Great Yarmouth Hippodrome

The Great Yarmouth Hippodrome is a circus building in Great Yarmouth, England that was built in 1903. Peter Jay bought the building in 1979, and the Jay Family continue to produce Circus Spectaculars four times a year, with Jack Jay as ringmaster and producer and Ben Jay as manager.

Great Yarmouth Hippodrome
LocationGreat Yarmouth, England
Coordinates52.6028°N 1.7355°E / 52.6028; 1.7355
Founded20th century
Built1903
ArchitectR S Cockrill
Architectural style(s)Art Nouveau
Listed Building – Grade II*
Official nameThe Hippodrome
Designated8 December 1978

History

The Hippodrome Circus in Great Yarmouth was built by the showman George Gilbert in 1903[1] and designed by architect Ralph Scott Cockrill. It is one of only two purpose-built permanent circuses in England still in operation, and one of only three in the world with a circus floor that sinks into a pool.[2]

It is a concrete construction with brick and terracotta facing. Its facade consists of three bays with two towers including Art Nouveau relief foliage patterns in the arched side panels. The main cornice has a frieze of carved owls.[3]

Present

Peter Jay bought the building in 1979, restoring the circus floor that sinks into a water feature in 1981 when he presented his first show.[4]

The Jay Family continue to produce Circus Spectaculars four times a year, with Jack Jay as ringmaster and producer and Ben Jay as manager.[5]

Television

Billy Russell's Hippodrome Circus was a series of three programs broadcast by the BBC from Great Yarmouth in July, August and September 1962. The circus director was Roberto Germains and the programs were introduced by Peter West.[6]

References
  1. Douglas McPherson (6 December 2008). "The Telegraph". Retrieved 5 May 2020.
  2. Theatres Trust. "Theatres Trust". Retrieved 5 May 2020.
  3. Historic England (28 July 2002). "Historic England". Retrieved 5 May 2020.
  4. Louisa Baldwin (28 June 2019). "Eastern Daily Press". Retrieved 5 May 2020.
  5. Louisa Baldwin (28 June 2019). "Eastern Daily Press". Retrieved 5 May 2020.
  6. Radio Times 9 July 1962, 24 August 1962 and 30 September 1962.
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