About The Albany
Based in the heart of Deptford, the Albany is a performing arts centre with a history stretching back to the nineteenth century. Over the last few years, it has emerged as a new type of arts venue, very much driven by the cultural diversity and creative mix of South East London. Involving people, through participation and partnerships, is central to its work and is essential to the delivery of its vision.
During the last year over 100,000 people visited the Albany and used its facilities, including audiences of over 25,000 for more than 200 events. The Albany has four performance spaces, including its unique central performance space, with a capacity of 300 seated and 500 for standing events. The Albany’s programme encompasses music, a range of theatre and dance, spoken word, exhibitions and comedy, as well as an array of educational, training and community-based projects. Its other facilities include a café bar, rehearsal, workshop and meeting rooms for hire, office space and a pro tools studio.
Resident at the Albany are fourteen companies – including the internationally renowned Heart n Soul who work with artists with learning disabilities, Apples & Snakes, the UK’s leading performance poetry organisation and a number of other arts and community organisations including Entelechy, Lewisham Education Arts Network, Montage Theatre Arts, Lewisham Music Service, Head for Business and Artefacts Edutainment. See Resident Organisations for more information.
The Albany aims to provide:
An artistic and community resource where diversity and creativity flourish.
A space where new talent is nurtured and exposed to ideas from across the world.
High quality creative experiences relating to the communities we serve.
A creative centre for learning within the community, contributing to the cultural, social and economic benefit of South East London.
The Albany is currently at a critical moment, re-establishing itself as a significant London arts venue and building on its repututation as a home and seeding ground for creative development in the performing arts. The Albany is a social enterprise, earning over 50%of its own income and is also grateful for the consistent support of the London Borough of Lewisham, London Councils and the Arts Council of England.
The Albany encompasses a flexible theatre in the round with a maximum capacity of 300 seated/ 500 standing. It hires the performance space as well as programming a range of events, including music, theatre, dance, spoken word, clubs and family events. In addition, there are two smaller performance spaces seating 50 and 60 as well as the cafe.
The café space, with garden patio and free WiFi is open during the day and early evening, serving a range of freshly cooked food. The café is also used for a range of daytime and evening events.
Rehearsal, workshop and meeting rooms
The Albany has studios and rooms available for hire for rehearsals, workshops and meetings during the day and evenings.
The Albany has arts facilities which includes state of the art sound recording and film-making equipment also available for hire. Depending on funding, it will form the basis of ambitious creative development projects with young people and the community.
Participatory and Community Projects
The Albany produces a range of participatory arts projects, often in conjunction with other partners.
The Albany has a number of office spaces that are let out on license to a range of resident organisations. The Albany has been committed to transforming its role from one of passive ‘landlord’ to creative partner and broker actively seeking to promote synergy and partnership working within the building and beyond.