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Hippodrome / Coventry Theatre / Apollo show archive

An attempt to list all the shows ever performed at our Hippodromes, beginning with the temporary circus buildings, which from 1884 were specially erected on Pool Meadow for each visit - then, in 1903, to the first permanent, but short-lived, 'Tin' Hippodrome on the Priory Street side of Pool Meadow facing the old Swimming Baths. The popularity of these shows created the demand for a theatre worthy of our city, and so in 1906 began the construction in Hales Street, next to Swanswell Gate, of what we now regard as the Old Hippodrome.
Again, the success of this theatre meant that barely three decades later a greater capacity was required, and so we come to our lovely art-deco New Hippodrome in Hales Street, once known as the Showplace of the Midlands. Opening on the 1st November 1937, it was renamed Coventry Theatre in 1955, then from 1979 became The Apollo, giving its final performance in June 1985. After a short spell as a bingo hall it was eventually realised that such a building could not be put to any practical use, so, sadly, it was demolished in 2002. If anyone still has any tickets or programmes and would like to see them used to illustrate a show, please contact me.



1884 1887 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985

1983

Apollo Theatre, Hales Street

Date(s)ShowNotesImages
Tue 1st Feb until Sat 5th Feb 1983Paddington Bear's Magical MusicalA £100,000 spectacular.
Mon 7th Feb until Sat 12th Feb 1983Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour DreamcoatDirected by Bill Kenwright.
Sat 19th Feb 1983Thin LizzyPart of their "Thunder and Lightning" tour. Supported by Mama's Boys.
Sat 19th Mar 1983Cannon and BallPart of their Spring Tour. One night only.
Fri 25th Mar 1983Bucks FizzOne night only.
Sat 26th Mar 1983Kevin TurveyOne night only.
Tue 29th Mar 1983London City BalletPerforming Swan Lake. One night only.
Fri 1st Apr until Fri 8th Apr 1983Sally Chipperfield's CircusFull scale traditional circus for the Easter period.
Sat 9th Apr 1983Spandau BalletOne night only.
Thu 21st Apr 1983Freddie StarrPlus Lennie Bennett. One night only.
Sat 23rd Apr 1983Leo SayerOne night only.
Tue 26th Apr until Sat 30th Apr 1983Coventry Scout's Gang ShowWith a huge cast of Scouts and Leaders.
Thu 12th May 1983Dionne WarwickOne night only.
Tue 17th May until Sat 21st May 1983Danny's Dazzling RoadshowStarring Danny La Rue, with Wayne King, David Ellen, Shades, and others.
Fri 27th May until Sat 4th Jun 1983Fiddler On The RoofStarring Topol.
Mon 6th Jun until Sat 11th Jun 1983Let's Spend The Night TogetherRolling Stones latest film on the big screen.
Mon 25th Jul until Sat 30th Jul 1983The MikadoGilbert & Sullivan opera.
Thu 15th Sep 1983Depeche ModeOne night only.
Tue 20th Sep 1983Charity Fashion SpectacularOrganised by Marks & Spencer. Raised just over £3,000 for charity.
Wed 28th Sep and Thu 29th Sep 1983The Mike Harding ShowTwo nights.
Mon 3rd Oct 1983Kid Creole and the CoconutsOne night only.
Wed 5th Oct 1983Gary NumanOne night only.
Tue 18th Oct 1983Elaine PaigeCANCELLED.
Mon 24th Oct until Fri 28th Oct 1983DashDance show, starring Wayne Sleep.
Sat 5th Nov 1983The ShadowsOne night only.
Thu 10th Nov 1983Billy ConnollyHis Jock's Rap tour. One night only.
Sat 12th Nov 1983Hot ChocolateOne night only.
Thu 17th Nov 1983Russ Abbot's Madhouse ShowWith Dustin Gee, Les Dennis and Bella Emberg. One night only.
Sun 20th Nov 1983Val DoonicanOne night only.
Thu 24th Nov 1983ImaginationFeaturing their hit single New Dimension. One night only.
Sat 26th Nov 1983Showtime SpectacularSuper show for children, including Batman, Daleks, Worzel, Orville, Kermit, Miss Piggy, Smurfs, ET, plus Disco, Magic and Punch & Judy.
Mon 19th Dec 1983 until Mon 2nd Jan 1984Jim Davidson's Christmas MagicWith Bobby Davro and Roy Walker. On Christmas Day, Jim dropped a paving slab on his foot, requiring 44 stitches and nearly losing a toe. The following week's performances were cancelled, but the show resumed on Monday 2nd January. However, after that performance it became clear that he was in too much pain, so the show was cancelled, with Jim promising to return.

Prev year: 1982   Next year: 1984

1884 1887 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985



Also of interest might be A short history of Coventry's Theatres and Cinemas, by Bill Birch.

 
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