What’s on this March in Hampshire

We round up some of the best events and things to do across Hampshire this month

The government advice regarding COVID-19 on March 16th recommended that we should avoid pubs, clubs, theatres and other such social venues. This is very likely to impact the events listed here and those printed in our April issue which went to print before this announcement. We recommend you check the website or social media of the organisers or venue for more details about cancellations, postponements and possible refunds. We will resume updating this article when the government advice allows events involving large numbers of people to resume again. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

EXHIBITIONS Until 20 March The Enigma, The Village and The Fisherman The portrait has always been an important means of interpretation and expression for artists, illustrating contemporary life, emotions and the chronicling of individual characters. Discover exceptional examples of figurative and portrait works from James Sant, Robert Bevan, Jean-Louis Forain, Harold Gilman, Duncan Grant, Gwen John, Mark Gertler and Sylvia Melland. Southampton City Art Gallery, 10am - 3pm, free, 02380 833007; southamptoncityartgallery.com ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Until 29 March Jake Wood-Evans: Relic Jake Wood-Evans is a contemporary, classically inspired figurative artist known for his ethereal oil paintings. Taking influence from JMW Turner, Gainsborough and Romney, Wood-Evans' paintings pay tribute to art history. This solo exhibition premieres exclusive new works. Presented in partnership with Unit London. The Gallery, Winchester Discovery Centre, 10am - 3pm, suggested donation £3, 01962 873603; hampshireculture.org.uk/gallery-winchester-discovery-centre ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Until 22 April Rendall, Gleadowe and Clark: Art at Winchester Between the Wars, 1918-1939 This exhibition includes works of art commissioned by Winchester College, including a sculpture by Eric Gill and silver by Reginald Gleadowe, the school's drawing master. It also shows how the study of art at Winchester inspired Kenneth Clark, the most famous art historian of the 20th century. Winchester College Treasury Museum, Winchester, 2pm-4pm, free, 01962 814638; treasury.winchestercollege.org ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Until 9 May Hospital Rooms Hospital Rooms is an arts and mental health charity that commissions extraordinary artworks for NHS mental health inpatient units across the UK. Featuring several newly commissioned pieces alongside original work and preparatory studies, this exhibition is an opportunity to share and discuss the work of Hospital Rooms and issues surrounding art and mental health. Southampton City Art Gallery, 10am - 3pm, free, 02380 833007; southamptoncityartgallery.com ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2 March - 30 December Man Up: Women who stepped into a man's world Discover the fascinating stories of the pioneering women who disregarded societal expectation, harnessed their fate and sought control over their narrative by stepping into male roles. By picking up a pen, pistol or sword, they broke with convention, some out of necessity and some out of choice, to survive and thrive. Chawton House, Alton, 11am - 4.30pm, £10/£8/£5, 01420 541010; chawtonhouse.org ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13 March - 18 March Woodcraft 2020 Exhibition A unique selection of artistic, decorative and functional wood turning from Richard Stapley and Ron Caddy. Richard will be exhibiting turnings from various indigenous and exotic woods while Ron will have a wide range of pens in both wood and acrylic materials. Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, 10am - 4pm, £11.25/£10.20/£2.80, 01794 369318; hants.gov.uk/thingstodo/hilliergardens ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 27 March - 26 April 62 Group Built around a series created especially for St Barbe Museum by Emily Jo Gibbs called Making Time to Talk, portraits of apprentices working at the Berthon Boat Company, this exhibition investigates the creative dialogue that takes place between the artist/maker and the themes: people, place, materials, objects. St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery, Lymington, £5.45/£4.55/£2.70, 10am - 4pm, 01590 676969; stbarbe-museum.org.uk ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MUSIC 3 March Robbie Cavanagh Manchester's Robbie Cavanagh writes unscrubbed, heartfelt Americana. A self-confessed devotee of 'real music', Robbie's only rules are good musicians, real instruments, and performance with emotion. His second record saw him showcase at Americana Fest in London and across the pond in Nashville. This tour premieres new material from his third album. The Forge, Basingstoke, 7.45pm, £16/£14, 01256 844244; anvilarts.org. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6 March Knees Up! Celebrate the camp and the kitsch with local Pompey dinlo The Fabulous Josh and Welsh Auntie BopaRhys leading a journey through their favourite cabaret acts, lamenting lost careers on the West End stage and the joys of the working men's clubs all to the soundtrack of Donna Summer. Blue Lagoon, Portsmouth, 7.30pm, £14, 02392 649000; newtheatreroyal.com ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10-14 March Million Dollar Quartet Be prepared for a whole lotta shakin' goin' on as the Tony Award-winning musical returns. Inspired by the famous Sun Studios recording session that brought together rock 'n' roll icons Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins, immerse yourself in one of the greatest jam sessions of all time! Mayflower Theatre, Southampton, 7.30pm, 2pm matinee Thurs and Sat, £21.50 - £44.50, 02380 711811; mayflower.org.uk ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 17 March A St Patrick's Day Celebration with The Flying Toads The four- piece band present a highly entertaining concert of Irish music and song, ranging from high-energy jigs and reels to heart-warming songs and haunting ballads. Hanger Farm Arts Centre, Southampton, 7.30pm, £14/£12, 02380 667683; hangerfarm.co.uk ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 19 March Cara Dillon Cara Dillon has been captivating audiences and achieving exceptional acclaim for more than 20 years. Alongside a selection of favourites from her previous releases, this extraordinary Irish singer will be performing material from her new album Wanderer. Expect beautiful and moving songs sung with a passion and confidence. Forest Arts Centre, New Milton, 7.30pm, from £20, 01425 619983; hampshireculturaltrust.org.uk/forest-arts-centre ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 28 March Snake Davis and his Band Snake Davis is one of the world's most respected and in-demand saxophone players, having worked with the likes of Eurythmics, M People, George Michael, Take That, Cher, Tina Turner and Beyonce. Enjoy a range of classics including Careless Whisper, Respect and Yakety Yak plus Lisa Stansfield's Change. Spring Arts & Heritage Centre, Havant, 8pm, £20/£19, 02392 472700; thespring.co.uk ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 29 March The Inside Out Piano To mark International Piano Day, head to Turner Sims at the University of Southampton and experience the piano like never before: strummed like a guitar, singing like a whale and even swinging in mid-air! Suitable for all the family, after the concert, children will have a chance to explore the piano close-up and talk to pianist and composer Sarah Nicolls. Turner Sims, Southampton, 3pm, £5-£9, 02380 595151, turnersims.co.uk ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PERFORMANCE 3 March Ben Fogle: Tales From The Wilderness From crossing Antarctica and conquering Everest to saving elephants and catching a flesh-eating disease, let Ben Fogle take you on an inspiring adventure, recounted with warmth and honesty. Also at Kings Theatre, Southsea on Sunday 1. Princes Hall, Aldershot, 7.30pm, £29.50, 01252 329155; princeshall.com ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4 March Teacups and Tiaras: A History of Etiquette William Hanson is on a mission to gentrify the nation. Using members of the audience to help him, William will demonstrate the common mistakes people make and how to rectify them. Discover the correct way to write emails and avoid disastrous dinner dates, plus tips that can make everything flow smoothly Theatre Royal Winchester, 7.30pm, £24/£19, 01962 840440; theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4 March Choice Grenfell Marking the 40th anniversary of the loss of the great, unremittingly genteel, comedienne and monologist, Joyce Grenfell, this tribute features some of her best songs and monologues, plus previously unpublished rehearsal recordings and personal letters. With Suzanne Walters as Joyce Grenfell and Andrew D Brewis as William Blezard. Hanger Farm Arts Centre, Southampton, 7.30pm, £13/£11, 02380 667683; hangerfarm.co.uk ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5 - 7 March Lady Chatterley's Lover Exploring the dangers of toxic masculinity and the monumental shift towards female sexuality, a sensual new stage adaptation of DH Lawrence's controversial masterpiece stars TV regular Rupert Hill. Considered the Fifty Shades of its time, the text paved the way for a change in the literary landscape of Britain, as well as ushering in the permissive society. Kings Theatre, Southsea, 7.30pm, 2.30pm matinee Sat, £16-£27, 02392 828282; kingsportsmouth.co.uk ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10 March Pete Whittaker: Free and Solo Don't miss this fascinating talk from Pete Whittaker, one of the world's top big wall solo climbers. Pete seeks to find that mythical point between the possible and impossible, by climbing not just one, but multiple big walls alone in under 24 hours. The Lights, Andover, 7.30pm, from £15, 01264 368368, thelights.org.uk ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12 March Dead Good Bob and Bernard have only two things in common: they're both dying…and they're not going down without a fight. So, with a bottle of Bollinger and the keys to Bernard's Bentley in hand, they decide to hit the road, and take on one final, death-defying adventure in Vamos Theatre's funny and poignant new production. The Point, Eastleigh, 7.30pm, £15/£13, 02380 652333; thepointeastleigh.co.uk ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13 March Sam Avery: Toddlergeddon Join award-winning comedian and bestselling author Sam Avery (AKA The Learner Parent) as he delves into the trials and tribulations of living with a toddler. How do you raise a toddler with more attitude than Kanye West and will any of us survive Toddlergeddon? The Berry Theatre, Southampton, 8pm, from £18/£16, 02380 652333; theberrytheatre.co.uk ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18 March Thunder Road Discover this bold, original dark comedy by RedCape Theatre about the power of the Heimlich manoeuvre, the call of the open road, and the kind of friendship you'd take a bullet for. Follow Maureen and Sylvie on what turns out to be the road trip of a lifetime. West End Centre, Aldershot, 8pm, £10-£12, 01252 330040; westendcentre.co.uk ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16-18 March Jane Eyre By Charlotte Brontë A gothic masterpiece of tempestuous passions and dark secrets, Jane Eyre tells the thrilling story of an orphan girl and her journey from a childhood of loneliness and cruelty to a life at Thornfield Hall and an unlikely relationship with the mysterious Mr Rochester. Falling in love, she gradually uncovers a hidden past to the gloomy, forbidding Thornfield Hall, a terrible secret that forces her to make a heart-wrenching choice. New Theatre Royal Portsmouth, newtheatreroyal.com ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 24-28 March The Red Shoes Matthew Bourne's double Olivier-winning 2016 production goes on a national tour, featuring many of the original cast. Taking inspiration from Hans Christian Andersen's original fairy story and Powell and Pressburger's classic film - a favourite of Martin Scorcese - The Red Shoes is soundtracked by Bernard Herrmann's compositions in a tale of obsession, possession and one girl's ambition to be the best dancer in the world. Mayflower Theatre, Southampton, 7.30pm, 2pm Thurs and Sat, from £24.50-£49.50, 02380 711811; mayflower.org.uk ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 25 March Harpy Birdie's a hoarder. The neighbours call her a harridan and a harpy… Following a critically acclaimed run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, this razor-sharp drama from Fringe First award-winner Philip Meeks and starring Su Pollard heads out on tour for the first time. Discover this tragic story about one woman's lifelong battle to find a treasured possession she once lost. The Haymarket, Basingstoke, 7.30pm, from £24, 01256 844244; anvilarts.org.uk ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 28 March Madama Butterfly The heart-breaking story of a beautiful young Japanese girl who falls in love with an American naval lieutenant - with dramatic results. Sung in Italian with English subtitles, highlights include the melodic Humming Chorus, the moving aria One Fine Day and the unforgettable Love Duet. Kings Theatre, Southsea, 7.30pm, £21.50 - £33.50, 02392 828282, kingsportsmouth.co.uk ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DAYS OUT 1 March until 31 May Tulip time Discover Hinton Ampner's spring flowers bursting with colours. Throughout these pretty formal gardens and walled kitchen garden you'll find glorious displays of richly scented narcissus 'Thalia', alongside eye-popping tulips. Witness eight new varieties, including frilly candy-pink tulip 'Huis Ten Bosch' in the Sunken Garden. Elsewhere see magnificent spring camellias and magnolias. Hinton Ampner, near Alresford, 10am - 5pm, £16.25/£8.15, Family £40.65, 03442 491895; nationaltrust.org.uk/hinton-ampner ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8-9 March The Murder Trial Live Get into the heart of a murder investigation in this experiential dining event. Take your seat as a juror, enjoy a two-course dinner then watch barristers cross examine witnesses and experts, as well as review physical evidence, before providing your final verdict. Village Hotel Portsmouth, 6.30pm - 10.30pm, £65.35, 01827 230610; themurdertriallive.co.uk ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 21 March Luxury Chocolate Making Workshop Join professional chocolatiers Chocolate Craft, and make luxury chocolates using high quality chocolate and a fine range of flavours. Perfect for a Mother's Day treat. Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, 10am - noon or 2pm- 4pm, £43.50 per person or £48.50 for two people, 01794 369318; hants.gov.uk/thingstodo/hilliergardens ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 22 March Mothering Sunday Lunch Treat Mum to a three-course Sunday lunch with a difference at the Hawk Conservancy. Savour a delicious lunch served in their bright and airy corporate rooms with a break after the main course to enjoy one of their spectacular flying displays. Hawk Conservancy Trust, Andover, £32.50 (£25 for members of the Hawk Conservancy Trust)01264 773850; hawk-conservancy.org ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 26 March Cathedral Flowers - A Demonstration Join Helen McGarry, who leads the Cathedral flower arrangers, for a talk about the work they do. There will also be a practical demonstration where Helen and another member of the flower team will demonstrate their skills. Winchester Cathedral, 2.30pm, £10 (£8 for friends), 01962 857275; winchester-cathedral.org.uk ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 28 - 29 March The Isle of Wight Speed Trials A new event brings motorsport back to the closed public roads of the island. Combining sun, sea and speed, the Sandown Sprint promises to be an exhilarating weekend of fun and action. Set against the spectacular backdrop of Bembridge Down, enjoy exceptional views from along the beach esplanade. Sandown Beach, Isle of Wight, from £5 (£10 on the day) or £8 for the weekend, children free, 08432 898708, isleofwightspeedtrials.co.uk -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------