Palaseum

• Theatre ID
  2053
• Built / Converted
  —
• Dates of use
  • 1912
• Current state
  Demolished
• Current use
  demolished
• Address
  226 Commercial Road, Stepney, Tower Hamlets, London, E1 2BT, England

Details

Opened in March 1912 as a theatre and opera house (the Temple of Art), reputedly the only one in the UK specifically built as a Jewish theatre. First productions were King Ahab (a Yiddish opera) and Rigoletto, but it became a cinema within six months under the name Palaseum. Known by 1960 as the Essoldo, but then reverted to Palaseum. The exterior was of little distinction, but it made an interesting incident in the wreckage of Commercial Road. Main body looked like a windowless chapel; stock brick and slated roof with a low fly tower in unmatching brick. Façe in machine-made brick with minimal stone trim later painted. Central domed feature set back over entrance, flanked by little square towers, with flat tops (originally domed). Some Moorish arches. Sometimes confused with the Grand Palais, q.v. The building was demolished in 1995.

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• Other names
  Essoldo
• Events
  • 1912 Use:
  • 1912 Design/Construction: as a Jewish theatre.
    • George, Billings, Wright & Co - Architect
  • 1928 Owner/Management: United Picture Theatres
  • 1934 Owner/Management: Regent Circuit
  • 1949 Owner/Management: Southan Morris
  • 1954 Owner/Management: Essoldo
  • 1995 Demolition:
• Capacities
  • Original: 950
• Listings
  • Grade Not listed