A lot has been happening since the exhibition below was held!
Work has begun in ernest in the theatre, with the original floorboards in the auditorium carefully numbered, lifted, and stored on the stage. This has exposed the fascinating arched dwarf walls that supported the floor. At the rear of the theatre, panelling that had been used to sub-divide the space under the balcony into small rooms used for storage and a bar has been removed. This opened-out space will become the storage area for the retractable seating that will provide the flexibility of use essential for the planned diversity of future uses of the theatre. As you can see from the photos in the slideshow above, all the walls and pillars of the theatre have now been sheathed in wood boards to protect them from accidental damage during the extensive works.
Meanwhile, James Atkinson, the new head of fund-raising, has energetically set in motion the campaign to raise the final tranche of funding needed to complete the project. In the last few weeks, items have appeared in the national press, the London Evening Standard, and on TV news. Here is the new video: Help us bring the Victorian Theatre back to life.
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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:
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.