I was duly rewarded for my patience and observation when I got the chance to visit Derby Hippodrome.This was a large theatre built in 1914 by Marshall &Tweedy of Newcastle upon Tyne.It remained a theatre until 1930 when it was turned into a cinema for several years and then back to a theatre before being purchased by Mecca in 1962 and turned into a bingo social club.
Although it has changed hands it has remained a bingo club until its closure in 2007.
Many great names played here, such as Morecambe and Wise,Tommy Cooper,
Ken Dodd,Max Wall,Frankie Howerd and Cliff Richard to name but a very few.
It is said that the great duo Flanagan and Allen composed the song "underneath the arches"whilst at this theatre and it is based on a local
railway bridge and station.
There is great speculation in the local press about the future of this theatre which is a grade 2 listed building and hopefully one day soon it may be put back into productive use.A selection of photos follow.I apologise if they have come through the wrong size but I am new to this site.
[lb=http://www.derelictplaces.co.uk/main/imagehosting/411147cc01d8b3397.jpg]
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Decay and damage.
[lb=http://www.derelictplaces.co.uk/main/imagehosting/411147cbfc1a734b6.jpg]
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Oh dear.
[lb=http://www.derelictplaces.co.uk/main/imagehosting/411147cc056f23a75.jpg]
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The good old days.
[lb=http://www.derelictplaces.co.uk/main/imagehosting/411147cc2f54bf1ef.jpg]
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My favourite spooky window.
[lb=http://www.derelictplaces.co.uk/main/imagehosting/411147cc2f5cae7fc.jpg]
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Auditorium seats in the circle.
[lb=http://www.derelictplaces.co.uk/main/imagehosting/411147cc305caabeb.jpg]
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Spooky lights.
[lb=http://www.derelictplaces.co.uk/main/imagehosting/411147cc310313d00.jpg]
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window in projection room.
[lb=http://www.derelictplaces.co.uk/main/imagehosting/411147cc3254412ea.jpg]
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backstage light.
[lb=http://www.derelictplaces.co.uk/main/imagehosting/411147cc32507e3aa.jpg]
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Safety curtain control panel.
[lb=http://www.derelictplaces.co.uk/main/imagehosting/411147cc040fbf982.jpg]
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Exterior photo of stagefly gallery end.
[lb=http://www.derelictplaces.co.uk/main/imagehosting/411147cc30fee1267.jpg]
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ye olde typewriter.
[lb=http://www.derelictplaces.co.uk/main/imagehosting/411147cc3349b80af.jpg]
[/lb]
paint stores.
Although it has changed hands it has remained a bingo club until its closure in 2007.
Many great names played here, such as Morecambe and Wise,Tommy Cooper,
Ken Dodd,Max Wall,Frankie Howerd and Cliff Richard to name but a very few.
It is said that the great duo Flanagan and Allen composed the song "underneath the arches"whilst at this theatre and it is based on a local
railway bridge and station.
There is great speculation in the local press about the future of this theatre which is a grade 2 listed building and hopefully one day soon it may be put back into productive use.A selection of photos follow.I apologise if they have come through the wrong size but I am new to this site.
[lb=http://www.derelictplaces.co.uk/main/imagehosting/411147cc01d8b3397.jpg]
Decay and damage.
[lb=http://www.derelictplaces.co.uk/main/imagehosting/411147cbfc1a734b6.jpg]
Oh dear.
[lb=http://www.derelictplaces.co.uk/main/imagehosting/411147cc056f23a75.jpg]
The good old days.
[lb=http://www.derelictplaces.co.uk/main/imagehosting/411147cc2f54bf1ef.jpg]
My favourite spooky window.
[lb=http://www.derelictplaces.co.uk/main/imagehosting/411147cc2f5cae7fc.jpg]
Auditorium seats in the circle.
[lb=http://www.derelictplaces.co.uk/main/imagehosting/411147cc305caabeb.jpg]
Spooky lights.
[lb=http://www.derelictplaces.co.uk/main/imagehosting/411147cc310313d00.jpg]
window in projection room.
[lb=http://www.derelictplaces.co.uk/main/imagehosting/411147cc3254412ea.jpg]
backstage light.
[lb=http://www.derelictplaces.co.uk/main/imagehosting/411147cc32507e3aa.jpg]
Safety curtain control panel.
[lb=http://www.derelictplaces.co.uk/main/imagehosting/411147cc040fbf982.jpg]
Exterior photo of stagefly gallery end.
[lb=http://www.derelictplaces.co.uk/main/imagehosting/411147cc30fee1267.jpg]
ye olde typewriter.
[lb=http://www.derelictplaces.co.uk/main/imagehosting/411147cc3349b80af.jpg]
paint stores.
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