Southend La Petite Petanque goes through a theatrical revamp

La Petite Petanque is based in the original 1920s pavilion at Alexandra Bowling Club, in the Clifftown conservation area, and new owners are preparing a launch night on September 2 with a new look and new menu.

The owners, Alison McFadyen and Janet Steel, both have background in the theatre and arts industry and are aiming to add some fun to the restaurant.

Alongside spoken word evenings and celebrity question and answer sessions, the owners are planning a weekly soap opera performed by staff based on the restaurant and the bowling green.

La Petite Petanque events manager, Sallie Warrington expressed her excitement at the launch.

She said: “We’re very excited to open as Alison and Janet have talked about this for a few months, because we have so many ideas and with all our knowledge, we just want to get our events going and get to know everyone in the area and the first two months of owning the restaurant have been amazing so far.

“It’s something that were all just eager to get ourselves established we want to keep with the art deco theme. The restaurant is surrounded by residents, so we want to make them happy. It’s a very famous place for afternoon teas and we’ve kept that.”

The new owners took over in June and have been working hard since to get ready for the opening.

Alison has a background as a musical director and co-owner, Janet, was an actress and theatre director for East 15 Acting School.

The staff at the restaurant will remain the same but the owners have employed an opera singing waiter and an assistant manager who was an East 15 alumni.

One of their most exciting events planned is a weekly written Soap Opera, performed by the waiters and waitresses called “Keep Off the Grass” based on the restaurant and the bowling green.

Customers are encouraged to participate during the performances. The soap will be written by a professional playwright called Sayan Kent.