Alexandra Gardens Theatre

Alexandra Gardens Theatre stood in Weymouth, Dorset, on land reclaimed in the early 19th century and once used for grazing. The site became New Gardens in 1869, then Alexandra Gardens in 1880 after Princess Alexandra. A bandstand opened there in 1891 and was later enclosed in glass to form the Kursaal for band performances in all weathers. During World War I the Kursaal served as a reception centre for injured ANZAC soldiers from the Gallipoli Campaign. The Kursaal was demolished and replaced by the Alexandra Gardens Concert Hall, opened in 1924 by the Mayor of Weymouth. The concert hall became Alexandra Gardens Theatre and closed in 1963. It was converted into the Electric Palace Amusement Arcade by Holland Leisure. A fire destroyed the building in 1993 and a new leisure centre was built in its place. The new building was designed to resemble the shape of the original Kursaal. Planning permission for the replacement was approved in November 1993. Visitors now find the Electric Palace Amusement Arcade in Alexandra Gardens. The gardens remain a green space beside Weymouth’s seafront. The amusement arcade occupies the site of the former theatre and concert hall. The Kursaal’s bandstand once stood in the gardens before being moved to Nothe Gardens. The current leisure centre keeps the spirit of the Kursaal’s shape and purpose.