Camden Palace Theatre in North London was the recording venue for some of the nation’s favourite radio programmes including the The Goon Show.
Dating from 1901, the original theatre had been converted to a cinema, so the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ had to completely renovate the building when it moved in. A Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Research & Development white paper of 1947 notes:
It is a typical Music Hall, and although it has been equipped as a permanent studio, little structural alteration or acoustic treatment has been made apart from the construction of a Control Suite under the circle, and replacement of most of the seats from the stalls by a stepped platform, large enough to accommodate the Theatre Orchestra. The stage is also available for orchestra, chorus or soloists, so that many different layouts are possible. In addition, a narrator's studio and echo room have been constructed.
The Camden became a key studio for the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Light Programme, becoming the home of light music and comedy between 1945 and 1972, used for broadcasts of programmes such as Friday Night is Music Night. It was also used for special one-off Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ recordings, including a celebratory vinyl LP of Monty Python’s Flying Circus.
Further reading
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Camden Theatre - Investigation of acoustical characteristics by means of reverberation measurements and pulse techniques Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Research & Development white paper, 1947
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Old Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio Equipment and Memories website
Buildings
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Alexandra Palace
The birthplace of television -
Broadcasting House
The first purpose-built broadcast centre in the UK -
Broadcasting House, Belfast
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Northern Ireland's headquarters since 1941 -
Broadcasting House, Bristol
Former home of the Natural History Unit -
Broadcasting House, Cardiff
The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's first bespoke headquarters in Wales -
Bush House
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ of the World Service 1940-2012 -
Camden Palace Theatre
Light entertainment and music from North London -
Caversham Park
Listening to the world, 1943 to 2018 -
Ealing Studios
The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Television Film Studios -
Elstree Studios
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ of EastEnders -
Lime Grove
A temporary measure for 42 years -
Kingswood Warren
Former home of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Research & Development -
The Langham
Sustaining the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ during World War 2 and after -
Maida Vale
The best acoustic in London -
35 Marylebone High Street
The first headquarters of the Radio Times and Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio London. -
MediaCityUK
The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's Northern base in Salford -
Pacific Quay
Headquarters of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Scotland -
Paris Studios
Former London cinema which hosted The Beatles and Dad's Army -
Pebble Mill
A hub for drama, entertainment and factual programmes in Birmingham between 1971 and 2004 -
Queen's House, WC2
Centre of English language learning -
Riverside Studios
A film studio regenerated into a TV studio used by the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ from 1954 to 1975 -
Savoy Hill
The first home of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ -
Television Centre
The Television Factory -
Television Theatre
A mecca for the stars of the 1960s -
Wood Norton
The emergency broadcasting centre