Great Yarmouth Hippodrome (Established 1903)
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
Billy Russell's Circus Spectacular Programme, 6 June - 19 September 1964
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.
Billy Russell's Circus Spectacular Programme, 4 June - 18 September 1965
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.
Billy Russell's Circus Spectacular Programme, 30 May - 17 September 1966
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.
Billy Russell's Circus Spectacular Programme, From 1 June 1968
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.
Billy Russell's Circus Spectacular Programme, 1976
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.
Billy Russell's Circus Spectacular Programme, 1978
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.
Billy Russell's Circus Spectacular Programme, 1975
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.
Billy Russell's Circus Spectacular Programme, 1977
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.
Billy Russell's Circus Spectacular Programme, 1971
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.