We do love to be beside the seaside, as the song goes, and now we have a new reason to love it too. The End of the Pier Show started its run at Horatio’s Bar on the Palace Pier this week, a new attraction in our city, and one that we are sure will entertain many families this summer.
Arriving at Horatio’s, we were impressed immediately by the way the venue has been presented. New curtains make the stage look inviting, and there was a buzz of people looking forward to the show. We were invited to buy a pair of golden spoons for just £1, indicating that audience participation was going to be a key part of the show, and we were warmly welcomed by the team.
The show opened with a great deal of energy, with the cast dressed in raincoats to parody our normal English summer weather, although they did acknowledge that we may need to take a leap of imagination this year. Their opening song and dance routine set the tone for the rest of the show – good sing-a-long, clap-a-long songs that everybody knows, designed for maximum engagement.
The concept for the show is based on a time portal that whisks our two young workers from the Pier back in time to 1901, where they meet another young couple. Together they explore the history of the Pier, visiting different periods throughout the twentieth century before returning to their respective eras having learned something about the fun that the building has provided over the years. While the main attention is on the drama, throughout there are references to the Pier’s history, using wonderful graphics of original posters and the stars who played there.
Music is provided at every opportunity, combining traditional songs with original scores created by musical director Josh Mills, but also bringing it up to date with chart hits that everyone knows. The cast could all sing well and were determined to draw in the crowd with their enthusiastic dancing and choreography. They even managed to draw in the traditions of panto with a classic ‘he’s behind you’ section where a very large seagull and a ghost were let loose.
Throughout the performance, everyone on stage was totally engaged. We were taught to play the spoons (do get some – you’ll feel left out if you don’t!), invited to get up and dance, and whilst joining in was encouraged, it wasn’t enforced either. We could tell the children on the next table were having a fantastic time, their eyes glued to the performers and happy to do whatever they were asked to.
We haven’t had a working theatre on the Pier since 1973 but back in time some of the great and the good once walked down our planks to ply their trade. This show is designed as both a piece of nostalgia and an up-to-date fun experience for the whole family, and we certainly had fun. Writer and producer Allison Ferns spoke to us after the performance, describing the show as a great way for people to access live theatre but also as a bit of a love letter to the Palace Pier – and a great way for the people of the city to come back and enjoy the amazing facility on their doorstep.
This is a show that does what it says on the tin – an end-of-the-pier show that takes on all of the heritage of this type of entertainment and gives proper family fun. At just £5 a ticket, we think that they have pitched it just right. We watched families having a laugh together but also having an hour to sit down together, relax and enjoy yet another part of seaside life. We could see the effort that had been made, enjoyed the silliness of some of the situations, and loved seeing the children respond to it. We do love to be beside the seaside – and here is why!
Performance Dates
10-14 August 2026 – 1pm and 3pm
16-21 August 2026 – 1pm and 3pm
23-28 August 2026 – 1pm and 3pm
Creative Team
Writers and Producers: Allison Ferns and Jack Pallister
Musical Director: Josh Mills
Production Design: Plunge Productions
Cast
Ted Brickley
Ella Whettingsteel
Neith Alexandra
Jada Castledine
Harry Butcher
Tickets are available from the End Of The Pier website.
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A very good show nice embience , lovely cast , catchy songs