Theatres in Worthing, West Sussex
The Connaught Theatre - The Pavilion Theatre - The Plaza Theatre / Cinema / Buzz Bingo
Also see in this area - Brighton Theatres
The Connaught Theatre, Union Place, Worthing
Formerly - The Picturedrome
Above - A Google StreetView Image of the Connaught Theatre, Worthing in April 2021 - Click to Interact.
The Connaught Theatre is situated on Union Place, Worthing and was built on the site of a former large private residence called Stanmer Lodge which was situated on the corner of Union Place and Chapel Road. The Theatre was designed by the architect Peter Dulvey Stonham and originally opened as the Picturedrome Cinema on Wednesday the 29th of July 1914 with seating for 860 people on one level.
The Kinematograph Weekly reported briefly on the new Theatre, along with the image shown right, in their 6th of August 1914 edition saying:- 'A handsome new Kinema theatre, the Picturedrome, was opened last week in Chapel Road, Worthing, by the Mayor of that town.
Right - The interior of the Picturedrome, Wothing - From the Kinematograph Weekly, 6th of August 1914.
The proprietors are the Picturedrome (Worthing), Ltd., who may certainly be said to have established in this fashionable watering place a hall worthy of its traditions. It is sumptuously fitted throughout, and contains 950 seats at prices ranging from 1s. to 3d. There are also four 5s boxes. All the seating accommodation was installed by Messrs. Wilson, Rae, Pixton, & Co. Two Motiograph machines have been put in by the Bioscope Film and Supply Co., of Lisle Street, W., under the supervision of Mr. E. E. Facey, while the floral decorative scheme was devised by Mr. F. W. Thearle, of the same firm. Mr. C. W. Woolgar is the manager of the new Picturedrome, and Mr. Walker attends to the operating department.' - The Kinematograph Weekly, 6th of August 1914.
In 1916 a new building was constructed next door the Picturedrome, called the Connaught Building, this included a Concert Hall called the Connaught Hall, sometimes used for Music Hall events, and in 1931 this was granted a theatrical licence and renamed the Connaught Theatre, a new home for the local repertory players who had previously been performing at the Worthing Pavilion.
In May 1933 the Picturedrome was closed for two months whilst it was given an Art Deco style refurbishment to the designs of the architect A. T. Goldsmith who also added a stage house, flies, and dressing rooms to the former Cinema, making it usable for live theatre shows. It reopened, still with the Picturedrome name, on Monday the 31st of July 1933. The new Theatre had a proscenium opening of 35 feet wide by 20 feet high, and a stage with a 20 foot depth.
In 1935 a new entrance foyer was added to the Theatre with a new bar above it and it reopened as a replacement for the old Connaught Theatre next door on the 30th of September 1935 as Worthing's new home for drama. The new Connaught Theatre was operated by Worthing Council.
In 1987 Films began to be screened at the Theatre again, and a second screen, originally called the Ritz Cinema, was added in the old Connault Hall next door and to the right of the Theatre's main entrance. Today this is called the Connaught Studio.
Left - A Google StreetView Image of the Connaught Theatre and Connaught Studio in April 2021 - Click to Interact.
The Connaught Theatre today has a capacity of just over 500 and is used for all manor of live events, film screenings, and West End transfers and touring productions.
You may like to visit the Theatre's own Website here.
If you have any more information or Images for this Theatre that you are willing to share please Contact me.
The Pavilion Theatre, Marine Parade, Worthing
Above - A Google StreetView Image of the Pavilion Theatre, Worthing in August 2021 - Click to Interact.
The Pavilion Theatre is situated on Marine Parade in Worthing at the entrance to Worthing Pier, it opened on the 25th of June 1926 and replaced the earlier Pier Pavilion which was originally situated a quarter of a mile along the pier.
Right - A Postcard celebrating the opening of the Worthing Pavilion in 1926.
The new Pavilion was designed by the architects Adshead and Ramsey as a home for musical concerts, musical theatre, and plays. Originally it was also home to the local repertory theatre group before they moved to the nearby Connaught Theatre in 1931.
By the late 1920s the Pavilion became home to spectacular summer shows which were extremely popular and by 1932 most of the entertainment at the Theatre consisted of variety shows and musical concerts. It was closed at the outbreak of the Second World War but reopened in 1942 as a Garrison Theatre.
In 1979 the Pavilion was closed for major refurbishment, not reopening again until 1982 when it became officially known as the Pavilion Theatre, which still provides a varied mix of Theatre and Music Events to this day.
You may like to visit the Pavilion Theatre's own Website here.
If you have any more information or Images for this Theatre that you are willing to share please Contact me.
The Plaza Theatre / Cinema, Rowlands Road, Worthing
Later - ABC Plaza Cinema / Star Bingo / Granada Bingo / Lion Bingo / Gala Bingo / Buzz Bingo
Above - A Google StreetView Image showing the former Plaza Theatre / Cinema in June 2023 - Click to Interact.
The former Plaza Theatre, today a Buzz Bingo Club, is situated on Rowlands Road in Worthing and was constructed at a cost of £80,000 for Louis Morris who had a large circuit of other Theatres and Cinemas around the Country. The Plaza was opened by the Mayor of Worthing H. T. Duffield on the 14th of December 1933. The Theatre was designed by the well known architect Harry Weston with an interior designed in an underwater atmospheric style. Lighting of the Theatre's underwater features and auditorium was designed by Basil Davis, the units being hidden by recesses in the walls and ceiling. The auditorium was capable of seating 2,500 people.
Right - An Advertisement for the Film 'Nob Hill' at the Plaza Cinema, Worthing in October 1945 whilst under the ownership of ABC - From the Worthing Gazette, 31st of October 1945.
The Plaza was built as a Super Cinema with a large and fully equipped stage, 30 foot deep with a 45 foot proscenium opening and a counterweight flying system. There were also several dressing rooms for artists.
The Theatre had a Compton Theatre Organ with its Console on a lift that rose up from the orchestra pit with an illuminated glass surround, it was played by the Plaza's resident organist Thomas Dando for its opening.
Left - An Advertisement for Compton Organs as Installed at the Plaza, Worthing - From The Era, 9th of August 1933.
FOH there was a Tea Lounge and Ballroom situated above the Theatre's Foyer and a car park for 250 cars with direct access to the Theatre.
The Plaza's opening consisted of speeches and various shorts and music on stage followed by the showing of the film 'The Song You Gave Me'. This was followed by a buffet and supper dance in the Theatre's Ballroom with music supplied by the Carillon Dance Band which went on until the early hours of the morning.
The Kinematograph Weekly reported on the opening of the Plaza in their 21st of December 1933 edition saying: 'Externally, the Plaza is a good example of the modern style of architecture. Its lines are severe and straight; superfluous decoration has been eliminated and reliance placed on fine proportion and simplicity of detail. The structure is of steel framework throughout, with brick enclosing walls.
Very special attention has been paid to the provision of a thoroughly scientific method of ventilation and heating. An elaborate plant has been installed by the London Radiator Heating Company. The organ, built by the Compton Organ Company, has a console finished in glass panelling, illuminated from within and under the control of the organist.
A large stage, capable of taking a full musical show, has been built, and Gipson and Co. (Leicester), Ltd.. have installed a counter-weight installation for flying scenery, etc. The building includes a dance hall, a cafe, and a covered waiting space.
The general contractors were Andrew Gibbs. Ltd., and the architect was H. Weston. M. I. Struct. E. The whole of the electrical installation was carried out by the Berkeley Electrical Engineering Co., Ltd.. to the designs and specifications of Basil Davis, A.M.I.F.E. The sound system is Western Electric.' - The Kinematograph Weekly , 21st of December 1933.
Above - An Advertisement for Mario De Pietro, BBC Banjo and Mandoline Wizard, performing live on stage at the Worthing Plaza in 1935 - From The Stage Newspaper, 28th of March 1935.
The Plaza Theatre had first opened on the 14th of December 1933 under the ownership of the Louis Morris Circuit. They refurbished the Theatre's Ballroom in January 1935 creating a more modern Dance Hall in its place with new furniture and lighting and accommodation for 300 people.
Meanwhile Film Presentations and Variety Shows continued to be popular at the Worthing Plaza, see article right.
Right - An Article on the Variety Shows at the Worthing Plaza in 1935 - From the Worthing Gazette, 9th of October 1935.
However, later in 1935 the Plaza was taken over by ABC with Jack Barrasford, son of Thomas Barrasford, as its new Manager, he had previously opened the Majestic Theatre in Woodford, London in 1934.
Jack Barrasford would have a checkered career despite his famous father, he was very popular as a Cinema Manager but rather too fond of the Ladies.
Left - Jack Barrasford (Centre), Manager of the Plaza Cinema, Worthing in 1936, with stage and screen actresses Esme Bankhead and Doris Howard who were attending a Mickey Mouse Club children's matinee charity event - From the Worthing Gazette, 29th of April 1936.
Whilst he was Manager at the Plaza, Worthing in 1936 he was convicted of Bigamy and amazingly received just two days in prison for it. However, in 1940 whilst Managing Her Majesty's Theatre Carlisle he would be convicted of Bigamy again and this time to two more women and received a sentence of 21 months. He would go on to produce some variety shows in Scottish Theatres after he was released but only for a short time, the last newspaper mention of him was in July 1943.
Above - A Staff Party for everyone involved with ABC's Theatres in Brighton, Hove and Worthing, held in the Ballroom of the Worthing Plaza in January 1938 - From the Worthing Gazette, 12th of January 1938.
ABC would run the Worthing Plaza for many decades, showing Films along with Variety shows on stage and Organ Concerts, from their early years of taking over the Theatre and during the war, and well into the mid to late 1940s. In 1946 however, it became a home for Pre-Release Presentations where Films were shown at the same time as in London's West End, with a permanent summer and winter feature beginning with the film 'Quiet Weekend' in August 1946. Meanwhile the Theatre continued serving 3 course luncheons for 2s 6d and afternoon teas in its restaurant, see advertisement right.
Right - An Advertisement for the Plaza, Worthing and its Restaurant in 1947 - From the Worthing Gazette, 8th of January 1947.
ABC eventually closed the Plaza Theatre on the 8th of December 1968. The Theatre was then converted for Bingo use by putting in a false ceiling from the front of the circle to the rear of the stage making one large flat floored room in the former stalls and stage, the upper part of the auditorium was essentially closed off. At the same time the Compton Organ was removed and transferred to an Electronics Company on the other side of the World in Perth, Australia.
The Plaza then reopened for use as a Social and Bingo Club with a 'Grand Opening Night' on January the 9th 1969 and later became a Star Bingo Club in 1970, then a Granada Bingo Club, then a Lion Bingo Club, and finally a Gala Bingo Club. Today it is known as the Buzz Bingo Club and the remains of the upper part of the auditorium is still closed off and apparently used for storage.
Some of the information for this Theatre 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.