Hippodrome–the word means a stadium for horses.
The only horse I ever saw on stage at the Golders Green Hippodrome was at the annual Christmas pantomime–two men filling out a horse costume:
The Golders Green Hippodrome is an enormous white edifice standing on the side of Golders Green Bus and Underground station in north London.
It’s in the news because it has just been sold to a megaChurch.
It has had quite a history.
I’ve always felt a special connection.
It opened on Boxing Day, 1913 as a variety theatre featuring vaudeville acts.
It was vast–and built before TV tolled the death knell of this kind of popular theatre.
Thanks to the arrival of the Underground, this part of northwest London was expanding into a prosperous suburb, attractive to commuters, offering easy access to the City and West End. The enormous theatre was built to meet their entertainment needs.
The gallery alone (“the Gods”) held 600 seats.
You got a bird’s eye view of the stage, but still heard every word–and it only cost 6 pence (in old money).
We moved to this part of north London after the war in 1946. My parents were young–both 31 that year, and quick to take advantage of an unusual local facility.
From age 4 onwards I was taken to the Christmas pantomime at the Hippodrome–Dick Whittington, Aladdin or Puss in Boots. I sat in the stalls between Ma and Dad, entranced by the wonder of it. (The principal BOY was always played by a female star in black tights and sequinned top.)
But I also remember the dread I felt that one of those loud people up there would try to coax me up on stage to join them, as seemed to be the custom…
“Can we have a couple of volunteers from the audience, please–come on, don’t be shy!”
Oh NOOOOO! Head down! Don’t catch his eye!
Me, an actor!?
I didn’t make it across the footlights until somewhat later.
The playbill in the fifties was rich and varied, featuring many famous names.
I became a regular in “the Gods”.
Ralph Reader’s GANG SHOW attracted charabancs of Boy Scouts and Girl Guides to the annual jamboree.
I spent many happy hours up high watching seasons of the D’Oyly Carte Opera’s productions of Gilbert and Sullivan.
I marvelled at the vocal dexterity needed to sing the tongue twisting patter songs. My favourite: I am the very Model of a Modern Major General (Pirates Of Penzance) and I fell for the oh so demure Three Little Maids from School are we from the Mikado.
The Hippodrome would be the last stop on the warm-up tour, before opening on Shaftesbury Avenue or the first stop on a post West End tour–with the original cast.
Ten years on, I saw the legendary Broadway couple the Lunts (Alfred and Lynn) in Frederick Dürrenmatt’s chilling play The Visit.
Tyrone Power in Bernard Shaw’s The Devils Disciple, Edith Evans in Enid Bagnold’s The Chalk Garden and Zoe’s dad, Sam Wanamaker in The Rainmaker.
Little did I suspect I’d be sharing a West End stage with her, 40 years later!
We lived close to this vast pleasure dome and it featured often in my childhood–no doubt a subliminal influence drawing me into the theatre.
What a treat to have it sitting almost on my doorstep–ten minutes walk away.
At age 17, a friend persuaded me to audition for the school play.
I got the part: Sir Lucius O’Trigger in The Rivals– a lascivious rogue, with his eye on Lucy, the maid.
A couple of laughs, and suddenly this bashful, blushing, sports-loving introvert knew that without a doubt, he wanted to be An Actor.
Never managed to play The Hippodrome, though–missed my chance, aged four.
I loved the pantomimes at the Hippodrome. We went every year (for a while) and I remember Puss in Boots, Dick Whittington, Cinderella and Aladdin (with Abanazer played by a villainous Alan Curtis). We sat in the gods: I think the seats were wooden benches. Sad that the Hippodrome has gone the way of so many entertainment venues. (I also saw Sylvia in the West End, and really enjoyed it.)
Hi Jen! Yes it was amazing to have it there. We didn’t know how lucky we were.
What nice memories, Robin, and what a gorgeous picture of you and Zoe!
Thanks, Madeleine.
I hope the mega church isn’t Scientology!!!
How exciting to see the legendary Alfred Lunt.and Lynn Fontanne! I used to save my Playbills when I was in NYC and would wait afterwards at the stage door for an autograph. How could you not become an actor! Tyrone Power, Edith Evans, and Sam Wanamaker! Working so many years later with Zoe Wanamaker must have seemed like coming full circle in a way.
I love it! So exciting to learn of this place. How fortunate you were to be involved in all the glamour of the day.
Thank you for letting me see it thru your eyes.
Stay well
Peggy Fender-Martens
originally from Colorado now residing in Loretto Tn.
hugs
Shame it is to become a mega church; how long before the pastor wants a new plane, like one asked for from his congregants a few years ago? My family took me up to London for Pantos and Gilbert and Sullivan too! Always loved G&S! Also used to go to see Bertram Mills Circus, and got scared by Coco the Clown!
Lovely memories, thank you for reminding me!
Cheers, Jill Willmott.
Bertram Mills a favourite for me too at Olympia!
Happy memories!
Lovely description, Robin… felt like we were sitting there with you! We have a small theater in nearby Keene, aptly named the Colonial Theater, that they’ve restored to its former glory. We never saw any theater productions there, but we enjoyed many concerts: Judy Collins, Arlo Guthrie, Peter Noone, and the Cajun band Beausoleil. So sorry to hear that your place is being sold. 😦 Extremely fortunate for us that you found your calling there!!!
I ALWAYS ENJOY YOUR POSTS ROBIN. THANKS!
As always Robin a brilliant piece of history, nostalgia and autobiography distilled into a few lines
I love the stunning young buck photo
In myuch younger days I used to travel from West Yorks to London by coach and the first London stop was Golders Green I would leave the coach and take your aforementioned underground to my friend’s home on Westbourne Grove
Ah I love London , the theatre , drama films and all things fantasy I was always too shy to try my hand but my late husband told me I had missed my calling His teasing nick name for me when I was getting worked up was Sarah Bernhardt his own little drama queen.Please keep the epistles coming Robin you paint such vivid pictures with your words
Thanks. Many actors are”shy”though people understandably find it hard to believe!
I recall seeing Arthur Askey as a panto dame at the Hippodrome (and we went backstage to see him in his dressing room). I think I also saw Diana Rigg in a play there. I think the theatre was a bit more than a 10 – minute walk from the road we both then lived in (but maybe you just walked faster!). (I used to play with your late brother Peter and you mother took Peter and me to see you play goalkeeper in a 5-a-side schools competition football match.)
Robert, I’m intrigued; just remind me of your number Reynolds Close! Thanks for the message!
Hello Robin
We were in no 2 (second on left).. We moved in about 1950 (when I was 4). I recall your family was much further along on the right-hand side (did Alan Yentob acquire your house later?). I remember your mother quite well, but I think I hardly met your father. I also remember your younger brother, who I think was called Johnnie then not Jack, but he was very young then.
The 5-a-side football matches we went to, I think, were at Marlborough or Winchester.
Peter used to come and play with my Scalextric.
You may not wish to be reminded of this, but Peter gave me a message that you were going to a 6th Form dance and didn’t know how to jive. I asked my sister, Gillian, if she could show you. I recall folding back the drawing room carpet so she could dance with you. I was firmly banished from the house for this event! As I said you may not wish to be reminded of this and have probably forgotten!!
Incidentally I know you and Peter were at Highgate School. I was at King Alfred School (as was my sister) and Zoe was there also, but 2 or 3 forms below me, so I really didn’t know her. I remember that we used to say ‘that is Sam’s daughter’ as, of course, she was not an actor then. There were a few children of well known parents at my school e.g Gered Mankowitz, son of Wolf, was in my form.
Very best wishes
Robert
I don’t remember the 5 a-side but my wife Meredith says I don’t remember much about my childhood, anyway! Peter was six years younger than me so you would have seen more of him.
Ten minutes! OK your scepticism is wise; that was probably on my bike.
We had a Trix electric train set; I was very proud of that.
Are you in touch with any of you contemporary neighbours?
I don’t know if Alan Yentob bought no. 20 later.
Please give my best to your sister and thank her for the jive lessons–rather belatedly admittedly!
Very best,
Robin
Gillian died earlier this year having suffered from dementia for a number of years. A horrible disease. I am not in contact with any of our contemporaries – although my mother continued in the Close for a long time until she moved to sheltered housing in Temple Fortune. She died in 2005 and still was in contact with some who lived in the Close for a long time. I left in the early 1970s to come to Sussex (where I now live). All such a very long time ago, and such different lives.
I do hope you are enjoying France – it looks as though you do!
With regards
Robert
Yes, we enjoy being here so much we’ve become citizens!
My parents moved to Pinner and then to Brill in Bucks. They died in the early 1980’s.
We–our generation–are lucky to have avoided the war.
Peter died in 2006 at 58. He was a TV drama director in Los Angeles (stressful job).
I’m sorry to hear of Gillian’s suffering–such a wretched disease.
Sussex was my county for cricket–A Grandma lived in Eastbourne and cricket week at Saffrons in August was one of the highlights of my year. Suttle, Oakman and Dexter–heroes.
Very best,
Robin
ps That walk from the Close to the Tube/bus station always felt too long–either way.
Hi Robin! I am a long time reader of this and your Facebook site. For the
last several weeks, Facebook has been refusing me on thiat site,and I really miss it…. Can you re-set it so that I can once again have access to it? Thanks in advance, Jo
Are you still having a problem, Jo? I’m not sure how to fix it!
Hi Robin,
I hope you are having a wonderful day on this very special occasion. Congratulations and thank you for the writing, cooking, acting and entertainment, as well as all your fascinating insights into an actor’s world. You have spead what PG Wodehouse refers to as “sweetness and light” in abundance over the years.
Sending you very warm wishes for your birthday and 2022.
Tina
Thank you, Tina!