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.

April - May 2025

What’s on this week and next at Karamel? 4 Coburg Road.

Events during Holy Week at St. Andrew’s Church, Alexandra Park Road N10.

Thursday 10 April – 30 June – Women in Jazz Photography: Her Frame. Her Sound, at Karamel, 4 Coburg Road. Weds & Thurs 6.30-10.30pm, Fri 5-10pm, Sat&Sun 1-7pm.

Wednesday 16 April – Talks and discussions: Haringey Hobbies at Hornsey Parish Church Hall, Cranley Gardens (bottom of), 2-3pm.

Thursday 17 April – Museum of Homelessness opens for the summer at The Manor House Lodge, inside Finsbury Park, Seven Sisters Road , 12.30-4.30pm.

Thursday 17 April – Free Flow Classikal at Karamel, 4 Coburg Road, 7pm.

Thursday 24 April – Geoff Mason Quintet at Karamel, 4 Coburg Road, 7pm.

Friday 25 April - J.A.M. String Collective at Karamel, 4 Coburg Road, 7pm.

Saturday 26 April – Muswell Hill Creatives Spring Makers Fair at St James's Square, Muswell Hill, 10.30-5pm.

Saturday 26 April – Block Printing Workshop: Print a Tea Towel at Holy Trinity Church Hall, Winchmore Hill, On the Broadway of Green Lanes, Winchmore Hill, N21 3RS, 10.30-12pm.

Saturday 26 April – Insaan Culture Club: an intimate evening of classical Qawwali at Karamel, 4 Coburg Road, 6pm.

Saturday 26 April – Muswell Hill Chorus: Fauré Requiem and more at St. James’ Church, Muswell Hill, 7.30pm.

Monday 28 April – Walk with Ease – Unlock your Natural Movement at Pavilion Cafe, OR Tambo Rec (meet outside), 12.30-1.15pm. With Tanya Shoop.

Thursday 1 May – Paul Clarvis Trio at Karamel, 4 Coburg Road, 7pm.

Saturday 3 May – Getnotgot at Karamel, 4 Coburg Road, 7pm.

Thursday 8 May – Lior Solomons-Wise Quartet, at Karamel, 4 Coburg Road, 7pm.

Saturday 14 June - Lunchtime Concert at St. Andrew’s Church, Alexandra Park Road N10, 1pm.

Saturday 12 July - Lunchtime Concert at St. Andrew’s Church, Alexandra Park Road N10, 1pm.

Ongoing courses and activities

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.

Illustrating Children’s books, course for adults on Wednesday mornings at The Green Shed, 1 Tetherdown N10, 10-11.30am. April 30 – July 9.

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

Em Power fitness classes – Monday and Friday mornings in OR Tambo Rec, 9-9.30am (term time only). The main focus is on core and legs.

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

Free Martial Arts and Self-defence for Women and girls for the month of March on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at Alexandra Park School.

Painting for Pleasure – Thursdays at CUFOS Community Centre (the old railway station), Top of The Avenue N10, 10-12.30pm or 1.30-4pm. Jan 9th - March 27th.

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)