Pantomimes – January Past Pavilion

We hope that you enjoyed our previous feature on films in 1940. This time we head back into the “Swinging Sixties”. Those of us of a certain vintage can recall The Beatles, Twiggy, “Flower Power” and a World Cup victory at Wembley to name but a few.

The 1960s saw the closure of the Pavilion Cinema but S.C.A.M.P.S. continued to stage their annual pantomimes, for a few more years, which played in front of packed audiences and received excellent reviews in the press.

In January 1965 the notorious Kray twins, Ronnie and Reggie, were arrested in London for running protection rackets. Winston Churchill died and was given a state funeral. Meanwhile in Selsey, “Aladdin” was the 16th pantomime to be staged by S.C.A.M.P.S.

In January 1966 children witnessed the first showing of “Camberwick Green” on “Watch With Mother” on the BBC and the “Action Man” toy figure was launched in the United Kingdom. “The House That Jack Built” was the chosen production at the Pavilion.

In January 1967 the New Year’s Honours List featured a knighthood for the World Cup winning coach, Alf Ramsey, and an O.B.E. for Bobby Moore. Charlie Chaplin opened his last film in England, “A Countess From Hong Kong”. Tragedy struck on Coniston Water when Donald Campbell was killed attempting to break the world water speed record in “Bluebird”. At the Pavilion “Cinderella” was performed.

Next time we will delve into some of the more unusual activities and events that were staged at the Pavilion besides performances and films.