Watford Palace Theatre has unveiled a bold new chapter in its 115-year history with the launch of five newly developed creative spaces, transforming the historic venue into a future-facing multimedia hub.
The transformation includes the addition of 1908 Cabaret, two new studio spaces, the Watford Palace Workshop, refreshed front-of-house areas, and a lovingly restored main house.
With a legacy of nurturing talent such as Ben Kingsley, Alison Steadman, and Vicky McClure, Watford Palace Theatre is laying the foundations for the next generation of artists and audiences.
1908 Cabaret will serve as a co-working space by day and a cabaret venue by night, with an opening programme that includes Sip and Craft Mondays, Local Artist Tuesdays, and Open Mic Wednesdays. All events are Pay What You Can, ensuring accessibility for all.
The Watford Palace Studios introduce two new spaces: Studio 1 for podcasting, livestreaming, and digital content, and Studio 2 as a professional rehearsal and showcase space. Studio 2 also becomes the new home of the Watford Palace Young Company.
The Watford Palace Workshop, formerly The Barn, is now a hands-on community creation space, hosting groups such as the Chinese Association and the Satsang Singing Ladies.
More than £1 million has been invested in environmental upgrades, making the theatre more sustainable and comfortable for audiences. The upcoming programme includes theatre, musicals, comedy, family shows, cabaret, and live music.
The theatre’s front-of-house has also been revitalised with arcade machines, bar games, and whimsical features like a fortune-telling pig, a Diva Test-o-Meter, and a hidden pink musical toilet named The Sir Elton John John.
CEO and Director of Programming Steve Marmion said, “This is a pivotal moment for this stunning 115-year-old theatre. The industry is under pressure like never before with decreasing funding and less money in people’s pockets. We have to react and find new audiences and new ways to be essential to our communities. These new – future facing – spaces will allow us to perform to new audiences on new stages and screens, launching artists from Watford to the world.”
“The work on the stages is brave, exciting and the very best live performance we could make or find. From world class comics and actors, to drag, plays, musicals, ballet and even space-horror – we have something for everyone. Our panto has the most gags and best cast yet (including Stephen Fry as the voice of the giant). And our bars and front of house spaces have had a full glow-up and are resplendent with new offers, games and fun shiny things to play with.”
More information can be found here.
