Weymouth's iconic pavilion theatre has experienced runaway success after five years of community ownership. Joanna Davis finds out how far the theatre has come since it was threatened with permanent closure.

THIS weekend Weymouth Pavilion is celebrating a significant milestone with an open day.

Its fifth birthday on Sunday marks five years since the building reopened after the local authority-owned venue was on the brink of permanent closure due to spiralling maintenance costs.

On Sunday from 11am people will be able to go behind the scenes at the theatre and get an insight into how the pavilion operates.

They will also be able to go on a ‘hidden areas’ tour so people can see some of the smaller spaces that they might not even know exist, including the fly floor, follow spot room and royal box.

There will be entertainment on the stage throughout the day including performances from musician Ed Hintze and Weymouth’s favourite panto dame Lee Redwood. Sunday lunch will be hosted in the Piano Bar Restaurant.

Since those dark days of being threatened by closure the theatre, which became community-owned, has gone from strength to strength, attracting big names like Russell Watson, Jimmy Carr, Jasper Carrott, 10cc and Joe Pasquale.

It has even hosted three West End musicals - Joseph starring X Factor winner Joe McElderry, Blood Brothers and Madness musical Our House starring Britain's Got Talent star George Sampson.

These quality productions proved a major draw for the pavilion - with theatregoers coming from all over the region to see West End shows. The auditorium saw nightly full houses and standing ovations.

Chris Cole, pavilion marketing and box office manager, said the curtain came down on the final performance at the community-run venue in May 2013 and the not-for-profit community interest company (CIC) led by Phil Say that took over the building signed the lease on Friday July 5 and reopened the building on Saturday, July 13.

He said: "Since then Weymouth Pavilion has grown into a bustling and lively venue. There is always something going on.

"With varying professional shows, local groups and a wide range of corporate and private functions there really is 'something for everyone'."

As the theatre started to re-establish itself, more use was made of its other rooms - the Ocean Room, Sun Deck, Crow's Nest and Piano Bar.

Chris said: "In its first full year of operation, the pavilion sold more than 50,000 tickets with the first Christmas pantomime, which opened just five months after the theatre reopened, selling more than 10,000 tickets in the Christmas season.

"Since then, the pavilion has grown from strength to strength every year with the theatre on track to sell over 100,000 tickets this year."

The annual Christmas and summer pantomimes have also enjoyed tremendous growth over the last five years, Chris said, with 2017’s Christmas panto Sleeping Beauty breaking all box office records selling more than 17,000 tickets and welcoming more than 2,000 local school children to enjoy the magic.

Variety is the key to the Pavilion's recent outstanding success, Chris said.

"Over the last five years we have strived to make the entertainment programme as varied as possible, making sure there really is something for everyone.

"We have welcomed back old favourites to Weymouth such as That’ll Be the Day and the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, as well as expanding our offering to cover ballet, opera, comedy, family entertainment and the best touring bands on the road."

There are many performances to look forward to in the coming year, with Paul Merton, Dan Snow, Jon Culshaw and may more still to take to the stage.

The theatre is also aiming to please fans of one of the most successful films of recent times with a show based upon The Greatest Showman coming to the pavilion on October 21.

The Greatest Show Live in Concert was inspired by the hit film and has already proved to be the theatre's fastest ever selling production - with almost 2,000 tickets sold in one day, prompting the theatre to schedule a second performance.

Chris said: "It was the busiest day the pavilion box office has ever seen and we look forward to welcoming everyone to the show in October. It is an incredible way to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the theatre’s reopening."

*Weymouth Pavilion Open Day, Sunday July 1, from 11am.

TIMELINE

1906

A site for the pavilion was chosen at the southern end of The Esplanade next to what was then known as The Pile Pier.

1907

A competition was launched in 1907 to find a suitable design.

1908

The grand opening took place on December 21 1908 and the first performance two nights later – a Christmas Pantomime, Mother Goose.

1914

The town council leased the pavilion to Mr. Ernest Wheeler, a member of a prominent business family in the town.

In the 1930s, possibly due to competition from The Alexandra Gardens Theatre (now amusements) which opened in 1925, the auditorium was adapted to show films. The pavilion then became a popular cinema in the town.

1939

The Pavilion was closed down as it was requisitioned by the military for war purposes. It was damaged during an air raid in April 1942 and was taken over by the Admiralty.

1950

The Pavilion finally reopened in May 1950 with a new name – The Ritz.

1954

The building caught fire during refurbishment and, being built mainly from wood, the fire soon took hold and much of the building was destroyed. The charming Edwardian theatre was no more.

1958

In September 1958, four years after The Ritz burned down construction began on a new theatre and ballroom.

1959

The new Pavilion would cost £300,000. Many names were suggested but it was decided to choose the original name of the first theatre so The Pavilion it was.

1960

The ballroom which is built on the same site as the old Palm Court opened first and was packed to capacity.

The room today - now known as The Ocean Room - still has the same maple dance floor! The official opening was delayed until the theatre was complete and formally opened on July 15 1960.