In its heyday, audiences would pack out Hulme Hippodrome to watch acts like Harry Houdini, Desmond Dekker, Gracie Fields and Shirely Bassey.
Music halls like the Hippodrome dominated entertainment in the early part of the 20th century. The Theatre’s Trust say the venue is one of several that made ‘a significant contribution to working-class entertainment’ as part of the Broadhead Circuit, which ran 17 venues in the north-west including Morecambe’s Winter Gardens.
This story first appeared in The Mancunian Way newsletter, which you can sign up to here
But the future of this iconic building is uncertain. And its fate currently lies in the hands of a controversial religious charity, a Croydon property mogul and a real estate company.
So how did this once-thriving theatre fall into dilapidation? Can it be saved from the wrecking ball? And will it ever be restored to its former glory?
Over the decades, Hulme Hippodrome has played host to musical icons, bingo sessions and a self-proclaimed ‘miracle’ preacher. It was even occupied by squatters who set up house in the dilapidated building until they were kicked out five years ago.
But at the height of its popularity, the ornate theatre brought in stars from all over. And it has a colourful history. When Houdini appeared in February 1909, he accepted a challenge to escape from a straightjacket made by a local saddler.
Charlie Chaplin is also thought to have appeared at the theatre and it was here that Stan Laurel joined Fred Karno’s company, kick starting his career.
By late 1930s, the Hippodrome was hosting strip tease burlesque artists from the United States. And by late the 1950s, any subtlety had disappeared with the theatre advertising a show called ‘Festival of Nudes’.
In 1955, Jo-Jo the ‘vanishing’ kangaroo escaped from the Hippodrome while being disappeared by illusionist, the Great Levante. He was captured by officers and held in a city police cell until he could be bailed out by the magician.
But despite its huge popularity, historical and architectural significance, this iconic south Manchester building has long sat dilapidated. When audience numbers began to dwindle, it began a slow decline. It was turned into a bingo hall and closed for good in 1986.
But when it was bought by religious charity the Gilbert Deya Ministries (GDM) in 2003, it was thrust back into the limelight for very different reasons.
The charity was affiliated to Kenyan preacher Gilbert Deya, who reportedly claimed he could help women have ‘miracle’ babies. When asked by the BBC back in 2014 about the miracles, Mr Deya said it was not something he could explain.
Two years later, the pastor visited Hulme for ‘Seven days of unusual miracles’ - an event the Manchester Evening News was refused ent ry to .
After battling extradition for over a decade, Gilbert Deya was sent back to his native Kenya in 2017 to face child-trafficking charges. He denies the charges against him. The case was delayed by Covid, but it is understood legal proceedings are continuing.
South London-based Gilbert Deya Ministries is also being investigated by the Charity Commission over concerns about its governance and financial management, with interim managers appointed by the watchdog in March 2021.
Not long after Gilbert Deya’s extradition, Manchester City Council issued a Dangerous Building Notice and the Hippodrome was boarded and locked up.
GDM still owns the Hippodrome to this day, according to the title deeds. But the building’s ownership is now in contention.
A group called HHM 20 Ltd and another party, Gassell Charles Gordon, both claim ownership according to local campaigners.
HM Land Registry say two applications to register transfer of the property were received in January 2021 but were cancelled.
The theatre was put up for auction for £950,000 last year, but the lot was withdrawn at the last minute.
In February, Manchester Council served a Section 215 notice on the Hippodrome - requiring the owners to carry out essential maintenance and repair works.
The Mancunian Way understands that notice was issued to three parties - Gilbert Deya Ministries, Gassell Gordon and HHM20. It is HHM20 that is appealing the notice and it’s understood the issue of ownership was brought up at a court hearing last month.
Now, campaigners hoping to rescue the building from the bulldozer fear the fragile structure won’t survive another winter and fear any delays could hinder their attempts to save it.
Set foot inside the theatre today and you would still find gilded decorations, red velvet seats and a spectacular auditorium that has withstood the test of time.
Campaigning group Save Hulme Hippodrome (SHH) want to buy the Grade II-listed building and restore it to its former glory for community use. They say they have an angel investor, ready to step in to buy the theatre and are working with the Theatre’s Trust.
They recently tried to have the building listed as an Asset of Community Value - giving them a legal right to a six-month pause in any sale to raise the funds required to purchase the building. But this was overturned following a challenge from one of the alleged owners.
SHH chairman Paul Baker says they are at a ‘legal impasse’. “We are absolutely frustrated,” he says.
He fears the building could be sold and knocked down by developers keen to build on its prime location close to the city centre and Manchester Metropolitan University.
“Our concern is that it will not last another winter,” he says. “We’re worried it will deteriorate to such an extent that it won’t be able to be brought back into use. The cost of doing it up will be substantial and it would have to be done slowly.”
The site has acquired cult status locally. Psychedelic garage rockers Bingo Jesus even took their name from the Hippodrome after spotting the word ‘Jesus’ plastered across the building directly next to the old bingo hall sign.
Paul believes it would be a popular spot and says local support for the project is strong. He says: “It has always been a theatre that reached out to the local population. It was known to be an area where young people would meet in the early 1900s.
"There were two to three shows a day. Theatre was the main form of mass entertainment,” he says. “The cotton workers of Manchester were the first to have Saturday afternoons off. That led to Saturday football and matinees.”
HM Land Registry say two applications to register transfer of Hulme Hippodrome were received in January 2021.
“The applications were not satisfactory so we had to raise queries on them. Following the lack of a satisfactory response within the stipulated time, the applications were cancelled,” a spokesperson said. “As the transfers must be registered to take legal effect, the legal ownership of the property remains in the names of those who are named on the title register,” they added.
A Manchester City Council spokesman said it’s understood the premises belong to HHM 20 Ltd, however this is under dispute. “The Dangerous Building Notice is still in place as the Council is not aware of any works that have been made to improve the safety of the building,” they said.
The Mancunian Way has contacted Gilbert Deya Ministries and HHM20 for comment.
The Playhouse
The history of the Hippodrome is intertwined with that of its neighbour, the former Hulme Playhouse. Originally conceived as twin theatres, the confusingly swapped names at some point in the 1900s.
The Playhouse started life as the Grand Junction Theatre, then became a cinema, the Junction Picture Theatre and The Playhouse in 1951. It was bought by the BBC in 1956 for use as a TV and radio recording studio and welcomed The Beatles to record their radio debut on March 7, 1962. It was here that The Fab Four performed covers of Dream Baby (How Long Must I Dream?), Memphis, Tennessee, and Please Mister Postman in front of a live studio audience.
In 1991 it became the Nia Centre, a hub for Afro-Caribbean arts and culture, and was opened by jazz megastar Nina Simone.
It was later used as a church, but fell into disrepair and was placed on the Theatre Trust's ‘At Risk’ register. It’s now run by community theatre co-operative NIAMOS.
The Mancunian Way: Miniature Manchester
The Mancunian Way: A city ahead of its time
The Mancunian Way: Gibbs vs Gallaghers
