Barrfields Pavilion Theatre as it exists today has been a journey through the history of theatre and stage.

1925Robert Barr, born at Constablewood in Brisbane Glen in Largs, purchased ‘Mansefield’ a Victorian mansion with extensive grounds and donated it to Largs Town Council.

Mr Barr gave a further donation of £1,000 to cover the cost of building a pavilion at the sports field; all of this was intended to add popularity to the town as ‘a holiday resort’.

The former Mansefield land was renamed ‘Barrfields’ to honour Mr Barr’s generosity.

Building work began to construct Barrfields Pavilion, to provide a place for holidaymakers to shelter on wet days.

Costing just £10,000 Barrfields Pavilion was situated in front of a walled rose garden with an 18-hole putting green and children’s playpark on its south side.

1930Mrs Robert Barr officially opened Barrfields Pavilion on 11th April with over 2,000 people attending the opening event.

Summer 1930 The Pavilion was leased to Mr John Robertson-Mungo of Prestwick for £950 and the first show opened Saturday 31^st May to packed houses.

Winter 1930 The Largs Choral Society presented the first pantomime at Barrfields Pavilion – Aladdin.

Summer 1931 The Theatre was leased to Mr Harry Kemp for £600 per year. During these years he engaged such artistes as George West, Dave Bruce, Jack Anthony and The Houston Sisters (Billie & René), Donald Peers and Pat Kirkwood, many of whom were later became well known in London, in films and on TV.

1939 - 1945 During the Second World War, Barrfields Pavilion and Putting Green were used as a maintenance and repair base for Catalina RAF Seaplanes. These Catalinas were flown to Largs for use by the R.A.F. from Bermuda and Gander (Newfoundland) by both male and female pilots.

1951 Louis Freeman leased the Pavilion which featured stars including May Lee and Hector Nicol.

1952George Bowie took over the Pavilion with assistance from his son Ross, acting as producer.

1960’s A busy decade when Rikki Fulton and Jack Milroy as ‘Francie & Josie’ appeared at Barrfields Pavilion Theatre to rapturous audiences. Other popular regulars during the 60’s included Johnnie Beattie, Andy Stewart, Calum Kennedy, Una McLean, The Alexander Brothers, and Clark & Murray.

1970The Foundation stone for Largs Swimming Pool was laid on the site of the children’s swing park and rose garden.

1971Largs Swimming Pool opened March 1971.

1970’s Regular performers including Dorothy Paul, the ‘Big Yin’ Billy Connelly, and Gallagher & Lyle perform in the Pavilion to large audiences.

1980’s During this decade, the Theatre was used predominantly by local groups and suffered from a number of maintenance issues e.g. the gallery was closed on safety grounds.

1993North Ayrshire Council announced the development of the Barrfields Pavilion site, which would also incorporate a new facility for the community and visitors to the Town.

This was to be achieved by joining the refurbished Barrfields Pavilion and Largs Swimming Pool with a new Visitor Attraction tracing the history of Vikings in Scotland to their final battle in Scotland at Largs in 1263.

1995 On the original site the new Vikingar! facility opened, incorporating the refurbished Barrfields Pavilion and Largs Swimming Pool and the new Viking Experience Visitor Attraction.

2005Barrfields Pavilion Theatre celebrated its 75^th Anniversary with a Gala Performance on Sunday 18^th September with well know entertainers linked to the Theatre’s hey day including Alexander Brothers, Johnnie Beattie, Caledonian Tenors, Ann Fields, The Gordon Cree Band and others.

Professional and amateur touring companies perform in the Theatre throughout the year, as do local societies, such as Largs Players; Largs Choral Group ‘Variations’; Largs Amateur Operatic Society and Largs Youth Theatre.