Blackpool Hippodrome (1895 - 2014)
Dates
- Existence: 1895 - 2014
- Usage: 1900 - 1910
Biography
Blackpool Hippodrome was a variety theatre situated on Church Street. It was built in 1895 as a large ballroom and music-hall, called The Empire Theatre and Opera House. A year after opening The Empire was in financial difficulties and by 1900 it had been converted into a circus venue and renamed Hippodrome. The Hippodrome did not manage to achieve great financial success either and ten years later was converted once again to a variety theatre and cinema venue. In 1929, the management of the Hippodrome was taken over by the Associated British Cinemas (ABC). The ABC continued to host stage shows as well as films and concerts. During the 1960s the ABC used this venue to broadcast ‘Blackpool Night Out’ a television variety show. The theatre stopped operating as a Cinema in 1998. After a four year hiatus the theatre was converted to a nightclub under the name The Syndicate which operated between 2002 and 2014 when the building was demolished.
Found in 13 Collections and/or Records:
ABC Blackpool Poster, c1980 - 1989
Blackpool. Les Dawson, Kenneth McKellar, Dougie Squires Second Generation, Bobby Bennett, The Sunshine Girls, Jumping Jack. Contains photographs.
ABC Theatre Programme, Summer season 1959
Blackpool. Bernard Delfont Presents, The Army Game plus Blackpool’s Gayest Variety Show, Alfie Bass, Rosemary Squires, Bill Fraser, Albert & Les Ward, Michael Medwin, Saveen with Daisy, May ventriloquist, Norman Rossington, Frediani juggler, Ted Lune, Ossie Noble clown. Contains illustrations on the front cover and photographs of the acts inside. Printed by Horsley Bros., (T.U), 646 Romford Road, Manor Park, London, 8p.p.
Blackpool Hippodrome Poster, c1950 - 1959
Max Bygraves, Winifred Atwell, Joe Jackson American comic, Hylda Baker English comic, Bood & Bood French comics, Patrick O’Hagen Irish tenor, Joan Edwards soprano, 5 fellers amazing acrobats, Princess Zola tassel Dancer from Harlem/ Red and black type on white background. Printed by central Printing Co. (Chas. Sowden) Ltd., Burnley.
Cyril Critchlow Collection
Handbills, c1900 - 1999
Hanbills for variety, magic and illusion shows mainly in locations in Blackpool in cluding the North Pier, the Hippodrome and various theatres.
Hippodrome Blackpool Handbill, 13 July - 14 September c1952
Blackpool. Special Sunday Shows. Donald Peers with all star supporting company. Red and blue print. Printed by Central Printing Co., (Chas. Sowden) Ltd., Burnley, Lancs.
Hippodrome Blackpool Handbill, Opening Saturday 28 June c1952
Blackpool. Bebe Daniels and Ben Lyon in Life With The Lyons. Red and blue print. Printed by Central Printing Co., (Chas. Sowden) Ltd., Burnley, Lancs.
Hippodrome Blackpool Handbill, Opening Saturday 30 June c1951
Blackpool. Moulin Rouge, International cast includes Vic Oliver, Josef Locke. Red and blue print. Printed By: Central Printing Co., (Chas. Sowden) Ltd., Burnley, Lancs, 2p.p.
Hippodrome Blackpool Programme, Summer season 1951
Blackpool. Vic Oliver and Josef Locke in Moulin Rouge. Contains illustrations on the front cover, 8p.p.
Hippodrome Blackpool Programme, Summer season 1938
Blackpool. Jack Taylor presents his Fifth Blackpool Revue, ‘King Revel’, Nat Gonella, Sandy Powell, Douglas Wakefield, Norman Evans, Karina adagio dancer, Gloria Gilbert The Human Top, The Three Jokers, Stella Moya singer, The Monroe Brothers clowns, Natal the monkey man, The 48 Bright Eyes. Contains illustations on the front cover and photographs of the acts inside. Printed by Gazette and Herald, Victoria Street, Blackpool, 20p.p.
Posters, c1887 - 2010
Circus, variety, pantomime and magic posters including Argyle theatre, Liverpool Empire, Blackpool Tower Circus, Robert Brothers, Austen Brothers, Sorcar, Vesta Tilley, Ken Dodd, Dan Leno, Florrie Forde and others.
Programmes for Circus, Magic and Variety Shows, c1890 - 1999
Circus, magic and variety show programmes including the Great Ohmy Circus, John Sanger Circus, Bertram Mills Circus and variety shows at various locations in Blackpool, London, Manchester and other theatres in England. Some of the variety performers showcased are Morecambe and Wise, Hetty King, Mae West, Bob Hope, Shirley Bassey, Larry Lamb and Cliff Richards.
The New ABC Theatre Programme, Summer season 1965
Blackpool. The Morecambe and Wise Show, The Alfrero, Mark Wynter singer, Anna Dawson, The Three Hermanis, The Pamela Devis Dancers, Marvo illusionist. Contains illustrations on the front cover and photographs of the acts inside. Printed by Horsley Bros., (T.U), 646 Romford Road, Manor Park, London, 16p.p.