Page 25 - The Palace @ 100

The New Competition

By 1954 the lack of artists, good touring shows and
rising costs, coupled with the start of transmission of
BBC television from Sutton Coldfield and the ease of
purchase of sets, all conspired against the independent
theatre operator, so much so that on the 19th March
1954 the Indicator ran a report 'Can the Palace be kept
open?' A new low had been reached when an audience Colin Wheeler
of four people assembled for a performance of ‘A Remembers.......
Christmas Carol’.
“During Jack Leuty's
In May 1954 came the shock announcement "Palace to tenure a cafe was
Close Down" ran the headline. Councilor J R introduced in a small
Wilkinson, the owner, stating to the Indicator - "The room off the stairway to
town has lost interest, I cannot afford to stay open". the circle. It was run by
Bert Maries, who had a
On 21st February 1955, the Palace re-opened as a sweet shop directly
Roller Skating Rink. The raked floor had gone and the across the road (from
stage and auditorium altered to suit this new form of where Rilys now stands)”
public entertainment, with the former stalls floor raised
to stage level.

Pam Day
Remembers.......

“Mr Leuty greeted
everyone at every
performance, dressed in a
black suit during the day
and a tuxedo at night. Mrs
Leuty sold the tickets and
was usually dressed in
evening dress and jewels
for the evening
performance”

This photograph of Mr and Mrs Jack Leuty was
displayed above the box office window for many
years.
Courtesy: Colin Wheeler

1950s
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