The Tower Theatre
North Road, Folkestone, Kent · Home of FHODS since 2007
| The Tower Theatre | |
 The Tower Theatre, North Road, Folkestone | |
| Venue Details | |
|---|---|
| Address | North Road, Folkestone, Kent, CT20 1BB |
| Opened | 2007 |
| Capacity | 293 (main auditorium), 120 (Blue Room) |
| Owner / Operator | Folkestone-Hythe Operatic and Dramatic Society (Charity no. 1180504) |
| Formerly | Garrison Church of St Mark, Shorncliffe Camp (1941–1998) |
| Status | Grade II Listed |
| Website | towertheatrefolkestone.co.uk |
The Tower Theatre is an amateur theatre located on North Road in Folkestone, Kent, England. It is owned and operated by the Folkestone-Hythe Operatic and Dramatic Society (FHODS), a Charitable Incorporated Organisation registered under charity number 1180504. The building is a Grade II listed structure, originally constructed in 1941 as the Garrison Church of St Mark at Shorncliffe Camp. It was purchased by FHODS in 2001 and converted into a theatre, opening to audiences in 2007 with a production of Oliver!.
The theatre is considered one of the very few amateur theatre societies in the United Kingdom to own its own venue outright. It serves as a home for dramatic, comedic, and musical productions, community events, youth programmes, and external hire.
History
Origins: The Garrison Church of St Mark (1941)
The building that now houses The Tower Theatre was constructed in 1941 as the Garrison Church of St Mark, situated on a prominent hilltop at Shorncliffe Camp on the outskirts of Folkestone. The church was a substantial undertaking given the scarcity of materials and skilled labour during the Second World War, and its construction reportedly involved prisoner-of-war labour. Its distinctive square brick tower, gothic sandstone windows, and reinforced concrete arches made it visible for considerable distances, including across the English Channel towards Nazi-occupied France.
The church attracted enemy attention: the Nazi radio propagandist Lord Haw-Haw allegedly singled it out as a target, and a bombing attempt was made, which failed. When Archbishop Fisher arrived to perform the Service of Dedication, he is reported to have been escorted by Spitfire aircraft, attesting to the symbolic importance of the building during the conflict. St Mark's served for several decades as the spiritual home for the soldiers of Shorncliffe Garrison, and has been described as the largest garrison church in the United Kingdom.
Closure and Sale (1998)
As the garrison population contracted over subsequent decades — eventually comprising a single battalion of Gurkhas — the congregation dwindled correspondingly. In 1998 the Ministry of Defence decided to sell the building. The final service was held on Remembrance Day, 11 November 1998. The stained glass windows were removed, the regimental banners taken down, and the organ relocated before the building was closed.
Acquisition and Conversion by FHODS (2001–2007)
The Folkestone-Hythe Operatic and Dramatic Society, which had previously been based at the 104-seat The Little Theatre in Sandgate since 1965, had long sought a larger permanent home capable of hosting the full range of its productions. When the former garrison church came onto the market, members of FHODS identified it as an extraordinary opportunity. In 2001, the society purchased the building and renamed it The Tower Theatre.
The subsequent years were devoted to fundraising and volunteer labour to convert the former church into a fully functional theatre. The building's distinctive gothic arches and tower were preserved, while a proper stage, auditorium seating, and supporting theatre infrastructure were installed.
Opening and Early Years (2007–present)
The Tower Theatre opened to audiences in 2007. The inaugural production was Oliver!, the Lionel Bart musical. In 2017, to mark ten years of performances at the venue, FHODS staged a second production of Oliver!.
The theatre has grown to become one of the region's principal arts venues, hosting between six and ten FHODS productions annually alongside external hire events, tribute acts, community performances, and youth productions.
The Folkestone-Hythe Operatic and Dramatic Society
History of FHODS
The Folkestone-Hythe Operatic and Dramatic Society (FHODS) traces its origins to 1902, when it was founded as the Folkestone Dramatic & Music Club. It is considered one of the oldest amateur dramatics societies in the United Kingdom, and is a member of the Little Theatre Guild of Great Britain. The society paused its activities only during the two World Wars.
In its earliest years, performances were staged at the Woodward Institute, with operatic productions mounted at the Pleasure Gardens Theatre, a venue which had first opened in 1851. By 1947, the society expanded its geographical scope, incorporating "Hythe" into its name to reflect a broadening regional membership and audience. Dramatic works were presented at the Leas Pavilion Theatre, Sandgate's Chichester Hall, and other local venues.
In 1952, FHODS rented part of the Queen's Hotel annexe in Church Street, Folkestone, converting it into the 57-seat Ham Yard Theatre. Over twelve years of operation, the society staged 114 productions at this venue. Following the closure and demolition of the Pleasure Gardens Theatre in the 1960s, large-scale operatic productions were relocated to commercial cinemas including the Odeon and the Ritz in Hythe, as well as Folkestone's Town Hall.
In 1965, FHODS converted a former church in Sandgate into the Little Theatre, a 104-seat venue which served as the society's home for approximately forty years. In 1975, FHODS introduced an annual pantomime, initially staged at the Leas Pavilion Theatre before transferring to the Leas Cliff Hall, where it ran for over two decades.
Youth Section
FHODS operates a dedicated Youth Section, providing theatrical training and performance opportunities for younger members. Youth productions are staged at The Tower Theatre, including musicals and ensemble shows.
Building and Facilities
The Tower Theatre occupies the former Church of St Mark at Shorncliffe, a building of considerable architectural character. Its defining external feature is the square brick tower from which the theatre takes its name. The building retains its original gothic sandstone windows and reinforced concrete arches internally, lending the auditorium a distinctive atmosphere unusual for an amateur theatre. The building holds Grade II listed status, recognising its architectural and historic importance.
Productions and Programming
FHODS mounts between six and ten productions per year at The Tower Theatre, including musicals, dramas, comedies, an annual pantomime, and youth section productions. The theatre also operates as a hire venue, hosting tribute acts, live music events, comedy shows, and community performances.
See the full list of productions at The Tower Theatre.