Palace Theatre

#16 (**permalink**) 15-05-08, 05:48

Thank you Kiki
I know someone living nearby who will possibly have a look at the old newspapers for me. I apprecite your suggestion. many thanks.

Chris

burnleyhomegirl · #17 (**permalink**) 12-06-08, 23:45

My Mother said her Great Grandfather was one of 3 Smith Brothers who built the Palace in 1907 they also built the Gem and the Imperial.
I have enjoyed your posts and would love to hear any stories of the Palace or the Smith Brothers. I'm trying to find bits of family history that has been totally lost. Any knowledge of any of these things would be helpful. note: I no longer live in the region.

Here's all I know from the Book "Burnley as it was"
"Opened in Dec 1907, the Palace cost 13,000. and would seat 2,200 people...It was erected by a local building firm, Smith Brothers, and saw revues, varieties, classical concerts, film shows, and Municipal Concerts through nearly 60 years of entertainment."

Kiki · #18 (**permalink**) 14-06-08, 08:02

It is a great pity it has gone ! along with the market hall. At the time in the sixties we thought it a good move.
But i think the industial towns when prosperous in the 18-00,s created some lovely buildings. Eg- The co-op buildings and the covered shops/ arcades are lovely in my view!

CanCan · #19 (**permalink**) 07-07-08, 17:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by beechcroft

Your grandpa probably put the spotlight on an act I am trying to trace called Rameses. He appeared at the Palace on August 19th. 1912. Does anyone have information on him please? He was a very big star Egyptian dressed magician / illusionst travelling to the USA in 1910 South America in 1913 and also later to South Africa. Remember this was 1912. so air travel had not arrived.

Hope somebody out there can help. Anyone got a theatre poster or programme from his appearance. Are there any archives of The Palace theatre. Where could I find a picture of the outside of of the interior please
Many thanks
Chris

Hi Chris, I have afew books on Burnley showing the Palace, the exterior also one picutre of the interior, though only of the stage! Any use? Let me know Karen.

CanCan · #20 (**permalink**) 09-07-08, 23:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by burnleyhomegirl

My Mother said her Great Grandfather was one of 3 Smith Brothers who built the Palace in 1907 they also built the Gem and the Imperial.
I have enjoyed your posts and would love to hear any stories of the Palace or the Smith Brothers. I'm trying to find bits of family history that has been totally lost. Any knowledge of any of these things would be helpful. note: I no longer live in the region.

Here's all I know from the Book "Burnley as it was"
"Opened in Dec 1907, the Palace cost 13,000. and would seat 2,200 people...It was erected by a local building firm, Smith Brothers, and saw revues, varieties, classical concerts, film shows, and Municipal Concerts through nearly 60 years of entertainment."

Hi, took alook at the 1893 trade directory for Burnley it says Smith bros-builders & contractors Eastham place 50 Yourkshire St. Took alook at google maps and it's still there but looks like the old buildings are gone, maybe someone from roundthere could tell you!! Karen

WillowTheWhisp · #21 (**permalink**) 10-07-08, 06:48

Was the Palace also called the Hippodrome?

CanCan · #22 (**permalink**) 10-07-08, 17:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillowTheWhisp

Was the Palace also called the Hippodrome?

Yes, a picture I have in a book shows Palace-Hippodrome acroos the top of the building. Karen

WillowTheWhisp · #23 (**permalink**) 10-07-08, 22:43

Thanks Karen. It sounds like the place my mother used to refer to then. How odd that it should have two names. She did say they had a lot of famous 'turns' there.

richard moore · #24 (**permalink**) 11-07-08, 07:41

Hello everybody. I'm interested in all the long gone burnley theatres and cinemas, particularly the Victora Theatre in the 1940's and 50's.

Kiki · #25 (**permalink**) 11-07-08, 16:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillowTheWhisp

Thanks Karen. It sounds like the place my mother used to refer to then. How odd that it should have two names. She did say they had a lot of famous 'turns' there.

I also think it was called "The Empire "at one time

CanCan · #26 (**permalink**) 12-07-08, 08:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kiki

I also think it was called "The Empire "at one time

No, not the palace, the Empire was Tunstill's mill in 1894 and was rebuilt. Opened on October 28th 1894 completed reconstruction in 1911. And called then 'The Empire Music Hall'. And was situated on Cow Lane. Karen

CanCan · #27 (**permalink**) 12-07-08, 13:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by richard moore

Hello everybody. I'm interested in all the long gone burnley theatres and cinemas, particularly the Victora Theatre in the 1940's and 50's.

Hi Richard, have a few books that tell you about the theatres of Burnley mainly the beginnings of them. Burnley library state on their wesite that they have special collections on the threatres of Burnley, contact them via email they are very helpful. I myself am trying to get to Burnley to visit the library just trying to arrange a day to go, as my main aim is the library if can be of any help let me know!!! Karen.

CanCan · #28 (**permalink**) 12-07-08, 13:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by beechcroft

Your grandpa probably put the spotlight on an act I am trying to trace called Rameses. He appeared at the Palace on August 19th. 1912. Does anyone have information on him please? He was a very big star Egyptian dressed magician / illusionst travelling to the USA in 1910 South America in 1913 and also later to South Africa. Remember this was 1912. so air travel had not arrived.

Hope somebody out there can help. Anyone got a theatre poster or programme from his appearance. Are there any archives of The Palace theatre. Where could I find a picture of the outside of of the interior please
Many thanks
Chris

Hi Chris, Burnley library website states it has special collections of the theatres of Burnley including the Palace a picture in a book called 'Burnley-A pictorial history' by Brian Hall & Ken Spencer has a picture of the interior of the Palace from 1922. Picture no 130. The exterior picture from 1907 picture no 129. Karen

CanCan · #29 (**permalink**) 12-07-08, 13:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by burnleyhomegirl

My Mother said her Great Grandfather was one of 3 Smith Brothers who built the Palace in 1907 they also built the Gem and the Imperial.
I have enjoyed your posts and would love to hear any stories of the Palace or the Smith Brothers. I'm trying to find bits of family history that has been totally lost. Any knowledge of any of these things would be helpful. note: I no longer live in the region.

Here's all I know from the Book "Burnley as it was"
"Opened in Dec 1907, the Palace cost 13,000. and would seat 2,200 people...It was erected by a local building firm, Smith Brothers, and saw revues, varieties, classical concerts, film shows, and Municipal Concerts through nearly 60 years of entertainment."

Hi, found a little more info on the smith bros . They signed a contract on 18 June 1907 to build the Palace and finished it in record time as it opened on 2 dec 1907 and was demolished in April 1973.