Page 19 - The Palace @ 100

Post War

After World War II, many theatres that were not
destroyed by bombing were in the way of
redevelopment. The building boom of 1885 to 1915
Elizabeth-Anne
was matched between 1950 and 1975 by theatre
Peart Remembers...
demolition. In that 25-year period, 35 theatres were
demolished in Greater London alone. But once again,
the Palace Theatre remained standing. “I remember when I was 3
years old going to the
Elsie Siddele School of
In the late 1940s, films took a back seat at the Palace.
Jack Leuty took over the management of the building Dancing (Mrs Biggs) Mrs
in 1948 and ran a series of theatrical entertainments; Foreman played the piano
for us and Mrs Latham
this lasted until 1952, when new management took made all our costumes.
over under Mr S G Williams. The Repertory Company This was in 1945 and
achieved phenomenal support during a four year stay material was very hard to
and the local amateurs were never far behind.
get,so most of them were
made of parachute silk or
plastic, but they were
beautiful. About twice a
year we put on shows at
the Palace Theatre. I
remember the older
dancers, including Mary
Clark who later became a
Television Topper) and
Elsie's son, Howard, who
was a superb tap dancer.

We loved being on stage,
but one thing that I
remember well was the
spiral staircase. Us little
ones had a dressing room
at the top of the theatre
and running up and down
the staircase was very
hard on our little legs.”

Taken in the 1940s, does anyone remember the
shop on the south side of the theatre?

(Answer - See Colin Wheeler’s memory on page 33)
1940s
Page 13