PLYMOUTH |
The Encyclopaedia of Plymouth History |
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PALLADIUM and PICTUREDROME, DEVONPORT The Metropole Theatre at Numbers 12 and 13 Tavistock Street in Devonport was opened in 1894 as the Empire Theatre. On January 9th 1899 both the Theatre and the adjacent shops were purchased by Mr Arthur Roscoe Carlton, who had previously leased the premises. In 1912 he sold it to Mr George Sidney King, who had previously been the manager. He wanted to produce a combination of films and variety and on June 20th 1912 was granted a cinema licence 'subject to completed works'. The Theatre was completely renovated and redcorated from floor to ceiling, predominantly in crimson and cream. The front pit had been used to provide extra accommodation in the stalls and the seating had been replaced with modern tip-up ones upholstered in red plush. In order to separate the projection room from the main part of the Theatre it had to project into the arcade. Over the pay-box in the entrance was a most artistic piece of plasterwork, designed by Mr Harold Shires, of Plymouth. At night the arcade could be illuminated with coloured lights. When the Theatre re-opened on Monday August 5th 1912 it was as the Palladium, a combined picture hall and music hall. This unfortunate choice of name has for decades caused confusion over the opening of the Palladium Cinema at Ford. There were two performances, at 6.50 and 9pm and in addition to the 'full and attractive programme of motion pictures' Mr King had secured the services of Mr Sandy McNab, the Scottish comedian for the first week. The theatre orchestra was under the direction of Mr Hopkins, while new scenery had been created by Mr H Pedgeon, of the Theatre Royal in Plymouth. On the evening of Monday November 25th 1912 the Metropole Theatre reopened as the "Picturedrome". It was now owned by the Devonport Hippodrome and was going to provide moving pictures as its main entertainment, interspersed with three or four vaudeville acts. The new manager was Mr F J Studd, the son of a well-known manager at Derby. During the previous week the Theatre had been completely redecorated 'in bright and attractive colours' and the floors of the hallway and passages had been covered. Radiators had been installed to provide heating and it is possible that the seating had been renewed. The orchestra was under the direction of Mr Turnbull. [a] 'Despite the uninviting conditions prevailing outside', the first night's two performances were well attended. The pictures comprised three dramas: "The Rajah's Revenge"; "The Librarian"; and "The Cowboy Mother"; three comedies: "Jim the Soldier"; "He Must Have a Wife"; and "His New Case"; and an educational film, "History of a Pole-cat". A juggler cum tumbler and acrobat and three vocalists cum instrumentalists provided the stage entertainment. [a] By December 29th 1913 it was advertising itself as "The Picturedrome, formerly known as the Theatre Metropole" and had returned to staging plays, "White Slave Trade" being performed at the time. This did not last and just a month later, on February 16th 1914, it was being advertised as "Theatre Metropole (Picturedrome)". The licensee later that year was a Mr Gwyther Eastlake Prance, 'the actual and responsible manager of the Metropole and the Hippodrome'. Mr King had moved to the Grand Theatre and opened the Repertory Theatre. A Mr P Pearce submitted plans to alter the theatre to enable its use as a cinema on December 17th 1917. Although the plans were approved by the Watch Committee, a sub-committee visited the premises and on January 23rd 1918 disapproved the plans. They were resubmitted under the names of Mr Pearce and a Mr R Bromhead and were approved on June 19th that year. On September 27th 1923 the Theatre was auctioned at the Royal Hotel, Plymouth, by Messrs Woolland, Son & Manico. However, as no bids were received it was withdrawn from the sale. Messrs Bond, Pearce, Thomson & Pearce were the solicitors for the sale. The Metropole Theatre, despite its identity problems, was destined to live again but under the name of the New Alhambra Theatre. Sources (incomplete):
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