Pavilion Theatre (Glasgow)

The Pavilion Theatre is a theatre in Glasgow located on Renfield Street.

Pavilion Theatre
Address125 Renfield Street
Glasgow
Scotland
OwnerThe Glasgow Pavilion Ltd.
TypeProscenium
Capacity1,449
Construction
Opened1904
ArchitectBertie Crewe

History

One of Glasgow's oldest theatres, the Pavilion Theatre of Varieties opened on 29 February 1904 as a Music hall. The building has remained relatively unchanged in layout, although the sound and lighting systems have been updated over the years. It is now protected as a category A listed building.[1]

The theatre was designed by Bertie Crewe as one of the three Glasgow venues operating as part of Thomas Barrasford's growing chain of British Music Halls, and was regarded as luxurious for its time. (The other two were Glasgow Hippodrome in New City Road and the Palace in Main Street, Gorbals.) The owners, Glasgow Pavilion Ltd, described its decor as "pure Louis XV", featuring Rococo plasterwork across the proscenium arch and boxes, terrazzo flooring, leadlight glazing and rich mahogany wood finishing. Ventilation was ensured by an electrically operated sliding roof panel above the auditorium. The facade was designed in the French Renaissance style and finished using glazed buff coloured terracotta. The auditorium's capacity of 1449 is made up of 677 stalls, 341 circle, 413 balcony and 18 box seats. A founding director, and soon managing director was Rich Waldon of the city`s Royal Princess`s Theatre. [2]

Pavilion Theatre shown in a postcard of around 1912 of Renfield Street, Glasgow, at the corner of Renfrew Street

Many of the leading music hall artistes of the early 20th century appeared at the Pavilion, including Marie Lloyd, Little Tich, Harry Lauder, Sarah Bernhardt and a then unknown Charlie Chaplin.

In 1920 the Pavilion started producing pantomimes. From 1919 to 1957 the theatre and its productions and management were led by Fred Collins and his son Horace Collins and family.[3] Star performers included Dave Willis, Jack Anthony and GH Elliot. Of their many shows, revues and pantomimes some pantomimes have been recorded on film for posterity. Glasgow University and the Orchestra of Scottish Opera have assisted the restoration and remastering of these.[4] The Fred Collins Variety Agency was next door to the theatre in Renfield Street. During World War II Horace Collins was appointed ENSA director for Scotland. The Collins family leased and owned other theatres [5]including Aberdeen`s Tivoli Theatre,[6] Dundee`s Palace Theatre [7] and Edinburgh`s Theatre Royal,[8] and Liverpool`s Shakespeare Theatre. [9]The last two being leased from Howard & Wyndham Ltd.

The theatre continues to produce pantomime and also functions as a receiving house for plays and alternative comedians. The Pavilion Theatre is now the only privately run theatre in Scotland and one of a few unsubsidised independent theatres left in Britain outside London. The theatre mainly runs populist productions and pantomimes, as well as comedians and touring bands on the 'nostalgia' circuit.

In 2004 Janette Krankie was seriously injured during a performance of Jack and the Beanstalk at the theatre, but made a full recovery.[10][11]

In 2007, the Pavilion Theatre reinvented itself as the Scottish National Theatre of Variety, with a launch including numerous stars of the stage and the announcement was made by Iain Gordon the General Manager.[12]

The Mighty Boosh have performed several times at the venue, including with early shows Arctic Boosh and Autoboosh in a five night stint in 2000, as well as their 2006 stage show. An episode of their radio series was also recorded at the venue. The act performed at the Pavilion once again on 13 and 14 September 2008 with Boosh Live. These dates set a record for the fastest selling act ever at the Pavilion, with tickets selling out in 3 hours for both nights.

Location

The theatre is at the top of Renfield St, at the corner of Renfrew Street and a block away from the Royal Scottish Conservatoire. It is a short walk from Cowcaddens and Buchanan Street Subway stations, and Buchanan bus station.

Pantomimes

The Pavilion has been the home of Glasgow Pantomimes for years. The most notable of recent performers include The Krankies, Jim Davidson, Michelle McManus and Natalie J Robb

Year Title Main Cast
2001 Aladdin The Krankies
Gary Hollywood
Derek Lord
Christian
2002 Cinderella The Krankies
Gary Hollywood
Christian
Lesley Fitz-Simons
2003 Pinocchio & his Magical Adventures The Krankies
Mary Riggans
Natalie J Robb
2004 Jack & The Beanstalk The Krankies
Gary Hollywood
Natalie J Robb
2005 Aladdin Tony Roper
Nicola Park
Ryan Fletcher
2006 Peter Pan Dean Park
Cat Harvey
Stephen Purdon
2007 Cinderella Dean Park
Derek Lord
Joyce Falconer
Cat Harvey
2008 The Wizard of Never Woz Dean Park
Des McLean
Derek Lord
Stephen Purdon
2009 The Magical Adventures of Pinocchio Stephen Purdon
Dean Park
Des McLean
Joyce Falconer
Derek Lord
2010 Robin Hood Jim Davidson
Dean Park
Stephen Purdon
Cat Harvey
Colin McAllister and Justin Ryan
2011 Peter Pan Jim Davidson
Johnny Mac
Dean Park
2012 The Wizard of Never Woz Michelle McManus
Johnny Mac
Stephen Purdon
Jimmy Chisholm
Joyce Falconer
Dean Park
2013 The NEW Magical Adventures of Pinocchio Dean Park
Johnny Mac
Michelle McManus
Stephen Purdon
2014 Treasure Island Michelle McManus
Gary Lamont
Holly Jack
Stephen Purdon
Johnny Mac
Cat Harvey
2015 Santa Claus is Coming to Town Stephen Purdon
Dean Park
Gary Lamont
Nicola Park
Tyler Collins
Leah MacRae
2016 Elfie's Magical Adventure Grado
Stephen Purdon
Liam Dolan
Cat Harvey
Ewen Cameron
Nicola Park
2017 The Wizard of Never Woz Dean Park
Liam Dolan
Christian
Stephen Purdon
Grado
Holly Jack
Joyce Falconer
Nicola Park

References

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