Watford Palace Theatre, opened in 1908, is an Edwardian Grade II listed building on Clarendon Road, Watford. The 600-seat theatre was refurbished in 2004. It houses its own rehearsal room, wardrobe, cafe and bar.
The theatre was originally built for the Watford Hippodrome Co., Ltd. The foundation stone of what was to become the Palace Theatre was laid on 3 June 1908. Five days later Mr H.M. Theobald, the architect, lodged the notification of his intention to build the theatre. Construction was undertaken by Barker Brothers of Maidenhead, and took six months, opening on 14 December 1908. The opening proprietors were the Watford Palace of Varieties Co., the Managing Director: Mr. T.M. Sylvester.
In early days it put on variety shows and plays, mostly imported from other theatres. Variety artists who appeared at the Palace included Marie Lloyd, Evie Greene and Lottie Lennox.[citation needed] The theatre also puts on regular Christmas pantomimes.
For almost a decade around the early 1960s the theatre was run by manager, actor and writer Jimmy Perry, best-known for co-writing the television series Dad's Army.
In September 2004 the theatre re-opened after a two year £8.8million Lottery funded refurbishment, which included more public space, two bars, a daytime café, air cooling and new seating. Access to the building was improved by the introduction of a lift to all levels, ramps and automated front doors.
In October 2015, the theatre won the Promotion of Diversity Award (joint winners with Leicester Curve) at the UK Theatre Awards 2015.
RIFCO Arts is resident theatre company.
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