A theatre of outstanding national importance
|
Barrasford descendant's support I am the great-granddaughter of the theatre impressario Thomas Barrasford, who was responsible for creating so many wonderful theatres across the country, including the Brighton Hippodrome.
|
Sadly, so much of his legacy has been allowed to fall into disrepair, to ne converted beyond recognition, or has simply been demolished. I was absolutely thrilled when I heard of your campaign to preserve the Brighton Hippodrome and save it from the fate so many of his theatres have suffered. Through his work, Thomas touched the lives of thousands, possibly millions of artistes, technicians and theatre-goers, bringing pleasure and prosperity to the people, towns and cities fortunate enough to possess a Barrasford theatre. I am immensely proud of my ancestor, who was an entrepreneur, inventor, fierce competitor and a human being so well respected by his family and friends. Left: advertisements appeared weekly in the trade press to announce who was appearing where on the Barrasford tour. Right: crowds throng Middle Street for Thomas Barrasford's funeral, 5 February 1910 |
I am therefore delighted to write in support of your efforts to ensure his theatre can once again serve the people of Brighton and beyond, resuming its role as a place of community, laughter and culture, and a flagship for the south-east of England. I wish you every success in your endeavours, the progress of which I will watch with keen anticipation every step of the way. Yours sincerely Mrs J L Cover
|
||
Send your comments to support@ourhippodrome.org.uk for inclusion on this page. Many thanks to all those who have done so already, either here or on the 38 Degrees petition page. We have to keep these live venues so that our children and their children can see and feel how performances should be and share in the joy which we discovered. Any removal of theatre space is a crime, we don't need yet more cinemas but we're in danger of taking away the facilities that the next generation of actors need! Still remember the wow factor of seeing shows there. An unique theatre building we cannot afford to lose, especially when you realise the lack of any venue able to take large-scale productions in South-East. People come to Brighton to see the wonders it has to offer, experiences they cannot have at home, not watch a film they can watch at their local cinema. There are stars still to be born who need magical LIVE spaces in which to thrive. Brighton Hippodrome is such a one. This type of theatre is fast becoming an historical feature due to the lack of investment caused by short-sighted bureaucratic pen-pushers, who lack the education and understanding of the arts. This type of building in the right hands can thrive and provide entertainment for a wide range of musical and other spheres of the arts. Brighton needs somewhere better than the conference centre for live shows. When I lived in Brighton it was evident that, good though the Theatre Royal was, a larger venue was also needed, capable of hosting the largest musicals and other shows. The Hippodrome would be able to do this. The Hippodrome could be restored to its former glory and be a credit to Brighton instead of just another cinema. It would be more valuable an asset in the long run. We don't need more exclusive bars, shops and yet another cinema for the well-off of Brighton and surrounds. Keep it LIVE! Beautiful building—and Brighton doesn't need 8 more cinemas. Please sign. The council is so pathetic to let it get to this stage. It's a piece of history that should be a grade 1 listed building. |
The Hippodrome has accommodated elephants before but I fear that the multiplex cinema plan is likely to equate to eight white ones! If the funding can be generated, a live performance venue is by far the best option for the building. —Ninka W [via 38degrees] As a resident for 30 years, and a local historian, I treasure our heritage and do not want to lose this important building, especially when we are so short of good venues for theatre. Brighton is the ideal place for making the Hippodrome a successful live venue/theatre once more. A lovely legend with a viable future—we must keep it. We need a venue in Brighton large enough to take the various shows that we have to go to London/Woking/Canterbury/Southampton to see because the Theatre Royal does not have a large enough stage to accommodate them. This building is one of the reasons Brighton is special and different. Everyone can have a 8 screen cinema but no-one else has a Hippodrome like ours. Frank Matcham also re-designed the London Palladium.The two theatres have a close seating capacity.With the West Pier gone and the Palace Pier now just a Jetty with fair ground rides on the end.The Hippodrome is Brighton's hidden jewel in a much depleted Brighton crown. Brighton has already lost the West Pier and needs to take better care of its heritage. There are not enough live performance spaces in Brighton. If managed correctly by the team that currently run the Brighton Dome this could be a great potential revenue spinner for the local authority. Because my grandad used to work there as an electrician. He told some wonderful stories! Brighton has already lost too many theatres to the bulldozers, let's get this one restored and put to good use, ie. live performance. Brighton does NOT need another cinema!! Its a unique building and part of Brighton's heritage. It's a rather unusual building and we should hang on to it. It will be such a crying shame to lose a one in a million type of building. Good luck saving the Hippodrome. I wish I was rich and could save it. Because this building is a beautiful piece of Brighton history. |
Brighton really needs to keep and revive this wonderful venue as a proper theatre. Our group, New Sussex Opera, would certainly be interested in using it.
—Tim L [via 38degrees] I am a Brightonian. My mother and father were regular visitors to the theatre throughout their teenage and young adult years in the 1950s until its closure in 1965. They have told me of many a wonderful night had at the theatre and the diverse acts that played the venue. With regret I only ever managed to visit the theatre when it was run as a bingo hall, however, I could appreciate the splendour and craftsmanship of such a great designer as Frank Matcham. This is one of his finest houses ever created in the UK and for that reason alone should be protected.
|
Page updated 22 February 2014
