Aston Hippodrome

Infobox building
building_name = Aston Hippodrome


caption =
building_type = Theatre
architectural_style =
structural_system =
location = Aston, Birmingham, England
coordinates = coord|52.49886|N|1.89537|W|region:GB_source:enwiki-osgb36(SP072890)|display=title
start_date =
completion_date = 1908
demolition_date = 1980
height =
floor_count =
main_contractor =
architect = James Lister & Company
structural_engineer =
services_engineer =
civil_engineer =
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awards = The Aston Hippodrome (gbmapping|SP072890), also known as "The Hipp", was a popular theatre in the Aston area of Birmingham, England.

It was opened to the public on December 7, 1908 after the completion of construction at a cost of £10,000. It was designed by James Lister & Company who had also designed the "Bartons Arms" public house in the area.

The theatre was seriously damaged in 1938 by a fire which resulted in a £38,000 refurbishment.

On June 4, 1960, the theatre building ceased performances with the final performance a revue, A to Z of Striptease. The building was renovated into a bingo hall and remained so until its demolition in September 1980. The Drum, an arts centre, is located on the theatre's site.

Performances were held twice daily and amongst these performances were famous acts such as Laurel and Hardy, George Formby, Gracie Fields, Larry Grayson, Morecambe and Wise and Judy Garland who performed there in 1951.

The opening chapter of Ron Dawson's novel, "The Last Viking", vividly describes one of the 'strip tease shows' which dominated the Hipp's offerings during the mid to late 1950s. The show was called 'Heatwave' and the scene captures the sad atmosphere of the 'artistic tableaux' which characterised these shows.

External links

* [http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/GenerateContent?CONTENT_ITEM_ID=13332&CONTENT_ITEM_TYPE=0&MENU_ID=5443 Birmingham City Council - Information on the theatre]
* [http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/GenerateContent?CONTENT_ITEM_ID=84464&CONTENT_ITEM_TYPE=0&MENU_ID=10277 Birmingham City Council - Image of the theatre]
* [http://www.astonbrook-through-astonmanor.co.uk/id94.htm Astonbrook through Astonmanor - The Aston Hippodrome performances and management history]
* [http://www.mediahub.co.uk/ourstory/thenandnow/astonhippodrome.htm Mediahub - Before and after images of present day building]