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The King's Theatre, Southsea was built in 1907 for John Waters Boughton and designed in the Italian Renaissance style by the renowned Theatre Architect Frank Matcham.

The Theatre opened on the 30th of September 1907 with Henry Irving's son H. B. Irving playing three of his father's most successful roles in the Theatre's first week, 'Charles I', 'The Lyons Mail' and 'The Bells'.

The Theatre's auditorium consists of four levels, stalls and three balconies, and originally had a capacity of 2,172, although this has since been reduced several times over the years. The Theatre currently accommodates 1,600 people.

In 1914 Boughton died but his Company, Portsmouth Theatres, ran the King's right up until 1964 when it was bought by Commander Reggie & Mrs Joan Cooper.

Right - A 1940s programme cover for the King's Theatre, Southsea - Courtesy David Smith.

In 1990 the King's was bought by Hampshire County Council but when its future began to look uncertain a Campaign was launched to restore the building and it was eventually bought by Portsmouth City Council in 2001 and then leased back to the King's Theatre Trust LTD who have now been running the Theatre since 2003.

The King's Theatre has had over £2 million spent on its restoration since Portsmouth City Council bought it in 2001. The Theatre is now a Grade II Listed building. A more detailed history of the King's and details of the restoration can be found on the Theatre's own Website here.

Above - Robert Briggs' Panic Bolts, as fitted to one of the exit doors at the King's Theatre, Southsea - Courtesy Patricia Lovell.

Above - Details from two programmes for the King's Theatre, Southsea in the 1940s, 'No No Nanette' and a Variety show - Courtesy David Smith.

More Southsea Theatres will be added to this page in due course.