Alban Arena facts for kids
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The Arena in 2013
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 Alban Arena
Location in Hertfordshire
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| Former names | St Albans City Hall |
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| Address | Alban Arena, Civic Centre, St Albans Hertfordshire AL1 3LD |
| Location | St Albans, United Kingdom |
| Coordinates | 51°45′10″N 00°20′11″W / 51.75278°N 0.33639°W |
| Type | Theatre |
| Genre(s) | Music, Children's Entertainment, |
| Seating type |
Seated auditorium
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| Capacity |
856
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| Construction | |
| Opened | June 1968 |
| Architect | Sir Frederick Gibberd |
The Alban Arena is a popular theatre and music venue located in St Albans, England. It used to be known as the St Albans City Hall or Civic Hall. It's a place where people can enjoy live shows, concerts, and fun pantomimes.
Contents
The Arena's Story
How It Began
The Alban Arena was designed by a famous architect named Sir Frederick Gibberd. It was built using red bricks in a modern style, which means it has a clean, simple look. The Arena first opened its doors in June 1968. The very first show was a concert by blues singer John Mayall.
Famous Shows and Concerts
Since it opened, many famous bands and artists have performed at the Alban Arena. For example, the legendary band The Who played there in November 1968. Dire Straits had a concert in July 1978, and Jethro Tull performed in March 2010.
Fun Discos and Events
Soon after it opened, the venue started hosting regular "Civic Discos." These discos were held on Mondays for teenagers and on Saturday nights for older people. Sometimes, live music was also part of the Saturday night events.
Christmas Pantomimes
The Alban Arena is also famous for its fun Christmas pantomimes. These are special shows, often based on fairy tales, with lots of singing, dancing, and comedy.
- In 2004, the pantomime was Aladdin.
- In December 2005, the show was Peter Pan.
- In 2009, they staged The Little Mermaid.
Other Events
In 2007, the Alban Arena was a key location for the St Albans International Organ Festival. This is a special event where talented organ players from all over the world come to perform.
