Palace Theatre

The Palace Theatre stands in Mansfield, a town in Nottinghamshire. It opened in 1910 as Mansfield’s first cinema, showing silent films. In 1949 it became a live theatre, hosting names such as Larry Grayson and Steve Lawrence. The council bought it in 1953 and renamed it the Civic Theatre before restoring its original name. A major rebuild in 1963 gave it a new façade, and later refurbishments in the 1990s transformed it into a modern venue. The theatre is worth visiting because it has evolved from a cinema to a leading regional touring venue. After a £2.9 million redevelopment in 1997 it gained a wider stage, improved acoustics and better facilities. It now programmes classical music, opera and contemporary dance alongside variety shows, drawing audiences from within a 40-minute drive. Inside, visitors find a widened proscenium arch and a 60-foot fly tower for backdrops. The orchestra pit was extended, new seats were fitted and a lift was added for access. The foyer and public areas were modernised, and extra spaces now support corporate events and workshops. The result is a theatre that balances tradition with contemporary use.