Palace Theatre

Wards End,
Halifax, HX1 1DE

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: MacNaghten Vaudeville Circuit

Architects: M. Ernest Runtz

Styles: Neo-Classical

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Palace Theatre

Located in Halifax, West Yorkshire at the corner of Wards End & Southgate, opposite the Theatre Royal. The Palace Theatre was opened on 3rd August 1903. It had a 30 feet wide proscenium and a 33 feet deep stage. It was part of the MacNaghten Vaudeville Circuit of variety theatres. Topping the bill on opening night was American comediene Julie MacKay. Famous stars who appeared here include Gertie Gitana, Florrie Ford, Charlie Chaplin and George Robey.

In the early years, films were shown as part of the variety programme on the Bioscope, sometimes advertised as the Palacescope. The use of the Bioscope ceased during World War I.

The Palace Theatre remained a popular variety theatre for many years, and was closed in 1959 with a performance of “Brigadoon” by the Halifax Amateur Operatic Society. The building was demolished and an office block named Southgate House was built on the site, which has retail use at ground level.

Contributed by Ken Roe

Recent comments (view all 1 comments)

   Boltmaker                          John from Keighley
Boltmaker John from Keighley on February 22, 2016 at 8:07 am

The Palace Theatre Halifax used to be known locally as the sweetest building in the UK as it was believed that a great deal of sugar was added to the cement during construction to help the cement to set during the cold weather

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