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Portland is fortunate to have it's own one hundred seat theatre. Located in Fortuneswell, the building was once a Methodist Church. After de-consecration, it was acquired by Captain and Mrs. Chibnell who installed a new heating system and roof, and then offered it to the local drama group at a "peppercorn" rent and gave permission for all necessary modifications to be carried out.
After nearly five years of work by volunteers, the roof space had been converted to a workshop, with storage and wardrobe space, the first floor became the theatre with a one hundred seat auditorium, sound and lighting box, stage, proscenium arch and "Green Room" and the ground floor to a meeting and rehearsal room with a refreshment bar for use during intervals.
After the death of Capt. Chibnel the Borough Council took over the ownership of the building and offered to sell it to the Theatre Company, at cost, within a maximum period of five years. Intense fund raising enabled the company to purchase the building and make it their permanent home.
The first play , "The Wedding of the Year" was staged in October 1978 and ran from Tuesday to Saturday to full houses. Since then plays, pantomime, and performances by visiting professional companies have all been enthusiastically followed by local audiences. These have included works by Terrance Rattigan, Tom Stoppard, Ibsen, Alan Ayckbourn, Thomas Hardye and the master of farce for the amateur stage, Philip King.
Building on the firm foundations laid down by the original company members, many of whom are still active, future development of the theatre is in hand. This will improve facilities for both the audiences and performers and to give access for the disabled and a higher degree of public usage.
Members, patrons and the public have been involved in a consultative exercise to establish an approved plan for the measures to be taken to achieve these aims, and the first phase of a feasibility study has been started. Future consultations and public forums will be held as work progresses.
Theatre management is confident that the updated theatre will encompass the best of the past, present and future. "It will", they say, "fulfill the needs of future generations of Island Theatre goers, while maintaining it's place in the hearts of it's current supporters."
To contact the theatre for general enquiries, bookings or to become a patron; Ring : 01305 860792
or write to :
The Royal Manor Theatre 138A Fortuneswell Portland Dorset DT5 1LT
Illustrations:
1. A scene from Terrence Rattigan's play; "The Deep Blue Sea"
2. A scene from the pantomime "The Wizard of Oz"
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