New Live Performance Venue the Hippodrome Casino Launches with LIVE AT THE HIPPODROME - Janie Dee, Kate Dumbleby & More

Live at the Hippodrome today announced the first season of performances at London's newest live performance space – The Matcham Room at the Hippodrome Casino, Leicester Square. Booking opens today for the first season of curated performances which will return world-class live entertainment to the recently restored, legendary Hippodrome.

The Hippodrome Casino will comprise a top-class restaurant and lounge, a cocktail bar, private dining rooms and events spaces, bringing together the dedicated live entertainment venue with traditional and state-of-the-art electronic gaming.

In July 2012, the inaugural performances at Live at the Hippodrome will include Janie Dee, Jane Monheit, Tony Christie, Kate Dimbleby, Julian Ovenden and Miss Polly Rae. Booking opens today for these acts.

Future dates in 2012 will be available for booking soon and will include evenings with Maria Friedman, Adam Guettel (with Jonathan Ansell), Ruthie Henshall, Barb Jungr, David McAlmont, Gwyneth Herbert, Kerry Ellis, Judy Kuhn, Stefanie Powers, Suzi Quatro, Hot Club of Cowtown, Lea DeLaria and Cerys Matthews.

Produced by independent theatre producer Nick Frankfort, Creative Director on behalf of the Hippodrome Casino (and formerly Executive Producer of the Donmar Warehouse), with Associate Programmer Neil Marcus, Live at the Hippodrome's programming will seek to revisit the illustrious entertainment history of the building (previously home to Talk of the Town) whilst also introducing to central London a sophisticated new 182 seat venue which will evoke the intimate live performance spaces of New York.

From Monday 2nd July 2012, Live at the Hippodrome will host week-long residencies, one-off events and late night slots encompassing an international slate of performers from the West End and Broadway, cabaret, jazz, burlesque, variety and the music industry. Additionally, the programme will celebrate the work of particular songwriters and showcase emerging performing talent.

Named after the theatre's original architect, Frank Matcham, The Matcham Room – permanent home to Live at the Hippodrome - will serve food and drink at booths, tables and balcony seats within the performance space. The menu is designed and served by the neighbouring Heliot Restaurant, Bar and Lounge. This three-tier restaurant with cocktail bar and private dining rooms will revive the bygone West End glamour reminiscent of the halcyon days of the Atlantic Bar and Grill.

The Hippodrome Casino's owner, Simon Thomas said:

"People are surprised when I say the Hippodrome Casino is not just about gaming. We're about fun, entertainment and great food and drink in amazing surroundings. Live at the Hippodrome is an essential part of that unique mix. Not only because I could not, personally, have taken on the challenge of re-building the Hippodrome without committing to a reawakening of its performance history, but also because London is crying out for a performance space to host the rich breadth of artists that Nick's programming presents. And, if you want to have a flutter on the tables, then we've got areas for those with either £20 in their pockets or the keen gambler wishing to stake higher amounts. This is an evening out for everyone from 21 upwards looking for the best all-round 24-hour venue in the capital."

In 2013 Live at the Hippodrome will welcome Alexander Armstrong, David Arnold, Jason Robert Brown, composers Marcy Heisler and Zina Goldrich, Maureen Lipman, Robert Lindsay, John Partridge and Tyne Daly, among many more.

Performance dates will be announced soon. Sign up for alerts at www.hippodromecasino.com

Ticket prices will range from £25 to £35 and customers will not be charged a booking fee.

Box Office: 0844 248 5144
http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/hippodrome

To post a comment, you must register and login.