May 2008 Venue Profile: Strathpeffer Pavilion

STRATHPEFFER PAVILION

General Manager’s Statement: Andrea Muir

THE PAVILION aims to be the provider of choice in the Highlands for all types of entertainment and events. The Pavilion was restored in 2004 after falling into ruin since the 70s. It is a credit to the local community that they managed to raise enough money to make the restoration possible and had the dogged determination to see it through to completion.

The Pavilion is now in the throes of establishing itself as a serious contender in the competitive world of Venue-dom. The arts programme is the heart and soul of the venue with the bread and butter coming from conferences and meetings. Weddings bridge the two.

Andrea Muir faces the questions:

When was the venue established?

It first opened in August 1881 as a social and entertainment centre for wealthy Victorians “taking the waters” of Strathpeffer Spa. It has since had several reincarnations – as a US Naval hospital during World War One, as a famous dance and concert venue in the 1960s and 70s, and now as the stunning multi-purpose venue it is today.

What famous names have taken to the stage?

In Victorian times there were lectures by Ernest Shackleton and Emmeline Pankhurst; in the Pavilion’s dance-hall days in the 1960s and 70s, many famous bands of the time like Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen, the Bay City Rollers, Freddie and the Dreamers played here. As part of the very wide programme we are offering in the 21st century, we’ve already had the Proclaimers, Scottish Opera, the Saw Doctors and Salsa Celtica – and very soon we will have the Kaiser Chiefs!

What are your big ideas for the future of the venue?

I want to build on the Pavilion’s success to date and repay everyone’s faith in the project by offering a programme that includes something for everyone and ensures that the building again becomes the vibrant centre of the community.

Strathpeffer Pavillion

What are your big ideas for the future of the venue?

I want to build on the Pavilion’s success to date and repay everyone’s faith in the project by offering a programme that includes something for everyone and ensures that the building again becomes the vibrant centre of the community.

Does the venue have a ghost?

Not one that anyone’s seen but the Pavilion has a terrific atmosphere and we think that memories of all the good times people have had here over the years have been absorbed into the very fabric of the building and contribute to this atmosphere.

What was your worst disaster?

While the new sound and lighting systems were being installed, we only discovered when Phil and Aly arrived to play that someone had disconnected the old system and (while the audience waited outside in the rain!) we had to improvise with a couple of free-standing halogen lights.

So in fact we avoided the potential disaster (apart from the audience getting wet!) – and now the new systems are fully in place and absolutely wonderful!

Strathpeffer Pavilion

And what was your biggest triumph?

Personally, I’m still waiting for my moment, but in the meantime the biggest triumph for the Pavilion is that it exists and is operating again and many, many people leave with big, happy smiles on their faces.

If you could have any artist in the world for a one off special, who would it be and why?

The hall has such great acoustics for voice that it’s tempting to choose a singer – so sad that Pavarotti’s no longer of this world. Maybe Russell Watson or Katherine Jenkins – or a big group like the Red Army Choir? Some of the team here have a dream of Stephen Isserlis performing Elgar’s Cello Concerto in the Pavilion, but a full orchestra wouldn’t leave much room for an audience!

Why should people look forward to visiting your venue?

For many reasons – it’s a spectacular building, in lovely surroundings, with excellent facilities including a bar and first-class restaurant, there’s a great atmosphere, a dedicated staff team and we’re offering an exciting and varied programme!

© HI-Arts, 2008

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