Acts appearing in July will include Janie Dee (July 2-4, 6-7, 8 PM, July 5, 10:15 PM), Jane Monheit (July 4, 10:15 PM, July 5, 8 PM), Tony Christie (July 9-14), Kate Dimbleby (July 16-21, 8 PM), Julian Ovenden (July 16-21, 10:15 PM) and Miss Polly Rae (July 23-28).
Future bookings for 2012 include 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. Acts for 2013 will include Alexander Armstrong, David Arnold, Jason Robert Brown, composers Marcy Heisler and Zina Goldrich, Maureen Lipman, John Partridge and Tyne Daly.
According to press materials, the Hippodrome Casino will comprise a 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. Formerly the home of the Talk of the Town, where Judy Garland gave many of her acclaimed London performances including her final run before her death that is currently being remembered in End of the Rainbow on Broadway, the Matcham Room will be a 182-seat venue.
The room 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 program 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. In a press statement, Simon Thomas, owner of the Hippodrome Casino, commented, "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."
Booking is now open for events in July. To book, contact the box office on 0844 248 5144, or viwit www.hippodromecasino.com for more details.