Copyright © 2023 by Wendy Waszut-Barrett
On Sept. 16, 2023, Mike Hume, Rick Boychuk, Megumi, and I visited the Pavilion Theatre in Glasgow. It was our last stop of the day; our seventh theater visit, and one that was completely unplanned.
The Pavilion Theatre, 121 Renfield St., Glasgow.
While walking back to our hotel, Mike Hume decided to take a chance and walked into the lobby. He asked if it were possible for us to just take a peak at the auditorium. Fortunately for us, the show for that evening had been cancelled and there was an extremely accommodating manager on site. Although we only expected to spend a few minutes in the auditorium, Cameron gave us an extensive tour of the venue.
Our tour guide at the Pavilion Theatre – Cameron. My apologies for not remembering his last name. I also wish that this photo showed his white cowboy boots as they were quite impressive!
For a little historical context, the Pavilion Theatre opened on Feb. 29, 1904, as a music hall. Designed by Bertie Crewe, it was part of Thomas Barrasford’s chain of British Music Halls. Here is a linl for more information about the Pavilion’s history: https://www.paviliontheatre.co.uk/about/history/
The Pavilion Theatre.
The Pavilion Theatre ceiling.
The Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow
The Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow.
Historic seating chart.
The counterweight system is located stage left.
It is a Knight system
It is a Knight system.
It is a Knight system.
View of an upstage bridge from the deck.
Opera box.
View from the house left opera box.
An abundance of color has been added to the original decor.
Auditorium ornament.
Proscenium ornament.
Another view of the auditorium, near the boxes. The mirrors are an interesting touch.
Mirrors are to the right of the doorway.
Looking at the mirrors.
One of the many entrances to the auditorium.
Stair detail.
The Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow.
View from the gallery.
To be continued…
Thank you Wendy for a splendid post.
I really must try to visit soon. It’s not so far away.
Thanks so much for these wonderful photographs. A real treat. If only we could see a few of the shows that were produced there in the early aughts. I’m just back from a trip to Sicily where I had a chance to hear a concert at the Teatro Massimo in Palermo as well as a visit to the Teatro Pirandello in Ragusa, both designed along the classic Italian formula: flat-floor orchestra, three to six rings of boxes, and a hydraulic floor in the orchestra pit that raised when you wanted the musicians seen, and was lowered when you wanted them to disappear. It was the start of the season and the greater pattern seemed to be touring shows, with minimal, perfunctory settings, that dropped in for a weekend or two. No resident companies. The teatro in Siracusa was set to host a tour of THE BIRTHDAY PARTY in Peter Stein’s production, but not until early December.
Thank you so much for sharing your glorious photos. Those Victorians really believed in leaving no surface undecorated, huh?
I can’t believe I didn’t know about your website until now. The wonderful folks at the Oakland Scottish Rite Center pointed me in your direction. We’ve toured their building, and are scheduling an appointment to look at their collection of paint renderings.
I’m looking forward to spending time exploring your website!
Lisa Lazar
Scenic Charge
Berkeley Repertory Theatre
You are welcome! It’s very nice to meet you.