Palace Theatre Centre

Jolly façade characteristic of its date, in red brick and stucco. Broad centrepiece, with a high-level panel, originally bearing the name of the theatre in bold lettering (now removed), topped by a curved moulding enclosing an oeil-de-boeuf window. Above is a straight, balustraded parapet linked by scrolls to symmetrical flanking towers with curly parapets and two stages of closely-spaced pilasters. The former pit and gallery entrances, at the base of each towers, have bold semi-circular pediments enclosing cartouches supported by mermaids. The towers were originally capped by small domes but these have unfortunately been removed. A pretty iron entrance canopy has also been lost.

In the 1960s the main entrance doors and windows were completely altered. The design of the auditorium is an interesting example of the tail-end of the Victorian/Edwardian tradition; clearly showing the influence of the ciné-variety type. Although the present seating capacity is only 600 (including gallery with benched seating) the impression is of a much bigger auditorium. This is largely due to height and depth rather than width - which is only 13.1m (43ft). The first balcony has 10 rows then a gangway, but beyond this is a narrower rear section with a further 6 rows, the last of which is 22.85m (75ft) from the stage - a considerable distance. Both balconies directly abut the side walls but are linked decoratively by concave plasterwork panels to the most impressive features of the auditorium - pairs of boxes on either side of the proscenium at first balcony level, surmounted by rather splendid, onion-domed, plasterwork canopies. The proscenium is rectangular, 7.92m (26ft), and has a curved sounding-board above it. Set in front of this, on a line midway between the domes of the boxes, is an unusual feature - a flattened, pointed arch which spans the full width of the auditorium. Above this is the main ceiling which is flat and geometrically subdivided by fruit and flower mouldings. The auditorium still has its original brass light fittings. On either side of the proscenium are decoratively framed panels which were used to indicate the programme number of variety acts - few such panels now survive. The fly tower is very shallow and to supplement this a permanent apron stage was put in at an early date

In 1982 the theatre was extended to the right with a plain brick façade, deep projecting band at roof level and entrances under a plain canopy. This extension contains the Dixon Studio Theatre.