A Kings Theatre and Gateways Project
Gateways to the First World War is delighted to be working in partnership with the Kings Theatre, Southsea Hampshire. Gateways Co-investigators Professor Brad Beaven and Dr Helen Brookes and University of Portsmouth's Dr Mel Bassett are working with Katrina Henderson from the Kings Theatre on exploring theatre during the Great War. With help from Gateways, Kings Theatre received £9,900 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) First World War: then and now programme for their ‘Theatre of War – The Kings Theatre Heritage Project.’
Commenting on the award, Katrina Henderson, Learning and Community Engagement Officer said: “We are thrilled to have received the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund and can’t wait to get started on the project. I am excited about getting local people from Portsmouth enthused about the historical importance of the Kings Theatre and its role during First World War. We hope that lots of great stories come to light which we can share with the wider community.”
Theatre and Leisure in the First World War
The project will see the Kings Theatre and Gateways initiate a crowd sourcing exercise where volunteers have the opportunity to research the history of the Kings Theatre and other entertainment venues during the First World War. Using the Kings Theatre archives and local newspapers, researchers will uncover how people spent their leisure time in Portsmouth, the Empire’s most important naval port.
Volunteers Needed
To mark the Centenary of the First World War, the project will enable local people in Portsmouth to come together to preserve the memories and heritage of the people who lived through the First World War. Volunteers will collect photographs, newspaper clippings, documents, letters and photos of keepsakes, as well as family tales passed down to help them build a clearer picture of what life was really like.
Gateways are also providing funding to facilitate large-scale digital crowd sourcing on leisure during the First World War. We would like to attract volunteers from far and wide to become researchers on the project and to share in making this little-known history of the First World War come to life.
If you would like to take part in this exciting new project see the flier and download the application form for more details, or refer to the theatre website: www.kingsportsmouth.co.uk
