Blackpool Hippodrome (1895 - 2014)
Dates
- Existence: 1895 - 2014
- Usage: 1900 - 1910
Biography
Blackpool Hippodrome was a variety theatre situated on Church Street. It was built in 1895 as a large ballroom and music-hall, called The Empire Theatre and Opera House. A year after opening The Empire was in financial difficulties and by 1900 it had been converted into a circus venue and renamed Hippodrome. The Hippodrome did not manage to achieve great financial success either and ten years later was converted once again to a variety theatre and cinema venue. In 1929, the management of the Hippodrome was taken over by the Associated British Cinemas (ABC). The ABC continued to host stage shows as well as films and concerts. During the 1960s the ABC used this venue to broadcast ‘Blackpool Night Out’ a television variety show. The theatre stopped operating as a Cinema in 1998. After a four year hiatus the theatre was converted to a nightclub under the name The Syndicate which operated between 2002 and 2014 when the building was demolished.
Found in 4 Collections and/or Records:
Cyril Critchlow Collection
Handbills, c1900 - 1999
Hanbills for variety, magic and illusion shows mainly in locations in Blackpool in cluding the North Pier, the Hippodrome and various theatres.
Posters, c1887 - 2010
Circus, variety, pantomime and magic posters including Argyle theatre, Liverpool Empire, Blackpool Tower Circus, Robert Brothers, Austen Brothers, Sorcar, Vesta Tilley, Ken Dodd, Dan Leno, Florrie Forde and others.
Programmes for Circus, Magic and Variety Shows, c1890 - 1999
Circus, magic and variety show programmes including the Great Ohmy Circus, John Sanger Circus, Bertram Mills Circus and variety shows at various locations in Blackpool, London, Manchester and other theatres in England. Some of the variety performers showcased are Morecambe and Wise, Hetty King, Mae West, Bob Hope, Shirley Bassey, Larry Lamb and Cliff Richards.