The Palace Pier and its Theatre, Brighton
Formerly - The Chain Pier - Later - Brighton Pier
Brighton's Theatres Index
Above - Brighton's Palace Pier from an early postcard.
Brighton's Palace Pier
was one of the last piers to be constructed in England. Designed by
R St George Moore, it was to be built solely as an amusement and pleasure
emporium. At 1,760ft (533.3m) in length, and boasting a wider than usual
deck, the pier had everything the discerning tripper could wish for.
A 1,500-seater pavilion at the seaward end was complimented by smaller
pavilions containing dining rooms, grill rooms, smoking rooms and reading
rooms.
Right - A Heavy Wooden Sign advertising the Pier's Attractions, which was originally situated on the Palace Pier, Brighton, probably in the 1930s - Courtesy Vicky Schildkamp. If you can date the sign more accurately please Contact me.
There
were ornamental arches for the electrical illuminations, and an electric
tramway ran up the centre. Provision for bathers at the pier head, and
a landing stage for pleasure craft completed the picture. A contemporary
report at the time stated that the pier was "unequalled by any
similar undertaking in the United Kingdom". It had taken an unprecedented
10 years to complete, a record for any British pier.
Left - A Programme for the Palace Pier Theatre, Brighton in 1923 - Click for details.
Brighton’s famous chain pier was showing startling signs of decay after a long and active service, and discussions for its replacement had been ongoing during the 1890’s. In 1889 the Marine Palace and Pier Company purchased the chain pier for £15,000, with the intention of constructing a brand new pier. Government consent was granted on the condition that the old pier, which closed to the public in October 1896, be demolished.
Above - The Brighton Palace Pier from a 1909 Postcard - Courtesy John Crawford.
Above - Brighton Aquarium and Palace Pier shewing new Winter Garden - From a postcard sent in 1912.
Work
commenced on the new Palace Pier in 1891 but continued slowly due to financial problems. On 4th December 1896 a mighty storm destroyed the old chain pier.
Right - A Programme for 'Caste' by T. W. Robertson with Albert Chevalier and the Brighton Stock Company at the Palace Pier Theatre in 1917. - Click to see Entire Programme.
Substantially
constructed of timber, much of the larger debris from the old pier continually
smashed against the screw piles of the new pier, resulting in serious
damage.
Left - An early image of the Palace Pier, Brighton.
It seemed somewhat ironic that, in its final moments, the old pier should strike a blow against its sibling rival. The bulk of the new pier was completed by 1899 and, despite the fact it would take a further two years to complete the seaward end platform and an accompanying pavilion, it was decided that the official opening should go ahead.
Above - The Palace Pier, Brighton - From a postcard sent in 1913.
Shortly
after midday on Saturday 20th May 1899
a procession of local dignitaries, including the Mayor and Mayoress,
lead by the bandsmen of the Brighton Rifles made their way to the end
of the unfinished structure. Once the formal ceremony was over, the
party returned to the pier entrance. The Mayor and Mayoress then entered
the pier for a second time, but now paying the twopence toll.
Right - Brighton's Palace Pier Theatre.
With
the completion of the seaward end on 3rd April 1901,
the finished Brighton Palace Pier had cost a staggering £137,000.
It covered an area of 2.5 acres, and had used 85 miles of planking throughout
the structure.
Left - A Programme for 'She Wanted a Cream Front Door' at the Palace Pier Theatre, Brighton in 1947.
An ornate pavilion and winter garden was added at the
centre of the neck in 1910. Such splendour, admirably complimented by
the beautiful Victorian West Pier, and further
enhanced by the town’s Regency architecture, gave Brighton an enviable
appearance that no other resort could match.
Right - The Palace Pier and entrance to Aquarium, Brighton - From a postcard.
The pier was extended in 1938 but was sectioned as a war precaution two years later. When it was re-opened after the war, the pier continued to prosper. Little work, other than routine maintenance, was undertaken until 1973 when it was decided to demolish the unused landing stage at the pier head.
Above - Palace Pier & Wintergardens, Brighton at Night - From a postcard.
Whilst
this work was being carried out a gale caused a 70 tonne barge, being
used by the demolition company, to break free of its moorings. In
the heavy seas the barge was repeatedly smashed against the pier substructure
resulting in severe damage.
The oriental theatre suffered badly, with one side left precariously hanging over the sea, and the wrecked landing stage was eventually demolished in 1975.
Right - A Programme for 'Music Hall at The palace' produced at the Palace Pier Theatre, Brighton. Click for full Programme and articles on the Palace Pier and Music Hall.
In 1984 The Palace Pier was purchased by the Noble Organisation, and plans were announced to restore the damaged theatre. It was duly dismantled in 1986 and stored prior to restoration.
Above - The Palace Pier, Brighton and in the distance the West pier, Brighton, in 1931 - From The Bioscope, 17th of June 1931.
As
is often the case with developers, the whereabouts of the Palace Pier Theatre
is now uncertain and, despite protests from the Theatre
Trust and other bodies, the future restoration of that building
is now highly unlikely. A large amusement and pleasure dome now occupies
the old Theatre site.
Right - Brighton Pier in 2002 - Photo M.L.
With the imminent restoration of the Brighton West Pier, the Noble Corporation have again courted controversy by renaming this pier ‘Brighton Pier’ as opposed to ‘Brighton Palace Pier’
Left - A Programme for 'Lady Windermere's Fan' by Oscar Wilde at the Palace Pier Theatre, Brighton.
The above text is reproduced here courtesy The Heritage Trail.
I have heard mention that the roof of the Pier Theatre was clad with the aluminium from the roof of the Dome of Discovery after London's Festival of Britain closed in 1951 but have been unable to substantiate this yet. If you can prove this please Contact me.
Part of the Palce Pier was destroyed by fire on the 5th of February 2003. For more information see: Brighton Pier hit by fire.
Above - A Seating Plan for the Palace Pier Theatre from a Kelley's Directory of 1934 - Courtesy Stephen Wischhusen.