Portsmouth Guildhall is a large multi-purpose venue located in Portsmouth, Hampshire, England. It hosts a wide variety of events throughout the year including concerts, comedy shows, conferences, and graduations. With its flexible seating arrangements, Portsmouth Guildhall can accommodate audiences of various sizes. But what exactly is the seating capacity of this historic venue?
Overview of Portsmouth Guildhall
Portsmouth Guildhall first opened in 1890 and was originally built as a home for the Portsmouth Corporation. It was designed in the Victorian Gothic style by architect William Hill. Over the years, the building has undergone renovations and expansions to transform it into a modern events venue. Some key facts about Portsmouth Guildhall:
- Located in the heart of Portsmouth city centre
- Grade II listed building
- Home to the Portsmouth City Council from 1890 to 1979
- Features a main concert hall auditorium and smaller lecture hall
- Hosts over 300 events each year including live music, theatre, comedy, and conferences
- Underwent major refurbishment in 2001
With its long history and prime location, Portsmouth Guildhall is a cultural hub for the city of Portsmouth, attracting big names in entertainment as well as serving as a venue for important civic events and community gatherings.
Seating Capacity
The main auditorium at Portsmouth Guildhall can accommodate audiences of up to 2,500 people. This makes it one of the largest venues in the south east of England outside of London. The seating capacity varies depending on the type of event and seating configuration used.
Concert Seating
For most concerts, the venue utilizes full concert seating. This involves setting up chairs on the main floor to accommodate audiences. In this configuration, the maximum seating capacity for concerts is 2,500. The seats are arranged in rows spanning the main floor. This open seating plan allows for excellent views of the stage from all areas of the auditorium.
Theatre-Style Seating
For theatrical performances, graduations, and conferences, Portsmouth Guildhall implements theatre-style seating. This configuration involves setting up chairs in rows with aisles in between. Theatre-style seating has a slightly lower capacity of 2,200 at Portsmouth Guildhall. However, it provides a more intimate atmosphere for watching theatre productions and speakers. The rows are arranged to face the stage directly.
Standing/General Admission
For certain types of concerts, Portsmouth Guildhall will implement standing room or general admission seating. This provides the maximum capacity for the auditorium. Without chairs set up, the venue can accommodate approximately 2,500 standing ticket holders. Often general admission seating is utilized for pop, rock, indie, and alternative concerts where audiences tend to stand during performances.
Banquet Seating
Portsmouth Guildhall can also accommodate banquet-style seating for events like gala dinners and awards ceremonies. Round tables with chairs are set up to create a banquet hall environment. In this seating arrangement, the Guildhall can host approximately 1,500 guests. Banquet seating provides a formal atmosphere with tables for dining and socializing.
Additional Event Spaces and Capacities
Aside from the main auditorium, Portsmouth Guildhall also contains some additional event spaces:
- Lecture Hall – Seated capacity of 426
- Lord Mayor’s Parlour – Standing capacity of 200
- Main Foyer – Standing capacity of 1,000
- Harbour Lounge – Seated capacity of 180
These smaller rooms provide versatile options for more intimate events at the Guildhall. The foyer and lounge spaces also allow for pre-function receptions and breakout sessions during larger conferences and conventions.
Notable Events at Portsmouth Guildhall
Throughout its history, Portsmouth Guildhall has hosted many high-profile events thanks to its sizable seating capacity. Some memorable concerts, shows, and productions over the years include:
- The Beatles performed at the Guildhall in 1963.
- David Bowie recorded his 1973 concert album Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars here.
- Judy Garland performed her last show at the Guildhall in 1969.
- Global superstars like Elton John, Oasis, and Pink Floyd have all played concerts here.
- Comedians such as Russell Brand, Lee Evans, and Ricky Gervais have brought their stand-up shows to the Guildhall.
- Dance companies like the Bolshoi Ballet and Moscow City Ballet have staged productions in the auditorium.
- BBC Question Time, election debates, and other political events regularly take place in the hall.
- Graduations for the University of Portsmouth happen here each year.
This list highlights the prestige of Portsmouth Guildhall as a leading event venue in southern England. The sizable seating capacity allows it to draw in big name performers year after year.
Conclusion
In summary, Portsmouth Guildhall offers a great deal of flexibility for hosting events thanks to its different seating arrangements. The maximum seating capacity stands at:
- 2,500 for concerts with full floor seating
- 2,200 for theatre-style seating
- 2,500 standing for general admission
- 1,500 banquet-style
These options allow the venue to accommodate small conferences and big arena concerts. Over its long history, Portsmouth Guildhall has attracted the world’s top musicians, comedians, performers, speakers, and productions. With a prime location and excellent amenities, it continues to serve as a leading event space in Portsmouth and the surrounding region. The Guildhall’s sizable seating capacity will ensure it remains a premier venue for years to come.