Plymouth, Theatres | New Palace Theatre of Varieties

PLYMOUTH
DATA

The Encyclopaedia of Plymouth History

VAUDEVILLE AND FILMS

By 1902 the New Palace Theatre of Varieties in Union Street, Plymouth, was showing a twice-nightly vaudeville, at 6.20 & 8.35pm, although the times were soon altered to 7 and 9pm. The admission prices were: box 10/6d, orchestra stalls 1/6d, stalls 1/-, grand circle 1/-, pit 6d, gallery 3d.

Topping the bill inAugust 1907 was Neil Kenyon, a scotch (sic) comedian paying his first visit to the Palace. The show included Robert Williams giving an exhibition of historic sword swinging and Miss Gertie Gitana, whom the Western Morning News described as 'A youthful artiste possessing a well developed voice and a most winsome style. She captivated her audience by a fine rendering of Nellie Dene, a very difficult song to sing and she finished with a coon song and a well-executed dance which were much appreciated'.

Nearly two years later, in March 1909, the Palace was holding a special event: 'The representation of the "Summers v Britt" fight by the Paloscope gives a wonderfully clear idea of that interesting contest, the scene at the National Sporting Club being depicted by one of the best films seen in Plymouth'. As usual the film was just of the "turns", of which the others were Bernard & Weston, Miss Arabella Allen, 'The Dickens Girl' plus Morris Cronin & troupe, jugglers.

Amongst the turns on stage during the week of July 25th 1910, which included Charles Woodward, the Stowe Brothers and Waul Langtry, was a film of HRH King George V and the Queen inspecting war airships at Aldershot, courtesy of Jury's Bioscope.

In 1931 Charlie Chaplin spent two days in Plymouth as the guest of Lady Astor. He appeared on stage at the Palace Theatre on Monday November 16th 1931 but then left Plymouth by the midnight train to London.

RETURN TO New Palace Theatre of Varieties