Occupying a triangular site at the northern end of Swansea High Street, stands a three- storey Baroque red-brick building – a former Music Hall and Variety Theatre that has played host to the likes of Charlie Chaplin, Lillie Langtry and Marie Lloyd (and a few less illustrious acts including The Monopeds – a troupe of one-legged acrobats!). The Palace Theatre opened in 1888. It survived the blitz, became a temporary morgue, was the first venue in Wales to screen a silent movie, served as the setting of an Iris Gower trilogy and became a notorious gay nightclub in the early 80s. It is now sadly derelict and decaying.

120 years after its opening, we mark the occasion and draw attention to its fascinating past with a surreal homage that will re-examine and re-imagine its history. Interdisciplinary artist Marc Rees brings together two extraordinary performers and two brand new talents in a unique, strange and beguiling artwork. Threshold incorporates explorations from the dilapidated site; authentic artefacts; architectural musings; film footage; diary readings; decapitated Disco heads and adulterated high-energy dance anthems in an intriguing fusion of art installation and documentary-style performance.

Featuring Wendy Houstoun and John Rowley
And introducing Stephen Donnelly and Rachel Walsh
Design by Suzi Dorey

UNKNOWN PLEASURES is a series of exciting experiments in theatre by Volcano Theatre Company, Taliesin Arts Centre and Swansea Metropolitan University. This innovative partnership is bringing together Wales’s finest artists and its best emerging talents. Unknown Pleasures is a new wellspring of vitality in contemporary theatre. You saw it here first!

www.volcanotheatre.co.uk