Lowther Pavilion

Dating from 1922 and built to rival the slightly earlier Ashton Pavilion in St Anne's, the Lowther never succeeded in stealing the limelight until the Ashton was destroyed, largely because the theatre’s location is out of the centre of the town along the seafront, whereas the Ashton was central. Originally a flat-floored wooden pavilion with cafe, set in a large recreational garden, the Lowther struggled to survive and by the 1970s looked doomed and derelict, but in 1976 the Ashton Theatre burned down and, after the preparation of a number of abortive plans to rebuild, the remainder of the insurance money was used to upgrade the Lowther as a theatre for the two towns. It reopened in 1982 and is scarcely recognisable from the original, although parts of the 1921 building remain. It is now a brick structure around an enlarged foot print of the original. The original roof is felted, the newer additions tiled. The original curved ceiling and wooden suspended floor are original to the 1921 build. A new stage without a tower was constructed, along with offices and six dressing rooms. The cafe was relocated and the space rebuilt as the theatre bar. The foyer was extended and connected to the new cafe area. The auditorium is still flat-floored but raked bleacher seating is now installed for the rear eight rows of seats with a further fourteen rows in front. Total capacity for proscenium theatre is 457 (including four wheelchair spaces). It is here that the original building is most evident with a panelled wooden barrel vault ceiling. A deep orchestra pit in front of the raked stage can be covered over to form a forestage. There is a plain rectangular proscenium arch. Although a multi-purpose hall, it is the home of several amateur companies and is getting increasing usage from professional touring theatre and comedians as a warm up venue.