

Theatre
The story of Alexandra Palace Theatre is truly unique. Opened in 1875, the Theatre was a place of spectacle and delight where audiences of up to 3,000 people were entertained by pantomime, opera, drama and ballet. A feat of Victorian engineering, the impressive stage machinery was designed so that performers could appear, fly into the air and disappear through the stage.
However, it struggled to compete with the might of the West End and the theatre went on to be used as a cinema, a chapel and the home of music hall stars before a spell as a BBC prop store and workshop. For 80 years it has been closed to the public, a hidden gem perched high above the city.
The Restoration
The restoration process has breathed new life into a space that has been hidden for over 80 years. Preserved in a beautiful state of arrested decay and frozen in time, the complex work has created a space that retains the charm and character of the theatre while being fit to host contemporary productions.
Construction work began in 2016 following years of research and design. Find out more about the journey of the Theatre – from conception to completion.
Stories from
the theatre
Before you step into the theatre, discover some of the stories that have shaped this incredible space.

29 Jun 2025
Later… in our Theatre

29 May 2025
Everything you need to know about North By Northwest live on stage at Ally Pally Theatre

28 Feb 2025
Our Young Actors Company returns!

15 Oct 2024
Cinema at Ally Pally

1 Oct 2024
London Film Festival comes to the Palace

11 Jun 2024