THE curtain has come down on the Weymouth Pavilion.

Performers from nostalgic music show That’ll Be the Day were the final act to appear at the theatre on Saturday night before it was shut by Weymouth and Portland Borough Council due to spiralling maintenance costs.

Show director Trevor Payne said theatre staff and the audience were in tears as the show came to an end.

But theatre supporters said they are optimistic the show will go on, although there is no indication of when the theatre will re-open under new ownership.

Cathy Page-Nash, chairman of the Friends of Weymouth Pavilion, said there was a ‘party atmosphere’ on the last night.

Mrs Page-Nash said: “It was a wonderful evening and although it was a big occasion, the mood was optimistic and there was quite a party atmosphere.”

‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ was sung towards the end of the show, Mrs Page-Nash said, with much of the audience joining in.

Before the show began Weymouth and Portland mayor Ray Banham went on stage and told the audience he was doing everything in his power to make sure the theatre reopens soon.

Mr Payne, who also performs in the show, said That’ll Be the Day has been performed more than 150 times at the Weymouth theatre.

He added: “I think it was fitting that we were the last before it closed.

“It was an extraordinary night. We’ve done more than 5,000 performances around the country and I’ve never seen anything like I did last night.

“You could see the audience filling up when we were doing a couple of the nostalgic numbers and you could see the theatre staff in tears.

“Whichever way you look at it it’s a real shame.”

Brian Crump, a member of the Friends committee, also attended the performance.

He said: “My personal feeling is that although it’s the end of the council-run Pavilion, fingers crossed it will be open again in a few weeks.

“We’re hoping it goes steadily and there are no delays from the council end.

“We’re in limbo at the moment but there are a lot of people who want to get on with this.

“We’re keen to find out who’s taking it over.

“A town without a theatre, especially in the summer, is ridiculous.”

Weymouth Pavilion will be re-opened as a non-profit enterprise.

Bids are still being invited by Weymouth and Portland Borough Council until Friday.

Council officials will start evaluating tenders at the beginning of June and will announce the successful bidder no later than June 21.