thelensportsmouth

20/06/2025

ON SALE NOW! Mary Rose Productions presents performances of Rose Lewenstein's Cougar on the 11th and 12th of September 2025! Cougar is a play about climate change, s*x, power dynamics, and corruption. Learn more and book on our website: https://www.portsmouthguildhall.org.uk/whats-on/event/cougar/

19/06/2025

ON SALE NOW!! Jennifer Irons is BAD IMMIGRANT. Absurd, very funny exploration of belonging, colonialism and identity. A roller disco about immigration. Obvs. Featuring dance, comedic storytelling, German techno, dancing salmon, an original score, creative captioning, projection mapping and, of course, roller skating, 'Bad Immigrant' is an absurdly funny and occasionally sad cross between a leisure roller disco and Stars On Ice.

‘I left inspired, moved & educated … while enjoying more than a few laughs’ ★★★★ Theatre SouthEast (on preview)

Book now! https://www.portsmouthguildhall.org.uk/whats-on/event/bad-immigrant/

18/06/2025

ON SALE NOW! John Illsley

Step inside the extraordinary story of one of rock’s most legendary bands with John Illsley, founding member and long-time bass player of Dire Straits. In this intimate and entertaining evening, John will reflect on his life in music – from the early days of the band, to global superstardom, to the wild ride that followed. With insights and anecdotes only an insider could share, this Q&A-style event promises a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the highs, lows, and everything in between.

Coming to The Lens Studio on the 30th of October 2025! Book now: https://www.portsmouthguildhall.org.uk/whats-on/event/john-illsley/

09/06/2025

ON SALE NOW! Ola Labib: Dispersible

Fresh from the launch of her celebrated debut sitcom, The Pharmacy (Channel 4), Ola Labib is back with Dispersible, a brand new comedy show that proves some things don’t disperse easily. Join one of comedy’s fastest rising stars as she unpacks her journey through childhood anger management, navigating life as a healthcare professional after her Channel 4 show, sibling feuds as a middle child of the diaspora and how Britain's TV industry re-fuelled childhood rage. Expect chaos, confessions and comedy with a side effect of madness. Laughter, after all, is the best medicine.

Coming to The Lens Studio on the 23rd of November 2025! Book now: https://www.portsmouthguildhall.org.uk/whats-on/event/ola-labib-dispersible/

06/06/2025

🎤 3 International Comedians, 1 Epic Night – This Saturday (June 7th) in Portsmouth! Get ready to laugh non-stop as LOL Comedy Club brings you another unbeatable comedy lineup:

😂 Sam See – Viral sensation & award-nominated stand-up seen on Comedy Central & MTV, fresh from global tours and a Fringe favourite.
😂 Justin Panks – Raw, honest, and outrageously funny. A rising UK comedy star who’s toured internationally from NYC to Ibiza.
😂 Tony Vino – The only half-Spanish, half-Scottish comic on the circuit. Observational, quick-witted and crowd-friendly.

PLUS support from rising star Sunjai Arif, and hosted by top MC Damion Larkin. Big laughs, great night out. Don’t miss it! https://www.portsmouthguildhall.org.uk/whats-on/event/lol-comedy-club-6/

05/06/2025

We all make mistakes, but rarely do they change the course of history. 5 Mistakes That Changed History is a hilarious historical storytelling show performed by historian and comedian, Paul Coulter, about five people and how their mistakes (big and small!) changed the world.

If you love history, don’t let your mistake be missing out on this show!

Coming to The Lens Studio on the 18th of June 2025! Book now: https://www.portsmouthguildhall.org.uk/whats-on/event/5-mistakes-that-changed-history/

04/06/2025

Sam Wilson, Class 8C, is obviously the correct choice for Head Boy. He's got the PowerPoint to prove it. But amidst school discos, playground football, and machiavellian scheming, the road to the top will certainly be no Geography with Mr Baker (Geography with Mr Baker is massively easy). As the race intensifies, will Sam cause another boy grievous bodily harm? See title.

After sell-out shows at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2024, this 5-star, ‘painfully funny’ (The Stage) comedy that ‘exudes originality’ (The Recs) comes to Portsmouth on the 20th of June!

Sorry (I Broke Your Arms And Legs) is a riotous debut PowerPoint presentation combining the thrills of World Book Day with the hilarity of the Maths Olympiad. Don’t be late!

Maybe You Like It creates collaborative, high-energy, story-driven stage shows that are fast, funny, fluid and filmic.

Book now: https://www.portsmouthguildhall.org.uk/whats-on/event/sorry-i-broke-your-arms-and-legs/

30/05/2025

"Quiet and shy she may appear when you first meet her however put an electric guitar in her hand and it’s like Clark Kent nipping into the phone box only to reappear seconds later as Superman!" "She can transform from gentle, sweet and melodic with purity of vocal to hard rocking heavy metal guitar shredding solos in the blink of an eye."

Want to see the show reviewers have been raving about at our Lens Studio? Grab a ticket to Chantel McGregor on the 3rd of June for a night of incredible music!

Start Time: 7.30…

16/05/2025

"So engaging and entertaining that I forgot I was there to review it" - Theatre Weekly.

We all make mistakes, but rarely do they change the course of history. 5 Mistakes That Changed History is a hilarious historical storytelling show performed by historian and comedian, Paul Coulter, about five people and how their mistakes (big and small!) changed the world.

Coming to Lens Studio on 18th of June! https://www.portsmouthguildhall.org.uk/whats-on/event/5-mistakes-that-changed-history/

16/05/2025

Following the smash hit success of his Silver Jubilee show (“the best thing he’s done and that’s saying something.” ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Telegraph) Luke Wright returns with a new set of poems that get to grips with the idea of JOY. Is it possible, as a 42 year old to feel pure unbridled happiness, and what does it look like? Coming to our Lens Studio on the 26th of June! Book now: https://www.portsmouthguildhall.org.uk/whats-on/event/joy-with-luke-wright/

15/05/2025

Acclaimed guitar virtuoso and singer-songwriter Chantel McGregor is set to embark on an exhilarating UK tour, showcasing her extraordinary talent and debuting new material from her highly anticipated third studio album, due for release in 2025. Chantel will be gracing the stage of our Lens Studio on the 3rd of June, learn more and book now! https://www.portsmouthguildhall.org.uk/whats-on/event/chantel-mcgregor/

14/05/2025

LOL Comedy Club returns this Friday with another stellar line-up of comedians! Canadian Sean Collins, ex-welder from Dudley; Sean Pervical, Portsmouth local Duncan Adam, plus engaging MC Sunjai Arif! Book your tickets now for a great night of comedy: https://www.portsmouthguildhall.org.uk/whats-on/event/lol-comedy-club-6/