Hurst Castle Garrison Theatre

Hurst Castle is situated at the seaward end of a shingle spit extending a mile-and-a-half from Milford-on-Sea. The end is three-quarters of a mile from the Isle of Wight, and so the location was perfect for defending the western approach to the Solent. The castle was built by Henry VIII in 1544 as one of a chain of coastal forts. In the 1860s two enormous armoured wings were constructed, and in the Second World War Hurst was manned with gun batteries etc. For the provision of entertainment for the troops stationed at Hurst, a garrison theatre was formed in the west Victorian wing by knocking two casemates together. A wooden proscenium was constructed, the back wall painted with a figure design, and a rostrum to one side carried a piano (all these still in situ), with possibly a small ensemble on occasions. A passageway at rear stage left to another casemate provided the stage entrance from a dressing area. On military benches, it would probably have seated 200.

The theatre was not used after the War until about 1995 when a local society began staging small shows to mark various events. The theatre is preserved, and may be seen by visitors to the castle.