Kings Theatre, Southsea
Encyclopedia
Kings Theatre is a theatre in Southsea
, Portsmouth
which opened in 1907. It is operated by the charity Kings Theatre Trust Ltd.
. In 2001, after a successful campaign by AKTER (Action for Kings TheatrE Restoration) to keep the theatre open, the theatre was purchased by Portsmouth City Council
and leased to the Kings Theatre Trust Ltd who undertook the restoration of the building. The present day theatre has a seating capacity
of 1600 and a computerised booking system. Much of the backstage area is still fully manual, allowing it to retain the tag of a traditional hemp house, though powered flying bars have now been installed to allow large scale productions.
In 1974, director Ken Russell
filmed the Pinball Wizard
sequence of the rock opera Tommy
at the theatre, featuring The Who
and Elton John
on the stage.
Between October 2008 and February 2009, the original leaded dome, red painted wooden cupula, the deteriorated wooden statue(now named Aurora) and six lion
figures was replicated in glassfibre by Jago Developments of Chichester and successfully installed by them (with the help of a 60ton crane).
Since the restoration programme commenced, over £2 million has been spent on refurbishment using both professional and volunteer workers.
Currently the Kings Theatre Trust are looking to raise funds for a restoration of the currently dilapidated Tower Room, in order to create a community art studio and exhibition space.
Since the 2007 restorations, the Kings Theatre has attracted large national touring productions such as Chicago, Beauty & The Beast and The Rocky Horror Show.
Productions from larger amateur societies, such as South Downes Musical Society and The Portsmouth Players, regularly feature in the programme.
One of the biggest draws is the Christmas Pantomime. The Kings Theatre is well known in Hampshire for its very traditional family pantomimes.
Southsea
Southsea is a seaside resort located in Portsmouth at the southern end of Portsea Island in the county of Hampshire in England. Southsea is within a mile of Portsmouth's city centre....
, Portsmouth
Portsmouth
Portsmouth is the second largest city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire on the south coast of England. Portsmouth is notable for being the United Kingdom's only island city; it is located mainly on Portsea Island...
which opened in 1907. It is operated by the charity Kings Theatre Trust Ltd.
History
The theatre opened on 30 September 1907 with a production of Charles 1 followed by 2 further of Sir Henry Irving's Works. The theatre stayed in the control of its original owners, The Portsmouth Theatre Company, until 1964 when it was purchased by Commander Reggie & Mrs Joan Cooper. In 1990 it was sold again to Hampshire County CouncilHampshire
Hampshire is a county on the southern coast of England in the United Kingdom. The county town of Hampshire is Winchester, a historic cathedral city that was once the capital of England. Hampshire is notable for housing the original birthplaces of the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force...
. In 2001, after a successful campaign by AKTER (Action for Kings TheatrE Restoration) to keep the theatre open, the theatre was purchased by Portsmouth City Council
Portsmouth
Portsmouth is the second largest city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire on the south coast of England. Portsmouth is notable for being the United Kingdom's only island city; it is located mainly on Portsea Island...
and leased to the Kings Theatre Trust Ltd who undertook the restoration of the building. The present day theatre has a seating capacity
Seating capacity
Seating capacity refers to the number of people who can be seated in a specific space, both in terms of the physical space available, and in terms of limitations set by law. Seating capacity can be used in the description of anything ranging from an automobile that seats two to a stadium that seats...
of 1600 and a computerised booking system. Much of the backstage area is still fully manual, allowing it to retain the tag of a traditional hemp house, though powered flying bars have now been installed to allow large scale productions.
In 1974, director Ken Russell
Ken Russell
Henry Kenneth Alfred "Ken" Russell was an English film director, known for his pioneering work in television and film and for his flamboyant and controversial style. He attracted criticism as being obsessed with sexuality and the church...
filmed the Pinball Wizard
Pinball Wizard
"Pinball Wizard" is a song written by Pete Townshend and performed by the English rock band The Who, and featured on their 1969 rock opera album Tommy. The original recording was released as a single in 1969 and reached No. 4 in the UK charts and No. 19 on the U.S...
sequence of the rock opera Tommy
Tommy (film)
Tommy is a 1975 British musical film based upon The Who's 1969 rock opera album musical Tommy. It was directed by Ken Russell and featured a star-studded cast, including the band members themselves...
at the theatre, featuring The Who
The Who
The Who are an English rock band formed in 1964 by Roger Daltrey , Pete Townshend , John Entwistle and Keith Moon . They became known for energetic live performances which often included instrument destruction...
and Elton John
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
on the stage.
The Kings Theatre Trust Ltd
The Kings Theatre Trust Ltd. is a registered charity which oversees both the day to day running and the restoration of the building, as well as productions at the theatre. The restoration is in part funded by Portsmouth City Council and the Kings Theatre Trust. The KT Trust consist of: Chairman Ron Hasker, Vice-Chairman Ian Pratt, Marketing Director Mike Williams, Building Director Robin Tucker,Education Director Bill Taylor,Heritage Director Sean Bowman, Finance Director Paul Wragg.Staff
General Manager David Cooper, Marketing Officers Darren Tipper & Helen Young, Technical Manager Jamie Klukers, Front Of House Manager Nigel Stewart, Finance Manager Natalie Black, Group Bookings and Publicity Officer Sandra Smith, Box Office Supervisor Erin Petraca, and Education Co-Ordinator Sonia VidalRestoration work
As part of the Centenary Project, the Kings Theatre underwent a £500,000 refurbishment of the auditorium, including the ceiling. Beginning on 17 June 2007 the theatre was cleared and scaffolding was constructed to allow access to the higher areas of the auditorium. There was work to restore the decorations of the theatre and maintain the areas. During this work a small 120 seat theatre was created within the auditorium which was known as the Stage 2 Studio. The Studio season was such a success that it was repeated during the Summer of 2008 (throughout August) with music, comedy, children's shows, drama and dance all part of the line up.Between October 2008 and February 2009, the original leaded dome, red painted wooden cupula, the deteriorated wooden statue(now named Aurora) and six lion
figures was replicated in glassfibre by Jago Developments of Chichester and successfully installed by them (with the help of a 60ton crane).
Since the restoration programme commenced, over £2 million has been spent on refurbishment using both professional and volunteer workers.
Currently the Kings Theatre Trust are looking to raise funds for a restoration of the currently dilapidated Tower Room, in order to create a community art studio and exhibition space.
Shows
Many one night touring shows come through the Kings Theatre, from ballet to rock music, through drama to children's shows.Since the 2007 restorations, the Kings Theatre has attracted large national touring productions such as Chicago, Beauty & The Beast and The Rocky Horror Show.
Productions from larger amateur societies, such as South Downes Musical Society and The Portsmouth Players, regularly feature in the programme.
One of the biggest draws is the Christmas Pantomime. The Kings Theatre is well known in Hampshire for its very traditional family pantomimes.