The Hippodrome operated as a venue from ’13 to ’61 and was located on the corner of Station Road and Birchett Road, Aldershot. Designed by Bertie Crewe and built for Clarence Sounes, it opened on 3 February ’13.
The theatre was the largest for miles; seating about 1,000 people. Taken over by Kingshot Theatres in ’30, there was a “Grand Re-Opening” on 6 April ’31. In the late 40’s a band, such as Rex Gordon & His Orchestra, were often only seen, or heard as the audience sought refreshment, in the interval. By ’53, in addition to the twice-nightly variety shows the Hippodrome also staged pantomimes, circus acts, plays and musical comedies, not forgetting the Raymond Revue, and other nude presentations.
The Hippodrome played host to many famous bands and musical artists including Humphrey Lyttelton, Acker Bilk, Eric Delaney, Nancy Whiskey, Joe Loss and his Orchestra, Lonnie Donegan, Chris Barber and his Jazz Band, Johnny Dankworth and Cleo Laine, and Primo Scala and His Accordion Band. In the late ’50s, there were also local bands on the stage like The Kingpins, who competed in a battle of the bands at the Hippodrome in ’57, and The Skeleton Skiffle Group, who joined the Freight Train Boys, Chas McDevitt and his Skiffle Group, and Johnny Parker and his Band, on the venue’s stage on 24 November ’57.
The Hippodrome was demolished in ’61/’62. A retail and office block, called Hippodrome House, now occupies the site.
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