Alexandra Palace Seating and Staging
For the first time in more than 80 years, regular performances are now being staged at the former abandoned Victorian theatre hidden inside Alexandra Palace, north London.
The restoration process has breathed new life into a space that has been hidden since the 1930s. 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 and the restored theatre was officially re-opened to the public in December 2018. Working closely alongside main contractor Willmott Dixon and Unusual Rigging, who were the stage engineering contractor, CPS was awarded the contract to revive the flexible floor space which will be used in a host of different arrangements.
CPS manufactured and installed four seating rostra configurations, three orchestra pit infill configurations and a stage infill at the theatre which is located in the East Wing of the Palace. These stage systems and configurations will give the venue maximum flexibility for the different type of events it will host.
In total, CPS supplied almost 200 stage decks, circa 1200 stage legs and over 200 fascia panels and valance curtains. This has resulted in being the single largest staging project that the company has worked on in its 53-year history.
Managing director of CPS, Jason Hughes, said:
“The Alexandra Palace restoration is not your everyday kind of project with the unique design and installation challenges that we’ve faced.
“Everyone at CPS feels very grateful to have been given the opportunity to work on the restoration of this British iconic venue and I’m delighted with the efforts of my team who have shown great professionalism from concept to completion.
“I’m sure everyone who visits the venue will be truly amazed by the stunning transformation.”
The story of the Alexandra Palace Theatre is truly unique.
