The Royal Pavilion Theatre, Rigby Road, Manchester Square, Blackpool

Later - The Futurist Cinema / Plaza Cinema / New Alexander Cinema / Scots Karaoke Bar /

Blackpool Theatres Index - Blackpool Theatres Article by Donald Auty

Above - The former Royal Pavilion Theatre, Blackpool looking rather sorry for itself in June 2022 - Courtesy Kev McEwen.

The Royal Pavilion Theatre on Rigby Road, Blackpool was built for W. Morris and opened on the 23rd of June 1909 with a showing of the film 'Napolean' and several other films, see advertisement right, note the promotion of 'Grand Sacred Concerts' on Sundays. The Theatre was designed by James Alfred Barraclough and when it first opened it was a very popular and often crowded venue.

Right - An Advertisement for the just opened Royal Pavilion Theatre, Blackpool in June 1909 - From the Fleetwood Chronicle, 25th of June 1909.

The Theatre has had a number of name changes over the years, including the Futurist in 1929, the Plaza in 1939, and the New Alexander Cinema, under new ownership, in 1948.

The Cinema reverted to its original name in the late 1960s when live shows were also performed there during the summer months.

Left - A programme for the Royal Pavilion, Blackpool - Courtesy William Neale.

The Theatre was taken over by Classic Cinemas in the late 1970s but closed in 1983 when it remained empty for a year until 1984 when it reopened as a live Theatre showing so called 'Girly Shows.'

In March 1986 the Theatre was leased by David de Kort for the showing of Family Films until 1989.

The Theatre then returned to use as a Cinema in 1990, and back to live Theatre use in 1993, but later was in use as a Karaoke Bar called Scots. Surprisingly you can still see the old projection box sticking out of the Theatre's main Facade even today.

Right - A programme for the Royal Pavilion, Blackpool - Courtesy William Neale.

Donald Auty writes briefly on the Royal Pavilion Theatre's 60s live theatre days in his article about Blackpool Theatres which you can read in full here, saying:- 'There was a repertory season at the Royal Pavilion Theatre across Lytham Road from the Manchester Hotel. This was presented by Jack Rose with hard working jobbing actors such as John Irvine and Herbert Ramskell. The fare was Northern comedies such as 'My Wife's Lodger' and thrillers like 'The Shop at Sly Corner'. Every season a terrible pot boiler called 'Reefer Girl' popped up and played to packed houses. The theatre is still there but it is now an amusement arcade. - Donald Auty.

Left - A programme for the Royal Pavilion, Blackpool - Courtesy William Neale.

Above - The former Royal Pavilion Theatre, Blackpool looking rather sorry for itself in June 2022 - Courtesy Kev McEwen.

Above - A Google StreetView image of the former Royal Pavilion Theatre, Blackpool in May 2009 - Click to Interact.

Some of the information on this page was gleaned from the excellent Cinema Treasures website.

If you have any more information or images for this Theatre that you are willing to share please Contact me.