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The London Hippodrome, Hippodrome Corner, Cranbourn Street, City of Westminster

Later - The Talk Of The Town

Index to all the articles on this site about the London Hippodrome

Above - The London Hippodrome in its heyday - From a Programme for the Theatre in 1907 - The London Hippodrome will be going back to its roots in October when it will be host to the international burlesque cabaret 'La Clique' which opens at the Theatre on the 10th of October 2008 with previews from the 2nd of October.

The London Hippodrome in London's Leicester Square was built for Edward Moss by the renowned Theatre Architect Frank Matcham and opened on the 15th of January 1900 with a Circus and Variety Show.

There are a great many articles and features about the London Hippodrome on this site and a full index to them can be found here.

In the mean time the following historical details about the Hippodrome can be found below and are courtesy the Theatre's Trust.

Left -The opening night programme for the London Hippodrome on the 15th of January 1900, printed on silk - From a programme for the opening of the Talk of the Town in 1958.

Originally built for Edward Moss as a Hippodrome for circuses, it had a vast tank for water spectacles. The sight lines were adjusted to suit both circus arena and proscenium action.

Left - The London Hippodrome's wonderful Frank Matcham auditorium long before the 1958 devastation caused by the Theatre's conversion into the 'Talk of The Town.' - London Metropolitan Archives.

The 1909 works enlarged the stage and advanced the proscenium to suit the theatre for variety rather than circus and, from 1912, revue.

The Hippodrome occupies an island site with principal elevations to Charing Cross Road and Cranbourn Street, and contains, in addition to the theatre, ground-floor shops on the main frontages, with Cranbourn Mansions in the upper storeys.

Elevations in red sandstone, red brick and terracotta in a free classical style, the bays divided by giant Ionic pilasters supported on elongated brackets which occupy the full height of the first floor, the pilasters rising through the second and third floors to carry a weakly accented fourth-floor attic storey and a crowning balustrade.

Left - Click for this 1902 article on the London Hippodrome from The Illustrated London News.

There were formerly giant figures of Roman soldiers above. Most bays have canted windows rising from terms and linked by a balustrade at second-floor level.

The corner bay is framed by giant Ionic engaged columns carrying entablature blocks and an open pediment, above which rises a short but floridly detailed tower with a skeletal iron dome crowned by a lively sculptured group of a chariot with rearing horses.

There are Giant letters with the name of the theatre on the Little Newport Street front. In 1959, the old iron and glass entrance canopy was replaced by one of no distinction.

Right - Click to see some of the London Hippodromes Staff Photographs from the early 1900s.

Left - Click for a Special Feature on the London Hippodrome - From the Playgoer of 1902 which includes details of the building, the turns, and the grand Finale 'The Bandits,' with many images of the building and the acts.

Above - The London Hippodrome Auditorium in 1957 - Courtesy Charlie Gracie Jnr.

Matcham's gorgeous auditorium was utterly ravished in the 1958 conversion works but some traces of its original character could still be seen in the upper reaches above the suspended ceiling.

Cabaret use (as 'The Talk of the Town') seemed preferable to total loss in the 1950s, but it is a great pity that consent was ever given to the present use, in which live music and acting (other than miming to a sound track) are not significant elements.

Above - The Talk Of The Town, from a brochure in 1968

This may even now be regarded as a recoverable theatre. Not quite as big as it looks, but a theatre potentially suitable for grand musical productions in this position, at the very heart of Theatreland, is an obvious candidate for reawakening. John Earl.

The above text is reproduced with the kind permission of The Theatres Trust from their indispensable book - 'The Theatres Trust Guide to British Theatres 1750-1950' John Earl & Michael Sell. Available from the publishers, A&C Black (tel 01480 212666).

Left - The London Hippodrome shrouded in scaffolding during renovation work to the exterior of the building in September 2008, and advertising 'La Clique.' Photo M.L.

According to this article in the Stage on the 15th of October 2008 United Leisure Gaming have been successful in their application for a gaming license at the London Hippodrome which means it most probably will now be converted into a Casino.

Click here for an Index to all the articles on this site about the London Hippodrome

Click here for an Index to other Theatres and Cinemas in London's Leicester Square