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 Grand Circus Programme, 4 June - 22 September 1962
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.
Billy Russell's Grand Circus Programme, 3 June - 21 September 1963
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, programme in the centre and commercial advertising, 12p.p.
Billy Russell's Grand Family Circus and Water Spectacular Programme, 1953
Hippodrome, Great Yarmouth. Colour illustration of fountain act on top right, clown's head with a trumpet on top left, chimpanzees in band uniforms playing drums on bottom left and elephant's head on centre right in mainly red and blue on the front cover, inside introduction, black and white photographs of performers and acts with text, pink illustrations, programme in the centre and commercial advertising, 6p.p.
Billy Russell's Grand Family Circus Programme, 1955
Hippodrome, Great Yarmouth. Colour illustration of seal, elephant, three men dressed as Mexicans around a pond and a woman in a long green skirt and bikini top with fruit head dress on the front cover, inside black and white photographs of performers and acts with text, pink illustrations, programme in the centre and commercial advertising, 8p.p.
Billy Russell's Grand Family Circus Programme, 1952
Hippodrome, Great Yarmouth. Black, red, white and blue type on blue, orange and yellow 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, programme in the centre and commercial advertising, 8p.p.
Billy Russell's Grand Family Circus, Zoo and Pets Corner Programme, 1956
Hippodrome, Great Yarmouth. Black, red, white and blue type on blue, orange and yellow 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, pink illustrations, programme in the centre and commercial advertising, 8p.p.
Billy Russell's Grand Family Circus, Zoo and Pets Corner Programme, 1957
Hippodrome, Great Yarmouth. Black, red, white and blue type on blue, orange and yellow 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, blue illustrations, programme in the centre and commercial advertising, 8p.p
Billy Russell's Grand Family Circus, Zoo and Pets Corner Programme, 1958
Hippodrome, Great Yarmouth. Black, red, white and blue type on blue, orange and yellow 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, blue illustrations, autographed programme in the centre and commercial advertising, 8p.p.
Billy Russell's Grand Family Circus, Zoo and Pets Corner Programme, 1959
Hippodrome, Great Yarmouth. Black, red, white and blue type on blue, orange and yellow 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, blue illustrations, programme in the centre and commercial advertising, 8p.p.