125 Years of the Gaiety: Big Birthday for a Proper Manx Icon

Today marks 125 years since the Gaiety Theatre first opened its doors to the public, and what a ride it’s been.

From cold carpets and flickering lights to Edwardian elegance and full orchestras, the old girl’s been through it all.

Built in 1893, the Gaiety was originally known as the Marina, a name that didn’t exactly bring in the crowds.

After a series of bankruptcies and dramatic rebrands (including a brief stint as ‘The Pavilion’), a bunch of entertainment companies went bust together in 1898, had a bit of a think, and created the Palace and Derby Castle Group.

They then called in legendary theatre architect Frank Matcham (now has a delightful bar named after him) to give the place some razzle-dazzle.

And razzle-dazzle he did.

The Gaiety reopened on July 16, 1900, with a West End smash-hit, The Telephone Girl, starring Miss Ada Blanche.

It was the start of the theatre’s golden years, and, let’s face it, a much better investment than a novelty ice show in the 1930s (yes, that actually happened).

Fast-forward a few decades, several near-demolitions, and a lot of worn-out seats later, and in stepped one of the Gaiety’s modern-day heroes: Mervin Russell Stokes.

Speaking to Gef from the theatre’s mezzanine on its 125th birthday today, Mervin looked back on his 43 years at the venue and the transformation he helped lead.

His journey with the theatre started as a young audience member. ‘When I first came here, I was to see a play by the Legion Players, it was called Island of Women.

‘I remember sitting on the front row with my parents, thinking, “Gosh, this place isn’t long before it’s pulled down.”.

‘It was cold, it was miserable. The carpets were worn out, the seats were worn out, the lights went on and off – it really was, well, dismal.’

So how did he end up becoming one of the most important figures in its history?

‘It was a complete accident really how it happened,’ he said. ‘And I’m glad it did, because I’ve thoroughly enjoyed doing it.’

Mervin, the Friends of the Gaiety, the Department of Tourism, and a host of wonderfully theatre-obsessed humans helped bring the building back to its original 1900 glory – right down to the paint job.

‘Not many theatres reach 125 years old,’ Mervin said. ‘Little provincial theatres like this don’t. It really is wonderful. The Gaiety has retained all its original working stock… I think it’s the only theatre in Great Britain with its original act drop, with its overstage machinery, its side stage machinery, its understage machinery… and it has the finest theatre ceiling in Great Britain.

‘Fantastic. We are very lucky to have it.’

So, 125 years on, what’s next?

‘I think it’s very important we should never forget, we have something very special here, and we must guard it with great zeal,’ said Mervin.

‘It will be so easy to wreck what we’ve got by following modern fads. It must be treated as a Victorian auditorium, and if that puts constraints on modern productions now and again – well, tough. So be it. Go somewhere else.’

Could it last another 125 years?

‘Yes, absolutely, I hope so – providing it is loved, cared for and kept up to muster in its restoration work, and that work will be carried out, I know, by the government and, of course, the Friends of the Gaiety who are equally as passionate and dotty as I am.’

Here’s hoping. Many happy returns to our wonderful Gaiety Theatre!