Southsea's Kings Theatre announces autumn film programme

The announcement follows government guidelines that allow theatres to open for non-live performances.

Kings Theatre CEO Paul Woolf said: “Team Kings has been working tirelessly to find a way to bring entertainment back to the people of Portsmouth in a safe and comfortable environment.

“Film+ allows us to do this bringing you a series of curated film screenings with an added dose of theatrical magic all within current government guidelines. We are launching with three special events that will be raising funds for the brilliant theatrical charity Acting for Others.

“The season launches on September 5 with national treasure Bonnie Langford joining us for a pre-show Q&A before a screening of 42nd Street which was filmed live in London during its recent West End run.

“We will be screening Olivier Award winning Kinky Boots on October 17 with a pre-show Q&A with director/choreographer Jerry Mitchell who will be joining us live from New York.

“And we are excited to announce today that multi-award winning choreographer, Sir Matthew Bourne, will be at the Kings in person on Saturday, October 3 for a day celebrating his remarkable work. We will be screening the new version of Swan Lake, The Red Shoes and The Car Man plus 2 Q&A’s with Matthew and a socially-distanced limited capacity Meet and Greet opportunity.

“We’ll be adding more screenings over the next few weeks. We cannot wait to welcome the first customers back through our doors.”

Tickets for 42nd Street, Swan Lake, The Red Shoes, The Car Man and Kinky Boots are on sale at www.kingsportsmouth.co.uk

Paul added: “Before opening the Kings will be undertaking a series of measures to ensure the safety and comfort of our customers:

“The Theatre is undertaking a deep clean of the venue and has an increased daily cleaning regime.

“Staff training will be undertaken so that all staff are aware of their responsibilities and the hygiene routines to be followed.

“All staff will be supplied with PPE as needed.

“Free face masks will be available for audience members on request.

“Non-contact temperature checks will apply to all staff, performers and customers.

“Hand sanitisers will be available at all entrances and throughout the building for all staff, performers and customers.

“Screens have been fitted for public areas serving our customers including Box Office, merchandise and confectionery counters.

“Audiences will be limited to ensure safe social distancing measures can be complied with.

“Crowd control measures including audience entrance and exit and flow through the venue, to toilets, bars, leaving etc. will be implemented.”

All screenings are £14 a ticket for one film or £30 for an all-day ticket for the Matthew Bourne event.

Former Chichester Festival Theatre boss sums up the state of play

Negotiating the new art world post-lockdown

Loxwood Drive-In Movies - great night out and great organisation

Why running is my lockdown release

We'll Meet Again will be Virtual Festival of Chichester finale

Lockdown Laughs 4 Parents switches online for comedy in your own home

Why walking is what we all need at the moment - especially in glorious Sussex

Chichester orchestra records its own lockdown song

Coronavirus: top ten tips for boredom-busting during quarantine

Singer and pianist Joe Stilgoe live-streams daily message of hope during the coronavirus crisis

*************

A message from the Editor, Gary Shipton:

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news, I am asking you to please purchase a copy of our newspapers.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspapers.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Stay safe, and best wishes.

Gary Shipton

Editorial Director