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33-34 Snargate Street
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Apart from the way the character of the old town or
Dover was changed by the devastation wrought by bombing and shelling
during the last war, one or the most lamented losses was that of the old
Royal Hippodrome theatre. This popular entertainment spot - the spacious
building extended from Snargate Street through to Northampton Street -
was so badly damaged by enemy action that it had to be demolished after
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Victim of war
DOMINANT feature or Northampton Street and Snargate Street for many
years was the Hippodrome theatre which underwent a number or name
changes and, sadly, was destroyed almost by the last shell fired by the
enemy's long range guns during the Second World War.
The late
proprietor, Herbert Armstrong, bravely kept the theatre going right
up until the fateful shell hit the building during a morning rehearsal
in September 18, 1944. The unusual building on the left was occupied by
W. Grognet, who made and repaired all kinds of theatrical, business
and domestic wicker-work baskets and other goods.
The Hippodrome's shell was demolished in 1951. See below Express 19
January 1951.
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Built originally as "The Theatre Royal" in 1790 but at that time opening
in the winter only. As the "Dover Theatre" or "Clarence Saloon" it was
bought by Browning in 1858 who then featured concerts and ballets in the
evenings. The name changed to "Gaiety Theatre" in 1875 and was bought by the
brewers Kingsford and Company that year.
Known as the "Dover Theatre" when it was rebuilt in 1896 but as the
"Dover Tivoli Theatre" when it reopened on 14 June 1897. The manager was
Amand Mascard. The "Princess Alice" which had stood next door was swallowed
by the new edifice, which did incorporate a bar of course, where the
entertainers could be met during the interval. The former bar had been the
"Clarence Tavern" and later, the "Hippodrome Bars" became just as popular.
By 1903, it was the "Theatre Royal," once more, but closed for extensive
alterations in 1906. It next reappeared as the "Royal Hippodrome" reopening
in March 1910. "The Palace and Hippodrome Southern" made its appearance in
the Market Square the same year.
In Snargate Street, the proprietors by 1936 were North Britain Theatres
Limited.
The theatre, including three bars and 35 Snargate Street had been sold on
22 July 1931 when the lease was £160 per annum.
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From the Dover Express and East Kent News. 13 January 1939.
The last of three pantomimes will be staged next week, when Frank Roy
presents the popular pantomime, "Dick Wittington and his Cat." "Idle
Jack" will be played by the young Yorkshire commedian, Leslie Gunby, and
the "cook" by Al. Almont; "Alice Fitzwarren" by Shirley Winter, and "Fitzwarren"
by Roy Raymond. The principal boy , Margaret Marsh, is an excellent
"Dick Wittington," and Maurice Sanger, the "cat." Matinees will be held
on Wednesday and Saturday, with special prices for children.
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From the Dover Express and East Kent News. 20 November 1942.
POPPY DAY, DOVER'S FINE EFFORT
It was reported that the "Hippodrome" raised the sum of £8 8s. 2d.
for the Poppy Fund of 1942.
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The theatre carried on, 'Windmill' fashion, during world war two but was
forced to close in September 1944 and on the 25th of that month a shell from
France took off the roof and part of one side. Tremendous efforts were made
post war to effect repairs and reopen. "The Hippodrome Bars" dispensing
meanwhile from amongst the rubble. Compulsory purchase was the order of the
day however and the closure there came in August 1950.
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The Royal Hippodrome showing the war damage. By kind
permission of Dover Library. |
Perhaps Fremlin at the finish but for many years an out let of George
Beer and Rigden. Sad to say, in 1990, nothing to compare - if ever that was
possible has materialised.
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From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 13
October, 1950.
TRANSFORMING SNARGATE STREET
Demolition work is practically completed of the
property on the seaward side of Snargate Street from the old bethel
Corner as far as the Hippodrome. The contract for he Hippodrome's
removal has been let, and work is expected to begin shortly.
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From the Dover Express, 19 January 1951.
"BRINGING DOWN THE HOUSE"
FOR THE LAST TIME.
As workmen were pulling down the main wall of the Hippodrome by means of
the wire hawsers attached to a winch, tons of masonry and brickwork,
which should have fallen inside the remains of the building, collapsed
across Northampton Street early on Monday afternoon.
The first picture, taken only just over an hour before, shows the wall
before its collapse. The wires can beseen coming from the windows and
going over the top of the wall. In the second picture workmen clear away
the rubble, while lorries and cars detour along part of the quayside.
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From the Dover Express, 13 April 1951
Another Hippodrome Memory
Mrs. Vallat, of 118, Framfield Road, Hanwell, W.7., in a Ietter to the
Editor, writes:-
"I see our old friend, the 'Express,' has raised it's price; but, anyway,
it's worth it. There is more news in it than in any London newspaper. I
always look it right through, and know the devastation through bombing
and demolition. One thing I noticed Particularly was the taking down of
the old Clarence Theatre, as it was called when I was young.
"It was on that stage that I first appeared, as one ot the 92nd
Highlander's who relieved Cawnpore in the Indian Mutiny. There were
about 50 little girls dressed in kilts-with guns and all -and we marched
over a high bridge, back-stage, to the tune of 'Blue Bonnets over the
Border' and 'The Campbell's are Coming.' Then we went in to kill the
sepoys-all the bangs made back-stage-and we carried off the dead bodies
(all blacks) and came in again as reinforcements.
"Ah, those were the days. How we all enjoyed two performances nightly.
How sorry I was when it was all over. I think we were paid three or tour
shillings a week. I can't think how I was then. I wonder if anyone I
else remembers those days and the plays-'Uncle Tom's Cabin' and all the
sensational dramas, and the Scotch and Irish comedians.
"I loved the stage, and when they were engaging girls for the pantomime,
I used to go every day to see if there was a vacancy. How disappointed I was, as I wasn't a
dancer then.
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LICENSEE LIST
BROWN Benjamin 1858-72
WARE George 1877 (Gaiety)
HOLFORD E W 1909-10
POOLE J T or T J 1914-16 end
HOWARD S P 1918
TINDELL H 1923
MCDONALD William 1923-29
RAYMOND H G 1926-33
WINTER Mrs Florence A 1926-28 dec'd
PEACHEY George Wyatt 1928-33
DUNBAR A D 1929
ALLEN R 1930
ARMSTRONG H R 1933 and 1936-45
POWELL H 1934
LOVERIDGE Thomas (Fred) Langdon 1934-Jan/36 (Dover Express)
MARTIN Wilfred (Sec. Messrs. George beer & Rigden) Jan/1936 (Dover
Express)
ARMSTRONG H R 1936-45
RUFF E 1945 or later
PHILLIPS Hebden 1948
FRANCIS Horace 1950
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