Royal Hippodrome Theatre

The Royal Hippodrome Theatre stands in Eastbourne, a seaside town in East Sussex. Built in 1883, it is the oldest theatre in Eastbourne and was designed by the noted theatre architect C J Phipps for impresario George Beaumont Loveday. The building opened as the Theatre Royal and Opera House but became the Royal Hippodrome Theatre around 1904, reflecting a shift from plays and light opera to music hall and variety shows. It sits at the unfashionable end of town, a contrast to Eastbourne’s fashionable image when it first opened. The theatre has hosted summer seasons for over a century, running from April to October each year. The theatre has welcomed many famous performers over the years. Stars like Vesta Tilley, Harry Houdini, Marie Lloyd, Charlie Chaplin, Gracie Fields, and Bruce Forsyth all appeared on its stage during its music hall era. The auditorium still retains much of its original 1883 design, despite wartime damage and later restorations. The foyer was remodelled in the 1930s, and the theatre once had a resident orchestra of 13 musicians and a permanent staff of 40. Performances by Hylda Baker during the Second World War and later by figures like Norman Wisdom and Frankie Vaughan kept its reputation alive. Today, the theatre is run by local couple Alex and Debbie Adams, who took over in 2018. Major restorative work has included facade restoration, a foyer extension, and a full auditorium renovation for its 140th anniversary. The building has also served as a rehearsal space for Paul McCartney and Wings in 1979 and appeared in TV shows like *French and Saunders* and *Noel’s Christmas Presents*. The theatre remains a lively part of Eastbourne’s cultural scene, blending history with modern performances.