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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.
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. |
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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 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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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Above - The London Hippodrome Auditorium in 1957 - Courtesy Charlie Gracie Jnr.
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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. |
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Above - The Talk Of The Town, from a brochure in 1968
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 |
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Above - Notice from the 'Music hall & Theatre Review' 1911 for the Arthur Lloyd Trio performing at the London Hippodrome. |
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