Gallery of Images of the Dudley Hippodrome.

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

In its day, the Dudley Hippodrome stood proudly at the gateway to the town, flanked by the equally splendid Plaza Cinema. Sadly, the latter was demolished in 1997. This photograph below was taken in March 1978 when the Plaza was still screening films. The Hippodrome is earning its living as a Ladbrokes Bingo Hall.

The Dudley Hippodrome in 1978, with the Plaza Cinema alongside. © David Rostance

A couple of programmes from the early days of the Hippodrome - priced at a princely 3d (about 1 and a half pence in today's money). — Two early programmes from the Hippodrome.

Even today, you can still capture the wonder of this fantastic building, as this atmospheric image taken by Mikey Jones in November 2010 shows:

Dudley Hippodrome at Night - November 2010. © Mikey Jones — Dudley Hippodrome at Night – November 2010. © Mikey Jones

Bingo Hall

The Dudley Hippodrome received a life-line when it became a Bingo Hall. The conversion was unusual in that it included seating for participants in the former stage area.

Photograph from 1995 clearly showing the arrangement at the back of the stage. © Ian Grundy.

The unusual arrangement on the stage as viewed from the balcony. Note the later colour scheme of red rather than the blue of 1995. © Mikey Jones.

This shot of the stage from the stalls shows the Dudley Hippodrome in its final guise. © Adam Slater.

Another shot of the stage from the back of the balcony showing the superb view, atmosphere and potential of this wonderful venue that is the Dudley Hippodrome. © Adam Slater.

A lovely shot also dating from 1995. This shows the single, steeply raked balcony - more reminiscent of a super cinema than a theatre. © Ian Grundy. — A lovely shot also dating from 1995. This shows the single, steeply raked balcony – more reminiscent of a super cinema than a theatre. © Ian Grundy.

Another view of the splendid auditorium, taken from one of the boxes. It clearly shows the spacious ambience of this fabulous Art Deco building. © Adam Slater,

The auditorium as viewed from the stage as set up for bingo. © Mikey Jones.

Decay

Sadly, since closure, decay and vandalism have taken their toll. However, even so, the potential for this wonderful building is clear for all to see.

Stage area from the balcony. © Scrappy nw.

Stage area from the stalls. © Scrappy nw.

Part of the basement room, with the dumb waiter (which served all floors) in the back corner. © Scrappy nw.

Stairway leading up to the main dressing rooms. © Mikey Jones.

Madrid. One of the main dressing rooms for the top performers. © Mikey Jones.

Farewell message on the notice board. © Mikey Jones.

Staircase down to the basement, which was also used for performances. © Mikey Jones.