The London Palladium has been a destination for many a London black cab over the years as the theatre has been dazzling audiences since 1910. Its history is packed with legendary performers, royal appearances, and even a few dramatic close calls that have become part of theatre folklore.
Opened on 26 December 1910, the Palladium was designed by renowned theatre architect Frank Matcham and built on a site previously home to a circus and an ice-skating rink. From the start, it was marketed as the premier venue for variety entertainment in London’s West End.
Over the decades, it became synonymous with star-studded performances. Legends such as Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, The Beatles, and Madonna have all graced its stage, cementing its reputation as the “home of variety.”
The Palladium has also been a frequent host of the Royal Variety Performance, especially during the 1930s and 1940s, when it welcomed members of the Royal Family annually.
During World War II, the Palladium remained open despite the dangers of the Blitz. In one extraordinary incident, an unexploded German parachute mine crashed through the roof and became lodged above the stage. Instead of evacuating permanently, the theatre called in the Royal Navy, who successfully removed the bomb—an escape as dramatic as any performance.
One of the most iconic moments in Palladium history came in 1963, when The Beatles performed at the Royal Variety Performance. Facing an audience that included the Queen Mother and Princess Margaret, John Lennon delivered a line that instantly became part of pop‑culture history:
“For our next number, I’d like to ask your help. The people in the cheaper seats, clap your hands. And the rest of you, if you’d just rattle your jewellery.”
Now owned by LW Theatres, the venue continues to host major musicals, concerts, and special events. In recent years, it has opened its doors for exclusive backstage tours, giving fans a rare glimpse into its storied past.
See the London Palladium on a black taxi tour of London!
Courtesy of Wikipedia. Image by MrsEllacott. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.