Tameside Hippodrome

Image: © Gerald England Taken: 27 Jan 2012

Originally the Empire Hippodrome, it opened its doors for the first time on 21st November 1904. It was built by J. J. Alley on behalf of William Henry Broadhead, who was head of the Broadhead family theatre circuit. It had a facade of red brick and an auditorium of three levels and boxes. Over the years the Hippodrome attracted many famous names including Charlie Chaplin, the legendary silent movie actor, who took to the Hippodrome stage as a young theatre apprentice, before setting off to explore the bright lights of America in 1910. In 1932 the Theatre was closed and altered for cinema use, reopening on 22nd August with the film 'Carnival Boat' starring Bill Boyd. In 1933 it was reconstructed as a cinema and renamed the New Empire. The auditorium was radically altered by removal of the gallery and boxes and was replaced with one single large balcony which could seat 600 people. The decor was remodelled in the Art Deco style and a new Cinema Organ was installed. The backstage area and the stage itself were retained however. The New Empire Cinema reopened for business on 4th November 1933. In 1964 the Theatre was bought by the EMI group and renamed the ABC. This name was to continue until 1974 when it was closed and an application to convert it for Bingo was submitted. This however was refused by the local Council due to local pressure to retain it for live use and the fact that two local Operatic Societies still used the Theatre. Instead the Council took a 21 year lease on the building, removed the organ, refurbished the Theatre, and reopened it as a live venue with a capacity of 1,262 in 1976. In 1983 the Council bought the Theatre from EMI but in 1992 they appointed Apollo Leisure to run it, and it was at this time that the Theatre was renamed the Tameside Hippodrome. Later the Theatre was run by Live Nation but the local Council did not renew their contract and the Theatre closed in 2008. Since then the building has been vacant. More information can be found on The Music Hall and Theatre History Website http://www.arthurlloyd.co.uk/ManchesterTheatres/TamesideHippodromeAshtonManchester.htm A blue plaque Image unveiled by Ken Dodd celebrates its centenary.

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