The Hippodrome was once one of London’s grandest live entertainment venues. Houdini performed here and there used to be massive spectaculars involving elephants, seals, ostriches, zebras - in fact, name an exotic animal and it has probably trod the boards at the Hippodrome.
For those of us with memories which don’t go back to the beginning of the 20th century - and I’m guessing that if you’re reading this blog that probably means you - you’re most likely to either know it as the home of cabaret show Talk of the Town. Or, if you’re memory doesn’t stretch back to 1982 (when Talk shut), then you might have had the ill fortune of wandering into one of its many incarnations as a discotheque/nightclub.
This week, then, has been rather a momentous one in terms of the history of this venue. It has reopened as a theatre for the first time since 1982.
The show with which it has reopened is La Clique - a blend of cabaret, circus and burlesque, featuring puppeteers, a contortionist, juggling, aerial work, hula hoops and a rather naughty number involving a disappearing hanky. It is a marvelous night out at the theatre - very much in the old vein of a variety show - and it deserves to run and run.
Of course, that would be wonderful not only for the show itself (and its producers and performers of course) but also for the Hippodrome, which would have been reborn as a live entertainment venue.
Alas, though, there are dark clouds on the horizon.
There have been plans to turn the site into a casino for some time. This hasn’t happened yet because the operators in question have been unable to gain a gaming licence.
That has all changed. As of last Friday, they have one.
It’s now only a matter of time before the Hippodrome is converted into a casino, thus - it would seem - dashing any hopes of the site being revived as a centre for live entertainment on a permanent basis.
But, is it really the end of the line? Well, perhaps not.
The gaming operator in question - United Leisure Gaming - is apparently looking at retaining some live entertainment on site. What this will be exactly is currently unclear.
If that is the case - and it would seem like a very sensible proposal - then long-term it might actually be the saving of this variety theatre. Shows and gaming mix in Las Vegas, there’s no reason they can’t mix in Leicester Square.
Only time will tell. In the meantime, go and see La Clique - not only is it a wonderful show, but it might be your last chance to see the Hippodrome in use as it was originally intended.
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