The Barrfields Pavilion Theatre (Barrfields Theatre, Barrfields Pavilion Theatre) is a 500-seat theatre at

Barrfields Barrfields is a public recreation space on the site of Mansefield House in Largs, North Ayrshire, Scotland, originally given to the Largs Town Council in the 1920s, now owned by North Ayrshire Council and a leisure trust. The council subsequen ...

, Largs,

North Ayrshire North Ayrshire ( gd, Siorrachd Àir a Tuath, ) is one of 32 council areas in Scotland. The council area borders Inverclyde to the north, Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire to the northeast, and East Ayrshire and South Ayrshire to the east and so ...

Background

Barrfields Pavilion, as it was originally known, was officially opened on 11 April 1930, as a popular variety theatre to cater for the thousands of summer tourists who visited the town of Largs, North Ayrshire. Originally seating 1003, it was home to the lavish

Barrfields Summer Season Barrfields is a public recreation space on the site of Mansefield House in Largs, North Ayrshire North Ayrshire ( gd, Siorrachd Àir a Tuath, ) is one of 32 council areas in Scotland. The council area borders Inverclyde to the north, Renfre ...

Revues. Many international Scottish entertainers and actors have played the theatre over the years including Rikki Fulton,

Jack Milroy Jack Milroy, MBE (born James Cruden; 28 December 1915 – 1 February 2001), was a Scottish comedian. Born in Govanhill, Glasgow and educated at Shawlands Academy, Milroy is noted for his partnership with comedy actor Rikki Fulton as Francie ...

, Jimmy Logan,

Stanley Baxter Stanley Livingstone Baxter (born 24 May 1926) is a Scottish actor, comedian, impressionist and author. Baxter began his career as a child actor on BBC Scotland and later became known for his British television comedy shows ''The Stanley Baxter ...

, The Krankies, Ronnie Corbett, Johnny Beattie, Billy Connolly and from south of the border, Frankie Vaughan and Pat Kirkwood. Over the past 80 years, it has also been home to local companies who present pantomimimes, musicals, operettas, variety and plays in the theatre throughout the year. It is now a busy touring venue thanks to the efforts of its associated Barrfields Theatre User Group.

Refurbishment

The theatre was refurbished in 1995, reconstructed alongside a new centre at Barrfields Theatre and Pool called Vikingar. Seating was reduced to 500, and new spacious foyers were created along with dressing room block, Winter Garden Cafe Bar, and new stage facilities. The theatre is now owned by North Ayrshire Council and under the management of North Ayrshire Leisure Entertainments. The Barrfields Theatre has a programme which has a strong tradition of amateur dramatic productions, popular children's entertainments, variety, Scottish plays, ballet and touring productions and more staged throughout the year.

Revival

In March 2012, a new voluntary group, Barrfields User Group, was set up to develop and promote the Barrfields Theatre facility.

Location

The theatre is situated as part of the Vikingar leisure Centre, Barrfields, Greenock Road, Largs. This is part of the municipal policies of

along with the sports ground and putting green.

References

Theatres in Scotland Buildings and structures in North Ayrshire Largs Tourist attractions in North Ayrshire 1930 establishments in Scotland Theatres completed in 1930 {{Scotland-struct-stub