Skip to main content

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:

The Yarmouth Hippodrome Programme, 24 August 1903

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.28
Scope and Contents Marine Parade, Great Yarmouth. Aquatic Variety Spectacle and Circus, Zetho's performing dogs, The Uniques floor acrobatic act, The Mar-Ta-Fi Trio acrobatic act, Cruickshank, Sons of the Desert - Azarahs acrobatic act, Ed. Ransley diving act, Stylo hoop act, Little Rabbitt and his Comical Donkey Tommy, The Two Yoricks comedy act, Happy Jackles, Victoria Dagmar gymnastic act, Gilbert's Great Circus Company, Performing horses and ponies, The Elysian Troupe comic musical act. Black type on white...
Dates: 24 August 1903

Trade and Advertising Material, c1900 - 1999

 Series
Reference code: 178I22
Scope and Contents

A range of items of promotion and advertising from a range of circus companies and performers, including artistes' photographs with act descriptions used for seeking employment in circuses and pamphlets advertising independent performances and circus companies' literature and souvenirs for public distribution and promotion including Gerry Cottle's Circus, Belle Vue, Blackpool Tower, Bertram Mills Circus, Gandey's, Ringling Bros and Barnum and Bailey, Knie and many more.

Dates: c1900 - 1999

Yasmine Smart's Circus Programme, 17 June - 12 September 1981

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.317
Scope and Contents

Hippodrome, Great Yarmouth. Presented by Jack and Peter Jay. Colour illustration of roaring lion's head on top left, elephants, white horses, clowns, water fountain, seal and woman holding microphone on 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, 6p.p

Dates: 17 June - 12 September 1981