Wikipedia

Cliffs Pavilion

Cliffs Pavilion (locally known as the Cliffs) is a theatre, sports, exhibition and concert venue located on Station Road in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, England, a suburb within the city of Southend-on-Sea. It is the largest purpose-built arts venue in Essex,[2] and the largest capacity of any theatre in the East of England.[3] In 2006, the operation of Cliffs Pavilion, along with the Palace Theatre, were handed to HQ Theatres by Southend-on-Sea Borough Council.[4] HQ Theatres merged with Trafalgar Entertainment in 2021.[5] In February 2022, the Cliffs played host to He Built This City concert, a tribute to the murdered MP for Southend West Sir David Amess.

Cliffs Pavilion
Cliffs Pavilion, 2008
Map
AddressStation Rd
Southend-on-Sea, Essex SS0 7RA
England
LocationWestcliff-on-Sea
OwnerSouthend-on-Sea City Council
(operated by Trafalgar Entertainment[1])
Capacity1,630[1]
Construction
Opened1964
Renovated2010; 2024-2025
Expanded1991-1992
Website
Venue Website

The buildings history

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Early history

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Plans for a theatre, the Shorefield Pavilion,[6] on the site started in 1935 when the borough council purchased the site to build a 500-seat theatre and concert venue, with work starting four years later on construction but was suspended by the outbreak of World War II.[7][8] After the war, the site was known as Southend's white elephant, with the site laying empty due to budget constraints, until 1963, when work was started on building that could host shows, concerts and private functions.[6] The building was designed by the borough architect Patrick Burridge, who also designed Southend Civic Centre.[9][10] The 1,100 capacity theatre was opened by the actor, writer and director Sir Bernard Miles in July 1964, with the first show opening the next day starring Norman Vaughan and his troupe of dancers, the Swinging Lovelies.[7][8] The hexagonal sunken forecourt that was at the front of the theatre (prior to the 2024/25 refurbishment) follows the line of the pre-war foundations.[8] The theatre won a commendation at the Come to Britain awards held by the British Travel & Holiday Association in the same year.[11] The Cliffs was the venue for the annual Southend-on-Sea Festival of Music and the Arts.[12]

 
Statue and forecourt at the Cliffs Pavilion

1990s redevelopment and 2000s refurbishment

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From July 1991 to December 1992, the building was closed to be re-developed and enlarged, with funding from Southend Borough Council and was designed by Tim Foster Architects. The stairs were rebuilt, a new Foyer Bar added and a balcony added to the auditorium increasing the capacity to 1,630.[13][8][14] The new extension was completed in an Art Deco style.[10] The total cost for the redevelopment was £3.4 million.[15] The theatre re-opened with the pantomime The Pied Piper of Hamelin starring Wayne Sleep, Peggy Mount and Richard Marner.[16] The refurbished Cliffs Pavilion received a Civic Design Award in 1993.[17]

 
The Art Deco style 1991-92 extension

In 1998, the Arts Council allocated £850,000 of Lottery cash to Southend Borough Council to investigate a £20 million stage 2 redevelopment. The plans included building a new raked seating stall area, reducing the capacity to 1,601 seats, and a new stage house with dimensions for the stage and fly tower meeting the minimum requirements for major touring companies - an increase in the maximum height from 19 metres to 29 metres. The council brought in Levitt Bernstein Associates to oversee the design, however in 1999 the bid for £12 million of Lottery funding from the Arts Council was overlooked and stage 2 of the redevelopment was withdrawn.[18][19]

In 2010, the Cliffs was closed for seven weeks while a refurbishment took place. The theatre's 1,630 seats that had been in the venue since the 1991-92 redevelopment were replaced, while the carpets in the Foyer were changed.[20]

Pavilion refurbishment 2024-2025

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It was announced in November 2021 that the operator, Trafalgar Theatres and owner, Southend-on-Sea City Council had applied for planning permission for a major refurbishment of the Cliffs Pavilion costing £8 million, with £5.5 million provided by the UK government through the Levelling Up fund.[21] The plan would see extensive improvements, with a major expansion of the restaurant, a new entrance and lobby to improve the customer experience, an upgraded ventilation system, a new outdoor piazza, bars, toilets, changing facilities and lifts. The redevelopment was due to begin in early 2024, with the building works to be completed by contractor Willmott Dixon, and were planned to take a year to complete. The Cliffs managers said the venue would remain open throughout the refurbishments. However, by February 2024, it was announced that there would be a delay to the start of the refurbishment works as the price had risen above the original cost.[1][13] It was announced in August 2024 that work was due to start later that month, with Auburn Group awarded the contract after a recommissioning of the tender process. Work officially started on the 22 August.[22][23]

Maritime Room

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The Maritime Room is a smaller venue than the main theatre, and is located on the lower level. The venue was originally opened as a restaurant, but after a short trial negotiated by local musician Peter Morris, the venue was used for jazz music events, before expanding into country and western.[24] From 1986 until 2014, the venue was home to the Joker Comedy Club, and it was at the club that local boy Lee Evans started his comedy career.[25][26] The club hosted Frank Skinner, Stewart Lee and Bob Mills among others.[27] Jazz remains a staple, with both the Jazz Mix and Open Mic club nights taking place at the venue.[28] The venue is currently home to the Balls Out Comedy Club[29] as well as Tropicana 80s nights.[30]

 
The Maritime Room from the exterior

Performances at the Cliffs

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The Cliffs has been the venue for a mixture of music, variety and theatrical shows, hosting some of the biggest names in entertainment since it opened in 1964.[31] Here is a selection of notable performances:

Annual pantomime

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The Cliffs hosts an annual pantomime with a big name celebrity cast, including Nick Berry and Melvyn Hayes in 1988,[42] Timmy Mallett, John Virgo and Anne Nolan in 1993,[43] and Melinda Messenger, Jonathon Morris, Patrick Mower and Little and Large in 1997.[44] It has been announced that Rylan Clark will be starring in the 2024 production of Jack and the Beanstalk.[45] Pantomimes since 2000 have included:

He Built This City concert

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On 13 February 2022, the Cliffs was the venue for the He Built This City, a concert held in honour of murdered Southend West MP Sir David Amess and part of week of celebrations held in Southend-on-Sea which culminated in Charles, Prince of Wales, officially granting the borough city status.[67][68] The concert was held at the Cliffs Pavilion and included performers such as Digby Fairweather, Lee Mead, the Music Man Project and Leanne Jarvis.[69]

The BBC at the Cliffs

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The BBC have completed live broadcasts or played recorded shows from the Cliffs over the years, including a special Silver Jubilee programme celebrating the first 25 years of the venue called Happy Anniversary! on 22 April 1989.[70] Other shows have included:

Sport at the Cliffs

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The Cliffs, in addition to shows, comedy and music performances has hosted a variety of sporting events.

Party conferences and exhibitions

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The Cliffs has hosted several political party conferences, with the National Conference of Labour Women taking place in 1967,[82] while in 1993 it hosted the Young Conservatives annual conference.[83]

The venue hosts a regular variety of exhibitions, from the Southend Art Club,[84] career fairs [85] to awards evenings.[86]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Southend's Cliffs Pavilion to undergo major revamp next year". BBC. 15 July 2023.
  2. ^ Barbara Vesey (2003). The Hidden Places of East Anglia. Including Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire. Travel Publishing. p. 33. ISBN 9781902007915.
  3. ^ "Largest Theatre Auditorium Takes in a Legend". Light & Sound International Online. 14 March 2016.
  4. ^ "Palace Theatre History". Palace Theatre Trust. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
  5. ^ "TRAFALGAR ENTERTAINMENT & HQ THEATRES JOIN FORCES". Trafalgar Entertainment. 30 March 2021.
  6. ^ a b "The new pavilion is taking shape". Southend Star. 11 February 1964. p. 84.
  7. ^ a b "Southend Cliffs Pavilion: a history of the much-loved theatre venue". Evening Echo. 25 December 2023.
  8. ^ a b c d Ian Yearsley (2016). Southend in 50 Buildings. Amberley Publishing Limited. ISBN 9781445651897.
  9. ^ "The war with sludge and a seawall". The Municipal Journal, Public Works Engineer and Contractors' Guide. 68 (3515–3528). Municipal Journal: 2463–2466. 1960.
  10. ^ a b James Bettley, Nikolaus Pevsner (2007). Essex. Yale University Press. p. 715. ISBN 978-0-300-11614-4.
  11. ^ "BHTA Come to Britain award to Ulster Avenue". Board of Trade Journal. 187 (3528). Her Majesty's Stationery Office: 942. 30 October 1964.
  12. ^ Elaine Brody, Claire Brook (1975). The Music Guide to Great Britain. England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland. Dodd, Mead. p. 143. ISBN 9780396069553.
  13. ^ a b "Cliffs Pavilion major £8million refurbishment hit by delays". Evening Echo. 26 February 2024.
  14. ^ Burnett, Kate (1996). Make space! Design for theatre and alternative spaces. Society of British Theatre Designers. p. 122. ISBN 0952930900.
  15. ^ Architects' Working Details. Emap Construct. 1997. p. 135.
  16. ^ "Cliffs Pavilion, Southend-on-Sea Opens after refurbishment". Plays and Players. No. 466–471. Hansom Books. 1993. p. 35.
  17. ^ "Foster Wilson Size". Association of British Theatre Technicians. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
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  20. ^ "Cliffs Pavilion refurbishment". Evening Echo. 15 July 2010.
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  22. ^ "Multi-million theatre revamp due to begin". BBC. 5 August 2024.
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  24. ^ "Peter 'Ponjo' Morris". National Jazz Archive. 17 December 2018. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
  25. ^ "The Joker Comedy Club. Celebrating the best in standup since 1986". Joker Comedy Club. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
  26. ^ "Outside London". The Times. 21 May 1990. p. 19.
  27. ^ Stewart Lee (2019). March of the Lemmings. Brexit in Print and Performance 2016–2019. Faber & Faber. ISBN 9780571357048.
  28. ^ "What's On". Southend Jazz. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
  29. ^ "Southend Cliffs Pavilion shows and events April 2024". Evening Echo. 31 March 2024.
  30. ^ "Tropicana Nights". Trafalgar Tickets. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
  31. ^ Lee Evans (2012). The Life of Lee. Penguin Books, Limited. ISBN 9780718156190.
  32. ^ Gillian G. Gaar, Dave Hunter, Harvey Kubernik, Chris Salewicz, Jaan Uhelszki (2017). Hendrix. The Illustrated Story. Voyageur Press. p. 211. ISBN 9780760352236.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  33. ^ Jas Obrecht (2018). Stone Free Jimi Hendrix in London, September 1966–June 1967. University of North Carolina Press. p. 127. ISBN 9781469647074.
  34. ^ "Paul McCartney concert at Cliffs Pavilion in Westcliff-on-Sea on Jul 19, 1991". The Paul McCartney project. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  35. ^ "Live By The Sea". oasisinet.com. 5 July 2022. Retrieved 19 July 2022.
  36. ^ Tony McCarroll (2011). Oasis. The Truth. John Blake. ISBN 9781843588184.
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  38. ^ Guide, British Comedy. "Bottom Live 2003: Weapons Grade Y-Fronts Tour - Dave Sitcom". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  39. ^ "Blur - Live 2009 - CD promo". www.vblurpage.com. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
  40. ^ "Blur to play Cliffs Pavilion, Westcliff". Evening Echo. 21 April 2009.
  41. ^ Abi Smith (2014). Micky Flanagan - Funny Geezer. John Blake. ISBN 9781784181918.
  42. ^ "Jack and the Beanstalk handbill". Panto Archive. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  43. ^ "Cinderella handbill". Panto Archive. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  44. ^ "Left to Right:- SYD LITTLE: PATRICK MOWER: MELINDA MESSENGER: JONATHAN MORRIS: EDDIE LARGE (All will be starring in the panto 'Aladdin', at The Southend Cliffs Pavilion, Southend On Sea)". Diomedia. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  45. ^ "Rylan Clark to star in Cliffs Pavilion pantomime in Southend". Evening Echo. 27 February 2024.
  46. ^ "Peter Pan handbill". It's behind you. Retrieved 24 August 2024.
  47. ^ "Dick Whittington". It's behind you. Retrieved 24 August 2024.
  48. ^ "Goldilocks and the 3 Bears handbill". It's behind you. Retrieved 24 August 2024.
  49. ^ "Preview of Pantomime Dates and Details for 2003/4". It's behind you. Retrieved 24 August 2024.
  50. ^ "Preview of Pantomime Dates and Details for 2004/5". It's behind you. Retrieved 24 August 2024.
  51. ^ "Preview of Pantomime Dates and Details for 2005/6". It's behind you. Retrieved 24 August 2024.
  52. ^ "Pantomime". Comedy King's. The unofficial Cannon and Ball website. Retrieved 24 August 2024.
  53. ^ "Joe Pasquale to star in Cinderella". BBC. 3 July 2007.
  54. ^ a b "IN PICTURES: The stage and screen A-listers who have performed in Cliffs Pavilion pantos". Evening Echo. 25 December 2020.
  55. ^ a b "TV legends set to star in this year's Cliffs Pavilion pantomime". Evening Echo. 27 March 2015.
  56. ^ "Pantomime". Bradley Walsh.co.uk. Retrieved 24 August 2024.
  57. ^ "Shane Richie to star in Cliffs' Christmas panto". Evening Echo. 11 October 2011.
  58. ^ "Strictly judge Craig Revel Horwood to star in Southend Cliffs panto". Evening Echo. 14 January 2013.
  59. ^ "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs review". What's on Stage. 18 December 2013.
  60. ^ "US stars in UK panto: From David Hasselhoff to Jerry Hall". The Independent. 22 December 2014.
  61. ^ "Robinson Crusoe and the Caribbean Pirates". National Database of Pantomime Performance. Retrieved 24 August 2024.
  62. ^ "Bobby Davro on working with Lee Mead in Jack and Beanstalk panto at the Cliffs Pavilion". Evening Echo. 8 December 2017.
  63. ^ "Robert Lindsay, Clive Rowe and more among Great British Pantomime Awards 2019 winners". What's on Stage. 29 April 2019.
  64. ^ "Robin Hood and the Merry Men". The Stage. 19 December 2019.
  65. ^ "Brian Conley's EastEnders break as he appears in Cliffs Pavilion panto". Evening Echo. 19 November 2021.
  66. ^ "Peter Pan review". The Stage. 20 December 2023.
  67. ^ "Pictures: 'Emotional' concert held at the Cliffs in honour of Sir David Amess". Echo. 14 February 2022. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
  68. ^ "What you need to know about week long celebrations to mark Southend city status". Echo. 7 February 2022. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
  69. ^ "Stars of Amess memorial concert: "we're going to do a lot in the city in Sir David's name"". Greatest Hits Radio (Essex). Retrieved 20 February 2022.
  70. ^ "Programme Listings". 22 April 1989. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  71. ^ "Programme Listings". BBC. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  72. ^ a b c d e "Programme Listings". BBC. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  73. ^ "Programme Listings". BBC. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  74. ^ "Programme Listings". BBC. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  75. ^ "Professional Wrestling". BBC. 4 January 1965.
  76. ^ "The Other side of Wrestling". Wrestling Heritage. 21 October 2023. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
  77. ^ "Cliffs Pavilion redevelopment". The Architects Journal. 197. Architectural Press Limited: 28. 1992.
  78. ^ "TV schedule". Radio Times. Vol. 191. 1971. p. 35.
  79. ^ "Programme Listing". BBC. 9 June 1971. Retrieved 28 August 2024.
  80. ^ Barry Hearn (2022). Barry Hearn: My Life Knockouts, Snookers, Bullseyes, Tight Lines and Sweet Deals. Hodder & Stoughton. ISBN 9781529393323.
  81. ^ "WDF Europe Cup 1980". World Darts Federation. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  82. ^ "National Conference of Labour Women 1967". Report. Vol. 44. Labor Party (Gt. Brit.). 1967. p. 13.
  83. ^ "What makes the Young Conservative?". The Times. 5 February 1993. p. 12.
  84. ^ "Exhibitions". Southend Art Club. Retrieved 28 August 2024.
  85. ^ "Southend-on-Sea Careers Fair". The UK Careers Fair. Retrieved 28 August 2024.
  86. ^ "2023/24 End of Season Awards Evening". Southend United. 21 March 2024.
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