Cannon Stockton-on-Tees
Dovecott Street,
Stockton-on-Tees,
TS19 1LL
Dovecott Street,
Stockton-on-Tees,
TS19 1LL
2 people
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Cannon Cinemas, Classic Cinemas (UK), Essoldo Circuit (Contol) Ltd.
Architects: C.C. Chadwick, William Hope, William Watson
Firms: Chadwick, Watson & Company
Previous Names: Hippodrome Theatre, Essoldo, Classic
Nearby Theaters
The Hippodrome Theatre was opened on 18th December 1905 as a live theatre, with films screened as part of the variety programme. Seating was provided for 1,700 in stalls, circle and balcony levels. The proscenium was 40 feet wide and the stage 30 feet deep. There were ten dressing rooms. It continued as a variety theatre until the early-1930’s, when it was equipped with Western Electric sound for the screening of ‘talkies’. The theatre was gutted by a fire on 8th November 1932, and it was rebuilt to the plans of architectural firm Chadwick, Watson & Company, re-opening on 28th August 1933.
After over a decade as a successful cinema, the Hippodrome Theatre reverted back to live shows in 1948, although there was still some film use. Stars who appeared at this time include Morecambe & Wise, Harry Secombe and Frankie Vaughan, with repertory theatre staged by Harry Hanson & his Court Players. It was taken over by the Essoldo Cinemas chain in 1955, and went back to full time cinema use, eventually re-named Essoldo on 23rd June 1968.
Taken over by the Classic Cinemas chain from 2nd April 1972, it was re-named Classic. Closed for conversion into a triple-screen cinema in March 1973, it re-opened on 2nd August 1973 with seating for 240 in screen 1, 125 in screen 2 and 110 in screen 3. Taken over by the Cannon Group in 1986, it was renamed Cannon, and closed on 2nd September 1993.
It was demolished in January 1996, and the ARC Stockton Arts Centre (which includes a cinema) was built on the site.
Contributed by
Ken Roe
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Recent comments (view all 4 comments)
Three photos of the former Cannon at various times here:–
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/332635551/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/2244523472/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/2243730363/
The theatre with 3 names!
When, in 1968, Essoldo Ltd decided to rename the Hippodrome, Dovecote Street the ‘Essoldo’ (The Cinema, High Street which bore the Company name had been on bingo for four years by this time), they never got around to removing ‘Hippodrome’ from the corner canopy. To compound matters further, when Classic acquired this and the rest of the Essoldo circuit in 1972, it took them several months to change the main signage. They did, however, plaster the word ‘Classic’ everywhere else possible and there were then 3 names to choose from when visiting the Dovecote Street theatre.
When some old hack in the local press suggested that it be known as the ‘Hippessoldic’, Classic suddenly found the money to change the fin sign and remove ‘Hippodrome’ from the canopy.
Essoldo were rather prone to leaving former names on their cinemas, other examples in the North East being Bishop Auckland (Hippodrome) and Gateshead (Empire).
Photo uploaded.
How things were 60 years ago. 1959 panto bill uploaded. Happy Christmas everyone.