Pavilion Celebrates VE Day 80 with Sell Out Show

The Pavilion Theatre in Gorleston marked the 80th anniversary of VE Day in style last night with a packed house, a poignant celebration, and a heartfelt nod to the past.

Gorleston Pavilion VE Day 80 Show

The special one-night-only event, VE Day 80, was a sell-out success — blending music, comedy, and community spirit into an evening that honoured the resilience of those on the home front during the Second World War.

The show featured performances from vocal trio The Knightingales, who wowed the audience with wartime classics, alongside a cast of local talent including the theatre’s own stage school, Summer Showtime cast, Pavilion Players and the Great Yarmouth Brass Band. The venue itself was transformed for the occasion, with hundreds of hand-knitted poppies adorning the building, created by the theatre’s community group Knit, Stitch & Natter.

Chief Executive Alex Youngs said:
“This wasn’t just a show, it was a community effort in every sense. From the performers on stage to the volunteers behind the scenes and the incredible response from our audience, it was a real reminder of what local theatre can achieve when people come together.”

The evening also featured a special video message from Royal Pageant master Bruno Peek, a Gorleston resident and national figure in remembrance events, who shared his pride in the town’s part in the commemorations.

For those unable to get a ticket, a live-streamed version of the show was made available online, with proceeds supporting both the Pavilion and the Royal British Legion.