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Face of Portsmouth - Sandra Smith
| Author: annahowelll | Published: 25th January 2016 12:43 |
Sandra Smith is the PR & Corporate Manager of the Kings Theatre Southsea, responsible for the promotion and organisation of the theatre's shows.
Sandra is originally from Amsterdam but moved to Hayling Island in 1967 after meeting her husband, Roy, on holiday celebrating the epic 1966 England World Cup win.
After working in the fashion accessory department, as well as others, in Allders, and living in London, Sandra moved back down south where she helped a friend performing for the Hayling Operatic Society get her production on to the boards of the Kings.
So impressed with Sandra's PR skills throughout this week long stint of Kiss Me Kate were the management that they asked Sandra to help organise the PR for that year's Panto production of Mother Goose - that was in 1984 and Sandra is still there.
Since getting involved with the Kings Sandra has been instrumental in bringing to the stage a huge range of fantastic professional, West End shows, as well as working with the community, the theatre's amateur Societies, schools and many charities.
This year, as well as continuing to arrange the PR for King's productions, Sandra will be branching out to work more on arranging Corporate Partnerships, which she is very much looking forward to.
What do you consider your biggest achievement so far in your career?
Before I worked at the Kings I was a member of the Hayling Operatic Society. I invited the former owner of the Theatre, Commander Reggie Cooper to come and watch us perform Kiss Me Kate to see if he thought we were good enough to perform at the Kings. He liked it and invited us and I did the publicity for the show. He then asked me to come and do the publicity for the Kings pantomime 'Mother Goose'. That was how I started in 1984!
What has been the best thing to happen to you in the last year?
As a surprise my sons took me and my husband Roy by limousine to go and watch Paul McCartney at the 02 in London in May. It was an amazing experience and he put on such a fantastic show.
What do you want to happen in the next year?
We are starting a 'Big Project' this year to make the theatre more accessible and comfortable for the audience and I look forward to seeing this come to fruition.
Where do you see yourself in five years' time?
I'd like to see the theatre continue to thrive, putting on quality productions and being involved and supporting the theatre in some way.
What do you like doing in your spare time/to relax?
I go to the gym 4 times a week and do classes as well as spending time with my husband and 2 children.
What do you like about living in Portsmouth?
I live on Hayling Island but work in Portsmouth. I like the seafront, the shops and restaurants and we often go to the cinema at Gunwharf.
What is your favourite place in Portsmouth?
The Kings Theatre!
What one thing do you think would make living in Portsmouth better?
Less cars and/or more car parking facilities.
Imagine yourself as a child. What would you say to your younger self?
Enjoy the moment and believe in yourself - If you have ambition, do your best and go for it.
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself that we might not know.
My mother was French, my Father was Dutch and my Husband is English. I still love my hometown of Amsterdam.
Find more information about the Kings Theatre on their website or Facebook page.
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