It might resound to the rock'n'roll of an Elvis tribute act, to shrieks of delight at a male beefcake show or to laughter inspired by a popular comedian.
But from May 6-10, the Southsea theatre will be home to something so completely different that it would not have entered the wildest dreams of its famous architect, Frank Matcham, when it was built in 1907 - The Sleeping Beauty on Ice.
It will not be the first time the stage has been turned into an ice rink. The Russian Ice Stars performed The Phantom of the Opera there in 1996.
But theatre publicity officer Sandra Smith says it will be different this time when the Imperial Ice Stars hit town.
'It will be even more fantastic because the company are making the stage so much bigger,' she says.
'They are going to build the ice rink over the orchestra pit and the walkway, and even over some of the front seats.'
So how do they turn a theatre stage into an ice rink? Well, it involves what looks like a giant baking tray, 10 miles of pipes, chiller units, 14 tonnes of ice and a lot of hard work.

• For a fuller version of this story and to win a box for four to see the show, don't miss The News on Thursday.