE will be encouraging and supporting others to co-produce, co-present and co-commission work for their audiences.

University of Portsmouth Vice Chancellor John Craven commented: “I am delighted that the Arts Council has continued to support the New Theatre Royal as we develop the Creative Industries project in the centre of Portsmouth. The funding will enable a continuing programme while the Theatre and the University develop world-class facilities for performance, education and outreach.”

On Tuesday 19 April (4.15pm – 8pm) Caroline Sharman will be talking through the architects’ working plans for the rebuild and welcoming comments about the re-development. There will be tours of the building every hour, an opportunity to record memories of theatre, activities for children and a theatre quiz for the adults with the first prize being a 24 hour return crossing to France (donated by Brittany Ferries).

During the evening a film will be created which will contribute to the history of the New Theatre Royal – so come along and make sure you are part of the story. The film will form part of the information about the New Theatre Royal on a new educational website called Take One Building being launched later this year.

For more information about the open day call the box office on 023 9264 9000