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 - A Google StreetView image of the former Royal Pavilion Theatre, Blackpool - Click to Interact
The Royal Pavilion Theatre on Rigby Road, Blackpool,
opened on the 23rd of June 1909 as a Cinema screening animated films and 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.
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.'
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
which is still running today. Surprisingly you can still see the old
projection box sticking out of the Theatre's main Facade today.
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 is now an amusement arcade. - Donald
Auty.
Some of the information on this page was gleaned from the excellent Cinema Treasures website. Programme Covers Courtesy William Neale.
If you have any more information or images for this Theatre that you are willing to share please Contact me.
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