The Pavilion Theatre is a theatre in Glasgow located on Renfield Street. One of Glasgow's oldest theatres, the Pavilion Theatre of Varieties opened on 29 February 1904 as a Music hall.
- Venue
- Pavilion Theatre
- Address
- 121 Renfield Street, Glasgow, Strathclyde, G2 3AX, Scotland
- Town
- Glasgow, GB
- Capacity
- 1,449
The Pavilion Theatre is a theatre in Glasgow located on Renfield Street. One of Glasgow's oldest theatres, the Pavilion Theatre of Varieties opened on 29 February 1904 as a Music hall. In conjunction with Walter de Frece, its initiator was Benjamin Simons whose father Bailie Michael Simons (chairman of theatre owners Howard & Wyndham guaranteed the funding required. The building has remained relatively unchanged in layout, although the sound and lighting systems have been updated over the years. It is now protected as a category A listed building. The theatre was designed by Bertie Crewe as one of the three Glasgow venues operating as part of Thomas Barrasford's growing chain of British Music Halls, and was regarded as luxurious for its time. (The other two were Glasgow Hippodrome in New City Road and the Palace in Main Street, Gorbals.) The owners, Glasgow Pavilion Ltd, described its decor as "pure Louis XV", featuring Rococo plasterwork across the proscenium arch and boxes, terrazzo flooring, leadlight glazing and rich mahogany wood finishing. Ventilation was ensured by an electrically operated sliding roof panel above the auditorium. The facade was designed in the French Renaissance style and finished using glazed buff coloured terracotta. The auditorium's capacity of 1449 is made up of 677 stalls, 341 circle, 413 balcony and 18 box seats. A founding director, and soon managing director was Rich Waldon of the city's Royal Princess's Theatre. Many of the leading music hall artistes of the early 20th century appeared at the Pavilion, including Marie Lloyd, Little Tich, Harry Lauder, Sarah Bernhardt and a then unknown Charlie Chaplin. In 1920 the Pavilion started producing pantomimes. From 1919 to 1957 the theatre and its productions and management were led by Fred Collins and his son Horace Collins and family. Star performers included Dave Willis, Jack Anthony and GH Elliot. Of their many shows, revues and pantomimes some pantomimes have been recorded on film for p