Palace Theatre & Dixon Studio
24th November 2007
Southend-on-Sea
History
The Palace Theatre is a theatre in the town
of Westcliff-on-Sea in the English county of Essex. Opened on Monday 21 October 1912, it was owned by Mr. Raymond of the Raymond
Picture Company who also controlled 14 other cinemas and theatres. By the standards of the day, it was a modern building,
claiming to be the only building of its time to be fitted so that "no matter from what part of the building spectators look
up to the stage, there is a clear and uninterrupted view". It seated 1500 compared to 603 today.
By 14 November it was known as the
"Palace of Varieties" and then in December 1912 became "The New Palace", presenting a forerunner of Opportunity Knocks.
In 1919 Mrs Gertude Mouillot bought the theatre for £25,000, intending to open it as a cinema but owing to the steep "rake"
of the circle, it was impossible to project pictures from the front. Accordingly a small annexe was constructed at the back
of the stage and rear projection was used. Unfortunately this meant that any films shown had to be run all the way through
on to a blank reel to make it the right way round for the audience and then re-run again afterwards to make it right for the
next person hiring it. The annexe is still there today and greatly used.
Between the two World Wars the theatre mainly
presented touring ballet and repertory companies which included many famous stars for the day: Ivor Novello, Matheson Lang,
John Clements, Ruth Draper, Lillian Braithwaite, Sybil Thorndike, and Sir Henry Irving. Throughout the Second World War the
theatre managed to generate an atmosphere of business as usual, and the building survived the air raids without serious damage.
As a result of some financial troubles the
theatre suffered a period of closure and in 1942 Mrs Mouilott presented the theatre to the Entertainment's manager for the
Southend Corporation. The Harry Hanson Court Players, who included a newcomer in the name of Dora Bryan, performed the opening
play. In 1957 the Palace Theatre Club was created dedicated "to encourage interest in all aspects of living theatre and, in
particular, the Palace Theatre". The Club still thrives today and helps fundraise to keep the Palace open. Over several years,
a number of other companies held the lease of the theatre and in 1965 Alexander Bridge was the tenant followed by Ray Cooney.
Crisis came to the Palace in 1969 when money
problems mounted and Haymarket Stage Productions announced their final show - The Last Laugh, and the theatre then
shut. The Palace Theatre Club swung into action and over 2000 signed a petition which was presented to the Council together
with 1400 letters in support of the Club's campaign. A protest march through the streets was held. As a result in 1970 Southend
Borough Council set up the Palace Theatre Trust which registered as a charity secured the task of establishing a repertory
theatre in Southend. Ray Cooney opened the theatre with a production of Spider's Web, and thereafter the repertory
seasons were produced under three successive Artistic Directors: Tony Clayton, Leslie Lawton and Christopher Dunham, the last
of whom spent over 25 years at the theatre. In 1973 Southend Council made generous donations to the Trust and the theatre
was extensively redecorated.
In 1980 the theatre had an opportunity to
obtain the property adjoining the west of the building and with considerable help from the Appeal committee set up to raise
funds for the redevelopment, half the cost supplied by Southend Council and a contribution from the Arts Council, the foyer,
courtyard, workshop, and wardrobe were built together with the Dixon Studio - a smaller auditorium with space for up to 100
patrons. The box office was moved to the new foyer which contains a large public bar and a small bistro. The alterations had
cost £314,000. The Palace re-opened in 1982 as the Palace Theatre Centre with a Gala Night performance of Cabaret.
In September of that year the Dixon opened with Duct for One.
In 1986 the theatre was re-wired and in 1987
it closed for three months whilst the main auditorium was restored to its Edwardian splendour. Some areas of seating were
reupholstered, lighting upgraded and a new carpet with the theatre's own logo laid in the foyer. This was rather appropriate,
for in October 1987 the theatre celebrated its 75th birthday. On 21 October 1992 the theatre celebrated its 80th birthday
with a play specially commissioned. It was written by Michael Wilcox who spent his childhood here in Westcliff. The incidental
music was provided by Barrington Pheloung, a local composer.
In March 1999 the theatre closed again, but
after only a short period of time Green & Lenagan were retained to operate and programme the theatre on behalf of the
Trust, for a period of five years. Roy Marsden has been appointed as Artistic Director of the Palace Theatre Repertory Company
and directs at least 5 in-house productions a year. In addition there are lively mix of visiting companies, local amateur
societies, one nighters and Sunday concerts. As before the theatre often hosts local bands on Sunday nights, and with free
entry the foyer is often full to capacity.
The New Palace Theatre Company (Green &
Lenagan) presented the first ever Agatha Christie Theatre Festival it run from 8th May 01 to 28th July 01. The festival, featured
all of Christie's 25 plays, including a semi-staged performance of the West End production of The Mousetrap using all of the
actors of the West End cast of the `World's Longest Running Play.' This was the first time The Mousetrap has been licensed
in the UK outside of the West End since it launched in 1952. In total 25 actors for the 135 performances of all 25 of Agatha
Christie's plays in a 12-week season to mark the 25th anniversary of the mystery writer's death. It is believed that the Palace
Theatre holds the world record for performing Agatha Christie.
The Dixon Studio complements the Main House
with a wide range of performances by visiting small-scale touring theatre, dance and puppet companies. It also is used for
some of the in-house productions and for workshops, talks, classes and educational work.
On Saturday 29 June 2002 the Palace Theatre
once again closed its doors to the public with its final performance by the British Touring Shakespeare Company with a modern
and contemporary Production of Henry V. After only a short period, West End producers Green & Lenagan left the theatre
without explanation, though there were many rumours in the local newspapers.
After 9 months, The Palace Theatre was once
again open, this time after important renovation work was carried out backstage to the sound and lighting equipment and the
general fabric of the building. The theatre re-opened on 1 April 2003 under newly formed Southend Theatres, formed by merging
Southend's Cliffs Pavilion and The Palace Theatre. The Palace will no longer be a repertory theatre. The new format for The
Palace is one of receiving smaller scale national tours, big name major productions, and intimate one-night shows featuring
prominent performers.
Palace Theatre - 430 London Road, Westcliff
On Sea, Essex, SS0 9LA
Investigation Details
This is our first investigation as the
new group but for most their second visit as investigators to the theatre.
All vigils were 30 minutes long
Investigation Team 1
Mark P
John C (Medium)
Vikki
Investigation Team 2
John D
Flip (Medium)
Paul (Medium)
Investigation Team 3
Julie
Cath
Teresa (Medium)
Investigation Team 4
Steve
John B (Medium)
Claire (Theatre Employee)
Equipment Used
EMF Meters
Environment Meters
Laser Thermometer
Digital Cameras
Video camera
Walkie talkies
Torches
Baseline tests
| |
Stage & Stalls |
Under Stage |
Dressing Room 1 |
Dressing Room 3 |
Dress Circle
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Emf |
5.2 |
2 |
10+ |
5.5 |
2 |
|
Laser Thermometer |
18.8 |
19.2 |
19.5 floor
16.6 wall |
16.0 floor
|
19.6 flor |
|
Rh% |
47.8 |
49.4 |
46.0 |
51.2 |
43.5 |
|
Ambient Temperature |
14.3 |
15.1 |
16.3 |
16.4
|
16.4 |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Incident Log
Team 1
1st Location Dressing room
32213hrs John C is being shown a cross 5ft high and it is on fire. He mentions his back has gone cold.
2215hrs John C says he can hear someone calling
out the names of the apostles then mentions he senses a man of the cloth.
2216hrs John C senses the smell of garlic
and onions back to the clergy man in high 5ft6/5ft8 almost Dick Emery type, large teeth, early Victorian wide brimmed hat,
gets the name Ebenezer, says he’s the fire and brimstone type.
2225hrs John C used a dousing crystal to
ask the preacher a series of questions, it would appear that there was a church on the site of the theatre.
2230hrs It also would appear that Ebenezer
(the preacher) was burnt in his own church as an act of covering up his murder by an actor. John C said that the preacher
returns to give guidance to the actors.
2240hrs End of vigil – a temperature
drop of 2c was noted.
2nd Location - Dress Circle Seating
On the way to location John C sensed
on the stairs a lady age around 30 moving down the stairs quickly, she had on a blue evening gown (post war)
2320hrs John C drawn to seat E3. Vikki senses
the smell of scented talcum powder and John C senses a well dressed man with a bushy moustache, a pompous man.
2325hrs John picks up the name Edward Thomas
or Thomas Edward late 60s well trimmed hair sliver in colour.
2327hrs John C says the man died of a heart
attack aged 68 in 1924- he always sat in seat E3. He had served as a Staff Officer 1914-1918.
3rd Location - Dressing Room 1
0015hrs Vigil Started
0045hrs Vigil Ended – Nothing to report
4th Location - Under Stage
0130hrs John C senses a girl called Jennifer
who was raped in the area, John C senses a white cross above Mark’s head.
0135hrs John C uses a dowsing crystal that
appeared to say that Jennifer was raped by another stage hand in 1963. Jennifer requested that she be helped across to the
other side. Her assailant was never caught.
0140hrs John C sensed a man named Robert
his in his 60s and has one arm that was lost in a woodworking accident and also served in WW2 in the Navy.
0150hrs John C senses that Robert was torpedoed
while on active service. Robert died around 1955-1960
(After this vigil the mediums felt it was
right to help Jennifer to cross over and with the permission of the theatre staff most gathered on the stage to do the clearance.
This was filmed by John Dolan on video camera and
Mark Parker with digital photo camera.)
5th Location - Dressing Room 4
0245hrs John C senses a man named ‘Arry’.
He is a gay and a camp dresser in his 50s with grey hair, wears a wig!
0246hrs John C uses his dowsing crystal from
this he gets that he served in the army in Burma in WW2 and died of natural causes.
0315hrs Vigil Ended
6th Location - Stage & Stalls
0330hrs Vigil Started
0400hrs Vigil Ended - Unfortunately notes
were not taken in this location due to a member of the team feeling unwell.
Team 2 Incident Log
1st Location – Under stage
2210hrs Vigil Start
2225hrs Paul senses a spirit by the mane
of George.
2228hrs Two taps are clearly heard in the
adjacent walkway
2240hrs Vigil Ended
2nd Location – Dressing Room
2315hrs Vigil Starts
2322hrs A sudden temperature drop is felt
by Charlotte and Paul picks up a name of a lady (Magaret Santini)
2230hrs Paul picks up on a man called Albert
who is thought to have died at the age of 57.
2345hrs Vigil Ended.
3rd Location - Dress Circle
0025hrs Vigil Starts
0055hrs Vigil Ended – Nothing to report.
4th Location – Dressing Room
1
0130hrs Vigil Starts
0146hrs Paul senses a ladies name ‘Marcia’
who he believes is of French Canadian origin.
Also a shadow is seen in the corner of the
room.
0200hrs Vigil Ended
5th Location – Dixon Studio
0245hrs Vigil Starts
0315hrs Vigil Ended – Nothing to report
6th Location – Dressing Room
4
0330hrs Vigil Starts
Orb caught on camera
0400hrs Vigil Ended
Team 3 - Incident Log
1st Location - Dressing Room 1
2210hrs Vigil starts -22:40
A man named Richard is picked up on.
A burning on the side of the face of one
of the team members is felt with the feeling of having a fatter face with a moustache.
Richard had something to do with working
dogs.
The sensing of a child that runs downstairs
and a light is seen flashing on the ceiling.
Picking up of a Matthews who is standing
with the team, he is 5ft 9 and is a friendly person.
Hangers in the wardrobe are moving and turning
with the other hanger swinging backwards and forward.
Richard Peters is a huntsman.
A clicking noise is heard.
A man named Raymond has a connection with
Richard. Richard was never married
Another click noise is heard from the back
of the room.
2240hrs Vigil Ended
2nd Location - Under Stage
2315hrs Vigil Starts
A man or woman is sensed and a change in
temperature is felt.
2330hrs A whistling noise is heard then a
noise at back of room.
A tap noise is heard and the presence of
a little girl is sensed.
Floor temperature 19c
2345hrs Vigil Ended
3rd Location - Dressing Room 3
0025hrs Vigil Starts
Temperature 13.1c floor temperature 18.4c
humidity 44.1
The year 1923 is sensed – the name
Albert Doubleat is picked up on, something happened to his stomach.
The faint sound of opera singing by a tiny
lady is heard.
0030hrs Picking up a shared comedy in 1923.
A person walking across the monitor is seen.
A woman who fell down some stairs is picked
up on.
0035hrs A woman showing a boat this
woman was Georgian and is pretty and laughing.
0040hrs Wearing a red evening gown black
hair around 23 years of age. She came here with her family. She was married.
0045hrs She was present in the room and she
was laughing. Her name was Marcy, not sure if that was a stage name, she sung on stage with a man.
Her father came to see her and a buzzing
feeling is felt on a team member’s legs.
0045hrs Vigil Ended
4th Location - Dress Circle Seating
0130hrs Vigil Started - Temperature 28.8c
- 27.7c - 28.8c
0135hrs A dark shadow to left side is seen
and a light going across one of the team member’s chest is also seen.
Temperature goes down to 19.9c.
A sensing of the feeling of going to the
pictures is felt.
0140hrs Sensing of a group of people.
An orb is seen in front and a cough is heard
in the middle of dress circle.
0145hrs A flashing orb went past one of the
boxes and a ruffling sound is heard. It is sensed there are three spirits in the stage area.
0150hrs Albert Applegate, a stagehand is
sensed walking at the top, he is a young person.
A woman dresser is sensed - her name is Mary
from 1900. She has a quite temper and is in her twenties and Irish.
5th Location - Dressing Room 2
0245hrs Vigil Started
A person named William is sensed, and a James
Barnes - they not related just friends. William was born in 1950 and died at twenty in 1970 went he had an accident. He was
doing something on stage circus and died at Blackpool. He lived in Margate. James was a comedian and is frightened of his
boss, he makes him feel sick. James was born 1910. He suffered from TB.
A paper tissue was seen lifting up and the
hangers move closer together.
0315hrs Vigil Ended
6th Location - The Dixon Studio
0330hrs Vigil Started
A tapping noise at the back of the studio
is heard. A white flicker of light over the wall is seen, working horses are sensed.
0340hrs Three knocks at the back of the studio
are heard then one closer to the group is heard.
A music band is sensed from 1942. Around
war time there was a dinner party with a lot of people, they are dressed in black suits and white shirts - short cut back
hair for men.
0400hrs Vigil Ended
Team 4 Incident Log
1st Location - Dress Circle Seating
2210hrs Vigil Started
A light flashed on stage area.
In Row N seat 3 an EFM reading of 6 is noted.
There is a bad feeling in the First left
box and it is sensed that a child fell from the Circle in he mid-1950s.
Fighting on stage is sensed in the 1970s.
2228hrs Someone falling down the stairs is
sensed and the EMF meter went up to 7-8 on its own.
Upper Circle temperature of 19.5c and Mid
Circle 21.5.
The sound of some small object falling is
heard.
2238hrs Light seen on stage twice.
2240hrs Vigil Ended
2nd Location - Dressing Room 1
2315hrs Vigil Started
The name Cecilia is picked up, she may have
had TB and could have been sleeping here during the late 1700s early 1800s.
2324hrs John B senses a burning smell and
the name George.
Temperature 21.6c then 18.6C.
2338hrs Orb seen on the camcorder.
2340hrs Vigil held.
3rd Location – Under stage
0025hrs Vigil Started - EMF reading 2
temperature 21.7
Footsteps heard above.
0055hrs Vigil Ended
4th Location - Dressing Room 3
0130hrs Vigil Started
Orb seen and the name Leanova was picked
up.
Another Orb Seen on locked of camera
0147hrs Temperature reading 16.7c to 19.3c,
room is cold then warms up. John Bradley feels sick and the room feels colder 19.4c
Claire’s left side of her face is cold.
John Bradley went into trance.
0200hrs Vigil Ended
5th Location - Stage and Stalls
0245hrs Vigil Starts
The name Ethel was pick up on only.
0315hrs Vigil Ended
6th Location - Dressing Room 2
0330hrs Vigil Started
A man in his 60s/70s a well liked man from
the mid-1960s.
He is lonely and dressed like Oscar Wilde.
The name Andrew Morley or Marnley was sensed,
he died 1975.
Harry (spirit) made noise on camera.
0400hrs Vigil Ended
Investigation Ends at 0400hrs
Conclusion
It is fair to assume that, given the long
and varied past of this theatre and the subsequent buildings that have stood on this site that there would be a fair amount
of paranormal activity, and although nothing conclusive was found on the night, this location remains a firm favourite with
the members of the Aspire Paranormal investigating team.
Our mediums did, however ‘pick up’
on quite a lot of information and one even went into a trance which is an unusual occurrence.
The Aspire team and the staff of the Palace
Theatre feel that due to the vastness of the building another visit could well prove to be useful, and we look forward to
organising this sometime in 2008.
The Aspire team would like to thank the staff
of the Palace Theatre for their hospitality and kindness they showed during our visit.
