PLYMOUTH |
The Encyclopaedia of Plymouth History |
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ARCADIA The Hoe Summeer 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. The site was to the rear of the National Armada Memorial and to the west of the Meteorological Station and the rent for the period from May 15th to September 30th was to be £100. 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'. Performances were at 3pm and 7.30pm and prices were 3d, 8d and 1s 3d, with reserved seats at 2 shillings each. Arcadia seems to have lasted only the one season as there were no references to it in 1923.
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