Palace Theatre

Thomas Edward Collcutt designed the Palace Theatre, which opened in 1891. Back then, it was known as the Royal English Opera House, intended to stage operatic productions. After the closure of its first production, the theatre was sold by its commissioner, Richard D'Oyly Carte, at a loss to Sir Augustus Harris, who changed the name to The Palace Theatre of Varieties. Harris also struggled to make a success of the venue and in 1893 hired a new managing director, Charles Morton (known as the Father of Music Halls) to turn it around. Morton was succeeded by Alfred Butt in 1904, who enticed the likes of Buster Keaton, Fanny Brice and Nijinsky to perform at the theatre, known officially from 1911 as, simply, The Palace Theatre. He also hosted the very first Royal Variety Performance in 1912.