ISLINGTON News the Journal of the ISLINGTON SOCIETY Incorporating FOIL Folio
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ISSN 1465 - 9425 Autumn 2003 ISLINGTON news The Journal of the ISLINGTON SOCIETY incorporating FOIL folio Orbirail - A step closer? Belated government support for an Olympic bid in 2012, the realization that transport infrastructure would be key to the bid, and that no other new infrastructure could meet such a deadline, has introduced a new sense of urgency in the East London Line Project writes Andrew Bosi In the early 1990s, a relatively small scale more fanfare than frenetic activity. Work has improvement to railway infrastructure saw progressed in the Glynebourne tradition, with a Smethwick West station replaced by Smethwick long interval in the middle. Galton Bridge. The new station provided an However, the belated government support for an interchange between two major commuter lines out Olympic bid in 2012, the realization that transport of Birmingham, obviating the need to go into the infrastructure would be key to the bid, and that no congested New Street station. A similar scheme in London, measured in terms of £'s per head of population, was to link the North London Line with the East London Line and in time, the South London lines as well. There is already a link between the North London Line and the west London line. Its effect is to open up journeys outside the highly congested zone 1. This scheme involved relaying track on redundant track bed and creating a very short stretch of new line at Shoreditch. The land was mostly owned by Hackney Council, a strong supporter of the scheme willing to donate its land to bring it about. The cost in 1996 would have been less than was spent renovating the existing East London Line. That renovation cost was inflated by a dispute between London Underground and English Heritage. EH thought LUL over- secretive in its plans, LUL thought EH over- concerned about a tunnel (Brunel’s: the first sub- river crossing of the Thames) no-one could see. The result was that a late but (in the eyes of those who matter) justified objection from EH extended the period of line closure and the cost beyond what it would have been had LUL been more compliant. The scheme finally received approval in March 1997 after procedural delays longer than those which had beset the repair of the existing East London Line. Under planning law, building it had to commence within five years, i.e. by March 2002. For 4¾ years, nothing happened, then a perfunctory turning of the sod was accompanied by 2 Islington news Autumn 2003 the Islington Society continued from front page OFFICERS OF THE John Huntley ISLINGTON SOCIETY other new infrastructure could be contemplated by such a deadline, Members will be saddened to learn President – Harley Sherlock has introduced a new sense of of the death on August 7th of John urgency in the East London Line Frederick Huntley, writer, film Vice President – Mary Cosh Project, as the ELL Extension historian and archivist, at the age (ELLX) is now to be known. It is of 82. Chairman – Andrew Bosi certainly true that as well as John's film industry career The Croft, Wall Street, opening up orbital links around began as a tea boy at Denham London N1 3NB London, the new line would studios in the late 1930s. He t.: 020 7354 8514 considerably improve access to the served in the RAF from 1940, e.: [email protected] planned Olympic site near to where he also staged lectures and Stratford. film shows. After the war John Vice-chairman – David Gibson The new line reconnects returned to the film industry, 35 Britannia Row, Highbury & Canonbury to Dalston becoming Head of the Regional London N1 8QH Junction and the line towards Unit of the British Film Institute. t.: 020 7226 2207 Broad Street, with a short new He wrote many books, including e.: [email protected] section to Bishopsgate Goods Yard Railways in the Cinema, presented and on to Whitechapel. Stations at over 4,000 film shows and festivals Joint Secretaries – Haggerston and Hoxton, closed by and made many appearances on Frances Balfour war-time damage, will be radio and television. To support 26 Allingham Street reopened after more than sixty these activities, John and his London N1 8NY years. daughter Amanda set up Huntley t.: 020 7226 5795 That new short section has Film Archives in 1985, initially e.: [email protected] though been the source of more with a bias towards transport David Peel rancour involving English subjects. The continuing demand 67 Hemmingford Road Heritage. Some time after the for material provides a lasting and London N1 1BY “final” authorisation in 1997, the appropriate tribute. t.: 020 7607 6387 project team decided it was Some of those film shows were e.: [email protected] necessary to demolish an unlisted to the Islington Society, most viaduct next to the listed recently in May 2000 when his Treasurer – Donald Mitchell Braithwaite viaduct and to evict entertaining talk on Islington Film 63 Cloudesley Road, tenants of properties under the Studios was timed to coincide with London N1 0EL arches. EH were unhappy at the the then imminent redevelopment t.: 020 7278 6573 late notification once again, but of the Gainsborough Studios site e.: [email protected] after legal action by an individual across the canal in Hackney. The failed to save the second viaduct, nineteenth century films he Development co-ordinator – the project team report that EH are showed then were notable for the Bob O'Dell, now satisfied that adequate speed at which the action seemed 35 Britannia Row, measures are being taken to to take place; John's enthusiasm London N1 8QH protect the listed viaduct. for films was only matched by that t.: 020 7434 2494 Demolition has begun; trains of the horses as they hauled their e.: [email protected] should be running in 2010. AB trams down Holloway Road. AB ISLINGTON news Suggestions for topics to be covered and articles to be considered may be sent to the Society at this address. The Journal of the Islington Society Award winning Local organisations are asked to send notification of incorporating FOIL Folio activities and events they would like to be listed. 35 Britannia Row, London N1 8QH Opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily t.: 020 7226 3377 e.: [email protected] reflect the views of the Society. Autumn 2003 Islington news 3 Times New Roman 12pt fill line Times New Roman 12pt fill line The Return of the Almeida Times New Roman 12pt Section Break In May the Almeida Theatre re-opened after its two-year closure, with a splendid production of Ibsen’s “The Lady from the Sea”. Regular audiences have been overjoyed by its re-emergence in a very much improved building, writes Alan Turner Since 1978 when the theatre opened it has won an vehicles. The concrete has been taken up some of international reputation and a loyal band of the walls and a minor criticism is that the exposed supporters who have come to regard the shabby surfaces are very uneven and discoloured. Where and poorly serviced premises with affection. What concrete is exposed, the formwork, the concrete has taken place during the period of darkness is a mixes and the workmanship need to be carefully truly remarkable transformation. The architects, controlled, such as at the National Theatre. At the Burrell Foley Fischer, have achieved a high degree Almeida the effect is not great, but it is a small of improvement in the public spaces such as the bar point, given the quality of the whole work. and foyer. The character of the auditorium itself Improvements to the non-public areas include remains very much the same, but there have been a new dressing rooms, a green room, offices, whole series of changes, including new seating, new workshops and better storage space. Excavation lighting and sound equipment and a new below the stage gives greater head-room and ventilation system incorporating comfort cooling. flexibility, important in a situation where there are The most noticeable changes have been to the no wings or space behind the stage. The Almeida entrance foyer, the bar and the toilets (which many site is enclosed by other buildings and there is no will recall as a couple of portaloos). These public space for lateral expansion which has forced the spaces have been handled with great skill, given the designers to make the most efficient use of every limited space available, and what was once a available square foot. draughty and rather damp yard between two The theatre staff seem to be very pleased with the buildings is now a light and pleasant space in which result but I have not been able to ask any of the to gather before the performance. The ingenious actors for their opinion. (I would guess that they design enables the foyer to serve a double purpose too will be appreciative.) All in all it is a very as an entrance for trucks delivering scenery. This satisfactory project and to my mind this must explains the industrial nature of the concrete floor represent a good client choosing good architects and the large glazed opening which can be slid and working intelligently with them. These factors away completely to allow access for delivery are usually present in any good building. Islington is fortunate in having such an innovative theatre within its boundaries. The combination of the new artistic director, Michael Attenborough, and the refurbished premises will surely mean that the Almeida will go from strength to strength and consolidate its already substantial reputation.