Page 31 - The Palace @ 100

It Could Have Been So Different

Extract from article in the Redditch Standard
Friday 5th April 2013

“It Could Have Been So Different” A modern
leisure complex on the Palace Theatre site? Tommy Thomas
Remembers.
‘In the 1950s with television taking off as a form of
entertainment independent theatres were “In the 1950s Barry Faber
struggling. the Palace went through numerous and Daffydd Havard were
guises including unofficially operating as an hosting a talent
indoor market before closing in May 1954. Nine competition at the Palace
months later it reopened as a roller skating rink but Theatre and I was asked to
by 1959 it was being used as a dance hall and then participate in it. The
used for a variety of reasons during the 1960s competition took place on
including a bingo hall. Friday and the winner
would be given a part in a
The Development Corporation bought the building forthcoming film, I was
in 1967 and there was a plan considered to create shaking like a leaf as I
a modern leisure complex on the site which was stepped out on to the stage
backed by the council. It would have included a and launched into my
theatre, ice rink, indoor cricket nets, bowling, cafes routine with a somewhat
and restaurants. wobbly start but to my
utter amazement, and my
But according to former councillor, the late Walter parents delight, I emerged
Stranz, the Development Corporation had fallen in as the winner.
love with the idea of refurbishing the existing
theatre, seeing it as a mini version of one of the I was then invited
grand West End stages, and in the end that backstage and asked if I
decision meant the site was too small to would appear each night
accommodate anything else. throughout the following
week, free gratis, of
Part of the plan did survive though as when it course, these two
opened on September 11 1971, the seats in the gentlemen realised the
stalls were stackable which allowed the floor to be advantage of having a
used for other purposes.’ local hero on their show.”

Ian Dipple - Editor

1970s
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