Photos: A full house for the opening gala of Ramsgate’s Granville Theatre

A packed opening gala show Photo Frank Leppard

Photos by Frank Leppard

The Granville Theatre in Ramsgate was packed last night (May 27) for its opening gala.

Balloons, a glass of fizz, guitarists and a smartly turned-out team greeted the venue’s first customers since the site closed in 2020.

Theatre-goers included an array of guests such as Ralph ‘Mr Ramsgate’ Hoult, councillors past and present, mayors and more.

Photo Frank Leppard

Despite having only bought the theatre in October owners, sisters Zahra and Parisa Tarjomani and Matt Milchard have transformed the foyer area and had the auditorium ready for the debut night. More work is taking place but the theatre is now operational with Thanet group MOS kicking off the packed programme when they stage  The Adamms Family from May 31-June 3.

Photo Frank Leppard

Further shows include Michael Starring Ben direct from the London Palladium, Stranger Sings, Motown, Burlesque, Bombay Bicycle Club, Magic of Motown, The Makings of a Murderer  and more.

Photo Frank Leppard

To celebrate the opening visitors were treated to a show which included performance from Regency Performing Arts, Zahra and Parisa and baritone and former The Voice contestant Alaric Green – whose family were in the audience- and a cast of ‘Revolting Children!’

Photo Frank Leppard

Ralph Hoult, who leads Starlite Entertainers and was the founder of the group which previously leased the theatre, presented Matt, Zahra and Parisa with an Obelisk award for their mammoth achievement in bringing the Granville back into use.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

The Granville, which began life as a concert enclosure in 1914, is now the last remaining cinema of the three that used to be in the town, including the Odeon and the King’s cinemas, and it is the town’s only theatre building.

Find the full list of upcoming shows here