PLYMOUTH |
The Encyclopaedia of Plymouth History |
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HIPPODROME THEATRE, DEVONPORT In March 1907 Devonport Borough Council considered an application for permission to erect a theatre on a site in Prince's Street but the promoter abandoned his plans. Read more ..... However, on July 25th that same year, 1907, the Council approved plans from Messrs United County Theatre Company to erect the Hippodrome Theatre at 31 Prince's Street. Mr Bertie Crewe of London was the architect and on Saturday September 12th 1908 the memorial stone was laid by the Mayor of Devonport, Mr Richard Smerdon. The construction work was undertaken by Messrs J Parkinson & Son Ltd of Blackpool, Lancashire. The "Gigantic Opening" took place on September 14th 1908 with a review entitled "Neighbours". The owners at that time were stated as Messrs Hippodrome (Devonport) Ltd, under the chairmanship of Mr Alfred Moule. Read more ..... On January 20th 1910 the Hippodrome became the second establishment in Devonport to be granted a Cinema Licence, the licensee being Mr H Taylor. It soon transferred to Mr Gwyther Eastlake Prance. Read more ..... The Hippodrome closed as a theatre on Saturday June 1st 1929 with the world famous entertainers, Layton and Johnstone "In the Flesh". It was going to converted to take talking pictures. Read more ..... Described as "Plymouth's Wonder Theatre", the Grand Opening took place on Monday December 23rd 1929 with the talkie "Broadway Melody", Ted Coleman and his Waldorf Band and the British Movietone News. Read description and opening ..... Continuous performances were started on Monday February 29th 1932 and prices were consequently reduced. During the day admission to the stalls cost 7d and the circle 1s but in the evenings the prices went up to 7d and 1s for the stalls and 1s 6d or 2s for the circle. The balcony cost 5d at all times. By 1939 the Hippodrome was owned by County Cinemas Ltd and it shared its film programme with the Regent Cinema in Plymouth. County Cinemas was later acquired by Odeon. It is said that the theatre had a sliding roof to aid ventilation during the intervals and that a Mr Cyril Symons tried to paint the name of the theatre on the roof slates but it was not wide enough so he only achieved "HIPPO". The end of the Hippodrome came suddenly during the night of Wednesday April 23rd 1941, when it was gutted by fire and left an empty shell. The remains were purchased in May 1958 by Plymouth Council for £4,000 and the building was demolished.
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