Alban Arena (formerly known as St Albans City Hall or Civic Hall) is a theatre and music venue located in St Albans, England.
 | |
.jpg) The Arena in 2013 | |
  Alban Arena Alban Arena on the map of Hertfordshire | |
| Former names | St Albans City Hall |
|---|---|
| Address | Alban Arena, Civic Centre, St Albans Hertfordshire AL1 3LD |
| Location | St Albans, United Kingdom |
| Coordinates | 51°45′10″N 00°20′11″W / 51.75278°N 0.33639°W |
| Type | Theatre |
| Genre(s) | Music, Children's Entertainment, |
| Seating type | Seated auditorium
|
| Capacity | 856
|
| Construction | |
| Opened | June 1968 |
| Architect | Sir Frederick Gibberd |
| Website | |
| www | |
History
editThe venue was designed by Sir Frederick Gibberd in the modern style, built in red brick and was officially opened in June 1968.[1][2] It opened with a performance by blues singer John Mayall, and has staged concerts by bands such as The Who in November 1968,[3] Dire Straits in July 1978[4] and Jethro Tull in March 2010.[5]
Soon after opening the City Hall began hosting regular "Civic Discos", on Mondays for teenagers and on Saturday nights (with occasional live music) for older patrons. The Monday night Disc Jockeys included the London impresario "Rocky Rivers" and Jeff Spencer, later DJs included Graham Kentsley[6] who hosted a series of events celebrating 50 years of the Civic Disco[7][8] in aid of the New St Albans Museum, which opened in 2018.[9]
Over the Christmas period of 2004, the pantomime Aladdin was staged at the venue with participation Michelle Bass,[10] the December 2005 show was Peter Pan, featuring Leslie Grantham and Dani Harmer,[11] and in 2009 The Little Mermaid with Sarah-Jane Honeywell.[12]
In 2007 the St Albans International Organ Festival took place at the arena.[note 1]
In December 2021 asbestos was discovered on stage equipment and forced a temporary closure of the venue.[13]
The venue hosts the annual St Albans Beer & Cider festival, Hertfordshire's biggest beer festival.[14]
Notes
editReferences
edit- ^ "St Albans Museum and Gallery". John McAslan and Partners. 10 July 2018. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
- ^ "The Alban Arena". St Albans Museum. Retrieved 22 May 2023.
- ^ Neill, Andrew; Kent, Matthew (2009). Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere: The Complete Chronicle of the WHO 1958–1978. Sterling Publishing Company. p. 303. ISBN 978-1402766916.
- ^ "Dire Straits tour 1978". Tours. Canada: Mark Knopfler official site. Archived from the original on 4 September 2012. Retrieved 13 February 2010.
- ^ "Jethro Tull announce new UK tour and ticket details". NME. 13 January 2010. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
- ^ "From local DJ to Hollywood Film Producer!". Matt Johnson, Dirty Dozen DJ. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 27 June 2017.
- ^ "The Ultimate Civic Disco". St Albans Museums and Galleries Trust.
- ^ "The Civic Disco raises 6000 pounds for the New St Albans Museum Trust". St Albans Museums and Galleries Trust.
- ^ "Graham Kentsley about the upcoming Ultimate Civic Disco". Archived from the original on 31 March 2017. Retrieved 27 June 2017.
- ^ "Michelle gets A 'new' laddin!". BBC. 17 October 2004. Retrieved 6 March 2010.
- ^ "What's on" (PDF). St. Albans City and District Council. 20 December 2005. Retrieved 7 March 2010.
- ^ "Sarah-Jane Honeywell: news about Sarah-Jane Honeywell". Sarah-Jane Honeywell official site. 6 March 2009. Archived from the original on 5 April 2010. Retrieved 6 March 2010.
- ^ "St Albans: Arena due to reopen in May after asbestos removal". BBC News. 23 March 2022.
- ^ "St Albans Beer & Cider Festival".
External links
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