bristol hippodrome history

Front-of-House areas therefore funnel the audience through this narrow area between adjoining buildings, into the theatre and audience circulation areas such as the Grand Circle Bar above the entrance. The theatre reopened about 10 months later. Buy Bristol Hippodrome tickets at Ticketmaster.com. The stage was originally a hemp house, however after a fire that consumed the entire stagehouse in 1948, it was rebuilt with a stronger grid and full counterweight flying system. ... One of his first jobs was working at the Bristol Hippodrome. With room for up to four followspots, the Followspot Box currently houses the theatre’s two Lycian 2000W Xenon followspots. Files displayed in this section may be subject to copyright; refer to our Copyright Fair Use Statement regarding our use of copyrighted media. At the rear of the Stalls level there are eight Stalls Boxes, four per side; each block of four Boxes occupies roughly one-third of the width of the rear Stalls. ... Grant's first role in theatre was working at The Bristol Hippodrome. When the raked stage was removed, sightlines from the Stalls were not impacted due to the already steep rake of the Stalls seating. Bristol Hippodrome, Bristol: See 1,070 reviews, articles, and 150 photos of Bristol Hippodrome, ranked No.39 on Tripadvisor among 210 attractions in Bristol. Full of amusing stories about the long-lost stars who trod its boards. The stage was originally raked however the rake was removed in 1988. The rear section of the stage, 40ft by 32ft, would lift up so that the front section of the stage, including footlights, could slide backwards underneath it, revealing the massive water tank. Bristol Hippodrome All the latest news on gigs, theatre shows and events taking place at the Bristol Hippodrome in Bristol. It is very rare to see this type of system used in the UK. The Bar also has a maratime-themed window overlooking the Grand Staircase. 65 Bars/Linesets (4-line) all Single Purchase at 200mm spacings aside from larger gaps to accommodate Grid Truss/Tie-bars. Ramps ran from the bottom of the tank up to stage level on either side. At the rear center of the Grand Circle is a projection room, currently used as the lighting control room. The Bristol Hippodrome (grid reference ST590729) is a theatre located in The Centre, Bristol, England, United Kingdom with seating on three levels giving a capacity of 1,951.It frequently features shows from London's West End when they tour the UK, as well as regular visits by Welsh National Opera and an annual pantomime.. History. Extending the length of travel down into the basement is a cheaper alternative to increasing the height of the building to achieve the same effect. The proscenium arch is 48ft wide with an elliptical arched top, set within a deep reveal sporting niches either side at stage level, and originally with intricate portraiture in the panels above. The Hippodrome has a small street frontage given its large capacity however this was due to available space between existing buildings. Architect Frank Matcham therefore designed a large tower with tall pavilion roof, surmounted by a metal sculpture, to sit atop the theatre’s entrance building and accentuate the building. The remaining central section contains regular seats and the central aisle, with the House Left section commonly used for live sound mixing. The Bristol Hippodrome has a capacity of 1904 seats, including 859 seats in the Stalls, 507 seats in the Grand Circle and 538 seats in the Upper Circle. Bristol is a hub for wildlife enthusiasts, and the BBC Natural History Unit is based in Bristol. One panel is still open to the Grand Circle Bar and features fish. At its opening the theatre featured a huge water tank at the front of the stage which could be filled with 100,000 gallons (450,000 litres) of water, as well as an opening central dome in the auditorium to allow for ventilation. Venue overview. Bristol began life as a town called Brigg stow, which means the meeting place at the bridge in the old Saxon language. Note: Backstage access is dependent on the visiting company’s theatre operations on the day of your tour and is not guaranteed. The original stage machinery included a 100,000 gallon tank which could be filled with heated water. The term is used in the modern French language and some others, with the meaning of "horse racecourse". It is separated from the seats by intricate ironwork which rises to handrail level, in-between the marble-faced square columns supporting the Box stack. It has been designated by English Heritage as a grade II listed building. One of the World’s most famous Pirates, Blackbeard, was born on the Harbourside and even had a hideout in Redcliffe Caves. << Go Back up to Region ‘United Kingdom: outside London’, First Opened: 16th December 1912 (108 years ago), Address: St Augustine’s Parade, Bristol, BS1 4UZ. The tank contained four platforms (“tables”), each running the width of the tank, which could be independently raised or lowered to simulate varying depths of water or to create water effects through movement. 42 nd Street 1990 – 1991. In 2012, the theatre celebrated its centenary with a show called Thanks for the Memories, staged by amateur groups Bristol Light Opera Club and Bristol Musical Youth Productions. The Cary Grant Bar was formerly known as the lower Stalls Bar. The Hippodrome was designed on such a scale it was second only to the Coliseum across the entire Moss Empires theatre circuit. After The Ball March 1954 – 8 th January 1955. 1,100lbs or 650lbs roughly evenly distributed across system - refer to detailed plan for each bar's SWL. View Bristol Hippodrome's concert history along with concert photos, videos, setlists, and … Find Bristol Hippodrome venue concert and event schedules, venue information, directions, and seating charts. The view from the rear Stalls and Stalls Boxes is less acceptable because of a “letterboxing” effect created by the steeply-raked Stalls and the Grand Circle overhang. The Upper Circle accommodates 503, not including the rarely-used Slips which accommodate 16 per side, and retains its original bench-style seating arrangements – however the benches are now upholstered for a more comfortable experience. Permanently-rigged Hemp Set between Bars 15 and 16 slung under Grid lattice truss. The Bristol Hippodrome was designed by Frank Matcham, a prolific theatre designer in the UK, and opened on 16 December 1912. Find upcoming events, shows tonight, show schedules, event schedules, box office info, venue directions, parking and seat maps for Bristol Hippodrome in Bristol at AXS.com. The Grand Staircase, leading from the entrance lobby to the rear of the Stalls, originally featured backlit stained glass naval battle scenes. The Bristol Hippodrome Theatre Tour. Originally this was audience standing room and a concessions kiosk, later turning into the Front-of-House Manager’s office when the exit stairway was added in the 1940s. The auditorium is wide and not overly deep, comparisons having been drawn with the London Palladium. The recording features only two of the albums, Going for the One (1977) and The Yes Album (1971) played live in their entirety. The History of Bristol Hippodrome. The Box “stack” on each side of the auditorium comprises: The Boxes are separated by large Doric columns which support the Slips at the top level. The Hippodrome’s stage dimensions are large; at the time of building it was second only to the London Coliseum in terms of technical capacity. The tank was 42ft wide and 27.5ft front-to-back, with a maximum depth of 7.5ft. It frequently features shows from London's West End when they tour the UK, as well as regular visits by Welsh National Opera and an annual pantomime. Several bars for lighting, sound, and effects equipment are provided in the ceiling of the Upper Circle. Advance reservations not required although recommended to ensure your chosen tour is not full. Things to Do in Bristol, England: See Tripadvisor's 337,839 traveller reviews and photos of Bristol tourist attractions. Hard Adjustable Tormentor Legs dead-hung between Bars 3 and 4. The theatre’s original Bioscope box was located in the auditorium dome, moving down to the current Followspot Box when it was created in the 1930s. Text copyright © 2017-2021 Mike Hume/historictheatrephotos.com. Counterweight arbor runs extend into the basement to ensure linesets can come in to floor level. The Bristol Hippodrome was designed by Frank Matcham, a prolific theatre designer in the UK, and opened on 16 December 1912. The well-informed tour guides take you through the history of this wonderful theater. Hotels near Bristol Hippodrome: (0.10 mi) SACO Bristol - Broad Quay (0.10 mi) Radisson Blu Hotel, Bristol (0.08 mi) Bristol Marriott Royal Hotel (0.21 mi) The Bristol (0.12 mi) Marsh House; View all hotels near Bristol Hippodrome on Tripadvisor The Bristol Hippodrome (grid reference ST590729) is a theatre located in The Centre, Bristol, England, United Kingdom with seating on three levels giving a capacity of 1,951. The Stalls have been noted for their excellent sightlines; this is due to their steep rake which is at the cost of introducing steps in the aisles. Matcham designed the Hippodrome for theatre manager Sir Oswald Stoll of Moss Empires, for whom he had previously designed the London Coliseum (1904). The large Grand Circle Bar was originally the theatre’s Tea Room and features large windows facing onto St Augustine’s Parade, above the theatre entrance. Below the Boxes, at Stalls level, runs a passageway alongside the Stalls seating. For more details see the Bristol Hippodrome’s Theatre Tour website . The Hippodrome was originally a hemp house however a full counterweight system was installed following the devastating stagehouse fire in 1948. Enjoy a delightful cup of illy coffee, choose something tasty from our menu or if you book a package online, you can treat yourself to two delicious courses for only £12.95 before the show. Due to the Stage entrance Downstage Right, the first five linesets have restricted travel and do not come in all the way to Stage level. The Cary Grant Bar is not open at every performance and is often used as a VIP Bar. In addition to large musicals it is also a venue for comedians such as Russell Howard, Frankie Boyle, Ricky Tomlinson and Lee Mack, as well as children's shows such as Winnie the Pooh Live. Along with the tank was a large protective glass screen which could be raised in order to protect the orchestra and those in the stalls. It also has a dome, which can be opened when necessary; however since air conditioning has been installed it is rarely opened. You can check out a demo reel of the Hippodrome’s Ambassador Lounge . The theatre survived World War II, but less than three years after it ended, a fire destroyed the stage, though not the auditorium. Bookings (recommended) 0117 302 3310 or hanoverstreetbistro@theambassadors.com. Tickets and information for We Will Rock You at The Bristol Hippodrome in Bristol on Mon 18th Apr 2022 from Ents24.com, the UK's biggest entertainment website. The Slips are not generally used for audience seating. T he Bedminster Hippodrome Theatre was situated on East Street, Bristol and was designed for Walter De Frece by the well known Theatre Architect Bertie Crewe, with Decorations and Furnishings by A. R. Dean Ltd., of Birmingham.The Theatre opened on Monday the 5th of August 1911.. Tours run approximately 2 hours and include several levels of stairs. Visit top-rated & must-see attractions. Bar 1: House Header; Bar 2: House Curtain; Bar 3: Hard Proscenium Header (Teaser). The theatre is able to accommodate the largest touring shows and, amongst many premieres, was home to the out-of-town tryout of Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins in 2004, prior to its record-breaking West End and Broadway runs and subsequent national tours. It has been designated by English Heritage as a grade II listed building. 9. The tower has long since been removed. [1] An important feature of the theatre when it opened was a huge water tank at the front of the stage, which could be filled with 100,000 gallons (450,000 litres) of water. The theatre was designed by Frank Matcham for Oswald Stoll, and opened on 16 December 1912. Designed by Frank Matcham, the Bristol Hippodrome has been a local icon since it first opened its doors in 1912. Right - An Advertisement for the Grand Opening of the Bedminster Hippodrome - From the Bristol Times and … There are a number of porthole-shaped windows, stained glass lighthouse motifs, and plaster decoration throughout the auditorium styled after knotted ropes. Get Bristol Hippodrome, Bristol, England setlists - view them, share them, discuss them with other Bristol Hippodrome, Bristol, England fans for free on setlist.fm! The Bristol Hippodrome was Frank Matcham’s last major work. Opening day, December 16 th, proved to be a wondrous occasion. One of the largest theatre stages in Britain, The Bristol Hippodrome has established itself on the touring circuit for all major musical productions, thus becoming known as Bristol’s West End Theatre. When: Monday 8 February to Saturday 13 February Grittier and more glamorous than ever before, Grease will run at the Bristol Hippodrome for six nights in 2021, starring a very special guest during selected performances.. Peter Andre (known for 90s hits ‘Flava’ and ‘Mysterious Girl’) is confirmed to star as Teen Angel and Vince Fontaine during selected performances. Thus, the Close to the Edge album is missing. T. he Bristol Hippodrome was designed by the renowned Theatre architect, Frank Matcham, and opened on the 16th of December 1912 with a Variety Bill headed by Eugene Stratton and a melodrama called 'The Sands O' Dee' which was an amazing water spectacular featuring 100,000 gallons of water and diving horses, the production ran successfully until January 1913. When Oswald Stoll asked theatre designer par excellence Frank Matcham to build him a new theatre in the city, he wanted it to rank along his company’s flag-ship and HQ, the London Coliseum. Bristol Hippodrome. It frequently features shows from London's West End when they tour the UK, as well as regular visits by Welsh National Opera and an annual pantomime. American musician Eddie Cochran played his final show here, in 1960, and was killed in a road accident only hours later, in Chippenham, Wiltshire. The Hippodrome has a small street frontage considering the large scale of the theatre behind. Like It Is: Yes at the Bristol Hippodrome is a partial recording of the Yes show on 11 May 2014 at the Bristol Hippodrome as a part of their 2013–14 Three Album Tour. It is a superb example of the grand architecture of the late The Stalls Boxes are finely decorated with Harpies adorning the pillars separating each Box. Front of Grand Circle overhangs Row P of Stalls, 1,951 (Stalls: 887, Grand Circle: 507, Upper Circle: 503, Boxes and Slips: up to 96, although many of these seats are not regularly used and hence not included in the overall seating capacity), 5 sets Black Legs/Borders and 1 full Black, 2 x Lycian 1290 XLT (2kW Xenon); Box will accommodate up to 4 spots, Not DMX; controlled from DSR or LX Control Room (rear Grand Circle), Setting line to last counterweight lineset, Bottom Live 3: Hooligan’s Island (1997 TV Special), Sleeping Beauty: A Gothic Romance (2013 TV Special), Like it is - Yes at the Bristol Hippodrome (2014), Bristol Hippodrome’s Theatre Tour website, Bristol Hippodrome section of the Arthur Lloyd website, ET Now article (January 2018) on the complexities of installing an Orchestra Pit lift at the Hippodrome, A 6-min video tour of Backstage, the Fly Floor, and the Auditorium, by the Bristol Evening Post, “Stage Door: Bristol Hippodrome: 100 Years” (2004), “A History Of The Bristol Hippodrome (1912 - 1982)” (1982), “The Theatres Trust Guide to British Theatres 1750-1950” (2000), demo reel of the Hippodrome’s Ambassador Lounge, English Heritage Grade II Listed Building, For a huge amount of history, including photos and old playbills, check out the, 3 Upper Boxes, between Grand Circle and Upper Circle levels, Slips atop the Upper Boxes at Upper Circle level. The auditorium’s circular dome can be opened using a sliding mechanism, located on the roof, to provide ventilation. These photos were taken during a lighting rig check for the national tour of “We Will Rock You” in September 2009. The city also offers plenty of activities the whole family can enjoy. Along with the tank was a large protective glass screen which could be raised in order to protect the orchestra and those in the stalls. Bristol Beacon is a focal point for music presenting world-class live music & supporting life-long musical journeys with award-winning music education work. The Bristol Hippodrome (grid reference ST590729) is a theatre located in The Centre, Bristol, England, United Kingdom with seating on three levels giving a capacity of 1,951. 23. The theatre plays host to many top shows, such as Miss Saigon, Cats, Les Misérables, Blood Brothers and Of Mice and Men. We have reviews of the best places to see in Bristol. The flying system features an Arbor/Cradle Pit, whereby the tension blocks (pulleys) at the bottom end of the rope operating line are below Stage level. Respecting Bristol’s long-standing maritime connections, the theatre features a maritime theme throughout its Baroque decoration. Grease . It caters to theatre connoisseurs of all ages and types, boasting a versatile and successful production record that includes ballets, musicals, opera shows, comedians, concerts and children’s shows. The central area of these bars must be kept clear of equipment if Followspots are to be used, as the area underneath the bars is in the direct line-of-sight from the Followspot Box. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in March. 44. As of March 2017, theatre tours are available most Saturday mornings and the occasional weekday. Being roughly a 60ft+ cube, it remains one of the largest stagehouses in the UK outside of London. This is to compensate for the length of the Arbor/Cradle, which reduces the flying range of the batten/bar. The hippodrome (Greek: ἱππόδρομος) was an ancient Greek stadium for horse racing and chariot racing.The name is derived from the Greek words hippos (ἵππος; "horse") and dromos (δρόμος; "course"). The theatre has staged a number of premieres including: Learn how and when to remove this template message, Bristol Hippodrome website at Ambassador Theatre Group, Bristol theatre archive at the University of Bristol Theatre Collection, Arthur Lloyd Music Hall and Theatre History Website, Church of the Holy Trinity with St Edmund, Mahalia Jackson Theater of the Performing Arts, New Orleans, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bristol_Hippodrome&oldid=1000581436, Articles needing additional references from January 2021, All articles needing additional references, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Charline McCombs Empire Theatre, San Antonio, This page was last edited on 15 January 2021, at 19:03. Aida 1969 – 1970. Photographs copyright © 2002-2021 Mike Hume/historictheatrephotos.com unless otherwise noted. The stage’s raked floor was leveled in 1998. Bristol History. The Grand Circle accommodates 507, not including the Boxes. The Grand Staircase, leading from the entrance lobby, has an intricate double-height ceiling and dome. Tours commence 10:30am at the main entrance on St Augustine’s Parade. This is due to the size of its stage, which is one of the largest outside London. Bristol Hippodrome Theatre. A novel feature was a lighting gallery for arc lamps “immediately behind the top of the proscenium, which permitted a fine concentration of light particularly useful for illuminating the water”. 1947/48 Babes in the Wood (Hippodrome) During a matinee performance of Babes in the Wood on 18th February 1948 a fire broke out backstage and quickly spread towards the stage area bringing that performance to an abrupt end and the extensive damage closed the … The theatre was designed by Frank Matcham for Oswald Stoll, and opened on 16 December 1912. The Bristol Hippodrome has strong links with many shows that frequently appear there, such as the Welsh National Opera. The Bristol Hippodrome, Events & Tickets 2021 | Ents24 The Bristol Hippodrome Events Since opening its doors in 1912, The Bristol Hippodrome has rarely closed them since. Use our interactive seating plan to view 381 seat reviews and 283 photos of views from seat. From the theatre’s website: Situated within the Bristol Hippodrome Piano Bar, Hanover Street Bistro is a stylish dining establishment serving a delicious menu. It is accessible from either side the Stalls. The positional depth of each table was relayed to the main switchboard, by wires, so that the operator knew each table’s position within the tank. History The theatre was designed by Frank Matcham for Oswald Stoll , and opened on 16 December 1912. A–Z of all Productions ‘Allo ‘Allo 1985 – 1986. The Stalls (Orchestra) seating is aggressively raked which affords good sightlines from any row, with the minor inconvenience of shallow steps in the aisle. Back to Bristol … The Bristol Hippodrome is one of the best provincial theatres in the entire country that stages all the major Broadway and West End productions. The theatre currently seats 1,951, is operated by Ambassador Theatre Group, and stages shows direct from London’s West End as well as regional tours and local theatre. It has been designated by English Heritage as a grade II listed building . The book has two comprehensive indexes – of stars and shows – which readers can use to pinpoint the show they saw years ago. A few panels still remain. Every Ambassador Theatre Group venue features an Ambassador Lounge, and the Bristol Hippodrome is no exception. The theatre’s retractable dome is still operable and was last known to have been opened in August 2017. It also has a dome, which can be opened when ne… The dome acted as a ventilator, and the double-height walls were adorned with stained-glass panels, originally backlit, featuring various maritime scenes. One of the largest theatre stages in Britain, The Bristol Hippodrome has established itself on the touring circuit for all major musical productions, thus becoming known as Bristol’s West End Theatre. The Lion King - and ticket information / Hippodrome … Lists the more than 4,300 shows staged at the Bristol Hippodrome since it opened in 1912, and the many thousands of stars who appeared in them. Mon 18th Apr 2022 - Sat 23rd Apr 2022 We Will Rock You at The Bristol Hippodrome. The original painted decoration on the dome’s interior flat ceiling, dome surround, supporting pendentives (featuring nymphs frolicking in the ocean), and at the sides of the proscenium, has all been lost. The tour takes you around front of house and backstage areas, and includes the history, the shows, the stars, and of course a smattering of gossip and ghost stories. Attractions like We The Curious, Bristol Aquarium, Bristol Zoo Gardens and M Shed get kids burning energy while they learn. Get Bristol Hippodrome tickets at AXS.com. An important feature of the theatre when it opened was a huge water tank at the front of the stage, which could be filled with 100,000 gallons (450,000 litres) of water. The history of the Tudor period seems so fanciful and unlikely in 2019. The orchestra and audience were protected from water splashes by a 50ft long, 6ft high glass screen, which could be raised at the push of a lever. Bristol Hippodrome: Toilets - See 1,070 traveler reviews, 150 candid photos, and great deals for Bristol, UK, at Tripadvisor. At its opening the theatre featured a huge water tank at the front of the stage which could be filled with 100,000 gallons (450,000 litres) of water, as well as an opening central dome in the auditorium to allow for ventilation. Guests were amazed by the giant water tank, the retracting dome and of course, the performers taking stage. For photograph licensing and/or re-use contact me here. The Box is accessible from the corridor at the rear of the Upper Circle, via a near-vertical ladder. The Bristol Hippodrome Theater Tour that lasts about two hours will help you get a better insight and understanding into its functioning held on Saturdays at 10 am. Click here to watch a video of the retractable dome operating in 2013. The Bristol Hippodrome was, and still is, one of Britain’s major provincial theatres, high on the list of Number One tour venues. [1] At Grand Circle level there are two rows of three boxes at each side, surrounded by grand Doric columns which rise up between the boxes to support the Upper Circle slips. This leads to some confusion as to why radiators are mounted 2.5ft higher than expected on the stage’s rear wall, and explains why there are ramps down to stage level from the dock doors and loading area upstage right. An often-overlooked feature Front Of House is that the Hippodrome utilized a central air vacuum system whereby hoses were plugged-in to a local outlet and carried dust/debris away to the central vacuum. The Upper Circle remains bench seating although it is now upholstered rather than being plain wood. I can’t even imagine how one would go about planning a war, getting divorced or creating the Church of England from Catholicism without even a … By night, Bristol offers a range of entertainment options from classical music at Colston Hall, to theater at the Bristol Old Vic and Bristol Hippodrome. Blackbeard was Born in Bristol.