Palladium Theatre, Edinburgh

The Palladium Theatre was a theatre at East Fountainbridge in Edinburgh, Scotland.[2]

It was originally built as the Royal Circus by John Henry Cooke, opening in 1886.[3] By 1908, it had been converted for use as a cinema and was rebuilt as a purpose built cinema in 1911.[4] After it closed as a cinema in 1932, it was used as a theatre by Millicent Ward and her Company (during which time John Le Mesurier made his professional stage debut there) until 1935 when it reverted to use as a venue for variety shows. During this period of its existence, stars including Lex McLean, Donald Peers, Robert Wilson and The Alexander Brothers performed there.[3]

By the 1950s it was in use as a venue in the early years of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.[5] It finally closed for theatrical use in 1966, and was then converted into a bingo hall.[4]

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, it was a nightclub known as the White Elephant, before changing its name in the late 1970s to Valentino's.[6] During this time it hosted bands including Slade, The Cure, U2 and New Order. For a time it was also known as The Muscular Arms.[6]

The venue was demolished in 1984[1] and the site is now occupied by Government offices.[4]