Palace (Bridgwater)

• Theatre ID
  1263
• Built / Converted
  1916
• Dates of use
  • 1916 - 1940
• Current state
  Extant
• Current use
  disused (cinema until 1990s)
• Address
  Penel Orlieu, Bridgwater, Somerset, England

Details

Slightly Moorish in style, the entrance had shops either side and a cafe above. The façe rendered brick; the central entrance has a large rounded window and above that a short tower and cupola. The words PALACE THEATRE emblazon the front on either side of the central tower, above the first floor windows. Beyond the entrance porch with two doors was a vestibule with central pay-box. The interior was said to be grandly decorated, and included reeded columns and a pair of angels which looked down from the proscenium. The balcony had 200 seats arranged in curved tiers and a refreshment lounge at rear (in addition to cafe below). It was difficult to make the theatre pay, and it was sold to Shipman and King, who were in turn taken over by Gaumont-British. Revues and pantomimes continued until 1929, but films were gradually introduced for the main part. It was closed in 1938. It soon reopened after improvements to means of escape and during World War II it was very popular as a Barrack Theatre entertaining troops. Theatre use probably finished in the late 1940s. It was refurbished and the proscenium altered in 1950 to accommodate wide screen films. Now disused, the original features from the 1950 refurbishment survive. There is a movement to re-open it, the theatre having survived demolition so far.

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• Other names
  Empire Theatre, Albany Ward’s Palace
• Events
  • 1916 - 1940 Use:
  • 1916 Design/Construction:
    • Samson & Colthurst - Architect
  • 1917 Alteration: converted to cinema
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1939 Alteration: converted to Barracks Theatre
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1950 Alteration: refurbished
    • Samson & Colthurst - Architect
  • 1916 Owner/Management: Madeline Rich, owner
  • 1917 Owner/Management: Albany Ward, owner
  • Owner/Management: Shipman & King, owners
  • Owner/Management: Gaumont-British, owners
  • 1947 Owner/Management: Peter & Olive Archer, owners
  • 1988 Owner/Management: Sold
  • 1995 Owner/Management: Believed to be owned by Sedgemoor District Council
• Listings
  • Grade Not listed
• Dimensions
  • Proscenium width: 20ft
  • Orchestra pit: Original