Royal Manor Theatre

Royal Manor Theatre is a theatre on the Isle of Portland, Dorset, England—within the village of Fortuneswell, amongst village shops. The theatre was once a Methodist chapel, and retains that appearance from the outside. HistoryThe Royal Manor Theatre Company first began in 1947, when it was known as the Portland Dramatic Society . The Society was formed when approximately a dozen local people wished to return live theatre to Portland following the Second World War. The venues used by the Society would range across Portland and Weymouth. During early 1957, the Society successfully obtained the use of the Masonic Hall in Victoria Square on a yearly lease. The Society attracted good audience numbers throughout this period, but in early 1964 suffered a setback after the hall owners decided they wanted full use of the premises. After an eighteen-month search for a new venue, an agreement was made for use of the Jubilee Hall in Easton Square. The Society continued to use the Jubilee Hall until the end of 1970, when they were evicted again because the owners had other plans for the hall. By the end of 1971, the Society's future looked uncertain and bleak. As there were no halls available in Portland for staging plays, it looked as if the Society would disband. However, the Society's fortune changed after Captain and Mrs. Chibnall—contacted one of the committee members, and arranged to meet with the Society. At the meeting, the Chibnalls revealed that they were interested in buying the disused Primitive Methodist Hall in Fortuneswell—built in 1869 by James Kerridge. The meeting reassured the Chibnalls that the drama members were enthusiastic, capable, and determined, so they offered to lease the upper floor to the Society for £25 a year. The Society would convert the upper chapel floor into a theatre, whilst the Chibnalls retained the lower floor for letting. Conversion work began in late summer 1972.

Royal Manor Theatre is a theatre on the Isle of Portland, Dorset, England—within the village of Fortuneswell, amongst village shops. The theatre was once a Methodist chapel, and retains that appearance from the outside. HistoryThe Royal Manor Theatre Company first began in 1947, when it was known as the Portland Dramatic Society . The Society was formed when approximately a dozen local people wished to return live theatre to Portland following the Second World War. The venues used by the Society would range across Portland and Weymouth. During early 1957, the Society successfully obtained the use of the Masonic Hall in Victoria Square on a yearly lease. The Society attracted good audience numbers throughout this period, but in early 1964 suffered a setback after the hall owners decided they wanted full use of the premises. After an eighteen-month search for a new venue, an agreement was made for use of the Jubilee Hall in Easton Square. The Society continued to use the Jubilee Hall until the end of 1970, when they were evicted again because the owners had other plans for the hall. By the end of 1971, the Society's future looked uncertain and bleak. As there were no halls available in Portland for staging plays, it looked as if the Society would disband. However, the Society's fortune changed after Captain and Mrs. Chibnall—contacted one of the committee members, and arranged to meet with the Society. At the meeting, the Chibnalls revealed that they were interested in buying the disused Primitive Methodist Hall in Fortuneswell—built in 1869 by James Kerridge. The meeting reassured the Chibnalls that the drama members were enthusiastic, capable, and determined, so they offered to lease the upper floor to the Society for £25 a year. The Society would convert the upper chapel floor into a theatre, whilst the Chibnalls retained the lower floor for letting. Conversion work began in late summer 1972.