Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl

About

The Grand Pavilion is an entertainment venue in Porthcawl, Bridgend County Borough, Wales, opened on 8 August 1932 by Councillor Russell Mabley J.P., Chairman of P.U.D.C. It has an octagonal dome and extensive frontage, and was originally intended as a Palm Court for hosting tea dances, balls and civic functions. Construction of the Grand Pavilion commenced in the summer of 1931.

The use of ferrocrete throughout – then a relatively new technology – meant that the construction was relatively quick and was completed by August 1932. The Grand Pavilion hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including live theatre, concerts, ballroom dancing, conferences, dances, and culminating in the ever-popular Christmas pantomime. Recently, names such as Rob Brydon, Eddie Izzard, Elkie Brooks, Cerys Matthews, Hayley Westenra, Katherine Jenkins, Suzi Quatro, Ralph McTell, Joe Pasquale, and Gerry & The Pacemakers have all appeared on the Pavilion's stage.

In 1957, a US Government travel ban prevented Paul Robeson from appearing in person at the Miners' Eisteddfod. However, he still performed live via a secretly arranged transatlantic telephone link up. Fifty years on, in 2007, the Grand Pavilion...