
New Theatre Royal – University of Portsmouth
Reuniting a beautiful historic auditorium with a new stage house; the University of Portsmouth and the New Theatre Royal have joined forces in creating an unusual new cultural and creative hub in the centre of Portsmouth, releasing the potential for interdisciplinary and creative co-operation and exchange between the two institutions and with the community.
On the land adjacent to the Grade II Listed New Theatre Royal, a new extension houses a state-of-the-art flytower, back of house facilities for the theatre, highly specialised drama and music teaching facilities, and TV studios for the University.
Both Institutions now share a new entrance and foyer, opening onto a 150-seat performance space in the heart of the scheme, where the new and old buildings connect.
The new frontage achieves a high visibility from nearby Guildhall Walk, an important route through Portsmouth’s centre, and address of the existing main entrance of the New Theatre Royal.
An exciting contemporary architectural language complements the beautiful historic fabric of the existing theatre. Careful detailing of the links between new and existing buildings is a central element of the design concept.