Alexandra Palace East Court and Theatre opened to the public on Saturday 1 December. There has been a lot of media coverage and interest over the weeks leading to the opening.

The doors of the East Court opened at 10am, but the ‘opening moment’ was at 1.30 pm with celebration and cake. It was a very special and very big cake!

There were also streetfood, live music, Christmas market, Santas Grotto and funfair taking place outside and inside the restored East Court. Altogether, a wonderful occasion of sharing with the public the pleasure and satisfaction of re-opening after the years of restoration.

The opening weekend in the theatre included tours during the day on Saturday, and also enabled people from Haringey to be amongst the first to showcase their talents in the newly restored auditorium. There were performances from the Haringey Shed Choir and the BBC Proms Learning who once again invited the families of Haringey to form an orchestra in a day by working with musicians from the BBC Symphony Orchestra and the Royal College of Music. The results were performed in the theatre and recorded for broadcast on BBC Radio 3. The Alexandra Palace Festive Take Over took place on Sunday 2nd December, with Haringey Music Services showcasing musical talent from schools across Haringey.

The opening weekend also kicked off AP's Christmas Carnival - with activities including Christmas craft workshops in the East Court, festive themed talks, family sensory play, and carol singing showcasing community choirs based in Haringey. Highlights included Candoco Dance Company, who are a contemporary dance company of disabled and non-disabled dancers. They will deliver learning projects and activities that provide access for all to the highest quality of work for people participating in contemporary dance for both enjoyment, or as part of a developing career.

Home Made brings together series of performances and commissions, which asks artists to work with communities, exploring ‘notions of home’ - a sense of belonging, people, places and things. For example, Artist Christine Ottonello will work with local charities such as the homeless charity Accumulate to design an installation based on how different cultures make/give gifts. This installation will dress the area in the East Court where The Sackler Creativity Pavilion is to be installed in early 2019.

For more information, click here.

[News 01/12/2018]