Dudley Hippodrome

The Dudley Hippodrome is a theatre in the town of Dudley, West Midlands, England. The Hippodrome was built in 1938 on the site of the Dudley Opera House, which was destroyed by fire in 1936,[2] and remained open as a variety theatre until 1964. It was subsequently operated as a bingo hall by Gala Bingo, closing in 2009.

Dudley Hippodrome
Vacant building of the Dudley Hippodrome
AddressCastle Hill
Dudley
England
Coordinates52.5135°N 2.0765°W / 52.5135; -2.0765
OwnerDudley Metropolitan Borough Council
Capacity1,750 (original)
1,507 (1967)[1]
Current useVacant (since 2009)
Construction
Opened19 December 1938 (19 December 1938)[2]
Closed1964
Years active1938 - 1964[1]
ArchitectA. Hurley Robinson[1]
Website
www.dudley-hippodrome.co.uk

Since 2009 it has been owned by Dudley Council, with plans to demolish the site to make way for redevelopment, though local campaigners are protesting these proposals, favouring a return to theatre use instead.[3]

History

The Dudley Hippodrome theatre was constructed on the site of the Dudley Opera House, which had been opened in 1899 but had been gutted by a fire that started in the early hours of 1 November 1936.[4] Once it became evident that the Opera House was beyond repair, a decision was taken by its proprietor, Benjamin Kennedy, to demolish the building and build an entirely new theatre.[4]

The architect chosen for the new building was Archibald Hurley Robinson and the local contractor, A.J. Crump started the building work on 23 August 1937.[4] The theatre opened on 19 December 1938. [5] The brick-built construction with stalls and circle had seating for 1,750.[5] The opening ceremony was performed by local MP, Dudley Joel and the first headline act was Jack Hylton and his band.[5]

The owner, Benjamin Kennedy died on 10 April 1939, passing on responsibility for running the theatre to his sons, Maurice and Robert although ownership was retained by the trustees of the former proprietor.[4]

The comedy duo, Laurel and Hardy appeared at the theatre in May 1947.[6]

The theatre suffered financial problems in 1958, when it was closed for several months, eventually re-opening under new ownership in December of that year.[7]

The final stage show at the theatre occurred on 24 February 1964.[4] Later in the same year the theatre came under the control of the Midland Entertainment Agency.[8] The owner, V. Kendrick announced his intention to operate it as a casino and bingo hall with some live shows.[9]

In 1968, the Hippodrome was acquired by Mr H. Whitehouse of Newtown Entertainments Ltd. He announced that bingo would continue at the venue but that wrestling would no longer take place.[10]

The building was acquired by Ladbrokes which introduced a nightclub with live acts under the brand "Cesar's Palace", which opened on 15 November 1973.[11]

The theatre's final years were as a Bingo Hall, which closed on 19 September 2009. [4] The building was purchased by Dudley Council, which plans to demolish the site to make way for redevelopment. [3]

References
  1. "Hippodrome (Dudley)". Theatres Database. The Theatres Trust. Retrieved 2 September 2012.
  2. Williams, Ned (2008). Dudley Rediscovered. Wolverhampton: Uralia Press. p. 149. ISBN 1 898 528 08 X.
  3. "Experts wait in wings to help save Dudley Hippodrome". Express & Star. 14 July 2012. Retrieved 3 September 2012.
  4. Williams, Ned (2011). Black Country Theatres. 2. Wolverhampton: Uralia Press. pp. 102–128. ISBN 1898528101.
  5. "Dudley Hippodrome". The Stage. 15 December 1938. p. 4. Retrieved 25 March 2019 – via The British Newspaper Archive.
  6. "Dudley Hippodrome". Birmingham Daily Gazette. 13 May 1947. p. 4. Retrieved 25 March 2019 – via The British Newspaper Archive.
  7. "Pantomime to Reopen Dudley Hippodrome". The Stage. 18 December 1958. p. 1. Retrieved 25 March 2019 – via The British Newspaper Archive.
  8. "Under New Mangement". The Stage. 17 September 1964. p. 5. Retrieved 25 March 2019 – via The British Newspaper Archive.
  9. "Final Curtain". Birmingham Daily Post. 8 February 1964. p. 25. Retrieved 25 March 2019 – via The British Newspaper Archive.
  10. "Dudley Hippodrome Sold for £70,000". Birmingham Daily Post. 6 June 1968. p. 27. Retrieved 25 March 2019 – via The British Newspaper Archive.
  11. "Tommy's Win Double". The Stage. 15 November 1973. p. 9. Retrieved 25 March 2019 – via The British Newspaper Archive.
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