Queen Mary University of London is a campus-based university with five campuses in central and east London – Lincoln’s Inn Fields, West Smithfield, Charterhouse Square, Whitechapel and Mile End. These campuses have numerous unusual and historic venues, as well as state of the art facilities and spaces and for developing, performing and exhibiting artistic work.
Queen Mary of London's state of the art facilities and art & performance-related spaces include:
Drama
Film
Music
Electronic Engineering and Computer Science (EECS)
Media Arts & Technology Studios (Facilities)
Engineering and Material Science (SEMS)
The People's Palace at Mile End was originally built in 1886 and was one of the last great Victorian People's Palaces. Designed by E. R. Robson and funded by a legacy of Barbara Beaumont, it was created to bring new and dynamic cultural opportunities to the people of East London. Following a huge fire in 1931, the People's Palace was rebuilt and reopened in 1936. It boasts one of the largest stages in London: the magnificent 770-seat Great Hall.
The Octagon in the Queen’s Building on the Mile End campus, part of the original People's Palace and undamaged by the 1931 fire, was designed to serve as a library and based on the design of the Reading Room in the British Museum. It is over 23 metres in diameter, with two cast-iron galleries that encircle the entire building. It rises to a height of over three storeys with an elegant central dome and fine central window. Busts of Chaucer, Shakespeare, Dryden, Milton, Johnson, Wordsworth, Scott and Byron are complimented by plaques to Pindar, Homer, Virgil and others. The Octagon has a rich and beautiful acoustic, and is now used for a variety of events, as well as a rehearsal and concert space. BBC TV is a frequent visitor and several editions of Question Time have been broadcast from The Octagon.
For general events booking, please contact our Events & Hospitality team HERE.
The Great Hall, situated at the West Smithfield campus, is part of the historic St Bartholomew Hospital (the oldest working hospital in the UK, founded in 1123). This gracious double-height room in the Baroque style is adorned with many large, painted plaques which list benefactions to the hospital. The Great Hall is owned independently by a trust, but a close relationship with Queen Mary allows students regular opportunities to perform in this unique environment.
To follow events or get in touch with The Friends of The Great Hall & Archive of St Bartholomew’s Hospital, visit their website HERE or follow on Twitter @BartsFriends, or join their Facebook page HERE.
Named one of CNN's Ten Weirdest Medical Museums in the World, the Pathology Museum is an inspiring Grade II listed space, situated in the West Smithfield campus and part of the ancient St Bartholomew Hospital. Purpose-built in 1879, it spans three mezzanine levels with a dramatic glass roof and includes pathological pots relating to all areas of anatomy and physiology, including the skull of John Bellingham – the only person to assassinate a British Prime Minister. The museum presents many stimulating events each year and has been described as a modern, dynamic venue for risk-taking cultural connoisseurs and London insiders. To find out more, please visit the museum’s website HERE.
The Old Library is situated in the Garrod Building on the Queen Mary Whitechapel campus. Formerly the library of The Royal London Hospital, it is now an exquisite space for studying with an extensive collection of medical school research material. It is also ideal for music-making activities including rehearsals and concerts. Its ceiling is a fine example of Georgian plasterwork, and beautiful stained glass windows by artist … have medical themes.
St Benet’s Chapel was rebuilt on the site of a former large church that was destroyed by bombing in 1940. The interior walls of the circular, domed chapel were decorated with a series of unique murals designed and executed by the renowned Polish ceramicist, Adam Kossowski. In June 2014 the chapel and murals received Grade II listing from English Heritage. St Benet’s is a Christian chapel and meeting place open to all students and staff at Queen Mary, and is regularly used by student societies and other groups for events.
To find out more, please visit Faith at QMUL.