New Theatre Royal Portsmouth is an illustrated portrait of this beautiful Victorian theatre in the sailor city of Portsmouth in Hampshire.

I was inspired to illustrated this theatre because it is such a beautiful building, and with an unusually delicate, slightly New Orleans look about it. It is a medium-sized theatre, seating about 650 patrons – a great size for a venue – large enough for musicals and big-cast or big-orchestra productions, and small enough for plays.

The New Theatre Royal in Portsmouth was built in 1854, but has been changed by various reconstructions since – including in  1900 by famed theatre architect Frank Matcham. The distinctive cast iron conservatory at the front of the building is due to him.

The New Theatre Royal had a near twin at one point, as Frank Matcham also built another theatre in Portsmouth to a similar design (with cast iron conservatory). This theatre was destroyed by bombing in the Second World War.

Performers at the New Theatre Royal have included Ellen Terry, Marie Lloyd, Laurel and Hardy, Barbara Windsor, Glenda Jackson, and Morecambe and Wise. Oliver Hardy held his birthday party here in 1954.

The theatre was threatened with demolition in the early 1970s. Local actor Brian Murphy was amongst those who campaigned to save the theatre. The theatre was restored and improved again in 2015.

Some of the photos show how great the print of New Theatre Royal Portsmouth will look framed, but please note that the print is sold unframed and without a mount.

All prints are individually signed by me, the artist, in pencil in the bottom right and include the title of the print.

Your print will be sent by Royal Mail and presented in a cello bag with a cardboard back for protection or onward delivery.

Available options:

Paper size: A4 (210 x 297mm or 8.3 x 11.7 inches).
Paper size: A3 (297 x 420mm or 11.7 x 16.5 inches).