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Welcome! ... to the Friends website - our resource of news and information about the 'almost lost' theatre at Alexandra Palace. and about its Friends. Please look back from time to time to keep up with news. Even better, and simpler, sign up for our newsletter, and we'll keep you updated on the current state of the theatre, what's happening now, the place of the theatre in the wider plans for the regeneration of Alexandra Palace, and especially, what the Friends are doing. If you have any questions or comments, please get in touch!
Membership of the Friends is currently a nominal £5 (£2 concessions), and will mean you're kept more closely 'in the loop' than the general public. We'd love you to join us!
You can also keep up with 'APTheatre' on...
Exhibition open to Sun 10 July
A new exhibition of etchings by artist Teresa Schippel Hales, inspired by the Victorian Theatre at Alexandra Palace, has opened at the Green Room Arts Hotel in Wood Green and will run until Sunday 10th July. The exhibition is in the bar on the ground floor, and entry is free of charge.
Teresa is a local north London artist and member of the Friends of Alexandra Palace Theatre. She has created 16 etchings, and a strictly limited number of each will be available to buy during the exhibition. The etchings are based on photographs of the unique interior of the theatre, which remains much as it was when it was opened in 1875.
The Victorian Theatre has not hosted regular public performances for 80 years, and was used as a props store by the BBC when they broadcast television from Alexandra Palace. Now, with funding from Heritage Lottery Fund and Haringey Council, it – alongside the BBC studios – is part of a major restoration of the East Wing of Alexandra Palace. Re-opening in spring 2018, the restoration will bring the theatre back to life, once again allowing audiences to enjoy live performances in this historic theatre.
All proceeds from the sale of the artwork will go towards the £1million fundraising target that is needed to complete the restoration of the East Wing at Alexandra Palace.
Here's the website of the beautiful and fascinating Art Deco Green Rooms, which gives full details of where it is: http://www.greenrooms.london/#/home
To purchase a limited edition etching, please see information at the exhibition or contact the artist directly: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Our AGM will be held on 18 May at 7pm in the Londesborough Room (entrance from the Palm Court, west entrance of the Palace). Louise Stewart, the new Chief Executive of the Palace, will be speaking. Full details here: AGM 2016.
Our AGM will be held on 18 May at 7pm. Work on the theatre has begun. Our thanks again to designer Lindley Smith (@floppylion) and committee member Graham for the beautiful production of our newsletter.
View or download at: FAPT News April 2016.
Please note that the following item has been retained for the record, but prints are no longer available.
Buy a beautiful, limited-edition, Alexandra Palace digital fine art print, and help Ally Pally reach its funding target towards the restoration of the theatre and TV studios.
Designed by Ray Stansbrook, each print is signed and numbered and is from a run of 250 prints. Size: A3 – 420 x 297. Year: 2015.
Digital fine art - high quality digital printing using ultrachrome archival inks on heavyweight fine art paper.
The sale of these prints will help fund the restoration of Alexandra Palace’s East Wing. This includes the restoration of the Victorian Theatre dating back to 1875, the former BBC Studios from which the first public high-definition television transmission was made in 1936, and the magnificent East Court which links them.
Alexandra Park and Palace has provided a destination of fun, wonder and entertainment for over 140 years. A major restoration of the most historic and derelict parts of the Palace is beginning, and will protect these spaces for generations to come. The sale of these art works will contribute to the final £1 million needed.
The cost of each print is just £55.00. The print is sold unframed and will be sent in a sturdy cardboard tube. The price includes postage and packaging (or you may collect in person if more convenient).
100% of the sale of this item will benefit Alexandra Park and Palace Charitable Trust. Alexandra Palace is a registered charity no. 281991.
For a larger image, and to buy, click here to go to eBay: Fine Art Print sale page.
NB The sales of these prints are being handled by Alexandra Palace (not FAPT). Any queries should be addressed to AP using the 'Seller information' button on the eBay page.
Our largest yet at three pages, but there is a lot to tell you! Among many stories, the main contractor has just been appointed, and work will start in January. The Palace has a new Chief Executive. We have been involved in developing the future theatre programming policy, and would like to hear from you on it. Last but not least, we are selling a historic Christmas card designed for the Ally Pally of 100 years ago which will help fund the restoration. Our thanks to designer Lindley Smith (@floppylion) and committee member Graham for the beautiful production of our newsletter.
View or download at: FAPT News Dec 2015.
Our news release celebrating the award by the HLF of £18.8 million grant for the restoration of the Theatre, TV Studios and East Court as sent to members and supporters...
Dear Friend
I am writing on behalf of the Friends committee to tell you the good news that the Alexandra Palace Trust has secured an £18.8 million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund towards the regeneration of the theatre and a large part of the eastern end of the Palace, the original Victorian part of the Palace.
This is wonderful culmination to more than a dozen years of campaigning by the Friends and supporters to bring the theatre back into public use.
Our thanks go to Duncan Wilson, Ally Pally's chief executive, and all his team for all their hard work in preparing and developing the bid, and for this fantastic result.
The full announcement by Alexandra Palace is below. We will let you know as soon as we have more details on how the project will now proceed.
Nigel Willmott
Chair, Friends of the Alexandra Palace Theatre
[PS Drama at the Palace, our recently published history of the Victorian theatre, is still available from the Friends website (http://fapt.org.uk/w/shop) at £7 for members or £8.50 for non-members, and on Amazon at £8.50.]
For immediate release
ICONIC LONDON LANDMARK SECURES £18.8M IN HERITAGE LOTTERY FUND SUPPORT
Alexandra Palace celebrates ‘green light' for historic renovation plans.
Alexandra Park and Palace Charitable Trust (APPCT) is delighted to announce that it has been awarded £18.8million of funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to restore the Palace’s most significant historic spaces to their former glory and secure the Palace's future as one of London's leading heritage destinations.
Under the plans, the eastern end of the Palace, comprising the BBC Studios and the Victorian Theatre will be repaired and refurbished, together with the glazed East Court in which a new and more welcoming public entrance hall will be created.
The BBC studios - birthplace of high-definition television broadcasts in 1936 - will be turned into an interactive visitor attraction, drawing on the BBC’s extraordinarily rich archives and telling the remarkable story of popular entertainment culminating in the birth and development of broadcast television. There will be a special focus on schools and learning programmes, displays of historic equipment and hands-on engagement with the art of making television programmes.
The Palace’s stunning hidden theatre dating back to 1875 will also be brought back to life for community and commercial use with theatrical performances, cinema screenings, live comedy, acoustic music and corporate entertainment among the ideas backed by leading arts figures. The theatre will accommodate audiences of up to 1,300 but has been designed to suit smaller and more intimate audience numbers too.
Duncan Wilson OBE, Chief Executive of APPCT commented:
"We are thrilled with the HLF announcement. Today marks a hugely positive and significant step in realising our aspirations to bring the Victorian Theatre and BBC Studios back to life and fulfil the potential of the Palace and its remarkable history for the local community, visitors from all over the UK, and overseas.
"There are further challenges ahead, including the launch of a new fundraising programme and preparing the Palace for the start of the construction programme later this year, but this announcement represents a huge achievement for the Trust and its supporters."
Carole Souter, Chief Executive of HLF, said:
"Alexandra Palace has played a pivotal role in the development of popular entertainment – culminating in the birth of British television. The Eastern end has stood derelict for 35 years but now Lottery funding is heralding a new chapter for this iconic building, creating an inspirational space where people can learn about its rich and colourful history."
As part of the development phase, a summer-long public engagement programme was undertaken, culminating in a 2-week Public Exhibition at the Palace, which welcomed over 2,000 visitors, with over 400 people completing feedback forms on the plans.
Cllr Joanna Christophides, Chair of the APPCT Board said:
"I have been hugely encouraged by the show of local community support we have received in the lead up to this decision and I would like to thank everyone for their valuable contribution. We are already starting to see the benefit of this project with the growth of our pubic engagement programmes, including history tours, volunteering initiatives and our schools programme over the past two years. We are very grateful to the HLF for backing our plans to transform the Palace."
The award of £18.8million HLF funding contributes towards the total project cost of £26.7m, with the London Borough of Haringey having pledged £6.8m and the Trust committing to a fundraising target of £1m before the start of the project in 2016.
Haringey Council Leader Claire Kober said:
"It's fantastic news that the Heritage Lottery Fund has embraced this exciting vision for Ally Pally, which secures the long-term future of one of London's most iconic landmarks. Alexandra Palace has been through some challenging times, but this historic restoration will allow some of the building’s hidden gems to finally be unveiled. This tremendous achievement is testament to the hard work, determination and enthusiasm of staff and local people."
ENDS
Also available as a PDF to print, view or save at: News Release 27 March 2015
Newsletter
Our February 2015 newsletter is available for download at: FAPT News Feb 2015.
New book on AP Theatre
Just published, the new book about the Alexandra Palace Theatre - Drama at the Palace - is available via the Friends' website. Written by Nigel Willmott and Pat Brearey, it contains a wealth of new information based on research. Full details are at: http://fapt.org.uk/w/shop
SPECIAL OFFER: The cost of Drama at the Palace to members is a bargain £7.00 plus £2 post and packing, saving £2.30 over the Amazon price! Membership of the Friends still costs just £2.
Planning for AP restoration works
On Monday 16 February, the application for planning and listed building permissions for the Heritage Lottery Fund works to restore the Theatre, rejuvenate the East Court, and open up the Television Studios goes before the Haringey Planning Committee (7pm at the Civic Centre in Wood Green). The meeting is open to the public and represents a crucial step in the overall process towards achieving the HLF grant. If you haven't previously seen the proposals, they will be presented as part of the meeting.
Theatre Regeneration Plans
Friends & Supporters Event
WEDNESDAY 23 JULY 2014
AT 6.30PM IN THE TRANSMITTER HALL *
The design team for the regeneration of the theatre and east end of Alexandra Palace is working hard, and has drawn up an outline plan of its proposals.
This is your chance, as a Friend or supporter of the Alexandra Palace Theatre, to hear about and have your say on what is being proposed, before more detailed plans are drawn up.
What do you think of flattening the theatre floor? The proposed bar facilities? The quality of the backstage facilities? The location of the toilets? The configuration of the auditorium? The proposed uses? The handling of the historic elements of the theatre? How it will all integrate into the plans for the whole east end of the Palace?
The shape of the plans so far will be outlined by Duncan Wilson, chief executive of Alexandra Palace.
A strong voice now from the Friends will assist the Palace in achieving the support of the Heritage Lottery for this, the last - and by far the biggest - stage of the project. If successful, work will begin to bring the theatre back into use as one of London's most characterful and historic performance and events spaces.
We apologise for the relatively short notice, which reflects a combination of a full chief executive's diary, and the wish to avoid August, while hearing your views in good time.
We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible on 23 July.
* The Transmitter Hall entrance is on the South Terrace, a few metres to the left of the BBC tower (the tower with the mast).
News update from the Friends
See our July 2014 newsletter.
Friends' Event and AGM
WEDNESDAY 23 APRIL 2014
AT 7.30PM IN THE THEATRE FOYER
(main ice-rink entrance, east end of Palace)
The theatre restoration expert, David Wilmore, will be giving a talk in the theatre.
David Wilmore has been involved with the restoration of the Globe Theatre in Stockton-on-Tees, the Theatre Royal in Newcastle upon Tyne, the City Varieties Music Hall in Leeds and the Georgian Theatre Royal in Richmond.
We will also be electing our committee for the next year. This is a very positive time for the Ally Pally theatre, and we are very keen to bring in new members to help us and to support the Palace team.
If you would be interested in joining the committee, please introduce yourself either by email before the meeting to our chair, Nigel Willmott,
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
, or speak to a committee member before the meeting.
Join us for coffee or tea before the meeting starts, and stay for a glass of wine afterwards.
At least part of the evening will be held in the theatre itself, so bring a warm layer!
You can renew your subscription or join at the meeting, or online at http://fapt.org.uk/w/index.php/membership
Our new booklet on the history of the theatre and our postcards will be available to purchase (also online at http://fapt.org.uk/w/index.php/shop).
We look forward to seeing you there.
The FAPT committee
News update 8 December 2013
Latest Newsletter
Latest Newsletter
Just sent to all our Friends, our latest newsletter for December 2013 is available to view or download here. If you're not already on our mailing list, why not sign up? Mailings are free, and you will receive future copies of newsletters and other news effortlessly!
Christmas shopping
FAPT's online shop has just opened, selling a distinctive card featuring the sinister, magical, pantomime character 'Yellow Dwarf', and a newly-published booklet covering the history of the theatre from its opening right up to to the present. It's here: FAPT Shop.
Christmas Carol
Based on the story by Dickens, an intimate performance, with both actors and audience on the stage. The 45 minute performance will be followed a talk about the theatre. More information at: Christmas Carol in the AP Theatre.
News update 31 May 2013
Our Annual General Meeting
The AGM held on 29 May in the Transmitter Hall at AP was a good meeting, well-attended, and informative.
Duncan Wilson, Chief Executive of AP, spoke, describing the remarkable success achieved with Stage 1 of the Heritage Lottery bid, and the huge amount of work now needed for the Stage 2 bid.
In the formal part of the AGM, we were very pleased that two new members were elected to our committee: Louise Blair and Graham Bennett. Here are details of the Committee for this year (opens in new window, close to return here).
News update 26 May 2013
AGM is on Weds 29 May; Agenda is here: AGM May 2013.
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Newsletter - May 2013 is here: Newsletter May 2013.
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News update 9 May 2013
Press release
Friends of the Theatre delighted at Lottery success
The Friends of the Alexandra Palace Theatre are delighted at the news that the Alexandra Palace Trust has won the backing of the Heritage Lottery Fund for its £23.9m regeneration programme for the Theatre, former BBC television studios and East Court. The HLF has granted the Trust £844,800 in Round 1 funding to further develop plans for its £16.8m lottery funding application.
Nigel Willmott, the chair of the Friends of the Theatre, said: "The Friends have been working and campaigning for the refurbishment and reuse of the Victorian Theatre for the past 11 years, since the formation of the group. For most of that time it seemed an impossible dream. Suddenly it is on the way to becoming a reality.
"It is a stunning result for chief executive Duncan Wilson and his team at the Palace, the board of trustees, and for Haringey council, which has fully supported a new strategy of redevelopment of the Palace led by the Trust, rather than a developer.
"We have been one of the many groups whose input has gone into the creation of the regeneration programme and we look forward to continuing to support the next phase of the work, to further develop the design of the project and produce a detailed business plan.
"The refurbishment of the Theatre, keeping its historic look and feel, but creating a multi-use space for music, drama, conference and community use has the potential to make it one of the most exciting and inspiring venues in London."
The Friends group has been building membership over the past year in anticipation of a positive outcome to the Lottery bid and we aim to continue to sign up new members and increase activities in support of the regeneration project.
Duncan Wilson will attend the group's AGM at Alexandra Palace on May 29, and report on the next phase of the project and how the Friends can help.
Over the past decade the Friends group has held a number of events to showcase the Theatre, including a silent film show, concerts in the auditorium and foyer, a short opera season by Tete a Tete, a reading of the Victorian melodrama Lady Audley's Secret and several Open House days. The Theatre has also been used for location shoots, including a large Sony Music ad campaign and the BBC drama Margot Fonteyn.
- Ends -