PORTSMOUTH – The Players’ Ring Theatre is no stranger to introducing thought-provoking performances during its Mainstage season.
Now, the historic venue on Prescott Park, known for its high quality, stirring theatre productions, is transforming its lobby into an art exhibition space in collaboration with artist Molly C. Meng. The exhibit - titled “Strangely Fantastic” - begins with a preview night on Oct. 22 and will be on display until the end of the Mainstage season in June 2026.
This is the second time the Ring has held an art exhibition, said Executive Director Margherita Giacobbi. The first time was in 2022, when during the production of “Pain[t]” – a play about an artist who is no longer able to create because of a physical injury – the Ring invited Darlene Furbush Ouellett to exhibit some of her pieces.
“This collaboration came to existence because of a marvelous trail of connections between humans – the short version is that Margherita heard me speak at Leadership Seacoast in the Spring, about being a ‘working artist’ and saw images of the artwork I make,” Meng, who lives and works in Portsmouth, said.
Giacobbi also remembers listening to Molly’s presentation while waiting for her turn to join a panel discussion during the Arts & Culture day of Leadership Seacoast.
“I immediately felt the urge to connect,” she said. “We chatted, I invited her to visit the theatre, and she was instantly smitten. We both agreed it would be wonderful to feature some of her work in our lobby.”
What Giacobbi didn’t expect was that Meng would embark on creating an entirely new body of work inspired by the Ring itself.
“And the results are extraordinary,” Giacobbi said. “Molly’s art is all about layered storytelling, precious yet sometimes disregarded materials and moments, which makes it absolutely perfect for a theatrical space like ours.”
For years, the Ring’s lobby proudly displayed paintings by its founder, Gary Newton, a prolific artist whose spirit still fills the space.
“But inviting new artists to exhibit here feels like a natural evolution of our mission: to uplift and celebrate creators of all kinds. We’ve long done that for theatre-makers—why not open the door to visual artists as well?” Giacobbi said.
Artwork will be for sale benefitting both the artist and the Ring.
To discover more about Molly C. Meng, visit https://www.mollycmeng.com/