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THEATRES

HOE SUMMER THEATRE

Updated:  19 September 2011 

The Hoe Summer Theatre could be said to owe its existence to Mr Gwyther Eastlake Prance, like so many other places of entertainment in Plymouth.
 

On Saturday June 25th 1921 he resigned from his position with Messrs Fredman and from the following Monday ran an 'al fresco' entertainment at the Bandstand on the Hoe.

This must have been successful because in April the following year, the Council granted him permission to rent a piece of ground for the purpose of holding open-air concerts.  When the first show opened at what was known as "Arcadia" on Monday May 22nd 1922 there was 'a canvas covering in case of inclement weather'.  Read more .....

 An aeriel view of Plymouth Hoe showing the original Hoe Summer Theatre
The marquee that provided the Hoe Summer Theatre.

By the end of the Second World War all of Plymouth's Theatres apart from the  New Palace Theatre had been destroyed.  During the same period there had been public dances on the Hoe Promenade so perhaps that influenced the decision to erect a stage there for the summer months.  Whatever the reason, in June 1950 a marqee was hired for band concerts and other shows.  Read more ..... 

On Sunday June 18th 1950 it opened with a military band concert.  From then on all the army, Royal Marine and Royal Air Force Bands that existed after the Second World War played concerts in the big tent as well as other well-known brass and silver bands.  Read more .....

Many people who attended the children's talent contests during the 1950s will remember "Uncle Fred", who used to greet them at the entrance.  Read more .....

By the early 1960s it had been decided to provide a more substantial structure that could be used during the winter months as well.  As a result the prefabricated Hoe Summer Theatre was erected and opened on June 8th 1962.  Read more .....

With the chequered life of the Palace Theatre, which over this period opend and closed a couple of times, the Hoe Theatre became the venue for the local amatuer players as well as the professional summer shows.  But attendances fell off and at a Council meeting on January 11th 1982 the decision was taken to close the Hoe Summer Theatre for good.  A special show called "The Last Night" was presented on Saturday February 13th 1982 and demolition started on May 18th 1982.

Sources (incomplete):

[1]  ?

©  Brian Moseley, Plymouth, UK

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