Roll up, Roll up for all the fun of the Palace

Last week I was watching the air show in rain sodden skies.

This week - at least as I write - the sun has come out and suddenly I can believe that summer has arrived.

What a change in the town!

I've been coming to Southend since I was a child but this is the first time I have experienced the day by day change that the sun brings to the place. It has transformed into a holiday town, full of fun and laughter.

People smile and say hello as they pass you in the street.

All through the winter we at the Palace Theatre, Westcliff, have been working on serious plays; the dark Christmas Carol, the anger of the Merchant of Venice and in Volcano, the emptiness of people'vs dreams.

Now with Perfect Wedding, the sheer fun and daftness seems to fit the mood of the town.

It's no accident that the play reflects the joie de vivre that is in the air.

The town has a buzz and energy. It has taken off its winter greatcoat and stripped down for action.

I realise that our responsibility at the Palace is to respond to that joy and energy and we must contribute our own share to the fun and enthusiasm.

Our programme needs to reflect the Southend summer and I hope, and believe, that in Rock 'n' Roll Rollercoaster we've succeeded in doing just that.

We have already started to think about transforming the Palace.

With a little advice from the experts down at Adventure Island, the theatre is turning into a fairground during August.

Already we are debating the relative merits of lucky dips versus coconut shies. Should we encourage candy floss? and are Punch and Judy up to it?

The aim is to ensure there is plenty of lively fun that is suitable for the whole family. No easy task!

At one end of the spectrum we've got Blunderbus Theatre Company doing Pumpkin Soup for the three to six-year-olds and at the other end Barry Cryer, of Two Old Farts fame, is visiting on the June 25 for a one-night special.

As the 25th also happens to be my birthday you can all help me celebrate by packing the building.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.