Some history on Derby in the county of Derbyshire

Derbyshire | Derby

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Possibly captured just after World War One, this lovely photograph shows The Hippodrome on Green Lane. Built on the corner of Macklin Street, the premises were opened in a most auspicious style as the Hippodrome Theatre on Monday July 20th, 1914. For the opening performance the auditorium was crowded during both houses. The Derbyshire Advertiser and Journal reported that "everybody was loud in their praises of the architectural effects, the oomfortable seating accommodation, the uninterrupted view of the proscenium obtained by all, the beautifully blended decoration, and last, but not least, the full star programme of variety artistes." It was a long time coming, a fact underlined by the manager, Mr. H. Garnham, who addressed the audience : "there will now be no need to go to Nottingham for a first-class variety entertainment. The Hippodrome will provide that at your own back door." The edifice, following the Baroque style, was the creation of the celebrated theatre architects, Marshall and Tweedy, of Newcastle. Faced with terracotta and stone, the theatre was constructed by Messrs. Moss and Son of Loughborough. Seating capacity was for 2,200 patrons. The final music hall shows were performed in May 1930 when The Hippodrome closed for a refurbishment and conversion into a cinema. However, a delay in the installation resulted in one final revue held in August of the same year. Known as the Hippodrome Super Cinema, the building re-opened in September 1930, the debut film being "Sunny Side Up," a musical released during the previous year, starring Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell. Several firms operated the cinema until the building returned as a live theatre venue in December 1950, under the ownership of Stoll Theatres Limited. Old style programming and pantomines resulted in failure and the Hippodrome closed down in 1959. The empty building was subsequently acquired by Mecca and converted into a Bingo Club. It served this role until 2007.

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"Three men were accused at Derby Borough Police Court today with being drunk and disorderly in the town last night, and one woman was accused of being found drunk and incapable. The woman, Dolly Morris [36], housekeeper, Russell Street, Derby, who was seen to be drunk by Police Constable Mann, was fined 5s. "I was not as drunk as I could get, but my lameness made it look worse. I expect," was the excuse of James Farnath, a hawker, of Burton, who was drunk and disorderly in the Cornmarket. He was fined 7s. 6d. Charles Bacon [30], labourer, no fixed address, was fined 7s. 6d. for being drunk and disorderly in Regent Street, and Edward O'Brien [50], no fixed abode, who was found shouting and swearing and drunk on the London Road, was discharged on promising to leave the town. The Magistrates were: Mr. E. S. Johnson [in the chair], Messrs. G. H. Shires. G. F. Tomlinson, C. H. Mitchell, and F. J. Bonas."
"Woman Incapable In The Street"
Derby Daily Telegraph : July 6th 1933 Page 7