Page 42 - The Palace @ 100
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The Future
In 1914 there were over 1,200 working theatres in the
British Isles. In 1982 ‘Curtains!!!! or a New Life for Old
Theatres’ estimated that 85% of these had been either
demolished or irretrievably altered. More than thirty
years later, the statistics are unquestionably worse.
Tim Mackrill
Remembers......
Theatres designed by Bertie Crewe, and remaining
largely untouched are now extremely rare. As one of
“I joined as Technical only six working theatres left in the country that can be
Manager in August 2002 wholly attributed to its famous architect Bertie Crewe,
so I could work on the its heritage and pedigree makes the Grade 2 listed
rebuild project and was Palace, architecturally, a theatre of national importance
lucky to work with a as it is a rare example of Edwardian theatre
wonderful team of architecture standing at an architectural crossroads at
people. I was able to a time when theatre construction was declining and
specify what we needed cinema construction was just beginning.
as a client and re design
and install all of the
The building is one of the few remaining historic
technical services on the
buildings in Redditch and therefore has great
main stage, including importance for the town's residents.
sound systems, lighting
control etc. At one point If you are looking for the best regional entertainment
during the project you around, look no further than the Palace Theatre,
could stand in the Redditch. With a family orientated programme
basement and look at the featuring the very best in drama, comedy, variety,
ceiling that is now in the musicals, classical, folk, pop and the big band sound
office on the top floor! as well as opera, ballet, pantomime and children's
The project ran over and shows you can rest assured that there is something to
we had to kit out the
suit every taste, both in the Main Auditorium as well as
building whilst walls
the new look and fully functioning Studio space - ‘The
were still being Room Upstairs’- with a seating capacity of 70.
plastered. The official
hand over of keys was The Palace Theatre staff and volunteers very
the day before our first much look forward to welcoming you to the
show! It took a lot of
planning but we did ‘LITTLE THEATRE PACKED WITH BIG
it…..”
ENTERTAINMENT’!
And as we enter our second century, let us all make
sure that the Palace Theatre continues to thrive
and that it is still with us in 2113!
2013
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