Finsbury Pk Open Air Theatre

Comment by Liz on January 27, 2009 at 13:51

I had heard tell of the FP Open Air Theatre. Warren Mitchell apparently performed there among others. Where was it situated in the park?

By heavens, Harringay was a cultured place back then. Paul Robeson and Adrian Boult at the Arena, Schubert in the park...

Comment by Roy aka Smiffy on January 27, 2009 at 16:09

The theatre was near the tea room and pond, seating was in deckchairs.
The tea room was a very fine Victorian/ Edwardian wooden building. Us kids bought glasses of Tizer there for one old penny.

My dad told me that before the first world war they drained the pond for some reason. The mud dried out and formed a thick crust. He and friends tried to walk to the island and he fell through the crust into the soft mud underneath. Had to walk home very smelly!

Ther pond had very elegant wooden rowing boats.

Happy days.

Comment by Liz on January 27, 2009 at 16:13

No photos, I suppose? (she says hopefully)

Comment by Roy aka Smiffy on January 27, 2009 at 16:42

Sadly no pix. I guess the Hackney Archive might have something. Next time I'm over that way I'll see what they have.
The little 1952 LCC booklet I have has photos of other London open air theatres, but not the FP one.

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