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 here. 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.”
