The History of Portsmouth Players
The Portsmouth Players’ centenary celebration marks an extraordinary milestone in both the society’s history and that of the city itself. The group’s story began on 1 March 1926, when an inaugural meeting was held at Swan Street School, on a site now occupied by the car park behind Starbucks in Guildhall Walk.
Just a stone’s throw from the Theatre Royal, the location seems fitting as the company prepares to return there this October with Joseph, its final centennial production. At that first meeting, chairman Mr O. Sefton expressed his astonishment that a town the size of Portsmouth had no amateur dramatic society of its own, but the enthusiastic attendance convinced him that a new organisation would thrive.
With an annual membership fee of ten shillings and sixpence, The Portsmouth Players was officially born — and now, 100 years later, the vision of those founders continues to flourish.
The newly formed society made its first public appearance on 11 December 1926 at St Peter’s Hall, now known as Hope Church. A large and appreciative audience enjoyed a varied programme of entertainment, including songs, dances, dramatic performances and impersonations of Dickens characters. Among the highlights were contributions from the Gondoliers, whose popularity helped pave the way for The Gondoliers becoming the very first full-scale Portsmouth Players production at South Parade Pier in March 1927. From those early performances, the society quickly established itself as a vibrant and valued part of Portsmouth’s cultural life, bringing people together through a shared passion for theatre and performance.
Like many organisations of its generation, Portsmouth Players faced significant challenges during the Second World War. The company’s home in Pembroke Road was devastated during bombing on 10 January 1941, resulting in the loss of costumes, props and priceless archives. Although no full productions were staged during the war years, members continued to support the war effort through smaller concerts and performances alongside other local groups. In the 1950s, the society found a new home in its remarkable 300-year-old Barn, which remains at the heart of Players’ activities today. Enhanced by a lottery-funded extension in the 1990s, the Barn has become our home. As Portsmouth Players celebrates its 100th birthday alongside the city it has served for a century, this milestone stands as a testament to resilience, community spirit and an enduring love of amateur theatre.
So, if you are a performer, musician, technician, theatre enthusiast or just want to be part of our world, then why not drop us a line? Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, there’s a place for you in the Players’ family. Come and be part of something special and contribute not only to the present, but to the future! Explore our upcoming shows, meet the team and discover how you can get involved – just click on ‘get involved’.
Pictures below are from our open weekend – enjoy!
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