This map shows the area around Birmingham Hippodrome eleven years before the theatre was built. The name of freeholders who owned the land is printed in red. You can see a soldier?s Drill House on Thorp street, local pubs and many back to back houses.
How much do you think the area has changed?
This is a glowing review of the opening night of The Tower of Varieties and Circus. The acts, enjoyed by the audience included a troupe of acrobats, a boxing pony, the daring feats of bareback riders ?Brothers Clarke?, and banjoists.
It must have been noisy back stage!
Can you imagine taking your seat on the theatre?s first performance?
Printed on cream silk this programme celebrates the grand opening night of the theatre, now known as Birmingham Hippodrome.
There is a portrait of Theatre Manager Harry Calver and photographic glimpses of the new venue with its circus ring, flooded for water spectacles!
Acts included jugglers, clowns, acrobats, ?funny skaters? and a ?sword walker?.
Also on the bill was Willie Richards ?Rabbit? ?who will make himself generally useful during the evening?.
James and Henry Draysey leased a plot of land bordering Inge Street and Hurst Street to build a theatre. There were to be concerts, theatrical and animal entertainment! The wealthy brothers made their money from horses, bookmaking and property. The new Tower of Varieties and Circus opened on 9 October 1899, the design of local architect Mr. F. W. Lloyd. It had a tall tower with an onion shaped top, and the whole theatre was lit by electric light. Despite some good reviews the venture closed only five weeks after opening.
The first performer at the Tower of Varieties and Circus was Alfred Clark: a juggler.
