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:
Sally Chipperfield's Christmas Circus Programme, 26 December - 13 January c1900 - 1999
The Hippodrome, Great Yarmouth. Blue type on yellow background.
Scrapbook of Multiple Circuses, 1955 - 1957
Scrapbook of newspaper cuttings and black and white photographs, relating to multiple circuses and acts including Chipperfield's, Bertram Mills, Rosaire's, Billy Russell's, 45p.p.
Scrapbook of Multiple Circuses, 1954 - 1958
Scrapbook of newspaper cuttings and black and white photographs relating to multiple circuses and acts including Chipperfield's, Rosaire's, Bertram Mills and Billy Russell's, as well as many pictures of Pekingese dogs, 46p.p.
Scrapbook of Multiple Circuses, 1961 - 1964
Scrapbook of newspaper cuttings, black and white photographs, and correspondance, relating to multiple circuses and acts including Billy Smarts, Billy Russell's, Bertram Mills, Soviet State Circus and Chipperfield's, 108p.p.
Super Circus Programme, 1984
Hippodrome, Great Yarmouth. Presented by Peter Jay. Colour illustration of smily clown face on top left, water fountain act on bottom left, wheel of death act and elephant's head on blue and black background 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.
Super Circus Programme, 1984
Hippodrome, Great Yarmouth. Presented by Peter Jay. Colour illustration of smily clown face on top left, water fountain act on bottom left, wheel of death act and elephant's head on blue and black background 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.
The Hippodrome, Great Yarmouth Monograph, c1900 - 1999
History and uses of the Hippodrome and the acts appearing in it, a well as details of George Gilbert's temporary circus building in Great Yarmouth and winter circus seasons at the Agricultural Hall, 1893-1954, Norwich by H.T.G. Tinkler, bound volume in brown leather and fabric covers with gold type on spine, approximately 300p.p. Typescript.
The Hippodrome Programme, 2004
All New 25th Anniversary Circus and Water Spectacular. Colour photograph of the Hippodrome on a black background with colourful circles around it on the front cover, inside introduction, colour photographs of acts and performers with text, programme in the centre, 8p.p.
The History of The Great Yarmouth Hippodrome Research Material, c1900 - 1999
Photocopies of typescript compiled by H. T. G. Tinkler and some photocopies of circus programmes, taken from a copy in the collection of Malcolm S. Clay. Multiple pages.
The Yarmouth Hippodrome Programme, 20 July 1903
Marine Parade, Great Yarmouth. Aquatic Variety Spectacle and Circus, Miss Nellie Cockrill, Baby Tilley, lion taming act, The Marvellous Freres Phillipe, Vasco, The Lizzette Troupe crobatic act, Alexandra and Bertie aerial act, The Two Yoricks, Mdlle. Yvette equestrian act, Baby Culeen equestrian act, Miss Rubini, Rabbitt. Black type on white background listing the cast of performers.