The Great Hall at Holloway - a Local Entertainment Venue

From the beginning of the 20th century, the Great Hall of Northern Polytechnic – one of our principal precursor institutions – was a well-patronised centre of local entertainment. It was opened on 15th July,1897 (10 months after classes had begun at the institution) by the Lord Mayor of the City of London, had seating for 1300 and also a very fine pipe organ that had been provided by Mr H.A. Tufnell (of the family that gives Tufnell Park its name), a member of the first governing body of the Polytechnic. It soon became not only the hub of much Polytechnic life, but also the main facility through which the Polytechnic fulfilled its function to provide activities for local residents.

There were regular programmes offered by the Polytechnic’s Operatic Society, its Modern Symphony Orchestra and its Repertory Company from as early as 1911 until the 1980s. The repertoires of all the companies were extensive and the performances – according to newspaper cuttings of the time – were of a high standard. These were all popularly supported until the advent of television when audiences gradually began to fall away, but in its heyday performances - particularly those of the operatic Society - were such a success that in addition to covering their costs, significant amounts were raised for charitable causes, including a total of £2,000 during the First World War for war-time charities.

A popular theatre

Local residents ready acquired the ‘polyhabit’ of attending shows held in the theatre. Concerts were the only form of public performance until 1911, when a clause in the Polytechnic’s 1892 Scheme of Foundation prohibiting dramatic representations and dancing was removed. Within weeks, a makeshift stage was erected for the first operatic production, Patience, but it was a further twenty years before tip-up seats, a proscenium arch and proper stage lighting were added. It was around 1929 that the

Great Hall was renamed the Theatre.

The Amateur Operatic Society

This society was founded in 1911 by a lecturer in the Physics Department, John Charlesworth, who remained its Musical Director until 1940. It soon became one of the most successful amateur societies in London and one of its highlights was a production in 1930 of Utopia Limited at the New Scala Theatre, Tottenham Court Road, before a capacity audience which included Sir Malcolm Sargent. Its policy was to put on West End releases for the people of Holloway and most of its productions were by Gilbert and Sullivan; indeed, Lady Gilbert was regularly to be found in the Theatre audience.

One of the founder members was Bill Buse, a compositor from Wood Green, who inaugurated a family association with the Polytechnic that was to last an incredible seventy years, spanning three generations. Bill considered the quality of their productions as second to none and even disapproved of his son, Charles, joining the society in 1946 because he did not think him good enough!

The Repertory Company / The Shakespeare Players

A Dramatic Society was established in 1925 with a performance of Witness for the Defence. Twenty years later its name was changed to the Repertory Company after a decision was taken to present one play per month and in the following season more than 20,000 enjoyed its plays. Productions included amateur world premieres such as Move Over Mrs Markham, by Ray Cooney and John Chapman.

In 1951, Pat Underwood (who was a lecturer at the Polytechnic), formed a group known as The Shakespeare Players, as an offshoot of the Repertory Company. With almost exclusively student participation, regular performances were given both within the Polytechnic, and at venues such as the galleried yard of the George Inn, Southwark.

The Modern Symphony Orchestra

In 1931, Arthur Dennington, a Highbury resident and university lecturer, combined several small orchestral groups he conducted in various institutes and schools in North London to form the Modern Symphony Orchestra. The word ‘Modern’ was used to denote the deliberate intention to include little-known works within its repertoire, as well as to especially encourage young wind players. The orchestra took part in the in the 1951 Festival of Britain and 1953 Coronation celebrations with concerts held in Highbury Fields and, for over two decades, Sir Adrian Boult was its president.