Golders Green Hippodrome

Golders Green Hippodrome was built in 1913 by Bertie Crewe as a 3000-seat music hall, to serve north London and the new tube rail expansion into Golders Green in the London Borough of Barnet, London, England.

Its capacity was reduced by half on the introduction of a stage, but it then became a famous pre/post West End venue for many travelling shows. Taken over by the BBC in the 1960s as a television studio, it has been put to more recent use as a radio studio and multi-purpose concert venue. In 2003, the BBC left the Grade II listed building vacant and deteriorating, although it has now been bought, and is used, by El Shaddai International Christian Centre, an evangelical church.

The Grade II listed, Hippodrome Theatre building next to Golders Green tube station was built as a 3000-seat music hall by Bertie Crewe, and opened on Boxing Day 1913.

Its capacity was reduced by half with the construction of a full theatre stage, and it became famous for its pre- and post-London tours, and has been used as a receiving venue for West End transfers - Laurence Olivier, Marlene Dietrich, Stephane Grappelli, Arthur Askey, Django Reinhardt and Chico Marx played there. Donald Swann's Wild Thyme played in 1955, and its regular performances included an annual pantomime and Ralph Reader's Gang Show.

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