Palace (Bath)

• Theatre ID
  540
• Built / Converted
  1886
• Dates of use
  • 1886 - 1955
• Current state
  Extant
• Current use
  Bingo (Bingo and pub)
• Address
  Sawclose, Bath, Avon, England

Details

Opened as Pavilion Music Hall on the site of the old Hay and Straw Market. Renamed Lyric in 1895 and Palace in 1903. Auditorium completely altered with one straight-fronted balcony in 1930s. In 1956 the stage and boxes were removed and the balconies extended on conversion to a ballroom. The facade of 1895 survives intact - a handsome music hall front of one wide bay only, recessed at first floor level behind a balustraded balcony, flanked on each side by single giant Corinthian pilasters carrying a bracketted cornice. Pyramid roof. From 1966-68 there was a revival of ‘old-time music hall revues’. In 1969, the auditorium was styled for bingo. The saloon bar was converted to a pub, with a small cinema in the circle bar above, the main entrance being halved. Today the main auditorium remains as a bingo hall, with a pub in the old bars areas, and a garage to the side which was presumably once stables. The auditorium is now plain, all decoration removed. The pillars and other original features are covered in. The original character is retained in the pub.

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• Other names
  The Pavilion, The Lyric Theatre, The Palace, The Regency Ballroom, Zetters, Gala
• Events
  • 1886 - 1955 Use:
  • 1886 Design/Construction: as the Pavilion Music Hall
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1895 Alteration: converted to theatre
    • Wylson & Long - Architect
  • 1930 - 1939 Alteration: balconies altered
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1956 Alteration: converted to Regency Ballroom
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1969 Alteration: converted to pub and cinema
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1886 Owner/Management: Mr J T Welsh
  • 1892 Owner/Management: Mr Harry Williams
  • 1903 Owner/Management: Palace Theatre (Bath) Lessees
  • 1966 - 1968 Owner/Management: Kathleen Godwin, lessee
  • 1968 Owner/Management: Elcresta Ltd,lessees
  • 1980 Owner/Management: Zetters Enterprises, lessees
  • 1986 Owner/Management: Gala Bingo
  • Owner/Management: Freeholders: Bath Corporation
• Capacities
  • Original: 800
  • Later: 1979: cinema above pub 53 seats
• Listings
  • Grade II
• Stage type
  • Pros flat
• Dimensions
  • Stage dimensions: 1946 Depth: 24ft Width SL: 9ft SR: 9ft
  • Proscenium width: 24ft x 16ft
  • Height to grid: 28ft
  • Orchestra pit: Original. 8 dressing rooms