Company (Green & Lenagan) presented the first ever Agatha Christie Theatre Festival it run from 8 May to 28 July 2001. The festival, featured all of Christie's 25 plays, including a semi-staged performance of the West End production of The Mousetrap using all of the actors of the West End cast of the 'World's Longest Running Play.' This was the first time The Mousetrap has been licensed in the UK outside of the West End since it launched in 1952. 25 actors for the 135 performances of all 25 of Agatha Christie's plays in a 12-week season to mark the 25th anniversary of the mystery writer's death. It is believed that the Palace Theatre holds the world record for performing Agatha Christie. The Dixon Studio complements the Main House with a wide range of performances by visiting small-scale touring theatre, dance and puppet companies. It also is used for some of the in-house productions and for workshops, talks, classes and educational work. Renovation and Southend Theatres On Saturday 29 June 2002 the Palace Theatre once again closed its doors to the public with its final performance by the British Touring Shakespeare Company with a modern and contemporary Production of Henry V. After only a short period, West End producers Green & Lenagan left the theatre without explanation, though there were many rumours in the local newspapers. After 9 months, The Palace Theatre was once again open, this time after important renovation work was carried out backstage to the sound and lighting equipment and the general fabric of the building. The theatre re-opened on 1 April 2003 under newly formed Southend Theatres, formed by merging Southend's Cliffs Pavilion and The Palace Theatre. The Palace will no longer be a repertory theatre. The new format for The Palace is one of receiving smaller scale national tours, big name major productions and intimate one-night shows featuring prominent performers. Notes References External links Official website Unofficial website Buildings and structures in Southend-on-Sea Theatres in Essex 1912 establishments in England