The New Theatre Royal in Portsmouth was 160 years old on Friday 11 March, and Portsmouth Music Hub was there to be part of the birthday celebrations.

At a special anniversary show there were performances from actors, singers, dancers and musicians from across Portsmouth and Hampshire.

Portsmouth Music Hub brought together 100 children from local primary schools who performed two songs, My Time and Look at Us, at the opening of the show.

The songs were composed by Iain Gilmour, Headteacher of Isambard Brunel Junior School in Portsmouth. Iain is one of the Music Hub’s award-winning composition team, and the songs were commissioned by the New Theatre Royal, making the children’s performances world premieres.

Sue Beckett, CEO of Portsmouth Music Hub said after the show: “The New Theatre Royal is one of more than 40 Hub Partners who work with us to provide cultural opportunities to children and young people in Portsmouth. We were delighted to be part of the celebration show, and the children couldn’t have performed better. My Time was beautiful, a real tear jerker, and Look at Us had the audience tapping their toes. It was a wonderful night of entertainment and we look forward to the next 160 years of music, theatre and entertainment at the New Theatre Royal.”

Children from Milton Park Primary School, Cottage Grove Primary School, Court Lane Junior School, St. John's Catholic Cathedral Primary School, College Park Infant School and Westover Primary School took part in the celebration show.