Royal Victoria Hall

• Theatre ID
  2046
• Built / Converted
  1900
• Dates of use
  • 1900: continuing
• Current state
  Extant
• Current use
  Theatre (multi-purpose hall)
• Address
  High Street, Southborough, Kent, TA4 0ND, England

Details

The gift of Sir David Salomons, to provide theatrical and other rational amusements to people who could not afford to go to theatres in the adjoining towns. It was supported by Southborough Urban District Council whose surveyor designed it, but it was said that ‘the plans were really Sir David’s own’. A national journal described it at the time as ‘the only municipal theatre in England’ and it is particularly interesting as probably the first of its kind. A red brick, rectangular building with a low fly tower, and, originally, a chapel-like façe set back from the road. It now has a later, bland forward extension, with a curved gable bearing a re-sited date stone reading ‘1897’ and the inscription, ROYAL VICTORIA HALL. A pretty cast iron porch was removed a few years ago (purchased by a Councillor who thought its removal regrettable) and replaced by a lumpish ‘modern’ canopy more suitable for a filling station. The auditorium was designed with a scenic stage, permanent seating in a straight-across end balcony, and a flat floor with removable raked seating to part (but now no longer on the original stepped platforms). The regrettable alterations to the entrance, the provision of a new box office and the insertion of a bar running the full length of the hall, occurred in 1977-1979. Although a multi-purpose hall, run by the local authority, it was licensed for stage plays and authorised to use the Royal coat of arms from the beginning. Used by both professionals and amateurs.

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• Events
  • 1900 Use: continuing
  • 1900 Design/Construction:
    • William Harmer (Council Surveyor) with Sir David Salomons - Architect
  • 1977 - 1979 Alteration: Array altered internally and façade modernised
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1900 Design/Construction:
    • Suggs - Consultant: Gas Fittings
    • Maple & Co - Consultant: Furnishings And Fabrics
    • W Reading & J B & H Drury - Consultant: Scenery
    • W Reading - Consultant: Drop Curtain And Stage Trap
  • 1900 Owner/Management: Southborough Urban District Council
• Capacities
  • Original: ‘over 600’
  • Current: 450
• Listings
  • Grade Not listed
• Stage type
  • Proscenium Raked
• Dimensions
  • Stage dimensions: Depth: 7m (24ft)
  • Proscenium width: 8.53m (28ft)
  • Height to grid: 6.4m (21ft)
  • Orchestra pit: None