The Kings Theatre, Southsea, Portsmouth

An enthusiastic and dedicated treasure hunter armed with a metal detector will spend hours, days, weeks, even years hunting for the long lost golden jewel that will make their fortune.  An enthusiastic and dedicated theatregoer can find their own golden jewel by just visiting the Kings Theatre in Portsmouth, or more precisely Albert Road, Southsea.  This Edwardian gem has merged from a sad and neglected old lady into a vibrant and successful centre of entertainment in Portsmouth, giving golden opportunities for professional and amateur performers to bring pleasure and enjoyment to an expanding and appreciative audience.

It has been twelve years since the Kings Theatre came back to life thanks to overwhelming support from the public for the AKTER (Action for Kings Theatre Restoration) campaign and the backing of Portsmouth City Council who saw the determination of the Kings Theatre Trust to make it happen.

The Kings Theatre Trust operates the theatre and is dedicated to the full restoration and development of this stunning venue both for the City and for future generations. All profits are ploughed back into this aim and already some £2million pounds have been spent bringing the Kings up to the demanding standards that the theatre industry expects.

Bands of volunteers supporting an excellent staff, professional craftsmen and women and dedicated leadership have enabled the Kings Theatre to grow each year to become a venue of choice for professional producers to come to with their shows.  Singers, comedians, bands and musicals like ‘Chicago’, ‘Blood Brothers’, ‘Seven Brides For Seven Brothers’, ‘Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’, Ice Shows, opera, ballet, and plays to name but a few.  Not forgetting the great family Christmas Pantomimes that have enjoyed a steadily increasing audience over many years.

As well as these top quality professional productions there have also been equally top quality shows from the strong amateur companies that Portsmouth and its surrounding areas have in abundance. The Portsmouth Players, South Downe Musical Society, CCADS, Groundlings Theatre Company, One – Off Productions, Victoryland, and The Kings’ own Youth Theatre as well as many fantastic music and dance companies.  It’s all here at the Kings Theatre.

Employment, education and training form a major part of the Trust’s delivery of golden opportunities for all.  Universities and Further Education Colleges, Training Agencies and employment groups make full use of the work experience and placements offered by the Kings in many varied aspects of the theatre’s business including finance,  administration, marketing, I.T. and technical.  Currently six apprentices are employed at the Kings Theatre making the venue one of the leaders in Creative Industry apprenticeships in Hampshire.

So there you have it, your very own golden jewel just waiting for you to find it and there’s more to come!

Be part of our future! We look forward to seeing you!

Mike Williams

Director, Kings Theatre Trust Ltd