Alexandra Palace Archives - North West End UK

10Nov

By Samantha CollettNo Comments

London

Treason the Musical – Alexandra Palace

From a young age people in the UK know the 5th of November is Fireworks Night. ‘Remember, remember the 5th of November…’ we all know the rhyme for Guy Fawkes night. We may be hazy on the details, but we know it’s something to do with some guy plotting to blow up parliament. Which is essentially what ‘Treason: The Musical’ is the story of: it is the gun powder plot of 1605; the failed assassination attempt to blow up King James I during the opening of parliament. The story could’ve been heavy – it deals with religion, ideological conflict, tolerance, revolutionary thought and protest, but it’s not. It’s an uplifting musical celebration of protest and revolution. It’s about not standing by while the authorities overreach their power, it’s about speaking up and taking action to make wh...

The Plotters Have Mapped Out Their Route…

21Mar

By Caroline WorswickNo Comments

NEWS

The Plotters Have Mapped Out Their Route…

This Autumn will see the highly anticipated British musical Treason premiere its first full production in select theatres across the UK. Kicking off with a bang on 25th October at the Festival Theatre, Edinburgh, Treason will continue to Sheffield Lyceum Theatre on 31st October and finally explode into London’s Alexandra Palace from 08th – 18th November. Treason the Musical is an historic tale of division, religious persecution, and brutality, ending in an ambitious yet fateful plot to bring down both the monarchy and the government. Set to blow you away with stunning original folk and pop songs, this one-of-a-kind show tells one of the most intriguing tales in Britain’s history as it’s never been seen before. Photo: Mark Senior Garnering a global audience follow...

<strong>Mark Gatiss’ retelling of Dickens’ winter ghost story returns</strong>

21Mar

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

NEWS

Mark Gatiss’ retelling of Dickens’ winter ghost story returns

Marley was dead: to begin with. Following a phenomenally successful premiere season in 2021, Mark Gatiss’ retelling of Dickens’ winter ghost story returns to Nottingham Playhouse as well as the hauntingly atmospheric Alexandra Palace for Christmas 2023. Filled with Dickensian, spine-tingling special effects, prepare to be frightened and delighted in equal measure as you enter the supernatural Victorian world of A Christmas Carol. It’s a cold Christmas Eve and mean-spirited miser Ebenezer Scrooge has an unexpected visit from the spirit of his former business partner Jacob Marley. Bound in chains as punishment for a lifetime of greed, the unearthly figure explains it isn’t too late for Scrooge to change his miserly ways in order to escape the same fate, but first he’ll have to face th...

<strong>Alexandra Palace Festival of Fireworks</strong>

9Nov

By Alan Stuart MalinNo Comments

London

Alexandra Palace Festival of Fireworks

Billed as the “Glastonbury of Fireworks’, Alexandra Palace’s Festival of Fireworks was back with a BANG this year, to entertain a crowd of thousands, and celebrate Bonfire Night in true London style. In every way captivating, what is now a consistent part of the London Autumn events calendar did not disappoint this year. Set against unrivalled panoramic views over London, this is the hottest ticket in London on Bonfire night, and not just because of the size and ferocity of the bonfire itself! Before the mega fireworks display, general ticket holders were treated to a brilliant line up of live music and world food stalls of every possible description in the ‘StrEATlife village’, which was set up well with plenty of cover from the miserable rainy weather. For those who had purchased ...

29Jul

By Caroline JamesNo Comments

London

Tom, Dick and Harry – Alexandra Palace

Tom, Dick and Harry is a flamboyant, fun, family friendly version of what most people will recognise as The Great Escape. After extensive research, a more truthful, less Hollywood retelling is what this play gives its audience. The title, Tom, Dick and Harry reflects the research undertaken by the writers by using the code names given to the tunnels which the prisoner’s of war use in an attempt to escape German capture. Written by Michael Hugo, Andrew Pollard (both of which perform in the play) and director Theresa Heskins, the writing brings levity and humour to what could be a long and historically heavy play. The scenes can linger a little on humorous asides and there is a lack of tension in places but the pace picks back up in the group scenes. Set in the round in the beautiful Ale...

3Dec

By Paul AckroydNo Comments

London

A Christmas Carol – Alexandra Palace

For many Christmas would not be Christmas without Dicken’s famous ghost tale which in many ways started and embodies the Victorian tradition of Christmas, which is still with us today. The Nottingham Playhouse production presently playing at Alexandra Palace is a new adaptation by Mark Gatiss, who also stars as Jacob Marley. The play script follows the traditional story closely with all the normal ingredients that one would expect, but Gatiss emphasises the spookiness of the original story which in the dilapidated auditorium of the old, but only recently re-opened Alexandra Palace Theatre, works well and is enhanced by numerous very effective supernatural effects created by the illusion designer John Bulleid. The traditional setting, however, is not maintained by the Paul Wills’ set...

Full casting announced for Mark Gatiss’ adaptation of A Christmas Carol

30Sep

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

NEWS

Full casting announced for Mark Gatiss’ adaptation of A Christmas Carol

Producer Eleanor Lloyd and Nottingham Playhouse have today announced full casting for Mark Gatiss’ brand-new adaptation of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol directed by Adam Penford. Originally scheduled to open in 2020 the production will premiere at Nottingham Playhouse on 29th October, ahead of its London premiere at Alexandra Palace on 26th November. Olivier award-winner Mark Gatiss (Sherlock, The League of Gentlemen, Doctor Who) stars as Jacob Marley in his own retelling of Dickens’ classic winter ghost story alongside Nicholas Farrell (Chariots of Fire, The Crown, The Iron Lady and 37 Days) as Scrooge; James Backway (Holes, The Taming of the Shrew, War Horse) as Fred; Angelina Chudi (Dear Elizabeth, Patricia Gets Ready (for a date with the man that used to hit her)) as Caroline; J...

25Jul

By Samantha CollettNo Comments

London

Kaleidoscope – Alexandra Palace

Going to a festival during a pandemic may seem a strange choice. But if life is to get back to ‘normal’ then attending an event outside is part of the journey – plus you have to show proof you’ve been double jabbed. The difference with Kaleidoscope is in the setting of Alexandra Park. The gently sloping grounds cradling the main stage (Hilltop) mean you can watch from afar taking in the views of London as an accompaniment to the main act on stage. The awesome sound system means you don’t have to be right up front to hear the action, you can dance on your picnic blanket to your heart’s delight. And if you don’t like the main stage, there’s the bandstand or the terrace or the fringe theatre offering alternative entertainment. Short of options you are not. And talking of options, th...

‘The Largest Beer Garden In London’ The Terrace will open on 12th April at Alexandra Palace

15Mar

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

NEWS

‘The Largest Beer Garden In London’ The Terrace will open on 12th April at Alexandra Palace

Alexandra Palace has announced that it will be reopening The Terrace on Monday, 12th April, with bookings available now. With iconic, panoramic views across the city, and the Palace’s 196 acre park, and able to host up to 400 socially distanced customers at any one time, the Terrace is arguably London’s largest beer garden. The Terrace will feature street food vendors including Browski Burger and Last Night A Vegan Saved My Life and a large, well-stocked bar, so you can enjoy craft beers, prosecco, wine, soft drinks, a cocktail menu and more. Service will run from 12.30pm each day, with table service and a range of social distancing protocols in place to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. To book your table go to www.alexandrapalace.com/the-terrace/book-now/ With unparalleled v...

La Bohème Live at The Drive-In – ENO, East Car Park, Alexandra Palace

25Sep

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

London

La Bohème Live at The Drive-In – ENO, East Car Park, Alexandra Palace

Monty Python used to say, and now for something completely different, and ne’er was a truer word said than with ENO director P.J. Harris’ contemporary English language adaptation of Puccini’s classic opera, and it is also transformed from its 19th C Parisian location to a modern-day encampment in a disused London car park, where we meet our four struggling hipsters: poet Rodolfo (David Butt Philip); painter Marcello (Roderick Williams); philosopher cum photographer Colline (William Thomas); and musician Schaunard (Benson Wilson), who arrives having had some good fortune. They are interrupted by Benoît (Trevor Eliot Bowes), a security guard, but cleverly trick him to avoid paying him his dues. Whilst the others leave, Rodolfo remains but is interrupted by a young lady needing a light fo...