The Ticking Clock at the Kings Theatre

On 9 July 2026, Portsmouth’s Kings Theatre was transformed into a vibrant hub of creativity, collaboration, and climate action as The Ticking Clock, a brand new initiative from Portsmouth Music Hub, took to the stage.

Bringing together children and young people from across the city, the event used music, performance, film, and discussion to explore one of the most pressing challenges facing the world today: the climate crisis. Through a powerful blend of artistic expression and youth voice, the evening highlighted both the urgency of environmental issues and the vital role young people play in shaping a more sustainable future.

The Ticking Clock is a brand-new creative programme designed to raise awareness about environmental issues through the arts. Combining 6 original songs, live performances, and educational resources, the initiative encourages young people to engage with topics such as climate change, sustainability, and environmental responsibility in meaningful and accessible ways.

The evening’s programme reflected the diversity and creativity of those involved. Live doodling from Seekers Create captured the atmosphere of the event in real time, visually bringing the evening to life.

A key highlight of the evening was a youth-led discussion panel hosted by Councillor Suzy Horton. The panel provided a platform for young people to share their experiences of the project, their concerns about the environment, and their hopes for the future. Their honesty, insight, and passion resonated strongly with the audience, reinforcing the importance of listening to and amplifying youth voices.

Audience engagement was central to the event, demonstrated through an interactive rap composition by Ricky Tart. Drawing on environmental challenges and solutions submitted by the audience prior to the performance, Ricky created a live piece that was both impactful and energising, showcasing how creativity can be used as a tool for reflection and change.

The evening also featured a special video message from environmental advocate Aneeshwar Kunchala, whose words inspired and encouraged young people to continue using their voices to drive positive change. This was followed by a powerful presentation from Olivia Dixon, who spoke about the importance of youth voice and outlined practical actions young people can take to support the planet, both individually and collectively.

A major milestone for the project was marked with the premiere of The Ticking Clock documentary. The film offered a behind-the-scenes look at the journey of the initiative, from its early development stages through to workshops and final performance, celebrating the creativity, collaboration, and commitment of all those involved.

Throughout the evening, a strong sense of community and shared purpose was evident. The event not only showcased the talents of Portsmouth’s young people, but also demonstrated the power of the arts as a platform for education, expression, and advocacy.

“The Ticking Clock is about empowering young people to explore environmental issues through creativity and to feel confident in sharing their voices. What we saw on stage last night was truly inspiring, a generation that is engaged, informed, and ready to make a difference.” Sue Beckett – Head of Portsmouth Music Service

 As the project continues to develop, The Ticking Clock will expand its reach through schools and community settings, providing resources and opportunities for more young people to get involved. The initiative forms part of Portsmouth Music Hub’s wider commitment to using music and the arts to support learning, wellbeing, and social awareness.

 Last night’s event marked not just a performance, but the beginning of an ongoing conversation, one led by young people, driven by creativity, and focused on building a more sustainable future for all.