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.

November – December 2024

Saturday 23 November – Muswell Hill Creatives Winter Makers Fair at St. James’ Square, Muswell Hill (outside Planet Organic), 10.30-4pm.

Sunday 24 November – Messy Christmas at Muswell Hill Methodist Church, Pages Lane N10, 3.30-5.30pm.

Saturday 30 November – Learn to crochet decorations and gifts at First Farm Community Hub, Firs Farm Playing Fields, Firs Lane N21 2PJ, 10.30-12.30pm.

Saturday 30 November – St. Martin of Porres Christmas Fair at St. Martin of Porres school, Blake road, 12-3pm.

Saturday 30 November – Open Piano Session at Alexandra Park Library, 3-4pm. Supporters of APL.

Sunday 1 December – Re-View Vintage Pop-up Event at Floral Hall, 132 Crouch Hill, 10.30-5pm.

Sunday 1 December – Green Christmas Fair at Hornsey Vale Community Centre, 60 Mayfield Road N8, 2-6pm.

Sunday 1 December – Babar the Elephant for 0-8 year olds (music by Poulenc) with Stephen Baron (piano) at Highgate United Reformed Church N6 6BA, 3-3.45pm.

Monday 2 December – Free Expert Eco-Talk, part of Green Open Homes, at Muswell Hill Methodist Church, 7.30pm. Muswell Hill Sustainability Group.

Wednesday 4 –24 December – Painting the Walk at Upstairs gallery, Lauderdale House, Waterlow Park, Highgate Hill N6, 12 noon – 3pm.

Saturday 7 December – Fussy Patchwork sewing decorations workshop at Southgate Library, High Street, Southgate, N14 6BP , 10.30-12.30pm.

Saturday 7 December - Lunchtime Concert in St. Andrew's Church, Alexandra Park Road N10 (corner of Windermere Road), 1pm. Delibes, Franck, Fauré and more.

Sunday 8 December, Christmas Choral Concert with audience carols, at St. Andrew’s Church, Alexandra Park Road N10 (corner of Windermere Road), 7pm. Note **Sunday**.

Thursday 12 December – Bowes Park Community Choir Winter Concert at Alexandra Park School (entry via Rhodes Avenue), 7.45pm.

St. Andrew’s Christmas 2024 – Carols and Rehearsals, Crib Service, Midnight Mass and more 14-25 December.

Saturday 21 December – Muswell Hill Creatives Winter Makers Fair at St. James’ Square, Muswell Hill (outside Planet Organic), 10.30-4pm.

Ongoing courses and activities

Movement and Ease: Alexander Technique with Tanya every Wednesday morning at CUFOS, Top of the Avenue N10, 11-11.55am.

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.

No-Gi Fundamentals Course (BJJ Brazilian Jiu Jitsu) every Thursday for 6 weeks starting 12 September at Alexandra Park School, 7.30pm. Introductory martial arts.

Geekstrav e ganza – regular boardgame meetup on the FIRST Sunday of every month at Karamel, 4 Coburg Road, Wood Green, 1-6pm. NB change of date.

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

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

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

Life drawing sessions – alternate Saturday mornings at Rhodes Avenue Primary School, 10-12pm.

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.

Painting for Pleasure – Thursdays at CUFOS Community Centre (the old railway station), Top of The Avenue N10, 10-12.30pm or 1.30-4pm. Sept. 19 – Dec. 12.

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)