Palace Theatre (Boston) facts for kids

The Palace Theatre was a popular entertainment spot in Boston, Massachusetts, many years ago. It opened around 1891 and closed in 1931. Located on Court Street, it was known as a "variety theatre," which means it showed many different kinds of live performances. Before it became the Palace Theatre, the building was home to an early movie theater called the Nickelodeon.

A Place for All Kinds of Shows

The Palace Theatre was famous for its "variety" shows. This meant you could see many different acts on one stage! Imagine a night out where you might see singers, dancers, comedians, and even acrobats all in the same show. Some of the groups that performed there included the Rose Hill Folly Co., Clifford & Dixon, and Murry & Murry.

Early Movies and Famous Faces

Besides live performances, the Palace Theatre also showed "photo-plays." These were early movies, a new and exciting form of entertainment at the time. People could watch silent films like The Exploits of Elaine and The Master Key. They also showed comedies starring the very famous silent film star, Charles Chaplin.

Who Ran the Show?

Running a big theatre like the Palace needed many people. Managers and owners made sure everything ran smoothly. Some of the people who helped manage the Palace Theatre over the years included William Austin, F. J. Pilling, George Milbank, and a team called Dunn & Waldron.

The End of an Era

The Palace Theatre was a busy place for about 40 years. It brought joy and entertainment to many people in Boston. However, like many old buildings, its time eventually came to an end. The theatre was torn down, or "demolished," in 1931.

Images for kids

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  Austin's Palace Theatre, 1890s

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  Advertisement, 1893

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  Advertisement, 1903

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  Detail of 1911 map of Boston, showing the Palace at Court and Sudbury Streets

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  Palace Theatre, ca.1916