Please help the Palace Theatre

Last few days left for Plymouth's Palace Theatre crowdfund to hit target crowdfund to hit target

THERE’S only a few days left to be a part of the Palace Theatre’s crowdfunding drive to light the place up.

The charity GO! have seen a magnificent response from members of the Plymouth public and businesses with more than £10,000 raised over the past few weeks.

With just five days left to reach the magic £15,000 supporters and volunteers who have already worked tirelessly to help refurbish the Victorian Grade II* listed building are now urging the public to help with the final push.

The money will be used to help the first phase of lighting and electrical work at the building ahead of the expected Christmas concert, which will see hundreds of musicians and singers fill the building with song.

Heather Hunter, the chief executive of the GO! charity, said the ‘Let There Be Light’ crowdfunder appeal has been greatly helped by generous donations both big and small.

To date, three crowdfunders – believed to be local businesses – have assisted the appeal with pledges of £1,000 apiece. Two have pledged £500 each while 60 people have pledged £5 and 77 have pledged £10
Some pledgers have been rewarded with additional exclusive officers including a personal A5 limited edition printed copy of the Palace Theatre staircase or its outer facade by local artist Sarah Smalldon.

Two generous crowdfunders have been handed an overnight stay in a four-poster bed at the New Continental Hotel as well as a VIP guided tour of the theatre.

Many crowdfunders will see their names immortalised on plaques within the building or receive a special crystal limited edition engraved paperweight of the Palace Theatre

Mrs Hunter said: “Work is well underway we are on track for hosting the first live concert in over three decades.

“The special incentives and rewards for the pledges have come about because of the kind generosity of local businesses and individuals.

“We do still need the public’s help and can accept pledges of any amount at our crowdfunder site.”

To make a pledge visit crowdfunder.co.uk/gopalaceplymouth



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First concert in three decades FFS! Am I that feckin old, good gawd. Love the old place and have bunged a few quid in memory of Chumbawumba, Hawkwind, Dr. Feelgood, The Cure plus loads more and local bands and beer in the Phoenix next door. Great days and nights.

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Worth a look, Laurel and Hardy supported by Tony the wonder horse once played there, I shit you not.

Zyph and Pepsi were there.

Plymouth council say they won't help matchfund

GENEROUS donors have helped the Palace Theatre reach its first crowdfund target – although council chiefs admitted they chose not to match-funded the public’s efforts.

The charity GO!, which is undertaking the huge restoration project, appealed to Plymouth people and businesses to help them raise £15,000 for its “Let There Be Light” crowdfund scheme to illuminate the building and prepare much needed electrical work.

Volunteers and supporters had already worked tirelessly to help refurbish the Victorian Grade II* listed building and the final push was needed to hit the target.

Some crowdfunders donated as much as £1,000 apiece, while others chipped in with donations of £5, £10, and up to £500.

The target was smashed over the weekend shortly after news emerged of the appointment of a new musical director, Marcus Alleyne, and of the much heralded Christmas concert, which will see hundreds of musicians and singers fill the building with song.

Many crowdfunders will see their names immortalised on plaques within the building or receive a special crystal limited edition engraved paperweight of the Palace Theatre. Others will be given extra special VIP treatment at a city hotel, as well as behind the scenes guided-tours.

Heather Hunter, the chief executive of the GO! charity, said she was hugely grateful for the generosity of the Plymouth people and city firms.


She said: “Everyone here at GO! wants to say a massive thank you to all those who have donated and helped us reach our target of £15,000 two days ahead of schedule in the ‘Let There Be Light’" campaign.

“It is going to make a huge impact on the first stages of the theatre lighting and the campaign has really demonstrated the public love for the Palace Theatre.

“All the funds donated have been from local people and businesses. We are still also of course hopeful of receiving match funding from Plymouth City Council and sponsors of the Plymouth crowdfunding site.”

However, when asked by The Herald, the council appeared to pour cold water on the possibility of the Palace Theatre receiving any financial help.

In a statement asking about the possibility of match-funding, a council spokesperson said: “Plymouth City Council is excited to be running this innovative Crowdfund Plymouth campaign, distributing £60,000 to community projects in the city.

“We have chosen to use the Crowdfunder website to pledge up to 50 percent of projects’ costs – up to a maximum of £5,000 each – that meet the criteria and priorities.

“We are really pleased with the programme so far and it is great to see so many projects reaching their funding goals.

““We do not provide the reasons for not pledging on individual projects, but we can confirm that no commitment to matchfund monies raised in relation to the Palace Theatre has been made by the council

Could it be competition for the Theatre Royal and Brent Pavilions?

A COMMUNITY orchestra and choir which aims to help raise the roof of the Palace Theatre has had their first full rehearsal.

Under the watchful gaze of conductor and the Palace Theatre’s new and permanent director of music, Marcus Alleyne, more than 200 musicians – made up of the 140-strong choir and 65-strong orchestra – sat together in the Church of The Ascension in Crownhill after weeks of separate rehearsals.

The entirely voluntary orchestra and choir – named the Palace Theatre Philharmonia and Chorus – is made up of hundreds of locals who have dedicated their time and musical experience with the aim of putting a Christmas concerted in the Grade II* listed building in December.

Marcus, who studied at Plymouth University, said the union of orchestra and choir was “brilliant”.

He said: “The choir have been rehearsing since September, they’ve had four rehearsals together, while the orchestra have rehearsed twice as a group.

“It was phenomenal to hear them all together for the very first time. I remembered back to the first rehearsal and the sound was overwhelming, but with the larger orchestra everything was much richer in tone. Putting them all together, hearing the sound was really incredible.”

Marcus said the philharmonia and chorus performed a “fantastic arrangement of Dan Forrest’s Oh Come All Ye Faithful. He’s an American composer and conductors and I believe it’s the first time in the UK this piece has been performed like this.”

“The audience will be in for an absolute treat.”

Marcus said the plans aim to see four full performances in the Union Street building, with the first night on December 14.

Went pass yesterday they are working hard to get it ready

Sadly, like most things in this country, and Plymouth in particular, It's being done on a shoestring budget and when 'finished' will be but a pale reflection of it's former glory. At least something's being done I suppose. On a similar note, the former snooker hall at Duke St, Devonport has been empty and left to rot for over 10 years, this architecturally important (Foulston ?) grade ll listed building is now in a sorry state and has been deliberately (IMO) left to disintegrate so some shitehouse can come along, knock what's left of it down and replace it with a modern monstrosity to blend in with the rest of the short term crap new stuff being chucked up around there.

AstiSpumante wrote:

Sadly, like most things in this country, and Plymouth in particular, It's being done on a shoestring budget and when 'finished' will be but a pale reflection of it's former glory. At least something's being done I suppose. On a similar note, the former snooker hall at Duke St, Devonport has been empty and left to rot for over 10 years, this architecturally important (Foulston ?) grade ll listed building is now in a sorry state and has been deliberately (IMO) left to disintegrate so some shitehouse can come along, knock what's left of it down and replace it with a modern monstrosity to blend in with the rest of the short term crap new stuff being chucked up around there.

like The Belgrave in Mutley, that coming down.

Some great times down around Duke St in the past. The Chapel on the corner being an old hunting ground during my apprenticeship years.

AstiSpumante wrote:

Sadly, like most things in this country, and Plymouth in particular, It's being done on a shoestring budget and when 'finished' will be but a pale reflection of it's former glory. At least something's being done I suppose. On a similar note, the former snooker hall at Duke St, Devonport has been empty and left to rot for over 10 years, this architecturally important (Foulston ?) grade ll listed building is now in a sorry state and has been deliberately (IMO) left to disintegrate so some shitehouse can come along, knock what's left of it down and replace it with a modern monstrosity to blend in with the rest of the short term crap new stuff being chucked up around there.

I knew it as the car tax office for Devonport, trying to remember if it was a library before that.


The Chapel, that was a strip club before coming a coop shop

Tgwu wrote:

AstiSpumante wrote:

Sadly, like most things in this country, and Plymouth in particular, It's being done on a shoestring budget and when 'finished' will be but a pale reflection of it's former glory. At least something's being done I suppose. On a similar note, the former snooker hall at Duke St, Devonport has been empty and left to rot for over 10 years, this architecturally important (Foulston ?) grade ll listed building is now in a sorry state and has been deliberately (IMO) left to disintegrate so some shitehouse can come along, knock what's left of it down and replace it with a modern monstrosity to blend in with the rest of the short term crap new stuff being chucked up around there.

I knew it as the car tax office for Devonport, trying to remember if it was a library before that.


The Chapel, that was a strip club before coming a coop shop

It was both at the same time IIRC, car tax upstairs and library downstairs. Unsure of it's use before that but it was a grand old building dating from 1830ish I believe and very sad to witness it's current predicament.

The Old Chapel was a bar/pub although strippers were a common sight A great atmosphere if a little rough around the edges and not recommended for the fainthearted or those unfamiliar with the area. Now a Co-op as you say.

Brings back memories that does. Pot Black was the snooker club, owned by Bill Oliver. I was good mates with his bhey Gary back in our yoof. Many a night was spent there playing snooker right thru to dawn. Good times.

Great bloke Bill, when he owned the club it was a fantastic place. Sadly the new owners neglegted the place and the downward spiral that led to today's eyesore began, apparently it's in council hands now after some sort of compulsory purchase type thing so hopefully the building is safe and can be restored.

The guy turfed out of White Rabbit Bretonside has taken on the old Bierkeller building couple of doors down from Palace to start up as a live music venue for the 750-1500 att sized gigs, which have been missing since the 80's

Good luck to him.

Herald article on the the purchase of C103/ Old Bierkeller-

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AstiSpumante wrote:

Sadly, like most things in this country, and Plymouth in particular, It's being done on a shoestring budget and when 'finished' will be but a pale reflection of it's former glory. At least something's being done I suppose. On a similar note, the former snooker hall at Duke St, Devonport has been empty and left to rot for over 10 years, this architecturally important (Foulston ?) grade ll listed building is now in a sorry state and has been deliberately (IMO) left to disintegrate so some shitehouse can come along, knock what's left of it down and replace it with a modern monstrosity to blend in with the rest of the short term crap new stuff being chucked up around there.

Seems to happen all too often to historic property. Oldway mansion anyone ?

PICTURES: Inside the Palace Theatre as its restoration gathers pace

These pictures show how far the Palace Theatre restoration project has come, which is being led by community organisation GO! Lord Mayor Cllr John Mahony is pictured on a tour of the historic building

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More photos
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Historic Plymouth hotel to become halfway-house and training base for young offenders

An historic Plymouth city centre hotel is to be turned into a ‘halfway house’ and training centre for young offenders by the charity behind the restoration of the Palace Theatre.

GO! (Great Opportunities) has acquired the lease to the Great Western Hotel, latterly known as The Malthouse, next door to its project at the theatre in Union Street.

It plans to use the former hotel and bar as a community project for young offenders and young learners as well as generating revenue to fund its restoration projects.

22 bedrooms will be built in the upper part of the hotel and the downstairs bar will be turned into a training kitchen.

This is the first time the entire building has been held by one owner in the last 70 years.

GO! chief executive Heather Hunter said: “We will be using the Great Western Hotel to accommodate young people who have come out of prison as well as young learners.

“Downstairs the building will offer young people the chance to train as a large catering facility will be built.

“There will be catering units providing opportunities for young people to train and there will be other catering opportunities in the hotel.”

As well as catering young people will learn construction industry skills as they take part in the resoration.

GO! head of education, John McColl said the building is being renovated by the community, for the community.

He said: “We will be running education courses alongside those volunteering so that people can get work.

“Having an onsite education provision is going to be critical in maximising productivity.”

The plan for the site next door to the Palace Theatre comes as a critical stage for the original project.

This week the Lord Mayor Dr John Mahony and MP Oliver Colvile, both visited the Palace Theatre and gave their public backing to the development.

“My visit is to publicly show my support for the renovation,” said the Lord Mayor.

“It really is an iconic building with an amazing amount of décor and design that is in danger of being lost.

“Hopefully we will be able to save it just in the nick of time.”

The Lord Mayor’s support is the first time the theatre has received public backing from a member of Plymouth City Council (PCC) - which recently declined to provide a £5,000 grant for the restoration.

A PCC spokesperson said: “We do not provide the reasons for not pledging on individual projects, but we can confirm that no commitment to matchfund monies raised in relation to the Palace Theatre has been made by the Council.”

Once the Palace Theatre is fully restored it is hoped it will become a major part of Plymouth’s arts and culture scene.

GO! advisory board chairman Ian Wren said: “Principally to begin with it is going to focus on music followed by dance and ballet and possibly drama.”

Ian says that with the development of Sherford, there will be a greater influx of people looking to be entertained, and the Palace Theatre can provide that facility.

“There are certain organisation that would like to perform more often in the Theatre Royal but they only get one slot a year,” he added. “The Palace Theatre would provide a new stage for them to do so

Plymouth's Palace Theatre Christmas concert relocated due to appalling weather

HIGH winds and appalling weather which damaged parts of the Palace Theatre’s roof has meant the much-awaited Christmas concert will be relocated to Plymouth’s Guildhall.

A large ‘lantern’ which sat atop the dome was recently ripped from its housing during high winds. Work by scaffolders was set to take place to allow repair work to continue but the further high winds and torrential rain over the past two weeks has set back the timetable.

To compound the delay, Health and Safety inspectors from Plymouth City Council made an unexpected visit last week, demanding to see the Grade II* listed building’s asbestos certificate.

The charity was unable to provide the certificate immediately and as a result the decision was made to close the building to tours and internal work.

Heather Hunter, chief executive of GO! (Great Opportunities) Together, the charity overseeing the refurbishment of the Victorian theatre, said the combination of incidents meant delays in key work which would have been vital for the concert to take place inside the building.

She said: “We made the decision that rather than risk the concert not going ahead, or delaying it, we would relocate it to the Guildhall.

“About three weeks ago a big storm ripped the lantern off the roof, taking it off the dome. Roofers have been ready and willing to do the work necessary to secure the roof, but they’ve not been able to due to appalling weather conditions.

“The asbestos certificate exists – I’ve had it in my hands – but we were unable to present it when health and safety inspectors called unannounced late last week.

“As a precaution, we have ordered a new certificate to be completed, which takes several days. We’ve had to close the building to tours, which we apologise for and have tried to contact all those who have booked to be shown around this wonderful building during that time.

“I made the decision to relocate the concert. The damage to the roof meant we had issues with rainwater, which in turn meant vital electrical work could not be carried out, which resulted in concerns over the concert.

“The delays put us behind schedule and rather than risk having to call off the concert at the last minute, wasting all the brilliant efforts of the musicians and choir, I decided to book the Guildhall instead.

“In addition, since we have recently acquired the Great Western Hotel, we are taking the opportunity of having the entire building surveyed in readiness for the main building programme in the new year.

“The show will go on, and all the money raised will still go towards the refurbishment of the Palace Theatre.”

The Christmas concert, by the 200-strong Palace Theatre Philharmonia and Chorus – will take place on December 14 from 7.30pm.

Tickets will be on sale shortly.

A document about the Palace Theatre, which has been in Plymouth City Council's possession since early 1996, includes a "risk management" study which included asbestos.

The document states: "Although access was limited, the condition survey did not reveal the presence of any asbestos. Due to the age of the building, asbestos could only have been introduced during subsequent modifications. the nature of which, having regard to those catalogued in research conducted by the architects, was unlikely to have resulted in its widespread application. No specific contingency has thus been allowed for removal."

Plymouth City Council has not yet responded to the question as to why its Health and Safety inspectors chose to carry out the unannounced visit to the theatre, just one week after the charity's refurbishment work gained the public support of both the city's Lord Mayor Dr John Mahony and MP Oliver Colvile

Good on the council H & S inspectors for showing up unannounced, needs to happen more often IMO, keeps the fly-by-nights on their toes. Next up - Plymouth Argyle's decrepit Grandstand.

Presenter Judi Spiers to become Plymouth Palace Theatre's new Patron

FORMER BBC radio presenter Judi Spiers is set to become the Patron of Plymouth’s Palace Theatre.

Famed for her immensely popular Radio Devon show which ran from 2005 to this year, as well as her work on BBC One’s Pebble Mill, Radio 2 and ITV’s TSW station, Judi said he has many memories of the building.

She said: “I’ve been around for quite a few incarnations of the building and we’ve seen various people buying it, giving it big openings and sadly even bigger closings.

“It’s such an amazing theatre. We do have a lovely theatre already in Plymouth but when we have one like this we should preserve it.”

She said the Palace has an incredible history with some of the great actors and performers of the age treading its boards.

Her own memories including seeing singer Alvin Stardust appearing in panto for Robinson Crusoe.

She added: “I remember introducing bands and one time a punk band didn’t turn up.

“Luckily on the bill that night was Edwin Starr. I told him the punk band hadn’t turned up and he did an extra half hour and tore the place up. All the young people there like ‘wow!’”.

He also remembers the place being packed for “Mr TSW” which became a cult event in the 1980s.

Judi said: “Plymouth has lost far too many historical buildings and it’s about time we held onto a few. It would be lovely to hang onto something as it was intended to be, rather than turn it into something else.

“It will cause such a storm far and wide to see it returned to being a theatre. Performers like Roy Hudd will be thrilled.”

Judi said the role of Patron was offered to her following an invite to have a look around the theatre by the charity GO!, who are refurbishing the Victorian building.

She said: “I said ‘yes please’ to looking at the building and then all of a sudden it was ‘how would you like to take part in a video about the building’ and I said yes please.

“And when they asked ‘how would you like to be a patron’ I said ‘yes please!’.

“I like the idea that it’s to be open doors, with people using it for all sorts of things. So many drama groups are in need of good venues.

“The feel of a good old Victorian theatre is wonderful.

“It’s not just a Leviathan. It’s got to be multipurpose and cherished as it used to be and given the respect an elderly lady deserves.”

A spokesman for GO! said: “GO! are delighted to announce that Judi Spiers has agreed to be a Patron for GO! and the Palace Theatre restoration project.

“Judi’s professional experience in broadcasting and her local knowledge will be a great asset to our newly forming Palace advisory board.

Ian Wren, chairman of advisory board “Judi Spiers local broadcaster. media personality and Plymouth maid adds her enthusiasm and support to the project for the regeneration of the city's oldest theatre by becoming a patron.

“Judi has expressed her delight and excitement at being involved and can’t wait to start making a promotional film which will include her personal memories of the Palace Theatre”.

Heather Hunter, GO!’s chief executive added: “I have admired Judi’s work as a presenter and broadcaster for many years and am really pleased to welcome her as our Patron”

Palace Theatre Philarmonia and Chorus to perform for the first time tonight

THE Palace Theatre Philarmonia and Chorus will perform publicly for the first time.

The Group from the charity GO! will perform a wide range of popular Christmas songs and medleys at a Christmas craft fair tonight.

They will perform at the Jeremiah’s Journey Christmas Craft and Gift Fair from 5.30pm to 9.30pm at Boringdon Park Golf Club tonight.

The Palace Theatre will be joined by more than 40 local traders showcasing the perfect hand-crafted gifts for Christmas, lots of festive treats including mince pies and mulled wine as well as a Festive Photo Booth courtesy of Liberty Pearl Photography.

Marcus, director of music at GO! Palace Theatre said: "The Palace Theatre Philharmonia and Chorus are absolutely thrilled to have been invited to support their event this Christmas.

The savings market has been in the doldrums for the past few years with low rates offering little in the way of excitement for savers.

"You can hear this sneak preview of the Philharmonia and Chorus ahead of the main Christmas concert taking place on December 14.

"We are hoping to encourage as many people as possible at the craft fayre this Friday to support this worthy cause and raise vital funds for the tremendous work they do.”

The charity raises vital funds to provide therapeutic support to children and families who have experienced or are anticipating the death of someone special in Plymouth.

Sherelle, the event organiser said: “We are absolutely delighted to have the fabulous Marcus Alleyne and the incredible philarmonia and chorus performing to the public for the first time at our fair.

"It’s the perfect event to get you in the Christmas Spirit!"

Tickets to Plymouth's Palace Theatre orchestra Christmas show sell out in one day

The Palace Theatre Philharmonia and Chorus, under the command of Musical Director Marcus Alleyne, will be held on December 14 at the Plymouth Guildhall.

More than 800 tickets sold on the first day of sales.

Initially planned to be head within the Victorian building, restoration work was set back following numerous bouts of bad weather.

The event will see more than 200 musicians, made up of a full 70-piece orchestra and 140 singers and the money raised from the £12 tickets will go towards supporting the building and education programme, overseen by GO! (Great Opportunities) a charity working to provide opportunities in music, theatre, art, work, education and technology.

A spokesperson for the charity said: “Thanks to everyone showing their support for our Palace Theatre Philharmonia and Chorus Christmas Concert – we have now sold out on the first day opening sales which is just amazing.”

If anyone has missed out and would like to go on a waiting list in case any more tickets become available email [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]