The Ardwick Empire Theatre, Higher Ardwick and Hyde Road, Ardwick Green, Manchester

Later - The New Manchester Hippodrome

Manchester Theatres Index

Above - An early postcard showing the Ardwick Empire Theatre, Manchester - Courtesy John Heavyside.

The Ardwick Empire Theatre was constructed in 1904 as a large Variety Theatre for the Australian born Theatre owner and manager Oswald Stoll. It was situated on the corner of Higher Ardwick and Hyde Road, Ardwick Green, Manchester, and was situated opposite the much later Apollo Theatre, built in 1938, today known as the O2apollo.

The Ardwick Empire was designed by the renowned Theatre Architect Frank Matcham with internal decorations by De Jonge and Company of London, and opened on Monday the 18th of July 1904 with a variety show headed by the Fred Karno Company.

Right - A Music Hall Programme for the Ardwick Empire for the 2nd of September 1912. More images of this programme are displayed below.

The Cheshire Daily Echo reported on the Theatre in their 18th of July 1904 edition saying:- 'A magnificent new theatre has been added to the Manchester places of entertainment. The Ardwick Green Empire, erected at a cost of £45,000, will be opened this evening, and will sure to be a most popular resort for people in the suburbs of Manchester and the surrounding towns.

The building presents a most imposing appearance, and the interior is quite in keeping with the elaborate external design. The floor of the auditorium is covered with a rich, lustrous pile carpet in fine Turkey shades; while the proscenium, boxes, and entrances generally have been hung with handsome draperies, consisting of silk plush of a striped design, relieved with satin de luxe of the new tannate colouring.

Every attention has been paid to the important matters of heating and ventilation, and the interior is brilliantly lighted throughout by electricity. So complete and perfect are the arrangements, both on the stage and in all parts of the building, that there need not be the slightest fear of accidents resulting from fire or any other cause.

Above - An early tinted postcard showing the Ardwick Empire Theatre - Courtesy John Heavyside.

In the main entrance, which is at the comer of Ardwick Green and Hyde-road, the ceiling is divided into three bays radiating from the corners over the paybox and there are two arched passages, one leading to the stalls waiting-room and the other to the grand circle waiting-room.

Right - An early colour postcard showing the Ardwick Empire Theatre, Manchester.

The auditorium, treated in Renaissance style, has a large coved ceiling, divided with arched panelling, filled in with artistic allegorical figure paintings representing Arts, Music, Dancing, etc., relieved by rich ornamental work, ample provision being made for ventilation, and the electric light has been worked in conjunction with the general scheme of decoration.

The box elevation, with its Pilasters and pediments, is surmounted by some finely modelled figures; from the back of these pediments arches lead up to the main ceiling, from the springing of which groups of cupids blowing trumpets give the whole a very artistic appearance.

The proscenium frame is in Scagliola marble, with circular corners and richly designed panelling, above the centre of which is filled in with dancing cupids; the whole of the work is treated in cream and light olive green tints, relieved with gold, while the draperies, seating, and wail covering are in rich copper colour, forming a rich contrast, and giving the whole interior a bright and chaste appearance.

Above - A Music Hall Programme for the Ardwick Empire for the 2nd of September 1912.

One important fact to be noted is that a perfect view of the stage is obtained from all parts of the auditorium. Upwards of 1,000 "tip-up" chairs have been fixed, and, rising tier upon tier, they make quite an important display. The building will seat some 3,000 persons.

On Saturday afternoon, by invitation of the managing director, Mr Oswald Stoll (general manager), a select number of ladies and gentlemen inspected the theatre, and universal admiration was expressed at the handsome appearance which the place presented. The famous Besses-o'th-Barn Band performed selections of high-class music, and some capital part-songs were sung by the Roll Bros. quartette, and they were much appreciated.

Above - A Music Hall Programme for the Ardwick Empire for the 2nd of September 1912.

There are to be two performances nightly, at 6-50 and at 9. The programme for the opening week includes: Mr Fred Karnos Company of Comedians in the Musical Comedy Extravaganza in three episodes, "Saturday to Monday," written by Messrs Fred Karno, Charles Baldwin, and Fred Kitchen, music composed by Mr Dudley Powell; the Donaldson Brothers, Ardel and Company in their own pantomime, "A Zoological Comedy" and Varieties.'

The above text in quotes was first published in the Cheshire Daily Echo, 18th of July 1904.

Above - The Ardwick Empire Theatre shortly before it opened in 1904 - From The ERA, 16th of July 1904.

The Ardwick Empire first opened on the 18th of July 1904 and was run from the start as a Variety Theatre with all manner of artists appearing on its stage over the years.

Right - An Early Postcard showing the Ardwick Empire - Courtesy Roger Fox.

An advertisement carried in the Athletic News on the 25th of July 1904, shown below, stated that the Company intended to run the Theatre on a Twice Nightly two hour Variety show basis, with the first show starting at 6.50 and ending at 8.50, and the second starting 10 minutes later at 9pm, and finishing at 11pm. Quite an exhausting schedule for its artistes, and staff, with the second house audience being held FOH for a half hour before the first show had even finished.

Above - An Advertisement for the newly opened Ardwick Green Empire - From The Athlectic News, July 25th 1904.

In its early years the programme was changed weekly, meaning that people could visit the Theatre every week and see a different show with different variety artistes performing, all for the price of just 4 pence if you didn't mind sitting in the Pit at the back of the stalls. Other prices were 1 shilling for the Stalls, 6 pence for the Grand Circle, and in the Gallery 3 pence, or even 2 pence on some evenings, quite a bargain for a two hour show.

Renaming to the New Manchester Hippodrome

Above - The New Manchester Hippodrome, formerly the Ardwick Empire, during the run of Bert Loman's production of 'Goldilocks and the Three Bears' in 1937-1938 - Courtesy Maurice Friedman, British Music hall Society. The caption on the card read 'Britain's Greatest Pantomime smashes all records at the Manchester Hippodrome 1937-8.'

From 1930 the Ardwick Empire had begun operating part time as a Cinema, although it did still present Variety shows on its large stage for much of the time. However, the Theatre was closed in March 1935 for refurbishment and a reopening as the New Manchester Hippodrome. The original Manchester Hippodrome, which like the Ardwick Empire was also built in 1904, was sold to the Granada Cinemas Chain and closed on the 2nd of March 1935 and quickly demolished for the construction of a new Super Cinema on its site.

The New Manchester Hippodrome opened on Easter Monday the 22nd of April 1935 and the opening, which was broadcast on the radio, included Harry Welchman, Arthur Prince, and the Cole Brothers amongst others, see the opening advertisement from the Manchester Evening News of the 18th of April 1935 shown above right.

Left - A Poster for the Manchester Hippodrome, Ardwick Green - Courtesy Adrian Korsner - On the Bill were Vic Lewis and his Orchestra with Sylvia Drew and Dean Raymond featuring Ronnie Chamberlain, the Four Jones Boys, Billy Maxam, Ken Morris and Joan Savage, the Ballet Montmartre, Sisto and Partner, and Les Ricards.

The Manchester Evening News reported on the changes to the Theatre in their 20th of April 1935 edition saying:- 'Conventional theatre design has been flouted by the New Manchester Hippodrome, which opens its doors on Easter Monday. Gone are the boxes with their thick red curtains, and no longer do plaster cupids hang over the pit like old-fashioned but benevolent spirits of the drama. No longer are there parts of the theatre in which it is difficult to hear; microphones and concealed loud-speakers have seen to that. Even the age-old theatrical red has gone.

The seating of the reconstructed theatre - which was once the Ardwick Empire - are upholstered in green. The colour scheme of the whole theatre is green and brown.

Right - The Auditorium from the Stage of the New Manchester Hippodrome when it first opened in 1935 - From the Manchester Evening News, 20th of April 1935.

The Theatre has become more democratic. Not only are all the 2,100 seats in the house well cushioned and conveniently placed, but even the 6d. seats can be booked. The new programmes have a phoenix on their cover - emblem of the theatre which has arisen from its own ashes.

The attendants will be dressed in a brown and green uniform, and concealed amber lighting will give a cosy effect to the body of the building. Although the New Manchester Hippodrome has a slightly smaller capacity than its predecessor, the Ardwick Empire, because of alterations, it is still the biggest theatre in Manchester. The theatre will be opened by Sir Edwin Stockton on Monday, and Sir Oswald Stoll will take part in the broadcast from North Regional - his first broadcast experience.'

The above text in quotes was first published in the Manchester Evening News, 20th of April 1935.

The New Manchester Hippodrome had first opened on Easter Monday the 22nd of April 1935 and had a long and successful life as a Variety Theatre but it was eventually closed after the final performance of 'Tokyo' on April the 22nd 1961. Its closure was generally stated as being the result of a lack of suitable shows available to put on in the Theatre, which had also had a closure for several months the previous summer for the same reason.

Right - A September 1951 Poster for the Manchester Hippodrome - Courtesy Geof Turner who says 'The poster is dated September 3rd 1951 when a young pianist called Sugar Chile Robinson was top of the bill. I was 16 years old and had seen him signing records at Lewis's Department Store and decided to go to see him. On the same bill were Dowie & Kane, Les Danielleys and various other artists.'

After the closure of the Theatre its fittings were sold by auction. The Stage Newspaper carried an advertisement for the auction in their August the 17th, 1961 edition saying that the items included:- 'Velvet House Tabs; Drapes; Borders; Back Cloths; Tab Rails; Hemp Ropes and Lines and Winches. Floodlights; Spotlamps; Switch- boards; Fluorescent and other fittings; Neon and Box Signs; Vacuum cleaners; Hand Drill; Clocks; Water Heaters; and various electrical fittings. "Chappel" Baby Grand Piano; Record Player and Speakers. Bar Counters and Furnishings; Glassware and Crockery; Carpeting and Floor Coverings; Desks; Tables; Safes; Typewriters; Dressing Room Furnishings: Fire Appliances; Ladders; Trestles and General Complement of Loose Effects.' - The Stage, August the 17th, 1961.

It was hoped that after the auction the Theatre would at least be converted for other uses but sadly it was seriously damaged by a fire in February 1964 and was then demolished in August the same year.

Left - A Google StreetView Image of the site of the former Ardwick Empire / New Hippodrome in September 2016 - Click to Interact.

At the time of writing in September 2025 the site of the Theatre has still not been redeveloped but instead carries advertising hoardings facing a large roundabout and the still surviving Ardwick Green.

If you have any more information or images for this Theatre you are willing to share please Contact me.