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.

What’s on at Karamel in October?

What’s on at Karamel this week and the next?

Saturday 25 October – Muswell Hill Repair Cafe at Muswell Hill Methodist Church, 2-5pm.

Sunday 26 October – Messy Church Light Party at Muswell Hill Methodist Church, 3.30-5pm.

Friday 31 Oct ober and Saturday 1 November – Fireworks and Drone Festival in Alexandra Park (Alexandra Palace Way will be closed from 2pm on Thursday 30 October until 3pm on Sunday 2 November).

Monday 3 - Monday 17 November - Green Open Homes 2025: Talks and Tours. Muswell Hill Sustainability Group.

Saturday 8 November – Lunchtime Concert at St. Andrew’s Church, 1pm. Cafe-Theatre in French.

Sunday 9 November – Remembrance Day service at Muswell Hill Methodist Church, 10.30-11.30am.

Monday 10 to Saturday 15 November – A play called ‘Private View’ at Greenwich Theatre (Studio), matinee or evening.

Thursday 13 November – Sleight of Hand, Sleight of Mind – an evening of wonders at Highgate Literary & Scientific Institution, 8-9.30pm.

Friday 14 to Saturday 22 November - London Jazz Festival at Karamel, Coburg Road N22.

Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 November - N22 Open Studios at various locations in Wood Green.

Saturday 15 November –General meeting of the new Alexandra Triangle Residents Association at CUFOS, Top of the Avenue, 4-5.30pm.

Saturday 15 November – Muswell Hill Chorus perform Handel’s Dixit Dominus at St James Church, Muswell Hill, 7.30-9pm.

Ongoing courses and activities

1^st Impression – an exhibition by Running Jump members at Karamel, Coburg Road.

Life drawing sessions – alternate Saturdays during term time at Rhodes Avenue Primary School, 1-3pm.

Illustrating children’s books, course for adults – Wednesday mornings at the Green Shed, Muswell Hill, 10- 11.30am. 19 August – 24 September.

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

Painting for Adults – Thursdays at CUFOS Community Centre (the old railway station), Top of The Avenue N10, 10-12.30pm or 1.30-4pm. Term-time.

Free Martial Arts for Teenagers on Saturdays from 2 August to 4 September Alexandra Park School, 5-8pm.

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.

Colourwheel Art Classes for adults on Thursday mornings or afternoons at St. Andrews Church Hall, Alexandra Park Road N10 2DD. Starting 18 September.

5 and 6-a-side Football League on Wednesday evenings from 14 May to 17 December at Christ’s College, East End Road (where it meets the North Circular), East Finchley N2 0SE, 8-10pm. Leisure Leagues.

The 22nd Southgate Beavers have some free spaces for years 2 and 3 children from September.

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

Fortismere Community Choir rehearses Wednesday 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.

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

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

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.

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

Many Music and Art events are held at Karamel, including Collage Kids performance events on Saturday mornings at 11.30am. At 4 Coburg Road,

Wood Green N22 6UJ.

Events (older events page, being phased out)