Events

Much Ado About Falstaff – Open-Air Theatre at Petersfield Museum & Art Gallery
GSP Theatre follows up its recent successes (Old Herbaceous, Three Men in a Boat, My Dog’s Got No Nose) with a brand-new comedy about one of Shakespeare’s most beloved rogues—Sir John Falstaff! A philanderer, a glutton, and an infamous trickster, Falstaff is larger than life, both in reputation and stature.
In this hilarious new play by Simon Downing, Falstaff (played by Giles Shenton) finds himself in his bedroom at the Boar’s Head, being nursed by the ever-persistent Mistress Quickly (Georgie Taylor). As creditors come knocking, he faces a dilemma—will he marry Mistress Quickly just to pay off his debts? Could he ever give up drinking? Might he finally mellow in his old age?
Join us for an evening of jollity, sharp wit, and more Shakespearean insults than ever heard on stage! Expect slapstick comedy, bawdy humor, and a rousing performance that captures the spirit of the infamous Fat Knight.
★ Open-Air Performance – Embrace the Elements!
This performance takes place under the open sky in the courtyard at Petersfield Museum & Art Gallery. Come rain or shine, the show will go on! (Unless the weather is deemed unsafe by the museum or production company.) We recommend dressing for the occasion to make the most of this unique outdoor theatre experience.
★ Fully Licensed Bar
Make a night of it! A fully licensed bar will be available before the show.
★ Praise for Much Ado About Falstaff
"Giles Shenton effortlessly embodies all that audiences have come to know and love of Sir John Falstaff... An evening of silliness that revels in humour and wit, be it bardic wordplay or fart jokes… More Shakespearean insults than ever previously heard on a theatrical stage. To be enjoyed by Shakespeare lovers and haters alike!" – The Brighton Source
Book now for an evening of unfiltered fun and Shakespearean mischief!
Book now
Workshop: Working in Wire – Everyday Objects in Lines
Inspired by Michael Craig-Martin

Join our Head of Collections and Exhibitions, Louise Weller, for an exclusive look inside our summer exhibition Michael Craig-Martin: Everyday Obejects.
Michael Craig-Martin has been a key figure in British art since the late 1960s. His depictions of everyday objects, from sunglasses and shoes to lightbulbs and laptps, drawn in outline and filled with intense saturated colours, are instantly recognisable.
This Curator Tour will take a closer look at the selection of his prints and everyday objects that are the subject of his work. Discover how Michael Craig-Martin's bold prints highlight his unique exploration of colour, form and object.
Ticket includes entry to the exhibition after your tour to explore the art work at your leisure.
Curator Tours - What to expect:
- A guided tour through the exhibition, exploring how it was curated.
- Insights into the selectionof works and themes.
- A 45-minute, conversation-led tour, offering a fresh perspective on Carig-Martin's distinctinve visual language.
- The opportunity to explore the exhibtion after the tour.

Unlock your creativity and refine your drawing skills with our Life Drawing sessions – a time-honoured practice that hones your ability to observe and capture the human form.
Led by an experienced tutor Livvy Stainer, these relaxed and welcoming sessions will guide you through the essentials of life drawing, including proportion, anatomy, composition, line, tone, and perspective. Working from live nude models, you’ll explore a range of timed poses, with expert tips, demonstrations, and guidance to support your progress.
Whether you're a complete beginner or an experienced artist, these sessions are designed to help you build confidence, improve hand-eye coordination, and develop your artistic style.
???? No long term commitment, Join us for a one-off session to see if its right for you or multiple sessions for a deeper dive into this essential artistic discipline the choice is yours.
All materials provided – just bring your enthusiasm!
Book now
Alcohol and Petersfield ????????
Raise a glass to Petersfield’s rich history with this fascinating guided walk! From alehouses to breweries, inns to distilleries, discover how alcohol—both brewing and drinking—has shaped the town for centuries.
Strolling through the heart of Petersfield, you’ll uncover stories of long-lost coaching inns, gin magnates, and a love story with a wine connection, discover more out the bustling trade that kept the town’s glasses full. Along the way, we’ll visit key locations where the town’s drinking culture thrived before finishing at our fully licenced coffee shop, where you can reward yourself with a refreshing locally produced drink.
Essential Info:
???? Starts & ends at the Museum
???? Goes ahead in all weather (unless unsafe)
♿ Town-centre route, hard surfaces, and short stops make it accessible to most
Come thirsty for history, stories, and maybe a pint or two! ????
Book now
Wrap up half term with a special Saturday session packed with colour and creativity!
Run by Jo from Craft Zen and inspired by our current exhibition; Michael Craig-Martin: Everyday Objects, this relaxed family art activity invites children and grown-ups to get creative together - designing bold, eye-cathcing artworks to take home.
No experience needed - just bring your imagination!
Sessions:
10:30am - 12:00pm
2:00pm - 3:30pm
This Creative Saturday has been made possible thanks to the generous support of K J Smith Solicitors.
About Jo Waterson-Deuble: As an experienced teacher and crafter, Jo is passionate about inspiring children to be creative. Arts and crafts encourage well-being, and 'Making Time to Make' is valuable in today's busy world.
Book now

An Evening with Lou Fowkes – Live in the Courtyard
Get ready for a soul-stirring night of live music under the stars as the incredible Lou Fowkes takes the stage in the outdoor courtyard at Petersfield Museum & Art Gallery. With a voice that’s rich, powerful, and packed with emotion, Lou brings timeless classics to life, performing songs from Billie Holiday, Etta James, Adele, Aretha Franklin, Roberta Flack, Beth Hart, and Amy Winehouse—plus a few surprises!
Originally from Surrey and now based in Kent, Lou has spent her life in professional arts and entertainment, performing everywhere from London’s West End to venues across the South East. With a background in R&B, jazz, and blues, she has fronted multiple bands, recorded with ‘Battered & Bluesed,’ and toured as part of the six-piece rock/blues band ‘Catching Fire’.
★ A Magical Outdoor Experience
This event takes place in our beautiful open-air courtyard, creating the perfect atmosphere for an evening of live music, great company, and unforgettable performances. Please dress for the weather to enjoy the night in comfort.
★ Fully Licensed Bar
Make the most of the evening with a fully licensed bar, serving a selection of drinks before the show.
★ What Audiences Say
"A wonderfully deep and soulful voice."
"A real powerhouse performer."
Whether you're a fan of soul, blues, jazz, or powerhouse vocals, this is a night not to be missed.
Book now and let Lou’s incredible voice take you on a musical journey!
Book now
Enjoy an evening of outdoor theater in our unique, intimate courtyard.
Persophone is just planning for her coming out ball when she finds herself consigned to a rather puzzling finishing school: St Dymphna’s Hospital for the Criminally Insane. Here she meets Dora, a fellow inmate, shunned by society for daring to be different. Airswimming is based on the true story of two women who have been incarcerated in a mental asylum for being ‘moral imbeciles’ for having borne illegitimate children.
Forgotten by their families and institutionalized for over 50 years, Dora and Persephone adopt alter egos Dorph and Porph, to enact their fantasies and survive the silence of incarceration.
Described by BBC radio 4 as “an uplifting comedy of friendship, fantasy and freedom” the play is equal parts funny and vivacious, and heartbreakingly poignant.
About Vega Theatre:
Formed in 2024, Vega Theatre are a Hampshire based, small scale professional theatre company dedicated to creating innovative, unique, and thought provoking theatre. We are passionate about the power of live performance and aim to bring high quality productions to local audiences at affordable prices.
Doors/Bar Open: 7pm
Performance Starts: 7.30pm
Finish: 10pm

Float into summer with our fourteenth Toddler Takeover: Bubble Bonanza!
This special event is dedicated to under-5s and their grown-ups. With the museum and art gallery closed to the public for the day, little ones can safely explore and enjoy an exciting, bubble-filled programme of activities designed to inspire joy, creativity, and play.
Key attractions include:
- Bubble and Pop Disco – An energetic, interactive dance experience led by Professor Bubbles
- Giant Bubble Experience – Children step inside a giant bubble
- Story Time – A bubble-themed tale told by Professor Bubbles
- Bubble Crafts – Creative, bubble-inspired arts and crafts
- Additional Activities – Throughout the site, multiple bubble-themed and toddler-friendly experiences will be available

Join our Head of Collections and Exhibitions, Louise Weller, for an exclusive look inside our summer exhibition Michael Craig-Martin: Everyday Obejects.
Michael Craig-Martin has been a key figure in British art since the late 1960s. His depictions of everyday objects, from sunglasses and shoes to lightbulbs and laptps, drawn in outline and filled with intense saturated colours, are instantly recognisable.
This Curator Tour will take a closer look at the selection of his prints and everyday objects that are the subject of his work. Discover how Michael Craig-Martin's bold prints highlight his unique exploration of colour, form and object.
Ticket includes admission to the exhibition after the tour to explore at your leisure.
Curator Tours - What to expect:
A guided tour through the exhibition, exploring how it was curated.
Insights into the selectionof works and themes.
A 45-minute, conversation-led tour, offering a fresh perspective on Carig-Martin's distinctinve visual language.
The opportunity to explore the exhibtion at your own pace after the tour.

Unlock your creativity and refine your drawing skills with our Life Drawing sessions – a time-honoured practice that hones your ability to observe and capture the human form.
Led by an experienced tutor Livvy Stainer, these relaxed and welcoming sessions will guide you through the essentials of life drawing, including proportion, anatomy, composition, line, tone, and perspective. Working from live nude models, you’ll explore a range of timed poses, with expert tips, demonstrations, and guidance to support your progress.
Whether you're a complete beginner or an experienced artist, these sessions are designed to help you build confidence, improve hand-eye coordination, and develop your artistic style.
???? No long term commitment, Join us for a one-off session to see if its right for you or multiple sessions for a deeper dive into this essential artistic discipline the choice is yours.
All materials provided – just bring your enthusiasm!
Book now
Event Creative Saturday: Michael Craig-Martin: Everyday Objects (June) has been created.
Open configuration options
Inspired by Michael Craig-Martin: Everyday Objects and run by Jo from Craft Zen, this relaxed family art activity invites children and grown-ups to get creative together - designing bold, eye-cathcing artworks to take home.
No experience needed - just bring your imagination!
Sessions:
10:30am - 12:00pm
2:00pm - 3:30pm
This Creative Saturday has been made possible thanks to the generous support of K J Smith Solicitors.
Book now

Join our Head of Collections and Exhibitions, Louise Weller, for an exclusive look inside our summer exhibition Michael Craig-Martin: Everyday Obejects.
Michael Craig-Martin has been a key figure in British art since the late 1960s. His depictions of everyday objects, from sunglasses and shoes to lightbulbs and laptps, drawn in outline and filled with intense saturated colours, are instantly recognisable.
This Curator Tour will take a closer look at the selection of his prints and everyday objects that are the subject of his work. Discover how Michael Craig-Martin's bold prints highlight his unique exploration of colour, form and object.
Ticket includes admission to the exhibition after the tour to explore at your leisure.
Curator Tours - What to expect:
A guided tour through the exhibition, exploring how it was curated.
Insights into the selectionof works and themes.
A 45-minute, conversation-led tour, offering a fresh perspective on Carig-Martin's distinctinve visual language.
The opportunity to explore the exhibtion at your own pace after the tour.

Join us for an electrifying evening of live music in the open-air Courtyard at Petersfield Museum and Art Gallery with acclaimed guitarist Rob Johnston.
Rob Johnston is no stranger to the national stage, having performed at major acoustic festivals, arts centres, and live on BBC Radio. Renowned for his virtuosic command of the acoustic guitar, Rob’s performances blend intricate fingerstyle, bold rhythms and percussive flair—often switching between guitars mid-set to create a rich, genre-defying soundscape.
Collaborating with dynamic percussionist Tim Gower, this duo delivers an unforgettable, high-energy acoustic experience. Expect masterful musicianship, technical brilliance and a charged atmosphere that has wowed audiences up and down the country.
“Staggering playing… He is a mighty, mighty fine player.”
— South Live, BBC Radio
Event Details
Experience live music under the summer skies in our unique Courtyard venue—an intimate space perfect for acoustic, folk and indie concerts (wet weather contingency available!). Our fully licensed bar will be open before, during and after the performance, serving a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
Book now
Unlock your creativity and refine your drawing skills with our Life Drawing sessions – a time-honoured practice that hones your ability to observe and capture the human form.
Led by an experienced tutor Livvy Stainer, these relaxed and welcoming sessions will guide you through the essentials of life drawing, including proportion, anatomy, composition, line, tone, and perspective. Working from live nude models, you’ll explore a range of timed poses, with expert tips, demonstrations, and guidance to support your progress.
Whether you're a complete beginner or an experienced artist, these sessions are designed to help you build confidence, improve hand-eye coordination, and develop your artistic style.
???? No long term commitment, Join us for a one-off session to see if its right for you or multiple sessions for a deeper dive into this essential artistic discipline the choice is yours.
All materials provided – just bring your enthusiasm!
Book now
Unlock your creativity and refine your drawing skills with our Life Drawing sessions – a time-honoured practice that hones your ability to observe and capture the human form.
Led by an experienced tutor Livvy Stainer, these relaxed and welcoming sessions will guide you through the essentials of life drawing, including proportion, anatomy, composition, line, tone, and perspective. Working from live nude models, you’ll explore a range of timed poses, with expert tips, demonstrations, and guidance to support your progress.
Whether you're a complete beginner or an experienced artist, these sessions are designed to help you build confidence, improve hand-eye coordination, and develop your artistic style.
???? No long term commitment, Join us for a one-off session to see if its right for you or multiple sessions for a deeper dive into this essential artistic discipline the choice is yours.
All materials provided – just bring your enthusiasm!
Book now