Max Bygraves got the taste for show business when serving in the RAF during the Second World War. He did impressions of Charlie Chaplin, Frank Sinatra and the top comedian Max Miller. His service mates started to call him Max and the name stuck!
He became one of Britain’s highest paid and most popular entertainers.
After appearing first at the theatre in March 1963, The Beatles returned as super stars in November. The theatre’s Assistant Manager Barry Hopson was warned that the band could be trouble but they came like lambs! To try and avoid the crowd of waiting fans they left disguised in policemen’s helmets!
This hit musical was the last shown on stage before the theatre closed for four months.
During this time the front of the theatre was transformed, a new box office built, the stage door moved, dressing-rooms improved, a stalls bar added and the famous tower demolished.
This photograph shows the demolition of part of the original Victorian building to make way for improvements. Work men, some in helmets and some in flat caps stand by piles of rubble. The decorative sign for the old City Assembly Rooms, can be seen, which later became part of the theatre.
But the show must go on! Signs for the temporary box office advertised the comedian Bruce Forsyth who appeared in May.
The Forward Operatic Company began in 1926 and gained a reputation for successful amateur productions and performing firsts.
They performed every year at Birmingham Hippodrome from 1957 to 1980.
This production was one of the most successful ever staged at Birmingham Hippodrome. It played to a packed house for six months!
The show starred Tony Britton as Professor Higgins, Wendy Bowman as Eliza Doolittle and Bert Brownbill as Alfred Doolittle.
Did you know Tony Britton was born in a room above the Trocadero pub in Temple Street in Birmingham?
This production was one of the most successful ever staged at Birmingham Hippodrome. It played to a packed house for six months!
The show starred Tony Britton as Professor Higgins, Wendy Bowman as Eliza Doolittle and Bert Brownbill as Alfred Doolittle.
Did you know Tony Britton was born in a room above the Trocadero pub in Temple Street in Birmingham?
Reflecting changing times the familiar Moorish style tower, which had become unstable, was pulled down. There were extensive alterations to the front of house and the Hurst Street facade was rebuilt. The orchestra pit was lowered and a new scenery dock installed. To draw in a younger audience the theatre hosted many package shows consisting of chart toppers alongside a variety bill. The programme was no longer weekly, but part of a season of performances. In 1965 Moss Empires tried to rename the Hippodrome to Birmingham Theatre but it didn’t stick for long!
The first full length Shakespearean production Twelfth Night was performed on 25 May 1964. In 1917 Shakespearean extracts were performed as part of a variety bill.
