Groundlings Theatre, Portsmouth – 27th August 2022
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Built in 1784 as the home of the Portsea Beneficial Society and the Beneficial School, our Grade II* listed building remained a place of education until 1962 and is recognised as one of the first purpose built free schools in the UK and by introducing a girls’ school in 1837, it became one of the first co-educational schools in the country.
As a meeting room for the Beneficial Society who counted Prince Albert and Lord Palmerston amongst their list of patrons, the society held notable events in the building including Strauss conducting an orchestration in front of Queen Victoria and also a naval dance where Charles Dickens’ mother first went into labour with Charles, resulting in her being quickly rushed home by her husband.
Credit: https://www.groundlings.co.uk/about