Birmingham Hippodrome will celebrate its 120th birthday by heading back to the theatre’s origins as a circus with a free open day.
To mark the venue’s opening as the Tower of Varieties and Circus, the Hippodrome will stage a number of circus-themed performances and activities throughout the main auditorium, foyer and the Patrick Studio as well as outside in Hippodrome Square.
Performances will begin at 1PM on Saturday 26 October. There will be appearances from Spanish fire performers Chango Fuego and Symoné, and strongman stunts from the Acrochaps. The Clockwork Ballerina will come to life and contortionist Hannah Finn will show her flexibility and strength.
The celebrations coincide with the opening weekend of Circus 1903 which runs from Friday 25 October until Saturday 2 November. Audiences can expect “all of the thrills and daredevil entertainment of a turn-of-the-century circus” including life-sized elephants Queenie and Peanut, created by the team behind War Horse.
Further information is available at the Birmingham Hippodrome web site.