Hippodrome

The Hippodrome stood in Aldershot, Hampshire, on the corner of Station Road and Birchett Road. It replaced a group of derelict buildings from the late 1850s and opened in 1913 as a theatre for variety shows, pantomimes and musical comedies. Designed by theatre architect Bertie Crewe, it was the largest theatre for miles around with seating for about 1,000 people. The building had four boxes, eight dressing rooms and bars on all levels. By 1914 it began showing Kinemacolor films alongside live acts, and by the late 1920s cinema shows were added regularly. Many famous performers appeared at the Hippodrome over the years. Marie Lloyd, Gracie Fields, Julie Andrews and Frankie Howerd were among those who took the stage. Peter Sellers performed there in 1948 as a drummer and later recalled the band playing four bars behind while eating sandwiches. Ellen Terry appeared in scenes from The Merry Wives of Windsor in 1918. The theatre also hosted orchestras such as Joe Loss and his Orchestra and Chris Barber and his Jazz Band. The Hippodrome declined in the 1950s as audiences turned to cinema and television. It shifted to nude revue to attract more patrons, especially men willing to pay for seats near the stage. After a partial refurbishment in 1953, the theatre struggled until it closed around 1960. It was demolished in 1961 despite efforts to save it. Today, an office block called Hippodrome House stands on the site.