Vintage Views with Aled Jones: One of the most iconic of Bridlington’s theatres

The actors, rehearsing for How Time Flies, lost all their belongings and instruments, but thankfully nobody died.

The above-named revue had opened on July 3, 1923 “to a large and appreciative audience”.

It delivered “Grand Cabaret Entertainment, in snaps of fun, melody and dance”; its director was none other than Mr Newbound, whose cast included a “bevy of beautiful girls”.

Located on the Beaconsfield Estate (where the Premier Inn now stands), the Floral Hall opened in May 1921 and was an improvised building composed of wood and several old aircraft hangars.

It comprised a large theatre, to hold over 1,250, with flap seats and a ritzy Moorish-style café, served by waitresses wearing exotic dress. As you can imagine the café was always very busy!

Regarded as one of the best nights out in the resort, it was planned to be rebuilt on a much grander scale.

George Robey, one of the biggest stars of his day, was billed to play the night following the fire. He was affectionately known as the “Prime Minister of Mirth”.

A lot has changed since this tragic picture was taken in the hot summer of 1923.

If you lived in the twenties and thirties, you would not have known TV and home entertainment.

This being so, Bridlington folk had to rely chiefly on live theatre. But they were literally spoilt for choice for entertainment venues in the town.

We know definitely that, despite the loss of the Floral Hall, there were at least four other theatres here in 1923. There was the Grand Pavilion Theatre on Prince’s Parade, the Victoria Rooms Theatre on the Quay, the Spa Theatre on South Side and the Coliseum Theatre on Promenade.

The notice to the front left of the picture is for Trown and Tooths Alexandra Garage, York Road.

Note the spires on the corners of Trinity Church in the left background. Considered unsteady in the 1950s, they were removed in the interests of public safety.