Palladium Theatre, Edinburgh

Former theatre in Edinburgh, Scotland, UK

55°56′42″N 3°12′11″W / 55.945°N 3.203°W / 55.945; -3.203ConstructionOpened1886^[1]Demolished1984^[1]

The Palladium Theatre was a theatre at East Fountainbridge in Edinburgh, Scotland.^[2]

It was originally built as the Royal Circus by John Henry Cooke, opening in 1886.^[3] By 1908, it had been converted for use as a cinema and was rebuilt as a purpose-built cinema in 1911.^[4] After it closed as a cinema in 1932, it was used as a theatre by Millicent Ward and her Company (during which time John Le Mesurier made his professional stage debut there) until 1935 when it reverted to use as a venue for variety shows. During this period of its existence, stars including Lex McLean, Donald Peers, Robert Wilson and The Alexander Brothers performed there.^[3]

By the 1950s it was in use as a venue in the early years of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.^[5] It finally closed for theatrical use in 1966, and was then converted into a bingo hall.^[4]

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, it was a nightclub known as the White Elephant, before changing its name in the late 1970s to Valentino's.^[6] During this time it hosted bands including Slade, The Cure, U2 and New Order. For a time it was also known as The Muscular Arms.^[6]

The venue was demolished in 1984^[1] and the site is now occupied by Government offices.^[4]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c "The Palladium Theatre, Edinburgh". arthurlloyd.co.uk. Retrieved 12 March 2017.
^ "Palladium Edinburgh". www.scottishcinemas.org.uk.
^ ^a ^b "Palladium Theatre, Edinburgh". Scottish Theatre Archive. University of Glasgow. Retrieved 13 March 2017.
^ ^a ^b ^c "Edinburgh, East Fountainbridge, Palladium". Canmore. Retrieved 12 March 2017.
^ Moffatt, Alistair (1978). The Edinburgh Fringe. London: Johnston and Bacon. ISBN 0-7179-4245-7.
^ ^a ^b "Valentino's/White Elephant". Edinburgh Gig Archive. Retrieved 12 March 2017.

External links

Palladium, Fountainbridge, Scottish Cinemas and Theatres Project

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