Alexandra Palace To Celebrate The Reopening Of East Court And Theatre On 1st December

Alexandra Park and Palace Charitable Trust (APPCT) will reopen its Theatre and East Court on 1st December 2018 with a series of events that encapsulates the vision for the venue. The reopening follows the completion of the three-year East Wing Restoration Project. In December, visitors can experience an eclectic arts programme in the sensitively restored Alexandra Palace Theatre whilst the East Court creates an open and accessible space in the complex to welcome visitors throughout the year.

The East Wing Restoration Project would not have been possible without the support of the National Lottery and Haringey Council. The East Wing Restoration is £27million project - the £18.8 million National Lottery grant was one of their biggest ever for a heritage project.

On the 1st and 2nd December, Alexandra Palace will open its doors to the public with a weekend of free events and celebrations as it begins its Christmas Carnival. On 1st December, the BBC Concert Orchestra and BBC Singers will return to the Alexandra Palace Theatre, following their performances as part of the BBC Proms, to curate a day of music and interaction. Families will be able to perform and rehearse with the renowned orchestra and performers - creating a new Christmas piece. The performance will be recorded and broadcast on BBC Radio 3 over Christmas. Open to ages 7-plus and all abilities are welcome. Registration via christmas.alexandrapalace.com is required.

On 2nd December, Haringey Music Service will be inviting its choirs, made up of young people from across the borough, to rehearse and perform in the Theatre throughout the day. This will be followed by a free finale performance from Haringey Music Service's Symphony Orchestra.

Ally Pally Christmas Carnival will run from the 1st until the 16th December. Throughout the period, the Palace will host performances from local choirs, free workshops run by the Palace's Creative Learning Team, a Christmas market curated by the Crouch End Market and Muswell Hill Creatives, funfair and street food. The events will run alongside ticketed attractions including a Santa's Grotto, film screenings with Luna Cinema and the Palace's ever-popular Ice Rink and Pantomime on Ice. The full programme can be found at christmas.alexandrapalace.com.

Last month saw the announcement of Alexandra Palace's first theatrical co-production with Headlong and Bristol Old Vic, Richard III will open in March 2019. The current programme includes performances from legendary club Ronnie Scott's, Dylan Moran, Gareth Malone and the BBC's long-running "Friday Night is Music Night". Further events will be announced soon.

Louise Stewart, Chief Executive of APPCT, said: "This December, people from London and beyond will be able to explore this incredible space that has been hidden from the public. The Christmas Carnival is a great opportunity to celebrate the hard work that has gone into completing this immense project, but also give people a chance to experience the work of the Charity and our Creative Learning Programme. We would like to thank the HLF, Haringey Council and the countless individuals, trusts and businesses who have supported this project and helped make the reopening a reality."

Stuart Hobley, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund, London said: "Alexandra Palace is one of North London's best-loved landmarks and has played an era-defining role in popular culture, from the birth of television to the Pink Floyd-headlined 14 Hour Technicolour Dream. The beautifully-restored theatre and East Court will build on this unique legacy, and is only possible thanks to money raised by National Lottery players".

Opening Weekend Schedule

Saturday 1 Dec
Christmas Family Orchestra & Chorus: 10:00 - 18:00
Performance at 19:00

Join members of the BBC Concert Orchestra and BBC Singers for a very special Christmas Family Orchestra and Chorus workshop at the newly refurbished Victorian Theatre at Alexandra Palace! Professional BBC musicians and singers will work with you to create your own Christmas inspired soundscape.

The BBC will be recording this event for future broadcast on BBC Radio 3.

Registration at bbc.in/2F6boIs

Sunday 2 Dec
Haringey Music Service activity: 14:00 - 16:00

Including performances from the Haringey Youth Music Service Orchestra and other ensembles.

Originally opened in 1875, Alexandra Palace Theatre was a home for spectacle and delight, where audiences were entertained by pantomime, opera, drama, ballet and music hall. A marvel of Victorian engineering, it was home to some of the most advanced stage machinery and mechanics of the age, allowing performers to disappear, reappear and fly through the air.

From those grand beginnings, it went on to be used as a chapel during World War One, a cinema and the theatrical testing ground of stage icon Gracie Fields before being closed to the public and used as a BBC prop store and workshop.

Following a multi-million pound restoration project, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fud and Haringey Council, Alexandra Palace Theatre will reopen in December 2018 with a mixed programme of drama, music, comedy and family shows.

Alexandra Palace is surrounded by 196 acres of Grade II listed parkland and offers unprecedented views of the city. The multi-award winning destination maintains its original enterprising spirit by hosting an eclectic mix of live music, sport, cultural and leisure events throughout the year.

Alexandra Park and Palace Charitable Trust is the body responsible for maintaining and repairing the charitable assets of Alexandra Park and Palace as a place of public resort and recreation, forever, by Act of Parliament. The Charity aims to restore the iconic assets to create a successful and sustainable asset for all. For further information about the Park and Palace and the work of the Trust visit www.alexandrapalace.com

The East Wing's reopening will herald a new chapter for Alexandra Palace, creating a new ways for the public to interact with the building and its unique history. The East Court of the Palace, which was originally dubbed the "Cabinet of Curiosity", will provide a new communal space for the Palace and its community; from the Creative Learning Zone to exhibitions and events, plus space to relax with a coffee and refreshments.

The East Court will also be a home to a new interactive installation that will tell the story of the Palace's role in development of leisure and entertainment in Britain. From exhibitions, music hall and theatre through to the advent of television and the development of the live music industry - Alexandra Palace has played a pivotal role and continues to be at the forefront of innovation.

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