Palace theatre, Swansea

The Palace theatre is a building located at the northern end of High Street, Swansea, Wales, recognisable for its distinctive wedge shape.

Originally built in 1888 as a traditional music hall, the building's original name was 'The Pavilion'. During its lifetime, the building has been used as a bingo hall as well as a nightclub.

The Grade II Listed building is one of just two purpose-built music halls left standing in the whole of the UK.

In the early years of the 20th Century stars like Charlie Chaplin, Lilly Langtry, Marie Lloyd and Dan Leno filled the venue.

Sir Anthony Hopkins made his first professional stage appearance there in 1960 with Swansea Little Theatre's production of 'Have A Cigarette'. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_west/3239364.stm]

Also in the early 1960's, Morecambe and Wise were booked. Ken Dodd was the last stand-up comedian to appear there before it became nightclub in the 1970s.

It was also the first place in Wales to show a silent picture and remained undamaged by the blitz that destroyed much of Swansea city centre during the Second World War.

It is currently disused but there is a campaign group who have plans to refurbish and re-open the building as a theatrical venue, however this campaign group and their website have been inactive for over a year.

As of July 2007 the theatre is up for sale by auction, with a starting price of £250,000.00

External links

* [http://www.theatre-wales.co.uk/venues/venues_details.asp?venue_ID=78 Theatre in Wales: The Palace]
* [http://www.pavrep.org/ Pavilion Repertory Theatre] (new name for "The Palace")