King's (Portsmouth)

• Theatre ID
  987
• Built / Converted
  1907
• Dates of use
  • 1907: continuing
• Current state
  Extant
• Current use
  Theatre
• Address
  Albert Road, Southsea, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO5 2QJ, England

Details

Sited between two converging roads with the entrance at the apex, dominated by a hexagonal tower with a steeply pitched roof surmounted by a cupola. The auditorium has three well curved balconies and is intimate for its large capacity. The first and second balconies abut two superimposed stage boxes on each side. The lower boxes have arched canopies which also form the fronts of the boxes above. These are framed by squat Ionic columns and are backed by shell-hooded niches. The gallery front curves directly into the walls and is separated from the stage boxes on each side by a further large shell-hooded niche (a favourite Matcham decorative motif). The ceiling is in two sections - a flat lower part spanning between the stage boxes, and a large oval saucer-dome at a higher level, decorated with six painted panels. The proscenium is segmentally-arched with an enriched plaster outer frame and an inner frame of alabaster. That the King’s is ‘late Matcham’ is apparent in the heavy modelling of the Baroque plasterwork when compared with, for example, his Gaiety, Douglas (1893) or Grand, Blackpool (1894), and also in a relative coarseness in the handling of some of the forms, e.g. the composition of the boxes, and the heavily emphasised proscenium frame. When considered in an overall context, however the King’s is an important and complete example of Edwardian theatre architecture. Saved from closure in 2001 after pressure from local group AKTER, the theatre is gradually undergoing restoration and technical improvements.

---

Hide further details

• Events
  • 1907 Use: continuing
  • 1907 Design/Construction:
    • Frank Matcham - Architect
  • 1987 Alteration: roof and auditorium ceiling repaired
    • City Architect - Architect
  • Owner/Management: Portsmouth Theatre Company Ltd, owners; Boughton succeeded by Davey & 1960s Commander Cooper, managing directors
  • 1964 Owner/Management: Mrs Cooper, owner; Commander Reginald Cooper, manager
  • 1987 - 1991 Owner/Management: Mrs Cooper (now widow), owner & manager
  • 1988 Owner/Management: Mrs Cooper, co-owner with Ivor Barnes
  • 1991 Owner/Management: Hampshire County Council, owners; Mrs Cooper, lessee
  • 2001 - 0 Owner/Management: Purchased by Portsmouth City Council; Kings Theatre Trust, lessee
  • 2007 - 0 Alteration: Restoration of auditorium ceiling and much of interior; some backstage power flying installed
• Capacities
  • Original: 2172
  • Later: 1920: 2064 1946: 1780 later: 1450
  • Current: 1600
• Listings
  • Grade II*
• Dimensions
  • Stage dimensions: 1907 Depth: 45ft (1992) Width SL: 27ft 6in SR: 27ft 6in
  • Proscenium width: 1907: 25ft 1992: 28ft
  • Height to grid: 1992: 50ft
  • Orchestra pit: Original pit, 20-24 musicians; 12 dressing rooms