Wolverhampton's Architectural Heritage

Places of Leisure

Music Halls

A music hall was built at the rear of the Boot and Star public house, Queen Square in the 1860's. It prospered for several years, first as The Gaiety and later as the Empire. In 1897, due to the poor state of the building, it was demolished. The purchase of the public house together with some neighboring properties allowed a new Empire Palace of Varieties to be built.

Empire Palace

The Empire Palace was situated on the northern side of Queen Square near to the junction with North Street.

In the 1920s it was modernised to bring it in line with the latest safety regulations. Bertie Crew, the well-known theatre architect, drew up the alterations. The pit section of the theatre was removed and replaced by the stalls area .

The Empire Palace changed its name to The Hippodrome and was reopened by the Mayor of Wolverhampton on 21st February 1921.

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Extract from Empire Palace Plans 1920 (WTON/7068)

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Interior of The Hippodrome Theatre c. 1940 (M8/HIP/I/1)

During the 1920's and 1930's dance bands were a popular form of entertainment at the Hippodrome. Famous band leaders at time including Jack Payne, Jack Hylton and Henry Hall played at the theatre.

Other artists who appeared at the Hippodrome included Laurel & Hardy, Vera Lynn, and Louis Armstrong and his Harlem Rhythm Band of which the reviewer for the Express and Star wrote in May 1934,

"He's dreadful. When he blows his trumpet his neck swells as though he'd swallowed a melon". "Does everything with the trumpet except play it". " A creator in the field of music-a definite and outstanding character".

During the Second World War the Hippodrome was a popular night out particularly for the American and Dutch forces stationed in the area.

In February 1956 the theatre was destroyed by fire. The front of the building, which had been undamaged by the fire, remained for another two years. However, with a rebuilding cost put at £130,000 and with theatre audiences declining, the site was sold to developers.