Dudley Hippodrome

The Dudley Hippodrome stood in the town of Dudley, West Midlands. It opened in December 1938 on the site of the earlier Dudley Opera House, which had been destroyed by fire two years before. The new building was designed by architect Archibald Hurley Robinson and built by local contractor A.J. Crump. It seated 1,750 people across stalls and circle. The opening night featured local MP Dudley Joel and the first headline act was Jack Hylton and his band. The theatre hosted many famous performers during its years as a variety venue. Laurel and Hardy appeared in May 1947, Tommy Cooper and Eve Boswell starred in King of Hearts in 1954, and Paul Anka gave a sold-out concert in 1958. Cliff Richard performed to a full house in 1959, and Roy Orbison gave his final performance there in August 1974. The building later became a bingo hall under several owners before closing in 2009. The Hippodrome was demolished in 2023 after plans for redevelopment were approved. The site will become home to a new health and life sciences college for Worcester University, due to open in 2026. Local campaigners had fought to restore the theatre, but their efforts were unsuccessful. The building itself is now gone, though memories of its performances remain.