As part of Heritage Open Days, we’re putting on a week of festivities celebrating 120 years of Birmingham Hippodrome.
Exhibition Launch
Sat 14 Sep, 2-5pm
Levels 2 & 3
Join us for the launch of two heritage exhibitions in our foyer galleries: Pre-Windrush to the Present Day about the History of Black Performance at Birmingham Hippodrome and If Memory Serves, the hidden histories of the Nightingale Club in Thorp Street.
Pop-Up Exhibition
Mon 16 – Sat 21 Sep, 10am – 6pm
Main Entrance Foyer
Take a look at key images from our history on easels in our main entrance foyer.
Coffee Mornings
Thu 19 & Fri 20 Sep, 11am – 12 noon
Coffee Bar, Level 2
A chance to pop in for an informal chat with one of our Heritage Volunteers and to see some of the objects from our archive.
FREE Taster Tours
Fri 20 & Sat 21 Sep, 10.30am & 11am
Meet at the Main Entrance Foyer
A FREE mini 30 minute tour to give you an insight into the theatre spaces including the auditorium and Royal Box. Each tour will also include a visit to the new exhibitions recently installed taking a look at different aspects of the Hippodrome’s past.
Giant Playbill
Thu 19 – Sat 21 Sep, 10am – 6pm
Main Foyers
Specially commissioned for our 120th birthday and inspired by the playbills that used to hang outside the theatre a century ago, this exciting installation will be approximately 10m tall and features some of the amazing acts who’ve appeared at the Hippodrome over its 120 years.
Drop in on Sat 21 Sep and design your own dream playbill!
Heritage Talks
Sat 21 Sep
FREE Talk – The People who Propelled the Changing Faces of the Hippodrome
12 noon, PwC Suite
Find out the history of the building and how it has changed over the years with Ivan Heard (Heritage Volunteer).
Over the 120 year history of a place of entertainment being located on the Hippodrome site, there have been many name changes, theatre managers and redevelopments.
From the original Tower of Varieties with its Moorish Tower and Dutch gables to the modern day façade of the current Hippodrome, Ivan will reveal the fascinating stories behind some of the changes to the building.
FREE Talk – Variety and Vaudeville – The Stars of Birmingham Hippodrome
1pm, PwC Suite
An introduction to the acts chosen to appear on the giant playbill by Jonathon Harris (Visual Art Producer) and Sophie Lewis (Heritage Coordinator).
Inspired by the playbills that used to hang in front of the theatre during the early 1900s, our new giant version features 12 famous acts and 12 weird and wonderful acts taken from the Hippodrome’s history.
Sophie and Jonathon will introduce you to some of the most tantalising: from Claire Heliot and her 12 performing lions to Du’Calion, ‘the loquacious laddie on the tottering ladder’.