Image © Friends of AP Theatre
25 April 2018
Dear Member or Supporter
In this newsletter:
Theatre reopening date
Hard-hat music: acoustic tests
BBC Prom Guide feature about AP
Image © Alexandra Palace
THEATRE REOPENS ON 1ST DECEMBER 2018
At last: the date is fixed. Alexandra Palace has announced the theatre will reopen 1 December, and published the programme for first month, which will include music, stand-up and family drama.
The theatre will have it's first public showing, as we recently reported, on 1 September, when it hosts two BBC Prom events: a family concert in the morning and a programme of British music from the period when the Palace originally opened, in 1875, including a performance of Gilbert and Sullivan's Trial by Jury, which was first performed in that year. Then the theatre will close again for three months, while the final fitting out is completed and AP staff make their preparations to operate and run the theatre.
The opening weekend will see a headline performance from a major act on 1 December (which will be announced later), and on 2 December a Gala performance compered by Adam Hills, which will feature a variety bill of music, comedy, circus and surprise special guests.
On 3 December, a change of pace, as the controversial artists Gilbert and George are interviewed about their work.
The family drama Horrible Histories - Horrible Christmas, presented by Birmingham Stage Company and Derby Theatre will run from 4th and 30th December (including some performances for schools only).
On 6 December, London's famous Ronnie Scotts Club will present and evening of jazz.
Stand-up comedian Dylan Moran will appear in his show Dr Cosmos on 7 and 8 December.
TV choir master Gareth Malone will take centre stage on 9 December.
And on 18 December, the BBC‘s long-running Friday Night Is Music Night, hosted by Ken Bruce, will broadcast from the Theatre.
It's programme with something for everyone, and will showcase all the potential of the theatre to present various genres, in different stage formats.
Booking has opened for some of these events. CLICK HERE.
HARD-HAT MUSIC
Image © Alexandra Palace
With more hard hats on display than YMCA, musicians from the BBC Concert Orchestra, which will perform in the Prom on 1 September, did a trial of the theatre's acoustics on 25 April. Rigged out in hard hats and hi-vis jackets in line with safety regulations, they played several pieces to test out various instrumental combinations, including the William Tell Overture, Trumpet Voluntary and the theme from Star Wars. Acoustic engineers and BBC technicians were also on hand to assess the technical and operational requirements for the Prom performance and broadcast.
Willmott Dixon construction staff my not have been too keen on the interruption to the noisier bits of their work, but they appreciated the performances, joining in the applause.
THEATRE NOTES
There is an extra bonus in this year's Prom guide: a three-page feature article on the Alexandra Palace Theatre. Kate Romano's nicely written piece Restoration Drama gives the context for the programme of music that will be performed at the Prom on 1 September. The Proms guide to all the concerts in the two month season is widely available and costs £7.
Sent to you by Friends of Alexandra Palace Theatre
A look at the progress of the restoration, seen during a recent visit to the theatre for a group of Theatre Friends.
Click here for all videos on our Youtube channel.
Our introduction to us and the Theatre. Produced by film-maker and committee member Richard Smith.
Click here for all videos on our Youtube channel.