Former Hippodrome Theatre

1. HIGH STREET 995 5/540 (A) (North Side) TL 9925SE Former Hippodrome Theatre II

GV

1. Theatre. 1905, by J W Start, architect, as the Grand Theatre, incorporating a recon- struction of an 1889 theatre by Frank Matcham. Red brick with stone and stucco dressings. Slated roofs. 3 storey with attic. Asymmetrical Edwardian Baroque facade. 4 equal width easterly bays, one double width west bay. Ground floor altered c 1960. First floor has one west bay window, 3 dentral pedimented windows, one east roundel. Second floor has one segmental headed west window, 3 central round arch headed windows, one east roundel. First floor brick pilaster divisions with stone rustication blocks, second floor paried stone pilasters, each with entablature broken forward. Central segmental pediment attic with 3 rounded openings and "Grand Theatre" lettering. Interior: Nec-Rococo style decoration in gilt and painted plaster. First and second floor galleries with bowed horse-shoe gallery front. First floor boxes on either side of proscenium with piers and ogee headed arches, second floor round headed arches. Flat proscenium and distinctive ceiling possibly by Hoffmann of Vienna has outer ribbed shell section, inner shell with cartouche coat of arms with 2 reclining muses. Included because of the importance of the surviving theatre auditorium and galleries.

Listing NGR: TL9965525257