Pavilion Theatre (Weymouth)
Weymouth Pavilion, July 2016
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| Former names | The Ritz |
|---|---|
| Address |
The Esplanade Weymouth DT4 8ED England |
| Operator | Weymouth Pavilion CIC |
| Capacity | 988 (Theatre) 600 (Ocean Room) |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 21 December 1908 |
| Reopened | 15 July 1960 13 July 2013 |
| Website | |
| www.weymouthpavilion.com | |
Coordinates: 50°36′32″N 2°26′49″W / 50.609°N 2.447°W
The Weymouth Pavilion, formerly the Ritz, is a theatre in Weymouth, Dorset. The complex contains a 988-seat theatre, 600 (maximum) capacity ballroom known as the Ocean Room, the Piano Bar restaurant, Ritz Cafe and other function and meeting rooms.
The original pavilion, constructed in 1908, was destroyed in a fire in 1954 and the current theatre was built in its place in 1958. It was owned and operated by Weymouth & Portland Borough Council until 2013 and is now operated by a not-for-profit Community Interest Company. The theatre is located at the end of The Esplanade between Weymouth Harbour and Weymouth Beach. The Jurassic Skyline is also located in this area.
The original pavilion was built in response to Weymouth's increasingly popularity as a seaside resort. Following calls for an entertainment venue, a site at the southern end of the Esplanade was chosen and an architectural competition launched in 1907 for the design of the theatre. It was built in 1908 of timber, with a steel frame, for a cost of £14,150, which included the reclamation of land on the esplanade. It was officially opened on 21 December 1908. In 1914, the council began leasing the theatre to Ernest Wheeler, who continued to run it for twenty five years. It later saw competition with the opening of the Alexandra Gardens Theatre in 1925. In response, the pavilion also began screening films.
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