June 2023 Newsletter

The Pavilion Trust has submitted an application to the National Lottery Heritage Fund. This has involved a huge amount of effort being made to put together a heritage based submission. Now we have to wait and keep our fingers firmly crossed that we will be successful. We will share any news that may be forthcoming at the earliest possible opportunity.

The Trust is in the process of expanding its mission to “Educate and Inform”. Contact has been made with local schools and discussions are now underway to develop programmes and activities for children across a wide age range. We hope to officially launch this programme from September. More details will follow.

I am booked to meet up with the Dementia Support Group on 22nd June. I have greatly enjoyed my previous visits and am looking forward to sharing and receiving memories of local heritage.

Our chairman, Christian Skelton, and I are booked to deliver a talk to the Chichester Harbour Rotary Club on 12th July. This will be based on the history of the Pavilion and our plans for the future.

I have been booked by Selsey U3A to present an illustrated talk on the heritage of the High Street with a strong focus on the Pavilion. The basis of this talk will be similar to the one given to the W.I. earlier in the year but will contain more material and updates on the progress being made by the Pavilion Trust. I will be accompanied by Joe Savill, representing the Selsey Photo Archive. The meeting will be held at the Selsey Centre on Friday 28th July. If you are a member of U3A then I look forward to meeting you and answering any questions that you may have.

Here is a mystery photograph from the Selsey Photo Archive. Does anybody recognise any of the children or when the performance took place? Please contact our email address or post on one of our social media channels.

As mentioned in the May issue, the Past Pavilion spotlight will fall upon a husband and wife team who entertained for many years. I can reveal that I am writing about Dan Denton and Dorothy Charlton. They were initially well known in Selsey for their “Selsey Follies” productions and latterly for the role they played in the successful staging of S.C.A.M.P.S. pantomimes. This feature will be concluded in the July issue.

Keith Batchelor, Vice-Chair

Past Pavilion

Dan Denton, a man who was synonymous with the Pavilion over many years.

The story of Dan is one that merits a timespan of two episodes spread over the June and July issues. This month we trace the story of Dan in the early part of his career up to his regular appearances on the Pavilion stage in “The Selsey Follies”.

My research reveals that Dan is first mentioned as seeking employment, through the Stage newspaper, in October 1916, along with Dolly Delph, as an original singing, harmonising and comedy act. He then joined a number of touring concert parties as an “up to date, clever comedian” including “The Clo-Sans” and “Stop Press”. He appeared in the pantomime “Aladdin” as Wishee Washee at Radstock Picture Palace in January 1918.

The 1920s marked the peak of the popularity of touring concert parties. This involved a nomadic life touring theatres up and down the country and often changing programmes twice, or even three times, in a week. Dan performed for a number of concert parties, far too numerous to mention individually. A few examples follow.

West Pier, Brighton. Maxwell Edwards's “West Pier Follies” still report capacity business here. Doreen Graham and Cecil Downton took their benefit yesterday (Wednesday). Most of the seats had been booked in advance, which proved the popularity of the two artists. Dan Denton and Frank Bishop will take their benefit next Wednesday.

The Stage 19th August 1926

“KALEIDOSCOPE”

‍Having had a successful season with the holidaymakers at Brighton, the “Follies of the Palace Pier” have blossomed out into revue form for the winter, and this week, make their bow to Chichester audiences at the Exchange Theatre. Dan Denton, specialist in humour and comical grimace.

Chichester Observer 10th November 1926

THE CARFAX THEATRE

With the presentation on Monday of "The Frivolous Set" this theatre again returns to concert parties, that have for some weeks proved most popular. Having nine members, the party is larger than the usual, and in an especially attractive and colourful setting with original and dainty costumes. It provides an entertaining and varied programme. Dan Denton, the comedian, proved to be the life of the show. His face certainly should be his fortune, for it is wonderfully elastic, and capable of all kinds of expressions. In sketches he is exceptionally useful.

West Sussex County Times 8th June 1929

“The Frivolous Set”

‍Presented by Richard Cass, “The Frivolous Set” are paying their first visit this week to Southsea, where they are delighting audiences at the Clarence Pier Pavilion with smart programmes. Individual turns and concerted items are well put on, and the fare offered is pleasantly varied. Dan Denton is the leading comedian of the party, and he makes good use of his many opportunities for a ready play of wit, also scoring with broad comedy numbers.

The Stage 25th July 1929

Dan appeared in the concert party “Concerning Us” in July 1928 where Dorothy Charlton was listed as “an adept accompanist”. Dorothy later became his wife and they made many appearances together as members of the “Selsey Follies”.

Pantomime provided a means of income during the depths of winter. My research has revealed that he played Jimmy Green in a production of “Little Jack Horner” in Hoylake in January 1925. Dan appeared in “Cinderella” as a bailiff at the Palace Theatre in Ramsgate in December 1925. In December 1927 he was Idle Jack in “Dick Whittington” in Pontefract. He reprised the role in January 1928 at the Majestic Theatre, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne.

Dan Denton and the “Selsey Follies” first appeared at the Pavilion for a summer season in 1931. This was to become a regular attraction over the following nine summers.

At Selsey

‍"The Selsey Follies" are now in their second season at Selsey, the company including Dan Denton, the comedian-producer, who, with Dorothy Charlton, has written much of the material used in the show, Ernest Bray is the baritone, and Vi Lesley the soubrette and speciality dancer. Alban Paddon, dancer, and May A. Willis, low comedienne, are the newcomers to the party this season.

The Stage 11/8/1932

The Selsey Follies

The Selsey Follies are now in the last two weeks of their resident season at the Concert Hall, Selsey. Next Tuesday there will be a benefit performance to Dan Denton and Dorothy Charlton, joint proprietors of the company, when a special feature will be the appearance of Constance Willis, the operatic singer. The Selsey Follies will return to town on September 20 for their winter season.

The Stage 9/9/1937

Programme for the Selsey Follies of 1939

Shortly after the above article was published war broke out. However, this did not deter Dan and Dorothy from performing. The old mantra of “The show must go on” held firm. The July newsletter will continue the story.