EST. 1903

HIPPODROME HISTORY

The Historic Hippodrome is Britain’s only surviving total Circus Building, built in 1903 by the legendary Circus showman George Gilbert.

Throughout the century the intimate arena has played host to an incredible variety of entertainment, from amazing water spectacles and stage variety shows to cinema and even wartime use as a military practice shooting range.

Apart from always presenting the very best in circus, Lillie Langtry sang, Little Tich clowned, Max Miller joked, and Houdini escaped. It’s likely that even Charlie Chaplin performed here as a child actor before finding fame in America. More recently the Hippodrome has played host to a variety or world class performances including; The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Circus of Horrors, BBC Question Time, The Kooks and the legendary Duane Eddy, Billy Bragg!

What makes the Hippodrome Circus building extra special is the water spectacle. One of only three in the world in use the wooden circus floor can be dropped to reveal a swimming pool underneath. Peter Jay restored the water spectacle for his first produced circus show in 1981, having bought the building in 1979, the water has been a major part of our unique show ever since.

Now we produce four brand new shows each year, Pirates Live, Summer Spectacular, Halloween Spooktacular and Christmas Spectacular. For any more information please visit our main website.