Drama at the Palace

Wednesday 14 October 8pm

Drama at the Palace

Victorian Heyday:

The Alexandra Palace Theatre 1873 – 1901

The Alexandra Palace, including its large state of the art Theatre, opened on 24 May 1873 and burnt to the ground 16 days later.

A second Palace was built – including a 3,000-seat Theatre – and reopened in less than two years on 1 May 1875. The Theatre used the most up-to-date technology then available and its wooden stage, with its traps and bridges, is one of the last remaining examples in the country. Its opera and drama productions brought the West End to north London, and its spectacular pantomimes drew full admiring houses. Some of the leading production companies of the age brought top actors, singers, dancers and entertainers to Alexandra Palace.

The story of the Alexandra Palace Theatre is the story of Victorian theatre itself, when theatre, in all its forms from farce to Shakespeare, was the mass entertainment of the growing urban population.

Nigel Willmott and Patricia Brearey, respectively the current Chair and Secretary of the Friends of the Alexandra Palace Theatre, tell us about the performances in the Theatre in the Victorian period, from opera to variety and the keynote pantomimes; and the performers, directors and designers who brought the productions to life.

The talk is at 8pm prompt at URC Hall, corner of Ferme Park Road/Weston Park N8 9PX. Doors open 7.30pm. Visitors welcome. Donation £2 requested.

Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 October – Open Studios in Muswell Hill and Alexandra Park, 11-5pm each day. Free.

Friday 16 October – Arsenal and DWP Recruitment & Skills Event 2026 at the Emirate Stadium (Woolwich Suite Entrance, Gates H & J), 10-4pm.

Saturday 17 October - Muswell Hill Creatives Make and Mend Festival at Hornsey Town Hall, Crouch end Broadway, 11am-5pm.

Wednesday 21 October - Discussion: Defend the Whittington Hospital at Hornsey Parish Church Hall, Cranley Gardens/Park Road, N10 3AH, 1.30-3pm. Organised by Hornsey Pensioners Action Group.

Sunday 25 October – A Matter of Perspective: Solidarity Fundraiser at Karamel, from 6.30pm.

Monday 2 November to Monday 16 November – Green Open Homes 2026 . Free tours of local energy-efficient homes plus some free speaker evenings. Muswell Hill Sustainability Group in association with Muswell Hill and Fortis Green Association.

Thursday 10 December – Bowes Park Community Choir Winter Concert at Bounds Green Junior School N11, 7.45pm.

Ongoing courses and activities

Life drawing sessions – starting 10 October , alternate Saturdays during term time at Rhodes Avenue Primary School (Art Room), 12-2pm.

Illustrating children’s books, course for adults – Wednesday mornings at the Alexandra Palace East Court, 10- 12.00pm. 23 September – 2 December 2026.

Wellness session: Bolly Dance and Music – weekly on Wednesday evenings starting 22 July at The Community Hub, 8 Caxton Road Wood Green, 6.30-7.30pm.

Weekly 25 minute Relaxation Class (online) on Thursdays, 9.30-9.55am. On Zoom.

Salsa Wednesdays – Wednesday evenings at Bounds Green School, Bounds Green Road N11 2QG, 7-8pm.

Women’s BJJ Beginner’s Course on Thursday evenings from 7 to 28 May at Origin BJJ Team N22, 2nd floor Cypress House, 2 Coburg Road N22 6UJ, 5-6pm.

Women-only Jiu-Jitsu Classes on Thursday evenings in March at Alexandra Park School, 6.30-7.30pm.

Women’s BJJ Sessions (Brazilian Jiu Jitsu) – fun, fitness and self-defence on Sundays, 9-10am. At Origin BJJ North London, 2nd floor Cypress House, 2 Coburg Road N22 6UJ.

Reading Latin for Pleasure on Thursdays at 2-4pm at Highgate Literary and Scientific Institution, 11 South Grove, Highgate N6 6BS.

Colourwheel Art Classes for adults on Thursday mornings or afternoons at St. Andrews Church Hall, Alexandra Park Road N10 2DD.

H.A.T.E. Club - Hobby and Tabletop enthusiasts, adult-only gaming club - Wednesday evenings at Karamel, 5.30-10.30pm.

Painting for Fun – Thursdays 8 January to 26 March, at CUFOS Community Centre (the old railway station), Top of The Avenue N10, 10-12.30pm or 1.30-4pm.

Haringey Circle: late morning Creative Coffee Drop-In on Thursday mornings at Oita Cafe, the Green Rooms, Station road N22, 11-1.30pm.

Haringey Circle: Paws and Walk dog walk on the last Thursday of every month in Ally Pally, 10-11.30am. Meet outside Ally Pally station.

The 22nd Southgate Beavers have spaces for years 2 and 3 children. Southgate Scout group.

The Highgate Literary & Scientific Institution in Pond Square is offering an exciting array of courses.

Museum of Homelessness will be open from 17 April to 1 November, at the Manor House Lodge, inside Finsbury Park, Seven Sisters Road N4 2DE 12.30-4.30pm.

Geekstrav e ganza – regular boardgame meetup on these dates at Karamel, 4 Coburg Road, Wood Green, 1-6pm.

Em Power fitness classes – 9am on Mondays & Thursdays (term time only), focusing on strength. All abilities welcome!

Fortismere Community Symphony Orchestra rehearses Tuesday evenings during term-time at Fortismere School, 7-9pm. Get in touch for more info.

After School Sewing Club on Fridays at Stitch crafts, 2 Hazelwood Lane Palmers Green, 4.30-6pm. Term time.

V&J Ensemble: Vocal group for ALL Singers on Wednesdays at St. Andrew's Church, Alexandra Park Road N10 (corner of Windermere Road), 6.50-8.30pm.

Bowes Park Community Choir - Thursday evenings during term time at Bounds Green School, 7.15-9.15pm.

All Good Bookshop has many regular events - book groups of course, also music, writing, yoga - and special events .... at 35 Turunpike Lane.

Events (older events page, being phased out)