PLYMOUTH |
The Encyclopaedia of Plymouth History |
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DESCRIPTION OF THE HIPPODROME THEATRE After its conversion for "talkies" to be shown, the Hippodrome Theatre in Prince's Street, Devonport, had its Grand Opening on Monday December 23rd 1929. Described as "Plymouth's Wonder Theatre", it must have looked like a palace to those poor folk of Devonport, living in their terraces of houses. Thick red carpet covered the ground floor and circle. The walls were painted blue with gold panelling. The circle waiting room held 200 and had apparatus by which the attendant could notify the employee in the pay-box when standing room only was available or when the circle was full. The entrance to the circle was three times as large as it had previously been and it had a marble floor and mahogany pattern walls. The circle was constructed of concrete and steel and was thus considered fireproof. The front rows had "pneumatic" seating and even the balcony seats were padded. The pay-boxes had sand-blasted glass, which looked very attractive when illuminated. There was four-colour background lighting, all lit by oil but with a gas back-up system. What was described as the "talking apparatus" cost £5,000 and the speakers were at the side of the 40 foot stage, rather than behind the screen.
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