Page 42 - Redditch People
P. 42
Redditch People
Mr Bertie Crewe was chosen as theatre architect for the new Palace Theatre.
Bertie Crewe was one of the most dynamic architects of the 1890's -1900's. Crewe
specialised entirely in theatres and, subsequently, cinemas.
By the time he came to design the Palace he had been involved in over 40 theatre building
projects, and was at the height of his architectural powers. As an architect his body of
work was prolific having been involved in the planning or collaboration of nearly 200
theatres/cinemas, including many in London. The Palace was designed by Crewe as a live
theatre and also for cinema use, as it had its own purpose built ‘Bioscope’ box.
As a result, Redditch has a “gem” of a theatre which has served the town in various guises,
theatre, cinema, dance hall, roller skating rink, bingo hall and wrestling venue for over
100 years.
Some of the builders of the Palace Theatre in 1913
(Source: Palace Theatre Archives
A photograph, thought to be from
the 1960s showing the original
entrance to the Palace Theatre as
well as the Fletcher &
Shrimpton’s factory to the far
(north) end and the shop at the
near (south) side.
(Source: Palace Theatre Archives)
Down with the old, the 2004 demolition
of the front of house building.
Up with the new – the foundations
go in for the new front of house.
Page: 42 © RLHS 2015
