The Palladium Theatre, Fountainbridge, Edinburgh

Formerly - Cooke's Royal Circus / Palladium Cinema

Edinburgh Index

Above - The former Palladium Theatre, Edinburgh in a photograph taken in 1971 - Courtesy the Cinema Theatres Association.

The Palladium Theatre was situated in Fountainbridge, Edinburgh and was originally opened as John Henry Cooke's Royal Circus in 1886. This popular venue put on all manner of Circus acts and variety performances, including Christmas Pantomimes over the years and eventually started showing early moving pictures too.

Right - An Advertisement for the Pantomime 'St. George and the Dragon' at Cooke's Royal Circus, Edinburgh in 1890 - From the Stage Newspaper, 3rd of January 1890.

In 1912 the building was converted into a full time Cinema called the Palladium, the Bioscope reported on this in their 5th of December 1912 edition saying:- 'Those who remember the days of daring equestrian feats performed within the ring of Cooke's Circus, Fountainbridge, would be amazed at the transformation that has taken place within the building, which has been fitted up as a picture theatre by the Palladium Company (Edinburgh), Limited, the managing director of which is Mr. R. C. Buchanan.

The ring has disappeared, and seating accommodation has been provided for 1,600 people. A noteworthy feature is the four private boxes. All the most modern ideas have been incorporated in the construction of this theatre. The screen is of the latest design, and is of a patent silver construction. A large stage has been fitted up behind the screen, suitable for vaudeville purposes. Large cloakrooms have also been provided.

Opened on the 18th ult., there was at the first house an audience that completely filled all parts. The pictures were well shown, and the new house got a most enthusiastic reception. The orchestra is a very good one. The "Palladium" will be run under the resident managership of Mr. Alec. Gibson, late of the New Princes Cinema.'

The above text in quotes was first published in the Bioscope, 5th of December 1912.

Above - Three Twice Nightly 'Victory Vanities of 1963' Programmes from the Edinburgh Palladium for the 9th & 16th of September and the 7th of October 1963 - Kindly Donated by Ms Paula Lowry whose Grandmother Mrs Rose Campbell, both Edinburgh born, had kept them since she visited the Theatre in the 1960s.

The Palladium Cinema had first opened in 1912 and was redecorated in February 1920 although it remained open during the work, much to the annoyance of its patrons who had to negotiate themselves around the scaffolding to find their seats.

In 1931 reports began to be published on the possible purchase of the Palladium by a group hoping to found the 'Little Theatre Repertory Company' who wished to turn it into a legitimate Theatre for their use, however, this didn't come to pass in the end.

Right - A Programme for the Twice Nightly 'Summer Show' with Donald Peers and Billy Stutt at the Palladium Theatre, Edinburgh in September 1961.

By January 1934 it had become known as the Palladium Theatre however, when Millicent Ward with her 'Ward Repertory Players' took it over and ran it as a legitimate Theatre for a year, but it went back to showing Films again afterwards and by August 1935 the company running the Theatre had gone into Liquidation.

Later used for Variety shows the Palladium Theatre was taken over by the Victoria Circuit in January 1937 and it then continued in use as a Variety Theatre and later also as a venue for the Edinburgh Fringe until it finally closed under the ownership of Hamish Turner in 1968.

Subsequently the Theatre was turned over to Bingo use and then Nightclub use until it was eventually demolished in 1984 for the construction of an office building for the Government.

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