New entertainment venue receives visit from royalty

By Connor Steel

FAREHAM LIVE became the latest entertainment venue to be explored by “royalty” as it received a visit from HRH The Duke of Edinburgh (Prince Edward) earlier this week; the high profile Royal figure meeting staff and performers as part of a tour around the excellent facility as it celebrated an outstanding start following its public launch back in September.

His Royal Highness visited the building on Wednesday (November) and was shown around this site, which took over a year to construct and replaces the previous venue of ‘Ferneham Hall’. Its facilities include a big main auditorium of 800 seats and separate studios consisting of 120+ seats, alongside a Cafe and bar facilities at a cost of £17 million to build.

The Duke was then introduced to members from the Fareham Musical Society who were rehearsing for their upcoming production of Black Coffee and the cast of the Fareham Musical Society Youth Theatres, who were rehearsing for their upcoming show Annie Jr. He further spoke with members of local groups who use this venue to socialise over hobbies.

The venue’s intelligent design was showcased to the Duke as he explored fully assessible aspects of the building such as wheelchair access; whilst environmental benefits were also outlined. This visit ended with a commemorative plaque being unveiled to mark this occasion and a detailed quote from His Royal Highness can be explored via this online link.

Readers can examine more information about Fareham Live and its background via this designated council link, whilst the venue’s official website is assessible online here including a list of performances and an option to buy show tickets.

PICTURED BY FAREHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL: A commemorative plaque is unveiled by the Duke on visit this week.