Selsey Pavilion Archives: 1920-1929

After a brief flirtation trading under the name of Selsey Hippodrome, the Cinema Hall was rebranded as the Selsey Pavilion in 1920, re-opening after refurbishment. The Pavilion became a vibrant community asset, hosting various events, including dinners, dances, and whist drives, as well as being a meeting place for the British Legion, Women’s Institute, and political parties, to name but a few.

The 1920s marked the golden era of touring concert parties, and the Pavilion hosted many of them over the decade. Groups such as the Selsey Minstrels and the Selsey IMPS provided additional entertainment.

The Pavilion experienced highs and lows. The most significant event was the appearance of a Russian ballet group headed by the world-famous ballerina Nijinska for one night only in 1925. The lowest was the damage caused by a fire started by a discarded cigarette in 1926, which caused significant damage. After repair, the Pavilion regained its pivotal role as the community hub for the rest of the decade.

‍