Green’s Dictionary of Slang

paradise n.

the upper gallery of a theatre, the ‘gods’.

1864, 1867, 1870		Hotten Sl. Dict.
1873		Sl. Dict.
1895		C. Crowe Aus. Sl. Dict. 56: Paradise, the gallery of a theatre.
1937		Yorks. Eve. Post 12 Feb. 10/6: The ‘paradise’ is the gallery of a theatre’.

In compounds

paradise island (n.)

(N.Z. prison) a prison.

2001

D. Looser Boobslang [U. Canterbury D.Phil. thesis] 135/1: paradise island n. prison.