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 August? 4 Coburg Road N22.

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

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

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

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

Sunday 3 August – London Metropolitan Brass in the Grove in Alexandra Park, 2-4pm.

Sunday 3 August – Famous Local Garden open for charity at 5 St. Regis Close, Alexandra Park Road N10 2DE (near St. Andrew’s Church), 2-6.30pm.

Sunday 17 August – Swingbusters in the Grove in Alexandra Park, 2-4pm.

Sunday 7 September – London Metropolitan Brass in the Grove in Alexandra Park, 2-4pm.

Ongoing courses and activities

Unearthed: the Power of Gardening exhibition at the British Library, Euston Road, from 30 July to 10 August.

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!

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

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

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)