The Palace Theatre - Introduction
The Palace Theatre was built as a traditional vatiety theatre in 1913. However, during its life, and due to changing life styles and economic factors, its also been a Dance Hall, Roller Skating Rink, Bingo Hall and a Cinema.
The Palace Theatre celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2013. During those 100 years it went through many changes, many owners, many threats of closure and many formats for entertaining Redditch.
The fact that we still have it today is down to both the Redditch Development Corporation and Redditch Borough council who, in the last 50 years, have both mounted rescue initiatives.
The history of the Palace is well documented elsewhere, particularly in the centenary book shown below which is still available from the theatre.
Redditch residents should be proud to have such a facility in the town and must be encouraged to use it as often as possible to ensure it survives another 100 years.
The three faces of the Palace Theatre, left as built in 1913, top right, the 1974 rebuild and bottom right the 2004 rebuild.
The Palace Theatre celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2013. During those 100 years it went through many changes, many owners, many threats of closure and many formats for entertaining Redditch.
The fact that we still have it today is down to both the Redditch Development Corporation and Redditch Borough council who, in the last 50 years, have both mounted rescue initiatives.
The history of the Palace is well documented elsewhere, particularly in the centenary book shown below which is still available from the theatre.
Redditch residents should be proud to have such a facility in the town and must be encouraged to use it as often as possible to ensure it survives another 100 years.
The three faces of the Palace Theatre, left as built in 1913, top right, the 1974 rebuild and bottom right the 2004 rebuild.
I was first involved as a performer at the age of 14 in 1944 and appeared as a tap dancer in the “Show of Show's” Company. This was the Elsie Siddele Downing's Redditch Stage School. During the 1940s she presented a week long show every August and an original pantomime, written by her, every January.
In the late 1930's, during the winter months circus acts would frequently appear in the theatres and once, when I was present, a lion was led onto the stage on a lead and he ate a joint of meat off a scantily clad dressed girl's chest whilst she was lying on the front of the stage.
In the late 1930's, during the winter months circus acts would frequently appear in the theatres and once, when I was present, a lion was led onto the stage on a lead and he ate a joint of meat off a scantily clad dressed girl's chest whilst she was lying on the front of the stage.
Colin Wheeler
The Palace Theatre is one of the jewels in the town's rich history. 110 year old in 2026 it has survived and today presents a wide range of live entertainment to Redditch residents and visitors. On these pages you will find why the Palace is loved by all who visit it.
