Dodd on stage in a building site

Apr 24 2008 by Liam Murphy, Liverpool Daily Post

Ken Dodd at the Floral Pavilion Theatre in New Brighton _400

COMEDY legend Ken Dodd is due to fulfil his promise to the theatre at a Wirral resort today by being the first person to perform on its new stage – even though the building work is months away from completion.

Dodd will be on stage to mark the topping-out ceremony of the Floral Pavilion, in New Brighton, with a performance for workers on the site.

The Floral Pavilion is currently being rebuilt and massively expanded to include a conference centre in the first phase of the £70m redevelopment of the resort town.

Head of Arts and Museums for Wirral Council, Rob Smith, said it had seemed a “throwaway comment” at the time, but it was clear Ken Dodd wanted to be first on the stage – and they were also keen to have him there.

Workers on the site will cease work for a short time while the ceremony and perfor-mance take place.

Mr Smith said: “Kier North West, the cont- ractors who have been building the theatre, have been brilliant, accommodating events such as this, very helpful, and hopefully the workers will enjoy this unusual show.’’