A carefully reasoned case was put it to the Gulbenkian Foundation and this resulted in a generous donation of £35,000 towards the cost of the theatre. The University Grants committee took what for them was an exceptional step in providing the whole of the balance of the building cost and they met half the considerable cost of equipment and furniture. The remaining cost of half the fees and equipment and furniture was provided from the University’s Foundation Fund. The total cost of the building was £53,000 and the equipment and furniture amounted to £28,000.

Building a theatre

The design of the building to such exceptionally stringent cost standards presented a greater challenge to Mr Henderson of Messrs Farmer & Dark, the University’s consultant architect, than many larger buildings they would have done, and the present building is considerably more commodious and elegant that was ever thought possible in the earliest stages. A small example of this is that initially the working party accepted that 300 wooden or plastic seats were all that could be afforded while, as an alternative, negotiations were opened with the owners of a derelict London cinema for the purchase of seats worn by two generations of one and nine pennies. In the event, meticulous design and cost control allowed new theatre seating of good quality for 342.

The theatre’s doors opened to the public for the first time in the summer of 1969. Since then, audiences have steadily increased and now regularly exceed 30,000 annually. Already a second generation of theatre goers are enjoying the exciting environment the Gulbenkian provides and a range of productions which reflect the full spectrum of artistic interest in Kent. Over the years a wide range of performers have taken to Gulbenkian’s stage from Ian McKellen and the RSC to the hottest comedians fresh from Edinburgh festival including Russell Howard, Sarah Millican and Jimmy Carr.

Explore Gulbenkian’s Heritage is a new online exhibition curated by young people Radical Roots Online Exhibition.

The construction of the Colyer-Fergusson Building

On October 23, 2012, the Music Department moved in to the new Colyer-Fergusson Building, a landmark in the history of extra-curricular music-making at the University of Kent. Since its official Gala opening in December 2012, the purpose-built concert-hall, practice rooms and foyer space have transformed the opportunities for both students, staff and the local community.

This wonderful building was made possible thanks to a major donation from The Colyer-Fergusson Charitable Trust, a legacy from Sir James Colyer-Fergusson himself, contributions from over 200 other individual donors and support from the Higher Education Funding Council for England’s Matched Funding Scheme.

Thanks to their generosity, the Music Department now offers an ever-developing breadth of musical opportunities, both to showcase the extraordinarv commitment and talent of the students (and staff) who, each year, participate in extra-curricular performances, as well as to provide the main concert venue for many of the local community groups, schools, youth organisations and visiting summer schools.

Alongside other major venues throughout the region, Colyer-Fergusson has now become a key element in the south-east’s flourishing cultural reputation. With over 200 students and staff using the practice and rehearsal rooms daily, over 80 using the dedicated Band Room, around 30 Music Scholarship students, and the different ensembles rehearsing and performing throughout the year, the Colyer-Fergusson Building has enriched the lives of the University and the wider community, and continues to allow musicians to enjoy making music in honour of Sir James.