The Hippodrome, a famous London Theatre re-opened last October, this time as a theatre hall. The first show, a variety-cum-circus show called La Clique was a phenomenal success.
The show won the Olivier award for best entertainment and grossed over Ł2.5 million. However, the show will be closed on June 27 as the Hippodrome is to be converted into a casino.
The theatre was built in 1900 by the famous architect Frank Matcham, specifically as a venue for circus shows. During its heyday, great performers like Harry Houdini played at the Hippodrome, which was also the venue where Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake made its British premičre.
In the 50’s, the theatre was turned into a restaurant and cabaret and went by the name of Talk of The Town. It hosted performances by celebrities like Stevie Wonder, Judy Garland and The Temptations. By the 80’s however, the theatre was a shadow of its former glorious self and was tuned into a disco and nightclub.
Over the past two decades, the club has passed through many hands and gone in and out of fashion at various times. It was eventually closed down in December 2005 and the Hippodrome became a corporate space-for-hire.
Today, the building is all set for its latest incarnation as a hip casino. If the new casino owners keep their promise, there will be a 158-seat cabaret somewhere inside a maze of blackjack tables and slot machines.
Although some people suspect that the inclusion of the theatre space is just a ruse to get the planning commission’s approval for yet another London casino, Nick Frankfort, the man in charge of the project, believes that the venue will be able to attract acts like Michael Ball and Elaine Paige.
Given that major West End theatre owners Andrew Lloyd Webber and Cameron Mackintosh have already turned down proposals to buy and renovate the old building, we should perhaps be thankful for any entertainment that is provided at the historic old Hippodrome.
