PLYMOUTH |
The Encyclopaedia of Plymouth History |
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CONVERSION FOR "TALKIES" The Hippodrome Theatre in Prince's Street, Devonport, closed as a theatre on Saturday June 1st 1929 with the world famous entertainers, Layton and Johnstone "In the Flesh". The adverts stated: 'Telephone bookings entirely suspended' and that the theatre was: 'Closed for conversion into Britain's most palatial place of amusement.' It was going to have accommodation for 2,500 patrons and would re-open in the autumn of 1929. Not everything went smoothly, however. On Wednesday August 7th a girder across the stage door was being removed when it crashed to the floor and brought down the stage roof and a wall facing Granby Street. Luckily there were no injuries and the Grand Opening eventually took place on Monday December 23rd 1929 with the talkie "Broadway Melody", Ted Coleman and his Waldorf Band and the British Movietone News. Although the programme was so popular that it was retained for a further week, the Western Evening Herald reviewer commented that 'the "ear" of the theatre has not yet been measured to a nicety'. Although seats could be booked, telephone bookings (to Devonport 142) were not accepted. Seat prices were:
There were to be three performances a day, at 2.30, 6.15 and 8.30pm. One marketing novelty, presumably introduced by Mr Prance, was that every Monday evening a brand new ladies or gents bicycle was given free at each performance to the purchaser of the lucky numbered programme.
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