Alexandra Palace: Difference between revisions

{{Shortshort description|Listed entertainment and sports venue in London}}

| name = Alexandra Palace

| image = APalace 1.jpg

| image_size = 250px

| image_alt =

| caption = Alexandra Palace at sunset in April 2021

| location = [[Alexandra Park, London]], {{postcode|N|22}}

| coordinates = {{coord|51|35|39|N|00|07|51|W|region:GB_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}

| builtbroke_ground = September = 1865

| built =
| opened = {{Startstart date|1875|05|01|df=yes}}

| renovated = 1873–75, 1980–88, 2016–17

|embed = yes

|inauguration_date = {{Startstart date|1873|05|24|df=y}}

}}

| website = {{URL|http://www.alexandrapalace.com|VenueOfficial Websitewebsite}}

'''Alexandra Palace''' is an entertainment and sports venue in North London, situated between [[Wood Green]] and [[Muswell Hill]] in the [[London Borough of Haringey]]. A [[listed building|Grade II listed]] building,<ref name="ReferenceA">{{National Heritage List for England |num=1268256|desc=Alexandra Palace including former Alexandra Palace Station to North |access-date=3 November 2011}}</ref> it is built on the site of [[Tottenham Wood]] and the later Tottenham Wood Farm.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.alexandrapalace.com/content/uploads/2011/05/Conservation-and-Heritage-Management-Plan1.pdf |title=Alexandra Park Conservation & Heritage Management Plan |publisher=Alexandra Park and Palace Charitable Trust |date=January 2011 |access-date=13 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613160417/http://www.alexandrapalace.com/content/uploads/2011/05/Conservation-and-Heritage-Management-Plan1.pdf |archive-date=13 June 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Originally built by [[John Johnson (architect, born 1807)|John Johnson]] and [[Alfred Meeson]], it opened in 1873 but following a fire two weeks after its opening, was rebuilt by Johnson. Intended as "The People's Palace" and often referred to as "'''Ally Pally'''", its purpose was to serve as a public centre of recreation, education and entertainment; [[North London]]'s counterpart to [[the Crystal Palace]] in [[South London]].<ref>{{cite news |last=O'Connor |first=John J. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/11/17/arts/tv-reviews-film-celebrates-bbc-s-50th-birthday.html |title=TV Reviews; Film Celebrates BBC's 50th Birthday |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=17 November 1986 |access-date=8 July 2011 |archive-date=19 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230119070252/https://www.nytimes.com/1986/11/17/arts/tv-reviews-film-celebrates-bbc-s-50th-birthday.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

The original studios 'A' and 'B' still survive in the southeast wing with their producers' galleries and are used for exhibiting original historical television equipment. The original Victorian theatre with its [[stage machinery]] also survives and as of 2019, is back in use. The theatre and stage structure is on [[English Heritage]]'s Buildings at Risk register. Alexandra Palace became a listed building in 1996,<ref name="ReferenceA"/> at the instigation of the Hornsey Historical Society. A planned commercial development of the building into a mixed leisure complex including a hotel, replacement ice-skating rink, cinema, ten-pin bowling alley and exhibition centre, encountered opposition from public groups and was blocked by the [[High Court of Justice|High Court]] in 2007.

In 2013, Alexandra Park was declared a [[local nature reserve]] and is also a [[Site of Nature Conservation Interest|Site of Borough Importance for Nature Conservation]], Grade 1.<ref name=LNR>{{cite web |url=http://www.lnr.naturalengland.org.uk/Special/lnr/lnr_details.asp?C=17&N=&ID=1770 |title=Alexandra Park |series=Local Nature Reserves |publisher=Natural England |date=20 March 2014 |access-date=9 April 2014 |archive-date=13 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413131500/http://www.lnr.naturalengland.org.uk/Special/lnr/lnr_details.asp?C=17&N=&ID=1770 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=GIGL>{{cite web |url=http://www.gigl.org.uk/online/site-Details.aspx?sID=HgBI06&sType=sinc |title=Alexandra Park |publisher=Greenspace Information for Greater London |year=2013 |access-date=9 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413194757/http://www.gigl.org.uk/online/site-Details.aspx?sID=HgBI06&sType=sinc |archive-date=13 April 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gigl.org.uk/online/ |title=iGiGL data portal (map) |publisher=Greenspace Information for Greater London |access-date=9 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140114132930/http://www.gigl.org.uk/online/ |archive-date=14 January 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

The nearest railway stations are the [[Alexandra Palace railway station|Alexandra Palace]] with [[Great Northern Routeroute|Great Northern]] services from [[Moorgate station|Moorgate]] and [[London Underground]] station [[Wood Green tube station|Wood Green]] on the [[Piccadilly line]]. Alexandra Palace is also served by [[London Buses]] route W3.

The "Palace of the People" was conceived by [[Owen Jones (architect)|Owen Jones]] in 1859. The Great Northern Palace Company had been established by 1860, but was initially unable to raise financing for the construction of the Palace. Construction materials were acquired and recycled from the large [[1862 International Exhibition]] building in [[South Kensington]] after it was demolished: the Government had declined to take it over. In 1863 Alexandra Park Co. Ltd. acquired the land of Tottenham Wood Farm for conversion to a park and to build the People's Palace,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://hornseyhistorical.org.uk/brief-history-alexandra-palace-park/ |title=A Brief History of Alexandra Palace and Park |publisher=Hornsey Historical Society |date=January 2018 |access-date=13 June 2018}}</ref> on a site that stands on a ridge more than {{cvt|300|feet}} high, part of [[Muswell Hill]].<ref>{{cite book |editor1-last=Baggs |editor1-first=A. P. |editor2-last=Bolton |editor2-first=Diane K. |editor3-last=Pugh |editor3-first=R. B. |date=1980 |chapter=Hornsey, including Highgate: Introduction |title=A History of the County of Middlesex: Volume 6 |url=https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/middx/vol6/pp101-103 |location=London |publisher=Victoria County History |page=101 |isbn=978-0197227503 |access-date=15 February 2022 |archive-date=19 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230119070259/https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/middx/vol6/pp101-103 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Alexandra Park, London|Alexandra Park]] was opened to the public on 23 July 1863.

===20th century{{anchor|Alexandra Park and Palace (Public Purposes) Act 1900}}===

During the [[First World War]] the park was closed and; the Palace and grounds were firstfirstly used as a refugee camp for displaced Belgians,<ref>{{Citecite web|title=Alexandra Palace launches exhibition commemorating WW1 heritage {{!}} Alexandra Palace|url=http://www.alexandrapalace.com/news/alexandra-palace-launches-exhibition-commemorating-ww1-heritage/|website=www.alexandrapalace.com|access-date=18 February 2016|first=Alexandra|last=Palace|date=15 August 2014|archive-date=25 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160225153252/http://www.alexandrapalace.com/news/alexandra-palace-launches-exhibition-commemorating-ww1-heritage/|url-status=live}}</ref> and then later from 1915 to 1919 as an internment camp<ref>{{Citecite web |title=Alexandra Palace's war time efforts to be showcased in new app and video {{!}} Middlesex University London |url=http://www.mdx.ac.uk/news/2013/10/alexandra-palaces-war-time-efforts-to-be-showcased-in-new-app-and-video |website=www.mdx.ac.uk |access-date=18 February 2016 |archive-date=16 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171016131731/http://www.mdx.ac.uk/news/2013/10/alexandra-palaces-war-time-efforts-to-be-showcased-in-new-app-and-video |url-status=dead }}</ref> for German and Austrian civilians.<ref>{{cite web |title=WWI Internees at Alexandra Palace, London, England |url=http://blogs.ancestry.com/circle/?p=3025 |publisher=Family History Circle |access-date=26 February 2011 |date=7 November 2008 |archive-date=7 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707135435/http://blogs.ancestry.com/circle/?p=3025 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Alexandra Palace as a concentration camp |url=http://www.balh.co.uk/lhn/article.php?file=lhn-vol1iss87-6.xml |publisher=British association for Local History |access-date=26 February 2011 |year=2005 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002034133/http://www.balh.co.uk/lhn/article.php?file=lhn-vol1iss87-6.xml |archive-date=2 October 2011}}</ref> The camp commandant was Lt. Col. [[Robert Sandilands Frowd Walker|R. S. F. Walker]] until his death in May 1917.<ref name="Gazette 110917">{{London Gazette |issue=30278|page=9396|date=11 September 1917 }}</ref>

In 1935, the trustees leased part of the Palace to the [[BBC]] for use as the production and transmission centre for their new [[BBC Television]] service. The antenna was designed by [[Charles Samuel Franklin]] of the [[Marconi Company]]. The world's [[First day of televisionBBC programmestelevision|The world's first public broadcasts]] of [[High-definition television#History|(then) "high-definition"]] television were made from Alexandra Palace in November 1936,<ref name="Burns 1998-ix">{{cite book |first=R.W. |last=Burns |title=Television: An International History of the Formative Years |location=London |publisher=The Institution of Electrical Engineers |year=1998 |page=ix |isbn=978-0-85296-914-4}}</ref> an event which is alluded to by the rays in the modern [[coat of arms of the London Borough of Haringey]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.haringey.gov.uk/index/news_and_events/fact_file/historyofharingey/coat_of_arms.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060506022144/http://www.haringey.gov.uk/index/news_and_events/fact_file/historyofharingey/coat_of_arms.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 May 2006 |title=Coat of arms |publisher=London Borough of Haringey |access-date=21 December 2013}}</ref> Two competing systems, Marconi-EMI's 405-line system and [[John Logie Baird]]'s 240-line system, were installed, each with its own broadcast studio and were transmitted on alternate weeks until the 405-line system was chosen in 1937.<ref name="Burns 1998-ix" /> After the BBC leased the eastern part of the Palace the theatre was only used for props storage space.

The Palace continued as the BBC's main transmitting centre for London until 1956, interrupted only by the [[World War II|Second World War]] when the transmitter found an alternative use [[Battle of the Beams|jamming German bombers' navigation systems]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.alexandrapalace.com/timeline/ |title=Timeline |publisher=alexandrapalace.com |access-date=7 June 2018 |archive-date=3 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180603075716/http://www.alexandrapalace.com/timeline/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.televisionheaven.co.uk/history_of_the_bbc_9.htm |title=The History of the BBC: Alexandra Palace's Secret War |publisher=www.televisionheaven.co.uk |access-date=7 June 2018 |date=2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612034003/http://www.televisionheaven.co.uk/history_of_the_bbc_9.htm |archive-date=12 June 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In 1944, a German [[V-1 flying bomb|doodlebug]] exploded just outside the organ end of the Great Hall and the Rose Window was blown in, leaving the organ exposed to the elements.<ref>Aprahamian 1970, loc. cit.</ref> In 1947 some of the pieces of the shattered rose window were incorporated in a new design by architect [[Church Army Chapel, Blackheath|E.T. Spashett]] during renovation of bomb-damaged public buildings by the [[Ministry of Works (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Works]].<ref>{{Citecite web |url=http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C260 |title=National Ar4chives: Records of the successive Works departments, and the Ancient Monuments Boards and Inspectorate, Ministry of Works, 1943–1962 |access-date=6 April 2018 |archive-date=6 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180406234635/http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C260 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>Archives of E.T. Spashett ARIBA</ref> During the 1940s and 1950s the Palace also housed a public roller-skating rink and the [[Alexandra Palace Roller Skating Club]].

Early in 1980, Haringey council took over the trusteeship of Alexandra Palace from the GLC, insuring it for £31 million,<ref name="youtube=dZkHkAQS0Yk">{{cite web |author1author=[[BBC News]] |title=Alexandra Palace Fire |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZkHkAQS0Yk |website=youtubeYoutube |access-date=21 May 2023 |language=en |date=10 July 1980}}<!-- This film footage is from the Archive Collection held and administered by the Alexandra Palace Television Society. --></ref> intending to refurbish the building but just six months later, during [[Capital Radio]]'s Jazz Festival, a fire started under the organ and quickly spread. It destroyed half the building. Again the outer walls survived and the eastern parts, including the theatre and the BBC Television studios and aerial mast, were saved. Parts of the famous organ were destroyed, though it had been dismantled for repairs so some parts (including nearly all the pipework) were away from the building in store. Some of the damage to the Palace was repaired immediately but Haringey council overspent on the restoration, creating a £30 million deficit. It was then reopened to the public in 1988 under a new management team headed by Louis Bizat. Later the council was heavily criticised for the overspend in a report by Project Management International.<ref>Project Management International plc, ''Alexandra Palace: Report for the London Borough of Haringey'' (1990)</ref>

In 1991, the attorney-general stated that the overspending by the council as trustee was unlawful, and so could not be charged to the charity.<ref name="independent.co.uk/1346025">{{cite news |title=Council faces 'meltdown' over Ally Pally debt |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/council-faces-meltdown-over-ally-pally-debt-1346025.html |access-date=21 May 2023 |work=The Independent .co.uk |date=6 May 1996 |language=en}}</ref> The council for some years did not accept this politically embarrassing finding and instead maintained that the charity "owed" the council £30 million, charged compound interest on what it termed a "debt" (which eventually rose to a claim of some £60 million), and to recoup it tried to offer the whole palace for sale.<ref name="google/books=FOQoDAAAQBAJ">{{cite book |last1=Dillon |first1=Denis |last2=Fanning |first2=Bryan |title=Lessons for the Big Society: Planning, Regeneration and the Politics of Community Participation |date=13 May 2016 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-317-10561-9 |page=35 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FOQoDAAAQBAJ&dq=council+Palace+debt&pg=PA35 |access-date=21 May 2023 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="independent.co.uk/1348398">{{cite news |title=Haringey owns up to pounds 50m debt |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/haringey-owns-up-to-pounds-50m-debt-1348398.html |access-date=21 May 2023 |work=The Independent |date=20 May 1996 |language=en}}</ref>{{Citation needed|date=July 2021}}

An ice rink was installed at Alexandra Palace in 1990. Primarily intended for public skating, it has also housed [[ice hockey]] teams including the [[HaringeyHarringay Racers]], the [[Haringey Greyhounds]], the [[London Racers]] and now the [[Haringey Huskies]],<ref>{{cite book |title=Homes of British Ice Hockey |last=Harris |first=Martin C. |publisher=History Press |year=2005 |page=116 |isbn=978-0752425818}}</ref> as well as a [[figure skating]] club, the Alexandra Palace Amateur Ice Skating Club.

In June 2004, the first performances for about 70 years took place in the theatre, first in its foyer then in July in the theatre itself. Although conditions were far from ideal, the audience was able to see the potential of this very large space – originally seating 3,000, it could not be licensed for more than a couple of hundred. It was intended that the theatre would reopen, but much costly restoration would be required first. It will never again reach a seating capacity of 3,000 (not least because one balcony was removed in the early part of the 20th century as a fire precaution, when films started to be shown there). A major season of the theatre company [[CompliciteComplicité]] was planned for 2005 but the project, which would have included some repair and access work, was cancelled due to higher-than-anticipated costs.<ref>{{cite news |last=Gillespie |first=Ruth |title=Complicite scraps plans for Alexandra Palace rebirth |work=The Stage News |publisher=[[The Stage]] |date=8 February 2005 |url=http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/newsstory.php/6411/complicite-scraps-plans-for-alexandra-palace |access-date=25 June 2008 |quote=The company had announced plans for a £500,000 refurbishment of the 19th century building last year, more than 65 years after the venue went dark and planned to occupy the space for 12-weeks in the spring. However, Complicite has been forced to abandon its proposals after the cost of essential safety work on the 2,500-seat auditorium shot up from £160,000 to £310,000. |archive-date=21 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120921002938/http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/newsstory.php/6411/complicite-scraps-plans-for-alexandra-palace |url-status=live }}</ref>

Plans by the current trustees, Haringey Council, to replace all the charitable uses by commercial ones by a commercial lease of the entire building, including a casino, encountered considerable public and legal opposition, and on 5 October 2007, in the High Court, Mr. Justice Sullivan granted an application by Jacob O'Callaghan, a London resident, to quash the Charity Commission's order authorising a 125-year lease of the entire building to Firoka Ltd.<ref>{{cite news |title=Court rejects £55m Palace plans |workpublisher=[[BBC News]] |publisher=[[bbc.co.uk]] |date=5 October 2007 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/7030648.stm |access-date=25 June 2008 |quote=Firoz Kassam, the former chairman of Oxford United Football Club, wants to refurbish the building's exhibition halls, add a 150-bedroom hotel, casino, bars and restaurants and provide public leisure facilities on the site. But on Friday the judge quashed a Charity Commission order which permitted palace trustees to enter into a 125-year lease with Mr Kassam's development company, Firoka Group. Mr Justice Sullivan said lease details were not given in time for public consultation, so the whole consultation process must be reopened. |archive-date=11 October 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011210504/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/7030648.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>

In September 2009, Alexandra Palace main hall was allowed 20002,000 more occupation, up to 10,250 ("still saddled by a £37 million debt it owes its guardian, Haringey Council").<ref name="thetottenhamindependent.co.uk/4591297">{{cite news |title=Ally Pally to welcome up to 2000 more at music concerts |url=https://www.thetottenhamindependent.co.uk/news/4591297.ally-pally-to-welcome-up-to-2000-more-at-music-concerts/ |access-date=21 May 2023 |work=Tottenham Independent |date=10 September 2009 |language=en}}</ref>

A masterplan for the future of the site was drawn up in 2012, comprising six 'big ideas' to restore and redevelop the Palace.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.alexandrapalace.com/about-us/regeneration/masterplan/ |title=East Wing Restoration – Alexandra Palace |first=Alexandra |last=Palace |access-date=11 September 2015 |archive-date=6 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906074115/http://www.alexandrapalace.com/about-us/regeneration/masterplan/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The first of these to be implemented aims to transform the derelict eastern end of the Palace, making accessible the Victorian theatre and historic BBC Studios. In 2013 the Heritage Lottery Fund awarded a Round 1 pass to develop the proposals, creating a new entrance in the restored East Court, re-establishing the theatre as a flexible performance space and re-opening the BBC Studios as a visitor attraction. There was controversy regarding plans to demolish the brick infills in the colonnade on the south-east face of the building, which the BBC constructed after 1936 to form their television studios within.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hamhighbroadway.co.uk/news/heritage/comment_let_s_conserve_birthplace_of_television_warts_and_all_1_3846967 |title=COMMENT: 'Let's conserve birthplace of television, warts and all' -– Heritage -– Hampstead & Highgate Express -– Broadway |access-date=25 March 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402171613/http://www.hamhighbroadway.co.uk/news/heritage/comment_let_s_conserve_birthplace_of_television_warts_and_all_1_3846967 |archive-date=2 April 2015}}</ref> Following a public consultation and advice from English Heritage, Planning and Listed Building Consent was given for the proposals and in March 2015 HLF awarded Round 2 major grant funding securing a positive future for the historic areas.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-32048988 |title=Alexandra Palace secures £18.8m funding for theatre revamp |workpublisher=BBC News |date=25 March 2015 |access-date=21 June 2018 |archive-date=12 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612191627/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-32048988 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2018, it was announced that the Theatre would open for a [[The Proms|BBC Proms]] performance on 1 September<ref>{{Citecite news |url=https://www.thestage.co.uk/news/2018/sierra-boggess-to-star-in-west-side-story-at-bbc-proms/ |title=Sierra Boggess to star in West Side Story at BBC Proms |date=19 April 2018 |work=The Stage |access-date=2 May 2018 |archive-date=3 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180503111407/https://www.thestage.co.uk/news/2018/sierra-boggess-to-star-in-west-side-story-at-bbc-proms/ |url-status=live }}</ref> before officially reopening to the public on 1 December 2018 following the completion of the East Wing Restoration Project by the contractor [[Willmott Dixon]].<ref>{{Citecite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2018/apr/26/alexandra-palaces-hidden-theatre-to-reopen-after-188m-restoration |title=Alexandra Palace's 'hidden' theatre to reopen after £18.8m restoration |last=Brown |first=Mark |date=26 April 2018 |website=The Guardian |access-date=2 May 2018 |archive-date=1 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180501210318/https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2018/apr/26/alexandra-palaces-hidden-theatre-to-reopen-after-188m-restoration |url-status=live }}</ref> The opening programme included performances from [[Dylan Moran]], [[Horrible Histories]], [[Gilbert & George]], [[Gareth Malone]] and an evening of jazz presented by [[Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club|Ronnie Scott's]].<ref>{{Citecite news |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/go/london/theatre/first-season-at-alexandra-palaces-hidden-theatre-launches-in-december-a3824231.html |title=Ally Pally's hidden theatre launches first season in December |work=Evening Standard |access-date=2 May 2018 |archive-date=3 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180503110842/https://www.standard.co.uk/go/london/theatre/first-season-at-alexandra-palaces-hidden-theatre-launches-in-december-a3824231.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

During the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom|coronavirus pandemic]], Alexandra Palace was used as a food distribution hub by ''Edible London'' for local residents.<ref>{{cite news |title=Alexandra Palace transformed into food distribution hub during lockdown |url=https://www.jerseyeveningpost.com/morenews/uknews/2020/04/21/alexandra-palace-transformed-into-food-distribution-hub-during-lockdown/ |access-date=21 May 2023 |work=Jersey Evening Post |date=21 April 2020}}</ref>

Alexandra Palace has hosted a number of significant events over the course of its history. Recurring events held there include the [[Great British Beer Festival]] (1977–1980),<ref name="gbbf-hist">{{cite web |url=https://www.gbbf.org.uk/about/history-of-the-great-british-beer-festival/ |title=History of the Great British Beer Festival |publisher=www.gbbf.org.uk |access-date=7 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612143808/https://www.gbbf.org.uk/about/history-of-the-great-british-beer-festival/ |archive-date=12 June 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref> the [[Brit Awards]] (1993–1995), the [[PDC World Darts Championship]] (2008–present) and the [[Masters (snooker)|Masters]] [[snooker]] tournament (2012–2020 and 2022-20242022–2024).

In 1970, Italian director [[Lucio Fulci]] filmed an important segment of his [[giallo]] film ''[[A Lizard in a Woman's Skin]]'' here. Alexandra Palace posed as a disused church.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0067361/ |title=A Lizard in a Woman's Skin |date=20 March 1973 |via=IMDb |access-date=1 July 2018 |archive-date=12 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412014824/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0067361/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The rock band [[Led Zeppelin]] played at Alexandra Palace's Grand Hall in two sell out performances on the evenings of the 22/23 December 1972.<ref name=":0">{{Citecite web |title=Led Zeppelin {{!}} Official Website |url=https://www.ledzeppelin.com/ |access-date=24 November 2020|website=LedZeppelin.com |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211110214958/https://merch.ledzeppelin.com/?ref=}}</ref> Their concert tickets were priced at £1 each for the two-hour-long gig and were uniquely made available from specific Harlequin Record Shops within Central London.<ref>{{Citecite web |date=December 1972 |title=Led Zeppelin Live |url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=oG0q7Ex55Xo |url-status=live |access-date=24 November 2020 |website=YouTube |archive-date=19 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230119070259/https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&feature=youtu.be&v=oG0q7Ex55Xo }}</ref><ref name=":0" />

In 1973, the [[Divine Light Mission]] held a "Festival of Love" there.<ref>Price, Maeve (1979): "The Divine Light Mission as a social organisation". ''Sociological Review'', 27, Pagepp. 279–96279–296.</ref> Also in 1973, British rock band [[Wishbone Ash]] played a Christmas concert at the Palace, billed as "Christmas at the Palace".

The American band [[Grateful Dead]] played a series of three shows there between 9 and 11 September 1974 and a; [[Dick's Picks Volume 7|a recording]] of portions of all three shows was released as part of the [[Dick's Picks]] series in March 1997.

The [[Campaign for Real Ale]] held the [[Great British Beer Festival]] there from 1977 to 1980<ref name="gbbf-hist" /> (the 1980 edition taking place in tents outside the fire-damaged Alexandra Palace<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.camra.org.uk/key-events-in-camra-s-history |title=The History of CAMRA |date=2014 |access-date=7 June 2014 |archive-date=19 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230119070309/https://camra.org.uk/about/about-us/our-history/ |url-status=live }}</ref>). On the afternoon of 10 July 1980 (an accidental) fire destroyed the Great Hall, Banqueting Suite, Dressing Rooms and Ice Rink during contractors routine repairs and maintenance.<ref>{{Citecite web |title=Lost in flames |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/content/articles/2007/05/21/fire_destroyed_feature.shtml |access-date=24 November 2020 |workpublisher=BBC |archive-date=5 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105231746/http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/content/articles/2007/05/21/fire_destroyed_feature.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref>

From 27 July to 5 August 1973, The London Music Festival '73 was held here. It claimed to be the biggest indoor rock festival ever staged.{{citationCitation needed|date=June 2020}}

After the fire, the burnt-out shell of the great hall of Alexandra Palace was used as Victory Square in [[Michael Radford]]'s [[Nineteen Eighty-Four (1984 film)|1984 film adaptation]] of [[George Orwell]]'s novel ''[[Nineteen Eighty-Four]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Pally |first=Ally |title=Ready for our close up < Alexandra Palace |url=https://www.alexandrapalace.com/blog/ready-for-our-close-up/ |website=Alexandra Palace |date=19 September 2019 |access-date=31 March 2024 |language=en-GB}}</ref>

In November 1989, [[the Stone Roses]] playedperformed theira first major gig in the [[Southern England|South of England]]concert at Alexandra Palace,.{{citation notableneeded|date=June particularly as the band sold the venue out before being featured significantly in the music press or making any national television appearances.2024}}

[[Hugh Cornwell]] played his last performance with [[the Stranglers]] at Alexandra Palace in August 1990. This would bewas documented withby the ''[[Saturday Night, Sunday Morning]]'' album and video.

In 1996, the Palace hosted the inaugural London Model Engineering Exhibition which continued each year until 2021 when it was cancelled due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom|COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=London Model Engineering Exhibition |url=https://www.meridienneexhibitions.co.uk/events/london-model-engineering-exhibition |access-date=25 October 2020 |website=www.meridienneexhibitions.co.uk |archive-date=29 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929042418/https://www.meridienneexhibitions.co.uk/events/london-model-engineering-exhibition |url-status=live }}</ref>

In April 2000, the funeral service of the Labour MP [[Bernie Grant]] took place at the Palace. An estimated 3,000 people attended.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2000/apr/19/uk.politicalnews |title=Tottenham turns out in style for Bernie Grant's funeral |work=The Guardian |location=London |date=19 April 2000 |access-date=17 August 2022 |archive-date=19 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230119070259/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2000/apr/19/uk.politicalnews |url-status=live }}</ref>

In December 2002, The ''[[Miss World 2002]]'' pageant was staged inat the venue.{{cn|date=June at short notice, having originally been scheduled for Abuja, Nigeria.2024}}

In June 2007, a Hackday event was hosted at Alexandra Palace by the [[BBC]] and [[Yahoo!]] During the event, the building was struck by lightning, causing the fire vents to open (and then get stuck open), and it rained inside the building.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2007/jun/25/news.yahoo |title=When hacks attack |work=The Guardian |location=London |date=25 June 2007 |access-date=24 September 2014 |archive-date=5 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141005035734/http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2007/jun/25/news.yahoo |url-status=live }}</ref>

Since December 2007, Alexandra Palace has hosted the [[PDC World Darts Championship]],<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/darts/6516989.stm |title=World Darts moves to London |workpublisher=BBC News |date=2 April 2007 |access-date=8 July 2011 |archive-date=11 July 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070711050610/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/darts/6516989.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> following 14 years from December 1993 to January 2007 of the tournament being held at the [[Circus Tavern]] in [[Purfleet]], Essex. The Palace was previously home to the [[News of the World Darts Championship|''News of the World'' Darts Championship]] between 1963 and 1977.

The band [[Portishead (band)|Portishead]] hosted one of two [[All Tomorrow's Parties (music festival)|All Tomorrow's Parties]] festivals titled ''I'll Be Your Mirror'' in July 2011 at Alexandra Palace.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.atpfestival.com/events/ibymportishead.php |title=I'll Be Your Mirror London curated by Portishead & ATP – All Tomorrow's Parties |publisher=Atpfestival.com |access-date=4 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605080027/http://www.atpfestival.com/events/ibymportishead.php |archive-date=5 June 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref> The 50th anniversary programme of ''[[Songs of Praise]]'' was recorded there in September 2011 and broadcast the following month.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b015tw8c |title=Songs of Praise 50th Birthday Celebration |access-date=2 October 2011 |archive-date=6 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161106155450/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b015tw8c |url-status=live }}</ref>

Since 2012, itthe Palace has isbeen the venue for the [[Masters (snooker)|Masters]] snooker tournament, held every January.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.alexandrapalace.com/news/the-masters-snooker-relocates-to-alexandra-palace-for-2012/ |title=The Masters Snooker Relocates to Alexandra Palace for 2012 |publisher=Alexandra Palace |date=26 April 2011 |access-date=5 August 2011 |archive-date=29 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129015008/http://www.alexandrapalace.com/news/the-masters-snooker-relocates-to-alexandra-palace-for-2012/ |url-status=dead}}</ref> The only subsequent year it washas not been held at the venuethere was 2021, as a result of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].

Alexandra Palace continues to be a prolific and high-profile music venue attracting internationally renowned artists. [[Suede (band)|Suede]] appeared in March 2013, playing one of the first dates in support of ''[[Bloodsports (album)|Bloodsports]]'', their first new album in more than a decade. In September 2013, [[Björk]] performed one of the final concerts of her [[Biophilia Tourtour]]. The show was the last concert to be held "in the round", a format which characterised the tour, and the first to be performed in this way at Alexandra Palace.<ref>{{cite web |last=Murray |first=Robin |title=Bjork Announces London Show |url=http://www.clashmusic.com/news/bjork-announces-london-show |work=Clash |date=11 June 2013 |access-date=11 June 2013 |archive-date=24 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140324215824/http://www.clashmusic.com/news/bjork-announces-london-show |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Björk announces oneBjörk announces one-off London gig on September 3 – ticket details |url=https://www.nme.com/news/bjork/70792 |work=NME |access-date=11 June 2013 |date=11 June 2013 |archive-date=15 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130615083143/http://www.nme.com/news/bjork/70792 |url-status=live }}</ref> The eclectic programming has included in 2015, [[Florence and the Machine]] playing 4 dates of their [[How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful Tour]] in the Palace as well as in 2016 alone, heavy metal band [[Slipknot (band)|Slipknot]], Drum & Bass DJ [[Andy C]] and [[the Last Shadow Puppets]]; with sell out shows by [[Twenty One Pilots]]<ref>{{Citecite web |url=http://www.bandsintown.com/TwentyOnePilots/past_events |title=Twenty One Pilots Shows |website=bandsintown.com |access-date=30 November 2016 |archive-date=1 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161201020337/http://www.bandsintown.com/TwentyOnePilots/past_events |url-status=live }}</ref> and [[Panic at the Disco]].<ref>{{Citecite web |url=http://www.bandsintown.com/Panic!AtTheDisco/past_events |title=Panic! at the Disco Shows |website=bandsintown.com |access-date=30 November 2016 |archive-date=30 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161130113405/http://www.bandsintown.com/Panic!AtTheDisco/past_events |url-status=live }}</ref>

The bootcamp stage for [[The X Factor (UK series 13)|series 13]] of ''[[The X Factor UK|The X Factor]]'' was filmed at the Alexandra Palace from 6 to 8 July 2016.<ref>{{cite web |title=The X Factor 2016: Country house Boot Camp axed and new location revealed |url=http://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/687347/The-X-Factor-2016-Country-house-Boot-Camp-axed-Alexandra-Palace |work=Andrew Bullock |access-date=26 September 2016 |date=7 July 2016 |archive-date=27 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160927110213/http://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/687347/The-X-Factor-2016-Country-house-Boot-Camp-axed-Alexandra-Palace |url-status=live }}</ref>

In June 2020, [[Nick Cave]] recorded the live album and concert film ''[[Idiot Prayer]]'' in the West Hall. On the record, he performs songs from throughout his career solo on the piano. <ref name="Idiot Prayer">{{cite web |last1last=Cave |first1first=Nick |title=Idiot Prayer |url=https://www.nickcave.com/idiotprayer/ |website=Nick Cave |access-date=14 October 2022 |archive-date=12 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221012061042/https://www.nickcave.com/idiotprayer/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 18 April 2021, [[London Grammar]] performed their third album, ''Californian Soil'', live at Alexandra Palace.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/watch-london-grammar-play-new-album-calfornian-soil-live-from-alexandra-palace-2923371 |title=Watch London Grammar play new album 'Californian Soil' live from Alexandra Palace |last=Krol |first=Charlotte |date=19 April 2021 |website=[[NME]] |access-date=20 October 2021 |archive-date=3 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211103091227/https://www.nme.com/news/music/watch-london-grammar-play-new-album-calfornian-soil-live-from-alexandra-palace-2923371 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The [[Prince William, Duke of Cambridge|Duke]] and [[Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge|Duchess of Cambridge]] presented the inaugural [[Earthshot Prize]]s, with many celebrity guests, at Alexandra Palace on 17 October 2021.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ryan |first1=Hannah |last2=Foster |first2=Max |title=Winners of Prince William's £1 million Earthshot environmental prize announced |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2021/10/16/uk/prince-william-earthshot-prize-intl-gbr/index.html |access-date=18 October 2021 |workpublisher=CNN World |date=18 October 2021 |archive-date=18 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018004532/https://edition.cnn.com/2021/10/16/uk/prince-william-earthshot-prize-intl-gbr/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Fontaines D.C.]] performed the last show of their 2021 UK tour at Alexandra Palace on 27 October 2021.<ref>{{Citecite news |last=Hodgkinson |first=Will |title=Fontaines DC review — sensational in their big London breakout concert |work=[[The Times]] |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/fontaines-dc-review-sensational-in-their-big-london-breakout-concert-jz5gvhdgk |url-access=subscription |access-date=28 October 2021 |issn=0140-0460 |archive-date=28 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028133708/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/fontaines-dc-review-sensational-in-their-big-london-breakout-concert-jz5gvhdgk |url-status=live }}</ref>

{{Reflistreflist|30em}}

* [https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/sector-data/top-10-charities?p_p_id=uk_gov_ccew_onereg_charitydetails_web_portlet_CharityDetailsPortlet&p_p_lifecycle=2&p_p_state=maximized&p_p_mode=view&p_p_resource_id=%2Faccounts-resource&p_p_cacheability=cacheLevelPage&_uk_gov_ccew_onereg_charitydetails_web_portlet_CharityDetailsPortlet_fileName=0000281991_AC_20160331_E_C.pdf&_uk_gov_ccew_onereg_charitydetails_web_portlet_CharityDetailsPortlet_objectiveId=A7981131&_uk_gov_ccew_onereg_charitydetails_web_portlet_CharityDetailsPortlet_priv_r_p_mvcRenderCommandName=%2Ffull-print&_uk_gov_ccew_onereg_charitydetails_web_portlet_CharityDetailsPortlet_priv_r_p_organisationNumber=281991 ALEXANDRAAlexandra PARKPark ANDand PALACEPalace CHARITABLECharitable TRUSTTrust 2016 ANNUAL REVIEW] [[Charity Commission for England andAnnual Wales]Review]

* {{EHbarName|Alexandra+Palace}}

* [http://www.victorianlondon.org/buildings/alexandrapalace.htm Alexandra Palace] (Victorian London)

* [https://database.theatrestrust.org.uk/resources/theatres/show/818-alexandra-palace-theatre Alexandra Palace] theatrestrust.org.uk

* [http://www.londonarchitecture.co.uk/Building/280/United_Kingdom/England/London/Wood_Green/N22/Alexandra_Palace.php Pictures and Information About Alexandra Palace History] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001050832/http://www.londonarchitecture.co.uk/Building/280/United_Kingdom/England/London/Wood_Green/N22/Alexandra_Palace.php |date=1Pictures Octoberand 2020Information }}About Alexandra Palace History]

* [https://www.drostle.com/alexandra-palace-murals/ Alexandra Palace – West Corridor Murals] History of the Peoples Palace<!-- designed and painted by Haringey Mural Workshop artists: Gary Drostle, Ruth Priestly, Hilary Leobner, Joann White, John Beaumont -->

* [http://www.saveallypally.com Save Ally Pally] {{Webarchivewebarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210206205901/http://www.saveallypally.com/ |date=6 February 2021 }} : campaign to maintain the charitable status for the public

* [http://www.hornseyhistorical.org.uk Hornsey Historical Society]

* [http://www.friendsofalexandrapark.org Friends of Alexandra Park]

* [http://www.friendsofalexandrapalacetheatre.org.uk Friends of Alexandra Palace Theatre]

* [http://www.apts.org.uk Alexandra Palace Television Society]

* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070603161037/http://www.tvstudiohistory.co.uk/old%20bbc%20studios.htm#alexandra BBC Television at Alexandra Palace]

* [http://www.transdiffusion.org/emc/baird/ally_pally/ History of early BBC TV broadcasts, with photos] – 9 July 2003

[[Category:Indoor iceIce hockey venues in England]]