Plymouth | St James's Hall - Robert Paul's Theatrograph

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The Encyclopaedia of Plymouth History

ROBERT PAUL'S THEATROGRAPH

It was to the Palace of Varieties in the St James's Hall, Union Street, Plymouth, that Mr Robert Paul brought his Theatrograph while on a tour of the provinces. The date was Monday November 9th 1896. It was, as far as is known, the first experience of cinematographic pictures in the Three Towns.

The following morning the Western Daily Mercury newspaper reported, under the heading 'Animated Pictures':

'There was a large attendance at this theatre of varieties last evening. Paul's "animated photography" --- which has been drawing very large houses at the Alhambra, London, for some considerable time --- being no doubt the attraction. It is the first of its kind seen in the district. The first act of slides shown represented the Gordon Highlanders route marching, whilst as a second series the "White Eyed Kaffir" was exhibited in all his war paint, his antics causing considerable amusement. The set of photographs which demanded most attention showed the winning of the last Derby by H. R. H. the Prince of Wales's horse Persimmon.'

Such was the 'Enormous Success' of the Theatrograph that it was retained for 'Six Nights Longer' as over 2,000 people had apparently been turned away during the previous week. And it returned again for two weeks from Monday November 30th 1896 when it was billed as 'Paul's Alhambra Theatrograph'.

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