Pier Pavilion & Ocean Theatres

• Theatre ID
  89
• Built / Converted
  1893
• Dates of use
  • 1893 - 1978
• Current state
  Extant
• Current use
  disused (Part derelict)
• Address
  Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, England

Details

The Pier was built in 1873 to allow steamship passengers who embarked at Fresh Wharf, London, to land. It was extended in 1890 and the pier head pavilion added c.1893. It was oval on plan and, like most pier pavilions, in concert hall style with concert party stage. Rectangular proscenium with rounded top corners. An Ocean Theatre was added in 1932 when the root of the pier was widened and mounted on concrete pillars. The Ocean had its weatherboarding replaced by aluminium cladding in 1962, at which time it was being used by Gordon Henson’s concert party. It was later converted to an amusement saloon. Following storm damage in 1977 the Ocean closed and the Pier Theatre began to fall into dereliction.

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• Other names
  The Jolly Roger, Ocean Theatre (a separate building on the pier)
• Events
  • 1892 - 1893 Design/Construction: Array
    • Murdoch & Cameron - Architect
  • 1893 - 1978 Use:
  • 1908 Owner/Management: Coast Development Co Ltd, proprietors
  • 1922 Owner/Management: The Kingsman Family
  • 1932 Alteration: Ocean Theatre added
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1962 Alteration: aluminiom cladding added
    • Unknown - Architect
• Capacities
  • Later: 1912: 900 (Pier Pavilion)
• Listings
  • Grade Not listed
• Stage type
  • Rake