Our History

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.

A black and white photo of the Albany Empire building taken in the 1970s.

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.

Two handprinted, multicoloured posters from the Albany in the 1970s. One has an illustration of the river with buildings and a sunset, with text that says 'Bar - Food- Dancing at the Albany Empire'. The other is advertising a show called 'Benefits'.

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.

A black and white photograph of Dire Straits - two men with curly hair holding guitars - performing at the Albany in the 1970s.

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.

A black and white photograph of a room with the roof caved in and lots of rubble on the floor.

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.

A black and white photo of hoardings surrounding a building site. Text on the hoarding reads: The New Albany: In 1981 the building on this site will rehouse the new Albany and provide additional facilities for Deptford. These will include: A children's centre, A family advice centre, Arts and crafts workshops, Restaurant and bar, rooms for meetings and social activities.'

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.

A printed blue and white invitation to attend a gig with Squeeze plus special gusts, on Thursday 14 August 1980 at 8pm.

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.

A faded photograph of five men (the band Squeeze) sat around a fold out table and chairs in the foyer of the Albany.

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.

A black and white photograph of Princess Diana having just stepped out of a car at the entrance to the Albany. Behind her there is a crowd watching on.

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 blue and white poster with a photo of Whoopi Goldberg in a shite, tie and hat.

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.

Three neon posters which read: The first Outdance Birthday Ball. Sat 2 July, The Albany Empire.

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.

Two vintage posters. On the left, Gut Girls is a bright poster with a black and white photo of two young women laughing and a yellow background. On the right is a blue poster with black text advertising Vic Reeves' Big Night Out.

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.

A photograph of the entrance to the Albany, with bright yellow doors and pink pillars.

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.

A photograph of red and white bunting which reads '10 years of Deptford Lounge' hung in a window.

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.

A photo of a group of older people sat around a long table with a pink tablecloth. Some are playing chess, some play cards and some are chatting and drinking cups of tea.

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.

A photograph of a black woman wearing bright orange and blue feather boas. She is outside in the middle of a carnival or similar event and is looking at the camera and singing.

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.

A giant puppet of a young girl, with long brown hair and wearing a red, gold and pink dress, stands amongst a crowd on a sunny day in Deptford Market Yard.

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.

A view looking down at the Albany auditorium from the balcony. The floor is covered in sand to resemble a beach, with performers sunbathing on sun loungers and towels.

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.

A photograph from above looking down at a group of people dancing in a garden.

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.

A photograph of the Albany building from Douglas Way. It is a squat, red brick building with posters along the walls and pink flags above the entrance.

The Albany today. Credit Marianne Chua.