London Hippodrome
Sections:
Theatre build date:
1900
History:
Built in 1900 for Edward Moss, the Hippodrome opened as a venue for circus and variety performances. Named the Hippodrome for its function as a stage for performing animals, which included equestrian acts, elephants and polar bears. Renowned for its spectacle, the stage featured an enormous tank of water into which acrobats would dive from the sliding roof. Side entrances to the stalls could also be flooded so that boats could be floated around the auditorium. In 1909, the Hippodrome’s interior was reconstructed for use as a music hall, and the next year the venue saw the UK premiere of the Russian Ballet’s Swan Lake.
In 1958, the entire interior was demolished and the Hippodrome reopened as a cabaret restaurant called Talk of the Town. Its variety shows by regular lineups and its own troupe of singers and dancers which changed every couple of years were interspersed with performances by some of the world’s most popular artists including Judy Garland, Shirley Bassey, the Temptations, Eartha Kitt and the Seekers. By the end of the 1970’s, the entertainment provided by the Talk of the Town looked sadly dated and dwindling audiences led to its closure in 1982.
Reopened as a nightclub by Peter Stringfellow in 1983, the renamed London Hippodrome lost its license to serve alcohol in 2005 after numerous reports of drunken violence and gang activity in Leicester Square, and a number of venues in the area were closed down. The Hippodrome closed again in 2005.
After three years of functioning as an event space for corporate hire, the London Hippodrome has reopened as a theatrical venue, hosting the modern cabaret burlesque show La Clique with no further stage shows confirmed for the venue as yet.
In 2010, the Hippodrome is to be converted into a casino.
Close to:
Leicester Square
Trafalgar Square
Piccadilly Circus
1900
History:
Built in 1900 for Edward Moss, the Hippodrome opened as a venue for circus and variety performances. Named the Hippodrome for its function as a stage for performing animals, which included equestrian acts, elephants and polar bears. Renowned for its spectacle, the stage featured an enormous tank of water into which acrobats would dive from the sliding roof. Side entrances to the stalls could also be flooded so that boats could be floated around the auditorium. In 1909, the Hippodrome’s interior was reconstructed for use as a music hall, and the next year the venue saw the UK premiere of the Russian Ballet’s Swan Lake.
In 1958, the entire interior was demolished and the Hippodrome reopened as a cabaret restaurant called Talk of the Town. Its variety shows by regular lineups and its own troupe of singers and dancers which changed every couple of years were interspersed with performances by some of the world’s most popular artists including Judy Garland, Shirley Bassey, the Temptations, Eartha Kitt and the Seekers. By the end of the 1970’s, the entertainment provided by the Talk of the Town looked sadly dated and dwindling audiences led to its closure in 1982.
Reopened as a nightclub by Peter Stringfellow in 1983, the renamed London Hippodrome lost its license to serve alcohol in 2005 after numerous reports of drunken violence and gang activity in Leicester Square, and a number of venues in the area were closed down. The Hippodrome closed again in 2005.
After three years of functioning as an event space for corporate hire, the London Hippodrome has reopened as a theatrical venue, hosting the modern cabaret burlesque show La Clique with no further stage shows confirmed for the venue as yet.
In 2010, the Hippodrome is to be converted into a casino.
Close to:
Leicester Square
Trafalgar Square
Piccadilly Circus
Contact Details
London HippodromeCranbourn Street
WC2H 7AJ
For all ticket enquiries, call:
0871 789 1004
Map
Facilities
Theatre layoutAranged in the round, the seating at the Hippodrome is divided into two main sections:
- Floor: Level seating that completely surrounds the stage
- Circle: A standing area that surrounds the floor.
'Posh Seats' refer to ringside seats a fantastic view of the action, as well as a premium area of the circle in which the audience sit on bar stools. It is important to remember that the Hippodrome is general admission by pricing area, so seats are unreserved.
