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THE KENTON THEATRE BICENTENARY |
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"The
Well-Trod Stage " by Bill Port click to order your copy  |
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The Kenton
Theatre is 200 years old
(article by Bill Port, published in
'Oxfordshire Living' July 2005) |
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You need only look at the Kenton Theatre to know
that it is old. Not in any way decrepit - it is maintained by a band
of volunteers - but the square frontage, the small bricks and the
windows which grow smaller as the building gets higher are a dead
give-away to an early 19th century structure. |
| The theatre was commissioned by two
actor-managers, Penley and Jonas. The architect, planner and builder
was William Parker of Henley. He completed the job in 1805 and the
theatre opened on 7th November that year with a play entitled "The
School of Reform or How to Rule a Husband" by Thomas
Morton. |
| Initially the theatre was popular but, after a
few years, it began to decline both in popularity and social
standing. In 1812 a member of the gallery audience poured a quart of
ale over those in the pit during the performance. You may have
wondered why the notice by the door requests that no glasses be
taken into the auditorium - now you know! |
| From 1813, the building became a non-conformist
chapel, a National School, an empty shell, a church hall and a
scenery store. Then, in 1935 it opened again as a theatre featuring
professional repertory companies. In 1951 the proscenium arch was
rebuilt and painted by John Piper, who had taken over the lease with
Dr Alan Hartley. At this time the theatre became a popular venue for
local amateur drama companies. |
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| Unfortunately, in 1962, the theatre was condemned
as unsafe by the County Fire Officer and the license was not
renewed. The theatre remained dark for four years. After an appeal
by a group of local citizens had raised the money for restoration,
the theatre re-opened in 1967 under professional management.
However, such a large debt had been incurred that the company was
almost bankrupt. The theatre's bankers offered to cancel the
overdraft if the management was taken over by Henley Amateur
Operatic and Dramatic Society. This challenge was eagerly accepted
and all other debts were paid off in the space of a few
years. |
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There are people around Henley-on-Thames - some
of them very sober and sensible citizens - who report that they have
seen a ghost. Now, the Kenton Theatre is the fourth oldest theatre
in the country, so a ghost is not as unlikely as you may think. In
it's chequered history the theatre has seen enough action (and
inaction) to attract the spirits of long dead actors, managers,
stage-hands or even theatre-goers. An investigation by the Ghost
Club Society last year proved that the ghost did exist - and we have
a photograph to prove it! |
| The lease of the theatre until 2045 has been
granted by the Henley Municipal Charities to the Kenton Theatre
(Henley-on-Thames) Management Society. An executive committee is
responsible for the day-to-day management of the theatre and all the
work is done by volunteers. |
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Bill
Port
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