I've wondered past the Hippodrome frequently but never really paid much attention to it until I found out about it's history. When a friend of mine told me he'd visited the Hippodrome a few weeks back and said he was interested in going again, so we took a trip there. Visited with JCB Man (sp) and KingofDerby.
Some history...
"The Derby Hippodrome - An outstanding traditional theatre in the heart of Derby.
The Derby Hippodrome is a purpose built theatre opened in 1914 as a 2,300 capacity Variety house. It was converted in 1930 into an 1,800 seat cinema, becoming a theatre once more for only 9 years until 1959. Three years later the theatre was purchased by Mecca Group who converted the theatre into a Bingo Social Club.Opening in 1914 the Derby Hippodrome - Music Hall and Palace of Varieties, came late to the people of the town. The architects were Marshall and Tweedy of Newcastle upon Tyne.
Built on the corner of Green Lane and Macklin Street it was on the site of Derby's first private lunatic asylum and close to the slums of Trafalgar Street and Waterloo Street in the Little City area of the town. The more comfortable houses in Compton and Wilson Streets were set to house costumiers and theatre staff as well as offering accommodation to visiting stars." (Taken from http://www.derbyhippodrome.co.uk/index.shtml and from the 'History' link.)
I was terrified that the floors or roof would collapse at any moment but it was suprisingly stable.
On with the photo's...
This notice was on the back of the doors with the shutter infront.
When you'd first enter the building, you'd enquire about things here, self-explanitory really.
Tickets were sold here.
Old signage.
Onto the bingo hall and remains of numbers.
This sign was on the door that contained the photo below it. Who knew that bingo cards were so dangerous?
Photo's that didn't really fit anywhere else...
We found this in a room and couldn't resist
And one last one from a balcony we found.
Enjoy, sorry for all the photos, I got a bit snap-happy
Some history...
"The Derby Hippodrome - An outstanding traditional theatre in the heart of Derby.
The Derby Hippodrome is a purpose built theatre opened in 1914 as a 2,300 capacity Variety house. It was converted in 1930 into an 1,800 seat cinema, becoming a theatre once more for only 9 years until 1959. Three years later the theatre was purchased by Mecca Group who converted the theatre into a Bingo Social Club.Opening in 1914 the Derby Hippodrome - Music Hall and Palace of Varieties, came late to the people of the town. The architects were Marshall and Tweedy of Newcastle upon Tyne.
Built on the corner of Green Lane and Macklin Street it was on the site of Derby's first private lunatic asylum and close to the slums of Trafalgar Street and Waterloo Street in the Little City area of the town. The more comfortable houses in Compton and Wilson Streets were set to house costumiers and theatre staff as well as offering accommodation to visiting stars." (Taken from http://www.derbyhippodrome.co.uk/index.shtml and from the 'History' link.)
I was terrified that the floors or roof would collapse at any moment but it was suprisingly stable.
On with the photo's...
This notice was on the back of the doors with the shutter infront.
When you'd first enter the building, you'd enquire about things here, self-explanitory really.
Tickets were sold here.
Old signage.
Onto the bingo hall and remains of numbers.
This sign was on the door that contained the photo below it. Who knew that bingo cards were so dangerous?
Photo's that didn't really fit anywhere else...
We found this in a room and couldn't resist
And one last one from a balcony we found.
Enjoy, sorry for all the photos, I got a bit snap-happy
