#26
Posted: 3/8/09 at 8:50pm
Mama, when you have a spare few minutes could you possibly share some of the history of my two local theatres: the Bournemouth Pavilion and the Southampton Mayflower?
Mama's 'WONDERFUL WEST END.. & BEYOND! -The Fabulous Theatre Thread Returns — Page 2
#27
Posted: 3/9/09 at 10:38am
THE PAVILLION THEATRE, Bournemouth, UK
Opened 1929.
1934. Converted from concert hall to full working theatre with new fly tower being built.
Listed in 1988.
Seating 1518.
A very popular venue amongst on the touring circuit in the 60s thru 80s. Sadly it doesn't get used these days as much as it should as it has great facilities with a very desirable seating capacity.
It is one of the very few buildings in the UK described as a multi purpose entertainment venue serving a major British resort.
In the 70s and 80s The Pavillion would play a summer season variety show that would run for 6 months with the top names of TV playing their shows there. That is a tradition that has died away and almost killed resorts like Bournemouth, Blackpool and the likes.
------------------------------------------------------
Bournemouth has lost a lot of its great theatres in the last few decades.
**The Hippodrome / Opera House 1895.
Had seating for 2800.
Now the Academy night club.
--------------------------
**The Playhouse Theatre 1931.
Had seating for 595.
Now a church.
------------------------
**The Winter Gardens 1937
Had seating for 1818.
Unused as its future is decided upon.
-------------------
**The Shelley. 1866.
Had seating for 200.
Now a private theatre and lecture room.
-------------------
**Theatre Royal. 1882
Had seating for 800.
A casino since 1985.
Opened 1929.
1934. Converted from concert hall to full working theatre with new fly tower being built.
Listed in 1988.
Seating 1518.
A very popular venue amongst on the touring circuit in the 60s thru 80s. Sadly it doesn't get used these days as much as it should as it has great facilities with a very desirable seating capacity.
It is one of the very few buildings in the UK described as a multi purpose entertainment venue serving a major British resort.
In the 70s and 80s The Pavillion would play a summer season variety show that would run for 6 months with the top names of TV playing their shows there. That is a tradition that has died away and almost killed resorts like Bournemouth, Blackpool and the likes.
------------------------------------------------------
Bournemouth has lost a lot of its great theatres in the last few decades.
**The Hippodrome / Opera House 1895.
Had seating for 2800.
Now the Academy night club.
--------------------------
**The Playhouse Theatre 1931.
Had seating for 595.
Now a church.
------------------------
**The Winter Gardens 1937
Had seating for 1818.
Unused as its future is decided upon.
-------------------
**The Shelley. 1866.
Had seating for 200.
Now a private theatre and lecture room.
-------------------
**Theatre Royal. 1882
Had seating for 800.
A casino since 1985.
Updated On: 3/9/09 at 10:38 AM
#28
Posted: 3/9/09 at 11:28am
Bournemouth Pavillion is a beautiful building.... I've never been into it! But its opposite my local cinema and looks very grand! Photo's from the inside also make it look nice, however, I think they need some more major tours, but with The Mayflower an hour away, who would choose the pavillion over the Mayflower?
Out of intrest Mama, any info on The Mayflower!
Out of intrest Mama, any info on The Mayflower!
#29
Posted: 3/9/09 at 11:35am
Coming up!
#30
Posted: 3/9/09 at 11:50am
Have never been to the Pavillion (also across the road from my local cinema, the Odeon). Am going to Flashdance in a few weeks and then John Barrowman's concert in May, so will report back.
The Opera House looks incredible ... even as a night club.
Totally agree with CONAries though, the Mayflower is only 45 mins on the train and gets the big tours - saw West Side Story there in January and have booked for Connie in SoM later in the year.
The Opera House looks incredible ... even as a night club.
Totally agree with CONAries though, the Mayflower is only 45 mins on the train and gets the big tours - saw West Side Story there in January and have booked for Connie in SoM later in the year.
Updated On: 3/9/09 at 11:50 AM
#31
Posted: 3/9/09 at 1:00pm
Brilliant pictures of The Pavillion and looking forward to the Mayflower info.
I have a picture of The Regent Theatre when I saw Priscilla, is it okay to post it here?
I have a picture of The Regent Theatre when I saw Priscilla, is it okay to post it here?
#32
Posted: 3/9/09 at 1:14pm
REGENT THEATRE, Collins Street, Melbourne, Australia
1929 - opens as a Picture Palace.
1945 - is destroyed by fire, only to be completely rebuilt by 1947.
1970 - shuts down by Hoyts. Everything not bolted down auctioned off.
1993 - David Marriner brings his passion for reviving Melbourne's arts scene to the Regent, commencing a three year restoration.
1996 - reopens with the mammoth Australian premiere production of Sunset Boulevard
Seating 2162.
Beautiful theatre thanks to the incredible restoration during the early 1990s. Now Melbourne's premiere theatre for big musical imports - Sunset Boulevard, Hal Prince's Show Boat, Cameron Mackintosh's Oliver, The Lion King, Priscilla and currently Wicked.
They have a cute tradition of changing all the house lights to suit the residential production - Priscilla had disco balls and Wicked currently has old lamps in the same style of the set.
If you sit further back in the circle then about row G, you are wasting your money. Yes its only $40 but the actors are the size of ants, literally. Even opera glasses don't help you see from way back in the rafters.
1929 - opens as a Picture Palace.
1945 - is destroyed by fire, only to be completely rebuilt by 1947.
1970 - shuts down by Hoyts. Everything not bolted down auctioned off.
1993 - David Marriner brings his passion for reviving Melbourne's arts scene to the Regent, commencing a three year restoration.
1996 - reopens with the mammoth Australian premiere production of Sunset Boulevard
Seating 2162.
Beautiful theatre thanks to the incredible restoration during the early 1990s. Now Melbourne's premiere theatre for big musical imports - Sunset Boulevard, Hal Prince's Show Boat, Cameron Mackintosh's Oliver, The Lion King, Priscilla and currently Wicked.
They have a cute tradition of changing all the house lights to suit the residential production - Priscilla had disco balls and Wicked currently has old lamps in the same style of the set.
If you sit further back in the circle then about row G, you are wasting your money. Yes its only $40 but the actors are the size of ants, literally. Even opera glasses don't help you see from way back in the rafters.
Updated On: 3/10/09 at 01:14 PM
#33
Posted: 3/9/09 at 1:21pm
The Regent is an absolutely gorgeous theatre and the seats were better than any West End theatre and it was air-conditioned which is essential in Australia. Not to mention they sold ice creams with cones rather than tubs.
#34
Posted: 3/10/09 at 11:18am
As I think I have mentioned before, I am a student in Huddersfield. WE have the reasonably new LBT but I have heard a little bit about the old Huddersfield Palace theatre, which is now a nightclub. Does anyone have any info/pics of this?
#35
Posted: 3/16/09 at 7:24pm
Bump. Surely Mama has a picture or two?!
#36
Posted: 3/17/09 at 3:30am
The Regent Theatre seats...are they really wide and high backed like what they seem in the picture?...if they had seats like that here, it would double theatre attendance!
#37
Posted: 3/17/09 at 5:51am
**THE PALACE THEATRE; Huddersfield, UK.
Built 1909
Rebuilt 1936 and 1965
Now a night club.
Aprx seating 2000.
Originally opened as a music hall in 1909 it remained very popular right up until it was almost completely destroyed by fire in 1935.
It was rebuilt almoist straight away, but with very little of the original building being visible.
The rebuild basicaly put it in the group of super cinemas that were being build all across the UK at the time. With its large capacity of over 2000 it survived right up until 1963 showing major movie releases and staging concerts by The Beatles, Buddy Holly and all the big names of thetime.
All dressing rooms were understage due to the huge size of the stage area itself.
During the 40s and 50s Huddersfield had no less than 14 cinemas 'most seating over 1000.
A second fire in the 1960s wrecked the theatre again and it was left derelict until the mid 1980s when it re-opened as cafe/nightclub.
Part of the old proscenium arch.
Showing the false wall that was built up to the ceiling from the front of the circle with the air con ducts clearly visible.
From the 1930s onwards nothing is visible of the original, inside or out.
The shopping centre next door made an apllication to demolish the building a few years back but it was then turned down. Sadly, recently, the building lost its fight and the entire structure will be torn down pretty soon with just the facade being incorporated into the new structure.
Built 1909
Rebuilt 1936 and 1965
Now a night club.
Aprx seating 2000.
Originally opened as a music hall in 1909 it remained very popular right up until it was almost completely destroyed by fire in 1935.
It was rebuilt almoist straight away, but with very little of the original building being visible.
The rebuild basicaly put it in the group of super cinemas that were being build all across the UK at the time. With its large capacity of over 2000 it survived right up until 1963 showing major movie releases and staging concerts by The Beatles, Buddy Holly and all the big names of thetime.
All dressing rooms were understage due to the huge size of the stage area itself.
During the 40s and 50s Huddersfield had no less than 14 cinemas 'most seating over 1000.
A second fire in the 1960s wrecked the theatre again and it was left derelict until the mid 1980s when it re-opened as cafe/nightclub.
Part of the old proscenium arch.
Showing the false wall that was built up to the ceiling from the front of the circle with the air con ducts clearly visible.
From the 1930s onwards nothing is visible of the original, inside or out.
The shopping centre next door made an apllication to demolish the building a few years back but it was then turned down. Sadly, recently, the building lost its fight and the entire structure will be torn down pretty soon with just the facade being incorporated into the new structure.
Updated On: 3/17/09 at 05:51 AM
#38
Posted: 3/17/09 at 8:44am
abitoftap, the Regent's seats are weird because actually you get what you pay for. The premium seats are the best to sit in, wide and comfortable, while the standard seats are like any other theatre - wooden frame, fold down, covered in a velvet etc.
#39
Posted: 3/17/09 at 8:49am
....and if London theatres had seats like that the capacity would drop a 3rd, The Regent was a super cinema not a theatre remember. Her Majestys up tre road isn't that comfortable or the Princess as I recall. Lets not mention the concrete blocks that they call seats at The Comedy.
Any theatres built around that time were never given the luxury of those big cinema seats.
*all references are to theatres in Melbourne if you wernt sure what we are talking about.
Any theatres built around that time were never given the luxury of those big cinema seats.
*all references are to theatres in Melbourne if you wernt sure what we are talking about.
Updated On: 3/17/09 at 08:49 AM
#40
Posted: 3/17/09 at 8:58am
Yes the Regent on Collins was the gem in the Regent Cinema chain, but remember what it was completely stripped in the 70s. The interior as we see it today is all post-1993, except for the basic structure itself.
Her Majesty's, the Princess and the Comedy are all purpose built theatres, and yes are not the most comfortable seats in the world.
Her Majesty's, the Princess and the Comedy are all purpose built theatres, and yes are not the most comfortable seats in the world.
#41
Posted: 3/17/09 at 9:10am
PRINCESS THEATRE, Spring Street, Melbourne, Australia.
1854 - first theatre built on the site opens, called "Astley's Amphitheatre". Contains a circus ring for arena shows as well as a stage at one end for plays/opera/ballet.
1886 - renovations completed, it reopens with the Australian premiere of The Mikado. Foyer lauded as one of the world's best - on par with the Palais Garnier in Paris.
1987 - David Marriner renovates and reopens with Les Miserables and then Phantom - which sets the record for the longest running musical in Melbourne.
Since 87, the theatre has become the home of the smaller musicals in Melbourne - Beauty and the Beast, the Boy from Oz, Mamma Mia, Dirty Dancing, the Donmar Guys and Dolls, and the soon to open Jersey Boys.
Seats 1450 approx
The auditorium, seen through the Phantom fake pros arch.
Detail of the facade on Spring Street.
The beautiful upper foyer.
PS: Mama, sorry for hijacking your thread with my own histories of Aussie theatres :)
1854 - first theatre built on the site opens, called "Astley's Amphitheatre". Contains a circus ring for arena shows as well as a stage at one end for plays/opera/ballet.
1886 - renovations completed, it reopens with the Australian premiere of The Mikado. Foyer lauded as one of the world's best - on par with the Palais Garnier in Paris.
1987 - David Marriner renovates and reopens with Les Miserables and then Phantom - which sets the record for the longest running musical in Melbourne.
Since 87, the theatre has become the home of the smaller musicals in Melbourne - Beauty and the Beast, the Boy from Oz, Mamma Mia, Dirty Dancing, the Donmar Guys and Dolls, and the soon to open Jersey Boys.
Seats 1450 approx
The auditorium, seen through the Phantom fake pros arch.
Detail of the facade on Spring Street.
The beautiful upper foyer.
PS: Mama, sorry for hijacking your thread with my own histories of Aussie theatres :)
Updated On: 3/17/09 at 09:10 AM
#42
Posted: 3/17/09 at 9:22am
Your ahead of me now.
I had all of Aussies great theatres in the original thread.
It dindt happen over night by the way, that took nearly 6 months.
I had all of Aussies great theatres in the original thread.
It dindt happen over night by the way, that took nearly 6 months.
#43
Posted: 3/17/09 at 11:55am
HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE, Exhibition Street, Melbourne, Australia
A beautiful 1908 postcard showing the theatre's beautiful tower above the foyer.
1886 - The Alexandra Theatre opens on the site.
1900 - JC Williamson, Australian theatre impresario, buys the theatre and renames it Her Majesty's.
1911 - Dame Nellie Melba makes her Australian grand opera debut here in La Triviata
1926 - Anna Pavlova plays a season
1929 - a fire breaks out and destroys the auditorium
1934 - JC Williamson Theatres rebuilds the auditorium
1944 - the Borovansky Ballet, who would eventually become the Australian Ballet, plays its inaugural season here.
1959 - My Fair Lady plays a record-breaking season of 730 performances. This record will stand until Phantom breaks it in 1993.
1987 - the auditorium is completely re-fitted for the Australian tour of Cats. Once the show leaves after a year, the original auditorium is reinstated.
2000 - the theatre is bought by Mike Walsh who completely rebuilds the stage house, updating the century old machinery.
Since 2000, the show has hosted musicals including Sam Mendes' Cabaret, the return engagement of Mamma Mia, Topol in Fiddler, Miss Saigon, the flop production of Spamalot and currently has Billy Elliot.
Seats approx 1700.
The auditorium with new seats installed in 2007.
The rather dull stalls foyer.
The not so dull Art Deco inspired auditorium.
A beautiful 1908 postcard showing the theatre's beautiful tower above the foyer.
1886 - The Alexandra Theatre opens on the site.
1900 - JC Williamson, Australian theatre impresario, buys the theatre and renames it Her Majesty's.
1911 - Dame Nellie Melba makes her Australian grand opera debut here in La Triviata
1926 - Anna Pavlova plays a season
1929 - a fire breaks out and destroys the auditorium
1934 - JC Williamson Theatres rebuilds the auditorium
1944 - the Borovansky Ballet, who would eventually become the Australian Ballet, plays its inaugural season here.
1959 - My Fair Lady plays a record-breaking season of 730 performances. This record will stand until Phantom breaks it in 1993.
1987 - the auditorium is completely re-fitted for the Australian tour of Cats. Once the show leaves after a year, the original auditorium is reinstated.
2000 - the theatre is bought by Mike Walsh who completely rebuilds the stage house, updating the century old machinery.
Since 2000, the show has hosted musicals including Sam Mendes' Cabaret, the return engagement of Mamma Mia, Topol in Fiddler, Miss Saigon, the flop production of Spamalot and currently has Billy Elliot.
Seats approx 1700.
The auditorium with new seats installed in 2007.
The rather dull stalls foyer.
The not so dull Art Deco inspired auditorium.
Updated On: 3/17/09 at 11:55 AM
#44
Posted: 3/17/09 at 12:00pm
I saw 'Á Chorus Line' and '42nd Street' at Her Majestys, both in the mid 1990s. Back then the auditorium was the most dreadful color- brown!.
Very much like the Schubert in Chicago.
I hope its been changed now.
Very much like the Schubert in Chicago.
I hope its been changed now.
Updated On: 3/17/09 at 12:00 PM
#45
Posted: 3/17/09 at 12:11pm
All of the Maj's seats were ripped out in 2007 and completely replaced with plush red velvet ones, as seen in the pics.
The Shubert in Chicago, is now the Bank of America Theatre Mama:
The brown is gone:
Its now a plush red velvet:
The Shubert in Chicago, is now the Bank of America Theatre Mama:
The brown is gone:
Its now a plush red velvet:
Updated On: 3/17/09 at 12:11 PM
#46
Posted: 3/17/09 at 12:14pm
I know!
#47
Posted: 3/17/09 at 3:40pm
Oz, thanks for posting the pictures of The Princess and Her Maj in Melbourne and also The Bank of America Theatre in Chicago. You should really post some Sydney theatres since that is your hometown.
#48
Posted: 3/17/09 at 7:09pm
I done a tiny bit of research on Chicago theatres and its strange they are a lot bigger than New York's.
#49
Posted: 3/17/09 at 7:42pm
On a semi-unrelated thread...
The space used for Saucy Jack in 1999 by London Bridge is now what? Is that where the tea place right outside the station is? Shunt? (How awesome would it be to kick their pretentious crap out for a week and put up Saucy Jack there?!)
The space used for Saucy Jack in 1999 by London Bridge is now what? Is that where the tea place right outside the station is? Shunt? (How awesome would it be to kick their pretentious crap out for a week and put up Saucy Jack there?!)
#50
Posted: 3/17/09 at 8:28pm
Mama, your memory must be playing tricks on you, at Her Majesty's here in Melbourne the walls have always been a cream colour (as pictured) with wood panelling at the rear of the stalls. Her Majesty's is really the only theatre in Australia to see a musical in. Perfect venue. What you can't see in the photos is that the Dress Circle is lower than in most theatres so if sitting in the front of the circle you are only about 8' above stage level.
I have never liked the Princess Theatre much. Some of the restoration is fine but start looking closely and you'll notice that a lot of it is fake. Add to this that the foyer space is practically non existant, intervals are a nightmare. I have never really enjoyed any show I've seen there.
The Comedy is a favourite, perfectly proportioned auditorium (like the Maj), unfortunately it does have the hardest (no, firmest) seats in theatredom. However in their favour they have never had to be replaced/recovered.
As for the Regent, great looking auditorium but it isn't a live theatre and never will be. The proportions are all wrong. Lacks atmosphere for live performance. No show can maintain good houses there, at least not in Melbourne. Even WICKED has closed the circle now.
I have never liked the Princess Theatre much. Some of the restoration is fine but start looking closely and you'll notice that a lot of it is fake. Add to this that the foyer space is practically non existant, intervals are a nightmare. I have never really enjoyed any show I've seen there.
The Comedy is a favourite, perfectly proportioned auditorium (like the Maj), unfortunately it does have the hardest (no, firmest) seats in theatredom. However in their favour they have never had to be replaced/recovered.
As for the Regent, great looking auditorium but it isn't a live theatre and never will be. The proportions are all wrong. Lacks atmosphere for live performance. No show can maintain good houses there, at least not in Melbourne. Even WICKED has closed the circle now.
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