Hidden treasures found in Eastbourne theatres

A spokesperson at the theatres said, “Over the course of checking through old files for deleting items to free up space on the servers some forgotten gems have flashed up, including these images of the ‘secret room’ which was uncovered at the back of the Devonshire Park Theatre during re-carpeting renovations back in 2003.

“The creaking floorboards at the back of the stalls area – adjacent the rear toilets - uncovered a trap door when the old carpet was pulled up.

“Under the trap was some long forgotten mementoes of the Devonshire Park’s past, including a rusted through tin bath, an old Whatley’s beer sign, a metal bedframe and most – comparably – intact the original gas lamp which lit the path for original theatre goers from the street entrance on the corner of Compton Street and Hardwick Road.

“Other little treasures were found back in 2017 when the admin offices at the Winter Garden were relocated, plugging a hole in the wall was a crumpled page from The Stage newspaper from the 1960s and numerous old cigarette and cigar boxes, but under the water tank in the stationary cupboard a truly fascinating sight was uncovered.

“Along with the original architect’s model of the Congress Theatre, which of course was built, was another model of a multi-function hall, on the site of the current College Road car park.

“This building was proposed in 1968 but of course it didn’t make the cut; whether it was due to feasibility, cost or design we can’t say.

“We do know it would have been a huge benefit to Eastbourne over the years if the money had been found at the time but at what potential cost to the Victorian Winter Garden?

“A fascinating glimpse at what could have been nonetheless.”

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