The Theatres Trust

Tottenham Palace

  • Theatre ID
    2032
  • Built / Converted
    1908
  • Current state
    Extant
  • Current use
    Religious centre
  • Address
    421-27 Tottenham High Road North, Haringey, London, N17, England

Details

A large, relatively late variety theatre (but perhaps never the capacity of 3000, including standing, quoted in the Stage Year Book). Capacity if reseated to modern standards likely to be 1500 to 1800. Restrained symmetrical entrance façe in red brick and stone; a well-considered composition with Ionic pilasters and pediments. The Ionic theme is carried consistently through the foyer and auditorium. Auditorium with two balconies; good plaster decoration; impressive three-bay loggia on either side at dress circle level, containing two boxes, the centre bay with a broken segmental pediment, the boxes now looking rather naked without their drapes. Gilded figures of Muses in niches flanking the proscenium. The building has been cared for and the conversion to bingo (principally the introduction of a stepped level floor in the stalls) was achieved with no significant architectural loss. In 1997, conversion to a church was proposed. Now the only complete example in London of a theatre by the architects who rebuilt the Oxford Music Hall in 1893 (dem), built the Bath Palace of Varieties 1895, reconstructed the Blackpool Winter Gardens auditorium 1897, designed the first Brixton Empress of 1898 (dem) and reconstructed the interior of the London Pavilion 1900 (gutted). One of the few surviving big suburban variety palaces (compare Hackney Empire) and, given a fair wind, a perfectly recoverable theatre.


Hide all images

000144_small
Streetscape showing Tottenham Palace, London
© not specified

000143_small
Façade of Tottenham Palace, London, circa 1914
© not specified


000142_small
Façade of The Palace Social Club, Tottenham, 1989
© The Theatres Trust

See all images


Hide further details

  • Other names
    Mecca Bingo, Jasmine Bingo
  • Events
    • 1908 Design/Construction:
      • Wylson & Long - Architect
    • 1926 - 0 Alteration: converted to cinema (architect unknown).
    • 1969 - 0 Alteration: converted to bingo (architect unknown).
    • Owner/Management: London Syndicate Halls
    • 1969 Owner/Management: Mecca Bingo
    • 1992 - 1995 Owner/Management: Jasmine Bingo
    • 1997 Owner/Management: Power Praise Deliverance Ministries, owners
  • Capacities
    • Original: 3000
    • Current: c.1500
  • Listings
    • Grade II
  • Dimensions
    • Stage dimensions: Depth: 40ft
    • Proscenium width: 30ft

Of the period

Façade of the former Theatre Royal, Barnsley, 1998
Theatre Royal (Barnsley)
Barnsley

Have you seen?

Auditorium of the Lyric, Dinnington, 1998
Lyric (Dinnington)
Dinnington

Protecting theatres for everyone

The National Advisory Public Body for Theatres