Project summary

The Grade II-listed London Hippodrome was built in 1900 by Frank Matcham and featured both a proscenium stage and an arena for aquatic spectacles with eight central fountains and a circle of fountains around the side. Shows included equestrian acts, elephants and polar bears, and acrobats would dive from a Minstrel Gallery above a sliding roof. Since then, the theatre has been reborn in may different forms including a cabaret venue, a nightclub and a circus space - and now in its latest incarnation as the Hippodrome Casino and Entertainment Venue. The original Matcham auditorium will house a combination of gaming and restaurant facilities, whilst the stagehouse will be home to a new entertainment space.

Charcoalblue was appointed to assist the architects in the planning of the Entertainment Venue and associated support areas, and to design custom stagelighting and audiovisual technical systems for the space, including digital projection facilities. In the wider building Charcoalblue has also advised on the design and integration of a series of bespoke lighting, audiovisual and display systems.

While site works are taking place, Charcoalblue is overseeing the installation of the theatre technical systems.