Pier Theatre & Music Pavilion

• Theatre ID
  131
• Built / Converted
  1901
• Dates of use
  • 1901 - 1970: Theatre
  • 1901 - 1970: Theatre Music Pavilion 1925-1945
• Current state
  Extant
• Current use
  converted to other use (Theatre is showbar; music pavilion is amusement arcade)
• Address
  Pier, Eastbourne, East Sussex, England

Details

The Eastbourne Pier Company was formed in 1865 and the first part of the pier opened in 1870. A pavilion was built at the seaward end in 1888 but this was replaced by a theatre in 1901. The theatre seated 1000, with a bar, cafénd pier office. It had cantilever balconies and a camera obscura on the roof. Shows were presented all year round. In January 1970 a pier employee set fire to the theatre but luckily the safety curtain was in place. The theatre was badly damaged but most of the original features survived, including the balconies and pier offices. A Dixieland ShowBar now occupies the space. Subject to detailed examination it seems likely that the theatre could be restored. The camera obscura has already been restored to use. In 1925 the pier was widened at the shoreward end and a music pavilion for 900 was built, flat floored with a concert platform and simple proscenium arch. It became a ballroom in 1945 and latterly an amusement arcade but much original decoration survives. A burger bar now occupies the stage. Clarkson Rose’s Concert Party Company performed for many years in the Pavilion.

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• Other names
  (Theatre) Dixieland Showbar
• Events
  • 1901 - 1970 Use: Theatre
  • 1901 - 1970 Use: Theatre Music Pavilion 1925-1945
  • 1870 Design/Construction: pier
    • Eugenius Birch - Architect
  • 1899 Alteration: theare built
    • Noel Ridley - Architect
  • 1925 Alteration: pavilion built
    • Unknown - Architect
  • Owner/Management: Eastbourne Pier Co Ltd
  • Owner/Management: later: Trusthouse Forte Ltd
  • Owner/Management: Leisure Parcs, lessees of pier
• Capacities
  • Later: 1912: 2000
• Listings
  • Grade II - 17.5.1971 An attractive pier, probably worth upgrading to II*
• Stage type
  • Raked
• Dimensions
  • Stage dimensions: Theatre d: 8.23m (27ft)
  • Proscenium width: 7.92m (26ft)
  • Height to grid: 1946: front 7.62m (25ft), back 6.4m (21ft)
  • Orchestra pit: original, 14