The history
The Alexandra Palace Theatre doors have now been closed to the public for more than 65 years, but when it first opened in 1875 it was designed to seat 2,500 people.
The second architect had little experience of theatre design, consequently, the large auditorium had poor sightlines and the two shallow balconies at the rear were too far from the stage. The architect made no provision for getting scenery on and off stage.
The auditorium has more in common with a large mid-nineteenth century music hall such as the ‘Canterbury’ than a theatre.
Its mechanised timber stage, characteristic of Victorian theatres, is the last surviving of its kind in its original state. The stage designer was T Walford Grieve, one of a family of set designers and painters. The stage was ingeniously adapted to compensate for the idiosyncrasies of the design. It is probably one of the earliest examples in English theatre architecture which has a facility for counterweight flying.
The building was used frequently as a cinema from 1901 until the outbreak of the Great War. The licensing authority at the time, which was Middlesex County Council, were concerned about the fire risks posed by highly flammable nitrate film stock used at the time. The film goers using the same balcony were not prevented from smoking. The projection box at the very back of the theatre is one of the oldest examples of early cinematography in London. In about 1907, the upper balcony was removed and fire protected staircases were built to serve the remaining gallery.
The theatre was closed between 1914 - 1918 and utilised instead as a centre for Belgian refugees it was also later used as part of an internment camp for German prisoners.
Former West End theatre manager and theatre buff, W MacQueen-Pope, was appointed manager of Alexandra in 1919 and set about restoring it. Currently the theatre is undergoing a structural and compliance survey to ascertain its condition. Resulting from these works, a cost plan will be produced and a business case compiled to ascertain its viability for future use.
Although the theatre has been closed for many years, occasionally they open its doors to the public for viewing; as a safety precaution viewing of the theatre is seen from its foyer.
The Explore
After a day wandering around in London that included visiting the abandoned Highgate station and an abandoned chemical works, myself and my companion ended up here.
We had heard all about the Theatre and I’d seen Speeds report from 2011 and I was keen to have a look inside. After wandering around the outside and finding it pretty secure we ventured inside.
I’ll let the pics do the talking as always
The Alexandra Palace Theatre doors have now been closed to the public for more than 65 years, but when it first opened in 1875 it was designed to seat 2,500 people.
The second architect had little experience of theatre design, consequently, the large auditorium had poor sightlines and the two shallow balconies at the rear were too far from the stage. The architect made no provision for getting scenery on and off stage.
The auditorium has more in common with a large mid-nineteenth century music hall such as the ‘Canterbury’ than a theatre.
Its mechanised timber stage, characteristic of Victorian theatres, is the last surviving of its kind in its original state. The stage designer was T Walford Grieve, one of a family of set designers and painters. The stage was ingeniously adapted to compensate for the idiosyncrasies of the design. It is probably one of the earliest examples in English theatre architecture which has a facility for counterweight flying.
The building was used frequently as a cinema from 1901 until the outbreak of the Great War. The licensing authority at the time, which was Middlesex County Council, were concerned about the fire risks posed by highly flammable nitrate film stock used at the time. The film goers using the same balcony were not prevented from smoking. The projection box at the very back of the theatre is one of the oldest examples of early cinematography in London. In about 1907, the upper balcony was removed and fire protected staircases were built to serve the remaining gallery.
The theatre was closed between 1914 - 1918 and utilised instead as a centre for Belgian refugees it was also later used as part of an internment camp for German prisoners.
Former West End theatre manager and theatre buff, W MacQueen-Pope, was appointed manager of Alexandra in 1919 and set about restoring it. Currently the theatre is undergoing a structural and compliance survey to ascertain its condition. Resulting from these works, a cost plan will be produced and a business case compiled to ascertain its viability for future use.
Although the theatre has been closed for many years, occasionally they open its doors to the public for viewing; as a safety precaution viewing of the theatre is seen from its foyer.
The Explore
After a day wandering around in London that included visiting the abandoned Highgate station and an abandoned chemical works, myself and my companion ended up here.
We had heard all about the Theatre and I’d seen Speeds report from 2011 and I was keen to have a look inside. After wandering around the outside and finding it pretty secure we ventured inside.
I’ll let the pics do the talking as always
