Alexandra Palace Theatre
Alexandra Palace Theatre first opened its doors in 1875, and was named after the popular new Princess of Wales, Alexandra of Denmark. The theatre quickly became a place of wonder where audiences came to watch pantomime, opera, ballet, and dramas. Alexandra Palace showcases brilliant Victorian engineering, with advanced stage machinery made for performers to appear, fly through the air, and disappear through the stage! Through the years, this theatre has been used as a cinema, a chapel, the home of music hall stars, and even as a BBC prop store and workshop. For 80 years it was closed to the public; in 2019 this hidden gem of London opened its doors to once again become home to the wonders of theatre. Seating Capacity: 900 seats
About Alexandra Palace Theatre
- The Alexandra Palace Theatre has a seating capacity of around 797 and a standing capacity of over 1000 visitors.
- The seating is spread over two levels — the Stalls and the Circle.
- The seating within the theatre is flexible, to accommodate more or fewer people, as the function demands.
Alexandra Palace Theatre Seating Plan >
The Alexandra Palace, including the theatre, opened in 1873 and unfortunately faced devastating luck when it burnt down just 2 weeks later. The Palace was rebuilt in 1875 and included a theatre, art galleries, museums and a library. The Alexandra Palace Theatre was equipped with advanced Victorian machinery that added flair to performances by allowing the actors to jump high into the air and reappear across the stage. After a long run, including a period when the theatre was leased by BBC and also used as a wartime hospital, it closed to the public for about 80 years. Following a massive renovation with a budget of over £20M, the Alexandra Palace Theatre reopened to a BBC Proms performance in December of 2018.
The Alexandra Palace Theatre of 1873 was built by John Johnson and Alfred Meeson, as was the theatre of 1875. The next major renovation of Alexandra Palace Theatre in 2018 was led by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios. To pay tribute to its rich history, the damaged walls of the theatre were not glossed over, giving the theatre a rugged appearance. Back in the late 1800s, it was a feat of Victorian engineering, with the latest stagecraft technology. The original Victorian machinery has been retained and is still in use today. With the recent renovations, it is able to accommodate many different types of shows with different seating arrangements.
The Alexandra Palace Theatre is known for its performances of Blippi: The Wonderful World Tour, Bugsy Malone, The Light in the Piazza In Concert, Tom, Dick & Harry and Horrible Christmas. Before the theatre was abandoned, it was also host to BBC’s first regular public television service. On the first night after the big renovation in 2018, the theatre put on a BBC Proms show. Today, the theatre stages a variety of performances, including dance shows, cinema, and comedy shows.
Know Before You Go
- Tube: The nearest tube station to Alexandra Palace Theatre London is Wood Green on the Piccadilly line.
- Bus: The closest stop is Alexandra Palace, served by bus number W3.
- Train: The closest train station is Alexandra Palace station.
- Parking: You can park at the East Court car park, located within the grounds of the Alexandra Palace. The car park is functional from 5.30 AM to 12.30 AM, with the last entry at 8 PM.
- Recommended Mode of Transport: The bus is the most efficient way to reach the Alexandra Palace Theatre, as the venue has its own stop.
- Washrooms: Washrooms are available at the venue.
- Entertainment Areas: As you step out of the theatre, you can also access the children’s park, boating lake, farmer’s market or ice rink, before or after the performance.
- Cafes: The Alexandra Palace Theatre has a number of cafes on-site, serving everything from pizzas to coffee.
- Air Conditioning: The theatre is air-conditioned and temperature-controlled.
- First Aid: A medical team is always available on-site in case of emergencies.
- Baby Changing Facilities: The two accessible bathrooms on the ground floor of the theatre are equipped with baby changing facilities.
- Elevator: The theatre has an elevator that can transport you from the foyer to the Circle seats.
- Cloakroom: A cloakroom is available at the Palace.
Motor
- The main entrance to the theatre is via the East Court, which has a ramp for step-free access.
- The nearest underground station to the Palace which is equipped with step-free access is Finsbury Park.
- Disabled access parking slots are reserved in the East Court car park.
- Wheelchairs are available for use at the Palace on a first come first serve basis. Do let the venue know about your requirements in advance. The theatre has four wheelchair spaces in the Stalls and one in the Circle.
- The theatre has 2 accessible washroom facilities on the ground floor.
Auditory
- BSL interpretations of performances are available, do inform the venue 6 weeks in advance if you require this service.
- Assisted listening headsets are available on request.
Others
- The venue offers a visual journey of the theatre on its website for a pre-visit tour.
- The theatre provides personal assistant and carer tickets free of charge.
- Assistance dogs are permitted in the theatre, however, there are some performances that are deemed too loud for dogs. Such performances would not permit the entry of the guide dog into the theatre.
- Relaxed/accessible performances are put on by the theatre for audiences sensitive to excessive sound or light.
- Age Restriction: Only visitors aged 14 and above are permitted in the theatre. For standing-only performances, the age bar is 16+. For certain children's performances, children below 14 are permitted provided they are accompanied by an adult.
- Children's Tickets: For Children’s events, babies under the age of 1 can enter for free, but would not get a separate seat.
- Medication: Visitors are permitted to bring medication or specific food and drinks to help them through their medical condition.
- Food Policy: Outside food and anything in glass packaging is not permitted within the theatre.
- Access: Visitors who require assistance are suggested to inform the theatre in advance of their needs, including that of their assistance dog accompanying them.
- Dress Recommendation: There is no official dress code at the Alexandra Palace Theatre London.
- Recording Policy: Photography, recording and use of mobile phones are not allowed in the theatre.
Phoenix Bar and Pizzeria: Located in the Palm Court, head to this pizzeria for delicious hand-crafted stone-fired pizzas, complemented with beer, wines and cocktails of your choice.
- Directions
Grove Cafe: Head here if you’re a fan of al-fresco dining and Italian ambience. The cafe offers sandwiches, cakes, ice creams, and non-alcoholic beverages such as coffee, tea, iced coffees, homemade fresh lemonade and detox juices.
- Directions
to Grove Cafe
The Terrace: One of the largest beer gardens in London, here you can enjoy pizzas, food from pop-up stalls, and street-style food as well.
- Directions
to The Terrace
Golf Hut Coffee Shop: Right next to the Pitch and Putt course in Alexandra Park is this delightful coffee shop serving alcoholic drinks, teas, barista coffees, hot chocolates plus snacks, sweet treats and cold drinks as well.
- Directions
Frequently Asked Questions About Alexandra Palace Theatre
Alexandra Palace Theatre is located between Wood Green and Muswell Hill in the London Borough of Haringey.
Alexandra Palace Theatre London is easily accessible by all forms of public transport, the easiest being the bus, as the venue has its own station.
The theatre is known for its portrayal of comedy shows, cinema, dance performances, and theatre. Some famous productions are Blippi: The Wonderful World Tour, Bugsy Malone, The Light in the Piazza In Concert, Tom, Dick & Harry and Horrible Christmas, to name a few.
Alexandra Palace Theatre London has a seating capacity of close to 797 patrons, and a larger capacity of more than 1000 when standing.
Yes, the theatre has made its performances accessible to those with motor, audio, visual and other stimulatory challenges. It offers facilities like access performances, step-free access, guide-dog allowance and more to patrons.
The price of the tickets depends on the show that you choose to watch and the timing of the same at the Alexandra Palace Theatre.
You can book your tickets to shows playing at the Alexandra Palace Theatre online at London Theatre Tickets. You will get the best deals and discounts and all the information you need at your fingertips.
Yes, there are numerous dining options within and around Alexandra Palace, just walking distance from the theatre, including Phoenix Bar and Pizzeria, Golf Hut Coffee Shop and more.
There are quite a few attractions near the Alexandra Palace Theatre that you can explore before you go for a show. Do make a tour of Alexandra Palace and enjoy the ice skating, Palace Park, children’s area and boating lake, as the venue has so much to offer.
