Victorian Special Effects: Stage Machinery at Alexandra Palace

The Theatre was large, holding audiences of up to 3,000 and had a varied programme that included pantomime, opera, dance, ballet, music hall and later cinema.

In typical Victorian spirit, the latest technological innovations were employed. Now exceptionally rare, the original stage machinery survives at Alexandra Palace.

Victorian audiences expected visually elaborate productions with numerous scenes and settings which seamlessly changed onstage.

The unusual layout of the Theatre meant that the scenery had to be brought through the proscenium. So stage designers Thomas Grieve and Son had to find innovative ways of incorporating equipment needed to mount spectacular shows like the popular annual pantomime.

Two tiers of flys could hold up to 48 backdrops and scenery. Scenery was designed for specific productions but the Grieves also designed a standard set for regular use.

Below the stage multiple levels were excavated to install the infrastructure to move large props and scenery to build the impression of depth on the stage. A new lock mechanism designed by Grieves stopped scenery from crashing down through the stage and injuring the stagehands below.

The levels allowed for scenery to drop out of view but also to track across the stage via weights, pulleys and gears. It enabled magical quick transformations like the Harlequinade in pantomime.

In the Harlequinade, a glitter curtain fell over the stage and all the scenery would change within two minutes.

The performers changed into stock characters: Harlequin, Columbine, Pantaloon and Pierrot. The comedic scene became the slapstick chase in modern pantomime.

Stage machinery made magical characters appear and disappear through traps in the floor, and rigging allowed them to fly. These were very dangerous and the first pantomime at Alexandra Palace, 'The Yellow Dwarf' had to be delayed when acrobatic star George Conquest twisted his spine and sprained muscles in his back in preparation for the role.

In most Theatres this equipment was periodically updated and replaced. Due to the changing fortunes of Alexandra Palace it is unusual to find so much infrastructure surviving.

Larger traps could move larger or more elaborate props.

Early performances at Alexandra Palace included a fully functioning fountain and a menagerie of animals.

The manual equipment required large teams of stage hands, making the stage a dangerous place to work.

In addition the performances involved large numbers of cast and performers. The opening show had 150 dancers in the ballet alone.

Although few changes were made to the under stage machinery, early electric lighting was installed on stage.

Cinema arrived at Alexandra Palace in 1896 and in 1906 a permanent projection box was installed on the Theatre balcony. The Theatre closed for performances in 1935, preserving it from further changes.

Restoration reopened the Theatre in 2018 and although the machinery cannot be used, the latest technology has captured the intricate network of equipment to uncover the secrets of how it worked.

Lincoln Conservation captured the under stage machinery in 3D as part of the Hidden Heritage project. On 1 December 2018 the Theatre reopened with new technologies installed to allow for modern productions, bringing the Theatre into the 21st Century, whilst preserving its precious and unique heritage.