On 13th April 1954, fire engulfed the Pavilion Theatre on Weymouth Pier. It was a wooden structure, so the inferno was well-fuelled and much of the building was destroyed. A huge crowd gathered outside as the firefighters worked to put out the flames.
Among the onlookers was local photographer Graham Herbert, who swiftly arrived on the scene, his camera capturing shocking photographs of smoke billowing from the theatre. All images and the report thanks to the Dorset History Centre.
The Pavilion opened at the entrance to Weymouth Pier on 21st December 1908, offering locals and tourists a go-to spot for entertainment. Over the years, it evolved from hosting pantomimes and travelling shows to showing films during the cinematic boom of the 1930s. During World War II, it sustained damage from air raids which necessitated extensive repairs. It re-opened as The Ritz in 1950, but the necessary ongoing renovation works ultimately led to its downfall. It was discovered that the fire was caused by a blow lamp which was being used to strip paint from the exterior during the renovation work.
Graham Herbert was given access to the interior a few days later and through his photographs we can see the extent of the damage. Charred stalls are hidden under the rubble of the collapsed roof and the stage is non-existent. The remaining structure was removed, the theatre rebuilt and once again opened to the pubic in 1960. The Ritz reverted to its original name, The Pavilion, as it still stands on Weymouth seafront.
