| The Albany | |
|---|---|
| Address |
Douglas Way, Deptford, London, SE8
4AG
|
| City | |
| Country | England |
| Capacity | 300 |
| Previous names | Albany Empire |
| http://www.thealbany.org.uk | |
| Coordinates: 51°28′40″N 0°01′39″W / 51.4777°N 0.0276°W | |
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.
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 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.
During the 1980s the Albany hosted by performances by many well known artists including Elvis Costello, Squeeze, Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer,[1] 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".[2]
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