The Palace of Varieties

Palace of Varieties was a site-specific dance performance project at The Parkway Cinema in Barnsley commissioned by the South Yorkshire Combined Mayoral Authority as part of the Shared Prosperity Funding.

Research for the project took place at the Experience Barnsley Archives as part of The Eldon Street High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) – an exciting 4 year partnership project between Barnsley Council and Historic England working with the local community to uncover and celebrate the stories and often overlooked heritage of Eldon Street – one of Barnsley’s most important historic high streets.

Visually striking, captivating, entertaining and fun for all the family, Palace of Varieties offered the chance for local people to experience the Parkway Cinema like never before.

Bringing together Gary Clarke’s epic dance storytelling performed by a company of incredible dancers, vivid moving images by award-winning filmmaker Josh Hawkins, a specially commissioned sound score by Otis Jones and costume designed by Hannah Boothman, The Palace of Varieties raced through the decades unearthing the rich histories and untold tales of one of Eldon Street’s best loved buildings. From blazing fires to iconic film, heated court cases to Miss Juliette’s performing sea-lions, Gary Clarke’s ramshackle travelling performance troupe took audiences on a thrilling ride through stories past. 

Palace of Varieties premiered at The Parkway Cinema on the 29th and 30th September 2023 for family audiences and featured special pre-show pop up performances from Mark Mark Productions. 

Gary Clarke Company also delivered various movement workshops to 42 students at Horizon Community College in Barnsley as well as a number of open rehearsals for Penistone Art Collective.