Historic Hippodrome could face the bulldozers

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[[Image:Hippodromenow.jpg|thumbnail|left|The former Hippodrome theatre at the corner of Macklin Street and Green Lane, Derby. The owner of Derby’s historic Hippodrome Theatre plans to knock it down, according to a report in the Derby Evening Telegraph (7 Jan, 2008).

A notice sent to the city council states the owner’s intentions to flatten the building, which was granted Grade II listed status in 1996.

The move has sparked outrage among historians, thespians and neighbours of the theatre-turned-bingo hall, which was built in 1913.

Derby historian Maxwell Craven said demolition would be a catastrophe for the city. “To allow somewhere which has recently been listed to be demolished sets a precedent and all civic groups and conservation societies should fight against any such demolition.”

The Hippodrome, in Green Lane, was sold at the end of 2006 by its then owners, Top Ten Holdings, who ran it as a bingo hall.

Amateur dramatics groups in the city led by the Derby New Theatre Company wanted to buy the historic building to use as a theatre.

The company's treasurer, Tony Jaggers, said the venue was one of only a few examples of theatres by architects Marshall and Tweedy. “It is a listed building and I am appalled that the owners should try to do this.”

Mr Briars wrote to the owner listed on the Land Registry, a Christopher Anthony who lives in London, but received no response. The Evening Telegraph has also tried unsuccessfully to make contact with Mr Anthony.

The Hippodrome pictured during its days as a cinema

The Hippodrome was built in 1914 as a theatre before being converted into a cinema in 1930. The first film to be shown after the conversion was Sunnyside Up, featuring Charles Farrell and Janet Gaynor.

It was turned back into a live theatre venue in October, 1950 before finally closing in 1959. It re-opened three years later as a bingo hall.

In 1996 the Department of Heritage made the theatre a grade two-listed building.

Among the most famous people to tread the boards during its theatrical days were comedy duo Morecambe and Wise who performed in panto along with Stan Stennett.

Frankie Howard and George Formby appeared, as did singer and dancer Frankie Vaughan who made the front page of the picture edition of the Evening Telegraph on November, 2, 1962, when he performed in aid of the Boys Clubs’ Week.

Chesney Allen and Bud Flanagan first performed their hit Underneath the Arches at the venue. Flanagan was later famed for recording the theme tune to Dad’s Army.

In 1954 music lovers were treated to an acclaimed performance by the Halle Orchestra conducted by Sir John Barbirolli.

In 1955, ballerina Moira Shearer played Sally Bowles in the hit play I Am a Camera, which was later renamed Cabaret and starred Liza Minnelli.

And when rock ’n’ roll singer Rory “Shakes” Blackwell appeared on the stage in 1958, the Evening Telegraph reported that a “frenzied mob of teenage girls” lured the star from his dressing room and “threw him to the ground and leapt on him.”

Comedian Arthur Haynes, ITV’s biggest star in the late 1950s, also appeared twice on the Hippodrome stage.

Do you have any memories of the Hippodrome that you would like to share? What do you think of the plan to demolish it? Go to the edit link at the top of the page to add your comments.

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