Pavilion Theatre, Torquay

The Pavilion Theatre was a theatre in Torquay, Devon, England. It was one of the three main auditoriums in Torbay, and during the 1970s differed from the Princess Theatre, Torquay, and the Festival Theatre, Paignton, in that it had plays rather than variety shows during the lucrative summer seasons.

The Pavilion in 2009, when it was a shopping arcade

Building
One of the figures of Mercury on a side-dome

From 1890 to 1930, the Borough Engineer of Torbay, Henry Augustus Garrett, laid out the Princess Gardens, the Terrace Walk, Pier Pavilion and Torquay Pavilion on Torquay seafront. The Pavilion's architect was Edward Rogers, who drew up the final plans with HC Goss. The plans were passed in 1903, but construction did not start until 1911 due to Rogers’ death, and the work was taken over by Garrett. Part of its site is on land reclaimed from the sea, and it was built on a concrete raft on which a steel framework was erected. It is faced with white tiles made of Doulton's Carrara-enamelled stoneware. Its central copper-covered dome is topped with a life-size figure of Britannia and two smaller domes on each side bear figures of Mercury. Finely sculpted Art Nouveau-style cast iron edges the steps to the promenade deck and the octagonal bandstands or summer houses.[1]

The Pavilion opened on Saturday 17 August [2] 1912 and apart from the foyer and auditorium, it had lounges and a cafe, all of which were panelled with oak. A municipal orchestra was founded and many famous conductors and singers performed here.[3]

It was proposed to demolish the building in 1973, but was listed in the same year. It closed in 1976, when it was leased to Rank Organisation and the interior was destroyed in adaptations for various types of amusements, first as a skating rink and in the 1980s as a shopping arcade. As of July 2020, it is closed awaiting restoration; the steel girders which form its framework are heavily corroded.[3] It has Grade II listed status.[4]

Shows

Over the years the theatre entertained millions of people. In the last few years of its existence it was simultaneously known as the Rainbow Pavilion for pop music concerts.

Selective shows:

YearShowNotes
1926The Farmer's Wife26 – 31 July 1926, Laurence Olivier [5]
1926Alf's ButtonMonday 2 August [5]
1930The Apple Cartstarted 11 August 1930
1930Rose Mariestarted 18 August 1930
1930The Girl Friendstarted 25 August 1930
1930One Dam Thing After Anotherstarted 1 September 1930
1930Silver Wingsstarted 8 September 1930
1930Lucky Girlstarted 15 September 1930
1930Godfrey Tearle & Mary Malonestarted 22 September 1930
1930Wild Rosestarted 29 September 1930
1931Charley's Auntw/c 16 February
1931Sexton Blakew/c 23 February
1932Peg O' My Heartw/c 15 February
1932Grumpyw/c 22 February
1933The Dubarryw/c Monday 14 August
1933Lilac Timew/c Monday 18 September, Edward Leer
1933FaustWednesday 25 October (matinee)
1933Madam ButterflyWednesday 25 October (evening)
1933Il TrovatoreThursday 26 October
1933Gorno's Italian Marionettesw/c 31 October
1937Merrie EnglandFeb 2 - 6, Torquay Operatic Society
1938The Burgomaster of Stilemondew/c 10 October
1938The Green Packw/c 17 October
1939Lilac TimeMonday 20 November, Darroll Richards
1948The Rebel Maid(June) Torbay Operatic & Dramatic Society
1951The Desert Song(June) Torbay Operatic & Dramatic Society
1951Glamorous Night(June) Torbay Operatic & Dramatic Society
1955Beryl Reid
1955George Formby
1955Music for the MillionsKay Cavendish
1956Norman Evans
1956Music for the MillionsJimmy Edwards, Reg Thompson, Harry Worth (Sept 17th for 6 days)
1956Elsie & Doris Waters
1956Ken Tones
1958Variety Showw/c Monday 26 May, Pavilion Orchestra, et al.
1958Variety Showw/c Monday 2 June, Jimmy Young, Arthur English, George & Lydia
1958Perchance to Dreamw/c Monday 9 June, Torbay Operatic & Dramatic Society
1960Ken Dodd 'Startime'June to October
1960CinderellaRuby Murray
1961Laughing Room OnlyJimmy Jewel, Ben Warriss
1962The Cigarette Girl[6]Week commencing Monday 28 May. By William Douglas-Home.
1962Ballet Rambert4 June
1962The Gimmick11 June, starring Dave King
1962What a Racket19 June-29 September, Maggie Millward, Jessie Matthews, Arthur Askey, Jack Douglas, Billy Tasker,
Adele Strong, Bunny May, Linda James, Carole Gosheron and Michael Lomax.
1963Best Laid Schemes!Summer season commencing Wednesday 12 June. By Philip Weathers.

Starring Thora Hird, Sydney Tafler, Freddie Frinton, Wendy Lovelock, William Maxwell, Barbara Bruce, Linda Bennett,
Raymond Graham

1964We're Frying Tonight!Summer season play by John Waterhouse. Starring Jimmy Clitheroe, Albert Burdon, Eddie Molloy, Mollie Sugden,
Robert Webber, William Moore, Lynda Reynolds, Philip Clive, Tommy Godfrey, Billy Windsor
1965Doctor at SeaJohn Slater, Edward Rigby, Andrew Ray
1968Wedding FeverSid James, Beryl Mason, John Inman, Kathleen Worth, Robert Blacklock
1969Stand by your BedouinDickie Henderson
1970Don't Tell the Wifewith Jack Douglas
1971The Mating Seasonwith Sid James, Beryl Mason
1972Stop It Nursewith Charles Hawtrey, Kenneth Connor, Bernard Bresslaw
1973Busman's Holidaywith Bob Grant, Stephen Lewis and Anna Karen
1975Move Over Mrs Markhamwith Tessie O'Shea, Ian Cullen, Virginia Stride, John Clegg and Jan Hunt
1976The Eric Sykes Showwith Eric Sykes, Hattie Jacques, Derek Guyler

References
  1. "Pavilion (Torquay)". The Theatres Trust. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
  2. Western Daily Mercury 19 Aug 1912
  3. "Panic as Pavilion Theatre opened". Western Morning News. 4 January 2011. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
  4. Historic England. "Torquay Pavilion (1291553)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
  5. Pavilion Theatre Programme
  6. http://theatricalia.com

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