Almeida

• Theatre ID
  3160
• Built / Converted
  1980
• Dates of use
  • 1980: continuing
• Current state
  Extant
• Current use
  Theatre (closed for major refurbishment c.2000-03)
• Address
  Almeida Street, Islington, London, N1 1TA, England

Details

Built in 1937 as the Islington Literary and Scientific Institute with a dais-stage lecture theatre behind a library and reading/reception rooms. Stucco exterior in a pleasingly under-stated neo-classical style; two storeys in three major bays rising to an entablature with pedimental blocking. The centre bay projects, three windows wide divided in each storey by piers with capitals. The outer bays have railed basement areas and, on either side, projecting porches containing the original entrances. To the left, the long, modern single-storey extension made in 2003 is a nicely judged composition whose simple geometry sits well with its neo-classical neighbour. The auditorium, which was originally of lecture room shape, was reconfigured in 1900 for use by the Salvation Army, taking in the library and reading rooms, allowing the addition of a balcony with Anaglypta front supported by cast iron columns and a lantern with stained-glass. The plan was at that time reversed, the curved wall backing the former lecture room then forming the back wall of the platform (it now backs the theatre stage). The building was later used as a warehouse and workshop by a manufacturer of novelty toys, Christmas crackers etc. During the Second World War, it was strengthened and reinforced for use as an air-raid shelter, and became a warehouse again afterwards until being converted in 1980 as a performance space by Almeida founders Pierre Audi and Chris Naylor. Various improvements took place over the years, converting the adjoining garage into a bar, and replacing portaloos with toilets, etc, until the £7.6m scheme of radical improvement was completed in 2003. In the course of these works the extension noted above was constructed, containing foyer, stairs and a bar whose sliding windows make it fully visible to passers-by. There is a new get-in door and a demountable ramp for truck entry. The auditorium has been reconfigured, reseated and air-conditioned; the Anaglypta balcony front has been copied by a film studio and reinstated. The under-stage has been excavated, and adjoining buildings underpinned to allow space for extra dressing rooms, now right up to the old garden walls. Whilst total modernisation has taken place, the quirky mixture of textures which give the interior its atmosphere, has not been compromised. Additional rehearsal space and administration offices are located in a building some yards away.

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• Other names
  Islington Scientific & Literary Institution, after Mr Beck’s Carnivals & Novelties
• Events
  • 1980 Use: continuing
  • 1837 Design/Construction: library and reading rooms
    • A D Gough & R L Roumieu as Institute - Architect
  • 1900 Alteration: internally reconstucted to new configuration taking in library and reading rooms; construction of balcony (for Salvation Army)
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1938 Alteration: reinforced for (air raid) shelter purposes
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1980 Alteration: converted to theatre
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1983 Alteration: restoration of historic façade and major structural repairs
    • Burrell Foley Fischer - Architect
  • 1985 Alteration: renovation of balcony; new control room and workshops
    • Burrell Foley Fischer - Architect
  • 1986 Alteration: opening of basement for dressing rooms, etc
    • Burrell Foley Fischer - Architect
  • 2000 - 2003 Alteration: Array enhancement of FOH spaces, bar and loading area, reseated and air-conditioned; under-stage excavated
    • Burrell Foley Fischer - Architect
  • Owner/Management: Local authority, owner
• Capacities
  • Original: 500
  • Current: 321
• Listings
  • Grade II
• Stage type
  • Flexible, with apron
• Dimensions
  • Height to grid: 6.5m
• Unreliable anecdotes
  The recurrent suggestion that the building was once a music hall probably arises from confusion with the Wellington or the Myddleton Hall opposite (q.v.), which had a short variety career. The further rumour that cock-fighting took place there in the 1870s seems unlikely, without firm evidence from contemporary press reports.