Emily O’Dell talks to Ensemble about a stylish upgrade at Glasgow’s Pavilion Theatre.

It’s been a summer of transformation, with a few exciting upgrades at Glasgow’s Pavilion Theatre – and some rather glamorous (and not so glamorous!) jobs.

The Stalls Bar has had a complete rethink, going from a small semi-circular bar to a much longer, more streamlined design. The space is a little tricky, thanks to a rather inconvenient wall in the middle holding up the auditorium seating (architecture, eh?!), so the new shape makes much better use of the available space.

The longer bar means more tills, quicker service and a much better experience for our patrons. All tills are now customer-facing to encourage interaction, while the extra length gives us plenty of room to showcase a full range of merchandise, drinks and kiosk items.

Colour-wise, we’ve played it diplomatically! With Glasgow’s famous football rivalry in mind, we’ve steered clear of team colours and opted for a sophisticated mix of burgundy, greys, cream and gold.

The gentlemen’s toilets at Stalls level have also had a much-needed makeover – I really do get all the glamorous jobs!

Gone are the tired finishes, replaced with elegant wall tiles, brand-new sanitary ware and fresh flooring. A huge improvement that proves even the less exciting spaces deserve a little design love.

And finally, the brand-new VIP lounge, taking over the space previously occupied by the old sweet shop.

Continuing the burgundy theme, we’ve gone all in with colour drenching, sumptuous velvet drapes and a bespoke new bar unit. Fixed-seating, relaxed occasional chairs, dark tables and softly glowing table lamps create a rich, moody atmosphere.

A carefully chosen collection of artwork brings personality to the walls, helping the space feel like a comfortable lounge while still delivering that all-important premium VIP experience.

---

CELEBRATING A GLASGOW ICON

In other Pavilion news, a theatre is nothing without the audiences who love it, and this incredible new promotional film for the Pavilion Theatre Glasgow captures exactly why the venue has remained at the heart of the city for more than 120 years.

Produced by the Pavilion’s very talented VME Scott Fillan, the video celebrates the theatre’s rich heritage, the legendary performers who have graced its stage, and the deep affection Glaswegians continue to hold for this iconic venue. Take a look and see why the Pavilion remains such a cherished part of Glasgow’s cultural story.