CULTURE vultures have descended on the city centre to celebrate the opening weekend of a new £30m arts and theatre complex.

The multi-million pound Studio 144 threw open its doors for the first time with a host of events aimed at heralding the city’s ‘cultural dawn’.

In a long-awaited event Nuffield Southampton Theatres, John Hansard Gallery and City Eye welcomed the public to their new homes while a “spectacular” firework display over the newly occupied buildings on Friday night.

The Shadow Factory starring Anita Dobson, set in 1940s Southampton and featuring state of the art lighting is the first show at NST’s new city centre venue.

On Saturday theatre-lovers got behind the scenes access to the sets of the play, while curators at the JHG launched a week-long “sampler” art programme of sculpture, film, dance and drop-in activities for all.

Also promised were pop-up performances, drop-in kids’ activities, roving comedy sketches, spoken word with Inua Ellams, poetry, live music and food at Tyrell’s, Southampton’s new eatery.

Film experts at City Eye hosted a series of screenings while dance company Zoielogic presented Homegrown, a specially commissioned piece performed by 130 Southampton dancers.

Chair of Southampton’s Cultural Trust Brad Roynon said: “It is through Southampton City Council’s sheer dedication to delivering the new arts venue that the Cultural Quarter is about to become a reality.”

On Friday a replica Spitfire Mk IX arrived in the square while a Spitfire trail took families on a quest around the Cultural Quarter.

See Southampton tour guides ran two Spitfire themed walks in Woolston and the city centre.

Tyrells opened yesterday - NST’s new restaurant owned by Spencer Bowman

What's on when:

February 16 in Guildhall Square

  • 6pm – Build up in Guildhall Square.
  • 6.30pm – ZoieLogic Dance Theatre presents Homegrown, the opening show celebrating Southampton as a city of makers.
  • 6.55pm – Fireworks
  • 7pm - 9pm - Studio 144 opens

In Guildhall Square Feb 17

  • 11am – 4pm | Visit the Spitfire and its crew

At Nuffield Southampton Theatres City Feb 17

  • 11am – 3.30pm | Family Activities with The Wardrobe Ensemble | Studio Theatre

The Star Seekers will be hosting an action-packed day of games, songs and crafts that are out-of-this-world!

Suitable for under 6’s. Adults will need to accompany children throughout activities.

  • 11am | Southampton Blitz Mini Walk by Southampton Tourist Guides | Entrance Foyer
  • 11am – 4pm | The Shadow Factory Exhibition | Main House

Step into the stories behind The Shadow Factory in this immersive installation. Featuring the visually stunning set by 59 Productions, the Tony Award winning design team behind the London 2012 Opening Ceremony.

  • 11.30am – 1pm | Drop in Drama Club Session | Rehearsal Studio

This is a fun, fast-moving session of games and drama exercises to grow skills and develop imagination!

Suitable for ages 7 – 13.

  • 11.30am – 3.00pm | Love and Information | Various Locations

Members of NST’s Youth Theatre will be performing scenes from their recent production of Caryl Churchill’s Love and Information. Why not make a treasure hunt of it and find them all?

  • 11.30am – 5pm | Tours of the building

Sign up on the day for a tour of NST City, led by members of staff, board members and ushers. We’ll take you through our spaces from Box Office to backstage.

  • 12.00pm – 3.00pm | Videode | Director’s Office

Our performance poets, Sara Hirsch or Stewart Taylor,

will compose a poem for you to video and share online.

Suitable for all ages.

  • 2pm | Southampton Blitz Mini Walk by Southampton Tourist Guides | Entrance Foyer
  • 2pm – 4pm | Poetry Demystified with Inua Ellams | Rehearsal Studio

A discussion-based workshop under the expert guidance of award-winning poet, playwright and performer Inua Ellams.

Suitable for ages 16-25.

  • 2pm – 7pm | Music Sessions | Barova Room

Want to chill out and enjoy some great music? Pop in, pull up a chair and listen to local acoustic sets by Tenderlore, Jack Francis, Fragile Lucy and Dan O’Farrell.

  • 6pm – 7pm | Experiment | Studio Theatre

Experiment is our scratch night of performances in development.

Part of our Laboratory programme with a performance by Itchen

College.

Suitable for ages 14+

• Keep your eyes peeled for some Deadly Secret improvisations around the building throughout the day!

• We will be gathering your words to make a giant word cloud. What words would you use to describe your new venue?

• Tyrells open for food and drinks all day.

At City Eye - Saturday 17 Feb

  • 11.30am –3.30pm | Family Filmmaking Fun | The Production Lab

Try your hand at making your own storyboard or short animation – or have a go at both!

  • 11.00am – 8.00pm | City Eye Archive | City Eye Hub

Stop by for a showcase screening of City Eye Film including our film record of events and stories relating to the Cultural Quarter and development of Studio 144.

  • 12.00pm – 4.00pm | Film Industry Talks | Screening Room

A programme of film-focused talks for experienced and aspiring filmmakers. Programme details at www.city-eye.co.uk

  • 12.30pm – 4.00pm | The Video Booth | Suite 4

Tell us what you think about Studio 144 and the things you’ve seen and participated in today at NST, John Hansard Gallery and City Eye.

At John Hansard Gallery - Saturday 17 Feb

  • 11 - 11.30am | Chinese Lion Dance

In celebration of the Chinese New Year, a traditional celebratory dance and martial arts performance by the Waterside Lion Dance Club to bring good luck to Studio 144.

On the hour, 12pm - 4pm | Tours of the building

Sign up on the day for tours of John Hansard Gallery and City Eye , led by members of staff from both organisations.

Exhibitions throughout John Hansard Gallery

David Batchelor: P-A-R-A-D-E (2017) | Above Bar & Foyer

Conversation Station with Stair/Slide/Space | Foyer

Sam Laughlin: Untitled (2015-17) | Mezzanine and John Hansard Gallery Office

Rhona Byrne: Huddlehood (2017) | Gallery 1

Rob Crosse: Prime Time (2017) | Barker-Mill Gallery

Hetain Patel: The Jump (2015) | Gallery 2

Hetain Patel | Don’t Look at the Finger (2017) | Gallery 2

Hetain Patel: Fiesta Transformer (2013) | Gallery 3

Also at the south JGH building:

Family drop-in day 17 February, 12–4pm Active Space Fun activities for all the family. Explore the artworks in Sampler through Discover Arts Award embedded activities.

Teacher’s Preview 19 February, 4–6pm Teachers are invited to discover the new building and forthcoming exhibitions programme.

  • Writers-In-Conversation 19 February, 7–9pm Winner of The McCrea Literary Award and The Polari First Book Prize, Paul McVeigh will read from his novel The Good Son, followed by Q&A.
  • Schools' Open Day 21 February, 11am–4pm Across all Gallery spaces Schools from across Hampshire and the wider area are invited to an Open Day in the Gallery’s new home at Studio 144.
  • Entropics 11: Holly Pester 21 February, 6–8pm Foyer Experimental poetry series, Entropics presents readings by sound poet Holly Pester and John Hansard Gallery’s Writer-in-Residence Iain Morrison.
  • Future Cities Southampton Community Network Meeting & Researchers Café with Dr Alan Wong 22 February, 3.30–5.30pm Active Space Open Network Meeting to discuss initiatives that will help shape Southampton for future generations.
  • Communities Open Day 23 February, 11am–4pm Active Space, drop-in Artist Lizzie Jones leads a creative workshop for Southampton Community groups. Visitors are invited to make and create in response to the artworks in Sampler.

All events are free.