Aston Hippodrome

The Aston Hippodrome stood in the Aston district of Birmingham. Built in 1908, it was designed by the Lea brothers, James and Lister, who also designed the nearby Bartons Arms pub. The theatre opened with a seating capacity of 2,000 and quickly became a popular venue. Performances took place twice daily, attracting large audiences. Famous names such as Laurel and Hardy, George Formby, and Judy Garland appeared on its stage. The theatre suffered serious damage in a 1938 fire. Repairs cost £38,000, restoring the building to full use. By the late 1950s, its shows had shifted towards revues like ‘Heatwave’, described in Ron Dawson’s novel *The Last Viking*. The final performance in 1960 was a revue titled *A to Z of Striptease*. After closing, the building became a bingo hall before being demolished in 1980. Today, the site is home to The Drum, an arts centre. The Hippodrome’s legacy lives on in local memory and through historical accounts. Its history reflects Birmingham’s cultural past. The Drum continues to serve the community as a creative space.