The Princess Theatre

The Princess Theatre has certainly had a chequered history since it opened as The Capitol Cinema in 1932. Previously a hotel called Simpsons, it was rebuilt and opened on the 22nd June 1932 with the film 'The Desert Song'. Built by Ben Culey of King's Lynn, the Theatre is particularly noted for its construction in Norfolk Carrstone and it contains the largest gable wall of carrstone in existence today. It was cleverly designed as a live Theatre as well as a cinema and live shows such as Fred Roper and his 20 Wonder Midgets, Private Lives and Rookery Nook were some of the opening shows to be staged in 1932. After many years as a very successful cinema and Theatre The Capitol closed in the 1960's. It was then sold in 1974 and changed its name to The Kingsley Centre and provided summer seasons and films for approximately two years but declined and eventually operated as a Bingo Hall. After some time it closed again and was left almost derelict for several years until the Borough Council of King's Lynn and West Norfolk purchased it in 1981 under the Chairmanship of Mayor Leslie Dutton. In honour of Lady Diana Spencer who, on her marriage to the Prince of Wales in July 1981, became the Princess of Wales, the Theatre was renamed The Princess Theatre. It was officially re-opened on the 5th of July 1981 with a concert starring The Wurzels. In December 1988 the Princess Theatre was honoured by an informal visit from the Royal Family to the pantomime Cinderella. The late Princess of Wales and her two children Princes William and Harry, the Princess Royal and her two children Peter and Zara Phillips together with Lady Jane Fellowes all attended on Thursday 30th December at the 2.30pm performance. The Royal Princes have privately attended many pantomimes since that date. By 2010 the local council were funding the Princess theatre annually to the tune of £300,000. Given the authority needed to save this money they close the theatre briefly prior to renting it to C and R Cinemas. Shortly afterward in November 2011 a note appeared on the door saying the building was closed and the keys were being handed back to the council. In May 2012 Hunstone Productions, formed by four local businesses (Hallard Entertainments, Searles Leisure Resort, International Music and Leisure and James Johnson and Co Accountancy Ltd) took over the running the building. Recognising how important the Princess Theatre was to Hunstanton’s economy they are now looking into how they can re-establish the Princess in the hearts of the Hunstanton community. The Princess Theatre Box Office is now open every day of the year (except Christmas Day) and the programme provides a wide range of entertainment from Variety to Drama, Dance, Music, and soon to follow, Films.