medwayseagull reborn
Well-known member
- Oct 12, 2022
- 345
I saw the Beatles there. I emphasise "saw" as I couldn't hear a thing because of all the screaming.
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[Misc] Hippodrome open. Two days only.
- Thread starter Official Old Man
- Start date
- Jul 10, 2003
- 25,883
Thanks for this. Brighton Born and Bred, I've always wanted to see inside there and never have in 60+ years. I'll be popping in today 
Last time I went there, some woman was using an angle grinder on her metal pants, she wasn't wearing a hard hat which was a little careless I thought.
Seasider78
Well-known member
- Nov 14, 2004
- 5,940
What is it with Brighton planning that would rather watch pieces of history crumble than support groups who want to bring it back to life.It's being restored - it's miles away from having been restored.
I spoke to some of the people in charge there - they are waiting on planning permission for the restoration to be finalised. The application has been in for over 18 months, and they shrugged and laughed when I asked them how much longer they think it will take.
They also intimated that other venues may be scared of potential competition, which may be hindering the process.
They had a petition that everyone was signing. This is probably it - please sign it!
Keep Brighton Hippodrome for live performance
The magnificent Brighton Hippodrome needs your help to save it from being wrecked. It is a unique theatre building, listed Grade II* by English Heritage because of its historical and architectural significance. It was converted into a variety theatre in 1901/02 by Frank Matcham, the leading...you.38degrees.org.uk
Official Old Man
Uckfield Seagull
- Thread starter
- #26
Money.
thedonkeycentrehalf
Retired
- Jul 7, 2003
- 8,635
I went in to visit this morning. It is a beautiful old venue and you can imagine what it was like in its prime. They seem to have saved a fair amount of the old decorative work but you can also see that it will take a lot more time and money to bring it back into use.
herecomesaregular
We're in the pipe, 5 by 5
Can't get to see if unfortunately (currently post op) but do hope they finish it soon. I miss so many small venues in Brighton nowadays - Freebutt, Pressure Point, Ocean Rooms, (?). Hanbury Ballroom was my favourite for Americana gigs (Guilded Palace of Sin were superb local promoters), it's still open but doesn't seem to do live gigs. It would be great if the Hippodrome could be added again as a gig venue, although it is in a very residential area (imagine noise complaint could be an issue?).
Hotchilidog
Well-known member
- Jan 24, 2009
- 8,718
Some great venues listed there. I saw Sean from Gilded Palace on Sunday at a memorial/celebration for a dear friend of ours. Sadly he is out of the music business entirely now but some absolute belting gigs at the Hanbury, Albert and Sussex Arts Club. Midlake at The Hanbury being one of my all time fave gigs in Brighton .
thejackal
Throbbing Member
SingedIt's being restored - it's miles away from having been restored.
I spoke to some of the people in charge there - they are waiting on planning permission for the restoration to be finalised. The application has been in for over 18 months, and they shrugged and laughed when I asked them how much longer they think it will take.
They also intimated that other venues may be scared of potential competition, which may be hindering the process.
They had a petition that everyone was signing. This is probably it - please sign it!
Keep Brighton Hippodrome for live performance
The magnificent Brighton Hippodrome needs your help to save it from being wrecked. It is a unique theatre building, listed Grade II* by English Heritage because of its historical and architectural significance. It was converted into a variety theatre in 1901/02 by Frank Matcham, the leading...
herecomesaregular
We're in the pipe, 5 by 5
That chap (and his mate who I think worked in the old Rounders in The Lanes? not good with names but remember their faces) : both local legends imo, loved the stuff they put on. Feel so lucky to have lived through it. Saw Midlake twice at Hanbury Ballroom supporting Richmond Fontaine and then "headlining". Always such great bands, coheadlining or supporting however you want to call it when put on by GPoS. If he's no longer in the music business then that is a loss, guess there wasn't much money in it and love can only carry you so far. What a legacy though.
TWOCHOICEStom
Well-known member
Love this project. Here's hoping it can be a music venue once again. They give a place soul.
Hotchilidog
Well-known member
- Jan 24, 2009
- 8,718
Absolutely, you are thinking of Dave his partner in crime. Couldn't agree more with your sentiments, it was a great time for the Brighton music scene. GPoS were just one of those promoters. that you just trusted even if you were not aware of the artist. Good times
deletebeepbeepbeep
Well-known member
- May 12, 2009
- 20,962
Had a look at the Council's planning register for it and fair to say it seems they have a long way to resolve concerns from Historic England, National Highways, local Highways etc etc etc
Given the state of the building I think the Council should just let them get on with it TBH.
Given the state of the building I think the Council should just let them get on with it TBH.
Nitram
Well-known member
- Jul 16, 2013
- 2,178
Went there this morning with the better half. They had boards up explaining the history. Originally a mixture of houses, then an ice rink, converted in 1901, closed the next year, last gig in the mid 1960’s, it seemed most successful as a bingo hall! Quite a history of failed ownership.
My wife remembers the venue well, her Dad took her to see Dusty Springfield, and she remembers her Aunts going to the bingo. She was quite emotional.
A long way to go until it’s functional.
My wife remembers the venue well, her Dad took her to see Dusty Springfield, and she remembers her Aunts going to the bingo. She was quite emotional.
A long way to go until it’s functional.
Attachments
Tom Hark Preston Park
Will Post For Cash
- Jul 6, 2003
- 70,269
Hopefully won't succumb to a Mystery Fire before the various talking shops finally run out of words
Morvangull
Active member
As a youngster saw my dad on stage in 'Carrol Levis Discoveries' (a precursor to BGT/X factor etc.) He came second for the week. Later saw the Rolling Stones, Tom Jones and also Morecombe and Wise. Lots of memories.
Taybha
Whalewhine
Worked there for a while calling bingo and 100% the place is haunted 
at the stage end of the hall to the side there are a ser of steps that go up 7 floors in each of the rooms on the way up it's like a time capsule of unwanted stored stuff from each decade going back at least 70 years from what I could tell,the first time I went up there you start climbing the concrete steps it instantly gets colder and the air seems to be harder to breathe,I felt like I was being watched and eventually it was too much and I bottled the last 2 floors,just as well,the next time I went up there I went with a couple of pals and they both felt the same sort of feeling,we got to the 6th floor and the main room was chokka with Mannequins,some covered in sheets Casper style.
I worked there overnight once on my todd putting up Christmas decorations I lasted until 3am,I've no idea what I saw but it was enough to leave and I've not been inside the place since 1999.
You couldn't pay me to go back in there
.
at the stage end of the hall to the side there are a ser of steps that go up 7 floors in each of the rooms on the way up it's like a time capsule of unwanted stored stuff from each decade going back at least 70 years from what I could tell,the first time I went up there you start climbing the concrete steps it instantly gets colder and the air seems to be harder to breathe,I felt like I was being watched and eventually it was too much and I bottled the last 2 floors,just as well,the next time I went up there I went with a couple of pals and they both felt the same sort of feeling,we got to the 6th floor and the main room was chokka with Mannequins,some covered in sheets Casper style. I worked there overnight once on my todd putting up Christmas decorations I lasted until 3am,I've no idea what I saw but it was enough to leave and I've not been inside the place since 1999.
You couldn't pay me to go back in there
.
It was a wonderful theatre. In the 50’s my Mum and Dad took me almost weekly for the variety shows which changed weekly.
Then there were the summer specials which usually ran the whole of August. I remember seeing Max Bygraves, Frankie Vaughan, Tommy Cooper, Educating Archie, (I still have the mini Roland Chesney Talking Harmonica), the musical Carousel with Edmund Hockeridge and as a very young boy my first view of women’s breasts with the Folies Bergere.
Plus loads of pantomimes. Never forget the giant in Jack and the Beanstalk. Frightened the life out of me.
Lived in Hangleton those days so we caught the 5 or 5b home and always Sydney Sharpe the conductor of the pit orchestra caught the same bus as he lived up near the Grenadier. He was stilled dressed in his tuxedo with a briefcase presumably in which he had the musical scores.
Never went there for pop stuff such as the Beatles.
Then there were the summer specials which usually ran the whole of August. I remember seeing Max Bygraves, Frankie Vaughan, Tommy Cooper, Educating Archie, (I still have the mini Roland Chesney Talking Harmonica), the musical Carousel with Edmund Hockeridge and as a very young boy my first view of women’s breasts with the Folies Bergere.
Plus loads of pantomimes. Never forget the giant in Jack and the Beanstalk. Frightened the life out of me.
Lived in Hangleton those days so we caught the 5 or 5b home and always Sydney Sharpe the conductor of the pit orchestra caught the same bus as he lived up near the Grenadier. He was stilled dressed in his tuxedo with a briefcase presumably in which he had the musical scores.
Never went there for pop stuff such as the Beatles.
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