Kings Theatre shares its heritage

By Victoria Bartlett
BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight

Seats for the 1900s gentry were 50 times more expensive than benches

The Kings Theatre is one of the most complete Matcham theatres in the country and has been undergoing a programme of restoration using specialists in skills, covering all areas of decorative and fine arts.

Sean Bowman, Heritage and Education Director for the Kings Trust Ltd says it is really important for them to share the theatre's history with visitors: "The theatre has perfect vision and acoustics.

"But it's also important to the area, to the history of theatre development, and tells us a lot about Southsea society in Edwardian times.

"There are also lots of secrets and features that people don't get to see if they come here to see a show. Now they can see those special backstage details."

Architectural vision

"We're 95% original Matcham" says Sean Bowman of Kings Trust Ltd

The Edwardian playhouse with its Italian Renaissance style of decor has most of its original features intact.

It was built in 1907 by Frank Matcham, one of the greatest of theatre architects, and is currently undergoing major restoration.

J W Boughton had the vision for the theatre. He had worked with Matcham before and discussed with the rising theatre architect the idea of building a Drama and Opera House in Southsea.

Boughton paid for the initial design out of his own pocket because he was so confident in the idea.

Luckily he was right and was repaid by the board of directors and this became the third theatre owned by the Portsmouth Theatre Company.

Over time Matcham built or restored 150 theatres. The Kings Theatre claims to be the most complete and original of them.

Treading the boards

The building has a character of it's own - people says that it grabs you and I think that is true Peter Jackman Volunteer at the Kings Theatre

The venue was opened by HB Irving, son of Sir Henry Irving, with a play called Charles I.

Sean Bowman says: "It was thought the gentry of Southsea required this sort of play. However, within a year they were losing money by putting on this type of performance so they went to twice-nightly variety, which is comment on what they really wanted!"

Many productions have visited the theatre since its opening. For example, it was the venue for the opening of the famous Aldwych Farces.

The Kings Theatre held a large programme of shows to keep up morale during the difficult wartime years including the popular musical concerts, which were moved from the bombed Guildhall.

Many stars of stage and screen have performed at the Kings, including Sarah Bernhardt, Noel Coward, Sean Connery, Rex Harrison, Spike Milligan, Ivor Novello and Sybil Thorndike.

Actresses Kate O'Mara and Dillie Keane are patrons of the theatre. Kate O'Mara is the great granddaughter of J W Boughton and Dillie Keane is a local Southsea doctor's daughter and was an usher at the theatre when she was younger.

Restoration work

Restoring the ceiling in the auditorium was a very delicate task

Since the City Council bought the theatre in 2001, over £2 million has been spent restoring the building as much as possible to its original glory and improving it's facilities.

Over the years the theatre has barely changed, which adds to its charm. A small team of dedicated staff run the building, with much valued volunteer assistance.

Peter Jackman, 74, from Widley has been a volunteer for 19 years: "When I retired I went to the Kings Theatre to see if they needed any help. I started right away and have done everything now from stage crew to front of house, and spent a lot of time helping with the restoration.

"I have seen it change greatly and I'm so proud of what we've achieved - we do it one job at a time, day by day, and we will get it all done!"

£240,000 has been spent on computerised the scenery controls

"In my wife's memory I have restored four doors in the theatre - one of them taking me 12 hours at a time. She used to come to the theatre frequently - so that work is special to me.

"The building has a character of its own. People says that it grabs you - and I think that's true.

Most scenery is still managed by hand, although a motorised flying system has been installed to allow the theatre to host a wider variety of shows.

The outside of the building has only altered a little over the years. The lady statue, originally mounted on the top of the Tower, was lost for many years and only found again by chance in 1998 in a Hampshire scrap-yard.

Renamed "Aurora" in honour of the centenary, she is now on display in the main foyer, and a glass fibre replica has been reinstated on the top of the tower in 2009 as the crowning glory of a £200,000 restoration of the whole tower.

Care and attention

Ron, Sean and Peter have all dedicated many years to the theatre

Ron Hasker from Cosham, now 58, came to visit the theatre on a school trip when he was 13 years old. He is now Chairman of the Kings Trust Ltd, but far from remote in the restoration process:

"We all 'muck in' and I enjoy discovering new things all the time - and not just the architectural stuff - I've found old theatre tickets, even ice cream sticks, under chairs from many years ago and they all give us clues as to how things used to be.

"We are very aware and conscious of the heritage we are looking after. And we're very grateful to lazy decorators of the past who have just covered features up rather than removed them, so that we have the pleasure of unveiling them and restoring their original beauty."

"We don't want perfection - we want the lived-in look so that people not only admire the Kings Theatre but are comfortable here. We aiming for cosy cardigan not 'keep off the grass'!"

The theatre is two thirds of the way through its restoration - but still a sight to behold.

Public tours are on the first Saturday of every month. Call 023 9285 2206 to book a place or go to the Kings Theatre website to find out what stage shows you can see there.