Bridlington Theatres and Halls
The Spa Theatre - Grand Pavilion - Spa Royal Hall - Bridlington Summer 1963 by Donald Auty
The Spa Theatre, Bridlington
Formerly - The Grand Hall / The Spa Theatre and Opera House
Above - A Sketch showing the new Spa Theatre and Opera House, Bridlington in 1907 - From the Sheffield Daily Telegraph, 30th of July 1907.
The
Spa Theatre was first built in 1896 by S. Dyer, and originally opened as the Grand Hall. The Theatre was rebuilt in 1907 however, following a fire at the end of the previous season. Designed in the Italian Renaissance style by W. S. Walker, F.R.I.B.A., of Brodrick, Lowther, and Walker, architects of Hull, the new Spa Theatre and Opera House, with a seating capacity of around 1,400 people, opened with a production of 'The Girl from Kay's' on the 29th of July 1907.
The Sheffield Daily Telegraph reported on the new Theatre's reopening in their 30th of July 1907 edition saying:- 'Last evening Mrs. Beerbohm Tree opened the new Spa Theatre and Opera House, Bridlington. In a short speech she praised the design of the building, and, claiming to speak as a godmother, lavished blessings upon it. Mrs. Tree then gave a short recital, and Mr. M. Whitaker, chairman of the directors of the Spa; Mr. Walker, the architect; Mr. Hague, the manager; and the Mayor of the borough spoke. A telegram of congratulations was received from Mr. Beerbohm Tree.
Right - An early Poster for the Spa Opera House, Bridlington - Courtesy Tim Trounce.
After the opening ceremony Mr. C. Macdona's company played "The Girl from Kay's," to a crowded house.
The new Theatre replaces the Grand Hall, which was burnt down at the close of last season, and may be said for it that it is the only modern theatre existing in the town between Hull and Scarborough.
There has been no doubt about the need of a theatre at Bridlington, and there is every prospect that with the provision of first-class companies at popular prices (two conditions which the manager, Mr. H. Hague, makes himself responsible for in advance) the latest enterprise of the New Spa Company (Limited) will meet with a large measure of support.
The Theatre has been built to the design of Mr. W. S. Walker, F.R.I.B.A., of Messrs. Brodrick, Lowther, and Walker, architects, Hull, and will accommodate about 1,400 people. It is designed in the Italian Renaissance style of architecture, simply and broadly treated, a good effect being obtained with a moderate use of ornament.
Left - A Programme for 'Palace of Varieties' at the Spa Theatre Bridlington.
The theatre, which is illuminated throughout with electricity, is provided with stalls, pit, grand circle, an upper circle, and is handsomely appointed. "The line of sight" has been carefully attended to, so that from any part of the building a full view of the large and commodious stage can be comfortably obtained.
Above - The Auditorium of the Spa Theatre, Bridlington in 1990 - Courtesy Ted Bottle.
Left - The Auditorium and Stage of the Spa Theatre, Bridlington in 1990 - Courtesy Ted Bottle.
The stage is stated to be capable of taking the largest theatrical productions travelling, while ample dressing room and cloak-room accommodation is provided. The exits are so numerous as to ensure the emptying of the theatre from all parts in a few minutes.
Right - A Page from a 'Palace of Varieties' programme at the Spa Theatre Bridlington with details of attractions.
The stage dimensions are given as being at the opening 30 feet wide and 35 feet deep, 27 feet high, total width 55ft. 6in., height under fly galleries 23ft., 34ft. to grid. The cost of the new building has been about £6.000.'
The above text in quotes was first published in the Sheffield Daily Telegraph, 30th of July 1907.
The new Spa Theatre and Opera House had opened in 1907 but twenty years later in 1927 it was renamed more simply to the Spa Theatre.
The whole of the Spa complex was extensively refurbished in 2006 and the Theatre is still in use today, currently with a seating capacity of 1,031. Details and many images for the 2006 Refurbishment can be seen here.
Left - In 2006 the whole of the Spa complex was extensively refurbished. Click for details and many images.
For more history and booking details for current productions at the Spa Theatre you may like to visit the Theatre's own Website here.
Above - A Google StreetView Image of the Bridlington Spa in April 2017 - Click to Interact.
The Spa Royal Hall
Stephen Handley, whose Great Grandfather J. M. Smallwood was responsible for rebuilding the Spa Royal Hall after a fire in 1932 has kindly sent in the following information and pictures.
The
SPA ROYAL HALL, opened in 1926, it was destroyed by fire at the end
of January 1932. This was a disastrous loss. The council realising how
essential it was to rebuild in time for the summer season, if many thousand
visitors were not to be disappointed, lost no time in settling the insurance
claim and proceeded with the erection of the new hall.
Right - The First Spa Royal Hall, destroyed by fire in 1932 - From the book Bridlington 1899 - 1949 - Courtesy Stephen Handley.
It
was with the co-operation of the council and its architect Mr P M Newton
and the contractors (Messrs J.M.Smallwood & Sons)...My Great
Grandfather, and their various sub-contractors, and with the loyal
efforts of all employees, that the new building rose like a phoenix
from the ashes of the old.
Left - J. M. Smallwood - Courtesy his Great Grandson Stephen Handley.
From
the time work actually began until the building was opened, it was a
matter of no more than 56 days...True, the building was not completely
finished and decorated, but it was possible to use the building for
at least part of the 1932 summer season.
The Royal Hall, therefore was opened at 6 p.m. on the 30th July... the workmen going out by one door as the Mayor (Councillor J.A. Dew J.P), who performed the opening ceremony, entered at the other door.
Right - In 2006 the whole of the Spa complex was extensively refurbished. For details and many images Click Here.
The
SPA, experts declared it to be one of the finest, if not the finest
of its kind in England... For dances, concerts and large gatherings
and of course exhibitions... The cost was £51,298 of which about
£33,000 was received from the Insurance Company.
Left - The second Spa Royal Hall, built by Messrs J.M.Smallwood & Sons From the book Bridlington 1899 - 1949 - Courtesy Stephen Handley.
Some other interesting facts:-
1914...1st March, New Spa taken over by corporation.
1919...31st December, New Spa purchased by corporation at a cost of £16,000.
1926...15th July, Official opening of Spa Royal Hall by the Mayor Councillor W A Storr JP.
The book I am taking these facts from is very interesting and my parents have never shown this to me before, so it is all new to me. My Great Grandfather also built Bridlington Town Hall.
Above text and images kindly sent in by Stephen Handley, Great Grandson of J. M. Smallwood.
The Grand Pavilion, Bridlington
The Grand Pavilion, Bridlington was built in 1937 and is still in use today as a multi-purpose venue called 3B's Theatre. Although the exterior is nothing special the Art Deco interior is largely still intact.
Bridlington Summer 1963
By Donald Auty
I only did one summer season in Bridlington but it was a humdinger. The
social life with those hospitable East Riding of Yorkshire people was
out of this world. I was at the Grand Pavilion which eventually became
the Three Bees Cabaret Bar and I believe is now a night club. It was
a fully fledged Theatre then seating around 1100 people and thus was
much larger than the Spa Theatre that still exists, so big names could
be presented. There was a good holiday audience in the town those days
composed mainly of holiday makers from Leeds, Bradford,
the West Riding of Yorkshire woollen towns, Sheffield,
and the steel manufacturing area, and quite a few from the North East
of England. The town could support a top class summer show for a period
of twelve weeks.
Right - Flyer for 'Palace of Varieties' at the Spa Theatre Bridlington. Year Unknown.
The theatre was art deco with audience all on one level. It had a good stage with flys even if it was a little shallow and a grand master electrical switchboard so we were well set up. The shows were presented by Richard Stone who was probably better known as a top agent. He was a charming ex army colonel who had been in charge of forces variety entertainment during the war and he also presented shows in Scarborough, Weston Super Mare and various other top resorts. He supplied revue companies to various Butlins Holiday camps and the productions were first class especially with costumes which his wife Sarah supervised with an eagle eye.
The top of the bill was Adam Faith who was young and unruly in those days and we tried the variety bill part of the show out at the Sunderland Empire for a week prior to the season starting. It was a disastrous and exceedingly sad time. Adam's band were traveling to Sunderland in a van and had a crash on the Great North Road on their way there and one of the band was killed. This was in the early hours of Monday morning and the show opened on Monday night. Adam opened and I greatly admired him for this for the rest of his life.
We
did two weeks of variety prior to the main season with two grand pianos
and drums in the orchestra pit. This was a very popular combination
in a lot of smaller summer theatres and the sound was exceedingly good.
The bill toppers were Terry Scott and Hugh Lloyd for one week, and Joan
Turner for the second.
Right - In 2006 the whole of the Spa complex is being extensively refurbished. For details and many images Click Here.
There was a distinctly holiday atmosphere amongst both artistes and staff in these pre season variety bills and some good times, some of them unprintable, were had by all in the Ridings Hotel across the road from the theatre when the once nightly show had finished. The main summer show was big with a ten piece orchestra ten dancers two comedians Tom Mennard and Bobby Dennis, the stilt specialty act, Jean and Peter Barbour, a girl singer and soubrette, in addition to Adam Faith and his group. We packed the shallow stage with scenery and a wonderful blessing we only did twice nightly on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The rest of the week we only did one show per night which was a very rare occurrence in 1963.
All the shows used to send overnight telegrams back to the office to inform them what the box office take had been. These were in a simple code to keep them supposedly secret. A predecessor of mine who used to spend quite a lot of his time over at the Ridings Hotel had one night after having a few more drinks than usual told the telephone operator the code. Some nights I was sending the coded telegram when the house had not been over-full and the telephone operator would say to me,"You did not do very well tonight did you?"
By Donald Auty.
Also by Donald Auty on this site:
A
Stage Struck Man - A profile of Donald Auty.
Those Variety days
Pantomime in the 1940s 1950s
Pantomime economics of 50 years ago
Summer at the Winter Gardens and Pavilion
Bournemouth 1961- 67
Working Newcastle's Palace Theatre
in the 1950s
Bridlington Summer 1963
Twighlight of the Touring Review
Blackpool
Wonderful Blackpool
Moss Empires' Theatres in the Fifties