Our History
We’ve been part of the Deptford community for more than 130 years.
1894
A lifeline for the people of Deptford
The Deptford Fund is established by a group of local women to improve the lives of people living in the area.
Deptford in the 1800s
1899
The Albany finds a name and a new home
The Albany Institute, named after its new royal patron the Duchess of Albany, opens on Creek Road. The new building acts as everything from a nursery, to a classroom for boot mending and domestic science classes, and a social space for young women who work in the slaughterhouses.
The Albany Institute
1972
A new era
Theatre company The Combination move from Brighton to take over the building, which now becomes an arts venue known as the Albany Empire.
The Combination knew how to design a poster
1977
A launchpad for music legends
Dire Straits make their debut at the Albany Empire, a moment commemorated in 2009 by the installation of a PRS plaque on the site of the old building.
Dire Straits performing at the Albany Empire. Photo credit Chris Schwarz.
1978
Destroyed by fire
The Albany Empire is burnt down in a suspected arson attack by the National Front, in retaliation against Rock Against Racism gigs held in the venue.
Damage to the Albany Empire caused by the fire. Photo credit Chris Schwarz.
May 1979
Rising from the ashes
Construction begins on the new Albany building in its current location on Douglas Way. On 1 May, King Charles, then the Prince of Wales, lays the foundation stone of the new Albany.
Hoardings on the building site advertise what is to come. Photo credit Chris Schwarz.
August 1980
A farewell gig
One of the final gigs to take place in the old Albany Empire (operating in a limited capacity following the fire damage) is also a farewell for Jools Holland, who performs his final gig there as a member of Squeeze. Support acts include Elvis Costello and the Attractions.
An ticket to the Squeeze gig in August 1980
February 1982
Labelled with Love
A jukebox musical based on songs by South London band Squeeze premieres at the Albany, featuring an array of characters meeting in a Docklands pub.
Squeeze hang out at the Albany. Photo credit Chris Schwarz.
May 1982
Opening the doors of our new home
Diana, Princess of Wales, officially opens the new building – a purpose-built multi arts venue, which originally includes plans for a ceramics studio, photography dark room and soft play space for children.
Princess Diana arrives at the Albany. Photo credit Chris Schwarz.
May 1984
Stars on the rise
In May, Whoopi Goldberg appears at the Albany on the verge of international fame. In the same year, Lenny Henry releases his first album, featuring material recorded during stand-up shows at the Albany.
A poster announcing Whoopi’s arrival in Deptford
1985
A party destination
LGBTQ+ community club night Outdance launches in the venue – and goes on to become a regular fixture throughout the 80s and 90s.
Posters for Outdance
1988
A nod to the past
Gut Girls, Sarah Daniels’ play about the women who worked in Deptford’s Foreign Cattle Market, premieres here – a nod to the Albany’s history of welcoming these women to the Albany Institute in the 1800s. Also in 1988, Vic Reeves’ Big Night Out (with Bob Mortimer and Vic Reeves) debuts at the Albany prior to being picked up for a Channel 4 show in 1990.
Posters for The Gut Girls and Vic Reeves' Big Night Out
2000
A new millennium and a new start
The Albany is saved from closure by a partnership with the National Theatre ‘Art of Regeneration’ which brings in £3m worth of investment to rejuvenate the building. In 2003, Gavin Barlow takes over as CEO and goes on to lead the organisation for the next 20 years.
The Albany in the early 2000s
2012
A new community hub for Deptford
The Albany take over the management of Deptford Lounge, a purpose-built library and community hub over the road on Giffin Square.
Celebrating 10 years of Deptford Lounge in 2022. The Albany has managed the building since it opened. Photo credit Elena Ledgister.
2013
An award-winning project begins
Meet Me... at the Albany, our weekly arts and social club for over 65s, launches in partnership with Entelechy Arts and Lewisham Council. Since then, over 2700 sessions have been delivered with more than 200 members and 200 artists. In 2017, Meet Me wins the inaugural Hearts for the Arts Award for best arts project in the UK encouraging community cohesion, presented by Oscar winner Olivia Coleman at a full Lewisham Council meeting.
An early session of Meet Me...at the Albany
September 2019
A festival of creative ageing
The Albany and Entelechy Arts host Age Against the Machine, a three-week festival featuring over 70 events ranging from live music, theatre, dance, film and exhibitions, to discussions, pop-up choirs and outdoor performances. The festival was funded by the Mayor of London’s Cultural Impact Award.
Meet Me members join a procession as part of Age Against the Machine. Photo credit Roswitha Chesher.
October 2021
An unusual visitor
Little Amal, a 12-foot puppet of a 10-year-old Syrian refugee child, visits Deptford as part of an 8000km journey across the globe drawing attention to the rights of refugees.
Little Amal on Deptford Market Yard
2022
A year like no other
The Albany is appointed as lead delivery partner for We Are Lewisham, London Borough of Culture 2022, a programme of over 600 events attracting 400,000 audience members throughout the year. Events include Sun & Sea, which transforms the theatre into a beach for three weeks; a Sound System trail across four venues in Deptford; and performances from homegrown talent such as Kae Tempest, Novelist, Joe-Armon Jones, Dave Okumu, Jessie Ware, and more.
13 tonnes of sand transforms the Albany theatre into a beach for Sun & Sea. Photo credit Ellie Kurttz
2023
Award-winning engagement and international recognition
The Albany wins a Board Award in recognition of our work to recruit a diverse and inclusive Board of Trustees. In the same year CEO Gavin Barlow heads to Paris as we are shortlisted for the prestigious Art Explora Académie des Beaux Arts European award for championing new forms of engagement and participation in the arts.
The Albany was celebrated for its power to bring people together. Photo from the Lewisham Sound System Trail in 2022. Photo credit Christa Holka.
2025
2025 and beyond: Transforming the Albany
Plans are underway for to refurbish and redevelop the Albany to ensure its survival for years to come.
The Albany today. Credit Marianne Chua.