After an unusual 100th year that saw emergency food parcels and Christmas presents for charities fill its stage rather than performers, the Palace Theatre in Newark is now ramping up its centenary celebrations once again.

An exhibition, on the stage itself, will feature programmes, costumes and objects from the theatre’s hundred years of history, but its star will be your memories.

While a start was made on collecting these last year, the theatre is now hosting two Virtual Memory Sessions, to take place over Zoom, on Saturday, 22nd May, from 11am to 12.30pm, and Monday, 24th May, from 2pm to 3.30pm.

All are welcome to share their fond memories of shows and films throughout the theatre’s past and invited to share items that tell stories of its history, but the team is particularly keen to hear from people who have worked there in the past and those who have memories or objects from before 1950. While there is a thorough archive of past Newark Amateur Operatic Society shows, memories are also sought from people who have been involved in other community performances at the Palace over the years.

Theatre manager Carys Coulton-Jones said: “We are enormously excited to be able to share our remarkable history in this upcoming exhibition. The Palace has been through a number of challenges over the past 100 years but the people of Newark have always supported it and that’s why your treasured memories are so important in telling its story. Our team are really looking forward to hearing them and including them in the exhibition for all our visitors to enjoy.”

Those who have stories to tell or objects to share should register to attend one of the sessions at www.palacenewark.com/centenary.

The Palace Theatre’s centenary exhibition is planned to run from late July to August and will be free to visit with donations welcome towards the Theatre’s ‘Our Past, Your Future Fund’, which benefits local young people pursuing a career in the arts.

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