Joe Longthorne Theatre

The Blackpool Pier Company opened the North Pier in 1863, and it is now the oldest of the surviving Piers built by Eugenius Birch. The Pavilion was not built until 1874. This was known as the Indian Pavilion, referring to its style of decoration. An inscription read ‘The Hearing Falls in Love before the Vision’. No architectural description has so far been found but top quality artistes appeared there. The Indian Pavilion suffered severe fire damage in 1921, was reinstated and reopened in 1924, only to be destroyed by another fire in 1938. A replacement was quickly erected, reopening 1939. The present building is a fairly basic box covered with corrugated sheeting, with some recladding in plastic-covered steel. Seating is on one level. Sparse internal decoration in vaguely Art Deco style. Broad, shallow barrel vault ceiling; wide, low proscenium arch. Minimal front of house; ample dressing rooms; orchestra pit to accommodate twelve musicians. In April 2011 the pier was sold to Blackpool family firm Sedgwick's. In September 2011 the theatre was closed to allow renovation of the backstage area and modernisation of the dressing rooms and windows to take place. The theatre reopened in November 2011. In December 2013 it was damaged by strong winds, which resulted in the orchestra pit being sucked out from underneath the theatre. This is causing issues with water and weather penetration. In summer 2020 the North Pier Theatre was renamed the Joe Longthorne Theatre in memory of the popular entertainer who lived in Blackpool, performed more than 20 seasons at the theatre and described as his all-time favourite venue. The pier’s tea room is now a museum of memorabilia.