Visiting a grandchild at UNH from out of State, we found ourselves with a free evening and discovered The Players' Ring in Portsmouth. Luckily, we got tickets for the evening performance. It is an small, intimate theater - only about 75 seats. They advise that there is not a bad seat in the house and they're right. The audience literally shares and surrounds the performance space with the actors. The show was Ye Merry Gentlemen and it was fabulous! I laughed, I cried and thoroughly enjoyed it. The play itself was so well written: timely, relevant and funny. The casting was superb: timing, expressions, delivery. A must see. Definitely a repeat visit next time we're in the area!

Just saw a play (The Wasp) here last night and was blown away! The production was absolutely as solid as plays I’ve seen at Lincoln Center; The Huntington; ART, etc. The actors were both excellent. Was such a powerful, thought-provoking theater piece. My mom and I were still analyzing and discussing the play hours later.It’s a small, very intimate theater with a neat layout. Felt like theater-in-the-round (though technically it’s 2 separate audience sections facing each other). Meanwhile, the 2 theater staff people who checked us in were beyond friendly and accommodating. My mom uses a cane, has unsteady gait, and they assured us they’d find us easily accessible seats and they did (we were nervous going in because it was open seating and we arrived just 5 mins before curtain went up—we didn’t realize was open seating until looking at the ticket reservation while driving over). I suppose places have to be accommodating because of ADA law, but there’s no law requiring them to be warm & kind about it ☺️(Note: For this review, I selected “Friends” for the type of visit this was only because Trip Advisor forces you to make a selection and no other options were applicable to adult child with their parent).

We attended a play on Sunday afternoon, and when I walked into the venue I thought I had misunderstood the flyers. It is a small rectangular space with three rows of seats around two sides and less on the third. The flyers highlighted acrobatic performances and this was a one story room! Can't happen, but it did! The five person cast did a great job of spinning their yarn to the audience of all ages, and drew us in to the story. They did in fact have several acrobatic events (I won't tell how, but it was creative. From the welcome and introduction by one of the theatre staff the play was well done, and the small cast worked together like a precision machine. The price was reasonable, and included coffee and tea! Try it!

After years of hearing about it, we finally made it to the Players Ring. As avid theater goers, we found it an interesting experience with several pluses and minuses. As for the pluses, the level of productions offered are ambitious and generally well done. They range from well-known plays to first round productions from local playwrights. The production we saw of All the Way was well done. The large cast often played multiple roles and the actor cast as LBJ did an exceptional job. If this experience was indicative of what the Players Ring offers then this is definitely a plus. Another plus would be the location of the small brick building owned by the city of Portsmouth. It is within walking distance of Strawberry Banke, Prescott Park and downtown restaurants and shopping. On the minus side this is a very, very small facility. There is no reserved seating. You have to get there early and wait in line for the doors open one half hour before curtain in order to get your ticket and then rush to your desired seat. A few complimentary snacks are offered in a tiny lobby. Small restrooms open up directly into this area. Before the play began there was no personal welcome from staff. Instead a simple tape-recording was played. The prices at $12 and $15 are down right cheap. As far as the venue is concerned, I guess you get what you pay for. There are an extensive number of affordable theater options within an hour’s drive of Portsmouth, which offer a more rewarding experience including both the production and the venue in which it is offered. We would go back to the Players Ring but, only for a production that we really wanted to see.

Attended the Comedy production of Duck and Cover by Michael Kimball last Saturday night and enjoyed a great show in a wonderful gem of a theater. Nearby to many great bars and restaurants rounding out a perfect evening of fun, food, and entertainment in Portsmouth.