Princess Theatre in Hunstanton

Originally a hotel and then known as the Capitol Cinema, the Princess Theatre in Hunstanton, Norfolk, England, opened in 1932 with the showing of ‘The Desert Song’.  It was built by Ben Culey to be used as a live theatre and cinema and it has the largest gable wall made of carrstone in the world.  The theatre remained active as the Capitol until it closed in the 1960’s before being sold in 1974 and the name changed to the Kingsley Centre.  It served as a Bingo Hall and then was left derelict for years until the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk purchased it in 1981.

The theatre was re-opened on July 5, 1981 and renamed the Princess Theatre in honour of Lady Diana Spencer’s marriage to Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales. The Wurzels played the first concert under the new venue name.  By 1988, the Princess Theatre was actually showing movies again.  That is not the only thing the theatre presents; pantomimes are preformed at the Princess Theatre and ever since December of 1988 some members of the Royal Family continue to attend the Christmas performances.

The Box Office is open every day except Christmas and the theatre provides the community with a wide range of entertainment from variety shows to dramas, dance, music concerts, pantomime and, of course, films.  It is also the home of the Hunstanton & District Festival of Arts event in June and July.  It is wheelchair accessible and has recently been renovated to include a new foyer, central heating and air conditioning, raked seating and new toilets.