Palace (Redditch)

• Theatre ID
  291
• Built / Converted
  1913
• Dates of use
  • 1971 - 1954: continuing
• Current state
  Extant
• Current use
  Theatre
• Address
  Alcester Street/Grove Street, Redditch, Hereford & Worcester, B98 8AE, England

Details

A small theatre, indeed diminutive when compared with other jobs which Crewe was handling at about the same time (e.g. Palace Theatre, Manchester, q.v.). Stuccoed façe alongside the auditorium/stage in a rather coarse Neo-Classical manner - three storeys and nine bays: the five middle bays with a rusticated ground floor supporting panelled Ionic pilasters in the upper storeys. Straight entablature and parapet. Intimate and quite pleasing auditorium with restrained Neo-Classical plasterwork. One eight-row balcony on a shallow curve, linked to one large box on either side, framed by Ionic pilasters with pediment over. Rectangular proscenium with reed-moulded frame. Flat ceiling with central circular rose. No safety curtain. Green room and seven dressing rooms. After a period of use for bingo the theatre was purchased by the Local Authority in 1971, refurbished and a three-storeyed extension built to the right of the original front, with a new entrance around the corner. It is mainly used by amateurs with occasional professional tours. Various plans have been proposed in recent years for improvements and incorporation into a new development.

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• Events
  • 1913 Design/Construction:
    • Bertie Crewe - Architect
  • 1930 Alteration: additional exits created; capacity reduced
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1938 Owner/Management: J & D Russell, lessees
  • 1948 Owner/Management: Mr & Mrs Jack Leuty, lessee & manager
  • 1952 Owner/Management: S G Williams, lesse & manager; J E Wilkinson, owner
  • 1954 Owner/Management: John Wilkinson, lessee
  • 1971 - 1954 Use: continuing
  • 1971 Owner/Management: Redditch Borough Council
  • 1971 Alteration: new three-storey frontage added in Grove Street
    • B Bunch (?) - Architect
  • 1976 Alteration: derelict factory at rear of building converted to new suite of dressing rooms
    • Ian Coley - Architect
  • 1979 Alteration: new scene dock and workshop added
    • Nigel Lomas - Architect
• Capacities
  • Original: 690
  • Later: 1930: 533 (334 stalls, 199 circle)
  • Current: 399
• Listings
  • Grade II
• Stage type
  • Rake (1:20)
• Dimensions
  • Stage dimensions: Depth: 19ft 8in
  • Proscenium width: 22ft
  • Height to grid: 38ft
  • Inside proscenium: 23ft
  • Orchestra pit: Original (for 18)