East London theatre where a young Charlie Chaplin performed

Its striking design, a red brick and Bath stone façade flanked by twin towers with stone and metal turrets was the work of renowned theatre architects Wylson and Long. They had been commissioned by a syndicate who also managed the Palace Theatres in Tottenham, Chelsea and East Ham.

The Palace was as striking inside as it was outside, with a cream, white and gold décor embellished with crimson velvet drapings. Rather reassuringly, ‘ample exits’ ensured that evacuation was possible within just two minutes, and the stage curtain was fitted with a sprinkler system. There were 1625 seats including the stalls, gallery and two boxes, and the seating layout allowed for an uninterrupted view of the stage from every part of the house. Very wisely the more expensive stalls seats were protected from missile-throwing from the higher cheaper seats by wire mesh.

One of the theatre's earliest programmes from 1904. Credit: Waltham Forest Archive and Local Studies Library

Known locally as 'Auntie Alice', The Palace started life as a music hall, (the only one in Walthamstow), and was initially rated as a No. 3 circuit venue. No. 1 rated venues hosted the top popular household names of the day, and No. 2s and No. 3s generally showed up and coming acts...or those at the end of their careers.

Marie Lloyd performed at the theatre in its early years

Performances were frequent, with two shows on weekdays and three on Saturdays. A typical show would comprise musical acts with the pit orchestra, and variety dance, comedy and juggling acts. Comedian Sam Mayo was popular in The Palace’s early years, known for his expressionless delivery, stooping posture, dressing gown and red wig. Other prominent acts included a young Charlie Chaplin, sand-dancing act Wilson, Keppel & Betty, and Marie Lloyd.

When music hall entertainment declined in popularity The Palace resorted to revues and concerts, and returned to variety shows in the economically leaner 1930s. However, dwindling audiences finally led to closure in 1940.

A 1937 programme from The Palace

A promising new lease of life came in 1946 when Ellen Beatrice Mala, also known as Countess Mala de la Marr, saw its potential as a theatre and staged a series of plays under a short lease. Mala had successfully staged productions at the Garrick and Winter Garden Theatres in central London, and hoped to bring success to Walthamstow. However, revenue was woefully insufficient and although occasional charity shows were held, The Palace owners resorted to staging nude tableaux shows and amateur ‘discovery’ nights. When even these failed to generate enough footfall, The Palace closed again, early in 1952.

A 1950 Walthamstow Palace Theatre programme

Later that year the tenacious Mala took on a 21-year lease, refurbished the building and reopened it as a repertory theatre. Sadly this phase was short-lived and although there was a brief return to variety and seasonal pantomimes, The Palace closed forever in 1954 and was demolished in 1960. Palace Parade, a row of shops with flats above, now stands on the site.

How Palace Parade looks today

Karen Averby is a seaside-loving historian and research consultant specialising in researching histories and stories of buildings, people and places. She researches house histories for private clients and collaborates in community heritage projects (karenaverby.co.uk). She is also director of Archangel Heritage Ltd, an historical research consultancy providing research services for the commercial heritage sector (archangelheritage.co.uk). Also found on Twitter @karenaverby and @archaheritage