Portsmouth's next generation of stars hits the stage in Curtains and Seussical

Backed by a prestigious Spotlight Award nomination and crucial community funding, the Portsmouth Theatre Arts Academy is rising to new heights with Curtains and Seussical.

Curtains Cast in rehearsals | Portsmouth Theatres

placeholder image — Curtains Cast in rehearsals | Portsmouth Theatres

The cultural landscape of Portsmouth is experiencing a spectacular renaissance, fuelled by the explosive success of the city’s youngest theatrical talent. Riding high on a wave of critical acclaim, the Portsmouth Theatres Arts Academy is preparing for two highly anticipated upcoming productions: the hilarious musical whodunit, Curtains, and the fantastical family favourite, Seussical the Musical.

These upcoming blockbusters come hot on the heels of an incredibly successful season for the Academy, which culminated with their production of Bring It On being nominated for a prestigious Spotlight Award for Best Large Youth Production, celebrating the very best in regional theatre.

Seussical Cast in rehearsals | Portsmouth Theatres

Their stellar track record proves that Portsmouth's youth are capable of delivering professional-grade, high-energy blockbusters, a feat made possible by the historic merger of the Kings Theatre and the Theatre Royal into Portsmouth Theatres. This unification has supercharged the training grounds for the next generation of performers, granting the Academy a permanent home and dedicated rehearsal space at the historic Theatre Royal. Having access to this state-of-the-art environment gives young performers the consistency and room they need to perfect complex choreography and vocals, effectively bridging the gap between youth theatre and the professional industry.

The incredible depth of talent nurtured in the city will be on full display when the Academy takes on two massive, contrasting productions that promise to be hits with theatregoers.

Audiences will be treated to the sharp wit and clever 1959 detective story of Curtains, written by the legendary songwriting duo behind Chicago and Cabaret (Kander and Ebb). It is a brilliantly funny, Golden Age-style backstage murder mystery where the entire cast are suspects, and the investigating detective is more interested in fixing the musical's weak numbers than finding the killer.

Running parallel to this sophisticated comedy is the vibrant, magical romp of Seussical the Musical. This feel-good production seamlessly weaves together Dr. Seuss's most beloved tales, following Horton the Elephant's heartwarming quest to protect the tiny world of Whoville and guard an abandoned egg, guided all the way by the mischievous Cat in the Hat.

Richard Pearce CEO of Portsmouth theatres accepting a cheque from Alice Lawrie - from Waitrose Southsea. Funding Bursaries for PTAA as part of their local Community Matters Fundraising Initiative | Portsmouth Theatres

The experience of putting on these massive shows elevates the children’s journey to a whole new level, as they walk out onto the magnificent, historic Frank Matcham stages of both The Kings Theatre and Theatre Royal, gaining an authentic, awe-inspiring taste of showbiz that cannot be replicated elsewhere.

Behind the scenes, the students are guided every step of the way by an elite creative team with extensive industry experience. From the first read-through to the final curtain call, the children work hand-in-hand with Portsmouth Theatres' expert in-house creative and technical teams, learning the ropes using professional-grade lighting, sound, and stagecraft.

Central to this entire mission is a deep commitment to keeping theatre accessible to all. To ensure that financial circumstances never restrict passion, the Kings Theatre provides a number of vital bursaries for children who might not otherwise be able to afford top-tier training. This community-first ethos has resonated strongly across the area, inspiring local partners and national organisations to step up in support. Most recently, the Boris Karloff Charitable Foundation and Waitrose, Southsea (through their Community Matters scheme) have generously funded additional bursary places, highlighting how both local businesses and national charitable foundations are actively investing in the growth, confidence, and futures of young performers.

By supporting Curtains and Seussical the Musical, Portsmouth theatregoers aren’t just booking to see high quality shows, they are actively investing in positively changing young lives.