Category:Brighton Hippodrome

  Disappeared Brighton  coordinates: 50.8218132, -0.1426503

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2018: rough computer model of the frontage [image info]

model view [image info]

model view [image info]

model view [image info]

Brighton Hippodrome in Middle Street, The Lanes, started like as the Real Ice Skating Rink in 1897, and was converted into a circus in 1900 and relaunched in 1901 as The Hippodrome. The site has been unused since 2007.

The building features a large low-domed roof and occupies an area of land back from the road that goes back roughly the same distance as the width of the frontage.

While the building still stands, it is now showing increasing signs of dereliction – it is on the "at risk" register, and apparently people have had difficulty in contacting the Guernsey-based owners to find out what's actually going on.

Evolution

The building's design was created by architect Lewis Karslake, with theatre architect Frank Matcham employed to redesign the interior for the 1901 relaunch. The circus was also not financially successful, and the building was sold on, the ring replaced with additional seating, then the venue relaunched once again in 1902, as a theatre.

Artists

Performing artists who are supposed to have "trodden the boards" at the Hippodrome include:

• Charlie Chaplin
• Gracie Fields
• Harry Houdini
• Laurel and Hardy
• Laurence Olivier
• Lillie Langtry
• Max Miller
• Sammy Davis, Jr.
• Sarah Bernhardt
• Vivien Leigh
• W.C. Fields

The Beatles and The Rolling Stones also both played the venue in 1964.

Addresss:

• Brighton Hippodrome, 52 Middle St, Brighton BN1 1AD

The official name for the site is apparently the rather less dignified "Mecca Bingo"