Kings Theatre Opens on Albert Road

1907

The Kings Theatre opened on 30 September 1907 at the western end of Albert Road, designed by the theatre architect Frank Matcham. Matcham was the most prolific and celebrated theatre designer of the Edwardian era, responsible for the London Coliseum, the Hackney Empire, and dozens of other venues across Britain. The Kings Theatre is one of his finest surviving works, with an ornate auditorium featuring plasterwork, gilding, and a painted ceiling. The theatre was built to seat around 1,600 people and offered a programme of drama, variety, opera, and pantomime. It has operated almost continuously since opening, surviving the wartime bombing that destroyed much of the surrounding area. The theatre fell into disrepair in the late 20th century and faced the threat of closure on several occasions. A major restoration campaign, supported by public fundraising and Heritage Lottery funding, has restored much of the original interior. Today the Kings Theatre is run as a charitable trust and presents a year-round programme of professional and amateur productions, including a popular annual pantomime. It is widely regarded as one of the best surviving Edwardian theatres in England and is a Grade II* listed building. The theatre anchors the western end of Albert Road and is an important part of Southsea's cultural identity.