First season at Alexandra Palace's hidden theatre launches in December

A theatrical “hidden gem” opens in December for its first regular season in 80 years after a multi-million-pound refurbishment.

The Victorian-era theatre in Alexandra Palace will host an “eclectic” series of shows including a jazz concert, artists Gilbert and George in conversation and performances by comic Dylan Moran and choirmaster Gareth Malone.

Its deputy chief executive Emma Dagnes said she wanted gig-goers to feel like “urban explorers” as they entered the theatre, which originally opened in 1875 but has been largely closed to the public for decades after being used as a prop store, cinema and refugee centre.

She said: “What I hope they will experience is walking into a space where they feel like they have found a hidden gem.

“We have very deliberately nudged the space into the modern era, We have not undertaken significant interventions.

“The space wasn’t shiny and new for very long and it bears scars that are related to its past — we didn’t feel that it would be right for the space to be taken back to a pastiche of its former self.”

The theatre will open in September with a performance by the BBC concert orchestra as part of the Proms before the full season begins in December with an appearance by an as yet unnamed “major act”.

Ms Dagnes said she was expecting it to be “an incredible emotional moment”.

She said: “I think on that first performance there will be quite a few tears from people who are very emotional that we are opening it and that people will now be able to enjoy it as much as we do.”

The refurbishment of the venue, which will be able to hold audiences of up to 1,200, has been supported by Haringey council and an £18.8 million National Lottery grant.