CaSPIR Info
The Royal Hippodrome Theatre
 

Investigated 18th February 2006

Revisited 25th February 2007

Revisited 2nd November 2007


108-112 Seaside Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN21 4BP
online: Eastbourne Theatres

A Brief History
 The Royal Hippodrome was opened on Thursday 2nd August 1883. At that time Eastbourne was emerging as a resort for highly fashionable people, encouraged by the regular visits of the Prince of Wales. Until 1883 there had been no permanent theatre in the town.

Its original name 'Theatre Royal and Opera House' survived for about 20 years; from around 1904 it became The Royal Hippodrome Theatre. Reasons for the change are unclear, but this seems to mirror a change in style and use: in the early days plays and light opera were presented but gradually these gave way to music hall and variety shows. In the 1930's substantial remodelling of the entrance hall took place, but the auditorium remains much as it was in 1883.

During part of World War 2 the theatre was closed, the streets to the east became known as 'Hellfire Corner', unfortunately situated on the Luftwaffe's chosen bombing route. The Hippodrome escaped a direct hit - almost miraculously, since the Lion pub and Caffyn's motor garage only yards away were obliterated - but blast damage caused much of the original ornate plaster work to be removed.

The theatre continued in private ownership until 1958 when, with declining audience numbers, the company was forced to look for a buyer. Around that time Southern TV were interested in purchasing the building for a TV studio but this fell through and the building was bought by Eastbourne Borough Council.

Television and cheaper foreign holidays hit seaside theatre hard and Eastbourne wasn't spared. The summer season runs became shorter and by 1990 the theatre, in need of both restoration work and audiences, appeared to be the favoured site for a multi-storey car park. Although the oldest in the town and the only one built by a recognized theatre architect, the Hippodrome had never been 'listed', leaving the council with the option of easy demolition. The listing was finally achieved in 2001 by a group of dedicated friends of the Royal Hippodrome.

Previous Reported Activity

 Reports of paranormal activity within the theatre include:
  • Tales of a Victorian lady in a black dress, sitting in the top left hand tier of seats.
  • Voices being heard as well as sightings of people sitting in the boxes when the theatre is empty.
  • There is also talk of a man falling to his death from the walkways over the stage. Footsteps have been heard on the grand circle when cleaning in the stalls even though there is no-one else in the theatre.
  • A shadowy figure has also been reported to be seen in the wings during live shows.
...click here to review our evidence from our 18/02/06 visit
...click here to review our evidence from our 25/02/07 visit

 

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© County Society for Paranormal Investigation and Research - 2008

Last Updated 20/10/2008
 
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