Swansea Palace - a variety of history (in production 2023)
A film about the Palace Theatre in Swansea, with appearances from the following:
Swansea Palace - a variety of history
The Palace first opened her door on Christmas Eve 1888 and the wonders of the World poured into Swansea. Marie Lloyd came to sing, French jugglers and comedians of all colours took to the stage. Performers brought animals that had never been seen in Swansea before; elephants, kangaroos, even fighting bears jostled alongside exotic women with snakes. Pioneering people of all races and backgrounds sang, contorted and danced.
The stage had the young feet of Charlie Chaplin clog dancing on it in 1899 and the spotlights lit up Antony Hopkins for his first public performance in 1960. The Palace is also the birthplace of cinema in Swansea.
The Palace survived the Nazi bombings in 1941, which devastated Swansea town centre. It was saved from dereliction in 1952 by a Coronation street actress, then settled into middle age as a Bingo hall. But the 1980s arrived and the Palace became a safe space for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. Then the DJ's got hold of it, opening up to thousands of people to party the night away until the Palace finally closed in 2007.
The stage had the young feet of Charlie Chaplin clog dancing on it in 1899 and the spotlights lit up Antony Hopkins for his first public performance in 1960. The Palace is also the birthplace of cinema in Swansea.
The Palace survived the Nazi bombings in 1941, which devastated Swansea town centre. It was saved from dereliction in 1952 by a Coronation street actress, then settled into middle age as a Bingo hall. But the 1980s arrived and the Palace became a safe space for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. Then the DJ's got hold of it, opening up to thousands of people to party the night away until the Palace finally closed in 2007.
A Music Hall since 1888
Palace covered in Plastic 2022
Now being renovated to reopen in 2023-24
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Filmmaker Paul O'Connor
Swansea’s gay venue
Palace Theatre, Swansea.
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In 2017 a group of residents gathered to 'levitate' the derelict Theatre using only the power of their minds. I was asked to film the levitation to ensure it was witnessed and recorded. They wanted a record to show how they would lift 10,000 tonnes of Ebbw Vale red brick and yellow Bath stone into the air.
Since that uplifting day, I have felt intrigued to dig deeper and gather peoples memories and stories from that old theatre to explore 130 years of incredible history.
The Palace is being renovated in 2023, so this film will be released to coincide with the re-opening in 2024
Please get in touch if you have a story to tell about your time at the Palace
I feel compelled to record these stories so, I will be filming throughout 2023 gathering memories.
If you, any family or friends have memories about their experiences at the Palace and are willing to share, please get in touch below
or phone or SMS me, Paul on 07973 298359
Since that uplifting day, I have felt intrigued to dig deeper and gather peoples memories and stories from that old theatre to explore 130 years of incredible history.
The Palace is being renovated in 2023, so this film will be released to coincide with the re-opening in 2024
Please get in touch if you have a story to tell about your time at the Palace
I feel compelled to record these stories so, I will be filming throughout 2023 gathering memories.
If you, any family or friends have memories about their experiences at the Palace and are willing to share, please get in touch below
or phone or SMS me, Paul on 07973 298359
Filming the Levitation of the Palace 2017
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The Palace story begins with Trams
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