Bristol Hippodrome Bristol

About the Bristol Hippodrome

Situated in the heart of Bristol, the Bristol Hippodrome is the city’s own West End theatre, first opened in December 1912. Managed by the Ambassador Theatre Group, the expansive and traditional venue is designed by prolific architect Frank Matcham, who built some of London’s biggest theatres. With a grand Victorian interior, the building has a large dome in the roof which can be opened to reveal the sky, and remains one of the only functioning domes in the UK.

This dome was instrumental in minimising damage from the venue's 1948 fire. Firefighters were able to open the dome to remove smoke, and therefore stay inside for longer; whilst the stage was destroyed, the theatre re-opened just 10 months later. It is also the site of American musician Eddie Cochran’s final show - he died in a road traffic accident hours after leaving the stage in 1960. 

The Bristol Hippodrome is known for its strong links with the Welsh National Opera, which frequently visits the venue with new work. Its impressive size also makes it a popular venue for music events as well as UK tours of West End musicals, such as Les Misérables and Blood Brothers.