Events

We put on and attend events in Portsmouth and the surrounding area. As well as talks and exhibitions for specific groups around the city, we also put on a number of events for the public to enjoy.

Summer of Sherlock 

Presented by The Conan Doyle Collection, this is a series of events designed to bring Sherlock to life. There are theatre performances for all the family as well as workshops to allow you to get involved. All tickets are free but as space is limited for some of the events, please use the links below to reserve your tickets.

Thursday 25th July - The Round Tower, Portsmouth

Improvisation Workshop - 6.30pm  (1.5 hours)

Learn the rudiments of improvisation. Can a murder mystery be made up on the spot? A Dickens novel? A Shakespeare play? Discover your inner playwright and clown – or just mess around and have fun – in a supportive, silly atmosphere with the cast of The Adventures of the Improvised Sherlock Holmes.

Find out more about the workshop and get your free tickets

Performance - The Adventures of the Improvised Sherlock Holmes - 8.30pm (1 hour)

No script, Sherlock! Stars of the Edinburgh, Adelaide and Perth Fringes take you on a thrilling improvised romp through the underworld of Victorian Britain, packed with shady villains, red herrings and the brilliant deductions of London’s greatest detective. Light your (imaginary) pipe as an engrossing spontaneous mystery tale unfolds before you. Family friendly.

'A spectacular production, crafted at furious speed and leaves its audience crying with laughter' **** (Young-Perspective.net).

'Excellent... very funny and beautifully devious' **** (FringeGuru.com).

'Copious amounts of talent and boundless potential' **** (PlaysToSee.com).

'Total mastery' ***** (GreatScott.media).

Find out more about the performance and  get your free tickets

Wednesday 31st July - Activities Room in Portsmouth City Museum

Sherlock Holmes Radio Drama Workshop - open drop-in session from 1-3pm

Radio was the first broadcast medium and before film and television people religiously tuned-in to their favourite radio programs - with families gathering at home to listen to the radio in the evening. The stories travelling across the airwaves could take them to different countries, different time periods and even different worlds...

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories became firm Old Time Radio favourites with 'The New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes' starring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce famously broadcast from 1939 until 1943 in the USA.

Join us at our radio drama workshop and explore the process behind creating these audio drama productions. Listen to some Old Time Radio shows, read the scripts, then rehearse and record your own Sherlock Holmes scenes.

Have fun with our live sound effects desk creating footsteps, horses, storms and everything in between from a variety of everyday objects - your imagination is the limit!

You will be able to take away a copy of your recordings.

Family fun.

With workshop leaders Kerren Garner, Sophie Flack & Dan Skelt.

Thursday 1st August - The Round Tower, Portsmouth

The Adventure of the Speckled Band - A Live Radio Play, 7pm

Come and be a part of a live radio recording of this classic Sherlock Holmes adaptation. Using a 1930s radio script from the Conan Doyle Archive, Lantern Light Theatre Company bring this stirring adventure to life for radio, featuring an ensemble cast and live sound effects desk...

Early one morning Holmes and Watson are visited in 221B Baker Street by a young bride in fear for her life - what was the cause of her sister's mysterious death and the meaning of their stepfather's abrupt behaviour? And most curiously of all - how can Mr. Holmes explain her sister's last words: 'It's the band.... the speckled band!'....

Featuring the return of Duncan Drury, Stewart James Barham, Tom Dussek and Sophie Flack from last year's production of 'Sherlock's Poisons' and joined by Lucy Mepstead as Julia Stoner with Dan Skelt on sound & lighting.

Find out more and book your free ticket for The Adventures of the Speckled Band

Thursday 8th August - The Round Tower, Portsmouth

Miss Sherlock Holmes - A Triple Bill - 7pm

A triple bill of three short Sherlock Holmes stage plays - written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and his contemporaries:

The Crown Diamond by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle 

The Painful Predicament of Sherlock Holmes by William Gillette

Christmas Eve by S.C. Roberts 

Set in contemporary Baker Street, join Lantern Light Theatre Company to delve into the dark underworld of London's devious crime scene with Miss Sherlock Holmes and her loyal companion Dr. Jane Watson.

Across three separate evenings Miss Holmes is visited at home by: a desperate woman searching for her boyfriend, a terrified robbery victim and the dark and deadly villain known only as 'The Colonel'.

Drugs, danger, diamonds - it's just a standard night in for Miss Sherlock Holmes...

Find out more and book your free tickets for Miss Sherlock Holmes

Thursday 8^th August Portsmouth Museum

The science of Sherlock - 20 minute shows between 10am and 3pm - drop in sessions.

Sherlock was the first 'scientific detective' but there’s a mystery inside his laboratory. Follow the clues and find out how his methods work.

Friday 16th August - Portsmouth Museum

Exploring Sherlock Holmes using the Creative Arts - workshops 12-1pm & 2-3pm

Explore your creativity and have fun with Sherlock Holmes! Free children's workshop, focussing on drama games and activities, but with the possibility of also exploring costume design, script/storyboard writing.

Suitable for ages 8-12

Workshop leader Kerren Garner

Sherlock's Adventures in Nursery Land

Thursday 22^nd August – The Round Tower

Bard & Troubadour Puppet Making Workshop 1-1.30pm

Make your  own puppet with the performers from Bard & Troubadour, creators of 'Sherlock's Adventures in Nursery Land'. Learn how to make simple puppets with moving parts so that you can start creating your very own puppet adventures.

Workshop 30 minutes in duration. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Find out more and book your free puppet making workshop tickets

Followed by the performance of:

Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of the Golden Locks - 2pm

The beds have been slept in, the porridge has been eaten and Baby Bear's chair has been broken. Someone has broken into the Three Bears House and left the chilling symbol of a golden lock on the walls. It seems like an open and shut case - but does the greatest detective in nursery land have other ideas?

Join award-winning storytellers and puppeteers Bard & Troubadour in a brand-new Sherlock Holmes tale perfect for families this summer holiday.

Find out more and book your free tickets for Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of the Golden Locks

Thursday 29th August – The Round Tower

Bard & Troubadour Puppet Making Workshop 1-1.30pm

Make your  own puppet with the performers from Bard & Troubadour, creators of 'Sherlock's Adventures in Nursery Land'. Learn how to make simple puppets with moving parts so that you can start creating your very own puppet adventures.

Workshop 30 minutes in duration. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Find out more and book your free puppet making workshop tickets

Followed by the performance of:

Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of the Three Bags Full - 2pm

Little Bo Peep has lost her sheep and doesn't know where to find them... Little Boy Blue, Jack & Jill and Baa Baa Black Sheep say they didn't see anything - but maybe the greatest detective in nursery land can help!

Join award-winning storytellers & puppeteers Bard & Troubadour in a brand-new Sherlock Holmes tale to keep your little detectives entertained this summer.

Find out more and book your free tickets for Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of the Three Bags Full