Supporters of the Palace Theatre were in party mood when they held a special event at the Edwardian building, in London Road, Westcliff.

Cheers! Palace Theatre Club secretary, Paddi Cole and chairman Peter Warden, toast another 90 years of history. Picture: MAXINE CLARKE ERKD21

Members of the 430-strong Palace Theatre Club commemorated the opening of the venue, 90 years ago - and also celebrated news that it is expected to re-open in the new year.

Event organisers launched balloons and drank a toast - with fruit juice - to the future of the theatre.

The non-alcoholic drinks were appropriate for the occasion because, when the Palace first opened on Monday October 21, 1912, it was actually a temperance theatre.

If theatregoers at the time wanted a drink during the interval, they had to nip next door to the Plough pub.

Published Tuesday October 22, 2002

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