Embassy Theatre

The Embassy ballroom opened in 1926 on sand dunes. The ballroom was at street level, with a restaurant below. It was also used for variety and concert party performances.

The external appearance of the Embassy is a mixture of an older frontage with a modern, metal clad octagonal structure at the rear. The older frontage, reputed to date from around 1926, consists of three bays each having two storeys, the central one being slightly taller with a pseudo-pediment surmounting the parapet. The main entrance is in the central bay. The same pattern is repeated at the two ends of the building. The foyer is of an elongated octagon shape.

The present auditorium is an addition to the original building and was constructed partially on the site of a former sea water bathing pool. The auditorium shell is octagonal. It is flat floored with seating on two levels. The circle occupies five sides of the octagon.

There is no fly tower. The roller safety curtain is set behind a deep apron. There is no orchestra pit. Dressing rooms are situated in the front of house basement section. This necessitates artists crossing the public corridor in order to get to and from the stage.

The building, which is said to have been modelled on that at the University of Warwick, is used exclusively for stage shows during the season.