Page 38 - The Palace @ 100

From Bertie, With Thanks

Peter Harris
Remembers….

“The Palace, situated on

Alcester Street down past
the Select was pure
luxury after the other
cinemas. Plush seats, a
raked floor and exotic
decoration. I remember
going to see the last film
showed there. I think it
was The Snows of
Kilimanjaro, starring
Gregory peck, Susan
Hayward and Ava This framed picture hangs on the first floor of the
Gardner. The Palace theatre in the foyer leading to the Lower Circle
always seemed to have entrance.
the blockbusters of the
day. I recall seeing It contains a letter written by the Palace Theatre's
'Trapeze' starring Burt original architect, Bertie Crewe which was written to
Lancaster, Tony Curtis William Henry Simmons, who worked for C.G.Huins
and Gina Lollobrigida. the company that built the theatre. It was donated to
For weeks afterwards we the theatre by Margaret Simmons, granddaughter of
were all pretending to do the late Mr Simmons who was the foreman of works
triple somersaults of an during the theatre's construction. It was unveiled at a
imaginary trapeze. We party to celebrate one year of the venue's
usually took a rain check refurbishment.
on the interval ice cream
as it was more expensive The letter from Mr Crewe thanked the builders for the
than up the road,(they first-class manner in which they carried out a small but
had thicker chocolate on difficult job. Framed along with letter are pictures of
the choc ices).” Mr Crewe and Mr Simmons. This valuable document
Is protected by an acid free pouch and has been put
behind a sheet of UV- treated glass to prevent fading
and damage.

2007
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