PLYMOUTH
DATA
www.plymouthdata.info

The Encyclopaedia of Plymouth History

THEATRES  |  NEW PALACE THEATRE OF VARIETIES

POST-WAR DEVELOPMENTS

Following the death of Mrs Mary Hoyle in January 1945, the New Palace Theatre of Varieties in Union Street, Plymouth, was sold to Mr Saul Samuel Silver, commission agent, of Exeter, for £77,000.  It held 1,408 people at that time.  However that deal fell through and it was bought by a syndicate comprising: Mr Gerard Heath, Mr G H Knapman, Mr H T Langsford, Mr C H Pearn, Mr S Roseman and Mr F A Westcott.

The Theatre was closed in July 1949 for redecorating and re-seating just in time for the Billy Cotton Bandshow with Alan Breeze to appear in "Wakey! Wakey!" the following July.  It was closed again in 1954 due to the lack of touring shows.  During this period it was again renovated and the stage enlarged and dressing-rooms reconstructed.  In 1956 it was offered to the City Council but they declined to purchase it.  On  October 1st 1956 it reopened after a 5 month closure due to lack of support.

The first of its many closures came on Saturday February 7th 1959 during the pantomime "Little Miss Muffet".  The local newspaper headline on the 9th was "Full House sees a Theatre Die".  Again the City Council declined to buy it, even though the asking price was only £15,000.

Sources (incomplete):

[1]  ?

©  Brian Moseley, Plymouth, UK

Any problems viewing this webpage should be notified to the webmaster at plymouthdata dot info