Hippodrome Theatre

According to the Scottish Cinemas database, the Hippodrome Theatre, in Hamilton, Lanarkshire, was opened October 1907 by E. H. Bostock. It had a largely wooden auditorium that was used for variety and circus acts, which presumably predominated, especially in the early years.

The Hippodrome Theatre is listed in the 1914 Kinematograph Year Book, with no further information other than to confirm E. H. Bostock as the proprietor. That remains the case in the 1923 edition, but now with Rene Clayton as the resident manager. There were by then two shows nightly, with two changes of programme each week, suggesting film screenings had become more prominent.

By 1932 an RCA sound system had been installed. Bostock proprietorship continued until the 1937 Kinematograph Year Book, after which, in 1938 and 1939, Mrs H. W. Urquhart is shown as the lessee.

In the 1940 edition the proprietor is shown as Hamilton Hippodrome Ltd. There were by then 863 seats, with continuous shows of pictures and variety. The proscenium was 27ft wide, the stage 29ft deep and there were six dressing rooms.

By 1944 the seating capacity had reduced slightly, to 813.

The Hippodrome Theatre is listed in the 1946 Kinematograph Year Book, but is shown as “Closed” in the 1947 edition. This corresponds with the Scottish Cinemas database, which records the Hippodrome Theatre as having been destroyed by fire on June 18, 1946.

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