The Herbert collection contains numerous photographs of Weymouth pavilion during the 1950s and 1960s, capturing the moments of its demise as ‘the Ritz’ in 1954 and its re-emergence in 1960.
Early 20th Century
The Pavilion theatre was originally constructed in Weymouth in 1908 at a cost of £14,000. It became a key venue in Weymouth over the following decades, fulfilling the need for entertainment that was expected of a seaside holiday resort. Photographs featuring the Pavilion at this time can be found in the Dorset Photographic Archive collection (reference: DPA/1/WY). During WWII the Pavilion was requisitioned by the military where it was used to help manage the thousands of Allied troops coming through the port. This included housing soldiers, acting as a temporary medical facility and helping to prepare troops for the D-day Landings.
Disaster and re-birth
New management took over in 1950 re-branding the Pavilion as ‘The Ritz’. Some WWII damage still remained, and in 1954 refurbishments to the roof and redecoration to the wooden exterior were scheduled. However as they commenced in April that year, the building caught fire following the misuse of a blow lamp! Mr Herbert was there to capture the dramatic event as crowds gathered to witness the blaze (reference: D-HBT/2572g).
The council successfully claimed insurance money and chose to clear the site and build a new Pavilion. Weymouth Pavilion, as we know it today (reference: D-HBT/4163a, D-HBT/4142n), was completed in 1960 with the official opening starring comedian Benny Hill (reference: D-HBT/4117d). Herbert photographed a number of performances at the new Pavilion as it flourished during the 1960s, welcoming celebrity guests such as Eric Sykes (reference: D-HBT/4128a), Dick Emery and Michael Bentine.
Records illustrating Weymouth Pavilion’s more recent past – including posters, photographs and programmes – can be found in the Weymouth and Portland Borough Council collection (reference: DC-WYP).
