The Esplanade TheatreHow many people are aware of the history of the site opposite the Royal Norfolk Hotel, which today is a skate-boarding area? The site originally formed part of the Royal Norfolk Hotel grounds, but they sold it in 1901 for the princely sum of £60. The Town Surveyor, Oswald Bridges, was then called upon to design a Bandstand on the site for use by the large number of military bands that travelled around the resorts to entertain the public. By 1913 the venue was so popular that it was enlarged and deckchairs were made available for the comfort of the audience. The charge for these chairs helped to raise the £500 per year needed to hire the bands. |
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In 1936 the Bognor Regis Town Council put forward a proposal for a Winter Garden to replace the modest wooden bandstand. These plans included a) a hall for band and orchestral concerts, entertainments, theatrical performances or dances, b) sheltered promenades and open terraces adjoining the hall, from which band concerts may be heard, and c) a café adjoining the hall where light refreshments may be supplied and from which refreshments may be service to the hall and promenade. The building was apparently designed to ‘express its function of modern entertainment.’ |
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This sounded quite interesting. The actual plans looked somewhat different from the new theatre.
An enclosure was proposed and approved and finally opened on June 19th 1937 at a cost of £3,666; and according to the press the opening was attended by a staggering 3,000 people. This bandstand enclosure comprised only a horseshoe shaped wall and was turfed inside, but still open to the sky. However when it rained the noise was deafening, especially if you were able to rush under cover. |
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In 1945 further improvements were made as the turf was removed and replaced with tiles. In 1946 the area was covered with a canvas roof and renamed the Esplanade Concert Hall. However many of the audience were not able to see the stage due to the design of this structure. So much use was made of this Concert Hall that by 1951 further improvements were made, including 720 tip up seats, in one raked tier, and when it reopened in 1951 there was to be yet another name change, this time to the Esplanade Theatre. Many stars remembered the theatre with affection including Tony Hancock, Roy Castle and Dusty Springfield, Cyril Fletcher was a frequent visitor as was Bill Pertwee, who viewed a display and model on the history of the theatre at a recent ‘Sands of Time’ event. |
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How many people in the town today can remember the shows that regularly graced the stage, such as the Bouquets or the Dazzle shows in the 1950s and 60s? In one of the 1968 summer programmes there is a list of ticket prices. Adults up to 6/- (30p) and a 1/- (5p) reduction for Theatre Club members, children and OAPs. Also included is a Bus timetable for people travelling around the area with late buses at 10.30 p.m. These old programmes also contain a wealth of information on local companies who supported the theatre, together with children’s activities held during the summer season. The Theatre was always well used; a licensed bar was added in the mid 1960s.
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In October 1978 and by popular demand again in March 1979, evenings of ‘Old Films of Bognor’ were shown to packed audiences. This was to be my introduction to the history of the town, and the start of my enjoyment with research, talks and writing on the history of my adopted home.Sadly trends changed; television became more popular; theatres were in decline and the Esplanade was no exception. Mr. James Robinson, Manager of the Picturedrome, had thought of taking over the Theatre for two or three years, as he believed that “with a little enterprise and flair it should not be too difficult to make a commercially viable proposition for the theatre.”
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However it was finally closed on February 10th 1980, creating much sadness and anger in the town at its demise. The final show at the theatre was reported as ‘an extravaganza.’ The show lasted four and a half hours, and in addition to the entertainment, funds for the Anthony Nolan Trust were raised. By April 1980 the theatre was demolished, leaving just the popular Macari’s café remaining on the seaward side of the site. It was suggested that in excess of £100,000 would be needed to carry out structural repairs to the theatre, and this was more than was available at the time. There were plans for a German-style beer garden, but the authorities scotched these as they awaited news of “Arun’s long-term redevelopment plan for the seafront.” |
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When it closed it was the fifth theatre to close in the town, following the Theatre Royal, Pier Theatre, Roof Gardens Theatre and Pierrotland. Charles Powell the Entertainment Manager at the theatre for 29 years until his retirement in 1978, commented that there was ‘no doubt the theatre was a very important factor in the life of the town.’ The decrease in holidaymakers and the increase in entertainment provided on site at holiday camps and caravan parks helped with this demise of the theatres. |
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In 1981 students of Felpham Community College painted a mural on the wall of the café to try and brighten the area, for the benefit of the general public, who only saw it as an eyesore. |
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| It was not until 1996 that a more permanent and fulltime use for the area was found with the introduction of the skateboarding construction for young people. I must admit it is difficult to pass without seeing the area in use. It is still an entertainment area, but sadly only for a small sector of our community. A fine model of the Esplanade Theatre may be viewed in the Town Museum from Easter.
It is interesting that a theatre that was closed 25 years ago this month is held in such high esteem. This was obviously due to the Management, staff and entertainers who provided the much enjoyed entertainment for the town. It would appear that this small pocket of land, between the sea and Royal Norfolk Hotel, has not provided the much needed inspiration to develop this corner of the seafront into a useful part of the community for all. |
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