Coventry Hippodrome / Apollo / Theatre

The projector did use a periscope but mostly because the projection room and follow spot booth was up at the back of "the gods" and so they couldn't correct the image if it had been projected from there. The periscope got the image down to a level where it was aligned with the centre of the screen - this was related to me by Keith Wood who used to work there at various times in the 60's & 70's. I don't believe it was a 70mm projection system either - The Standard (opposite Barclays Bank - became a casino) up on Tile Hill Lane certainly was but the Coventry Theatre may have been a Cinemascope system which gave the "feel" of 70mm. As ever - happy to be corrected if someone knows better

I am looking for some help on a clock that my father had that was from Coventry Theatre that hung from the ceiling at the side of the stage and it lit up. I believe there was another one but I would like to know more about it if anyone can help

I believe that the Coventry Theatre should take some of the responsibility for the celebration of my 45th wedding anniversary last month! I met my husband when we played for the Coventry School of Music Brass Band. Len Pepper, the conductor visited local schools teaching brass instruments, and had been teaching my hubby to be how to play the tuba. Len also played trumpet in the pit orchestra at the theatre. When those responsible for determining competition rules decided that percussion could be included, Len asked Tony Parkinson - the drummer in the pit orchestra if he had anyone who would like to be considered for the role. Tony taught percussion at the School of Music and I was one of his pupils - and the rest as they say is history! Another claim to fame is that after my dad took early retirement from Courtaulds he found a job working for an accountant making the tea, sorting the post etc. Coventry Theatre were one of the clients, and part of his job was to collect the ticket stubs from the box-office. Occasionally he would be offered free tickets for the show, and if no one was interested he would bring them home. The usual problem was that although the seats had consecutive numbers there was often an aisle between them!!!

Thanks for that Little Nut! I also had Mr Pepper as my teacher when I was at Tile Hill Wood school in 60s. The instrument offered me was the trombone and I was desperate to play any instrument so took it home. Mum was not too pleased! She said, 'you haven't brought home a violin have you?' I said no mum, a trombone. She thought that was ok till I tried to make some notes with it! But she let me practice at home and encouraged me. Neighbours put up with my scale practice, bless em.. Mr Pepper would come into the school once a week and give me and a few others, who had trumpets, lessons. We were meant to become part of the School of Music band once capable but I had a Sat job and that was hard for me to give up. My lovely music teacher at School, Miss True, bought a trombone on my behalf so I could learn and play on that. I paid her back in monthly instalments over two years from my Sat job. She was a star to do that for me. I played in the School band which Ioved but parted company then with Mr Pepper and School of Music. He did a great job and his enthusiasm and talent were impressive to me. I still have the trombone got for me, it must be over 45 years old now and was made in China.

Telegraph photos

Thanks for the link MR. I saw at least 2 of those shows, The Beatles and Roy Orbison. I went to a lot of shows there used to save the programmes but after I got married I think my mum must have had a clear out. I have at least one memento. I saw Adam Faith and went round to the stage door and got his autograph "To Annette love Adam Faith. Still have it!

A very sad day for our iconic Hippodrome. What struck me, though, is the flimsy construction of the building. All the art deco extensions at the front and side, also appeared to be `covered plasterboard` painted over which seemed to sum up the purpose of the building which was to create a pretend world. The irony was that it was the victim of the NEC which ultimately had to be sold to fill a large hole in Birmingham`s finances.

Scans from the Coventry Theatre souvenir programme for the Silver Jubilee Birthday Show (1937-1962):

Pretty sure I've seen this one before but not with such clarity.

Hey Neil, do you think that looks like a weighbridge in the road, just left of the lamppost? It looks like it from where I'm sitting.

Could be Norm - the copy I have on my laptop of that photo is a lot bigger but I can only make out 'City of Coventry' on that sign on the building above it.

According to this - yes And if you then click back one photo, there's another view of it And is it the building on this image?

Not a very clear picture but caption explains! August 25 1936, Midland Daily Telegraph.

The Hippodrome, cinemas and football were all closed for a short time, all large audiences were not allowed to collect in one tight spot (forget the date).