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Great Yarmouth Hippodrome (Established 1903)

 Organisation

Dates

  • Existence: Established 1903

Biography

The Great Yarmouth Hippodrome was built by the showman George Gilbert in 1903 and designed by architect Ralph Scott Cockrill. It is one of only two purpose-built permanent circuses in England still in operation, and one of only three in the world with a circus floor that sinks into a pool.

Since its opening, the Hippodrome has operated as a circus venue, presenting other type of shows from time to time uninterrupted, except for the Second World War years, when it was requisitioned by the government and used by the RAF for shooting practice. Between the 1950s and 1960s the Hippodrome presented Billy Russell's Circus Spectacular, which included three televised circus shows in 1962, broadcasted by the BBC.

The current owner, 1960s pop start Peter Jay (b.1944), from ‘Peter Jay and the Jaywalkers’, bought the building in 1979 to stop it from being turned into a Bingo. In 1981 Peter presented the first circus show after restoring its iconic water feature and over the years added elements form his past career to the shows departing from the more traditional circus spectacle and creating a new identity with a strong pop music flair.

The Hippodrome produced four shows a year and Peter’s sons Jack and Ben eventually joined the family business. Jack is the current Ringmaster and Producer and Ben the Manager and they continue producing four shows a year at Halloween, Christmas, Easter and Summer showcasing international troupes of circus performers.

Found in 83 Collections and/or Records:

Billy Russell’s Circus Spectacular Programme, 1974

 Item
Reference code: 178K41.1
Scope and Contents Hippodrome, Great Yarmouth, Leigh Marsh and her Poodles, Mimo Veneziano Juggler, balancer and wire act, Jacko Fossett, Little Billy and Co.clowns, Mary Chipperfield’s African Elephants, Freddy and Gabriella trapeze, Jumping Jack comic on the trampoline, The Bertini Family unicycling and acrobatics, Big and Little horse and pony De Wert aerialist, Mary Chipperfield’s Exotic Group, The Kam Tai Troupe contortion, Balancing and acrobatic act, The Flying Oslers trapeze, Dogsi’s Football Dogs....
Dates: 1974

Billy Russell’s Circus Spectacular Programme, 1975

 Item
Reference code: 178K41.7
Scope and Contents Hippodrome, Great Yarmouth, Inga Lise Ringmistress. Mary Chipperfield’s Liberty ponies and Zebras and elephants, The Knick Nocs knockabout comedy, Old Regnas The Tramp and his Comedy Dogs and Donkey, The Siberas balancing act, Jacko Fossett and Little Billy clowns, The Trio Anastasini juggling, The Brandt Brothers springboard acrobatics, Bela and her Comedy Camel, The Two Franks acrobatics and contortionism, Spaghetti and Company comics, Max Morris and his Sea Lions, Anna Arata and Lily...
Dates: 1975

Billy Russell’s Circus Spectacular Programme, 1976

 Item
Reference code: 178K41.9
Scope and Contents

Hippodrome, Great Yarmouth, Jerry, Jimmy and Johnny equestrians, Udo Heltano equilibrist, Mary Chipperfield’s kindergarten animals, chimpanzees and Liberty horses, Senorita Manolita aerial act, Miss Wendy’s Poodle Party, Jacko Fossett and Little Billy clowns, The Belios acrobats, The Halfwits comedy acrobats, The Tonitas Veracruz trapeze, Miss Conti balancing roller act, Jorge Tonito tightwire, The Herculeans moustachioed acrobats. Contains illustrations with photos, 24p.p.

Dates: 1976

Billy Russell’s Circus Spectacular Programme, 1977

 Item
Reference code: 178K41.17
Scope and Contents

The Two Bohumils jugglers, The Robert Brothers Camel Caravan, elephants and ponies, Skippy the Boxing Kangaroo, Blanini aerialist, Jacko Fossett and Little Billy clowns, Markus and Rosita strongman, The Valla Bertini Troupe trick cyclist, The Wychwoods magic and dog act, Chyfudey contortion, acrobatic and balancing act, The Bjoerlings equestrian act, Bobby Dixon comedy acrobat, The Tanger troupe tumblers. Contains illustration with photos, 24p.p.

Dates: 1977

Billy Russell's Circus Spectacular Programme, 6 June - 19 September 1964

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.291
Scope and Contents

Hippodrome, Great Yarmouth. Colour illustration of woman's head with a white top hat and large orange ribbon on her neack on a blue starry background on the front cover, inside introduction, black and white photographs of performers and acts with text, black illustrations, programme in the centre and commercial advertising, 12p.p.

Dates: 6 June - 19 September 1964

Billy Russell's Circus Spectacular Programme, 4 June - 18 September 1965

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.292
Scope and Contents

Hippodrome, Great Yarmouth. Colour illustration of woman's head with a white top hat and large orange ribbon on her neack on a blue starry background on the front cover, inside black and white photographs of performers and acts with text, programme in the centre and commercial advertising, 12p.p.

Dates: 4 June - 18 September 1965

Billy Russell's Circus Spectacular Programme, 30 May - 17 September 1966

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.293
Scope and Contents

Hippodrome, Great Yarmouth. Colour illustration of woman's head with a white top hat and large orange ribbon on her neack on a blue starry background on the front cover, black and white photographs of performers and acts with text, black illustrations, programme in the centre and commercial advertising, 12p.p.

Dates: 30 May - 17 September 1966

Billy Russell's Circus Spectacular Programme, From 1 June 1968

 File
Reference code: 178K43.299
Scope and Contents

Hippodrome, Great Yarmouth. Colour illustration of woman in blue bikini and white and blue feather head dress seating on an elephant's head on front cover, inside introduction with brief history of circus and Astley related prints, black and white photographs of performers and acts with text, programme in the centre and commercial advertising, 12p.p.

Dates: From 1 June 1968

Billy Russell's Circus Spectacular Programme, 1976

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.300
Scope and Contents

Hippodrome, Great Yarmouth. Colour illustration of two clowns appearing on the right edge and a seal holding a red ball on its nose in the centre over a blue background on the front cover, inside introduction, black and white photographs of performers and acts with text, programme in the centre and commercial advertising, 12p.p.

Dates: 1976

Billy Russell's Circus Spectacular Programme, 1978

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.301
Scope and Contents

Hippodrome, Great Yarmouth. Colour illustration of two clowns appearing on the right edge and a seal holding a red ball on its nose in the centre over a blue background on the front cover, inside introduction, black and white photographs of performers and acts with text, programme in the centre and commercial advertising, 12p.p.

Dates: 1978

Billy Russell's Circus Spectacular Programme, 1975

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.302
Scope and Contents

Hippodrome, Great Yarmouth. Colour illustration of two clowns appearing on the right edge and a seal holding a red ball on its nose in the centre over a blue background on the front cover, inside black and white photographs of performers and acts with text, programme in the centre and commercial advertising, 12p.p.

Dates: 1975

Billy Russell's Circus Spectacular Programme, 1977

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.303
Scope and Contents

Hippodrome, Great Yarmouth. Colour illustration of two clowns appearing on the right edge and a seal holding a red ball on its nose in the centre over a blue background on the front cover, inside introduction, black and white photographs of performers and acts with text, programme in the centre and commercial advertising, 12p.p.

Dates: 1977

Billy Russell's Circus Spectacular Programme, 1971

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.304
Scope and Contents

Hippodrome, Great Yarmouth. Colour illustration of female aerial act hanging from her hair while juggling battons on fire over a black and blue background on the front cover, inside black and white photographs of performers and acts with text, programme in the centre and commercial advertising, 12p.p.

Dates: 1971

Billy Russell's Circus Spectacular Programme, 1974

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.305
Scope and Contents

Hippodrome, Great Yarmouth. Colour illustration of Cossack riders and dancers in red and white outfits and white and brown horses over a blue background on the front cover, inside black and white photographs of performers and acts with text, programme in the centre and commercial advertising, 12p.p.

Dates: 1974

Billy Russell's Circus Spectacular Programme, 1969

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.306
Scope and Contents

Hippodrome, Great Yarmouth. Colour illustration of aerial act hanging from a black contraption in the centre, woman in a long blue dress and poodles and man balancing glasses with his mouth in a yellow outfit on the bottom section over a yellow and orange background on the front cover, inside introduction with brief history of circus, black and white photographs of performers and acts with text, programme in the centre and commercial advertising, 12p.p.

Dates: 1969

Billy Russell's Circus Spectacular Programme, 1970

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.307
Scope and Contents

Hippodrome, Great Yarmouth. Colour illustration of circus acts including trapeze on top section and clowns, performing animals and poodles with performers on the bottom section over a yellow and orange background on the front cover, inside black and white photographs of performers and acts with text, programme in the centre and commercial advertising, 12p.p.

Dates: 1970

Billy Russell's Circus Spectacular Programme, 1972

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.308
Scope and Contents

Hippodrome, Great Yarmouth. Colour illustration of circus acts including trapeze on top section and Chinesse and Hungarian acrobats , woman riding a white horse and woman with poodels on the bottom section over a yellow and red background on the front cover, inside black and white photographs of performers and acts with text, programme in the centre and commercial advertising, 12p.p.

Dates: 1972

Billy Russell's Circus Spectacular Programme, 1973

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.309
Scope and Contents

Hippodrome, Great Yarmouth. Colour illustration of men spitting and juggling fire and head of man with turbant on a red, yellow and orange background on the front cover, inside black and white photographs of performers and acts with text, programme in the centre and commercial advertising, 12p.p.

Dates: 1973

Billy Russell's Circus Spectacular Programme, 1978

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.322
Scope and Contents

Hippodrome, Great Yarmouth. Colour illustration of Chinese building and dragons on blue, yellow and pink on the front cover, inside introduction, black and white photographs of acts and performers with text, programme in the centre with red, yellow, black and white illustration around the edges and commercial advertising, 12p.p.

Dates: 1978

Billy Russell's Grand Circus Programme, 3 June - 16 September 1961

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.288
Scope and Contents

Hippodrome, Great Yarmouth. Black, red, white and blue type on blue, yellow and red background and colour illustration of cartoon clown's face with mouth open on top right on the front cover, inside introduction, black and white photographs of performers and acts with text, black illustrations, programme in the centre and commercial advertising, 12p.p.

Dates: 3 June - 16 September 1961