King's Theatre, Portsmouth
The Kings Theatre is an architectural jewel originally designed by the famed theatrical architect Frank Matcham and gracefully opened its doors on 30 September 1907. This Grade II* listed building blends Edwardian Baroque elegance with Italian Renaissance flair, boasting a corner tower entrance at Albert Road and Exmouth Road.
Inside, the auditorium has been lovingly restored to Matcham’s original vision, with ornate plasterwork, cantilevered seating tiers ensuring clear sightlines, and a beautifully detailed scagliola proscenium arch. With a capacity of around 1,600 seats, it remains a prime venue for drama, comedy, music, and family entertainment.
For more than 100 years, the Kings Theatre has been a cornerstone of Portsmouth’s cultural scene. Its early highlights include the premiere of Charles I with H.B. Irving, while in recent decades it has hosted major touring West End productions like Chicago, Mamma Mia!, and Grease. The venue also holds a place in pop culture history as the filming location for the famous "Pinball Wizard" scene in Ken Russell’s 1974 adaptation of Tommy, where Elton John performed live on stage.
Visitors can take part in guided history tours, tech tours, and even atmospheric ghost walks behind the scenes, exploring the hidden workings of this historic "hemp house" theatre.
Inside, the auditorium has been lovingly restored to Matcham’s original vision, with ornate plasterwork, cantilevered seating tiers ensuring clear sightlines, and a beautifully detailed scagliola proscenium arch. With a capacity of around 1,600 seats, it remains a prime venue for drama, comedy, music, and family entertainment.
For more than 100 years, the Kings Theatre has been a cornerstone of Portsmouth’s cultural scene. Its early highlights include the premiere of Charles I with H.B. Irving, while in recent decades it has hosted major touring West End productions like Chicago, Mamma Mia!, and Grease. The venue also holds a place in pop culture history as the filming location for the famous "Pinball Wizard" scene in Ken Russell’s 1974 adaptation of Tommy, where Elton John performed live on stage.
Visitors can take part in guided history tours, tech tours, and even atmospheric ghost walks behind the scenes, exploring the hidden workings of this historic "hemp house" theatre.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Portsmouth. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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King's Theatre on Map
Sight Name: King's Theatre
Sight Location: Portsmouth, England (See walking tours in Portsmouth)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Sight Location: Portsmouth, England (See walking tours in Portsmouth)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Walking Tours in Portsmouth, England
Create Your Own Walk in Portsmouth
Creating your own self-guided walk in Portsmouth is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Famous English Writers Walking Tour
Jane Austen was born in 1775 in Steventon, North Hampshire. In her day, Portsmouth was a rough-edged seaport filled with people she considered "underbred." Nevertheless, she often traveled to Portsmouth to visit her brothers Francis and Charles, stationed there with the Royal Navy. Austen included Royal Naval characters in her novels, Persuasion and Mansfield Park.
Charles Dickens was... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
Charles Dickens was... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
Portsmouth Introduction Walking Tour
The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle claims a warrior named Port and his two sons killed a noble Briton in Portsmouth in 501 AD. Winston Churchill, in his "A History of the English-Speaking Peoples," wrote that Port was a pirate who founded Portsmouth in the same year.
King AEthelwulf sent a force to drive off Viking raiders in Portsmouth in the 9th century. The Danes loved Portsmouth, but they... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.2 Km or 2.6 Miles
King AEthelwulf sent a force to drive off Viking raiders in Portsmouth in the 9th century. The Danes loved Portsmouth, but they... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.2 Km or 2.6 Miles
Historical Dockyard Tour
The naval theme has always been dominant for Portsmouth. Most of the city's historic events are in one way or another associated with its seaside location. Portsmouth's Historical Dockyard is the area that offers a glimpse into the city's maritime past.
The very first notable landmark here is Victory Gate, the dockyard's main entrance. Inside, visitors will find HMS... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.4 Km or 0.2 Miles
The very first notable landmark here is Victory Gate, the dockyard's main entrance. Inside, visitors will find HMS... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.4 Km or 0.2 Miles