The Pavilion Theatre, in Lodge Lane, Liverpool was built in 1908 by J. J. Alley who also built several Theatres in Manchester, including the Metropole, the Royal Osborne, the Hulme Hippodrome and Playhouse, and the Queens Park Hippodrome along with several others in the Broadhead Circuit.

Above - The Liverpool Pavilion Theatre during its Bingo days in 1980 - Courtesy Ted Bottle.

 

The Pavilion was refurbished in 1933 and again in 1960 when the stage was extended. In 1961, like so many others at that time, the Theatre was converted to Bingo.

Right - The Auditorium of the Liverpool Pavilion Theatre during its Bingo days in 1980 - Courtesy Ted Bottle.

The Pavilion was seriously damaged in 1986 when a major fire destroyed much of the interior of the building. The auditorium is now almost completely gone and in it's place is a hanger like bingo hall which is in stark contrast to the remains of the original Theatre it is attatched too. (See image bottom of page.) However, parts of the interior are apparently still accessible.

Some of the information above was kindly sent in by Ellen Loudon.

A visitor to the site, Carole Giffen, has recently sent in some of her memories of the Liverpool Pavilion Theatre, Carole says: 'My family owned the "theatre house" at 13 Lorton St, set back up three steps between the Pro House Pub and the Pavilion Stage Door, Mecca owned it in the 1980's when my grandmother was rehoused. My great grandmother moved there after WW1 with her 2nd husband William Henry Borrows. My grandmother moved in after her marriage and they used to supply refreshments to the "Acts" as they called them. My grandfather helped out in the bar and sadly died there in 1945. When I was little, I used to be able to hear the acts rehearsing in their dressing rooms through the wall in the hallway (or lobby as we called it), I remember especially listening to Eddie Calvert!

The star dressing room was up some steps on the left and the larger dressing rooms for the chorus girls etc were at the end on the left. To the right were the stairs which took you to the auditorium and the boxes via the back way. All the scenery was stored underneath the stage and here were the rooms for the orchestra and the conductor who had his own room.

Left - Detail of the Proscenium Arch at the Liverpool Pavilion Theatre during its Bingo days in 1980 - Courtesy Ted Bottle.

I spent my early childhood (late 40's and early 50's) backstage and remember the layout and staff. The Stage Doorman was called Arthur, he was a small man with thick horn rimmed glasses and wore a grey overall and must have been in his 70's then. The dressing room cleaner was called Winnie and I used to help her. The Stage Manager was Chris McBride who was an old friend of the family and became my son's godfather. Chris McBride died in 1989. The Electrician was Freddie Trinder (brother of Tommy Trinder, the famous comedian) and there was a fireman called Reg or Fred who came from Manchester.

Front of House, the Manager was a Mr Lovelace and during the war, "Auntie Nell" ran the bar. She was an old retired "pro" with flaming red hair - a retired singer and dancer I think and it was her that my grandad used to help.

I also remember there being two autograph books in the house stuffed with photos and autographs of the acts including George Robey, Marie Lloyd and Little Titch - alas now missing. I saw Ken Dodd's first panto there when he was Wishy Washy in Aladdin and I was asked to go up on stage as part of the show. When he asked me where I lived I said next door!'

Above text in quotes kindly sent in by Carole Giffen.