Alexandra Palace Theatre London

About the Alexandra Palace Theatre

Alexandra Palace Theatre is just one of many attractions at Alexandra Palace (or “Ally Pally”), a recreation and entertainment venue nestled in North London parkland. The Grade II listed building is best known as the birthplace of television, with strong links to the BBC. For 80 years its theatre remained dark, until a renovation restored it to its former glory.

The theatre first opened in 1875 and quickly attracted Victorian audiences thanks to incredible stage machinery and effects. However, it struggled to compete with the West End and was later used as a music hall venue and props store for the BBC, before languishing for the better part of a century. After years of research and design, work began in 2016 to bring it back to life and the venue re-opened in 2018.

The restoration retained the theatre’s beautiful 19th-century character, whilst ensuring it was in a fit state to host 21st-century performances. The project was a huge success, and the venue was removed from the Theatres at Risk register. Now dubbed London’s oldest new theatre, the Alexandra Palace Theatre welcomes a variety of shows every year, with a new lease of life granted to this hidden gem in the heart of North London.