Bristol's very own West End theatre opened all the way back in 1912. It was designed by a man called Frank Matcham and reflects the elegant architectural style of the late Victorian era.

It is true to say that nothing completes a fantastic live performance more than a beautiful setting, which the hippodrome surely delivers. The theatre once had a water tank which sat in front of the stage and could be filled with 100,000 gallons of water in one minute allowing stage performances to be combined with circus acts and aquatic activity. And to top it off a huge glass screen could be raised by the touch of a lever to protect the audience from being drenched by the spray. Unfortunately the marvellous feature has not survived the test of time. But equally as fascinating, which does still function today, is the retractable dome in the roof of the theatre which can be opened on hot days to allow the entrance of a soft cooling breeze. The theatre is now air conditioned and it is not often the dome is opened but it is nice to know it still operates. The stage is one of the largest theatre stages in Britain and you really have to go inside to appreciate the beauty. A night at the Bristol Hippodrome is a must during a visit to the city, and for those of us that live here, well we should enjoy it more often.

The hippodrome has wheelchair access and has an accessible toilet. Assistance dogs are welcome and some performances offer assistance. There is an induction loop system available in most parts of the stalls and the Grand Circle, and an infra red hearing system is available throughout the auditorium.

This spring and summer 2008 the hippodrome will be hosting a number of wonderful shows, a handful are mentioned here to give you a taster.

If a musical is your kind of thing then there is the opportunity to catch 'Fiddler on the Roof' from the 3-7 June. The story is based on the father of 5 daughters in 1905 and his struggle to manage his family and religious traditions. The fiddler, a metaphor for survival appropriately titles this musical, which offers a moving storyline bound up with good humour. If a 70s disco full of flashing lights and energy is more appealing then 'Oh! What a night should be the performance of choice between Wednesday 18th and Saturday 21st of June. Alternatively you can relive the era of the 60s through Shout! From Tuesday 24th to Saturday 28th of June.

July brings Robert Louis Stevenson's 'Treasure Island' to life. The favourite book of many adults and children will be transformed to the stage from the 1st -5th July. The story, which Stevenson started writing when he was 30, whilst on holiday with his family on the Scottish Highlands in 1881, brings us an adventure full of excitement and danger, pirates, maps and treasure and is a perfect performance of choice for the family.

The musical which may catch your attention in August (5th-9th) may just be 'Hello Dolly' presented by Chris Mareno. A live orchestra accompanies over 40 performers, and is set around New York, following the adventures of a meddling matchmaker at the turn of the twentieth Century. Alternatively from Friday 29th August – Saturday 6th September, you can get to the hippodrome and see the musical set in the 80s 'Footloose'. The outline of the plot is a young boy who moves to a town where dancing is banned, but that is turned completely on its head when the whole town cannot resist but to jump onto their feet.

If you are in to your comedy then you can see Simon Amstell doing his stand up on Saturday 3rd May, or Paul Merton's Impro Chums on Tuesday 20th May, might just be for you.

There are some good tribute acts on offer if you are a fan of Abba (Abba Mania on Sunday 10th August), Elvis (Elvis on Tour on Saturday 16th August), or Queen (One Night of Queen on Wednesday 10th September).

Colin Fry offers an evening of Clairvoyance on Monday 8th September.

For a full listing of what's on this spring and summer check out the hippodrome website or pick up a what's on Pamphlet from the box office.

You can book online through the official website, over the telephone, in person in the box office or even by text or post.

Online: http://www.bristolhippodrome.org.uk

or http://www.BristolHippodrome.org.uk/Groups For group bookings 10 people or over

Note; not all concessions are available online

Telephone: ticketmaster, 24 hrs a day; 0844 847 2325

ticketmaster customer services; 0844 499 9999 (for any comments on ticketmaster)

or Freephone 0800 587 5007 for groups of 10 people or more. (Mon-Fri, 10am – 6pm)

You can order tickets through livecard which is a national theatre membership from Live Nation. For regular theatres the idea is to save money in theatres all over the country and North America and get priority season guides from your nearest theatre.

Join up at http://www.livecard.co.uk or call the 24 hr number 0871 230 9880

Text phone: 0117 302 3222 (Mon-Fri, 10am – 6pm)

Box Office in Person:

Box Office

Bristol Hippodrome

St Augustines Parade

Bristol

BS1 4UZ

(Mon-Sat, 10am – 6pm, or 8pm on evening performance days)

You can also post to the above address; please include details of the production such as date, include the ticket type, number of tickets and your daytime telephone number. Include a stamped addressed envelope, and a cheque made payable to 'Live Nation Venues (UK) Ltd'. Note; cheques will not be accepted within 14 days of the show.

You can also purchase tickets for the Bristol Hippodrome at any Live Nation theatre including;

Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham

Edinburgh Playhouse

Bristol Hippodrome

Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone

Grimsby Auditorium

White Rock Theatre, Hastings

Apollo Victoria, London

Opera House, Manchester

Palace Theatre, Manchester

New Theatre, Oxford

OFS Studio, Oxford

Southport Theatre

Sunderland Empire

Tameside Hippodrome

Princess Theatre, Torquay

Grand Opera House York