3 B's

• Theatre ID
  2276
• Built / Converted
  1937
• Dates of use
  • 1937: continuing
• Current state
  Extant
• Current use
  Theatre (Multi-purpose hall including theatre)
• Address
  The Promenade, Bridlington, East Yorkshire, YO15 2QQ, England

Details

Very bland exterior, now bounded on three sides by the equally bland Leisureworld complex of swimming pool/exhibition hall/cafétc. No theatre name, just some small plain lettering ‘Theatre Entrance’ above the central of three pairs of doors with windows in openings 2 & 4. Minuscule foyer with box office. Given the plain exterior, the Art Deco interior is quite a surprise. Largely intact and unaltered, it resembles an Odeon. The decoration consists of two broad bands running from the back to either side of the wide plain proscenium arch. These bands, approximately five metres wide, contain ribbed plaster and concealed lighting - there was no direct lighting anywhere in the hall. The front stalls are much wider than the rear and originally had seating with appalling sightlines at the sides, as a result of which, within two years, the capacity was reduced by 160. Between the two bands in the centre of the ceiling is a third band, curved in front of the stage, and containing a narrower lighting trough. The front stalls area was always flat floored to allow for other uses and was designated the ‘lower hall’. The ‘upper hall’ was stepped and had permanent seats. The steppings have now been altered to allow for tables, with two rear corners built up to form a cafénd bar area. The plaster either side on the proscenium arch has been clumsily cut to house speakers (now replaced with more modern units free standing in front of the arch). There are two dressing rooms. The stage is very wide with a low proscenium arch and a full tower with a 25-line hemp system. Direct stage access has been lost in the expansion of the site.

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• Other names
  Grand Pavilion
• Events
  • 1937 Use: continuing
  • 1937 Design/Construction:
    • P M Newton - Architect
  • 1937 Design/Construction:
    • G T Knaggs Ltd (Bridlington) - Consultant: Decoration
    • Holophane Ltd & Messrs W T Drabble (Bridlington) - Consultant: Electrical Work
    • Messrs Harry Davis & Co Ltd (Bridlington) - Consultant: Furnishings
• Capacities
  • Original: 1688
  • Later: 1939: 1528 1980: 750
  • Current: 900
• Listings
  • Grade Not listed
• Stage type
  • Proscenium rake
• Dimensions
  • Stage dimensions: Depth: 6.71m Width SL: 10.67m SR: 10.67m
  • Proscenium width: 12.2m
  • Height to grid: 9.6m
• Unreliable anecdotes
  NOT demolished and rebuilt 1987 (British Performing Arts Yearbook)