Originally built as an ice rink in 1897, The Hippodrome operated as a circus in 1901 and then opened in 1902 by Thomas Barrasford as a variety theatre, designed by the eminent theatre architect Frank Matcham. Established stars such as Buster Keaton, Laurel & Hardy, Laurence Olivier, Gracie Fields, Sammy Davis Junior, The Beatles, The  Rolling Stones and Brighton’s own Max Miller performed. Many acts appeared in their formative years, including Max Bygraves, Morecambe & Wise, Shirley Bassey and Frankie Vaughan.

“There was a circus at the theatre one week and the dock doors that led straight out into the carpark were left open one morning to let in some air. The elephant got loose from his tethering rope and decided to have a look around Brighton. It walked out of the dock doors past the stage door and a large window in the stage doorkeeper’s cubby hole. George panicked when he found the elephant gone and asked the stage door keeper if he had seen it pass by. The stage door keeper said he had not noticed it. George screamed at him that he must have noticed it because the animal must have blocked out the f******* daylight as it passed his window. The elephant was eventually found taking a stroll around the lanes and accepting buns from passers by.”

On you way to the old site of The Savoy you will pass ‘Quadrophenia Alleyway’. The entrance is between 10 and 11 East Street.