Albany Theatre
The Albany is a multi-purpose arts centre in Deptford, south-east London.
Facilities include a flexible performance space holding up to 300 seated or 600 standing and a bar, two studio theatres, a performance cafe and rehearsal / meeting rooms. The Albany currently hosts a varied programme of events including music, spoken word, theatre, club nights, and children's shows. Several arts and community organisations are based at the Albany including spoken word promoters Apples & Snakes and Heart n Soul who provide opportunities for artists with learning disabilities.
History
The original Albany Institute was opened in 1899 and provided various activities and support to a local population with high levels of poverty and deprivation.
It was not until the early 1970s that a touring theatre company became resident at the Albany and the organisation began to focus on fusion between community work and the arts.
In 1970s here hosted 15 Rock Against Racism gigs and Dire Straits performed here 2 July 1978. On July 14, 1978, the Albany's theatre, then called Albany Empire, was destroyed by fire, the cause of which has never been established. Plans were put in place for a new purpose built building incorporating theatre spaces, a cafe, community rooms and offices. This new building on Douglas Way was officially opened by Diana, Princess of Wales in 1982.[1]
During the 1980s the Albany hosted by performances by many well-known artists, including Elvis Costello, Squeeze, Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer,[2] Julian Clary, Courtney Pine and the Jazz Warriors. The building was also home to many social, creative and community organisations.
Cuts in public funding in the 1990s meant the arts programme had to be scaled back. However in 2001 the Royal National Theatre's Art of Regeneration initiative invested heavily in the organisation, enabling refurbishment of the building and the re-establishment of a programme of performances.
Charles Hayward, an experimental rock musician, organises a series of performances at the theatre under the name "Accidents + Emergencies".[3]
Transport connections
| London Buses |
| Stop F |
Florence Road 53, 177, 225, 453, N89 0.2 mile walk [6] |
| Stop E |
Deptford High Street 53, 177, 225, 453, N89 0.2 mile walk [7] |
| Stop M |
Wavelengths 47, N47 0.2 mile walk [8] |
| Stop L |
Wavelengths 47, N47 0.2 mile walk [9] |
| Docklands Light Railway |
|
Deptford Bridge 0.4 mile walk [10] |
| London Overground |
|
New Cross 0.3 mile walk [11] |
| National Rail |
|
Deptford 0.2 mile walk [12]
New Cross 0.3 mile walk [11] |
References
- ^ "Albany History". Albany Theatre. http://www.thealbany.org.uk/infopoint/26/Albany-History. Retrieved 28 February 2010.
- ^ Rampton, James (September 20, 1997). "INTERVIEW : VIC REEVES & BOB MORTIMER: Fighting for a laugh - Life & Style - The Independent". London: www.independent.co.uk. http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/interview--vic-reeves--bob-mortimer-fighting-for-a-laugh-1240036.html. Retrieved 2010-01-08.
- ^ Baxter, Ed (February 7, 2002). "Obituary: Gareth Williams". London: guardian.co.uk. http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/2002/feb/07/guardianobituaries. Retrieved 2010-01-08.
- ^ a b c "Squeeze Tour History Part II: "The New Wave Years" (1978-1982)". squeeze fan cite. http://www.squeezefan.com/tourhis2.htm. Retrieved 28 February 2010.
- ^ "Dire Straits tour 1978". Tours. Canada: Mark Knopfler official cite. http://www.mark-knopfler.info/tour1978.htm. Retrieved 13 February 2010.
- ^ http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=New+Cross,+Deptford+BroadwayFlorence+Rd+(Stop+F)+%4051.475250,-0.028390&daddr=Douglas+Way,+London,+SE8+(The+Albany)&geocode=FTJzEQMdGpH__w%3BCaSUzMEpD93pFeZ8EQMdS5T__yG2A2m2s1Wapg&hl=en&mra=pe&mrcr=0&dirflg=w&sll=51.455718,-0.050812&sspn=0.214787,0.441513&ie=UTF8&z=17 Walikng directions to The Albany from Florence Road bus stop.
- ^ http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=New+Cross,+Deptford+High+StNew+Cross+Rd+(Stop+E)+%4051.475170,-0.027360&daddr=Douglas+Way,+London,+SE8+(The+Albany)&geocode=FeJyEQMdIJX__w%3BCaSUzMEpD93pFeZ8EQMdS5T__yG2A2m2s1Wapg&hl=en&mra=pe&mrcr=0&dirflg=w&sll=51.459856,-0.18166&sspn=0.214767,0.441513&ie=UTF8&z=17 Walikng directions to The Albany from Deptford High Street bus stop.
- ^ http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=New+Cross,+Wavelengths+(N-bound)&daddr=Douglas+Way,+London,+SE8+(The+Albany)&geocode=Fa5-EQMdfqX__yE4mBO0PmVq5w%3BFeZ8EQMdS5T__yG2A2m2s1Wapg&hl=en&mra=ls&dirflg=w&sll=51.47977,-0.026765&sspn=0.006709,0.013797&ie=UTF8&ll=51.477908,-0.02399&spn=0.003354,0.006899&z=17 Walikng directions to The Albany from Deptford High Street bus stop.
- ^ http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=New+Cross,+Wavelengths+(S-bound)+%4051.478110,-0.022490&daddr=Douglas+Way,+London,+SE8+(The+Albany)&geocode=FV5-EQMdJqj__w%3BCaSUzMEpD93pFeZ8EQMdS5T__yG2A2m2s1Wapg&hl=en&mra=pe&mrcr=0&dirflg=w&sll=51.500836,-0.083084&sspn=0.107287,0.220757&ie=UTF8&z=17 Walikng directions to The Albany from Deptford High Street bus stop.
- ^ http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Deptford+Bridge+DLR+Station&daddr=Douglas+Way,+London,+SE8+(The+Albany)&geocode=FSdwEQMdT6f__yk_SsjBigJ2SDFBQkQCdXMwIQ%3BFeZ8EQMdS5T__yG2A2m2s1Wapg&hl=en&mra=ls&dirflg=w&sll=51.476518,-0.030459&sspn=0.003355,0.006899&ie=UTF8&ll=51.475944,-0.025202&spn=0.003355,0.006899&z=17 Walikng directions to The Albany from Deptford Bridge DLR station.
- ^ a b http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Amersham+Vale&daddr=51.477581,-0.030845+to:Douglas+Way,+London,+SE8+(The+Albany)&geocode=FWt2EQMd3IL__w%3B%3BFeZ8EQMdS5T__yG2A2m2s1Wapg&hl=en&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=1&sz=17&via=1&dirflg=w&sll=51.476518,-0.030459&sspn=0.003355,0.006899&ie=UTF8&z=17 Walikng directions to The Albany from New Cross station.
- ^ http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Deptford+railway+station&daddr=Douglas+Way,+London,+SE8+(The+Albany)&geocode=%3BFeZ8EQMdS5T__yG2A2m2s1Wapg&hl=en&mra=ls&dirflg=w&sll=51.479552,-0.026758&sspn=0.006709,0.013797&ie=UTF8&z=18 Walikng directions to The Albany from Deptford railway station.
External links