The Palace Theatre

The theatre in Union Street was originally called the New Palace Theatre of Varieties and was opened on the 5th September, 1898. The opening show featured Adele and May Lilian who were billed as the Levey Sisters. They performed Persian and hunting songs and were followed by an acrobatic act called The Six Craggs. Other acts that night included Walter and Edie Cassons who performed a vaudeville act, a comedian called Harry Comlin and a roller skater called Fred Darby. Tickets ranged from one shilling to 2/6 which included three hours of entertainment.

Fire destroyed both the auditorium and stage on the 23rd December, 1898 and the theatre wasn't opened again until May 1899.

There were twice nightly vaudeville shows by 1902 and artists who appeared during the early 1900s included Neil Kenyon billed as a 'scotch' comedian, Robert Williams a sword swinger and Miss Gertie Gitana who sang songs including 'Nellie Dean.'

In 1909, Harry Houdini played at the theatre for a week during August and drew a huge crowd.

Charlie Chaplin, who was in Plymouth as a guest of Nancy Astor, appeared on stage on the 16th November, 1931.

The theatre stayed open during the blitz of 1941 to keep people's spirits up. Acts that appeared that year included Billy Cotton and his band, Tommy Handley, Arthur Lucan (Old Mother Riley), Henry Hall and his Orchestra as well as many less known acts. At Christmas of that year, the show was Robinson Crusoe which starred George Hirstie.

The theatre closed in 1949 for redecorating and reopened with the Billy Cotton Bandshow. The theatre closed again in 1954 due to the lack of touring shows. It was offered to the Plymouth City Council in 1956 but they refused to buy it and it closed for five months before reopening in October 1956. It closed suddenly on the 7th February, 1959 during the pantomime, 'Little Miss Muffet' because of lack of interest.

New management took over the theatre in 1961 and it became Palace Theatre (Bingo) Ltd.

The theatre reopened in 1962 with the pantomime, 'Sinbad the Sailor.'

In 1965, Arthur Fox, a businessman from Manchester, paid £50,000 for the theatre with the intention of hosting Star Bingo, wrestling (which was very popular at the time) and striptease.

In 1975, it was bought by EMI and opened on the 19th April, 1977 with a performance of 'The Magic Flute.' The theatre struggled and closed on the 27th May, 1980 when it ceased trading and its contents were put up for sale. It reopened on the 16th May 1981 for a review with Danny La Rue but finally closed in 1983 when it became the Academy Disco.

Its fortunes didn't improve and today it remains closed and its shabby appearance hides its varied history. It's amazing to think of the great acts that have appeared there and of how many people in Plymouth have been entertained by them.

The theatre is said to be haunted, a rumour started in the early 1960s.