About Us

Artist's impression of the refurbished Dudley Hippodrome with new glass extension. — Artist’s impression of the refurbished Dudley Hippodrome with new glass extension.

The friends of Dudley Hippodrome formed early in 2012 to stop Dudley Hippodrome being pulled down just to become a car park.

With all the regeneration that is taking place in the Castle Hill area of Dudley, including plans for a rail link and station to be built next door to the Hippodrome. re-opening the Dudley Hippodrome is a very realistic prospect.

In this day and age it is more important than ever to hold on to our heritage. Dudley has been a mecca for entertainment: Dudley Zoo, The Odeon Cinema, The Plaza Cinema, JB’s, which is claimed to be the longest running live music venue in the UK, the Black Country Living Museum and the Dudley Canal & Tunnel Trust.

Sadly, the Plaza (which was adjacent to the Hippodrome) has gone, but the Odeon (almost opposite) still stands prouder than ever and is now used by Jehovah’s Witnesses, who have quite simply worked their magic restoring it to a 5 star plus standard.

Ken Dodd said when talking about Dudley Hippodrome on Black Country Radio: ”A theatre is the heart of the community”. Well we think so too, and if it’s run by the community it will be.

The sad state of the Dudley Hippodrome today. Help us restore this fine building for the benefit of the whole community. © Tim Clarke Photography.