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The Encyclopaedia of Plymouth History

THEATRES

NEW PALACE THEATRE OF VARIETIES

Although Plymouth's New Palace Theatre of Varieties is located in Union Street, Plymouth, it is no longer a theatre but has a Grade II* listing.
 

It was built jointly by Messrs United Counties Theatres Ltd and the Livermore Brothers as a replacement for the Palace of Varieties at the St James's Hall.  The building was designed by Mr William Arber of J T Wimperis & Arber of 25 Sackville Street, London, and cost £95,000.  The managing director was Mr Alfred Moul and the manager was Mr E J Dexter.  Read description ..... After a private viewing on Friday September 2nd 1898, the New Palace Theatre was opened on September 5th 1898.  Read more .....

In the early hours of December 23rd 1898 fire destroyed the stage and the front of the auditorium.  It reopened on May 22nd 1899.  Read more .....

In September 1911 the New Palace and the Grand Theatres were sold to a syndicate formed by Mr G Hamilton Baines of the Theatre Royal, Cardiff.  The ownership was to change many more times over the years.  Read more .....

All manner of entertainment, from vaudeville to the occasional film, were staged at the Palace.  Read more .....

During 1941 the widow of Mr Thomas Hoyle, its most well-known owner, was credited with keeping Plymouth's spirits up.  Read list of shows in 1941 .....

The first of the New Palace Theatre's many closures came in February 1959, during the run of "Little Miss Muffet"  Read more .....

It managed to get a Second Life between 1962 and 1965; and a Third Life between April 1977 and May 1980 but finally closed in 1983, when it became a disco.

Sources (incomplete):

[1]  ?

©  Brian Moseley, Plymouth, UK

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