The Walthamstow Palace Theatre was an imposing landmark within the High Street from 1903 till it was demolished in 1960.
Its hanging design, a purple brick and Bath stone façade flanked by twin towers with stone and metallic turrets was the work of famend theatre architects Wylson and Long. They had been commissioned by a syndicate who additionally managed the Palace Theatres in Tottenham, Chelsea and East Ham.
The Palace was as hanging inside because it was exterior, with a cream, white and gold décor embellished with crimson velvet drapings. Rather reassuringly, ‘ample exits’ ensured that evacuation was attainable inside simply two minutes, and the stage curtain was fitted with a sprinkler system. There have been 1625 seats together with the stalls, gallery and two bins, and the seating structure allowed for an uninterrupted view of the stage from each a part of the home. Very correctly the dearer stalls seats have been shielded from missile-throwing from the upper cheaper seats by wire mesh.
One of the theatre’s earliest programmes from 1904. Credit: Waltham Forest Archive and Local Studies Library
Known domestically as ‘Auntie Alice’, The Palace began life as a music corridor, (the one one in Walthamstow), and was initially rated as a No. 3 circuit venue. No. 1 rated venues hosted the highest fashionable family names of the day, and No. 2s and No. 3s usually confirmed up and coming acts…or these on the finish of their careers.
Marie Lloyd performed on the theatre in its early years
Performances have been frequent, with two exhibits on weekdays and three on Saturdays. A typical present would comprise musical acts with the pit orchestra, and selection dance, comedy and juggling acts. Comedian Sam Mayo was fashionable in The Palace’s early years, identified for his expressionless supply, stooping posture, dressing robe and purple wig. Other outstanding acts included a young Charlie Chaplin, sand-dancing act Wilson, Keppel & Betty, and Marie Lloyd.
When music corridor leisure declined in reputation The Palace resorted to revues and live shows, and returned to selection exhibits within the economically leaner Nineteen Thirties. However, dwindling audiences lastly led to closure in 1940.
A 1937 programme from The Palace
A promising new lease of life got here in 1946 when Ellen Beatrice Mala, also called Countess Mala de la Marr, noticed its potential as a theatre and staged a sequence of performs underneath a quick lease. Mala had efficiently staged productions on the Garrick and Winter Garden Theatres in central London, and hoped to convey success to Walthamstow. However, income was woefully inadequate and though occasional charity exhibits have been held, The Palace homeowners resorted to staging nude tableaux exhibits and newbie ‘discovery’ nights. When even these did not generate sufficient footfall, The Palace closed once more, early in 1952.
A 1950 Walthamstow Palace Theatre programme
Later that 12 months the tenacious Mala took on a 21-year lease, refurbished the constructing and reopened it as a repertory theatre. Sadly this part was short-lived and though there was a transient return to selection and seasonal pantomimes, The Palace closed eternally in 1954 and was demolished in 1960. Palace Parade, a row of retailers with flats above, now stands on the location.
How Palace Parade appears to be like at this time
Karen Averby is a seaside-loving historian and analysis guide specialising in researching histories and tales of buildings, folks and locations. She researches home histories for personal shoppers and collaborates in neighborhood heritage initiatives (karenaverby.co.uk). She can also be director of Archangel Heritage Ltd, an historic analysis consultancy offering analysis companies for the industrial heritage sector (archangelheritage.co.uk). Also discovered on Twitter @karenaverby and @archaheritage
