Kings Theatre, Southsea

The theatre opened on 30 September 1907 with a production of Charles I followed by two further of Sir Henry Irving's works. During the 1930s it was used to premiere several works by Ian Hay before they transferred to the West End including Orders Are Orders and Admirals All. The musical ''This'll Make You Whistle'' premiered there in 1935. The theatre stayed in the control of its original owners, The Portsmouth Theatre Company, until 1964 when it was purchased by Commander Reggie & Mrs Joan Cooper. ==The Kings Theatre Trust Ltd==

The Kings Theatre Trust Ltd. is a registered charity which oversees both the day-to-day running and the restoration of the building, as well as productions at the theatre. The restoration is in part funded by Portsmouth City Council and the Kings Theatre Trust. ==Staff==

Led by a team of full time staff, headed by CEO Richard Pearce. ==Restoration work==

As part of the Centenary Project, the Kings Theatre underwent a £500,000 refurbishment of the auditorium, including the ceiling. Beginning on 17 June 2007 the theatre was cleared and scaffolding was constructed to allow access to the higher areas of the auditorium. There was work to restore the decorations of the theatre and maintain the areas. During this work a small 120-seat theatre was created within the auditorium which was known as the Stage 2 Studio. The Studio season was such a success that it was repeated during the Summer of 2008 (throughout August) with music, comedy, children's shows, drama and dance all part of the line up. Between October 2008 and February 2009, the original leaded dome, red painted wooden cupula, the deteriorated wooden statue (now named Aurora) and six lion figures was replicated in glassfibre by Jago Developments of Chichester and successfully installed by them (with the help of a 60-ton crane). Since the restoration programme commenced, over £2 million has been spent on refurbishment using both professional and volunteer workers. The Kings Theatre Trust are in the process of raising funds for a restoration of the currently dilapidated Tower Room, to create a community art studio and exhibition space. ==Shows==

Many one night touring shows come to the Kings Theatre, from ballet to rock music, through drama to children's shows and comedians. Since the major restorations have been undertaken, the Kings Theatre has attracted large national touring productions such as "Chicago", "Beauty & The Beast", "MAMMA MIA!", "The Rocky Horror Show", "Evita" and "Grease". The theatre is also host to many local drama societies including The Portsmouth Players, CCADs and South Downe Musical Society. ==Professional Productions==

• The Sound of Music • Mamma Mia! • We Will Rock You • The Play That Goes Wrong • Avenue Q • Grease • Chicago • Dreamboats and Petticoats • Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat • Buddy • The Mousetrap • Seven Brides for Seven Brothers • Copacabana • The Woman in Black (25th Anniversary Touring Production) • Calamity Jane • Return to the Forbidden Planet (25th Anniversary Tour) • The History Boys • Hair ==References==